Category Archives: Book Review

November Favorites šŸ“–šŸ’…šŸ½

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How did November go by in the blink of an eye? Itā€™s wild that we are already in December. This year has somehow felt both impossibly long and unbelievably fast. For reading and nails, November was a great month. I had one standout holiday read that earned a full five stars and I also discovered a new nail brand that has me questioning if I ever want to go back to anything else.

šŸ“– Favorite read of the month: Grace & Henryā€™s Holiday Movie Marathon

Thank you Dell Romance, Random House, PRH audio for the free copy of Grace & Henryā€™s Holiday Movie Marathon by Matthew Norman.

After losing their spouses, Grace and Henry are pushed together by their well-meaning mothers but neither is ready to date. Instead, they form a gentle friendship through a Christmas movie marathon that helps them heal and wonder if love might be possible again.

Grace & Henryā€™s Holiday Movie Marathon deserves all the stars! I absolutely loved how Matthew integrated beloved holiday movies into the storyline. Grace and Henry were wonderful characters and I appreciated that we got to see both of their perspectives. It was moving to watch how each of them navigated grief and began finding their way forward. Their banter and growing friendship were so sweet and tender. I especially loved how Henry connected with Graceā€™s children, Ian and Bella which was truly touching. The moments when Henry reminisced about his late wife, Brynn, and when Grace spoke to her late husband were both heartbreaking and beautifully written. The story flowed seamlessly. The supporting characters, including both families, added so much warmth. I also definitely recommend listening to the audiobook! The narrators did a fantastic job bring Grace and Henry to life. I highly recommend picking this one up, but keep a tissue nearby while reading! 

šŸ’…šŸ½ Favorite manicure: Dazzle Dry Heartā€™s Caress

I discovered Dazzle Dry in mid-November and wow it is a total game changer! Iā€™m genuinely unsure if Iā€™ll go back to my other brands anytime soon. It is easy to apply, everything you need comes in the kit, and the top coat dries in under five minutes. Once it is dry, you can literally go on with your day. It lasts a full week on me which means I can switch colors when I want to instead of when my manicure chips. It also helps my nails grow without any strengthening treatments and leaves them feeling strong overall. It looks like gel but applies and removes like regular polish. I quit gel back in May and finally found a regular polish system that lasts beyond 4-5 days. This one has been a great find and canā€™t wait to try other shades!

September Favorites šŸ“–šŸ’…

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Itā€™s officially spooky season! šŸŽƒ The first day of fall šŸ‚ and my birthday šŸŽ‚ both passed last week so it feels like the perfect time to share a few September favorites. Instead of spotlighting just one book, Iā€™m highlighting a whole series I devoured this month along with the mani I loved most.

šŸ“– Favorite Series I Read: Tattered & Torn by Catherine Cowles

This series has been sitting on my TBR for ages. I finally dove in after realizing I already owned the first two books (one of them signed!), and Iā€™m so glad I did. Honestly, Iā€™m kicking myself for waiting so long. Tattered & Torn might just be my favorite Catherine Cowles series yet, tied closely with Sparrow Falls.

Hereā€™s how Iā€™d rank the five books, from favorite to least favorite:

  1. Tattered StarsĀ (Book 1)
  2. Fractured SkyĀ (Book 5)
  3. Shattered SeaĀ (Book 4)
  4. Hidden WatersĀ (Book 3)
  5. Falling EmbersĀ (Book 2)

If youā€™ve enjoyed Catherine Cowlesā€™ Sparrow Falls series or like romantic suspense that balances swoony romance with page-turning tension, the Tattered & Torn series is a must-read.

šŸ’… Favorite Manicure: Lights Lacquer Clueless & Cherry Wine

This month I was all about deep red manis. For my birthday, I decided to go with a red French tip using Lights Lacquer polishes. The base isĀ CluelessĀ and the tips areĀ Cherry Wine. I used the Lights Lacquer nail stamper to get the look. The tips were created easily though cleanup was trickier sinceĀ Cherry WineĀ is a bit more liquid than expected. Still, I love how it turned out and it felt so fitting for a birthday mani.

šŸ“šFalling Into Romance: Berkleyā€™s September New Releases

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Fall is less than a week a way, spooky season is starting to creep in, and it’s my birthday month! With so much happening, it feels like the perfect time to dive into Septemberā€™s popular Berkley romance releases. Thank you to Berkley Romance for the free books!

The Princess and the P.I. by Nikki Payne
Pub Date: 9/16/25

Fiona Addai, a famed Reddit detective, finds herself accused of murder when her attempt to expose a ruthless corporation goes wrong. With P.I. Maurice Bennett reluctantly by her side, she has to clear her name while picking up some real detective skills and maybe catching unexpected sparks along the way.

When I heard that Nikki Payne had a new book coming out, I was so excited! I loved her modern Jane Austen retellings and couldnā€™t wait to see her take a different direction with The Princess & the P.I. I didnā€™t realize until after finishing the book that Maurice was the younger Bennett brother which made the cameo appearances from the Bennett family even more fun. Fiona was such a great FMC. I really enjoyed watching her character grow as she navigated her strained family relationships. The audiobook narration by Arissa Evans and Jaime Lincoln Smith was fantastic and they truly brought the story to life. The only part that didnā€™t quite work for me was the chemistry between Fiona and Maurice, but I still thought they made a great team as partners in solving the mystery. As for the mystery itself, Nikki Payne did a terrific job tying everything together with a satisfying ending. I canā€™t wait to see what she comes up with next!

The Heartbreak Hotel by Ellen O’Clover
Pub Date: 9/23/25

Reeling from heartbreak and unable to afford her Colorado home after a breakup, Louisa Walsh convinces her landlord Henry to let her stay by turning it into a bed-and-breakfast for the heartbroken. As the Comeback Inn opens its doors, Lou and Henry are drawn together even as secrets threaten their fragile new beginning.

The Heartbreak Hotel is the first book Iā€™ve read by Ellen Oā€™Clover. Unfortunately, this was a miss for me. The story started off strong, but by the midpoint the pacing slowed and the plot took an odd turn. I did enjoy the vivid Colorado setting and the cozy details of the house which gave the book some charm. The story is told entirely from Louā€™s perspective. Her chemistry with Henry is nonexistent. Louā€™s character growth is nonexistent which was frustrating. I wanted much more depth from Henry. The supporting characters and their personal journeys were the only aspects that held my interest. This book should also come with clear content warnings which were noticeably absent. Overall, this one is skippable.

Soul Searching by Lyla Sage
Pub Date: 9/30/25

Collins Cartwright returns to Sweetwater Peak to help save her parentsā€™ antique shop, but the ghosts she has always relied on have suddenly gone quiet. When she rents a room from newcomer Brady Cooper, their growing connection and a little push from the spirits make her wonder if home might be exactly where she belongs.

Soul Searching is the first book in the Sweetwater Peak series. When Lyla mentioned that this would take place in a neighboring town to Rebel Blue Ranch and include paranormal elements, I was super excited. I loved how she kept the familiar charm of a western small town while also expanding her writing style in new ways. The duet narration by Jason Clarke and Samantha Brentmoor was fantastic and really brought the story to life. Collins and her family were fascinating. I enjoyed seeing the world through her perspective. I just wish there had been more interaction with the ghosts and more depth in that aspect. It was also fun to see cameo appearances from some of the Wilder family. I was glad to get Bradyā€™s perspective, but his character felt underdeveloped and his chapters did not land as strongly for me. I was craving more insight into his personality. While the natural chemistry between Collins and Brady was sweet, the tension I was hoping for was missing. Overall, I would rate this 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 stars on Goodreads. I am excited for the next book in the series and really hope it features Collinsā€™ twin sister, Clarke.

August Favorites šŸ“–šŸ’…

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As August slips away, weā€™re still in the middle of a heatwave as September begins, which comes as no surprise. Iā€™ve already got fall on my mind and just need the weather to catch up. Here are two standouts from the past month that brought me joy: a gripping first book in a brand new series by thriller queen Karin Slaughter, and a dazzling Lights Lacquer polish that has me craving fall more than ever.

šŸ“– Favorite book I read: We Are All Guilty Here by Karin Slaughter

Thank you William Morrow for the free advanced copy of We Are All Guilty Here by Karin Slaughter.

In the small town of North Falls, the disappearance of two teenage girls during the fireworks proves that no one truly knows each other. Officer Emmy Clifton, burdened by guilt, is determined to find them and uncover the secrets the town has been hiding.

Karin Slaughter is an auto-read author for me so it was no surprise that her latest book, We Are All Guilty Here (the first in the North Falls series), is a 5-star read! This is one of those books you should go into without knowing too many details so you can experience every surprise. This slow-burn police procedural had me on my toes until the very end. I thought I had it all figured out, but twist after twist kept me guessing and I could not put it down. The emotional, deeply flawed characters hit me to my core. Slaughter did an incredible job weaving together two timelines with enough clarity to keep me fully invested. There were moments that felt heavy where I truly sympathized with Emmy or Jude and moments that left me completely shell-shocked. Highly recommend picking this one up. Now I canā€™t wait for the next book in the series!

šŸ’…Favorite Manicure: Lights Lacquer Saddle Up

Saddle Up is part of the Lights Lacquer Headed West fall collection. Iā€™m actually surprised that I chose another red as my favorite given that I donā€™t really wear red manis that much. Iā€™m obsessed with how this specific shade reminds me of fall. I love how opaque and creamy it is. This will definitely be a repeat mani this upcoming season!

Fall may not be here yet, but my TBR and polish picks are already there. 

July Favorites šŸ“–šŸ’…

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This is my first time doing a monthly wrap-up here. On Instagram, I used to share book wrap-ups, but I wanted to go in a different direction this time. Each month, Iā€™ll keep it simple and share two favorites: a book I loved and a manicure that stood out. Hereā€™s what made July special:

Favorite book I read: Chasing Shelter by Catherine Cowles

Chasing Shelter is the fifth book in the Sparrow Falls series. Itā€™s an interconnected standalone, which means you can start with this one, but itā€™s best enjoyed in order since there are spoilers for couples from the previous books. I was so excited to see Trace finally get his love story with Ellie. These two are perfectly matched, and this book deserves all the stars.

Ellieā€™s bond with Traceā€™s daughter, Keely, was one of the sweetest parts of the story. Watching their relationship grow made every scene with them even more heartwarming. It was also great to learn more about Traceā€™s past and what shaped him into the man he is now. I loved that we still got the fun sibling group chat, Loliā€™s antics, and the warmth of the found family dynamic. The suspense element was a nice touch too. I predicted one part but not the other and it definitely kept me on the edge of my seat. The epilogue was absolute perfection. Now Iā€™m counting down the days for Fallon and Kylerā€™s book. I know Catherine will wrap up the series in the best possible way and Iā€™m thrilled that Dex will get his spotlight in the new series!

I also read the sneak peek of Secret Haven and that prologue had me in tears. I can already tell itā€™s going to be incredible. Plus, I was so happy to see a preview of Across the Vanishing Sky in the KU version. From what I read, it sounds amazing!

Favorite manicure: Lights Lacquer Cherry Wine

Part of Julyā€™s Cherry Coated Trio launch, this vampy red shade was the perfect color to transition from summer to fall vibes. I loved wearing it and know it will stay in my regular rotation. Iā€™m already planning to reach for it again soon.

šŸ“š Quick Thoughts on 3 Romance Out Today

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Today Iā€™m highlighting 3 new romance releases today and my thoughts on each of them:

šŸ§¹ A Witchā€™s Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna

šŸ“– Thank you Berkley Romance & PRH Audio for the free copy.

šŸ’¬: If you loved The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, this charming cozy book is for you! Seraā€™s journey of healing, found family, and rediscovering confidence really shines. I adored the cast of supporting characters. The ending was satisfying. Iā€™d recommend this to anyone craving magic with heart.

šŸ¾ Pugs & Kisses by Farrah Rochon

šŸ“– Thank you Forever & Hachette Audio for the free copy.

šŸ’¬: I was so happy to see Evie take center stage in this follow-up to Pardon My Frenchie. Her emotional arc is tender and relatable. Bryson brings just enough tension to make their chemistry sizzle even if I wanted to shake him a few times. Pet loss is mentioned here, however, the author handled with care and not for shock value which I appreciated. This oneā€™s for fans of heartwarming friendships and slow-burn healing. I canā€™t wait for  Ridley and Von next!

šŸ§¼ Maid for Each Other by Lynn Painter

šŸ“– Thank you Berkley Romance & PRH Audio for the free copy.

šŸ’¬: This one had Pretty Woman vibes and Painterā€™s signature banter. This one wasnā€™t quite my cup of tea. However, if you love billionaire tropes or insta-love, it might be up your alley.

Review: Run for the Hills

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Run for the Hills by Kevin Wilson
Publisher: Ecco Books
Pub Date: 5/13/2025

Thank you Ecco Books for the free advanced copy. 

Rating: ā­ļøā­ļøā­ļøā­ļø

Madeline Hillā€™s quiet life on a Tennessee farm is upended when a man named Reuben shows up claiming to be her half brother. Together, they embark on a wild road trip to track down their elusive father and a string of other siblings, discovering unexpected family and connection along the way.

I was excited to hear that Kevin Wilson was releasing a new book this year since I really enjoyed Nothing to See Here and Now Is Not the Time to Panic. The plot was intriguing and I loved the characters that were introduced. Most of the book is told through Madā€™s perspective in third person, but I appreciated how we still got a sense of the supporting charactersā€™ experiences as well. I liked learning about Madā€™s complicated relationship with her dad. The vignettes showing his life with her half-siblings added depth to the story. The storyline was heartfelt and Kevin did an incredible job portraying strained family dynamics with tenderness. A few twists caught me by surprise in the best way and made the story even more enjoyable. I had to sit with the ending for a bit because at first it felt disappointing, but the more I thought about it, the more it made sense. Definitely recommend picking this up if youā€™re a Kevin Wilson fan!

Review: Donā€™t Open Your Eyes

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Donā€™t Open Your Eyes by Liv Constantine
Publisher: Random House
Pub Date: 6/17/2025

Thank you PRH Audio for the free copy. 

Rating: ā­ļøā­ļøā­ļøā­ļø

Annabelle has a perfect life until she starts having vivid dreams that feel more like warnings of a dangerous future. When parts of the dreams begin coming true, sheā€™s forced to question her reality and how far sheā€™ll go to protect her daughter.

Donā€™t Open Your Eyes was one of my most anticipated June reads. Liv Constantine is an auto-read author for me so I was really excited for this one! I liked the storyline and found the multiple perspectives engaging. Each voice felt distinct and the audiobook narrators were a great fit. Scarlett was my favorite character. I enjoyed seeing how she navigated being a teen. The dream sequences from Annabelleā€™s point of view were intriguing and I liked the use of premonitions throughout. The ending wasnā€™t my favorite, but it was decent. Overall, Iā€™d rate this 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 on Goodreads.

Review: King of Ashes

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King of Ashes by S.A. Cosby
Publisher: Flatiron
Pub Date: 6/10/2025

Thank you Flatiron & Macmillan Audio for the free advanced copies.  

Rating: ā­ļøā­ļøā­ļøā­ļø

When Roman Carruthers returns home after his fatherā€™s suspicious car accident, he finds his family drowning in debt and danger from violent criminals. As his sister Neveah fights to hold the family together, Roman uses his sharp financial skills, a ruthless side the gangsters didnā€™t expect, to protect the people he loves at any cost.

S.A. Cosby is an auto-read author for me and I can always count on his books to pull me out of a slump. I was especially excited to hear that Adam Lazarre-White would be narrating this one because I love his performances in Cosbyā€™s other books. King of Ashes is another hit! Cosby has a way of creating characters you genuinely empathize with. They make tough choices and suddenly youā€™re wrapped up in their complexity and moral grayness. Roman was such a layered character and heā€™s truly put through the wringer. The book raises hard questions about how far you would go to protect your family while also exploring strained family dynamics and complicated ties within a close-knit community. Cosbyā€™s story is gritty and includes some graphic elements, but it feels purposeful and drive both the plot and character growth. I loved the slow burn, the high stakes for every character, and that epic ending! I was driving while listening to the last part and literally had to pull over just to relisten. Overall, I highly recommend picking this one up on audio!

3-Star Reads: Pub Day Edition

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Itā€™s pub day and Iā€™ve got three new releases to talk about. All three ended up being 3-star reads for me. Nothing terrible, but nothing Iā€™m rushing to recommend either. If youā€™re curious about what didnā€™t quite hit, keep reading.

What Kind of Paradise by Janelle Brown
Publisher: Random House

Thank you PRH Audio and Random House for the free advanced copy. 

What Kind of Paradise is about Jane, who grows up in an isolated Montana cabin, believing her father is her whole world. But when she uncovers a terrible truth, she runs to San Francisco searching for answers and starts to question everything she thought she knew about her past, her parents, and herself.

I loved Janelleā€™s previous books so I was really looking forward to What Kind of Paradise. I had mixed feelings about this one. The premise was interesting, but the execution felt meh. Itā€™s not really a thriller as it leans more toward general fiction with a hint of suspense. The pacing was uneven where the beginning drew me in, but the second half dragged and felt way too slow. All the tech talk made me lose interest. I just couldnā€™t connect with Jane as she felt too emotionally distant for me to feel much empathy toward her. The ending also wrapped up a little too neatly. Overall, this one just didnā€™t work for me the way I hoped. 

Worth Fighting For by Jesse Q. Sutanto
Publisher: Hyperion Ave

Thank you Leo PR & Hyperion Ave for the free advanced copy. 

To save her fatherā€™s hedge fund deal, Mulan pretends to be him and heads to a whiskey ranch run by Shang and his old-school, misogynistic family. Sheā€™s determined to close the deal, but falling for Shang was never part of the plan.

Worth Fighting For is the fifth book in the Meant To Be series and a modern Mulan retelling. I had mixed feelings about this one. I loved the sentiment behind the story and what it clearly meant to the author. The way iconic scenes from the movie were seamlessly integrated into a contemporary setting was one of the highlights. Mulanā€™s personality was what I expected. It didnā€™t surprise me that she altered her name for the Lis, but it did stretch believability that they fell for it considering her dad is the managing partner and owner of the firm. Also with how involved Shang was in social media, it was hard to believe he didnā€™t know who she was.

The part I struggled with most was Shangā€™s character. He was really underdeveloped. While I appreciated that he wasnā€™t as blatantly misogynistic as the rest of his family, we never got to see his leadership in action or feel his passion for Wutai Gold, his familyā€™s high-end whiskey company. Mushu was a firecracker and I had mixed feelings about her. I loved how loyal and supportive she was to Mulan, but she could be a bit too out there at times. The ranch portion of the story was easily my favorite. It brought out everyoneā€™s personalities and felt the most engaging. Unfortunately, the ending didnā€™t work for me. Too much happened too fast, it felt rushed and anticlimactic, and then it just abruptly stopped. Iā€™m curious to see what the next retelling in this series will be!

The Ghostwriter by Julie Clark
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark

Thank you Sourcebooks Landmark for the free advanced copy. 

Olivia Dumont is a ghostwriter hiding her identity as the daughter of infamous horror author and murder suspect Vincent Taylor. When she agrees to ghostwrite his final book, long-buried family secrets and haunting truths resurface.

I loved The Last Flight, but found The Lies I Tell to be just okay so I wasnā€™t sure what to expect from The Ghostwriter. The premise was intriguing and felt unique which is what drew me in. However, I wasnā€™t a fan of the writing style or execution. The first half of the book is an extremely slow build while the second half picks up slightly with more flashbacks that help move the story along. I found Olivia to be a dull and unengaging protagonist with no real character growth. Of all the perspectives, Poppyā€™s was the most compelling. Vinceā€™s chapters, on the other hand, read more like a teenage girl than a boy which pulled me out of the story. It was frustrating how often information was repeated as if the reader couldnā€™t connect the dots on their own. Many side characters seemed to appear out of nowhere and felt underdeveloped. The last 15% of the book is where the action finally kicks in and the ending was decent. Overall, I donā€™t think Julie Clarkā€™s writing style is for me.