Amelia
Set in 1960’s London A hilarious mix of elder Jamaican immigrants. The mix of ornery, and hilarious characters made this mystery even better! Ms. Hortense is a retired nurse who observes and sees all things and is afraid of Noone which makes her the perfect detective! She was the head of this group (Pardner) which is an informal organization savings where everyone contributes and takes turns collecting. She has since been ostracized and now some 30 years later the death of a prominent member has brought Ms. Hortense back in the spotlight.
Secrets, lies, stolen identities keep you on your toes till the very last page
Set in 1960’s London A hilarious mix of elder Jamaican immigrants. The mix of ornery, and hilarious characters made this mystery even better! Ms. Hortense is a retired nurse who observes and sees all things and is afraid of Noone which makes her the perfect detective! She was the head of this group (Pardner) which is an informal organization savings where everyone contributes and takes turns collecting. She has since been ostracized and now some 30 years later the death of a prominent member has brought Ms. Hortense back in the spotlight.
Secrets, lies, stolen identities keep you on your toes till the very last page
A sweet, poignant story of grief and loss. Grace’s husband Tim has died from cancer and Henry’s wife Brynne die from a plane crash. They both are devastated and trying to live with the pain. It’s almost the 1st holiday season without their respective spouses. Their mothers introduce them to each other and with a back drop of holiday movies they both navigate the pain and complication of grief. A cast of precocious children, nosy but kind neighbors- the author navigates grief, sadness and manages to make us chuckle a few times. 3.5stars
A sweet, poignant story of grief and loss. Grace’s husband Tim has died from cancer and Henry’s wife Brynne die from a plane crash. They both are devastated and trying to live with the pain. It’s almost the 1st holiday season without their respective spouses. Their mothers introduce them to each other and with a back drop of holiday movies they both navigate the pain and complication of grief. A cast of precocious children, nosy but kind neighbors- the author navigates grief, sadness and manages to make us chuckle a few times. 3.5stars
A confusing but interesting account of the life of a young woman -Catalina who finds herself stuck as an “illegal” immigrant. Brought to the US by her grand parents at 7, after the death of her parents in a car crash she finds that her reality is different from that of her rich white classmates in Harvard. This secret of hers is killing, and isolating her because she is unable to be vulnerable with friends and lovers. Her life is complicated in the way the life of children living astride 2 cultures often is. Some of her life decisions are self destructive and leave the reader wondering why. A short 3 star read.
A confusing but interesting account of the life of a young woman -Catalina who finds herself stuck as an “illegal” immigrant. Brought to the US by her grand parents at 7, after the death of her parents in a car crash she finds that her reality is different from that of her rich white classmates in Harvard. This secret of hers is killing, and isolating her because she is unable to be vulnerable with friends and lovers. Her life is complicated in the way the life of children living astride 2 cultures often is. Some of her life decisions are self destructive and leave the reader wondering why. A short 3 star read.
I found the MC so incredibly frustrating. I couldn’t decide if I wanted to throttle her or if I wanted to drive her to a therapist’s office immediately. Maybe both! Jane is obsessed with the “story” that she’s not enough, not loveable and even when there are opposing ideas that prove the story wrong she refuses to see it. I believe we are all a little like Jane, and maybe that’s why it was so hard to read. Ms. Monaghan did do a fantastic job getting us inside the MC’s overthinking often anxiety ridden thoughts. And I appreciate her writing for that.
2.75 stars
I found the MC so incredibly frustrating. I couldn’t decide if I wanted to throttle her or if I wanted to drive her to a therapist’s office immediately. Maybe both! Jane is obsessed with the “story” that she’s not enough, not loveable and even when there are opposing ideas that prove the story wrong she refuses to see it. I believe we are all a little like Jane, and maybe that’s why it was so hard to read. Ms. Monaghan did do a fantastic job getting us inside the MC’s overthinking often anxiety ridden thoughts. And I appreciate her writing for that.
2.75 stars
A sweet, poignant story of grief and loss. Grace’s husband Tim has died from cancer and Henry’s wife Brynne die from a plane crash. They both are devastated and trying to live with the pain. It’s almost the 1st holiday season without their respective spouses. Their mothers introduce them to each other and with a back drop of holiday movies they both navigate the pain and complication of grief. A cast of precocious children, nosy but kind neighbors- the author navigates grief, sadness and manages to make us chuckle a few times. 3.5stars
A sweet, poignant story of grief and loss. Grace’s husband Tim has died from cancer and Henry’s wife Brynne die from a plane crash. They both are devastated and trying to live with the pain. It’s almost the 1st holiday season without their respective spouses. Their mothers introduce them to each other and with a back drop of holiday movies they both navigate the pain and complication of grief. A cast of precocious children, nosy but kind neighbors- the author navigates grief, sadness and manages to make us chuckle a few times. 3.5stars
