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mandikaye's reviews
943 reviews
Why Not Tonight by Susan Mallery
5.0
Susan Mallery is one of those authors I know I can always count on—she’s firmly on my “will always read” list, and Why Not Tonight just reinforced why. Her ability to create a cozy, connected world is unmatched, and I love how her series follow different main characters while staying rooted in the same setting. It feels like visiting old friends while meeting new ones.
The romance here is exactly what I’ve come to expect from Mallery: sweet, heartwarming, and full of those swoony moments that make you smile. But what really stood out to me in this book (and the series overall) is the relationship between the Mitchell brothers. The banter, loyalty, and love they share add so much depth to the story. It’s refreshing to see family dynamics play such a strong role in a romance novel.
Why Not Tonight is another win for Susan Mallery. If you’re looking for a feel-good read with characters you’ll wish were real, this one’s for you. Highly recommend!
The Winter Girl by Matt Marinovich
Did not finish book.
Did not finish book.
The Winter Girl by Matt Marinovich had potential, with a premise that promised psychological intrigue and dark secrets. Unfortunately, it failed to deliver on every level.
The characters were unlikable to the point of being unbearable—self-absorbed, impulsive, and devoid of any depth or redeeming qualities. Their actions often felt absurd and unmotivated, making it impossible to care about their fates.
The plot, while aiming for suspense, came across as disjointed and contrived. The twists felt more like shock value than meaningful developments, leaving a bad taste rather than genuine intrigue. Instead of building tension, the story leaned into increasingly disturbing scenarios without any payoff or satisfying resolution.
Worse still, the writing lacked the nuance needed for a compelling psychological thriller. The dialogue was flat, and the pacing dragged in places where it needed to build momentum. By the end, I was left wondering why I’d stuck with it at all.
If you’re looking for a well-written thriller with depth and complexity, The Winter Girl is one to skip. There are better ways to spend your reading time.
The Battle of the Bookshops by Poppy Alexander
lighthearted
slow-paced
3.0
Battle of the Bookshops had an intriguing premise—a modern twist on Romeo and Juliet, with rival bookshops owned by the feuding Capelthornes and Montbeaus. The playful nods to Shakespeare, including characters joking about their Capulet-Montague dynamic, were a charming touch. Fans of The Shop Around the Corner may find some nostalgia in its setup.
However, the story itself lacked the spark to set it apart. The plot was predictable, and the characters never really broke free from their archetypes. While there were some sweet moments, the narrative felt flat, and there was little that truly surprised or delighted.
The ending, unfortunately, left me unsatisfied. Rather than letting the story unfold naturally, the epilogue rushed to tie things up in a fairy-tale-style happily ever after, delivered through narration rather than action. It felt disconnected from the rest of the book and denied readers the chance to experience the conclusion alongside the characters.
Overall, Battle of the Bookshops is a light read that doesn’t demand much, but it doesn’t offer much either. If you enjoy predictable comfort reads, you might find it worth a glance—but don’t expect anything groundbreaking.
Thanks, Netgalley, for providing an ARC for review.
Thanks, Netgalley, for providing an ARC for review.