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3.5 Stars
Sugar is a young prostitute who comes to settle down in Bigelow, Arkansas, and start over. The black Christian townsfolk are not happy for reasons that aren't obvious until they are.
Pearl is still living a half-life, after 15 years after the brutal death of her daughter, Jude. Sugar's arrival ignites something in Pearl. The duo forms a tentative bond that strengthens over time. Pearl's husband, Joe is a steady character, being there when needed.
Things seem to be better, but life has a mind of its own. Sugar still has unanswered questions and Pearl's presence isn't enough to make up for it. When her past and present threaten to destroy her future, Sugar does what she thinks is the right thing. How does it affect her, Pearl, and Joe? What do the townsfolk feel about it?
Well, I went into the book with zero expectations and was quite surprised by how it progressed. Yeah, it was slow, and I sped-read through most of it. But I saw all that I was supposed to see and know. The writing is raw, brazen, and rustic. It suits the setting, timeline, and characters. However, I can't rate it more than 3 stars because it would have bored me if I went with the actual pace. The prose needed some tightening.
The side characters are etched well despite having a limited presence. They do what they are supposed to do. Pearl has a major role in the book, making an almost equal share of the story. That worked for me.
Sugar is how she could be. Her character has limitations by the virtue of the backstory, and the author doesn't make her bigger than her character at any point. That makes her real and impactful even when we want her to be someone with more depth. Sometimes, a character is effective because it adheres to the characterization instead of becoming something else. This may not work for some readers, but it does for me.
Forgiveness isn't exactly the main point of the book. Moving on isn't either. I'm a fan of HEA, but I loved the ending of this one. A happy ending would have ruined the story. This had to end this way to stay true to the plot.
There are questions, obviously. I guess those will be answered in the sequel. I'll pick it up one day. There is graphic violence and abuse, so be prepared.
Sugar is a young prostitute who comes to settle down in Bigelow, Arkansas, and start over. The black Christian townsfolk are not happy for reasons that aren't obvious until they are.
Pearl is still living a half-life, after 15 years after the brutal death of her daughter, Jude. Sugar's arrival ignites something in Pearl. The duo forms a tentative bond that strengthens over time. Pearl's husband, Joe is a steady character, being there when needed.
Things seem to be better, but life has a mind of its own. Sugar still has unanswered questions and Pearl's presence isn't enough to make up for it. When her past and present threaten to destroy her future, Sugar does what she thinks is the right thing. How does it affect her, Pearl, and Joe? What do the townsfolk feel about it?
Well, I went into the book with zero expectations and was quite surprised by how it progressed. Yeah, it was slow, and I sped-read through most of it. But I saw all that I was supposed to see and know. The writing is raw, brazen, and rustic. It suits the setting, timeline, and characters. However, I can't rate it more than 3 stars because it would have bored me if I went with the actual pace. The prose needed some tightening.
The side characters are etched well despite having a limited presence. They do what they are supposed to do. Pearl has a major role in the book, making an almost equal share of the story. That worked for me.
Sugar is how she could be. Her character has limitations by the virtue of the backstory, and the author doesn't make her bigger than her character at any point. That makes her real and impactful even when we want her to be someone with more depth. Sometimes, a character is effective because it adheres to the characterization instead of becoming something else. This may not work for some readers, but it does for me.
Forgiveness isn't exactly the main point of the book. Moving on isn't either. I'm a fan of HEA, but I loved the ending of this one. A happy ending would have ruined the story. This had to end this way to stay true to the plot.
There are questions, obviously. I guess those will be answered in the sequel. I'll pick it up one day. There is graphic violence and abuse, so be prepared.
Publication Date: 8th July 2022
3.8 Stars
One Liner: Good continuation to the series; light cozy mystery
Sussex, 1957:
Flora Steele and Jack Carrington are back in the fourth installment of the series. The Priory Hotel is being reopened by Sally and Dominic, her business partner. On the day of the reopening, the lead singer, Beverly, of the rock n’ roll band Tutti Frutti drops dead in front of the crowd.
With a not-so-positive history, the hotel suffers from canceled bookings. Sally is worried that her investment will sink into nothing. When Flora and Jack have no option but to investigate the case, they come across information that puts just about everyone on the suspect list.
Will the duo solve the case and save Priory Hotel from losses? Are they putting themselves at risk yet again?
My Observations:
We are back at Priory Hotel, but the book keeps the case interesting. Despite the same setting (as in the first book), the story doesn’t feel repetitive or boring.
Flora and Jack have a slight change of characters, with Jack being more eager to solve the crime. Of course, we need Flora to find the clues for us.
The writing seemed a little slower than in the previous books. It could also be that I was more tired (which I was), and that affected my reading.
We have enough red herrings and suspects in this one, but the danger quotient is slightly less. I like how it has been incorporated into the story.
There’s a development in Flora and Jack’s friendship, and I’m hoping it will continue in the coming books.
As always, we meet the recurring characters, and some of them have developments in their lives. I always like it when side characters’ lives are also given importance.
The book works as a standalone, but the reader might be confused about the range of characters introduced in the first few pages. There are references to previous cases, though none of them affect the current case.
To sum up, Murder at the Priory Hotel is a light cozy mystery and a little less dangerous than the previous ones. Looking forward to the next book.
Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #MurderatthePrioryHotel
3.8 Stars
One Liner: Good continuation to the series; light cozy mystery
Sussex, 1957:
Flora Steele and Jack Carrington are back in the fourth installment of the series. The Priory Hotel is being reopened by Sally and Dominic, her business partner. On the day of the reopening, the lead singer, Beverly, of the rock n’ roll band Tutti Frutti drops dead in front of the crowd.
With a not-so-positive history, the hotel suffers from canceled bookings. Sally is worried that her investment will sink into nothing. When Flora and Jack have no option but to investigate the case, they come across information that puts just about everyone on the suspect list.
Will the duo solve the case and save Priory Hotel from losses? Are they putting themselves at risk yet again?
My Observations:
We are back at Priory Hotel, but the book keeps the case interesting. Despite the same setting (as in the first book), the story doesn’t feel repetitive or boring.
Flora and Jack have a slight change of characters, with Jack being more eager to solve the crime. Of course, we need Flora to find the clues for us.
The writing seemed a little slower than in the previous books. It could also be that I was more tired (which I was), and that affected my reading.
We have enough red herrings and suspects in this one, but the danger quotient is slightly less. I like how it has been incorporated into the story.
There’s a development in Flora and Jack’s friendship, and I’m hoping it will continue in the coming books.
As always, we meet the recurring characters, and some of them have developments in their lives. I always like it when side characters’ lives are also given importance.
The book works as a standalone, but the reader might be confused about the range of characters introduced in the first few pages. There are references to previous cases, though none of them affect the current case.
To sum up, Murder at the Priory Hotel is a light cozy mystery and a little less dangerous than the previous ones. Looking forward to the next book.
Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #MurderatthePrioryHotel
Pub: 19th July 2022
4 Stars
One day, a little white fish discovers a new object at the bottom of the sea and decides to investigate what it is. Other aquatic animals like the octopus, turtle, crab, and seahorse help her with the task.
The book is about explaining sensory elements like hearing, touching, smelling, feeling, and seeing something to determine what it is and how it makes one feel. The book is for teenies aged 2.5 years and up.
The illustrations are colorful and attractive to keep them engaged. Parents will have to read the text for toddlers, but there are a couple of activities to help kids understand how the senses work.
To sum up, Little White Fish and the Strange Thing is a cute book to teach sensory activities to kids while having loads of fun looking at the illustrations.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Clavis Publishing and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#clavispublishing #NetGalley
4 Stars
One day, a little white fish discovers a new object at the bottom of the sea and decides to investigate what it is. Other aquatic animals like the octopus, turtle, crab, and seahorse help her with the task.
The book is about explaining sensory elements like hearing, touching, smelling, feeling, and seeing something to determine what it is and how it makes one feel. The book is for teenies aged 2.5 years and up.
The illustrations are colorful and attractive to keep them engaged. Parents will have to read the text for toddlers, but there are a couple of activities to help kids understand how the senses work.
To sum up, Little White Fish and the Strange Thing is a cute book to teach sensory activities to kids while having loads of fun looking at the illustrations.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Clavis Publishing and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#clavispublishing #NetGalley
Pub: 02 Aug 2022
3 Stars
I’ve been following the series, so to see the last ARC out was a delight. This book deals with springtime and is set in the same forest.
The illustrations are lovely and have the spring warmth with an unexpected shower playing spoilsport. However, the content could have been a lot better. Spring is more than allergies, though it is good to talk about pollen allergy.
However, the route adopted in this one didn’t make me happy. I don’t have a pollen allergy, but I do have a dust allergy and know that being repeatedly exposed to it doesn’t cure me of my allergy. It only makes it worse and gives me a month-long cold.
The papa boar keeps taking the kid out into the flowers, and the little one continues to sneeze. It got boring after a while. Also, there isn’t anything funny about being stung by bees.
The reason for picking flowers is heartwarming. I just wish the concept was executed better. Parents should sit with kids and ensure the littles understand the issues properly.
To sum up, Beneath the Trees: First Spring doesn’t fully live up to the rest of the series. But the illustrations are lovely.
I received an ARC from NetGalley, Diamond Book Distributors, and Magnetic Press and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#BeneaththeTrees #NetGalley
3 Stars
I’ve been following the series, so to see the last ARC out was a delight. This book deals with springtime and is set in the same forest.
The illustrations are lovely and have the spring warmth with an unexpected shower playing spoilsport. However, the content could have been a lot better. Spring is more than allergies, though it is good to talk about pollen allergy.
However, the route adopted in this one didn’t make me happy. I don’t have a pollen allergy, but I do have a dust allergy and know that being repeatedly exposed to it doesn’t cure me of my allergy. It only makes it worse and gives me a month-long cold.
The papa boar keeps taking the kid out into the flowers, and the little one continues to sneeze. It got boring after a while. Also, there isn’t anything funny about being stung by bees.
The reason for picking flowers is heartwarming. I just wish the concept was executed better. Parents should sit with kids and ensure the littles understand the issues properly.
To sum up, Beneath the Trees: First Spring doesn’t fully live up to the rest of the series. But the illustrations are lovely.
I received an ARC from NetGalley, Diamond Book Distributors, and Magnetic Press and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#BeneaththeTrees #NetGalley
4.5 Stars
One Liner: Slow but fantastic
Maureen buries her husband on her allotment in April 1972. She pretends that he ran away and left her to care for their 10yo twins, Lucy and Carol. However, life puts many obstacles in her path. She has decisions to make that alter her and the children’s futures.
Twenty-Seven years later, Maureen begins to tell her story- the story of her life, her growth, her mistakes, choices, love, family, acceptance, and resilience. But what is the truth? Who is listening to her story and why? What does Maureen want by revealing the secrets after so many years have passed?
The story comes in the first-person narration by Maureen and is addressed to an unknown ‘you’ (revealed later).
My Observations:
I knew the book would be slow and was prepared for it, but this one takes its own sweet time to progress. But the writing is beautiful, and I couldn’t make myself speed-read.
The book has nature interwoven into the narration with such love and reverence that I took my time to savor the descriptions and the emotions aligned with each month.
The writing is undoubtedly clever. The twists come at the least expected time and are not highlighted. On the contrary, the revelations are toned down, which amplifies the impact on the reader. Very smart and artful.
The title suits the book so well. It wasn't there for the sake of it but means a lot more to the story.
The narration is non-linear, which makes it even more interesting. It helps fill up the blanks and sketch Maureen’s character arc. And she is such a well-crafted character too. Her dark humor is a treat to read.
I like how the book starts in April. It is our month of New Year (the Hindu calendar) and the arrival of Spring. It suits the story perfectly.
The ending is yet another highlight of the book. It ties up the loose ends but leaves enough room for the reader to imagine another scenario. The revelation aligns with the character arcs developed throughout.
To sum up, The Condemned Oak Tree is a slow but fantastic read for those who love to read about nature and human emotions without drama.
Thank you, NetGalley and Butterdragons Publishing, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#TheCondemnedOakTree #NetGalley
*****
PS: It saddens me that such a beautiful book has single-digit reviews. There are many below-average indie books with more traction. This one deserves to be read.
Thank you, Rosh, for spotting this gem and recommending it to me.
One Liner: Slow but fantastic
Maureen buries her husband on her allotment in April 1972. She pretends that he ran away and left her to care for their 10yo twins, Lucy and Carol. However, life puts many obstacles in her path. She has decisions to make that alter her and the children’s futures.
Twenty-Seven years later, Maureen begins to tell her story- the story of her life, her growth, her mistakes, choices, love, family, acceptance, and resilience. But what is the truth? Who is listening to her story and why? What does Maureen want by revealing the secrets after so many years have passed?
The story comes in the first-person narration by Maureen and is addressed to an unknown ‘you’ (revealed later).
My Observations:
I knew the book would be slow and was prepared for it, but this one takes its own sweet time to progress. But the writing is beautiful, and I couldn’t make myself speed-read.
The book has nature interwoven into the narration with such love and reverence that I took my time to savor the descriptions and the emotions aligned with each month.
The writing is undoubtedly clever. The twists come at the least expected time and are not highlighted. On the contrary, the revelations are toned down, which amplifies the impact on the reader. Very smart and artful.
The title suits the book so well. It wasn't there for the sake of it but means a lot more to the story.
The narration is non-linear, which makes it even more interesting. It helps fill up the blanks and sketch Maureen’s character arc. And she is such a well-crafted character too. Her dark humor is a treat to read.
I like how the book starts in April. It is our month of New Year (the Hindu calendar) and the arrival of Spring. It suits the story perfectly.
The ending is yet another highlight of the book. It ties up the loose ends but leaves enough room for the reader to imagine another scenario. The revelation aligns with the character arcs developed throughout.
To sum up, The Condemned Oak Tree is a slow but fantastic read for those who love to read about nature and human emotions without drama.
Thank you, NetGalley and Butterdragons Publishing, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#TheCondemnedOakTree #NetGalley
*****
PS: It saddens me that such a beautiful book has single-digit reviews. There are many below-average indie books with more traction. This one deserves to be read.
Thank you, Rosh, for spotting this gem and recommending it to me.
4 Stars
This is a cute little book about Antoinette and her trip to the African Safari. She flies all the way from her boarding school in Scotland to meet her parents in Tanzania. They take her on a Safari trip to see the majestic wild beasts. However, Antoinette only wants to see the giraffes. She loves these long-necked animals and is eager to meet one in person.
But it is not so easy to find a giraffe. Antoinette meets other animals like the elephant, cheetah, baboons, zebras, etc., and starts to wonder if giraffes are real animals or imaginary creatures. Finally, she spots one, and her delight knows no bounds.
The story is written in rhymed verse, though some of it reads a wee bit odd. The text is on one side, and the illustrations are on the opposite side. The sketches are made of colored pencils and have a childish touch to them. That makes the book charming, almost as if a real-life Antoinette has done the illustrations.
The information about the animals (more about giraffes) has been artfully woven into the content. This makes it easy for kids to remember the tidbits.
To sum up, Antoinette and the Story of the Invisible Giraffes is a sweet book about a young girl’s love for gentle giraffes.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Friesen Press and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#AntoinetteandtheStoryoftheInvisibleGiraffes #NetGalley
This is a cute little book about Antoinette and her trip to the African Safari. She flies all the way from her boarding school in Scotland to meet her parents in Tanzania. They take her on a Safari trip to see the majestic wild beasts. However, Antoinette only wants to see the giraffes. She loves these long-necked animals and is eager to meet one in person.
But it is not so easy to find a giraffe. Antoinette meets other animals like the elephant, cheetah, baboons, zebras, etc., and starts to wonder if giraffes are real animals or imaginary creatures. Finally, she spots one, and her delight knows no bounds.
The story is written in rhymed verse, though some of it reads a wee bit odd. The text is on one side, and the illustrations are on the opposite side. The sketches are made of colored pencils and have a childish touch to them. That makes the book charming, almost as if a real-life Antoinette has done the illustrations.
The information about the animals (more about giraffes) has been artfully woven into the content. This makes it easy for kids to remember the tidbits.
To sum up, Antoinette and the Story of the Invisible Giraffes is a sweet book about a young girl’s love for gentle giraffes.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Friesen Press and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#AntoinetteandtheStoryoftheInvisibleGiraffes #NetGalley
3.8 Stars
Herschel is a pet hairstylist and wants to brush a real bear. He goes into the woods looking for one despite the warnings that bear are big and scary. Herschel meets a bear and realizes that it is actually a shy and cuddly animal. He goes to brush the bear and fulfill his wish.
The story is quite simple but adorable. The illustrations are super cute, bright, and lively. These are also much like how kids would assume animals to be, cartoonish and endearing. I enjoyed going through the colorful pages of illustrations and loved how artfully the elements were incorporated into each page.
The narration comes in a sort of rhymed verse which didn’t meet the expectations. It is awkward in places and felt forced. I felt the book would have been a solid 5-star if the narration was in regular simple sentences with no rhyme or rhythm.
The story is cute, and so are the illustrations, so kids will still enjoy this one. You’ll have to explain the meanings of a couple of words, though.
To sum up, Never Brush a Bear is a cute book and will tickle the kids.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group – Frances Lincoln Children's Books and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#NeverBrushaBear #NetGalley
Herschel is a pet hairstylist and wants to brush a real bear. He goes into the woods looking for one despite the warnings that bear are big and scary. Herschel meets a bear and realizes that it is actually a shy and cuddly animal. He goes to brush the bear and fulfill his wish.
The story is quite simple but adorable. The illustrations are super cute, bright, and lively. These are also much like how kids would assume animals to be, cartoonish and endearing. I enjoyed going through the colorful pages of illustrations and loved how artfully the elements were incorporated into each page.
The narration comes in a sort of rhymed verse which didn’t meet the expectations. It is awkward in places and felt forced. I felt the book would have been a solid 5-star if the narration was in regular simple sentences with no rhyme or rhythm.
The story is cute, and so are the illustrations, so kids will still enjoy this one. You’ll have to explain the meanings of a couple of words, though.
To sum up, Never Brush a Bear is a cute book and will tickle the kids.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group – Frances Lincoln Children's Books and am voluntarily leaving a review.
#NeverBrushaBear #NetGalley
Publication Date: 02nd Aug 2022
3 Stars
One Liner: Mixed bag
Marisa and Clare Stockton are twins with Brit as their elder sister. Clare’s body is found in Virginia’s James River when she was sixteen. The case went nowhere as none of the leads helped.
Fourteen years later, Marisa survives a car accident with some memory loss about the incident. She swears she hasn’t consumed alcohol or drugs, but no one seems to believe her (not with her track record of spending most of her time zoned out due to substance abuse).
But Marisa has been clean for a year. Her wedding photography business is flourishing. Brit is taking good care of her (even if it’s a little too much). She should be happy, but Marisa cannot rest until Clare’s case is solved. She has too many questions and no answers. Her smudgy memory doesn’t help either.
Can Marisa get to the truth of the matter and get the closure she needs? Will she end up being an alcoholic because the pressure is too much to handle? Who is following Marisa, and what will they do to stop her progress?
My Observations:
The first half is clunky and slow. We seem to be going round in circles under 55%. Things start to happen afterward, and everything goes a fast track around 80-85%. I was almost bored on the first two days (as I barely touched 30%).
The story comes in the first person POV of-
• Marisa
• The unknown Him
• Brit
• Jo-Jo
• Jack
• Richards
Yeah! Marisa has a bigger share, but with so many POVs (not all of them are distinct), it feels more of a chore to track everything. The chapter titles mention the POVs (wondering how it would work for a single-narrator audiobook).
None of the characters are likable. Marisa is the only one who comes close. She is highly flawed yet has the grit to see things through.
The climax is rushed, and the ending takes its own sweet time. I appreciate the process of tying up the loose ends one at a time, but it got boring. Not to mention, a character’s actions seem strange and contradictory.
This book feels like it has potential but needs tightening and may be cut down a couple of first-person POVs and use third-person omnipresent instead.
To sum up, The Lies I Told is a mixed bag with a couple of hits and misses. Not something I will want to read in a single sitting.
Thank you, NetGalley and Montlake, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #TheLiesITold
3 Stars
One Liner: Mixed bag
Marisa and Clare Stockton are twins with Brit as their elder sister. Clare’s body is found in Virginia’s James River when she was sixteen. The case went nowhere as none of the leads helped.
Fourteen years later, Marisa survives a car accident with some memory loss about the incident. She swears she hasn’t consumed alcohol or drugs, but no one seems to believe her (not with her track record of spending most of her time zoned out due to substance abuse).
But Marisa has been clean for a year. Her wedding photography business is flourishing. Brit is taking good care of her (even if it’s a little too much). She should be happy, but Marisa cannot rest until Clare’s case is solved. She has too many questions and no answers. Her smudgy memory doesn’t help either.
Can Marisa get to the truth of the matter and get the closure she needs? Will she end up being an alcoholic because the pressure is too much to handle? Who is following Marisa, and what will they do to stop her progress?
My Observations:
The first half is clunky and slow. We seem to be going round in circles under 55%. Things start to happen afterward, and everything goes a fast track around 80-85%. I was almost bored on the first two days (as I barely touched 30%).
The story comes in the first person POV of-
• Marisa
• The unknown Him
• Brit
• Jo-Jo
• Jack
• Richards
Yeah! Marisa has a bigger share, but with so many POVs (not all of them are distinct), it feels more of a chore to track everything. The chapter titles mention the POVs (wondering how it would work for a single-narrator audiobook).
None of the characters are likable. Marisa is the only one who comes close. She is highly flawed yet has the grit to see things through.
The climax is rushed, and the ending takes its own sweet time. I appreciate the process of tying up the loose ends one at a time, but it got boring. Not to mention, a character’s actions seem strange and contradictory.
This book feels like it has potential but needs tightening and may be cut down a couple of first-person POVs and use third-person omnipresent instead.
To sum up, The Lies I Told is a mixed bag with a couple of hits and misses. Not something I will want to read in a single sitting.
Thank you, NetGalley and Montlake, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #TheLiesITold
ETA: Editing a bit as I wrote more about the book in RF BoTM discussions than here (where necessary).
As much as I liked the flow of language, Draupadi's 'obsession' with Karna was a bit too much to handle, especially for someone who was portrayed as a strong and capable woman. This goes overboard in the second half. It feels more like the author's voice and her love for Karna than Draupadi's. It's a thin line between presenting the character's voice and channeling our own through it. Will backfire in the case of established personalities.
The ending seemed filmy as if saying all is well. Too much Bollywood-style drama (I remember I rolled my eyes when reading it).
As much as I liked the flow of language, Draupadi's 'obsession' with Karna was a bit too much to handle, especially for someone who was portrayed as a strong and capable woman. This goes overboard in the second half. It feels more like the author's voice and her love for Karna than Draupadi's. It's a thin line between presenting the character's voice and channeling our own through it. Will backfire in the case of established personalities.
The ending seemed filmy as if saying all is well. Too much Bollywood-style drama (I remember I rolled my eyes when reading it).
Publication Date: 23rd Aug 2022
3.8 Stars
One Liner: Entertaining but go with the right expectations
Hart is a marshal with the dangerous job of patrolling the wilds of Tanria and preventing dredges from attacking the citizens. Mercy is an undertaker, solely managing Birdsall & Son Undertakers despite the obstacles.
Hart and Mercy can’t stand each other. They seem to bring out the worst in the other (do we see sparks flying?). However, they have more in common than they like to think. Both are lonely and pretty much have no life beyond their jobs.
When Hart’s letter to an unknown friend reaches Mercy, she responds to it without knowing the sender's identity. Though a tentative friendship is born between them, things could go either way once the truth is revealed.
What’s more, Tanria seems to be under attack by dredges coming out of nowhere. Why is there a sudden increase in cases? Who is responsible for this? How does it affect Hart and Mercy? What about their feelings for each other?
The story comes from a limited third-person perspective of Mercy and Hart.
What I Like:
The narration is lighthearted and sprinkled with some bittersweet moments. There isn’t any descriptive prose or lyrical imagery. Though I’m a fan of both, I like that the narrative style suited the storyline and the cover.
The side characters are an absolute treat. No kidding. I love them (except for Nathan and another guy). The main characters are decent, though they sometimes act less mature for their age.
There’s food in the book, sweet treats and desserts (which is always a plus). It’s the men who cook while the ladies enjoy the delicious servings.
The letters could have been better, but I preferred the toned-down version. It also helps that I didn’t even think of You’ve Got Mail. The letters suit the characters (who aren’t philosophical), so no complaints.
There are quite a few weird, funny, and eye-roll-inducing moments. The overall effect is satisfactory, which is important to me.
What Didn’t Work for Me:
The pacing is super slow. A 336-page shouldn’t feel like a 450-page book. It took me four days to read this book (even when the prose is easy). I deleted 0.2 stars for this.
The world-building goes a little on and off, and the same happens to the terminology as well. The contemporary slang doesn’t always suit the unidentifiable fantasy period. After all, they are writing letters to each other, and there’s no mention of phones (wired/ wireless).
The shift from enemies to lovers is a little too abrupt. Sure sparks are flying, but the transition needs to be smooth.
A few threads didn’t seem to conclude properly, especially the Bill part. I won’t elaborate, but it could have been handled better.
To sum up, The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy is an entertaining read if you plod through the slow pace and ignore a few bumps. Don’t compare it to You’ve Got Mail or expect heavy stuff.
Thank you, NetGalley, Little, Brown Book Group UK, and Orbit Books, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #TheUndertakingofHartandMercy
*****
PS: The book has steam of 2ish level and cuss words (including F-bombs).
3.8 Stars
One Liner: Entertaining but go with the right expectations
Hart is a marshal with the dangerous job of patrolling the wilds of Tanria and preventing dredges from attacking the citizens. Mercy is an undertaker, solely managing Birdsall & Son Undertakers despite the obstacles.
Hart and Mercy can’t stand each other. They seem to bring out the worst in the other (do we see sparks flying?). However, they have more in common than they like to think. Both are lonely and pretty much have no life beyond their jobs.
When Hart’s letter to an unknown friend reaches Mercy, she responds to it without knowing the sender's identity. Though a tentative friendship is born between them, things could go either way once the truth is revealed.
What’s more, Tanria seems to be under attack by dredges coming out of nowhere. Why is there a sudden increase in cases? Who is responsible for this? How does it affect Hart and Mercy? What about their feelings for each other?
The story comes from a limited third-person perspective of Mercy and Hart.
What I Like:
The narration is lighthearted and sprinkled with some bittersweet moments. There isn’t any descriptive prose or lyrical imagery. Though I’m a fan of both, I like that the narrative style suited the storyline and the cover.
The side characters are an absolute treat. No kidding. I love them (except for Nathan and another guy). The main characters are decent, though they sometimes act less mature for their age.
There’s food in the book, sweet treats and desserts (which is always a plus). It’s the men who cook while the ladies enjoy the delicious servings.
The letters could have been better, but I preferred the toned-down version. It also helps that I didn’t even think of You’ve Got Mail. The letters suit the characters (who aren’t philosophical), so no complaints.
There are quite a few weird, funny, and eye-roll-inducing moments. The overall effect is satisfactory, which is important to me.
What Didn’t Work for Me:
The pacing is super slow. A 336-page shouldn’t feel like a 450-page book. It took me four days to read this book (even when the prose is easy). I deleted 0.2 stars for this.
The world-building goes a little on and off, and the same happens to the terminology as well. The contemporary slang doesn’t always suit the unidentifiable fantasy period. After all, they are writing letters to each other, and there’s no mention of phones (wired/ wireless).
The shift from enemies to lovers is a little too abrupt. Sure sparks are flying, but the transition needs to be smooth.
A few threads didn’t seem to conclude properly, especially the Bill part. I won’t elaborate, but it could have been handled better.
To sum up, The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy is an entertaining read if you plod through the slow pace and ignore a few bumps. Don’t compare it to You’ve Got Mail or expect heavy stuff.
Thank you, NetGalley, Little, Brown Book Group UK, and Orbit Books, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #TheUndertakingofHartandMercy
*****
PS: The book has steam of 2ish level and cuss words (including F-bombs).