The Basic Critic
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04/11/2026
The Last One at the Wedding by Jason Rekulak
BLURB: Estranged father attends daughter’s wedding to wealthy family, only to uncover sinister secrets behind the lavish celebration.
MY THOUGHTS: First off, I want to say I dislike basically every character in this story, aside from, like, two of them.
However, the story is a page-turner if you get past the complainer of a narrator. I see where the author was going, coming from a father’s perspective, but I think he made it more over-the-top than it should have been.
Some twists were good, some I didn’t see coming. There’s some tropes in this I wasn’t a fan of, and was grossed out by, but the plot kept getting good!
HOW I READ IT: physical 📕
RATING: 3.5 🌟
Have you picked this one up? Would you attend a wedding of an estranged family member?
04/02/2026
Theo of Golden by Allen Levi
BLURB: “A mysterious stranger named Theo arrives in Golden and begins buying portraits from a coffeehouse, returning them to their subjects while weaving stories and changing lives.”
MY THOUGHTS: The story of an old man from Portugal is not one that I thought would get me like it did. Allen Levi has a masterpiece on his hands as a debut novel, that is for sure!
The character growth within this story is touching, and seeing everyone lives through the lenses of a stranger, to a town and through the eyes of the character themselves, I just can’t put it into words, honestly.
Sprinkling in discussions of faith, life and how to treat others with love and kindness gave me hope for more stories like this to come into our bookish lives.
This is one I absolutely recommend! No matter where you are in your life’s journey, please think about picking this one up!
HOW I READ IT: physical book 📖
RATING: 5 🌟
03/28/2026
Am I about to get my heart ripped out reading this?
Probably, but at least I have my emotional support 7Brew with me.
☀️ How’s your weekend going?
CR: Theo of Golden by Allen Levi
CC (Current Coffee): Iced white mocha with strawberry and chocolate drizzle from
03/20/2026
We've lost a legend. RIP Chuck. Read more: https://trib.al/uSmC36F
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