The Sunday Post #283 | March 27, 2022

Sunday, March 27, 2022

he Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

It's a chance to share news: a post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books,

and share what's coming up on your blog in the week ahead.

T H E W E E K I N R E V I E W

Monday was the Mondayest of Mondays. 'Nuff said. Tuesday I actually went out for lunch just to get the heck out of the house and get some fresh air. Working from home has its perks, but it also means I tend to get tunnel vision and hole up in my home office for too long. We had a big storm system come through Wednesday and Thursday and it rained almost non-stop for two days. I went into the office on Thursday. Naturally the day I needed to go in was the day of torrential rain and wind. 🙄 I took off around 3:00 on Friday to help The Husband run an errand so it was nice to start the weekend just a tiny bit early.

We start returning to the office on April 4 - a week from tomorrow. Not necessarily full-time, but at least 2-3 days a week. I imagine I'll still do a hybrid schedule, working from home 1-2 days a week, but I'll definitely be shifting back to more time in the office. Pros and cons both ways, but after two years I guess it will be nice to have at least that bit of (semi) normalcy back.

I've had to pull back a bit from the national/world news lately as it's been wearing on me. It's tough to balance staying informed without becoming overwhelmed. So lately I've been actively seeking out good news and feel-good stories. I thought I'd share one from this week about a non-profit organization that sends "glam squads" into hospitals to pamper the patients and lift their spirits. Here's the link to the story if you'd rather read than watch.

Apparently this week was my blogoversary... so yay. LOL I swear, I always forget it and only remember when I see Nicole's mention of the weekly milestones. (Thank goodness for Nicole!) So hooray for seven years of blogging. Moving on... 😄

This week's 80's music fix is Chains of Love (1988). I seriously love Erasure and when I just want some feel-good music, they're one of my top go-to's. Enjoy!

O N T H E B L O G

Tuesday, March 22

Top Ten Tuesday: Book with Adjectives in the Title

Wednesday, March 23

WWW Wednesday #110

Friday, March 25

Review: Funny You Should Ask by Elissa Sussman

W H A T I R E A D

Training Camp (a Brooklyn Hockey short story) by Sarina Bowen - ⭐⭐⭐⭐

C U R R E N T L Y R E A D I N G

Kindle: Slave to Sensation (Psy-Changeling #1) - Nalini Singh

Audio: The Wall of Winnipeg and Me - Mariana Zapata

N E W A D D I T I O N S

Nothing this week.

T O T A L L Y R A N D O M

HOW WAS YOUR WEEK?

I'D LOVE TO HEAR ABOUT IT!

Review: Funny You Should Ask by Elissa Sussman

Friday, March 25, 2022

FUNNY YOU SHOULD ASK

Elissa Sussman

Publication date: April 12, 2022

Format: eARC

Source: Netgalley

3 Stars

A restless young journalist with big dreams interviews a Hollywood heartthrob--and, ten years later, it's clear that their time together meant more than meets the eye in this sexy, engrossing adult debut novel.

Then. Twentysomething writer Chani Horowitz is stuck. While her former MFA classmates are nabbing book deals, she's in the trenches writing puff pieces. Then she's hired to write a profile of movie star Gabe Parker. The Gabe Parker--her forever celebrity crush, the object of her fantasies, the background photo on her phone--who's also just been cast as the new James Bond. It's terrifying and thrilling all at once . . . yet if she can keep her cool and nail the piece, it could be a huge win. Gabe will get good press, and her career will skyrocket. But what comes next proves to be life-changing in ways Chani never saw coming, as the interview turns into a whirlwind weekend that has the tabloids buzzing.

Now. Ten years later, after a brutal divorce and a heavy dose of therapy, Chani is back in Los Angeles, laser-focused on one thing: her work. But she's still spent the better part of the last decade getting asked about her deeply personal Gabe Parker profile at every turn. No matter what new essay collection or viral editorial she's promoting, it always comes back to Gabe. So when his PR team requests that they reunite for a second interview, she wants to say no. She wants to pretend that she's forgotten about the time they spent together, years ago. But the truth is that those seventy-two hours are still crystal clear, etched in her memory. And so . . . she says yes.

Chani knows that facing Gabe again also means facing feelings she's tried so hard to push away. Alternating between their first meeting and their reunion a decade later, this deliciously irresistible novel will have you hanging on until the last word.

GOODREADS | AMAZON | APPLE BOOKS | AUDIBLE

Chani Horowitz is a dissatisfied writer, filled with self-doubt, thanks in no small part to her boyfriend who is a “serious” writer who writes “serious” books (translation: pretentious jerk). When offered the opportunity to interview movie star Gabe Parker, who also happens to be her celeb crush, she ends up spending a whirlwind weekend with Gabe that has lasting effects for them both.

Though unfamiliar with Sussman’s previous novels (all young adult titles), I was intrigued by Funny You Should Ask’s premise. Who hasn’t had a celeb crush and thoughts of What if we actually met? While certain aspects of the story kept me turning the pages, main character Chani was, unfortunately, not one of them. Chani was a prickly character, her go-to emotion being anger. (“You go to rage first,” [my therapist] told me. “It’s your safe place when emotions are high.”) Her interactions with Gabe were less conversations and more snarky comebacks (from her side). And for me, this made Chani unrelatable and highly unlikable.

Gabe, on the other hand, was a flawed character whose flaws didn’t overshadow his likability. Behind the movie star looks and the charm was a man who struggled to keep parts of his life private in an industry where every detail was considered tabloid fodder. He also had a serious case of imposter syndrome which led to escapism through alcohol. Gabe was a good man, living an extraordinary life, and I found myself constantly wishing for his point of view and his story.

While the lack of connection with Chani kept me from being fully invested in the outcome, I still found myself caught up in the final chapters, ready to see where the reunion between Chani and Gabe, after ten life-altering years, would lead them. A special kudos to the shining star of the novel, Gabe’s fellow actor/friend Oliver. I could have read an entire book just about Gabe and Ollie. 3 Stars

Disclosure: I received a complimentary advance copy of this book for review. This does not impact my opinion of the book or the content of this review. I received no compensation and my review is voluntary.

WWW Wednesday #110 | March 23, 2022

Wednesday, March 23, 2022

WWW Wednesdays is hosted by Sam @ Taking on a World of Words.

Just share your answers to three questions: What are you currently reading? What did you recently finish reading? What do you think you'll read next?

Today feels weird and I don't even know why.

It's overcast (the rain is coming), I'm working from home (the usual),

I've got some ASMR going in the background (also usual), but something

about the day feels off. Here's hoping I snap out of it... whatever it is!

WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY READING?

Slave to Sensation (Psy-Changeling #1) - Nalini Singh

The Wall of Winnipeg and Me - Mariana Zapata

So, I totally feel like this is kind of a milestone reading week for me. I've started two books, both of which I have been excited to read for quite a while. (We're talking years.) I'm finally diving into both and it's such a good feeling... the anticipation of what's to come.

Currently reading: It's happening. I'm finally making a start on the Psy-Changeling series. Urban/paranormal fantasy is definitely not my go-to genre, but I've been so intrigued by this long-running series. I'm at the very beginning but I'm getting to know the characters and learning about the world. (To be honest, I don't like any of the covers for Slave to Sensation, but I settled on this one. Meh.)

Current progress: page 30 of 356 (8%)

Currently listening: I've been saying I wanted to read something by Mariana Zapata for years. Why hasn't it taken so long? No clue. But I decided to start with The Wall of Winnipeg and Me. Someone (maybe Rachel @ Waves of Fiction?) recommended the audio version and since I already know and love narrator Callie Dalton I decided to go that route. At 16 hours this one is a chunker (I think all of Zapata's are tomes), but I'm already enjoying it and getting a feel for the dynamic between Vanessa and Aiden.

Current progress: 6%

WHAT DID YOU RECENTLY FINISH READING?

Tin Queen (Tin Gypsy/Clifton Forge #6) - Devney Perry

Make Me Stay (Make Me #3) - Kennedy Fox

Recently read: Finishing the Tin Gypsy/Clifton Forge series was bittersweet. While I didn't love the basis of the relationship between the two main characters, I did enjoy being back in that world and surrounded by the characters I know and love. I'll have a lot to say in my review, but overall: good book, excellent series.

Recently listened to: Make Me Stay isn't technically part of the Circle B Ranch series, but Kennedy Fox does include it in the recommended reading order since one of the main characters is a ranch hand and the story takes place almost solely at Circle B. Great story, great narration, awesome epilogue. My girl crush on Kennedy Fox continues. 😉

WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'LL READ NEXT?

Baden (Pittsburgh Titans #1) - Sawyer Bennett

My Unexpected Surprise (The Greene Family #5) - Piper Rayne

I never know what I'll read next, but both Baden and My Unexpected Surprise are strong possibilities.

WHAT ARE YOU READING TODAY?

Top Ten Tuesday Grammar Edition: Books with Adjectives in the Title

Tuesday, March 22, 2022

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl.

This week's Top Ten Tuesday topic:

Books with Adjectives in the Title

I had planned on skipping TTT this week. Just no time to create a post.

But when I saw the prompt it was like, how easy can you get?

I can't say a lot of thought went into this one, but it was fun

browsing my Goodreads shelf for options. 😀

The Reckless Oath We Made - Bryn Greenwood

A Wicked and Beautiful Garden - Katie McGarry

Tattered Stars - Catherine Cowles

Invisible Girl - Lisa Jewell

Fortunate Son - Jay Crownover

The Wicked King - Holly Black

My Sister's Flirty Friend - Piper Rayne

Big Summer - Jennifer Weiner

Rogue Wave - J. Bengtsson

Great and Precious Things - Rebecca Yarros

Have you read any of these books?

The Sunday Post #282 | March 20, 2022

Sunday, March 20, 2022

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

It's a chance to share news: a post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books,

and share what's coming up on your blog in the week ahead.

T H E W E E K I N R E V I E W

Hello friends. These Sunday posts seem to have become an every other week thing for me. Either the work week has been so busy that I feel exhausted and burned out, or I'm just lazy and can't be bothered. 😉 Week before last it was the former. It was a busy week work-wise and on that Friday I had to attend a funeral that took up a chunk of the day. After that I had to come home, log back onto work, and didn't finish up until about 6:30 that evening. So yeah, wasn't really feeling a Sunday post last weekend. This week has been less hectic, but even so I've let it go until Saturday night before even starting this. Procrastination is the name of the game.

Today may be the official first day of spring, but we've been feeling it here for a couple weeks. Pollen is coating everything in sight and temps are already climbing into the 80's. I was totally robbed of any real winter this year. I'm feeling rather bitter about that. 😉

The Husband and I got out and about a bit yesterday and it was great. Lunch from Chicken Salad Chick where we ate at the outside tables, a quick stop at a Hobby Lobby, and then grabbed a few things at Trader Joe's. It still amazes me how few people are masked at this point. I'd say maybe 10%, if that. It's as if the pandemic has been erased from their minds, like it no longer exists. I get that everyone will do their own thing, and do whatever they're comfortable with. But it doesn't mean I understand it.

I'm trying something new for dinner tonight and I can't wait to dig in later. It's called Olive Garden Chicken Pasta (because you use a bottle of Olive Garden salad dressing) and it's from one of my go-to recipe sites, The Pound Dropper. Fingers crossed that it tastes as good as it looks and sounds.

Photo credit: thepounddropper.com

It's been way too long since I shared anything by The Cure so how about a little In Between Days (1985) today? Enjoy!

O N T H E B L O G

Tuesday, March 15

Review: Shenanigans by Sarina Bowen

W H A T I R E A D

My Sister's Flirty Friend by Piper Rayne - ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Make Me Forget by Kennedy Fox - ⭐⭐⭐.5

Tin Queen by Devney Perry - ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25

C U R R E N T L Y R E A D I N G

Audio: Make Me Stay - Kennedy Fox

N E W A D D I T I O N S

PHYSICAL BOOKS

The Two of Us, The Best of Us, The End of Us (Special Editions) by Kennedy Fox

T O T A L L Y R A N D O M

HOW WAS YOUR WEEK?

I'D LOVE TO HEAR ABOUT IT!

Review: Shenanigans by Sarina Bowen #NewRelease

Tuesday, March 15, 2022

RELEASE DATE: MARCH 15, 2022

What I meant to do in Vegas: Let my hair down for once and celebrate winning a medal at my first women’s hockey all-stars competition.

What I actually did: Got senior prom drunk and woke up married to Brooklyn’s star winger, the great Neil Drake.

He’s the heir to a billion dollars, and I barely survived my childhood. Our friendship is based strictly only on hockey, takeout food, and smack talk.

And now holy matrimony. Although we both know it can’t last, especially once his evil family gets wind of our Vegas shenanigans…

Contains: Meddling teammates, meddling parents, ugly jewelry, and a pretend-kiss that nearly sets the world on fire.

Amazon: https://geni.us/AmazonShenanigans
Apple: https://geni.us/AppleShenanigans
Kobo: https://geni.us/KoboShenanigans
Nook: https://geni.us/NookShenanigans
Google: https://geni.us/GoogleShenanigans
Audio: https://geni.us/AudibleShenanigans

ADD TO GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57574313-shenanigans

SHENANIGANS
by Sarina Bowen
Series: Brooklyn/Bombshells
Format: Advanced Listener's Copy (ALC)
Rating: 4.5 Stars

A few facts: (1) I adore Sarina Bowen and her highly addictive books. (2) I love a good wake-up-in-Vegas-married trope. (3) When Sarina Bowen writes a wake-up-in-Vegas-married story, it’s pretty much perfection.

What Totally Worked For Me

Neil Drake. Sarina Bowen always writes heroes that melt my heart, but Neil Drake knocked me off my feet and shot right to the top of my favorite Bowen characters. Neil was the sweetest, gooiest cinnamon roll and I loved his innate kindness, his thoughtfulness, and his willingness to give Charli what she needed, even at his own expense.

Charli. Few heroines have been more deserving of a happily ever after than Charli - a girl who came from nothing, learned quickly not to trust, and had no one in her corner. Charli had some serious walls up, and came across as one tough cookie, but seeing her slowly let down some of those walls with Neil, and feel the comfort of someone having her back, was everything,

Hockey. Tired of “hockey books” that don’t actually contain any hockey? You’ve come to the right place. Neil and Charli are both fierce competitors and dedicated athletes and Bowen highlights that in Shenanigans. We get both the action of the games and the behind-the-scenes aspects of the professional athletes and I ate it up. The scene when Neil and some of the other Bruisers attended Charli’s game was… *chef’s kiss*.

The Romance, the Suspense, the Feels! The way the relationship between Neil and Charlie unfolded – from the first shockwaves in Vegas until the very end – was everything. I loved the friendship, the banter, the flirting, and the romance. Their chemistry was off the charts and I went from fanning myself to my heart melting. The plot threads with Neil’s family and Charli’s cousin had me 100% invested and I was so satisfied with the outcomes. I seriously adored Charli and Neil together and they are without a doubt one of my favorite couples in the extended Bruisers/Bombshells world.

The Narration. Jason Clarke and Vanessa Edwin were stellar in their roles. Jason is a longtime favorite of mine and hearing Neil’s voice was like swimming in melted butter. Both Jason and Vanessa brought these characters to life and I could hear and feel the emotion in their voices. Individual voices were distinct and it was always easy to know which of the cast of characters was speaking.

But Not So Much

The Inner Kitty-Cat. I have only one minor quibble but it really bugged me. Charli made numerous references to her “inner kitty-cat.” And I cringed every time she said it. Not only was it just… ugh, no… but it reminded me too much of Anastasia Steele’s “inner goddess” in Fifty Shades. It didn’t work for me then and I’m afraid it didn’t work for me here.