judeinthestars's reviews
1375 reviews

As far as I can tell, Haunted Happenstance is Irene Bahrd’s first sapphic book, which explains why she’s a new-to-me author. I hope she writes many more sapphic novellas because this one is so much fun.

Picture it, an author, a new bookstore owner, and a ghost? Whether they’re being pranked or really are soulmates, Tara and Jen make the most of finding themselves trapped in Jen’s shop. As the blurb announces, Haunted Happenstance starts like a romcom then quickly veers into erotica. I wouldn’t say there’s no plot, it’s probably 50% plot and 50% smut. Or maybe 60/40. The narration serves the story well, Juniper Young’s performance is light and fun, and I enjoyed it very much. If you’re looking for a (very short) audiobook to celebrate Halloween, Haunted Happenstance is just spooky enough, and definitely hot as well.

I received a copy from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

Read all my reviews on my website (and please get your books from the affiliation links!): Jude in the Stars

This was a very easy and entertaining listen. Reyna has had enough of her job as one of the Queen’s private guard and agrees to flee the kingdom and open a tea room slash bookstore with her secret girlfriend Kyanthe, who happens to be the most powerful mage alive. They settle in a small village, hoping no one will come for Reyna but then of course someone does come because where would the fun be otherwise? While I enjoyed this audiobook very much, it felt slightly long however for a story without very strong stakes, though that’s not one hundred per cent accurate since Reyna is fleeing the Queen and dragons want their eggs back. Yet that’s how it feels, which is, to me, the downside of cosy fantasy. The main story is followed by a short and cute one shot recounting how the MCs met.

The characters’ otherwise distinct voices sound a bit too close, but not enough to be really confusing. Jessica Threet does a pretty good job and I really like her voice.

I got an ALC for the second book and am looking forward to finding out what happens next.

Read all my reviews on my website (and please get your books from the affiliation links!): Jude in the Stars

Since I already reviewed the book, I’ll start with the part that was new to me, the narration. Shiloh Grey’s voice surprised me at first, and she’s not who I would have thought of to narrate Olivia’s story. Yet the more I listened, the more I appreciated her performance. It has flaws—the characters’ voices aren’t always distinguishable, there are longish blanks between sentences at times—but overall it didn’t matter at all. I can’t really explain why but it works, very much so. In some way, it feels like she emphasises the characters’ humanity. And while it’s easy to love Charlotte, Kate, or Millie, Olivia takes some time to warm up to. Olivia the person, not Olivia the character, whom Clare Ashton makes extremely relatable. As someone who would rather avoid skin proximity with most people (why are cheek kisses and handshakes a thing?), I understood exactly how Olivia felt when she got to physically connect with the love of her life for the first time. Being highly sensitive to touch is often unpleasant, but contacts that are chosen, desired, are heightened as well. And the ADHD representation through Charlotte feels extremely accurate. Charlotte is one of my favourite characters ever, even more so in this book than in her own. Happiness suits her.

Also, I’m both terrified and half in love with Nicola and I can’t wait to read more about her.

Clare Ashton has the precious gift of being able to write stories that are hilarious and heart wrenching in turn, bringing to the reader’s eyes tears of laughter followed by tears of despair. Temporary despair, since the happy ending is promised, which makes it the most delicious kind of despair. 5⭐️

Video review: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DBeFUncgVxb

I received a copy from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

Read all my reviews on my blog (and please buy from the affiliation links!): Jude in the Stars

Hannah, a secretive fantasy author, moves to Sapphire Springs after breaking up with her wife. Her new book is coming out and she’s supposed to sign hundreds of copies her fans preordered but when she gets to Novel Gossip, the local bookstore, the owner, George, desperate to hire someone to help, mistakes her for a candidate for the job. Missing one of her hearing aids, Hannah misunderstands and when she realises what happened, it’s too late and she’s hired. The job turns out to be enjoyable, George is sweet and sexy, Hannah struggles to set the record straight, so to speak, and the longer she waits, the harder it becomes.

Novel Problems is seriously cute and earnest. Hannah is an introvert, George embodies golden retriever vibes, there are no villains, no jealous peer or ex trying to ruin everything, only life and regular people being regularly awkward and getting in their own way. I also appreciated reading about a main character with hearing issues. Disabilities, visible and invisible, are a huge part of many people’s lives and as cliché as it may sound, representation matters.

If you’re looking for a sweet and very easy read, Novel Problems may be the answer.

I received a copy from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

Read all my reviews on my website (and please get your books from the affiliation links!): Jude in the Stars

This was my first Erica Lee book in years and I’ll be honest, I don’t think I’m the target audience. Others wrote raving reviews though, so go read those. All I’ll say is that Lori Prince does a great job once more, so if you decide this book is for you, I recommend listening to it.

I received a copy from the narrator and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

Read all my reviews on my website (and please get your books from the affiliation links!): Jude in the Stars

Silence can hold tremendous power. Katarina Vyatka knows how to wield it like others wield swords. Like negative space, the void of it carves precise but seemingly unattainable shapes.

For the longest time, unattainable is exactly how Katarina feels to Juliette Lucian-Sorel, despite the latter being the Princess of Paris, the Prima Assoluta of the Paris Opera Ballet. Milena McKay is the author who made me love Ice Queens and Katarina is now sharing the title of Jude’s favourite Ice Queen with the one and only Neve Blackthorne. Like Neve, Katarina is such a complicated and mysterious character, Juliette, undeniably great in her own right, never stood a chance.

When the book opens, Juliette is twenty-five and she hasn’t come up against many hurdles yet. It’s the mid-1980s and she’s at the top, worshipped and respected. Despite her former girlfriend—someone I was extremely curious to get to know as a person—having gone back to the United States, Juliette is surrounded with love, from her best friend and colleague Gabriel, from Francesca, the director of Paris Opera Ballet who sometimes shares her bed, from the ballet lovers of the French capital, the President of the French Republic among them. The tumultuous times the company is going through have spared Juliette so far. Katarina, a decade or so older, is a completely different story. Born and raised in the Soviet Union, she’s seen the worst of humanity. And while she landed on her pointe shoes, it wasn’t unscathed.

Reverence is firmly rooted in the McK-Universe, so besides getting introduced to Katarina and Juliette, or other new characters such as Gabriel and Francesca, the reader crosses paths with some we’ve encountered before, some in passing, others more closely.

Some books grab you by the throat from the first sentence. Reverence is one of them. A few words are enough to set the tone, and in true McKay fashion, they announce beautiful drama: “Her first ever glimpse of Katarina Vyatka was one of cold eyes and bloody satin ribbons.” None of Milena McKay’s novels is “just a romance”. Not that there’s anything wrong with romances that are just that, but that’s not what her books are. They all contain an element or more of societal issues, whether it’s the patriarchy, homophobia, greed—be it for money or power… This one explores all these topics through the prism of the Cold War. As she explains in one of the two afterwords (if you think you’ve run out of tears by the end the story, one or the other will prove you wrong), the ordeals Katarina went through were for a large part inspired by the author’s grandmother’s life.

When Milena McKay started talking about her idea for “a ballet book”, I was like “yay, go for it, it’s exciting!” but to be honest, any idea that may lead to a McKay book is exciting. Ballet, to me, was just a setting before I read Reverence. Now I wish I could see Juliette and Katarina on stage. McKay writes ballet the way she writes everything, with exact, perfectly chosen words that pull the reader into the scene, on stage, in the wings, in the classrooms hidden in the bowels of Palais Garnier.

There are the words she chooses, and those she elects to skip, even though they’re technically needed, favouring the rhythm of the narration, a sense of what needs to be there and what does not. As I said, there’s power in silence, and negative space is an underrated art form in writing.

I could rave for hours about McKay’s unique style, but it’s only one reason Reverence (her first historical romance!) claimed my heart. With each release, the author delivers a new feast of angst and feelings, of—sometimes self-inflicted—torment, of betrayals and deceptions. I adore Juliette and Katarina and I could be mad at her for making me fall in love with her ballerinas just so she could then torture them—and her readers—but nothing she writes is gratuitous. Everything enriches the story. Everything contributes to the characters’ growth. The suffering and the joy alike.

In this book as in previous ones, McKay laces painful situations with hope and a sense of humour that brings relief when it’s most needed. Get ready to suffer, though. Have handkerchiefs on hand. Reverence broke me—several times. Yet in the end what stays with me is how strong and beautiful and resilient these women are.

Even though I was part of the alpha and beta teams, I was still swept away when I read Reverence a fourth time for this review and I’m looking forward to a fifth when the audiobook comes out.

Also, to my utmost delight, one of my favourite artists designed the cover and inside art. I love Jenifer Prince‘s world and her style fits this story and its characters superbly.

Video review: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DA3cPsrgGkN/

I received a copy from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

Read all my reviews on my website (and please get your books from the affiliation links!): Jude in the Stars

It’s been a while since I read a coming-out story that wasn’t YA. I’ve been out for so long I have a tendency to go for books where being queer is simply what the characters are, not the topic of the story per se. And that’s also not why I wanted to read this one. New author to me, roller derby, these were the reasons that brought Crossed Over to me.

While it’s a pretty relatable coming-out tale, it’s also more than that. Nia’s relationship with her Brazilian immigrant mother is fascinating—in a terrifying way—I mean, when your mom is also your best friend and your therapist, something’s got to give at some point.

The autism representation feels accurate, as do the mental health and trauma aspects.

Crossed Over isn’t the most comfortable read, but Nia, despite what she believes, is easy to love and I couldn’t help rooting for her to find her way. I also love Harvey, the love interest. And of course, there’s roller derby, and the team. I wanted to hug Trixie, Jackie and Mercy, and to yell at Lonnie more often than not (even though they weren’t always wrong).

And then, there’s the final twist, which I absolutely didn’t see coming. I’m conflicted about it—in a good way this time. It’s not how I wanted the story to end, yet it makes sense, and it will also probably make the book more memorable to me. We’ll see how my brain deals with it. I’m also thoroughly intrigued by the other book in this series, False Start, which I hope to read soon.

If you’re looking for real (ironic, I know), messed up, and sometimes painful, Crossed Over feels like a book incarnation of roller derby and should as such get added to your TBR.

Video review (with Ginny): https://www.instagram.com/reel/DAgfno...

I received a copy from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

Read all my reviews on my website (and please get your books from the affiliation links!): Jude in the Stars

I read this book when it came out in 2020 and as is usual for me, the story didn’t stick much in my brain, but I remembered very clearly that how much I’d liked it. As I reread the review I wrote then, I realised that I got into it a lot more quickly this time. I don’t know if it’s the narration (Chelsea Stephens is at her best when the MCs are together), or because I have a better understanding of ADHD—diagnosed or undiagnosed—than I did four years ago. Maybe it’s both. Whatever it is, I loved Amy a lot more, and could relate to both her and Caro.

Kelly Farmer writes neurodivergence and depression with an accuracy and a gentleness that makes the characters decidedly relatable. Amy and Caro are opposites, one an out and proud bisexual with a loving and supportive family, the other a very private—albeit not closeted—lesbian from a homophobic family. Speaking of family, there’s a profoundly moving scene between Caro and Amy’s mom that brought tears to my eyes.

Another aspect of this story that didn’t register with me the first time is how often we talk about miscommunication as a trope and I’ll be the first to say I dislike it when a five-minute conversation would have solved every issue and there are no good reasons for the MCs not to have that talk. Here however, the miscommunication is real, it’s not a lack of communication, and it highlights the fact that sometimes, talking when you’re in the wrong headspace isn’t helping and can actually make things worse. Then it’s love, trust, patience, and the willingness to get through hard times together that make all the difference.

Beyond the romance arc, two themes prevail, both tied to the author’s own experience: coming out (and the many forms it can take) and bi-erasure. If you want to know more about Kelly Farmer’s journey, I recommend this post she wrote for LGBTQ Reads.

Watch the video review (with Galipette): https://www.instagram.com/reel/DAQd3S...

I received a copy from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

Read all my reviews on my website (and please get your books from the affiliation links!): Jude in the Stars

I’ve been hoping for years for this audiobook to be released and the second I heard Abby Craden say the first sentence, I started smiling and didn’t stop for 2 hours and 53 minutes.

Milena McKay is famous for her ice queens and angst filled books, and yet one of my favourite things about this novella is how funny it is. When The Perfect Match first came out in 2021, I didn’t know Mila the way I do now, and I hadn’t yet experienced her sense of humour in person. At the time, I only knew her as the author of a brilliant debut novel, The Delicate Things We Make, beautiful and intense and intricate and so many other qualities that make me love books so much but definitely not hilarious. Here’s what I wrote at the time: “McKay’s debut is a love story with a fundamental #MeToo component. It’s earnest and smart, much as its main character, Jamie. The Perfect Match, on the other hand, is light and fun and had me laughing right from the start. Before the start, actually. I laughed reading the chapter titles in the table of contents.”

This wit, this sometimes goofy facetiousness exist in all McKay’s books but not to that extent, because, you know, angst and pain, atonement and redemption. The Perfect Match is a lot more playful, but just as brilliantly written as all her other works. It’s also hot and smart and did I mention funny? ‘Cause it is. I have so much love for these Cupids, I don’t remember how many times I’ve said that or written it on social media when answering requests for recommendations.

In the same way that you’d be forgiven for not expecting the author of A Whisper of Solace to be also able to write comedy/romcoms, Abby Craden isn’t the first name that pops up in my mind for funny stories and comedic timing. I know, she’s a queen and for any other McKay book, I would have had absolutely no doubt it was going to be perfection. For this one? Turns out she more than pulls it off, nailing the pace and, as usual, the voices—sweet and light for Abby the newbie, all smooth and melting ice for the experienced and no-nonsense cupid that is Sabine Goddard—making her once again the perfect match (please forgive me) for Milena McKay’s words.

Video review: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C_k7t2...

Read all my reviews on my website (and please get your books from the affiliation links!): Jude in the Stars

So I may have said it once or twice, I’ve been struggling with reading—which explains why the majority of my recent reviews are for audiobooks. My focus has been all over the place for months now. However, I got into this book right away (even though I had to stop for a few days because of the Olympics and work). I don’t know if the timing was finally favourable or if this was the right book, but I believe it’s the book. It’s the way Ashley Bartlettwrites characters. The banter. The tenderness.

PJ Addison and Wylie Parsons fell in love in their twenties, on the set of the first movie of a new slasher franchise. Life, Hollywood, and their own screw-ups put an end to their relationship, but when they’re reunited a decade later for a sequel PJ is directing, it’s obvious they haven’t moved on with their lives as much as they thought they had.

Revisiting Summer Nights is a first for Bartlett in that the MC isn’t a criminal. I’m not huge on morally grey characters, but who could resist Cash Braddock? Definitely not me. PJ and Wylie are an interesting departure from what Bartlett has written so far. They’re adults (as in, not as endearingly immature as her previous protagonists), they’re professionally successful, they’re wealthy, which gives them another degree of agency. And yet they face extremely relatable challenges. Their feelings for each other—despite Wylie being on her third marriage—but also the patriarchy and the old boys’ club—it’s Hollywood here, but it could just as well be any other work environment.

As usual when I love a book, I love it for many reasons, some big, some small. I enjoyed the way Bartlett paints the atmosphere on set and in the wings, the camaraderie between younger actors and their willingness to “adopt” Wylie and PJ, the team spirit, the solidarity against despicable men.

I love a second-chance trope, and I rooted so hard for PJ and Wylie to see the error of their ways. I know it’s a romance and there was always going to be a happy ending, but I live for the angst and doubts on the way, the bumpy journey to that happiness. And I already mentioned above how much I like the way Bartlett writes flawed but ultimately very human characters. Speaking of which, there’s one I wish I’d seen more of: PJ’s mom. Who knows, maybe she’ll get her own book someday. 4.5⭐️

Video review: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C-fgDP...

I received a copy from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

Read all my reviews on my website (and please get your books from the affiliation links!): Jude in the Stars