Review: Confessions From the Quilting Circle by Maisie Yates

Confessions from the Quilting Circle

by Maisey Yates

Release Date: May 4th 2021

2021 Harlequin

Kindle Edition; 384 Pages

ISBN: 978-1335775856

ASIN: B087N6KKX5

Genre: Fiction / Contemporary / Women

Source: Review copy from publisher

3.5 / 5 Stars

Summary

When Lark Ashwood's beloved grandmother dies, she and her sisters discover an unfinished quilt. Finishing it could be the reason Lark's been looking for to stop running from the past, but is she ever going to be brave enough to share her biggest secret with the people she ought to be closest to?

Hannah can't believe she's back in Bear Creek, the tiny town she sacrificed everything to escape from. The plan? Help her sisters renovate her grandmother's house and leave as fast as humanly possible. Until she comes face-to-face with a man from her past. But getting close to him again might mean confessing what really drove her away...

Stay-at-home mom Avery has built a perfect life, but at a cost. She'll need all her family around her, and all her strength, to decide if the price of perfection is one she can afford to keep paying.

This summer, the Ashwood women must lean on each other like never before, if they are to stitch their family back together, one truth at a time...

 

****Spoilers ahead.****

 

My Thoughts

Confessions From the Quilting Circle was a book about secrets and emotions, and I enjoyed it quite a bit.  Having these sisters come together in this way made me reflect upon my own relationship with my sisters, and how important it was to keep those lines of communication open, something with which I struggle even today.  This author definitely knows how to tug at your heartstrings and to make you think about your own life as you are reading about someone else's.  

 

I enjoyed all the characters in this story and loved how it wasn't so much a story about individual women, but about women sustaining each other emotionally as they revealed difficult secrets and fought through separate heartbreaks.  The three sisters each had trauma in their life, and when their grandmother passed away, they came back to their hometown to deal with their inheritance and to also face the demons their left behind.  Because they spent so much time apart, they didn't really know each other, so the book was about them rebuilding their relationship as adults and not as who they were as children, learning about each other as women.  I loved the anecdotes from their adolescence however, as they learned they were quite different from the people they thought they were, and had secrets from each other even back then.

 

The writing style is beautiful and I loved following along as the sisters discovered something unique about each section of the quilt on which they were working.  Tracing their quilt patterns and the fabrics they were using to previous generations of women in their family was fascinating and I would have loved to learn more about these women.  I especially enjoyed how each daughter had to deal with their relationship with their mother; Mary, the mom, had grown up without her mother, and didn't really know how to develop relationships with other people so always seemed colder to her children than did their father.  Watching the mom develop throughout the book was one of the highlights for me and I enjoyed reading about her reflections on her life and how she didn't make excuses for her behaviour, but was willing to try anything to mend her relationship with her daughters.   

However, while I would love to say the overall book was wonderful, unfortunately I do have to address a couple of things with which I had a problem.  First of all, I really wish the family had done more with Hannah's situation than scream 'rape' and just leave it at that.  She was under eighteen when this happened, and it happened multiple times, even to the point whereby one of the characters mentioned that he probably had done this to hundreds of girls.  What? That's it?  I get that the book was about Hannah reconnecting with her emotional side and not feeling guilt over what happened, but I also felt more should have been done in this situation, or at least talked about.

Secondly, I really liked the other story line about Avery and the physical abuse, but also wish it hadn't seemed so easy.  Please don't take this the wrong way, but abusive situations are not easy to escape, and I just feel like the wrong message can be sent if it seems that way.  The book did handle the situation with great emotion and sensitivity, and I loved the way the author dealt with Avery's emotions and feelings of guilt, and while the book focused on Avery realizing she didn't have to be perfect and in control all of the time, and she could finally reconnect with who she really wanted to be, it is definitely not so easy for that to happen.  Maybe for some women it is that easy, but I know a couple of women who left abusive relationships, and the emotional scars, never mind the physical scars, don't go away that easily and often take years of therapy to overcome.  It just seemed a little too pat for me.  

 

Verdict

Confessions From the Quilting Circle was an emotional read about three sisters reconnecting after the death of their beloved grand-mother, forcing them to confront secrets and issues from which they had been hiding for years.  It was beautifully written, and I enjoyed it quite a bit.  The story is more character-driven and I thought it was very easy to empathize with the characters and their issues.  There is a lot of introspection, but that didn't bother me, although I did have an issue with the way a couple of the story lines were handled.  I do think this book will appeal to a lot of people who are looking for a book about family relationships, but if you are looking for a sexy Maisie Yates romance, this is not it..  

 

 

 

Review: Lost in Paris by Elizabeth Thompson

Lost in Paris

by Elizabeth Thompson

Release Date: April 13, 2021

2021 Gallery Books

Kindle Edition; 352 Pages

ISBN: 978-1982149086

ASIN: B08BZWSD74

Genre: Fiction / Contemporary

Source: Review copy from publisher

 

3 / 5 Stars

 

Summary

Hannah Bond has always been a bookworm, which is why she fled Florida—and her unstable, alcoholic mother—for a quiet life leading Jane Austen-themed tours through the British countryside. But on New Year’s Eve, everything comes crashing down when she arrives back at her London flat to find her mother, Marla, waiting for her.

Marla’s brought two things with her: a black eye from her ex-boyfriend and an envelope she discovered while cleaning out the attic of Hannah’s childhood home. Its contents? The deed to an apartment in Paris, an old key, and newspaper clippings about the death of a famous writer named Andres Armand.

 

 

My Thoughts

Lost in Paris is a sweet book, and although there was a lot to enjoy about this book, I really wasn't as invested in the mother-daughter relationship as I thought I should be and found myself wishing the diary pages were actually the main story line.  However, I am always interested in a book about Paris, so while I wasn't as crazy about the main characters, I truly did enjoy the descriptions of Paris and wished myself back there once again.

 

I actually didn't have a problem with any of the characters, but wished more time had been spent on developing Marla's character as I found her a lot more interesting than Hannah.  She was quirky and fascinating, and she must have had quite an intriguing life. Hannah was simply...boring.  I get that she didn't like confrontations due to her past history with her mother, but that doesn't necessarily make a character bland.  

 

While this is not a dual timeline story, you do get glimpses of Ivy's story through her diary entries, a diary that Hannah finds in the old apartment.  Unfortunately, this is where the reader is somewhat misled as the description mentions Hannah and Marla following Ivy's footsteps to discover more about her and this never really happens.  I kept reading on, hoping for more information, and more searches, but while you do sort of discover what happens to Ivy, it's not because the two of them go hunting down the information. Like everything in this book, it all wraps up so nicely for them without either of them having to do anything.  

 

And this is why this story was 'sweet'. Everything worked out perfectly for Marla and Hannah. Everything.  And while it was enjoyable reading about some of the places in Paris, and I will never get too old to read about that, the story was fairly predictable and somewhat unbelievable.  However, the  the author does have this light, engaging writing style that is captivating, something I did appreciate. Unfortunately, even good writers can not always fix a choppy story line, or convince a reader that the relationships they create are good if they are rushed and unbelievable.    

 

Verdict

Lost in Paris is one of those books I read in one sitting.  While I appreciated the setting, and enjoyed Ivy's diary entries, I wasn't invested in the mother-daughter relationship between Marla and Hannah because I just didn't believe in it the way I was meant to.  This story had huge amounts of potential, but it fell into the trap of using coincidence, tropes, and convenience to solve plot holes, some of which were too big to be believable. However, it was about Paris. And what's not to love about that?

Review: Sisters by Choice by Susan Mallery

Sisters by Choice (Blackberry Island, Book $4)
by Susan Mallery
Release Date: February 11th 2020
2020 MIRA
Kindle Edition; 367 Pages
ISBN: 978-0778310020
ASIN: B07QJCGY7K
Genre: Fiction / Contemporary
Source: Review copy from publisher

2.5 / 5 Stars

Summary
After her cat toy empire goes up in flames, Sophie Lane returns to Blackberry Island, determined to rebuild. Until small-town life reveals a big problem: she can’t grow unless she learns to let go. If Sophie relaxes her grip even a little, she might lose everything. Or she might finally be free to reach for the happiness and love that have eluded her for so long.

Kristine has become defined by her relationship to others. She’s a wife, a mom. As much as she adores her husband and sons, she wants something for herself—a sweet little bakery just off the waterfront. She knew changing the rules wouldn’t be easy, but she never imagined she might have to choose between her marriage and her dreams.

Like the mainland on the horizon, Heather’s goals seem beyond her grasp. Every time she manages to save for college, her mother has another crisis. Can she break free, or will she be trapped in this tiny life forever?

My Thoughts
Sisters by Choice is a really hard review to write as I typically love books by this author, but I have to admit this one didn't resonate with me at all.  Other than the writing style, and maybe Kristine's story arc, I couldn't for the life of me empathize with Sophie and really disliked Amber.  When someone gets rewarded for their bad behaviour, towards their daughter as well as in their job, it really leaves a bad taste in my mouth, family or not.

The book is told in multiple POV, following the lives of three women: Sophie, a woman returning home after her business was destroyed by a fire; Kristine, determined to open up a bakery despite resistance from her husband; and Heather, trying to escape the Island and go to school despite roadblocks from a bitter and nasty parent.   While I always enjoy this author's writing style, I just couldn't bring myself to like most of these story arcs and I think it comes down to character development.  Other than Kristine, none of these women really learned anything other than to whine and complain about their lives and it got old, fast.

Kristine was pretty much the only story line that I liked, despite a husband who was childish and insensitive.  And to be honest, even his reasons for running away were flimsy at best.  He's a grown man, and he runs away because of that?!?!  If I was married to him, I would need some serious counselling too.  But what I did like in this story arc was the approach taken about stay-at-home moms and the stereotypes, even how the children may view their moms who stay at home.  It's important for people to value the job that a stay-at-home mom does.  I liked how Kristine needed to find something to do for herself that was outside the home now that her boys were growing older.

Okay, Sophie.  Didn't care for her at all.  She was whiny, arrogant, and downright annoying.  Personally, I got a bit tired listening to her rant about problems when she never learned from any of her mistakes, and the little things she did to ensure people knew she was the boss were downright annoying.  I'm also not really sure why she really needed a love interest at all as I didn't like her romance with Dugan, and I didn't really feel any fireworks or anything.  And all of a sudden, he was holding out for her to love him, gosh help me.  Couldn't they just enjoy each other's company for a while and see how it went?  Plus, he was just as annoying as Sophie, kind of smug and condescending.  And I'm really not sure why the author had to really push the 'no kids' thing so much; I think having a simple conversation would have been so much more adult as it made Sophie look really silly.

And now the piece de resistance, Amber and Heather.  There is nothing good to say about Amber as a character.  And then she was rewarded at the end.  Awful stuff, which left a really bad feeling in my mouth.  No thanks!

Verdict
Sister By Choice is one of those books I struggled to write a review as I typically love books by this author.  However, I have to say that neither the characters nor the story did anything for me and I was a bit sad over this.  However, the author's writing style was great as always and that was the strength of the book.  Will that stop me from reading another book by this author?  Definitely not.  Her previous books in this series were fun, and I am looking forward to future books in this series.  This one though, was not for me, but others may enjoy it more than I did. 

 

Review: The McAvoy Sisters Book of Secrets by Molly Fader

The McAvoy Sisters Book of Secrets
by Molly Fader
Release Date: July 16th 2019
2019 Graydon House
Kindle Edition; 368 Pages
ISBN: 978-1525834240
ASIN: B07FTK6FXN
Genre: Fiction / Contemporary
Source: Review copy from publisher

3.5 / 5 Stars

Summary
It's been seventeen years since the tragic summer the McAvoy sisters fell apart. Lindy, the wild one, left home, carved out a new life in the city and never looked back. Delia, the sister who stayed, became a mother herself, raising her daughters and running the family shop in their small Pennsylvania hometown on the shores of Lake Erie.

But now, with their mother's ailing health and a rebellious teenager to rein in, Delia has no choice but to welcome Lindy home. As the two sisters try to put their family back in order, they finally have the chance to reclaim what's been lost over the years: for Delia, professional dreams and a happy marriage, and for Lindy, a sense of home and an old flame--and best of all, each other. 

My Thoughts
The McAvoy Sisters Book of Secrets was a book that I enjoyed quite a bit and thought the author did a fantastic job with the setting and the descriptions.  I liked the characters and how they interacted with each other and while the ending was okay, I just thought it seemed off from the rest of the novel.  A good novel about family and working through issues though.

First of all, I really loved Lindy as a character; she was my favourite. I would have been quite happy had the whole book been about her, her life, and dealing with her own issues.  Because the story was split four ways, I really feel like I didn't get Lindy's full story nor was her personality allowed to shine quite as much as it could have.  Frankly, she was the interesting one in this story.  It's not that I didn't like the other characters, but Delia, despite her issues, was kind of...I'm not really what she was, but I didn't really find her character all that interesting.  And I think it's just the way she was portrayed by the author as there was so much going on in Delia's life that it should have been fascinating.  Plus, she was dealing with post-partum depression, something I don't think was developed as much as it could have been.  Don't get me wrong though, I liked the characters, I just felt there was more that could have been told.

I did think the author did a great job with the story though, unveiling the story line slowly and letting the reader figure out what happened all those years ago.  I do feel however, that the reasons for Lindy leaving for so long were rather weak.  I was expecting this big build up and when I discovered the why, I was a bit disappointed. I get that families can have huge issues over the smallest things, but for Lindy to avoid Delia all these years seems a bit out of place for what actually happened. I also get that people cope with trauma in many different ways, but you'd think a strong support system would have been much better than just running away.  For whatever reason, I just felt like the reasons were flimsy at best and didn't really seem to fit the personalities of the characters that were developed for the first two-thirds of the book.  Plus, I really liked the way the characters interacted with one another, so the big reveal was a bit of a letdown.  I just really enjoyed their relationships in this book.

Verdict
The McAvoy Sisters Book of Secrets definitely had the potential to be a fantastic book as the relationships between the characters was interesting and fun.  I liked how the author dealt with Lindy and Delia's mother's failing health as their care and sympathy was so nice to see.  The little habits that sisters tend to develop over the years don't really disappear so it was nice to see the author reflect that in this book and I really enjoyed those 'trip down the memory lane' scenes.  Although I wish the reasons for the difficulties between the sisters had been somewhat different, the book was still good and I do recommend it to anyone who is interested in contemporary fiction featuring sisters and relationships. I am looking forward to reading her next novel, The Bitter And Sweet of Cherry Season, when it is released in June.

Review: The Cliff House by RaeAnne Thayne

The Cliff House
by RaeAnne Thayne
Release Date: March 26th 2019
2019 HQN Books
Kindle Edition; 384 Pages
ISBN: 978-1335004901
ASIN: B07CS6BDRS
Genre: Fiction / Contemporary
Source: Review copy from publisher

3 / 5 Stars

Summary
After the death of their mother, sisters Daisy and Beatriz Davenport found a home with their aunt Stella in the beautiful and welcoming town of Cape Sanctuary. They never knew all the dreams that Stella sacrificed to ensure they had everything they’d ever need. Now, with Daisy and Bea grown, it’s time for Stella to reveal the secret she’s been keeping from them—a secret that will change their family forever.

Bea thought she’d sown all her wild oats when she got pregnant far too young. The marriage that followed was rocky and not destined to last, but it gave Bea her wonderful, mature, now eleven-year-old daughter, Marisol. But just as she’s beginning to pursue a new love with an old friend, Bea’s ex-husband resurfaces and turns their lives completely upside down.

Then there’s Daisy—sensible, rational, financially prudent Daisy. She’s never taken a risk in her life—until she meets a man who makes her question everything she thought she knew about life, love and the power of taking chances.

My Thoughts
The Cliff House was an enjoyable book about two sisters and the aunt who raised them after their mother died figuring out new paths in their lives and taking chances on love.  Having read previous books by this author, I really felt like the characters and their stories were underdeveloped compared to what I have read previously.  Personally, I think the author took on too much and perhaps it may have been better to focus on one sister, or just the aunt, for this book.  There would have been plenty for three books.

I really liked all three women, although it did take a while for Daisy to grow on me as she was a bit surly in the beginning.  I also felt like Daisy's character was the least developed and would have liked a longer book, or one devoted to her story line as there was so much going on with her.  And you could say that with Bea and with Stella as well.  Because of this, I really felt there was not enough time to really develop their stories and tell them properly.  And while the story did bounce around quite a bit between the different characters, most of the time it was smoothly done. I do think it would have been better to have left the POVs to the women though, as there was just too much going on. I'm used to big plodding stories and don't typically mind them as I like the development and really getting to know the characters.  

The plot was fairly predictable and it wasn't hard to figure out what would happen in the end, but it was still a fun journey.  I actually liked Bea's ex-husband and thought he would be a great character for a future book.  The setting seems beautiful and I loved the descriptions of Daisy's house. I really felt like Bea got the least amount of attention though, which is why I still think three story lines was too much for this book despite the good writing.  I also tend to hate melodrama and there was a point where the book was heading in that direction, but luckily, it stopped.  Relying simply on misunderstanding to fuel a plot can be quite irritating. It really, really bothers me when characters can't seem to get their act together and communicate with each other.  And to be honest, I still can't quite figure out why the big secret in this one was an actual secret.  Seemed a bit childish to me.  

Verdict
The Cliff House was a busy book, but I still enjoyed reading it.  While the three love stories left all three characters underdeveloped, it was still interesting to read.  I was actually surprised the author did this as she usually tends to take her time with a character and really develop their stories and their personalities, but...oh well.  The author's writing style is engaging, so I do recommend this one.  If you are new to this author though, I highly recommend some of her other books as well.

Review: The Magnificent Mrs. Mayhew by Milly Johnson

The Magnificent Mrs. Mayhew
by Milly Johnson
Release Date: July 29th 2019
2019 Gallery Books
Kindle Edition; 352 Pages
ISBN: 978-1471178443
ASIN: B07DTHG979
Genre: Fiction / Contemporary
Source: Review copy from publisher

4 / 5 Stars

Summary
Sophie Mayhew seems to have the perfect life. The glamourous wife of a rising political star who is one step away from the highest position in the government, she matches her husband in looks, pedigree, and money. But he has made some stupid mistakes on his way to the top, and some of those mistakes are just now threatening to emerge. Still, this can all be swept under the rug so long as Sophie the Trophy plays her part in front of the cameras. But the words that tumble out of Sophie’s mouth one morning on the doorstep of their country house are not the words the spin doctors drilled into her head.

Bursting out of the restrictive mold that has been tightening around her since birth, Sophie flees to a small village on the coast, a safe haven from her childhood days, where she intends to be alone. But once there, she finds a community that warms her soul and makes her feel as if she is breathing properly for the first time in her life. Sophie knows she won’t be left in peace for long, though, so she must decide: where does her real future lie?

My Thoughts
The Magnificent Mrs. Mayhew turned out to be a really fun read, and I was really happy with the way this book ended. I wasn't too sure at the beginning, actually the first two-thirds, as there are a host of characters in this book that were just truly awful to Sophie and were so self-centered. I stuck with it and it turned out to be a sweet story at the end with characters to whom I could relate.

The way the story was set-up, you knew something big was going to happen with doorstepgate, but it took a bit of time getting here.  In hindsight, the background information leading to that disaster was important and necessary, and I really liked the flashback episodes to when Sophie was young and at boarding school with the rich and wealthy kids, and the story does come full circle which made me happy.  I really enjoyed Sophie's character and the way the author developed her personality throughout the book. I liked watching her learn to take her life back from those people who are sucking the life out of her with their needs and wants and Sophie deciding she doesn't want to deal with it anymore and wants something for herself.  Her character really grew on me after the 'episode' and she could truly be herself for the first time in a long time. The other characters Sophie meets while running away were also interesting and I liked them all.  I tend to like quirky characters so I especially liked Marshall and Roger and Sophie's interactions with them.  You could finally see her natural ability to draw people out, and if she had been given a chance, she would have been amazing in her role as a political wife instead of being thought of as a Trophy Wife.  

The plot itself was enjoyable, even if you could see what would happen almost right from the beginning.  So, yes, it was a bit predictable, but the writing was so good that it didn't really matter. And I have to say I loved doorstepgate a lot!!!  However, my favourite scene in the book actually had to do with Edward and his big bomb given during dinner as it came out of the blue.  While you could have predicted what would happen with Sophie, this was a bit of a surprise and I loved it.  Wish I could have been a fly on the wall afterwards.  There are some deeper discussions about God in this book, but I think they fit in perfectly as Sophie was trying to figure out who she was and what she wanted so the philosophical discussions worked.  Plus, the author does ask some profound questions: Would you be able to stick by someone who cheated one you and still be true to yourself? Are you happy with what you are doing? Are you content to be someone's trophy? How much should you put up with? It doesn't matter what you do, but your morals and values should never be compromised - some deep thoughts on that too. 

Verdict
The Magnificent Mrs. Mayhew definitely asks some interesting questions through Sophie's flight and attempt to get control over her own life.  I thought the story was enjoyable and I definitely liked the characters from the village who helped Sophie when she escaped from her political life.  The author was definitely trying to be philosophical, asking questions about morals and values versus power and the corrupting influence of power. It definitely made you think.  And while I thought this book was fun, and I would definitely recommend it, I don't think it quite lived up to some of the author's previous books. So if you haven't read any, get out there and do so.

Review: The Christmas Sisters by Sarah Morgan

The Christmas Sisters
by Sarah Morgan
Release Date: September 25th 2018
2018 HQN Books
Kindle Edition; 416 Pages
ISBN: 978-1335946478
ASIN: B0787NYS3K
Genre: Fiction / Contemporary
Source: Review copy from publisher

4.5 / 5 Stars

Summary
In the snowy Highlands of Scotland, Suzanne McBride is dreaming of the perfect cozy Christmas. Her three adopted daughters are coming home for the holidays and she can’t wait to see them. But tensions are running high…

Workaholic Hannah knows she can’t avoid spending the holidays with her family two years in a row. But it’s not the weight of their expectations that’s panicking her—it’s the life-changing secret she’s hiding. Stay-at-home mom Beth is having a personal crisis. All she wants for Christmas is time to decide if she’s ready to return to work—seeing everyone was supposed to help her stress levels, not increase them! Posy isn’t sure she’s living her best life, but with her parents depending on her, making a change seems risky. But not as risky as falling for gorgeous new neighbor Luke…

As Suzanne’s dreams of the perfect McBride Christmas unravel, she must rely on the magic of the season to bring her daughters together. But will this new togetherness teach the sisters that their close-knit bond is strong enough to withstand anything—including a family Christmas?

My Thoughts
The Christmas Sisters is one those warm Christmas stories that you just can help but love. Drawn to the story just by the words "snowy Highlands of Scotland" myself, I couldn't wait to be treated to large fires, hot chocolate, cozy nights, and of course, the snow storms. It is what drew me to this book in the first place and I wasn't disappointed at all.  Basically, it's an escapist story for me, far different from the usual fare I read, but Sarah Morgan is so good at writing escapist stories that just make you want to read another one and another one.  Take family trauma, sisters who love each other but struggle to really understand one another, an adoptive mother with some secrets, and a location that is just made for Christmas, and you have a story just waiting to be told. Curling up in from the fire on a rainy day and reading this was just an added bonus.

For twenty-five years, the family has avoided discussing what really happened the night the girls' parents died in an ice climbing accident on Mount Rainier just days before Christmas.  However, the tragedy left scars on all three of the girls and on Suzanne, the woman who survived the avalanche and who took in the girls after the accident.  Coming together this Christmas would set off a chain of events that would force everyone to look at past events and confront their fears and what actually happened that night and afterwards.  I don't want to say more as it would spoil the story but I loved how it all came together and how it was all revealed.  First of all, you have Suzanne, suffering from nightmares all these years of the event, trying to block it all out and raise the girls the best to her ability.  Hannah's development is the one I loved the most as she learned to show emotion and not always be so perfect all of the time; I thought the author dealt with her character the best of them all.  Beth, wanting to go back to work but taking a path that was not greatly conducive to her or her family; watching her struggle through this and seeing her husband support her was wonderful.  And then there was Posy, who never really left home, but who was looking for adventures of her own and was afraid to reveal her plans to her family.  Having two sisters of my own, I could relate to a lot of the scenarios that were going on in this story, even laughing out loud a few times as I could picture it in my own house so easily.  

When Suzanne came down with a nasty flu right before Christmas, it was up to the girls to pick up the tasks and try to keep Christmas from flying apart.  Through all of the commotion, the girls were able to discuss their lives and work through some of their issues and really talk for the first time in ages.  I enjoyed the humour and witty situations that occurred throughout these discussions, especially the scenes with Hannah and her nieces, so fun; the aftermath and her sister's reaction to some of the things her sisters did with her kids was fun too as I remember my own grand-father being like that and telling everyone to relax.  It brought back a lot of my own memories and the fun times I had at my grandparents when I was young.

Verdict
The Christmas Sisters was an engaging story that was a bit deceptive in its presentation.  While presenting as a fun Christmas story, there were deeper elements that were addressed in this book like acceptance, forgiveness,, communicating, and embracing the future.  The writing just draws you in, makes you feel like part of the family, and within the plot, are many unexpected subplots that I enjoyed tremendously, all of which flowed together at the end.  I have always enjoyed Sarah Morgan's books, and this one is no exception.  If you are looking for a fun, engaging Christmas read, then I highly recommend this one.

Review: The Late Bloomers' Club by Louise Miller

The Late Bloomers' Club
by Louise Miller
Release Date: July 17th 2018
2018 Pamela Dorman Books
Kindle Edition; 336 Pages
ISBN: 978-1101981238
ASIN: B077CNY89T
Genre: Fiction / Contemporary
Source: Review copy from publisher

4 / 5 Stars

Summary
Nora, the owner of the Miss Guthrie diner, is perfectly happy serving up apple cider donuts, coffee, and eggs-any-way-you-like-em to her regulars, and she takes great pleasure in knowing exactly what's "the usual." But her life is soon shaken when she discovers she and her younger, free-spirited sister Kit stand to inherit the home and land of the town's beloved cake lady, Peggy Johnson.

Kit, an aspiring--and broke--filmmaker needs to generate funding for her latest project, and is particularly keen when they find out Peggy was in the process of selling the land to a big-box developer before her death. The people of Guthrie are divided--some want the opportunities the development will bring, while others are staunchly against any change--and they aren't afraid to leave their opinions with their tips.

When a disaster strikes the diner, the community of Guthrie bands together to help her, and Nora discovers that doing the right thing doesn't always mean giving up your dreams.

Summary
The Late Bloomers' Club is one of those books that is perfect for the beach; you just sit back and enjoy the characters and what is going on without having to think too deeply about the events or the ramifications about what you are reading.  Set in the same town as her previous book The City Baker's Guide to Country Living, it was nice to revisit some of the same characters. This one focuses on the owner of Miss Guthrie's Diner, Nora Huckleberry and her sister, Kit, as they struggle with an unexpected inheritance and how it could affect the town and themselves.

I will admit that I did struggle between rating this book 3.5 stars or 4 stars as so much of the book was devoted to finding a lost dog that some of the plot kind of got lost.  I felt like the author was trying to add a bit of sentimentality as well as trying to find a way for Nora and Elliot to have something in common to spark a bit of romance, which I don't really think was needed. Don't get me wrong, the dog story line was cute, but I don't feel it was necessary and for me, it felt like too much of a distraction. There was enough going on that it actually wasn't needed.  I did find the interactions between the town members interesting and I liked how they gave their opinions on what should be done in different ways.  So many people would benefit from a decision to build, while so many people would be destroyed by such a decision.  It was interesting to see who was on what side and why, and it was not always for the reasons you would think.

Guthrie is one of those towns that just seems too good to be true; you know, the type of place where everyone helps everyone else out all of the time and really cares for everyone.  Because of this, it just doesn't feel right as towns typically do have a lot more conflict than this.  I also expected a lot more conflict between Nora and Kit, but really, there was...none.  Personally, I felt like this was a book about Nora and the choices she made in her life that prevented her from achieving her dream of becoming an artist in order to look after her father after her mother died.  While her internal conflict was interesting, that's all it was, internal.  That meant that while the other characters were interesting, they were not quirky or fascinating, like you'd expect in a small town like this so I was somewhat disappointed about this. I did really like the town though and loved all of the descriptions of small town life, like the festivals and community gatherings.  What I really did like was the description of the cake lady as she was quirky and seemed like she would have been a fascinating character.  

Verdict
The Late Bloomers' Club is a fun, light read with relatable characters. I liked the fact the main character was older, but still struggling with the question of what she should be doing with her life, like a lot of us.  And it did bug me a little that it was never explained why the cake lady left her property to Nora and Kit, just kind of glossed over as if the reader would just accept that it was a done deal.  While the novel is very charming, with a lot of quaint happenings and events, the ending was too simple for me, too easily explained - life just isn't that easy.  That being said, the novel is charming and fun.  If you are someone looking for drama, this is probably not the book for you, but if you are looking for a light beach read, then I do recommend it for sure.

Review: Red Clocks by Leni Zumas

Red Clocks
by Leni Zumas
Release Date: January 16th 2018
2018 Little, Brown and Company
Kindle Edition; 368 Pages
ISBN: 978-0316434812
ASIN: B07281JNQK
Genre: Fiction / Contemporary
Source: Review copy from publisher

3 / 5 Stars

Summary
In this ferociously imaginative novel, abortion is once again illegal in America, in-vitro fertilization is banned, and the Personhood Amendment grants rights of life, liberty, and property to every embryo. In a small Oregon fishing town, five very different women navigate these new barriers alongside age-old questions surrounding motherhood, identity, and freedom.

Ro, a single high-school teacher, is trying to have a baby on her own, while also writing a biography of Eivør, a little-known 19th-century female polar explorer. Susan is a frustrated mother of two, trapped in a crumbling marriage. Mattie is the adopted daughter of doting parents and one of Ro's best students, who finds herself pregnant with nowhere to turn. And Gin is the gifted, forest-dwelling homeopath, or "mender," who brings all their fates together when she's arrested and put on trial in a frenzied modern-day witch hunt.

My Thoughts
Red Clocks is one of those books that I think was supposed to be controversial and a good source for some great discussion, but I don't think it quite succeeded in its intent.  There seemed to be quite a lot of questions being asked such as: If a young woman became pregnant, what are her options in a society that has banned abortion? For a single mother, what are her options in a society that allows only two-parent families to adopt? For a physician who believes it is a person's choice regarding abortion, what happens to them if they are caught? And if a person chooses to use alternative medicine, what are the repercussions for both practitioner and client?  And while the questions are great, I don't really feel as if the consequences that came about in this book really made much of an impact on me.

First of all, abortion is still such a touchy subject in a lot of countries and is outright banned in quite a few, so the real impact of this Personhood Amendment in this novel guaranteeing the right of embryos was not as strong as it could have been.  I think I was more upset of the loss of in-vitro fertilization than I was over the other issue and very much empathized with Ro who was trying to have a baby despite some medical issues.  As a single mother, she would have been excluded from being to adopt on her own as the new law coming into effect bans single parents from adopting, and apparently is a jailable offense to do it under the table.  There was even, at one point, an attempt from a doctor to suggest that Ro go abroad and adopt but he could have been jailed if he recommended that outright.  

The whole concept in this novel was brilliant considering the political climates surrounding the issues, and even the idea of a Pink Wall between Canada and the U.S. was brilliant as it also echoes some of the political climate.  The Pink Wall was an agreement between the two countries that Canada would return any U.S. citizen attempting to have an abortion or IVF treatments in Canada, where it was still legal.  Where the concept really failed in my opinion, was in the writing.  I couldn't get past some of the structures as they were written which made me lose my interest and then my empathy towards the characters.  While the author was trying to be really creative, I do think one can go too far, and this is a good example of  a story being lost in the format.  Which was a shame as the concept was intriguing.  I also really think that such a personal topic needs to involve the reader as much as possible and to invest in the characters.  Unfortunately, even the titles of the chapters, titled "The Wife", "The Daughter", "The Mentor", and "The Biographer" didn't help the situation.  While I do think the idea was on purpose, I think it was a mistake as this is not a topic where you want to be distant and apathetic towards the characters, which is how I felt.  I wanted to be embroiled in their turmoil, their disgust, their panic and so on, but I wasn't.  And I really disliked The Wife who was lazy, self-centered, and really, really annoying, and who was a character that really didn't fit into the story line. If she had been removed from the story, I don't think it would have made any difference to the story.

Verdict
Red Clocks had such a fantastic premise that I was excited to read this.  Unfortunately, it didn't live up to what I think it was trying to get across.  First of all, due to the way it was written, I didn't feel much empathy for any of the characters and didn't really care what the consequences of their actions were; in other words, it had no real heart and soul.  I should have felt deeply troubled by this new law, but there wasn't anything really revelatory in this story, so while it did make me think, there was no shock value.  I'm not sure I would recommend this one, but as always, you need to judge for yourself.

Review: Girls' Weekend by Cara Sue Achterberg

Girls' Weekend
by Cara Sue Achterberg
Release Date: May 3rd 2016
2016 Story Plant
Paperback; 352 Pages
ISBN: 978-1611882285
ASIN: B01BI5LT8W
Genre: Fiction / Contemporary
Source: Review copy from Pump Up Your Book

4 / 5 Stars

Summary
Dani, Meg, and Charlotte have bonded over babies, barbeques, and backyards, but when they escape for a girls weekend away, they can t bring themselves to return to lives that don t seem to fit anymore.Harried Dani can t explain why she feels so discontented until she meets a young gallery owner who inspires her to rediscover the art that once made her happy.

Dependable Meg faces up to a grief that threatens to swallow her whole and confronts a marriage built on expectations.

Flamboyant Charlotte, frustrated with her stagnated life and marriage, pursues a playboy Irish singer and beachside business opportunities.

All three of these women thought they would be different. None of them thought they d be facing down forty and still wondering when life starts. What they do when they realize where they re headed is both inspiring and wildly entertaining.

My Thoughts
Girls' Weekend is one of those books with which you settle down with a glass of wine on a beach somewhere and enjoy the read.  While I don't think it went into as much depth as it really could have, it did make you think about your own life and how much you do for others and whether you really do have time for yourself.  I think it's great that these women were able to take the time to relax and think about what they want from life, but personally, I don't know too many women who can take weeks to themselves in order to sort themselves out and decide what to do.  

It all begins when Dani, Charlotte, and Meg decide to go away for a weekend.  Tired with their lives, wishing for something more, once the weekend is over they don't want to return to their husbands and their daily chores, so they decide to stay. To be honest, I did have a problem with the decision as, again, I am not sure how someone could leave for weeks without explaining to their spouse what is going on. I'm sure most women have fantasized about leaving for a month of two, a secluded beach with a casket of wine and a suitcase full of books being absolute heaven.  It's definitely very easy to get caught up in one's life as you cart the children all over the place, help them with their homework, make their lunches, take them shopping to get that last-minute art project piece that was due yesterday, to sew the rip in the shirt your daughter needed last week, and so on.  But re-connecting with your spouse takes time and energy and this I thought was lacking in this book.  The story was about the women coming to terms with themselves, and their growth, but the disconnect in their lives would have involved their spouses too, and I don't think there was any resolution and very little development to this at all. It was more about the men learning to live without their spouses, hoping they will notice everything the women do in their lives, and hoping something will change when they get back. But taking off for weeks doesn't really solve the problem, in my estimation, and old habits don't die out that easily. I definitely wasn't looking for a perfect ending, would have been kind of disappointed if there was, but would have liked a bit more resolution for these ladies instead of just go back to your lives and hope everyone likes the new you that was discovered in a couple of weeks.  If I sound sarcastic, it's because I am. 

I really enjoyed Meg and Dani as characters and liked their story lines, but I was not a bit fan of Charlotte's.  There was something about her that rubbed me the wrong way, and I'm sorry to say, but I was on her husband's Brett side the whole time things went sour.  Charlotte is very high-maintenance and her attitude drove me nuts.  I felt much more sympathetic towards Dani and Meg as I found them more likeable, and looked forward to when the POVs changed back to them, away from Charlotte.  I did enjoy all of their conversations, even if I disagreed with their choices, as I pictured my own girls' evening full of fun, laughter, wine, and conversation.  The author definitely understands the strength of women's bonds and friendships, as well as how fragile and emotional they can be.  

Verdict
Girls' Weekend was a fun, somewhat emotional, book about friendship and re-discovering your sense of self.  I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in reading about friendship, love, and loss, and the characters seem very realistic, even if the premise isn't.  I think what it does do for women is it makes them realize that changes can be made at anytime if you really wish them to be made, it just has to start somewhere, and I'm pretty sure you don't have to rent an expensive cottage to be able to do so, as much fun as that would be.  

Review: The Second Chance Shoe Shop by Marcie Steele

The Second Chance Shoe Shop
by Marcie Steele
Release Date: April 8th 2016
2016 Bookouture
Ebook Edition; 290 Pages
ISBN: 978-1786810045
ASIN: B01D0OQAFQ
Genre: Fiction / Contemporary
Source: Review copy from publisher

3.5 / 5 Stars

Summary
All Riley Flynn wants is to meet someone who makes her happy. But attracting the right kind of man is not easy, and with her heart still hurting from her last break-up, Riley believes she’ll never find love again.

A year ago, Sadie Stewart’s whole world was shattered when her husband, Ross, died. She has struggled to keep herself together for the sake of their young daughter, but with the anniversary of his death approaching, Sadie finds herself overwhelmed by grief.

Sadie and Riley work at Chandlers shoe shop, in the charming town of Hedworth. But when Chandlers is threatened with closure, the friends are confronted with the loss of not only their jobs, but also their support network - the glue that holds them together when they are close to breaking.

As they put together a plan to save their beloved shop, Sadie realises that she might just be learning to live again. Could it be that new beginnings are just round the corner? The campaign also finds Riley unexpectedly crossing paths with charming photographer, Ethan. Maybe her second chance at love is right under her feet … 

My Thoughts
The Second Chance Shoe Shop is a great book for the beach or if you are looking for something light and feel-good to read.  I was rather intrigued by this book at first as I know this author also writes the Allie Shenton series, which I really, really like. (If you're not familiar with them, they are police procedural/suspense written under the name Mel Sherratt.)  

I enjoyed this novel and thought the characters were rather interesting and quirky.  I did find it to be on the light side though, which made it a bit more difficult to connect with the characters and their issues.  I did however, like the social media theme that was introduced in the novel, and the influence it can have on a business and on a personal relationship, especially if you are not careful.  I liked the way that Riley kept coming up with ideas to compete with other major retailers in order to try and keep the shop open, while not necessarily crossing the line her boss had set.  It was definitely interesting to see what the repercussions would be to everything she set in motion for the shop and I was always curious as to what would happen next.

The themes of friendship, love, loyalty, loss ran pretty strongly throughout this novel, but I don't think they were ever explored in depth, rather touched upon lightly.  It's not always a bad thing, but to me, it also made the novel feel more superficial as it didn't really plumb the depths of these emotions. I actually enjoyed Sadie's character the best because she seemed the most honest in her emotions as she tried to deal with the anger and pain of losing her husband to cancer less than a year ago.  I didn't really connect with Riley as much as I thought she needed to develop a bit of a backbone as well as really see what was in front of her.  

Verdict
The Second Chance Shoe Shop is one of those books that I enjoyed, but to be honest, I didn't really connect to the characters or was interested in what happened to the shop.  While I enjoyed the antics of the characters, I was a bit let down by the ending; and yes, it was a bit predictable, and I think I was hoping for something else to happen. I would definitely recommend this one to others, if anything as a feel-good read and as a good chick-lit read. 

Review: The Ramblers by Aidan Donnelley Rowley

The Ramblers
by Aidan Donnelley Rowley
Release Date: February 9th 2016
2016 William Morrow
ARC Edition; 400 Pages
ISBN: 978-0062413314
ASIN: B0)YNBXMF2
Genre: Fiction / Contemporary
Source: Review copy from TLC Book Tours

4 / 5 Stars

Summary
Set in the most magical parts of Manhattan—the Upper West Side, Central Park, Greenwich Village—The Ramblers explores the lives of three lost souls, bound together by friendship and family. During the course of one fateful Thanksgiving week, a time when emotions run high and being with family can be a mixed blessing, Rowley’s sharply defined characters explore the moments when decisions are deliberately made, choices accepted, and pasts reconciled.

Clio Marsh, whose bird-watching walks through Central Park are mentioned in New York Magazine, is taking her first tentative steps towards a relationship while also looking back to the secrets of her broken childhood. Her best friend, Smith Anderson, the seemingly-perfect daughter of one of New York’s wealthiest families, organizes the lives of others as her own has fallen apart. And Tate Pennington has returned to the city, heartbroken but determined to move ahead with his artistic dreams.

My Thoughts
The Ramblers is one of those books whereby I had very little idea of what to expect so I was pleasantly surprised after reading it; it seemed like a bit of a love fest to New York City as a lot of quite interesting things about the city were mentioned and the author seemed to really enjoy 'showing off' parts of it through her stories.  

The story itself was about three New Yorker's, all in their thirties, facing a turning point in their lives, a crisis so to speak, and we see how they deal with it over the a one-week time span.  Ordinarily, I would scoff at the time span, but it seemed to work in this novel.  We have Clio, an ornithologist, having a panic attack at the thought of moving in with the man she loves and trying to reconcile her childhood pain with the woman she has now become.  And there is Clio's best friend, Smith Anderson, going through her own emotional breakup, trying to figure out a way to break free from a family she adores but which also stifles her in every way.  And then there is Tate Pennington, a man facing a bitter divorce despite becoming extremely wealthy after selling an app he designed. These three people connected and interconnected in ways that were quite interesting and I liked the stories they had to tell.  

All three of these characters were quite fascinating in their own way: Clio had immersed herself in the study of birds, a study that was particularly important to her mother, but it was also something that helped her to evade a painful childhood, one that she needed to deal with in order to continue on with her life; Smith also had a painful past, despite the wealth and privilege in which she grew up, never quite succeeding in making her father proud of her choices, growing a bit out of control and at a loss as to how to fix things in her life; Tate was just coming out of a painful marriage, trying to cope with the how and why things fell apart, learning to live on his own for the first time in years.  I know some of the criticism of this novel has to do with the privilege of these three people, but I never looked at the wealth, only at the issues they had, and found them very relatable to what people face today.  Does it matter that Clio may need a Xanax to get her through the day once in a while because she suffers from panic attacks? No, not really.  Does it matter that Smith may need a Life Coach to help her get through her breakup with her boyfriend? No, not really.  Does it matter that Tate wants to pursue photography despite being quite rich? No, not really.  I know people in these situations and they definitely don't live in $10 million apartments in Manhattan.  What matters is the connections between them.  And I liked the bond that Clio and Smith shared, the loyalty that Smith displayed, despite the snobbishness of her parents.  And that is far more important.  The themes of loyalty, and friendship came across quite strongly throughout the novel.

The author has this style of writing that I enjoyed quite a bit.  While at times the narrative could be quite touching and dare I say it? poignant, at others, her characters seemed whiny and immature, and I liked that because it showed that wealth couldn't solve everything, that you have to face your issues and deal with them in order to have happiness.  She was also great at showing that one should never be ashamed on one's roots; they make you the person you are, no matter what.  

Verdict
The Ramblers is an enjoyable novel simply because not everyone's problem is solved in the end, and I liked that a lot.  And while the characters could be whiny and annoying at times, it also made them more relatable and real to me.  Told through alternating narratives, the story just seemed to work.  I definitely recommend this one for those of you who like literary fiction. 

Review: The Good Liar by Nicholas Searle

The Good Liar
by Nicholas Searle
Release Date: February 2nd 2016
2016 HarperCollins
ARC Edition; 352 Pages
ISBN: 978-0-06-240749-8
ASIN: B013PL4UH4
Genre: Fiction / Contemporary
Source: Review copy from TLC Book Tours

3.5 / 5 Stars

Summary
Roy is a conman living in a small English town, about to pull off his final con. He is going to meet and woo a beautiful woman and slip away with her life savings. But who is the man behind the con?

What has he had to do to survive a life of lies?

And who has had to pay the price?

My Thoughts
The Good Liar is a fairly interesting story about an old man conning an older woman, and making off with her savings.  But as always, appearances can be deceiving. I liked how the story was told, going backwards in time rather than forwards, and although it was fairly predictable, and easy to figure out what happened, it was still interesting to read the glimpses of Roy's life we were able to get.

First of all, while I thought the plot was fairly predictable, it was pretty interesting.  I was curious as to how Roy became the man that he did, and although I didn't like him very much, I did feel sorry for him to a certain extent.  Not enough to be completely sympathetic to what happened to him though, as I found him to be somewhat despicable in his disregard for others and the devastation he left behind him.  And while I enjoyed the plot, and there were definite moments when I was completely absorbed and the tension would build up nicely, only to be let down by those moments that did tend to drag on a bit and slow down the story.  I definitely looked forward to the sections about the past as I found them the most fascinating and wished there had been more story to tell.  I don't think I will ever tire when reading about World War II and the impact it had on people's lives.  So devastating!!

I thought the author is a very clever writer however, and really enjoyed his writing style.  Reading between the lines is definitely my thing and the author insinuates and creates innuendos very well, making you rethink your ideas.  Many of the concepts were revealed slowly and carefully, but if you paid attention to the innuendos, it really wasn't hard to figure out what was going on and why Betty was involved in Roy's life.  This author has huge potential to create some really suspenseful novels in the future and I really look forward to that.  However, in this one, I thought the conclusion was a bit too pat; it also seemed to be a bit of a letdown from the buildup.  While it wasn't a horrible ending by any means, I just expected a little bit more.  But then again, it is life, and life doesn't always end the way we want it to, does it?

I also wasn't too sure of Betty although I did like her as a character.  However, I wondered if I liked her because Roy just wasn't nice which made her seem more likable.  Since most of the story was from Roy's viewpoint, I didn't really feel like I got to know Betty, until maybe the end, which was a bit too late for me.  I sympathized with her story and her plight as a child, but I didn't really connect with her as an adult.  

Verdict
The Good Liar had a great concept, but I did feel it lacked a little something that would have made it even more interesting.  The author's writing style is very appealing however, and I did enjoy the progress through time as it was a bit different than the usual.  The last third of the novel was probably the most enjoyable and it showcased the author's talent the best and what this novel really could have been, except for perhaps the ending which was anticlimactic.  A very promising debut.

Review: The Past by Tessa Hadley

The Past
by Tessa Hadley
Release Date: January 5th 2016 (First published September 3rd 2015)
2016 Harper
Softcover Edition; 320 Pages
ISBN: 978-0062270412

Genre: Fiction / Contemporary
Source: Review copy from TLC Book Tours

3 / 5 Stars

Summary
These three weeks may be their last time there; the upkeep is prohibitive, and they may be forced to sell this beloved house filled with memories of their shared past (their mother took them there to live when she left their father). Yet beneath the idyllic pastoral surface, hidden passions, devastating secrets, and dangerous hostilities threaten to consume them.

Sophisticated and sleek, Roland’s new wife (his third) arouses his sisters’ jealousies and insecurities. Kasim, the twenty-year-old son of Alice’s ex-boyfriend, becomes enchanted with Molly, Roland’s sixteen-year-old daughter. Fran’s young children make an unsettling discovery in a dilapidated cottage in the woods that shatters their innocence. Passion erupts where it’s least expected, leveling the quiet self-possession of Harriet, the eldest sister.

Over the course of this summer holiday, the family’s stories and silences intertwine, small disturbances build into familial crises, and a way of life—bourgeois, literate, ritualized, Anglican—winds down to its inevitable end.

My Thoughts
The Past is one of those books where I really enjoyed the descriptive writing, but just couldn't get into the story; I did think a few times about putting it aside for a later date, but understood that if I did so, I would never come back to it. To be honest, I actually enjoyed the descriptions of the house and surrounding area better than I did the story line, and although it probably wasn't that way, it did seem like the author preferred the countryside to her characters.  

First of all, I really, really wanted to like this book. Like I'd already mentioned, the writing and descriptions were interesting, and it was very evident the author was delighted by the house and subsequent settings she described.  I love books that are quite ethereal which is why I am probably drawn to gothic stories as well as those about huge houses with big secrets from the past.  This is exactly what I thought this book was going to be like, but it was not quite that way.  There were no really big secrets to be revealed, and the past described in this novel really had no impact on the present day story.  And although I did find Jill's story interesting, I did think it was useless to the story as it really did not go anywhere with the impact on the sisters' lives today, except in some very small and subtle ways that didn't mesh together very well.  There were a lot of hints about things going on, but the plot lines really didn't go anywhere, and I was left feeling disappointed quite often when things just sort of petered out.  

Furthermore, while the descriptive writing was nice, it didn't lend itself to much character development; I didn't really feel like I connected with any of the characters.  I wasn't overly crazy about any of them and none of their stories was actually developed in any way that made them interesting.  While I know a bit about Argentina's "Disappeared" as well as about the illegal adoptions that took place having read about them in a previous novel, I am unclear as to what this had to do with Pilar and her story line; it didn't make a lot of sense to me as to how it all fit together.  And then the dramatic effect of Harriet's fantasies towards Pilar just didn't seem to work here; I'm not opposed to the story line, but it just seemed like the author was trying too hard to develop a plot line for Harriet, but didn't quite succeed at it.  For whatever reason, I liked Kasim the best, which isn't saying a lot, as he tended to be quite lazy, opinionated, and young, wanting everything but not wanting to work for anything.  He just seemed more real to me than the others.  I am also a bit baffled by the story line involving the dog and the cottage; I'm not quite sure exactly what the purpose of it all was, and besides, all I wanted to do was shake Ivy half the time, or put her in time out, with all of the things she did.  Because of all this, I tended to soak up the parts when the sisters went on their walks in the woods or spent time in retrospection as it gave me time to breathe and just enjoy the writing.

Verdict
The Past was a slow novel with beautiful descriptive parts about the house and countryside; unfortunately, the descriptions and the story line didn't quite mesh all that well together, and while I don't usually mind slow novels, I do have a problem when things are muddled. To me, itt appeared as if the author had a lot of ideas for the direction of this novel, but never really took them in any of the directions that were started, only to start a new one, leaving the reader somewhat confused and unsatisfied.  While I would read another book by this author because of her writing talent, I'm not sure I would recommend this one. 

Review: The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto by Mitch Albom

The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto
by Mitch Albom
Release Date: November 10th 2015
2015 Harper
Softcover Edition; 512 Pages
ISBN: 978-0062294418
ASIN: B00U1T43Y4
Genre: Fiction / Contemporary
Source: Review copy from TLC Book Tours

5 / 5 Stars

Summary
Frankie, born in a burning church, abandoned as an infant, and raised by a music teacher in a small Spanish town, until war rips his life apart. At nine years old, he is sent to America in the bottom of a boat. His only possession is an old guitar and six precious strings. His amazing journey weaves him through the musical landscape of the 1940s, ’50s and ’60s, with his stunning playing and singing talent affecting numerous stars (Duke Ellington, Hank Williams, Elvis Presley) until, as if predestined, he becomes a pop star himself.

He makes records. He is adored. But Frankie Presto’s gift is also his burden, as he realizes the power of the strings his teacher gave him, and how, through his music, he can actually affect people’s lives. At the height of his popularity, tortured by his biggest mistake, he vanishes. His legend grows. Only decades later, having finally healed his heart, does Frankie reappearjust before his spectacular death—to change one last life. With the Spirit of Music as our guide, we glimpse into the lives that were changed by one man whose strings could touch the music—and the magic—in each of us.

My Thoughts
The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto is one of those books that drew me in and made me reflect on a lot of things in my own life as I was going through Frankie's life with him.  It was poignant and uplifting, with characters whom I adored even if I didn't always understand them, combining  fictional characters with actual people and events into a book that was literally magical.

The narrator of the story was Music, something that captured my attention from the start and gave me a different perspective on talent and its use.  Interspersed with the Musical interludes are Frankie's story, jumping from past to present, along with tales related by a number of musicians who share memorable moments about Frankie as they were rushing towards his funeral.  This way of presenting Frankie's life story actually added to the element of suspense and many twists and turns were sneaked into the story whenever I thought I had a grasp on how things were progressing.  There were many times when I was wondering how in the world Frankie ever ended up where he did, and how, but the key was to be patient as everything was revealed piece by agonizing piece, often in ways I did not expect.  I loved the slow unveiling of Frankie's story and I really enjoyed how the book was presented, almost to the point where I couldn't read it if I had only a few minutes as I knew I couldn't put it down again. 

At first I had no idea how the title related to this story but as it progressed I began to understand and I loved that little touch to the story; it was all about coming full circle and facing your fears and demons.  The strings would actually glow blue as a major event happened in Frankie's life and then one by one they would snap.  The guitar played such an important role in Frankie's life, going with him everywhere, having been given to him by his beloved music teacher when he was young.  It almost became as much a symbol of his life as his music and there were times when I was afraid something was going to happen to it; I would have been as devastated as Frankie if this were the case.  This shows the power of the author's writing that you can empathize with a character quite strongly even if you don't necessarily hear their thoughts or feel their emotions.  Frankie's life was quite a difficult one and I agonized with him over every part of it; being abandoned by the person we thought was his mother, being taken in by a lonely old man who in his heart becomes his father, losing his beloved teacher and father, being betrayed, and falling in love.  There were also times when I would have liked to give him a good kick in the pants over some of his choices as you agonized over that too. Frankie was not the greatest person at dealing with issues as he was used to just leaving when things got tough; not choices I liked, but I understood them in relation to his life.  Have I mentioned how much I loved this book yet?

Verdict
The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto was a fantastic book and I enjoyed the way it was presented very much.  Music tends to be universally adored as it is and shares a common ground with a lot of people so I am sure this will resonate with many as Frankie goes through his musical career and crosses paths with many famous people.  I thought the novel was wrapped up quite neatly, with all questions answered, and in such a way that left you feeling really good.  It almost (almost) made me want to take up piano again to see what I could do.

 

Review: That Chesapeake Summer by Mariah Stewart

That Chesapeake Summer (Chesapeake Diaries, Book #9)
by Mariah Stewart
Release Date: June 23rd 2015
2015 Pocket Books
Ebook Edition; 384 Pages
ISBN: 978-1476792576
ASIN: B00P42WVNS
Genre: Fiction / Comtemporary
Source: Review copy from publisher

3.5 / 5 Stars

Summary
Jamie Valentine is the wildly successful author of self-help books advocating transparency in every relationship. But when her widowed mother passes away unexpectedly, Jamie discovers her own life has been based on a lie. Angry and deeply betrayed, she sets out to find the truth—which may be in a small town on the Chesapeake Bay. Cutting her most recent book tour short, Jamie books a room at the Inn at Sinclair’s Point, just outside St. Dennis.

The death of Daniel Sinclair’s father forced him to take over the family inn, and his wife’s death left him a single parent of two children, so there’s little room for anything else in his life. His lovely new guest is intriguing, though, and he’s curious about the secret she’s clearly hiding. But in the end, Jamie and Dan could discover the greatest truth of all: that the search for one thing just might lead to the find of a lifetime—if you keep your heart open.

My Thoughts
That Chesapeake Summer continues the Chesapeake Diaries, featuring various residents from the area of St. Dennis, but can definitely be read as a stand-alone novel.  Going back and reading some of the other stories would be fun as some of the characters show up in this novel, but they have little or no impact to the story.  It is one of the things that I like about this series.

This novel was another fun addition to the series and this time, it features Jamie, a woman who unexpectedly discovers she was adopted after her mother passes away, and Dan, a man who is living with his own secrets for many years.  As Jamie tracks down the truth to her own background, it ultimately takes her to St. Dennis, where she meets a number of fairly interesting characters.  I actually thought the author handled Jamie's discovery and her reactions to this discovery quite well.  The themes of acceptance, loss, truth, lies, betrayal, families, and secrets seemed to abound in this novel and I really liked the concepts that were discussed surrounding these issues; it made you think how important some of these issues really are in your own relationships.  

I really liked Jamie, even if she was a bit naive about a few things, but she was certainly compassionate and I empathized with her on many different levels.  I also thought Grace was a fun character, but as always, tend to be a bit leery of her 'sixth sense' as it always seems to be a bit too convenient.  I wasn't crazy however, about the romantic aspect to this novel, and could have been quite happy without it.  Dan didn't strike me as being the very sympathetic, and to be honest, he spent quite a bit of time being grumpy, which wasn't very endearing.  I also don't buy into these two-week romance things when it is just assumed the rest of your life is settled and that you will be together forever kind of deals.  One minute they were bickering, and then the next, the two of them were deciding their futures together?  Wait a minute. Where's the passion? The romance? And everything else that goes with it?  With more development, the romance would have added quite a bit to the storyline, but the way it was left me skipping over it and looking forward to the sections where Jamie was searching for her birth mother - more interesting.  

Verdict
Overall, That Chesapeake Summer was interesting and is another entry in a series that never fails to make me want to book a room for a month and visit for a while (if only the Inn were real.)  The story was engaging and is a light beach read for anyone looking to pick up something for a holiday read.