January 2024 Reading Roundup – A Book Review

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New year, nine new books to explore! There were only two books I physically read this time. All others were listened to. I loooove audible and whatever my library uses for the audiobooks. I follow a few booktokers on TikTok and I have no idea how they get through roughly a new book every other day. I just don’t have the time to do that, what with taking care of my family and running the house. Plus I’m writing a novel, which is up to 12 chapters now. You can check it out here if you like.

Without further adieu, let’s get to the reviews!

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None of This is True by Lisa Jewell

I listened to this one through my library’s audiobook system. I chose this one because it was a bestseller and I enjoyed the other book I read of hers, Then She Was Gone. You can read my review for that one here.

But this one? I didn’t like it. There were no twists and turns. Josie just thought she was doing right by the people she cared about. It was all about perception. Josie was clearly crazy but she didn’t think she was crazy. The ending was ambiguous, which I can’t stand. Something tragic happened to a character that didn’t deserve it. It was just a weird story for me. I would not recommend.

1/5 stars

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Happy Place by Emily Henry

I read the hard copy and listened to it through my library. It was just okay. I’ve never read a romance where the male character had low self-esteem, so that was new for me. I was trying to get to the why they broke up part because they obviously still felt for each other. And what do you know – it was another miscommunication. I don’t think I like that trope. It’s eye roll inducing for me. So much pain and struggle could’ve been avoided if people just talked to one another.

Harriet was a people pleaser and Wyn talked himself down a lot. She wanted to give him what she thought he wanted by being okay when he was dealing with his dad’s death, because she thought that would please him. But it didn’t and that was part of the reason they separated. Also, he thought he was too boring for her. It’s called Happy Place, but ironically it was actually kinda sad. There was a nice surprise at the end involving the friend group, which I didn’t see coming. But overall, it was okay. Read it if you enjoy this author.

3/5 stars

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Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros

I drank the punch and read the sequel. Listened to this one through my library’s audiobook system. It was so long and just more of the same. I DO NOT like descriptions of action sequences. I just don’t. There are too many characters to keep track of. I liked that we met Liam’s sister and how she didn’t like Violet at first, but then came around after she read Liam’s diary.

I don’t want to give away spoilers, but something I can mention is I enjoyed how hard Xaden fell for Violet. He probably loved her more than she loved him. But alas, the ending did not make me want to read whatever comes next. I’m good.

2/5 stars

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Nightfall (Book 4 of Devil’s Night series) by Penelope Douglas

I listened to this on audible. Of the 4 main books in this series, this is my 3rd favorite. You can read my reviews of the previous books in this series here & here & here.

I was not a big fan of Emmy in this one. It featured two people with low self-esteem in love with each other? I never really felt their love. It was more like desperation. Emmy’s brother was evil incarnate. He was so evil, he was more of a caricature than a character. Overall, it was okay. Read it if you want to complete the series.

3/5 stars

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It’s Not Summer Without You (Book 2 of The Summer I Turned Pretty Series) by Jenny Han

This book was way better than the first one in the series. You can read my review on The Summer I Turned Pretty here. There was way more love triangle drama. Yay! I have a feeling she’s going to end up with Conrad and Jeremiah is gonna get his heart broken.

Conrad was kind of a douche. At her prom, forgetting her corsage, being grumpy hurt boy, and brooding practically all the time. He’s got a lot of explaining to do. This was short and sweet. An easy read.

4/5 stars

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Lessons in Sin by Pam Godwin

It was just okay. I wanted it to be better. This was a tiktok recommend. I listened to this one on audible. The voice actors did a good job, but the story… Not much was at stake. Where was the conflict?

At first I didn’t know how the two main characters were gonna get together, so it left me wanting to keep listening. His secret, one of the reasons he decided to become a priest, that’s revealed toward the end was wah wah wah for me. I liked that Tinsley befriended the girl with a scarred face, no question. Good depiction of the guy who ultimately wasn’t the one. There were some pretty memorable scenes involving urine and period blood. I liked the surprise at end, which I won’t spoil here.

Would I recommend? Only if you’ve got nothing better to do.

3/5 stars

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Things We Never Got Over by Lucy Score

I read the hard copy of this one. I really liked the two main characters and I really enjoyed the story… ’til the breakup. It was so stupid. They obviously loved each other and he dumped her ’cause of his dad? It made no sense to me. Also, I felt it was too long. Some of the scenes definitely could’ve been cut out. It had bumbling villains and a saccharine sweet ending. Overall, an enjoyable read.

4/5 stars

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Long Shot (Book 1 in the Hoops Series) by Kennedy Ryan

This is my first Kennedy Ryan novel and she did not disappoint. It was beautifully written. Hard to read at times. I listened to this one on audible and when it got to the first sexual assault, I couldn’t move. I was shocked. The last book I read that involved a rape, I did not finish. And I almost didn’t finish this one. But, I really wanted to see the bad guy get what was coming to him. So I continued and I’m so glad I did.

The voice actors who brought this story to life were phenomenal. I don’t think I’ve ever felt for a fictional character the way I felt for Iris. The horror she went through was so heartbreaking. Caleb, her boyfriend, was a fucked up guy. But I loved how August loved her. I hated that she wasted so much time on a man not worthy of her. She was truly trapped. I highly recommend.

5/5 stars

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The Score (Book 3 of the Off-Campus Series) by Elle Kennedy

I read the hard copy and also on Kindle Unlimited. I really enjoyed Dean and Allie’s story. What I didn’t like was how hurried the end seemed. Him freaking out over a minor character’s death was weird to me, but I still loved Dean. Allie was perfect for him.

This one had another saccharine sweet ending, which in this case was fine. One question that wasn’t answered – what did his sister do that got her thrown out of college? Did I miss it? Maybe the answer will come in the next book? An enjoyable read.

4/5 stars

Thank you so much for reading! If you enjoyed reading and are feeling a little generous, consider buying me coffee here.