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reading_historical_romance's reviews
451 reviews
Right on Cue by Falon Ballard
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? Yes
5.0
Hilarious, hot & heartwarming meta rom-com, perfect for fans of Olivia Dade!
I laughed and squee’d throughout this entire strawberry starburst, fresh hot glazed donut of an enemies-to-lovers turned costars-with-benefits romance between nepo baby screenwriter Emmy, and the thirst-trap action hero (and two-time Sexiest Man Alive!) Grayson. After co-starring in a disastrous film a decade earlier, the two are reunited for Emmy’s latest project, a Nora Ephron-inspired small-town romance, No Reservations.
This novel announces itself right out of the gate as being a romance about romance and the romance genre --written for romance readers. In that sense, it is in every way predictable and cliché, and with all the right beats in all the right places. It is very funny and peppered with hilarious banter and a cast of minor characters who all contributed to make this book a fast, breezy, and truly enjoyable read. I loved Emmy’s mom, Liz, and Sam. I loved the setting and atmosphere of the small town. I loved the ongoing joke of calling Grayson “Grayson fucking West” throughout the novel.
Technically, this novel is well written, and although there are no surprises here in terms of plot, characters, conflicts and resolutions, at the end of the day it delivers on all of the promises that a rom-com makes to the reader who wants straight-up, feel-good escapism. Take this to the beach, to your pedicure, to Starbucks after your trip to Target to enjoy over a caramel macchiato on a day off, or curl up on a Friday night with a glass of wine after your kids are gone to bed. I promise you’ll love it.
Thank you NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam, G.P. Putnam's Sons for the opportunity to read and review this novel. All opinions are my own.
I laughed and squee’d throughout this entire strawberry starburst, fresh hot glazed donut of an enemies-to-lovers turned costars-with-benefits romance between nepo baby screenwriter Emmy, and the thirst-trap action hero (and two-time Sexiest Man Alive!) Grayson. After co-starring in a disastrous film a decade earlier, the two are reunited for Emmy’s latest project, a Nora Ephron-inspired small-town romance, No Reservations.
This novel announces itself right out of the gate as being a romance about romance and the romance genre --written for romance readers. In that sense, it is in every way predictable and cliché, and with all the right beats in all the right places. It is very funny and peppered with hilarious banter and a cast of minor characters who all contributed to make this book a fast, breezy, and truly enjoyable read. I loved Emmy’s mom, Liz, and Sam. I loved the setting and atmosphere of the small town. I loved the ongoing joke of calling Grayson “Grayson fucking West” throughout the novel.
Technically, this novel is well written, and although there are no surprises here in terms of plot, characters, conflicts and resolutions, at the end of the day it delivers on all of the promises that a rom-com makes to the reader who wants straight-up, feel-good escapism. Take this to the beach, to your pedicure, to Starbucks after your trip to Target to enjoy over a caramel macchiato on a day off, or curl up on a Friday night with a glass of wine after your kids are gone to bed. I promise you’ll love it.
Thank you NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam, G.P. Putnam's Sons for the opportunity to read and review this novel. All opinions are my own.
The American Queen by Vanessa Miller
Thank you, Vanessa. My soul was blessed from reading this book.
Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the opportunity to read and review this novel. All opinions are my own.
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-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? Yes
5.0
A Happy Land rises from oppression in this inspiring historical novel.
This is a fictionalized account of the true story of Louella Bobo Montgomery. She was born into slavery on a cotton plantation in Mississippi, emancipated after the Civil War, and the co-founder, with her husband William, of a free and entirely self-sufficient community of formerly enslaved people in the Appalachian Mountains on the border between North and South Carolina. The Happy Land was established in 1869 on acres of the former Oakland Plantation that the people cleared and purchased from the owner. The plantation’s former slaves quarters were located on that section of land.
Many of the facts of Louella’s life are heartbreaking and difficult to read about. She and her family were the victims of senseless and ceaseless brutality for decades at the hands of the White slaveowners, and this treatment continued beyond the emancipation as the former slaves were uneducated, lived in abject poverty with no means of earning an income, and under constant threat of violence due to widespread, unapologetic racism. But Louella and William were resilient, and refused to accept that Black people could not build better lives. They were so courageous and charismatic that they inspired over 200 people to join them on a journey of faith across the South (largely on foot) to find a refuge of peace and safety.
The story of the American Queen is one of inspiration, hope, family, and faith. It is so clear that this project was an absolute labor of love for the author, and the depth of her research so that she could give a voice to the Happy Landers is apparent throughout the novel. One of the things that I really enjoyed was her straightforward writing style. The third-person narrator was direct and mirrored the tone of the colloquial speech patterns of her characters. As a result, the prose never condescended to or patronized the characters.
While the pacing of the novel was uneven in places, the importance and the need for this story in the world outweighs any negative criticisms.
This is a fictionalized account of the true story of Louella Bobo Montgomery. She was born into slavery on a cotton plantation in Mississippi, emancipated after the Civil War, and the co-founder, with her husband William, of a free and entirely self-sufficient community of formerly enslaved people in the Appalachian Mountains on the border between North and South Carolina. The Happy Land was established in 1869 on acres of the former Oakland Plantation that the people cleared and purchased from the owner. The plantation’s former slaves quarters were located on that section of land.
Many of the facts of Louella’s life are heartbreaking and difficult to read about. She and her family were the victims of senseless and ceaseless brutality for decades at the hands of the White slaveowners, and this treatment continued beyond the emancipation as the former slaves were uneducated, lived in abject poverty with no means of earning an income, and under constant threat of violence due to widespread, unapologetic racism. But Louella and William were resilient, and refused to accept that Black people could not build better lives. They were so courageous and charismatic that they inspired over 200 people to join them on a journey of faith across the South (largely on foot) to find a refuge of peace and safety.
The story of the American Queen is one of inspiration, hope, family, and faith. It is so clear that this project was an absolute labor of love for the author, and the depth of her research so that she could give a voice to the Happy Landers is apparent throughout the novel. One of the things that I really enjoyed was her straightforward writing style. The third-person narrator was direct and mirrored the tone of the colloquial speech patterns of her characters. As a result, the prose never condescended to or patronized the characters.
While the pacing of the novel was uneven in places, the importance and the need for this story in the world outweighs any negative criticisms.
“It used to scare me the way you speak your mind, but lately I’ve been thinking that the good Lord must’ve put you on this earth to help those who can’t help themselves.”
Her grandmother then laid down on her pallet on the opposite side of the fire, as if she hadn’t said anything out of the ordinary, but she’d said a mouthful. All her life Louella had been told to shut her mouth, mind her manners, and stop being so insolent. When all she ever wanted was to be heard. To be seen as more than some no-count enslaved girl. Her grandmother’s words blessed her very soul.
Thank you, Vanessa. My soul was blessed from reading this book.
Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the opportunity to read and review this novel. All opinions are my own.