lisabreads's reviews
571 reviews

Alex Trotter is the director of a tour company who arranges for 13 people to vacation for a week on secluded Bedford Island. A week away without phones or communication with the outside world, what could go wrong? When one of the tour group is murdered, everyone becomes a suspect and everyone’s past is explored. Written in the style of a classic Agatha Christie novel, the author does a good job developing each character separately. Her writing is a little repetitive and flowery for my taste and I found the ending came out of no where. It was a fast paced plot and a quick read however, so if you are a big fan of the style, you may like it more than I did. I was given a copy of this book for free to review but all opinions are my own.

Thank you to The Catelyst Group for an e-copy of Tough Love for review.

I did not connect with the main character, Aleyna, at all. I found her story to be a lot of ups and downs emotionally but for me, the story really started in the middle. I did not feel any connection to her at all so even as the plot ramped up through some pretty emotional topics, I found them to be half felt and with no personal drive from me as the reader. I wish there was more in the beginning to really give us time to get to know the characters before the author dropped the tough plot on us right in the beginning.
Not the writing style I really connect with, therefore not the book for me. Covers some interesting topics and emotional roller coasters.

Thank you Troubadour Publishing for a copy of The Place Where Love Should Be for an honest review.

The story of two mothers, both suffering from postpartum psychosis. I personally went through postpartum anxiety and this book felt like an accurate representation of how hard the newborn period is, and why and how these ladies sink so deep.
Evie is suffering when her baby boy Edward is born. Her family try to help but she wants to feel like she can handle it. She wants to be able to love her own son. Evie’s mother left the family when she was six after her baby sister Joanne was born. As she reconnects with her to find some connection with someone who knows the struggle she’s facing, more about why her mother left is revealed.

I enjoyed this book and it almost felt too close to home for me. Brought back a lot of the darker days of NICU time with my son and those first few months of anxiety. How they let you leave a hospital with such a tiny fragile little person is still a shock to me sometimes. I did see myself in Evie and liked following her story. The rest of the characters were exasperating at times but all in all, a very interesting read.

Thank you Random Things Tours for a copy of The Comedy Club Murders for review.

This was a fun cozy mystery to settle into. I found the comedy club angle wasn’t used as much a I would have imagined it would be. There definitely could have been more humour there. I also think that starting in the middle of a series did me a disservice because it jumps into characters that are not well developed but that is very much do to them being recurring characters.

The style was very interesting to read though and I am sure if I had started with book one, my lack of connection to the main character and his girlfriend would be resolved.

Thank you Tiller Press for a copy of Cookies and Cocktails for review. Available October 23, 2019.

I liked the concept of this book. Grown up versions of milk and cookies. The pairings were well thought out and the cookie recipes were delicious. I found the cocktail recipes to be a little complicated for me with specialty ingredients that I would have to source. Milk based cocktails are not high on my wishlist though so I’m not sure I need that many different types to try. Fun for special occasions or even a Christmas date night before Santa comes. I bet he would like a little special cocktail waiting for him this year!

Thank you Random Things Tours and the author Francis Booth for a copy of Code 17 for review and including me on the blog tour!

Code 17 is a 1960s British spy television show in book form. The chapters are short and punchy, and stars an Emma Peel type character in the art world. Lots of intrigue, villains and characters in this book to keep you entertained and guessing until the very end.

Thank you University of Georgia Press and Netgalley for a copy of Television History, the Peabody Archive, and Cultural Memory for review.
This was such a deep look at the importance of television archives and what we can learn from them. My favourite essay was the one on children’s television and the importance and extension of learning with supplemental materials and merchandise. That really connected with me as a parent and a pop culture enthusiast.

Thank you Penguin Random House Canada for this copy of Mandy's Gourmet Salads for review.

Mandy's Gourment Salads is perfect for anyone, including me, who is in a major salad rut these days. I find myself reaching for the same ingredients day after day to make a healthy and filling salad for lunch. The salad recipes in this book are varied and unique and have inspired a lot of ideas for new dressings or combinations that I might try for my family. Easily adapted and the dressing recipes can be mixed and matched which really helps work around personal preferences and family dietary concerns.

Thank you Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for a copy of Chasing Flavor by Dan Kluger for review,

This cookbook is perfect for more adventurous home cooks. Chasing Flavor has a lot of unique little twists on some common recipes but nothing too crazy. Just little things that elevate a meal. A few things that I really liked was he paired his main recipes with some sides as well, so each page was a complete plate that pairs well and compliments each other. Also, included with each recipe is a box that includes the author's takeaway, which was a little something that you could learn and use to then apply to other aspects or the way you can craft your own recipes leading out. I love when cookbook author's include ways to show you what they did to design a well rounded recipe, or a favourite ingredient to help the home cook not just enjoy the meals in their book but also use what they learned to expand their own creativity in the kitchen.