"Hook, Line, and Sinker" is the second book in Tessa Bailey's Bellinger Sisters duology and I liked this one a bit more than the first--and I really liked "It Happened One Summer!"

Like the first book, this is a small town romance but instead of opposites attract, this is a friends to lovers romance. Bailey kept the humor from the previous book, but introduced some heavier themes that helped differentiate "Hook, Line, and Sinker" from "It Happened One Summer."

Egyptology: Search for the Tomb of Osiris by Emily Sands

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adventurous fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? N/A
Loveable characters? N/A
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

This book slapped when I was eleven and it still slaps twenty years later. I am also still ensorcelled by the jewel embedded on the front cover. Some things never change!

It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey

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funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

"It Happened One Summer" was my first Tessa Bailey book, and it was absolutely delightful! It’s a charming, laugh-out-loud funny romance with the classic opposites attract trope.

Bailey crafted a fun and lighthearted first entry in the Bellinger Sisters duology. The book is full of beloved tropes and is an easy read, making it nearly perfect for what it aims to be.

Interpreting Difficult History at Museums and Historic Sites by Julia Rose

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informative slow-paced

3.0

"Interpreting Difficult History at Museums and Historic Sites" is a tough yet essential read for anyone involved in public history or aspiring to work in this field. As part of the "Interpreting History" series, this book delves into the complexities of presenting sensitive and challenging historical topics to the public.

Unlike other volumes in the series, this book offers fewer practical strategies for integrating difficult subjects into tours and programs. Instead, it focuses more on sharing accounts of visitor reactions to challenging historical narratives at museums and historic sites. While many chapters cover similar ground and can feel repetitive, the book still provides valuable insights into how different audiences engage with and respond to difficult history.

Despite its occasional redundancy, "Interpreting Difficult History at Museums and Historic Sites" remains a good resource for understanding the nuances of presenting controversial and sensitive topics in historical contexts. It encourages readers to consider diverse perspectives and reactions, making it a worthwhile read for enhancing one's approach to interpreting complex histories.

Content Warnings

Good Girl, Bad Blood by Holly Jackson

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adventurous tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

"Good Girl, Bad Blood" brings back beloved characters from "A Good Girl's Guide to Murder" and introduces an urgent new mystery. This time, Pip must solve a missing person's case, racing against the clock to find someone who has vanished. The stakes are heightened as the missing person is the older brother of one of Pip’s closest friends.

Holly Jackson skillfully references events from the first book and how they affected the characters, but keeps the focus on the new case. Her approach allows "Good Girl, Bad Blood" to stand on its own while continuing to evolve the characters based on their past experiences.

Though I didn't think the sequel packed quite the same punch as "A Good Girl's Guide to Murder," Jackson maintains a gripping sense of suspense. The ticking clock and escalating tension kept me engaged in the story and by the last few chapters I was on the edge of my seat waiting for the big reveal (which I wasn't smart enough to figure out)!

Beach Read by Emily Henry

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emotional funny fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

"Beach Read" is the third Emily Henry book I've read, and in my opinion, it’s the first one that really lived up to the hype. I found it to be incredibly funny and charming, with a romance that felt realistic. The banter between the characters and the premise of two writers with different styles competing against each other added a fun twist. The way Henry balanced humor, emotional depth, and romance made it a standout read for me.

A Company of Swans by Eva Ibbotson

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fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

"A Company of Swans" was one of my favorite Eva Ibbotson books as a tween/teen so I was excited to revisit it and see if it still held up. While it would have been a five-star read for me, the adult/minor relationship in the story felt unsettling now that I’m the same age as the adult characters.

Ibbotson has a real talent for writing dreamy historical romances, but

her books are very much products of their time and often include uncomfortable—sometimes questionable—age gap relationships.

On the plus side, I appreciate how her villains always face some form of satisfying retribution, and "A Company of Swans" is no exception. Professor Morton's comeuppance, in particular, was gratifying, though readers have to wait until nearly the end of the book to see it unfold.

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camiandkitread's reviews 304 reviews

camiandkitread's reviews
304 reviews