rebeccareadstheworld's reviews
574 reviews

Holiday Hostilities by Katie Bailey

funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

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

5.0

The Cyclones are certainly a team worth drooling over, as Katie Bailey brings us this story of the second player to fall head over heels during the holiday season. When childhood friends turned enemies (kind of?) are forced to spend some time together -- in the same house -- the enemy facade slips away quite quickly. When you've been pining over each other for years, it's hard to resist the mistletoe. 

Have Yourself a Married Little Christmas by Claire Cain

emotional funny hopeful medium-paced

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

5.0

Claire Cain did it again. This adorable fake marriage Christmas book sliced right through the busyness of the season, the drama of real life and the mess that can be family relationships. I wanted to jump into the book and declare Andy my new best friend. Well, except for the cats…

She's Not Sorry by Mary Kubica

dark mysterious tense slow-paced

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

3.0

I gave it 3 stars because it kept my attention long enough to finish it, but I did not like this book. There was too much detail in areas that didn't need it, and not enough in other areas. Some of the twists were very predictable and there were too many threads that didn't relate at all. 

One Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware

adventurous dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

One of the things I loved about this book was the dual storylines. One involves someone keeping a diary of what's happening, and the other involves storytelling. This was brilliant and kept me guessing. Ware gets me hooked in the first few chapters, and then nothing can get in the way of me finishing them. I can't wait for her next book.

Inspired by You by Claire Cain

medium-paced

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

5.0

Who thought it would be a good idea for Jo to ask Adam to help recreate romance scenes for her book? Turns out it was a very good idea. After denying their attraction to each other for over a year, things start becoming undeniable. This was a wonderful tale of emotional intimacy and friendship that builds into something more. 
This is the third book in the Veterans of Silver Ridge series and they just keep getting better! 

Errands & Espionage by Sam Tschida

lighthearted mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

If you're looking for a fun, frantic and entertaining spy book, this is it! 

I've always thought that moms in minivans would make the best undercover agents and this book puts that theory to the test. As a newly single mom, Gabby needs to make some money to keep her ex-husband off her back while also caring for her two children. Enter mystery and intrigue in the form of undercover operations, double agents, her eccentric grandmother and a very attractive coworker. Gabby quickly realizes that she can't do all of this on her own, but that with the help of her friends and her grandmother, she can have a great time trying. 

The Wartime Book Club by Kate Thompson

challenging medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

World War II. Books. The Channel Islands. 

What else could we ask for? Kate Thompson delivered a wonderfully crafted story of family, love, betrayal and hope. The character development made me feel as though I were talking to friends. I especially loved how this book didn't end when the occupation ended. I loved learning more about what happened after for those key characters. This should go on every historical fiction readers list!

The Quit List by Katie Bailey

funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Katie Bailey is quickly becoming a must-read for me. Her books are full of fun, lovable characters and hilarious dialogue. This one was no exception. I loved how quickly Holly and Jax hit it off and enjoyed watching their friendship evolve. I laughed out loud at some of the ridiculous dates Holly attempted. And, I swooned when she and Jax finally had their moment.

The Queen City Detective Agency by Snowden Wright

dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Mississippi in the 1980s was, interesting, to say the least. And for private investigator Clementine Baldwin, excuse me, Ms. Baldwin, that's what makes it interesting. Clem and her partner take on a new case, which is full of back country racism, murder and intrigue. And just as I thought I figured out what was happening, it twisted and turned. I was truly surprised at the end and would absolutely read another Queen City adventure, and anything else by Snowden Wright.

Escaping With West by Claire Cain

adventurous lighthearted tense 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

If you're looking for a man who knows exactly what he wants and goes for it, you'll simply love West. This outwardly rugged and inwardly cozy military man can't keep the idea of Emily out of his head, so when they're reunited -- in the most inopportune moment -- he can't help but smile. And then she proves she's as smart as she is beautiful. And he falls. Hard.

Follow Emily and West on their short, but wild, romance in the first book of this new series by Claire Cain.