“Discretion is my motto.  Invisible customer service is my goal.” 

 

Charming, endearing, and eccentric.

I am officially a fan of the cozy mystery after spending time with Molly the Maid.  

 

Molly is quite possibly the quirkiest and dearest character that I’ve ever read. She is utterly straight forward, literal to a fault, and functions within a set of rules, most of which have been dictated to her by her more intuitive, recently deceased, grandmother.  Molly has been a maid at a prestigious hotel since first joining the workforce, and it is a true joy to her.    Her goal is invisibility: to provide excellent service without notice.  

 

In the middle of a delightfully normal day, Molly discovers a VIP hotel patron dead in the bed of the suite she is in the midst of cleaning, or as she refers to it as “returning to a state of perfection.”  Molly’s life is thrown into confusion and disarray as the detective investigating the death becomes suspicious of Molly and her incomprehensible mannerisms.  

 

Prose’s debut is a solid hit. There are plenty of laughs mixed with the exact right amount of intrigue.  The characterization (of both the good and bad eggs) is remarkably executed, and the storyline is adeptly developed and unputdownable!  (I read this book in one day!)

 

I really loved the exploration of life through a character that goes against the grain and is so unique.  Prose’s themes of individuality and worthiness are beautifully done and resonate greatly.  

Dear Molly!  She is a character that will stick with me for a long time.  

 

Thank you Nita Prose, Ballantine Books, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an advanced copy of this book.

A ballet is refined and beautiful.  It’s an exquisite art form polished to perfection.  But behind the scenes, it looks much more dour, and I’m not talking about the ballerina’s bruised and battered feet.  It’s an insular world built on competition, jealousy, and dark ambition.  The only way to the top is at the expense of fellow competitors.  

 

Delphine, Lindsey, and Margeaux quickly bond during their training at the Paris Opera Ballet.  Although friends, they are competitors first and foremost.  The novel unfolds in two parts.  One moves from teen years forward following their training and bond through the trials of preparation, as each aspires to become the next star.  The other follows the three in differing stages of adult life, suddenly thrust back together on the same stage.  It’s obvious that the years have not been kind to the friendship.  The mystery of what transpired to create the shift unfolds slowly and steadily. 

 

Kapelke-Dale does an adept job of showcasing the cutthroat nature experienced behind the curtain.  Perfect pirouettes begin out of destruction and determination.  The training, dedication, and competition that goes into the most graceful arabesque is well examined through the three main characters.  As someone who has enjoyed the beauty of the stage, I was equally enamored by this novel’s look at the inner workings that companies and dancers go through to get to the stage worthy point.  

 

Up until the half point of the novel, it appeared the author’s messaging was in regard to the tumult women suffer in order to get ahead.  But at the half way mark, the messaging seemed to shift to that of misogyny and patriarchy, with strong “Me too” vibes.  As much as I appreciate the exploration of the multiple themes and consider them timely and necessary, I didn’t feel as though the storyline had enough depth with which to properly discern each issue brought forth.  To me, the continual addition of a new component within the many themes muddled the overall message.   

 

Though not an upbeat read, I do not think the comparison being drawn between this book and Black Swan is accurate.  Not only is this book not as dark as Black Swan, it also doesn’t hit the mark of a true thriller.  Instead, The Ballerinas lends itself more closely to character driven women’s fiction. 

 

Thank you Rachel Kapelke-Dale, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an advanced copy of this book.

 

The exquisite, new house at the end of Hockley Street was designed with detail and attention.  But more importantly, it was designed with love by two architects eager for a happy ever after there amongst the beauty of that land.  

 

But that land’s history is one of tragedy.  And tragedy rarely stays buried.  

 

This story is told in dual narrative.  In 2010, we meet Kayla, who is recently widowed and preparing to move into the Hockley Street house she designed with her husband.  It’s hard to push aside the grief over him dying on the very steps he designed.  Her anxieties are quickly compounded as she and her daughter are threatened by a mysterious woman.     

 

In 1965, twenty year old Ellie Hockley has just finished her second year of college.  Her family has lived in Round Hill for generations and are well respected.  When Ellie joins the newly instituted SCOPE program, where she will assist in registering black voters, she is met with opposition from everyone, including her family. 

 

History has a place in the present day, and though nearly fifty years apart, Ellie and Kayla’s stories intersect.  

 

Though the writing is good and the storyline is solid, I never quite connected with the characters the way I desired.  The emotions that Kayla went through, grief and anxiety, are ones I’ve dealt with recently.  Yet, I didn’t feel as tied to her as I expected.  Likewise, I believe strongly in the causes Ellie fought for.  But again, I didn’t feel her fire and zeal as if it were my own. 

 

Chamberlain tackles timely issues from a little known historical perspective.  Sadly the issues she writes about in this book are still present today, and this book offers a poignant reflection on how far we’ve come, yet how far we have left to go.  

 

Thank you Diane Chamberlain, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an advanced copy of this book.

 

A tropical island with salt air, crystal blue seas, and abundant sunshine.  Sounds idyllic.  (Especially considering the current temp where I am are hovering at freezing.)  Pack me a suitcase full of books and bathing suit! 

 

Reckless Girls starts off with exactly the kind of good time you’d imagine.  Booz, barbeques, bathing suits, and beautiful people.  Our main character, Lux, and her boyfriend, Nico, were hired to sail two friends, Brittany and Amma, to deserted Meroe Island for two weeks.  Upon arriving, they meet Jake and Eliza who had already been enjoying the island paradise. Unlikely friendships begin to form between the six as they embark on the vacation of a lifetime.  But all the fun and games quickly come to a halt when another visitor arrives.  Quickly it’s apparent that secrets abound, and everyone has the propensity for deviousness. 

 

"These people are basically all strangers to me, and I am alone with them in the middle of the Pacific Ocean."

 

Hawkins adeptly creates the atmosphere for Meroe.  On one hand, it’s the destination we all dream of.  Gorgeous flora and fauna.  Waterfalls and swimming holes.  Sandy white beaches. But it also emanates an eeriness from its ugly history of shipwrecks, cannibalism, and deaths.  There’s an ominous claustrophobia to Meroe that you can’t quite shake no matter how sunny or beautiful the island seems.  

 

The storyline kept me hanging on, and I never could decide exactly who to trust.  Marks of a good read to be sure.  But the ending let me down.  Some pieces of the culmination were ones I had expected.  But the way it was executed and the big twist… it just didn’t work for me.  Too far-fetched.  Too many loopholes.  And ultimately I wanted more from the ending.

 

In order to enjoy this island mystery to the fullest, put aside your need for plausibility, and sit back and enjoy the creepy vibes mixed with sunshine skies.  

Tense and twisty yet also tedious and predictable.

 

The premise for this story is excellent.  We all know what Amanda Knox went through.  As much as I love to travel, being detained by foreign officials is an incredibly scary thought.  

 

Kristin and Emily didn’t quite fit in with classmates at college.  Kristin was bold and confident.  Emily was a demure follower.  They immediately bonded and became fast BFFs.  Now that they are career women, they meet up each year at some exotic location to catch up and get away from the stress of the world.  But the last two trips haven’t been quite so stress free.  Two dead men.  The first one attacked Emily on the trip to Cambodia.  And the second attacked Kristin in Chile.   

 

While there were times I felt intensity in this book, the overall execution of the premise just didn’t work like I had hoped.  Instead it became a bit tiresome, and I knew exactly how it would end.  Ultimately, I wonder if this book would’ve benefited from a secondary POV to keep the storyline fresh and make me question the reliability of the characters.   

The thing that worked really well in this book was the author’s depiction of what gaslighting looks like.  She painted a clear picture of how the victim second guesses, replays events, and constantly feels upended.  

A young boy marooned at sea.  Almost impossibly, he survives.  What he endured could either be the stuff of fantasy or nightmare.  

 

Years ago I watched the movie adaptation of this book after it won countless awards.  It completely enthralled me and awakened my imagination.  The twist at the end was so shocking and yet also so expected.  

 

After reading The Reading List last week, I was compelled to pick up the book.  Books are always better than their adaptation, right?  

 

The book is adeptly written.  The descriptions of the setting so vivid I could practically smell the salt in the air and feel the sun on my skin.  And Pi is one of the most fascinating characters I’ve read.  It’s worth noting that the movie would not have been possible without Martel’s premise and execution.  

 

While I enjoyed the book, I loved the movie more.  The way this story played out cinematically on screen was breathtaking and endearing.  I’m glad I read this book, but shockingly, the movie made me feel to an extent the book didn’t achieve.  

“Grace costs you nothing.”

 

Swoon!!! Oh this book! It was exactly what I needed.  It’s full of wit and snark, touches on hard topics, and completely captivated me.  I’ve heard rave reviews for Jiminez’ other books, but I was still blown away by how much I loved this one.  And now I’m invested in reading her entire backlist!

 

Alexis and Daniel… complete and total opposites in so many ways.  Alexis is a prominent doctor from a wealthy and powerful family.  She’s been raised to take over the medical empire that has been in the family for generations.  Daniel is both mayor of his small town and a carpenter that creates the most beautiful pieces of furniture.  He’s been raised to be a good neighbor and lend a hand… which is exactly how Daniel comes to meet Alexis.  And while technically it all started because he tows Alexis’ car out of the ditch, I think the true magic happened with the baby goat in pajamas and a grilled cheese sandwich. 

 

The pixie dust is strong in this book.  Jiminez magically weaves gems from various Disney movies and fairy tales (even a Sex and the City nod) into Alexis and Daniel’s story.  That shouldn’t be a surprise given that the title of the book is the theme song from The Little Mermaid.  I’ve seen other authors attempt this feat.  But none have done it as adeptly or magically as Jiminez has in this book. 

 

While this story is completely enchanting, it also hits some relatable and hard topics.  Life is messy and difficult.  Abuse isn’t that easy to identify and can take on many different appearances.  These hard topics are handled with such grace and create necessary messaging.  

 

I could continue to gush ad nauseum about this one… great characters (including the supporting cast), a charming atmosphere, witty banter, incredible steam, and the most adorable bunch of (perfectly named) animals.   But instead, I’ll summarize with this:  Read this book.  

 

Oh my heart!  The Reading List delighted and charmed this book lover’s soul.  

 

Mukesh is a widower, lonely and heartbroken, not sure how to live life without his wife of fifty years.  Aleisha has a tumultuous home life, and while she doesn’t know much about books, she needs the money that being a librarian can provide her family.  Mukesh and Aleisha are the most unlikely of friends.  Everything about their lives is different.  

 

But once they stumble upon the reading list, serendipity partners with many good books to create connection and healing.  

 

All book lovers know how impactful good literature can be.  Adams uses the magic found in books to deal with the hard topics of loss, grief, and mental health.  I loved watching Mukesh and Aleisha evolve as they were shaped and comforted by literature. 

 

Snuggle up with this book, a cuppa chai, and a cozy blanket.  You’ll feel completely uplifted by the end of this endearing story.  

This book was a complete surprise.  I laughed.  I cried.  (I cringed a few times.)  It made me ponder my own life and reassess it a bit.  The Girl I Was is a fun book full of wit and heart that completely resonated. 

 

Alexis’ life has officially hit rock bottom.  Nothing is going right… the job, the friends, the man.  So she drowns her sorrows in a bottle of vodka and passes out in her (very empty) bed. But upon waking, she finds herself in a frat house in the year 2002 where she must come face to face with the 18 year old version of herself.  Alexis has long since blamed Lexi, her younger self, for the path of destruction she’s on.  But now that she can confront Lexi, will it create the change she’s banking on?  And how will she get back home?  

 

I devoured this book.  Rose’s writing style kept me hanging on and wanting more.  The messaging and character development are also on point.  I’m a bit amazed at how Rose created two completely unique characters that are also the exact same person.  She showed the dichotomy between the differing versions of self (age, maturity, sensibility) with adeptness.  

 

The messaging of this book is what really made this book pull at my heartstrings.  We’ve all looked back over life and wondered about the decisions we’ve made.  Which parts of life could’ve been changed for the better?  What parts were always meant to be?  I really loved walking back in time with Alexis and Lexi, while also reminiscing over my own past.

 

But no review for this book is complete without mentioning all of the nostalgia.  I loved EVERY bit.  From the low rise jeans (with a one inch zipper) to the Juicy Couture track suits.  From MySpace to R.Kelly’s music (before we knew what scum he was).  The 2002 pop culture references were on point.  Maybe the best part was being able to revisit all of those things while still having access to my iPhone.    

 

The audiobook is exceptionally well done, adding an extra layer of depth to the characters and drama that unfolded.  Narrated by Hillary Huber, her nuanced rendition of the text makes this book a complete experience.  

 

Thank you Jeneva Rose, Dreamscape Media, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an advanced copy of this book.

 

Heartfelt, genuine, and funny.  This book felt like having coffee with a friend while listening to years of old stories and catching up.  Grohl is relatable and down to earth, from his love of KFC (with champagne) to fresh pots of coffee (look “Fresh Pots” up on YouTube).  He’s a doting girl dad, proud mama’s boy, a believer in the supernatural, and the biggest fan in any room.  I’ve always heard that Grohl is the nicest of guys.  After listening to his life in his own words, I believe he’s that and more.    

 

But most of all, this book is Dave’s love letter to music.  And what a love letter it is!

 

Grohl has a way with telling a story.  I was easily pulled in and hooked until the last note.  I couldn’t get enough of his experiences, from being a young rocker (on a $7 a day per diem) to his ongoing, deep friendship with Sir Paul McCartney.  And while those stories kept me hanging on, it’s Dave’s utter devotion to his craft and deep adoration of music itself that gave this book heart.

This book is best experienced by combining print and audio.  There’s nothing like hearing Dave’s voice tell his story while looking at pictures he’s interspersed throughout the chapters.  

 

If you’re looking for sex, drugs, and rock-n-roll memoir, this isn’t it.  (The drug most plentiful in here is caffeine.)  This is a genuine guy and his deep love of all things music.