Spare Parts The Story of Medicine Through the History of Transplant Surgery by Paul Craddock Narrated by Paul Craddock

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I received a digital copy of this audiobook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Sometimes when listening to a nonfiction audiobook they can come across as dry especially if the narrator does not feel a particular connection with the subject matter. This book however is read by the author so there is a true feeling of what he found peculiar or funny or strange or sad or exciting. This makes the storytelling even more engaging. Plus as an American I think it’s fairly common that we enjoy a British accent (which this guy has) I mean I would listen to Benedict Cumberbatch read the phone book.

I work in a field that is medicine adjacent so I had a keen interest in the subject matter and while I do think this book would be interesting for anyone I will say up front I had no idea how many dogs lost their lives in the name of medical science so if that’s something that will bother you this may not be a good fit.

The book does address more recent advancements but primarily spends its time in the early days of transfusions, organ transplant, skin grafting, anatomy and the development of medical knowledge.

Fascinating listen. 5/5

Up All Night with a Good Duke by Amy Rose Bennett Narrated by Sasha Higgins

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I received a digital copy of this audiobook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I adore historical romance audiobooks and this one did not disappoint. Our heroine is independent, relatively self sufficient for her time and a little saucy. Our hero despite being a super hot widowed Duke has a ruined reputation. He doesn’t really care what others think but he has a 15 year old daughter who really needs a mom type figure and he needs an heir so into the fray he goes. The chemistry between these two is unreal. I loved every minute. Good sounds quality and great narration. 5/5

You Were Made to Be Mine The Palace of Rogues by Julie Anne Long

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I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book is the 5th in the series so while not absolutely necessary - reading the previous books is recommended. 

The writing is beautiful. The set up is fairly unique which can be hard to do in romance sometimes as we do love our tropes. Slow to build but once the story picks up just lovely. Plenty of wit, romance and inner turmoil. Excellent historical romance. 5/5

Four Weeks of Scandal A Hazards of Dukes Novel by Megan Frampton

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I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I loved these characters. They each have a faithful dog. Hers is enormous and his is dainty. She’s feisty and impulsive but genuine and kind hearted. He’s a hot scholarly nerd - one of my favorite hero archetypes. They have a history of relatable trauma in that their fathers were both gamblers, not the best of dads and are now dead.

Alternating points of view is so satisfying with an enemies to lovers trope. Honestly it should be a requirement. These two seriously have the hots for each other. I love that she’s the one that says - eh why not and he’s the one that says - well hold on now - when they get to making out.

Absolutely scrumptious. 5/5

The Sea Below My Toes by Charlotte Guillain

I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

I read this book with my 5 and 8 year old boys. They are big time fans of Octonaughts on Netflix so this was a hit with them and they were already familiar with most of the marine life. The gorgeous illustrations are laid out in a fascinating continuous manner that displays the progression of life as we travel deeper into the water. The information is short but substantial. I would recommend this book for 5-10 year olds to read independently or with a grown up. Younger children may not have the attention span appropriate for the length of text. The details in the pictures will bring kids back again and again. 5/5

Maggie Moves On by Lucy Score Narrated by Emma Wilder

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I received a digital copy of this audiobook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book was everything I want in a contemporary rom com and a few things I didn’t know I needed. 

Our hero is a huge hot landscaper with an awesome blended family of parents and siblings including a brother tackling the milestone of fully coming out in a small town (however I was glad to see no trauma attached to this). He was refreshingly intuitive without being overly perfect, not commitment phobic and accompanied by a hilarious adorable pit bull named Kevin. 

Our heroine has had a tough journey and pulled herself up by the bootstraps figuratively and literally. Making her way in the world flipping houses and filming it all for YouTube, doing as much of the work herself as possible. 

The winding path of the mysterious past of both our heroines journey that has led her to this house and also the house itself unfolds in a way that is captivating and poignant. We uncover her past trauma that has made her the way she is and the secret inner life of the founding family of this grand home. I love a found family theme. Also there’s a treasure hunt. Who knew I needed that in a rom com?

Trigger warnings - parent death in the past, estranged parent, estranged half siblings, attempted hetero relationship when one partner is not actually hetero, coming out in a small town (it goes fine though). 

Great book, awesome narration, perfect sound quality. 5/5