Book Review – Page 8 – Sydney Winward

Book Review of My First My Last My Only by Denise Carbo

My Review

I absolutely adored this book! The romance is not only entertaining, but it’s perfectly paced and had me laughing and smiling the entire time. I loved Franny. I loved Mitch. I loved the relationships Franny develops throughout the book.

Franny is the most hilarious character I have read in a long time. She is constantly getting into scrapes because of her clumsiness or lack of spatial awareness. Awful things happen one after the other after the other, and it felt perfectly natural for the character to keep finding herself in an awkward situation.

I enjoyed the themes of family and finding your own self-confidence and self-worth. The characters and events fit perfectly with those themes, and I especially enjoyed watching Franny grow as a character. Ten out of ten would read this book again.

My rating: 5+ stars

July 13, 2020September 16, 2020 by Sydney Winward

Book Review of Blueberry Swirl Waltz

My Review

When at first life goes in a different direction than you planned, take a detour.

Katie has always dreamed of getting out of the small town and becoming a ballroom instructor, to later participate in ballroom competitions. When she lands the job of her dreams, fate takes a different turn when her mom breaks her arm. With no one else to take over the ice cream shop, she drops everything to help out her mom’s business. However, fate takes a right turn the moment Chaz Hollander steps foot in the shop.

This book had everything. From heart-warming family scenes to sizzling, romantic chemistry to a strong, feisty heroine willing to go the distance to save her family’s business from foreclosure. I enjoyed every moment of this book. Definitely recommend!

My rating: 5 stars

July 10, 2020September 16, 2020 by Sydney Winward

Book Review of Dragon’s Shadow by Allison Morse

My Review

“A great king looks to win the war, not merely the battle.”

Kylie has always been different from her abnormally strong anger to her gut feeling that something more out there exists. Her “visions” of another world writes her off as crazy, and she spends plenty of time in a mental hospital. But she soon comes to find out that she’s not crazy after all, and she has a twin brother in another world, a land full of magic and wonder.

The writing flows very well. I loved Kylie as a character and I especially enjoyed getting inside Jarlon’s head. The author did a phenomenal job at world-building, creating something I have never read about before.

The book ends in a way that felt unfinished, so I’m wondering if there will be a sequel to Dragon’s Shadow. Overall, I did enjoy the book, and I look forward to discovering more books from the author.

My rating: 4 stars

July 9, 2020September 16, 2020 by Sydney Winward

Book Review of The Peasant’s Dream by Melanie Dickerson

My Review

When a simple peasant steals Adela’s heart, is there a way they can make their relationship work? Can the daughter of a duke and a wood-carver find happiness together when they are from vastly different worlds?

Full of romance, danger, and a conniving advisor, The Peasant’s Dream is a fairytale reimagined that had me turning page after page as I was gripped by the story. The characters are well developed, and I enjoyed peeling back layer after layer as I got to know them better.

I want to go back and read previous books in the series now. I really enjoyed this book!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

My rating: 5 stars

July 5, 2020September 16, 2020 by Sydney Winward

Book Review of Praline Dreams by Annette Miller

My Review

Very cute.

I really enjoyed this addition to the One Scoop or Two Series. I loved the characters and I especially loved the relationship between Zaria and her dad. They are so open with each other, even about the handsome man with dark hair that keeps frequenting the ice cream shop. She’s not shy to express her feelings about the man, and her dad is incredibly supportive of all her decisions, no matter what they are.

Plus, a drop dead gorgeous merman captain. Need I say more? A fun read!

July 4, 2020September 16, 2020 by Sydney Winward

Book Review of Highwayman’s Mail Order Bride by Blythe Carver

My review

As I was reading this, I couldn’t help but wonder how a happily ever after could possibly work out for a highwayman and an already married woman. Both were doing despicable things for good reasons, and I wasn’t sure I would end up liking either one of them. However, I came to really like the characters, and I hoped for them to have a HEA.

This book was intriguing from the get-go, with seamless writing and detailed descriptions that kept me turning page after page. I really enjoyed this! It definitely won’t be my last from this author.

My rating: 4.5 stars

July 2, 2020September 16, 2020 by Sydney Winward

Book Review of The Sword Unsheathed by Judith Sterling

My Review

When Ashling’s old feelings are stirred for both Aengus and Lorcan, will history repeat itself?

The Sword Unsheathed continues to weave magic and intrigue into the Guardians of Erin series. The more I learn about each character, the more I like them. As Kian’s power grows, we get a glimpse into everyone’s past lives, which further adds to and enriches the story.

Great writing, vivid details, and an intriguing story line. Looking forward to the next in the series!

My rating: 4 stars

June 28, 2020September 16, 2020 by Sydney Winward

Book Review of Secondhand Cowboy by Lacy Williams

My Review

What if you got a second chance to be with the love of your life? Would you take it?

I loved loved loved this book. So many feels. So many laughs. This was a well-rounded and well-written story that had me feeling everything ranging from happiness to heartache. I loved the characters, the setting, and I especially loved how it ended.

As a parent of a toddler, I related to this book in ways that had me laughing so hard. Oh, how many times has my son puked all over me without warning? Or battled me about taking a bath, only to not want to get out of the tub after?

I seriously loved this book. Highly recommend!

My rating: 5 stars

June 26, 2020September 16, 2020 by Sydney Winward

Book Review of Conscious in Wonderland by Steven Heumann

My Review

What would happen if we were able to control our unconsciousness? What kind of people would we become if we could choose every aspect of our unconscious lives from what we looked like, where we lived, and what we wore? If we could access other people’s thoughts and emotions, how would that change us?

Although just a short story, Conscious in Wonderland is very well written, packed full of incredible details and concepts that make the reader stop to ponder their meaning. Do we truly understand our own minds? This story makes you wonder how much we don’t understand about ourselves in our own subconscious. Compelling and thought-provoking. I enjoyed it!

My rating: 5 stars

June 25, 2020September 16, 2020 by Sydney Winward

Book Review of The Stone Awakened by Judith Sterling

My Review

How mixed my feelings are between Lorcan and Aengus! The author does an incredible job at making the reader care about both characters and like certain characteristics that one has that the other might not have. While Aengus is protective and keeps his secrets, Lorcan is more easygoing and upfront. I can feel Aengus’s hope on every page as he learns to trust Ashling, and the pain of his broken heart when he feels he is betrayed. Wonderfully written, intriguing story, and easy to get invested in the characters.

And what’s going on with Bridget and Greagoir? Are we getting their story too? 😉

So far, I have really enjoyed this series, and I’m definitely looking forward to reading the third!

My rating: 4.5 stars

June 23, 2020September 17, 2020 by Sydney Winward