rebeccasreadingrambles's reviews
2960 reviews

The Bertie Project by Alexander McCall Smith

4.0

This series is such a comfort. When I need a virtual hug, I know that spending just a few hours with these characters who have become their own found family will bring me laughs, and comfort no matter what shenanigans they get into. I did miss Pat in this book. It was also surprisingly tender and a bit heartbreaking,  it I’m hoping for maybe some joy returning for those characters in the next book.

Note - I always listen to the audiobook and they are perfectly done. 

The Favorites by Layne Fargo

5.0

WOW. I sat on the floor and ugly cried at the end of this book (and cried so many times during) so that tells you how I feel. I don't even know how to review this book and I don't want to give one single thing away. 

But THIS is how books should make you feel. 

All the emotions, all the angst, and passion, and longing, not just towards a person but for a life, for an achievement, for so many things.  The different character relationships are so complex and perfectly crafted.  The story progressed at the PERFECT pace and the writing was superb; bringing out all the right feelings and never letting go.  I could NOT stop reading it and I am feeling so many things now. I want to read it again for the first time.  

I am OBSESSED, one of the best books I HAVE EVER READ.

THE AUDIOBOOK IS NOT TO BE MISSED. It is full cast, it is perfect, the best full cast I've ever listened to.

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

Hickory Dickory Dock by Agatha Christie

5.0

This book was like taking a knotted necklace chain or ball of yarn and carefully picking it apart to find that it's actually so many strands disguised as one.  I LOVE how Poirot chips away at a mystery and knows when something is significant or not.  The way he carefully teased the clues apart was so much fun to watch. And the characters in this one were superb.  I was shocked SO many times and loved the ending!

Note: I loved the audiobook!

The Three Lives of Cate Kay by Kate Fagan

3.0

Unfortunately this one wasn't for me. I am really picky about "coming of age" type books and I wanted to read this for the intrigue, and yet that part was the most ho hum.  Her big secret was dramatic yes, but also revealed early on and basically her only personality trait? I just felt like everyone in the book talks reverently about Cate as if she is this amazing mystical person, and yet she fell sooooo flat for me. No personality at all, except that she used people and then cheated on them or left them, and then blamed them all for her problems.  Maybe I'm missing something, but I did not find this book all that interesting.  I do love the writing and honestly would LOVE to read the fictional novel that Cate "wrote". I appreciated the discussions of coming out, or realizing one's sexuality, which is ALWAYS fascinating and lovely to read about. I also appreciated the theme of how your childhood friendships and loves can really shape who you are forever, but again just most of it wasn't that interesting or novel for me.

Note: I listened to the audiobook and I enjoyed the different narrators, which helped the story keep moving.

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

Accidentally Amy by Lynn Painter

4.5

I just had so much fun reading this book. It's stilly, sometimes almost over the top, but an easy read that kept me smiling the entire time. Even the dramatic part was quick and relatively painless, which is exactly what I was looking for.  Izzy and Blake are silly with lots of chemistry and honestly great at being friends which made the banter really pop.  Loved the meet cute and the relationship that developed.

Note: I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed it!

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

A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

4.0

This book... was a lot. I am so glad I read it and so glad that I waited for the right mental space to do so because it does have a lot of philosophizing and also a lot of history that isn't fully explained, so I needed to be ready to not only fully concentrate and be an real participant in the story, but I also had to do some research while reading. I adored the Count and the thing that shines the most in this book are the CHARACTERS.  They are brilliant, vivid, so well created and depicted and more than once I had tears in my mind, or was cheering for a full circle moment.  Who knew a story about someone under house arrest in a hotel could have an enviable life surrounded by people who become family.  I just enjoyed this book so much more than I thought I would. It had so many emotional and hilarious moments and the ending had me on the edge of my seat!!

Note: I listened to the audiobook and highly recommend that!

The Case of the Missing Maid by Rob Osler

• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

I adored this book! Harriet from the start is such a great MC; striking out as a female detective and breaking so many societal norms in her quest to be her authentic self. There is SO much to love in this book, from exploring the gay underground community, the look into the Polish community in Chicago, a hilarious and unexpected friendship all integrated into a shocking mystery with lots of drama and action. I also so enjoyed meeting her brother and how that relationship is becoming stronger. The writing was funny and endearing and I could not put this down.

I loved every page of this book!  I cannot wait for more of Harriet!

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

Commonwealth by Ann Patchett
Did not finish book. Stopped at 24%.

DNF at 23% because of the atrocious way the parents are treating the small children. Being a parent of small children right now, all I've done was rage so I've decided to stop. I want to punch all these adults.

Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney

• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

Queen Feeney! Wow this book was amazing. The most perfectly atmosphere, creepy, confusing, frustrating, enthralling thriller I’ve read in a while. I never knew what to think, what to trust, and the MCs feeling of losing his mind made me feel so off kilter. No spoilers but this book BLEW ME AWAY. I am shocked and obsessed.

You MUST listen to the audiobook! For the narrators’ emoting to heighten the atmosphere and for the perfectly timed sound effects.

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

The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna

• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

Unreal! I loved this book so much.  This book had so many aspects to love. From the amazing characters, the easy to follow and unique magic structure, the warrior training troupe but done in the best and intriguing way, a spark of romance, and surprising and creative magical creatures.  The writing was beautiful and swept me away instantly.  There are so many things that this book examined, but without spoilers, I just love the character development and all the twists. I love the women taking back their strength and their identities. I love the men who are not afraid of stronger women. I loved the ending and the secrets and I cannot wait for more!

Note: You MUST try to the audiobook! It's so fantastic.