I read a lot of books that I don’t end up reviewing for whatever reason. Some because I wasn’t impressed. Some because I didn’t have the time. Some I just wasn’t feeling it on whatever particular day I finished. I thought I’d start doing a post once a month with just the couple thoughts I shared on Good Reads.
Dark Matter by Blake Crouch. Read November 4-6. 4 Stars.
Most of this book was around a 3 star read for me, but I’m upping it up to 4 stars for a couple reasons. The writing is very good. It was clever and I liked the style. The last third or so of the book is when it started to get trippy and I really started to enjoy it.
So what about up until then? The book, while unique, reminds me of bits and pieces of several other things (primarily the tv show, Fringe), so I wasn’t surprised by things I think I was supposed to be surprised by. The whole middle section of the book I found redundant and just wanted to get through. The science was really beyond me at times and I think it could have been a little more simplified. So overall, it was a good book, but it did not come close to living up to the hype for me. It does have great writing, though, and ended well, so I think it’s still probably worth the read.
The Honeymoon Prize (The Honeymoon Series #3) by Melissa McClone. Read November 6-7. 3 Stars.
Nothing was holding my interest and I wanted something cute and quick and this was just what I needed. It was a good fake relationship story with likable characters and no graphic scenes. The ending got a little too cheesy, but overall I enjoyed it.
The Young Wives Club by Julie Pennell. Read November 11-12. 4 Stars.
Overall, I really enjoyed The Young Wives Club (and it’s gorgeous cover!). It’s a well-written, character-driven story that I could hardly put down. Though the characters weren’t always very likable, I really appreciated how much growth all of them showed throughout the book. I also really liked that things didn’t just magically work out for all of them, but they had to work at it and learn to be ok if things in their life turned out a little differently than they expected. I definitely recommend this to fans of character-driven novels. Full review to come closer to release date.
Heartless by Marissa Meyer. Read November 13-16. 3.5 Stars.
I really enjoyed Marissa Meyer’s writing and the whimsy. I shipped the romance (even though we all know it was destined to shipwreck). I enjoyed the book, but I don’t really feel like anything HAPPENED until the last quarter or so of the book and then it happened too quickly. I wanted a little more time spent with Catherine growing into the “Off with his head!” persona. The story, for the most part, was an insta-love romance interspersed with the characters having some random fun in a Wonderland setting. Because of that, even though I enjoyed it, I just can’t quite give it a 4 star rating. I think Wonderland fans will enjoy it, as will fans of Marissa Meyer’s other work.
For Better or Worse (The Wedding Belles #2) by Lauren Layne Read November 26-27. 4 Stars.
I really enjoyed this book. I loved the banter and how Josh and Heather’s relationship progressed throughout the story. The whole commitment-phobe/player and friends with benefits plotlines are overdone and not really my cup of tea, but I could overlook it for how cute everything else was. I’m reading this series backwards and while the books do work as standalones, I do feel like I have a lot more insight into Logan and Alexis who star in the third book and may have to go back and re-read that one to better appreciate it.
The Christmas Cottage (The Christmas Cottage #1) by Samantha Chase. Read November 27-28. 3 Stars.
I really liked Ean and Lacey. They really complemented each other well and I shipped the romance, though I did think things happened too fast. While Ava being a crazy bridezilla worked for the story, I thought it was a little too overdone and she came across as just a really unbalanced person. It makes me not want to read the next book in the series because she’s the main character in it. Overall, though, this was a cute, quick holiday-themed romance that I enjoyed.
****************BACK ON THE TBR****************
The Chemist by Stephenie Meyer. I still have this from the library for a few more days, but I don’t think that I’ll get back to it before it expires. I was really optimistic about this book, but I got two chapters into and it’s just awful! I want to give it another try, though, to see if it gets any better.
****************RE-READS****************
Aimee and the Heartthrob and Mia and the Bad Boy. I got the complete series from NetGalley. I’ve read the first two books in the series before and decided to re-read them since it had been awhile. I feel pretty much the same about them as I did the first time, though I think I liked Mia and the bad Boy a little more than I did last time.
I have the Chemist on my wait list at the library but I’m beginning to think it might not be worth a read. Reviews seem pretty lukewarm
I only got two chapters in, so it might get better! I’ve read one review that says you need to get through the first 15% and then it gets better. But, yes, mostly I have not seen very good reviews on it, either.
I’m glad you tried Dark Matter. Still one of my favorites this year. I have never seen Fringe, but I’m glad I haven’t. Everything in the book was a surprise to me. I still haven’t picked up The Chemist and I had preordered it. I really hope she doesn’t let me down. I just got approved for that cute book you reviewed the other day! Excited to read it.
I’m glad I read Dark Matter, too. I gave it to my dad to read and am interested to hear what he thinks – he was a big fan of Fringe. I look forward to hearing what you think of The Chemist. I only got two chapters in, so I still have a tiny bit of hope it gets better. The chapters are LONG, though. If they were shorter I’m sure I would’ve read farther into it. I’m excited for you to read Wrong Brother, Right Match! If you’re still into holiday romance reads, it will be perfect for you.
I got denied for The Young Wives Club on Netgalley, but I still want to read it. So I’m glad you enjoyed it. And I’m sad to see you didn’t like The Chemist. That makes me not want to give it a try anytime soon.
I’m sorry you didn’t get The Young Wives Club! It’s definitely worth the read, though, once it’s published. I didn’t get very far into The Chemist, so it could get way better. Maybe? Haha
I’ll have to purchase The Young Wives Club then. Idk if it gets better. lol I enjoyed the twilight series and the host that she wrote so I’m sad this isn’t good. But I don’t think I’ll waste my time. Lol
Oh no! (regarding the Chemist). I was really looking forward to that one. I did read Dark Matter recently and it also reminded me of a TV show – Sliders. Enjoyed it thoroughly. Great round up!
Rebecca @ The Portsmouth Review
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I didn’t get that far into The Chemist, so hopefully you will find out that it gets much better!
Yay! I’m glad you’re getting Alexis and Logan more after going back. 😉 For Better or Worse was my favorite in the series. It made me laugh so much.
Yes I can definitely see the groundwork was laid for Alexis and Logan prior to their book! I think For Better or Worse will be my favorite of the series, too. I loved the banter so much!
I’m actually reading another of her books from NetGalley right now. I can’t remember what it’s called, but it’s from the Oxford series and I love it!
For Better Or Worse and The Christmas Cottage sound right up my alley! I love this idea though because there’s a lot of books I haven’t reviewed either that deserve some recognition at least.
I seem to not review a lot more books than I review in a month, so I like having this post to still comment on all the ones that didn’t get their own reviews. I hope you get to read For Better or Worse or The Christmas Cottage! They were both cute!
Same with me, sometimes I read small
Books or little novellas and I just don’t do reviews but I like the idea of mini reviews! They do sound super cute 😊
I was hoping The Chemist would be worth the read since I picked up a copy on Black Friday. Oh well, I guess I’ll have to see for myself.
Yeah I didn’t get very far at all into it, so hopefully it gets much better! I look forward to reading what you thought of it!
Just read Dark Matter & I really enjoyed it. The Young Wives Club looks great- can’t wait to read your full review!
I’m glad you enjoyed Dark Matter! I hope you enjoy The Young Wives Club, too! It’s a good one!
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I’m really curious about Dark Matter and since you mentioned Fringe, I think I’m going to pick it up sooner. I have a feeling it may lose me when it comes to sciencey aspects (see, I don’t even know the right word), but still really interested. I’m a little hesitant about Heartless. The Lunar Chronicles may have just spoiled me. Appreciate your thoughts on all of these!
Dark Matter is worth the read, but it just wasn’t as good as the hype (but when are they ever?). Heartless is a cute read, but definitely wasn’t as good as the Lunar Chronicles for me.