Writing by Michelle Habrych

The Page Turner review

michelle — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 23:17:02 +0000

If you are looking for a story to get lost in this spring, pick up a copy of the newly released The Page Turner. When Emma Page returns home following college, she’s expected to take her place in the family publishing business. The only problem? She doesn’t quite fit in with the image her parents have created for themselves with the high-brow vanity press; she would rather read and write romance and women’s stories (gasp!). In Viola Shipman’s newest novel, readers are given an inside look into publishing with a powerful ode to the power all of us have within us to follow our dreams.

I have read and loved many of this author’s books, but the first chapters felt like I was reading something different, and to be honest, I did not love it. The story had a different vibe and some of the language stood out as too modern. In the past I have felt that the stories radiated a timeless quality. However, I stuck with it and soon fell in love with the story of Emma and her family. As per usual for Shipman’s novels, the heroine has to overcome some predicament and experience personal growth along the way. I particularly appreciated that this novel was not at all a romance. If anything, it was about Emma’s relationship with her recently deceased grandmother GiGi and her sister Jess.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Check out my bookshelf of recommended reads here. This is an affiliate link. Thank you for your support of my writing.

The post The Page Turner review appeared first on Writing by Michelle Habrych.

Big Dumb Eyes review

michelle — Mon, 21 Apr 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Sometimes you just want to laugh. Books written by comedians are typically an extension of their stand-up shows. Jerry Seinfeld even has one full of bits from his decades in showbiz. Jim Gaffgan often writes on a theme, such as being fat or loving food (two of his books which I have enjoyed reading multiple times). A trilogy of books written by 1980s comedian Paul Reiser shared a common theme throughout as his personal life changed and he offered more stories from each stage. Now clean comedian Nate Bargatze tries his hand with his first book, Big Dumb Eyes: Stories from a Simpler Mind

Told in his usual rambling, self-deprecating way, the book is a collection of amusing bits from this Southern comedian born in the 1900s. He expands upon material from his numerous comedy specials and will have his fans laughing out loud or chuckling to themselves as they read more of his silly stories. The audiobook of Big Dumb Eyes is narrated by the comedian, which truly is the best way to enjoy this short book, in my opinion. It’s just over six hours in length and has some special laughs in store just for those listening to the audiobook. Just like rewatching the comedy specials, Big Dumb Eyes is a book I would listen to again and again.

This book is set to be released May 6, 2025.Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for the ARC audiobook. All opinions are my own.
Check out my bookshelf of recommended reads here. This is an affiliate link. Thank you for your support of my writing.

The post Big Dumb Eyes review appeared first on Writing by Michelle Habrych.

An Ex-citing Proposition review

michelle — Mon, 31 Mar 2025 08:00:00 +0000

If you were in a dating slump, would you consider going out with someone else’s ex? That is the beginning premise of An Ex-citing Proposition by Kelly Ohlert and Linda Floyd. Moxie is not looking for love. She’s at her usual bar after work looking for a hook-up when a co-worker arrives in tears. Before she knows it, Moxie has agreed to a dating pact with her new friend, Hannah. What follows is a funny — if sometimes a little off the rails— fake-dating storyline. While these are not one of my favorite romance tropes, I am usually willing to go along with the silliness to get to the HEA. This book did not disappoint.

The chapters mostly alternate viewpoints between Moxie and the male love interest Wyatt. Both of them have issues in their pasts to overcome before they can be in a true relationship. I liked the creative jobs the characters had (blackjack dealer and outdoor adventures guide), as well as the dynamic of the friendship with Hannah, who set them up. The Colorado setting made me wish I could see what the characters were viewing. I felt the feud between Wyatt’s and Hannah’s parents was a stretch at times. Also, personally, I prefer less spice in my romances but they fit the character of Moxie very well and did not feel as if they were gratuitous.

An Ex-citing Proposition was my third book by Ohlert and I think I would read anything she wrote. She knows how to combine romance and comedy for a satisfying read. This is book one in the Date My Ex series. I look forward to reading An Uncharted Ex-perience, which will beHannah’s story.

Thank you to Kelly Ohlert for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

The post An Ex-citing Proposition review appeared first on Writing by Michelle Habrych.

Lowcountry Lost review

michelle — Wed, 12 Mar 2025 08:30:00 +0000

Author T.I. Lowe combines a story of loss with a home improvement setting as the characters in Lowcountry Lost work to resurrect both a ghost town and a broken marriage. Told from the viewpoint of Avalee Elvis, a renovation expert whose company — which shares the same name as the book— is beginning the impressive project of bringing life back to a former ghost town in South Carolina. She works with her friends, business partners, and team of misfits to create a vision for this newly renamed piece of real estate, calling it Somewhere. She finds herself shocked when the investors hire Rowan Murray, a structural engineer on the project, who just happens to be her ex-husband. Given their history of hurt, will the two of them be able to work together without incident? Will they overcome the unspoken hurts of their past relationship and move forward?

I felt the way the past was revealed to the reader could have been done more smoothly. Oftentimes I found myself confused about what had actually happened to the childhood sweethearts and why Avalee felt so much anger. Perhaps it was because of the first-person point-of-view the story was told in, since she herself had conflicting and unresolved feelings.

Lowcountry Lost definitely was meant to inspire hope and healing. However, unlike the first book I read by this author, Under the Magnolias, this one did not flow well for me. Where I could not put down Magnolias, this book took me much longer to finish. I would recommend it for someone who wants to read about renovations and enjoys all of the details involved. I honestly felt the story got bogged down with the color of paint and the type of flooring used. That being said, I gave it four stars because I found the final third of the story more interesting and focused on family dynamics.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tyndale House Publishers for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Trigger warning: This story deals with multiple child deaths.

Check out my bookshelf of recommended reads here. This is an affiliate link. Thank you for your support of my writing.

The post Lowcountry Lost review appeared first on Writing by Michelle Habrych.

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave review

michelle — Tue, 11 Mar 2025 08:30:00 +0000

What would you do if your nosy neighbor nemesis across the street suddenly showed up on your doorstep, assuming she could stay with you while her home is being repaired? If you’re Finlay Donovan, you give into the guilt and grudgingly accept your bossy new housemate. Except this is no everyday neighbor — it’s the neighborhood watch crank who has made your life miserable. In book five of Elle Cosimano’s fabulously funny mystery rom-com series, Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave, Mrs. Haggerty is released from prison after the body of a man who has been missing for five years is discovered buried under her roses!

The last thing Finlay and her live-in accountant/nanny/partner-in-crime Vero want after their crazy trip to Atlantic City is another mystery. “Hot Cop” Nick and Finlay are working on building their relationship. Vero and Javi are also working on things since their surprise drunken nuptials. Delia gets in trouble at preschool and Zach starts potty training, both adding so much fun (and heart!) to this installment. Ex-husband Steven is in even more trouble, and Finlay is the only one who believes him. Cam provides comic relief, technical support, and unexpected sweet moments.

If you haven’t read the other books in the series, go back and start at the beginning before jumping into book five. The Finlay Donovan series is perfect for those who need something fun to read. The mysteries are not totally predictable, and the characters’ antics supply much needed laughs. This book had me laughing out loud so many times. Of course it ends with another problem to be resolved in book six. Until that one is available, I may just have to re-read this entire series.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for ARC. All opinions are my own.

Check out my bookshelf of recommended reads here. This is an affiliate link. Thank you for your support of my writing.

The post Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave review appeared first on Writing by Michelle Habrych.

Christmas with the Queen Review

michelle — Fri, 07 Mar 2025 08:00:00 +0000

Queen Elizabeth II reigned large my entire life, but I rarely considered what it must have been like for her in the early years following her coronation. In the historical fiction novel Christmas with the Queen by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb, readers get an eye-witness look into the queen’s life through Olive and Jack. Olive is a single mother and aspiring reporter for the BBC. She finds herself in the right place at the right time, earning her an accidental encounter with the young queen just prior to her first Christmas on the throne. While at Sandringham House, the royal country home, Olive becomes reacquainted with Jack, an old friend she has not seen in many years. He is an American chef who has taken a job in the kitchen on the Queen’s staff.

Over the course of five years, Jack, Olive, and the Royal Family continue to overlap. History buffs will appreciate the interwoven facts about the Queen which bring the story to life. The authors have done their research to make the character on the page multi-dimensional. Additionally, through Jack’s narrative, readers learn more about Prince Philip’s personality. Though I have never been much into following royalty, I was enthralled with their personal stories of growing into their new roles in the monarchy.

The dual POV storytelling works well for this tale. While not strictly a romance, it’s obvious from the beginning certain elements are pushing these two characters into a relationship. Yet, Olive is keeping a secret from Jack. For his part, he is still mourning the relatively recent loss of his beloved wife, who was a member of their friend group after the war. Christmas with the Queen is a joy to read for history buffs, romance fans, and readers of women’s fiction. I highly recommend the audiobook as well, which is well performed by Fiona Hardingham, Gary Furlong, and Esther Wane.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Check out my bookshelf of recommended reads here. This is an affiliate link. Thank you for your support of my writing.

The post Christmas with the Queen Review appeared first on Writing by Michelle Habrych.

Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice review

michelle — Thu, 23 Jan 2025 09:00:00 +0000

As the fourth book in the Elle Cosimano Finlay Donovan series, Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice picks up right where our heroines left off at the end of the previous story. It opens with a hilarious scene which sets the stage for a crazy adventure to New Jersey. When Vero’s childhood friend and former boyfriend Javi is kidnapped by the loan shark who seeks repayment for her lost marker, Finlay decides they need a girls’ trip to Atlantic City to save him. Steven won’t allow Finlay to take the kids out of state without him, and then her mother shows up and wants in on the road trip as well. What could possibly go wrong?

Of course, the rescue mission gets more difficult with the arrival of some police friends from back home. Throw in a couple of dead bodies, a missing car, and more unexpected familiar faces and Finlay is about to lose her mind. This is a fun read with Weekend at Bernie’s meets Oceans 11 vibes. Fans of Vero and Finlay’s previous stories will devour this one, too. Laughter is 100% guaranteed!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the copy of the book in preparation for the upcoming release of the latest in the series Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave, available in March 2025. All opinions are my own.

Check out my bookshelf of recommended reads here. This is an affiliate link. Thank you for your support of my writing.

The post Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice review appeared first on Writing by Michelle Habrych.

She Believed HE Could, So She Did review

michelle — Wed, 22 Jan 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Every once in a while, a book comes along to challenge cultural norms and speak truth in an easily accessible way. She Believed HE Could, So She Did: Trading Culture’s Lies for Christ-Centered Empowerment by Becky Beresford is one of those books. It was written to help women break free from the pressures placed on them by the lies of self-reliance.Chapter by chapter, the author knocks down these maxims that American culture screams at women: You Are Enough, You Can Do Hard Things,You Be You, Believe in Yourself, Speak Your Truth, Follow Your Heart, and The Future is Female. She connects each to the truth found in the Bible for those who are Christ-followers and re-writes them to give Christian women freedom to live because of what Jesus does for them.

“We are sick of being self-dependent,” she writes in the introduction. “We want to be God-dependent.”

This book is for Christian women who are tired of feeling like failures and want to live in the freedom Christ has provided. It can be read quickly (just 224 pages) or enjoyed slowly as I did over the course of many months.It would be great for a small group discussion.

Check out my bookshelf of recommended reads here. This is an affiliate link. Thank you for your support of my writing.

The post She Believed HE Could, So She Did review appeared first on Writing by Michelle Habrych.

Veronica Ruiz Breaks the Bank review

michelle — Tue, 21 Jan 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Finlay Donovan fans requested and received a story all about Vero! In the short story Veronica Ruiz Breaks the Bank, considered book 3.5 in Elle Cosimano’s comedy/mystery series, the readers finally learn about the events that lead up to the fated meeting between Finlay and Vero. The story reveals a bit of the sidekick’s more vulnerable side as she takes center stage in this tale.

While I enjoyed the story overall, I felt it lacked a lot of the fun of the other novels. Perhaps I identify more with Finlay’s character since we’re both moms? Though no one has ever mistaken me for a contract killer and I have never buried a corpse! I’d recommend this story for fans of the series who want some backstory in a quick read (just 119 pages).
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the copy of the book in preparation for the upcoming release of the latest in the series Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave, available in March 2025. All opinions are my own.

The post Veronica Ruiz Breaks the Bank review appeared first on Writing by Michelle Habrych.

Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun review

michelle — Mon, 20 Jan 2025 09:00:00 +0000

In Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun, the third book in Elle Cosimano’s comedy/mystery series, Finlay and Vero once again find themselves in a series of ever-increasingly wild scenarios.

This time, the pair has been roped into attending a citizen’s police academy, run by “hot cop” Nick. At the end of their last adventure they were still trying to figure out the identity of the contract killer who had attempted to off Finlay’s ex-husband Steven. Mixed up with loan sharks and Russian mob, Finlay also has a scene to rewrite to please her literary agent while sneaking around and trying to avoid being discovered for the mess she and Vero have buried.

While still an enjoyable and laugh-out-loud installment in this series, I felt this book was a bit over-the-top for my personal taste, which is why I only gave it 4 out of 5 stars. Nevertheless, the author keeps drawing me back in with her clever storytelling and quirky characters. I often found myself surprised by the twists and turns in the novel and I still recommend it, especially for Finlay’s devoted fans.

Check out my bookshelf of recommended reads here. This is an affiliate link. Thank you for your support of my writing.

The post Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun review appeared first on Writing by Michelle Habrych.