Other Birds, by Sarah Addison Allen

Other Birds by Sarah Addison Allen 

My rating: 2 of 5 stars, it was okay.

I've enjoyed every book by Sarah Addison Allen, but this one was absolutely my least favorite of the bunch.

It just didn't connect with me the way previous books have. It didn't enjoy the characters in this book nearly as much. Maybe because there were so many of them, shoe horned into the story. And so many issues in there as well. From hoarding and mental health issues, to past sexual assault and growing up in a cult, to child neglect. And of course, they all come together in the Dellawisp, and help each other heal?

As multiple other reviewers have said, I felt like this book meandered from character to character, while never really fully developing each one or really combining them all in to one complete story, and then BAM! The last few chapters suddenly things start happening and everyone comes together and it all just fell flat for me.

All in all, it had a few lovely moments and Allen is fantastic at description. I hope this book marks her return to writing and that there will be more from her soon.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*

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Ink and Shadows, by Ellery Adams

Ink and Shadows by Ellery Adams
My rating: 3 of 5 stars, I liked it.

Book 4 in the series.

I really like this series and the main characters with all their faults and character. I had a harder time with some of the the townspeople and their family values crap and witch hunt mentality. But Nora and The Secret, Book, & Scone Society stood up to it, and prevailed.

All in all, a pleasant, fast, read.

I look forward to more!

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*


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South of the Buttonwood Tree, by Heather Webber

South of the Buttonwood Tree by Heather Webber 

My rating: 4 of 5 stars I REALLY liked it.

I absolutely adored this book. It had a touch of magic and a whole lot of family secrets! I will admit, it took me a bit longer to get into this one then it did for me to get into Midnight at the Blackbird Café, but it was still a fantastic read. I loved the growth of Blue and Sarah Grace's friendship, as well as the growth of each woman individually. I've actually read it twice now, once when I first got it and again, just before publication date!

There's so much love in this book, so much charm and a dash of mystery too, and I just couldn't put it down.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided to me by the publisher, via NetGalley*




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The Secret, Book and Scone Society

The Secret, Book and Scone Society by Ellery Adams

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

First in the series.

I am a big Ellery Adams fan, so I wanted to love this book. It was a good start to a new series, and I liked it, but I didn't love it. I had a hard time connecting with the main character, Nora. She was quite stand offish at first (for good reason, but still...) and yet intriguing. I wanted to know more about how she ended up in Miracle Springs. I loved the premise that Nora could help people by finding them the right books to read and a scone to eat.

I liked Nora's character growth as she hooked up with three other women, all with secrets of their own. They all had to learn to trust as they formed true friendships and solved a murder. It was very emotional and real.

After I got a few chapters in, it was a quick read and I finished it in a day.

But... I think this book tried too hard to be too many things. Is it a cozy? Chick lit? Magical, like a Sarah Addison Allen book? Romance? As a result it felt a little scattered.

That said, I am looking forward to the next book.

*I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*


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