thekentuckyfriedbibliophile's reviews
319 reviews

Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

I'm just going to start off with,Kennedy Ryan, you did the damn thing! I was first drawn to this book from the cover and requested an ARC from Grand Central Publishing ! When I received it, I dove in! 

Before I Let Go is raw and pure emotion of two people who said they were in this thing called life until the wheels fell off only to be tested with this thing called life that can bring the darkest grief. Grief is an emotion that some can handle and some can't. We choose how we deal with grief and sometimes we make a decision that we think is best in our darkest moments of grief. These decisions can affect marriages, families, and friendships. I felt every bit of Yasmen and Josiah's emotions from grief, confusion, the fight for what you want, and the uncomfortable emotion of kind co-parenting. 

Before I Let Go is beautiful and breathtaking! This one needs to be at the top of everyone's book club! Actually, this one needs to be on the screen, whether big or small. Kennedy Ryan has kept this one for bundled away for a while and I always believe things happen for a reason! 

I am beyond thankful to Grand Central Publishing and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!


Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney

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dark mysterious medium-paced

5.0

Do you love a thriller where you can't put the book down, because you just have to know what happens next?

Alice Feeney always seems to grab a reader's curiosity. She definitely captured mine with Daisy Darker. Alice Feeney puts a different spin on "Who's Next?" When I FINALLY started to put the pieces together, I've never been so stunned. I was so stunned that I literally said out loud, "NO WAY!!!!!!"

Daisy Darker is a must read!


Mrs. Claus and the Evil Elves by Liz Ireland

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adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

Who knew Mrs. Claus was an awesome holiday sleuth in a world full of talking reindeer, snow-maneuvering snowmen, and PI snow monsters in Santaland?

I didn't until I read Mrs. Claus and the Evil Elves by Liz Ireland. Even though the plot is about a murder mystery, Liz Ireland has crafted the plot to be adventurous, holiday spirited, and light-hearted. It's just the cutest!

Instead of leaving Yelp Reviews on Santaland, you leave a Yelf Review. 🤣🤣 Soooooo cute!

Thank you to Kensington Books  for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.


All's Fair in Love and Tequila by Gabriella Margo

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adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

5.0

Gabriella Margo's writing is fast paced and easy to read. She doesn't over explain the character's thoughts or behaviors. She has that touch of delivering the perfect story!


The Cherry Robbers by Sarai Walker

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced

4.0

The Cherry Robbers is a book about a family that when the daughters married off or became intimate with a guy, the daughters would die. Everything has been placed in the past until one day a reporter reaches out to the remaining daughter, Iris Chapel.  It is then when memories of the past come to light.

I enjoyed this book to the fullest. I was intrigued but haunted. I loved the character development. The author did a great job with the uniqueness of each family member.  

Definitely a book I would recommend for anyone who wants an "edge of their seat experience."  Thank you to Netgalley and Mariner Books for the eARC in exchange of an honest review.
The Lost Girls of Willowbrook by Ellen Marie Wiseman

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dark emotional mysterious sad medium-paced
  • Strong character development? Yes

5.0

It's been a while since I've had a book to take hold of me emotionally and mentally. The Lost Girls of Willowbrook is gritty, bone-chilling and not for the faint of heart! The author's craft of constructing an urban legend into this haunting story about a teenage girl mistaken as her twin in a mental hospital is unbelievable. Kudos!

Thank you to Netgalley and Ellen Marie Wiseman for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Book of Magic by Alice Hoffman

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adventurous emotional hopeful medium-paced
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

When I first started reading The Book of Magic, I didn't know if I could finish it. The first several chapters were telling the backstory and I started to lose interest. I had seen a review that said the story really does develop. It was this comment that kept me pushing through and I'm happy that I did.

The Book of Magic is a story of love and what you will do for love. Love of family, love of another person. Most importantly, the story was about finding yourself. 

"Who is lost can be found. Who is found can be repaired. Who is repaired can be lost. Who is lost can be found once more."


The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna

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adventurous emotional funny fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0