Please Note:  I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

Beatrix Greene has made a name for herself in Victorian England as a reputable spiritual medium, but she’s a fraud: even she knows ghosts aren’t real. But when she’s offered a lucrative job by James Walker—a scientist notorious for discrediting pretenders like her—Beatrix takes the risk of a lifetime. If her séance at the infamously haunted Ashbury Manor fools him, she will finally have true financial freedom. If she fails, her secret will become her public shame.

But James has his own dark secrets, and he believes only a true medium can put them to rest. When Beatrix’s séance awakens her real gift—and with it, a vengeful spirit—James finds that the answers he seeks are more dangerous than he could have imagined. Together, with a group of supernatural sleuths, Beatrix and James race to settle the ghost’s unrest before it strikes— or else they might not make it out of the haunted manor alive.

New York Times bestselling author Rachel Hawkins, along with Ash Parsons and Vicky Alvear Shecter, weaves darkness, death, and a hint of desire into this suspenseful mystery for fans of Sherlock Holmes and Crimson Peak.

Review:

Autumn is that time of year where a good, spooky story is welcome.  The Haunting of Beatrix Greene, by Rachel Hawkins, Ash Parsons, and Vicky Alvear Shecter, has a lot of fun horror elements:  ghosts, murder, and a mystery.   Even though I expected these things, the story got sidetracked by plot holes, and an improbable romance.  This was a fun horror story, but it could have been even better without the cheesy melodrama.

What I Liked:

Premise:

Women in Victorian England don't have many options to make a living, so Beatrix Greene makes the most of her theatrical background to work as a Medium.  But she knows she's a fraud.  When a wealthy skeptic offers her and her friend a large sum of money to conduct a seance, she can hardly say no.  She is all set to fake it, but then she makes contact with REAL spirits!  I loved this premise so much.  It gave the reader a sense of how difficult life was for women, but also turned the tables on the "Medium".  This was really fun.

Mystery:

The seance sets the stage for the central mystery of the book:  why did James's mother kill his brother, and then kill herself?  Why would she do it?  It became an infamous murder in the universe of the novel.  And why was his father so violent?  The house seems to be, itself, a character.  All is revealed when the seance begins and Beatrix becomes possessed by the spirit of James's mother.

Characters:

Besides Beatrix, who is a strong, independent woman (especially for Victorian England), there are several wonderful supporting characters, such as Amanda (an American photographer), and Harry, her friend and assistant.  I thought they brought some normalcy to a strange situation.  Amanda especially represents new opportunities for women, as another female with a career.  And Harry is just a wonderfully supportive friend.

What I Was Mixed About:

Plot Holes:

At the beginning of visiting Ashbury Manor, James invites Beatrix, Harry, Amanda, and a Dr. Doyle, for the seance.  Dr. Doyle is, of course, the name of the creator of Sherlock Holmes.  As tantalizing as this is, this goes nowhere.  He literally is gone in the next scene.

There is also a friend of James, a fellow aristocrat named Stanhope, who crashes the gathering.  He later becomes important in the story, but it's never explained how he knows so much information about Ashbury Manor, and the family curse.

Romance:

The time is set in Victorian England.  Yet, Beatrix and James get very familiar, very quickly.  I know that Beatrix is supposed to be more modern and independent, but this would have been scandalous in those times.  Given the difficultly Beatrix has supporting herself, would she have risked being branded a loose woman?  Even as a Medium, no one would have wanted to associate with a wanton woman.  And I just didn't think the romance was believable.

Rating: 

Release Date:  October 28th, 2020

Authors:  Rachel Hawkins, Ash Parsons,  & Vivky Alvear Shecter

Publisher:  Serial Box

Genre:  Gothic Horror

Page Length:  198 Pages

Source:  NetGalley

Format:  E-Book

Recommendation:  While it was entertaining and fun for Halloween, I would grab it from the library. 

Please Note:  I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley and the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

Call Ava romantic, but she thinks love should be found in the real world, not on apps that filter men by height, job, or astrological sign. She believes in feelings, not algorithms. So after a recent breakup and dating app debacle, she decides to put love on hold and escapes to a remote writers' retreat in coastal Italy. She's determined to finish writing the novel she's been fantasizing about, even though it means leaving her close-knit group of friends and her precious dog, Harold, behind.

At the retreat, she's not allowed to use her real name or reveal any personal information. When the neighboring martial arts retreat is canceled and a few of its attendees join their small writing community, Ava, now going by "Aria," meets "Dutch," a man who seems too good to be true. The two embark on a baggage-free, whirlwind love affair, cliff-jumping into gem-colored Mediterranean waters and exploring the splendor of the Italian coast. Things seem to be perfect for Aria and Dutch.

But then their real identities--Ava and Matt--must return to London. As their fantasy starts to fade, they discover just how different their personal worlds are. From food choices to annoying habits to sauna etiquette . . . are they compatible in anything? And then there's the prickly situation with Matt's ex-girlfriend, who isn't too eager to let him go. As one mishap follows another, it seems while they love each other, they just can't love each other's lives. Can they reconcile their differences to find one life together?  

Review:

When I want to read a fun, upbeat romance, Sophie Kinsella has become one of my go-to authors.  Love Your Life, her latest novel, is about what it takes to make a relationship work.  After a whirlwind holiday romance, Ava and Matt must figure out how to continue their relationship.  This book has romance, hilarious situations, and an endearing group of characters.  It would be a wonderful read while you're cooped up in your home.

What I Liked:

Romance:

At first, I didn't quite buy how quickly Ava and Matt hook up during a writing retreat in Italy.  While the romance was idyllic, I was put off a bit by how quickly the couple declared their undying love for each other.  But, this is the set up for the rest of the book.  How can they really be in love when they hardly know each other?  

But, as they learn to navigate each other like they were visiting exotic countries, they find out if they can really love each other.  I think this is a major thing for most couples to figure out.  Can sexual chemistry be the only thing to sustain a couple?  How much do you need to have in common?

Hilarious Situations:

As Ava tries to learn more about Matt, she must entered the mine-field that is his family, his unusual roommates, and an array of exes.  This leads to many really fun situations.  Ever the optimist, Ava tries to find the best in each situation.  This can't be easy as his mother is still enamored with perfect Genevieve, the Instagram-ready ex who has ingratiated herself into Matt's family.  I really loved the Harriet's House convention where Ava finally comes to understand just how much Matt's family business has become a cultural phenomenon.  And Ava's meet up with Matt's aunt (in a sauna) has got to be one of the funniest things I've read in a while.

Friends:

Both Ava and Matt have friends that are a big part of their lives. Ava's friends are supportive and fill the gap where Ava's parents should be.  There's Maud, who is always asking for a favor, Sarika, who is addicted to dating apps, and Nell, who is strong, but does need help with managing her chronic illness.  They are loud, funny, and opinionated.  Matt's friends seem to be exact opposites of Ava's besties.  Topher is a tech guru who is obsessed with robots, and the internet, and Nahil, who, besides being very kind, doesn't like people.  Matt and his roommate's flat is a total man-cave, complete with strange art and a color scheme that could best be described as modern gothic.  I loved how Ava and Matt learns to appreciate each group, and each group interacts with the other.

Rating: 

Release Date:  October 27th, 2020

Author:  Sophie Kinsella

Publisher:  Dial Press

Genre:  Contemporary Fiction

Page Length:  432 Pages

Source:  NetGalley

Format:  E-Book

Recommendation: A fun, romantic book that would be a perfect escape from all our current issues.

Welcome to my reading update!  I'm going to post this on a few blog hops such as Stacking The Shelves run by Team Tynga's Reviews, and Sunday Post, run by Kimberly at Caffeinated Book Reviewer and a new Facebook group I've joined called The Sunday Salon

Seeing what other are reading (and finding a novel that everyone's talking about) is the reason I love looking at blog hop posts.  Please feel free to drop me a line and tell me what you're reading.

I've been trying to do more posts on my blog, so I'm posting a quick reading update for this week,  Books have been such a comfort these past few months.  Television is too filled up with political ads (the same three commercials for propositions in California are on repeat every few minutes), and most social media has been quite toxic.  So books are my happy place.  But aren't they always?

What I'm Reading Now:

What I Finished This Week:

New Books On My Shelves:

There are a lot of wonderful books here.  But I am most excited about Over The Woodward Wall by A. Deborah Baker (a.k.a Seanan McGuire).  I absolutely love her writing.  It is so full of contrasts, usually with hopeful young people facing a dark world.  I am thrilled to buy this book and support this author.

That's it for this week.  Have a fun, pumpkin-filled run up to Halloween!  

via GIPHY

Please Note:  I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

Mad Max: Fury Road meets Frozen in this striking YA fantasy about a rig driver’s journey to save her friend
 
Twice-orphaned Sylvi has chipped out a niche for herself on Layce, an island cursed by eternal winter. Alone in her truck, she takes comfort in two things: the solitude of the roads and the favor of Winter, an icy spirit who has protected her since she was a child.
            Sylvi likes the road, where no one asks who her parents were or what she thinks of the rebels in the north. But when her best friend, Lenore, runs off with the rebels, Sylvi must make a haul too late in the season for a smuggler she wouldn’t normally work with, the infamous Mars Dresden. Alongside his team—Hyla, a giant warrior woman and Kyn, a boy with skin like stone—Sylvi will do whatever it takes to save her friend.
            But when the time comes, she’ll have to choose: safety, anonymity, and the favor of Winter—or the future of the island that she calls home.  

Review:

When one reads the synopsis for Winter, White and Wicked, by Shannon Dittemore, you think, "Mad Max crossed with Frozen?"  But that is really the most apt description for this wonderfully strange mix of YA Dystopian and Fantasy.  In the scariest version of a road trip ever, Sylvi, the driver of a monster hauling vehicle, must drive a group of rebels across the frozen mountain pass, dodging monsters, impossible road conditions, and attacks by locals, all the while as she has Winter whispering truths (or is it lies?) about herself and her companions into her ears.  This was a really unusual, and entertaining book.

What I Liked:

Setting:

This novel is set in a snowy, dystopian landscape filled with monsters (many of which are human), terrible road conditions, and characters filled with secrets.  The area where Sylvi lives is in the control of The Majority, an oppressive regime who controls all the resources and keep people addicted to Kol, in order to manipulate them.  The region is in a perpetual winter.  But winter isn't just a season, it's a character in itself.  And she uses all her powers to manipulate and control Silvi.  But why...?

Characters:

Sylvi is a survivor.  She leaves a very abusive parent and is taken in by Lenore and her father.  She finally feels safe.  But when Lenore's father dies, and Lenore leaves to join the Rebels, her world (once again) is turned upside-down.  And she will do anything to regain that sense of security.  As the story progresses, you learn why she feels this way (trigger warning for sexual abuse).  In a world filled with people who want to use her, I don't blame her for her choices.

I loved Sylvi's companions on her road trip to find Lenore.  There is Hyla, a strong soldier who takes duty seriously.  I loved how she teaches all the characters about ethics, and sacrifice, while also kindness.  Mars Dresden, the rebel leader, is charasmatic, and persuasive.  But Sylvi can tell he's hiding something.  He wants Silvi to become a true believer in the rebel cause.  And he is trying, with all his might, to turn Sylvi against Winter.

Winter is an actual character.  She has befriended Sylvi and protected her when no one else has.  This created a strong bond between Sylvi and Winter.  If Sylvi betrays Winter, will she be all alone?  Will she be in danger?  

Road Trip:

I love a good road trip book.  But this is the road trip from Hell!  There are monsters, scary locals, and the ever-present thaw that could make driving the roads impossible.  Plus, as her "cargo" are rebels, they are on the run from military patrols who will kill them.  Everywhere they turn, someone wants them dead.  I loved how Silvi uses everything The Dragon has to keep the group going toward the rebel camp.  It was very Mcgyver as Sylvi pieces together spare parts in new ways to drive, fight, and fix machines.

TRIGGER WARNING FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT!

Rating: 

Release Date:  October 13th, 2020

Author:  Shannon Dittemore

Genre:  YA Dystopian Fantasy

Publisher:  Harry N. Abrams

Page Length:  384 Pages

Source:  NetGalley

Format:  E-Book

Recommendation:  A satisfying YA Dystopian story.  This is a world that is scary but has characters you will invest in.

Please Note:  I received an advance copy of this book from Edelweiss and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

Cerys is safe in the kingdom of Aloriya.

Here there are no droughts, disease, or famine, and peace is everlasting. It has been this way for hundreds of years, since the first king made a bargain with the Lady who ruled the forest that borders the kingdom. But as Aloriya prospered, the woods grew dark, cursed, and forbidden. Cerys knows this all too well: when she was young, she barely escaped as the woods killed her friends and her mother. Now Cerys carries a small bit of the curse—the magic—in her blood, a reminder of the day she lost everything. The most danger she faces now, as a gardener’s daughter, is the annoying fox who stalks the royal gardens and won’t leave her alone.

As a new queen is crowned, however, things long hidden in the woods descend on the kingdom itself. Cerys is forced on the run, her only companions the small fox from the garden, a strange and powerful bear, and the magic in her veins. It’s up to her to find the legendary Lady of the Wilds and beg for a way to save her home. But the road is darker and more dangerous than she knows, and as secrets from the past are uncovered amid the teeth and roots of the forest, it’s going to take everything she has just to survive.  

Review:

Among The Beasts & Briars, the latest book from author Ashley Poston, is a major departure from her other works.  Best known for her Geekerella series, fans may be concerned.  How can a writer of YA Rom-Com possibly succeed at YA Fantasy?  I'll tell you how:  LIKE A BOSS!   

via GIPHY

This book is set in a memorable world, full of relatable characters, adventure,  with imaginative takes on fairy-tales, and a swoony romance.  It's got it all.

What I Liked:

World-Building:

The story begins is an idyllic kingdom where preparations are underway for the coronation of a new queen.  Everyone is happy, and full of hope for a continuation of the prosperous times of the previous monarch.  We learn that the late king has created all this good fortune due to his access to a magic crown.  But...  How did he get the crown, and at what cost?

Here, we are treated to a world of magic, cursed forests, and mythical cities.  There are creatures that come straight out of nightmares, alongside forest animals who may also have some unusual abilities.  All of this makes for an exciting setting for our character's adventures.

Characters:

When there is a "Chosen One" situation in Fantasy books, I get a little bored by the said savior automatically getting amazing fighting skills or the strategic planning worthy of a five-star general.  Here, Cerys is a character full of survivor's guilt and extremely low self-esteem.  This is her main journey, to feel worthy of everyone's trust.  I really felt this made Cerys very real and relatable.

Another person on the quest (I can't say their name as it is a spoiler), must also overcome guilt.  Given the trauma he has had in the past, it's no wonder.  But, because of this, he is easily swayed to believe that he is a coward.  He must get over this if he is to be of any help to Cerys.

Adventure:

I love a good Quest.  As Cerys runs for her life into the cursed forest, she must find a lost city to save her friends, family, and kingdom (No Pressure!).  I almost got the sense of The Wizard of Oz with this element of the story.  Cerys meets scary creatures, and other, more helpful beings along the way.  But can they find this place?  An what awaits them, once they get there?

There was also a strong flavoring of Beauty and The Beast in this story.  Some creatures are possessed by others, some are enchanted.  But can Cerys break whatever spell they are under?  And do these beings want her to break the spell? 

Romance:

There are a few swoon-worthy romances in this book.  The two main characters have so many of the same issues, and plenty of chemistry.  You just are rooting for them almost immediately.  There are other romances late in the book that are really fun and have a big payoff.  This made the whole book joyous, and fun.

Rating: 

Release Date:  October 20th, 2020 

Author:  Ashley Poston

Publisher:  Balzer + Bray

Genre:  YA Fantasy

Page Length:  352 Pages

Source:  Edelweiss

Format:  E-Book

Recommendation:  A fun YA Fantasy with plenty of imagination and adventure.   Well worth your time to read.

Please Note:  I received an advance copy of this Audiobook from Listening Library in exchange for an honest review.  This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

From New York Times bestselling authors Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff comes an Illuminae prequel digital novella that gives readers a hair-raising glimpse into the calamity that befell the invincible AI system known as AIDAN–and the daring young programmer who would risk her life to keep it from crashing.

AIDAN is the AI you’ll love to hate.

The advanced AI system was supposed to protect a fleet of survivors who’d escaped the deadly attack on Kerenza IV. AIDAN was supposed to be infallible. But in the chaotic weeks and months that followed, it became clear that something was terribly, terribly wrong with AIDAN…

Review:

This novella, by one of my favorite writing duos, Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff, is a VERY short story, coming in at a listening total of just over ninety minutes.  But, it quickly packs a powerful punch.  But be warned, true to their signature style, the authors created a story that will rip your heart to shreds.

via GIPHY

What I Liked:

Narration: 

This novella may be short, but it keeps the strong production values of the other books in the series.  There is a full cast, with sound effects, and music, all of which bring this story to life.  I particularly liked the voice of AIDAN, the computer who is developing a sense of self.  Lincoln Hoppe does a masterful job of making AIDAN both child-like and disturbing.

Story:

This short story is a terrific introduction to the Illuminae book series.  I shows the origins of one of the main conflict in the series.   AIDAN, the AI that runs the Kerenza spaceship is developing a sense of self.  But, due to the damage he sustains in the attack (that occurs in this book),  his decision making skills are flawed.  Or are his actions self-preservation?  

This story works for fans of the series as well, as we get more backstory on the members of the crew of the Kerenza, and an achingly beautiful love story to boot.  I LOVED Ethan and Liv.  But, knowing how these author roll, I knew their story was headed for...  I'm not going to spoil it!  But have your tissues ready.

via GIPHY

Rating: 

Release Date:  October 20th, 2020

Authors: Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff

Genre:  Science Fiction

Audiobook Publisher:  Listening Library

Audiobook Length:  93 Minutes

Narrators:   

Olivia Klein, read by India Dupré
Ethan Wolf, read by James Fouhey
AIDAN, read by Lincoln Hoppe
Stephanie LeFevre, read by Emma Bering
Ezra Mason, read by Johnathan McClain
Narrator, read by Ryan Gesell
 
Featuring additional performances by Danny Campbell, Frankie Corzo, Chris Cuilla, Deepti Gupta, John Lee, Sarah Mollo-Christensen, Donabella Mortel, Austin Rising, Erin Spencer, and Nancy Wu.

Print Publisher:  Knopf

Page Length:  84 Pages

Source:  Publisher

Format:  Audiobook

Recommendation:  A must read for fans of The Illuminae series, and a great introduction to this series if you haven't read it. 

Welcome to my reading update!  I'm going to post this on a few blog hops such as Stacking The Shelves run by Team Tynga's Reviews, and Sunday Post, run by Kimberly at Caffeinated Book Reviewer 

Seeing what other are reading (and finding a novel that everyone's talking about) is the reason I love looking at blog hop posts.  Please feel free to drop me a line and tell me what you're reading.

It's been a long time since I've posted a reading update!  During these strange times, I've been doing tons of reading, but blogging has not been as joyful.  But I do want to share some of the wonderful books I've read recently.

What I'm Reading Now:

I like to read about three books at a time, Love Your Life is an ARC from one of my favorite authors, Sophie Kinsella, A Witch in Time, by Constance Sayers, is for my book club, as is The Vanishing Half, by Brit Bennett.  I'm enjoying all three, but Love Your Life is a nice light read, so is a perfect distraction from all the drama going on in the U.S.

What I Finished This Week:

These are a few of the books I've bought or received in the last week.  I'm most excited to read The Invisible Life of Addie Larue, by V.E. Schwab.  

That's it for this week.   

 

Please start looking at your ballots and VOTE!!!

Please note:  I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

Thea Hope longs to be an alchemist out of the shadow of her famous mother. The two of them are close to creating the legendary Philosopher’s Stone—whose properties include immortality and can turn any metal into gold—but just when the promise of the Stone’s riches is in their grasp, Thea’s mother destroys the Stone in a sudden fit of violent madness.

While combing through her mother’s notes, Thea learns that there’s a curse on the Stone that causes anyone who tries to make it to lose their sanity. With the threat of the French Revolution looming, Thea is sent to Oxford for her safety, to live with the father who doesn’t know she exists.

But in Oxford, there are alchemists after the Stone who don’t believe Thea’s warning about the curse—instead, they’ll stop at nothing to steal Thea’s knowledge of how to create the Stone. But Thea can only run for so long, and soon she will have to choose: create the Stone and sacrifice her sanity, or let the people she loves die.

Review:

When I read the premise of A Golden Fury, by Samantha Cohoe, I wasn't sure of what to expect. This was a wild ride.  I just wish more attention was given to some of the historical details.  But that didn't deter from the fun.   Full of excitement, surprises, and a main character who knows she alone must decide her path, this book was highly entertaining. 

What I Liked:

Characters:

I really liked Thea.  She was a strong personality who knew her worth.  But even as she dreams of fame and fortune, she is aware that making the Philosopher’s Stone comes at a terrible price.  I loved that she didn't let her yearning for a family cloud her judgement.  And oh so many people tried to emotionally blackmail Thea.  It was painful that Thea didn't have anyone really rooting for her.  All the other characters were more concerned with using Thea's expertise for their own ends.  I was glad that she could see that.

Thea's mother would not be winning any awards for mother of the year.  She was a mix of a fiercely protective parent, and a selfish manipulator.  I actually liked that she was so complex. Most of us are.  She was totally focused on creating the Philosopher’s Stone.  And she wasn't shy about using her patrons.  When she shuts out Thea from the work, she thinks it's to keep the glory of the achievement for herself.  Actually, she was trying to protect Thea.  It was kind of heartbreaking that Thea couldn't see that.

Dominic was her father's assistant.  He wanted to be a doctor and was actually not interested in Alchemy.  Yet, he helped Thea to create the Stone.  He was a truly helpful person in a world full of people out for themselves.  He was also the most moral person in the story.  His Catholic faith is one of the things that guides his choices.  I found that quite refreshing.

Story:

The race to create the Philosopher’s Stone was full of surprises.  Thea and her mother were so close to creating it that several people worked to jump in and steal their knowledge.  I think the author used this as a statement on the moral gymnastic scientists sometimes must perform to justify what they would do to advance their work.  Is it right to use people (or animals) to test new scientific findings?  Is it justifiable if there is a major breakthrough in science?   Most of the characters would say yes, while Thea and Dominic would have said a resounding NO!

Ending:

I also loved the ending.  Unlike many YA fantasy books, this was a STAND ALONE book!!!  I really appreciated this.  As much as I like book series, I am tired of waiting YEARS to know how a story is resolved.  Thank you, Samantha Cohoe!

What I Was Mixed About:

Historical Details:

As this was an historical fantasy novel, I was looking forward to all the details of late 1700's Europe.  I'm no expert, but there were several details that rang false with me.  In one scene, Thea quickly put on (and later took off) an elaborate French gown.  These were so complicated to wear that Thea would have needed a ladies maid (or two) to get into the dress.  Yes, it's a small detail, but to me it mattered.

Also, in Oxford, Thea hit her head hard and almost passed out.  Dominic worried that Thea had a concussion.  This was supposed to take place around the year 1800.  No young student would have known what a concussion was.  A quick internet search showed me that concussions were not widely identified until the 1860's. 

Yes, I am being picky, but these details can be what makes the reader transported to that time and place.

Rating: 

Release Date: October 13th, 2020

Author:  Samantha Cohoe

Publisher:  Wednesday Books

Genre:  YA Historical Fantasy

Page Length:  320 Pages

Source:  NetGalley

Format:  E-Book

Recommendation:  A rare stand alone YA Book.  Full of surprises, if a little weak on historical details, this was still very fun to read. 

Please Note:  I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

Trapped in the middle of five siblings, Everly Lancaster always had big dreams. Now a top real-estate executive, Everly finds her work is her life, leaving no space for anything (or anyone) else. Sensing her stress, Everly's boss insists she take December off. At first, a month away seems crazy--how will the company survive without her? But Everly's mother convinces her otherwise. She deserves a vacation--plus, when she returns, she'll have no excuse to skip family Christmas like she did last year.

But after her vengeful assistant books a guided cruise in the Amazon instead of the luxury beach vacation she expected, Everly is horrified to realize that she's about to spend the next two weeks trapped--with no Wi-Fi!--in the rain forest. Not even Asher Adams, the ship's charming naturalist, can convince Everly that the trip will be unforgettable. Slowly but surely, she realizes he is right: the sights are spectacular. And with each passing day, Everly's relationship with Asher deepens, forcing her to take a long, hard look at her priorities.

Everly and Asher begin to see magic in the possibility of a life together. But as the cruise nears its end, and Everly's family Christmas approaches, both must decide if love is worth the risk. A merry surprise may be in store in Debbie Macomber's newest holiday delight.  

Review:

I haven't read any novels by Debbie Macomber.  I often see the very approachable covers and they look really fun.  So I was really surprised when I read Jingle All The Way, her newest book.  While it does have a sweet romance, it was not at all realistic.  There were also many characters who were two-dimensional, plus there were some extremely racist situations that make this a book I cannot recommend. 

What I Mixed About:

Romance:

It was refreshing to read a romance novel where the characters don't immediately jump into bed together.  I liked that Everly and Asher took the time to get to know each other before they got physical.  I found this very sweet.

However, I thought it was totally unrealistic that they would have such strong feelings for each other after only two weeks on a boat.  They start putting roadblocks in the way of their romance before it really gets going, speaking about how could they go on when they live in such different worlds.  Wouldn't most people just enjoy their limited time and wistfully think about what might have been.  But that wouldn't fit with the romance formula.

What I Didn't Like:

Premise:

I thought the premise, an overworked executive is forced to take a vacation, expecting to go on a luxury cruise when, in fact, she goes on a eco-tour of the Amazon, to be really forced.  It also pushed the narrative that women who have successful careers are really unhappy, and would be more content if they just found a nice guy.  I found this to be truly offensive.

Two-Dimensional Characters:

The characters are not very developed.  There are Everly's sisters, who married young and already have several children.  They are completely content, have no worries, and are not stressed in any way.  Stay-at-home moms have just as much stress as working mothers, it's just that their stresses are different. 

Everly's mother only seems to exist to happily cook for her large family.  She works hard to ensure everyone is happy.  That's fine, but doesn't she have any other interests?  That can't be all there is to this woman.

The other passengers on the cruise are also barely developed.  They all are described as happy retired couples who go on adventure travel experiences with no issues.  No couples bicker or annoy each other.  No people on the ship exhibit any negative traits.  As much as I enjoy traveling, it's not all sunshine and happy people.

Stereotypes:

My biggest issue with this book is that there are some really racist moments during the Amazon adventure portion of the book.  One of the excursions during the cruise is a trip inland to visit an indigenous tribe.  I'm sure this is a thing, but there was no mention of the ethics involved in this.  Things go from bad to worse (in my opinion) when Everly and one of the guides gets lost in the rain forest.  There, they are confronted by a different indigenous group (wielding spears) and the tour guide is tied to a tree.  When this "misunderstanding" is resolved, Everly tries to shake the hand of the "warrior", whereupon they say she has just indicated she wants to marry him.  Really? This is so disrespectful and disappointing that such stereotypes are still being used today.

Rating: 

Release Date:  October 13, 2020

Author:  Debbie Macomber

Publisher:  Ballantine

Genre:  Women's Fiction

Page Length:  272 Pages

Source:  NetGalley

Format: E-Book

Recommendation:  I really hope her other books are better than this two-dimensional and offensive book.  I cannot recommend this novel.

Please Note:  I received an advance copy of this novel from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

Eli isn’t just a teenage girl — she’s a made-thing the witches created to hunt down ghosts in the human world. Trained to kill with her seven magical blades, Eli is a flawless machine, a deadly assassin. But when an assignment goes wrong, Eli starts to question everything she was taught about both worlds, the Coven, and her tyrannical witch-mother.

Worried that she’ll be unmade for her mistake, Eli gets caught up with a group of human and witch renegades, and is given the most difficult and dangerous task in the worlds: capture the Heart of the Coven. With the help of two humans, one motorcycle, and a girl who smells like the sea, Eli is going to get answers — and earn her freedom.

Review:

I didn't really know what to expect from the description of this book.  But I found the idea of a teen assassin intriguing.  After reading the book, I feel as though I experienced the most exciting vision.  This has a dreamlike quality that reminded me of movies like Pan's Labyrinth in both style and horror.  Add to this a wonderful, non-binary character, and other diverse representation, and you get an imaginative book that was highly entertaining.

What I Liked:

World-building:

Eli travels between two world: The City of Eyes (the world of witches), and The City of Ghosts (Earth).  While the City of Ghosts is mostly like our contemporary world, it also has ghosts.  The City of Eyes is the world of witches, labyrinths, and terrifying creatures.  As most of the action takes place in The City of Eyes, this is the world that is presented most vividly.

I loved the way time and space are not linear in this world.  Eli can be talking to her witch mother in one moment, and then playing hide and seek in The Children's Lair.  It's a place where young witches learn games of trickery and cruelty, waiting for the day they will be admitted to the Coven. 

There are so many unusual places, and creatures that it felt like a nightmarish version of Alice in Wonderland.

Characters:

Eli is such a wonderful character.  While she is strong, she is also vulnerable.  She is constantly worrying if she will be unmade if she makes a mistake. She's actually like a child who worries that her parents' love is conditional on their being who their parents want them to be.  Can she ever be her own person?

Tav is a non-binary human who Eli meets on earth.  For some reason, Tav is able to see ghosts, and maybe even use magic.  This is the first reason Eli is drawn to Tav.  But, Tav is even more complicated than having unusual abilities. They are kind, and have strong friendships and loyalties with others.  Eli yearns for these things too.

Cam is Tav's very likable friend.  I love that this is a fully developed character who is given an interesting story line.  As we get to know Cam, we see a kind and loyal friend who's optimism is much needed.  He's the one in the group who keeps their spirits up, and never gives in to dispair.

Story:

The book is a coming of age story, at least to begin with.  Eli has a lot to prove to her witch mother as she tries to find her place in the City of Eyes.  She is an assassin.  But, when something goes wrong with an assignment, Eli begins to question why she is tasked with killing these ghosts on Earth?

This is where the novel shifts to more of a heist story.  Someone wants the Heart of the Coven.  What is that, and what do they intend to do with it if they get it?  Eli needs to determine each person's motivation and what side she will take.

Diversity:

This book is important because it presents non-binary representation as a normal variation on the human experience.  This is not a book about someone coming to terms with their gender identity.  Tav's gender identity is a given.  I loved this.  Tav is a tough, loyal person who deserves an adventure story!  And this book gives them that, plus an electrifying romance.

Rating:

Release Date:  October 6th, 2020

Author:  Adan Jerreat-Poole 

Publisher:  Dundurn

Genre:  YA Fantasy

Page Length:  320 Pages

Source:  NetGalley

Format:  E-book

Recommendation:  This author is an exciting new voice in YA fantasy.  I highly recommend this book.