katietotallybooked's Reviews (785)

This was the perfect read for me as I jumpstart my financial journey and learn to manage my money better. I am new to The Budget Mom, so I think that is why I learned so much from this book. It has helped me set up a budget plan and I’m already feeling more comfortable and confident in managing my money. I highlighted many takeaways in this book. It was easy to read and understand for someone who doesn’t have much background knowledge in finance too. I can now say I am an official member of The Budget Mom community, and I look forward to continuing my journey to financial fulfillment. 

This book was fantastic! I never wanted to put it down. Diane Chamberlain just kept the emotional punches coming. This story unraveled at a perfect pace, and the overarching mysteries kept you turning the pages. I loved how the dual timelines intersected and tied together throughout the story. I did enjoy both timelines but I think I connected to Kayla’s more because of her mother-daughter relationship with Rainie. I could imagine her grief over losing her husband, and how challenging it would be to continue to parent and live life, especially in the house they were designing together. 
The history and research involved is evident. I appreciated her author’s note explaining how this novel came to be. 
My favourite character was Ellie. Her determination and tenacity was admirable. She definitely felt drawn to support civil rights like she had a calling from a higher power. She never backed down from the fight, and her love story really pulled on my heart strings. 
I’ve only read two Diane Chamberlain books now but this has me motivated to add her to my author read it all challenges. 

The audiobook is well done and it adds a layer of emotion to the storytelling as well!

I was hesitant going into reading this recommendation from a friend because I haven’t had great experiences with Read with Jenna picks in the past. But I ending up loving this book! The story was so touching and charming. I fell in love with Tova and Cameron, flaws and all. I think I even fell for Marcellus the octopus because I enjoyed the chapters from his perspective the most! He came alive as a character in a way that was unique and unexpected! The way the author tackled the subject of grief and how one experiences it was with such grace and poise. It truly is such a unique experience and it doesn’t always play out as anyone anticipates it to. 
I also loved the mystery of the story and how it all unraveled and came together in the end. I just thoroughly enjoyed my reading experience, plus the audio is wonderful with its dual narration. 
I recommend this book to anyone who wants a heartwarming story that tugs on your heartstrings. Any mother, any son, any reader who has ever lost someone or wondered where they came from - this is a book for you. 

I can’t wait to see what Shelby Van Pelt writes next! 

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. when I started it, I was dragging myself through it. All of the Egyptology information and the history of tombs and  Ancient Egyptians was not of interest to me. I wasn’t sure if I would make it through the 400+ pages of the book. But slowly, the present day-contemporary themes started to come out about Dawn’s work as a death doula and her family and I began to enjoy the book. So much so that by the end I was captivated by the characters and I was caught up in the emotion of the story. 
My favourite character was Dawn’s daughter Meret. I could relate to her teenage self-image/body issues and her struggles with social anxiety. I also saw a lot of growth in her by the end of the book.
Ultimately, this was still a good Jodi Picoult book that seems to have started a shift in her writing style. There was no court case in this novel. There was a hate to love romance though, which is my favourite trope!
I learned a lot about being a death doula which seems like it is fascinating, yet challenging work.