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[xkoqueen]

Review: Within Arm's Reach by Ann Napolitano

☆☆➹⁀☆ 3 stars ☆➹⁀☆☆ Within Arm's Reach by Ann Napolitano #Fiction #LiteraryFiction #IrishLiterature #ChickLit #ContemporaryFiction #WomensLiterature #AnnNapolitano #RandomHousePublishingGroup #PenguinBooks

☆☆➹⁀☆ 3 stars ☆➹⁀☆☆ About the Book: No one in my mother’s family ever talks about anything that can be categorized as unpleasant or as having to do with emotions. . . . This spellbinding debut by bestselling author Ann Napolitano is a poignant reminder of how connected we are to those we love, even when we cannot find the words to say it. The unforgettable story of three generations of a large…

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I received an advanced reader copy of The Catch from Random House Publishing Group via NetGalley, in return for my honest opinion. The Catch by Alison Fairbrother is a story about family, grief, and finding your place in the world. Ellie Adler is a young, struggling journalist, trying to balance life when she’s blindsided by the sudden death of her father. Ellie has two younger half-sisters and a younger half-brother, but always felt she was the one closest to their father. When Ellie’s step-mother reveals that James had a will that specified what he wanted each of his children to receive, Ellie is surprised to learn that his prized possession, a baseball, has been left to a stranger. As Ellie hunts for this stranger, she’ll realize that her father was a man who was haunted by his mistakes. This was an easy to read, quirky, funny at times, heartfelt story filled with unique characters. The Catch is available now. Goodreads Rating: 3/5 stars #alisonfairbrother #thecatch #netgalley #arcs #advancedreadercopy #fiction #fictionbooks #contemporary #contemporarybooks #readin2022 #randomhousepublishinggroup #whatthebook #bookreviews #readersofinstagram #bookaholic @netgalley @penguinrandomhouse https://www.instagram.com/p/CfVDfFRrbbg/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[whatthebook-reviews]

I received an advanced reader copy of The Violence from Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine via NetGalley, in return for my honest opinion. The Violence by Delilah S. Dawson is a story about self-discovery, survival and family. From the outside Chelsea Martin looks like the perfect housewife, but they don’t know that her husband, David, is abusive. Chelsea and David’s teenage daughter, Ella, is trying to extricate herself from a relationship she doesn’t want to be in. Chelsea’s cold and manipulative mother, Patricia, has reinvented herself many times to prove her worth to society. Chelsea doesn’t know that Ella and Patricia are suffering, she’s just trying to stay alive. The Violence is a new pandemic, which has arrived shortly after the Covid pandemic. Infected individuals enter a trancelike state where they become enraged and hone in on bringing physical harm to a specific person. While the world descends into chaos, Chelsea hatches a plan to free herself. This was one a fantastic story that pulls you in right away, has you rooting for the main characters and is filled with girl power. Please note this book is not for everyone as there are some gruesome scenes. The Violence is available now. Goodreads Rating: 4/5 stars #delilahsdawson #theviolence #netgalley #arcs #advancedreadercopy #thriller #thrillerbooks #sciencefiction #scifi #sciencefictionbooks #readin2022 #randomhousepublishinggroup #ballantinebooks #whatthebook #bookreviews #readersofinstagram #bookaholic @netgalley @randomhouse @delreybooks https://www.instagram.com/p/CZ0Vr8YLoz_/?utm_medium=tumblr

[whatthebook-reviews]

I received an advanced reader copy of Black Cake from Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine Books via NetGalley, in return for my honest opinion. Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson is a story about the family we’re given and the family we choose. Eleanor Bennett has recently passed away, bringing together her estranged children, Byron and Benny. Growing up Byron and Benny were very close, but have grown apart as adults because it seems that Byron has become exactly who his parents wanted him to become, while Benny seems to constantly be disappointing them. A family argument has kept Benny from returning home for the past eight years. The day before Eleanor’s services, her lawyer reveals that Eleanor has left a lengthy recording that Byron and Benny must listen to together and has left her special black cake for them share when they’re ready. It seems that Eleanor has not been truthful about her past. As she tells the story of her life and reveals the lengths she’s gone to to protect herself and their family, Byron and Benny will find a new adoration for their parents and start to heal their relationship. This was a captivating family story filled with wonderful, interesting characters. Black Cake is available now. Goodreads Rating: 4/5 stars #charmainewilkerson #blackcake #netgalley #arcs #advancedreadercopy #mystery #mysterybooks #contemporary #contemporarybooks #readin2022 #randomhousepublishinggroup #ballantinebooks #whatthebook #bookreviews #readersofinstagram #bookaholic @netgalley @randomhouse https://www.instagram.com/p/CZfrHkYrg3I/?utm_medium=tumblr

[whatthebook-reviews]

received an advanced reader copy of The Accomplice from Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine Books via NetGalley, in return for my honest opinion. The Accomplice by Lisa Lutz is a story about friendship, secrets and staying true to oneself. Luna Grey is socially awkward, has few friends and always has her guard up. Owen Mann is someone that people are drawn to but is always looking for something more than what he has. Owen and Luna strike up a friendship in college and are soon inseparable. Years later they are both married and live within walking distance of each other. Both Luna and Owen are in struggling marriages due to the secrets they keep. When Luna discovers Owen’s wife has been murdered, tragedies from both Luna and Owen’s pasts will be revealed and their friendship will be put to the test. This was an excellent story, with a great pace that reads like a mutual friend is catching you up on what’s been happening in Luna and Owen’s lives. The Accomplice is available today, January 25, 2022. Goodreads Rating: 5/5 stars #lisalutz #theaccomplice #netgalley #arcs #advancedreadercopy #mystery #mysterybooks #readin2022 #randomhousepublishinggroup #ballantinebooks #whatthebook #bookreviews #readersofinstagram #bookaholic @netgalley @randomhouse https://www.instagram.com/p/CZLOx0-rpfz/?utm_medium=tumblr

[whatthebook-reviews]

I received an advanced reader copy of Lie Beside Me from Random House Publishing Group via NetGalley, in return for my honest opinion. Lie Beside Me by Gytha Lodge is a story about our personal secrets that we hide from those that we’re closest to. After a night out with her best friend, Louise Reakes wakes up next to a dead man in her bed that isn’t her husband. For the past few years, Louise has had two personas- Drunk Louise and Sober Louise. While Drunk Louise is fun and outgoing, she’s causing problems in Louise’s marriage and Sober Louise is tiring of keeping up the pretense of Drunk Louise. DCI Jonah Sheens and his team are investigating the cause of death of this man and the events leading up to his death. The more information that these detectives uncover, the longer their list of suspects becomes with Louise and her husband, Niall, their prime suspects. This was a fast, easy, police procedural story filled with twists up until the end. Lie Beside Me is available now. Goodreads Rating: 3/5 stars #gythalodge #liebesideme #netgalley #arcs #advancedreadercopy #mystery #mysterybooks #mysterythriller #thriller #thrillerbooks #readin2021 #randomhouse #randomhousepublishinggroup #whatthebook #bookreviews #readersofinstagram #bookaholic @randomhouse @netgalley https://www.instagram.com/p/CQhXfpDLvc1/?utm_medium=tumblr

[whatthebook-reviews]

I received an advanced reader copy of Forget Me Not from Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine Books via NetGalley, in return for my honest opinion. Forget Me Not by Alexandra Oliva is a story about overcoming past tragedies and realizing who we really are. Linda Russell basically raised herself, outside in the large, heavily wooded, walled in property that her mother owned. From a very young age Linda knew she was never going to be enough for her mother and could only rely on herself. Linda is set free one day when her mother leaves and doesn’t close the gate. Years later living on her own in an apartment in Seattle, Linda still hasn’t acclimated to the norms of society. Linda never truly learned how to have healthy, loving friendships and relationships. Anvi, a new neighbor of Linda’s, surprises her by being genuinely friendly. When Linda’s childhood home catches fire, Anvi and Linda drive there to see what’s left. Linda discovers that her past isn’t everything she remembers thus sending Linda on a path of self discovery. This was a great book, but moved quite slowly- I did really enjoy watching Linda come out of her shell. Forget Me Not is available now. Goodreads Rating: 3/5 stars #alexandraoliva #forgetmenot #netgalley #arcs #advancedreadercopy #fiction #fictionbooks #readin2021 #ballantinebooks #randomhousepublishinggroup #whatthebook #bookreviews #readersofinstagram #bookaholic @netgalley @randomhouse https://www.instagram.com/p/CL-wrcXAwck/?igshid=5zw0a8jnq2bh

[whatthebook-reviews]

I received an advanced reader copy of Last Couple Standing from Ballantine Books, Random House Publishing Group via NetGalley, in return for my honest opinion. Last Couple Standing by Matthew Norman is a story about the accepting contentment. Mitch and Jessica are college sweethearts. They’ve been friends with three other married couples since college- they refer to their group as the Core Four. Once the three other couples divorce, Mitch and Jessica start examining their own relationship. Trying to prevent the problems that caused their friends divorces, they come up with a plan to save their marriage. Will this plan bring Mitch and Jessica closer or will this marriage end too? I liked this book, but I didn’t love it. There were some hilarious moments, the author was spot on with some of his parenting and marriage observations. Last Couple Standing is available now. Goodreads Rating: 3/5 stars #matthewnorman #lastcouplestanding #netgalley #arcs #advancedreadercopy #fiction #fictionbooks #readin2020 #ballantinebooks #randomhousepublishinggroup #whatthebook #bookreviews #readersofinstagram #bookaholic https://www.instagram.com/p/B-ApxMSAUaq/?igshid=1alyqnpoox7am

[whatthebook-reviews]

I received an advanced reader copy of Malibu Rising from Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine Books via NetGalley, in return for my honest opinion. Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid is a story about family, growing up and responsibilities. Mick and June Riva wed young and became young parents. June is living her dream of being a stay-at-home in a house that she loves while Mick is making his dream of becoming a famous singer a reality. As Mick embraces and then battles life in the spotlight he neglects his wife and children eventually leaving them altogether. June is a heartbroken, single mother to four children – Nina, Jay, Hudson and Kit- that is just going thru the motions. In August 1983, the four Riva siblings are adults and known for their own successes- outside of having an absent, famous father. Every year Nina throws a huge party that is filled with music, alcohol, chaos and always draws famous people. The four siblings each have their own goals to accomplish by the end of the party- as secrets are revealed the close bonds of Nina, Jay, Hudson, and Kit will be tested, changing their lives forever. This was an excellent story, filled with lots of ups and downs. As with all Taylor Jenkins Reid books, the first half moves slower than the second half, as she slowly reveals the characters to us- stick with it and you’ll find all the loose ends nicely tied up. Malibu Rising is available today, June 1, 2021. Goodreads Rating: 4/5 stars #taylorjenkinsreid #maliburising #netgalley #arcs #advancedreadercopy #fiction #fictionbooks #contemporary #contemporarybooks #readin2021 #ballantinebooks #randomhousepublishinggroup #whatthebook #bookreviews #readersofinstagram #bookaholic @netgalley @randomhouse https://www.instagram.com/p/CPmWivvLIll/?utm_medium=tumblr

[books-n-wine]

ARC Review: Jackson’s Trust (Fourth Down  #1) by Violet Duke

 Description

It’s no secret that sports analyst Jackson Gray doesn’t do relationships. What is a secret, however, is the reason why. Jackson’s life is . . . complicated. And it doesn’t help that his current hands-off “friendship” is with the cute-as-hell new sideline reporter he’s assigned to train. Turns out, not only is the woman damn sweet, she also knows as much about football as he does. Like it or not though, Jackson has to remind himself that sex is the only thing he has to offer . . . until now.

Leila Hart’s fast-growing friendship with Jackson is something she’d never risk, no matter how unbelievably seductive the reward. Becoming an NFL sportscaster has always been the goal, and thanks to Jackson’s fierce support and mentoring, it all finally seems within reach. Problem is, a girl can only take so much of that sexy-as-sin voice whispering dirty, filthy football stats in her ear before she loses all self-control. A workplace romance with Jackson is a disaster waiting to happen, especially for someone with big dreams . . . and secrets of her own.

Book Summary

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Published By: Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept

Release Date: March 8th, 2016

Pages: 315

Series: Fourth Down #1

ISBN 1101887249

ISBN13: 9781101887240

My Rating 4 Stars

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Purchase Links

Amazon  *  B&N  *  Kobo  *  Google Play  *  iBooks

My Review

Violet Duke has been on my watch list for awhile and mostly because of the title of the first book in her Cactus Creek Series, I mean how could my interest not be peaked by the title Love, Chocolate and Beer?? But I just never got around to reading it, the sad reality when one has a never ending and always growing TBR pile, so when I saw that she was starting up a new series I didn’t hesitate to request it, especially since football was going to be involved in some way, and I’m happy I did. While there were a few “Huh?” moments, I found Jackson’s Trust to be a fun, sweet, flirty and sexy read with great characters I want to know more about.

Jackson pretty much owned me as soon as he used ‘asshat’ to describe himself. There were extenuating circumstances as to why he used that term, but that’s when I knew I’d come to adore him. He’s that guy that you want to hate, but can’t because he is that smart, waaaayyy too good looking guy who is just inherently nice. When he does something nice for someone he doesn’t expect anything in return. The one issue/quirk he has is that he doesn’t do relationships. Sex is fine, but nothing further. The reason behind it, when it finally comes out, is a bit over the top but it also makes sense and again it comes back around to the whole ‘wanting to hate him, but can’t’ because he is that good of a guy.

Leila I also liked from the start. She’s smart, savvy and observant. She is the black sheep of her family (and thank God for that) but is happy with that because she is being true to herself. She also understands that while she knows way more about football, the game and everything else surrounding it, she also knows that being a woman wanting to break into sports casting she has to walk a fine line where she doesn’t come off as a ditz, but also not push so hard to convince everyone she is just as knowledgeable as they are, if not more. She doesn’t necessarily like playing the game, but does it and when the time is right shows everyone just what she is made of.

I enjoyed how their relationship evolved. It starts out with them both being physically attracted to each other, but grows as they learn that they speak the language of football (Note: There is a lot of football talk and not just about the game so be prepared). That connection draws them together and respect and admiration grows out of. I loved how they picked up on the little things about each other that not many others would notice and how honest they were about the attraction they felt towards each other and yet knew they couldn’t act upon it and had to set boundaries at least in the beginning. I loved their bantering and how at ease they were with each other. Unfortunately, bumps in the road happened and towards the end of the book I did find myself wanting to shake some sense into both of them, but thankfully things worked out and my frustration with them went away.

Now for the ‘Huh?” issue. I love plot twists, I really do, but the big one that happens in this book (there are a few twists, but this is the big, BIG one) just came out of nowhere for me. There is a small hint that maybe something more is going with this particular situation, but it’s something said in passing and not brought up again. Did it hurt the story? For me, not really because I was already invested in Jackson and Leila as a couple and in them getting their HEA.  And the situation does get explained, it’s a bit OTT but still plausible so that in the end it makes sense as to why it happened, but I would have liked more build up to it to make things flow a little better.

Outside of that issue, I found the writing engaging and well paced and I loved the secondary characters. Bennett and Donovan cracked me up at some of the shenanigans they pulled, but also had me wanting to hug them for being such good friends not only to Jackson, but Leila, so I’m really looking forward to their books. And, I’m hoping that Mike gets his own book too because he was really cool.

The Bottom Line: This was a fun, sweet and quick read and great start to a new series!

~ ARC provided by Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review ~

Author Links

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