Tag: amazon

It’s Monday, what are you reading? (11/7/22)

So many great books are coming out this month! I have a lot on my TBR and am excited to dig in as some books are being released. BUT, I’m also reading a new to me author and have been going through her back list Kindle Unlimited. I’m excited to be approaching the holidays because I’ll have a little time off to hopefully read to my heart’s content. Here’s what’s on my nightstand!

JUST FINISHED

I received an advanced reader copy and was excited that I loved it so much. This author is exploring her muse and I love the direction she’s taken recently. Better Than Fiction is her best book yet- in my opinion.

JUST STARTED

This is the only series left from Vanessa Nelson that I haven’t read. All of her books are on Kindle Unlimited so if you’re a member, check her out. Her heroines are action-star worthy and humble. I’m really enjoying reading her back list.

What books are on your next to read?

Happy Monday and happy reading!

Deb

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads2 Comments

This Chick Read: The Rewind by Allison Winn Scotch

Frankie and Ezra were college sweethearts who had a fireball of a break up, on graduation day, and never spoke to each other again. Ten years later they are brought back together by two friends from college who are getting married. Despite not wanting to run into Ezra, Frankie says yes to becoming a bridesmaid in their wedding, taking a break from her high profile job as an agent to some rock and pop stars. Ezra, too, has plans to be at the wedding. He wants to be there to support his friends but doesn’t want to see Frankie, and in fact hopes to propose to his girlfriend on New Years Eve. Of course, fate has a way of working against your best wishes and pairs them up for a scavenger hunt that the bride and groom has put together. When they wake up in bed together the next day wearing wedding rings and no memory of what happened, they need to work together to figure out what happened.

This story starts with Frankie and Ezra waking up together with no memory of what happened the night before. The reader is along for the ride as they rediscover all of the things they hated and loved about each other. Truthfully, there were more things that they loved about each other but the fallout from their breakup was so great that they spent a long time griping about having to spend time with each other that it took me a long time to figure out why they had even been in love previously. They were both pretty awful and unlikable. But, as the story went on we learned the back stories of both characters, as well as their love story and understood them a bit better. The way the novel was written, the reader is left unsure if these two characters would end the weekend as friends, their language was that tempestuous. Despite that uncertainty I still enjoyed the story and wanted to see where it led me.

The second chance trope has never been one of my favorites, but the author really let us get to know our two main characters and understand why what happened in their past affected their lives so much. They were two people who truly understood each other in their young adulthood and have kind of lost their way. Even though they aren’t happy to see each other, their understanding of each other came through and the reader wanted them to get past the angst and pain and give each other a chance again. Of course, there was a lot standing in their way and that journey towards understanding their future didn’t come without pain. This was a really well told story that I would’ve liked a little bit more if there wasn’t so much snark, but I loved the ending. That ending made it all worth it. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review and it was honest!

Click this link to purchase this book!* The Rewind

Copyright 2022 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate- if you purchase this book through the above link I’ll receive a small stipend.

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads

This Chick Read: A Very Merry Bromance (Bromance Book Club #5) by Lyssa Kay Adams

Colton Wheeler, a country music superstar, isn’t used to women saying no and when Gretchen Winthrop won’t return his calls he’s not sure how to proceed. When she finally reaches out a year after their one night stand to make a proposal it isn’t the kind of proposition that he was prepared to receive. Be the face of her family’s world-class bourbon. Colton figures this is his best chance to spend time with Gretchen and agrees to hear her proposal, but only if she goes on a few dates with him. As he spends more time with her he realizes he’s in over his head and against his better judgement has his friends in the Bromance Book Club give him advice. Usually Colton isn’t on the receiving end, but the more time he spends with Gretchen the more she comes to mean to him and he’ll take any help he can get to keep her.

I’ve enjoyed this series, but the last couple of books have been good but not great. A Very Merry Bromance has exceeded my expectations and is very close to being my favorite to date. It’s all due to the depth of the main characters. On the outside Colton seems like an aw shucks country charmer, but his family means everything to him and the reason he’s successful is because he wants to be the support they need to live full lives. What a great guy! Gretchen too has reasons for being a distrustful grump. She comes from one of the wealthiest families in Tennessee but her parents ignored her when she was younger and her brothers are selfish bullies. She has rejected everything that they stand for and serves a mission to help immigrants stay with their families, fighting deportation. Yep, there’s a lot more to these two than is noted on the cover of this book!

I will admit that one of my favorite romance tropes is a woman in jeopardy, when it’s done well, anyway. Gretchen isn’t really in jeopardy, but she definitely needs saving. This is a woman who has never had someone fight for her and love her despite her differences. Colton is that man who will fight on behalf of her and by her side. Once the plot got moving these two gave me all the emotions and I was rooting for that happy ending I knew was coming. I must give a shoutout to Gretchen’s Uncle Jack. He was the only redeeming sole in her family and despite not having the power to save her, did love her with all of his heart and you could feel that love leap off the pages. He was a sweetie!

Like I said above, this book has jumped to my #1 spot in this series, which kind of surprised me, truthfully! I think it was the dichotomy of Colton always being so suave and giving all the romantic advise to the other bro’s in the book club. The fact that he floundered and his chosen one was a troubled woman just hit my heart and made me melt. This book was the perfect Christmas feel good story, with a little family drama to rev up the tension. It’s a quick read, so if you have a weekend and would like an good solid story and a sweet romance, this is the one! Cheesy title and all. I loved it. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review and it was honest.

Copyright 2022 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads

This Chick Read: When Gracie Met the Grump by Mariana Zapata

Gracie Castro was raised by her grandparents, always on the run and changing their names. After their death, Gracie is living in a small, nowhere town tutoring ESL to her online students when a man drops out of the sky into her front yard. Not just any man but one of the Trinity. A surly superhero who seems to have lost his powers and needs a place to recoup. Gracie is fascinated and despite knowing she has been living in that small town too long, she stays and helps him gain back his strength. This is their story.

MILD SPOILERS AHEAD

Mariana is an auto-buy for me and after a long drought I was eager to read her new novel. Verdict? I was disappointed. I don’t have a problem with romantic fantasy novels so a superhuman / heroine in jeopardy novel is right up my alley. I had trouble liking either of these characters. Gracie has a mysterious background that isn’t really explained until whoever she is running from finally catches up. I didn’t count the pages but it took a good portion of the novel to get to this point in the story. Prior to that more riveting portion of the novel it was just a grumpy superhero who deigned to grace Gracie with his presence. Other than how handsome he was, and that was brought up quite a lot, almost like the author was trying to persuade us to like him for his looks, there wasn’t a lot to like. Now, I’ve read every single one of MZ’s books multiple times. I own the audiobooks as well as the e-books and I know that she likes a surly man and a down on herself heroine, but there was very little relief up until the above incident where Gracie’s past catches up to her.

When her past finally caught up to her I was like- YAY! This is now going to turn into a thriller with Lexi using his superpowers, coming to the rescue, etc. That is what should’ve happened, but the author just let the whole thing kind of peter out. Yes, Lexi did get them out of there but it was kind of anticlimactic. But I keep reading. I’m thinking that this book just has to get better! I am doomed for disappointment. Despite their close contact their is very little chemistry- other than his good looks, of course, and Gracie is doom and gloom about her future. It’s not until the very end that we get a hint of chemistry, but it’s more like auto-love and I’m really kind of turned off by this point. So disappointing.

This novel had all of the elements of being a great “trying a new genre” MZ novel. She gave hints of what she was trying to accomplish but never went for it. If you’re going to have a superhero character, let’s actually see him in action. Let’s see what makes all of America love this guy besides his looks! Through his actions we could have fallen in like with him, aka Wall of Winnipeg, Luna and the Lie, even Kulti! She didn’t give us a very good look into his character, so I didn’t buy into the romance. I wanted to, but I just really couldn’t talk myself into liking it very much. I do have a hard time giving her a horrible rating though so When Gracie Met the Grump is getting a 3.0 average rating. It’s really more like a 2.5, but I’m going to give her the benefit of the doubt. I will take another look at it when the audiobook comes out. Maybe I’ll like it better the second time around. ❤️❤️❤️

Click this link to purchase!* When Gracie Met the Grump

Copyright 2022 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate- if you purchase this book through the above link I’ll receive a small stipend.

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads

This Chick Read: The Stand-Up Groomsman by Jackie Lau

Vivian’s roommate gets engaged and asks her to be a bridesmaid at her wedding. She’s excited at the prospect despite the fact she’ll have to see Mel again, the Grooms best friend and best man. Mel is a stand-up comedian whom she met previously and despite him being funny on stage she found him irritating in person, especially after he insulted what she does for a living. Forced into close contact with Mel during all of the wedding hoopla, she becomes intrigued by the contrast of who she met previously and this kind-hearted man she is around now. This is their love story.

I loved Vivian and Mel! These two were real people with real problems that readers can easily identify with and respect. Both of them are bi and how their sexuality has caused problems for them personally is a bit part of the story and their discovery of who they are, separately, and as a couple. Vivian’s personality is very even. She seems to be more of a watcher of life than a person who is actively participating. Her relationship with her roommate Lindsay was her first step outside the box, and the fact that Lindsay’s fiance is a famous actor has made her deviate from her staid lifestyle. Meeting Mel is a good example of her trying something new. Of course, their first meeting was a disaster but she allows Mel to apologize and become her friend. Mel’s a stand-up comic so his personality is outrageous and funny- he wears bright loud clothing and seems to pursue the clown persona. He is actually very different than that bright shirt he is constantly wearing. He has dark thoughts and self doubts that keep him up at night worrying over his life and happiness. When he meets Vivian it’s like a bright light has shown through that darkness and despite trying, he can’t forget her.

As you can imagine, this book is a great mixture of fun and seriousness. It’s rare that the hero overshadows the heroine for me because as a female I’d normally identify more with a woman. His problems were so present though and I really felt his emotions a lot more than I did Vivian’s even though she was also working through some of her own issues. They were both great characters separately, he just shone more. Together though, they were passion, fire, and constant. I know constant isn’t normally a romantic description but it was something they both needed in the other. They were the yin to the others yang and made a perfect pairing. It made for a great romantic novel and I enjoyed it tremendously.

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review and it was honest.

Click this link to purchase this book!* The Stand-Up Groomsman

Copyright 2022 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate- if you purchase this book through the above link I’ll receive a small stipend.

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads

This Chick Read: Vanishing Hour by Laura Griffin

After the death of her father, Ava Burch moves to the small town of Cuervo from Houston to create a small law practice with a friend. She brings with her Huck, the search and rescue dog that her father had trained. She joined SAR, a volunteer search and rescue and gets sent out on her first search for a lost child. While out she finds an abandoned camp and takes some photos. Her find leads to an investigation into the disappearance of a woman a couple of years ago. As she digs deeper she finds herself the target of random acts of violence making her think she may now be a target.

I really enjoy Laura Griffin’s style of writing a mystery. Granted they are more romantic thrillers than hard driven mysteries but she has now become one of my go-to authors when I need to switch up genre’s. Ava Burch and Investigator Grant Wycoff were an interesting pairing. Ava dresses like she still lives in a big city and drives a smart red sports car and Grant is living in his home town and working for a small police force but they are both attractive, smart, and in fiction land bound to have found each other so I’ll forgive how quickly they become involved and important to each other. Danger does that to a couple, right? Ava, as with Laura Griffin’s other heroine’s, doesn’t stop at turning in her photos and leaving a message for the sheriff, she decides to do some investigating on her own. After all, she’s a lawyer from a big city and her dad used to be a cop. Her instincts tell her something is off, so she moves forward, driving Grant nuts with her ability to find things that were overlooked by his own police force. I can’t help but like that about her!

I won’t give away the mystery in this review but the story leading up to the final reveal was nicely done and fun to read. Not too heavy or bloody, just a woman in danger and her hero who will come to save the day. Just the way I like my romantic thrillers! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

I was given a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review and it was honest!

Click this link to purchase!* Vanishing Hour

Copyright 2022 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate- if you purchase this book through the above link I’ll receive a small stipend.

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads

It’s Monday, what are you reading? (10/24/22)

What a fabulous week! What can I say, I love pumpkin spice latte’s, fall weather, and the colorful foliage! I also love spending my weekends reading good books and I’ve definitely been taking advantage of that! I’ve been reading ahead to get some of my commitments taken care and some new releases are stacking up in my kindle. Here’s what I’ve been reading.

JUST FINISHED

Wow, what a gorgeous cover! This fantasy novel is the third in The Fallen Empire series and whereas you could pick it up and read it without reading the other two, you would get some context towards these two characters back story if you read the second book in the series. I really enjoyed how the author made me like a character that was pretty reprehensible in the last book. I was wondering how she was going to do that!

JUST STARTED

I find these Bromance Book Club novels charming and am definitely half in love with the hero even before this book started. Colton is an aw shucks heartthrob and he has his work cut out for him with a self confident and cautious Gretchen. I just started it but love these two together already.

I’ll admit, I’m in a light-hearted mood when it comes to books. Are you reading something more serious and interesting? Give that book a shout out in the comments!

Happy Monday and happy reading!

Deb

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads4 Comments

This Chick’s Audio review: My Dear Hamilton by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie

I mentioned in an earlier post that I purchased this book when it first came out after meeting Laura Kamoie at a book signing. It sat on my shelf until this last month when I saw Hamilton in the theater and then watched the film (just to see if I could understand the lyrics better. It helped a bit!). Narrated by Cassandra Campbell who did a stand-out job, I found their version of Eliza Hamilton’s relationship with her husband Alexander to be really interesting and well written as well as it all making a hell of a lot more sense than the musical.

My Dear Hamilton is Eliza’s story with the authors using letters of the Hamilton’s as well as other notable people during this time. I’ll admit, I didn’t know that much about her other than what I saw in the musical but according to the words written by these authors she is the reason why Alexander Hamilton is remembered as one of the founding fathers of our country instead of as the man who created the first political sex scandal. Theirs was a great love story, with Eliza falling for Alexander and supporting him through his many campaigns, scandals, and even after his death. She was truly a force of nature during a time when women were no more than chattel or property of their husbands. If this story is true she has earned my admiration for her strength of will but also for her heart.

Alexander was an immigrant who was always trying to better himself, be heard, and through his many writings create a union in this new country. Something that he was obsessed with upholding despite his leadership keeping his family in poverty and reliant on his wife’s family for support and money. For a man that was known for creating our nation’s banking system he was awful at handling his own families money. Through most of this book I believed wholeheartedly in his love for Eliza despite his notorious affair, and flirtations with her own sister. He seemed a man who honor was very important. Affairs and honor seem to be a contradiction I know, but with women being property and brood mares during this time, it seems like his love for her and his actions elsewhere could all exist in the same world.

I’ll admit to being really shocked by some of the reveals in this book. They are all historical fact because I googled them after hearing them in this book but will be silent here so that you too can read or listen to this fabulous book and learn something about one of our founding fathers that I think might be surprising. I have to give kudos again to the narrator Cassandra Campbell for giving voice to a multitude of characters and holding those voices over this quite lengthy book. She did an amazing job and really added to my enjoyment of this novel.

If you love historical novels, are interested in this time in history and are a bit curious if they got it all right in the musical Hamilton, you will really like this book. Written by two history teachers through letters written by Eliza, Alexander and a cadre of people close to them it reads like true history even though they admit to taking artistic license to a few items residing in the book. I really enjoyed it and am looking forward to picking up another one of their books!

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Click this link to purchase!* My Dear Hamilton

Copyright 2022 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate- if you purchase this book through the above link I’ll receive a small stipend.

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads2 Comments

This Chick Read: Built to Last by Erin Hahn

Child superstar Shelby Springfield left her stardom behind when she moved back to Michigan. Flipping houses with her dad, she’s approached by her ex, now a producer, to star in a home makeover show with her childhood co-star and friend Cameron Riggs. Cam was her first love and the guy she always turns to when she needs help… and he always gives her that helping hand. This time is no different despite having his own thriving career at Nat. Geo. Will the two of them finally have time to commit to each other?

This was such a great story! Cam and Shelby were two of three child stars on a popular tv series and the producer of their show, Lyle, was the third. Lyle is the perfect evil foil to making Cam the good guy in this story but in Shelby’s eyes Cam was always in that good guy role. When Cam commits to doing the pilot with Shelby their friendship takes center stage. You can feel how close they are and how much they mean to each other, even all these years later. You can also feel the chemistry through their flirtations and it was totally fun to read.

Both Shelby and Cam had issues from their childhood that needed to be faced in this novel for their relationship to move towards commitment. Shelby had a stage mom that was in it for the money, selling out her only daughter creating a story filled with lies, just so she could capitalize on it and make a buck. Cam lived on the west coast with his mom when he was acting and never had a great relationship with his father and brother. Moving back to Michigan is the chance for them to revisit these relationships and hopefully come out the other side with a healthier outlook. Of course, not everything goes as planned.

I loved this poignant look back at first love. Cam and Shelby’s chance at redemption was a wonderfully fun story but their was also a lot of depth in both these and other characters in the novel. In my mind the best novels are filled with heart and this stories heart was overflowing emotionally. I really enjoyed reading this novel. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review and it was honest!

Click this link to purchase!* Built to Last

Copyright 2022 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate- if you purchase this book through the above link I’ll receive a small stipend.

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads2 Comments

It’s Monday, what are you reading? (10/17/22)

It’s the best feeling when you read a few good books in a row, isn’t it? I’ve been reading a little bit for pleasure and a little bit of advanced copies and it’s been a great mix of genre’s and story’s. I’ve felt my want to read increase because I haven’t had a dud in a while. Here’s what’s on my tbr.

JUST FINISHED

I only recently discovered Jackie Lau when reading Donut Fall in Love, which I really liked. The Stand-Up Groomsman is the second book in the series and again, I really enjoyed this book. The characters felt real to me, with real personal problems. I identified with some of what they both felt, and also spent a good bit of time laughing at their antics. Mel is such a great character and I enjoyed he and Vivian’s story.

JUST STARTED

I have a love for historical romances and Sarah MacLean is one of my favorite author’s in this genre. Her heroine’s don’t need to be rescued and in fact are the ones usually rescuing someone. I just started this book but it’s off to a great start and I’m really liking Adelaide. We’ll see where she leads me!

If you feel like sharing the books you’re currently reading, please do! I’d love to add some new novels to my TBR.

Have a great Monday and happy reading!

Deb

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads