Review: Something Better by Diane Parrish

Diane Parrish’s debut novel, Something Better explores the story of Ruth and David. A suburban couple whose life begins to shift after the sudden loss of their close friends. As they navigate how to deal with their grief, they find themselves drifting separately into the unknown.

As Ruth takes on a job across the country, we see the unraveling of their relationship. Ruth’s move to the West for work becomes physically and emotionally challenging. Grappling the sacrifice of her desire to be a mother and her marriage. David with his own challenges, his isolation fuels a desire for Annabeth, the daughter of the friends who died. Complicated between dealing with his new grief and yearning for something unknown he makes an impulsive decision that affects the foundation of his commitment. 

Through their struggles, Parrish opens the introspection of forgiveness, faith and the choice you make when faced with the challenge of marriage remaining true to your vows and exploring the subconscious something better. 

As characters, I enjoyed Ruth and David. They represent suburban life and what many folks go through in the trials and tribulations of living married life. They dealt with grief, infertility, and the challenges of long distance for an extended period of time. My issue is for a couple like this, in terms of the challenges to their vows and the enticement for something better, David made a choice that I wish would’ve been explored and dealt with. It was glossed over as if nothing had happened. That was a big deal and it should’ve been dealt with. And then what about Annabeth? How did it get to that point? Ruth later thinks the possibility and brushes it out of her mind isn’t reality. Her husband sort of checks out and that’s ok? That period of time in the book where there was a sequence of events that needed to be confronted and dealt with going into the conclusion, I wish would’ve been addressed to see how couples deal with these types of obstacles. We can infer things based on the circumstances but for me, it would’ve been a more stronger read for me to experience them dealing and overcoming. 

Overall, despite wishing things were explored differently for a more impactful read, this was her debut and I look forward to seeing what she has in the future.

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Review: It's Lonely At The Centre Of The Earth by Zoe Thorogood

About the Book

A provocative graphic memoir perfect for fans of Allie Brosh's Solutions and Other Problems

The 2023 Russ Manning Most Promising Newcomer Award winning cartoonist, Zoe Thorogood (writer and artist of The Impending Blindness of Billie Scott, artist on Joe Hill's Rain graphic novelisation), records six months of her own life as it falls apart in a desperate attempt to put it back together again in the only way she knows how. It's Lonely at the Centre of the Earth is an intimate and meta-narrative look into the life of a selfish artist who must create for her own survival. A poignant and original depiction of a young woman's struggle with mental health—through the ups and downs of anxiety, depression, and imposter syndrome—as she forges a promising career in sequential art and finds herself along the way.

Review

This book was recommended to me by Amazon, and I gave it a chance because I thought it had an interesting concept. I also liked the cover and was excited to see the rest of Thorogood’s art within the pages. I had no prior knowledge of Thorogood or her work.

It’s Lonely At The Centre of the Earth is probably one of the most brutally honest autobiographic novels, I have read in a long time. Thorogood is upfront about her depression, loneliness, and suicidal thoughts. She doesn’t hold back. Thorogood writes about her trying to understand the world, understanding herself while also wanting to create.

This book did jump from place to place, and that felt intentional—as if the author was working it out as she wrote. As much as I respect it, it was hard to follow at times.

I adored the art in this—especially how it switched up art styles depending on the emotions or situations. I found that to be creative and it really helped drive home the emotions and what the author was trying to say.

Final Thoughts

It’s Lonely At The Centre of the Earth is an extremely raw book, and I hope Zoe Thorogood is in a good place mentally. It’s clear that the author put all her emotions into it, and some parts very hit at the heart.

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Review: Throne of Secrets by Kerri Maniscalco

About the Book

Two rivals torn apart by a dark memory reunite on a deadly hunt—and in an irresistibly twisted fairy tale—in the next steamy standalone fantasy romance from New York Times bestselling sensation Kerri Maniscalco.

A wicked prince determined to save his kingdom.

Gabriel Axton—infamous as the Prince of Gluttony, the self-proclaimed rake of rakes—has always lived for indulgence: in delicious food, in tantalizing women, and most of all, in the thrill of the hunt, where his love of danger can take over. But when his favorite adventure takes a deadly turn, he realizes something is very wrong in his demon court. With the clock ticking, he must turn to the only one who might uncover the truth: a journalist he has spent a decade avoiding…

A reporter hell-bent on finding the truth.

Adriana Saint Lucent has been on the hunt for years—if she could just report something damning enough about that no-good scoundrel Gabriel Axton, she knows others would finally see the demon as she does. But she never expected to turn up a rumor too terrifying to be believed: could the ice dragons to the north be growing restless? Drawn into the secrets of the Underworld, Adriana’s investigation leads her into the place she dreads most…Axton’s infamous court. 

A dangerous rivalry—and deliciously twisted fairy tale.

To stop darkness from falling over their kingdom, Axton and Adriana will have to unite against an escalating danger. But with each holding tight to their own secrets, can they find the truth before it’s too late? And what will they do with an equally troubling rumor: that they might not actually hate one another, after all?

Review

I read the Kingdom of the Wicked series back in 2022, and those books got me through a dark period in my life. I have such fond memories of being sucked into that world and loving everything about Emilia and Wrath. Even now I still believe that is an amazing series and one day hope to revisit it. Because of how highly I regarded the King of the Wicked series, I was quite excited to read the spin-off series—Prince of Sin. I rushed to read the first book – Throne of the Fallen— when it first came out. I don’t have a strong connection to that book and can admit that it didn’t meet my expectations. I was well prepared to disregard Throne of Secrets. Obviously, I did not.

Throne of Secrets was incredible. I didn’t read the summary so as soon as I saw that Adriana was a reporter in the first chapter—my excitement soared. Ask me in a few months, but I think it might be my favorite book by Maniscalco. I was not prepared for the goodness that is Axton and Adriana. They completely blew me away. The two of them might have taken the crown away from Emilia and Wrath as my favorite characters within this world. I loved them both so much. I especially loved their entire rival dynamic going on. That was delicious. I am absolutely still thinking about them and their incredible moments days later.

A bonus about this book is that the twists are completely unexpected. This book kept me guessing until the very end. Side note, there were quite a few Cinderella similarities with Adriana and her backstory. I’m not sure if it was done on purpose, however, if so Maniscalco added her fun twists to the mythology that makes this one stand out.

Final Thoughts

Throne of Secrets has ramped up my interest and excitement for this series. Maniscalco stuck gold with Axton and Adriana. A reporter who is trying to undercover the truth, and a prince who is trying to hide the truth. Bonus points that they are rivals to lovers. There are dragons, excitement, twists, hidden identities. There’s so much good packed into this book.

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Review: The Wren in the Holly Library by K.A. Linde

About the Book

Can you love the dark when you know what it hides?

Some things aren’t supposed to exist outside of our imagination.

Thirteen years ago, monsters emerged from the shadows and plunged Kierse’s world into a cataclysmic war of near-total destruction. The New York City she knew so well collapsed practically overnight.

In the wake of that carnage, the Monster Treaty was created. A truce...of sorts.

But tonight, Kierse―a gifted and fearless thief―will break that treaty. She’ll enter the Holly Library...not knowing it’s the home of a monster.

He’s charming. Quietly alluring. Terrifying. But he knows talent when he sees it; it’s just a matter of finding her price.

Now she’s locked into a dangerous bargain with a creature unlike any other. She’ll sacrifice her freedom. She’ll offer her skills. Together, they’ll put their own futures at risk.

But he’s been playing a game across centuries―and once she joins in, there will be no escape...

Review

I found The Wren in the Holly Library mysterious, fun, and thrilling. The world-building was unique. It’s a modern world where monsters and humans are forced to live together after war. There are laws to protect the treaty. Most of the humans are living in poverty with the rich thriving and mingling with the monsters. The author did a great job of explaining things well. It wasn’t overly confusing.

Kierse became a skilled thief to survive the dangerous new world. She was abandoned as a kid, and all she had were her best friends. She was written as a strong and capable woman who didn’t need anyone to rescue her.

I loved her and Graves’ first meeting. She was tasked with stealing a diamond from his home, unaware that he was a monster and that she was breaking a treaty. He caught her and wondered if maybe she was a monster. They have this very fun scene. Their relationship was good. There are some hints of a Beauty and the Beast inspiration. I do wish we would have gotten more of Graves’ depth and character development. One thing that I did love about Graves and Kierse was all the exciting missions that they went on.

Final Thoughts

The Wren in the Holly Library is an engaging and fun modern fantasy story. It has a skilled and interesting female lead with an interesting supporting character list. The romance doesn’t burn as bright in this one; however, I have hope for future books.

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Review: The Desire Variable by Ana D’Arcy

Book Summary

From the moment Andy starts working for Lex, their lives spiral into a chaos of heated arguments and forbidden desires. Soon, they must decide if their budding relationship is worth risking their careers.

When Andrea "Andy" Walker lands her dream job at a tech company, her new colleagues welcome her with open arms. It would be nothing short of perfect if it weren't for her new boss. Obnoxious, curt, and aloof, he seems determined to make her life difficult. He's everything she shouldn't want, and yet Andy soon finds herself helplessly drawn to his striking looks and razor-sharp mind.

Alexander "Lex" Coleman likes having every aspect of his life meticulously planned and organized. That goes flying out the window the moment he meets Andrea, the feisty new programmer who challenges him at every turn. Not only is she far from the compliant employee he expected, she also triggers a plethora of confusing emotions with her sharp tongue, strong mind, and tempting curves.

Review

The Desire Variable took an unexpected turn that I’m still processing. First, it ends on a cliffhanger. I thought the second book was going to be about another couple; however, it feels like Lex and Andrea’s story will be continuing.

Secondly, I had expected this book to be a fun workplace romance. The story is that for the most part. Andy is a complete and totally lovable nerd. Sometimes her dialogue would feel a bit much, but it really added to her character, and I appreciated most of her friends. More on that later. The author abandons Andy’s creation in the latter half of the story, which is a bummer.

I enjoyed her romance with Lex. The romance started to shine when they finally got together. They had some great moments that I specifically loved.

Around the 90 percent mark, the book took an unexpected turn, and it felt like a completely different type of story. Throughout the book, Andy has developed a friendship with a co-worker named Oliver. From the beginning, it’s very clear that Oliver likes Andy more than him. I wish the author would have furthered that plot thread differently. The whole situation causes Lex to seem overly jealous which I didn’t care for. Especially, with what he does in the end.  Andy and Lex have a fight, and instead of him begging for her forgiveness, she comes back to his office and says that she might have “overreacted.” I found her reaction to be justified. Although the author attempted to allow Lex to internally justify his behavior, something felt off. The chapter felt like an information dump, instead of the emotional musings of a sad character.

Final Thoughts

The Desire Variable struggled in the final quarter. The story completely shifted from a fun, contemporary story to something a little greyer. My only hope is that for the second book, the author returns to focus back on Andy’s creation, and makes Lex gravel to earn Andy’s trust again.

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Review: For Better or Hearse by Ava Hunter

Book Summary

Ash Keller prefers to keep her heart colder than the morgue. Having sworn off love after a disastrous breakup, she’s learned to thrive in her new career as a death doula. When her millionaire client, Augustus Fox, asks her to accompany him on an all-expenses paid trip to mend family ties and fulfill last wishes, she agrees.

There’s just one nail in her coffin.

Nathaniel Whitford—her client’s absurdly gorgeous, grumpy doctor of a grandson—is along for the trip. A man who has hated her guts since she crashed his wedding years ago. It’ll be a miracle if she survives this vacation without being tossed into a volcano.

Still, Ash refuses to let Nathaniel’s smug smirk and rippling pectorals take her focus away from her death doula-ing duties. She can survive two weeks in paradise with his offensively handsome face. But when falling coconuts and family drama threaten to derail the vacation, Ash and Nathaniel strike a deal: Bury their animosity and make the vacation perfect for Augustus.

Soon, a tentative bond—and mutual attraction—forms between the unlikely pair. With every tropical misadventure and steamy late-night hookup, Ash realizes there’s more to Nathaniel than his barbed banter and uptight façade. Suddenly love seems more complicated than death. And as the trip comes to an end, Ash must decide whether she’ll keep her heart six feet under or risk it all…for better or hearse.

Review

Amongst Ava Hunter’s catalog, this may be her best. Correction, it is best to me. I have yet to read every book by her; however, I doubt it would top For Better or Hearse. This is a favorite of mine this year, and I would have been so disappointed if I had waited months to read this one finally.

Ash and Nathaniel start as enemies. Five years prior, she ruined his wedding day, and now they are forced to deal with each other for around two weeks. Neither is happy about it. They throw some great jabs at each other and have petty moments. Not only is this book hilarious, but it’s also very swoon-worthy and emotional.

Death is a major theme in this story. Ash is a death doula and is working for Nathaniel’s grandpa –Augustus— who has forced his family to spend time together before his death. His family is difficult and don’t get along. They spend a lot of time-fighting each other.

Augustus and Ash have such an amazing relationship and he truly adopts her as his own. While reading I had to mentally prepare myself for his death. I went back in forth on whether I thought the author would follow through with it or would a cure magically happen. Slight spoiler, there is no cure. His death isn't as emotionally brutal as I thought it would be. I’m grateful that both Ash and Nathaniel had beautiful moments with him before it happened. Augustus is highly crucial to both their arcs.

I found it quite interesting that Nathaniel’s profession contrasts with Ash’s. He’s an ER doctor and has distanced himself away from his family for personal reasons. I would even say that his distance causes him to go to dangerous places.

As for Ash, she’s someone who has been considered “different” her entire life; considered “too much”. She has tough skin, but words hurt, especially words from her ex-fiancé. I loved reading about her embracing herself and getting what she deserved at the end. I loved seeing Nathaniel and Ash put down their barriers and show their softer sides to each other.

Final Thoughts

For Better or Hearse gets a big A plus from me. I adored this story and the characters. The only issue is had was Nathaniel’s father. I felt like his personality shift felt a little underdeveloped. However, I can look past that. Ash and Nathaniel were outstanding, and I loved their personalities and how well the two of them came together and really took care of each other.

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