What happens when a bad boy meets a sensible nice girl? This opposite-attracts type of romance has its sweet and funny moments but I was never fully convinced it would ever work out until the end. Still, I enjoyed Sally Thorne's uncanny ability to create sizzling chemistry fron conflict, just a little disappointed it wasn't at the same level as her other novel The Hating Game.

The one thing I've always enjoyed about Bardugo's books is the rich inner lives of her characters and how they often match the exciting external lives these characters lead. A worthy sequel to Ninth House, it was a thrilling read from start to finish. Not only do we learn more about the existing core characters, we're introduced to some new ones, one in particular in the most terrifying way.

An NPR YA recommendation, I found this cozy mystery utterly charming and delightful. At first the story seems typical YA: self-deprecating teen takes up an internship at a grand resort hotel in the Swiss alps. Hijinks ensue, throw in a meet cute. I was impatient with the book's slow start as Gier sets the scene and rolls out her long list of characters. However, my patience was rewarded with an ending I stayed past midnight to devour.

#sundayfunday
I only bail if the other books I'm reading at the same time are more interesting.

This book was a slow read for me only because I didn't enjoy the characters or the setting. While the Thomas Pitt and William Monk series involved protagonists who were policemen, this series deals with lawyers, with most of the drama playing out in the courts. In this case, our protagonist is up against the clock to find a way to exonerate his clients; no one's in any real danger. #jumpstart2023

“There is no detective in England equal to a spinster lady of uncertain age with plenty of time on her hands.”

😝

#goldenagecrimeclub

As usual, the games/riddles/puzzles driving the story were fun and outrageous. My goal wasn't deciding if I was on Team Grayson or Team Jameson (neither) as it was just getting closure in this series; Barnes left some loose ends, probably for the next book to solve. I was hoping for more character-driven moments but in the end it felt like a hollow conclusion to the first book in this series.

My third book of #jumpstart2023 was something I randomly picked after reading a couple of good reviews. I didn't know what to expect from my first Elin Hilderbrand book. If The Perfect Couple is representative of her work then Hilderbrand is a clever clever writer. It's an onion of a book where every new chapter reveals a different timeline in the story. At first this was tedious, then I appreciated it as an inventive storytelling device.

Started off a little slow but I enjoyed how everything came together in the end. Also loved the ending with Horace and Nora sharing a moment; this book more than the first celebrates their parent-daughter relationship in a beautiful way. #jumpstart2023

Reading L&L is like taking a relaxed stroll on a breezy summer day and encountering a friendly talking bear. That's the magical thing about this book, all about an Orc, former mercenary, who's rediscovering the pleasures of coffee, baked goods, and friendship in her retirement. Travis Baldree has written a gem that isn't glib, whose strong writer's voice gently guides the reader around his cozy yet sometimes dangerous universe. #jumpstart2023

I started reading this because it's similar to one of my favourite films I'm Your Man (a brilliant film I highly recommend). Even though the book is marketed as a comedy and there are some funny moments in the story, there's still a feeling of underlying sadness about it, esp the ending. The intersection between AI and love is fertile ground for storytellers and I'm all for it, I just didn't enjoy this book as much as I'd liked. #jumpstart2023

Not counting the Surgeon's Daughter, which I started in December, hoping to finish these books in January #jumpstart2023

#newyearnewbooks I've never been big on keeping up with trends but I'm especially excited about the 2nd book in Leigh Bardugo's Alex Stern series.
Since joining Litsy, I'm inspired by the Littens' creativity and passion for books. I hope to be able to participate more in the book discussions!

My exact thought at the end of this very short story was “That‘s it?” The abruptness of the ending surprised me more than the actual reveal at the end.

Thoroughly enjoyed this book with its charming setting and characters. Also a wonderful story about taking a chance in life and moving forward because you'll just never know what you'll discover about yourself and other people.

A second movie adaption of Daphne du Maurier's doppleganger thriller is predictable but entertaining thanks to a cast of seasoned actors. It's not a faithful adaptation---the book is darker---but it evokes an Agatha Christie mystery vibe that I love. #tvadaptation

Not what I expected at all; it's so evocative and at times I found it disturbing especially around the abusive relationships the character Marianne has in the book. I just hope people don't read the positive book reviews and forget this isn‘t a “normalized“ picture of relationships https://www.ted.com/talks/leslie_morgan_steiner_why_domestic_violence_victims_do...

I'm in! #jumpstart2023 😎

I‘ve never read any book where single conversations spanned chapters. But I was never bored. I appreciated the candour of these fictional banter, and some magnificent cheesy turns of phrases like “A diamond wet sparkle of light in the corner of his eye is a bullet to my heart”. It‘s not much of a story but it makes up with a charming protagonist whose warm open heart manages to burn a hole through the armour of an iceman.

Avery's life has fired up considerably since book 1. With death threats, new enemies, and the entrance of her estranged father, our hero still has time for school work 😆. It's the puzzles and riddles that keep me engaged in this series and Legacy doesn't disappoint. What continues to annoy me is the flat (why do they only smolder?) characterization of the Hawthorne brothers which make the will-they or won't-they romances feel a little cheesy.

A highly original take on what it's like to have depression, but more importantly how to move forward in a positive direction. Matt Haig has been open about his own experiences living with depression and anxiety and in doing so he validates the very real pain and suffering of the disease. Can't recommend this book enough.