Farewell 2024, HELLO 2025 Releases!: The Last Bookstore on Earth by Lily Braun-Arnold - REVIEW!

Should old acquaintance be forgot?  I guess it REALLY depends on the acquaintance.  Considering the story I'm featuring today, it's a little bit of both.  But I digress...today we're saying GOODBYE to 2024, and HELLO to 2025.  It's here whether we're ready or not...and hopefully you're more ready than not...but if you're reading list isn't ready, I've got another for your TBR right here.  It's a YA lit Dystopian title set to release January 7th via Delacorte Press, and it's one of those stories you can't help but be caught up in, yet the exact why is illusive.  Ready for more?  Here we go!  Ladies and gents, today's ebook of choice...

The Last Bookstore on Earth

by

Lily Braun-Arnold

9780593899489

Delacorte Press

About the book...

The world is about to end. Again.

Ever since the first Storm wreaked havoc on civilization as we know it, seventeen-year-old Liz Flannery has been holed up in an abandoned bookstore in suburban New Jersey where she used to work, trading books for supplies with the few remaining survivors. It’s the one place left that feels safe to her.

Until she learns that another earth-shattering Storm is coming . . . and everything changes.

Enter Maeve, a prickly and potentially dangerous out-of-towner who breaks into the bookstore looking for shelter one night. Though the two girls are immediately at odds, Maeve has what Liz needs—the skills to repair the dilapidated store before the next climate disaster strikes—and Liz reluctantly agrees to let her stay.

As the girls grow closer and undeniable feelings spring up between them, they realize that they face greater threats than the impending Storm. And when Maeve’s secrets and Liz’s inner demons come back to haunt them both, they find themselves fighting for their lives as their world crumbles around them.

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Have you ever read a book where nothing much happens and yet EVERYTHING happens?  It's not a mover and shaker type of story, and yet you can't turn away from it.  I think it's the humanity in the writing, and the eeriness of the reality painted before our eyes that really caught me in its spell.  I could step back and see that we hadn't moved very much in the story, and yet I couldn't care less.  I was caught in the here and now, but also the glimpses at the past as we gradually build the history of what happened in the world and in HER world.  The her in that statement is Liz.  I could easily see myself in her place, and while I'd like to say that I would have had a more Maeve take on the change in circumstances, meaning that I could keep things light, keep moving, and do what was needed whenever needed, I think I'd really be more of a Liz whereas I would want to preserve what I could of normal everyday life, and try to make a go of things where I was at versus taking on the newly changed world.  The thing is the place that they've landed isn't even their final destination because everything that's already happened is about to come back again in possibly an even worse way.  The good news, they've been through some of it at least before so they know what to avoid, but the bad news is that a world in turmoil tossed into MORE turmoil doesn't always take that change kindly.  Some fight back...and sometimes the one with more bite wins.

This was an incredible story that kept me turning pages.  I needed to know what happened before, but I wanted to see what would happen in the present.  Honestly, I'm still curious what would happen in the days to come, but I'm not certain this is the type of story that would benefit from an additional release.  I think it's meant to leave you with the feelings built during the story, while making you imagine what might still occur.  I'll warn you the feelings do get heavy, and some scenes are definitely more traumatic than others, but I wouldn't miss out on the experience for the world.  If you enjoy Young Adult Fiction with a Fantasy/Dystopian flair, this is wholeheartedly the story for you.

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About the author...

Lily Braun-Arnold is currently an undergraduate at Smith College studying English. When she isn’t writing, she can be found working at her local independent bookstore, Watchung Booksellers, or daydreaming about living in outer space.

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Special thanks to the Random House Children's team for the approval on NetGalley for review.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, the author, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links above.  This title is set to release January 7th, 2025 via Delacorte Press, so mark your calendar, or preorder your copy today!

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT...

...and wishing you and yours a happy new year!

WHAT'S THE BUZZ!: The Little Bad Book #3: Your Time Has Come by Magnus Myst - REVIEW!

Today, we're spreading a little pre book birthday BUZZ about a new title COMING SOON from Delacorte Press/Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing!

Riddle me this, riddle me that.

How are YOU at riddles?  Puzzles?  Brainteasers?

Love them?  Like the challenge?

How about a cute...I mean, dastardly bad (but actually really good!) story?

Now how about we COMBINE the two?

The final results...a choose-your-own-adventure style read the likes of which you've probably never seen...unless you've been using LBB's time machine, and you've already been here, read this post, and are getting ready to read it again... 😉  Unless that is the case...and I suppose, even if it is...get ready for a BUZZ worthy title coming your way VERY SOON!

THE LITTLE BAD BOOK #3: YOUR TIME HAS COME

The Little Bad Book series, Book 3

by

Magnus Myst

Illustrated by

Thomas Hussung

9780593427675

Delacorte Press

Release Date: June 6th, 2023

About the book...

Hey, you! Good thing you’re here! See, I need a reader who’s got some guts. And who’s brave and clever and cunning—plus also, ideally, super delicious. Uh, no, not delicious. Forget I said that. Brave and smart, I meant to say. Exactly. Are you brave and smart? And do you want to help me? I promise you this: if you read me, it’ll be the last thing you . . . uh, no, the best time you’ve ever had in your whole life!

So how about it? Do you dare read me? If so, here’s a hint . . . be sure to pack a Time Travel Emergency Kit. You might just need it!

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As you can see, this is a BAD book.  Really bad.  Like needs his little booger face wiped sort of bad.  Like want so much to be a BIG bad book that he explores the contents of a mysterious spell book without reading the warnings fully or taking heed of the cautionary statements, travels through time making changes here, there, and everywhere, and awakens the dreaded Time Wo...I mean, hang on.  Stop the presses!  A deviously cute little bad book would never do a thing like that!  Nor would he endeavor to put some non-existing creature back to rest with an even MORE devious plan that you won't be privy to until it's too late!  I mean, that's absurd!

Right?  😮

All of that unnecessary worry aside because we KNOW the LBB would never do that to his readers...*ahem*...this is a FUN read!  Yes, you dodge pirates.  Yes, you're outrunning the police.  Yes, you go to the future and encounter a purer time where technology is now a part of you.  That's all a part of the allure!  HOWEVER, in order to get from point A to point B, it's not as straightforward as reading the book.  You have to participate in the book.  There are choices to be made, puzzles to solves, and riddles to be tackled, and some are easier than others.  No, really!  I was STUMPED at one point and kept getting circled back to the Time Vortex, and seriously thought I'd be stuck there forever with them (at least there was good company!), so pay attention!  Don't miss a trick, or you too might end up wasting unnecessary time and become besties with those pesky pirates!

A fun read that also makes you put those brain muscles to use, though my first time in the series, I can honestly see it being a favorite with readers of all ages, if not for the story alone, then the added challenges that await!

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Special thanks to Cat at Nicole Banholzer PR for the chance to bring this title to you and to Delacorte Press for the copy for review. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the series, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above. This title is available June 6th via Delacorte Press, an imprint of Penguin Random House, so plan a stop by your local brick and mortar, or order your copy online today!

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!

BOOK BIRTHDAY wishes and FANTASTICAL reads - KID LIT Edition!

Hi guys!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're shining the BOOK BIRTHDAY spotlight on a title releasing TODAY via Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. It's a Children's Fiction book featuring a retelling of the Japanese Cinderella filled with MAGIC, DREAMS, and DRAGONS! Sound like your cup of tea? Yeah, MINE TOO! It's coming up next on my TBR, but I couldn't let it's big day pass by without a celebratory post, so ready...set...here we go!

Alliana, Girl of Dragons

by

Julie Abe

9780316300353

Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

About the book...

Once upon a time, Alliana believed in dreams and fairy tales as sweet as spun-sugar clouds. Alliana wished on shooting stars, sure that someday she and her grandmother would be able to travel to the capital city to see the queen. Then her grandmother passed away—and those dreams disappeared in a disenchanted puff.

Now Alliana’s forced to attend to the whims of her wicked stepmother—with long days of cleaning her stepfamily’s inn as her skin burns raw or staying up until the crack of dawn to embroider her stepsister’s ball gowns. Until she meets two beings who change her life forever—the first is a young nightdragon who Alliana discovers she can magically talk to. And the second is Nela, a young witch.

Nela needs Alliana’s help navigating the mysterious abyss, filled with dangerous beasts, a place Alliana knows by heart. Alliana sees Nela’s request as a chance to break free of her stepmother’s shadow and to seize a chance at a life she’s barely dared to hope for—but there’s a risk. If caught, Alliana will be stuck working for her stepmother for the rest of her life. Can Alliana truly make wisps of dreams into her own, better-than-a-fairy-tale happily ever after?

Inspired by the Japanese Cinderella story and set in the same world as the Eva Evergreen series, this story can be read as a standalone.

NOW...while I catch up on this read, here's a few titles that I have recently finished that fall along the same lines of FANTASICAL reading, perfect to kiss the last days of summer goodbye...

Race for the Escape

by

Christopher Edge

9780593486016

Delacorte Press

This story begins as an escape room challenge and somewhere along the way morphs into a REAL quest to save the world. Honestly, I can't say too much about it because it would spoil the revelations made as the story progresses and you start to put the pieces together, but there's certainly more here than meets the eye. It's a story that will draw you in with the action, the danger, and the quest, but keeps it's hold on you even when things start to turn upside down. Readers will get lost, but willingly so in the challenge, and yet walk away with a new understanding of how even one person can affect change. Ami really gets this, even though she technically shouldn't. She sees that the real challenge is in getting people to think differently, and realize how big a part they really play. Trust me on this, just read it.

The Light Hunters

by

Dan Walker

9781912979103

UCLan Publishing

So I've been sitting on this one for a while, not because it wasn't AMAZING, but for lack of time because it's not a story that you can rush. There is so much going on here and in the world created by the author that you really have to focus in to capture it all. There's monsters and light that isn't just something that escaped from the sun, there's dark that isn't just an absence of light, machines that can do bewildering things, and people that do things you could only imagine. There's teamwork and truth, mysterious pasts revealed and dark futures that could await them...and this is only BOOK ONE! Lux is a great character, easily related to and hard not to feel for, but so is his best friend, his grandpa, and the new members of his team. It's a story that readers will walk away from amazed by the ideas suggested, dazzled by the story unfolded, and desperately wanting to see where things go next!

Dance Magic

Autumn Moonbeam, Book 1

by

Emma Finlayson-Palmer

Illustrated by

Holly Cannon

9781912979769

UCLan Publishing

This delightful first installment of the Autumn Moonbeam series is perfectly timed for the upcoming reading season, though the magic is equally potent outside this spooky fun reading season. Autumn has a big heart, a kind streak a mile long, but she also wants to DANCE, and the opening with Sparkledale Dance Academy is the PERFECT fit. She'll be with friends doing something she loves, and what could make a little witch's heart sing more, am I right? Only problem, we've got a bully in our midst, who seems to think a little less of themselves, seeing how they act out against out girl Autumn, but the tricks on her. The outcome isn't what she was expecting, and could have been much worse than how it played out, all thanks to Autumn reminding us that two wrongs don't make a right, and turning the other cheek is just as gratifying, perhaps even more so, as you reach for your dreams on your own measure. I can't wait to see what's in store for this trio of friends in the next release!

Mr. Penguin and the Tomb of Doom

Mr. Penguin, Book 4

by

Alex T. Smith

9781682634592

Peachtree

This series has always been SO MUCH FUN and this installment is certainly no different. Mr. Penguin, Colin, and friends are at it again, but this time there's a kidnapping, a relic, a thief (or multiple?), a kid with a one eyed cat, and a pigeon that won't lay off consuming a particular book. Yep, it's an EPIC story, and if you're of a certain age, or a fan of the series, your fan heart and mind will be screaming "the whip for the idol". That's right! The play on word title...has a play on story, story with Mr. Penguin playing the intrepid professor with the iconic hat, and having just as many danger filled adventures, all while strongly craving a good fish finger sandwich. It's a series great for kiddos, but equally wonderful for older readers that should not be missed!

Many thanks to the publishers and publicists involved with the titles listed above. Your reach outs, review copies, and heads up notifications are beyond appreciated in keeping us all apprised of the latest and greatest must know stories out there! All titles listed are available now, even some of the sequels, so grab your wish list and get to adding...or better still, you were making a trip to the bookstore later, right?

Under next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!

Find your voice... DEAR STUDENT by Elly Swartz - REVIEW!

Hi guys and gals!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Well, it's the month of love, so you're in for another windfall of posts today, starting with a Middle Grade Fiction title that just celebrated its BOOK BIRTHDAY via Delacorte Press! It stars a young girl trying to find her voice as she navigates the wild and wooly world of sixth grade.  There's family issues, school issues, animal issues, boy issues...how about just plain issues of all kinds to sort out, deal with, and overcome, but if anyone can do it, Autumn can.  Ready or not, here comes today's book of choice...

Dear Student

by

Elly Swartz

9780593374122

Delacorte Press

About the book...

Starting Middle School is rough for Autumn after her one and only BFF moves to California. Uncertain and anxious, she struggles to connect with her new classmates. The two potential friends she meets could not be more different: bold Logan who has big ideas and quiet Cooper who’s a bit mysterious. But Autumn has a dilemma: what do you do when the new friends you make don’t like each other?

When Autumn is picked to be the secret voice of the Dear Student letters in the Hillview newspaper, she finds herself smack in the middle of a problem with Logan and Cooper on opposite sides. But before Autumn can figure out what to do, the unthinkable happens. Her secret identity as Dear Student is threatened. Now, it’s time for Autumn to find her voice, her courage, and follow her heart, even when it’s divided.

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Our adventure with Autumn begins with a wayward iguana, as all good adventures must.  He's unintentionally injured, which gets us our introduction to the new kid in town, and lands us squarely in school just before the bell, contemplating our luck and the new school year.  After all, it's not everyday you start sixth grade, and it's not every year you're eligible to apply to be the anonymous voice behind the "Dear Student" advice section in the school paper...not that Autumn would ACTUALLY apply or anything.  I mean, she's thought about it, and her little sister (that goes by Pickle) has granted her a big sister cape so she can find her inner Fearless Fred, but she'd never actually do it.  Or would she?  

I mean, what's the big deal?  Her wayward dad is off to find himself in the arms of the Peace Corps, leaving her wondering why they weren't enough.  Her new friends couldn't be more different from one another, leaving her feeling like the egg salad in the middle of a PB&J.  Her own anxiety is cranked up several notches alone simply from all the stress she's already dealing with, including her best friend having moved out of town and now being a phone call or text away; it's not the same.  No, she doesn't need the added worries, or deadlines...but what if?  What if this could be her ONE THING this year?  The thing that she does for herself because she wants to, enjoys it even, and in this case...she wouldn't even have to worry about all eyes being on her because it's anonymous...WHAT IF indeed!

Needless to say, she applies, and gets the role, otherwise what in the world would the story have been about, but that's where we veer off into the land of lessons running right alongside the story.  We learn that when giving advice, it's not the right or wrong of it for the person receiving it, but that it came from the heart.  If we don't believe in it, how can they possibly even consider it?  We come to understand that sometimes the right thing and the easy thing are completely at odds with one another, and it doesn't make you a bad person or bad friend when you choose to be true to your self.  Those moments are the ones that simply help us sort out who our true friends really are....those that accept us for who WE are and our beliefs, regardless again of their agreement with them.  We see how one person CAN help change the world, but it takes a voice that won't be silenced, and back up is never a bad thing!  I loved how the author let Autumn stumble, but not fall, experience growth while helping others to grow, and showed us the power that exists in truly finding yourself.  

The story's conclusion isn't all sunshine and roses, but it is clarity with a healthy dose of reality, and that can have a far bigger impact for readers in this category than making everything right as rain.  I think this title will find a home with quiet youngsters as well as those that already speak their mind, as there is truly something to be gleaned from it for everyone.

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About the author...

Elly Swartz grew up in Yardley, Pennsylvania. She studied psychology at Boston University and received her law degree from Georgetown University Law Center. Elly lives in Massachusetts and is happily married with two grown sons, a beagle named Lucy, and a pup named Baxter Bean. Finding Perfect, called “a clear, moving portrayal of obsessive-compulsive disorder” by Publishers Weekly, was her debut novel. She is also the author of Smart Cookie and Give and Take.

FACEBOOK  |  TWITTER  |  INSTAGRAM

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Special thanks to Brianna of the Wunderkind PR team for the chance to bring this title to you and to Delacorte Press for the ARC for review. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above. This title is available now via Delacorte Press, an imprint of Penguin Random House, so stop by your local brick and mortar, or order your copy online today!

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!

PRE BOOK BIRTHDAY BUZZ: Coming Up for Air by Nicole B. Tyndall - REVIEW!

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're shining the late night book spotlight on a title set to celebrate its BOOK BIRTHDAY this Tuesday via Delacorte Press, an imprint of Penguin Random House. It's a NEW Young Adult title that deals with some pretty heavy topics, doesn't sugar coat, and yet still reminds us that we're never truly alone, if only we'll reach out a hand. Ready or not, here comes today's book of choice...

Coming Up for Air

by

Nicole B. Tyndall

9780593127087

Delacorte Press

About the book…

Ever since her mom’s cancer scare, Hadley hasn’t been one for taking risks. And after seeing her sister go through one too many heartbreaks, she definitely has no interest in dating. Hadley just wants to keep her head down and enjoy the rest of high school with her friends, focusing on her photography and getting into the art school of her dreams.

Then enters Braden, star of the swim team and precisely the kind of person Hadley avoids, all bravado and charm and impulsivity. From their first moment together, they are perfect sparring partners, equally matched. And it’s intoxicating. Braden sees her, really sees her, and Hadley decides it might be time to break all her rules.

Braden shows Hadley how to live again, and soon Hadley is happier than she’ll ever admit out loud. But that’s before her family is faced with devastating news, and Braden starts hiding a growing, dark secret. As it threatens to shatter everything they’ve built, Hadley must confront her own actions and determine if she has the strength to walk away.

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Figuring out the meaning behind the title is half the fun. Coming Up for Air was such an easy one, or so you might think, considering the main leading male is a swimmer. Ah, but then you’d be judging things a bit too quickly…

Coming Up for Air comes into play SO MANY times in this novel, I'd almost lost track. First, the obvious one we mentioned because at some point, they do have to do that actual action. Second, it applies to Braden yet again in a life sense. Ever been told you take things too seriously? Yeah, well that was him and the swimming. I mean I get it...it was him working towards his goal of a scholarship based on his athletic talent; a totally worthy goal to say the least. The problem lies in that his focus was so laser, so single oriented that when things start messing with that direct path, he's not prepared to swerve. He takes on SO much and keeps holding his head high, so that while yes it looks like he's breathing easy, he's actually been holding his breath the whole time. 

Then we have it in a life sense for our girl, Hadley. She's definitely been treading water, what with her family dealing with her mother's diagnosis and treatment. Add to that college entries, the current school year, and her new boyfriend, Braden. Yeah, okay spoiler alert there, but it's not really because it's pretty much the first thing that happens after we're introduced to the PRESENT and then the PAST. Anyway, why would she need to be coming up for air...especially in the last scenario. Ever get lost in someone? I mean to the point where we don't know where you end and they begin? Yeah, it hits our girl hard, the love bug that is, but there's something else. His problems become her problems and she feels guilty, as if she added to his problems, and that just snowballs from there until it all falls apart, rather spectacularly, and heartbreakingly all at the same time.

So you see, the titles applies several times over and in many ways, but in the end, they all add up to taking a moment in your life to actually BREATHE. It's never too late to change course, and the bumps in the road or rough water we encounter are meant for us to grow from and overcome, but if ever they feel like TOO much, there's no harm in reaching out for a helping hand. In the end, the story kept me pulled in,while the heady topics came as somewhat of a surprise, but I have to admit, as dark as some things get, I appreciated the way the author handled a topic so large and yet so meaningful.

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About the author...

Nicole grew up in a small town in Michigan and currently lives in Brooklyn, NY with her husband, Matt. When she’s not reading or writing, Nicole can be found cooking in her tiny apartment, trying to collect stamps on her passport, or laughing with her lifelong girlfriends.

Visit Nicole online at nicolebtyndall.com and follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @nicolebtyndall.

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Special thanks to Joey at Random House Children’s Books for the copy for review. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above. This title is set to release this Tuesday (December 15th, 2020), so mark your calendar or pre order your copy today!

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!

Clearing off my "TO REVIEW" shelf: 2019 Edition

Hello, hello!

Welcome back to the FINAL POST of 2019!  What?  You thought the BOOK BIRTHDAY review was my last one of the year?  Okay, well in all fairness, I DID say it might be, but I had designs of trying to get LAST last post of the year together and BOOM, here it is.  

Now a lot of fellow bloggers are doing year end BEST OF posts, which I totally applaud, but mine is a bit different.  It's not a best, worst, or something in-between sort of post....more a hey-these-are-other-titles-I-read-and-haven't-had-a-chance-to-review-properly sorta post to close out the year and start the next with a clean slate.  So it's dual purpose...you help me clean off my "need to review" list/pile, and I help you start 2020 off with a brand spanking FULL WISH LIST to start checking out  (LOL).  Sound good?  Great.  Let's DO THIS!  In no particular order, except maybe a division or two for similar genres, here are my close out titles that I've read and are of note for 2019...

The Knight Before Christmas

by

Marilyn Brant

(Review copy)

Alright, so we all know how much I adore this author's work, right?  Right!  So, when this one came around for a read, I was stoked!  Now, I have to admit something, I did not like our Mr. Knightley at first.  Nope.  In fact, I couldn't imagine what was going to happen to allow him to even be partially good enough for our kindhearted Emma, but love is a mysterious thing and colder hearts have been unfrozen by its touch.  Once the blinders come off, once he sees her for who she really is and not who he perceived her to be, we see the man that was hidden behind the walls for the first time...or perhaps it's better said her reemerges as she saw him (once upon a time) when he didn't even see it in himself.  Another great read to add to my growing list of titles penned by this author that will always have a spot on my shelf.

Seduction on a Snowy Night

(Short Story Trio)

9781496720283

Kensington Books

(Review copy)

A Christmas Abduction by Madeline Hunter

This was an unusual one....especially considering the outcome...but it was, well...I'd say FUN.  How many times can you say that about an abduction?  It's a case of mistaken identity, or rather misplaced blame, where a vendetta of sorts is set to be carried out on the wrong rake.  Is Baron Thornhill worthy of that moniker?  Surely...but not everything is always as it seems.  I found it rather delightful as I watched things play out, and while I held my breath a time or two, not knowing if she'd be outed, what his decision would be, and hoping against hope for a particular pairing to come to pass, I was definitely not left disappointed.  

A Perfect Match by Sabrina Jeffries

I loved the deception carried off by the sisters on their own brother, no less, and how it wasn't nearly as complete a ruse as they thought when it came to the Colonel.  He could tell in a moment that the young beauty he thought he was smitten with wasn't actually the one for him, and while his desire to be a pigheaded man, I mean...his desire to rebuild his estate was great and he'd do right by the lady helping him do it, his heart would not be quieted.  THANK GOODNESS!  I mean, her sister was a lovely lady, but Cass was definitely my favorite and it was time for her to have her story...and one that while unexpected was much deserved!

One Wicked Night by Mary Jo Putney

 If I had to pick a least favorite, this was it, but only because of the pet napping!  (LOL!)  Seriously though, it was nice to see a "mature" (for the time period, I suppose) woman taking on the ton in her own time and finding love once again on her on terms.  Well, okay, more like deliriously falling into it after being caught in a bada** snowstorm and nearly dying, but hey...semantics!









One Christmas Eve
by
Shannon Stacey
9781488059766
Carina Press
(Review copy)


Zoe and Preston are a real treat for all those readers that LOVE a good bookish romance!  She runs a slightly saucy bookstore; he's come to town to help people get their affairs in order.  They may sound like oil and water, but once things get churned up, the mix is downright DELIGHTFUL!  The banter and whit, the battle plans she puts into play utilizing her window display, and the favorite book with marked passage passed between them...let's just say, a definite choice to spice up your cold winter nights!

Restless Rancher

by

Jennifer Ryan

9780062851901

Avon Books

(Review copy)

Austin and Sonya seem worlds apart at first glance, but at heart they are one and the same.  Both are struggling with the past.  Both are grappling to keep a handle on their present,  Both have their sites set on a future more steady and prosperous.  The thing is...sometimes the best laid plans go SERIOUSLY awry, and in this case, that's the best thing for them both!  What Austin's father (and his former fiancée because yeah...I'm not counting her blameless in this!) did to their family was unforgivable.  What Sonya's mother's relations did to them was beyond excusable.  While it wasn't all done to them on an individual level, they have hearts, which they've promptly buried (understandably so), so yeah, the pain is still there.  The resentment, the anger, the desire for payback...all swim in a pool of unhealthy WANT just waiting to be set free...but sometimes the soul recognizes another soul and a connection is forged that is strong enough to carry them both through the fires of earthly heck they've been given and rise above.  This is that story....filled with harsh realities, unrepentant evil, and yet, so much love at long last.  If you're a Contemporary Romance fan, this one's for you!







Lady Traveler's Guide to Happily Ever After
by
Victoria Alexander
9780373804078
HQN
(Review copy)


Initially, I had a hard time staying in this one...it didn't seem to have much actually HAPPENING, but then I caught the subtle undercurrents of what was transpiring and started enjoying the dance. A few things I pondered during my time between the pages...1) will he indeed prove himself, 2) will she find security despite the desperate times she is facing, 3) will the merry widows three let them be!  The answers to all these and more were certainly more than adequate and provided for a book that in the end I found rather delightful.

If Only I Could Tell You

by

Hannah Beckerman

9780062890542

William Morrow

(Review copy)

Honest to goodness, this was not the story I thought I was walking into when I first started reading....and I think that's why it was bothering me for a while as I read.  There were all these secrets being alluded to, but unrevealed, one in particular that seemed to start them all, and if it didn't come out sooner rather than later, I thought I might throw my first book.  Hey, I'm being honest!  It kept circling round and round the hidden truth without lifting the curtain it was behind.  Eventually about two thirds in, it happened...and from there my outlook on everything changed.  The losses felt so deeply among this family, the divisions that were the fallout of misunderstandings and assumptions...they all changed their lives so drastically, and filled them with so much hurt and resentment.  It certainly speaks to clearing to the air and speaking your heart in lieu of getting lost between the what ifs and might have beens. 











The Secrets of Paper and Ink
by
Lindsay Harrel
9780718075729
Thomas Nelson
(Self purchase)


What a remarkable story, or rather stories, and with so many messages to take with you long after the final page turn. Sophia has a hard past, and Ginny is having a tough present...their eventual meeting and friendship feels inevitable, almost fated...and I couldn't wait to see how they would help each other rebuild.  I truly enjoyed my time between the pages...and honestly, felt the better for it. The perfect addition to a lazy summer afternoon/weekend when you want to indulge your love of the written word as well as immerse yourself in a heart rendering story.











The Daughter's Tale
by
Armando Lucas Correa
9781501187933
Atria Books
(Self purchase)


This was a heartbreaking and moving tale of a history lost, love that knows no bounds, and the strength/resilience of the human spirit.   I was quite beside myself when I finished reading it and then every time I tried to write something about it, I just fell back into that place of both light and dark when you know you've read something remarkable and yet can't quite put it to words.  There's a section about a fourth of the way in where our leading lady is being asked what it feels like to be her, and the description she gave of her experiences, touched my soul.  I mean, I know the times and situations were GREATLY different, but I really FELT THOSE WORDS to my core from my own hardships with Hurricane Michael.  DO NOT miss this one!

Hate is Such a Strong Word

by

Sarah Ayoub

9780732296841

Harper Collins

(Review copy)

Sophie and Shehadie's story is not new, but it's a new take on things.  It's your typical Young Adult book filled with angst, struggles against "the man", and feelings blooming up left and right...but it also isn't as it deals with prejudice, hate crimes, and racial divisions from the not so white painted lines.  That's right.  In this story, the Lebanese community has the leading voice, whereas the mixed bloodlines of "New Guy" leave him the un-trusted minority.  The thing about it is, it also shows how one voice can help enact change.  One voice can save a soul.  One voice can help uncover the courage of a community currently lost under a blanket of fear and past insecurities.  So yeah, it's pretty powerful stuff, and a definite must read for those looking for strong examples of walking against the crowd in the name of GOOD and what's RIGHT.











Among the Fallen
by
Virginia Francis Schwartz
9780823441020
Holiday House
(Review copy)


I actually had a bit of a hard time getting into this one as Orpha is very much lost and her history is very slowly revealed, but once things take an upswing towards healing, it was golden. The hardships that these girls faced, the way their tormentors were allowed to get away with the most horrid of acts, the guilt that followed her every where she went...it was hard enough to read, let alone understand how she could bare it.  It will certainly make you thankful for the advancements we've made in society and women's rights...and yet, it may very well have you looking at those very issues closer in our time and place to see if we've REALLY come as far as we think...











The Babysitters Coven
by
Kate Williams
9780525707370
Delacorte Press
(Review copy)


Okay, think Buffy for a new generation utilizing an old school teenage (mostly) money making "scheme". It's actually pretty kick-butt once things get started and there is definitely some actual butt kicking to be done, both of those from our world and those not-so-much.  Curious to see where the series goes from here, especially with how things were left!
 













How to Make Friends with the Dark
by
Kathleen Glasgow
9781101934753
Delacorte Press
(Self purchase)


Unusual, and heartbreaking...I can't say enough.  This book really gets loss in its many forms. Whether it's a person, place, or LIFE in general, the processing of the loss, from the catastrophic to the infinitesimal, is different for everyone.  Here, Tiger is so very lost, and blames the state of their (her and her mom's) relationship on her teenage outburst.  While Lala is definitely a soothing balm and Cake is trying to help, life is just a big heaping bowl of darkness with nary a chance of dawn.  It was so hard to see her world just crumble at every turn...I was literally brought to silent tears (I was in the library).  The end doesn't make it turn into a sunshine and rainbows story, but it DOES matter.  Give it a read.  If you've ever truly known loss, you'll find yourself in here.  If you haven't, count your lucky stars and gain an understanding of the world others have had to navigate.

Clyde

by

Jim Benton

9781684054473

YOE Books

(Review copy)

Clyde is ONE.  BAD.  BEAR.  No, really...he's bad to the bone, and there's nothing you can do about it.  He mouths off to moths (who aren't ACTUALLY moths), hurls his grandmother in the pond (she's a turtle; she'll be fine), threatens to do bodily harm with pine cones...and then gets promptly shown what for with a pine cone by a butterfly (hence that "not a moth" comment from earlier).  Yes, Clyde is one bad bear, but what we take away from this "charming" story of unusual friendship, wanting to be the baddest of the bad, and getting out of small town life to conquer the big bad city, is that being the biggest, meanest, baddest creature in the land is all relative.  You can claim the title as long as you want, but there's always gonna be someone bigger, and badder that eventually comes along to knock you off your throne...best to have a few good friends by your side to lighten the fall... or not.  I mean, this IS Clyde we're talking about and he was beaten up by a BUTTERFLY for crying out loud!  A great pick for fans of the author's HAPPY BUNNY creation.

Catwad:  It's Me, Two.

by

Jim Benton

9781338326031

(Self purchase)

Catwad and Blurmp are back and...better than ever?  Well, I guess that depends on your opinion of the duo, but if you've got an open mind, love snark by the ton, and can handle the innocence of Blurmp without mailing him off to abu dhabi, these guys are totally for you!  Once again, they are toted for the younger set, and I'm not saying they won't find them funny, but older readers will be rolling in the aisles.  No, really!  Take SMART for example...where Blurmp is ONLY writing a book...or SALAD which will totally make you rethink your New Year's eating related resolutions!  It's clever, witty, colorful, and fun...and I can't wait to see what they do next!









Nightmares!
by
Jason Segel & Kirsten Miller
Illustrated by
Karl Kwasny
9780385744256
Delacorte Books for Young Readers
(Self purchase)


This story was so VERY CURIOUS and yet so much fun (if you can call running for your life, trying to save your family, and facing your worst fears fun, that is).  I was curious about the "powerful witch" he kept focusing on, and while there were a lot of similarities between her and you-know-who, I couldn't believe it was one in the same.  Was it?  Oh, well...I can't spoil THAT for you.  Also, Charlie's "darkness" was something both otherworldly and of this world, a conundrum I did not expect, but appreciated.  Who knew nightmares could have a purpose other than torture or scaring you half to death! Definitely a fun concept, and I can't wait to check out more of the series.  My only catch point, the rather abrupt ending and the use of "stepmonster" after all that transpired.








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...and that's a wrap!
Hope you enjoyed my thoughts and selections...and I hope you added some to your future reading list for 2020!  Have a happy (and safe) New Year's Eve everyone...see you back here next year...and happy reading!