Sara Reads Things

  My book review of The Favorites by Lynn Fargo. Title:  The Favorites By:  Lynn Fargo Genre:  Fiction Pages:  448 Release Date:  January 14th, 2025 Rating: ★★★★☆   Summary from Goodreads: To the world, they were a scandal. To each other, an obsession. An epic love story set in the sparkling, savage sphere of elite figure skating about a woman determined to carve her own path on and off the ice She might not have a famous name, funding, or her family’s support, but Katarina Shaw has always known that she was destined to become an Olympic skater. When she meets Heath Rocha, a lonely kid stuck in the foster care system, their instant connection makes them a formidable duo on the ice. Clinging to skating—and each other—to escape their turbulent lives, Kat and Heath go from childhood sweethearts to champion ice dancers, captivating the world with their scorching chemistry, rebellious style, and rollercoaster relationship. Until a shocking incident at the O...

  My book review of Inferno Squad by Christie Golden. Title:  Inferno Squad By:  Christie Golden      Genre:  Scifi Pages:  307 Release Date:  July 25th, 2017 Rating: ★★★☆☆   Summary from Goodreads: After the humiliating theft of the Death Star plans and the destruction of the battle station, the Empire is on the defensive. But not for long. In retaliation, the elite Imperial soldiers of Inferno Squad have been called in for the crucial mission of infiltrating and eliminating the Partisans—the rebel faction once led by notorious Republic freedom fighter Saw Gerrera. Following the death of their leader, the Partisans have carried on his extremist legacy, determined to thwart the Empire—no matter the cost. Now Inferno Squad must prove its status as the best of the best and take down the Partisans from within. But the growing threat of being discovered in their enemy’s midst turns an already dangerous operation into a do-or-die acid test th...

  My book review of The Sirens by Emilia Hart. Title:  The Sirens By:  Emilia Hart Genre:  Magical Realism Pages:  352 Release Date: February 13th, 2025   Rating: ★★★★☆   Summary from Goodreads: A story of sisters separated by hundreds of years but bound together in more ways than they can imagine 2019: Lucy awakens in her ex-lover’s room in the middle of the night with her hands around his throat. Horrified, she flees to her sister’s house on the coast of New South Wales hoping Jess can help explain the vivid dreams that preceded the attack—but her sister is missing. As Lucy waits for her return, she starts to unearth strange rumours about Jess’s town—tales of numerous missing men, spread over decades. A baby abandoned in a sea-swept cave. Whispers of women’s voices on the waves. All the while, her dreams start to feel closer than ever. 1800: Mary and Eliza are torn from their loving home in Ireland and forced onto a convict ship heading for Australia...

  ARC reviews are always a mixed bag, offering glimpses of brilliance alongside the occasional stumble. In this week’s Review Round-Up , I’m diving into five advanced reader copies that left me with plenty to think about. From the cosmic ambitions of Titan of the Stars to the magical intrigue of The Last Wizards' Ball , these books delivered moments of excitement, but not without their challenges. With themes ranging from sibling rivalry ( Listen to Your Sister ) to chaotic deities ( Daughter of Chaos ) and immortal beings ( Immortal ), this collection proved that even promising reads can sometimes fall short of their full potential. Titan of the Stars E.K. Johnston Titan of the Stars by E.K. Johnston falls short of the high expectations set by her previous works, earning a middling 3 stars. While the premise promised an exciting interstellar adventure, the execution lacked the depth needed to truly bring the story to life. The world-building felt sparse and underdeveloped, leavin...

  This week on the blog, we’re trading our passports for cable cars as we dive into the vibrant culinary scene of San Francisco! Known for its eclectic mix of flavors and iconic dishes, San Francisco offers everything from classic sourdough bread to fresh seafood straight off the bay. Whether it’s a steaming bowl of clam chowder in a sourdough bowl or the unique fusion dishes the city is famous for, this week’s menu will bring a taste of the Bay Area right to your table. This week's read is Swordheart by T. Kingfisher, a delightful blend of humor, heart, and adventure. With a sharp-witted heroine, a cursed warrior trapped in a sword, and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, this book promises to be a unique and whimsical journey. I can't wait to dive in and see how this charmingly unconventional fantasy unfolds! Let’s get cooking! WEEKLY MENU Monday Mission Style Burritos Kids - Cheese Quesadillas   Tuesday Fish Tacos Kids - Nachos   Wednesday Clam Chowder Kids - Grilled Che...

  Welcome to this week’s Sunday Confessions , where I open up about the reading struggles, unexpected surprises, and guilty pleasures I’ve encountered over the past week. Sometimes, the books I expect to love end up being a letdown, or I find myself reaching for genres I never thought I’d enjoy. Whether it’s an unexpected DNF or a book that totally surprised me, this is my chance to share the unfiltered thoughts behind my reading journey. So grab your favorite beverage, and let’s dive into the confessions! Sunday Confessions #288 ~ Weekly Menu #591 And The Book Of The Week ~ Triple Take Tuesday - Jimenez, Henry and Kamali ~ Book Review: The Starlight Heir by Amalie Howard ~ Books My Mom Would Love - The Unmaking of June Furrow by Adrienne Young ~ Book Review: A Serial Killer's Guide to Marriage by Asia Mackay ~ Saturday Sips: Disappointing Adventures Weekly Menu #592 And The Book Of The Week ~ ARC Review Round-Up - 3 Star Reviews ~ ARC Review: The Sirens by Emilia Hart ~ Book Revie...