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3.7 Stars
One Liner: Interesting and entertaining but has too many subplots
An unsuspecting kitchen porter from Claridge’s has been murdered (garroted to be precise). He was a Romanian who did his job and kept to himself. Why would anyone want to kill him? Was he silenced or prevented from causing damage?
With WWII raging in the backdrop, many of the world’s important personalities are staying at Claridge’s. Inspector Coburg knows the case is more complicated than it appears. As if that’s not enough, he has to deal with another inspector who hates him, established illegal market dealers, and more!
Can Coburg get to the root of the case and solve the others before things get out of control?
This is the third book in the series and my first. It did take me a while to get hang of the characters. The book can be read as a standalone, though it would make more sense if we knew who was who from the beginning.
• There’s a bit of info dump at random places. I’m not sure I want to read the entire transcript of Princess Elizabeth’s radio speech. It doesn’t add anything to the story. A mention of it would’ve done the job.
• The story is most tell and no show, which works for a mystery. I got the information about the case without any elaborate descriptions.
• Coburg is a likable and amicable character. Lampson and Rosa were interesting, though I wish the women were better written. They needed to be fleshed out more.
• What didn’t work for me were the multiple subplots. Some were solved a bit too easily, and a few distracted me from the actual case. I understand the police and Yard usually have a lot going on at once, but we don’t need all of it.
• Moreover, the primary case wasn’t resolved the way it should have been. It felt a little bland and doesn’t satisfy the mystery lover in me.
• That said, I didn’t feel bored when reading the book, so I will read the next (and the previous ones) to see how I feel about the series. I rather liked Inspector Coburg, so he deserves another chance. ;)
To sum up, Murder at Claridge's is an interesting historical mystery set in the WWII backdrop if we ignore the excessive subplots. It would be fun reading the next books in the series.
Thank you, NetGalley and Allison & Busby, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
#NetGalley #MurderatClaridges
One Liner: Interesting and entertaining but has too many subplots
An unsuspecting kitchen porter from Claridge’s has been murdered (garroted to be precise). He was a Romanian who did his job and kept to himself. Why would anyone want to kill him? Was he silenced or prevented from causing damage?
With WWII raging in the backdrop, many of the world’s important personalities are staying at Claridge’s. Inspector Coburg knows the case is more complicated than it appears. As if that’s not enough, he has to deal with another inspector who hates him, established illegal market dealers, and more!
Can Coburg get to the root of the case and solve the others before things get out of control?
This is the third book in the series and my first. It did take me a while to get hang of the characters. The book can be read as a standalone, though it would make more sense if we knew who was who from the beginning.
• There’s a bit of info dump at random places. I’m not sure I want to read the entire transcript of Princess Elizabeth’s radio speech. It doesn’t add anything to the story. A mention of it would’ve done the job.
• The story is most tell and no show, which works for a mystery. I got the information about the case without any elaborate descriptions.
• Coburg is a likable and amicable character. Lampson and Rosa were interesting, though I wish the women were better written. They needed to be fleshed out more.
• What didn’t work for me were the multiple subplots. Some were solved a bit too easily, and a few distracted me from the actual case. I understand the police and Yard usually have a lot going on at once, but we don’t need all of it.
• Moreover, the primary case wasn’t resolved the way it should have been. It felt a little bland and doesn’t satisfy the mystery lover in me.
• That said, I didn’t feel bored when reading the book, so I will read the next (and the previous ones) to see how I feel about the series. I rather liked Inspector Coburg, so he deserves another chance. ;)
To sum up, Murder at Claridge's is an interesting historical mystery set in the WWII backdrop if we ignore the excessive subplots. It would be fun reading the next books in the series.
Thank you, NetGalley and Allison & Busby, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
#NetGalley #MurderatClaridges
One Liner: Interesting backdrop and side characters. The rest falls flat.
Sep 1944
The hidden village has been discovered and destroyed by the Nazis. Wouter, who should have been guiding the survivors to safety, panics and runs away to save his life. He feels guilty for his reaction and worries about Laura (his love) and others. Wouter manages to track some of them, though he has no information about Laura. He is determined to right the wrong and find her… if it’s not too late.
Laura is a Jew and knows that her chances of being alive are zero if found by the Nazis. She is moved from one place to another, hidden in the cellars and attics, and transported in the dark. She doesn’t know if she’ll ever get to stay in one place for long. Moreover, she wonders what happened to Wouter and if there’s any chance of having another chance at love.
Will Wouter and Laura find each other and be united? Can their love triumph in the bleakest of times?
What I Like:
• The book is less than 300 pages and has a decent page. It deals with Holland during wartime and how the locals did their best to hide/ save Jews from being caught by the Nazis.
• The side characters are more impactful and active in the book. They are the ones who take responsibility and get the job done.
• There is little violence in the book. What’s there is not graphic and is only mentioned. It was a relief, especially since this is my third book (back to back) in the WWII setting.
What Didn’t Work for Me:
• Sigh! I know this book takes off where book one ends. I didn’t read it. That wasn’t a problem either. My issue was with the narration.
• The story moves between Wouter’s POV in the third person and Laura’s in the first person. Now, I should’ve connected to at least one of them. Instead, I liked Else, Kiki, Oliver, Dick, Bets, Henk, etc. Go figure!
• I hate to say this, but neither of the lead characters impressed me or made me worry for their safety. The distance between me and the lead characters was too vast and continued to grow wider. After a point, I just wanted the book to end.
• The timeline is also not smooth. The events happen before or after in one timeline, and we get to know if it is in the other. I don’t know if I would have felt differently if I read book one. The narrative style doesn’t seem to work for me.
• The saving grace was the network of the Dutch people who took a brave stance of defending the Jews in ways they could despite the dire circumstances and constant threat to their lives.
To sum up, Hidden in the Shadows uses an interesting theme, but the lead characters fail to make an impact. Those who read the first book loved this more, so you might want to pick that up before this one.
Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
#NetGalley #HiddenintheShadows
Sep 1944
The hidden village has been discovered and destroyed by the Nazis. Wouter, who should have been guiding the survivors to safety, panics and runs away to save his life. He feels guilty for his reaction and worries about Laura (his love) and others. Wouter manages to track some of them, though he has no information about Laura. He is determined to right the wrong and find her… if it’s not too late.
Laura is a Jew and knows that her chances of being alive are zero if found by the Nazis. She is moved from one place to another, hidden in the cellars and attics, and transported in the dark. She doesn’t know if she’ll ever get to stay in one place for long. Moreover, she wonders what happened to Wouter and if there’s any chance of having another chance at love.
Will Wouter and Laura find each other and be united? Can their love triumph in the bleakest of times?
What I Like:
• The book is less than 300 pages and has a decent page. It deals with Holland during wartime and how the locals did their best to hide/ save Jews from being caught by the Nazis.
• The side characters are more impactful and active in the book. They are the ones who take responsibility and get the job done.
• There is little violence in the book. What’s there is not graphic and is only mentioned. It was a relief, especially since this is my third book (back to back) in the WWII setting.
What Didn’t Work for Me:
• Sigh! I know this book takes off where book one ends. I didn’t read it. That wasn’t a problem either. My issue was with the narration.
• The story moves between Wouter’s POV in the third person and Laura’s in the first person. Now, I should’ve connected to at least one of them. Instead, I liked Else, Kiki, Oliver, Dick, Bets, Henk, etc. Go figure!
• I hate to say this, but neither of the lead characters impressed me or made me worry for their safety. The distance between me and the lead characters was too vast and continued to grow wider. After a point, I just wanted the book to end.
• The timeline is also not smooth. The events happen before or after in one timeline, and we get to know if it is in the other. I don’t know if I would have felt differently if I read book one. The narrative style doesn’t seem to work for me.
• The saving grace was the network of the Dutch people who took a brave stance of defending the Jews in ways they could despite the dire circumstances and constant threat to their lives.
To sum up, Hidden in the Shadows uses an interesting theme, but the lead characters fail to make an impact. Those who read the first book loved this more, so you might want to pick that up before this one.
Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
#NetGalley #HiddenintheShadows
4.5 Stars
Julia and her friends (cute little animals) are camping in the forest. They ask her to read a bedtime story, and Julia discovers that she doesn’t have a book with her.
Luckily, another friend, Bertrand, the sailor bear, comes by and asks Julia to join him. He is on his way to the library! The group sails through the forest using stars as a guide and reaches the majestic library where Olga, the owl, is a librarian. Do Julia and her friends find the book they want?
This is a super cute story with fabulous illustrations. It’s a sequel but that wasn’t a problem. The story works as a standalone. There’s an explanation about the constellations at the end followed by the lyrics to Julia’s song.
My only issue with the book is that even questions are tagged as ‘said’. It would have been better to use different words to get the detail right. Complex words shouldn’t be a problem as Bertrand speaks almost like a royal and uses difficult words. If kids can understand that, they can easily understand words like asked, questioned, inquired, etc.
Overall, the story is beautiful and the illustrations are perfect for bedtime reading. They have a magical quality.
I received an ARC from NetGalley, Chouette Publishing, and CrackBoom! Books and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#AStarlitTriptotheLibrary #NetGalley
Julia and her friends (cute little animals) are camping in the forest. They ask her to read a bedtime story, and Julia discovers that she doesn’t have a book with her.
Luckily, another friend, Bertrand, the sailor bear, comes by and asks Julia to join him. He is on his way to the library! The group sails through the forest using stars as a guide and reaches the majestic library where Olga, the owl, is a librarian. Do Julia and her friends find the book they want?
This is a super cute story with fabulous illustrations. It’s a sequel but that wasn’t a problem. The story works as a standalone. There’s an explanation about the constellations at the end followed by the lyrics to Julia’s song.
My only issue with the book is that even questions are tagged as ‘said’. It would have been better to use different words to get the detail right. Complex words shouldn’t be a problem as Bertrand speaks almost like a royal and uses difficult words. If kids can understand that, they can easily understand words like asked, questioned, inquired, etc.
Overall, the story is beautiful and the illustrations are perfect for bedtime reading. They have a magical quality.
I received an ARC from NetGalley, Chouette Publishing, and CrackBoom! Books and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#AStarlitTriptotheLibrary #NetGalley
4.5 Stars
Oh, my! This is so beautiful! Kesar’s little sister, Kamal, refuses to sleep. Her parents are exhausted but Kamal doesn’t relent. When Kesar’s ba (grandmother) arrives the next day, she gifts Kesar two cloth sparrows and tells her a story.
This story inspires Kesar, and she takes the responsibility of getting Kamal to sleep that night. The parents and neighbors are surprised to see that little Kamal slept through the night. Not even a single cry! The parents decide to learn the secret and stay awake the next night. They see Kesar turn into a puppeteer to tell stories and make Kamal sleep.
The story is set in my country (India) in the beautiful desert region, the Great Rann of Kutch. The illustrations are so earthy and lively. They show the beauty of the villagers and their artsy houses without erasing the native touch. The detailing of jewelry and attire is wonderful. I missed the bindis on their charming faces, though Kamal looked perfect with her cute little bindi. This warms my heart.
The meanings for native words have been added at the end of the book, followed by an author’s note about the region. And did I say how much I love the names, Kesar and Kamal. ;)
I received an ARC from NetGalley, Yali Books, Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#KesarandtheLullabyBirds #NetGalley
Oh, my! This is so beautiful! Kesar’s little sister, Kamal, refuses to sleep. Her parents are exhausted but Kamal doesn’t relent. When Kesar’s ba (grandmother) arrives the next day, she gifts Kesar two cloth sparrows and tells her a story.
This story inspires Kesar, and she takes the responsibility of getting Kamal to sleep that night. The parents and neighbors are surprised to see that little Kamal slept through the night. Not even a single cry! The parents decide to learn the secret and stay awake the next night. They see Kesar turn into a puppeteer to tell stories and make Kamal sleep.
The story is set in my country (India) in the beautiful desert region, the Great Rann of Kutch. The illustrations are so earthy and lively. They show the beauty of the villagers and their artsy houses without erasing the native touch. The detailing of jewelry and attire is wonderful. I missed the bindis on their charming faces, though Kamal looked perfect with her cute little bindi. This warms my heart.
The meanings for native words have been added at the end of the book, followed by an author’s note about the region. And did I say how much I love the names, Kesar and Kamal. ;)
I received an ARC from NetGalley, Yali Books, Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#KesarandtheLullabyBirds #NetGalley
Big bear hopes to win a teddy bear at the fair. Instead, he ends up getting a teeny fish in a little glass bowl. He is sad and worried, not knowing what to do with the little fish. It is so small, you see!
But the big bear soon learns that he and the fish do have some things in common and they may not be so different after all!
The book is cute and sweet. The language is simple and easy for kiddos to understand. The illustrations have a slightly rough edge that makes them endearing. Most of the background is white, and I first thought it was snow. However, it suits the tone of the book.
Big Bear and Little Fish is a heartwarming story about making friends and looking for similarities despite the differences.
I received an ARC from NetGalley, Lerner Publishing Group, and Carolrhoda Books® and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#BigBearandLittleFish #NetGalley
But the big bear soon learns that he and the fish do have some things in common and they may not be so different after all!
The book is cute and sweet. The language is simple and easy for kiddos to understand. The illustrations have a slightly rough edge that makes them endearing. Most of the background is white, and I first thought it was snow. However, it suits the tone of the book.
Big Bear and Little Fish is a heartwarming story about making friends and looking for similarities despite the differences.
I received an ARC from NetGalley, Lerner Publishing Group, and Carolrhoda Books® and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#BigBearandLittleFish #NetGalley
4.5 Stars
Rainy days are perfect for picnics if you are a snail. The snail family is excited and sets out to enjoy the picnic as it rains. But, alas! The rain stops as the sun shines bright. How can they have a picnic any longer?
The wind works its magic and blows young Margot’s hat into the bushes. She crawls over to find the perfect picnic spot for her family. The day is saved!
A Picnic in the Rain is a super cute book with warm and mesmerizing illustrations. The setting came to life on almost every page. The snails looked dapper in their suits and dresses. This is a different kind of picnic and the one I thoroughly enjoyed.
Oh, there’s also a page at the end with some interesting information about snails. Kids will love this one.
I received an ARC from NetGalley, Chouette Publishing, and CrackBoom! Books and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#APicnicintheRaincrackboombookschouettepublishing #NetGalley
Rainy days are perfect for picnics if you are a snail. The snail family is excited and sets out to enjoy the picnic as it rains. But, alas! The rain stops as the sun shines bright. How can they have a picnic any longer?
The wind works its magic and blows young Margot’s hat into the bushes. She crawls over to find the perfect picnic spot for her family. The day is saved!
A Picnic in the Rain is a super cute book with warm and mesmerizing illustrations. The setting came to life on almost every page. The snails looked dapper in their suits and dresses. This is a different kind of picnic and the one I thoroughly enjoyed.
Oh, there’s also a page at the end with some interesting information about snails. Kids will love this one.
I received an ARC from NetGalley, Chouette Publishing, and CrackBoom! Books and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#APicnicintheRaincrackboombookschouettepublishing #NetGalley
Publication Date: 19th April 2022
3.8 Stars
One Liner: A few hits and misses; mixed feelings
Chicago, 1923: Dani Flanagan comes home to find her parents dead and police handling the crime scene. It’s her tenth birthday the next day, and Dani is overwhelmed by the loss of her parents. A young beat constable, Michael Malone, is assigned to take care of her and keep her away from the scene.
Cleveland, 1938: Twenty-five years later, Dani is living with her aunts (her mother’s sisters). They are a family of seamstresses with royal connections. But the tough times have made it hard for everyone, including them. People are scraping by, and things would have been better if not for a mysterious Torso Murderer or The Butcher on loose.
It seems that the Butcher likes to kill people at random and chop them into neat pieces. Eliot Ness is on the case but with not much progress. When Malone goes to Cleveland on personal business, Ness convinces him to stay back and help solve the case.
Malone and Dani’s paths soon cross. Malone is attracted to Dani and her unexplainable connection with fabrics. He can’t help but notice that she is now a beautiful young woman with many talents. With the Butcher still hacking his victims, Malone takes Dani’s help to solve the case.
Will the duo be able to find the killer, or will they end up as victims? What does the future hold for Dani and Malone?
What I Liked:
• The book seamlessly blends history and fiction. Ness, David Cowles, Fronek, Dr. Edward Peterka, Al Capone, Mysterious Mike (our Malone), and a few other characters are real people. The Torso Murder is a true crime that was never solved despite so many people working on it for months.
• The characters are well-etched, no matter how small their role is. Derby is one such example. The setting, too, is clear and easy to visualize.
• Dani’s psychic talent has been beautifully presented. I loved the scenes where she 'feels' the clothes to read more about the people who wore them.
• The romance between Dani and Malone progresses over time and doesn’t feel rushed. The vibes of reading a historical romance are apparent. Despite the age difference, the romance works very well.
What Didn’t Work for Me:
The book is slow… I mean, very slow. It feels like placing one foot in front of another and taking baby steps toward a far away ending. I finished it in 4 days because I speed-read more than half of it.
It’s not until 50% that things start to make little sense. Moreover, the murders (and bodies) are described in detail. That wasn’t a problem for me. I’m used to it, and the tone is a matter of fact. However, sensitive readers might have a hard time reading about so many hacked bodies as the list goes on and on.
The climax might feel a little disappointing for those who aren’t aware of the real story. The author did take a few liberties to provide a satisfying ending, but she still had to stay true to the details. Reading about the Torso Murders will prepare the readers to understand the ending. It fits if you know what happened. The author’s note is detailed and helps to a great extent. Since it comes after the book ends, better be prepared in advance.
Some reviews ask readers not to read about the actual crime before starting the book. That’s a valid point if you want to focus on the mystery element. The suspense keeps you hooked but only if you aren’t put off by the slow pace. You’ll have to decide based on how you feel after reading the first 40%. That’s what I did.
To sum up, The Unknown Beloved is a good book with interesting elements but fails to work its magic on me. It leaves me with mixed feelings.
Thank you, NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
#NetGalley #TheUnknownBeloved
PS: I love the details on the cover. They make more sense after reading the book.
3.8 Stars
One Liner: A few hits and misses; mixed feelings
Chicago, 1923: Dani Flanagan comes home to find her parents dead and police handling the crime scene. It’s her tenth birthday the next day, and Dani is overwhelmed by the loss of her parents. A young beat constable, Michael Malone, is assigned to take care of her and keep her away from the scene.
Cleveland, 1938: Twenty-five years later, Dani is living with her aunts (her mother’s sisters). They are a family of seamstresses with royal connections. But the tough times have made it hard for everyone, including them. People are scraping by, and things would have been better if not for a mysterious Torso Murderer or The Butcher on loose.
It seems that the Butcher likes to kill people at random and chop them into neat pieces. Eliot Ness is on the case but with not much progress. When Malone goes to Cleveland on personal business, Ness convinces him to stay back and help solve the case.
Malone and Dani’s paths soon cross. Malone is attracted to Dani and her unexplainable connection with fabrics. He can’t help but notice that she is now a beautiful young woman with many talents. With the Butcher still hacking his victims, Malone takes Dani’s help to solve the case.
Will the duo be able to find the killer, or will they end up as victims? What does the future hold for Dani and Malone?
What I Liked:
• The book seamlessly blends history and fiction. Ness, David Cowles, Fronek, Dr. Edward Peterka, Al Capone, Mysterious Mike (our Malone), and a few other characters are real people. The Torso Murder is a true crime that was never solved despite so many people working on it for months.
• The characters are well-etched, no matter how small their role is. Derby is one such example. The setting, too, is clear and easy to visualize.
• Dani’s psychic talent has been beautifully presented. I loved the scenes where she 'feels' the clothes to read more about the people who wore them.
• The romance between Dani and Malone progresses over time and doesn’t feel rushed. The vibes of reading a historical romance are apparent. Despite the age difference, the romance works very well.
What Didn’t Work for Me:
The book is slow… I mean, very slow. It feels like placing one foot in front of another and taking baby steps toward a far away ending. I finished it in 4 days because I speed-read more than half of it.
It’s not until 50% that things start to make little sense. Moreover, the murders (and bodies) are described in detail. That wasn’t a problem for me. I’m used to it, and the tone is a matter of fact. However, sensitive readers might have a hard time reading about so many hacked bodies as the list goes on and on.
The climax might feel a little disappointing for those who aren’t aware of the real story. The author did take a few liberties to provide a satisfying ending, but she still had to stay true to the details. Reading about the Torso Murders will prepare the readers to understand the ending. It fits if you know what happened. The author’s note is detailed and helps to a great extent. Since it comes after the book ends, better be prepared in advance.
Some reviews ask readers not to read about the actual crime before starting the book. That’s a valid point if you want to focus on the mystery element. The suspense keeps you hooked but only if you aren’t put off by the slow pace. You’ll have to decide based on how you feel after reading the first 40%. That’s what I did.
To sum up, The Unknown Beloved is a good book with interesting elements but fails to work its magic on me. It leaves me with mixed feelings.
Thank you, NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
#NetGalley #TheUnknownBeloved
PS: I love the details on the cover. They make more sense after reading the book.
Disclaimer: I am one of the 22 authors in the book and a part of the publishing team.
Do I love the book? Of course, I do. The stories are different, bittersweet, heartwarming, and belong to various genres. Each tackles a different theme, and together they create a lovely little book.
Do I love the book? Of course, I do. The stories are different, bittersweet, heartwarming, and belong to various genres. Each tackles a different theme, and together they create a lovely little book.
Publication Date: 03rd May 2022
3.5 Stars
One Liner: Entertaining
Athena Murphy is an assistant English professor and an authority on Bronte novels. When her university gives her an ultimatum to publish or leave her job, she decides to uncover the identity of the mysterious CL Garland and write her biography. No one knows CL Garland, who writes spicy (read erotic) retellings of classic literature. The mysterious author seems to be from her hometown, Laurel.
The trip back home leads her straight to Thorne, her love from her university days. Everyone thought they were a perfect match, but life didn’t work that way. Thorne has given up his lawyering career to become a café owner in Laurel. It’s the same café Athena was supposed to waitress as a part-timer.
She is determined to act mature and focus on finding that one person who will save her job. But when things don’t go the way she plans, professionally and personally, can Athena and Throne get another chance to rebuild their relationship?
What I Like:
• The writing is easy, even if the book isn’t fast-paced. That makes it easy to read faster despite the plot not really going anywhere.
• Some secondary characters were rather interesting. For once, I didn’t mind so many characters (nor did I keep track of them).
• I don’t, as such, look for deep or heavy stuff from romcoms. I want lighthearted fluff. This book gives me that despite dealing with a few themes.
• Some antics were OTT and made me roll my eyes at the characters, but it was mindless fun and entertaining.
• Some one-liners and dialogues were cheeky and made me chuckle.
What Didn’t Work for Me:
• The chemistry between the characters went hot and cold. There also wasn’t much romance per se.
• Some aspects were mentioned a couple of times but didn’t really make much difference to the overall plot.
• Athena’s determination to continue her job, which even she knew was in a toxic workplace, is confusing. She is obviously talented and passionate about teaching. She could find a better place that valued her.
• The miscommunication drags from the start to the climax. It was boring at times. I wish they acted like the adults they were (both are in their 30s).
• The chapters are too long. I’d have preferred a book with 35 short chapters to 17 long ones, especially in a rom-com. Makes it easier to stop reading for the day.
• Some actions in the second half seem contradictory to what’s presented in the first half. This could be because the plot needed to move ahead (eventually), but the tone needs to match.
•
To sum up, Blame It on the Brontes is an entertaining rom-com with some funny moments. Go with no expectations and enjoy it as a light read.
Thank you, NetGalley, Gallery Books, and Gallery/Scout Press, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
#NetGalley
3.5 Stars
One Liner: Entertaining
Athena Murphy is an assistant English professor and an authority on Bronte novels. When her university gives her an ultimatum to publish or leave her job, she decides to uncover the identity of the mysterious CL Garland and write her biography. No one knows CL Garland, who writes spicy (read erotic) retellings of classic literature. The mysterious author seems to be from her hometown, Laurel.
The trip back home leads her straight to Thorne, her love from her university days. Everyone thought they were a perfect match, but life didn’t work that way. Thorne has given up his lawyering career to become a café owner in Laurel. It’s the same café Athena was supposed to waitress as a part-timer.
She is determined to act mature and focus on finding that one person who will save her job. But when things don’t go the way she plans, professionally and personally, can Athena and Throne get another chance to rebuild their relationship?
What I Like:
• The writing is easy, even if the book isn’t fast-paced. That makes it easy to read faster despite the plot not really going anywhere.
• Some secondary characters were rather interesting. For once, I didn’t mind so many characters (nor did I keep track of them).
• I don’t, as such, look for deep or heavy stuff from romcoms. I want lighthearted fluff. This book gives me that despite dealing with a few themes.
• Some antics were OTT and made me roll my eyes at the characters, but it was mindless fun and entertaining.
• Some one-liners and dialogues were cheeky and made me chuckle.
What Didn’t Work for Me:
• The chemistry between the characters went hot and cold. There also wasn’t much romance per se.
• Some aspects were mentioned a couple of times but didn’t really make much difference to the overall plot.
• Athena’s determination to continue her job, which even she knew was in a toxic workplace, is confusing. She is obviously talented and passionate about teaching. She could find a better place that valued her.
• The miscommunication drags from the start to the climax. It was boring at times. I wish they acted like the adults they were (both are in their 30s).
• The chapters are too long. I’d have preferred a book with 35 short chapters to 17 long ones, especially in a rom-com. Makes it easier to stop reading for the day.
• Some actions in the second half seem contradictory to what’s presented in the first half. This could be because the plot needed to move ahead (eventually), but the tone needs to match.
•
Spoiler
The friends with benefits part is such a bummer. It went nowhere except trying to create a sense of anticipation (that didn’t hit the mark either).To sum up, Blame It on the Brontes is an entertaining rom-com with some funny moments. Go with no expectations and enjoy it as a light read.
Thank you, NetGalley, Gallery Books, and Gallery/Scout Press, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
#NetGalley
3.8 Stars
One Liner: A few hits and misses
The story begins in 1978 in Vermont. Dr. Helen Hildreth is a psychiatrist who cares for the mentally ill at the Hillside Inn. She lives with her two grandkids, Vi and Eric. The duo is smart, intelligent, and loves their Gran. When Dr. Hildreth takes home a pale young kid, Iris, Vi takes the responsibility to help the girl come out of her shocked shell. But things go wrong when carefully hidden secrets are dragged into the open light.
It’s 2019, and Lizzy Shelley has earned her name as a monster hunter. Her podcast, Monsters Among Us, is popular with the public. Lizzy knows monsters are real and decides it’s time to tackle the monsters from her past when a young girl disappears from Vermont. Where does her monster hunt take Lizzy this time? Will she come out alive, and at what cost?
1. It’s more of a YA book (older teens) than adult horror, and I won’t call this horror despite the monsters.
2. The climax concept is wonderful, even if the execution didn’t sustain the intensity.
3. The narration is well-paced (at least for me), and the last third picks up more speed.
4. The characters didn’t feel as if they gave their full in the present track. The past was much better.
5. Still, the timelines blend very well and without any jerks or bumps.
To sum up, The Children on the Hill felt more like a YA novel and was enjoyable for most of it.
Thank you, NetGalley, Gallery Books, and Gallery/Scout Press, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
#NetGalley
*****
Read the full review here.
One Liner: A few hits and misses
The story begins in 1978 in Vermont. Dr. Helen Hildreth is a psychiatrist who cares for the mentally ill at the Hillside Inn. She lives with her two grandkids, Vi and Eric. The duo is smart, intelligent, and loves their Gran. When Dr. Hildreth takes home a pale young kid, Iris, Vi takes the responsibility to help the girl come out of her shocked shell. But things go wrong when carefully hidden secrets are dragged into the open light.
It’s 2019, and Lizzy Shelley has earned her name as a monster hunter. Her podcast, Monsters Among Us, is popular with the public. Lizzy knows monsters are real and decides it’s time to tackle the monsters from her past when a young girl disappears from Vermont. Where does her monster hunt take Lizzy this time? Will she come out alive, and at what cost?
1. It’s more of a YA book (older teens) than adult horror, and I won’t call this horror despite the monsters.
2. The climax concept is wonderful, even if the execution didn’t sustain the intensity.
3. The narration is well-paced (at least for me), and the last third picks up more speed.
4. The characters didn’t feel as if they gave their full in the present track. The past was much better.
5. Still, the timelines blend very well and without any jerks or bumps.
To sum up, The Children on the Hill felt more like a YA novel and was enjoyable for most of it.
Thank you, NetGalley, Gallery Books, and Gallery/Scout Press, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
#NetGalley
*****
Read the full review here.