Pam
4.5 stars rounded up to 5
I want to thank Little, Brown and Company, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Holmes Marple & Poe. All opinions presented here are solely mine.
CW/TW: drug use, drug abuse, kidnapping, murder, suicidal tendency, death, mistreatment of dead bodies
Let me clear the air straight away. I added this book to my TBR as soon as I saw the title. Why? How could I not given the characters' names are some of the most recognizable names in literature? While reading Holmes Marple and Poe, I was impressed with the details of the main three characters and how they were very similar to their namesakes.
My jaw dropped when I first saw how many chapters were in the book. Why? Because there are over 100. But they are short; some are only a page or two long. This makes it easy to say you will read only one more chapter and then read five more and not feel guilty. The short chapters also make it easy to put the book down if needed to take care of things outside the book, but who likes to do that?
It is easy to find yourself sucked into the book and not wanting to put it down! The pacing is terrific! At times, you feel like you are speeding along, and other times you're taking a leisurely stroll and enjoying the scenery.
Overall, if you are a fan of Holmes, Marple, or Poe you should read this. And, of course, if you are a fan of mysteries and thrillers, you should also read Holmes Marple and Poe. I look forward to reading more about these characters if a sequel shall happen.
4.5 rounded up to 5
I want to thank St. Martin's Griffin, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of On the Plus Side. All opinions presented here are solely mine.
CW/TW: body shaming, fatphobia, death (off-page), animal death (off-page/character's experience)
Where was this book when I was younger? I ask that because I have always been on the bigger side and always tried to hide in the shadows versus being in the spotlight. Like Everly, I was the center of teasing and bullying by classmates when I was younger. As such, I would pull back and try to stay out of their sight. It didn't always work; we all know kids are cruel. We also know that after a while, that kind of bullying gets into your psyche and is hard to get rid of when you are older.
But about the book, the chemistry between Everly and Logan is easy to see from the beginning. There's no doubt the relationship will happen, or it will get steamy. Speaking of steam, a couple of scenes in the book may be a bit steamier than some people may like. Let's just say I have a new appreciation for the tumble dryer. LOL!
There are a few complex relationships in the book. One is the relationship between Everly and her mom. Their history is discussed, and as the book progresses, you learn the reasons behind Peggy's treatment of Everly. Is it a perfect set of reasons? Not at all, but it does help the reader understand who Peggy is.
Another explored relationship is the one between Everly and James, her hot co-worker. While the relationship is relatively one-sided, it explores how shallow some people can be. That's not to say James is a bad person, but relatively immature.
The one bad person in the book is one you think couldn't be that bad when you first meet them. But as the story progresses, you can see how toxic they are. And, like me, you will probably rejoice in their downfall.
Overall, On the Plus Side is a fun rom-com! There are discussions about being fat and how that shouldn't mean you don't matter, that you can still be the center of attention, and not for negative reasons.
It Happened One Christmas is an enjoyable rom-com, perfect for a snowy day in December!
That said, the story itself could have done with some editing. Why do I say that? Because it feels as though Guertin used every trope she could find. Small-town? Check! Forced proximity? Enemies to lovers? Double-check! Grumpy-sunshine relationship? Obviously! Glamourous ex appearing in the third act? Yup, that's there too! I'm sure there are a few others that I've missed, but you get the idea.
Ben is stuck in his ways, but not for the reasons you may think. He's trying hard to keep things as his father wanted them, even though he passed away. Zoey is chasing the memories of the one perfect childhood Christmas, not realizing she could make new memories to replace all her negative ones.
Overall, It Happened One Christmas is an enjoyable read. Though it's not one I loved, it was still one that many people will.
Every Time You Go Away is an interesting read. Why? Because it is often labeled as a romance, and while there is a romance between the two main characters, I don't feel that is the focal point of their story. Rebecca and Ethan are broken, trying to figure out who they are as they reach adulthood. When I say they are broken, I don't mean they are actually broken. I mean that they feel they have been pigeonholed into their traditional roles.
Ethan and Rebecca grow and develop throughout the book as they learn to use their voice and advocate for themselves with their loved ones. The journey is challenging for both of them, but it is needed.
Every Time You Go Away is told through dual POV and multiple timelines. This could be a mess if done incorrectly. But Johnson does a fantastic job of keeping everything sorted and understandable.
Overall, Every Time You Go Away is a fantastic contemporary YA read that anyone can relate to as they read.
I want to thank Atria Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of The General and Julia. All opinions presented here are solely mine.
CW/TW: war, cancer, death, racism
The General and Julia grabbed my attention due to who one of the main characters is. Why? Because I am always open to learning more about the American Civil War. Between growing up in the Heart of the Confederacy and having several ancestors who fought in the war, it is something that has always grabbed me.
With my love of the history around the Civil War, my favorite parts of the book revolved around that time. While I did know some about some of the events, it is always great to learn more or see things from a slightly different angle.
The General and Julia is a relatively short book; it comes in under 300 pages but covers an extensive period of time. Chapter one is where readers meet Grant in the year 1843. Chapter 21 is where the readers say goodbye to Grant in 1885. No, that isn't a spoiler; that is just a fact. Every chapter in between takes readers through Grant's life over those 42 years.
Each chapter is told in two parts. The first part takes you to the time and place mentioned at the beginning of the chapter. The second part takes you to the remote cabin in the Adirondacks where the Grant family has gathered out of the public eye while the General writes his memoirs.
Most of the book is written as though readers were shadowing Grant himself through life. But there are a couple that give you a view into the minds of those on the other side of the story.
Not all books with real-life protagonists, especially well-known ones, are easy reads. But this book is an exception to that rule.
Who would I recommend read The General and Julia? Easy, those who enjoy reading books based on actual historical events!
4.5 stars rounded up to 5
I will start by saying, I had no idea this book was set in December 2000. Is that a problem? Nope, not at all! There were quite a few nods to that year that brought me some happy memories. Why? Because in December 2000, I was in the process of planning my wedding. When I mentioned the time period to my husband, he smiled as he remembered the storm hitting Ontario that holiday season.
December 2000 was chosen for this book because it was one of the extremely rare occasions that Christmas, Hannukah, and Ramadan occurred simultaneously. Why is that important? Because those are the three holidays referenced in the title. Each holiday is discussed in the context of the story. Maryam and her family share their Ramadan traditions with Anna and others around them. Anna finds someone who she can share her memories of celebrating Hannukah and Christmas. These interactions help the reader connect with the characters and to understand the traditions they may be unfamiliar with.
Let me take a moment to discuss Snow Falls. I am sadly disappointed to know that it is not a real place. There are several small towns throughout Ontario that are similar to Snow Falls. But nothing could be the real place. There are several times the characters remark how much the town feels like a dream location. If someone knows of a town that has a kosher bakery, across from a Turkish coffee shop, and around the corner from a Hakka restaurant please let me know ASAP! Especially if the town puts out all the stops for the holiday season.
Three Holidays and a Wedding is a Hallmark holiday movie in a book. Is that a bad thing? Heck no! It means that this book is a quick, easy read. Perfect for curling up with a hot drink and a blanket. Trust me!
I want to thank St. Martin's Press, St. Martin's Griffin, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of The Predictable Heartbreaks of Imogen Finch. All opinions presented here are solely mine.
CW/TW: death, depression
The Predictable Heartbreaks of Imogen Finch has been classified as a romance. Yes, the book has romantic elements (and some steamy scenes), but there's more than that. Imogen has spent most of her life chasing the elusive first place in anything-grades, contests, romance, life! She has pursued this goal to the point that she loses herself along the way. It takes a reunion with a childhood friend to help her see that.
The book also discusses mental health, especially depression and grief. Imogen's dad passed when she was young. Fanny is raising her niece after her sister's passing. Eliot has been running since he graduated from high school. Each person is dealing with something, some may be a bit healthier than others. But it is all discussed openly, and with honesty. There are no quick fixes for anyone.
I feel like The Predictable Heartbreaks of Imogen Finch is perfect for fans of Where'd You Go Bernadette and anything by Jenny Colgan and Phaedra Patrick. There's a certain cozy feeling in this book that just hits just so. If you need a reminder to love yourself, then you should give The Predictable Heartbreaks of Imogen Finch a read!
4.5 Stars rounded up to 5
I want to thank Mulholland Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of The Defector. All opinions presented here are solely mine.
CW/TW: war, death, murder, poisoning, animal cruelty
Initially, I wanted to read this book because I know what the author did before writing. In Canada, Chris Hadfield is a household name, and it has nothing to do with his ability to play hockey. Hadfield is a household name because he was a fighter pilot turned astronaut. When I requested the ARC of The Defector, I was drawn in by the synopsis and was unaware it was part of a series. So, earlier this year, I read The Apollo Murders and became even more excited to read this installment in the series.
Kaz is a US Navy pilot who can no longer fly due to an injury he sustained on a training mission. Instead, he finds himself on the technical side of things. His flight experience, the training he pursued post-injury, his security clearance, and his knack for being in the right place at the right time find Kaz in the middle of some highly classified activities.
Overall, The Defector is a fully immersive read that you could easily spend hours reading without noticing the time pass! When you initially look at the number of chapters in the book (over 70), you may feel overwhelmed. But don't be; many of those chapters are only a few pages long.
While The Defector is the second book in a series, I feel you should be able to read this and understand what is happening without reading the first book. Yes, there are references to the events of The Apollo Murders, but they are not ones the reader has to know about to understand this book. That said, a few character interactions may seem a bit strange without the knowledge of the prior book. But those interactions are not integral to this storyline.
As someone who has never flown a jet, I was ignorant of the technical jargon surrounding such machines. The good thing is that Hadfield takes the time to explain the essential details to the reader without telling you about it. Does that make sense? He uses the characters to figure things out to help readers understand. This is especially evident near the end of the book as Kaz finds himself flying an unfamiliar plane.
If you, or someone you know, enjoys reading books about military espionage, you should read The Defector by Chris Hadfield! You won't regret it.