Just Stab Me
This is an ok fantasy romance enlivened by a tremendously appealing meta plot where the ‘author’ talks with her characters about the story and events happening in her real life.
Originally a series of short videos on YouTube with the author playing all the parts. This is where I came across it.
Having enjoyed those little videos I decided to buy the novel.
At no point is it terribly original but it is frequently fun and different enough from the videos to be worth the outlay.
Witchmark
Fantasy set in world where the equivalent of WW1 happened and our protagonist is a doctor treating the returning soldiers who are suffering from a type of PTSD.
Miles is in hiding from his very powerful family because he wanted to use his abilities to heal rather than be used as a battery for his sister who practices weather magic – which is the only legal form.
Investigating a potential murder leads Miles to a conspiracy, a family reunion and someone who may become a love interest.
This is an entertaining book with enjoyable characters but the pacing and the overuse of certain cliches has knocked it down a mark.
I’m going to check out the sequel.
You And Me On Vacation
Poppy and Alex are on vacation. They used to do this every summer but something nearly ended their friendship two years ago and Poppy is determined to fix things with this trip.
A sweet romance as we see the history of a chalk and cheese couple as they try to find a happy ending.
Really good fun to read.
The Ocean At The End Of The Lane
After his father’s funeral a man goes for a drive past his childhood home and remembers an adventure he had as a boy with neighbour Lettie Hempstock.
This seems to have been a deeply personal book for Gaiman. I personally found it a decent read if a little slilght. Not in his top tier.
Be The Serpent
October Daye book 16 continues to bring world shattering revelations. A friend turns out to have been an enemy in perfect disguise and Toby will have to battle to save her family and community at any cost.
I genuinely love the Toby Daye books and as we get deeper into the series and the secrets start to come out I continue to have a lot of fun with the series.
Book Lovers
Nora is an uptight career-focused NYC literary agent.
She’s persuaded by her little sister Libby to spend time with her in a quaint small town in North Carolina.
Once in town she keeps bumping into Charlie – a book editor who has been dismissive of work by her clients in the past.
Whatever will happen next?
This is a very enjoyable romance novel with enough of a twist on old tropes to never become tiresome. In fact I really enjoyed it. If Nora Ephron were still alive I reckon she could make a really good film of it.
The Bookish Life of Nina Hill
Nina Hill is happily working in bookshop when event arounds her conspire to change her life forever.
This is a pleasant read with enjoyable turns in the plot.
Grave Reservations
First book in a new series from the very talented Priest.
This one features a Seattle based travel agent with psychic gifts helping a homicide detective with an investigation.
It’s a very charming read. I’ve heard there will be a sequel and I’m looking forward to reading that when it comes out.
The Last Emperox
Final part of the Interdependence Trilogy finds the players making their decisive moves as they try to control what the future of humanity will look like.
Scalzi nailed the ending with this one.
The Consuming Fire
Second part of the Interdependence Trilogy. New Emperox Greyland II is scrambling to save humanity from the forthcoming collapse of the Flow.
This trilogy is a great deal of fun, especially the foul mouthed Kiva Lagos.