More mini reviews from books I’ve enjoyed to varying degrees over the last few weeks.
I’ll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara
Rating: ★★★★☆
Release Date: February 27, 2018
This was such a captivating story that brilliantly and compassionately combines part true crime and part memoir. It’s unique in that the authors goal is to bring closure and peace to those personal affected by the GSK not to bring recognition to themselves. A great listen and would definitely recommend.
A Thousand Boy Kisses by Tillie Cole
Rating: ★★★★☆
Release Date: March 15, 2016
What a heartbreak of a book. I haven’t read a sad romance in a while and I’d heard great things about this one and they were not wrong. I feel like it’s important to go in these types of stories with the right expectations and appreciate the story that is being told in all its bittersweet moments and tragedy. It will surely grip your heart and refuse to let go. And while I didn’t love the writing of the dialogue, everything else worked for me.
Sweet Home by Tillie Cole
Rating: ★☆☆☆☆
Release Date: October 13, 2013
DNF @52% (but realistically started skimming at 19%)
College football season is starting and I thought reading a sports romance would be a fun way to kick off the season, but this book is probably the worst college sports romance I’ve ever read.
I don’t think I’ve ever read a book that has felt less like college in my entire life – from the ‘popular’ mean girl, the complete lack of knowledge about Greek Life (joining as a senior or grad student?) or college sports (cheerleading tryouts are done way before the start of the semester), the Masters/TA class, and the small things that took me out of the story because they were factually incorrect about a real life school (in what world would Bama play Auburn in the third week of the season?!). I feel like I probably would have enjoyed this more if it was set at a fictional school because then I could suspend disbelief and accept that this is how things work here, but as someone who attended a major SEC school and has been to many college football games, this just wasn’t for me.
Well Matched by Jen DeLuca
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Release Date: October 19, 2021
I was really excited for this book because Mitch is such a magnetic character, I was really excited for his story. While I loved the fake-dating element obviously, it’s really barely present and doesn’t play a large part. I did think Mitch and April had solid chemistry- it wasn’t explosive but it was there. Unfortunately, as the story progresses, April just started to annoy me more and more. I just was constantly frustrated but her choices and reactions. But April finding a place she feels settled was nice and the Ren Faire setting was once again fun.
I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
What books have you been reading lately? Share below.
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