Pam
I want to thank Kensington Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of A Murder Most French. All opinions presented here are my own.
4.5 stars rounded up to 5
I loved reading this book! If only life and responsibilities hadn't gotten in the way, I would have read it in a day. I may have enjoyed A Murder Most French a little more than Mastering the Art of French Murder. For my review of Mastering the Art of French Murder, click here.
A Murder Most French is the second book in the An American in Paris series. The series is set in post-war Paris and focuses on Tabitha Knight, a 30-something woman trying to find herself and what she wants from life. Tabitha has become fast friends with a neighbor who lives across from her, an American. That friend? Someone by the name of Julia Child, yes, that Julia Child. While Julia is not the story's main character, she adds a terrific dimension. The author states that many of Child's actions are true to life, but many others are not. You'll just have to read the series to determine which is which.
The second installment picks up Tabitha's adventures mere weeks after the conclusion of the first installment. I don't think you would have to read Mastering the Art of French Murder to understand the story, but why wouldn't you?
A Murder Most French has an expanded cast of characters. You see Tabitha going to the market with Julia and their interactions with many of the vendors. There are also more wonderful interactions with Inspecteur Merveille.
Alas, again, I shall mourn the book's lack of recipes. I know I could research them and find several variations, but I would still love to have the ones Julia made in the book. No matter what, you will find yourself hungry while reading. And when you're preparing your food, you may think, “What would Julia do?” I know I certainly did.
Do you enjoy reading cozy mysteries? What about historical fiction? Books that feature real people? What about delicious food and beautiful descriptions? Then what are you waiting for? Get yourself a copy of A Murder Most French!
4.5 stars rounded up to 5
I want to thank Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of The Woman with No Name. All opinions presented here are my own.
At first, I was slow to read this novel. Some of it was because of time restrictions, and some of it was because parts of the story felt sluggish and slow. But the more I allowed myself to become immersed in the book, the more enjoyable I found it.
Two things that drew me to this book were that the main character is a woman who has been overlooked due to her “advanced” age (as if 44 is old!) and that she wants to make a difference. She wants to be known for more than just her husband's wife or daughter's mother. Those two things made me want to know more about Yvonne Rudellat.
As Yvonne does her best in France, she meets and becomes friends with people like her. They are invisible due to their bland appearances, age, and occupation. Yes, a few of her friends come from elite backgrounds, but as such, they are overlooked by the occupiers.
Reading a book set during World War II that did not showcase or solely focus on young adults was refreshing. Yvonne is in her forties, though she is passing as a thirtysomething. Several of her friends are of similar ages or older. So many books in this period focus on characters in their early to mid-twenties.
As the story progresses, you can feel the tension build. You feel the stress and worry that Yvonne feels. Yvonne even feels pangs of regret as the end nears. Regret for being unable to tell her daughter where she is and what she's doing. Regret for not mending fences when she had the chance. But not regretting what she had done and had to do. Yvonne was fighting for her home and the people there.
If you enjoy reading historical fiction set during World War II, especially if it's based on a true story, then you should read The Woman with No Name!
I stumbled across Laithland on my For You Page with her videos discussing her daughter's chaos lunches. Many of her videos are relatable to this mom of two. When I learned she was writing a book, I was happy for her and knew I wanted to read it.
Momma Cusses is an easy read, none of that technical jargon many parenting books contain. Laithland uses the same language in her book as she uses in her videos. She's down to earth, and no-nonsense. While some may find her use of some words offensive, the title of the book lets you know it's there without ever reading a one page.
Who is this book for? Any parent or parent-like person who is trying to raise the next generation. Trust me, this is a book you will appreciate having read.
Our Curse Love is an excellent look at what happens if we always worry about what the future holds instead of living in the here and now, as no one knows what the future holds. Remy has known Cam her entire life; they were born on the same day in the same hospital, only a few doors apart. She has loved him just as long. As they've gotten older, Remy has struggled with her feelings for Cam because she's afraid to lose him as her best friend if he doesn't feel the same towards her. Looking for guidance and hope, Remy gets a tea leaves reading done. When she doesn't get the answer she's hoping for, she turns to a magical apothecary for help. What happens next is the loss of what she's always loved.
Like many romances, YA or adult, if Cam and Remy had told each other the truth about their feelings before their trip to Tokyo, none of this would have happened. But if characters were to be open and honest about their feelings, there wouldn't be a book to write. Besides, how many times have you had strong feelings for someone special in your life, and you refused to tell them because you didn't want to lose the relationship you had? Especially when you were in high school?
I also enjoyed seeing Japan during Christmas, as the book is set December 23-January 1. Our Curse Love is a holiday read because of when the story is set. But the holidays are not the focus of the story. Nor are they a significant player in the story.
I'm unsure if I would consider this a companion to The Charmed List, which introduces readers to the characters. You could read this as a standalone, as there is minimal overlap between the two stories. In The Charmed List, you are introduced to Remy and Cam, but the focus of that story is Ellie and Jack.
If you are looking for a quick, magical read about our choices and how they impact our lives, give Our Cursed Love a read.
I want to thank Forever, Grand Central Publishing, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Canadian Boyfriend. All opinions presented here are my own.
CW/TW: grief, death of a spouse (off page), unhealthy relationship with food
Rory finds herself in a predicament when she meets Mike at the dance studio. Why? She met him years ago when she worked in the mall and made him into her fake Canadian boyfriend. He was the perfect excuse to miss out on things at school, things she was already missing. She forgot about him until she found herself face-to-face with Mike Martin, the hockey player all the moms in the studio are fawning over.
The book touches on topics not found in most romance novels, such as grief, mourning a lost childhood, an unhealthy relationship with food, and mental health. These topics are handled well. Nothing is pushed on the reader; it's just what the characters are dealing with while also dealing with their developing relationship.
Told in a dual POV, Canadian Boyfriend is a quick and easy romantic read. The first three-quarters of the book is fade to black. The events that happen in the last quarter, while not fade to black, aren't excessively detailed either.
If you enjoy reading slow-burn romance books that take time to develop, you should read Canadian Boyfriend. While this is my first Jenny Holiday novel, I don't think it will be my last!
