authentic reviews and insightful interviews for inquisitive readers
Title: Gallows Hill Author: Darcy Coates Series: n/a Great protag, great lore, great scares I would like to thank Darcy Coates, Poisoned Pen Press, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. I’m a recent fan of Coates; I’ve been wanting to read her for a few years but was stymied by Audible’s exclusive access to her audiobooks. Though I really can’t afford it, I finally caved and subscribed for monthly credits, …
Title: A Lullaby for Witches Author: Hester Fox Series: n/a Unfocused story, bad “historical fiction,” meh characters I would like to thank Hester Fox, Harlequin, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. Also thank you to Justine Sha for inviting me to participate in the blog tour. This is a long one, so grab a snack and settle in. I tried to convince myself I liked this book, because in theory …
Title: The Christie Affair Author: Nina de Gramont Series: n/a No. Just no. I would like to thank Nina de Gramont, Lucy Scott, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for allowing me to listen to a free audio ARC in exchange for an honest review. I rarely DNF (did not finish) books, especially ones received via NetGalley, but I’m calling it. When at 48% I saw that I had five and half hours left of this audio galley, I simply thought, “Nope.” …
Title: The Secret of Snow Author: Viola Shipman Series: n/a Questionable lead, unimpressive writing, melodramatic I would like to thank Viola Shipman, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. Also thanks to Sophie James for inviting me on the blog tour. When Palm Springs meteorologist Sonny Dunes is fired and replaced with a sexy robot, she gets drunk and lets the world know how she feels about the …
Title: The Lighthouse Author: Christopher Parker Series: n/a Lots of heart but misleading and disappointing I would like to thank Christopher Parker, Beacon Press, and NetGalley for allowing me to listen to a free audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review. This was a wonderful story about several characters’ journeys through grief and difficult life circumstances. It’s beautifully written, bursting with heart and hope, takes one to the pits of despair and leads one back to thinking everything will …
Title: Beguiled Author: Darynda Jones Series: Betwixt and Between #3 This trilogy wasn’t her best Thank you to Darynda Jones for allowing me to read a free ARC in exchange for an honest review, and big thanks to the friendly Dana Crawford, who provided me with the ARC. Apologies for not reviewing before the release as I’d promised; delaying the release a week at the last minute threw off my own schedule, but I got to it as quick as …
Title: A Court of Silver Flames Author: Sarah J. Maas Series: A Court of Thorns and Roses #4 Very satisfied with this long-awaited sequel This is more fangirl speculation than a review, but I do mention my few criticisms of the book in the first couple paragraphs. I could have done without the very explicit sex (a lot of it was unnecessary, too; for example, Amren and Varian did not have to be going at it when Nesta went to …
Title: The Black Swan of Paris Author: Karen Robards Series: n/a Rife with tension, heartache, and hope I would like to thank Karen Robards, Harlequin MIRA, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. Also thanks to Justine Sha for inviting me to participate in the blog tour. Don’t take my 4-star rating to heart; I wasn’t the ideal audience for this type of book. I wanted to read this because it …
Title: House of Earth and Blood Author: Sarah J. Maas Series: Crescent City #1 Initial review: Based on first 60 pages: epic worldbuilding, inferior lead I would like to thank Sarah J. Maas, Bloomsbury USA, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a free excerpt of the first 60 pages (70 including front matter) in exchange for an honest review. I’m so fucking pissed right now. First reason I’m pissed—I should have known better than to read an excerpt. Especially …
Title: Mariana Author: Susanna Kearsley Series: n/a The end ruined the whole thing So I finished the audiobook last night, and I was left feeling so unbalanced and unsatisfied that I was quite worked up. And got more worked up the longer I thought about it. I free-wrote a rant that didn’t make much sense, and, recognizing that, I didn’t post it anywhere and let it rest. I did not rest, however. I got the ebook from the library and …