I didn‘t love this as much as I was expecting to. The time and place setting was interesting. I felt like Gong tried too hard to take on too many “issues” with this book, which led to it being a bit scattered and unfocused. I also couldn‘t feel the chemistry between the two MCs- a pretty big problem for a R&J retelling. The supporting characters fell absolutely flat for me too, which didn‘t help. I didn‘t hate it and it picked up towards the end.

The influence of this book expands well beyond the pages. I appreciate how Mitchell takes the reader through every step of his investigatory process so we can watch as he builds his case. He really provides the reader with insight into the Mississippian mentality and culture. The fact that he helps with four similar cases in this book makes it a bit repetitive by the end, but still a fascinating read.

Very silly but entertaining and fun! It was worth the few hours it took to read, but not much more- like watching a romcom.

Couldn‘t put it down! That being said, I found the ending a bit predictable and a bit of a let down. But, I enjoyed the ride.

I kept listening, which is all I can really say about this book. Patch is abusive, Nora is immature, and the story was essentially the same as the first book.

Not as good as FBAA, though there are obviously a lot of similarities, but I still really enjoyed it. I was just really getting into the story and becoming invested in the characters when it ended, so I guess we‘ll wait to see what the next book has in store for its reader.

Just like with her previous book, Craig‘s writing is beautiful and the atmosphere she creates is delightful. While I liked the American gothic feel of the story, it wasn‘t creative or unique enough to really hook me. The “twist” was obvious from the beginning, and the ending was predictable.

Jan‘s survival is a miracle in and of itself, but the real heroes are the villagers who risked their lives and the lives of their family members in innumerable ways to help him escape. A very fast read but haunting. Howarth‘s is an old-fashioned but interesting voice leading the reader through this amazing tale.

The second half really picked up and I enjoyed it. However, there is something really jarring between the historical setting and the narrative voice of this book. The narrator seems much too modern to be living in the early 1800‘s. Though the setting was beautiful and the story was decent, I couldn‘t believe the narrator or fully immerse myself in the experience.

A profoundly moving and immersive picture of what German resistance during WWII was like for the people who lived there. The second half of the book is particularly effective, as the tension before the Circle‘s arrest builds. I wish there had been more information about what they were accomplishing, and if Arvid and Mildred ever had any regrets about the steps they took to recruit others to their worthy cause. Definitely a recommended read.

I don‘t know if it was the audiobook narrator who got on my nerves or the characters themselves but I had trouble connecting with this book. It seemed to me like it was trying to be Obsidian, but missing the charm and character development. Maybe my expectations were too high, but I was disappointed.

Agatha Christie meets the breakfast club. It almost feels written fir TV, but not in a shallow way.

A total romp. Finally, a female pirate who straddles the line between tough and feminine. The characters felt full and complete, and the story was engaging and fast paced.

Loved the atmosphere and the almost gothic quality to the book. The sisters‘ relationship was sweet. The romance was lackluster and the mystery, not very mysterious.

Finally, all that tension from “The Winner‘s Crime” resolves itself. The characters have grown and matured, and I like who they‘ve become. A fitting end to their story.

Almost too much pain and angst! There is enough miscommunication and stubbornness in this book to drive the most level-headed person crazy. I‘m a lot of ways, it really felt like a set up for the finally installment.

I liked Kestrel a lot- she‘s confident but naive, and has a lot of growing to do. There was so much action and change throughout this story, it kept me ok my toes, which I appreciated.

Oh my god! It‘s almost like this book was written by a different writer than the first one. “Kingdom of the Wicked” had me doubting if I wanted to keep reading the series, but I‘m SO glad I continued! This book was so much fun. The characters grew so much, and we got so much insight into Wrath. I can‘t wait for the next in the series.

I‘m not crazy about how this series ended. The story seemed to get a bit out of Armentrout‘s depth.

A lot going on in this book, and another great hook to keep you reading.

Not my favorite in the series- not a whole lot seemed to happen until the end. It ended on a good hook though, so how can I not continue?

Armentrout is staying pretty consistent throughout these books. I enjoyed this one about as much as I did the first one. Maybe not the most memorable, but still a fun way to pass the time.

Like watching a fun movie, reminiscent a bit of Twilight. Daemon and Katy‘s interactions are rife with good tension, though there‘s nothing much deeper going on.

I solid ending to this series. The story picked up momentum throughout the books. Though this one wasn‘t quite as engaging as the second installment, it was still fun.

I enjoyed this book so much more than the previous one! Callie and Desmond‘s romance really kicks into gear, and I liked the magical kingdom that Thalassa has created. Reading the first installment was worth it, as it led to this one.

I don‘t know how memorable this book was. I don‘t find Callie particularly believable, but I liked the ending and I‘m willing to give her another chance.

I actually liked this whole story better from Hades‘s POV. He‘s more aware of the people around him, and his quick feelings for Persephone make more sense. I liked the insight the reader got into his motivations and feelings.

A strong ending to the trilogy. I think the second book was my favorite of the three, and I don‘t see exactly how everything will work out the way we‘re expected fo believe it will, but I still enjoyed it.

I liked this one much better than the first. The characters and relationships become much more complex, and Lia realizes her potential.

A total romp! This story is full of flying houses, explosions, robbery, assassins, lady pirates, and romance. Holton doesn‘t take anything too seriously and the highly stylized writing takes some getting used to, but it‘s worth it. Very silly, very fun.

The characters and the story were not very inventive- pretty stock for the most part- but this book was still fun. A good afternoon read, and I‘ll definitely read the next one in the series when it‘s available.

A reserved pick for me. The story was good, but somehow Pearson didn‘t capitalize on the excitement the story naturally had. At no time did it seem that Lia was in real danger, for example. I like the story and I want to know what happens next, but she needs to start bringing the drama!

I love the Rumpelstiltskin tale, so I was inclined to like this book. In many ways it reads like a novice novel- there is a lot of sudden love and telling not showing- but that being said, I still enjoyed this book. It ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, so I hope there‘s a second book in the works.

What was so wonderful about this book was that it wasn‘t just about Churchill- it was also about his family and his administration. Larson balances the man with the myth quite well and gives his reader insight into Churchill‘s motivations and desires. A fascinating read.

Macintyre has a way of breathing life into every historical person he writes about. Though “Sonya‘s” wartime adventures are not as thrilling as some others he‘s written about, you can still feel her personality shine through. Macintyre‘s sympathetic and wonderful storytelling ability make his books hard to put down.

I couldn‘t put this book down. Boyne js such a sympathetic writer. This book was heartbreaking and awful and beautiful.

I liked this one better than the previous one, as the author has actually introduced some tension into the story, but though the romance has plenty of “spice,” it could really benefit from some variation.

A wonderful history of the Queen Charlotte islands and the logging industry of North America. Vaillant‘s emotional writing tugs on the heartstrings of the reader and enhances the already existing love and respect most people naturally have for the rainforest. I didn‘t expect to enjoy this book as much as I did.

Though there is quite a bit of action, the author fails to generate any real suspense. The pacing just seemed a bit off to me and I had trouble staying engaged. I enjoyed it enough to continue with the series, however.

A cheesy but fun romance. I liked the characters, even if they a bit simplistic, but my favorite thing about this book was the setting.

It‘s not the fault of the book, but this just wasn‘t what I was looking for. It‘s definitely more of a self help book, and less of an analysis. Half of the scenarios Voss picks out are very interesting and the other half are supremely boring.

No filter needed.

Remus was not impressed, but I was. I had very low expectations but Shusterman surprised me. There was pretty constant action and fun characters. I‘m not dying to jump into the next one, but I enjoyed the experience.

A very reserved pick for me. Like “A Study in Charlotte,” this book would‘ve done better without the comparison to one of the greatest novels ever written. The characters didn‘t have much in common at all with their namesakes, and I can imagine Austen turning in her grave knowing how her heroine is being handled, but it was a fun, fast- paced read and a nice way to spend the afternoon.

This book was funny, insightful, cynical, and romantic. What‘s not to like? I‘ve been familiar with the story, watching and rewatching various movie versions for years, but am so glad that I finally read it.

A pretty good, atmospheric mystery. Ruth is a good character and, as a Bones fan, I appreciated that she was a forensic anthropologist. I hope her profession has more impact on subsequent books in this series.

What a strangle little book. I enjoyed the kooky narrator and the polish setting. I think Tokarczuk maybe pushed the unreliable narrator trope a little too far but the book is charming enough you forgive her.

I have the feeling Cep really wanted to write a biography of Harper Lee, but knew Lee would never approve. The first half is true crime and good in its own right. Then, it takes a left hand turn half way through and becomes a biography of Harper Lee. Since this book couldn‘t decide what it really wanted to be, it feels superficial in both the true crime and biography aspects. A good read but a light one, considering the engaging subject matter.

This history was methodically researched and thoughtfully constructed. However, it could‘ve really used an editor. It was very slow going, but it picked up considerably after the 300 page mark, when the story actually finally reached Everest, and it‘s impossible to put down towards the end. A worthwhile vacation read, but not for the distracted mind. I‘ve found myself thinking about this book a lot since finishing it.

What a wonderful book! I‘ve been putting off reading this for years, simply believing that it could not live up to the hype (it‘s one of my mom‘s favorite books), which is my loss. It is an enlightening and illuminating book about systemic racism in the south, while also posing an interesting juxtaposition of how society treats its white and black outcasts. Not to mention, it‘s just a wonderful book filled with wonderful and lovable characters.