Audiobook Review: The Love of My Afterlife by Kristi Greenwood

The Love of My Afterlife by Kirsty Greenwood
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the book I needed. THIS is a romantic comedy. To me, the best rom-coms are ones that can break you apart and put you back together - laughter, happy tears, heartwarming moments, and the joy of found family—all wrapped into one. That is EXACTLY what this book is. If a book can make me sob uncontrollably over an a cute old man it is automatically a 4-star read but that is just one of the many joys of this book. 

The premise is a little wacky and unbelievable, but that is the fun of it, and once you embrace it you will enjoy the ride! I would have liked to see more interactions with Jonah and less of the "can't find him goose chase" and some recognization that even though Delphie was staying away from people to protect her heart, she may also be an introvert and there is nothing wrong with that. Some normalization that not everyone feels comfortable or has the mental energy to be surrounded by friends and people 24/7. 

There were many modern day references to romance authors of our time and sometimes that might bother me, but it was done so well that I actually enjoyed it and it made it feel like a book written especially with avid romance/rom-com readers in mind. Besides the two minor things that I hoped would see more of in this book, the book is perfect rom-com. I laughed out loud, I cried, I smiled like an idiot. Read it!

*I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed the narrator*

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Review: The Lost Story

The Lost Story by Meg Shaffer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Lost Story" by Meg Shaffer is a captivating and beautifully woven tale that transcends the traditional boundaries of fairy tales, inviting adults back into the magical world of their youth with a fresh and inclusive perspective. Shaffer's novel is a testament to the power of storytelling, love, and the bonds of friendship, making it a memorable journey for anyone who holds a special place in their heart for tales that transport you to another world .

I could not put this book down and I feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to read an advanced copy! The ending had me in tears, a testament to Shaffer's powerful storytelling. For anyone who cherishes fairy tales and appreciates meaningful representation, this is a journey you'll wish could go on forever. I can't recommend it enough!

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

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Review: The Only One Left

The Only One Left by Riley Sager
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was my second book read by Riley Sager and will not be my last. The Only One Left had me hooked with its eerie vibes, suspenseful and easy to read writing, and those chilling plot twists that just kept coming. The letters woven into the story added a unique layer that really pulled me into the setting and the overall creepiness of the tale. The suspense was top-notch, especially as the tension built up toward the end. However, I found the main character frustratingly naive for her age. She often acted without thinking things through, which felt unrealistic, especially when her life was potentially on the line. It made some parts of the story hard to believe, but despite that, I couldn't put the book down as I neared the end. It’s definitely an engaging read that keeps you guessing, even if the protagonist’s decisions leave you scratching your head. It was a little slower paced than I was expecting at times, but still a solid read.

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Review: The Veiled Kingdom by Holly Renee

The Veiled Kingdom by Holly Renee
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A fun read and I can see why people like it. Not really my type of Romantasy. The degrading smut talk/slut shaming is not for me. There was really no romance in this book, just lust-driven toxic power dynamic and the overuse of the pet name “little traitor”. The book needed more world building, we are given almost nothing. It’s mentioned that they are fae twice and we hardly know the powers that they can yield. If you want a well-thought out Romantasy don’t read. If you want an easy, enemies-to-hookup buddies (I refuse to use the word lovers here) smutty read, go for it!

Unfortunately, I'm not invested enough to read the next book in the series.

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Review: Catch and Keep by Erin Hahn (ARC)

Catch and Keep by Erin Hahn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Catch and Keep by Erin Hahn definitely exceeded my expectations! The more I read romance, the harder I am to impress and I really enjoyed this. Usually, I find female main characters can have those annoying traits that drive me up the wall, but not Maren. She was great, and Joe was such a lovable character too! The dynamic between Maren and Joe's kids was just heart-melting to watch unfold. And props to Erin for tastefully including a child with autism spectrum disorder and showing how love and understanding can make all the difference. I usually don't reach for spicy novels on purpose, so I did skim through some of those parts, but if you like a spicy romance you WILL enjoy this! There are some very hot scenes.

Now, onto the little nitpicks. I felt like the whole "forbidden love" thing went on a bit too long and was so repetitive. Like, we get it, they can't date because of the whole brother's sister/best friend situation. And yeah, Maren's hot and men do disgusting things to her YouTube videos, we got it the first few times. A little too much fluff here and there, could have been shortened. But despite these small hiccups, it was still a solid read. Perfect for when you need something light and cute, like a palette cleanser or a beach day companion (that will still make you feel all the feels, bring tissues).

Thank you Erin Hahn, NetGalley, and St. Martin's Griffin for the ARC!

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