It’s time for my February reviews for the Read the Alphabet Challenge. This year long challenge is hosted by Do You Dog-Ear and Novels and Notions. For February, I had to read a book that started with C and a book that started with D. Next month is E and F.
Catch a Ghost by S. E. Jakes
source: library e-copy; all opinions are my own
Official Summary (add to Goodreads): Everyone knows that Prophet—former Navy SEAL, former CIA spook, full-time pain in the ass—works alone and thinks only about the trouble he can cause. But his boss, Phil Butler of Extreme Escapes, LTD., has just assigned Proph not only a new partner but also a case haunted by ghosts from Proph’s past. Suddenly, he’s got to confront them both head on.
Tom Boudreaux—failed FBI agent, failed sheriff, full time believer in bad luck—is wondering why the head of a private contracting firm has hunted him down to offer him a job. Still he’s determined to succeed this time, despite being partnered with Prophet, EE, LTD’s most successful, lethal, and annoying operative, and even though the case is also resurrecting his own painful past.
Together, Prophet and Tom must find a way to take down killers in the dangerous world of underground cage matches, while fighting their own dangerous attraction. And when they find themselves caught in the crossfire, these two loners are forced to trust each other and work together to escape their ghosts . . . or pay the price.
Review: Catch a Ghost is the first in the Hell or High Water series. I actually read the entire series, so I’ll probably have a more conclusive review next month. However, I wanted to focus on Catch a Ghost right now. We’re introduced to Prophet and Tom, who both have a lot of ghosts in their past. This book is pretty action packed, and it definitely kept me reading and wanting to know what was going on.
There is an eventual romance between the main two, but I think the overall story and the romance blended well together. I really loved both Prophet and Tom; they have an antagonistic relationship, but as a reader, you always knew they’d do anything to help each other. They are partners after all. Another aspect I liked about the book – and the series – is that while there are a lot of serious moments, it’s still full of humor – especially coming from Prophet.
Since you know I went on to read the other books this month, it’s easy to see that I would recommend this book to any who are interested!
Read the Alphabet Challenge: C is Catch a Ghost and D is Diary of a Mad Mom-To-Be #ontheblog #bookreview Share on X
Diary of a Mad Mom-To-Be by Laura Wolf
Review by Lauren
Source: personal copy; all opinions are my own
Official Summary (add to Goodreads): Amy, the quirky heroine of “Diary of a Mad Bride, ” has survived her wedding with aplomb, only to find herself yearning for the patter of little feet. Next stop: parenthood!
Review: I read the first book, Diary of a Mad Bride, years ago and really enjoyed it. I found out that there was a sequel, all about Amy (now married), becoming pregnant. I’ve had a copy of the book for a long time, so I’m glad I finally got the chance to read it.
This was definitely an enjoyable book overall, but it read a little slow to me, and I didn’t find it terribly humorous. The book is written in the form of a diary, so there isn’t a ton of dialogue. This doesn’t really bother me much, but it’s something to note for those that dislike this style of writing. I really did like Amy and it was fun following her process of becoming pregnant, and then of course being pregnant for nine months. She doesn’t know much about babies – or anything baby related – so it’s a lot of trial and error in figuring it out. The book is just focused on her pregnancy, so while there is a baby in the end, the book doesn’t cover too much of that aspect of being a mom.
One of Amy’s best friends is pretty anti-baby, especially since she doesn’t want one and her mom keeps bugging her about it, so she’s not really supportive or understanding when Amy becomes pregnant. I could understand some of her feelings, but in general, she just seemed like a really bad friend. Of course, I can’t really remember the first book, so who knows what I thought about her then?! At any rate, she definitely annoyed me throughout.
All in all, I’m glad I finally read this book, and it took the Read the Alphabet challenge to make it happen.
I always need humor to balance out the serious parts in a book. Glad you enjoyed it! I have so many letters completed in my alphabet challenge, but no D yet, which is odd. It’s usually Q, X, Z for me.
I really should try a challenge like this. Sounds like it is one that will help to clear off my TBR. Diary of a Mad Mom-to-Be sounds like it has a lot of potential. It is too bad it wasn’t as funny as you expected, I am intrigued to give the series a try, though.
I love the idea of a read-the-alphabet challenge! I could get on board with an eat-the-alphabet challenge, honestly.
As for diary style … it’s strange, I think some of the work I’ve seen in this genre was billed as a diary, but it unfolded very differently.
The Diary book sounds interesting!
I have thought about doing an alphabet challenge for awhile – how’s it going?
It’s going well! It might be a bit tougher than most alphabet challenges, just because each month has two or three letters (January was A and B and February was C and D), but I like it because it narrows things down a bit. It’s definitely helping me get through some old TBR books.
-Lauren
Glad you enjoyed the first one, and look forward to reading your review of the rest of the series!
Both books look interesting. Glad you enjoyed them both despite the second book not being as funny as you hoped.
I read Diary of a Mad Mom To Be and I agree, it wasn’t as funny as Diary of a Mad Bride. I had higher hopes for it. Anyway, I am loving this alphabet challenge so far!
This is such a fun prompt! I might add this into my challenges next year.
Loved the Hell or High Water series and those two guys were hot and yes, so funny when they got to arguing or when Proph and a certain spy kept trying to one up each other.
Glad you enjoyed the sequel story and got to see what came next for Amy. Too bad her friend let her own troubles get between them.
Way to go getting two of your challenge books read, Lauren.
Oh yes, Proph and a certain spy are all sorts of hilarious!
I’m glad to hear you enjoyed the Hell or High Water series. It sounds like a good one. 🙂
The Diary book sounded fun but then the negative friends would irritate me, so I don’t know if the book is a good fit. The Hell or High Water series sounds fun!
O yeah! I love this book , I enjoyed it everytime I read it during free time it keeps me relaxing and confusing also.
This sounds like a fun challenge! Glad your books were both good!
What a fun challenge, I love the idea of reading my way through the alphabet! Bummer that you didn’t love the second book, although it sounds like it was still a fun read!
Nice to hear the story and romance in Catch a Ghost was a win. I do love it when a book has well-placed humor. Sorry to hear the Mom book wasn’t as good. The friend definitely sounds annoying. :/
I thought Catch a Ghost was a queer xfiles before I realised it wasn’t a paranormal read. Really looking forward to seeing your series review Lauren, it sounds like an action packed and brilliant series.
Catch a Ghost sounds interesting. Looking forward to your thoughts on the entire series.
Karen @ For What It’s worth
That does sound like a bad friend! I get it though, don’t have a baby unless you are mostly ready for it. Babies change everything!
This is a cool challenge and a great way to liven up my reading list 🙂 . Also I think both books sound good. But Im not sure how captivated I would be by a diary style book. Can’t wait to see the next two!
Sounds like that friend in Diary was a lot less than supportive.
It’s neat that you’re reading through the alphabet. I like how Catch a Ghost has a characters that provides humor. Those characters are a lot of fun to read!
These sound good! Especially Diary of A Mad Mom To Be. 🙂
I wasn’t aware of this Alphabet Read. I do my own and try to get them all as early in the year as I can. 🙂 I have trouble with XY and Z.
I am glad both of your books for the challenge were good ones for you.
Thanks for sharing!