Carries Book Reviews

Every Seven Years by Denise Mina
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Every Seven Years is a short story about Else who had left to become an actress in London returning to her childhood home when her mother passes away from lung cancer. Else had been scheduled to give a speech but can only think of her mother until an old rival gives her a book bringing up all kinds of past torments.

For such a short story Every Seven Years really had a lot packed into it. I enjoyed most of it and couldn’t help but wonder how it would turn out. My only complaint came with Else in the beginning thinking of everyone as being fat. OK, yes she’s an actress and overly thin but that was kind of a turn off to her character when I’m supposed to be feeling sorry for her for the rest of the story. Otherwise an interesting quick read.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Christmas Secret by Jeannie Watt
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

When Lil Reynolds decides to get out of town and spend Christmas alone in her mountain cabin to avoid her ex-fiance’s getting married she didn’t expect to have a blizzard hit the mountains. Lil also didn’t expect her other ex-boyfriend Casey Lanigan to come knocking at the door when his truck gets stuck in the snow. Casey also happens to be the brother of the man Lil was going to marry one year before that she had come to the cabin to escape from.

One of my favorite types of romance reads are the rekindling of an old flame. While I completely enjoyed the story of being stuck in the cabin with an old flame that where there were still some feelings left after the years, the one thing I couldn’t help but wonder throughout was why in the world did Lil ever date both brothers to begin with? Had it not been Casey’s brother Lil was hiding from I probably would’ve rated this higher, still a good read though.

I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Last Chance Christmas by Joanne Rock
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When Shea Walker is recovering from an automobile accident she decides she is going to head home for the holidays and try to mend her fractured relationship with her family. Shea doesn’t however let her parents know she plans on coming to town for Christmas and when she arrives she finds they have taken off to Hawaii for the holidays.

Tired from the long drive and without a key to her parents home Shea doesn’t have a place to stay so when she runs into her old flame J.C. Royce she reluctantly agrees to stay with him. J.C. and Shea had split up when J.C. chose a career in professional hockey over their relationship so Shea still harbors a grudge but decides she has chosen to confront past relationships so she should start with J.C.

A nice Christmas tale of two people brought back together that really never wanted to truly part. Loved the characters and where they were in their lives to make the story believable for them to come together. Being a novella the ending did seem a bit rushed but that happens a lot with the shorter stories so not a big let down.

Overall, nice romantic quick read.

I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Heir by Kiera Cass
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Heir is the fourth book in the Selection series by Kiera Cass. This installment picks up around twenty years after the end of The One with Maxon and America’s daughter Princess Eadlyn as she ventures on her own Selection much to her dismay.

I’ve seen a lot of negative reviews on this series simply because of a dislike of Eadlyn. Quite honestly I thought she was done exactly how she should have been. Yes, she’s a bit spoiled but she’s grown up being groomed to take the crown in a world that she will be the first female to do so. And she’s basically shut off in the palace without much interaction growing up. Her really mean comments in the beginning were on purpose as she didn’t want to take part in the Selection which is understandable since the world had supposed to have changed to give people their own choices now.

I started off this series just kind of so-so with it but by the end of this one I’m really hooked and now can’t wait to see where it all goes in the next book.

Kissed by You by Sophia Knightly
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Dr. Alex Cortes is spending his Christmas alone in his beach house when he gets a knock at the door from Georgiana Kincaid. Georgie’s car broke down as she was out driving around trying to cool down after a break up with her boyfriend. Her cell phone has died and she needs to use a phone to call for help.

Being a holiday Georgie ends up stuck at Alex’s house when she can’t find any assistance with her car. The two share the meal Georgie had fixed for her ex and the two begin to bond.

I have to say I did enjoy the characters in the story and their accidental run in on a holiday they both needed someone to be with. But what I found lacking was the time frame for them developing a relationship. The entire story takes place over two days which leaves me with the feeling of alright so what comes next? So while the story was good it just seemed a bit rushed to end.

Overall, I’d say it was an OK, quick read romance.

I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.