Reviews, Etc.

BOOK NEWS: April 12, 2022

BOOK NEWS: April 12, 2022

Posted on by Jaymie

Easter is just around the corner. Maybe one of this week’s new releases should be in your Easter basket this year! And if you don’t celebrate Easter, mid-spring is a great excuse for picking up a new book.

Books for Teens/Young Adults

This May End Badly – In her efforts to win a long-standing prank war between Weston girls and Winfield boys, Doe arranges to fake date the cousin of her nemesis. But as senior year progresses, she’ll have to decide if winning the prank war is truly the most important task she has before graduation. This sounds SO amazing. It’s on my review list for later this month.
You Should Have Seen This Coming – Hayden uses her ability to see the past for her blackmail schemes. Cassie can see the future, so she knows that Hayden’s latest scheme is actually a trap. And when a future kidnapping is all Cassie can see, and nothing she does seems to change the trajectory, both girls are in trouble. This sounds amazing, too.

Books for Adults

Funny You Should Ask (Trade Paperback) – A  fledgling writer who does an interview with the new James Bond leading to a long weekend of tabloid fodder has the chance to interview the actor again 10 years later. This sounds fascinating! I have this on my library wishlist.
I Guess I Haven’t Learned That Yet: Discovering New Ways of Living When the Old Ways Stop Working (Hardcover) – The latest from Shauna Niequist. In a season of chaos, when her usual patterns of processing and coping were no longer working, Niequist had some unlearning and relearning to do.
Still Just a Geek: An Annotated Memoir (Hardcover) – Writer and actor Wil Wheaton revisits his 2004 collection of essays and blog posts with new annotations as well as all-new material. I read Just a Geek back in the day, and I am looking forward to revisiting that content and seeing what new things Wil has to add. We pre-ordered this months ago. The challenge will be who gets to read it first, me or my husband.
What Is My Calling? (Trade Paperback Textbook) – A textbook from Baker Academic that looks a the Christian concept of calling through contemporary, historical, biblical, and theological lenses. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.

REVIEW: Star Wars: A Queen's Hope by E. K. Johnston

REVIEW: Star Wars: A Queen’s Hope by E. K. Johnston

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

The Clone War is heating up. And that means even though Anakin and Padmé are married now, they each have a job to do. Yes, it means secrets – from their closest friends and at times from each other. But they can keep their love and their duty separate.

Padmé’s handmaidens have duty as well. Sabé is on Tatooine hoping to make headway on her mission when Padmé calls her into service. Sabé will pretend to be the Senator while Padmé goes off on a crucial mission for the war. A lot has changed since they last used this trick – can they really pull it off again?

Review

I have so enjoyed the characters in this series. It’s been great to get more about Padmé, but it’s the handmaidens that I have found fascinating. And I love how the author has let them evolve over time, especially as Padmé’s role has changed.

There are a few fantastic “interludes” through the book that focus on a female character in the larger story. Each passage begins with the character unnamed, and we only get her name at the end. They are all cleverly written and left me wanting more.

While I enjoyed those things, I felt like there wasn’t one driving storyline here. Instead, this seems to be filling in around Star Wars events we know from the movies and shows. We know about Geonosis, we know about Palpatine’s secret agenda, we know about clone troops, and we know about the wedding. So the author takes those things – and some others – and then lets us experience them from other perspectives, like those of the handmaidens.

For a plot-driven reader, this can be less than satisfying. Any danger situation is over fairly quickly, and the stakes are low because we know the main characters exist past this book. But character-driven readers will find a LOT here to enjoy. How does Padmé’s secret relationship change how she relates to her friends and her job? When people find out about her marriage, what changes?

Series fans should definitely pick this up. Newcomers should probably start with the earlier books to get to know the handmaidens in order to enjoy this one to its fullest.

Rating: ♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥½ = Good +

REVIEW: To Marry and to Meddle by Martha Waters

REVIEW: To Marry and to Meddle by Martha Waters

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

Lady Emily fears her father’s debts will keep her single – or tie her to a terrible husband – no matter how pristine she has been able to keep her reputation. So when Lord Belfry suggests they marry, it seems like a great solution for Emily. He will take care of her father’s problems and rescue her from a dismal future. In turn, the theatre owner hopes Emily’s class and reputation will help him establish a more suitable clientele for his business.

Once Emily has a taste of freedom from her disapproving parents and from her hyper-vigilance over her own behavior, she’s not sure she wants to stay quiet any more. But Julian can’t see what Emily could bring to his business – or his life – other than their initial agreement.

Review

This is book 3 in the Regency Vows series after To Have and to Hoax and To Love and to Loathe. I LOVED this book. It was truly a perfect fit for me. It’s romantic and funny. There’s just enough conflict to move the story and characters along but not so much as to be painful or stressful to read.

I loved Emily and Julian – separately and together. The premise completely worked for me – a touch of fake relationship, but different enough to feel fresh. And the transformation of Emily over time felt believable as well as fun to watch.

Fans of this series should not miss this. But newcomers can start here, too. I still have not read book one (the premise doesn’t click for me). But while there are references to the earlier books, they are general enough that the reader knows there is history there, but not in such a way to leave the reader feeling like they are missing something important.

This is the sort of book I would read again – comfort reading at its best! Sweet, endearing, funny, sarcastic, and romantic. Check it out!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!

BOOK NEWS: April 5, 2022

BOOK NEWS: April 5, 2022

Posted on by Jaymie

Happy April! Here are some of the new books releasing this week.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

Wings of Fire: The Flames of Hope – Book 15 in the series, and the final book in the Lost Continent Prophecy arc. Luna is flying home with new friends in the hope that they can save the day. I am a book behind and need to get caught up asap! I should have this book in hand tomorrow.
What Is Juneteeth? – I am excited for kids to learn the history of Juneteenth through the latest book from Who HQ.
Sense and Second-Degree Murder – Book 2 in the Jane Austen Murder Mysteries series. When Elinor Dashwood finds her father dead, it signals a change of fortune for the Dashwood women, including the transfer of ownership of her father’s investigation firm to her half-brother and his haughty wife. And the substance Elinor finds in her father’s tea cup signals something else – murder. I *adored* the first book in the series, Pride and Premeditation. I can’t wait to read the new book, especially since it stars the Dashwoods. I’ve already pre-ordered this one.
Star Wars: Queen’s Hope – Book 3 in this series staring Padmé Amidala, following Queen’s Shadow (♥♥♥♥) and Queen’s Peril. This story takes place during the Clone Wars and after Padmé’s secret marriage to Anakin. This is on my review list; I can’t wait to read it!

Books for Adults

The Blood Trials (Hardcover) – When Ikenna’s beloved grandfather is assassinated, she takes all he taught her, both the fighting skills and the secrets to harnessing her blood gift, to the Praetorian Trials where she intends to find – and kill – the assassin.
The Dale from Hell (Trade Paperback) – Book 2 in the Match Made in Hell series after Not Your Average Hot Guy. Callie and Luke have the chance to make some changes around Hell when Lucifer tasks them with tracking and redeeming a wayward soul. I have book 1 on my TBR – I can’t wait to catch up with this duology.
Knit or Dye Trying (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 2 in the Riverbank Knitting Mystery series. When the special guest for Libby’s yarn event is killed, Libby starts tracking a killer. The full premise of this one really grabbed my attention.
Lost and Found in Paris (Hardcover) – From the author of The Sweeney Sisters. When her marriage implodes, Joan sees it as an opportunity to make dramatic changes in her life. She takes on a job as an art courier, and on a trip to Paris she starts a fling with an interesting man. Then the art she is transporting is stolen. In its place is a piece of her famous father’s art journal – something presumed lost when he died on 9/11 – and a poem that reads like a scavenger hunt clue. I can’t wait to try this one!
To Marry and to Meddle (Trade Paperback) – Book 3 in the Regency Vows series after To Have and to Hoax and To Love and to Loathe. Lady Emily fears her father’s debts will keep her single – or tie her to a terrible husband – no matter how pristine she has been able to keep her reputation. So when Lord Belfry suggests they marry, it seems like a great solution for Emily. He will take care of her father’s problems and rescue her from a dismal future. In turn, the theatre owner hopes Emily’s class and reputation will help him establish a more suitable clientele for his business. I so enjoyed the last book, I quickly requested a review copy of this one. I’ll be reviewing this soon.
The Wedding Crasher (Trade Paperback) – When a hopeless romantic crashes his wedding to keep him from making a huge mistake, Dean is spared the marriage, but finds himself in a new quandary when the perfect job requires him to have a significant other. So he has to beg his wedding crasher to be his fake girlfriend. You all know how much I love a fake relationship story! This one is on my list for this week.

REVIEW: The School for Whatnots by Margaret Peterson Haddix

REVIEW: The School for Whatnots by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Max was born into a world where well-off parents like his could afford to send their kids to school with “whatnots.” But Max was just a kid. He didn’t even know what whatnots were. All Max truly knew was that ever since kindergarten, Josie had been his best friend.

So when Josie disappears after fifth grade after leaving him a mysterious note, Max is desperate to find her. His texts go unanswered. And his family is ready to whisk him away for summer vacation just like always. So Max sneaks out to find Josie.

Review

What a creative and unusual story! This is the first Haddix novel I think I have read – although I stocked her books in the library where I worked, and my students loved them. The story here intrigued me, but the truths, as they were slowly revealed, continued to surprise and delight as I read.

I don’t want to give too much away by going into a lot of detail about what I enjoyed. The characters are great, but the situation was the most fun because it wasn’t what I was expecting.

I think kids will get a kick out of this twisty tale of friendship and family and secrets. I think the early chapters BEG to be read out loud. And I’d love to get a group of kids together to talk about what happens and WHY they think the author created this story. What might she have wanted readers to consider? Haddix fans should not miss this one. And science fiction/mystery fans should give this a try as well.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ – Great! Might re-read

REVIEW: Mr. Wrong Number by Lynn Painter

REVIEW: Mr. Wrong Number by Lynn Painter

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

In a life full of embarrassing mishaps and disasters, the latest – she burned down her apartment building while burning love letters from her ex – has left Olivia living with her older brother and his gorgeous yet annoying roommate. She literally has only the clothes on her back after the fire. She needs a job; she needs a break.

The one bright spot in the whole thing is a misdialed text that turns into a funny, flirty, banter-filled relationship with a stranger. But when the “stranger” discovers Olivia’s identity, he knows it can’t go any farther. Olivia is super off-limits. No matter how much he is captivated by her.

Review

This was so fun! The story is, of course, familiar – You’ve Got Mail, Shop Around the Corner. And it’s familiar because it works. And while a familiar plot could feel done or over-done, the execution here is great. The characters are endearing and funny, with great chemistry! I cared about this relationship from the start and was rooting for it until the end. The secondary characters were fun as well. I especially enjoyed the sibling relationships. The various parents were the worst, but they were relegated to something for the characters to push against, so we only had them in thankfully small doses.

If you love romantic comedies that make you literally laugh out loud, and you are intrigued by the set up here, be sure to pick this one up! I loved both the story and the characters in this one. Such a fun read! (Language, sex)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read.

BOOK NEWS: March 29, 2022

BOOK NEWS: March 29, 2022

Posted on by Jaymie

It’s the last release week of March, and April is right around the corner. Let’s see what new books are on my radar this week!

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults

A Darkening of Dragons (April 1) – A disgraced boy, a girl cursed to live as a rat, and a dracogriff team up against the Piper of Hamelyn.
Always Jane – The latest from Jenn Bennett. A young woman begins a relationship with the son of her record producer boss, but when she returns to the family’s resort and connects with the family black sheep, her feelings start to change. Jenn Bennett is my go-to author for YA romance, so of course this was on my list for this week.
So This is Ever After – A sword-wielding hero assumes the throne while his team works to save the true heir. But when they determine she is already dead, he’s stuck on the throne – and therefore stuck with the laws that say he has to wed by his 18th birthday. I’m loving the quest/D&D vibe of this, so it’s on my list this week as well.

Books for Adults

Cheddar Off Dead (Mass Market Paperback) – First in a new Cheese Shop Mystery series. As Willa works to launch her new business, everything goes awry, starting with the murder of the local food critic.
Four Aunties and a Wedding (Trade Paperback) – The follow up to the terrific Dial A for Aunties. Meddy is ready to marry her college sweetheart when she realizes the Mob is using her wedding to take out a target. I got such a kick out of book one, I can’t wait to check out this sequel!
Lost Coast Literary (Trade Paperback) – Something new from author Ellie Alexander. A book editor discovers she must edit manuscripts in order to inherit a Victorian mansion. But any edits she makes to the manuscripts happens in real life – and cause chaos she isn’t sure how to fix. This is fascinating – I definitely need to check this one out!
The Temps (Hardcover) – On his first day, a temp is stranded in an office complex when a toxic gas kills all the regular employees while they are in a meeting in the outdoor pavilion. Yes, please! I can’t WAIT to see what this is all about!
The Enneagram for Black Liberation (Hardcover) – The Enneagram as a tool for Black women to find wholeness. I am the wrong audience for this, but I am intrigued by it nonetheless.

REVIEW: The Map of Flames by Lisa McMann

REVIEW: The Map of Flames by Lisa McMann

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Louis was the only “parent” the kids had known for years. While he was Brix and Birdie’s biological father, he’d filled the role for Tenner, Seven, and Cabot too when their parents had not returned.

Three of the superpowered adults had left the island first, in search of supplies. When no one heard from them, four more left as well. And now Louis is dead, leaving the five kids alone.

Birdie’s father left her a map and told her to find her mother. Her ability to talk to animals would be an asset in the journey. But some of the kids don’t want to leave the only home they’ve ever known – and risk anyone back in Estero City discovering they have powers. But Birdie can’t resist the pull of finding out what happened to their missing parents. They all want to know why they’ve been left alone, forgotten, all this time.

Review

I was captivated by the start of this one, but after a few chapters of the kids alone on the island, the book started to drag. I think this is something tricky about first books in a new fantasy series. There’s a lot of world-building and character introduction to do, and it can feel slow.

Section 2 of the book picks up with some danger situations. And section 3 was great. I was all in by the end. There are some nice twists and tons of unanswered questions to carry readers to book 2 in the Forgotten Five series – The Invisible Spy (November 2022).

Fans of fantasy stories like McMann’s other series – The Unwanteds, Going Wild, etc. – will find a lot to connect to. And I’d encourage readers to push through section 1 if they feel things are starting to slow down. It’s worth it to stick with the story. The ending is easily a 4 or 4.5 star adventure. (Grief and loss)

Rating: ♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥½ = Good +

REVIEW: Under Lock and Skeleton Key by Gigi Pandian

REVIEW: Under Lock and Skeleton Key by Gigi Pandian

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

After a disastrous show that could have killed her, Tempest Raj has moved home to lick her wounds and look for a fresh start. But instead of a respite, she’s found the family business struggling, a musical ghost,  and a dead body.

Between Tempest’s experience as a stage magician and her family’s years of building secret rooms and hidden staircases for clients, she’s certain she can uncover the solution to her real life locked room mystery. But even as she sleuths, she has to wonder if she was the intended victim all along.

Review

This was incredible! I have had such a reading slump lately that I was starting to wonder if I’d ever click with a book again. This was perfect for me right from the beginning.

I loved all of the elements here – the magicians, the family construction business of installing secret rooms, Tempest and her core group of friends and family. Every bit of it was delightful. I was never bored and never tempted to skim ahead or stop reading – a real struggle of late.

There are layers of mysteries here, so the sleuthing as well as the solutions were so satisfying. I am all in on this series! Do not miss this launch of the Secret Staircase Mystery series!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!

BOOK NEWS: March 22, 2022

BOOK NEWS: March 22, 2022

Posted on by Jaymie

New week means new books! Here are some of the titles I am excited about this week.

Books for Teens/Young Adults

Okoye to the People – As a young Okoye tries to discover her place in the Dora Milaje, she goes on her first mission – to New York.

Books for Adults

The City of Dusk (Trade Paperback) – First in the new Dark Gods series. The four realms converge on the City of Dusk but the corresponding gods have withdrawn their favor. Four heirs work to save their city. I’m curious about this one, so it’s on my library wishlist.
The Impossible Us (Trade Paperback) – Two people fall for one another thanks to an errant email, but when they try to meet in person they realize they live in parallel universes. Yes, please!
Lifeless in the Library (e-book, March 24) – Book 4 in the Moorecliff Manor Cat Cozy Mystery series. A charity cat show turns deadly. I recently picked up the first book in this series to check this out – sounds fun!
The Recovery Agent (Hardcover) – First in a new series. A recovery agent has to team up with her ex in order to track down a missing treasure. This sounds so fun!
Savvy Sheldon Feels Good as Hell (Trade Paperback) – As Savvy works to renovate the kitchen she inherited, she also starts renovating the rest of her life. This is the one book I have pre-ordered for the week.