Category: Reviews

REVIEW: Spellbound by Jess Townes

REVIEW: Spellbound by Jess Townes

Posted on by Jaymie

[The book originally scheduled for review today was NOT a good fit for me, so instead I’m going to share a brief review of a picture book I read in the bookstore earlier this summer.]

Summary and Review

A little girl starts to suspect her new baby brother is a wizard because he enchants everyone he meets, interrupting her own magical little world.

This was OUTSTANDING! I was, of course, immediately drawn in by the purple cover with the darling illustration. But the set up of the magical story, where a charming little girl “enchants” her entire family only to be overthrown when a new baby joins the family, is an absolute delight! It’s clever and sweet.

This would make a lovely gift for a family expecting a second child, or for a story time with children who can identify with how a new baby changes family dynamics. Pair this with The New Small Person, which is another new sibling picture book I loved.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!

REVIEW: The Wedding Plot by Paula Munier

REVIEW: The Wedding Plot by Paula Munier

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Mercy Carr and her Malinois, Elvis, should be consumed with wedding festivities instead of reporting a dead body. But when the spa director at her grandmother’s destination wedding goes missing, Mercy says she’ll check things out. She gets more than she bargained for.

Pretty soon, it’s a toss up over which situation is more troublesome – the pre-wedding antics of the wedding party or the trail of violence that is centered around the resort. But Mercy and Elvis – and Troy and Sugar Bear – are on the case!

Review

This was outstanding!! Mercy and Troy are in a good relationship place in this one, and it sets a lovely tone for the whole book. The dogs are in excellent form here, as always. And the mystery is truly top notch. I even started taking notes, trying to put all the pieces together for myself. (Ended up about 50/50 on my guessing.)

I have enjoyed the Mercy and Elvis mysteries since book one, A Borrowing of Bones. For me, this is the best of the series (so far). In fact, I can say for certain that this will be one of my favorite books of 2022 when the year is done. This book has everything I love – great characters, brilliant plotting, and a quest that propels the characters and the reader forward. I read this start to finish in one day and enjoyed it all. Highly recommend!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥+++*

♥♥♥♥♥+++* = Best of the best

REVIEW: Ham Helsing, Vampire Hunter by Rich Moyer

REVIEW: Ham Helsing, Vampire Hunter by Rich Moyer

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Ham is part of a long line of monster hunters. Most have been big on bravery, but short on smarts. But now it’s Ham’s turn to be in the family business, so he goes to hunt a vampire.

Along the way, Ham makes some interesting friends and discovers evil lurks in unexpected places.

 

Review

This was a hoot! A clever graphic novel with some laughs, a few monsters, and a bit of self-discovery and self-acceptance. I think kids will love this book! There’s some gross bits, some funny bits – and an engaging story from start to finish.

Graphic novel fans and fans of funny adventure stories should give this one a try!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ – Great! Might re-read.

REVIEW: The Story of You Workbook by Ian Morgan Cron

REVIEW: The Story of You Workbook by Ian Morgan Cron

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary and Review

This is a companion workbook for The Story of You, an Enneagram resource from Ian Morgan Cron that released last year. I thought the book was fantastic!

The purpose of the book and the workbook is to examine the stories we tell ourselves (related to Enneagram type) and correct the less functional ones. The author says learning your type is the “appetizer” while transformation is the “main course” and purpose of studying the Enneagram.

While the full book explains the SOAR process for all nine types, the workbook is designed to walk the reader through the process individually.  There are sections of the workbook that briefly address all 9 types alongside the journaling questions.

I appreciate the emphasis on self-awareness with the questions and with the examination of both positive and negative traits. The questions are challenging and made me want to sit down and start writing.

This is absolutely the sort of book where you will get out of it what you put in. If you want to explore the concepts and put the book on a shelf, go with the full book that released last year. But if you want to go toe to toe with yourself to actively pursue personal growth, you want to grab this workbook – and maybe your own journal or notebook – and a dive in.

Occasionally I will consider a workbook like this  and think I’ll read the book from the library and buy the workbook for my personal work. I feel like this approach to the Enneagram lends itself more to having the full book at hand. I think the concepts described and the examples in the book will help workbook users along the way.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ – Great! Might re-read.

REVIEW: How to Date a Superhero (And Not Die Trying) by Cristina Fernandez

REVIEW: How to Date a Superhero (And Not Die Trying) by Cristina Fernandez

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

Astrid is master of schedules. She’s turned it into almost an art form – timed out to the minute, color coded. The whole deal. Unfortunately, real life is rarely as precise. For example, there was the night the dining hall closed early because of some superhero shenanigans right when she was supposed to be getting dinner with her roommate David and her boyfriend Max. It completely threw off her schedule!

Astrid has known Max since high school where he was awkward and accident prone. But none of the time she has known him has she suspected Max was a superhero. Not until his nemesis tries to kidnap her.

Astrid adores Max, but is she really cut out for a life of dating a superhero?

Review

This was fun. It’s got an interesting structure as the chapters jump back and forth through time so we can see the contemporary relationship between Astrid and Max and then see how it started.

I enjoyed the world-building here with both the superhero characters and the support systems they have in place for the romantic partners of superheroes. I also enjoyed Astrid and Max together – they are sweet and adorable. And the tension is real when Astrid’s life is in danger.

There’s a side story with a strong sense of foreshadowing. You know it’s going to eventually be a thing. You just have to wait it out. I actually wanted this to be a bigger thing across the story. The payoff was great in the end, but when I read a book, I’m always more satisfied if there’s a big challenge – a mystery to solve, an enemy to beat, etc.. This eventually delivers that, but the bulk of the story is focused on Astrid as she tries to hang onto Max – and herself – while the hero/villain world tries to tear everything apart.

This is a fun story, and I would encourage readers who love romance with a side of superheroes and fantasy to give this a go! (Language)

Rating: ♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥½ = Good+

REVIEW: The Nova Incident by Dan Moren

REVIEW: The Nova Incident by Dan Moren

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

Taylor is off-planet on personal business while Kovalic and the rest of the team are enjoying a little down time after their last mission [The Aleph Extraction] when a bomb goes off on Terra Nova – almost in front of Simon. And he sees someone in the crowd who should not be there.

But as the Special Projects Team tries to investigate, they run into roadblocks – both from the terrorists who set the bomb and the authorities. But Kovalic can’t shake what – who – he saw and what it might mean for his team – and their mission.

Review

Gah!! This is the best of this series so far! I loved all of this! There are some great surprises and an epic cliffhanger that left me stunned. I need the next book NOW! A few threads left open after Aleph go unmentioned here, leaving me to wonder how those pieces will tie into what happens going forward. Ack! This was excellent!

I can’t believe I have never reviewed one of these books on my blog – I looked! It’s a great sci-fi/spy series that’s a must buy/must read for me. I did a full re-read to prep for this, including the short stories, and it was the best idea I have had in awhile. It was great to get the full impact of the series at once. The stories, in order, are:

  • The Caledonian Gambit (considered a prequel or book 0 in the series) – ♥♥♥♥
  • “Pilot Error” (short story/deleted scenes) – ♥♥♥♥½
  • The Bayern Agenda – ♥♥♥♥
  • “Showdown” (short story/deleted scenes) – ♥♥♥♥½
  • The Aleph Extraction – ♥♥♥♥
  • “Homecoming” (short story) – ♥♥♥♥½
  • and now The Nova Incident

Not only did my re-read refresh my memory of the characters and their earlier adventures, but it was also a great way to appreciate how terrific this series is.

Readers should definitely read these in order. Caledonian was published by another publisher which is why it is considered a prequel, but I think it fills in some important details and shouldn’t be skipped. (I actually did skip it initially since Bayern was listed as “Book 1.” But all the way through I felt like I was missing context and backstory, which I don’t enjoy. )

This series is perfect for readers who love action/adventure and spy stories – as well as those who love science fiction. The spy thriller is primary – the setting is space and a galactic cold war with great futuristic tech. It’s a great fit for me. And this book, The Nova Incident, is the best of the series in my opinion. Highly recommend! (Language)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½*

♥♥♥♥½ = I loved it! Would re-read.

REVIEW: A Perilous Pal by Laura Bradford

REVIEW: A Perilous Pal by Laura Bradford

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

Emma’s newest client in her Friend for Hire business is Kim, a middle-aged woman whose husband left her for a younger woman. Kim’s children have recently “left the nest,” and she is feeling adrift. She reaches out to Emma out of desperation. She needs help finding some things to give her life meaning in this new season.

But when Kim’s ex is found dead, she’s the police’s first suspect. And when Emma inadvertently hands the police evidence against Kim, she becomes their ONLY suspect. And Emma is devastated.

If Emma is going to redeem herself after her mistake, save her new client from wrongful imprisonment, and salvage the burgeoning relationship she had with Deputy Riordan before this murder, she and her friends are going to need to start investigating.

Review

Another fun mystery in this cozy series! I loved the set up – Emma’s new client and the tie in with a murder. Emma continues to develop relationships with all of her clients while she works on Kim’s situation, and it’s all brilliantly woven together and kept in balance.

And then one other mystery, teased mid-book, also starts to swirl together, culminating in a final moment that had me exclaiming “No! I need more!” in the end. I cannot wait to dig into book 3 in the Friend for Hire series so I can see this extra tidbit play out completely!

Newcomers to this series should read these first two books in order just to enjoy the development of Emma’s business here at the start. Overall, I think the romance and character pieces will be more satisfying if read in order, but the mystery definitely stands on its own. I highly recommend this series. Observant readers will catch references to some of the author’s other series. Reading some of those books could be a great way to pass the time while waiting for book 3.

 

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read.

 

REVIEW: The Hookup Plan by Farrah Rochon

REVIEW: The Hookup Plan by Farrah Rochon

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

At the end of a successful 15 year reunion, London agrees to have a drink with Drew Sullivan, her high school nemesis. And the drink leads to a few more. Which leads to her spending the night. It was an amazing night, but what was she thinking?!

But when she finds out Drew is in town for work – and that work involves the possible sale of the hospital where she works – her animosity toward him reaches supernova levels.

But she can’t deny that they have chemistry. And she needs to blow off a lot of steam. So while she wants nothing to do with him at the hospital, she’s willing to meet him for a hookup now and again. And again. He’ll be leaving town soon enough, and she’ll be glad to be rid of him when the time comes.

Review

This was a fun, sexy story. A few surprises and a couple with great chemistry made this a nice wrap up to The Boyfriend Project series.

The set up of the hookup plan leads to a chunk of the book devoted to the physical relationship between Drew and London, especially in the early parts of the story. The author makes some creative choices in how she describes their encounters to keep them from falling into something repetitive. Then, as the story develops, extra layers are added to the relationship. While the personal growth Drew and London are working on felt like a lot smaller of a part of the book, I thoroughly enjoyed their journeys, both independently and as they helped each other along the way.

Fans of the series should absolutely pick up this third and final book of the series that launched when London and her new friends were first catfished. Readers who love a steamy “enemies” to lovers story should give this a try as well. I don’t know that you have to read these in order, although it does help to know about the inciting incident that led the women to become friends. (Language, sex)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great!

REVIEW: Long Story Short by Serena Kaylor

REVIEW: Long Story Short by Serena Kaylor

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

Beatrice has been in a holding pattern for the last 2 years after finishing high school at the age of 14. Her preference for her own company and her age left her parents feeling like college was an off-in-the-future eventuality. But her acceptance to Oxford changes everything.

But the only way they are willing to consider sending her to Oxford at 16 is if she can learn some interpersonal skills. So they send her to a summer Shakespeare camp with a “Teenager Experience Experiment” bucket list – make a friend, play a prank, take a dare, etc.. Beatrice doesn’t want anything as much as she wants Oxford. But 4 weeks at Shakespeare camp might be a step too far for her.

Review

This was an absolute delight! The author does a magnificent job with Beatrice – she’s awkward and endearing, someone I was pulling for from the beginning. I loved the whole camp experience with Mia and Nolan. Bea’s experience felt honest and reasonable – some false starts, some ups and downs, and also some great progress. And Bea’s parents don’t come off as evil or unreasonable in their quest for Bea to try some new things and learn about herself and others. I absolutely felt like they were doing this out of love with a lot of hope that she will triumph.

I have no complaints – this was fantastic! I would absolutely read this again. Do not miss this one! (Language)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!

REVIEW: Booked on a Feeling by Jayci Lee

REVIEW: Booked on a Feeling by Jayci Lee

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and St. Martin’s Griffin in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Lizzy Chung is about to kick off the biggest trial of her life so far. But before she can get rolling on her opening argument, she has a panic attack and blacks out. When she comes to, Jack is there. Her best friend, always there when she needs him.

While Lizzy recovers and goes on to win her trial, there’s no joy in it. No sense of accomplishment. So she takes 3 weeks off in Weldon, where Jack lives. She’s staying in a studio apartment over a bookstore in need of some TLC. It will be just the break Lizzy needs.

Meanwhile, Jack is looking for purpose in his own life. He’s secretly applied for a job in LA, where he could be closer to Lizzy. But as Jack is preparing for his big move, Lizzy is wondering if LA is where she even belongs.

Review

I enjoyed this contemporary romance centered around a bookstore. The bookstore bits – and Lizzy’s love of checking things off a to do list – were delightful.  I also enjoyed the identity/self-discovery elements for both Lizzy and Jack. While the eventual conflict was no surprise, I did enjoy the individual character journeys, especially Lizzy’s which felt more developed.

Jack and Lizzy have great chemistry together. And the will-they-or-won’t-they progressed just far enough to be enjoyable and not dragged out.

This has a definite Hallmark movie feel. The pacing, the “predictable” conflict (not a complaint or judgement – just a description), the resolution follow a fairly standard layout. This can make for a satisfying “comfort” read.

Contemporary romance fans and fans of the series will want to pick this one up to see how things continue to develop for this community. You can read my review of book one, A Sweet Mess, here.

Rating: ♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥½ = Good+