whitreadslit's reviews
1407 reviews

The Winemaker's Wife by Kristin Harmel

challenging dark mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I enjoyed the setting, and the decades long secrets aspect of this book. I really could have done without all of the infidelity, though. 

3.5 Stars

Daughter of the Siren Queen by Tricia Levenseller

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted reflective 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

4.0

This was a fun pirate adventure! It went a bit more into Alosa's feelings surrounding her father and her siren nature this time, which was a nice change of pace. 

4 Stars

Maybe This Time by Cara Bastone

adventurous funny hopeful 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

5.0

This was such a fun romance! I admit, when it started off with a wormhole I was skeptical, but it was such a cute story. I loved the full cast recording - I read this in one day because I was so invested! 

5 Stars

Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes

funny informative lighthearted reflective medium-paced

3.0

This was much less interesting than I thought it would be, unfortunately. I will say...for once I think the movie was better. She had beautiful descriptions of Tuscany though. Also, she should have gotten someone else to narrate the audiobook. But, it made me want to go to Italy, so mission accomplished. 

3 Stars

Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Wow, this was such a great mystery! Every time I thought I figured it out, it threw me for another loop. It kept me on the edge of my seat. Also, this one needs to be done on audio, 100%. January LaVoy continues to be my favorite narrator, for good reason.

5 Stars

Nine Liars by Maureen Johnson

adventurous mysterious tense medium-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

4.0

I always enjoy following Stevie and her friends on their mysteries. This was a fun one, with them being in another country and it being a finite time for her to solve it. That cliffhanger though… 

4 Stars

A Most Agreeable Murder by Julia Seales

adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious 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

3.5

If you are looking for a highly irreverent, tongue-in-cheek, Regency era murder mystery, then look no further. It was cute, and the mystery was fun. It was a little too far into the ridiculous for my personal taste, but it was still pretty enjoyable. 

3.5 Stars

The Break-Up Pact by Emma Lord

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective sad medium-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

*I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you so much to NetGalley and Griffin for this ARC!*

Emma Lord is one of my absolute favorite authors, so I was thrilled when I got the ARC for her first adult romance, The Break-Up Pact! She is known for her humorous and heart-felt YA contemporary romances, so I had no doubt that she would knock it out of the park.

I really enjoyed the setting for this book! I’ve only been to New York once, and it was to the city. Getting to experience life in a New York beach town was so much fun! It’s not what I would normally picture, and that made it exciting for me. Also, June’s tea shop, Tea Tide, was the thing dreams are made of ❤️🫖 It would only have been more perfect if it were a tea/book shop, but I digress. The setting, and the cast of characters that populate the town, were lovely and made me fully want to visit this cute little seaside town in real life (if only, right?)

June and Levi were a fun couple to get to follow through their shenanigans. June certainly had her fair share of problems, including trying to live up to her sister’s memory and guard her heart from the guy who broke it 10 years ago. Levi was so sweet, and I felt for him. I will say, I got so frustrated that he kept trying to make it work with his ex, though. I just wanted him to fall head over heels for June right away, okay sue me?! The fake dating trope was fun, as it was a way to make their exes jealous, but also a way for June and Levi to reconnect after a 10 year estrangement. It gave me all the feels when they gradually started to thaw for one another.

I do wish that we had gotten more of June’s relationship with her brother, Dylan, in the book, but honestly, that is probably the most nit-picky thing I can say. We still got some lovely scenes between them, and we got lots of great character growth with June and her memories of Annie, her sister who passed years before.

Also, this book had the first spicy scene I’ve read from Emma Lord, and I thought it was really well done! There is really only one, so if you prefer your romance a little more clean with just a hint of spice, this is a good pick. It is certainly more of a slow burn in that way.

All in all, this had Lord’s trademark heart-warming family drama, sweet romance, and a good amount of shenanigans to keep things interesting. Pick up this book, and any of Lord’s other books, today and you won’t be disappointed 🥰

My Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I gave The Break-Up Pact 5 Stars!

https://whitreadslit.com/2024/08/12/book-review-the-break-up-pact/

The French Ingredient: Making a Life in Paris One Lesson at a Time by Jane Bertch

funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

3.5

This was a fun little memoir about Paris, its people, and its food. I enjoyed the French etiquette lessons at the end of each chapter.

3.5 Stars

A Note Yet Unsung by Tamera Alexander

emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective sad medium-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

4.0

This was a lovely way to end this series. I love books about music, and this delivered on that with a full score! A lovely romance, good suspense, and plenty of feels. 

4 Stars