Cannonball Read 18

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

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Road trips, miscommunication and untruths

The Halifax Hellions by Alexandra Vasti

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Novella 1: In Which Margo Halifax Earns Her Shocking Reputation (3.5 stars) Novella 2: In Which Matilda Halifax Learns the Value of Restraint (4.5 stars) Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for this ARC. My opinions are my own. This book collects two previously self-published novellas of Alexandra Vasti’s, and includes an additional epilogue which has never before been available. Margo and Matilda Halifax are identical twins, the wealthy younger sisters of an Earl and have basically been seen as outrageous scandals for […]

Found family with a little magic

A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna

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I saw A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping (2025) by Sangu Mandanna on NPR’s Favorite Books List. Books with witches and whatnot are not usually my thing, but I’ve found some good books on NPR and I didn’t want to be too close-minded. So, I got the audiobook from my library for a low commitment read while commuting. If I had to describe this book in four words, I would say it is quiet, sweet, uplifting, and funny. At the beginning of the book, Sera Swan is a […]

A Pride and Prejudice retelling that works best when it follows the inspiration less strictly

The Bennet Women by Eden Appiah-Kubi

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While I think this novel started a little bit rough for me, I ultimately ended up liking it. This novel is a contemporary take on Pride and Prejudice, set at a New England liberal college, focused on the women of Bennet House. While I am sure I originally picked this novel up because it was a Pride and Prejudice retelling, while reading it, I realized that I don’t actually love the plotline of Pride and Prejudice enough to want to go through all of the […]

“Why is it I tell you all my secrets?” “Because you like the way I look draped over a tree branch?”

Beast Business by Ilona Andrews

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Augustine Montgomery is the head of a very successful investigative agency and a deeply private man. He is an illusion Prime, who can alter his appearance at will, and there are very few people alive who know what he actually looks like. Augustine presents himself to the world as calculated, efficient, ruthless and detached. He is never swayed by emotion and has very few friends as a result. Diana Harrison is the Head of House Harrison and a very powerful animal mage. Like Augustine, she […]

I’m a sucker for a Kindle Challenge

Cruel Winter with You by Ali Hazelwood

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I wouldn’t call myself the greatest lover of romance novels. In fact, I generally don’t enjoy a book without murder / suspense / mystery, unless it’s really well written. This book was fine, and it satisfied the “Love Letters” achievement for the New Year Kindle Challenge. Like I said, I love a good Kindle Challenge. This one specifically required reading a kindle version of a romance book. As this one was a short story, and written by Ali Hazelwood, it was right up my alley. […]

Crushing faith

Someday Perfect: (A Graphic Novel) by Kat Schneider 

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Someday Perfect: (A Graphic Novel)  by Kat Schneider  Simple presentation, but it has deep questions. Lovely illustrations. Not for everyone (due to the religious aspects) but most can find something to enjoy. I would say at least 12 and up, but younger children could handle it if they are strong readers. There is some talk of sexual activities, the use of the word sl-t and the body shaming that comes with a patriarchal philosophy. But overall, it was tastefully done. It wasn’t a ‘WOW’ for […]



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