4.2 Stars

Molly and her dad sit on the porch swing, waiting for fireflies on a June evening. Molly enjoys watching the fireflies and goes to sleep. Her dad gets back on the porch for a last word with the little fireflies. 

This is a teeny, adorable book about a little girl enjoying her evening with her father and the light show put on by the fireflies. It’s a simple bedtime story for tiny tots (2+, I guess). While nothing much happens, a sense of peace and love ooze from the pages. You can feel the warmth of their relationship and the cozy home Molly’s father created for his dear child. 

The illustrations are lovely. The father-daughter duo has blond hair and striking green eyes. Molly’s wavy curls are so cute! The detailing needs a special mention. Whether it is the pair of stakes on the grass, the cat in various positions on each page (and there’s one where the cat tries to grab a firefly), and my favorite is the one where Molly grabs her father’s shirt as she jumps on the swing in excitement. It’s such a realistic presentation! (I so wanted to pull Molly's little apple cheeks). 

The text is easy to read, though some of it could have been better phrased. It should matter to kids, though. They’ll enjoy the illustrations and the bonding between a father and his daughter.  I also like that there’s no detail about the mother. It helps keep more options open. 

To summarize, Where Fireflies Sleep is a sweet and calm bedtime book for summer (or any season). It has a little info about the fireflies but nothing complex. The focus is on Molly and her dad. 

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

 4 Stars

I missed the first book where Archie, aka Archana, celebrates Diwali, but got this well in time. This book has a mellowed version of Indian weddings for kiddos to have a glimpse into our culture. 

Archie’s Poppy Uncle is marrying Miss Julie (who looks adorable in Indian wear). So, he brings Julie’s niece, Emma, and asks Archie to ensure she has a good time at the wedding. Archie is already too busy helping everyone and babysitting her little brother, Krishna. But Emma is a darling, and the girls get on well very soon. 

The story is sweet and simple and gives a rough gist of different celebrations in a Hindu wedding. It’s also highly simplified to prevent readers from feeling overwhelmed. Our weddings have a lot going on and are too much fun! 

The illustrations are cute and vibrant. The color schemes are well done to create appealing artwork on every page. The Ganesha murti in Archie’s house is a lovely touch. Beautiful! I love the bindis, bangles, necklaces, and earrings they wear. Can’t have an Indian wedding without dressing up. ;) 

I’m not sure why no one explained to Julie how mehendi works. It seems odd that they’d leave her panicking about something like that (especially when she is all dressed up, which is hard with mehendi on both hands.) Someone helped her, so it makes sense they would have talked about the mehendi. Not to mention, it has to be rubbed off first, and coconut or clove oil is applied to the hands to deepen the color (which takes a few hours). 

It would have been better if Julie panicked about her wedding saree (which is bound to be heavy) or felt worried she might forget the rituals. Archie could assure her about it (most brides are jittery, anyway). 

Still, the book does a good job. There’s a note at the end mentioning the differences in Hindu wedding rituals based on region. I appreciate that. (Stealing the groom’s shoes is not a part of South Indian Hindu weddings). There’s a glossary, too, which is another plus. And finally, on the last page, we have a picture of the author on her wedding day. How cool is that? I totally love this! 

To summarize, Archie Celebrates an Indian Wedding is a cute, sweet, and compact little book that gives a glimpse into Indian weddings. It’s a good place to start. 

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

#ArchieCelebratesanIndianWedding #NetGalley 

 3 Stars

Edie York joined the newspaper office hoping to become a stylish and real wartime reporter. However, she ends up as a secretary, multitasking throughout the day but bored out of her wits. A certain development leads her to the soldier training site and makes her a witness to the death of a Home Guard soldier. 

Edie is excited, knowing the case is her ticket to prove her abilities as a crime reporter. However, she soon realizes it’s harder than it looks, and the stakes are high. 

DI Louis Brennan is arrogant and infuriating. He doesn’t even take Edie seriously. But when things get dangerous, he agrees to help her. Yet, it won’t be easy for Edie to find the truth. Can she solve her first case without getting killed? 

The story comes in Edie’s first-person POV. 

As the first in the series, the book sets the stage by introducing Edie York and the setting. We meet various characters, though only a few are important for the plot. The WWII backdrop is well done. There are recurring instances of rations, air raids, volunteering work, etc. 

The newspaper office and its employees are also easy to visualize. We see the difference in how men and women are treated at work and in general. This was when times were changing, and women were actively doing ‘men’s work’ but still got overlooked. 

The plot, as such, is simple enough to follow. The mystery has interesting elements, too. However, the MC is a major letdown. While I understand her motivations and some of her actions, she fails to make a good impression for the majority of the book. 

I’ve tried to excuse a lot since this is Edie’s first case (she is bound to stumble). Sure, she is talented at writing obituaries, and the unexpected promotion gives her a chance to investigate a crime. However, for someone who devours so many mysteries, she doesn’t seem to have a basic understanding of how to handle a case. Just about everything is a mess. It’s as if the MC doesn’t bother using her brain much (not until it’s too late).  Surely, a wannabe crime reporter wouldn't say something like he’s my boyfriend (that too a very recent development), so he can’t be a suspect (despite the red flags). Ridiculous!  

The writing is heavy and slow. The first-person narration results in a lot of blabbering and excessive descriptions. This makes the book feel 100 pages longer than its actual 300-page count. Also, I dislike long chapters. The first chapter was long and ended at 10%. (This is an uncorrected proof, so I’m hoping it will read better in the final version. It’ll need helluva edits). 

Despite everything, I am interested in the second book. Edie did seem like she learned her lessons. I can only hope she will display a better sense of judgment and balance in the coming book. Fingers crossed! 

To summarize, Murder in the Blitz does offer a good setting and portrayal of the Blitz and how it affected ordinary people. As a mystery, it is yet to step up and deliver. 

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

#NetGalley #MurderintheBlitz 

 3 Stars

Tabby is an ailurophile (cat lover). She has always wanted to own a cat café to combine her love for cats and baking. The inheritance from her Nanna makes her dream come true. However, days before the opening, Tabby’s boyfriend Leon decides he’s not up for it and breaks off. Tabby is heartbroken but knows she can’t let him shatter her dreams. 

However, with her medical condition (still a secret from her family) and business hurdles, it will take a Christmas miracle to save her business from loss even before it has opened. Also, someone out there could be sabotaging her café. 

The story comes in Tabby’s first-person POV. 

The setting is beautiful, be it the small town with friendly business owners or the interiors of the cat café with murals. It’s easy to visualize most of it. 

The book has fifteen cats! Each has a name and is described (color, breed, etc.). I didn’t note it all, but I’m sure it would have been a fun exercise. They have distinct personalities, too. I have a friend with around 18+ cats (adopted strays), so I thought of her immediately. 

Tabby’s family is wonderful (even if her brother annoyed me at one point). They are supportive, caring, and ready to step in and help whenever necessary. Tom is a sweetheart, of course. I wouldn’t have minded if he had more depth. It would have helped his arc more. 

Tabby has fibromyalgia, a chronic medical condition that causes varying degrees of body pains, fatigue, and brain fog. I love how this aspect is seamlessly incorporated into the plot. While it may seem a little excessive, it is not. This condition is life-altering and can affect a person (and their family) any day. So, every day they wake up pain-free is a win. It makes sense to include this (especially since the book is in the first person). I learned a lot about fibromyalgia and how to handle it positively, which is a definite plus. 

The traffic lights and spoon theory used to measure her pain/ fatigue levels is a great addition. I really liked this concept. 

There’s HEA and an epilogue, so another yay! 

With Christmas in the title, I expected it to have a bigger role in the book. However, the story starts in November. We get to the first week of December in the last quarter. Not much of Christmas in this one, except for the Spirit part, which, TBH, can be used any time of the year. People helping others isn’t seasonal. 

The cover makes the book appear to be a warm and cozy romance. However, romance is secondary and not so well done. While it does have warm moments, the love/ romance angle doesn’t hit the mark. 

Despite the first-person narration, I couldn’t see Tabby in love with the guy. But I could see his love for her almost from the beginning. It works to an extent as the FMC is in another relationship at the beginning, gets dumped, and has to recover. Even then, when the shift happens, it doesn’t seem convincing from her side but is spot on from his side. Go figure! 

The narration is long-winded and slow. It drones on in some places, and there’s quite a bit of repetition. Moreover, I’m not that into dubbing for cats (or animals) and having a two-way conversation with myself. I do talk to animals and non-living objects, but I don’t put words into their mouth and make them talk back to me in different voices. This is a little weird. 

I could spot the culprit for sabotage right away. Not an issue since this is not a mystery. It was supposed to be obvious. However, that track didn’t have to be so long. No need to give so much importance to a fourth-party character, even if there’s a sort of lesson in there. 

Reading the author’s note was enlightening and informative. I didn’t like a certain plot development and wondered about the reason behind it. The note throws light on it.

To summarize, Christmas at the Cat Café is nice enough but didn’t charm me as I hoped it would. It’s a one-time read and might be better suited for the series/ author’s fans. 

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

#NetGalley #ChristmasattheCatCafé 

Wendy Moore’s kleptomania bubbles up when she struggles to deal with the latest changes in her life. Her next-door neighbor Pam leaves, and Wendy’s son, Billy, goes to college. The empty-nest syndrome makes it hard for her to keep her issues under control. Even gardening and refurnishing furniture help only to an extent. 

Harper is a writer who has seen success but is currently on the edge, with her latest book being a flop. The agent and publisher want her to try something different and more in line with what the public wants. Moving to the suburbs is not something she prefers, but if it helps revive her career, why not? 

As Wendy and Harper become friends, things get complicated. Their secrets come to light, and the women need to decide what they really want from their lives. 

The story comes in the first-person POV of Wendy and Harper in alternative chapters. 

The Goodreads blurb calls it a ‘humorous and heartwarming novel’. Unfortunately, I didn’t feel the urge to even chuckle or smile, let alone laugh. 

While Wendy and Harper are sketched to be on the opposite sides of the spectrum, neither is likable. The first-person narration makes it even worse. I was annoyed by their voices even before I hit 30%. 

Also, the voices became less distinctive as the story progressed. By halfway through, I got confused between the POVs each time Harper and Wendy had a discussion, even though the chapter head clearly mentioned it. Additionally, the chapters are way too long (and slow). 

The themes are great and deal with mental illness, loneliness, family issues, etc. But the way they are handled doesn’t make the story appealing or emotional. Moreover, I’m not a fan of extreme opinions on either side (patriarchy vs. feminism). And don’t ‘tell’ me you are a progressive woman and harp on it from the very first chapter. ‘Show’ it to me. I see enough of these arguments on social media. I don’t need long dialogues and rants in books. 

The characters are stereotypical, which makes them more caricatures than real. How one shows a progressive woman is important. Make her feel relatable despite her flaws. Here, Harper has been created for readers to dislike her. She used feminism as a defense mechanism and grated my nerves with her judgmental attitude and hypocrisy. Wendy wasn’t great, but Harper was made to sound so annoying! Not fair in a way, but I have seen such people, so they do exist. 

The writing isn’t great either. It feels clunky and choppy. It's easy to zone out. I finished it because I wanted to see what would happen at the end. 

There’s a bit of romance, too, if we can call it that. Nate, by all means, should be the ideal book boyfriend. However, I couldn’t care less. Nate’s character was unable to make much impact. Joe fared better, though he isn’t that impactful either. In short, none of the characters have a strong presence. 

Of course, the book does have a few redeeming features. It presents a writer’s situation, uncertainty, dilemma, and vulnerability well. Those few scenes were good and relatable. I wish the book focused more on the ‘writer’ part rather than the other aspects. The actual writing process (which one method Harper preferred) could have been used in detail. We don’t get to see her write anything, as such. We only get the updates. 

There’s no denying the character development towards the end. But getting there was laborious and long-winded, filled with loads of internal dialogue. I lost all interest by then. 

To summarize, Take It From Me is supposed to have been a heartwarming novel about two different women helping each other grow. Sadly, it didn’t work for me. Do check the other reviews before you decide. Or, take it from me and find another book. 

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

#NetGalley #TakeItfromMe 

 4 Stars

The book has several ancient stories from different continents and manages to bring diversity in themes, ideas, and cultures. The stories are categorized into six sections (listed below, with titles of stories I like). Even the non-Christmas stories sometimes have a festive touch. 

While there are a few stories from Asia, I didn’t find a single tale from India. Would have been nice to have at least one. It does snow in the Northern part of the land, so I’m sure there must be a few folktales set in winter. Nevertheless, I like that the collection has many stories from Indigenous American tribes (and other native cultures). 

The stories have a varied length, making it easy to read 2-4 at a time. None of them are too long. A few are quite small (and some not so impressive). The writing is easy to read and retains the old-style charm of folktales. 

The illustrations are sweet. Some of them are vibrant and nail the wintery vibes. The facial expressions seem a little off on some pages, but the overall color scheme is good enough. 

To summarize, A World Full of Winter Stories is a collection of warm and cozy stories set during the icy cold winters and snowy days. It’s suitable for kids and adults, so grab it this winter and enjoy the stories with a cup of hot chocolate. 

Thank you, Edelweiss and Quarto Publishing Group – Frances Lincoln Children's Books, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

 3.7 Stars

Lord Adrian Webb is a rakish scoundrel banished from the country by his father around ten years ago. He is back in London to meet his little sister, Iris, the only family member whose opinion matters to him. However, his little forgery, a source of his income, lands Adrian in hot water. 

The Wynchester family has its own rules. They will do almost anything to help those who need it. They are knights in shining armor, with varied skills to their names. Marjorie is the youngest sister, an artist, and a wallflower protected by the family. 

However, when they get a case of counterfeit pennies, Marjorie steps up to solve it. This leads her straight to Adrian and his heart. But the duo has a few hurdles to clear before they can talk about their personal lives. The villain, after all, will stop at nothing. 

The story comes in the third-person POV of Adrian and Marjorie. 

Though the book is the fourth in the series, it reads well as a standalone. The couples from the previous books have their HEA and have minor to moderate roles in this one. 

The book is what I’d call a contemporary-themed historical romance. Even though the setting is 1818, the characters, storyline, and diversity come from today’s world. You’ll have to go with the flow to enjoy this one. 

I like that the heroine is partially deaf (due to smallpox) and an expert at forgery. Well, she’s also an artist and comes from a found family with versatile talents. Some of them do read like caricatures, but the warmth between the siblings and the family makes up for the lack of character depth. 

The main leads are decent enough and easy to root for, so that’s a definite plus. They aren’t complex or multilayered, but I wasn’t expecting that, anyway. As expected, Adrian is a good man, though he prefers to use his reputation to keep people away. I like how he years for family love and support. 

There’s enough humor, drama, and action to keep the reader interested. Snowley is very much a ruthless villain who looks like a dear old grandpa. Even though the stakes are high, the book doesn’t feel intense. It is meant to be a lighthearted romance (Steam 1.5 max). 

The climax happens in stages. We see a series of events with multiple issues cropping up one after another. However, they are neatly tackled and sorted to bring HEA. 

I love the sort of dual epilogue in this one. The second last chapter could have been an epilogue, but it isn’t. We have a final proper epilogue that hints at the next book. Though I haven’t read the previous books (I’m familiar with the titles but didn’t realize they belonged to the same series), I intend to check out the next one. Well, why wouldn’t I when the FMC is the murder-loving Elizabeth? 

There’s quite a bit of filler content (not sure how much will be edited in the final version). Still, it doesn’t weigh down the pacing much. I could sustain a good momentum when reading and finished it in 2 days. 

And I have to mention Tickletums, the homing hedgehog being trained by Jacob. I mean… how cute is that? We also have a messenger crow, a sheep (Ophelia), and a bunch of other animals. But Tickletums gets my vote. 

To summarize, My Rogue to Ruin is a lighthearted Regency romance with modern fittings. It’s an entertainer and should be treated as such, even if it manages to deal with a couple of serious topics. Don’t look for logic in this one! 

Thank you, NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing), for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #MyRoguetoRuin 

 3 Stars 

Lark has been on the run for seven years, trying to escape the men her father sends for her. There is no place left except Cagmar, the city of trolls. Trolls and humans have been enemies forever, but Lark is desperate. If nothing, her skill could be useful in convincing the trolls to let her live with them. 

While Lark does get a chance, she also ends up in a tricky position. She makes enemies with a powerful troll who hates humankind. But she also makes friends and finds love. However, Lark cannot move on until she faces her past. 

The story comes in the first-person POV of Lark. 

After enjoying the first two books of the Whimbrel House Series, I was excited to read a standalone by the author. The cover and the premise are alluring, too! 

The story begins with a prologue, introducing the MC in her younger days and setting the stage for her adventures six years later. The world-building starts with a bang. Imagine a city under the bridge with complex lifts, cramped apartments, and dark spaces. The complex caste system was also interesting. 

We also see the MC’s special ability and get a teaser about her past. As the story progresses, the teaser turns into repetition. While new information is revealed, it comes with a lot of repetitive statements. In fact, the entire book is so full of repetition that it could have easily been 40 pages shorter. 

Even the world-building takes a hit. There seems to be a lot of information, but very little is useful. Lark cooks so many times, yet we hardly know what she cooks except ‘meat’, which could be any meat! She nibbles on some fruit disks, but there isn’t much info about those either. 

The first quarter is quite interesting, while the second has a lot of going around in circles with some love and romance thrown in. The priorities shift to romance and continue this way. I’m glad I could guess who the love interest would be. Could have been awkward otherwise. Also, I have a few doubts about erm… based on the descriptions. 

The narration is slow-paced, which I expected. However, it doesn’t gain momentum even in the second half. Instead, the pacing is slow throughout, and things happen fast in the end, with a lot of detail left out. 

Even with Lark being the narrator, I couldn’t empathize much with her. In fact, I liked Azmar more (makes sense in a way) and even Unach. Still, it would have been nice to connect with Lark a little more, given that she goes through so much. The rest of the characters are pretty much flat. 

The last quarter started out great, and I was excited for the big face-off between Lark and her Daddy Dangerous (the villain). We see him for a while (not enough personality, duh!), but then… that’s it. I don’t want to reveal spoilers, but it was disappointing. 

The most important scene happens off the page because the POV comes in Lark’s first person, and her current obsession is her love interest. Moreover, our MC keeps pushing herself to her limits, which means she faints quite a few times. It’s a convenient plot device but shouldn’t be overused. 

The book’s priorities may have shifted midway through. I thought it would be about Lark facing her past and having a future. While she does face her past, there isn’t much (psychological) healing as such. Things wrap up real soon (though we already wasted too much time in repetition). 

And that ending… I can see the appeal, but this book could have benefitted from an epilogue, no matter how unrealistic the situation. Also, the decision is quite risky, and we are almost where we began, but with a plus one. Will there be a book two? Doesn’t seem possible, but who knows! 

The author’s note explains that she wrote 2/3rds of the story in 2019 before working on another series and got back to finish this recently. That explains why the book suffers from these issues. Her writing style and preferences (very likely) changed during this period. So the theme shifted from a ‘coming of age escape/ revenge plot’ to a ‘love story with some drama’. The number of buts in the review should give you an idea about how the book promises potential and doesn't deliver. 

To summarize, The Hanging City is a decent fantasy romance and a standalone with an open ending (some readers will love it). It’s got its moments and can be a light read despite the darkish contents. 

Thank you, NetGalley and 47North, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

 4.2 Stars
 

Josh Bell, a twelve-year-old, and his twin brother Jordan are great basketball players. The book is about how they deal with the changes in their lives on and off the court. It’s about the game, family, relationships, friendships, etc. The story is written in verse and comes in Josh’s first-person POV. 

This is a quick yet poignant read showcasing Josh’s confidence, his love for basketball and his family, and how he tries to navigate the changes in their lives. The voice goes from cocky to vulnerable as his twin brother gets a girlfriend and his father’s health issues crop up too often. Josh’s reactions are instinctive, impulsive, and exactly like that of a tween. The story gets heavier towards the end but still manages to close on a hopeful note.  

The verses border on rap, especially when Josh talks about the game. His passion comes through, and even I was excited about it (basketball isn’t my thing, TBH). The writing flows well and has enough humor for kids to enjoy. However, it doesn’t shy away from discussing important topics in a way kids would understand. 

In short, it’s a heartwarming book. 

 4 Stars

The Mistletoe Gardens is set to be demolished in the coming January to make space for a real estate venture. Folkhornton is aghast. How can their beloved garden with such a legend (you’ll have a year full of happiness if you kiss your love under the mistletoe in the garden) be destroyed by the council? 

Local baker Essie Browne announces a mega Christmas celebration as a goodbye to the Mistletoe Gardens. She plans to make a huge gingerbread house that will attract people from all over to visit the event. However, Essie has no idea how to get this done. 

Joss Hallissey, aka Joseph Hallissey Jr. (don’t call him that), is a grumpy local builder who wants nothing to do with the event or the townfolk. However, he agrees to help Essie after some persuasion. Can the two make it happen, or will the Mistletoe Gardens not even get a last goodbye? 

The story comes in Essie’s first-person POV. 

This is my second book by the author, and I enjoyed it more than the first. I also see a few common themes in both. 

Essie and Joss are sunshine vs. grumpy at the initial glance, but soon, we realize that both are dealing with personal issues. While Joss’s issues seem heavier, it’s clear the two complement each other very well. I like both of them. 

Though this is a small-town book where the community members have good roles, the focus is more on the main lead and the mega gingerbread house. We see them know more about each other, become friends, and maybe more. 

The scenes with baking are, of course, my favorite. I always love reading about cakes, cookies, and icing. The side characters are decent; some better than others. Essie’s mom can feel like surviving a dust storm. She’s a go-getter with endless energy, and let’s say even reading about her can be a little tiring at times. It helps establish one of the themes in the book – comparing children to their parents and expecting them to be the same. 

Little Rob is such a cute addition! He (I’m assuming the gender) even gets to be on the cover. Isn’t that super sweet? 

The narration is slow. The story moves at a languid pace. Repetition doesn’t help (this happens in the other book too). The story feels a little too long at times. I wouldn’t have minded if it was short by some 20-30 pages. 

However, I like how the main leads have enough time to spend with each other to talk and heal. It’s sort of a slow burn with enough bits of humor. I chuckled and laughed quite a few times throughout the book. 

There is a mini third-act breakup. I was afraid of this, but the issue was handled well towards the end. There are a few lighthearted and funny moments, even during this stage. It balances out things to a good extent. 

The solution to the core issue is thoughtful and sensible. It provides a rounded solution where the past and present co-exist while also being practical enough to generate money for the council. After all, communities need money to survive. 

The tidbits about gingerbread (and gingerbread houses) at the beginning of each chapter are a great idea. I tend to skip quotes under the chapter titles, but not in this one. I read each of them. 

It’s a clean romance with some kisses towards the end. The characters do go touchy-feely a lot (it was the same in the other book, too). Since I like touch as a love language, I enjoyed these scenes in both books. It may not work for everyone. 

To summarize, The Gingerbread House in Mistletoe Gardens is a sweet, heartwarming, Christmasy book dealing with second chances, love, healing, self-confidence, and small-town communities. 

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

#NetGalley #TheGingerbreadHouseinMistletoeGardens 

*** 

P.S.: I wish Beryl would crochet me a Santa zombie hat or a gingerbread vampire. Her creativity is next level!