Review: The Italian Ballerina

The Italian Ballerina by Kristy Cambron
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4 out of 5 stars - If you ask me, I'll tell you to read it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Publishers for this advanced copy (even if it did take me much longer to get to it than I intended!)

This book taught me so many new things about WWII that I never knew. So many historical fiction books are focused on Germany or France during the war, but this one is set mostly in Italy. With converging storylines, this book jumps between present day and various years between 1939 and 1945. It follows two American medics, a British ballerina, and a young Jewish girl, as well as the grandchildren of one of the medics and the child in present time.

Before this book I had never heard of Syndrome K or the hospital at Fatebenefratelli in Rome. A fake contagion was invented to hide Jewish people from the Nazis in plain sight. The Jewish people were diagnosed with Syndrome K and the Nazis wanted no part in catching a potentially deadly contagion. While the main characters are fictional, many of the people mentioned in the historical timeline were real. I really enjoyed the "extra information" at the end of the book with more details about the war in Italy.

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Review: If You Ask Me

If You Ask Me by Libby Hubscher
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4 out of 5 stars - If you ask me, I'll tell you to read it.

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for this free copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

Before even starting the book, there was a section detailing the topics within the book that could be triggers for people. I found that interesting, as I had never seen that before.

This is the story of Violet, an advice columnist who doesn't have it all together. When she comes home early from work and finds her husband in bed with another woman, she starts looking at herself and evaluating her life but not without several bumps in the road, derailments, and unfiltered responses to advice letters.

This book had a lot of good moments of a woman feeling less than and then being built back up by another character. While there is a new romance that buds in this book, I don't think I would categorize this as a romance novel. This is more of a book about women taking control of their lives and not being the "good, quiet, subservient housewife whose only job is to make life easier for others".

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Review: Project Hail Mary

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4 out of 5 stars - If you ask, I'll tell you to read it

I really enjoyed this book. It was science, aliens, friendship, and intrigue all rolled into one!

The book is written in two different story lines that mostly alternate. There's the "before liftoff" memories and the "after awakening from a coma" story lines. Eventually they come together to learn about how it all came to be. Something is happening in space, and if Dr. Ryland Grace doesn't come through on this Hail Mary journey, Earth will enter another ice age and all life will probably perish.

The book kept me entertained and intrigued throughout. I got close to the end and I really wanted to know how it ended. I read through lunch and dinner just to finish and see how it ended. It didn't end how I expected at all, but that wasn't a good or bad thing (it was just different).

I also can say I learned some new science terms while reading this book. Thank you Kindle for having a dictionary built in!

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Review: Nora Goes Off Script

Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4 out of 5 stars - If you ask me, I'll tell you to read it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group, Putnam for this free advanced copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

Nora writes the cheesy romance made-for-TV movies, but after her husband walks out on her and their 2 children her writing gets a little deeper and a little darker. This leads to a big budget movie being filmed with her screenplay... on her property.

Nora's world is thrown into chaos when an entire movie set, movie stars and all, moves onto her property. At the end of filming, Nora wakes up the next morning to find that the male lead of the movie had stowed away on her property and wants to escape his world for a bit. Leo Vance moves into her "tea house" for a week and spends time learning about small town life, including grocery shopping and kid schedules.

This was a cute story, with the inevitable struggle, but you knew that it was going to end happily. You just had to wait to see how it all ended and what caused the struggles. This book has added a new author to my rotation of books to check out.

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Review: The Dead Romantics

The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4 out of 5 stars - If you ask me, I'll tell you to read it

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for this advanced copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

This is the story of Florence, a ghostwriter who happens to be able to see actual ghosts, and her editor, the ghost who shows up at the funeral for Florence's father. Florence has recently gone through a really awful breakup, which is unfortunate since she write romance novels. When she meets with her new editor, she is unable to get an extension on the deadline and now has to finish an entire book in the shortest amount of time imaginable. When her father dies after that meeting, she's forced to abandon the attempt at writing the book and head home, somewhere she hasn't been in over 10 years.

I really enjoyed this story. It was light and fun, even though a majority of it was about death, funerals, and grief. I was able to quickly read it and even recommended it to a few friends while still reading it.

If anyone has seen Just Like Heaven with Reese Witherspoon and Mark Ruffalo, you'll enjoy this book.

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Review: Peril in Paris

Peril in Paris by Rhys Bowen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4 out of 5 stars - If you ask me, I'll tell you to read it

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for this advanced copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

In this 16th installment of the Royal Spyness mysteries, we go with Georgie and Darcy to Paris, where Georgie can visit her friend Belinda and Darcy has a mission to accomplish. Belinda is working as an apprentice to Chanel (yes, that Chanel) and when Georgie visits she gets roped into modeling a couture gown for pregnancy designed by Chanel for Georgie's newly expanding figure.

As always, there's a mystery going on, some spying, and, of course, a death that must be solved. This one did manage to keep me intrigued, since there appeared to be two intertwined stories that may or may not actually have been related. It was also fun to experience Paris through the eyes of Georgie, since it was her first visit.

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Review: The Last Dress from Paris

The Last Dress from Paris by Jade Beer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4 out of 5 stars - If you ask me, I'll tell you to read it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for this advanced copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

This is the is the story of Lucille in 2017 and Alice in 1952. Lucille is asked by her grandmother Sylvie to go to Paris and retrieve a dress that has been with a friend who recently passed away. Alice is the wife of the British ambassador to France, where she is expected to see and be seen. The story alternates between past and present, telling the story of these two women, and unraveling the mystery that will bring their stories together.

I enjoyed this book, with its descriptions of post-war Paris fashion, expectations, familial relationships, and the fear of putting yourself out there. While I was pretty much able to guess the solutions to the mysteries much earlier than they were revealed, that didn't lessen the enjoyment of the reveal.

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Review: A Sinister Revenge

A Sinister Revenge by Deanna Raybourn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4 out of 5 stars - If you ask me, I'll tell you to read it.

In this eighth installment of the Veronica Speedwell series, we are whisked away to the country estate of Lord Templeton-Vane. There, Veronica and Stoker are tasked with determining who may have killed two old friends of Tiberius's and sent him a death threat on copies of their obituaries. Tiberius has invited the remaining group of friends from his younger days, known then as the Seven Sinners, who were all present when the group visited and one young man was found dead on the property after a storm.

I do enjoy these books, as they're wonderfully researched for historical accuracy. For instance, the author had the estate gardens designed by John Tradescant the Younger, who I have been learning about in my Museum Origins course. This book actually managed to keep me guessing as to who the killer may be, which always makes me happy. There was not as much interaction between Veronica and Stoker as previous books, which was disappointing. I was happy to see JJ Butterworth included, even if it was in a minor way. We also got to know more about the younger Templeton-Vane brother, Merryweather.

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Review: The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie

The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie by Rachel Linden
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4 out of 5 stars - If you ask me, I'll tell you to read it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for this advanced copy (even if it did take me a bit to actually read it). All opinions expressed are my own.

This is the story of Lolly, a 32-year-old single woman working in her family's diner, as she's been doing her entire life. After the death of her mother, she put aside her hopes and dreams to help her dad and raise her sister. When her sister finds her diary with a list she made when she was 13, she realizes she hasn't accomplished a single goal. She makes it a mission to try to complete at least one before turning 33.

This is a great story about "what if" and how specific decisions or events in your life can change your future path. When Lolly's Aunt Gert gives her magic lemon drops that allow her to live a single day in the life she could have had, the decisions to view that other life come with some realizations. Just because you think another life will be better, doesn't always mean the grass is truly greener on the other side.

I think we've all had that experience of "what if I'd made a different decision when XYZ happened?" and wondered what our life might look like now. Whether it's a regret or just curiosity, we've all been there. This is a great story about how those decisions and regrets don't mean you can't make lemonade (or lemon drop pie) out of the lemons life has given you!

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Review: The Women of Rothschild: The Untold Story of the World's Most Famous Dynasty

The Women of Rothschild: The Untold Story of the World's Most Famous Dynasty by Natalie Livingstone
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3 out of 5 stars - It was ok

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this advanced copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

While this book was extremely interesting, it seemed to be written more like a research paper than a book. I also admit that I kept getting lost as to who was who and in which generation. Reading on Kindle, I was unable to utilize the family trees provided in the beginning of the book. They were just too small.

Before reading this book, I had never heard of the Rothschild family. Whether it's because I'm not European or Jewish, or for some other reason, There was a lot of new information for me to learn. I had no idea that the reason so many Jewish families got into banking was because the Christians could not loan money with interest.

Perhaps I'll look more into this family after reading this book, but I'm not sure I'd recommend this particular book to someone with no background of the family.

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Review: Under One Roof

Under One Roof by Ali Hazelwood
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4 out of 5 stars - If you ask me, I'll tell you to read it.

This was a cute novella about Mara and Liam, roommates who go from adversaries to lovers. Mara's mentor dies and leaves her a house in the DC area. Well, apparently she only owned half of said house... Liam owns the other half. Starting a job at the EPA with little spare cash to find a place to rent, Mara decides to move in (she DOES own half the house). No matter what Liam offers, Mara refuses to sell the house. It's her connection to the only family she felt like she had, other than her two good friends.

This was a cute, quick read. It was the start of a trilogy of novellas about a group of 3 women who became friends in grad school. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and looked forward to reading the next two in the series.

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Review: Before I Do

Before I Do by Sophie Cousens
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4 out of 5 stars - If you ask me, I'll tell you to read it

Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam, G.P. Putnam's Sons for this advanced copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

This is the story of the wedding of Audrey and Josh. The book bounces through time to tell you where we are in relation to the "I do" (i.e. 3 months before, 5 hours after) and this allows the story to show history as well as a current timeline. Audrey once had one amazing day with a guy named Fred. He's always been her "what if.." guy. This is what happens if your "what if..." guy shows up at your wedding as the date to the groom's sister.

I enjoyed getting to know the characters, but sometimes those not named Audrey and Josh were the most fun. Their friends and family members had their own quirks that were fleshed out in the story. And there were even characters that were minor, but I still managed to hate them.

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Review: Many Are Invited

Many Are Invited by Dennis Cuesta
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3 out of 5 stars - It was ok

Thank you to NetGalley and Celestial Eyes Press for this advanced copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

This is the story of the reminiscences of Steve, an IT guy from the midwest living in CA before Y2K. Steve makes friends with John, and that is where the story starts. It ends several years later at the housewarming party John and his wife are hosting.

I'm not sure I really understood the point of this book. The story seemed to wander and there were many loose ends that were not wrapped up before the book ended. I kept trying to turn the page for the next chapter when it came to the end of my Kindle, only to realize there was no more book.

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Review: The War Librarian

The War Librarian by Addison Armstrong
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4 out of 5 stars - If you ask me, I'll tell you to read it.

Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam, G.P. Putnam's Sons for this advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

This is the story of two women in different times, both struggling with their place in life. Emmaline Balakin is the daughter of Russian immigrants living through WWI. Working in the dead letter office, a name from her past encourages her to get outside her comfort zone and volunteer for the War Library Service. Kathleen Carre is accepted as the first class at the Naval Academy. She struggles to prove that she, and other women, belong at the Naval Academy even though many do not want them there.

I really enjoyed learning about parts of history that I wasn't really aware of. I had no idea there was a War Library Service, and that was extremely interesting to me. It makes sense that this would exist as a way to allow those soldiers injured and recovering to have something to do. I also knew that there had to be a point when women were first allowed into the service academies, but I hadn't given much thought to the struggles they faced from those who did not want them there, from classmates to superior officers.

The way the two story lines were intertwined was extremely interesting and kept me on my toes. I enjoyed reading the book and plan to go back to read the first book written by this author.

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Review: With Love from Wish & Co.

With Love from Wish & Co. by Minnie Darke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4 out of 5 stars - If you ask me, I'll tell you to read it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Dell for this advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

This is the story of Marnie, owner of Wish & Co, a personalized gift buying service used by the wealthy. She researches the gift recipient to find the best gifts for them. Until it all goes wrong and she accidentally sends gifts to the wrong people, a customer's wife and mistress.

I have always loved the idea of being a personal shopper for someone. I like shopping and helping to find the right thing, but I never considered the moral issues that could come up!

I enjoyed getting to know the characters of this story. I will have to keep my eyes open for other books by this author.

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Review: The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America's Shining Women

The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America's Shining Women by Kate Moore
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

5 out of 5 stars - I'll tell you to read it, even if you don't ask

Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. It is this reason that I often read history books, memoirs, and biographies. We can learn things from those who came before us.

The Radium Girls were the young ladies employed by various watch companies in the 1910s and 1920s to paint radioactive numbers on watch and dial faces to allow them to glow in the dark. These women endured unspeakable pain and suffering, but it is because of them that OHSA and other worker protections were put into place.

I found this story very relatable. The author made you care about the women by introducing you to them as more than just workers and names in a court case. We learned their hopes and dreams, their families, and much more. The research was thorough, with access to letters and diaries in addition to court records, depositions, and much more.

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Review: Mother Daughter Traitor Spy

Mother Daughter Traitor Spy by Susan Elia MacNeal
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

5 out of 5 - I'll tell you to read it, even if you don't ask me

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Bantam for this advanced copy.  All opinions are my own.

This is the story of a mother and daughter duo who infiltrate the Nazi movement in California in the 1930s and 1940s to try to take them down from the inside. Based on the true story of Grace and Sylvia Comfort, this book takes some literary license and changes names, but the author takes care to discuss at the end what was true and what was changed.

I really enjoyed learning more about what was happening on the homefront prior to WWII. While I knew there were inklings of this story in history, I had no idea how prevalent and deep rooted the plans were for a Nazi led America. This has made me more interested in this side of history and I will be looking for more information.

For more information about the original mother and daughter, I found this article.
https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-x...

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Review: Drunk on Love

Drunk on Love by Jasmine Guillory
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4 out of 5 stars - If you ask me, I'll tell you to read it

Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the advanced copy. All opinions shared are my own.

This is the story of Margot and Luke. Margot and her brother own a winery in Napa and while she's on a business trip, Margot's brother hires a new employee for the tasting room without her input. In her frustration, Margot ends up at her friend's restaurant for a drink and dinner. While there, her friend dares her to flirt with the guy on the next bar stool. The flirting and conversation go well, one thing led to another, and Margot went back to Luke's apartment for the night. Only to learn when they both arrive at work the next morning that Luke was the new hire at the winery. There's some frustration and holding back of feelings while they're working together, to stay professional. In the end, we all know they'll end up together.

I enjoyed this book. It was a great escape for a few days. I enjoyed the cameo at the winery by characters from Jasmine Guillory's other books. It was fun to see some of the behind the scenes of running a winery and publicizing a small family business with memberships and exclusive parties. It was also great to have the background stories on why Luke was working at the winery and why he might or might not go back to his old job.

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Review: By the Book

By the Book by Jasmine Guillory
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4 out of 5 stars. If you ask me, I'll tell you to read it.

This was a fun retelling of "Beauty and the Beast". The story and characters were engaging, and the story was mostly light and fluffy (which was just what I needed).

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Review: I Need a New Butt!

I Need a New Butt! by Dawn McMillan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4 out of 5 stars - If you ask me, I'll tell you to read it

I'm not sure what was so wrong with this story that would cause an Assistant Principal to be fired. The only thing I can see that could be seen as even slightly inappropriate are illustrations of various butts. I found it cute, and I can see why kids would find it entertaining.

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Review: Enola Holmes and the Boy in Buttons

Enola Holmes and the Boy in Buttons by Nancy Springer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4 out of 5 stars - If you ask me, I'll tell you to read it.

This was a cute little novella that delved a little deeper into one of the side characters of the Enola Holmes stories. Joddy works as her porter in her boardinghouse. When he gets sick, his younger brother Paddy fills in. One night, Paddy doesn't come home after working. Enola quickly jumps into action to find him.

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Review: The Unbalanced Equation

The Unbalanced Equation by H.L. Macfarlane
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4 out of 5 stars - If you ask me, I'll tell you to read it

Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for this advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

Liz and Tom have known each other for several years. Tom was Liz's PhD assessor, and he was tough to work with. So, just when Liz thinks she is finally done with him and moving on to a new post doc role, he comes boomeranging back into her life. His lab burns down and where does he end up working? Her lab bench. Worse? They learn that their parents met in a grief support group and are now getting married! But wait, that's not the bottom... Liz's landlord gives her less than a week to move out.

I enjoyed the touch of science that was mentioned without getting too detailed. I enjoyed the characters, even if I found them a little over the top at times. It was a quick read, and I'd recommend it.

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Review: Lucy Checks In

Lucy Checks In by Dee Ernst
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3 out of 5 stars - It was ok

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, St. Martin's Griffin for this advanced copy.  All opinions are my own.

"Lucy Checks In" is about Lucia Giannetti, once a hotel manager of a luxurious hotel in NYC, and how she's rebuilding her life after her boyfriend (owner of said hotel) runs off with all the money. In order to find a new job, she takes an offer to start up a hotel in Rennes, France. When she gets there, it's not quite what she expected. Instead of overseeing staff and workmen, she is expected to jump into some of the grunt work herself, like painting, building a website, and finding ways to bring back this hotel to it's former glory.

One thing I really liked about this book was that, for once, it wasn't a story about a late-20s, early-30s woman who keeps claiming she's "past her prime". Lucy is 49 years old and never married. I enjoyed getting to know her and the other characters who lived in the hotel. The major part I wasn't a fan of was how the story ended. It just seemed all so unlikely, even if it was a semi-happy ending.

While most people will try to claim that the family dynamic in Lucy's family is unlikely, it's one that I can relate to in a way. So, that wasn't my issue with the ending.

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Review: The Social Graces

The Social Graces by Renée Rosen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4 out of 5 stars - If you ask me, I'll tell you to read it.

I really enjoyed learning more about the Vanderbilt family and how they fit into the New York society life. I had no idea this was how the Vanderbilt family came to be known so well, through social climbing of a wife who only wanted to be accepted in society.

The history of the society ladies was extremely interesting to me, and makes me want to go learn more about the time period.

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Review: Enola Holmes and the Elegant Escapade

Enola Holmes and the Elegant Escapade by Nancy Springer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4 out of 5 stars - If you ask, I'll tell you to read it

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books for this advanced copy.

In this 8th installment of the Enola Holmes series, we actually revisit the characters from the 2nd and 4th mysterie, Lady Cecily Alastair and her family. I do love the crazy escapades that Enola gets up to in order to rescue her friend, and the story tells the sad truths of history and a woman's place.

One struggle I have is that these are to be YA books, but so often there are obscure words that make me happy I'm reading with my Kindle and can look them up.

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Review: The Lager Queen of Minnesota

The Lager Queen of Minnesota by J. Ryan Stradal
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3 out of 5 stars - It was ok

I had a hard time following the timeline, as it jumped around between people as well as time in history. It didn't help that the chapter names were all dollar amounts, so I couldn't even look back at the chapter headings in my kindle to figure out where I was in time.

I think the thing I was most disappointed in was the ending. I just found it extremely unlikely.

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Review: The Suite Spot

The Suite Spot by Trish Doller
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4 out of 5 stars - I'll tell you to read it, if you ask me

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for this advanced copy. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

 

Book Summary:

Rachel Beck works at a Miami Beach luxury hotel as an overnight concierge. When there’s a situation of “he said, she said” with a rich and powerful guest, Rachel is immediately let go. In order to support herself and her child, Rachel reaches out about a position at a brewery hotel on a tiny island in Lake Erie called Kelleys Island that a friend informed her about. She accepts the job, simply because it is a source of stability.

Mason, her new boss, is a handsome, reclusive man who knows everything about brewing beer and nothing about running a hotel. Rachel finds the hotel is bare bones and definitely not ready for guests. She also finds that her accommodations are a room in Mason’s home on the property. It may not be what she was expecting, but she jumps at the chance to help repair her life and build the hotel from the ground up.

Review:

I really liked getting to know the characters in The Suite Spot. I could relate to Rachel’s situation about unwanted advances in the service industry. Sadly, I could also totally see a company firing her due to “he said, she said” BS when the other side is a rich and powerful man.

The characters were fun and lively, the drama was something I could totally see happening, and I was brought back to my business trips to Sandusky, OH. I definitely looked up maps more than once to reference the locations mentioned in the book.

I enjoyed the book so much that I went back and read the first book in the series about Rachel’s sister!

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Review: Once Upon a December

Once Upon a December by Amy E. Reichert
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4 out of 5 stars - I'll tell you to read it, if you ask me

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for this free copy. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

Book Summary:
To Astra Noel Snow, holiday spirit is a way of life. After her recent divorce, she's ready to cut loose and have some fun with her friends at their annual weekend visit to the Milwaukee Christmas Market. There she meets a handsome stranger who works in his family's bakery in the Julemarked and saves the best kringle (pastry) for her.

Jack Clausen lives in the Julemarked, with its snowy lights and charming shops that always stays the same. The world outside the Julemarked changes, as the inhabitants of the Julmarked magically leap from one December to the next every four weeks. He’s never minded this life until he meets Astra and shows him life outside of the magical alley.

After many dates during the month of December, some Yuletide magic, and the unexpected glow of new love, Astra and Jack must decide whether this relationship can weather all seasons, or if what they’re feeling is as ephemeral as marshmallows in a mug of hot cocoa.

Review:
As always, I really enjoyed the story written by Amy Reichert. I love the way she weaves in local information that makes me want to go wander around in nearby Milwaukee.

Even though it was May when I read it, the feeling of Christmas and the holiday cheer was ever present. I really enjoyed meeting the two main characters, but I loved most of the supporting cast (both major and minor). It was really hard to like the ex-husband even the littlest bit, so obviously he was written perfectly! I liked the little bit of magic thrown into the story without making it so out there it was unreadable.

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Review: Room and Board

Room and Board by Miriam Parker
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3 out of 5 stars - It was ok

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Dutton for this advanced copy. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

Book Summary:

Gillian is a successful publicist in Manhattan who gets wrapped up into the #MeToo movement and scandal ensues. Forced to leave her line of work and find a new start, she accepts a job at her former boarding school as a "dorm mom". She settles into life there as a mentor to the students and friend to a teacher. She even runs into her old high school crush, now a parent of one of the students (and single!) When scandal on campus ensues, she has to figure out how to keep everything moving forward without causing more problems.

Review:

While I totally understood where the initial scandal came from, I had trouble relating to the characters. The rich privileged kids seemed to be complete stereotypes. The love interest always seemed kind of shady and untrustworthy. While the story was a good escape from reality, I wasn't totally enthralled with it.

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Review: When You Trap a Tiger

When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

5 out of 5 stars - I'll tell you to read it without even asking!

I read this for the 2022 PopSugar Reading Challenge.

Book Summary:

This is the story of Lily and her family. Her mother moves her sister and her to go live with their halmoni (Korean for grandmother), who is sick. While there, Lily starts seeing a magical tiger who forces her to learn more about herself and her family history. The story is that Halmoni once stole something from the tigers, and now they want it back. The tiger offers Lily a deal, the stolen items in exchange for healing her grandmother.

Review:

I loved the fact that this story is based on Korean folklore stories, yet is completely relatable in modern times. The relationships between and within the generations are completely relatable. The book is told from Lily's perspective, and it shows the way she interacts with family, new friends, and acquaintances. I fully admit to tears while reading, but they were totally worth it.

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Review: Killer Content

Killer Content by Olivia Blacke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4 out of 5 stars - I'll tell you to read it, if you ask me

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for this free copy. All opinions expressed are completely my own. 

Book Summary:

Odessa Dean has recently come to Brooklyn to cat-sit for her aunt, where she got a job at Untapped Books & Café, a shop selling books and craft beers. While working a shift and covering for a coworker who snuck out quickly, Odessa hears about a death caught on camera during a flash-mob and going viral. While watching the video, she realizes that the death was her coworker. The police write it off as an accident, saying she fell off the overhead walkway, but Odessa doesn’t believe that. She is determined to take matters into her own hands and find the killer.

Review:

This book was a fun, relatively quick read. There were quirky characters throughout, and you couldn’t help but root for Odessa as she worked her way through the clues. I loved hearing about how Odessa was figuring out her way around the city, the personalities of her coworkers, and new friendships she made. I really hope there will be a second book and this turns into a series!

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Review: The Versions of Us

The Versions of Us by Laura Barnett
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3 out of 5 stars - It was ok

I read this for the PopSugar 2022 Reading Challenge.

 

Book Summary:

The Versions of Us is a story about Eva and Jim… and David. The book follows three different storylines from the 1960s until 2014. It’s the question of what would happen if Eva and Jim met on a fateful day, and whether they stayed together or separated shortly after. Version One has Jim and Eva meeting, staying together, and marrying. Version Two has Eva and Jim never meeting, so Eva marries David. Version Three has Eva and Jim meeting, but she leaves him shortly after to go back with David and get married.

Review:

This book was a more complicated version of the movie Sliding Doors with Gwyneth Paltrow. I had a lot of trouble keeping track of the three different storylines. I think it might have worked better for me if they’d been in three different fonts or some other way to easily discern which storyline we were in. I eventually resorted to a three-column spreadsheet to track the three stories. By the time I hit about 70%, I no longer needed it but it was helpful in the first half. Another thing that made it complicated to follow was the large jumps in time between story snippets/chapters.


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Review: The Charmed List

The Charmed List by Julie Abe
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4 out of 5 stars - I'll tell you to read it, if you ask me

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books for this free advance copy. All opinions expressed are completely my own.

Book Summary:

The Charmed List is about Ellie Kobata and the “Anti-Wallflower List” she has created to help get herself out of her shell and out into the world before senior year. The problem is that Ellie can’t really be 100% authentic in front of most people, including her best friend Lia, because she is a member of a secret magical community.

One person who had always been a friend and confidant about the magic world was her neighbor Jack Yasuda. She’s not sure why, but Jack started snubbing and ignoring her several years ago. Now he’s more like an enemy than a friend. This is why #4 on her list is “Revenge on Jack Yasuda”. When things go terribly wrong, she’s convinced her entire summer is cursed. The punishment for the outcome of the revenge is a change to her entire summer plans. Rather than driving down the coast of California with Lia to a magical convention (that Lia knew nothing about), she’s now being forced to go with Jack instead. Throughout the road trip, things between Jack and Ellie slowly start to thaw…

Review:

This was a fun, light hearted story that makes you stop and think during several parts.

While I wasn’t a complete wallflower in high school, I regularly felt like I was a “hanger on” rather than the center of things with my friends. At this point in my life I found Ellie’s list to be amazing and brave. In high school I would have been terrified to put words to some of those, let alone actually try to follow through on them. Having the added burden of the secret of the magical world hanging on her shoulders makes Ellie’s list that much more brave, as the chance of accidental exposure is always present.

Another part of the story line that made me stop and think about relationships in my life, was the reasoning behind Jack’s change in attitude. Without giving anything away, some of the reasoning becomes more clear as Ellie and Jack spend the days preparing, driving, and working at the magical convention. You never know what another person or family may be dealing with, especially if they’re too proud or ashamed to ask for help from friends.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and will be looking for other books by this author.

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Review: Wild Irish Rose

Wild Irish Rose by Rhys Bowen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4 out of 5 stars - I'll tell you to read it, if you ask me

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books for this advanced copy. All opinions expressed are completely my own.

Book Summary:

New York, 1907: Now that she’s no longer a private detective—at least not officially—Molly Murphy Sullivan is looking forward to a time of settled tranquility with friends and family. Back in New York, where her own story began, Molly decides to accompany some friends to Ellis Island to help distribute clothing to those in need. This journey quickly stirs up memories for Molly. When you’re far from home and see people from your country, every face looks like a family member.

That evening Molly’s policeman husband, Daniel, is late returning home. He comes with a tale to tell: there was a murder on Ellis Island that day, and the main suspect is the spitting image of Molly. The circumstances are eerily similar to when Molly herself arrived on Ellis Island, and she can’t help but feel a sense of fate. Molly was meant to be there that day so that she can clear this woman’s name.

Review:

Although I have read many books by Rhys Bowen, this was the first book in the Molly Murphy series that I have read. Considering this was book #18, the authors did a very good job of making sure I didn’t have to read the other books first. Previous stories and adventures were mentioned and slightly explained, but they didn’t appear to have much impact on the current book. I was able to follow the current story and characters without any issue.

While the story took several twists and turns along the way (including a murder, jewel thief, and con-man) it kept me guessing where the final story would end. While I was quickly able to figure out who not to trust, I had no idea how it would end until it was all revealed and tied up with a nice little bow.

I do now plan to go back and read all the other books in the series, as I really liked the characters.

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Review: Lessons in Chemistry

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

5 out of 5 stars - I’ll tell you to read it, even if you don’t ask me.

Book Summary:

Chemist Elizabeth Zott is not your average woman. In fact, Elizabeth Zott would be the first to point out that there is no such thing as an average woman. But it’s the early 1960s and her all-male team at Hastings Research Institute takes a very unscientific view of equality. Except for one: Calvin Evans; the lonely, brilliant, Nobel–prize nominated grudge-holder who falls in love with—of all things—her mind. True chemistry results.

But like science, life is unpredictable. Which is why a few years later Elizabeth Zott finds herself not only a single mother, but the reluctant star of America’s most beloved cooking show Supper at Six. Elizabeth’s unusual approach to cooking (“combine one tablespoon acetic acid with a pinch of sodium chloride”) proves revolutionary. But as her following grows, not everyone is happy. Because as it turns out, Elizabeth Zott isn’t just teaching women to cook. She’s daring them to change the status quo.

Review:

I really enjoyed reading the story of Elizabeth Zott. Even in today’s world, I can relate to those who don’t seem to understand that women can be more than housewives, secretaries, or sex objects. I loved the random sections that are from the perspective of the dog, Six Thirty, who learns right along-side Mad, Elizabeth’s daughter. It was interesting to think of a cooking show being presented from a scientific perspective, but once started I loved it. I was glad that I was reading on a Kindle though, as it allowed me to look up the scientific names while reading to understand. For instance, I knew that sodium chloride is salt, but there were others that were foreign to me. Elizabeth Zott is someone who did not fit the female stereotype of a woman in the 1960s, but she was a strong independent woman. She had no interest in marriage (but cohabitation was ok), enjoyed rowing (a sport that wasn’t common for women), and her love of science made her different from most. All this made me love her even more. I am not a rower, but I know some who are. I also know that I love competitive sports and the expansion of regular availability to women (for instance, women’s college wrestling!).

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