Tag: book review

Posted in Clean & Gentle Reads

Where Do I Go?

Posted on by Vikki Lynn Sorensen

By Neta Jackson

There are some books that pull you in slowly, while others grab hold of you from the very first page. This one landed somewhere in the middle for me. Honestly, at first, I wasn’t even sure I wanted to finish it. But by the end, I was incredibly glad that I did.

Rating

☕☕☕☕☕

First Impressions

I’m always searching for stories with strong female characters—women who feel real and relatable. So when this book popped up in my BookBub email as a freebie, I decided to take a chance on it.

After reading the synopsis, I felt sure I was going to love it before I even turned the first page. At the same time, I’m usually hesitant when it comes to book series. If I don’t connect with the first book, there’s still an entire unfinished story waiting in the remaining books, and that can feel overwhelming.

Still, something about this series made me immediately purchase the rest of the books before I had even finished the first one. Looking back now, I’m so glad I trusted that instinct.

What the Story Is About

(Spoiler Free)

Gabriela “Gabby” Fairfield has just moved to Chicago with her husband, who is determined to get his business off the ground. Living in a luxurious high-rise overlooking the city, Gabby’s life appears polished and comfortable from the outside.

But everything begins to shift after she encounters a homeless woman while walking along the lakeshore.

That single moment starts unraveling parts of Gabby’s life she can no longer ignore. As she begins hearing the call of God more clearly, she finds herself questioning everything—her marriage, her identity, her comfort, and the life she thought she wanted. The deeper she leans into that calling, the more she wonders what it may ultimately cost her.

What I Loved

This was not a cozy read for me. In many ways, it was the opposite.

Gabby’s relationship with her husband stirred up difficult memories from my own marriage. The emotional tension, the feeling of constantly trying to keep everything together while quietly falling apart inside—it all felt painfully familiar.

To me, that speaks to Neta Jackson’s gift as a writer. She captures the emotional exhaustion of a life slowly spinning out of control with honesty and depth. Gabby is a woman with so much to lose, and you can feel the crushing weight of trying to hold every piece of her world together.

What impacted me most, though, was the spiritual layer woven throughout the story. This book beautifully explores how God breaks down the walls we build around ourselves—the walls of comfort, control, and safety. Once He begins calling us into something deeper, those barriers start crumbling whether we’re ready or not.

At first, I worried the story would feel predictable. In some ways, it did follow familiar emotional beats. But emotionally, it surprised me more than once.

By the end of the book, I found myself crying not only for Gabby, but honestly, for myself too. It reminded me of seasons in my own life where God used painful circumstances to strip away my comfort and teach me to rely fully on Him.

The supporting characters also felt incredibly authentic. None of them came across as flat or overly polished. They were messy, emotional, sincere, and deeply human.

This is one of those stories that lingers long after you finish the final chapter.

The Cozy Vibes Check ☕📚

Read this one with a calming cup of chamomile tea. Trust me—you’re going to want both the warmth and the calm.

Keep a Bible nearby as well. Neta Jackson clearly knows Scripture deeply, and it naturally flows throughout the story without ever feeling forced.

This also feels like the kind of book that calls for:

  • your favorite chair
  • an emotional support blanket
  • a box of tissues
  • and a little quiet time afterward to process everything you just read

Would I Recommend It?

Absolutely.

I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy:

  • clean Christian fiction
  • emotionally layered stories
  • strong character development
  • faith-centered journeys
  • stories about healing, identity, and spiritual growth

Content Notes

If you have experienced emotional or verbal abuse within a relationship, parts of this story may feel triggering. At the same time, I believe it is a deeply worthwhile read because of the hope, healing, and spiritual truth woven throughout the story.

Final Thoughts

Overall, this is the kind of book that stays with you.

Gabby became the kind of character I wanted to reach through the pages and sit beside. In many ways, I understood her heartbreak, confusion, and unraveling far more than I expected to.

This story handles pain, faith, and transformation with emotional honesty, and I’m genuinely looking forward to continuing the rest of the series.

Favorite Quote

“Come to me.” — God to Gabby

Posted in Dystopian & Fantasy

Remember

Posted on by Vikki Lynn Sorensen

By Cheyenne Cleveland

Rating: ☕☕☕☕☕

🍂 Quick Snapshot

This is a dystopian novel with cinematic scenery, Christian themes, and characters with emotional depth. This is perfect for fans of the Hunger Games books or the Divergent series. 

📚 Story Overview (No Spoilers)

Remember by Cheyenne Cleveland is a 2026 young adult dystopian science fiction novel about Reyna, the last person on Earth capable of dreaming after a devastating war erased humanity’s ability to dream. Living under the oppressive rule of the United Regime, her dreams reveal hidden truths about the world’s forgotten past. When the government discovers her secret, Reyna must fight to survive and uncover the truth before it is lost forever. 

💛 What I Loved

  • Dystopian setting
  • Christian themes
  • Emotional impact
  • Complex characters
  • Elegant writing style 
  • Exceptional storytelling voice 

🌿 Clean Reading Notes

This section helps your readers instantly know what to expect.

  • Content Warnings: Some violence

🌙 Cozy Vibes Check: 3/10

This isn’t a cozy read in the traditional sense; it’s more tense, immersive, and emotionally intense. The dystopian setting, high stakes, and oppressive world-building keep the atmosphere heavy and gripping rather than soft or comforting.

That said, there are cozy-adjacent elements in the emotional depth, reflective moments, and underlying themes of hope and faith that give it warmth beneath the tension. It’s more “curl up and get completely absorbed” than “soft blanket and tea comfort read.”

☕ Would I Recommend It?

Yes 

And who would love it:

  • Fans of Hunger Games and Divergent
  • Readers who like stories that feel like they’re unfolding on screen 
  • People looking for dystopian stories without heavy violence

🏆 Final Rating Explained

☕☕☕☕☕ Golden Mug Status

Remember is a beautifully written dystopian novel that combines suspense, emotion, and vivid storytelling into a story that feels both haunting and hopeful. Alongside its gripping world-building, the novel also carries a strong sense of Christian faith, adding depth, hope, and meaning to Reyna’s journey. If you enjoy thought-provoking young adult fiction with cinematic writing and faith-centered themes, this is definitely a book worth adding to your reading list. 

Posted in Bookshelf Favorites

Best Cozy Mystery Books for Beginners

Posted on by Vikki Lynn Sorensen

I love a good mystery. I love a good ghost story. And even more, I love when the two come together and create a cozy paranormal mystery.

My favorite books in this genre are the ones where both the ghosts and the victims have complex stories to tell. My job as the reader is simple: I grab a blanket, pour a warm drink, settle in, and let their worlds unfold.

Here are some of my top favorites—clean reads that are perfect for beginners just starting to dip their toes into cozy and paranormal mystery waters.

1. The Aurora Teagarden Series – Charlaine Harris

I would generally hesitate to recommend anything by Charlaine Harris because of the graphic nature of her Sookie Stackhouse series. However, my sister recommended this series to me years ago, and I ended up really enjoying the mysteries.

These stories lean more character-driven than violent, and the backstories are genuinely well written. Across the series, you also get solid character growth that keeps things engaging.

Unpopular opinion: I didn’t NOT enjoy the Aurora Teagarden adaptations done by Hallmark. That said, while these books may feel primed for television, I do think some stories are better left on the page where imagination does the work.

2. The Ghost Hunter Series – Angie Fox

If you’re just starting out in paranormal cozy mysteries, this series is a great place to begin.

The character growth stands out, and the stories are genuinely enjoyable—some stronger than others, if I’m being honest. Still, the characters alone are what kept me coming back again and again. I’m currently on my second reread, which says a lot.

The ghost stories themselves are also genuinely fun. The spirits have personalities and ongoing storylines, which creates great worldbuilding and makes the series feel connected from book to book.

3. Anything by Agatha Christie

I would be remiss not to include Agatha Christie on this list.

Small disclaimer – I’ve only read one of her books, And Then There Were None, but I could not put it down once I started. She absolutely earns her reputation as the queen of mystery. While my reading experience is limited so far, I’ve also watched many adaptations on BritBox.

At some point, I fully intend to sit down, have a come-to-Jesus moment with myself, and finally work my way through more of her books.

4. The Tradd Street Series – Karen White

I enjoyed the early books in this series quite a bit. The ghost stories are excellent, and the mysteries twist and turn in satisfying ways before finally resolving. The atmosphere really stands out, and I initially liked the characters as well.

However, a few books in, the character development started to fall flat for me. If that matters less to you and you’re mainly here for the hauntings and mystery, then this series is still well worth reading. But if strong character development is a priority, you might walk away a little disappointed.

Side note: I’ve thoroughly enjoyed Karen White’s standalone novels. They are very well done and worth picking up.

And maybe that’s why I love cozy and paranormal mysteries so much. Beneath the ghosts, the clues, and the old houses with too many secrets, these stories are almost always about people – about grief, history, healing, love, and the things we leave behind.

They remind us that every place has a story, every person carries one, and sometimes even the dead still have something left to say.

So if you’re looking for mysteries that feel atmospheric without being overwhelming, haunting without being terrifying, and comforting enough to read curled up under a blanket on a rainy afternoon, these books are a wonderful place to begin.

Just don’t blame me when one book turns into an entire obsession.

Posted in Bookshelf Favorites

Books Keeping Me Company Lately

Posted on by Vikki Lynn Sorensen

There’s something comforting about finding stories that feel like coming home. Lately, I’ve been leaning into cozy mysteries, small-town settings, gentle suspense, and books that let me slow down for a little while. Some of these I listened to while crocheting or working on jewelry designs, and others became the perfect companion for quiet evenings with coffee and a blanket nearby.

If your reading taste leans toward cozy, clean, atmospheric, and comforting with just enough mystery to keep the pages turning, these books might find a place on your nightstand too.

Cozy Mysteries I Can’t Stop Reading

The Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries series by Angie Fox completely pulled me in lately. These books have the perfect mix of humor, paranormal mystery, quirky characters, and cozy Southern charm.

Recent Favorites from the Series

  • Secrets, Lies and Fireflies
  • Death at the Drive-In
  • Dread and Buried
  • Give Up the Ghost
  • The Haunted Homecoming

These books feel like curling up with a Hallmark mystery movie… if the town happened to come with ghosts and hilarious supernatural chaos. They’re light enough to relax with but still keep me turning pages long past bedtime.

Small-Town Comfort Reads

Sometimes I don’t want high drama or emotionally exhausting stories. I want charming towns, layered characters, and the kind of books that feel warm and familiar.

Books That Gave Me That Feeling

  • The Sunshine Potluck Society by Lilly Mirren
  • The Inn at Rose Harbor by Debbie Macomber
  • The House at Magpie Cove by Kennedy Kerr

These are the kinds of stories I love listening to while crafting. They’re calming without being boring, emotional without becoming heavy, and full of the kind of cozy atmosphere I always seem to crave.

Mystery Reads with Atmospheric Vibes

I’ve also been enjoying mysteries that feel a little moodier and more layered.

Recently Read

  • Telling Tales
  • The Crow Trap

Both by Ann Cleeves.

These books have such a strong sense of place. I love mysteries where the setting almost becomes its own character, and these definitely delivered that for me.

I also recently read:

  • You’d Be Home Now
  • The Cut

Both had a very different feel from my usual cozy reads, but sometimes stepping outside my comfort zone reminds me why I love reading in the first place. Every book leaves something behind, even the unexpected ones.

Why Cozy Reading Matters to Me

Reading has become part of the rhythm of my everyday life. Some people unwind with television. I unwind with stories, yarn, embroidery floss, coffee, and audiobooks playing softly in the background.

Books help me slow down.

They help me reconnect creatively.

And honestly, they make ordinary evenings feel a little more magical.

That’s what I hope this space becomes here at Clean Reads & Cozy Sips — a cozy corner for readers who love comforting stories, meaningful characters, peaceful routines, and the quiet joy of getting lost in a good book.

Posted in Cozy Ghost Stories

Southern Spirits

Posted on by Vikki Lynn Sorensen

by Angie Fox

☕ Rating: ☕☕☕☕ Warm Favorite

🌿 Clean Content Level: 🌸 Cozy Romance (closed-door, light language, paranormal themes)

🍂 Quick Cozy Snapshot

A fun, fast-paced paranormal cozy mystery set in the South with ghosts, sass, and plenty of charm. This is the kind of book that feels like a ghost story told with humor instead of fear—equal parts spooky and entertaining with a strong, determined heroine at the center.

📚 Story Overview (No Spoilers)

Verity Long is a young woman whose life takes an unexpected turn when she discovers she can communicate with the dead. What should have been a shocking and unsettling revelation quickly becomes something she has to navigate as part of her everyday reality.

Things get even more complicated when Verity accidentally traps the ghost of Frankie, a former gangster, on her property. Frankie is not your typical friendly spirit—he’s loud, opinionated, and very much used to getting his way, even in death.

As Verity tries to understand her new abilities and the strange supernatural world she’s been pulled into, she finds herself reluctantly partnered with Frankie. Together, they become an unlikely duo as they uncover secrets, solve mysteries, and deal with the chaos that comes from mixing the living with the very persistent dead.

What unfolds is a blend of mystery, humor, and paranormal intrigue, all wrapped in a Southern setting full of personality and charm.

💛 What I Loved

  • The playful tone mixed with genuine ghostly mystery
  • A strong, relatable main character thrown into the deep end
  • The Southern setting that feels atmospheric without being heavy
  • The balance of humor and suspense
  • The ghost interactions that add personality instead of just scares
  • The pacing that keeps you turning pages

🌿 Clean Reading Notes

  • Language: Mild
  • Romance: Light, closed-door
  • Content Warnings: Ghosts, supernatural themes, mild peril
  • Overall Clean Level: 🌸 Cozy Romance

🍂 Cozy Vibes Check

  • ☕ Southern charm
  • 👻 Ghosts with personality
  • 🏡 Old estate mystery
  • 🌙 Paranormal cozy atmosphere
  • 😂 Humor woven into suspense
  • 📖 Light romance subplot

⭐ Final Thoughts

This is the kind of book you read when you want something fun, cozy, and a little bit spooky without it ever feeling too heavy. It doesn’t try to be overly serious—it leans into its quirky charm, and that’s exactly what makes it enjoyable.

It feels like sitting on a porch swing at night listening to a ghost story that somehow makes you laugh instead of hide under a blanket.

☕ Would I Recommend It?

Yes

Perfect for readers who enjoy:

  • Paranormal cozy mysteries
  • Lighthearted ghost stories
  • Strong female leads
  • Southern settings with personality
  • Books that feel fun rather than frightening

🏆 Final Rating Explained

☕☕☕☕ Warm Favorite

This earned its rating because it’s entertaining, cozy, and easy to get lost in. It’s not meant to be deeply serious—it’s meant to be a fun escape with ghosts, humor, and Southern charm, and it absolutely delivers on that promise.