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13rebecca13's reviews
500 reviews
Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This is genuinely one of the best audiobooks I have ever listened to. I am so glad I chose to read it via audio as the production is just amazing.
Listen For The Lie is the name of a fictitious true crime podcast hosted by Ben Owens. His current series is looking at the murder of a young woman named Savannah, with her best friend Lucy Chase being the prime suspect. However, she has no memory of that night despite being covered in Savvy's blood.
When the first episode of the podcast airs, Lucy ends up losing her LA-based job and is invited back to her hometown in Texas by her grandmother to celebrate her birthday. Who shows up in Texas too? Yep, Ben Owens. He's determined to find out the truth about what happened to Savvy and makes his way around the town, interviewing for his podcast, hoping that Lucy will talk to him too.
I really recommend listening to this on audiobook as not only do you have regular chapters but the podcast episode chapters feel like you are listening to a real podcast which completely adds another dimension to the story. I love the amnesia storyline as we start to piece together information just as Lucy remembers it. The interviews with the locals make you question a lot with plenty of secrets coming out and I loved that there is a bit of dark humour in there too.
I was completely immersed in this novel and did not want to stop listening. The truth of Savvy's murder does come to light in the end but there is an extra layer to Lucy and Savvy's friendship with regards to what Lucy decides to keep to herself. Being inside her head is interesting as she is a fantastic character. I could definitely see this making a fantastic movie or TV show.
Listen For The Lie is the name of a fictitious true crime podcast hosted by Ben Owens. His current series is looking at the murder of a young woman named Savannah, with her best friend Lucy Chase being the prime suspect. However, she has no memory of that night despite being covered in Savvy's blood.
When the first episode of the podcast airs, Lucy ends up losing her LA-based job and is invited back to her hometown in Texas by her grandmother to celebrate her birthday. Who shows up in Texas too? Yep, Ben Owens. He's determined to find out the truth about what happened to Savvy and makes his way around the town, interviewing for his podcast, hoping that Lucy will talk to him too.
I really recommend listening to this on audiobook as not only do you have regular chapters but the podcast episode chapters feel like you are listening to a real podcast which completely adds another dimension to the story. I love the amnesia storyline as we start to piece together information just as Lucy remembers it. The interviews with the locals make you question a lot with plenty of secrets coming out and I loved that there is a bit of dark humour in there too.
I was completely immersed in this novel and did not want to stop listening. The truth of Savvy's murder does come to light in the end but there is an extra layer to Lucy and Savvy's friendship with regards to what Lucy decides to keep to herself. Being inside her head is interesting as she is a fantastic character. I could definitely see this making a fantastic movie or TV show.
Homebound by Meredith Trapp
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
When I read Icebound back at the beginning of this year, I instantly fell in love with Trapp's characterisation and writing style and was delighted that there was a second book in the works.
Icebound is about ice hockey goalie Rhode Tremblay and in that book, we meet some of his friends and teammates, one being Wyatt Patterson. Homebound is Wyatt's story as he heads back home to Texas for the summer with his daughter Vienna. He has been in love with his childhood best friend Dakota since he was eight years old but the two haven't spoken much recently after she got engaged and he found out he was going to be a single dad.
Dakota is the single greatest female main character I've ever read about. She is a bull rider and I just love everything about her. She takes no shit and is just so badass. I loved her and Wyatt's reconnection and how their romance develops throughout the book.
When I read single dad books, my biggest pet peeve is when the child just gets forgotten about but this is not the case with Homebound. How much Dakota loves Vienna is beautiful.
The story has depth with regards to Dakota and her career and I loved the communication between Dakota and Wyatt. I absolutely fell in love with this book.
Icebound is about ice hockey goalie Rhode Tremblay and in that book, we meet some of his friends and teammates, one being Wyatt Patterson. Homebound is Wyatt's story as he heads back home to Texas for the summer with his daughter Vienna. He has been in love with his childhood best friend Dakota since he was eight years old but the two haven't spoken much recently after she got engaged and he found out he was going to be a single dad.
Dakota is the single greatest female main character I've ever read about. She is a bull rider and I just love everything about her. She takes no shit and is just so badass. I loved her and Wyatt's reconnection and how their romance develops throughout the book.
When I read single dad books, my biggest pet peeve is when the child just gets forgotten about but this is not the case with Homebound. How much Dakota loves Vienna is beautiful.
The story has depth with regards to Dakota and her career and I loved the communication between Dakota and Wyatt. I absolutely fell in love with this book.
My Rude Awakening by Edward Charles Featherstone
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
I love reading memoirs and usually my favourite way to consume them is via audiobook, especially if they are read by the author. This is mostly because I find it brings them to life a bit and keeps my attention more. My Rude Awakening, however, was written like fiction so I was hooked from the start.
When I first heard about this memoir, I was intrigued by its description but also felt a little out of my comfort zone as it probably wouldn't have been something I'd pick up of my own accord, but that is the beauty of signing up to blog tours, it expands your horizons and introduces you to books that may surprise you.
My Rude Awakening follows Edward Charles Featherstone (a pseudonym, which I think adds to the intrigue) and his life coming from a wealthy family, playing polo, shooting, before going to the RAF as a helicopter pilot. I really enjoyed hearing about these moments as it is so different from anything in my own life, a girl who grew up in Belfast in the 90s, which is what I love about memoirs. I did originally wonder why the nom de plume, but as the story progresses and you see the explicit honesty on the paper, it becomes clear why you maybe wouldn't want people in your real life to know this much about your personal life.
I especially enjoyed the chapters about Charles's grandfather and it became clear how much of an influence he was and the comparison between his grandfather and his friend James when they met in the RAF. Special mention to Osric too because I am always here for animals.
The real crux of the story however, is Charles's relationship with a much older woman, the mother of one of his friends, and his sexual awakening, in a way, at the age of 20 and how he then goes from boy to man. I am not a prude and read a lot of books where the subject matter can be explicit or morally grey, and nothing really shocks me. There were occasions throughout My Rude Awakening where my eyes did widen a bit.
What I want from a memoir is for it to be raw and honest but also for the author to reflect on themselves and I think that's what we get here.
When I first heard about this memoir, I was intrigued by its description but also felt a little out of my comfort zone as it probably wouldn't have been something I'd pick up of my own accord, but that is the beauty of signing up to blog tours, it expands your horizons and introduces you to books that may surprise you.
My Rude Awakening follows Edward Charles Featherstone (a pseudonym, which I think adds to the intrigue) and his life coming from a wealthy family, playing polo, shooting, before going to the RAF as a helicopter pilot. I really enjoyed hearing about these moments as it is so different from anything in my own life, a girl who grew up in Belfast in the 90s, which is what I love about memoirs. I did originally wonder why the nom de plume, but as the story progresses and you see the explicit honesty on the paper, it becomes clear why you maybe wouldn't want people in your real life to know this much about your personal life.
I especially enjoyed the chapters about Charles's grandfather and it became clear how much of an influence he was and the comparison between his grandfather and his friend James when they met in the RAF. Special mention to Osric too because I am always here for animals.
The real crux of the story however, is Charles's relationship with a much older woman, the mother of one of his friends, and his sexual awakening, in a way, at the age of 20 and how he then goes from boy to man. I am not a prude and read a lot of books where the subject matter can be explicit or morally grey, and nothing really shocks me. There were occasions throughout My Rude Awakening where my eyes did widen a bit.
What I want from a memoir is for it to be raw and honest but also for the author to reflect on themselves and I think that's what we get here.
Look Up, Handsome by Jack Strange
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
If you are looking for a queer rom-com set in a small town at Christmas time, this is for you!
Quinn Oxford is the owner of Kings & Queens, a LGBTQ+ bookstore in Hay-on-Wye. The local castle is being renovated and Quinn's stepfather Harold is leading the renovation team.
To Harold, business comes first and as he is the owner of Quinn's premises, he issues Quinn with an eviction notice, stating that he wants to make the bookstore a ticket office for the castle.
Quinn is understandably devastated but the whole town rally round in support as his shop is not only a bookstore, but a place for the queer community and is very much needed.
At the same time, romance author Noah Sage returns from London to his hometown of Hay for a festival and, Quinn being a massive fan, is delighted to meet him. The romance that blossoms between these two is beautiful and of course, not an easy road.
I really enjoyed the spin off aspect of Noah's mother, actress Hermione Sage and her downfall caused by the media. Can we get a story about her please? The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is one of my favourite books and that aspect gave me similar vibes.
This is a super cute read for the festive season with a stunning location and wonderful characters.
Quinn Oxford is the owner of Kings & Queens, a LGBTQ+ bookstore in Hay-on-Wye. The local castle is being renovated and Quinn's stepfather Harold is leading the renovation team.
To Harold, business comes first and as he is the owner of Quinn's premises, he issues Quinn with an eviction notice, stating that he wants to make the bookstore a ticket office for the castle.
Quinn is understandably devastated but the whole town rally round in support as his shop is not only a bookstore, but a place for the queer community and is very much needed.
At the same time, romance author Noah Sage returns from London to his hometown of Hay for a festival and, Quinn being a massive fan, is delighted to meet him. The romance that blossoms between these two is beautiful and of course, not an easy road.
I really enjoyed the spin off aspect of Noah's mother, actress Hermione Sage and her downfall caused by the media. Can we get a story about her please? The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is one of my favourite books and that aspect gave me similar vibes.
This is a super cute read for the festive season with a stunning location and wonderful characters.
This Is Not a Holiday Romance by Camilla Isley
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
This is a cute little festive read. When I need something sweet, easy to get into with great female main characters, I'll always reach for a Camilla Isley novel.
This one follows Nina who has had an ongoing rivalry with her brother Dylan's best friend Tristan. She has her own issues and has always believed that Tristan has made fun of that for all the years that she's known him.
Every Christmas Dylan and Nina go back home from New York to their parents house and Nina is less than impressed that Tristan will be there too as she believed he was spending the holidays with his own family.
This is very much a brother's best friend/enemies to lovers book and I really liked Tristan's background with his family. It really added depth to the character. The novel is set over a couple of days so it felt like it goes from over a decade of hatred between these two to a romance very quickly but it was fun to read.
This one follows Nina who has had an ongoing rivalry with her brother Dylan's best friend Tristan. She has her own issues and has always believed that Tristan has made fun of that for all the years that she's known him.
Every Christmas Dylan and Nina go back home from New York to their parents house and Nina is less than impressed that Tristan will be there too as she believed he was spending the holidays with his own family.
This is very much a brother's best friend/enemies to lovers book and I really liked Tristan's background with his family. It really added depth to the character. The novel is set over a couple of days so it felt like it goes from over a decade of hatred between these two to a romance very quickly but it was fun to read.
BRAT: A Ghost Story by Gabriel Smith
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I genuinely feel a little confused after reading this.
Brat tells the story of Gabriel who is grieving the loss of his father and the breakdown of his relationship, as he is clearing out his parents house in order to sell it.
At the same time, his skin is peeling off, he finds manuscripts in his parents study which seems to change each time he reads them.
Honestly, I found this a little boring. I did enjoy the deadpan humour but the prose wasn't great and slightly juvenile at times. Nothing really gripped me and there was a little use of a slur in there too which didn't sit well.
I powered through thinking something big was going to happen in conclusion but I finished the book feeling more confused. Maybe it's just me, maybe it went over my head, but this wasn't for me unfortunately.
Brat tells the story of Gabriel who is grieving the loss of his father and the breakdown of his relationship, as he is clearing out his parents house in order to sell it.
At the same time, his skin is peeling off, he finds manuscripts in his parents study which seems to change each time he reads them.
Honestly, I found this a little boring. I did enjoy the deadpan humour but the prose wasn't great and slightly juvenile at times. Nothing really gripped me and there was a little use of a slur in there too which didn't sit well.
I powered through thinking something big was going to happen in conclusion but I finished the book feeling more confused. Maybe it's just me, maybe it went over my head, but this wasn't for me unfortunately.
I Love You, I Love You, I Love You by Laura Dockrill
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I love this book with my entire heart.
As a thirty-two-year-old woman, I definitely felt the nostalgia with this one. The story follows Ella Cole in dual timelines; when she is a teenager and meets Lowe Archer for the first time and in the present when she is in her early thirties and has just bought a house with her partner Jackson.
Teenage Ella has a 'love at first sight' moment with Lowe but in order to protect herself, she puts herself in the friendzone. The two are the best of friends over the next decade, always there to support each other, but each time he gets a girlfriend, Ella's heart breaks a little. Their story is absolutely beautiful to read.
Lowe's band that he plays in becomes more and more famous and something happens (no spoilers here from me!) and the two don't speak for a ten years. Following his band's break up, they then reconnect.
The way that this book is written is stunning. There is real depth when it comes to teenage Lowe and Ella's families which adds another dimension and Dockrill's humour just bounces off the page. I really resonated with Ella's teenage years and this novel encapsulates what it's like to have a first love.
I love that all of the male love interests of Ella's were genuinely nice, no villains in this story, they just weren't Lowe. I cared so deeply about these characters. I laughed and even shed a tear at some parts. It gave me everything I want in a novel.
As I always do, I did a little research on the author after reading and discovered that there are autobiographical aspects in there with Ella and Lowe's relationship and Dockrill and her husband. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that he was in The Maccabees as I played 'About Your Dress' on a loop as a teenager in 2007 and I'm pretty sure I had a line from First Love as my MSN screen name for a while. CRINGE.
Anyway, read this book. It's bloody brilliant. I read on Kindle and will 100% be buying a physical copy too.
As a thirty-two-year-old woman, I definitely felt the nostalgia with this one. The story follows Ella Cole in dual timelines; when she is a teenager and meets Lowe Archer for the first time and in the present when she is in her early thirties and has just bought a house with her partner Jackson.
Teenage Ella has a 'love at first sight' moment with Lowe but in order to protect herself, she puts herself in the friendzone. The two are the best of friends over the next decade, always there to support each other, but each time he gets a girlfriend, Ella's heart breaks a little. Their story is absolutely beautiful to read.
Lowe's band that he plays in becomes more and more famous and something happens (no spoilers here from me!) and the two don't speak for a ten years. Following his band's break up, they then reconnect.
The way that this book is written is stunning. There is real depth when it comes to teenage Lowe and Ella's families which adds another dimension and Dockrill's humour just bounces off the page. I really resonated with Ella's teenage years and this novel encapsulates what it's like to have a first love.
I love that all of the male love interests of Ella's were genuinely nice, no villains in this story, they just weren't Lowe. I cared so deeply about these characters. I laughed and even shed a tear at some parts. It gave me everything I want in a novel.
As I always do, I did a little research on the author after reading and discovered that there are autobiographical aspects in there with Ella and Lowe's relationship and Dockrill and her husband. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that he was in The Maccabees as I played 'About Your Dress' on a loop as a teenager in 2007 and I'm pretty sure I had a line from First Love as my MSN screen name for a while. CRINGE.
Anyway, read this book. It's bloody brilliant. I read on Kindle and will 100% be buying a physical copy too.
Off Camera by Chelsea Curto
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I have thoroughly enjoyed the Love Through A Lens series but I think this one (book four) is my favourite!
I recommend reading the other three books first just so you get a real feel for the characters. I would also suggest reading Face Off which is the first in the DC Stars series ahead of this one. I think reading a series and getting to go back into a world feels really warm and comforting.
Off Camera is Reid and Avery's book. Reid is best friends with Dallas from book three, kicker for NFL team the Titans, and Maverick from Face Off. Reid runs the Titans social media accounts and has been having an online feud for a few years with the woman who runs the Thunderhawks accounts, Avery, with the two of them trying to one-up each other.
Reid meets Avery at a bar and the two instantly click. Neither of them know who the other is, nor the fact that they are the people behind the social media accounts. Eventually the truth is uncovered and what I love about this book is that you can feel the tension from their feud and how it develops into a proper relationship.
Reid is my favourite male main character from this series. We get a bit of vulnerability from him because he wasn't into sports and prefers comics and tech but is surrounded by athletes.
I just love this series.
I recommend reading the other three books first just so you get a real feel for the characters. I would also suggest reading Face Off which is the first in the DC Stars series ahead of this one. I think reading a series and getting to go back into a world feels really warm and comforting.
Off Camera is Reid and Avery's book. Reid is best friends with Dallas from book three, kicker for NFL team the Titans, and Maverick from Face Off. Reid runs the Titans social media accounts and has been having an online feud for a few years with the woman who runs the Thunderhawks accounts, Avery, with the two of them trying to one-up each other.
Reid meets Avery at a bar and the two instantly click. Neither of them know who the other is, nor the fact that they are the people behind the social media accounts. Eventually the truth is uncovered and what I love about this book is that you can feel the tension from their feud and how it develops into a proper relationship.
Reid is my favourite male main character from this series. We get a bit of vulnerability from him because he wasn't into sports and prefers comics and tech but is surrounded by athletes.
I just love this series.
Behind the Camera by Chelsea Curto
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Behind The Camera is the third book in the Love Through A Lens series and although it took me longer to get into than the previous two, I ended up loving it just as much. You don't need to read Camera Chemistry or Caught On Camera as you get the gist but I would definitely recommend it to get a real feel for all the characters.
This story follows Maven, Aiden's daughter from Camera Chemistry and Dallas, a kicker for NFL team the Titans. It took me a minute to reconfigure Maven in my head as a twenty-two year old as she was only sixteen when we first met her. Dallas is a single dad to four-year old daughter June and Maven has got a new job with the Titans as a home photographer.
Being a famous athlete means that finding a nanny for his daughter is tough for Dallas. He finds it hard to trust people. Shawn, his coach, is godfather to Maven and when Dallas floats the idea of her taking on the role he isn't happy but goes along with it.
I have read a few single dad/nanny books and most of the time the focus is too much on the developing relationship and sometimes the child is forgotten about for the sake of the plot. In Behind The Camera, June is very much the focus for both Maven and Dallas and it is beautiful to read.
Both Maven and Dallas have their struggles and in true Curto fashion, they bring the best out of each other. No third act break up either which is a massive plus!
This story follows Maven, Aiden's daughter from Camera Chemistry and Dallas, a kicker for NFL team the Titans. It took me a minute to reconfigure Maven in my head as a twenty-two year old as she was only sixteen when we first met her. Dallas is a single dad to four-year old daughter June and Maven has got a new job with the Titans as a home photographer.
Being a famous athlete means that finding a nanny for his daughter is tough for Dallas. He finds it hard to trust people. Shawn, his coach, is godfather to Maven and when Dallas floats the idea of her taking on the role he isn't happy but goes along with it.
I have read a few single dad/nanny books and most of the time the focus is too much on the developing relationship and sometimes the child is forgotten about for the sake of the plot. In Behind The Camera, June is very much the focus for both Maven and Dallas and it is beautiful to read.
Both Maven and Dallas have their struggles and in true Curto fashion, they bring the best out of each other. No third act break up either which is a massive plus!
Caught on Camera by Chelsea Curto
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I am really about to fly through the entire Love Through A Lens series. Caught On Camera is the second book and this one is a fake dating romance between Lacey Daniels, a paediatrician and Shawn Holmes, coach of NFL team, the Titans. Lacey and Shawn are the best friends of Maggie and Aiden who we met in book Camera Chemistry.
Caught On Camera takes place two years after Camera Chemistry so Lacey and Shawn have become best friends in that time. As with any fake dating book, the two have a reason for starting this. The hospital Lacey works at needs funding so Shawn showing up as her date and offering a fantastic opportunity at a silent auction at their gala works in Lacey's favour, and Shawn needs to bring a girl home to his family at Christmas so his mom doesn't worry about him. They set an end date at the beginning of their pact but will they be able to stick to it?
Similarly to Camera Chemistry there is a little bit of an age gap between the two and I just fell in love with these characters instantly. Curto really has a way of bringing her characters to life and having their romantic interests really be there for them.
Such a gorgeous book and I'm going straight into the next one!
Caught On Camera takes place two years after Camera Chemistry so Lacey and Shawn have become best friends in that time. As with any fake dating book, the two have a reason for starting this. The hospital Lacey works at needs funding so Shawn showing up as her date and offering a fantastic opportunity at a silent auction at their gala works in Lacey's favour, and Shawn needs to bring a girl home to his family at Christmas so his mom doesn't worry about him. They set an end date at the beginning of their pact but will they be able to stick to it?
Similarly to Camera Chemistry there is a little bit of an age gap between the two and I just fell in love with these characters instantly. Curto really has a way of bringing her characters to life and having their romantic interests really be there for them.
Such a gorgeous book and I'm going straight into the next one!