rezelazny's Reviews (1.09k)

Typical beach read. Fast moving romance with a bit of history and chapter swaps between the past and present. I enjoyed getting to know Liv, Sam and Whit and discovering what made them friends and what drew them apart. It was interesting to read about the treasure hunt/salvage business of searching for and recovering shipwrecks. I really was interested wanted more of Theo's story. I'm a history buff and I would have much rather read more on how Theo and Liv were alike even though they lived centuries apart. If you are looking for a decent summer read, this is the book for you. Thanks first to read for the opportunity to read this book.

Wonderful start to a mind blowing new fantasy series, for both teens and adults. Sefia is on the run, she has been on the run with her 'Aunt' Nin since she lost both her parents at a young age. Not entirely sure what she is hiding from and why. Sefia returns from an errand to witness Nin being captured by strangers. Sefia vows revenge on these people. While formulating a plan she discovers that she has been carrying a book this whole adventure. She teaches herself to read and write, something that people do not do in her world. And then the magic starts. Sefia joins forces with a boy named Archer who is running from his own demons. Together they embark on a crazy journey of revenge. They meet outlaws, discover new lands and slowly fall in love with each other. I cannot wait for the next in this series. I was drawn in completely from the first chapter. So much is happening, yet the author seamlessly weaves both stories together in a way that is brilliant. I loved all the characters and cannot wait to see where this adventure goes!
Thank you First2Read program for supplying this book.

A lovely romantic story about finding yourself and reclaiming love. Claire is devastated after her Grandmother passes. On her death bed her Grandmother tells her to go to Paris and discover it's secrets. Claire takes this wish to heart and hops on a plane. All her life she has been curious about a sculpture that was in her Grandmother's attic, maybe this is the opportunity to discover its roots. A bit slow at times, but the weaving together of the present day and the historical story were so well done. It did seem as if the 'secrets' were thrown at the reader during the last few pages of the work, but if you read carefully you should have seen them coming.
Thank you First to Read program for giving me the opportunity to review this work.

An insightful new take on 'Mean Girls'. Lucy gets chosen to be the recipient of the first scholarship at the prestigious all girl's school in her hometown, which is located in Australia. She wonders why it was that she was chosen, she isn't the smartest, the most athletic, or even the most well liked. Lucy is first generation Australian, her family immigrated from Vietnam and are Chinese. Her parents are the definition of working class. Her Mom runs a sewing shop out of the family's garage while Lucy's younger brother uses empty boxes as his play-pen. Lucy and her family work exceptionally hard for everything they have. Which is why Lucy is completely in awe and thrown by the lack of respect, lack of work ethic and just all around meanness of the girl's at her new school. During the course of this work the reader comes to know Lucy and Linh-how they grow, what they decide is important to them and how to shape their own circumstances. A wonderful read for teens and even adults, who have gone through these high school years.
Thank you Netgalley for providing this book to review.

A wonderous saga of a young woman, Gwen, who leaves everything she knows and loves in England to move to Ceylon with her new husband, who has been married before and is quite older. Blinded by love, Gwen is thrown into a new household, a new socio-economic structure, life with a husband with secrets and a sister-in-law who wants her gone. The story takes us through Gwen's life over the course many years. She grows in countless ways and must come to terms with the difficult choices she makes to survive in Ceylon and with her husband. A bit slow going at times, but I loved this rambling story.
Thank you Penguin's First to Read program for providing a galley in exchange for an honest review.

A slow moving story (it was only 240 page, I thought it would read a lot quicker) that focused on the relationship between Joanna and Abe. A relationship that has lasted through 22 years of stability, family issues, loss, but it seems like with no change. One night at dinner, at their usual spot sitting at their usual table, they are served by a new waitress. This waitress will change their lives and the lives of their close family. Abe and Joanna are forced to grow as individuals, one through music one through adventure. Does the waitress bring this on or themselves? I wanted more magic. I enjoyed learning about the waitress, what she was running from magic or reality. But, the on goings of Abe and Joanna's relationship were the focus of this work. I'm a bit disappointed at that. The setting was gorgeous. Having lived in the Seattle the author perfectly captured the surroundings. If you are looking for magic, I would skip this one.
Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this work.

Wow, what started off as a very slow book ended with a fantastic bang. 2 brothers and their wives head out for a family dinner at a very swanky restaurant to discuss the behavior of their children. The story is told through the eyes of Paul, who sees the world a tad bit differently. Paul's brother Serge, is running for Prime Minister of Holland. The whole restaurant 'show' is for Serge and his image. Once the meat of the story starts to develop the reader is allowed glimpses of the horrible act that the brother's children have committed. How will each family react to such act? How far will you go to protect your child? Wonderful, horrid, terrifying read. It is definitely going to be a lively book club discussion this month!

A slow, methodical, Victorian mystery full of many characters-all who seemed to be related by the way! I stuck with it and I am happy that I did. I must admit that I am not a huge Sherlock Holmes fan, so I don't know much about the characters. I enjoyed this spin on having Mr. Holmes be Ms. Holmes, especially in an era where woman did not do much outside of their homes or without their father's approval. Charlotte Holmes is pushing the limits by posing as a man and solving crimes to help the police and help her bank account balance. She is brought into a mystery involving the death of 3 people-could it be a serial killer-are these murders linked? With the help of a local police detective, a very well-off friend, and her new employer Charlotte pieces together the mystery. This one takes a bit of time to get into. Lots going on, lots of characters and a writing style that takes a while to get used too. I did end up enjoying Charlotte and her friends and will continue with this series.
Thank you First to Read for the opportunity to read and review this work.

I don't know why I wait so long to read the next in book in this series. They are fantastic. Everything you could possibly want from a spy thriller. A wonderful, broken main character. A plot full of intrigue and history. And the secondary characters aren't too bad either. I could take or leave the subtle love interests in every book, but I guess you need a bit of romance to spice things up, eh? In this book Gabriel is brought back into the spy fold to solve the mystery of the death of one of his former agent buddies who has turned into a famous scholar. This scholarly friend had been researching the Catholic Church's involvement in the Holocaust, is that what got him killed? The mystery, the chase, and the digging into the past will bring Gabriel into contact with the highest and most powerful members of the Catholic Church. Hang onto your seats people!