rebeccasreadingrambles's reviews
2921 reviews

The Restaurant of Lost Recipes by Hisashi Kashiwai

5.0

Looooove love love love! This book is like a warm hug that you so desperately need and can just turn your mood up 1000 notches.  This book is full of emotion and I am obsessed with how food can be tied to our most poignant memories and feelings.  The writing is gorgeous with perfect pace and nostalgia and everything that sucks you in.  Also I was STARVING the whole time. I cannot wait for more!

Note: I listened to the audiobook and HIGHLY recommend that route; just gorgeous narration.

Thanks to the publisher for a free copy; my thoughts are review are my own.

Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney

5.0

H-o-l-y WOW. This book. Blew me away! THIS is exactly what I was looking for. Something creepy and mysterious with lots of secrets, an isolated setting, danger seeming to lurk around every corner but not actual reason for a threat. SHOCKING twists - yes I gasped out loud a few times. Perfectly written perfectly timed, amazing ending. I cannot wait to read more of her books!!

Note: I listened to the audiobook and it had multinarration and was perfect!

The Diva Haunts the House by Krista Davis

4.5

Well I loved this. I have to admit, I stopped reading this series about 10 years ago after book 3 because I didn't like the female vs female fighting and animosity that seemed to be the central theme to this series. BUT my friends convinced me that this was the perfect Halloween cozy and I finally gave in. I am so glad I did! I don't know if it was time or just by design by Natasha is just an eye roll over the top person and there isn't the annoying cattiness going on in this book. Just a very spooky and interesting mystery that kept me on my toes and guessing the entire time.  I LOVED all the twists and the reveal. I actually really loved the advice from both Sophie and Natasha (she really has chilled).

I actually am looking forward to read more of this series! Yay.

Note: I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed it.

Goldfinch by Raven Kennedy

5.0

Um. Excuse me. I am in awe. This book took my breath away. I am devastated that this series is over after everything we've been through! This book was a perfect finale to everything that worked up to this perilous situation for all my favorite characters. The scenes with Auren and Slade - GOOSEBUMPS.  Did I cry multiple times and sometimes for shocking characters - OF COURSE.  The writing is gorgeous, there is TRIUMPH and magic and spinetingling danger and it was EVERYTHING.

I cannot give one drop away but this was the culmination that we NEEDED.  We got everything loose thread attended to and more. I fell even more in love with this story and these characters and I will need a looooong time to recover.  

Thank you for bringing this live changing series into our lives!

Betrayal at Blackthorn Park by Julia Kelly

5.0

Another really fun and captivate mystery! I love Evelyn Redfern and her dramatic and secret shift into work as a spy. I love spy novels ESPECIALLY female spies and Evelyn is brave, smart, and so much fun to follow. I love how she and David work together but she really leads the investigation and takes risks to uncover the truth. She is not easily fooled or dissuaded from her pursuit. The combination of the time period, setting, and interesting characters - made watching Evelyn transform into spy and detective even more interesting. I was shocked by the reveal, all deceipt involved in the coverup, and love how it all ended. I cannot wait for more!

Audiobook: I listened to and loved the audiobook as I had the first. This is a great narrator for this series.

Thanks to the publisher for a free audiobook copy; my thoughts and review are my own.

Murder on the Page by Daryl Wood Gerber

Unfortunately this was a DNF for me around 25%.  This did not feel like a first in a series for me. We are rushed into the story and so many things are thrown at us at once, but there isn't really any scene setting or introduction to what's going on. The character furiously rushes all around town in just the first few scenes and so many characters and their relationships are throw at us quickly all at once.  There is a murder before we even know the character or how we are supposed to feel. I could not get into this one.

Unfortunately this author is just not for me.

Thanks to the publisher for a free ARC; my review and thoughts are my own.

The Plus One by S.C. Lalli

3.0

DNF at 45% because I was bored.  The rich characters had no depth and even the MC who had all these alleged secrets was very dull and one dimensional.  All the twists so far were just not enough to hold my attention.

Death on Deck by Courtny Bradley

5.0

Welcome to the coziest of cozies. With the most endearing and fun set of older besties turned sleuths, who use their wit, charm, and life experiences to go after a ruthless killer while floating in the middle of the ocean.  But don't worry, they have their share of relaxation aboard this lovely cruise; so much so that the descriptions of their floating hotel have me wanting to go on my own cruise (even though I do NOT like boats! Also minus the murder please!) The book was full of laughs, a splash of romance, nostalgia, and learning that even later in life you can change and open yourself back up despite previous dramas. The author has such a unique, poetic voice that brings the perfect tone to each scene; whether pleasure or peril! I can't wait to see what else these sleuthing mavens get into.

Audiobook note: I listened to the audiobook and loved it. The narrator did a great job of bringing to life these vivacious characters and luxurious setting. 

The Chalice of the Gods by Rick Riordan

5.0

Oh Percy Jackson, how I have missed you! This is the perfect set up = Percy has to go on quests to get recommendation letters from lesser gods? And they send him on a spiralling quest with many many layers to keep the action and drama going. I loved every minute of this. I so enjoyed that a lot of it focused on embracing your life and looking for all the good sides and not dreading changes (as a lot is about to change for Percy)!

Note: I have always listened to this series on audio and the narration is perfection!

A Grim Reaper's Guide to Catching a Killer by Maxie Dara

4.5

Oh Kathy.  You had my heart almost instantly; you caring and self-doubting and relatable characters. I love seeing into Kathy's mind why she does the things she does because her parents told her she ruined everything (because WTF) and how she is an intense doubter and overthinking as I am.  And yet she is one of the most caring and loving sleuths.  I LOVE the set-up of this book; the SCYTHE entity is so intriguing and set up such a unique story.

 This book has such interesting characters, so many suspicious ones and a few absolute cinnamon rolls! I loved seeing Kathy doubt her mothering abilities while we can ALL SEE how maternal and amazing she is.  This book had my mind on a serious wild goose chase because I could not figure it out, until just before Kathy does. This book is cozy but also edgy and I love how those two factors worked together. I hope there will be more!!

Note: I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed the narrations!

Thanks to the publisher for a free copy; my review and thoughts were my own.