Audiobook Review: A Christmas Truce by Emma Bennet

Author: Emma Bennet

Narrator: Stephanie Racine
Title: A Christmas Truce

Genre: Chick Lit, Contemporary Romance
Format: Audiobook
Published: October 20, 2023
Where I Got It: Audible

Summary: 

Photographer Libby just got fired. Again . Then she gets home early to find her boyfriend in bed with another woman. And just like that, her dreams of a Christmas Day proposal are shattered.

Libby lands a new job as a personal assistant to enigmatic businessman Seth Coleman. He’s terse and demanding — it’s no wonder Libby keeps messing up.

Then one day an adorable Golden Retriever puppy is delivered to the house. As Libby helps Seth train Barney, she realizes that there’s a surprisingly sweet side to this CEO . . .

But everything goes wrong when Libby finds out that Seth’s company just bought the community centre where they’ve been training Barney. It’s not only puppy classes, it’s a lifeline for the whole village. Libby is devastated when Seth says it’s ‘just business’. So she packs her bags.

Until disaster strikes and Libby is forced to spend her favourite time of the year with a man who doesn’t even own tinsel. It’s up to Libby to bring some much-needed Christmas spirit. Starting with a truce, since they’re going to be stuck together whether they like it or not.

But Libby might just find magic under the mistletoe after all if she can encourage Seth to open his heart to Christmas . . .

Review:

Randomly stumbled upon this little number, and it was short and Christmas-y...so why not?

Here, we follow Libby, who simply can't catch a break. She has just been fired...again...and found out her boyfriend has been cheating on her. Christmas is around the corner! What can she do? She is in luck...she lands a nice assistant job to a famous businessman, Seth. Catch is she has to live onsite and deal with his grumpy and particular ways. One day, he buys a dog without a warning to Libby. She teams up with Seth to train this dog. Could this dog change the overly serious and grumpy Seth? Maybe, just maybe, there will be a Christmas miracle.

This was very sweet. Seth is for sure a grump, but he has a heart of gold. He donates a lot of money and does a lot for his staff. I loved Seth, and I got his mindset about buying the community center. It was up for sale, so why not?

Libby is super judgey and not reliable. She seems like a nice girl, but damn she is ready to quit after EVERYTHING. Like, dude. Nothing is perfect...grow up. She really needed to grow up seriously. I'm obviously not Team Libby.

BUT I did like that Libby and Seth are super flawed, and they seem to balance each other out really well. It was lovely seeing them find a balance professionally and then personally. Their Christmas hangout was sweet.

BARNEY was the true star of the show. Loved that lil puppers.

The narrator was alright. All the girl voices sounded the same, and all the guy voices sounded the same, so you have to really pay attention.

In the end, I did enjoy this. Some moments made me roll my eyes, but it was a nice holiday read. I'll give this 4 stars.

 Challenge(s):

- Audiobook #60

Audiobook Review: Sweet as Sin by JT Geissinger

Author: JT Geissinger

Narrator: Teri Clark Linden
Title: Sweet as Sin

Series: Bad Habit #1

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Format: Audiobook
Published: July 14, 2015
Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible)

Summary: 

Twentysomething Kat Reid is loving life as an in-demand Hollywood makeup artist. She has absolutely no interest in rock ’n’ roll, but in order to pay the mortgage, she agrees to work on the set of a rock video for the world-famous rockers known as Bad Habit…which brings her face-to-face with Nico Nyx, lead singer of Bad Habit and Adonis in the flesh.

However, the fiercely independent Kat isn’t impressed by the hard-living, womanizing rock star. But when Nico’s model girlfriend shows up to the set drunk and Kat is tapped to replace her as the video’s sexy bride, her combustible chemistry with Nico suddenly threatens to consume the set. Nico feels it, too—and becomes determined to win Kat over, body and soul. Yet behind his rock god swagger, Nico hides a dark secret. Can he rock Kat’s world forever, or will he just break her heart?

Review:

Yayy! Last book of this reading challenge! And look at that!!! Waaaay before the end of the year. ;)

Here we follow Kat Reid who is an in-demand Hollywood makeup artist. She has seen the underbelly of the Hollywood and music world and she wants no real part in it, but she likes doing makeup and paying her bills. Last minute she is dragged into being in a rock video with Bad Habit. This brings her face-to-face with Nico Nyx...the lead singer. She has no real interest (yes, he looks like a Greek God) but he is determined to make her his. 

I do not think I like rock stars. I've read a couple over the years and they aren't my favorite. Mmmmmm. 

I especially wasn't a huge fan of Nico. He is pushy and possessive. Oh and his temper? Eh. LOTS of red flags with this fella. Yes, he has trauma from his past and the secrets he's holding, but that doesn't excuse a lot of his behaviors. KAT RUUUUUUUN! That boy needs some serious help. I love a bad boy, but there were a lot of things that I didn't like. 

Kat also has some issues, but I wouldn't consider her a red flag. Her biggest thing is fear of commitment and people-pleasing. 

Some of the band mates seem okay. The next book is about one that also seems to have red flag vibes. I may stop while I'm ahead. 

The narrator did a good job. 

But yes....maybe not for me. The drama was fun but I couldn't really get past the worrisome red flags. 

2 stars. 

 Challenge(s):

- Audiobook #59

- Romance Reading #25 (MC is a rockstar)

Book Review: Dime Store Magic by Kelley Armstrong

Author: Kelley Armstrong

Title: Dime Store Magic

Series: Otherworld #3

Genre: Paranormal Romance, UF, Fantasy

Format: ebook

Pages: 448

Published: February 10, 2004

Where I got It: Library

Summary: 

Paige Winterbourne was always either too young or too rebellious to succeed her mother as leader of one of the world's most powerful elite organizations- the American Coven of Witches. Now that she is twenty-three and her mother is dead, the Elders can no longer deny her. But even Paige's wildest antics can't hold a candle to those of her new charge- an orphan who is all too willing to use her budding powers for evil... and evil is all too willing to claim her. For this girl is being pursued by a dark faction of the supernatural underworld. They are a vicious group who will do anything to woo the young, malleable, and extremely powerful neophyte, including commit murder- and frame Paige for the crime. It's an initiation into adulthood, womanhood, and the brutal side of magic that Paige will have to do everything within her power to make sure they both survive.

Review:

I put this series on hold yeeeaaaaaarrrrsss ago. I can't remember the precise reason, but I do remember being cautious because the series switched from our clan of werewolves to this witch lady. I get nervous when series do that. 

But yes, we are back in the Otherworld. We follow Paige who no one thinks is good enough to replace her mother one day as the leader of the American Coven of Witches. That one day has arrived and the Elders can no longer deny her. However, things will take a nose-dive when her new charge is presented. This orphan is all too willing to use her budding powers for evil and she is being pursued by a dark faction. Will Paige be able to save her charge and bring her back to the light? Or will darkness consume her. 

Overall, I did enjoy this for what it was. It was nice coming back to this world but I didn't recognize any from the first two books. I mean...it has been years and maybe there was an old face I didn't recall. But I missed our wolves. Witches are fun, but I do prefer wolves and vamps. 

Paige was kinda meh to me. Boring and predictable. I've seen her kind a million times. By the end I was amused with her, but still....meh. 

Savannah was annoying. I get it. She had a tough life and the darkness seems like an easy way. I wanted to smack her. 

Cortez was meh. Boring as well. I couldn't even remember his name. I had to look at another review to remind myself. 

The drama and fights were fun....I will say that. 

In the end, this was just okay. Not my favorite group of heroes. I miss the old crew. 3 stars. 

 Challenge(s):

- Library Love #31

Best of November

Here are the best of the bests for November!!!! 

Best Book of the Month:

Blodeuedd - Lake Silence by Anne Bishop

"You know, yes I will choose my re-listen! Best book!"

Carole -  A Rip Through Time by Kelley Armstrong

"This was so unexpectedly good. I loved it! Def the best book!"

Best Movie of the Month:

Carole -  Nuremberg (2025)

"Blew my mind. So good."

Blodeuedd - Various Xmas movies

"No time for any other movies than Hallmark Xmas movies. It is the season. So these are not the ones I have watched. I just watch them all"

Best TV show of the Month:

Blodeuedd - Haunted Hotel (s1)

"I watched this one...I am sure there is another one I am forgetting too."

Carole - The Rookie (s7)

"I honestly forgot about this gem. We got back into s7. Nearly done...just a couple episodes left but it was the best of the month."

Best Cover of the Month:

Blodeuedd's pick

 

Carole's pick

Blodeuedd's Monday Review: Emily Wilde's Map of the Otherlands by Heather Fawcett

Series: Emily Wilde (#2)

Format: 352 pages, Paperback

Published: January 9, 2024 by Orbit

Fantasy/own

I liked book 1 more, that one was cozy and just had the right feel. This one, it felt a little book 2 syndrome for me. I just could not get lost in it like I did with book 1. It was still good, but lacked some magic.

Emily goes to Austria to find a door to Wendell´s fairy kingdom. Her new romantic interest. Who happens to be Fae, and whose kingdom was stolen from him.

In a small Alpine village they encounter dangerous fairies, meet friendly locals and search for two missing professors.

It was good, fun, but some sort of magic from book 1 was lost for me. i hope I find it again in book 3.

When mysterious faeries from other realms appear at her university, curmudgeonly professor Emily Wilde must uncover their secrets before it’s too late in this heartwarming, enchanting second installment of the Emily Wilde series.

 Emily Wilde is a genius scholar of faerie folklore—she just wrote the world’s first comprehensive of encylopaedia of faeries. She’s learned many of the secrets of the Hidden Folk on her adventures . . . and also from her fellow scholar and former rival, Wendell Bambleby.

 Because Bambleby is more than infuriatingly charming. He’s an exiled faerie king on the run from his murderous mother, and in search of a door back to his realm. So despite Emily’s feelings for Bambleby, she’s not ready to accept his proposal of Loving one of the Fair Folk comes with secrets and danger.

 And she also has a new project to focus a map of the realms of faerie. While she is preparing her research, Bambleby lands her in trouble yet again, when assassins sent by Bambleby’s mother invade Cambridge. Now Bambleby and Emily are on another adventure, this time to the picturesque Austrian Alps, where Emily believes they may find the door to Bambley’s realm, and the key to freeing him from his family’s dark plans.

 But with new relationships for the prickly Emily to navigate and dangerous Folk lurking in every forest and hollow, Emily must unravel the mysterious workings of faerie doors, and of her own heart.

B's Monday Review: The Butcher of the Forest by Premee Mohamed

By: Premee Mohamed

Narrated by: Shiromi Arserio

Length: 4 hrs and 4 mins

Release date: 11-25-25 by Tantor Media

Fantasy/to review

A country has been brutally conquered by a tyrant. Veris is just trying to live her life when they come for her.

There is a forest nearby, and if you enter you will not return. Everyone knows to stay clear, but then the tyrants two children go into the woods. And Veris is the only person who has gone in and come out...

So it is go in and die, come out without them and die. It is a forest filled with horror, strange beings and if you stay more than a day you can not return. It is a race against time, monsters and her own memories.

It was short, which I liked. In and out. The the horrors unfold. An interesting story.

Great narration. I felt she did Veris very well and really got the feel for her

At the northern edge of a land ruled by a merciless foreign tyrant lies a wild, forbidden forest ruled by powerful magic.

Veris Thorn—the only one to ever enter the forest and survive—is forced to go back inside to retrieve the tyrant's missing children. Inside await traps and trickery, ancient monsters, and hauntings of the past.

One day is all Veris is afforded. One misstep will cost everything.

Book Review: Snake-Eater by T. Kingfisher

Author: T. Kingfisher

Title: Snake-Eater

Genre: Paranormal, UF, Horror, Fantasy, Mystery

Format: ebook

Pages: 267

Expected Publication: December 1, 2025

Where I got It: Kindle Unlimited

Summary: 

ith only a few dollars to her name and her beloved dog Copper by her side, Selena flees her past in the city to claim her late aunt’s house in the desert town of Quartz Creek. The scorpions and spiders are better than what she left behind.

Because in Quartz Creek, there’s a strange beauty to everything, from the landscape to new friends, and more blue sky than Selena’s ever seen. But something lurks beneath the surface. Like the desert gods and spirits lingering outside Selena’s house at night, keeping watch. Mostly benevolent, says her neighbor Grandma Billy. That doesn’t ease the prickly sense that one of them watches too closely and wants something from Selena she can’t begin to imagine. And when Selena’s search for answers leads her to journal entries that her aunt left behind, she discovers a sinister truth about her new home: It’s the haunting grounds of an ancient god known simply as “Snake-Eater,” who her late aunt made a promise to that remains unfulfilled.

Snake-Eater has taken a liking to Selena, an obsession of sorts that turns sinister. And now that Selena is the new owner of his home, he’s hell-bent on collecting everything he’s owed.

Review:

I stumbled upon this while looking for something else. Amazon Unlimited allowed some folks to read this in advance of publication, so that was exciting! Weeeee! I really need more of T Kingfisher's books in my life. 

Here we have Selena, who is abandoning her old life to claim her late aunt's house in the desert town of Quartez Creek. Everything is so new and strange, but so beautiful. The neighbors are lovely and she loves the quiet. However, there is something lingering outside of Selena's house at night.....keeping watch. Her neighbor, Grandma Billy, says it is mainly benevolent, but Selena can't shake the feeling there is more to this story. She soon discovers the sinister truth about an ancient god known as Snake-Eater. 

You never know what to expect from this author. There are always so many twists and turns. You just never know where the story is headed next, and I simply LOVE that. 

I will say this wasn't as haunting or even creepy as some of the other stories I've read by her. It still had some creepiness, but this felt a bit more calm. Not complaining! The last one has scarred me a bit hahahahaha. This had an odd sense of...coziness to it. Yes, there is mystery and fantasy and horror, but I loved the cozy vibes given off. I loved that Selena was finding her voice and finding new friends. They were so sweet. 

What else??? Eeeek. I don't want to spoil anything!!!!

This was a fun story. Not my favorite by the author, but I still really enjoyed it. It had a great cast of characters and a nice spooky, but comfy vibe. I def recommend this. 

4 stars. 

Audiobook Review: Against the Clock by Brittany Kelley

Author: Brittany Kelley

Narrator: Greyson Ash, Lee Samuels
Title: Against the Clock

Series: Wilmington Football #1

Genre: Sports Romance, Contemporary
Format: Audiobook
Published: April 6, 2023
Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible)

Summary: 

I'll never date a football player— but all the veteran quarterback wants? Me.

Daniel

My life’s defined by my long career as a quarterback. I’m determined to have a great season, because I’m not sure how many I have left. But when I slam into gorgeous reporter Kelsey Cole on the sidelines, my focus on the game takes a backseat to my fascination with her. She’s tiny, smart, and fierce, and she makes me feel young again. Only one problem: she hates football—with good reason, too. Still, you don’t become a champion quarterback without learning how to fight for what you want.

Football’s always come first, but Kelsey might be the one to change that.

Kelsey

The last thing I need is to get involved with huge and handsome quarterback Daniel Harrison. Under all those muscles he’s hiding charm and a surprising intellect— an irresistible combination. I can’t deny our chemistry, but I can’t stand what he does for a living. Not to mention, once the internet starts shipping us, the spotlight becomes unbearable.

The fans will hate me even more when they find out I’m writing a piece that could leave the league they love in shambles.

There’s no future for the hot quarterback and I— so why can’t I say goodbye?

Review:

One of my private goals was to read a football romance at some point this year. Earlier this year, I realized I hadn't read many football romances over the years. Mainly, hockey ones. So I decided I wanted to try and read one or two this year. I found this little one on Audible. 

Here we follow Kelsey and Daniel. Daniel is a veteran quarterback who is nearing the end of his career. Kelsey is a reporter who wants nothing to do with football or football players. One day, while she is on the sideline working on her investigative piece, Daniel accidentally runs into her. To make it up to her, he takes her out for some grub. There is an attraction, but it seems impossible. 

At first, I thought this was going to be such a shallow love story. The lust and love happened SO fast. Too fast to be perfectly frank. However, we did get some depth! I was happy as a clam. Again, the lust and love happen quickly, but they have a lot of trauma and trust to dig through. Kelsey has some good reasons why she hates the football world. And Daniel is having some personal and career questions. I'm happy that we did get the depth. It helped flush out the story a bit. 

The beginning was slightly cringy. There is no way that scene would've played out. The quarterback would've helped her up and run off. I could be wrong, and maybe the clock would've paused to make sure there wasn't an injury on the sidelines. I don't think so, though. 

I am bummed that we didn't learn more about the piece that Kelsey wrote about the cheerleaders and how they were being mistreated by the league. I wanted to know what she found. It was sooooo glossed over. The next book stars one of the cheerleaders, so maybe we'll learn more than?? 

The narrators did a lovely job. I would've liked more time with the male narrator. I think Daniel needed more time in the spotlight. 

Overall, I did have fun with this story. It was super, DUPER spicy, and I think I would fall for Daniel too. What a sweetheart!!!!! I loved the depth we were given, but the love and lust were waaaay too quick. We needed more time to see them develop this. Maybe date 2? LOL, I also wanted to see more of Kelsey's work being shown and talked about. Just a hair more. Maybe this will be talked about more in book 2, which I am curious about. 

I'll stamp this with 3 stars.

 Challenge(s):

- Audiobook #58

Book Review: The Princess and the Pea by Victoria Alexander

Author: Victoria Alexander

Title: The Princess & the Pea

Genre: Historical Romance, Fairy Tale retelling

Format: Paperback

Pages: 354 

Published: January 1, 2009 

Where I got It: My shelf (Used book store)

Summary: 

A true American princess, Cecily White stood to inherit her father’s business empire. And with the twentieth century right around the corner, the independent beauty had no intention of marrying some foreign nobleman seeking her money. Then on a trip to England, Cece fell under the spell of a dashing peer who had more to recommend him than the length of his title and the size of his countinghouse. But Cece wouldn’t surrender her heart to the virile Earl of Graystone until he proved that the only treasure he wanted was her love.

Review:

I picked this up forever ago, and it has just been collecting dust on my bookshelf. Yayy for reading challenges to get me to pick up these dusty books!!

Here we follow Cecily and Jared. Cecily is a true American princess who stands to inherit her father's business empire. She is everything society wants: beautiful, rich, and polite. However, she is independent and has no desire but to marry for love. Especially those poor English peers that only have a title and debt in their pockets. However, there is something about Jared, the Earl of Graystone, that she can't resist. 

This story started off swell. I really enjoyed it. Cece was a gem, and I liked Jared. They were perfect for each other, but they literally "fell in love" like immediately. Luckily, there were a lot of issues, and Cece isn't an empty-headed fool. He needs to earn her and really show he loves her. GOOD. He's a fortune-hunter...no better than the girls of the ton. 

I think my biggest issue was how modern everyone felt. I get being "ahead of the times" and oddities, but sometimes it was a bit much. 

And the MIL? Omg. SURE she loves her son and wants the best, BUUUUT YOU ARE ABOUT TO BE IN THE POORHOUSE. Let him marry whomever he wants. Gah. I wanted to kick her. 

Plus the side romances drove me insane. I love when side characters find love too, don't get me wrong, but it was too much. It really bled into the story sometimes. 

Even with the issues, I did enjoy the journey of these two. 

I'll stamp this with 2 stars. 

 Challenge(s):

- TBR #11 (Change of Plans)

Blodeuedd's Monday Review: The Housemaid is Watching by Freida McFadden

Series: The Housemaid (#3)

Format: 383 pages, Paperback

Published: June 11, 2024 by Sourcebooks

Thriller/own

This one took some time to finish, because frankly it was boring. The Housemaid should have stayed with 2 books.

I did not feel any twists or turns.

It has been several years and Millie and Enzo are married with 2 kids and move to the suburbs. One neighbor is noisy, another woman is flirting too much. And then noooothing happens. Just Millie wondering if Enzo is cheating on her.

Then when something FINALLY happens, well I do not really care, and when the twists come, eh. Not twisty enough, and the second one, well made no sense when I think of it.

It was ok. But stay with the first 2.

“You must be our new neighbors!” Mrs. Lowell gushes and waves across the picket fence. I clutch my daughter’s hand and smile back: but the second Mrs. Lowell sees my husband a strange expression crosses her face. In that moment I make a promise. We finally have a family home. My past is far, far behind us. And I’ll do anything to keep it that way…

I used to clean other people’s houses—now, I can’t believe this home is actually mine. The charming kitchen, the quiet cul-de-sac, the huge yard where my kids can play. My husband and I saved for years to give our children the life they deserve.

Even though I’m wary of our new neighbor Mrs. Lowell, when she invites us over for dinner it’s our chance to make friends. Her maid opens the door wearing a white apron, her hair in a tight bun. I know exactly what it’s like to be in her shoes. But her cold stare gives me chills…

The Lowells’ maid isn’t the only strange thing on our street. I’m sure I see a shadowy figure watching us. My husband leaves the house late at night. And when I meet a woman who lives across the way, her words chill me to the bone: Be careful of your neighbors.

Did I make a terrible mistake moving my family here?

I thought I’d left my darkest secrets behind. But could this quiet suburban street be the most dangerous place of all?

Book Review: Frosting and Fairies by Danielle Garrett

Author: Danielle Garrett

Title: Frosting and Fairie

Series: Sugar Shack Witch Mysteries #4

Genre: Paranormal, Mystery, Fantasy, Cozy Mystery

Format: Ebook

Pages: 256 

Published: January 2, 2025

Where I got It: Kindle Unlimited

Summary: 

Small-town journalism isn’t exactly a thrill ride. Between PTA meetings and bake sale bulletins, I was drowning in monotony. But when I begged my editor for a juicier assignment, I should’ve been careful what I wished for.

Enter the Summer Lovin’ Book Festival. BOGO deals on paperbacks with a side of beefcake, as five hunky models vie to become the next Captain Riker Bones, the shirtless swashbuckler adorning Grandma Rose’s favorite bodice-rippers.

Sure, a little eye candy never hurt anyone, but ten minutes of watching grown women cry over washboard abs has me wishing I’d volunteered to write up the waste management ordinances instead.

But when one of our would-be pirates turns up dead in his hotel room, my puff piece transforms into a full-blown murder mystery. And the plot thickens faster than my family’s famous buttercream when a poison-laced cupcake from Sugar Shack is found at the scene.

Now I’m racing against time to catch a killer, clear my family’s name, and keep Grandma Rose from sailing into the sunset with one of the wannabe pirates. Someone pass the rum.

Review:

We forge forward with our gal.

Ella's new role as the small-town journalist hasn't been a thrill ride. Between PTA meetings and bake sales, she has been dying of the monotony. When she asks her editor for a juicier assignment....she gets what she asks for in spades. The Summer Lovin' Book Festival is in town, along with five of their hunky models. When one of them turns up dead in the hotel after eating a cupcake from her family's business. Now she will have to find the killer and clear her family's name.

Yayy for the next book. Plus, Orion is here too! Yayy! Don't get me wrong, I do adore Ella running around doing her thing, but I think they make a better team together. I hope he gets to stick around for a while or at least for these mysteries.

But yes, we have two mysteries at play here. One, our poor dead hunk. Two, the main mystery of finding out who is causing mayhem using magical creatures. However, the mystery of the dead hunk takes over when her family's business is besmirched. NOT THE CUPCAKES NOOOO.

Now...some realness....I did struggle a bit with this. Not sure why. Maybe I've been spoiled with the narration. The narrator is one of my favorites, and I love her. I read the ebook this time because I saw it as a freebie on my Kindle Unlimited. Maybe I'll go back and do the narrator someday.

But yes, I did struggle in the middle. The beginning was fun, and the last third was intense and caught my attention again. What an ending!!!! Again, I'm not sure why I had some struggles.

Other than my issues with the middle part and missing my narrator......I did enjoy our gang and the backdrop of the Book Festival.

I'll stamp this with 3 stars.  

Audiobook Review: When We Were Friends by Jane Green

Author: Jane Green

Narrator: Lucy Rayner
Title: When We Were Friends

Genre: Short Story, Novella, Chick Lit
Format: Audiobook
Published: 1, 2024
Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible)

Summary: 

By all accounts, Lucy’s handled her divorce well. She’s finally in the cozy, plant-filled house of her dreams. And although she doesn’t fit in with the other divorcées—all busy looking for their next ex—she’s excited to get down to earth and savor the small joys of life.

When Lucy meets Elle, a hip younger woman who shares her same passions, their connection is instant. Taking a chance on kismet, Lucy forges a friendship that fills her days with meaning. She and Elle are inseparable, from sunup to sundown, enjoying the immediate ease and familiarity of each other’s company.

But as Lucy introduces Elle to her circle, a new side of her friend appears. And try as she might, Lucy can’t ignore her misgivings. Who is Elle really? And can their all-consuming friendship survive closer inspection?

Review:

I've enjoyed this author before and so why not try out this one? Plus I needed a nice short anyway. 

Here we follow Lucy who has dealt with her divorce well-enough. She lost herself during her marriage and now that it is over, she is trying to find herself again. One day during an event she didn't really want to attend, stumbles upon Elle. They seem to connect so easily and fit together so nicely. Maybe this is the sister and friend she has been looking for all her life. However, when Lucy introduces Elle to her circle, Elle doesn't seem like the Elle she knew. A whole new side appears and can their friendship survive?

This one made me terribly sad. I hate how it ended. I get WHY it ended the way that it did and Lucy had to do what she had to do. But I hated it. 

I enjoyed the story well-enough and there are some lessons to be had. I get that, but man. :/ And I'm sure we all have had a friend like Elle or have been the Elle. Life is about lessons and Lucy (and Elle) learn some tough lessons about life and friendships. 

The narrator did well. I enjoyed her accents and voices. 

Maybe we will get some sort of sequel with Elle. 

Rating? Oh boy. Ummmmmmm..........errrr..........3 stars methinks. 

 Challenge(s):

- Audiobook #57

Movie Review: Nuremberg (2025)

Title: Nuremberg

Length: 2h 28m

Released: 2025

Genre: Drama, Legal Thriller
Rating: PG-13
Where I Got It: Theater

SUMMARY:

A WWII psychiatrist evaluates Nazi leaders before the Nuremberg trials, growing increasingly obsessed with understanding evil as he forms a disturbing bond with Hermann Göring.

Trailer

REVIEW:

Rarely do I go to the theater anymore, but when I do it is for a movie that I've been itching to see. This is one of them. I took my fellow history-loving friend and Hubby. I'm so glad we did. 

The movie follows Dr Kelley as he is tasked with being a psychiatrist for the Nazi leaders arrested. They will be facing trial. One of the main leaders is Hermann Goring who is 2nd in charge of Nazi Germany. Dr Kelley becomes obsessed with learning and understanding the evil in front of him. 

This movie is haunting me. I want to go back and see it again. The way they filmed this was great. They really dig into the minds of these Nazi bastards. Especially Goring. Goring and Kelley form a weird friendship until Kelley sees something that cannot redeem these men. 

The first half you can see how Goring got to where he was in life. He was charming and sauve and he felt like you could have a beer with him. He was an amazing maniuplator. There were times I started to feel bad for him, but then the court scene. Oh.My.God. I was in tears. It was hard to watch but it was a HUGE reminder that these men were evil. Pure evil. Sure they are human at their core and maybe didn't start evil, but they were just as bad as Hitler. 

I loved how complex this was. It was so layered and I couldn't look away. The acting was amazing and if they don't receive an award....then I don't know what a good movie is. 

But yes, trigger warning....I'll put a spoiler alert here: There are ACTUAL scenes from the camps that they show at the trial. [End spoiler] I felt these were super important to display to remind viewers of the terrible events that transpired and that our pity for these men could and should only go far. 

The scene where Kelley gets in Goring's face was Oscar-worthy for both men. Damn. You could feel the hatred. 

100% worth the watch. This movie came out at a good time to remind us that evil is great at hiding. Evil men (and women) are amazing at charming their way to the top. They are great at tricking and lying straight to our faces. Bad people can do a lot of damage. Sure, they may have not started off as evil, but power is a nasty, nasty thing.

5 stars. 

Audiobook Review: Blind Date with a Werewolf by Patricia Briggs

Author: Patricia Briggs

Narrator: Holter Graham
Title: Blind Date with a Werewolf

Series: Alpha & Omega
Genre: UF, Paranormal Romance, Fantasy
Format: Audiobook
Published: October 21, 2025
Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible)

Summary: 

Dear Asil:

We are worried about you. A werewolf alone is a sad thing, especially at Christmastime. So we have a challenge for you: five dates in three weeks. We have taken the work out of it and connected you with five people from online dating sites. You should also know that we have informed the whole pack and instigated a betting pool. Have fun!

Sincerely,

Your Concerned Friends

Review:

Weeee been wanting more from this series and/or world for a bit now. One negative about being caught up. ;) 

Here we have a collection of short stories following Asil taking on the Christmastime date challenge. A "concerned friend" has lined up 5 dates for Asil to go on. He has not been right in the head or heart in years...many, many, years. In a weird way he's excited to get out and prove his friends wrong that he can act normal. 

This is technically "standalones" but I totally encourage reading the other books of the world first before this. 

I simply and utterly adored this collection. Asil is a gem and I'm so glad we got to follow him find himself and maybe love. ADORABLE. We got to see a side of Asil never shown in the other books. He's been rotting away as a side character that we all love (find me one person who doesn't like him...I have a presentation to show them hehe). He's such a deadly werewolf, but man is he kind. He love protecting those who cannot protect themselves. 

But yes. 5 dates. 5 people who may be friend, foe, or more. Each date was soooo different but they each had a lesson for our Asil. 

That ending???? EEEEEK. ADORABLE!!! I hope we see more. 

The author did a lovely job. His voices for everyone was fitting. I believe he did the others in this series. He's good. 

Did I say this was adorable? I may have. 

But yes, I loved it. 

5 stars. 

 Challenge(s):

- Audiobook #56

Books and Reviews: The Pumpkin Spice Spell by Erin Branscom

Author: Erin Branscom

Title: The Pumpkin Spice Spell

Series: Wisteria Cove #1

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Paranormal

Format: Ebook

Pages: 326

Published: September 10, 2025

Where I got It: Kindle Unlimited

Summary: 

In Wisteria Cove, love is messy, magic is real, and pumpkin spice fixes almost everything… almost.

Willa Maren has a bookstore café, two meddling sisters, a witchy mother who swears by candle spells… and a big Tate Holloway is back in town.

Her first love. Her heartbreak. The boy next door, who left, is now back, looking entirely too hot in flannel.

The whole town is matchmaking, her sisters are firmly on Team Tate, and even their mother, Lilith Maren seems to stir up a love spell or two.

But this time, Willa’s determined to protect her heart, even if it takes every ounce of magic she’s got.

For readers who believe in second chances… and a little small-town magic.

Review:

Grabbed this because of the cover and it was labeled as a Halloween romance which I wanted and needed in my life. 

Here we follow Willa and Tate. Tate was Willa's first love and her first heartbreak. When he left, she decided love may not be for her. She only needs her bookstore cafe and her family even if they like to meddle. Years later....Tate is back. And it will take all her willpower and magic power to protect her heart. 

Was there magic? Sure. It was so limited it didn't feel like a paranormal/witchy book at all. We needed more. 

Also, we needed more Halloween-ness. It was there but again...lacking. 

I also didn't buy the chemistry between Willa and Tate. Sure it was there...but we needed more. 

This was entertaining overall, don't get it twisted....but it needed more of everything. It was light on everything. 

All-in-all, I'll give this 3 stars. Not bad. Loved the town and the characters, but it simply needed more on a lot of things.

 

 Challenge(s):

- Library Love #30

- Romance Reading #24 (Non-Xmas setting)

Blodeuedd's Monday Review: Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell

Format: 209 pages, Hardcover

Published: August 27, 2019 by First Second

Ya/fiction/library

I read this one for bookclub and it was a great pick. I really liked how it was drawn, and there was even a map at the beginning to show the place where these two worked.

Two besties who are only besties when they worked together at this enormous very US thing. Like Pumpkin land? Anyway I guess they do not go to the same school. And they have worked there for years and Josiah has a crush on someone. This story takes place in one night as they hare trying to find his crush since this is their last year before college.

On the way there they meet others, try all the yummy stuff you can buy, there is a goat on the loose and well it all ends well.

Deja and Josiah are seasonal best friends.

Every autumn, all through high school, they’ve worked together at the best pumpkin patch in the whole wide world. (Not many people know that the best pumpkin patch in the whole wide world is in Omaha, Nebraska, but it definitely is.) They say good-bye every Halloween, and they’re reunited every September 1.

But this Halloween is different—Josiah and Deja are finally seniors, and this is their last season at the pumpkin patch. Their last shift together. Their last good-bye.

Josiah’s ready to spend the whole night feeling melancholy about it. Deja isn’t ready to let him. She’s got a plan: What if—instead of moping and the usual slinging lima beans down at the Succotash Hut—they went out with a bang? They could see all the sights! Taste all the snacks! And Josiah could finally talk to that cute girl he’s been mooning over for three years . . .

What if their last shift was an adventure?