Review: The Paradise Problem

The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

a romance with layers of emotions

This book is definitely a more graphic romance than the other Christina Lauren books I’ve read but it still filled with characters they inspire emotional responses from me. There are those you love and want to succeed and those that are easy to despise. This book definitely looks at the social classes and examines the way some with money become entitled while others are more grounded. The island wedding feels like something right out of Crazy Rich Asians and makes me want to travel to Indonesia right now. The premise of the story is somewhat cliche but you cannot help root for Anna and Liam to find their happily ever after

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General Tracking Challenges

 Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge  #   31

Virtual Mount TBR #VirtualMountTBR2023  #    31

 Literary Escapes  (Destination) Indonesia

Prompt Based Challenges

 52 Book Club  #the52bookclub2024  #  7)  Genre Two: Set in Summer

Bookworm    #  32 Read a book set in a country you've been to

BooklistQueen  #booklistqueenchallenge25 #  49 Romance

Beat the Backlist  #BeatTheBacklist   # 10 beyond your perspective

Nerd Daily #thenerddaily #nerdreading2024 #  41 Thriller or romance:

PopSugar #popsugarreadingchallenge    #  27 Set at luxury resort

Pick your Poison    #  A book you wouldn't recommend to a child 

Reporters Challenge   WHERE – Set in a fictional place you would love to live

Read with Allison  #readwithallison2025     #  12 By two authors:

Creative Tracking Challenges

Picture Bingo    Row #4  Column #3  15. A stylized sun with a human face

Chapter Book Bingo  Jan   Feb  Mar

Row 3: sacrifice

Row 4: betrayal; not fantasy

Row 5: not in a series; free book

Monthly Criteria

Diversify your reading #DYRC25   Mar  Contemporary Fiction

Beyond the Bookends 25

 

Hosted by Jackie and Kirsten on the blog BeyondtheBookends.  

1. January – Read a Book Being Adapted to the Screen
• Dog Man (Dog Man #1) by Dav Pilkey
• Blog Post and Goodreads Review 2/24/25
2. February – Read a Second Chance Story
   • Check out Second Chance Romances
3. March – Read a Middle Grade Fantasy
4. April – Read a Book Set in Hollywood
   • Check out Hollywood Novels or Old Hollywood Novels
5. May – Read a Young Adult Book
6. June – Read a Nonlinear Narrativex
7. July- Read a Book with a Food in the Titlex
8. August – Read an Epistolary Novel
9. September – Read a High School Novel
   • Check out High School Romance Books or Books Set in High School
10. October – Read a Mythology Story
    • Check out Mythology Books or Greek Mythology Retellings
11. November – Read a Book with a Neurodivergent Character
12. December – Read a Cozy Mystery

Review: A Girl Like Us

A Girl Like Us by Anna Sophia McLoughlin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A thrilling debut The characters are equally part fascinating and despicable. It’s hard to decide if you like or despise them. The main character reminds me of a character from the Holks or other scripted reality shows. The glamour of marrying into a family loosely like the Murdochs is offset by the sinister unknown. The twists and turns are amazing and are not all saved for the end. Bomb shells are revealed throughout the novel. I was sad when it ended

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General Tracking Challenges

 Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge  #   30

Virtual Mount TBR #VirtualMountTBR2023  #    30

Genre Specific

Cloak & Dagger  #CloakDaggerChal   #   27   

Medical Examiner Challenge-  5 Toe Tags

Marathon Challenge- 426

Prompt Based Challenges

Cover Lovers   #  34. a piece of jewelry

 52 Book Club  #the52bookclub2024  #  43)  Explores social class

BooklistQueen  #booklistqueenchallenge25 # 36 5 star read

Beat the Backlist  #BeatTheBacklist   # 12 can’t be trusted

Nerd Daily #thenerddaily #nerdreading2024 #  1 2025 release:

Pick your Poison    #  14 A book about switching places

Read with Allison  #readwithallison2025     #43  Genre: Thriller:

TBR Scavenger Hunt #9 a new release

Creative Tracking Challenges

Chapter Book Bingo  Jan   Feb  Mar

Row 1:  Assassin;  library book

Row 2: read an ebook;  tragic back story

Review: Seinfeldia: How a Show About Nothing Changed Everything

Seinfeldia: How a Show About Nothing Changed Everything by Jennifer Keishin Armstrong
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is an interesting book that anyone who liked the show Seinfeld should enjoy. It goes into the writing and
casting processes. It did feel a bit redundant at times like the editing had missed a story being started in 2 places but it was full of interesting insights and facts about the characters and actors. A good look at home the show influenced modern culture and tv. It’s amazing g it has been off the air for over 25 years already.

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I found this book very interesting particularly since I lived in NYC in the early 90s   In fact, I frequented the real Tom's Restaurant while a student and just out of college as I lived just down the block from the diner.  My husband's first NY apartment was a block away from Jerry's fictitious one.  Like any show set in NYC all true New Yorkers know how fictitious  the apartments are compared to reality.  It is not uncommon for recent grads to have 4 grads in a 3 bedroom where a portion of the Living room is walled off to create a 4 bedroom - without an actual closet.  But living in NYC is definitely a unique and memorable experience.

  

General Tracking Challenges

 Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge  #   28

Virtual Mount TBR #VirtualMountTBR2023  #    28

TBR 25 in 25  #34

Back List Reader  #Backlistreader   #  31

Audiobook  #2024AudiobookChallenge #  8

 Literary Escapes  (Destination) CA

Genre Specific

Humor   #   2

Non Fiction #1

Prompt Based Challenges

 52 Book Club  #the52bookclub2024  #  2022: A book that uses all five vowels in the title and/or author's name

Board Game Prompts   #  50. Trivial Pursuit A nonfiction read that taught you something new

Beat the Backlist  #BeatTheBacklist   # 44 this book is a hoot!

HP Professions   #  46 Muggle studies non fict or memoir 

Nerd Daily #thenerddaily #nerdreading2024 #  14 Picked by a loved one:

Pick your Poison    #  34 A book that makes you laugh

Reporters Challenge   WHAT – Title is at least six words

Creative Tracking Challenges

My Reading Journey Genre Bingo    Row #  Column #  8 Essay or Non-Fiction

Review: Caught Bread Handed

Caught Bread Handed by Ellie Alexander
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another interesting installment in the series. This one finds the reader getting a deeper glimpse into the personal lives of the Torte employees. In addition to solving a crime Juliet is trying to run her family business as well as navigate the arrival of her husband Carlos to Ashland. As she realizes how much she misses him he has to depart back to the ship. I assume the next book will shed some more light on the future of their relationship

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General Tracking Challenges

 Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge  #   29

Virtual Mount TBR #VirtualMountTBR2023  #    29

TBR 25 in 25  # 35

Back List Reader  #Backlistreader   #  32

Finishing the Series  #FinishingTheSeries2025    Y

Finishing the Series travel theme  #FinishingTheSeries2025     y

Genre Specific

Cruisin thru Cozies  Free Choice #10

Cloak & Dagger  #CloakDaggerChal   #      26

Craving for Cozies   #CravingCozies  #   21

Six Shooter Challenge    Shot # 4

Medical Examiner Challenge-   Toe Tags 1

Marathon Challenge- 295

Prompt Based Challenges

Cover Lovers   #  11. a skeleton, bones, or a skull and crossbones 

Around the Year in 52 Books    #  32. A mystery or true crime book

BooklistQueen  #booklistqueenchallenge25 #  

Beat the Backlist  #BeatTheBacklist   #42  sweet treats

Nerd Daily #thenerddaily #nerdreading2024 #  46 Bought on Holiday

Pick your Poison    #  39 Something Borrowed: A book you borrowed from the library or a friend

Reporters Challenge   HOW – Unpremeditated

Review: Silent Nights Are Murder

Silent Nights Are Murder by Libby Klein
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was a fresh mystery which is pretty impressive given it’s the 9th in a series. Poppy helps solve another murder but this o e had a ton Of secrets and misdirects. The comedic relief Aunt Ginny and the biddies provide are a wonderful offset to all the other drama both personal and professional. I hope there are more books to come in the series.

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General Tracking Challenges

 Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge  #  27 

Virtual Mount TBR #VirtualMountTBR2023  #    27

TBR 25 in 25  #33

 Literary Escapes  (Destination) NJ

Finishing the Series  #FinishingTheSeries2025    

Finishing the Series travel theme  #FinishingTheSeries2025     

Genre Specific

Bookish Books challenge   #    

What an Animal     #

Cruisin thru Cozies  Free Choice #9

Cloak & Dagger  #CloakDaggerChal   #   25   

Craving for Cozies   #CravingCozies  #20   

Six Shooter Challenge    Shot # 2

Medical Examiner Challenge- 3  Toe Tags

Marathon Challenge- 436

Prompt Based Challenges

Cover Lovers   #  38. a light source that can be held in the hand (flashlight, torch, lantern, etc.)  

 52 Book Club  #the52bookclub2024  #  32)  Includes a diary entry

Beat the Backlist  #BeatTheBacklist   # 42 sweet treats

Pick your Poison    #  29 A book with multiple timelines

Reporters Challenge   #  11 Set in a city that starts with a C, an M or a T

Read with Allison  #readwithallison2025     #  35 Book with a map:

TBR Scavenger Hunt #22 has candles on the cover

Creative Tracking Challenges

Chapter Book Bingo  Jan   Feb  Mar

Row 3: sacrifice

Row 4: betrayal; not fantasy

Monthly Criteria

Better World Books    Mar- collections

Review: A Holiday Yarn

A Holiday Yarn by Sally Goldenbaum
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another charming seaside knitter cozy. This one has some angst in the relationship between Sam and Izzy. Not the way one wants to spend the holiday season. Nor is a holiday very cheerful when a murder remains unsolved. Fortunately Nell and Birdie unravel all the pieces and solve the case before the holidays are totally ruined

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General Tracking Challenges

Mount TBR   #MountTBR2023 # 6  

TBR 25 in 25  #32

Back List Reader  #Backlistreader   #  30

 Literary Escapes  (Destination) MA

Finishing the Series  #FinishingTheSeries2025    y

Finishing the Series travel theme  #FinishingTheSeries2025     y

Genre Specific

What an Animal     # 16

Cruisin thru Cozies  Craft related #1

Cloak & Dagger  #CloakDaggerChal   #   23   

Craving for Cozies   #CravingCozies  #   18

Six Shooter Challenge    Shot # 3

Medical Examiner Challenge-  3 Toe Tags

Marathon Challenge- 264

Prompt Based Challenges

Cover Lovers   #  8. A wintry scene

Around the Year in 52 Books    #  33. A book by an author you enjoyed but haven't gotten around to reading again for some time

Beat the Backlist  #BeatTheBacklist   # 22 it’s cozy time

Pick your Poison    #  87 A book by an author whose initials are the same as a (two letter) chemical symbol

Reporters Challenge   WHEN – During a holiday (not Halloween or Christmas)

Read with Allison  #readwithallison2025     #  48 Holiday scene on cover:

Review: Love from Paddington

Love from Paddington by Michael Bond
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

enjoyable reminder of why my favorite bear was such a fun read when i was a kid and now i enjoyed it as an adult. this is written in the form of letters between paddington and his Aunt Lucy. These stories are from Paddington's perspective so some are likely to sound familiar to those that have read some of the classic editions of his escapades. if you haven't read Paddington i would suggest its a great fun read

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Paddington holds a place dear in my heart.  This is a character introduced to me by my 2nd grade teacher.  She would hold tea parties with Paddington and read these books as a class.  This started my interest in the character that led to quite a collection of his stuffed characters, including one purchased in London.  I can recommend this series for reading with children to introduce them to the beloved character and his innocent antics.

  

General Tracking Challenges

 Library Love  #LibraryLoveChallenge  #   26

Virtual Mount TBR #VirtualMountTBR2023  #    26

TBR 25 in 25  # 31

Back List Reader  #Backlistreader   #  29

 Literary Escapes  (Destination) England

European Tour  Country #2 

Alphabet Soup Author Edition #AlphabetSoupAuthorChallenge  M

Genre Specific

What an Animal     # 15

Humor   #  2

Prompt Based Challenges

Cover Lovers   #  27. a backpack or piece of luggage

 52 Book Club  #the52bookclub2024  # 21)  Character’s name in the title

Around the Year in 52 Books    # 8. A collection of short stories or novellas, essays, poetry, or a mix of various brief writings 

Board Game Prompts   #  54. Yahtzee A retelling

BooklistQueen  #booklistqueenchallenge25 # 11  Published 2015

Beat the Backlist  #BeatTheBacklist   # 15 childhood favorite re-read

HP Professions   #  48 Ministry of Magic.  Set in London

Nerd Daily #thenerddaily #nerdreading2024 #  42 Wish you had or read when you were younger:

PopSugar #popsugarreadingchallenge    #  30 Reminds you of your childhood

Pick your Poison    #72  The Munsters: A book with non-human characters

Read with Allison  #readwithallison2025     #  8  Set in a  city known for its nightlife:

Creative Tracking Challenges

Chapter Book Bingo  Jan   Feb  Mar

Row 1:  ya/na

Monthly Criteria

Better World Books    Mar Collections

Review: The Tell-Tale Tarte

The Tell-Tale Tarte by Maya Corrigan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

An intriguing mystery that focuses on the stories of Edgar Allen Poe and a horror writer who is retelling those stories. Val is caught in the investigation after being hired to cater a book club event. The antics of her and her grandfather continue to be entertaining. If you are at all interested in classic American authors this book might appeal to you as there is references and discussions of Tennessee Williams as well as Poe. Fans of good structured mysteries will enjoy this work as well.

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General Tracking Challenges

Mount TBR   #MountTBR2023 #   5

TBR 25 in 25  #30

Back List Reader  #Backlistreader   #  28

 Literary Escapes  (Destination) MD

Alphabet Soup #AlphabetSoupChallenge   T

Clock Challenge 0/12  #ClockReadingChallenge  5

Finishing the Series  #FinishingTheSeries2025    Y

Finishing the Series travel theme  #FinishingTheSeries2025     Y

Genre Specific

Bookish Books challenge   #    10

What an Animal     # 14

Cruisin thru Cozies  Free Choice #8

Cloak & Dagger  #CloakDaggerChal   #    23

Craving for Cozies   #CravingCozies  #   18

Six Shooter Challenge    Shot # 3

Medical Examiner Challenge-  1 Toe Tags

Marathon Challenge- 314

Prompt Based Challenges

Cover Lovers   #  6. An illustrated scene:

 52 Book Club  #the52bookclub2024  #  48)  Related to the word “puzzle”

Bookworm    #  60 Free Choice

Beat the Backlist  #BeatTheBacklist   # 20 family business

Pick your Poison    #  93 A book with an elderly protagonist