Tag: family

REVIEW: The Cranky-Verse by Katherine Battersby

REVIEW: The Cranky-Verse by Katherine Battersby

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Cranky Chicken and her pal Speedy are back with a few new adventures:

  • First, the two friends try to figure out why their turtle, Wags, keeps saying, “Beep!”
  • Then, when Speedy gets hurt and becomes Cranky Worm, Cranky Chicken wonders if she has to become Cheerful Chicken.
  • Finally, their little family goes camping! And… fishing!?

Review

This graphic novel reader was a HOOT! I loved the sweet addition of Wags to the group. Each of the stories was a wonderful exploration of aspects of friendship – loving nicknames, seeking understanding/communication, feelings, helping hurting friends, sharing – along with an outdoorsy adventure.

The humor here is subtle but prevalent. I didn’t even know I needed to see Speedy’s version of “fishing.” (Speedy is worm…) This was a delight from start to finish! Hand this to your young readers – or cozy up with your lap readers – for these fantastic friendship tales.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read.

REVIEW: Beast of the North Woods by Annelise Ryan

REVIEW: Beast of the North Woods by Annelise Ryan

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

Andy Bosworth was working his way through the snowy winter woods with his fishing gear when he spotted the man, mauled by some sort of animal. As he raced to the river for better reception to call for help he encountered the likely animal. But Hodags aren’t supposed to be real! He could never tell anyone that was what he saw. But keeping it to himself doesn’t keep him from becoming the primary suspect.

Andy’s aunt, Rita, works for cryptozoologist – and Odds and Ends shop owner – Morgan Carter. And Andy’s father, an attorney, wants to hire Morgan to investigate Andy’s Hodag sighting as part of his defense.

Morgan would love to say no. The Hodag is a fictional cryptid, and she has her hands full with her shop and watching over her shoulder for her merdourous ex. But she can’t say no to Rita.

Morgan encounters local business owners who want her to leave and not tank the local economy with bad stories about their beloved Hodag.  And there are other weird things going on as she investigates. But nothing as mysterious as the creature she spots in the woods.

Review

This was a twisty adventure for Morgan and her friends! I was guessing all the way to the end how this was going to work out. I enjoyed both how the murder mystery was solved and also the solution to the Hodag question.

Readers who enjoy intricate mysteries that will keep you guessing should check this series out. I loved book 1, Death in Door County. I skipped book 2 (the opener was a few steps too far for me in terms of violence), but my husband has read it and really enjoyed it.

You don’t have to have an interest in cryptids to follow or enjoy these books. Most are aware enough of the Loch Ness Monster and Bigfoot to follow the first two books. The Hodag here in book 3 is a bit of a niche cryptid, but as a Wisconsin girl, I was familiar with it. I did ask two friends from Wisconsin – one who spent several years there for grad school and another who grew up not too far from where I did – and neither had heard of a Hodag. So this story might be a bit more unique for the average reader (although the author does a great job with plenty of backstory). Cyrptid fans will get a kick out of this.

I realized as I read this that while I enjoy the intricate mysteries and the cryptid connections, I have not really clicked with the main characters in the series – thus a “lower” rating than you might expect from my written review. Character connection really matters to me. I think my husband will continue with any future books that might come along, but this is not a great fit for me, so I’ll probably move on from here. (Violence, TW: Stalking)

Rating: ♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥½ = Good +

REVIEW: Very Bad at Math by Hope Larson

REVIEW: Very Bad at Math by Hope Larson

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

Verity Nelson has it all – she’s running for her third term as class president, she has the highest grade in both English and Social Studies, she’s undefeated in debate club, first chair clarinet, AND is determined to follow in the footsteps of her idol, Representative Hazel Shaw. The only place she’s NOT top of the heap?

Math.

Very and her VP, Bree, have worked all year to deliver on Very’s campaign promise of a class trip to Danger Hollow. In fact, they’ve been so busy, Bree had to give up her successful – and tasty – Pizza Wizards business. But Very is in danger of losing her spot on Student Council if she doesn’t pull up her grade in math. She gets assigned to a math help group.

But Very’s extra hours devoted to math aren’t making a difference. She’s still failing, and her role as class president is slipping through her fingers. And she takes her feelings out on her closest friends.

Review

This was fantastic! I loved Verity. The author does a great job showing how skilled and gifted she is at many things while also struggling at not only math but she also struggles with inscecurity and shame.

Very’s teacher, parent, and friends surround her with love and support – and also call her out when they need to. The ups and downs of Very’s story are super normal and realistic for middle schoolers. But Very is still held responsible for her choices.

I loved this from the start, but I was over the moon when Very’s idol shows up in a “grass roots,” person-of-the-people way. It left me with a warm feeling of hope and possibility. Highly recommend!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥♥½ = I loved it! Would re-read.

REVIEW: Daindreth's Assassin by Elisabeth Wheatley

REVIEW: Daindreth’s Assassin by Elisabeth Wheatley

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Amira has been a tool of others for most of her life. First by her mother and grandmother, for the Istovari Sorceresses. Then as her father’s fixer and assassin. Never fully able to pursue her own will.

When Amira is sent to assassinate Daindreth, the Archduke and future emperor, when he comes to marry her siser, she discovers a secret that could destroy everything. Amira has a power that could save Daindreth from a secret… affliction, so she offers herself and her gifts to save her sister. But Daindreth’s secrets go deeper than the assissin even realizes.

Review

I have been following the author – and her delightful Book Goblin character – on social media for awhile now, but last summer I ordered a copy of the first book in this romantasy series. And I enjoyed it! The magic system here is fascinating, and I’m not convinced I understad it fully after just one book. I am intrigued by the Istovari sorceresses and what that history and Amira’s past could mean for her future with Daindreth.

The “villains” of the story include “demons,” which might turn away some readers. This is another piece of the magic system that still has revelations in store. The author does a good job of telling an understandable story while still holding back pieces she can reveal later. I might have to pick up book two, Daindreth’s Outlaw, and see what happens next!

Rating: ♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥½ = Good +

REVIEW: The Wondrous World of Violet Barnaby by Jenny Lundquist

REVIEW: The Wondrous World of Violet Barnaby by Jenny Lundquist

Posted on by Jaymie

[I recently discovered some unpublished reviews I wrote several years ago. I’m posting these now as they were originally written.]

Summary

The Charm Girls (from The Charming Life of Izzy Malone) are back, finishing up their month of grounding. (Things in the last book got a bit out of hand!) Aunt Mildred has challenges for the girls to undertake as their club continues.

Violet’s life has taken a humongous turn in that month. Her dad has remarried which means they are moving in with her new step-mom and her kids. Violet’s mom has been gone for a year and a half, and now everything is changing again.

Violet’s trying. She really is. Her mom always said if you can’t say something nice, say nothing at all. So rather than spew her frustration over all she’s had to give up, she keeps it all inside. She’s not even sure she can tell the Charm Girls how she really feels. They complain about their moms, but at least they still have them.

When Violet finds a final letter from her mom, with a Christmas To Do list, she decides to try to make this Christmas a little better by focusing on her mom’s list. But with everything going on at the new house, the Christmas To Do list might not be enough.

Review

This was a delight. I loved spending time with the Charm Girls again. And I adored Violet’s story. Violet is my kind of kid – an only child, a word nerd, and I could identify with her grief. Her struggles with her loss and the huge changes to her family were completely realistic. Violet tries to manage these major life changes on her own. That’s hard to do for an adult, much less for a middle schooler. I love the coping mechanisms she learns – writing letters, and sharing the burdens with friends and family.

I hope there will be more Charm Girl books in the future. The entire community is a delight. And I’d like more stories so I can see how Violet and her new family are doing as they continue to negotiate their new life together. I can’t recommend this series highly enough. Both books are an absolute treat!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥♥½ = I loved it! Would re-read.

REVIEW: The Not-So-Boring Letters of Private Nobody by Matthew Landis

REVIEW: The Not-So-Boring Letters of Private Nobody by Matthew Landis

Posted on by Jaymie

[I recently discovered some unpublished reviews I wrote several years ago. I’m posting these now as they were originally written.]

Summary

Oliver is a major history nerd – and proud of it. He loves all things Civil War.  He reads Civil War books and even does battle reenactments. His room is decorated with flags and other memorabilia he has found online. When his history teacher announces a Civil War project, Oliver is thrilled.

He’s less thrilled about the details of the project. First, he has to have a partner. And his teacher puts Oliver with Ella, an unkempt girl who seems to be failing all of her classes. Second, they have to research Private Raymond Stone – a guy no one’s heard of. It’s bad enough to Ollie that he has to work with a partner he doesn’t want. But he doesn’t even get to focus on one of the generals or battles he already loves.

Everything about this project is going to challenge Oliver – challenge his concept of friendship, his understanding of history and the Civil War, and his understanding of himself.

Review

Outstanding! I absolutely adored this book! It’s smart and informative and SO funny! The premise is excellent. There are some great history lessons worked in around an engaging story with great characters. The three kids at the center of the story are fantastic. Ella is maybe the most complex, but Ollie and Kevin have some fun depth and interesting stories. Mr. Carrow, the history teacher, is a hoot! He’s my favorite kind of teacher – he knows his material, he’s committed to keeping his students engaged with creative lessons, and he’s funny. The English teacher plays an excellent role in the story, too.

Family is another fascinating theme in this book. Ella’s family is the obvious one that first comes to mind – distracted parents, perfect older sibling, and Ella feels invisible. Ollie’s family, by contrast, is committed to helping Ollie and his sister pursue their own interests. And there are hints at other interesting families throughout the book.

The Civil War sections of the story are fascinating. The author is a history teacher, and he does a great job of making the information accessible and interesting to readers.

This book is the full package – terrific story, characters you care about, and lots of laughs and heart!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!

REVIEW: Dating and Dragons by Kristy Boyce

REVIEW: Dating and Dragons by Kristy Boyce

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

While Quinn is somewhat relieved to have a fresh start after the friend drama at her old school, being the new girl at school in February is lonely. But she hears about a D&D group that is open to adding a new player. After everything imploded with her last group, Quinn has longed to get back to a regular campaign.

Logan Weber is the cute guy who helped Quinn out on her first day. And they seem to have real chemistry whenever they run into each other. But he is NOT interested in having Quinn join their D&D group. They livestream their high-energy campaigns, and they are trying to build a following. He thinks Quinn is too quiet and too easily intimidated for their style of D&D.

It’s soon apparent that Logan’s real problem is that he likes Quinn – but their D&D group has a STRICT no-dating policy. And that’s something Quinn can get behind after what happened before. But she and Logan can’t seem to shake the sparks between them.

Review

This was so sweet! I loved the D&D group in this book. These teens are exactly what Quinn needs to heal from what happened before.

Fans of book 1, Dungeons and Drama, should absolutely pick this up. The stories stand alone, so these could be read in any order. And for newcomers, you don’t have to play D&D to follow the story. The emphasis is more on the group dynamic and the dilemma for Quinn and Logan. That said, the D&D scenes are fun, and I would have happily read more of them. And I loved how the livestream led to other characters getting interested in trying D&D. (The epilogue is fantastic!)

If you are in the market for a fun and swoony YA romance, be sure to check this one out!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read.

REVIEW: Things We Never Got Over by Lucy Score

REVIEW: Things We Never Got Over by Lucy Score

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Her twin’s call couldn’t have come at a better time. Naomi had crawled out of a church basement window in her wedding gown just before the call came through. Showing up in a town called “Knockemout” to rescue her sister was just the distraction she needed. Except her sister then stole Naomi’s car and her purse, broke into her hotel room, and then abandoned Naomi’s pre-teen niece.

A niece Naomi hadn’t known existed.

Knox had shown up at the Café to make sure Tina left town without causing any more trouble. That gave him a front row seat to “Not Tina” and her no good, very bad day. So he offers some help for both Naomi and her niece, Waylay. But he’s determined to ignore that zing he feels whenever Naomi is around.

Review

Lucy Score was one of the cornerstones of my reading in 2024. First I discovered and then devoured the delightful Riley Thorn series. Then I gave this a try – another winner! I laughed through the whole book while falling completely in love with the whole slate of characters, from Naomi, Waylay, and Knox to their families and friends and the central townspeople. If this book is any indication, this series is going to be a lot steamier than the Riley Thorn books. (EDIT: After having read all three books – yes, this series is a LOT steamier than the mystery series.) But the banter and sarcasm and humor are absolutely the same. And I loved this!

This is the first in a trilogy focused on three male characters in Knockemout – Knox, his brother Nash, and their friend Lucian. I wasn’t even half way through this when I ordered the other books in the series. Looking forward to reading them! (Language, sex)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥♥½ – I loved it! Would re-read

[Book 2 – Things We Hide from the Light = ♥♥♥♥½. Book 3 – Things We Left Behind = ♥♥♥♥.]

REVIEW: The Sherlock Society by James Ponti

REVIEW: The Sherlock Society by James Ponti

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

Alex and Zoe Sherlock have decided to live up to their last name. Instead of babysitting or mowing lawns for money, they start a detective agency. With their friends, Lina and Yadi, and their grandfather serving as Director of Transportation and Logistics, they are ready to take on their first case.

After a couple of false starts, the Sherlock Society stumbles onto an environmental case. The kids use the reporting skills they learn from Alex and Zoe’s grandfather to start looking for a suspect. They also use Yadi’s film experience and drone skills to look for clues. Zoe’s understanding of people comes in handy, as does Alex’s understanding of the law and Lina’s grasp of the big picture, when their case literally explodes out of control.

Review

This is so fun! There’s great balance between the kid pieces – friendships, family conflict, learning to investigate – with  the case pieces. There’s tons for readers to learn – about investigating, about Al Capone, about Florida, about videography – and it’s all modeled by the characters in the book. It’s “showing, not telling” at it’s best.

The kids and the family feel authentic – conflict, confrontation, support, teasing, and teaching, all on a foundation of love. And the case is grounded in some details real middle schoolers would or could do. This is a terrific series kick off from a tried and true middle grade mystery author, James Ponti. His fans should not miss this one. Mystery lovers, kids who care about the environment, and readers who like ensemble stories should pick this one up, too!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read.

REVIEW: An Art Lover's Guide to Paris and Murder by Dianne Freeman

REVIEW: An Art Lover’s Guide to Paris and Murder by Dianne Freeman

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

Frances and George head to Paris during the Exposition Universelle in order to spice up their dull routine and visit Frances’ sister, brother-in-law, and new niece. And so George can help his Aunt Julia. An artist, Paul Ducasse, recently died, and Julia thinks it wasn’t an accident.

But when George and Frances arrive, Julia refuses to talk with them about her suspicions. And then she is murdered. George and Frances must dig into the very private Julia’s life to see who might have killed her, and what might have really happened to Paul Ducasse.

Review

A great mystery in a fantastic setting! This is book 7 in the Countess of Harleigh historical mystery series which I have adored since book one. I loved seeing George and Frances do their thing in a new city. Their partnership – in life, in marriage, and in investigations – is delightful. I love how they give and take together, with love and respect for what each brings to the case. It’s excellent.

The case this time was twisty, and I had no idea how things would play out until they were done. Everything was wrapped up in a satisfying way – but the implications for the next book are up in the air, giving the author some room to play going forward.

This was all I hoped it would be – a cozy mystery with familiar characters that I could fall into easily. I haven’t kept up with too many cozy series in recent years, but this one continues to deliver every time. If you enjoy historical fiction and cozy mysteries, I highly recommend this series. I would read them in order so you can enjoy the relationship between Frances and George as it develops.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥♥½ = I loved it! Would re-read.