Reviewing the Unreviewed: March 2022 (Part II)

Posted June 18, 2022 by Kim in Reviews / 1 Comment

Reviewing the Unreviewed

I’m a few days later than I expected getting the second part of March’s reviews for the unreviewed books post out, but better late than never, right?

Fair warning — some of these reviews will be really short. Like, shorter than the book’s blurb short. It might look a little weird, but I want to keep my review archive with Ultimate Book Blogger going, so bear with me.

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Reviewing the Unreviewed: March 2022 (Part II)Stuck with You by Ali Hazelwood
Series: The STEMinist Novellas #2
Genres: Contemporary, Romance
Publication date: March 8, 2022
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Format: Audio Listening Copy
Narrator: Meg Sylvan
How I got it: From the publisher
Add it: Goodreads
Buy it: Amazon
My rating:

Mara, Sadie, and Hannah are friends first, scientists always. Though their fields of study might take them to different corners of the world, they can all agree on this universal truth: when it comes to love and science, opposites attract and rivals make you burn…

Logically, Sadie knows that civil engineers are supposed to build bridges. However, as a woman of STEM she also understands that variables can change, and when you are stuck for hours in a tiny New York elevator with the man who broke your heart, you earn the right to burn that brawny, blond bridge to the ground. Erik can apologize all he wants, but to quote her rebel leader—she’d just as soon kiss a Wookiee.

Not even the most sophisticated of Sadie’s superstitious rituals could have predicted such a disastrous reunion. But while she refuses to acknowledge the siren call of Erik’s steely forearms or the way his voice softens when he offers her his sweater, Sadie can’t help but wonder if there might be more layers to her cold-hearted nemesis than meet the eye. Maybe, possibly, even burned bridges can still be crossed….

I received a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration.
This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

My Thoughts

I am borderline addicted to these Ali Hzelwood audio shorts. The only reason I didn’t finish Stuck with You the day I started it was because I had to take a little break after learning Eric had a cat named Cat. (Days after I had to say goodbye to my C.A.T. It was just too fresh and honestly, what are the chances?) But, a little distance provided me the comfort I needed to get back into it again. I finished it in one sitting after the restart. What an absolute delight.

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Reviewing the Unreviewed: March 2022 (Part II)Getting Hot with the Scot by Melonie Johnson
Series: Sometimes in Love #1
Genres: Contemporary, Romance
Publication date: April 30, 2019
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Format: Audiobook
Narrator: Evelyn Eibhlin
How I got it: From the library
Add it: Goodreads
Buy it: Amazon
My rating:

Cassie Crow, a pop-culture reporter for a TV talk show, is focused on becoming a “serious” journalist. But when she stumbles into a kilted Highlander with a killer accent, Cassie decides that taking one night off from work and spending it with a sexy Scot couldn’t hurt. . .

Logan Reid has built a career on his charm, hosting a series of off-the-wall hijinks on the Web. But when the Scottish prankster meets the all-American, equal parts intelligent and irresistible Cassie, Logan realizes that one night of fun won’t be enough. Could it be that this career-focused, commitment-phobic couple is finally ready to take a chance at true and lasting love?

My Thoughts

It didn’t take too long to figure out Getting Hot with the Scot wasn’t for me. At first, I thought it was the audiobook (and truly atrocious accents), but I switched over to the print book and we still weren’t vibing. I don’t know if it was my mood or not, but I just didn’t care about any of it. So, I DNF’d and moved on.

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Reviewing the Unreviewed: March 2022 (Part II)She Persisted: Harriet Tubman by Andrea Davis Pinkney
Genres: Middle Grade, Non Fiction
Publication date: January 5, 2021
Publisher: Listening Library
Format: Audio Listening Copy
Narrator: Bahni Turpin
How I got it: From the publisher
Add it: Goodreads
Buy it: Amazon
My rating:

In this chapter book biography by bestselling and award-winning author Andrea Davis Pinkney, readers learn about the amazing life of Harriet Tubman--and how she persisted.

Born enslaved, Harriet Tubman rose up to become one of the most successful, determined and well-known conductors of the Underground Railroad. With her family's love planted firmly in her heart, Harriet looked to the North Star for guidance--and its light helped guide her way out of slavery. Her courage made it possible for her to help others reach freedom too.

Complete with an introduction from Chelsea Clinton, black-and-white illustrations throughout, and a list of ways that readers can follow in Harriet Tubman's footsteps and make a difference!

I received a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration.
This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

My Thoughts

It’s been a minute since I picked up one of these She Persisted audio shorts. I know I’m certainly not the target audience for these, but I’ve found them super enjoyable, educational, and inspirational. I always appreciate learning more about the women who helped shape the world, in this case, Harriet Tubman. I also really like how each of these has a call to action at the end that encourages the reader to persist in their own ways.

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Reviewing the Unreviewed: March 2022 (Part II)The Viscount Who Loved Me by Julia Quinn
Series: Bridgertons #2
Genres: Historical Romance
Publication date: December 5, 2000
Publisher: Avon Books
Format: Audiobook
Narrator: Rosalyn Landor
How I got it: From the library
Add it: Goodreads
Buy it: Amazon
My rating:

This time the gossip columnists have it wrong. London’s most elusive bachelor Anthony Bridgerton hasn’t just decided to marry—he’s even chosen a wife! The only obstacle is his intended’s older sister, Kate Sheffield—the most meddlesome woman ever to grace a London ballroom. The spirited schemer is driving Anthony mad with her determination to stop the betrothal, but when he closes his eyes at night, Kate’s the woman haunting his increasingly erotic dreams...

Contrary to popular belief, Kate is quite sure that reformed rakes do not make the best husbands—and Anthony Bridgerton is the most wicked rogue of them all. Kate’s determined to protect her sister—but she fears her own heart is vulnerable. And when Anthony’s lips touch hers, she’s suddenly afraid she might not be able to resist the reprehensible rake herself...

My Thoughts

Yes, I did read The Viscount Who Loved Me twice in March. No, I do not regret it. Okay, maybe I initially regretted it when upon first watch of the Netflix adaptation I didn’t feel as though it did justice to Kate and Anthony’s story. (I’ve since watched it six or seven more times and I’ve grown to love it. As long as I skip almost an entire episode.) While this was my third time reading, it was the first time I listened to the second epilogue. Heart eyes forever. I love Kate and Anthony so much.

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Reviewing the Unreviewed: March 2022 (Part II)The One Night by Meghan Quinn
Genres: Contemporary, Romance
Publication date: December 14, 2021
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Format: Audiobook
Narrator: Teddy Hamilton, Laurie West
How I got it: Audible Plus
Add it: Goodreads
Buy it: Amazon
My rating:

Recently divorced Cooper Chance knows he’s officially in a rut when his parents take him barhopping in the hope of resuscitating his love life. At first, he’s skeptical. How could a gritty dive bar possibly solve his problems? But then he runs into Nora McHale.

Nora isn’t at the bar looking for love. She’s there to unwind after yet another exhausting day at her bakery. And even if she were hoping to meet someone, it sure wouldn’t be Cooper—her best friend’s ex-husband.

According to the unwritten rules of romance, Cooper and Nora are completely off limits to each other. But after a fun, flirty night at the bar, they can’t ignore the wild attraction between them.

Is this the beginning of something real, or will their passionate night together be their one and only?

My Thoughts

It’s been far too long since I read a Meghan Quinn story and I’ve really missed her writing. I picked up The One Night because I needed a December 2021 release for a bingo card I was trying to complete at the end of March. It wasn’t a full story, but a prequel novella and it did its job. What’s that, you ask? It pulled me in and hooked me. I still need to make time to read the follow-up book.

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Reviewing the Unreviewed: March 2022 (Part II)Seatmate by Cara Bastone
Series: Love Lines #3
Genres: Contemporary, Romance
Publication date: March 24, 2022
Publisher: Audible Original
Format: Audiobook
Narrator: Amanda Ronconi, Zachary Webber, Josh Hurley, Carol Monda, Corey Allen, Allyson Johnson, Eric Yves Garcia, Tanya Eby, Dina Pearlman
How I got it: Audible Plus
Add it: Goodreads
Buy it: Amazon
My rating:

I have exactly 5 hours and 10 minutes to get from Boston to New York City or the professional opportunity of a lifetime disappears. My only travel option? The second to last seat on a discount bus. Across from the bathroom. Wearing last night’s clothes (don’t ask). All worth it if I can make it in time.

My nerves almost get the best of me, but then there he is, sitting down in the seat next to me. Tall. Friendly smile. Bright indigo streak in his brown hair. The perfect distraction. Turns out he’s on his way to reconnect with an old flame. The one who got away. We can both make it on time - just barely - if the traffic keeps flowing.

Playing road-trip games, avoiding calls from his mother, and effortless conversation keeps us from clockwatching...until the bus breaks down. And my seatmate turns into my copilot as we wrangle a ride in a car three decades old. And hit all the traffic. And oh, Lord, the detours. And somehow I end up careening cross-town on the handlebars of a Citi Bike carrying a box of kittens. (Yeah, don’t ask.)

He’s my hero every step of the way...and I might be falling for him. But what happens when we reach our final destination? Could my seatmate really be my soul mate?

My Thoughts

If you’ve followed my reviews for any length of time, you know how much I love Cara Bastone’s books. She’s a relatively new author, but I’d read her grocery list and probably give it five stars. Especially if it was a full-cast audiobook with production as amazing as her Love Lines books. Seatmate played to two of my favorite tropes — forced proximity and road trip. (Which I guess a road trip is just a form of forced proximity but shh. Let me live.) I was quickly hooked on this story and, much like the other Love Lines shorts, cheesy-grinned my way through the entire thing. I can’t get enough of these.

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Reviewing the Unreviewed: March 2022 (Part II)Hana Khan Carries On by Uzma Jalaluddin
Genres: Contemporary, Romance
Publication date: April 13, 2021
Publisher: Berkley
Format: Paperback
How I got it: From the publisher
Add it: Goodreads
Buy it: Amazon
My rating:

Sales are slow at Three Sisters Biryani Poutine, the only halal restaurant in the close-knit Golden Crescent neighborhood. Hana waitresses there part time, but what she really wants is to tell stories on the radio. If she can just outshine her fellow intern at the city radio station, she may have a chance at landing a job. In the meantime, Hana pours her thoughts and dreams into a podcast, where she forms a lively relationship with one of her listeners. But soon she'll need all the support she can get: a new competing restaurant, a more upscale halal place, is about to open in the Golden Crescent, threatening Three Sisters.

When her mysterious aunt and her teenage cousin arrive from India for a surprise visit, they draw Hana into a long-buried family secret. A hate-motivated attack on their neighborhood complicates the situation further, as does Hana's growing attraction for Aydin, the young owner of the rival restaurant--who might not be a complete stranger after all.

As life on the Golden Crescent unravels, Hana must learn to use her voice, draw on the strength of her community and decide what her future should be.

I received a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration.
This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

My Thoughts

Hana Khan Carries On was delightful. It gave me You’ve Got Mail vibes, but with more of a focus on family and community. I think it skewed far more towards women’s fiction than romance, not just because of the complete lack of a physical relationship (which I suspect had to do with Muslim culture), but because a large part of the story focuses on Hana’s growth. This is a feature, not a bug. It might not have been exactly what I expected going in, but it was wonderful just as it was.

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Let’s Chat

Have you read any of these books?
Any faves?

Kim

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