So Sad It's Over Already!

 

TITLE: Funny Story

AUTHOR: Emily Henry

PUBLISHER: Berkley

PUBLISHING DATE: April 23, 2024

PAGES: 400   

SOURCE: Library

FROM GOODREADS: Daphne always loved the way her fiancé Peter told their story. How they met (on a blustery day), fell in love (over an errant hat), and moved back to his lakeside hometown to begin their life together. He really was good at telling it…right up until the moment he realized he was actually in love with his childhood best friend Petra.

Which is how Daphne begins her new story: Stranded in beautiful Waning Bay, Michigan, without friends or family but with a dream job as a children’s librarian (that barely pays the bills) and proposing to be roommates with the only person who could possibly understand her predicament: Petra’s ex, Miles Nowak. 

Scruffy and chaotic—with a penchant for taking solace in the sounds of heart break love ballads—Miles is exactly the opposite of practical, buttoned up Daphne, whose coworkers know so little about her they have a running bet that she’s either FBI or in witness protection. The roommates mainly avoid one another, until one day, while drowning their sorrows, they form a tenuous friendship and a plan. If said plan also involves posting deliberately misleading photos of their summer adventures together, well, who could blame them?

But it’s all just for show, of course, because there’s no way Daphne would actually start her new chapter by falling in love with her ex-fiancé’s new fiancée’s ex…right?

MY THOUGHTS: When the notification came into my inbox that this had arrived on Libby, I immediately dropped everything else I was reading and started it.  I have read all of Henry's other adult books and have loved them all, so I was excited to see what this one was all about.  The only complainant I have is that I read it so fast and now it's over and I'm going to have to wait another year or so for her next new release.

Daphne gave up her job and friends to move to Michigan when she and Petr became engaged.  She got a new job she loved in the local library, and they bought the perfect house she could finally make her own.  However, the night of Peter's bachelor party, he comes home and tells her he is leaving her for his best friend Petra.  Daphne has always been accepting that Peter's best friend was someone he knew since childhood, had a huge connection to him and his family and was female.  Peter gives Daphne two weeks to move out so she decides to move in with Petra's ex who was also dumped, Miles.

When Miles and Daphne get a wedding invitation from Peter and Petra, they accidentally mention they are now a couple as well.  They start "fake dating" and before they know it, they are growing closer and closer as the days pass.  However, both of them have a lot of baggage from their childhoods and aren't too sure they are even relationship material anymore.  Can they continue the ruse until the wedding takes place or will they discover maybe there's a funny story in their future for how they both ended up together.

I loved the characters in this book, especially Miles.  Henry's books always contain some deeper subject matter and issues that most rom-coms I pick up and I love how she is not afraid to include some messiness within the pages.  I also loved Daphne and her friendship with her coworkers at the library and Miles and his relationship with his zany sister. 

I saw someone compare this book to an entire season of Gilmore Girls.  That didn't come to mind for me but after seeing it, I definitely agree.  If you love that kind of drama, then this might just be the book for you.  Now I just need to figure out how to convince Henry to write faster!

MY RATING: 5 Paws

Feed Your TBR - Best Hex Ever

 

Can't Wait Wednesday, which I have adapted to better suit my blog as "Feed Your TBR" is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings to spotlight highly anticipated books.  It is based on the Waiting on Wednesday meme which used to be hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

October 1, 2024

FROM GOODREADS: Dina Whitlock knows her way around a pastry recipe. As a skilled kitchen witch, she runs her very own London café, serving magic-infused pastries to her loyal customers. But only a select few friends know about her magical abilities or the hex that has plagued her love life. It’s hard to fall in love when your partner is guaranteed to have a string of bad luck.

Scott Mason is back from traveling the world and is excited to begin his new job as a curator at the British Museum. After leaving London to heal from a brutal breakup two years ago, Scott only now realizes how much he missed out on. Now that his best friend’s wedding is right around the corner, Scott is determined to be the most amazing best man ever, but he doesn’t expect to be bewitched by the maid of honour, who also happens to be the owner of his new favourite café and, perhaps more surprisingly, a witch.

After a weekend in the countryside full of peculiar hedge mazes, palm readings by candlelight, and a midnight Halloween ritual, there’s no denying the chemistry between them. But there’s just one problem: The hex still holds, and Dina knows that Scott is in danger.

Can Dina break the spell before it breaks both their hearts?

WHY I CAN'T WAIT:  I immediately feel in love with the cover, and I love witchy books.  

WHAT BOOK CAN'T YOU WAIT FOR THIS WEEK???

Farm News - April 28, 2024

 

Wanted to get a quick post up as I know with my training this week, I might be a bit absent.  I hope to schedule a few reviews ahead of time and do my usual Wednesday post, but we will see.  I won't be home until around 6pm in the evenings and then I'm sure I'll be wiped.  Working from home has its advantages but it sure does make it hard to operate in the real world sometimes.

The boys are doing great.  We had an outside Easter Egg hunt with them Saturday.  We take the plastic eggs and put treats in them, and they love finding them and getting their prize.  They enjoyed it so much around Easter we decided to do it for them periodically all year round.  Zeke has an incident about 2 weeks ago where he threw up for 2 days (but only once per day) and the vet felt it might be allergies, so he takes liquid Benadryl before bed each night and it seems to be helping.  Daddy took vacation this coming week to stay with them while I'm in training so I'm sure they will love some much-needed Daddy Time.

We watched a great but sad movie this week.  It's called Dogman and I highly recommend it, but it is super sad.  To the best of my recollection, no dogs died but there were TONS of them in the movie.  We also watched a lot of the football draft since it was that time of year again.  I know of two Marshall players who were drafted, which I always enjoy seeing.

I am currently reading Nightwing as a Buddy Read with Stormi for Old School April.  I am really enjoying it and love picking up older horror.  I also got some great books from Netgalley and the publishers this week and when I say great, I mean great.  

Bellevue: Robin Cook

Cursed Under London: Gabby Huchinson Crouch

My Three Dogs: W. Bruce Cameron

This Cursed House: Del Sandeen

My Vampire Plus-One: Jenna Lavine

Lucy Undying: Kiersten White

So, I hope everyone had a wonderful week and if you are in the path of the numerous storms which seem pretty common this April, I hope you are staying safe.

Feed Your TBR - The Teller of Small Fortunes

 

Can't Wait Wednesday, which I have adapted to better suit my blog as "Feed Your TBR" is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings to spotlight highly anticipated books.  It is based on the Waiting on Wednesday meme which used to be hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

November 5, 2024

FROM GOODREADS: Tao is an immigrant fortune teller, traveling between villages with just her trusty mule for company. She only tells "small" whether it will hail next week; which boy the barmaid will kiss; when the cow will calve. She knows from bitter experience that big fortunes come with big consequences…

Even if it’s a lonely life, it’s better than the one she left behind. But a small fortune unexpectedly becomes something more when a (semi) reformed thief and an ex-mercenary recruit her into their desperate search for a lost child. Soon, they’re joined by a baker with a knead for adventure, and—of course—a slightly magical cat.

Tao sets down a new path with companions as big-hearted as her fortunes are small. But as she lowers her walls, the shadows of her past are closing in—and she’ll have to decide whether to risk everything to preserve the family she never thought she could have.

WHY I CAN'T WAIT:  I've really enjoyed some books lately which have been categorized as cozy fantasy so I'm hoping this is another hit for me.  Plus, isn't that cover gorgeous?

WHAT BOOK CAN'T YOU WAIT FOR THIS WEEK?

A Rare DNF

 

TITLE: One of Us Knows

AUTHOR: Alyssa Cole

PUBLISHER: William Morrow Paperbacks

PUBLISHING DATE: April 16, 2024

PAGES: 352   

SOURCE: Library

FROM GOODREADS: Years after a breakdown and a diagnosis of dissociative identity disorder derailed her historical preservationist career, Kenetria Nash and her alters have been given a second chance they can’t refuse: a position as resident caretaker of a historic home. Having been dormant for years, Ken has no idea what led them to this isolated Hudson River island, but she’s determined not to ruin their opportunity. 

Then a surprise visit from the home’s conservation trust just as a Nor’easter bears down on the island disrupts her newfound life, leaving Ken trapped with a group of possibly dangerous strangers—including the man who brought her life tumbling down years earlier. When he turns up dead, Ken is the prime suspect. 

Caught in a web of secrets and in a race against time, Ken and her alters must band together to prove their innocence and discover the truth of Kavanaugh Island—and their own past—or they risk losing not only their future, but their life.

MY THOUGHTS: I read When No One Is Watching when it came out and struggled.  I ended up finishing it and found it basically "meh" but was willing to give this author, specifically her thriller novels, another chance. Well, nope shouldn't have.  I really tried with this one and after about 75 pages decided I needed to call it quits.

I know this book deals with dissociative identity disorder, but when I'm 25 pages in and I am disliking the NUMEROUS characters and they are still all the same person, I should have probably called it quits earlier.  Also, I think it takes a lot of time for the thriller aspect of this book to kick in, or at least I am assuming it does because I never hit that part.  I also want to let people know it has a lot of COVID talk in it and despite anyone's personal beliefs, I know some people are just tired of it being brought to the forefront all the time, so I wanted people to be aware.

I am sure lots of people will like this book and I'm sure it will be quite popular.  I don't want to discourage anyone from reading it, but it wasn't for me, and I gave up three days ago and still have no regrets. 

MY RATING: DNF

Farm News - April 21, 2024

It's been a while since I've done a "news" update so thought I better pop in today before the day was over.  Two weeks ago on a Saturday morning, we got a phone call that my mother-in-law had been discovered dead in her apartment.  She was 85 and had some health issues which were maintained through medicine but no major illness, so this was kind of a shock for all involved.  I took off several days to be with my husband and help with all the arrangements.  She wanted to be cremated so we took care of that and then yesterday, we had a Memorial gathering for family and friends at a local church.  It seems she died peacefully in her bed at home and when it all comes down to it, I think that's not a bad way to go.

The pups are doing fine.  Zeke is growing and is still in the skinny awkward phase.  Boxers really don't "beef" up until they turn one and he is only eight months old, so he has a way to go.  He still insists on putting anything he can into his mouth, and we have to keep on him all the time.  I keep reminding myself he is just a puppy.  Apollo loves him though even if he does try his patience at times and I can't imagine the house without them both.

I have been managing to get quite a bit of reading done this month, but I can't believe how fast it is flying.  I have training the last few days of the month and the first three of May.  I will be coming home each night but it's still about an 80-minute drive each way so it will be a long week.  It's so I can become a certified training.  I won't be changing jobs but doing so makes me eligible for a 5% raise at the end of the year.  I am currently reading One of Us Knows by Alyssa Cole. It was just released this week so I'm not sure how it came in on Libby so fast.  Her last thriller was just okay for me and I'm not sure about this one.  I'm only 80 or so pages in and to be honest, I want to know what happens but apparently, I don't want to read it because it's been slow going.

I managed to get some review books in from Netgalley and want to thank them and the publishers for sending them my way.

Cinderwitch: Cherie Priest 

How to Help a Hungry Werewolf: Charlotte Stein

Through the Midnight Door: Katrina Monroe

How to Kill a Guy in Ten Ways: Eve Kellman

Long Live Evil: Sarah Rees Brennan

Worst in Show:  Anna E. Collins

So, I hope everyone is having a great week. Look for a few reviews and my usual Feed Your TBR post on Wednesday.  Thanks for visiting Booker T's Farm!

New Favorite Dog Character!

 

TITLE: Bless Your Heart (Bless Your Heart #1)

AUTHOR: Lindy Ryan

PUBLISHER: Minotaur Books

PUBLISHING DATE: April 9, 2024

PAGES: 304   

SOURCE: ARC

FROM GOODREADS: Rise and shine. The Evans women have some undead to kill. 

It’s 1999 in Southeast Texas and the Evans women, owners of the only funeral parlor in town, are keeping steady with…normal business. The dead die, you bury them. End of story. That’s how Ducey Evans has done it for the last eighty years, and her progeny―Lenore the experimenter and Grace, Lenore’s soft-hearted daughter, have run Evans Funeral Parlor for the last fifteen years without drama. Ever since That Godawful Mess that left two bodies in the ground and Grace raising her infant daughter Luna, alone. 

But when town gossip Mina Jean Murphy’s body is brought in for a regular burial and she rises from the dead instead, it’s clear that the Strigoi―the original vampire―are back. And the Evans women are the ones who need to fight back to protect their town. 

As more folks in town turn up dead and Deputy Roger Taylor begins asking way too many questions, Ducey, Lenore, Grace, and now Luna, must take up their blades and figure out who is behind the Strigoi’s return. As the saying goes, what rises up, must go back down. But as unspoken secrets and revelations spill from the past into the present, the Evans family must face that sometimes, the dead aren’t the only things you want to keep buried. 

A crackling mystery-horror novel with big-hearted characters and Southern charm with a bite, Bless Your Heart is a gasp-worthy delight from start to finish.

MY THOUGHTS: I'm going to be honest here.  During the first 50 or so pages of this book, for a few reasons, including that I had a hard time keeping all the characters in the Evans family straight in my head, it was shaping up to be a 3/5 read.  However, when it finally all clicked for me and with what happened in the book, it quickly jumped in rating and enjoyment.  

For years, the Evans family have secretly guarded their town and kept it safe from the restless dead.  Generations have run the local funeral home and know the story of what happened during the "Godawful Mess" incident.  Now, for some reason, the dead are once again rising.  Ducey, Lenore and Grace fear it has something to do with Grace's daughter, Luna, who has no idea what the family is involved in.  When an odd boy named Crane arrives in town and takes an interest in Luna, the family is sure everything is related.  But can they get to the bottom of the situation before the secret is exposed and before too many people die? 

Once I got them all straight, I loved the characters.  Ducey is the eldest, her daughter Lenore is next in line and then finally there is Grace and her daughter Luna.  They are definitely Southern Texas women with southern charm and language to boot.  Luna is trying to figure her life out and once a HUGE secret is revealed, she is even more confused.  I also loved Belle, the idiot Sheriff's dog.  I thought this book was going to go there and kill off Belle, but man, the author pulled it out and SMALL SPOILER - Belle lives!  Despite it being touch and go (and let's get real, all animal lovers don't really consider this a spoiler, right?).  I also enjoyed the side characters which heavily lent to explaining the backstory of the town and its current state of affairs.

Finally, I have to mention the monsters in the book.  They are referred to as strigoi, and seem more like a cross between zombies and vampires.  They are definitely not your romantic, sparkling vamps and I couldn't be more pleased.  This blood is moderate on horror, blood and gore and high on charm and mystery.  I would best compare it to the books by Grady Hendrix and if you enjoy him, then definitely pick this up.  I had no idea until this week that apparently there is another book in the works, and I can't wait to see what happens next!

MY RATING: 5 PAWS