Scan barcode
mackenzierm's reviews
1612 reviews
A Long Time Gone by Joshua Moehling
4.5
4.5 stars.
Deputy Ben Packard was a boy when his older brother disappeared. He had watched him walk out the back door of their grandparents’ house and never saw him again. Decades have passed and Deputy Packard finds himself on leave and under investigation after a work-related shooting, leaving him with lots of empty time on his hands. He decides to dig deeper into what really happened to his older brother, Nick, and ends up stumbling across a separate, suspicious death. As Packard digs further into both cases, he is met with fierce resistance, leading him to risk everything to uncover the truth.
A LONG TIME GONE marks the third book in the Ben Packard series. While I think they can be read as standalones, I’d recommend reading them in order to better grasp the intricacies of the characters and the politics of small-town Sandy Lake. I was beyond excited to be approved for a digital ARC of this book, eager to get back to Sandy Lake and see what’s next for Deputy Packard.
That said, I think that A LONG TIME GONE may be my favorite of this series to date. It contains two cases: the first, a cold case dating back many years and the second, a more recent and suspicious death. The novel starts off slow, building up the scene and giving context to the characters, the office politics, and the cases; but as new leads start to come in and possible connections crop up, the pacing begins to pick up. One case is much more complex than the other, but each are interesting, gripping, and well-paced. They each had me guessing as twists and turns led me down different paths, always staying a step ahead, leaving me nowhere near the correct reveals.
Deputy Packard is a great character and an excellent protagonist. He’s tenacious, brave, and always eager to get to the bottom of any story, no matter how simple or complex it may look at first glance. His character gains depth here and I love seeing his growth. I loved catching up with the other relevant characters in the Sheriff’s office, like Theilen. It was also interesting to meet Packard’s mom, who is a true hoot with interesting advice.
Can’t wait to see what will come next for Packard in future books!
I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher, Poisoned Pen Press, of this advanced digital copy for the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for an honest review! All opinions expressed are my own.
Deputy Ben Packard was a boy when his older brother disappeared. He had watched him walk out the back door of their grandparents’ house and never saw him again. Decades have passed and Deputy Packard finds himself on leave and under investigation after a work-related shooting, leaving him with lots of empty time on his hands. He decides to dig deeper into what really happened to his older brother, Nick, and ends up stumbling across a separate, suspicious death. As Packard digs further into both cases, he is met with fierce resistance, leading him to risk everything to uncover the truth.
A LONG TIME GONE marks the third book in the Ben Packard series. While I think they can be read as standalones, I’d recommend reading them in order to better grasp the intricacies of the characters and the politics of small-town Sandy Lake. I was beyond excited to be approved for a digital ARC of this book, eager to get back to Sandy Lake and see what’s next for Deputy Packard.
That said, I think that A LONG TIME GONE may be my favorite of this series to date. It contains two cases: the first, a cold case dating back many years and the second, a more recent and suspicious death. The novel starts off slow, building up the scene and giving context to the characters, the office politics, and the cases; but as new leads start to come in and possible connections crop up, the pacing begins to pick up. One case is much more complex than the other, but each are interesting, gripping, and well-paced. They each had me guessing as twists and turns led me down different paths, always staying a step ahead, leaving me nowhere near the correct reveals.
Deputy Packard is a great character and an excellent protagonist. He’s tenacious, brave, and always eager to get to the bottom of any story, no matter how simple or complex it may look at first glance. His character gains depth here and I love seeing his growth. I loved catching up with the other relevant characters in the Sheriff’s office, like Theilen. It was also interesting to meet Packard’s mom, who is a true hoot with interesting advice.
Can’t wait to see what will come next for Packard in future books!
I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher, Poisoned Pen Press, of this advanced digital copy for the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for an honest review! All opinions expressed are my own.
I Think They Love You by Julian Winters
4.0
Denzel Carter’s family owns 24 Carter Gold, a prestigious event planning company, in Atlanta, Georgia. His father, Kenneth, unexpectedly announces his retirement and a competition ensues to see who his successor as CEO will be. Denz impulsively lies to his family about having a serious relationship, because his family is convinced that he isn’t capable of true commitment. When his plans fall through, he impulsively forces his ex, Braylon, to be his serious boyfriend for the duration of the CEO competition and they quickly strike a deal that benefits them both. Braylon’s been out of Denz’s life for a few years and his sudden return turns everything upside down.
I’d never heard of this author before, but I THINK THEY LOVE YOU is Winters’ adult debut novel with his usual genre being contemporary YA queer romances. I loved his endeavor into the adult romance genre.
Fake dating is one of my favorite tropes but add a little second chance in there and it’s a complete winner. It was interesting to see how the author handled both of these tropes together – well done!
I THINK THEY LOVE YOU is told in the POV of Denzel. I really liked seeing the world through Denz’s eyes as he navigates what he believes he wants from his future and fights his way to get to it. I really enjoyed his character arc and seeing his vision change as the novel progressed.
All of the characters, including the side characters, have such rich and vibrant personalities. I loved getting to know each character through Denz’s eyes. The relationships shared between Denz and the other central characters were well written, flawed, and interesting. I loved how supportive his family and friends were even in the hardest of times. I also loved seeing their relationships grow and change as the novel progressed.
Denz and Braylon are so cute together. It was interesting to see them fall back in love with each other while they reunited, learning new things about each other that occurred in their years apart. There are a few spicy scenes – all well written.
I would have loved a dual POV for this one to get to know Braylon a little better, but overall this is an excellent read regardless!
I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher, St Martin’s Griffin, of this advanced digital copy for the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for an honest review! All opinions expressed are my own.
I’d never heard of this author before, but I THINK THEY LOVE YOU is Winters’ adult debut novel with his usual genre being contemporary YA queer romances. I loved his endeavor into the adult romance genre.
Fake dating is one of my favorite tropes but add a little second chance in there and it’s a complete winner. It was interesting to see how the author handled both of these tropes together – well done!
I THINK THEY LOVE YOU is told in the POV of Denzel. I really liked seeing the world through Denz’s eyes as he navigates what he believes he wants from his future and fights his way to get to it. I really enjoyed his character arc and seeing his vision change as the novel progressed.
All of the characters, including the side characters, have such rich and vibrant personalities. I loved getting to know each character through Denz’s eyes. The relationships shared between Denz and the other central characters were well written, flawed, and interesting. I loved how supportive his family and friends were even in the hardest of times. I also loved seeing their relationships grow and change as the novel progressed.
Denz and Braylon are so cute together. It was interesting to see them fall back in love with each other while they reunited, learning new things about each other that occurred in their years apart. There are a few spicy scenes – all well written.
I would have loved a dual POV for this one to get to know Braylon a little better, but overall this is an excellent read regardless!
I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher, St Martin’s Griffin, of this advanced digital copy for the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for an honest review! All opinions expressed are my own.
The Rhino Keeper by Jillian Forsberg
4.5
4.5 stars.
THE RHINO KEEPER is based on the true story of a Dutch sea captain who traveled across Europe in the 18th century with an Indian rhinoceros, Clara. In 1740, Ship captain Douwemout van der Meer tours Europe, enthralling peasants and royalty with Clara, the Indian rhinoceros, hoping to change popular views that rhinos are man-eating beasts. In 2022, college student Andrea Clarkson uncovers a historical mystery while studying abroad in Holland. She finds some unusual historical documents featuring a rhinoceros in hidden desk drawers leading to further investigation as to what these documents may reveal.
THE RHINO KEEPER is a fantastic story told in dual timelines (1740s and 2022) with dual POVs (Douwemout and Andrea). It’s a truly clever story that mixes historical fiction with a present-day mystery. I loved learning about Clara and Douwemont’s travels in the 1740s – they share such a tender and beautiful bond. I admittedly don’t know much about rhinoceroses, so it was quite interesting to learn more about them through Clara. The present timeline narrated by Andrea is equally interesting as she discovers key artifacts that shed light on Douwemont and Clara’s travels, and helped clarify certain aspects. I do think that I preferred the past timeline though.
Forsberg’s writing style is beautiful, vivid, and compelling. I was fully immersed in each of the timelines with ease. The settings of each timeline are descriptive and detailed, making them easy to envision in my mind’s eye. Each of the main characters whom are key to the story are well-written, dynamic, and authentic.
The audiobook narration by Caroline Hewitt is well done, easily bringing the story to life. It was the first audiobook I’d heard her narrate but I would definitely pick up another audiobook in her voice. The author’s note at the end of the book makes it very clear that much of THE RHINO KEEPER is inspired by her own imagination given the lack of artifacts, knowledge, or records of Clara and Douwemont’s real travels.
I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher, History Through Fiction, of this advanced listener copy for the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for an honest review! All opinions expressed are my own.
THE RHINO KEEPER is based on the true story of a Dutch sea captain who traveled across Europe in the 18th century with an Indian rhinoceros, Clara. In 1740, Ship captain Douwemout van der Meer tours Europe, enthralling peasants and royalty with Clara, the Indian rhinoceros, hoping to change popular views that rhinos are man-eating beasts. In 2022, college student Andrea Clarkson uncovers a historical mystery while studying abroad in Holland. She finds some unusual historical documents featuring a rhinoceros in hidden desk drawers leading to further investigation as to what these documents may reveal.
THE RHINO KEEPER is a fantastic story told in dual timelines (1740s and 2022) with dual POVs (Douwemout and Andrea). It’s a truly clever story that mixes historical fiction with a present-day mystery. I loved learning about Clara and Douwemont’s travels in the 1740s – they share such a tender and beautiful bond. I admittedly don’t know much about rhinoceroses, so it was quite interesting to learn more about them through Clara. The present timeline narrated by Andrea is equally interesting as she discovers key artifacts that shed light on Douwemont and Clara’s travels, and helped clarify certain aspects. I do think that I preferred the past timeline though.
Forsberg’s writing style is beautiful, vivid, and compelling. I was fully immersed in each of the timelines with ease. The settings of each timeline are descriptive and detailed, making them easy to envision in my mind’s eye. Each of the main characters whom are key to the story are well-written, dynamic, and authentic.
The audiobook narration by Caroline Hewitt is well done, easily bringing the story to life. It was the first audiobook I’d heard her narrate but I would definitely pick up another audiobook in her voice. The author’s note at the end of the book makes it very clear that much of THE RHINO KEEPER is inspired by her own imagination given the lack of artifacts, knowledge, or records of Clara and Douwemont’s real travels.
I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher, History Through Fiction, of this advanced listener copy for the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for an honest review! All opinions expressed are my own.
Whiskey Weather by Lainey Lawson
4.0
Izzy’s evening began with an incoming blizzard and a broken-down car in Wyoming. A handsome stranger in a black Stetson came to her rescue, helping Izzy out of the snow storm. The attraction was instant, and after hours of being trapped in Ledger’s cabin with no internet or cell reception, they soon realize there’s more to their chemistry.
WHISKEY WEATHER is a cute cowboy romance set in Wyoming during a blizzard leaving Izzy and Ledger snuggled into a cabin together.
I adored the premise of this story, beginning with some bad luck and a chance meeting. The setting is excellent – Ledger’s cabin sounds like a dreamy place to be snowed in with the mix of a hot fire, books, and some whiskey.
WHISKEY WEATHER is told in dual POV – my favorite way to read a romance – alternating between Izzy and Ledger’s POV. Izzy is a photographer who travels wherever her next job takes her, while Ledger is cowboy whose roots lay in the ranch his parents have built.
I loved both of these characters – they’re well written given the page constraints of a novella, and relatable. I’m not the biggest fan of insta-love, but I can get behind insta-lust. It gives me attraction at first sight vibes and I’m here for it. I loved the chemistry and tension that develops between Ledger and Izzy. There are some open-door spicy scenes that are well written and well placed within the story. The whiskey scenes (🥵) are ones for the books.
I enjoyed the relationship that builds between the two as well and how they each check off each other’s boxes. The ending is sweet, and I’ve never thought about a SOUPer bowl party – but it sure sounds like a fun time!
I would like to thank the author, Lainey Lawson, of this advanced digital copy for the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for an honest review! All opinions expressed are my own.
WHISKEY WEATHER is a cute cowboy romance set in Wyoming during a blizzard leaving Izzy and Ledger snuggled into a cabin together.
I adored the premise of this story, beginning with some bad luck and a chance meeting. The setting is excellent – Ledger’s cabin sounds like a dreamy place to be snowed in with the mix of a hot fire, books, and some whiskey.
WHISKEY WEATHER is told in dual POV – my favorite way to read a romance – alternating between Izzy and Ledger’s POV. Izzy is a photographer who travels wherever her next job takes her, while Ledger is cowboy whose roots lay in the ranch his parents have built.
I loved both of these characters – they’re well written given the page constraints of a novella, and relatable. I’m not the biggest fan of insta-love, but I can get behind insta-lust. It gives me attraction at first sight vibes and I’m here for it. I loved the chemistry and tension that develops between Ledger and Izzy. There are some open-door spicy scenes that are well written and well placed within the story. The whiskey scenes (🥵) are ones for the books.
I enjoyed the relationship that builds between the two as well and how they each check off each other’s boxes. The ending is sweet, and I’ve never thought about a SOUPer bowl party – but it sure sounds like a fun time!
I would like to thank the author, Lainey Lawson, of this advanced digital copy for the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for an honest review! All opinions expressed are my own.