I'm in a list making kind of mood so I thought I'd start making random five lists. Sometimes they'll be bookish other weeks not so much. This week I'm sharing 5 quick reviews for books I've read recently.
1. First-Time Caller by B.K. Borison - This was a surprise hit for me. I'm a bit iffy on rom-coms and a Booktuber who I usually like the books she hates and vice versa really enjoyed this one. As well, it was (very loosely) inspired by the movie Sleepless in Seattle which while I like fine isn't a favor. However, I'm so glad I took the risk and went on and picked this one up. I really enjoyed it. Lucie is a fantastic and sympathetic main character and the developing of her relationship with Aiden is really fun to watch. The slight involvement and pressure by the outside world was kind of fun and I loved all the side characters that make up Lucie's world. Aiden is a little more standoffish but his motivations were interesting and I enjoyed getting to know him. I loved the world of the radio station - especially Jackson. There is one doors wide open lights on spicy scene that was a big much for my preferences but overall while I really enjoyed this one from beginning to in. The audio was really well done, and I went on and reserved book 2 from my library before I even finished this one. My Rating: Really Liked It! (4.5 Stars)
2. Inherit the Bones by Emily Littlejohn - This has been on my TBR for ages and I was so glad I finally took the time to pick up the audio. It was a really interesting mystery involving a cold case, a missing person (kind of), and a whole heaping helping of possible corruption and influence. The main character is Gemma Monroe, a detective who has a bunch of baggage and is also 6 months pregnant. The mystery was a good one and while I guessed parts there were other parts that were still a surprise. The world around Gemma is not always a nice one but has a lot of complicated characters that even though I wasn't always sure how I felt about them I do want to see more of them. There were times that Gemma really annoyed me but never so much I didn't want to finish the mystery. It's definitely a series I would like to continue with but not one where I must pick up the next book right away. My Rating: Liked It! (3.5 Stars)
3. Becoming Mrs. Lewis by Patti Callahan - This took me a bit to get into but once I did I was absolutely hooked. Joy Davidman is a fascinating person. Brilliant, intense, a constantly questioning mind, desperately trying to be the best mother she can be and a bit of insecurity. Her relationship with C.S. Lewis aka Jack was entertaining and interesting if a bit frustrating at times. While the actual letters between the two were destroyed the characters were brought to life with a lot of research and a lot of respect for who they were as authors and as people. At the same time they are far from perfect and feel authentic and genuine. Once I was pulled into the story I found it fascinating, frustrating and at times incredibly poignant. I will say this is one of the few times where I felt like listening to the audiobook negatively impacted my feelings about the story. The narrator's almost robotic narration was a bit distracting and undermined the emotions in the story. My Rating: Really Liked It! (4.5 Stars)
4. The Guest List by Lucy Foley - This is the third Lucy Foley book I've listened to and it may be my favorite so far (over The Hunting Party and The Paris Apartment). All of the people are either terrible or miserable or both. The wedding is set to be beautiful, the bride and groom are equally gorgeous, and the remote island setting could not be more breathtaking. The problem is that not all it is what it sounds and little by little things get revealed for how they are. This is told in multiple POVs and I found each perspective interesting even if I didn't like all the characters. The way it all worked out kept me absolutely hooked. Foley doesn't really do extended ending so while the reader gets the conclusion of the story we don't get much of the fallout or what happens next. The audio is fantastic with multiple narrators who all do a fantastic job. My Rating: Really Liked It (4 Stars)
5. The Someday Garden by Ashley Poston - I've heard good things about this author but none of her books had ever really appealed to me until this one came out. At first, I wasn't sure what I thought of it. I wasn't disliking it but I wasn't loving it but as the story went on I got more and more invested. I really liked getting to know Sophie and watching her get to know the people and the gardens of Lilymoor. I enjoyed her time both in and out of the golden hour garden (though to be honest I probably enjoyed the out part a bit more). Time travel is on my list of least favorite plot points but this worked - probably because it's more of a time slip than actual travel. I really liked getting to know all the characters and that ending had me absolutely enthralled. My Rating: Really Liked It (4.25 Stars)
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