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queendbw's reviews
1193 reviews
The Maid by Nita Prose
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Book #41 of 2023. The Maid by Nita Prose.
Molly is a maid at the Regency Grand. She loves neatness, order, protocol and manners so this is the perfect job for her. She knows that she’s a bit different than others around her, but she’s been making her way since her Gran died - until a guest at the Grand is murdered and she becomes a suspect!
Molly has to use her innate intelligence and the wealth of friends that she doesn’t even realize that she has to solve the murder mystery and clear her name.
I loved this story!! Molly was such a great character and being able to live in her head for a few days was eye-opening. I’ve heard that a movie is being made starring Florence Pugh and I’m looking forward to it.
4.75/5
#readsof2023 #audiobookreader #literacy #readingisfundamental
Molly is a maid at the Regency Grand. She loves neatness, order, protocol and manners so this is the perfect job for her. She knows that she’s a bit different than others around her, but she’s been making her way since her Gran died - until a guest at the Grand is murdered and she becomes a suspect!
Molly has to use her innate intelligence and the wealth of friends that she doesn’t even realize that she has to solve the murder mystery and clear her name.
I loved this story!! Molly was such a great character and being able to live in her head for a few days was eye-opening. I’ve heard that a movie is being made starring Florence Pugh and I’m looking forward to it.
4.75/5
#readsof2023 #audiobookreader #literacy #readingisfundamental
A Second Helping by Beverly Jenkins
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Book#40 of 2023. A Second Helping by Beverly Jenkins.
In the second installment, Bernadine has to implement her plans to make improvements around the town, including enhancements to the Dog and Cow - the town diner. She also has to contend with her ex-husband breezing into town with plans to reconnect.
I really enjoyed the chance to revisit the town of Henry Adams and it’s colorful inhabitants.
4/5
#readsof2023 #audiobookreader #literacy #readingisfundamental
In the second installment, Bernadine has to implement her plans to make improvements around the town, including enhancements to the Dog and Cow - the town diner. She also has to contend with her ex-husband breezing into town with plans to reconnect.
I really enjoyed the chance to revisit the town of Henry Adams and it’s colorful inhabitants.
4/5
#readsof2023 #audiobookreader #literacy #readingisfundamental
Bring on the Blessings by Beverly Jenkins
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Book #39 of 2023. Bring on the Blessings by Beverly Jenkins.
On Bernadine Brown’s 52nd birthday, she caught her husband with his secretary. She divorced him and got $275 million. When she is searching for something to do with her wealth, she hears about a special foster care program she also hears about a town up for sale. She buys the town and begins to implement her plans to provide parents for foster children, rebuild the town and revitalize the community.
This was a very good story full of colorful characters.
4/5
#readsof2023 #audiobookreader #literacy #readingisfundamental
On Bernadine Brown’s 52nd birthday, she caught her husband with his secretary. She divorced him and got $275 million. When she is searching for something to do with her wealth, she hears about a special foster care program she also hears about a town up for sale. She buys the town and begins to implement her plans to provide parents for foster children, rebuild the town and revitalize the community.
This was a very good story full of colorful characters.
4/5
#readsof2023 #audiobookreader #literacy #readingisfundamental
God Help the Child by Toni Morrison
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Book #38 of 2023. God Help the Child by Toni Morrison.
This is the story of Bride, a dark-skinned beauty. Bride was rejected by her fair-skinned mother, Sweetness, until she told a lie. The lie haunts Bride and she tries to make amends. Her failure leads her down a path of loss and self-discovery.
I adore Ms. Morrison’s writing. This story was so intriguing that I could not put it down. As if there was any doubt, this story showed that it really, really matters what we do to children because they never forget.
4.75/5
#readsof2023 #audiobookreader #literacy #readingisfundamental
This is the story of Bride, a dark-skinned beauty. Bride was rejected by her fair-skinned mother, Sweetness, until she told a lie. The lie haunts Bride and she tries to make amends. Her failure leads her down a path of loss and self-discovery.
I adore Ms. Morrison’s writing. This story was so intriguing that I could not put it down. As if there was any doubt, this story showed that it really, really matters what we do to children because they never forget.
4.75/5
#readsof2023 #audiobookreader #literacy #readingisfundamental
Beguiled by Darynda Jones
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Book #37 of 2023. Beguiled by Darynda Jones.
Defiance’s life is in danger again. There’s a new witch in town - tasked with helping to protect her.
I’m pretty sure I will not continue with this series. The books seem really formulaic - girl is in danger, she doesn’t take it or herself seriously, she puts her trust in questionable allies, she and her bestie drink copious amounts of coffee, she flirts with a sexy guy and then all ends well.
2.75/5
#readsof2023 #audiobookreader #literacy #readingisfundamental
Defiance’s life is in danger again. There’s a new witch in town - tasked with helping to protect her.
I’m pretty sure I will not continue with this series. The books seem really formulaic - girl is in danger, she doesn’t take it or herself seriously, she puts her trust in questionable allies, she and her bestie drink copious amounts of coffee, she flirts with a sexy guy and then all ends well.
2.75/5
#readsof2023 #audiobookreader #literacy #readingisfundamental
Bewitched by Darynda Jones
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Book #36 of 2023. Bewitched by Darynda Jones.
Defiance has discovered that not only is she descended from a long line of witches, she is a charmling. There are only three on the planet and there are other witches that are willing to do ANYTHING to steal her power - up to an including her death. This was a really good fast-paced story.
4/5
#readsof2023 #audiobookreader #literacy #readingisfundamental
Defiance has discovered that not only is she descended from a long line of witches, she is a charmling. There are only three on the planet and there are other witches that are willing to do ANYTHING to steal her power - up to an including her death. This was a really good fast-paced story.
4/5
#readsof2023 #audiobookreader #literacy #readingisfundamental
Seven Days in June by Tia Williams
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Book #35 of 2023. Seven Days in June by Tia Williams.
Fifteen years ago, 2 teens fell in love and had one wild week together. Fifteen years later, Eva is a divorced mom with a precocious daughter trying to get her next novel finished. Fifteen years later, Shane is the reclusive bad boy of writing that shocks everyone by attending an event. His obvious sparks with Eva sets all tongues wagging. Can they work through their past to start building a future together?
4/5
#readsof2023 #audiobookreader #literacy #readingisfundamental
Fifteen years ago, 2 teens fell in love and had one wild week together. Fifteen years later, Eva is a divorced mom with a precocious daughter trying to get her next novel finished. Fifteen years later, Shane is the reclusive bad boy of writing that shocks everyone by attending an event. His obvious sparks with Eva sets all tongues wagging. Can they work through their past to start building a future together?
4/5
#readsof2023 #audiobookreader #literacy #readingisfundamental
Betwixt by Darynda Jones
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Book #34 of 2023. Betwixt by Darynda Jones.
Daphne is fresh out of a disastrous marriage when she finds out that a woman she didn’t know has left her a house - in Salem, Mass. She plans to stay only a few days, but there are circumstances. Soon she finds that she owns the home, has the funds to maintain it, her bestie is her new housemate, she has a handyman tenant (who’s quite sexy). Everything is great, right! Well, maybe not. Strangers keep coming to her to help them find missing things and the townspeople think she’s a witch. After a few strange events, she kinda does too…
This is the first book in the Betwixt & Between series. It was a great fast-paced story that kept me hooked from start to finish.
4/5
#readsof2023 #audiobookreader #literacy #readingisfundamental
Daphne is fresh out of a disastrous marriage when she finds out that a woman she didn’t know has left her a house - in Salem, Mass. She plans to stay only a few days, but there are circumstances. Soon she finds that she owns the home, has the funds to maintain it, her bestie is her new housemate, she has a handyman tenant (who’s quite sexy). Everything is great, right! Well, maybe not. Strangers keep coming to her to help them find missing things and the townspeople think she’s a witch. After a few strange events, she kinda does too…
This is the first book in the Betwixt & Between series. It was a great fast-paced story that kept me hooked from start to finish.
4/5
#readsof2023 #audiobookreader #literacy #readingisfundamental
Dead Dead Girls by Nekesa Afia
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Book #32 of 2023. Dead Dead Girls by Nekesa Afia.
This was an intriguing murder mystery set during the Harlem Renaissance. Louise escaped kidnapping as a teen and is trying to live a normal, low key life. She has great friends and a job and her own spot in a boarding house - she’s estranged from her dad, but she still sees her sisters - so all is not right, but it’s ok.
Then a girl is murdered and her body is left in front of the cafe where Louise works. One thing leads to another and Louise is arrested and compelled to help find the murderer.
This was a very solid story and while not formulaic, I was able to narrow it down to the criminal before the reveal. I’d still recommend this story.
4.5/5
#readsof2023 #audiobookreader #literacy #readingisfundamental
This was an intriguing murder mystery set during the Harlem Renaissance. Louise escaped kidnapping as a teen and is trying to live a normal, low key life. She has great friends and a job and her own spot in a boarding house - she’s estranged from her dad, but she still sees her sisters - so all is not right, but it’s ok.
Then a girl is murdered and her body is left in front of the cafe where Louise works. One thing leads to another and Louise is arrested and compelled to help find the murderer.
This was a very solid story and while not formulaic, I was able to narrow it down to the criminal before the reveal. I’d still recommend this story.
4.5/5
#readsof2023 #audiobookreader #literacy #readingisfundamental
All My Knotted-Up Life by Beth Moore
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.75
Book #33 of 2023. All My Knotted-Up Life by Beth Moore.
Another non-fiction pick. Like many I’d done my share of Beth Moore studies, but I honestly knew very little about her. This memoir was eye-opening - at turns inspiring rage and awe. Ms. Moore details her early childhood and family life. There was dysfunction, mental illness and abuse. There was also love, affection and good times. Reading Ms. Moore’s story pulled at my heart strings and made me want to be able to sit and talk with her. I doubt that I will ever be able to read this again, but this was a stellar story.
4.75/5
#readsof2023 #audiobookreader #literacy #readingisfundamental
Another non-fiction pick. Like many I’d done my share of Beth Moore studies, but I honestly knew very little about her. This memoir was eye-opening - at turns inspiring rage and awe. Ms. Moore details her early childhood and family life. There was dysfunction, mental illness and abuse. There was also love, affection and good times. Reading Ms. Moore’s story pulled at my heart strings and made me want to be able to sit and talk with her. I doubt that I will ever be able to read this again, but this was a stellar story.
4.75/5
#readsof2023 #audiobookreader #literacy #readingisfundamental