theyarnling's reviews
128 reviews

Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun by Elle Cosimano

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5.0

Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun

by Elle Cosimano

Overall 5

Spice 3

· Comedic and Cute

· Less Mom Humor

· Slow Burn

· Third Book in an Unfinished Series

· Cliffhanger

· Found Family

· Consequences and choices

· Mystery

· Pop culture references (more than in any book but I didn’t hate it too much)

· Must Read in Order

Thanks to St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books and netgalley for ARC of Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun, by Elle Cosimano. This book is the third in a series and this is a must read in order series. No skipping around.

I expected this to be the end of the line for Fin and Vero but it’s nowhere close. This book plays with the possibility of ending things smoothly however… the course of love (and lies) never did run smooth.

Without any spoilers …another great mystery and comedy of errors await you in book 3. Again, Elle manages to avoid the sophomore slump and tedious trio and keeps things engaging entertaining and with a twist I somehow didn’t see coming. Leaving us on another semi cliffhanger I have questions… so many questions…. But I can’t wait for book 4.

I’m watching you Steven.

Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead by Elle Cosimano

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fast-paced

5.0

Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead

by Elle Cosimano

Overall 5

Spice 0

· Hilarious and Witty

· Mommy Humor Meets Dark Humor

· Second Book in an Unfinished Series

· Cliffhanger

· Found Family

· Love Triangle

· Comedy of Errors.

· Entertaining Narrator

· Good Girls TV Show Vibes

Book 1 was one of my favorites reads of 2021 and Book 2 did not disappoint

Hilarious descriptions of motherhood and chaos (Potty training =hostage negotiations) Elle pulls from the real world of mommies and creates a novel that at the root seems wildly outlandish but still feels relevant. Like somehow you could meet Finlay at the school drop off or Steven making passes at the teller in the grocery line... and can I just say. Vero is the best friend we all wish we had. A hot mess for sure but, Someone willing to watch your kids and literally put anything in their trunk.

I read a physical copy of book 1 and this is my first audio copy. Angela Dawe brings life to Finlay with comedic timing and obvious sarcasm. She fits beautifully with how I read the character making the transition from page to headphone seamless. She is the perfect choice for these books and is now at the top of my list of favorite audiobook narrators.

When We Had Wings: A Story of the Angels of Bataan by Kristina McMorris, Susan Meissner, Ariel Lawhon

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4.5

When We Had Wings by Ariel Lawhon, Kristina McMorris and Susan Meissner

Narrated by Saskia Maarleveld

Overall 4.5

Spice 0

· Angels of Bataan

· First American Female POWs

· Engaging and Emotional

· Intense But Not Overly Graphic

· Greatest Generation

· Multi-POV

· Diverse

BIG thank you to Harper Muse and NetGalley for the Audio ARC of When We Had Wings by Ariel Lawhon, Kristina McMorris and Susan Meissner, Narrated by Saskia Maarleveld

This brilliantly written story is about the nurses who endured capture during the Japanese Occupation of the Philippians. I appreciated the multiple POVs, particularly the story of Filipina nurse Lita Capel. It can be easy to focus only on the American experience of World War II however the addition of Lita keeps the story diverse and engaging. This book could have also delved into the depressing and horrific quite easily however it stays hopeful and though intense it is not overly graphic. I appreciate the push in publishing recently of these little-known stories of the women of WWII. The narrator has a Huskey Mid-Atlantic Accent perfect for Historical Fiction however it was hard to differentiate the multiple POVs as the narrator didn't change up her cadence or dramatization. I think this book would have benefitted from having multiple Narrators

A Lust for Blood by K.C. Smith

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3.75

Lust for Blood by K.C. Smith

Overall 3.75

Spice 3

Graphic violence
Gods Monsters and Magic
Fast-paced
Dual POV (
Flashback and Timeline Jumps
Hard to follow 1st half
Engaging 2nd half
Starts with a BANG
Diablo & Witcher Vibes
Dr. Jekyll& Mr. Hyde
Miscommunication & Secrets
Curses
Awesome Concept

Thanks to Netgalley and Phantom House Press for an ARC of debut author K.C. Smith, A Lust for Blood. Smith does not hold back on descriptions of violence and gore however this isn’t exactly a “dark” romance, I felt like I was reading a standard fantasy romance set in the Witcher or the Diablo universes. The retelling of Dr. Jekyll& Mr. Hyde as a curse and a demon hunter as the love interest plays a touch into the enemies to Lover vibes however the secrets and miscommunication tropes made it hard to see. (we literally have characters running off before they can share) The story really takes off around 65% when you get to Part 3 now that we are past the confusion/miscommunication/secret keeping we get to the real story. Which is fantastic. Though by this point you have a chapter of info dumping to make up for all of it. As a debut this is STRONG and I look forward to seeing how KC Smith grows as an author as these concepts dialogue and action sequences are FANTASTIC.

Signal Moon by Kate Quinn

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5.0

Signal moon

Overall 5

Spice 0

· Too short

·
Heartbreaking

·
Perfection

· Dual POV

·
Dual Timeline

·
WWII

·
Best book of 2022 and it’s a novella!!!

I wish I could go back in time to reread and relive all the emotions of this perfect book

I Went in blind… Kate Quinn is the queen of historical fiction in my book and I assumed this was the same I didn’t even read the synopsis and then boom was in 2023 … welcome to Kate Quinn’s time-traveling romp. I kind of hope you don’t read my review but if you do and you are worried if it is as good as her historical books… it is!

The Story of Son by J.R. Ward

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2.75

The Son
Overall 2.75
Spice 5

• SPICY book (NOT book with spice)
• Forced Proximity
• Insta Love
• Pregnancy Trope
• Jim Can Read the Phone Book to Me
• Novella
• Not part of the BDB series

I think this book may just not have aged well. I didn’t appreciate the FMC character arc. Her “growth” doesn’t seem to stem from anything other than biological needs. The romance was lacking at best. This novella was originally published in an anthology it makes sense that this is essentially a SPICE book set in the world of BDB but not a book with spice. Hence the plot really wasn’t necessary. If you remove that from the equation this is great. So go in with that intention and you’ll be thrilled.
Also, Jim can read the encyclopedia to me and I’d be happy. Actually Jim you should do that! PLEASE!

The Gospel of Wellness: Gyms, Gurus, Goop, and the False Promise of Self-Care by Rina Raphael

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5.0

The Gospel of Wellness by Rina Raphael

Overall 5

· History connections

· Wellness vs Consumerism

· Wellness vs Health

· Hustle Culture vs Balance

· Toxic Positivity & Toxic Wellness

· Facets of Wellness Social Health

· Historical PerPerspectivesepctive

Big thanks to Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for and ARC audiobook edition of The Gospel of Wellness by Rina Raphael

Love the flashback that shows wellness in a more all-encompassing light while also reminding us that none of this is a “new” problem is an old problem with a new spin. Narrated by the author was a perfect choice it brought both the humanity and entertainment factor to a nonfiction book. Artfully and kindly exploring our social connections and meaningful work-life balance and how our social constructs like the church and the book club are now being replaced by the wellness communities (the Pelton group and the fitness studio) this book shows both sides of wellness the needed health benefit and advocacy paired with the wanton consumerism we see every day. A must-read for anyone who has ever brought a yoga mat or tried the green juice.

The Cloisters by Katy Hays

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5.0

The Cloisters

Overall 5

Spice 3

· Gothic

· Dark Academia

· ALL the Fall Vibes!!!!

· Pair with Red Wine of Fall Latte of Choice

· Ninth House meets The Memory Painter with a dash of Sweet Bitter

· Atmospheric

· Slow Burn

· Last 20% (OMG)

· Modern Thriller with Supernatural Elements

· Secrets & Lies

· Choice & Consequences

· Tarot

Big Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for an ARC of The Cloisters. I screamed when I received it and have been obsessed with this book ever since. It has everything you need for dark academia read, full of choices secrets, and dark tarot readings. This book is best enjoyed during a stormy night with a glass of red wine or a crisp day with a latte of your choice. I can’t wait to read more by Katy Hays. I am intentionally refraining from giving away too much of this book as the twist and turns are what makes it so perfect. Go in as blind as you can.

These Twisted Bonds by Lexi Ryan

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5.0

These Twisted Bonds

Overall 5

Spice 4.5