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chaptersofchase's Reviews (1.12k)
In lieu of my typical review type - I'm just going to say that I loved this book. It was everything I hope it would be; yes, it could've been two books (or a bit shorter) and there was an epic amount of world building, but it didn't stop me from savoring every page. I plan to go back and read it again (and again).
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
A favorite for 2023 π€
Genre: Fiction
Trope: coming-of-age
Format: π§π
Pub Date: 2.28.2023
Star Rating: βββββ
Genre: Fiction
Trope: coming-of-age
Format: π§π
Pub Date: 2.28.2023
Star Rating: βββββ
"Try as we might to convince ourselves otherwise, the moments of our becoming cannot be carefully plucked like the ripest and most satisfying peach from the bough. In the endless stumble toward ourselves, we harvest the crop we are given."
Why did I love Go as a River? The entire book comprises the most stunning and vivid descriptions that transport you into the heart of this novel. It's a book that I am kicking myself for taking so long to read, and also grateful that I read it when I did because it was just what I needed.
Go as a River has themes of loss, love, bigotry, motherhood, perseverance, selflessness, friendship, and finding a home. It's one of those stories that I could talk about for hours, but I don't want to give anything away. So, know that it is an incredible debut novel and will stay with you for a long time.
β³ Told over four decades
π Stunningly beautiful prose
π«ΆπΌ Debut novel
π Set in Colorado
π That ending
Go as a River is perfect for fans of Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens or Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate. Shelley Read is a master storyteller, and I can't wait to read more from her.
_
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Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
What Wild Women Do πΏ
Thank you, Dutton Books + PRH Audio, for the gifted book + audiobook!
Genre: Fiction
Trope: Mystery
Format: π
Audiobook Narration: βββββ
Pub Date: 10.24.2023
Star Rating: ββββ
"To be settled into a life that fits you well β around all your bumps and imperfections and sharp edges β well, there is nothing better."
I read Karma Brown's Recipe for a Perfect Wife in 2019 and fell in love with how she tells her stories - they're thought-provoking, inspiring, and full of delicious treats. I was so excited to get my hands on her newest novel and flew through it quickly!
What Wild Women Do was the perfect mixture of mystery, historical fiction, and women's fiction - there may have even been a tiny sprinkling of romance mixed in there. The book's underlying theme is women's empowerment and learning to find their voice - which the author has a talent for writing about.
I loved Eddie's character - she was bold, unapologetic, and carried the weight of her past on her shoulders, but that didn't prevent her from being the cheerleader for all the women who came to her camp. She had the strongest voice of all the characters, and I loved the chapters centered around her. Unfortunately, the other female MC, Rowen, wasn't a favorite of mine, and her story wasn't nearly as motivating as Eddie's. However, I think her character represents the type of world we currently live in.
π£οΈ Dual narrative
βπΌ Dual timeline
πͺπΌ Independent women
π― Karissa Vacker narration
π€© Delicious food (and a recipe or two included)
I recommend reading What Wild Women Do if you're in the mood for a bit of motivation and inspiration.
_
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Thank you, Dutton Books + PRH Audio, for the gifted book + audiobook!
Genre: Fiction
Trope: Mystery
Format: π
Audiobook Narration: βββββ
Pub Date: 10.24.2023
Star Rating: ββββ
"To be settled into a life that fits you well β around all your bumps and imperfections and sharp edges β well, there is nothing better."
I read Karma Brown's Recipe for a Perfect Wife in 2019 and fell in love with how she tells her stories - they're thought-provoking, inspiring, and full of delicious treats. I was so excited to get my hands on her newest novel and flew through it quickly!
What Wild Women Do was the perfect mixture of mystery, historical fiction, and women's fiction - there may have even been a tiny sprinkling of romance mixed in there. The book's underlying theme is women's empowerment and learning to find their voice - which the author has a talent for writing about.
I loved Eddie's character - she was bold, unapologetic, and carried the weight of her past on her shoulders, but that didn't prevent her from being the cheerleader for all the women who came to her camp. She had the strongest voice of all the characters, and I loved the chapters centered around her. Unfortunately, the other female MC, Rowen, wasn't a favorite of mine, and her story wasn't nearly as motivating as Eddie's. However, I think her character represents the type of world we currently live in.
π£οΈ Dual narrative
βπΌ Dual timeline
πͺπΌ Independent women
π― Karissa Vacker narration
π€© Delicious food (and a recipe or two included)
I recommend reading What Wild Women Do if you're in the mood for a bit of motivation and inspiration.
_
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medium-paced
The Christmas Guest - A Novella
Thank you, William Morrow, for the gifted copy of this book! {partner}
Genre: Mystery
Format: π
Pub Date: 10.17.2023
Star Rating: βββ
βChance of romance: nonexistent. Chance of gothic thriller murder mystery: growing by the minute.β
Do you read many novellas? They arenβt usually my thing, but I was looking for something that was holiday-themed and a mystery, so I thought the Christmas Guest would be perfect. It was such an easy read that I finished it in one sitting.
My only quip is that the first half felt very juvenile and was full of so many mundane details that I got bored and skimmed the diary entries. First-half rating: 2.5 βοΈ
But then the story picked up with the second half and had a nice twist that completely surprised me. It *almost* made me wish that this novella was full-length. Second-half rating: 3.5 βοΈ
π¨ Quick read (104 pages)
π¬ Mediocre first half
π Surprising twist
π Diary Entry format
I recommend grabbing a copy of The Christmas Guest from your local library or reading it on your Kindle!
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Thank you, William Morrow, for the gifted copy of this book! {partner}
Genre: Mystery
Format: π
Pub Date: 10.17.2023
Star Rating: βββ
βChance of romance: nonexistent. Chance of gothic thriller murder mystery: growing by the minute.β
Do you read many novellas? They arenβt usually my thing, but I was looking for something that was holiday-themed and a mystery, so I thought the Christmas Guest would be perfect. It was such an easy read that I finished it in one sitting.
My only quip is that the first half felt very juvenile and was full of so many mundane details that I got bored and skimmed the diary entries. First-half rating: 2.5 βοΈ
But then the story picked up with the second half and had a nice twist that completely surprised me. It *almost* made me wish that this novella was full-length. Second-half rating: 3.5 βοΈ
π¨ Quick read (104 pages)
π¬ Mediocre first half
π Surprising twist
π Diary Entry format
I recommend grabbing a copy of The Christmas Guest from your local library or reading it on your Kindle!
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slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Welcome back to Christmas Notch, VT βοΈ
Thank you, Avon Books, for my gifted copy of A Holly Jolly Ever After {partner}
Genre: Romance
Format: π
Pub Date: 10.10.2023
Star Rating: βββ
"Maybe when it came down to it, being a kind person was more important than having an empty swear jar.β
Itβs so disappointing when a book you had been looking forward to turns out to be a complete flop; unfortunately, thatβs the case with A Holly Jolly Ever After.
The first half of the book was outstanding. I loved the chemistry between Winnie and Kallum and especially loved how Kallum encouraged Winnie to explore what she wanted and never once pressured her to return the favor to him. The steamy scenes were π₯΅ but they werenβt terrible.
But, around the 50% mark, the story took a turn and became intolerable. My two least favorite tropes were introduced, which ruined the story for me. A Holly Jolly Ever Afterβs characters subsequently took on an immature role, which caused the book to lose all of the sparkle the first half delivered.
ππΌ First half
ππΌ Body positivity
π Second half
π π½ββοΈ My two least favorite tropes
βοΈ Third Act Breakup
As always, Iβm not trying to gatekeep anyone from reading A Holly Jolly Ever After. The story just wasnβt my cup of tea, but I know many people did enjoy the book!
_
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Thank you, Avon Books, for my gifted copy of A Holly Jolly Ever After {partner}
Genre: Romance
Format: π
Pub Date: 10.10.2023
Star Rating: βββ
"Maybe when it came down to it, being a kind person was more important than having an empty swear jar.β
Itβs so disappointing when a book you had been looking forward to turns out to be a complete flop; unfortunately, thatβs the case with A Holly Jolly Ever After.
The first half of the book was outstanding. I loved the chemistry between Winnie and Kallum and especially loved how Kallum encouraged Winnie to explore what she wanted and never once pressured her to return the favor to him. The steamy scenes were π₯΅ but they werenβt terrible.
But, around the 50% mark, the story took a turn and became intolerable. My two least favorite tropes were introduced, which ruined the story for me. A Holly Jolly Ever Afterβs characters subsequently took on an immature role, which caused the book to lose all of the sparkle the first half delivered.
ππΌ First half
ππΌ Body positivity
π Second half
π π½ββοΈ My two least favorite tropes
βοΈ Third Act Breakup
As always, Iβm not trying to gatekeep anyone from reading A Holly Jolly Ever After. The story just wasnβt my cup of tea, but I know many people did enjoy the book!
_
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emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
πΆ Alexa, play βThe Good Partβ πΆ
Thank you, PRH Audio, for the gifted audiobook! {partner}
Genre: Romance
Format: π§
Audiobook Narration: βββββ
Pub Date: 11.7.2023
Star Rating: ββββ.5
βYou once told me that everyone dies twice. Once when your body takes its final breath, then again when someone says your name for the last time.β
The Good Part was a flawless blend of magical realism, romance, and thought-provoking moments that took me back to my earlier years when I repeatedly wished for the βgood partβ of life to arrive. Were you guilty of doing this as well? In reality, I had no idea that, at the time, I was living the good part, and 15 years later, I still am. Itβs all the good part, and as the story pointed out - Iβm fortunate to live this life because so many never got the chance.
While the ending may not have been what I had hoped for, it didnβt make me love the story any less. I loved it so much that I went out and bought myself a copy π€©
π Heartwarming
ππΌ Mature characters
π― Audiobook
β° Time Travel
π«ΆπΌ Felix
π¬ Needs to be made into a movie
I recommend reading The Good Part if you enjoyed watching 13 Going on 30 or The Family Man!
_
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Thank you, PRH Audio, for the gifted audiobook! {partner}
Genre: Romance
Format: π§
Audiobook Narration: βββββ
Pub Date: 11.7.2023
Star Rating: ββββ.5
βYou once told me that everyone dies twice. Once when your body takes its final breath, then again when someone says your name for the last time.β
The Good Part was a flawless blend of magical realism, romance, and thought-provoking moments that took me back to my earlier years when I repeatedly wished for the βgood partβ of life to arrive. Were you guilty of doing this as well? In reality, I had no idea that, at the time, I was living the good part, and 15 years later, I still am. Itβs all the good part, and as the story pointed out - Iβm fortunate to live this life because so many never got the chance.
While the ending may not have been what I had hoped for, it didnβt make me love the story any less. I loved it so much that I went out and bought myself a copy π€©
π Heartwarming
ππΌ Mature characters
π― Audiobook
β° Time Travel
π«ΆπΌ Felix
π¬ Needs to be made into a movie
I recommend reading The Good Part if you enjoyed watching 13 Going on 30 or The Family Man!
_
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Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death
adventurous
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
The Wildest Sun
Thank you, Dutton Books + PRH Audio, for the gifted book + audiobook of The Wildest Sun!
Genre: Historical Fiction
Trope: Coming of age
Format: π§
Audiobook Narration: ββββ
Pub Date: 12.5.2023
Star Rating: βββ
"I have only this fragile flesh, a voice, and time. So little time."
From Paris to New York to Cuba, I followed Delphine as she traversed the globe in search of the father she'd never known, only heard story after story about. Her father is the master storyteller himself - Ernest Hemingway.
While I did enjoy the author's attention to detail and how she painted the perfect picture of Delphine's adventures while she searched for her father, there was just something lacking from the story itself.
After she left New York, I lost my footing with the novel because it seemed to be taking on something different from what I had initially believed. This is likely my fault because I've always been interested in Hemingway and expected to see more of him throughout the pages. But I got little snippets of him sprinkled throughout, and in the end, I had more questions than answers.
However, I did enjoy reading along as Delphine learned to write her own story, and while she may have started writing to impress her father, she eventually did it for herself.
π Lyrical writing
π§ Historical tidbits
π¬ Very little about Hemingway
ππΌ Self-Discovery
π§π½ YA Vibe
π°οΈ Spans several decades
If you enjoy reading about the 1940s and 1950s, add The Wildest Sun to your reading list! Not a fan of that period, tell me your favorites below ππΌ
_
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Thank you, Dutton Books + PRH Audio, for the gifted book + audiobook of The Wildest Sun!
Genre: Historical Fiction
Trope: Coming of age
Format: π§
Audiobook Narration: ββββ
Pub Date: 12.5.2023
Star Rating: βββ
"I have only this fragile flesh, a voice, and time. So little time."
From Paris to New York to Cuba, I followed Delphine as she traversed the globe in search of the father she'd never known, only heard story after story about. Her father is the master storyteller himself - Ernest Hemingway.
While I did enjoy the author's attention to detail and how she painted the perfect picture of Delphine's adventures while she searched for her father, there was just something lacking from the story itself.
After she left New York, I lost my footing with the novel because it seemed to be taking on something different from what I had initially believed. This is likely my fault because I've always been interested in Hemingway and expected to see more of him throughout the pages. But I got little snippets of him sprinkled throughout, and in the end, I had more questions than answers.
However, I did enjoy reading along as Delphine learned to write her own story, and while she may have started writing to impress her father, she eventually did it for herself.
π Lyrical writing
π§ Historical tidbits
π¬ Very little about Hemingway
ππΌ Self-Discovery
π§π½ YA Vibe
π°οΈ Spans several decades
If you enjoy reading about the 1940s and 1950s, add The Wildest Sun to your reading list! Not a fan of that period, tell me your favorites below ππΌ
_
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Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug abuse
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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:
N/A
Bright Lights, Big Christmas + a trailer named Spammy! π
Thank you, St Martin's Press, for the gifted book! {partner}
Genre: Romance
Trope: Holiday
Format: π
Pub Date: 9.26.2023
Star Rating: βββββ
Last year, Mary Kay Andrews wrote my favorite holiday read - The Santa Suit. So, when I saw that she had another holiday book coming out, I immediately added it to my list and saved it for just the right time. I should've waited a tiiiiny bit longer but oh well, it still put me in the holiday spirit. Bright Lights, Big Christmas lived up to my expectations and then some; it's the first book I've finished in less than a day in a long time.
For all of you MKA fans out there who were *shocked* that the setting for this holiday romance is New York City - don't y'all worry because the same southern charm that we've all come to know and love from her is still present. I loved how she portrayed all the characters throughout the story - for some reason, authors like to make their NYC characters cranky and unwelcoming. But MKA did the exact opposite, and it was a delight!
π¨ Bing-able (finished in one day)
π½ NYC Setting
π€ Same Southern Charm from MKA
π«ΆπΌ Found family
π Heinz
If you're looking for a book to get you in the holiday spirit, I highly recommend reading Bright Lights, Big Christmas (and while you're at it, The Santa Suit).
_
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Thank you, St Martin's Press, for the gifted book! {partner}
Genre: Romance
Trope: Holiday
Format: π
Pub Date: 9.26.2023
Star Rating: βββββ
Last year, Mary Kay Andrews wrote my favorite holiday read - The Santa Suit. So, when I saw that she had another holiday book coming out, I immediately added it to my list and saved it for just the right time. I should've waited a tiiiiny bit longer but oh well, it still put me in the holiday spirit. Bright Lights, Big Christmas lived up to my expectations and then some; it's the first book I've finished in less than a day in a long time.
For all of you MKA fans out there who were *shocked* that the setting for this holiday romance is New York City - don't y'all worry because the same southern charm that we've all come to know and love from her is still present. I loved how she portrayed all the characters throughout the story - for some reason, authors like to make their NYC characters cranky and unwelcoming. But MKA did the exact opposite, and it was a delight!
π¨ Bing-able (finished in one day)
π½ NYC Setting
π€ Same Southern Charm from MKA
π«ΆπΌ Found family
π Heinz
If you're looking for a book to get you in the holiday spirit, I highly recommend reading Bright Lights, Big Christmas (and while you're at it, The Santa Suit).
_
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funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Gemma + Daxon = π₯
Thank you, The Dial Press, for my gifted copy of This Spells Love by Kate Robb!
Genre: Romance
Format: π
Pub Date: 12.5.2023
Star Rating: ββββ.5
Thank you, The Dial Press, for my gifted copy of This Spells Love by Kate Robb!
Genre: Romance
Format: π
Pub Date: 12.5.2023
Star Rating: ββββ.5
"What may be better for one may not be better for all. We are all tiny threads in a greater tapestry? If you pull one, you may risk undoing everything."
I genuinely love these what-if/sliding door-type stories because my brain is always thinking about how my decisions lead to different outcomes. What if I had decided to do this instead of this ten years ago? How would my life be different? So, I love watching stories like this unfold. Do you ever think about this and what your life might look like?
Gemma is one of those fun and quirky characters you can't help but love from start to finish. She had the best intentions, and although she was a little aloof regarding her sister's needs, Gemma was so relatable. We've all been there, super wrapped up in our lives, neglecting those around us. Gemma grew so much within the pages of This Spells Love, and I cheered her on until the last page.
I completely lost myself in this book and could not put it down. The pacing was excellent and made for such an easy, relaxing read. I adored Kate Robb's writing style and can't wait to read whatever she writes next!
β° What if/Sliding Door
π₯΅ Gemma MacGuire *IYKYK*
π₯ Steamy
β¨ Debut novel
ππΌ No third-act breakup
π Daxon
I recommend reading This Spells Love if you enjoyed reading any of Ashley Poston's books!
_
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funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Molly the Maid is back! π
Thank you, Random House, for the gifted copy of Nita Prose's newest novel {partner}
Genre: Mystery
Format: π§
Audiobook Narration:ββββ
Pub Date: 11.28.2023
Star Rating: ββββ
"A good cup of tea cures all ills. And if it doesn't, have another."
I fell in love with Molly the Maid last year in The Maid by Prose and had no idea she had plans for a second book, but I am so glad she did. While someone could read The Mystery Guest as a standalone, you would miss out on some fun character development from the first book. The original characters were back, bringing just as much joy in the second round.
π Cozy Mystery
π€© Love the audiobook narrator
βπΌ Dual Timeline
π€£ Laugh-out-loud moments
The Mystery Guest's ending alluded to more Molly the Maid adventures, and I can't wait to see where Prose takes the next book (fingers crossed).
_
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Thank you, Random House, for the gifted copy of Nita Prose's newest novel {partner}
Genre: Mystery
Format: π§
Audiobook Narration:ββββ
Pub Date: 11.28.2023
Star Rating: ββββ
"A good cup of tea cures all ills. And if it doesn't, have another."
I fell in love with Molly the Maid last year in The Maid by Prose and had no idea she had plans for a second book, but I am so glad she did. While someone could read The Mystery Guest as a standalone, you would miss out on some fun character development from the first book. The original characters were back, bringing just as much joy in the second round.
π Cozy Mystery
π€© Love the audiobook narrator
βπΌ Dual Timeline
π€£ Laugh-out-loud moments
The Mystery Guest's ending alluded to more Molly the Maid adventures, and I can't wait to see where Prose takes the next book (fingers crossed).
_
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