Nosy Neighbors to Cozy Neighbors

 

TITLE: Nosy Neighbors

AUTHOR: Freya Sampson

PUBLISHER: Berkley

PUBLISHING DATE: April 2, 2024

PAGES: 384   

SOURCE: Library

FROM GOODREADS: Twenty-five-year-old Kat Bennett has never felt at home anywhere, and especially not in crumbling Shelley House. According to her neighbors, she’s prickly and unapproachable, but beneath her tough exterior, Kat is plagued by guilt from her past. 

Seventy-seven-year-old Dorothy Darling is Shelley House’s longest resident, and if you believe the other tenants, she’s as cantankerous and vindictive as they come. Except there’s a good reason Dorothy spends her days spying on her neighbors—a closely guarded secret that no one else knows and the reason Dorothy barely leaves her beloved home. 

When their building faces demolition, sworn enemies Kat and Dorothy become unlikely allies in their quest to save their historic home. But when someone starts to play dirty and viciously targets one of the residents, Dorothy and Kat suspect foul play in their community. After the police close the investigation, it's up to this improbable pair to bring a criminal to justice.

MY THOUGHTS: I had moderate interest in this book when I saw it n the new release shelf at my local library.  I went ahead and grabbed it, not knowing when I might get to it.  I started it on a whim while reading two other books and it quickly became the book I thought about the most and wanted to read way more than the others.

Nosy Neighbors centers around a run-down apartment building with a plethora of diverse characters and one awesome dog, a Jack Russell named Reggie who manages to steal every scene he is in.  One day the neighbors all get eviction notices.  Joseph, the elderly man in flat #1 decides to protest and try to save the building.  He has recently taken in a tenant for the extra bedroom in his flat, a pink-haired girl named Kat.  Once day Kat arrives home and finds Joseph close to death on the living room floor.  Left with the care of Reggie, even though she is busy hiding her own secrets, she ends up befriending the mean elderly lady in flat #2, Dorothy Darling, and together, they try to determine what happened to Joseph.  Dorothy hates Joseph but even more, she hates when something happens in the building which she isn't aware of.

This book sort of sells itself as a mystery and while there are a few mystery elements, such as finding out who attacked Joseph, it's more a tale of day-to-day struggles, secrets from the past that never let go, and starting anew.  The people in Shelley House have little to do with each other in the beginning but I loved seeing them come together for a great good.  And as I mentioned, you have Reggie.  Dorothy hates Reggie (if you read this book, you will soon learn Dorothy hates a lot of people and things), but she also helps out with him when Joseph is attacked, and he slowly licks his way into her heart.

The past few years, I've really enjoyed books featuring found families and that is how I would best describe Nosy Neighbors.  I also love elderly characters, and, in many ways, Dorothy Darlin reminded me of Vera Wong and she was one of my favorite characters from last year.  If any of this sounds like something you are even remotely interested in, then run to your nearest library or bookstore and grab a copy.  Hopefully you'll find it as hard to put down as I did.

MY RATING: 5 PAWS

NEVER Let Strangers in Your Home!

 

TITLE: We Used to Live Here

AUTHOR: Marcus Kliewer

PUBLISHER: Atria/Emily Bestler Books

PUBLISHING DATE: June 18, 2024

PAGES: 320   

SOURCE: ARC

FROM GOODREADS: As a young, queer couple who flip houses, Charlie and Eve can’t believe the killer deal they’ve just gotten on an old house in a picturesque neighborhood. As they’re working in the house one day, there’s a knock on the door. A man stands there with his family, claiming to have lived there years before and asking if it would be alright if he showed his kids around. People pleaser to a fault, Eve lets them in. 

As soon as the strangers enter their home, uncanny and inexplicable things start happening, including the family’s youngest child going missing and a ghostly presence materializing in the basement. Even more weird, the family can’t seem to take the hint that their visit should be over. And when Charlie suddenly vanishes, Eve slowly loses her grip on reality. Something is terribly wrong with the house and with the visiting family—or is Eve just imagining things?

MY THOUGHTS: I was so excited to read this book and while I don't really regret reading it, I'm not going to lie and just say I'm a bit disappointed. 

Charlie and Eve have been together over eight years and have made careers out of house-flipping.  They purchase an ancient, secluded house and one evening while Charlie is in town (working, shopping, who knows why), Tom and his family come knocking on the door.  Tom claims to have grown up in the home and wants to show it to his family while they are passing through.  Eve is initially hesitant (trust you gut woman!) but she eventually relents. The visit starts out strange and just gets worse.  Just as the family is finally leaving, the little girl decides to play hide and seek in the basement.  Charlie finally arrives home just in time for everyone to get stranded in a snowstorm.

I will say something for this book.  It's been a long time since I felt such dread when reading and so early on.  By chapter two, the feeling was cemented and only got worse.  As the book went on, so did my confusion and I will say if you like open-ended books, this is definitely one for you.  Although I never really liked Eve as a MC, I was invested in what happened to her.  And to be truthful, even after having finished the book, I'd still like to know.  There is also an adorable dog named Shylo which I am pretty sure doesn't die in the book but maybe just disappears.  I remember commented to a friend that this book reminded me of reading House of Leaves, except I never read House of Leaves 😆.  

I can see why this book is getting lots of hype.  And I am very interested in seeing the Netflix adaptation when it releases.  I am sure many people will love all the twists and turns but at the end, I just wanted off the rollercoaster.

MY RATING: 3 Paws

Did the Dolphins Make You Cry???

 

TITLE: Life's Too Short

AUTHOR: Darius Rucker

PUBLISHER: Dey Street Books

PUBLISHING DATE: May 28, 2024

PAGES: 256   

SOURCE: Own

FROM GOODREADS: In 1986 Darius Rucker cofounded Hootie & The Blowfish at the University of South Carolina. What began as a party band playing frat houses and dive bars quickly became a global pop rock phenomenon through their multiplatinum-selling debut album, cracked rear view, which featured era-defining hit songs like “Only Wanna Be with You,” “Let Her Cry,” and “Hold My Hand.” Later, Darius would chart a pioneering path as a solo country music artist, with classic anthems like “Wagon Wheel” and “Alright.” 

Nearly forty years after the band’s formation, Darius tells his remarkable story through the lens of the songs that shaped him—from Al Green, Stevie Wonder, and KISS to Lou Reed, Billy Joel, Nanci Griffith, and so many more. 

Set against the soundtrack of his life, Darius recounts his childhood as the son of a single mother in Charleston, South Carolina. He traces the unlikely ascent of his band and shares wild tales of life on the road—but he also faces his missteps, defeats, and demons. As moving as it is entertaining, Life’s Too Short is a timeless book about a man and his music.

MY THOUGHTS: I'll admit that I haven't followed Rucker's career a whole lot since he has moved to country, as it's not one of my favorite music genres, but I am a HUGE Hootie and the Blowfish fan and their debut album was the first CD Mr. Mike bought me when we started dating.  I also had no idea this book was on the horizon but when I caught him on the Today show promoting it the week it was set to release, I immediately ordered a copy.

The formatting of this book really solidifies it as one of my favorite memoirs ever.  There are 21 chapters each named for a song in Rucker's life which meant a lot to him.  The book ranges from his childhood with five siblings and a single mother, to his days in college and with Hootie, and then how he always knew he was meant to sing country music.  I also love that he emphasizes Hootie never broke up, they just moved on (in fact, they have a tour planned this summer).  Rucker talks some about the women in his life as well as his children but is very respective considering Hootie was basically dubbed a party band (which I also never really knew).  I had no idea Rucker struggled with addiction but his openness about his struggles really showed how hard the rock and roll life can really be.

If you love memoirs, music or just Rucker in general, then I strongly recommend you pick up this book.  I flew through it and it made me really revisit some of my favorite songs, including those from his lesser-known single R & B album, which many are not familiar with, but which remains an all-time fave.  My only complainant is when I finished, I wanted more.

MY RATING: 5 Paws

Feed Your TBR - When the Wolf Comes Home

 

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.

April 22, 2025

FROM GOODREADS: One night, Jess, a struggling actress, finds a five-year-old runaway hiding in the bushes outside her apartment. After a violent, bloody encounter with the boy's father, she and the boy find themselves running for their lives.

As they attempt to evade the boy's increasingly desperate father, horrifying incidents of butchery follow them. At first Jess thinks she understands what they're up against, but she's about to learn there's more to these surreal and grisly events than she could've ever imagined.

And that when the wolf finally comes home, none will be spared. 

WHY I CAN'T WAIT:  I have two books on my TBR from this author so I really should read one.  However, this is a great cover grab - look at it!

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

2 Bloggers 1 Series - The Blackbird Trilogy

 

So today Stormi and I are continuing with our series review of Heather Graham's Blackbird Trilogy, one of the spin-offs from her Krewe of Hunters books.  When we started the series, there were only three books but just earlier this year, she added a second arc of three books so we will see.  Maybe we will catch up eventually.  So read on for my thoughts and then hop over to Stormi's to see hers!

 

TITLE: Secrets in the Dark (Blackbird Trilogy #2)

AUTHOR: Heather Graham

PUBLISHER: MIRA

PUBLISHING DATE: July 25, 2023

PAGES: 400   

SOURCE: Library

FROM GOODREADS: Over a century after Jack, a new Ripper is on the loose. 

Following in the footsteps of notorious serial murderer Jack the Ripper, a killer is stalking the streets of London. The self-dubbed Ripper King strikes at night, leaving a trail of eviscerated bodies in his wake. Fresh off a case with potential ties to the recent rash of killings, FBI agents Della Hamilton and Mason Carter are all too familiar with a slayer set to rule with a lethal fist. And they’ll stop at nothing to end his reign. 

The killer’s MO may be nothing new, but his desire to be infamous makes him dangerous. Della and Mason know it’s only a matter of time before their investigation emboldens this new Ripper, forcing the agents to work quickly before another woman winds up dead. But now that the heat is on, their game of cat and mouse takes an unexpected turn, leading Della and Mason into a deadly trap they never saw coming…

MY THOUGHTS: This was a planned buddy read from last month that I didn't manage to get to. For some reason, I was doing some serious mood reading (I still am if I'm being honest) and it wasn't calling to me that strongly. However, once I made myself sit down and focus on it, the book wrapped up pretty quickly and I'm glad that I finally knocked it out of the way. 

In the first book, the reader sees the development of a new international Krewe of Hunters group deemed Blackbird. This book finds them fresh off of realizing the main killer in book one had help and some of them have taken over where he left off. Della, Mason and several other inspectors from London are in the Whitechapel area looking for a new Ripper killer. This individual has taken on the role of recreating the old Ripper murders but with a new spin. This time around, Della and Mason get some help from the ghost of Abigail Scott, someone from the Ripper era who worked to save women who were struggling to survive and make it on their own. Will the team be able to stop this new Ripper before too many people die, including people from their own group? 

As I mentioned, I did enjoy this book. I really love Ripper related tales as the unsolved mystery of his true identity has always fascinated me. Della and Mason are still enjoying the newness of their partnership, both professional and romantically and they make a good team. I did have a few issues thought. I feel like there was a lot of repetitiveness in this book but when I think about it, it does make sense. Every night the team would go out and basically pub crawl, but they were looking for men who fit the description of their Ripper suspect and all his disguises. Also, the ending seemed a big anticlimactic. There was a huge buildup for Ripper's next killing and when it finally came around, he was thwarted pretty easily. Abigail the ghost was a great addition to this novel though and she was actually one of my favorite characters. 

If you like mysteries, action and don't mind a supernatural element, then I think you would enjoy this book as well as any other in the companion series. Graham has definitely found her niche in writing and for the most part, I find it an enjoyable one. 

MY RATING: 4 PAWS

Farm News - June 9, 2024

 

It's been an interesting two weeks culminating in the fact that Thursday was my boss's last day at work.  Things just kept getting more stressful as the week progressed and in fact, were downright weird at times.  However, once Friday arrived, it felt like there was a huge weight lifted off of us.  There will be some change moving forward but I think it will be positive.  I also did the e-learning module on my year-long training project and have an online meeting about it on the 14th.  Then I can start working on my next training project.

The boys are doing really well.  It's been hotter in the evenings, which when Mr. Barb works, is the only time they can walk, so we've been playing a lot in the backyard, and they love it.  We even played out in the rain (guess it was more like sprinkles) one evening and lots of fun was had by all.  Apollo has a vet appointment in two weeks.  He is due for some shots, and he also has a lump on one of his legs we need to have removed so after he is seen, we will plan that.  Mr. Barb and I fully plan on taking time off with him when it happens.

I have been doing a lot of reading so far in June.  I think I'm on my 6th book so far.  I don't know if I can keep up with this pace, but I'd love to try.  Here is what I'm currently reading.

Secrets in the Dark (Blackbird Trilogy #2): Heather Graham

Nosy Neighbors: Freya Sampson

Blood City Rollers: V.P. Anderson

I also acquired some new books from Netgalley and the publishers.  Thanks to everyone for sending them my way and I as always, I'm excited for them all.

All The Best Dogs: Emily Jenkins

The Second-Smartest Dog That Ever Lived: Will Pass

A Sunny Place for Shady People: Mariana Enriquez

The Rumble and the Glory: J.A. Huss

Potions and Proposals: Kate Callaghan

Tricksters: N.L. McLaughlin

I hope everyone is having a great weekend and thanks for visiting Booker T's Farm!

May 2024 Wrap Up

 

May was a pretty good reading month but despite that, there was still a buddy read with Stormi that I didn't get to so it will carry over to June.  Some of my reads were three stars and I had a lonely two star, but I also had a lot of fours and three fives.

Night Wing

Blackberry Summer

White Trash Zombie Goes Wild

A Bump in Boohail

Murder Road

The Pumpkin Spice Cafe

The Good, the Bad and the Aunties

The Man - Not Your Average Average Man

Funny Story

Feed

I read the last short story from the Mead Mishap series finally, so I wrapped up that series unless she writes more, which I hope she does.  My favorite of the month ended up being Funny Story and I'm so sad it will be another year before another book from this author.  I also picked up Feed, by one of my favorite authors, Mira Grant (aka Seanan McGuire) for a book club and enjoyed it much more than I anticipated.

Have you read any of these?  Did you read anything in May I absolutely need to add to the TBR?

Cute Dogs For the Win!

 

TITLE: Pardon My Frenchie

AUTHOR: Farrah Rochon

PUBLISHER: Forever

PUBLISHING DATE: June 4, 2024

PAGES: 384   

SOURCE: ARC

FROM GOODREADS: Ashanti Wright is ecstatic over the success of her dog boarding business, Barkingham Palace. In fact, it has become so successful that Ashanti has plans to expand her empire with a doggie bake shop. There’s just one problem, the building she’s had her eye on has just been sold to the surly grandson of one of her favorite customers.

Thaddeus Sims is not a dog person. He’s barely a person’s person. But when his grandmother is transferred to a senior living facility that doesn’t accept pets, the former army officer agrees to care for her annoying Standard Poodle, Puddin’. After all, it was with his grandmother’s help that Thad was able to buy the building that will soon house The PX, a sports bar/all-around hangout space for former servicemen that he plans to open. 

Puddin’ and Ashanti’s French Bulldog, Duchess, have become a bit of a sensation on Barkingham Palace’s livestream because of their budding romance. When a video of the dogs sharing a doggy treat Lady and the Tramp-style goes viral, their owners are sucked into a media frenzy that captures the nation by storm...and creates some sparks for their owners too.

MY THOUGHTS: I'm going to be honest; this book was a little dicey in the beginning and I was afraid it might be a total bomb.  The main love interest Thad initially comes across as a retired military jerk who hates dogs and resents having to care for his ailing grandmother's dog, Puddin'.  However, Rochon manages to mix together one of my favorite tropes, enemies-to-lovers, add a dash of closed proximity and finally throw in a big heaping spoonful of character development to pull out a win.  Oh, and did I mention cute dogs?

Ashanti Wright runs a booming doggy daycare business and has ventured into selling gourmet dog treats on the side.  She balances all of this with raising her two twin teenage sisters who are complete opposites and more than a handful at time.  Her Frenchie, Duchess, is in love with Puddin' a poodle, who is at the daycare regularly.  Ashanti loves Miss Frances, Puddin's owner, but when she has to enter an assisted living facility, her grandson Thad, who recently retired from the military, takes over her home and the care of her beloved pooch. 

As much as I ended up liking this book, the plot had a lot going on. Ashanti is trying to expand her business, including the bakery part, dodge her mean and shady Aunt who is looking for any "in" to take her sisters away from her, and figure out why one twin is avoiding her at practically all costs and refuses to talk to her about what is going one.  On the flip side, Thad is dealing with an adjustment to civilian life, trying to start a business with his best friend, a long-lost relative which could blow a lot of good childhood memories out of the water, learning how to care for a dog, and having feelings for Ashanti he doesn't want to accept.  The author did end up making it all work, but some elements felt rushed, and others could have been developed more.

All in all, though, Pardon My Frenchie was a quick read and Duchess and Puddin' were ADORABLE.  Thad managed to grow on me as his character developed and the ending was very satisfying.  I will say that my rating is reflective of some Duchess and Puddin' extra credit, but that's to be expected with me and books featuring dogs, right?  If you love pooch-centered romances, then give this one a go!

MY RATING: 4 Paws

Feed Your TBR - Puppy Love at Mistletoe Junction

 

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 15, 2024

FROM GOODREADS: Lucy Buchanan and Theo Taylor have never gotten along…like ever. Not when they were children, not when they were teenagers, and definitely not as adults…though that last part might be more Lucy’s doing than Theo’s. It was the summer after she graduated college when their antagonism towards each other boiled over into something... hot.

That is until Lucy left town in a flash, leaving everything behind for warm Los Angeles. But now she’s returned after seven years following a bad breakup, and a newfound disillusionment with La-La Land.

As for Theo, he doesn’t know and doesn’t care about whatever happened to make Lucy come back. His lingering resentment is enough to keep her at arm’s length until she inevitably leaves again. The problem is, being around each other has proven that their friction isn’t going anywhere, especially when it leads to some pretty intense heat.

The two have no idea what they’ve rekindled, but things get even more complicated when they rescue a pregnant dog together, taking on joint responsibility of caring for her.

Lucy and Theo must find a way to overcome their past, first for the sake of the dog and her litter, and for their own wounded hearts.

WHY I CAN'T WAIT: First of all, we have puppies so really, I don't need another reason.  But enemies to lovers happens to be one of my favorite tropes so that helps too.  

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

Evil Kids and Snakes - Lots and Lots of Snakes

 

TITLE: Dark Things Crawl Out

AUTHOR: C.S. Magnuson

PUBLISHER: Horrorsmith Publishing

PUBLISHING DATE: March 5, 2024

PAGES: 231   

SOURCE: ARC

FROM GOODREADS: Four different men have been locked inside the new jail in the town of Tiefer Spalt, built from the limestone of the Hellion Ridge mines. But no one comes to check on them...No one comes to let them out. 

And something strange waits in the snow outside, singing, inviting nightmares. 

Four paths have met at the crossroads, and choices need to be made. Their lives will never be the same. 

One mountain. One chance. Will they be able to save themselves?

MY THOUGHTS: The important thing to keep here in mind as I review this book is that I am terrified of snakes.  So, the fact that I enjoyed this book so much says something about the author and the tale she weaved between the cover pages. 

This book is definitely a creature feature.  Four men from different walks of life end up in two jail cells outside the small town of Tiefer Spalt, Oregon in the 1920's.  Unbeknownst to him, the rich man, who owns a mining company, has awakened something that has slumbered for years deep below his mines.  The bootlegger is just trying to mind his own business when the sheriff arrests him to "look good" to some officials.  The old man is a drunk who parents migrated from overseas to follow a priest who believed the town was home to a sleeping "mutterworm." And finally, the fourth man is cruel and sadistic serial killer.  All summer local children have been dying from snakebites.  Fate happens to bring all of these men together one cold, snowy night.  However, as the days go on, no one shows to provide food or heat and they can't help but wonder what singing they are hearing at night.  They finally manage to break out but what they find is the whole dead congregated at the local church.  However, the whole town is also dead.

The four men are forced to work together to discover what happened and how to end it.  During this endeavor, they encounter evil dead kids, snakes, and several other worm-like creatures.  The author definitely doesn't shy away from horrific, gruesome scenes and there was a feeling of dread over me the entire time I was reading.  I loved the ending and although not really shocked by the twist, loved how it was carried out.  Magnuson gave me four very unlikeable characters but had me invested in the moves of each and every one.  I loved the folklore aspect and the way the past was woven with the present to give the reader a well-laid foundation for the plot.  

If you like creature features, then you should definitely put this one on your radar.  The recent releases I've read from Horrorsmith Publishing definitely has me excited about what's to come.

MY RAING: 4 Paws