When I began this book, I wasn't sure about where it was going or how I was feeling about it. I didn't particularly like the characters, I felt like IWhen I began this book, I wasn't sure about where it was going or how I was feeling about it. I didn't particularly like the characters, I felt like I was waiting for something, and I wasn't even certain of what. But I was intrigued, and as pages turned, I found myself getting invested in these functionally dysfunctional characters. I was completely hooked in the second half, and I didn't want to stop reading. There is a lot to think about and talk about, especially with families and the role they play in our lives. Family (good, bad, broken, and missing ones) is what shapes so much of who we are. Blood is thicker than water. Maybe. Sometimes, families are people you endure because you are related. Sometimes, you don't realize how much they shape you until someone dies. This book went from 'I don't know' to one of my favorite books of the year. ...more
I really want to give this book more stars but only the sky has enough. I loved this book! It was dark, it was creepy, it was everything I wanted it tI really want to give this book more stars but only the sky has enough. I loved this book! It was dark, it was creepy, it was everything I wanted it to be. I was surprised at times. It kept me reading. Towards the end, there was no way I could stop turning pages. The ending was perfect and I rarely say that. It made me think of The Haunting of Hill House, (a favorite of mine). I solidly recommend this book! ...more
I love this collection! The stories were quick so I’m not going to delve into the mysteries. I have read some of the authors before so it was fun goinI love this collection! The stories were quick so I’m not going to delve into the mysteries. I have read some of the authors before so it was fun going on vacation with some of the characters, (hi Lucy and Katie). Three recipes were also included, (one being Azad’s shish kebabs-yum!). I adored going to the Dirty Dancing resort, attending the Wizard of Oz fest, taking the Sound of Music tour and learning about the sinkhole in the Pocano Mountains that wasn’t roped off! I could see where that inspired a story. All of the stories were amazing! If you enjoy cozy mysteries, don’t pass this one up! ...more
I love this book! It absolutely gives off small town Alaska vibes. The author wrote obituaries and the stories are about that. While sad the stories wI love this book! It absolutely gives off small town Alaska vibes. The author wrote obituaries and the stories are about that. While sad the stories were frequently inspirational, celebrations. It really is an excellent book that celebrates life. I feel like it gives a pretty accurate reflection on Alaskan life. ...more
I listened to this on Audible. Alice Cooper narrated it and this contributed greatly to my enjoyment. It gave it the feel that you were having a conveI listened to this on Audible. Alice Cooper narrated it and this contributed greatly to my enjoyment. It gave it the feel that you were having a conversation with him. I loved his stories. I felt that when he spoke of his wife, and marriage, there was a great deal of respect and love. I found this inspiring. ...more
This book fooled me with its cute cover and title that called out to me. The review is based on the Audible version, narrator Helen Keeley. This was mThis book fooled me with its cute cover and title that called out to me. The review is based on the Audible version, narrator Helen Keeley. This was my first time with both narrator and author.
First, the narrator was awesome for me. I loved how she brought the characters to life. Ms. Keeley was exactly who I would have wanted to read this. I enjoyed her performance so much, I have gotten a couple more books she narrates.
Now for the story. I was looking through Christmas titles as I have been on a slow down with reading. Personal issues that I was allowing to steal my joy, nothing to do with my books. I thought a funny Christmas book might bring me back. As this had a fun cover, definitely stated Christmas in the title and was included in my Audible membership, I went with it. It was the perfect choice for me though it was less about Christmas than I thought, (which you come to understand with the ending).
To me, this is more a book about friendships, choices we make and how we get through. It is about living your best life, no matter how insane it feels at times. Life is a beautiful mess. I love Jenny and the book club, (bonus points for a character who is named Frances. I rarely come across my name). The book clubbers are a wonderfully whacky group. I was drawn right in with them. They are exactly the kind of people I would want to be friends with. I also enjoyed the children. I love children and when they are lively, everything becomes fun. Mack took a bit to get to know and like, for me. But by the end, I did. I laughed so much listening to this book. It took me two days to listen to as I divided the time. I also cried a bucketful. My guy listened to most of it along with me and he was chuckling at some of the things going on. He agreed with my assessment of the narrator.
I loved the book and have decided to purchase it in the future. I will listen to it again. I do recommend it and, if you choose to listen, I hope it captures your heart and imagination as it did mine. ...more
I love this book! His paintings, which are in the book, are beautiful. The gift he gave the world of encouragement and kindness is still needed. I havI love this book! His paintings, which are in the book, are beautiful. The gift he gave the world of encouragement and kindness is still needed. I have read and re-read this several times. ...more
I loved this book! The Jolly Family is one of my favorites. In this one we have Merry Jolly and her search for the right man. The doctor in town is a I loved this book! The Jolly Family is one of my favorites. In this one we have Merry Jolly and her search for the right man. The doctor in town is a single dad to Dottie. Merry befriends Dottie and is interested in her Daddy. But is the doctor ready to love again? Does the doctor want someone to complete the family or is he just looking for a new Mom for Dottie? Dottie is adorable! I love her and her belief in Grandma Frost. I love how the author also brought in various “Santa” traditions from around the world and allowed us to peek at them through Dottie. My family includes a lot of traditions from around the globe so this part of the story was super fun for me. There is a lot of tension between the doctor and Merry. The doctor grapples with the guilt and loss of his wife while trying to be available to both his patients and his daughter. He wasn’t able to control the death of his wife so he has gone a bit to the extreme with Dottie. Merry loves Dottie but loving a child doesn’t mean you will find happiness married to the dad. There is a lot of uncertainty with this story but also some wonderful moments. The mix is a good one that keeps you turning pages. This book is part of the Christmas Creek series. If you aren’t familiar with it, you might want to read it in order. I think you could enjoy it without reading the previous books but you will miss out on certain references and relationships. The series is a fun one so you would most likely catch up quickly. Rachelle Ayala is one of my favorite authors. She writes books in both the sweet and spicy sub-genres. I would put this on the sweeter side but with a hint of spicy as there is a bit of naughty references, (nothing I wouldn’t let a teen read or that made me uncomfortable. I laughed with them.). I recommend it if you are looking for something Christmassy to escape with. ...more
We are on book 16 and it is a doozy! If you are just getting started with the Mitzy Moon Mystery Series, I really encourage you to read them in order.We are on book 16 and it is a doozy! If you are just getting started with the Mitzy Moon Mystery Series, I really encourage you to read them in order. You can, if you insist, read them as standalone but you will miss a lot. The mystery is solved every time. It the rest of the book where you would really enjoy these best in order. Book 16 we find out more about Twiggy, including her name! I thought her name was Twiggy! I thought she was maybe named after the model from the 1960’s. It’s a nickname. I’m not telling anymore because you really need to read the book. The mystery totally involves Twiggy. There is another secret that comes out that left me picking up my jaw from the floor. This one though had me doing a little happy dance. You can discover that one on your own, too. Erick and Mitzy are moving along at a nice pace. You want to be sure to check in on that relationship too! I honestly don’t know how Trixie Silvertale does it. Book number sixteen and the stories are still fresh, the mystery exciting and those surprises! It is really hard to come up with fresh interesting murders happening in a small town. I mean, really, how many folks can die suspiciously before you run out of townspeople who can either be victim or accused? Trixie Silvertale manages to do not only that, but to keep Pin Cherry Harbor a charming place you want to visit. Grab this one for a fun and cozy escape during the holiday time that’s coming....more
This is my favorite series. I love Chantilly and look forward to every new book. I highly recommend reading this in order. Each book is fun reading thThis is my favorite series. I love Chantilly and look forward to every new book. I highly recommend reading this in order. Each book is fun reading that you don’t want to miss. While the book could stand alone, I feel you need the other books to know the characters well. In this book, Chantilly has an old mystery to solve. I really enjoyed this take. It was challenging for her to figure out what happened as most of the evidence was gone. This gave the story a unique and interesting twist. Dell, I swear I love her, isn’t having it with a seance either. She kills me! Ms Aspenson writes her characters so well that you really feel like they are real people. I can imagine each of them and the author stays true and consistent with them. I don’t write about the mystery as I’m always afraid of giving away the ending. I don’t wish to ruin anyone’s pleasure with my review. My recommendation is to get this book and enjoy! Get the series if you haven’t started it. You will have a good time. Promise.
*I received an ARC of this book. My review is voluntary and based upon my enjoyment of the book. Yes, I did get my own copy. Some books you know you will read again. This series is made up of those books.* ...more
This book was amazing! I loved this retelling! I read The Legend of Sleepy Hollow almost every Halloween. It has been a favorite since I was a twelve This book was amazing! I loved this retelling! I read The Legend of Sleepy Hollow almost every Halloween. It has been a favorite since I was a twelve years old. This version has been added to my favorites list. It is one of my top picks for best books this year. I adored Ben, Brom, Katrina and Sander. The complexity of the character and the growth of Ben/Bente rang true. The love between Brom and Katrina was beautiful. It is the love I dreamt of. Seeing it replayed, with different results, in Ben and Sander was touching. For me, it brought up thoughts of how many of our experiences are repeated but with different results. I have read a few things about how dna may remember traumatic or intense events and be passed down. I find this fascinating, (I definitely want to know more about this thought). It is something my mind was thinking over as I read this book. There was so much to explore in this book. There was so much going on but the weave was so tight they flow seamlessly. Was it scary? Yes. Was it gory? Not as much as it could have been but it did have its moments. Did it make me weep? Surprisingly, yes it did. I wasn’t expecting that. It also made me cheer. Ben is an amazingly strong character. Do I think it is still a Halloween book? Maybe more of a fall book, for me. The original tale, I always think of, as a Halloween book. Would I like to see this made into a movie? I’m not big on movies made from books I loved. They rarely match. I do think, though, this version would make a wonderful movie if it held true to the author. Do I recommend it? Yes. One thousand times, yes. Get it and find a book buddy to read it with so you can discuss it. For me, this book is a best read with others book. ...more
I loved hearing about Joe Perry’s life in his voice. It made the experience awesome. I didn’t know much about him. I love Aerosmith but I’m not much iI loved hearing about Joe Perry’s life in his voice. It made the experience awesome. I didn’t know much about him. I love Aerosmith but I’m not much into following what is said about a celebrity on the Internet. I feel like they deserve their privacy as much as anyone else and, I believe, much of what is on the Internet, in magazines, etc., is someone’s narrative. It may hold some truth but most likely you are falling down the rabbit hole. Reading what they wrote about themselves respects their rights. I am the type who looks at what someone tells me and is aware there is another side to the story and usually the truth is in the middle. I did get the feeling that he was being fair in in his story. I loved hearing him talk about his parents. So many write negatively about their parents. Hearing Joe Perry speak about his parents was beautiful. He said he didn’t have the easiest relationship with his dad but you could hear his love, respect and gratitude to both of his parents. It was the same hearing him speak of his wife and his sons. Those were the most beautiful parts of this book. It was interesting listening to all the ups and downs in his life. I found him to be an inspiration. He never gave into staying where he fell, (which sounds like it would have been the easy road many times). He got back up and was appreciative of those who held out their hands to him. Some of what he spoke of couldn’t have been easy to write. He did a lot of reflection work and it shows. I gained a lot of new respect for him as a man. I would recommend this book to others interested in him. Listening to him is a bonus so definitely get that version too. ...more
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