Game Changer by Rachel Reid (★★★★☆)
E-Book • Libby • Contemporary Romance • 2018
Short synopsis: A pro hockey star falls for the barista whose smoothies seem to bring him luck, but as their secret relationship deepens, he must decide whether his career is worth keeping the man he loves hidden.
The Compound by Aisling Rawle (★★★★☆)
Print • Owned (Book of the Month) • Fiction • 2025
Short synopsis: Lily joins a reality TV competition on a remote desert compound where contestants vie for luxury prizes and basic necessities, but as the producers push them into increasingly dangerous situations, she must decide how much she’s willing to sacrifice to survive.
The best way I can describe this book is to call it interesting. It’s the kind of book that was easy to set down, but I also got immediately engrossed whenever I picked it back up. None of the characters are particularly likable, least of all the main character, Lily. I felt the same way about the characters in Yesteryear—they’re pretty terrible people, but they’re fascinating to follow around. This is a book about consumerism and the lengths people will go to win, but it’s also about how much someone has to lose: if you don’t have an impressive job or a satisfying home life to go back to, you might be willing to make a lot more sacrifices than other people would. I also have to give the author credit for pulling all of this off as a debut; it’s an inventive premise with a genuinely interesting plot and well-written characters. It’s not a book I’d necessarily recommend, but it would make for a pretty interesting book club discussion.
The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, Vol. 7 by Beth Brower (★★★★★)
Audiobook • Hoopla • Historical Fiction • 2023
Short synopsis: Emma M. Lion offers up her Unselected Journals, however self-incriminating they may be. Armed with wit and a sideways amusement, Emma documents the curious realities of her life at Lapis Lazuli House.
Volume 7 of The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion follows Emma through the spring of 1884, where her will-they-or-won’t-they becomes a lot more will-they. Emma is also trying to help her cousin Arabella through her season, in the hopes she will finally secure a husband. And Young Hawkes remains the most exceptional fictional character I’ve ever come across. Am I in love with him? Perhaps. Emma starts seeing all the different secrets the three men in her life are keeping from her, and it’s leading to some very exciting plotlines to come. I have one more volume to read, and then I have to wait for Beth Brower to release Volume 9. A travesty!
What are you reading?
The second book does sound interesting! And… I’m still waiting to get on the Emma M. Lion bandwagon. I see that the books are now “on order” at my library… so I will get to read them eventually!!!
EEEEEEEKS! The Emma M. Lion books are on order at your library??? I’m so happy to hear that! I hope you enjoy them, once you can finally get your hands on them.
I find it kind of depressing as both a writer and a reader when a hit book is not well written. It’s just…well, I guess you never know what’s going to hit. I remember feeling that way about The Idea of You. OMG what a terribly written book. The dialogue was terrible and so dumb. And yet maybe *I* am the dumb one because it was made into a movie, etc. I guess if people love the characters and the idea, then that’s great, and I certainly don’t want to take anything away from the authors who enjoy such big success in such a competitive and brutal market! But still, it’s a bit disheartening.
The concept of the Compound sounds really interesting. Right now I’m rereading Carefree, Young, Mellow, which is absolute gold and I love it so much. Speaking of great writing, Katherine Heiny is an absolute gem!
I really loved how inventive the plot was for The Compound! I really give the author props for that, especially considering its her debut (and she’s, like, 11 years younger than me, sob).
It IS disheartening when a book becomes a hit even when it’s not well-written. It’s how I feel about the Julia Quinn books being made into the Bridgerton series because there are so many BETTER historical romance series!
I’ve not heard of any of these books. The Emma ones sound interesting. Sometimes it’s fun to go back in time and immerse oneself in what that life was like. I’m almost finished with Ku Klux Klan in the Heartland. It’s been eye opening and well written, but I’m glad I’ve only got 30 pages left. I brought Strangers a memoir of a marriage along on our road trip to drop Curly at college. When it’s my turn to drive, I will probably listen to Calamity Club with my Bluetooth earbuds that Coach got me for Christmas. I used them when we drove to Florida and Curly said I sounded like a lunatic, laughing at a story that only I could hear. It was a hilarious memoir about a boy growing up on a farm in Ireland, I want to figure out a way for my dad to listen to it, but he doesn’t have devices or a phone, etc. I’d have to play it for him each time I visited, which is not out of the question.
I have The Calamity Club on my TBR to read very soon. I’m looking forward to it, although not looking forward to how long it is. Ack!
Ku Klux Klan in the Heartland sounds intense!
I’ve been tempted to pick up The Compound but haven’t felt the pull quite yet. A poorly edited book would drive me NUTS. I have very little patience for multiple errors in a book. It’s wild that it was picked up and made into an incredibly successful tv show (which I have not watched and likely won’t…).
I just finished “Lovelight Farms” which is an odd book to read in August since it’s set on a Christmas Tree farm. I gave it 5 stars and see that you did as well. I was relieved that the conflict resolved in short order because I was a bit annoyed with the FMC’s decision that led to the conflict. But it all came together and I love the 2 main characters! Next I will read “Slip” which is a book that Sarah from SBL recommended. I think it’s about a boxer? And I loathe boxing/fighting, so I’m really putting my trust in Sarah by trying this book!
I don’t think you would enjoy The Compound! It’s a lot about consumerism and reality TV, which would probably drive you crazy, lol.
I am SO GLAD you loved Lovelight Farms as much as I did! I also read it at a different time, and I think I might pick it up again in December for a Christmassy read. 🙂
Are you going to continue with the Game Changer series? It totally takes me out of a book when I run across a grammatical error. I’m not sure why it affects me so much in a book, but less so if I am reading a blog or an email or something. Maybe since it takes me out of that world? Anyway! Glad you ended up enjoying it!
Ooo The Compound would be great for book club. I just re-read my review, which was that it was engaging on audio but I bet I would have DNF’d in print. I am remembering all the product reviews/descriptions! LOL! I remember it making me curious about what was going on in their world that they resorted to this.
I will probably continue with the Game Changer series, lol. I did think she wrote the characters SO WELL. I’m hoping the writing improves with the second book.
One of the things I really loved about The Compound was the references to what was going on in the world, but not really being sure what was happening! I am assuming it was some sort of near-future timeline and there was a war? And I think they were living in Europe? I have questions!
I’m listening to the second Emma M. Lion, and I love it! I’ve got holds on the whole series on Libby! They must be super popular because there was a huge waiting list.
OMG SQUEEEE I AM SO EXCITED YOU’RE READING EMMA M LION!!!!!
So… I don’t any of these books.
I just finished a book today and trying to figure out which one to pick up next.