December Book Reviews

 The Reading List ~ This is one of those "books about books". It's sweet and sad. The characters are grieving the people they have lost and trying to connect with the people that are still in their lives. Ir's also about the importance of books and libraries in our lives. Trigger warning for suicide.

The Sisters of Sea View ~ I love Julie Klassen's books, and this one is no exception. I'm so excited it's going to be a series. The romances are so sweet and the characters are fun and quirky. I also appreciated her representation of some of the difficulties people with disabilities had during this time. This story is well told and I highly recommend it. I can't wait to read the next book. Thank you Netgalley and Bethany house for the ARC.

All the Lost Places  ~ This book is beautifully written and atmospheric. The characters are interesting and complex, but for some reason I really struggled to connect to the story. Like, to the point I struggled to keep up with what was going on. I know I'm in the minority because this book is getting great reviews, so don't take my word for it. Try it for yourself. Thank you Netgalley and Bethany House for the ARC.

The Marriage Portrait ~ So, this one gave me I Was Anastasia vibes. It has a very ominous tone, and, historically, you know things don't work out well for the main character. But then there are glimpses of hope here and there. It's excellently written, and I can't stop thinking about the ending. Recommended if you don't mind heavier literary fiction.

The Christmas Letters ~ This is my second reading of this novella. I have mixed feelings. The first two-thirds are charming and upbeat even through the hard times. The final third is a bit of a downer. The more modern family doesn't do so well. It's an interesting commentary on the twentieth century through the letters of three generations of women. It's good and short and it has recipes.

Anna Karenina ~ I read it. It was a long term project. I listened to the Audible edition narrated by Maggie Gyllenhaal which was fantastic. I highly recommend going that route if you choose to pick this one up.

The Circus Train ~ This one really tugged at my heart strings. Although I struggled at times to stay interested, the story really picked up in the second half and kept me up late reading. I became very invested in Lena and Alexandre and their love story. Recommended for historical romance readers.

November Book Reviews

 A Deal with the Elf King by Elise Kova ~ Who knew a retelling of Persephone and Hades set in an Elf kingdom would be so enjoyable. Luella is a determined and caring heroine. Eldas is a brooding...well, he broods. Together they have what it takes to save their kingdoms. (Warning for some open door bedroom scenes.) This is a fun one!

Nettle and Bone ~ This beautifully written fantasy had some great fairy tale elements. It also had a 'bone dog' and a demon chicken. This was the most unique book I read all year, so far. The protagonist is just trying to save her sister who hates her. What could go wrong. It's a charming story, and it can be read in a weekend. Highly recommended!

The Ways We Hide by Kristina McMorris ~ You would think by now I would be tired of World War Two stories. I'm not. I'm fascinated by how many different takes there are on the time period. This one takes place in England and The Netherlands but it focuses on spycraft, which I loved. Combine that with a heroine that struggles with PTSD and loves to do magic tricks and you have a really great novel. It got a little long in places, and probably could have been told with about one hundred fewer pages, but it was well worth the read. I can't help comparing it to Code Name Helene by Ariel Lawhon. Recommended if you don't mind long books and enjoy WW2. Thanks Netgalley and Sourcebooks for an ARC of this book.

The Matchmaker's Gift by Lynda Cohen Loigman ~ This book made my heart happy. Sara was a delightful character from the very first page. She's sweet and caring. She is selfless and determined to help her family and the people around her. The current day character was excellent, too. I loved the idea of a reverse divorce attorney. This was a great book to read around the holidays, and many Jewish holidays were celebrated in the pages of the story as well. Highly recommended! Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC.

All That Really Matters by Nicole Deese ~ I needed something fairly light and happy for Thanksgiving week and this contemporary romance was perfect. Molly was a sweet slightly self absorbed heroine without being obnoxious and whiney. Silas was a little bit like Mr. Darcy. Prickly at first, but very romantic. They both grew a lot and I loved the side characters. My library has book two in the series, and I'm looking forward to reading it.

October 2022 Wrap Up

A Lady's Guide to Fortune Hunting

This was a very cute, very witty regency romance. I liked both of the main characters. I would have enjoyed it more if they had feelings for each other a little sooner. It's a romance. You know what's going to happen. Give me some chemistry for crying out loud! But, if you love the time period, and you want something chaste, this story is recommended. I'll definitely pick up the next book. I'm hoping it's about the next sister in line. 

Jacqueline in Paris

It was a lot of fun seeing Paris through Jackie Kennedy's eyes before she was Jackie Kennedy. This novel was well researched and beautifully written. I enjoy books set shortly after World War 2. They  are good reminders that things didn't go right back to normal. Wars and disasters take a while to recover from, and, in the case of this book, there were new challenges and evils to face. I found the second half of the book to be faster paced than the first, but it was overall a lovely read.

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher for the purpose of review.

These Violent Delights

This book was a lot of fun for the month of October. It has a monster and a mystery and a VERY creepy setting. It's also a loose retelling of Romeo and Juliet. I'm looking forward to reading the sequel.

 

In Search of a Prince

This is such a fun contemporary romance. I love all of the royal protocols and immersing myself in the culture. The author did a tremendous job building the world of Oloro Ile. I wish it were real, so I could visit. The romance was perfect. The leading man was swoony, and the first kiss was worth waiting for. I also appreciated the faith elements, and how important prayer was to all of the characters. I can't wait for the next book in the series. Highly recommended if you enjoy romance, especially fairy tales.

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher for the purpose of review.

 

Twilight at Moorington Cross

Regency Era novels are one of my favorite ways to escape reality. This murder mystery by Abigail Wilson really hit the spot. It had great characters, a swoony romance, and who-done-it mystery that kept me guessing until the end. If you love mystery and romance you will enjoy Twilight at Moorington Cross. Highly recommended!

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher for the purpose of review.

Book Review ~ Shadows of Swanford Abbey by Julie Klassen

 

Shadows of Swanford Abbey

Another great read from Julie Klassen! I loved the unlikely romance, the who-done-it mystery, and the gothic vibes of the creepy abbey. I highly recommend this book for lovers of historical romance and mystery.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher and Netgalley for the purpose of review.

Book Review ~ The Girl Who Could Breathe Under Water by Erin Bartels

 

The Girl Who Could Breathe Under Water

This is a hard book to review. I really enjoyed it. The writing style is exactly what I like. The point of view challenged me as a reader. It had great character growth and an interesting plot. The issue is it is marketed as Christian fiction, but there aren't really any Christians present in the story. There are some vague references to God and who you were created to be, but there is also a rather graphic sex scene and a lot of drinking. This book also needs a strong trigger warning as it deals with sexual abuse. So, while I personally enjoyed the story, I would not recommend it to the typical Christian reader that is looking for a clean read that obviously points to Christ. If you don't mind being challenged and reading something more edgy, you might enjoy this book.

I received a copy of this book for review form the publisher and Netgalley.