3.5 stars (rounded up) 

It's early morning, 6.05 AM, when Lexi finds herself home, alone with absolutely no one anywhere around. She is stuck in time and has to find a way out. But what happened to her? 

Finn, Lexi’s partner, doesn’t remember much about the previous night. He realizes Lexi is not home. She vanished. Where is Lexi? What happened? As Finn goes deeper into depression and swims back to the surface, years pass by. Lexi is still not found. 

Can the two ever unite? 

The story comes in Finn’s third-person POV and Lexi’s second-person POV. 

After enjoying the author’s short stories, I was excited to read a longer piece by her. This thriller is of the right length, neither too long nor too short. 

It’s a bit hard to review this as there’s a risk of revealing a spoiler. 

The narration is on the slower side but doesn’t drag. Finn’s chapters are faster, given the POV and the events. Time is erratic, so you have to pay attention. It goes slowly at first and then jumps years. 

Lexi’s POV is tricky. I love the attempt at doing something different (it’s a brave decision). However, the results didn’t entirely work for me. I enjoyed the first couple of chapters but couldn't connect with it. The repetition doesn’t help, either. Removing a couple of these chapters and expanding on the main narrative might have helped. Reworking the chapters to provide more details about Lexi and removing some of the repetition would also have helped. 

I also like the reveal, though we can guess it from the beginning. There’s no attempt to hide the details from the readers or throw in an unbelievable twist. The twist is subtle but well done. 100% marks for this. It also brings a sense of freshness to the tried-and-tested plotline. 

The atmosphere is terrific. This is something I expect from the author’s work by default. She is great with darkish and foggy settings, the kind where anything can happen. 

A few other elements aren’t convincing. I have many doubts about these aspects but cannot reveal them. I wish those got more attention as they are important in a thriller. This would have been easily 4+ stars otherwise. 

To summarize, One Tuesday, Early is a brave attempt to present a known story in a different manner. It could have been better, but it does offer an enjoyable reading experience. 

My thanks to BookSirens and the author for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

 4.3 Stars

The seaside town of Edge flourishes in summer and goes into hibernation in winter. It is interesting legends about pirates, secret caves, and hidden treasures. A twelve-year-old Freya lives with her Granny Kate and runs a B&B in the town. She has a routine life and enjoys spending time with her best friend, Lin. Then, a mysterious stranger arrives that winter. 

Soon, Freya has to face her fears or lose everything she holds dear. When it seems that the hidden treasure could be the only solution, Freya has to embark on an adventure to find it. But does the treasure even exist, or is she going on a wild goose chase? 

The story comes in Freya’s third-person POV. 

I’m always ready for an adventure with the kids. The cover has many elements related to the plot and offers an exciting glimpse into what lies ahead. 

I like Freya’s characterization. Most kids in this genre tend to be brave (reckless) and jump into action without much thought. She is the opposite. She has many fears and struggles to even talk in front of a small crowd. This adds a layer to the narrative. I could empathize with her panic while urging her to give it a shot. The whole arc is kept quite realistic, which is a big plus. 

Lin is a wonderful best friend! She is vibrant, fun, and understanding. Some side characters are well-defined, even if they are not detailed. It works well since the story is fast-paced and moves steadily. 

The adventure has its share of risks, fears, danger, and panic. Yet, the kids do their best to overcome their fears and do what they can (the alternative isn’t good, after all!). There’s one worrying part with an injury (no details about how it was dealt with) that made me want to know more. 

And there’s an instance where two friends fight. Quite common, obviously. However, only one of them apologizes when both are rude. That feels wrong. The other one also had to apologize for their behavior. 

The setting is well done with a lighthouse, small-town charm, chilly winter winds, rain, and a generous hint of danger. There’s a nod to diversity too! I’m not surprised to find an Indian since our people do go to the remotest of places and live there. ;) 

To summarize, Freya’s Gold is a fast-paced adventure filled with emotions, vulnerabilities, and kids trying to fight for the good. You can easily finish it in a single sitting.  

Thank you, NetGalley and Nosy Crow, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #FreyasGold 

One Liner: Heartwarming!

 

Val Murray lost the most precious things she never wanted to part with. 

Sophie is looking for a second chance with a man who once loved her. 

Alice McLenn is counting the days to walk away from her narcissistic husband. 

Rory Brookes had to stay away from his parents to save his career and family. Now that he lost both, can he find his way back to his mother? 

How do their stories coincide? Can they get what they want, or will give them a better offer? 

The story comes in Val’s first-person POV, and the third-person POV of Sophie, Alice, and Rory. 

The book follows the same template as the author’s previous works. The story takes place on a weekend when seemingly unrelated characters come together and help each other. 

This one is a little different as the content is more personal to the author. We have a note at the beginning and another at the end to explain certain things. Moreover, we also have a list of main characters with brief descriptions about them. It is quite helpful in tracking who is who. 

The individual POVs of the main characters allow the reader to understand their backstories and actions. Each of them is facing a battle and finds support in different ways. Rory’s POV was really helpful and enhanced the narrative. 

The story is on the heavier side and deals with themes like mourning, grief, parental death, domestic abuse, failed relationships, etc. It can be overwhelming if the reader has faced something similar in real life. However, the pacing is steady and keeps the story moving. 

We know how a book in this genre would end, but I much enjoyed the journey, watching the characters step out of their comfort zones, making tough decisions, and being kind to others. Naturally, you will also find a few lucky coincidences, but that’s done well too. 

There is some infodump, which is okay I don’t need a book to show me everything. The details are enough to get the picture. 

There are references to characters from other books (it is set in the same location and has the same Glasgow Hospital). It won’t affect your reading experience even if you don’t know the characters. 

To Summarize, One Long Weekend is a heartwarming story with warm characters. It can be read in a couple of sittings. 

Thank you, Rachel's Random Resources and Boldwood Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

 3.7 Stars

Lady Hannah Simmons prefers to blend into the background and likes being a wallflower as it keeps her secret identity safe. She is a trained assassin of Queen Victoria and takes up several dangerous missions. Hannah also has many weapons on her most of the time. 

 Private Investigator to the Prime Minister and ex-war hero, Duke Robert Killian, knows he is a damaged man with a lot of weight on his shoulders. However, his latest job brings him face-to-face with Hannah (who seems to be in the same case). The spark between them is instant, but they need to get the heart of the case before things get complicated. 

The story comes in the third-person POV of Hannah and Robert Killian. 

This is primarily a romance with a bit of mystery and danger thrown in. Since I knew that’s how it would be, I enjoyed the book for what it offered. 

The books deals with themes like PTSD, past secrets, missing and dead people, etc. Despite the darkness of the subject, there’s enough light in the book to make it an easy and breezy read. 

The main characters have their pasts, which allows them to be much more than their looks. I quite liked how this is balanced and aligned with the genre’s specifications. 

Naturally, there is lust at first sight and a good dose of steam (almost 4, so be warned). It flows well with the narration and continues to keep the % moving (very important). At the same time, the pacing doesn’t make the characters feel distant. I think that’s because the filler content is kept to a minimum. 

The side characters come in varied colors and temperaments. This mix allows readers to easily track who is who and what role they play in the overall plot. 

However, the mystery element is super weak. I was expecting this, so I went with the flow. There’s some action towards the end, but if you read it solely for the thriller elements, you’ll be disappointed. 

There’s potential in the book and the characters. This is likely the first book in the series, as there are a few loose ends (and no epilogue!). I hope Drake gets the next book. That man needs to heal ASAP. 

To summarize, The Secret Life of a Lady is a steamy romance with some intrigue to spice things up. Read it as a romance to enjoy it more. I would definitely pick up the next book (whenever it is available).  

Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #TheSecretLifeofaLady 

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 3.7 Stars

Red Tarot is an advanced-level thesis that attempts to decolonize tarot symbolism and meanings. It caters to the BIPOC and the queer community to guide them to find themselves and their roots in their culture and divination. Being an #OwnVoices work, it has many personal insights and experiences shared by the author. 

Firstly, this book is not a casual read. It is not for beginners. I put myself somewhere around the intermediary level, and this was still a bit hard to understand. 

There’s an abundance of information, too much at times, which feels overwhelming to read at a stretch. I’ve been reading a few pages per day for more than two months, and still, I can’t say I got it all. Serious readers should buy a physical copy for easy reference. 

Moreover, this is rooted in American history, which means I cannot always relate to it (though I’m a pagan by birth). If you belong to the same land, you are likely to find a deeper connection. 

That said, some of the interpretations are beautiful. Though it draws from the RWS (Raider Waite Smith), I found myself visualizing the cards from the Light Seers Tarot Deck. There is certainly a connection between the two, which could help me as I learn more. 

There isn’t a single illustration in the book. Having at least a rough sketch for each card would have helped a lot more.  

The book doesn’t interpret the cards in the ‘standard’ order. It is grouped into Aces, twos, and on, with the major and minor arcana bundled under the subheads. This is an interesting approach as it also creates a link between different cards (the Magician and Wheel; Empress and Queens; Justice, Hanged One, and Judgment, etc.) 

Many quotes are included in the book, with a clear bibliography at the end divided into neat sections. That’s helpful and efficient. 

Sharing some of the many quotes I marked: 

To summarize, Red Tarot is what would best be termed as an in-depth academic read with a liberal dose of personal experience and history. It is not a book for a quick reference. 

Thank you, NetGalley and North Atlantic Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #RedTarot 

 4 Stars

One Link: Summer, food, and dead bodies!

 

Well, what can I say? This is one of my top cozy mystery series. It has a beautiful Italian setting, many descriptions of good food, and a super adorable lab, Oscar. 

The book should work as a standalone since the personal track is limited to a couple of chapters, and Anna doesn’t have any role in the investigation. Reading one of two previous books will work even better. 

The mystery is well done, as always. This time, Dan has to do something he never did – be in his birthday suit when solving a crime! It sure results in a lot of laughs and some awkward situations. 

It is fun seeing Dan being a gentleman and keeping his eyes away from where they shouldn’t linger. Also, he has to make sure Oscar doesn’t end up poking his excited nose where he shouldn’t! 

The details are revealed in stages, giving us enough time to come up with our own guesses. The information is not deliberately withheld, which is always a plus. Moreover, the inspector on the case is a good guy and happy to work with Dan. I like it when this happens. It shows them as sensible investigators. 

Of course, there is good food and yummy gelato in various flavors. Some for Oscar, too! I don’t usually read summer books in summer (why go through with it twice?), but this year, it seems I have to bear summer in real life and in books. Sigh! At least, ice creams are common on both. 

To summarize, Murder on the Italian Riviera is a solid addition to the series. The pacing is steady and keeps the narrative flowing. Let’s get ready for the next book! 

Thank you, Rachel's Random Resources and Boldwood Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

 2.5 Stars (outliner)

Valour and Petrichor are young but esteemed members of the Order of Axsten, an assassin guild in Vinterstock, Sweden. They were with the guild as children and hated each other, which continues even to date. 

The guild then gives them a job – to kill Brandquist, the mysterious leader of the city’s drug ring. No one knows who he is and how he looks. Valour and Petrichor are determined to deal with the job alone, but they may have to work together to stay alive. 

As if that wasn’t hard enough, Valour has to babysit Ingrid Rytterdahl, the beautiful daughter of an aristocrat. With Valour in love (lust) with Ingrid and the mounting danger, can the assassins stay alive and finish the job? 

The story comes in the Valour and Petrichor’s third-person POVs. 

NGL, I requested the book mainly for the cover. Just look at it! So gorgeous! The premise was intriguing, too, though I admit the execution is less than satisfying. 

First, the good points – 

Now, the not-so-good points – 

The characters are 20+ (around mid-20s) but act like teenagers. They have been through so much trauma, but it feels hard to empathize due to their behavior. The scenes between Valour and Petrichor tend to be annoying, even when they are being nice to each other. 

The narration is super slow. A lot seems to happen, but the % doesn’t move. And when you stop reading and consider the story that happened until then, it wouldn’t be much. There are many conversations; some are necessary, but some can be edited. Looking back, it doesn’t feel like the two are as efficient assassins as they are portrayed. Yeah, they can fight well and stab, et al, but an assassin has to be focused and precise. We are told they are very good at the job, but I couldn’t see it anywhere in the book (except once in Petrichor’s case). 

Instead, we get pages of hate-filled banter between V and P that’s supposed to be some sort of trauma-bonding sibling rivalry type thing (?) except on the extreme level. There are ten instances of V saying ‘stick up the arse’ with some variation.  

The last section is better than the beginning in terms of action and drama. Yet, not much of it is due to the MCs’ efforts. It doesn’t seem realistic that the villain would so easily share everything. It works in cozy mysteries, but the stakes are high here (think kingdom-level). 

And oh, that brings me to the vibes. Though this is historical, the feel is almost modern. Also, there really isn’t any magic or fantasy. While I appreciate the support for old gods and paganism, it is not well done. Make it a cohesive part of the plot (and not simply repeat the stuff in dialogues). 

To summarize, Snowblooded has a worthy premise and an intriguing setting but is weighed down by extras. Toning down the excess will give the characters more space to show their true selves. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Solaris, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
 
#NetGalley #Snowblooded
 

 4 Stars

Luke Edgewood is not the rom-com type hero, or so he says. He is a builder who loves his work and a supportive brother to his sisters. When Luke goes to Skymar to work on a project, he doesn’t expect to come face-to-face with royalty. 

Elliana St. Clare (Ellie) is a princess in hiding after things went awfully wrong the last time, and the press is still hounding her for juicy news. She finds peace in working with the orphanage, the same one which Luke has to renovate. 

Ellie wants to keep her identity a secret and plans to do what her parents want. But meeting Luke puts her at a crossroads. Moreover, Luke wants nothing to do with fame or royalty, so Ellie isn’t sure what to do. 

The story comes in the third-person POV of Luke and Ellie, with email and chat snippets between different characters. 

While the story can be a standalone, I strongly recommend reading at least book #2 (like I did) to understand the character arcs better. 

You need to meet Luke in the previous book(s) to know that he is a cuddly teddy bear and a kind-hearted darling. Otherwise, he is more likely to annoy you with constant references to ‘manly movies’ and ‘hating romance’. 

Of course, since I was waiting for his book, I enjoyed this one a lot. Luke is so adorable, and his relationship with his sisters is perfect! In fact, the chats between the siblings are wonderful.  

Penelope is a side character here, but she is being herself, so it’s almost like she is one of the main characters; an extra dose of sunshine with a steady diet of Hallmark movies and romance tropes, which get constant references (this is a series thing) in their chats. 

The book has limited epistolary stuff, which works well for me. I know this is an ARC, but I hope they add appropriate scene breaks to indicate POV changes. The jumps will be too confusing to follow otherwise. 

Ellie’s dilemma is well done. She makes some wrong decisions but has the strength to acknowledge them. Her doubts, vulnerability, and hesitation come across clearly. Her dynamics with Luke are funny and cute. They do make a lovely couple! 

Naturally, there are a few faith-based elements that never overpower the story or sound preachy. This is exactly how I like faith in books (if it is present). 

We do have a sweet and happy ending. I did feel a little sad, but since there’s news that there will be a novella from the same series, I’m happy to meet the characters (Luke) again. Can’t wait for it! 

To summarize, Loyally, Luke beautiful, funny, sweet, and heartwarming read. It also has the flavor of a small-town community, so pretty much a package deal. No steam except for a few kisses and flirting. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Thomas Nelson, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #LoyallyLuke 

*** 

P.S.: The author said there will be a novella, The Mistletoe Prince, later this year with Luke as a side character. I’m guessing it would have Arran (the Prince) and Maeve. What do you think? 

 2.7 stars

Aubry Tourvel was a bratty nine-year-old when she started to bleed to death at the dinner table. Soon, the treatments made her worse, and she escaped to the city’s outskirts. Then she realized that the only cure for her strange disease was to keep traveling. She cannot stay at any place for more than a few days. 

Thus began her neverending travel around the world from one end to another, meeting many people but never having someone to call her own. What happens to Aubry? Does her journey end? 

The story comes in Aubry’s third-person POV. 

The premise is quite intriguing, so when I saw the book was available, I grabbed an ARC. Though I’m a fan of rounded endings, I knew I wouldn’t get it in this one. 

The beginning is terrific. We start with the crisis and move on to some details in the past, and then the story goes back and forth. The timeline is as messy as it can get with no proper indication (except for the chapter titles, which are really helpful in making some sense of the flow). 

Once the initial curiosity wears off, we are left to follow the MC as she meanders through different lands, meets different people, makes friends, takes lovers, and moves on. 

Some of it is actually good since there are instances when Aubry goes into introspective mode or realizes that her way of manipulating others may not be the right move. Unfortunately, the MC remains distant and somehow, has the same tone almost throughout. 

However, the dialogues are stilted, even uncomfortable, and abrupt at times. It’s hard to get a hang of the MC, which means trying to empathize with her is also a tough task despite the circumstances. There are quite a few side characters- some of them are more distinct, while others blur into one another. Somehow, one character who could actually be important gets only a line at the end. 

This is also the kind of book that makes it easy to zone out. One second you could be reading, the next instant, you’d be planning your to-do list or humming lyrics from a song you heard a decade ago. The middle is the slowest and feels like we are going in circles. 

The puzzle ball and the secret doors, libraries, etc., are an attempt at magic realism. While I admire the inclusion of libraries, I wish the scenes were better executed. 

Though I ended up with a headache after reading this, I did enjoy the ending. It was better than I hoped. I might have liked it more if the book was 50-70 pages shorter. Aubry, unfortunately, is not interesting enough to sustain for 400+ pages. 

To summarize, A Short Walk Through a Wide World has a great premise and some worthy elements, but hasn’t wowed me. This is a niche book, so it may not give the same results to other readers (like me). 

Thank you, NetGalley and Avid Reader (Simon & Schuster), for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #AShortWalkThroughAWideWorld 

*** 

TW: Animal murders; quite a few scenes deal with killing animals (wild boar, strange bird, monkey, rabbit, etc.), and some are more graphic than others