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3.4 Stars
The book is set in a town called Paradox and deals with the lives of its people. Corin is sent from NYC to Paradox in southeast Utah after the death of her mother. She has to live with Aunt Jessie, a spinster, and a religious rancher.
As the town’s Mayor builds an entire new town, and names it Eldorado to attract the Hollywood, life chances for the townsfolk. We see Corin grow up, try a hand at acting, and get back to ranching. We see her relationship with Cal and the entry of Ark. We see Ark’s childhood and how it shaped his ideas.
Life changes when Corin and Ark get married and tragedy strikes soon after.
Yiska, a Navajo Indian, enters the town, and we get to see his past struggles.
A few more POVs are thrown in to give us more background details about different characters whose past actions have impacted others’ lives.
The book starts out very well, interesting and engaging. But from part two, it starts to have too much information, literally dumped on the readers.
Around 55%, the book picks up again, falls a bit, and gets better until it ends on a flat note. After reading almost 300 pages, I was surprised to see that the book just ended. The ending was incomplete, with some information left for the readers to assume as they seemed fit.
While the characters were etched well, the narration wasn’t as gripping. The book sure had its moments, but the overall effect was just about average. There was a lot of filler (imagine sharing two full chapters about a bull to set the stage for the coming twist). I mean, give us a gist, and we’d have still understood.
A whole lot of research has been done about Native Americans. It certainly must be applauded. But the tone of the presentation had to suit the book. It resembled non-fiction more than fiction. The book has quite a few places where it reads like non-fiction rather than fiction. That made the book dry even when it was supposed to be emotional and even passionate about the injustice faced by women and the Native Americans.
Overall, it was a decent book that taught me something new but not strong enough to make a lasting impression.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Prestwicke Publishing and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#InaTownCalledParadox #NetGalley
P.S: It’s sad that the authors couldn’t find the contribution of ancient Bharat when talking about the stars and universe in the book.
The book is set in a town called Paradox and deals with the lives of its people. Corin is sent from NYC to Paradox in southeast Utah after the death of her mother. She has to live with Aunt Jessie, a spinster, and a religious rancher.
As the town’s Mayor builds an entire new town, and names it Eldorado to attract the Hollywood, life chances for the townsfolk. We see Corin grow up, try a hand at acting, and get back to ranching. We see her relationship with Cal and the entry of Ark. We see Ark’s childhood and how it shaped his ideas.
Life changes when Corin and Ark get married and tragedy strikes soon after.
Yiska, a Navajo Indian, enters the town, and we get to see his past struggles.
A few more POVs are thrown in to give us more background details about different characters whose past actions have impacted others’ lives.
The book starts out very well, interesting and engaging. But from part two, it starts to have too much information, literally dumped on the readers.
Around 55%, the book picks up again, falls a bit, and gets better until it ends on a flat note. After reading almost 300 pages, I was surprised to see that the book just ended. The ending was incomplete, with some information left for the readers to assume as they seemed fit.
While the characters were etched well, the narration wasn’t as gripping. The book sure had its moments, but the overall effect was just about average. There was a lot of filler (imagine sharing two full chapters about a bull to set the stage for the coming twist). I mean, give us a gist, and we’d have still understood.
A whole lot of research has been done about Native Americans. It certainly must be applauded. But the tone of the presentation had to suit the book. It resembled non-fiction more than fiction. The book has quite a few places where it reads like non-fiction rather than fiction. That made the book dry even when it was supposed to be emotional and even passionate about the injustice faced by women and the Native Americans.
Overall, it was a decent book that taught me something new but not strong enough to make a lasting impression.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Prestwicke Publishing and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#InaTownCalledParadox #NetGalley
P.S: It’s sad that the authors couldn’t find the contribution of ancient Bharat when talking about the stars and universe in the book.
3.3 Stars
The premise was exciting at its best, and I was delighted to get an ARC of the book. Ruby Falls is the story of Ruby/ Eleanor, a 26yo actress. It deals with her past where her father leaves her alone at Ruby Falls and leaves, never to come back.
Twenty years later, Eleanor is happily married to a stranger, Orlando Montague, and they move to LA for a fresh start. The story is narrated by Eleanor or Ellie, and we see how things are not what they seem.
What has happened? What is happening? Who is the victim? Who is the culprit? These questions need answers, and the book tries to work them out.
The descriptions are vivid. The setting is clear, and it was easy to visualize the scenes unfold as I read. Trying to get into Ellie’s mind was a fun exercise until towards the end. The book, as such, held a lot of promise.
Ellie grows up with psychological problems due to her father’s actions. It makes her a highly intriguing narrator if we can ignore the constant rambling (I confess I did find it hard to not roll my eyes at some of her ramblings).
Still, the plot keeps us hooked. It makes us want to know what had happened. We do get answers, but then, the ending just falls flat on the face. Literally. I should’ve guessed when the book was compared to The Silent Patient.
What could have been a wow moment turned into a ‘duh’ moment as the twist resulted in more questions that had no proper explanation in the story. There sure are subtle references to justify the twist, but the overall storyline doesn’t add up.
Considering that the book just ended without proper closure, the explanation in the previous pages seems more like an easy way out of a complex story rather than offering any real solution. What started as a 4+ story ended up with less than 3.5 stars because of this.
Overall, the book deals with some important topics of parental abandonment and lack of love from family, but that’s it. Readers who love to read stories with ‘punch in your face’ or ‘pull the rug’ twists are going to enjoy this one. It just isn’t for me.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Post Hill Press and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#NetGalley
The premise was exciting at its best, and I was delighted to get an ARC of the book. Ruby Falls is the story of Ruby/ Eleanor, a 26yo actress. It deals with her past where her father leaves her alone at Ruby Falls and leaves, never to come back.
Twenty years later, Eleanor is happily married to a stranger, Orlando Montague, and they move to LA for a fresh start. The story is narrated by Eleanor or Ellie, and we see how things are not what they seem.
What has happened? What is happening? Who is the victim? Who is the culprit? These questions need answers, and the book tries to work them out.
The descriptions are vivid. The setting is clear, and it was easy to visualize the scenes unfold as I read. Trying to get into Ellie’s mind was a fun exercise until towards the end. The book, as such, held a lot of promise.
Ellie grows up with psychological problems due to her father’s actions. It makes her a highly intriguing narrator if we can ignore the constant rambling (I confess I did find it hard to not roll my eyes at some of her ramblings).
Still, the plot keeps us hooked. It makes us want to know what had happened. We do get answers, but then, the ending just falls flat on the face. Literally. I should’ve guessed when the book was compared to The Silent Patient.
What could have been a wow moment turned into a ‘duh’ moment as the twist resulted in more questions that had no proper explanation in the story. There sure are subtle references to justify the twist, but the overall storyline doesn’t add up.
Considering that the book just ended without proper closure, the explanation in the previous pages seems more like an easy way out of a complex story rather than offering any real solution. What started as a 4+ story ended up with less than 3.5 stars because of this.
Overall, the book deals with some important topics of parental abandonment and lack of love from family, but that’s it. Readers who love to read stories with ‘punch in your face’ or ‘pull the rug’ twists are going to enjoy this one. It just isn’t for me.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Post Hill Press and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#NetGalley
4 Stars
There’s nothing like the view of the sea and the sky from the window of your childhood home. And the occasional mist that surrounds the house and isolates you from the rest of the world can be peaceful, stifling, or terrifying.
Rosie Merchant feels all of these and much more as she stands in the empty Driftwood House, located in the small seaside village, Heaven’s Cove. Her mother passed away when Rosie was in Spain, enjoying her life and work.
She gets back home to the village she couldn’t wait to escape from. What else could she do? But her plan of packing her mother’s possessions and catching the next possible flight crumbles when she receives a notice.
Confused between listening to her mind and her heart, Rosie finds it hard to come to terms with her mother’s death. One decision leads to another, and secrets start to trip her in the most unexpected ways. Was her life even real? What other secrets did her mother hide? How would it change Rosie's future?
Include a handful of villagers- Nessa, a single mother who fast becomes Rosie’s friend again, Liam, the school’s heartthrob, who is now a farmer with sad eyes and troubles of his own, Belinda, the lady who knows everything and can gossip from day to night, Katrina, who manages to inspire strong feelings without even trying, and a few others; the book is a mix of people we come to like and people we’d love to hate.
The setting and its descriptions are the highlights of the book. As a fan of settings, this pleases me to no end.
Luckily, the characters, too, were well developed to add more weight to the story. There is a good mix of show and tell, which set a steady pace for the narrative to create interest and hook the readers’ attention.
The story is neither too heavy nor too light. It has moments of smiles, chuckles, and sadness. Of course, we can guess the secrets, but then, this isn’t a thriller. The author keeps us invested in the characters, and we find ourselves wishing for something good to happen.
Yes, there is some romance as well. I found it quite nice to see how it develops over time rather than take us by surprise at how fast it seems to have proceeded. The story has a happy ending, and that made me very happy.
Overall, this is a warm and bittersweet book with wonderful locations and easy-to-understand characters.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bookouture and am voluntarily leaving a review.
P.S: I’ve come to expect more from the books by this publisher. The covers are fantastic and make me want to read them all.
#SecretsattheLastHouseBeforetheSea #NetGalley
There’s nothing like the view of the sea and the sky from the window of your childhood home. And the occasional mist that surrounds the house and isolates you from the rest of the world can be peaceful, stifling, or terrifying.
Rosie Merchant feels all of these and much more as she stands in the empty Driftwood House, located in the small seaside village, Heaven’s Cove. Her mother passed away when Rosie was in Spain, enjoying her life and work.
She gets back home to the village she couldn’t wait to escape from. What else could she do? But her plan of packing her mother’s possessions and catching the next possible flight crumbles when she receives a notice.
Confused between listening to her mind and her heart, Rosie finds it hard to come to terms with her mother’s death. One decision leads to another, and secrets start to trip her in the most unexpected ways. Was her life even real? What other secrets did her mother hide? How would it change Rosie's future?
Include a handful of villagers- Nessa, a single mother who fast becomes Rosie’s friend again, Liam, the school’s heartthrob, who is now a farmer with sad eyes and troubles of his own, Belinda, the lady who knows everything and can gossip from day to night, Katrina, who manages to inspire strong feelings without even trying, and a few others; the book is a mix of people we come to like and people we’d love to hate.
The setting and its descriptions are the highlights of the book. As a fan of settings, this pleases me to no end.
Luckily, the characters, too, were well developed to add more weight to the story. There is a good mix of show and tell, which set a steady pace for the narrative to create interest and hook the readers’ attention.
The story is neither too heavy nor too light. It has moments of smiles, chuckles, and sadness. Of course, we can guess the secrets, but then, this isn’t a thriller. The author keeps us invested in the characters, and we find ourselves wishing for something good to happen.
Yes, there is some romance as well. I found it quite nice to see how it develops over time rather than take us by surprise at how fast it seems to have proceeded. The story has a happy ending, and that made me very happy.
Overall, this is a warm and bittersweet book with wonderful locations and easy-to-understand characters.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bookouture and am voluntarily leaving a review.
P.S: I’ve come to expect more from the books by this publisher. The covers are fantastic and make me want to read them all.
#SecretsattheLastHouseBeforetheSea #NetGalley
4 Stars
The cover and the blurb of the book got my attention, and despite the page count (400 pages), I requested an ARC. The Tuscan House is a story set during WW II in Italy. We have Richard, a Quaker pacifist, an Inglese (from England), Fosca, and her young son, Giampiero, and many other characters who play different roles in the book.
The story deals with the backstories of Richard, Fosca, and Simonetta- three different people with different backgrounds, ideas, and approaches, and connected across time to each other.
Overall, this is a bittersweet book and will make a good choice for those who like stories set in the countryside with enough importance given to human emotions. Oh, yes, it’s got food and wine too (after all, we are in Tuscany).
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bookouture and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#TheTuscanHouse #NetGalley
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Read the full review here.
The cover and the blurb of the book got my attention, and despite the page count (400 pages), I requested an ARC. The Tuscan House is a story set during WW II in Italy. We have Richard, a Quaker pacifist, an Inglese (from England), Fosca, and her young son, Giampiero, and many other characters who play different roles in the book.
The story deals with the backstories of Richard, Fosca, and Simonetta- three different people with different backgrounds, ideas, and approaches, and connected across time to each other.
Overall, this is a bittersweet book and will make a good choice for those who like stories set in the countryside with enough importance given to human emotions. Oh, yes, it’s got food and wine too (after all, we are in Tuscany).
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bookouture and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#TheTuscanHouse #NetGalley
***************
Read the full review here.
4.3 stars
The book is based on the true story of none other than Nicole Clicquot, the woman who ran the world’s greatest champagne house, Veuve Clicquot, when the world thought the business was no place for a lady. Of course, I wasn’t aware of this when I requested the book. The blurb and cover were enough to attract my attention.
The book deals with the life of Nicole Clicquot since she was 11 years old (1790) until the time things start to look hopeful after Russia defeats Napolean and decides to open the trade borders with France in 1815.
We see Nicole as a girl, a young lady with a spark in her eyes, a wife, a mother, a widow, and most importantly, an unrelenting businesswoman. She worked in the vineyards as a worker and took the business to new heights as a successful boss.
Of course, times were hard and even brutal. Things hit a new low, but Nicole continued. I’ve read about the great woman on Wikipedia and loved her grit.
Coming to the book, it’s a mix of facts and fiction. We have Louis, the real-life loyal salesman of the company, along with various fictional characters. The love shared by the husband and wife and their mutual love for the vineyards were taken from real life, the author said.
We see an array of characters, and a good number of them have been well developed. Theresa, Xavier, Natasha, Madame Oliver, Emile, Alexei, Moet (along with Nicole and Louis) have depth and appear quite real. They have flaws, they have positives, and their actions align with their personalities.
The descriptions of the vineyards, the growing vines, the champagne-making process are vivid and wonderful. I enjoyed them a lot. Some made me want to try champagne and see if it would really be as it was described in the book (I’m a teetotaller).
A lot happens in the book, and it can be overwhelming if you read it all at once. I mean, it felt like so much had happened, and I saw that I reached only 50% of the book. That’s both an advantage and a disadvantage.
This is one of those books you have to read in installments. You won’t mind putting it down to take a breather and pick it up the next day. But yes, you will pick it up.
Overall, The Champagne Widow is a lovely book with more grief and struggles than laughter, but it is worth reading if you like women-centric books, especially with a war backdrop.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bookouture and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#TheChampagneWidow #NetGalley
*******
Read the full review here.
The book is based on the true story of none other than Nicole Clicquot, the woman who ran the world’s greatest champagne house, Veuve Clicquot, when the world thought the business was no place for a lady. Of course, I wasn’t aware of this when I requested the book. The blurb and cover were enough to attract my attention.
The book deals with the life of Nicole Clicquot since she was 11 years old (1790) until the time things start to look hopeful after Russia defeats Napolean and decides to open the trade borders with France in 1815.
We see Nicole as a girl, a young lady with a spark in her eyes, a wife, a mother, a widow, and most importantly, an unrelenting businesswoman. She worked in the vineyards as a worker and took the business to new heights as a successful boss.
Of course, times were hard and even brutal. Things hit a new low, but Nicole continued. I’ve read about the great woman on Wikipedia and loved her grit.
Coming to the book, it’s a mix of facts and fiction. We have Louis, the real-life loyal salesman of the company, along with various fictional characters. The love shared by the husband and wife and their mutual love for the vineyards were taken from real life, the author said.
We see an array of characters, and a good number of them have been well developed. Theresa, Xavier, Natasha, Madame Oliver, Emile, Alexei, Moet (along with Nicole and Louis) have depth and appear quite real. They have flaws, they have positives, and their actions align with their personalities.
The descriptions of the vineyards, the growing vines, the champagne-making process are vivid and wonderful. I enjoyed them a lot. Some made me want to try champagne and see if it would really be as it was described in the book (I’m a teetotaller).
A lot happens in the book, and it can be overwhelming if you read it all at once. I mean, it felt like so much had happened, and I saw that I reached only 50% of the book. That’s both an advantage and a disadvantage.
This is one of those books you have to read in installments. You won’t mind putting it down to take a breather and pick it up the next day. But yes, you will pick it up.
Overall, The Champagne Widow is a lovely book with more grief and struggles than laughter, but it is worth reading if you like women-centric books, especially with a war backdrop.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bookouture and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#TheChampagneWidow #NetGalley
*******
Read the full review here.
3.5 Stars
The book is about Rebecca Parcell or Becca, widow of Phillip Parcell, the supposed Patriot during the American Revolution. We see how he was a British spy and had made a list of fellow spies, which is supposed to be in Becca’s possession.
She is targeted by the folk of Morristown for various reasons- hatred for her husband, suspicion on her loyalties towards the land, and for the list, she doesn’t even know existed. Above all, we see that she was an easy target for being different from the rest of them.
Becca is offered a deal by none other than George Washington to find the list and be free of the rumors and the Council's threat to take away her farm.
Daniel Alloway, an escaped British prisoner, is appointed as her protector when Becca travels to New York to uncover the mystery around her dead husband.
The book is full of action, twists, and revelations. The lines between good and bad, friend and foe, blur as Becca gets embroiled deeper in the tangle of web around her.
What I like:
• It is a fast-paced story with a straightforward and crisp narration.
• Some characters were interesting to read. (Augusta, Annie, Mason, etc.) I wished there was more information to give them the required depth.
• A decent and neatly tied up ending that can lead to another book in the series (it does look that way).
• Keeping the reader guessing about the twist. Half my guesses were right.
What I Wished was Better:
• Too many characters crammed into the story, causing confusion. (Yeah, they are necessary, but some could have been used without names).
• There are no proper explanations for some developments in the story. I wouldn’t call these plot holes. It’s more of a lack of character development.
• There is no real depth of emotions displayed by any character. Even Becca seems superficial and removed from the story. While that made reading easier, it would have been more impactful to delve into the emotional turmoil of the lead characters.
• The love/ romance angle wasn’t explored enough. I understand there wasn’t time for it, but the emotional connection was not as strong as it should be.
Overall, this is a good debut novel and was quite enjoyable. But it is a one-time read and not memorable enough to stay with me for a long time.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Level Best Books and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#TheTurncoatsWidow #NetGalley
The book is about Rebecca Parcell or Becca, widow of Phillip Parcell, the supposed Patriot during the American Revolution. We see how he was a British spy and had made a list of fellow spies, which is supposed to be in Becca’s possession.
She is targeted by the folk of Morristown for various reasons- hatred for her husband, suspicion on her loyalties towards the land, and for the list, she doesn’t even know existed. Above all, we see that she was an easy target for being different from the rest of them.
Becca is offered a deal by none other than George Washington to find the list and be free of the rumors and the Council's threat to take away her farm.
Daniel Alloway, an escaped British prisoner, is appointed as her protector when Becca travels to New York to uncover the mystery around her dead husband.
The book is full of action, twists, and revelations. The lines between good and bad, friend and foe, blur as Becca gets embroiled deeper in the tangle of web around her.
What I like:
• It is a fast-paced story with a straightforward and crisp narration.
• Some characters were interesting to read. (Augusta, Annie, Mason, etc.) I wished there was more information to give them the required depth.
• A decent and neatly tied up ending that can lead to another book in the series (it does look that way).
• Keeping the reader guessing about the twist. Half my guesses were right.
What I Wished was Better:
• Too many characters crammed into the story, causing confusion. (Yeah, they are necessary, but some could have been used without names).
• There are no proper explanations for some developments in the story. I wouldn’t call these plot holes. It’s more of a lack of character development.
• There is no real depth of emotions displayed by any character. Even Becca seems superficial and removed from the story. While that made reading easier, it would have been more impactful to delve into the emotional turmoil of the lead characters.
• The love/ romance angle wasn’t explored enough. I understand there wasn’t time for it, but the emotional connection was not as strong as it should be.
Overall, this is a good debut novel and was quite enjoyable. But it is a one-time read and not memorable enough to stay with me for a long time.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Level Best Books and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#TheTurncoatsWidow #NetGalley
4.3 Stars
The little village church has a bad roof that’s ready to collapse anytime. The vicar does his bit to get donations and funds. But unless he can raise a substantial amount, nothing can save the little church. That’s when he comes up with an idea that brings two unlikely youngsters together and makes them consider their future with a fresh outlook.
Gwen and Jarvis are total opposites. Gwen is trying to recover from heartbreak, while Jarvis appears to be nothing more than an alcoholic and an idler when we first know him. The story deals with how the Visitor’s Book in the church gives them a chance to reevaluate their lives and decisions.
Hidden Secrets at the Little Village Church is truly a sweet and feel-good book set in a small village called Hopley. The backdrop of England’s countryside makes it a pleasant and soothing read. There is a mandatory stiff character or two, but the rest of them are sweet and lovable. Maybe a little too sweet, but considering the real-life situation, I’m glad to read a story that focuses on positivity.
The story is in the limited third person, with the POV altering between Gwen, Jarvis, and Vicar Dave (at times). We see things from their perspective and gain deeper insights into their lives. Gwen’s life is pretty much clear from the first instant.
Jarvis comes across as a pretty worthless guy until we see that he’s a sweet, talented, and compassionate guy struggling with confidence issues.
The writing flows well with no abrupt breaks or jerks. The narration is smooth and light. Even the heavy scenes don’t get too intense or melodramatic. The book ends on a happy note for not just all three of them but also for many others.
There are times when readers want nothing but some peace books like this one come to rescue. The book gets the extra 0.3 for the same. Overall, this may not be a must-read. But it does bring a smile to those who pick it up.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bookouture and am voluntarily leaving a review.
P.S: The only thing I’m not sure is about the use of ‘secrets’ in the title. There isn’t anything secretive in the book, nor does something that has to be uncovered.
#HiddenSecretsattheLittleVillageChurch #NetGalley
The little village church has a bad roof that’s ready to collapse anytime. The vicar does his bit to get donations and funds. But unless he can raise a substantial amount, nothing can save the little church. That’s when he comes up with an idea that brings two unlikely youngsters together and makes them consider their future with a fresh outlook.
Gwen and Jarvis are total opposites. Gwen is trying to recover from heartbreak, while Jarvis appears to be nothing more than an alcoholic and an idler when we first know him. The story deals with how the Visitor’s Book in the church gives them a chance to reevaluate their lives and decisions.
Hidden Secrets at the Little Village Church is truly a sweet and feel-good book set in a small village called Hopley. The backdrop of England’s countryside makes it a pleasant and soothing read. There is a mandatory stiff character or two, but the rest of them are sweet and lovable. Maybe a little too sweet, but considering the real-life situation, I’m glad to read a story that focuses on positivity.
The story is in the limited third person, with the POV altering between Gwen, Jarvis, and Vicar Dave (at times). We see things from their perspective and gain deeper insights into their lives. Gwen’s life is pretty much clear from the first instant.
Jarvis comes across as a pretty worthless guy until we see that he’s a sweet, talented, and compassionate guy struggling with confidence issues.
The writing flows well with no abrupt breaks or jerks. The narration is smooth and light. Even the heavy scenes don’t get too intense or melodramatic. The book ends on a happy note for not just all three of them but also for many others.
There are times when readers want nothing but some peace books like this one come to rescue. The book gets the extra 0.3 for the same. Overall, this may not be a must-read. But it does bring a smile to those who pick it up.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bookouture and am voluntarily leaving a review.
P.S: The only thing I’m not sure is about the use of ‘secrets’ in the title. There isn’t anything secretive in the book, nor does something that has to be uncovered.
#HiddenSecretsattheLittleVillageChurch #NetGalley
4.2 Stars
The Choice I Made is the story of Julie, who has to make more than one decision in a relatively short time. The book also deals with the choices another person was forced to make and how that changed the current events.
Told from Julie’s perspective, the book highlights the importance of family, support, and having a loving partner. Most of the characters are well-etched though the two crucial ones didn’t get enough space.
It is easy to invest in the characters and feel for them. The author has us hooked from the first page, and we keep rooting for the ones we love. Julie is confused, frustrated, and even terrified at times. But she doesn’t ramble or act like a nitwit. Not once did she come across as stupid. In fact, no character is a caricature, even the unlikable Tristan, Julie’s husband. He has many faults, but he is not a villain or a disgusting two-dimensional man.
I found myself wanting to read faster and know what happens next. The writing holds the readers’ interest, and that, for me is a huge plus.
Overall, this is a bittersweet book with a happy ending about life, choices, and love.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bookouture and am voluntarily leaving a review.
******
Read the full review here.
The Choice I Made is the story of Julie, who has to make more than one decision in a relatively short time. The book also deals with the choices another person was forced to make and how that changed the current events.
Told from Julie’s perspective, the book highlights the importance of family, support, and having a loving partner. Most of the characters are well-etched though the two crucial ones didn’t get enough space.
It is easy to invest in the characters and feel for them. The author has us hooked from the first page, and we keep rooting for the ones we love. Julie is confused, frustrated, and even terrified at times. But she doesn’t ramble or act like a nitwit. Not once did she come across as stupid. In fact, no character is a caricature, even the unlikable Tristan, Julie’s husband. He has many faults, but he is not a villain or a disgusting two-dimensional man.
I found myself wanting to read faster and know what happens next. The writing holds the readers’ interest, and that, for me is a huge plus.
Overall, this is a bittersweet book with a happy ending about life, choices, and love.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bookouture and am voluntarily leaving a review.
******
Read the full review here.
4.2 Stars
Lettie Starcross goes to Heaven’s Cove to find the truth from the past her great-grandaunt, Iris, was never able to when she was alive. Lettie is the first guest at Driftwood House (belonging to Rosie from book 1).
The setting is magical, but the path to the past is filled with difficulties. Trying to stand up for herself and get mowed by her ‘affectionate’ family, Lettie uncovers her beloved aunt’s tragic love story, one step at a time.
Of course, we have Corey, a handsome fisherman, his grandmother Florence, the only link to the past, and Claude, an old loner who slowly begins to trust Lettie.
When I saw the cover, I realized that I read book one and rather liked it. I had to read this too. For me, this book was better than the previous one. There was a sense of tension that held the plot together, which I rather missed in book one.
The author continues to use the setting to the best advantage. We see the crashing waves, the rocky hills, slopes, and the changing skies. As someone who when loves nature is a tangible element of the story, this interweaving of surroundings with the plotline makes me happier.
The characters were very developed, though Corey’s character could have been explored more. It had a lot of potential. Claude was fantastic (yeah, I’m an old soul and connect more with characters aged over 70). The scenes between him and Lettie were beautiful to read.
I did wish Lettie to be more assertive with her family. But there has been some progress that feels more realistic.
Overall, this is a beautiful book set in a picturesque setting. Some of it is cliché, but it’s still a feel-good book and will leave you with a smile. The author mentions that she’s working on book 3 of the series, and I’m looking forward to grabbing that one as well.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bookouture and am voluntarily leaving a review.
P.S: I'd have loved it if Lettie was called by her full name, Violet, instead of the short version. It seemed to suit her more.
#ALettertotheLastHouseBeforetheSea #NetGalley
Lettie Starcross goes to Heaven’s Cove to find the truth from the past her great-grandaunt, Iris, was never able to when she was alive. Lettie is the first guest at Driftwood House (belonging to Rosie from book 1).
The setting is magical, but the path to the past is filled with difficulties. Trying to stand up for herself and get mowed by her ‘affectionate’ family, Lettie uncovers her beloved aunt’s tragic love story, one step at a time.
Of course, we have Corey, a handsome fisherman, his grandmother Florence, the only link to the past, and Claude, an old loner who slowly begins to trust Lettie.
When I saw the cover, I realized that I read book one and rather liked it. I had to read this too. For me, this book was better than the previous one. There was a sense of tension that held the plot together, which I rather missed in book one.
The author continues to use the setting to the best advantage. We see the crashing waves, the rocky hills, slopes, and the changing skies. As someone who when loves nature is a tangible element of the story, this interweaving of surroundings with the plotline makes me happier.
The characters were very developed, though Corey’s character could have been explored more. It had a lot of potential. Claude was fantastic (yeah, I’m an old soul and connect more with characters aged over 70). The scenes between him and Lettie were beautiful to read.
I did wish Lettie to be more assertive with her family. But there has been some progress that feels more realistic.
Overall, this is a beautiful book set in a picturesque setting. Some of it is cliché, but it’s still a feel-good book and will leave you with a smile. The author mentions that she’s working on book 3 of the series, and I’m looking forward to grabbing that one as well.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bookouture and am voluntarily leaving a review.
P.S: I'd have loved it if Lettie was called by her full name, Violet, instead of the short version. It seemed to suit her more.
#ALettertotheLastHouseBeforetheSea #NetGalley
This is my first ARC of a children's book, and I couldn't have picked a better one to read. Jump the Moon is a cute little story of a girl and pony that has had a difficult life. How the two of them bond only to get separated forms the first half of the story. The second half is about whether the girl and her pony can unite again or not.
Written in simple language for kids, the book starts and ends too soon. In fact, my only ruse is that the book was over almost immediately.
I'd be doing grave injustice to the fabulous illustrator if I didn't mention her work. It's top-class; mesmerizing and soothing.
The story gently teaches about love, life, kindness, hope, and friendship. And it's based on a true story too.
Thank you, NetGalley and Bound to Happen Publishing, for the ARC copy.
Written in simple language for kids, the book starts and ends too soon. In fact, my only ruse is that the book was over almost immediately.
I'd be doing grave injustice to the fabulous illustrator if I didn't mention her work. It's top-class; mesmerizing and soothing.
The story gently teaches about love, life, kindness, hope, and friendship. And it's based on a true story too.
Thank you, NetGalley and Bound to Happen Publishing, for the ARC copy.