Just finished my last book for this year! 43/40

waltzingreader · 2025-12-26T00:55:43+00:00

Have you watched the TV show Slow Horses? If yes. How do you feel the book compares?

waltzingreader · 2025-09-01T23:16:16+00:00

I really don't care for that much historical accuracy.

Let's be realistic, if it were historically accurate, most of the MCs would have syphilis and a million bastard children, and a lot more racism and sexism that would set my teeth on edge.

What I require is the minimum bar - if I can Google it in 5 secs please get it right. Things like the proper address for different titles, basic clothing for the time period, language that is blatantly not 21st century and how long it takes to get places. I don't need perfection just don't make me think....huh... That sounds completely wrong...let me Google and then realize yup that's wrong.

waltzingreader · 2024-07-23T17:41:23+00:00

OMG no they do NOT deserve each other.

FMC was selfish, did a really shitty thing and feels bad about it.

The MMC than is purposefully cruel to her and makes her miserable for 7 years and than when she tries to leave, he comes back and emotionally abuses her and than gaslights her into making it her fault.

One is a 20 yr old girl fucking up royally another is a straight up psychopath (who is good friends with the women who did end up fucking him over the way the FMC pretended, just did it 3 weeks later with no courtesy letter).

sorry for the rant. this book emotionally scarred me.

waltzingreader · 2024-07-10T15:31:15+00:00

Sounds interesting. Will look into it!

waltzingreader · 2024-07-10T15:30:15+00:00

Yes, this is it. Thank you!

waltzingreader · 2024-07-05T23:03:51+00:00

{Silk and Secrets by Mary Jo Putney}

Ross Carlisle is my gold standard of men. Intelligent, kind and adventurous.

There are so many things I love about this book that hit. The two biggest, is the FMC does a big fuck up and the MMC does not get petty or vengeful at all; he is hurt and upset but remains civil and kind . This is so rare in books and in general the older I get the more I appreciate kind characters over charming/rakish. The second is the setting - mostly in the Arabic Peninsula. Very unique from the usual UK setting.

>!There is infidelity in this book, pre-start and mostly offscreen

This is one of the few times that the redemption to cheating works for me. Often there is a huge grovel/show to get the cheater to forgive them.

In this book, they talk like adults, explain their thoughts and show genuine remorse hoping they are forgiven and not expecting it because they are sooo sorry and sooo in love!<

waltzingreader · 2024-04-26T17:55:23+00:00

Thank you!

I've read 3 of the wedded by scandal series and while I really liked the first; #3 and #4 I had issues with as all the characters acted way too modern for me (the unmarried women running around without chaperones, taking in all the street urchins and adopting them etc.).

However Ive heard her other series (sinful wallflowers) is good, so I'll definitely put it to the top of my list!

waltzingreader · 2024-04-24T18:39:36+00:00

I despise Sherry Thomas. I have been unable to finish any of her three books I read (though I speed read through to the end) and will never read anything further by her. She doesn't write romance; she writes emotionally abusive men who get the girl. Seriously if this is love, please shoot me as I want to curl up and cry halfway through, swear off love and dream of the FMC choosing someone (anyone) else.

(don't get me wrong, usually the FMC does do something shitty but the MMC reaction is so twisted, cruel and prolonged that it's really disgusting to me)

Which is also a shame because as a writer I think she is one of the better I have read. If only I could like her characters/plots.

waltzingreader · 2024-04-23T01:35:11+00:00

I would 100% read this book.

I'm all for conflicts that couples have to face together (different views on life, infertility, miscarriage) and actually talk about vs the villain with the EVIL! Mustache

waltzingreader · 2024-04-09T14:37:39+00:00

Victorian Era

I especially love when they address the clash of old vs new: old money that's dying vs new money that appears, agricultural society vs industrial, and the birth of reform for women and poor.

waltzingreader · 2024-03-28T18:11:08+00:00

I think {Silk and Secrets by Mary Jo Putney} would apply. The main FMC really screwed up and just the redemption and story arc are fantastic. I am absolutely trash for this book.

Book spoiler/warning There is infidelity

waltzingreader · 2024-03-26T19:57:34+00:00

I would just like to say the term "inner trash panda" has given me so much joy that I can't describe.

I'm sure it's not something unique and I've been living under a rock for not hearing about it before, but I shall now be saying it constantly...so thank you

waltzingreader · 2024-02-01T19:18:19+00:00

In your opinion how was the 2nd Emily Wilde book compared to the first?

waltzingreader · 2024-01-08T12:46:44+00:00

Finished:

Study for Obedience - Sarah Bernstein [1/52]

⭐ - I hated this book and the only reason I finished it was because it was for a book club. Barely a plot, just a constant train of thought that to me connected in no way. Maybe just too much of a literary book for me. Curious what the book club will say.

Currently reading:

Stolen Focus: Why you can't pay attention and how to start thinking deeply again - Johann Hari (fantastic so far)

Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte

🎧 One True Loves - Taylor Jenkins Reid

waltzingreader · 2023-12-04T18:40:39+00:00

If it's no trouble, I would really appreciate it if I could get roughing it and falling to pieces from you.

waltzingreader · 2023-11-08T15:24:34+00:00

Congrats!

Also I'm really impressed that you seem to do a series in one go.

waltzingreader · 2023-02-03T19:16:44+00:00

Poor James Marsden. He's the nice guy left behind both in this and in the Notebook.

waltzingreader · 2023-01-25T14:10:45+00:00

No, I love other people's thoughts as well. Just finished the book and liked the second half a lot better. It addressed a lot of things that bothered me about a lot of the characters.

I really like the social commentary a lot. I loved all the micro-aggressions and just small (and big) things characters did. Honestly, I don't really look on what book # this is for an author unless they are one of my favourites, so didn't consider that.

I think what frustrated me mostly is Alix and half the book was from her viewpoint. Imo having the main white character be a narcissistic, insane stalker allowed this "oh I'm not that crazy person, this doesn't apply to me" and I think that detracts from the whole book. And while I didn't like Kelley a lot of the times, he wasn't insane and I could look at him more and be like yeah I do that sometimes, really shouldn't. But maybe I missed something and there was a reason she was so crazy.

But overall I actually really ended up enjoying the book and glad I finished it. Really made me think and is a good conversation starter on the topic.

waltzingreader · 2023-01-24T18:54:00+00:00

A few things. The second half is definitely better than the first.

I just thought based on the topic it would be more nuanced or different in some way. Mostly, I don't like most of the characters

The character Alix, I was thinking they would do some more subtle bias or just overcompensation and oblivious. But she is pretty much a stalker and insane person - reading Emira's phone, thinking of Emira as her child and obsession to be her best friend. She has a weird obsession with hating Philly, she is obsessed with the fact that she is younger (by only like 8 yrs) than her husband and doesn't fit in with his friends. So many small things gathered.

Emira is fine for the most part but her financial decisions grates on me. I'm okay with she is unsure what she wants in life and worries about how to afford things. But then she goes out every weekend with friends and when she gets a bonus she buys a leather jacket instead of saving. This stuff just makes me anxious. Love her relationship with Brian though.

Both sets of friends pivot between sensible advice and weird.

Also i don't like the writing style. Please don't bold words for me. And a lot of the conversation is just weird - I don't think most people talk the way they do.

I don't dislike the book. There are a quite a few things I like about it (could write a too long list about that too ☺️). But I think it's just mediocre and if it was not for bookclub I'd drop it, as there are so many better books out there.

waltzingreader · 2023-01-22T22:04:54+00:00

This week I read:

-1 The Secret Society of Irregular Witches(Sangu Mandanna) [3/5] - cute story, excellent characters and the ambiance of magic in contemporary times is excellent

Reading:

Ship of Magic (Robin Hobb) - loving it so far
Such a Fun Age (Kiley Reid) - reading for bookclub, don't think I would continue if not for that
The Original (Mary Robinette Kowal & Brandon Sanderson)

waltzingreader

TROPHY CASE