Tag Archives: 2 mikes

Window Shopping — Tessa Bailey

Author: Tessa Bailey
Narrator: Alexa Morden, Sam Rushton

Genre: Romance
Actual Rating: 4 stars
Narration: 2 mikes
Spicy Meter: 3 fire emojis
Content Warnings: Discusses crime, gun violence, and ex-convict discrimination. Showcases unhealthy family and friend dynamics. Contains explicit sexual content.

“Window Shopping” follows Stella, a recently released ex-convict striving to rebuild her life, and Aiden, a Fifth Avenue store’s optimistic and bowtie-wearing manager. Their chance meeting leads to an unexpected job opportunity for Stella, which she absolutely will take. But as she takes this job, any chance of any romantic intentions Aiden might’ve had are quickly whisked away… or are they?

We read this book for The Book Club HQ, and gosh was it steamy. We were going for a more holiday-forward read, and this wasn’t it, but we still really enjoyed it. Tessa Bailey basically flips the grump x sunshine trope we’re used to seeing, presenting Stella as the guarded pessimist and Aiden as the cheerful optimist.

Apart from being really steamy (as Tessa Bailey tends to be), “Window Shopping” also delves into themes of redemption and self-discovery, as Stella confronts her past mistakes and works towards a better future. Aiden’s support and belief in her potential add depth to their romance, making their connection feel genuine and earned.

I actually had the chance to listen to some of the book, as well as reading it, and I can’t help but point out how shocked I was with Aiden’s southern accent. Nothing against it really, but it was a bit of a jumpscare.

All in all, “Window Shopping” is a perfect pick for those seeking a spicy and uplifting holiday read and who enjoy that will-they-won’t-they push and pull.

If you click here, you’ll be redirected to Goodreads, so you can add the book to your TBR list.

Or you could click here, and be redirected to Amazon, so you can order the book.

Gallant — V.E. Schwab

Author: V.E. Schwab
Narrator: Julian Rhind-Tutt

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Actual Rating: 3.5 stars
Narration: 2 mikes
Spicy Meter: N/A, it’s clean
Content Warnings: Discusses and describes parental death, suicide, ghost/ghouls, and child endangerment and abuse. Contains violence and psychological suspense.

“Gallant” follows Olivia Prior, an orphan who’s only recall of her past life lies in the diary her mother left for her. In said diary, you can clearly see how her mother went insane… but why? With a final, ominous message, to never visit Gallant, Olivia is left with more questions than answers. That is until a letter comes for her at the orphanage. A letter that’ll give her a whole new life, with her uncle, in Gallant.

The premise of this book seemed okay—label it as YA Fantasy and you could almost say I was excited to listen to this audiobook. I usually really enjoy V.E. Schwab’s writing, but this was not it for me. First off, it’s YA, sure, but fantasy? Absolutely not. This was more of a horror or a thriller, if anything. I was absolutely horrified.

The narrator was a little off-putting for me. Who decided this book about a young girl should be narrated by an old British man? Overall, it wasn’t the voice that bothered me—in another context, with another main character and another genre, I could’ve even enjoyed Rhind-Tutt’s narration—I just didn’t like that voice telling this story.

This would not be the first book I would think about when introducing someone to V.E. Schwab’s writing. I’m not even sure if I would recommend it at all. In general, when grabbing “Gallant”, be sure to not have any expectations—unless those expectations are for a thriller-suspense-horror driven story.

If you click here, you’ll be redirected to Goodreads, so you can add the book to your TBR list.

Or you could click here, and be redirected to Amazon, so you can order the book.