Carole Rae's Random Ramblings

Friday, April 10

Audiobook Review: The Reunion by Meghan Quinn

Author: Meghan Quinn

Narrator: Lidia Dornet, Teddy Hamilton, Laurie West, Rock Engle, CJ Bloom, & Stephen Borne
Title: The Reunion

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Chick Lit
Format: Audiobook
Published: February 22, 2022
Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible)

Summary:

Martin and Peggy Chance believe love should last a lifetime. With their fiftieth wedding anniversary on the horizon, they’ve modeled a beautiful relationship for their three grown children. But to their dismay, that lesson hasn’t quite caught on—the three siblings just can’t seem to take a chance and find love in their own lives.

There’s Ford, the eldest, devoted to his work and resistant to romance…or so he claims. Cooper, the middle child, can’t get past his divorce—until he reconnects with a feisty baker from his past. And Palmer, the baby of the family, is the free-spirited world traveler who always pictured herself with someone other than a handsome small-town family doctor.

When the Chance siblings come together to plan the ultimate anniversary party for their parents, they’ll have to navigate romantic entanglements, sibling rivalries, and the definitive end of their childhood. Whatever happens, The Reunion promises to be a fun, flirty, wild ride.

Review:

Eeeek. Another review I have delayed in writing. I finished this a couple of days ago. Can life slow down for two seconds?

The family is back together for Martin's and Peggy's wedding anniversary. They have led a beautiful life and had a love story to last the ages, but their three grown children seem to be going down a bad path. Ford, the oldest, is too devoted to work and has no time for love. Cooper, the middle one, can't get past his divorce. Palmer, the baby of the family, is a free spirit who travels the world, but can't get over the boy at home. The three have drifted apart, and there is so much resentment. Will the three finally talk and find the love they have for each other and for themselves? Will they allow love with the people they are meant to be?

I would divide and conquer this book, but I have nothing bad to say. I really loved it.

I loved that there is romance and family drama.

The small town is adorable.

There is a lot going on and a lot of characters running around, but the author did a lovely job keeping a handle on it and never letting the reader get lost.

The ending had me in tears.

Can I just say???? I love Martin and Peggy!!!!! I want them to have their own book. I would love to see them fall in loveeee. They are gems.

We had a lot of narrators, and they all did great!

But yes. No issue. I loved this story so much.

5 stars.

Reading Challenges

- Audiobook #12

- Reading Romance Challenge #10 (Small Town romance)

Thursday, April 9

Book Review: Shield of Winter by Nalini Singh

Author: Nalini Singh

Title: Shield of Winter

Series: Psy-Changeling #13

Genre: PNR, Urban Fiction

Format: ebook

Pages: 448

Published: June 3, 2014

Where I got It: Borrowed from library

Summary:

Assassin. Soldier. Arrow. That is who Vasic is, who he will always be. His soul drenched in blood, his conscience heavy with the weight of all he’s done, he exists in the shadows, far from the hope his people can almost touch—if only they do not first drown in the murderous insanity of a lethal contagion. To stop the wave of death, Vasic must complete the simplest and most difficult mission of his life.

For if the Psy race is to survive, the empaths must wake.

Having rebuilt her life after medical “treatment” that violated her mind and sought to stifle her abilities, Ivy should have run from the black-clad Arrow with eyes of winter frost. But Ivy Jane has never done what she should. Now, she'll fight for her people, and for this Arrow who stands as her living shield, yet believes he is beyond redemption. But as the world turns to screaming crimson, even Ivy’s fierce will may not be enough to save Vasic from the cold darkness . . .

Review:

I've been terrible. I finished this a couple of days ago, but I've been sooooo dang busy. We'll divide and conquer this review.

Please note that this would not work well as a standalone. You need to read all the others prior.

The Good:

- So many couples from the past books have popped up! This is a big conclusion to some stuff! It was lovely seeing them.

- Intense action. I was on the edge of my seat. Will this gamble pay off?

- Vasic and Ivy make a great pair. I was nervous because it would take someone really special to deserve Vasic. He's been such a great side character.

- That ending? I had some tears.

The Bad and the Ugly:

- The pacing was off sometimes. At times, we were moving at a snail's pace, and I wanted to skim through, but then we were off to the races. It was jarring at times.

Conclusion:

Overall, I really did enjoy this conclusion to this arc of the story. There is more to follow, but all the past books of this series have been building up to this moment. The pacing was a little off in spots, but overall....this was good. I'll give it 4 stars.

Reading Challenges

- Library Love #8

- Reading Romance Challenge #9 (TBR 2+ years)

Tuesday, April 7

TMST: To Spoil...or Not to Spoil

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog. Feel free to leave your links in the comments if you are participating.

Do you like spoilers? Do you read the last chapter first? Share your thoughts.

Spoilers don't bug me at all. If the story is good enough I want to know the journey.

Confession time???

In my youth, I would read the last chapter. I do not that anymore, but I was guilty of it as a teenager. Whoopsies.