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thequirkykate's reviews
231 reviews
Hello Stranger by Katherine Center
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Holy smokes. This book was SO good.
I read The Bodyguard last summer, and much like most of the internet, fell head over heals in love with Katherine's writing. It's hard to follow up on such a successful hit, so I wasn't sure what to expect with Hello Stranger.
This book is everything. I loved it even more than The Bodyguard.
It gave me all the warm fuzzies along with some serious WTF moments that had my head SPINNING by the end! I could not put it down.
Sadie is such an incredibly relatable character, and watching her accept herself throughout the course of this novel was such a special experience. And Joe? HUBBA HUBBA.
A closed-door romance isn't something I typically gravitate towards, but let me tell you-- I did not miss a single thing. I swooned, fell in love with the characters, and got everything I needed between the pages of this book.
You MUST read this when it comes out on July 11!
Special thanks to Netgalley, St. Martin's Press and Katherine Center for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review
I read The Bodyguard last summer, and much like most of the internet, fell head over heals in love with Katherine's writing. It's hard to follow up on such a successful hit, so I wasn't sure what to expect with Hello Stranger.
This book is everything. I loved it even more than The Bodyguard.
It gave me all the warm fuzzies along with some serious WTF moments that had my head SPINNING by the end! I could not put it down.
Sadie is such an incredibly relatable character, and watching her accept herself throughout the course of this novel was such a special experience. And Joe? HUBBA HUBBA.
A closed-door romance isn't something I typically gravitate towards, but let me tell you-- I did not miss a single thing. I swooned, fell in love with the characters, and got everything I needed between the pages of this book.
You MUST read this when it comes out on July 11!
Special thanks to Netgalley, St. Martin's Press and Katherine Center for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review
Jasper Vale by Devney Perry
3.5
The fourth and most recent book in The Edens series follows Eloise and Jasper’s story after spontaneously getting hitched in Vegas.
This book was STEAMY. No complaints here about that! However I did feel like the story and characters lacked a little je ne sais quoi.
I wasn’t as obsessed with them as I was with Winn & Griff or Memphis & daddy Knox.
The end conflict also wasn’t for me. It left me feeling a little icky tbh.
That being said, there were still some terrific parts that made this book somewhat enjoyable:
⚪️ Fake dating/marriage of convenience trope
⚪️ Juicy dirty talk
⚪️ A trip to Italy
⚪️ The Eden family
⚪️ Great foreshadowing for Crimson River, book #5
➕Jasper Vale & the entire Edens series is available on KU.
Can we please knock it off with the epilogue pregnancies?
This book was STEAMY. No complaints here about that! However I did feel like the story and characters lacked a little je ne sais quoi.
I wasn’t as obsessed with them as I was with Winn & Griff or Memphis & daddy Knox.
The end conflict also wasn’t for me. It left me feeling a little icky tbh.
That being said, there were still some terrific parts that made this book somewhat enjoyable:
⚪️ Fake dating/marriage of convenience trope
⚪️ Juicy dirty talk
⚪️ A trip to Italy
⚪️ The Eden family
⚪️ Great foreshadowing for Crimson River, book #5
➕Jasper Vale & the entire Edens series is available on KU.
Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun by Elle Cosimano
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Finlay Donovan is at it again!
One of the things I love about Elle’s writing is that she manages to bring mystery and intrigue with a comedic edge that doesn’t seem too cliche or predictable.
I absolutely loved watching the classic antics between Finlay and Vero! The opening scene with Mo, and the whole scene with the, ahem… men’s appendage drawn on the stolen cop car? I was in stitches!
The lightheartedness was well balanced with the mystery, as I was introduced to red herring after red herring. When Easy Clean was finally revealed, my jaw was on the floor!
The twists! The turns! Just when you think all is finally well, something else happens which makes this book totally bingeable.
What a terrific third instalment to this hilarious and addictive series!
One of the things I love about Elle’s writing is that she manages to bring mystery and intrigue with a comedic edge that doesn’t seem too cliche or predictable.
I absolutely loved watching the classic antics between Finlay and Vero! The opening scene with Mo, and the whole scene with the, ahem… men’s appendage drawn on the stolen cop car? I was in stitches!
The lightheartedness was well balanced with the mystery, as I was introduced to red herring after red herring. When Easy Clean was finally revealed, my jaw was on the floor!
The twists! The turns! Just when you think all is finally well, something else happens which makes this book totally bingeable.
What a terrific third instalment to this hilarious and addictive series!
Garnet Flats by Devney Perry
4.0
Garnet Flats is the third book in The Edens companion series. It follows Dr. Talia Eden and world champion UFC fighter, Foster.
I’m all about honesty on here, so I have to say—this was not my favourite in the series. BUT because I find Devney Perry’s writing incredibly easy absorb, it was still a great addition to this addictive series.
▫️Read this is you like:
🏡 Small town romance
💘 Second chance romance
🌶️ A lil spicy action (chapters 16 & 17 😮💨)
🥊 Super hot UFC fighters
👩🏼❤️💋👨🏻 Dual POV
➕it’s available on KU!
I’m all about honesty on here, so I have to say—this was not my favourite in the series. BUT because I find Devney Perry’s writing incredibly easy absorb, it was still a great addition to this addictive series.
▫️Read this is you like:
🏡 Small town romance
💘 Second chance romance
🌶️ A lil spicy action (chapters 16 & 17 😮💨)
🥊 Super hot UFC fighters
👩🏼❤️💋👨🏻 Dual POV
➕it’s available on KU!
In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
In A Holidaze is an easy, winter-breezy romcom where Christmas meets Groundhog Day.
Mae just wants to know what will make her happy. After spending her last Christmas at the snow cabin Mae has grown up visiting every season with the families of her parent's best friends, she has some regrets.
In a weird cosmic universe intervention, Mae finds herself reliving the start of her holiday over (and over) until she finally figures out what makes her happy. *Queue adorably handsome Andrew-- the guy Mae has been secretly in love with for like, her whole life.*
In A Holidaze is a delightful snowy friends-to-lovers romcom about second chances, found family, and candy cane Kisses.
10/10 would recommend it if you’re looking for a light, feel-good read (during the holidays or not).
Mae just wants to know what will make her happy. After spending her last Christmas at the snow cabin Mae has grown up visiting every season with the families of her parent's best friends, she has some regrets.
In a weird cosmic universe intervention, Mae finds herself reliving the start of her holiday over (and over) until she finally figures out what makes her happy. *Queue adorably handsome Andrew-- the guy Mae has been secretly in love with for like, her whole life.*
In A Holidaze is a delightful snowy friends-to-lovers romcom about second chances, found family, and candy cane Kisses.
10/10 would recommend it if you’re looking for a light, feel-good read (during the holidays or not).
I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
Woah.
I knew of Jennette from Nickelodeon, but I had never really watched anything she was in. By the time iCarly came out I was just a little too old for the show. Nevertheless, I was curious to hear about the child actor's experience with life and figure out why exactly she was glad her mom died.
Trigger warning for child abuse, (sexual, physical, emotional and the like) eating disorders and substance abuse.
It was at times hard to listen to Jennette recount parts of her childhood where her mother's narcissism created trauma in her life. Like when her mother would have full screaming and crying meltdowns if Jennette wouldn't do something she wanted, or when she insisted on giving Jennette "front butt" exams until she was nearly an adult.
While the book dives pretty deep into Jennette's childhood trauma, her disordered eating, and her experience as a child actor, I found her ability to persist with her treatment and therapy inspiring. She knew she needed to change and she worked hard to do it.
While very hyped, I think this book is definitely worth the read.
I knew of Jennette from Nickelodeon, but I had never really watched anything she was in. By the time iCarly came out I was just a little too old for the show. Nevertheless, I was curious to hear about the child actor's experience with life and figure out why exactly she was glad her mom died.
Trigger warning for child abuse, (sexual, physical, emotional and the like) eating disorders and substance abuse.
It was at times hard to listen to Jennette recount parts of her childhood where her mother's narcissism created trauma in her life. Like when her mother would have full screaming and crying meltdowns if Jennette wouldn't do something she wanted, or when she insisted on giving Jennette "front butt" exams until she was nearly an adult.
While the book dives pretty deep into Jennette's childhood trauma, her disordered eating, and her experience as a child actor, I found her ability to persist with her treatment and therapy inspiring. She knew she needed to change and she worked hard to do it.
While very hyped, I think this book is definitely worth the read.
A Merry Little Meet Cute by Sierra Simone, Julie Murphy
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
When I heard that Julie Murphy (Dumplin', If The Shoe Fits) and Sierra Simone (Priest) were teaming up to do a spicy holiday romcom, I was all in! I have had experience reading Julie Murphy, but this was my first foray into reading Sierra Simone, so I was eager to see how this duo faired with the likes of my other fave due romcom: Christina Lauren.
Unfortunately, it wasn't a hit for me.
I LOVE the concept of a Christmas-themed town leaning into it's Hallmark-esque notoriety, (a strip club called the North Pole? Classic!) and there is the terrific plus-size rep that I've come to expect and love from Julie Murphy.
Even with those fantastic qualities, the story still didn't feel right to me.
The thing I love about writing duos like Christina Lauren, is that the writing is cohesive. You can hardly tell where Christina's writing ends and Lauren's writing begins. With this novel, it was very clear it was written by two different authors. At times it felt like I was reading two different books.
Most disappointingly, I really thought this would be a cutesy holiday romp. Instead, I got very little holiday and some seriously weird spicy scenes with dirty talk that felt very out of place.
A Merry Little Meet Cute was disappointing. Perhaps the writing just wasn't for me.
Unfortunately, it wasn't a hit for me.
I LOVE the concept of a Christmas-themed town leaning into it's Hallmark-esque notoriety, (a strip club called the North Pole? Classic!) and there is the terrific plus-size rep that I've come to expect and love from Julie Murphy.
Even with those fantastic qualities, the story still didn't feel right to me.
The thing I love about writing duos like Christina Lauren, is that the writing is cohesive. You can hardly tell where Christina's writing ends and Lauren's writing begins. With this novel, it was very clear it was written by two different authors. At times it felt like I was reading two different books.
Most disappointingly, I really thought this would be a cutesy holiday romp. Instead, I got very little holiday and some seriously weird spicy scenes with dirty talk that felt very out of place.
A Merry Little Meet Cute was disappointing. Perhaps the writing just wasn't for me.