ahousethatreads's reviews
132 reviews

The Mistletoe Mystery by Nita Prose

lighthearted 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? Yes

4.0

This was such a cute holiday novella with our favorite maid! I can’t say much more than that or I will spoil it!

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: The Journey: Behind the Scenes of the Award-Winning Stage Production by Jody Revenson, Harry Potter Theatrical Productions

informative slow-paced

5.0

My husband and I recently went to NYC to celebrate our anniversary. Our plan was to see wicked which we did see but at the last minute we decided to see the cursed child and I am so so so glad we did. We usually see musicals so this was so much fun and can officially be named our favorite play which I would not have predicted years ago when I read the screen play. Swipe right to see our pictures from the theater. Anyways to the review! My husband got me this read years ago and for one reason or another I never read it. I am so so glad I waited to read it because our experience in NY was so so magical. When picking this up the music came rushing back and it actually had a picture of the theater that looked like it was taken from our seats.

The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux

mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I enjoyed reading this one and found it similar to the musical until it wasn’t. It turned very dark and different. In some ways it gave me Agatha Christie Vibes.

Counting Miracles by Nicholas Sparks

emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Nicholas Sparks is an auto buy author for me and this one wasn’t a favorite but it didn’t disappoint either. I enjoyed the Kaitlyn and Tanner chapters but the Jasper ones were a struggle for me. Eventually it all clicks and I loved his character. Something unexpected for me was the amount of scripture, I didn’t hate it just not typically what I see in his books. 

The Strange Message in the Parchment by Carolyn Keene

adventurous medium-paced

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

3.0

 

If you didn’t follow along in my stories here are some things I tracked! 

 

Message of Warning - 

Ned sighting - 📞 😊 

Vehicle Mishap - 

Injury - 

Nancy passed out - 

Knocked out by criminal - 👨 

Times it made me lol - 1️⃣ 

Times Nancy’s name is said - 

 

 This was a strange mystery and made me wonder what a child would think about it as some scenes made me sick to my stomach. There were a lot of bible quotes in this one which I found fun. 

Did You Hear About Kitty Karr? by Crystal Smith Paul

emotional 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

3.0

I liked this one but didn’t love it. I had to start over and write a character list because there was so many. This was a fun one to discuss with friends.

Tracking Tilly by Janice Thompson

emotional fast-paced

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

4.0

I haven’t read a cozy mystery in a while so it was exciting to get this one from net galley! I enjoyed this one and car lovers will love this one. This one wrapped up nicely so I wonder where this series will go. At the end of the book there was a Dewberry Cobbler Recipe that I made for my bookclub and it was so yummy, I did use a frozen mixed berry blend as I have never seen dewberries in Wisconsin!

What Happens Next: A Traveler's Guide Through the End of This Age by Max Lucado

hopeful medium-paced

4.0

The description from NetGalley said it so well. This book was encouraging on a topic that I honestly find terrifying most of the time. He gives us hope and encourages us that it is something to be excited about, not scared.

The Christmas Tree Farm by Melody Carlson

lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

This felt like the perfect read to get a person in the Christmas spirit. I have love reading Christmas books by the pool this summer. Who even am I? I did struggle with the sister who had some growth to do but overall this wrapped up nicely.

With This Ring by Amy Clipston

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

This was a sweet story with flawed main characters that drove me nuts at times. It’s amazing that this story ever wrapped up considering how stubborn they were.