Love, Theoretically - Book Review by Voodoo Bride

 

Love, Theoretically

by Ali Hazelwood

What is it about:

The many lives of theoretical physicist Elsie Hannaway have finally caught up with her. By day, she’s an adjunct professor, toiling away at grading labs and teaching thermodynamics in the hopes of landing tenure. By other day, Elsie makes up for her non-existent paycheck by offering her services as a fake girlfriend, tapping into her expertly honed people pleasing skills to embody whichever version of herself the client needs.

Honestly, it’s a pretty sweet gig—until her carefully constructed Elsie-verse comes crashing down. Because Jack Smith, the annoyingly attractive and broody older brother of her favorite client, turns out to be the cold-hearted experimental physicist who ruined her mentor’s career and undermined the reputation of theorists everywhere. And that same Jack who now sits on the hiring committee at MIT, right between Elsie and her dream job.

Elsie is prepared for an all-out war of scholarly sabotage but…those long, penetrating looks? Not having to be anything other than her true self when she’s with him? Will falling into an experimentalist’s orbit finally tempt her to put her most guarded theories on love into practice?

What did Voodoo Bride think of it:

I really enjoyed Hazelwood's first two novels, but really did not like her novella's. So it was with a bit of apprehension that I picked up this book.

Luckily my streak of enjoying the novels continued!

I think I liked this one even a bit more than the second novel, although the first is still the best (although that might just be because of the novelty of discovering a new to my author).

I really liked both Elsie and Jack. Elsie is less of a quirky character and more serious than Hazelwood's usual heroines and I must say I liked that. She has some serious issues she should work on, but I could understand where they came from. Jack starts out as the same kind of broody, grumpy hero as all of Hazelwood's heroes, but cleans up very nicely. I could really understand his hangups as well.

 As in previous books some of the plot 'twists' were easily to predict, but that's not a bad thing as I read these books for the romance and not for the suspense.

All in all a very enjoyable read. I'll keep an eye out for the next novel.

Why should you read it:

It's a fun and enjoyable Contemporary Romance.  

Storm of Locusts - Book Review

 

Storm of Locusts (The Sixth World #2)

by Rebecca Roanhorse

What is it about:

Kai and Caleb Goodacre have been kidnapped just as rumors of a cult sweeping across the reservation leads Maggie and Hastiin to investigate an outpost, and what they find there will challenge everything they've come to know in this action-packed sequel to Trail of Lightning.

It's been four weeks since the bloody showdown at Black Mesa, and Maggie Hoskie, Diné monster hunter, is trying to make the best of things. Only her latest bounty hunt has gone sideways, she's lost her only friend, Kai Arviso, and she's somehow found herself responsible for a girl with a strange clan power.

Then the Goodacre twins show up at Maggie's door with the news that Kai and the youngest Goodacre, Caleb, have fallen in with a mysterious cult, led by a figure out of Navajo legend called the White Locust. The Goodacres are convinced that Kai's a true believer, but Maggie suspects there's more to Kai's new faith than meets the eye. She vows to track down the White Locust, then rescue Kai and make things right between them.

Her search leads her beyond the Walls of Dinétah and straight into the horrors of the Big Water world outside. With the aid of a motley collection of allies, Maggie must battle body harvesters, newborn casino gods, and, ultimately, the White Locust himself. But the cult leader is nothing like she suspected, and Kai might not need rescuing after all. When the full scope of the White Locust's plans are revealed, Maggie's burgeoning trust in her friends and herself will be pushed to the breaking point, and not everyone will survive.

What did I think of it:

I really enjoyed the first book in this series, but the points of critique I had for that book made that I didn't immediately picked up the next book. One of the Facebook groups I'm in had a reading event this month celebrating Native American stories though, so I thought that'd be the perfect opportunity to finally read Storm of Locusts.

And this book is so good!

Where the first book took away some of my enjoyment by not giving me enough backstory for a big part of the story, this book didn't suffer from that problem. I was immediately hooked and worrying for Kai, Maggie, and the people who join her on her rescue mission.

As in the first book the world building is excellent and I loved encountering new locations and characters. I easily fell back in this post-apocalyptic world and enjoyed this book even more than the first. 

The story felt more solid and I felt more connected with Maggie and her feelings than the first book. The ending is satisfying, but there are hints of more trouble coming Maggie's way. It's a shame that it seems this series probably won't be continued unless Roanhorse decides to self publish though.

I'll keep hoping for a next book while  picking up the next book in her Between Earth and Sky Series soon.

Why should you read it:

It's amazing Post-Apocalyptic Urban Fantasy

Teaser Tuesdays - Mongrels

 

The rest though - being a werewolf, it's a game of Russian roulette, Darren would say. It's waking up every morning with that gun to your temple.

(page 38, Mongrels by Stephen Graham Jones)

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Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, previously hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: - Grab your current read - Open to a random page - Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) - Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their  TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

On McPig's Wishlist - Ghost Station

 

Ghost Station

by S.A. Barnes

An exploration crew must try to stay alive on an eerie and abandoned planet in Ghost Station, a heart-pounding space horror novel from S.A. Barnes, the acclaimed author of Dead Silence.

As an exploration crew begins to establish residency on an abandoned planet, they must unravel the mystery behind the previous colonizer’s hasty departure. When their pilot is discovered dead – in what appears to be a gruesome murder – it’s up to the corporate-sponsored psychologist Dr. Ophelia Bray to find the killer among them … before someone else is next.

Expected publication April 9, 2024

Gouda Friends - Book Review by Voodoo Bride

 

Gouda Friends (Ponto Beach Reunion #2)

by Cathy Yardley

What is it about:

Two high school BFFs reunite and endeavor to fix each other’s lives in this geeky romance from the author of Love, Comment, Subscribe.

Tam Doan dumped her boyfriend after he threw away her gourmet cheese. Sure, it’s a little more complicated than that, but the point is, he had it coming. Newly single and unemployed, Tam calls up her best friend from high school and utters the emergency code word—goldfish. Next thing she knows, she’s on a plane back home.

Josh O’Malley was a troubled, unconfident teenager. Now he’s the successful owner of a multimillion-dollar ghost kitchen. Tam, his high school BFF and fellow member of the Nerd Herd friend group, was instrumental in building his self-esteem. When she calls him out of the blue, he jumps at the chance to return the favor.

Josh and Tam immediately get to work fixing her life—but again, it’s complicated. Their close friendship was always a lifeline between them; a blooming romance might confuse things. Still, at least one thing is for certain: their chemistry is un-brie-lievable.

What did Voodoo Bride think of it:

First: that title totally doesn't work if you know how Gouda is supposed to be pronounced.

Other than that, this is a nice enough Romance.

There's a lot of cheese, nice secondary characters, and a believable obstacle to stop these two from getting their Happily Ever After right away.

Still I was missing  something. Maybe I'm not one for Friends to Lovers, because the attraction between these two felt a bit tame. Still the story was entertaining enough to keep reading. 

This book is the second in a series, but I didn't feel like missing out. It seems each book has a different main couple. I don't think I'll pick up other books in the series though as this group of friends didn't really tempt me to get to know them better.

Why should you read it:

It's a nice Contemporary Romance.

Teaser Tuesdays: A Deadly Education

 

Dad sent one of those same notes to his family, so they'd known he'd survived that long. Then he just never came out.

(page 13, A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik)

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Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, previously hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: - Grab your current read - Open to a random page - Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) - Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their  TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Remarkably Bright Creatures - Book Review

 

Remarkably Bright Creatures 

by Shelby Van Pelt

What is it about:

Remarkably Bright Creatures, an exploration of friendship, reckoning, and hope, tracing a widow's unlikely connection with a giant Pacific octopus.

After Tova Sullivan's husband died, she began working the night shift at the Sowell Bay Aquarium, mopping floors and tidying up. Keeping busy has always helped her cope, which she's been doing since her eighteen-year-old son, Erik, mysteriously vanished on a boat in Puget Sound over thirty years ago.

Tova becomes acquainted with curmudgeonly Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus living at the aquarium. Marcellus knows more than anyone can imagine but wouldn't dream of lifting one of his eight arms for his human captors--until he forms a remarkable friendship with Tova.

Ever the detective, Marcellus deduces what happened the night Tova's son disappeared. And now Marcellus must use every trick his old invertebrate body can muster to unearth the truth for her before it's too late.

Shelby Van Pelt's debut novel is a gentle reminder that sometimes taking a hard look at the past can help uncover a future that once felt impossible.

What did I think of it:

I love octopuses so couldn't resist this book when I saw it at the local bookstore.

And within the first chapter, told from the Octopus's view, I knew I'd love this book and that it would break my heart.

A couple of chapters further in I knew exactly where this story would lead, but I didn't mind: I was in love with Marcellus and Tova. 

The writing is really good and I loved the characterization. There are several different viewpoint characters and while I didn't warm up to all of them, it did work well for this story. (Marcellus was totally my favorite!)

As I predicted this story has a bittersweet ending and you bet I shed a few tears. I don't think I will reread this, but it still deserves a place on my keeper shelves as it is a beautiful story.

Why should you read it:

Marcellus!!!!

buy from Amazon

Assimilation - Book Review

 

Assimilation (The Societies #1)

by Sydney Reames)

What is it about:

Seven Societies. One Choice. No Turning Back.

Kena grew up inside Verkent, a conspiracy group whose belief that aliens originated human life on Earth was mocked—until the aliens returned, with a mission to decide whether Earth should be allowed to rejoin their Alliance.

When Kena is invited to participate in the Choosing, it seems the orphaned teen’s lifelong dream of Assimilating into one of seven different but equally wondrous Societies in their home worlds is coming true. But from the moment she and other Earthers arrive at the Societals’ central space station, it becomes clear they’re under threat, not only from their suspicious hosts but also an enemy long thought dead.

With the Societies shaken by turmoil, her own fierce powers growing, a budding romance, and her friends' lives on the line, Kena faces a high-stakes Can she find not only a place for herself in these worlds, but a way to save everyone else who calls them home?

What did I think of it:

When I got the offer to get a review copy of this book I jumped on it, as it sounded like my kind of read.

I had a hard time getting into this book at first as some of the things that were told seemed illogical to me. Now I have confess I do tend to overthink things, so I decided to suspend disbelief for a bit as the whole Choosing thing did sound cool.

And I'm glad I did because once Kena and the others join the Choosing the story got so good! I was soon totally engrossed and eager to find out where it would lead.

The Societies all have their own distinguished looks and powers, while still looking mostly human. I loved learning more about each Society while rooting for Kena and her friends to discover what they got mixed up in. 

When after lots of cool action and intrigue I reached the ending of the book it was hard to believe I had such misgivings at the start of this book. You bet I will get my greedy trotters on the next book, and not only because this one ends on a bit of a cliffhanger. I need more! 

Why should you read this:

It's a really cool YA SF read

buy from Amazon

Teaser Tuesdays - Love Theoretically

 

He doesn't smile, of course. Well, he does smile, but never at me. Whenever we're in the same room, he's an imposing, sky-soaring, stern presence whose main pastime appears to be judging me unworthy of Greg.

(page 9, Love Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood)

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Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, previously hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: - Grab your current read - Open to a random page - Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) - Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their  TBR Lists if they like your teasers!