The Last One at the Wedding by Jason Rekulak Publisher: Flatiron Pub Date: 10/15/2024
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the free copy on NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️
Frank Szatowski is excited when his estranged daughter, Maggie, invites him to her wedding after years apart. However, when he arrives, Frank feels out of place in the luxurious world of Maggie’s fiancé and uncovers mysteries surrounding her new family that put their relationship to the test.
I loved Hidden Pictures, so I was excited for Jason’s latest book. Unfortunately, this one wasn’t for me, and I wish I had DNF’ed it earlier. I kept reading, hoping it would improve, but it remained boring and predictable. The characters were all extremely unlikeable and underdeveloped. The entire book is told from Frank’s perspective, with Maggie (Frank’s daughter) being a narcissist and Tammy (Frank’s sister) overly easygoing. The ending was predictable and slightly odd. John Pirhalla did a great job narrating Frank’s character. Honestly, his performance was the only thing that kept me engaged otherwise, I would have DNF’ed this.
Lightening in Her Hands by Racquel Vasquez Gilliland Publisher: Berkley Pub Date: 10/15/2024
Thank you to Berkley and PRH Audio for the free copies in exchange for my honest review.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Teal Flores, struggling to control her weather-manipulating powers and in need of a wedding date, agrees to pose as Carter Velasquez’s wife to help him secure an inheritance. As they search for Teal’s long-lost mother, their fake marriage sparks undeniable chemistry, leading to a love that can withstand any storm.
Teal is such a complicated character. I absolutely hated her in Witch of Wild Things so I was hesitant to pick up this book, unsure how Teal could be made even remotely likable. However, Lightening in Her Hands gave more insight into Teal’s childhood, strained family relationships, and her complicated past which made me sympathize with her. I appreciated how the author explored friendship breakups and the effort to mend family relationships. Teal and Carter’s romance felt more secondary in the story and I didn’t really care for their relationship. The ending was a bit too neatly wrapped up for my taste. We also get more insight into Sky’s personality in this book, but I’m not sure if I’ll read her story given my mixed feelings about Lightening in Her Hands.
The Mistletoe Mystery by Nita Prose Publisher: Ballantine Books Pub Date: 10/1/2024
Thank you to PRH Audio for the free copy in exchange for my honest review.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Molly Gray is enjoying the holiday season with her boyfriend Juan Manuel, who’s trying to make it extra special for her. But when a Secret Santa exchange at the hotel raises suspicions, Molly must solve a mystery that tests her trust and love.
This novella was adorable! It was wonderful to revisit familiar characters. However, it read more like a Christmas romance than the cozy mystery I expected. While the “mystery” was quite predictable, the story remained heartwarming. I’d recommend it if you enjoy the Molly the Maid series.
The Situationship by Abby Jimenez Publisher: Forever Pub Date: 9/24/2024
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Situationship was originally published as bonus chapter in the Target exclusive edition of Just For Summer. Since I didn’t get that, I ended up purchasing the ebook which surprisingly has a sneak peek into Abby’s new book, Say You’ll Remember Me. In The Situationship, travel nurse Maddy (Emma’s best friend in Just For The Summer) has her meet cute with Doug (Daniel’s best friend in Part of Your World), a charming farmer.
Maddy and Doug’s meet cute was adorable! I absolutely loved this. Highly recommend reading this short story after you’ve read Part of Your World and Just For Summer for everything to make sense!
This Is Why We Lied by Karin Slaughter Publisher: William Morrow Pub Date: 8/20/2024
Thank you to William Morrow for the free copy in exchange for my honest review.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Will Trent and Sara Linton’s honeymoon at a secluded mountain lodge takes a dark turn when the lodge manager, Mercy McAlpine, is found dead, and they realize the culprit is among the guests trapped by a raging storm. As they unravel a web of lies and hidden secrets, the couple must race against time to uncover the truth before it’s too late.
I haven’t read the full Will Trent series, but after reading After That Night, I knew I had to pick up This Is Why We Lied. This novel is a locked-room mystery set on top of a mountain, where every character introduced is deeply flawed and their backstories are full of conflicts. Karin Slaughter is an incredibly talented writer and it’s no wonder she’s considered a thriller powerhouse. She doesn’t hold back, delivering detailed descriptions while weaving in complex relationships and emotions that tug at the reader’s heartstrings. I love that the story is told in the third person, allowing us to get inside each character’s head and uncover what others don’t know which keeps the narrative engaging. The McAlpine family is seriously messed up and I didn’t see any of the twists and turns coming. Just when I thought I had figured it out, Karin would throw in another curveball, making me question my instincts. I loved how the story kept me on my toes especially Will’s decision at the end. I believe this book could be read as a standalone even if you haven’t read the rest of the series. Highly recommend picking this one up! If you do, please check the content warnings on StoryGraph first.
Haunted Ever After by Jen DeLuca Publisher: Berkley Pub Date: 8/13/2024
Thank you to Berkley Romance and LibroFM for the free copy in exchange for my honest review.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Cassie moves to a haunted town in Florida and buys an old cottage with a mysterious past. As she gets closer to Nick, the local coffee shop owner, they work together to uncover the cottage’s secrets, while navigating their growing feelings for each other.
I loved Jen DeLuca’s Well Met series, so I was excited to dive into her new Boneyard Key series. The ghostly elements and the rich history of the small town were highlights for me, and the supporting characters added a lot of fun to the story. However, I found the romance between Cassie and Nick a bit dull, and their relationship felt too neatly resolved by the end. I’m still looking forward to seeing other characters take the lead in future books. As for the audiobook, Jeannie Sheneman did a great job, but I think dual narrators would have enhanced the experience since the story alternates between Cassie’s and Nick’s perspectives. Overall, I’d rate this a 3.5-star read, but I rounded up to 4 stars on Goodreads.
After finishing the Chestnut Springs series, I knew I had to dive into the Gold Rush Ranch series to tide me over until Wild Eyes releases in September. Here’s my ranking of the books from most to least favorite along with my reviews of each:
Off to the Races (Book 1)
📖: Off to the Races is the first book in the series, where we meet Billie Black, a horse trainer, and Vaughn Harding, a newly inherited ranch owner. Determined to clear his late grandfather’s name from a scandal associated with the ranch, Vaughn hires Billie based on a trusted recommendation. Billie is tasked with training a horse deemed untrainable, as they both navigate the high stakes and intense emotions of their glamorous yet dangerous environment.
I’ve noticed that Elsie Silver’s first books in a series often contain some sort of enemies-to-lovers dynamic, as well as a bit of an “office” romance theme. In Off to the Races, I loved Billie’s character and really empathized with her. Her relationship with the horse, Double Diablo, was sweet, supportive, and protective. As for Vaughn, I had mixed feelings about him. Initially, he comes off as a spoiled, rich man-child, but I appreciate seeing his character develop and his vulnerabilities exposed. He also owns up to his mistakes. The way their relationship becomes more intimate is both sweet and steamy in all the right parts. I noticed that we are introduced to other characters who will feature in upcoming books of the series, which I’m looking forward to reading. Now, I can’t wait to read A Photo Finish featuring Violet (the youngest Eaton) and Cole!
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Series Rank: 2nd
Out of the Gate (Book 1.5)
📖: Out of the Gate is a the 1.5 novella in the Gold Rush Ranch series. Ava Wilson has long harbored feelings for Dermot Harding, a family friend and employee at her father’s ranch, despite their significant age difference and his past rejections. When Dermot returns from the army, the two reconnect while training a racehorse together, reigniting their intense chemistry and making them reconsider the obstacles that once kept them apart.
💭: This was the first Elsie Silver book that I didn’t enjoy, despite loving Vaughn and Billie’s story. I had anticipated learning more about how Vaughn’s grandparents, Dermont and Ava, met. However, the overall story didn’t resonate with me. Age-gap romances can be hit or miss and unfortunately, this one missed the mark. The fact that Ava had a crush on Dermont since she was 10 and he was 20 gave me the ick factor. It was frustrating that Dermont continually emphasized his age as an obstacle as to why he couldn’t be with Ava. While Ava’s character was well-developed, Dermont’s lacked depth even though he had his own perspective written in the story. Although this book wasn’t for me, I’m still looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️
Series Rank: 5th
A Photo Finish (Book 2)
📖: A Photo Finish is the second book in the Gold Rush Ranch series. Violet Eaton and Cole Harding’s anonymous online relationship is revealed when Cole moves back to his family’s ranch where Violet currently resides. After Violet has a horse accident, Cole and Violet are forced to love together. Living together, their connection grows, challenging Cole’s guarded nature and hidden scars as they navigate their intense attraction.
💭: This has been my most anticipated read in the series because I initially got glimpses of Violet and Cole in the Chestnut Springs series. However, I realized I loved Off to the Races much more than A Photo Finish. A Photo Finish had similar tropes to Hopeless, so I knew this wouldn’t be my favorite. For some reason, I enjoyed Hopeless much more than this one. Their unusual meeting made for an interesting plot, but I found their past text message conversations lacked depth. As for the present day, I enjoyed the forced proximity. The pace was a bit slower than the others, which I didn’t mind, and I loved Elsie’s writing as always. The little twists along the way and the eventual coming together did make the story enjoyable. I absolutely loved that Billie was a wonderful supporting character who helped move the story along. There were also glimpses of Mira and Stefan which I loved. Overall, this was a 3.5-star read, but I rounded it to 4 stars on Goodreads. I can’t wait to read The Front Runner!
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Series Rank: 3rd
The Front Runner (Book 3)
📖: The Front Runner is the third book in the Gold Rush Ranch series. Veterinarian Mira Thorne reluctantly teams up with Stefan Dalca, the town’s brooding pariah, to save a sick foal, leading to an unexpected romance. As Mira delves deeper into Stefan’s mysterious past, she finds herself increasingly drawn to him, only to face shocking truths that put her heart and reputation on the line.
💭: When I found out that Stefan (Billie’s enemy) and Mira were having their story, I was ecstatic! After learning that Stefan is Elsie’s favorite Gold Rush man and that Mira is half Indian and half white, these were delightful surprises. Zachary Webber and Soneela Nankani performing the audiobook were also a cherry on top!
This was a 5-star read! I think it’s safe to say this is my favorite book in the series so far. I really loved the character depth and growth of Mira and Stefan, both individually and together. The slow burn of their romance was sweet and sexy, unfolding beautifully. There were also a few unexpected twists that were pleasant surprises. Zachary and Soneela did an incredible job narrating this book, really bringing the story to life! Zachary’s slight Romanian accent was particularly swoonworthy. Out of all of Elsie’s books, Stefan is definitely one of the most complex and morally grey characters I’ve read. I could tell he was trying his hardest to do the best he could with the terrible hand he was dealt in life. As for Mira, I could understand why she was closed off and came across as cold-hearted due to the pressures she faced. It was fantastic to see Billie as an active supporting character and that we got to know Stefan’s little sister, Nadia, better. Now, I feel bittersweet that I only have one book left in the Gold Rush Ranch series: Nadia and Griffin’s love story!
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Series Rank: 1st
A False Start (Book 4)
📖: A False Start is the final book in Elsie Silver’s Gold Rush Ranch series. Nadia and Griffin share an unexpected kiss at a bar when Nadia is 19. Two years later, Griffin still can’t resist his attraction to Nadia, even though she’s his best friend’s younger sister and off-limits. As their bond grows stronger, Griffin struggles with his feelings, caught between his desire for her and the fear of betraying his only remaining friend.
💭: It’s so bittersweet that I finally caught up with Elsie Silver’s backlist. I knew going in that I wouldn’t like A False Start because I’m not a fan of age gap and instalove tropes like Hopeless. In The Photo Finish, I wasn’t a fan of teenage Nadia so I didn’t have high hopes of liking her being older. The only part of this book I liked was that Mira and Stefan are supporting characters and I love seeing their love story progress. Nadia’s personality came off as immature and reckless. Griffin is such a boring MMC. I couldn’t find any redeemable quality about him. Nadia and Griffin’s relationship seems physical and couldn’t see this being a long-term relationship. Overall, I would say I liked the Chestnut Spring series better than the Gold Rush Ranch series.
Worst Case Scenario by T.J. Newman Publisher: Little Brown Pub Date: 8/13/2024
Thank you to Little Brown and Hachette Audio for the free audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
A pilot’s heart attack leads to a commercial airliner crashing into a nuclear power plant in Waketa, Minnesota, triggering an unprecedented Level 8 nuclear disaster. The residents, including power plant employees and local heroes, must band together to prevent a global catastrophe and save their community.
TJ Newman writes adrenaline-inducing thrillers! Drowning was one of my favorites, while I had mixed feelings about Falling, so I wasn’t sure what to expect from Worst Case Scenario. Like her other books, this one involves a plane crash; however, most of the story unfolds on the ground rather than in the air, which makes the cover somewhat misleading. I had mixed feelings about this one. The beginning gripped me, and I was invested in the crash and its immediate aftermath. But as the story progressed, it started to drag, with too many subplots to keep up with, none of which fully captured my attention. While the action was there and the premise was intriguing, I never felt truly engaged. I ended up listening to the audiobook, and Joe Morton did a fantastic job narrating. I could see this book making a great movie.
‘Til Heist Do Us Part by Sara Delia Publisher: Berkley Romance Pub Date: 8/20/2024
Thank you to Berkley Romance & PRH Audio for the free copy in exchange for my honest review.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Simi Chopra and her team must retrieve a stolen diamond necklace from Jack Danger’s vengeful nemesis to appease a Chicago Mafia boss. Amidst this high-stakes mission, Simi grapples with relationship troubles, a rival thief, and a determined detective, making her heist even more perilous.
‘Til Heist Do Us Part is a sequel to To Have and To Heist, even though it’s not listed as such on Goodreads. To truly enjoy the book and understand the dynamics of Simi and Jack’s relationship along with the quirky side characters that make up the ragtag heist crew, it helps to have read the first book, as they frequently reference their initial heist. The romance here is more of a subplot. Despite its unrealistic elements, I found the book wildly entertaining and binge-worthy. I loved that the author continued to deliver amusing antics and funny characters. However, I didn’t care much for Simi and Jack’s second-chance romance, as I felt Jack’s character development was lacking. I wished for more perspectives from Jack to understand him better. Overall, I found this to be an entertaining read and recommend picking it up if you enjoyed To Have and To Heist!
Not Another Love Song by Julie Soto Publisher: Forever Pub Date: 7/16/2024
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Gwen Jackson and Xander Thorne (aka Alex), two musical prodigies from different backgrounds, whose professional rivalry intensifies when Gwen is offered the role of First Chair in the Pops Orchestra, a position Xander has long coveted. Despite their hostility, their undeniable musical chemistry and growing feelings for each other face challenges from external pressures and publicity stunts.
Not Another Love Song captivated me much more than Forget Me Not. The world of orchestra and musical performance was fascinating, especially since I have no musical talent and admire those who do. Gwen and Xander’s relationship develops into a sweet and sexy slow burn. While the villains are easy to spot from the beginning and some of the characters’ initial decisions seem dumb due to their age, these elements didn’t detract from the story. Mabel’s character was particularly enjoyable, and her backstory could easily have been a book on its own. Although a few parts dragged, the story remained compelling. I wished we got to have more of Xander’s POV as that would have added more depth to the story, given his complexity.
Asha Reads 