More mini reviews from books I’ve enjoyed to varying degrees over the last few weeks.
Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson
Rating: ★★★★☆
Release Date: March 29, 2022
Bitingly cleaver and exceptionaly fun. Ernest Cunningham is a unique perspective in a classic mystery story – especially given he’s telling the story in hindsight – he is unflinchingly honest, but we see him uncover details along side us. So he’s not the world’s greatest detective, or the most unselfish protagonist, but he’s great to follow. I loved how the story developed – the action and story unfolds consistently, there are few big explosions of exposition or reveals, but you’re constantly on your toes and eager to read.
The Playboy by Marni Mann
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Release Date: December 28, 2023
Some shallow character development, but the relationship built between Macon and Brooklyn was pretty well established, but that was probably the best development in the story (as it probably should be in a romance), but I do think the pacing was a little fast to really allow the developement the story was giving – days or weeks of a new realtionship skipped over, so we miss the beginings and getting to know each other foundation. But their chemistry is immediate and you can tell they want to be around each other -and not just for physical/intimate moments, but that was what was mostly highlighted in their relationship. Still a fun story, that had some surprising character work – I sespecially loved that Macon wasn’t just a sterotypical asshole millionare hero – he really shows devotion, dedication, and respect toward Brooklyn from the beginning.
Flutter by Carrie Aarons
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Release Date: July 11, 2019
This was cute and I really like Penelope and Forrest together. I loved and believed their history – Forrest pining after his older brother’s friend who was never available, and Penelope ignoring the younger sibling of someone in her friendgroup who was hopelessly in lvoe with her. But both seing each other in different lights, years later and the growth of their relationship in the present building (and sometimes breaking) expectations and assumptions from the years they’ve known each other. I would have slight appreciated some more of Forrest getting to know Penelope’s sons but the little we did get was cute. Overall, I thought the story was well paced, and the relationship was well developed – two things I look for in a romance, so I would not hesitate to recommend this series, and this book specifically.
Falter by Carrie Aarons
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Release Date: July 25, 2019
A nice end to the series, an I liked Fletcher and Ryan’s roamnce. I appreciated that both were builing themselves backup after their own struggles an were able to find strength in themselves alongside each other. The pacing was a little off for me – a little too quick paced an not as developed at points, especially considering some of hte heavier topics the story deals with. The enitre Nash family story is wrapped up nicely and I liked seeing everyone get their happier ever afters.
What books have you been reading lately? Share below.
Life of a Literary Nerd 