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That's What I'm Talking About

I generally review romance, paranormal and urban fantasy. I tend to pick review books that I want to read, so generally my reviews will be positive. I always give my honest opinion: good, bad, and indifferent. 

 

Note: on my blog I use a letter grading system. I've listed the ratings below. For sites with stars, I have listed the equivalent rating. If I didn't finish the book, I will not rate it with stars.

 

A+  Personal Favorite (5 stars)
A    Loved It (4.5 or 5 stars)
A-   Enjoyed A Lot (4 or 4.5 stars)
B+  Liked It A Lot (4 stars)
B    Liked It -- Recommend (4 stars)
B-   Liked It -- But I had a few small issues (3 or 3.5 stars)
C+  Liked It -- But I had issues (3 or 3.5 stars)
C    Finished It -- Liked some, didn't like some (3 stars)
C-   Finished It -- Liked a little, didn't like a lot (2 or 2.5 stars)
D    Not A Big Fan (2 stars)
E    Don’t Waste Your Time (1 star)
----
TW: Reading this book was like watching a Train Wreck
DNF: Did Not Finish

 

updated July 9, 2015

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Reading Challenge 2016

1166 BOOKS

Currently reading

Operation: Endgame (Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences Book 6) (English Edition)
Philippa Ballantine, Jeanne H. Ballantine, William Morris
Just You and Me (A Contemporary Romance Collection)
Fiona Miers, Caitlyn Lynch, Liz Durano, Deelylah Mullin, Cate Farren, Jacquie Biggar, Vicki Batman, Kate Richards, Brenna Zinn, Dalton Diaz, Tierney O'Malley, Desiree Holt, Nicole Morgan, Ashlyn Chase
Bitter Bite: Elemental Assassin, Book 14
Audible Studios, Jennifer Estep, Lauren Fortgang
Progress: 27 %

Favorite books

#Audiobook Review: All He Ever Dreamed by Shannon Stacey

11:23 am 16 May 2015
All He Ever Dreamed - Lauren Fortgang, Shannon Stacey
Finally, it’s Josh’s turn for romance! As the youngest of the Kowalski siblings, Josh was left to run the family’s Northern Star Lodge once his dad died and his siblings all left town to make their own lives. Now that his family knows Josh wants out, they’ve made huge progress to improving the lodge and have agreed to sell it so Josh can leave Whitford. Then there is Josh’s best friend: Katie Davis, who’s mom, Rosie, is the long-time housekeeper of the Lodge and helped raise Josh and his siblings after their mom died. Josh may be the only person in Whitford who doesn’t know that Katie has been in love with him forever. But Josh never saw Katie as more than “one of the guys” until he accidentally sees her in a tank top and pajama shorts. After that… Josh only has one thing on his mind when it comes to his best friend. 
 
I really enjoyed All He Ever Dreamed a lot. I adored the friends to lovers trope and experiencing Josh’s journey as he learns what he truly wants in life. His story really takes place over the course of three books, starting back with All He Ever Needed (Book #4), when the series shifted from New Hampshire to Whitford, Maine. Watching Josh’s progress from isolated and unhappy to the man he is by the end of the book was very rewarding. And while the fate of the Northern Star Lodge plays a big role in the story, I like how it wasn’t left until the final scenes of the book to play out. 
 
The romance between Katie and Josh was well done. Experiencing both partner’s thoughts and feelings added tension as each came into the coupling from totally different places. Katie has been pretending for years-hiding her feelings, and then not wanting to get her hopes up even when Josh finally notices her. And Josh is just clueless. But as his feelings grow, he’s not sure how to deal with what may be love for his best friend, coupled with his need to leave town.
 
Additionally, we are treated to more from Rosie’s point-of-view, and her side-story with friend Andy is sweet. I love how Rose’s POV breaks up the book and adds dimension to the tale. I also adore all of the citizen’s of Whitford and appreciate visiting with several over the course of the book.
 
The narration was well done, and I cannot find fault with Lauren Fortgang’s performance.
 
Overall, All He Ever Dreamed is a wonderful addition to the highly addictive Kowalski Family series. It packed quite an emotional punch this time around - looking at how selling the Lodge would impact the siblings, their memories, Rosie, Katie, and the town itself - hit me right in the heart. Great story and wonderful conclusion to the mini-storyarc that started two books before.
 
Rating: A
Narration: A
audiobook
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