adogmomsbookishlife's reviews
454 reviews

The Connellys of County Down by Tracey Lange

emotional inspiring mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio. 

Even though I knew what the twist of the story was early on, the character development in the family drama is worth a read. I listen to the audio version of this novel and was very happy with the narration by Barrie Kreinik. It was easy to follow and I was intrigued from the very first paragraph! I have not read this author’s first novel, Meet the Brennans, but I am definitely interested in doing so now.

Pawprints On Our Hearts by Kerk Murray

emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

I adored Kerk’s story! I am always fascinated to learn how people become supporters of animal rescue. In this memoir, Kerk admits to being naive at first about several animal rescue related situations. I am impressed at his openness and willingness to call out these initial faults to help educate others to not make the same mistakes. Kerk’s journey to animal rescue starts heavy. It’s the love of a dog during his biggest personal time of need that lights his path to being a rescue advocate. I am impressed at what he has accomplished to help the voiceless, including donating the proceeds of this book to nonprofit animal rescues. Kerk has a new novel coming out soon, and I’m excited to see what is in store for us there!!

Shiver by Allie Reynolds

adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

I’m writing this review almost a year after reading the book so I don’t remember all the details, but I do recall this having the “unreliable narrator” and “snowed in” tropes. As the readers makes their way through the story, they are lead to believe no one is to be trusted. I listened to this on audio and read the physical copy intermittently as well. Overall, I recall this being a good winter (not holiday) thriller. I am looking forward to reading more by this author.

Take My Hand by Dolen Perkins-Valdez

challenging emotional informative inspiring sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

This story is based on the true events told from the perspective of a black nurse in post segregation Alabama in the late 1970s. I went into this story blind. What happens to the two girls is NOT what I was expecting. In many ways, it’s worse. I found myself utterly appalled on so many occasions. I cannot believe this happened merely 50 years ago … and that the social injustices continue to remain very similar.

“There is no greater right for a woman than having a choice.”

The history of this story is one I’ve never heard. I never knew these events took place. The story was well written and one of the best audio narrations ever. I highly recommend this book to everyone, but check the trigger warnings prior to reading. If you have any questions about them, I’m happy to help.

Speak of the Devil by Rose Wilding

dark mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Speak of the Devil opens with a group of 7 women surrounding the decapitated head of a man; a man who has wronged each of them in some way. As the story unfolds, the reader learns just how evil this man was. The reader is taken on a journey through each woman’s lives to determine who took this man’s fate into their own hands. Was it one of them? Or did they all play a part?

This story caught my attention from the very beginning, but I had trouble keeping my focus. A list of characters and a small note of how they are tied together would be helpful at the beginning of each chapter. The list could build upon itself to avoid spoilers. I built the list myself as I was reading, but a list is most definitely needed in some way.

I was surprised to learn who was responsible for the man’s death and why, but the reader does not feel the slightest bit bad for him. Karma gave him exactly what he deserved.

Thank You for Listening by Julia Whelan

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I wish I had written this review right after reading this story because I loved it so, so much, and yet I'm having trouble remembering some of the specifics. I know without a shadow of a doubt that the audio is brilliant! That is part of what made this story such a unique experience. With this story, Julia Whelan proves not only is she a jaw dropping narrator, but she is the same as an author as well. I loved the characters and the mass number of tropes sprinkled throughout the story. I do remember a couple of heartbreaking scenes between the FMC and her grandmother (who begins to show severe stages of dementia). The experience is very much "on-page" so if that is a trigger for you, tread lightly. There is a specific reveal at the end that I loved so much!! It was just beyond perfect! I will most definitely re-read this one at some point in the future.

After I Do by Taylor Jenkins Reid

emotional reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This story felt like it could have been the start of my own memoir. I found so many pieces of the main characters relationship resembled the rise and fall of one of my own. I listened to this on audio and really enjoyed the narration. I binge listened over the course of two days. I think the ending was a little too happily ever after for the level of "real life feel" this story had. I guess the better way to explain it is that the ending didn't seem realistic to what was going on throughout the story. It just seemed too far fetched. But it was well written and was a beautiful ending to a tough narrative so my thoughts are not really any kind of complaint. TJR can do no wrong, and here she delivers another 5 star read! 

The Matchmaker by Catherine Walsh

funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

First of all ….. Callum. Is. HOT!! Annnnnnd that’s my review. That’s all you need. Haha! Kidding, but he’s definitely on my book boyfriend list!

I loved the setting of a small town in Ireland. I loved the idea of bringing it back to life and going head to head with a corporation to protect the history of the town. I loved all the characters and was very invested in each of their side stories. If we’re don’t get a full version of Adam and Gemma’s story I’m rioting!

Things to note:
- This is an open door romance.
- Trigger warning for the deaths of parents occurring off page in the past.
- Trigger warning for panic attacks that occur on page.

Overall, this was a quick and easy read! The heavy topics don’t weigh down the fun of the story. If this book isn’t on your TBR already, add it now, and dive in as soon as you can. I look forward to reading Catherine’s backlist as we wait for the release of whatever comes next.

**Thank you NetGalley and Bookoture for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.**

Said No One Ever by Stephanie Eding

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This book has it all! Fresh starts, tiny house Air BNB, elderly pranksters, cheeky farm animals, and so much more!

I was sold the moment the Old English Bulldog named Hilda was introduced in the very beginning!! Eding describes the bulldogs antics to a tee, and it was such a comical relief right out the gate.

This book has all of my favorite tropes: grumpy sunshine, enemies to friends to lovers, and fake dating! The characters are so lovable (aside from both main characters overbearing mothers - ugh!). There's a spicy old lady and her grumpy grandson. There's a strong woman trying to find her way through recent life changes and navigate setting boundaries with her family. In addition to the rambunctious bulldog, there's a couple of "not-so-smart" sheep and a single "way-too-smart-for-his-own-good" donkey!

While one of the overbearing mothers did redeem herself in the end, the reader doesn't see much of what happens with the other one. I think that is one thing missing from this narrative. The only other thing I would have liked more of is the romance between the two main characters. This was a closed door romance (which is more than fine), but I didn't really feel their chemistry either.

Overall, I loved this book. I want to frame the cover and put it on my bookshelf! I would recommend this one to many of my fellow readers. Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Meet Me in the Margins by Melissa Ferguson

funny medium-paced

3.5

I am writing this review months after reading the book so I don’t remember all the details. I do recall the audio being very well done.

I loved how the MFC interacted with her “helping editor” through the ARC room. It was portrayed as a cozy place to hide out and read. I would love to have one in person, but the idea of this being available at a publishing house is job goals!!

I also recall there was an extremely cringey sister and ex-boyfriend situation that made my skin crawl every time it was brought up. I can’t recall if there was a redemption arc for them, so unfortunately, I just remember the “ick.”

Overall, I love Melissa’s storytelling, and I cannot wait to read more of her work!