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chaptersofchase's Reviews (1.12k)
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Get ready to pack your bags and head to Sicily! ✈️
Thank you, Dutton Books, for the gifted copy of The Sicilian Inheritance {partner}
Genre: Historical Fiction
Trope: Mystery
Format: 🎧
Audiobook Narration: ☆☆☆☆☆
Pub Date: 4.2.2024
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Thank you, Dutton Books, for the gifted copy of The Sicilian Inheritance {partner}
Genre: Historical Fiction
Trope: Mystery
Format: 🎧
Audiobook Narration: ☆☆☆☆☆
Pub Date: 4.2.2024
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆
“There are stories we tell about women. The same stories get retold over and over with different characters at different times, but they all contain striking similarities.”
After seeing The Sicilian Inheritance all over the place, I moved it to the top of my reading list because I can never turn down a historical fiction novel with a bit of mystery. I started reading my physical copy of the book. Eventually, I moved to the audiobook narration as I thought it would give me a grander appreciation for the story if I could hear the correct pronunciation of the names and places mentioned. I’m glad I switched to the audio because the narrator brought it to life.
I was definitely invested in the story from the beginning, and I am such a sucker for a good dual timeline, dual point-of-view story. However, as I often do, I enjoyed reading about the chapters set in the past rather than those in the present. There was just something about Sarafina’s chapters that really drew me in.
✌🏼 Dual POV + Dual Timeline
🎧 Audiobook
🐌 Slow build
🕵🏽♀️ Based on a real-life family mystery
🤩 The setting
Overall, The Sicilian Inheritance is an incredible story about Sicilian life and the women in history who are so often overlooked. Inside the pages of this story, you will find themes of grief, self-identity, sisterhood, mystery, and family folklore. There really is a little something for everyone.
_
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emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The perfect mix of playful and heartfelt.
Thank you, Berkley Publishing, for the gifted copy of Happy Medium {partner}
Genre: Romance
Trope: Forced Proximity
Format: 📖
Pub Date: 4.30
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆.5
Last year, I missed out on Mrs. Nash’s Ashes (I still need to read it, by the way), so when I saw she had a new title coming out in April about a fake medium turned real Medium, I jumped at the chance to read it. Have you ever been to see a Medium? What were your thoughts afterward?
Happy Medium was charming. I couldn’t get enough of our MC, Gretchen; the tattoos goat farmer, Charlie; and, of course, the adorable (albeit cantankerous) ghost, Everett. Plus, the goats and the other farm animals? It was just too perfect for me. All the human (and ghost) characters had just the right amount of flaws that made it fun to reach as they grew and changed throughout the book.
There were only a few small issues that I had (which kept it from a 5-star rating)—there was a subplot involving Gretchen’s dad that was interesting but didn’t feel necessary to the story. I also felt like Gretchen’s plan to save Charlie at the last minute would’ve been nice had it been introduced earlier. Then, there’s a secret revealed towards the end that felt a bit too convenient.
☝🏼 One POV
🫶🏼 Everett
🥰 Playful + Heartfelt
🏘️ Small town
Overall, I enjoyed reading Happy Medium and think it’ll be a hit with many readers this spring!
_
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Thank you, Berkley Publishing, for the gifted copy of Happy Medium {partner}
Genre: Romance
Trope: Forced Proximity
Format: 📖
Pub Date: 4.30
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆.5
Last year, I missed out on Mrs. Nash’s Ashes (I still need to read it, by the way), so when I saw she had a new title coming out in April about a fake medium turned real Medium, I jumped at the chance to read it. Have you ever been to see a Medium? What were your thoughts afterward?
Happy Medium was charming. I couldn’t get enough of our MC, Gretchen; the tattoos goat farmer, Charlie; and, of course, the adorable (albeit cantankerous) ghost, Everett. Plus, the goats and the other farm animals? It was just too perfect for me. All the human (and ghost) characters had just the right amount of flaws that made it fun to reach as they grew and changed throughout the book.
There were only a few small issues that I had (which kept it from a 5-star rating)—there was a subplot involving Gretchen’s dad that was interesting but didn’t feel necessary to the story. I also felt like Gretchen’s plan to save Charlie at the last minute would’ve been nice had it been introduced earlier. Then, there’s a secret revealed towards the end that felt a bit too convenient.
☝🏼 One POV
🫶🏼 Everett
🥰 Playful + Heartfelt
🏘️ Small town
Overall, I enjoyed reading Happy Medium and think it’ll be a hit with many readers this spring!
_
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dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
The first true literary thriller I’ve read
Thank you, Atria Books, for the gifted copy of Middletide by Sarah Crouch {partner}
Genre: Literary Thriller
Format: 📖
Pub Date: 6.11.2024
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆.5
I wasn’t sure what to expect from Middletide. I’d seen a few early reviews raving about the brilliant story, so I decided to pick it up (without really looking into what the story was about). I would highly recommend doing the same, as it really adds to the mystery of the story itself.
There’s a little something for everyone nestled into the mages of this 288-page novel - mystery, small-town secrets, romance, revenge, and forgiveness. It blew me away that the author, Sarah Crouch, could pack so much into such a short book.
There’s also the added bonus of a non-linear timeline, which kept me guessing as I tried to put together the pieces of the puzzles. But I was shocked at how the story ended up coming together. Middletide is one of those books I could (and will) read again to find all the little details I missed during my first read.
Thank you, Atria Books, for the gifted copy of Middletide by Sarah Crouch {partner}
Genre: Literary Thriller
Format: 📖
Pub Date: 6.11.2024
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆.5
I wasn’t sure what to expect from Middletide. I’d seen a few early reviews raving about the brilliant story, so I decided to pick it up (without really looking into what the story was about). I would highly recommend doing the same, as it really adds to the mystery of the story itself.
There’s a little something for everyone nestled into the mages of this 288-page novel - mystery, small-town secrets, romance, revenge, and forgiveness. It blew me away that the author, Sarah Crouch, could pack so much into such a short book.
There’s also the added bonus of a non-linear timeline, which kept me guessing as I tried to put together the pieces of the puzzles. But I was shocked at how the story ended up coming together. Middletide is one of those books I could (and will) read again to find all the little details I missed during my first read.
✨ Debut Novel
🔀 Non-linear timeline
📖 Book about a book
🌫️ Atmospheric
👏🏼 Perfect for a book club
I recommend going into Middletide without knowing much about the story and then letting the author take you along for a ride as you learn about what happened on one quiet morning in Point Orchards in 1994.
-
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slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Schitts Creek 🏘️ meets Ted Lasso ⚽️
Thank you, Atria Books, for the gifted copy of The Long Game by Elena Arias {partner}
Genre: Romance
Format: 🎧
Audiobook Narration: ☆☆☆
Pub Date: 9.5.2023
Star Rating: ☆☆☆
Thank you, Atria Books, for the gifted copy of The Long Game by Elena Arias {partner}
Genre: Romance
Format: 🎧
Audiobook Narration: ☆☆☆
Pub Date: 9.5.2023
Star Rating: ☆☆☆
“Love is never part of the problem.”
I was sold when I heard the male MC, Cameron, gave readers Roy from Ted Lasso vibes. Roy was my main reason for watching (and loving TL). There were definite Roy vibes given - especially in the audiobook. If you’ve read this, do you agree? I loved the chapters that were from Cameron’s point of view especially if those chapters involved him talking to his cats or the chickens 😂
There was SO much potential to The Long Game, but ultimately, it just fell flat for me. It took so long ( I know I know the name of the game) for anything to happen in the book. Then, when it finally started to pick up speed, the dreaded miscommunication and third-act break-up tropes reared their ugly heads, and the story never really grabbed my attention again.
🏡 Small town
✌🏼 Dual POV
🐌 Slow build
✂️ Too long
🫶🏼 Found family
🙅🏽♀️ Third act break-up
I recommend The Long Game to anyone looking for a slow-building story with a bit of romance. Although this book is not for me, I look forward to reading more from Armas.
_
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dark
emotional
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The final Knockemout book - Things We Left Behind 💜
Genre: Romance
Trope: friends to lovers to enemies
Format: 🎧
Audiobook Narration: ☆☆☆☆☆
Pub Date: 9.5.2023
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
“Grief had a way of infiltrating everything, even when you were prepared for it.”
All good things must end, and Lucy Score went out with a bang for her Knockemout Trilogy. I never imagined Score could top her other two books - I’d heard that she did, but I didn’t believe it. Well, I’m here to say that they were all right - Things We Left Behind was phenomenal.
The third and final book came in at 592 pages; every page was worth it. We had friends to enemies to lovers (new favorite, btw), adventure, humor, action, so many emotions, and some of the steamiest scenes I’ve ever read. I can’t begin to tell you how hard it was to read about the past that Lucian and Sloane shared, that we have never been privy to (I don’t want to give away any spoilers). However, Lucy Score handled their story with such respect and kindness that it made me cry several times. Then there’s the storyline involving Sloane’s dad that just wrecked me.
🏘️ Small Town
🗣️ Dual POV
✌🏼 Dual Timeline
🥵 Bedroom door wide open
💗 Pix
🐱 Meow Meow
I absolutely loved this series and am so glad I took the time to read about all the people in Knockemout. I can’t wait to read more of Lucy Score's writing.
_
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Genre: Romance
Trope: friends to lovers to enemies
Format: 🎧
Audiobook Narration: ☆☆☆☆☆
Pub Date: 9.5.2023
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
“Grief had a way of infiltrating everything, even when you were prepared for it.”
All good things must end, and Lucy Score went out with a bang for her Knockemout Trilogy. I never imagined Score could top her other two books - I’d heard that she did, but I didn’t believe it. Well, I’m here to say that they were all right - Things We Left Behind was phenomenal.
The third and final book came in at 592 pages; every page was worth it. We had friends to enemies to lovers (new favorite, btw), adventure, humor, action, so many emotions, and some of the steamiest scenes I’ve ever read. I can’t begin to tell you how hard it was to read about the past that Lucian and Sloane shared, that we have never been privy to (I don’t want to give away any spoilers). However, Lucy Score handled their story with such respect and kindness that it made me cry several times. Then there’s the storyline involving Sloane’s dad that just wrecked me.
🏘️ Small Town
🗣️ Dual POV
✌🏼 Dual Timeline
🥵 Bedroom door wide open
💗 Pix
🐱 Meow Meow
I absolutely loved this series and am so glad I took the time to read about all the people in Knockemout. I can’t wait to read more of Lucy Score's writing.
_
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Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Back to Knockemout 💗
Genre: Romance
Trope: Grumpy x Sunshine
Format: 🎧📖
Audiobook Narration: ☆☆☆☆☆
Pub Date:
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆.5
Genre: Romance
Trope: Grumpy x Sunshine
Format: 🎧📖
Audiobook Narration: ☆☆☆☆☆
Pub Date:
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆.5
“Being vulnerable doesn’t mean you’re weak. It means you trust yourself to be strong enough to handle the hurt. It’s actually the purest form of strength.”
I’m slowly making my way through the Knockemout series, and I can’t get enough of Lucy Score’s storytelling capabilities. Not only can she write a good 🔥 scene, but she also manages to write a 500+ romance and it not be boring.
I can’t tell you how often I laughed out loud while sneaking in a few pages before bed at night. There was just something so effortless about the banter between the two characters. I loved how Lena was the one to rescue Nash and help him through his PTSD. She’s a no-nonsense type of woman, and I loved her for that.
🏘️ Small-town romance
✌🏼 Dual POV
🧠 Male mental health representation
😄 Witty
🥹 Lots of emotions
Now, if you’ll excuse me, it’s time to start reading Lucian and Sloan’s story…
_
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challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
FIVE STARS
Thank you, Dutton Books + PRH Audio, for the gifted copy of The Force of Such Beauty.
Genre: Fiction
Format: 🎧📖
Audiobook Narration: ☆☆☆☆☆
Pub Date: 5.9.2023
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Thank you, Dutton Books + PRH Audio, for the gifted copy of The Force of Such Beauty.
Genre: Fiction
Format: 🎧📖
Audiobook Narration: ☆☆☆☆☆
Pub Date: 5.9.2023
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
“I learned that the world was made from men—for men—that men controlled the world, and further—that their desire for my attention was the only leverage I possessed. I could have learned other things, I suppose, but that would have required an education.”
It’s not often that I find a book that captures me and refuses to let me go until I’ve read every page, but that is precisely what The Force of Such Beauty did. Not only did it keep me invested from start to finish, but since finishing it almost three weeks ago, I have thought about it while brushing my teeth, fixing dinner, folding laundry, walking my dogs, or going to bed at night. It was one of the best, most heartbreaking stories I’ve read in a very long time. It’s absolutely something I would read again.
I would love to tell you more, but I think it’s just something that needs to be read, and that’s really all I can say about it. Oh, and it’s going on my favorites list.
_
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Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage, Gaslighting
Moderate: Emotional abuse
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
The Guest
Thank you, St Martin’s Press, for the gifted copy of The Guest by B.A Paris{partner}
Genre: Mystery
Format: 🎧
Audiobook Narration: ☆☆☆☆
Pub Date: 2.20.2024
Star Rating: ☆☆☆
I wanted to love this book - I did. BA Paris is one of the authors who got me to like thrillers when I started reviewing books. But, The Guest was just not my cup of tea.
The characters were all dull and unlikable, and the plot was slow to build and really didn’t seem to follow any path towards a good twist. There were so many times that I almost DNF, but I kept on going because I hoped there would be something redeeming.
There was actually a *little* something—the epilogue. It made me sit back and say, “Well, that’s more like it,” but it almost felt like it was just too little, too late for me.
🐌 Slow from start to finish
😤 Unlikeable characters
🤷🏽♀️ Epilogue
I’m still hopeful that B.A. Paris will write a book like her 2018 hit, Bring Me Back, so I’ll keep reading and crossing my fingers that her next book will be the ✨the✨ book.
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Thank you, St Martin’s Press, for the gifted copy of The Guest by B.A Paris{partner}
Genre: Mystery
Format: 🎧
Audiobook Narration: ☆☆☆☆
Pub Date: 2.20.2024
Star Rating: ☆☆☆
I wanted to love this book - I did. BA Paris is one of the authors who got me to like thrillers when I started reviewing books. But, The Guest was just not my cup of tea.
The characters were all dull and unlikable, and the plot was slow to build and really didn’t seem to follow any path towards a good twist. There were so many times that I almost DNF, but I kept on going because I hoped there would be something redeeming.
There was actually a *little* something—the epilogue. It made me sit back and say, “Well, that’s more like it,” but it almost felt like it was just too little, too late for me.
🐌 Slow from start to finish
😤 Unlikeable characters
🤷🏽♀️ Epilogue
I’m still hopeful that B.A. Paris will write a book like her 2018 hit, Bring Me Back, so I’ll keep reading and crossing my fingers that her next book will be the ✨the✨ book.
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funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Bride Wars meets My Best Friend's Wedding.
Thank you, Zibby Books, for the gifted copy of Wedding Issues {partner}
Genre: Fiction
Format: 📖
Audiobook Narration: ☆☆☆☆
Pub Date: 4.2.2024
Star Rating: ☆☆☆
I wanted to enjoy Wedding Issues badly; it had everything I enjoy reading about in a book - female friendship, family drama, and a little romance. But the characters were not for me as they felt one-dimensional. The only two I enjoyed reading about were Kali and Great (and I didn't see enough of them). Olivia was infuriating and so was her best friend Leighton. I had a difficult time with how privileged they both acted. I had high hopes that the ending would have some redeeming qualities for the characters, but it felt too forced and lacked authenticity.
💗 Female friendships
🤳🏼 Social media influencer
🙅🏽♀️ Unlikable characters
💃 Event planning
📖 Southern Fiction
💨 Rushed ending
If you're looking for a quick and entertaining read to throw into your beach bag this summer, Wedding Issues may be the book for you!
_
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Thank you, Zibby Books, for the gifted copy of Wedding Issues {partner}
Genre: Fiction
Format: 📖
Audiobook Narration: ☆☆☆☆
Pub Date: 4.2.2024
Star Rating: ☆☆☆
I wanted to enjoy Wedding Issues badly; it had everything I enjoy reading about in a book - female friendship, family drama, and a little romance. But the characters were not for me as they felt one-dimensional. The only two I enjoyed reading about were Kali and Great (and I didn't see enough of them). Olivia was infuriating and so was her best friend Leighton. I had a difficult time with how privileged they both acted. I had high hopes that the ending would have some redeeming qualities for the characters, but it felt too forced and lacked authenticity.
💗 Female friendships
🤳🏼 Social media influencer
🙅🏽♀️ Unlikable characters
💃 Event planning
📖 Southern Fiction
💨 Rushed ending
If you're looking for a quick and entertaining read to throw into your beach bag this summer, Wedding Issues may be the book for you!
_
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emotional
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Do you have a favorite Emily Henry book? Here’s mine 👇🏼
Thank you, PRH Audio, for the gifted copy of Funny Story {partner}
Genre: Romance
Format: 🎧
Audiobook Narration: ☆☆☆☆☆
Pub Date: 4.23.2024
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
I’ll keep my review brief because I know that Funny Story will be a big hit, and there will be rave reviews everywhere.
As much as I didn’t want to love this book, I did. It is easily my favorite from Emily Henry (yes, more so than Beach Read now). Funny Story was full of so many beautiful moments that just took my breath away and had me completely lost in the story. Emily Henry has this incredible ability to put everything I desperately try to capture into words.
This is also the first time I’ve read a romance in which the male MC shares the same name as my husband. They also share many of the same traits, so while reading the book, I pictured my husband as Miles Nowak, and let me tell you—some of those scenes had me swooning 🥰. Despite the shared names, Miles is officially my favorite book boyfriend. I’m lucky to have my own IRL version at home with me, too.
💜 Found family
🏡 Roommates
🥵 Chapter 28
🫶🏼 Miles
🎉 Instant favorite
I really wish I could accurately express how much I loved this book, but I can’t, so you’ll just have to read it yourself and see why.
_
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Thank you, PRH Audio, for the gifted copy of Funny Story {partner}
Genre: Romance
Format: 🎧
Audiobook Narration: ☆☆☆☆☆
Pub Date: 4.23.2024
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
I’ll keep my review brief because I know that Funny Story will be a big hit, and there will be rave reviews everywhere.
As much as I didn’t want to love this book, I did. It is easily my favorite from Emily Henry (yes, more so than Beach Read now). Funny Story was full of so many beautiful moments that just took my breath away and had me completely lost in the story. Emily Henry has this incredible ability to put everything I desperately try to capture into words.
This is also the first time I’ve read a romance in which the male MC shares the same name as my husband. They also share many of the same traits, so while reading the book, I pictured my husband as Miles Nowak, and let me tell you—some of those scenes had me swooning 🥰. Despite the shared names, Miles is officially my favorite book boyfriend. I’m lucky to have my own IRL version at home with me, too.
💜 Found family
🏡 Roommates
🥵 Chapter 28
🫶🏼 Miles
🎉 Instant favorite
I really wish I could accurately express how much I loved this book, but I can’t, so you’ll just have to read it yourself and see why.
_
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