Things Characters Have Said | TTT | Top Ten Tuesday | 3/4/25

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together. Please check out her website for more TTT topics!

This week’s topic is:

Things Characters Have Said

(Maybe a character said something really profound or romantic or hilarious or heartbreaking. You could share witty one-liners, mic-drop moments, snippets of funny dialogue between multiple characters, catchphrases, quotes that have become a part of pop culture–like “May the odds be ever in your favor.”, etc.)

Okay everyone…in honor of Rebel Witch by. Kristen Ciccarelli and all the yummy goodness of Rune and Gideon’s love story, let’s showcase some quotes I loved from that book!

“Could you miss the place where everyone wanted you dead?”
– Rebel Witch by. Kristen Ciccarelli

“You are a knife in my heart.”
– Rebel Witch by. Kristen Ciccarelli

“Love is the real enemy of the regime, and that why you despise it.”
– Rebel Witch by. Kristen Ciccarelli

“You can’t put her back together. Only she can do that.”
– Rebel Witch by. Kristen Ciccarelli

“Who else can show them the way if not a witch and a witch hunter, fighting side by side?”
– Rebel Witch by. Kristen Ciccarelli

“You get the world you’re willing to fight for.”
– Rebel Witch by. Kristen Ciccarelli

“It was a world where enemies could be not just allies, but lovers and friends, and most of all, equals. It was a world where no one needed to hide who they really were.”
– Rebel Witch by. Kristen Ciccarelli

“Sometimes our paths must diverge from those we love. But if love is the highest power, our paths will converge again-if not in this world, then the next.”
– Rebel Witch by. Kristen Ciccarelli

“I’m going to miss the sound of your heart.”
– Rebel Witch by. Kristen Ciccarelli

“It’s time to make a new world, Rune. Are you ready?”
– Rebel Witch by. Kristen Ciccarelli

What’s on your TTT?

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A Novel Love Story by. Ashley Poston | Book Review

Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Title: A Novel Love Story

Author: Ashley Poston

Format: ebook (borrowed)

Pages: 384

Publication Date: 6/25/24

Categories: Contemporary, Romance, Magical Realism

A professor of literature finds herself caught up in a work of fiction… literally.

Eileen Merriweather loves to get lost in a good happily-ever-after. The fictional kind, anyway. Because at least imaginary men don’t leave you at the altar. She feels safe in a book. At home. Which might be why she’s so set on going to her annual book club retreat this year—she needs good friends, cheap wine, and grand romantic gestures—no matter what.

But when her car unexpectedly breaks down on the way, she finds herself stranded in a quaint town that feels like it’s right out of a novel…

Because it is.

This place can’t be real, and yet… she’s here, in Eloraton, the town of her favorite romance series, where the candy store’s honey taffy is always sweet, the local bar’s burgers are always a little burnt, and rain always comes in the afternoon. It feels like home. It’s perfect—and perfectly frozen, trapped in the late author’s last unfinished story.

Elsy is sure that’s why she must be here: to help bring the town to its storybook ending.

Except there is a character in Eloraton that she can’t place—a grumpy bookstore owner with mint-green eyes, an irritatingly sexy mouth and impeccable taste in novels. And he does not want her finishing this book.

Which is a problem because Elsy is beginning to think the town’s happily-ever-after might just be intertwined with her own.

Content Warning: grief, being cheated on

Imagine getting lost in a book – literally? The only other book I’ve read from this author was The Dead Romantics and I loved it. This was a bit different and here are my thoughts:

Likes:

I thought the concept of literally “getting lost in a book” was clever and wanted to see how it would play out. I did have some questions, but I had to suspend my reality a bit, to make my brain understand what was happening. I did love all the characters Elsy got to meet in Eloraton.
Elsy puts on a front, but she’s hurting inside from some life events that left her unmoored. I really love her relationship with her best-friend Pru, even if Elsy wasn’t in a good place yet, you could tell their love for one another was special.
I liked the second half of the book more than the first half. I felt more connected to Elsy when she started facing her emotions and that’s when I also felt her connection to Anders come more alive. There were so many parts at the ending that hit me in the feels because of Elsy’s journey and Anders’ one too.

Dislikes:

This was kind of hard for me to get into and I think it’s because of Elsy, who didn’t really stand out to me, personality wise. Also I was trying to figure out the magical town she stumbled into. I thought it was cool that it was from her favorite author but I had questions!
I also thought Elsy and Anders didn’t have much chemistry until later into the book.
Certain descriptions about characters don’t usually bother me unless it’s repeated over and over and apparently Anders tastes and smells like black tea.

My Final Thoughts:

When I got to half way of the book, I can’t say I was loving it. I thought it was just okay but then something happens when Elsy is faced with leaving Anders and Eloraton behind. She has to make some hard choices to face her fears about moving on from the past and also watching people around her moving on in their lives. And that’s when I connected to the book, because that’s relatable. Overall, I did enjoy it for what it was and adore the concept of literally getting lost inside a book!

Quotes from the Book:

“Because even after the people were gone, there were still stories. There were always stories.”
– A Novel Love Story by. Ashley Poston

“It wasn’t the end that mattered, but every word leading up to it.”
– A Novel Love Story by. Ashley Poston

“So who could blame me for singing into books, where I knew the people weren’t real, but they also never disappointed me? I knew everything would work out in the end. I knew happy endings were destined, ever afters fated, and no matter what trials and tribulations and, well, surprise fuckups happened, things would end up okay.”
– A Novel Love Story by. Ashley Poston

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Book Links:

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Other Books by This Author:

The Dead Romantics by. Ashley Poston | Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Things We Never Got Over by. Lucy Score | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Title: Things We Never Got Over (Knockemout, #1)

Author: Lucy Score

Format: ebooks (KU)

Pages: 570

Publication Date: 1/13/22

Categories: Romance, Adult Fiction, Women’s Fiction, Contemporary

Bearded, bad-boy barber Knox prefers to live his life the way he takes his coffee: Alone. Unless you count his basset hound, Waylon. Knox doesn’t tolerate drama, even when it comes in the form of a stranded runaway bride.

Naomi wasn’t just running away from her wedding. She was riding to the rescue of her estranged twin to Knockemout, Virginia, a rough-around-the-edges town where disputes are settled the old-fashioned way…with fists and beer. Usually in that order.

Too bad for Naomi her evil twin hasn’t changed at all. After helping herself to Naomi’s car and cash, Tina leaves her with something unexpected. The niece Naomi didn’t know she had. Now she’s stuck in town with no car, no job, no plan, and no home with an 11-year-old going on thirty to take care of.

There’s a reason Knox doesn’t do complications or high-maintenance women, especially not the romantic ones. But since Naomi’s life imploded right in front of him, the least he can do is help her out of her jam. And just as soon as she stops getting into new trouble he can leave her alone and get back to his peaceful, solitary life.

At least, that’s the plan until the trouble turns to real danger.

Content Warning: abuse, single parent, parental abandonment

I decided to read my first Lucy Score book because I kept seeing it on Kindle Unlimited and I can see why it’s very popular. Here’s what I like and didn’t like:

+ So many tropes are in this story – grumpy guy/sunshine girl, small town romance, fake dating and then some. I thought Naomi and Knox had good chemistry, and they had lots of hot times in and out of bed 🔥

+ I did like Naomi’s story about coming to help her twin and ended up taking care of her 11 year old niece, Waylay. Naomi makes the best of things and tries her best to be the best guardian to her niece.

+ I love all the characters from Naomi’s best friend, the new people she meets, and her parents. And on the other end, Knox’s family and friends were fun to get to know also! I’m looking forward to reading Lucian and Sloane’s story.

+ I like the messages about messy relationships and how to let go of fears. Knox fears relationships and Naomi can’t survive without her lists. Naomi was used to taking care of everyone and never putting herself first.

~ My biggest issue about this story is the length of it. It’s way too long! And I was enjoying it so much and thought okay it’s ending soon and we get the happy ending and yet it kept going on. I almost didn’t want to pick it up the next day because I pretty much knew what would happen. I did read it to find out what happens to Tina though. But this would have been perfect if it ended before 400 pages.

~ Did the fake dating have to happen in the middle of the story? I thought it was funny when Naomi’s parents found them but that was halfway into the story – I don’t think it was needed at all. It’s like Knox and Naomi didn’t have enough challenges to deal with in their relationship already. And Knox breaking up with her like that? Like no dude. Get outta here.

Why you should read it:

if you love romance tropes you will love this one – it’s filled with it
Love the characters
A fun, sexy and sweet at times love story between Naomi and Knox
Some emotional moments

Why you might not want to read it:

This was way too long and that was my biggest issue. I almost didn’t finish the book even though I was enjoying it.

My Thoughts:

This seems like a light read at first between a very grumpy dude and miss sunshine but it gets more complicated because of Tina. But the situation teaches Naomi how take care for her 11 year old niece and herself. She has to basically start from scratch in a new town. I love that she has a wonderful support group in her parents and her bestie Stef. I loved all the characters I met in the book. The romance is cute – even though Knox is a bit of an alpha male, it’s hot at times between them and a bit bumpy in the end but things work out as they should. My biggest issue and it was a big issue – was the length of this book. I almost didn’t finish it even though I considered it a funny, cute, romance story and it was emotional too…but there was a point I was like, do I have to keep reading? I am eager to read Lucian and Sloane’s story – I just hope it’s shorter.

📚 ~ Yolanda

Quotes From the Book

You get to decide how you show up in this world. No one else gets to dictate to you who you are…”
Lucy Score, Things We Never Got Over

Because sometimes people don’t know how to ask for what they really need. You needed a hug.”
Lucy Score, Things We Never Got Over

You know what they say about fine. Fucked up. Insecure. Neurotic. And emotional…”
Lucy Score, Things We Never Got Over

So is setting an example for your niece about how she doesn’t need to turn herself inside out to be loved. How she doesn’t need to set herself on fire to keep someone else warm. Demanding to have your own needs met isn’t problematic—it’s heroic, and kids are watching. They’re always watching. If you set an example that tells her the only way she’s worthy of love is by giving everyone everything, she’ll internalize that message.”
Lucy Score, Things We Never Got Over

There’s a difference between taking care of someone because you love them and taking care of someone because you want them to love you…”
Lucy Score, Things We Never Got Over

Dark and Shallow Lies by. Ginny Myers Sain | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Title: Dark and Shallow Lies

Author: Ginny Myers Sain

Format: eBook (own)

Pages: 432

Publication Date: 8/31/21

Publisher: Razorbill

Categories: Paranormal, Thriller, Suspense, Mystery, Romance, Young Adult

A teen girl disappears from her small town deep in the bayou, where magic festers beneath the surface of the swamp like water rot, in this chilling debut supernatural thriller for fans of Natasha Preston, Karen McManus, and Rory Power.

La Cachette, Louisiana, is the worst place to be if you have something to hide.

This tiny town, where seventeen-year-old Grey spends her summers, is the self-proclaimed Psychic Capital of the World–and the place where Elora Pellerin, Grey’s best friend, disappeared six months earlier.

Grey can’t believe that Elora vanished into thin air any more than she can believe that nobody in a town full of psychics knows what happened. But as she digs into the night that Elora went missing, she begins to realize that everybody in town is hiding something–her grandmother Honey; her childhood crush Hart; and even her late mother, whose secrets continue to call to Grey from beyond the grave.

When a mysterious stranger emerges from the bayou–a stormy-eyed boy with links to Elora and the town’s bloody history–Grey realizes that La Cachette’s past is far more present and dangerous than she’d ever understood. Suddenly, she doesn’t know who she can trust. In a town where secrets lurk just below the surface, and where a murderer is on the loose, nobody can be presumed innocent–and La Cachette’s dark and shallow lies may just rip the town apart.

Content Warning: Death, Abuse, Murder

My favorite thing about this book is the setting of La Cachette, a very small town in Louisiana filled with people who have different psychic powers. I love seeing the cultures that thrive in Louisiana, from Creole to Cajun and everything else in the mix. The author immerses us in the language, food and the way of life in La Cachette. One year ten babies were born, they were known as the Summer Children. All of them, except Grey, it seems, has some powers whether it’s hearing spirits, or being an empath. But there are dark secrets in this murky town and it’s a race to uncovering them with a storm bearing down on them. When Grey’s best friend, and twin flame, Elora is lost and most likely dead, Grey needs closure to find out what happens but she uncovers a lot more than she was expecting.

The tone of this book never loses its mysteriousness. I was immersed in the humidity and dark waters of La Cachette! I could only imagine living in a place where I’m running barefoot in the mud, and the humidity is nasty along with the mosquito bites. I already live on a tropical island and I thank God when there are trade winds blowing! But the setting is perfect for a story like this. I found the people with psychic abilities fascinating and once again, the setting of Louisiana is the prime place for a story like this.

I had my suspicions of who could have killed Elora, and what one of the secrets could be and I was right. The secrets revealed are pretty shocking and uncomfortable – ooo those small town secrets! I thought it was funny how no matter how creepy the scenes are Grey kept going outside at night! lol…like what is she thinking?! I get she felt safe in her small town but with the rougarou (werewolf) stories and that Dempsey Fontenot creepy song and urban legend about him – I’d be freaking out going out in the dark, especially with gators around and snakes, plus maybe a killer on the loose.

It seems like not a lot happens in the story though. Grey is trying to find out what happens to her best friend but the weeks go by with her not finding out much at all. You would think a town full of psychics and such would be helpful, even Grey’s powers as they manifest would have been helpful if she could understand it. But they don’t help a lick except for keeping town secrets apparently.

Why you should read it:

fantastic setting and atmosphere – felt like I was in La Cachette, Louisiana being eating up by mosquitos l
the psychic abilities by most of the town was fascinating
you like little towns with dark, dark secrets – creepy

Why you might not want to read it:

there is a lull in the middle of the story
some uncomfortable topics, dark read

My Thoughts:

I absolutely enjoyed the setting in this one: Louisiana mud, rivers, getting around on boats, dark nights, fireflies, muddy feet and mosquitos, humidity, psychics, and a hurricane. As for the characters, most of them were interesting but not a lot happens in the middle of the story, fortunately the story does end with a bang. For the most part I enjoyed this one and I hope to read more from this author.

📚 ~ Yolanda

Quotes From the Book

It may not be what you were expecting, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t what you need.”
Ginny Myers Sain – “Dark and Shallow Waters”

Knowing is hard…but it’s a thing you can survive. The not knowing will kill you in the end. It’s the secrets that fester.”
Ginny Myers Sain – “Dark and Shallow Waters”

It hits me hard how every single one of us – everyone in the whole wide world – is walking around with missing pieces.”
Ginny Myers Sain – “Dark and Shallow Waters”