Book Review: All the Ice Cream in the Land by Emmy Kastner

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All the Ice Cream in the Land  by Emmy Kastner  is about a princess, the kingdom she lives in, and her loyal subjects. Full of twists and turns, children will surely delight in this story about ice cream. When I saw the title and cover art of this kid's book, it made me instantly think of my childhood and how I would've loved a book like this one. A huge shout out and thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for approving my request to read this book. I received a copy for free in exchange for my honest review. The storyline is very easy to follow, making it especially suitable for toddlers, preschoolers, and early readers, particularly children between the ages of two and six. Its straightforward narrative and clear structure make it an excellent choice for read-aloud sessions at home, bedtime stories, or classroom story time. While there is limited character development, which is typical for a picture book format, the princess is still an intere...
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Book Review: First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston

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Book Club Selection & Book Review of First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston

First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston follows Evie Porter, a woman with seemingly everything she could want, but there’s a shocking twist ... Evie Porter doesn’t exist. Her life is a carefully constructed identity. First comes the persona ... Evie Porter. Then comes the mark ... Ryan Sumner. Finally ... the job. Evie only knows her boss as Mr. Smith, and after a disastrous previous assignment, she can’t afford to fail with Ryan Sumner if she wants to leave this life behind and reclaim her real identity.

Ashley Elston delivers a fast-paced, suspenseful story that kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. First Lie Wins is full of twists, turns, and unpredictable moments that had me guessing throughout the book. While the story wraps up satisfyingly, the ending leaves room for a possible sequel, which I hope happens because I’m eager for more of Evie’s thrilling adventures.

One of the most enjoyable aspects of First Lie Wins is how it reminded me of the TV show Alias. Elston cleverly reveals only small pieces of Evie’s past at a time, gradually building a complete picture that ties the story together in a cinematic way. The narrative is so immersive that every time I had to pause reading and return to reality, it took me a moment to adjust; proof of how compelling and absorbing this book is.

I have nothing negative to say about First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston. I give it a full five out of five stars. I can’t wait to read more from this author and will definitely pick up her next book without even reading the synopsis.

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