missjenthelibrarian's Reviews (240)

a moving depiction of lesser-known events during WWII

Inspired by the true story of Lévitan, a department store that was turned into a Jewish prison in occupied France, this novel uncovers a piece of history that was almost buried. Pam Jenoff perfectly weaves factual events with fictional characters who pull the reader in from page 1. 

Louise, a former volunteer with the British Red Cross, rushes to solve the mysterious connection between a familiar necklace and the devastating events she’ll never forget. 
Helaine is a Jewish French woman who navigates an unfamiliar world before ultimately trying to survive her imprisonment at Lévitan. 

The dual perspectives and dual timelines are easy to keep track of and well-structured. Combined with a fast-paced narrative and gradual reveals, these elements create a gripping story.

Although there are many historical fiction novels surrounding the events of WWII, this one is a must-read because of its realistic portrayal of how these events unfolded and their lasting impact. I felt deeply connected to the FMCs and inspired by their resilience. 

Despite the upsetting parallels between that time and ours, their stories remind me of the strength within all humans and our determination to survive and fight for what’s right no matter the odds. May we all keep the lessons that history teaches us in mind and continue to protect the rights for which so many fought and lost their lives.

📖 Thank you to The Hive, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and NetGalley for an ARC of this book

🎧 I read the audiobook at the same time and the compelling performance by the narrators, Thérèse Plummer and Saskia Maarleveld, made this an immersive experience that kept me reading for several hours straight!

I liked this story, but I would’ve enjoyed it more if it were structured better — interesting plot and somewhat satisfying twists, but it’s kind of confusing because the time jumps are difficult to keep track of and there are too many characters (including several with the same name). 

There are multiple POVs from at least seven characters that span over a decade, plus almost every chapter jumps from one timeline to another. 

I feel like the story only makes sense towards the end of the book (the last 15%). Although I like how everything is tied together and the author’s writing is often noteworthy, certain elements should’ve been edited differently to make the overall narrative more coherent.

brb, I need more tissues 🥹😭🩵

Shocked. Overwhelmed. Still processing… full review to come, but for now:

I loved it! And I’m definitely rereading books 1-3 asap, probably even this month 🤭

I was wrong about so many theories, but right about a lot of foreshadowing I caught 😅 It took some time for me to get back into the story, which happens with several fantasy novels, but OMG! This was such an exciting read and I can’t yet imagine what’s going to happen in the next two books!

P.S. Thank you to the members of my fantasy book club for adding to the excitement of this read ☺️ 

If you’d like to join my Fantasy Reading Challenge, go to the challenges tab of the StoryGraph app & search for “I Can Slay My Own Dragons” or my username (missjenthelibrarian)
-OR-
go to my StoryGraph profile, scroll towards the bottom, & click on the challenge called “I Can Slay My Own Dragons”

And if you’d like to join my Fantasy Book Club, DM me on Instagram @missjenthelibrarian

Infuriating, informative, and inspiring. This story is an essential read for a deeper understanding of our justice system and society. It unveils the horrific repercussions that unjust practices have on our most vulnerable people.

Legendary lawyer, Bryan Stevenson and the other hardworking people at the Equal Justice Initiative have made a significant impact on the lives of so many people, as well as on the legal system. More people should know about their positive influence! They are proof of how much better our world would be if we all learned to show mercy.

We learn about the development of Stevenson’s nonprofit law office, the Equal Justice Initiative, through the lens of specific cases that they’ve taken on. It’s easy to keep track of each case, especially since similar ones are grouped in a single chapter. Excellent structure and steady pacing throughout the story.

The only reason it took me longer to read than I originally thought was because I was highlighting and writing notes so often! Plus, I sometimes needed a break from how maddening several facts from their cases are. In the end, I feel grateful for their selfless work and hope that more people accomplish improvements like theirs.

📖🎧 I alternated between a physical copy and the audiobook, which is narrated by Bryan Stevenson

🎥 I also watched the movie adaptation of this memoir, starring Michael B. Jordan and oh my heart 💔 such an incredibly moving depiction of these events that I still think about months later — 10/10 recommend it!

Read this for the laughs, cozy wintry setting, and subtly romantic story ☕️🩵❄️

Kate Turner, an independent woman whose best friend signs her up for a dating agency, reluctantly agrees to go on 12 dates before Christmas. The events that follow are laugh-out-loud chaotic. But this entertaining story doesn’t solely focus on romance. 

We learn a lot about Kate’s past, including the relationships with her childhood best friends, Laura and Matt. We also see how the trajectory of her life brings her back to her hometown, where everyone knows (and talks about) everyone. This makes the reader feel more invested in Kate’s journey and her hope to find love. 

Although we know that Kate is unlikely to form a connection with all 12 men, it’s still just a little ridiculous how each of her dates turn out. Individually, all of these characters are believable, but collectively, they feel far-fetched. Then again, there obviously has to be a level of unbelievability *for the plot* 😂 Also, each of the dating agency’s pre-planned dates provides an element of fun in an otherwise slow-paced story. I loved the activities for most of the dates. Plus, they’re all great ideas for date night or activities in general. 

This lighthearted story is a sweet, hilarious adventure in a picturesque setting and reminded me of why British humor is totally my cup of tea 😜