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dontmissythesereads's reviews
2192 reviews
The Rules of Royalty by Cale Dietrich
3.75
Book #10 read in 2025
I can not resist a teen royalty story, and this one was so charming. Jamie discovers he is the Prince of Minator, and when he meets his father, the King, he is thrust into the royal world. The King arranges for Prince Erik, the spare prince of a neighboring country, to tutor Jamie in all things royal. Sparks fly, but will the family of the two princes allow them to be together?
One of the things I loved so much about this novel was that both princes were out and accepted by everyone around them. That is how the world should be. I loved the blossoming relationship between these two characters. Jamie jumped headfirst into his new role and did so with such bravery because he knew he had the support of his family and friends. I just found everything about this novel to be hopeful and sweet.
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel was published on December 10, 2024.
I can not resist a teen royalty story, and this one was so charming. Jamie discovers he is the Prince of Minator, and when he meets his father, the King, he is thrust into the royal world. The King arranges for Prince Erik, the spare prince of a neighboring country, to tutor Jamie in all things royal. Sparks fly, but will the family of the two princes allow them to be together?
One of the things I loved so much about this novel was that both princes were out and accepted by everyone around them. That is how the world should be. I loved the blossoming relationship between these two characters. Jamie jumped headfirst into his new role and did so with such bravery because he knew he had the support of his family and friends. I just found everything about this novel to be hopeful and sweet.
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel was published on December 10, 2024.
The Note by Alafair Burke
3.75
Book #9 read in 2025
Kelsey, May, and Lauren are on a girl's trip to the Hamptons, but when someone steals their parking space, a silly act of revenge, leaving a note on the windshield of that car, tests their friendship and makes them the center of a police investigation. Through this process, we learn more about the women and how they have all endured "cancellation" for various reasons.
I love Alafair Burke, but this was not my favorite by her. It was a little slow in developing, and the characters were generally unlikeable, making it hard to even care about their troubles. That being said, I did love the idea of the story and will continue to read Burke's novels.
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel was published on January 7, 2025.
Kelsey, May, and Lauren are on a girl's trip to the Hamptons, but when someone steals their parking space, a silly act of revenge, leaving a note on the windshield of that car, tests their friendship and makes them the center of a police investigation. Through this process, we learn more about the women and how they have all endured "cancellation" for various reasons.
I love Alafair Burke, but this was not my favorite by her. It was a little slow in developing, and the characters were generally unlikeable, making it hard to even care about their troubles. That being said, I did love the idea of the story and will continue to read Burke's novels.
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel was published on January 7, 2025.
Catch You Later: A Novel by Jessica Strawser
4.0
Book #7 read in 2025
Mikki and Lark are two best friends who work the overnight shift at a Travel Stop in small-town Ohio. They both feel stuck, but Lark is pregnant and needs to stay. When a stranger blows through town and asks Mikki to attend a beach wedding with him for the weekend, Mikki goes. But she never returns, and no one knows what happened to her. Eight years later, that same stranger returns looking for Mikki, and it reopens the investigation into what happened to her.
Strawser is a master at weaving a gripping tale. This is a dual timeline: Lark, now, and Mikki, then. This slowly weaves Mikki's story through the lens of Lark's investigation, and I could not wait to see how it resolved. The ending was a little unbelievable, but I bought it. I will continue to read whatever Strawser writes.
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel was published on October 22, 2024.
Mikki and Lark are two best friends who work the overnight shift at a Travel Stop in small-town Ohio. They both feel stuck, but Lark is pregnant and needs to stay. When a stranger blows through town and asks Mikki to attend a beach wedding with him for the weekend, Mikki goes. But she never returns, and no one knows what happened to her. Eight years later, that same stranger returns looking for Mikki, and it reopens the investigation into what happened to her.
Strawser is a master at weaving a gripping tale. This is a dual timeline: Lark, now, and Mikki, then. This slowly weaves Mikki's story through the lens of Lark's investigation, and I could not wait to see how it resolved. The ending was a little unbelievable, but I bought it. I will continue to read whatever Strawser writes.
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel was published on October 22, 2024.
Head Cases by John McMahon
4.0
Book #6 read in 2025
The Patterns and Recognitions (PAR) unit of the FBI is made up of misfits, agents who all made some mistake in their previous assignments but have unique skills. I love the idea of this type of an investigative unit. They remind me of some of my favorite TV detectives, Monk and Will Trent, to name a few. They see things that others miss. While the crimes were a bit graphic, they were cleverly investigated in a way that made me happy to be in the minds of these agents. If you like police procedurals with unique characters, this one is for you!
Can we talk about Will Damron's narration? Spot on. There's something special about the way he makes me feel like I am actually standing next to Garder Camden as he talks through the case. Damron has become one of my favorite narrators for just this reason.
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel is expected to be published on January 28, 2025
The Patterns and Recognitions (PAR) unit of the FBI is made up of misfits, agents who all made some mistake in their previous assignments but have unique skills. I love the idea of this type of an investigative unit. They remind me of some of my favorite TV detectives, Monk and Will Trent, to name a few. They see things that others miss. While the crimes were a bit graphic, they were cleverly investigated in a way that made me happy to be in the minds of these agents. If you like police procedurals with unique characters, this one is for you!
Can we talk about Will Damron's narration? Spot on. There's something special about the way he makes me feel like I am actually standing next to Garder Camden as he talks through the case. Damron has become one of my favorite narrators for just this reason.
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel is expected to be published on January 28, 2025
The Christmas Cookie Wars by Eliza Evans
4.0
Book #5 read in 2025
This is a Hallmark movie in book form. Set in a small town, widowed single mother Melody is already known to the school principal, Jonathon Braxton, for always getting her twin boys, Tate and Finn, to school late. When the boys begin to question their Christmas spirit, and Melody finds out the Yuletide Cookie Club has disbanded, she decides she can kill two birds with one stone: get the principal on her side and restore the Christmas spirit in her boys. What she doesn't anticipate is how her feelings for Jonathan turn.
I loved the developing story and relationship between Jonathan and Melody, but I loved all the side characters even more. The boys are delightful, and so are Melody's mom and sister. The plot arc to figure out who is sabotaging all of Melody's efforts also held my attention. This is a perfect read for anyone wanting to escape into a sweet, fun, clean romance.
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel was published on October 22, 2024.
This is a Hallmark movie in book form. Set in a small town, widowed single mother Melody is already known to the school principal, Jonathon Braxton, for always getting her twin boys, Tate and Finn, to school late. When the boys begin to question their Christmas spirit, and Melody finds out the Yuletide Cookie Club has disbanded, she decides she can kill two birds with one stone: get the principal on her side and restore the Christmas spirit in her boys. What she doesn't anticipate is how her feelings for Jonathan turn.
I loved the developing story and relationship between Jonathan and Melody, but I loved all the side characters even more. The boys are delightful, and so are Melody's mom and sister. The plot arc to figure out who is sabotaging all of Melody's efforts also held my attention. This is a perfect read for anyone wanting to escape into a sweet, fun, clean romance.
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel was published on October 22, 2024.
Playing Flirty by Shameez Patel
4.0
Book #4 read in 2025
In this loose rivals-to-lovers novel, Rose teams up with her best friend’s brother, William, to perfect a board game for a competition. As readers, we are supposed to feel the rivalry between Rose and William leading up to the alliance, but it plays more like an older brother annoyed by his pesky brother’s friend. I really enjoyed the dialogue and witty, flirty banter between Rose and William as the relationship progresses between the two.
In this loose rivals-to-lovers novel, Rose teams up with her best friend’s brother, William, to perfect a board game for a competition. As readers, we are supposed to feel the rivalry between Rose and William leading up to the alliance, but it plays more like an older brother annoyed by his pesky brother’s friend. I really enjoyed the dialogue and witty, flirty banter between Rose and William as the relationship progresses between the two.
The FMC gets everything she wants in a typical romance with a happy ending. There are some things in this one that Rose doesn’t get. But she realizes that things happen for a reason, and she makes the most of things.
Content Warning: One of the subplots involves workplace harassment of Rose by her boss. This really didn’t add to the story other than to show how her best friend and Willi stick up for her and, more importantly, how Rose sticks up for herself.
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel is expected to be published on January 14, 2025.
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel is expected to be published on January 14, 2025.
She Doesn't Have A Clue by Jenny Elder Moke
4.0
Book #3 read in 2025
I really enjoyed this romantic mystery novel that follows mystery author Kate Valentine to her ex-fiancé’s wedding. Her plus one is Jake Hawkins, the Hotstralian one who got away. As the wedding festivities progress, Kate keeps finding dead bodies, making her a prime suspect, especially when one of the targeted people is her ex-fiancé’s bride.
I really enjoyed this romantic mystery novel that follows mystery author Kate Valentine to her ex-fiancé’s wedding. Her plus one is Jake Hawkins, the Hotstralian one who got away. As the wedding festivities progress, Kate keeps finding dead bodies, making her a prime suspect, especially when one of the targeted people is her ex-fiancé’s bride.
Not only was this a fun, locked room mystery but there was some great romantic sizzle here as well. I really like Kate and Jake as a pair and as sleuths. I’m unsure if the author plans to make this a series, but I would love it if she did.
Sarah Mollo-Christensen did a fantastic job as the narrator. The nuances in her voice as she portrayed each character made it easy to listen to and enjoyable.
Thank you to the publishers for the review copies. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel is expected to be published on January 21, 2025.
Thank you to the publishers for the review copies. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel is expected to be published on January 21, 2025.
What Happened to the McCrays? by Tracey Lange
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
5.0
Book #1 read in 2025
What a book to start the year! This is my first book by Tracey Lange, and it definitely won't be my last. This book is about a family broken by tragedy and slowly finding their way back to each other. It is the quintessential family drama with imperfect characters who don't always make the best decisions but who clearly have heart. Throughout the story, we know that there was a tragedy but don't know the full extent of it. The readers discover the details and truth simultaneously as Kyle, giving us a reason to connect and understand him further. I loved this book so much and felt all the emotions while reading it. I'm off to read Lange's backlist!
Note about the narration: Stephanie Németh-Parker and William DeMeritt brought the characters to life. The emotion with which they read the story and voiced the characters made the reading experience even better.
Thank you to the publisher for the audio review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel is expected to be published on January 14, 2025.
What a book to start the year! This is my first book by Tracey Lange, and it definitely won't be my last. This book is about a family broken by tragedy and slowly finding their way back to each other. It is the quintessential family drama with imperfect characters who don't always make the best decisions but who clearly have heart. Throughout the story, we know that there was a tragedy but don't know the full extent of it. The readers discover the details and truth simultaneously as Kyle, giving us a reason to connect and understand him further. I loved this book so much and felt all the emotions while reading it. I'm off to read Lange's backlist!
Note about the narration: Stephanie Németh-Parker and William DeMeritt brought the characters to life. The emotion with which they read the story and voiced the characters made the reading experience even better.
Thank you to the publisher for the audio review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel is expected to be published on January 14, 2025.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death and Suicide attempt
Let's Call a Truce by Amy Buchanan
4.5
Book #140 read in 2024
Juliana and Ben are workplace rivals whose lives continue to intersect outside work. Amy Buchanan masterfully builds their relationship slowly from enemies to lovers. I love that Juliana is a mom who always puts her kids first, and her decisions throughout the novel include them. Sometimes, the children and family seem to take a backseat in romance novels, but they are at the forefront of this one. It makes the characters more relatable and real, making it easy to fall for them and want them to be happy. I loved Amy Buchanan's writing style and can't wait to see what she comes up with next.
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel is expected to be published on January 14, 2025.
Juliana and Ben are workplace rivals whose lives continue to intersect outside work. Amy Buchanan masterfully builds their relationship slowly from enemies to lovers. I love that Juliana is a mom who always puts her kids first, and her decisions throughout the novel include them. Sometimes, the children and family seem to take a backseat in romance novels, but they are at the forefront of this one. It makes the characters more relatable and real, making it easy to fall for them and want them to be happy. I loved Amy Buchanan's writing style and can't wait to see what she comes up with next.
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel is expected to be published on January 14, 2025.
Under the Mistletoe collection by Alexandria Bellefleur, Ali Hazelwood, Tessa Bailey, Alexis Daria, Olivia Dade
3.5
Book #139 read in 2024
Another fun short story collection from Amazon. I enjoyed these stories at varying levels, with Ali Hazelwood and Olivia Dade having the best. In true Tessa Bailey fashion, her story was steamy and more steamy. These are cute ways to pass the time.
Another fun short story collection from Amazon. I enjoyed these stories at varying levels, with Ali Hazelwood and Olivia Dade having the best. In true Tessa Bailey fashion, her story was steamy and more steamy. These are cute ways to pass the time.