karenmsecrest's reviews
311 reviews

Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes

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emotional lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

A sweet, small town love story with low spice. I love Dean and the baseball details. I got frustrated with Evvie half way through the book, but her journey is the main story and it all works out in the end. The audio book was especially compelling, thanks to narration by Julia Whelan. 

Pros:
  • Baseball
  • Dean
  • Small town coastal Maine
  • Friends
  • Pop-culture references
  • Narrated by Julia Whelan

Cons:
  • Gaslighting dead husband
  • Evvie’s shitty communication skills
  • Closed door, limited spice

If you like angst and an emotional journey, this one is for you. 
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My Killer Vacation by Tessa Bailey

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

3.0

A fun, lighthearted, raunchy murder mystery romance. You can count on Tessa Bailey for good banter and dirty talk. A fine vacation or beach read. The spice level is hot, this is definitely not a closed door book!
Darling Beast by Elizabeth Hoyt

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lighthearted mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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Thank You for Listening by Julia Whelan

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emotional funny hopeful fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This audiobook is brilliant! The story, the characters, the performance… perfection. I can’t remember the last time I was this emotionally invested in a novel. I absolutely loved it.

If you love stories about family, friends, personal growth, overcoming obstacles, love, and main characters with lovely voices…. You’ll love this. 

It’s a book about books, and reading books, and taking chances. There is a happy-ever-after, but don’t let the romance elements scare you away if you “don’t like romance”. The story acknowledges traditional romance tropes with a wink, so readers why aren’t typically interested in romance will enjoy this. (And might be inspired to seek out more HEAs.)
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Ice Planet Barbarians by Ruby Dixon

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

4.0

Read this for the Ripped Bodice Summer Book Bingo challenge. I’m not usually a sci-fi or fantasy reader, but this book fit the “Outer Space” category as perfectly as a gray/blue alien hero fits his human mate. #sorrynotsorry

This is wild and wacky and funny and spicy. It starts out a little dark (bad aliens trafficking human women), but crash landing on the ice planet full of barbarians turns things around and really brings the adventure. Overall, it was fun and unusual. Funusual?!?!
Rainshadow Road by Lisa Kleypas

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hopeful lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

I didn’t realize Lisa Kleypas writes contemporary romance, but this was a lovely story with all the hallmarks of a classic Kleypas: love, chemistry, emotion, honesty, and some spiciness. All with a non-traditional element of magic thrown in. 

It takes place in the San Juan islands, so if you’re looking for a contemporary romance with a strong heroine and a PNW setting… this one’s for you!
You Can Run by Rebecca Zanetti

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

3.0

Suspense/thriller with a side of romance. Lots of twists in the Investigation of a serial killer. The crimes (murders, kidnapping, sexual assault) are off-page, though the discovery of dead bodies is descriptive.  

FBI agent Snow is a former child prodigy who grew up to be a profiler and agent with off-the-chart abilities to remember details but not relate well to humans. Not sure if she is purposefully written as a neuro-divergent character or just reads like one? Her inner monologue includes multiple references to trying to relate to emotion and dialogue between characters is stilted. 
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Any Rogue Will Do by Bethany Bennett

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lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

A strong opening, good chemistry, engaging side characters (godmother Agatha), and a bad guy with nefarious intent. The story got a little repetitive without a lot of plot movement. I think I would have enjoyed this more if there was more time spent on the setting and the lives of the characters. 

Overall fair and decent. Not the best, not the worst. Some heat. Will read this author again. 
Shady Hollow by Juneau Black

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lighthearted slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

A cozy mystery starring woodland creatures. I had high hopes based on the charming cover art.  

I wanted more setting and character development, and found the writing choppy and simplistic. Cozy mystery fans might like this, but it wasn’t my cup of tea. 
Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree

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adventurous hopeful lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

So charming! Excellent “world building," I fell in love with the little town and the assorted creatures. Fun, light hearted, a little mysterious, and really sweet. 

And now I want a cinnamon roll and a cup of coffee.