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):

No matter how far she runs, the forest of Edgewood always comes for Emeline Lark. The scent of damp earth curls into her nose when she sings and moss creeps across the stage. It’s as if the woods of her childhood, shrouded in folklore and tall tales, are trying to reclaim her. But Emeline has no patience for silly superstitions.

When her grandfather disappears, leaving only a mysterious orb in his wake, the stories Emeline has always scoffed at suddenly seem less foolish. She enters the forest she has spent years trying to escape, only to have Hawthorne Fell, a handsome and brooding tithe collector, try to dissuade her from searching.

Refusing to be deterred, Emeline finds herself drawn to the court of the fabled Wood King himself. She makes a deal—her voice for her grandfather’s freedom. Little does she know, she’s stumbled into the middle of a curse much bigger than herself, one that threatens the existence of this eerie world she’s trapped in, along with the devastating boy who feels so familiar.

With the help of Hawthorne—an enemy turned reluctant ally who she grows closer to each day—Emeline sets out to not only save her grandfather’s life, but to right past wrongs, and in the process, discover her true voice.

Review:

I really love novels with the Fae as part of the story.  In Edgewood, by Kristen Ciccarelli, the Fae are varied.  Some are kind and others are cruel.  And there are many other kinds of creatures that create a rich universe for the story.  But this is also a novel about the "real" world, where Emeline, the main character, is torn between helping her grandfather, who has dementia, and following her dreams of becoming a famous singer.  I found the exploration of Emme's relationship with her grandfather, and how she deals with the guilt of not being there for him, to be the real heart of the story.  There is a romance with a human who is living with the Fae, which I found somewhat problematic.  And there were some interesting quests for Emme to fulfill which helped keep the book moving.  Overall, I would say this would be a good library read.

What I Liked:

World-Building:

I really liked all the various creatures that inhabit the world of the Fae.  There is the wood king, who is predictably cruel, and un predictable.  But there are also creatures, such as the  terrifying fire-horses who can spirit someone away, bog spirits who suck your blood as payment across a body of water, as well as dragons, and many other magical creatures. I liked that some where relatively harmless, but others might kill you without a second thought.

There was also a complex mythology that the people of Edgewood, the small town on the edge of the forest, believe.  They make sure to pay tithes to the Fae to keep dangers away.  If anything bad happens to someone, the Fae are almost always to blame.  Emme doesn't really believe any of it.  Which makes the townspeople seem delusional to her.  She can't wait to get away from these people!

Characters:

I did like Emme.  She was very torn about leaving Edgewood to pursue her dreams of musical superstardom.  She knows that she has an abundance of talent, but she is also close to her grandfather, who has raised her.  When Emme moves to a large city and see strange things happen when she sings, she wonders if maybe she is having mental issues.   She also starts to question all the other compromises she has to make to become a "popular" singer. She is told her own music that she has written doesn't have pop appeal.  So she starts using a songwriter, and is more successful.  But is this really the kind of music she wants to perform?

Emme's grandfather is the kind of person we all wish we had in our lives.  He has raised Emme ever since her mother left Emme as a baby.  But her grandfather has taught her about living a life filled with friends and neighbors, so that Emme rarely felt unloved.  He is even the one to insist that she leave Edgewood to pursue her music.

What I Was Mixed About:

Tone:

While the book shows Emme as an adult who has had several lovers, it also tries to dial it back when she gets to the world of the Fae.  Then,, she refers to a young man about her age as a boy (I'm paraphrasing, but several times Emme says to herself, "Since when do you blush and stammer when talking to a boy, Emme?").  She's not an awkward, inexperienced young teen!

Spice:

Emme is supposed to be nineteen in the book and makes no bones that she is not a virgin.  That's fine.  Teens have sex, and an nineteen year-old is an adult.  However, the book has two sex scenes in it.  The scene when she is nineteen gets hot and heavy and then fades to black.  But the other scene takes place when she is about fifteen and is a complete, sex on the page, play by play.  I personally find it wrong for a writer to describe children having sex.  She could have easily been more descriptive during the scene when she was of age.  I don't understand why she chose to do this.  This is my own opinion and I do not judge others if they disagree with me.

Characters:

I felt that Hawthorne, the young man that Emme meets in the Fae world, was a bit two-dimensional.  I get that he needs to be mysterious so that Emme will want to know more about him.  But we never learn some key facts about him, such as how he came to be in the Fae world in the first place.  He only has one motivation (which I won't spoil by revealing it here), and you never understand what he really wants or what would make him happy.

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐

Release Date:  March 1st, 2022

Author:  Kristen Ciccarelli

Publisher:  Wednesday Books

Genre:  YA Fantasy

Page Length:  400 pages

Source: NetGalley

Format:  E-Book

Recommendation:  I think this is fine to read as a library book but I wouldn't go out of my way to spend money on it.

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

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

A blazing talent debuts with the tale of a status-driven wedding planner grappling with her social ambitions, absent mother, and Puerto Rican roots, all in the wake of Hurricane Maria

It's 2017, and Olga and her brother, Pedro "Prieto" Acevedo, are bold-faced names in their hometown of New York. Prieto is a popular congressman representing their gentrifying Latinx neighborhood in Brooklyn while Olga is the tony wedding planner for Manhattan's powerbrokers.

Despite their alluring public lives, behind closed doors things are far less rosy. Sure, Olga can orchestrate the love stories of the 1%, but she can't seem to find her own...until she meets Matteo, who forces her to confront the effects of long-held family secrets...

Twenty-seven years ago, their mother, Blanca, a Young Lord-turned-radical, abandoned her children to advance a militant political cause, leaving them to be raised by their grandmother. Now, with the winds of hurricane season, Blanca has come barreling back into their lives.

Set against the backdrop of New York City in the months surrounding the most devastating hurricane in Puerto Rico's history, Olga Dies Dreaming is a story that examines political corruption, familial strife and the very notion of the American dream--all while asking what it really means to weather a storm.

Review:

It's hard to believe that this is a debut novel.  With such a complete world, compelling characters, and a story set amid the backdrop of Hurricane Maria, this book pulled me in and wouldn't let me go.  Not that I wanted to.  I was really drawn to Olga as she must navigate the world knowing that her mother didn't feel that being a parent was important enough.  If only her mother would have actually left, Olga could have had a chance to move forward.  But, Blanca (her mom) keeps tabs on Olga and her brother, sending them letters criticizing them for not doing what she feels is important with their lives.  This sets up Olga, and her brother Pietro, for a lifetime of problems.  

I really loved Olga's extended family (especially her cousin Mabel), and all the layered family dramas that went with it.  But the story really focuses on Olga and Pietro.  Both are proud of their Puerto Rican heritage, but emotionally damaged by their mother's psychological manipulation.  Do they feel Puerto Rican, or American?  Can they be both?  Or and they neither?  With their mother constantly undermining their confidence, they are left confused and unable to find their own dreams.  This book looks at how we relate to our parents expectations.  How can Olga and Pietro ever realize their own dreams when their mom is cynically manipulating them for her own agenda?  

The production values on this audiobook were top notch.  There were several narrators, which enhanced the listening experience for the reader.  I would caution that there should be a trigger warning for sexual violence.  It really took me by surprise and was upsetting to listen about.  Although it was essential to the story, a heads-up would have been appreciated.  This was a deeply compelling book that I hope others will read.

What I Liked:

Characters:

Olga, although quite successful, is drifting through life.  As a wedding planner in New York, she works exclusively with wealthy families to plan over the top weddings.  This is grating, as she ignores subtle, passive racism, ("You work so hard for a Puerto Rican!"), but she powers through in order to achieve the comfortable lifestyle she has made for herself.  This is a not so subtle snub to her mother, who is all about power to the working class.  

But Olga is also a caring friend, who will drop everything for someone having a difficult time.  As far as romance is concerned, she adheres to her mother's advice not to rely on any man ("It's a trap!", her mom would say).  But that leaves Olga very much alone.

She often talks out her problems with her brother, Pietro.  Pietro is a U.S. Congressman, pursuing a path that he thinks his mother would approve of. But he is also holding on to a secret.  He's gay, and being blackmailed by corporate bigwigs.  Will he ever be able to do the work he and his mother want, to improve life for the people of Puerto Rico? While I understood that he didn't feel that his family or community would support him if they knew he was gay, I was a bit surprised that he didn't come out the moment he was being blackmailed.  It would have solved a lot of problems for the character.  But, I do know some people have a very hard time accepting their own feelings.  

Blanca is Olga and Pietro's mother.  The author did a good job of getting me to hate her, but also understand why she was not the mothering type.  Some people just aren't meant to be parents.  Usually, it's a man who runs out on his kids (not the case here).  But Blanca feels that motherhood, for her, is keeping her small.  She has big dreams for creating Puerto Rico's independence from the U.S., and children will only get in the way.  I would have had more empathy with Blanca if she didn't keep undermining her children's self-esteem.  By writing such damning letters at critical moments in Olga and Pietro's lives, she is claiming the rights of a parent without any of the responsibilities that go with it. 

Puerto Rico:

Puerto Rico could be considered one of the main characters in this book.  As the characters who live in New York keep saying, Puerto Ricans are American Citizens. But most mainland American's don't see them that way.  The people of Puerto Rico also see themselves as apart from the United States.  So Olga and Pietro are stuck.  They aren't American enough for some, but since they were raised in New York, they don't feel entirely part of the island, either.

This book also highlights some of the atrocious ways the United States has treated the Island over the last 200 years.  While they are Americans, they don't have any representation in Congress.  They have a Governor who is appointed, not elected, and don't have much of a say on how the island is run.  This was all too apparent during the crisis that occurred after Hurricane Maria. Even though I did follow this event when it happened, it was really eye-opening to read more about it. 

Trigger Warning for Sexual Violence

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Release Date:  January 4, 2022

Author: Xóchitl González

Genre:  Literary Fiction

Audiobook Publisher:  Macmillan Audio

Audiobook Narrators:  Almarie Guerra, Armando Riesco, Inés del Castillo

Audiobook Length:  11 Hours, 22 Minutes

Print Publisher: Flatiron Books

Page Length:  384 Pages

Source:  Libro.fm

Format:  Audiobook

Recommendation:  This is a strong debut about family expectations, and a person's hopes and dreams.  I highly recommend this book.

About Libro.fm:

If you want to listen to this book, I highly recommend getting this through Libro.fm.  This audiobook subscription supports Independent bookstores (not certain, Amazonian space cowboys).  A subscription to Libro.fm gets you one book credit per month and discounts on other book purchases.  This is much cheaper than buying print books!  

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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):

An impossible crime. A detective on the edge of madness. The future of time travel at stake. From the author of The Warehouse.

January Cole’s job just got a whole lot harder.

Not that running security at the Paradox was ever really easy. Nothing’s simple at a hotel where the ultra-wealthy tourists arrive costumed for a dozen different time periods, all eagerly waiting to catch their “flights” to the past.

Or where proximity to the timeport makes the clocks run backward on occasion—and, rumor has it, allows ghosts to stroll the halls.

None of that compares to the corpse in room 526. The one that seems to be both there and not there. The one that somehow only January can see.

On top of that, some very important new guests have just checked in. Because the U.S. government is about to privatize time-travel technology—and the world’s most powerful people are on hand to stake their claims.

January is sure the timing isn’t a coincidence. Neither are those “accidents” that start stalking their bidders.

There’s a reason January can glimpse what others can’t. A reason why she’s the only one who can catch a killer who’s operating invisibly and in plain sight, all at once.

But her ability is also destroying her grip on reality—and as her past, present, and future collide, she finds herself confronting not just the hotel’s dark secrets but her own.

At once a dazzlingly time-twisting murder mystery and a story about grief, memory, and what it means to—literally—come face-to-face with our ghosts, The Paradox Hotel is another unforgettable speculative thrill ride from acclaimed author Rob Hart.

Review:

I really enjoyed Rob Hart's previous novel, The Warehouse, with it's Amazon-esque mega corporation controlling America.  The Paradox Hotel, Hart's newest science-fiction thriller, speculates on what would happen if time travel were found to be possible.  Would the ultra-wealthy take time travel vacations to, say, 1776 Philadelphia to watch the signing of the Declaration of Independence ?  Would they try to manipulate the past to gain even more power?  Both seem likely.

This novel is full of the fun aspects of how time travel would work, and (of course) of all the potential pitfalls.  It is also a wonderful character study of a person experiencing grief. Add to that a timey-wimey mystery, and you have yourself a highly entertaining novel.  I loved it!

What I Liked:

Time Travel (The Good, The Bad, and the Timey-Wimey):

The novel takes place sometime in the distant future where time travel has been invented, and monetized by the U.S. government.  The Paradox Hotel is a launching off point for time travel "vacations" by those who can afford it.  There are people traveling to ancient Egypt, the Aztec period of Mexico, and all sorts of other destinations!  But how will that work?  I won't spoil it, but I'll just say that the author has had fun fleshing out all the details.  

  via GIPHY

January Cole works as the head of security at the hotel.  But she has also traveled back in time to stop people from trying to change the future.  Too much time travel leads a person to become Unstuck.  There are different stages of being Unstuck, from small moments of déjà vu in the first stage, to all out madness in stage three.   January is in denial, but she is nearly at stage three, which makes it hard for her to be taken seriously when she starts to see the future deaths of some of the guests.

Characters:

January, the main character, is not immediately likable.  Since the hotel is it's own little universe, everyone who works there has become part of a found family.  But January, always rude and sarcastic, has never felt close to her co-workers.  This changes when she falls in love with Mina, another employee at the hotel.  Mina draws her in, and helps her learn to be part of the life of their little community.  When Mina tragically dies (before the start of the novel), January reverts back to her introverted ways.  But others now know she is actually a smart, fierce friend.  They try mightily to keep her connected with the group.  

January's grief is a huge part of the book.  How do you deal with the death of a loved one if that was the only person who you felt really got you?  January actually has lots of other people cheering her on.  But her grief is so deep that she can't see it. 

Mystery:

This was another entertaining aspect of the book.  The U.S. government, hard up for cash, is taking bids from Billionaires to take over the hotel and time-travel tourism.  There are ego's in abundance as entitled mega-rich guys (yes, all guys), come to the hotel for a conference.  But January sees parts of a future where several people wind up dead.  Who is trying to stop the conference?  Is it one of the groups opposed to time travel? Or could it be someone who is trying to get rid of their competition?  And, who let the dinosaurs loose in the hotel lobby?  It's all connected.  This is a complex mystery, but it keeps the story moving forward.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Release Date:  February 22nd, 2022

Author:  Rob Hart

Publisher:  Ballantine Books

Genre:  Speculative Fiction

Page Length:  336 pages

Source:  NetGalley

Format:  E-book

Recommendation:  This is really entertaining, and establishes Rob Hart as right up there with Andy Weir as one of the best science fiction writers around now.  Read this book! 

Please Note:  I received an advance audiobook 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):

With her acclaimed New York Times bestseller (and Reese's Book Club pick) Fair Play, Eve Rodsky began a national conversation about greater equality on the home front. But she soon realized that even when the domestic workload becomes more balanced, people still report something missing in their lives--that is, unless they create and prioritize time for activities that not only fill their calendars but also unleash their creativity.

Rodsky calls this vital time Unicorn Space--the active and open pursuit of creative self-expression in any form that makes you uniquely YOU. To help readers embrace all the unlikely, surprising, and delightful places where their own Unicorn Space may be found, she speaks with trail blazers, thought leaders, academics, and countless real people who have discovered theirs everywhere--from activism to artistic endeavors to second careers.

Rodsky reveals what researchers already know: Creativity is not optional. It's essential. Though most of us do need to remind ourselves how (and where) to find it. With her trademark mix of research based, how-to advice and big-picture inspirational thinking, Rodsky shows you a clear path to reclaim your permission to have fun, manifest your own Unicorn Space in an already too-busy life, and unleash your special gifts and undiscovered talents into the world.

Review:

I have not read the author's previous book on household inequity, Fair Play, It had to do with how much more of the domestic work women often do at home than their partners.  I think this is an important topic, as we all can see by how women were much more affected by the COVID pandemic than their male partners.  Find Your Unicorn Space Eve Rodsky's latest book, is about finding time to pursue your interests.  She makes a good case for why this is important and not a luxury.  I appreciated her practical tips for having conversations with one's partner in order to get free time to do this.  She also wrote about how we can identify what our passions are.  This may seem unnecessary, but as many people put their needs last after their kids, this was actually really useful.

What I didn't appreciate was the author's assumptions that everyone reading this book is a heterosexual woman with a male partner, who has kids.  This really limited the appeal of the book for me. She also seems to scold people who say they don't have extra time in the day.  She makes the case that you can always find time for these pursuits.  But, if someone is struggling financially, in poor health, or working over 40 hours a week, they easily may not have time for anything other than sleep. There are also cultural challenges that some people may face that make doing creative things very difficult.    

What I Liked:

I did like that the book shows how people need to bee creative.  Much as we think this is a luxury, we should realize that it is necessary for a fulfilling life to finds ways to be creative.  While some are lucky enough to combine their passion with something that pays, most of us do not have that.  By finding creative outlets, whether it be cooking wonderful meals for our families, or studying a language, we will have more satisfying lives.  

The author does a good job of describing the differences between seeking happiness, and seeking fulfillment in life.  While happiness is an emotion that comes and goes, fulfillment is deeper and longer lasting.  I really appreciated these distinctions.  Too often, we are told we need to be happy, and if we're not, something is wrong with our lives.  But, happiness comes in waves.  Just because one isn't happy at every given moment  doesn't mean their life is on the wrong track. 

The book also had practical tips for having constructive conversations with your partner about what both of you need.  Getting time to pursue your interests is a two-way street.  If your partner is taking time to work on their interests, you need to get equal time.  The author points out though, that these conversations can be emotionally charged if not handled carefully, and with mutual respect.  

What I Didn't Like:

One of my pet peeves is when someone (like a celebrity) moans about how hard it is to be a mother, only to learn that they employ a cook, a housekeeper, and a nanny!  Oh cry me a river.  They do not have it hard.  This book is like that.  There are many examples that the author uses of having to negotiate with her husband about him taking on more of the household chores and childcare so she can have her creative time.  But, from the acknowledgement at the end of the book, she does employ a nanny.  Leaving out this key detail makes her lose some credibility with me, as a reader.  

The author does concede that every study she sites on the workload inequities that women face are based on cis gender, heterosexual couples.  Maybe there haven't been any studies done with other types of households.  But this narrows the audience for this book.  Single parents, gay couples, etc. are completely shut out.

She also (very briefly) acknowledges that it's more challenging to be creative when you're having trouble making ends meet.  But then she gives examples of women who are able to do this, even though they a struggling financially.  Way to put pressure on women, Eve!  These examples, in my opinion, are themselves, unicorns.

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐

Release Date:  December 28, 2021

Author:  Eve Rodsky

Genre:  Self-Help

Audio Publisher:  Penguin Random House Audio

Narrator:  Eve Rodsky

Audiobook Length:  8 hours, 52 minutes

Print Publisher:  G.P. Putman's Sons

Print Length:  336 pages

Source:  Penguin Random House Audio

Review Format: Audiobook 

Recommendation:  While this book does offer good tips to create time for creativity, it also reeks of privilege.  I think this would be a good library read.

Please Note:  I received an advance audio copy of the 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):

It's the following Thursday.

Elizabeth has received a letter from an old colleague, a man with whom she has a long history. He's made a big mistake, and he needs her help. His story involves stolen diamonds, a violent mobster, and a very real threat to his life.

As bodies start piling up, Elizabeth enlists Joyce, Ibrahim and Ron in the hunt for a ruthless murderer. And if they find the diamonds too? Well, wouldn't that be a bonus?

But this time they are up against an enemy who wouldn't bat an eyelid at knocking off four septuagenarians. Can The Thursday Murder Club find the killer (and the diamonds) before the killer finds them? 

Review:

I really enjoy mysteries, and the series called The Thursday Murder Club is quickly becoming a favorite.  The first book introduced us to a group of retirees who are not sitting quietly in an old folks home.  These four solve murders!  

The second book in the series, The Man Who Died Twice, continues the adventures of Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim, and Ron, as we learn a lot more about the people in this group.  What was hinted at in the first book is confirmed:  Elizabeth was a spy for MI-5!  This story encompasses murder, spying, and a healthy dose of personal antics on the part of the group.  I loved it.  

What I Liked:

Narration:

Leslie Manville does a superb job as the narrator of this series.  She knows how to show each character's personality and seems to have a lot of fun with the various British accents.  She also knows how to slowly build suspense, and this book gave her plenty of opportunities to do that.

Characters:

I read this book just as I was watching the latest season of The Great British Bake Off on Netflix.  So, when I read the book, I instantly equated several of the characters with people on that show.  Here are my picks for who should play the characters, should this become a television series:

Elizabeth:  The clear choice for the assertive former MI-5 spy of course is on of the judges, Prue Leith.  I love this character!  Elizabeth is a smart, no-nonsense former spy who is not content to sit on the sidelines, watching the world go by.  She wants to continue to solve crimes.  But she also has to (and wants to) take care of her husband who has dementia.

Joyce:  This character seems mild-mannered and quiet.  But Joyce has a lot more depth to her.  I see Val Stones from GBB Season 2016.  I loved Joyce's patience with the other members of the group.  And she is not one to be underestimated!  She often finds to solutions to problems the gang encounters.

Ibrahim:  Ibrahim is the quiet, introspective former psychiatrist.  Although he is way too young, I would love to see Rahul the winner of the 2018 season of Bake Off in the role.  Like Ibrahim, Rahul is very quiet and shy, but also very smart!

Story:

I really liked that we saw more of who the four main characters were, particularly such a complex character as Elizabeth.  She is both incredibly kind and amazingly brutal (when she needs to be).  While she is the epitome of the caring partner to her husband, she also has no qualms about putting her friends in danger, or even killing someone. 

Ibrahim is also quite a complicated character.  At the beginning of the book, Ibrahim is the victim of a crime.  This leaves him really shaken.  He begins to suffer from PTSD.  Now, Ibrahim is a retired psychiatrist, so he knows what is happening to him.  But that doesn't prevent his brain from suffering.  I really felt for this character, but also for his friends who have a hard time knowing how to help him. 

The murder, itself, is quite a who-done- it.  There are several possibilities, each stranger than the next.  It's quite a thrill ride to be sure.

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Release Date:  September 28, 2021

Author:  Richard Osman

Genre:  Mystery

Audio Publisher:  Penguin Audio

Audio Narrator:  Lesley Manville

Audio Length:  11 hours, 50 minutes

Print Publisher:  Penguin 

Print Length:  336 Pages

Review Format:  Audiobook

Source:  Random House Audio

Recommendation:  Start with the first book, and then dive into this fun mystery.  You will want to spend all your time with these wonderful pensioners.

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

“That book. It was about two women, and they fell in love with each other.” And then Lily asked the question that had taken root in her, that was even now unfurling its leaves and demanding to be shown the sun: “Have you ever heard of such a thing?”

Seventeen-year-old Lily Hu can’t remember exactly when the question took root, but the answer was in full bloom the moment she and Kathleen Miller walked under the flashing neon sign of a lesbian bar called the Telegraph Club.

America in 1954 is not a safe place for two girls to fall in love, especially not in Chinatown. Red-Scare paranoia threatens everyone, including Chinese Americans like Lily. With deportation looming over her father—despite his hard-won citizenship—Lily and Kath risk everything to let their love see the light of day.

Review:

I hadn't heard much about this book before I checked it out from the public library.  But I knew this was about San Francisco Chinatown in the 1950's, and a girl coming to terms with being a lesbian.  I also knew that this won the 2021 National Book Award for Young People's Literature.  This was a beautiful, heartbreaking book.  

Most people don't remember what it was like when being a homosexual was considered a mental illness.  Even though the Supreme Court ruled that gays had the right to assemble in 1951, there were still raids on gay bars, and people were thrown in jail on trumped up charges of "lewd conduct", and "contributing to the delinquency of a minor".  This book was set seventy years ago.  It made me so sad for gay people of my parents' generation.

I loved the two main characters, Lily and her girlfriend Kath.  They are high school seniors who are realizing that they like girls, not boys.  Lily's filled with shame and fear as she finds that she is not like her friends.  Add to this that Lily is Chinese-American, with a culture that values traditional family, and denies there are any gay Chinese, it's no wonder Lily is fearful.  

Since the Chinese students tend to stick together, she doesn't really know Kath (a Caucasian) all that well.  But they are the only two girls in their high school's advanced math class during their senior year.  They both have similar dreams of having a career in math and science.  Then Kath tells Lily about the Telegraph Club, a nightclub with male impersonators.  Lily is drawn to this and asks Kath to take her to the bar.  Once they get some fake ID's, they agree to meet there.

This book is so intense, that I had to put it down several times.  As she becomes bolder and takes more chances, I worried for Lily.  I didn't want Lily to get caught!  But, if things were easy, there wouldn't be much of a story.  Just be warned that it is tough to read about what can happen to people when they come out to their family!  

What I Liked:

Characters:

Lily is such an engaging character.  As her senior year begins, her life-long friendship with Shirley (another Chinese-American girl) is strained.  Lily begins to see how manipulative her friend is and she has had enough!  She is tired of being a doormat, and pushes back against her friend.  But, since they live in such a tight-knit community, her parents just assume that they will always be best friends.  They have no idea that Shirley is a queen bee and has been stinging her "friends" for years.  

Shirley actually was also a sympathetic character, despite her shortcomings.  She feels the sting of racism daily and sometimes wishes she didn't live in Chinatown.  She dreams of going to Hollywood and being in movies.  But she knows that she will soon be expected to get married and have children, staying in Chinatown forever.

Setting & Historical Details:

The author did extensive research into the time period, San Francisco Chinatown, LGBTQ issues in the 1950's, and the Red Scare.  All these details add a layer of realism that helps bring Lily's problems to life.  Not only is she afraid of being labeled a lesbian, she is also worried about her father's immigration status.  Even though he was an American citizen, he still was threatened with deportation if he didn't confirm that one of his patients was a communist.  If Lily is labeled a homosexual, she might put her father in even more danger. 

This was also a really fascinating look into the gay community in San Francisco in the 1950's.  How does a young person even find other gay people when it is so dangerous?  Small nightclubs with entertainment that promised "a gay old time" were learned about through word of mouth.  Bouncers looked the other way at teenagers getting in.  Suddenly, Lily sees that there are many other lesbians in the city.  It was a revelation for her, and made her more comfortable with who she was.  

Story:

This story had a lot of tension as Lily realizes she is gay, and then starts to explore what that means.  With every act of rebellion, Lily comes closer and closer to being caught. I was constantly worried for her.  What would happen to her if her friends or family found out?  

Spoiler Alert...The ending is not a feel-good happy moment where the characters all get what they want.  But it was a very realistic ending that did leave me hopeful for Lily and Kath.  This really made me appreciate how much things have changed.  While it still depends on a person's family, many young people have much less traumatic coming out stories. I hope that parents of gay kids will read this and realize that their kids need to be loved and supported, not shamed and ridiculed by their family.

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Release Date:  January 19th, 2021

Author: Malinda Lo

Publisher:  Dutton Books for Young Readers

Genre:  YA Historical Fiction/LBGTQ YA Fiction

Page Length: 416 Pages

Source:  Public Library

Format:  E-Book

Recommendation:  This is a truly special book that I hope teens, and parents, will read.  I highly recommend it. 

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):

You have 24 hours to win. If you break my rules, she dies. If you call the police, she dies. If you tell your parents or anyone else, she dies.

Are you ready?

When Crystal Donavan gets a message on a mysterious app with a video of her little sister gagged and bound, she agrees to play the kidnapper’s game. At first, they make her complete bizarre tasks: steal a test and stuff it in a locker, bake brownies, make a prank call.

But then Crystal realizes each task is meant to hurt—and kill—her friends, one by one. But if she refuses to play, the kidnapper will kill her sister. Is someone trying to take her team out of the running for a gaming tournament? Or have they uncovered a secret from their past, and wants them to pay for what they did…

As Crystal makes the impossible choices between her friends and her sister, she must uncover the truth and find a way to outplay the kidnapper… before it’s too late.

Author of All Your Twisted Secrets, Diana Urban’s explosive sophomore novel, These Deadly Games, will keep you riveted until the final twist is revealed.

Review:

When I read the synopsis of These Deadly Games, by Diana Urban, I was intrigued.  Who doesn't like a good teen thriller?  With subtle hints towards the movie, I Know What You Did Last Summer, I was looking forward to reading this book.  However, I found the plot of this novel to be over the top ridiculous.  Perhaps if there was more awareness from the other characters about why they were being targeted, it would have worked better.  But, as the "game" really only involves one person, Chrystal, it seems strange that she is asked to do so many tasks to ruin her friends' lives.  I didn't buy that she would be that compliant, never questioning what is happening, for a moment.

I certainly can't fault the writing of the book.  The author does know how to move a scene along, creating tension and suspense.  I just thought that the game was ridiculous.  There is even a moment at the beginning of the story where Chrystal says that, while is is terrified for her sister's safety, she is intrigued by whoever is behind the game.  What???  She says that they must be a genius to be able to pull this off.  Really?  If I thought my sister were in imminent danger, I wouldn't be silently congratulating the person who might hurt her.  I found that to be extremely weird. 

Although there were a few moments at the end of the book that did surprise me, I could tell who was behind the game almost immediately.  This was super violent, and had enough plot holes to drive a truck through.  It pains me to say this, but I can't recommend this book.

What I Liked:

via GIPHY

What I Didn't Like:

Plot Holes:

There are so many obvious dead ends and plot wholes to this book.  The whole "game hinges on Chrystal checking her phone during class.  If she hadn't done that, there would have been no way for the plot to move forward.  And since I did believe that the main character, Chrystal was super smart, it made no sense that she didn't realize obvious things from the start.

Finally, there was a whole subplot about domestic violence that added nothing to the plot.  It was not integral to the story or added anything to the backstory of the characters.  All it will do to readers is possibly trigger any teen who has had to witness this kind of violence.

Plot:

The plot of this book is centered around what should be the key question of the main character, Chrystal: who is directing this "game"?  But she doesn't really start to look into this until after she has completed several of the game's tasks.  Wouldn't that be question number one?  The novel does suggest a number of possible suspects.  But no one that she seriously considers has a strong enough motive to physically harm the main character, her sister, or her friends.  Would teens really be that motivated to possibly kill other teens over a video game tournament?  It's not likely.

While I think the author thought themselves to be pretty clever with various tricks about the game, I had serious doubts that Chrystal would be so stumped.  Why is it that she never took a screenshot?  Or didn't think that the phone she was using would be hacked?  I mean, I'm an older person, but even I knew that was happening.  

Also, why wouldn't Chrystal, who was very intelligent, not also immediately try to determine what the end game of the kidnapper was?  As she starts to see what the game is really about, wouldn't she start to see that it was not simply about ruining Chrystal's life, but was about killing her and her friends?  And if that was the case, her sister's life would already be over.  A kidnapper in that situation would not be releasing her sister, ever.  

TRIGGER WARNING FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Rating:  ⭐⭐

Release Date: February 1st, 2022

Author:  Diana Urban

Publisher:  Wednesday Books

Genre:  YA Mystery

Page Length:  416 pages

Source:  NetGalley

Format:  E-Book

Recommendation:  Although this book is aimed at teens, that is no excuse to have a plot that is contrived and filled with situations that were so outlandish as to be unbelievable.  I do not recommend this 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):

Every story has its secrets.
Every mystery has its motives.

“A long time ago, in another country, I nearly killed a woman. It’s a particular feeling, the urge to murder. It takes over your body so completely, it’s like a divine force, grabbing hold of your will, your limbs, your psyche. There’s a joy to it. In retrospect, it’s frightening, but I daresay in the moment it feels sweet. The way justice feels sweet.”

The greatest mystery wasn’t Agatha Christie’s disappearance in those eleven infamous days, it’s what she discovered.

London, 1925: In a world of townhomes and tennis matches, socialites and shooting parties, Miss Nan O’Dea became Archie Christie’s mistress, luring him away from his devoted and well-known wife, Agatha Christie.

The question is, why? Why destroy another woman’s marriage, why hatch a plot years in the making, and why murder? How was Nan O’Dea so intricately tied to those eleven mysterious days that Agatha Christie went missing?

Review:

I didn't quite know what to expect when I requested this book.  I do find the mystery of Agatha Christie's disappearance really intriguing.  As I started to read the novel, I thought this was going to be a domestic drama about how society women in the 1920's had to put up with entitled men.  And while this was a theme in the book, there was so much more going on.  

There are really two stories happening at once.  We do follow Agatha as she disappears for about ten days.  But the far more interesting story is that of Archie Christie's mistress, Nan O'Dea.  While in reality there was no Nan O'Dea (he did leave Agatha for a woman named Nancy Neele), the author creates a character that is so complete, I had to hit Google to see if this was actually Archie's mistress.  As we learn about Nan's backstory, we begin to understand that her reasons for being with Archie are greater than just finding a well-heeled husband. 

Then the book takes another turn.  Someone dies at the hotel where both Agatha and Nan are staying.  Was it just a tragic accident... Or was it Murder?  Yes, this book does become a murder mystery.  Predictable?  A bit.  But there were lots of twists and turns that made this solving this crime fun to follow.  This was both a sharp commentary on what the lives of women were like in Great Britain in the 1920's, and a clever mystery that I think Agatha Christie would have loved.  

What I Liked:

Characters:

Agatha, in the time when the book takes place, is not yet a famous novelist.  Although she is starting to publish a few books, her husband Archie doesn't really take her seriously.  Since we, the readers, know how successful she will eventually be, we cannot help but see the irony of just how little he thinks of her.  We know Agatha will get the last laugh.  But, we can also see how deeply his actions affect his wife.  Women, especially those in "Society", were expected to put up with infidelity.  When Archie leaves Agatha, he has the gall to tell her not to make a scene so as not to hurt his mistress's reputation!  

At first, Agatha is devastated by the betrayal.  She leaves to give herself time to think.  What will she be if she is not Archie's wife?  It felt like her life was over.  I loved that she finally realized that she was better off without him.

Nan is Archie's mistress.  Usually, I have very little sympathy for women who get involved with married men.  But, the author made Nan such a whole character, I eventually understood why she made the choices she did.  Nan's backstory goes all the way back to her childhood, and her first love.  Their story is a tragedy that was probably very common ,all due to WWI.  

Storytelling:

The storytelling is a slow burn. There are many flashbacks in the story that explain who the characters are.  At first I found this a bit frustrating.  What does Ireland have to do with the story? But, everything is done with a purpose.  Much like all the little details in Agatha Christie novels.  They all have meaning.  This tactic really reeled me in and made me heavily invested in the outcome of the story.

Mystery:

What book about Agatha Christie would be complete without a death!  At first, it appears that Agatha is dead, and Archie is the prime suspect.  And his plan to keep his affair out of the spotlight fails spectacularly.   I was very happy to see this slime-ball squirm. 

Then there are two deaths at the spa where Agatha (and Nan) are staying.  There are many small details in the scenes leading up to the deaths that become important later in the story.  The mystery is what ties all the stories of the book together.  This was so like an Agatha Christie mystery which made it incredibly entertaining, and satisfying.

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Release Date: February 1st, 2022

Author:  Nina de Gramont

Publisher:  St. Martin's Press

Genre:  Historical Fiction/Mystery

Page Length:  320 Pages 

Source: NetGalley

Format:  E-book

Recommendation:  A murder mystery wrapped in a historical fiction novel, this was quite entertaining.  I highly recommend this book.