A nice entry into the cozy fantasy genre but one that doesn't follow the Legends and Lattes formula. I found this to be a quick enjoyable read about a character finding her place and her voice in the world. I liked the way magic works in this settling. I enjoy when small, quiet things (like tea service and studying together) end up feeling special and being important. Overall I enjoyed all of the characters and how their stories linked together as a found family. The things keeping this from being a 5 star for me were that the FMC could get a little annoying and repetitive towards the end and the racial/oppression story lines seem to hit you over the head at times. Still a read that left me feeling warm and fuzzy though and I'll be checking out the rest of the series.

The Restorer by Amanda Stevens

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This was recommended to me by a family member and it sounded like it was going to tick a lot of boxes for the kind of easy relaxing books I like. Sadly I didn't click with this one.

I enjoyed the twist on the paranormal aspect of the series where communicating with spirits isn't really a good thing and I thought her job as a graveyard restorer was fascination. In fact, I would have liked more information about that. I also enjoyed the mystery even it was too dark to be cozy but it also wasn't dark enough to be thriller/horror.

Where things fell apart for me were the FMCs personality and the the chemistry with the MMC. First person isn't my favorite POV to read and there seems to be a certain kind of female character that goes along with it that I don't gel with. I really don't need to know about every outfit she wears, how tall dark and handsome she thinks the MMC is or how he's so bad for her every single time she sees him again. The rest the series seems even more focused on their relationship and less on the other aspects so I'm giving up here which is disappointing because I was really absorbed in the mystery focused sections.

Isaac's Storm: A Man, a Time, and the Deadliest Hurricane in History by Erik Larson

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dark informative reflective sad slow-paced

3.5

I learned about the Galveston Hurricane in school growing up and have read a few of Larson's other books so this has been on my TBR list for many years. While it was an informative read, sadly it didn't grab my attention the way some of his other works have. I just couldn't get into the background of the weather service although it did pick up once the focus shifted to the day of the hurricane. Not a bad read, just might not be as gripping for people who don't already have an interest in the event.

The Pursuit Of... by Courtney Milan

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I picked this up looking for other works by the author after reading The Duke Who Didn't. I grabbed it because it was short and free even though I didn't know anything about the rest of this series. As a stand alone I found it to be an enjoyable read and the shorter length didn't bother me. The characters were likeable and the banter was quick paced, even if some of the jokes did run a little thin towards the end (but I still love the cheese). Minor complains are that definitely feels like it was written around the height of Hamilton so other reader's mileage may vary based on how they feel about that. Also at times some of the issues with race and privilege felt a little on the nose but it was still good to see a story addressing it.

The Governess Affair by Courtney Milan

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dark funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

Cursed Cocktails by S.L. Rowland

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

This book was like reading a hug. It hit all of the right cozy notes for me. I'd been a little reluctant to pick this up because I really liked Legends & Lattes and worried that this would just be a quick knock off. In the author's notes they acknowledge that they got the idea for the MC while reading L&L and things took off in their mind from there. I didn't find myself comparing the two books while reading at all and was completely absorbed in Rhoren's story. It was also nice to see a different but realistic take on the retiring adventurer with Rhoren having to deal with the toll his previous life had taken on his body. Wonderful cozy read and a well thought out setting. I look forward to reading more in the series.

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nerdyholler's reviews 80 reviews

nerdyholler's reviews
80 reviews