In my last book review, I believe I mentioned that I’ve not been reading as much in exchange for some actual rest. This in turn means that I haven’t been reading as much… but I started the recently-published Not My Daughter by Kate Hewitt late last week and finally wrapped it up last night. In a very basic understatement, it was an amazing book.
Reminding me of my appreciation for Jodi Picoult’s novels, this is an emotional depiction of parenthood, family, friendship, love, life, and loss. While the characters weren’t always likeable, they were very real. As a couple struggles with infertility, this heart-wrenching novel explores raw struggles and the sacrifices we make for those we love. In an emotionally charged presentation, Hewitt challenges the reader as relationships are tested and decisions are made as a longed-for, much-loved child faces a terrible diagnosis.
Tears streamed down my face as I read the final chapter. As I put my reader down, I turned to my husband and said, “That was a horrible book.” But I didn’t mean it as a negative – I meant it was gut-wrenching, compelling, thought provoking, and just incredible – it grabbed me and didn’t let me go. I definitely recommend.
I was provided with a complimentary uncorrected advanced readers copy from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own. .
Publisher: Bookouture Publication Date: May 2, 2019
…(a) descriptive and endearing narrative on the struggles of life and treasures of friendship
I am so far behind in my NetGalley book reviews… but I’ve been choosing sleep instead of reading in an effort to improve my health. The sacrifice has not yet been worth it – just sayin’.
One of the books I completed a some days ago and thought deserving of a full-fledged review was “The Printed Letter Bookshop.” It’s a Thomas Nelson title – so fairly wholesome, although the characters definitely have their issues. It focuses on a determined young lawyer who inherits her aunt’s bookshop, and the two local women who assist in the shop – a divorcee, and a do-it-all mom.
Through personality clashes, obvious character flaws, family secrets, and a good deal of “searching” I would classify this as a novel of growth, with a dash of sweet romance. It was probably a pleasure to read because of the main feature – the charming little bookshop – a delight for readers who dream of an actual day-to-day connection with books (i.e. me…) just inhaling the scent and discovering new pieces of printed wonder. It’s a testament to the impact one individual can make. It’s a story of hope and new beginnings.
I’ve not read Katherine Reay before this NetGalley copy provided in exchange for my opinion, but I have most definitely added other titles to my to-read list. This was a delightful, easy-to-read, descriptive and endearing narrative on the struggles of life and treasures of friendship. This title was published May 14th – so go pick up a copy from your local independent bookseller (or Amazon if all else fails…)
There are certain books you read that leave a big impression on your heart. Others you read and wonder why you didn’t just put it down. Many more fall into the in-between – they’re great distractions in the moment, but the emotional wow-factor isn’t quite what you hoped. Most fall somewhere along the middle. They are entertainment, pure and simple.
I haven’t been reading as much over the last few weeks – falling into a bit of a slump on that front. We’ve been busy. I’ve been tired. And even my great escape has felt like it required too much energy. I’ve been blogging even less. Priorities and all that… I have a few titles I’ve read that I should post reviews for… but instead of a singular post for each, I’m going to offer a round-up of recommendations and reflection. Each of these titles are complimentary copies I received via NetGalley in exchange for my opinions.
The Spanish Promise by Karen Swan is a dual-timeline novel touching on a family’s secrets and the desire to prevent a scandal. (Bonus trivia: Author Karen Swan is a Globe & Mail bestseller.) I loved the mystery and unlocking of the secrets – the questions and false-leads and the historical elements as they tried to figure out who the wealthy patriarch was leaving his estate to and the why behind his actions. The drama of all that unfolded during the Spanish Civil War and how it influenced so many lives in the present really captured my attention. I didn’t love the supposed romance of the contemporary characters – or even the characters themselves. That aspect fell flat and I found it a bit worldly and jaded. Rating: 3 stars
Published by: Pan MacMillan / Publishers Group Canada Publication Date: May 1, 2019 .
Edie Browne’s Cottage by the Sea by Jane Linfoot is set seaside, obviously, in the UK. After some health issues and a break up, our female lead tries to find healing and herself as she stays with her aunt and tackles the renovation of her cottage by the sea. Both Edie and her aunt have some healing to do. The novel is quirky and like other seaside romance novels, makes me want to take a vacation. That being said, while I loved the comradery that developed (because that’s what happens in small towns, no?) the book isn’t deep or even emotionally engaging. I loved the crafty and creative spin on things because that’s my language… and Cam had me won over from the start. Overall, it’s a light bit of fluff that’ll have you craving ice cream and bonfires, but you probably won’t feel like your life has been changed. Another 3 stars from me.
Published by: Harper Impulse and Killer Reads Publication Date: May 24, 2019
The Woman In Our House by Andrew Hart isn’t my typical read. It’s contemporary suspense done well. It’s a bit dark and twisted (as suspense typically is.) Based on the premise that the nanny they hired isn’t who she claims to be, I will admit there were things I didn’t see coming… and other aspects that I had pinned down right away. As a mother, it gave me goosebumps. As a reader, I wanted to see what happened next. That being said, I found some of it was a little stilted. Give it a go if you are into twists and turns and twisted minds. Still… just a 3 stars from me. (and 3 stars aren’t bad, just somewhat indifferent…)
Published by: Lake Union Publishing Publication Date: June 18, 2019
I have some others to review as well, but they will hold until another day… as it seems these were all mediocre (and that could just be the slump speaking) what’s on your must-recommend list? What have you recently read that sticks out in your mind and actually moved you? Please share…
It’s the May long weekend here in our tiny corner of the world. The weather is finally cooperating for outdoor book binges. We had a birthday party yesterday and I have this weird thing about parents judging my housekeeping skills, so we cleaned like mad before the 12 year old boys showed up to make a mess again. Thankfully, clean-up was a breeze so today lent itself to indulgent backyard gazebo time with a rosé lemonade (meh) and a book (amazing!)
I’ve had The Book Woman of Troublesome Creekon my to-read pile for months. I’ve put it off, and put it off, and put it off… until I decided to give it a go last night. I made it to chapter 13 (when I should have been sleeping but we all know I’ll give up sleep for a good book.) The wee hours of the morning finally got to me, so I put it down knowing I’d have the afternoon to while away in 1930’s Kentucky hill country. Oh. My. Word. Why didn’t I read this book sooner?!?
Why didn’t I read this book sooner?!?
From the first paragraphs, this title is evocative and transports you to another time and place. It’s rife with folklore, superstition, and old home remedies – balanced with an honest and colourful depiction of a difficult era and landscape. Inspired by the historical and truly remarkable Kentucky Pack Horse library service and gentle-hearted blue-skinned people of Kentucky, Kim Michele Richardson weaves a poignant and heart-wrenching telling of poverty, misogyny, racial prejudice, and poverty. Through it all, books bind humble souls together – feeding the mind when the land won’t yield food and families are dying of starvation.
I don’t want to share any spoilers so I’ll leave you with this: pick up a copy of this book, book off a chunk of free-time, and dive right in! You’ll find yourself invested – infuriated with the wrongness of so many situations, in tears because of the heartache and loss, and absolutely in love with the Book Lady, Cussy, and the family she builds through the care and gifts for her patrons. Honestly, one of the best books I’ve read in awhile!
This complimentary title was provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark Publication Date: May 7, 2019
I’ve read a few books from Bookouture, a UK-based digital publisher, and each one has been enjoyable. No surprise, The House at Hope Corner by Emma Davies was another successful literary escape (my favourite type of low-budget not-actually-a-vacation.)
Whirlwind romance, delightful scenery, just enough trouble to keep things interesting, and of course, a likeable female lead defining herself in the midst of it all – it equals a formula for a fantastic summer read. This book is the type you’ll want to load onto your reader for a relaxing afternoon under a tree or sitting on the beach – or in my case, snuggled up under the covers on a quiet dreary day.
I laughed, I cried, and I felt like I was right there, a part of the family with every tense scene, ever new situation, every triumph. The House at Hope Corner is a warm-hearted, page-turning depiction of a sweetly eccentric woman, her charming farmer fiancee, and the merging of two very different outlooks on life – finding balance between artistic, creative freedom and rigid, routine farm life while overcoming challenges and the secrets that come to light as you get to know someone and there family. It’s a great work of contemporary women’s fiction that will charm the socks off you!
I received a complimentary of this title via NetGalley with thanks to the publisher. As always, all opinions are my own.
Published: May 10, 2019 (Available now) Publisher: Bookouture
Every once in a while, you dive into a book that really makes you think the author has a handle on their genre. My contact at Agora Books reached out to me and offered The House of Hardie by Anne Melville as a suggested read in response to some of my requests and reviews to their agency. She was spot on – I loved this book!
Two families from two classes. Four siblings with four dreams. Fate versus destiny... In this dramatic Victorian saga, can love and passion overcome power and ambition? Not a new question posed in fiction, but done very well in this case.
The House of Hardie was first published in 1987 and is the first in the Hardie Family series. Agora has re-published this title posthumously. Author Anne Melville, in fact a pseudonym for Margaret Edith Newman, born in 1926 in Middlesex.
Before writing, she worked a variety of jobs including teaching in Egypt, editing a children’s magazine in London, and advising the Citizen’s Advice Bureau in Twickenham. She published her first novel as Margaret Newman, a mystery novel entitled Murder to Music.
Newman continued publishing novels until her death in 1998, under a variety of pseudonyms and encompassing multiple genres. As Anne Melville, she focused on historical novels. Over the course of her career she published fifty-five novels.
As to the novel itself, it addresses the obstacles of romance between the merchant class and the Ton, the barriers set upon women with unrealistic expectations and limitations, it explores romance and adventure and the ties that bind us to family (and the bonds that are even greater.)
It was a well-written saga of a tale with an engaging plot and well-developed characters – especially the well-rounded, strong female leads. I mentioned in my Instagram post yesterday that it was “Historical fiction done right!”
My thanks to Agora Books for the complimentary copy via Netgalley. All opinions expressed are my own.
Published: May 2, 2019 (get it in store now!) Publisher: Agora Books
The East End by Jason Allen was just published this week – on Tuesday, to be exact. Congratulations to the author! I know a lot of heart and soul and sweat and tears go into the process of taking a book from idea to page to publication. When a publicist at HarperCollins sent the initial description and asked if I’d like to be part of the blog tour, I jumped on board. Here is some information on the book, the author, and my final thoughts.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
After graduating high school, Corey Halpern would love to leave the Hamptons and never look back. He is stuck though, saddled with responsibility for his alcoholic mother, Gina, and his younger brother. So for now, he finds momentary escape by breaking and entering. The night before Memorial Day weekend, he targets the estate of Leo Sheffield, the billionaire CEO for whom he and Gina work. But everything goes awry. Leo arrives suddenly—and he’s not alone. As Corey looks on in stunned horror, he witnesses a fatal mishap…as does another traumatized onlooker. With everything to lose, Leo will do whatever it takes to cover up the truth. Things spiral out of control, however. Pushed to their limits, Corey, Gina, and Leo all hurtle towards climactic showdowns as explosive as the holiday fireworks lighting up the night sky.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jason Allen grew up in a working-class home in the Hamptons, where he worked a variety of blue-collar jobs for wealthy estate owners. He writes fiction, poetry, and memoir, and is the author of the poetry collection A Meditation on Fire. He has an MFA from Pacific University and a PhD in literature and creative writing from Binghamton University. He currently lives in Atlanta, Georgia, where he teaches writing at Clayton State University. THE EAST END is his first novel.
MY REVIEW:.
I like to provide honest reviews and I always feel a little awkward when I don’t rave about a title. So I will be honest and say this is not a book I would have purchased on my own and I realised that very quickly into the first two chapters. I know it would not be a title I would recommend to a lot of the real-life readers who are part of my circle because they would have found it incredibly offensive – it’s raw and graphic and full of harsh language and scenes that would have left them uncomfortable. (A “Rated R… viewer discretion advised” type of novel.) That being said, I know a ton of other readers in my online circles who would absolutely love this book for all the same reasons – because it’s edgy, and fast-paced, and very, very corrupt.
So while I can’t recommend it in good conscience to some of my dear and closest friends, I can say that THE EAST END is well-written. It’s not bright or cheerful, but dark and atmospheric. It’s sad (as in desolate) and tumbles along at quite a pace. It’s not a traditional mystery or suspense, but it’s suspenseful in the tension-filled, catastrophic rush to a shocking ending. The lives of many unhappy people are intertwined and the moral/immoral choices and quandaries – the lies, the loyalties, the tale of a whole bunch of people who are not happy with their lives and are trying to fill the gaps with drug and alcohol addiction, unhealthy relationships, illicit affairs, and illegal hobbies – catch up in one dynamite conclusion. The author does a remarkable job of capturing the despair and despondency of the characters despite their socio-economic differences. He effectively touches on the need for trust and connection while highlighting the dangers of secrecy, obsession, and desperation. Best of all he leaves you with a small spark of hope that two of the main characters find redemption and happily ever after.
(As a small note of humour, when I finished, all I could think is, “Man, I don’t think I’ll ever visit the Hamptons. People are not happy there.” I’m sure the tourism board will be thrilled with this one… )
My thanks to the publisher, Harlequin, for providing a copy of this title and inviting me to be a part of this tour.
It seems that all the books I’ve agreed to read & review have all been published in April & May. It wouldn’t be an issue – I can knock out 5 or 6 books a week, easy-peasy – but (and that’s a doozy) – life has been throwing a bit of chaos over the last few weeks and my reading time has been limited. Agh. Also, a bunch of the books have been sagas – not quick little pocket-friendly reads. They’ve had some heft to them. So we do what we can and refuse to let reading become a pressure.
My most recent read was Suki by Beryl Kingston, courtesy of Agora Books via NetGalley. You may recall I was a part of a blog tour for one of Kingston’s other novels, Two Silver Crosses. I have tried to eloquently frame the words I want to use for my review, but can’t quite find the right ones so you are stuck with my meagre offerings.
Suki was originally published in two parts: Only Young in 2000 andOnly Human in 2001. It was republished under the current title on April 18, 2019. As with other Agora titles I’ve read, the cover art is highly appealing.
As for the novel itself, I had such mixed feelings the entire time I read it. The title character, Suki, is an unwed wet nurse who finds herself lying to provide a future for her own child. She is deceitful, naive, and yet, likeable. The family she works for is ridiculous and unsympathetic. Her lover is despicable… until you get to know him. There is so much going on in this book and there’s a whole scope of complexities happening in the plot.
The author touches on (unfair) expectations for women, the despicability and normalcy of the slave trade, the absurd habits and entertainments of society in the 18th century. You’ll travel all over England, across the sea, through the West Indies and Africa and back again and in between. You’ll meet characters you love, you hate, you love to hate and hate to love and sometimes it will be all of the above for a single personage depending on where you are in the book. My emotions were engaged – I was angry, I was incredulous, I was disheartened – I was also entwined quite intricately into the sinuous route from first chapter to final sentence.
As mentioned before, Ms. Kingston writes remarkable tales – sagas that take an investment of time. However, they’re very well written with descriptive prose and colourful situations. Well worth the time required when you close the cover for the last time with a possible tear and a heartfelt sigh.
I’d like to preface this review by saying that Robyn Carr is one of my favourite contemporary women’s fiction authors. She’s pretty spectacular and there’s something about the way she pieces her words together that is easy to read and relatable. I know I’m not alone in this opinion as she’s a #1 New York Times Bestselling Author – she knows what works. In fact, so many people love her, that one of her beloved series, Virgin River, has been picked up for a Netflix series production. I’ve been looking forward to this book since I first started hearing about it as an anticipated release.
The View from Alameda Island is set for publication tomorrow (April 30, 2019) and it will pop up everywhere – grocery stores, bookstores, airports, libraries, etc. Here is the tagline description from the publisher:
“A poignant and powerful story about how one woman’s best intentions lead to the worst of situations, and how love helps her to heal and ultimately triumph.”
Now, I read this last week so my thoughts aren’t entirely fresh, but I was, honestly, underwhelmed. I found it a bit slow to start and it just wasn’t my favourite of Ms. Carr’s stories. That being said, the further in I read, the more I enjoyed it. It was, as described, poignant – it touched on emotional abuse, physical abuse, divorce, strained family relationships, new beginnings, healing, and gentle romance.
Overall, I did enjoy the book – it was true to previous works in perhaps an overly formulaic way – as mentioned, not entirely my favourite. Maybe it was the fact that I read it after a very gripping novel or was a bit over-stressed last week -a bit of an it’s not you, it’s me situation?
As much as the primary characters carry the plot (and I did admire their strength and tenacity), I actually wanted to read more about some of the secondary characters and their development. (Perhaps written that way as a potential series???) I do not advise against reading this novel – in fact, I’d say give it a try – it has heart and soul and happily ever after – but it doesn’t get a definitive must-read recommendation from me (and I feel terrible actually saying that…) Sorry, Ms. Carr – I still love you! My opinions aside, I’m sure it will still pop up on best sellers lists and will be a great summer read. (PS – avoid if language and romantic scenes aren’t your thing…. I know some of my friends on here are cautious with content!)
I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts expressed are my own.
Published by: Harlequin Mira Publication Date: April 30, 2019
On Sundays, we tend to go to church as a family. This morning I had a really hard time rolling out of bed. It had everything to do with staying up until the wee hours reading. Adulting is hard… weighing the consequences of your poor decisions and choosing to still be unwise. Then having to function as a contributing member of society the next day without taking out your lack of sleep on anyone else. It’s hard y’all… It’s hard.
So what kept me engaged until the wee hours, citing “Just one more chapter…”to myself? (knowing full well that I’d read until the book was done. I blame the iced latte after dinner.) The book? The Survivors by Kate Furnivall. Amazing. Hearbreaking. Intense.
It’s set in post-WWII Germany, in a Displaced Persons camp… a collection of survivors, unwanted, who have survived but now fight their greatest battle to thrive. As much as I read stories of WWII, I’ve not given much thought to the everyday survivors – those who’s homes were razed – the refugees – the ones with nothing but their wits and the clothes on their backs.
The strength of the main protagonists – a Polish mother and her young daughter is remarkable – a testament to the power of a mother’s love as the impetus to do anything to save your child – to survive. It’s not a sweet and tidy fairy-tale. It’s gritty. It’s rough. It’s painful and powerful. The author does not cushion the blows or smooth out the jaggged edges – the language, violence, and choices reflect the grittiness of the characters. This may offend some, but I found it atmospheric… real.
As a whole, The Survivors is moving. It’s fast paced, suspenseful, with danger, daring, and romance. It’s a remarkable piece of historical fiction with a unique look at the tragedies of war and the strength of survival. It’s truly a gripping piece of work. Watch for it to hit shelves at all major booksellers this Tuesday.
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this title via NetGalley with thanks to the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.
Life Love Laughter Linds 