Month: January 2024

REVIEW: Codename Charming by Lucy Parker

REVIEW: Codename Charming by Lucy Parker

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Petunia DeVere loves her job. But she never imagined being a personal assistant for a young royal-by-marriage to be as… complicated as it’s been. Her charge is a well-intentioned klutz who seems to be a magnet for trouble. And somehow she always ends up in the crosshairs.

One bit of that trouble comes from the tabloids – rumors that he’s having an affair with Pet. So the palace’s solution is to make it look like Pet is already in a relationship – with the bodyguard.

Pet tried to strike up a friendship with the brooding security professional, but she could never crack through his stoic, by-the-book approach to everything. But now they’ll have to figure out how to pretend to be “more than coworkers.” And Pet’s not sure they can ever be convincing at that.

Review

As soon as I realized this was a fake dating story, I bought it. It’s my favorite trope. And in this case it was even more fun than usual because the only people they were lying to was the public and the tabloids. It was theatre more than subterfuge which scaled back a lot of the relational angst that sometimes shows up in fake dating stories.

The angst gap was then filled by all of the ridiculous – and serious – situations their boss kept creating. I laughed SO much! And not just at the wild scenarios. The writing here is just super clever and so funny! I was impressed with the author’s ability to have me cackling one moment and tearing up the next. I had all the feels in this – and I loved it.

I loved the characters in this. It’s exactly the sort of grumpy/sunshine pairing I like – and that’s not a trope I seek out. But here you get point-of-view pieces from both characters so you know what Matthias is really thinking all along. You get to watch them both fall for the other – and it was so fun and sweet.

I don’t love food-based stories, so I skipped book one in this series, Battle Royal. But I had no issues following this without having read book one. I highly recommend this one – it was a fun read! (Language, sex)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!

 

BOOK NEWS: January 30, 2024

BOOK NEWS: January 30, 2024

Posted on by Jaymie

Here are some books from the last release week of January 2024!

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

Percy Jackson: The Lightning Thief Deluxe Edition – A special edition of the book that started it all!
Once a Queen – An American teen finds herself at an English manor with a grandmother she’s never met before – a woman who is possibly a queen from another realm.
These Deadly Prophecies – When a sorcerer is murdered, his apprentice and his youngest son team up to solve the murder. Yes, please!

Books for Adults

Canadian Boyfriend (Trade Paperback) – As a teen, Aurora used the hockey player she met once as her fake boyfriend, trusting he would never know. But when he shows up back in her life as an adult, she’s afraid the truth will come out and ruin things between them.
The City of Stardust (Hardcover) – Violet is the last of her family line, and she has been given 10 years to find her missing mother or she takes her place as the penance for a crime no one remembers – one that has taken members of her family for years. This sounds amazing!
Clover Hendry’s Day Off (Trade Paperback) – An overly accommodating woman takes the day off from everything, including her self-sacrificing ways. Yes, please!
Everyone on This Train Is a Suspect (Hardcover) – Sequel to Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone. Ernie is on a crime-writing festival aboard a train when someone is murdered, and the rest of the authors turn into amateur sleuths. YES!!
The Mayor of Maxwell Street (Trade Paperback) – A Black debutante and a speakeasy owner in 1921 Chicago team up to take down  the Mayor of Maxwell Street.
Not Bad for a Girl (Trade Paperback) – An IT specialist who is demoted to remote work finds a chance to remake her image, but her new boss assumes she’s a man. The longer she waits to clear up the mistake, the messier it’s going to get. This sounds great!
A Quantum Love Story (Trade Paperback) – A grieving woman discovers she is living in a time loop when the one person who recognizes the loop brings her into that same awareness. But when his awareness starts to wain, they realize they need to break out of the loop if they hope to keep what they have found together in the looping.
The Royal Game (Trade Paperback) – An American engaged to the future king of England becomes the target of threats that feel a lot like what the prince’s mother went through – before she was killed. Yes, please!

REVIEW: The Mark of Athena: The Graphic Novel by Rick Riordan

REVIEW: The Mark of Athena: The Graphic Novel by Rick Riordan

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

“Seven halfbloods shall answer the call….”

Leo, Jason, Piper, and Annabeth find Percy at Camp Jupiter with Hazel and Frank, and they team up for the next part of their quest to save the world from Gaea and her giants.

Hazel is trying to find her half-brother Nico, who is being held by giants with only days to live. At the same time, Annabeth is on a side quest from her mom, Athena. One that has killed many of her siblings over the centuries. And the Roman campers are trying to stop the seven before Leo can get them to Rome – and if they can’t, they’ll settle for destroying Camp Half Blood.

Review

It’s been years since I last read this book, but all of the key moments came back to me as I read this. This is a trimmed down version of the story – the prose novel clocks in at just over 600 pages, but the graphic novel is 160. But it all hangs together well enough for readers to get the main ideas and key moments. The artwork here is great. It’s easy to tell who is who, and I LOVED getting to see things like the Argo II in action.

This should work for both readers who have read the full prose novel and those who have not. This could be a good onramp for readers who are intimidated by the size of the full novel as well as a nice visual refresher for kids who have read the full story already. But I don’t recommend starting here, on book 3 of the Heroes of Olympus series. Readers definitely should have read either the prose or graphic novel versions of The Lost Hero and The Son of Neptune before diving into The Mark of Athena.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read

REVIEW: The Takedown by Carlie Walker

REVIEW: The Takedown by Carlie Walker

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Sydney knows her work for the CIA has kept her away from her family for awhile. But she never expected to have to hear about her little sister’s engagement from the FBI. But Calla is engaged to Johnny Jones, heir to the Jones crime family. And the FBI wants Sydney to go into spy mode at home for Christmas.

Johnny’s best friend – and bodyguard – is an unexpectedly delicious obstacle for her mission. But Sydney will do whatever it takes to protect her sister. If that means she has to seduce the bodyguard, so be it.

Review

This was a fun little Christmas romp! Syd and Nick are great together. Calla and Grandma Ruby are a great supporting cast. The family pieces, including the abandonment of the girls by their father, is well-woven into the story without ever taking the focus off Johnny and Calla.

There are many laugh-out-loud moments here that I enjoyed a lot. The ending was supremely satisfying. And it’s a stand alone romance which means anyone can drop in and pick this one up. While it doesn’t look like a Christmas book, that is the timing for the story, so it was a perfect November read for me (in 2023). But it’s not so Christmas-y that you couldn’t enjoy the story year round.

If you are in the market for a fun, funny romance with organized crime/spy elements, be sure to give this one a try! (Language, sex)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read.

 

BOOK NEWS: January 23, 2024

BOOK NEWS: January 23, 2024

Posted on by Jaymie

Here are some of the new books out this week.

Books for Kids

The Racc Pack: Live Fast, Eat Trash – First in a new chapter book series about a family of raccoons and their quest for trash. This looks fun!

Books for Teens/Young Adults

The Colliding Worlds of Mina Lee – A teen artist finds herself trapped in a fictional world she created, taking on evil corporations and maybe falling in love.

Books for Adults

The Breakup Tour (Trade Paperback) – A singer reconnects with the muse for her hit single and he goes out with her band on tour.
The Busy Body (Hardcover) – An independent candidate for President splits the vote and angers folks on both sides with the unfortunate outcome. So the candidate retreats home, inviting her ghostwriter to join her. But when a neighbor is killed, the former candidate – and the ghostwriter – team up to solve the mystery. Yes, please!!
The (Fake) Dating Game (LGBTQ+ – Trade Paperback) – A game show contestant teams up with his hotel concierge to see if they can fake date their way to a spot on the show. Yep, need this one too.
Wild Life (Trade Paperback) – A woman looking for a cancer cure crosses paths with a man who wants to hide away from the world, and together they have the most unexpected week of their lives. This sounds quirky and different – sign me up!
Have a Beautiful Terrible Day (Hardcover) – From the author of The Lives We Actually Have comes this new devotional for the ups and downs of life.

REVIEW: The Pumpernickel-Daffodil by Galia Bernstein

REVIEW: The Pumpernickel-Daffodil by Galia Bernstein

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

A dog with an impressive pedigree gets a human with whom to do dog shows. The human has a pretty impressive pedigree, too. But together they may make a path all their own.

Review

This was exactly as cute as I expected it to be. The illustrations are darling from start to finish.

I expected the main story – the puppy and the girl do their own thing which flies in the face of tradition. But I expected it to cause trouble in both families. Instead, this is a story of full acceptance. It’s very sweet!

Dog lovers should be sure to check this out. This would make a sweet read aloud, too.

Rating: ♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥½ = Good +

 

REVIEW: Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson

REVIEW: Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Ernie Cunningham is on his way to a “mandatory” family reunion he could really do without. After turning his brother in to police for murder, things in the family have been…. tense. But his brother is about to get out of prison, and everyone is gathering at a remote mountain resort to welcome him home.

But a dead body on the mountain throws a wrench into things. And as the weather worsens and only one inexperienced cop has made it to the resort, Ernie realizes he’ll have to solve the mystery. After all, he writes books to teach writers how to craft mysteries. He even promises the reader he’ll follow all the agreed-upon rules for murder mysteries as he does so!

Review

This. Was. Wild.

So unexpected in a lot of ways for me, which added to a great reading experience with a well-crafted mystery.

As Ernie is the narrator, and the book is written after the events it describes, he’s an especially self-aware narrator. There’s a full set up for the “rules” at the start of the book plus regular references along the way to make sure you never forget. Then there’s the premise that “everyone” in the family has killed someone. So those mini-stories are woven in as well.

There’s the usual features for a mystery like this – the remote location, foul weather, family tension among the key players, and finally a growing list of dead people. I was captivated by the whole thing. I adore books with this sort of set up anyway.

But the resolution? And the surprises along the way? Wow. The extras here really kicked this up a notch. This is the whole package when it comes to plotting!

I didn’t love the characters in this – and I’m not sure I was supposed to – which is what keeps me from giving this 5 stars. But this is really an exceptional read, and I can’t recommend it highly enough. I will absolutely be reading book two, Everyone on this Train Is a Suspect, which is scheduled to release later this month. (Language)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥♥½ = I loved it! Would re-read.

 

 

BOOK NEWS: January 16, 2024

BOOK NEWS: January 16, 2024

Posted on by Jaymie

Today is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Day – It’s a great day to read some of Dr. King’s writings or books about his life!

Here are some new books releasing this week:

Books for Kids

Bear Finds Eggs – Bear and his friends help Mama Meadowlark find her missing eggs, and then they paint them so they don’t lose track of them again.

Books for Teens/Young Adults

A Drop of Venom – A new novel for teens from Rick Riordan Presents. A young priestess and a monster hunter begin to form an attachment, but she is later assaulted and tossed from her mountain home. Instead of dying, she becomes a monster herself with the power to turn people to stone. As her monster hunter comes for her, he doesn’t know that the woman he wants to marry has become the thing he hunts. This is a bit dark, and I don’t know how triggering the sexual assault might be for readers. But the story is mesmerizing. I’m torn – part of me wants to read it and see how it all comes together while the other part of me knows this is a lot darker than the things I usually read.
So Let Them Burn – First in the Divine Traitors series. The village hero  faces a new challenge when her sister forms a bond with an enemy dragon that can only be severed by her death.

Books for Adults

Finding Mr. Purrfect (Trade Paperback) – Fake dating her best friend’s boyfriend’s best friend seems like a great way to get both sets of parents off their backs, but Charity can’t tell if Will is a terrible idea or too good of one. The cat café setting for this series could be a lot of fun!
Say You’ll Be Mine (Trade paperback) – A fake engagement can help her as she plans the wedding for “the one who got away” and help him stave off his mother’s matchmaking attempts.
The Secret Book Club (UK – January 18) – A bookseller stifled by a community that won’t let her sell anything written in this century starts an underground book club. Yes, please!
Practicing the Way: Be with Jesus. Become like him. Do as he did. (Hardcover) – From the author of The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry. An introduction to spiritual formation. I have this one on my list!

REVIEW: Birtle and the Purple Turtles by Tara J. Hannon

REVIEW: Birtle and the Purple Turtles by Tara J. Hannon

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Tootie makes a new friend in Turtletown, but they are a curious looking turtle.  But “Teeny” and Tootie discover they have SO much in common, they quickly become best friends. Even though they found her a shell so she looks more turtle-like, though, Teeny really isn’t enjoying the food or activities the other turtles like. And she’s afraid to let Tootie know.

Review

This is amazing! I adored Tootie’s enthusiasm and encouragement. What a perfect friend to have during an identity crisis! And Teeny is so sweet and worried about not fitting in. The artwork is adorable, and the color scheme was perfect for me. This is a lovely story about friendship and acceptance and identity. I highly recommend this graphic novel for chapter book readers. This is labeled “Volume 1,” so I hope that means there will be more adventures for these two friends.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!

 

 

REVIEW: Death in Door County by Annelise Ryan

REVIEW: Death in Door County by Annelise Ryan

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Morgan Carter runs a quirky bookstore in Door County, Wisconsin. It’s filled with all sorts of odd things Morgan has bought or found along with things her parents had put in the store when it was theirs and they were on the trail of various cryptids and other mysterious happenings.

When two bodies with mysterious markings wash up in the area, a local police chief seeks out Morgan’s expertise as a cryptozoologist. Because the “markings” look like teeth marks from an enormous, unknown sea creature.

 

Review

This was outstanding! My husband got this book when we first discovered it because the mystery sounded good and the cryptid angle fit with his hobbies. But, like me, he added it to his TBR where it sat for months.

When our local library picked it up, I suggested we team read it like we did My Roommate Is a Vampire. Unfortunately, this was so fantastic, I plowed through it before he was even able to pull it off the shelf. So we didn’t get to team read, but he did pick it up shortly after I finished so we were both able to enjoy it. I immediately pre-ordered book two, A Death in Dark Woods, once I finished, so we both have that waiting for us to read in 2024. The Monster Hunter Mystery series is now a must-read for me.

The voice for this book is great. That was the first thing I noticed. It was so easy to fall into the flow of the story, I didn’t want to put the book down. Then, the characters were great. I loved Morgan – she’s got a fascinating backstory, interesting job, and she’s had tons of unusual life experiences. She has an Andy Carpenter-esque philosophy about money and charity that I loved. Morgan’s friends and co-workers are terrific as well, and I got a kick out of the potential love interest.

Finally, the story is amazing. I had some solid ideas as I read that turned out to be on target, but I could not have predicted how it would all come together. I really enjoyed the wrap up of this one. If you are a mystery fan, I say carve out a quiet weekend and pick this one up. Once you start, you won’t want to put it down.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!