niftyreads's reviews
151 reviews

My friend Sarah’s review for ICEBREAKER by Hannah Grace was one line: “5 stars for the spice, 3 stars for the storyline, 1 star for fact-checking the sports.” I love that review! But this is me, and you know I can’t leave it at one line; I’m just not built that way. 

Loves:
•The mental health rep: the anxiety, OCD, and ED reps were handled well. 
•Found family: I love Anastasia finding a home with the hockey guys. It brought me warm fuzzies. 
•Anastasia’s arc: I rooted for her the whole time. 

Meh:
•Once I reminded myself enough that the author was from England, I let that sports nuances slide, but I feel that is where an editor should have stepped up. 
•400 pages: again, editor. 

🙄:
•This is a personal opinion, but every romance does not have to end with a bébé. Childless adults are normal! Or let people use their imagination like I imagine no children and lots of vacations, lol. 

This book got me out of a reading slump. It had me laughing out loud in multiple places. While I wish we had more Cutting Edge moments between Anastasia and Nathan, I enjoyed their relationship. It will stay on my shelf as I could see myself rereading it, just skipping the epilogue. 

Also, can we appreciate how fantastic Leni Kauffman’s artwork is for the cover? There is truly no one better at bringing characters to life!


Content Warnings: toxic friendship, gaslighting, familial death, fatphobia, eating disorder, infidelity, anxiety, panic attacks, violence, classism, body shaming

Every time I go to write a review for a Lex Croucher book, all it ends up being is me yelling at the public about how delightful Croucher’s books are, the happiness they bring me, and each one makes me more of a super fan of their work. TROUBLE is no exception. 🗣️ “Please go read this new historical romcom! Okaythankyoubye✌🏻”

That would be my teeny TROUBLE review, but it’s me, so I’ll say more. It’s a governess historical romance in which the new governess is described as a liar, not polite, and not polished. Oh! I can’t forget the best part—she has never taught a child in her life! Emily Laurence is one of the best book characters ever. Think: you thought you hired Mary Poppins or Maria von Trapp when you hired Cameron Diaz from Bad Teacher.

If you listen to audiobooks, Ell Potter is an exceptional narrator. We are in Emily’s head the entire time, and I can’t imagine anyone else being Emily!

I also can’t picture this book written any other way. I’m a fan of multiple characters narrating, but I think it was a fantastic plot choice to be in Emily’s mind the entire time. She came to the Fairmount House with a purpose, and it was neat to see how she processed and adapted without trying to lose herself as her purpose and feelings changed. 

I know I only gushed about one character in the book, but TROUBLE has many dynamic ones and an entertaining plot. I’ll wait for the thank you for the happiness it brings you, too!

Thank you, Macmillian Audio, for the gifted audiobook!

Content Warnings: (per the author’s website) multiple characters with long-term chronic illness, sudden downturn of health during illness, homophobia, struggles with gender identity, parental deaths (historical, not on-page), threatening and coercive behavior, mentions of past sexual harassment

Mazey Eddings’s books make me happy, which is the point of reading, right? LATE BLOOMER had me first smiling at the cover. It’s a perfect fit for the book. Then, as I read, more smiles came at the awkwardness between Opal and Pepper because it was written to make them seem so ordinary in their neurodivergent ways. I loved it! 

One of my absolute favorite things about Mazey Eddings as an author is that she makes neurodivergence normal—it’s just life. I think that is why I enjoy her books so much because I see people living with things I have and having good lives. It feels good even if they are having a frustrating moment.

LATE BLOOMER was also fantastic for me because it had excellent migraine representation. People either get it or don’t, and Eddings got right on the page. The weather changes affect the head, from brightness to the aura and more—migraines aren’t easy, and I wouldn’t wish them on anyone. They aren’t just a headache, nor can you just pop a Tylenol and continue on with the day. So, I’m happy when they are represented well in books to help people understand. 

Opal and Pepper had an excellent grumpy/sunshine relationship with the added perk of forced proximity. I couldn’t stop smiling from the cover to the very end.

Content Warnings: (per the author in the book) grief after the loss of a loved one, complicated relationships with alcohol, parental neglect/abandonment

Do you know when you see a book cover and think, “That will be cute on my bookshelf!” That is what I felt when I saw EVEN IF IT BREAKS YOUR HEART by Erin Hahn. Then I read the book blurb and realized she was trying to distract me with the cute cover, so I didn’t pay attention to the title because Erin Hahn was truly trying to break my heart. Spoiler alert regarding me: she did; I cried a lot. 

Erin Hahn’s talent for character development shines in the book. I was quickly drawn to Case and Winnie, rooting for them individually throughout the book and, eventually, as a couple. Their distinct personalities made it easy for me to imagine them as my friends. The side characters, too, added depth to the story, making it more meaningful. 

This book is an excellent, EX-CELL-ENT representation of different types of grief and how people cope. Hahn also writes a beautiful representation of the sick-kid friendship and how important it is to both sides, but also tolling. I am the sick-kid, so Walker’s reactions felt real to me. I have a couple of friends like Case who mean more to me than they know. 

I didn’t expect EVEN IF IT BREAKS YOUR HEART to be such an emotional ride. I thought it would be a cute, fun cowboy romance. I mean, look at the cover!?! While there were lots of laughs and cute moments, it’s a heavy book (hence the title…), and it’s definitely one I will read again. I loved every emotional moment, laughter, and tears the characters pulled from me.

Thanks, Wednesday Books, for the book!

Do I love an unreliable narrator? Yes. Do I hate an unreliable narrator? Yes. Does LISTEN FOR THE LIE have an unreliable narrator? Yes. Did I like LISTEN FOR THE LIE? Yes, only when I wasn’t hating it for being lied to, lol. 

Amy Tintera crafted her novel brilliantly. I loved how the plot went back and forth in time for the FMC, Lucy (narrated by the exceptional, as always, January LaVoy), and the other half in podcast format (narrated by Will Darmon). 

At first, I switched between reading and listening to the book, which made the mystery even more confusing. About a third of the way through, I switched entirely to audio and no longer dealt with my own confusion, only the unreliable narrator. 

It’s rare for me to guess whodunit. I thought I had an idea with this one, and then I reached the end. Poof! All my theories dissolved. I have an ending theory that seems to differ from my friends, and I’m the only one who listened to it while they read. So now I want to go back and read the book to see if I get influenced differently. 😅

This novel makes you think, and I love that. I also like that it uses different mediums to move the plot along. It’s a book that you can read and enjoy even if you aren’t a thriller lover!

Thanks, Macmillan Audio, for the ALC! 

Thank you @bookclubfavorites #BookClubFavorites for the free book!⁣

TENDER BEASTS had a beautiful yet frightening premise and cover, but it was a book I could not put down. I don’t do well with horror, which, totally dating myself here, I think has to do a lot with my high school friends torturing me with “seven days” every chance they could after we saw The Ring, and it scared the living daylights out of me. So now, if I watch anything scary, the lights are on, I have a blanket ready to pull over my head, and I watch an episode of Schitt’s Creek to refill my joy. 

I’m a fan of Liselle Sambury’s writing, and the premise of TENDER BEASTS hooked me even if I knew it would only be a daytime read for me lol. “After Sunny Behre’s private school is rocked by a gruesome murder, a teen tries to find the real killer and clear her brother’s name.“ And I only had to watch Schitt’s Creek once! 

I preordered the audiobook on Libro.FM, but I only read with my eyeballs because I was much too nervous. Maybe when I enjoy good scares in October, I’ll give it a go 😳

This book was so creative as it’s a plot unlike any other. It kept me guessing, nervous, and curious the entire time I read it. I’m sure I’m just a scaredy cat, but it kept me on the edge of my seat as I read, and I hope it does for you as well!

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Content warnings: (per the author) death of a parent/grief, animal death (on-page—cow and lizard; off-page, references but not described—unspecified animals), mentions of self-harm/suicide, drinking and drug use, infidelity, discussion of toxic intimate relationships, detailed body horror/gore, violence, death (includes child death)

I sat trying to write my review for a couple of days about A RIVER ENCHANTED, and all I wanted to say was, “I want more!” Seriously, Rebecca Ross’ book is the epic fantasy I have been waiting for. I loved part one. By part two, I was hooked. Then I couldn’t put down the rest of the book and kept reading until I finished. 

The book follows four people on an island - a married couple and two individuals who have been rivals since childhood, so y’all see where that is going, right? 😏 - as they try to figure out why the little girls on their island go missing. This community is so interesting, with each person having a role to play to help it survive. It almost gives it a Medieval feel. 

My other favorite aspect of the book was the magical elements of how Ross used the wind, water, and land as characters - as gods. The people prayed to them; they played to them; they were active parts of the story carrying messages and helping or hindering other characters. It was fantastical, and I can’t wait to see how Ross incorporates them into book two!

Speaking of book two, I know this just came out today, but any chance I can get my hands on the second one soon? 😆

Do I need to say I recommend this? Please pick this up, so we can discuss theories together!

✨If you could have the power of wind, water, or land to assist you, which would you choose?✨

Thank you Harper Voyager US and William Morrow Books for the gifted book!

Content Warnings: (per the author, for more in-depth, visit the author’s website) violence, cutting, loss & grief

What I thought would be just a good romance read for the weekend ended up having me heavily invested in an emotional journey for the FMC Addie and the side characters in MEANT FOR ME by Tay Marley. Romances typically are emotional in some way, but this book digs its nails into you and doesn’t let go. I was hooked from the first pages to the end and kept thinking about it long after finishing. 

I love how Marley let the plot unfold like a mystery - just giving us enough information to know Addie’s secrets as she adapted to small-town life. We learned of her past as we learned of her present, which made you root for her. When twists and reveals happened, it gave them much more of an “oh whoa” emotional moment. 

I can’t review MEANT FOR ME without mentioning Zac Ryan, your new book boyfriend. #Swoon He is the perfect example of why we read books for book boyfriends and can’t find the real thing irl. He has flaws but knows them and works on them. He cares, listens, and is just there for you. Oh, yeah, and he’s a farmhand… so he has very nice descriptions to read about. 

This one is staying on my shelf, and I can’t wait to get feels when I reread it! 

Thank you, FPxWPBooks and WattpadBooks, for gifted book! 

Content Warmings: (per the author) scenes including sexual assault and death