tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59736029326658513742024-03-05T03:01:05.423-08:00Pondering the ProseMy journey of self-discovery through readingMsArdychanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16011176764545344829noreply@blogger.comBlogger1006125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973602932665851374.post-80806595785985843082023-03-07T22:01:00.000-08:002023-03-07T22:01:43.579-08:00Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult & Jennifer Finney Boylan<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoFqzuDTkBszX2lAlwNjahSqA_HUIGo15Msc2e9mRgMFl--KijMcLtJN21FI5M4Bk0pwQxsMHX_lkPL44GPtC_1y_SORJebefmed1is7_pqcxraxNHPuWmpsBcUmqSgs6lhYtuh0Nz81sg72tAsc8isxSyPJK5axoMiFOQrYa_eA1ynL5yWBeORoxWQQ/s2850/Mad%20Honey.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2850" data-original-width="1875" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoFqzuDTkBszX2lAlwNjahSqA_HUIGo15Msc2e9mRgMFl--KijMcLtJN21FI5M4Bk0pwQxsMHX_lkPL44GPtC_1y_SORJebefmed1is7_pqcxraxNHPuWmpsBcUmqSgs6lhYtuh0Nz81sg72tAsc8isxSyPJK5axoMiFOQrYa_eA1ynL5yWBeORoxWQQ/s320/Mad%20Honey.jpeg" width="211" /></a></div><span style="color: #e69138; font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"><b><i><p><span style="color: #e69138; font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></p>Please Note: I receive 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.</i></b></span><p></p><p><span style="color: #e69138; font-family: arial;"><b>Synopsis (from Goodreads):</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Olivia McAfee knows what it feels like to start over. Her picture-perfect life—living in Boston, married to a brilliant cardiothoracic surgeon, raising a beautiful son, Asher—was upended when her husband revealed a darker side. She never imagined she would end up back in her sleepy New Hampshire hometown, living in the house she grew up in, and taking over her father's beekeeping business.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Lily Campanello is familiar with do-overs, too. When she and her mom relocate to Adams, New Hampshire, for her final year of high school, they both hope it will be a fresh start.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">And for just a short while, these new beginnings are exactly what Olivia and Lily need. Their paths cross when Asher falls for the new girl in school, and Lily can’t help but fall for him, too. With Ash, she feels happy for the first time. Yet at times, she wonders if she can she trust him completely . . .</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Then one day, Olivia receives a phone call: Lily is dead, and Asher is being questioned by the police. Olivia is adamant that her son is innocent. But she would be lying if she didn’t acknowledge the flashes of his father’s temper in him, and as the case against him unfolds, she realizes he’s hidden more than he’s shared with her.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">Mad Honey is a riveting novel of suspense, an unforgettable love story, and a moving and powerful exploration of the secrets we keep and the risks we take in order to become ourselves.</span></i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e69138;"><b>Review:</b></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">This book had me on the edge of my seat! Did Olivia's son kill his girlfriend? A parent never wants to believe their child would harm anyone. But Asher is his father's son, and Olivia's ex was a violent abuser. Could Asher have inherited his father's brutal way? There's so many layers to this novel. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e69138;"><b>Themes:</b></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">This is a story of guilt and shame. There's a mother's guilt that her child had to witness domestic abuse. There is also guilt that she even considers that her son harmed his girlfriend. But the evidence is pretty convincing. She even feels some guilt that she has kept her son from his father. Don't all boys need their dads? But Olivia also feels intense shame that she ever got into an abusive relationship in the first place. This makes it hard for her to open up to her family about what was going on. But Olivia will need to be honest with her brother, the lawyer defending her son on the charge of murder.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e69138;"><b>Setting:</b></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">When I think of small towns, I usually only think about the upsides: people know you, and support you in times of need. But this can also blow up in one's face. For Olivia, her son's arrest is all anyone needs to blame her for raising a murderer. She is shunned and loses most of her business as everyone decides Asher must be guilty.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e69138;"><b>Storytelling:</b></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">I liked the different viewpoints in each chapter. We see the story through the eyes of Olivia, Asher, and even the deceased girlfriend, Lily. I found Lily's chapters particularly heartbreaking. She had been through so much and had such a bright future. Even with the different voices, the reader doesn't know how Lily died until the very end, making for a riveting read.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e69138;"><b>Story:</b></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">The story spans over a year's time, from the arrest of Asher to the resolution of the trial. But the novel also chronicles Asher and Lily's relationship, as well as Olivia's terrible marriage. This gives the reader lots of information, but not necessarily in any order. It's up to the reader to piece together what happens. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000;"><b>Trigger Warning for Domestic Violence</b></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #e69138;"><b>Rating:</b></span> ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Release Date:</span></b> October 4th, 2022</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Author: </span></b> Jodi Picoult & Jennifer Finney Boylan</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Publisher:</span></b> Ballantine</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Genre:</span></b> Literary Fiction</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Page Length:</span></b> 464 Pages</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Format:</span></b> E-Book</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Source:</span></b> NetGalley</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Recommendation:</span></b> This is a riveting, and sometime tough to read book. The subject matter, with it's themes of domestic abuse, had me putting the book down for a while until I was ready to jump back in. But the payoff is an outstanding book about the secrets we keep and the consequences of those decisions. This book made me think. And your heart will break for the main characters.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p>MsArdychanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16011176764545344829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973602932665851374.post-91786447994582651882023-01-17T22:15:00.000-08:002023-01-17T22:15:29.943-08:00ARC Review: Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie0_FJ0YKUshIP8_scNRea6SvIzuu_J9lCZrPBadgb5ibzyIVFn-P-8l0YVUYzxaDCINRm-fAZsd-HA0IZz8SAHgNGqqHu49SIH2OYCJRonapzwS0I4B5CSGaZZ6KOrjcZC0GPRA8apBjg3Wnkbn7_BrJCsH6MMSliLq3zR7BiTqRVXwa8EAmzSbdfig/s400/Emily%20Wilde.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="266" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie0_FJ0YKUshIP8_scNRea6SvIzuu_J9lCZrPBadgb5ibzyIVFn-P-8l0YVUYzxaDCINRm-fAZsd-HA0IZz8SAHgNGqqHu49SIH2OYCJRonapzwS0I4B5CSGaZZ6KOrjcZC0GPRA8apBjg3Wnkbn7_BrJCsH6MMSliLq3zR7BiTqRVXwa8EAmzSbdfig/s320/Emily%20Wilde.jpeg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><i><b><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: x-small;">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.</span></b></i></span><p></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Synopsis:</span></b></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">Cambridge professor Emily Wilde is good at many things: She is the foremost expert on the study of faeries. She is a genius scholar and a meticulous researcher who is writing the world's first encyclopaedia of faerie lore. But Emily Wilde is not good at </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">people</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">. She could never make small talk at a party--or even get invited to one. And she prefers the company of her books, her dog, Shadow, and the Fair Folk to other people.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">So when she arrives in the hardscrabble village of Hrafnsvik, Emily has no intention of befriending the gruff townsfolk. Nor does she care to spend time with another new arrival: her dashing and insufferably handsome academic rival Wendell Bambleby, who manages to charm the townsfolk, get in the middle of Emily's research, and utterly confound and frustrate her.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">But as Emily gets closer and closer to uncovering the secrets of the Hidden Ones--the most elusive of all faeries--lurking in the shadowy forest outside the town, she also finds herself on the trail of another mystery: Who is Wendell Bambleby, and what does he really want? To find the answer, she'll have to unlock the greatest mystery of all--her own heart.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Review:</span></b></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">I have been in a severe reading slump for the past several months. Although I have plenty of books to read, I just haven't been motivated to read. But <i><b>Emily Wilde's Encycloaedia of Faeries,</b></i> by Heather Fawcett, was the book that made me fall in love with reading again! It was full of engaging characters, set in a small village, and had a charming romance. The story was full of mystery and intrigue, as well. I just loved this novel so much, and I hope the next book comes out soon!</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">What I Liked:</span></b></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Characters:</span></b></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">Emily is an unconventional main character. She is messy, not conventionally pretty, and incompetent in social situations! But, she is lovable, all the same. I really like that Emily is in her thirties, and has no thoughts of finding a mate. Emily is in love with her research. And who wouldn't be? It is about chronicling all things related to faeries! She is so absorbed in her work that she doesn't know how to make friends, or even recognize when someone is interested in her. I felt that she set herself apart from others because she really didn't know how to relate to most people (and perhaps didn't want to get rejected from others).</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Wendell is her colleague, and fellow Faerie researcher, who follows her to the small Nordic village where Emily is studying the local Fae. He is her exact opposite, easily charming anyone he meets, and effortlessly getting others to do his work. Although Wendell exasperates Emily with his ways, they do get along quote well, and accept each other for who they are.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">The people of the village don't know what to think of Emily, and (of course), don't like her at first. The village has strict traditions of hospitality, which Emily hasn't bothered to learn about. So on her first evening at the pub, she immediately gives offense by refusing to let someone pay for her dinner. But Emily eventually wins the affections of the people with her knowledge and assistance with the Fae. </span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">I really liked the townspeople. They were naturally cautious about outsiders, and needed to see that they were being respected by Emily and Wendell. As they come to see Emily as a deeply caring person, the villagers slowly begin to cooperate and help Emily.</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Setting:</span></b></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Emily is researching the Faeries of the Nordic regions of Europe. Winter is setting in, and there is a stark, yet majestic beauty to the landscape. Full of forests, crystal-clear lake, and towering mountains, this is already a magical setting. The author does a wonderful job of integrating the landscape into the story, and made me want to visit this fictional place!</span></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">I loved the small village, where Emily is quite the outsider. Having lived most of her life as an academic in England makes her ill-equipped to handle the unforgiving weather. At first, Emily is constantly cold, and hungry, as she must learn how to chop wood, make a fire and fetch her own water. As expected, the townspeople find this hilarious, but do step in when they realize Emily really doesn't known how to do things. They teach her how to survive in their harsh climate, showing Emily great patience.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b>Romance:</b></span></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Although Wendell and Emily are colleagues, and are used to each other, they are really thrown together in this situation. The reader gradually sees that Wendell is in love with Emily; but the character herself is oblivious. There is also the mystery of why Wendell is in the village in the first place. Is he really there to do research on Faeries? Or is this just a ruse to spend more time with Emily? I love how the friendship evolves over time. As I really liked Emily, it was lovely to see that others really valued her as she was.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Rating:</span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Release Date: </span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> January 10th, 2023</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Author: </span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> Heather Fawcett</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Publisher:</span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> Del Rey Books</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Genre:</span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> Fantasy</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Page Length:</span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> 336 pages </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Source: </span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> NetGalley</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Format: </span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> E-Book</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Recommendation:</span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">Overall, this was a highly entertaining book with characters and situations that made this a quick and enjoyable read.</span></p>MsArdychanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16011176764545344829noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973602932665851374.post-84333298623057054912022-11-05T11:56:00.000-07:002022-11-05T11:56:54.631-07:00ARC Review: Spells for Forgetting by Adrienne Young<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhYKAcj64K5Et1e5nbTdLGgn_7CRLd7e5pEMLSjekxJgDImWPGkHb8xrdAVyfYhXZhHsScQwVysxQbMg-fvmhZ4Aek78JvZuaiEomKrKZQORpB2Wvz48jX3N0vh7yWZz9SEdNLTd1F0tww3idZ40vV5-vMwE7VkiWmD8r_1bB85fYc0sxqmlNKEncGpQ/s2560/Spells%20for%20Forgetting.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1696" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhYKAcj64K5Et1e5nbTdLGgn_7CRLd7e5pEMLSjekxJgDImWPGkHb8xrdAVyfYhXZhHsScQwVysxQbMg-fvmhZ4Aek78JvZuaiEomKrKZQORpB2Wvz48jX3N0vh7yWZz9SEdNLTd1F0tww3idZ40vV5-vMwE7VkiWmD8r_1bB85fYc0sxqmlNKEncGpQ/s320/Spells%20for%20Forgetting.jpeg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: arial;"><b><i>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.</i></b></span><p></p><p><span style="color: #e69138; font-family: arial;"><b>Synopsis (from Goodreads):</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span id="freeText14400722358867775958" style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;">A deeply atmospheric story about ancestral magic, an unsolved murder, and a second chance at true love.<br /><br />Emery Blackwood’s life changed forever the night her best friend was found dead and the love of her life, August Salt, was accused of murdering her. Years later, she is doing what her teenage self swore she never would: living a quiet existence on the misty, remote shores of Saoirse Island and running the family’s business, Blackwood’s Tea Shoppe Herbal Tonics & Tea Leaf Readings.<br /><br />But when the island, rooted in folklore and magic, begins to show signs of strange happenings, Emery knows that something is coming. The morning she wakes to find that every single tree on Saoirse has turned color in a single night, August returns for the first time in fourteen years and unearths the past that the town has tried desperately to forget.<br /><br />August knows he is not welcome on Saiorse, not after the night everything changed. As a fire raged on at the Salt family orchard, Lily Morgan was found dead in the dark woods, shaking the bedrock of their tight-knit community and branding August a murderer. When he returns to bury his mother’s ashes, he must confront the people who turned their backs on him and face the one wound from his past that has never healed—Emery.<br /><br />The town has more than one reason to want August gone, and the emergence of deep betrayals and hidden promises spanning generations threaten to reveal the truth behind Lily’s mysterious death once and for all.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-size: 14px;"> </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #e69138; font-family: arial;"><b>Review:</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">If you have read my other reviews, you would know that I am a fan of books about small towns. They usually have a mix of different characters, and everybody knows each other's business. But those books are usually heartwarming sagas of small town life, <i>Spells for Forgetting</i>, by Adrienne Young, does have those elements, but with a distinctly sinister twist. And there's actually very little magic in the novel. Except for a surprising plot twist, it really was irrelevant to the story. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Having said that, this is a tale of generations of grudges and misdeeds coming to roost. As we get to know each character, we learn their backstory. Slowly, the pieces come together so that we can understand why things are happening. It would be almost worth it to read it once, and then read it again knowing all the information. This is an atmospheric mystery that is perfect to read in the Fall, as the temperature drops, and we want to cozy up with an engaging book. I loved it.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: arial;"><b>What I liked:</b></span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: arial;"><b>Atmosphere:</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The story is set on a small island off the coast of Oregon, where the locals are completely dependent on tourism to survive. Ferries take mainlanders to the picturesque island to pick apples, drink cider, and take in the quant little village shops. Everyone is all smiles when the tourists are around. But once they leave, the townspeople are full of people with various personalities. Some are easy-going hippie types, while other are resentful of the town's reliance on outsiders to provide income. There is also a undercurrent of magic in the woods. Trees turn to autumn colors not gradually, but overnight. The ever-present fog insulates (and also traps) people in their homes. The message is, "Don't go out at night"!</span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: arial;"><b>Characters:</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The two main characters, August and Emily have a love story for the ages. August left the town as a teenager, when he was accused of killing one of his friends. He denies it. But there's a lot of evidence that points to him. Emily was his girlfriend at the time, and she was devastated by him and his mother leaving without so much as a note. When August returns, so many feelings arise between the two. Each is trying to figure out if the other has feelings for them. It's obvious that they still love each other. But will that be enough to erase the hurt that was caused?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">There are many supporting characters who add depth to the story. It seems that each generation has a cohort of BFF's who's friendships really do last forever. August, Emily, and Lily all had mothers who were best friends. And all their grandmothers were besties, as well. This leads to generations of strong ties, and stronger resentments. </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: arial;"><b>Story:</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">This essentially the story of the old adage, "You can go Home again". But, in August's case, he shouldn't go back because everyone thinks he murdered his friend! But, he is determined to bury his mother's ashes, settle her affairs, and then leave. But, there is a lot to settle, especially with the girl August left behind. This is also a story of second chances, and redemption. </span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Will the people of the town every trust him?</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> Can he ever explain what happened to Emily? Maybe the only way to do this is to figure out who actually killed Lily. But that leads to other secrets being revealed that could destroy the town.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I loved this story for the many layers in it. There's the initial mystery of who killed Lily. But there's also domestic abuse, and people who looked the other way. There's town resentment and greed. And there's a hint of magic. It's a delight to unravel this web.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: arial;"><b>Trigger Warning for domestic abuse and child abuse!</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Rating: </span></b> ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Release Date:</span></b> October 8th, 2022</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Author:</span></b> Adrienne Young</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Publisher:</span></b> Delacorte</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Genre: </span></b> Magical Realism</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Page Length:</span></b> 352 Pages</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Format:</span></b> E-Book</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Source:</span></b> NetGalley</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Recommendation:</span></b> This is a moody look at small town life, with a little bit of magic thrown in. I enjoyed the characters and the atmosphere of this island. I think this will be a great read in the Autumn.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p>MsArdychanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16011176764545344829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973602932665851374.post-78606329992001642002022-10-11T21:57:00.000-07:002022-10-11T21:57:46.196-07:00ARC Review: Lucy by the Sea by Elizabeth Strout<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBydh7xgCqMA7wZfcQUBjzfaVZR3mcJsmkK2CgnOINwQTMKnz_EW-O5C67hwL4vtPl1jXYkWjcjhSlgUbUuqkIu-Zl6So6NGAmq5IpHQyNob3u0KOm4XjWG12YvSRgif3vWBJndd5FgUkrURpLcvDzffTiFTK4v2b4BMk8wIsN7Pp6rFramGF8-n5H9w/s1511/%20Lucy%20By%20The%20Sea.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1511" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBydh7xgCqMA7wZfcQUBjzfaVZR3mcJsmkK2CgnOINwQTMKnz_EW-O5C67hwL4vtPl1jXYkWjcjhSlgUbUuqkIu-Zl6So6NGAmq5IpHQyNob3u0KOm4XjWG12YvSRgif3vWBJndd5FgUkrURpLcvDzffTiFTK4v2b4BMk8wIsN7Pp6rFramGF8-n5H9w/s320/%20Lucy%20By%20The%20Sea.jpeg" width="212" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><i><b><span style="color: #f6b26b;">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.</span></b></i></p><p><span face=""Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #e69138; font-size: 16px;"><b>Synopsis (from Goodreads):</b></span></p><p><span face=""Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px;">With her trademark spare, crystalline prose--a voice infused with "intimate, fragile, desperate humanness" (</span><i style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">The Washington Post</i><span face=""Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px;">)--Elizabeth Strout turns her exquisitely tuned eye to the inner workings of the human heart, following the indomitable heroine of </span><i style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">My Name Is Lucy Barton</i><span face=""Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px;"> through the early days of the pandemic.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;" /><span face=""Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px;">As a panicked world goes into lockdown, Lucy Barton is uprooted from her life in Manhattan and bundled away to a small town in Maine by her ex-husband and on-again, off-again friend, William. For the next several months, it's just Lucy, William, and their complex past together in a little house nestled against the moody, swirling sea.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;" /><span face=""Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px;">Rich with empathy and emotion, </span><i style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Lucy by the Sea</i><span face=""Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px;"> vividly captures the fear and struggles that come with isolation, as well as the hope, peace, and possibilities that those long, quiet days can inspire. At the heart of this story are the deep human connections that unite us even when we're apart--the pain of a beloved daughter's suffering, the emptiness that comes from the death of a loved one, the promise of a new friendship, and the comfort of an old, enduring love.</span></p><p><span face=""Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #e69138; font-size: 16px;"><b>Review:</b></span></p><p><span face=""Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px;">This series, starting with the novel, <i>My Name is Lucy Barton</i>, centers around a woman who comes from abject poverty and abuse, into a world as different to her upbringing as possible. By attending college, she is thrown into a life of literature, science, and a culture she cannot fathom. Though successful in many ways, Lucy has always been an outsider. She's too removed from her siblings to get along well with them. But she also never quite connects with her children, and the men in her life, who cannot understand just how haunted she is by her childhood.</span></p><p><span face=""Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px;">This novel, <i>Lucy By The Sea</i>, continues her journey, as she reacts to the turmoil of the COVID pandemic. This feels like the closing of the series, as Lucy deals with the death of her second husband David, and finds a different way to relate to her first husband, William. There's also much more about Lucy's two daughters, as well. </span></p><p><span face=""Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px;">It's strange to think that we are at a point, already, where we can begin to reflect on that time that was just a few years ago. But, the book brings all the events back, from the uncertainty of what the virus was, to the abrupt lockdowns and social distancing, and to the social unrest that follows. But, we also see Lucy able to have great empathy to people with completely different reactions to the pandemic. I loved that Lucy was the one who was able to be the bridge between various groups. Her diverse life experiences lead her to connect in ways most people could not. </span></p><p><span face=""Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px;">This is a very special book. I dearly loved the characters, the relationships, and most of all, Lucy's reflections. I hope you love it as much as I did.</span></p><p><span face=""Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Rating:</span></b><span style="color: #1e1915;"> ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐</span></span></p><p><span face=""Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Release Date:</span></b><span style="color: #1e1915;"> September 20th, 2022</span></span></p><p><span face=""Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Author: </span></b><span style="color: #1e1915;"> Elizabeth Strout</span></span></p><p><span face=""Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Publisher:</span></b><span style="color: #1e1915;"> Random House</span></span></p><p><span face=""Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Genre:</span></b><span style="color: #1e1915;"> Literary Fiction</span></span></p><p><span face="Proxima Nova, Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Page Length:</span></b><span style="color: #1e1915;"> 304 Pages</span></span></span></p><p><span face="Proxima Nova, Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Source:</span></b><span style="color: #1e1915;"> NetGalley</span></span></span></p><p><span face="Proxima Nova, Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Format:</span></b><span style="color: #1e1915;"> E-Book</span></span></span></p><p><span face="Proxima Nova, Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Recommendation:</span></b><span style="color: #1e1915;"> This book is a wonderful tail-end to a moving series. The characters of Lucy and William are full of life experiences that make this a rich and wonderful novel. Please read the three proceeding novels to really get the complete effect of how these characters change over time. It is a lovely book and I highly recommend it.</span></span></span></p>MsArdychanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16011176764545344829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973602932665851374.post-63638861216541462402022-10-09T15:29:00.000-07:002022-10-09T15:29:07.510-07:00ARC Review: Three Kisses, One Midnight by Roshani Chokshi, Sandhya Menon, & Evelyn Skye<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja5MPvmiw3V6U1QPBo8HVF_Rbx-qO3yysEUQuTtDHqH03yJPeHLXOtjZqdo_rarMyt4OopEyjd-HVmePqnJKNq7WtiQvygWCCtPLp4e2X_rnjgYusYuMSecUNuoQ740BOLwqxzg4dg9uZOR_HbBJJ4tCV2LgqiWRQ_plhhZ1nkPUNoio5-QXeSXJ5itQ/s1545/Three%20Ksses.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1545" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja5MPvmiw3V6U1QPBo8HVF_Rbx-qO3yysEUQuTtDHqH03yJPeHLXOtjZqdo_rarMyt4OopEyjd-HVmePqnJKNq7WtiQvygWCCtPLp4e2X_rnjgYusYuMSecUNuoQ740BOLwqxzg4dg9uZOR_HbBJJ4tCV2LgqiWRQ_plhhZ1nkPUNoio5-QXeSXJ5itQ/s320/Three%20Ksses.jpeg" width="207" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><i><b><span style="color: #f9cb9c;">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.</span></b></i></span><p></p><p><span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: arial;"><b>Synopsis (from Goodreads):</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px;">he town of Moon Ridge was founded 400 years ago and everyone born and raised there knows the legend of the young woman who perished at the stroke of twelve that very same night, losing the life she was set to embark on with her dearest love. Every century since, one day a year, the Lady of Moon Ridge descends from the stars to walk among the townsfolk, conjuring an aura upon those willing to follow their hearts’ desires.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;" /><i style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px;">“To summon joy and love in another’s soul</i><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;" /><i style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px;">For a connection that makes two people whole</i><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;" /><i style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px;">For laughter and a smile that one can never miss</i><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;" /><i style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px;">Sealed before midnight with a truehearted kiss.”</i><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px;">This year at Moon Ridge High, a group of friends known as The Coven will weave art, science, and magic during a masquerade ball unlike any other. Onny, True, and Ash believe everything is in alignment to bring them the affection, acceptance, and healing that can only come from romance—with a little help from Onny’s grandmother’s love potion.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px;">But nothing is as simple as it first seems. And as midnight approaches, The Coven learn that it will take more than a spell to recognize those who offer their love and to embrace all the magic that follows.</span></span></p><p><b><span style="color: #e69138; font-family: arial;">Review:</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The authors of this book have written some of my favorite books. Roshani Chokshi's book, The gilded Wolves, is full of complicated relationships and adventure. Sandha Menon is the queen of YA romance with such novels as When Dimple Met Rishi. And Evelyn Skye writes fantasy novels such as The Crown's Game, which has amazing fantasy elements. These three wonderful authors teamed up to create a magical, romantic Halloween romp. Three Wishes, One Midnight follows the story of three friends and their journey to true love on a very special Halloween. I loved the festive Halloween atmosphere of the big party, the characters, and the stories of romance. This is a perfect book to read in October, or anytime a reader wants to get in the Halloween spirit.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: arial;">What I Liked:</span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: arial;">Atmosphere:</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I love books about small towns, and the little town in this book has lots of charm and local legends. Every one hundred years, the spirits of two lovers reunite on Halloween. And Onny's parents have an annual party to celebrate. But this is no ordinary party. Onny's folks have serious money (I found it really wonderful that these parents were Filipino, and not your stereotypical white, entitled rich people). And every year, they put on a midnight ball where the whole town is invited to participate. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">This create a magical party full of all sorts of different people, including the crushes of Onny and Ash, and True's semi-evil ex. But Onny is on a mission to find true love through a love potion invented by Onny's deceased grandmother. Will the trio use the love potions on their crushes? Or will the romantic atmosphere of a masquerade ball be all that's needed to let romance blossom?</span></p><p><b><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: arial;">Characters:</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Onny, Ash, and True are friends who will do anything for each other. Onny is convinced that giving each of them a love potion is what is needed for each of them to find true love. The friends know that Onny is rather dramatic, but they grudgingly go along. I enjoyed that each of the three characters get their own POV story, and they all fit with each other. Of course, the path to true love is never a straight one. Each of them has a strange, and wonderful adventure on this magical night.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The supporting characters are also lots of fun. While Onny is obsessing with her crush, her nemesis, Byron, keeps popping up during the party. Why does he seem to be the one that Onny is attracted to? Ash, a sensitive artist, is certainly less outgoing than Onny. And the girl that he has a crush on was a really interesting person (and...the girl next door!). Although she seems like an overachiever, there is a compelling reason that motivates her to excel. And True's love interest is almost so perfect, she pushes him away. But they keep bumping into each other. Can True trust that this guy might actually be a perfect match? </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Onny's parents are an adorable couple, who show Onny what a loving marriage looks like. And I really loved the town's mayor and his teacher husband. They were complete opposites who somehow make sense together. What a charming representation of healthy relationships! Loved it. </span></p><p><b><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: arial;">Story:</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I loved that the book is split evenly into three parts, where each friend gets to have their own storyline. This was a fun format that let the reader see some of the same events from different angles. Make no mistake, this is a lighthearted story with plenty of meet-cutes, romantic moments, and a few mysteries, that keeps the reader intrigued. I would love to live in a little town where everyone goes to a celebration like this one. I also liked that each story has it's twists, having each of the main characters question their own biases about people they think they know. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Rating:</span></b> ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Release Date:</span></b> August 30th, 2022</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Authors:</span></b> Roshani Chokshi, Sandhya Menon, Evelyn Skye</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Publisher:</span></b> Wednesday Books</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Genre:</span></b> YA Romance</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Page Length:</span></b> 288 Pages</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Source:</span></b> NetGalley</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Format:</span></b> E-Book</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;"><b>Recommendation:</b> </span> This was a fun, romantic Halloween book that I think I will read in succeeding Octobers to get into the Halloween spirit. I highly recommend this book.</span></p><p><br /></p>MsArdychanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16011176764545344829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973602932665851374.post-43244620306935495112022-09-23T22:39:00.000-07:002022-09-23T22:39:49.288-07:00ARC Review: Call Me When You're Dead by A.R Taylor<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwZ7Ir9JpBQYEPJgOgLYPRw0Ce690xhYsKDB8qDjmJ1h7CbIiO2tbBNnbgHh2Z8cr4YcbLjhrj7qt8QuQ464IeB-tWxdw1vBxCSOi2xaEcKoMn_fwwt9GOT3VGCuSo6kJxQr08ChIdBIXUiJg_61sF1DeDhm-toA6wv668TInGnOwEUy--eLf1l83DlQ/s400/Call%20me%20when%20youre%20dead.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="259" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwZ7Ir9JpBQYEPJgOgLYPRw0Ce690xhYsKDB8qDjmJ1h7CbIiO2tbBNnbgHh2Z8cr4YcbLjhrj7qt8QuQ464IeB-tWxdw1vBxCSOi2xaEcKoMn_fwwt9GOT3VGCuSo6kJxQr08ChIdBIXUiJg_61sF1DeDhm-toA6wv668TInGnOwEUy--eLf1l83DlQ/s320/Call%20me%20when%20youre%20dead.jpeg" width="207" /></a></div><p><br /></p><i><span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: arial;"><b>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.</b></span></i><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><b><span style="color: #e69138; font-family: arial;">Synopsis (from Goodreads):</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><i style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915;">Call Me When You're Dead</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915;"> is a darkly comic novel about payback gone wild, gone sour, maybe even sweet. "If anything bad happens to me, I want you to get him." That's what Eleanor Birch's glamorous friend Sasha Cole requests of her during a New York City dinner one hot August night. Something bad does happen, and Eleanor is forced to become another person altogether in the wilds of Manhattan, acting as her own little Pygmalion in the harsh world of advertising and its remorseless denizens. How she triumphs, and how her prey becomes first her ally and then her lover, makes her journey a tragic romp, a hilarious disaster, and even an all-out farce--but one with very serious consequences.</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="color: #e69138; font-family: arial;">Review:</span></b></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #1e1915;">I didn't quite know what to expect when I requested </span><i style="color: #1e1915;"><b>Call Me When You're Dead</b></i><span style="color: #1e1915;">, by A.R. Taylor. Was this a serious revenge thriller? A rom-com? A story about life and death? This novel had some elements of each. But also, it was a screwball comedy that I think would make a terrific movie. This is a comedic, modern-day look at thirty-somethings in Manhattan, friendships, and the world of advertising. The main character, Eleanor, in her quest to seek revenge on her dead friend's ex-boyfriend, transforms from a quiet, librarian, into a woman at ease in the New York social scene. I found her journey to be a reminder to live life to the fullest now, because one never knows when life will be cut short. There were also many other wonderful characters, especially the ex-boyfriend, Jon, and his brother Walter, along with a cadre of Jon's colorful advertising colleagues. While the antics sometimes were over the top, the behind the scenes look at making commercials was hilarious. This was a fun, engaging book. I highly recommend it.</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: arial;"><b>What I Liked:</b></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: arial;"><b>Characters:</b></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #1e1915; font-family: arial;">Eleanor lives in Buffalo, New York and has a job that she loves as a research librarian. But her social life is pretty stagnant. The antics of her high school friend Sasha provides lots of exciting stories whenever they get together for dinner. But, when Sasha suddenly dies, Eleanor feels obliged to grant Sasha a last request: get even with the man who broke Sasha's heart. But what is Eleanor supposed to do? She doesn't even know the guy's last name! Well, Eleanor does what a librarian does best; she does her research. Also, luckily, she teams up with another of Sasha's friend, a New York actor who knows everything about New York. While figuring out what she needs to do, Eleanor undergoes a transformation, inspired by Sasha. What I loved about this change was it was driven by Eleanor finding out what she really liked. She didn't change into a fake version of a Manhattanite, but into her authentic self. </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #1e1915; font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white;">Jon, is a career-driven advertising executive. Far from trying to hurt Sasha, he is just so busy, and under so much pressure, he can't focus on anything but his job. And (probably unknown to Sasha) Jon has a very complicated family that includes overbearing parents, and his brother, Walter, who has some challenges of his own. When Eleanor finally meets him to inform him of Sasha's death, it hardly registers, at first. But, as the story progresses, Jon begins to see how he let Sasha down. And he is intrigued by that friend of Sasha's (is it Eleanor?) who he keeps running into. </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Romance:</b></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #1e1915; font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white;">As all good rom-com's go, there is an unusual meet-cute, hidden intentions, and then heartfelt connection. Eleanor first meets Jon on one of the worst days of his life. The commercial he has just created, gets stuck on a loop on CBS, making it one of the most instantly annoying commercials in history! Jon is so caught up in his now imploding career, he barely hears Eleanor's news about Sasha. His seeming indifference is infuriating to Eleanor, who doubles down on her commitment to ruin Jon on Sasha's behalf.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #1e1915; font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white;">But, eventually, Eleanor sees Jon for the stressed out person that he is, who cares deeply for his parents and brother. And Jon begins to notice how genuine Eleanor is with everyone. They are actually a perfect match. But can Eleanor fall in love with the man she has vowed to avenge on behalf of her friend?</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Advertising:</b></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #1e1915; font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white;">I really loved this aspect of the book. The people at Jon's advertising company are as cutthroat as they come. One of his colleagues is a brilliant art director, with a heavy addiction to drugs, alcohol, and affairs with his co-workers. With all the chemicals in his body, it's a wonder he's still alive. His other co-workers all seem to be scheming to get ahead. And if that mean sabotaging another's work, then so be it. But who messed with Jon's commercial? Jon leaves no stone unturned to find out. And if he has to break into other peoples computers? Well, they shouldn't have left them turned on.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #1e1915; font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white;">Things come to a head as Jon and his rival both have to shoot commercials in the desert with wives, girlfriends, a herd of buffalo, and the world's most obnoxious director in tow. These scenes were really funny and would make for a terrific movie.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Rating: </span></b> ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Release Date:</span></b> September 6th, 2022</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Author:</span></b> A.R Taylor</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Publisher:</span></b> She Writes Press</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Genre:</span></b> Contemporary Romance</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Page Length: </span></b> 368 Pages</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Format:</span></b> E-Book</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Source:</span></b> NetGalley</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Recommendation:</span></b> This was a really entertaining read with plenty of great characters and romance. I highly recommend it.</span></p>MsArdychanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16011176764545344829noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973602932665851374.post-5858037853851459852022-09-14T22:52:00.000-07:002022-09-14T22:52:31.395-07:00With Love from Wish & Co. by Minnie Darke<p><i style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></i></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh72uFjTcONAzxJWkTorqcg2Rb1lijPWCWUyG7PBIO2DFsuCT6kAIfMcpFgOxpHGO_Vkk7M__hv7njOyh7lFP3Q-ozi_Jzo1uldjarVtSzw8iNMm-tzXKkY951i3tXlVVoyvkx8Q8CEFCdwgel9fFPUnTe0HZvwEDIxx-iUKX6YvlszQ0ZGrYuAawQEcg/s2400/Wish%20&%20Co.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="1556" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh72uFjTcONAzxJWkTorqcg2Rb1lijPWCWUyG7PBIO2DFsuCT6kAIfMcpFgOxpHGO_Vkk7M__hv7njOyh7lFP3Q-ozi_Jzo1uldjarVtSzw8iNMm-tzXKkY951i3tXlVVoyvkx8Q8CEFCdwgel9fFPUnTe0HZvwEDIxx-iUKX6YvlszQ0ZGrYuAawQEcg/s320/Wish%20&%20Co.jpeg" width="207" /></a></div><br /><i style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: arial;">Please note: I received and 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.</span></i><p><span style="color: #e69138; font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Synopsis (from Goodreads):</b></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><i style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915;">Two boxes, both alike in size and shape . . .</i><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; margin: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; margin: 0px;" /><span face=""Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915;">Marnie Fairchild is the brains and talent behind Wish & Co., a boutique store that offers a bespoke gift-buying service to wealthy clients with complicated lives. Brian Charlesworth is Marnie's most prized customer, and today she's wrapping the perfect anniversary gift for his wife, Suzanne . . . and a birthday present for his mistress, Leona. What could possibly go wrong?</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; margin: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; margin: 0px;" /><span face=""Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915;">For years, Marnie's had her heart set on moving Wish & Co. to the historic shopfront once owned by her grandfather. When the chance to bid for the property unexpectedly arises, Marnie--distracted--makes an uncharacteristic mistake. Soon Brian is in a fight to rescue his marriage, and Marnie is scrabbling to keep her dreams alive. With the situation so complicated, the last thing Marnie needs is to fall for Brian and Suzanne's gorgeous son, Luke. In the end, will it be her head or her heart that wins out?</span></span></p><p><span face=""Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #e69138; font-family: arial;"><b>Review:</b></span></p><p><span face=""Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-family: arial;">I love a good rom-com, and <i><b>With Love, from Wish & Co</b></i>., by Minnie Drake, has all the ingredients for a delicious story. There's the career-driven 30'ish woman and her friends who have all paired up. There's a hunky furniture builder who still hasn't found true love. But, I also found lots of unique elements that aren't usually found in this genre. As much as this is a story about 30-somethings finding love, there is also an older married couple who are trying to come to grips with their marriage. Along with many happy times, there are difficulties, and betrayals that must be addressed if they want their relationship to continue. And it's not a simple question of whether or not to forgive. The author never judges the characters, and this helps to make these people actual humans, with lots of problems. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-family: arial;">Each of the characters has their issues, and their charm. I really enjoyed this novel for it's gift-giving advice, as well as it's romance. And, even though it seems at first to be following a formula, there were lots of twists and turns that kept this book a real page-turner. I highly recommend this book.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">What I Liked:</span></b></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Characters:</span></b></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-family: arial;">Marnie is a successful business owner who is always working. She runs a successful gift-giving service, mostly for wealthy men who don't have the time (and don't want to be bothered) to shop for gifts. She genuinely loves what she does. But this doesn't leave much time for a social life. Even when she's off the clock she is doing research by scouring social media for gift giving ideas for her clients. But she is really driven to prove to her father's family that she is an upstanding, hard-working person. There's a whole history to this that I don't want to spoil. But it makes for a compelling motivation on Marnie's part.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-family: arial;">Luke is the son of Marnie's most important client, and she has been "buying" gifts for him for years. When they meet IRL, the sparks fly! Even though it feels to Marnie that she already knows him, there are parts of his life that he hasn't shared on social media. He's just found out he has a daughter. What will his parents think? Should Luke get to know his daughter, or is it too late?</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-family: arial;">Suzanne and Brian are Luke's parents and are going through a VERY rough patch. At first, I would say that Brian is pure evil, but as the story progresses, we begin to see his motivations. I would not say his character ever became completely likable, but I certainly didn't think him the as the devil incarnate by the end. Suzanne, far from being the sweet little stay at home mom, has lots of fire left in her. If Brian wants to stay married to Suzanne, he's going to need to work for it. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>The Art of Gift-Giving:</b></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-family: arial;">Since Marnie's business is all about gift-giving, there are many interesting takes on what a good gift is, and how one can go about finding it. There are many great tips that I intend to try out for myself, as Christmas approaches. Don't know what someone's interests are? Look on their Instagram and Facebook accounts to see what they're talking about. Don't have lots of money? Create an experience for them that is unforgettable. I loved this! </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-family: arial;">But, all fun aside, I really enjoyed that the author took the time to really make Marnie's business interesting. You could really see someone having a business like this. Rather than making this just a quirky detail of the character, it actually enriched the story. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Rating:</span><span style="color: #1e1915;"> </span></b><span style="color: #1e1915;"> ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Release Date: </span></b><span style="color: #1e1915;"> August 16, 2022</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Author:</span></b><span style="color: #1e1915;"> Minne Darke</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #e69138;"><b>Publisher:</b> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-family: arial;"> Dell Books</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #e69138;"><b>Genre:</b> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-family: arial;"> Contemporary Romance</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Page Length:</span><span style="color: #1e1915;"> </span></b><span style="color: #1e1915;"> 416 Pages</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Source:</span></b><span style="color: #1e1915;"> NetGalley</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Format:</span></b><span style="color: #1e1915;"> E-Book</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Recommendation:</span></b><span style="color: #1e1915;"> This is a fun, romantic book, and I highly recommend it.</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p>MsArdychanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16011176764545344829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973602932665851374.post-24560265410513125172022-08-30T23:19:00.002-07:002022-08-30T23:22:30.516-07:00ARC Review: The Alchemist of Riddle & Ruin By Gigi Pandian<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJe-dkwq2EzMK1pCBi_baAQtOgw8yN71Gy-bqsxfNpKYTy6hGRzgnhDsgxn2fGNdmacTL-0vf9VHpIJe2WICgnmtM8EgvxgLDzes-02pz47wQ8bLxsq4vTj7QzsiKBgL1W1PI4GQrMO9_oc6ECHAthvGFrdKykuuijQxKfb2HtTLSLNcLOHzmDnbzi9g/s2560/The%20Alchemist%20of%20Riddle%20&%20Ruin.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1656" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJe-dkwq2EzMK1pCBi_baAQtOgw8yN71Gy-bqsxfNpKYTy6hGRzgnhDsgxn2fGNdmacTL-0vf9VHpIJe2WICgnmtM8EgvxgLDzes-02pz47wQ8bLxsq4vTj7QzsiKBgL1W1PI4GQrMO9_oc6ECHAthvGFrdKykuuijQxKfb2HtTLSLNcLOHzmDnbzi9g/s320/The%20Alchemist%20of%20Riddle%20&%20Ruin.jpeg" width="207" /></a></div><p><br /></p><span style="color: #f9cb9c; font-family: arial;"><b><i>Please Note: I received an advance copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.</i></b></span><p></p><p><span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: arial;"><b>Synopsis (from Goodreads):</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px;">When Zoe Faust sees the ghost of a murdered young woman, is it really a spirit-or a flesh and blood woman who stopped aging because she's a fellow alchemist?</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px;">Sixteen years ago, high school student Ridley Price discovered a secret she planned to reveal through a party game-but someone killed her first. The baffling crime was never solved. Zoe's friend Heather has always wondered: which of the seven guests at the party killed Ridley? When the newly-appeared ghost turns dangerous, threatening people they love, Zoe teams up with her gargoyle roommate Dorian to unmask the supposed specter.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><b>Review:</b></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px;">This is the sixth book in the Accidental Alchemist mystery series by author Gigi Pandian. I started to read this series a few years ago, out of order. But the wonderful thing about this series is that it isn't absolutely necessary to read it from book one. Each book gives enough of the backstory that the reader is never lost. But, having said that, it would actually be best to read this series from the beginning, if only to feel the delight in how these characters have developed over time.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #1e1915;">I love this series for the wonderful cast of characters, from the main character, Zoe Faust (a 300 year-old alchemist), to her ex-police detective boyfriend, Max, to the lovable gargoyle (yes, gargoyle), and gourmet chef, Dorian. There is also a wonderful feeling of community in this book, as well. Zoe's friends are artists, artisans, small business owners, and several young teens. She seems to create a vibe that is full of positivity. Maybe this is because Zoe is an herbalist and vegan, but she has a way about her that is full of living a healthy and happy life. Her friends, and the reader are pulled in.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #1e1915;">But, above all, this is a mystery novel. I appreciate that not all of the novels are murder mysteries, but this one actually is. But, in this case, the murder in question happened sixteen years earlier. There was a clear list of suspects, but the author had me guessing until nearly the end of the book! The details were fun, and full of twists and turns. I enjoyed the use of the language of flowers, and poetry as they relate to the riddles that helped solve the case.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #1e1915;">There is really so much to love about this book. With fully realized characters, romance, a puzzling mystery, and vegan recipes, this novel checks all the boxes for an enjoyable book.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Rating:</span></b><span style="color: #1e1915;"> ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Release Date:</span></b><span style="color: #1e1915;"> August 30, 2022</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Author: </span></b><span style="color: #1e1915;"> Gigi Pandian</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Publisher:</span></b><span style="color: #1e1915;"> Gargoyle Girl Productions</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Genre: </span></b><span style="color: #1e1915;"> Mystery</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Page Length:</span></b><span style="color: #1e1915;"> 256 Pages</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Source:</span></b><span style="color: #1e1915;"> Author</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Format:</span></b><span style="color: #1e1915;"> E-Book</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Recommendation:</span></b><span style="color: #1e1915;"> This is a fun mystery series filled with great characters, an intriguing mystery to solve, and recipes! I highly recommend this book. </span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>MsArdychanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16011176764545344829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973602932665851374.post-8639479285809802242022-08-15T00:00:00.030-07:002022-08-15T00:00:00.230-07:00ARC Review: The Timematician by Steven Bereznai<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6OIsss6iOzb8qB1rPDaVAmPs8J23IFZYpTPcz5J7J8ofVKGjKh6J3ulm5Vh6NJCjJgD9ZHwb4Yd7w5DI2Sg7NBBsAEOCDEziTToBS1_uh_akIIM5B5sLgLJnRVZttmDP85LPwvbtjkx324HtEyR8fkb_scnoGdN0MWPsjxRGUC24xGdhZD5_qQT631Q/s2700/The%20Timematician.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2700" data-original-width="1800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6OIsss6iOzb8qB1rPDaVAmPs8J23IFZYpTPcz5J7J8ofVKGjKh6J3ulm5Vh6NJCjJgD9ZHwb4Yd7w5DI2Sg7NBBsAEOCDEziTToBS1_uh_akIIM5B5sLgLJnRVZttmDP85LPwvbtjkx324HtEyR8fkb_scnoGdN0MWPsjxRGUC24xGdhZD5_qQT631Q/s320/The%20Timematician.jpeg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><b><i><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Please Note: I received an advance copy of this novel from Edelweiss and the author in exchange for an honest review. This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.</span></i></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Synopsis (from Goodreads):</span></b></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">“For any reader with a sense of humor and an appreciation for the glories of bone-deep geekiness, </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">The Timematician</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"> is your book…the transparency of Doctor BT’s bravado is LOL funny and exquisitely painful; we are dying to know the backstory of a protagonist who demands the pronunciation of his laboratory be 'la’bore-ah:tore-ee' because 'What are we, Neanderthals? Respect the middle O!'”—</span><i style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">IndieReader Reviews </i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">(5/5 rating)</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">A prequel/sequel to the award-winning bestseller, </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">Generation Manifestation</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">. Read </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">The Timematician </i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">first, second, or all on its own. With his unique time abilities, Doctor BetterThan has all the power he needs to thrash pesky superheroes intent on thwarting him—and make them pay for decades of disrespect. “Triumphi!” Destroying the world solves everything. Until she comes along. On the cusp of total victory, fellow tech maniac Mairi Lin Monroe plays her surprising hand, and sparks fly as she and her cybernetic lady-matons threaten to transcend Doctor BetterThan’s grand plan. Can he achieve new depths of deceit to defeat her and be the last person standing? Can he become The Timematician? Or has he finally met his match?</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Review:</span></b></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">I really enjoyed the the first book in Steven Breznai's Gen M series, <i><b>Generation Manifestation</b></i>. Set in a dystopian world where some humans manifested into super humans, it had an interesting premise. Would all super humans be super-heroes? Or would they use their power to control others? In that book, there was a side character, a nerdy-guy who was good with tech. who befriended the main character, Caitlin. As the story ends, we find out that he is actually a time traveller who has gone back in time to help Caitlin. This new novel, <b><i>The Timematician</i></b>, explores his backstory. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">I really wanted to like this book. I felt sympathy with the guy in the first book. He was a nerdy kid who was often overlooked by Caitlin, only to be the guy with the solutions when she had a problem. However, The Timematician shows him to be a misogynistic incel who hates on women because they aren't attracted to him. It's really a hard sell to feel any sympathy with him.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">What I Hated:</span></b></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Misogyny:</span></b></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">Usually, I start reviews with what I liked, but I want to get into the crux of the issue right away. I didn't find the guy's behavior funny, or sympathetic, as was clearly the intent of the author. There is nothing funny reading about a guy who calls women whores and speculates on how immoral they are, while he kills them. It was disgusting to see the violence with which he focuses on killing Caitlin because she as turned him down. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">Also, he uses his "genius" to program a series of femme looking robots that he can order around. They all also seem to resemble his mother??? Okaaay. I think this was meant to be humorous, but I just found it deeply disturbing.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Story:</b></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">The story revolves around the rivalry between him and the one other genius-level person left on Earth who just happens to be a woman. He is indigent over the possibility that a women could be smarter than him. And sets out to kill her. Of course.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">I was rooting for the woman the whole time.</span></p><p><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Rating: </span></b> ⭐⭐</p><p><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Release Date:</span></b> August 2nd, 2022</p><p><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Author:</span></b> Steven Bereznai</p><p><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Publisher:</span></b> Jambor</p><p><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Genre:</span></b> Science Fiction</p><p><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Page Length: </span></b> 192 Pages</p><p><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Source:</span></b> Edelweiss</p><p><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Format: </span></b>E-Book</p><p><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Recommendation: </span></b> I know this was supposed to be a parody of science-fiction villains, but this story was so offensive, I just couldn't enjoy it.</p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p>MsArdychanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16011176764545344829noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973602932665851374.post-693345025915284332022-08-11T00:00:00.001-07:002022-08-11T00:00:00.159-07:00ARC Review: The Littlest Library by Poppy Alexander<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbCv7ZR61onHOAeStDoDDPg0agjI4eqNMMnefRN_OHJzhJmUPZctr9PhLZOnXmTO6XFip4LdiAWcYYm4JyEPWftqeqdHa37oXYPzIWHRFcT9l8oj5wI8V3xPCTy8odB2yMzZ78zaeP5dkXppwue0FX66b5J8-RqXk0kjs0vYfht2oA6KqCJqB7tJ1IhA/s400/The%20Littlest%20Library.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="265" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbCv7ZR61onHOAeStDoDDPg0agjI4eqNMMnefRN_OHJzhJmUPZctr9PhLZOnXmTO6XFip4LdiAWcYYm4JyEPWftqeqdHa37oXYPzIWHRFcT9l8oj5wI8V3xPCTy8odB2yMzZ78zaeP5dkXppwue0FX66b5J8-RqXk0kjs0vYfht2oA6KqCJqB7tJ1IhA/s320/The%20Littlest%20Library.jpeg" width="212" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><b><i><span style="color: #f6b26b;">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.</span></i></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Synopsis (from Goodreads):</span></b></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">A little red telephone box full of stories, a chance to change her life...</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">Jess Metcalf is perfectly content with her quiet, predictable life. But when her beloved grandmother passes away and she loses her job at the local library, Jess' life is turned upside down.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">Determined to pick up the pieces, Jess decides it's time for a new beginning. Unable to part with her grandmother's cherished books, she packs them all up and moves to a tiny cottage in the English countryside. To her surprise, Jess discovers that she's now the owner of an old red phone box that was left on the property. Missing her job at the local library, Jess decides to give back to her new community--using her grandmother's collection to turn the ordinary phone box into the littlest library in England.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">It's not long before the books are borrowed and begin to work their literary magic--bringing the villagers together... and managing to draw Jess' grumpy but handsome neighbor out of his shell.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">Maybe it's finally time for Jess to follow her heart, let go of her old life, and make the village her home? But will she be able to take the leap?</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Review:</span></b></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">When I look at books to read, there are several topics that automatically catch my attention. Anything book themed, set in a small town, or has a lot of food content, and I am immediately interested. <b><i>The Littlest Library</i></b>, by Poppy Alexander, is a sweet book that has all three (bonus points for it being set in England!). I liked the concept of a library created out of an old telephone booth, found the small village to be charming and filled with fun secondary characters, and there were many dinner parties with descriptions of fabulous food. There was also a lovely romance between the main character, Jess, and a divorced next-door neighbor. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><b><span style="color: #93c47d;">What I Liked:</span></b></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><b><span style="color: #93c47d;">Setting:</span></b></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">I love books set in small towns. And this quaint English village seemed just lovely, even if it had seen better days. When Jess buys a small cottage seemingly on a whim, she has no idea what she's getting herself into. There are, of course, unexpected repairs (and bats) to contend with, town feuds that she must navigate, and village etiquette to learn. </span></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">But there are also lovely discoveries. Jess learns to appreciate the beauty of the pretty garden and pond behind her home. Neighbors stop by, which at first is not welcome. But she finds generosity in her neighbors bringing food to share, along with new friendships, and opportunities for her to become involved in the community.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b>Books:</b></span></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Jess is a librarian who's previous library has closed. When she moves to her new home, she leaps at an opportunity to create a little library in front of her home. Her collection of beloved books stocks the shelves. It's a treat to see what books the village's residents choose. Some pick out classic books for their kids, while others check out cook books. But the most popular type of books are the romances! As with any good library, the telephone booth becomes a gathering place for the community. I loved this!</span></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b>Food:</b></span></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">I love books where the author describes delicious food at dinner parties. In Jess's case, there are several Sunday luncheons with descriptions of roasted lamb, fresh garden vegetables, and light summer desserts. The way these dishes are lovingly described makes me think the author must love to cook and entertain.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b>Characters:</b></span></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">I like the main character, Jess. Although she has daydreams about seamlessly gliding into the village social scene, she is actually quite awkward and makes many mistakes. I can relate! But, when she does something rude, she apologizes, and tries to make amends. She also is still mourning the loss of her grandmother who raised her. There are many moments where she fights tears and would rather be alone. But when this happens, she remembers that her grandmother wanted her to be a part of the present, not wallow in self-pity.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Rating:</span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐</span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Release Date:</span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> July 19th, 2022</span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Author:</span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> Poppy Alexander</span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Publisher: </span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> Avon Books</span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Genre:</span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> Contemporary Fiction/Romance</span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Page Length: </span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> 320 Pages</span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"><b><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Source:</span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> NetGalley</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"><b><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Format:</span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> E-Book</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"><b><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Recommendation:</span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">This was a lovely book, and the perfect summer read.</span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>MsArdychanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16011176764545344829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973602932665851374.post-11924898601880624312022-08-09T00:00:00.001-07:002022-08-09T00:00:00.164-07:00ARC Review: The Many Daughters of Afong Moy by Jamie Ford<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSYrG_6S-IJaB9Xg9NyNJtFwk2lOq-FaIAUv6trONXf6owZKCYCZtp7q76SgSQ4RUMs3uUFRoj5dgfQYxHmHw55jOUwnsNyZD8erJ3-D46kueXv2T8ZgIlPOP6DMLTEqJr2z12v3OeimwxjdH4cAWhChFABI6pd-GTQHaI9FFVRtReJV7SuF4ndG65fg/s475/The%20Many%20Daughters%20of%20Afong%20Moy.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="315" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSYrG_6S-IJaB9Xg9NyNJtFwk2lOq-FaIAUv6trONXf6owZKCYCZtp7q76SgSQ4RUMs3uUFRoj5dgfQYxHmHw55jOUwnsNyZD8erJ3-D46kueXv2T8ZgIlPOP6DMLTEqJr2z12v3OeimwxjdH4cAWhChFABI6pd-GTQHaI9FFVRtReJV7SuF4ndG65fg/s320/The%20Many%20Daughters%20of%20Afong%20Moy.jpeg" width="212" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><i><b><span style="color: #f6b26b;">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.</span></b></i></p><p><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Synopsis (from Goodreads):</span></b></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">Dorothy Moy breaks her own heart for a living.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">As Washington’s former poet laureate, that’s how she describes channeling her dissociative episodes and mental health struggles into her art. But when her five-year-old daughter exhibits similar behavior and begins remembering things from the lives of their ancestors, Dorothy believes the past has truly come to haunt her. Fearing that her child is predestined to endure the same debilitating depression that has marked her own life, Dorothy seeks radical help.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">Through an experimental treatment designed to mitigate inherited trauma, Dorothy intimately connects with past generations of women in her family: Faye Moy, a nurse in China serving with the Flying Tigers; Zoe Moy, a student in England at a famous school with no rules; Lai King Moy, a girl quarantined in San Francisco during a plague epidemic; Greta Moy, a tech executive with a unique dating app; and Afong Moy, the first Chinese woman to set foot in America.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">As painful recollections affect her present life, Dorothy discovers that trauma isn’t the only thing she’s inherited. A stranger is searching for her in each time period. A stranger who’s loved her through all of her genetic memories. Dorothy endeavors to break the cycle of pain and abandonment, to finally find peace for her daughter, and gain the love that has long been waiting, knowing she may pay the ultimate price.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Review:</span></b></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">I don't know exactly how to describe the new book, </span><i style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b>The Many Daughters of Afong Moy</b></i><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">, by Jamie Ford. It goes beyond speculative fiction to include elements of historical fiction, and fantasy to show a world where climate change can bring on typhoons to Seattle, and medicine that can help one relive their family's traumas. With both a storm brewing in her city, and another storm churning chaos in her personal life, the main character, Dorothy is barely hanging on. When traditional therapy fails, she seeks a radical type of treatment where one can remember the traumatic events of their ancestors, in the hopes that by understanding the past, one can change to course of one's future. It's a very intriguing premise. </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">But in order to tell the story of Dorothy's family, we the reader must also experience the traumas of these characters. I found that I needed breaks from the book because the situations were really upsetting, which shows that the author really got me to connect with the characters. But it made for a very exhausting reading experience. Have a light, romantic comedy ready in the wings to get you out of the funk you will find yourself in.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">What I Liked:</span></b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Theme:</span></b></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">The idea of generational trauma is still new to me, and probably to many others. But essentially, it's the theory that the trauma of one generation effects the next. The Disney movie Encanto is a good (if somewhat simplified) example of this. The grandmother has a terrible trauma of fleeing with her family to escape the violence in her hometown, only to see her husband murdered in front of her. This effects how she raises her children, who are under intense pressure to be perfect. </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">Dorothy is affected by the trauma and subsequent depression of her mother. This manifests in Dorothy, herself, having depression and suicidal thoughts. She has a precious young daughter, and knows that if she doesn't get herself together, this will affect her little girl, later on. </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Characters:</span></b></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">Dorothy may be having a terrible time managing her life, but she is a fierce mother who will do anything for her daughter. She has enough self-awareness to understand that her actions are affecting her child, and so embarks on a journey to understand her family, and heal herself. I found Dorothy to be really strong, even while having a messy life. And I was rooting for her the whole time.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">Her ancestors also had determined spirits. But each of them had a mixture of mistakes, social conventions, and historical events that oppressed them. Afong Moy is obligated to become a "Ghost Bride" when her arranged marriage is disrupted by the death of her fiancé. Her granddaughter has to escape San Francisco to escape a pandemic. Another ascestor becomes pregnant as a teen and must give up her baby. All of them have a tragic story and demise.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">What I Didn't Like:</span></b></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Non-Stop Trauma:</span></b></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">There was so much trauma in each of the storylines, it made the book difficult to read. Of course, generational trauma is the theme of the book. But no one in her family catches a break. I wish the author would have tempered the terrible events with showing some of the characters triumphs. Several of the characters have to leave one country and start over again in another. It takes a lot of courage and fortitude to start over in a foreign land. I wish the author would have brought this up more often in their story. Otherwise, it really seems like there were generations of this family who never had a moment of happiness.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Story Line:</span></b></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">There are more storylines than I could keep up with. All of them were compelling, but I found myself (several times) being taken out of the story to try and figure out which ancestor's story this was. I hope that in the finished book there is a timeline or family tree that one can reference in order to keep all the stories straight. </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Rating:</span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> ⭐⭐⭐⭐</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Release Date:</span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> August 2nd, 2022</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Author:</span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> Jamie Ford</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Publisher:</span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> Atria Books</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Genre:</span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> Speculative Fiction</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Source: </span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> NetGalley</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Format:</span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> E-Book</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Recommendation:</span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> While this was a well-written, and interesting book, it is also full of trauma. It took me a long time to read this book because I needed to walk away from it several times. If you're up to it, I think it is a solid, powerful book. </span></span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>MsArdychanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16011176764545344829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973602932665851374.post-4053376826743716952022-08-07T09:32:00.000-07:002022-08-07T09:32:40.688-07:00ARC Review: Her First Palestinian by Saeed Teebi<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU4k-GcyP04s5dhH88nuuqjIrjkvmOxutiP0BCAtSRK76vVl1hIaPfIy7cfJ7dwrBKI7ANOrDoEn6KyqBG5Ixs-RmbXwhQ4EspH-buepVHgUXH4Dn747sOFi_Ma3dwZiY8DtGJHnQ_TzTacZQcDUViqdNIDronMV07-SH63rdj5K47INkRfdkoJsDaMA/s1563/Her%20First%20Palestinian.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1563" data-original-width="1242" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU4k-GcyP04s5dhH88nuuqjIrjkvmOxutiP0BCAtSRK76vVl1hIaPfIy7cfJ7dwrBKI7ANOrDoEn6KyqBG5Ixs-RmbXwhQ4EspH-buepVHgUXH4Dn747sOFi_Ma3dwZiY8DtGJHnQ_TzTacZQcDUViqdNIDronMV07-SH63rdj5K47INkRfdkoJsDaMA/s320/Her%20First%20Palestinian.jpeg" width="254" /></a></div><p><br /></p><b><i><span style="color: #f6b26b;">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.</span></i></b><p></p><p><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Synopsis (from Goodreads):</span></b></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">Elegant, surprising stories about Palestinian immigrants in Canada navigating their identities in circumstances that push them to the emotional brink.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">Saeed Teebi’s intense, engrossing stories plunge into the lives of characters grappling with their experiences as Palestinian immigrants to Canada. A doctor teaches his girlfriend about his country, only for her to fall into a consuming obsession with the Middle East conflict. A math professor risks his family’s destruction by slandering the king of a despotic, oil-rich country. A university student invents an imaginary girlfriend to fit in with his callous, womanizing roommates. A lawyer takes on the impossible mission of becoming a body smuggler. A lonely widower travels to Russia in search of a movie starlet he met in his youth in historical Jaffa. A refugee who escaped violent circumstances rebels against the kindness of his sponsor. These taut and compelling stories engage the immigrant experience and reflect the Palestinian diaspora with grace and insight.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Review:</span></b></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">I didn't know what to expect when I started reading Her First Palestinian, by Saeed Teebi. I often find the short story format to be less than satisfying. Just as you start to know who the characters are, the story is finished. But I found this collection of short stories immediately compelling. Each story is complete and satisfying to the reader. I could see this as a movie.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b>What I liked:</b></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Format/Setting:</b></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">I am usually not a fan of the short story format. But this device is used to great effect by the author in this book. Instead of looking at how they came to be in Canada, the stories focus on the immediate issues at hand: relationships with non-Palestinians, fitting in with other Canadians, and guilt for leaving family behind. </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">I have lived in other countries, and I can tell you that it is a challenge to find ways to fit in. Often, expats gravitate towards other expats for the comfort and familiarity of speaking their native language. It takes a lot to integrate into another society, and I have tremendous respect for people who do that. This book grapples with that challenge to figure out social norms, while still retaining your own sense of self.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Characters:</b></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">There is so much variation to the different characters. The reader will feel empathy with some, but not all, of them. This is smart. Not every immigrant will be a good person. I'm thinking of one story in particular. This person is a stalker! But his being a creep is not because he is from Palestine, it's because he is just a bad person. Every society has them (sadly). I appreciated that the author shows the good, and the bad, of human nature.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">But most of the characters have dilemmas that are extremely relatable. The moral choices we make at work when we realize our company is doing something repugnant. The feelings of being used by another in a relationship. The guilt we have if we've been successful while others in our family are struggling. The particular situations in this book may be unique to Palestinian immigrants, but the underlying emotions are universal.</span></span></p><p><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Rating:</span></b> ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐</p><p><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Release Date:</span></b> August 2nd, 2022</p><p><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Author:</span></b> Saeed Teebi</p><p><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Publisher:</span></b> Astoria Books</p><p><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Genre:</span></b> Contemporary Short Stories</p><p><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Page Length: </span></b> 256 Pages</p><p><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Format:</span></b> E-Book</p><p><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Source:</span></b> Edelweiss</p><p><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Recommendation:</span></b> This is a very worthwhile reading experience. Although each situation is unique to Palestinians, I could empathize with most of the characters. Showing immigrants as people may seem obvious, but it is still needed in today's society. Read this enriching book.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>MsArdychanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16011176764545344829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973602932665851374.post-15502173076949177202022-07-24T12:34:00.000-07:002022-07-24T12:34:45.489-07:00ARC Review: Dark Earth by Rebecca Stott<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtK9SMK94h3uDLopVKu1Vi_nOuuYFyWGCzp0b8U6tTkNTF4Wd-uO4orvmqGfqp3csBWPGPMipeZ1h2Gi4MlAivIR1fZheo3_QuG4pK_Xxf4knigljgn9H0zi_6TgTELBvBtZ0il1IgMw8Jc4PQTFhWh8BK99zODO6yXSMg-2OEh0RI9PKuBFbBcGfj8Q/s400/Dark%20Earth.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="259" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtK9SMK94h3uDLopVKu1Vi_nOuuYFyWGCzp0b8U6tTkNTF4Wd-uO4orvmqGfqp3csBWPGPMipeZ1h2Gi4MlAivIR1fZheo3_QuG4pK_Xxf4knigljgn9H0zi_6TgTELBvBtZ0il1IgMw8Jc4PQTFhWh8BK99zODO6yXSMg-2OEh0RI9PKuBFbBcGfj8Q/s320/Dark%20Earth.jpeg" width="207" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><i><b><span style="color: #f6b26b;">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.</span></b></i></p><p><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Synopsis (from Goodreads):</span></b></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">A captivating novel about two sisters fighting for survival in male-dominated Dark Ages Britain that weaves a thrilling spell of magic and myth—from a bestselling author and historian.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">In Dark Ages Britain, sisters Isla and Blue live in the shadows of the Ghost City, the abandoned ruins of the once-glorious, mile-wide Roman settlement Londinium on the north bank of the Thames. The native Britons and the new migrants from the East who scratch out a living in small wooden camps in its hinterland fear that the crumbling stone ruins are haunted by vengeful spirits.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">But the small island they call home is also a place of exile for Isla, Blue, and their father, a legendary blacksmith accused of using dark magic to make his firetongue swords. The local warlord, Osric, has put the Great Smith under close guard and ruled that he make his magnificent swords only for him so that he can use them to build alliances and extend his kingdom.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">For years, the sisters have been running wild, Blue communing with animals and plants and Isla secretly learning her father’s trade, which is forbidden to women. But when their father suddenly dies, they find themselves facing enslavement by Osric and his cruel, power-hungry son Vort. Their only option is to escape to the Ghost City, where they discover an underworld of rebel women living secretly amid the ruins. As Blue and Isla settle into their new life, they find both refuge and community with the women around them. But it is all too fragile. With the ruins collapsing all around them, Blue and Isla realize they can’t elude the men who hunt them forever. If they are to survive, they will need to use all their skill and ingenuity—as well as the magic of their foremothers—to fight back.</span></p><p><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Review:</span></b></p><p>I wasn't sure what to expect when I received Dark Earth, by Rebecca Stott, from NetGalley. I honestly thought this was going to be a YA fantasy novel. Instead, this was an historical fiction about two sisters trying to survive in a brutal society where women were either not noticed, or were treated as property. They had no one to rely on but each other. </p><p>I really liked this book for its portrayal of the two sisters, the feudal society where rumors could kill, and (against all odds) the way women found ways to thrive. This was a book about survival, but also about claiming one's worth. Considering the history books have scant accounts of what women's lives were like, the author fleshes out their lives to bring this time period to life. This was a powerful historical fiction that I really enjoyed.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">What I Liked:</span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Setting/Historical Details:</span></b></p><p>Although most historical accounts skip over women, the author found ways to bring the time period to life for the reader. The details of food, clothing, and customs showed how women were always one step away from disaster. This was the time of the Vikings, where raids were common. Your village could be a peaceful haven one day, and be razed to the ground the next. Most inhabitants would be killed. The "lucky" ones were sold of as slaves. </p><p>There were also rigid roles for men and women. Isla and Blue's father was a blacksmith who specialized in making magnificent swords. Women were never allowed to even set foot in the workrooms, as people felt it brought bad luck. But Isla's father having no sons, secretly allowed his daughter to help him make the swords. If anyone were to find out, the all would have been immediately outcasts. This may not seem like a problem, but given the viking raids, there were safety in numbers.</p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>Characters:</b></span></p><p>Both Isla and Blue have hidden talents. Isla has learn the skills of her father and can make the special swords that the King and his son covet. And Blue, has learned how to use herbs for healing. She also has "The Sight", and can see some of the future. Both Isla and Blue are smart enough to know that if anyone knew of their skills they might be called witches and killed. </p><p>I loved the relationship between the two sisters. Although they did support each other, they were not completely honest with each other. They each had their secrets. This created tension and mistrust between the two. Figuring out how they can have an equal relationship, each allowing the other to shine, is what this book was really about.</p><p><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Story:</span></b></p><p>The story was revealed in pieces. There were flashbacks where small details were revealed and had relevance to what was happening. The mystery of what happened to the girls mother after a Viking raid was a central piece of the story. But the actual story of survival was riveting. They constantly had to appear stupid, yet outsmart various men in the story.</p><p>I loved that they find other women who are creating a meritocracy, rather than a patriarchal society. This was not a story where men swooped in to save the women. These women saved themselves! </p><p><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Rating:</span></b> ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐</p><p><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Release Date:</span></b> July 19th, 2022</p><p><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Author:</span></b> Rebecca Stott</p><p><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Publisher: </span></b> Random House</p><p><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Genre:</span></b> Historical Fiction</p><p><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Page Length:</span></b> 336 Pages</p><p><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Source:</span></b> NetGalley</p><p><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Format:</span></b> E-Book</p><p><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Recommendation:</span></b> Besides being a compelling account of being a female during the Dark Ages this was an adventure story of survival. I really enjoyed this book.<br style="background-color: white;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><br /></p>MsArdychanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16011176764545344829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973602932665851374.post-81197141532508042062022-07-09T13:15:00.000-07:002022-07-09T13:15:22.229-07:00ARC Review: Wake The Bones by Elizabeth Kilcoyne<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-p0drPvF2nqO5qwL57VLKtL250t1uVRhFDWTLU1xGCbrP_f4VI_VYhkYpakqOmBsHRlOLJ5_qvb-SbJO9HdYQe9SoOf6khJAAITObCJIZKUAAVMIhYnHxJomFtBCulNcRNlmTHf6M69bB0xOG88GslhgSK7d9O9LWNDkSzneZH4r-_59PkmJdS0JJXg/s2549/Wake%20The%20Bones.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2549" data-original-width="1650" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-p0drPvF2nqO5qwL57VLKtL250t1uVRhFDWTLU1xGCbrP_f4VI_VYhkYpakqOmBsHRlOLJ5_qvb-SbJO9HdYQe9SoOf6khJAAITObCJIZKUAAVMIhYnHxJomFtBCulNcRNlmTHf6M69bB0xOG88GslhgSK7d9O9LWNDkSzneZH4r-_59PkmJdS0JJXg/s320/Wake%20The%20Bones.jpeg" width="207" /></a></div><p><br /></p><i><b><span style="color: #f6b26b;">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. </span></b></i><p></p><p><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Synopsis (from Goodreads):</span></b></p><p><span id="freeText14285311737299102360" style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">The sleepy little farm that Laurel Early grew up on has awakened. The woods are shifting, the soil is dead under her hands, and her bone pile just stood up and walked away.<br /><br />After dropping out of college, all she wanted was to resume her life as a tobacco hand and taxidermist and try not to think about the boy she can’t help but love. Instead, a devil from her past has returned to court her, as he did her late mother years earlier. Now, Laurel must unravel her mother’s terrifying legacy and tap into her own innate magic before her future and the fate of everyone she loves is doomed.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #e69138; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b>Review:</b></span></p><p><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><i>Wake The Bones</i></b>, by Elizabeth Kilcoyne is the perfect book for a late summer, or autumn read. It has a moody atmosphere, young characters at a crossroads, and creepy supernatural elements. I loved the small town element, and young people just out of high school trying to find their way. The title refers to Laurel's ability to sense the final moments of an animal from touching their bones. But the title seems to go deeper than that. I took it to mean finding your place in the legacy of your family and community. Laurel and her friends are all in that moment when you decide where you want to (or need to) go with your life. For Laurel, it means dealing with the death of her mother, and her (possibly being a witch). For Isaac, it means fleeing a dangerous home situation. And for brothers Ricky and Garrett (who love Laurel and Isaac, respectfully), it means deciding what your willing to do for love.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">This was a beautiful book with supernatural elements, and a "big bad" coming for the group. This could represent many things, and I loved that one could interpret this in a variety of ways. If you love horror and YA, you will really enjoy this book.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b>What I Liked:</b></span></p><p><b style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">Moody Atmosphere:</b></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">This small farming community in Ohio is one I have never experienced in real life. The people, young and old, work hard. They are up at dawn and doing manual labor like fixing fences, and picking weeds. It's backbreaking work, but Laurel and her friends are in it together, so they still manage to have a few laughs.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">But, there is an underlying current of doom. The land is not as fertile as it once was. And Laurel has an unusual hobby. She is a taxidermist. She scours the land for the remains of animals who have died and brings them to life as still life sculptures. It's her way of connecting to the land.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">Lauren also lost her mother when she was a small child. Did her mother kill herself? Or did she die trying to protect Laurel from an unspeakable Evil? Will the bones reveal the secrets of the land? Is her mother a ghost? Who, or what is the Evil thing that may be trying to kill Laurel?</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="giphy-embed" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://giphy.com/embed/26BRxho0jeHxQYUJW" width="480"></iframe></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><a href="https://giphy.com/gifs/26BRxho0jeHxQYUJW">via GIPHY</a></span></span></p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">
</span></span><p></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Diversity of Paths:</span></b></span></p><p><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">I liked that even though the main character, Laurel, drops out of college, her life is not over. For many people, college is just not for them. There was some sadness that she has to start over to find the right path. But Laurel always knows that her farm is where she wants to be. There is no real struggle to leave, which I found to be refreshing. One can make a life, a good life, anywhere. And some people feel a strong connection to where they grew up. So many times in YA, the characters can't wait to leave their small town. And some of these characters do feel that way (with good reason). But I really liked that the author presented a counterpoint.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Characters:</span></b></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">Laurel is still trying to understand her mother's death. This legacy comes with a heavy burden. her uncle has raised her, and she feels a deep obligation to help out at the farm. She also knows that her uncle is grieving too. So she feels like she can't talk to him honestly about her mom. This is hard for Laurel. She really has no one she can really talk to about all of this. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">Laurel's friends will break your heart. She has three male friends who are also trying to figure out their life paths. Brothers Garret and Ricky are hometown boys all the way. They like where they live and have no desire to leave. But Garret is secretly in love with Laurel's other friend, Isaac. Garret and Isaac both want to be together, but how can they do that in a homophobic town? Isaac is sick of living in the shadows, so he desperately wants to leave to a larger city. Also, as his father is an abusive alcoholic, Isaac really needs to leave if he wants to keep himself safe. These are Laurel's "ride or die" friends. They believe Laurel when she tell them something evil is on the way. Even with all their tensions, they are always there for each other.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b>Story:</b></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">This story is one of growing into an adult, but also of dealing with the baggage of one's family, all with the backdrop of a supernatural suspense thriller. The group keeps finding grizzly dead animals around the farm. Is someone (or something) trying to mess with Laurel? Was her mother an actual witch? Could Laurel be, as well? There is evil all around, but also there is the earth, the natural healer. I loved that Laurel and her friends are so in tune with the land that they can sense something bad is coming. When it does arrive, it takes all of them to drive it away. There will be a cost, but not one I saw coming.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Trigger Warning for domestic violence & suicide</span></b></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Rating:</span><span style="color: #783f04;"> </span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;"><b>Release Date:</b></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"> July 12th, 2022</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;"><b>Author:</b></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"> Elizabeth Kilcoyne</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Publisher:</span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> Wednesday Books</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Genre:</span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> YA Contemporary Horror</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Page Length:</span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> 320 Pages</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Source:</span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> NetGalley</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Format:</span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> E-Book</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Recommendation:</span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> This was a moody, scary read. I loved it. If you enjoy horror, you will love this book.</span></span></p><p><br /></p>MsArdychanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16011176764545344829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973602932665851374.post-74349763595584526502022-07-07T00:00:00.012-07:002022-07-07T00:00:00.176-07:00ARC Review: Upgrade by Blake Crouch<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixRFUzvwDkz6SBQPLIG81y5gO_F4knBi3wsVXFsCcBahjf98OPn4vCW5LOI0ux2K7uE4Bt9IYlxBCY9dLleOwLJud9imLW8sMrdAeZLw3I3wNLSn-ckU4ltlZTy0wTcJblge8_e6UcyzWPdbBq7OWBzeNAhgZrT5meEmS70lf6n_OwHtbNXGsXYKT9GA/s2560/upgrade.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1684" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixRFUzvwDkz6SBQPLIG81y5gO_F4knBi3wsVXFsCcBahjf98OPn4vCW5LOI0ux2K7uE4Bt9IYlxBCY9dLleOwLJud9imLW8sMrdAeZLw3I3wNLSn-ckU4ltlZTy0wTcJblge8_e6UcyzWPdbBq7OWBzeNAhgZrT5meEmS70lf6n_OwHtbNXGsXYKT9GA/s320/upgrade.jpeg" width="211" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><i><b><span style="color: #f6b26b;">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.</span></b></i></p><p><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Synopsis (from Goodreads):</span></b></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">“You are the next step in human evolution.”</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">At first, Logan Ramsay isn’t sure if anything’s different. He just feels a little . . . sharper. Better able to concentrate. Better at multitasking. Reading a bit faster, memorizing better, needing less sleep.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">But before long, he can’t deny it: Something’s happening to his brain. To his body. He’s starting to see the world, and those around him—even those he loves most—in whole new ways.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">The truth is, Logan’s genome has been hacked. And there’s a reason he’s been targeted for this upgrade. A reason that goes back decades to the darkest part of his past, and a horrific family legacy.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">Worse still, what’s happening to him is just the first step in a much larger plan, one that will inflict the same changes on humanity at large—at a terrifying cost.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">Because of his new abilities, Logan’s the one person in the world capable of stopping what’s been set in motion. But to have a chance at winning this war, he’ll have to become something other than himself. Maybe even something other than human.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">And even as he’s fighting, he can’t help wondering: what if humanity’s only hope for a future really does lie in engineering our own evolution?</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">Intimate in scale yet epic in scope, Upgrade is an intricately plotted, lightning-fast tale that charts one man’s thrilling transformation, even as it asks us to ponder the limits of our humanity—and our boundless potential.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #e69138; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b>Review:</b></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><i>Upgrade,</i> by Blake Crouch, was a fun, fast-past thriller. In a world where it's become easy to alter your DNA, doing so is illegal, and for good reason. Logan's own mother was the architect of a scheme to alter DNA to help increase food production, but it had world-wide disastrous results. Now, to alleviate his guilt, he has become part of a special law-enforcement unit to catch people changing DNA. This could be done for profit (there's a market for genetically enhanced animals), or for terrorism. Either way, it's almost impossible to put that genie back in the box. </span></p><p><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">How do you get past the baggage of your family? And what are you willing to give up in order to save the world? I really enjoyed this book, and could easily see this as a highly entertaining movie. If you enjoy thrillers and speculative fiction, you are in for a treat.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f;"><b>What I Liked:</b></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f;"><b>Set-Up:</b></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Logan lives in a world where scientists (specifically, his own mother) have tried, and failed, to use DNA splicing to fiddle with Nature. Changing DNA has become easy, and many people would love to use the technology to do anything from create enormous alligators, to obtain super human abilities. I loved all the science, gadgets, and back-channel government organizations. This is a world where one should be paranoid!</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f;"><b>Characters: </b></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Logan has tremendous guilt over his part in starting a global disaster. He blindly followed his charismatic mother, a scientific genius, as she tried to play god. Now, after doing prison time for the incident, he is doing what he can to mitigate the damage he has done. But it will never be enough. </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Logan is the ultimate people-pleaser. First, he worships his brilliant mother, seeing (too late) that she is an egomaniac. He also can't match his sister, who is a badass military officer. He is constantly trying to be someone he isn't. He even does this to his wife and child. The guilt is killing him. I loved that Logan didn't have all the answers. He is the sidekick who tries, and fails to become the hero. But, in doing so, he has the one thing his mother and sister don't, a moral compass. </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Story:</b></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">There's a lot of twists and turns in this story, which I loved. You often don't know who the good guys are? And I don't think the "good guys" really understand if they are doing anything wrong. It's that old adage of the ends justify the means. Which never really absolve one of accountability. If you have to use that excuse, you've already lost the argument. </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">This was a quick and absorbing read, and would make a perfect summer vacation escape.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐</b></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Release Date:</span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> July 12th, 2022</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Author:</span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> Blake Crouch</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Publisher: </span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> Ballantine Books</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Genre: </span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> Speculative Fiction</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Page Length:</span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> 352 Pages</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Source: </span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> NetGalley</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Format:</span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> E-Book</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Recommendation:</span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> This was a really fun thriller filled with science, genetics, and family ghosts. If your in the mood for some escapism, you will love this book.</span></span></span></p>MsArdychanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16011176764545344829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973602932665851374.post-68693381105882520472022-07-05T00:00:00.001-07:002022-07-05T00:00:00.184-07:00Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh08pJQbGAw9NE0ahcIYEIKGofv4V06mpHGXwTpKwlV2aMN6ml_HuXBRL6rknYakrQtkgFJ5gDjRcsyhPsvzCPHbxfbtp8h1jL-TPsTBTpVTLTWGYfDwGKRcAVXKhxg1N_dN1l0dBZYcTRlR8xWl3XWcVycOoBcraUqTCCEvIhkAXGHApEiiz3uxs86hA/s400/Tomorrow,%20and%20Tomorrow,%20and%20Tomorrow.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="263" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh08pJQbGAw9NE0ahcIYEIKGofv4V06mpHGXwTpKwlV2aMN6ml_HuXBRL6rknYakrQtkgFJ5gDjRcsyhPsvzCPHbxfbtp8h1jL-TPsTBTpVTLTWGYfDwGKRcAVXKhxg1N_dN1l0dBZYcTRlR8xWl3XWcVycOoBcraUqTCCEvIhkAXGHApEiiz3uxs86hA/s320/Tomorrow,%20and%20Tomorrow,%20and%20Tomorrow.jpeg" width="210" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><b><i><span style="color: #f6b26b;">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.</span></i></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Synopsis (from Goodreads):</span></b></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">On a bitter cold day, in the December of his Junior Year at Harvard, Sam Masur exits a subway car and sees, amid the hordes of people waiting on the platform, Sadie Green. He calls her name. For a moment, she pretends she hasn't heard him, but then, she turns, and a game begins: a legendary collaboration that will launch them to stardom. They borrow money, beg favors, and, before even graduating college, they have created their first blockbuster, </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">Ichigo</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"> a game where players can escape the confines of a body and the betrayals of a heart, and where death means nothing more than a chance to restart and play again. This is the story of the perfect worlds Sam and Sadie build, the imperfect world they live in, and of everything that comes after success: Money. Fame. Duplicity. Tragedy.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">Spanning over thirty years, from Cambridge, Massachusetts, to Venice Beach, California, and lands in between and far beyond, Gabrielle Zevin's </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"> is a dazzling and intricately imagined novel that examines the multifarious nature of identity, games as artform, technology and the human experience, disability, failure, the redemptive possibilities in play, and above all, our need to connect: to be loved and to love. Yes, it is a love story, but it is not one you have read before.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #e69138; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b>Review:</b></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><i>Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, </i>by Gabrielle Zevin<i>,</i> follows the highs and lows of a deep friendship. Over decades, Sam and Sadie connect and disconnect. First as children, and then back and forth as adults. I loved that this story touched on so many themes, from love and friendships, to becoming adults, to what it means to be a woman in the gaming industry. It all fits elegantly together to form a tapestry of an unforgettable story. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">What I Liked:</span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Story Structure:</span></b></p><p>The story is structured as interviews that Sam and Sophie give to media outlets, and as flashbacks. I loved the style. It gave the reader clues to future events in the story, putting together different puzzle pieces. When the pieces fell into place, it was extremely satisfying.</p><p><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Characters:</span></b></p><p>Sam and Sadie are very much alike. Both are genius-level intelligent, and awkward with others. When they find each other as children, they feel an immediate connection. But one of the problems that each of them has is that they often read social signals incorrectly. This often creates friction between them, and leads to them "breaking up" for years on end. They have a pattern of connecting and then having terrible misunderstandings that leaves both of them exhausted with each other. Deep down, each of them know they bring out the best, and worst, in each other. </p><p>I also enjoyed many other characters in this book, especially Sam's grandparents, who raised him, and Sam's roommate, Marx. At first, Marx seems insignificant to the story. He is Sam's long-suffering roommate and protector. But Marx becomes an important bridge between Sam and Sadie, as well as their business partner. I loved how Marx sort of snuck up on the reader and became a pivotal character for both Sam and Sadie.</p><p><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Themes:</span></b></p><p>Friendship is the major theme of the book. Do you have a friend that you haven't talked to in years, but then you call them and it like no time has passed? It's a comforting feeling, but also one that involves loss. Why did you lose touch with them in the first place? What deeper friendship could you have had if you kept them closer? Sam and Sadie have these moments of deep closeness, and even deeper betrayal. </p><p>I dearly loved the author exploring what it means to be a woman in a field that is dominated by men. The gaming industry is notorious for treating women poorly. It has been deeply misogynistic and hostile towards women, discounting their contributions and questioning how they even became part of the gaming world. Sadie is constantly having to consider how it will look if she make certain decisions. Will using her former professor's game engine seem like she is incapable of doing great work? Will it look like a man helped her out? Will people take her seriously? Sam never has to face such scrutiny. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #f1c232;">What I Was Mixed About:</span></b></p><p>Perhaps it was intentional, but Sadie deals with a lot of internal guilt, while the men in the story never do. Both Sadie and Sam do some pretty awful things, yet Sadie seems to be the only one who feels bad about them. Her guilt also leads her into destructive behavior that was had to read about. But, Sam is also no angel. You never see him even realizing he has something to be sorry about. Okay, I suppose he does have some guilty feelings, but they are buried DEEP inside. </p><p><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Rating: </span></b> ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐</p><p><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Release Date:</span></b> July 5th, 2022</p><p><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Author: </span></b> Gabrielle Zevin</p><p><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Publisher:</span></b> Viking Press</p><p><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Genre: </span></b> Contemporary Fiction</p><p><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Page Length:</span></b> 416 Pages</p><p><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Source:</span></b> NetGalley</p><p><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Format:</span></b> E-Book</p><p><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Recommendation: </span></b> This is a story about the video game industry, but also of a friendship that ebbs and flows over decades. I was entertained, and really moved by this book.</p>MsArdychanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16011176764545344829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973602932665851374.post-2911190252316596502022-07-03T22:55:00.000-07:002022-07-03T22:55:18.524-07:00ARC Review: Ordinary Monsters by J.M. Miro<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkrzBajnvEILYEeIEnUzJSgnWycTE4xF1H22Qca9k4PWeZHOzbNqghhSaXdLMp-kHgxtDLdkJ7HuonqmsaLU4JuDNB7c34iuVPX9pN39MxJNMq-Wb0kEMmIEkkCxia3ByLwhJmNGXqKfn2nrb8p919DrW3SQNeS8Lk1rXks5-_SNFXybRCN_5y23JCoA/s2560/Ordinary%20Monsters.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1684" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkrzBajnvEILYEeIEnUzJSgnWycTE4xF1H22Qca9k4PWeZHOzbNqghhSaXdLMp-kHgxtDLdkJ7HuonqmsaLU4JuDNB7c34iuVPX9pN39MxJNMq-Wb0kEMmIEkkCxia3ByLwhJmNGXqKfn2nrb8p919DrW3SQNeS8Lk1rXks5-_SNFXybRCN_5y23JCoA/s320/Ordinary%20Monsters.jpeg" width="211" /></a></div><br /><i><span style="color: #f6b26b;"><b>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.</b></span></i><p></p><p><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Synopsis (from Goodreads):</span></b></p><p><b style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">England, 1882.</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"> In Victorian London, two children with mysterious powers are hunted by a figure of darkness —a man made of smoke.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">Sixteen-year-old Charlie Ovid, despite a lifetime of brutality, doesn't have a scar on him. His body heals itself, whether he wants it to or not. Marlowe, a foundling from a railway freight car, shines with a strange bluish light. He can melt or mend flesh. When two grizzled detectives are recruited to escort them north to safety, they are forced to confront the nature of difference, and belonging, and the shadowy edges of the monstrous.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">What follows is a journey from the gaslit streets of London, to an eerie estate outside Edinburgh, where other children with gifts—the Talents—have been gathered. Here, the world of the dead and the world of the living threaten to collide. And as secrets within the Institute unfurl, Marlowe, Charlie and the rest of the Talents will discover the truth about their abilities, and the nature of the force that is stalking them: that the worst monsters sometimes come bearing the sweetest gifts.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">With lush prose, mesmerizing world-building, and a gripping plot, </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">Ordinary Monsters</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"> presents a catastophic vision of the Victorian world—and of the gifted, broken children who must save it.</span></p><p><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Review:</span></b></p><p>I didn't know what to expect when I started reading <i>Ordinary Monsters</i>, by J.M. Miro, but I liked the blurb and was lucky enough to receive an advance copy from NetGalley. This book was a cross between <i>Miss Peregrin's Home for Peculiar Children </i>by Ransom Rigs<i>,</i> and a Stephen King novel: Fantasy with a hefty helping of Horror. The story follows several children who have supernatural "Talents" as they being sought by two groups of people. Those who want to protect them, and those who want to use them for evil. But who will reach them first? The children in the story are pawns in a much larger game of chess. Both sets of adults looking for them want to use them in some fashion or another. They can sense this, and it's difficult to know who the children can trust. </p><p>I really liked all the characters in this story, both adults and children. All the characters are fully realized and one can really sympathize with nearly all of them. Charlie, a African-American teen has been brutalized all his life. He has no reason to trust anyone. But he quickly sees a kindred spirit in Marlowe. Although Marlow is much younger than Charlie, he has also seen many hard times. He no sooner finds a stable home than he is ripped away from it. Both have powers they don't understand. </p><p>The adults in the story, especially the two detectives, Coulton and Alice, were also wonderful characters. Each had a compelling backstory that added motivation to what they were doing. I loved how protective they became as they got to know the children. Even the villain, who of course never considered himself to be evil, had a long and interesting history.</p><p>The world-building is also top-notch. The world is mostly set in Victorian London. It's grimy, smoggy, and filled with desperate people. Everyone is one step away from destitution. Get hurt on the job? You become homeless. Kids who are orphaned must fend for themselves. But it's the shadow world that some of the characters must enter that mirrors London that is even more terrible. It's filled with dread, and horrible creatures.</p><p>My only complaint about this book is that it is SUPER LONG! At nearly 700 pages, this book is an epic. And it's part of a series! If you are in the mood for a long, but compelling, read, this book ticks all the boxes. Fun characters, creepy bad guys, magical school, vast conspiracies and very gothic horror await. This book will keep you enthralled (and probably also give you nightmares).</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Trigger Warning for Child Abuse</span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Rating:</span></b> ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐</p><p><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Release Date:</span></b> June 7th, 2022</p><p><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Author: </span></b> J.M. Miro</p><p><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Publisher:</span></b> Flatiron Books</p><p><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Genre:</span></b> Historical Horror/Fantasy</p><p><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Page Length:</span></b> 672 Pages</p><p><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Source:</span></b> NetGalley</p><p><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Format:</span></b> E-Book</p><p><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Recommendation:</span></b> If you like dark fantasy mixed with horror, this book is for you. The world-building and characters will leave a definite impression. This is the beginning of a series that will be a must read for me.</p>MsArdychanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16011176764545344829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973602932665851374.post-7440292534518304282022-06-27T22:40:00.000-07:002022-06-27T22:40:49.248-07:00ARC Review: This Vicious Grace by Emily Thiede<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUZMZbRJckC1QMX14c4wpAOsNojs7ObSn1Dfkec7y_n-9MQxRZVypJyoRj0nnTESE-ntspaiezKu85dSvHxYm6z2u9SK_-FKhBe2Q7tDRSNmGYJblGHZPy2mKzJRFYn46B94jvRaFx2wedQxkI7HBEyd9fpVdE8s_3ChTuRTtkki0UB6zHDVcUAOcjlQ/s475/This%20Vicious%20Grace.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="307" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUZMZbRJckC1QMX14c4wpAOsNojs7ObSn1Dfkec7y_n-9MQxRZVypJyoRj0nnTESE-ntspaiezKu85dSvHxYm6z2u9SK_-FKhBe2Q7tDRSNmGYJblGHZPy2mKzJRFYn46B94jvRaFx2wedQxkI7HBEyd9fpVdE8s_3ChTuRTtkki0UB6zHDVcUAOcjlQ/s320/This%20Vicious%20Grace.jpeg" width="207" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><b><i><span style="color: #f6b26b;">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.</span></i></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Synopsis (from Goodreads):</span></b></p><p><span id="freeText16480941541964403779" style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">Three weddings. Three funerals. Alessa’s gift from the gods is supposed to magnify a partner’s magic, not kill every suitor she touches.<br /><br />Now, with only weeks left until a hungry swarm of demons devours everything on her island home, Alessa is running out of time to find a partner and stop the invasion. When a powerful priest convinces the faithful that killing Alessa is the island’s only hope, her own soldiers try to assassinate her.<br /><br />Desperate to survive, Alessa hires Dante, a cynical outcast marked as a killer, to become her personal bodyguard. But as rebellion explodes outside the gates, Dante’s dark secrets may be the biggest betrayal. He holds the key to her survival and her heart, but is he the one person who can help her master her gift or destroy her once and for all?<br /><br />Emily Thiede's exciting fantasy debut, <i>This Vicious Grace</i>, will keep readers turning the pages until the devastating conclusion and leave them primed for more!</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #e69138; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b>Review:</b></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">When I first read the description of <i>This Vicious Grace</i>, by Emily Thiede, I thought,"Oh no, not another Chosen One saga". But the beauty of this YA Fantasy novel is that there is so much more going on in it. For one thing, the main character is one of several Chosen Ones. Alessa may be the chosen savior of her island, but she is starting to think a mistake has been made. She is desperately lonely, keeps killing the people she gets partnered with, and others are actively trying to assassinate her. But, even with a lethal touch, she does finds ways to connect with others.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">This story had wonderful world-building with a rich society (somewhat modeled after Italian culture), scary monsters, and an impending apocalypse. There is also a fun, romance that brings two traumatizes characters together. With themes of friendship and teamwork, this was an exciting beginning to a new YA fantasy series. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">What I liked:</span></b></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b>World-Building:</b></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">This story is set in a world where the apocalypse happens on a regular basis. Every five years, demons descend on the world, and it's up to the Finestra and her partner, the Fonte to destroy them. Each Island has their own Finestra (basically, there are several "chosen " ones at the same time). Once a Finestra saves her Island, she can retire, and perhaps train another Finestra some time in the future. It seems pretty simple. But, there are all kinds of rules and rituals that Alessa must follow in order to become the savior.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">I loved all of the rituals, social customs, and class structures that the author created to make this world come to life. She also created creatures that are the stuff of nightmares to really give the heroine a strong incentive to keep going. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b>Characters:</b></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">Alessa is a strong, yet vulnerable heroine. She has been deliberately isolated from her family in order to hone her gifts. Of course, they also do this to protect everyone, as one touch from the Finestra can kill. Since she has accidentally killed her three previous Fontes, she is petrified of failing her country. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">But, nevertheless, Alessa persists. With people losing faith in her (and others trying to kill her), she could easily give up, but she does not. She knows that, somehow, she needs to find a new way to become the savior she is meant to be.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">Dante is similar to Alessa. He is an outcast who also has the gift of strength. But with many childhood traumas, he doesn't think he is worth much. Alessa hires him as her bodyguard, and he begins to see that he is more than what others tell him he is. I found his story full of hope as he has to reconcile his past with his present. </span></p><p><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Alessa and Dante have a wonderful chemistry, and I loved how they helped each other to reach their full potential.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Friendships & Teamwork:</b></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Much like the messages of friendship that are found in Harry Potter, and Buffy The Vampire Slayer, The Vicious Grace stresses the power of connecting with people and nurturing friendships in order to grow stronger. I can't say too much more without spoilers, but I love that message. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Trigger Warning for child abuse.</b></span></span></p><p><b style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">Rating:</span></b><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"> ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Release Date:</span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> June 28th, 2022</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Author:</span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> Emily Thiede</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Publisher: </span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> Wednesday Books</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Genre:</span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> YA Fantasy</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Page Length:</span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> 448 Pages</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Source: </span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> NetGalley</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Format:</span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> E-Book</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Recommendation:</span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> With wonderful world-building and themes of teamwork and friendship, this is a promising start to this series. If you enjoy fantasy, you will love this book.</span></span></span></p>MsArdychanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16011176764545344829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973602932665851374.post-58410454160883801622022-06-21T22:27:00.000-07:002022-06-21T22:27:32.441-07:00ARC Review: The Last Dress From Paris by Jade Beer<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI5aPaezvpKMt91SZuW1xEDN4AxNmGBL0eBpSmbarKaPzAA3zxpOYDZrynOPMzgVzuAVBL-z3YPjYgk_ZbBmM0FhnrYDZXayR0b_FdvMgnKEDGKwxNJftvgD_GaMpZzGtmwVQDYVhcM1_S30jkf-1zxB5jEDjk421zvubA0kM17j4mxfuyDT2lmmPCAw/s400/The%20Last%20Dress%20From%20Paris.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="267" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI5aPaezvpKMt91SZuW1xEDN4AxNmGBL0eBpSmbarKaPzAA3zxpOYDZrynOPMzgVzuAVBL-z3YPjYgk_ZbBmM0FhnrYDZXayR0b_FdvMgnKEDGKwxNJftvgD_GaMpZzGtmwVQDYVhcM1_S30jkf-1zxB5jEDjk421zvubA0kM17j4mxfuyDT2lmmPCAw/s320/The%20Last%20Dress%20From%20Paris.jpeg" width="214" /></a></div><br /><i><b><span style="color: #f6b26b;">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.</span></b></i><p></p><p><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Synopsis (from Goodreads):</span></b></p><p><b style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><i>The secret is hidden within a collection of Dior dresses...</i></b><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><i style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">London, 2017</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">. There's no one Lucille adores more than her grandmother. So when her beloved Granny Sylvie asks for Lucille's assistance with a small matter, she's happy to help. The next thing she knows, Lucille is on a train to Paris, tasked with retrieving a priceless Dior dress. But not everything is as it seems, and what Lucille finds in a small Parisian apartment will have her scouring the city for answers to a question that could change her entire life.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><i style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">Paris, 1952</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">. Postwar France is full of glamour and privilege, and Alice Ainsley is in the middle of it all. As the wife to the British ambassador to France, Alice's job is to see and be seen--even if that wasn't quite what she signed up for. Her husband showers her with jewels, banquets, and couture Dior dresses, but his affection has become distressingly elusive. As the strain on her marriage grows, Alice's only comfort is her bond with her trusted lady's maid, Marianne. But when a new face appears in her drawing room, Alice finds herself yearning to follow her heart...no matter the consequences.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">The City of Light comes alive in this lush, evocative tale that explores the ties that bind us together, the truths we hold that make us who we are, and the true meaning of what makes someone family.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Review:</span></b></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">Historical fiction is my favorite genre. I love all the details of other eras, particularly of the clothes. That's why I was so keen to read <i><b>The Last Dress From Paris</b></i>, by Jade Beer. The story follows the wife of a British ambassador in Paris in the early 1950's. I loved all the descriptions of that world, with the details of how each diplomatic event was planned, and the high fashion that needed to accompany it. The story of the crumbling marriage of the ambassador and his wife, and the young man who gets in the middle of it was not very compelling. Considering the young wife's life leading to that point it didn't make a lot of sense for her to risk everything. With an ending that was surprisingly realistic, and not romantic in the least, I was not satisfied with the book. This would make for a solid library read, but I wouldn't recommend buying it.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b>What I Liked: </b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b>Setting/Details:</b></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">I'll never know what it's like to live in high society, or be a young bride in the 1950's, but the author's depiction of these things puts me in the center of it. Living in Paris as the wife of an ambassador was full of social obligations to plan beautiful parties and receptions, and dress in the latest fashion. I was particularly struck by how Alice had to weigh all her choices, right down to her choice in flowers, against any political implications. She couldn't be seen as only favoring British things, or she would be insulting her French hosts. But she also needed to make sure British influences were represented, as she and her husband were an extension of England. It was a tightrope of balancing two opposing forces.</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b>Fashion:</b></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">Alice reveled in her role as an ambassador's wife, and really loved that she had access to couture apparel by designers such as Dior. As her husband was an ambassador, no expense was spared to dress Alice in the most exquisite gowns. I loved the descriptions of the clothes, and how they were made. These works of art were made to actually be worn, so the construction of each piece had many features to aid in the comfort of the woman who wore it. We also get a glimpse behind the scene as Alice, and later Lucille, learn about the mannequins (the women who modeled the clothing). These were hard working women who not only modeled the clothes in the showroom, they also had to endure countless hours standing stock-still as the designer draped various fabrics on them to find the perfect materials for each design.</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b>Story:</b></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">I really enjoyed the more modern story of Lucille as she tries to solve the mystery of the eight dresses that her grandmother owned. She travels to Paris, thinking that she only is there to retrieve one dress, but then finds that there are actually eight dresses, two of which are missing. How could Lucille's grandmother own any Dior dresses, let alone eight? And why can't the grandmother just tell her the story? While I felt that these were legitimate questions, I loved the scavenger hunt this put the character on. It was fun to unravel the mystery. And I loved the people she met along the way.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b>What I Was Mixed About:</b></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b>Story:</b></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">While I enjoyed Lucille's story, I was less impressed with Alice's tale. And that's a problem, as it is the basis for Lucille looking for the dresses in the first place. I am not going to go into too much detail, as I hate spoilers. But, much of the story didn't make sense to me. Given that Alice was much younger than her husband (she was 25, while he was in his 40's), I can understand that she was restless. But she seems totally stunned that her husband is all business when he becomes ambassador. I felt that the author gave him a personality change in order to justify that Alice was unhappy. But she was certainly happy to wear Dior every chance she got! </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">The risks Alice took to find happiness seemed reckless. I don't think a woman in such a high profile social position would have jeopardized her entire world for a budding romance.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b>Ending:</b></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">Again, I do not want to spoil anything. But I thought the ending was really strange. It was surprisingly realistic, given how romantic the novel wanted to be. I really wanted the ending to be a lot more hopeful. What I did enjoy was the resolution of Lucilles story, and that the mystery of the dresses was solved. </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></span></p><p><b style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">Rating:</span></b><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"> ⭐⭐⭐</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;"><b>Release Date: </b></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">June 16th, 2022</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Author:</span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> Jade Beer</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Publisher:</span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> Berkley Books</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Genre:</span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> Historical Fiction</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;"><b>Page Length:</b></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"> 384 pages</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Source: </span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> NetGalley</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Format:</span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> E-Book</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Recommendation:</span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> If you love the world of Paris fashion, you may be able to get past some of the flaws in the story. This would be a library read for me.</span></span></p>MsArdychanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16011176764545344829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973602932665851374.post-1382739765891012112022-06-04T15:17:00.000-07:002022-06-04T15:17:22.951-07:00ARC Review: Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiys60IQq1peg_Ru5Uaf73T6tpLvVJxHtoh1Y-sAHCt7oZzw6WxhCzUX01hKMBJMBEzO2EnV0ozR-LNPBGzlx2kVqws7ijpQFVIGT5A3TbRZrJRbcQ-wekUAQGR80ZKYuZ3CvXdkiL2xt21ecynvx3a_FSBC2TCjN5R6ruCej7GnTOhYF-H6Ks-mfy_vg/s400/Nora%20Goes%20Off%20Script.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="265" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiys60IQq1peg_Ru5Uaf73T6tpLvVJxHtoh1Y-sAHCt7oZzw6WxhCzUX01hKMBJMBEzO2EnV0ozR-LNPBGzlx2kVqws7ijpQFVIGT5A3TbRZrJRbcQ-wekUAQGR80ZKYuZ3CvXdkiL2xt21ecynvx3a_FSBC2TCjN5R6ruCej7GnTOhYF-H6Ks-mfy_vg/s320/Nora%20Goes%20Off%20Script.jpeg" width="212" /></a></div><br /><i><b><span style="color: #f6b26b;">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.</span></b></i><p></p><p><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Synopsis (from Goodreads):</span></b></p><p><i style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">Nora's life is about to get a rewrite...</i><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">Nora Hamilton knows the formula for love better than anyone. As a romance channel screenwriter, it's her job. But when her too-good-to work husband leaves her and their two kids, Nora turns her marriage's collapse into cash and writes the best script of her life. No one is more surprised than her when it's picked up for the big screen and set to film on location at her 100-year-old-home. When former Sexiest Man Alive, Leo Vance, is cast as her ne'er do well husband Nora's life will never be the same.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">The morning after shooting wraps and the crew leaves, Nora finds Leo on her porch with a half-empty bottle of tequila and a proposition. He'll pay a thousand dollars a day to stay for a week. The extra seven grand would give Nora breathing room, but it's the need in his eyes that makes her say yes. Seven days: it's the blink of an eye or an eternity depending on how you look at it. Enough time to fall in love. Enough time to break your heart.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">Filled with warmth, wit, and wisdom, </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">Nora Goes Off Script</i><i style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"> </i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">is the best kind of love story--the real kind where love is complicated by work, kids, and the emotional baggage that comes with life. For Nora and Leo, this kind of love is bigger than the big screen.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Review:</span></b></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">Lately, I've read several romance novels. I found <i><b>Book Lovers,</b></i> by Emily Henry, to be unrealistic with the characters having too much angst</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"> (I swear, in </span><b style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">Book Lovers</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">, every decision (big or small) the main character made was fraught with haunting memories of the past. It was just too much ).</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"> And although I enjoyed <i><b>The Treehouse on Dog River Road</b></i>, the characters were annoyingly perfect. I think I found the right balance of angst, fun, and romance with <i><b>Nora Goes Off Script</b></i>, by Annabel Monaghan. There's the angst of Nora's divorce and it's effect on her kids. There's the fun of Nora being a screenwriter and having a film crew at her home. And the romance is swoon-worthy. Could the hottest actor in Hollywood actually want to hang out with Nora in her very normal small town? Is he interested in her, or just wants a break from his glamorous life? </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">This was a really fun book to read. I liked that everyone had their issues (even Nora's kids), but that they were all just people trying to get on with life. There were many big moments, such as some of the characters winning awards, and small moments, like the kids participating in school plays and sports, that made this book both realistic, and super entertaining. This would be a great summer read.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">What I liked:</span></b></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Settings: </span></b></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">I enjoyed Nora's small town where everyone knows everyone else's business. People know all about Nora's divorce from her husband Ben. He was a dreamer who belittled Nora's writing talent, and wouldn't hold down a job. And there was a mix of people who were supportive, pitying, and judgemental. Nora is happy here with her kids, and the stunning sunrises that calm her each morning.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">Other moments in the book take place in Hollywood. I appreciated that this wasn't filled with too many cliches about fake people. In fact, I would say that this was the opposite of that. Nora meets some really big movie stars, and gets attention. But she doesn't feel out of place. She knows that this isn't something she can get used to, and just enjoys it for what it is.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Characters:</span></b></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">I really liked Nora and her family. Nora felt like a whole person to me. Yes, she falls in love with a movie star, and has her doubts about if this could turn into a long-term relationship. But she never doubts her self-worth. She had an ex-husband who constantly tried to undermine her, calling her writing cheesy. But, as she rightly points out, her writing has given her the ability to take care of herself and her kids. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">Since we're seeing Leo through Nora's lens, it's less clear what kind of person he is. Is he a down-to-earth guy, or a narcissistic sociopath? Their romance is sweet and doesn't seem too Insta-lovey to be real. And h</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">e does seem to genuinely care about Nora and her kids.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Story:</span></b></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">This is about as formulaic as it gets, girl gets boy, girl loses boy girl gets him back. But there's a reason that there are these roadmaps. The stories work! I liked that Nora and Leo actually have good conversations with each other as they fall in love. And I really liked that Nora figures out a path forward when she loses him. Their getting back together is a bit of a fantasy, but it was also really entertaining.</span></p><p><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Rating:</span></b> ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ </p><p><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Release Date:</span></b> June 7, 2022</p><p><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Author:</span></b> Annabel Monaghan</p><p><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Publisher:</span></b> G.P. Putnam's Sons</p><p><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Genre:</span></b> Contemporary Romance</p><p><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Page Length:</span></b> 272 Pages</p><p><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Source:</span></b> NetGalley</p><p><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Format: </span></b> E-Book</p><p><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Recommendation: </span></b>A fun, romantic summer book. You will love Nora and Leo!</p><p><br /></p>MsArdychanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16011176764545344829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973602932665851374.post-63144951259846222642022-05-30T17:46:00.000-07:002022-05-30T17:46:04.926-07:00ARC Review: Yerba Buena by Nina LaCour<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEictigGmeBuF1zSLtm6xwyfRLChYm96zFMPvHxwWZWw8fGBQWp31-1F7qPC8jHBZgpRK9aoBU0yzFVYs-jqdyvrGIIGFOu_w5xEcq-KxlSeoLI5wOu1q3K8PLr9CC5yuPWFHtBiIWxLhk_H8hXvLlYVxLQWzCQhb0jXGh-ZtU18KSMV7PpSRN4RQNMd2w/s2550/Yerba%20Buena.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2550" data-original-width="1650" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEictigGmeBuF1zSLtm6xwyfRLChYm96zFMPvHxwWZWw8fGBQWp31-1F7qPC8jHBZgpRK9aoBU0yzFVYs-jqdyvrGIIGFOu_w5xEcq-KxlSeoLI5wOu1q3K8PLr9CC5yuPWFHtBiIWxLhk_H8hXvLlYVxLQWzCQhb0jXGh-ZtU18KSMV7PpSRN4RQNMd2w/s320/Yerba%20Buena.jpeg" width="207" /></a></div><br /><i><b><span style="color: #f6b26b;">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.</span></b></i><p></p><p><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Synopsis (from Goodreads):</span></b></p><p><span id="freeText647519172418436366" style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">When Sara Foster runs away from home at sixteen, she leaves behind not only the losses that have shattered her world but the girl she once was, capable of trust and intimacy. Years later, in Los Angeles, she is a sought-after bartender, renowned as much for her brilliant cocktails as for the mystery that clings to her. Across the city, Emilie Dubois is in a holding pattern. In her seventh year and fifth major as an undergraduate, she yearns for the beauty and community her Creole grandparents cultivated but is unable to commit. On a whim, she takes a job arranging flowers at the glamorous restaurant Yerba Buena and embarks on an affair with the married owner.<br /><br />When Sara catches sight of Emilie one morning at Yerba Buena, their connection is immediate. But the damage both women carry, and the choices they have made, pulls them apart again and again. When Sara's old life catches up to her, upending everything she thought she wanted just as Emilie has finally gained her own sense of purpose, they must decide if their love is more powerful than their pasts.<br /><br />At once exquisite and expansive, astonishing in its humanity and heart, <i>Yerba Buena </i>is a love story for our time and a propulsive journey through the lives of two women finding their way in the world.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"> </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Review:</span></b></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">I am a great fan of author Nina LaCour, having read several of her novels for young adults. Her books have a dreamlike quality as they focus mainly on young, gay teens. The fact that they are gay is secondary to other issues that they might have, such as depression, and wavering self-confidence. But all of them are about how the characters move from children to adults. Although her newest book, Yerba Buena, is a novel for (and about) adults, many of the same themes continue. </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">I was initially put off by the beginning of the novel due to the harsh reality of one of the characters. I found it all rather depressing to read. However, I stuck with it. This is a book about getting past family baggage. The characters have learned coping mechanisms that may have helped them as kids, but are doing them no favors as adults. So what was at first very depressing, comes out hopeful. I became very invested in the characters of Sara and Emilie, and rooted for them to find happiness. This is a wonderful book. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b>Trigger Warning:</b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b>Be aware of some really disturbing scenes of sexual exploitation at the beginning of the story. </b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b>What I Liked:</b></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b>Characters:</b></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">Both Sara and Emilie have significant challenges in their lives. Sara comes from a family where her father is involved in something illegal. Coming from a small town in Northern California, Sara falls apart when someone important to her dies. She can't cope, so runs away. Solo life is filled with promise, but also hard choices. She is constantly running from her past so she never puts down roots.</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">Emilie is part of a family where her sister's problems take center stage. Because of this, she is a people pleaser. She feels like if she doesn't make constant compromises, the people she loves tend to leave. She needs to figure out how to get past this, or she will always be disappointed. No one ever really can make her happy but herself.</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b>Romance:</b></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Sara and Emilie meet and are instantly attracted to each other. But their timing is always lousy. Either Sara or Emilie have family problems to face, or they are dating other people. Their romance happens in starts and stops. There are a lot of miscommunications that carry over months. When they see each other again, they need to start fresh. But they both know that there is a connection there that they need to explore.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Story:</b></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">I loved seeing Sara and Emilie grow as people over the course of the story. Sara's journey is accepting the past and realizing that she can't save other people. She is so afraid of going back home, that she misses out on being a part of her brother's life. She also needs to take a step back and understand how much she has been able to accomplish in her life. </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Emilie can't seem to finish what she starts. A perpetual student, she keeps changing majors. By not making a commitment, she doesn't have to take responsibility for her choices. The same issues occur when she starts dating a married man. Even though it's exciting, her affair is just another way to hold off on making any real connections with people who she might have a future with. </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">I liked how both Sara and Emilie had to confront their choices (and non-choices), in order for them to let go of their issues.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="color: #f1c232;">What I Was Mixed About:</span></b></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">I found the beginning of the Sara's story very confusing and creepy. It was unclear to me why Sara's father acted the way he did (which could be completely my fault as a reader). And I thought it was kind of out of left field when Sara gets abused by one of her father's friends. Later in the story, everything makes a lot more sense, and perhaps that was deliberate on the author's part. But it creeped me out that Sara could be so easily be put in a situation where she could be sex trafficked. I suppose the author was also making a deliberate choice to show how vulnerable young people are.</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Rating:</span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Release Date:</span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> May 31, 2022</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Author:</span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> Nina LaCour</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Publisher: </span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> Flatiron Books</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Genre:</span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> Adult Contemporary</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Page Length: </span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> 304 Pages</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Source: </span></b><span style="color: #181818;">NetGalley</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Format: </span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> E-Book</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Recommendation:</span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> Despite its harsh beginning, this is a book of hope and of navigating adulthood. I loved it and highly recommend it.</span></span></p>MsArdychanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16011176764545344829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973602932665851374.post-58379921389913331322022-05-26T19:06:00.000-07:002022-05-26T19:06:02.141-07:00Audio ARC Review: All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir<p><b style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHvoPYmbhcbR7_3HKcQmMtVivWDSk8RwjLkGbMM_FW-kx8rw6gN-GPKG7c_BKWSvxuiiJdOLc8RGJdQGrH5txEj5uLo2V-ubnuZ5P2qNy1_HGcpkTy1z_WUZnS5wigh03D5w1iyzSGdjeeW6R2ASs4kMkKr3kCb3lObzyQIikxgOzz5uDU81Mg2k4d9Q/s613/All%20My%20Rage.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="613" data-original-width="407" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHvoPYmbhcbR7_3HKcQmMtVivWDSk8RwjLkGbMM_FW-kx8rw6gN-GPKG7c_BKWSvxuiiJdOLc8RGJdQGrH5txEj5uLo2V-ubnuZ5P2qNy1_HGcpkTy1z_WUZnS5wigh03D5w1iyzSGdjeeW6R2ASs4kMkKr3kCb3lObzyQIikxgOzz5uDU81Mg2k4d9Q/s320/All%20My%20Rage.jpeg" width="212" /></a></b></div><b style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /><i><br /></i></b><p></p><p><b style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><i><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Please Note: I received an advance audiobook copy from Libro.fm in exchange for an honest review. This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.</span></i></b></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">If you like audiobooks, </span><b style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Libro.fm</span></b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"> is a great way to listen to audiobooks and support independent bookstores at the same time! Why give more money to billionaires to fly into space when you can help keep independent bookstores afloat, instead! When you go to Libro.fm, you can choose which bookstore you want to support, and a portion of the sales goes to that bookstore. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">Here</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"> is my unique friend code:</span></b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span><b><a href="https://libro.fm/referral?rf_code=lfm75477">https://libro.fm/referral?rf_code=lfm75477</a></b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span><b>*Just so you know: If you do wind up getting a membership, I will get a free book credit.</b></span></span></p><div><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span><b><br /></b></span></span></div><p><b style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><i>Lahore, Pakistan. Then.</i></b><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">Misbah is a dreamer and storyteller, newly married to Toufiq in an arranged match. After their young life is shaken by tragedy, they come to the United States and open the Cloud’s Rest Inn Motel, hoping for a new start.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><b style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><i>Juniper, California. Now.</i></b><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">Salahudin and Noor are more than best friends; they are family. Growing up as outcasts in the small desert town of Juniper, California, they understand each other the way no one else does. Until The Fight, which destroys their bond with the swift fury of a star exploding.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">Now, Sal scrambles to run the family motel as his mother Misbah’s health fails and his grieving father loses himself to alcoholism. Noor, meanwhile, walks a harrowing tightrope: working at her wrathful uncle’s liquor store while hiding the fact that she’s applying to college so she can escape him—and Juniper—forever.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">When Sal’s attempts to save the motel spiral out of control, he and Noor must ask themselves what friendship is worth—and what it takes to defeat the monsters in their pasts and the ones in their midst.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">From one of today’s most cherished and bestselling young adult authors comes a breathtaking novel of young love, old regrets, and forgiveness—one that’s both tragic and poignant in its tender ferocity.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Review:</span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">Sabaa Tahir has got to be one of my favorite authors, having written the wonderful fantasy series, <b><i>An Ember in the Ashes.</i></b> Even with magic, and fantasy settings like the afterlife, the author always made characters who were full of relatable emotions of longing, love, anger, and heartache. When the series was over, I wondered what Tahir could possibly write next.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">Well the wait is over. And Sabaa Tahir goes in a completely different direction by creating a world so realistic, it's sometimes hard to want to delve into it. But,<b><i> All My Rage,</i></b> her latest novel, has many of the same traits as her fantasy series, with characters full of the emotion. This book was a tough read, with domestic violence, child abuse, rape and many other horrible things. What makes it worth reading, though, is the hope we have for the characters, Sal and Noor, do have a better life. With wonderful performances by the narrators, this was a beautiful book.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"> Expect to cry!</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">What I Liked:</span></b></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Characters:</span></b></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">Sal's parents run a motel in the tiny, California desert town of Juniper, and it has seen better days. This is mostly because Sal mother is very sick, and his father copes by being constantly drunk. Even though Sal is a high school student, he does everything he can to help out at the motel. But his anger at his father seeps into other parts of his life. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">Noor is also in high school, having come to the U.S. when she was a small child. She was the lone survivor of a deadly earthquake in Pakistan. Her uncle brought her back to America and put his dreams on hold to care for Noor. Others might consider her fortunate. But her uncle is a bitter, cruel man who constantly reminds her she should feel grateful for him rescuing her. Sal and Noor used to be best friends until about a year ago when Noor confessed that she was in love with him, and he didn't return her feelings (awkard!).</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">Even though both of these young people have difficult lives, there are some caring adults who do try to be there for them. I really liked that Sal's mom helped Noor understand her Muslim culture. And Sal had other adults ready to listen when he could open up, including the young leader at the local Mosque.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>Story:</b></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">Both Sal and Noor go though a lot in this book. The author always is joking on social media that she loves to put her characters through Hell. Well, she certainly did that. If you had a safe, stable childhood, it might seem unrealistic for these characters to have so many terrible things happen to them. But people do have these types of childhoods, dealing with unstable family situations, racism, and hopelessness. The shining light at the end of the tunnel is that both Sal and Noor do want to change their circumstances. But, even with all the best of intentions, Sal and Noor are still just kids. They make some terrible choices that just compound their problems.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>Narration:</b></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">The story is structured with the alternating points of view of Sal and Noor. And the narrators do a fantastic job with both the angst and the joy of being teenagers. For most of the story, Sal is full of rage and Noor is rather beaten down by life. But when some good things happen to them, they finally get to express their character's astonishment at the beauty in life, as well. There is a brief section when the point of view is seen through Sal's mother which is really lovely.</span></p><p><b style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">T</span></b><b style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">rigger Warnings for Domestic Violence, Child Abuse, Rape, and anything else you can think of. This is a very heavy read!</span></b></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Rating: </span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Release Date:</span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> March 1, 2022</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Author:</span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> Sabaa Tahir</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Genre: </span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> YA Contemporary Fiction</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Audio Publisher: </span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> Penguin Random House Audio</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Narrators</span></b></span><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">:</span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> Deepti Gupta, Kamran R. Khan, & Kausar Mohammad</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Audio Length:</span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> 10 Hours, 24 Minutes</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Print Publisher:</span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> Razorbill</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Print Length:</span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> 384 Pages</span></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Source:</span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> Libro.fm</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Format:</span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> Audiobook</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Recommendation: </span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> This is a very moving, but hard to read book. I loved the characters, and hating when bad things happened to them. Ultimately, this was a book about survival and had a hopeful ending. I highly recommend it.</span></span></span></span></p>MsArdychanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16011176764545344829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973602932665851374.post-66596483404571266472022-05-22T22:50:00.000-07:002022-05-22T22:50:49.018-07:00ARC Review: Our Last Days in Barcelona by Chanel Cleeton <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8YY6v1_wjdGKgyz5iSvf0LEDJrU_oGiv1Y2dzuZ_zP5PCBf1ljuwKXdQz15NSlqDGgyhLmwaAht5tJFQddmxfeK6WlE4CmEL06bpbD5XR8dkMl6yu36Ay4eQowfrqplTk6M0QXhm0INvNKMLuCMndf2o0YMBG9EudrLqxRes9R2wykQTTDe3gSNvaPA/s499/Our%20Last%20Days%20in%20Barcelona.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="332" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8YY6v1_wjdGKgyz5iSvf0LEDJrU_oGiv1Y2dzuZ_zP5PCBf1ljuwKXdQz15NSlqDGgyhLmwaAht5tJFQddmxfeK6WlE4CmEL06bpbD5XR8dkMl6yu36Ay4eQowfrqplTk6M0QXhm0INvNKMLuCMndf2o0YMBG9EudrLqxRes9R2wykQTTDe3gSNvaPA/s320/Our%20Last%20Days%20in%20Barcelona.jpeg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><p><b><i><span style="color: #f6b26b;">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.</span></i></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Synopsis (from Goodreads):</span></b></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">When Isabel Perez travels to Barcelona to save her sister Beatriz, she discovers a shocking family secret in New York Times bestselling author Chanel Cleeton’s new novel.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">Barcelona, 1964. Exiled from Cuba after the revolution, Isabel Perez has learned to guard her heart and protect her family at all costs. After Isabel’s sister Beatriz disappears in Barcelona, Isabel goes to Spain in search of her. Joining forces with an unlikely ally thrusts Isabel into her sister’s dangerous world of espionage, but it’s an unearthed piece of family history that transforms Isabel’s life.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">Barcelona, 1936. Alicia Perez arrives in Barcelona after a difficult voyage from Cuba, her marriage in jeopardy and her young daughter Isabel in tow. Violence brews in Spain, the country on the brink of civil war, the rise of fascism threatening the world. When Cubans journey to Spain to join the International Brigades, Alicia’s past comes back to haunt her as she is unexpectedly reunited with the man who once held her heart.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">Alicia and Isabel’s lives intertwine, and the past and present collide, as a mother and daughter are forced to choose between their family’s expectations and following their hearts.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Review:</span></b></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">Whenever I think of my family history, I try to remember that everyone of the people who came before me had hopes, dreams, loves, or heartaches, just as people today do. And the larger events of those times likely affected each of their lives in some way. Whether it was from war, natural disaster, or a world-wide pandemic, one can't help but be shaped by the larger events of the world.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">That is why I love reading historical fiction, as it brings the events of the past to life through the stories of everyday people. Author Chanel Cleeton has created a family saga centering on the women of the fictional Perez family that spans the centuries from Spain to Cuba to the United States. Her books are about the compromises women are willing to make, and what happens when they decide to break free of the expectations of others. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">Her latest book, <i><b>Our Last Days in Barcelona</b></i>, has two storylines. In the nineteen thirties, Alicia (the prim mother of the Perez sisters in later books) has left her husband and flees to her family in Spain to decide what to do next. There is fierce fighting between Franco's nationalists and the republicans who want more freedom. In the nineteen sixties, it's Alicia's daughter, Isabel, who is in Spain looking for her sister Beatriz (and also trying to figure out what to do with her own marriage). </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">I loved the parallel storylines, and the themes of family obligations versus what the heart actually wants. As always, the author does a wonderful job of layering personal stories with historical events. This was also a very romantic book. I appreciated that the romance was realistic, and not insta-love. And there are some truly harrowing historical events that add much tension to the novel. This was a page-turner! Although the author has now written five novels based on these fascinating women, I hope that she will continue to find more stories to tell us about this family. I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>What I Liked:</b></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>Settings:</b></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">Spain and Cuba in the nineteen thirties were both exciting places to visit, and extremely dangerous places if you didn't agree with the leaders of those places! At the time of this story, Spain would soon be led by the fascist Francisco Franco, and Cuba would have it's own dictator, Fulgencio Batista. There were bombings, protests, and people disappearing if they said the wrong thing. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">In the nineteen sixties the story is set in Palm Beach, Florida, amid the emerging Cuban immigrants population, and in Spain (where Franco is still in power). In Palm Beach, the Perez family is working hard to match the prestige and the lifestyle they once had in Cuba. In Spain, there is still an aura of danger and people are on their guard. Beatriz works at an embassy (and also possibly for the CIA) where she finds all sorts of diplomatic troubles. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">I also appreciated that the author took the time to show how social standards dictated the lives of women in both eras. Avoid scandal was of the upmost importance. And women were (as always) held to a higher standard than men in regards to love and relationships. Since women were much more dependent on men, it is important for the author to emphasize this. If women are involved in scandals that will impact their families, they will lose their support, and protection. And in those times, that means a life-sentence of poverty.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Characters:</span></b></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">What struck me about all of the women in this novel is that they all are similar, even though the stories are decades apart. Alicia and Isabel find their marriages to be untenable. Rosa and Beatriz each realize they let the love of their life go. All of them feel the burdens of living up to the expectations of either their families or society. And none of them realize that they are not alone in their struggles. I think we can all relate to that! </span></p><p><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"><b>Parallel Stories:</b></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">The story in nineteen thirty-seven and the one in nineteen sixty-four are very similar. Alicia is having doubts about her marriage and leaves for Barcelona to think about if she wants to stay in her marriage. In the later time period, it's Alicia's daughter, Isabel, who is wondering if she can remain in her own marriage. Both mother and daughter face the same pressures and challenges. But if they were to sit in the same room, neither would admit it to the other! Oh how alike mothers and daughters can be. </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">We also see why Alicia, in particular, makes the choices she does. Events happen in Spain that make Alicia see clearly what the best decision will be for her. As I said in my introduction, historical events can influence our lives in many unforeseen ways.</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"><b>What I Was Mixed About:</b></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">As much as I love this series, I really wish there was a glossary of people, or a short summary of the previous books included with each new novel. It is a little hard to remember who everyone is in relation to everyone else. This had me struggling to remember important details that would have made helped me understand the current story a little easier.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Rating: </span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Release Date: </span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> May 24th, 2022</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Author:</span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> Chanel Cleeton</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Publisher:</span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> Berkley Books</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Genre: </span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> Historical Fiction</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Page Length: </span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> 320 Pages</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Source: </span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> NetGalley</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: #e69138;"><b>Format:</b> </span><span style="color: #181818;"> E-Book</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Recommendation: </span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> This saga is worth starting from the beginning with the novel Next Year in Havana. There are a lot of characters that the reader should know before reading this current novel. But it is the story of an entire family that has so much depth and heart. This series is a wonderful work of historical fiction and I highly recommend it.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></p>MsArdychanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16011176764545344829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973602932665851374.post-58655985588551148942022-05-16T00:00:00.001-07:002022-05-16T00:00:00.187-07:00ARC Review: Bloomsbury Girls by Natalie Jenner<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdXCOJNlHhv4tTED4by1XUGWEBonppOt9wOw2y5bOso3Qu9WpEyuDhZU-VY9s-sM-tvcBCuuAkXgZOwKUvIvb9iHeyk1QuKU9F-xxewtqEtbC1ea6PHOssLimXEy787Y2VlQ3EMKUoP1tywKM8ZkiUHSpur5dkiG2-VPdrDJ2GVIY8nYw72fl2scmpWQ/s400/Bloomsbury%20Girls.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="263" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdXCOJNlHhv4tTED4by1XUGWEBonppOt9wOw2y5bOso3Qu9WpEyuDhZU-VY9s-sM-tvcBCuuAkXgZOwKUvIvb9iHeyk1QuKU9F-xxewtqEtbC1ea6PHOssLimXEy787Y2VlQ3EMKUoP1tywKM8ZkiUHSpur5dkiG2-VPdrDJ2GVIY8nYw72fl2scmpWQ/s320/Bloomsbury%20Girls.jpeg" width="210" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><i><b><span style="color: #f6b26b;">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.</span></b></i></p><p><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Synopsis (from Goodreads):</span></b></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">The internationally bestselling author of The Jane Austen Society returns with a compelling and heartwarming story of post-war London, a century-old bookstore, and three women determined to find their way in a fast-changing world.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">Bloomsbury Books is an old-fashioned new and rare book store that has persisted and resisted change for a hundred years, run by men and guided by the general manager's unbreakable fifty-one rules. But in 1950, the world is changing, especially the world of books and publishing, and at Bloomsbury Books, the girls in the shop have plans:</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">Vivien Lowry: Single since her aristocratic fiance was killed in action during World War II, the brilliant and stylish Vivien has a long list of grievances - most of them well justified and the biggest of which is Alec McDonough, the Head of Fiction.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">Grace Perkins: Married with two sons, she's been working to support the family following her husband's breakdown in the aftermath of the war. Torn between duty to her family and dreams of her own.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">Evie Stone: In the first class of female students from Cambridge permitted to earn a degree, Evie was denied an academic position in favor of her less accomplished male rival. Now she's working at Bloomsbury Books while she plans to remake her own future.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">As they interact with various literary figures of the time - Daphne Du Maurier, Ellen Doubleday, Sonia Blair (widow of George Orwell), Samuel Beckett, Peggy Guggenheim, and others - these three women with their complex web of relationships, goals and dreams are all working to plot out a future that is richer and more rewarding than anything society will allow.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #e69138; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b>Review:</b></span></p><p><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">I really enjoyed Natalie Jenner's previous novel, <b><i>The Jane Austin Society</i></b>. It was about the people in a small village in England, trying to save the home where the legendary author Jane Austin lived. Now, Jenner's new novel, <i><b>Bloomsbury Girls</b></i>, focuses on some of the same characters, specifically young Evie Stone, living and trying for success in post-war London. And even though Evie is in the big city, she still manages to surround herself with a group of fascinating people who all work at a struggling bookstore. </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">The two other main female characters, Vivien and Grace are also struggling to find their place in the world. They are both smart, capable and stifled by the societal norms of the times. Women must always defer to the men in the shop (and in life), even though Vivien, Grace, and Evie, are much more capable than their male counterparts. It's infuriating. I loved that all three women work towards the same conclusion that they are worthy, and can take charge of their lives.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">We also get to see other characters from The Jane Austin Society such as the famous American actress Mimi Henderson, and Sotheby's auctioneer Yardley Sinclair. There are also interactions with historical characters of the era such as Samuel Beckett. This is really fun and add to the richness of the story.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">With the London setting, themes of women emerging as a force in society, and the delightful characters Bloomsbury Girls is another winning historical novel from Natalie Jenner. I highly recommend it.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f;"><b>What I Liked:</b></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f;"><b>Setting:</b></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">In the years after WWII London was still a city trying to get back on it's feet. There were food shortages, and people were under-employed. As the novel begins, people are just starting to have extra money for items such as books. So Bloomsbury Books should be doing well, but it isn't. With dozens of rules created decades ago the business is still stuck in the past. Many of the rules are good ones, such as the customer is always right, and the salespeople should give the customer space to browse without intrusion. But other rules are ridiculous. The rule for having events only be at night might seem fine. But this leave housewives, who need to be home in the evenings to cook for their families, out of the mix. There is an inherent bias towards discounting female novelists and customers that is really detrimental to book sales. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f;"><b>Themes:</b></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">The storylines of the book all involve the theme of women being denied their due. All three women are smart and capable. But it's the insecurities of the men in the story that's the real issue. These men are desperately trying to remain in control of day to day decisions at the business and (in the case of Grace's husband) in the home. I felt that it was actually a manifestation of the trauma that they acquired during the war. What is more emasculating than seeing people you love killed, and the cities you've known all your life destroyed by something you have no power to influence? But the way they do this is by keeping females "in their place" rather than recognizing that women were the unsung heroes of the war.</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Characters:</span></b></span></p><p><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Vivien knows what books are worth stocking, but every time she suggest a female author she is shot down. She also is in competition with her male co-worker Alex. Both are aspiring authors and share an attraction to each other. But Alex only sees her as an angry woman, not as a whole person.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Grace has a family at home, but is working at a job because her husband has injuries from serving in the War. He resents this and cuts her down at every opportunity. Grace feels tremendous guilt for this. She has a hard time seeing how terrible her marriage is until she starts to spend time with the shop's owner, an Earl. She never dreams that one of the aristocracy can see her as anything other than an employee. But through their friendship, she can see that she and her children are being treated terribly by her husband.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Evie Stone, the young servant from the first book, is gifted intellectually, but doesn't understand the social cues that prevent her from getting more prominent jobs in academia. Although she is one of the most qualified people in her field, she doesn't figure out (until it's too late) that a woman will not have the same opportunities as a man. But she is determined to create her own opportunities.</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Story:</span></b></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">The story follows the Vivien, Grace, and Evie as they find ways to break out of the mens control. Vivien starts to find female mentors for her writing. Grace begins to see her self-worth. But it's Evie who has the long plan in the works. She finds something while researching at Cambridge that could be of vast historical significance. The book she's looking for may be at the bookstore. But there are others looking for the book, as well. For someone like Evie, who is a rule follower, it's might be morally challenging to bend such rules to get what she wants. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">I loved <b><i>Bloomsbury Girls</i></b>. The story was so satisfying and entertaining. I truly hope it finds as much success as <i><b>The Jane Austin Society</b></i>. If you want to pick up a copy, consider doing so at your favorite independent bookstore, please. They always need and appreciate the support.</span></p><p><span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐</b></span></span></p><p><b style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">Release Date:</span></b><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"> May 17th, 2022</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Author:</span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> Natalie Jenner</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Publisher: </span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> St. Martin's Press</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Genre: </span></b><span style="color: #181818;">Historical Fiction</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Page Length: </span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> 370 Pages</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Source:</span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> NetGalley</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Format: </span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> E-Book</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Recommendation: </span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> This is everything I love about historical fiction! I love that it carried on from the author's previous book, The Jane Austin Society, with some of the same characters that I cheered on in that book. This was a lot of fun, and I highly recommend it.</span></span></span></p>MsArdychanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16011176764545344829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973602932665851374.post-84705862092717565242022-05-13T23:01:00.001-07:002022-05-13T23:01:51.108-07:00ARC Review: Wild Prey by Brian Klingborg<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRcSVU1ohS4a2p6fqe3yF4_2aEUCDtLFXKZvb0UQVeFVPdKrgC1w3lil4hwUlmCA1qiRSJ_iaKkY3HCTbDBEjCOMiTAfUOl8LqAARDmnOW4rtm_1zvdK59qI3N9ff1Qf3-7_vtfNralA-H9IxAOpLclqyh1YXgIQBkdouI8M_nSFXxGBbLIqSTU4WePA/s400/Wild%20Prey.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="263" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRcSVU1ohS4a2p6fqe3yF4_2aEUCDtLFXKZvb0UQVeFVPdKrgC1w3lil4hwUlmCA1qiRSJ_iaKkY3HCTbDBEjCOMiTAfUOl8LqAARDmnOW4rtm_1zvdK59qI3N9ff1Qf3-7_vtfNralA-H9IxAOpLclqyh1YXgIQBkdouI8M_nSFXxGBbLIqSTU4WePA/s320/Wild%20Prey.jpeg" width="210" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><i><b><span style="color: #f6b26b;">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.</span></b></i></p><p><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Synopsis (from Goodreads):</span></b></p><p><b style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><i>he search for a missing girl sends Inspector Lu Fei undercover into the wild corners of Myanmar, and the compound of the deadly and mysterious woman warlord responsible for the illegal trafficking of exotic animals and possibly more, in the next book from Brian Klingborg, </i>Wild Prey<i>.</i></b><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">Police Inspector Lu Fei has an unfortunate talent for getting himself into hot water with powerful and well-connected people. Which is why he’s been assigned to a backwater town in a rural area of Northern China and quietly warned to keep his head down. But while running a sting operation on the sale and consumption of rare and endangered animals, Lu comes across the curious case of a waitress who has gone missing. Her last known whereabouts: a restaurant frequented by local elites, owned by smooth-talking gangster, and known for its exotic -- and highly illegal -- delicacies.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">As usual, Lu's investigation ruffles some feathers, resulting in his suspension from the police force. Lu figures he's reached a dead-end. Then he's contacted by a mysterious government official in Beijing who wants him to go undercover to track down the mastermind behind an illegal animal trafficking network -- and hopefully, the answer to the fate of the missing waitress. The mission will require Lu to travel deep into the lawless wilds of Myanmar, where he will risk his life to infiltrate the hidden compound of a mysterious and ruthless female warlord in a bloody and nearly hopeless quest for justice.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Review:</span></b></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">I really enjoy a good detective series, and have gotten to be a fan of several Mystery book series such as the Inspector Gamache series by author Louise Penny, and the Two Rivers series by author Anne Cleeves. Both of those series feature a troubled police detective who's integrity gets him into trouble. The same can be said for Inspector Lu Fei. This series, written by author Brian Klingborg has a main character who drinks too much, has a long-standing crush on the local bar owner, and has a sense of justice that gets him into lots of trouble. This series takes place in China in a small city where not much happens, and yet... Inspector Lu Fei seems to find himself in the center of grizzly crimes in every book. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">While investigating cases, we get a glimpse of life in China and life in a Communist country. Much of Lu's daily life is like anyone else's. He goes to work at the police station, where most of the time, the most exciting thing happening is getting a paper cut. But he and his co-workers are also watched by the local Party representative, so one has to be careful not to criticize the wrong people. After work, Lu likes to go to the local bar and moon over the proprietress, while drinking too many beers. But when crimes are to be investigated, Lu is relentless in finding out the truth.</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">This was a page-turner with a mystery that takes Lu from his small city to the jungles of Myanmar. With lots of danger, betrayals, and twists, this was a great read.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b>What I Liked:</b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b>Setting:</b></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">This story could really take place anywhere, in any country. What makes this story so compelling is</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"> finding out about what life is like for Inspector Lu. From the food, to the nosy neighbors, to the complex social structures, the details made this world come alive to me. I liked learning about the way this society worked.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Characters:</span></b></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">Inspector Lu is a man who has been thrown away. His once promising career has been derailed by his pesky sense of Right and Wrong. If Lu sees a double standard between how the law is applied between Party big-wigs and everyday people, he feels compelled to point this out. This isn't winning him lots of friends. But he does have the respect of others.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">Lu is in love with the owner of his local bar, a widow who is having trouble letting go of the past. I felt for this character, as I think it's hard for any woman to move on from widowhood. Can you find love again and not be judged by your neighbors? I think this happens to many woman. But there are traditions in China which make this even more of an issue.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Story: </span></b></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">The story begins as a young teenager says that her sister is missing. She makes her report, and then won't leave the police station until her sister's disappearance is investigated. She even sleeps in the lobby of the police station, making herself a nuisance until the police finally does something.</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">And then the hunt begins! Lu finds that the missing young woman works in a restaurant where exotic meat is served purporting to increase a man's virility. Everything you can think of is on the menu, including sex workers. But where is the restaurant getting their supply of Tiger penises and endangered animals? And how is the young woman involved? Lu must go undercover to get his answers.</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;">There were a lot of scary situations that made this a book I could not put down. And this made the book a whole lot of fun!</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Rating: </span></b><span style="color: #181818;">⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Release Date: </span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> May 17th, 2022</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Author: </span></b><span style="color: #181818;">Brian Klingborg</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Publisher:</span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> Minotaur Books</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Genre:</span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> Detective Thriller</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Page Length: </span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> 304 Pages</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Source:</span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> NetGalley</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Format: </span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> E-Book</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Recommendation:</span></b><span style="color: #181818;"> This book is exciting, with characters that you'll want to follow into other stories. Inspector Lu is a complex main character. And the story is full of twists and turns. I highly recommend this book. </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></p>MsArdychanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16011176764545344829noreply@blogger.com0