Please Note:  I received an advance copy of this novel from the publisher to participant in a blog tour promoting this book.  This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.  If I did not care for the book, I had the opportunity to opt out of the tour. 

ABOUT THE BOOK:

With the thrilling pace and historical drama of Pam Jenoff and Kristin Hannah, New York Times bestselling author Kelly Rimmer's newest novel is an epic WWII saga and love story, based on the real-life efforts of two young people taking extraordinary risks to save their countrymen, as they try to find their way back to each other and the life they once knew.

Following on the success of The Things We Cannot Say, this is Kelly Rimmer's return to the WWII category with a brand new novel inspired by Irena Sendler, the real-life Polish nurse who used her access to the Warsaw ghetto to smuggle Jewish children and babies to safety.

Spanning the tumultuous years between 1942 and 1945 in Poland, The Warsaw Orphan follows Emilia over the course of the war, her involvement with the Resistance, and her love for Sergiusz, a young man imprisoned in the Jewish ghetto who's passion leads him to fight in the Warsaw Uprising. From the Warsaw ghetto to the Ravensbruck concentration camp, through Nazi occupation to the threat of a communist regime, Kelly Rimmer has penned her most meticulously researched and emotionally compelling novel to date.

Review:

I have read many books about World War Two, from All The Light We Cannot See, by Anthony Doerr, to the more recent novel, The Paris Library, by Janet Skeslien Charles. Each book has helped me to understand a little bit more about what happened to regular people during the war. The Warsaw Orphan opened my eyes to what the people of Poland experienced, as seen through the eyes of a Jewish teen living in the Warsaw Ghetto, and a Christian teen living just beyond the Wall in the greater city. There were acts of bravery, both large and small, as well as callousness from those who chose to look away from the terrible suffering. This is an unflinching look at war. With wonderful characters that I could root for, I could not put this book down. I finished this novel in just two days!

What I Liked:

Historical Details:

The author obviously did extensive research as the novel was filled with food, clothing, hairstyles, and many other details that put me right in the time period. Would our heroes get caught? The details of how things were smuggled in and out of the Warsaw Ghetto, and how information was quickly communicated in neighborhoods by means of children helped the novel build the excitement.

Characters:

Emilia begins the novel as a young teen who would seem to have everything she could want. She has loving (if strict) parents, lives in a comfortable apartment, and has plenty to eat. But she is not who she seems. She is hiding in plain sight due to other members of her family defiantly resisting the Germans. With such a family history, it's inevitable that Emilia can't sit on her hands and do nothing. I loved Emilia's empathetic nature and how she was willing to help those suffering in the Jewish Ghetto. She feels a deep sense of responsibility, even when she realizes she is way out of her depth. She knows that people are relying on her and she refuses to let them down.

Roman is a slightly older teen living in the Warsaw Ghetto. He lives for his family, and refuses to give into despair even as their situation gets worse and worse. He meet Emilia when she begins to work as Sara's assistant. Inevitably, Roman and Emilia fall in love. But, the war changes him. After all he has seen, he wants nothing but revenge for what the Germans are doing. He becomes angry and reckless. And this gives Emilia pause. Can she be with someone who doesn't understand that his actions could be endangering those he loves?

Supporting Characters:

While Roman was fiery and wanted to make a gallant stand against the Germans, Emilia's neighbor, Sara, was probably braver than Roman. As a social worker, Sara was able to go into the Ghetto, under the guise of reducing Typhus, and find children that could be smuggled out. She used her intellect, rather than force, to effect change. I also loved that Sara was calm, and practical in the face of grave danger. Because of this, she won the respect of everyone around her.

Emilia's Aunt Truda is a very complex character. She is not very likable at the beginning of the book. She is strict with Emilia, and harsh with nearly everyone. But as her story unfolds, she begins to show a more compassionate side of her personality. When Emilia reflects back on how she has been accepted by Truda and her uncle, she starts to see the love behind Truda's actions. She would do anything to keep Emilia safe.

Civilian War Experiences:

The book is very realistic about the hardships that civilians go through in a war. There's no sugar-coating starvation, illness, rape and murder. Where other books about WWII, might start to describe a violent scene and then fade to black, Rimmer goes full steam ahead with the details. It is brutal, but honest.

Story:

Poland has been invaded by Germany and has forced Jews into a small zone in Warsaw known as the Warsaw Ghetto. This is a story of survival. The Jews have a terrible existence, as so many people are crowded into a small space. Disease is rampant, along with shortages of food and medical supplies. Jews are being told they are being relocated to a work camp, but they all know that no one is coming back.

The people in the rest of the city can see the wall that separates the Jews. They become experts at ignoring the evil around them. Is this a coping mechanism or (worse) indifference? But the rest of Warsaw will suffer in time.

This is a story of survival and endurance. There are people who do dramatic acts of bravery, and those who are equally brave but in a more subtle manner. I loved the characters and the love story between Roman and Emilia. All the obstacles they faced made the story both realistic and hopeful.

Trigger Warning for Rape:

This book contains a scene of extreme sexual violence. Although this was central to the plot of the book, if you are triggered by such things, I would strongly advise that you skip this novel.

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Release Date:  June 1st, 2021

Author:  Kelly Rimmer

Publisher:  Graydon House

Genre:  Historical Fiction

Page Length:  416 Pages

Source:  Harper Collins Blog Tour

Format:  E-Book

Recommendation:  A unflinching look at the Polish experience during WWII.  Riveting and haunting; I could not put it down.

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

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

From the bestselling author of Lily and the Octopus and The Editor comes a warm and deeply funny novel about a once-famous gay sitcom star whose unexpected family tragedy leaves him with his niece and nephew for the summer.

Patrick, or Gay Uncle Patrick (GUP, for short), has always loved his niece, Maisie, and nephew, Grant. That is, he loves spending time with them when they come out to Palm Springs for weeklong visits, or when he heads home to Connecticut for the holidays. But in terms of caretaking and relating to two children, no matter how adorable, Patrick is honestly a bit out of his league.

So when tragedy strikes and Maisie and Grant lose their mother and Patrick’s brother has a health crisis of his own, Patrick finds himself suddenly taking on the role of primary guardian. Despite having a set of “Guncle Rules” ready to go, Patrick has no idea what to expect, having spent years barely holding on after the loss of his great love, a somewhat-stalled career, and a lifestyle not-so-suited to a six- and a nine-year-old. Quickly realizing that parenting—even if temporary—isn’t solved with treats and jokes, Patrick’s eyes are opened to a new sense of responsibility, and the realization that, sometimes, even being larger than life means you’re unfailingly human.

With the humor and heart we’ve come to expect from bestselling author Steven Rowley, The Guncle is a moving tribute to the power of love, patience, and family in even the most trying of times.

Review:

I have read both of Steven Rowley's previous books, and each one was a completely different from the other.  The only thing they had in common was that each had a gay main character.  The Guncle, Rowley's newest offering, also has a gay main character.  But that is nearly the only thing that is similar.  While this book is funny as can be, it is a deep look into grief.  But the novel is not a downer.  With an array of wonderful characters, this is a highly entertaining book.  This would be a wonderful summer read.

What I Liked:

Premise:

Patrick (I've got to think his name is an homage to the Rosalind Russell movie, Auntie Mame) is a semi-retired television star, living in Palm Springs.  His college best friend, Sara, has been married to his brother, Greg, but has recently died of cancer.  Everyone is reeling from grief, especially Greg and his two kids.  With Greg headed to rehab, Patrick will be taking the kids to Palm Springs for the Summer.  While the premise is similar to many other works (Diane Keaton's Baby Boom comes to mind), there is much more going on than someone starting to appreciate kids.

Helping the kids through the grieving process will also force Patrick to confront the death of his boyfriend, who died some years ago in a car accident.  His whole current lifestyle (living away from L.A., not driving, not dating) boils down to his guilt and depression over losing the love of his life.  How can he be happy, how can he find any meaning, when the person who meant most to him is dead?  He's going to need to figure it out, because this is also what Greg and the kids are thinking about too.

Characters:

Patrick, on the surface, seems like he as it all.  He's had great success on a T.V. show and has made enough money to walk away from Hollywood.  He has convinced himself that, although he is only in his early forties, he is tired of acting.  He's not lonely, really.  He just doesn't really like people.  But the kids force him to face the truth.  Life is passing him by.  

I loved the Guncle "rules" that Patrick imparts on Maisie and Grant. And he really loves his niece and nephew, that much is clear.  

John, Patrick's next door neighbor and part of a polyamorous trio, is an amazing character.  He is older, and has had many life experiences.  He always seems to have a smart bit of advice for Patrick.  I loved that John and his two partners have a happy, loving relationship.  It was refreshing to see this kind of relationship presented in a book.

Story:

Summer is often a magical time for kids.  There are swim lessons, summer camps, new friendships, and new experiences to have.  For Maisie and Grant, Patrick is the ultimate camp counselor, organizing experiences to cheer up the kids, and help them deal with their loss.  Their little bubble is burst when Patrick's sister, Clara, comes out to California from the East Coast, determined to take charge.  This is where the story gets even more interesting, as we see the family history behind the tensions between Patrick and Clara.  There's a lot of reckoning happening in this story.  And that's what makes the story very satisfying.

Sibling Relationships:

In most stories, there is one massive incident that causes a rift between siblings.  One of the things that really struck me in The Guncle was how all the little micro-aggressions between Patrick and Clara add up to more hostility than one would believe.  I've seen this between siblings in real life.  But I haven't seen it in a book before.  The realism helps ground the story.

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Release Date:  May 25th, 2021

Author:  Steven Rowley

Publisher:  G.P. Putnam's Sons

Genre:  Literary Fiction

Page Length:  336 Pages

Source:  Edelweiss

Format:  E-Book

Recommendation:  Another winner from Steven Rowley.  This is a really entertaining 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):

Piper Parrish's life on Frick Island—a tiny, remote town smack in the middle of the Chesapeake Bay—is nearly perfect. Well, aside from one pesky detail: Her darling husband, Tom, is dead. When Tom's crab boat capsized and his body wasn't recovered, Piper, rocked to the core, did a most peculiar thing: carried on as if her husband was not only still alive, but right there beside her, cooking him breakfast, walking him to the docks each morning, meeting him for their standard Friday night dinner date at the One-Eyed Crab. And what were the townspeople to do but go along with their beloved widowed Piper?

Anders Caldwell’s career is not going well. A young ambitious journalist, he’d rather hoped he’d be a national award-winning podcaster by now, rather than writing fluff pieces for a small town newspaper. But when he gets an assignment to travel to the remote Frick Island and cover their boring annual Cake Walk fundraiser, he stumbles upon a much more fascinating tale: an entire town pretending to see and interact with a man who does not actually exist. Determined it’s the career-making story he’s been needing for his podcast, Anders returns to the island to begin covert research and spend more time with the enigmatic Piper—but he has no idea out of all the lives he’s about to upend, it’s his that will change the most.

Review:

I've been reading quite a few books about loss lately.  Even though I believe most of these were written prior to the pandemic, the theme of loss will probably resonate with readers more profoundly now.  The Invisible Husband of Frick Island, by Colleen Oakley, deals with a young widow and how she copes with her grief.  The book goes for a lighter touch than most books about loss.  This is a strength, but also a small detriment.  I didn't connect with the characters as much.  But overall, this was a lovely book about small towns, loss, and moving on.

What I Liked:

Setting:

I love a book about a small town!  The people of Frick island are stubbornly stuck in their ways.  With fishermen yielding dwindling catches of fish, and fewer tourists visiting the island, it's easy to imagine that this village may not be around in a few years.  But the townspeople refuse to face reality.  They fear that a slick real estate agent will swoop in and ruin the island with mega hotel developments.

The fictional island is also just the sort of place where everyone knows you, along with all your successes and failings.  When Piper loses her husband, the whole town rallies behind her, so much so that Piper feats she won't mourn enough to satisfy the other islanders.  This pressure causes her to do some rather strange things.

Characters:

Anders is a reporter from a small mainland newspaper (do they still have those?) who decides to write a story about how climate change will affect Frick Island.  His angle?  Get the islanders to tell him about how it will impact their lives.  But Anders soon learns that this is such a tight-knit community, no one will speak with him.  The townspeople have seen the likes of him before.  But, Anders will not be deterred.  I liked Anders determination to earn the respect of the locals by spending time on the island.  He learns about their fishing industry, tourism, and environmental issues, eventually earning their trust.

I really like Piper.  While she is as stubborn as the other townspeople regarding keeping life the same on the island, I can see her motivation.  This is a place where she is loved and accepted by the town, while her only relative, her mom, leaves her for a live of adventure in Australia.  Of course she would want to keep everything the same.  Also, considering she was just twenty years old, she didn't really know how to move on.  She thought her life was all settled.  Starting over is going to be scary.

Themes:

Besides the obvious theme of bereavement , the novel also shows how people are afraid of change.  Anders begins the novel clinging to the idea a old-style journalism.  He wants to write long, investigative pieces about important issues.  But he also finds that new outlets such as podcasts can be a perfect format to delve deep into a subject.  The townspeople are so afraid of change that they refuse to make any changes to modernize their island, to the point that there is no cell phone reception or internet.  But cutting themselves off from the rest of the world doesn't stop changes from happening.   I like that the book finds a balance to between showing that some of these fears of change are well-founded, but also shows that the characters can shape some changes to better fit with their goals.

What I Was Mixed About:

Anders:

With the whole town pretending that Tom, Piper's husband, is alive, Anders decides this will be the perfect subject for a limited series podcast on grief.  He reasons that, since there is no internet on Frick Island, none of the townspeople will ever listen to it.  I found this to be quite shady and dishonest.  He basically does a whole podcast on Piper's grief, and possible mental breakdown, for entertainment.  No thank you.

Tone:

While I like the lighter tone of the book, I also found it harder to connect with the characters.  Anders can almost be seen as comic relief as he tries to earn the respect of Piper and the islanders.  But, given that Piper is showing signs of a serious mental break from reality, but acting as if her husband is still alive, I wish that Anders would have been more careful with Piper's feelings.  He must have known that if Piper found out that people on the mainland were following her story, it could have caused serious harm to her mental health.

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Release Date:  May 25th, 2021

Author:  Colleen Oakley

Publisher:  Berkley Press

Genre:  Literary Fiction

Page Length: 368 Pages

Source:  NetGalley

Format:  E-Book

Recommendation:   If you like quirky characters and a small town setting, this book will hit the mark.  

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:

The youngest of four daughters, Primrose Ainsworth is used to getting lost in the shuffle. But when her parents decide to delay her debut into English society, Prim hatches a plan to go rogue on the night of her sixteenth birthday.

Donning a mask, Prim escapes to the infamous Vauxhall Gardens for one wild night. When her cover is nearly blown, a mysterious stranger intercedes, and Prim finds an unexpected partner in mischief . . . and romance. But when it’s revealed her new ally isn’t who he says he is, her one night of fun may last past dawn.

In this frothy regency romp perfect for fans of Austen-esque flirtation and Shakespearean hijinks, sometimes a little scandal can be a good thing.

Review:

I read a lot of books.  Some are deeply serious, and while I love those books, they can be emotionally draining.  After such a book, I need an emotional reset, something easy to read and fun.  Sixteen Scandals, by Sophie Jordan, is one such book.  Is it historically accurate?  In some ways, not at all.  But, with a wonderful main character, it was really entertaining, and a great escape.

What I Liked:

Premise:

Like Sixteen Candles (the movie that the book's title was inspired by), Prim's family doesn't acknowledge her sixteenth birthday.  When she realizes that there will not only be no celebration, but she will also be kept out of society for another year, Prim decides she will sneak out of the house for one wild night on the town.

Would any girl in Regency Era London actually do this?  Um, no.  This kind of behavior would be social suicide at that time. No young lady of the time would risk being cut off from her family for such a small taste of freedom.  And this is addressed in the book.  But even of it was unlikely, Prim's odyssey is so much fun (think of the wild night in the move Sixteen Candles).

Characters:

Prim is a young woman who is painfully aware of how limited her life has been, and will be in the future.  At first, she is really frustrated with having to wait for her sister to find a husband, before she is allowed out into society.  No evenings out, no parties, just a life at home.  But, she gradually starts to understand that she is actually getting a reprieve from the marriage march.  Once her sister becomes engaged, the pressure from her mother to find a rich husband will be unrelenting. I love that Prim is so self-aware.  But she is also stuck without any way to change her situation.  

Prim's friend, Olympia, has won the social jackpot by having a mother who is a famous opera singer.  Since her mother can support them without relying on a man, she has a level of freedom that Prim can only dream of.  Olympia also has a wonderful relationship with her own mother.  This contrast to Prim's mother illustrates just how alone she is, and is probably why she decides to risk everything for a little bit of happiness.

Story:

When Prim decides to go out and enjoy a night on the town, she needs to make sure to go where no one will know her.  But her simple night goes quickly wrong when she gets seperated from her friend Olympia, and doesn't know what to do.  Should she look for her friend, and get even more lost, or should she try and find her own way home?  

She also meets a dashing young man, who may be an aristocrat.  As he helps her look for Olympia, they get to know each other, and share quite a few adventures.  I was reminded of that movie, Before Sunrise, where two people meet on a train, and get to know each other over the course of a night (so many movie inspirations!).  Their interactions were quite romantic, and sweet.

Social Consequences:

As unlikely as the premise is, the book does follow through with showing what the risks and consequences would be for a girl acting out in that society.  It's amazing to think that girls were not allowed to go out of the home, at all, unless they had a chaperone.  Even a trip to a tea shop without a chaperone could lead to a girl being labelled as unmarriagable.  If anyone recognizes Prim, her family will disown her.  She not only wouldn't get married, she might be left destitute. 

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Release Date:  May 25th, 2021

Author:  Sophie Jordan 

Publisher:  HMH Books for Young Readers

Genre:  YA Historical Fiction

Page Length:  256 Pages

Source:  NetGalley

Format: E-Book

Recommendation:  A fun period piece that was super enjoyable.  

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):

Janna Yusuf is so excited for the weekend: her brother Muhammad’s getting married, and she’s reuniting with her mom, whom she’s missed the whole summer.

And Nuah’s arriving for the weekend too.

Sweet, constant Nuah.

The last time she saw him, Janna wasn’t ready to reciprocate his feelings for her. But things are different now. She’s finished high school, ready for college…and ready for Nuah.

It’s time for Janna’s (carefully planned) summer of love to begin—starting right at the wedding.

But it wouldn’t be a wedding if everything went according to plan. Muhammad’s party choices aren’t in line with his fiancée’s taste at all, Janna’s dad is acting strange, and her mom is spending more time with an old friend (and maybe love interest?) than Janna.

And Nuah’s treating her differently.

Just when things couldn’t get more complicated, two newcomers—the dreamy Haytham and brooding Layth—have Janna more confused than ever about what her misfit heart really wants.

Janna’s summer of love is turning out to be super crowded and painfully unpredictable.

Review:

This is the third book I have read from author S.K. Ali, and I'm so happy to say that this not just a sequel to Saints & Misfits, but it also includes characters from Love from A to Z!!!  It's the whole wonderful universe of characters that the author has created, all rolled up in to one gigantic wedding event!  The author shows just some of the various traditions, beliefs and rituals of an Islamic wedding.  She also shows just how much variety there is in that religion.  There are as many ways to practice Islam as there are various cultures that embrace it.  And that creates some of the tension in the story.  I loved learning a little bit more about Janna and her world.  She is a  marvelous character who's religion is a major force in her life.  I love that this book shows how people put their beliefs into daily practice.  This is true of teens who are Christian, and Jewish, as well.  In Janna's world, the religion is Islam.  

But this is definitely a book about teens!  Every teen has to navigate crushes, temptations, rules, and parental expectations.  There are particular rules for Janna to follow regarding boys that are accepted, with many other young adults, and guardians enforcing them along the way.  This is a joyous book about family, love, and teens making the transition from children who are taken care of, to young adults who must make decisions for themselves.  I loved this book so much!

What I Liked:

Characters:

Janna is every nerdy teen girl, full of dreams about the future, but painfully awkward in the present.  Just gathering up the nerve to talk to her crush is so familiar to read.  But Janna is not boy-crazy.  She has a lot of changes going on in her life.  With college starting soon, her brother getting married, and her divorced mom showing signs that she is ready to have romance back in her life, Janna feels like too much is happening all at once.  Her secure world is being ripped away.  

Janna meets several young people in the run up to her brother's wedding, including the very handsome Haythem (the bride's cousin), and Layth, who looks like a brooding Zayn Malik.  I liked that Layth represents those teens who aren't sure about religion yet.  He seems really mean at first.   But as Jeanna gets to know him, Layth shows himself to be caring, and dedicated to working towards a better world.  I really liked how complicated Layth was. 

Religion:

Religion is central to the story, as Janna's practice of Islam affects every aspect of her life.  If you don't know anything about Islam, I urge you to read all the books in the series.  The author patiently explains many parts of Muslim culture and practice that I didn't know about before.  This is all done in a respectful way that honors Janna's culture, while making it clear that she is an American.  

And in case you think this is an idealized picture of Islam, it isn't.  Not every character shares Janna's deep convictions.  There are several characters who are questioning everything, something that many teens do when they start to become adults.  With so many different cultures that participate in Islam (Syrian, Pakistani, Indian, Egyptian, and so on), there is also various tensions between these groups.  These are brought to the forefront as the parents of the bride and groom argue over which traditions, rituals, food, and clothing will be featured in the ceremony.  

Dealing with Racism:

There is also some racism that is dealt with in this novel.  Nauh, Janna's crush, is a Black Muslim.  One of the things Janna starts to realize is that her culture is not immune to prejudice.  But what is she willing to do about it?  Will she make a scene with her family over Nauh's treatment?  Sadly, it's a common experience for teens to realize their elders have some beliefs that are not okay.  How can we point this out, and will they listen?

Story:

Janna begins the book by describing her brother's upcoming nuptials as "My Big, Fat Muslim Wedding", and that's an apt description.  Weddings are often high stress, high drama, and lots of fun.  I think that's a good description of the story, as well.  Janna, who needs lots of structure in her life to feel secure, finds all the chaos of the wedding to be really stressful.  Plus, she is finally ready to let Nauh know that she likes him (a big step that would eventually lead to marriage ).  But Nauh is giving out conflicting signals, and there are several boys that Janna is finding quite distracting. Plus, she can never seem to find time to talk with her mom, her anchor.  

I loved learning about all the different relationships, and all the various conflict that this wedding brings forth.  This, along with highlighting Janna's culture and religion, make this a wonderful book.

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Release Date:  May 25th, 2021

Author:  S.K. Ali

Publisher:  Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Genre:  YA Romance

Page Length:  320 pages

Source:  Publisher and NetGalley

Format: PDF document

Recommendation:  A rollicking, romantic wedding, diverse traditions, and endearing characters make this a highly entertaining book.  But read the author's other books first to get the full picture of this universe.

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):

Now she has a week to fix everything. If only she can get around the one big truth that has always stood quietly in the middle of their seemingly perfect relationship. What could possibly go wrong?

Review:

The thing I miss most during this pandemic is travelling. I love seeing new places, eating new foods, and meeting new people.  So I was very drawn to travel writer Poppy, one of the main characters in, People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry.  She has my dream job as a professional travel writer!  But when she, herself, goes on vacation, she travels on the cheap with her male friend from college, Alex.  This novel is an ode to the movie, When Harry Met Sally.  Can male and female friends be "just friends"?  Given how deeply they connect with each other, you can guess where this goes.  This was a really fun, romantic novel, and the perfect summer read.

What I Liked:

Vacation Theme:

This book is a celebration of that freedom we all feel on vacation.  Vacations are an escape from our "real" lives.  We eat all the food we've denied ourselves, laugh more easily, and flirt with strangers.  I liked that there were a variety of different types of vacations.  Some of Poppy and Alex's trips were super touristy, where they see every kitschy tourist trap and do every stereotypical vacation activity one can imagine.  Other trips were more about relaxing and getting to know people.  Each time they met they learned to appreciate each other more and more. They were really good together.  But, if they were around each other every day, would they still get along so well?  Or was the magic of their relationship based on the ease one creates on vacation? 

Characters:

Poppy is a woman who knows what she wants.  She strives for the freedom of travel, and doesn't want anything that will tie her down, particularly having children.  Alex is the exact opposite.  He craves  having the ideal family life with a wife and children.  As the book progresses, we learn the reasons behind this.  But they also have a lot in common.  They come from the same area of Ohio, share a similar sense of humor, and are open to learn from each other.

Of the supporting characters, I really liked Poppy's glamorous boss, Swapna.  This is a strong woman who mentors Poppy in her career, even though she is rather intimidating.  I loved a scene where Swapna tells Poppy to stop apologizing for missing work, pointing out that her male colleagues would never feel the need to do that.  We all need this kind of support in our professional life!  

Throughout the book, Poppy and Alex meet a variety of wonderful characters on their trips.  Shopkeepers who give them discounts for pretending to be newlyweds, friendly older couples enjoying life, as well as free spirits, dot the landscape of their journeys.  This is one of the joys of travelling that I love.

Story:

The story is a celebration of friendship, travel and romance.  Poppy and Alex's friendship is unlikely, at first.  But over the years, from college, to first jobs and first romances to becoming more established, Poppy and Alex grow to depend on each other.  Both of them are attracted to each other, but they also don't want to ruin their friendship (Harry and Sally, meet Alex and Poppy).  Over the years the sexual tension builds as they see each other through other relationships.  There are misunderstandings, and almost declarations that keep the reader wondering (hoping) if they'll ever get together.

But the story also brought up some questions for Poppy and Alex that were uncomfortable.  Why is Alex so attached to his family?  Why does Poppy feel the need to get as far away from their small town as possible?  Are they each other's escape, or are they each other's destiny?

What I Was Mixed About:

Sex on the Page:

Sorry, but I am not a fan of graphic sex scenes in books.  That's just my personal preference.    I think since the whole story is a build upon , "will they, or won't they", it was understandable that there would be the big sex moment.  I still loved this book.  But, if you're looking for a "clean" romance, you might want to skip this novel.

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Release Date: May 11th, 2021

Author:  Emily Henry

Publisher:  Berkley Books

Genre:  Contemporary Romance

Page Length:  384 pages

Source:  NetGalley

Format:  E-Book

Recommendation:  A fun reminder of why we love vacations!  This would make a great summer read.

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):

At a boarding school in Pennsylvania, a deathbed request from the school’s dean brings three former students back to campus, where secrets and betrayals from the past are brought out into the open―secrets that could have a catastrophic effect on the dean’s eighteen-year-old son.

Told in alternating points of view and time frames, Attachments is the story of best friends Stewart (“Goody”) Goodman, Sandy (“Pick”) Piccolo, and Laura Appleby, the girl they both love. The friends meet in 1972 at a boarding school in coal-country Pennsylvania where they encounter Henry Griffin, the school dean, whose genuine fatherly interest and deep human bond with them is so strong that when he has a severe stroke almost twenty years later, he uses what could be his last words ever to call out their names.

Attachments is a puzzle―and the only one who knows how all the pieces fit is in a coma. In the process, longtime secrets are unearthed, revelations come out into the open, and Young Chip Griffin is about to learn something he may or may not be able to handle. 

Review: 

This book may be set at a boarding school, but it's really about love in all it's stages, from teenage lust, to marriage, to the strains and joys of having children, all the way to the loss of a spouse.  It really encompasses so much.  I haven't had a book make me ugly cry in a long time.  But this book was so moving, that I cried several times.  While there were many heartbreaking moments, overall this was a well written novel that I will remember for a long time.

What I Liked:

Structure:

The story begins with the dean of the boarding school having a stroke and going into a coma.  Before he loses consciousness, he says the names of two former, unforgettable students.  Everyone is confused, but the dean's wife knows her husband wants to see these two former students who were best friends.   

The book moves back and forth between the present, and the past.  We learn how the two young men became friends, their love for the same girl, and how it tears their friendship apart.  

In the present, the dean's teenage son, Chip, grapples with his breakup with his first girlfriend.  He is devastated, unable to understand what went wrong.  With his dad in a coma, he (understandably) wonders why his dad said the names of some former students, and not Chip, or his wife.  Chip tries to unravel the mystery of why the names are important.

Characters:

Pick, Goody, and Laura are such wonderful characters.  As Pick tries to deal with his dad seemingly dumping him at a boarding school, he is paired as a roommate with Goody.  Pick is angry, embarrassed by his crime-boss father, and still mourning the death of his mother.  Goody (what a descriptive name!), is super chill, but also filled with an awareness of social justice issues.  He is the type of student who will organize a student strike to protest the firing of a teacher.  And he will be able to get everyone's support, due to his popularity.  Goody's girlfriend, Laura, adores Goody, but feels an instant connection to Pick that she can't deny.  Ah, teenage love!

I also really liked the dean's wife, Mary, and Pick's mobster father, Carmine. Mary is such a rock during her husband's crisis.  This can't be easy for Mary, as she knows the reason her husband wants Pick, Goody, and Laura to come together, one last time.  But she realizes the time has come for some secrets to be revealed.  She also reaches out to Carmine, Pick's dad.  He is a very complicated character with hidden depths to him I didn't see coming.  What seems like a caricature of  an Italian crime boss, isn't.  Carmine has regrets, loss,and acutely loves his son.  It's heartbreaking because Pick can't understand his dad at all.

Themes:

The story and characters really go through all the stages of love.  Pick, Goody, and Laura (and later Chip) experience the sting of teenage lust and love.  Later in life, Laura and Pick get married (not a spoiler), and must learn to live with the specter of Goody in the background.  Anytime things get tough, both Pick and Laura wonder if Laura should have chosen to be with Goody.  It puts a strain on their marriage.  Mary and Henry (the dean) demonstrate how love mellows and grows as we get older.  As Mary prepares to say goodbye to Henry, she looks back on their marriage and the choices they made.  It's wasn't all roses and champagne in their relationship.  Mary had to make some compromises to be with Henry.  But she comes to a place of peace with her choices.  

Story:

The story was familiar, but also went in directions I wasn't expecting.  Once you know about how attracted Pick is to Laura, you know there will come a time when the teens will act on it.  But so much more happens in the story that will affect their entire lives.  Even though he is mostly in the background of the story, Goody's journey is fascinating, and heartbreaking.  I think I cried over him most of all.

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Release Date:  May 11th, 2021

Author:  Jeff Arch

Publisher:  SparkPress

Genre:  Literary Fiction

Page Length:  376 Pages

Source: NetGalley

Format:  E-Book

Recommendation:  You're going to need an entire box of tissues to deal with all the emotions this book brings forth.  With characters who will move you, this novel will have you thinking about it for a long time to come. Highly recommended.

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):

The brutal murder of a young woman in a rural village in Northern China sends shockwaves all the way to Beijing--but seemingly only Inspector Lu Fei, living in exile in the small town, is interested in justice for the victim.

Lu Fei is a graduate of China's top police college but he's been assigned to a sleepy backwater town in northern China, where almost nothing happens and the theft of a few chickens represents a major crime wave. That is until a young woman is found dead, her organs removed, and joss paper stuffed in her mouth. The CID in Beijing--headed by a rising political star--is on the case but in an increasingly authoritarian China, prosperity and political stability are far more important than solving the murder of an insignificant village girl. As such, the CID head is interested in pinning the crime on the first available suspect rather than wading into uncomfortable truths, leaving Lu Fei on his own.

As Lu digs deeper into the gruesome murder, he finds himself facing old enemies and creating new ones in the form of local Communist Party bosses and corrupt business interests. Despite these rising obstacles, Lu remains determined to find the real killer, especially after he links the murder to other unsolved homicides. But the closer he gets to the heart of the mystery, the more he puts himself and his loved ones in danger. 

Review:

I love a good, atmospheric mystery filled with characters I can get to know over an array of books.  The new mystery series, by author Brian Klingborg, The Inspector Lu Fei Mysteries, is set in a smaller Chinese city, and checks all the boxes.  There is a collection of interesting characters in the town, a murder, and lead central character with a shadowy past, that really makes this an entertaining book.  The mystery is a gruesome murder of a local young woman, that has Lu Fei navigating a colorful cast of local characters, from nosy neighbors, to Communist bureaucrats. As he hunts the killer, we start to get to know Lu Fei.  If you enjoy the Inspector Gamache mysteries, by Louise Penny, I think you would like this book.  With all the local townspeople, it reminded me of that series.  I look forward to learning more about this character and his world in future novels.

What I Liked:

Setting:

The author has spent several years living in China, so he is uniquely qualified provide insights that make this novel authentic (without the repercussions a Chinese citizen might experience) .  The book is not shy about showing how police work in Communist China is vastly different from that in America.  No search warrants are needed, suspects can be roughed up, and if someone is charged with a crime, they are virtually guaranteed to be found guilty.  And the punishment for murder is a swift execution without time for appeals.    The book shows these differences without judgement.  Lu Fei feels a responsibility to make sure they arrest the right person, and not just to quickly solve a murder by falsely convicting an innocent person.

There are also little touches that abound showing Chinese customs that I found really interesting, especially concerning rituals about death and mourning.  I didn't know anything about some of these customs, like joss money being put in the mouth of the deceased person, and Chinese thoughts on cremation.  I also found it fascinating how traditions that have existed for thousands of years have been influenced by the current Communist government.

Characters:

Detective Lu Fei, the main character, is a single man in his late thirties who had a promising career in the police force, but now has been assigned to a small, rural city.  You'd think he would be bitter, but he seems okay with it.  But is he?  He drinks to excess most nights, and pines for the local barmaid, stumbling home to eat instant ramen.  I liked that he is very principled, but it is to his detriment.  He wants to ensure that the actual killer is found.  He doesn't want to just wrap up a case by finding the most convenient suspect. 

I also liked Lu Fei's various co-workers, from the younger constables who are already disillusioned by the low pay, and disrespect they receive, to the Police chief, who is more concerned with easy resolutions than getting to the truth.  The author shows some compelling reasons for their lack of commitment.

Story:

The story follows a violent murder with some ritualistic elements.  Why did the killer mutilate the corpse?  Can that be a clue as to who did the crime?  As Lu Fei investigates the murder, we get a look at rural Chinese society and customs.  We also see the challenges that occurs when higher ups from Beijing get involved, local independent media starts playing up the more gory details of the crime, and influential businessmen start to throw their weight around.  What are they trying to hide? 

What I Was Mixed About:

Story:

As much as I loved the story, I also found the details of the murder to be really disturbing.  If gory violence upsets you, beware!  This had several scenes that were seriously creepy.  Plus, the finale involves a violent scene with a woman being attacked.  If violence such as this is triggering to you, you might now want to read this book.

TRIGGER WARNING FOR VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Release Date:  May 4th, 2021

Author:  Brian Klingborg

Publisher:  Minotaur Books

Genre:  Mystery Thriller

Page Length:  288 Pages

Source:  Publisher and NetGalley

Format:  E-Book

Recommendation:  I found the story to be exciting and and page-turner.  I look forward to future books in the series.

Please Note:  I received an advance copy of this book 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):

At the end of the nineteenth century, three revolutionary women fight for freedom in New York Times bestselling author Chanel Cleeton’s captivating new novel inspired by real-life events and the true story of a legendary Cuban woman–Evangelina Cisneros–who changed the course of history.

A feud rages in Gilded Age New York City between newspaper tycoons William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer. When Grace Harrington lands a job at Hearst’s newspaper in 1896, she’s caught in a cutthroat world where one scoop can make or break your career, but it’s a story emerging from Cuba that changes her life.

Unjustly imprisoned in a notorious Havana women’s jail, eighteen-year-old Evangelina Cisneros dreams of a Cuba free from Spanish oppression. When Hearst learns of her plight and splashes her image on the front page of his paper, proclaiming her, “The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba,” she becomes a rallying cry for American intervention in the battle for Cuban independence.

With the help of Marina Perez, a courier secretly working for the Cuban revolutionaries in Havana, Grace and Hearst’s staff attempt to free Evangelina. But when Cuban civilians are forced into reconcentration camps and the explosion of the USS Maine propels the United States and Spain toward war, the three women must risk everything in their fight for freedom. 

Review:

I love being carried away into another time with historical fiction.  Once again, Chanel Cleeton has done a masterful job of putting her characters in the midst of historical events with her novel, The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba.  This story, once again, features the Perez family during the Spanish-American War of 1898.  But there's a host of other characters that bring together New York's Gilded Age, and a little known historical figure, in the name of Evangelina Cisneros.  This book had strong female characters, historical events I wasn't familiar with, and a hefty dose of steamy romance to create a wonderfully entertaining novel.

What I Liked:

Historical Details:

The book details the lead up to the Spanish-American War, something I knew nothing about.  In the U.S., this was the time of the great newspaper wars in New York which pitted Joseph Pulitzer's New York World, against upstart William Randolph Hearst's New York Journal.  Hearst started a brash, activist brand of reporting that was labeled "Yellow Journalism".  His sensational stories entertained the masses, and goaded America into the Spanish-American War.  The details about the lengths he went to do this seem unbelievable, and yet are true.

We also get lots of details about life in Cuba during this time.  The Spanish were losing their hold on Cuba, and brutally tried to suppress the men, and women, who were fighting for Cuba's freedom.  I particularly appreciated the details that centered on the women's prison, and the hardships females had to endure.   

Strong Female Characters:

The story centers around three women:  Grace, the assertive female reporter (certainly ahead of her time), Marina Perez, the ancestor of the Perez's in Cleeton's later books about Cuba, and on Evangelina, a beautiful young woman dubbed "The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba" by Hearst.  

Grace is every American woman of the late 1800's who yearns to be her own person.  She is determined to have a career as a journalist, and is uninterested in anything that will hinder that, including marriage and having babies.  While she worked harder than any man in the newsroom, she is also comes from a privileged background.  She isn't as constricted by financial concerns as most women of her time, thus giving her choices other women simply don't have access to.

Marina, in Cuba, was born into wealth, but gives it up to marry her childhood sweetheart, Mateo.  She is content with a simple, but hardworking life as a farmer's wife, until the fight for Cuba's freedom overtakes her life.  Then she must struggle between being a dutiful wife, and finding a way to contribute toward the war effort.  She too is struggling between the expected, traditional role that women had, as a wife and mother, and what she really wants, which was to take up arms and fight alongside the men.

The most unusual character was Evangelina.  At the beginning of the book, I found her quite annoying, as she seemed to wait for men to always solve her problems for her.  But this is just a starting point for her character.  As the book progresses, we see Evangelina rail against being put in the role of the victim.  As the American newspapers portray her as a helpless "girl" she corrects that assertion, saying, "I am a grown woman!", and finds her own way to help herself escape from prison.  I admired how her character developed over the novel, and the difficult position she was placed in with the Americans.

Story:

The story follows how Hearst's newspaper The New York Journal, pushed and pushed the United States into a war with Spain.  I enjoyed the lengths to which Hearst went to achieve this, including busting Evangelina out of the women's prison in Cuba.  The author also uses this situation to show how "yellow journalism" created the sensationalism that is still a part of the News business today.

One of the most interesting parts of the book, for me, was when the actual war started.  It almost seemed unreal, but many Americans joined up to fight, not out of a sense of patriotism, but because they wanted an Adventure!  Everyone wants a piece of the action, including Teddy Roosevelt, Clara Barton, and Hearst himself.  Hearst actually chartered a yacht (and brought along a few showgirls) to go to Cuba so he could watch, and report on, the action.  But now that Cuba has caught the attention of America, will the island gain independence, or simply trade one set of oppressors for another?

What I Was Mixed About:

While I have no problem with sex in books, I was a little surprised by the frankness of the sexual scenes in The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba.  This was mostly due to the fact that none of her previous books in the series had this level of Sexy Stuff!  

via GIPHY