Welcome to Saturday Sips, where I pair my weekend coffee with a stack of recent reads and not all of them go down smoothly. This week I’m talking about the books that landed right in the middle, not bad enough to DNF but not quite what I hoped for either. These 3 star reads had potential, but something, whether it was pacing, character connection, or just a mismatch in expectations, left me a little underwhelmed. Let’s dive into the almosts and maybes.
There's Always Next Year
George M. Johnson, Leah JohnsonThere’s Always Next Year had all the ingredients for an emotional and engaging read, but unfortunately, it didn’t quite land for me. While I appreciated the themes and the unique dual-author perspective, I found myself struggling to connect with the characters on a deeper level. The story had moments of potential, but the emotional impact I was hoping for just didn’t hit. It’s a heartfelt book that may resonate more strongly with other readers, but for me, it ended up being just an okay experience.
Paper Doll: Notes from a Late Bloomer starts off with a tone that’s hard to connect with—more focused on name-dropping and image than insight. The first half felt self-centered and carried a strong “look at me” energy that made it difficult to settle into the narrative. Thankfully, the second half finally brings some emotional depth and vulnerability, offering glimpses of the personal growth and honesty I had hoped for from the start. While there are meaningful moments, they arrive a bit too late to fully redeem the reading experience. A mixed read that might resonate more with readers already familiar with Mulvaney’s public persona.
From a Certain Point of View: Return of the Jedi
From a Certain Point of View: Return of the Jedi offers a unique lens on a beloved film, with 40 stories told from the perspectives of background characters and lesser-known figures in the Star Wars universe. As with the other entries in this anthology series, it’s a mixed bag. Some stories are brilliant and deeply moving, while others fall flat or feel unnecessary. The concept is clever and die-hard fans will likely appreciate the expanded lore, but the uneven pacing and shifting tones made it hard to stay fully engaged throughout. A fun companion for Star Wars enthusiasts but not quite a standout in the series.
Fear the Flames brings readers into a world of magic, rebellion, and slow-burning romance, with plenty of tension and high stakes. Olivia Rose Darling sets up an intriguing premise and a fiery heroine, but the execution didn’t fully live up to the potential. While the world-building had promise, it sometimes felt underdeveloped, and I found myself wishing for deeper character dynamics and more emotional payoff. There are flashes of strong writing and some compelling moments, but overall, it didn’t quite ignite the spark I was hoping for. A decent read for fans of fantasy romance, but not a standout for me.
With a title as intense and dramatic as Voyage of the Damned I expected a thrilling high stakes ride but unfortunately the story did not quite deliver. While the premise held promise the pacing felt sluggish and the plot lacked the urgency I was hoping for. Frances White’s writing has potential and there are moments of intrigue scattered throughout but overall I found the book surprisingly dull. It is not a bad read just not as gripping or memorable as the title suggests.
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