Review: False Value

False Value by Ben Aaronovitch
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

I'm so glad I kept up with this series! As I said in my review of the last novel in the series, Lies Sleeping, I had gone through a slump with this series for a few in the middle. I had to catch up to get to my ARC of Lies Sleeping, and the book didn't disappoint. It made it worth it.

Well, this one keeps up the quality!

We've got technology and magic colliding in this one. While the beginning can be a tad bit confusing (it jumps back and forth between months), the opening really sucks you into the story. The new characters introduced in this one, while most are probably only going to be in this one, were deep and developed and interesting.

My favorite part of this one, though, was a little more development of Foxglove and a lot more of Beverley.

I don't want to say too much and risk spoiling things, but highly recommend this series. Again, the caveat that you should have read the prior books in the series applies here.

Four out of five stars.

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Review: The Warsaw Protocol

The Warsaw Protocol by Steve Berry
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

It took me a while to get into this one, which is odd considering how long I've been reading Cotton's series and how much I've loved it overall, but I felt like the first 60% of the book or so was quite slow... but it paid off, because the slow burn led to a finale that left some of the characters a little salty. (Sorry, couldn't resist that one!)

Cotton's adventures are always a pleasure to read, and while I missed Cassiopeia Vitt in this one, we did get a nice dash of Stephanie Nelle, so that was fun. I also like the way that Steve Berry has not let the characters remain in a stagnant time bubble. He's shifted the presidential administration along with the rules of play for our characters, but found ways to keep telling their stories. This one contains a huge shift again, and that final event as the story closed... dang, that made me want the next one right away!!!

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Review: Imaginary Numbers

Imaginary Numbers by Seanan McGuire
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and Berkley for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I don't know how to write this review. I'm just in awe of Seanan's ability to change up the main character so often and still keep all the storylines straight and the character voices so strong.

CUCKOOS. That's right, what we've all been waiting for. More lore, more interactions, more HOLY CRAP CUCKOOS. More Sarah, who, after the events of the beginning of the series, has been mostly sitting out recovering. More Artie, who hasn't had a lot of screen time yet, but is very intriguing and even gets his own POV. More Annie and Sam and James, more Elsie, more of the rest of the family.

I can't say much more without giving away the storyline - and it's a doozy - so I'll stop there. Please please please don't read this one without reading the rest of the series. Most of the novellas are okay to bypass for now (but please catch up on those too!!!), but this one spoils huge portions of the rest of the series for new readers, as past events are definitely discussed AND have played a huge role in getting us (and Sarah and Artie) to this point.

ALL OF THE STARS.
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Review: The Holdout

The Holdout by Graham Moore
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. Much appreciated!

Potential spoilers ahead. Not really any details, but about the structure of the plot after the big reveal. Be warned!

This book was hard to put down and had a great story, with the past and the present intertwining into one big ball of mystery. I think my only complaint was that the biggest twist wasn't entirely unpredictable, and right after the reveal the book just ends. Bam. Over. Just like that. In spite of that, I really enjoyed the twists and turns and getting to meet this cast. I liked Maya and felt like she was a great main character. Overall, I'd say it was a great book.

Four and a half stars that I just can't round up to five.

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Review: Hard Ride

Hard Ride by A.M. Arthur
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. Much appreciated!

Yet another solid entry into the Clean Slate Ranch series, which if you hadn't noticed has become a guilty pleasure of mine. I love a sexy cowboy who also happens to dig other dudes! :)

I really liked that we got to see Derrick, who has been around since the first book, get some major screentime and a happy ending. I also really liked Slater, who was manly in all the right ways and not at all in the toxic masculinity kind of way. I liked their backstories, the angst that those caused, the way they cared for each other, and the way they fit right into each other's families. Sure, it wasn't entirely realistic, but do we read romance novels for 100% realism? No, we don't!

And I have to say, the book starts on a great note... hot late night home gym sexy times with a dominant muscly cowboy man. Yes, please.

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