cathy_acasefullofbooks's reviews
2262 reviews

If you have squeamish or easily scared children, I'd definitely recommend previewing this book. Nothing is overly descriptive and is moved past quickly, but there's a lot of old, classic fairy tale violence and cutting off of body parts.

Not my favorite from Katie Bailey, but still fun! There were parts that gave me Happiness for Beginners vibes, which was really fun.

Overall, a fun, cheesy, closed door romance that was a great summer read!

Super fun, very cute and cheesy, and extra fun if you've read The Cheat Sheet as we get to revisit The Sharks football team.

Content: some language, one open door (vague) scene that the author gives a warning for at the began tells you which chapter to skip if you want to.

Cute on its own, but disappointing as an Anne retelling.

Bel was not quite 2 years old when her mother Rachel disappeared. She's lived 16 years without her. Then one day, as she's participating in a documentary about the disappearance if her mother, Rachel reappears. She says she was held in a basement for 16 years. Bel isn't sure she's being honest about what happened...

So twisty, so wild, so disconcerting. This YA thriller was a wild ride and I enjoyed it! It was a little bit predictable, but still had me guessing at how things specifically happened.

Nothing really happened to move the plot along until about 60% of the way through, and yet I didn't care? It was strange because usually that really bothers me. And the last 40% was very exciting, especially the brutal cliffhanger! I am so anxious to read book three now!

I'm very sad to say that I didn't enjoy this book as much as Center's other books. I never felt much chemistry between Emma and Charlie. I felt like I was being told they had feelings for each other but I never actually believed it. The lack of honest communication was incredibly frustrating.

I also had a huge issue with the argument Emma and her sister have near the end, wherein her sister apologizes very sincerely and sweetly and is graciously forgiven by Emma and then EMMA NEVER APOLOGIZES BACK. And the thing she said was equally as hurtful and terrible. That drove me crazy and made me dislike Emma. It felt like she was a self-pitying martyr who was owed something and I did not care for it.

And I'll just briefly mention the fact that the author referred to cellos as having frets. PSA: Cellos do not, in fact, have frets. This bothered me almost as much as Emma not apologizing, but I know it won't bother most people. 😂 I sincerely hope it gets caught and fixed between ARCs and final copies, but I won't be surprised if it doesn't.

What DID I like? Emma's relationship with her sister (up until that argument near the end) and her dad. Emma trying to help Charlie grow up and move on from his past. The fun things Center includes that make me laugh - she's great at humor. Emma's dad's wisdom and outlook on life. 

I'm certain this was a case of "just not for me" as this book is getting great reviews from other people and I've loved Center's other books! I'll definitely still read her next one.

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital ARC of The Rom-Commers.*

This was really interesting, weaving together historical figures like Joseph Merrick aka the Elephant Man, Jack the Ripper, and a maid with phossy jaw from working at a matchstick factory. Together, the maid, Evelyn and Mr. Merrick begin to be visited by the ghostly victims of Jack the Ripper. These visitations make Mr. Merrick's condition worse, so Evelyn takes it upon herself to help the ghosts move on.

While I mostly enjoyed this one, the pacing was a bit on the slow side and at times I had trouble paying attention because of that.

Charlie does it again! (I feel like all my reviews of her books start that way 😂)

Still the Sun was a stunning fantasy book. Pell was a fantastic heroine and Heartwood and Moseus were so mysterious and intriguing. I loved all the machinery involved, even if I didn't really understand it. 😅

This book felt like a puzzle that I kept trying to piece together, and once it all clicked it created such a surprising finished work that made me want to read it again from the start to see if I could pick things out that I'd missed before.

I don't know how Charlie keeps coming up with such unique and interesting worlds and magic systems and characters, but I will be here to devour them as she continues churning them out.

*thank you to Charlie Holmberg for the review copy of this book!