Tilottama at a Glance by Sreeparna Sen - Book Review

Tilottama at a Glance by Sreeparna Sen

Genre: Non-Fiction

4.5 Stars 

One-Liner: A delicious collection of tidbits about the City of Joy by a Kolkata girl. 

Tilottama at a Glance is much more than a compilation of information about Kolkata. It’s the heart and soul of a Kolkata girl proclaiming her love for the city, its history, and its people. 

It’s a short and sweet book compiled from the A to Z blog posts written for the yearly A to Z Blogging Challenge. From the Addas to street food to Eden Gardens, Chor Bazaar, and Durga Pujo, the book touches on several aspects that are intrinsic to the city. 

Some of them reminded me of the beauty of my own city, while the fish festival took me to my native state, where a similar event occurs every year. 

I traveled with the author as I flipped the pages, seeing the city with her eyes and listening to the bustling crowd with her ears. 

Read Tilottama at a Glance not to know more about Kolkata but to feel it the way the locals do. Every word in the book reflects the author’s love for her beloved city. 

I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author.  

Note: A version of the book was previously available under the title, Kolkata Chronicles: An A To Z Guide For The Uninitiated.

The Little French Bookshop by Cécile Pivot - Book Review

The Little French Bookshop by Cécile Pivot

Publication Date: 3rd Feb 2022 
Genre: Women’s Fiction, Epistolary 

3.7 Stars 

One Liner: Heartwarming but has nothing to do with the title. 

*****

Esther plans a letter-writing workshop after her father’s death. She and her father loved exchanging letters (handwritten), and Esther wants to experience the same through the workshop. She also plans to offer her copyediting skills to prospective novelists. 

Imagine her surprise when the applicants are everyone else by aspiring writers! From an elderly lady to an angsty teen and a delusional businessman, a total of five people are a part of her workshop. That makes Esther the sixth participant. 

She wants to help them learn how to write better. But what do they want from the workshop? A chance to express themselves? A chance to seek answers? A chance to reconcile and start fresh? 

Esther realizes that her workshop is helping the participants and her in a way she didn’t expect. Letter writing isn’t about writing a letter, is it? 

My Observations: 

• The book takes its own sweet time to progress. (it’s a slow read). The book alters between letters and regular narration (that gives the backstories and more insight into the characters). 
• The letters are arranged in a neat order almost until the end. The slight change at the end is mentioned in the first few pages and makes sense once we get there. 
• Various themes, ranging from postpartum depression to loneliness to social activism, etc., are dealt with. While some are more effective, the others pale in comparison. 
• Each character is distinct and can be identified by the tone of the letter. This is very important when six people are writing letters. 
• The ending is happy, hopeful, and touching. It leaves the reader with a satisfied smile. A couple of issues haven’t been resolved. Guess the author left the issues that way to keep things more realistic. It works in the bigger picture, so no complaints. 
• There are a few hiccups in connecting the letters. It doesn’t always feel smooth and effortless. That said, the character arcs are decent and worth mentioning. My favorites are Samuel and Juliette. 
• The concept of opening up to a stranger via letters was well explored. However, I couldn’t feel the magical touch of letter writing. Maybe it’s because I was reading an electronic copy of the book. Or maybe because there weren’t images of handwritten samples or signatures to give the feeling of reading physical letters. 
• Despite dealing with heavy topics, the book is not a heavy read. It’s both a plus and a minus, depending on the reader. For me, it’s a plus. 

To sum up, The Little French Bookshop is a heartwarming book that deals with quite a few issues. The epistolary style makes it possible to give the topic decent space. However, the title is rather misleading. This isn’t about a bookshop, except that Esther owns a little bookshop in Lille, France. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

#TheLittleFrenchBookshop #NetGalley

The Italian Island by Daniela Sacerdoti - Book Review

The Italian Island by Daniela Sacerdoti

Publication Date: 11th Jan 2022
Genre: Women’s Fiction, Paranormal 

3.7 Stars 

One Liner: Fast-paced and gripping. 

 *****

Annie, a twenty-year-old, reaches the Sicilian island of Galatea after the death of her beloved father. She is grieving the loss of the only loving person in her life. Annie has always been low on confidence, thanks to her mother’s standards. The trip to Galatea is a way to gain confidence, get her life back on track, and complete her father’s quest for his birth mother. 

Meeting Salvo, the local fisherman, gives Annie the support she needs to search for her grandmother’s history. The delicate bracelet on her wrist makes things easier, but only until she realizes what her grandmother had to do to save her loved ones. 

Even as Annie gets used to past unfurling in front of her eyes (literally), is she strong enough to handle the truth? Can she find peace and look forward to her life with Salvo, or will she abandon her quest and go back to the safety of her home? 

What happened on Galatea that her grandmother was last found in the WWII concentration camp?

What I Like:

• It’s a short book (240+ pages) and goes at a steady pace. The combination of show and tell works well to keep me hooked. 
• The touch of paranormal without putting too much emphasis on it makes it alluring. It suits the beauty of the setting and the ancient ties between the people, land, and sea. 
• Mira and Mimi are both strong characters. Annie is, too, without being obvious about it. 
• The shift between the past and present is seamless. The story weaves in and out without jerks. 
• WWII wasn’t the central focus of the story. After reading quite a few of those this year, I’m glad to read something a little different. 

What didn’t Work for Me: 

• The rushed ending spoiled the beauty of the story. Sure, the actual issue is solved, but we could’ve gotten a little more information about the characters. I was surprised to see the epilogue when I expected another final chapter to tie the loose ends. 
• The epilogue isn’t as effective as it should be. We get the happy ever after, but something vital felt missing from the end. Also, there is no mention of Annie’s mother or her reaction to the developments. Since Annie’s character arc depended on her mother, it was disappointing to not know. 
• Annie’s character development wasn’t steady. It went up and down to suit the flow of the story rather than being the other way round. She needed more time to establish herself. The past track stole the limelight (as it almost always happens with dual timelines).

To sum up, The Italian Island is an intriguing and fast-paced story about women connected across generations and stood up for love. It’s not a heavy read, though it does deal with some complex issues of life and relationships. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

#NetGalley #TheItalianIsland

The Last House on the Street by Diane Chamberlain - Book Review

The Last House on the Street by Diane Chamberlain

Publication Date: 11th Jan 2021
Genre: Social Drama, Dual Timeline, Mystery (sort of)

3 Stars 

One Liner: A social drama with a bit of mystery

2010: Kayla’s Carter lost her husband in an accident when building their dream house in Round Hill. The house is now complete and ready for Kayla and her four-year-old daughter to move in. However, a strange woman walks into the office and tells her not to move in. The meeting leaves Kayla shaken, but she has no choice but to move into the new house. 

Kayla soon meets Ellie Hockley, a woman with secrets from her past. Ellie is a lovely lady, but what does Kayla know about her anyway? 

1965: Ellie is determined to do something worthy in her life. Marrying her boyfriend and having kids isn’t on her list. When Prez Johnson announces a change in voting registration, the civil rights activities plan SCOPE, a program to convince black voters to register and vote for their rights. 

Ellie knows she needs to be a part of the program even if her family and friends don’t see the reason. But life is hardly easy when a revolution is brimming. Ellie’s decision changes many lives, including her own. What had happened back then that Ellie still holds resentment in her heart and maybe even desire for justice? 

How do Ellie’s and Kayla’s lives converge with so many decades between them? Why is the house on the hit list? What will happen when the secrets come out in the open?

What Worked for Me:

• The second half of the book, or rather the last 100 pages or so. 
• Side characters seemed more defined (with their flaws) and real than the main leads. 
• Rounded ending with no loose ends. 
• Not a happy ever after but hopeful and assuring. 
• The portrayal of racism, KKK, and bigotry. 

What Didn’t Work for Me: 

• The first 65% of the book is slow and left me wondering what the mystery was and when it’ll be solved. 
• Kayla paled when compared to Ellie. Her track didn’t feel emotional or touching despite her apparent sorrow and fear. 
• Ellie’s track was the primary focus of the book, and that affected the mystery angle as well as the modern-day Kayla’s story. What saved the story was how the two came together at the end. 
• Ellie fights for the cause, against racism, and for black rights. All good. She has better character development than Kayla. But she appears too good, too innocent, and unwilling to believe the worst of those she loves. 

Ellie finds solace in yoga after whatever happens in her life and is a yoga teacher in the present track. She is also vegan and loves Middle Eastern cuisine. Of course, she couldn’t find solace in any other profession (despite being a pharmacologist) or fall in love with another cuisine. Talk of irony! Racism is much more than abusing a race/ culture or burning crosses. 

To sum up, The Last House on the Street deals with poignant issues and is more of a social drama than a mystery. Many people loved the book, but some elements didn’t work for me. 

Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

#NetGalley 

A Botanist's Guide to Parties and Poisons by Kate Khavari - Book Review

A Botanist's Guide to Parties and Poisons by Kate Khavari

Publication Date: 7th June 2022
Genre: Historical Cozy Mystery 

3.8 Stars 

One Liner: Promising start to a new series 

****

London, 1923: Saffron Everleigh is a botanist and the only female assistant on the campus and works with Professor Dr. Maxwell. The man is her mentor, guide, and murder suspect. He has been arrested on the suspicion of murdering Mrs. Cynthia Henry, the wife of Dr. Henry. Dr. Maxwell had a row with Dr. Henry a few days ago bout a Brazilian expedition. 

The toxin that killed Mrs. Henry is unknown, and the case is getting stronger against Dr. Maxwell. Saffron knows that he would never be capable of such a crime, and it’s up to her to prove his innocence. 

Dr. Alexander Ashton, a fellow researcher, reluctantly helps her uncover the truth and get to the bottom of the matter. Dr. Ashton has demons of his own but cannot resist helping Saffron. Can the duo use their expertise in botany to identify the killer before it’s too late? Given the secrets surrounding them, can they come out alive? 

The requested the book for three reasons: 

• The title
• The cover 
• The alliteration in the author’s name

My Observations: 

• The narration is slow almost throughout the book. The saving grace is that the story kept me hooked enough to read more. The book is the first in the series, which explains the ‘slowness’. 
• There are no cliffhangers (the case is solved) though there is enough to start the next in the series. The mix of mystery, suspense, romance, and light action works well for the plot. 
• The characters are well-etched, though I’m in half a mind to knock sense into Saffron. Alexander has lots of promise and is an intriguing character. Inspector Green and Elizabeth are promising. 
• Saffron is fiery and has a tendency to act first and think later, which doesn’t do well to keep her out of trouble. She’s strong, kind, funny, and talented in her field (and yet to attain that level of expertise in investigating crimes). 
• The book is well-researched and yet doesn’t feel heavy or dense. We can follow the investigation even if we aren’t botanists and scientists. Still, I wished there were a couple of illustrations of the plants. 
• The book shows how women had to deal with assumptions and indecent proposals to make a career in the field. Sadly, things haven’t changed a lot in this aspect. Women still need to prove their worth time and again. 
• Some of it seems a little too farfetched towards the end, but then it’s a work of fiction. I can let it go (and roll my eyes, of course).
• Quite a lot of adverbs to read, and I tried my best to ignore them. :/ 

To sum up, A Botanist's Guide to Parties and Poisons is a promising first book in the series. It’s a decent historical cozy mystery and keeps you interested most of the time. It’s a tad predictable, but that’s fine too. I’m looking forward to the next book. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

#ABotanistsGuidetoPartiesandPoisons #NetGalley

To Love and Be Loved by Amanda Prowse - Book Review

To Love and Be Loved by Amanda Prowse

Publication Date: 11th Jan 2022
Genre: Women’s Fiction

3 Stars 

One-Liner: Some great side characters, but not enough. 

Merrin was in love and excited to marry her beau, Digby. She could see her entire future with her family and Digby in Port Charles, Cornwall. It was her home, after all. But the day of the wedding leaves her shattered and vulnerable. Merrin leaves her home in the fishing village to rebuild her life. 

Six years have passed, and Merrin has a life of her own away from home. She doesn’t want to go back but has no choice when a tragedy strikes. Merrin realizes what she missed by leaving her community and dear ones and changing into someone she isn’t. Back home, Merrin has to decide who she is and what she wants from life. What does her future hold? Is she willing to move on and be truly happy? 

I’ve had some of the author’s previous books on my TBR list for a while. When this one showed up in the Read Now section on NetGalley, I decided to go ahead and give it a shot. 

Plus Points: 

• Ruby (Merrin’s older sister) and Bella (Merrin’s bestie) are two fab characters in the book. Merrin’s mother was just as good. 
• The tension between Ruby and Merrin is a highlight of the book. 
• Women have a larger role to play (as expected) throughout. They are the decision-makers. 
• Beautiful descriptions of Cornwall. Something different from the city/ small town descriptions I usually read. 

Not-so Plus Points: 

• The narration is too slow. I understand slow beginnings, but this one is slow from start to finish. At no point did I want to read fast to know what happened next. The story went its own sweet way. 
• Despite Ruby being painted as the insecure sister, Merrin seemed self-absorbed in many scenes. It was about her most of the time. Even when I understood what she went through, I couldn’t continue feeling sad for her for the rest of the book. 
• Multiple POVs (in the limited third person) but none for Ruby. I wanted to know her more. She seemed more real and vulnerable than many others. 
• No clear indication for time leaps. We won’t know that a few months/ years have passed until we read the first 2-4 paragraphs in a chapter. Makes it a little hard to track the timeline.
• The happy ending was good, but bringing a new love interest in the last chapter somehow didn’t work for me. Given what Merrin repeats throughout the book, it felt surreal. 
• Some weird adverbs (I forgot to note them but I remember wondering why they had to be used). 

To sum up, To Love and Be Loved has its merits but hasn’t been a noteworthy read for me. Pick it up if you want something slow and sedate with bursts of emotions. 

Thank you, NetGalley, Amazon Publishing UK, and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

#ToLoveandBeLoved #NetGalley 

The Night of the Party by Anna-Lou Weatherley - Book Review

The Night of the Party by Anna-Lou Weatherley

Publication Date: 12th Jan 2022
Genre: Thriller 

3.5 Stars 

One Liner: Interesting, but nothing new to offer 

*****

The Drayton family is enjoying dinner with close friends on a cold night. Libby is a 17-yo and the perfect daughter of Evie and Tom Drayton. Brandon, Evie’s stepson, doesn’t enjoy the same adoration. 

Una and Jim are Evie’s college friends. Jim is a GP and a docile middle-aged man, while Una is the life of the party. When Libby goes out for an event and doesn’t respond to Evie’s messages or calls, Evie starts to panic. When the girl doesn’t come home, Evie knows something is wrong. 

Dan Riley is assigned to find Evie and soon discovers that the girl was neither perfect nor as innocent as Evie believed. Soon enough, Libby’s body is found, and thus begins a murder investigation. As secrets are uncovered, we realize that no one is who they seem to be. 

What made Libby turn into a manipulative daughter? Can Dan find out who the killer is? 

The story is revealed in multiple perspectives, with Dan’s voice in the first person and the rest in the limited third person. This gives us all the necessary information to solve the case ourselves even before Dan does. This is both an advantage and a disadvantage. 

Plus Points: 

• I got to know after reading the book that it is a part of a series of cases solved by DI Dan Riley. Makes sense that his voice is the first person. It worked so well as a standalone! I wondered why there was a chapter at the end with more details about Dan. Now I understand. 
• The main characters are all flawed, some more than others. The side characters are decent, though. 
• The story moves more like a show on the telly. Given the characters, this approach worked well. I could read the book without being involved and still enjoy it. 

Not-so-Plus Points: 

• There isn’t anything new in the book. Story-wise or character-wise, we don’t have much to look forward to. 
• The twists are super easy to guess (especially for a thriller reader). That does make the book slightly dull. Since there wasn’t any action, the story felt bland towards the end. 
• Readers following the Dam Riley series might connect more and like it better than I did. For me, it was just another regular thriller. 

To sum up, The Night of the Party is a decent thriller with a fast-paced narration. Non-thriller readers might find it more entertaining. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

#TheNightoftheParty #NetGalley

The Fashion Orphans by Randy Susan Meyers and M.J. Rose - Book Review

The Fashion Orphans by Randy Susan Meyers and M.J. Rose

Publication Date: 1st Feb 2022

Genre: Women’s Fiction, Family Drama, Contemporary 

3.8 Stars 

One Liner: Heartwarming

Gabrielle Winslow and Lulu Quattro are estranged half-sisters with debts, pain, and a common dislike for their mother’s controlling methods. Bette has passed away recently and left detailed instructions for her daughters to fulfill her wishes before they can get their inheritance. 

Gabi and Lulu resent that Bette is controlling them even after death. They are both in dire need of money to continue living with dignity. Moreover, relations have been strained, and working together doesn’t seem like a good option. 

With no other choice, Gabi and Lulu visit Bette’s house and discover a huge secret collection, almost all of the best from Chanel, Bette’s favorite brand. Confused, annoyed, frustrated, and uncertain, the sisters start to work out their differences and try to find out what Bette wanted them to do with her collection. 

The path they choose is not easy, but they learn some valuable lessons on the way. Gabi needs to get over her ex-husband’s betrayal and the messy divorce, while Lulu needs to spread her wings and look beyond her late husband’s family bakery. The two sisters need to find each other again and learn to forgive themselves and others. But is it really possible? Can Gabi and Lulu rebuild their bond and also forge a new path to the future and happiness? 

As the title suggests, the book relies heavily on fashion and brands (Chanel being the predominant one). However, it is relationships and emotions that keep the momentum going. Gabi is fifty-five and seven years older than Lulu. The sisters are opposite in many ways, be it their sense of fashion, appearance, or approach to life. 

Relationships, self-love, and happiness are major themes of the book. We see how Bette pushes Gabi and Lulu to take control of their lives again and do what makes them happy. The story is presented from both their perspectives, giving us insights into their lives. 

The reader might be tempted to support one sister a wee bit more than the other, though we want them to sort their differences and become close as they used to be. I was team Gabi even before the book touched 20%. That didn’t stop me from empathizing with Lulu and her circumstances. 

The book dragged a little in the second half. As much as I liked Nicholas and Seth (Lulu’s sons) and the other interesting ladies (Bette’s friends), I wanted the story to move a little faster. However, it managed to provide a happy and satisfying ending. 

To sum up, The Fashion Orphans is a heartwarming story about love, forgiveness, and relationships. Happy to add that the book doesn’t focus on romance though there’s a glimmer of hope and lots to look forward to. 

Thank you, NetGalley, Blue Box Press, and AuthorBuzz, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

#NetGalley  

Last Redemption by Matt Coyle - Book Review

Last Redemption by Matt Coyle

Rick Cahill Series #8 (Standalone)

Publication Date: 30th Nov 2021

Genre: Thriller

3.8 Stars

One-Liner: Steady-paced thriller with corporate and Pharma dealings 

***

Rick Cahill is leading a settled life after pretty much giving up on dangerous detective pursuits. His fiancée, Leah, is pregnant with their child, and Rick is more than delighted by the news. However, his health seems to be a concern, as the headaches suggest a grave brain-related disease. Rick just wants to stay alive long enough to see his child and maybe spend some quality time with the baby. 

When Moria, his dear friend, and investigative partner, calls for help, Rick knows he’ll do anything for her. She’s been through thick and thin by his side, and it’s time to help her. Moria’s son Luke seems to have broken a restraining order, and she wants to know what Luke is up to. 

Rick finds the request simple enough. However, the surveillance and Luke’s subsequent disappearance, followed by deaths in the past and present complicate the case. Rick is now deep into the dealings of the corporate and Pharma world. With billions of dollars at stake, no life is safe. It’s up to Rick to find the truth and keep Luke alive (if he isn’t already dead). Of course, it feels as if Rick’s time has become rather limited on the earth. 

Will Rick manage to expose the dark dealings and stay alive long enough to see his child? 

Last Redemption is the eighth book in the series and can be read as a standalone. It starts a little slow but soon picks up the pace and keeps the story going. There’s a mystery, thrill, suspense, intrigue, danger, and action. 

Even though this is my first book, I had no trouble understanding the relationship between the characters. There are enough snippets to provide a backstory when necessary. Rick is a rugged PI who goes more by instinct than by the book (PIs can’t solve cases if they go by the book). That puts him in danger more than once, but it goes with the job. He’s extra worried this time because of the ticking clock and a miracle child on the way. 

The plot is revealed one step at a time through different characters and developments. I enjoyed how the whole thing was structured to arrive at the final conclusion. The culprit wasn’t hard to guess. In fact, we pretty much know who it is halfway through. The rest of it is to uncover the what, how, when, why and bring everything together. 

There were a couple of incidents that made me wonder why Rick didn’t think of those on his own.  He is an experienced PI, after all. But I let go because his character was clearly not at his best in this book. He was worried about the brain damage, and that most likely affected his instincts. 

There’s an epilogue of sorts, which ties up the loose ends (almost). The book ends in such a way that there may or may not be a continuation. It leaves the reader satisfied and gives the author a chance to decide what to do with the series. 

The story reminded me of the current scenario where a section of the Indian media and opposition has been lobbying for Pfizer to be brought when our Indian vaccines are already effective. 

To sum up, Last Redemption is a steady-paced thriller with a capable PI taking control of the case. I’m going to check out the previous books in the series and start from the first. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Oceanview Publishing, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

#LastRedemption #NetGalley 

I'll Never Tell by Casey Kelleher - Book Review

I'll Never Tell by Casey Kelleher

Publication Date: 3rd Dec 2021
Genre: Mystery/ Thriller 

4 Stars 

One Liner: Quick, Focused, and Intriguing 

*****

Alessia has a loving husband, Carl, and a cute little son, Jacob. Her life appears wonderful, and it was until it isn’t anymore. 

Alessia has a past. She and her friend Sarah have done something they shouldn’t have. The news became public, and somehow it was only Alessia who stood the trial. 

Twenty years have gone by, and some of her fears have subsided. But then, there’s someone intent on digging up the past and ruining her life again. 

People didn’t believe her when she said she didn’t commit the crime. Alessia knows they won’t believe her now either. Her family, her life, and her future are at stake. Can she face the past to save her family? 

What will happen when the truth comes out? And…what is the actual truth?

The story goes back and forth (now and then, written under the chapter head for convenience). The narration is in the limited third person and gives us insights into the characters’ minds. 

Plus Points

• Short chapters and lots of tell (works for the story) 
• Good pace throughout
• Focus on what’s necessary for the plot
• No unnecessary twists or subplots (there were many instances to complicate the story and extend it by another 50-70 pages. Thank you for not doing that.)
• Clearly defined characters (not deep but easy to predict their actions)
• Harriet is a sensible cop. I wish she has a book of her own (or even a series) 
• No rambling (most of the time. The rest was necessary to provide more information)
• Deals with topics like child abuse, trauma, and mental health without overemphasizing anything 
• Sustains interest almost from first to last (I had to rearrange my ideas more than once)
• It's a small book (less than 300 pages) and a quick read 

Things That Didn’t Work Me

• Some strange use of adverbs (ref: robotically). It seemed like an attempt to shorten sentences to increase the pace. Doesn’t always work. 
• The first chapter! I can’t put my finger on it, but the first chapter just wasn’t right in there for me. It’s perfect bait (something I've done myself). Yet, something felt off. If the book didn’t come with recco, I’d have been wary of the rest. 
• The scene in the climax felt a wee bit unrealistic. I see why it was done. Just wished it was a bit more ‘in there’ with the rest of it. 

To sum up, I’ll Never Tell is a quick thriller dealing with important social issues. The overall result is more than satisfactory. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

#IllNeverTell #NetGalley

The Music Makers- Book Review

The Music Makers by Alexandra Walsh

Timeshift Victorian Mysteries Book#2 (Standalone) 
Genre: Women’s Fiction, Dual Timeline, Contemporary, Historical 

3.7 Stars 

One Liner: The historical timeline worked better. 

Eleanor Wilder goes back to Pembrokeshire from London to start afresh. After falling sick and being hospitalized, she’s too weak to manage the business in the bustling city. Her love for theatre and theatrical costumes made her a successful businesswoman, and she can easily continue it online from her parent’s house. 

The trip back home brings back her interest in tracing the ancestors. The name Esme Blood calls to her soul. In fact, Eleanor finds that nature is giving her the necessary clues to know what happened to Esme. 

Back in 1875, Esme Blood is a young girl born to a teenage mother who left her in a fortune tellers’ tent and vanished. Esme only has a doll to call her own. She’s lucky that Rose and her husband have adopted and loved her like their own. 

But Esme’s life is not easy. Each time she finds that happiness is within reach, something happens that makes things worse. Is Esme’s life only about uncovering secrets and yearning for a happy ever after? 

How is Esme connected to Eleanor apart from the obvious family link? The Tarot cards show hope. Is it possible to hope for love and find it too? 

The Music Makers is the second book in the series and pretty much follows the same format as the first one. The heroine has the urge to find out what happened to a certain ancestor and is helped by diaries written by the ancestor. 

What Worked for Me: 

• I’ve been fascinated by tarot cards since I was in high school. Tarot cards are an intrinsic part of the book. So that’s a definite plus. One day, I’m going to learn how to read tarot cards. 
• Esme is a strong character. Though her decisions seem a little rash at times, she sees them through and doesn’t give up. 
• Eleanor is smart, sensible, and loving. The way she handles her illness and her business was a treat to read. 
• A majority of the historical track is interesting and engaging. Lynette, Aaron, Cassie, etc., were intriguing in their own way. 
• The shift between past and present is clear and doesn’t cause any confusion. 
• The use of Victorian theatre throughout the book was consistent and artful. In fact, I loved the role of theatre and tarot cards more than music (which went on and off). 
• There’s no need to read book one to read this. It works as a standalone. 

What Didn’t Work for Me:

• The connection between Eleanor and Arthur wasn’t explored properly. In dual timelines, one timeline suffers, and this book is no exception. 
• There are too many characters again. But this time, they come towards the end and create confusion. Since it happens at a stage where the story picks up speed and races towards the conclusion, it gets overwhelming. 
• The relationships reminded me of Ekta Kapoor’s daily soaps (Indians will know what I mean). I was tempted to round down to 3 stars. But such convoluted relationships are not new (I’ve read enough Regency and Victorian books to know that as a fact), so I let it go. 

To sum up, The Music Makers is a good continuation of the series. While I enjoyed it, I wouldn’t call it the best. Still, I’m looking forward to reading the next one. 

Maybe the author will use a new technique to reveal the past in book three. Diaries are convenient but can get boring if they are used multiple times in the same series. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Sapere Books, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

#TheMusicMakers #NetGalley

The Midwife's Secret- Book Review

The Midwife's Secret by Emily Gunnis

Genre: Historical/ Multiple Timelines 

3.5 Stars 

One Liner: Too many things maybe. 

Yew Tree Manor has seen a lot of tragedy and hides many secrets. No one knows what happened to Alice, the seven-year-old girl who vanished one evening in 1969. 

It’s 2017, and the Manor is all set to be demolished to develop a new series of buildings. However, history repeats when Sienna, the six-year-old of Leo Hilton, disappears the same way. Leo is Alice’s elder brother and the current owner of Yew Tree Manor. 

Willow James is the architect overseeing the project. She’s the daughter of Bobby James, the last person to see Alice alive, the boy who grew up into a broken man in a detention center. Willow knows there are secrets around her and intends to dig out the truth, come what may. 

The task isn’t easy, of course. The story began sometime in 1945 and much before that. Willow’s great-grandmother was a midwife and lived in the Vicarage on the grounds of Yew Tree Manor. She was wronged and declared guilty for a crime she didn’t commit, and things have never been good for long ever since. 

Can Willow put an end to the pain and justice for her family? 

Confused by the blurb I wrote? The story pretty much moves on similar lines. It was a little easier because I copied the chart provided on the book's first page and referred to it. 

The story moves in three timelines with different characters as the focal points. All of it is the limited third person, and some sudden shifts were confusing. Not the ones between the chapters but the shift between immediate past and present in the same chapter. 

The beginning is slow but picks up pace as more information is revealed. The twists were transparent enough to see most of the time. I’m not sure if this would be classified as a mystery as such. 

What I Like: 

• The track dealing with Tessa (the midwife) and how much hatred women like her had to face. 

• Bella was an effective character, and Nell was cute as a child. 

• Sienna was endearing despite having a limited role in the book. 

What Could Have Been Better: 

• With so many characters in focus, I couldn’t feel for any of them. Tess and Bella were the strongest. Willow’s arc didn’t feel effective enough. There wasn’t enough of her to feel a connection. 

• Charlie felt more like a prop than Willow’s boyfriend. He goes in and out of the story, and I feel bad for him. 

• There were too many themes in the book, and none of them got full justice. The midwife’s secret isn’t even a secret, as it was revealed during the initial pages. I was expecting another bigger secret that would turn things upside down in the present, but that didn’t happen. 

• I love happy endings. Still, this one felt a little too neat and convenient. 

To sum up, The Midwife’s Secret was underwhelming, which could be due to many topics it tries to handle at once. The effort is commendable. I liked the portions related to the title. 

Thank you, NetGalley, Mobius Books, and Headline Review, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

#TheMidwifesSecret #NetGalley 

A Special Cornish Christmas- Book Review

A Special Cornish Christmas by Phillipa Ashley

Publication Date: 11th Nov 2021
Genre: Christmas Romance, Contemporary 

3.7 Stars 

One Liner: Heartwarming (but there were things I didn’t like much) 

Bo Grayson loves Christmas. However, her last one wasn’t memorable in any way, no thanks to the guy she was seeing. 

While it brought her love life to a halt, Bo is busier than ever. Managing her café and being an active member of the dance group is not easy. Of course, she’s a sweet woman. She supports her friends and takes care of them.  

Ran has his own troubled past to deal with and keeps things to himself. Being a diving instructor and a DJ at the dance group doesn’t mean he has to share his past with everyone, right? 

But then Bo and Ran unwillingly end up facing Madame Odette to get their future prediction. April, their dear friend is shaken by the experience, and so are Bo and Ran. Turns out, Madame Odette had the same prediction for all three of them- they would be with the love of their lives by Christmas. 

With the celebrations being only four months away, can they really believe in her words? Can Bo get over her hurt and take another chance at love? What’s Ran hiding, and how will it affect his future? What turns April’s world upside down? Is a new beginning on the cards for all three of them? 

The book leans heavily on rock and roll dancing and music from the yesteryears. Some of it went over my head (not surprising as it’s not my country’s music or my preferred genre). Still, I didn’t miss anything. The connection to music and dance needs little or no explanation. 

The story is written in the limited third person, with 60% of the chapters from Bo’s POV and the rest from Ran’s POV. 

What I Liked: 

• The warmth of small communities with a touch of idiotic people 

• Bo’s relationship with her group members and others

• April is a lovely character, and she’s got a meaty role in the book 

• Jenna’s presence as a catalyst and her assertive nature

• Madame Odette’s predictions generate subtle undercurrents throughout 

• Not much emphasis on romance per se

• Bo- she’s a beautiful mix of kindness, assertiveness, and vulnerability 

What Could Have Been Better: 

Ran’s character arc- He’s presented as a good guy, which he is. He also believes in communicating with Bo and clearing things up, and it seemed like a great trait. However, towards the end, I found him annoying. 

His indecisiveness was stupid rather than endearing. There’s a thin line between wanting to be kind and being a pushover. Boundaries are termed healthy for a reason. I won’t say much because I’ll have to put it all up as a spoiler, and it’s likely to turn into a rant. 

The book gets four stars because Bo and a few side characters were a treat to read. My favorite is April, and her character growth is fab. I also love her interpretation of Madame Odette’s prediction. 

To sum up, A Special Cornish Christmas is a heartwarming story and a good read on cold afternoons. It’s got some great moments. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Avon Books UK, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

#NetGalley  

The Memory Box- Book Review

The Memory Box by Kathryn Hughes

Genre: Historical Fiction, Dual Timeline, Women’s Fiction 

3.75 Stars 

One Liner: Effective in some ways. 

Jenny is living at an elder care center and has just celebrated her 100th birthday. As her favorite caretaker Candice takes out an old wooden box from the drawers, Jenny feels the memories rushing in. She knows there’s something she needs to do, and that involves traveling to Italy. 

Being a child of delicate health, it took persistence and grit for Jenny to outlive many others. She hopes for an additional couple of months to lay the past to rest. Jenny asks Candice to accompany her to Italy. It’s for physical support as well as to help Candice see the truth of her relationship with a douche bag manipulative jerk of a boyfriend Beau (eww!). 

How will the trip to a place full of past events and memories help both women come to terms with their lives? Can Jenny find her peace? Can Candice force herself to see the truth she so desperately wants to ignore? 

The Memory Box has a dual time is as smooth as butter. The story weaves in and out between the 1940s and 2019. The first-person narration by Jenny and the third-person narrative to show Candice’s life seamlessly blend across the chapters. 

Can’t tell you how many times I wanted to shake Candice to make her see what everyone around her saw. There were enough red flags to supply for a global red-themed party, and still have some left to spare. 

The book starts slow and picks up a little pace as the story moves ahead. The focus isn’t much on the setting but rather the thoughts of the characters. Jenny feels real with her strengths, flaws, and uncertainties. Candice, well, there are girls like her. I think the author drove her point straight in about toxic relationships using Candice and Beau. 

The actual story takes place after 65-70% of the book. Things crucial to the book enter the picture and bring the threads together. I guessed all the twists except for one, and I must admit I’m not fully convinced about it. It works more as a plot device, IMO. Also, a couple of things were a tad too convenient. I do like happy endings, so I’m not complaining as such. 

While Jenny’s arc was pretty much stable, Candice’s arc seemed confusing in the second half. I was pretty much fed up with her by then, or it would’ve annoyed me more. That girl could do with some solid dumping of sense into her brain. 

The only reason the book still has it rounded off to 4 stars is the portrayal of toxic love and gaslighting in relationships. It irked me to no end to see Candice make excuses and deny the truth, and that I would say is the biggest achievement. That part is very realistic. 

To sum up, The Memory Box is not a must-read historical, but it has a few sweet moments and some valuable relationship lessons that can start a discussion. 

Thank you, NetGalley, Mobius Books, and Headline Review, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

TheMemoryBox #NetGalley

The Little Christmas House - Book Review

The Little Christmas House by Tracy Rees

Publication Date: 22nd Oct 2021
Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Christmas Fiction

3.7 Stars

One Liner: Good, but could’ve been better. 

It’s Christmas time in Hopley village, and what’s Christmas when wounded hearts don’t heal? Holly loves to teach little kids and is a drama teacher in the village school. 

Edward and his eight-year-old daughter, Eliza, have recently moved into the Christmas House that’s a bit away from the village. Eliza is in the same class Holly teaches and is trying to adjust to the new place. Holly is nursing heartbreak after Alex ended their 10-year relationship. 

Holly, Edward, and Eliza are struggling with issues from the past. When fate brings them together, will they manage to look past the wounds and find each other? How will the past affect their present and future? 

The story is told in the limited third person from three perspectives- Holly, Edward, and Eliza. My favorite character in the book is Eliza. To say she’s the life of the story wouldn’t be an exaggeration.  

Holly and Edward are sweet people who want to do the best they can. The book is pretty much a Hallmark movie kind of story. While it was enjoyable, the overall impact wasn’t as good as I expected. I’ve read the author’s first book and was impressed by it. 

This one, though sweet and inclusive, was more of a tell than show when it came to backstory. While it contained the length, it dimmed the effect on readers (at least me). Also, there wasn’t an epilogue! The last chapter has a decent, hopeful ending, but that’s not enough. I wanted something more concrete. 

Three things I loved the most: 

• Eliza is an absolute sweetheart, and so were the other kids at school. 
• Holly is a wonderful teacher. Sensitive, attentive, and assertive. 
• Edward is a great dad. 

Things that could have been better: 

• Cressida’s character. We never really get to understand her. 
• A little more show than tell. 
• A couple of more chapters from Eliza’s POV. 
• More interaction between the lead characters. 

To sum up, The Little Christmas House is a sweet book to pick up between heavy reads or on a lazy afternoon. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

#TheLittleChristmasHouse #NetGalley 

*****

P.S: Can we please not use Fatima in so many books? There are many other beautiful Arabic names for girls. 

Indira Khan sounds a bit awkward, especially without the backstory, and I kept wondering if the parents were a fan of the late Indira Gandhi. 

Murder on the Pier- Book Review

Murder on the Pier by Merryn Allingham

Flora Steele Mystery #2

Publication Date: 10th Nov 2021
Genre: Historical Cozy Mystery

3.8 Stars 

One Liner: Works as a breather and a timepass read. 

Flora Steele is back in action dragging Jack with her to solve yet another crime. Set in 1955 in Sussex, the story continues a few months after book one ended. Flora is busy managing the book store, All is Well, while Jack somehow completed the draft of his seventh book. 

It’s winter, and the villagers have gathered in the wake of Bernie, the no-good missing husband of Kate. He was missing for months when his body was finally found. Polly arrives at the wake, all dressed up in riches. 

However, she’s soon found dead and floating under the pier. The police, of course, call it an accident or a suicide. But Flora has other ideas. She knows Polly was murdered and intends to find out who the killer is. Jack has no option but to tag along. As the list of suspects increases, will the duo solve the case on time? How will they fare when the killer decides to target them instead? 

I requested the ARC the instant I saw it. The first book was entertaining, and I was eager to read the next installment in the series. Murder on the Pier works pretty well as a standalone, though it can be a little confusing to remember all the characters. 

The flow is decent, and so is the storyline. Flora is an amateur sleuth, and it shows. However, she’s got a brain and uses it well (at least half the time). There’s slight progress on the personal track, which is artfully woven into the main plot. 

The sleuthing is interesting, and I could guess the killer halfway through. Since I don’t mind guessing it right, I was still curious to know how Flora and Jack would come to the conclusion. My once ruse is that the book didn’t feel as charming as the first one. It’s good, but not what I’d call great. Still, I’ll be reading book three and hoping that it would be set in Cornwall. 

To sum up, Murder on the Pier is a light cozy mystery and works as a great timepass read. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

#MurderonthePierAFloraSteeleMysteryBook2 #NetGalley

On a Night Like This- Book Review

On a Night Like This by Lindsey Kelk

Publication Date: 11th Nov 2021
Genre: Contemporary, Chicklit, Light Women’s Fiction 

4 Stars 

One Liner: Lighthearted, warm, and comforting. 

Fran Cooper is looking for a job that doesn’t require traveling. She’s been an assistant to various corporate personalities in the past. However, not finding any decent job makes her give a shot at being the PA of a mysterious celebrity for an event. 

The job takes her to a yacht that sails from London to Italy for The Crystal Ball event. Juliette, an international singer, is Fran’s boss and will be performing at the event. 

However, things don’t go as planned. Fran gets a chance to enjoy the ball, wearing a fabulous gown and having a time of her life. Despite her initial hesitation, Fran enters the ball and has adventures, some of which she could’ve done without. 

Yet, the event changes her. Helps her come to terms with things in her life and make decisions she should’ve made a long time ago. 

Many reviewers have pointed out the Cinderella-like feel of the story. In fact, there’s a reference to the fairytale a couple of times. The book is a lighthearted contemporary fiction that still deals with issues like relationships, friendships, knowing one’s true desire, and so on. 

The book is written in the first person from Fran’s perspective, and it was indeed a delight to read. She’s smart, funny, and caring; a little too caring, which leads to her suffering in silence and accepting less than what she deserves. The story takes us through her self-realization, her growth, and finally, her finding true love. 

Romance isn’t the central point of the book. We still have HEA, though. Fran’s been engaged to Stew, someone I’d gladly drown in a piping hot stew. I guess that explains the kind of guy he is. 

Luckily, Fran meets Evan in the second half of the book, and he’s such a sweet and understanding guy. His outlook about life and calling it a jigsaw puzzle was rather interesting to read. That guy is a keeper.

Other characters like Jess, Sarah, Juliette, and even Rachel (who’s there in the book for only a couple of chapters) are full of life and have defined personalities. Sure, the story relies on well-known tropes and doesn’t really have anything new to offer. 

Yet, it’s a warm and cheerful story to read. There’s comfort in picking up such books, and this one doesn’t disappoint. Not even when Fran says and does things that’ll make us roll our eyes (Such instances are not too many. Her arc is better than other ramblings heroines). 

To sum up, On a Night Like This is a funny, sweet, quirky, and light read. It’s a perfect breather between heavy books. It also has a great pace despite being 380+ pages long. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Harper Collins, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

The Lighthouse- Book Review

The Lighthouse by Christopher Parker

Publication Date: 26th Oct 2021
Genre: YA, Mystery, Magic Realism, Romance 

3.5 Stars

One Liner: Mixed feelings, oh, well!  

Amy is struggling to deal with the death of her mother. Her father, a police detective, is clueless about finding a way to connect with his daughter. The distance between them is growing farther, and there’s no one to fill it. 

Then comes a chance to go to Seabrook, a small town with a historical lighthouse. Amy’s father has to close a cold case and hopes he gets to spend time with Amy, even if it is only for a day in the town.

However, unexpected incidents result in Amy meeting Ryan and spending her weekend with him. Ryan is a young man caring for his father and working on their family ranch. 

The pair hits off and feels comfortable talking to each other. The lighthouse, though, has other plans. The lamp flashes a strong beam after decades and results in a rush of speculations and assumptions. 

Amy’s right in the middle of a mystery, and she somehow finds herself entering the forsaken and crumbling lighthouse. What does Amy find inside? How does it change her life and Ryan’s? What does this mean to the Seabrook and its people who are already obsessed with the lighthouse? 

• The first half of the book is pretty much what you’d expect from a sweet YA romance with a touch of mystery. 

• The midsection of the book is devoted to fantasy/magic realism of sorts with a new theory thrown in. 

• The final section is a family YA story that ends with an epilogue decades later. 

Now, I do like new ways to create a fantasy in a real-world setting. This one was a bit vague at first, but I understood the concept. It was interesting too. 

However, the story pretty much went back to the non-fantasy track, and there wasn’t any reference to it. Not even in the epilogue (except for a distant connection). I personally love epilogues, but this one disappointed me. Guess my expectations were different than what was delivered in the book. 

As much as I liked the book until about 75-80%, the rest of it didn’t work much for me. The only saving grace is that the writing is easy to read. I could finish 360+ pages in two days. Some of the dialogues are surface-level and way too generic. But since the characters were YA, I didn’t mind that much. 

To sum up, The Lighthouse had a promising start only to end up flat towards the end. Also, I felt the lighthouse wasn’t used to its full potential. It was more of a convenient prop when it could have been a lot, lot more. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Beacon Press Limited, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

#JourneyToSeabrook #NetGalley

*****

P.S: No idea why this one is categorized as an adult book. It is typical YA and has no cuss words or explicit romance. 

P.P.S: I have no experience with audiobooks. But considering the dialogues and the fantasy concept, I’m not too sure it’ll be easy listening to this one. One’s more likely to finish it faster by reading than listening. 

The Keeper of Happy Endings- Book Review

The Keeper of Happy Endings by Barbara Davis

Genre: Historical Fiction, WWII

4.5 Stars 

One Liner: Beautiful! 

Soline Russel belongs to a family from Paris that specializes in ensuring happy endings for others. Their hand-stitched bridal gowns are known to bind the couple together forever. But the blessing is also a curse. No one in the family has had a happy ending of their own. Soline tries to challenge the curse only to realize she can’t. 

Years later, in Boston, Rory (Aurora) is trying to find hope and stay positive. Her fiancé has been abducted in another country, and there’s no news of him. The strained relationship with her mother offers no solace. Until, by chance, Rory spots an old shop damaged by a fire accident. 

It rekindles her desire to make her dreams come true. Rory’s persistence brings her face to face with Soline, the owner of the store. Soline sure has made a name for herself in an unknown country, but what’s she has lost can never let her live in peace. 

Rory’s situation brings Soline out of her self-imposed exile. Of course, life isn’t easy, and things change just when their bond deepens. An unexpected decision by Rory sets the ball rolling. Secrets are revealed, and a new ray of hope is found. But is it possible to hope for the elusive happy ending for either of them? 

The book is 416 pages long, and as with every historical, the start is slow. But the book picks up the pace and seamlessly flows between different timelines and POVs. We get to see the story from Soline’s and Rory’s perspectives, giving us a chance to appreciate both women. Two other women play a vital role in the book- Camilla (Rory’s mom) and Thia. 

The story is beautiful and heartbreaking. At about 59%, I connected the dots, but then the author threw in a twist. Of course, my guess was right, but the way she revealed it worked better than my expectations. 

A book with a title as such should have a happy ending, and this one indeed does. Some of it might seem a little too neatly tied up, but hey, I wanted a happy ending and got one. No complaints. 

The characters are well developed. There are subtle hints to see beyond the obvious and delve deeper into the character’s mind. That’s clever writing. 

The two biggest plus points are-

• Emotions that hit the cord 
• A fine balance between both timelines

Many such books end up with one timeline grabbing the limelight. That doesn’t happen here. However, there are a couple of minor issues that could’ve been addressed. Still, the book is a worthy read in many ways. 

This is my first book by the author, and I’m surely going to read her other works. 

To sum up, The Keeper of Happy Endings is a story of hope, love, second chances, family, relationships, and happy endings. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

#TheKeeperofHappyEndings #NetGalley 

A Letter from Nana Rose- Book Review

A Letter from Nana Rose by Kristin Harper

Publication Date: 25th Oct 2021

Genre: Women’s Fiction, Contemporary 

3.7 Stars 

One Liner: Heartwarming but could have been better. 

Jill and her two sisters, Rachel and Brooke, are trying to overcome the grief of losing their beloved Nana Rose earlier that year. The old lady had asked them to spend two weeks at their cottage on Dune Island as the sisters didn’t every year. She has arranged to send them letters about her past; about things she never spoke to anyone. 

The sisters bond as always. Yet, Jill can’t help but worry about the underlying strain between them. It’s the letters that give them hope to make decisions and live lives the way they wanted. 

Being single at thirty-nine is not something Jill calls an achievement when her sisters have happy marriages. Still, she knows that she’d never settle for less. Her Nana Rose wouldn’t let her do that. 

Meeting Alex, the handsome tree surgeon on Dune Island, sparks interest in Jill. But her priority is the letters and Nana’s past. What happened back then that the old lady could never share it until after her death? How does the past affect their future, and what does it mean to Jill? 

The book is in the limited third person, with Jill’s POV been provided to the readers. The story starts with Jill and her sisters visiting the cottage for a two-week stay. However, things are strained between them. The elder sisters want to be practical about the cottage while Jill puts emotions first. 

The past was revealed in the form of letters, and I must admit that I enjoyed the past more than the present. In fact, I wished the past was shown to the reader instead of being told in the form of a letter. The main reason for this was the lack of enough backstory to fully understand and appreciate the dynamics between the sisters. 

With bits and pieces being shared, the rest is on the reader to assume and move along with the characters. The arc just wasn’t complete for any characters. They’ve been sketched and left to fend for themselves. It worked at times and didn’t at times. 

The ending was realistic and still hopeful and happy. The book is small (250+ pages) and was fast-read. Though I love small books, this one probably needed a few more pages to delve deeper into the storyline and highlight each character. 

Nevertheless, if you’re looking for a light read with a comforting storyline, A Letter from Nana Rose would be a good choice. Nana Rose is a great character and makes her presence/ absence felt in the book.

Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

#ALetterfromNanaRose #NetGalley