tracyt223's reviews
1424 reviews

Abby is back with her classic romcom novella with substance. This one brings us Charlotte and Seth, neighbors who are forced to spend Valentine's Day trapped in their second story apartments after their staircase was removed accidentally. This one was so cute and and literally laugh out loud funny. Her signature wit and humor had me giggling and furiously turning the pages. These novellas are such a tease and always leave me wanting more, but a great hold over until the next full length one comes out. Highly recommend! 

I just found the story really odd and didn't much care about the characters.  The Minnesota winter setting was great though.  Life's too short for books that don't pull you right in!

Andrea Dunlop has a family connection to Munchausen By Proxy (MBP) as her sister has been investigated on charges of MBP twice.  Consequently, her family has been torn apart from the fallout.  She teams up with Mike Weber, a Texas detective who has worked extensively on child abuse cases, especially those involving medical harm.  Together they deep dive three different cases of MBP, those of Hope Ybarra, Brittany Phillips, and Mary Welch.  I was absolutely appalled at their behavior and what they have put these children through.  And what's worse is the behavior of the DA's, judges and those who were supposed to be protecting children.  I can't believe how long it takes to even get a case brought against someone, even when faced with an abundance of evidence of their behavior.  So many times these children are continued to be harmed or even die from this ghastly behavior.  I have always been intrigued my MBP and what makes a person behave in this manner.  It was definitely a chilling account of these poor kids' lives.  Hopefully this will bring a much needed light to these situations and hopefully there will be some changes for the better.

I was gifted an audio copy by @netgalley and @mcamillan audio in exchange for my honest review.  The audiobook was very well done by Andrea.  I will also be checking out her podcast to learn more.  Highly recommend if you have any interest in true crime and child welfare.  It was definitely a binge worthy and I couldn't put it down once I started.  

Working her way up at a storied Stockholm publisher, a young woman develops an ambiguous, shifting relationship with her boss, in this shrewd novel about the tension between tradition and modernity, and expectations and reality. 

I have conflicted feelings about this book in translation.  The writing was really quite good, and beautiful at times.  I didn't care for the structure of the book, it was done in just 2 long chapters.  I also was finally starting to enjoy the story a bit more by the end of Chapter 1, then there was a really abrupt change at the start of Chapter 2.  It takes you awhile to even figure out who is narrating this part.  At it's heart, the story is about two people who both seem to not quite fit the norms of society and find a kinship with each other.  It's a very different kind of relationship they develop.  I actually felt sorry for both of them, they didn't seem to really find what made them happy.  So, while I didn't necessarily connect to the characters, I do objectively see that it's well written and quite literary. The author also packs in a lot in the short amount of pages, but I found myself wanting more.  I was also a little confused about Chapter 2 and would love to know other's opinions.  I just don't think it was the right book for me.

We return to Rebel Blue Ranch and get the story of Ada and Weston.  Ada arrives in town to oversee the renovations at the old homestead on the ranch that Wes is turning into an inn.  The night she arrives, she stops in the town's only dive bar and has a chance encounter with a handsome cowboy.  When she arrives for her first day on the job the next day she soon realizes the man she met and made out with is none other than Wes, her boss for this job!  These two definitely have an attraction, but Ada is trying hard to keep it strictly professional.  Can they make it through this project without giving in? Or will they both put their dreams on the line for a chance at love? 

Overall a cute, fun time back on the Ranch.  I have enjoyed this series so far much more than I thought I would.  Looking forward to the next one, we'll finally get Gus and Teddy's story!

I am now fully invested on this fictional town of St. Crispian's and Emma's story.  There are more interesting characters being introduced and I can't wait to see what happens next.  Especially with The Tennant.  These books have quite an addictive quality to them and I will definitely be diving into book 3 soon!

I had originally purchased the hardcover of this cookbook.  I have always loved her blog and recipes and definitely wanted a copy of her keepers.  Then I heard that she had done an audiobook for it also.  I thought to myself....an audio cookbook?????  Who knew I needed this in my life, but I truly did!  Deb picked several of her very favorite recipes and dives deep into the preparation, how the recipe came about and how much friends and family raved about these particular ones.  Deb's wit, charm and humor come through.  I was thoroughly entertained and found myself wanting to run to the grocery and pick up the simple ingredients needed for these recipes.  I had already made the Turkey Meatloaf with the Smashed Potatoes twice before listening and my husband and I loved them both!  I will definitely be making my way through more of these recipes in the future!  Give this one a try if you are a home cook, a foodie or a longtime reader of her blog.  It was just like sitting around talking with an old friend. Highly recommend!

A whirlwind romance.
When Theodora Scott met Connor—wealthy, charming, and a member of the powerful Dalton family—she fell in love in an instant. Six months later, he’s brought her to Idlewood, his family’s isolated winter retreat, to win over his skeptical relatives.

As soon as they arrive things don't seem right and there's a really strong sense of foreboding.  Clearly everyone is hiding something and this powerful family doesn't want any of those secrets to come to light.  Theo also had no memories of her early childhood, that is until she stumbles upon a deserted cabin on the property where she finds a picture and memories start to surface.  This one was full of so many twists and turns and I really didn't see where it was going.  It was a perfect Winter read, with the snowy lodge and cabin setting.  Especially after a big snow storm traps everyone there, this really bumps up the tension, keeping me on the edge of my seat.

The audiobook narration was great as always with Karissa Vacker, she's one of my favorites.  Thank you to @netgalley and @macmillanaudio for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.  Out today, 02/04/2025.

Jane and Dan have been married for nineteen years, and Jane isn't so sure she wants to make it to twenty.  They go out for their anniversary dinner at the famous and trendy restaurant, Le Fin du Monde.  It's a super upscale place sitting at the edge of a cliff, offering gorgeous sunset views.  Jane is feeling stalled out in her writing career, only selling a small amount of her first novel, she feel unappreciated by her two children and she's pretty sure Dan is cheating on her.  So Jane decided to tell Dan right then and there that she wants a divorce.  While Dan is still reeling from this news, the restaurant's patrons and staff are all taken hostage by an underground climate activist group.  Jane is shocked to be in this hostage situation, but also starts to notice that the events taking place are strangely similar to the plot of her unsuccessful novel.  Even Dan has to agree that it's eerily similar.

As the events of the evening start to unfold, several shocking twists are revealed, none of which I saw coming.  This was at times also quite funny and I found myself chuckling.  But along with the hostage plotline, I felt this was also an exploration of a long term marriage with all it's ups and downs.  So maybe if they can survive this night, maybe they can find a way to salvage their marriage as well.  Overall, a really fun ride that I found witty and unlike any story I'd read before!  Thank you to @berkleypublishinggroup and @netgalley for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.   Publishes March 11, 2025. 

I've been seeing this series all over #bookstagram lately and you guessed it.....FOMO won out and I decided to pick it up.  Especially since it was on Kindle Unlimited!  The story is told in epistolary style, through journal entries from Emma.  She has quite a strong wit and found myself giggling several times.  There are some interesting side characters as well.  Archibald is truly awful and I hope he gets what he deserves in future books. I thought this was a strong start to the series and I can't wait to read more. It definitely gives Jane Austin vibes, with a more modern feel.