firewhiskeyreader

I read some more of my ARCs! Is my Netgalley score still on the struggle bus because I can’t seem to stop requesting books? Yes. Yes, it is. But never mind that, let’s talk about three books that you can already purchase because I am, as usual, behind. First up, let’s talk about Full Moon Over Freedom by Angelina M. Lopez, which I really adored. Despite receiving this from Netgalley, I listened to the audiobook from Hoopla and would recommend the audiobook for sure. Next up, I read The Long Game by Elena Armas, which I loved so much. I read a physical copy I purchased myself despite having the e-ARC from Netgalley. And finally, Her Own Happiness by Eden Appiah-Kubi, which I read via audio because this book is available on KU with the added audiobook being free. Or $1.99… Um, something like that. Anyway, I did that despite once again having the e-ARC from Netgalley. Okay, now let’s dive into my reviews!

Full Moon Over Freedom
by Angelina M. Lopez

Full Moon Over Freedom is a beautifully written, angst filled book that will probably most speak to people who are feeling a little lost or have been in a place where they’re trying to heal from an emotionally abusive relationship. That’s not to say this book can’t be enjoyed by everyone, but I feel like it’s going to speak the most to people who fall into that category. Gillian, the Pride of the East Side, puts a lot of stock in her image and ever since she married Thomas, that image has had her looking more “polished,” which appears to have been code for more white. The way that Gillian’s emphasis on physical perfection slips away throughout this book is such a carefully constructed ode to the character development she’s going through internally. And despite the fact that Gillian is a victim of her husband’s emotional cruelty, continuing even after their separation/divorce, this book also explores how her need to be “perfect” led her to being thoughtlessly cruel to people in her own life. I loved the character development in this book and the second chance romance with her childhood friend who “taught” her sex lessons? It was stunning. 

Now, all that about Gillian aside, Nick has his own past and his own history and his own angst he’s dealing with and some of it was a little ridiculous. I mean, we can begin with the fact that he’s so convinced that Gillian will hurt him that he makes up a fiancée. But nevertheless, Nick’s sense of guilt over “letting” his brother succumb to addiction is a struggle I think too many people can likely relate to. Of course, the message of this book is in part that you cannot control other peoples choices so I appreciated that too. 

All in all, I really loved this book and wholeheartedly recommend it!

The Long Game by Elena Armas

I read this book while dealing with a family member’s medical emergency and let me tell you, this book had me kicking my feet and squealing EVEN while dealing with all of that and that, my friends, is how you know this book was a real win. I haven’t read any of Armas’s books previously, so I didn’t really know what to expect. What I got was this absolutely precious book set in a small town in North Carolina about a woman who tries so hard to be like an ice queen but is actually really soft inside and a grumpy man who would really appreciate being left alone. And the two of them are managing/coaching a little league soccer team and it is just… darling. Absolutely lovely. I cannot wait for the follow up to this book because The Long Game was just perfection for me. Why is it that when I really love a book, I struggle so much with what to talk about? So, in lieu of me trying to make words and instead just rambling, I’ll leave you with just this: If you’re having a bad day, but small town romances with a quirky group of side characters is your jam, pick this one up. 

Her Own Happiness
by Eden Appiah-Kubi

I probably would have DNF’d this book if it hadn’t been for the audiobook because it just really wasn’t for me. Although, at the end, it has this truly fantastic line referencing Lexapro, which I like to joke is a medication that should make me a sponsor because I literally will not shut up about how it changed my life. So loved that. The book got a whole bonus half star for it. Essentially, Her Own Happiness follows a woman whose life is falling apart and she’s having to move home and in wit her parents, who live in the DC area. Her best friend decides to move with her because he’s… well, he’s in love with her, but he’s ace and so he thinks that it is just a deep platonic love. The two of them then proceed to have their own solo journeys to self-actualization with the romance taking not even a back seat, but like stowed away in the trunk. And the solo journeys are not equal, with our FMC’s taking much more space. And that is, I think, where my issues arose. Because what was this book trying to be? It didn’t feel like a romance because the romance was not at all a focus beyond the two of them thinking about one another a good amount. But the page time they share? Limited. And how can you have an only one bed trope where I still feel like I got no page time with the two of them together?? I truly cannot explain how this book did not work for me because on the one hand, it seems like it should have and on the other hand, I was desperately bored. Anyway, if occasional talk of religion (Christianity specifically), trying to sort out your career after everything has fallen apart, and family dynamics are things that interest you, give this one a shot. 

Closing Thoughts

Have you already read any of these? Or are any of them on your radar? Let me know your thoughts!!

xx