Review: Rushing Amy

Rushing Amy by Julie Brannagh

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


Ah, contemporary romance. I keep trying to love you, but we just can't seem to connect. Maybe someday I will find the one that gets me hooked, but this wasn't it.

Amy Hamilton (Emily's younger sister from Blitzing Emily) meets the dashing, successful, and gorgeous Matt Stephens in the bar after her sister's wedding. She holds him at arm's length, he pursues her, and some nonsense happens that could have been avoided, which is my main issue with contemporary romance. But I did not hate both characters, in fact, I rather liked them, so I am giving this 2.5 stars. It's pretty ok, and if contemporary romance is your thing you will probably rate this much much higher.



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Review: The Eighty Dollar Champion: Snowman, The Horse That Inspired a Nation

The Eighty Dollar Champion: Snowman, The Horse That Inspired A Nation by Elizabeth Letts

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Be right back, I'm running off to buy me a horse! Loved reading about Snowman's rescue from the glue factory to national champion. Who doesn't love a rags to riches story, especially when it involves animals?

This book is as much about Harry de Leyer as it is about Snowman. It's about a friendship and love between man and beast, and I'm not going to lie, I teared up at the end.

I listened to it on audio, and the narration was well done, but I'm sure it's just as good in book form. 3 stars.



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Death of a Gossip (Hamish MacBeth #1)

Death of a Gossip by M.C. Beaton

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Another one to add to my "quick read cozy" shelves. First book in the series, and nothing too objectionable here.

Hamish MacBeth is a constable in the Scottish village of Lochdubh. He seems slow, dim, and lazy, but that helps him to solve crimes when others underestimate him. In this first book, murder comes to Lochdubh, and it happens on Hamish's watch. A fly fishing school. A group of strangers. And a dead body. Hamish is pushed aside by the city cops who come in to solve the murder. As it is a cozy, and Hamish is the star, you know he will get his man, or woman, in the end.

Humorous and old fashioned (it was written in 1985), it is interesting to see how much things have changed over 30 years. You might find yourself laughing at some of the outdated ideas and silly character choices, but the mystery is fun and I didn't guess the killer until the very end. Reminiscent of Agatha Christie but not as smartly done, you might enjoy the plotting, setting, and Hamish himself. He grew on me enough by the end to move on to book 2.



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Blitzing Emily

Blitzing Emily by Julie Brannagh

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


*Movie trailer announcer voice* "He's an NFL star. She's a rising opera diva. Can they blend their two perfect, fabulous lives and find love?"

I rarely read contemporary romance. I find myself hating the characters and rolling my eyes. I think it's a sign that I'm getting old. I can't say I hated the characters here, but I found myself doing a large amount of eye rolling. Unrealistic? Yes. Ridiculous at times? Yes. But the story was sweet and Brandon, while a perfectly drawn romantic hero with literally no flaws, was likeable. But unrealistic. Seriously, real life is nothing like these two. The end was especially ridiculous but perfect for those wanting a HEA.



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