kimmiereadsalot's reviews
1346 reviews

The Cutting Season by Attica Locke

3.75

I have to say. I struggled how to rate this. Part 1 was a bit slow and I didn’t connect with the characters much. This surprised me as I’ve read two other books by this author, and while not relating to the MC at all, had not problem connecting. 

However, things picked up in part 2. I started to understand Caren a little more. Still not entirely. Her standoffishness and choices still baffled me. But I got more into her investigation. 

By part 3 I was fully invested in the outcome. I will say that I didn’t think this novel was going to have a twist. I took it at face value thinking that it was more about the roots and history than the crime. But I was wrong. 

Overall, this is a good read that takes the time to set the stage and explore the nuances of how slavery still affects us today. 

Recommend. 


Slight spoiler that’s in no way important to the overall theme or plot of the book:


I do wish that the relationship between Eric and Caren had had a different finish. I get that their relationship was very real. But the romance lover in me wanted a happier ending. 

The Couple At No. 9 by Claire Douglas

3.25

Not terrible. Not thrilling. Terrible title though. The husband of the couple at no9 was barely in it. And the people who lived there in 1980 were not really known as a couple. 

Idk. It dragged on a bit too much. I was interested, by the reveals came a bit too slow and weren’t shocking. There were zero twists to keep me truly invested. Plus, Saffy got on my ever last nerve. So whiny and judgy of her mom but easily forgiving of someone who doesn’t deserve it. 

The more I think about it, the more I want to lower my rating. But I felt mostly positive about it until the last draggy quarter. Still keep at a neutral positive 3.25 stars. 

The Dauntless Miss Wingrave by Amanda Scott

4.0

Fun one great chemistry between the characters. And as always, anything narrated by Mary Jane Wells is automatically better for it. 

The Disappearing Act by Catherine Steadman

3.5

Good. Solid. Never bored. But never captivated. The voice acting and audio production was excellent imo and definitely added to the story.  I would read this author again as I loved her book Family Game Night. 

Soul of the Deep by Natasha Bowen

4.5

This is my second novel based on African mythology in the last few weeks. And this one is WAY MORE my speed. Yes, there is still death and dark aspects. But there is also light and love. I’m not a girlie that can do all darkness. I really appreciated how this author portrayed the mami wata. I love how she approached the forbidden love aspect. I love how our strong FMC always did what she felt was right and still found herself in the end. 

This was just really good and I enjoyed it. 

Recommend. 

Kill for Me, Kill for You by Steve Cavanagh

5.0

What a thrillingly wild ride! I’d never read this author before, but boy would I again. 

This was book was good from beginning to end. But of 140 on had me like 👀 much of the time!

I don’t want to overhype. But I read a lot of mysteries and thrillers. And this will go down as one of my top of the year. I just have know. 

My rating and review are pure vibes. I don’t want to give anything away and am not coherent enough to form more formal thoughts. So emotional reactions only. 

Definitely recommend. And don’t feel bad when you find yourself rooting for potential murderers. 

Cinderella and the Duke by Lydia Drake

3.75

I mostly really enjoyed this. The heart of the story had everything I love in a historical romance. I loved Julia’s boldness and the development of her and the duke’s relationship. 

As an avid historical romance reader, there were a few things that pulled me out of the story. Like what year was it? Whose majesty were we defending? Victoria? Or charlotte? I ask because there were some modern references (like wearing white to be married which was not a thing pre Victoria). There weee a few other things too. And one reference of the duke as “my lord” instead of “your grace”.

Overall though, it was an enjoyable read. 

Black Leopard, Red Wolf by Marlon James

2.0

Not for me (even with the talented narrator/voice actor). 

I knew this was going to be a branch out read. I knew it was going to be dark. But even preparing myself for that, it was so much more than I expected. There was just no light in this story. And the one or two times I thought we could see some light, it didn’t last long. 

I guess because of the almost manic story telling by Tracker combined with all the killing, betrayal, and rape, I just never attached to the characters. It was hard to care. 

I will say that the narrator did a fantastic job. There were a lot of characters, and his voice acting was top notch. 

If you enjoy the artsy Oscar movies, you would probably enjoy this. If, like me, you haven’t cared about the Oscars in decades because it’s clearly not an award show for the average movie viewer, then skip this one. 

Beauty and the Beast by Hannah Howell

4.0

Fun medieval read. Loved the main characters especially the FMC. And as always, anything narrated by Miss Mary Jane Wells is automatically better just for having her voice act. My fave. 

A Deadly Inside Scoop by Abby Collette

3.0

This was fine. I may have liked it a little better had I read it with my eyes. Alas, I found the audiobook narrator to be a bit flat. Her voices were decent. But the voice acting itself was meh. I was also distracted by all the dialogue tags in the writing and found the dialogue in general to be rather inorganic. It felt stilted. Unnatural. 

The story itself was pretty cute. I do wish we’d gotten a hint of where potential romance might be going. But nothing. 

Not bad. Not amazing.