"Hanover House" - Brenda Novak

Hello fellow bibliophiles! Today has been a fantastic day to stay inside and cozy up on the couch with a blanket and cup of coffee. I have been able to get caught up on some much-needed reading :) Thanks Netgalley for the opportunity to read this prequel! Hanover House is a digital prequel for the upcoming Hanover House Chronicles by Brenda Novak, with its first book, Whiteout, coming out this September.

"Welcome to Hanover House….

Psychiatrist Evelyn Talbot has dedicated her life to solving the mysteries of the psychopathic mind. Why do psychopaths act as they do? How do they come to be? Why don’t they feel any remorse for the suffering they cause? And are there better ways of spotting and stopping them?


After having been kidnapped, tortured and left for dead when she was just a teenager—by her high school boyfriend—she’s determined to understand how someone she trusted so much could turn on her. So she’s established a revolutionary new medical health center in the remote town of Hilltop, Alaska, where she studies the worst of the worst.

But not everyone in Hilltop is excited to have Hanover House and its many serial killers in the area. Alaskan State Trooper, Sergeant Amarok, is one of them. And yet he can’t help feeling bad about what Evelyn has been through. He’s even attracted to her. Which is partly why he worries.

He knows what could happen if only one little thing goes wrong…"

This book was great. I am beyond excited for the series. A group of psychopaths secluded in a remote Alaskan town to be studied by a small group of psychiartrists, one having a crazy background dealing personally with a psychopath who was never caught. Mystery, suspense, sexy cop, and crazies. Hellll-O! This prequel was a great way to set up the series. A lot of information is given into Talbot's story both currently and from her past and sets up a couple different story leads that are going to be vital to the first book. While the first book in the series will be able to be read without reading this prequel, I think it definitely would be beneficial to read this first. Having a clear idea where Talbot is coming from and how things started with Hanover House, Amarok, and the psychopaths will make more sense when reading Whiteout. Granted I haven't read that yet since it's not released until September, so I could be wrong. But I feel I will have a better understanding by having read this first. I. Can't. Wait. Check out this prequel. It's a real quick, short read!

As always, feel free to share any thoughts, comments, or suggestions!

Happy reading fools :)

"The Sisters of Versailles" - Sally Christie

Hello fellow bibliophiles! I hope everyone was able to enjoy the three-day weekend and have a little time to relax and read. Today's review was the final book I finished as part of the Clean Slate Read-a-thon. And what a great book it was! I think I was most excited to find out that The Sisters of Versailles by Sally Christie is part of a trilogy, with books two and three coming out this year! Those have definitely been added to my TBR list. Who doesn't love a good French Court, 18th-century scandal :) Thanks Netgalley and Atria Books for the ARC!

"A sumptuous and sensual tale of power, romance, family, and betrayal centered around four sisters and one King. Carefully researched and ornately detailed, The Sisters of Versailles is the first book in an exciting new historical fiction trilogy about King Louis XV, France's most "well-beloved" monarch, and the women who shared his heart and his bed.
 
Goodness, but sisters are a thing to fear.
 
Set against the lavish backdrop of the French Court in the early years of the 18th century, The Sisters of Versailles is the extraordinary tale of the five Nesle sisters: Louise, Pauline, Diane, Hortense, and Marie-Anne, four of whom became mistresses to King Louis XV. Their scandalous story is stranger than fiction but true in every shocking, amusing, and heartbreaking detail.
 
Court intriguers are beginning to sense that young King Louis XV, after seven years of marriage, is tiring of his Polish wife. The race is on to find a mistress for the royal bed as various factions put their best foot - and women - forward. The King's scheming ministers push Louise, the eldest of the aristocratic Nesle sisters, into the arms of the King. Over the following decade, the four sisters: sweet, naive Louise; ambitious Pauline; complacent Diane, and cunning Marie Anne, will conspire, betray, suffer, and triumph in a desperate fight for both love and power.
 
In the tradition of The Other Boleyn Girl, The Sisters of Versailles is a clever, intelligent, and absorbing novel that historical fiction fans will devour. Based on meticulous research on a group of women never before written about in English, Sally Christie's stunning debut is a complex exploration of power and sisterhood; of the admiration, competition, and even hatred that can coexist within a family when the stakes are high enough."

Five sisters all connected in some way to King Louis XV, fighting for power and to be his mistress?! How scandalous! And how intriguing! This book was pure gold. Christie banters back and forth between all the sisters, including both narrative and letters they wrote back and forth to each other. I loved seeing the story and struggle from each of their points-of-view! The story was full of drama, intrigue, power, and romance, romance for both the king and for each other as sisters. Positively thrilling! There are a lot of other characters throughout the book that sometimes I confused, but not enough that it had an effect on the story itself. Even better, the entire premise of the story is wrote based on actual facts. Yes, the book is historical fiction but the idea came from actual accounts. As a debut author, Christie is someone I am definitely looking forward to reading more from. She uses GREAT vocabulary. I'm all about the use of the word "pious." Don't ask. I have weird quirks :) I can't wait for books two and three, The Rivals of Versailles and The Enemies of Versailles, both due to be released this year, to complete the Mistresses of Versailles trilogy. My only fault, I wish I would have read this book sooner! As always, feel free to share any thoughts, comments, or recommendations.

Happy reading fools :)

" The Bronte Plot" - Katherine Reay

Hello fellow bibliophiles! Another book finished for the Clean Slate Read-a-thon. Four books down, one to go! Today's review is brought to you by NetGalley. Thanks again! The Bronte Sisters, English countryside, and full of history, mystery, and romance. What more could you ask for?

"Lucy Alling makes a living selling rare books, often taking suspicious measures to reach her goals. When her unorthodox methods are discovered, Lucy's secret ruins her relationship with her boss and her boyfriend James—leaving Lucy in a heap of hurt, and trouble. Something has to change; she has to change.

In a sudden turn of events, James's wealthy grandmother Helen hires Lucy as a consultant for a London literary and antiques excursion. Lucy reluctantly agrees and soon discovers Helen holds secrets of her own. In fact, Helen understands Lucy's predicament better than anyone else.

As the two travel across England, Lucy benefits from Helen's wisdom, as Helen confronts the ghosts of her own past. Everything comes to a head at Haworth, home of the Brontë sisters, where Lucy is reminded of the sisters' beloved heroines, who, with tenacity and resolution, endured—even in the midst of change.

Now Lucy must go back into her past in order to move forward. And while it may hold mistakes and regrets, she will prevail—if only she can step into the life that's been waiting for her all along."

Sometimes all you need is a good, intriguing romance to curl up with. The Bronte Plot was just that. It wasn't necessarily a great book but it was good. Everyone can relate to the main character, Lucy, in some aspect. Girl meets boy; romance ensues; unfortunate events occur; answers to long awaited questions are answered. But is she making the right choice? Lucy must face her demons and her past in order to move on fully in her life, something I think we can all relate to. Throw in delightful grandmother, Helen, who is fighting her own demons, the English countryside, literature, history and you will be hooked. The story itself has multiple relationships. The relationship between Lucy and James, the relationship between Lucy and Helen, and the relationship between Lucy and her past. For me, the most enticing part that kept me reading was the relationship between Lucy and Helen. While their relationship is reliant on Lucy's relationship with James, I felt Lucy and Helen's relationship built up a lot better. James and Lucy were too quick and abrupt at times. Things happened quickly. But with Lucy and Helen, the story continually built at a steady pace. I was intrigued to see how things would play out, often forgetting about James altogether. I don't know about you, but London and the English countryside sound simply magical. I have desired to go there for some time just to see the places where writers wrote so many of their most famous works and to stand in the moors and homes that have inspired so many. Absolutely enchanting. Heart swooning. Okay, I'm stopping now. You get the point! As always, feel free to share your thoughts, comments, or suggestions! Make sure to check out my progress post for the Clean Slate Read-a-thon! 

Happy reading fools :) 

"Coal River" - Ellen Marie Wiseman

Hello fellow bibliophiles! Today's review is the first book in conjunction with my "Clean Slate Read-a-thon." I received this book as an ARC from Netgalley so huge shout out to them! Thanks! Make sure to check out my progress for the read-a-thon on my progress post which can be found HERE. Coal River by Ellen Marie Wiseman was a great way to kick start the challenge. I picked this book up and did not put it down until I had finished it. So disappointed in myself for putting this book off!!

In this vibrant new historical novel, the acclaimed author of The Plum Tree and What She Left Behind explores one young woman's determination to put an end to child labor in a Pennsylvania mining town.

As a child, Emma Malloy left isolated Coal River, Pennsylvania, vowing never to return. Now, orphaned and penniless at nineteen, she accepts a train ticket from her aunt and uncle and travels back to the rough-hewn community. Treated like a servant by her relatives, Emma works for free in the company store. There, miners and their impoverished families must pay inflated prices for food, clothing, and tools, while those who owe money are turned away to starve. 

Most heartrending of all are the breaker boys Emma sees around the village--young children who toil all day sorting coal amid treacherous machinery. Their soot-stained faces remind Emma of the little brother she lost long ago, and she begins leaving stolen food on families' doorsteps, and marking the miners' bills as paid. 

Though Emma's actions draw ire from the mine owner and police captain, they lead to an alliance with a charismatic miner who offers to help her expose the truth. And as the lines blur between what is legal and what is just, Emma must risk everything to follow her conscience. 

An emotional, compelling novel that rings with authenticity--Coal River is a deft and honest portrait of resilience in the face of hardship, and of the simple acts of courage that can change everything.

This book was great. The writing was easy to follow, it had fantastic depictions of the scenes that were being described, and twists that I never saw coming! I really liked the historical aspect of the book. I  have not read other books about coal mining and did not know much about the effects it had on all aspects of the people and the towns the mills were in. Emma was a well-rounded character who had seen and suffered more than someone her age should have yet she had desire and hope, a longing for more that she never gave up on. I felt I was able to easily put myself into the scenes and see exactly what Wiseman was talking about. She had clear definitions for all the characters and their roles. I really liked the character, Clayton Nash. There could easily be a book on him alone. His dynamic with Emma seemed a little odd at times, but I liked how things came together in the end. What I liked best were the twist and turns. The book is suspenseful but not "sitting on the edge of your chair" suspenseful. It builds really well and then BAM! out of nowhere! If anything, read it just for that fact alone. Like I said, I did not put it down until I had finished. Great book! I'm kicking myself for putting off for so long. Once again, thanks Netgalley for the opportunity to read it! As always, feel free to share any thoughts, comments, or recommendations!

Happy reading fools :) 

"Death Before Decaf" - Caroline Fardig

Hello fellow bibliophiles! Finally, a book that kept my attention and was really good! Finding books lately  has been a huge issue. (Check out my reading struggles post here) Big shout out to Netgalley for the opportunity to read today's ARC! Thank you! Another cozy mystery series to add to my list.

"Perfect for fans of Janet Evanovich and Diane Mott Davidson, Caroline Fardig's captivating new mystery novel takes readers behind the counter of a seemingly run-of-the-mill coffeehouse... where murder is brewing.

After her music career crashes and burns spectacularly, Juliet Langley is forced to turn to the only other business she knows: food service. Unfortunately, bad luck strikes yet again when her two-timing fiance robs her blind and runs off with her best waitress. Flushing what's left of her beloved cafe down the toilet with her failed engagement, Juliet packs up and moves back to her college stomping grounds in Nashville to manage an old friend's coffeehouse. At first glance, it seems as though nothing's changed at Java Jive. What could possibly go wrong? Only that the place is hemorrhaging money, the staff is in open revolt, and Juliet finds one unlucky employee dead in a dumpster out back before her first day is even over. 

The corpse just so happens to belong to the cook who'd locked horns with Juliet over the finer points of the health code. Unimpressed with her management style, the other disgruntled employees are only too eager to spill the beans about her fiery temper to the detective on the case. Add to the mix a hunky stranger who's asking way too many questions, and suddenly Juliet finds herself in some very hot water. If she can't simmer down and sleuth her way to the real killer, she's going to get burned."

This book was the perfect mix of all things cozy. Bumbling main character constantly finding herself in the wrong place at the wrong time, witty side characters, mystery, intrigue, a hunky secretive man, and romantic tension, not to mention a coffeehouse! I loved it. I was kept guessing from start to end about what the actual crime was and who committed it. I liked the dynamic between main characters, Juliet, and her partner/friend, Pete. Great cozy mystery book. I'm looking forward to the next one in the series. I'm really interested to see where the story goes from here! Thanks again Netgalley for the ARC! As always, feel free to share any comments, suggestions, or recommendations. I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading fools :)

"Until We Meet Again" - Renee Collins

Hello fellow bibliophiles! Huge shout out to NetGalley for an advanced copy of today's book! Can you believe Thanksgiving is just 12 days away! Where has this year gone?! It feels like Fall was barely here. I love fall. Cool weather, sweaters, football. What's not to love! So while today's review is not a fall themed book, it is a sappy, young adult romance. Think Lake House but with teenagers. Ah, teen love :)

"They exist in two different centuries, but their love defies time. 

Cassandra craves drama and adventure, so the last thing she wants is to spend her summer marooned with her mother and stepfather in a snooty Massachuttes town. But when a dreamy stranger shows up on their private beach claiming it's his own -- that the year is 1925 -- she is swept into a mystery a hundred years in the making. 

As she searches for answers in the present, Cassandre discovers a truth that puts their growing love -- and Lawrence's life -- into jeopardy. Desperate to save him, Cassandra must find a way to change history ... or risk losing Lawrence forever."

I had a hard time putting this book down. Renee Collins wrote a beautiful, touching, "pull-on-the-heartstrings," teen romance. Until We Meet Again is written from both Cassandra and Lawrence's points-of-view, back and forth between 1925 and present day. Not only is the reader experiencing the love and relationship between Lawrence and Cassandra but also their own struggles and stories outside of their summer romance with each other. I loved the romance mixed with time travel and history. There are some "cheesy" moments, but I mean, come on. Would you expect anything less? I also felt that both character's acceptance of the entire "spacetime continuum" was a little rushed. I know I would have a hard time accepting it and not thinking I'm going insane! Great book for young adult readers, high school age and above. I highly recommend it. Thanks again NetGalley! As always, feel free to share any comments suggestions or recommendations!

Happy reading fools :)

"Twain's End" - Lynn Cullen

Hello fellow bibliophiles! Today's e-ARC was made possible thanks to Netgalley! Thank you!! Twain's End by Lynn Cullen was interesting. Viewing a life from someone else's perspective always adds an intriguing dynamic to what you know about a person.

In March of 1909, Mark Twain cheerfully blessed the wedding of his private secretary, Isabel V Lyon, and his business manager, Ralph Ashcroft. One month later, he fired both. He proceeded to write a ferocious 429-page rant about the pair, calling Isabel 'a liar, a forger, a thief, a hypocrite, a drunkard, a sneak, a humbug, a traitor, a conspirator, a filthy-minded and salacious slut pining for seduction.' Twain and his daughter, Clara Clemens, then slandered Isabel in the newspapers, erasing her nearly seven years of devoted service to their family. How did Lyon go from being the beloved secretary who ran Twain's life to a woman he was determined to destroy?

In Twain's End, Lynn Cullen reimagines the tangled relationships between Twain, Lyon, and Ashcroft, as well as the little-known love triangle between Hellen Keller, her teacher Anne Sullivan Macy, and Anne's husband, John Macy, which comes to light during their visit to Twain's Connecticut home in 1909. Add to the party a furious Clara Clemens, smarting from her own failed love affair, and carefully kept veneers shatter. 

Based on Isabel Lyon's extant diary, Twain's writing and letters, and events in Twain's boyhood that may have altered his ability to love, Twain's End explores this real-life tale of doomed love."

Lynn Cullen is a great writer. She took information gained through research from Lyon's personal diary, Clara Clemen's biography of her father, and many other works depicting Sam Clemen's life to narrate a great historical fiction novel based on his real-life events. While the book is mostly narrated from Isabel's point-of-view, there are times when the reader is seeing things from Mrs. Lyons or Clara's viewpoint. The beginning of the book was a little hard for me to follow as I know nothing about Sam Clemens or Mark Twain. I had trouble following things chronologically (I need to pay better attention to dates when reading!) as well as the flow of the writing until I got the hang of Cullen's style.

Now in terms of the storyline itself, let me be upfront with you. I'm not a fan of the classics. AH, I know, shame on me! That's not to say that they are not great. They just don't interest me. If you were to ask me about The Odesessy or Huckleberry Finn, I would have nothing to say. I'll admit it. I skated by in school by reading the spark notes versions. They're just not my thing. That being said, overall this is a good book. I'm still torn between whether I enjoyed the book, but that goes towards my interest in Mark Twain and nothing at fault of the author. If you like Twain, then I'm sure you will love this book! Thanks again NetGalley! As always, feel free to share any comments, suggestions, or recommendations! I'd love to hear what you think of the book!

Happy reading fools :)

Follow Lynn Cullen on Twitter: @LynnCullenBooks or check out her website and other books at www.lynncullen.com !

"Orleans" - Sherri L. Smith

Hello fellow bibliophiles! Today's throwback review comes to you from an ARC I received from Goodreads giveaway a couple years back. Thanks Goodreads & Putnam Juvenile Publishing! At that time, this book was way outside my normal genre but has now become something I'm very interested in. Orleans by Sherri L. Smith was really different. A good different. I was transfixed with this book from the moment I received it. Here's why:

"First came the storms.
Then came the Fever.
And then the Wall.

After a string of devastating hurricanes and a severe outbreak of Delta Fever, the Gulf Coast has been quarantined. Years later, residents of the Outer States are under the assumption that life in the Delta is all but extinct... but in reality, a new primitive society has been born.

Fen de la Guerre is living with the O-Positive blood tribe in the Delta when they are ambushed. Left with her tribe leader's newborn, Fen is determined to get the baby a better life over the wall before her blood becomes tainted. Fen meets Daniel, a scientist from the Outer States who has snuck into the Delta illegally. Brought together by chance, kept together by danger, Fen and Daniel navigate the wasteland of Orleans. In the end, they are each other's last hope for survival. "

Needless to say, the book has an interesting concept to it. The beginning half was a little slow going for me, but I think that is entirely due to me learning about the different tribes and how Orleans and the world "now" operate. The book was something different than anything I had read at the time and I really liked the whole concept. To me, it was a fantastic idea and a little scary at the same time as some parts of the book are potentially possible. I liked the blood type/tribe aspect of the book which is how people are now classified and segregated. I thought it added a new angle and different direction than other dystopia books. The two main characters, Fen and Daniel, have well-written story lines and I liked how they interconnected throughout the book. Overall, it's a good story. I wish it had turned into a series. I would have liked to learn more and see how the world would progress! As always, feel free to share any comments, suggestions, or recommendations!

Happy reading fools :)

"A Cowboy Firefighter for Christmas" - Kim Redford

Hello fellow bibliophiles! Another shout-out to Netgalley for the e-ARC of today's review. THANKS! Apparently I'm in a firefighter mood. Check out my recent review of Smoke by Catherine McKenzie (click here!) posted on Sunday and now this review for A Cowboy Firefighter for Christmas by Kim Redford. It's the first in the series "Smokin' Hot Cowboys" for Redford. Steamy title, eh?! :)

"Trey Duval, a rancher and local firefighter, is out of luck. His ranch has suffered from several 'accidental' fires and there is no explanation in sight. All he wants for the upcoming holiday is to get to the bottom of this mystery, but what he gets instead is hotter than any ranch fire when he meets city-girl Misty Reynolds."

Don't read too much into the description. I feel it leaves a lot out, but that's just my opinion. Misty Reynolds isn't just a "city-girl." Misty is a troubleshooter hired to help solve the mystery of the fires without exposing her role to the town locals and the people who may be potential suspects. I really enjoyed the book. It has all the parts a reader expects in a Contemporary Romance/Chick Lit novel. The characters are well developed, the writing is done well, and the whole book is overflowing with wit, humor, and charm. Not to mention brimmed full of steamy romance. Here's one of my favorite quotes from the book. Take note of Redford's fantastic description!

"This close, he appeared wild. Hazel eyes flicked back and forth, resting on nothing or on everything. Dust peppered his tousled dark brown hair. His broad bare chest was coated with dirt and sweat. He looked good in the rough and rugged kind of way that set a gal's thermostat on 'too hot to handle.' She quickly flicked her AC to a higher setting and relished the burst of cold air." (Page 7). 

Overall, good book. Perfect cozy romance novel to curl up with a cup of coffee on a Saturday afternoon during the upcoming holiday season! As always, feel free to share any comments, suggestions, or recommendations. I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading fools :)

"Smoke" - Catherine McKenzie

Hello fellow bibliophiles! First off, THANKS Netgalley for the opportunity to read an e-ARC of Smoke by Catherine McKenzie! I was intrigued from start to finish with this book! The characters, the mystery, the dynamics of relationships and marriage. I loved it.

"From the internationally bestselling author Catherine McKenzie comes an evocative tale of two women navigating the secrets and lies at the heart of a wildfire threatening their town. 

After a decade-long career combating wildfires, Elizabeth has traded in for a quieter life with her husband. Now she works as the local arson investigator in a beautiful, quaint town in the Rockies. But that tranquil life vanishes when she and her husband agree to divorce, and when a fire started in nearby Cooper Basin begins to spread rapidly. For Elizabeth, containing a raging wildfire is easier than accepting that her marriage has failed. 

For Elizabeth's ex-friend Mindy, who feels disconnected from her husband and teenage children, the fire represents a chance to find a new purpose: helping a man who lost his home to the blaze. But her faith is shattered by a shocking accusation.

As the encroaching inferno threatens the town's residents, Elizabeth and Mindy must discover what will be lost in the fire, and what will be saved."

As I've said before in previous reviews, I really enjoy books that flip back and forth between character perspectives. Smoke flips between Elizabeth and Mindy with ease. That being said, I did sometimes have trouble following some sections. There were times when the story would flip from one character to another without a clear transition. I did like how Elizabeth and Mindy were interconnected with each other. I wish McKenzie would have stated their relationship and background a little earlier in the book instead of trailing pieces throughout. I also felt there was more to say into the background and issues with Elizabeth and her husband Ben. There was definitely more to say about Elizabeth's relationship with fellow firefighter, Andy, as well. Something was left unsaid about the two of them but then again, maybe McKenzie wanted us to feel that way. Leaves a sense of mystery that keeps the reader hanging on.

Overall, I did like the book. Seeing the "fire" from two different perspectives and how it affected them each differently, had a good dynamic to it. The characters had good development from start to finish. The book begins with the start of the fire and ends with the end of the fire, a time span of only a week. Even with the short period of time, I never felt the book was rushed. That's a lot of plot line to squeeze into 370 pages yet McKenzie made it seem easy with her writing. Great cover. Like I said, I was intrigued from start to finish. It was just published on October 20 so head out and grab your copy (links below on where!). Once again, THANKS Netgalley! As always, feel free to share any comments, suggestions, or recommendations. I'd love to hear your feedback!

Happy reading fools :)

Check out Catherine McKenzie and her other books HERE!
Smoke can be purchased at Amazon and Barnes & Noble!

"Mug Meals" - Dina Cheney

Hello fellow bibliophiles! I have a different type of book for you today. A recipe book! I received this book through NetGalley. Thanks for the ARC! This review wasn't easy to write. I tried to focus more on the book and writing itself, rather than the recipes. Recipes, whether good or bad, should not be held against the author. That's simply a matter of opinion. My review, therefore, focuses on how easy or not the recipes were to follow, layout, etc.

"The secret to fast and easy meals cooked from scratch is hiding in plain sight in your kitchen. The microwave oven is not just for reheating leftovers and making popcorn anymore. With pantry ingredients, a mug and a microwave, you can create a meal in minutes that rivals those cooked in the oven or on the stovetop. Mug MEALS! is the perfect solution for new cooks, busy families, singles, college students, teens, seniors or anyone who just wants a hot meal without all the cleanup. 

Make a meal for any time of day. Breakfast options include Lox and Bagel Strata, Double Berry French Toast; for lunch try Moroccan Pumpkin and Chickpea Stew, White Bean Gratin with Olives and Lemon or Double Carrot Soup. Dinner entrees include Chinese Chicken with Noodles and Black Bean Sauce, Classic Shepherd's Pie and Lasagna; dessert selections feature Mango Coconut Crumble, Molten Chocolate Cake with Truffle Filling, Peach and Cornbread Stuffing and more."

The book was very well written. The beginning has a great introduction section that lays out the different ingredients, measurements, and items that Cheney uses throughout the recipes. Recipes are very easy to follow, many with substitutions for things like gluten-free or vegan. Photographs throughout the book are done really well. I did try 5-6 different recipes throughout the sections of the book. While I personally didn't care for the recipes themselves, like I said previously, I cannot hold that against the author. That's simply my personal opinion on what I like or don't like. As always, feel free to share what you think about the book or recipes. I'm open to any comments, questions, or suggestions!

Happy reading fools :)

"One Wish In Manhattan" - Mandy Baggot

Hello fellow bibliophiles! Recently I received an upcoming new release by Mandy Baggot. Thanks Netgalley for the e-ARC! While I can't believe that there are only 10 weeks until the end of the year, I thoroughly enjoyed reading a Christmas book already :) One Wish In Manhattan was a wonderfully, sweet, cozy romance.  I loved it!

"It's the most wonderful time of the year... to fall in love. The temperature is dropping, snow is on its way and Hayley Walker is heading for New York with one wish on her mind... to start over. With her nine-year-old daughter Angel, Hayley is ready for an adventure. From hot chocolates and horse-drawn carriage rides in Central Park to ice-skating at the Rockefeller Center, and Christmas shopping on 5th Avenue -- they soon fall in love with the city that never sleeps. But there's more to New York than the bright twinkly lights and breathtaking skyscrapers. Angel has a Christmas wish of her own -- to find her real dad. While Hayley tries to fulfil her daughter's wish, she crosses paths with Billionaire Oliver Drummond. Restless and bored with fast living, there's something intriguing about him that has Hayley hooked. Determined to make her daughter's dream come true, can Hayley dare to think her own dreams might turn into reality -- could a New York Christmas turn into a New Yorker forever? Travel to the Big Apple this Christmas and join Hayley and Oliver as they both realise that life isn't just about the minutes--- it's about making every moment count. 

This book was great. It was everything I was hoping for in a cozy romance novel. Mandy Baggot is funny. Throughout the book, there is an on-going joke between two of the main characters, Hayley and Oliver, where they refer to themselves as Lois and Clarke/Superman. I loved the banter back and forth between the two of them.

"Hayley thought for a moment then spoke. 'Seeing as you say you're Superman, you can call me Lois.' She nodded. 'I've always had a bit of a thing for Clark Kent."

I also liked the references to other pop culture movies, books, artists, etc. that Baggot uses throughout. I really enjoyed the book. Fun, witty, full of romance and charm. Throw in the magic of Christmas in New York and an amazingly bright nine-year-old and you have a great book for the season! As always, feel free to share any comments, suggestions, or recommendations. I'd love to hear your thoughts on the book!

Happy reading fools :)