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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