Briar’s Reviews

Everlasting by Sara Fanfarillo | #BookReview Kendall begins Everlasting believing the world makes sense. His life follows rules that feel settled and unquestioned, shaped by lessons he has never had reason to doubt. That certainty starts to unravel when small moments stop lining up the way they should. Words linger longer than expected, objects seem to remember things people have forgotten, and events that should be unrelated begin to echo one another.

Everlasting by Sara Fanfarillo | #BookReview

Kendall begins Everlasting believing the world makes sense. His life follows rules that feel settled and unquestioned, shaped by lessons he has never had reason to doubt. That certainty starts to unravel when small moments stop lining up the way they…

Surviving Summer Camp by Paul Breau | #BookReview I love a really well-written middle-grade read, and Paul Breau is becoming one of my faves. Surviving Summer Camp by Paul Breau starts quietly enough, with a kid who wants nothing more than a peaceful, indoor summer full of video games and snacks, and then suddenly drops you straight into chaos. This action-packed middle grade novel is written for boys ages 8 to 12, but honestly, it has wide appeal for any reader who enjoys survival stories, sibling dynamics, and fast-moving plots that refuse to slow down.

Surviving Summer Camp by Paul Breau | #BookReview

I love a really well-written middle-grade read, and Paul Breau is becoming one of my faves. Surviving Summer Camp by Paul Breau starts quietly enough, with a kid who wants nothing more than a peaceful, indoor summer full of video games and snacks,…

Young Salt at Sixty: Becoming Better Than Retired by Deborah Hammett | #BookReview Retirement is often framed as an ending, a slowing down, or a gentle retreat from ambition. Young Salt at Sixty: Becoming Better Than Retired pushes back on that idea, not with speeches or slogans, but with action. Deborah Hammett waits until after she leaves the classroom to begin something entirely new with her life. She does not take up gardening, or a casual hobby like knitting (#goals).

Young Salt at Sixty: Becoming Better Than Retired by Deborah Hammett | #BookReview

Retirement is often framed as an ending, a slowing down, or a gentle retreat from ambition. Young Salt at Sixty: Becoming Better Than Retired pushes back on that idea, not with speeches or slogans, but with action.…

Danica Panica and the Thunderstorm of Doom by Kevin Miller | #BookReview

Kevin Miller’s Danica Panica and the Thunderstorm of Doom (Book 3 in the Danica Panica series) is a delightful, fast-paced, and slightly chaotic adventure that perfectly balances humor, suspense, and relatable childhood…

Tofino by Tom Stewart | #BookReview There are stories that unfold quietly, like fog rolling in from the ocean, and you do not realize how deeply they have settled until you try to shake them off. Tofino by Tom Stewart is that kind of novel. It does not rush. It does not hurry to impress. Instead, it allows emotion, memory, and setting to stretch out, trusting the reader to stay with it.

Tofino by Tom Stewart | #BookReview

There are stories that unfold quietly, like fog rolling in from the ocean, and you do not realize how deeply they have settled until you try to shake them off. Tofino by Tom Stewart is that kind of novel. It does not rush. It does not hurry to impress. Instead,…

The Beauty and the Hell of It & Other Stories by Lynda Williams | #BookReview A Collection That Knows How Real Life Feels The Beauty and the Hell of It & Other Stories by Lynda Williams is the kind of short story collection that makes you sit up a little straighter as you read (or if you're me, relax more because books bring the shoulders back down to place). From the opening pages, it is clear these stories are not here to impress with polish or perfection (in a good way).

The Beauty and the Hell of It & Other Stories by Lynda Williams | #BookReview

A Collection That Knows How Real Life Feels The Beauty and the Hell of It & Other Stories by Lynda Williams is the kind of short story collection that makes you sit up a little straighter as you read (or if you're me,…

Under the Full and Crescent Moon by Aamir Hussain | #BookReview Some books ask you to slow down and listen, Under the Full and Crescent Moon by Aamir Hussain is one of those stories. Set in the fictional hilltop city of Medina’tul-Agham during the Islamic Golden Age, this novel blends history, faith, and political tension into a thoughtful and absorbing read. From the first pages, the city feels alive, shaped by loss, resilience, and a fragile peace that has been hard won.

Under the Full and Crescent Moon by Aamir Hussain | #BookReview

Some books ask you to slow down and listen, Under the Full and Crescent Moon by Aamir Hussain is one of those stories. Set in the fictional hilltop city of Medina’tul-Agham during the Islamic Golden Age, this novel blends history,…

Racing Towards Destiny by Lena Gibson | #BookReview Some books catch your attention. Others grab you by the collar, pull you trackside, and refuse to let you go until the final lap. Racing Towards Destiny by Lena Gibson did exactly that for me. I went in curious and came out completely invested, heart racing right alongside the engines on the MotoGP circuit. This sports romance blends high-speed competition with emotional depth in a way that feels natural and welcoming, even for readers who have never watched a motorcycle race (like me!).

Racing Towards Destiny by Lena Gibson | #BookReview

Some books catch your attention. Others grab you by the collar, pull you trackside, and refuse to let you go until the final lap. Racing Towards Destiny by Lena Gibson did exactly that for me. I went in curious and came out completely invested,…

Danica Panica and the Sharp, Scary Needle by Kevin Miller | #BookReview In Danica Panica and the Sharp, Scary Needle, Kevin Miller dives into a scenario that nearly every child can relate to: the fear of vaccinations. Danica thinks she’s clever, laughing as her classmates line up for their routine shots, confident that she’s escaped unscathed. But when her parents reveal that she also has to get vaccinated, panic sets in. What follows is a comical and heartfelt adventure, as Danica employs every trick in her book to avoid the dreaded jab.

Danica Panica and the Sharp, Scary Needle by Kevin Miller | #BookReview

In Danica Panica and the Sharp, Scary Needle, Kevin Miller dives into a scenario that nearly every child can relate to: the fear of vaccinations. Danica thinks she’s clever, laughing as her classmates line up for their routine…

Danica Panica and the Snapping, Snarling Dog by Kevin Miller | #BookReview Danica Panica and the Comfort of Routine Danica Panica and the Snapping, Snarling Dog by Kevin Miller introduces readers to Danica, a child who finds comfort in routine. Her days feel best when they unfold the same way each time, especially her walks with her beloved dog, Clark. That predictable path through the neighborhood is a source of calm, a way to keep the world orderly and manageable.

Danica Panica and the Snapping, Snarling Dog by Kevin Miller | #BookReview

Danica Panica and the Comfort of Routine Danica Panica and the Snapping, Snarling Dog by Kevin Miller introduces readers to Danica, a child who finds comfort in routine. Her days feel best when they unfold the same way each…

Charity Trickett Is Not So Glamorous by Christine Stringer | #BookReview Hollywood is a place where dreams sparkle, but reality has a way of tripping you up. In Charity Trickett Is Not So Glamorous, Christine Stringer delivers a delightful and hilarious story about one young woman’s attempt to break into the film industry during the chaotic, colourful 1990s. Charity Trickett moves to Los Angeles with big ambitions, only to discover that fame and glamour come with backstabbing coworkers, office politics, and enough disasters to make you laugh and cringe at the same time.

Charity Trickett Is Not So Glamorous by Christine Stringer | #BookReview

Hollywood is a place where dreams sparkle, but reality has a way of tripping you up. In Charity Trickett Is Not So Glamorous, Christine Stringer delivers a delightful and hilarious story about one young woman’s attempt to…

Prince Prickly Spine by Tekeyla Friday | #BookReview If you’ve ever wished fairy tales were a little sillier, a little spikier, and a whole lot funnier, Prince Prickly Spine by Tekeyla Friday is your next great read. It’s absolutely ridiculous in the most delightful way, the kind of book that makes you laugh out loud and then wonder, “Who comes up with this stuff?” Well, okay. Maybe that's just me??

Prince Prickly Spine by Tekeyla Friday | #BookReview

If you’ve ever wished fairy tales were a little sillier, a little spikier, and a whole lot funnier, Prince Prickly Spine by Tekeyla Friday is your next great read. It’s absolutely ridiculous in the most delightful way, the kind of book that…

Class Action: What You Don’t Know CAN Hurt You by Gail Ward Olmsted | #BookReview Gail Ward Olmsted’s Class Action: What You Don’t Know CAN Hurt You is an absolute delight from start to finish. This gripping legal thriller is fast-paced, emotionally engaging, and full of twists that kept me turning pages late into the night. As someone who enjoys character-driven thrillers, I was immediately drawn to the story of Lennon Gallagher, a third-year law student whose life is already complicated enough without being caught up in a scandal that could ruin her future.

Class Action: What You Don’t Know CAN Hurt You by Gail Ward Olmsted | #BookReview

Gail Ward Olmsted’s Class Action: What You Don’t Know CAN Hurt You is an absolute delight from start to finish. This gripping legal thriller is fast-paced, emotionally engaging, and full of twists that kept me…

Danica Panica and the Big Fat Hen by Kevin Miller | #BookReview Danica Panica is back, and this time her adventure takes place right at home. Trying to avoid a long road trip and hours stuck with her little brother Ivan, Danica convinces her parents to let her stay home with her grandmother. She thinks she’s outsmarted the world! No deep, dark water, no family chaos. But instead of peace and quiet, she discovers a new challenge: collecting eggs from the family’s big, intimidating hen.

Danica Panica and the Big Fat Hen by Kevin Miller | #BookReview

Danica Panica is back, and this time her adventure takes place right at home. Trying to avoid a long road trip and hours stuck with her little brother Ivan, Danica convinces her parents to let her stay home with her grandmother. She…

Taxed to the Max by Michelle Cornish | #BookReview If you love a good thriller with heart, Taxed to the Max by Michelle Cornish is a must-add to your reading list. This is the sixth and final book in the Cynthia Webber series, and what a finale it is. Michelle Cornish wraps things up with high tension, clever twists, and just enough emotion to keep you hooked from the very first page.

Taxed to the Max by Michelle Cornish | #BookReview

If you love a good thriller with heart, Taxed to the Max by Michelle Cornish is a must-add to your reading list. This is the sixth and final book in the Cynthia Webber series, and what a finale it is. Michelle Cornish wraps things up with high…

Off the Hook! Milligan Creek #8 by Kevin Miller | #BookReview If there’s one thing readers can count on in the Milligan Creek series, it’s that something completely ridiculous is about to happen... and it’ll probably involve the entire town. Off the Hook! continues Kevin Miller’s hilarious streak of middle grade adventures set in small-town Saskatchewan. This time, Milligan Creek finds itself at the center of Canada’s biggest fishing tournament, and chaos hits the water faster than a walleye on a worm.

Off the Hook! Milligan Creek #8 by Kevin Miller | #BookReview

If there’s one thing readers can count on in the Milligan Creek series, it’s that something completely ridiculous is about to happen... and it’ll probably involve the entire town. Off the Hook! continues Kevin Miller’s hilarious streak…

The Summers Between Us by Noreen Nanja | #BookReview If you’re in the mood for a heartfelt second-chance romance that feels like summer captured on the page, The Summers Between Us by Noreen Nanja is a wonderful choice. This debut novel blends love, identity, and self-discovery into a tender story that lingers long after the final chapter. Set in a small lakeside town in rural Canada, the story follows Lia, a young lawyer whose carefully built life begins to unravel when she returns to her family’s summer cottage.

The Summers Between Us by Noreen Nanja | #BookReview

If you’re in the mood for a heartfelt second-chance romance that feels like summer captured on the page, The Summers Between Us by Noreen Nanja is a wonderful choice. This debut novel blends love, identity, and self-discovery into a tender story…

The Last First Date by Jay Hall | #BookReview The Book Review Adult Contemporary Romance | Online Dating, Long Distance Love A Modern Romance with Heart The Last First Date introduces us to Beck and Sienna, two people whose worlds are very different but whose hearts are unexpectedly aligned. Beck is driven by ambition, success, and the fast pace of business life. Sienna, a nurse, wants peace, stability, and deep connection.

The Last First Date by Jay Hall | #BookReview

The Book Review Adult Contemporary Romance | Online Dating, Long Distance Love A Modern Romance with Heart The Last First Date introduces us to Beck and Sienna, two people whose worlds are very different but whose hearts are unexpectedly aligned. Beck…

Totally Tilted (Game On #4) by Kevin Miller | #BookReview Middle school life is already tricky, but add in competitive gaming, streaming deals, and friendship drama, and things get really intense. In Totally Tilted, Kevin Miller, with illustrations by Jared MacPherson, delivers a story that’s both exciting and heartfelt. Wyatt is back, and this time, he’s juggling big opportunities, tough choices, and the ever-complicated world of friendship. Fans of the…

Totally Tilted (Game On #4) by Kevin Miller | #BookReview

Middle school life is already tricky, but add in competitive gaming, streaming deals, and friendship drama, and things get really intense. In Totally Tilted, Kevin Miller, with illustrations by Jared MacPherson, delivers a story that’s both…

As Good a Place as Any by Rebecca Papucaru | #BookReview The Book Review Refuge, rebellion, and a search for self in 1970s Toronto A Unique Coming-of-Age Tale With Real Stakes In As Good a Place as Any, Rebecca Papucaru introduces readers to Paulina, a sixteen-year-old refugee from Chile, who lands in Toronto after the 1973 military coup. While her brother Ernesto clings to the hope of returning home one day, Paulina leans into the freedoms she’s gained by escaping the expectations of her old life.

As Good a Place as Any by Rebecca Papucaru | #BookReview

The Book Review Refuge, rebellion, and a search for self in 1970s Toronto A Unique Coming-of-Age Tale With Real Stakes In As Good a Place as Any, Rebecca Papucaru introduces readers to Paulina, a sixteen-year-old refugee from Chile, who…

This is your December reminder that it's absolutely acceptable to try and get to a set annual book goal by cramming in as many novellas and cookbooks as you can find before Christmas swallows you up! #booksky 💙📚

I am now on Fable! Slowly I’ll get into all of these book communities! Come give me a follow.

fable.co/briars-revie...

The Illogical Adventure: A Memoir of Love and Fate by James Macduff and Mirrriam Mweemba | #BookReview The Book Review Love, travel, and an unexpected pandemic-sized pause. A True Story That Feels Like Fiction (In the Best Way) Some books remind you how wide the world is. Others remind you how small. The Illogical Adventure: A Memoir of Love and Fate manages to do both. Told in alternating voices by co-authors James Macduff and Mirriam Mweemba, this memoir follows their chance meeting in Cape Town and the slow unfolding of a relationship that seems both unlikely and yet meant to be at the same time.

The Illogical Adventure: A Memoir of Love and Fate by James Macduff and Mirrriam Mweemba | #BookReview

The Book Review Love, travel, and an unexpected pandemic-sized pause. A True Story That Feels Like Fiction (In the Best Way) Some books remind you how wide the world is. Others remind you how…

Ziggy on the Rock by C.M. Rohan | #BookReview The Book Review Illustrated by Sophia Foster | Children’s Book | Caribbean Culture A Bright Day in the Caribbean C.M. Rohan’s A Day on the Rock is a short and cheerful children’s book that captures a full day in the life of a young Caribbean boy named Ziggy. Set in the Virgin Islands, the book offers a slice-of-life view that feels both familiar and fresh.

Ziggy on the Rock by C.M. Rohan | #BookReview

The Book Review Illustrated by Sophia Foster | Children’s Book | Caribbean Culture A Bright Day in the Caribbean C.M. Rohan’s A Day on the Rock is a short and cheerful children’s book that captures a full day in the life of a young Caribbean boy named…

Danica Panica and the First Day of School by Kevin Miller | #BookReview Starting a new school is a big deal, even for the bravest kids. In Danica Panica and the First Day of School, Kevin Miller introduces readers to Danica, a lovable, relatable heroine facing one of the most nerve-wracking experiences a child can have: a new school year in an entirely new school. Danica is smart, kind, and a little anxious.

Danica Panica and the First Day of School by Kevin Miller | #BookReview

Starting a new school is a big deal, even for the bravest kids. In Danica Panica and the First Day of School, Kevin Miller introduces readers to Danica, a lovable, relatable heroine facing one of the most nerve-wracking…

Occam’s Dream by Lauren Jane Barnett | #BookReview The Book Review Lauren Jane Barnett’s Occam’s Dream is a compact and thought-provoking novel that blends science fiction with psychology in a way that feels both fresh and emotionally grounded. It’s a short book, with just over 150 pages, but don’t let that fool you... There’s a lot going on beneath the cover. At its heart, this is a story about memory, perception, and the blurry space between truth and love.

Occam’s Dream by Lauren Jane Barnett | #BookReview

The Book Review Lauren Jane Barnett’s Occam’s Dream is a compact and thought-provoking novel that blends science fiction with psychology in a way that feels both fresh and emotionally grounded. It’s a short book, with just over 150 pages, but…

In Ora: The Land of the Superior by Sotto Voce | #BookReview The Book Review In Ora: The Land of the Superior is a captivating mix of speculative fiction, science fiction, and dystopia that will make you think deeply about ethics, humanity, and sacrifice. As someone who’s just beginning to dip my toes into sci-fi, I found this book to be an eye-opening and fun reading session. I wanted to binge it, but man has it been a busy summer and I've been tired!

In Ora: The Land of the Superior by Sotto Voce | #BookReview

The Book Review In Ora: The Land of the Superior is a captivating mix of speculative fiction, science fiction, and dystopia that will make you think deeply about ethics, humanity, and sacrifice. As someone who’s just beginning to dip my…

The Plain Little Unicorn by Jessica D. Adams | #BookReview In The Plain Little Unicorn, Jessica D. Adams, with charming illustrations by her daughter Janelle M. Adams, introduces a unicorn who missed the colouring machine at the factory. Left plain white except for her bright blue eyes, she is quickly dubbed “The Plain Little Unicorn.” She worries that no one will ever want to take her home, and for a moment, it feels like being different is a disadvantage.

The Plain Little Unicorn by Jessica D. Adams | #BookReview

In The Plain Little Unicorn, Jessica D. Adams, with charming illustrations by her daughter Janelle M. Adams, introduces a unicorn who missed the colouring machine at the factory. Left plain white except for her bright blue eyes, she is…

Trembles of the Heart by Frankie Sutton | #BookReview The Book Review If you enjoy romance novels that feel like a warm hug, Trembles of the Heart by Frankie Sutton is a lovely choice. This sweet story blends love, personal challenges, and emotional honesty in a way that’s easy to connect with. It’s a gentle read that offers comfort, especially for those stepping into the new adult genre or looking for something heartfelt and uplifting.

Trembles of the Heart by Frankie Sutton | #BookReview

The Book Review If you enjoy romance novels that feel like a warm hug, Trembles of the Heart by Frankie Sutton is a lovely choice. This sweet story blends love, personal challenges, and emotional honesty in a way that’s easy to connect with.…

Barbara Ann Scott: Queen of the Ice by Ryan Stevens | #BookReview The Book Review A graceful look at Canada’s first Olympic skating champion Barbara Ann Scott: Queen of the Ice by Ryan Stevens is the kind of biography that feels like a warm blanket on a cold day (why am I obsessed with this metaphor... Oh, I'm wearing a heated blanket when I write my reviews...). It’s thoughtful, well-researched, and full of admiration for a woman who helped shape Canadian sports history.

Barbara Ann Scott: Queen of the Ice by Ryan Stevens | #BookReview

The Book Review A graceful look at Canada’s first Olympic skating champion Barbara Ann Scott: Queen of the Ice by Ryan Stevens is the kind of biography that feels like a warm blanket on a cold day (why am I obsessed with this…