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juanat77's reviews
145 reviews

Prime Time Romance by Kate Robb

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective 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

Prime Time Romance by Kate Robb

Happy Publishing Day! I really needed this after reading a very intense 550 page novel. Usually it takes me longer to read a romance novel but this one was a quick read for me. Picture a mash up of Dawson’s Creek, Pleasantville and The Good Place with sprinkles of Riverdale and One Tree Hill. It’s a heart-warming romm-comm fused with magical realism and alternate universes. A very unique premise. Strong character development with the FMC.  Easy and fun read. 

 4 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

#NetGalley #katerobb #primetimeromance
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Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors

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

4.5

This is a beautiful, captivating and heartfelt story about the Blue Sisters which reminds me somewhat of Little Women. The sisters suffer a heartbreak in their family and each sister expresses their grief through different forms of addiction (pain, kleptomania, drugs/alcohol). Throughout the saga the sisters learn to forgive themselves, let go and live again. 

The author captures the bond between and the complexity of the sisters beautifully. She displays such dreamy prose. Some novels hit a lull or boring point but I did not experience that at all in Coco Mellors’ writing. I loved this. I can’t wait to read what else the author has in store for us!

4.5 stars!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Thank you NetGalley for the ebook in exchange for an honest review. 
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The Warm Hands of Ghosts by Katherine Arden

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

3.0

This was a total cover buy. It wasn’t what I thought it was. After all these years I still haven’t learned to not judge an actual book by its cover. Historical fiction with paranormal touches. During WWI. 1917 to 1918. Two POVs (brother and sister) told in alternate timelines. It was a very different way to tell a war story. I really liked the premise but I had difficulty connecting with the characters. When I read I like to immerse myself into the story and think about the characters when I’m not reading and when I’m done with the book. I found myself rushing to get through the story. I enjoyed that it had a relationship between a brother (Freddie) and sister (Laura) as opposed to a romance as it is often done. I was more invested in Freddie’s chapters than Laura’s as his were more emotional and his character was deeply developed. It is beautifully written and the history was thoroughly researched. 

3 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️
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There Are Rivers in the Sky by Elif Shafak

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

4.0

There are Rivers in the sky by Elif Shafak

Phenomenal storytelling! There are Rivers in the Sky has three POVs from different locations and different time periods which are connected to Mesopotamia and a single drop of water. The author seamlessly ties the plot together. I learned so much about history and geography which influenced me to do further research of my own. 

It is beautifully written and the stories are quite emotional and there are heavyweight issues throughout the story. I was fascinated about the history of Mesopotamia, cuneiform writing and the two rivers: Tigris and Thames. 

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. 

4 stars!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#NetGalley #thereareriversinthesky #elishafak
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Everything We Never Knew by Julianne Hough, Ellen Goodlett

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

3.0

This a supernatural fiction with heavy topics sprinkled in including miscarriage, gender discrimination in the work place and traumatic death. There is also strong female friendship. The FMC is able to read energy and auras as well as feel other people’s emotions and glimpse into their private lives. It’s definitely well written and the concept is unique. The overall theme of the book is healing. 

The author narrates the book herself and her voice is very monotone and lacks the emotional depth needed  at certain times. There is a great deal character/emotional growth throughout the story. 

The premise is intriguing however many times the story did not hold my attention. Unfortunately the novel did not meet its full potential.

Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebook Landmark for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. 
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The Days I Loved You Most by Amy Neff

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dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

The title sort of makes you assume this is just a love story but it’s so much more. There’s family dynamics with real life issues, laughter, loss, regrets, joys, heartache, dreams, suicide ideation and the worry/grief of a loved one with a chronic illness. It’s obvious the author did thorough research on the character’s health issues which contributes to the experience and immerses you in the story. 

It takes place in Connecticut (my home state!) from 1941 to 2002 with multiple POVs. It is so exquisitely written and transports you into a world that feels so real.

I’m a complete cynic about love but reading this story gave me chills at times and I admit I was choked up once or twice. 

There are a many beautiful words written in the story but my favorite are:

“A cemetery is not where we feel them, it is merely the place they laid to rest.”

“Dying isn’t the only thing that kills us.”

As a debut author, Amy Neff captures the raw emotions of each of the characters and delivers an unforgettable story. One of my favorites of the year!

Highly recommend!! 5 stars!!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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The Wedding People by Alison Espach

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dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad 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

5.0

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The Housekeeper's Secret by Iona Grey

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emotional hopeful informative mysterious sad tense slow-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

3.0

Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres so I was excited when I was approved for The Housekeeper’s Secret. The novel is a mix of mystery and romance set in 1911 in Northern England. There were a lot of characters thrown at you in the beginning and I think a list of them in the beginning of the book would have been helpful. Also there were times I didn’t exactly know whose POV it was until I read a few paragraphs so it was a bit frustrating. I was interested off and on the first half but the second half grabbed my attention and I was eager to get to the next chapter. All in all solid read. 3 stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️

Thank you NetGalley for this eARC for an honest review. 
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The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare

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adventurous emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

The Witch of Blackboard Pond by Elizabeth George Speare

I remember seeing this book everywhere in the 80s but I never picked it up because of the cover! So many regrets and shame on me!! This was really good. It takes place in 1687 in Connecticut (my home state! so that was pretty cool) when the Puritans are managing religion and law. The story teaches how “witches” were identified, tried and punished. It also shows how quickly prejudice can arise. Not only does the story give a history lesson but also a strong female character which is always a joy to read.

4 stars!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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The Castaways by Elin Hilderbrand

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emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I‘m reading the Nantucket series in preparation for Swan Song. I liked this so much better than book one: A Summer Affair. I found myself wanting to read it every second I got. There was a mystery woven in there that was done really well. The ending was tied up without any loose ends.This book made me excited, sad, tense and angry which makes a really good book. Can’t wait to read the next one in the series.  
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