The Holdout by Graham Moore

 The Holdout by Graham Moore

322 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

Summary (from Missouri Evergreen):

It's the most sensational case of the decade. Fifteen-year-old Jessica Silver, heiress to a billion-dollar real estate fortune, vanishes on her way home from school. Her teacher Bobby Nock, a twenty-five-year-old African American man, is the prime suspect after illicit text messages are discovered between them--and Jessica's blood is found in his car. The subsequent trial taps straight into America's most pressing preoccupations: race, class, sex, law enforcement, and the lurid sins of the rich and famous. It's an open and shut case for the prosecution, and a quick conviction seems all but guaranteed. Until Maya Seale, a young woman on the jury, convinced of Nock's innocence, persuades the rest of the jurors to return the verdict of not guilty, a controversial decision that will change all of their lives forever. Flash forward ten years. A true-crime docuseries reassembles the jurors, with particular focus on Maya, now a defense attorney herself. When one of the jurors is found dead in Maya's hotel room, all evidence points to her as the killer. Now, she must prove her own innocence--by getting to the bottom of a case that is far from closed. As the present-day murder investigation weaves together with the story of what really happened during their deliberation, told by each of the jurors in turn, the secrets they have all been keeping threaten to come out--with drastic consequences for all involved.

My thoughts: This was a page-turner. I really like anything with courtrooms and law involved, so this was a great read. I especially liked that the main character's actions felt believable. It got me thinking about the justice system - most fascinating to me was the truth is not always the best defense strategy in court. I was not super happy with the ending, but after thinking about it for a few days, it was pretty clever on more than just one level.

Adversary to the Villain

Adversary to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer 352 pages Book 4

Synopsis: Evie has always tried to be helpful, loyal, and only mildly involved in treason. But with a dangerous prophecy threatening the very magic of Rennedawn―not to mention the race to claim its necessary artifacts before King Benedict does―things are starting to feel…less like a career path and more like a serious problem.

The prophecy won’t stop pointing in Evie’s direction. The Villain’s magic keeps choosing her. And honestly, if you’re going to be accused of evil anyway, you might as well commit.

Unfortunately, the more Evie leans into her alleged villain era, the more her boss starts acting like the hero of a completely different story. Trystan is getting closer―closer than is wise, advisable, or even remotely professional―and looking at her like she’s already chosen a side. His.

Which is deeply inconvenient, because if Evie can’t save the kingdom’s magic, she might just become its greatest threat.

My Thoughts: I love this series! We are getting to the impending doom of it all and I cannot wait to see how this series concludes! The snark is still snarky, the characters are still beloved and the plot is still interesting. Read this series if you enjoy comedic romantasy!

A Monsoon Rising

 A Monsoon Rising by Thea Guanzon 400 pages Book 2

Synopsis: Two hearts circle each other in the eye of the storm in this highly anticipated epic fantasy follow-up to the New York Times bestseller, The Hurricane Wars—prepare for more enemies-to-lovers romance, magical adventures, and political schemes in this Southeast Asian-inspired world.

After a lifetime of war, Alaric and Talasyn are thrust into a political marriage between their homelands that was supposed to end the fighting; however, this forced proximity with a sworn foe feels far from peaceful. Now Talasyn must play the part of Alaric’s willing empress while her allies secretly plot to overthrow his reign. But the longer the couple are trapped together, the harder it becomes to deny the slow burn romance crackling like lightning between them. When the time comes to act, can she trust him, or must she ignore her heart for the sake of so many others?

As the master of the Shadowforged Legion, Alaric has trained for battle all his life, but marrying a Lightweaver might be his most dangerous challenge yet. With tensions between nations churning, he needs to focus on the greater threat―the Moonless Dark, a high-stakes cataclysmic magical event that could devour everything. Only he and Talasyn can stop it, with a powerful merging of their unique magic system of light and shadow that they alone can create together. But saving their world from this disaster is a mere preface to his father’s more sinister schemes, and his wife is a burning flame in the darkness, tempting both his loyalties and his desires.

My Thoughts: Once I finished book one, which ended on a cliff hanger, of course I had to pick up book 2! This one was just as good as book one! I loved the battles, the tension, the yearning, and the banter. If you enjoy Star Wars, you will love this book!

 

Page Count: 326

Reverence by: Raena Rood

Synopsis:

Reverence takes place in a dystopian society where a deadly virus has devastated the world. The survivors live within the walls of Vita Nova, a city that has created strict rules and programs to control its population. Kira Liebert works as a volunteer advocate, helping people who choose to sacrifice themselves for the good of the city. When she becomes involved with a man named Will Foster, she begins to question what she has been taught about the world outside the walls and the society she lives in.

Review:

This book was unfortunately another one that wasn’t a favorite for me. I love dystopian books, so I had high hopes for this one, but that’s on me for not looking up more about the book beforehand. My dislike for this one was mostly due to it becoming overly religious. While that usually never bothers me, this felt heavily pushed throughout the story. I went in expecting a dystopian book and was met with Christianity being a major component of the plot.

 

Page Count: 194

The Dinner Party by: Frieda McFadden

Synopsis:
The Dinner Party is an interactive thriller where you get to decide what the main character does throughout the story. What starts as a seemingly normal dinner party quickly takes a darker turn, and the choices you make determine how the story unfolds and where it ultimately ends.

Review:
This book was interesting. It was the first choose-your-own-adventure book I’ve read, and probably my last. Honestly, it’s my least favorite book I’ve read by her. I felt that no matter what direction I chose, it always led to the same outcome.

 

Page Count: 400

Sunrise on the Reaping by: Suzanne Collins

Synopsis:
Sunrise on the Reaping takes place during the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell, and follows a young Haymitch Abernathy as he is reaped for the Games. As Haymitch is thrown into the brutal world of the Capitol’s entertainment, he is forced to navigate alliances, loss, and the cruelty of the Games. 

Review:
To be honest, I read this book solely because it was about Haymitch. He’s always been one of my favorite characters in The Hunger Games world. After reading this book, I understand more about why Haymitch is the way he is. I would be an alcoholic too, given what happened to him.

What happened to Beetee and Ambert really pissed me off. He did not deserve that. That’s the thing with the Capitol, though: death is entertainment. I loved that the book also gave me a look into other characters, such as Wiress, Mags, and Effie.

 

Page Count:368

Verity by: Colleen Hoover

Synopsis:

Lowen Ashleigh is a struggling writer who is given the opportunity of a lifetime when she is hired to finish a bestselling book series after its author, Verity Crawford, is left unable to continue writing. Lowen moves into Verity’s home to sort through her notes and research, where she discovers a disturbing, unfinished manuscript that reveals shocking secrets about Verity and her family. As Lowen continues reading, she begins to question just how much of what she has discovered is actually true.

Review:

It really bugs me to admit how much I enjoyed this book. I could not stop reading it. At one point, I was cooking and reading at the same time. I had to know what was in the manuscript! The ending makes you question what parts were real and what parts weren’t. Personally, I think Verity is, in fact, crazy and that the manuscript was more of a confession in a way.

 

Page Count: 309

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by: J.K. Rowling

Synopsis:
Harry Potter has spent his childhood living with his unpleasant aunt, uncle, and cousin, believing he is an ordinary boy. On his eleventh birthday, Harry discovers that he is actually a wizard and has been accepted to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. There, he makes new friends, learns about his past, and discovers that there may be more going on at Hogwarts than meets the eye.

Review:
I have to admit, this was my first time reading it or rather listening to it, as I chose the audiobook. Which, in my opinion, was the way to go. One person narrated the entire thing, and it was so good that I felt immersed in it at times. It was also nice to compare the book to the movie as I went along. In my eyes, Harry Potter is just a classic, so no complaints!

 

Page Count : 60

The Invisible Parade by: Leigh Bardugo

Synopsis:

When a young girl discovers a mysterious parade that appears only to those who have experienced loss, she is drawn into a strange and haunting world where grief, memory, and love come together. Through beautiful illustrations and a bittersweet story, the book explores the ways we remember the people we’ve lost.

Review:

The art style for this book was the top reason I read it. It was beautiful and reminded me of the game Little Nightmares in a way. The story itself was kind of heavy and sad for a children’s book. Think of Coco, but sad. However, my dog, whom I read it to, didn’t seem to mind!

  

    Page Count: 368

The Boyfriend by: Frieda Mcfadden

Sydney Shaw is tired of the dating scene in New York, but everything changes when she meets Tom, a charming doctor who seems almost too good to be true. Just as Sydney thinks she may have finally found the perfect boyfriend, a string of murders begins to raise questions about whether Tom is really who he says he is. With a killer targeting women through the dating scene, Sydney starts wondering if the man she’s falling for could be the one she needs to fear.

This book did NOT go in the direction I thought it would. I don’t know why I expected anything different from this author; her books always seem to do that! I couldn’t put this book down once I started it, and my guess of who the killer was changed throughout the book. For the longest time, I thought it was Randy. He had keys for access and just gave off a creepy vibe. 10/10 recommend!

THE BOOK OF BIRDS by ROBERT MACFARLANE AND JACKIE MORRIS

 

THE BOOK OF BIRDS by ROBERT MACFARLANE AND JACKIE MORRIS (Pgs 384)

Goodreads Review: The Book of Birds is a field guide with a difference: It shows readers not just how to identify birds, but also how to identify with them. Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris conjure the unique spirit of nearly fifty once-common species: avocet to yellowhammer, kestrel to kingfisher, skylark to nightingale. In lyrical and incantatory essays, Macfarlane describes each bird’s habits and habitats, their patterns of flight and patterns of song, how they hunt or fish or scavenge or gather, how they nest and raise their chicks, the myths that attend them, the threats that shadow them—and how their lives intersect with our own. On every page we encounter Morris’s exhilarating artwork, painted from life in watercolor and gold leaf, and animated with an extraordinary attention to detail. The Book of Birds is a love letter to the thrilling variety and mysteries of birdlife, and a clarion call to halt the rapid depletion of our skies.  

This book was interesting, in part because it was written in a completely different way than I expected. It is almost lyrical in style, and it conveyed the deep love the author has for his subject matter.

THE DINNER PARTY: A Pick Your Own Poison Adventure by FREIDA MCFADDEN

 THE DINNER PARTY: A Pick Your Own Poison Adventure by FREIDA MCFADDEN (Pgs 196)

Goodreads Review: Choose from over 20 possible endings in this Pick Your Poison Adventure story!

You're broke. You have no way to pay your rent and you're about to be evicted.

Fortunately, your friend has offered you a job working as a waitress at a dinner party... at an isolated mansion way out on Peyton's Peak. The money will be enough to cover two months' rent and get you back on your feet. It's a golden opportunity that will solve all your problems.

But the whole thing sounds really sketchy. The money is great, but there's got to be some sort of awful catch. You should probably turn it down.

Right???

As it turns out, the choice is yours. YOU get to decide if you want to go to the creepy dinner party or stay home and read a book. YOU can decide if you want to pick up the disheveled hitchhiker on the side of the highway. YOU can choose to go left or right at the fork in the road. For once, the decision is entirely in your hands.

So what are you going to do?????

Well, let's just say that I died a few times!😉 This was a quick read but I wasn't very impressed with the writing. This is the second "short" story from this author that I read and was not too impressed with. I guess it is time to read one of her more popular, full-length books! Maybe the Housemaid? Or what about The Coworker? 😁

The Hurricane Wars

 The Hurricane Wars by Thea Guanzon 472 pages Book 1

Synopsis: All Talasyn has ever known is the Hurricane Wars. Growing up an orphan in a nation under siege by the ruthless Night Emperor, Talasyn has found her family among the soldiers who fight for freedom. But she is hiding a deadly secret: light magic courses through her veins, a blazing power believed to have been wiped out years ago that can cut through the Night Empire's shadows.

Prince Alaric, the emperor's only son and heir, has been forged into a weapon by his father. Tasked with obliterating any threats to the Night Empire's rule with the strength of his armies and mighty Shadow magic, Alaric has never been bested. That is until he sees Talasyn burning brightly on the battlefield with the magic that killed his grandfather, turned his father into a monster, and ignited the Hurricane Wars. In a clash of light and dark, their powers merge and create a force the likes of which has never been seen.

Talasyn and Alaric both know this war can only end with them. But a greater threat is coming, and the strange new magic they can create together could be the only way to overcome it. Thrust into an uneasy alliance, they will confront the secrets at the heart of the war and find, in each other, a searing passion--one that could save their world...or destroy it.

My Thoughts: We read this book in Cedar Hill's Romantasy Book Club. This book was amazing, it was definitely a slow start. The world building was wonderful and the map in the book was actually accurate! Two fun facts I learned about this book are as follows:

1. it's inspired by Southeast Asian mythology, specifically Philippine mythology. 

2. This book started as a Star Wars Fan Fiction book, in which Kylo Ren and Rey are forced into an arranged marriage.

The Silence Factory

 The Silence Factory by Bridget Collins 384 pages 

Synopsis: 1820: Sophia Ashmore-Percy reluctantly accompanies her husband James to a remote Greek island, where he searches for rare biological specimens. Once there, however, she sets on her own voyage of discovery—stumbling across the very creature he is looking for, making an unexpected connection with a local woman, and ultimately reconsidering her marriage, life, and own desires.

Decades later, audiologist Henry Latimer is sent to the home of industrialist Sir Edward Ashmore-Percy and tasked with curing the man’s young daughter, Philomel, of her deafness. But Henry, eager to escape a troubled past, quickly becomes obsessed with the fascinating nature of Sir Edward’s business: spinning silk with a rare and magical breed of spiders. The extraordinary silk shields sound, offering respite from bustling streets and noisy neighbors. The result is instant tranquility, as wearers experience a soothing calmness. Yet, those within earshot of the outward-facing silk are subjected to eerie murmurs that amplify with proximity. Bystanders suffer the consequences of this unnerving phenomenon, manifesting in physical and mental afflictions ranging from headaches and drowsiness to severe cases of madness.

As Henry becomes entangled in the allure of the silk and Sir Edward’s charm, he glimpses a more sinister family history. The closer he ventures into the inner circle of Carthmute House, the more he unravels the horrifying underbelly of the silk business.

My Thoughts: I really wanted to like this book, but I did struggle to get through it. I loved the overall themes of this novel: Power, control, and complicity, colonialism, escaping grief, and ethics. I just had a difficult time feeling bogged down with all the scientific talk about the spiders and their silk. I recommend it if you like this type of book, it's worth it to get through to the end. 

Two Twisted Crowns

 Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig 437 pages

Summary: In the luscious, dark sequel to One Dark Window, Elspeth must face the consequences of what she's wrought - perfect for readers of Hannah Whitten's For the Wolf and Alexis Henderson's The Year of the Witching.

Elspeth and Ravyn have gathered most of the twelve Providence Cards, but the last, and most important one remains to be found: The Twin Alders.

If they are going to find it before the Solstice and cure the kingdom of the dark magic infecting it, they will need to journey beyond the dangerous mist-cloaked forest that surrounds their kingdom.

And the only one who can lead them there is the monster that shares Elspeth's head. The Nightmare. And he's not eager to share any longer.

My Thoughts: Book 2? Just as amazing as book 1! I loved getting a deeper understanding of The Nightmare and how he came about. I loved learning more about the Providence Cards, the magic behind it all. My brain didn't catch the importance of different types of trees in the first book, but they do hold a great importance. I love how each family has a tree name! I loved how the first book had a focus on the main love interests, and the second book we now have a new focus on two secondary characters and their blooming romance! It was refreshing to have a series (duology in this case) not focus on the same romance and create tension and drama!!!!!! Read this DUOLOGY!

One Dark Window

 One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig 399 pages

Summary: Elspeth needs a monster. The monster might be her.

Elspeth Spindle needs more than luck to stay safe in the eerie, mist-locked kingdom of Blunder—she needs a monster. She calls him the Nightmare, an ancient, mercurial spirit trapped in her head. He protects her. He keeps her secrets.

But nothing comes for free, especially magic.
When Elspeth meets a mysterious highwayman on the forest road, her life takes a drastic turn. Thrust into a world of shadow and deception, she joins a dangerous quest to cure Blunder from the dark magic infecting it. And the highwayman? He just so happens to be the King’s nephew, Captain of the most dangerous men in Blunder…and guilty of high treason.

Together they must gather twelve Providence Cards—the keys to the cure. But as the stakes heighten and their undeniable attraction intensifies, Elspeth is forced to face her darkest secret yet: the Nightmare is slowly taking over her mind. And she might not be able to stop him.

My Thoughts: My friend kept telling me to read this duology and I finally decided it was time! I have found I truly do enjoy a lot of gothic romantasy books and I was surprised that I did. I loved the character, Elspeth and the fact that she has a monster living inside her head essentially. I love the idea of different cards with different magic in them and the mystery of the mist. The little poems at the beginning of each chapter have important information in them about the Providence Cards which I actually enjoyed reading (usually those annoying little poems at the beginning of chapters are annoying to me, but this time around I actually liked reading them). 

The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post

 The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post by Allison Pataki 400 pages

Summary: So begins another average evening for Marjorie Merriweather Post. Presidents have come and gone, but she has hosted them all. Growing up in the modest farmlands of Battle Creek, Michigan, Marjorie was inspired by a few simple rules: always think for yourself, never take success for granted, and work hard—even when deemed American royalty, even while covered in imperial diamonds. Marjorie had an insatiable drive to live and love and to give more than she got. From crawling through Moscow warehouses to rescue the Tsar's treasures to outrunning the Nazis in London, from serving the homeless of the Great Depression to entertaining Roosevelts, Kennedys, and Hollywood's biggest stars, Marjorie Merriweather Post lived an epic life few could imagine.

Marjorie's journey began gluing cereal boxes in her father's barn as a young girl. No one could have predicted that C. W. Post's Cereal Company would grow into the General Foods empire and reshape the American way of life, with Marjorie as its heiress and leading lady. Not content to stay in her prescribed roles of high-society wife, mother, and hostess, Marjorie dared to demand more, making history in the process. Before turning thirty she amassed millions, becoming the wealthiest woman in the United States. But it was her life-force, advocacy, passion, and adventurous spirit that led to her stunning legacy.

And yet Marjorie's story, though full of beauty and grandeur, set in the palatial homes she built such as Mar-a-Lago, was equally marked by challenge and tumult. A wife four times over, Marjorie sought her happily-ever-after with the blue-blooded party boy who could not outrun his demons, the charismatic financier whose charm turned to betrayal, the international diplomat with a dark side, and the bon vivant whose shocking secrets would shake Marjorie and all of society. Marjorie did everything on a grand scale, especially when it came to love.

My Thoughts: I actually really enjoyed this book and reading about yet another strong/innovative woman ahead of her time that we never learned about in school. The author certainly did her research on Marjorie and I was fascinated by Marjorie's life. Basically if you enjoy learning about amazing women, read this book! 

CLOSE TO HOME: The Wonders of Nature Just Outside Your Door by THOR HANSON

 CLOSE TO HOME: The Wonders of Nature Just Outside Your Door  by THOR HANSON (Pgs 304)

In Close to Home, biologist Thor Hanson shows how retraining our eyes reveals hidden wonders just waiting to be discovered. In Kansas City, migrating monarch butterflies flock to the local zoo. In the Pacific Northwest, fierce yellowjackets placidly sip honeydew, unseen in the treetops. In New England, a lawn gone slightly wild hosts a naturalist's life's work. And in the soil beneath our feet, remedies for everything from breast cancer to the stench of skunks lie waiting for someone’s searching shovel.   
 
Close to Home is a hands-on natural history for any local patch of Earth. It shows that we each can contribute to science and improve the health of our planet. And even more, it proves that the wonders of nature don’t lie in some far-off they await us, close to home. 

THE ENCHANTED GREENHOUSE (Spellshop #2) by SARAH BETH DURST

 THE ENCHANTED GREENHOUSE (Spellshop #2) by SARAH BETH DURST ( Pgs 375)

Terlu Perna broke the law because she was lonely. She cast a spell and created a magically sentient spider plant. As punishment, she was turned into a wooden statue and tucked away into an alcove in the North Reading Room of the Great Library of Alyssium.

This should have been the end of her story . . . Yet one day, Terlu wakes in the cold of winter on a nearly-deserted island full of hundreds of magical greenhouses. She’s starving and freezing, and the only other human on the island is a grumpy gardener. To her surprise, he offers Terlu a place to sleep, clean clothes, and freshly baked honey cakes—at least until she’s ready to sail home.

But Terlu can’t return home and doesn’t want to—the greenhouses are a dream come true, each more wondrous than the next. When she learns that the magic that sustains them is failing—causing the death of everything within them—Terlu knows she must help. Even if that means breaking the law again.

This time, though, she isn’t alone. Assisted by the gardener and a sentient rose, Terlu must unravel the secrets of a long-dead sorcerer if she wants to save the island—and have a fresh chance at happiness and love.

Cleat Cute by Meryl Wilsner

 Cleat Cute by Meryl Wilsner - 328 pages

Grace Henderson has been a star of the US Women’s National Team for ten years, even though she’s only 26. But when she’s sidelined with an injury, a bold new upstart, Phoebe Matthews, takes her spot. Phoebe is everything Grace isn’t—a gregarious jokester who plays with a joy that Grace lost somewhere along the way. The last thing Grace expects is to become friends with benefits with this class clown she sees as her rival.

Phoebe Matthews has always admired Grace’s skill and was star struck to be training alongside her idol. But she quickly finds herself looking at Grace as more than a mere teammate. After one daring kiss, she’s hooked. Grace is everything she has been waiting to find.

As the World Cup approaches, and Grace works her way back from injury, the women decide to find a way they can play together instead of vying for the same position. Except, when they are off the field, Grace is worried she’s catching feelings while Phoebe thinks they are dating. As the tension between them grows, will both players realize they care more about their relationship than making the roster?

Opinion: This book fell flat for me. There was a lot of telling and not showing, the dynamic between the two main characters felt off, and it only got worse the further on I read. I feel like there was no actual romance and what was there had me cringing. Both characters were frustrating but that could also be because I hate the miscommunication trope.