Sunday Post 112022 | Is Thanksgiving Really This Thursday?

The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly or for a monthly wrap up. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme

Thanksgiving is Thursday here in the US. It seems impossible that it’s here already. We cleaned up my oldest daughter’s room this weekend because she’s coming home for the whole week. And, my youngest daughter is already here, so we will have a full house for the holiday – which makes me very happy! Next is Christmas which has me a bit stressed, though I have started the gift buying!

So, that was my week – how was yours?

Okay, confession time – I tend to be naturally passive aggressive. I try to curb my instincts but sometimes they get the better of me. So, keep that in mind as you read what follows.

I used to be one of the many people who Berkley routinely denied. They even sent me a very ugly email early in my blogging experience about buying followers (which I have never done). So, naturally I stopped requesting their books. But NetGalley kept sending me emails for Berkley books – like all the time. Recently, I thought, “Well, I have no pending requests, so I’m going to barrage Berkley with requests,” and every time NetGalley would send me one of those emails, I would request the book. And low and behold, they actually approved a request and that’s the book below. Luckily, I didn’t request anything I wouldn’t be interested in reading – that could have really backfired. 😂 I don’t know if this is a change in their perspective or if my stats look good to them now, but apparently Berkley Romance (I’m not sure about their thriller department) is not an automatic denial for me anymore.

February , 2023
Two restaurant critics learn their opposing tastes might make for a five-star relationship in the next foodie romantic comedy from the author of Sadie on a Plate. By day, Julie Zimmerman works as an executive assistant. After hours, she’s @JulieZeeEatsNYC, a social media restaurant reviewer with over fifty thousand followers. As much as she loves her self-employed side gig, what Julie really wants is to be a critic at a major newspaper, like the New York Scroll. The only thing worse than the Scroll’s rejection of her application is the fact that smarmy, social-media-averse society boy Bennett Richard Macalester Wright snagged her dream job. While at the Central Park Food Festival, Julie confronts the annoyingly handsome Bennett about his outdated opinions on social media and posts the resulting video footage. Julie’s follower count soars—and so does the Scroll’s. Julie and Bennett grudgingly agree to partner up for a few reviews to further their buzz. Online buzz, obviously. Over tapas, burgers, and more, Julie and Bennett connect over their shared love of food. But when the competitive fire between them turns extra spicy, they’ll have to decide how much heat their relationship can take.

We watched some light fare this week with the next movie in the Enchanted family. Disenchanted has its funny bits and bobs plus of course a great message. Not surprising or over the top good but fine for some weekend fun.

  • Monday (November 14, 2022) Book ReviewMurder at Black Oaks by Phillip Margolin (Murder Mystery)
  • Tuesday (November 15, 2022) Book Review – Wayward by Chuck Wendig (hopefully) (Post-Apocalyptic Science Fiction)
  • Wednesday (November 16, 2022) WWW Wednesday
  • Thursday (November 17, 2022) Book Review -The Locked Attic by BP Walter (Psychological Thriller)
  • Friday (November 18, 2022) Book Blogger Hop
  • Monday (November 15, 2022) Book ReviewThe Locked Attic by BP Walter (Psychological Thriller)
  • Tuesday (November 15, 2022) Book Review – The Last Party by Clair Mackintosh (crime thriller/police procedural)
  • Wednesday (November 16, 2022) WWW Wednesday
  • Thursday (November 17, 2022) Thanksgiving!!!
  • Friday (November 18, 2022) Book Blogger Hop (maybe)

45 responses to “Sunday Post 112022 | Is Thanksgiving Really This Thursday?”

  1. Kelly Avatar

    Wishing you a happy Thanksgiving in advance!

    1. Lady Tessa Avatar

      Thank you!

  2. Dini @ dinipandareads Avatar

    I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving with the family! 😊 Congrats on getting a book from Berkley, lol, and I hope you enjoy the book!

    1. Lady Tessa Avatar

      That would be something if I hated it, huh? 😂😂😂

  3. nickimags @ Secret Library Book Blog Avatar

    NetGalley approvals can be so fickle.I did read somewhere that if you keep your profile up to date they’re more likely to approve you. I always go in every month and update it and it seems to work! Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

    1. Lady Tessa Avatar

      At first, yeah I didn’t know all that about putting stats and updating but now I have it all in there -updating frequently-and I find a consistency for the most part in approvals. Berkley is well known in the US for denying requests though. As of right now, Berkley wants to see 5000 or more followers on IG or TikTok with a combination of photos, reels, and video and lots of conversation, etc…. Back when I first tried, they weren’t that specific, though.

      1. nickimags @ Secret Library Book Blog Avatar

        Wow they don’t want much do they! Makes me feel exhausted just thinking about it! 😂

        1. Lady Tessa Avatar

          Exactly!

  4. shelleyrae @ Book'd Out Avatar

    I hope you have a great Thanksgiving week with your daughters. I’m happy to have mine home too.

    Wishing you a great reading week

    1. Lady Tessa Avatar

      It’s so great, isn’t it? It feels like all is right with the world.

  5. Mae Clair Avatar

    That’s interesting about Berkley. I’m glad they finally saw the light and approved one of your requests.

    Looking forward to your review of The Locked Attic. The title alone has me intrigued!

    1. Lady Tessa Avatar

      The review will be out tomorrow. 😊

      1. Mae Clair Avatar

        Yay! I look forward to it!

  6. writerravenclaw Avatar

    I hope you had a great thanksgiving with your family. I like the look of Disenchanted, perfect for this time of year.

    1. Lady Tessa Avatar

      It really is!

  7. WendyW Avatar
    WendyW

    Happy Thanksgiving! We just dropped our son off in Montana and are driving home, so no full house for us at Thanksgiving. Have a great week, Tessa

    1. Lady Tessa Avatar

      It’s a shame he couldn’t wait a few days, but, oh, well – as long as he enjoys what he’s doing, that’s the most important thing.

  8. Mareli Thalwitzer Avatar

    Tessa!!! Aaaah I miss you! I haven’t been around as much as I should and could have been, so I feel I’m missing out on what you guys are still posting.

    I can’t say anything about Netgalley, I don’t request enough and I usually just expect that I won’t be approved! LOL!! I always stand amazed if I actually get approved.

    Have a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend with your family!

    Elza Reads

    1. Lady Tessa Avatar

      I was just thinking about you recently and wondered how you were doing! You know, librarians often have a pretty easy time on NetGalley but I probably shouldn’t tempt you, should I?

  9. BonnieReadsAndWrites Avatar

    My nemesis is Harper Audio. They turn me down every time. I have 459 reviews and my percentage is 86% . I even manage to get approved by Berkley and Tor, which seems to be hard for some reviewers, and you just mentioned Berkley above. But Harper Audio says “Nah!” every time. I looked at their approval preferences and they are blank. If anyone knows what Harper Audio is looking for, let me know.

    1. Lady Tessa Avatar

      I’m not sure with audio but I might be able to find out 🤔

      1. BonnieReadsAndWrites Avatar

        If you do let me know.

        1. Lady Tessa Avatar

          I will!

          1. BonnieReadsAndWrites Avatar

            I got an answer to the Harper Audio question. Apparently they usually only approve librarians and deny everyone else. That clears that up!

          2. Lady Tessa Avatar

            Aaahhh. Now that’s not unusual. Librarians get easy access to ARCs, where the rest of us don’t.

  10. stargazer Avatar

    Happy Thanksgiving! How wonderful that both of your daughters are at home. Sounds like a strange experience with Berkley. I couldn’t help laughing at your decision to request all their books! 😆 I hope it’s a good one, which you finally got.

    1. Lady Tessa Avatar

      I hope so too! That would be horrible if I hated it, wouldn’t it? 😂

  11. Terrie Purkey Avatar
    Terrie Purkey

    Whether I get approved or not by a specific publisher at Netgalley seems very random. I don’t get anything for a while then all of a sudden I’ll get approved for a couple. I just keep trying for the books I’m interested in. I’ve rarely received one by a “popular” author…..but I’ll keep trying. Have a Happy Thanksgiving week – and enjoy the family!
    Terrie @ Bookshelf Journeys
    https://www.bookshelfjourneys.com/post/sunday-post-25

    1. Lady Tessa Avatar

      It’s gotten to be pretty consistent for me and I’ve learned a lot by doing Instagram on top of my blog. Now anytime I request a book through a publisher I haven’t reviewed for before, I feel like it’s pretty much a crap shoot if I’ll get approved or not. But the ones I have, consistently accept my requests.

  12. CJRTB Books Avatar

    They accused you of buying followers? How rude! I’d be livid!!

    1. Lady Tessa Avatar

      I didn’t even know what that was or it was possible until that email. I was very angry, especially since I work very hard within the parameters of what’s acceptable by each platform’s standards. I would like to think that the person who sent the email was in a bad mood that day, but still, it left a lasting impression.

      1. CJRTB Books Avatar

        That’s so bad! I think I would’ve complained!

  13. D. Wallace Peach Avatar

    Happy Thanksgiving, Tessa. It’s the perfect holiday for a full house. I hope you get a little time for reading, and congrats on getting a Berkley book. Thanks for the viewing recommendation too.

    1. Lady Tessa Avatar

      It really is the perfect holiday for a full house. My heart is full ❤️

      1. D. Wallace Peach Avatar

        I hope that stays a tradition in your family even as the girls grow and have families of their own. I have wonderful memories of overcrowded Thanksgivings. <3

  14. Teri Polen Avatar

    Accused you of buying followers? That’s crazy! Harper Collins usually declines my requests immediately, but I’ve been approved for a couple over the last few months. Probably some kind of fluke. Enjoy your girls this week, Tessa!

    1. Lady Tessa Avatar

      It was so crazy! I didn’t even know that I was a thing until I got that email. I’m still not sure it’s actually a thing on Twitter which was my only social media account at the time. Happy Thanksgiving!

  15. Books Teacup and Reviews Avatar

    I hope you have amazing thanksgiving week. I didn’t have any bad experience with any publisher. Worst is I don’t hear back from publishers which is normal. As PRH has been first sending me eARC, I automatically get from Berkley too and as I’m regular contemporary reader, so they regularly send me e-galleys.

    1. Lady Tessa Avatar

      You’re lucky then. So many people complain about Berkley. I’m surprised you haven’t seen it on social media.

      1. Books Teacup and Reviews Avatar

        Now I have to look it up. I don’t spent lots of time on twitter. If I have any complain it’s only that I get too many galleys that I find it hard to read them by publication date but that’s on me.

        1. Lady Tessa Avatar

          I’m with you there!

  16. hibernatorslibrary Avatar

    Happy Thanksgiving! It’s nice to have family for the holidays!

    1. Lady Tessa Avatar

      Happy Thanksgiving!

  17. Carla Avatar

    Have a wonderful holiday and enjoy the time with your children, Tessa. I always request from Berkley and sometimes I get approved, but more times than not, I get the wonderful declined email. I hope you enjoy this book. Happy Thanksgiving!

  18. Hooked By That Book Avatar

    Happy Thanksgiving. Netgalley is a bit up and down for me too. I always have a lot to read from them, so I’m not complaining, but it’s not always consistent. Just because you were approved for the first book by an author, doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get approved for the second one, and vice versa. It’s a bit confusing.

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