Pam
Valentine in Montreal is a unique story told in an unconventional manner. It was initially published as a weekly story in the Montreal Gazette, in the same way as Dickens' A Christmas Carol. As such, O'Neill worked to have each chapter function as a standalone, yet also as part of a story told in sequence. It was written in such a way that if someone missed the beginning chapters or was unable to finish the story, they still had read a story.
Each chapter of the story is titled after a metro stop in Montreal, as the metro system plays a significant role in the narrative. There are lovely descriptions of each stop in the book, enough that you can picture what these stops look like.
The story is told through the POV of Valentine, a young woman who was orphaned at a young age and grew up in and around the Montreal metro. As such, her life experiences are limited, and she thrives by using her imagination and observational skills.
As the story is Valentine's to tell, there is a lot of telling what is happening and going on versus showing. If Valentine is feeling nervous or scared, she tells us that instead of expressing her body's reaction to that emotion.
The events in the story are somewhat fantastical, though this is not a fantasy book. Sure, it's easy to see people being mistaken for other people, but some of the things that happen in the story are just a bit too far-fetched for me.
Overall, Valentine in Montreal was an okay read. Some people may read it and find a connection with the characters, and truly enjoy the read.
I want to thank Rising Action and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of The Fort. However, all opinions expressed here are solely mine.
4.5 rounded up to 5
The Fort is a well-researched and well-written historical fiction. It's well-written in the fact that we aren't bogged down in facts and figures, as some historical fiction tends to do. We can understand that the book is set in the early 1800s, and that life isn't easy; yet, we are still able to find the characters relatable. Abigail wants to do what is right for her father and her son. Henry is trying to keep up appearances. Gabriel wants to live a life of his choosing, even if that goes against what others expect.
Another remarkable aspect of the story is the discussion of the expectations placed on women in the era in which the book is set. A woman's place was traditionally in the home, where she took care of her family and household. Abigail understands that, but has also learned a trade to help support her family. Several of the men in the very masculine cast are surprised to learn she knows blacksmithing and is a talented smith in her own right.
My biggest issue with the book is the lack of female characters. There are a few at the fort, and a couple of others appear in other circumstances. While I understand the setting is very male-dominated, and that there would have been only a handful of women in the forts, it feels like the cast is lacking.
Overall, I enjoyed reading The Fort. Who do I think it would be perfect for? Anyone who enjoys reading historical fiction with medium stakes. Or anyone who enjoys reading books set in a period and location that is not the normal historical fiction.
3.75 rounded up to 4
Booked for Murder has the elements of a fun cozy mystery: crazy, quirky characters; relatable characters; a cat that appears just when needed; and possible romance or two for the main character. What is it missing? Not a lot, honestly.
I did find the beginning a little slow, but not to the point that it made me want to stop reading the book. Just slow enough to be annoying. I wanted to get to the heart of the investigation. Who set the fire? And why? What about the phone calls? Who was behind those? Were the two things connected, or were they unrelated?
Eventually, the action picked up, and the readers had their fair share of suspects to choose from. I must admit, I was surprised when it was revealed who set the fire. Though I also understand their thoughts and reasoning.
Overall, if you're looking for a fun cozy mystery, you should give Booked for Murder a try! Even better, the next book in the series, All My Bones, is set to release in December 2025.
4.5 rounded up to 5
While Warrior Girl Unearthed is listed as a sequel to Firekeeper's Daughter, it is more of a companion novel. This one is set in the summer of 2014, whereas the previous was more like 2004. That said, the date the story is set doesn't play into the story that much. And you can easily read Warrior Girl Unearthed without having read Firekeeper's Daughter, though some details may spoil the ending.
Boulley takes us back to Sugar Island and the lives of the Indigenous people there and in the nearby city of Sault St Marie. While we've met several characters in the previous book, there are still plenty more to meet.
This story examines the damage done to Indigenous people in the name of “science” and “research”. There are a few mentions of the residential schools; this one focuses more on the artifacts taken from their ancestors while they were alive and after they died. Throughout the book, quotes from different sources discuss the repatriation of these artifacts and how organizations are not doing their due diligence to make the process easier.
Also examined are the missing and murdered women and girls of Indigenous descent. This is not a new problem, and is one that seems only to be getting worse with time. Why are these females being taken? Is there a mystical force out there taking them? Or are they being considered less than because of their racial identity? Or could it be that no one takes the families seriously? No one really knows.
Boulley writes her stories with heart, passion, and knowledge. Besides being an Indigenous woman, she also worked in the U.S. Department of Education as the Director of the Office of Indian Education.
While this is considered a young adult book, everyone can learn something from it. Boully's new novel, Sisters in the Wind, will be released in the fall. I am looking forward to reading it.
I want to thank St. Martin's Griffin and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of The Ripple Effect. However, all opinions expressed here are solely mine.
4.5 rounded up to 5
The Ripple Effect is a fun, quick, and easy read. There is a small cast of interesting characters. It's so much more than a romance. Stellar is on a journey of personal discovery. She's spent much of her life being left behind and feeling unsupported. She thought that if you do this for me, I have to do that for you. She likes having a balanced sheet. The only exception to this was when she was working in the hospital. For Stellar, it's easier to keep her feelings to herself, to push people away.
As for McHuge, he's a giant teddy bear. He's afraid to allow himself to feel angry because of his size. He's been big for his age all his life, and as an adult, he easily towers over people. As such, he has worked on being one with compassion and compromise. So, it is easy to say that he has his own character growth throughout the book.
The descriptions of the setting will make you want to join the cast of The Love Boat. Cool mountain water. Beautiful mountains all around you. What more could a person want? Okay, I'll be honest. I wouldn't want to sleep in a tent, but the rest of the setting sounds like perfection to me!
As for the romance, there's plenty of push-and-pull between Stellar and McHuge. They have a history, which plays into the tension. The intimate moments are there, and they tend to fade to gray. Yes, we know they're about to have some intimate times, but there's nothing graphic or detailed. Occasionally, there may be mention of past times, but again, nothing graphic or overly detailed.Who should read The Ripple Effect? Everyone, of course! Seriously, though, if you enjoy reading small-town romances with fake dating and grumpy sunshine elements, you will enjoy this book.
I want to thank MIRA and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of A Most Puzzling Murder. However, all opinions expressed here are solely mine.
4.5 rounded up to 5
A Most Puzzling Murder is like no other book I've read. Why do I say that? How many books have you read that include brainteasers, puzzles, and choose-your-own-adventure elements? Many books may have one or two, but all three? That's something that doesn't happen a lot. And all of the elements work well together.
The story is told from multiple points of view, but all are in the third person. Keeping the POV straight is relatively easy, as the chapters are all labeled with the character at the beginning. The chapters are also labeled with the day of the week and time of day. The majority of the story takes place over a few days. A few chapters flash back several years, but they are labeled as such to let you know.
The puzzles throughout the book are also labeled. The answers are included in the book, but no cheating! You can also email Destiny for help solving the puzzles. And if you answer some of these correctly, you'll receive an email with a bonus chapter or two. But don't feel bad if you don't get the answers correct, you can still get the bonus information. If you don't want to solve any puzzles, that's ok, because several will not impact your enjoyment of the book.
Overall, A Most Puzzling Murder is unlike any other mystery book, even a mystery with a fantastical side. Do you enjoy books with quirky characters, some of which are super intense? What about a book with lots of twists and turns? What about solving puzzles and playing escape room games? If you answered yes to any of these questions, I think you should try this book. If you answered yes to all of these questions, I think you need to try this book.
4.5 stars rounded up to 5
I want to thank Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Everything's Coming Up Rosie. However, all opinions expressed here are solely mine.
Everything's Coming Up Rosie is labeled as a romance. In my opinion, that is the wrong way to classify this novel. While romance is included, it isn't the story's primary focus. So, how would I classify it? What's wrong with calling it a contemporary? It's a fun read that focuses on self-discovery and personal growth.
The cast of characters in Everything's Coming Up Rosie is a group of people I would love to be surrounded by daily. Connie flits from one thing to another without sharing all the needed information. Arthur is such a curmudgeon, with a heart of gold underneath it all. Rosie's childhood friend group is the kind of friends we all deserve to have.
One thing I wish had been discussed a bit more was Rosie's reaction when she learned who the theater group members were. Was it just because it wasn't what she expected? Or is there more to the story?
I wish we had gotten to know Rosie's mom more so that we could better understand their relationship. While Rosie opens up about her feelings, I'm not 100% sure she gets her healing arc.
Who do I think would enjoy reading Everything's Coming Up Rosie? Do you enjoy reading books full of quirky characters? What about ones where the main character is on a journey of self-discovery? Or a book that makes you smile, laugh, and maybe even reconsider your personal life journey? If you answered yes to any of these questions, walk to your preferred bookstore and get the book. If you answered yes to all of these questions, then run! I promise, you won't be disappointed.
I want to thank Tundra Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of You Started It. However, all opinions expressed here are solely mine.
4.5 rounded up to 5
Honestly, the main reason I wanted to read this book was its Canadian connections—the author was born and raised in Canada, and the book is set in Canada. I also like the diversity in the cast of characters. And guess what? I loved this book! Sure, at first, reading a YA romance as an adult felt a bit strange. But as I got to know the characters, I enjoyed the story. It's more than just a romance; it's about Jamie figuring out who she is and what she wants in life.
In many ways, Jamie reminds me of what I was at 17. I didn't have a group of friends, nor did I have a boyfriend. I was always on the outside looking in, feeling like everyone was looking at me and judging me. Oh, how I would have loved to see characters like Jamie when I was younger! She's messy and quick to judge. But she's also fierce! She's the type of person you want on your side. The caveat is that she doesn't know that.
The story is told solely through Jamie's POV. She's at a stage where she has issues opening up to people because she's afraid they'll leave her. Jamie struggles to control her anxiety, and with some help from Axel, she starts to feel like she has that control back in her life.
Living less than two hours outside of Toronto, I found it fun to see some tourist hot spots mentioned. As the book opens, it's the end of August, so not all of the hot spots are there. But trust me, there are enough that you would almost think you're reading parts of a visitor's guide. And I mean that in the best way possible!
Music is also mentioned throughout the book, as Axel enjoys dancing and sharing videos on social media. At the end, there's even a curated playlist.
Overall, You Started It has plenty of fun and drama! There's character growth, messy families, and lots of fun. If you enjoy reading Lynn Painter's YA books, I honestly feel like you would enjoy reading You Started It.
I want to thank St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of The Trouble with You. However, all opinions expressed here are solely mine.
The Trouble with You is a great slice-of-life look at what life was like for women post-WWII. I enjoyed reading about various topics, including the impact of McCarthy's witch hunts and women in the workplace. Another aspect I enjoyed was a look behind the scenes of radio serials that eventually became TV soap operas.
The overall plot was a bit dull for me, though. Throughout the story, many questions exist, such as “Will she?” or “Will she not?”, but it doesn't feel as though enough is given for Fanny's decisions. I understand wanting to protect her heart; she suffered a massive loss at a young stage in her marriage. And it goes without saying, she needed to protect her daughter. But how did Fanny come to make her decisions? She doesn't strike me as the type of person to fly by the seat of her pants, and what will be will be. No, she feels as though she would be methodical in her decisions.
At the same time, I don't feel the book needed to be as long as it was. Did we need the in-depth descriptions of the weather, what the neighbors across the way were doing in their apartment, or even of the library? If the book needed to be close to 370 pages, why not use some of those pages to let us into the inner workings of Fanny's mind?
Overall, The Trouble with You is a decent read. In many ways, it feels like it would pair nicely with Lessons in Chemistry. Both books feature women who are widowed early and have to find a way to survive in a world where they aren't expected to work.
I want to thank Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Death on the Island. However, all opinions expressed here are solely mine.
4.5 Stars rounded up to 5
Reid's previous book was a nonfiction read about the strong women of Iceland, Secrets of the Sprakkar. You can find my review here. She loves the time she has spent in Iceland, and that love is apparent when you read either of her books. The descriptions of the Westman Islands in the book are enough to make me want to book a one-way ticket!
You may find it hard to separate the characters in the first few chapters. However, the more you read, the more you can separate them as their personalities begin to sort themselves out.
As this is a mystery, I can't give too many details about the plot or the story's conclusion. I will say that the ending left as many questions as it did answers. But that is okay as far as I'm concerned.
Death on the Island is a fantastic read. It reminds me of And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie. Be warned: you won't want to stop once you start reading it. Because it is under 350 pages, you could easily read Death on the Island in one day—or at least in a weekend. When you book your trip to Iceland, let me know, I want to tag along!
I want to thank Simon & Schuster Canada, Atria Books, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Time Loops & Meet Cutes. However, all opinions expressed here are solely mine.
4.5 Stars rounded up to 5
Time Loops & Meet Cutes is a fun read with a take on the romance genre. It's not often that you find romance with time travel at the core of it. But is it really time travel when the character is stuck living the same day over and over? I guess I'm trying to say this is very much like the Billy Murray movie Groundhog Day and Lynn Painter's The Do-Over. The biggest difference is that Noelle finds she's not the only person stuck in the time loop.
Time Loops & Meet Cutes is a quick read, with relatable characters. Most people can relate to Noelle, who doesn't feel overworked and underappreciated at their job. Cam is kind of the opposite of that. While stressed about work, he still tries to find the fun in things. For both, family is important, even if they don't understand everything about their families' pasts.
There are some spicy bits in the book. However, Lau is good at not extending the scenes more than necessary. Sure, you know what's happening, as it does not fade to black, but it's not written excessively.
My two issues with the book are Noelle's occasional whining and the resolution of the time loops. What triggers them to stop? Does she do something in particular to end them? There is an explanation later in the book, but it doesn't feel satisfactory.
Overall, if you enjoy reading romance with meet-cutes, this is a great book. There are over twenty meet-cutes. If you want character growth, you should read Time Loops & Meet Cutes.
