Book Review Genre: Mixed

The Analysis:

My search for a read-a-thon for November led me to Booktube. I suppose looking at it now that it’s not too different from the last one, but maybe I’ll try to make it a little harder next time. But if you love this, peep where I got it from, here. Now if this readathon leads you to doubt my review abilities, I respect that. I did rank a vampire book higher than a Beverly Jenkins book. Sue me, I like what I like. Now, I didn’t complete a blackout, but only because I wanted to fit in Nonfiction November. I have one week left to do that. So, I’m going to be reading about Joan of Arc. Let’s Book Review these books though.

Disclaimer: Reading is all about discovery, but this Book Review does not shy away from spoiling specific scenes as this is more of a look inside the good and bad of a book.

Prompt: Newest on TBR

Book review for A Holly Jolly Diwali by Sonya Lalli

I was in love with this book from page one. I quickly grew an appreciation for the heroine’s music and movie knowledge. Which was why I settled in because I was not expecting to DNF this one. And I really ended up identifying with her in certain aspects. The heroine got fired the same day as her first date (set up by her parents) and when she didn’t cancel, I was so happy for her. And she had a date with the right one too because she was having a nervous breakdown and this man stayed princely. I thought I was in love with Raj, and then the author helped me realize by the end that I was making the same mistake as the heroine. Although, to my credit, I didn’t assume Guy #2 was a playa. Now, the heroine’s visit to Mumbai is a slice of life and a peek into another culture. Whenever an Indian actor was mentioned, I took the time to look them up. I’m an avid Bollywood watcher, but I don’t know anyone by name, just face. And I was just happy that I recognized most. I also loved the celebrity appearance and the advice he gave. Then the new guy entered the picture and I was sold when he dangled her over the pool. See below. Overall, their relationship followed a natural progression. Diya’s support of her two besties falling in love was endearing. The sister, Jasmine, straddled the line between healthy independence and selfishness and unfortunately, she fell on the latter for me. The parents were cool. Especially towards the end when she told them that she loved the way she turned out. So what’s off? It reads like women’s fiction. I’m not fully invested in the cute couple. Final decision: It’s a fun read, but something is missing, and I’m not sure what.

Recommendation:

Score: 3 out of 5
Available: Google Play

Prompt: Seasonal Book

Book review for Autumn Winds by Charlotte Hubbard

In Christian romance, Amish novels are a huge part of the category. Romantic couples in Christian movies/books can leave a lot to be desired. But I am a Christian and I would like some connection to that side of my beliefs in my reading. And I do believe that this fits the bill. I had an enjoyable reading experience, that’s for sure. Now I do think this might fit the definition of instalove. Yet, I enjoyed every minute of it because they possessed this chemistry brewing just beneath the surface of everything they did together. I took a point off for little nitpicky things that I didn’t like. One being the war of words. Throwing biblical scriptures at each other to win an argument. Just weird to me, unfamiliar. The second was the forgiveness trial that came across as more biased than spiritual. There was enough info that the car was all about ego. Ego is wrong (period, no confusion). The minute he didn’t sell the car and donate the money to whatever, it was ego. Why are there three opinions and different verses being cited on punishment? He was wrong and should face consequences, not judgment, those are two different things and thus no discussion needs to be had. To end with something good, let’s talk about a Christian aspect I liked. My favorite part of it was the moments where they would just take a moment and check-in with God. They’d say a quick prayer asking for direction in whatever they were going through at the moment. Great model behavior for real life. I would definitely continue in the series because I’m curious about Rhoda’s love story.

Recommendation:

Score: 3 out of 5
Available: Amazon

Prompt: Suspense Book

Book review for Agent Under Siege by Lena Diaz

I read another romantic suspense from Harlequin that just didn’t land. Follow me on Goodreads if you want to know what that book was. This book starts off with a lot of character development and the chemistry between the hero and heroine is falling off the pages. It’s so good. She refuses to be a victim and wants to actively be a part of taking her tormentor down. This man is a serial killer. So I hurt for her when the hero decides that she can’t be on the case. She did a lot of work to come to this point. Of course, he eventually changes his mind. Then the shocker of all shockers happens with the ambush scene. Overall, the heroine’s fear is hard to read and I wanted more fight, but it was easy to understand why she didn’t have any. It was a tad annoying that she kept asking to help. Despite the fact that she really couldn’t without being frozen by fear. However, she came through on a couple of occasions

Recommendation:

Score: 4 out of 5
Available: Google Play

Prompt: Bipoc Author

Book review for Topaz by Beverly Jenkins

The old-school cover for this book is better. But let’s talk plot. The story opens with an old-fashioned heist and it piques my interest. The father of the heroine is a pretty funny character. But the introduction of the hero during the wedding scene is when it really took off. The scene read like an episode of Walker Texas Ranger (OG version) and I was smitten. We have a virgin heroine and a stoic hero. He calls her his little warrior woman and frequently has to arrest her because of her little protests. They were too cute. The intimacy portion could be a tad annoying in that she was so independent in her views on sex it lost its meaning in the face of her naivety. It does remind me, tho, that he might be totally average, but she wouldn’t be able to tell the diff. Got this man sounding like God’s gift to women. But the scenes were steamy and even the kiss scenes will have you sweating. The story was just far too long tho. This author loved her side quests. They were all interesting, but the ones that stood out to me were: the Black and Seminole tribe being ruined by alcohol addiction and the real-life implications of acting out a Greek play. Now just slightly, but the heroes return to his homeland kinda soured me on him. I got his reasoning, but the cold shoulder was downright disrespectful. It was too many other things going on, she lives with his sidepiece, half the town hating her out of jealousy. A supportive husband would have been preferred to one nursing his own fears despite hers. It was also silly for them both not to admit they love each other in the face of so many people telling them yall in love. But in true romance fashion, he gets it together and puts his life with his woman first. The odd pacing is why I feel like I need to give it a three. But I get why other people love it. Initially, I wanted to go through and read this author’s blacklist. But it’s not written in a way that’s palpable to my reading style. So while I’ll stick to my Bev Jenkins TBR list I’ll probably only be able to read one a year.

Recommendation:

Score: 3.5 out of 5
Available: Google Play

Prompt: Indie Author

Book review for Forever Right Now by Emma Scott

Just within the prologue, the hero is coming across so bro douche, its ewww. But his appeal increases exponentially at the entrance of his kid. For most of the book, it’s a 4 star read for me. Until he discusses his feelings on criminal justice with the heroine and in my eyes he plummets to a 3. His theory: The justice system failed my mother by giving a drunk driver a second chance. So I’m going to become a lawyer that way no one gets a chance. Everyone just pays dearly for their mistakes and all is right with the world. My heart and head can’t root for a man like that to be happy. There is no justice in his actions just cold-hearted revenge. Everyone has a story including the villain. The hero also has a brother, who was three by the time their mother died and is now traveling the world running from his memories. First of all, he’s young enough to have no memories. His experience with death should be vastly different from his brother’s and should theoretically be easier. But criminal justice aside, I don’t think there’s a lot to like about the hero outside of his daughter. Anyway, the story shined with the custody battle. The surprise twist had me shook. I did some skipping just to get to the court scenes. My heart just fell for him. But the ending will give you a toothache it’s so sweet. His speech to the judge for his internship made me want to scream, you go boy. What I loved about the story, overall, is that it very much felt like a peek into the life of two very different people. I was reading about them navigating their lives and falling in love.

Recommendation:

Score: 3.5 out of 5
Available: Amazon

Prompt: Backlist Book

Book review for The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black

I started this book a long time ago and then stopped because life got in the way. I made it to about CH 7, but when I hopped back in I still remembered the highlights. A perfect choice for my blacklist pick. The main thing from this reading is that I owe Nicholas Sparks an apology. I largely considered that man to be the worse popular writer alive lol. Then I read, Holly Black, who I personally consider having the same style, of writing large swathes of exposition, and the girl changed my mind. This book was interesting to me and I never got bored. Aidens entire character arc was a head-scratcher. So I took points off for him and Gavriel, I just didn’t see the point of Tana following them. But I was along for the ride. Through the eyes of Midnight and Winter, I saw just how scary this world could be. Anyway, I wondered what awaited Tana in Coldtown. Her first kiss with the dangerous vamp had me like, are they fated mates, cause make it make sense? But the bloody kiss itself was cool. Coldtown offered up a few surprises for me. The world was thoroughly intriguing. The biggest confusion was Tana leaving Aiden because he was a murderer, but fully trusting Midnight. Sis, you should have reasonably seen that coming. What was also aggravating was any fight Tana was in, like please no, she’s losing this one. But in the end, she really came through. The ending leaves you with a hopeful opening. As many complaints as I had, I still enjoyed the journey until the mistakes really didn’t matter. That leaves only one score.

Recommendation:

Score: 4 out of 5
Available: Google Play

Prompt: 2021 Release

Book review for The Housekeeper of Thornhallow Hall by Lotte James

This is one of those books that I should have read during my Halloween readathon. But as it fit the prompt, I fit it in here. The hero shows light, light hints of misogyny in his admiration for the heroine. But the main thing, I’m instantly attracted to her strength and want to do her job to the fullest. I’m not a huge fan of the hero. It was firmly decided when the heroine chose to clean the dust-filled room of his dead relative and he exploded on her. Despite making it clear that she hadn’t moved or thrown anything out. I understand grief, but this dude wanted the dust bunnies too, like chill. I can’t really say why, but I never full latched on to their romance. It was just an okay read.

Recommendation:

Score: 3 out of 5
Available: Google Play