A Nobleman’s Guide to Seducing a Scoundrel by K.J. Charles (★★★☆☆ 1/2)
E-Book • Libby • Historical Romance • 2023
Short synopsis: As a newly inherited earl fights to secure his contested estate, he must trust the son of a notorious smuggling clan—even as dangerous secrets threaten to turn ally into enemy.
I really enjoyed my first K.J. Charles book, so I was excited to pick up the second book in her Doomsday series. My thoughts on this one are a little all over the place. On the one hand, I really loved the romance between Rufus (the earl) and Luke (the smuggler’s son). Their love story was so sweet, and the sex scenes were hot, hot, hot. On the other hand, this novel had so much going on that I started to get a bit lost. There’s the main plot, as Rufus tries to figure out the rightful earl of the estate—is it him, Luke, or Rufus’s greedy uncle? Then there are several side plots, including one involving Luke’s real reason for coming to Rufus’s estate. It all started to feel convoluted and even a bit overdramatic, especially toward the end, and I think the story would have been stronger with a tighter plot and fewer unnecessary storylines. All in all, though, it’s a great romance if you’re looking for something with a little more substance (and aren’t scared off by graphic sex scenes!).
Spectacular Things by Beck Dorey-Stein (★★★★★)
E-Book • Libby • Contemporary Fiction • 2025
Short synopsis: Two sisters examine what they owe each other and what they are willing to sacrifice to make their family dreams come true.
I am so, so glad Lisa put this book on my radar. I read Beck Dorey-Stein’s memoir a few years ago and didn’t like it at all, so I had essentially written her off, but I decided to give her fiction a try after Lisa’s recommendation. It was… spectacular! I absolutely devoured this novel about two sisters growing up with a single mom. One of the sisters, Cricket, is a soccer phenom, and the story explores the sacrifices families make when one person is destined for greatness. The plot moves quickly, and more than once I sat down intending to read for just a few minutes, only to look up 20 minutes later because I couldn’t put it down. It’s beautifully written, with fully realized characters, and there’s a sweet love story woven throughout that was the icing on the cake. I have a feeling this will end up on my favorites list at the end of the year, and I want everyone I know to read it!
First Wife’s Shadow by Adele Parks (★★★★☆)
Audiobook • Hoopla • Thriller • 2025
Short synopsis: As a wealthy woman rushes into marriage with a widower still haunted by his late wife, jealousy and suspicion spiral into a dangerous game where no one can be trusted.
I’m a sucker for a good domestic thriller, but this one got off to a shaky start for me. I didn’t particularly connect with Emma (the new wife) or Matthew (the widower), and the first half felt like an endless cycle of Emma experiencing alarming events while everyone around her insisted she was imagining them. Watching her repeatedly doubt herself because no one believed her was frustrating, and I am just not in the headspace to read about a man consistently gaslighting a woman. NOPE. But then the novel did exactly what a good thriller should: it pulled the rug out from under me with a twist I never saw coming, and suddenly, I was completely invested. What started as a frustrating read transformed into a compelling story about revenge, wealth, and power, while also exploring forgiveness and second chances. I really loved the way everything unfolded, and I have to give the author credit for keeping me on my toes until the very end.
What are you reading?
Hmmm…. Sounds like I need to add Spectacular Things to my TBR! I am reading the latest Tana French book — I’m reading the hardcover copy and it’s frustrating and startling how long it takes me to read things with my eyes! Audiobooks sure are easier (and don’t make me fall asleep).
I would definitely recommend Spectacular Things. I loved it so much!
It’s amazing how many books I pass over on my TBR because I know listening to the audiobook would go so much faster, haha. I feel you!
I’m reading a book called Dear Monica Lewinsky, and it is INCREDIBLE. I love it so much, the writing is SO smart.
I have heard of this book, but never added it to my TBR because I wasn’t sure about it. I may give it a go!
I know so many people loved Spectacular Things; I found almost everyone deeply unlikeable (except Mia and Oliver) and struggled viscerally with the mother’s behaviour. She was so manipulative, IMO. I gave it 3.5 stars rounded down to 3.
I just finished Yesteryear last week and LOVED it (I think you did, too?). Highly memorable and I could not put it down!!!!
What’s so interesting is that I found the mother to be FASCINATING. Like yes, very manipulative and my heart broke for Mia and all she had to deal with. But that’s what really drew me into the story! And I just loved Mia and Cricket and their relationship. Oliver 4ever, though!
I’m so glad that Spectacular Things worked for you! It was such a wonderful book! I loved the sisters so much, and Mia’s husband in particular!
I am reading “The Lightbreakers” right now which is the sophomore novel by Aja Gabel. She wrote “The Ensemble” years ago which I really like. I would say Lightbreakers is kind of sci fi as it’s about going into a machine that allows you to sort of “time travel” back to a previous memory. The science is confusing as it involve astrophysics so I let that aspect just sort of wash over me and am focused on the characters. It’s pretty good but I will be curious to see how it ends! I also started “Charlotte’s Web” with Will! I never could convince Paul to read it with me but Will was game when I suggested it to him last night. And wouldn’t you know, as soon as I started to read to Will, Paul started to listen along, too. It is a very sad book but I loved it so much and figure they get exposed to all sorts of sad story lines from Disney movies so hopefully they won’t be too impacted by the ending.
I never doubt a Lisa recommendation!
I haven’t read anything by Aja Gabel, although I heard really good things about The Ensemble.
Ohhh, Charlotte’s Web. I read it for the first time as an adult and it was more sad than I thought it would be!
I had the same feelings about A Nobelman’s Guide…. – I liked the characters a lot, but the plot didn’t quite gel for me – too many ulterior motives. I’ve been waiting to find out about the missing money for ages, and this wasn’t quite satisfying for me.
Right now I’m reading The Dead Romantics, and the Marriage Portrait, and an audio play version of Agatha Christie’s ABC Murders.
I also think waiting so long between books did me a disservice because I had completely forgotten about the missing money plot from the first book! So I was very confused about Luke’s motives for such a long time.
Ooh, I really liked The Dead Romantics and I think I also liked The ABC Murders. Great stack of books for you!
That stinks the first one was so all over the place, cause graphic sex scenes? Sign me up! ✔️ (Although I did DNF Praise cause I wasn’t feeling it so maybe don’t sign me up but put me on the waitlist)
I ADORED Spectacular Things. SO. SO. SOOOOOO Much. Like the intro is so propulsive then you spend most of the book waiting to hear what the sister is gonna do! Then (SPOILER) the husband is her coach? And it’s so layered and well done with their relationship and with their mom. Sigh. I just, like I said, adored it. I am glad it spoke to you too!
I just finished I See You’ve Called in Dead, which I saw you rated 3 stars and I loved so I need to go back and see your thoughts on it! I started The Wedding Con (#2 in that series I got at Steamy Lit) on audio, and am doing Drowning in Paper Flowers on Kindle. I am also still reading that pilot’s handbook! It’s a slow read cause I actually need to understand it LOL. Magnets. Who knew I’d need to understand magnets to know how to fly. Sigh.
OMG, the revelation that OLIVER IS COACH was exceptional. I loved Oliver and Mia’s relationship soooo much. It was adorable and mature and perfect in every way. I also loved how Cricket realized she had been in love with her best friend!!! I NEED A MINISERIES ON THIS RIGHT NOW. It was so good!!
I’m definitely in the minority of my opinion on I See You’ve Called in Dead! I just remember hating the ending and just not being here to listen to a white man complain for 300-some pages, haha. It’s more of a me thing!
I would absolutely read that miniseries!!!!
Do you remember what it was about the ending that you disliked so much? Was it the death, or him getting the house, or the new writing opportunity? I normally don’t prefer that perspective either but that he was self-deprecating and willing to change, along with people putting him in his place made it work for me!
Mostly it was the death of his friend. It just felt… forced? IDK. It just made me sad for him, lol.
Ooh, Spectacular Things sounds good! I want to read it. i just started A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson. I never would have chosen it based on the title, but Meredith from Currently Reading REALLY like it, so I’ll give it a try.
Ohhhh, I loooooved A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder. If you can get past the idea that a high schooler would not be this good at solving crimes (lol), it is sensational. That was a 5-star read for me!