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Showing posts from March, 2021

Review: The Rose Code by Kate Quinn

The Rose Code  by  Kate Quinn My rating:  4 of 5 stars 📚 Hello Book Friends! Kate Quinn is one of my auto-buy fav authors. Her historical novels are fascinating and so entertaining. THE ROSE CODE was a fantastic read. This book is based on true events and characters. I absolutely love discovering the involvement of the bright and courageous women who worked at Bletchley Park, the principal centre of Allied code-breaking during the Second World War. The plot was well built and delivered. The only aspect of the book I did not like, was its length. It could have been delivered in a few hundred fewer pages. I was losing interest at time but I am glad I persevered to witness its glorious end. I particularly enjoyed learning about the relationship between Margaret Osla Benning, a Canadian debutante, and Prince Philip before he married Queen Elisabeth II. Don’t let the size of this book discourage you, it is a brilliant book and worth reading. #bookstadog #poodles #poodlestagram #poodlesofin

Review: Other People's Children by R.J. Hoffmann

Other People's Children  by  R.J. Hoffmann My rating:  4 of 5 stars 📚 Hello Book Friends! OTHER PEOPLE’S CHILDREN by R.J. Hoffmann was a very emotional read. A childless couple has the opportunity to adopt a baby girl. Their life is changed and when they face the risk of losing their precious little one, they will stop at nothing to protect her. The story is written in the voices of the adoptive parents, the mother, and the maternal grandmother. They each offer arguments about who should parent the child but, in the end, only one can be best for Maya. The writing is beautiful and the story moving. This is a great debut for this author. There are several trigger warnings in this book: miscarriage, infertility, adoption, verbal, and physical abuse. #bookstadog #poodles #poodlestagram #poodlesofinstagram #furbabies #dogsofinstagram #bookstagram #dogsandbooks #bookishlife #bookishlove #bookstagrammer #books #booklover #bookish #bookaholic #reading #readersofinstagram #instaread #ilove

Review: Custom Made by Chantal Fernando

Custom Made  by  Chantal Fernando My rating:  4 of 5 stars 📚 Hello Book Friends! I am so happy to participate in Harlequin Books’ Bookstagram Tour. This time around it is for the sexy book CUSTOM MADE by Chantal Fernando. This is the second book in the Fast & Fury series, and it is as hot hot hot as the first one. I absolutely loved the chemistry between Cam and Orion. Cam was already one of my fav characters in the first book because she is artistic, intelligent, and does not let her past define her present and future. This book has it all: romance, hot sex, and an ex from hell. I recommend this book to all hot sexy romance lovers. The book can be read as a stand-alone. #bookstadog #poodles #poodlestagram #poodlesofinstagram #furbabies #dogsofinstagram #bookstagram #dogsandbooks #bookishlife #bookishlove #bookstagrammer #booklover #readersofinstagram #instaread #ilovebooks #bookishcanadians #canadianbookstagram #bookreviewer #bookcommunity #bibliophile #Sponsored #HarlequinPublic

Review: Smoke Bitten by Patricia Briggs

Smoke Bitten  by  Patricia Briggs My rating:  5 of 5 stars 📚 Hello Book Friends! When people ask who is my favourite female protagonist, I never hesitate to say Mercedes Thompson. I have read all the books in the Mercy Thompson Series by Patrician Briggs and it is one of my favs. Mercy is a walker a Native American shapeshifter not linked to the moon), not only capable of shifting into coyote shape at will but also possessed of a sharp nose for scenting other creatures and an ability to sense magic when it is at work. She is a bad-arse female protagonist with a big heart. Mercy is married to Adam Hauptman, the Alpha werewolf of the Tri-Cities, and I love their relationship. SMOKE BITTEN is the newest book in the series. In this book, Mercy will encounter a deadly fae and will have to fight for her life and to save Adam from destruction. The story is filled with mystery, action, and sacrifice. If you are looking for an adult paranormal urban fantasy series, please check out this one. Y

Review: The Woman on the Stairs by Bernhard Schlink

The Woman on the Stairs  by  Bernhard Schlink My rating:  4 of 5 stars 📚 Hello Book Friends! A friend recommended THE WOMAN ON THE STAIRS by Bernhard Schlink. It is a wonderful story about one painting, one woman, and three men who loved her. The book is written in the voice of one of the men. It starts with the man coming across the painting by chance in a museum and will lead you through time to discover what happened to it and the woman painted on it. It is a beautiful ode to love. The book is lovely and bittersweet. #bookstadog #poodles #poodlestagram #poodlesofinstagram #furbabies #dogsofinstagram #bookstagram #dogsandbooks #bookishlife #bookishlove #bookstagrammer #books #booklover #bookish #bookaholic #reading #readersofinstagram #instaread #ilovebooks #bookishcanadians #canadianbookstagram #bookreviewer #bookcommunity #bibliophile #thewomanonthestairs #bernhardschlink #bookreview View all my reviews

Review: Fight For Her by Liz Plum

Fight For Her  by  Liz Plum My rating:  3 of 5 stars 📚 Hello Book Friends! FIGHT FOR HER by Liz Plum is a coming-of-age YA Romance. It is an easy-going story about a love triangle between a popular girl, a star athlete, and a bad boy. The story was interesting and had some potential. It was just a bit too juvenile for my taste and sometimes too dramatic. It is nonetheless an enjoyable love story if you put your teenager's thinking cap on. The author delivered a good story with a lovely ending. #bookstadog #poodles #poodlestagram #poodlesofinstagram #furbabies #dogsofinstagram #bookstagram #dogsandbooks #bookishlife #bookishlove #bookstagrammer #books #booklover #bookish #bookaholic #reading #readersofinstagram #instaread #ilovebooks #bookishcanadians #canadianbookstagram #bookreviewer #bookcommunity #bibliophile #fightforher #lizplum #bookreview View all my reviews

Review: Every Last Fear by Alex Finlay

Every Last Fear  by  Alex Finlay My rating:  4 of 5 stars 📚 Hello Book Friends! EVERY LAST FEAR by Alex Finlay was an edge-of-your-seat thriller. A young star athlete is found guilty of the murder of his girlfriend. His family is determined to prove his innocence, but at what price. Matt has tried to live a normal life despite all the frenzied media buzz surrounding his family’s Netflix documentary supporting the wrongful conviction of his brother. After a night partying, Matt receives the sad news that his father, mother, sister, and little brother have been found dead in Mexico. That is only in the first few pages. The rest of the book is a series of discoveries that eventually points out who committed the crime and why. If you are a fan of intelligent mysteries, this one is for you. I recommend it. #bookstadog #poodles #poodlestagram #poodlesofinstagram #furbabies #dogsofinstagram #bookstagram #dogsandbooks #bookishlife #bookishlove #bookstagrammer #books #booklover #bookish #booka

Review: Make It Sweet by Kristen Callihan

Make It Sweet  by  Kristen Callihan My rating:  4 of 5 stars 📚 Hello Book Friends! I have been reading a lot of historical novels and thrillers later and I needed something light and sexy to lift my mood. I got exactly that in MAKE IT SWEET by Kristen Callihan. A sexy injured hockey player and a beautiful heartbroken actress sound like an interesting match. Well, it is! Emma and Lucian will try to stay away from each other, but there are magnets and can keep them away for too long from each other. Their relationship is chaotic, passionate, and hot, hot, hot. They both have baggage that will mess up with their heads. But is this relationship real or just an escapade? Will it last or just fly away in the wind? This is a quick sexy read that will make you smile and crave delicious pastry! Awesome read! #bookstadog #poodles #poodlestagram #poodlesofinstagram #furbabies #dogsofinstagram #bookstagram #dogsandbooks #bookishlife #bookishlove #bookstagrammer #books #booklover #bookish #bookaho

Review: The Chanel Sisters by Judithe Little

The Chanel Sisters  by  Judithe Little My rating:  5 of 5 stars 📚 Hello Book Friends! Happy Saturday! After I started, I could not put THE CHANEL SISTERS by Judithe Little down. What a fantastic book! This book is written in the voice of Coco Chanel’s younger sister, Antoinette. It offers a glimpse of their childhood in an orphanage and their journey to open Maison Chanel. From an early age, the Chanel sisters developed a resilience that led them to many triumphs. The adversity, challenges, and losses they faced throughout their lives made them stronger and more determined to succeed. The story does not stop at their business successes, it also covers their stories of the heart, some beautiful and some heartbreaking. It is a riveting read that will charm you. #bookstadog #poodles #poodlestagram #poodlesofinstagram #furbabies #dogsofinstagram #bookstagram #dogsandbooks #bookishlife #bookishlove #bookstagrammer #books #booklover #bookish #bookaholic #reading #readersofinstagram #instare

Review: Confessions of a Barista on Platform 1 by Joanna Murray

Confessions of a Barista on Platform 1  by  Joanna Murray My rating:  4 of 5 stars 📚 Hello Book Friends! I love it when an author writes about their life in short quirky stories. CONFESSIONS OF A BARISTA ON PLATFORM 1 by Joanna Murray is exactly that. We follow Joanna’s journey from a child to becoming the owner of a coffee shop on Platform 1 at St Leonards Warrior Square Train Station. Each short story is filled with humour and philosophical nuggets. Joanna shares with us her dreams, her struggles, and her triumphs. While reading, you will love meeting characters such as the train ticket seller, the transvestite, the Ice Queen, the ferret, and the carpenter who looks like Magic Mike, to name a few. These customers will bring a smile to your face. This book is entertaining from start to end. You will definitely laugh; you will also ponder on life. Get a copy today. Now… could I please have a large skinny latte, no sugar? ❤️ I am also showing off on this photo some of my favourite boo

Review: Lana's War by Anita Abriel

Lana's War  by  Anita Abriel My rating:  4 of 5 stars 📚 Hello Book Friends! When I read historical novels, I become totally engrossed in the story and the characters’ feelings. LANA’S WAR by Anita Abriel was an emotional novel with a beautiful ending. I was taken by the character of Lana. She faced adversity with such courage. Her desire to save Jewish children resonates throughout the book and it makes you cheer for her all the way. This is a fantastic read and I recommend it to WWII historical book lovers. #bookstadog #poodles #poodlestagram #poodlesofinstagram #furbabies #dogsofinstagram #bookstagram #dogsandbooks #bookishlife #bookishlove #bookstagrammer #books #booklover #bookish #bookaholic #reading #readersofinstagram #instaread #ilovebooks #bookishcanadians #canadianbookstagram #bookreviewer #bookcommunity #bibliophile #lanaswar #anitahughesabriel #anitaabriel #bookreview 1hReply View all my reviews

Review: Shadow City by Francesca Flores

Shadow City  by  Francesca Flores My rating:  4 of 5 stars 📚 Hello Book Friends! SHADOW CITY by Francesca Flores was everything I hope for and more. This final book in the duology delivers punches as punches. It is an exciting action-pack YA fantasy with an unforeseen twist. I was out of breath by the time I finish this book. I recommend this duology to all the YA fantasy lovers out there. It will not disappoint. #bookstadog #poodles #poodlestagram #poodlesofinstagram #furbabies #dogsofinstagram #bookstagram #dogsandbooks #bookishlife #bookishlove #bookstagrammer #books #booklover #bookish #bookaholic #reading #readersofinstagram #instaread #ilovebooks #bookishcanadians #canadianbookstagram #bookreviewer #bookcommunity #bibliophile #shadowcity #francescaflores #bookreview View all my reviews

Review: Other People's Houses by Abbi Waxman

Other People's Houses  by  Abbi Waxman My rating:  3 of 5 stars 📚 Hello Book Friends! I am a huge fan of Abbi Waxman’s books. I was so happy to get another book by this wonderful author. Thank you again, Richelle (a.k.a. @4_the_love_of_books_wine_). OTHER PEOPLE’S HOUSES was good, but it was much different than I expected. It lacked her witty humour that I enjoy so much in her other books. This book was humourless and dealt with serious subjects such as infidelity, teen angst, hurtful gossips, and fat-shaming. I still enjoyed the story although it felt like it had been written by a different author. #bookstadog #poodles #poodlestagram #poodlesofinstagram #furbabies #dogsofinstagram #bookstagram #dogsandbooks #bookishlife #bookishlove #bookstagrammer #books #booklover #bookish #bookaholic #reading #readersofinstagram #instaread #ilovebooks #bookishcanadians #canadianbookstagram #bookreviewer #bookcommunity #bibliophile #otherpeopleshouses #abbiwaxman #bookreview View all my review

Review: The End by Lemony Snicket

The End  by  Lemony Snicket My rating:  1 of 5 stars WARNING: If you are planning to read this series, the ending is pointless and brings no closure. I wish someone had told me that before I started reading the 13 books. View all my reviews

Reviews: The Grim Grotto and The Penultimate Peril by Lemony Snicket

The Grim Grotto  by  Lemony Snicket My rating:  3 of 5 stars 📚 Hello Book Friends! I was a bit disappointed with this one. I felt like a filler. There were a few interesting nuggets of information, but nothing with a “wow” effect. There are so many characters now in this series, I wonder how the author will bring it all to fruition. There are two more books in this series. So I can only hope that it will all come together. The Penultimate Peril by Lemony Snicket My rating: 4 of 5 stars I am almost done reading this series of thirteen books. Book twelve turns out to be quite interesting. The Baudelaire orphans are finally at the last safe place, the Hotel Denouement. “Safe Place” is to be used very lightly in this book since they will face again all the good and bad people, they had the pleasure or the displeasure to meet in the past. Their safety will be on the line and they will be judged for the many acts of desperation they have done in the past. Will they be found innocent or gu

Review: Good Eggs by Rebecca Hardiman

Good Eggs  by  Rebecca Hardiman My rating:  3 of 5 stars 📚 Hello Book Friends! GOOD EGGS by Rebecca Hardiman was a fun and frustrating read. I love the characters of Millie and Aideen. I could not stand Kevin and Sylvia from the beginning. Unfortunately, I guessed the plot early in my reading, so it took away many “tada” moments. That did not stop me to read it since I had to know how it would all come together… and “come together” it did indeed. I was cheering for Millie all the way. Her character reminds me of my own grandmother who lived in her own home until the age of 99. She was healthy as an ox, but her children felt that it would be better to move her to long-term care just in case. She lived to the rightful age of 103… I wonder if she would have lived longer as she remained in her home. #bookstadog #poodles #poodlestagram #poodlesofinstagram #furbabies #dogsofinstagram #bookstagram #dogsandbooks #bookishlife #bookishlove #bookstagrammer #books #booklover #bookish #bookaholic

Review: The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

The Midnight Library  by  Matt Haig My rating:  5 of 5 stars 📚 Hello Book Friends! The Pooches & Pages Book Club is reading THE MIDNIGHT LIBRARY by Matt Haig this month. I was not sure what to expect. I read many reviews on this book and the jury was out. One thing I have learned is that you cannot judge a book by other people’s reviews. So, I will share my thoughts stripped of others’ opinions. Here it is: I loved it! I really loved it! The story was fascinating, entertaining, thought-provoking, and definitely surprising. The storyline dealt with many difficult subjects, but it was delivered in a thoughtful way. I can only praise this book and recommend it. Don’t pick it up because I loved it, pick it up because you want to find out for yourself if you will or not. #bookstadog #poodles #poodlestagram #poodlesofinstagram #furbabies #dogsofinstagram #bookstagram #dogsandbooks #bookishlife #bookishlove #bookstagrammer #books #booklover #bookish #bookaholic #reading #readersofinstagr

Review: A Stranger in Town (Rockton #6) by Kelley Armstrong

A Stranger in Town  by  Kelley Armstrong My rating:  5 of 5 stars 📚 Hello Book Friends! The Rockton series by Kelley Armstrong is getting better and better. A STRANGER IN TOWN offers an action-packed story about danger, betrayal, friendship, and kick-ass characters. I am so thrilled by this series and recommend it to everyone who is looking for a solid series that does not disappoint. I wish I could talk about all the scenes I love in this book, but I would give away spoilers. You must discover it on your own… I guarantee you will be gripped and stay on the edge of your seat constantly. A STRANGER IN TOWN is the sixth book in the series. Kelley has been contracted for 7 books, so it will be at least that long. Now, I cannot wait for the seventh book. I had the pleasure to do a written interview with Kelley: Me: The villains in the Rockton Series are often quite evil. Where do you get your inspiration for these characters? 🔸Kelley: Imagination plus a psychology degree that leaned heav