Posted on by tacklingtbr

March 13 – March 19

New Releases and Publications

Hello, friends – and happy Tuesday! Welcome to another round of new releases that I was lucky enough to get an early copy of, and have either already read or are upcoming on my #TBR.

These books could be gifted from the publisher through sites like NetGalley or Edelweiss+, they could be electronic copies gifted directly to me from the publisher or the author, an early audiobook copy through the publisher or Libro.fm, or even a physical copy that has been sent to me from the author or publisher. I am so thankful for all of the reading opportunities that I am given through these various sources, and I am excited to share these new releases!

In these weekly posts I will include a 20% review if I am currently reading the book, as well as a link to my full review if I have already finished the book. And if I have not yet started the book by the time this is posted, I will leave those spots blank and edit the post to add them in later!

Fearlessly Different

Author: Mickey Rowe

Publication Date: March 15, 2022

Genre: Nonfiction, Neurodiversity/Autism Spectrum Disorder

Thanks so much to the author for my gifted, advanced e-copy of this book!

Description from Goodreads:

My name is Mickey Rowe. I am an actor, a theatre director, a father, and a husband. I am also a man with autism. You think those things don’t go together? Let me show you that they do. Growing up, Mickey Rowe was told that he couldn’t enter the mainstream world. He was iced out by classmates and colleagues, infantilized by well-meaning theatre directors, barred from even earning a minimum wage. Why? Because he is autistic. Fearlessly Different: An Autistic Actor’s Journey to Broadway’s Biggest Stage is Mickey Rowe’s story of growing up autistic and pushing beyond the restrictions of a special education classroom to shine on Broadway. As an autistic and legally blind person, living in a society designed by and for non-disabled people, it was always made clear to Mickey the many things he was apparently incapable of doing. But Mickey did them all anyway–and he succeeded because of, not in spite of, his autism. He became the first autistic actor to play the lead role in the play The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, landed the title role in the play Amadeus, co-created the theatre/philanthropy company Arts on the Waterfront, and founded the National Disability Theatre. Mickey faced untold obstacles along the way, but his story ends in triumph. Many people feel they are locked out of the world of autism–that it’s impossible to even begin to understand. In Fearlessly Different, Mickey guides readers to that world while also helping those with autism to feel seen and understood. And he shows all people–autistic and non-autistic alike–that the things that make us different are often our biggest strengths.

20% Review:

So far this book is equal parts memoir/statistics and narrative storytelling, which is making for a really quick and interesting read! As a fellow theatre person I’m very excited to get to the rest of the really theatre-centric parts of Mickey’s story, but I’m also really enjoying all of the stories and experiences leading to those other parts. The writing is easy and approachable so far, and even the more statistic heavy parts (which are always the hardest parts of nonfiction and memoirs for me, sometimes even scaring me away entirely) feel like they flow really nicely, making it really easy to read and hard to put down!

Check out my full review and blog tour here!

The Kickass Coven

Author: Amelia Wood

Publication Date: March 15, 2022

Genre: Nonfiction

Thanks so much to the author and St. Martin’s Press for the gifted finished copy of this book!

Description from Goodreads:

Amelia Wood’s The Kickass Coven will show you why every witch needs a sisterhood.

Find your people and make beautiful magic together!

With supercharged disasters and unprecedented inequity, this crazy world of ours needs more than a modern witch. It needs badass magical activists working together to make a real difference. It needs you. And with the right people by your side, not only can you change the world, you can also have a damn good time doing it. No matter where you are in your journey, The Kickass Coven is here to help you find your magical family and create a world-changing practice you’ll love.

Inside you’ll find:
– Magical and practical ways to manifest witchy sisters who’ll bring out your best
– Tips and tricks for becoming badass magical activists for the planet, for the people you care about, and for all your favorite causes
– All the tools and encouragement you’ll need to create a coven that works for you
– More than 30 rituals and practices to help you get sh*t done
– Info on all the fun stuff, from crystals and cauldrons to tarot cards and herbs
– Step-by-step advice for achieving your dreams by magical means

Step into your power and change the world with The Kickass Coven, your judgment-free guide to finding people who get it and making your collective goals come true!

20% Review:

This is such a fun read so far! I’ve been reading a little bit here and there while watching TV or a movie at the end of the day, and it’s been great for that – a little educational, a little pop-culture-y, a little silly, and a lot of swear words make for a perfect way to wind down at the end of the day!

Review:

(This will be added at a later date, once I have finished this book!)

Unlock Your Storybook Heart

Author: Amanda Lovelace

Publication Date: March 15, 2022

Genre: Poetry, Feminism, Nonfiction, Adult, LGBTQIA+

Thanks so much to the author, Netgalley, and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the gifted, advanced e-copy of this book!

Description from Goodreads:

“life is not something that can be experienced on a deadline.”

amanda lovelace, the bestselling & award-winning author of the “women are some kind of magic” poetry series, presents unlock your storybook heart, the third & final installment in her feminist poetry series, “you are your own fairy tale.” this is a collection about being so caught up in the fable that is perfectionism that you miss out on your own life. be honest: when was the last time you stopped to take in the everyday enchantment all around you?

20% Review:

Since this is such a short collection of poetry, it is very easy to read in one sitting, so I don’t have a 20% review for this one – but feel free to check out my full review at the link below!

Check out my full review here!

Bearnard Writes a Book

Author: Deborah Underwood

Illustrator: Misa Saburi

Publication Date: March 15, 2022

Genre: Children’s

Thanks so much to Macmillan Children’s Publishing and Henry Holt and Co. for the gifted finished copy of this book!

Description from Goodreads:

In Bearnard Writes a Book, the hilarious follow up to writer Deborah Underwood and illustrator Misa Saburi’s Bearnard’s Book, Bearnard decides to write a book for his best friend.

One day, Bearnard the bear and Gertie the goose were reading Brave Bearnard’s Book.

“I wish you had your own book too,” said Bearnard.

Thus begins Bearnard’s quest to write Gertie her own book. But Gertie wants danger and excitement—complete with dragons, volcanoes, and rampaging monsters—while Bearnard just wants his friend to be safe! What will become of Gertie’s story?

20% Review:

Since this is a children’s book I sat down and read it in one sitting, so no 20% review necessary here! But check out my full thoughts at the link below!

Check out my full review here!
Posted on by tacklingtbr

Fearlessly Different: An Autistic Actor’s Journey to Broadway’s Biggest Stage

Review and Blog Tour courtesy of the Author

Thanks so much to the author, Mickey Rowe, for the gifted advanced e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts and participation in this blog tour. All opinions are entirely my own. { partner } All of my reviews can also be found on Instagram @Tackling_TBR and on Goodreads.

Publication Date: March 15, 2022

Genre: Nonfiction, Neurodiversity/Austism Spectrum Disorder

“People want so desperately to fit in that they forget what makes them stand out. Be loud. Take up space. Our differences are our strengths.”

Mickey Rowe, Fearlessly Different: An Autistic Actor’s Journey to Broadway’s Biggest Stage
Description from Goodreads:

My name is Mickey Rowe. I am an actor, a theatre director, a father, and a husband. I am also a man with autism. You think those things don’t go together? Let me show you that they do. Growing up, Mickey Rowe was told that he couldn’t enter the mainstream world. He was iced out by classmates and colleagues, infantilized by well-meaning theatre directors, barred from even earning a minimum wage. Why? Because he is autistic. Fearlessly Different: An Autistic Actor’s Journey to Broadway’s Biggest Stage is Mickey Rowe’s story of growing up autistic and pushing beyond the restrictions of a special education classroom to shine on Broadway. As an autistic and legally blind person, living in a society designed by and for non-disabled people, it was always made clear to Mickey the many things he was apparently incapable of doing. But Mickey did them all anyway–and he succeeded because of, not in spite of, his autism. He became the first autistic actor to play the lead role in the play The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, landed the title role in the play Amadeus, co-created the theatre/philanthropy company Arts on the Waterfront, and founded the National Disability Theatre. Mickey faced untold obstacles along the way, but his story ends in triumph. Many people feel they are locked out of the world of autism–that it’s impossible to even begin to understand. In Fearlessly Different, Mickey guides readers to that world while also helping those with autism to feel seen and understood. And he shows all people–autistic and non-autistic alike–that the things that make us different are often our biggest strengths.

Review (5 Stars):

TW: in-depth discussion of ableism, discussion of sexism/racism, statistics related to death/murder, physical/mental abuse of children by family, police violence, postpartum depression, bullying

I always want to start off reviews for biographies and memoirs and the like by saying that I don’t necessarily like rating them because the stories in them are so personal to the author, and just because I might not see myself in it or relate to it doesn’t mean that someone else won’t. That being said, this was an easy 5 stars for me.

This book. I read this book once when I first received the galley at the end of 2021, and then just reread it again in order to write a review for the publication date, and I found myself flying through it both times. And while I am good friends with the author, and am so freaking proud of my friend for this thing that he has created, I don’t think that that is the reason I was able to read through this so quickly both times. Sometimes I struggle with nonfiction and memoirs because they can tend to lean into statistics and be a bit dry, but not this one.

Even the parts of this book that do lean more factual with statistics and mentions of news stories felt narrative, and that’s all thanks to the way Mickey wrote them. Instead of feeling like a text book or a school lecture during these parts, it really did feel like chatting with a friend about these issues. And that’s how the whole book felt. I really believe that anyone picking up this book, even if they have never heard of Mickey Rowe before that moment, could feel like they really know and connect with him by the end of the story. And to be able to say that and that you learned something from the same book is really special, I think.

Obviously, looking at the trigger warnings at the beginning of this review, there are a couple of parts that can be a little bit difficult to read just because of the content that is being discussed. But I think that it is absolutely worth pushing through those parts if you’re able to, because they are so important. So much of our communities are facing these same issues every single day that Mickey is talking about in Fearlessly Different. It would be easier if we could think that these are isolated incidents, but they aren’t. So I think that this book is really important as a tool to really make those experiences visible to those of us that aren’t experiencing them.

I would recommend anyone read this book. Whether they are autistic or neurotypical or somewhere in between, I think that this is a story and a point of view that we don’t see nearly enough of coming from the people whose stories they are. And hey, I read an electronic version, but if you are a fan of audiobooks I would recommend it for this book as well. Mickey reads his story for the audiobook, and I can only imagine the way he is able to bring everything to life through that medium. I think the best way to read or listen to this book would be on a slow Sunday morning with a cup of tea, while you are able to really take in the information in a calm and comfortable setting.

Want to learn more?

Check out these amazing resources (along with many more listed in the back of the book) for more information!

Disability Memorial: https://disability-memorial.org/

Autistic POC Fund: https://autismandrace.com/autistic-people-of-color-fund/

Autistic Women and Non-Binary Fund: https://awnnetwork.org/

Meet Mickey:

Mickey Rowe (he/him) has had a prolific and varied career as an actor, director, consultant, and public speaker; now highly sought after both nationally and internationally. He was the first autistic actor to play Christopher Boone, the lead role in the Tony Award-winning play The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. He has also appeared as the title role in the Tony Award-winning play Amadeus and more. Mickey has been featured in the New York Times, New York Times Magazine, PBS, Vogue, Playbill, NPR, CNN, Wall Street Journal, HuffPost, Forbes, and has keynoted at organizations including the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, The Kennedy Center, Yale University, Columbia University, Disability Rights Washington, The Gershwin Theatre on Broadway, the DAC of the South Korean government, and more. Mickey was the founding Artistic Director of National Disability Theatre, which works in partnership with Tony Award-winning companies such as La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego and the Goodman Theatre in Chicago. He is the Author of Fearlessly Different – In bookstores everywhere March 2022. Mickey Rowe is in Seattle on the land of the Duwamish people past, present, and future.

Connect with Mickey

Website: https://mickeyrowe.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21609793.Mickey_Rowe

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themickeyrowe/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/themickeyrowe

Twitter: https://twitter.com/themickeyrowe

Link to Purchase on Amazon:

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Unlock Your Storybook Heart (You Are Your Own Fairytale #3) by Amanda Lovelace

Andrews McMeel – Review: 5 Stars

Thanks so much to the author, Netgalley, and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the gifted advanced e-copy of this collection in exchange for my honest thoughts. All opinions are entirely my own. { partner } All of my reviews can be found on Instagram @Tackling_TBR and on Goodreads.

Publication Date: March 15, 2022

Genre: Poetry, Feminism, Nonfiction, Adult, LGBTQIA+

TW (from the book): eating disorders, mental illness, self-harm, sexism, queerphobia, death, grief, trauma, and possibly more

It should not be any surprise at this point that I loved this collection. While sometimes difficult to read based on the subject matter, Amanda Lovelace’s collections are my favorite for this type of poetry. It isn’t the more traditional sweeping, lyrical poetry that people might think of first when thinking of the genre, but it’s just as meaningful and a bit more approachable as a read.

This might be my favorite of Amanda’s collections that I’ve read so far. And I’ve read all but one or two of the collections that have already been published. The Women Are Some Kind of Magic trilogy helped me a lot when I was younger and needing help getting through some of the emotional baggage that I wasn’t quite ready to unpack yet, and it helped me when I was a bit more ready to go through it all as well. And the You Are Your Own Fairy Tale series really feels like what I have needed each time I’m reading them.

The stories in this collection really felt like they touched my heart while I was reading them. While there are, as always, some pretty major trigger warnings for this collection, I would say that if you are able to read it without being in an unhealthy place emotionally, then I would absolutely recommend it. I think it is a great read. And again, if you’ve been wanting to dip your toe into more poetry but you’re maybe intimidated or don’t know where to start, this could be a really easy and approachable way to try it out.

More collections from Amanda Lovelace:

the Women Are Some Kind of Magic trilogy

The Princess Saves Herself in This One

The Witch Doesn’t Burn in This One

The Mermaid’s Voice Returns in This One

the Things that H(a)unt duology

To Make Monsters out of Girls

To Drink Coffee with a Ghost

the You Are Your Own Fairy Tale trilogy

Break Your Glass Slippers (check out my review here!)

Shine Your Icy Crown (check out my review here!)

Standalone Collections

Flower Crowns and Fearsome Things (check out my review here!)

Link to Purchase on Amazon:

Posted on by tacklingtbr

January 30 – February 5

New Releases and Publications

Hello, friends – and happy Tuesday! Welcome to another round of new releases that I was lucky enough to get an early copy of, and have either already read or are upcoming on my #TBR.

These books could be gifted from the publisher through sites like NetGalley or Edelweiss+, they could be electronic copies gifted directly to me from the publisher or the author, an early audiobook copy through the publisher or Libro.fm, or even a physical copy that has been sent to me from the author or publisher. I am so thankful for all of the reading opportunities that I am given through these various sources, and I am excited to share these new releases!

In these weekly posts I will include a 20% review if I am currently reading the book, as well as a link to my full review if I have already finished the book. And if I have not yet started the book by the time this is posted, I will leave those spots blank and edit the post to add them in later!

Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead

Author: Elle Cosimano

Publication Date: February 1, 2022

Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Contemporary, Adult

Thanks so much to the author, Netgalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Minotaur Books for the complimentary advanced e-copy of this book!

Description from Goodreads:

Finlay Donovan is—once again—struggling to finish her next novel and keep her head above water as a single mother of two. On the bright side, she has her live-in nanny and confidant Vero to rely on, and the only dead body she’s dealt with lately is that of her daughter’s pet goldfish.

On the not-so-bright side, someone out there wants her ex-husband, Steven, out of the picture. Permanently. Whatever else Steven may be, he’s a good father, but saving him will send her down a rabbit hole of soccer moms disguised as hit-women, and a little bit more involvement with the Russian mob than she’d like.

Meanwhile, Vero’s keeping secrets, and Detective Nick Anthony seems determined to get back into her life. He may be a hot cop, but Finlay’s first priority is preventing her family from sleeping with the fishes… and if that means bending a few laws then so be it.

With her next book’s deadline looming and an ex-husband to keep alive, Finlay is quickly coming to the end of her rope. She can only hope there isn’t a noose at the end of it…

20% Review:

Y’all, I am so excited to be back with Finlay and Vero! I’m enjoying the story so far, although it’s only now starting to really get into the suspense portion of the story, so I’m looking forward to seeing where that takes the story. If I know Finlay, there will be plenty of bumps and mishaps along the way! I will say that as glad as I am to have Julian in the story so far, I’m really hoping to see more of Detective Nick as the story goes on.

Review:

(This will be added at a later date, once I have finished this book!)

Happily Ever After Cookbook

Author: Various

Publication Date: February 1, 2022

Genre: Cookbook

Thanks so much to Dangerous Press and Valentine PR for the gifted advanced e-copy of this book!

Description from Goodreads:

Immerse yourself in the world of romance with book-inspired recipes! Bestselling authors of your favorite novels teamed up with private chefs to develop original dishes. Now you can cook your way to a happily ever after…

Enjoy New Orleans Gumbo from Kennedy Ryan’s RITA-Award Winner Long Shot. Then bite into Texas BBQ Tacos from USA Today bestselling author K.A. Linde’s The Wright Brother. Follow it up with Diablo Cookies from Dangerous Temptation by Wall Street Journal bestselling author Giana Darling. Finish your evening with an Underworld Cocktail inspired by New York Times bestselling author Katee Robert’s Wicked Villains series.

This sensual journey will surprise and delight readers!

Billionaire heroes and strong heroines come to life with these recipes…

The Happily Ever After Cookbook contains exclusive appetizers, soups, main dishes, desserts, cocktails, breakfast, and bakery recipes. Bring romance novels to life with these literary dishes. It will look great on your keeper shelf next to your favorite books.

FULL LIST OF AUTHORS INCLUDED: Cora Reilly, Laurelin Paige, Adriana Locke, Meghan Quinn, K. Webster, Amelia Wilde, Giana Darling, Katee Robert, Kylie Scott, Alta Hensley, Amo Jones, Sara Ney, K.A. Linde, Jenika Snow, Q.B. Tyler, Corinne Michaels, Maya Hughes, Melanie Harlow, Kelly Elliott, Kandi Steiner, Susan Stoker, Kennedy Ryan, M. O’Keefe, Fiona Cole, Willow Winters, AM Hargrove, L.B. Dunbar, Terri E. Laine, Monica Murphy, Jana Aston, Susannah Nix, A.L. Jackson, Teagan Hunter, M. Robinson, Pepper Winters, Sienna Snow, Emma Scott, Skye Warren, Mia Sheridan, Kate Canterbary, Tasha Boyd, Danielle Romero, Louise Bay, Aleatha Romig

Check out my blog tour with my full thoughts on this book (and several recipes) here!
Posted on by tacklingtbr · 1 Comment

Happily Ever After Cookbook

Blog Tour courtesy of Valentine PR

Thanks so much to Dangerous Press and Valentine PR for the gifted, advanced e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts and participation in this blog tour! { partner } All opinions are entirely my own. All of my reviews can also be found on Instagram @Tackling_TBR and on Goodreads.

Publication Date: February 1, 2022

Genre: Cookbook

Description from Goodreads:

Immerse yourself in the world of romance with book-inspired recipes! Bestselling authors of your favorite novels teamed up with private chefs to develop original dishes. Now you can cook your way to a happily ever after…

Enjoy New Orleans Gumbo from Kennedy Ryan’s RITA-Award Winner Long Shot. Then bite into Texas BBQ Tacos from USA Today bestselling author K.A. Linde’s The Wright Brother. Follow it up with Diablo Cookies from Dangerous Temptation by Wall Street Journal bestselling author Giana Darling. Finish your evening with an Underworld Cocktail inspired by New York Times bestselling author Katee Robert’s Wicked Villains series.

This sensual journey will surprise and delight readers!

Billionaire heroes and strong heroines come to life with these recipes…

The Happily Ever After Cookbook contains exclusive appetizers, soups, main dishes, desserts, cocktails, breakfast, and bakery recipes. Bring romance novels to life with these literary dishes. It will look great on your keeper shelf next to your favorite books.

FULL LIST OF AUTHORS INCLUDED: Cora Reilly, Laurelin Paige, Adriana Locke, Meghan Quinn, K. Webster, Amelia Wilde, Giana Darling, Katee Robert, Kylie Scott, Alta Hensley, Amo Jones, Sara Ney, K.A. Linde, Jenika Snow, Q.B. Tyler, Corinne Michaels, Maya Hughes, Melanie Harlow, Kelly Elliott, Kandi Steiner, Susan Stoker, Kennedy Ryan, M. O’Keefe, Fiona Cole, Willow Winters, AM Hargrove, L.B. Dunbar, Terri E. Laine, Monica Murphy, Jana Aston, Susannah Nix, A.L. Jackson, Teagan Hunter, M. Robinson, Pepper Winters, Sienna Snow, Emma Scott, Skye Warren, Mia Sheridan, Kate Canterbary, Tasha Boyd, Danielle Romero, Louise Bay, Aleatha Romig

My thoughts while cooking:

Even first just flipping through the pages, this is such a fun cookbook for readers! Each recipe lists what book it is featured in or inspired by, and some include notes from the author on why they love this recipe, or excerpts from the books of characters making and enjoying them! Even as someone who hasn’t read a good number of the books, I had a really fun time going through and seeing what everyone (real and fictional) had to say about them.

My husband and I love to snack for dinner, especially during busy weeknights, so instead of picking one of the more involved recipes we chose three smaller scale ones – two appetizers and a cocktail. Much more our speed when we’re working and taking classes and just overall running around like crazy people. Let’s jump in to what we made!

The first thing on the table was my husband Nick’s contribution – the cocktails! He made The Penny Cocktail, for Master of Sin by Sienna Snow. Nick loves to make a cocktail, and tends to follow his heart rather than a recipe, but this was definitely a worthwhile one. I will say that this cocktail is a mix of tequila and whiskey, so it is probably not for the faint of heart!

The first of our appetizers were the Parmesan Brussels Sprouts, for Dark Reign by Amelia Wilde. We LOVE a good, crispy brussels sprout – so much so that we tend to get them anytime we go out and see them on a menu – so this was the first of the recipes that we picked out. The recipe was delicious, and it made a very good helping. I will say that we make brussels sprouts often enough that we’ve got it down to a science, and these ones didn’t hold up quite as much as others we’ve made in the past. Following the recipe it just felt like there wasn’t quite enough of any of the flavorings (balsamic vinegar, thyme, pepper) to make much of an impact on the flavor, so they mostly just tasted like plain brussels sprouts. We may make them again to add a bit of an extra crunch to a salad, though, because I think it would be a perfect addition!

On to the real star of the evening – the Bruschetta, for All He’ll Ever Be by Willow Winters! This recipe was my first pick, and we were so happy with it that we ended up snacking on it most of the night. And I can tell you from personal experience that it makes for great leftovers! I had a few extra tomatoes to use up, so I made a bit of a larger batch than the recipe called for, but what can I say – much like Nick, I don’t always follow recipes very well, and unless I’m baking I honestly hate having to pull out measuring spoons! Of all of the recipes, this is the one I know for sure we’ll make again, especially once the summer comes around and I tend to over-buy tomatoes by the armloads. It was light and fresh and delicious!

Full List of Books Mentioned:

Stroke of Midnight by K. Webster

Come Back For Me by Corinne Michaels

The Butterfly Effect by Kelly Elliott

All He’ll Ever Be by Willow Winters

My Cone and Only by Susannah Nix

Dark Reign by Amelia Wilde

Secret Beast by Amelia Wilde

Long Shot by Kennedy Ryan

Wicked Devil by Daniela Romero

Escort by Skye Warren

Captive Bride by Alta Hensley

The Wright Brother by K.A. Linde

Fake by Kylie Scott

Unconditional by Q.B. Tyler

Big Bad Wolf by Jenika Snow

The Perfect First by Maya Hughes

One the Rocks by Kandi Steiner

Finding Elodie by Susan Stoker

Silver Brewer by L.B. Dunbar

Money Man by Terri E. Laine

Forever Right Now by Emma Scott

Let’s Get Textual by Teagan Hunter

Tears of Tess by Pepper Winters

Dirty Filthy Rich Men by Laurelin Paige

The Pawn by Skye Warren

Overture by Skye Warren

Jock Row by Sara Ney

The Silver Swan by Amo Jones

Inked in Lies by Giana Darling

Sway by Adriana Locke

The Locker Room by Meghan Quinn

For the Love of English by A.M. Hargrove

The Boss Who Stole Christmas by Jana Aston

Eversea by Natasha Boyd

Show Me the Way by A.L. Jackson

Complicate Me by M. Robinson

Mr. Mayfair by Louise Bay

Sweet Temptation by Cora Reilly

Desperate Measures by Katee Robert

Where the Blame Lies by Mia Sheridan

Private Property by Skye Warren

Master of Sin by Sienna Snow

King of Shadows by Amelia Wilde

The Reluctant Bride by Monica Murphy

Drive Me Wild by Melanie Harlow

Ruined by M. O’Keefe

Voyeur by Fiona Cole

Hard Pressed by Kate Canterbary

Net Worth by Amelia Wilde

Survival of the Richest by Skye Warren

Diamond in the Rough by Skye Warren

Devil’s Deal by Aleatha Romig

Posted on by tacklingtbr

January 23 – January 29

New Releases and Publications

Hello, friends – and happy Tuesday! Welcome to another round of new releases that I was lucky enough to get an early copy of, and have either already read or are upcoming on my #TBR.

These books could be gifted from the publisher through sites like NetGalley or Edelweiss+, they could be electronic copies gifted directly to me from the publisher or the author, an early audiobook copy through the publisher or Libro.fm, or even a physical copy that has been sent to me from the author or publisher. I am so thankful for all of the reading opportunities that I am given through these various sources, and I am excited to share these new releases!

In these weekly posts I will include a 20% review if I am currently reading the book, as well as a link to my full review if I have already finished the book. And if I have not yet started the book by the time this is posted, I will leave those spots blank and edit the post to add them in later!

Running Wild

Author: K.A. Tucker

Publication Date: January 25, 2022

Genre: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Adult

Thanks so much to the author and Valentine PR for the gifted advanced e-copy of this book!

Description from Goodreads:

From the internationally bestselling author of The Simple Wild comes the story of a woman at a crossroads in her life, struggling between the safe route and the one that will only lead to more heartbreak.

Veterinarian Marie Lehr knows unrequited love all too well after pining for her best friend, only to watch him marry another woman. It’s a mistake she will never make again, especially not when she can practically hear the clock ticking on her childbearing years.

The trouble is, she can’t seem to find anyone who appeals to her even a fraction as much as that burly bush pilot did. Competitive musher Tyler Brady certainly doesn’t, especially not after the heated altercation with the handsome but arrogant, spiteful man.

Or so she thinks.

While volunteering at the Iditarod Sled Dog Race, Marie discovers that first impressions may have been false, and her attraction to Tyler is very real. But his heart belongs to someone else, leaving him with nothing to offer but friendship. Marie’s been down this road before and knows how that ends. Yet, no matter how hard she works to keep from falling for Tyler, it seems she’s doomed to follow her own trail once again.

20% Review:

Okay, coming clean, I am quite a bit farther than 20% of the way through when I’m writing this. What can I say? If it wasn’t for annoying things like eating and sleeping, I would have finished this book all in the one sitting. I am so excited to finally be back in Alaska with Kathleen and these characters that I love so much! And don’t even get me started on the new characters in this story. I already have a little crush on Tyler Brady. Sure, he still can’t hold a candle to my undying love for Jonah, but he’s definitely on the book crushes list!

Check out my full review and blog tour here!

The Appeal

Author: Janice Hallett

Re-Release Publication Date: January 25, 2022

Genre: Mystery, Crime, Thriller, Contemporary

Thanks so much to the author, Edelweiss+, and Atria Books for the gifted advanced e-copy of this book!

Description from Goodreads:

This murder mystery follows a community rallying around a sick child—but when escalating lies lead to a dead body, everyone is a suspect.

The Fairway Players, a local theatre group, is in the midst of rehearsals for an Arthur Miller play, when tragedy strikes the family of director Martin Haywood and his wife Helen, the play’s star. Their young granddaughter has been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, and with an experimental treatment costing a tremendous sum, their fellow castmates rally to raise the money to give her a chance at survival.

But not everybody is convinced of the experimental treatment’s efficacy—nor of the good intentions of those involved. New actress Sam, a former NGO worker, raises doubts. But are her suspicions justified? Or does she have a history with the doctor involved? As tension grows within the community, things come to a shocking head the night of the dress rehearsal. The next day, a dead body is found, and soon, an arrest is made. In the run-up to the trial, two young lawyers sift through the material—emails, messages, letters—with a growing suspicion that a killer may still be on the loose.

A wholly modern take on the epistolary novel, The Appeal is a debut perfect for fans of Richard Osman and Lucy Foley.

20% Review:

(This will be added at a later date, once I start reading this book!)

Review:

(This will be added at a later date, once I have finished this book!)

How to Be Perfect

Author: Michael Schur

Narrated By: Michael Schur (with Kristen Bell, D’Arcy Carden, Ted Danson, William Jackson Harper, Manny Jacinto, Marc Evan Jackson, Jameela Jamil, and Todd May)

Publication Date: January 25, 2022

Genre: Nonfiction, Philosophy, Humor

Length: 9 hours and 13 minutes

Thanks so much to Libro.fm and Simon and Schuster Audio for the gifted advanced audio copy of this book!

Description from Goodreads:

From the creator of The Good Place and the cocreator of Parks and Recreation, a hilarious, thought-provoking guide to living an ethical life, drawing on 2,500 years of deep thinking from around the world.

Most people think of themselves as “good,” but it’s not always easy to determine what’s “good” or “bad”—especially in a world filled with complicated choices and pitfalls and booby traps and bad advice. Fortunately, many smart philosophers have been pondering this conundrum for millennia and they have guidance for us. With bright wit and deep insight, How to Be Perfect explains concepts like deontology, utilitarianism, existentialism, ubuntu, and more so we can sound cool at parties and become better people.

Schur starts off with easy ethical questions like “Should I punch my friend in the face for no reason?” (No.) and works his way up to the most complex moral issues we all face. Such as: Can I still enjoy great art if it was created by terrible people? How much money should I give to charity? Why bother being good at all when there are no consequences for being bad? And much more. By the time the book is done, we’ll know exactly how to act in every conceivable situation, so as to produce a verifiably maximal amount of moral good. We will be perfect, and all our friends will be jealous. OK, not quite. Instead, we’ll gain fresh, funny, inspiring wisdom on the toughest issues we face every day.

20% Review:

(This will be added at a later date, once I start reading this book!)

Review:

(This will be added at a later date, once I have finished this book!)

Never Tell

Author: Stacey Abrams (writing as Selena Montgomery)

Narrated By: January LaVoy & Stacey Abrams

Re-Release Publication Date: January 25, 2022

Genre: Romance, Mystery, Romantic Suspense, Thriller

Length: 9 hours and 48 minutes

Thanks so much to Libro.fm and Macmillan Audio for the gifted advanced audiobook!

Description from Goodreads:

From popular political leader and lawyer Stacey Abrams comes a reissue of her romantic suspense novel, Never Tell, written under the name Selena Montgomery.

Criminal psychologist Dr. Erin Abbott wants nothing more than to live a quiet life. That means no danger, no intrigue—and absolutely no romance. But when Erin suspects a serial killer is roaming New Orleans, her investigation throws her straight into the arms of the only man who can help her.

Journalist Gabriel Moss is hot to find his next huge story—and he knows Erin is on to something big. From the moment they meet, Gabriel senses that Erin is hiding something. One thing is certain: Erin’s boxy suits and sensible shoes hide a delicate beauty waiting to emerge…and Gabriel is just the man to reveal the woman inside.

As they join forces to find the killer, Gabriel slowly seduces Erin with his soft kisses. But Erin knows their love can never be. For she is hiding a terrible secret—and if Gabriel reveals the truth, Erin’s life will be shattered forever…

20% Review:

(This will be added at a later date, when I start reading this book!)

Review:

(This will be added at a later date, once I have finished this book!)

Rubyfruit Jungle

Author: Rita Mae Brown

Narrated by: Anna Paquin

Re-Release Publication Date: January 25, 2022

Genre: Fiction, LGBTQIA, Fiction

Length: 6 hours and 27 minutes

Thanks so much to Libro.fm and Blackstone Publishing for the gifted advanced audiobook!

Description from Libro.fm:

A landmark coming-of-age novel that launched the career of one of this country’s most distinctive voices, Rubyfruit Jungle remains a transformative work more than forty years after its original publication.

In bawdy, moving prose, Rita Mae Brown tells the story of Molly Bolt, the adoptive daughter of a dirt-poor Southern couple who boldly forges her own path in America. With her startling beauty and crackling wit, Molly finds that women are drawn to her wherever she goes—and she refuses to apologize for loving them back.

This literary milestone continues to resonate with its message about being true to yourself and, against the odds, living happily ever after.

20% Review:

(This will be added at a later date, once I start reading this book!)

Review:

(This will be added at a later date, once I have finished this book!)

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Running Wild (Wild #3) by K.A. Tucker

Review and Blog Tour Courtesy of Valentine PR

Thanks so much to the author and Valentine PR for the gifted advanced e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts, and participation in this blog tour! { partner } All opinions are entirely my own. All of my reviews can also be found on Instagram @Tackling_TBR and on Goodreads.

Publication Date: January 25, 2022

Genre: Romance, COntemporary Romance, Adult

Description from Goodreads:

From the internationally bestselling author of The Simple Wild comes the story of a woman at a crossroads in her life, struggling between the safe route and the one that will only lead to more heartbreak.

Veterinarian Marie Lehr knows unrequited love all too well after pining for her best friend, only to watch him marry another woman. It’s a mistake she will never make again, especially not when she can practically hear the clock ticking on her childbearing years.

The trouble is, she can’t seem to find anyone who appeals to her even a fraction as much as that burly bush pilot did. Competitive musher Tyler Brady certainly doesn’t, especially not after the heated altercation with the handsome but arrogant, spiteful man.

Or so she thinks.

While volunteering at the Iditarod Sled Dog Race, Marie discovers that first impressions may have been false, and her attraction to Tyler is very real. But his heart belongs to someone else, leaving him with nothing to offer but friendship. Marie’s been down this road before and knows how that ends. Yet, no matter how hard she works to keep from falling for Tyler, it seems she’s doomed to follow her own trail once again.

Review (5 Stars):

TW: death, death during childbirth, loss of child & miscarriage, death/injury of animals, pregnancy

I need to just start this off immediately by saying that anyone who has been feeling unsure about this book because it’s Marie’s story rather than Calla’s has absolutely no reason to. This book had all of the heart and soul of the rest of the Wild series, and we still see plenty of those characters and places that we’ve grown to love throughout the series while having just enough new to set Marie’s story apart from the rest.

And okay I know, you might be saying “no but wait, she’s the one that was trying to get in between Jonah and Calla, so we don’t like her because they are relationship goals.” I get it. Nothing can ever come between Calla and Jonah, or I may give up on love entirely (so sorry to my husband). But she is such a sweet and strong character, and such a good friend to Jonah, and I am honestly thrilled that she finally has a real moment to shine!

I really enjoyed the direction that this story went as well. When it was announced that this would be Marie’s story, I was curious just how Kathleen would make the story and the settings just different enough to not feel like it was reliving The Simple Wild or Wild at Heart, while still making it obvious that it was the same place and moment, and I think that including so much of the sport and setting part of the book on the Iditarod trail was a really fun way to do just that! It felt separate from Trapper’s Crossing, but still left plenty of room for Marie to head back to the places and characters that we already know and love.

Now let’s talk about the new characters that we get in this book. We really get to deep dive into Marie’s family, and I loved some of them more than others (looking at you, Liz. You know what you did.) but the dynamic of all of them together was so fun, and so relatable to me! I have a few older brothers, and it’s always been a bit overwhelming for guests when you get all of us in the same room, so the weekly family dinner scenes were honestly some of my favorites. And Tyler Brady. Obviously swoon worthy. Not much to say except wow and that I will read more about him, thank you. I also fell in love with Marie’s friend/office mate Cory. She was so playful and sassy, and she really stood out to me!

Overall I loved this book. I devoured this book. If stupid things like eating and sleeping and going to work hadn’t gotten in the way, then I would have just sat down and read the entire thing in a single sitting. And I would absolutely recommend it to friends. I would say that the best way to read this book would be curled up under a blanket on a snowy afternoon with a glass of wine or a hot toddy. But no light beer. Sorry Marie, Tyler might not be judging your drink of choice, but I sure will.

Meet Kathleen:

K.A. Tucker writes captivating stories with an edge.

She is the internationally bestselling author of the Ten Tiny Breaths and Burying Water series, He Will Be My Ruin, Until It Fades, Keep Her Safe, The Simple Wild, Be the Girl, and Say You Still Love Me. Her books have been featured in national publications including USA Today, Globe & Mail, Suspense Magazine, Publisher’s Weekly, Oprah Mag, and First for Women.

K.A. Tucker currently resides in a quaint town outside of Toronto.

Connect with Kathleen

Website: https://www.katuckerbooks.com/

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/36Ga0W8

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2QPwJZs

Facebook:  http://bit.ly/2MYEDhK

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1468548700062461

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katucker_/

Twitter: http://bit.ly/2FqzR8K

Bookbub: http://bit.ly/2rZkYXP

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/authorkatucker/

My reviews for more by K.A. Tucker:
The Simple Wild Series

The Simple Wild

Wild at Heart (Wild #2)

Forever Wild (Wild #2.5)

The Fate & Flame Series

A Fate of Wrath & Flame

The Polson Falls Series

The Player Next Door

Standalone Stories

Say You Still Love Me

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January 16 – January 22

New Releases and Publications

Hello, friends – and happy Tuesday! Welcome to another round of new releases that I was lucky enough to get an early copy of, and have either already read or are upcoming on my #TBR.

These books could be gifted from the publisher through sites like NetGalley or Edelweiss+, they could be electronic copies gifted directly to me from the publisher or the author, an early audiobook copy through the publisher or Libro.fm, or even a physical copy that has been sent to me from the author or publisher. I am so thankful for all of the reading opportunities that I am given through these various sources, and I am excited to share these new releases!

In these weekly posts I will include a 20% review if I am currently reading the book, as well as a link to my full review if I have already finished the book. And if I have not yet started the book by the time this is posted, I will leave those spots blank and edit the post to add them in later!

How To Love Your Neighbor

Author: Sophie Sullivan

Publication Date: January 18, 2022

Genre: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Chick-Lit

Thanks so much to the author, Netgalley, and St. Martin’s Griffin for the gifted advanced e-copy of this book!

Description from Goodreads:

“Sophie Sullivan’s writing feels like a warm hug.” —Rachel Lynn Solomon, bestselling author of The Ex Talk

Most Anticipated for 2022 by: PopSugar * Buzzfeed * USA Today

Enemies-to-lovers meets HGTV in this frothy, effervescent romantic comedy from Sophie Sullivan, author of Ten Rules for Faking It.

Interior Design School? Check. Cute house to fix up? Check.

Sexy, grumpy neighbor who is going to get in the way of your plans? Check. Unfortunately.

Grace Travis has it all figured out. In between finishing school and working a million odd jobs, she’ll get her degree and her dream job. Most importantly, she’ll have a place to belong, something her harsh mother could never make. When an opportunity to fix up—and live in—a little house on the beach comes along, Grace is all in. Until her biggest roadblock moves in next door.

Noah Jansen knows how to make a deal. As a real estate developer, he knows when he’s found something special. Something he could even call home. Provided he can expand by taking over the house next door–the house with the combative and beautiful woman living in it.

With the rules for being neighborly going out the window, Grace and Noah are in an all-out feud. But sometimes, your nemesis can show you that home is always where the heart is.

“This is a novel you’ll want to read over and over again.” – USA Today 

20% Review:

Oh my gosh, I love Grace! She is seriously adorable and so fun to read. Also her gaggle of dogs that she walks are hilarious and I hope that they make many more appearances than just the first chapter. I’m enjoying the story so far – nothing really groundbreaking or unexpected as of yet, but who doesn’t love a simple, dependable rom-com? I know I sure do. I can’t wait to see the two characters start to open up to each other a bit more, to really see where the heart of this story is going to go!

Review:

(This will be added at a later date, once I’ve finished reading this book!)

Posted on by tacklingtbr

January 9 – January 15

New Releases and Publications

Hello, friends – and happy Tuesday! Welcome to another round of new releases that I was lucky enough to get an early copy of, and have either already read or are upcoming on my #TBR.

These books could be gifted from the publisher through sites like NetGalley or Edelweiss+, they could be electronic copies gifted directly to me from the publisher or the author, an early audiobook copy through the publisher or Libro.fm, or even a physical copy that has been sent to me from the author or publisher. I am so thankful for all of the reading opportunities that I am given through these various sources, and I am excited to share these new releases!

In these weekly posts I will include a 20% review if I am currently reading the book, as well as a link to my full review if I have already finished the book. And if I have not yet started the book by the time this is posted, I will leave those spots blank and edit the post to add them in later!

Bad Luck Bridesmaid

Author: Alison Rose Greenberg

Publication Date: January 11, 2022

Genre: Romance, Contemporary, Adult

Thanks so much to the author, Netgalley, and St. Martin’s Griffin for the gifted advanced e-copy of this book.

Description from Goodreads:

It’s official: Zoey Marks is the cursed bridesmaid that no engagement can survive. Ten years, three empire waist dresses, and ZERO brides have walked down the aisle.

After strike three, Zoey is left wondering if her own ambivalence towards marriage has rubbed off on those she loves. And when her building distrust of matrimony culminates in turning down a proposal from her perfect All-American boyfriend, Rylan Harper III, she and Rylan are both left heartbroken, leaving Zoey to wonder: what is it exactly about tying the knot that makes her want to run in the opposite direction?

Enter Hannah Green: Zoey’s best friend, who announces that she’s marrying a guy she just met (cue eye roll). At a castle. In gorgeous, romantic Ireland, where Rylan will be in attendance, and Zoey will be a bridesmaid. It’ll be fine.

Okay, the woman definition of fine (NOT FINE).

Determined to turn her luck around, Zoey accepts her role and vows to get Hannah down the aisle—all the while praying her best friend’s wedded bliss will allow her to embrace marriage and get Rylan back.

But as the weekend goes on, Zoey is plagued with more questions than answers. Can you be a free spirit, yet still want a certain future? Can you have love and be loved on your terms? And how DO you wrangle a bossy falcon into doing your bidding?

20% Review:

Okay, I got to the fifth chapter and already fell a bit in love with the male lead. So that’s got to be a new record, right? This book is seriously so much fun so far! So far it’s mostly been Zoey’s inner monologue kind of catching the audience up on the three weddings she’s almost been a part of and her relationships with those three ladies, and honestly it’s been a really charming read so far! I read about the first 25% in one sitting because I was having too much fun and didn’t want to put it down!

Check out my full review here!

Find Me

Author: Alafair Burke

Narrated By: Kathleen Early

Publication Date: January 11, 2022

Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Adult

Length: 8 hours and 56 minutes

Thanks so much to Libro.fm and HarperAudio for the gifted advanced audio copy of this book.

Description from Goodreads:

The disappearance of a young woman leaves her closest friend reeling and an NYPD homicide detective digging into her own past in this thrilling mystery full of twists from the New York Times bestselling author of The Better Sister and The Wife.

Some pasts won’t stay forgotten . . .

She calls herself Hope Miller, but she has no idea who she actually is. Fifteen years ago, she was found in a small New Jersey town thrown from an overturned vehicle, with no clue to her identity. Doctors assumed her amnesia was a temporary side effect of her injuries, but she never regained her memory. Hope eventually started a new life with a new name in a new town that welcomed her, yet always wondered what she may have left behind—or been running from. Now, fifteen years later, she’s leaving New Jersey to start over once again.

Manhattan defense lawyer Lindsay Kelly, Hope’s best friend and the one who found her after the accident, understands why Hope wants a new beginning. But she worries how her friend will fare in her new East Hampton home, far away from everything familiar. Lindsay’s worst fears are confirmed when she discovers Hope has vanished without a trace—the only lead a drop of blood found where she was last seen. Even more ominously, the blood matches a DNA sample with a connection to a notorious Kansas murderer.

With nowhere else to turn, Lindsay calls NYPD homicide detective Ellie Hatcher, the daughter of the cop who dedicated his life to hunting the Kansas killer.  Ellie has always believed there was more to the story of her father’s death twenty years earlier—and she now fears that Hope’s recent disappearance could be related.

In pursuit of answers, three women search for the truth beneath long-buried secrets. And when their searches converge, what they find will upend everything they’ve ever known. 

20% Review:

(This will be added at a later date, once I start reading this book!)

Review:

(This will be added at a later date, once I have finished this book!)

Wahala

Author: Nikki May

Narrated By: Natalie Simpson

Publication Date: January 11, 2022

Genre: Fiction, Contemporary, Thriller, Adult

Length: 10 hours and 19 minutes

Thanks so much to Libro.fm and HarperAudio for the gifted advanced audio copy of this book.

Description from Goodreads:

An incisive and exhilarating debut novel of female friendship following three Anglo-Nigerian best friends and the lethally glamorous fourth woman who infiltrates their group—the most unforgettable girls since Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte, and Miranda.

Ronke wants happily ever after and 2.2. kids. She’s dating Kayode and wants him to be “the one” (perfect, like her dead father). Her friends think he’s just another in a long line of dodgy Nigerian boyfriends.

Boo has everything Ronke wants—a kind husband, gorgeous child. But she’s frustrated, unfulfilled, plagued by guilt, and desperate to remember who she used to be.

Simi is the golden one with the perfect lifestyle. No one knows she’s crippled by impostor syndrome and tempted to pack it all in each time her boss mentions her “urban vibe.” Her husband thinks they’re trying for a baby. She’s not.

When the high-flying, charismatic Isobel explodes into the group, it seems at first she’s bringing out the best in each woman. (She gets Simi an interview in Hong Kong! Goes jogging with Boo!) But the more Isobel intervenes, the more chaos she sows, and Ronke, Simi, and Boo’s close friendship begins to crack.

A sharp, modern take on friendship, ambition, culture, and betrayal, Wahala (trouble) is an unforgettable novel from a brilliant new voice.

20% Review:

(This will be added at a later date, once I start reading this book!)

Review:

(This will be added at a later date, once I have finished this book!)

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Reckless Girls by Rachel Hawkins

St. Martin’s Press – Review: 4 Stars

Publication Date: January 4, 2022

Thanks so much to the author, Netgalley, and St. Martin’s Press for the gifted advanced e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts. All opinions are entirely my own. All of my reviews can also be found on Instagram @Tackling_TBR and on my blog at tacklingtbr.home.blog

TW: death, murder, some violence/gore, mention of cannibalism, drunk driving, drug use, heavy drinking, misogyny

Oh my gosh, this book got WILD! It started a bit slower than I had expected – I listened to The Wife Upstairs on audio last year, and I seemed to remember it getting a bit of a quicker start into the thriller portion of the story, so that’s a bit more what I was expecting from this one as well. But the slow start really gave me time to deep dive into the characters (and get in my early predictions for who I think the guilty party or parties were going to be), and gave it a very Agatha Christie-on a deserted island vibe!

Let’s jump in to the characters. I do like Lux as a main character, I thought that she was written in an interesting way, and I found her a bit more relatable than heroines in thrillers often seem, but I didn’t want to jump head first into a story just about her and fully inside of her own head – so I was really glad there were so many other characters to get a taste of too! Even from the word go, I think the characters that intrigued me the most were Brittany and Eliza, because they were the ones that I was looking forward to getting more back story from in the Before chapters. I also liked Nico in a “love to hate him” type of way, which is always really fun to read! I would say that the characters are interesting and well written, and I love the diverse cast of characters on the island, but I think that it definitely benefits from having a good number of them instead of really focusing on one single person.

Story-wise this felt very reminiscent of And Then There Were None, and I am a sucker for a good Christie mystery! It didn’t really feel like it started leaning in to the thriller side of the story until about 2/3 of the way through the book, but it did have a few minutes of good suspense before then too, so I didn’t mind too much. However, I also really love a character-driven novel and the lack of concrete thriller or suspense meant I could lean heavily on those characters, so if that isn’t necessarily your jam maybe take that with a grain of salt.

Overall I would definitely recommend this book to friends and fellow readers, and honestly already have once or twice and it only came out today! Definitely a worthy first read of 2022 for me. I think that the perfect place to read this book would be sunbathing on a beach with a tropical drink (or two) in your hands! But, ya know, maybe a beach full of other people. Better not to feel like you’re too far into the world of a book sometimes, right?