Scan barcode
tracyt223's reviews
1361 reviews
The Christmas Tree Farm by Laurie Gilmore
4.0
Number 3 in the series brings us back to the idyllic town of Dream Harbor. Kira North hates Christmas. Which is unfortunate since she just bought a Christmas tree farm in a town that’s too cute for its own good. Bennett Ellis is on vacation in Dream Harbor taking a break from his life in California. And most importantly, taking a break from his latest run of disastrous dates. So of course, while out walking his three adorable dogs, he runs into Kira on the edge of her tree farm. He vows not to help her and she vows not to take any help from him. Well, you know that won't work out. These two have crazy chemistry and find themselves unable to stay away from each other. But how will they ever make it work? He lives in California and she owns the tree farm in Dream Harbor. What follows is a spicy good time as they try to work it out!
As usual, I really enjoyed this seasonal story. Dream Harbor still feels like a trip home to see good friends. If you love Gilmore Girls, I think this series will be for you!
Thank you to @netgalley and @harper360 for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
As usual, I really enjoyed this seasonal story. Dream Harbor still feels like a trip home to see good friends. If you love Gilmore Girls, I think this series will be for you!
Thank you to @netgalley and @harper360 for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten
5.0
In her long-awaited memoir, Ina Garten—aka the Barefoot Contessa, author of thirteen bestselling cookbooks, beloved Food Network personality, Instagram sensation, and cultural icon—shares her personal story with readers hungry for a seat at her table.
As a long time fan of her cooking show, I was excited to dive into this memoir! I had absolutely no idea of any of her back story and I found it all very fascinating. Ina starts with the story of her childhood, which was quite sad. She was not treated well and that left some lifelong scars. Meeting Jeffrey was her salvation, and helped her grow into the successful and confident woman that she is today. Their relationship was definitely not always perfect either, and I loved how real and raw she was with that part of the story. I was also quite surprised to learn that she started her career in a boring, bureaucratic government job. Then one day she took a huge chance on an ad for a specialty food store in the Hamptons which changed the course of her life forever. Ina was definitely a very determined and somewhat stubborn lady who definitely made success with the luck that happened. Most people would have given up long before she did. She built quite the empire along the way with her store, then later the cookbooks and her television shows, which she came to rather reluctantly.
I loved listening to her narrate the story herself. You felt like you were sitting down with a friend sharing a cocktail and some tasty food. Loved her inspiring story!
As a long time fan of her cooking show, I was excited to dive into this memoir! I had absolutely no idea of any of her back story and I found it all very fascinating. Ina starts with the story of her childhood, which was quite sad. She was not treated well and that left some lifelong scars. Meeting Jeffrey was her salvation, and helped her grow into the successful and confident woman that she is today. Their relationship was definitely not always perfect either, and I loved how real and raw she was with that part of the story. I was also quite surprised to learn that she started her career in a boring, bureaucratic government job. Then one day she took a huge chance on an ad for a specialty food store in the Hamptons which changed the course of her life forever. Ina was definitely a very determined and somewhat stubborn lady who definitely made success with the luck that happened. Most people would have given up long before she did. She built quite the empire along the way with her store, then later the cookbooks and her television shows, which she came to rather reluctantly.
I loved listening to her narrate the story herself. You felt like you were sitting down with a friend sharing a cocktail and some tasty food. Loved her inspiring story!
JFK Jr.: An Intimate Oral Biography by Liz McNeil, RoseMarie Terenzio
4.0
Just when you think you've heard all there is to know about the Kennedy's.......along comes this oral biography, and you really learn a lot more about them and John Jr specifically. Being told from his closest friends, colleagues and associates gives you a much more personal look than what we normally get. I loved learning more about him. He was such a dynamic man who was really shaped by the tragedy of his father's assassination and the ensuing fame that came along with being his son. This was a really poignant story, and I teared up more than once. It's sad to think of what could have been in his future had he lived a longer life. The full cast narration was very well done also.
The Cinnamon Bun Book Store by Laurie Gilmore
4.0
When a secret message turns up hidden in a book in the Cinnamon Bun Bookstore, Hazel can't understand it. As more secret codes appear between the pages, she decides to follow the trail of clues… she just need someone to help her out.
Gorgeous and outgoing fisherman, Noah, is always up for an adventure. And a scavenger hunt sounds like a lot of fun. Even better that the cute bookseller he's been crushing on for months is the one who wants his help!
Hazel and Noah embark on a tour of the idyllic Dream Harbor to give Hazel a taste of the exciting life she's always wanted. With 30 closing in fast, she feels like she has really missed out and never been wild and carefree. But can they keep this casual, or will one or both of them catch real feelings for each other.
This was really cute and fun, taking place during the time of year that I really love, late Summer into Autumn. Perfect reading for me for this time of year. I have come to really enjoy these little virtual "trips" to Dream Harbor. The town and these characters definitely give off a Gilmore Girls vibe, and I love it! I'm looking forward to the Christmas book next!
Gorgeous and outgoing fisherman, Noah, is always up for an adventure. And a scavenger hunt sounds like a lot of fun. Even better that the cute bookseller he's been crushing on for months is the one who wants his help!
Hazel and Noah embark on a tour of the idyllic Dream Harbor to give Hazel a taste of the exciting life she's always wanted. With 30 closing in fast, she feels like she has really missed out and never been wild and carefree. But can they keep this casual, or will one or both of them catch real feelings for each other.
This was really cute and fun, taking place during the time of year that I really love, late Summer into Autumn. Perfect reading for me for this time of year. I have come to really enjoy these little virtual "trips" to Dream Harbor. The town and these characters definitely give off a Gilmore Girls vibe, and I love it! I'm looking forward to the Christmas book next!
Say You'll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez
5.0
A cat without a butthole brings two unlikely people together: a surly vet who looks like Rhysand and a savvy mustard social media manager. They have an unforgettable first date but circumstances force them apart. Can they go the distance even when life has other plans?
I really want to be in Abby Jimenez's brain sometimes. I don't know where she comes up with these ideas, but they are perfect and quite hilarious at times too. You can always expect animals with funny names who always steal the show! She has really done it again and this is definitely one of my favorites. Xavier is a great male lead, perfectly swoony! Her books are the perfect combo of rom-com with some serious issues being dealt with too. Always done with compassion and grace.
A huge, huge thank you to #abbyjimenez, @netgalley and @forevergrandcentralpublishing for this advanced reader's copy in exchange for my honest review. I LOVED this one! Just sad that it's over and I have to wait for more stories from her. Get your pre-orders in now, publishes April 1, 2025. You won't be disappointed!!!!!!!
I really want to be in Abby Jimenez's brain sometimes. I don't know where she comes up with these ideas, but they are perfect and quite hilarious at times too. You can always expect animals with funny names who always steal the show! She has really done it again and this is definitely one of my favorites. Xavier is a great male lead, perfectly swoony! Her books are the perfect combo of rom-com with some serious issues being dealt with too. Always done with compassion and grace.
A huge, huge thank you to #abbyjimenez, @netgalley and @forevergrandcentralpublishing for this advanced reader's copy in exchange for my honest review. I LOVED this one! Just sad that it's over and I have to wait for more stories from her. Get your pre-orders in now, publishes April 1, 2025. You won't be disappointed!!!!!!!
Bear by Julia Phillips
3.0
This is a story of two sisters, Sam and Elena, living on a small island off the Washington coast. There they are taking care of their ailing Mother and trying to just eek out a living until they can escape to a better life. Then one day they spot a bear near their home and things take a turn from there.
Some parts of this one worked for me and other parts did not. I loved the atmospheric Pacific Northwest setting, this is someplace that I have always wanted to go. The arrival of the bear was interesting, but went directions I did not expect or really like. Neither of the sisters were very likeable either and it was hard to root for them sometimes. I didn't really care for the ending either. I guess I'm just not sure what the point of the story was. Can't wait for other opinions in the spoiler discussion on Sarah's Bookshelves Live podcast. I'm hoping they can shed a different light on the story.
Some parts of this one worked for me and other parts did not. I loved the atmospheric Pacific Northwest setting, this is someplace that I have always wanted to go. The arrival of the bear was interesting, but went directions I did not expect or really like. Neither of the sisters were very likeable either and it was hard to root for them sometimes. I didn't really care for the ending either. I guess I'm just not sure what the point of the story was. Can't wait for other opinions in the spoiler discussion on Sarah's Bookshelves Live podcast. I'm hoping they can shed a different light on the story.
The Arrangement by Kiersten Modglin
4.0
This one was totally WILD!!! So many surprises! Peter and Ainsley are quite the couple and I can't wait to see what happens in the next book!
Perfect when you need a little brain candy!
Perfect when you need a little brain candy!
A Forty Year Kiss by Nickolas Butler
4.0
Thank you to @netgalley and @sourcebooks for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
Charlie and Vivian parted ways after just four years of marriage. Too many problems, too many struggles, even though the love didn't quite die. When Charlie returns to Wisconsin forty years later, he's not sure what he'll find. He is sure of one thing — he must try to reconnect with Vivian to pick up the broken pieces of their past. But forty years is a long time. It's forty years of other relationships, forty years of building new lives, and forty years of long-held regrets, mistakes, and painful secrets.
This was a gentle story of a couple who are older than our normal romance protagonists who attempt a second chance at love. I liked them being older and not having a lot of the silly drama that sometimes comes with young love. They dealt with some heavier topics such as alcoholism and learning to heal wounds from the past.
One thing I do not enjoy, is no quotation marks. I'm not sure why authors are making this choice, but it makes the reading process more difficult in my opinion.
Charlie and Vivian parted ways after just four years of marriage. Too many problems, too many struggles, even though the love didn't quite die. When Charlie returns to Wisconsin forty years later, he's not sure what he'll find. He is sure of one thing — he must try to reconnect with Vivian to pick up the broken pieces of their past. But forty years is a long time. It's forty years of other relationships, forty years of building new lives, and forty years of long-held regrets, mistakes, and painful secrets.
This was a gentle story of a couple who are older than our normal romance protagonists who attempt a second chance at love. I liked them being older and not having a lot of the silly drama that sometimes comes with young love. They dealt with some heavier topics such as alcoholism and learning to heal wounds from the past.
One thing I do not enjoy, is no quotation marks. I'm not sure why authors are making this choice, but it makes the reading process more difficult in my opinion.
The Most by Jessica Anthony
2.5
It is an unseasonably warm Sunday in November 1957. Katheen, a college tennis champion turned Delaware housewife, decides not to join her flagrantly handsome life insurance salesman husband, Virgil, or their two young boys, at church. Instead, she takes a dip in the kidney-shaped swimming pool of their apartment complex. And then she won't come out.
At first you wonder where this story is going to go, besides the swimming pool. It is actually taking a much deeper look at this couples quite troubled marriage. I was really getting invested and couldn't wait to see how it would end. But then it just did end, I needed much more resolution to the issues the couple was facing. I understand the author was trying to say much more than just being in the pool, but I wanted much more than I got.
At first you wonder where this story is going to go, besides the swimming pool. It is actually taking a much deeper look at this couples quite troubled marriage. I was really getting invested and couldn't wait to see how it would end. But then it just did end, I needed much more resolution to the issues the couple was facing. I understand the author was trying to say much more than just being in the pool, but I wanted much more than I got.