#gpputnamssons

[bucolicbook]

Something Wicked (Idle Reputations, #1) by Falon Ballard

Pub date - 12/2/25

It’s 2025 and the last thing I need in my life is a book with a not at all interesting political subplot, but I read this book anyway because of that cover (which reminded me of covers of ye olden days of the 70’s and 80’s which made my heart ❤️)

I was hoping for more magic and world building and due to the lack of these plus the insta-love aspect to the MC’s, I had a difficult time connecting to the characters or being able to invest in the plot.

Thank you to G.P. Putnam’s Sons and NetGalley for the DRC

Something Wicked (Idle Reputations, #1) by Falon Ballard

[bucolicbook]

It’s a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan

Pub date - 5/27/25

*former child star MC

*enemies to lovers

*history

This was my first time reading the author and it won’t be the last but I didn’t love this. I loved the idea of it, but ultimately found it predictable, and Jane insufferable.

I will read the author’s work, but this one was not for me.

Thank you to G.P. Putnam’s Sons and NetGalley for the DRC

It’s a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan

[bucolicbook]

The Blanket Cats by Kiyoshi Shigematsu 

Pub date - 2/25/25

I was very hopeful about this one but in my reading found that the stories didn’t ever feel complete and far too many details (like the blankets and the reason for them) remained unresolved. 

This one was, unfortunately, not for me. 

Thank you to G.P. Putnam’s Sons and NetGalley for the DRC

The Blanket Cats by Kiyoshi Shigematsu

[bucolicbook]

Old Soul by Susan Barker 

US pub date - 1/28/25

I don’t even know what to write about this. 

When I first started reading - I had no idea what was going on but kept at it, and I’m glad I did because Old Soul was compellingly written. The writing kept me on the edge of my seat until the last page. 

The story is a slow building burn that is both unsettling and creepy; I’ll be thinking about this one for a while. 

This was my first time reading the author; it won’t be the last. 

Recommended! 

Thank you to G.P. Putnam’s Sons and NetGalley for the DRC 

Old Soul by Susan Barker

[bucolicbook]

The Last Room on the Left by Leah Konen

US pub date - 1/14/25

Let me preface my review by writing that I was really excited to read this story. 

Newly attempting to be sober, newly estranged from her husband, Kerry arrives at the Twilite Motel in the Catskills. Without wi-fi or mobile connectivity, Kerry plans on spending the winter writing the book, for which she’s got a seriously bad case of writer's block, and whose advance she’s already long spent - viewing it as her own personal Overlook Hotel. (You know how I know this is a sh*t idea?… This is so obviously a sh*t idea.)

(Even Jack Torrance had more of a period of reprieve once he, Wendy, and Danny settled in at the Overlook.)

I’ll stop with referencing The Shining now because other than winter caretaking by an alcoholic writer when the power goes out, I don’t really feel that  comparisons between the two are fully justified. 

*the two POV’s were very similarly voiced - neither reliable

*repetitive mystery/thriller that read incredibly slowly for me until about 30% 

*I found it predictable 

*atmospheric

Readable - I’d probably listen to this if there were dual narrators, and I was going to reread it, to keep better track of the POV’s. 

Thank you to G.P. Putnam’s Sons and NetGalley for the DRC

The Last Room on the Left by Leah Konen

[bucolicbook]

The Restaurant of Lost Recipes (A Kamogawa Food Detectives Novel, #2) by HIsashi Kashiwa

Translated by Jesse Kirkwood 

US pub date - 10/8/24

4.5 stars, rated up

Heartwarming, cozy, and absolutely wonderful. 

I adore this series and hope there will be future books as these are lovely. 

Thank you to G.P. Putnam’s Sons and NetGalley for the DRC

The Restaurant of Lost Recipes (A Kamogawa Food Detectives Novel, #2) by HIsashi Kashiwa Translated by Jesse Kirkwood

[bucolicbook]

Seven Summers by Paige Toon 

US pub date - 5/21/24

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Right in time for summer, a hit-you-where-it-hurts novel about the right one at the wrong time and place. Argh, this one - wtf did I just finish??? 

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This isn’t the easiest review to write.

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I love an all-consuming beach read. However I didn’t love this one - far, far too much grief, and Liv’s attitude and behavior (as the MFC) grew repetitive (in my opinion). The level of loss and grieving in this, really detracted from my reading enjoyment - maybe I’m still a little sensitive after having lost too many relatives during the pandemic, but the amount of loss in this felt over the top. 

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I did enjoy the locale imagery, Michael’s character, and Liv’s artistry.  

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Well written, engaging, and one that most readers love, I just wasn’t the right reader for this one. 

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Thank you G.P. Putnam’s Sons and NetGalley for the DRC 

Seven Summers by Paige Toon

[booksteacupandreviews]

Many thanks to @PRHinternational for free e-copy via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review. Curses by Lish McBride Publication Date : July 20th 2021 Publisher : G. P. Putnam's Sons Genre : Fantasy / Retelling / YA Pages : 448 Ratings :⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 𝙍𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬: Curses was fantastic and entertaining YA fantasy and retelling of Beauty and Beast about curses, friendship, family, manipulation, deception, trust, social class differences, accepting yourself, hope and love. Writing was beautiful with timeless feel to it set in 1880s with world of faeries, mages, and curses that made it atmospheric. Plot was fun and adventurous. This was more character driven and there were so many characters. Both Tevin and Merit were like characters we used to read in YA fantasy and yet I loved them both. Romance was lovely and slow burn. Though this was a fantasy there was less worldbuilding. World wasn’t explained much. We jump into the world of faery godlings who could gift or curse, mages who couldn’t curse but invented magical things, and humans divided in commoners and those with faery blood that created social and class differences. It was interesting to read about Caen’s bloom that removed the curse for few hours. Overall, Curses was entertaining, adventurous, and very well written well executed Beauty and Beast retelling with lots of characters, good message and lovely romance. I highly recommend this if you love, Retellings Fantasy with less worldbuilding more character driven classic feel rogue hero and kickass heroine slow burn romance balls and gowns Less drama No usual romance tropes witty characters and dialogues 𝙌𝙊𝙏𝘿 : 𝙒𝙝𝙞𝙘𝙝 𝙞𝙨 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙛𝙖𝙫𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙚 𝘽𝙚𝙖𝙪𝙩𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘽𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙩 𝙧𝙚𝙩𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜? #Curses #LishMcBride #GPPutnamsSons #BooksTeacupandReviews #PenguinRandomHouse #partner #YA #YAbook #YAreader #NetGalley #romance #Fantasy #YAFantasy #Retelling #Beautyandthebeastretelling #Fantasyreaders #bookstagrammer #bookishlife #bookbloggerofinstagram #readersofinstagram #bookphotography #Indianbookstagram #bookcommunity #bookgram #bookrec #bookreviewblog #bookreviewercommunity (at Ahmedabad, India) https://www.instagram.com/p/CTPYu6iInh5/?utm_medium=tumblr