Gail Carson Levine’s A Ceiling Made of Eggshells was a step outside my comfort zone, but I still found it enjoyable. I instantly felt a deep connection to Paloma, especially in her dream of becoming the perfect mother. The novel draws readers in with its tender moments, like Paloma’s bond with a litter of kittens and the quiet intimacy of her kissing Haimi’s hands as she watches him with them, a glimpse of the love she longs to give. At the same time, the tension between her and her brother Yuda adds an emotional edge, making their strained relationship just as compelling as her dreams of warmth and belonging.

Unfortunately, the story does drag on and get quite boring at times. And as her relationship with Belo (her grandfather who is powerful figure in their Jewish community in 15th-century Spain) develops, it kind of made me uncomfortable at times. He plays a crucial role in shaping Paloma’s journey, taking her with him on his travels as he works to protect their people amid rising persecution. While Belo loves Paloma, his expectations for her often conflict with her own desires, forcing her to navigate the tension between duty and personal longing. His influence is a major driving force in the novel, shaping both the plot and Paloma’s growth.

The moral of A Ceiling Made of Eggshells revolves around resilience, sacrifice, and the weight of responsibility. However, as meaningful as this book was meant to be, the way it panned out and the conclusion was insanely frustrating. The novel had a lot more potential in the first 70 pages, but after that I didn't find much of it interesting. I was already attached to little Loma though, so I had to keep reading.

My LO is only 7 months, but I can't wait for the "why" phase, and this little girl reminds me so much of his daddy! I love the illustrations and this is another one Ill need to add to our bookshelf one day :)

This one made my LO smile so much, and me! What a fun read, Ill have to buy it for our bookshelf one day 🙂

Kind of an abrupt ending even for a kids book

Tess Sharpe has repeatedly proven her talent as an author, and she does so once again in the audiobook version of The Girl in Question, which she narrates herself. I don’t usually gravitate toward audiobooks, but when I couldn’t get my hands on the physical copy of the sequel fast enough, I gave in—and I’m glad I did. Tess Sharpe’s narration adds an extra layer of authenticity and emotional depth to The Girl in Question. As the author, she knows her characters inside and out—their motivations, personalities, and the subtle nuances in their dialogue. This allows her to deliver each line exactly as intended, capturing the right tone, pacing, and inflection. Her voice brings the characters to life in a way that feels raw and immersive, making the experience more engaging than a typical audiobook. It’s as if the story is being told exactly how it was meant to be heard, straight from the mind of the person who created it.

The sequel opens with Iris in a tense encounter with Agent North, before transitioning to Lee discovering Nora’s visit to their mother and the long-held secret she’s kept all these years.

Lee’s discovery of Nora’s visit to their mother and the hidden truth she’s kept all these years propels the characters into a whirlwind of revelations and confrontations, setting the stage for the emotional and suspenseful journey ahead. This moment acts as a catalyst that triggers the unraveling of long-buried family secrets, driving the narrative forward with increasing urgency. Like The Girls I've Been, The Girl in Question alternates between present and past, and this time has the added bonus of alternating between Nora and Iris's perspectives. We even get a glimpse into Wes and the adorable little Turbo! I will say, not all authors can alternate with such a stunning fluidity between characters like Sharpe, making her work all the more brilliant. 

I've learned now that Tess Sharpe has an exceptional writing style, one that keeps readers engaged in the actions and motivations of her well-developed characters and intricate family plotlines. With each powerful statement she throws, she has an equal punch of humor to follow up. Sharpe's ability to transition from quotes like "You can be the curse and be cursed yourself," to "Buttiest Butt Face," just makes her books even better. Each of her novels so far has wow'd me through and through, with The Girl in Question raising the bar even higher with yet another memorable reading experience. 

I don't know why I thought I would even give this one a try.

i didnt need more than 10 pages to tell me i wasn't going to enjoy this book. although the idea of it sounds compelling and i have read a very similar book, i just don't want to force myself to read something i have a strong feeling i wouldn't be into. 

About 50 pages in and an immediate turn off was the whole "slur shaming" and overly cliche highschool rivalry, overly cliche nuclear family (just because you switch mom and dad's roles doesn't make it any better). I can tell off bat this is not going to be the alluring, intense mystery novel that I would love to love. But I'll try to keep going with it...
A little over halfway through now, and the progression has still been boring and has annoying plotholes. Especially with Dee and Sarah. Too far in now to give up, but this has to be one of the most poorly written, stupid mystery books i've ever read. Which sucks because it could've been executed in a way more captivating way. Safe to say I won't be checking out any more of Tom Ryan's novels...
I'm typically very generous with my ratings. I don't feel guilty about this one. 

As I already learned from The Girls I've Been, Tess Sharpe masterfully weaves stories by alternating between past-to-present perspectives. She also writes the dynamic of a LGBT love triangle brilliantly. Far From You had the same delicious intensity and taut emotion that Sharpe's other novel did - I devoured it just as quickly. She is quickly turning into a staple author on my shelf.