Night Shifts Black By Alyson Santos

Goodreads Summary:

His name is Luke. But nobody knows that. He was an iconic musician before he gave up music. But nobody knows that either. They also don’t know he’s twenty-seven, that he used to have an infectious laugh, and that he’s way too young to be widowed. They certainly don’t know the rest of his tragic story. All they know is that he comes into their café at the same time every morning and stares at the same chair at the same table. They know he’s strange. They know he interrupts their breakfast with a cold blast of air as he hovers in the doorway, mustering the courage to confront a piece of furniture.

No one asks why. No one cares. He’s fine with that. He’s done with life. This isn’t even his story anymore. It’s actually Callie’s, the young writer who sat in his chair one day.

My Thoughts:

I wanted to like this book more than I actually did. That being said, I still did, in fact, like this book. Something about the storytelling or the situations felt off or more than unbelievable even for rock star fiction. 

Callie's (the tortured writer girl) character didn't feel genuine to me for some reason. Luke (the hottie rock star with issues) felt forced or cliched. Casey (Luke's best friend) was really the only character that I decided that I could get behind from the first time we met him.

But still, I read the whole book and immediately picked up the second book in the series. I will say that it was a good enough story that I wanted to know more. Luke's story is definitely sad. Callie's story is definitely sad. Casey's story is definitely sad. I like that this book didn't try to sugar coat the sad. I like that the characters came together and learned to help each other heal from the shit they had going on in their own heads. It is a reminder that friends, new and old, are important. It is important to pay attention to those around you, you never know when someone will need a hand in getting through something.

I would recommend this book to rock star fiction lovers. This isn't the classic rock star story, which isn't a bad thing.

While writing this review I was listening to myself sniffle as my allergies are winning hard today.

Midnight At the Blackbird Cafe by Heather Webber

****I received this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review. ****

Goodreads Summary:

Heather Webber's Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe is a captivating blend of magical realism, heartwarming romance, and small-town Southern charm.

Nestled in the mountain shadows of Alabama lies the little town of Wicklow. It is here that Anna Kate has returned to bury her beloved Granny Zee, owner of the Blackbird Café.

It was supposed to be a quick trip to close the café and settle her grandmother’s estate, but despite her best intentions to avoid forming ties or even getting to know her father’s side of the family, Anna Kate finds herself inexplicably drawn to the quirky Southern town her mother ran away from so many years ago, and the mysterious blackbird pie everybody can’t stop talking about.

As the truth about her past slowly becomes clear, Anna Kate will need to decide if this lone blackbird will finally be able to take her broken wings and fly.

My thoughts:

Each chapter started with a snippet of conversation between a reporter and someone from the town. This little exchange at the beginning of each chapter irritated me quite a bit. It felt jarring to be ripped out of the POV of Anna Kate or Natalie, which are the other two POVs that we experience through this book. This irritation was minor by the end of the book, but I still wish this element wasn't part of the book. That being said, overall, I enjoyed this book. There were parts that made me smile, laugh out loud, and sad parts which tugged at the few heartstrings I have left. I became fully invested in these characters, including all of the side characters. 

I don't want to give any spoilers as this book has not been published yet. So I will keep my review vague. The main person we follow through this book is Anna Kate. She is a relatable and likable woman figuring out how to navigate her life when the two most important people to her are no longer in the picture. In a way her story is a coming of age tail, but for adults. She has had a nomad existence and has been thrust into small town living without a road map on how to deal with being under a microscope.

Natalie is the other POV in this book. We learn through her that everyone has their own ways of coping and some are more healthy than others. I like Natalie. She is stronger than she realizes and I hope there are more books in this small town so I can see her grow further as a person.

I liked the small town of Wicklow. This town of weirdos and sweethearts was a balm to my disenchanted soul. It was nice to read a story about people coming together and loving one another. Additionally, I want to point out that I love the cover for this book. This is not something that I normally comment on but in this case, I just found the cover so attractive and therefore worth drawing attention to it.

I would recommend this book to fans of Sarah Addison Allen and readers of fiction who like a little pinch of supernatural in their reading. This is my first book by Heather Webber, I will likely see if I can get my hands on more of her titles. 

While writing this review I was listening to my dog growl at me for not giving her more attention. I should mention there is a dog in this read, and he is super cute. 

Beautiful Mistake by Vi Keeland

Goodreads Summary:

A sexy new standalone from #1 New York Times bestselling author, Vi Keeland

The first time I met Caine West was in a bar.
He noticed me looking his way and mistakenly read my scowling as checking him out.
When he attempted to talk to me, I set him straight—telling him what I thought of his lying, cheating, egomaniacal ass.
You see, the gorgeous jerk had wined and dined my best friend--smooth talking her into his bed, all along failing to mention that he was married.
He deserved every bit of my tongue-lashing and more for what he'd done.
Especially when that lazy smile graced his perfect face in response to my rant.
Only it turned out, the man I'd just told off wasn't the right guy.
Oops. My mistake.
Embarrassed, I slunk out without an apology.
I was never going to see the handsome stranger again anyway, right?
That’s what I thought…until I walked into class the next morning.
Well, hello Professor West, I’m your new teaching assistant.
I’ll be working under you…figuratively speaking.
Although the literal interpretation might not be such a bad thing—working under Professor West.
This was going to be interesting…

My Thoughts:
Dag yo, this book was sexy. I just wanted to get that out of the way. Besides the legit sexual tension to sexual attention, I enjoyed this book. It has a serious side and can definitely be triggering to some people, but I liked it. Rachel is a believable and likable female lead. Professor West is a sexy and lusty male lead. This is my first Vi Keeland book but definitely won't be my last.
I got this book on sale on audible so I need to give a shout out to the performances by Andi Arndt and Sebastian York. That Sebastian York can whisper sweet nothings in my ears all damn day long. Like for real, he is awesome sauce. Andi Arndt is a kick-ass narrator, you should listen to everything she does!

I liked Rachel and Professor West right away and I wanted them to work out. I will say that this book has the predictable happy ending but I am totally fine with that. There are some stereotypes in this book but again I am okay with that. I wouldn't mind another book with these two to check in with them.

I would recommend this book to anyone looking for something steamy and interesting.

While writing this review I was listening to a snoring wee Chiweenie and debating what I should have for lunch.

What Light by Jay Asher

Goodreads Summary:

From Jay Asher, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Thirteen Reasons Why, comes a romance that will break your heart, but soon have you believing again. . . .

Sierra's family runs a Christmas tree farm in Oregon—it's a bucolic setting for a girl to grow up in, except that every year, they pack up and move to California to set up their Christmas tree lot for the season. So Sierra lives two lives: her life in Oregon and her life at Christmas. And leaving one always means missing the other.

Until this particular Christmas, when Sierra meets Caleb, and one life eclipses the other.

By reputation, Caleb is not your perfect guy: years ago, he made an enormous mistake and has been paying for it ever since. But Sierra sees beyond Caleb's past and becomes determined to help him find forgiveness and, maybe, redemption. As disapproval, misconceptions, and suspicions swirl around them, Caleb and Sierra discover the one thing that transcends all else: true love.

What Light is a love story that's moving and life-affirming and completely unforgettable.

My thoughts:

This book is not life altering and thank Joss (Joss Whedon is a god) for it! I was in the mood for something easy and relatively light to read. This book delivered. While Caleb has one bad incident in his past it isn't so bad that you get depressed reading about it. It adds just the right amount of drama for a sweet little love story between two teens. 

Sierra isn't whiny, nor is she annoying. I like her, she knows how to play along when needed but she also doesn't put up with people being dickheads. I feel for her as a character and she feels like a real person. We don't learn everything about everyone but we learn enough to feel like everyone in the story is authentic. 

I recommend this book to people looking for a mostly light holiday read. 

While writing this review I was listening to the washing machine. Yep, laundry is super interesting.

Undeniably Yours (Kowalski Family #2) by Shannon Stacey

Goodreads Summary:

One-night stand + two percent condom failure rate = happily ever after?

Bar owner Kevin Kowalski is used to women throwing their phone numbers at him, but lately he’s more interested in finding a woman to settle down with. A woman like Beth Hansen. If only their first meeting hadn’t gone so badly...

Beth’s tending bar at a wedding when she comes face-to-face with a tuxedo-clad man she never thought she’d see again. She tries to keep her distance from Kevin but, by last call, she can’t say no to his too-blue eyes or the invitation back to his room. Then she slips out before breakfast without leaving a note and, despite their precautions, pregnant.

Kevin quickly warms to the idea of being a dad and to seeing where things go with Beth. After all, he’s not the player she thinks he is. But she’s not ready for a relationship and, given his reputation, it’s going to take a lot to convince her to go on a second date with the father of her child...

My Thoughts:

So... I finished this book. It wasn't an easy read, or rather listen, for me. I have been on a romance novel kick lately and this one was available through the Romance Package on Audible. I liked the male lead Kevin, which please don't get all grumpy at me for not using romance novel abbreviations and shorthand. That is not how I roll yo! Kevin is a decent guy and pretty funny and considerate. But the female lead bugged the ever living shit out of me! Oh my god, I wanted to punch Beth in the throat. I get it, you don't want to be smothered, shut the fuck up about it already.

Also, I feel like this book is just a cautionary tale about not trusting just condoms when it comes to preventing the plague (aka pregnancy). I am not going to go on a rant about always having two forms of birth control when bumping uglies, but seriously, if you don't want a wee nugget in 9 months then you should really be using two forms of birth control when bumping uglies. These two people should never have gotten together for more than one night. I wasn't really buying into their connection at first sight. I don't think that was because of the Kevin perspective but rather Beth was so annoying and dull I couldn't see why anyone would want to do anything than ring her neck. Speaking as a strong independent woman who doesn't want to be smothered I could not connect to her bullshit. She felt forced and fake. I am not sure that the author knows enough strong independent women. She may want to work on that if she is going to attempt to write such a character.

I read the first book in this series, but I don't think I reviewed it. It wasn't my favorite book ever but I liked it well enough to give book 2 a go. I will not be reading any more from this author. I just don't think her style meshes with my particular reading preferences when it comes to romance novels. I do not recommend this book.

While writing this review I was listening to a random movie on the Hallmark channel, clearly, I am in the mood for romance these days.

Still Life Chief Inspector Armand Gamache #1 By Louise Penny

Goodreads Summary:

As the early morning mist clears on Thanksgiving Sunday, the homes of Three Pines come to life - all except one…

To locals, the village is a safe haven. So they are bewildered when a well-loved member of the community is found lying dead in the maple woods. Surely it was an accident - a hunter's arrow gone astray. Who could want Jane Neal dead?

In a long and distinguished career with the Sûreté du Quebec, Chief Inspector Armand Gamache has learned to look for snakes in Eden. Gamache knows something dark is lurking behind the white picket fences, and if he watches closely enough, Three Pines will begin to give up its secrets….

My Thoughts:

My best good friend (see what I did there? no? sad.) recommended this series to me. It is one of her favorites so I gave it a shot. Thankfully, the library (support your local library!!!) had a copy of the first book. I found some of the later books in the series for super cheap on Amazon but I dislike starting a series somewhere in the middle even if they are somewhat stand alone. I want to be introduced to the main characters the way the author intended.

I should preface this review with the fact that I don't tend to love who done it books. I am easily irritated with mystery books as they tend to be overly predictable, so I avoid them. This book wasn't overly predictable but I would say I figured out who the killer was within the first quarter of the book. 

I liked the quirky characters of the small village of Three Pines. They aren't your typical small town folk and I liked that I was never reminded of Deliverance. 

Yes, that is my judgy side coming out. I have a strong dislike for small-town folk and living.  I am definitely a homebody but I like having the option to change that on a whim. That being said none of the characters in this book made my skin crawl. In fact, I found that I quite liked a few of them. I can relate to an old grumpy poet who doesn't like to talk about her work (Ruth). I can also relate to an artist who doesn't enjoy showing her work for fear it won't be understood (Jane, the murder victim). 

Louise Penny has a distinctive voice and I liked her writing style quite a bit. I chuckled more than a few times thinking that a character was thinking like me or talking as one of my friends would. 

Here's what I have to say about Inspector Armand Gamache...Huh. Interesting. I can't say that I am in love with this guy. But I also can't say that I hate him. I feel like his character was slowly shown to us, but we still don't really know much about him. We do know that he tries to help those working for and with him to become better at what they do, but I am not sure he is the best teacher. A young detective is working for him for the first time for this murder and the inspector flips flops between wanting to help her and actively putting her down and telling her to take a walk. I guess the natural teacher in my soul was a bit miffed about the way that subplot developed though I don't hold it against Gamache on a whole. 

I have started the second book in the series. I am not sure that I will get through all 9 million books in this series. For now, I am enjoying an easy read with some character to it. I would recommend this book to mystery readers and to readers who like a little flair to the voice of an author.

While writing this review I was listening to the Dixie Chicks Everybody Knows.

The Book of Life (All Souls Trilogy #3) by Deborah Harkness

Goodreads Summary:

Bringing the magic and suspense of the All Souls Trilogy to a deeply satisfying conclusion, this highly anticipated finale went straight to #1 on the New York Times bestseller list. In The Book of Life, Diana and Matthew time-travel back from Elizabethan London to make a dramatic return to the present—facing new crises and old enemies. At Matthew’s ancestral home, Sept-Tours, they reunite with the beloved cast of characters from A Discovery of Witches—with one significant exception. But the real threat to their future has yet to be revealed, and when it is, the search for Ashmole 782 and its missing pages takes on even more urgency.

My Thoughts:
This is the final book in the All Souls Trilogy. This book left me wanting more of Diana and Matthew's story but at the same time, it felt like a good way to end their story. Diana and Matthew are some of my all-time favorite book characters. This book did not disappoint. Diana has come into her own and Matthew has started to learn to be less of an overbearing butthead. I love the pacing of this book, you don't feel rushed through the story.
Diana has embraced her history and her future. She stops living in fear of those who wish her and Matthew harm. I love that this book can be applied to real life in that sometimes it takes a while but once you accept yourself you are unstoppable. We really should reach out to those who are different from ourselves, life is enriched by differences.

I have read this book three times now. I love the whole series and I can't recommend this series enough. I know a lot of people refer to this series as a "fangless" vampire series. I disagree with this assessment. I will say that this series isn't like other with or vampire series, but that isn't a bad thing. I never got tired or bored with these characters. I am so tired of the predictable vampire books and the overly quirky and annoying witch books. If that is what you are looking for, you may want to skip this series.

While writing this review I was listening to Let's See What The Night Can Do by Jason Mraz.

A Place For Us by Fatima Farheen Mirza

*****I received this book as an Advanced Reader Copy, this in no way impacted my review****

Goodreads Summary:
A Place for Us unfolds the lives of an Indian-American Muslim family, gathered together in their Californian hometown to celebrate the eldest daughter, Hadia's, wedding - a match of love rather than tradition. It is here, on this momentous day, that Amar, the youngest of the siblings, reunites with his family for the first time in three years. Rafiq and Layla must now contend with the choices and betrayals that lead to their son's estrangement - the reckoning of parents who strove to pass on their cultures and traditions to their children; and of children who in turn struggle to balance authenticity in themselves with loyalty to the home, they came from.

In a narrative that spans decades and sees family life through the eyes of each member, A Place For Us charts the crucial moments in the family's past, from the bonds that bring them together to the differences that pull them apart. And as siblings Hadia, Huda, and Amar attempt to carve out a life for themselves, they must reconcile their present culture with their parent's faith, to tread a path between the old world and the new, and learn how the smallest decisions can lead to the deepest of betrayals.

A deeply affecting and resonant story, A Place for Us is truly a book for our times: a moving portrait of what it means to be an American family today, a novel of love, identity and belonging that eloquently examines what it means to be both American and Muslim -- and announces Fatima Farheen Mirza as a major new literary talent.

My Thoughts:

It took me a bit to get into this story. I can't say that I can put my finger on the exact reason why. The writing is awesome, but I think I needed to be in a specific mindset to read this book. At times this read is hard to get through, only because you feel so badly about what is happening to the characters in the story. You get the chance to see complicated family dynamics from a variety of viewpoints. One small thing to one member of the family has huge consequences for another member of the family. 

I found this book very relatable. I am not Indian or Muslim but that didn't prevent me from connecting with each person. Lately, I have read a lot of books from the POV of white women so it was nice to get out of that space and see through the eyes of someone other than myself. 

I will say that I was disappointed by the ending of this book. Since I don't feel like giving a load of warnings about spoilers I will just say that it left me wanting more. Which I suspect is the point. We all are left wanting more or wanting closure or wanting something that will never be. Life is messy and rarely ends the way we want it to. I think that was part of the story but still, I was disappointed. I felt like the book was building toward something and then just didn't hit the goal. I am still thinking about the book a full 24 hours after finishing it. Clearly, it has lingered with me which is always a good thing.

I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a new and creative voice in fiction. 

While writing this review I was listening to the hum of the AC.

Shadow of Night (All Souls Trilogy #2) By Deborah Harkness

Goodreads Summary:

IT BEGAN WITH A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES.

Historian Diana Bishop descended from a line of powerful witches, and long-lived vampire Matthew Clairmont have broken the laws dividing creatures. When Diana discovered a significant alchemical manuscript in the Bodleian Library, she sparked a struggle in which she became bound to Matthew. Now the fragile coexistence of witches, daemons, vampires, and humans is dangerously threatened.

Seeking safety, Diana and Matthew travel back in time to London, 1590. But they soon realize that the past may not provide a haven. Reclaiming his former identity as poet and spy for Queen Elizabeth, the vampire falls back in with a group of radicals known as the School of Night. Many are unruly daemons, the creative minds of the age, including playwright Christopher Marlowe and mathematician Thomas Harriot.

Together Matthew and Diana scour Tudor London for the elusive manuscript Ashmole 782 and search for the witch who will teach Diana how to control her remarkable powers...

My Thoughts:

So this book is written for the history buffs. This is the most historical fiction book of the series. All of the books have large doses of history but this book actually takes place in the past. Diana has serious power, so much that her Aunts can't help her and every other witch that she meets can't help her or sees her as a threat. 

Here's the thing about this book. It makes a statement about segregation in gene pools. If you limit where your genes come from it limits evolution. While Deborah Harkness is applying this to witches, daemons, and vampires it could also be applied to humanity. Just look at the weak-chinned royal families we know and it is a case in point that limited genes are not a good thing. I like that she is making this social statement. We shouldn't try to limit where love comes from and we should embrace it when it shows up for us.

Diana and Matthew have to figure out what their love means for themselves and they are given that chance while in the past. Diana can time walk, which hello, hella awesome skill to have. Can you imagine all the awesome times and places you could go?!? Obviously, Deborah Harkness wishes she could go back in time, but that is predictable seeing as she is a historian.

I felt like this read was true to modern characters while also being true to historical characters. I think we see people from the past as stupid, closed off, and incapable of understanding complex thought. This is not how Deborah Harkness writes her characters. They are full-bodied people of their time, open and understanding and whole people. A lot of historical fiction forgets that people are of a time and place, but they are also just people. I guess that is the biggest complaint I have with a lot of historical fiction, too much of it is over the top and not enough of it is relate-able. I like a story that I can see myself in, regardless of the time.

I would recommend this book to historical fiction lovers, history nerds, and anyone who loves a good story.

While writing this review I was waiting for my Indian food. Mmm naan. Also, I have a bitch of a cold and nothing helps a cold like Indian food.

A Discovery of Witches (All Souls Trilogy #1) by Deborah Harkness

Goodreads Summary:

Deep in the stacks of Oxford's Bodleian Library, young scholar Diana Bishop unwittingly calls up a bewitched alchemical manuscript in the course of her research. Descended from an old and distinguished line of witches, Diana wants nothing to do with sorcery, so after a furtive glance and a few notes, she banishes the book to the stacks, but her discovery sets a fantastical underworld stirring, and a horde of daemons, witches, and vampires soon descends upon the library. Diana has stumbled upon a coveted treasure lost for centuries--and she's the only creature who can break its spell.

My Thoughts:

I love this book. Actually I should just say that I love this series but since I intend on reviewing each book separately I will start with, I love this book. First, you can tell that the author knows her shit. She is a straight up academic and she doesn't dumb anything down. I admit to having to look up some of the history mentioned and from my limited research I could see that this lady was a legit historian. After reading her books I wish I was still in college and I was in her class. She may have changed my mind on my major of Political Science to History. Enough fangirling and on with my actual review.

Diana has a stick up her butt about her family history. Which frankly I can't blame her. Who wants to grow up with an infamous witch's name anywhere near Salem, Mass? No one. Halloween would be a massive pain in the ass. Not to mention state history in elementary school, middle school, and high school. Long story short Diana didn't love her witch connection and it really didn't help that the family was still full of practicing witches. 

Our girl Diana grew up thinking that she was shit at witchcraft. She couldn't even light a damn candle, which is basically the shoe tying of spells. So she gave up and became a school nerd, as ya do when life is a pickle. She decided to focus on history, specifically alchemist history. While researching a key note speech Diana is in England working in an Oxford library when she comes across a witchy book. Since Diana hasn't been training as a witch, much the opposite, she doesn't understand the power she feels coming from the pages. I really liked that the way this interaction with the book was described in the book. Sometimes when opening an old book I like to put my hand on the cover, and in a way, introduce myself to the book. No, I don't think that I am of the witchy variety. I just love books. And so does Diana. 

This book was written for book nerds, who like a good story, can find bits of themselves in each character, and appreciates that the author thinks we can keep up. There is nothing worse than when an intelligent writer breaks things down for the peanut gallery. That might sound snobbish of me but I like that not everyone will appreciate the approach of this book. I don't think this book was written for those who exclusively read trashy romance novels. 

Diana and Matthew give us the romance but I like that the characters treat each other as equals with different strengths. Sure Matthew gets annoying with his manly shit, but I think in a lot of ways that furthers his development as a character. He recognizes that he is being a butt-head and then he works on fixing it. Not all characters act like real people who are self aware. I love this aspect of Deborah Harkness's writing, her characters feel like real people. They are flawed, they can can annoying and cliched but they recognize these parts of themselves along with the extraordinary parts of themselves.

I would recommend this book to lovers of vampire books, witchy books, romance books, and historical fiction books. It could be classified in some ways as all of those genres but at the same time it doesn't fully fit into any of them. 

While writing this review I was listening to the first episode of Grown-ish.