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dontmissythesereads's reviews
2192 reviews
The Business Trip by Jessie Garcia
4.0
Book #138 read in 2024
Jasmine is trying to escape an abusive relationship. Stephanie is an executive on her way to a conference. A chance encounter on a plane changes both of their lives forever.
The story is woven through four parts, each focusing on a different part of the timeline. There are many characters to keep track of, which usually makes it difficult for me to read, but this was so well done that I immediately remembered each character as I read their chapters. It helped that the chapters were short.
The first three parts kept me glued to the book. I needed to know what was happening because I felt unusually attached to Stephanie and Jasmine through all their friends and coworkers. Once part four hit and the twist was revealed, I did some eye-rolling, but I was invented and needed to know how it ended. This debut novel shows a lot of promise, and I can't wait to see what Jessie Garcia has in store for us in the future.
Thank you to the publisher for the digital review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel is expected to be published on January 14, 2025.
Jasmine is trying to escape an abusive relationship. Stephanie is an executive on her way to a conference. A chance encounter on a plane changes both of their lives forever.
The story is woven through four parts, each focusing on a different part of the timeline. There are many characters to keep track of, which usually makes it difficult for me to read, but this was so well done that I immediately remembered each character as I read their chapters. It helped that the chapters were short.
The first three parts kept me glued to the book. I needed to know what was happening because I felt unusually attached to Stephanie and Jasmine through all their friends and coworkers. Once part four hit and the twist was revealed, I did some eye-rolling, but I was invented and needed to know how it ended. This debut novel shows a lot of promise, and I can't wait to see what Jessie Garcia has in store for us in the future.
Thank you to the publisher for the digital review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel is expected to be published on January 14, 2025.
The Most Wonderful Time by Jayne Allen
4.5
Book #137 read in 2024
In a book version of The Holiday, Ramona and Chelsea switch houses for a week at Christmas. Romana is trying to avoid the holidays with her parents in Chicago after her fiance breaks off their engagement, and she fails to tell her family. Chelsea is trying to round up some money to stay in her Malibu home, which is a way to make some quick cash. As these two immerse themselves in the lives of the other, so many great relationships form. Jayne Allen writes the richest (in-depth) characters that are easy to root for during their journey of self-reflection. She has become an auto-read author for me!
Thank you to the publisher for the digital review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel was published on October 8, 2024.
In a book version of The Holiday, Ramona and Chelsea switch houses for a week at Christmas. Romana is trying to avoid the holidays with her parents in Chicago after her fiance breaks off their engagement, and she fails to tell her family. Chelsea is trying to round up some money to stay in her Malibu home, which is a way to make some quick cash. As these two immerse themselves in the lives of the other, so many great relationships form. Jayne Allen writes the richest (in-depth) characters that are easy to root for during their journey of self-reflection. She has become an auto-read author for me!
Thank you to the publisher for the digital review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel was published on October 8, 2024.
The Merriest Misters by Timothy Janovsky
4.0
Book #135 read in 2024
This is such a fun, interesting holiday novel. When Patrick accidentally kills Santa Claus, he is offered the opportunity to take his place with his husband Quinn acting as The Merriest Mister (an inclusive version of Mrs. Claus). What follows is an uplifting novel of hope and joy. It was hard not to fall in love with Quinn. I was #teamquinn the entire time. I didn't love Patrick or the way he treated Quinn for most of the novel, which is why I found it interesting that he was chosen to be Santa Claus. This is the perfect Christmas novel.
Thank you to the publisher for the digital review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel was published on October 1, 2024.
This is such a fun, interesting holiday novel. When Patrick accidentally kills Santa Claus, he is offered the opportunity to take his place with his husband Quinn acting as The Merriest Mister (an inclusive version of Mrs. Claus). What follows is an uplifting novel of hope and joy. It was hard not to fall in love with Quinn. I was #teamquinn the entire time. I didn't love Patrick or the way he treated Quinn for most of the novel, which is why I found it interesting that he was chosen to be Santa Claus. This is the perfect Christmas novel.
Thank you to the publisher for the digital review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel was published on October 1, 2024.
How to Get a Life in Ten Dates by Jenny L. Howe
4.75
Book #134 read in 2024
Haleigh is tired of everyone trying to set her up, so she makes a deal with her family and friends. Here's how it works:
Haleigh is tired of everyone trying to set her up, so she makes a deal with her family and friends. Here's how it works:
- They can each set her up on one date (ten total dates)
- She promises to give each date her best effort
- If she doesn't find a connection after all these dates, they have to stop trying to set her up
This leads to some hilariously awful dates and some that are just so sweet. Obviously, if you are a regular romance reader, you know exactly how this will end, but that doesn't make the journey there any less fun. I love how Howe writes her female main characters, flawed but fierce nonetheless. I can't wait to go on whatever the next adventure Howe has in store for us!
Thank you to the publisher for the digital review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel was published on December 10, 2024.
Thank you to the publisher for the digital review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel was published on December 10, 2024.
The Gardener's Plot by Deborah J. Benoit
4.0
Book #133 read in 2024
A new cozy mystery brings us a small town setting centered around a new community garden. When Maggie arrives to open the garden for the first day of planting, the woman in charge, Violet, is nowhere to be found. What she does find is a body is one of the plots. Who is it and where has Violet disappeared to? Maggie is on the case, even if the lead detective wishes she wasn’t. This is a cute start to a series, although this is a little repetition as Maggie discusses her theories over and over. I would like to see how the characters develop if this series continues. If you love gardening and mysteries, this one is definitely for you.
Thank you to the publisher for the digital review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel was published on November 5, 2024.
A new cozy mystery brings us a small town setting centered around a new community garden. When Maggie arrives to open the garden for the first day of planting, the woman in charge, Violet, is nowhere to be found. What she does find is a body is one of the plots. Who is it and where has Violet disappeared to? Maggie is on the case, even if the lead detective wishes she wasn’t. This is a cute start to a series, although this is a little repetition as Maggie discusses her theories over and over. I would like to see how the characters develop if this series continues. If you love gardening and mysteries, this one is definitely for you.
Thank you to the publisher for the digital review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel was published on November 5, 2024.
Inheritance by Nora Roberts
4.0
Book #132 read in 2024
When Sonya inherits a Victorian mansion with a haunting history, she decides to move in and make it her own. She immediately starts meeting all the spirits residing in the house with her and Trey, the young lawyer who is familiar with the house and its history. That history involves a curse on all new brides who marry in the house. They have all died on their wedding day and their rings have been removed. Sonya soon realizes that in order to break the curse, she needs to recover the missing rings.
When Sonya inherits a Victorian mansion with a haunting history, she decides to move in and make it her own. She immediately starts meeting all the spirits residing in the house with her and Trey, the young lawyer who is familiar with the house and its history. That history involves a curse on all new brides who marry in the house. They have all died on their wedding day and their rings have been removed. Sonya soon realizes that in order to break the curse, she needs to recover the missing rings.
I love Nora Roberts’ trilogies and the paranormal aspects. This one takes a little longer to set-up and is slower paced than most. I realized part way through that it was moving too slow for there to be any resolution in this book, and I was right. It ends on a major cliffhanger. I already have the next book, but I’m leary to read it until the third is released. I’m not sure I’m going to be able to wait to see what happens! This is another good one if you are a fan of the trilogies.
Note about the narration: I will listen to anything Brittany Pressley narrates. She has a special talent for voicing the characters in a way that they are believable. This was no exception.
Thank you to the publisher for the digital review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel was published on November 21, 2023.
The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco by Michelle Chouinard
4.25
Book #129 read in 2024
In this quirky mystery novel, Capri Sanzio is a tour guide to all the serial killer spots in San Francisco, and her grandfather is one of the most notorious serial killers. Although Capri questions if he actually is a serial killer after all. When bodies start dropping being killed with her grandfather's MO, she kicks her investigation into his innocence into high gear. Unfortunately, the killer strikes too close to home, and Capri herself becomes a suspect. I really enjoyed the ebb and flow of this novel. It made for interesting reading!
Thank you to the publisher for the digital review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel was published on September 24, 2024.
In this quirky mystery novel, Capri Sanzio is a tour guide to all the serial killer spots in San Francisco, and her grandfather is one of the most notorious serial killers. Although Capri questions if he actually is a serial killer after all. When bodies start dropping being killed with her grandfather's MO, she kicks her investigation into his innocence into high gear. Unfortunately, the killer strikes too close to home, and Capri herself becomes a suspect. I really enjoyed the ebb and flow of this novel. It made for interesting reading!
Thank you to the publisher for the digital review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel was published on September 24, 2024.
Busybodies: There's a Mystery Around Every Corner by Jesse Q. Sutanto, Emma Rosenblum, Alicia Thompson, Nita Prose, Elle Cosimano, Kellye Garrett
4.0
Book #128 read in 2024
This is another great short story collection from Amazon Originals featuring some new-to-me authors. I really enjoyed all the stories. They were quick little adventures that were a great way to pass the time!
This is another great short story collection from Amazon Originals featuring some new-to-me authors. I really enjoyed all the stories. They were quick little adventures that were a great way to pass the time!
Natural Selection: A Short Story by Elin Hilderbrand
3.0
Book #127 read in 2024
In this short story by Hilderbrand, Sophia is left at the airport by her boyfriend on her way to a romantic getaway to the Galapagos Islands. Sophia decides to take the trip herself and meets an interesting group of travelers. Most importantly, she gets the time for reflection by taking this trip alone. Being a novella, the characters weren't as developed as needed to really connect with them, but this was a good way to pass a short time.
Thank you to the publisher for the digital review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel was published on September 1, 2024.
In this short story by Hilderbrand, Sophia is left at the airport by her boyfriend on her way to a romantic getaway to the Galapagos Islands. Sophia decides to take the trip herself and meets an interesting group of travelers. Most importantly, she gets the time for reflection by taking this trip alone. Being a novella, the characters weren't as developed as needed to really connect with them, but this was a good way to pass a short time.
Thank you to the publisher for the digital review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel was published on September 1, 2024.
A Very Bad Thing by J.T. Ellison
3.5
Book #126 read in 2024
This is another suspenseful and twisty novel by Ellison. When bestselling author Columbia Jones is found dead, there is no shortage of suspects. A lot of suspects translate to many characters to keep straight, which is the biggest downfall of this book. Often, I had to go back to remember how a certain character connected to the story. Once I was able to keep them all straight, I really enjoyed the twists in the story. The ending was a little confusing and didn't wrap everything up in a neat bow, but I don't mind that. I will continue to read Ellison novels because I love the suspenseful way she writes!
Thank you to the publisher for the digital review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel was published on November 1, 2024.
This is another suspenseful and twisty novel by Ellison. When bestselling author Columbia Jones is found dead, there is no shortage of suspects. A lot of suspects translate to many characters to keep straight, which is the biggest downfall of this book. Often, I had to go back to remember how a certain character connected to the story. Once I was able to keep them all straight, I really enjoyed the twists in the story. The ending was a little confusing and didn't wrap everything up in a neat bow, but I don't mind that. I will continue to read Ellison novels because I love the suspenseful way she writes!
Thank you to the publisher for the digital review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel was published on November 1, 2024.