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dontmissythesereads's reviews
2097 reviews
Ill-Fated Fortune by Jennifer Chow
4.0
Book #51 read in 2024
This is a fun start to a cozy series set in a Magical Bake Shop. I'm not usually one to be drawn to books that have supernatural elements, but this was done in an interesting way. Both Lissa and her mom infuse their baking with their feelings. So, for example, if they are feeling sad, the baked goods make people cry. Also, Lissa is learning her power to write personalized fortune cookies for people after she touches them.
Amidst all these supernatural occurrences, a murder mystery unfolds. A rival fortune cookie baker is found dead outside Lissa's family bake shop, setting the stage for a thrilling investigation. Lissa and her friend, Kelvin, take it upon themselves to solve the mystery, adding an exciting layer to the story. This is a promising start to a cozy series, leaving me eager for more.
Thank you to Minotaur Books for the complimentary ebook.
This is a fun start to a cozy series set in a Magical Bake Shop. I'm not usually one to be drawn to books that have supernatural elements, but this was done in an interesting way. Both Lissa and her mom infuse their baking with their feelings. So, for example, if they are feeling sad, the baked goods make people cry. Also, Lissa is learning her power to write personalized fortune cookies for people after she touches them.
Amidst all these supernatural occurrences, a murder mystery unfolds. A rival fortune cookie baker is found dead outside Lissa's family bake shop, setting the stage for a thrilling investigation. Lissa and her friend, Kelvin, take it upon themselves to solve the mystery, adding an exciting layer to the story. This is a promising start to a cozy series, leaving me eager for more.
Thank you to Minotaur Books for the complimentary ebook.
Rhythm and Clues by Olivia Blacke
4.75
Book #50 read in 2024
Gosh, I love Tansy and this series! Once again, Tansy finds herself at the center of another murder in Cedar River. With the help of her supporting cast of characters, Detective Beau and hunky Teddy, she sets about trying to solve the case. The growing love triangle is so fun. What was missing was more interaction with the sisters and their mother. We didn't get nearly enough of Juni and Maggie. I can't wait for the next installment in the series!
Thank you to St. Martin's Press for the complimentary ebook.
Gosh, I love Tansy and this series! Once again, Tansy finds herself at the center of another murder in Cedar River. With the help of her supporting cast of characters, Detective Beau and hunky Teddy, she sets about trying to solve the case. The growing love triangle is so fun. What was missing was more interaction with the sisters and their mother. We didn't get nearly enough of Juni and Maggie. I can't wait for the next installment in the series!
Thank you to St. Martin's Press for the complimentary ebook.
More Than You'll Ever Know by Katie Gutierrez
3.5
Book #49 read in 2024
The synopsis of this book drew me in, but it didn't fully deliver on its promise. Marketed as a thriller, this is actually more of a domestic drama with a smidgen of mystery. Both of the women main characters are flawed and unlikeable, although as more of their backgrounds and stories are revealed, we begin to see why. There is a lot of dialogue in Spanish without translation. At first, I spent time trying to understand and translate what was said but eventually gave up as it became more frequent. I just tried to use the context to figure it out. If you enjoy domestic dramas, this may be one for you.
*Note: I began to read this as an audiobook, but the missing translations made it complicated to understand. Unless you are fluent in Spanish, I would suggest reading the book or at leasthaving it handy to reference.
The synopsis of this book drew me in, but it didn't fully deliver on its promise. Marketed as a thriller, this is actually more of a domestic drama with a smidgen of mystery. Both of the women main characters are flawed and unlikeable, although as more of their backgrounds and stories are revealed, we begin to see why. There is a lot of dialogue in Spanish without translation. At first, I spent time trying to understand and translate what was said but eventually gave up as it became more frequent. I just tried to use the context to figure it out. If you enjoy domestic dramas, this may be one for you.
*Note: I began to read this as an audiobook, but the missing translations made it complicated to understand. Unless you are fluent in Spanish, I would suggest reading the book or at leasthaving it handy to reference.
Dreamland Burning by Jennifer Latham
4.25
Book #48 read in 2024
I enjoy historical novels with a mystery as part of the plot. The story opens in 2017 when Rowen Chase finds bones buried under the floor of her guest house. It takes place during the Tulsa Race Riots in 1921 and is told in alternative timelines. Throughout the entire story, we are left to wonder who the bones belong to and how they ended up under the floor. In flashbacks to the past, we see the race war heating up and follow Will and his family as they navigate the times.
I really enjoyed the historical aspect, and it led me to do more research on the Oklahoma riots, as that is, unfortunately, not something I remember learning about in school. This one is definitely worth the read!
I enjoy historical novels with a mystery as part of the plot. The story opens in 2017 when Rowen Chase finds bones buried under the floor of her guest house. It takes place during the Tulsa Race Riots in 1921 and is told in alternative timelines. Throughout the entire story, we are left to wonder who the bones belong to and how they ended up under the floor. In flashbacks to the past, we see the race war heating up and follow Will and his family as they navigate the times.
I really enjoyed the historical aspect, and it led me to do more research on the Oklahoma riots, as that is, unfortunately, not something I remember learning about in school. This one is definitely worth the read!
Never Tell Collection #1-6 by Loreth Anne White, Liv Constantine, Caroline Kepnes, Ivy Pochoda, Rachel Howzell Hall, Andrea Bartz
4.0
Book #40 read in 2024
In this short story collection, there are six books by well-known authors. It is a great way to read a short story from a favorite author and experience/find new authors to love. My favorite story and author from this collection was Everywhere You Look by Liv Constantine. I just love her writing style and always look forward to anything she writes. My favorite from a new to me author was The Ghost Writer by Loreth Anne White. However, all of these were interesting and a great way to spend time. I'm really enjoying these collections from Amazon!
Thank you to Amazon Originals for the complimentary ebooks and Audible Originals for the complimentary audiobooks.
In this short story collection, there are six books by well-known authors. It is a great way to read a short story from a favorite author and experience/find new authors to love. My favorite story and author from this collection was Everywhere You Look by Liv Constantine. I just love her writing style and always look forward to anything she writes. My favorite from a new to me author was The Ghost Writer by Loreth Anne White. However, all of these were interesting and a great way to spend time. I'm really enjoying these collections from Amazon!
Thank you to Amazon Originals for the complimentary ebooks and Audible Originals for the complimentary audiobooks.
The Widow Spy: A Novel by Megan Campisi
4.0
Book #46 read in 2024
I'm realizing I really like historical fiction, not set in WWII, that is based on real women. This is set during the Civil War and follows Kate Warne, the first female Pinkerton agent, and a union spy. I always appreciate when a novel prompts me to Google and research. The Author's Note gave historical updates on each of the characters, which I loved.
The story itself was a little bit of a slow burn. It dropped us right into an investigation and we were learning the characters in the midst of it which muddled things a bit. I really liked the first part of the book and the interplay between Kate and Rose, the target of the investigation. The second half veered into different investigations and developed Kate's character even further. Overall, this was an interesting glimpse into historical events that were less known to me.
Thank you to Atria Books for the complimentary ebook.
I'm realizing I really like historical fiction, not set in WWII, that is based on real women. This is set during the Civil War and follows Kate Warne, the first female Pinkerton agent, and a union spy. I always appreciate when a novel prompts me to Google and research. The Author's Note gave historical updates on each of the characters, which I loved.
The story itself was a little bit of a slow burn. It dropped us right into an investigation and we were learning the characters in the midst of it which muddled things a bit. I really liked the first part of the book and the interplay between Kate and Rose, the target of the investigation. The second half veered into different investigations and developed Kate's character even further. Overall, this was an interesting glimpse into historical events that were less known to me.
Thank you to Atria Books for the complimentary ebook.
The Poison Pen by Paige Shelton
4.0
Book #45 read in 2024
When I accepted this one, I did not realize it was a part of a series. I am usually particular about reading a series in order, but I figured I'd just jump in and see how it went. I'm glad I did. I enjoyed meeting Delaney and this cozy case was interesting. I decided to listen to the audio to keep reading between ebook sessions and to my surprise, the narrator is my top favorite, Susan Ericksen. She brought these characters alive and made the story more enjoyable than it already was. I think I may go back to beginning to see how the series started.
Thank you to St. Martin's Minotaur for the complimentary ebook.
When I accepted this one, I did not realize it was a part of a series. I am usually particular about reading a series in order, but I figured I'd just jump in and see how it went. I'm glad I did. I enjoyed meeting Delaney and this cozy case was interesting. I decided to listen to the audio to keep reading between ebook sessions and to my surprise, the narrator is my top favorite, Susan Ericksen. She brought these characters alive and made the story more enjoyable than it already was. I think I may go back to beginning to see how the series started.
Thank you to St. Martin's Minotaur for the complimentary ebook.
The Fury by Alex Michaelides
3.5
Book #43 read in 2024
The premise of this one is interesting. Told in first person as if the narrator is reading a journal or having a conversation with the reader, I was a lot lost. When I first started the audiobook, I listened to nine chapters before I realized I had no idea what was happening. So I put myself on hold for the ebook at the library and when it came in, I started the book again reading in tandem with listening. This helped me keep things in order in my brain and allowed me to follow the story. I ended up liking it way more than I thought I was going to. It is very twisted and that's what makes it so interesting. Definitely worth a read or listen once you adapt to the writing style.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the complimentary ebook.
The premise of this one is interesting. Told in first person as if the narrator is reading a journal or having a conversation with the reader, I was a lot lost. When I first started the audiobook, I listened to nine chapters before I realized I had no idea what was happening. So I put myself on hold for the ebook at the library and when it came in, I started the book again reading in tandem with listening. This helped me keep things in order in my brain and allowed me to follow the story. I ended up liking it way more than I thought I was going to. It is very twisted and that's what makes it so interesting. Definitely worth a read or listen once you adapt to the writing style.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the complimentary ebook.
Off the Air by Christina Estes
4.0
Book #42 read in 2024
This is a great start to what I hope is a new series. Jolene Garcia, a TV reporter, is trying to scoop the competitors when she hears a local radio personality is dead. She investigates and competes to be the first to the story. I love the supporting characters and especially love the realism in Jolene's character, which makes sense because the author is herself a journalist who can give a unique perspective to the situation. I look forward to more from this author.
Thank you to Minotaur Books for the complimentary ebook.
This is a great start to what I hope is a new series. Jolene Garcia, a TV reporter, is trying to scoop the competitors when she hears a local radio personality is dead. She investigates and competes to be the first to the story. I love the supporting characters and especially love the realism in Jolene's character, which makes sense because the author is herself a journalist who can give a unique perspective to the situation. I look forward to more from this author.
Thank you to Minotaur Books for the complimentary ebook.
The Perfect Guy Doesn't Exist by Sophie Gonzales
4.25
Book #39 read in 2024
This was such a fun, interesting coming-of-age book. When Ivy is struggling to make the connections she wants in her life, she turns to writing fan fic about a character, making him the perfect boyfriend. But when he comes to life, she realizes how problematic it can be to have everything she wants with no pushback. I loved the characters, Ivy, Henry, and Mack and even Weston. Ivy works through the trials of self-discovery and navigating her relationship with Mack, how it is to how she wants it to be. This was a unique and amazingly enjoyable read!
Thank you to Wednesday Books for the complimentary ebook.
This was such a fun, interesting coming-of-age book. When Ivy is struggling to make the connections she wants in her life, she turns to writing fan fic about a character, making him the perfect boyfriend. But when he comes to life, she realizes how problematic it can be to have everything she wants with no pushback. I loved the characters, Ivy, Henry, and Mack and even Weston. Ivy works through the trials of self-discovery and navigating her relationship with Mack, how it is to how she wants it to be. This was a unique and amazingly enjoyable read!
Thank you to Wednesday Books for the complimentary ebook.