The Fiancee Farce by Alexandria Bellefleur (★★★★☆)
E-Book • Libby • Contemporary Romance • 2023
Short synopsis: Gemma needs to find a wife immediately to fulfill the terms of her grandfather’s will that states she must be married to inherit his company. And then she meets Tansy at her cousin’s wedding, and she couldn’t have found a better fake-wife.
The full synopsis of this romance is completely far-fetched: Tansy manages a bookstore and Gemma is the cover model for a ton of contemporary romances, so when her family badgers her about dating, she pretends that she is dating a woman named Gemma. Turns out, Gemma is related tangentially to her family! (Her cousin married Gemma’s stepsister’s… friend? I couldn’t fully follow this plotline, honestly.) And she shows up at the wedding! And Gemma also needs to be fake-dating someone, so they pretend they are engaged! Like I said, very far-fetched.
However, this novel was just pure fun once you get over the hurdle of the meet-cute. I loved Gemma and Tansy together and all the trouble they got into as they began their fake courtship. I thought the way they ended up falling in love with each other was super sweet and felt natural. While I wish there were more nuance to the more villainous characters in the novel, for the most part, I enjoyed this romance. It was a fun, steamy one!
Verity by Colleen Hoover (★★★☆☆)
E-Book • Libby • Thriller • 2018
Short synopsis: Down-on-her-luck writer Lowen Ashleigh (sigh) has earned the coveted contract of finishing the last few books in a series written by a prolific writer, Verity Crawford, who is currently healing from a car accident. While Lowen is in Verity’s office, she uncovers her autobiography that shines a light on Verity’s true personality.
Can I start this review by asking why Colleen Hoover insists on giving her characters the most ridiculous names? Honestly. Anyway, I read this book to fulfill the “V” category for my A-to-Z reading challenge and it was a pretty good read up until the end. The writing was pretty bad, as I expected from a Colleen Hoover novel, but I found myself super invested in the storyline and super creeped out by it, too. I had to know how everything would end! This book could be unsettling at times, especially the autobiography sections as Verity spoke very frankly about the way she felt about her husband and her children. I was committed to giving this book 4 stars until the last chapter. I don’t want to give anything away here, but it just felt cheap. I can see why this book has become such a cult favorite in the bookish community, though, and it’s one I would recommend if you want to be seriously creeped out!
Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors, and the Drug Company That Addicted America by Beth Macy (★★★★★)
Audiobook • Libby • Nonfiction • 2018
Short synopsis: Beth Macy takes us into the epicenter of America’s decades-long struggle with opioid addiction. It’s a heartbreaking trajectory that illustrates how this national crisis has persisted for so long and become so firmly entrenched.
I’ve had this book on my TBR list for a long time. I knew it was a book I wanted to read at some point, but I just needed to be in the right headspace. Because, oof, this book is so very heartbreaking and depressing. Macy begins the book by drawing us into how the opioid epidemic started and how drug companies and doctors failed so many people when it came to distributing opioids. And then she brings us along on the journey of what it is like to have an opioid addiction: the people who are addicted, the families who are in the trenches and just trying to keep their loved ones alive, the people who are trying to pass legislation, and the ones who are working hard to find better solutions for those affected (better treatment, better rehab options, etc). This book is exhaustively researched and while not an easy book to read, it is such an important one because it really puts a face to the opioid epidemic. It reminds you of their humanity and heartbreak.
What are you reading?
I’m reading Pineapple Street which is completely different than what I thought it would be: this is what happens when you don’t read the synopsis but just pick up a book based on hearing that other people have read it.
For some reason I always stay clear of Coleen Hover. I once started book and immediately DNFed it. Something is bugging me with that author.
I can see why the last one is an interesting read.
Currently I am reading some fantasy series I happened to fall into and also Fourth Wing for the second time. And I am still working my way through Braiding Sweetgrass
I haven’t felt drawn to read any Colleen Hoover books. I think I might be too old for her! And the premise of this book has always creeped me out!
I am reading a collection of essays called ‘it was an ugly couch anyways’ which I am really enjoying. Next I am reading ‘how to save a marriage’ which is a buzzy memoir written by a husband who was cheated on by his wife. It’s supposed to be excellent although it’s a weird title to read as a married person, you know? Like my marriage is healthy and doesn’t need saving but I feel like a lot can be learned from marriages that have gone through challenges.
I’m STILL reading the same Louise Penny book. I’m hoping to finish it today. My non-blog reading really takes a hit during NaBloPoMo, but Im determined to keep a book going at all times.
Colleen Hoover is So. Terrible. I mean, I’m glad there are people out there who enjoy her books, but I am not one of them. I read them when I was reading a list and I was disappointed that those were the books that were recommended!
I’m reading the newest Robert Galbraith tome and it is HUGE. I might be reading it for the next month!
I see Colleen Hoover books in the window when I pass the bookstore and have wondered if she is a good writer. Thank you for the warning, I will likely stay clear, even though the story sucked you in.
Right now I’m listening to The Covenant of Water, which is really good but really LONG. I’m kind of ready to be done with it, but I’m only 2/3 through.
I read Verity and was traumatized and have never, ever picked up another book by her. I don’t plan to. 🙂 Thanks for verifying (HA) my take.
Reading now… a trashy Jenny Colgan with some very annoying characters and an odd voice (it flips between non-neutral observer & third person?) and Running with Sherman, which is a buddy read and is taking forEVer. I want to move on. Sigh.
Ooo the first book sounds so good!
I was going to ask what you thought of Verity when I saw you reading it. I am just so over Colleen Hoover and sick of seeing her stuff all over “available now” on Libby. Totally not surprised it ended up a 3 star read for you.
I am reading The Identicals and listening to A Very Typical Family – both family dramas 🙂
Tbh sometimes I love a far-fetched plot. I think about them sort of like fantasy or sci-fi — suspend disbelief, imagine it’s real, be there for the story.