Tag Archives: beth reads

Review: The Listeners by Maggie Stiefvater

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What I love the most about Maggie Stiefvater’s writing is the atmosphere she creates. Even though they all take place in real settings, there is always something magical about them. The Listeners takes place in 1940s West Virginia. The US joined World War 2 after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. June Hudson is the General Manager at the Avalon. A luxury hotel that caters to the most elite people in the world. The sweetwater is said to be healing, but there is more than that. Things turn upside down when the US Government takes over the Avalon. The delegates from the Axis nations have to keep and watch somewhere; what better prison for them than a luxury hotel? Tucker Minnock is an FBI agent assigned to their detail and has a secret. Like all of Maggie’s books, she fills them with rich, interesting characters. The German diplomat’s wife is more than just a wife. She has a few depths that prove that people are not just one thing. She cares deeply for her daughter and knows if she goes back to Germany, her life would be in danger but she is also supports the Nazi party. June and Tucker’s relationship develops organically a they both try to do their jobs. June, trying to keep her hotel running while dealing with unusual guests, the staff keep getting drafted, and goods are being rationed. Tucker is listening to the diplomats and reporting back anything that he can report to the Bureau. They all soon realize that after all of this, nothing will be the same. Not just for the hotel but for them as well. Beautifully written and based on actual events in US history. I highly recommend it.

What I’m Reading Now: Must Love Books by Shauna Robinson

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This was a free download for being a BN member so I got it. I saw the title, which was a romance, and I said yes. Sounds good. Then I started reading, and it was a little too close to home. Oops. The romance has potential, so I am still reading.

Review: Not in Love by Ali Hazelwood

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This follows the pattern of Ali Hazelwood’s other academic romances, but if it’s not broke, don’t fix it. Rue is a brilliant scientist who is doing research to prolong the shelf life of food. Eli is part of an Equity firm that has bought the loan of her company. They first meet on an app for hookups, and the attraction is immediate, which only complicates things because Eli is trying to ruin Rue’s mentor. They both have their issues. This book deals with serious topics of food insecurities, neglect, and abuse. All play a role in why they both try so hard not to admit what they are in love. What I love about Ali’s books and many of the romance novels that I have read is that Eli is always so patient. Consent is important in every relationship. He fully admits he wants more from her, but respects her boundaries. As their relationship grows and secrets start to come out about others and each other, Rue begins to open herself up to new things. She starts to trust Eli, but also herself in stating what she wants and how she wants it. As for the big reveal of who the “big bad” is, if there is one in this book. Minor spoilers, but it is pretty obvious from the beginning. It reminded me of something Kate has said about her time in Grad School. While they were women in her field, who have become successful, they haven’t done much to form paths for the women that came after them. Rue’s mentor does help Rue. There is no denying that, but when push comes to shove. She only cares about herself and will sacrifice anyone, no matter how close she is to them, to save herself. Things do have a happy ending because this is, after all, a romance, but not the ending. We will see more of Rue and Eli in the sequel.

Quick Review: Gideon the Ninth by Tasmyn Muir

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I don’t know what I was expecting, but it’s definitely not a murder mystery. I am not complaining, but I was led to believe this was a sci-fi novel about lesbian necromancers. There was a little bit of that, but you know. Gideon hates living in the Ninth House and wants out. She is allowed to be the Cavalier to Harrow, the Ninth’s Necromancer. They head to the first house, where Harrow will compete against the other houses to become the kingdom’s Lichter. I really enjoyed the banter between Gideon and Harrow but I am also a sucker for the “Enemies to Lovers” trope. Gideon is smart and sarcastic. Just how I like my heroines. They must work together to figure out what is going on and who is murdering the other houses. This was a fun read, and I am looking forward to the sequel.

What I’m Reading Now: Not in Love by Ali Hazelwood Read by Callie Dalton and Jason Clarke

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Our book club is celebrating Fantasy Summer.June’s theme is Love is Love is Love. I am reading Not in Love mainly because I have to return it to the library by June 9th. It’s not a fantasy, but itfits the love component.

Review: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Read by Kate Kellgren

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This month’s Theme for our TBR Project book club was Cottagecore. Since it’s officially Spring, we wanted to read something sweet, simple, and a little rustic. I chose Pride and Prejudice because I have seen many versions of the story in movies and TV, but I have never actually read the book. I didn’t realize until after I started reading that it is the 20th Anniversary of the Kiera Knightley movie. For those interested, it’s being rereleased in theaters to celebrate. I digress. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that there are so many details left out of the many interpretations. The lives of Lizzie and her sister is much more lively than they came across to me in any movie or TV show ever gave me an impression. They are all involved in the running of the house and in the town. While the focus may be on marriage, they all had other interests. It was good to get to know Jane a bit more. She is always portrayed as stoic, which she is, but she is also a lot more observant than she is given credit for. Even Wickham became a more interesting character. Same with Darcy. We get a little bit more incite into his mind much earlier in the novel than I believe we do in most adaptations. He’s not just rude but socially awkward. Who can’t relate to that? Anyway, it was delightful. I am glad I have finally read it.

Review: Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros

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The third installment in the Fourth Wing series started off pretty well and then was a bit of a slog in the middle before hitting with the big finale at the end. I wouldn’t say this was the best in the series. It didn’t have the same sense of purpose as the first two. Which is weird since we have three books in the world, and we have a better sense of the world and what is at stake. Part of it might have been that the scenes between Violet and Xaden were a bit tedious. Which is a problem since they are the heart of the story. This might show my age, but their obsession with each other is beyond toxic. Like, they really need to go to therapy. I do appreciate that at least other characters do call out how truly problematic their relationship is. So at least, it’s not gone on notice and younger readers will read it and think As entertaining as this story is, their relationship should not be relationship goals by any means.

My real issue with this book was the middle. It spent way more time island hopping, looking for Adarna’s dragon family. I can understand what Yarros was going for. It not only expanded the world. Showed that not everywhere in this world has magic or mystical creatures and gave more incite into the Gods of this world. I do have a feeling that they will be playing a bigger role as the story moves forward. However, I stopped caring if they ever found the Irid dragons and even forgot at one point why they were doing all of it in the first place. All I can say is that whatever was trying to be set up in this portion of the book better pay off in later books. So yeah, a good installment to the story. Not great, but good. The ending does set up a pretty interesting storyline for the next book. Let’s hope Yarros can keep the momentum going.