Marsupial Literature

Flora's Travelling Christmas Shop  Author: Rebecca Raisin  Publisher: HQ Digital  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Flora's Travelling Christmas Shop is the story of Christmas-lover Flora, who simply cannot get enough of the holidays. However, losing her job and getting dumped threatens to put a wrench in Flora's Christmas joy this year. Rather than let her circumstances get the best of her, Flora purchases a campervan and travels to Lapland to join the van life and run a Christmas shop. She may even end up changing the heart of a scrooge or two along the way.  Alright, the debate has been resolved: I love Rosie and Aria, but Flora is officially my favorite character! Flora's Travelling Christmas Shop is the perfect (read it again: PERFECT) book for the holiday season. Flora is quirky and hilarious, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading her story. Her joy for the holidays never let's up, even when everything seems to go wrong. I liked Flora's determination to change Connor's mind about Chri...

Her Honor Author: LaDoris Hazzard Cordell  Publisher: Celadon Books  ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Her Honor: My Life on the Bench...What Works, What's Broken, and How to Change It is the memoir of Judge LaDoris Hazzard Cordell, the first African American woman to be appointed to the Superior Court of Northern California. Judge Cordell gives a behind the scenes look into the legal system and points out the positives and negatives of it's current workings, using examples of some of the cases she presided over. Based on her experiences, she provides a list of ten problems with the legal system, along with detailed solutions to each issue. Her Honor is an incredibly complex and thought-provoking book; I had to step back and absorb the book for awhile before writing this review. I loved the way that Judge Cordell presented the material in this book: it's honest, straightforward, fact-based, and even includes some humor at times. The topics can be quite heavy at times, and she provides the reader with a...

A major thank you to the author for sharing a portion of my review in her newsletter! The Wedding Crasher and the Cowboy  Author: Robin Bielman Publisher: Entangled Publishing  ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫 The Wedding Crasher and the Cowboy is an enemies to lovers story between Kennedy and Maverick. Kennedy returns to her hometown to crash her ex-boyfriend's wedding but with a twist: it's convince him that he is marrying the RIGHT girl. Of course her former rival Maverick thinks otherwise, and makes things less than pleasant for Kennedy when she comes to town. The two are frequently thrown together by way of pre-wedding events, and soon sparks begin to fly. I'm pretty sure Entangled Publishing is becoming one of my go-to favorites for books. I loved The Wedding Crasher and the Cowboy and could not get enough of this story. Enemies to lovers? Wedding crashers? Cowboys? Seriously, this book had just about everything. The dynamic between Kennedy and Maverick is so well-written and enjoyable to read...

April May Fall  Author: Christina Hovland  Publisher: Entangled Publishing  ⭐⭐⭐⭐ April May Fall is the story of divorced single mom April, who is a social media influencer known as the Calm Mom. Until a video of her being, well, not so calm goes viral and threatens her online persona and job. Her employer sends Jack to help clean up her image and start fresh. And it probably doesn't hurt that he is pretty handsome as well. Hands down, the best part of April May Fall is the brutally honest depiction of mom life. As the mom to toddler, I found myself nodding and laughing so much while reading this book, especially at the appropriately included quotes at the beginning of each chapter. April is a great lead, and she just keeps pushing along as the hits keep coming (and there are a lot of hits). Her romance with Jack is sweet, and helps tell the story of her getting back out there after her divorce. April May Fall is funny, exhausting, and encouraging all at once; fans of wome...

BLUE Author: L.E. DeLano Publisher: Gaze Publishing ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Blue is a story of loss, forgiveness, and looking at all sides of a story. Blue's brother Jack was involved in a car accident that killed the father of one of her classmates. Even though she had no part in the accident, Blue is left to deal with the aftermath, including rumors and bullying from fellow classmates, including Maya, whose father died in the accident. Her love interest, Devon, becomes a shoulder for her to lean on, but also has troubles of his own. Blue has multiple relationships to navigate and repair, which is a lot for a teenage girl to say the least. Blue is a complex YA novel that challenges the reader to look at multiple perspectives of a difficult situation. Blue as a main character is really well-written, and the reader can feel her emotions and struggles. Several supporting characters help carry the book, make it easy to stay engaged with the story. There are a lot of heavy themes in this book that are al...

Home for a Cowboy Christmas  Author: Donna Grant  Publisher: St. Martin's Press  ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Home For a Cowboy Christmas is a Donna Grant cowboy novel that is perfect for the Christmas season. Emmy is in the witness protection program and had been relocated to Montana for her safety. Former military and current cowboy Dwight is tasked with looking after Emmy and keeping her out of harm's way. Romance quickly follows as they spend more time together, but keeping Emmy safe may be easier said than done. This is the sixth cowboy book I have read this year, and my second ARC from Donna Grant, and I seriously cannot get enough of this genre. Grant's books are so easy to get lost in, and are full of romance and action. I liked both of the main characters and found the relationship natural and fun to read. The overhang of Emmy being in witness protection left the feeling of possible danger behind every door and kept the book interesting. My only critique is that I found the ending a lit...

Life Lived Wild Author: Rick Ridgeway  Publisher: Patagonia  ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Life Lived Wild: Adventures at the Edge of the Map is the autobiographical story of Rick Ridgeway. The author chronicles his many adventures, grand and small, and the impacts that each has on his life. His story is also one of close friendships, as his friends often traveled/climbed/paddled right along side him throughout the world. I was previously unfamiliar with the life of Rick Ridgeway before reading Life Lived Wild, and am very happy to have had the opportunity to read and review his book. Life Lived Wild is nonstop, it goes from one place to another and another, and the book was a great read. The book was honest and great care was taken to tell the stories of the friends that did not survive some of the journeys; these sections were heartbreaking but well told. I also appreciated the emphasis on a strong respect for nature and the author's efforts to protect the environment and combat climate change. Read...

Chasing Fireflies Author: Chloe Fowler ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Chasing Fireflies is a dual narrative between Rainey, a shy girl who is incredibly close with her family, and Liam, whose family life is less than stellar to say the least. Rainey and Liam form a connection, and begin to navigate the makings of a relationship. Will the obstacles they encounter keep them from the possibility of happily ever after?  Chasing Fireflies is a read in one sitting kind of book. Rainey's family bond is so sweet, especially her relationship with Maverick and how they handle Maverick's health issues. Liam's story is nothing short of heartbreaking; the reader will easily become frustrated with his family dynamic over and over again.....and again. The relationship between Rainey and Liam is fragile and innocent, and it feels like the odds are constantly stacked against them. And no spoilers here, but the ending is unexpected and definitely a stunner. YA fans should check out Chasing Fireflies, and be prepared ...

Lies My Memory Told Me  Author: Sacha Wunsch Publisher: Inkyard Press  ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Lies My Memory Told Me is a dystopian YA novel with a focus in the concept of Enhanced Memory: the ability to share a person's memories and their experiences seemingly without any of the potential risks. Nova's parents invented the Enhanced Memory, and she and the rest of the world are becoming more and more reliant on the technology. When Nova meets Kade, a strong critic of Enhanced Memory that tries to stay under the radar, Nova is forced to confront the downsides of Enhanced Memory and the nagging feeling of something she is missing.  I'm pretty surprised at the number of negative reviews of this book. I found Lies My Memory Told Me to be a fast paced read that kept me interested for basically the entire story. I had major Minority Report/Matrix/Circle vibes throughout the book, and looked forward to what was lurking around each corner. Nova is a good main character, and her experiences with En...

Mistletoe in Juneau  Author: Dahlia Rose  Publisher: Hallmark Publishing ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Mistletoe in Juneau is a Christmas romance novel set in Juneau, Alaska. Danni needs a break from her fast-paced lifestyle and social media business, so she decides to visit her best friend in Juneau. She meets the local sheriff, Declan, and immediately finds herself drawn to him. But with a life in New York, will life and Juneau and a potential love interest be enough to make her stay past Christmas? My favorite Hallmark Christmas movies are Christmas Under Wraps and The Northern Lights of Christmas, so Mistletoe in Juneau went right to the top of my tbr list as soon as my request was approved. This book is absolutely perfect for the Christmas season. Alaska location complete with northern lights? Check. Swoony romance? Check. Christmas themes throughout the book? I'm sold. I enjoyed reading the love story between Danni and Declan; they are great characters and both had such big hearts. Declan's past...

Where There's a Whisk  Author: Sarah J. Schmitt  Publisher: Perseus Books, Running Press ⭐⭐⭐💫 Where There's a Whisk is a take on cooking competition reality shows. Peyton is a waitress in a small Florida town and a contestant on the show Top Teen Chef. Hopeful that success on the show will lead her to bigger and better things, Peyton wants nothing more than to win the competition. But she quickly realizes that winning may be a lot easier said than done. I am a big fan of cooking competition shows, so I really enjoyed the premise of Where There's a Whisk. The plot of the reality show, especially the commentary on the inner workings that went on behind the scenes, was the real star of the book and was portrayed well. Peyton's story played into the show well, especially with how the producers tried to use her small town life in an unwelcome way. The romance aspect of the book.....I wanted to love it, I just unfortunately could not really get into it. Where There's a W...

Tacos for Two Author: Betsy St. Amant  Publisher: Revell ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Tacos for Two is the story of two rival food truck owners with a shared love for tacos and unbeknownst to them, each other. Rory was handed down her food truck business from her aunt and is doing all that she can to keep her head above water. Jude reluctantly works at his father's law firm and is looking to make a switch to the restaurant business. Both Rory and Jude find solace in an online relationship that they don't yet realize is actually with each other.  My goodness, Tacos for Two just has cute written all over it. An online dating couple that is bonding in real life as well? A mutual love of tacos? Yes please, I'm sold. I liked how the author included all of the You've Got Mail references in the book as a nod of respect to where the inspiration came from. The romance between Rory and Jude is sweet and I enjoyed reading as it progressed. The food truck competition is a fun plot point, and it is just ea...

How to Forage for Mushrooms Without Dying  Author: Frank Hyman  Publisher: Storey Publishing  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ How to Forage for Mushrooms without Dying is an absolute beginner's guide to safely foraging for edible mushrooms. The book includes basic information about mushrooms, guidelines for staying as safe as possible, and identifications of many common mushrooms a person is likely to find. This a really great beginner's guide for someone who is starting the hobby of foraging for mushrooms. The author does a great job of using simplified language (and some humor) that makes the book easy to follow and understand without feeling like a textbook. The use of sayings and rhymes for the rules and guidelines is clever, and a helpful way to help the reader remember these very important tips. I found the book well illustrated, in particular the chapters on common mushroom identification. How to Forage for Mushrooms without Dying is well written and full of useful information, and is a boo...

A Royal Christmas Fairy Tale  Author: Karen Schaler Publisher: HawkTale Publishing  ⭐⭐⭐⭐ A Royal Christmas Fairy Tale is the story of recently unemployed journalist Kaylie, who takes a freelance job in Europe for the royal family of Tolvania. Tasked to write a Christmas fairy tale for the princess, Kaylie is less than thrilled given her lack of Christmas joy and her pairing with Prince Alexander who does not trust journalists. They begin to bond as the assignment goes on, and they soon find the spirit of the season. A Royal Christmas Fairy Tale is a sweet story set in a small European village that is the epitome of Christmas cheer. This book covers all of the bases in terms of of characters: an eccentric journalist, a brooding prince, a queen loving of Christmas traditions, and an energetic young princess. They all work well together and make the book so fun to read. I liked the setting and the emphasis on the Christmas traditions, and how it helped soften the hearts of Kaylie...

Labyrinth of Lies  Author: Irene Hannon  Publisher: Revell ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Labyrinth of Lies is the second book in the Triple Treat series and follows undercover detective Cate, who is investigating a disappearance from an all-girls boarding school. Her assignment is full of twists and turns, including the discovery that her former romantic partner, Zeke, works at the school. Despite their past, they will have to work together to find out who is behind all of the suspicious activities.  This is my second Irene Hannon novel, and I just can't get enough at this point. My first Hannon read was a romance novel, but with the title "queen of romantic suspense" in the book summary, how could I not check out Labyrinth of Lies? This book is fast paced and full of suspense from start to finish. The plot is great, and Cate and Zeke's adventures will hold the reader's attention throughout the entirety of the book. And what an ending, seriously! Captivating and well-written, Labyrinth of...

Well-Offed in Vermont  Author: Amy Patricia Meade Publisher: Beyond the Page Publishing  ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Well-Offed in Vermont is a quirky mystery novel that follows Stella and Nick as they leave behind the busy New York lifestyle for quiet Vermont. However, finding a body in a well on their property throws a bit of a wrench in their plans. Removed from their new home, the couple tries to help solve the murder in hopes of returning home and preventing further tragedies. I'll be honest: mystery novels are not my usual genre of choice. However, after seeing several on Netgalley with great covers and fun titles like Well-Offed in Vermont, I thought I would give the genre a chance. I can definitely see why readers love these books. Well-Offed in Vermont is a pretty well rounded book, with murder mystery combined with humorous dialogue. The small town Vermont setting certainly doesn't hurt either. I finished this book in a couple of sitting and had a great time trying to solve the murder alon...

Running is a Kind of Dreaming  Author: J.M. Thompson Publisher: HarperOne ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Running Is a Kind of Dreaming is the author's memoir of his experiences of life with severe depression. Thompson chronicles the childhood trauma that led to his depression and the struggle to find treatment that actually worked for him. After hitting the lowest of lows, he finds a path to healing, most importantly with ultrarunning.  Running Is a Kind of Dreaming is a powerful and intense book. The author is brutally honest in all of his experiences, and I really want to applaud the voice he brings to mental health struggles. I found the format of the book to be interesting, with the author running an ultrarun as a continuous backdrop throughout the book. All aspects of the author's life are covered in this book with seemingly little held back, which adds to the authenticity of his story. And I appreciate the hope offered in this book, namely how running has helped him heal.  While the summary ...

Autumn by the Sea  Author: Melissa Tagg Publisher: Larkspur Press  ⭐⭐⭐💫 Autumn by the Sea is the story of Sydney, who longs to find her real family. Her search brings her to a small seaside town in Maine and to Maggie, who has spent a great amount of time looking for her granddaughter. Sydney is not the first potential granddaughter to come into Maggie's life, which leaves those around her (Neil in particular), skeptical of Sydney's intentions. The setting in Autumn by the Sea is gorgeous and really does a lot to set the stage for the reader. Beautiful coastal small towns, I just can't get enough. I liked the continuous theme of lost and found families throughout this book, and everyone has their own story to contribute. Sydney, Maggie, and Neil are all great characters, and how their paths intertwine creates a good book. My main critique is that while I loved the setting and plot, I struggled to stay engaged at times. That said, I may be in the minority on this one, so I ...

The Christmas Wish  Author: Sharon Sala Publisher: SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca  ⭐⭐⭐💫 The Christmas Wish is the first Christmas book in the Blessings, Georgia series and tells the heartfelt Christmas love story of Wade and Birdie. Wade is returning to Blessings to help his family's business, and is also looking forward to reconnecting with Birdie. Birdie is cautious when it comes to Wade because he has left before, but as Christmas draws closer, she may realize how much she wants him in her life after all. The Christmas Wish is a sweet Christmas novel in a lovely small-town, Christmas-obsessed setting....which I think we could all use a little of in our lives right about now. The second chance romance between Birdie and Wade has a lot of wounds behind it, and overcoming everything makes their relationship more special. There are a lot of supporting characters, which likely sets up for subsequent novels in the series. While I appreciated their stories, my main criticism is that I so...

Apples of North America: A Celebration of Exceptional Varieties Author: Tom Burford  Publisher: Timber Press ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Apples of North America is a guide to all things apples. Thoughtfully put together by an author with deep roots in growing apples, this book contains a compilation of information on close to 200 varieties of apples. Topics also highlighted include how to grow and how to cook the many varieties of apples. Apples of North America is a fantastic and all-inclusive guide to everything apples. There is so much love and care that went into this book, and the reader will certainly have no shortage of useful information. Of particular interest to me is section with individual profiles on each kind of apple, with information on its history, appearance, usage, and storage. I am an avid baker, and found my world to open up a little more with all of these details. Readers should check this book out for any and all things they may want to know about apples. Thanks to Netgalley and T...

Well, I've had this blog for several months, and this is my first time posting a monthly wrap up. Yikes! I will share my year in books in December to get caught up on all of the previous months. Marsupial Literature's September Book Wrap Up A Christmas Fairy Tale ⭐⭐⭐⭐ A Calculated Whisk ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Good Girl Complex ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫 Rob Starr ⭐⭐⭐💫 There's Something About Molly ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Charmed Thirds ⭐⭐⭐⭐ How to Love Your Neighbor ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Tacos for Two ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Float ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Autumn by the Sea ⭐⭐⭐💫 April May Fall ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Floras Travelling Christmas Shop ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The Arctic Curry Club ⭐⭐⭐⭐ The Lucky Escape ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Blackout ⭐⭐⭐⭐ The Brightside Running Club ⭐⭐⭐⭐ The Hookup Dilemma ⭐⭐⭐⭐ The Wedding Crasher and the Cowboy ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫 Maybe We're Electric ⭐⭐⭐⭐ The Seeds of Love ⭐⭐⭐⭐ The Book of Hope ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ My October tbr list long, but I'm hoping to squeeze in another project as well. Stay tuned!