celeste_velocci's reviews
417 reviews

The Secret Gift by Daniel Hurst

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fast-paced

3.0

This was short and sweet and to the point. I love a good revenge story with a dash of holiday spirit. 
Cruel Winter with You by Ali Hazelwood

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fast-paced
I really loved this one! This is my first Ali Hazelwood book and I now need to read her entire backlist. I’m usually not a romance girly but this one honestly made my heart happy! I love the trope of childhood friends to lovers. Super cute for the holidays. I wish it was longer because I really did like these characters. 
The Mistletoe Mystery by Nita Prose

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

I have such an emotional attachment to Molly the maid’s character. I love her quirkiness and her relationship with her grandmother. It reminds me so much of my own relationship with my grandma. I got a little choked up at the end of this! I can’t wait to see what else is in store for these wonderful characters. 

A quick holiday novella that puts you in the Christmas spirit and reminds us that our loved ones who are no longer with us are just a thought and prayer away. 
The Nightmare Under the Mistletoe: A Christmas Thriller Novelette by Nadija Mujagic, Nadija Mujagic

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mysterious tense fast-paced

2.0

People are so whacky lol this was a short holiday story about a Christmas work party gone wrong. This is why you won’t catch me wanting to go and meet a ton of new people!
Faithless by Karin Slaughter

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dark mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

This was my least favorite so far in the Grant County series. I feel like nothing was really even happening the entire time?? The last 25% was interesting though where they tied it all up and explained some things for the main characters we all know and love in this series.

I’m sad that there’s only one book left in this series but grateful I still have a whole other series by my favorite author Karin Slaughter to read! 
Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult, Jennifer Finney Boylan

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challenging emotional informative mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

This was a deeper read than I had anticipated with a lot of twists and turns. The plot twist in the middle came as a complete shock to me. A lot of the topics throughout were heavy topics but I found the characters so interesting that I really wanted to learn more about them and view the world through their eyes and experiences. 

I recommend going into this one blind like I did. Without any spoilers I will say it took a turn I did not see coming and I can usually see a plot twist a mile away. 
Tempting Mr. Scrooge by Logan Chance

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funny lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

this was cute and funny for the holiday season! 
Dearest by Jacquie Walters

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dark mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I really enjoyed this one! Even more than I had anticipated. It was super fast paced and kept me interested and guessing until the end. I’m not a huge paranormal elements fan but this was done really well. The entire time I was reading I kept thinking how this would make a great horror movie and then I read the author’s acknowledgements and realized she’s a screenwriter! 

This book follows a first time mom Flora navigate her new life in motherhood. Mother knows best so who does Flora call when she realizes she needs help getting the hang of being a mother …her mother Jodi. Told with a gripping mystery and a dash of horror suspense you won’t be able to put this one down. 

Women have to endure so much during and after pregnancy that I really liked that the author put it all out there. 

 
Special thanks to NetGalley and Mulholland Books for the gifted copy of Dearest. I definitely recommend this one unless you are pregnant or a new mom…maybe steer clear of it then…
Everybody is A Liar by Liv Constantine

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dark mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This was so good! I listened in one sitting. Liv Constantine tells a twisty story so well it keeps you engrossed and guessing until the end. I figured out half of the mystery but the ending really took me by surprise! This is definitely worth the listen if you love a good twisty domestic thriller with a side of revenge. 
Merriment and Mayhem by Alexandria Bellefleur

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funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced
Well I’ve been gotten myself into some situations while cooking and decorating too and no hot fireman ever came and saved me !?! lol this was short and spicy and cute for the holidays