karenmsecrest's reviews
268 reviews

Hotel of Secrets by Diana Biller

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

A Viennese hotelier and an American treasury investigator fall in love while surviving multiple assassination attempts. 

If this sounds like a lot of story to jam into one book… it is. So many characters and illegitimate family members were hard to keep track of. The main characters Maria and Eli were both supremely competent, but overall I wish the Coco Chanel philosophy about style had been used here: “Before leaving the house, look in the mirror and remove one accessory” or tertiary character or murder plot. 

Surely You Can't Be Serious: The True Story of Airplane! by Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, Jerry Zucker
Did not finish book. Stopped at 9%.

Library book. Too busy. 

A Notorious Countess Confesses by Julie Anne Long

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Changing my rating to a 4.25 from a 3 because I’m just now realizing the deeper allegory in this story about Adam (a vicar) and Evie (a former courtesan) in a charming village. 

While the villagers have no trouble judging her for rumors of a salacious past, she has no regrets about the choices made to keep her siblings safe. Better yet, Adam appreciates Evie’s past, because those choices have made her the woman he loves today. 

This would have been boring in the words of a different writer, but Julie Anne Long spins a good tale and is a master of character development and declarations of love. Part of the Pennyroyal Green series, so reading in order is recommended. 

The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman

mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

2nd in a series, definitely need to be read in order. More graphic than a cozy mystery, but also more fun. Fun characters, fun twists, fun crimes. I’ll read about these antics of these British pensioners anyday!

One Night Is Never Enough by Anne Mallory
Did not finish book. Stopped at 66%.

Ya basic. 

A Duke in Shining Armor by Loretta Chase

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

Runaway bride gets caught by the Duke’s best friend who is, conveniently, also a Duke. Road trip ensues. The scenarios are fun, but the language is a little repetitive. 

A decent story, not outstanding. 

Things You Save in a Fire by Katherine Center
Did not finish book. Stopped at 6%.

Not in the mood for so much emotion. More Women’s Fiction than Romance. 

After I Do by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Did not finish book. Stopped at 9%.

Love the narrator (Julia Whelan), but wasn’t in the mood for this type of book. 

Set on You by Amy Lea

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

A fun twist on a standard contemporary Social Media Influencer story: meet cute takes place in the gym, our heroine is a curvy fitness gal, and our hero is a fire fighter. 

Contemporary romance isn’t my favorite genre, but I appreciated the wide cast of characters, body positivity, and straight up hot hero. 

You Can Die by Rebecca Zanetti
Did not finish book. Stopped at 46%.

So. Wooden. 
I wanted to like this, but the writing style is so basic. Tried the audio book, too and that was worse. Wondering if the author or narrator are on the spectrum or if Lauren Snow is supposed to be.