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sarahsbookstack's Reviews (2.6k)
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Riley can definitely write a thriller with a twist really well. I love the signs of the crime that point to certain people that are red herrings and make me question everything.
Ethan is back in his childhood home, where his best friend Billy disappeared 30 years ago with no answers found. Then strange things start happening that lead him to want to figure out what might have happened. All 3 people that were there on the day Billy disappeared are living back here.
I love that the cul-de-sac is at the edge of some woods and that there is a mysterious institution behind that where no one knows what it was for. They both lend to some creepy auras for this story. It was also interesting what Ethan did now to bring back some part of that night that he never could remember.
Ethan is back in his childhood home, where his best friend Billy disappeared 30 years ago with no answers found. Then strange things start happening that lead him to want to figure out what might have happened. All 3 people that were there on the day Billy disappeared are living back here.
I love that the cul-de-sac is at the edge of some woods and that there is a mysterious institution behind that where no one knows what it was for. They both lend to some creepy auras for this story. It was also interesting what Ethan did now to bring back some part of that night that he never could remember.
lighthearted
fast-paced
I remember liking Matteo in the previous books even when he wasn't in them a lot but wasn't really excited about the romance here for him. Cara just didn't seem a good fit to him for me. I didn't really get the feeling that they were "returning Eldovia to its former Christmas glory" as the back of the book describes.
I enjoyed the moments we got to see of the King and the small glimpse we saw of the Princess, the way Matteo helped Torkel find a way to propose to his boyfriend, and of course the gift baskets Matteo and Torkel do every year for the village.
Festive because it takes place during Christmas time but I wanted more excitement.
I enjoyed the moments we got to see of the King and the small glimpse we saw of the Princess, the way Matteo helped Torkel find a way to propose to his boyfriend, and of course the gift baskets Matteo and Torkel do every year for the village.
Festive because it takes place during Christmas time but I wanted more excitement.
adventurous
challenging
fast-paced
This is a sweet, fast paced best friends to lovers, New Year's Eve race competition with some mean girl energy thrown in.
Celia and Brian are best friends living together and Brian has always held a crush. This race puts them in a position to really see each other in a different. Mean girl Christy is terrible and needs to go back to high school.
I love how all their family and friends around them could see Brian's heart eyes for Celia.
Celia and Brian are best friends living together and Brian has always held a crush. This race puts them in a position to really see each other in a different. Mean girl Christy is terrible and needs to go back to high school.
I love how all their family and friends around them could see Brian's heart eyes for Celia.
lighthearted
medium-paced
I was so excited because I adore the Lovelight Farms series but I felt just in the middle of the road with this one because I wasn't very invested in the romance part of it.. I love the nods to Sleepless in Seattle. I really loved that Maya, a child, called into a romance radio show for her mom, Lucie. My favorite parts involved Maya and her two dads and the relationship they all have with Lucie.
I guess I just didn't understand why Aiden hated love and that it all seemed to stem from his mom's 4 cancer diagnoses and why in the world he would work for a romance radio show. I think this may have led to my indifference to the slow building romance. But I am curious to check out the next book because I enjoyed Jackson and one particular scene and really hope that the love interest will be that girl (though we never got to know her).
I guess I just didn't understand why Aiden hated love and that it all seemed to stem from his mom's 4 cancer diagnoses and why in the world he would work for a romance radio show. I think this may have led to my indifference to the slow building romance. But I am curious to check out the next book because I enjoyed Jackson and one particular scene and really hope that the love interest will be that girl (though we never got to know her).
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
This is a series that always delivers a happy reading time to me. I love my time in Elk Lake!
Molly has been sent to Elk Lake to improve the newly opened gift shop at Trina's (last book FMC) lodge. She gets roped into a singles event Trina is throwing. Blake is there as an assignment for his newspaper while waiting for his sports writer job and is "undercover" at the event.
These 2 MCs don't see each other's real feelings and they bumble their way through being "just friends". It was cute watching how they were even just being in the same room together, alone or with a crowd of other singles.
What captured my heart the most though was Ben and his parents. The lodge treats free stays to children/families with disabilities or health conditions. He was such a sweet boy dealing with cancer and the things that both Molly and Blake do for him, even with small things, were amazing.
Molly has been sent to Elk Lake to improve the newly opened gift shop at Trina's (last book FMC) lodge. She gets roped into a singles event Trina is throwing. Blake is there as an assignment for his newspaper while waiting for his sports writer job and is "undercover" at the event.
These 2 MCs don't see each other's real feelings and they bumble their way through being "just friends". It was cute watching how they were even just being in the same room together, alone or with a crowd of other singles.
What captured my heart the most though was Ben and his parents. The lodge treats free stays to children/families with disabilities or health conditions. He was such a sweet boy dealing with cancer and the things that both Molly and Blake do for him, even with small things, were amazing.
dark
emotional
fast-paced
I read this in a few short hours and let me tell you, my heart was broken for Keith! He faces a lot in this book and I can't tell you any of it because you need to read this yourself (there are A LOT of heavy topics inside so look for trigger warnings or ask someone who's read it)
Every character in this book is going through something..... Things that break them and secrets that are hard to share. The bright spot here for me remains with Hope. I mean.... Her name says it all. I was an emotional, blubbering mess at the end.
This is a phenomenal debut and I am 100% looking forward to more from this author.
Every character in this book is going through something..... Things that break them and secrets that are hard to share. The bright spot here for me remains with Hope. I mean.... Her name says it all. I was an emotional, blubbering mess at the end.
This is a phenomenal debut and I am 100% looking forward to more from this author.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Physical abuse, Rape
Minor: Eating disorder
adventurous
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
I love that even though this is a clean read, there was a lot of kissing on the page! Gabby and Brooks are just an instant fire connection and they are really sweet with each other and their circumstances.
The cruise is a lot of fun for them to explore what a relationship could be. The excursion which leads to a misunderstanding with a local government in the Caribbean was kind of funny but a bit scary at the same time.
I loved how once he realized he never wanted to let Gabby go, he made moves to get him to her instead of uprooting her family circle. I never thought I'd see someone from this town leave but his reasons are good and pure.
The cruise is a lot of fun for them to explore what a relationship could be. The excursion which leads to a misunderstanding with a local government in the Caribbean was kind of funny but a bit scary at the same time.
I loved how once he realized he never wanted to let Gabby go, he made moves to get him to her instead of uprooting her family circle. I never thought I'd see someone from this town leave but his reasons are good and pure.
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
I love anything Courtney writes, but at the same time... This book took its time to find its footing for me.
One last Christmas for Liam's parents at their tree farm before selling it and retiring. They get Olive, family friend and Liam's always crush, to head activities for one last great year.
Liam felt pretty standoffish to me. He just couldn't seemingly get over the past and what he felt he had a part in pushing Olive away. Olive was sweet to come in and help and didn't need Mr. Grumpy telling her it was worthless. I did feel he changed and I do get how not talkative he could be (believe me, I'm the same way). I also just hit a point where I felt the story really pulled me in though I can't exactly pinpoint it. Maybe it was the whole "trying to preserve the family legacy" that his sister finally started to get. I love the ending and what Liam is able to do and how his feelings did change towards this tree farm.
I applaud Olive for keeping her cool around her ex Travis though, I would have not been so nice early on. He just didn't have a CLUE and wouldn't take no for an answer... Glad she finally kicked him to the curb!
One last Christmas for Liam's parents at their tree farm before selling it and retiring. They get Olive, family friend and Liam's always crush, to head activities for one last great year.
Liam felt pretty standoffish to me. He just couldn't seemingly get over the past and what he felt he had a part in pushing Olive away. Olive was sweet to come in and help and didn't need Mr. Grumpy telling her it was worthless. I did feel he changed and I do get how not talkative he could be (believe me, I'm the same way). I also just hit a point where I felt the story really pulled me in though I can't exactly pinpoint it. Maybe it was the whole "trying to preserve the family legacy" that his sister finally started to get. I love the ending and what Liam is able to do and how his feelings did change towards this tree farm.
I applaud Olive for keeping her cool around her ex Travis though, I would have not been so nice early on. He just didn't have a CLUE and wouldn't take no for an answer... Glad she finally kicked him to the curb!
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Beautiful illustrations and this is exactly the kind of thing that I expect with Legend involved.
Set during The Great Holiday, Tella tries to find a gift for Legend even though Legend does not seem to like this holiday. Warned to not go to a certain street, Tella finds herself falling for a trick and getting kidnapped, but is this a Legend game? Read to find out.
It was so fun to get back with Tella, Legend, Scarlet, and Julian. It was magical in a way that the Caraval world already is but with the added Christmas magic spectacular. Lovely little novella to get you in the Christmas mood
Set during The Great Holiday, Tella tries to find a gift for Legend even though Legend does not seem to like this holiday. Warned to not go to a certain street, Tella finds herself falling for a trick and getting kidnapped, but is this a Legend game? Read to find out.
It was so fun to get back with Tella, Legend, Scarlet, and Julian. It was magical in a way that the Caraval world already is but with the added Christmas magic spectacular. Lovely little novella to get you in the Christmas mood
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
This is the first book I've read in this series and I can't believe it. I need to go back and read the first 3! This was so emotional at the end, I had to hide my tears.
Tally has known her professor, Ashton, for a long time. Ashton has been in love with her for that whole time, but stayed away because she was too young for him. But that all changes after their first kiss (that shouldn't have happened at the time it happened).
The secrets that Tally holds are so emotional and it's very easy to see why she holds it close to her chest. I was so mad at her sister for leaving her kids and then when understanding comes... That anger goes away. But the answer for what Tally went through... That will stay with me for a long time, it's heartbreaking.
Tally has known her professor, Ashton, for a long time. Ashton has been in love with her for that whole time, but stayed away because she was too young for him. But that all changes after their first kiss (that shouldn't have happened at the time it happened).
The secrets that Tally holds are so emotional and it's very easy to see why she holds it close to her chest. I was so mad at her sister for leaving her kids and then when understanding comes... That anger goes away. But the answer for what Tally went through... That will stay with me for a long time, it's heartbreaking.