Darlene
After reading this book, I realize that I do not like books written from the male perspective when that male is a sexist womanizer.
Andrew narrates this story, and when we first meet him he is a major player. He never sleeps with the same woman more than once, and he does not do relationships. He is unapologetic about his womanizing ways. He meets Kate and decides immediately that he wants her. She is engaged, but that does not matter to him. He pursues her anyway. He basically sexually harrasses her at work knowing that he can get away with it because he is the boss's son. He refuses to take no for an answer and justifies it to himself by saying that women want to be pursued and wooed. I just cannot tolerate a character like this.
There are steamy scenes, but for me they are too crass. I actually find it hard to believe a woman wrote them. But then maybe they are just not to my taste.
Overall, I did not enjoy this book. The narrator was unlikable, and I could not root for him. I do not recommend this book.
In her book The Four Winds, Kristin Hannah has written another heartbreaking historical fiction novel that educates as well as entertains. The story of Elsa Martinelli's journey from unloved daughter to underappreciated wife and mother to brave warrior standing up for justice is beautifully told. While the story is difficult to read at times, it is worth it.
Elsa Martinelli and her children can no longer survive in the dust storms of Texas, so she packs them up and heads west in the hopes of finding work and a home in California. What she finds instead is discrimination, unfair wages, unlivable conditions, and back-breaking labor. Add to all this an angry daughter who challenges her constantly, and you end up with a woman almost completely beaten by life. However, Elsa finds the strength to keep working in an attempt to provide for her children.
This book is hard to read, not because it is poorly written or boring but because it is so incredibly sad. It contains one sorrowful event after another. Injustice is followed by more injustice. After surviving hardship in Texas, the characters face worse hardships in California. While reading, I kept hoping to see something good for these characters, but instead there was just more sadness. Honestly, I almost stopped reading it because it was depressing me. I kept reading, though, because I was invested in the characters.
Kristin Hannah is talented at developing characters. Each main character in this book (Elsa, Loreda, Jack) is vividly depicted. Elsa and Loreda's emotions are believable and understandable in their circumstances. The reader develops real sympathy for them.
This story is one of survival, bravery, and love. The characters persevere through the worst of circumstances, and they do so without losing sight of who they are. They stumble at times and almost give up or stop believing in themselves, but they fight their way back and find a way to keep going. Love is the one constant that helps them through it all. As Elsa states in her journal, “Love is what remains when everything else is gone.” Love for her children is what makes Elsa a warrior in this book, fighting for a better life for them. She “believes in an end she can't see and fights for it.”
I did not love every second of this read because of the sadness, but in the end I recognize the beauty of this book. This tale is well-crafted and teaches some valuable lessons. It also educates the reader about a very grim time in history. I would recommend this book to all Kristin Hannah fans and any historical fiction reader that appreciates a well-researched and well-constructed story. Just be prepared to be emotionally impacted.
After reading Next Year in Havana, I was excited to learn that there are companion novels to that book that continue to tell the story of the Perez family. In this second book about the Perez sisters, the reader follows Beatriz Perez. Of all the Perez sisters, she is the most rebellious and outspoken. Her story is full of adventure and intrigue, making this an entertaining read.
Beatriz Perez and her family were forced to leave Cuba when Castro's regime took control. Beatriz will not be satisfied until her country is free of Castro's reign and she and the other exiled Cubans can return home. She risks her reputation and her life to actively participate in campaigns to end Castro.
I like Beatriz as a character. She is a strong-willed woman who does not want to settle for a life as a wife when she has bigger ambitions. She also wants to take action against the injustices in her home country rather than just settle into her new comfortable life and forget about the struggles still faced by her fellow Cubans. I respect that. I do not, however, like the love affair in which she becomes involved. It is not healthy, and I feel that it weakens her as a character.
As with the first book in this series of companion novels, I enjoyed learning more about the history of Cuba and the American involvement in it. There are references to the Bay of Pigs event and the Cuban Missile Crisis. This is a part of American history that I feel is not explored enough in history classes, so I appreciate that it is included here in this book.
I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it to fans of historical fiction, especially those that have read and loved Next Year in Havana. I do not find it is quite as good as the first, but it is still an excellent book.
This story of three sisters in a downtrodden, seemingly hopeless city is surprisingly uplifting and enjoyable. In One Two Three, Frankel explores what happens to the lives and the spirits of individuals when their city and their health are ruined by big industry. Despite the serious subject matter, Frankel injects love, humor, and hope into her story.
Mab, Monday, and Mirabel are triplets. They call themselves One, Two, and Three. Mae is an average teenager, while Monday and Mirabel both live with disabilities that are a result of a poisoned water supply. Belsum Chemicals released a toxic chemical into the river of the city Bourne back before the girls were born, which resulted in many illnesses, death, lost limbs, and disabilities for the citizens of Bourne. The company left Bourne and never compensated the citizens for the damage it caused. Now, Belsum wants to reopen the plant, and the young people of Bourne are not having it. The sisters seek to stop the company from reopening and further damaging their city.
The story is told from the perspectives of Mab, Monday, and Mirabel. The chapters alternate from one sister to the next and are titled One, Two, or Three depending on which sister is narrating. I have to admit, this structure was confusing at first, making it hard to tell how far along in the book you are. However, after you adjust to it, it flows well. Each sister has a distinct voice and view on matters. I particularly enjoy the perspective of Monday, who appears to suffer from some form of autism or Asperger's. Her blunt honesty is refreshing. Her observations of others brings some humor into the story at times.
The theme of big industry versus common citizens is developed throughout much of the novel. Belsum is the enemy of the people, but the people also need Belsum to bring jobs back to the city. It becomes a struggle between getting justice and just surviving. The young people of the town take up the fight for justice because the adults have to think about jobs and money. This “David and Goliath” theme is not unique, but it is presenting in a new way here.
Overall, I really liked this story. The characters are well-developed and interesting. They are likable, making the reader root for them. While the pacing is a bit slow at times, the plot line keeps the reader engaged and develops good themes.
I saw this book on NetGalley, and the description piqued my interest. I didn't know what to expect from this author, but I can say I am pleased with my decision to request this book. The story is charming and fun with likeable characters and a sweet romance.
Mia is a self-proclaimed geek who has moved to Manchester to escape a bad relationship. Luke owns the bar attached to Mia's apartment building, and he lives in the flat across the courtyard from Mia. Mia enjoys watching him workout every morning from her window. After they meet in the bar, they start sharing messages in their windows. Because of Mia's past bad relationship, she is reluctant to form a romantic connection with Luke, so they become friends. However, the chemistry is undeniable, and Luck is determined to woo Mia.
I really enjoyed the characters in this book. Mia is very down to earth and comfortable in her skin. She does not feel the need to impress other people with the way she dresses or behaves. Luke is also very likeable. Though he is a bit of player, he does not deceive anyone about who he is or motives. He is a single dad devoted to his daughter. I found his kind-hearted nature very endearing. There are several side characters that are also quite likeable and charming. Even the “villain” of the story ends up being a decent person in the end.
The “friends to lovers” trope is done well in this book. It is not a trope I often enjoy, but the relationship between Mia and Luke is fun to read about. As with many romances, there are moments that annoyed me because of characters being stubborn or letting past situations cloud their judgment. Even so, I really enjoyed watching the romance develop.
Overall, I think this is a solid contemporary romance. I would recommend it to fans of the “friends to lovers” trope.
This set of three short stories centered around Christmas is somewhat cute, but not very memorable. The stories are each quite short; therefore, they are not developed as well as one would hope. For me, they rate as just okay.
Only one of the stories stands out to me. I honestly don't remember what each one is titled. In the one I remember well, a young woman befriends her elderly neighbor at Christmas time, and through him she meets a handsome man who she ends up attracted to.
As one would expect with Christmas romcom stories, each story has a happy ending and couples are formed. It is a light, easy read for Christmas time. If a reader is just looking for something cute but ultimately forgettable, these story are the right fit.
I'm not normally a fantasy reader, but I love this book. The first book in the series, The Bear and the Nightingale, moved at a very slow pace for me, and I struggled through the first half of that book. I ended up liking it, but it was not a fully enjoyable read. This sequel, however, is an enjoyment from start to finish.
In this second book of the Winternight series, the heroine Vasya has left home to find adventure and see more of the world. Along the way, she helps to save young girls from bandits and gets rewarded by the Grand Prince of Moscow. There's just one catch; no one but her siblings knows she is a girl. She must pretend to be a boy or else get locked away in a tower with the other women. In the meantime, a new evil threatens the kingdom, and only Vasya knows how to stop it.
I love the development of Vasya in this book. She gets to be herself, though ironically she must pretend to be a man to do so. The reader can see her wild spirit growing. She is a captivating character. Her relationship with the Frost demon Morozko develops into something much more intense in this second book. He is depicted in a much more human way in this part of their tale. I enjoyed the scenes involving the two of them.
The setting of the books in this series is magical. The winter landscape is depicted so thoroughly that I almost found myself feeling cold while reading. It is a perfect book to read in the winter.
Overall, I enjoyed this second book better than the first, but I would recommend both of them. If you like magic and folklore in your reading, this book will not disappoint.
When I sat down to read this book, I wanted a light, cozy, fun Christmas read. This book definitely delivered on that. Set in a small town in England during Christmas, this story is perfect for a cozy Winter read.
Kate Turner had yet to find her Mr. Right, so her best friend convinces her to sign up for a dating service's “Twelve Dates of Christmas” event, which will send her on twelve dates with different men. Her childhood friend Matt, owner of the town's cafe, thinks these dates are risky, but Kate is open to having fun and possibly meeting someone she would want to pursue a relationship with. The story follows Kate on these dates, some disastrous and some promising, while also exploring her friendship with Matt.
Honestly, the plot line is pretty predictable. I knew from the beginning who Kate would end up with. This did not, however, ruin my enjoyment of the story. The dates are often funny, even though sometimes complete failures. The characters are entertaining, especially Kate's married best friend. The town is charming with lovable residents. It is just plain fun to read.
I do not love the ending. I feel that much of the story is well-developed, but the ending feels rushed. It ends the way I predicted it would, but it would not have bothered me so much if the resolution had been given enough time feel complete. That being said, I still ended the book feeling happy that I read it.
I would recommend this book to readers looking for a cozy and fun Christmas read with small town vibes. It was a thoroughly enjoyable experience for me.
Wow! I absolutely love this book. I was expecting a romance novel, but I was surprised by how much historical fiction is involved in this story. I learned a great deal about Cuba that I didn't already know, so that makes this book a great historical fiction read for me.
The book has two storylines that take place in different time periods. In present day, Marisol is returning to Havana to spread her grandmother's ashes in her homeland. In the 1958 timeline, Marisol's grandmother Elisa, then a young woman, is living through the revolution that leads to Fidel Castro's reign in Cuba. Marisol's visit to Cuba is eye opening for her. She learns much about the still tumultuous political climate in Cuba after Castro's death while also discovering the truth about Elisa's romance with a revolutionary.
Both storylines involve a romance. For me, the romance from the past storyline is more interesting and engaging. Elisa's relationship is both inspiring and heartbreaking. Marisol's romance in the present day timeline develops a bit quickly for my likely. It feels less authentic. However, it is through that relationship that the reader learns a lot about the current climate of Cuba.
My favorite part of this book is the history that it teaches. There is a lot to learn from the events depicted in this story. I appreciate that it is written by someone whose family lived through some of the events described in the book. After reading this story, I want to research more about Cuba's history.
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I didn't expect to love it as much as I do. I would highly recommend it any reader who enjoys historical fiction and wants to learn a bit more about Cuba's culture and history.
It is a joy to revisit Moose Springs, Alaska, when reading Mistletoe and Mr. Right. In the first book in the series, The Tourist Attraction, the reader is introduced to Lana Montgomery as a secondary character. In this second book, Lana is the main character and experiences her own love story that both challenges and grounds her.
This story follows the budding relationship between Lana Montgomery, the wealthy woman who has invested in Moose Springs' development, and Rick Harding, local bar owner struggling to keep his business afloat. Though the majority of the town despises Lana and her money, Rick sees a side of her that he feels is worth loving. I find the two characters likable and fun. Their encounters together involve a good bit of humor, which I enjoy. Though they are very different, they are well-suited to each other because they balance each other. Rick is especially endearing due to his kind and gentle nature. His heart has been wounded, but he is willing to open himself up to love again.
My favorite aspect of the book is definitely the setting. Moose Springs, Alaska is a quirky and charming small town with a lovable cast of characters. I am excited to return there when the next book in the series is released.
The plot progresses at a good pace and keeps the reader engaged. There are a few plot instances that are a bit farfetched, but I find them quirky and fun rather than annoying. There are some things I would change about some events at the end because they seem cliched or unnecessary, but overall it has a solid and satisfying plot.
I really enjoyed reading this book and would highly recommend it to readers who enjoy small town settings and charming characters.
As a fan of historical fiction about World War II, I was very excited to read this book. I am glad that I did. From this well-written, engaging story, I learned about a group of women in history about whom I did not previously know, and I saw an interesting side of a Nazi doctor (fictionalized, but intriguing nonetheless).
The story follows three women during WWII and the years following the end of the war. Caroline is a New York socialite who uses her resources to assist families in France during the war. Kasia is a Polish girl working for the resistance who ends up in a Nazi concentration camp. Herta is a German doctor who takes a job at the same concentration camp and participates in experiments on young Polish prisoners. These three women's lives intersect in the book in both positive and negative ways.
The story of the Rabbits, a group of female Polish prisoners at Ravensbruck concentration camp, is upsetting yet very interesting to read. The abuse these young women suffered is inexcusable, and the author presents it in such a way that the reader can sympathize with the characters. The strength the women exhibit in the face of such atrocity is inspiring.
There is a romance in the book between Caroline and a French actor that I feel is unnecessary to the book. It does not seem to connect with the other characters' story lines, so it feels a little bit like fluff to me. It adds some drama to Caroline's story line, but that drama is just not cohesive with the rest of the book in my opinion. I kept waiting for it to tie in to the rest of the plot, but it just never did.
Overall, this was an educational and engaging book that sustained my interest throughout. I am very interested in reading more by this author.
This graphic novel gives me all the Fall feels! I love it!
In this book, Josiah and Deja are spending their last night working in the pumpkin patch before they head off to college the following year. Deja ropes Josiah into a mission to talk to his crush, the Fudge Shoppe girl. While on their mission, they experience all the joys and mishaps of the pumpkin patch and remember all the great times they have had working together.
The characters are sweet and charming. The setting is perfect for a Fall book. The graphics make the reader wish she were in that pumpkin patch along side the characters. What more can you ask for in a Fall graphic novel?
My only complaint is that it is too short. I want to live in this world a little longer.
This story about a vacation in a small town in Alaska is just the right amount of charm and romance. It is a thoroughly fun and engaging read.
Zoey Caldwell takes the trip of her dreams when she joins her wealthy friend Lana on a vacation to Moose Springs, Alaska. Moose Springs is a small town that does not like tourists much, even though tourism is the backbone of their economy. Graham Barnett is especially unwelcoming of tourists. That is until he meets Zoey. Graham breaks his strict “no tourists” policy and falls for Zoey's charms. But Zoey's time in Alaska is limited, so they have to ask themselves if it is worth risking their hearts when their time together will end so quickly.
The characters in this book are completely lovable. Graham is the perfect mix of grumpiness, humor, flirtation, and charm. It's hard not to love him. I mean, the guy considers a moose that is in love with his truck as one of his best friends. Sounds crazy, but it's actually super cute. And Zoey is perfectly clumsy, down to earth, sweet, and feisty. She falls in love with Alaska, and her excitement is contagious. I want to go to Alaska now! The two of them together are one of the cutest couples I've encountered in my reading.
I would have given this book 5 stars if not for the ending. I found it to be a bit too cheesy and formulaic for me. That being said, I still loved this book. I can't wait to read the next one in the series.
After enjoying The Whisper Man by Alex North, I was excited to read this next novel by him. Like The Whisper Man, The Shadows mixes mystery thriller and paranormal horror. It seemed like the perfect read for October. Unfortunately, I did not enjoy this one the way I did the previous book.
The book follows two points of view, a detective investigating a recent murder and a man who lived through a traumatic experience 25 years before. Paul Adams was once part of a group of boys who sought to control and escape into their dreams. Charlie Crabtree, the leader of this group, and another boy commit a heinous murder, and Crabtree disappears without a trace. In the present day, other boys are mimicking Crabtree's crime, which leads to the present day investigation. Could Crabtree still be alive and instigating these new murders? That question leads both the detective and Paul down a path that threatens lives.
The setting of the book is perfect for the story line. The town is rundown and desolate, which fits with the desperation of the characters. The woods, or The Shadows as the townsfolk call them, are massive, dark, and creepy. It feels completely possible that a ghost or other paranormal being could be roaming its depths.
I found the first half of this book very entertaining. The possible paranormal/supernatural element adds a spookiness to the book that I found enjoyable. The mystery of whether Crabtree is alive was also engaging. I was invested in finding out what was going on. However, when some things began to be revealed, I did not like the direction the story took. I found the reveal of the murderer to be un satisfying. The plot became to complex and convoluted for me. I would have preferred a more straightforward resolution.
In the end, I found the book to be just okay. I didn't care for the ending, so that lower my rating. However, I would recommend it as a dark and somewhat spooky read. It made for fun Halloween reading.
It is so nice to be able to return to Whistle Stop in this sequel to Fannie Flagg's Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe. I adored that first book, and I found this one to be just as endearing. While the first book had more mystery and intrigue, this one is pure nostalgia and charm.
The best thing about this book is the characters. The return of favorites from the first book makes the book nostalgic, while the new characters add another layer of interest to the plot. I loved revisiting Idgie and Bud, but I also fell in love with Bud's daughter Ruthie and her friend Evelyn.
The plot is a nice mixture of stories from the past involving Idgie and Bud when he was a child and stories of the learnt time involving Ruthie. The narrative switches often from present to past, but I didn't find it at all confusing. It keeps the plot interesting. There is also a pleasant mix of heartwarming storylines and humorous anecdotes.
I would highly recommend this book to readers who enjoyed the first book as well as anyone who likes a nostalgic, light-hearted read. It really touched my heart and gave me positive vibes. Great sequel!
In this romance, a woman moves across the country to spend the summer with the friend she secretly loves, only to find he is leaving on tour and has rented his room out to a stranger. Things get interesting when she discovers her new roommate is a porn star.
This is a fun book to read. The two main characters, Clara and Josh, have great chemistry. Reading about their flirtations is very entertaining. There are a few steamy scenes, but I enjoyed the development of their friendship the most.
The plot is pure fantasy. I didn't find it to be a very believable situation; however, I still enjoyed the read. I just had to remind myself that this kind of story isn't meant to be realistic.
Overall, it's an entertaining read that I would recommend for those looking to escape into a steamy romantic fantasy.
This book is the third in the Department Q series. This series revolves around a detective, Carl Morck, who works on cold cases. In this book, a message in bottle makes it way to Carl's desk. The message is very damaged, and the team must work out what it says because it is clear that it is a cry for help. This message leads Carl and his ragtag team on a quest to find a killer.
The members of Department Q are a quirky bunch. Carl is dealing with trauma from a shooting in which he was involved. In this installment of the series, he discovers something upsetting connected to that incident. Carl's attitude can be a bit frustrating sometimes, but his crankiness makes for some humorous moments. His two assistants, Assad and Rose, have their own strange traits as well. Assad has something in his past that seems suspicious, but he is a very entertaining character. His language barrier makes for some funny misunderstandings. He is quite loyal to Carl, which is admirable since Carl is not very kind to him most of the time. Rose is her own form of weird, but she is important to the success of the investigative team.
The plot of this book in the series is my least favorite so far. The main crimes in the book are odd and strangely motivated. The criminal has serious issues with religion and faith. The chapters dealing with his history and his motivations are tedious to read. There is too much detail for me. The book is over 500 pages, but I do not feel it needs to be. That being said, I did enjoy most of the book. I enjoyed all of the chapters that focused on Department Q because I find their personalities and relationships interesting.
This is definitely a 3 star book. I like it, but it is not the best in the series. If it were shorter with a little less focus on some of the more tedious characters and details, it would be much better.
I will start this review by stating that this book is dark and disturbing, so you have to like that if you are going to read it. Fortunately for me, I do enjoy an unsettling story, so this book is right up my alley. It is a beautifully written nightmare that will be one of the most memorable reads of the year for me.
The Butterfly Garden is the first book in The Collector series by Dot Hutchison. The story starts with the FBI interviewing a young woman named Maya, who has been rescued from captivity along with several other women. They were kidnapped and collected by “The Gardener” and kept as butterflies in his “garden.” Maya proceeds to tell the story of how she was captured, what happened to her and the other girls in the garden, and how they were saved.
This story is told from two perspectives, FBI agent Victor Hanoverian and Maya. Victor's sections give us insight into how Maya is perceived by others while Maya's sections reveal the horrors through which she lived and their impact on her. I find Maya to be a very captivating narrator during her sections of the book. Maya's story is not for the faint of heart. She is a damaged young woman before entering the garden, and her treatment there is horrifying. It is important to know going into this book that there is sexual assault in the book. It is amazing that Maya has not broken by the time she leaves captivity. As the reader can see as the book begins, Maya has come out of her ordeal strong and remarkably stable. She is able to calmly tell of the atrocities she and the other girls faced while in the garden. This calmness casts suspicion on her involvement in the crimes committed and creates some suspense in the plot.
The writing is often lyrical and beautiful. It is a stark contrast with the horrific details in the plot, and I find this juxtaposition appealing. The author is very good at lulling the reader into a sense of calm even in the midst of a nightmare situation. There were moments when I found myself wondering at the beauty of the garden and the butterfly wings even though I knew they were a prison. That manipulation as a writer takes some skill. She even had me questioning my feelings about some of the captors.
The one drawback to the story for me is the ending. There is a “twist” added at the end that I feel is unnecessary, and it somewhat detracts from my appreciation of the story.
While the story moves a bit slow at some points, I found it overall to be an engaging read. I would recommend it to readers that like their stories dark and twisty, but beautifully written.
Imagine a holiday trip that goes badly awry. Wouldn't it be great if the universe would grant you a “do over”? In Christina Lauren's new book In a Holidaze, Maelyn Jones gets that second chance. The universe sends her back in time to relive her Christmas vacation. The resulting story takes us on a “Groundhog Day” style journey that is quite entertaining.
Every year, Maelyn and her family join the families of her parents' college friends at a cabin in Utah. The first time Maelyn lives through this holiday, she engages in a romantic mishap that she immediately regrets and that has the potential to ruin her chances at the relationship she really wants. When she wishes for the universe to show her what will make her happy, she wakes up back on the plane five days earlier with an opportunity to fix the error she made. She also has to make sure she does not mess things up worse than before.
The characters in this book are charming, funny, and very relatable. Maelyn starts the story as a woman who is a little lost in life. She doesn't love her job, she is back living with her parents, and she is in love with a family friend that she has known all her life but who does not see her as a romantic prospect. Through her repeated attempts at the Christmas holiday, she learns to take more control of her life. She has good growth as a character. The main love interest is presented as an almost “too good to be true” guy. However, that fact doesn't annoy me. He is extremely likable as are most of the characters in the book. I cannot really think of one character I do not like. They all add something good to the storyline.
The plot itself is interesting and kept me engaged in the book. The time travel aspect is obviously unbelievable, but I don't mind it too much since it is the whole premise of the book. It does not distract from the enjoyment of the romance in the book.
The Christmas setting is secondary to the romantic and family relationships, but it provides a nice backdrop. I always find it enjoyable to read about Christmas traditions and activities, and the ones in this book are fun and memorable.
I ended up rating this book 4 stars. I thoroughly enjoyed the romance and the family interactions. The Christmas setting was not kitschy or overdone, which I appreciate. I would definitely recommend this book to readers who love a Christmas romance mixed with a little bit of magic.
“A love story can be described, but it's truly known to only two people. They share the first accidental brush of fingertips, every sigh and private joke. They dance to the same music in their hearts for a lifetime.”
This book is at its core a love story. It depicts love of many kinds - love between man and woman, love between parent and child, love between friends. Some of the love in this book is not healthy or fulfilling, but there are enough examples of love that is uplifting and enduring to leave the reader with hope.
Ronni, a nurse working at an assisted living facility in Alabama, forms a bond with Violet, an elderly woman with a rich life story full of romance and heartbreak. When Violet dies, she leaves Ronni a large sum of money in her will with the stipulation that Ronni must write a book about Violet's life story. Through the process of writing this book, Ronni learns a lot about both Violet and herself and confronts some of her own demons.
The book is written in dual timelines with two perspectives, Ronni's and Violet's. Ronni's chapters take place in the present and focus on her journey writing Violet's story. Violet's chapters chronicle her life and loves starting in the late 1940s through her death right before the novel begins. Violet is a vivacious woman who loves and is loved by many men. Her chapters focus most on her romances. The two perspectives are easy to follow. Personally, I found Violet's story more interesting to read, but that is likely because her life was filled with drama. I did enjoy watching Ronni's story unfold too, though. She experiences growth in her character that I found satisfying.
There are some aspects of the plot that I found to be a little too contrived, so that lowered my rating. Violet's character also seems a bit overdone at times. Ronni is a more realistic character. I found the twist about a character at the end of the book interesting but a little unnecessary.
Overall, I am happy to have read this book. It was engaging and full of interesting characters. There is a theme of enduring love that is endearing. I recommend this book to readers who like a mix of romance and family drama.
When I began reading this book, I had high expectations based on the rave reviews. The synopsis also caught my interest. The book took me about a week to read, and my opinion shifted several times during the reading, finally landing on an overall rating of 3.5.
Long Bright River is a story about two sisters in Philadelphia living amidst an opioid crisis. Mickey Fitzpatrick, the narrator, is a patrol cop on the streets of a neighborhood plagued by drug addiction, prostitution, and crime. Mickey's sister Kacey is one of the many women suffering from addiction that work this neighborhood. Mickey and Kacey no longer have a relationship; however, when women start turning up murdered in the neighborhood, Mickey becomes concerned for her sister, who has not been seen in over a month. The story follows Mickey as she investigates the murders on her own while searching for her sister.
There is a lot to like about this book. The characters are well-developed and compassionately depicted. Mickey is developed most since the book is told from her point of view. Moore reveals both her positive and negative traits creating a character who feels very real. The same is true for Kacey, even though she is not seen much in the book until the end. The portrayal of her addiction is done sympathetically, yet without sugar coating or excusing it. The effects it has had on Mickey and her family are depicted in a manner that seems quite real and honest.
The mystery in this book is not the dominant storyline. It is more of an outlet through which the reader learns a lot about Mickey and Kacey's family drama and troubled relationships. There are some good twists in the second half of the book that are interesting and engaging.
The author has a distinctive writing style. The dialogue is not indicated by quotation marks, which was hard to get used to at first. However, after some time I barely noticed it. There are also no traditional chapters (no numbers or headings). The sections of the book are easy to recognize, though, and many of them are short, so the book moves along pretty well. The story has a dual timeline in which Mickey flashes back to the past when she and Kacey were growing up.
So if there's so much to like about the book, why is my rating only 3.5? I found the beginning of the book lacking in action. I am not saying this is a bad thing in general, but I struggled to remain interested for the first quarter of the book. I stuck with the book, though, because of its great reviews. I also found the end of the book a bit anticlimactic. It just does not feel like a story that is going to stick with me. It is good; but I do not feel wowed by it.
Would I recommend this book to other readers? Definitely! It is a good read that explores some serious topics. Readers who enjoy hard-hitting stories with family drama and a bit of mystery will enjoy this one.
This book was exactly what I needed at the time I picked it up. I needed something light and fun, and that's exactly what I got. This second book in the Bromance Book Club series is a delightful read.
In this story, Braden Mack, founder of the Bromance Book Club, finds himself entangled in a plot with feisty pastry chef Liv to destroy a womanizer who is victimizing his employees. Mack and Liv are like oil and water at first, but as things progress they find themselves enjoying each others company a lot more than either of them expected.
Both characters in this book have issues with trust, so it makes falling in love a bit of a challenge. Both have been scarred by past events focused around their fathers. Neither of them wants to let their guard down at first, but they begin to get past each other's walls. I enjoyed seeing their relationship grow.
As in the first book, the men of the Bromance Book Club add both humor and warmth to the story. I'm excited to see which one of them is the main character in the next book in the series.
I highly recommend this one for anyone looking for a fun contemporary romance.
Wow! When I think of the thriller genre in the future, this book will be the first one that comes to mind. What a wild, nerve-wracking experience! Once the action started, I did not want to stop reading.
Darby Thorne is a university student traveling home during a snowstorm because she has just received bad news about her mother's health. When the storm gets too bad to continue driving, she stops at a rest area where she finds four other people also trapped by the storm. While trying to locate a cell signal, she stumbles across a horrifying situation. A young girl is tied up and caged inside a minivan. That is where the nail-biting experience begins. Darby must now determine who is the kidnapper as well as try to find a way to save this child.
Darby is a believable character. She is not normally a hero. In fact, she has not been a very good daughter or overall person, in her estimation. She is not usually brave, but she takes on the kidnapper without hesitation because a little girl's life is on the line. She makes a lot of mistake like anyone would, but she keeps fighting. I find that admirable.
The twists and turns of this story line are well-crafted. There were many things that I did not see coming, which is obviously important in a thriller. I am very satisfied with the plot events and the ending.
Overall, this is one of the best thrillers I have read this year. I would highly recommend it!
This was my first Agatha Christie book, and I really enjoyed it. Christie has an engaging writing style that I found entertaining. Her method of presenting the crime and then methodically eliminating suspects is quite satisfying. I liked that I could not determine the killer myself.
Miss Marple is an amusing character. I was surprised that the narrative is not told from her point of view. I thought since it is advertised as a Miss Marple mystery that she would tell the story. I guess it is better that she does not narrate. It adds to the mystery because the reader does not know her thoughts until she reveals them.
After reading this book, I definitely plan to read more Agatha Christie mysteries.
I really wanted to like this book, and there are aspects of it I enjoyed while reading. However, the stereotyped and often annoying secondary characters kept ruining my enjoyment.
In this book, Luc is the mildly famous son of an old rock star who needs a respectable boyfriend to keep his job. Rather than fight against the obvious discrimination of the situation, Luc decides to get a fake boyfriend who is an “acceptable” gay. To this end, he begins dating Oliver, a controlling, sometimes uptight lawyer. Of course, as in any hate to love fake dating story, they develop real feelings for each other before conflicts arise and threaten their budding relationship. You know, the standard plot.
I actually liked the relationship between Luc and Oliver. They are good for each other, and the chapters early on that deal with their romance are good. However, the conflicts that arise between them later on in the book are unnecessary. They do not seem like real-life conflicts that would actually cause couples to break up. In all fairness, I find this a problem in many romance books.
My main problem with this book is the secondary characters. I absolutely despise Luc's coworkers and some of his friends. They are portrayed as ridiculous stereotypes, especially his coworkers. They are utterly clueless, and it's just annoying. I do not believe that any one person would have that many ridiculous people in his life.
If this book had been shorter and had eliminated the frustrating side characters, I might have enjoyed the read. As it is, I cannot rate it any higher than 2 stars.