2-in-1 Book review: Trick Shot and Puck Shy by Kayla Grosse

Author: Kayla Grosse

Title: Trick Shot

Series: Brother Puckers #1

Genre: LGBT, Romance, Novella

Format: ebook

Pages: 189

Published: November 1, 2023

Where I got It: My shelf (Amazon)

Summary: 

Leo McKnight, an identical twin to a famous hockey player, finds himself caught up in a case of mistaken identity on Christmas Eve.

When Leo unexpectedly bumps into the captivating Riley at the airport, he's both amused and intrigued by her assumption that he's his renowned brother. Embracing his mischievous side, Leo decides to play along, relishing in their flirty banter and clever exchanges.

But as fate would have it, their flight gets canceled, and Leo seizes the opportunity to spend more time with Riley. With a devilish glint in his eye, he invites her to spend the night at his penthouse. With an intriguing woman, his best friend Jace, and a whole night of possibilities ahead of them, Leo has all the ingredients for what promises to be a memorable Christmas Eve.

Review:

Who doesn't want a nice smutty Xmas story in June? Stumbled upon this while looking for something else and it seemed like a nice quick read. 

Leo finds himself being mistaken for his twin brother who is a famous hockey player. It happens enough, but he doesn't correct Riley because there is something about her and he wants to take her home. The further they go the harder it is to tell her the truth even though his partner, Jace, knows it is not a good idea to keep it from her. Things escalate and they will spend a holly, jolly Christmas with each other. Sometimes miracles happen. 

This was 90% smut and 10% story. Which was fine, but man...I think I needed another 10% to really enjoy it. Yes, I enjoyed the smut but I think I needed more talking especially after the reveal. No spoiler here but YOU KNOW it comes out eventually. Love an insta-love, but this needed more. 

Jace is a sweet bean. 

Leo was nice, but dumb dumb. 

Riley was an angel. 

Very smutty...very Christmas-y. Fun, but I needed just a smidge more story. 

3 stars. 

Favorite Character(s): Jace

Least Favorite Character(s): CHAD

 Challenge(s):

- Romance Reading #18 (LGBT)

Author: Kayla Grosse

Title: Puck Shy

Series: Brother Puckers #2

Genre: LGBT, Romance, Novella

Format: ebook

Pages: 206

Published: January 1, 2024

Where I got It: My shelf (Amazon)

Summary: 

LUCAS MCKNIGHT, is the center for the Seattle Stormbreakers hockey team, and a famous actor. You’d think his life would be made, but he’s going through a dry spell—in more ways than one.

One of his teammates is tired of watching Lucas suffer, and with a little convincing, entices him to attend a masked Valentine’s Day party for a night of distraction. Little does he know; this night will change the game.

Lucas meets a mysterious woman in a red mask, and their chemistry is both instant and undeniable. After one little taste of the lady in red, his dry spell is broken, and after a fresh win on the ice, Lucas wants more. He’ll stop at nothing to find her.

Only, he doesn’t have to look far. It turns out the woman behind the mask, is STEVIE HARPER. As in, the sister of his twin brother’s partner. Future sister-in-law or not, Lucas isn’t giving up that easily.

Determined to keep Stevie close, Lucas offers her a job, hoping to explore what’s between them. Stevie agrees but insists on a platonic arrangement, she doesn’t mix business with pleasure. Only, their pact to remain professional quickly becomes a complicated dance, as they skate the blurred lines between friendship and something more.

When it comes to the game of love… there’s more than meets the ice.

Review:

Okay - I had to read book 2 because I wanted to see more. We get to see our throple make an appearance here and there. PLUS Leo's brother is going to find love too? Yayyyyy.

Here we follow Stevie and Lucas. Stevie is Riley's sister and Lucas is Leo's twin. They meet at a masked Valetine's Day sex party. It is love and lust at the same time. They share an incredible night but it was one single night....but then they run into each other and realize who each other is. Stevie doesn't do relationships especially not with her boss. So when he offers her a job there can be nothing more than friendship. 

NOW this was fun. I feel like this had the perfect blend of story and smut. Still EXTREMELY SMUTTY but a story I can get behind. They get to know each other for a bit before they explore more and I was here for it. 

It was so nice seeing the gang from the last book and seeing them out and interacting. Loved seeing them with their HEA. It made me appreciate this one even more. 

But yes, this was a nice quick read. 4 stars from me. 

Favorite Character(s): Lucas *fans self*

Least Favorite Character(s): mmmmmm no one. 

Movie Review: Clue (1985)

Title: Clue

Length: 1h 34m

Released: 1985

Genre: Comedy, Mystery
Rating: PG
Where I Got It: Pluto TV

SUMMARY:

Six guests are anonymously invited to a strange mansion for dinner, but after their host is killed, they must cooperate with the staff to identify the murderer as the bodies pile up.

Trailer

REVIEW:

The blogging world may or may not know, but I'm (at the time of this post) in a play rendition of this movie. Weee. I play Yvette the maid. Last time I watched this film I was a teenager (maybe young adult like 18 or 19) since the final weekend of shows are happening I decided to make my hubby watch this film with me. 

When six guests are anonymously invited to dinner at a strange mansion...bad things start happening. The host is killed and with the butler leading the way they need to unmask the killer before they too join the body pile. 

Man it has been a LONG time since I watched this. It was strange seeing this cast so young. Such a fan cast they were!

The humor is there and still funny. Some jokes might be a little dated, but still fun. 

I love, love, LOVE the fact that they have multiple endings! How fun! From what I have been told, back in the day they would give different theaters different endings just to cause chaos and confusion. How hilarious. Why can't movies be a joke upon themselves like this anymore?!?!?!

The whodunnit is hilarious because these are all very bad people (even the staff) so it's hard to determine who is the murder(s). Hilarious. 

Not sure if I'm just being biased because our version is a little more fast paced, but some bits (especially the beginning) just feels soooo slow. Maybe I'll rewatch this in like a year when the memories of my play fades and see if I feel the same way. 

All-in-all, this was a nice blast from the past and it was great having my hubby experience this before he watched our version of the movie on stage. 4 stars from me. 

For funsies...here is a picture of me and the cast: 

Audiobook Review: Leprechauns and Lemon Bars by Danielle Garrett

Author: Danielle Garrett

Narrator: Amanda Ronconi

Title: Leprechauns and Lemon Bars

Series: Sugar Shack Witch Mysteries #3.5

Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Mystery, Cozy Mystery

Format: Audiobook 

Pages: 487 

Published: September 1, 2024

Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible)

Summary: Shamrocks, rainbows, pots of gold, and … one irate leprechaun.

Spring has sprung, and I’m finally getting out of town with my monster-hunting boyfriend. However, our cozy little rental cabin in the woods turns out to have a serious problem—an angry leprechaun infestation.

Before we can get back to our romantic rendezvous, we have to prove we didn’t steal a magic hat.

Piece of cake, right?

Review:

Weeeee! I needed a nice short. This filled that need for sure. 

Our little couple is finally getting some alone time with a romantic rendezvous. Just when things are getting good, they are disrupted by a Leprechaun who's magical hat has been stolen. Will they find the hat? Will they get to save their vacation? Most importantly...will they get the door fixed so they get their deposit back?

You need to read the past books before reading this little number. There is a lot of backstory between Orion and Ella in order to truly appreciate this story. 

But yes, this is short. Super short. Maybe too short. 

There is romance and mystery. The mystery was a little cut and dry for my liking. I would've liked maybe a red herring or maybe a fun twist. Sadly, it was an easy mystery to solve for our epic duo. 

Honestly, I don't think we needed the mystery. I would've been completely A-OK with just a story of Ella and Orion exploring the woods and the town and each other (*waggles brows*). They rarely get alone time and they were apart for a while because of his work. Maybe the mystery could've been something even smaller than a missing hat. Maybe a mystery of the music playing or where to get their next meal. LOL. IDK but I do not think we needed a mystery in this short. 

Maybe I'm wrong......maybe this is a lead up to more especially with the gift they were given at the end there. We shall see. 

Narration? Amazing as per usual. I love Amanda Ronconi!

Overall, this was cute. The mystery was meh, but I loved seeing our epic duo together again after such a long time apart. Cuties!!!! 3 stars from me. 

Favorite Character(s): Ella and Orion of course

Least Favorite Character(s): n/a

 Challenge(s):

- Audiobook #28

- Cloak & Dagger #14

Book Review: Highland Flame by Mary Wine

Author: Mary Wine

Title: Highland Flame

Genre: Historical Romance

Format: ebook

Pages: 313

Published: September 5, 2017

Where I got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

Laird Diocail Gordon has just come into his title and inherited his father’s run down castle and rag-tag clan. He knows the sorry sight of the castle would send any woman running, but is determined to find a wife to help return his home to its former glory.

Widow Jane Stafford is on a mission—return to England even if it means trudging through the Scottish Highlands on foot. Her travels lead her straight to the path of danger until a mysterious, brawny man comes out of nowhere and saves her—and the spark between them is immediate. With a target on Jane’s back, she knows the only way to stay safe is to go with Diocail. But the real trouble will be guarding her heart from her newly ignited Highland flame…

Review:

Been meaning to push forward in this series for a while now, but you know life....things sometimes get forgotten or pushed back. But yayy. Finally back on track!

Here we follow Jane and Diocail. Jane is a newly made widow and she isn't sad about it. He was a bad husband in a lot of ways. She wants to go home one way or another even if that means walking the whole way. However, her plans are thwarted when she is saved by Diocail. He has just inherited his father's clan and it needs some serious work to get the clan back to it's former glory. First step...find a good and loyal wife to help. Jane is not that woman, but he can't help but be enchanted by the little English spitfire. 

This was a nice read. Loved Diocail and Jane. There is some drama, but nothing major. There are major trust issues they both have to work through...especially at the end. However, as every HR tells you......they work it out and they live happily ever after. 

I do wish we had more external drama that didn't involve someone trying to continuously kidnap Jane. Ugh. It got old. I would've liked a little more drama that might've brought Diocail and Jane together. I think it would've been nice to see them work on a problem together maybe. There is an external story going on at the same time, but it seemed to be slowed down to nearly a pause here. Hopefully we see more action in the next.

What else to say?

Loved Muir. 

Loved Jane and Diocail. You could see the lust and love bubbling there. They were perfect for each other even before they knew it. 

I can't wait to get to Brenda's book. She is my favorite but her book is last. We have one more tale to read before then. 

All-in-all, I have enjoyed the series so far. It is a cute and has some lovely steamy scenes. And the story is fun to watch unfold! This was a little slower for the external story, but still fun overall. I'll give this a 3. 

Favorite Character(s): Brenda is my girl

Least Favorite Character(s): The baddie(s) here

 Challenge(s):

- Library Love #13

- Romance Reading #17 (Highland in title)

Re-listen...Audiobook Review: One Good Dragon Deserves Another by Rachel Aaron

Author: Rachel Aaron 

Narrator: Vikas Adam

Title: One Good Dragon Deserves Another

(Heartstrikers #2)

Genre: Fantasy, Urban Fiction, Paranormal

Format: Audiobook 

Pages: 487 

Published: August 1st 2015

Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible)

Summary: After barely escaping the machinations of his terrifying mother, two all knowing seers, and countless bloodthirsty siblings, the last thing Julius wants to see is another dragon. Unfortunately for him, the only thing more dangerous than being a useless Heartstriker is being a useful one, and now that he’s got an in with the Three Sisters, Julius has become a key pawn in Bethesda the Heartstriker’s gamble to put her clan on top.

Refusal to play along with his mother’s plans means death, but there’s more going on than even Bethesda knows, and with Estella back in the game with a vengeance, Heartstriker futures disappearing, and Algonquin’s dragon hunter closing in, the stakes are higher than even a seer can calculate. But when his most powerful family members start dropping like flies, it falls to Julius to defend the clan that never respected him and prove that, sometimes, the world’s worst dragon is the best one to have on your side.

Review:

Re-read book 1 for book club and I couldn't resist doing the rest of the series. Love this series so much!

Julius and Marci barely survived after the last book. Estella is back and is desperate to win at any cost. Julius and Marci will have to use every tool to survive and find a future that can work for everyone.

It was so fun going back to the beginning. Loved seeing everything with knowing eyes. Even though I knew what was going to happen I was still on the edge of my seat. Awwww. 

Julius is so sweet. Sometimes too much, but that is what makes him a bad dragon. 

Marci is adorbs. 

Amelia and Bob are still my favorite dragons. 

Again...I still feel for Estella but she went too far. I wanted more for her, but she made her bed. 

The ending is just so good. You need to read the next book to see if Julius' plan works. I know what happens but I'm itching to start it. 

The narrator is fabulous as always!!

Such a good series. Loved this book even more than when I last read it. 5 stars. 

Favorite Character(s): Bob and Amelia

Least Favorite Character(s): Bethesda

 Challenge(s):

- Audiobook #27

Blodeuedd's Monday: Finding Mr Write by Kelley Armstrong

Format: 368 pages, Paperback

Published: June 25, 2024 by Forever

Contemporary romance/own

I had some issues with this one because I had just finished Yellowface, and sure this is nothing like that. But Daphne decides to publish under a male penname and then she keeps up the lie and even finds a guy to play the part. There is just so much lying. It would have worked so much better if I had not recently read a book about the anger that any lying causes. Big or small.

But yes they get to know each other as Chris needs to know how to play the part of Zane. And the more they lie the closer they come to a big shown down. Because her book becomes a big hit and he is sent to bookfairs and talks in panels. And I kept thinking, people will be maaad.

There is also the romance bit as they get closer. Though to be fair, the romance lacked a bit. It would have made it even more about the romance. Now there was a lot of other things going on.

It was a good book, though do not read it after reading books where people lie about stuff and a trainwreck begins. LOL. Here there is not a trainwreck in that sense because this is in the end a romance.

A  fun romantic comedy about a woman writing under a male pseudonym and the man she hires to play the role in public.

Daphne McFadden is tired of rejection. After submitting her manuscript to dozens of agents, she's gotten rejection after rejection, and now it's time for something drastic. And so, Daphne submits her manuscript again… under a man's name.

Imagine her surprise when it sells for big money at an auction and soon becomes a publicity darling. Only she needs a man to play her super macho alter ego Zane Remington. Enter Chris Stanton, who absolutely looks the part of a survivalist and has a talent for pressing her piss‑me‑off‑I‑dare‑you buttons while somehow being endearing at the same time. But Chris has a few secrets of his own, including the fact that he’s really an accountant who has no idea how to chop wood or paddle a canoe. When Daphne's book becomes a bestselling sensation and they're forced to go on tour together, Daphne finds herself wondering if this city‑boy geek is exactly what she needs to push her to claim her dreams.

Book Review: English History

Author: Collins

Title: English History

Genre: Nonfiction

Format: Paperback

Pages: 224

Published: October 4, 2018

Where I got It: My shelf (Gift from friend) 

Summary: 

The perfect stocking filler for lovers of English History.

A concise guide to key events, people and places in English history and how England has come to be what it is today. From prehistoric England, Stonehenge and the Romans to modern times.

Review:

While I was over in the UK last month my lovely friend bought this for me while we were at a museum. She is so sweet!

This is a run down of some big events, people, and etc that influenced the English culture and history.

I'm a huge history nerd so it was fun going through this and seeing English history through an English historians POV. I loved that it was "simplified" so it wasn't overly wordy. We also got some pictures too so that was an added bonus. 

But yes, a quick read but I took my time. I enjoyed re-reading certain sections. I think I'm ready for my English History exam! ;) 

Informative and interesting. Plus pictures are fuuuuun!

5 stars. 

Book Review: The One Month Boyfriend by Roxie Noir

Author: Roxie Noir

Title: The One Month Boyfriend

Series: Wildwood Society #1

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Format: ebook

Pages: 430

Published: May 24, 2022

Where I got It: My shelf (Amazon)

Summary: 

Fake dating my sworn enemy to make my ex so jealous he can't see straight?

Worth it.

Silas and I agree on one thing, and one thing only: my ruthless, heartless, narcissistic jerk of an ex-fiance needs to be taken down a notch.

So we do what anyone would do: we pretend to be a couple.

Even though Silas and I are polar opposites. Silas is a loud, cheerful, over the top showboat. He’s his hometown’s golden boy, the Marine who came back to rescue kittens from trees and walk old ladies across the street.

And me? I'm the awkward new girl who freezes up around strangers and can’t make small talk to save my life.

It shouldn’t work. We can barely have a conversation without arguing. There's no way we should be friends, let alone dating, except... Everyone believes it.

Especially my ex.

Now I'm having way too many real fantasies about the man who gets on my last nerve. My fake boyfriend is starting to feel a whole lot like a real one.

The kisses feel real.

The way he protects me feels real.

The night we spend together in a hotel bed feels very real.

This was supposed to be fake, but I think I might have fooled myself most of all.

Review:

I stumbled up this a while back and was curious about it so when it was free on Amazon I grabbed it up. Weeee love a free book. 

Kat and Silas do not like each other, but they hate her ex more SO why not fake date to get even. However, as they spend time with each other they realize they have a lot in common and maybe they can at least be friends.....or more?

Honestly, this was a roller coaster and maybe not in the best of ways for me.

This started off okay for me....got meh....got better....got meh again. Better for a hot second and then ended with me yawning. 

The characters, esp Silas, seemed to be my alley. Silas was swoon-worthy at first, but I ended up feeling neutral. Luckily I didn't hate them, but I just didn't care. I didn't buy the chemistry. I didn't buy the witty convos. Nope. 

I would've DNFed but there were moments I enjoyed so I stuck it out. PLUS I needed this for a reading challenge. ;)

All-in-all, I wish I had liked this better. I didn't "hate" it, but I ultimately didn't care by the end. Not for me. BUUUUUT there were a couple of cute moments, so I'll give it 2 stars overall. 

Favorite Character(s): no one

Least Favorite Character(s): no one....I didn't even care about the ex. I don't even remember why we had to hate him. 

 Challenge(s):

- TBR (journey) #6

Audiobook Review: The Last Party by AR Torre

Author: AR Torre

Narrator: Amy Bentley, Will Damron, Neil Hellegers, & Ellen Quay

Title: The Last Party

Genre: Mystery Thriller

Format: Audiobook

Published: August 20, 2024

Where I got It: My shelf (Audible)

Summary: 

Perla Wultz lives with her husband, Grant, and their precious daughter, Sophie, in a gated Pasadena community. Affluent, sociable, and accomplished, Perla plays the part of loving wife and mother to perfection. It seems an ideal life, if not for a decades-old crime that has become Perla’s dark and consuming secret obsession.

Twenty-three years ago, Leewood Folcrum confessed to murdering two young girls during a birthday party. Though he’s been condemned to a life sentence, his crime is not forgotten. Not by Perla, nor by an inquisitive doctoral student interviewing Folcrum for his dissertation. He’s getting the killer to open up—about his motives, his confession, and the truth of what really happened on that horrible night.

As the past and the present entwine, the deceptions behind the infamous murder begin to surface. But who’s deceiving who now? And why? And as an ingeniously twisted plan is set in motion, who will be the next to die?

Review:

I've read a couple of books by this author so I was excited this was selected for book club. 

Everything may seem perfect in the Wultz home. A perfect wife, smart husband, and a beautiful daughter. They are affluent, sociable, and accomplished. However, there is a darkness there. There is a decades-old crime that haunts this family in more ways than one. Years ago, Leewood Folcrum confessed to murder but never gave any motive. Now a doctoral student is interviewing him and trying to get the truth about the motive and what really happened that night.

This was intense. I didn't want to stop listening!!!

What can I even say without giving away huge spoilers? Maybe I'll divide and conquer this review:

The Good

- The characters. OMG they were complex. 

- The writing is amazing. The author really knows how to tell a story. 

- This was a wild ride especially near the end. I had no idea what was going to happen at the end there. A web of lies can ruin a lot of lives. 

- Twists and turns galore. But my original idea and belief was proved right! Yayy!

- The narrators were really good. They really brought everything to life. 

The Bad and the Ugly

- One thing and one thing only.....................it ended. I want to follow these characters further. I worry for one of them. 

Conclusion

This was a great read. Be warned there are some triggers in here since the focus of the past crime was the murder of two young girls. Nothing horribly graphic is discussed, but it can be triggering for some. 

I enjoyed this book a lot. Like I mentioned...I didn't want to stop listening. This author is great. I need to read more by them. I can't wait to discuss this at Book Club. Weeee. 

5 stars. 

- Favorite Character(s): ....Grant? Maybe....I don't know honestly

- Least Favorite Character(s): Perla

 Challenge(s):

- Audiobook #26

- Cloak & Dagger #13

Blodeuedd's Monday Review: Yellowface by RF Kuang

Format: 319 pages, Paperback

Published: May 25, 2023 by William Morrow

Fiction

Library

I enjoyed it, but, oh you know the story, for me it was too hyped up. So for me I did feel somewhat disappointing when it was not amazing. And that is why I should not listen to hype cos then I would not have felt disappointed, I would just have enjoyed a good book.

This one is so hard to review, it is one of those twitter trainwrecks that we all used to watch back in the day. Oh you know you watched it. One could not look away.

Juniper´s friend dies. And she then steals the manuscript for a book that friend was working on...and finishes it. Damn, ok, wtf girl. She becomes a huge success. But there is the voices about how she is white, she writes about Chinese workers. The name she uses that can be mistaken for Chinese, and last how her friend was a well known American-Chinese author.

The trainwreck begins.

Then she makes it worse.

And she is loosing her mind too, seeing her dead friend. About that, I would have loved that aspect to be honest, a horror story. Alas no.

The ending was a bit too open for me. I would just have crawled under a rock, but Juniper is not going down. And we do not know what will happen.

Honestly so much to say about this one, so many aspects of the publishing world. The good, and the bad.

Authors Juniper Hayward and Athena Liu were supposed to be twin rising stars. But Athena is a literary darling while June is a nobody. Who wants stories about basic white girls?, June thinks. So when June witnesses Athena’s death in a freak accident, she acts on impulse, stealing Athena’s just-finished masterpiece, an experimental novel about the unsung contributions of Chinese laborers during World War I.

So what if June edits Athena’s novel and sends it to her agent as her own work? So what if she lets her new publisher rebrand her as Juniper Song—complete with an ambiguously ethnic author photo? This piece of history deserve to be told, whoever the teller. That is what June believes, and The New York Times bestseller list agrees.

But June cannot escape Athena’s shadow, and emerging evidence threatens her stolen success. As she races to protect her secret she discovers exactly how far she will go to keep what she thinks she deserves.

Book Review: The Ruins in Which We Bleed by Steve N Lee

Author: Steve N Lee

Title: The Ruins in Which We Bleed

Series: World War II Historical Fiction #3

Genre: Historical Fiction

Format: ebook

Pages: 386

Published: June 12, 2025

Where I got It: My shelf (Given to me for my honest and unbiased opinion) 

Amazon US

Barnes & Noble

Summary: 

Inspired by a previously untold true story.

Following the Nazi invasion of Poland, 13-year-old Helena is imprisoned in the Warsaw ghetto, a squalid hellhole rife with disease and starvation. Yet, although the Nazis have destroyed her home, her life, and her future, they haven't destroyed the only thing that truly matters — her family. Helena might be just a child, but she's a fighter, and she'll do whatever it takes to help her loved ones.

Making sacrifices no child should ever have to make, seeing horrors no child should ever have to see, Helena bravely battles on as her world crumbles amid random killings, slave labor, and deportations. And through it all, her compassion helps to protect her family. But then the Nazis unleash new horrors.

With the ghetto a raging sea of flames, explosions, and gunfire, Helena runs for her life only to hurtle straight into an unimaginable hell from which there seems no escape. And the Nazis are closing in. Can her love for her family give her the strength to survive?

Review:

I read the last two book in this "series" from the author, so I HAD to say yes when asked to check this one out. 

The story follows Helena and her family who are Polish Jews. We get to see Helena and her family years previous at the beginning of their imprisonment in the Warsaw ghetto. We also get to see Helena years later as she tries to survive an unimaginable hell where she is trapped. Will her memories and love for her family keep her alive to see another day?

This and the other two of this "series" can be read as a standalone. 

Just like the other books, the author really knows how to pull at the heart strings. OOOOOOoooOOOOOooo the feels are strong with this one!

The pacing was a little slow but it was fitting. I'm so glad the author weaved in flashbacks to help keep the story moving. 

Poor Helena. Such a sweet girl in a dark and terrible world. 

Awww Sparkle, Helena's kitty, and that little rat!!! Adorable!!! They were a nice add to the story. I'm sure one could write an entire paper on the symbolism of Helena taking care of small creatures even though she is struggling to survive herself.

Like I mentioned earlier, the feels are strong with this one. So many tears! Some happy, but mostly sad tears. Make sure to keep a Kleenex on hand because you will need it. However, there is hope and something you can take out of Helena's story. Bravery is just not found on the battlefield. Small acts of rebellion can be brave! Also, just being kind can be a whole rebellion upon itself.

Now don't get me started on the ending! The ending was pretty inevitable but I had so much hope for everyone. Now, there is a ray of hope in the ending (no spoilers from me) so that helped ease the gloom a bit.

All-in-all, add this to the shelf of winners for this author. This story will wrap you up and you won't want to stop reading. I found myself staying up WAY too late to get to the last page because I HAD to know what was going to happen to Helena and everyone else. Prepare to weep, but also be prepared to be inspired. I 100% recommend this book. 5 stars for sure.   

Favorite Character(s): Helena and Sparkle

Least Favorite Character(s): All the Nazis of course. Evil, evil. 

 

Blodeuedd's Monday Review: Cowboy Under the Mistletoe by Grace Elena

By: Grace Elena

Narrated by: John William Maddux, Stacy Gonzalez

Series: Alpine Ridge 2

Length: 3 hrs and 17 mins

Release date: 05-27-25 by Tantor Audio

Contemporary romance/ from Tantor

The holidays, a novella, sure thing why not read this when summer starts. I am not familiar with this series, I just dove straight in for a short story.

Katherine is divorced, and thinking of doing some changes in her life. Then one night she steps under the mistletoe and meets a cowboy.

It was short, it was intense at times....in that way. And there was a happy ending. This could have been a full book too. But I take what I can.

It was two narrators and they both did well with their parts. Sometimes I find that one narrator has one speed and the other has another speed, but here it worked when they changed from one to the other.

Wishing for a Christmas miracle is harder than it seems. Katherine Pearson has lived her whole life in Alpine Ridge, TN. From marrying her high school sweetheart to being divorced in her mid-thirties, Katherine is feeling stuck. Stuck in life, stuck in her hometown, and stuck in love.

When she finds herself at a dive bar at the edge of town, there’s a sense of solace that she can’t quite place. A sense of belonging that she hasn’t felt in a long time. Stumbling into a cowboy under a mistletoe is the last thing she expects to happen to her. It doesn’t help that he’s a cowboy who just seems to understand everything she’s feeling this holiday season.

Maybe Santa does have Katherine at the top of his list this year.

Book Review: The One That Got Away by Mike Gayle

Author: Mike Gayle

Title: The One That Got Away

Genre: Romance, Novella, Short Story

Format: ebook

Pages: 100

Published: May 1, 2025

Where I got It: My shelf (Amazon) 

Summary: 

Reuben thought he’d spend the rest of his life with Beth, until she broke his heart six months ago. He’s not even remotely over her, so he’s devastated to hear she’s getting married—this weekend.

Now he’s faced with the ultimate what should he do on the day of the wedding? Grieve? Disrupt the ceremony? Or do everything in his power to pretend it’s not happening?

Enlisting the help of his friends, Reuben is all set to mark the occasion with distraction on a grand Ferraris, champagne, and a VIP box at the races.

But on the morning of the Big Day, Reuben gets a phone call that not only derails his elaborate it may well change his life completely…

Review:

This was a freebie and I love a good freebie. 

Here we follow Reuben who was in love with Beth but she broke up with him. He's not over her so his heart breaks again after he hears she is getting married...this weekend. His friends spirit him away to get his mind off it, but things get murky when Reuben receives a phone call that could change everything. 

My favorite part of this story was the ending when everyone grows the heck up. 

LOTS of spoilers heading your way.

Reuben and Beth are so unlikeable. *spoiler starts* Beth doesn't believe in love and Reuben does...but they stay together. Reuben does a bad thing and Beth breaks up with him. 6 months later she is marrying another man AND now is calling Reuben to save her? ......He drops his friends like a bag of rotten potatoes and goes and saves her and helps her escape her wedding. They fight. They kiss. Beth gets a call that her intended, Leo, has now run away and she is suddenly in love with him and wants Leo back? Reuben agrees to track him down. They work it out and Reuben goes to the wedding. Sure he finds love there, but WHAT.ON.EARTH. *spoiler ends* 

Don't get me twisted I did enjoy the drama but holy hannah did I want to smack everyone. Minus Pete...he seemed like a cool guy. Everyone grow up please. I think I could've been more forgiving of Beth if her dawn of realization was done a little differently. It just seemed selfish. She was so selfish the whole time. She had no character growth. Reuben took a minute, but he did grow as a character so I'll tip my hat to him. Boo to Beth!

I'm glad the author made this nice and short. 

All-in-all....this was drama-filled with some characters that you will want to shake. 

I'll give this 2 stars. 

Favorite Character(s): Pete

Least Favorite Character(s): Beth and Reuben

 

Audiobook Review: A Chance Inheritance by Carolyn Brown

Author: Carolyn Brown

Narrator: Brittany Pressley

Title: A Chance Inheritance

Genre: Chick lit, Novella, Short Story

Format: Audiobook

Published: March 1, 2021

Where I got It: My shelf (Audible)

Summary: 

What do a runaway bride, a free spirit, and a corporate exec have in common? Besides all being down on their luck, Lainie, Jodi, and Becky are Lizzie Cornell's granddaughters. Upon inheriting their grandmother's home and family bait shop, the three cousins return to Catfish, Texas, grieving Lizzie's passing and hoping to find the fresh start they all need. 

Turns out cohabitating together and running the Catfish Fisherman's Hut isn't at all like the idyllic summers they spent as children on the banks of the Red River. The days are long and hot, the tourists demanding and rude. And then there's Chris, a local river guide who seems to have eyes only for Becky. 

But Lizzie's death has set in motion a chain of events that will cause a new generation of Cornell women to come together. And thanks to this chance inheritance, some local fishermen, and the love of their Granny Lizzie, the Cornell cousins discover that sometimes an ending is really the beginning of a brand-new happily ever after.

Review:

Weeee love a good freebie and I like Carolyn Brown!

Here we have three cousins who have little in common, but they are brought back together after the death of their grandma. They have inherited everything and this might just be the fresh start they all need. 

This was a very sweet and lovely short. There is a sprinkle of romance, but that wasn't the focus. The focus are on these three girls who are trying to find the right fit in the world. I loved seeing them WANT to stay and keep their granny's legacy alive. 

I do wish we got some sort of epilogue though. I can bet and imagine what happens, but I would've liked to see more especially since this is not part of a series. I'm sure they will all find love and have babies that will keep the legacy alive for another generation. That is my hope at least. 

This pulled at my heart strings for though since my grandmother passed a few months ago. I wish I could have this reconnection with some of my cousins. It brought them closer together and I loved that. 

I've listened to the narrator in the past so it was lovely hearing her again. She does such a good job. 

All-in-all, this was very sweet and quick. I do think we needed a page or two more as a final conclusion since there are no more books. Other than that, I adored this. I'll give it 4 stars. 

- Favorite Character(s): All the cousins and Chris

- Least Favorite Character(s): The ex

 Challenge(s):

- Audiobook #25

Best of May

Weeeee. Here are the best of the bests for May. 

Best Book of the Month:

Blodeuedd - A Wizard´s Guide to Defensive Baking by T Kingfisher

"It was cute!"

Carole - Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez

"It was great!"

Best Movie of the Month:

Carole -  The Queen (2006)

"Such a great cast and it was so good."

Blodeuedd - Nadda this month

"Sigh. Once again who knows what movies I watched. Last one was Nonnas, and sure good, but I would not exactly rec it to someone."

Best TV show of the Month:

Blodeuedd - North of North

"I watched this series. It was good!"

Carole - Nadda this month

"Just been rewatching some of the favorite comfort shows."

Best Cover of the Month:

Carole's pick: The colors!!!

Blodeuedd's pick: Cute!