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Home Read. Review. Repeat. Genres Contemporary

Category Archive

Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been categorized as “Contemporary”

Review: SAVING RUBY KING by Catherine Adel West

Janelle July 4, 2020 BLOG TOUR, Book Reviews, Coming-of-Age, Contemporary, Finished Copy, From Publisher, Literary Fiction, Park Row Leave a Comment

Thank you so much Park Row Books for my free copy.  Description: When Ruby King’s mother is found murdered in their home in Chicago’s South Side, the police dismiss it as another act of violence in a black neighborhood. But …

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Review: OONA OUT OF ORDER by Margarita Montimore

Janelle March 16, 2020 Book Reviews, Book Sparks, Coming-of-Age, Contemporary, Finished Copy, Flatiron Books, Science Fiction, Suspense Leave a Comment

Thank you so much Book Sparks and Flatiron for my free copy. Description: It’s New Year’s Eve 1982, and Oona Lockhart has her whole life before her. At the stroke of midnight she will turn nineteen, and the year ahead …

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Review: MY DARK VANESSA by Kate Elizabeth Russell

Janelle March 16, 2020 Advance Copy, Book Reviews, Contemporary, From Publisher, Literary Fiction, William Morrow Leave a Comment

Thank you so much William Morrow for my free copy. Description: 2000. Bright, ambitious, and yearning for adulthood, fifteen-year-old Vanessa Wye becomes entangled in an affair with Jacob Strane, her magnetic and guileful forty-two-year-old English teacher. 2017. Amid the rising …

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Review: FISHNET by Kristin Innes

Janelle December 1, 2019 Book Reviews, Contemporary, Finished Copy, From Publisher, Gallery Books, Mystery Leave a Comment

Thank you so much Gallery Books for providing my copy. Description: Rona Leonard was only twenty-years-old when she walked out of her sister Fiona’s flat and disappeared. Six years later—worn down by a tedious job, childcare, and an aching absence …

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Blog Tour: THE BOOKISH LIFE OF NINA HILL by Abbi Waxman

Janelle July 17, 2019 Berkley Publishing, BLOG TOUR, Book Reviews, Book Spotlight, Contemporary, Finished Copy, From Publisher, Humor Leave a Comment

Thank you so much Berkley Publishing for my free copy.  Description:  The only child of a single mother, Nina has her life just as she wants it: a job in a bookstore, a kick-butt trivia team, a world-class planner and …

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Blog Tour & Review: THE FLATSHARE by Beth O’Leary

Janelle June 19, 2019 BLOG TOUR, Book Reviews, Contemporary, Finished Copy, Flatiron Books, From Publisher Leave a Comment

Thank you so much Flatiron Books for my copy.  Description:  Tiffy and Leon share an apartment. Tiffy and Leon have never met. After a bad breakup, Tiffy Moore needs a place to live. Fast. And cheap. But the apartments in her …

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Blog Tour & Review: VALENCIA AND VALENTINE by Suzy Krause

Janelle June 19, 2019 Amazon Publishing, BLOG TOUR, Book Reviews, Contemporary, Finished Copy, From Publisher, Lake Union Authors, TLC Book Tours 2 Comments

Thank you so much TLC Book Tours, Lake Union Publishing, and Amazon Publishing for my copy.  Description:  Valencia, a timid debt collector with crippling OCD, is afraid of many things, but the two that scare her most are flying and …

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Blog Tour: ONLY EVER HER by Marybeth Mayhew Whelan

Janelle May 23, 2019 Amazon Publishing, BLOG TOUR, Book Reviews, Contemporary, Lake Union Authors, Mystery, TLC Book Tours 3 Comments

Description: Annie Taft’s wedding is four days away, and it will be one of the grandest anyone can remember in her small South Carolina town. Preparations are in order. Friends and family are gathering in anticipation. Everything is going according …

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Blog Tour: THE ACCIDENTAL BEAUTY QUEEN by Teri Wilson

Janelle December 9, 2018 BLOG TOUR, Book Reviews, Contemporary, From Publisher, Gallery Books, Humor, Women's Fiction Leave a Comment

The Accidental Beauty Queen by Teri Wilson On Sale: December 4, 2018 Gallery Books | Trade Paperback Original ISBN: 9781501197604 | $16.00 E-ISBN: 9781501197611 | $7.99 Audio-ISBN: 9781508283553 | $17.99 Thank you very much Gallery Books for my free copy …

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Blog Tour & Review: WILDCHILDS by Eugenia Melian

Janelle October 11, 2018 BLOG TOUR, Book Reviews, Coming-of-Age, Contemporary, Finished Copy, Publicist, Smith Publicity Services Leave a Comment

Thank you so much Smith Publicity for providing my free copy – all opinions are my own.  Description:  Seventeen years ago, Iris was forced to abandon Gus, the love of her life, and her career as a top model in …

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Quote of the Week

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✨ FRIDAY VIBES ✨ I meant to post this yesterd ✨ FRIDAY VIBES ✨ I meant to post this yesterday for World Book Day, but I saw a shiny object and went down a rabbit hole. All I can say is I celebrate books every day because they make my world go round. Marcus and I have been splitting our days between kittens and puppy. I start with kittens up until the late afternoon and I switch to puppy. I go from a total chill day of reading to a “running back and forth” day with puppy. These creatures could not be more different, haha. I am happy to report both puppy and kittens are very happy. ✨ What are your weekend plans? ✨
✨ KITTENS ✨ Losing Abby is one of the hardest ✨ KITTENS ✨ Losing Abby is one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to go through. I don’t have any children: SHE WAS MY BABY. I am not ashamed to admit I needed emotional support kittens. Louie and Abby were inseparable, and I always loved that when we left the house they had each other. Sooooo... ...allow me to introduce these two adorable siblings! They have a sweet disposition and love to play. We adopted them from a local humane society and they are so tiny we had to fill out a “foster to adopt” form. They aren’t old enough to get spay/neutered yet, so we pledge to bring them back when the time comes. They are both SO SWEET. They love the big sliding glass door that lets in lots of light and the new cat tree. They are staying in our master bedroom until they get a little bigger. We had to crate train Stella until she’s potty trained (but the crate is literally next to Marcus’ head), so we all sleep together. Last night Stella didn’t even see them 😹 I can’t wait until all the new babies can roam around the house freely together. So here’s the question... The foster family named them Cleopatra and Leopold, aka Cleo and Leo. We are trying to decide if we keep those names or change them to Mia and Jules (Pulp Fiction is one of our favorite movies 😹). Thoughts?!
✨ BOOK MAIL ✨ (thank you to the tagged publish ✨ BOOK MAIL ✨ (thank you to the tagged publishers for the free books) Boy oh boy, did I get spoiled. If you’d like to view the covers, there are videos up in my Insta-stories for the next 24 hours! I recommend you go look 🏃🏼‍♀️🏃🏼‍♀️🏃🏼‍♀️ The books I’ve read so far are THE GULP by @warrior_scribe (thank you @night_worms), Tori Telfer’s CONFIDENT WOMEN, and THE BLIZZARD PARTY by Jack Livings - I recommend them all! So, so good! Gah, that reminds me I need to update my @goodreads account 🤦🏼‍♀️ ✨ Which book tickles your fancy? ✨
✨ BOOK REVIEW ✨ TAKE YOUR TURN, TEDDY by @hal ✨ BOOK REVIEW ✨ TAKE YOUR TURN, TEDDY by @haleynewlin_author “Teddy closed his eyes and listened for the shadow. It was faint, but he could hear it say, 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘮𝘦.” Brief Description: Teddy is a naive and innocent kid coming home from elementary school, but when he arrives he encounters something he wasn’t meant to see. And what he sees is quite different from what we understand as readers. He’s confused by what his dad is doing, and of course, his dad tries to explain it all in a way that Teddy can comprehend and ultimately believe that it’s nothing to worry about. His dad decides to leave Teddy alone until his mom gets home thinking no one will be the wiser. Unfortunately, Teddy doesn’t understand the concept of a secret and why would he when his dad doesn’t take responsibility for what he’s done. Teddy innocently starts a sequence of traumatic events that leaves him in a very dark place. My full review is up on the @night_worms blog as this week’s #BookOfTheWeek . Take a 👀 and tell me what you think! I go into a great amount of detail as to why this story means so much to me. ✨ What’s the last book that gutted you, but in the best way? ✨ Many thanks to the author and @night_worms for my review copy.
✨ MEET STELLA ✨ Hi, I’m Stella! I will be t ✨ MEET STELLA ✨ Hi, I’m Stella! I will be the doggy featured on #SheReadswithCats ✨ I was a happy surprise when my humans adopted me. I am half German Shepherd and half Labrador Retriever (the charcoal kind!). I am only 8 weeks but weigh a healthy 20 pounds (Godzilla puppy). I have a black coat with cute brindle ears and impressive paws. When I’m not trying to eat mommy, I love to chew on my squeaky octopus and ring toys. I am crate trained and about 75% potty trained. I even know my name! I give out puppy kisses freely and often bring sticks into the house. I’m incredibly sweet and loving. My legs are quite long for my age and my paws are HUGE. I tend to trip over my feet. I sleep deeply and dream vividly. I bounce when I’m excited and plop when I lay down. I’m not allowed in the downstairs library just yet, but once I’m trained, I will never chew on mommy’s books *wink wink* ✨ It’s nice to meet you all! *slurp slurp* ✨ ✨ FUN FACT ABOUT STELLA: she was named after a song by Interpol called “Stella was a diver and she was always down” ✨ Thank you so much @hard_case_crime for my free copy of #CastleIntheAir by Donald E. Westlake. My first #HardCaseCrime book was JOYLAND by Stephen King and now I want to collect them all!
✨ BOOK CLUB ✨ Did you know I co-host a book c ✨ BOOK CLUB ✨ Did you know I co-host a book club? I co-host it with my lovely friends @wherethereadergrows and @jessicamap - we have the most fun reading with everyone! It’s always a good time and we choose a variety of books (different genres, new releases, backlist, whatevs). This month we read A GOOD GIRL’S GUIDE TO MURDER and all three of us gave it four stars! Next month we are going to read TEN by Gretchen McNeil and we hope you’ll join us! ✨ What are you reading this weekend? ✨
✨ BOOK STACK ✨ (thank you to the tagged publis ✨ BOOK STACK ✨ (thank you to the tagged publishers for the free books) There are just way too many amazing books out there! I definitely have my 👀 on THE MEMORY THEATER and NO ONE IS TALKING ABOUT THIS. ✨ What book looks good to you?! ✨
✨ NIGHT WORMS ✨ Happy Wednesday, folks! As yo ✨ NIGHT WORMS ✨ Happy Wednesday, folks! As you all know I am obsessed with @deaths_head_press’ #splatterwestern #series and the latest installment, without a doubt, is going to be in my top 20 books of the year. In this epic horror story, we encounter merciless, unsettling, unspeakable, and atrocious acts. It didn’t surprise me that THE THIRTEENTH KOYOTE is a phenomenal book because Kristopher Triana is a brilliant author. I am in awe of his previous book, GONE TO SEE THE RIVER MAN, but I digress. The 500 pages of stellar storytelling and memorable characters make the immense length completely worth it. I never felt a lull when reading this, as I was totally and completely captivated. The story revolves around a brutal band of outlaws which are half breeds - part wolf, part man. They are a vicious group, so I would say the savage wolf aspect readily takes over. They are looking to find the heart of their former leader, Jasper Thurston. Their current leader, Glenn the Dreadful, is looking for an ancient talisman of sorts called the Menhir as he wants to yield its evil power. These wolf-man-beasts make their way to the small town of Hope’s Hill, where they meet a group of unlikely heroes. This gang of outcasts consist of an emancipated slave, a do-gooder, a vengeful teenage girl, a US Marshall, a nun with a dark secret, and a mysterious man with the number 13 tattooed on his neck. The Wolf men are coming and will leave nothing but chaos, cruelty, and death in their wake. THE THIRTEENTH KOYOTE is as violent, gory, horrific, and gut punching as can be. Triana did not skip anything or waste a single word to write this story. The vast number of characters did not slow him down, as each one is fully realized. My warning to you is this is a perfectly written splatter western novel with every single evil and offensive thing you can imagine, however it is masterfully written. What that means is, it was all necessary to reach the story’s conclusion, and in the end, it will destroy you. Thank you so much to the publisher and @night_worms for my copy.
Can you die of a broken heart? Abby was my baby fo Can you die of a broken heart? Abby was my baby for 17 years and it was the best gift of my life. She got me through some very dark times and that’s because she was a light. And now I have to face this world without her. We loved her fiercely. We love you always my baby girl. My eternal kitten. My sweet angel. . . #shereadswithcats
✨ REVIEW TIME ✨ (thank you @williammorrowbook ✨ REVIEW TIME ✨ (thank you @williammorrowbooks for the free copy) Rio Youers is an author I was introduced to when I started up with the @night_worms! I am forever grateful for this group of friends because of authors like this that I have come to love. LOLA ON FIRE is the third book I’ve read by Youers and I really enjoyed it! It reads at a swift pace and will keep you on the edge-of-your-seat. Brody Ellis is 24-years-old and the sole caretaker of his sister, Molly. He is short on cash to pay the bills, so in desperation he decides to rob a convenience store. Unfortunately, these things never work out as planned. As he was fleeing the scene he bumped into a woman who lifted his wallet and in turn threatened to tell the police about said robbery unless he completes a specific task. What comes next is an action-packed-wild-ride-of-a-story. LOLA ON FIRE is quite different from the other books I’ve read by Youers, but as expected, the writing is well done. It’s cinematic by nature, so I can definitely see this book turn into a movie. The characters are spectacular and the plot is a whole lotta fun! If you enjoy adrenaline fueled thrillers, then definitely pick this one up! ✨ Do you enjoy high energy thrillers? ✨
✨ BOOK REVIEW ✨ ( thank you @tordotcompub @tor ✨ BOOK REVIEW ✨ ( thank you @tordotcompub @torbooks #gifted ) I am a fan of @gaileyfrey, so I knew immediately that I wanted to read THE ECHO WIFE. This science fiction thriller was exactly what I needed! Fast paced and cleverly plotted. We meet a brilliant scientist and major workaholic named Dr. Evelyn Caldwell. Evelyn specializes in cloning and has found a way to replicate humans for specific needs and only in a matter of 3 months. She’s highly intelligent, a tough, no-nonsense type of woman, who most definitely doesn’t want to have children. Enter husband Nathan, a scientist in his own right who she suspects is having an affair. Evelyn investigates the situation and immediately figures out Nathan has used her research to clone her. Yes, that’s right - he cloned his own wife. EXCEPT, he gave Evelyn 2, or rather Martine, all of the personality traits that Evelyn doesn’t possess. Martine is submissive and dotes over Nathan, and oh, she’s pregnant. And THIS is where things start to get crazy. Gailey had me hooked from the first page! The twists and turns this story takes are unexpected and skillfully written. THE ECHO WIFE is dark, intelligent, and exhilarating down to the last page. ✨ Is this one on your radar?! ✨
✨ ABBY CAT ✨ My Abby is my heart. She was so ✨ ABBY CAT ✨ My Abby is my heart. She was so good today with the floppy energetic new puppy. She tried to hang out, but puppy wanted to play. Abby found solace in the downstairs library for the rest of the day. I hope she gives puppy another chance. Also, we are STILL trying to agree on a name. We are the most ridiculous couple - we have it narrowed down to four 😂 ✨ Do you all have any pets? If so, whatcha got? ✨
✨ FIVE STARS ✨ (@henryholtbooks #gifted ) WE ✨ FIVE STARS ✨ (@henryholtbooks #gifted ) WE BEGIN AT THE END by Chris Whitaker took me by surprise. I fell in love with a thirteen-year-old girl named Duchess - she’s a force to be reckoned with! I love the California coast setting and the underlying mystery beneath it all. My full review to come, but just know I one-hundred percent recommend this book to anyone and everyone ✨ So guess what?! We got a puppy today! She’s so cute, sweet, and loving. It was all by happenstance through a nearby neighbor, so it was a total surprise. We still plan to get a kitten so they can grow up together, but not just yet. ✨ What delicious food did you eat over the weekend? I had a brownie-cookie hybrid and it was outstanding ✨
✨ MORE BOOK MAIL ✨ (thanks so much to the tagg ✨ MORE BOOK MAIL ✨ (thanks so much to the tagged publishers for the free books) Happy (almost) Valentine’s Day! Do you have any plans? Basically, we bought various chocolate desserts and that is all it takes to make me happy. I’m writing reviews for recent books I finished: THE ECHO WIFE, HEARTS STRANGE AND DREADFUL, THE LOST VILLAGE, TRULY LIKE LIGHTNING, and TAKE YOUR TURN, TEDDY. So what should I read next?!
✨ BOOK MAIL ✨ (thank you to the tagged publish ✨ BOOK MAIL ✨ (thank you to the tagged publishers for the free books) Happy Friday! How are you today? I wasn’t going to keep my hair appointment, but last minute decided “might as well”. I am so glad I kept the appointment because I don’t feel like trash for the first time in weeks 😂 Also, I have this bizarre, yet cool surprise that happened earlier (see Insta stories for details). I am SO not freaking out 🤯😎 What are you reading this weekend? I’m reading FINLAY DONOVAN IS KILLING IT and SORROWLAND 😘 Shout out to my beautiful friend Chandra @wherethereadergrows for gifting me a #truecrime #book I am so excited to read!
✨ BOOK REVIEW ✨ ( @gallerybooks @scoutpressboo ✨ BOOK REVIEW ✨ ( @gallerybooks @scoutpressbooks #gifted ) When I first picked up @susan_mihalic’s DARK HORSES I wasn’t exactly sure what I was in for. The publisher was thoughtful enough to include content warnings, but I was still surprised by what I read from cover to cover. Fifteen-year-old Roan Montgomery is already an accomplished equestrian. She’s hardworking, a good student, and wants to train to be an Olympian just like her father. The Montgomery family owns Rosemont Farms and are quite powerful in the equestrian world. Roan’s father is a three time Olympian medalist who serves as her strict coach. Roan believes he holds the key to her success, hoping she can ride her favorite horse all the way to the gold. Roan has been groomed, isolated, and under her father’s total control. From the outside looking in you would think Roan has the perfect life and one of the reasons is her ability compartmentalize her relationship with her sexually abusive father. Where’s her mother you ask? She’s a self-absorbed alcoholic, who neglects her daughter. Roan is a teenager, and in growing up has complicated the situation. The novel is narrated by Roan, which at times is uncomfortable to read. Mihalic’s characterization is flawless and her writing style has the pace of a thriller. She holds nothing back writing Roan’s heartbreaking situation. There is one scene that took my breath away - another scene made me cry. Ultimately I became a person that could murder a character. It is rare when a book sparks such emotion for me. Trust me, you won’t be able to concentrate on anything else until you finish this book. DARK HORSES is a dark and intense story, and one I cannot recommend it enough. ✨ Is this book on your radar?! ✨
‼️GIVEAWAY CLOSED‼️ 🎉 3 BOOK GIVEAWAY 🎉 I have partnered up with @atriabooks to give away 3 COPIES of THE BABYSITTER by Liza Rodman! I really enjoyed this part true crime, part memoir - I am so excited for you all to read it! This title is on sale March 2nd - take a peek at the synopsis in the comments. See below for rules to enter. RULES: 1. Like and save this post 2. Please follow me, @shereadswithcats 3. Tag a few friends in the comments and tell me the last #truecrime book you read 4. Please share this post in your Insta story for 24 hours and be sure to tag me US ONLY. This giveaway is not affiliated with Instagram. You must be 18+ years old to enter. Giveaway winners will be chosen on Sunday 2/14. Good luck! 🎉 . . #bookgiveaway #nonfiction #thebabysitter #atriabooks #bookish #bookishgiveaway #bookishtruecrime #freebook #bookshelf #booksbooksbooks #bookclubfavorites #bookclub #bookstagram #read #bookstagrammer #shereadswithcats
✨ BOOK RECOMMENDATION ✨ Two years ago I rated ✨ BOOK RECOMMENDATION ✨ Two years ago I rated Oyinkan Braithwaite’s MY SISTER, THE SERIAL KILLER five stars and that rating still stands. Have you read this? It’s phenomenal! I would really love to read a new book by this talented writer. So, I am kind of proud of myself for being a diverse reader. Of course, one can always improve, but I never had to “make a point” to read authors from all different races and walks of life. I think my brain craves new things and constant change. In a way, books keep me from going crazy from boredom - there is always something out there in a book that you have yet to learn. Infinite possibilities.
✨ SUNDAY SHELFIE ✨ I’m not sure if you know ✨ SUNDAY SHELFIE ✨ I’m not sure if you know this, but I’m a lifelong football fan. The 49ers are my team, but I always have fun watching the game. I decided to root for Brady because we have something in common: we are the same age (almost to the day!) and our all time favorite player is Joe Montana. How was your Sunday? Are you reading anything good?!
✨ BOOK MAIL ✨ Here’s a Saturday stack for y ✨ BOOK MAIL ✨ Here’s a Saturday stack for you! A few highlights are DOG FLOWERS, THE DANGERS OF SMOKING IN BED, THE RIB KING, WE COULD BE HEROES, and THE SWALLOWED MAN. ✨ What are you excited for?! ✨
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