Book Review: Christmas Under A Starlit Sky (A Town Called Christmas #2) by Holly Martin-4 Stars

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Holly Martin’s second book in A Town Called Christmas series was just as romantically festive as the first one! The second book is all about Neve and Oakley with a little bit of Adam and Ivy’s romance mixed in as well!

Neve rather irritated me by keeping a secret and ultimately lying to Oakley. I wish she would have been more confident in his love for her and their relationship, but I can understand. There was a lot of drama and heartache, but joy and laughter as well! I loved Oakley and I enjoyed seeing his and Neve’s relationship mend.

Adam is just filling in on the island hotel after working in the London hotel. When he “rescues” one of the village shop owners one day, he and Ivy begin a journey of their own together, but not without some baggage to work through!

Holly Martin has the ability to capture readers with her picturesque story settings and magical romances. Set on the beautiful Juniper Island at Christmas/New Years, this festive novel will warm your heart no matter what season it is!

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Book Review: Even If It Kills Her by Kate White-4 Stars

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Bailey Weggins is back in the latest novel by Kate White, Even If It Kills Her! I think Bailey is such a great heroine, even if she does constantly put herself in dangerous and dumb situations! In her latest sleuthing adventure, Bailey’s former roommate comes to her for help. When they were in college, Jillian’s mom, dad, and sister were all murdered. The suspect was apprehended and spent many years in jail, where he ultimately died. But Jillian suspects who was behind bars wasn’t the killer. Bailey makes it her mission to track down more clues to find out the truth and help her friend.

This was a suspenseful mystery full of shocking twists! As always Bailey seems to get in a lot of trouble while sleuthing but she is also very smart and resourceful. I did not have the truth figured out until the very last second it was revealed! I definitely did not expect that ending! I recommend!

 

Book Review: After the Game (The Field Party #3) by Abbi Glines-4 Stars

 

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The third book in The Field Party series tells tells Brady’s story. I’ve enjoyed this series as it’s set in a small town that’s centered around football which is exactly how I grew up so it resonates with me.

Two years ago Riley Young and her family were shunned from Lawton when Riley accused Rhett Lawton of rape. No one believed Riley, that a Lawton boy could do such a thing. Now Riley and her parents are back in Lawton to take care of her grandmother who has Alzheimer’s, along with Riley’s daughter, Bryony.

Brady Higgins, football star and all around southern gentleman, like everyone else in town, hates Riley for the “lie” she told about Rhett but after an unexpected car ride, he starts to doubt that Rhett is innocent. Riley and Brady start to spend more time together as she literally had no friends left. I loved how Brady didn’t care if he was seen with Riley-even though he was nervous at first due to how Gunner would react. In the previous books we get a glimpse of just how sweet Brady is, so it was great to have a whole book dedicated to him. Like any teenager he cares about what people thinks to an extent but deep down he has a great heart and is a romantic! Riley and the boys were all friends from a young age but this trauma obviously caused them all to drift apart.

I sort of had an issue with how Riley’s rape and her being shunned was just kind of glossed over. Brady believed her, but no one really seemed to understand the magnitude of what happened. Overall though I’m glad I got to read Riley and Brady’s story and I’m looking forward to the next book in this series!

Book Review: The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan-4 Stars

Goodreads Summary!

The Keeper of Lost Things is a charming and eccentric heartwarming tale of the life of Anthony Peardew and those who encounter him. After losing his love Therese, Anthony begins to collect lost things. Accumulating random bits and bobs wherever he goes, he labels them all and stores them in his home, Padua. After he passes, he tasks his assistant Laura with the challenge of locating the owners of the lost things. With the help of the handsome, frustrating gardener Freddy and a lovely neighbor girl, Sunshine, Laura sets out on a journey that takes readers through stories of loss, heartache, love, and learning.

The first half I was honestly bored and almost stopped reading but I’m glad I continued. I really loved Sunshine. She was so funny, sweet, and gave the book its magical quality with how she could sense what lost objects needed to be returned or not. I especially enjoyed Sunshine’s character and the tales sprinkled in of how certain objects became lost.

While I didn’t thoroughly enjoy the first half of this book, once I got to the end I realized what a delight this story was! This tale of love and loss complete with some magical realism will have you both laughing and crying!

Book Review: Turtles All the Way Down by John Green- 4 Stars

Summary from Goodreads: Sixteen-year-old Aza never intended to pursue the mystery of fugitive billionaire Russell Pickett, but there’s a hundred-thousand-dollar reward at stake and her Best and Most Fearless Friend, Daisy, is eager to investigate. So together, they navigate the short distance and broad divides that separate them from Russell Pickett’s son, Davis.

Aza is trying. She is trying to be a good daughter, a good friend, a good student, and maybe even a good detective, while also living within the ever-tightening spiral of her own thoughts. 

In his long-awaited return, John Green, the acclaimed, award-winning author of Looking for Alaska and The Fault in Our Stars, shares Aza’s story with shattering, unflinching clarity in this brilliant novel of love, resilience, and the power of lifelong friendship.

I’ve only read one other John Green book, The Fault in Our Stars, and absolutely loved his writing style and character development.

In Turtles, there’s two storylines going on- Aza and her illness, and the Russell Pickett situation. Aza has a severe mental disorder that runs her life. The way Green explained how Aza felt made MY anxiety levels rise! You truly feel like you’re in the character’s mind and dealing with her struggles. Green definitely captured Aza’s compulsions, paranoia, and inner struggles perfectly. While this book deals with some heavy issues, you’ll find yourself laughing as well.

I thought reading about Aza’s struggle with her illness, her relationship with her mom, and her friendship with Daisy was interesting and captivating, I didn’t think the other plot with Davis and his dad seemed to fit. It was just kind of tossed in. I would have liked to just see Aza and Davis reconnect and explore their frienship more, without the weird situation concerning his dad. Overall I really felt emotionally invested with this novel and the characters and would definitely recommend!

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Book Review: Reality Blurred (Rinkside in the Rockies #2) by Aven Ellis-5 Stars

Aven Ellis’s newest novel brings readers back to the Rockies with Reality Blurred!

We’re introduced again to Denver Mountain Lions hot Belgian Maxime, and America’s Sweetheart Skye in a fun twist to Ellis’s usual hockey romances! Skye was on the TV show “Is it Love” where the whole world saw her have her heart broken. I loved the reality show aspect to this novel! Skye is outgoing and of course has the paparazzi always trying to sneak a picture at her worst while she’s trying to get over the humiliation from the show. She’s bubbly and fun, and determined to prove she’s more than a failed reality star. Maxime is more reserved and hates being in the spotlight even though he’s a successful hockey player.  Maxime is such a sweetheart, especially when he would speak in French to Skye!

I truly loved seeing their relationship develop. Maxime saw Skye in Brussels at her lowest right after “Is it Love” and felt he missed out on an opportunity to get to know her, but they both have baggage from failed relationships that bring a lot of pain and hurt into their lives! But can two opposites come together over a love for chocolate sprinkles, put their past hurts behind them, and find love again in the Rockies?

If you’re looking for a sweet, funny, romantic read, definitely check this one out when it releases tomorrow, February 14! It will be the perfect Valentine’s Day read! While this is book two, you can start with this one and go back to the first one, Sugar and Ice!

I received an ARC from the author to read and review! All opinions are my own. Thank you, Aven!

Add it to your Goodreads shelf!

Pre-order before tomorrow on Amazon!

Read my review of book one, Sugar and Ice!

Book Review: Breakout by Stephanie Kay-4 Stars

Breakout is a sweet but steamy hockey romance!

Penny met Ethan in Italy after she dumped her fiance for screwing around with other girls. They divulge very little about their personal lives to each other but spend their days touring the country and exploring each other…

Imagine Penny’s surprise when she runs in to Ethan at a bar in her hometown. He’s confused as to why she ran out without a goodbye in Italy after all the chemistry they had between them, but Penny doesn’t want to have anything to do with him as her trust in men has been broken. Ethan tries to prove to her what they had in Italy can be more than just a fling, but can Penny find it in her heart to open up and let him in?

I really enjoyed the developing romance and obstacles we see Penny and Ethan overcome as they’ve both been hurt in relationships before. This was a quick but fun and sexy read! This is my first book by the author and I can’t wait to read more from her.

Book Review: The Child by Fiona Barton-3 Stars

When the skeleton of a baby is found on a building site, journalist Kate Waters makes it her mission to uncover what really happened. There’s four POVs throughout this story- Kate’s, Angela, Emma, and Jude. Kate of course is constantly digging and interviewing everyone for more information on the baby. Angela lost her baby over 20 years ago and is holding out hope that this skeleton could be her child. Emma is struggling with anxiety and is very concerned about the discovery of this baby. Jude is Emma’s mom but they are not on very good terms. For reasons of her own, Jude is also interested in the baby. Relationships are tested, secrets are uncovered, and the truth finally comes to light.

Just like in her debut novel The Widow, Barton weaves a tale that leaves your head spinning! I gave this book three stars because I felt the pacing was a little drawn out and slow at times but the ending definitetly made up for it. The Child made me feel all sorts of emotions-shock, disapproval, and heartache. Overall it was an expertly twisted mystery.

Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley Pub Group for the opportunity to read this novel.

My Top 5 Favorite Books I Read in 2017!

I’m back! I had a baby at the beginning of August and have read several books since then but haven’t had time to formulate proper reviews for them! I will be working on getting them out in the coming weeks but for now, here’s 5 of my favorite books I read in 2017!

They weren’t all published this year, I just happened to read them this year.

 

Here they are in no particular order! My original review is linked in the title.

 

1. Squeeze Play by Aven Ellis. A lighthearted, hilarious baseball romance set in DC.
2. A Man Called Ove by Frederik Bachman. A crotchety, lonely old man starts to see life differently when he gets new neighbors.
3. Wonder by R.J. Palacio. The adventures and struggles of a young boy with a facial deformity when he starts public school for the first time.
4. Slammed by Colleen Hoover. An emotionally charged romance complete with slam poetry.
5. The Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colgan. A librarian with the ability to match the right book to the right person opens a mobile bookshop n in a town with no other access to books.

What were some of your favorite books you read in 2017? I look forward to reading and writing more reviews in 2018. Thanks to those who’ve stuck with me! Let me know in the comments what your faves were and what you look forward to reading in the upcoming year!