Haley Annabelle

04/06/2024

has a new book available for pre-order! I had the privilege of reading an advanced copy and I LOVED it! Brandes has such a way of writing that makes her books so good!
Head over to my YouTube channel to see a full review and a vlog!

My goodreads review:
For the most part, I really enjoy the way that Nadine Brandes writes. There’s just something about it that hooks you right off the bat. And you feel so connected to the story and the characters.
This book was amazing from the first page. The story concept was intriguing, the characters were relatable, and the word building was well done.
If you are looking for a good vs. evil, slightly allegorical, slightly sci-fi/apocalyptic, a little bit Roman culture, with fandom references thrown in- this is the book for you!

Some things I didn’t like: Brandes’ propensity for bloody violence. not enjoyable. Also, I didn’t like the crossover between the real world and the “dream” world. I prefer them to stay separate as far as who the good guys are and who God is. Most of the book it seemed like there was an allegorical “God” in the dream world, but then at the end it crossed over.

13/04/2024

Tons of books of the Amazon 3 for the price of 2 sale! Click the link below to get a clickable link version of all these books! P.s. if you use my links, I get a small commission ❤️ https://www.canva.com/design/DAGCU6QUFYw/lQbuZE0_dlyqgfzmZ7bydA/edit?utm_content=DAGCU6QUFYw&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=sharebutton

31/03/2024

“Why do you seek the living One among the dead? He is not here, but He has risen. Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee, saying that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.” Luke 24:5-7
Happy Resurrection day!

12/03/2024

My brothers and I read a book together, and you guys get to hear all three of our reviews! Head over to my channel to watch me and my very handsome brothers ;)

24/02/2024

https://youtu.be/WPkhHV7HLaA

MY NEW ETSY SHOP: https://haleysbookishgifts.etsy.comMy Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/75946343?ref=nav_profile_lMy Instagram: https://www.in...

23/02/2024

Title: The All-American
Author:
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Looking for a book that's set in the 1950's, amidst the Red Scare, but combined with small town life and women's baseball leagues? This is the book for you! Even if you're not big on sports, don't worry! Finkbeiner does not include a bunch of details that bog down the story. You really get to know the characters and feel their joys and sorrows.
For sure a book that made me laugh and cry. Somehow Finkbeiner writes the normal life stories that teach you a little about that time period. I loved the relationships of the various family members in here, and especially the Uncle (who was so much like Matthew Cuthbert).
Beware of death in this book. But it's very touching. Highly recommend!

20/02/2024

Title: The Jungle
Author: Upton Sinclair
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Quite possibly the most depressing book I've ever read. So depressing that I had to take a break from reading it. But I gave it 3 stars for one reason- I have thought about this book at least weekly since I've read it and I have told at least 4 people about it. If a book makes that big of an impact, then it deserves 3 stars.
In a nutshell this is the story about the food industry and healthcare in America. Specifically, it follows all the trials of a Lithuanian moving to America in the early 1900's, in search of a "better life." But he ends up in the middle of Chicago where all the food sold is under a false label, the jobs are atrocious, and the rich people turn a blind eye. It would have been better to stay in small town Lithuania where you could be in the fresh air and get your food straight from the source.
Sadly, this book has no happy ending. His "savior" is socialism and the author spends a long time berating capitalism.

Content: bars, drinking, prostitutes, childbirth, death, injuries, brothel

12/02/2024

Title: A Gentleman in Moscow
Author: Amor Towles
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

While this is not my typical book to pick up (a modern, character-driven novel?!), I highly enjoyed this. It was slow. But slow in the way that classics are slow. You were able to slowly meander through Count Rostov's life, appreciating the things he appreciated, and mourning the things he mourned.

There are so many scenes that are vividly stuck in my head, over a month later. Like the wine cellar scene. Or the many escapades with Nina. Or the scene with the bees. Or the ones in the kitchen.

This is a story of Russian man under "house" arrest in a hotel. He encounters various characters throughout, but most importantly, he encounters himself. Without all the finery of an aristocrat, is his life fulfilled? Or is he nothing without all of that? It takes place during the Bolshevik revolution, where the people try to remove all vestiges of their own culture and traditions... much like we do today. But Towles does a great job of showing you where that gets a country.

Content warning: several implied bedroom scenes but nothing explicit.

07/02/2024

Title: Activated
Author:
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Ok seriously... Throughout this book I kept thinking of things I didn't like but somehow I'm still in love by the end! My biggest complaint about this one was that it was a bit too relationship-y and dramatic. (Personally, I'm so happy with who she ended up with). There were a few moral decisions I don't agree with (like lying to her dad), and the main plot was a bit cliche.
But other than that Nova Mcbee did it again. I don't know how she wrote a series that is such high caliber! I wish more people knew about this series because the writing is SO GOOD. It's so rare to find a unique story, that has above average writing, and is clean!
This one felt more like an end of the world movie- saving the world from utter destruction by terrorists, but it was executed so well.
I LOVE the "dad team," and just the relationship between Jo and her dad in general. There were so so many moments where I felt such raw emotion it hurt.

Cleanliness: Some violence (not graphic), no language, a few kisses but nothing too detailed.

05/02/2024

Title: Elysium TIde
Author:
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I haven't read Chuck Black in probably 10 years but I have recommended his books to several people since then. I didn't realize he was still writing books until someone shared about it on IG! I quickly got the first two in the series (actually he sent them to me for free), and I am not disappointed! He's just as good of a writer as I remember!
And the best part? We finally have some clean, well thought out, Christian, Sci-fi! Think Star Wars meets biblical allegory. There is a lot of description of the technology happening in here but it wasn't too boring. And the schematics throughout were really neat!
I'm really enjoying the love story and the fact that it's so sweet without so much as a kiss. Maybe once he thinks about how beautiful she is. But that hand scene :0
Highly recommend if you like sci-fi!

Content: 0/5 really nothing to tell except for one dance and a brushing of hands.

31/01/2024

Title: Simulated
Author:
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
There is no way I can write this review without spoilers. So if you don't want spoilers here's a summary- this is a really great book. I can't decide how it compares to the first one but I definitely like Jo's gift better in this one, as well as her overall character. She felt more confident (even without her gist) and better developed. I also really enjoyed the technological genius displayed by various characters, as well as the special missions to other countries.

ok now don't keep reading
Is this far enough?
Are you still reading?
Ok spoiler/rant time. I'm one of those weird people who doesn't mind a good love triangle. Now it haas to be done right because dating two different people at once is gross. However, I thought Nova Mcbee did a pretty good job of there being close friendships that could be something more without making it weird.
I know a lot of people really like Kai but I just didn't like him all that much. He was a bit too prideful and macho and not soft enough. HOWEVER, Noble is the dream dude. Noble, smart, kind, noble, compassionate, soft, genius, quick on his feet, did I mention noble? He's so patient and so hurt and you just feel like you want to protect him and also let him protect you. I LOVE that last scene with him
But that last scene with Kai.... just no. WHY DO GIRLS FEEL THE NEED TO MAKE A DECISION FOR THE ONES THEY LOVE BECAUSE IT"S "what they would want???" let him decide what he wants! It's not more loving to abandon him because he's "obviously blinded by love and just isn't smart enough to think for himself." Ever heard of communication???

And don't even get me started on the epilogue... I said I didn't min a love triangle but please not a love square. Let the past stay in the past!!

Ok I think that's all I have to say ;)

29/01/2024

Title: Elysium TIde
Author:
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

How dare this book end like that? And how could there possibly not be a sequel yet???

James Hannibal is truly a gifted writer. When I read his books I feel like he's a genius. He does such a good job of researching facts and making you feel like you are in that place/situation. I loved the British vs. Hawaiian culture in this books. I had no idea that Maui was still so cultural and I learned a lot about the terrain of Hawaii.

Let me explain to you some things I like: Hawaii, random history facts, neuroscience, a good detective story, annoying (yet charming) male characters, and a sweet family dynamic. If you put all of that together you get Elysium Tide.

I definitely was kept guessing at who the perpetrator of the crimes were. And every time something new was revealed, it made me so sad to see the consequence of sin on people's lives. A childhood really does help shape a future. Of course, God can redeem even the worst of childhoods (which this book does a great job of portraying).

I really enjoyed the mentions of Christianity (although like all Christian Fiction, I would have liked to see it actually affect the lives of the professing characters). Peter's struggle with anxiety and losing control felt very real, and you find yourself wanting to answer all his questions with the truth of Scripture. I wish there would have been a true conversion in here, but maybe the sequel??

Two things I didn't particularly like: 1. while I enjoyed that there wasn't a focus on romance, there should have been at least a BIT more. I mean come on. Way to bait and switch.
2. sometimes the over the top details can really go over your head and you can get lost in the long sentences.

Other than that, great clean book!!