rebeccasreadingrambles's reviews
2969 reviews

Finding Home by Lauren Rowe

5.0

Wow. I loved this book so much. I loved this book almost from the first moment. A badass tattooed, takes no shit drummer who wants to take care of his baby girl? A smart and caring friend who would do anything for her goddaughter?! It was emotional and I was addicted. It was funny and sweet; I loved watching both MCs but heads and doing anything to fiercely protect this little girl. The scenes with her were heart-melting adorable. And the steam was perfection.

This book deals with so many tough things and I love how it doesn't shy away from the awful things that can happen and the scary ways that people deal BUT also addresses head on things such as alcoholism and how it can take over your decisions without you realizing.  I love how much compassion Aubrey has!

There were funny moments, steamy moments, adorable moments, tough moments, and so much love throughout this book! The ending made my heart squeeze!

Thanks to the author for a review copy; my thoughts and review are my own.

The Otherwhere Post by Emily J. Taylor

5.0

WOW! I AM OBSESSED WITH THIS BOOK. Seriously even after finishing it, the more I think about it the more and more I love it. I’m sad it’s over. You’re telling me the MC had a secret identity and sneaks into a magical school about learning writing magic in so many cool forms and unravel and huge conspiracy?!? 

I loved the writing; it flowed so perfectly that I found the world building and magical system so easy to follow. It was mysterious and slightly vague (so that we could learn alongside the MC) but also intriguing and immersive.  I could envision training in scriptomancy and I kept thinking of all the cool things you could do with this magic.

The character were top-tier, I loved them all, even the suspicious ones. The banter was just fabulous and I am so very attached to them.

I could read books and books and books in this world.

Note: I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed it!

Thanks to the publisher for an ARC and review audiobook; my thoughts and review are my own.

Fourteen Days: A Collaborative Novel by The Authors Guild, Douglas Preston, Margaret Atwood

5.0

Wow. This book gave me chills and I was quietly crying at the end. What an absolutely gorgeous book. A masterclass in storytelling from some of the greats. A seamlessly woven book full of stories from different authors, different characters with different perspectives. It gave me ALL the emotions and captivated me entirely. The seemingly "random" stories that have so many overlapping themes throughout and this eclectic group of characters sharing them that will sit in your heart. No spoilers, but it was fabulous and I highly recommend.

Thanks to the publisher for a free ARC; my review and thoughts are my own.

The Breakdown by B.A. Paris

4.5

The book felt like a perfect spiral into madness. I felt like I was along for the ride with the MC as she slides deeper into fear and debilitating panic, all the while feeling like she is losing her memory at an alarming speed (are they related?!).  It was a perfectly balanced dance of psychology how the two things seemed to feed off of each other and sometimes I felt physical pain for Cass as she tries to navigate through it.  The writing for this psychological thriller was so well done and I was hooked as it sped up faster and faster until I could not put it down!

No spoilers!

I also really enjoyed the audiobook!

All Better Now by Neal Shusterman

5.0

This book is so freaking good. It's creative, imaginative, writing with such humor and passion and emotion while tackling so many real issues and ideas.  It mirrors life and how the world works so well, and all the characters are ones that you could root for. It was amazing that so many characters working at different purposes and with different motivations could make me not be able to choose a side - everyone was convincing (and again mirrors so much how society acts).  The characters were flawed and vivid and I could not get enough. I love that it's a standalone but also I could just keep on reading.  The writing is SUPERB and I adore this author so much.  He makes you think while reading while also keeping you hooked and engaged and throwing so many curve balls at you

Note: I listened to the audiobook and LOVED IT.

Thanks to the publisher for a free copy; my thoughts and review are my own.

First-Time Caller by B.K. Borison

5.0

I ADORED this book.  Also being a Baltimoron myself, I was LIVING for all the Baltimore references (the abandoned BK cracked me up) and it gave me so much homesickness.  I also ADORED both MCs and clicked with both of them immediately.

The banter was perfection; ESPECIALLY the banter on air... I can see why everyone was tuning in.  A mom with a great and unconventional support system and a badass job (I love seeing other women in male dominated fields). So much longing, and humor and good communication! (I hate when someone mishears something and sulks about it for half the book). Both characters faced their past demons (I was especially moved by Aiden's story) and had a lot of personal growth.  I loved the spice and how the romance developed.

All the downtown Baltimore references made me wish I could rate it even more than 5 stars! I can't wait for more!

I also LOVED the dual narration of the audiobook. 

Thanks to the publisher for a free copy and free audiobook; my thoughts are review are my own.

The Merciless Ones by Namina Forna

5.0

Sooooo good! This book was even more of a power gut punch than the previous book. I am way too attached to these characters for my own good! The twists were JAW DROPPING (no spoilers, but wow).  I love how this focused on rebellion and also redemption and freedom. It showed that the path (even in fiction) isn't always easy to straightforward or obvious.  It shows that anyone can be manipulated by their feelings into certain beliefs and how hard it is to change your ideas about that you have always been told. I love that this book focused on Deka's self discovery and trying to figure out, not just what she is, but WHO she is.  Who she wants to be and how she will do that. 

I cannot wait for the finale!!

Note: I listened to the audiobook and loved it!

The Roommate Mistake by Pippa Grant

3.5

Ooooh the longing, the adorable characters, the pain and the redemption. I enjoyed this book! It really starts out with a bang and had me laughing instantly.  I love love love Holt.  He acts like a tough grump, but has a wonderful family of teammates, takes care of all the elderly people in his neighborhood and is hurting after taking care of and losing his brother.  He comes off as closed of, but you can just see his passion for things and when he turns that on Ziggy - game over.  I also loved Ziggy - imperfect, but unapologetically herself. She is also grieving and trying to find her place in the world to take care of herself and her kiddo.  I love how much she already loved that tater tot.

I LOVE a forbidden / secret romance and enjoyed how this played out (low key the protectiveness of the rugby team was everything!!!) Spicy and sweet, sad and cathartic.

My biggest qualm was the length (which I didn't take into account for the rating).  It takes over 200 pages for any spice and there is a LOT of repetition to get there.

Thanks to the publisher for a free copy; my thoughts and review are my own.

This Love by Lotte Jeffs

4.0

This book was an emotional ride. It was deep and complex, but also funny at times. Mae and Ari are unique kids that have a unique relationship that grows, stretches, reforms over their life and I loved so much reading about it.  All of the characters are fabulous. There is trauma and pain, but also joy and hope.  There are second, third, fourth chances. They break so many norms and conventions and the more they live their truths the happier they are.  They are not immune to jealousy or selfishness, but as they grow, the mature and adapt.  I don't want to spoil anything, but at first the characters drove me a bit nuts (teenagers you know) and by the end I am so connected with them that I was sharing all their emotions!

Thanks to the publisher for a free copy; my thoughts and review are my own.

Cookies and Clairvoyance by Bailey Cates

4.0

I loved being back in this series and watching Katie prep for her wedding, meeting with her magical friends and helping to solve this murder.  It took so many twists and turns that I was never sure what the truth was. The DRAMA was high - poor Katie goes through a lottt in this book and the ending was both resolution and cliff hanger.  I also appreciate so much that the detective treats her well and asks for her help and accepts her powers, without being rude or dismissive. I cannot wait to see where it goes from here.

Note: I listened to the audiobook and recommend it!