Review: Angelbound Tales Volume 1

Angelbound Tales Volume 1 by Christina Bauer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I am one of those readers who LOVE everything to do with Myla Lewis.  She is quirky, funny, and is a kiss a$$ protagonist!  This collection of five short stories had everything I love and did not disappoint.  Two stories take place before the series began and the other three are interspersed throughout the many volumes.  Because of the various locations within the series, I believe readers should NOT read this unless they have read most of the original stories.  Walker’s Love Connection (before Angelbound Book One), Sharkie and Snickerdoodles (before Angelbound Book One), Wedding Bells (after Angelbound Book One), Herbie and Baby Hotdogs (after Scala), and Saving Mrs. Pomplemousse (after Acca).  I hope this information helps future readers.

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Review: Four Letter Word

Four Letter Word by Gretchen McNeil
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Izzy’s mom has planned for her to study abroad in Italy and Izzy has looked forward to leaving her boring life behind.  When Alberto, an Italian foreign exchange student, moves in with them, she realizes that her life isn’t as boring as she thought.  Izzy is also a true crime fan and has been following a case of a serial killer in San Francisco.  When the murderer seems to have traveled north, Izzy wonders if Alberto is who he says he is.

Four Letter Word is a predictable mystery that was still enjoyable to read.  McNeil was able to put in a few unexpected twists and turns, but the trajectory of the story followed the usual path.  I was satisfied with the ending, but I only recommend this for those who need a simple escape and not a heart-pounding mystery.

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Review: The New Couple in 5B

The New Couple in 5B by Lisa Unger
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Chad and Rosie helped take care of Chad’s uncle in his last months of life.  When they find out that he unexpectantly leaves them his expensive apartment, they were floored.  Everyone was welcoming and they tried their best to adjust to their new place.  Rosie soon learns that there are mysteries contained within Windermere and not all of them are in its past.  Will Rosie discover the truth about Windermere before it is too late?

The New Couple in 5B is a stand-alone mystery that was one-part suspenseful and one-part history.  Readers will wonder how many of the issues are personal and which parts may be supernatural, yet Unger did a superb job blending all elements into a cohesive storyline.  I was a little disappointed in the ending, but the build up made the entire experience a pleasure.

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Review: The Encanto's Daughter

The Encanto's Daughter by Melissa de la Cruz
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

MJ and her mother are always moving.  They have been on the run because MJ is the only child of King Vivencio of the Sirena Court.  After her father dies, she is tasked with returning to his realm and taking her place as the heir.  Unfortunately, she is half human and many do not feel she has the right to become ruler and she only has one month to get ready for the throne.  Will she discover her magic in time to demonstrate her power?  Will she be able to survive the numerous attempts on her life?

The Encanto’s Daughter is the first book in the series with the same title.  This fantasy novel is nothing like de la Cruz’s other books, yet this fast-paced book was a wonderful distraction.  Readers will quickly find characters they love and hate as the story develops and climaxes.  The Encanto’s Daughter would be a great introduction to the fantasy genre.  

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Review: With a Little Luck

With a Little Luck by Marissa Meyer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Jude has done a good job of surviving high school without any major issues.  He has great friends, a job, and a relaxing hobby.  He isn’t unhappy with his life, but when he finds a twenty-sided dice that appears to be giving him great luck … his life begins to change.  He wins tickets to a concert and decides to ask out his long-time crush; she accepts!  One of his drawings is accepted in a fanzine and he helps a friend become a finalist in a competition.  Everything is wonderful until he loses the dice. His luck quickly vanishes and he is now faced with a life in upheaval.  Can Jude make his own luck?

With a Little Luck is the second book in the Fortuna Beach duology.  Although this is technically a sequel, readers do not need to have read the first book to enjoy it.  There are spoilers for the first book in this one, though, so don’t read it first if you plan to go back to the original.  Meyer has created a cast of characters I loved to spend time with and I hope she creates other “companion” novels with them.  A fun escape for all underdog romance fans.

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Review: Kindling

Kindling by Traci Chee
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The war is finally over but the kindlings that were used as weapons are left without a purpose.  There is still violence everywhere and when a village is threatened, a group of kindlings believe it is time to fight again.  Being raised to be a weapon has changed them in many ways … what suffering will they need to overcome to be successful?  How many will come out of this quest alive?

Kindling is a stand-alone Fantasy novel that is full of action and adventure.  The characters push through various obstacles and learn from each other along the way.  This is a book of moderate length, yet it felt like a short, fast read.  There are a few unnecessary “sexual” scenes, but nothing too racy.  Chee takes issues that are relevant even now and puts a wonderful fantasy spin on them.  A strong read for all fantasy fans.

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Review: The Women

The Women by Kristin Hannah
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Frances has finally become a nurse and is feeling underwhelmed with the menial tasks she is asked to do.  Her father has always spoken highly of the men in the family who have served in the military and when she learns that the Vietnam War needs nurses … she signs up.  All she has under her belt is her schooling, but war is a fast teacher and she becomes a very competent trauma nurse.  War might be hard, but Frances quickly learns that coming home has its own problems.  Those who are protesting the war are also protesting the veterans.  When she asks for help for her nightmares, first she is told that only men were in Vietnam … then she is told that she didn’t see combat and didn’t need services.

The Women is a historical fiction story that had me shaking my head at some of the actions of the supportive characters.  I don’t know if that is because we are 50+ years after these events or if it is because I am a female who served in the military during the 1990s.  This book is great to read by yourself, but I also think this would make an excellent book club book so readers have a platform to discuss the varied issues.  I don’t give many books 5 stars … but this one is definitely a 2024 5-star book!

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