Didn't even get through the first chapter of go hex yourself by Jessica Clare even though I really wanted to read more about the heroine and her learning about magic. But the hero is a centuries old douche who can't keep a secretary even at 300k/year because he's such a jerk. The heroine is a secretary (his aunt's nominally, but since he can't keep one she's his too). Not spoilers—first chapter. I did just read some goodreads reviews and apparently it gets worse(!)
I got further into The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman than I did his first book, but still skipped the middle 60%. Just found it boring.
The Neighbor Favor by Kristina Forest was ok. A solid 3 star read. It had more promise than it delivered, but it was still fine. I skipped chunks, but not like a full 60%. Personally I think she should have picked guy #2, but fate apparently had other plans.
The Bodyguard by Katherine Center was a lot of fun! If you're normally a fan of hers, or normally not a fan, apparently this is a lot different than the depressing/poignant stuff she usually writes. She explains in the afterword about how this was her pandemic novel. There's like "sad" back stories, but they're tropes and not deep or compelling so I certainly didn't feel sad reading it.
I should just give up on Alexis Hall. Every single time there's brilliance and boredom, no matter the genre or what style he's writing. (Exception: Boyfriend Material which is perfect in every way.) I wish so hard he could find an editor to work with who could fix the boredom problem. This one had big pacing problems and the second heroine was never really fully actualized as a person. Anyhow, Mortal Follies is fine if you skip huge chunks, like the last 40%.
Reread Wee Free Men and was reminded how amazing Terry Pratchett was. (RIP.)
Magic Claims by Ilona Andrews was very good. It's the second in the newest Kate Daniels sub-series. The afterword notes that it was supposed to be a novella like the first (Magic Tides), but it grew. I'm a fan.
Mrs. Tim of the Regiment by D. E. Stevenson was remarkably and delightfully good. Nothing exciting -- a slice of life novel about a woman married to a British army major/captain between the world wars. There is a little irritating bit of every male always getting a crush on her and her being completely oblivious (it's written as if it's her journal entries, so in her words completely), and she's not the nicest person in existence, but overall it was just really easy to read. Also easy to put down. A very good novel for when you're having trouble sleeping and need something soothing.
It turns out that Stella Riley has different pen-names that she wrote under, and I like the ones originally published under Juliet Blythe (the Rockliffe series) but really do not like at all her roundheads and cavaliers series. Romance novels from the 1990s are mostly just bad-- bodice ripping heroes you can't like.
We Could Be So Good by Cat Sebastian was SO GOOD! As advertised! Set in 1950s NYC, it's a great snapshot at love between two men of the time. It was just really really nice. Do recommend.
DNF Not Your Average Hot Guy by Gwenda Bond. Can't remember why.
DNF Death Comes to Marlowe by Robert Thurgood. I didn't like the first either.
Reread the hidden legacy series and the innkeeper series by Ilona Andrews (Note that Sweep of the Heart is only $1.49 as of this writing.)
Her good side by Rebekah Witherspoon was cute. Definitely YA.
Once Upon a Tome: The misadventures of a rare bookseller by Oliver Darkshire is a book for booklovers. A book about books and the people who treasure them, though the protagonist doesn't really start out as a book-lover. It's an easy read but also easy to put down and more soporific than Mrs. Tim above.
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna was disappointing. Too twee.
Couldn't get past the first chapter of The Murder or Mr. Wickham by Claudia Gray.
Continue to LOVE the case files of Henri Davenforth. All in a Name by Honor Raconteur was excellent. As was This Potion is Da Bomb which I'd somehow missed when it came out. I almost wonder if I would like police procedurals set in non-fantasy worlds, but probably not (though I guess I have liked old procedurals before the author being able to figure out whodunnit became a thing). A lot of it here is the writing is good and the characters are enjoyable.
Wow, it has been a LONG time since I did one of these roundups. Have I really not gushed about The Secret Lives of Country Gentleman by KJ Charles? Surely not? I read it back in March! (Maybe I just missed it? No... it has been a long time.) Anyhow, new KJ Charles isn't that new (I'm anxiously awaiting the second in the series, though it's set decades later). It's an earlier time period than her usual and more rural. Loved it, of course. And the cover is so nice.
There were some paper library books that I DNF and returned but can't remember. Probably some I liked as well, though I don't remember those either. I continue to slowly make my way through the murders of Meg Lanslow (Donna Andrews-- yes, I know it seems like Meg is just the armchair detective, but I know the truth-- she's a genius serial killer).
How has your summer reading been going? Any good recommendations?
No comments:
Post a Comment