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13rebecca13's reviews
500 reviews
Sandwich by Catherine Newman
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
This is a beautiful book.
Rachel, known as Rocky, is a fifty-four year old mother to Willa and Jamie who are in their early twenties.
Rocky, the kids and her husband Nick are spending a summer week in Cape Cod at the same place they've gone to every year since the children were young. Jamie's girlfriend Maya is accompanying them along with Rocky's elderly parents.
Rocky is going through the menopause and being at the beach house forces her to remember times from the past and new family secrets are revealed also. The novel touches on pregnancy loss, abortion, the midlife anxiety that Rocky experiences being sandwiched between adult children who don't need her as much as they used to and her parents who are becoming more frail.
I really enjoyed this novel and everything that it explored, despite probably not being the target audience as a thirty-two year old. I did however get in my feels as I related it to my own two children growing up.
Rocky is an interesting character who I didn't particularly love but it made her seem very real.
Rachel, known as Rocky, is a fifty-four year old mother to Willa and Jamie who are in their early twenties.
Rocky, the kids and her husband Nick are spending a summer week in Cape Cod at the same place they've gone to every year since the children were young. Jamie's girlfriend Maya is accompanying them along with Rocky's elderly parents.
Rocky is going through the menopause and being at the beach house forces her to remember times from the past and new family secrets are revealed also. The novel touches on pregnancy loss, abortion, the midlife anxiety that Rocky experiences being sandwiched between adult children who don't need her as much as they used to and her parents who are becoming more frail.
I really enjoyed this novel and everything that it explored, despite probably not being the target audience as a thirty-two year old. I did however get in my feels as I related it to my own two children growing up.
Rocky is an interesting character who I didn't particularly love but it made her seem very real.
Camera Chemistry by Chelsea Curto
hopeful
inspiring
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 loved Face Off by Chelsea Curto when I read it earlier this year so I knew I needed to go and read her Love Through a Lens series.
Camera Chemistry is a short novella that I easily sped through in a few hours. Jeremiah is a fashion photographer and has an idea to do a strangers photoshoot. He enlists his best friend Maggie, a thirty-four year old neurosurgeon who is divorced, to take part.
Aiden Wood is a forty-five year old paediatric oncologist and a divorced dad to a sixteen year old girl. His best friend Shawn has recommended to Jeremiah that he would be perfect for the shoot too. Both of these characters have busy jobs that don't lend themselves to meeting new people or sustaining relationships.
Although just under 200 pages, this little novella says a lot. I loved the reasoning behind Jeremiah's photoshoot and the chemistry between Maggie and Aiden is palpable. It is very open door and the communication between these two is beautiful.
Camera Chemistry is a short novella that I easily sped through in a few hours. Jeremiah is a fashion photographer and has an idea to do a strangers photoshoot. He enlists his best friend Maggie, a thirty-four year old neurosurgeon who is divorced, to take part.
Aiden Wood is a forty-five year old paediatric oncologist and a divorced dad to a sixteen year old girl. His best friend Shawn has recommended to Jeremiah that he would be perfect for the shoot too. Both of these characters have busy jobs that don't lend themselves to meeting new people or sustaining relationships.
Although just under 200 pages, this little novella says a lot. I loved the reasoning behind Jeremiah's photoshoot and the chemistry between Maggie and Aiden is palpable. It is very open door and the communication between these two is beautiful.
Live, Ranch, Love by Emma Lucy
hopeful
lighthearted
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
I am a cowboy romance girlie and if you hadn't guessed from the name, this book is a bit of a British/American crossover, something that I hadn't read before.
Aurora "Rory" Jones is a wellness and positivity influencer from England. She recently discovered that her long-term boyfriend Jake cheated on her after the death of her Aunt Grace. Reeling from the death of a family member, it hits harder because as a positivity influencer she has helped others in their relationships and now infidelity has happened in hers.
Her Aunt Grace owned a ranch in Colorado and left it to Rory. She thinks she's been communicating with Mr Hensley, the elderly head rancher at Sunset Ranch but discovers when she gets there that it is Mr Hensley...but the elderly man's grandson Wyatt who took over four years ago.
I wouldn't class this as enemies to lovers, more mild dislike, as neither of the two gel with each other at the start. Wyatt is worried about his future at the ranch as he loves his job he also thinks Rory's job is a bit strange. Rory discovers that being at the ranch in Colorado has helped with getting over her break up and she comes up with a plan that will keep them both happy.
I won't get too into the plot but it is very cute. The backstories of the two characters are wonderfully done and yes, Wyatt is a great book boyfriend. We have a little spice in there too and a slight bit of miscommunication which I don't love but it didn't break my heart too much.
Aurora "Rory" Jones is a wellness and positivity influencer from England. She recently discovered that her long-term boyfriend Jake cheated on her after the death of her Aunt Grace. Reeling from the death of a family member, it hits harder because as a positivity influencer she has helped others in their relationships and now infidelity has happened in hers.
Her Aunt Grace owned a ranch in Colorado and left it to Rory. She thinks she's been communicating with Mr Hensley, the elderly head rancher at Sunset Ranch but discovers when she gets there that it is Mr Hensley...but the elderly man's grandson Wyatt who took over four years ago.
I wouldn't class this as enemies to lovers, more mild dislike, as neither of the two gel with each other at the start. Wyatt is worried about his future at the ranch as he loves his job he also thinks Rory's job is a bit strange. Rory discovers that being at the ranch in Colorado has helped with getting over her break up and she comes up with a plan that will keep them both happy.
I won't get too into the plot but it is very cute. The backstories of the two characters are wonderfully done and yes, Wyatt is a great book boyfriend. We have a little spice in there too and a slight bit of miscommunication which I don't love but it didn't break my heart too much.
The Clique by Rhiannon Barnsley
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Corporate lawyer Cassandra Harlow is distraught after her friend and colleague Sara falls from the roof of their office building. Although the job is full on, Cassandra is convinced that someone has killed Sara. This wasn't suicide.
She hears from her friend Nat that an exclusive women-only member's club has an opening, she starts putting the pieces together and realises that the spot is open because Sara was a member and they had something to do with her death.
Although this book is slow to start, I really enjoyed reading about Cassandra's work environment. It is clear that there is a knowledge of law firms here and you can feel the stress that Cassandra is under. There were a few moments where it felt a bit unrealistic and I wanted to shake Cassandra for putting herself in dangerous positions, but the twists kept it very entertaining. When the pace started to pick up, I couldn't put it down.
She hears from her friend Nat that an exclusive women-only member's club has an opening, she starts putting the pieces together and realises that the spot is open because Sara was a member and they had something to do with her death.
Although this book is slow to start, I really enjoyed reading about Cassandra's work environment. It is clear that there is a knowledge of law firms here and you can feel the stress that Cassandra is under. There were a few moments where it felt a bit unrealistic and I wanted to shake Cassandra for putting herself in dangerous positions, but the twists kept it very entertaining. When the pace started to pick up, I couldn't put it down.
The Eyes Are the Best Part by Monika Kim
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is such an interesting read and not for the squeamish. Especially if you don't like eyeballs. I don't think I'll be able to eat a cherry tomato ever again!
Eighteen-year-old Korean-American Ji-won lives with her fifteen-year-old sister Ji-hyun and mother Umma. Their lives are changed when their father leaves them. During a family meal, the girls are disgusted when Umma eats a fish eye, claiming that it will bring the luck that she feels like she desperately needs.
Umma meets a white man named George at the Korean supermarket that she works in and the two embark on a relationship. This coincides with the Ji-won finally trying a fish eye but it leaves her with an insatiable hunger, but only for blue eyes. Like George's.
This book is very murder-y with plenty of gory scenes. I tend not to get very squeamish but something about the eyeball eating descriptions made me feel a bit ill! There is a running theme throughout the book focused on patriarchy and racial fetishisation. I really enjoyed this one!
Eighteen-year-old Korean-American Ji-won lives with her fifteen-year-old sister Ji-hyun and mother Umma. Their lives are changed when their father leaves them. During a family meal, the girls are disgusted when Umma eats a fish eye, claiming that it will bring the luck that she feels like she desperately needs.
Umma meets a white man named George at the Korean supermarket that she works in and the two embark on a relationship. This coincides with the Ji-won finally trying a fish eye but it leaves her with an insatiable hunger, but only for blue eyes. Like George's.
This book is very murder-y with plenty of gory scenes. I tend not to get very squeamish but something about the eyeball eating descriptions made me feel a bit ill! There is a running theme throughout the book focused on patriarchy and racial fetishisation. I really enjoyed this one!
You'd Look Better as a Ghost by Joanna Wallace
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Oh this was a fun book and I never thought I'd say that about a novel where the main character kills people.
Claire has recently lost her father and upon receiving an email with a great offer in error which is rescinded, she targets Luke, the sender who pays for this accident with his life. We also learn that this is not her first kill.
She attends a grief group and when she meets one of the women there, she realises that killing Luke has opened a can of worms of sorts. Luke was involved in something concerning this woman and thus unravels a lot of people's secrets.
There was so much personality in this book and dark humour. Claire's inner monologue was hilarious. Combining this with a more serious side, flashbacks to Claire's childhood, it makes for a very entertaining read. If you like the TV show Dexter, you will enjoy this.
Claire has recently lost her father and upon receiving an email with a great offer in error which is rescinded, she targets Luke, the sender who pays for this accident with his life. We also learn that this is not her first kill.
She attends a grief group and when she meets one of the women there, she realises that killing Luke has opened a can of worms of sorts. Luke was involved in something concerning this woman and thus unravels a lot of people's secrets.
There was so much personality in this book and dark humour. Claire's inner monologue was hilarious. Combining this with a more serious side, flashbacks to Claire's childhood, it makes for a very entertaining read. If you like the TV show Dexter, you will enjoy this.
Dinner Party by Sarah Gilmartin
emotional
slow-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
3.0
Dinner Party is the tale of a dysfunctional Irish family told between two dinner parties, each a year apart. Kate is in her early thirties and the dinner parties are on the anniversary of her twin sister Elaine's death which happened in their teens.
This is very slow paced, character driven novel and I liked how it was written. The dinner parties show how each character has changed in a year and we also read about the family when Kate, Elaine and their brothers Ray and Peter were children, up to and including Elaine's death. Kate is a complex character and although I didn't warm to her, I felt sorry for her.
I feel like you really delve into her as a character. She has had a lot going on in her years and the author tackles an eating disorder and affair with a married man in a subtle way. I really enjoy how Irish authors write family dramas as it all feels so relatable.
This is very slow paced, character driven novel and I liked how it was written. The dinner parties show how each character has changed in a year and we also read about the family when Kate, Elaine and their brothers Ray and Peter were children, up to and including Elaine's death. Kate is a complex character and although I didn't warm to her, I felt sorry for her.
I feel like you really delve into her as a character. She has had a lot going on in her years and the author tackles an eating disorder and affair with a married man in a subtle way. I really enjoy how Irish authors write family dramas as it all feels so relatable.
The Night Shift by Annie Crown
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
I feel like this book was written for any romance reader who knows what tropes they like and dislike. It doesn't have a massive serious plot nor huge depth of characters but oh my goodness, I flew through it. Sometimes you just need a fluffy, easy read and Night Shift is that.
Kendall Holiday is a twenty-year-old student at Clement University. She spends her time lost in romance books whether its a mafia one, regency one or even billionaire romance. On Fridays she works the night shift at the university's library and basketball player Vincent Knight comes in looking for a poetry book to help with one of his classes.
Their first meeting goes from zero to one hundred and what follows is sort of a miscommunication trope. Probably my least favourite trope but it worked in this book.
I really liked the character of Kendall and I feel like readers will be able to relate to her. A cute read with a little bit of spice!
Kendall Holiday is a twenty-year-old student at Clement University. She spends her time lost in romance books whether its a mafia one, regency one or even billionaire romance. On Fridays she works the night shift at the university's library and basketball player Vincent Knight comes in looking for a poetry book to help with one of his classes.
Their first meeting goes from zero to one hundred and what follows is sort of a miscommunication trope. Probably my least favourite trope but it worked in this book.
I really liked the character of Kendall and I feel like readers will be able to relate to her. A cute read with a little bit of spice!
Plaything by Bea Setton
dark
tense
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
4.0
Plaything follows Anna, twenty-two year old 1st year PhD student of reproductive physiology at Cambridge. The novel is slow to start, quietly building Anna's character. She is a member of the rowing team and upon injuring her wrist, she goes to see a physio.
She invites Caden, her physio, out for a drink and the two develop a relationship. Anna's character is tough to get a grip on which I absolutely loved. You get a bit of depth to her with regards to her parents and childhood but I feel like you don't fully get to know her, this could be down to the fact that it is written in first person so Anna is essentially choosing what to share, even if a lot of it is candid.
Caden doesn't seem overly interested in Anna and is a very handsome man, whereas she is plain but very clever. Probably smarter than everyone else. She struggles to see why he wants to continue to see her.
The book does mention Covid and the two end up living together during lockdown. Anna quickly discovers a lot of Caden's ex-girlfriend Giselle's things in his house. This is a fantastic character study and there is a lot of jealousy and obsession throughout the book, more with how Anna feels about Giselle than Caden. Caden keeping Giselle's belongings plus the fact that Anna feels like he keeps mentioning her, builds the tension with how Anna feels about the situation.
There is a moment where Anna snaps and the jealousy reaches its peak with Anna going out for revenge. To me this was a really shocking moment with an even more shocking repercussion.
This is a fantastically written book that feels claustrophobic and tense.
She invites Caden, her physio, out for a drink and the two develop a relationship. Anna's character is tough to get a grip on which I absolutely loved. You get a bit of depth to her with regards to her parents and childhood but I feel like you don't fully get to know her, this could be down to the fact that it is written in first person so Anna is essentially choosing what to share, even if a lot of it is candid.
Caden doesn't seem overly interested in Anna and is a very handsome man, whereas she is plain but very clever. Probably smarter than everyone else. She struggles to see why he wants to continue to see her.
The book does mention Covid and the two end up living together during lockdown. Anna quickly discovers a lot of Caden's ex-girlfriend Giselle's things in his house. This is a fantastic character study and there is a lot of jealousy and obsession throughout the book, more with how Anna feels about Giselle than Caden. Caden keeping Giselle's belongings plus the fact that Anna feels like he keeps mentioning her, builds the tension with how Anna feels about the situation.
There is a moment where Anna snaps and the jealousy reaches its peak with Anna going out for revenge. To me this was a really shocking moment with an even more shocking repercussion.
This is a fantastically written book that feels claustrophobic and tense.
Play Along by Liz Tomforde
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? N/A
5.0
Play Along is the fourth book in the Windy City series and when it comes to a series, I always worry that newer instalments won't live up to the previous ones. I devoured this in less than 24 hours and yes, it is another massive five stars.
If you haven't read any of the Windy City books yet, they are sports romance novels centred on a friendship group. Each book focuses on a different couple. This time round it is Isaiah Rhodes, baseball player for the Windy City Warriors and brother of Kai Rhodes from Caught Up, the previous novel.
We knew from the previous books that Isaiah had a thing for Kennedy Kay, the team's athletic trainer, but she was engaged. I love how this book started, with their first meeting three years prior and Isaiah finding out something that no one else knew about Kennedy.
Fast-forward three years later, Kennedy has now been single for eight months and Isaiah is still pining after her. I won't go into too much of the plot but this book is giving fake dating/marriage of convenience and in true Liz Tomforde style, a beautiful depth to each of her characters. I said this before, but Tomforde writes personalities and issues very well and I'm pretty sure I had heart eyes for Kennedy and Isaiah the whole way through. I love how they work through things and bring out the best in each other.
I read the other books about six months ago but I fell straight back into this world again. The crossover of characters is done perfectly and I am delighted to hear that Rio's book is coming next!
If you haven't read any of the Windy City books yet, they are sports romance novels centred on a friendship group. Each book focuses on a different couple. This time round it is Isaiah Rhodes, baseball player for the Windy City Warriors and brother of Kai Rhodes from Caught Up, the previous novel.
We knew from the previous books that Isaiah had a thing for Kennedy Kay, the team's athletic trainer, but she was engaged. I love how this book started, with their first meeting three years prior and Isaiah finding out something that no one else knew about Kennedy.
Fast-forward three years later, Kennedy has now been single for eight months and Isaiah is still pining after her. I won't go into too much of the plot but this book is giving fake dating/marriage of convenience and in true Liz Tomforde style, a beautiful depth to each of her characters. I said this before, but Tomforde writes personalities and issues very well and I'm pretty sure I had heart eyes for Kennedy and Isaiah the whole way through. I love how they work through things and bring out the best in each other.
I read the other books about six months ago but I fell straight back into this world again. The crossover of characters is done perfectly and I am delighted to hear that Rio's book is coming next!