Tag: reading

This Chicks Audio Review: House of Earth and Blood (Crescent City #1) by Sarah J. Maas

Bryce Quinlan was a party girl and then her best friend was murdered leaving Bryce to spiral into the darkest of places. Hunt Athalar a fallen Angel, was once a fierce warrior and is now slave to the Archangel. He is tasked with partnering with Bryce to find the killer. As the two of them search out the killer they dig through Crescent City’s underbelly developing a trust for each other that draws them out of the darkness.

This novel was a commitment at over 800 pages. When you translate that to an audiobook, it is 27+ hours of your time. I’ll admit that was a bit daunting but Elizabeth Evans, the narrator, did an excellent job of bringing these characters to life and embuing them with different voices so that I didn’t have any trouble following each character and piecing together the story. The world this author creates was fascinating and strange. Filled with angels, demons, fae, were, mer, sprite’s, etc. There was every fantasy and paranormal race in this novel that it could have been a bit much, but somehow the hierarchy all made sense and we were given a path to follow with two great characters in Bryce and Hunt.

Bryce was my favorite kind of heroine. She was sassy, layered, emotional, loyal, and most of all easy to love. As half-fae, she dealt with discrimination but was strong because of that difference, and in fact that strength is what carried her through her investigation. She had balls and didn’t back down from a challenge and she was given several in this novel. As her partner, Hunt was kind of the antithesis of Bryce. He was once a deadly warrior, able to bring lightening down on his enemies. As a slave to the Archangel, he has to do his bidding. Luckily he is partnered with Bryce, who brings a little light into his life despite also driving him crazy. Their chemistry was amazing and I loved how they grew into each other throughout this novel.

In an 800 page novel you aren’t going to be able to keep the plot going full speed ahead the entire time. Yes, there were chapters that could’ve been cut to shorten the book, but if you stick it out to the final third the culmination of their investigation reaches a catalyst that had me on the edge of my seat. It was so worth the 600 pages I had to read to get to that point. Such a great conclusion and it had me immediately reach for the second novel. I wasn’t scared to jump back into another 800 page story (or 27 hour audiobook!). ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Click this link to purchase this book!* House of Earth and Blood

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.

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads2 Comments

This Chick Read: You, Again by Kate Goldbeck

When Ari and Josh first met Ari was a rising comedian doing odd jobs to pay the rent while sharing a flat in New York with a girl Josh hoped to make his girlfriend. They couldn’t be more different, he was a chef with a very rigid schedule and timeline to fall in love whereas Ari was carefree and didn’t want to be constrained by the rules of a relationship. They clash and then don’t see each other again for a few years, when inevitably they run into each other again with the same kid of results. This happens a few times over the years until they are both handling break-ups at the same time and strike up an unlikely friendship until their turning to each other for comfort becomes something more. You, Again is a slow burn enemies to friends to lovers romance that takes the reader on a journey.

I couldn’t help but make comparisons to When Harry Met Sally as I was reading this novel. Ari and Josh literally run into each other at different points of their lives over about 10 years. Despite Ari’s job as a comedian and some witty conversation it didn’t have as much humor as When Harry Met Sally, but it had just as much of an emotional hit. Over those 10 years both of these characters change so much and even though they seem to make unlikely friends, when they finally get to that point of needing each other the reader is just really ready for that relationship to evolve. From that point forward the pace speeds up just a little but Kate Goldbeck held back that happily ever after until just the right moment. I felt wrung out by the delay but it was really worth the wait.

I know there were other characters in this book that helped make our heroine and hero real, Josh’s sister, Ari’s best friend, and a couple of other friends who meandered in and out over the years, but the real heart of this story was Ari and Josh that I now can’t even remember the side characters names in order to give them a shout out. All I remember was how I felt as our two main characters fell in and out of like and love, and as they got older seeing what used to be important to them change and become not so concrete. I liked the realness of this plot. We are not the same people we were 10 or 20 years ago and it’s natural to shift our perspectives or bend for a good friendship. How Ari and Josh evolved then fell in love was not easy but it was really rewarding.

You, Again was not the book I expected to read when I read the plot, it was a lot more. It has a bit of humor, yes, but it was the emotional depth in these characters that took me by surprise and kept me interested. At times it wasn’t easy to read and I was a little uncomfortable but those are the best kinds of books aren’t they? This one made me think while reading it and that is the sign of a really good book. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

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

Click this link to purchase this book!* You, Again

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.

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads

It’s Monday, what are you reading? (9/11/23)

I’ve spent the last two weeks moving so I really haven’t read too many books, but I did finish one book by Ashley Poston that was cute, and started a new one last night. I miss my reading time! Here is what is on my virtual nightstand!

JUST FINISHED

I’ve enjoyed this author’s recent adult contemporary novels and wanted to finish out this young adult series I’d started a few years ago. The Princess and the Fangirl was a cute re-telling of The Prince and the Pauper, although I certainly wouldn’t have gotten that reference if I hadn’t read it in the synopsis. It was a fun story and I really enjoyed the comic con setting and interesting characters!

JUST STARTED

Very easy to get into and as entertaining as Meghan Quinn’s novels usually are. This was the perfect book for me to pick up and escape into!

Have a great Monday and happy reading!

Deb

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads

This Chick Read: Things We Left Behind (Knockemout #3) by Lucy Score

Sloane Walton and Lucian Rollins were once close friends but are now frenemies at best. They are on two opposite ends of the spectrum, she’s sunshine and rainbows and he’s surly and too good looking for his own good. Constantly thrown together by their best friends, they argue and bicker, making everyone think they hate each other, but deep down are remnants of that friendship they used to have. When Lucian’s investigation into a local criminal bleeds over onto his friends, Sloane is the first person he wants to lock in a room for her own safety, but Sloane’s just like her dad. A bleeding heart do-gooder who wants to help and get to the bottom of the mystery, despite jeopardizing her own safety. This is the story that fans of this series have been waiting for- Lucian and Sloane’s story.

I enjoyed the first two novels in the series but Lucian and Sloane’s story was the one I was really waiting to read. Surly bad guy Lucian was such a mystery, we were never really given any backstory and only the fine polished surface of good looks and possible villain. We knew he really wasn’t though. Sloane, in the previous books, was always a fun best friend and the person you went to for good advice. The author dangled their dislike in front of the reader’s faces making us want to take a big chomp out of them but we were never given the chance. Boy, that wait was worth it.

Once you dive into this novel and understand their backstory, everything makes sense. I fell in love with Sloane’s do-gooder attitude even more and my curiosity about Lucian only grew until by the end I was all in for these two seemingly mis-matched pair, who were actually a perfect fit. One of the things I love the most about enemies to lovers plots is seeing the alpha male go from serious to cracking a smile and there were many smiles to be had by everyone by the end of this book. Well done Ms. Score! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

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!* Things We Left Behind

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.

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads

This Chick Read: The Long Game by Elena Armas

When an altercation between Adalyn and the Miami FC soccer mascot goes viral Adalyn is forced to take a leave of absence, sent by the owner of the team (her father) to troubleshoot a team in North Carolina, the Green Warriors. What she finds in North Carolina isn’t a minor league soccer team but a team of young girl misfits and their surprising coach ex- pro soccer goalie Cameron Caldani. From day one, Adalyn and Cam but heads but they both have a soft spot for these girls and team together to provide this struggling team a winning formula.

Honestly, this author had me at the soccer romance, but I was also along for the rom-com and enemies to lovers tropes. Adalyn was that type A pencil skirt and high heels exec who was definitely out of her element in the wilds of North Carolina, but I admired her spirit and her need to redeem herself if not only for her father and team, but also for herself. Cam had his own reasons for being in NC and finding out those reasons took a good long while, but luckily the tension between our two main characters kept my interest and then those sweet girls provided the comic relief and heart tugging moments.

Like I said above, I love a great sports romance and whereas this one was a little light on the sports it still fit the bill. The small town romance aspects with the kooky characters, lovable kids, and fish out of water elements helped keep the plot moving providing enjoyable scenes and heart-warming moments. Elena Armas certainly knows how to deliver.

❤️❤️❤️❤️

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

Click this link to purchase this book!* The Long Game

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.

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads

This Chick Read: Big Little Spells (Witchlore #2) by Hazel Beck

After helping her sister beat back evil in the first novel, Rebekah Wilde is drawn back to St. Cyprian to come before the Joywood (think witch tribunal) to go through the same trial she took that had her banished from her friends and family and told she couldn’t practice magic anymore. Now, back in her hometown, she’s been embraced by her friends, and has come face to face with the immortal who trained her as a teenager and whom is offering his help once again. Nicholas Frost is still as remote and arrogant as ever, but for Rebekah he is willing to take chances and beat the odds and win her heart.

Rebekah is a bit more of a rebel than her sister, so her perspective seemed more fiery and unapologetic, which I’ll admit, I like in a heroine. She definitely has a chip on her back, but she’s also hiding a secret that she knows will be revealed. This secret is the catalyst to why she has remained absent for the last decade, and facing her own demons is harder than facing the Joywood. I’ll admit that Nicholas, because of his stoic demeanor isn’t the kind of hero I typically root for because he was so hard to understand. However, I liked the combustible chemistry these two characters had in every scene, and that kept me turning the pages, curious as to how their relationship would develop.

I love good vs. evil stories and that’s what this series brings to the table. The Joywood have a hidden agenda that Rebekah and her friends will slowly unveil. In this novel we get glimpses of the why’s and wherefore’s without revealing every bit of that story line, leaving the reader curious about what the next book will reveal. I liked this book enough to want to read the next novel and see where the story leads me. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

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

Click this link to purchase this book!* Big Little Spells

Copyright 2023 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

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

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This Chick Read: My Roommate is a Vampire by Jenna Levine

Cassie Greenburg defines the words “struggling artist”. About to be evicted from her apartment, she answers an ad for a roommate despite the amount of rent being questionably inexpensive. When she meets Frederick, he is odd, but beggars can’t be choosers and she really doesn’t have any other option if she doesn’t want to sleep on her friends couch for the rest of her adult life. He works completely different hours than she, so really she shouldn’t see him that much anyway. When she comes home one day and finds bags of blood in the fridge, Frederick has to come clean.

This plot sounds fun, right? Could be campy but I do like to give debut authors a chance. I thought Jenna Levine did a good job of giving the reader a great feel for our heroine, Cassie. She was a little naive, had low self esteem due to her upbringing, but had a positive outlook on life. I actually liked her as our heroine. Frederick though, was a caricature of a European vampire. Very good looking, formal way of speaking, and dressed to the nines all the time. All of these things could have made for a fun character, but old Freddie just seemed kind of stiff and uninteresting, and admittedly he should have been the more interesting of the two due to his vampire status. Despite these minor problems, I kept reading hoping that the author would either deliver the camp or make our characters feel real and get me to root for their romance. Neither thing happened.

I did finish the book, and after reading through to the end and sitting on my feelings before writing the review I can say with confidence that this wasn’t my favorite book…. but I have definitely read worse. The author had some trouble with her characters, but the idea for the novel was sound. I just didn’t fall in love with this book. ❤️❤️❣️

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

Click this link to purchase this book!* My Roommate is a Vampire

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.

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads

This Chick Read: The Love Plot by Samantha Young

Star Shine Meadows believes in bringing happiness to others and her jobs as a line sitter and professional costume character actor let’s her stay true to herself. When she meets grumpy (and very attractive) veterinarian Rafe Whitman at his niece’s birthday party while wearing a princess costume she doesn’t allow his surliness to spoil her day. When she spots him while waiting in line for a client she doesn’t hesitate to embarrass him publicly while calling out a greeting. While Rafe doesn’t understand Star, he also doesn’t hesitate to hire her to be his fake girlfriend to get his mother and sister in law off his back. Star isn’t sure about this offer but accepts because it’s a lot of money, but she is curious about this handsome, surly man. The Love Plot explores their journey.. and it’s a surprising pleasure!

Star was raised by hippie parents and although her upbringing was not the best has a determination to be happy that I can’t help but admire. Always trying to bring a smile to people’s faces, and live a stress-free, no strings attached life is completely different than how Rafe Whitman lives his own. He is very structured, has expectations, and comes from a privileged family. He is tired of his mother and sister in law trying to set him up with various women and takes this leap of hiring Star so that she can give him six months of peace. What he doesn’t expect is to be drawn to this woman, not just for her spectacular looks, but also because of the way she has chosen to live her life. Reading about their journey and how they both change through this novel was rewarding and I realized how skilled this author was to draw me in by such a simple plot.

This plot may be simple, using trope’s I’ve read before, but Star was a completely new character to read and I really enjoyed seeing her open Rafe’s eyes, as well as transforming her own life to be a more complete person. It was interesting as well as heart warming. I truly enjoyed reading this book, it was a weekend well spent. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

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 Love Plot

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.

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads

It’s Monday, what are you reading? (8/28/23)

It’s my birthday! Woot Woot! Needless to say, between that and moving this week it’s been a bit busy and I’m reading comfort books. Sometimes you just have to pick up something you know you like and do a re-read, right? Here’s what’s on my virtual shelf.

JUST FINISHED

A bit like When Harry Met Sally, You, Again follows Ari and Josh through about 10 years. It’s not until they meet again just when they need each other the most that they strike up that friendship that turns into something more. I liked this one a lot. It made me think!

JUST STARTED

The second book in this series just came out and reminded me how much I love this author. So I picked up this book for the fourth time for a re-read. If you’re a fan of the Great British Baking Championship you’ll love these characters!

It’s going to be another busy week but I hope to find more time to read.

Happy Monday and happy reading!

Deb

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads3 Comments

This Chicks Sunday Commentary: My Top 5 Book Releases- Sept’23

While perusing the book lists regarding September releases, I’m noticing a LOT of romance titles that will be going on my TBR. Too many to grab as they release but not too many to get to over the next few months… ok a year. Are any of these on your radar?

#5 BOOK RELEASE

OK, I was at the hairdresser last week and had a conversation with the girl who was washing my hair. She’s a HUGE fan of hockey romances. I love sports romances but I always want more story. So the timing was totally right for me to see this title on the September book releases, by an author I have never heard of, but it looks pretty cute! I couldn’t find it on any retail sites but it’s supposed to go on sale on 9/7. I will be looking for it!

Synopsis: She’s my lifeline, my rock…
When I was billeted with the Bukowskis, I made a mistake.
I didn’t lock Gracie Agnieska Bukowski down.
Instead, like a 16-year-old idiot, I became best friends with her brother, Kow, and now, the family considers me one of their own.
Until her, hockey was my only refuge. So, when I’m traded to the New York Stars, my first move is to change my number to 35. See, we made a vow, one that she might have forgotten, but I haven’t.
Gracie’s about to be swept off her feet.
I’m going to prove to her that not only is she not my sister…
She’s my end game.

#4 BOOK RELEASE

Despite not having read the last novel in this series ( Making the Match: I have a hard time with redemption novels when a man cheats on his woman despite this being a romance with a different woman.) I am really looking forward to this book! Hale has always been a really interesting side character and the author has not shown us too much about him so he’s a bit of a mystery. This should be a fun read!

Synopsis:

Hale Wheeler inherited billions from his father. He’s decided to take those resources and change the world for the better. He’s married to his mission, so he doesn’t have time for love.

There’s more lurking behind this decision. He hasn’t faced the tragic loss of his father, or the bitterness of his parents’ divorce. He doesn’t intend to follow in his father’s footsteps, breaking a woman’s heart in a way it will never mend. So he vows he’ll never marry.

But Hale is intrigued when he meets Elsa Cohen, the ambitious celebrity news journalist who has been reporting on his famous family. He warns her off, but she makes him a deal. She’ll pull back in exchange for an exclusive interview.

Elsa Cohen is married to her career, but she wants love, marriage, children. She also wants the impossibly handsome, fiercely loyal, tenderhearted Hale Wheeler.

They go head-to-head, both denying why there are fireworks every time they meet. But once they understand their undeniable attraction, Elsa can’t help but fall for the dynamic do-gooder.

As for Hale, he knows he needs to fight the pull of the beautiful, bold, loving Elsa Cohen, because breaking her would crush him.

Click this link to purchase this book!* Fighting the Pull

#3 BOOK RELEASE

I have really come to like this author’s writing and enjoyed her odd character matching in Two Wrongs Make a Right, the first novel in this series. Knowing you have a sure thing (good read) in your back pocket makes this an easy choice and one I’m looking forward to reading.

Synopsis:

Katerina Wilmot and Christopher Petruchio shared backyards as kids, but as adults they won’t even share the same hemisphere. That is, until Kate makes a rare visit home, and their fiery animosity rekindles into a raging inferno.

Despite their friends’ and families’ pleas for peace, Christopher is unconvinced Kate would willingly douse the flames of their enmity. But when a drunken Kate confesses she’s only been hostile because she thought he hated her, Christopher vows to make peace with Kate once and for all. Tempting as it is to be swept away by her nemesis-turned-gentleman, Kate isn’t sure she can trust his charming good-guy act.

When Christopher’s persistence and Kate’s curiosity lead to an impassioned kiss, they realize “peace” is the last thing that will ever be possible between them. As desire gives way to deeper feelings, Kate and Christopher must decide if it’s truly better to hate than to never risk their hearts—or if they already gave them away long ago.

Click this link to purchase this book!* Better Hate Than Never

*Amazon Associate- if you purchase a book through one of the attached links I’ll receive a small stipend.

#2 BOOK RELEASE

This book was been #1 on all of the lists I’ve seen, and I swear I’m not being contrary, but I think this series is pretty good, but not knock it out of the park good. However, I’m eager for everyone to prove me wrong! This is the third book in the Knockemount series. I know it will be cute, but will I be wowed? Lucian is the one character who absolutely sizzled on the page, so….

Synopsis:

Lucian Rollins is a lean, mean vengeance-seeking mogul. On a quest to erase his father’s mark on the family name, he spends every waking minute pulling strings and building an indestructible empire. The more money and power he amasses, the safer he is from threats.

Except when it comes to the feisty small-town librarian that keeps him up at night…

Sloane Walton is a spitfire determined to carry on her father’s quest for justice. She’ll do that just as soon as she figures out exactly what the man she hates did to—or for—her family. Bonded by an old, dark secret from the past and the dislike they now share for each other, Sloane trusts Lucian about as far as she can throw his designer-suited body.

When bickering accidentally turns to foreplay, these two find themselves not quite regretting their steamy one-night stand. Once those flames are fanned, it seems impossible to put them out again. But with Sloane ready to start a family and Lucian refusing to even consider the idea of marriage and kids, these enemies-to-lovers are stuck at an impasse.

Broken men break women. It’s what Lucian believes, what he’s witnessed, and he’s not going to take that chance with Sloane. He’d rather live a life of solitude than put her in danger. But he learns the hard way that leaving her means leaving her unprotected from other threats.

It’s the second time he’s ruthlessly cut her out of his life. There’s no way she’s going to give him a third chance. He’s just going to have to make one for himself.

Click this link to purchase this book!* Things We Left Behind

MY #1 BOOK RELEASE FOR SEPT’23

Fish out of water, grumpy hero, sports-like romance. Three of my favorite tropes all in one book! How can you not look forwarding to reading this novel? Can Elena Armas duplicate her success with her debut novel The Spanish Love Deception? You can only give this one a try and find out.

Synopsis:

Adalyn Reyes has spent years perfecting her daily routine: wake up at dawn, drive to the Miami Flames FC offices, try her hardest to leave a mark, go home, and repeat.

But her routine is disrupted when a video of her in an altercation with the team’s mascot goes viral. Rather than fire her, the team’s owner—who happens to be her father—sends Adalyn to middle-of-nowhere North Carolina, where she’s tasked with turning around the struggling local soccer team, the Green Warriors, as a way to redeem herself. Her plans crumble upon discovering that the players wear tutus to practice (impractical), keep pet goats (messy), and are terrified of Adalyn (counterproductive), and are nine-year-old kids.

To make things worse, also in town is Cameron Caldani, goalkeeping prodigy whose presence is somewhat of a mystery. Cam is the perfect candidate to help Adalyn, but after one very unfortunate first encounter involving a rooster, Cam’s leg, and Adalyn’s bumper, he’s also set on running her out of town. But banishment is not an option for Adalyn. Not again. Helping this ragtag children’s team is her road to redemption, and she is playing the long game. With or without Cam’s help.

Click this link to purchase this book!* The Long Game

Whelp! These are my top 5 book releases for September. Here’s my disclaimer- I know that my top 5 are not for everyone and that you may be looking forward to completely different titles or genre’s. That’s ok! Anyone who buys, checks out, borrows, and reads a novel is a winner in my book. 🙂

Have fun reading.

Deb

On By deborahkehoeIn A Hot Chick Who Reads