Tag: book reviews

This Chick Read: Magic Tides (Kate Daniels: Wilmington Years #1) by Ilona Andrews

Kate, Curran, and their young son Connor have moved away from Atlanta to start fresh in Wilmington, NC. Their aim is to build their home and live a quiet life, with a low profile, and stay out of trouble. When one of their contractor’s family members is kidnapped that quiet life gets upended when Kate decides to involve herself and make sure his young nephew is returned to his family safe and sound. Needless to say, her low profile is blown. Magic, sea monsters, and gods, OH MY!

This short novella was a great fix for fans of the Kate Daniels series, but dare I say it? It was not long enough! Kate Daniels is one of my all-time favorite heroines and reading a brand new story with her bad-@$$ attitude? Needless to say, I was all in and launched into my 6th re-read of her series to prepare myself for this four hour re-immersion. It was so wonderful (sigh).

What starts off as your basic recovery of a small child turns into an epic Kate adventure. We travel from the dregs of Wilmington, to the local vampire base, and Kate tries to stay undercover. In the meantime, Curran is waiting at home for all those she’s pissed off. Fun! Sorry, this is a totally biased review, but I’m a huge fan of this author duo and will read and re-read everything they release. Speaking of which, I read on the authors website that Wilmington #2 will be out in June so you don’t have to wait too long to get your next fix, and these two books will be released as audiobooks together. This year is going to fly by with so much to look forward to. 🙂 ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Click this link to purchase this book!* Magic Tides

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This Chick Read: Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

It’s the early 1960’s and chemist Elizabeth Zott has fought her way into a position at the Hastings Research Institute on an all male research team. Needless to say, she is faced with sexism and misogyny every day. When she meets brilliant fellow scientist Calvin Evans they strike up a very non-traditional (for its day) relationship, having a romantic relationship and living together without being married. They each work on their own projects and Calvin supports Elizabeth in everything she strives to be. Several years later Elizabeth is “discovered” by a television producer and she launches a new role as the reluctant star of ‘Supper at Six’, where she teaches housewives how to use chemistry to cook and opens their eyes to the possibility of life beyond the doors of their home.

Lessons in Chemistry is a very clever novel about a woman’s struggle in an age of inequality, to be seen as an equal. That just because she was born a woman doesn’t mean that her life’s purpose is to serve men. Elizabeth is much too clever to let misogyny and gender create her identity. Reading this novel, I realized how fortunate I was that my entry into the workplace wasn’t filled with men who were trying to hold me down, and that I lived in an age, while not equal was at least not filled with illegal actions. In Elizabeth Gott’s world she wasn’t quite as fortunate.

I was so interested in Elizabeth’s persona. She wasn’t your average woman, in fact her intellect was way above average, a fact that her boyfriend and lover Calvin Evans found very attractive. I found her fight for independence and equality interesting despite that fight putting her at odds with happiness in love. Poor Calvin was ecstatic to have this amazing, beautiful woman as his, yet she was so untraditional that she’d never let him put a ring on her finger. It made for a really interesting reading! When she was cast as the chef on tv, her life views horrified her bosses, yet found an audience with the women of America. She was such an interesting character!

This novel had a little bit of everything. There was a hint of romance, but it was Elizabeth’s fighting spirit that drew me to keep turning the pages. Elizabeth’s voice was strange and wonderful, and despite my living in a world where equality is much closer to reality, I looked forward to reading how Elizabeth would out smart and out fight the men who lived in the world around her. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Click this link to purchase this book!* Lessons in Chemistry

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

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This Chick Read: The Only Game in Town by Lacie Waldon

Jess Reid is a freelance editor giving up a big city job to work from home form her small town of Redford, Oregon. Staying close to her dad and best friend was an easy decision to make even though life in her small town is slow and steady. When Jasper Wilhelm, the town’s eccentric benefactor, dies, he leaves an inheritance available to the town that they have to compete in a contest to win. Carter Barclay, nephew of Jasper, is the only non-Redfordian able to compete in this contest something that causes the townspeople to eye him with suspicion. Everyone but Jess Reid who welcomes him in with her quirky smile and personality. For financial analyst Carter Barclay, Jess is a breath of fresh air and this contest is a chance to learn what made his grandfather love this small town so much.

The Only Game in Town was a welcome change from the usual small town romance. I think this was because of our heroine, Jess. She was so charming in her quirkiness, just living life with a sunny disposition, not really letting anything get her down. When she’s paired with her arch nemesis in the contest, she struggles to find a kernel of good in Nikki’s hard core and manages to keep her sunny disposition. It’s not surprising that Carter can’t resist Jess because I couldn’t either! I wanted to transplant myself into that town and/or find my own Jess best friend in my own town because she is just irresistible and good.

Did I believe that Carter’s more stoic nature and Jess’s rainbows and butterflies personality would be irresistible to each other? YES! As the book went on and more kooky scenes unfolded he loosened his tie and found himself smiling at her antics and looking forward to her personality. There’s something about a straight-laced man loosening up that is also hard to resist and in the end I think they were perfect for each other.

There was, of course, a lot of conflict in this novel. It wasn’t just a fluff contest and a small town romance. There was death, alcoholism, and rivalries to overcome, but it was all told in a way that touched my heart and made me want to keep turning the pages to see how that storyline would end. Truly, this was a well crafted novel with great characters. What’s not to like about that? ❤️❤️❤️❤️❣️

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 Only Game in Town

Copyright 2023 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

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

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This Chick Read: The Renaissance of Gwen Hathaway by Ashley Schumacher

Madeline Hathaway is home-schooled and lives on the road with her parents, traveling from one city to the next on the Renaissance faire circuits. When her mother dies, she and her father soldier on despite her mother being the glue that kept their family talking. She knows her father loves her, but Madeline finds that she’s mostly on her own once they hit a new town. While checking out the changes at one of she and her mom’s favorite fairgrounds she meets Arthur, a lute playing young bard, and son to the King’s of the castle. He talks her into being the Princess of the Faire, and challenges her to be his partner on a few road-trip adventures. She is out of her comfort zone but Madeline (who he insists on calling Gwen) decides to take fate into her own hands learning some things about herself that might change her future.

This was a really sweet young adult novel about two kids who are going through personal struggles while also feeling insecure about how they fit into their teen world. Arthur is a totally sweet boy being raised by two dad’s, and despite their strong parenting he’s insecure about his looks and how he fits into his high school clicque. Madeline, who’s never gone to high school, doesn’t have that same issue, but she does have insecurity about her weight and whether she can ever live up to the beautiful free spirit that was her mother. She is also mourning her mom and struggling to communicate with an also mourning father which adds to her issues. The two of them find each other when they need each other the most and you can’t help but feel charmed by the mystical, fun Renaissance Faire setting.

I like how Madeline has so many sides to her. She is talking to a therapist, trying to hold her family together, keeping her mom’s memory alive, and also trying to be a teen age girl with her first crush- although she fights that almost to the bitter end. Despite all of her issues, her character is strong, opinionated, and funny. She was an easy girl to identify with and like, for sure. Arthur was a little bit more of a caricature, with his two gay dads and his charming personality, but once you read further you realized that despite seeming like he’s got it all he’s kind of a mess as well and you can’t help but hope he and Madi get their act together and realize they can be stronger with each other than without.

I love the whole Renaissance faire vibe. It’s a great setting for a young romance! Turkey legs, costumes, and joust’s oh my! There were moments of absolute delight mixed in with the more serious subjects that gave this story a well-roundedness that made it a delight. If you’re in the mood for a young adult novel with some depth, but is still fun, give this one a try! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

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 Renaissance of Gwen Hathaway

Copyright 2023 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

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

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This Chick Read: The Love Wager by Lynn Painter

Hallie Piper is working the bar at a wedding when a cute guy, Jack, requests a beer and they strike up a brief conversation. That one moment leads to his date accusing him of cheating and a broken relationship. Back at the bar, Jack and Hallie start drinking, ending up together for the evening. Hallie wakes up the next morning and after sneaking out of his room, turns over a new leaf. She joins a dating app and starts looking for “the one”. What she finds is Jack, on the same dating app. They strike up a conversation and a bargain. The first one who finds love wins the wager. What they quickly realize is that they may have already found that person.

After reading ‘The Wrong Number’ by this same author, I knew that this novel would be rom-com at its best… and I wasn’t wrong! Hallie was such a unique character. She had this easy-going personality that oozed friendly charm. Her chemistry with Jack was so smooth. Their clever conversations and growing friendship was fun to read and I couldn’t wait until that moment when that heat that they had that one night returned for their forever future. I thought Jack was kind of a unique character too because you don’t usually see a ‘hero’ in a romance novel who is desperate to be a couple. It was an interesting perspective and personality quirk that easy breezy Hallie helped him overcome. They were a fun, cute couple!

The plot was entertaining to read and the fun dialog kept it move forward fairly quickly, a formula that is my particular favorite because I can read the novel in a day or over a weekend. If you are in the mood to read an easy breezy rom-com, this would be a good pick!

❤️❤️❤️❤️

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 Love Wager

Copyright 2023 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

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

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It’s Monday, what are you reading? (3/13/23)

You know when you have finished a great book and it resonates with you for a day or so after you finish it? I’m having one of those moments about the below “just finished” novel. So, I’ll admit I’m having trouble coming up with my intro at the moment. I’ll get right to it.

JUST FINISHED

I just listened to the audiobook of this novel and it is still resonating deeply with me. Set in a rural Vermont boarding school, our protagonist re-lives the four years she went to this school and especially the year her roommate died. It reminded me a lot of listening to the podcast of Adnan Syed’s case of an innocent man going to jail for the murder of his high school girlfriend. I Have Some Questions for You, also revolves around a podcast and an innocent man going to jail, but as you can with fiction, delves deeply into the psyches of those teens 20 years ago, and their lives today. I’ll be writing a review, but this was a good on folks!

JUST STARTED

I really enjoyed Carley Fortune’s Every Summer After and am looking forward to digging into the heart of this novel. Even though I’m reading this in March, I know this will be a beach read recommendation, for sure.

What great novels have you gotten yourselves involved in?

Happy Monday and happy reading!

Deb

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This Chick Read: How to Walk Away by Katherine Center

Margaret Jacobsen seems to have it all. Promising new job, adoring boyfriend, and a brand new condo- her life is stretched out in front of her and her future is bright. Until an accident finds her in the hospital- no job, a boyfriend who has fallen apart, and a new world that is filled with physical therapy and building a new life with her new body. This was not the life that Margaret thought she’d be living. Faced with new limitations, Margaret’s life revolves around the next 5 weeks in the hospital and gaining the mental and physical strength to live her new life. She meets Ian, a physical therapist who is brutal in his regard, and unfriendly in attitude. Despite all that’s going on in her life, Margaret does everything she can to bring him out of his shell and while working with him, builds a connection.

First of all, wow. At first I had a really hard time reading Margaret’s story. What happened was so brutal and her boyfriend/fiancé was an absolute turd. Her mother seemed to be a controlling nightmare too and I was ready to give up-but then her sister Kit showed up and the sisterly support propped me up until I saw beyond everyone else’s issues and Margaret’s strength became the heart of the story. Kit was a godsend, not just to poor Margaret, but also me who was looking for something to love about this story that was so hard to read. Don’t get me wrong, it was well written, but it was also pretty brutal. Kit added some much needed humor. Then there was Ian- he seemed to be a bit of a jerk, but underneath that gruff exterior he was solid gold.

This story had so much strength and heart. Yes, it was sometimes hard to read but each page I turned showed a different side to this kind of crazy family that I started to look forward to seeing what else was going to be revealed. This family had skeletons, hard feelings, and lots and lots of love. Family drama at its best.

The one thing I was slightly disappointed in was the love story aspect between Ian and Margaret. Ian was pretty closed off for most of the book and I just wish that the reader could’ve made a bigger connection with him. I loved him for Margaret (I can still hear him calling her Maggie in his Scottish accent), but the ending would’ve had a greater impact if I liked him as much as I did Margaret. Although, it was humdinger of an ending. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Click this link to purchase this book!* How To Walk Away

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

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This Chick Read: A Sinister Revenge (Veronica Speedwell #8) by Deanna Raybourn

Intrepid heroine and lepidopterist, Veronica Speedwell, has been separated from her beau Stoker for quite a few months when his brother Tiberius, Lord Templeton-Vane requests their help in solving a murder. Off they go to Bavaria to tempt Stoker from his foray in the woods with an offer to fix up an iguanodon for a dinner party. As the other guests arrive Veronica gets caught up in solving the mystery but doesn’t forget that she needs to heal the breach between she and Stoker as well.

This series has evolved over time from a solid historical mystery that now mixes in a healthy dose of romance. Don’t get me wrong, this is not a bodice ripper, but there is a healthy bit of emotional content. I have totally bought into the Veronica/Stoker romance. They are both smart, eccentric, and physical. Veronica’s background as an orphan with royal ties raised by two “aunts” is a perfect contrast to Stoker’s privileged yet troubled upbringing. When they initially met it was an attraction of the minds, but the inevitable happened and their relationship became more. I’ll admit I have a tendre for well written romances and Veronica and Stoker’s rate right up there for me.

As much as I talk about the romance between our two main characters, these are truly historical mysteries. A Sinister Revenge had all the drama of a great whodunnit and my head was spinning trying to figure out who the culprit might be. I’ll admit to being a little surprised, which is all I can ask from the author. I enjoyed Tiberius, as always. He’s such a devilish character and really likes to get under his brother Stoker’s skin. Because this was a house party mystery, there were a lot of fun new characters to get to know as well. It never got boring and the story moved very quickly for me.

This is the eighth book in the series so if you’d like the back stories, start with book #1. If you don’t care and just want a good mystery, go ahead and dig right in. I think you know which side of the line I fall on- the development of the relationships of the characters make this story even more enjoyable for me, so that’s what I’d recommend. Either way, Deanna Raybourn is a great storyteller and I think you’ll enjoy this novel. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

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

Click this link to purchase this book!* A Sinister Revenge

Copyright 2023 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

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

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It’s Monday, what are you reading? (3/6/23)

Last week was pretty busy but just like every week I managed to fit in plenty of time to read. I have a ton of book commitments and am trying to read ahead so I can sprinkle in some mood reading. You know, when you pick a book based on your mood. Mine changes pretty often which is why I find myself genre jumping so much. Here’s what I’ve been reading…

JUST FINISHED

Throwback was a very fun, kind of magical, young adult novel about a girl who has a difficult relationship with her mother. She takes a magical taxi ride that dumps her back in high school with her own teenage mom. I really liked this story and how that relationship was center stage.

JUST STARTED

Lucy Score’s newest novel is out and I wanted to see what all the buzz was about. It’s the second novel in the Knockemout series, a small town romance that centers around its sheriff. So far it’s very sweet! Just like the cover.

What books have caught your attention lately?

Have a great Monday and happy reading!

Deb

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This Chicks Audio Review: Why Kill the Innocent (Sebastian St. Cyr #13) by C. S. Harris

It is London, 1814, and Jane Ambrose, music teach to Princess Charlotte, is found dead in a city street. Because of her ties to the royal family, they quickly try to shut down the investigation, but Sebastian St. Cyr and his wife hero refuse to allow the murderer to roam free. As their investigation unwinds it becomes apparent that there are a number of secrets being withheld and suspects who remain free.

I chose to listen to this audiobook after returning from a trip to London. I visited many of the places mentioned in this novel and I will admit that being able to visualize the places really added to my enjoyment of an already very well written and narrated novel. I was excited to learn more about Princess Charlotte who’s tomb I had just seen in the chapel at Windsor Castle. That guide had said that her monument was paid for by the public who loved her, and as Why Kill the Innocent unfolds, while fictional, also held true to her mistreatment by her father the Prince Regent.

From the moment that Jane Ambrose’s body was found, Hero was invested in finding out who could have murdered this gentlewoman. An educated woman with a gift in musical composition, she was held back from achieving accolades for her music just because she was a woman. As the novel unfolds we see how the last few days of Jane’s life held revelations that would make her act contradictorily to her nature leading her down the path to her death. Whenever I read a historical novel that focuses on a woman and her plight I feel so fortunate to have been born later in history but at the same time wished I had been able to fight for those changes to be made. Having a heroine like Hero, who is as modern as they come for this time in history, and see life through her eyes makes it even more real as I really identify with her independent nature. She is integral to Sebastian’s investigations in most of these later novels but especially in Why Kill the Innocent because of its political nature and her father’s involvement as a cousin to the Prince.

I have enjoyed listening to these audiobooks narrated by the esteemed Davina Porter. She is an amazing talent and I enjoy her voicing what sounds like 50- 100 different voices in each novel. I’m sure it’s not that many, but through Sebastian’s investigations he talks to many people, both male and female, accented and unaccented, and from different levels of society. Truly, I’m not sure how she does it but I enjoy listening to her a lot. If you haven’t listened to this narrator, please click on her name on Amazon and try book #1 in this series or Outlander. I promise you will enjoy her voice.

Why Kill the Innocent was a true mystery in that I didn’t guess who killed Jane Ambrose and enjoyed the reveal as it happened within the story. I love seeing the progression of all of the characters from book to book and look forward to seeing where they lead me in the next. If you haven’t read any of these stories, I think you could listen or read this one and enjoy the story, but I really think your experience will elevate if you know the characters as I do from book one. They have come a long way and I’ve enjoyed every moment. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Click this link to purchase this book!* Why Kill the Innocent

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

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