It makes me sad to say this, but Women of Good Fortune falls squarely into the camp of having a fascinating premise but a lackluster execution.

From the description, I was all aflutter. You need only to hint at things like a high-society Asian wedding and a brilliant heist masterminded by a group of smart and resourceful women, and I'm starting to dream of Ocean's Eleven meets Crazy Rich Asians. Add to that the setting of Shanghai, the city of my birth and early years, and how could I not love this?

And yet, I did not. Pretty much from the start, I felt a disconnect from the story that never really went away.

The heist itself is enjoyable enough in that frothy and hammed up sort of way, as long as you don't take it too seriously. Though it was a bit convoluted, I had fun following along as they tried to figure out how to steal all the red envelopes full of cash from right under the noses of the wedding guests.

But the problem here is the characters. The three main women are extremely unlikable, so much so that it hobbled the story for me. They constantly complain about not having enough money and how they hate the men in their lives, but I don't really understand their issues. They have enough money to live comfortably, and the men in their lives genuinely care about them and treat them with respect, and some are even billionaires. How terrible for them.

The women could just leave if they really can't stand it. Yet they stay and persist, in the way that is only explainable in Chinese—吃苦 (to eat bitterness), just so they can maximize their suffering, which in turn makes them feel entitled to the money they are stealing from the rich people. I tried, you guys, but it's really hard to relate to such self-inflicted suffering and entitlement.

And the side characters aren't any better, with most of the parents and in-laws portrayed as greedy and selfish. Other than the three male love interests, the rest of the cast is so awful, I cringed hard at their harsh portrayal.

I understand what this book is trying to do. We are meant to sympathize with the women because they come from difficult childhoods and circumstances. Could upbringing and poverty and parental abuse make you unable to stand up and advocate for yourself, make you seem cold and greedy in the eyes of someone who grew up with privilege, and cause you to bend the moral code to ensure your survival? Yes, absolutely. But the problem is that this book doesn't show that subtlety. And without it, we're just following a bunch of greedy and shallow people.

Clearly, this story is meant to be a light satire that both entertains and gently pokes fun at the ridiculousness of the whole thing. But in order for satire to work, there needs to be something in the characters you can relate to. This satire strips away all the humanity until there is nothing left but the caricatures. And I just couldn't relate to that at all.

Readaroo Rating: 3 stars

I get it now. After reading this book, I finally understand the appeal of the unreliable narrator.

Up till now, for more than a decade, I did not understand. In fact, I've been so befuddled by it all, I've had to engage in deceit in order not to broadcast my lack of understanding. Because you see, during all this time, whenever anyone professed their love for domestic thrillers and the ubiquitous unreliable narrator, I've smiled and nodded along as if I also love those things. But in actuality, I had no idea what they were going on about.

The unreliable narrators I've come across thus far had me under the mistaken impression that they must be of a very specific mold—always female, imbibing to the point of incoherence, acting unfathomably loony and paranoid, and going on and on about how no one believes them. In other words, a most unpleasant character there to frustrate the heck out of the reader and cause maximum eye-rolling and hair-tearing. You can see how I did not understand why anyone would love that.

So to read Gone Girl feels like both a Eureka moment and a recognition—oh there you are, you compelling unreliable narrator, I've finally found you!

What made this story work for me when so many others have failed? Well, the unreliable narrators here are smart, cunning, and sober, in other words the complete opposite of what I'm used to. No dumb, drunk, paranoid lush here, thank you very much.

But it's more than that. The way the story unfolds is pretty brilliant too. You think you know what's going on, then the rug is pulled out from under you and everything you thought you knew changes. Both of the two main characters are unlikable but undeniably fascinating, and you want to keep turning the pages to see what they'd do next.

And the writing is so sharp and precise, there to match perfectly to each situation and every version of the characters. There are so many insightful observations thrown in, about our culture and its ups and downs, about people and their hopes and dreams, and most of all, about marriage. At its heart, what made this story so disturbing is that there is a lot of truth written into this dark tale beneath all the exaggerations.

Was this the perfect book? No, at least not for me. I did find the beginning rather slow and (what turned out to be justifiably) pretentious, the characters and the plot a tad over the top, and the ending somewhat lackluster after all that buildup. But honestly, that's just because domestic thrillers are never going to be my favorite thing.

Still, it was a lot of fun to read the book that kicked off the craze. With how popular this book is and how much it influenced all that came after, it just wasn't possible to go into this completely blind. I went in already knowing about unreliable narrators and also having an inkling of what to expect. (Many years ago, I made the regrettable decision to read the synopsis of the movie in a moment of weakness.) And yet, even with all that, this still managed to surprise and entertain me.

And most importantly, now I finally understand what everyone's talking about.

Readaroo Rating: 4 stars

Am I getting too old and cynical for romances? Say it ain't so!

I have trouble passing up books with the word "bodyguard" in its description (cue "I Will Always Love You" by Whitney Houston). In fact, I picked up the first book of this series solely because I wanted to read this one. The princess and the bodyguard is a pairing as old as time, not to mention absolutely swoon-worthy, and before I cracked open the first page, I was filled to the brim with anticipatory glee for all the fun I was about to have.

And for the most part, I enjoyed the story itself. It was a bit long-winded, but compared to instalove, I'll take a slow burn any day. While this didn't break any new ground and is pretty much what you'd expect from the trope, it was still fun. Rhys the Bodyguard is all like I take security very seriously ma'am, and Bridget the Princess is all like you can't tell me what to do. I'm totally on board with that.

And yet. Yet, yet, yet. I feel like something was missing. Was it better chemistry, more snarky banter? I'm not sure. All I know is what I got felt like a paler version of what it could've been. Or maybe the problem is me and I built this up so much in my head, nothing could possibly meet it.

One thing I do know for sure is that Ana Huang's male characters are a bit too much for me. They're so sexed up and possessive, it's hard to take them seriously. They way they talk and act, you'd think they came straight from the chest-thumping Stone Age. No other man can even look at their women, lest glares and threats erupt from their mouths. They're constantly like, Who do you belong to? Me! And that's more or less verbatim.

And the sex scenes. Ugh, I feel like such an old fuddy duddy for saying this, but they were so frequent and unrealistic in that porny way, I was cringing with embarrassment for the characters. I enjoyed the first third of the book so much more simply because there was no sex in it. But the last two-thirds felt like every other scene was dramatic sex, and I was so over it.

It's hard to really enjoy a story if I'm cringing my way through so much of it, and that's what happened here. Obviously, romances are personal, and this is clearly a case where my tastes just don't quite line up with the author's. And there's nothing wrong with that. Plenty of readers love this series; I just wish I were one of them.

Readaroo Rating: 3 stars

Wow, this was so over the top. Usually I reserve my suspension of disbelief skill for thrillers, but it sure came in handy here.

Sometimes I look at my long TBR, and nothing strikes my fancy. I just want to take a break from it all. I want something light and fun, a guilty pleasure if you will. And this totally fit the bill. Ana Huang has been on my list of authors to try, and this seemed like the right book to start, both being her most popular and having the irresistible grumpy/sunshine trope.

Of all the romance tropes out there, grumpy/sunshine is probably my all-time fav. What's not to like about a happy, bubbly gal poking fun at and slowly thawing the heart of an uptight, don't-know-how-to-smile guy who takes everything too seriously? So I was all set to enjoy the heck out of this from beginning to end, the way you would any guilty pleasure.

And I loved the beginning. There was so much funny banter, I had a smile permanently affixed to my face. Facial pain is generally bad, but when it comes from smiling too much? Sign me up any day.

But then as the story went on, it became too much. Ava is the most sunshine of all sunshine girls (Alex's nickname for her is even "Sunshine"), while Alex is so ruthless he threatens ruin and death upon anyone who gets in his way, including those who have the gall to talk to his girl. Okaaay. It's one thing to be dark and broody, but to be so jealous as to actually be murderous? Come on! I love grumpy as much as the next reader, but that's taking it a step too far.

And the villains in here are such caricatures of villains, with their face all "twisted" into a "hideous mask", complete with eyes that "gleamed with delighted malice" and mouth spreading into a "mocking smile". And that's right after you confront them, when they could just deny everything and no one would be the wiser.

Still, to the book's credit, I chomped it up in a jiffy, so I must've been entertained through all the shenanigans even if they were a bit much. And I feel strangely compelled to continue with the series, the ultimate sign of a guilty pleasure working its magic. So there you have it, my first Ana Huang.

Readaroo Rating: 3 stars

Sometimes when the premise is really good, maybe there's just nowhere better for the story to go.

When Frances was a teenager, she receives a bone-chilling fortune that she'll be murdered one day. She then spends the rest of her life trying to prevent it. But lo and behold, 60 years later, murder comes for her. Now it's up to her great-niece Annie to find the killer and earn her inheritance.

You have to admit, that's a pretty darn interesting premise. And the title certainly plays it up. In fact, I think this might just be one of the most eye-catching titles I've ever come across. So of course straight to the top of my TBR pile it goes. I couldn't wait to dig in.

And initially, I was hooked. I just love all the possibilities when you're starting a new mystery. Especially here because Annie is also looking into the disappearance of Frances' best friend Emily, so we're really getting a twofer for the price of one. The story's certainly not shy about casting suspicions this way, then that way. There's an interesting list of characters, all of whom could be friend or foe. It was a delightful start in the way that only cozy mysteries can be.

But then slowly and surely, I started becoming less excited. For one thing, when it came to the characters and the way they interact, there's something a little off about it all. It was stilted and contrived, as if every character was playing a part and knew it. The dialogue lacks that natural volleying back and forth that's essential to being authentic, often leaving me feeling like I'm just reading a bunch of non sequiturs. It's as if the author wanted certain results from each scene and kind of forced the dialogue and interactions to achieve it.

The other thing is that I had a lot of trouble keeping all the characters straight. We have two timelines, and some characters appear in one and some in both. But since Annie isn't a direct descendent of Frances, but rather her great-niece, I started losing track of all the different branches of the family tree and everyone's spouses and children, along with their relationships to each other. It was really confusing.

As for the mystery itself, honestly, that fell short for me too. I'm not expecting Agatha Christie (really, no one can reach the great dame), but when a book compares itself to Knives Out and The Thursday Murder Club, I have certain expectations. And this didn't really meet that, not even close. It feels like there were all these clues and then they just didn't really go anywhere. And the final solution didn't wow me so much as leave me vaguely puzzled, and I'm still not sure I understood how it all went down.

It's never good when a mystery ends in puzzlement rather than amazement. No doubt cozy mystery aficionados will find this a worthy read, but for everyone else, the jury's still out.

Readaroo Rating: 3 stars

I don't know what's wrong with me. Obviously, I enjoyed this. I really did. But I can't help feeling grumpy that I didn't love it as thoroughly as I thought I would.

On the surface, this should've been a 5-star read for me. When you put together things like adopted human daughter of a vampire king, a legendary tournament where only one can survive, and a forbidden attraction between two contestants—one human and one vampire—it all sounds so good. If ever there was something right up my alley, this would be it. So what's my problem? Honestly, I'm still trying to figure that out.

I think part of the issue for me was that there was so much fighting and not enough characterization. The tournament has five parts and we are treated to detailed descriptions of every play-by-play, along with countless wounds and gashes and blood galore. In fact, the sheer amount of injuries in here is quite eyebrow-raising considering we only follow a few characters. And since everyone heals quickly and gets injured again immediately, I soon lost track of it all.

I also found Oraya to be rather one-dimensional. I'm all for my female characters to be badass, but what is her personality other than fight first and talk later? Sure, she is distrusting and stab-happy, but that doesn't paint a picture of a real person to me. And she keeps mentioning how vampires don't have a sense of humor, but it's hard for me to see her sense of humor when she just keeps stabbing everyone.

Not really connecting with Oraya made it hard for me to see what Raihn saw in her, which in turn made it hard for me to understand the romance in here. It seems like Oraya disliked Raihn for a long time, and then all of a sudden, she likes him. And Raihn was attracted to her for no reason I could discern other than she keeps stabbing him.

Each of these complaints, while small on their own, just added to the feeling that the whole thing wasn't really gelling together for me. Whenever I read a story, I want that immersive experience, and this is especially true with fantasy. It's a chance to escape the real world and wholly commit myself to another. So it's always a bit disappointing when I don't get that, and it feels like I'm just reading words on a page, however good they may be.

And make no mistake, this is a well-written fantasy with a lot of potential and a lot of depth. There is a rich world here (and I realized halfway through there is a glossary to help me keep it all straight). And the book did eventually grab me, with the last hundred pages being so full of revelations and surprises, I think my mouth was hanging open the whole time. It finally became as exciting and riveting as I'd hoped for.

Still, I can't help but wish the whole book had been more like the finale. Maybe my expectations were just too high here. I wanted to be enthralled and captivated and completely riveted from beginning to end. Instead, I was merely entertained for the majority. I kept waiting for the moment when the story would grab me and not let go, and that didn't really happen until the very end.

Readaroo Rating: 4 stars

This is one of those well-lauded books that I felt a bit hesitant going in. I assumed it was targeted for a certain audience—either those who gravitate towards stories about complicated friendships, or gamers. I'm not sure either of those are me, so what would I get out of it?

And when I first started, I thought for sure I'd made a mistake. The first chapter was so overwritten, coming across as both pretentious and off-putting, and I cringed my way through it. I thought to myself, this is it. The book that everyone loves, I'd either have to give up on or end up writing a lowly-rated review and be subjected to comments about brain deficiency.

I took a break and then decided to give it another chance. Chapter 2 was a little bit better. And then we come to Chapter 3, and bam! I was hooked. It's not an understatement to say that the scene with Dov teaching the Advanced Games seminar class was my favorite of the whole book and it's what sold me on reading it.

From then on, every moment related to designing or making video games, I was totally there for. Before I started, if you'd told me that that would be the part I'd enjoy the most, I would've been surprised. I wouldn't categorize myself as a gamer since I've probably only loved one video game my whole life. (That was Animal Crossing, first on the GameCube and then almost 20 years later as Animal Crossing: New Horizons on the Switch.)

But then when I think about it, I shouldn't have been surprised. The way this book talks about games, they're really presented as more like stories, albeit ones where the reader can participate in and influence the direction and outcome. And I'm certainly a reader of the most passionate sort.

I'm also a software engineer with a little bit of experience making video games on the side, so of course the technical aspects of Sam and Sadie's ventures totally appealed to me. Reading about their projects is more or less like reading about work—which I normally avoid like the plague—but somehow this book made it exciting.

I can't help but wish the games were real. I want to play them and capture the feelings reading about them evoked in me. And I also want to know everything that went into making them. If this were a biography on a real video game company, I would've loved it from cover to cover and completely gobbled it up.

But it wasn't, and as a result, this wasn't a perfect story for me. It very much centers around Sam and Sadie's friendship, and that was pretty much the weakest part. I didn't really connect with either of the characters. All their issues were the result of the dreaded miscommunication trope, where one or the other refuses to say what they mean, leading to misunderstandings. And this went on and on, through many years.

My other issue with the story is that it includes a certain development that comes out of nowhere, seemingly for no other reason than to beat down the characters, thus eliciting tugs of the heartstrings and upping the emotional ante. And I'm just not a fan. It doesn't add anything to the story and it left me feeling somewhat emotionally manipulated.

I also have to point out that the story at times feels like it's a bit too clever with its verbiage. Like at one point, this book conjured up the only two literary characters who know what "jejune" means and put them in a conversation with each other. While that's an impressive use of the thesaurus, it detracts a bit from the story being told.

But I don't think my experience with the book is typical. A lot of other readers praise the depiction of Sam and Sadie's relationship and declare their love for the book despite the video game segments. I'm pretty much the complete opposite. But even coming from two different directions, it seems we have all reached the same conclusion, and that's our collective enjoyment for this supremely interesting story. And in the end, that's all that really matters.

Readaroo Rating: 4 stars

This was a pick for my Book of the Month box. Get your first book for $5 here.

Oh yes I do enjoy a humorous thriller, thank you very much!

When it comes to this genre, it often feels like it's a race to see who's got the darkest, grittiest, most nail-biting, anxiety-inducing story. And that's all good and fine. But I don't always want dark, darker, darkest. Sometimes, I just want a bit of fun, and Listen for the Lie is exactly that.

From the very first page, this was unputdownable. The format of alternating between Lucy and the podcast and having each chapter be nice and short kept me turning the pages, wanting to read just one more page. The podcast transcripts were surprisingly engaging, with every character dishing on every other character and stirring up small-town drama.

I was worried this would turn out to be another one of those dreaded unreliable narrator situations, where the main female character drinks to excess and indulges in woe-is-me pity parties. But thankfully it wasn't. Instead, Lucy's voice is so fresh and wickedly honest. She's often sarcastic and funny, and it sets the tone for an extremely entertaining read.

As for the actual mystery itself, my feelings are a bit mixed. On the one hand, this story certainly doesn't scrimp on the twists and turns just because it's humorous. We are directed one way, then another. You never know what's going to happen next, and that's always great fun. I suspect there are enough surprises here to satisfy even the most seasoned of thriller junkies.

But on the other hand, calling this a "world-class whodunit" (I'm looking at you, Stephen King) is taking it a step too far. As is typical of modern thrillers, there aren't really clues. You find out each twist as the book reveals it to you, often via the podcast interviews. Apparently—and I must try this in real life—you just need to badger people with enough questions and they'll tell you all their secrets. And eventually, Lucy remembers the whole thing and that's the denouement. It did feel a bit anticlimactic after all that buildup.

Small quibble aside, I thoroughly enjoyed this. It's always a great delight to find a book that keeps you up past your bedtime and even though you know you're going to pay for it the next day, you just don't care.

Readaroo Rating: 4 stars

She had walked these lands of evil and marked them with love.

This is clearly a case of it's me, not the book.

I've been wanting to read more romantasy lately, so I picked up Gothikana on a whim without looking at it too carefully, drawn in by its Beauty and the Beast vibes. And it turned out to be a dark gothic romance with some hints of the paranormal. While there's nothing wrong with that, it just wasn't what I was hoping for.

Right off the bat, this feels steeped in atmosphere. All the descriptions of turrets, gargoyles, flickering candles, and moonlit woods infused the story with a creepiness and gothic darkness that was hard to look away from. It felt like Beast's castle brought to life, just without the dancing accoutrements. Add to that the ghostly echoes and the school setting, and you have dark academia in spades.

But as the story went on, it became clear that this was first and foremost a romance, and a fairly dramatic one at that. It suffers from so much insta-love and lust that I found it hard to take the coupling seriously. One moment they were giving each smoldering eyes, the next minute they were doing the deed everywhere, with so much overwrought explicitness I was cringing on the inside. It's never good when I'm embarrassed for the couple, and that's what happened here.

The part I was looking forward to the most was the fantasy element, and it just never quite materialized to my satisfaction. I wanted primarily a fantasy with some romance to spice it up, and what I got instead was a romance with no real fantasy and a sprinkling of the paranormal. Without that fantasy element, I never quite connected with the story despite it being entertaining enough.

Also, one other thing. Everywhere I look, everyone's agog over dark academia, but—and please don't throw rotten eggs at me for saying this—I just don't get the appeal. Just like how I wouldn't get excited about stories set in dark grocery stores, dark restaurants, or dark workplaces, I'm unable to muster up too much excitement for dark academia. Maybe it's because I only know of studious academia (the setting where I went to school), or maybe I just haven't read a good one yet. Either way, I'm pretty indifferent, and this book didn't change my mind.

Since it's a clearly case of mismatched expectations, I can't really fault the book. I suspect many readers would enjoy the very things I take issues with, so don't let me dissuade you if this sounds like your thing. And if you're a fan of gothic romances and dark academia (whatever that is), definitely don't pass this up.

Readaroo Rating: 3 stars

Your TBR is a mile long, you say? Who cares! Better move this one to the top of your list!

Kill for Me, Kill for You has been getting so much buzz, and rightly so. It takes inspiration from Hitchcock's Strangers on a Train, where the title characters propose swapping murders so neither will get caught. And this story takes that premise and just goes to town on it.

Sometimes you know from the very first page if a thriller is going to thrill you, and that's what happened here. I opened the book, and I was immediately riveted. It grabbed me so hard. When I was reading it, I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. And when I wasn't reading it, I was thinking about it and itching to get back to it.

This was such a fascinating, twisty, crazy story, it makes me wonder how Steve Cavanagh ever came up with it. And it reminds me never to get on the bad side of authors because wow, can they come up with some ingenious ways of killing people and have no one be the wiser.

I think part of the reason this story works so well is that not only is it brilliantly plotted, but it's also constructed in such a way as to squeeze every last drop of suspense and enjoyment out of it. There's a lot of different ways to tell the same story, some more effective than others, and I feel like Cavanagh came up with the absolute best way to tell this story here and that's why it's so unputdownable.

When it comes to thrillers, everyone always wants to know if the reveals are so amazing they'll knock your socks off. But I don't like to make too big a deal of them. It's hard to say if what surprises one reader will work for another. There were moments in this book I saw coming, ones I didn't see coming, and also ones that were a bit too out there for me. But all told, they delivered on the goods and kept me thoroughly entertained.

Whether you should add this book to your mile-long TBR is an easy call. If you're a thriller fan, this is a must-read.

Readaroo Rating: 4 stars

She was safe for another moment, one more moment, and all of life was only moments, after all.

No matter how many books I've read, coming across that perfect story never gets old. And this one's about as amazing and magical as they come.

Spinning Silver is a tale of brave maidens and fearsome villains set against the cold, harsh, brutal winters of the kingdom of Lithvas. I'm not sure what I was expecting going in, but it certainly wasn't this. It felt like I was a kid again, reading a fairy tale of good versus evil and being swept away in all that magic.

Nothing makes me love a book more than a strong female character, and this book has three! Our heroines are clever, courageous, and spirited. Each has been dealt a crappy hand in life, but they don't let that get them down. Instead of waiting for a man to save them, they use ingenuity and hard work to turn their circumstances around, saving themselves and everyone around them. You guys, I swooned!

From the very first page, this book grabbed me and didn't let go. I was riveted. Not only was the story charming and mesmerizing, but the writing was too. There was an exquisiteness to it that perfectly suited this rich tapestry of a tale.

Nowadays, it feels like no one does standalone fantasies anymore. Every fantasy must be a series, and the more books the better. But there's something to be said about a whole tale and a whole universe encompassed entirely in just one book. The worldbuilding is tighter, the pacing brisk, and the fluff trimmed to nonexistent. There's a sense of urgency here that propels the story forward, and the reader along with it.

Because it feels a bit trimmed down, not every scene is spelled out in excruciating detail when it's already clear what's going on. And I love that. Just like the fairy tales of old, it's up to the reader's imagination to fill in between the lines and behind the scenes. It harkens back to my youth when imagination was such a big part of my life. And it leaves me wanting more instead of hoping for less.

Usually it's better to go into a book blind, but in this case, the one thing you should know is that while this story is told in first person, the actual narrator switches between several different characters and it's unmarked. If you're aware of that, it's fairly easy to catch on to the change. The first time I read this, I wasn't, and it made for a bit of brief confusion.

When I think of the ideal fantasy, what I want is for it to be epic and accessible at the same time. And that's this story. The scale feels immense and stunning, but you also fall into the story easily. And the end result is a thoroughly fun and exhilarating experience, one which I adored every moment of.

Readaroo Rating: 5 stars!

'It's sometimes easy to feel left behind at my age, as if the world has a future and you have no place in it... but I hope to discover that there is meaning and adventure still to be found.'

I have a huge soft spot for stories of growing old and finding joy and purpose, so it's no surprise that I adored Mrs. Quinn's Rise to Fame.

Jenny Quinn is 77 years old and looking forward to celebrating her diamond anniversary with her beloved husband Bernard of 60 years. They both agree that at their age, it's best to just take it easy. But when the opportunity presents to compete on Britain Bakes, Jenny knows she can't pass it up. After so long, here finally is her chance to prove herself and show what she's capable of.

I have yet to meet a literary septuagenarian I'm not fond of, and Jenny continues the trend. Her quest for purpose and meaning past when she thought she'd have the chance makes my heart swell with so much emotion. I can't help but cheer her on through every bake, hoping she'll achieve the dream she's reaching for.

Even though I don't have much of a sweet tooth, I've certainly watched a few seasons of The Great British Bake Off like everyone else out there and enjoyed them immensely. And this book pays such a lovely homage to the show with its own Britain Bakes. We follow Jenny as she competes in each episode, turning out delicious treats while making friends and discovering the joy of doing something for herself, all at the ripe old age of 77.

If you're like me and not an aficionado of baked goods, you might be unsure if your eyes will glaze over from all the baking in this story. But don't worry because while I did have to look up each baked good mentioned just to see what they look like, it was smooth sailing from then on out. And just like The Great British Bake Off, this story does a great job pulling you along and not getting bogged down in the baking weeds. In fact, I found the whole thing quite riveting.

But it's not just the baking that got me. It was also Jenny's journey of self-discovery. We see through her flashbacks how she came to be the person that she is, while also understanding the secret she's keeping from her husband. At where I am in my life, that part of the story really grabbed me. It was both heartbreaking and redemptive, and I definitely had the tissues ready.

What a delightful, heartwarming story this turned out to be. I'm loving the recent trend in books to feature folks of old age realizing their dreams, and I hope it continues.

Readaroo Rating: 4 stars

How did the promise of a war between gods turn into a middling historical fiction with a lackluster romance and nary a whiff of fantasy? I'm honestly a bit stunned.

I went into Divine Rivals with high expectations. I'd seen the gushing reviews and the deluge of 5-star ratings. And I'd gotten a taste for romantasy and I wanted more. In fact, I was so certain I was going to love this that I saved it for just the right moment when I'd need a little extra zing in my reading repertoire.

So I settled myself in, ready to be swept away in a fantasy of epic proportions, with an enemies-to-lovers romance for the ages. And how can it not be amazing, with gods at war and two rivaling journalists who don't fight with their swords but with their words. Yes! Except no, because this didn't really deliver on any of it.

Instead, what I got was more or less a historical fiction. The fantasy element is so diminutive, I felt like I could blink and miss it. You see, the gods were unhappy with each other, and they're recruiting humans to fight in their war. And that's pretty much it for the fantasy part. Oh, and there's some magic in old houses and typewriters. You can see how that would be disappointing for a reader expecting, well, more than that.

The majority of the story is told from Iris's perspective and she never really gelled into an interesting character for me. At every step, she does what you would expect a character to do, nothing more, nothing less. Her brother is fighting in the war, so she misses him. She sees an opportunity to join the war effort, so she does. There's a cute boy at the office, so she's attracted to him. But there's another nice boy she writes with, so she's attracted to him too. At no point did she surprise me in any way. I found Roman to be the more compelling character, but his perspective is only a little bit here and there.

As for the romance, it was serviceable but ultimately uninspiring. There was no real chemistry, no banter, no spark, nothing that made me swoon or crack a smile. The majority of it played out via Iris and Roman's letters to each other, and they felt distinctly YA. The writing was deep in the way of teenagers, but much ado about nothing for old folks like me. In fact, it reminded me of AOL chat logs from back in the day. I wonder if I were to dig up my own from my teenage days, it would come up similarly bland and overwrought.

That isn't to say I didn't enjoy any of it because I did. But I kept waiting for that moment when the words I'm reading on the page would turn into an immersive experience, and it never did. Every element in here—the war, the fantasy, the characters, their writing, the romance—was pleasant enough to while away a few hours, but in that take it or leave it kind of way.

No one's more disappointed than me. Compared to what I had imagined in my head, this story paled in comparison. But to be fair, part of that was my fault. What I wanted and what I got were complete opposites. I'm a huge fan of romance and fantasy, which this isn't really, and not a fan of wartime historical fiction, which is all this is.

For all my complaints, I did get some enjoyment out of it. And since it's a duology and I already own the second book, I'll go ahead and finish the series. Fingers crossed that the second book has more of the exciting elements I'm looking for.

Readaroo Rating: 3 stars

This was a pick for my Book of the Month box. Get your first book for $5 here.

Ooh yes, I do love it when a thriller fulfills its promise and actually thrills me. And First Lie Wins sure does.

When I go into a mystery/thriller, my expectations are always sky high. I know, I know... I'm setting myself up for failure. But I can't help it. There's so much hype surrounding books in this genre, it's hard not to get swept up in the excitement.

By the time I get my hands on the book, I'm usually frothing at the mouth, hoping this is the thriller that will make my eyebrows raise so high and my jaw drop so hard that I end up looking like a cartoon character. But alas, I remain looking firmly like myself. So it's quite a delight when I come across one that actually delivers on the thrills.

Right off the bat, this feels like a unique story. It isn't just your typical domestic thriller, with the is he/she trying to kill the other, and yes he/she is, but the twist is that no he/she isn't, but gotcha the last twist is that he/she really is. (You can tell from my bitterness that I've read too many of those.) Thankfully, this story has nothing to do with that. Instead, it reminds me of Alias, one of my favorite TV shows of all time.

I absolutely love the way this story is plotted. It's got so many threads all interweaving together, along with plenty of twists and turns. In fact, this story surprised me so many times I lost count. And the reveals aren't just saved for the end where they are dumped on you in one go, but instead nicely spaced throughout so you get plenty of surprises along the way.

If I had to point to one weakness, it would be the writing. There was something about it that came across a bit forced to me, as if it hadn't gone through all the necessary rounds of editing. It didn't flow naturally, and it took me out of the story at times. Along with how complex the plot is and how much explanation is required, and the whole thing felt more convoluted and clunky than it needed to be. Still, that seems like a small complaint when the plot is so enjoyable.

As is usual for this genre, you should go in blind. Don't peek at the blurb/book jacket and definitely don't read any summaries. Unfortunately, I didn't follow my own instructions. I have this urge to read anything placed in front of me (instructions, ingredient lists, street signs, what have you), and in a moment of baby-related sleep deprivation, I accidentally read the book jacket. It wasn't a huge spoiler, but it did clue me in on the direction of the story and the initial chapters. So you've been warned.

If you're looking for a thriller that's a bit different and will actually thrill you, this is definitely a worthwhile contender. I suspect it'll end up being one of the biggest thrillers of the year.

Readaroo Rating: 4 stars

This was a pick for my Book of the Month box. Get your first book for $5 here.

I think this happens to all of us readers. You buy a book you're super excited for, bring it home, put it on your shelf, and there it sits collecting dust for many years. You never seem to find the exact right moment to read it, especially when new and exciting releases keep dazzling you. I confess that's what happened here.

So what held me back from The Ten Thousand Doors of January for so long? Honestly, it was the effusive praise of this book. When it's described as "unbearably beautiful" and "a gorgeous, aching love letter to stories," it makes me shy away. I hear those words and think of flowery, descriptive prose and hardly anything interesting to keep me reading. Ouch.

But I'm so glad I finally took the plunge because I ended up not only finding this beautiful, but also riveting. The story itself has a dreamlike quality to it. It reads like a fairytale all grown up, steeped with magic and wonder. And the rich and beautiful prose perfectly complements it, giving a voice to that imaginative and fanciful journey.

The last two-thirds of the book was absolutely amazing. I couldn't tear through it fast enough. You would've had to pry me away with a crowbar, that's how riveting it was. It felt like I was pulled along on a grand adventure with many unexpected surprises, filled with wonderful characters I could love and cheer for.

But I have to be honest, I found the initial hundred pages to be boring as all heck. The story was slow to start, with hardly anything happening or so it seemed because I didn't know where it was going. Instead, it was mostly January talking about Doors with a capital D and Yule Ian pontificating on the mythology and practicality of entryways. I understand the author was trying to make the story seem real, so January's rambling and the pedantic tone of the inner story all contributed to that. But it sure made it a grueling slog.

In fact, I was so certain I was going to get rid of the book after finishing that I let my baby play with it, so the cover and pages are all bent. And I'd messaged one of my friends who'd read the book saying, "Omg does 10k doors get interesting? Is the story within story just as boring? I’m dying. What possessed me to buy this book?"

Obviously, I've never been so glad to be proven wrong. When I think of books with dull starts that I've pushed through, there's only ever been a handful that I ended up loving. It's so rare to be rewarded, and I'm glad this was the case here. In fact, I suspect this is one of those stories that gets even better on a reread, and I can't wait.

I guess what I'm saying with all this is that if you've held back from reading this book because you have the same fear as me, or you've started and found it dull, maybe give it a chance? Perhaps you would end up loving it like I did and finding the magic within. It certainly is worth the try when the end result could be so amazing.

Readaroo Rating: 4 stars

I really hate FOMO sometimes, but every once in a while it works out. And Icebreaker sure did. For a book that is seemingly all fluff and fun, this turned out to be a bit more than that too.

Anastasia has worked hard all her life to achieve her figure skating dreams. And she's almost there, competing for a coveted spot on Team USA while attending college. But when vandalism forces her to share a rink with the hockey team, she's thrown for a loop. And when her partner is injured, she has no choice but to practice with Nathan, captain of the hockey team. But will their off-the-ice friction/chemistry help or hinder her dreams?

You know how sometimes you can tell right from the start whether a book will mesh with you or not? That's what happened here. I opened to the first page, and bam, I'm already smiling and giggling to myself. And it just kept going from there.

I love it when a romcom does the comedy part right. There were so many moments in here when the banter and the situations tickled my funny bone and lifted my spirits. Along with all the loveable characters, and this was just one big ball of cheer. Having it take place in the figure skating world just added that extra zing to an already unputdownable story.

I have to give a shoutout to the way mental health was portrayed in here. We get so much lip service everywhere about how important mental health is, yet it's hardly ever touched upon in a meaningful way in books. So the fact that this story shines a light on it and also on the power of therapy is so worthwhile. And I loved the way this couple talks out their conflicts, with so much honesty and insight into their feelings, while also remaining respectful of each other. It really is #relationshipgoals.

However, at 400 pages, it started to feel a bit on the long side, with each issue being quite drawn out. There were definitely moments when I wasn't sure where the story was going because it felt like it had nowhere else to go. But it kept going.

Also, when I pick up a romcom nowadays, I'm no longer fooled by the cartoony cover. I know it means there are spicy scenes in there. But this book really went to town on them. Not only is every single character sexed up, but there were so many explicit scenes, it felt like it was every other one. And the spiciness starts right from the beginning, so there was no reprieve from it. You have been warned.

Bottom line: pick this up if you're looking for a spicy romcom with equal parts fluff and substance. Definitely skip if spicy isn't your thing.

Readaroo Rating: 4 stars

Let me ask you a hypothetical question. Say your husband is missing and you're trying to find him. You reach out to someone you think has a connection to your husband. When they say, "I can explain," do you:

1. Calmly engage this person in conversation so you can learn what you need to know.

Or

2. Run out of there screaming like a lunatic.

If you picked 2, then congratulations. You are a shoo-in for a character in a domestic thriller, where everyone acts as crazy as possible, especially when the answer is right there.

Why do I let the hype get to me, especially when it comes to thrillers? They hardly ever live up to expectations, and most of them are so silly as to be ridiculous. In fact, if I had a dollar for every time I rolled my eyes while reading a thriller, I'd be a millionaire right now. But alas, all I have to show are bruised eyeballs.

What is there to say about this book that I haven't said a thousand times already? The premise is certainly captivating, and the start is strong. Then, slowly but surely, it devolves into nonsensical silliness, along with a heaping serving of the main female character acting ever more paranoid. And on top of that, there aren't even any good twists or surprises in here. The story unfolded pretty much as expected, which is the complete opposite of what a thriller should be.

Sorry if I sound bitter. I really had high hopes for this one, but obviously it didn't work out. On the plus side, I can safely put my copy in the donation pile and free up one precious spot on my bookshelf.

Readaroo Rating: 2 stars