From the Embers by Aly MartinezContemporary Romance/Romantic SuspenseApril 28, 2021 Self PublishedReview by Jen From the Embers by Aly Martinez was SO good! I wasn’t sold on the premise, it just sounded sad and wrong. But, people were loving it and I gave it a try. We have two couples and a tragic fire that leads to solo parenting by the survivors. Eason is married to Jessica and they have a baby, Luna. Rob is married to Bree and they have two young children as well. Best friends Continue Reading
Audiobook Review: Reel by Kennedy Ryan
Reel by Kennedy RyanContemporary06/08/2021 Self PublishedARC Review by Melinda Reel is a story that at first I had difficulty putting my finger on what time period it was taking place in, and I think that was because the story felt timeless, something that I loved about this book. When Neevah is cast as the star in a new biopic that Canon Holt is directing, everything changes for her. We can tell from the beginning that both Neevah and Canon are passionate people. Canon is a famous Continue Reading
Review: One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston
One Last Stop by Casey McQuistonLGBTQ Contemporary RomanceJune 1, 2021, by St. Martin's Review by Melinda I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It’s delightfully queer and set in New York, which combined was just one of the best experiences to listen to, although since I can’t travel right now did leave me feeling a little melancholy. August has just moved to NYC, and the atmosphere felt incredibly accurate. While I don't live there, I have visited yearly for about 10 years, and the descriptions Continue Reading
Review: Neon Gods by Katee Robert
Neon Gods by Katee RobertDark Olympus #1Contemporary Fantasy/Mythology RetellingsJune 1, 2021, by Sourcebooks CasablancaARCReviewed by Angela After seeing Katee Robert talk about this new series on Twitter I will admit to being intrigued and as I'm always up for any kind of mythology retelling I immediately added it to be TBR list. I'm not sure what sub-genre to classify this book as. Definitely a retelling, and it IS a sort of fantasy since we are talking about Zeus, Hades, Demeter, Continue Reading
Melinda’s Minis: The Wreckage of My Presence by Casey Wilson and Anne of Manhattan by Brina Starler
The Wreckage of My Presence by Casey WilsonNon-Fiction May 4, 2021, by Harper Review by Melinda I’m familiar with Casey Wilson because I’m an unapologetic Real Housewives watcher, which also makes me an unapologetic Bitch Sesh listener, Casey’s podcast, alongside co-host with Dana Schneider. I listened to an audio ARC of this one, and I would highly recommend listening to it, rather than reading it. Casey obviously is a talented actress and from her time doing the podcast is Continue Reading
Melinda’s Minis: Hang the Moon by Alexandria Bellefleur & The Anatomy of Desire by L.R. Dorn
Hang the Moon by Alexandria BellefleurContemporary RomanceMay 25, 2021, by AvonAudio ARC Review by Melinda This was such a delightful book to read! Brendon was a side character in Written in the stars - the brother to the main character there. Brendon is basically a hopeless romantic, who believes in love, and is working to improve his dating app. And Annie is the best friend of the other main character, who thinks that true love is a farce and the everyone leaves, because that’s what Continue Reading
Review: Still Beating by Jennifer Hartmann
Still Beating by Jennifer HarmannRomantic Suspense/Dark RomanceDecember 20, 2020Review by Jen Still Beating is a heart-breaking, uncomfortable, provocative and brilliant read. This book has been making the rounds in a few of my book groups for the last few months. I finally decided to give it a try. Warning, many, many triggers, including rape. Cora is at a bar celebrating her sister Mandy’s birthday. Cora ends up staying out late, well past when her sister and friends left Continue Reading
Review: Totally Engaged by Mina V. Esguerra
Totally Engaged by Mina V. EsguerraContemporary RomanceMay 14, 2021, Self PublishedARC Review by Melinda I think Mina V. Esguerra is such a talented writer and generally I pick up anything she writes. But this book is really up there with one of my favorites of hers. Rose is a fashion entrepreneur who is pretty happy with her life and what she has. However, her mother is not as happy about any of it. Rose's entire immediate family immigrated to the United States, but Rose had aged out of Continue Reading
Jen’s Mini Audible Reviews: Reviews for Books by Amy Harmon, Jennifer L. Armentrout, Kerri Maniscalco, Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy and Kylie Scott
I love listening to books when I go on walks and when I’m working around my house. All of the below books were excellent. I’m pretty particular about voices. There's one popular male narrator out there who just gives me creepy uncle vibes. I really enjoyed these stories AND the narrators were terrific. No creepy uncle. :) The Songbook of Benny Lament by Amy Harmon Epic!!! This was brilliant!! The narrator, Rob Shapiro was spot on. The story takes place in NYC in the 1960s and Shapiro’s Continue Reading
Review: People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
People We Meet on Vacation by Emily HenryContemporary Romance/Women's FictionMay 11, 2021, by BerkleyARCReview by Angela Favorite Quote: "You're staring at me because I'm tall?" Alex says"Very tall," I say, as if that clears things up. It's easier than saying, I have missed you, beautiful smile. It's so good to see you, strong arms and legs. Thank you, freakishly taut belly, for feeding this person I love so much. After reading last year's release by this author, Beach Read, I couldn't Continue Reading