Little Thoughts About...Issue #20
October Wrap Up
Network Effect by Marth Wells - 5 Stars
It is the first full-length novel in the Murderbot series and did not disappoint. A review said that if the first four novellas in the series were the TV show, this was the big motion picture. I completely agree. It was everything you’d want from a full-length novel in this series: an entire cast of interesting characters, Murderbot and ART, alien remnants, and the Corporate Rim’s shady involvement.
The Beast of Beswick by Amalie Howard - 4.5 Stars
I picked this book for my 12 Months, 12 Tropes challenge for Masked Men. While the Beast of Beswick isn’t masked throughout the book, I loved the masquerade ball scene where he wears a mask. I also really enjoyed how this book retold Beauty and the Beast with fully developed characters and a plot that just borrowed from the source material.
The Pumpkin Spice Cafe by Laurie Gilmore - 4 Stars
This one is all over BookTok/Gram, and normally, that means I pass it by, but it just sounded cute. This is like a cozy mystery meets Gilmore Girls, and I loved everything about it. It was over the top, stupid, and predictable, but I can’t wait to keep reading the books in this series.
ARC Review
Puck & Prejudice by Lia Riley - 1 Star
I wanted to like this book because it combines two things I love: Jane Austen novels and hockey. Unfortunately, this book was lacking in many ways. The main characters lacked depth and just played up stereotypes. The story's premise was interesting, but including Jane Austen felt forced. The main plot dragged, and the ending was completely unbelievable (and this is a time travel book).
On this Newsletter, We Believe:
Black Lives Matter
Women’s Rights are Human Rights
No Human is Illegal
Science is Real
Love is Love
Kindness is Everything