My Latest Grievance by Elinor Lipman is a Family Drama and Coming of Age Story Sprinkled with Humor!
This is my first Elinor Lipman novel and right aftMy Latest Grievance by Elinor Lipman is a Family Drama and Coming of Age Story Sprinkled with Humor!
This is my first Elinor Lipman novel and right after reading it, I wasn't quite sure how I felt about it, in a kinda-sorta good way...
My Latest Grievance begins with a solid, yet odd, backstory about professors Aviva and David Hatch and their precocious 16-year-old daughter Frederica, who is also our protagonist.
Frederica feels smothered by the nontraditional lifestyle her parents have raised her in. They live in a dorm at Dewing College, a women's college where Aviva and David teach and where their daughter was born. Frederica is craving a change. Something different from what she's come to expect from her predictable parent-team.
In walks Laura Lee French, a new dorm mother, who also happens to be David's ex-wife...
There wasn't a moment when I didn't think this story was going off the rails but the flawed characters, the mixture of topics, and wonky, wacky humor grew on me. It was Frederica's bright, bold narrative that kept me listening, with the deep love and frustration she felt for her parents and the desire and longing for something new and different to enter her life. "Be careful what you wish for" comes to mind here.
The audiobook is narrated by Piper Goodeve whose narrative and voicing adds another layer of believability to the character of Frederica.
My Latest Grievance is quirky, over-the-top, eye-rolling, and thought-provoking entertainment. Will I read another Elinor Lipman story? You betcha!
3.75⭐
Thank you to NetGalley, Dreamscape Media, and Elinor Lipman for an ALC of this book. It has been a pleasure to give my honest and voluntary review....more
Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice by Elle Cosimano is Book #4 in the Finlay Donovan Series!
Do you know how hard it is to begin this review without a spoiFinlay Donovan Rolls the Dice by Elle Cosimano is Book #4 in the Finlay Donovan Series!
Do you know how hard it is to begin this review without a spoiler from the previous book?
Under the guise of a girls' weekend, Finlay and Vero are headed to Atlantic City when Finlay's mother, ex-husband Stephen, and their two adorable kids insist on tagging along. Finlay and Vera feel like their adventure is beginning with all the odds against them.
Experiencing roadblock after roadblock from family, friends, lovers, and bad guys, Finlay and Vero are doubling down on this crapshoot with every gimmick and wild card they can line up. This isn't Penny ante poker they're playing and the stakes are high for these two female super sleuths to hit the jackpot...
Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice picks up right where Book #3 - Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun leaves off. It takes a while for the familiar rhythm of this series to kick in but once it does the shenanigans begin and the entertainment delivers full-on.
Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice has an almost perfect ending with a segue into the next book that may take a different direction with a reoccurring character who was absent in this book taking center stage in the storyline. I'll be there for Book #5 in the Finlay Donovan Series and recommend all previous books to be read in chronological order for the best experience.
3.75⭐rounded up!
Thank you to St. Martin's Press - Minotaur Books for a widget of this ARC through NetGalley. It has been an honor to give my honest and voluntary review....more
The Other Half by Charlotte Vassell is is a Contemporary Mystery-Suspense Story!
Rupert has his thirtieth birthday party at a McDonald's. It's black-tiThe Other Half by Charlotte Vassell is is a Contemporary Mystery-Suspense Story!
Rupert has his thirtieth birthday party at a McDonald's. It's black-tie, a catered affair with lots of drugs and very expensive champagne.
Who does that? I do believe this was the first sign this book wasn't for me.
The next morning, Rupert's girlfriend Clemmie is found murdered. Her body discovered under a bush with her stiletto heels peeking out.
That's Clemmie and her shoes on the cover art, BTW. I do love that cover.
And it's Detective Caius Beauchamp who finds Cammie's body during his morning jog. What a coincidence.
Rupert would, of course, be the first suspect because everyone knows it's always the boyfriend...
The Other Half felt predictable to me from the very beginning. The party, the murder, how the body was discovered, and who discovered it. This feeling never changed for me.
I didn't like or connect with a single character and I thought about stopping almost the entire time I was reading it. Never a good sign.
I didn't connect with the humor either and I believe I'm a fairly funny individual with the ability to see the humor in almost everything. Everything...but this story.
I'm obviously an outlier with The Other Half as most reviews are positive with high ratings and I'm glad this debut author has positive support. I know not every book is for everyone and I also know this one is definitely not for me.
2⭐
Thank you to NetGalley, Anchor, and Charlotte Vassell for an DRC of this book. It has been an honor to give my honest and voluntary review....more
Swamp Story by Dave Barry is Complete and Total Insanity! It's Absurd!
This is, after all, Florida.
Swamp Story has a little bit of everything, similarSwamp Story by Dave Barry is Complete and Total Insanity! It's Absurd!
This is, after all, Florida.
Swamp Story has a little bit of everything, similar to anyone's cluttered kitchen sink or over-full refrigerator. There's a lot stuff going on here...
A beautiful blonde hiding in the swamp, finds a hidden treasure. The two rednecks she's hiding from find out and a cat and mouse game begins...
A broke, desperate business owner invents the 'Everglades Melon Monster' to lure tourists to his failing business via viral videos. The monster, an unemployed alcoholic newspaperman wearing a 'Dora the Explorer' costume head, is inebriated. Of course, he is, but somehow the plan begins to work...
TikTokers swarm the swamp looking for the monster.
More bad guys invade the swamp looking for the blonde and the hidden treasure.
A Presidential hopeful announces his campaign. Wait, what? In the swamp?
It's absolute pandemonium in the Florida Everglades...
Swamp Story is crazy good fun and a bit over-the-top. No, it's completely out-there and totally bonkers. If you haven't heard of this book before, you're aware of it now. When you're in the mood for a read or listen to block-out the world and take a trip to "Crazy Town" to clear your mind, this is your ticket. It's crazy, weird, Absurdist Fiction and it will feed your soul. When someone says to you "This is, after all, Florida", you'll know exactly what they mean. Enough said.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by the author. He did a spectacular job with the pacing and fair enough with the voicing if you don't mind all the characters sounding the same. Just a small issue, right? It's all part of the lure of the insanity. I truly believe it's because the author couldn't find anyone brave enough to narrate this thing. I do mean that in a nice way. A fair and honest way.
Swamp Story is strictly Humorous Fiction and Comedy. I didn't find even a hint of Mystery or Thriller here and you can call it Crime, if you like, but it's mostly just good old fun. I'll definitely check-out other Dave Barry novels for more insanity, I just don't know how he could possibly top this one. It's an experience I highly recommend!
Forever Home by Graham Norton is a Blend of Family Fiction and Cozy Mystery!
I didn't expect Forever Home to be such a fun listen!
Two families living Forever Home by Graham Norton is a Blend of Family Fiction and Cozy Mystery!
I didn't expect Forever Home to be such a fun listen!
Two families living in a small-town in Ireland, with complicated ties, collide in the most interesting, over-the-top way. This sometimes dark, sometimes humorous story, provides a great build-up through detailed backstories in the first-half, that results in a suspenseful, thrilling, and a bit of a wacky second-half.
An unexpected twist, about halfway, kept me glued to the story and attempting to figure out who it was and how everyone involved was going to fix the mess they found themselves in. It was quite the dilemma and definitely kept me guessing.
At the core of this Family Drama is a focus on mother-daughter relationships, the price one pays for keeping long-held secrets, and, through it all, attempting to live your best life.
Forever Home has a wide-range of characters that are diverse and neighborhood antics similar to happenings in our everyday lives almost anywhere. The family dynamics are compelling and somewhat realistic, but certainly always interesting. The inclusion of the dry, snickery humor this author is so well-known for is an added bonus and pure-delight.
Forever Home audiobook narrated by the author, Graham Norton, is definitely a "Yes, please" and "Thank you very much" experience for me. His narration is captivating and his voicing skills are nothing short of amazing. Truly.
Forever Home delivers an unexpectedly good time and no one is more surprised than me how much I enjoyed the author's writing style and storytelling. Who knew? Not me, until now. I'll be checking out his backlist for more fun and I highly recommend this entertaining story to those who enjoy a blend of Family Fiction and Cozy Mystery that's on the darkly humorous side!
4⭐
Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Audio, and Graham Norton for an ALC of this book. It has been an honor to give my honest and voluntary review....more
Mrs. Plansky's Revenge by Spencer Quinn is a Blend of Cozy Mystery and Adventure Fiction!
Mrs. Loretta Plansky, is a seventy-year-old recent widow liviMrs. Plansky's Revenge by Spencer Quinn is a Blend of Cozy Mystery and Adventure Fiction!
Mrs. Loretta Plansky, is a seventy-year-old recent widow living a comfortable life in sunny Florida. Where else would someone with lots of money spend their retirement?
Loretta plays a mean set of tennis with the help of a new titanium hip, but her brain power seems to be lagging and she feels distracted. When her banks call asking why she's withdrawn all her money, Loretta discovers she's just been snookered. Cyber snookered, you might say.
She moves her ninety-eight-year-old dad (who's a bit sparky!) out of assisted living and in with her, sells some of her jewelry, and starts looking for a job. No luck. Even the FBI is making excuses.
That's when our Mrs. Plansky decides to take matters into her own hands to get her money back...
Mrs. Plansky's Revenge isn't as much a Cozy Mystery as Adventure Fiction so if you're expecting a mystery to solve, you'll need to look elsewhere as the author provides answers early on. This didn't take the fun out of it for me, though, Mrs. Plansky delivers plenty of that.
I adore our MC and despite what happens in the first half of the book, Loretta Plansky's got it "going-on" in the second half. Is this story believable? Heck no, but who cares. If you went into this thinking it was for real, you're nuts, in a good way, of course.
Mrs. Plansky's Revenge is an audiobook that's expertly narrated by Petrea Burchard. This author/narrator's has broad-range voicing ability that brings an individual voice and life to each character. The narrator's delivery of the dry humor through this story is one of the key reasons this story was such a delight for me.
Mrs. Plansky's Revenge is the kind of book to read while relaxing by the pool or listening to on a long leisurely walk. It's the entertainment within the story that comes directly from the character of Mrs. Plansky that's the best part of this book and I recommend it to those who enjoy a light read with humor that creates a smile.
3.75⭐rounded up!
Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and Spencer Quinn for an ALC of this book. It has been an honor to give my honest and voluntary review....more
Hello Stranger by Katherine Center is Her Best One Yet!
Wow! It's been over two years since I've read a Katherine Center book. Two long years! So, I waHello Stranger by Katherine Center is Her Best One Yet!
Wow! It's been over two years since I've read a Katherine Center book. Two long years! So, I was worried about starting Hello Stranger and more than a little nervous, as well.
During this two year gap, I read less and less of the Romance genre, especially Rom-Com, as the stories began to sound muddled in my ears, my head, and in my heart. The thought of reading one more with the Insta-Love troupe or another with the bedroom door completely torn down, well let's just say it's not my idea of romance. I'm a little old fashion that way.
When I began reading and listening to Hello Stranger "all the feels" of a Katherine Center story came rushing back to me and all my concerns melted away. It was like visiting an old friend and getting a great big hug.
What I truly love about this author's storytelling is how she picks a topic, wraps it around a female main character who's struggling through it and trying to get to the other side as whole as possible. Then, love walks in. And why not? Everything's a little better with it than without it, right?
In Hello Stranger our main character is Sadie Montgomery and she walks you through her story in a first person point-of-view that is touching, humorous, and believable. She's a struggling portrait artist who's having trouble seeing a few things clearly right now. That's enough to get you started and like all this author's stories, this one isn't only about romance, it's about life, dealing with challenging situations, memories from the past, and through it all, trying to carve out a future that works.
Hello Stranger was a joy to both read and listen to. My preference, by far, is the audiobook with the excellent narration by the talented Patti Murin. Her voicing is fabulous and worthy of a second listen!
There is one more thing you'll need to know about this author. I ugly cry with every single book I've read from her. Heck, I cried writing this dang review. I suggest you plan on having plenty of tissues to get through Hello Stranger. It's a doozie.
I think I say this about every Katherine Center book after I've read it, this is her best one yet. I mean it this time. Really. I highly recommend Hello Stranger to everyone that reads!
5⭐
Thank you to Katherine Center, St. Martin's Press, and Macmillan Audio for a DRC and ALC of this book through NetGalley. It has been an honor to give my honest and voluntary review....more
"Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun" by Elle Cosimano is Book #3 in the Finlay Donovan Series!
Author and single mom, Finlay, and her nanny, self-appointed a"Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun" by Elle Cosimano is Book #3 in the Finlay Donovan Series!
Author and single mom, Finlay, and her nanny, self-appointed accountant, and partner-in-crime, Vero, are back with book #3 picking up just weeks after where book #2 left off.
Finlay is none too happy to be looking down the barrel of another book deadline with a request from her agent and publisher to add some spicy overtones to her new and currently poorly seasoned novel.
Taken by surprise, Finlay and Vero are cornered by Russian Mob boss, Feliks, into repaying an outstanding debt by locating and identifying a contract killer named "Easy Clean"...and the clock begins ticking.
It doesn't take long for Finlay and Vero to believe the allusive killer might actually be a cop.
When Finlay and Vero hear about the upcoming citizens police academy led by none other than "hot cop" Detective Nick Anthony, they hop on-board the bus. It's a perfect cover with firearms and forensics training included and plenty of time for super sleuthing and working on the dreaded rewrites. Ugh!
The best laid plans, right?
It's always a hilariously fun ride with Finlay and Vero. The pages turn rip-fast with quick chapters that beg you to keep reading and so you do. I was hoping for a bit more of the kiddo's in this one and maybe just a little something different to change things up a bit.
This series is definitely one to read in sequential order to stay abreast of the continuing antics and keeping up with the characters, which are plentiful. Each story moves quickly and just when you think things are coming to a head, answers surfacing, up pops another something and around and around we go.
Once again Vero stole the show. I love this character and she's the main reason I keep reading this series. I was sure this was the last book but not with a cliffhanger like that! Sign me up for Book #4, please! I highly recommend!
Thank you to St. Martin's Press - Minotaur Books for a widget of this ARC through NetGalley. It has been an honor to give my honest and voluntary review....more
"A Hard Day for a Hangover" by Darynda Jones is Book #3 in the "Sunshine Vicram" Series!
This story picks up just days after Book #2 "A Good Day for "A Hard Day for a Hangover" by Darynda Jones is Book #3 in the "Sunshine Vicram" Series!
This story picks up just days after Book #2 "A Good Day for Chardonnay" left off and it's the wildest ride yet for Sheriff Sunshine Vicram and her Del Sol Crew! Sunshine wishes her days would slow down just a little but today isn't that day!
Today, Sunshine and her team have their hands full with one incident after another: - Doug, the town flasher, stabbed with a knitting needle... - Randy, the pesky raccoon, on the loose again... - An assault victim rescued at Cooper Canyon... - A friend reports a home break-in... - A teenage daughter, goes rogue investigating on her own... - A prisoner escapes custody from a hospital...
To top it off, Sunshine sees a basket of Ruby's muffins' sitting on a desk in the sheriff's office. Could the presence of those 'cursed muffins' be causing another sudden spike in crime? It's quite possible!
The momentum is whip fast, faster than Sunshine would like while in the throes of a raging Tequila hangover. It's wild, it's fun, it's super mysterious and handsome Levi Ravinder is still hanging around. Sunshine is smiling and doesn't care what Levi's up to as long as it happens within her viewing range. He's such a distraction! She's loved that man since they were both kids, so it's all in a day's work, right?
This is definitely the best book and my favorite of this series but it's also the last one, which stinks! My only niggle is the ramp-up of more bloodiness than its predecessors, but the story is solid, the small-town humor first rate with an appropriate amount of snarkiness, and the quirky mix of characters is almost perfect!
This is the first book in this series I've read a digital copy rather than listened to the audiobook. It's strange how I hold the memory of what these characters sound like, so reading the words was like listening to the audiobook in my head. Does it make sense that I can hear their voices without actually listening to the audiobook and what does that say about me, I wonder? Regardless of what y'all think, it was a fun experience!
Simply said, I just adore Sun & her Del Sol Sheriff's Crew, her friends and her family. I'm awfully sad to see them all go but I'm thinking this author has something up her sleeves for another series and I'll be waiting patiently. I highly recommend this book and the entire series where each book was a solid experience! 4.5 stars!
Thank you to St. Martin's Press for a widget of this ARC through NetGalley. It has been my pleasure to give my honest and voluntary review....more
Loading...
