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anabel_unker's Reviews (1.16k)
*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity.*
THE NOTEKEEPER is a story about heartbreak, renewal, and finding joy in the darkest of times. Australian ex-pat Zoe works as a well-loved hospice nurse in the UK-- her compassionate bedside manner only outshone by her habit of taking down patient's last words and wishes. She prides herself in delivering these messages, whether or not they were kind, because a last message has helped her recover from a devestating death.
This is not a book for the weak. It's heart wrenching and, because the three of the primarily featured characters are hospic nurses, there is a fair amount of death. Good ones, bad ones, and heart breaking ones. THE NOTEKEEPER at it's core, is Zoe learning to grieve and open herself back up to life.
Beautifully written, it was so easy to lose yourself in the story-- and Treave accomplished the difficult task of creating a story about one of the hardest parts of being human.
THE NOTEKEEPER is a story about heartbreak, renewal, and finding joy in the darkest of times. Australian ex-pat Zoe works as a well-loved hospice nurse in the UK-- her compassionate bedside manner only outshone by her habit of taking down patient's last words and wishes. She prides herself in delivering these messages, whether or not they were kind, because a last message has helped her recover from a devestating death.
This is not a book for the weak. It's heart wrenching and, because the three of the primarily featured characters are hospic nurses, there is a fair amount of death. Good ones, bad ones, and heart breaking ones. THE NOTEKEEPER at it's core, is Zoe learning to grieve and open herself back up to life.
Beautifully written, it was so easy to lose yourself in the story-- and Treave accomplished the difficult task of creating a story about one of the hardest parts of being human.
*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity.*
This hilarious, quirky, and downright fun read is an absolute treat for anyone looking to laugh. YOU SHOULD SMILE MORE isn't always realistic (in the beginning I was screaming for Vanessa to just sue for wrongful termination), but this book follows the laws of any good rom-com and it's better to just accept the twists and logic for what it is.
Vanessa Blair-- and her motley crew consisting of her mother's bridge club, former coworkers, five calico kittens, and a very attractive Unemployment Office employee-- begin investigating DirectUs after she loses her telemarketing job due to her face. Or, rather, the expressions her face makes. What ensues is a crazy story involving foot-bladder infections, murder walls, 1980s themed work proms, and lots of shenanigans.
This hilarious, quirky, and downright fun read is an absolute treat for anyone looking to laugh. YOU SHOULD SMILE MORE isn't always realistic (in the beginning I was screaming for Vanessa to just sue for wrongful termination), but this book follows the laws of any good rom-com and it's better to just accept the twists and logic for what it is.
Vanessa Blair-- and her motley crew consisting of her mother's bridge club, former coworkers, five calico kittens, and a very attractive Unemployment Office employee-- begin investigating DirectUs after she loses her telemarketing job due to her face. Or, rather, the expressions her face makes. What ensues is a crazy story involving foot-bladder infections, murder walls, 1980s themed work proms, and lots of shenanigans.
*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity.*
Samantha and Carter are best friends. BEST friends. They've been intertwined in each other's lives since middle school, and now, much like a clown-fish and an anemone, they can't survive without the other. The only problem? They are both disgustingly in love with the other.
Buckle in, and get reading for a friends-to-lovers, mutual pining/unrequited love, "sworn off a relationship" mess. There's also a sub plot about sabotaging a wedding and a delightfully grumpy old woman named Gertie. This book is a PG-13 romance, with only vague references to sex and no language, and would be appropriate for a younger reader.
The thing I didn't love about this book: Samantha has very strong 'I'm not like other girls' vibes, which can be exhausting to listen to. However, the author did a good job of giving her character depth and internal conflict that is outside of the impending romantic relationship.
Overall, MAID OF DISHONOR is a light read full of fun banter, perfect for the summer season!
Samantha and Carter are best friends. BEST friends. They've been intertwined in each other's lives since middle school, and now, much like a clown-fish and an anemone, they can't survive without the other. The only problem? They are both disgustingly in love with the other.
Buckle in, and get reading for a friends-to-lovers, mutual pining/unrequited love, "sworn off a relationship" mess. There's also a sub plot about sabotaging a wedding and a delightfully grumpy old woman named Gertie. This book is a PG-13 romance, with only vague references to sex and no language, and would be appropriate for a younger reader.
The thing I didn't love about this book: Samantha has very strong 'I'm not like other girls' vibes, which can be exhausting to listen to. However, the author did a good job of giving her character depth and internal conflict that is outside of the impending romantic relationship.
Overall, MAID OF DISHONOR is a light read full of fun banter, perfect for the summer season!
*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity.*
BORDERLAND, a mix of Ukrainian historical events and personal anecdotes from an expat, is a good introduction into the vast history of Ukraine for a western audience. Updated to reflect the 2022 war, the author opens the book by acknowledging her use of outdated terminology in the first part of the book.
However, before starting this book, I think it's important to read other reviews on Goodreads and come to your own conclusions on whether this book is a good choice for your needs.
BORDERLAND, a mix of Ukrainian historical events and personal anecdotes from an expat, is a good introduction into the vast history of Ukraine for a western audience. Updated to reflect the 2022 war, the author opens the book by acknowledging her use of outdated terminology in the first part of the book.
However, before starting this book, I think it's important to read other reviews on Goodreads and come to your own conclusions on whether this book is a good choice for your needs.
*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity.*
In AGAINST THE CURRANT, Lyndsay Murray has finally realized her dream of opening a Grenadian-style bakery with her family. Between her keen business sense, her parents' and brother's baking skills, and her grandmother's extensive network-- the bakery seems to be destined for success. However, after a very public confrontation with an aggressive rival baker, Lyndsay finds herself at the top of the suspect list for his murder. As the circumstantial evidence piles up, Lyndsay realizes the detectives aren't looking at anyone else and takes matters into her own hands.
The protagonist, Lyndsay, did get on my nerves in one aspect-- when it came to her 'shyness' and history with bullies. Lyndsay was nothing but a strong, capable young woman who confronted many situations and people competently throughout the book; but she was constantly lamenting about her apparent introversion and inability to handle said confrontation. I just wish that if her meekness was supposed to be a large part of her character, that had been shown during the course of the book and we, as the audience, would get to see her grow into the ability to stand up for herself.
However, that said, this book has all the charm of a cozy mystery. Particularly, I enjoyed Matthews' skills with describing sights and smells, baked goods or food, and style choices that made each character feel individualized. AGAINST THE CURRANT is the perfect choice to curl up with some coconut bread and read on a lazy day. The narrator was engaging, the plot well paced, and Matthews left plenty of opportunity for sequels by introducing a whole cast of colorful characters.
In AGAINST THE CURRANT, Lyndsay Murray has finally realized her dream of opening a Grenadian-style bakery with her family. Between her keen business sense, her parents' and brother's baking skills, and her grandmother's extensive network-- the bakery seems to be destined for success. However, after a very public confrontation with an aggressive rival baker, Lyndsay finds herself at the top of the suspect list for his murder. As the circumstantial evidence piles up, Lyndsay realizes the detectives aren't looking at anyone else and takes matters into her own hands.
The protagonist, Lyndsay, did get on my nerves in one aspect-- when it came to her 'shyness' and history with bullies. Lyndsay was nothing but a strong, capable young woman who confronted many situations and people competently throughout the book; but she was constantly lamenting about her apparent introversion and inability to handle said confrontation. I just wish that if her meekness was supposed to be a large part of her character, that had been shown during the course of the book and we, as the audience, would get to see her grow into the ability to stand up for herself.
However, that said, this book has all the charm of a cozy mystery. Particularly, I enjoyed Matthews' skills with describing sights and smells, baked goods or food, and style choices that made each character feel individualized. AGAINST THE CURRANT is the perfect choice to curl up with some coconut bread and read on a lazy day. The narrator was engaging, the plot well paced, and Matthews left plenty of opportunity for sequels by introducing a whole cast of colorful characters.
*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity.*
Orphaned sisters Sybella and Lucie are solidly country gentry. They enjoy the freedoms that comes with wide open spaces, the lack of rules compared to London society, and, most of all, they love being with each other. However, as Lucie nears marriageable age, the two agree to venture into London in the hopes of securing a love match for the young woman. Sybella, a widow, has her hands full with her small son, James, and their manor-- which she manages successfully with the help of her husband's right hand man, George.
The story unfolds exactly how any good Regency era book should. There is bracing wit, vivid descriptions of dresses, food, and parties, and moments of stolen tenderness. Dunn is a master of the Regency Era, her use of language as well as the way her characters interact prove she has done her research. At moments, the dialogue does get bogged down with overuse of jargon, but it quickly picks back up again.
THE MARRIAGE SEASON is a great choice for the long time fan of Regency romance, or anyone looking to dive deeper into historical accurate Regency writing.
Orphaned sisters Sybella and Lucie are solidly country gentry. They enjoy the freedoms that comes with wide open spaces, the lack of rules compared to London society, and, most of all, they love being with each other. However, as Lucie nears marriageable age, the two agree to venture into London in the hopes of securing a love match for the young woman. Sybella, a widow, has her hands full with her small son, James, and their manor-- which she manages successfully with the help of her husband's right hand man, George.
The story unfolds exactly how any good Regency era book should. There is bracing wit, vivid descriptions of dresses, food, and parties, and moments of stolen tenderness. Dunn is a master of the Regency Era, her use of language as well as the way her characters interact prove she has done her research. At moments, the dialogue does get bogged down with overuse of jargon, but it quickly picks back up again.
THE MARRIAGE SEASON is a great choice for the long time fan of Regency romance, or anyone looking to dive deeper into historical accurate Regency writing.
*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity.*
MS. ADVENTURE follows scientist Jess Phoenix during a handful of her most memorable field experiences. Phoenix has lived an incredible, adventure-filled, and frankly amazing life-- and it was fascinating to me, as a lay person, to peek into the world of geology. This book is a very easy pick-up-put-down read, because none of the chapters are connected in any meaningful manner, meaning you don't have to follow a story line to enjoy any part of this book.
I can understand how this 'field journal' layout might be jarring for a lot of readers, but personally, I enjoyed reading the snippets of Phoenix's professional life and experiences since it prevented the narrative from getting too bogged down. Phoenix also did an excellent job of describing her work in an engaging and informative manner that anyone could easily understand.
This book was written to help propel Phoenix's work as a scientist and climate change activist into the general public, and I think it was a fun and intriguing read.
MS. ADVENTURE follows scientist Jess Phoenix during a handful of her most memorable field experiences. Phoenix has lived an incredible, adventure-filled, and frankly amazing life-- and it was fascinating to me, as a lay person, to peek into the world of geology. This book is a very easy pick-up-put-down read, because none of the chapters are connected in any meaningful manner, meaning you don't have to follow a story line to enjoy any part of this book.
I can understand how this 'field journal' layout might be jarring for a lot of readers, but personally, I enjoyed reading the snippets of Phoenix's professional life and experiences since it prevented the narrative from getting too bogged down. Phoenix also did an excellent job of describing her work in an engaging and informative manner that anyone could easily understand.
This book was written to help propel Phoenix's work as a scientist and climate change activist into the general public, and I think it was a fun and intriguing read.