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Romance
Latest Book Reviews
4.5
Wow, this rom-com is so fun to read. I initially picked up this book as an Amazon First because I liked the cover, and I wish I read it sooner! Oxford-educated and Princeton professor Teddy Ferguson is on a winning streak on Answers!, a trivia-style show, when Maxine Hart, self-proclaimed ADHD advocate and high school dropout, knocks him off his streak and leaves him obsessing about his loss and her lips. When there is a tournament of former winners, Maxine turns to Teddy to help her master her weaker academic topics. Teddy could use some tutoring, mostly learning not to take himself so seriously! The chemistry and banter between these two 30-somethings is fresh and funny, and the spice is on fire! Just what I needed to get me out of my reading rut!
While light-hearted and fun, What is Love also touched on some deep topics. Through the comparison of Teddy and Maxine’s educations, Comfort makes the point that advanced degrees do not make you better or wiser than those without. I also profoundly identified with her descriptions of an ADHD brain, especially the struggles in elementary and middle school! Finally, I relished all the trivia throughout the book. The facts are fun, and I think both Maxine and I got rivers down flat!
Overall this was a flirty, fast-paced read that any (adult) scholar or anti-scholar would enjoy!
Romance
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4
Okay, so I devoured this book in less than 24 hours. Because I am a fickle reviewer, I will say Fake Mate had little to no plot and almost no character development, and at times, it felt like it was just bouncing from spicy scene to spicy scene, yet I undeniably enjoyed it. The banter was charming and, at times, laugh-out-loud funny. The main characters, Mackenzie Carter and Noah Taylor are a dual POV grumpy/sunshine pairing who enter into a fake relationship to protect Noah’s job and prevent more setups for Mackenzie; they add some benefits, the end.
Additionally, both main characters are physicians, shifters, and rare forms of their species (omega and alpha, respectively). If you are unfamiliar with shifters (aka werewolves), this book has little to no world-building; I would not consider it true paranormal or fantasy. I sometimes cringe at hospital descriptions, but for the most part, this worked; there were a few out-of-scope lines, but I think most healthcare workers would approve of the descriptions. This book has a ton of intimacy, including unique aspects of shifter anatomy, so if an open-door is not your thing, I would avoid it. The book’s ending was too quick for me, and it would have benefited from a scene entailing some details mentioned in the epilogue (no spoilers, but if you have read it, I hope you agree). Overall, this was light, fun, and very sexy, and I would recommend it for a quick MF shifter read.
I have seen this book recommended for those who liked Bride by Ali Hazlewood, and they are entirely different. Comparing them closely is a disservice to both books. Where Bride is dark with mystery and lots of character development, Fake Mate is honestly a lighter and fluffy romance. Both include detailed descriptions of wolf anatomy(🪢), but the similarity stops there.
General Fiction
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5.0
I absolutely adored this debut novel about aquarium custodian Tova Sullivan and her friend Marcellus, the octopus. Tova lives a simple life in Sowell Bay, Washington, until she finds Marcellekus entangled in cords far from his enclosure. Following this, Tova and Marcellus form a bond, and Marcellus attempts to use his observation skills to help Tova find closure in the mysterious loss of her son 30 years ago. The story that unfolds is both tragic and yet beautifully redeeming.
Primarily a character-based novel with what some may feel is a slow-moving plot, Remarkably Bright Creatures focuses on how grief never truly leaves us and how one fits into one’s community. Van Pelt pens Marcellus and Tova wonderfully with genuine complexity and believable personality traits. Even the background characters, Cameron (who honestly was a manchild, but I can’t love every character) and Ethan, were full of depth and added to the complex character development and plot. I particularly enjoyed Ethan and the patient ways he took care of Tova. The writing is heavy at times as it deals with the fears of aging alone, grief, and loss, but it also can be funny as we learn about Marcellus and his antics at the aquarium and his valid opinions of his human captors. If you’re on the fence about character-driven books, I highly recommend this one, as the prose, plot, and characters are extraordinarily crafted.
One of my favorite reads of the year so far, Remardly Bright Creatures, would be a fantastic book club book as well! Finally, the narration is perfect and wonderfully cast, and I highly recommend it!
Romance
Latest Book Reviews
3.5
A decade ago, Florence Day, the undertaker’s daughter, fled her small town and reputation as the “girl who talks to ghosts.” Now, a family crisis forces her back to visit the literal ghosts she left behind. A romance ghostwriter for a best-selling author, Florence has been unable to finish her latest novel as she no longer feels she can believe in true love after having her heart and stories stolen by her ex. When a handsome and confused ghost shows up at her door, she finds herself falling for this seemingly off-limits man while at the same time trying to cope with her life falling apart.
I loved the beginning chapters and the ending but felt the middle fell flat. There were some loose ends in the character development I would have loved to work through, especially Florence’s grief; it just felt too surface-level for a book heavily related to death and dying. Additionally, despite one sexy conversation, I did not feel much tension between Benji Andor and Florence Day. I wanted more longing from both of them. It likely stemmed from never getting attached to Benji the way I usually do when I read romance, mostly because I felt like I didn’t get to know him. However, I found the main character talking to ghosts unique for a contemporary romance, and the magic/ ghost elements of death were dealt with well. There were points where dual POV would have added the connection I felt I was missing.
Despite death and ghosts, the book did not feel heavy or spooky and was still a fast-paced romance. I truly enjoyed the writing style and the unique plot and thus made this a 3.5. Overall, I will read something by Poston again!
General Fiction
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4
Despite (Chinese American) Athena having significantly more success and fame than June (white American), Athena remains one of June’s only writer friends. When Athena dies in a choking incident, June steals Athena’s manuscript on WWI Chinese soldiers and edits and promotes the manuscript as her own. Suddenly experiencing overnight success, June also faces harsh criticism for using an “own voices” story and her efforts and those of her publisher to erase her whiteness to sell more books. Through June’s point of view we listen to her worry and then become angry over the constant (justifiable) criticism and honestly as the book’s end I found myself both sympathetic and utterly annoyed by June (which feels to be the author’s point).
Kuang’s writing is detailed, and times quite dark as she takes June on a journey from literary nonbody to best-selling author; using the characters of June and Athena and snippets of social media to tell the tale. At times the pacing of this book was undulating from fast to slow but overall, I read this quickly as I was desperate to see how June’s career progressed. Much of this book reflects on whether a white author can write a story (or even characters) that are not white. Kuang points out how “diverse” subjects and authors are marketed as unique to sell more books. June’s book is popular despite the critiques, and a scene I have seen of books play out in real life (for example, a popular sports romance series from TikTok). From the discussion on how social media sells books to how the publishing industry has already selected what will be a best seller long before books make it to market, Kuang gave details on the “dirty” side of publishing. As someone who spends lots of time engaged on book-related social media, I loved the critique I believe Kuang was trying to get across.
Romance, Young Adult
Latest Book Reviews
4.0
Thank you Macmillan audio for the advanced audio copy!
Gossip Girl meets The Princess Diaries, full of teenage angst, blurry boarding school lines, and the pressure of family expectations.
First of all, Imani Jade Powers and Gail Shalan excellently narrated this. Both brought the emotions of these teenage girls to life. I particularly thought the performances excelled when the teens experienced anger or sadness. The voiced cracked at the right moments and was soft when needed. I always appreciate feeling these emotions through an audiobook
I would have loved this book in high school: the paparazzi, the princess, the brother’s school, and rugby matches. The school setting felt real, and I was really intrigued by this fictional country’s politics! At times, I felt I was maybe too removed from adolescence to fully appreciate all the details the author provided, but overall, I really enjoyed this book!
I would note that this book addresses teenage drug and alcohol use, describes an unintentional overdose, and has implied sexual content. I think this would be perfect for ages 14.
This truly reads like a book for high school kids, and the last 30% felt a bit over the top to me. That said, I think the intended audience would eat it up.
Overall, I loved the narration and felt the book did an excellent job of addressing the pressures and expectations of being a teen