The Bodyguard A Novel by Katherine Center Narrated by Patti Murin

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

This is the first book I have read by this author and if they are all like this I have been missing out. I laughed out loud, I smiled and I even gained some life philosophies that I’m sure I’ll be thinking about for a while. 

This story is irreverently and pragmatically told to the reader by the heroine. Here we have a female bodyguard/fake girlfriend scenario semi-on par with Miss Congeniality which also takes place primarily in Texas. There’s the thread of what’s real and what’s not while we’re pretending, with the stakes raised by the fact that the hero is a top tier movie star heart throb. I appreciated that the author did not go overboard on this concept though by dwelling on it overmuch as can sometimes happen with this trope. Hannah was so “real” and admirably practical if awkward through everything in a way that I at least found endearing and relatable. 

There is not a lot of steam. Closed door. Only some making out with no petting and one F word that I can recall and honestly I’m a non-curser but I felt the situation made it entirely reasonable. The relationship building and cast of characters were fascinating and there was just enough action. Great book. 

5/5

The Pout-Pout Fish and the Worry-Worry Whale by Deborah Diesen Narrated by Fred Berman

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

I imagine that the audio would be accompanied by the picture book. The time length comes in at about 6 minutes.

This is such a great topic for children. Addressing emotional regulation is so important and can be difficult to address as a parent. Having a book to use with examples is an excellent tool. The situations were very relatable and the advice practical and useful but not overwhelming. 

5/5

Ada Twist and the Disappearing Dogs by Andrea Beaty Narrated by Bahni Turpin

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

Being the mom of two science loving elementary aged kids I knew I had to check this out. 

This is a great stem related chapter book. Representation matters and there is a lot of representation happening. The circle of friends include girls and boys. One boy is dyslexic but loves to draw. All of their names and interests rhyme. Ada and her Aunt are ladies of color as is the narrator. 

Ada goes through the scientific method thoroughly and puts it into practice in a way relatable to children. There are moments of humor. There are a lot of educational and interesting facts discussed. There is female empowerment. There is guidance about the wisdom of not jumping to conclusions or making assumptions without investigating thoroughly and what kind of negative situations can happen if one does share opinions with no basis in reality. It’s clearly explained that science is about facts and not feelings.

The audiobook comes in just under and hour and a half and acting was spectacular especially considering there were a lot of characters and animals involved. Sound quality was good.

5/5

A Haunted Road Atlas Sinister Stops, Dangerous Destinations, and True Crime Tales by Christine Schiefer; Em Schulz Narrated by Christine Schiefer; Em Schulz

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

I had not listened to the authors podcast before but being an occasional strange true crime/ ghost history enthusiast I was eager to listen to this one. They did a solid job of addressing one true crime and one haunting in a variety of locations across the country interwoven with their own experiences with these cities and places. Fans of their podcast will get the most out of this book and audiobook but even though I’m not one of their previous listeners I didn’t find it inaccessible. 

Very enjoyable, fascinating info and good sound quality. 5/5

Mad for a Mate by MaryJanice Davidson

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

If Lorelei Gilmore dictated a shifter murder mystery I imagine it would be something like this. Quirky to the extreme it was almost difficult to follow at times likely because this is my first time reading this author and it’s also one of the later books in a series. 

This book features a unique oddball madcap zany sarcastic sense of humor that I imagine could be too much for some people. 

Our heroine is a shifter who cannot shift but does have heightened senses. They call this minority squibs. More or less exactly the same as non-magic people from magical families in Harry Potter are called squibs. I was not sure how I felt about this and looked up the work on merriam Webster while there is a definition for just squib that I suppose could be somewhat related - a broken fire cracker that fizzes. More interesting was that “damp squib” was listed as British

: something that is disappointing because it is not as exciting or effective as expected.

The heroine and her friends call them selves the damp squibs and perform extreme challenges/dares.

Our hero is an adorably awkward Scottish bear shifter. Some of his backstory felt a little convoluted but I imagine would have made more sense had I read the previous books. So I would recommend reading in order in this case. 

Lowish steam. Door only slightly cracked open and only at the end. More plot and humorous dialogue driven. 

Trigger warnings - specism? Foster care, child runaways, remembered child trafficking (but not in a sex way), extreme sport death. 

Additionally the title feels a little misleading. Many shifter books bring us fated mates or mate bonds or mate frenzies etc. There are zero mates here. There is a side character wedding but they’re not referred to as mates either it’s just a wedding. So don’t go in expecting Mates of any kind really.

^4/5

Immortal Rising by Lynsay Sands

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I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This is the 34th book in the series. While I have read this author before this is the first book I have read in the series. However I did not feel lost at all and feel confident it can be read as a stand alone. Though I definitely plan to read more of the series now.

Here we have an immortal heroine who can hear the thoughts of others and a hero who is a an animal human hybrid with giant eagle wings and feathers instead of hair. He definitely sounds super hot though so the heroine and I are both good with that. 

This book offers plenty of adventure and suspense while at the same time being somehow both steamy/romantic and also heartwarming in the relationships between the found family members. The depth of character that I’m sure reaches into the other books is apparent. There’s also a journey of self discovery for our main characters and they’re getting to know you phase feels so genuine and relatable.

5/5 Great read.

Never a Duke by Grace Burrowes

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I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This is the 7th book in Grace Burrows Rogues to Riches series. While it will likely be more enjoyable reading after the previous six it can be read as a stand alone. There is an overarching theme of found family and the previous book couples are involved but their back stories are adequately addressed to not leave the reader confused.

Our hero is from humble but honest beginnings but when finding himself orphaned and alone in the world does what he has to to survive until he ends up Newgate prison. While there he takes it upon himself to take up for and protect another youth who ends up being a long lost heir to a dukedom. Thusly our hero is adopted into this now illustrious family and transformed into a gentleman banker. Despite his good fortune in this rumors tend to follow him.

Our heroine is a blue stocking, a defender of those with less, wether they be human or animal and also the daughter of an Earl. She is a square peg in a round hole in her family and frequently goes under appreciated. Our hero’s dubious reputation serves him well when it causes her to seek him out over the matter of missing ladies maids and ladies companions that have vanished and no one appears to care about except her. He takes up this cause and in doing so gets to know our heroine and they each find themselves rather smitten. 

This is low steam/door ajar historical romance. There is mystery, intrigue, adventure as well as delightfully sweet courtship and a meeting of the minds. There is appropriate and satisfying comeuppance to those who deserve it. Triggers involve off the page rape, kidnapping, being orphaned, being bullied by immediate family.

5/5 A fun and satisfying read.