Monday, July 13, 2020

Royal Charmer (The Rourkes #4) by Kylie Gilmore

Royal Charmer (The Rourkes, #4)I don't like all of the books in the series but this one was fairly charming with a romance author who meets a prince. He helps her get her mojo back and she poses as his fiancee to help him look more stable. That... is about the crux of the story. I feel like a review of a book I liked should be longer but I just enjoyed getting to see Alice and Lucas's relationship grow.

Four stars
This book came out June 11th, 2019
Borrowed this as a library book
Opinions are my own

Sunday, July 12, 2020

Enchanted Bones by Carolyn Haines

Enchanted Bones (A Sarah Booth Delaney Mystery #21.5)Sara Booth is startled to discover a young girl while she is on a horseback ride one day. The child is very young, has a birthmark that looks startlingly like a third eye, and also has note pinned to her back saying that she is cursed and that anyone who helps her will also be cursed.
There was a lot going on in this novella (lots of new-to-the-series history built in) but it was still an enjoyable read.

Three and a half stars
This novella came out June 16th, 2020
Borrowed this book from the library as an ebook
Opinions are my own

Saturday, July 11, 2020

Hammered by Pippa Grant

Hammered (Happy Cat, #2)Jace O'Dell has been in an on-again/off-again relationship with kindergarten teacher Ginger for a long time. We know from the first book that he has a history of picking women who chew him up and spit him out. Ginger is no different. And Jace is ready to be done with her. He's met a woman who is much more interesting, with whom he has more chemistry, and who actually seems to want him, Olivia Moonbeam. But Ginger has some news for him, she's pregnant and she wants to get married.
Look, I get that this is the south, but that doesn't mean that they have to get married, just because there's a kid involved. If Jace were doing it for any other reason than "that's what I'm supposed to do," I would have been more sympathetic when he is whining to himself about being with Ginger. Luckily, Olivia is much smarter than he is and realizes that he can choose a different path.
This book is bonkers. The plot barely holds together and I'm not sure that I actually liked Jace. But the fast-paced narrative of the story kept me involved and amused, even when they brought in the clowns.

Four stars
Follows Hosed
Followed by Hitched
This book came out May 28, 2019
Borrowed from Kindle Unlimited
Opinions are my own

Friday, July 10, 2020

Poesy the Monster Slayer by Cory Doctorow

Poesy the Monster Slayer by Cory DoctorowThe pictures in this book are absolutely amazing. The story was a three (basically a hyperactive child keeps her parents awake -- I think it's trying to empower kids to take care of their own monsters but the story doesn't hang together well - would be better with maybe 5 more pages that show more about how Poesy preps) but the pictures are a 5. Brilliantly colored the pictures only enhance and lift the words to a better story.

This book comes out July 14th
ARC kindly provided by First Second Books and NetGalley
Opinions are my own

Thursday, July 9, 2020

Charming as Puck by Pippa Grant

Charming as PuckKami Oakley has loved Nick Murphy for a long time. But he's off limits, not just because he's her brother's friend but also because he's a player; he'll never settle down. And the latest incident has just proved it. His hockey team has a history of playing pranks on each other but they've started including animals. And Kami, as a softhearted veterinarian, is often the one cleaning up after their messes. Even though she's been hooking up with Nick for awhile now, she's just realized that he's never going to be serious about her.
Nick is startled when Kami leaves. Even more so that she left his teammate's prank cow behind. He gets that she's mad at him so he decides to make it up to her.
Not my favorite Pippa Grant. It was still fun but there was so much pranking that it got redundant. And I sort of get Kami's anger but... Nick never promised her anything. And she knows he's bad at things like remembering birthdays. Like, how much can you expect?

Three stars
This book came out February 1st, 2019
Copper Valley Thrusters #3
Followed by I Pucking Love You
Borrowed this book from Kindle Unlimited
Opinions are my own

Reread as Kindle Unlimited ebook October 2024

Wednesday, July 8, 2020

Liar, Liar, Hearts on Fire by Pippa Grant

Liar, Liar, Hearts on Fire by Pippa GrantTripp Wilson used to be in a boy band. He gave up a baseball career to help keep an eye on his brother. He fell in love, got married, and had two kids but his wife died. And now he's trying to figure out how to balance his fears about his kids getting sick with working but not finding the right nanny. When his local baseball team is having a crappy season, he sees his chance. He can finally own his own team. But the owner dies and the woman who inherits turns out to be someone that Tripp knows...
Lila Valentine is shocked to see that the man she had a hot interlude with in a club bathroom is in her boardroom. Unfortunately, he's not using the same name. Why would he lie to her? And why does he think that she'll be willing to give up her baseball team?
We've definitely seen Lila in previous books. She is smart, dedicated, but slightly standoffish. Her last job is ending and she figures rebuilding the baseball team that meant so much mother will be worth it.
I do love that Pippa Grant's books are a little crazypants but this one's back story was just a bit too much for me. Still can't wait for the next book in the series.

Three and a half stars
Bro Code #3
Followed by Master Baker or Hot Mess and the Heartthrob
This book came out March 24th, 2020
Borrowed this as a Kindle Unlimited book
Opinions are my own

Reread as Kindle Unlimited book April 2021, October 2024

Tuesday, July 7, 2020

Lucky Stiff by Craig Rice


She was a side piece but Anna Marie St. Clair claimed to love Big Joe. Yes, she was found standing over him holding a gun,  but she is going to the electric chair claiming her innocence. There's a last minute phone call and Anna Marie is saved. But she doesn't want anyone to know. Instead, she decides that Anna Marie St. Clair will die. Her "ghost" will rise to haunt the living.  Her first stop? The bar John J. Malone is known to haunt. Her own lawyer had recommended him as a crooked lawyer but one who is only crooked in certain ways.
When John J. Malone sees Anna Marie in a dingy bar, he falls in instant love. And he makes it his mission to ensure that her life is going to be the best it can possibly be. Including getting her exonerated from murder. John's friends Helene and Jake Justus are worked but they are going to help their friend as much a possible. Even while Jake is dealing with problems relating to his casino.
If you like the Malone series, you will like this book.

I picked it up because of the Classic Mysteries podcast

Three stars
This book was published in 1945
Followed by The Fourth Postman
Ebook borrowed from Hoopla
Opinions are my own