breeburkitt's reviews
594 reviews

Screenwriter Elle heads back to New York City to combat a severe case of writer's block. The city is the setting for her next script and her previous home. Her new neighbor is billionaire bachelor Parker Warren — her almost hookup from her last night in the city two years ago. She can't stand the guy, but her hatred for him somehow gets her writing again. Soon, the pair agree that Elle will be his fake date for media events, and he'll accompany her to the places throughout the city that she needs to visit for the screenplay.

Summer in the City is fun and cute. The city becomes its own character. Elle and Parker have such an enjoyable dynamic, even when she hates him and he verges on love-bombing her.
However, many aspects of their personalities feel like caricatures, e.g., Elle's homebody tendencies and Parker's overly grand gestures. I understand it's to make a point, but it feels very "tell" instead of "show" at times. 

Also, I'm seeing numerous comments about the third act. I personally didn't have an issue with it. Yes, it all happened close to the end and could have benefited from more development there, but the author manages to pull it all together.

✨ 3.5

Thanks to the author, NetGalley and William Morrow for the advance copy in exchange for my review.

Some writers manage to reach you on the most inner level — something almost spiritual. For me, that’s Shaun Hamill and “The Dissonance” is no exception.

After much ado, it's finally time for Cam and Dusty's story! 

This wasn't my favorite — hello, Gus and Teddy! However, it was still such a treat. "Wild and Wrangled" is a fitting end to the Rebel Blue Ranch series. Oftentimes, series struggle to reach a satisfying, clean ending that gives us the right amount of closure for each character. Lyla Sage pulls it off so well here, and I cannot wait to read whatever she does next.

Thanks to Dial Press for the advance copy!

The "Under the Mistletoe" collection is fun, sweet and nice and hot for the holidays. Three of these authors were new to me as I was only familiar with Tessa Bailey and Ali Hazelwood.

Overall, this collection is a 3.75 for me. My favorites were "Cruel Winter With You" and "All By My Elf." "Only Santa’s in the Building" had the weakest premise and was very cringe-worthy.

Cruel Winter with You: 4.5
Merry Ever After: 3.75
All by My Elf: 4.25
Merriment and Mayhem: 3
Only Santas in the Building: 2.5

Thanks to the author, NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing/Amazon Original Stories for the advanced audio collection in exchange for my review.

"Hungerstone" is a retelling of one of the earliest works of vampire fiction, "Carmilla." The Gothic novella is female-centric, sapphic and the original prototype for so many female and lesbian vampire characters to come. 

Author Kat Dunn's version takes that to a whole other level. Set in Yorkshire in the 1800s, the atmosphere is its own character here. It's dark, gloomy and isolated, creating an ever-present sense of tension. 

Like so many recent female-led historical retellings (and lots of my faves), "Hungerstone" is a book of rage. It's not only the rage over how our main character, Lenore, is treated by those around her but also her own.  

From the author, Kat Dunn, herself: "This one is for the feral girlies, for everyone who has ever wanted to take the world in their mouth and bite."

Hungerstone was, BY FAR, my most highlighted book of the year. The use of hunger as a metaphor and the visceral nature of the horrific elements, especially blood. I have MANY feelings and thoughts about the characters and their specific plotlines (i.e., Cora, the scenes Lenore stumbles upon, etc.). However, I hesitate to say anything more.

Plus, anything with the words “sapphic” and “vampires” in the description is an auto-buy for me.

5 ✨

Thanks to the author, NetGalley and Zando for the advance copy in exchange for my review.

Of all of Ali Hazelwood's books, "Not in Love" ranks pretty low on the list. It's certainly different than her other books, but not in a way that worked for me. It's too instalove for me, and any emotional connection between Rue and Eli got lost in the physical aspect of their relationship. Mostly, it lacks the sparkle that makes Hazelwood's work so special. 

Thanks to the author, NetGalley and Berkley for the advance copy in exchange for my review.