edodsonreads007's reviews
409 reviews

Love You Better - A Second Chance Stand Alone in the Oakville World by Kallyn Jones

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.0

 Love You Better is the first book I've read by Kallyn Jones. Second chance romances are usually not my favorite trope, but I am glad I took the plunge. 

Cyndi is "content" in her life as an almost 40 year old woman. Until her two decades past ex husband comes back into her life trying to get her back. She luckily knows that she doesn't want to go back to the woman she was when she was married to him. Cue most recent no-strings-attached (ex-client) Blake coming back into her life. Cyn feels obligated to help Blake out of the mess she feels she put him in by giving his business account to Alfred (the embezzler). Cyn is on a mission to help Blake clear his name, and get his money back. But the chemistry between Cyn and Blake is still there, even after two years. She also already loves Olivia "Liv" Blake's daughter. 

Blake is dealing with one tragedy after another, first, Olivia's mother passes away, and he goes to having Olivia full time, having to help guide her through her grief of losing her mom and navigate their new normal. Then everything comes to light about the money that had been stolen from his business account by his accountant, now he is on the line for past taxes due. He needs a miracle. Then the one that "got away" Cyndi comes back into his life after leaving just as abruptly. Blake is such an amazing guy and he feels like he is always trying to prove that to himself because of his awful adoptive father. 

One thing I loved about this book is that I could relate. It was finally a book about a middle aged couple dealing with real-life difficult situations. I felt the author did great about immersing the reader into Blake and Cyndi's story.

 

If Shapes Could Eat: A fun rhyming story encouraging a healthy relationship with food and trying new things. by Rella B.

inspiring lighthearted slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.0

 If Shapes Could Eat, was the first of Rella B's I have read. This cute book with shapes and rhymes. The vibrant colors and illustrations plus the creativity and originality of this book was great. I loved the rhyming and flow of the story. I also liked the plot and the idea behind the book. I know this book will keep my three year old daughter's attention. We have officially gotten to the "picky eater stage" of toddlerhood.  I can't wait to read it with her. I look forward to checking out some of the other books by Rella B. 

War Storm by Victoria Aveyard

adventurous dark emotional tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.5

The Bootlegger's Wife by Denise Devine

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

3.75

 This was the first book written by Denise Devine that I have read. Typically this type of book wouldn't be something I would read. But after reading the synopsis a few things hooked me in; first the book is set in Minnesota in 1925. This just so happens to be where my grandmother was born, in fact in 1925. Coming out of my "proverbial box" I gave it a try. I was pleasantly surprised. It was a quick, easy read. I enjoyed the character growth of Charlotte (aka Esther). The ending did leave me hanging a bit and entices me to read the next book in the series to see what happens next. 

King's Cage by Victoria Aveyard

adventurous challenging sad tense medium-paced

4.0

Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard

adventurous dark sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

5.0

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

adventurous tense fast-paced

5.0

Delay of Game by Tam DeRudder Jackson

hopeful inspiring lighthearted slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

 Delay of Game was the first book of Tam Derudder Jackson's. After finishing I know it will not be my last! This book was charming. The perfect mix of football and romance with a little bit of drama thrown in too. It featured one of my favorite tropes-best friends to lovers. Taryn and Danny’s story is the perfect soul mate love story. Taryn has been in love with Danny since she first met him, Danny has been in love with Taryn since day one. But captain of the high school football team Derek made Taryn off limits-to every guy in school but especially the football team. His obsession over not being able to have her didn’t end when he graduated. No,  still five years later and his obsession is the same. Danny is finally able to follow his passion for football after four years in the military and he gets to do it with the love of his life by his side. He just has to convince her that they will be better off as more than friends.  

Dirty Job by Sabrina Hollands

adventurous medium-paced

4.0

Dirty Job was the first book I read by Sabrina Hollands. This was a quick, easy read. This suspense romance is about Jake Stillwater- a famous YouTuber turned TV star and the newest member of his team, camerawoman Tess Hardy. Neither Jake nor Tess are who they seem. Both put on a show because neither of them want people to see the real them. Tess has secrets she tries to keep hidden. Their work relationship starts off rocky, but Jake breaks down Tess's walls she has built up since the break up from her abusive ex-boyfriend Ryan. Tess took this job to get away from her ex, until Ryan tracks Tess down in Louisiana. Jake’s ex girlfriend is also out to get him. Posting lies about him all over TikTok. Neither can escape their past relationship mistakes. Tess makes a run for it leaving Jake heartbroken.  But fate brings them back together. 

Scythe & Sparrow by Brynne Weaver

dark funny hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes

4.0