pick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
This is only my second read by Abby Jimenez, but I love how her romances feel really authentic and multifaceted. Justin and Emma‘s story captured my heart (and made me laugh)! I‘m realizing I should have read these books in order since they‘re slightly interconnected… but now I‘m looking forward to reading Alexis and Daniel‘s story last to complete the “Part of Your World” series! 🎧
pan⭐️⭐️
2.25 stars. It‘s such a gift that you can travel through books, and especially in the summer months, I love taking a literary vacation! 😆 The French Riviera setting and food descriptions on this “trip” were lovely, but I just never really connected with the story or characters. 🎧
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
This is a smart, slow-burn suspense novel with juicy twists, toxic family dynamics, and a thoughtful critique of social media and influencer culture. I thought it was brilliant how formats like podcast episodes and Reddit threads were incorporated - it made it feel so current and brought the mystery to life. 🎧
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Why did it take me so long to read a book by Abby Jimenez?! Sometimes romances leave me feeling lukewarm, but this truly warmed my cold, cold heart. It‘s so tender and heartfelt, but also funny. It had that special sauce. Now I have to read the rest of her books! #BOTM
so-so⭐️⭐️💫
I‘ve been in the mood for a thriller set in a fun location, and this fit the bill! I was interested in Ellery and her story right away. There wasn‘t much suspense or action for most of this, though, and I wasn‘t emotionally invested in the mystery. There was too much explaining instead of storytelling. 🎧 #reesesbookclub
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
The “enemies to lovers” trope is on another level with a tragic backstory the two main characters must overcome while working together in the writers‘ room for a book-to-screen adaptation, producing a love story that‘s romantic, steamy, and emotional. 🎧 #reesesbookclub
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
A fun Agatha Christie-esque murder mystery with an intriguing premise! I would have liked if the characters had been more fleshed out, but I thought both timelines were engaging and I enjoyed puzzling things out with the protagonist. #Aardvark #AardvarkBookClub
Treating myself with my #Aardvark #AardvarkBookClub box this month!!
I already read “This Summer Will Be Different” and thought it was great! 😊
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
3.25 stars. The writing style of this book wasn‘t my favorite - it felt “young” even though this is an adult novel. Regardless, I was entertained by the adventure and could see it playing out on the screen. I thought the poison maiden mythology was particularly interesting. My mouth dropped with a reveal at the end!
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
3.75 stars. This hit the “fun thriller” spot! Is it believable? No. Did the main character make many questionable decisions? Yes. But it grabbed my attention right away, kept me guessing, and was overall a darn good time! 🎧
so-so⭐️⭐️⭐️
Entertaining enough, just formulaic and not much of a spark to set it apart. 🎧
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
I feel conflicted rating this. It‘s excitingly unique. Thought-provoking. The characters are vividly portrayed. I enjoyed the twist and the ending. But I can‘t get past that it was hard for me personally to get into and get through at times. It‘s one I definitely want to continue to think about and process, though, (rather than forget about it and move on), which I think counts for a lot. #BOTM
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Look no further if you‘re in the mood for a fun summer romance! Be prepared to daydream about traveling to Prince Edward Island, crave fresh oysters, swoon over the chemistry between Felix and Lucy, and miss your best friend. 🎧
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Now THIS is a thriller!! I can‘t remember the last time a book had me on the edge of my seat like this one! It‘s propulsive without being a mindless popcorn read; the plot was layered and had a lot to say. The tension was agonizing and I was riveted. If you were moved by the “American Nightmare” docuseries, I think you would love this.
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Elin Hilderbrand‘s books feel like going on a summer vacation! Well… this one in particular might feel like watching a reality show drama of a summer vacation. Grab your popcorn and a beachy drink and be carried away to Nantucket (without even leaving your own house)! 🎧
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is the second book I‘ve read by Emily Austin, and I just really enjoy her writing and characters. There‘s an alchemy in the way she mixes comedy and heartache, which results in a compulsively readable, heart-piercing, uniquely tender narrative.
so-so⭐️⭐️⭐️
The premise of this book was such an intriguing mental chew toy! In practice, it got repetitive and didn‘t have the depth I had hoped for. Some of the husband situations stressed me out. Still a fun, light read! #BOTM
so-so⭐️⭐️⭐️
I enjoyed reading a story inspired by Norse mythology and the audiobook narration was great! I didn‘t really connect with Freya, though, and this dragged for me a bit in the middle. I probably won‘t continue with this series, but I‘m glad I gave it a try! 🎧
pan⭐️⭐️
A fast and twisty read, but a little predictable at some points and too implausible at other points. The characters‘ motivations were underdeveloped and didn‘t always make sense. I loved Peter Swanson‘s “The Kind Worth Killing” and preferred that “Strangers on a Train”-inspired book over this one. 🎧
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
I was surprised by how short this read is, and despite that, these coming-of-age vignettes really pack a punch. The prose is very poetic and there were many beautiful, quotable passages that I wanted to highlight. I can see why Sandra Cisneros is a celebrated Latina author.
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Extended family vacations can literally be hell! 😆 Haunted house stories aren‘t always my thing, but this one had an amazing Italian setting, really interesting family dynamics, and a serious creep factor. It was so cinematic - I could see the book play in my mind like a movie. My brain immediately cast The White Lotus actors as these characters, with the brilliant Aubrey Plaza as Anna.
so-so⭐️⭐️⭐️
It was fun to be whisked away on an adventure in the Pacific Islands, complete with pirates, sentient tattoos, and sea dragons! I wanted more from this, but I can appreciate it for what it is. 🎧
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A book‘s great gift is that through its pages, you can be transported to another time and place and gain insight to a life different than your own. My favorite historical fiction novels teach me something about our past and inspire me to research more on my own while also delivering a memorable story. ⬇️
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
The first book is definitely the best, but I still enjoyed the conclusion to this trilogy! It was fun to see the characters return to the aunties‘ homeland in Indonesia, and of course, follow the chaos that ensues. The humor and heart of Meddy and her aunties will stick with me!
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 💫
It‘s a great feeling when you can‘t stop reading a book (even willingly doing some extra chores to give yourself more time to listen)! It ends a bit abruptly, but the second half is full of suspense. The interesting characters are well-developed and the social commentary is sharp. I enjoy listening to Joshilyn Jackson narrate her own books, and her daughter also does a fantastic job with the narration of the protagonist‘s daughter.🎧
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Short stories aren‘t really my favorite format, but I‘ll read anything GennaRose Nethercott writes with delight and awe. This collection is hauntingly beautiful - enchanting, weird, and deep. They‘re the kind of stories that are so interesting to see what others took from them, the kind that would reveal another layer with each re-read. My favorites were “A Diviner‘s Abecedarian”, “The Thread Boy”, “A Lily is a Lily”, and “Homebody”.
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Overall, this was a compelling read examining class, race, and gender inequities in the academia and art worlds. It was also interesting to go down an internet rabbit hole learning about Ana Mendieta, the Cuban artist whose life (in part) inspired Anita de Monte‘s character. Anita‘s sections were passionate, vivid, and urgent; I thought they were the most impactful. 🎧 #reesesbookclub
I‘m looking forward to this #BOTM pick, which I hear will also be the Read With Jenna pick for this month! 🥰
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Annie Bot is incredibly immersive, emotional, and timely. I couldn‘t help but picture Margot Robbie as Annie (even though she‘s not described as looking that way), and “What Was I Made For?” could have been this book‘s soundtrack. Packing a feminist, empathetic punch, it left me with more food for thought than concrete answers. #BOTM
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I‘m fairly certain that if I were lucky enough to travel to Ireland, I could stop by the fictional Ardnakelty and step right into this story with Cal, Trey, and Lena. This novel is definitely a slow burn, but in Tana French‘s expert hands, it‘s worth it. I read that she is working on a third book with these characters, and although I miss the Dublin Murder Squad series, I‘ll gladly follow her wherever she wants to take her readers! 🎧
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Why would I ever let someone who drafts make-believe football teams make me believe I should be embarrassed by my interests?”
Listening to this book is like having a sleepover with your wise and hilarious best friend, your late-night heart-to-hearts brimming with nostalgia and epiphanies. I wasn‘t familiar with Kate Kennedy before listening and we‘re not quite the same age, but I felt instantly connected. ⬇️
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
This book has an addictive quality, and because of the podcast element, really shines in the audio format! For a twisty murder mystery, I was surprised to also find myself chuckling throughout the book. I think it‘s a solid, fun, standout read for fans of this genre. 🎧
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A feel-good read, this is not - but it certainly made me feel! Hazell describes Piglet‘s story as “domestic claustrophobia”, richly exploring themes of class, cuisine, control, and the things we crave and consume. What will it take to feel satisfied? It‘s visceral, messy, and ravenous - full of tension that ratchets up to a show-stopping croquembouche crescendo!
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The information in this book didn‘t really surprise me, but it was affirming and inspiring. I enjoyed learning about the science and research and feel newly energized to prioritize the arts and aesthetics in my family‘s life. ⬇️
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Welp, I was knot expecting that! I really wasn‘t sure what I would think about a Vampyre and Werewolf romance, but this was so much fun! Sexy, snarky, primal, sweet… I‘ll devour the next one if she makes this a series! 🎧
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Tropey, twisty, witchy fun! The cat and mouse element was entertaining, the characters were compelling, and the world-building was interesting. I‘ll definitely check out the second book and will look forward to seeing how everything develops! 🎧
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A glittering, provocative champagne cocktail of a book that both entertains and challenges readers. I thought it was such a heady, razor sharp examination of power, desire, class, shame, and religion. If beauty can be a weapon, who really wields it?
“I can admit it. It feels good to be wanted, to be delectable, delicious. But if I‘ve learned anything it‘s that I don‘t want to be consumed. I have teeth of my own.”
I have seen great reviews for Abby Jimenez‘ books, but for some reason, I‘ve never read any of them! I‘m looking forward to finally giving her a try as the “2023 Book of the Year” winner for #BOTM.
The other two I picked look so interesting, thought-provoking, and unique to me. I‘m going to look for a few other picks through the library. 🥰📚
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Prepare to be immersed in another striking, high-stakes romance from Tia Williams! Can you hear the 1920‘s jazz music playing from that beautiful antique piano? Can you smell the (strangely out of season) night-blooming jasmine? Can you visualize the glamour of Harlem, past and present? Can you feel the inevitable magic of the leap year? A modern day fairytale, it might just make you laugh, cry, blush, and swoon!
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
This book captures the art and heart of baking in a literary form, offering comfort, inspiration, connection, celebration, and remembrance. I love that we‘re getting more stories featuring protagonists of all ages. As the equally lovely Mr. Quinn points out, older age doesn‘t mean you have to live a smaller life, and dreams can be achieved because of our age rather than in spite of it. 🎧
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
If you‘d like a different take on a romance for the month of love, this book is like an autopsy of a relationship. Being in Andy‘s head was relatable, funny, and cringeworthy. I also really enjoyed Morris‘ character. Although this story is about a breakup, there is a lot of love found in these pages.🎧
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Very character-driven, but the characters were just so interesting it kept me hooked! I work with college students, so I found the messiness and complexities of this slice of campus life particularly compelling. Unexpected and cringeworthy at times, this book offers sharp observations and a reminder that we‘re all more than our worst mistakes. The audiobook narrator is also amazing. 🎧
so-so⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was entertaining enough if I didn‘t think about it too much and just consumed it as a creepy and wild popcorn thriller. I respect the author‘s personal journey with addiction and sobriety (although thankfully her rehabilitation center was not like the one in this book). #Aardvark #AardvarkBookClub
so-so⭐️⭐️⭐️
This had a dreamy Italian setting, delicious food descriptions, a cute romance, and sweet friendships. There are even some recipes at the end of the book, which was a fun bonus. However, Stella‘s character was frustrating at times and everything fell a bit flat for me. #amazonfirstreads
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
If you liked the first book, I think you will like this follow up! I did enjoy the first one more, though. Everything came together in a clever way, but it was a bit convoluted and I didn‘t feel as invested in the cast of new characters. It also had some similarities to “The Mystery Guest”, which I listened to within the last couple of months, so it didn‘t feel quite as original to me as the first one did.🎧
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
I thought this book was a beautiful blend of humor and pathos. Enid‘s voice was wonderfully weird and engaging, but could also stop me in my tracks at times with the poignancy and vulnerability of her words. I wish I could give her a hug - “parasite” and all. #BOTM
