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Audiobook Review – My Hot Best Friend is An Irish Vampire

This story reminded me of Twilight + Boondock Saints. The duet narration for this was absolutely fantastic and I thought the idea of Irish vampire romance was a fun idea. The story took itself way more seriously though than I expected from the title, and I didn’t love the dynamic between the two main characters, and the Vietnam War era backdrop felt a little strange to me. But if you’re looking for an interesting paranormal premise with great narration, this may be for you!

⭐⭐⭐½

Not quite for me, but might be for you!

Thanks for reading!

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Audiobook Review – The Undermining of Twyla and Frank

Really enjoyed the characters, the writing, and this world. In general, it’s all so fun and light and unique, and it really just feels like a comfort-read. I also really thought the friends dynamic between the two main leads was well done. I feel like friends-to-lovers is a hard dynamic to pull off but you could definitely feel the tension between them (as well as a believable barrier) from the beginning. However, the ending resolution between the two of them felt a bit rushed though, and there was some miscommunication trope use which didn’t sit super well for me in the end. Otherwise, definitely an enjoyable read, and the narration is fantastic. I’d recommend this for anyone looking for a light fantasy that read likes a quirky romcom (Honestly I need WAY more books like this in my life.) I’ve got book 3 on my TBR as well and I’m excited to read it!

⭐⭐⭐⭐¼

Enjoyed the journey, but honestly, I’m still thinking about how I wish the ending would’ve gone just a little differently.

Thanks for reading!

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Audiobook Review – Jupiter Rising

Some book reviews honestly don’t need very many words. This felt less like a sequel and more like “part 2” of the first book. Which is to say, if the first book destroyed you, this one may put you back together. (At least a little bit.)

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Nothing can destroy you and (maybe) put you back together like middle grade.

Thanks for reading!

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Audiobook Review – Hemlock & Silver

Loved this one. I’m such a huge T. Kingfisher fan. The voice, characters, and world all just seamlessly pop off the page in a way that’s such a joy to read. Though I’m not usually a huge fairytale retelling fan, this one is so original it works super well and the narration was fantastic. There was a moment in the middle where I thought we lagged just a little, but the resolution hit just the right spot. Though Swordheart & A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking are still my top 2 Kingfisher books, I think this one’s swooping in for a solid third. Definitely will be recommending to anyone who loves voicey fantasy with a hint of darkness and the warm fuzzies of a happy ending.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Love me some T. Kingfisher!

Thanks for reading!

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Audiobook Review – Tales from the Half-Continent (Monster Blood Tattoo #3.5)

So this was an interesting find! For reference, I did not read the previous books in this series, so I read the two stories here as stand-alones. These books are well-written, with a classical fantasy feel, a nicely macabre vibe, and an impressive amount of world-building tucked into a small story. The audiobook narrator has pleasant voice that I definitely think adds to the stories, and the narrative takes its time unfolding the adventures. With the larger focus on the world and background in a small tale, I didn’t quite connect with the characters as much as I would’ve liked, but I would recommend this for anyone looking for a couple short grim, monster-y reads told in a descriptive, atmospheric writing style. Thanks so much to the author and publisher for the review copy!

⭐⭐⭐⭐

I’m just a monster girl, living in a monster world.

Thanks for reading!

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Audiobook Review – Orbiting Jupiter

Okay, I’m going to need 5-7 business days to process this book. Seriously, this is going to be one of those stories that haunts me forever. I’m SO glad I was kind of warned (thanks fellow reviewers) before getting into this that it was a “this will destroy you” type of book because otherwise, I probably would’ve been crying 5 minutes before having to coach U8 soccer practice.

It’s such a short read, but there’s just so much here. And it’s so visceral and raw, and yet with the amazing subtlety of Middle Grade. I can’t even right now. Between the lines about the angels and the “Jackie” line at the end.

Dang. I want to cry just thinking about it.

I loved this book. But… dude. You’ve been warned: when it comes to the best and the worst of humanity, this story isn’t pulling punches. Godspeed.

Also, this is my second Gary D. Schmidt book, and I can now safely say he’s friggin’ brilliant.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Like… What the crap did I just read? (in the best way.)

Thanks for reading!

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Audiobook Review – Half a Soul

This was a cute, light read that I enjoyed, it just didn’t go quite as deep into the romance or fae elements as I was hoping, and I think it’s brought me to the realization that probably most regency era books aren’t really my thing. However, if you’re looking for a light, regency-era fae story with a light, sweet romance and solid audiobook narration, this may be for you!

⭐⭐⭐⭐½

Year 36: In which Hayley finds with some certainty that she’s not a fae person. And neither is she a regency person. The self-discovery continues.

Thanks for reading!

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Audiobook Review – My Friends

I drank this book in. I love A Man Called Ove and Anxious People, and this will fit right up there with my favorites. The writing and characters just feel so real, they carry the story right along. Funny and poignant, there are so many lines here that absolutely just vibrated in my bones. I’m sure I’ll be carrying this story with me for a long, long time, and now I’ll be recommending it to pretty much everyone I know (and everyone I don’t too.)

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

My head exploding because Fredrik Backman is a genius and that’s all there is to it.

Thanks for reading!

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Audiobook Review – Okay for Now

This is another one of those Upper Middle Grade books that makes me remember why I love Midde Grade. The character development. The voice. The feels. The setting. The subtleties. The character growth. The depth of the side characters. And even that ending… dude. This is one I would LOVE to talk about with the Summer Middle Grade book club that I lead. Definitely adding it to our list, and highly recommend for all readers, Middle Grade and above. This was my first Gary D. Schmidt read, but I’m definitely adding the Wednesday Wars to my TBR as well. I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again. Nothing hits like fabulous Middle Grade.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Dude. This Middle Grade don’t hold back. You’ve been warned. (In the best way)

Thanks for reading!

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Graphic Novel Review – Lava

I totally love this author’s graphic novels. They always draw me in and just leave me feeling cozy & thoughtful. Since this one’s on the shorter side, it held the vibe of episode of Star Trek for me. Not going to lie, I was so glad to see the robots rebuilt at the end, and it’s always fun when you can emotionally invested even in a short piece. If you’re interested in a sci-fi in a unique world with a relatable premise, I definitely recommend picking this one up and I’m excited to see what the author comes out with next! Thanks so much to the author for sending me a review copy!

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Yes! More Graphic Novels in the world pleassseee!

Thanks for reading!