The Red Dirt Hymnbook- Book Review

The Red Dirt Hymnbook by Roxie Faulkner Kirk

Genre: Historical Fiction, Domestic Christian Drama
3.2 Stars 

Ruby Fae McKeever understands at last that marrying JW and living on a bus with his parents was not a good idea. She and her almost one-year-old baby girl are feeling suffocated. Ruby is cut off from her family, abused in the name of being learning to be a dutiful Christian and an obedient wife. Her husband can never come out from his father’s influence. Ruby can’t live with them anymore. She needs to go home. But when? And most importantly, how?

The premise of the book was excellent. The cover was perfect. I was rooting for Ruby from the very first page of the book. But guess what? It took her until the last page to get there. I never it wasn’t going to be easy. There would be pressure, manipulation, and abuse. After all, those who preach are the last ones to follow it.

But what disappointed me was the way the story went on and on. Even the 250 pages seemed like a lot at one point in time. There is too much stream of consciousness in the narration. Stories from the past pop into the storyline at random. Ruby keeps getting distracted at the slightest hint. I did like some of those, but they stretched the original plotline more than necessary.

And Ruby’s wavering mind wasn’t any help either. While it seemed realistic that her plans would go wrong, I just wished she put up more fight. Even towards the end, it wasn’t her who takes charge of the situation. At some point, she had to learn and stop being stupid, but she doesn’t.

Reading about abuse is never easy, and this book was no exception. It only made me want to knock some sense into Ruby and ask her to use her brain.

Finally, when I thought it was going to end, there came another flashback story. Not sure how it would help as I felt nothing change in me towards any of the characters.

Overall, the theme deserved better treatment and tighter editing. The story has a happy ending, and well, the book did evoke emotions in me, so it’s a decent read. I just wish it was even better.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am sharing this review voluntarily.

#BookSirens 

The Boatman's Wife- Book Review

The Boatman’s Wife by Noëlle Harrison

Publication Date: 14 Jan 2021
Genre: Women’s Fiction

4 Stars

From Maine to Western Ireland, the book deals with love, loss, and hope in the lives of two women whose lives are connected in the most unexpected way. The story runs in two timelines, every alternate chapter dedicated to either of the women.

Lily from Maine travels all the way to Ireland after the death of her husband, Connor. There are secrets in his past, and she is determined to know them. Two decades ago, Niamh led a turbulent life in a small Oceanside town.

How do their lives intersect? What had happened in the past, and why does it affect the present? Why was Connor secretive about his life in Ireland? Will the truth break Lily?

The premise of the book sounds like a mix of women’s fiction and a thriller. But let me tell you that this is pure women’s fiction. The hints of suspicion don’t lead anywhere. The threatening email Connor receives doesn’t live up to its hype.

But, set that aside, and you’ll see the book deal with complex emotions of love and loss in different ways. We have three women who lost their loved ones. Each of them responds differently, and it’s their actions that lead to a series of events.

The book is quite heavy with grief. It ends well, though. Predictable but positive and warm. As a fan of happy endings, I have no complaints here.

The descriptions of the settings were a highlight. I enjoyed them the most, especially the way the author wove the weather and human emotions together. I wish she did the same towards the end when the story went into full-on ‘tell’ mode about how a character spent her life in the past few years. It felt as if the author wanted to give us a summary and get over with it so that she could move on to write the ending.

Rosemary, Niamh, and Lily are the three main characters of the book. Niamh is my favorite and looked like she was created and developed with a lot of care. Rosemary has two sides, both of which were interesting to read. Lily seemed a bit overdone. Guess it highlighted the difference in their lives and their backgrounds.

Overall, this was a bittersweet book to read that will touch our hearts at some places and inspire our wanderlust at others. It is a sad yet beautiful story.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bookouture. 

#TheBoatmansWife #NetGalley

The Case of Kitty Ogilvie- Book Review

The Case of Kitty Ogilvie by Jean Stubbs

(Based on a real Scottish Trial)
Genre: Historical Fiction, Crime, Murder Mystery, True Crime

4.2 Stars

The story takes place in Scotland, 1765. Kitty, aka Katherine Nairne, barely 20 years old and from a rich, influential family, marries Thomas Ogilvie, 40 years old, suffering from stomach ulcers, and belonging to a poor Scottish family.

The book starts with the wedding and moves on to show how Kitty’s youthful stupidity, Thomas’s laidback approach, Patrick’s happy attitude, Lady Eastmiln’s actions in the past and the present, and the hidden agenda of Anne Clarke end up ruining and taking lives.

The atmosphere on the cover picture and the little piece of news that the book is based on a true crime made me request this book.

For someone whose Scottish stories have been limited to historical romances with the lairds, this book was a fresh and interesting take set in the same land. The Ogilvies are not rich. But they are not poor. Their lives are the opposite of what Kitty was used to. Her dreams of having a lovely marriage with her husband don’t come true.

Away in Edinburgh is Alexander, another member of the family who has never gotten the love he deserved. Anna Clarke, a relative and a mistress, offers a simple solution. Then begin the mind games and manipulations.

As readers, we know every thought and action before the characters can even comprehend them. We see what is happening and can guess what would happen (to an extent). We know whether or not Kitty killed her husband. There is injustice, and there is karmic justice. But ultimately, lives have been lost. Is it only greed? No. Alexander’s motives and actions stem from something far more personal.

What about Anne Clarke? She is the key character in this book. It’s her brain that plots and executes. Yet, underneath it, all lay emotions that never let her lead a happy and contented life.

The actual trial starts somewhere after 70% or 75% of the book. It doesn’t last long either. But the focus of the book is not the trial. It is the people, the characters, and their personalities that keep us engaged.

We could say they have been stereotyped a little, but that only makes us want to roll our eyes or smack them on their heads. The writing is steady. It starts slowly and still hooks us. The observations about the settings, the characters, and their actions are woven into the narrative with ease. Even when there was an information dump at one place, it had subtle insights that would later make sense.

I wouldn’t call it a delightful book, but it sure was entertaining. The dry humor and ironic undertones added to the narration.

Fans of historical fiction and crime (without gore) will enjoy this book.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Sapere Books. 

#TheCaseofKittyOgilvie #NetGalley

The Day My Husband Left- Book Review

 The Day My Husband Left by Amy Miller

Publication Date: 21st Jan 2021
Genre: Women’s Fictions, Family Drama

3.5 Stars

 

Heidi and Johnny are a 50-something couple with two daughters, an upholstery restoration business, and a dark secret neither of them talks about. Johnny suffers his second heart attract a year after his first one and passes away.

The family is grieving, trying hard to cope up with the loss when Heidi finds a picture in Johnny’s phone. Her instincts tell her that she needs to find out about the picture. After much hesitation, she does and finds out something that could change her family forever.

The book starts with Johnny’s death and continues to tell us what and how things change. Will the family bonds survive, or will everything fall apart forever?

The cover picture drew me in, and the premise sounded like a wonderful read. The book started out well, and then, sigh! I just couldn’t connect with it. The characters individually were cool. They had their identities, quirks, vulnerabilities, and strengths. Zoe was an absolute favorite. They did well together too. So what’s the issue?

For me, it was the limited third-person POV that rested on Heidi’s shoulders. She was grieving, trying to handle her present and past while keeping her business afloat. She was supposed to have all of my attention. But she didn’t.

The story had too much 'tell'. The setting was 'showed' to the reader, but the emotions were told. Yes, there were a lot of gut-wrenching scenes and heartbreaking emotions. Yet, none of them reached me. In short, it was like having a transparent screen between me and the overwhelming experiences of the characters. The writing did not break through this barrier and come to me.

Maybe if the viewpoints altered between the main characters, I would have been able to see things from their side and know them for who they are. Despite being a third-person narration, I only see what Heidi sees. And it looked like she couldn’t connect with any of the other characters. Sure, they shared a good bond. It just wasn’t enough for me.

Some of the dialogues were powerful. All of them belonged to other characters. Another issue with the book was that too much happened in succession, and when we come towards the end, it’s more or less sorted out. Again, without Heidi’s involvement. She is probably the weakest character of the book. I understand the reason to show her vulnerable side, she was grieving after all, and she had to be real. People make mistakes. Wrong decisions are a part of our lives. That’s always acceptable. But here, in the book, it didn’t feel real.

However, that’s just me. I know readers who would love and devour the book. I hope they read and enjoy it (especially the ending).

Overall, not everyone is going to love this book, but they will remember some of the characters.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bookouture.

#TheDayMyHusbandLeft #NetGalley

Gone Too Far- Book Review

Gone Too Far by Debra Webb

Devlin & Falco, Book 2 (Standalone)
Publication Date: 27 Apr 2021

Genre: Mystery/ Thrillers
4.1 Stars

The book, second in the series, has Devlin and Falco teaming up with Sadie Cross again. The DDA (deputy district attorney) is found dead along with another famous businessman. The double homicide has links deeper than anyone would have expected. These lead the detectives straight to Sadie and her past (which she cannot remember except in bits and pieces).

To add to the pressure, there has been an incident at Tori’s school. Tori is the teenage daughter of Kate Devlin and is facing issues of her own. The more they dig around, the more the cases merge, complicating things from all sides.

There are powerful people who do not want their roles exposed. Orders are bypassed, and people are double-crossed. Can the trio solve the cases before more lives are lost?

I haven’t read book 1, but that didn’t make any difference. There are references to the previous case, but those are used to highlight the personalities of the characters rather than alter the current cases.

The writing is easy to read, and the story flows at a steady pace. Something or the other happens in every chapter and scene. I was never once bored with the book or wanted to skim through. The chapters are marked with the location, date, time, and character so that we know who will play a prominent role.

One of the reviewers said that the blurb doesn’t do justice to the book. I agree. This book needs a better blurb. The story is gripping, even though some of it is predictable. The emotions of the characters are neither overwhelming nor bland. They strike the right note to keep the focus on the story.

The ending isn’t rushed or abrupt. The threads are knotted one after another just as leisurely as they were unraveled. The relationship of the trio is being explored one step at a time to build the series. That works well for the book.

Even though there are quite a lot of characters to remember, it’s not a big deal once we get into the book. There isn’t a lot of intense action or violence. That’s another plus. Though I have no issues with violence in books, it wasn’t needed in this one. The author maintained that restraint rather well.

One of the tropes wasn’t that effective or gripping, but that’s fine. There are only so many tropes to try, after all.

To conclude, this is a fast-paced thriller that starts and ends well. 

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer. 

#GoneTooFar #NetGalley

The Light at Wyndcliff- Book Review

The Light at Wyndcliff by Sarah E. Ladd

Cornwall Series #3 (Standalone)
Genre: Historical Fiction, European Lit, Clean Romance

3.9 stars

The story is set in Cornwall in the 1820s, with its rugged coastline and open moorlands. The book starts with a focus on Evelyn Bray’s life and how it changes with the entry of Liam Twethewey, the new owner of the Wyndcliff Hall.

The duo has to struggle through the shipwrecks that seem to have a sinister cause than the raging waves of the sea. Evelyn’s grandfather, Rupert Bray, the steward of Wyndcliff, appears to be one man to his granddaughter and another to others, especially Liam.

When shipwreck survivors (a child and her mother) are housed in the estate, Evelyn naturally takes the responsibility of caring for them.

Evelyn is uncovering, rather, overhearing conversations that make her doubt many things. She is troubled and pained by her mother’s attitude. Her attraction for Liam is another burden on her fragile shoulders.

Liam realizes the sad state of the estate and knows he needs to get started on the clay pits to start earning. He doesn’t know whom to trust, except Evelyn. His feelings for her grow stronger, but many things come in the way.

The book goes at a steady pace. It is neither too mysterious nor exactly romantic. Both genres have been touched with a light hand. The mystery part is more, but it’s easy to guess what’s going on and what will happen.

For his age, he is quite matured and capable. Evelyn is sensible and yet vulnerable. The other characters were interesting. But I wish some of them had more meat. Even Rupert Bray needed more scenes to do justice to the intricacies of his characters. Probably because the book had to fit into the clean historical genre, the author didn’t explore the flaws and gray shades in depth.

Overall, it is an engaging book with a mild mystery and a teeny bit of romance with a happy-ever-after at the end. It’s not too deep or complicated. You can just go with the flow.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and Thomas Nelson. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

#TheLightatWyndcliff #NetGalley

The Lost Village- Book Review

 The Lost Village by Daniela Sacerdoti

Publication Date: 16th Nov 2020
Genre: Historical fiction, Women’s fiction

3.9 Stars

“An emotional World War Two historical romance set in Italy”- this is the tagline of the book.

The story deals with Luce (pronounced Lu- Chay), a 43-year-old woman, who goes to Bosconero, a small village in Italy, to trace her roots. With her mother refusing to answer her questions, her 19-year-old son away at Photography School. Separated from her husband for three years, Luce is determined to know why her mother has erased her past.

She meets Matilde on the internet and flies to Italy (from Seattle) to meet her and connect with her Nonna and Uncle. A disastrous earthquake destroys most of the village and the nearby hamlets. There are tragedies and trauma everywhere. Luce is fighting her instincts (and her family) to not run away to safety. Ethan’s sudden entry surprises her in many ways. She needs to know what happened.

What she uncovers has a much bigger effect than she realizes, but can there possibly be a happy ending, even if it bittersweet? What about her future with Ethan? Is there one?

The cover, the blurb, and the setting made the decision for me. I had to read this book. To a great extent, I’m glad I did. The descriptions, the imagery, and details of the setting were vivid and wonderful. Watching David Rocco’s shows explore Italy, I’ve been fascinated by its countryside. I could picturize the villages, the houses, the people, and streets as I read the book.

Some of the characters are well-etched, especially Luce (she is also the narrator), Matilde, Massimo, Angelina (Luce’s mom), and Nonna. Nonna takes the cake for the number of layers she has. Until the end, we are surprised by the turns in her character. She is the core of the plot. She holds it all together, and in a strange way (no spoilers).

Other characters like Carlo and Ethan had more scope, but being women’s fiction, I suppose the focus was more on the ladies. The story goes into flashbacks in between (easy to follow) and gives us more information.

What I liked was the portrayal of Luce after the earthquake. It’s realistic without being dramatic and overwhelming. She simply doesn’t decide she wants to stay. That doesn’t happen, does it? Her internal conflict, her confusion, her anguish, and her desperation are human and true.

The story is paced well but became a bit too rushed towards the end. The actual reveal was immediately followed by another incident that soon flows into the conclusion and an epilogue. I wish this was paced better. As a reader, I’ve been invested in their lives (the writing is very good and flows beautifully) and wanted to let each incident sink into my memory.

A little more breathing space at that place, and I’d have happily given the story a 4.2 or maybe even more. I had high hopes by then. This is the first book by the author I’ve read, but I’ll be reading more for sure. I like the writing style. Luce has a lot of thoughts; she does express them but doesn’t ramble on and on.

There isn’t much about WW II, though it does play its role in the story. The story focuses on the characters, and the effects of war are just one aspect. It’s the humans who make decisions, and that’s the basis of the story.

Being an uncorrected copy, it had a few typos. Nothing that hindered my reading.

Overall, this is a beautiful book, one that touches various topics and ultimately leaves us with a soft smile.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bookouture.

#TheLostVillage #NetGalley

The Open House- Book Review

The Open House by Sam Carrington

Publication Date: 10th Dec 2020
Genre: Mystery, Thriller

3.5 stars

The blurb talks about the open house event (an attempt by the heroine, Amber) to sell the house our heroine, Amber, and her two kids live in. She is separating from Nick, her husband, and plans to relocate to another city to live with her boyfriend, Richard.

So thirteen people enter the house during the event, and only 12 go out. What happens to the 13th person? Are they responsible for the strange occurrences in the house? Are they the same person who will do anything to make sure that the house doesn’t get sold?

Isn’t that an interesting premise? Coupled with the cover picture, I requested the ARC of the book immediately.

Three people narrate the story, with Amber having the maximum share. The other is Barb, her MIL, and the third person is a stranger/ killer(?).

What I Like:

The character development is good. Even if I don’t relate to any of them, I can visualize the characters enact their roles. The author sets up layer after layer of suspense, building it high and high. The narration is steady (even if not seems to be happening at times). There are too many characters. But somehow, all of them contribute in one way or another. I could deduce some and was surprised by others, so that’s balanced.

The chapters are short, which made it a relatively easy read. It’s 384 pages, after all (and no, I wasn’t aware of the page count until later). For me, to touch 100 pages in 70-80 minutes means that the book is a fast-read.

What I Felt Lacking:

The climax wasn’t as impactful as it should be. It ended up more as an info-dump about the past rather than create any lasting effect on the reader. Too much was withheld until the last 20%, where it was unleashed on the reader in rapid succession.

Amber blabbers quite a lot. Yes, she is stressed and under a lot of pressure, but we could do with a little less rambling.

There are a lot of subplots. They are solved and interlinked, but not in a satisfactory manner. The biggest issue is, of course, the ending. It fell flat after all the high hopes. Talking more about it would reveal the story, so no more.

Overall, this is a decent thriller that could have been paced better (in terms of sharing information with the readers). A must-read? Nope.

I got an ARC from NetGalley and Avon Books UK.

#NetGalley #TheOpenHouse

Fatal Intent- Book Review

 Fatal Intent by Tammy Euliano

Publication Date: 02nd March 2021
Genre: Medical Thriller/ Suspense

3.9 Stars

Anesthesiologist, Dr. Kate Downey has enough issues to deal with. When the elderly patients who were under the care start to die, she worries how it would affect her already troubled career. As more deaths occur, and Christian, the son of one of the dead man wants to check if there was something sinister, Kate agrees to check the reports with him.

The incidents at the hospital, the hostility from the Chief of Staff, a surgeon, and a medical student begin to push her into a corner. Kate knows she needs to get to the bottom of the issue. Together with Christian, Aunt Erm, and a few others, she starts collecting information. 

She gets threats, has to take a leave of absence, and almost loses her life. With her husband, Greg, lying in a coma for a year with no signs of improvement, Kate has a lot to lose. How she gathers evidence, fights the killer, and finally comes to terms with some things in her life forms the story.

The book starts on a slow note, and with so many characters being introduced, it gets hard to keep track. But the story picks up speed, and it gets easier to remember the characters. Not all of them are important, so it’s easy once we get into the story.

The narration slows down and picks up at the appropriate places, making the story quite intriguing and engaging. While the readers know who the killer is and even probably why the way the climax was handled was very good. There is action, enough of it to keep us reading page after page without taking a break.

Some of the characters felt unidimensional as if that’s all they could do. It did bring down the interest a little. However, Aunt Irm gets our attention. The way her mind works, and how she expresses it makes her a strong and sensible character. While Kate is hesitant, cautious, and wondering, Aunt Irm doesn’t hesitate or stall. She is straightforward and better at connecting the dots.

The theme deals with Religion and God, but the author handled it deftly without overemphasizing, taking sides, or preaching. This balance works well for the book.

Overall, the story needs some patience and determination to read the first 20%. But stick around, and you’ll enjoy a good medical thriller (even if some of it is too complex for non-medics to understand).

I received an ARC copy from NetGalley and Oceanview Publishing. 

#FatalIntent #NetGalley

The Land Steward’s Daughter- Book Review

 The Land Steward’s Daughter by Becky Michaels

Publication Date: 10^th Nov 2020
Genre: Historical Romance, Regency

3.7 Stars

Elaina is waiting for Will, her childhood sweetheart, to return from the Napoleon war. Letters keep them connected through the years as both feel love blooming between them.

But Elaina is the daughter of a land steward, and Will is the second son of a duke. It doesn’t help that Elaina feels grateful towards the duke and the duchess for caring for her from her childhood. With Elaina being pressurized to get married (she’s 25 years old already) and Will returning right on time, things seem anything but easy for these two lovebirds.

Thrown in Will’s elder brother and his already decided fiancé, a prospective suitor for Elaina, and a bunch of other characters and we have a decent story about their lives.

The writing is nice, and the flow is good. It took a while in the beginning, but I picked up the pace soon. None of the characters are perfect. They have emotions humans are expected to have. However, they do redeem themselves quite soon. We have no villains in the book. There is some drama, but nothing too complex.

In fact, there really isn’t anything complex or twisted in this book. It’s light and easy to read. If you are looking for a book where you don’t have to invest your emotions, this one should work well. It has various conflicts, all of which, get resolved quite easily.

I’m not sure if more books will follow this one (it says the book si snot a part of a series), but some characters just drifted in and out without much to do. Also, some characters probably need HEA someday. Either way, it wouldn’t make difference to this one. It ends well.

Overall, it’s a nice book, but not something that will stay with you for a while. It’s something you’d pick up one noon, read, smile, finish, and move on. Great for reading between two heavy books.

I received an advance review copy for free from BookSirens in exchange for an honest review. 

The Haunting of Beatrix Greene- Book Review

 The Haunting of Beatrix Greene by Rachel Hawkins, Ash Parsons, Vicky Alvear Shecter

Publication Date: 28th Oct 2020
Genre: Historical Horror, Romance

3.8 stars

In Victorian England, Beatrix Greene has a reputation for being a trustworthy spiritual medium. She doesn’t believe in theatrics and keeps a low profile to avoid too much attention. James Walker, a scientist who’s been exposing fraud mediums, manages to get her attention. He offers her a proposal- stay with him (and two others) in the Ashbury Manor for a night to prove whether ghosts are real or not.

Beatrix, being a non-believer, feel wary of taking up James’s offer but goes ahead with it. She goes to the Manor with her childhood friend Harry, a smalltime actor, who’s acting services she uses from time to time for extra effect. She gets tiny bits of information about the terrible past of the Manor and the evil that resides in it. James has his own dark past and is desperate for answers.

What happens in the manor? Are ghosts real? Does evil have the power to control a person and their thoughts? What will happen to the blooming romance between James and Beatrix? Can James be rid of the weight of his past? Does Beatrix really have spiritual powers?

The book answers all these questions and more. I was quite torn when it came to deciding the rating. A part of me wanted to give it 4, and another wanted to keep it at 3.5. I found a midpoint and settled at 3.8 stars.

Reading a book written by three authors that has the narration from two points of view (J&B) in alternating chapters can be a mess. But this book makes it effortless. If not for the headings mentioning who wrote what, it would have been almost impossible to identify the parts written by different writers.

The POV shifts are smooth. There are hardly any jerks in the tone or the narration. I truly appreciate the authors and the editors who worked on this piece. I do wish they cut down a few adverbs.

Coming to the story, it’s quite predictable but still manages to hold interest. How will I know if my prediction is right or wrong unless I read it? The gore quotient is higher in the second half of the book. It is justified too, considering the storyline.

The descriptions are vivid (if you have a habit of imaging the scene, you might be a bit uncomfortable). The story reaches the end in stages, and that keeps us hooked. The climax is very well written, and I love the development of Beatrix’s character.

The ending (epilogue of sorts) hints at a solid happy ever after, which made me happy. The secondary characters are interesting, though it’s Beatrix who plays a crucial role. That leads me to the title. Though I was intrigued by it and the subtle cover image, I’m not sure how it fits the story.

Overall, it’s a well-written, fast-paced, historical fiction with a good dose of horror and enough elements of romance.

I received an ARC copy from NetGalley and Serial Box. 

#TheHauntingofBeatrixGreene #NetGalley

If You Cherish Me- Book Review

 If You Cherish Me by Ciara Knight 

Book 3 of Sugar Maple Series (Standalone) 
Publication Date: 15th Sep 2020
Genre: Romance- Small Town/ Wholesome Clean Romance, Women’s Fiction 

3.8 stars 

We have Declan, an ex-con out on parole and a stranger in Sugar Maple, Felicia, the owner of Tranquil Maple Nursery, her Nana, her friends (the Famous Five), and a bunch of other characters who play varying roles in this small-town romance. 

The concept of the book is quite simple and sweet- sometimes all a person needs is a second chance. Not because they messed up the first time, but because they deserve to show their side of the story. 

There are times when one doesn’t want to read anything too heavy or introspective. But what if one still wants to read a nice little story? That’s where this book scores points. The writing is engaging and easy. The storyline is more or less predictable and doesn’t drag at unnecessary places. It goes at a steady pace, touching various aspects of life. But none of them are dealt in depth to make it a heavy and somber read. 

The characters are quite typical. We know what they will do and how they’ll react. Felicia, despite being referred to as a softie has enough spine to handle most of the stuff thrown at her. Her kind heart is a result of experiencing complexities rather than being a pushover. 

Declan is again the typical hero with a troubled past and present insecurities. However, he doesn’t come across as rude, only sad, and resigned. I wasn’t sure how friendly the Famous Five friends were, but they managed to redeem themselves. Book one and two deal with the stories of two of these five ladies. Felicia gets the third book. 

How Felicia and Declan help and get to know each other and how they make a difference to the lives of others around them form the plot. 

Overall, it’s a nice book one can finish without stressing too much about what’s and why’s. Just remember- don’t look for surprises in this book. Look for comfort and familiarity. 

Trigger warning: Mentions of racism and domestic abuse (nothing explicit). 

I received an ARC copy from NetGalley and Author Collective 20. 

#IfYouCherishMe #NetGalley

No Room at the Little Cornish Inn- Book Review

 No Room at the Little Cornish Inn by Nancy Barone

Publication Date: 5th Nov 2020
Genre: Romance, Christmas Romance, Women’s Fiction

3.7 stars

The book is a sweet Christmas romance between Rosie Anderson and Mitchell Fitzpatrick, the Irish manager at The Old Bell Inn in Cornwall. Rosie is sent undercover to the place to investigate the manager and the sudden reason for the bad reviews about the inn.

Rosie and her almost 8yo son Danny, go to the inn where the story takes place. From meeting the staff to noticing that something is not right, falling for the Irishman, and dealing with the father of her son, Rosie has to find a way to set things right, even as Susan the Sacker, her boss, is hell-bent on firing Mitchell.

The premise was cute, and the setting was a definite bonus. I’ve always been a fan of Christmas stories, especially the ones set in the countryside.

Rosie is our narrator, who takes us through the book in the present tense. She’s what I call a rambler who can go on and on about her feelings, doubts, insecurities, and whatnot. This gets annoying when she is, in reality, doing a great job of bringing up her kid in the circumstances.

While she has every reason to be wary, how many times does the reader want to know the same things about her stupid ex? Her thoughts aside, she is someone who knows how to do her job and is very good at it. Even if she doesn’t stand up to Susan, she stays true to her cause of helping the staff and Mitchell while trying to find out the root cause of the issue.

The romance part is predictable but sweet. The kid is damn cute. The secondary characters are engaging and warm (except Susan, of course). The ends tie-up quite well, as the story picks up pace after 75% of the book. We also get to see Mark, the father of her son, and well, he isn’t interesting or engaging (I don’t think he was supposed to be, so that's fine).

I’ve skimmed through at times and didn’t miss any important details. Rosie just needed to be a little less rambling, and I’d have liked the book even more. I also wished the Christmas celebrations were more detailed, but that’s fine. Not everyone likes to read descriptions.

Overall, it is a sweet and light romance to pick up on a cozy afternoon. Don’t have too many expectations, and you’ll enjoy this one.

I received an ARC copy from NetGalley and Aria & Aries.

#LittleCornishInn #NetGalley

The Bluebell Girls- Book Review

 The Bluebell Girls by Barbara Josselsohn 

Lake Summers Book 2 (Standalone)

Publication Date: 25th Sep 2020
Genre: Women’s Fiction, Romance

4.2 Stars 

“Three generations. One summer that will change everything.”

This line on the cover says it all. It is a book of second chances, of introspections, of understanding, compassion, and accepting life and love with a smile. 

Jenna and her daughter Sophie, an eleven-year-old, come to Lake Summers, Jenna’s home. Jenna is in the middle of a messy divorce, her self-esteem all-time low. Sophie starts as a typical pre-teen but grows into a girl with more depth and layers to her characters. Sweet, Jenna’s mother, happens to hold the key to happiness and is a delightful person. 

We see Chloe, Jenna’s elder sister, who appears to be dominant and controlling, but then we learn her thoughts and see her in a different light. Jenna meets Troy, her first love, and she begins to think about her life, her decisions, the past, and the present. Troy himself is battling with his demons and finds it hard to listen to his heart. 

It’s been a while since I read romances, but I wouldn’t necessarily classify this as one. There is love, but it’s more in thoughts, in the past, and the words and gestures rather than two people being impulsive. 

The writing is mellow, a bit slow in the beginning, and picks a little pace a while later. It doesn’t rush off towards the end but walks at a steady pace. 

The book doesn’t have villains, baddies, or typical mean characters that throw a spanner just for the sake of it. The character arc of Jenna, from doubting her every action to become who she was once, a confident and bright woman, was crafted very well. 

Sweet’s secret love story from her past, her bonding with Sophie, and how the threads tie-up at the end of the book were heartwarming without being too gooey. I did guess a few things (no spoilers), but that’s fine. The book isn’t based on the reader guessing anything. 

Jenna has a lot of thoughts and conflicting emotions. She goes back and forth between past and present, but she doesn’t ramble. There are no repetitions in the story (except in one place). There is no information dump, either. We get to know bits and pieces of who Jenna was and how she let circumstances take away her spark. But she’s never bitter, sad, yes.

There are times when one needs to read something positive, hopeful, and sweet that’s not preachy and overly dramatic. This book fits the bill. The ending isn’t a perfect HEA. We know there will be issues. But we also know that the characters are now at a place where they are confident of finding ways to love and be happy. 

I wish Troy had a better arc just as Jenna did. He is almost predictable, and that does cut down the points a bit. Lake Summers seems like a wonderful place to live, and boy, I love the use of bluebells in the story. 

Overall, it’s a nice and satisfying book for those looking for something warm and cozy without too much drama. Isn't the cover super cute? 

I received an ARC copy from NetGalley and Bookouture. 

#TheBluebellGirls #NetGalley

In My Attic- Book Review

In My Attic by Line Hansen

Book 1 of Magical Misfits Mystery

Genre: Cozy Mystery, Paranormal
3.8 Stars

Myrtle’s Aunt Eve dies soon after calling her for help. Myrtle feels guilty for not listening to her aunt and helping her when she needed it. She visits the Witch’s Retreat, a B&B in Avebury, owned and run by her aunt. She knows for sure that her aunt’s death wasn’t an accident (or was it?).

All her life, she refused to believe in anything paranormal, often telling her aunt to not talk about witches. But Myrtle’s visit to the village results in a series of events that seem both manmade and mystical. Do witches exist? Why are people around her talking in circles? Who killed her aunt? Will Myrtle accept her aunt’s last wishes?

The story starts with Aunt Eve’s call and continues o take us through the next few days until the mystery is solved. Myrtle, the narrator, lost her parents when young and was adopted by Aunt Eve. She works as a teacher and definitely doesn’t believe in witches as her aunt does.

Avebury is lovely. The B&B is a tangible part of the story. The unpredictable weather also is wonderful to read about, even if Myrtle is not a fan of it. We have a good number of characters, some of whom are better developed than others, even our heroine. We have the usual suspects and two good looking men, one of whom might not be who he claims to be.

The guessed the culprit right before I reached half the book. Still, I enjoyed reading the book on the last page. The narrative style is descriptive but not overly so. I like to get a feel of the place, the atmosphere, and the author gives me that.

The pace was decent, though I wished it was better. While there isn’t much rambling, Myrtle was hell-bent on not believing in anything paranormal, dragging the story with her when she could have solved it faster. It fits the trope to the T but makes the reader want to shake some sense into her head.

Since it’s the first book in the series, I’m willing to let it go. The writer needs to set the stage, after all. The writing is light with bits of humor and sarcasm. Grief shows, but not enough to overwhelm the readers, just as it should be in a cozy mystery.

My only complaint is that I liked the side characters more than Myrtle. Still, it would be interesting to see her character development in the next books. Tiddles, the stinky cat, was a delight, despite the smell.

There isn’t much magic. We get to see it only towards the end. But it’s different and intriguing. I like the concept the author created here.

Overall, it’s an engaging book for cozy mystery lovers, especially if they also love descriptions of the settings.

I received an ARC copy from NetGalley and Literary Wanderlust.

#InMyAttic #NetGalley

Portrait of Peril- Book Review

 Portrait of Peril by Laura Roh Jowland

Book 5 of the Victorian Mysteries

Publication date: 12th Jan 2021

Genre: Mystery/ Thriller, Historical Fiction

3.8 Stars

The leading lady, Sarah Bain, a crime scene photographer for Daily World, is getting married to Detective Sergeant Thomas Barrett, her beloved. Right after the wedding, the dead body of a ‘spirit’ photographer Charles Firth is found in the crypt. Who committed the crime? Will Sarah and Barrett uncover the mystery? This forms the main plot of the story.

Being a series, we also see a strong subplot of Sarah and Sally’s (half-sister) father Benjamin Bain and the crime he is supposed to have committed, the murder of a young girl Ellen. Sarah and Sally are determined to prove his innocence even if it means they’ll have to wake up the dead ghosts of the past.

Of course, we see only the main plot coming to a conclusion while the subplot moves ahead just enough to keep us interested and eager for the next book.

This is the fifth book in the series and my first. Did it affect my reading? No. The references to the previous cases don't bother much. The main plot doesn’t depend on those. We have recurring characters, the homosexual friend Lord Hugh, his faithful valet, and Mick, the 15-year-old orphaned photographer, all of whom are Sarah’s friends and support system.

We also have Inspector Reid, the typical villain within the police department who doesn’t like Sarah and Barrett. He waltzes in and out of the story whenever Sarah needs to add another problem to her overflowing list.

The main plot has a lot of characters, from spiritualists to professors to models to an heiress, who is determined to expose mediums and fake ghosts. The suspect list grows, and we go from one clue to another, one piece of information to another.

Sarah talks, thinks, and rambles (at times) in the present tense (yes, first-person, present-tense narration) about the murder, her mother, her past, and how her life was hard. While I needed to know the details as a new reader, I did find it becoming repetitive towards the end. I’m not sure how the readers of the series would take it, considering they’d have been reading about it in the previous four books.

But there’s quite a bit of action in the cold and foggy London streets and houses. It was refreshing to read a story with characters who do not belong to the elite London society. This is definitely more real and grounded.

There are predictable scenes between Barrett’s mother, Sarah, and Barrett. Our leading lady is an independent woman with fears and insecurities. There was drama, but nothing over the top. That’s was a plus.

I did have an inkling about who the killer(s) would be, so the revelation wasn’t much of a surprise. But I am glad that the writer did not throw in an unexpected twist to give the story an extra punch. It’s good to see the ideas and hints connect well and come out as a proper piece.

Overall, this is an engaging read and picks up pace after the first 70 pages or so. I noticed that my reading speed increased in parallel. If you like Victorian mysteries that are set in the middle class and lower-middle-class sections of London and a heroine with spunk, you’ll enjoy this book.

I received an ARC copy from NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books.

#PortraitofPeril #NetGalley

To Dream in Daylight- Book Review

 To Dream in Daylight by Cadence J. Thomas

Publication Date: 1 Sep 2020

Genre: New Adult/ Romance/ Fantasy/ Sci-fi

2.7 Stars

The cute cover and the blurb attracted me to the book. Imagine two people, dreaming of each other since childhood and wondering if the other is real or imaginary. It’s not until a humiliating video of the girl reaches the guy, thanks to social media, that he realizes she is indeed real.

His conflicting emotions and desire to meet her leads him to Chicago from Portland. Meanwhile, the girl, sick of all the unwanted attention, chooses to get off social media and go invisible. How will the dream mates meet? Will they find each other? Can they have a happy ever after?

That’s the premise of the book (in my words). Doesn’t it sound like a cute, angsty, sweet love story with the promise of HEA?

But does the book deliver? Yes and no.

Here is what I like about the book.

• The story has a HEA.
• The secondary characters are interesting.
• The relationship between Simon and his sister was warm and sweet.
• The concept of dreams was handled very well.
• The reactions are realistic to a good extent.
• Geeky references will make it a better book for some readers.
• There is enough mismatch of time to keep the readers hooked towards the end.

 What I wished was better or was disappointed in the book-

·  The narration alternates between Simon and Adri with the dream sequences in the third person. That’s very good. But, if not for the names and setting, I wouldn’t have been able to differentiate between Simon’s narration and Adri’s. They sound so similar, it’s hard to distinguish (until 80% of the book). That’s where Simon’s ready belief in Adri’s existence is contrasted by her disbelief. Even then, they react similarly, in just about every situation. The voices have got to be different and unique.

·       The genre says NA, but the leads act like young adults. I couldn’t imagine either of them being over 18. But they were supposed to be in their 20’s, and I still can’t picture them in that age group. The writing style is typical YA.

·       Adri is a lot more confused and stuck up on her ex. While it’s understandable she wants to live in the real world, she seems more disoriented about her life than Simon. Her character growth could have been better.

·       Both characters are socially awkward, geeky, writers (with other jobs) and seem to let others make decisions for them. Similarities again, and having two awkward leads tends to cut down the appeal for me. (Another example of why it is more suited to be a YA romance).

·       Finally, when the two of them do meet, the book is over. Bam! There is an epilogue of sorts, but that’s it. To read 90+% of the book only to know that it ends soon after they meet was disappointing. At least the ones who helped them should have been thanked or referred to. Considering our leads, without the supporting characters, their meeting wouldn’t happen.

Overall, it’s a clean romance (with mild kissing) and a decent YA (not NA) book.

I hope the team is going to proofread it another time before the final publishing. There are a few typos that need to be edited.

I received an ARC copy from NetGalley and Shadesilk Press.

#ToDreamInDaylight #NetGalley