rebeccasreadingrambles's reviews
3000 reviews

The Hallow Hunt by Margie Fuston

5.0

I LOVED THIS. I am officially obsessed with this series. I am going to miss these characters SO much. The story, the setting, the characters, the romances, the writing was perfect. The pacing was dialed perfectly to keep you captivated and all the surprises kept me shocked. Though this world is unbelievably dangerous and pretty bleak, I enjoyed it so much. I love how much of these books take place in the mysterious woods and it honestly provides the best location for confrontations, longing and passion. HI I AM OBSESSED WITH BLY AND KERRIGAN. The way their relationship and friendship has been tested and broken and challenged is the perfect enemies to lovers story and I just loved it. Ugh I miss them.

I adore everything about this especially the ending, the way that the various connections and relationships and family ties play such important roles and how nothing is unbreakable or impossible.

Note: I LOVE this audiobook.

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

The Revenant Games by Margie Fuston

5.0

What a ride! Witches, spells, vampires, so much drama and I loved it! I love how the backstory was set up; clearly showing Bly's desperation for entering the games and everything she has to lose and everything she can gain.  Honestly, she is incredibly generous putting herself in such mortal peril to help other people and I love being in her head to feel her passion. I really loved all the different familial relationships and how those strong bonds motivated each character. Also the angst! Hellloooo an angsty vampire willing to give himself up to help Bly? The spark between them in the midst of this perilous situation - perfection. This enemy-to love sub trope of monster-to-attraction is one of my favorite tropes and this is SO well done. I was enraptured then entire book; it had the perfect pace for drama and action, but also the longing and romantic spark, without going to quickly to make it hard to follow. And that ENDING. I am immediately starting the next book!

Audiobook note: I listened to the audiobook and it is fabulous!

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

Deadly to the Core by Joyce Tremel

5.0

 What a fun start to this series! I loved Kate and how passionate she is even while moving through trauma. I think the author did such a good job walking the line of Kate being excited to try something new and keep going with her life, without just easily removing any pain from her loss just to move toward a "happy ending". The fact that Kate is treated like a friend and a local even by those who haven't met her is lovely and always makes me long for small town life. I know this area well and so it really helped set the cozy scene.  The way things came together was fascinating and I was hooked until the shocking ending! I already can't wait for more of this series. 

Vera Wong's Guide to Snooping (on a Dead Man) by Jesse Q. Sutanto

5.0

Loved this! I missed Vera so much and it brought me so much joy to see her and her new family again.  Being in her dead had me cackling the entire time, even in dangerous times. I love how she brought together another unlikely bunch of people to become friends, while trying to go viral to solve a murder. Just over the top, but with the biggest heart. This book had some tough subjects and broke my heart a little bit, but the way Vera handled everything and everyone was perfection. I really really hope we get more of this series!

Note: I listened to the audiobook and it was AMAZING.

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

The Perfect Stranger by Megan Miranda

5.0

Wow. This book. This is why Megan Miranda is my favorite author. This is a slow burn and you get tiny pieces and you think you know where it's going and you form theories and then everything gets blown out of the water and you have to try again. Over and over with the perfectly timed storytelling and captivating writing.  I loved how the characters seemed vague, but also with a lot of depth. I loved it!

The Love Simulation by Etta Easton

5.0

Ooooh I loved this. I instantly loved Brianna and connected with her. I love her passion, her personality, her humor. Also the set up of the Mars simulation was absolutely fascinating and so well done. And I love how we learned so much about Roman alongside Bri, as she slowly loses we assumptions about him. The romance was quite adorable and the locked room, have to keep it secret but everyone is watching, atmosphere really turned up the heat. I had so much fun reading this book!

Note: I listened to the audiobook and it was fab!

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

Kills Well with Others by Deanna Raybourn

5.0

Well I just adored being back with these characters again. They had me laughing the entire time, even in the most dangerous or outrageous situations. I looooved the back and forth POVs between the past and present and the surprising correlations between the two. I loved the romance and the thought of figuring out what you want/need even later in life. It was a heisty, hilarious blast.

Note: I listened to the audiobook and LOVED it.

Life Hacks for a Little Alien by Alice Franklin

4.0

Well this book was adorable. Also did I just realize we never learned the MC's name.... making it even more relatable!

A beautiful story giving us a look into the head of an neurodivergent adolescent and how she navigates throughout the world. The way her teachers and caregivers spoke to her was horrid and made my heart hurt. I loved how she found solace in the library and acceptance from the librarians. I love how passionate she is about the interest, while at the same time constantly questioning - wait am I sure I actually care? I was hoping for a little more character development, but this was an easy and thoughtful read.

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

Homicide in the Indian Hills by Erica Ruth Neubauer

5.0

Another fabulous installment in this series. I love how Jane and Redvers just get more comfortable and stronger together. They trust each other implicitly and do not waste time trying to talk each other out of the opinions and decisions. I love how passionate they are about people's freedoms and their support of decolonization. This book is so cozy and I loved the descriptions of the delicious food and the beautiful setting. Though I wasn't so shocked by the reveal, I really enjoyed following along the sleuthing and the danger and action at the end had me on the edge of my seat. I can't wait to see where else they go!

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

Murder by Memory by Olivia Waite

5.0

What a delightful book. I already can't wait for more Dorothy. I'm sorry a cozy interstellar passenger liner?! Where do I sign up? I loved the cozy sci mystery mashup and will now have to read everything I can find. The idea behind the memory books and how everything worked was ingenious. The setting was perfectly painted for us and Dorothy was witty and smart and had me smiling the entire time. I love the way she seamlessly went from sassy auntie to sassy detective.  I read this is one sitting because it was so comfy and captivating. I was SHOCKED by the incredibly creative reveal!

Note: I listened to the audiobook and it was fabulous.

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