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anabel_unker
*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*
Once an incredible country home for the Pearmain family, the Bridgewater House has now opened its doors as an apartment building for six different families. Beautifully redone, the Bridgewater House not only offers stately rooms, relics of the previous owner's history, a well stocked fishing lake, and an owner's association that never rests, but it also provides a community to those looking for somewhere to build a new life. THE HOUSE SHARE follows four of the new owners through trials and tribulations, and while it's marketed as "uplifting and funny", I found the storylines to be quite the opposite with themes of infidelity, alcoholism, divorce, spousal death, financial instability, and custody issues.
Marcie is a newlywed, struggling to fit her proud American personality into the rigid expectations of her (much older) husband. Struggling with infertility and the outright hostility of her new stepchildren, it's not surprising she turns to alternative means to get what she wants...
Louise has dutifully raised her three children (now unruly teenagers) and kept an immaculate home for her family as a stay-at-home mom, but after the unexpected news of her husband's infidelity she suddenly has to make it on her own as a single mother. Entering the workforce after over a decade, struggling to keep up with her children's teenage attitudes, all while dealing with her burgeoning feelings for her best friend means she may be well over her head...
Mollie, once an incredibly famous actress, is facing financial difficulties. Newly widowed and determined to be as tough as everyone thinks she is, Mollie struggles to accept the changes of her aging mind and her beloved husband's death-- especially since he keeps showing up...
Lord Roddy Pearmain, or just Roddy now, has just been released from rehab for his alcoholism. Determined to prove everyone (but mostly his stepfather and ex-wife) wrong, Roddy decides to turn over a new leaf and start anew. But when faced with the reality of his previous actions, he may just make desperate moves in order to see his children again...
Despite some pretty difficult formatting issues that made the perspective/time jumps sometimes difficult to follow (take this with a grain of salt, I'm unsure if this is a result from my edition), THE HOUSE SWAP was a heartfelt read about four people starting a new chapter in their lives.
Once an incredible country home for the Pearmain family, the Bridgewater House has now opened its doors as an apartment building for six different families. Beautifully redone, the Bridgewater House not only offers stately rooms, relics of the previous owner's history, a well stocked fishing lake, and an owner's association that never rests, but it also provides a community to those looking for somewhere to build a new life. THE HOUSE SHARE follows four of the new owners through trials and tribulations, and while it's marketed as "uplifting and funny", I found the storylines to be quite the opposite with themes of infidelity, alcoholism, divorce, spousal death, financial instability, and custody issues.
Marcie is a newlywed, struggling to fit her proud American personality into the rigid expectations of her (much older) husband. Struggling with infertility and the outright hostility of her new stepchildren, it's not surprising she turns to alternative means to get what she wants...
Louise has dutifully raised her three children (now unruly teenagers) and kept an immaculate home for her family as a stay-at-home mom, but after the unexpected news of her husband's infidelity she suddenly has to make it on her own as a single mother. Entering the workforce after over a decade, struggling to keep up with her children's teenage attitudes, all while dealing with her burgeoning feelings for her best friend means she may be well over her head...
Mollie, once an incredibly famous actress, is facing financial difficulties. Newly widowed and determined to be as tough as everyone thinks she is, Mollie struggles to accept the changes of her aging mind and her beloved husband's death-- especially since he keeps showing up...
Lord Roddy Pearmain, or just Roddy now, has just been released from rehab for his alcoholism. Determined to prove everyone (but mostly his stepfather and ex-wife) wrong, Roddy decides to turn over a new leaf and start anew. But when faced with the reality of his previous actions, he may just make desperate moves in order to see his children again...
Despite some pretty difficult formatting issues that made the perspective/time jumps sometimes difficult to follow (take this with a grain of salt, I'm unsure if this is a result from my edition), THE HOUSE SWAP was a heartfelt read about four people starting a new chapter in their lives.
*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*
A refreshing book about the goodness of humanity and never giving up on your dreams, THE PHOENIX BALLROOM is the latest book by Ruth Hogan-- and she has delivered a classic feel-good story yet again.
The story of 74-years-young Venetia Hargreaves starts at the funeral of her beloved husband. Newly widowed, and suddenly free to do whatever she likes (and with a very healthy bank account to boot), Venetia sets out to create a new life for herself full of a colorful cast of characters. From her old-soul grandson to a dog rescued from a pot grower to the lonely fifty something 'granny nanny' her well meaning son makes her hire-- Venetia's warm personality and zest for life attracts those around her into a heartwarming "found family". THE PHOENIX BALLROOM definitely warms the heart and reaffirms the idea that it's never to late-- to find forgiveness for yourself, to heal from trauma, to find religion, or to take a ballroom dancing class.
A refreshing book about the goodness of humanity and never giving up on your dreams, THE PHOENIX BALLROOM is the latest book by Ruth Hogan-- and she has delivered a classic feel-good story yet again.
The story of 74-years-young Venetia Hargreaves starts at the funeral of her beloved husband. Newly widowed, and suddenly free to do whatever she likes (and with a very healthy bank account to boot), Venetia sets out to create a new life for herself full of a colorful cast of characters. From her old-soul grandson to a dog rescued from a pot grower to the lonely fifty something 'granny nanny' her well meaning son makes her hire-- Venetia's warm personality and zest for life attracts those around her into a heartwarming "found family". THE PHOENIX BALLROOM definitely warms the heart and reaffirms the idea that it's never to late-- to find forgiveness for yourself, to heal from trauma, to find religion, or to take a ballroom dancing class.
*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*
Paulie Johansson is 35-years old, lives with her long-term boyfriend (and relative snooze-fest Declan), and isn't doing a whole lot with her life. She tutors spoiled rich kids on how to get into Ivy League colleges most of them aren't interested in attending and pines for the day she can stick to an idea long enough to see it through. But after a drunken submission to the Swedish television show Sverige och Mig presents her with the opportunity to explore her grandmother's homeland, and maybe find some new family along the way, Paul jumps at the chance despite Declan's misgivings.
Weird and wonderful, BIG IS SWEDEN tackles the idea of found family and what it means to belong. Paulie is an... interesting main character. Akin to a newborn foal bumbling around, but able to drink alcohol and make bad decisions, she's certainly not going to be liked by all who encounter her. She's angry, selfish, and hypocritical-- but so is every other character in this book. They're all messy, multifaceted, and childish; and each embody their own special American stereotype. However, there were plenty of tender moments of growth and hilarious sections (most of them bordering on the side of ridiculous, but in a believable that's-reality-television way). The book, overall, read like a pointillism painting-- up close it's a mess, but once you step back to look at the big picture it's really lovely.
Franson brought a lot of interesting debates to the table, and also provided the readers with some beautiful ideas on identity and family through Paulie's journey. There was a lot of hate on America, but there was also an equal amount of criticism for Sweden-- topics included immigration, white supremacy, the impacts of resource mining (including the environmental and social impacts on communities), indigenous peoples' historic and current treatment by the government, female reproductive rights, gay rights, evangelicalism, and education.
I have no doubt that BIG IN SWEDEN is a book that will be different each time you read it, the story is so layered and full of amazing insights, but I can also see how the causal writing style and characters could be polarizing for some readers.
Paulie Johansson is 35-years old, lives with her long-term boyfriend (and relative snooze-fest Declan), and isn't doing a whole lot with her life. She tutors spoiled rich kids on how to get into Ivy League colleges most of them aren't interested in attending and pines for the day she can stick to an idea long enough to see it through. But after a drunken submission to the Swedish television show Sverige och Mig presents her with the opportunity to explore her grandmother's homeland, and maybe find some new family along the way, Paul jumps at the chance despite Declan's misgivings.
Weird and wonderful, BIG IS SWEDEN tackles the idea of found family and what it means to belong. Paulie is an... interesting main character. Akin to a newborn foal bumbling around, but able to drink alcohol and make bad decisions, she's certainly not going to be liked by all who encounter her. She's angry, selfish, and hypocritical-- but so is every other character in this book. They're all messy, multifaceted, and childish; and each embody their own special American stereotype. However, there were plenty of tender moments of growth and hilarious sections (most of them bordering on the side of ridiculous, but in a believable that's-reality-television way). The book, overall, read like a pointillism painting-- up close it's a mess, but once you step back to look at the big picture it's really lovely.
Franson brought a lot of interesting debates to the table, and also provided the readers with some beautiful ideas on identity and family through Paulie's journey. There was a lot of hate on America, but there was also an equal amount of criticism for Sweden-- topics included immigration, white supremacy, the impacts of resource mining (including the environmental and social impacts on communities), indigenous peoples' historic and current treatment by the government, female reproductive rights, gay rights, evangelicalism, and education.
I have no doubt that BIG IN SWEDEN is a book that will be different each time you read it, the story is so layered and full of amazing insights, but I can also see how the causal writing style and characters could be polarizing for some readers.
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*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 CUT & THIRST, three former professors scheme on the best way to exact revenge over drinks and cheese. Every Thursday, Myrna, Leonie, and Chrissy reminisce on the years of their youth– but the most popular topic is the best way to avenge their dear friend, Fern, and the unprovoked attack on her writing career years ago. Murder is thrown around, as well a hit-and-runs, tire slashing, and the classic poison mushroom usage– however, revenge isn’t always straightforward.
As many other reviewers have mentioned, this short story felt like a small part of a larger story. Important and contextual details were introduced late in the text, which made enjoying the scheming a little difficult as the reader. This was a fun short story, but unfortunately not my favorite by the beloved Margaret Atwood.
In CUT & THIRST, three former professors scheme on the best way to exact revenge over drinks and cheese. Every Thursday, Myrna, Leonie, and Chrissy reminisce on the years of their youth– but the most popular topic is the best way to avenge their dear friend, Fern, and the unprovoked attack on her writing career years ago. Murder is thrown around, as well a hit-and-runs, tire slashing, and the classic poison mushroom usage– however, revenge isn’t always straightforward.
As many other reviewers have mentioned, this short story felt like a small part of a larger story. Important and contextual details were introduced late in the text, which made enjoying the scheming a little difficult as the reader. This was a fun short story, but unfortunately not my favorite by the beloved Margaret Atwood.