contemporary fiction

Book Review: The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary ★★

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“Sometimes it feels easier to just be the way I was before you. Safer. But…look what you’ve been able to do. How brave you’ve been. And that’s how I want to be.”

Ok, so I never really learn my lesson with the hype. I get caught up in it; sue me. I heard about this book and it’s ridiculous premise and I figured I would not like it (I was right). Howeverrrrr, I heard a lot of people loved it and then it was available at my library and I was curious ok?!? I wanted to see if I’d like it (I didn’t). 2.5 stars.

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Book Review: Wild at Heart by K.A. Tucker ★★★★

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“I need you in my life like I need to fly. Like I need this Alaskan air. More than I need this air.”

Oh man, this series. These characters. This writing. This author.

Gushinggggg but it’s so good.

This sequel didn’t quite contain the magic that the first book did for me, but it was very well done, nonetheless. I really appreciate what the author did with the story and how she handled the continuation. 4.25 stars if we wanna be precise 😉.

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Book Review: The Marriage Game by Sara Desai ★★★★

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“Don’t bother unpacking the rest,” she said, tearing the lease in half. “I’m kicking you out now.”

She was almost as strong willed and stubborn as he was. But he had much better taste in furniture.

He snorted a laugh. “I’d like to see you try.”

“I’m sure you would,” she snapped. “It’s probably the only way you can get a woman near you with that giant ego in the way.”

“I’m hardly lacking for female companionship.”

Layla rolled her eyes in an overly dramatic fashion. “I’m not interested in hearing about your visits to the nail bar. I just want you gone.”

“It’s not going to happen, sweetheart. I have the document in digital form, and the law on my side.”

Number one, I love this cover. It’s gorgeous. (Although…the blank face cartoon trend is not my favorite. Poor Layla looks terrible there 😅). Number two, this was really freaking cute. Four stars, yes let’s give it up for well written rom-coms!!!

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Book Review: The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman ★★

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“Nina had looked around and realized she would never run out of things to read, and that certainty filled her with peace and satisfaction. It didn’t matter what hit the fan; as long as there were unread books in the world, she would be fine.”

This book was a huge disappointment. On paper, it sounded really fun and relatable, something cute and easy to fly through. Unfortunately, though, it was none of those things. Instead, it was cliche, boring, lacking, cringey, and very disappointing. I kind of want to give it 1.5 star now, but my initial gut reaction was 2 stars.

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Book Review: The Simple Wild by K.A. Tucker ★★★★★

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“”Helped me?” he repeats.
“Yes. Maybe now you have a shot at getting laid. As long as you don’t speak.”
The wicked smile he flashes makes my throat go dry. “Do you think I have problems in that department, Calla?”“

Ok, now THIS is how you write a romance novel. I can’t believe I loved this so much! I adored everything about this story. I’d say my rating is more like a 4.75, but for the sake of not getting mega technical, I am rounding it up to 5 stars 😊.

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Book Review: The God of Animals by Aryn Kyle ★★★★

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“People are much more dangerous than anything your mind can make up while you’re sleeping.”
“Like people you can’t trust?”
“Yes,” he answered and his voice was quieter. “They’re the most dangerous.”
“How can you tell who they are?” I asked.
“That’s easy,” he said, inhaling slowly from his cigarette. “They’re the people who are the hardest to stay away from.”

This was such a great book. For a debut author, this was an impressive and promising novel. I thought it was so well done and am excited to see what more the author comes up with!

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Book Review: The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren ★★★

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“I like the idea of saving to buy a place of my own or having some extra in the bank for an adventure once I figure out what kind of adventure I want to have. I see all these choices unrolling in front of me – career, travel, friends, geography – and despite things being insane and hard and messy, I don’t think I’ve ever liked myself more than I do now. It’s the strangest feeling to be proud simply because I’m taking care of me and mine. Is this what it’s like to grow up?”

This book was a ton of fun. I am generally new to the whole romance genre, because they so often seem cringey and shallow to me, but damn it I was in the mood for a rom-com! (Yay for expanding our reading tastes and getting out of our comfort zones!!) I had been interested in trying out a Christina Lauren book for a while and I am really glad I did! I gave this one 3.5 stars.

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Book Review: Where’d You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple ★★★

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“’That’s right,’ she told the girls. ‘You are bored. And I’m going to let you in on a little secret about life. You think it’s boring now? Well, it only gets more boring. The sooner you learn it’s on you to make life interesting, the better off you’ll be.’”

I don’t think I would have picked this one up on my own. But, my best friend was reading it and loving it, and I wanted to read it with her. And I’m really glad I did! Granted, I did listen to the audiobook since the wait for the physical book was heckin’ long at the library. And I enjoyed it! I’m so glad I gave this book a chance. 3.5 stars.

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