Pam
I want to thank St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Maame. All opinions presented here are solely mine.
CW/TW: depression, long-term illness, death, toxic family relationships
While reading Maame, I found the beginning to be a bit slow. But I pushed on, and I am glad that I did. In the beginning, Maddie seems shy, meek, and willing to do whatever anyone asks without asking anything in return. By the end, she has started standing up for herself and finding her voice.
When Maddie was a small child, she was given the family pet name Maame. The name means woman and carer. She finds herself as more the mother of the family than as the daughter. It is a toxic family dynamic, but sadly one that is more common than many people realize. After a significant family shake-up, Maddie stands up for herself and makes the nickname her own.
When I first read the synopsis for Maame, I bypassed it because it seemed too serious of a book for me to want to read at the time. The second time the book presented itself to me, I decided to give it a chance. Boy, am I glad that I did! You will be surprised to realize this is George's debut novel, and I look forward to reading more by her.
Overall, I enjoyed reading The Sweet Spot. There is a wild, almost manic energy around the brownstone, and it just leaps off the page. Some moments you feel bad for Elaine, who had a quiet life in the Boston area. Other times you find yourself empathizing with Leo, not understanding what is happening around him but how he rolls with it all.
I'm not sure how I would feel in Melinda's situation. After 30 years of marriage, finding out that your husband is having an affair and got her pregnant would shock anyone's system. I think a certain amount of revenge would motivate one's actions. I'm not sure they would be to the same extent as Melinda's.
As for Russell, he needs to grow up! He is an older “gentleman” who was swayed by the attention of a beautiful young lady. As for that beautiful young lady, she is not one I found myself caring for one bit!
The Sweet Spot is a story about revenge and redemption, finding where you belong, and creating your own family.
3.25 stars rounded down to 3
I want to thank Graydon House, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of The Lipstick Bureau. All opinions presented here are solely mine.
The Lipstick Bureau is a World War II-era historical fiction loosely based on a true story. Many of the events in the report are ones that occurred. Some of the characters are people who served in the Rome office during the war.
Overall, the story dragged for me. The book is over 450 pages long, which is honestly 100 pages too long. There are random time jumps between 1944/1945 and 1989. The parts of the story set in 1989 did not feel like they belonged in the story. Honestly, they could have been condensed into a prologue and an epilogue.
Another issue I had with the book was the inclusion of Paloma's side of the story. It left me confused while reading, unsure of who the narrator was at points. The narrator's name was given at the start of the chapter, but the voices were similar. And honestly, I didn't see the point of Paloma's side of the story.
If you enjoy reading World War II-era historical fiction, you may enjoy reading The Lipstick Bureau.
I want to thank Grove Atlantic, Grove Press, Black Cat, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Animal Life. All opinions presented here are solely mine.
CW/TW: infant loss, post-parteum depression
3.75 rounded up to 4
In recent years I have found myself drawn to all things Iceland. No idea why, but there is something about the country that has drawn me in. Hence the reason I read this book. Animal Life is full of descriptions of Iceland and discusses the long nights in the winter and the short nights in the summer. It makes me want to visit even more, especially with the option of seeing the Northern Lights.
The story in Animal Life is more of a narrative, as there is little dialogue. The narrative is not told in a straight line. Dómhildur finds herself going through her grandaunt's papers and trying to make sense of them. I often found myself feeling the same way. Her grandaunt was a midwife who found herself interested in the similarities of humans to animals (and even plants). In some ways, the grandaunt was ahead of her time with her thoughts and hypotheses. And as such, she was often disregarded by her peers.
Overall, this story is an interesting read and one to make you think about humans and how we impact those around us.
I want to thank Atria Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of None of This Would Have Happened if Prince Were Alive. All opinions presented here are solely mine.
4.5 stars rounded up to 5
As a wife and a mother, I found it very easy to relate to Ramona's situation. When we were younger, many of us thought we would be the cool adult, and then we became the adult in charge and had to be responsible over cool. Then one day, we wake up and find ourselves wondering who we are and how we got there.
Ramona has a job she likes and feels successful doing. Except she's feeling a bit stressed by her boss and that she's one of only two women in her workplace. Ramona has two kids, one of which she is in the process of potty training. Her husband is a contractor, and her mom is stubborn and refuses to listen to reason. Ramona looks around her and wonders how she got into the situation she finds herself in.
If you've read and enjoyed Where'd You Go Bernadette by Maria Semple, you will also enjoy this book. This book is also perfect for anyone who feels like they've lost themselves along the way.
3.25 rounded down to 3
I understand that Lee Stone is a woman who lives by her own rules. BUT does that have to include inviting strangers to your house and taking drugs?
The book has so much potential, and while I enjoyed it and the message of women are multifaceted, I can't look past the party scene at Lee's house.
I want to thank Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of The Lindbergh Nanny. All opinions presented here are solely mine.
3.75 stars rounded up to 4.
Overall, I enjoyed reading The Lindbergh Nanny, though I have to say the first 100 pages were a bit slow. In those pages, we are introduced to Betty, Charlie, and the staff at the Morrow and Lindbergh houses. I feel these pages were a bit sluggish because I wanted to get to the mystery part of the story. While I understand the need to introduce the players, I don't understand the need to drag out their introductions.
While reading The Lindbergh Nanny, it is easy to see that the author researched the subject as she gives many detailed descriptions of events. In the author's notes, she even explains this was a historical event that drew her in when she was younger, and as such knew she wanted to write her own story about it.
I want to thank St. Martin's Griffin and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Marlowe Banks, Redesigned. All opinions presented here are solely mine.
Marlowe Banks, Redesigned is marketed as a romance, which it is. But it also so much more! It is about a woman trying to learn who she truly is after a lifetime of feeling like she will never be enough. From her parents constantly negating her feelings to an ex-fiancé always ignoring her feelings, Marlowe feels like she's lost her voice and finds it easier to be in the shadows. But is that any way to truly live life? Especially when you have so much to say.
As a romance, I enjoyed seeing the relationship develop between Angus and Marlowe. It was refreshing to know that it isn't always perfect. In one scene, they fall off the couch while making out. Please tell me that I'm not the only one who has had that happen!
Have you ever felt like you're not enough? Well, guess what? You are wrong! You are enough, and you are loved! If you need the reminder, then you should give Marlowe Banks a read!
I want to thank Abrams Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Sweet Land of Liberty. All opinions presented here are solely mine.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4
As someone who loves food, and history, it makes sense that I wanted to read a book that connects them. It seems like such a no-brainer topic, but it was something that I had never seen done.
The book is broken down into 12 chapters, each surrounding a pie and its connection to the period it was connected to. For example, Apple Pie isn't as American as everyone believes. It did come over with the original settlers from Europe. As we know them, apples aren't even original to North America. Did you know that? I certainly didn't!
As someone who loves food, and history, it makes sense that I wanted to read a book that connects them. It seems like such a no-brainer topic, but it was something that I had never seen done.
The book is broken down into 12 chapters, each surrounding a pie and its connection to the period it was connected to. For example, Apple Pie isn't as American as everyone believes. It did come over with the original settlers from Europe. As we know them, apples aren't even original to North America. Did you know that? I certainly didn't!