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danadoesbooks's reviews
716 reviews
Can't Spell Treason Without Tea by Rebecca Thorne
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
How to Win a Grand Prix by Bernie Collins
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
5.0
Thank you Quercus and NetGalley for the eARC of How to Win a Grand Prix! All opinions in this review are my own.
The more I learn about Formula 1, the more amazed I am by the people who choose to work in this sport. While she started out as an engineer, Bernie Collins eventually became a strategist. I loved the deep dive into this role on an F1 team and learning about her firsthand experiences!
I also really appreciated her chapters on the difference between working at the factory compared to working at the race. Collins explains that if you are at the races, you have all the traveling, but if you work at the factory, the curfew doesn't apply to you so end up working more hours. These chapters really opened my eyes to how dedicated the people who work in F1 are to their jobs and how much they must sacrifice to work in this field.
If you are an F1 fan, this is a fascinating read. I loved learning about Bernie's experiences throughout her career and how honest is she when discussing the amount of energy that goes into the job.
Bad Tourists: A Novel by Caro Carver
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.0
Thank you Avid Reader Press and NetGalley for the eARC of Bad Tourists! All opinions in this review are my own.
I have had a really hard time the past few months trying to find a thriller that is so gripping I don't want to put it down. While Bad Tourists was better than some of the others that I have read recently, unfortunately, I didn't love it. I'm disappointed because I usually love thrillers set on tiny, tropical islands.
I had a hard time getting into it in the beginning and I think this was largely part to not being able to tell Darcy and Kate apart at times. I don't know why since Kate is the one who witness the massacre, but when I would read their chapters, I had to remind myself who was getting divorced and who was there during the attack.
The positive news are that the last 100 pages are absolutely wild and were definitely more what I was looking for. There are so many twists and turns!
Lost Gardens of the World: An Atlas of Forgotten Horticultural Treasures by Sandra Lawrence
informative
fast-paced
4.0
Thank you Frances Lincoln and NetGalley for the eARC of Lost Gardens of the World! All opinions in this review are my own.
I was fascinated by this book because of the concept of a "lost garden" and then I was even more interested when I learned that it is possible to uncover these gardens much like an archeologist!
The illustrations in this book are beautiful and I like that the gardens discussed are from all over the world. I also like that the author updates the reader on any conservation efforts for the gardens.
Anyone's Ghost by August Thompson
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
Thank you Penguin Press and NetGalley for the eARC of Anyone's Ghost! All opinions in this review are my own.
I ended up enjoying this one way more than I thought I would. It is definitely a sadder and darker book than I have been reading lately but I like how it tells the story of how intense a relationship can be even if you don't see someone that often.
The story is framed around three car accidents and you learn in the opening chapter that Theron was there for the first two with Jake, but not the third. The story them cuts to the summer of the first accident that details Theron and Jake's meeting and hang outs. Although on the surface not a lot happens, time in this section has the syrupy elasticity that a summer of youth has. All they do is hang out but it is also some of the best times. Despite only being with Jake one more time before his death, Theron's recounting of the stories show how deep this relationship was for him.
I feel like it's hard to put into words why I like this book so much but I look forward to more from this author.
The London Year: What to Do and When by Yolanda Zappaterra, Sarah Guy
adventurous
informative
fast-paced
3.0
Thank you Frances Lincoln and NetGalley for the eARC of The London Year. All opinions in this review are my own.
This book did what it needed to but it didn't wow me. If you are planning a trip to London and want to check out which events are happening at the same time, this is the perfect book for you!
Ne'er Duke Well by Alexandra Vasti
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Thank you St. Martin's Griffin and NetGalley for the eARC of Ne'er Duke Well! All opinions in this review are my own.
I liked the set up of this book, that Selina is trying to help Peter get custody of his half-siblings, but I felt like the pacing was off. Selina has the brilliant idea to match Peter with a respectful lady of the Ton to help improve his reputation, but very quickly realizes she would rather be with him. They marry pretty early on in the book and are living in wedded bliss until her secret threatens to be exposed. Despite the pacing, I loved Selina and her library! This series shows promise and I would still like to read the second one!
Trust and Safety by Laura Blackett, Eve Gleichman
funny
fast-paced
4.0
Thank you Dutton and NetGalley for the eARC of Trust and Safety! All opinions in this review are my own.
I couldn't put this one down! I loved how the plot is pushed along based on what Rosie's Instagram is feeding her and Jordan's obsession with the next big tech project. Laura Blackett and Eve Gleichman's writing is witty and clever. I immediately put their previous book on hold after reading Trust and Safety. I can't wait to read more from them!