My Rating: 4 of 5 stars (3.5 STARS) 2022; Knopf/Penguin Random House
What I know about Keats can fit a doll-size thimble, but his name has been floating around throughout the years. When you love English class, reading and books he’s bound to come up. I can’t remember if I head/read “Ode to a Nightingale” or “Ode on a Grecian Urn” first but these two poems cemented in my brain. Not the lines, but the titles and that they are odes. Keats was just 25 years old when he dies, but his poetry and name is still famous today. What caught my attention with this book was that it looked at Keats life through nine of his poems and one epitaph (his). I recognized one other ode but the rest were new to me, and I am not sure if I am Keats fan. It is only nine poems after all. I don’t know if it was the writing, or Keats himself, but I did not really get a sense of him. Sometimes, even though, I am reading a biography of someone long gone, you can’t help but like them as you might get to know them. Having their writing definitely helps that. With Keats I could take or leave him as a possible fantasy dinner guest. I am happy I read this book, as I got a bit more information on Keats, and know I am good with what I know. I would like to read more of his poems. Side note, Shelley seems more like fuckboy than Byron (poor Mary).
I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through Edelweiss. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
I am so tired today, so please excuse me if I don’t make much sense. Yesterday afternoon, I finished listening to The Four Windsby Kristin Hannah, and it absolutely drained me emotionally. It was well researched and written. I just need a few days to gather my thoughts before I can even attempt to write my review. I had a bit of problem moving on with another audiobook. Next in my eLibrary queue was The Lies You Told
Written by Harriet Tyce DNF @21% 2020; Grand Central Publishing/ Hachette Audio
I was so confused on what was happening in this book. It felt a bit muddled like trying to see and hear what was behind a fog. I did not feel invested with Sadie or any other character in this novel. I decided to bail when the story just wasn’t keeping me going. But the cover…it’s just so pretty. I decided before I called it, I would read some reviews. Unfortunately, most of the reviews I follow (and a few random ones) kind of enforced my own view. (I did this one on audio, and the narrator did not save this one).
I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
The next book in the queue had a due date of seven days, so I decided to sneak a NetGalley audiobook in. Next up was The Nothing Man, another standalone mystery.
I confused Catherine Ryan Howard with Catherine Ryan Hyde. Many moons ago, I read Hyde’s Pay It Forward and thought it was just okay. When I saw Howard’s novel, The Liar’s Girl, I thought it was Hyde and she had switched genre. I picked up the book, but I didn’t get to it. Then I actually read the name properly, and realized this was a different author. Sheesh, Kris, this shows a great example of reading skills. When I saw this as a download on NetGalley, I decided to give this creepy story set in Ireland a try.
Howard uses a book within a book, and it works really well. Eve is a survivor of a serial killer, and to catch her killer she decides to write a book to garner interest. NOT a spoiler – but it turns out the killer, the “Nothing Man” is reading the book about himself. I LOVE when an author gives you all the “twists” right off the bat, and still manages to keep the suspense at a high-level. When you know who the killer is, you just sit back and read what happens next. I highly recommend this one to all mystery fans.
I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
I finished The Nothing Man in the afternoon and still had several hours of work left, so I decided to start another audiobook. I wanted something different, and luckily the next book in my NetGalley audio lineup was Say Yes to What’s Next. Please read my previous post for this book’s review.
Say Yes to What’s Next was a shorter book at 6 hours so I finished that one pretty quickly. (My speed for listening is 2.0 – which I will talk more about this week). The next book was also a different book. I am listening to The Switch by Beth O’Leary, a contemporary fiction novel set in Britain. It’s not quite a romance, but it is on the lighter side. About a woman, Eileen who has lost her granddaughter, and now her other granddaughter and daughter are not speaking. That same daughter is not mentally doing well with her daughter’s death. Eileen’s husband has left her, and she is more annoyed than hurt. She is turning 80 soon, and is looking for love, but it is hard to find anyone in her small village. Her granddaughter, Leena is forced to take a 2 month sabbatical from work, but doesn’t know how to take vacation. She has not really healed from her sisters death. When her grandma wants to date, she suggests they switch homes. She will take over her village duties including being there for her estranged mom. I am about 65% in and am already attached to everyone and don’t want it to end. I also finished two short books over the weekend. Here are the reviews:
Written by Michelle Duster My rating: 4 of 5 stars 2021; Atria/One Signal Publishers/Simon & Schuster Canada
I’ve always heard the name Ida B. Wells in reference to black women who fought racism, but I didn’t really know the particulars. I thought this book was a biography, but it is more of a coffee table book. The cover art caught my attention and when I started to read the eARC, I was not getting the full effect of the artwork. I decided to get the physical book instead, but forgot all about putting it on hold at the library. After I got my vaccine shot, I decided to stop at the library, and there it was on the shelf beckoning me. I loved the artwork in this book, and it deserves one star just for the way it is presented. Michelle Duster is the great granddaughter of Ida B. Wells, and she only got to about her life when she was in her 20s. Or rather that is when she became interested. She would go on to work on a documentary about Wells, and work on some other books. In this book, she shares how her interest in Wells came about, and briefly who Wells was to the world. This book touches on Wells’s impact on black rights, and how it is still fought. I liked that this book is accessible to a wider audience and will garner people’s interest in learning more. I added at least three biographies of Wells on my TBR, one is her own autobiography.
I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
The Famous Five is a group of Canadian women in Alberta coming together and fighting for women rights. Smith does a great job giving an overview of each woman (Emily Murphy, Nellie McClung, Henrietta Muir Edwards, Louise McKinney and Irene Parlby) – their background, family, spouses and children, and what they passionately fought for. As impressive and fierce as this women were, they were fighting on the behalf of white women. Smith also brings up some problematic issues they supported, like eugenics. Learning history is always bittersweet. I can applaud their efforts in trying to make women seem more like people, and still not put them on a pedestal of greatness.
Written and narrated by Lori Allen My rating: 4 of 5 stars 2020; Thomas Nelson/HarperCollins
I enjoy watching Say Yes to the Dress, but I LOVE Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta. I even watched the Bridesmaid version, even though Lori wasn’t on it as much. Lori has great presence on screen, one that is of a straight shooter, but also compassionate with the brides. The way she stands up for them, really draws me to the show. Her friendship with Monte, and Monte himself, enhance the experience. The chemistry between the two is real and their friendship is one that most strive for. I also like Flo, Robin, and everyone else that woks there. It really has a family feel. If I had a wedding and the money, I would want to go to Bridals by Lori. I just love that family feel, with southern sass. If there was ever a movie based on the Lori’s life I can see Reese Witherspoon or Miranda Lambert in the main role.
I remember when Lori revealed she had breast cancer, it was difficult to hear. Lori has always made the audience feel like they are part of her life. I watched the special episode of what she went through and it was great to see her share her experience. I wondered if she would ever write about her experience, and low and behold she has! As soon as I saw this was available for request on Edelweiss, I clicked on “request” a few times out of excitement. Then I saw that Lori was the narrator for the audiobook so I decided to wait till my library got it. It was around this time, NetGalley decided launch an audiobook option, and YAY this was available for request. THANK YOU, Thomas Nelson (HarperCollins) for approving this request and making my day.
Today at work, I finished my audiobook and needed something different. I remembered I still had to listen to this book so I decided to try it. Reading/listening to this memoir/self-help book was like reading a Fannie Flagg book. It is SO southern in all the good ways. While Lori talks about her personal life, this isn’t a biography in any sense. After surviving cancer and a bad fall, Lori started to get a new attitude about life. Just because she is now 60, does not mean she needs to retire and retreat from life. In fact, this is a great time to plan the second part of your life – she uses a cookie as an analogy. She goes on to highlight how we can make the most of our life. Self-care is not about indulging in selfishness, but taking care of ourselves and being the best we can be. Lori gives advice on several issues, and a lot of it is for women in their 60s and 70s. Yet, like Nora Ephron’s I Feel Bad About My Neck: And Other Thoughts on Being a Woman, I related well to this book (and I am in my 40s, and 20/30s for Ephron’s). For me, it’s like having an older friend share her life experiences in order to give you insight. And, some of the chapters, like aging parents, apply to me at my current age. It’s a fun comforting read. If you have seen Lori’s show, that’s what you get in this book. If you haven’t, maybe try the audiobook and see if she is your cup of sweet tea.
I received a complimentary copy of this ebook and audiobook from the publisher through Edelweiss/NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
Lori Allen opened Bridals by Lori just two weeks after graduating from the all-female Columbia College in South Carolina. Four decades later, she is one of the world’s foremost experts on bridal couture and the central figure of TLC’s reality show Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta, filmed on site at Lori’s bridal salon and shown in more than 120 countries.
Lori’s role as a bridal expert, successful female business entrepreneur, TV personality, and breast cancer survivor has led her to interviews by top-tier media outlets, including CNN, ABC’s Good Morning America, NBC’s Today, and the Wall Street Journal. She currently resides in Atlanta with her husband, Eddie, and, thankfully, not far from their daughter and her husband, son and his wife, and three grandchildren.
Ever since I picked up Julie Klassen’s first novel, The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill, I have felt like I have been transported back to another time. The way that Klassen writes, takes readers right into the story and invested in the character’s lives. The first book I read was part of a series, and I enjoyed it enough that I read the entire series and picked up her next book. This will be my sixth book, third of her standalone novels. The Ivy Hill series reminded me of Jane Austen’s stories. Klassen writes under the “Christian Fiction” genre, so the novels are pretty “clean” when it comes to sex and violence. The romances are sweet, but still have passion and chemistry that romance readers are looking for. What I also like about Klassen is that there is usually some kind of mystery. A Castaway in Cornwall reminded me a bit of Graham Winston’s Poldark series. The characters are endearing and wicked, and sometimes both. The story is about a young woman who is orphaned, and lives with her uncle by marriage. When she was younger, her parents and maternal aunt and uncle have passed away from an illness. her father’s sister and husband took her in. Losing her aunt to childbirth, she and her uncle leaned on one another to keep going. He remarries a widow with a daughter around Laura’s age. Her step-aunt sees her in her daughter’s way of finding a good marriage. Laura longs to see more of the world, especially where she lost her parents.
The Cornwall coast is known for many shipwrecks and few survivors. Laura, among many others, finds things and tries to send them back to their loved ones. One night when she rescues a man from a Shipwreck, she helps to nurse him back to health. As she gets to know the stranger she starts to think he may be lying about who he is. Yet he can take her to where he parents were last alive. This may be the adventure she has always wanted. The whole book was a fun journey. It was the sweet escape I needed get out of my own head.
I received a complimentary copy of this trade paperback from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
Last year I read The Gown and really enjoyed the story despite it being set in dual timelines. It was set post-WWII so that did strike my interest a bit more. Our Darkest Night was one I hemmed and hawed over for awhile. It didn’t appear to have a dual timeline, but it was set during WWII. I love historical fiction, and WWII was one of my interests in the genre. Then suddenly the past several years, so many novels were published set during WWII (with another storyline set in contemporary time). They seem to be the same recycled stories that I could not tell you now how the plots differed. When William Morrow sent me their request form (which I never get chosen for), I decided to request out and if I got it, I would read it. I received book mail and was happy to see I was given a physical galley.
It took me just over two weeks to read, but that was more of when I was reading it than the actual engagement level. I read the last half last night, and couldn’t put it down till I finished. There wasn’t anything “new” in this book, but the characters really caught my heart. I felt so invested in them, I would often hold my breath while I read an anxious scene. There is a villain in this story to rival Jack Randall (Outlander) and until I finished the book, I could not rest my worry. At times the novel is super sweet in a romance-y way, but at those moments I was willing to give them that happiness after all they went through. It was also nice to have this novel set in Italy and see what a farming family went through during those hard times.
I received a complimentary copy of a physical galley and ebook from the publisher. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
I read Robert’s holiday themed novel last year, Christmas from the Heart and thought it was okay. As I started this year’s Christmas novel, I found that while the story was different than the year before, the writing was the same. There is so much you can do with this genre of books, which is fine, as that is why most of us read them. Yet, I was hoping for more endearing characters with some heart. I kept forgetting which character was which and after 21% in I just had to give up. I have not read Robert’s regular contemporary romance, and I do want to try one before I try another Christmas novel. **
Three days later I came across another book I just could not read anymore. I was hoping for an epic romance to get lost in but found my mind completely leaving the story. It is written two eras about a love that knows no bounds.
Written by Jude Deveraux DNF @18% 2020; Mira/Harlequin
Image: NetGalley
I loved this pretty cover and the idea of romance through the times. It was giving me Outlander and The Time Traveler’s Wife vibes so I was very eager to start this one. I may have put too much expectations on it, as I just couldn’t get into the story. I kept turning the audio off, and wanted to listen to something but kept putting it off. I have enjoyed Deveraux’s writing and books in the past, so maybe it’s the dual authors….or just me.**
And not even a day later, I DNF my next book…also, a first in a series. Irene Hannon has been on my tbr list, generally, for awhile. I have seen her books here and there and they appear to be Christian romantic suspense. I decided to give this one a try, but the way the character is portrayed and her political views just made my heart hurt a bit. When I read to escape the craziness in real life, I want something more neutral.
Written by Irene Hannon DNF @8% 2020; Revell Books
Image: NetGalley
Unfortunately, I really didn’t get far in this book. Something about the main character, Eve Reilly, turned me right off. Eve is conservative when it comes to her political views, and the way she states in the book, set off my Karen radar. I am not American, yet have many dear friends that are. Seeing the news this week, I just don’t have the heart to keep trying with this one. I do want to thank the author and publisher for the chance to read this novel.***
The next book I DNF was more on me than the book itself. I decided to try something new and it didn’t work for me. It wasn’t bad writing, but more the content that turned me off continuing. I honestly think I wasn’t the right reader for this book (contemporary romance with lots of steam). And, that’s okay. It’s also a reason I did not push myself to finish it and rate it low.
Written by Garrett Leigh DNF@32% 2021; Carina Press/Harlequin
Image: NetGalley
I want to preface this review with, I probably could have finished this novel, but decided to DNF in order to not rate it. Forgiven was not written for someone like me in mind. I enjoy reading contemporary, historical and suspense romances but I am very finicky. I try to branch out and try new sub-genres, hence me reading Forgiven. When I read contemporary romances, and enjoy them, they are usually set in small town, have cowboys, witty rom-coms or family drama. Forgiven is set in contemporary Britain, and is about second chances with love, and reuniting with younger siblings. The pretty cover, and synopsis gave me a bit of a push to try something new. I have not read many novels in the Carina Press imprint as they are more steamy stories. I am more about the romance than the sex scenes. I am a big fan of Harlequin so I am always willing to try something new. Leigh is an engaging writer, and I think if you enjoy romances for steaminess this would be a great novel. I was more interested in the stories between Mia and Gus (her younger brother) and other family dynamics. As I did DNF at 30-ish% maybe the novel does address more of those issues. If this sounds like your kind of read, please read some other reviews by readers of this genre.**
The next two novels are domestic suspense, and this was a genre I loved, but am finding that I may need to take a break from (much like WWII, dual timelines or WWII with dual timelines). This one will be really hard as I love mystery and suspense. Maybe a small power nap kind of break.
When I first started reading The Wives, I was so enthralled with the mystery, I could not stop listening for the first 1/4 of the book. By the end of it, I wondered why I hung on to finish it. I am not a complete quitter, so I decided to give Fisher another shot. Again, I was so intrigued, but as I started to guess on what was happening I decided to DNF. I don’t want to give another lower rating so I am bowing out. I am in minority for both books, so I would read other reviews if this one sound good to you. I found that Fisher tries to sway you away from figuring out the mystery, but goes too far left field (ie: it has nothing to do with the story). Then I start thinking, maybe I haven’t figured it out and gear myself for something cool, and it was what I initially thought. I feel misled and it wasn’t a fun enough journey that I could forgive the betrayal. I don’t think I will try another book by Fisher as I don’t seem to be the reader for these books.**
Written by Rachel Hawkins DNF @23% 2021; St. Martin’s Press
Image: NetGalley
I was excited to read The Wife Upstairs as it was a retelling of Jane Eyre as a domestic suspense. I think I need to step away from domestic suspense novels. Reading Harlan Coben novels, I loved that idea of every day people getting caught up in scary and suspenseful things. It becomes very relatable as you could be the protagonist in the story. With the success of “Gone Girl”, the trend of twist endings and shock value have saturated most suspense novels. It either becomes formulaic with it ending this way or that way…or an implausible ending just to make it different. I feel like for me, it’s more about the plot and characters and not just the twist and turns. I am still enjoying historical mysteries, romantic suspense and police procedural so it’s not the mystery genre I am growing tired with. Sorry for the ramble, but this is just the baggage that is coming with me as I read this one. In the 23% I read of this novel, I did not get invested at all, so I decided to stop reading. With the Jane Eyre story, you sort of know where it’s going and I just wanted to forward to when it’s all new.
**I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. ***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley, and a trade paper copy from publisher. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
When I first started reading The Wives, I was so enthralled with the mystery, I could not stop listening for the first 1/4 of the book. By the end of it, I wondered why I hung on to finish it. I am not a complete quitter, so I decided to give Fisher another shot. Again, I was so intrigued, but as I started to guess on what was happening I decided to DNF. I don’t want to give another lower rating so I am bowing out. I am in minority for both books, so I would read other reviews if this one sound good to you. I found that Fisher tries to sway you away from figuring out the mystery, but goes too far left field (ie: it has nothing to do with the story). Then I start thinking, maybe I haven’t figured it out and gear myself for something cool, and it was what I initially thought. I feel misled and it wasn’t a fun enough journey that I could forgive the betrayal. I don’t think I will try another book by Fisher as I don’t seem to be the reader for these books.
I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
Lord Holt Takes a Bride is my first novel by Vivienne Lorret, and I am already ready to add her whole backlist to my TBR. I love the characters, from the hero and heroine and the secondary cast. While they seem realistic, they also have those larger than life characteristics that make them fun to get to know. A lot of this novel reminded me of the classic rom-com, It Happened One Night (starring Collette Colbert and Clark Gable) where the chemistry sparked and the wit flowed. Winnie, an heiress, finds that her weight keeps her from finding love, or her parents approval. She is promised to a man with a title…and oh, also a mistress. Winnie decides to do a runner when she gets a gift on her wedding day from her husband-to-be to the love of his life, his mistress. Asher needs to pay his father’s debt, and when Winnie and her friends first kidnap him, he decides to give them a taste of their medicine. He “kidnaps” Winnie, but she is more than ready to be taken.
I have battled with my own issues with my body. I have been too skinny and overweight, and it seems like everyone has an opinion on it. I related to Winnie so hard. I felt her insecurities, and the way she felt on hearing other’s discuss her physical traits. It was nice to see more representations of body types, but…you know a but was coming…the cover! The cover to me does showcase one of the most important aspects that made me love this novel. This is not the first time the models on the cover do not match the descriptions inside the book. I have seen different hair colours which also seems ridiculous in the day and age of photoshop. I really think publishers should feature plus size models if that is what the character in the book is described as. Even with that irritating flaw, I highly recommend this story if you need a little escape.
I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through Edelweiss. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
I apologize for the delay between posts. I had a week off of work, and avoided my laptop like the plague. It was nice not to have to stare at a screen. I also did not get much reading done either.
RATING:2 of 5 stars 2020; William Morrow Paperbacks
I have been excited to start Alyssa Cole’s debut suspense thriller When No One is Watching as I have seen so much promotion on it. I was approved for an eARC by Netgalley and was excited to get to it. Alyssa Cole is known for her romance novels (which I have on my list to try, but have not read anything by Cole). I was pleased when my hold of the audiobook came in right before vacation began. Unfortunately, this novel did not work for me. It took me 5 days to finish this audiobook, and the only reason I did is that I pushed myself. I think the message of the novel and what the author was trying to convey was great, but the execution fell apart 20% in (at least for me). I just could not feel any investment in the characters and I started to get a bit bored with the plot. Anytime I could find something else to do and not listen to this story, I ran towards it. I had high expectations for this book based on all the promotions, and I feel a bit let down. I think if they hadn’t built it up so much, and compared it to Get Out, I may have had read it as a debut novel in a new genre (for the author). I started to feel a bit better after reading Roxanne Gay’s review, as I didn’t feel like I was the sole outlier on this one. Although, I usually am the one going against the tide, so you think I would get used to it. I would read the high and low reviews to get a better consensus on the novel. If this is a book you are interested in, I say go for it, but if it’s not working for you, bail.
My Novelesque Life 