Forrest for the Trees by Kilby Blades

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Forrest for the Trees
Author: Kilby Blades, SmartyPants Romance
Series: Green Valley Heroes #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Year: 2021

Thoughts

I loved that this is a contemporary romance that deals, realistically, with inequality issues. I mean, at the centre it’s just another beautiful and heart-warming romance. But the other aspects of the plot that deal so directly with an issue that many people face? That was glorious. And, it’s not just dealing with a woman working in STEM (I actually wanted to work in the exact same area and eventually just gave up). But it is also about being a POC and how this can further become a restriction on what is available to a person.

I’ve got to admit, that I think Forrest’s quiet and steady pursual of Sierra is kind of adorable. I’m not normally a fan of that whole, steadily and quietly pursuing somebody. It can give off too strong a stalker vibes at times. But, it didn’t in this. Instead, Forrest’s court (even when Sierra was unaware of it) is very respectful and sweet. He takes the time to learn more about her and create a relationship that can be used as the basis of something more. Rather than just making a decision about their potential future.

On that note, I actually really loved the relationship building in this story. Sierra and Forrest slowly build up their knowledge of one another. It starts out antagonist, becomes closer and closer, and then eventually makes its way to something more serious. I love tales which build a relationship around truly getting to one another. I mean, I also love when there is all of that sexual sizzle, but sometimes it’s just nice when a couple takes that damn time to build something.

Alongside the discussions of inequality and the romance, there is also the secondary story line which is a bit of a whodunnit. I spent the whole time trying to figure out just how the fires were getting lit. What the motive was. Who had actually done it. And why there seemed to be a bit of a dodgy cover up throughout. Of course, it was all tied up quite nicely, and I definitely loved the comeuppance at the end when everything was revealed.

<- More Kilby BladesParks and Provocation ->

Image source: Goodreads

The Great Plains by Chris F. Holm

Book Review, ,
Overview
Murder and Mayhem in Muskego: Jordan, Jon & Ruth, Phillips, Gary, Richardson, Kat: Amazon.com.au: Books

Title: The Great Plains
Author: Chris F. Holm
In: Murder and Mayhem in Muskego (Jon & Ruth Jordan)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Crime
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Down and Out Books
Year: 2012

Thoughts

When you read a short story on a murder collection that is all about a man who is sitting by himself in a car and watching… you get the hinkies. And have some pretty serious reservations about where this is going to go. Don’t get me wrong, I like to sit in my car and just BE at times. But I don’t go to the same place and watch the same woman everyday…

Which makes it quite surprising that this didn’t really involve so much stabby stabby. Not necessarily a bad thing, but definitely a much gentler story than I was expecting.

Although this was still a bit stalkerish in feel, the acknowledgement of the stalkerishness made it much less creepy. That, and the fact that it is such a feeling of emptiness and lack of destination. It kind of made it sad more than anything.

<- The Name of the DameSerenity ->

Image source: Amazon

Chasing Romeo by Sarah Ready

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Chasing Romeo
Author: Sarah Ready
Series: Soul Mates in Romeo #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2021

Thoughts

This story takes a total and complete departure into CrazyTown. It’s a very cute contemporary romance, but, boy does it go to LooneyVille. And honestly, I loved every single damn minute of it. It’s completely unrealistic, but I think that most romances are – that’s why they’re such a great escapist read. Chasing Romeo really ticked all of my boxes for a good escapist read. It was funny, light, cute, completely predictable and just all round fun.

It’s impossible not to realise from the very moment that Chloe’s soul mate is announced as the first guy she kissed that it can’t be Nick. You know that the soul mate psychic can’t be wrong, and the purposeful vagueness of the pronouncement is exactly what drives the story line. I do love that the old broad is ridiculously manipulative though – and I’m looking forward to the rest of the books in this series to see how she is able to continue to manipulate others. But, even knowing how that will end, I did enjoy the journey to get there. And that realisation that whilst fate may exist, it’s still our choice at the end of the day.

The part of CrazyTown that had me laughing the most was the seven Matts. Each and every one is completely insane, has absolutely zero reservations in their insanity. And, in general is just ridiculously fun. I love how they all make a reappearance at the end of the story in the epic love moment. I mean, if you’re going to travel across a country and find all of the insane Matts you possibly can, why not use them in your romantic announcement? Seriously had me laughing out loud.

This was such a fantastic and cute cover to cover read. I had fun, I laughed, and I really loved the sweetness of the characters. Alright, Chloe is kind of an idiot with her determination to just hunt down some poor guy and announce that he’s her soul mate… but Ready is able to build that story up in a way that even if you kind of think she’s an idiot, you can also understand why. Plus, Nick is just a fantastic counter to this, which helps to dilute some of the “what is that woman thinking?”

<- More Sarah ReadyLove Not at First Sight ->

Image source: Booktopia

Loose Lips by Andrew Grant

Book Review, ,
Overview
Murder and Mayhem in Muskego: Jordan, Jon & Ruth, Phillips, Gary, Richardson, Kat: Amazon.com.au: Books

Title: Loose Lips
Author: Andrew Grant
In: Murder and Mayhem in Muskego (Jon & Ruth Jordan)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Crime
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Down and Out Books
Year: 2012

Thoughts

I loved the spy angle of this short story. As the tale unfolds and the actions of the past twenty-four hours… you start to see more and more of what has gone on behind the scenes. And with each and every revelation, you find a new easter egg for some well thought out plot.

For every action, there is a wonderful reaction in this story. The narrator just filters out information as he’s distracting his opponent. And, the murder has already happened, so the stakes feel a whole lot intense and full on.

The title made me think that this would be a tale of gossip. One that lead to death because someone spoke when they shouldn’t. instead, it’s all about misdirection and secrecy. With so, so, so many unexpected twists and turns throughout.

Eight short pages, and I seriously loved this short story.

<- Kross KillThe Name of the Dame ->

Image source: Amazon

Lady Sings the Blues by Billie Holiday

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Lady Sings the Blues
Author: Billie Holiday
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Biographies, Memoirs, Music, Race
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 1956

Thoughts

Two words reading this: HOLY CRAP. I know next to nothing about blues and jazz. In both the best and worst ways possible. I mean, the holy crap meant that it was impossible for me to put this book down. In a bad way, it was just a horrible life for someone to live. And, all that much sadder to know that Holiday passed away only a few years after this book was first published.

I loved the style and tone of voice throughout this biography. Holiday is immediately relatable and totally foreign. She has such a distinct voice and refuses to shy away from the reality of the world and herself. In fact, there are some truly and deeply horrifying moments recounted in this, but it’s not done in a woes-me way.

This is a seriously dark biography. There are very few moments throughout that I would consider to be a bright moment. It was horrifyingly dark and, even a few days later, sitting here to write a review… I’m in awe of all of the feelings this inspired. And, the strength of a woman who was able to overcome unimaginable odds.

A seriously brilliant and intense biography. One that I will pick up again in the future to totally destroy my emotions all over again.

<- An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on EarthSurviving Year Zero ->

Image source: Amazon

How to Love a Jamaican by Alexia Arthurs

Book Review, ,
Overview
How to Love a Jamaican by Alexia Arthurs

Title: How to Love a Jamaican
Author: Alexia Arthurs
In: How to Love a Jamaican (Alexia Arthurs)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Picador
Year: 2018

Thoughts

This short story balances both loves that of the Jamaican on his home soil and the American immigrant. The constant flicking between that life and this is a good way to show how these two identities sit against one another for many people.

I’m noticing a bit of a recurring theme of infidelity in Arthurs’ writing. And I can’t say it’s one that I enjoy. But it does show a great understanding of the imperfections of humanity. Which I did enjoy… constantly giving me a conflicting viewpoint and emotional response.

I love how this story balances different aspects of life. And provides yet another insight into immigrant life.

<- The Ghost of Jia YiOn Shelf ->

Image source: Goodreads

The Importance of Being Alice by Katie MacAlister

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: The Importance of Being Alice
Author: Katie MacAlister
Series: Ainslie Brothers #1
Rating Out of 5: 2.5 (Readable, but not worth reading again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Slow
Format: Novel
Year: 2015

Thoughts

I wanted to like this novel a lot more than I actually did. Which seems to be a bit of a common occurrence lately. I mean, I loved the premise and the idea behind this tale. But I didn’t necessarily find the execution to be quite to my taste. Actually, from the moment that I read about Alice’s boobs talking to Elliot, I started to go, yeah, nah…

The other aspect of this story that I found kind of difficult was the rivalry between women. The idea that Alice is falling for a guy, and there is a random woman on their cruise who has just decided to seduce him. I don’t know about everyone else, but I’m kind of over the opposing female as the villain. An accidental villain yes, but one who is adamantly out to get someone’s man? Can we please come up with a new trope? It just feels so… painful.

I did like the backdrop of this story. Stuck on a cruise ship together, touring around Europe? I can imagine that it would be very easy to fall in love in such a setting. But, honestly, that’s probably the most that I liked about this novel. Maybe I’m being spoilt for the romances at the moment.

Even though I didn’t enjoy this, I will probably read the next book in the series… just for curiosities sake.

<- More Katie MacAlisterA Midsummer Night’s Romp ->

Image source: Goodreads

Arthur Spiderwick’s Field Guide to the Fantastical World Around You

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Arthur Spiderwick’s Field Guide to the Fantastical World Around You
Author: Tony DiTerlizzi & Holly Black
Series: The Spiderwick Chronicles Companion
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Fae, Fantasy
Pace: Slow
Format: Novel
Year: 2004

Thoughts

This was enjoyable and easy to read. A nice book to flick through as I was waiting for my daughter to truly fall asleep. It was fun, light and very, very pretty. A perfect companion to the rest of the Spiderwick books.

I love that this has a feeling of legitimacy to it. Even if it is a fantasy story. Somehow, DiTerlizzi and Black manage to make it feel realistic and like you could just reach through the veil and experience this delightful world. Toeing that line between real and fantasy can be incredibly difficult, and they’ve made it work. Seriously enjoyable.

It’s obvious that there is a lot of research which has gone into this book, and the lore of the Spiderwick Chronicles in general. After all, these are all fae creatures and beings that show up again and again in literature and entertainment. Although, some of them are pictured in ways that I never imagined. And seriously loved. Another testament to DiTerlizzi.

A wonderful read and a lovely companion to the rest of the Spiderwick Chronicles. I can’t wait to share this with my daughter one day.

<- Care and Feeding of SpritesThe Nixie’s Song ->

Image source: Dymocks

Kross Kill by J.M. Edwards

Book Review, ,
Overview
Murder and Mayhem in Muskego: Jordan, Jon & Ruth, Phillips, Gary, Richardson, Kat: Amazon.com.au: Books

Title: Kross Kill
Author: J.M. Edwards
In: Murder and Mayhem in Muskego (Jon & Ruth Jordan)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Crime
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Down and Out Books
Year: 2012

Thoughts

This was… disturbed. Which is not surprising considering the collection that I found this in. And the fact that it had the word “kill” in the title. Although, I was expecting more of a twist in this tale. It was actually a pretty straight forward, kill and murder kind of story…

I do like that although all of the bad in this happens through sheer stupidity, the guy who is a dumbass does get his comeuppance. It’s probably a little bit extreme and not necessarily poetic justice… but, still, I liked the just desserts at the end. Actually, both the dumbass bad guy and the bad guy bad guy got a pretty horrible / good ending.

Actually, I completely expected the uncle to be more of a bad ass. Certainly a determined man, but not anywhere near the level of challenge that I was expecting. Which was a little bit sad.

You know how when you read a story, there is one image that just seems to stick? For this one it’s blood splatter…

<- Nice Guy TypeLoose Lips ->

Image source: Amazon

Reading Update

List

I’ve definitely been hitting the romances hard lately – they’re just a much easier read when you have to jump in and out of the pages of a book quickly. Sometimes I’ve been able to snatch a good hour or so of reading when my daughter is down for a nap. Sometimes it’s only about ten minutes…

Series

Standalones – Novels

Standalones – Short stories