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dana_reads_travels's reviews
2325 reviews
Good Dirt by Charmaine Wilkerson
5.0
Thank you to the publisher, Netgalley, and Libro.fm for copies of this novel.
I read Black Cake after finally grabbing it from BOTM. I put off reading it and when I did, I was blown away. And as amazing as Black Cake was as a novel, I am saying this is better than that!
Ebby was a wonderfully written main character. We followed her, and her parents, through present day after multiple heartaches and losses have clouded over the family. Ebby's time in France was interesting and kept the audiobook flowing.
As we are in the present, we flow back through the past. In the past we learn of the jar that was created years and years before. Following the jar through slavery, freedom, generations of family, and then as it ends up in the story was just as intriguing as any of the present storylines.
I normally find when I read a book with multiple timelines, I find one to be slowing the plot or making the flow choppy. That was not the case with Good Dirt and it's move through time. This, I can already tell, will be in my top books of 2025!
I read Black Cake after finally grabbing it from BOTM. I put off reading it and when I did, I was blown away. And as amazing as Black Cake was as a novel, I am saying this is better than that!
Ebby was a wonderfully written main character. We followed her, and her parents, through present day after multiple heartaches and losses have clouded over the family. Ebby's time in France was interesting and kept the audiobook flowing.
As we are in the present, we flow back through the past. In the past we learn of the jar that was created years and years before. Following the jar through slavery, freedom, generations of family, and then as it ends up in the story was just as intriguing as any of the present storylines.
I normally find when I read a book with multiple timelines, I find one to be slowing the plot or making the flow choppy. That was not the case with Good Dirt and it's move through time. This, I can already tell, will be in my top books of 2025!
Ordinary Time: Lessons Learned While Staying Put by Annie B. Jones
4.0
I found this collection of essays written by Annie to be not only well written, but 100% relatable. Though I am not a religious person, and Annie talks a bit about her faith and the ups and downs she has experienced, I felt this did not stop me from connecting to Annie or her collection of stories.
I have dreams of going.... anywhere really. And hearing Annie talk about that want, while learning that where she ended up (for now) was not where she originally thought. Reading about the criticism she has taken as a bookshop owner was quite upsetting, but I expect that will be how it is for many who plant themselves in a new place that has a community built in.
HOnestly, reading Annie's book was like sitting down with a friend over the course of many years and maybe a couple glasses of wine. Stories you would hear from them over years of friendship. I have never met Annie, but I did visit Thomasville in 2023 just for the bookstore (and the cheese restaurant). The atmosphere built in the store was so welcoming. Cheers to Annie publishing her first book!
I have dreams of going.... anywhere really. And hearing Annie talk about that want, while learning that where she ended up (for now) was not where she originally thought. Reading about the criticism she has taken as a bookshop owner was quite upsetting, but I expect that will be how it is for many who plant themselves in a new place that has a community built in.
HOnestly, reading Annie's book was like sitting down with a friend over the course of many years and maybe a couple glasses of wine. Stories you would hear from them over years of friendship. I have never met Annie, but I did visit Thomasville in 2023 just for the bookstore (and the cheese restaurant). The atmosphere built in the store was so welcoming. Cheers to Annie publishing her first book!
A Fate Inked in Blood by Danielle L. Jensen
4.5
NOt sure why I waited so long to read this one. Love the Norse mythology aspect.
Ready for the sequel.
Ready for the sequel.
The Lost House by Melissa Larsen
3.5
Thank you to the publisher for a free Netgalley of this one.
Ok. Let me start by saying overall I enjoyed this story. The plot was interesting and I flew through this.
What I really liked:
- The setting-- winter in small town Iceland... hooked
- The plot-- the back story of the main family was interesting
- The ending-- some called it a twist, I did not think it was a twist so much. But it was extremely well done. I was happy with how the mystery ended.
What I did not like:
- Too many side stories-- there were quite a few small stories on the side that just felt unnecessary. Even the mystery portion with Asa felt unnecessary. Though I liked how it ended, I felt there could have been other ways to get to the same ending.
- Nora-- her character felt off and honestly immature for someone who runs a hugely popular true crime podcast. I felt like she never fully fit into the prompt.
Overall, I recommend this mystery novel. Worth picking up and reading. Def will read the author's backlist book and look forward to future releases.
Ok. Let me start by saying overall I enjoyed this story. The plot was interesting and I flew through this.
What I really liked:
- The setting-- winter in small town Iceland... hooked
- The plot-- the back story of the main family was interesting
- The ending-- some called it a twist, I did not think it was a twist so much. But it was extremely well done. I was happy with how the mystery ended.
What I did not like:
- Too many side stories-- there were quite a few small stories on the side that just felt unnecessary. Even the mystery portion with Asa felt unnecessary. Though I liked how it ended, I felt there could have been other ways to get to the same ending.
- Nora-- her character felt off and honestly immature for someone who runs a hugely popular true crime podcast. I felt like she never fully fit into the prompt.
Overall, I recommend this mystery novel. Worth picking up and reading. Def will read the author's backlist book and look forward to future releases.
Don't Let Him In by Lisa Jewell
3.0
Thank you to Atria Pub and Netgalley for a free copy.
I feel like this rating will be deceptive. I love Lisa Jewell and her books. I look forward to them.
This one just fell a tad flat for me. I didn’t hate the storyline or the way it played out.
I struggle w gaslighting. I don’t love it in books. But I can get past that because it’s a clear part of the plot. You can tell by just reading the synopsis. See below the part that really lost it for me.
The book was fine. The writing was great, as always. I just feel that marketing this as a thriller is giving an expectation this book cannot meet. This is a domestic drama.
I genuinely cannot get past consistent lying by men that’s so far fetched that women believe it. I just cannot. Nor the money aspect. A guy who you’re married to turns off his phone for days at a time. Then he comes back and is like oh o need £500 for my sick mother. He told you his mother was dead. And you just fork over the money? You should be bankrupt.
I feel like this rating will be deceptive. I love Lisa Jewell and her books. I look forward to them.
This one just fell a tad flat for me. I didn’t hate the storyline or the way it played out.
I struggle w gaslighting. I don’t love it in books. But I can get past that because it’s a clear part of the plot. You can tell by just reading the synopsis. See below the part that really lost it for me.
The book was fine. The writing was great, as always. I just feel that marketing this as a thriller is giving an expectation this book cannot meet. This is a domestic drama.
Hello, Juliet by Samantha M Bailey
3.5
Thank you to the publisher for a free copy on Netgalley.
This one started off with an absolute bang.
Overall, I enjoyed this thriller/suspense novel. It switched back and forth between present time and the time they filmed the actual show.
I gave this book a 3.5 bc I enjoyed it but didn’t love it. There were so many moving pieces— esp at the end— that I couldn’t find a single character that was a good person. Ivy sure, but she was a bit to clueless for me.
O do recommend bc it has drama, Hollywood gossip vibes and is fast paced. Plus I thought the writing was well done overall.
This one started off with an absolute bang.
Overall, I enjoyed this thriller/suspense novel. It switched back and forth between present time and the time they filmed the actual show.
I gave this book a 3.5 bc I enjoyed it but didn’t love it. There were so many moving pieces— esp at the end— that I couldn’t find a single character that was a good person. Ivy sure, but she was a bit to clueless for me.
O do recommend bc it has drama, Hollywood gossip vibes and is fast paced. Plus I thought the writing was well done overall.
How To Seal Your Own Fate by Kristen Perrin
4.0
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for a copy of this sequel to How to Solve Your Own Murder!
This series is super fun. I would definitely consider these cozy mysteries and honestly, that's not my fav sub genre of mystery. However, the plot, characters, setting and writing just are so good.
In this sequel, we are reunited with Annie and all the Castle Knoll village folks. There of course is murder, mystery, diary entries from Frances, and mischief. Loved how we got even more background on other characters in this book.
I just wanted more of Crane. Just a smidge. Not a ton. Also, his explanation for his relationship with the new boss felt flat and tbh lame. '
But I really know is I wish I could stay in the big house myself with its solarium. Already (im)patiently waiting for book 3.
This series is super fun. I would definitely consider these cozy mysteries and honestly, that's not my fav sub genre of mystery. However, the plot, characters, setting and writing just are so good.
In this sequel, we are reunited with Annie and all the Castle Knoll village folks. There of course is murder, mystery, diary entries from Frances, and mischief. Loved how we got even more background on other characters in this book.
I just wanted more of Crane. Just a smidge. Not a ton. Also, his explanation for his relationship with the new boss felt flat and tbh lame. '
But I really know is I wish I could stay in the big house myself with its solarium. Already (im)patiently waiting for book 3.