Review: Christmas Treasure Hunt

Christmas Treasure Hunt by Leslie Hoolaeff
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Fun Interactive Book

Oh, Santa! You really needed help, didn't you?

This is the cutest Christmas book ever about Santa getting ready for his big night and has you helping to find the things he will need. The pictures are fun and the wording is perfectly done. This book really brought a smile to my not so young self, which goes to show that it is great for kids of all ages!!

I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway.

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Review: Jake and the Purple Unicorn

Jake and the Purple Unicorn by Chris Hardy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Adorable and Dreamy

What a cute little book for kids of all ages that is so colorful and based off of the author's actual dog.

Jake the dog dreams, and when he dreams he drives a frogs car to a forest and meets a unicorn that takes him on an adventure. When Jake wakes up with something he bought bin his dream he isn't sure what is real or not.

This is so sweet and fun, and I really couldn't stop staring at the bright and colorful pictures. Perfect story for everyone.

I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway.

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Review: Hello, Transcriber

Hello, Transcriber by Hannah Morrissey
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

As a transcriptionist myself, I was really excited to read this book. I had an idea in my head on what it would be but that’s not really how the story went.

Hazel is a transcriptionist for a police department but also an author who “writes what she knows.” She is unhappy with her life, it seems, making the book a little depressing - her husband is self-centered, her sister seems perfect, her mom left her when she was 17, and she is lonely. Enter good looking police detective, who she becomes instantly smitten with and starts an affair while trying to help him solve a drug/murder case.

The story was interesting but not really about the transcription side of things. It was more so about her taking control of her life and figuring things out. I didn’t really like Hazel all that much (or any of the characters, really). She came across as wishy washy and a real push over and not really understanding boundaries. The whole thing seemed dark and depressing from her, to the crimes, to the job, to the relationships.

It was an OK read for me, worth it for those who like a romantic, dark, whodunnit kind of read.

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Review: The Last Thing He Told Me

The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

With all the hype this book got and all the rave reviews
I think I expected way more. It started off full throttle and I was loving the relationships between the characters, but then it got a bit too far fetched with Hannah, the main character, entering territories that no one in their right mind would go.

It was an easy read and I did enjoy the suspense, it was just a little too over the top to be believable.

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Review: You've Reached Sam

You've Reached Sam by Dustin Thao
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I’ve been sitting on this book for quite some time, picked it up several times, started it over month ago, and finally was able to finish it. It’s not that it wasn’t good, it was just so-so.

When Sam passes away in a tragic accident his senior year in high school, his girlfriend Julie has a difficult time dealing with his death. During her grief she decides to call his number and is quite surprised when he actually answers. They have various phone calls as if he is still alive alienating Julie from her friends and family.

The concept of this books is unique and interesting, however, the whole books seems kind of glossed over never really getting too deep into what is going on. I understand this is a young adult book but it could have had a bit more substance to it. Overall, I did enjoy it.

I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway as an ARC.

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Review: Winterset Hollow

Winterset Hollow by Jonathan Edward Durham
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have to tell you, for being his first book he knocked it out of the park. This is one of those authors that I would love to see how his mind works to come up with such details! The book was so intriguing and such a unique storyline! Every page brought to life something new. It is not a light and fluffy childhood fairy tale kind of read, it is actually quite dark and the moment it becomes that was perfectly done.

If this is not on your TBR, you should put it on your list now! Well, go ahead— I’ll wait. And I am certainly looking forward to see what Mr. Durham comes up with next!

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Review: Draw Cute Kawaii Critters Using Numbers

Draw Cute Kawaii Critters Using Numbers by Steve Harpster
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Great for All Ages

Another great drawing book from the master! Mine never quite look like his do but they are still cute! Love this author and his books!

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Review: The Guncle

The Guncle by Steven Rowley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A Book with all the Feels

I've heard so much about this book over the past several months that it was a no brainer to pick it for our end of year book club read. What I didn't know was how much it was going to bring out all the feels in me! Everyone kept saying how hilarious it was but I don't remember anyone mentioning just how deep it was as well.

When Patrick's sister in law, who also happens to be his college best friend, passes away and his brother goes into rehab, he has the pleasure of having his niece and nephew stay with him for the summer. As a gay single "retired" actor, Patrick fumbles his way through taking care of the 6 & 9 year olds that have invaded his world. We follow this journey in all its laughter and tears, and see how Patrick not only helps the kids through their grief but how they help him get over years of his own.

I really can't say enough good things about this book! It made me laugh, it made me cry, it made me angry, it made me nervous! Like I said, all the feels! The characters were amazing and I want to be friends with every single one of them! I love the Guncle rules, in fact my bestie made a list of them for us to reference! Honestly, it read like a movie and I really hope that it is made into one! I'll be first in line to see it!! Bravo! If you haven't read this one yet, I highly suggest you do!

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Review: Wake the Dead

Wake the Dead by H.L. Sudler
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Hmm

Well, I'm not quite sure what I just read. It seems that there are a group of people who seem to get jobs robbing places/houses. When they find out about an opportunity in Florida at a plantation they run to it.

This books had such build up and then it just took a sharp left to a screeching halt. It had great potential but it just didn't quite get there for me.

I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway.

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Review: My Friend Is A Whale

My Friend Is A Whale by Angela Chirila
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A whale of a tale.

Ella is a little girl who loves to play with her toys but her favorite is a stuffed whale. Her father works on a boat and when he comes home tells fabulous stories of the whale he sees. These stories lull her into a sleep with vivid dreams of fish in the sea, and you guessed it, a whale.

This is a very cute story with vivid and bright pictures, perfect for kids of alk ages from 1 to 99!!

I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway.

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