emileereadsbooks's reviews
1120 reviews

Thanks to Netgalley and Bethany House Fiction for the gifted book. All opinions are my own. 

Each Christmas season, Mackenzie's workplace goes all out for the holiday and someone gets promoted. And generally it's the person with the most Christmas spirit. Mackenzie never imagined with her social anxiety she's been up for the promotion, but extenuating circumstances have her battling with tinsel and holly with her unrequited office crush, Jeremy, for the position. 

Jeremy is one of those people with a life plan. And this promotion is a pivotal part of his next steps. He needs the raise to support his twin niece and nephew, of whom he is guardian. But Mackenzie, who he didn't previously pay much attention to, is worming her way into his thoughts as he appreciates her quirky personality.

They each are fighting for a promotion, but perhaps their hearts are on the line as well. 
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Mackenzie is so relatable. Her little quips about how she feels interacting with others made me feel seen many times. And Jeremy is so swoony! I love a confident man who can support a partner in every aspect of life. 

Plus, I love how capable Mackenzie is. I feel like sometimes the quirky female character isn't great at much but Mackenzie is very talented. And I adore that Jeremy appreciates her as a whole person. 

The grand gesture in this one is so precious. I just wanted to give everyone a group hug. 

If you like a Hallmarky feeling Christmas romance, this one will scratch that itch for sure.
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This is a closed door, kisses only rom com.

Content Warning: Mackenzie's mom does have Alzheimer's and this is a subplot of the book.

Thank you Simon Audio for the gifted audiobook.

In this fourth installment in the City Spies series, the gang follows a deciphered message to Cairo while they are entrenched in a plot to stop a series of cyberattacks. But there is more than meets the eyes with this mystery and as they uncover all the facets they realize that this mystery is personal.
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I loved Kat being more central in this book. I think she is such an interesting character. And actually this book further highlights Ponti's skill in character development. There is a large cast of City Spies but they are so well defined that you get to deeply know and love each of them. This book delves deeper into some back stories, especially for Mother, the head of their spy ring, and starts to flesh out more of the back story we have been building on since book 1.  

This book ends in a cliff-hanger and I can't wait to get my hands on book 5! I will follow this series as long as it goes.

 

It's 1940 and the village of Chilbury is full of changes. And as men head off to war, the Vicar decides to shut down the choir until they return. But the women of the village rally and find a new harmony through participating in the choir. Told through the perspectives of women young and old, this is a story of how life goes on during war, but perhaps in more complicated ways.

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I have loved the other books I have read from Jennifer Ryan, but this one just did not work for me. Part of the reason may be that this novel is epistolary and I am not a fan of epistolary novels as a rule. Another is that it took me forever to read this book over the last few weeks of pregnancy and the first few weeks of motherhood, so I was a little distracted. I think perhaps if I had read it at a different time, it may have been a better fit. But for me this one was a slog of a reading experience. That being said, if you like WWII uplifting fiction, this is probably a great title for you. 

Content warning: pregnancy mishaps, miscarriage, war violence 

Thank you Netgalley and Greenwillow Books for the gifted book I read along with the library audio.

Six months ago (in the previous book, Unseen Magic), Fin had to contend with the reality of magic in her hometown of Aldermere and save it from exploitation. But now, the magic is threatened when a team of myth-busters arrives in town to track down the rumored monster living there.

Instead of the relaxing spring break Fin has anticipated, Fin and her friends, find themselves in possession of a baby bigfood separated from her pack and launched onto a journey to keep the baby safe, hidden from the film crew in town, and protect their town in the process. 

This is a story about friendship and secrets, and which ones are worth keeping and which are worth fighting for.
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I love some magical realism and although there are layers of magic in the land of Aldermere, it is grounded in reality and I can easily imagine walking through an unmarked door into somewhere I didn't intend to be. Emily Lloyd-Jones writes with such skill that her books are so easy and enjoyable to read. You are just happy to be on this reading journey. This book delivers a story that is easily digestible and isn't over inflated with boring details. 

If you are looking for an entertaining middle grade read with just the right amount of magic and a message about loyalty and kindness, look no further, this one is worth the read. 

Charlotte's life path is predictable, find a suitable husband, get married, and oh yeah, inherit her father's Scottish dukedom. But feeling stifled by the certainty of it all, she decides to grasp at freedom before obligation ties her down. So she travels with her cousin to America.

While in America, she is welcomed by her hosts and their friends into Pittsburgh society. Except, her mere presence seems to rub Dr. Alec Galloway the wrong way. He disapproves of the British peerage system and her role as a peeress. And when this fact is made known to her, it fuels the ire they feel towards one another. 

But when Charlotte learns a bit about Alec's past, she decides to offer him her friendship, which changes everything. They both have to decide what they want their futures to look like and how much of their hearts to out on the line
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Redemption is the theme of this book. Regaining identity, purpose, and life direction. These characters both have things from their past that define the people they are and they have to choose how much definition they will allow their pasts to have. I love the parallel grappling they each had to have with responsibility and honor pertaining to completely different circumstances. 

These characters embody big emotions and the way their personalities are juxta positioned makes for a story that is a pleasure to read.

Kimball writes with a skilled hand faith elements that are indictive of the messy humanity of Christianity.  I appreciate this so much in her writing. 

*While this can be read as a standalone, I highly recommend reading Heart in the Highlands first. This book is a beautiful continuation of that story, and as such contains spoilers of it. 
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This is a closed door, kisses only, historical romance with Christian Faith elements.

Thank you the author, Heidi Kimball for ARC! All opinions are my own. A positive review was not required.

Thank you to the author for a free copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

When I saw that Ella Mae was getting her own book, and with Chris no less, I was not stoked. But their relationship grew on me. I have decided I really love when characters are openly very flirty as long they do it in a fun way. And this one has lots of flirting and nicknames. Not my favorite of the series, but still a very fun read. 

Thank you to the author for a free copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

The flirting and chemistry are OFF THE CHARTS in this one. I enjoy that these two are unabashed in their affection for one another. I love someone who isn't afraid to wear their heart on their sleeve! Plus the best relationship foil situation happens in this one! Top 3 of the series for me.

Thank you to the author for a free copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

After reading Censorshipped and getting to know Jayme as Shannon's roommate, I was itching for her story! The silly banter of this one paired with the best grand gesture of any of the books make this one extra special. Plus the relationships between Grant's daughter Fiona and every one were so fantastic. On top that that, two of the best community scenes in the series. Top 3 of the series for me.

Thank you to the author for a free copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Duke is the flirt that can make any girl at any age appreciate his attention. I appreciated that these character are finding who they want to be as they figure out how they feel about each other. The tension was extra good in this one.

Thank you to the author for a free copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

As improbable as this story is, that's what makes it so fun! I loved how the amnesia element helped the characters be their true selves and lean into what they wanted (each other, duh!). Their chemistry was so sweet and I love how the found family theme of this series is extra amplified here.