The One Who Walked Away by Karen Rose

Brenda Novak Book Club August selection

After a domestic violence marriage that ended in tragedy Elle has relocated to California as a bounty hunter. She finds herself on a case in Mendocino, California. There she finds herself working with a detective who is looking for the same guy she is and sparks fly in all forms. As the case takes a dramatic turn Elle finds herself at a crossroads in her personal and romantic life.

The story is great. I enjoyed the hunt for the bad guy and I enjoyed the slow burn romance. The author did a great job in keeping you guessing and interested in the story. There is a bit of spice towards the end but not much.

My complaint is with the audiobook. There was a female and male narrator which I thought great one for each main character. That is true BUT when say the female character is the lead of the chapter/section the female narrator reads both hers and the lead male lines and vice versa. What??? Why not have them stay in character the entire book. It threw my listening pleasure off drastically and was disappointing. I think if the narrators had stayed in character the entire book it would have been even better.

My rating is a 4.50 because I imagine that the audiobook narration is out of the authors control. It is not a reflection of the authors writing.

I highly recommend this book for fans of romantic suspense, police drama, and slow burn romance.

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Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

I have owned Fourth Wing since its release date but life never gave me the perfect time to read it until now. I have gathered some of my closet friends and family and we have centered our book club around Fourth Wing. To say I’m hooked doesn’t even begin to tell you my feelings. I am 100% all in. Many times I woke up around 2am and read until I couldn’t hold my eyes open. The ending has me 🥺. It has been way too long for an ending to shock me to my core.

If you haven’t tried Fourth Wing yet but want to I say do it. Who knew dragons and superpowers could be so beautifully exciting.

I am in complete awe of the talent exhibited by Rebecca Yarros.

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Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes

As promised Jenn McKinlay’s Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes

Since we are taking them to a family gathering tomorrow I did mini and regular size cupcakes. They taste so good. I would even fix the minis with no frosting as a breakfast “muffin” and skip buying the Little Bites in the store.

My frosting/icing technique needs work. I don’t have the fancy piping bags and tips. I used the sandwich bag idea and it worked for the most part.

Easy make and will be made again.

The little holes are from checking the centers and using a little skewer to get them out of pan without burning myself.

Pumpkin Spice Peril by Jenn McKinlay

Finally…PUMPKIN SPICE SEASON IS HERE!!!

I have waited all year to read this book. It may be the devil’s back porch hot with a side of humidititties here in KY but metrological fall started on 9/1.

Y’all my heart was breaking for Mel. What should have been a great event celebrating her artist friend turns into a crime scene. Mel can’t help but try to figure out the who and why. Unfortunately, as she does her heart keeps getting broken more and more.

Jenn McKinlay writes with such feeling and I love that. Joe is no Sully (JM’a Library Lovers series) but he fills in as a nice second in command book boyfriend. I wouldn’t kick him out of my bed 😉.

I plan on fixing the pumpkin spice cupcakes from the included recipes for a gathering this weekend. If they turn out I’ll post a picture.

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August Reading Recap

August Wrap Up ☀️🍎🥵

11 books total, 0 DNF

8 books donated/given to others

7 books (kindle/physical) of my own read

Reviews of most books on my blog. www.kentuckybooklover.com

B Borrowed from friend/family

L  Library

KO  Kindle Owned

O  Physical Owned

EL  E-library (Libby/Overdrive/Hoopla)

AB  Audiobook 

KU  Kindle Unlimited 

NG NetGalley

ARC Advanced Reader Copy 

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Just for the Cameras by Meghan Quinn

Perfect timing. Last (purposeful) summer book of the season finished on the night before meteorological Fall begins.

Flamingos and football. What can go wrong? Apparently a lot can but it takes dedication to succeed at everything. Graydon is a tough as nails football player who is afraid of love and Maple is a tender hearted flamingo zookeeper who knows what she wants. A PR stunt turns into something special that neither expected.

It’s Meghan Quinn so it has plenty of spice. You can skip those parts if you wish and be perfectly fine. It has language and again you can ignore the language. Quite a few Easter eggs of her other series.

If you like grumpy/sunshine, football, and slow burn romance you need to pick this book up.

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Romancing Mr. Bridgerton by Julia Quinn

An enjoyable romantic read with a bit of spice. I’m enjoying working my way through Bridgerton at a slower pace.

From the beginning I had my suspicions on who Lady Whistledown was and I guessed correctly. Now I don’t have to turn a deaf ear when Bridgerton is discussed.

Penelope is a fun character. I empathize with her in many things. It was fun to see Colin turn into a big ol’ softy around her.

The next book in the series is To Sir Phillip, With Love. It looks to be very entertaining.

Before anyone asks, no I haven’t watched the series. I may or may not. If I do it won’t be until I finish reading the series.

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Murder, Plainly Written by Mindy Steele

Murder in Amish Country. Sadie, a romance writer, has moved from Louisville, KY to Ohio Amish Country after inheriting her great aunt’s candle store. A great aunt she didn’t know she had. As Sadie learns how to make candles and run a business she makes friends with unexpected people. Wanda, an Amish writer among other things proves to be her closet. Until Deputy Handsome, err Deputy August, starts courting her. Unfortunately, an Amish minister who has been hounding Sadie to sell her business has died in her candle shop. With more suspects than a rough draft Sadie is short on deadline before she ends up behind bars.

A cozy mystery with all the things that make it cozy. Clean in language and romance scenes. No crude language by any character. A book that would be perfect for younger readers ready to dip their toes in the world of cozy mysteries.

Recipes for vegan brownies and biscuits are included. Always a plus in books.

Amazon has the digital book ready for purchase but the print book doesn’t release until 9/1. The second book is already in the works.

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David Copperfield by Charles Dickens

Finally finished David Copperfield! March 2025 – August 2026. I took several long breaks from reading it.

Did I like it? Mostly yes

Would I read again? Definitely no

Charles Dickens sure liked his words. If he could use three words to describe something he was sure to use no less than twenty.

A good novel to show how with hard work you can overcome a rough start in life and many losses. Don’t give up even when life looks bleak.

Another Rory Gilmore book list book complete.

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One Day in December by Josie Silver

A tale of love at first sight and missed connections told from alternating views of Laurie and Jack.

Laurie sees Jack outside her bus window on a cold December night. The instance he looks up at her she knows he is the one. She and her best friend try finding him for a year to no avail. Unfortunately for Laurie her best friend shows up with him as her new love. What transpires is ten years of friendship that never finds the right time to grow into something more.

I have had this on my TBR since 2019 and thanks to my SIL I finally read it. It has everything I love in a romance read. London, deep friendships, heartache, and a happy ever after ending.

At times I was frustrated with both Laurie and Jack. They both seem to derail their lives and go on a poor me jaunt. I can’t say Jack will ever be a favorite character of mine but he is a swoony good love interest.

This book is perfect for fans of The Holiday, Bridget Jones, and any Nora Ephron movies.

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