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chaptersofchase's Reviews (1.12k)
funny
inspiring
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Another gem from Sara Goodman Confino!
Thank you, Lake Union Publishing, for the gifted copy of Behind Every Good Man {partner}
Genre: Fiction
Trope: Historical
Format: 📖
Pub Date: 8.6.2024
Pages: 349
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆.5
"He told us to look at ourselves in the mirror every single morning and ask ourselves what we were going to do to make the world better that day."
Last year, I read (and loved) Don't Forget to Write by Confino. So I was thrilled to have a chance to read her newest novel, Behind Every Good Man.
Similar to her last novel, Conino created a tapestry of strong-willed women trying to find their voice in a world that constantly wants them to stay quiet at home. To drive the novel's plot, Confino added just the right amount of historical context throughout, bringing all the characters to life. It served as a reminder that the 1960s were not that long ago and that the women before us fought hard for their right to have their voices heard.
As for the characters, I loved the MC, Beverly Diamond; she was a force to be reckoned with and wasn't afraid to stand her ground against her (soon-to-be) ex-husband. But there is also something to say for the cast of supporting characters written into the story as they helped to bring everything to life. I would love to have a chance to meet them again in Confino's next novel. After all, we did have an opportunity to revisit some of the characters in Don't Forget to Write 😉
Read if you enjoy:
👀 Behind the scenes of running a campaign
🗓️ 1960'S DC settings
✡️ Jewish representation
💪🏼 Stories about female empowerment
📖 Historical moments mixed into fiction
I recommend reading Behind Every Good Man if you're looking for an empowering book this year.
-
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adventurous
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Looking for a book to binge-read this summer? Add this to your reading list 👇🏼
Thank you, Park Row Books, for the gifted copy of The Paris Widow {partner}
Genre: Mystery
Format: 📖
Pub Date: 6.11.2024
Pages: 304
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
“He doesn’t know about the part of me that is more like him than I care to admit because I never told him, just like he never told me about the other versions of him.”
After a friend recommended The Paris Widow, I added it to my pool bag to read a few chapters while spending time in the sun. The next thing I knew, it was 7 pm, and I’d just finished the book. I can’t remember the last time I read a book in one sitting, but I couldn’t put it down. It was thoroughly addicting.
Kimberly Belle has crafted the perfect thrill ride, full of international intrigue, twists, and tense moments that kept me hooked from the very first chapter until the very last page. It was perfectly paced with short chapters, Dual POV, and characters I enjoyed following. I simply couldn’t get enough. Sure, it was over the top in places, but it was SO good!
Read if you enjoy:
📜 Rare antiques
✈️ International setting
📖 Short chapters
🐭 Cat & Mouse games
✌🏼 Dual POV
I recommend reading The Paris Widow if you enjoyed reading The Last Thing He Told Me or Two Nights in Lisbon.
_
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dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
I always love a good psychological suspense 😱
Thank you, Atria Books, for the gifted copy of The Unraveling by Vi Keeland {partner}
Genre: Mystery
Trope: Psychological Suspense
Format: 📖
Pub Date: 7.9.2024
Pages: 291
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆
“Regret is like an anchor that wraps around the heart and weighs it down, keeping it from sailing free.”
I was in a bit of a reading rut. I needed something to keep me entertained during my long holiday weekend, so I picked up The Unraveling. I wasn’t sure what to expect, as I’d seen reviews describing it as ‘dark,’ ‘suspenseful,’ ‘eerie,’ and ‘steamy.’ Say what?? Usually, the books I read don’t combine these superlatives, but The Unraveling absolutely did.
With the enticing plot and short chapters, I was frantically turning the pages to discover what was happening. While I did predict parts of the ending—particularly that last bit—it was still pleasantly unnerving, and I’ll definitely be reading more from Vi Keeland in the future.
Read if you enjoy:
👏🏼 Dark & Addicting
🖤 Forbidden Atraction
💨 Fast-Paced
🥵 Steamy Reads
If you have your afternoon free, I recommend reading The Unraveling because once you start, you won’t be able to stop.
_
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Content Warnings
Graphic: Stalking
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Here's a debut novel to add to your reading list! ✨
Thank you, Zibby Books & Libro.FM, for the gifted copies of Pearce Oysters {partner}
Genre: Fiction
Trope: Family Saga
Format: 🎧
Pub Date: 6.25.2024
Pages: 368
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆
"A family drama set along the Louisiana coastline during the 2010 BP Oil Spill, Pearce Oysters follows a third-generation oyster farmer whose business, family, and livelihood are on the brink of collapse."
Joselyn Takacs did an outstanding job with her debut novel, Pearce Oysters. There was something authentic about all the book's characters—by the end, I felt like they were all family members. It wasn't an especially "quick" or "entertaining" read, but it made me feel something and that is one of the best things a book can do.
Audiobook Review: ☆☆☆☆☆
Pearce Oysters is told from the perspective of an omniscient narrator, and the book itself is narrated by Xavier Casals. There was something almost hypnotic about Casals' voice, and it kept me completely immersed in the storyline. He really brought all the emotions of the characters to the forefront of the story and, therefore, brought the story itself to life.
Read if you enjoy:
😅 Family Dynamics
🌎 Environmental Stewardship
👏🏼 Realistic characters
📖 Fiction based on actual events
🤩 Debut novels
📍 New Orleans settings
I recommend reading Pearce Oysters if you enjoyed reading Migrations or Once There Were Wolves.
_
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Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug abuse
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
This one is a bookstagram made me do it book.
Genre: Mystery
Format: 📖
Star Rating: ☆☆☆
And I'm really mad that I did. There were so many things to not like about this book and it's likely entirely my fault because I hyped it up SO much due to the glowing reviews. I am definitely an outlier so take my review with a grain of salt, but I couldn't find much to enjoy about The Perfect Marriage. I predicted the ending fairly quickly and I honestly felt like all the characters deserved way worse than they got.
-----
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Genre: Mystery
Format: 📖
Star Rating: ☆☆☆
And I'm really mad that I did. There were so many things to not like about this book and it's likely entirely my fault because I hyped it up SO much due to the glowing reviews. I am definitely an outlier so take my review with a grain of salt, but I couldn't find much to enjoy about The Perfect Marriage. I predicted the ending fairly quickly and I honestly felt like all the characters deserved way worse than they got.
-----
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slow-paced
Thank you, Macmillan Audio, for the gifted copy of House of Glass {partner}
Genre: Mystery
Format: 🎧
Pub Date: 8.6.2024
Pages: 352
Star Rating: ☆☆☆
Oh, y'all, I wanted to love this book, but it was not easy to get through. Between the over-the-top plot, unlikeable characters, and over-dramatized moments, I was afraid my eyes would get stuck from all the eye-rolling that I did. It was not necessarily the author's writing but the story itself that bothered me so much. Too many things were at play, ultimately making it difficult to follow along.
But because I can't leave an entirely negative review, I will say that there were aspects of the story that I enjoyed, and while I did guess the ending fairly quickly, it was interesting to see the path that the author took us to get there.
Audiobook Review: ☆☆☆☆
House of Glass was narrated by Laura Benanti (who has also narrated one of my favorites, Drowning by TJ Newman). Benanti did a great job of keeping the story moving forward and adding just the right air of mystery to keep me listening.
Read if you enjoy:
Slow burn mysteries
Menacing atmospheres
Unlikable characters
I recommend reading Gone Tonight if you're looking for a book by Sara Pekkanen to read!
_
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emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
You can never go wrong with Heather Webber + Magical Realism ✨
Thank you, Forge Books & Macmillan Audio, for the gifted copy of A Certain Kind of Starlight {partner}
Genre: Magical Realism
Format: 📖
Pub Date: 7.23.2024
Pages: 320
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆.5
I look forward to Heather Webber’s books every summer and have read everything she’s written since Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe. Her stories are always heartwarming and full of lessons on caring for those around you, even if they aren’t your blood relatives. And, for me, something about the found family plot gets me every time.
Typically, Webber’s books are full of magical realism, and while A Certain Kind of Starlight is magical, it isn’t overpowering. So, for those on the fence about this particular genre, this may be the one to check out!
Audiobook Review: ☆☆☆☆☆
Hallie Ricardo and Stephanie Willis narrate A Certain Kind of Starlight. I love that this duo has narrated all but one of Heather Webber’s books, and I love that they have been on this journey with her. Ricardo and Willis fully embrace the characters they are narrating and have a way of capturing your attention and calming your mind while listening.
Read if you enjoy:
🤫 Small town secrets
🥰 Found family
🔀bTangled relationships
🤍 Southern fiction
I recommend reading A Certain Kind of Starlight if you’re looking for a reminder that there’s still a little magic left in the world.
_
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emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
What are you saying yes to this summer?? It should be reading this book!
Thank you, Courtney Walsh, for the gifted copy of your book The Summer of Yes! {partner}
Genre: Fiction
Format: 🎧
Pub Date: 7.2.2024
Pages: 384
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
“Sometimes I wish I’d started my life with the wisdom and knowledge I have now that I’m nearing the end. I would’ve done so many things differently.”
It’s no secret that I love a feel-good story with life lessons mixed in. But I adore an age-gap friendship. There’s always so much to learn and love from these types of stories, and because I know Courtney Walsh won’t leave me sobbing, I had faith that we would have a happily ever after for the two female MCs, Kelsey and Georgina that I grew to love so much.
Read if you enjoy:
🫶🏼 Age gap friendship
🚗 Road trips
🥰 Found family
💛 Feel good moments
👌🏼 Wit & wisdom
I recommend reading The Summer of Yes if you’re looking for a pick-me-up that will remind you there’s still a whole lot of life left to live.
_
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emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Storytelling at its finest!
Thank you, PRH Audio, for the gifted copy of The God of the Woods by Liz Moore {partner}
Genre: Mystery
Format: 🎧
Pub Date: 7.2.2024
Pages: 490
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
“Her voice, it seemed, had been continuously decrescendoing since birth, so that by age twelve, she could scarcely be heard.”
I was completely absorbed by the plot of this book, the characters, and all the vivid details that I did little else except listen to The God of the Woods for two days (it’s 14 hours on audio, btw). I tirelessly tried to solve the mystery before Liz Moore revealed what happened, but it was no use. It was fantastic writing and a story I would return to again to pick up on all the little details I may have missed along the way. What’s the last book that you reread?
One of my favorite characters was Judyta. I rooted for her from the start and loved her ambition, even as those around her dismissed her for her naivety to the job. Out of all the characters that I encountered while reading The God of the Woods, I'd say that she showed the most growth.
Audiobook Review: ☆☆☆☆☆
The incredibly talented Saskia Maarleveld narrated the audiobook; she has also narrated Fire Lie Wins, The Rose Code, The Diamond Eye, A Short Walk Through a Wide World, Serpent & Dove, and many other novels. Liz Moore set the stage, wrote the script, and put everything together, but Maarleveld brought it home in one epic performance. I highly recommend checking out the audiobook and reading with your ears for this one!
Read if you enjoy:
🏕️ Summer camp settings
📝 Complex plots
🔀 Alternating timelines
💪🏼 Standout female protagonists
🧶 Unraveling multiple mysteries
I recommend reading The God of the Words if you’re looking for a complex mystery that will keep you reading until the early morning hours.
_
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medium-paced
A Storybook Romance 🩷
Thank you, PRH Audio, for the gifted copy of A Novel Love Story by Ashley Poston {partner}
Genre: Romance
Format: 🎧
Pub Date: 6.25.2024
Pages: 384
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆
“That was what loss was in the end - breaking of a piece off yourself, that you’d never get back. There were people who tried to fill that hole with work, and there were people, like me, who tried to fill it with stories. People filled it with whatever could fit.”
For the last three years, I have counted the days until the next Ashley Poston book was published. She has to be one of my top romance writers because her stories include one of my favorite tropes, magical realism, and they always make my heart happy. She also has a talent for creating perfectly flawed characters, making them feel so real to me.
While A Novel Love Story is not my favorite from Poston, I still enjoyed the book. Countless times, I wished I could crawl into my favorite fiction novel or TV show because they bring me so much comfort. Poston hit this fiction-loving girlie right in the heart.
Audiobook Review: ☆☆☆☆☆
A Novel Love Story was narrated by Dorothy Dillingham Blue (who also narrated The Antidote for Everything & All We Ever Wanted), and, to be completely honest, I didn’t love the narration for the story (which may be why I didn’t love the book). Blue gave the FMC, Eileen, a whiney voice that almost made her seem juvenile, which grated on my nerves. I’m also very picky when it comes to South accents, and I didn’t love the accent that Blue chose for Eileen.
Read if you enjoy:
✨ Magical Realism
🥰 Perfectly flawed characters
🤍 Slow burn romance
📖 Books about books
I recommend reading A Novel Love Story if you need a reminder of why our favorite books and TV shows bring us so much comfort during times of stress.
_
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