Fat Girls Hiking by Summer Michaud-Skog

A really good book if you are not white and superfit. Actually, even then. This book explores the nuances of doing athletic things (focus on hiking but including kayaking, climbing,yoga, backpacking, etc.) even if you don’t fit the “athletic” body type. 

With stories of real people interwoven with the author’s own experiences, you get a gamut of the experiences “nontraditional” hikers have had being out on the trails. Each of the interstitials also include a favorite hike with information about bathrooms, ADA-compliance, distance, elevation gain, address, and how to find the trailhead.

Three and a half stars

This book came out March 29, 2022

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

The Family You Make by Jill Shalvis

During a near-death experience, Levi Cutler calls his mother. Rather than letting her know that he is in danger, he claims that he can't pick up his niece because he's met a new woman.

Jane can't believe that she might die in a snowstorm. Because she's in a gondola five and a half stories up (maybe more) and the wind is ridiculous. Being a traveling nurse has brought her into some strange situations but this one takes the cake. Then a handsome stranger puts himself in danger to try and protect her. And then asks her to pretend to be in a relationship so his family will feel better about him.

There is a lot going on in this book including a B plot with Jane's friend Charlotte and Levi's old friend that didn't really add much to the story. I did like watching the relationship between Jane and Levi grow but there is so much sturm and drang surrounding them.

Three and a half stars

This book came out January 11, 2022

Followed by The Friendship Pact

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Count Your Lucky Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur

Margot Cooper was the best friend in the first book of this series. After her best friend and their business partner have both found love, she's feeling a little like a fifth wheel. And her business partner has had some bad luck. But his new wedding planner is someone that Margo knows... intimately. 

Olivia Grant is shocked to see the "Best Man" in her current wedding is none other than the girl she loved in high school, Margot. They had been best friends from grade school but then it matured into something deeper. But when Olivia's ex came back in the picture, Margo disappeared. Will she do the same again?

It was fun watching Olivia and Margo fall in love again. There were a lot of times when just communicating with each other could have solved a lot of problems and that made the story a little less enjoyable but I liked the story overall.

Four stars

This book came out February 1, 2022

Follows Hang the Moon

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Welcome to Dunder Mifflin by Brian Baumgartner, Ben Silverman

Brian Baumgartner narrates the bulk of the stories though Ben Silverman and Greg Daniels contribute as well. Of course, we don't hear from many of the other actors from the series (I imagine it was cost prohibitive) but it is a nice history. Nothing really ground-breaking and some different stories from the Office Ladies podcast which was nice.

Three stars

This book came out October 19, 2021

Audiobook borrowed from Libby

Opinions are my own

Delilah Green Doesn't Care by Ashley Herring Blake

After her father died, Delilah Green was left with her stepmother and step-sister. The latter, Astrid, is getting married and has insisted that Delilah come back to Bright Falls to photograph the wedding. Yes, Delilah is a photographer and, yes, she does weddings but the history with all three women is... fraught to say the least. 

Delilah is a love 'em and leave 'em type (the book literally opens in the aftermath of one of her one-night stands). But she sees one of Astrid's best friends in the local bar and is immediately intrigued. She had dreams of Claire in high school but it seemed like a far reach.

Claire is bisexual and hasn't had sex in awhile because she is also a mother. Her daughter is twelve (teen pregnancy) and is just starting to hit the age when hormones go crazy. Claire is struggling with it but, now that her ex is in town, she has a little more time. Or would if the man could figure out how to care for their pre-teen. At least he's physically there (he wasn't for awhile).

This book has a large number of characters but a surprising amount of depth is given to many of them, not just the two falling in love. There is also a nice setup for some series books and the relationship between Delilah and her sister isn't magically solved after decades but they are left in a better place.

Four stars

This book came out February 2, 2022

Followed by Astrid Parker Doesn't Fall

Borrowed as hard copy from library

Opinions are my own

Boss Witch by Ann Aguirre

Clem knows there's a witch hunter in town. He's not exactly subtle about it. She wants to protect her friends and family because, if caught, the hunter will take away not only her magic, but her memories.

Gavin Rhys doesn't exactly enjoy being a witch hunter but he wants to make his father proud. He's okay with letting go of some of his responsibilities to spend more time with the gorgeous woman he's met at the bar. He is still looking for the witches in town but maybe he has something better to focus on. 

I didn't enjoy this book as much as the last because the two are inherently lying to each other the whole time they are in a relationship. I did like how Aguirre sort of dealt with that at the end though. 

Three stars

This book comes out April 5, 2022

Follows Witch Please

ARC kindly provided by Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

Deven and the Dragon by Eliot Grayson

Five years ago, Fiora (a dragon shifter) had sex with the wrong man and was cursed by his wife, a witch, to never be able to fall in love nor to have anyone fall in love with him without somebody dying. So he picked up and moved to a new town, Ridley. And the Ridley town council seems to want something from him so they've offered up a sacrifice. A young, innocent virgin. 

Fiora is not pleased. It's not like he even likes women. Maybe they've heard of the curse? But then why send a sacrifice?

Deven Clifton is definitely not a virgin. In fact, he's slept with most of the young people in town. Some of them married, some of them not, but always they've been enthusiastic. And he's really enjoyed it. Being a bartender, he's confused as to why the town council has summoned him. However, he seems to be the sacrifice. Because one of the town council needs a dragon's scale and, as I heard on <a href="https://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/podcast/503-bread-cozy-fantasy-sex-and-romance-with-jane-buehler/">Episode 503 of Smart Podcast, Trashy Books</a> "they're all like, we'll send Deven; Deven can seduce anyone." Because, in actuality, they've promised an innocent, not a virgin. And, he hasn't technically committed any crimes so he is sort of an innocent.

This retelling of Beauty and the Beast is absolutely adorable. There are some parts that didn't make a ton of sense but I overall really enjoyed the story.

Four stars

This book came out June 26, 2020

Borrowed as ebook from Kindle Unlimited

Opinions are my own