Kate Reads

  In 2022 I read 80 books.  I’m proud of that fact.  As a working mom and a wife…80 books certainly seems like a lot.  That being said, this year I have LOWERED my goal to 52.  That may seem odd…to lower one’s goal.  But here is what that goal really means: consistently watch a show with my husband (put my marriage first), let my daughter stay up just a little later and read her an extra book at night, cuddle my baby just a bit longer.  I want to spend some more time with my family this year.  I also want to read a ton of great books (just to make that clear).  📚

  Rating: 4/5 ⭐️. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.  While the concept of an unreliable narrator is not new, the sleep-deprivation reason for being unreliable was new (at least to me).  I found the main character to be fascinating.  Overall, it was a pageturner that kept me intrigued from start to finish! 

  Rating: 4/5 ⭐️.  This one took me a bit to process.  It was beautifully written and it was a truely heart wrenching story; one that will stay with me for years, I’m sure.  It wasn’t, however, even the slightest bit happy or uplifting.  While I appreciate the author’s ability to weave an incredibly moving story with outstanding characters which evokes all.the.feels (except happy ones), I didn’t fall in love with this book like so many others.  I tend not to LOVE books that leave me feeling slightly depressed.  

Rating: 4.5/5 ⭐️ Starting this book, I wasn’t expecting to like it, much less love it.  I didn’t read the synopsis and I skipped over “Forever Wild” (the novella - #2.5) because my library didn’t offer it on Libby.  I was caught off guard that this book was not a continuation of Calla and Jonah’s story.  I was even more shocked that this story was told from Marie’s point of view.  I, like probably most readers, was not a fan of Marie’s after The Simple Wild and Wild at Heart.  Well, I love Marie.  If you know me, you know I’m basically obsessed with dogs so the connection to Marie’s veterinary practice and Alaska’s mushing community immediately drew me.  My favorite of the series! 

  Rating: 4/5 ⭐ Happy New Year!  This sequel did not disappoint!  I was hesitant as I enjoyed the first in the series and it seems sequels are rarely quite as good as the first.  Well, while I of course missed Wren Fletcher, as intended and expected, the relationship between Calla and Jonah continued to grow in the realest of ways (trials and tribulations included).  I found the romance aspect of this installment to be more believable (and therefore more satisfying).  Once again, more than the romantic relationship, the other relationships made almost more of an impact.  From the crotchety man next door to the sweet bartender and his force-of-nature mother, Calla's new town shapes her own character development and makes this book a success.