Audiobook Review: The Library of Lost Dollhouses by Elise Hooper

The Library of Lost Dollhouses by Elise Hooper
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I'm not normally a fan of books that switch back and forth between time periods, but this book did it so well that it was seamless.

Tildy is the head curator at a San Francisco library. Her library is her home, and even when the library was closed during COVID (nice fact drop there as the book is set in 2024 for the current time period) she still found herself drawn to the library. When a school bus breaks down in front of the library, she allows the kids to come in and wait for the bus to be ready to take them off to school. While one child (with a few friends to boot) comes in to use the bathroom, they find a secret room with two exquisite dollhouses in it. This leads Tildy down a road of discovery to find out more about the dollhouse creator and about her deceased mother. How the two connect... well, you have to read the book to find out.

Cora, the other main character in this book (also the dollhouse creator) has a secret that she has to keep and runs to Paris to get away from. Can she outrun her past, or will it catch up to her? Cora doesn't just build dollhouses, she builds secrets and dreams.

The book took a bit to get into, but once I got my footing, I couldn't stop listening. Steeped in history and twists and turns, this book was really good. The narrators in this book were exceptional. To the point that I could barely tell the difference in the voices.

I'd like to thank HarperAudio Adult and Net Galley for the opportunity to review this audiobook.

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Review: Beyond the Teacups by Hailey Renee

Beyond The Teacups by Hailey Renee
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When I first started reading this book, it was just a book, nothing more. But with each passing page, it swept me up into a story so well told that I felt as if I were delving into the story of a dear friend. I got to watch as Ophelia broke free from the cage in which she was caught in and became a beautiful soaring butterfly! Being able to see how Emmett took care of her and saw her was a beautiful thing to witness. And Emmett wasn't completely unscarred by life and not only did Ophelia help him through that, but so did his dear friend, James.

This book was so moving that I hated when it was over. I hated to see my dear, dear friends fade away into the night not to be seen again. But I was so happy that everything worked out for them (it is a HEA, after all). The mental health representation in this book is spot on and I appreciate the time and effort the author took in getting it spot on. Kudos Hailey, kudos.

I'd like to thank the author for the opportunity to read this book.

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Review: The Pump Fake by Nichole Ruschelle

The Pump Fake: Sexy as Sin Series by Nichole Ruschelle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Okay, first comes first, Jade is a bada$$! I love her attitude problem, but that could be because I have a itty bitty, teeny tiny one myself. But I digress...

When Jade's attitude problem becomes a problem for the WNBA and they threaten to trade her for someone more "likeable" her manager (and best friend) Cliff decide that having her fake date someone would soften her edges and have her seem more likeable. But the tides turn when Jade decides that the only one she trusts to do this is Cliff himself.

Both parties have harbored secret feelings for each other for a long time but once they start faking it... it just seems real. Jade also takes it a step farther and makes an effort to interact with her team more and she not only "seems" to be more likable, but she becomes more likable.

If you like sports romance books/novellas, this one is great. Pick it up for the romance and stay for the characters, and exceptional plot line.

I'd like to thank the author, and Happily Booked PR for the opportunity to review this book.

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Audiobook Review: Staged by C.L. West

Staged by C.L. West
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sam saw something she wasn't meant to see. Will anything he has to say make things better? (Let's hope not!)

Kolt's behavior has gotten him in a bit of a pickle with everyone. Will meeting a stranger in a hotel bar solve all his problems, or be the start of something else altogether?

It looks like Sam could solve all of Kolt's problems, but will she be willing to fake a relationship and if she does, will they be able to keep all the lines they're blurring in focus long enough to make it to the end without anyone getting hurt?

C.L. West succeeded in bringing together this musician, fake relationship book with no hitch. The characters were endearing (though if I were Sam I would have thrown a few punches at the beginning of this book - but to find out you'll have to read the book, sneaky aren't I?), the book seemed well researched and just gave you all the good feels.

I'd like to thank the author, and StoryOrigin for allowing me to review this book.



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Audiobook Review: Holland, My Heart by Jennifer J. Coldwater

Holland, My Heart by Jennifer J. Coldwater
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Okay, if you're a trope-aholic... then this book is for you.

* slow burn
* age gap
* he falls first
* millionaire
* workplace romance
* did I mention slow burn?
* second chance at love
* meddling bff/mother-in-law

Holland really gave me the feels when it came to the pain of losing a spouse. Ms. Coldwater portrayed that well. Having lost a husband at an early age, I could see myself in her sooooo much.

Kai is a man with a plan, but no way to complete it without finding a woman to go along with it, and in walks Holland.

I thought nothing could shake this pair once they found each other, but... there is a third act breakup with a satisfying resolution.

Jennifer Coldwater really nailed this book. The characters are wonderful, the settings amazing and well researched. I can't wait to read more by this author. I enjoyed the narrators for this book, they made the whole experience a joy.

I'd like to thank the author and Happily Booked PR for the opportunity to read this book. <3

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Review: Rescue by Dani Elias

Rescue by Dani Elias
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Phew, the final book in this series did not disappoint. Learning Jon's point of view in the whole thing and learning who he is as a person really touched my heart. I loved the grumpy/sunshine in this book and found myself falling for Jon along with Abby. And the topping on the whole cake was Layla. Sorry guys, she really ran the show here. Her adorable probing questions and how quickly she learned to love Jon despite his grumpy nature just showed how well the author gets kids and just gets her characters.

Another win for the author, and sadly a loss to those of us who have come to love the Aftermath series. I was so glad each character got an epilogue in this book, it made everything just feel right.

I'd like to thank the author and Happily Booked PR for the opportunity to read/review this book.

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Review: Escape by Dani Elias

Escape by Dani Elias
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This best friends to lovers, he falls first, second installment of the Aftermath series was riveting. Getting to experience this story from three different perspectives really has grasped my heartstrings and pulled.

Mel has found a way to cope with the pain and memories of the incident, but is it working? Her best friend Owen sits back and watches not knowing what else to do until one night there's nothing he can do but step in and save the day.

I loved watching as Mel learned to cope with the pain she was feeling and learned to turn toward the people who care for her and not away. She also felt so deeply in this book that my chest literally ached for her.

Kudos, Dani, kudos. I'd like to thank the author and Happily Booked PR for the opportunity to review this book.

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Review: Shiver by Giuliana Victoria

Shiver: Philia Players Book Four by Giuliana Victoria
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What happens when a friend calls in a favor? Well, if you're like Samara, you do what you can. But, when Samara does a little digging on her new client, she's not sure she likes what she sees. But, out of loyalty to her friend, she'll go through with the favor even if it means spending time with the ever annoying playboy Luca.

Luca is floored when a stranger shows up on his doorstep telling him that he has a daughter. A DAUGHTER! Hell, he didn't even know he had a kid much less a baby that is only a few short months old. Luckily Luca's friend knows an attorney who can help him through this mess. And Luca doesn't miss a beat.

This grumpy/sunshine book really pulled at my heart strings and showed me how people can step up when they are called to do so. I really missed the hockey atmosphere in this book, but loved how Luca stood up for Samara when she was not strong enough to do so for herself. This book gave me all the feels.

I'd like to thank the author for the opportunity to read this book.

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Audiobook Review: Final Shot by Rosie P. Burke

Final Shot by Rosie P. Burke
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Okay, I want to know if Bryan will be my book boyfriend for the week. He's so yummy, yummy you could just eat him up. I'm not sure what Olivia's problem is... hold on, yes I do.

Best friends from the time they met, Olivia and Bryan were bound to push boundaries. But would this boundary be something they could come back from? Olivia made up her mind ten years ago, will circumstance bring her decision to an end?

Wow, Rosie, you really brought the tension to light in this book. I loved feeling the tug and pull that these two wonderful characters brought to the page/ear... whatever; they brought it.

Another hockey romance listen that really had me going. Narrator Harlow Wilde did an astounding job nailing character voices.

I'd like to thank the author for the opportunity to listen to and review this book.

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Review: Mission by Dani Elias

Mission by Dani Elias
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Will has a dangerous job. One so dangerous that his wife realizes she can't be a part of his life because of it. At the beginning of the book, you're taken through the heartbreak that they both feel with this decision. But when the unthinkable happens, will the love they once felt for each other be enough to help him become what he once was before the mission?

This novella packs a punch y'all. It had me sitting on the edge of my seat and there was one scene in the book that was written so well I felt a little sick for Will and what he was going through, and what Katie had to do to make it right again. But... you're going to have to find that out on your own when you pick up this outstanding book.

I'd like to thank the author for the opportunity to review this EXCELLENT book. 10 stars if I could!

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Review: Coming Home by Melissa Whitney

Coming Home: (Home Series, Book Two) by Melissa Whitney
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a sweet book to follow Melissa Whitney's book Finding Home.

Nat just wants to be seen as an equal in all things. She wants to be Dr. Owen's, but all the town sees is the daughter of Dr. Owens. The one who came into the office when she was little, but would all she be is the little girl, or could she be the woman she was meant to be?

Noah, oh sweet Noah. The man who is dealing with demons of his own was still present enough to know and see Nat for who she really is, a woman first, then a doctor. But when Nat's ex starts crap with her Noah swoops in and saves the day.

Would their feelings for each other hurt the ones they loved, especially Nat's brother, who is also Noah's best friend? They decide not to chance it and that causes strain enough to tear them apart... or does it? To find out, you have to read the book.

I loved the characters in this book so much. They were real, deep, and honest. I'd like to thank the author for the opportunity to read this book.

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Review: Unthinkable by Dani Galliaro

Unthinkable by Dani Galliaro
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I loved being able to read a book that had a FMC who was more like me than anyone I've ever read before. Mara suffers from POTS, MCAS, and HEDS, which I suffer from in addition to other ailments. But to find a character so like me felt life affirming. If she can power through all the things she has to deal with, then yes... I can too.

Jack... well, I wasn't expecting him. Jack needed more from Sydney than she could have ever given him, and now he's found someone who's willing to give him what he needs and he does the same for her. (Once he pulls his head out of his butt!)

This has a great set of characters, and I love how Dani writes.

I'd like to thank the author and Happily Booked PR for the opportunity to read and review this book.

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Review: Fumbling in the Dark by Nichole Ruschelle

Fumbling in the Dark: Vegas After Dark by Nichole Ruschelle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I wasn't 100% into this book, hence the 4 stars. There's something about the reverse grumpy/sunshine vibe that I think threw me a little here, but I didn't hate it.

Janae would rather read than going out on a blind date on Valentine's Day (who wouldn't), but her friend Sam talks her into going out with a friend of the man she's "dating" she reluctantly gives in.

Shane hates people who are late. It's a pet peeve of his. So when Janae shows up late, he knows that this blind date isn't going to work. At least until he sees her. It's love at first sight, and boy does he fall first, and fast.

This novella picks up pace with some great spicy scenes, and good character development. I look forward to seeing where Ms. Ruschelle goes from here.

I'd like to thank the author for the opportunity to read and review this book.

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