Sunday, August 29, 2021

Book Release and Review - Enola Holmes and the Black Barouche

 Like many people I was a huge fan of the Enola Holmes movie on Netflix last year. I'm sad to say that I wasn't familiar with Enola before this, but I was thrilled to learn the movie was based on a book - and that there was a whole series of them!

I jumped at the chance to review an early copy of this book and am so glad I did! Big thank you to Wednesday Books for sending this my way.

 Keep reading for an excerpt from the book! 


From Goodreads: Enola Holmes is the much younger sister of her more famous brothers, Sherlock and Mycroft. But she has all the wits, skills, and sleuthing inclinations of them both. At fifteen, she's an independent young woman--after all, her name spelled backwards reads 'alone'--and living on her own in London. When a young professional woman, Miss Letitia Glover, shows up on Sherlock's doorstep, desperate to learn more about the fate of her twin sister, it is Enola who steps up. It seems her sister, the former Felicity Glover, married the Earl of Dunhench and per a curt note from the Earl, has died. But Letitia Glover is convinced this isn't the truth, that she'd know--she'd feel--if her twin had died.

The Earl's note is suspiciously vague and the death certificate is even more dubious, signed it seems by a John H. Watson, M.D. (who denies any knowledge of such). The only way forward is for Enola to go undercover--or so Enola decides at the vehement objection of her brother. And she soon finds out that this is not the first of the Earl's wives to die suddenly and vaguely--and that the secret to the fate of the missing Felicity is tied to a mysterious black barouche that arrived at the Earl's home in the middle of the night. To uncover the secrets held tightly within the Earl's hall, Enola is going to require help--from Sherlock, from the twin sister of the missing woman, and from an old friend, the young Viscount Tewkesbury, Marquess of Basilwether!


Image from publisher


My thoughts: This is a very fun book. Enola is such a great character and it's interesting to see how she's changed and progressed, as a person and an investigator, over time. It's also very interesting to get a glimpse of her from her famous brother's point of view.

This story is really interesting. Like Enola, I didn't know what "black barouche" meant either, so that was quite a reveal. Seeing how Enola and Sherlock both approach their investigations, especially the moments when they intersect, was very fun. It was also really great to see moments where Sherlock was clearly impressed with his sister and to see him realize he has underestimated her.

 

 

And now, an excerpt from Enola Holmes and the Black Barouche! 

“Is she fainted?” 

Indignant, I wanted to sit up and say I was not so easily killed and I never fainted, but to my surprise my body would not obey me. I merely stirred and murmured. 

“She’s moving.” 

I saw the clodhopper boots of common men surrounding me and smelled alcohol on the breath of those leaning over me. 

“Let’s get ’er inside.” 

“Somebody go fer the doctor.” 

Strong hands, not ungentle, seized me by the feet and shoulders. I could have kicked and yelled—I felt strong enough now—but my mind had started to function, realizing that I was about to be carried into a pub, for only in a public house, or pub, would workmen be drinking in the daytime. And normally no woman of good repute would enter a pub, or if she did, she would be jeered at until she retreated. But, my avid brain realized, fate in the form of Jezebel had given me opportunity to spend some time inside a pub—no, in the pub, most likely the only pub in Threefinches! So I closed my eyes and pretended to be rather more helpless than I was as the men hauled me inside and laid me down on a high-backed bench by the hearth. 

Someone brought something pungent in lieu of smelling salts, but I shook my head, pushed the malodourous hand away, opened my eyes, and sat up, acting as if it were a great effort for me to do so. A burly, bearded man in an apron, undoubtedly the publican who kept the place, came running with a pillow for my back, and I thanked him with a gracious smile. 

“Will ye have a nip of brandy, lydy?” 

“No, thank you. Water, please.” 

“Jack! Water for the lydy!” he bellowed to some underling, and he remained nearby as I managed, with hands that genuinely trembled, to remove my gloves. Their thin kidskin leather was ruined by the mauling it had taken from Jezebel’s reins, and my hands were red and sore; doubtless they would bruise. Grateful for the cool glass, I held it in both hands and sipped, looking around me. Half of the denizens of the place, like the owner, stood in a semicircle staring at me not unpleasantly, while the rest did the same from seats at the rustic tables—all but one. A tall man with beard stubble on his chin and quite a shock of coarse brownish-grey hair hiding his forehead had withdrawn to a table by the wall, where he devoted his attention to his mug of ale, or stout, or whatever noxious brew he might fancy. I said brightly to the tavern-keeper, “I believe I would like to stand up.” 

“Now, why not wait for the doctor, lydy—” 

But taking hold of his arm, as he stood within my reach, I got to my feet with reasonable steadiness. There were muted cheers from the onlookers. Nodding and simpering at the men all around me, I lilted, “Thank you so much. Do you suppose anyone could go out and fetch my bag, and my hat and parasol? I believe they fell along the—” 

Already half a dozen would-be heroes were stampeding towards the door. Yet, if I had walked in here under my own power, any request for help would have been met with deepest suspicion. Such is life: odd.

 

Tuesday, November 10, 2020

Book Review: Forever with You

 From Goodreads: From debut author, Barb Curtis, a heartwarming small-town romance about high school sweethearts who return home and discover that first love sometimes gets a second chance. . .

Jay Wynter wants to be successful on his own merit. That's why he left Sapphire Springs and his family's winery to build a career from scratch. But now that he's successor to Wynter Estate, Jay must return to his small hometown to face everything, and everyone, he left behind-especially his high school sweetheart, who happens to be his stunning new business partner . . .

Leyna Milan knows family legacies come with strings attached, but she's determined to prove that she can run her family's restaurant. Of course, Leyna never expected that honoring her grandfather's wishes meant opening a second location on her ex's property-or having to ignore Jay's sexy grin and guard the heart he shattered years before. But as they work closely together, she begins to discover that maybe first loves deserve a second chance . . .



My Thoughts: This book was such a perfect contemporary romance and reading it made me so happy. It is absolutely delightful. It hits all the notes of a contemporary second chance romance perfectly - great history, hidden motives, characters who have grown and changed but still have that certain something from their past deep down, and a new goal to bring them together. I adored this book so much it will be my new go-to recommendation for anyone looking to dip their toes into contemporary romance.

Book review: Together, Apart

 From Goodreads: A collection of original contemporary love stories set during life in lockdown by some of today's most popular YA authors.

Erin Craig "delivers" on a story about a new girl in town and the cute pizza delivery boy, Auriane Desombre captures our hearts with teens communicating through window signs, and Bill Konigsberg takes us along on daily walks with every step bringing us closer to love. There's flirting and romance from Rachael Lippincott, a tale of a determined girl with a mask-making business from Erin Hahn, and a music-inspired love connection from Sajni Patel. Brittney Morris turns enemies to lovers with the help of a balcony herb garden, Jennifer Yen writes an unconventional romance that starts outside a hospital, and Natasha Preston's teens discover each other--and their love story--in a storybook oak tree.

Romantic, realistic, sweet and uplifting, TOGETHER, APART is a collection of finding love in unexpected places during an unprecedented time . . . each with the one thing we all want: a guaranteed happy ending.


My Thoughts:

This book was exactly the fun, lovely, delightful thing we need after so many months in a pandemic and no end in sight. These stories flow together so well and make the perfect collection. I found myself grinning from ear to ear from start to finish. I love how the book bookends with the stories by the Erins, they are honestly the perfect stories to start and end this collection.

This book would make the perfect holiday, or anytime, gift for yourself or someone you love. Maybe even throw in a cute matching mask.

I received a review copy from Netgalley but all opinions are my own.

Thursday, September 17, 2020

Book Review - The Twelve Dogs of Christmas

 From Goodreads: A delightful holiday romance about a small-town single dad and an animal rescue owner as they try to find forever homes for a dozen lovable pups before Christmas.

Pine Hollow has everything Ally Gilmore could wish for in a holiday break: gently falling snow in a charming small town and time with her family. Then she learns some Grinch has pulled the funding for her family's rescue shelter, and now she has only four weeks to find new homes for a dozen dogs! But when she confronts her Scroogey councilman nemesis, Ally finds he's far more reasonable -- and handsome -- than she ever expected.


As the guardian of his dog-obsessed ten-year-old niece, Ben West doesn't have time to build a cuddly reputation. But he does feel guilty about the shelter closing. So he proposes a truce with Ally, agreeing to help her adopt out the pups. As the two spend more time together, the town's gossip is spreading faster than Santa's sleigh on Christmas Eve. And soon Ben is hoping he can convince Ally that Pine Hollow is her home for the holidays. . . and the whole year through.



My Thoughts: This book is what it would be like if Gilmore Girls and a Hallmark Christmas movie got together and had a batch of puppies. This is the sweetest, cutest, more festive book I've read in a while. It's just perfection!

Ben and Ally are both great characters. They're written with warmth, understanding, and the perfect mix of being well-developed from the beginning but also having room to grow as they get to know each other and learn a few things about themselves. I was genuinely rooting for them as a couple and as individuals from the beginning. I just wanted them to be happy!

The other characters in Ben and Ally's lives and in town are fantastic too. I adored Astrid and Deenie and Elinor. They're all so fun! I'm really hoping we see more Deenie soon! Ally's grandparents are also fantastic and are written as such loving and caring people.

And the dogs! They may be the best part of the book! Lizzie did such a great job writing about all the dogs, giving them their own personalities and fun quirks and really showing how the humans loved them and how dogs can bring people together.

This book is an instant holiday romance classic for me. I can definitely see this being one I return to next Christmas, and I'm sure I'll love it just as much then!

The Twelve Dogs of Christmas comes out September 29th!



I received a review copy from the publisher but all opinions are my own.

Monday, July 20, 2020

Book Review - More Than Maybe

From Goodreads: Growing up under his punk rocker dad's spotlight, eighteen-year-old Luke Greenly knows fame and wants nothing to do with it. His real love isn't in front of a crowd, it's on the page. Hiding his gift and secretly hoarding songs in his bedroom at night, he prefers the anonymous comfort of the locally popular podcast he co-hosts with his outgoing and meddling, far-too-jealousy-inspiringly-happy-with-his-long-term-boyfriend twin brother, Cullen. But that’s not Luke’s only secret. He also has a major un-requited crush on music blogger, Vada Carsewell.

Vada's got a five year plan: secure a job at the Loud Lizard to learn from local legend (and her mom's boyfriend) Phil Josephs (check), take over Phil's music blog (double check), get accepted into Berkeley's prestigious music journalism program (check, check, check), manage Ann Arbor's summer concert series and secure a Rolling Stone internship. Luke Greenly is most definitely NOT on the list. So what if his self-deprecating charm and out-of-this-world music knowledge makes her dizzy? Or his brother just released a bootleg recording of Luke singing about some mystery girl on their podcast and she really, really wishes it was her?




My Thoughts: Oh Erin Hahn, how do you capture music loving teens so well? I adored You'd Be Mine and was looking forward to More Than Maybe from the moment I heard the synopsis. It did not disappoint!

Vada and Luke are such perfectly written characters. They're complex but realistic, driven but still insecure, they feel real but still like characters you can aspire to. They're surrounded by side characters you genuinely end up caring about and spend so much time in a place I want to be. Someone take me to the Loud Lizard now!

Basically what I'm saying is this, if you love fun, real, authentic characters who love music, their people, and the dreams they've made for the future then this book is for you. Order it now and thank me later.

I received a review copy from the publisher but all thoughts are my own.


Book Review - Sunshine on Silver Lake

From Goodreads: Welcome back to Sweetwater Springs, North Carolina for a heartwarming second-chance romance between a quirky café owner and a handsome park ranger.

With summer just around the corner, Emma St. James is eagerly planning a 5K run at Sweetwater Springs National Park. But first she needs the help of one charming, rugged, and handsome park ranger. Her brief high school romance with Jack Hershey may have ended in heartbreak, but Emma can't deny that he still gives her butterflies. So when Jack responds to her request with an all-too-tempting plea to pretend to be his girlfriend for the summer, how can she say no?


Jack would do anything for his sister -- even pretend to give up his bachelor life to care for his nephew. Passing his days with his high school sweetheart guarantees one long, hot summer -- but only because every moment together leaves him wanting a real relationship. He can't imagine spending another season without Emma by his side. Can he convince her to give their love a second chance before the summer draws to a close?



My Thoughts: It's so great to be back in Sweetwater Springs! Annie Rains has created such an amazing little town, filled with amazing characters you can't help but love. It was so great to get to dive deeper into Emma's life after seeing her as a supporting character in the other books in this series. It's nice to have a little bit of an idea of who someone is and then get to see them open up and show you their whole story. And it was fantastic getting to meet Jack and learn about the history between these two and get to watch them try to figure out how they wanted to navigate having each other in their lives while figuring out all of the other details of their lives.

Annie has another lovely, fun, sweet hit on her hands with this one!

I received a review copy from the publisher but all opinions are my own. 

Tuesday, June 30, 2020

Book Review - Crushing It

From Goodreads: "Relatable, funny, and charming."
--Elly Blake, New York Times bestselling author of Frostblood

In life, as in gaming, there's a way around every obstacle . . .

To pitch her new role-playing game at a European conference, developer Sierra Reid needs to overcome her terror of public speaking. What better practice than competing in a local bar's diary slam, regaling an audience with old journal entries about her completely humiliating college crush on gorgeous Tristan Spencer?

Until the moderator says, "Next up, Tristan Spencer . . ."

Sierra is mortified, but Tristan is flattered. Caught up in memories of her decade-old obsession as they reconnect, Sierra tries to dismiss her growing qualms about him. But it's not so easy to ignore her deepening friendship with Alfie, the cute, supportive bar owner. She and Alfie were college classmates too, and little by little, Sierra is starting to wonder if she's been focusing her moves on the wrong target all along, misreading every player's motivations.

Maybe the only winning strategy is to start playing by her heart . . .




My Thoughts: I'm so glad this book exists. It's so nice to have a female main character who has an interest outside what most female characters are into and to see her own it and it never be called into question by her friends and family. It's also nice to have a lead who embraces her quirky tendencies through her appearance and dress and to watch her really own that is so fun.

All of these characters are so well-written and detailed. They all just seem like a group you'd love to hang out with, preferably at the local bar. The settings were so well done I was easily able to picture where everyone was hanging out and and spending their days.

Sierra and Alfie and Aida and all of the others are just so terrifically written. I really enjoyed this story and that it didn't have a super obvious story arc. I was genuinely happy with where everyone ended up.

I received a review copy from NetGalley but all thoughts and opinions are my own. 




Check out the book on Goodreads -  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48992395-crushing-it 

Purchase a copy today:
 
About Lorelei -
Bouncing all over the north throughout her childhood, Lorelei Parker grew up believing she was a Yankee. However, raised by transplanted Alabamans, she was destined to eventually wind up in the south. After graduating from Auburn University, she disappointed her entire family by defecting to SEC rival University of Florida and eventually settled as far north as central Virginia for grad school in French literature. After a major career shift and a brief detour through New York City, she now works as a computer programmer in Charlottesville. In her free time, when she isn't playing video games, she writes contemporary romantic comedy.

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