sarahscupofcoffee's reviews
317 reviews

Dark Places by Gillian Flynn
Did not finish book. Stopped at 29%.

This was so boring and slow. I got to 100 pages and I was forcing myself to read. I loved the premise and it was very interesting, but thrillers are not supposed to be slow! I was begging the pace to pick up speed and finding myself skipping sentences and paragraphs at some points. That's a sign to me that I need to put it down.

The Conjurer's Wife by Sarah Penner

3.0

Before we get started, I just wanted to thank NetGalley and Sarah Penner for this eARC in exchange for my honest review! This is such an interesting idea and Sarah Penner did a wonderful job with exploring the magic system introduced here while folding in conflict. I did think that the wife's story was cut a bit short. I would've liked to see more of her storyline after things go down. I also forgot that it was a Christmas novella because there wasn't a lot of holiday spirit in it; I would've liked to see more festive flare.

I don't want to say too much because it's under 40 pages long, but this would be a great afternoon read if you're a fan of stage magic and foxes.

North Is the Night by Emily Rath
Did not finish book. Stopped at 72%.

Chloe (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6983271339?book_show_action=false) has an amazing in-depth review on this book and I agree with every single thing she says here.

I know that it was mis-marketed, but it doesn't change the fact that I was promised a sapphic, feminist love story... and I got this. The first half was full of great worldbuilding and I was excited by the tension of the premise. These two best friends, who are clearly in love with each other, get separated. Aina sacrifices herself to a death goddess in order to save Siiri from the same fate. Siiri spends the rest of the plot going on an adventure in the Finnish wilderness in the winter in search of a shaman who can help her enter the underworld to rescue her best friend.

I thought that this would take me on a slow burn, friends to lovers ride... but no. I reached page 410 and it was clear that sapphic romance wasn't going to happen. I checked GR reviews to see if I should keep reading and the answer was a resounding no. I think I would've been okay with Aina and Siiri not getting together if the relationship between Aina and Tuoni wasn't so fucking weird. I was confused by their relationship and figured that maybe I was just missing something. Maybe I'm too dumb to enjoy this story for what it was intended?

I am very disappointed and sad that I splurged, paying full price for this beautiful book, to be bamboozled like this. 

I also noticed that this book was not very feminist, but I wasn't sure how Finnish folklore influenced that, so I'm going to leave that alone, but the above review I linked goes deeper into how this book is absolutely NOT feminist and disgraces indigenous people. 

Not Even Bones by Rebecca Schaeffer
Did not finish book. Stopped at 8%.

I love the writing style, the world was well described, and the plot seemed amazing. I'm just not built for horror, young adult or otherwise. I got queasy a few times and decided that it'll probably get worse. I gave my copy to my mom. xD

Emergency Contact by Lauren Layne, Anthony LeDonne

3.5

A true Hallmark movie in novel form. If Planes, Trains, and Automobiles was a Christmas rom-com.

I had a few problems with it, but I did like the narration (audiobook) and the plot was cute. I didn’t love the banter. I thought it was very cheesy and I didn’t feel this crackling energy I think I should’ve.

I also didn’t like Lolo’s reaction and involvement in the ending. You’re in a serious relationship with this man. Her reactions were not realistic, in my opinion. But that’s what makes it Hallmark-y.

Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon

3.5

✏️ Written on the younger side of YA, even though main character is 18
📧 Multimedia snippets including emails, texts, and diagrams
✨ Even though this book features a main character with SCID, don’t look for representation (spoilers for more information)
♥️ Sweet romance, although it is a bit weird (bunt cake I’m looking at you)
📖 Loved that there were mini book reviews throughout
🎬 Didn’t love the ending (spoiler section)

I’d recommend this book to anyone wanting a flashback to the John Green and Rainbow Rowell era of YA I know it was written in 2015). I’ll be watching the movie later because I think this story has great potential in movie form.

Okay, I hated the ending for multiple reasons. The first is I think it could be damaging to those reading for the SCID rep. Other “sick kid” books I’ve read give respect to the lifestyle of the sick and make the romance work around it. Risks are taken and adolescent feelings are involved, but there’s still respect there. I had a problem with the author writing it out. Instead of making the romance work despite the SCID, the disease was removed. The big plot twist where Maddy wasn’t really sick made my heart sink because can you imagine what someone with SCID would think? I don’t have SCID so I don’t want to put words into anyone’s mouth, but if I read a book that I deeply identified with, only to have a large connecting piece be false… I’d feel cheated. Yes, it still gives representation because you see the life she lived before the twist, but I don’t like that the only way the author saw this romance working was to remove the illness. People with SCID can’t remove theirs.

Also, I think it’s lazy writing. I can picture her trying to plot this book and racking her brain for a feasible way to make this romance work, finally landing on the easiest way to go. I also hate mental illness being used as a plot device. There are plenty of grief stricken parents who don’t fake illnesses and impose them on their children.

But I do have to remember that not only was this written in 2015, but it was also her debut novel. 

The Christmas You Found Me by Sarah Morgenthaler

5.0

Not many books can bring me to my knees, but The Christmas You Found Me had me sobbing in the middle of the night the day before my birthday.

This is by far the most depressing Christmas  romance book I’ve ever read and I need you to read it.

🎄 Sienna’s divorce finalizes and her best friend posts an ad in the paper to celebrate: Husband for Hire. Intended as a joke, she mills around town as she gathers supplies for the ranch she runs and fields offers from her long-time neighbors. What she doesn’t expect is an applicant. In walks Guy, who is new to town and in desperate need of the benefits offered in the ad. His four year old daughter Emma is sick and needs a new kidney. He’s going to get bumped from the transplant list if he doesn’t prove stability and it’s difficult to be financially stable as a single father with a very sick child. Unfortunately, the ad was a joke…🎄

My favorite Christmas books don’t depend on the holiday. If you can grab the plot and place it in the spring, I will probably love it. Sarah Morgenthaler weaves together such a powerful story and sets it with a festive backdrop for us to enjoy.

Warning: this isn’t a fluffy romance (there are content warnings to alert you of this).

I fucking cried. Hard.

This is an amazingly crafted story about a woman who is trying to find herself after a divorce, a man who is willing to do anything for his daughter, and an amazingly strong child. It’s about hope, the holiday season, being grateful for the things you have, and loving the people around you.

I always read the acknowledgments. I grabbed tissues, cleaned my face, and was ready to read some stereotypical thank yous… the first few lines had me in tears again damn it. I find Sarah Morgenthaler’s strength to write a story after losing her husband incredible. 

I’ve had writers block since losing my first husband and it’ll be seven years next month. (I’m happily remarried and loving life again, but there are always hard days.)

Anyway, I highly recommend this book if you want to read something festive, but meaningful. Just grab some tissues. 

Make My Wish Come True by Alyson Derrick, Rachael Lippincott

3.5

Dual POV / narration (audiobook), sapphic young adult, holiday romance, and twelve festive dates with some Jewish representation? Yep. I liked this one.

I liked their romance arc since it didn’t hinge around the holidays, but happened to take place during them. The bigger plot surrounds a conflict that had been brewing for years and character development that was satisfying to watch. Will I read this as a part of my yearly rotation? Probably not, but I enjoyed my time reading this.

There’s just something about a well written young adult novel set in a small town that loves the holiday season. ❄️ If you liked Let it Snow, you’ll probably like this one. Similar voice and vibes.

Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig

5.0

It's rare that the second book in a series surpasses the first, but Two Twisted Crowns was an amazing ride and I'm glad that I savored it. The audiobook was not my cup of tea, like the first, but reading with my eyes was a treat since I was able to digest the scenes. This book is even more twisted than the first and the romance was amazing. The second book in a romance heavy series is always a little nerve racking because happily ever afters need to stay that way, you know? However, we knew this was going to happen and it was realistic in the world Gillig created. It didn't feel contrived or orchestrated just for plotting. Aside from Ravyn and Elspeth's story, we got to see new POVs and a brand new romance that I fucking adored. The tension was incredible and I highly recommend this series. Possibly the best books I've read this year.

Can we talk about Elm and Ione for a second???? Like they're the cutest damn couple ever and the tension created with the Maiden was incredible. I hated it from a reader standpoint because it killed me that she was hurting for so long, but it was genius writing. When the Maiden finally released her... like damn. I was giddy and kicking my feet, which is not a response that I was expecting from a book this dark.

Home Office Romance by Kintetsu Yamada

4.0

I am obsessed and now I need to read Sweat and Soap (which I heard about from Gabbyreads on YouTube).

A huge thank you to NetGalley, Kintetsu Yamada, and Kodansha Comics for a copy of an eARC in exchange for an honest review. I had a fabulous time.

I was desperate for a palette cleanser and since I've been a bit under the weather, I wanted something feel-good that will make me laugh. Home Office Romance was just the thing I needed to get me through my afternoon.

This manga is under two hundred pages and a complete story, so it's perfect to read in a single sitting with a cup of coffee (or two). Simply put, it's about two neighbors falling for each other and it's adorable (and closed door).

Nokoru is a software engineer and started working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic and Natsu is an archeology grad student. I really connected with Nokoru's character since we're both analytical and straightforward. I laughed several times at his quirks because I see the same ones in myself.

What really impressed me was the third act conflict because it was external and pushed character development. I don't want to spoil anything, but I usually have a problem with third act conflicts because they diminish the characterization and/or involve internal relationship issues (cheating, an ex...). Home Office Romance didn't do that.

I would 100% order this book when it comes out and pick it up for a quick read that will leave you smiling.