Please Note:  I won an advance copy of this book from the publisher from a Goodreads giveaway.  This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

A scholarship girl from Brooklyn, Kate Moran thought she found a place among Smith’s Mayflower descendants, only to have her illusions dashed the summer after graduation. When charismatic alumna Betsy Rutherford delivers a rousing speech at the Smith College Club in April of 1917, looking for volunteers to help French civilians decimated by the German war machine, Kate is too busy earning her living to even think of taking up the call. But when her former best friend Emmeline Van Alden reaches out and begs her to take the place of a girl who had to drop out, Kate reluctantly agrees to join the new Smith College Relief Unit.

Four months later, Kate and seventeen other Smithies, including two trailblazing female doctors, set sail for France. The volunteers are armed with money, supplies, and good intentions—all of which immediately go astray. The chateau that was to be their headquarters is a half-burnt ruin. The villagers they meet are in desperate straits: women and children huddling in damp cellars, their crops destroyed and their wells poisoned. 

Despite constant shelling from the Germans, French bureaucracy, and the threat of being ousted by the British army, the Smith volunteers bring welcome aid—and hope—to the region. But can they survive their own differences? As they cope with the hardships and terrors of the war, Kate and her colleagues find themselves navigating old rivalries and new betrayals which threaten the very existence of the Unit.

With the Germans threatening to break through the lines, can the Smith Unit pull together and be truly a band of sisters?

Review:

With so many historical fiction books dealing with war, I've read novels with many different premises.  Most of these books take place in WWII. But the new novel, Band of Sisters, by Lauren Willig is set in WWI, and is based on a group of real-life super women:  The Smith College Relief Unit.  This was a group of Smith College alumni who went from New England over to France to work with the women and children affected by the still raging war.  They had no idea what they were getting themselves into.  This book shares all the incredible feats of these women, with amazing details, and characters who you will love.  This is historical fiction at its best.

What I Liked:

Premise:

This was an incredible story.  Twelve women actually paid to do volunteer work in the French countryside in 1917.  This was mere miles from where the fighting was still actively taking place.  Most of these volunteers were society women in their late twenties and early thirties.  They had already gone through college.  Now they were expected to settle down and get married.  If one was adventurous, this would have been an irresistible opportunity at at time when women had few options in life.  

The Smith Relief Unit had to learn a variety of tasks such as building machines, tending livestock, planting crops, and driving trucks.  There was no one to give instructions, they just had to figure it out!

Historical Details:

This book was well researched with each chapter beginning with letters based on the real correspondence between the volunteers and their families.  The book was rich in details from the clothing to the types of food that were available in wartime.  I loved how all the supplies were precious to the people.  They used everything without waste.

Story:

The story followed the real events of this group during the war.  I actually checked what actually occurred because the events in this book were harrowing.  The first part of the book chronicles the steep learning curve of the volunteers. They had to be resourceful and persistent to get anything accomplished.  As their work progressed, they became beloved by the French citizens. 

The book really got compelling when the Germans orchestrated a final push in France.  Of all the books I have read on war, this one had some of the scariest scenes of being under siege I have ever read.  And throughout all of this, the women of Smith College performed amazing acts of bravery that were thrilling to read.

Romance:

Often when there is a romance in a book about war, things can get sappy very quickly.  But the romance in this book was a slow burn, and believable.  There is no rush to jump into bed, even if their lives are in danger.  The two people get to know each other though conversation and letter writing.  It was really lovely.

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Release Date:  March 2nd, 2021

Author:  Lauren Willig

Genre:  Historical Fiction

Publisher:  William Morrow

Page Length:  528 Pages

Source:  Goodreads giveaway contest

Format:  Paperback ARC

Recommendation:  This historical fiction has it all:  amazing details, compelling characters, and an incredible story based on real events.  If you love historical fiction, this is a must read!

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

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

In tiny Merinac, Kansas, Chicken Mimi's and Chicken Frannie's have spent a century vying to serve up the best fried chicken in the state--and the legendary feud between their respective owners, the Moores and the Pogociellos, has lasted just as long. No one feels the impact more than thirty-five-year-old widow Amanda Moore, who grew up working for her mom at Mimi's before scandalously marrying Frank Pogociello and changing sides to work at Frannie's. Tired of being caught in the middle, Amanda sends an SOS to Food Wars, the reality TV restaurant competition that promises $100,000 to the winner. But in doing so, she launches both families out of the frying pan and directly into the fire. . .

The last thing Brooklyn-based organizational guru Mae Moore, Amanda's sister, wants is to go home to Kansas. But when her career implodes, Food Wars becomes her chance to step back into the limelight. Mae is certain she can make the fading Mimi's look good--even if that pits her against Amanda and Frannie's. With a greedy producer stoking the flames, their friendly rivalry quickly turns into a game of chicken. Yet when family secrets become public knowledge, the sisters must choose: Will they fight with each other, or for their heritage?

Review:

I first heard about this book from my book club.  Several people loved it.  So when I was offered an advance audiobook copy from Penguin Random House Audio, I was eager to listen to it.  The book had been described to me as hilarious, full of family shenanigans, and a cutthroat food competition.  However, I found nothing funny about this book.  This was a serious family saga, with the added element of how manipulative reality television can be.  I think I would have enjoyed this book more if the book had been marketed differently.  While the narration was excellent, I had a hard time empathizing with the main characters.  I do feel this is a well-written book, but it was hardly amusing.

What I Liked:

Narration:

The narrators, Xe Sands and Cassandra Campbell, did a wonderful job of portraying the two sisters, Mae, and Amanda.  Xe Sands has just the right voice for Mae, a  career-driven New York transplant.  Cassandra Campbell, shows just how naive Amanda was.  I particularly enjoyed how Campbell voiced the presenter of Food Wars, the cynical, two-faced Sabrina.  That character could go from sweet and concerned to conniving in a heartbeat.   This illusion for television, and the breaking of it, is central to the plot of the book.

Behind The Scenes of Reality Television:

Mae's highest ambition is to become a reality show host like super organizer, Marie Kondo.  The book gives us a behind the scenes look at these type of shows.  One could tell that the author used shows such as Restaurant Impossible, Cake Wars, and Hoarders, as inspiration.  But while it seems like everything is unscripted, the book shows how the producers of these shows set up conflict, and then use video footage to create a narrative with villains and heroes.  While I would like to think that the tactics used by the producers in the book are an exaggeration, I have a feeling they're not.

Hoarding:

I did like how the book approached the topic of hoarding. Mae and Amanda's mother, Barbara, is a hoarder, an open secret in their small town, but not something they want advertised to the world on television.   I could really identify with some of the guilt and embarrassment as a child of a hoarder.  I appreciate that the book explores the psychology of why people hoard things.  Hoarding is a sign of deep problems.  Blaming the family of the hoarder isn't helpful.  And just cleaning up the mess will not solve what's wrong.  People who hoard need empathy, love, support, and counseling to get to the root of the issue.

What I Was Mixed About:

Characters:

I really had a problem with Mae and Amanda.  Yes, they both had childhood trauma that shaped their choices as adults.  But they were incredibly mean to each other.  Mae is constantly judging Amanda for staying in their small hometown.  She was all too eager to underestimate her sister's talents.  Amanda never misses up a chance to point out Amanda's shortcomings to others.  Considering how secretive they each were about their mother's issues, it was surprising that Amanda was so eager to wave around all the dirty laundry.  The author explained it away as Amanda not understanding how the producers of Food Wars would use Amanda's comments.  But I didn't find that plausible.  

Mae was also generally awful to everyone.  She constantly makes important decisions about her family without consulting her husband.  When Mae makes the decision to take her kids hundreds of miles away to hustle her way to be featured on Food Wars, she shouldn't have been surprised that her husband, Jay was upset.  She continually looked for ways to market herself (and her family) on social media in order to further her career.  I found her sudden interest in the welfare of her mother to be a giant leap.

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐

Release Date:  December 1st, 2020

Author:  K.J. Dell'Antonia

Genre:  Literary Fiction

Audio Publisher:  Penguin Random House Audio

Narrators: Xe Sands, Cassandra Campbell

Audio Length:  12 hours, 22 minutes

Print Publisher: G.P. Putman's Sons

Print Length:  352 Pages

Source:  Penguin Random House Audio

Format: Audiobook

Recommendation:  

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):

Picking up right where A Longer Fall left off, this thrilling third installment follows Lizbeth Rose as she takes on one of her most dangerous missions yet: rescuing her estranged partner, Prince Eli, from the Holy Russian Empire. Once in San Diego, Lizbeth is going to have to rely upon her sister Felicia, and her growing Grigori powers to navigate her way through this strange new world of royalty and deception in order to get Eli freed from jail where he’s being held for murder.

Russian Cage continues to ramp up the momentum with more of everything Harris’ readers adore her for with romance, intrigue, and a deep dive into the mysterious Holy Russian Empire.

Review:

Charlaine Harris is best known for her Sookie Stackhouse novels that were turned into the HBO series, True Blood.   The world of The Russian Cage takes place in an alternate universe where the United States has dissolved into several countries, one of which is the Holy Russian Empire.  This is the third book in the series, and I must confess, I had to quickly read the first two books before I felt right about reading, and reviewing, this book.  I'm so glad I did.  This is a fun series that feels like a cross between a western, and a supernatural thriller.  There's a strong female lead, along with many other colorful supporting characters.  With a suspenseful plot and a touch of the supernatural, this was a page-turner.

What I Liked:

World-Building:

This takes place in an alternate universe where the United State is now made up of several countries.  Mexico has taken over a large portion of Texas and the Southwest.  There are other countries such as Dixie (you can guess where that is), and then there is the Holy Russian Empire on the west coast.  The time period is not spelled out but it seems to be set in about the 1930's.

What I liked about this universe was that it was interesting, even without the magic.  Much of the former U.S. is made up of lawless areas where people who travel need to hire "gunnies" for protection from highway bandits.  That's where Lizbeth Rose comes in.  She is a gunnie who's mother was raped by a russian. She may have some magical power, or may be useful to the HRE (Holy Russian Empire).

In the previous books, Lizbeth has only heard about the HRE.  But in The Russian Cage, Lizbeth has to walk straight into the lion's den to save a russian she is in love with.  This book shows us this world up close, with it's complicated royal etiquette, and social hierarchy.  It also explains more about the magical aspects of this world.

Characters:

Lizbeth is such a strong person, that it's hard to imagine she is only nineteen years-old.  But, given her upbringing, she is used to scrabbling for survival.  Her character finds it hard to trust people, even her russian lover, Eli.  I enjoyed how she finally forms a bond with her younger sister, Felicia, and even begins a tentative friendship with Eli's family.

One of the struggles of this character is that she is often called upon to kill people in her job.  But where does she draw the line between what is necessary and revenge?  There are no black and white answers.

I also really liked the supporting characters, particularly Eli's mother Veronika, and his friend Felix.  Veronika, at first, seems like a snobby rich aristocrat.  But because her late husband was so involved in politics, she has had to learn to maneuver carefully through treacherous social situations and royal plots.  This has made her a survivor.  Maybe that's why Veronika isn't as put off by commoner Lizbeth as I would have initially thought.

Felix is another character who is more than he seems.  The magic he specializes in is death magic.  Most people give him a wide berth.  But he has formed a deep friendship with Eli over the years.  His fierce loyalty to Eli has him taking all kinds of risk for his friend.  Over the course of the novel, Lizbeth learns to really appreciate him.

Plot:

Eli has been thrown in the HRE prison, but due to politics, no one even knows what the charges are.  Lizbeth decides she must rescue Eli. But since she doesn't know anything about the HRE, there are dangers she can't imagine.  This is a classic fish out of water story where Lizbeth must learn about this society and then figure out how to help Eli.  This plot device was perfect for the reader to discover, along with Lizbeth, the HRE.  

Lizbeth is also in danger because she secretly is part russian, and could possibly have blood that can help keep the Czar alive.  Hiding this part of herself is critical if she doesn't want to become a prisoner, herself.

Also, since the main character is a gun-slinger, there are plenty of shootouts, murder plots, and other dangers that keep this book going at a brisk pace.  This was a very entertaining book.

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Release Date:  February 23rd, 2021

Author:  Charlaine Harris

Publisher:  Saga Press

Genre:  Fantasy

Page Length:  304 Pages

Source:  NetGalley

Format:  E-Book 

Recommendation: With plenty of action, and rich world-building, this was a highly entertaining book.  Be sure to read the first two books in the series in order to get the most from the story.

I recently watched the Studio Ghibli movie, Earwig and the Witch on HBOMAX,  This was so different from the moviemaker's usual work, that I decided to read the book and compare the two works.  Sadly, neither were very good.

Movie:

I was so thrilled when I saw that HBOMAX advertised a new Studio Ghibli film!  Earwig and the Witch is done in a 3-D animation style similar to what Pixar does.  So it was immediately apparent that this was a different sort of film for the studio.  Despite it's break from the usual style, I was eager to watch this movie.  However, I found the movie very disappointing.  

What I Liked:

Animation:

While the animation is done in a completely different style from what the studio usually does, they did do a wonderful job.  I loved how the animators did the hair for each character. Earwig (Erica) has high ponytails that look like the pincers of an earwig bug!  The hair for the two female witches, are also beautifully done.  The witch that must be Earwig's mother has giant corkscrew curls that are used in spells.  The voluminous hair of the other witch, Bella Yaga, look heavy and foreboding.

Settings:

The movie did spend time at the orphanage, where it seemed as though Erica was very happy. I really loved the moments when the children were pretending to be ghosts.  It was charming.

The house where Bella Yaga and The Mandrake live has a magical charm to it..  Like the TARDIS in Doctor Who, rooms can be bigger on the inside, and don't follow the laws of physics.  Walls change to suit the needs of Bella Yaga.  It almost seemed like the house had it's own personality.

What I Didn't Like:

Characters:

Erica (Earwig) starts out as a manipulative child in an orphanage, and ends up as a manipulative child in a home.  There is no growth for this main character.  Shouldn't she have learned to see others as people, rather than as tools to get what she wants? I really wanted Erica to view her new family as individuals, and form actual attachments.  Instead, the only thing she learns is to find ways to cow Bella Yaga, and use The Mandrake.  And Bella Yaga doesn't change either. She is abusive (actually hitting Erica at one point), and berates her at every opportunity.  The only reason she is less abusive at the end is because she is afraid of The Mandrake.

Story:

There really isn't any story.  At the beginning of the film, Erica is left on the doorstep of an orphanage with a cryptic note.  There are twelve witches after Erica's mother. She will return to claim her when she has gotten rid of the witches.  With such a strong lead in, it was a huge disappointment when nothing comes of this.  And I mean, NOHTHING!  We never hear about it again.  I really wanted to see a parallel storyline where we follow the adventures of Erica's mother.

The story goes something like this:  Erica (Earwig) gets left on a doorstep of an orphanage, she learns to charm (or is it spell) others to do as she wants.  Then she is adopted by a strange couple.  She goes to their home and learns how to manipulate them.  The End!  Literally, nothing else happens.  There are some enticing moments where we see the origins of Erica and her possible connection to the couple.  But, again, it is never fully fleshed out.  A missed opportunity. 

Book:

I found the movie so strange, that I had to read the original children's book by Diana Wynne Jones, to see if I missed anything.  Maybe there was more to the story?  But, again, the story didn't go anywhere,

What I Liked:

Illustrations:

The children's book does have many whimsical illustrations.  They reminded me of drawings one might see in a Roald Dahl book.  

What I Didn't Like:

Lack of Story:

As with the movie, there are hints of an exciting book at the beginning with the note attached to baby Erica.  But it is never mentioned again!  Earwig simply goes from the orphanage to Bella Yaga's home, and continues to be rude and manipulative.  Nothing really happens in the book.

Movie Differences:

There is a significant difference between the movie and the book.  In the movie, the witches belong to a band called, Earwig.  In flashbacks, we see a relationship between Bella Yaga, The Mandrake, and Erica's mother.  Could The Mandrake be Erica's father?  There is lots of music which helps Erica begin a connection with The Mandrake.  But this is never fully developed in the movie. I can only think that Studio Ghibli added this to try and have something happen in the movie, as the book's story is so slim. 

I can only think that Studio Ghibli made this movie on the strong reputation of Diana Wynne Jones.  She did write Howl's Moving Castle, one of Studio Ghibli's most successful films.  This movie had potential.  But with a children's book so slim, the movie was doomed from the beginning. 

Ratings:

Movie: ⭐⭐⭐

Book:  ⭐⭐

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

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

Serena Singh is tired of everyone telling her what she should want--and she is ready to prove to her mother, her sister, and the aunties in her community that a woman does not need domestic bliss to have a happy life.

Things are going according to plan for Serena. She’s smart, confident, and just got a kick-ass new job at a top advertising firm in Washington, D.C. Even before her younger sister gets married in a big, traditional wedding, Serena knows her own dreams don’t include marriage or children. But with her mother constantly encouraging her to be more like her sister, Serena can’t understand why her parents refuse to recognize that she and her sister want completely different experiences out of life.

A new friendship with her co-worker, Ainsley, comes as a breath of fresh air, challenging Serena’s long-held beliefs about the importance of self-reliance. She’s been so focused on career success that she’s let all of her hobbies and close friendships fall by the wayside. As Serena reconnects with her family and friends--including her ex-boyfriend--she learns letting people in can make her happier than standing all on her own. 

Review:

I've read several books recently where the main character comes from Indian immigrant parents.  Usually the focus of these books is on the pressure to get  married.  What I loved about Serena Singh Flips The Script, by Sonya Lallie, is that the focus of the book is on how the main character, Serena tries to form friendships with other adults.  Yes, there's romance in this book, but the main difficulty for Serena is in making friends, something that many adults struggle with after they are out of school.  This was a fun, refreshing look at the changing ways we connect with others as we enter the workforce.  I adored this book.

What I Liked:

Characters:

Serena is a thirty-something who is driven to succeed in advertising.  She has no interest in marriage or having children.  While her parents can't understand this, they give her space, not mentioning how worried they are for her future.  When her sister gets married, Serena frets that she is losing her best friend.  Her experience with her college friends is that once they get married and have children, they never make time for Serena.

At first, I found Serena to be very self-centered.  Whenever someone moved on with their life, Serena took it as a personal affront.  While she didn't go so far as to judge  her friends for getting married, she herself shifted away from them. But what I loved about Serena was that she realized that she was the one who had to make an effort to find friendships.  Her search for friends is both funny and touching.  I could easily identify with Serena as she navigates some of the new ways of finding friendships, from book clubs, to group activities.  She awkwardly misses cues and misreads people most of the time.  But, eventually, she does learn how to be a good friend.

Sandeep is Serena's mother.  Serena has a very strained relationship with Sandeep due to incidents that occured when Serena was a child.  It is very hard for Serena to understand and accept the choices Sandeep made in her marriage to Serena's father.  I really liked how this relationship was explored.  It can be difficult for adult children to see their parents as people.  Serena learns to respect Sandeep's choices.

Friendships:

I can really identify with Serena's struggle to make friends.  How can we, as adults, form the kind of deep friendships that we had with our school friends.  Most of those relationships are based on the shared experiences of growing up.  But can we form deep friendships with people we meet at work?  When friends change jobs, do the friendships putter out?  That's regularly happened to me. 

Serena decides that since work friendships are too dependent on proximity, a friendship based on mutual interests might be the way to go.  So she joins activities such as book clubs, and cooking classes to see if she can bond with anyone there.  But she repeatedly fails to connect with anyone.  What she finds is that any friendship, no matter how it starts, takes effort.  She needs to be willing to spend time getting to know someone, getting to know their family, their lives, before bonds can be created.  And older friendships can be re-established with effort.  This book made me want to re-connect with old friends and figure out ways to connect with new ones.  

Trigger Warning for domestic violence

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Release Date:  February 16th, 2021

Author:  Sonya Lalli

Publisher:  Berkley Press

Genre: Adult Contemporary

Page Length:  352 Pages

Source:  NetGalley

Format:  E-Book

Recommendation:  A highly entertaining book about finding friendship as an adult.  This would make a great book club selection.

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):

No surprise is a good surprise. At least according to thirty-four-year-old Daisy Richardson. So when it’s revealed in dramatic fashion that her esteemed father had been involved in a public scandal before his untimely death, Daisy’s life becomes complicated—and fast.

For one, the Richardsons must now sell the family home in Georgetown they can no longer afford, and Daisy’s mother is holding on with an iron grip. Her younger sister, Wallis, is ready to move on to bigger and better things but falls fast and hard for the most inconvenient person possible. And then there’s Atlas, Daisy’s best friend. She’s always wished they could be more, but now he’s writing an exposé on the one subject she’s been desperate to avoid: her father.

Daisy’s plan is to maintain a low profile as she works to keep her family intact amid social exile, public shaming, and quickly dwindling savings. But the spotlight always seems to find the Richardsons, and when another twist in the scandal comes to light, Daisy must confront the consequences of her continued silence and summon the courage to stand up and accept the power of her own voice.

Review:

I wasn't sure how this modern-day take on Jane Austin's Sense and Sensibility would work.  The original book is about how a family of women lose everything, their home, their money, and their position in society, when the patriarch of the family dies.  Back in Jane Austin's time, when there was no male heir, everything would go to the nearest male in the extended family.  But how to create a similar situation that takes place now?  Make the man who dies a politician, and then reveal a huge scandal during the funeral.  This worked!

But, using this vehicle, the author found a way to discuss how women remain silent about bad male behavior.  The reasons for this are many, but mainly women think that by keeping quiet, they will protect themselves.  But does it?

What I Liked:

Premise:

After a famous politician suddenly dies, the surviving family members (all female) must deal with a scandal that ruins the legacy of the man.  As the women learn more about their father, they need to reconcile the man they think they knew verses who he actually was.  The book follows the plot of Sense and Sensibility closely.  Daisy holds a torch for a man who is a friend of the family, while her younger sister Wallis jumps right into a relationship with a charismatic man who may not be who he seems.  I liked that I had some idea about how the plot was going to go.  But also, it was refreshing that the emphasis wasn't on nabbing a husband.

Characters:

Daisy is the practical sister, who rarely lets her feelings show, while Wallis is an open book. I liked that the sisters looked out for one another, and their mom, but also maintained their individuality.  Wallis and her mom assume that Daisy will wind up with Atlas, but let her figure things out for herself.  They just want her to be happy.  Similarly, Daisy just want to protect Wallis from disaster.  Wallis fall for the son of an extremely conservative political (think Betsy Devos).  But, ever the optimist, she just thinks everything will work out.  Daisy knows this is headed for trouble. 

I also loved the mom, Cricket.  Often, when we see political wives "standing by" their man, we are critical.  Whey are they doing it?  Do they just want to maintain their position in society?  I think that Cricket really believes that if she is supportive of her husband, she will protect herself and her children.  At the beginning of the novel. Cricket is not the most secure person, and her confidence is rocked when her husband's scandal breaks.  But, she is a survivor.  She finds out how to become her own person.

Themes:

I found the themes of the story to be very compelling.  What is the cost of silence?  And why should women ever have to cover for the bad behavior of their husbands?  Is it ever a win for the woman?  But speaking out also has a price.  You have tp be willing to find your self-worth in your own accomplishments.  But women are conditioned to put the goals of their partners ahead of their own.  Hopefully, this is just a generational thing.  The challenge is finding that balance between supporting your partner, and pursuing your own dreams.

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Release Date:  February 9th, 2021

Author:  Lauren Edmondson

Publisher:  Graydon House

Genre:  Contemporary Fiction

Page Length:  384 Pages

Source:  NetGalley

Format: E-Book

Recommendation:  The author found a way to make Sense and Sensibility high relevant to our times.  Very entertaining, with a surprising depth.  

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

Synopsis (From Goodreads):

Based on the true World War II story of the heroic librarians at the American Library in Paris, this is an unforgettable story of romance, friendship, family, and the power of literature to bring us together, perfect for fans of The Lilac Girls and The Paris Wife.

Paris, 1939: Young and ambitious Odile Souchet has it all: her handsome police officer beau and a dream job at the American Library in Paris. When the Nazis march into Paris, Odile stands to lose everything she holds dear, including her beloved library. Together with her fellow librarians, Odile joins the Resistance with the best weapons she has: books. But when the war finally ends, instead of freedom, Odile tastes the bitter sting of unspeakable betrayal.

Montana, 1983: Lily is a lonely teenager looking for adventure in small-town Montana. Her interest is piqued by her solitary, elderly neighbor. As Lily uncovers more about her neighbor’s mysterious past, she finds that they share a love of language, the same longings, and the same intense jealousy, never suspecting that a dark secret from the past connects them.

A powerful novel that explores the consequences of our choices and the relationships that make us who we are—family, friends, and favorite authors—The Paris Library shows that extraordinary heroism can sometimes be found in the quietest of places. 

Review:

There have been so many books in the last few years about Paris during WWII, with many different angles.  This novel is set in the real-life American Library in Paris, a private library where patrons paid a yearly subscription fee to gain access to books in English.  The book follows the heroic efforts of the employees to keep the library open throughout World War II, and the many challenges they faced.  There are two timelines, first taking place during the Nazi occupation, and then in The United States during the 1980's.  I found the settings,  historical details, and characters to be compelling, with a story that was full of suspense.  If you enjoy historical fiction, you are in for a treat. 

What I Liked:

Historical Details of 1940's Paris:

The historical details of wartime Paris were particularly well done.  To think there was this gem of a library (and ones from other countries, as well) in the heart of Paris?  I had no idea.  The author went to great lengths to describe this real-life place, and how it worked.  She used letters and archives from the actual American Library to lend details and a level of accuracy that was stunning.  

She also showed how people found ways to still keep living their lives, despite the war.  The descriptions of the food situation, in particular, were vivid.  Slowly, all the little luxuries were stripped away as the war progressed.  A scene where a group of characters pool all their rations together to help a couple celebrate their wedding was very moving.  

Characters:

Odile is a young, very strong-willed woman in Paris as the war breaks out.  She certainly is one to buck tradition when she gets a job, and is not enthusiastic about marriage.  But her hot temper is not an asset once Paris is occupied.  She has to learn quiet ways to defy the Nazis, or risk the lives of her co-workers, and family.  But is she too complacent? She is very young when the book begins.  As the war progresses, things she doesn't think about much, such as what her father and boyfriend, do as police officers, start to nag at her.  How is her friend getting all those extra rations?  How does her boyfriend seem to know when fantastic apartments will be empty?  Odile learns some hard lessons. But she also learns not to come to quick assumptions and judgements.

Lily is the teenager in Montana who lives next door to Odile in the 1980's. She shares many of the traits of the young Odile, especially her hot temper and snap judgements.  While Lily doesn't need to deal with danger, she does face terrible heartache as her mother is dying.  When her dad quickly remarries, how is she supposed to move on?  Lily needs to understand how she fits into her new family, and half-siblings.  While Lily seems bratty at times, it's very understandable.  She is still mourning the death of her mother.  With her clueless father being no help, Lily gravitates towards Odile. Their friendship helps both of them move on from tragedy.

Story:

The story set in Paris is really compelling.  It is hard to fathom the lengths that the staff of the American Library went to keep the operation going.  They didn't just hide a few rare books, they risked their lives delivering books to Jews, who were banned from entering the library.  If they had been found to do this, they (and their families) would have been shot.

But beyond that, the part of the story that really got to me was how Parisians adapted to, and sometimes assisted, the Nazi occupation.  The author used real letters, called crow letters, to show how people informed on their neighbors to the Nazis.  Police had no choice but to assist in rounding up Jews, sending them to their deaths concentration camps.  Of course, some people were happy to do this.  

There were also heart-wrenching scenes of how the women who slept with Germans were treated once the war was over. While the mobs were brutal, the author did an admirable job of showing the roots of this violence.  Men felt emasculated from years of humiliation at the hands of the Germans.  Sadly, they took their frustrations out on women who probably had little choice but to sleep with the occupiers. 

The scenes that take place in Montana are of a smaller scale of tragedy, but also riveting.  Lily's life is turned upside-down by the death of her mother.  And there is also the mystery of why Odile wound up in Montana in the first place.  She had a wonderful, French, boyfriend during the war.  What happened?  The answers to this make this novel a page-turner! 

What I Was Mixed About:

Setting:

What could be more exciting, and scarier, than Paris in the 1940's?  Not Montana in 1983, that's for sure!  The contrast between the two time periods was deliberate.  After narrowly surviving the Nazi occupation of WWII, it's no wonder that Odile is happy to live out the rest of her life in small-town Montana.  But, even in rural America, life can still have some drama.  While the Paris setting was rich in details, I didn't get the true flavor of America in the 1980's. Where was Madonna, MTV, and all those shoulder pads? 

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Release Date:  February 9th, 2021

Author:  Janet Skeslien Charles

Publisher:  Atria Books

Genre:  Historical Fiction

Page Length:  368 Pages

Source:  NetGalley

Format:  E-Book

Recommendation: Full of historical detail, this book about the American Library in Paris is a treat.  Highly recommended.

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:

Lo Denham is used to being on her own. After her parents died, Lo's sister, Bea, joined The Unity Project, leaving Lo in the care of their great aunt. Thanks to its extensive charitable work and community outreach, The Unity Project has won the hearts and minds of most in the Upstate New York region, but Lo knows there's more to the group than meets the eye. She's spent the last six years of her life trying—and failing—to prove it.

When a man shows up at the magazine Lo works for claiming The Unity Project killed his son, Lo sees the perfect opportunity to expose the group and reunite with Bea once and for all. When her investigation puts her in the direct path of its leader, Lev Warren and as Lo delves deeper into The Project, the lives of its members it upends everything she thought she knew about her sister, herself, cults, and the world around her—to the point she can no longer tell what's real or true. Lo never thought she could afford to believe in Lev Warren . . . but now she doesn't know if she can afford not to.

Review:

Last year, I had the pleasure of reading Courtney Summers YA novel, Sadie.  It was gritty and bleak, but full of emotion.  I loved it.  Summers' latest novel, The Project, is equally powerful.  Lo is such a compelling character, and her need to connect with her sister is heartbreaking.  This is another novel full of suspense that will keep you up late at night, reading.

What I Liked:

Characters:

Lo is all alone in the world.  Her parents died in a car accident (which left Lo severely injured), and her sister, Bea, has left to join a church called The Unity Project.  Her life is further complicated due to the large scar that dominates her face.  It's all most people see when they meet her, and becomes a litmus test, of sorts, for who she will let into her life.  Needless to say, most people do not pass the test.  

I don't know if it's because of COVID, but I connected to Lo's feelings of isolation and loneliness.  I could see how important is was to her to regain a relationship with her sister, even though Bea abandoned her.  And I could see how she might be open to manipulation by others.  

Bea, feeling overwhelmed by the sudden responsibility of dealing with her parent's deaths and Lo's injuries, just wants to escape.  The Unity Project seems like just the place for Bea to regain her self-esteem.  She wants to have a purpose and be useful, and The Unity Project fits the bill.  Instead of trying to parent her younger sister, she takes on the smaller responsibilities at The Project.  It was easy to see how she could get sucked into this cult.

Story Themes:

Both Bea and Lo want to find purpose in their lives, one in a church, the other as a wanna-be investigative reporter.  Bea is asked to cut out everything in her previous life to dedicate herself to The Unity Project and it's charismatic leader, Lev.  Lo works insane hours at a magazine with an equally mesmerizing leader.  Each young woman yearns for the approval of these men.  Slowly, over the course of the story, we watch as Bea and Lo wake up to the realization that the only person they need to impress is themselves.

Suspense:

The story centers on Lo's determination to speak to Bea, even though The Unity Project won't let them meet.  As she puts pressure on them to give her access to her sister, strange things begin to happen.  The magazine's office is ransacked, and is she being followed?  Other people who have left and spoken out about The Unity Project disappear.  Is Bea all right?  could she be in danger?  What has happened to people who speak out against The Project?  The story gets scary as Lo becomes involved with Th Project in order to find her sister.  I stayed up really late at night because I couldn't stop reading.

Rating: 

Release Date:  February 2nd, 2021

Author:  Courtney Summers

Publisher:  Wednesday Books

Genre:  Contemporary Fiction

Page Length:  352 Pages

Source:  NetGalley

Format:  E-Book

Recommendation:  Filled with unforgettable characters and a tense story, this is a highly entertaining book.