Tag: Rachel Runya Katz

Mini-Reviews: The I Can’t Catch Up Version

As much as I hate to do this, I am making a post dedicated to the books I have read in the past month but haven’t reviewed. I cannot catch up with my reviews and keep falling further behind.

Just to be warned, this will be a lengthy post. So, I understand if you can’t or won’t read it. But I need to do this for my sanity (and my NetGalley rating).

This is the second P.J. Tracy book I have read, and she is quickly becoming one of my favorite mystery writers. City of Secrets was a well-written mystery that kept me on my toes. While I did guess what would happen and what would happen (to an extent), I was completely surprised by the ending. I am eagerly looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

I wasn’t sure if I would like The Slowest Burn when I started reading it. But that first chapter, when Ellie and Kiernan met in person, interested me. The deeper I got into the book and Kiernan and Ellie’s lives, the more attached I got. They each were dealing with so much: Kiernan with his addiction issues, ADHD, and that he will never measure up to what his parents want. For Ellie, it was dealing with her husband’s death and managing her mother-in-law’s grief. By the end of the book, I was alternately sobbing (Kiernan had the most beautiful things to say to Ellie) and laughing my ass off.

I am a huge Sound of Music fan but I never considered that the musical that I loved (well, still love) was based on something true. When I got the widget for Maria, I figured that this was going to be a creative interpretation of the film. Well, color me surprised when I did a quick Google search and found out that Maria Van Trapp was real, as were the events surrounding her escape. I shouldn’t have been surprised because writers have taken liberties with factual events since, well, forever. Reading this book was eye-opening; from Maria’s viewpoint and the viewpoint of the secretary, she told the “true” story, too.

I was very excited when I got the widget for this book. I love supernatural romances, and the blurb caught my interest. Well, that excitement turned to disappointment as I read the book. I didn’t like the characters, and the storyline alternated between one that could have been good (Cassie’s magic) and werewolf porn. If the author had chosen one, I would have been good (and yes, I am down for a good werewolf porn book). But she didn’t, and I couldn’t get into it.

I will admit I was a little hesitant to read this book. I love Shakespeare (I have read all the plays, can quote sonnets, etc.), and I wasn’t sure if I would like the author’s theory. But once I started reading the book (and googling while reading), I enjoyed it. Told from dual POVs (Melina and Elena), this is a wonderfully written book. Melina wasn’t likable, but I understand why she acted the way she did. Elena couldn’t make many choices in her life, and she fought for everything she got. The dual storyline complemented each other and showcased Melina’s strengths and weaknesses. This ended up being a delightful and eye-opening book.

I was interested in this book when I saw that it was centered around a road trip across the South and that the roadtrippers would visit significant Jewish historical sights. But it was more than that. It is a story about healing, letting go, and discovering that the one you were meant to be with is right in front of you the whole time. I loved it. The author explored Nia and Jade’s relationship (friendship to lovers). She also explored Nia and Jade’s friendship with Michal (the letters made me cry). And then there was Jade and Jonah’s (Jade’s brother and Michal’s boyfriend during her last cancer battle) very strained relationship. Add in some very interesting stops and a carsick dog, and I found this book delightful.

The Bitter Past is the first book in the Porter Beck series. Taking place in Nevada (in dual timelines), the book follows a KGB spy trying to infiltrate the nuclear program in the desert. It also follows, 60 years later, Sherriff Porter Beck’s investigation into a gruesome murder of a retired FBI agent. Each storyline was well written and kept me on my toes. The author tied the two storylines in an explosive reveal that I didn’t see coming.

Tehlor Kay Mejia is becoming one of my favorite queer authors. They write characters that have depth to them and that I, as a reader, can’t help but connect to. Cash Delgado is Living the Dream fits into that category. I loved watching Cash slowly start to realize that she was queer and that she had feelings for her best friend, Inez. She also had the most adorable daughter and an amazing community that closed ranks when a new bar came into town and threatened to close down the bar she worked at. I am eagerly awaiting her next book.

Shades of Mercy is the second book in the Porter Beck series. It takes place a few months after the events in The Bitter Past. Beck is brought into an investigation where his close friend had a prize bull killed by a drone that had been hacked. This book had it all. I did find the plotline a little over the top (the Chinese secret agent angle was a little over the top). But, it didn’t affect how I liked the book.

The Debutantes is a horror/mystery book that is set in New Orleans. It is centered around three debutantes who are looking into the disappearance of their friend and, by default, into the murder of another friend the past year. I was a little “meh” about this book for most of it. I did enjoy the storyline (the girls looking into Lily disappearance and Margot’s murder). But once it turned down the path of a powerful, secret, woman hating society that controls everything, I started to turn down the “meh” path. The ending was a very typical ending for this genre. But there was a neat twist that did take me by surprise.

Death by Misadventure is the 18th book in the Lady Emily Mystery. This is a dual storyline book with two very interesting storylines. The first storyline follows Lady Emily as she is invited to visit the mountain house of a friend of a friend in the Bavarian Alps. While there, the annoying husband of the hosts daughter is targeted by a series of mishaps. But, when the daughter is murdered and a snowstorm cutting off access to the nearest town, it is up to Lady Emily and her husband to solve the murder. In the other storyline, a talented young singer, Niels, becomes the close friend (and soon more) of the “Mad” King Ludwig. His time with King Ludwig is magical but Niels has responsibilities at home. There was a point in the book where I wondered how these two storylines were connected. My questions were answered at the end of the book. The author explains everything, in heartbreaking detail.

Thank You for Sharing by Rachel Runya Katz

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press, St. Martin’s Griffin

Date of publication: September 12th, 2023

Genre: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Jewish, Contemporary, Adult, Fiction, LGBT, Queer, Adult Fiction, New Adult

Purchase Links: Kindle | Audible | B&N | AbeBooks | WorldCat

Goodreads Synopsis:

Daniel Rosenberg and Liyah Cohen-Jackson’s last conversation—fourteen years ago at summer camp—ended their friendship. Until they find themselves seated next to each other on a plane, and bitterly pick up right where they left off. At least they can go their separate ways again after landing…

That is, until Daniel’s marketing firm gets hired by the Chicago museum where Liyah works as a junior curator, and they’re forced to collaborate with potential career changing promotions on the line.

With every meeting and post-work social gathering with colleagues, the tension (and chemistry) between Daniel and Liyah builds until they’re forced to confront why they broke apart years ago at camp. But as they find comfort in their shared experiences as Jews of color and fumble towards friendship, can they ignore their growing feelings for each other?

With sexy charm and undeniable wit, Rachel Runya Katz’s sparkling debut, Thank You For Sharing, proves that if you’re open to love, anything is possible.

First Line:

“Cohen-Jackson, huh? That’s quite the odd combo.”

Thank You for Sharing by Rachel Runya Katz

Liyah Cohen-Jackson and Daniel Rosenberg hadn’t talked in fourteen years after a disastrous summer camp romance ended. So, imagine Liyah’s surprise when she sits beside Daniel on a flight home from San Fransisco. Thinking the flight will be the last she sees of him, Liyah is surprised when Daniel is the representative chosen to meet with Liyah to help market her new exhibit. Forced to confront what happened in summer camp, Liyah and Daniel discover they have much in common. The more time they spend together, the more their chemistry grows. But will they stay just friends, or will they step towards being something else?

When I read the blurb for Thank You for Sharing, the blurb caught my attention for several reasons. One, because this was the second book that I had read the blurb for that featured the Jewish religion or had references to it, and both main characters were people of color who were Jewish. The other was that it was billed as an LGBTQIA+ book. So, with these reasons in mind, I downloaded Thank You for Sharing. I am glad I did because this was a sweet romance.

The main storyline in Thank You for Sharing centers around Liyah, Daniel, their friends (and their friends were a significant part of the storyline), and their personal/work relationship. The storyline was well written. It kept my attention, and I couldn’t put the book down.

Liyah did a lot of growing up in Thank You for Sharing. In the beginning, she was a stress ball who held on to grudges and slights like they were lifelines. I thought she was immature and obnoxious during her scenes with Daniel. But, the more she interacted with Daniel and the more was revealed about what happened fourteen years ago, I didn’t blame her for being mad. Without giving away spoilers, she was right. Men (and boys) are continually celebrated for stuff like Daniel did, while women (and girls) are shunned and called names. I liked how she dealt with the casual racism and sexism throughout the book. Some scenes (like the one in the Temple) had me steaming. By the end of Thank You for Sharing, I liked her. She had morphed into a strong woman who wasn’t afraid to admit she was wrong.

Daniel was everything that any woman would want in a boyfriend. He liked to talk about his feelings. Daniel supported his partner and wanted the best for her, even if that meant putting himself first. He was in touch with his emotions and wasn’t afraid to cry. Daniel also admitted when he needed help (his mental health suffered a blow after his father died). I did think he was a bit of a sadist for dealing with Liyah. But I also saw that being around her pulled him out of his depression and made him want to be a better man. I also liked his tattoo (the reason behind it was funny).

Mental health is brought up quite a bit throughout Thank You for Sharing. Both Daniel and Liyah see therapists. Daniel starts seeing one to help get over his father’s death. Liyah sees one because of a highly traumatic incident in college and has continued to see her over the years. Both therapists had great advice and let Daniel and Liyah come to terms with their trauma independently. But, I did like that Liyah’s therapist wasn’t afraid to push back at Liyah (the scene after Liyah confesses to Daniel about what happened to her).

The secondary characters made the book. Siobhan, Jordan, Alex, and Neen were excellent. I liked the club they all formed (with Neen being an honorary member). I loved the notes at the end of the “meetings.” They were freaking hilarious. While here, I want to add that I loved Neen. They were the best friend that Liyah needed. They were not afraid to tell it as it was, and they weren’t afraid to force Liyah to face the truth about things (i.e., Daniel).

I liked the romance angle, but it was predictable. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing—sometimes, you need things to be predictable. But I loved reading how the author had Liyah and Daniel go from enemies to lovers. It wasn’t an Instalove situation; instead, it took several months and a couple of profound apologies from Daniel for them to get to that point.

Now, Liyah and Daniel did have some serious chemistry. It was electric, and I was on pins and needles, waiting for them to sleep together. That sex scene was one of the best sex scenes I have read to date. It wasn’t too graphic, and the feeling behind it was chef’s kiss. There were other sex scenes, but they didn’t have the amazingness of the first one.

The end of Thank You for Sharing was your typical HEA. I loved that Neen told Liyah to get over herself. That made for a fantastic makeup scene. I also loved that the author had an epilogue three years in the future.

I would recommend Thank You for Sharing to anyone over 21. There is language, mild violence, and sexual situations.

Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press, St. Martin’s Griffin, NetGalley, and Rachel Runya Katz for allowing me to read and review this ARC of Thank You for Sharing. All opinions stated in this review are mine.

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