endless_tbr_list's reviews
331 reviews

An epic tale, Prelude of Fire has some truly wonderful world building! Magic takes takes both musical and elemental forms in this novel and I very much enjoyed how detailed those scenes were. By giving descriptions of the look and feel of the magic, it really helps the reader picture its effects as well as the process behind wielding it. I also appreciated the diversity in the large cast of characters, though at times it could be difficult to keep everyone straight, but I did feel that each person had their place and purpose within the story so it never felt needlessly busy. 

This is a long book and is not necessarily a fast read, but I enjoyed the adventure it took me on! It was clear a lot of planning went into the story, and it paid off - though climax did feel a bit rushed, especially given the novel's length. Overall a fun YA fantasy read, and I will be curious to see what's in store for the sequel.

Thank you to the author, Christine E. Schulze, for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are my own. 

Showmance is a heartwarming tale of community, love, and of course, musical theatre. After another crash and burn situation with his latest musical, and his father's recent heart attack, Noah Adams finds himself of a flight back to Plainview, Illinois, the small town he escaped from as soon as he graduated. A trip that was originally only going to last a few days - enough time to check on his family and lick his wounds - turns into a month long stay where he's to direct an amateur production of the very show he's convinced just ruined his career. Throw in a gossiping mother and emotionally stunted father, a (temporarily) long distance boyfriend, and one high school bully who's apparently his father's right hand man, and Noah's not sure how he's supposed to survive these next four weeks. 

Noah is one of those characters that comes on strong and can be a bit off-putting - for while he's funny, witty, and charming, he's also stubborn, conceited, and lacking a filter at times. Though I do think these flaws make him real in a way that makes you root for him as often as you want to shake him in frustration. This story was an absolute joy to watch unfold because you could see the character growth happen. As much as I enjoyed the sweet romance, I couldn't help but be drawn even more to the delightful cast of characters and their impact on Noah and his work.

Thank you to Penguin Books and NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Between the Jewish funeral home his family owns and operates, and the ghosts he's seen since childhood, Ezra Friedman has grown up surrounded by death. Thankfully his older brother's role as their father's eventual replacement allowed Ezra to leave the funeral home behind. Or at least he had, until his mother dropped a bombshell that left a hole in both their business and their family. Now Ezra is back, attempting to hold everything - and everyone - together, and refusing to acknowledge he might be drowning under it all.

While the rest of his life seems to be crumbling around him, the relationship with his new downstairs neighbor just might be blooming. Coincidentally a volunteer at the funeral home, Johnathan seems to keep popping up in Ezra's life, a pleasant surprise that's slightly hampered by the fact that one of those ghosts Ezra sees is Ben, Johnathan's dead husband. If that wasn't bad enough, Ben has to go and break Ezra's "rules" by actually speaking to him.

Rules for Ghosting is a story about grief and love, about family, be they blood or chosen, and about acceptance. An absolutely beautiful and charming debut - Ezra and Jonathan have my whole heart.

Thank you to Ballantine and NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are my own. 

Brother's best friend with a side of small town romance. Anna Rivera hasn't seen Max Cooper in years - not since the summers she'd spent in Rainbow Cove when they were growing up - so he's the last person she expects to see walk into the NYC bar where her burlesque troupe is having it's farewell party. One utility closet hookup later, and he's out the door before she has a chance to reconsider their 'no-strings' agreement. That should have been it, but it seems fate has other ideas, because when Anna finds herself back in Rainbow Cove to take over her grandmother's diner for a few weeks, Max Cooper once again walks through the door.  

This was a quick, fun, and spicy romance, with two easy to like main characters - I especially loved Anna's passion for dance and her eagerness to teach anyone that wants to learn. The small town aspects were heartwarming, with both Anna and Max dropping everything to come back and help their grandmothers, and the rest of the town's willingness to chip in where needed. Overall a sweet read, but with plenty of sexy too.

Thank you to Entangled Publishing, LLC and NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are my own. 

Roos Beckman has been assisting her mother with séances ever since she was young, pulling strings and making noises to set the scene. But there came a day when the fabrications were no longer needed because, below the house's floorboards, Roos met her spirit companion. Dead for centuries and now bound to her with blood, Roos is no longer along alone, she's safe, for she has Ruth. 

Years pass and after a séance attended by Agnes Knoop, a young widow, Roos is invited to live with Agnes at the manor left to her after her husband's death. Although the building is decaying and crumbling, and also home to Mr. Knoop's ailing sister, Roos finds she does not regret her decision. She's no longer starving and exhausted, Ruth remains by her side, and Agnes is now part of her life.  

But out there, alone in that manor, something goes wrong. Someone dies and Roos is caught and put on trial for murder. Presumed by most to be mentally unstable or lying, she is forced to meet with Dr. Montague, a psychologist, to recount the events of the past months. The novel is interspersed with these interview transcripts, giving an interesting feel to the story by showing Dr. Montague's thoughts and by hinting at events that have not yet been shared. 

A wonderfully unsettling novel, My Darling Dreadful Thing is a tale of just how far people will go for those they love.