firewhiskeyreader

Thank goodness for audiobooks, honestly. I’ve not been necessarily reading as many as I think I do historically, but I did listen to each of these books and they kept me company on road trips I’ve taken in the last month. Also, shout out to Netgalley and the various publishers who gave me access to these three books via audio (and ebook as to Death at a Highland Wedding). Takes One to Know One by Lissette Decos is out from Forever and you can pick it up already! Last Chance to Save the World by Beth Revis, the conclusion to her Chaotic Orbits trilogy, is out from DAW so you can also pick this one up already. Finally, Death at a Highland Wedding by Kelley Armstrong is the fourth installment in her A Rip Through Time series and it comes out on May 20th so just a little longer to wait. And with that little intro, let’s dive into the reviews!

Takes One to Know One
by Lissette Decos

Before I dive into this review, I need to say that I do not understand the blurb’s comparison to Dirty Dancing at all and I need someone who has read this book and seen the movie to explain to me where that comparison is coming from. Okay, but setting that weirdness aside, Daniela is a control freak. Just putting it bluntly. So this book was really fun to read while also examining the fact that it turns out, so am I. It manifests in different ways between us, for sure, but I found myself disliking Daniela and being like, “Jen, babe, that’s you. You’re the same.” So if you’re looking for that level of feeling seen, have I got the book for you! Our male love interest is Rene who is a reggaeton singer who seems to not take life too seriously, but is making Daniela’s life a little challenging as she’s been given the opportunity to make his album with him as a publicist type situation.

One thing about me is that I love books about music and so I definitely enjoyed that part of this book, as well, although I would have liked a little more. Because this is a single POV romance following Daniela’s perspective, we weren’t ever in Rene’s head getting to see him work through putting lyrics and music down. But I liked all of the glimpses we got of him working on the production of his songs.

This book also deals with Daniela finally working through the grief from her father’s death, which she sort of pushed down in order to take care of her mom and sister. I liked the way this book handled the family dynamics as well, because it starts off with Daniela being overbearing and slowly learning to shift the way she relates to her mom and sister. I liked the way that Rene helps Daniela with her grief as well.

Ultimately, this book worked best for me as a women’s fiction, Emily Henry or Kennedy Ryan style book and that is what I think the best comparisons would have been to, in my humble opinion. I think if you’re a fan of either/both, you should pick this up. The plot is certainly different from any EmHen or Kennedy Ryan book I’ve read, so please don’t think that. Anyway, I say that’s how it worked best for me because I actually really felt like I needed Rene’s perspective to really understand the romance.

As for the audiobook, I thought Ramona Master did a good job with it. I don’t think it’s a book you have to read on audio, but it’s certainly not one I would steer you away from.

Last Chance to Save the World
by Beth Revis

“The explosive, satisfying conclusion to the Chaotic Orbits novella trilogy sees Ada and Rian breaking into a high-security facility to give Earth a fighting chance at survival

Sexy, fast, fun and funny, this happily-ever-after ending is perfect for fans of the Murderbot novels and the Wayfairers series”

I’m quoting the top of the blurb because I have a couple of issues. First of all, sexy? Where? Listen, I read this series because I wanted another Polaris Rising by Jessie Mihalik style sci-fi romance. And the use of the word “sexy” and then “happily-ever-after ending” imply that this book is a ROMANCE. But… And you should really stop reading now if you don’t want any spoilers.

.

.

.

Are you gone? I hope so, because that was all my patience. THIS BOOK DOESN’T EVEN HAVE A HAPPY FOR NOW FOR THESE TWO CHARACTERS. You separate them at the end of book one MAYBE book two, but you don’t leave them wildly NOT TOGETHER at the end of the TRILOGY if you’re using Romance language to sell the books!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you take away my expectations, I think this was a satisfying conclusion as far as the overall arc of the plot started in book one, but honestly, either this should have just been one book or each of these novellas could have used another twenty or so pages to flesh them out just a little more. That is my personal opinion, but honestly, I stand by it.

All of this to say, don’t read this if you’re only in it for the romance.

But if you’re here for the sci-fi, it might work for you.

The narrators are great. I listened to all three of the books and I think the narrators makes the reading experience better.

Death at a Highland Wedding
by Kelley Armstrong

I am truly obsessed with this series. If you’re a fan of the Lady Sherlock or Veronica Speedwell series, I think you should give this series a shot. I was hesitant back in book one of whether or not the fact that I was intrigued by a potential romance was just me being delulu, but I finally feel fully vindicated in this book. I love the audiobook. I love the mystery. I did not guess the mystery, but once it was all revealed, I thought it was wildly clever. If you’re in a place where you’re especially sensitive to violence against women, maybe steer clear for a bit until your tolerance is slightly higher because there are mentions of sexual assault, though no real descriptions.

It feels odd to have loved this book the most out of the three books I’m reviewing for you in this moment and yet have the least to say because all I want to tell you is how much I love the characters and I love the setting and I loved the plot… But it’s true! This series is such a delight.

Closing Thoughts

I really want to know what your thoughts are about marketing and how the way a book is marketed can affect your thoughts on a book, good or bad. Also, have you read any of these yet? Do you want to? Let me know!

xx