Book Nerds Across America

Wednesday, February 25, 2026

BOOK REVIEW; EVERGREEN ACADEMY BY HEATHER SCHNEIDER

GOODREADS SUMMARY:

Welcome to Evergreen Academy, the secret college for Magical Botanists.

I’d always sensed something peculiar about the reclusive Evergreen Academy, tucked deep in the woods of my hometown. But I never could have imagined it was a college for magical botanists–and that I am one of them.

An invitation to the academy opens up a whole new world of wonder, yet my plant affinity powers remain elusive, and my scientific training is far behind that of my peers.

When I’m assigned a tutor, Callan Rhodes, a powerful descendant of the academy’s founders, I’m baffled by his willingness to help me.

Despite my challenges, I’m enchanted by the academy’s glass schoolhouse, its grounds which are overflowing with plants that defy the climate, and the quirky festivals held each equinox and solstice.

But disaster looms as the verdant shield that protects the academy from the prying eyes of nonmagical people begins to falter. Can Callan and the other founder’s descendants sustain the magic on their own, or will the clock finally start to tick on figuring out my powers?

TEE'S THOUGHTS...

I don't even know who I am with my reading anymore. It has been a long time since I picked up a YA fantasy book, yet in November and December I read 3, not only that, but, I am not a series reader, I am happy with a stand alone, and honestly prefer them. In fact one of my favorite books when I was reading YA, was The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare, it took me over 10 years to finish the series and that was forcing myself to do so. I just get bored or something.

So why am I telling you this? Well, because of Heather Schneider's book Evergreen Academy. Not only is it a YA fantasy book, it is the first book in a series called Society of Magical Botanists. When I finished it, I instantly began thinking about how I needed to read the next book. ( Evergreen Conservatory- publishes in book form on Dec 31 and Audio book January 6 )

I am giving praise to Schneider for her story telling and her writing. I loved so much about this book. One of the things I really liked , as an avid gardener, was all the Botany knowledge that was included in the story. The author built a world around a secretive, magical college that centers around Botany and each of the hand picked students have a botany subject they specialize in based on their powers. It has romance, but it is ver slow and their is little or any physical contact, which I think makes this book great fr a younger reader wanting to dip their toes into a romance/fantasy book.

All the characters are well written and likable, but it was Evergreen Academy its self that felt like the main character to me. With Schneider's descriptions. Evergreen came alive for me, and I imagined it to be a beautiful ancient castle where the smell of flora and beeswax candles float in the air.

This book is both magical, cozy, and whimsical, and reminded me why at one time long ago, I fell in love with magical fantasy stories.

Sunday, February 22, 2026

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

Synopsis:

Between life and death there is a library.

When Nora Seed finds herself in the Midnight Library, she has a chance to make things right. Up until now, her life has been full of misery and regret. She feels she has let everyone down, including herself. But things are about to change.

The books in the Midnight Library enable Nora to live as if she had done things differently. With the help of an old friend, she can now undo every one of her regrets as she tries to work out her perfect life. But things aren't always what she imagined they'd be, and soon her choices place the library and herself in extreme danger.

Before time runs out, she must answer the ultimate question: what is the best way to live?

My First Thoughts:

A book about life and death has been done a million times, in a wide variation. However, the title caught my attention more so than the blurb. I mean, who wouldn't love a library at midnight. Thy mystery of it all! So, of course, it sat on my TBR forever until I finally picked it up ... and then read it all in one sitting

Pros:

If you read this book at 21 or 25, I'm not sure if it'll have the exact same impact as it did for me ... a middle-aged, almost completely over the hill, woman. The reason I say that is not to demean those in their twenties, but it's something about late 40's, almost 50's, which makes you stop and think ... what if?

In this beautifully written book, Nora has been through it. Her life has been ... well ... rough. She feels as if there is nothing right and makes a very permanent decision. First, if you are thinking of harming yourself, please call someone, anyone, there are people who love you and don't want you to hurt yourself. Nora felt as if she had no one to be there for her.

When she opens her eyes, she's in the Midnight Library and the books are her life, at various points. Now she can 'redo' it all. The right way, or so it seems. Now, I'm not one to spoil a story, but we - myself included - all have THAT moment in life where it all changes. Which is why I stated if you're older reading this book, then you'll know what this particular moment it. This is what Nora had to learn, in the Library and in her life. Did she learn it? Well, read the book and see.

Cons:

Normally, I love fast paced books. I'm too busy to have a story linger on and on, but there are some moments/events in Nora's life that I wish the author would have spent more time on, because they were significant for her, and the story.

Rating:

I give this book 4 1/2 stars and would definitely recommend it to others!

Sunday, February 15, 2026

Book Review: The Last Vampire by Romina Garber

GOOD READS SUMMARY:

When a boarding school opens in a once-condemned Victorian manor buried in the woods of New Hampshire, Austen-loving Lorena Navarro enrolls in hopes of finding her own Mr. Darcy. Instead, she stumbles across a coffin and accidentally awakens the world’s last vampire.

After hibernating for nearly three centuries, William Pride is desperate to find his family—and clueless about the modern world. Relying on Lorena for more than just blood, he enrolls at the school to catch up on all he’s missed.

Soon, William uncovers a chilling truth: He is the last hope for his kind’s return to power. Torn between protecting the humans around him and fulfilling his fate, William must make a choice that could change everything. Will he sacrifice his species for love . . . or will he embrace his dark destiny at last?

TEE'S THOUGHTS

I seem to be reverting back to my old love of YA vampire books and I am not even mad about it! This my second one that I have read in a month, I think the last ones I had read were.....yep.... you know it....The Twilight Series. I quit reading YA vampires because I thought Breaking Dawn was so bad. Listen it is ok if you like it, I am good with that, but in my mind the entire Bella getting pregnant thing was just way over the top. Yes I know, even vampires are over the top, but I had to draw the line somewhere hah.. I will say, vampires in this age group have come along way since Twilight...thank goodness.

I just finished up THE LAST VAMPIRE by Romina Garber ( Thank you Net Galley and RB Media for the advance listen ), what really caught my attention was the Pride and Prejudice meets Crave. Honestly, Crave was the first vampire book I read last month. It had been sitting on my shelf for years, but it was the Pride and Prejudice mention that reeled me in.

Now I did see similarities to Crave, Lorna enrolled in a boarding school and falls in love with a vampire, however I saw little of Pride and Prejudice, which was a little disappointing. Lorna is a fan of Austin, and William who is the vampire has the last name of Pride.

It is fairly typical- kind of- Lorena accidentally finds Williams casket and awakes him. She of course is frightened of him, I mean yea, he is a vampire after all, but William is in a constant state of annoyed with her. They slowly find themselves falling for each other. To me the feelings felt fast, not

like fast or soon in the book, but more like a jarring I was reading on one page and they disliked each other and the next page, they were in love

William is apparently the last of his kind, but then he finds out he is not, so he sets out to solve the mystery of what happened to the other vampires, esp. his family.

For me, this booked work in several places, but not others. It felt slow at times, but then would move at a quick place in others. Besides being a romance, it is also a mystery, there are lots of secrets as William tries to figure out his past.

I did struggle a bit with the characters. I guess, well, they were school age, I cant remember if it was high school or college, because I am older I found them a bit frustrating, and very whiny at times. I did listen to the book as opposed to reading it and I thought both the narrators, Stacy Gonzales and Eddie Lopez did a great job at playing the characters. Lopez, especially made me feel William's annoyance with Lorena.

The Last Vampire isn't a bad book, it certainly kept me entertained enough to keep listening to the finish, and I will say it was much better than the Twilight books. I am in no way denying my love for Twilight, I think it will always have this place in my heart, but I also think it was a moment in time, and maybe you have had to be there to understand, but the writing in The Last Vampire was 100 percent better if I must be honest.

This is a good book for paranormal, vampire, or dark academic readers, so if that includes you, give this one a try,

Friday, February 6, 2026

BOOK REVIEW: LADY TREMAINE BY RACHEL HOCHHAUSER

GOOD READS SUMMARY:

A widow twice over, Etheldreda is now saddled with the care of her two children, a priggish stepdaughter, and a razor-taloned peregrine falcon. Her entire life has become a ruse, just like the manor hall they live grand and ornate on the exterior, but crumbling, brick by brick, inside. Fierce in the face of her misfortune, Ethel clings to her family’s respectability, the lifeboat that will float her daughters straight into the secure banks of marriage.

When a royal ball offers the chance to secure the future she desperately desires, Etheldreda must risk her secrets, pride, and limited resources in pursuit of an invitation for her daughters—only to see her hopes fulfilled by the wrong one. As an engagement to the heir of the kingdom unfolds with unnerving speed, she discovers a sordid secret hidden in the depths of the royal family, forcing her to choose between the security she’s sought for years and the well-being of the feckless stepdaughter who has rebuffed her at every turn.

As if Bridgerton met Circe, and exhilarating to its core, Lady Tremaine reimagines the myth of the evil stepmother at the heart of the world’s most famous fairytale. It is a battle cry for a mother’s love for her daughters, and a celebration of women everywhere who make their own fortunes.

TEE'S THOUGHTS

I am not much of a fantasy reader ( I say that now, but I seem to be reaching for more every time I buy a book; maybe it is because the world is a shitshow at this moment, and it takes me to other places ), but I have always loved retellings of fairytales or mythology.

A fellow bookstagrammer was highlighting Lady Tremaine by Rachel Hochhauser on her account a week or so ago, and I liked what she had to say about it, so I was off to NetGalley to see if I could get a hold of a copy of it. Lucky for me, I was able to ( Thank you, McMillan Audio ), and she was right, it is a good story.

It is a retelling, sort of, of Cinderella, except there is no fairy godmother, no pumpkin coach, or glass slippers. In fact, it was a bit of a dark story, and even though it took place in a land long ago, it was fairly modern.

I liked how the author spun her story; she kept the basics of Cinderella, but remade it from the Stepmother's POV. It is a story of pushing through and surviving what has come your way.

Lady Tremaine has had it hard; she has two daughters by her first husband and is taking care of her stepdaughter ( Ella ) from her last husband. She wants the best for them, despite the lot they have been given with the death of each husband. She does lean a bit more toward her own daughters, which I am sure most parents might, over Ella. Ella isn't the Cinderella of the fairy tale; she was given much growing up and has a tendency to be a bit lazy, while the other two girls work hard helping their mother. While I wasn't a fan of Lady Tremaine, I did question how I might be if I were in her situation, but I will say she is not the stepmother we often see her as.

The one thing that I did not enjoy, and it is minor, is that I felt at times the author got bogged down in detail, making the story lag in places, but I kept listening, refusing to hit the pause button on the audio ( and stay up until after 2 one morning ) so it is hard to say it bothered me a lot. What I did like was her details on Hawking. I always like watching the Hawks at our annual Medieval Festival, and she did teach me a lot. The ending? Well, let me just say, I did not see it coming, and it was a bit of a surprise to me.

Lady Tremaine is well written, enjoyable, and full of strong women, the perfect retelling of a loved fairytale.

Thursday, October 2, 2025

Book Review: Falling Like Leaves by Misty Wilson

GOODREADS SUMMARY:Ellis has a plan: spend her senior fall prepping her application for Columbia, get into their journalism program, and set the foundation for a respectable career. So when her parents announce that not only are they separating, but Ellis has to move with her mom from New York City to Bramble Falls, Connecticut, to live with her aunt and cousin, it couldn’t come at a worse time.

From past summers spent in Connecticut, Ellis knows Bramble Falls is idyllic and charming. But it also seems to be full of distractions. There’s local barista Cooper Barnett, Ellis’s one-time best friend and first kiss who now wants nothing to do with Ellis. And then there’s the Falling Leaves Festival, a local autumnal celebration run by Ellis’s aunt where people from all over come to see Bramble Falls’s beautiful foliage. The house is stuffed with decorations, and every conversation seems to center around the festival.

Dragged to every oh-so-charming event from apple picking to pumpkin carving, Ellis can’t stop bumping into Cooper…or falling for the quaint town and its quirky residents. As her return to Manhattan gets repeatedly delayed, Ellis finds herself caught between two very different places—and the futures they represent.

TEES THOUGHTS:

Falling Like Leaves was my first fall read this year, and I have to say I loved it!! It gave me all the fall vibes that I was looking for to start off the season. I will admit, I picked this book for the cover, how cozy is it? and then when I went in to read I notices it was YA. I was a bit skeptical of it, some of the YA books now days are so different from where I am ( as they should be, I am far from a YA now ) that I find I struggle with relating to them.

This book is a romance, of course. My Summer of Love, has ran over into Fall and by the looks of my growing holiday reads, into the Christmas season. However, that being sad, it did deal with some fairly grownup discussions we have to make while we are young, and the author dealt with them realistically, which I appreciated.

I really enjoyed that it was a story of first love, it helps you to remember some of the magic that you forget happens when you first fall in love. It is a lighthearted and fun story despite the occasional struggle.

The characters are all so likable, some I daresay are even lovable. Both of the mains, Ellis and Cooper are sweet, and their relationship is even sweeter ( it's not candy sickening sweet so don't worry ) with their cute fall activity filled dates. It is however, not steamy, so for you that like steamy bits...nope, not finding it here. There was this one kiss though...

If you are a romance fan, I cant imagine you not liking Falling Like Leaves....OH and this books is giving major Gilmore Girls vibes, which makes it even more perfect for this time of the year. I flew through this book, and I usually crawl through them all at a snails pace, I enjoyed it, and I think all of you should read it

Wednesday, August 20, 2025

BOOK REVIEW: FOR THE RECORD EMMA LORD

GOODREADS SUMMARY:

Once the most notorious rivals in the music scene, pop princess Mackenzie Waters and punk rockstar Sam Blaze electrified audiences as their bands clashed on stage. But behind the scenes, their simmering tension grew into something more — until suddenly both bands fell apart, and the idea of Mackenzie and Sam did, too.

Two years later, Sam has traded the rockstar lifestyle for a quiet life raising the son he didn’t know about. Meanwhile, Mackenzie is dealing with a postoperative change in her voice by singing only under a pseudonym. The only way to revive their public careers? A joint comeback album.

With fans over the moon and their futures on the line, Sam and Mackenzie face their biggest challenge yet: giving up the old rivalry and learning to work together. But as old sparks fly and new secrets emerge, they set off a chain reaction neither of them could have anticipated — one that proves that sometimes, the greatest hits are the ones yet to be written.

TEE'S THOUGHTS:

I have never read an Emma Lord book, but I have always heard people gushing over her romances. When I was allowed to review her new book, For The Record, I figured this was a great time to finally read her. I am very much a music lover, and worked in the music business for several years, so this would be the book for me; however, I had a love-hate relationship with it. I didn't hate it, but I also can't say it was a favorite.

The premise was cute, and honestly, I am drawn to the enemy-to-lover trope. Mackenzie Waters and Sam Blaze are two singers who used to know each other, both in bands, from what I understood, bands similar to the 2000 Boy Bands and girl bands. Of course, they were rivals, and at the time the story is taking place, neither had in some time. Mackenzie had throat surgery that changed the tone of her voice, and she was struggling with her new sound. And somewhere along the way, Sam had an oppsy and found out he was a father.

Fast forward to the present day, where they meet again...and I will stop there, I can't give anything away, that would be just wrong.

So, as I said, I didn't hate this book; I listened to it on Audio, and maybe if I had read it, I might have liked it somewhat better. The story was, of course, told in both Mackenzie and Sam's point of view in individual chapters, as so many romances are, but I had a problem when listening to Mackenzie's POVs and the narrator had to switch over to Sam's voice; there was something about it that just grated on my nerves. Look I am not in anyway knocking the narrator, she was the perfect Mackenzie, and I am in NO way saying I could pull off a mans voice, she did what she could do, but there was something about it that just did not resonate with me.

The story's plot was fine; it kept me listening. Again, the subject of music was heavy in the book, and that is always something that will keep my attention. The characters of Sam and Mackenzie were fine, but like the book, I had no strong feelings for either of them. I didn't feel any of the tension I expected in an enemy-to-lover plot. They had been heavy rivals in the past, and I really would have liked just a bit more tension between the two.

I certainly didn't mind all of the above; I mean, it didn't stop me from listening to the book. If I didn't DNF, there was enough in this book to keep me going; there were some very good moments in here. I think the one thing that really got me, and probably lowered my opinion on For The Record the most, was, I am not sure how to say this, but the overly sweet cheesy lines that the two of them used often about each other...

" I am too deep into Mackenzie Waters..." and something to the effect that he can't get out, yada yada. I can't imagine anyone saying things like this to me, I think I would run, or at least, have a heavy eyeroll, they would certainly see. For some reason, I just could not get past this one thing, and I felt like I was reading dialogue from a 12-year-old who had just discovered the opposite sex.

So For The Record was an ok read, I did think I would have enjoyed it much more than I did, and as I have mentioned, I have read way worse books in my lifetime. Will I pick up another Emma Lord book in the future? Maybe I am not dismissing her at all. I believe in second chances, especially if I can finish the book; there was still something there I found enjoyable about it. I also think a lot of people will really enjoy this; it has a little bit of spice, just enough to feel the heat on your tongue, but not enough to burn your tongue uncomfortably, and it has many funny parts. So yeah, pick it up, it might be your perfect read.

Book Review: If All Else Sails by Emma St Clair

GOODREADS SUMMARY:

When Josie's brother sends her to a random address for their (sometimes) annual Super Summer Sibling Extravaganza, she finds neither siblings nor extravaganzas. Instead, ends up at a run-down cottage on the Northern Neck of Virginia occupied by a hockey player she knows and loathes.

A hockey player who isn't just one of her sports agent brother's clients. He's also his best friend. And Josie's sworn enemy.

Oh--and her brother wants Josie to help Wyatt recover from his injury.

Dragging grumpy hockey players to physical therapy is a far cry from bandaging skinned knees, but for the price her brother offers to pay, Josie is willing to try.

Even if it means sharing what she dubs the quaint little murder cottage with Wyatt.

Begrudgingly, Josie starts to see a little more of the man behind the grumpy exterior. And when she finds out he was supposed to sail the Intracoastal Waterway south to Savannah scattering his uncle's ashes, Josie surprises even herself by offering to be Wyatt's first mate.

Smooth sailing is nowhere to be found, and Josie begins to wonder if they'll be able to make it home without killing--or kissing?--each other.

And yet, the longer they share cramped quarters and canned food, the more of Wyatt's layers she peels back until Josie realizes she misunderstood him, their shared history, and perhaps herself as well.

TEES THOUGHTS

This is such a cute book and I loved listening and reading it. It was funny, sweet and heartwarming and I needed all of that right now.

Wyatt is Josie's brothers best friend, and she gets tricked into taking care of him as he recovers from a sports injury. Josie is a cheery, sunshining type of person, who seems never to let things get to her. Wyatt is the opposite of Josie, grumpy and not at all happy with his situation. Their differences and the time they spent together made for some great laugh out loud moments in the story. Josie and Wyatt are joined with a great case of characters, who perfectly fit their personality and into the story naturally.

The tension between Josie and Wyatt is great and gets better toward the end of the book. My only problem with the book, and I wouldnt really call it a problem honestly, but it did throw me off a bit. If All Else Sails is advertised as a enemy to lovers troupe, however both characters have known each other for awhile, and both had secret feeling for the other. The couple did not feel like enemies at all.

If you are looking for a sweet funny romace, with a touch of adventure, I highly recommend If All Else Sails.

Saturday, July 26, 2025

BOOK REVIEW : SUNNY SIDE UP BY KATIE STURINO

GOODREADS SUMMARY:

Sunny Greene is thirty-five, recently divorced, facing the looming prospect of going solo to her little brother’s wedding, and currently trying to find anything plus-sized in the Bergdorf Goodman swimsuit department that doesn’t make her want to cry. It’s not going well. But isn’t rock bottom the perfect place to start a climb?

She decides it’s now or never. Sunny has her PR empire, her gorgeous Chelsea apartment, her two dogs, and her loyal best friends. Maybe it's time to just love her body and accept herself for who she is. With a new commitment to confidence, her journey begins. Who says a plus-sized divorcee can’t put herself first, feel beautiful, and date up a storm?

Of course things are never straightforward in the dating world. Is fate knocking at her door with Dennis, the charming and down-to-earth mailman, or should she be with Ted, the business tycoon who seems ready to make her size-inclusive swimsuit brand a reality? And what should she do about her ex, who shows up unexpectedly, eager to reconnect?

TEE'S THOUGHTS:

I actually went through several times of not wanting to turn off my audio and go to bed while listening to the new book Sunny Side Up by Katie Sturino, it was just so cute and fun, that it was one of those books that you read and just want to keep on so you know what happens next.

I have never read a book by Katie Sturino, and Sunny Side Up certainly has made me a fan of hers. She has written a story that has romance, I mean the whole debate on Mr Postman vs The Silver Fox was relatable. Most of us at one time or another have had two guys we just couldn't decide which one was the best for us, because they both seemed great. It was also a story that was empowering, Sunny was successful , smart, and living her best life in NYC. She was positive about her weight, and much of her story taught us to embrace our bodies and our choices.

I liked Sonny, but many times I did not relate to her choices or attitude. I struggle with my body image and am not as accepting of it as she is, and I was not in my younger years as free with sex as she was, especially how comfortable she was with it, but I still enjoyed her and related to her throughout the book on other things.

I really enjoyed Mr. Postman ( yes he has a real name ). He was one of the most human characters I have read in a while. He was not perfect, he was color blind and made questionable fashion choices. He seemed almost awkward and nerdy to me, and honestly I think this is why I loved him even more. He felt real. Also, if you happen to be listening to this book, the narrator did a wonderfully funny thick New York Accent with him, that makes it worth the listen.

Yes, of course, there were things that were not perfect with the story, isn't there always? Sunny seemed to get everything she wanted without much work, it felt to perfectly aligned, but I was able to overlook the few things because of the fun I found in the book. It's fiction, we don't have to have everything a life struggle for the characters do we? I think for me, I need to let go and suspend reality for a bit while I read ad just enjoy. ( THIS is why I am not a good fantasy reader. I struggle with that )

This is the perfect poolside/beach read. Quick, enjoyable and will make you laugh!

Book Report: Another Fine Mess by Lindy Ryan

GOODREADS SUMMARY:

Another Fine Mess is a horror novel that combines mystery, humor, and heart. It follows the Evans women, who have kept the undead from rising in their southeast Texas town for over a century. However, the dead sometimes rise too quickly. In Another Fine Mess, Lenore Evans, Luna, and the new sheriff must uncover what threatens everything they love.

TEE'S THOUGHTS:

Lindy Ryan has brought us back to East Texas and the Evan's all-female-run funeral home in her second installment of the Bless Your Heart horror series, Another Fine Mess. As with the first book, Another Fine Mess oozes with Southern Charm, which is one of the most endearing things about this series. For me, it is like driving down to Texas and visiting my East Texas family. I even tend to read their words in the thick accent of all my cousins.

The Evan's family is still healing from the events of the first book, but secrets begin to rise, along with the dead, and they have to turn their attention elsewhere and save the town.

Ryan is a master at her world-building in these books, and her imaginative storytelling is key. You get a horror novel with all the suspense, creepiness and bloody things you would expect in most horror stories, but this goes beyond that and gives you something different, it gives you a family that loves each other deeply, even in bad times, and for the most part they love all the characters, wacky or not, in their small Texas town and will do anything to make things right.

Another Fine Mess has multiple POVs that keep the story rolling. At times, it does seem a bit choppy, but it gets the story out there and makes it a quick, easy read. New elements and characters are brought in, so it is not a rehash of the first book. But let me stop for a minute and change course.... This is the second book of a series, and I highly recommend reading the first one before you pick this up. It will give you back stories that will make this one more understandable to you, as it does have items and feelings that carry over.

Ryan is not afraid to kill people off in her stories either, so you never know who will be left standing, but in a horror book, you know, murder, no matter who you are, should be expected.

Another Fine Mess is spooky, full of secrets, full of laughs, full of strong women and full of fun. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book!!

Saturday, May 31, 2025

Book Review: The Love Haters by Katherine Center

GOODREADS SUMMARY:

Katie Vaughn has been burned by love in the past—now she may be lighting her career on fire. She has two choices: wait to get laid off from her job as a video producer or, at her coworker Cole’s request, take a career-making gig profiling Tom “Hutch” Hutcheson, a Coast Guard rescue swimmer in Key West.

The catch? Katie’s not exactly qualified. She can’t swim, but fakes it that she can.

Plus, Cole is Hutch’s brother. And they don’t get along. Next stop, paradise!

But paradise is messier than it seems. As Katie gets entangled with Hutch (the most scientifically good-looking man she has ever seen... but also a bit of a love hater), along with his colorful Aunt Rue and his rescue Great Dane, she gets trapped in a lie. Or two.

TEE'S THOUGHTS:

The Love Haters is the first book I have read by Katherine Center, despite having at least one sitting on my shelf! I am not sure why I haven't picked one up yet; my TBR shelf is just intimidating, and I spend a lot of time staring at it, finding a book to read elsewhere. I will say, if all her previous books are like Love Haters, I am sorry I haven't picked it up yet, because I did enjoy this book.

I really enjoyed Kate. I am not saying she was without problems, but I liked her. I understood her shyness about her body. I think a lot of us would relate to that. She was charming and flawed, so she felt relatable, and I really like that in a character. It was fun to see her growth throughout the story.

Key West is one of those places I have always wanted to go, so I liked that the story was based there, but honestly, this beach-raised girl now living in the middle of nowhere near water, would enjoy any beach setting.

I liked Katie's reluctance to get involved with Hutch. I think anyone with a bad dating past would be, or at least should be. Relationships are hard, and I think I would be the same after a string of them. I also liked the fact that even with her reluctance to have a relationship with Hutch, she still appreciated the finer points of him. The author also peppered in some great secondary characters that really added to the story.

Despite my really enjoying this book, it seems to have gotten mixed reviews from people who have read her before, saying this wasn't her best. If that is the case, I am truly looking forward to picking up some of her past books.

Grab this for your beach bag, it's the perfect summer read.

Book Review: The Thrashers by Julie Soto

GOODREADS SUMMARY

Welcome to the Thrashers, the elite friend group at New Helvetia High.

They’re everything everyone wants to be.

Jodi Dillon was never meant to be one of them. Julian, Lucy, Paige, and the infamous Zack Thrasher are rich, sophisticated, and love attention. Jodi feels out of place, but Zack’s her childhood best friend, so she’s in.

Then Emily Mills, who desperately wanted to be a Thrasher, dies—and the whispers about the Thrashers begin. As Emily’s journal surfaces, detectives close in, and Jodi faces an impossible choice: betray her friends or protect herself.

But as eerie messages and strange occurrences escalate, it becomes clear—Emily isn’t done with them yet.

TEE'S THOUGHTS

BOOM... The Trashers start right off with a suicide. Emily Mills, 17, takes her life in her bathtub on prom night, wearing her formal gown. THIS is the right way to catch readers' attention and pull them into the story. No building up...straight to the problem, and the reader is left NEEDING to know how it happened.

The Trashers are the " it " crowd in their school. They are privileged and popular. They get their name from the group's presumed leader, Zach Thrasher, the guy every girl wants to be noticed by, especially Jodi, another member of the elite group. Jodi is different from the rest of the Thrashers; she does not come from money, and she isn't as beautiful as the other girls in the group, Paige and Lucy. In fact, she lives with her truck-driving father, who is an alcoholic and at times abusive to her. The only way she secured her spot in the Thrashers is that she has been best friends with Zach long before high school, because of that fact, she definitely does not feel secure in her spot and fears being " thrashed " by her friends for that reason.

Emily has always wanted to be a Thrasher; she wanted Zach to like her, but the only one of the group who seems to give her the time of day is Jodi. I think Jodi gave her attention more out of pity than actual friendship. Maybe deep down she understood the draw to the group since she herself is a bit of an outsider, but I did not like the way Jodi stood quietly while the rest of the group teased and bullied Emily.

The police who are investigating the suicide zero in on the Thrashers after they find a diary of Emily's. In the diary they find an entry where AEmily claims she was raped by one of the Thrasher boys, along with relentlessly teased and bullied by the rest of them. At this point, Jodi feels uncomfortable and begins to question some of the group's actions.

I really enjoyed The Thrashers, which has kind of a Cruel Intentions vibe going on with the group. None of the characters are particularly likable, even Jodi, but like me, I am sure many of us have known these people in high school, so the book can be very relatable, no matter which side you were on at the time.

It is a slow burn, but the realism of the characters keeps you turning the pages, plus, I won't lie, I wanted to see their downfall; you could feel it coming, there were just a lot of twists before you figured out the actual facts.

I feel like this book gives you a lot to think about, but there are also many triggering subjects, as you can imagine. Despite that, it is well written, keeps you engaged, and oh, the ending! All together, this is a solid YA thriller

Tuesday, March 25, 2025

Book Review: Hungerstone by Kat Dunn

GOODREADS SUMMARY:

Lenore is the wife of steel magnate Henry, but ten years into their marriage, the relationship has soured and no child has arrived to fill the distance growing between them. Henry's ambitions take them out of London and to the imposing Nethershaw manor in the countryside, where Henry aims to host a hunt with society’s finest. Lenore keeps a terrible secret from the last time her husband hunted, and though they never speak of it, it still haunts their marriage.

The preparations for the event take a turn when a carriage accident near their remote home brings the mysterious Carmilla into Lenore's life. Carmilla, who is weak and pale during the day but vibrant at night; Carmilla who stirs up a hunger deep within Lenore. Soon girls from local villages begin to fall sick before being consumed by a bloody hunger.

Torn between regaining her husband's affection and Carmilla's ever-growing presence, Lenore begins to unravel her past and in doing so, uncovers a darkness in her household that will place her at terrible risk . . .

TEE'S THOUGHTS

I have many thoughts on Hungerstone, but I will tread carefully because I don't want to give anything away. Also, if this review seems scattered, it probably is, I tend to ramble when I really like a book, and things get jumbled because my thoughts are going in so many directions.

Hungerstone by Kat Dunn is based on the novel, Carmilla, by Sheridan Le Fenu, which is the book that inspired Bram Stoker to write Dracula. This was one of the many reasons I really wanted to read Hungerstone. I haven't read Carmilla, so I can't say if it is a close adaptation or just based loosely as an idea. It wasn't that book, it was the Dracula mention that piqued my interest.

The other reason it spoke to me was the fact that it was Gothic Horror. I am a huge fan, I think I have even written several posts on the blog about Gothic Horror books, this love goes back to my reading Dracula long ago

I loved Hungerstone. I believe anyone with a love of Gothic Horror would. The book stayed true to its Gothic roots. Set outside of the English town of Sheffield ( oh hay Arctic Monkeys ! )

This story had the atmosphere that makes a gothic book. Foggy moors, a dark and haunting manor house. Brooding characters, both withdrawn and unpleasant. Definitely the type of people you would expect to find in a book written about Victorian times.

Main character Lenora is tragic, in a loveless marriage to Henry, who is a steel magnate. They have moved from London, to the middle of nowhere, Sheffield. Lenora has dreams that foretell the coming of the mysterious Carmilla, who, after a while, shows up when her carriage breaks down and she is invited into the manor home. Lenora finds Carmilla both unnerving and desirable. She is seductive and forbidden. We see Lenora's self-discovery with Carmilla take root at the time she needs it most.

As in most Gothic Horror, Hungerstone isn't the typical horror, where things jump out and scare you. It is horror that is felt in the creepiness of the surroundings and the actions of the characters. It is written in a beautiful prose that is addictive, almost deliciously so.

Saturday, March 22, 2025

BOOK REVIEW: I WOULD DIE FOR YOU BY SANDIE JONES

GOODREADS SUMMARY:

Now: Nicole Forbes lives a quiet life in a small seaside Californian town with her husband and daughter. She is not expecting a writer to knock on her door asking for her personal insight into the downfall of the biggest British band of the 1980s—unveiling the threads of a life she put behind her years ago. The same day, her daughter goes missing and the school claims her aunt picked her up . . . but she doesn’t have an aunt. Convinced of a link between the two, Nicole is forced to revisit long-abandoned memories from her past to protect everything she now holds dear.

1986: Sixteen-year-old Cassie is obsessed with the hottest band in London, Secret Oktober. Harboring an intense crush on the leading man, Ben Edwards, she will do anything she can to capture his attention among the throngs of groupies at the band’s scandalous backstage parties. But when Ben discovers her older sister Nicole singing at a local bar one night, he can’t help but feel drawn to her, setting in motion a collision course that could tear their family apart.

TEE'S THOUGHTS:

Do you like Boy Bands, but with a bit more Rock and Roll? Yes? Then I Would Die For You might be the thriller you need to pick up.

This story is told in multiple POVs, and two time lines. In usual form, I much more enjoyed the past time line ( 1986 ) over the present as such ( 2010 ). The time lines did jump around a lot, and it did get confusing at times. This was probably my biggest complaint with the book.

The main character Nicole, has a very nice life, with her husband and daughter, but the past she tried to bury and failed to tell her husband about , comes back to haunt her. Oh yeah, the past is where the Band Boys are.

Now the things I really liked about the books....The groupies that were in the past, oh they were messy , bad band boys with typical supposed rock and roll type behavior , that me, as a person who use to be part of the music scene just loves to read about.

The characters were ok, I was neither really fond of them, nor did I dislike any of them, with the exception of a few. Nicole had a tendency to get on my nerves, honestly I do not think what she hide about the past warranted keeping a secret, and much of her problems would not have not happened fi she had been truthful to her husband to begin with.

While were the past events were sad and tragic, and it is where most of my attention was, the confusing parts, there were loads of characters, at times really confused me and I would wander away and forget where I was. I also felt that the ending was rushed, like the author needed to get it finished for a dead line ( I am sure that is not the case, but it did feel very rushed )

There are some areas of the book that may make some readers uncomfortable, triggers, I suppose you'd call them. Drug use and bad behavior ( it is rock and roll ) a parent's death to cancer and several more, so it is fair to say, it is not a light read.

Also, I think it is pretty cool that the author was inspired to write I Would Die For You by her times a being a big fan or groupie ( I really dislike the term groupie, I think it insinuates sex, as it did in the 60s and I know a lot of HUGE fans of bands that would never even think of the members in that way ) for the band Duran Duran.

I was given an early listen to I Would Die For You by Macmillan Audio ( thank you kindly ) and I really enjoyed the narrator Imogene Wilde. I found her voice very pleasing and easy to listen to.

Despite being confused, and thinking the book end abruptly, I did enjoy this book, and I think many readers will, especially if they are fans of twisty thrillers, because it was def that

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