The Condemned Oak Tree by Ada Rossi - Book Review

The Condemned Oak Tree by Ada Rossi

Genre: Literary Fiction 

4.5 Stars 

One Liner: Slow but fantastic 

*****

Maureen buries her husband on her allotment in April 1972. She pretends that he ran away and left her to care for their 10yo twins, Lucy and Carol. However, life puts many obstacles in her path. She has decisions to make that alter her and the children’s futures. 

Twenty-Seven years later, Maureen begins to tell her story- the story of her life, her growth, her mistakes, choices, love, family, acceptance, and resilience. But what is the truth? Who is listening to her story and why? What does Maureen want by revealing the secrets after so many years have passed? 

The story comes in the first-person narration by Maureen and is addressed to an unknown ‘you’ (revealed later). 

My Observations: 

I knew the book would be slow and was prepared for it, but this one takes its own sweet time to progress. But the writing is beautiful, and I couldn’t make myself speed-read. 

The book has nature interwoven into the narration with such love and reverence that I took my time to savor the descriptions and the emotions aligned with each month. 

The writing is undoubtedly clever. The twists come at the least expected time and are not highlighted. On the contrary, the revelations are toned down, which amplifies the impact on the reader. Very smart and artful. 

The title suits the book so well. It wasn't there for the sake of it but means a lot more to the story.

The narration is non-linear, which makes it even more interesting. It helps fill up the blanks and sketch Maureen’s character arc. And she is such a well-crafted character too. Her dark humor is a treat to read. 

I like how the book starts in April. It is our month of New Year (the Hindu calendar) and the arrival of Spring. It suits the story perfectly. 

The ending is yet another highlight of the book. It ties up the loose ends but leaves enough room for the reader to imagine another scenario. The revelation aligns with the character arcs developed throughout. 

To sum up, The Condemned Oak Tree is a slow but fantastic read for those who love to read about nature and human emotions without drama. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Butterdragons Publishing, for the eARC. 

#TheCondemnedOakTree #NetGalley

*****

PS: It saddens me that such a beautiful book has single-digit reviews. There are many below-average indie books with more traction. This one deserves to be read. 

Murder at the Priory Hotel by Merryn Allingham - Book Review

Murder at the Priory Hotel by Merryn Allingham

Series: Flora Steele Mystery #4 (Standalone)

Publication Date: 8th July 2022

Genre: Historical Cozy Mystery 

3.8 Stars 

One Liner: Good continuation to the series; light cozy mystery 

Sussex, 1957: 

Flora Steele and Jack Carrington are back in the fourth installment of the series. The Priory Hotel is being reopened by Sally and Dominic, her business partner. On the day of the reopening, the lead singer, Beverly, of the rock n’ roll band Tutti Frutti drops dead in front of the crowd. 

With a not-so-positive history, the hotel suffers from canceled bookings. Sally is worried that her investment will sink into nothing. When Flora and Jack have no option but to investigate the case, they come across information that puts just about everyone on the suspect list. 

Will the duo solve the case and save Priory Hotel from losses? Are they putting themselves at risk yet again? 

My Observations: 

We are back at Priory Hotel, but the book keeps the case interesting. Despite the same setting (as in the first book), the story doesn’t feel repetitive or boring. 

Flora and Jack have a slight change of characters, with Jack being more eager to solve the crime. Of course, we need Flora to find the clues for us. 

The writing seemed a little slower than in the previous books. It could also be that I was more tired (which I was), and that affected my reading. 

We have enough red herrings and suspects in this one, but the danger quotient is slightly less. I like how it has been incorporated into the story. 

There’s a development in Flora and Jack’s friendship, and I’m hoping it will continue in the coming books. 

As always, we meet the recurring characters, and some of them have developments in their lives. I always like it when side characters’ lives are also given importance. 

The book works as a standalone, but the reader might be confused about the range of characters introduced in the first few pages. There are references to previous cases, though none of them affect the current case. 

To sum up, Murder at the Priory Hotel is a light cozy mystery and a little less dangerous than the previous ones. Looking forward to the next book. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #MurderatthePrioryHotel  

Foster by Claire Keegan - Book Review

Foster by Claire Keegan

Publication Date: 01 Nov 2022

Genre: General Fiction 

4.5 Stars 

One Liner: Beautiful! 

*****

A little girl is sent to live with a new family in Ireland. She knows nothing about the reason or strangers in rural Ireland who welcome her with loads of love and affection. She is surprised by the love they give her (something she has never had) and begins to bloom. However, she is unsure of how things stand when the reason is finally revealed. 

This is a short book brimming with emotions and beautiful prose that reflect the complexity of human life. The story comes from the nameless girl’s POV. 

Oh, what do I say? I’ve become a fan of the author’s writing after reading Small Things Like These last year. This book is no different and packs a punch in less than 90 pages. 

We have a little girl of probably seven or eight years who tells us what she feels, thinks, and understands during her stay with the Kinsellas. There is so much to the story than the given plot line. We see an undernourished girl have a better life for a few days. It’s not just the food either. It’s nourishment in all forms- care, affection, correction, gentle advice, and love. 

The writing is evocative yet understated. Most of the story relies on the reader to understand what’s not being said. Take your time to read this one and cherish it. Award-winning books and stories make me wary, but this is an exception. 

I felt for the girl and the Kinsellas. I wanted them to have a happy ever after. The ending is bittersweet and suits the story. But I wanted more. I understand why the author ended it at that point, but I needed more from this book. 

The ending is a bit vague, so if you are like me, check out this blog on Julian Girdham’s website. It’ll make you feel better.  

To sum up, Foster is a beautiful and bittersweet story about life and human choices. It’s a short read but will stay with you for a long time. 

Thank you, NetGalley, Grove Atlantic, and Grove Press, for the eARC.  

#Foster #NetGalley

Just Like Home by Sarah Gailey - Book Review

Just Like Home by Sarah Gailey

Publication Date: 19th July 2022

Genre: Dark Fiction, Psychological Drama  

4 Stars 

One Liner: Hard to slot into a genre; Twisted  

Vera Crowder has to go home, and she does. Her mother, Daphne, is dying. It’s now Vera’s business to sort the house. But the house was built by her father, Francis. Every part of the house has a memory and is alive with emotions and stories. 

As if life with her mother is not bad enough, Vera has to deal with an artist, James Duvall. He is one of those artists who pay to stay in their ‘legendary’ home and get inspired. He continues to hound Vera for information about her past, especially the one that involves her father. Vera is determined to keep him at bay. But she also knows there are secrets that need to be unearthed and carefully wrapped up again. 

As strange things happen in the house, Vera has to decide how much she can handle. After all, buried secrets rot faster than infested wood. Can Vera deal with the past and present? What will happen to Crowder House once Daphne dies? 

My Observations:

The book is dark, twisty, and messed up, just like the main characters. However, slotting it into any single category will affect the outcome for the reader. I’m not sure why this was marked mystery/ thriller. Yeah, there’s some mystery (a slow burn), but it didn’t require figuring things out. The hints were more than enough to know the ‘mystery’ part.

This could work more as a dark psychological horror but will not fully appeal to hardcore horror readers. Newbies in horror will not like it either. It might be too much for them. It falls somewhere in the middle, and that is not a good sign for the book. 

The gothic part is done very well. The house is super creepy and claustrophobic. Some of it is gross and yucky, too (if you don’t like such stuff). Luckily, I was in the right frame of mind for the book and didn’t remember the genre it was supposed to be. 

The characterization of Vera, Daphne, Francis, and James was interesting. None of them are likable. Yep. Yet, I couldn’t help but root for Vera throughout. The family dynamics (between Francis, Daphne, and Vera) are crucial to the plot. In fact, the relationship between the characters felt like a tangible element throughout the book. 

I’m not a fan of repetitions or slow-paced plots. However, this one worked for me. The repetitions showed Vera’s current state of mind. A lot of things that seem boring or irrelevant are a part of the bigger picture and make sense towards the end. 

The book picks up pace after 80%. That was good because I was starting to feel a bit annoyed with the meanderings. The book could have been a bit shorter and just as effective. 

The twist and the subsequent ending were good to read. They suit the story, title, and cover (should I even mention just how fab that cover is!). However, that is not the ending a mystery book would usually have. It leaves the reader wanting more or wondering what happened when a wrong genre is attached to the book. 

Call this dark fiction and psychological drama instead. It’ll set the right tone and expectations. There are a few triggers, too, so sensitive readers beware. This isn’t a book you pick up lightly or for fun. 

To sum up, Just Like Home is a twisted dark drama with messed-up characters. Go for it when you are in the mood for something slow and creepy. 

Thank you, NetGalley, Macmillan-Tor/Forge, and Tor Books, for the eARC. 

#JustLikeHome #NetGalley 

The True Love Bookshop by Annie Rains - Book Review

The True Love Bookshop by Annie Rains

Series: Somerset Lake #3 (Standalone)

Publication Date: 05th July 2022

Genre: Contemporary Romance 

3.7 Stars 

One Liner: Nice 

*****

Tess Lane is the owner of Lakeside Books and loves the place with all her heart. What she loves even more is the weekly book club with her dear friends. Being widowed three years ago has left her feelings raw, but Tess does her best to get on with her life. She still wonders about the missing pieces of her husband Jared’s death. 

River Harrison shows up at the bookshop, and Tess is enraged. He’s a former Marine, a private investigator, and Jared's ex-best friend. Tess hates River, but she wonders if his unexpected appearance is her chance to uncover the truth of Jared’s mysterious death.

Tess realizes how much she can enjoy her life when she begins to follow a trail with River. But the secrets come out and put Tess in a vulnerable position. Can she handle the truth and move over the past? Can she find hope to love again and lead a happy life? 

The story comes in the third person POV.

My Observations: 

The writing is easy to read and adds a good pace. I could finish 350+ pages in a couple of days (a total of 2.5 hours). Such books always get brownie points. 

This is a series with standalone books (each book for each character). We don’t have to know their stories to read the book. There’s enough info to keep the book going. 

The small-town setting and its warmth reflect throughout the book. Tess is a bookshop owner, and we also have a plan for a book signing event. 

The story is pretty light and easy despite the heavy topics. Things happen conveniently. Even major emotional issues are resolved with a page or two. I don’t mind that much if it is consistent. 

That’s where the ending didn’t fully work for me. It contradicts the easy resolution in the previous chapters. While it is still HEA, it feels as if the author wanted to cater to multiple target audiences at the same time. 

The events either have to be realistic or convenient. A combination of both will create a sense of dissatisfaction, especially if the reader is rooting for the male lead. 

To sum up, The True Love Bookshop is a nice and lighthearted read with some sweet characters. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing), for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #TheTrueLoveBookshop 

Grace Under Fire by Julie Garwood - Book Review

Grace Under Fire by Julie Garwood

Series: Buchanan-Renard #14 (Standalone) 

Publication Date: 19th July 2022

Genre: Contemporary Romantic Suspense 

4 Stars 

One Liner: An entertaining read

*****

Of all the things Grace Isabel McKenna can do, she didn’t expect to kill a man by shooting him between the eyes. Her short visit to Boston for the Buchanan anniversary party turns into a police investigation. The unexpected developments delay her Scotland trip to claim her inheritance and bring the infuriating Michael Buchanan back into her life. 

Michael is a navy SEAL and a lawyer- Isabel’s lawyer until the case is solved. Neither of them is happy about the arrangement, but Michael knows he will do anything to keep Isabel safe. The attraction between grows just as the case gets complicated. Isabel’s trip to Scotland puts her life at risk. Michael follows her, but can they unearth the criminal intent on getting rid of Isabel? What about their feelings for each other? The duo has a lot to deal with. 

The story comes from the third person POV. 

My Views 

This is the 14th book in the series and can be read as a standalone. However, knowing a little backstory will make it more enjoyable. Slow Burn has Kate and Dylan’s story, where Isabel is first introduced. Isabel is Kate’s younger sister. Reading Murder List (Regan & Alec’s story) might be a good idea. 

Reading the book made me realize an important point. The book will get two different ratings based on whether I consider it a standalone or a part of a popular series. But since I read around 65-70% of the books in the series, I chose to rate it based on the series template. 

Here’s why: 

• Alpha hero 
• A charming heroine (will come to this later) 
• Hot and flawless bodies
• A family full of FBI agents, judges, business owners, etc. 
• Steamy romance (2ish level) 
• Recurring characters (quite a few)

These can make a book a hit or flop, depending on the reader and how they perceive the elements. It worked great for me because I expect these elements from this series. 

The beginning is a bit choppy and messy, probably coz mine is an ARC with an uncorrected proof. I remember how the other books began, and I'm hoping this will be polished to that level.  

The pacing is also a bit slow, which could be because of the plotline. It has many things going on and off. There’s also some info about the Buchanan couples for new readers. 

The suspense takes its own sweet time to unravel, which is how it is in the other books. I could pretty much guess when things would go for the last punch. 

Michael and Isabel have good chemistry, and their banter was fun to read. However, I felt there could have been a deeper connection between them. There was enough material for it. 

Michael is headstrong or dumbass, as Isabel calls him. He’s got flaws but makes a decent impression. Maybe not as much as Dylan or Alec (or Nick or Noah)… you get the point. 

Now Isabel… she’s 23 and has just graduated, so maybe I can forgive her for being a bit stupid. From what I remember, Isabel seems to be the weakest (or not strong enough) female lead in the series. It could be because she was under Kate and Dylan’s care, but she’s not what I’d call a Garwood heroine. 

However, the book has comic relief, thanks to Isabel’s driving skills. She’d ace it in Indian traffic (you know if you know). Her driving plays a vital role in the story, and I love how it is incorporated into the plot. 

The mystery is also a bit weak in this one. It kind of pales out (but the comic relief might just save it if you have a twisted sense of humor). Still, the mystery could have been better. 

I love revisiting some of the previous characters from the series (it can be confusing if you don’t know them). They made the book so much better. 

To sum up, Grace Under Fire is an entertaining and enjoyable read. Just go with the flow in this one and then read the previous ones in the series. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Berkley, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #GraceUnderFire 

The Forgotten House on the Moor by Jane Lovering - Book Review

The Forgotten House on the Moor by Jane Lovering

Publication Date: 22nd June 2022

Genre: Contemporary Women’s Fiction with a sort of Cozy Mystery 

3 Stars

One Liner: Lighthearted, but overdoing a joke a ruined it 

*****

Alice Donaldson wakes up to the news of her ex-husband Grant’s death. The police tell her that he was killed in an accident somewhere on the North York Moors. 

Alice has no idea what she’s supposed to do. But curiosity leads her to the place of his death. Imagine her surprise to see a woman, Jenna, cry for Grant. She was his girlfriend and distraught about his death. Alice also meets the handsome Max, Jenna’s bother, and a book-writing research scholar. 

When Jenna wants to play Sherlock about Grant’s death, and Max asks for help, Alice decides to help them come to terms with the developments. However, shocking news arrives at Alice’s doorstep, followed by another incident at the crime scene. 

It doesn’t help that The Fortune House has been haunted for a long, long time. Who is this ghost? What happened in the past? How can Alice and Max uncover the mystery? And what about their growing attraction for each other? Will the story have a happy ending? 

The story comes in the first person POV from Alice. 

What I Like: 

The book is lighthearted and easy to read. Alice rambles (obviously) but not so much that I lose track of the plot. Painful topics are dealt with with the right amount of seriousness. 

Jenna is a person of contrasts, delightful yet annoying. I love that she rides motorbikes and bakes scones with the same ease. I just can’t see what she finds so alluring in Grant. 

Max is actually a good guy. A bit prone to get into his lecturer mode, but I’d rather read about psychological aspects than laments about the body size (more on this next). 

The paranormal part is pretty light. No scary stuff here, so readers wary of ghosts can read the book without worry. 

The ending works well for the story. It’s not too sweet or a picture of happy-ever-after but has enough to tie up the loose ends. 

What Didn’t Work for Me: 

The pacing is slower than I like for women’s fiction/ cozy mystery. It also feels more like a historical mystery due to the setting. 

I wanted to knock sense into Alice for half the most. Yeah, she is sensible when it comes to everything except her size. For God's sake, woman, it’s not a crime to be ‘plump’ or whatever she calls herself to be. 

A couple of self-deprecating jokes about being curvy are fine. But to have one on every page (or more) is annoying. She is an easy person to be with and a likable character. Yet, she had to ruin it by obsessing about her weight throughout.

It never occurs to Alice that she can lose the weight she gained. She laments about the extra stone (6.3kgs) she gained after she stopped taking care of herself. She can lose it once she begins to pay more attention to her health and diet. There’s no need to starve or get to size zero. She only needs to feel fit enough to stop obsessing about her weight every time. 

You can see that my major problem with the book was only one issue. The rest is good (meaning romcom good and eye-rolls are mandatory). For those curious, Alice would size XXL (converted based on the size provided by another reviewer). 

To sum up, The Forgotten House on the Moor could have been a delightfully funny and sweet read if not for the heroine’s obsession with weight.

Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for the eARC.  

#NetGalley #TheForgottenHouseontheMoor 

Vasilisa by Julie Mathison - Book Review

Vasilisa by Julie Mathison

Series: Old Rus (Book 1)

Genre: Middle Grade, Fairytale Retelling, Historical Fantasy 

4.3 Stars 

One Liner: Slow start but engrossing and beautiful 

*****

Edenfall, Pennsylvania, 1919:

The Great War may be over, but its aftermath continues to affect people. Vasilisa’s father is presumed dead, and her mother is being pursued by an orge. Babka, her grandmother, assures her everything will be fine. But Vasilisa knows she needs to do something fast. The events appear beyond Babka’s control. 

Ivan arrives in Edenfall with a task at hand. When Vasilisa’s and Ivan’s paths collide, they realize what they have to do. Baba Yaga and Koschei are right in the middle of the mess, and The Old Tales are the only way to set things right. 

Vassy and Ivan need to take up their roles and rewrite The Old Tales. Good has to triumph over evil once more. But how hard will it be for these two young kids? 

My Observations: 

The book begins at a languid pace with the right amount of foreshadowing. As the story progresses, we see character development and world-building in parallel. The imagery is lovely. 

Vasilisa’s character comes out alive on the pages. She’s such a delight to read. Ivan complements her character very well, bringing out both sides at the appropriate times. 

Since the story is the retelling of the famous Russian folklore, the book leans heavily on it. This can be a little hard if you have no idea about Russian lore. I knew bits and pieces, so managed without looking up the characters when reading. 

The book deals with many topics like kindness, bravery, forgiveness, acceptance, compassion, and a few more. It is a layered book but doesn’t feel heavy or overwhelming. 

I loved the scenes where the characters show their vulnerability while trying to become a better version of themselves. 

Little Bruno is my absolute favorite! I’m not telling you who he is. ;) 

The book has a long ending, which felt a bit overdone. The intention is to lead book one to book two, but I’d have preferred some of it in book two rather than at the end of the first book.  

To sum up, Vasilisa is an adventurous and entertaining story of a young teen protecting her dear ones from mystical creatures. 

I received a complimentary copy from the author through Voracious Readers Only. 

Maxims from Mahabharata by Sridhar Potaraju - Book Review

Maxims from Mahabharata by Sridhar Potaraju

Genre: Non Fiction, Indic 

3.5 Stars 

One Liner: Kudos to the intent and effort 

Maxims from Mahabharata is a compilation of Slokas from the epic, dealing with an array of important topics. The Slokas are originally written in Sanskrit. The author sourced them from the Devanagri script and translated them into English. He included the context, the name of the narrator, and the meaning of the Sloka. 

The book is short, crisp, and to the point. The author explains how he came up with the idea for the book and the amount of work required for the credibility of his translations. This book works more as a reference guide than a book one would read and keep on the bookshelf. 

Our rich cultural heritage has many pearls of wisdom scattered at random. Maxims from Mahabharata contains such Slokas to help people get a better understanding of their day-to-day lives. The topics are divided as: 

• Dharma 

• Truth 

• Principles Governing Punishment 

• Karma 

• Hygiene as Good Conduct 

• Nature 

• Faith 

• Anger 

• Reputation 

• Eternal Values 

• Mental Health 

• Power of Words 

The author is a lawyer, and it shows in his usage of certain words. In fact, a few meanings are written in the same long-winded sentences. The explanation of certain Slokas is too brief and doesn’t create much impact. 

Moreover, the English translation is written in Sanskrit/ Devanagri style, making the whole thing sound awkward. English sentences should have English grammar. A professional editor would have ironed out the bumps (this helps when reading focus majorly on English text). 

However, the book would work as a starting point for beginners trying to understand the intricacies of life, society, dharma, etc. Here are a few Slokas (meanings) I personally liked: 

"Wherever Krsna is, Dharma will be there, and where Dharma is, Victory shall be there." 

"A forest without lions is destroyed, and lions without forest will perish."

"If the earth is properly treated, it becomes father, mother, child, and heaven for all creatures."

"The man who incurs evil as the consequence of his own wrongdoings should not blame others for his own failings." 

"The daughter has been ordained to be equal to the son." 

"Mental stress leads to physical ailments, similar to how calm water tends to boil when in contact with hot metal." 

"As the destination of all rivers is the ocean, so the end of all embodied creatures is death." 

To sum up, Maxims from Mahabharata is the kind of book one could keep with them at all times and open a page when looking for affirmations or solace. 

I received a review copy from Indica Books and Indica. 

This review is posted as a part of the Thousand Reviewers Club. 

#ThousandReviewersClub 2022

The Seawomen by Chloe Timms - Book Review

The Seawomen by Chloe Timms

Publication Date: 14th June 2022

Genre: Dystopian, Women’s Fiction 

3.8 stars 

One Liner: The pacing is off but worth reading 

*****

Eden’s Isle has been Esta’s home forever. Being raised by her overly strict and God-fearing grandmother suffocated and scared Esta. She lost her parents and got scarred (on the face) in the same fire accident when Esta was three. 

She grew up fearing the seawomen and yearning to enter the water. Living on a small island with rules established for women to be virtuous and pious affected Esta in many ways. She witnesses the Untethering (women who cannot conceive are dropped back into the sea as a sacrifice).

Years pass, and Esta is married to a man decided by the Elders. Her motheryear has been decided by the Eldermothers. Can Esta conceive before the time is up, or will she be sacrificed to the sea? Is there any hope for the women on the tiny island who have to act according to the rules of the Elders? 

The story comes from Esta in the first-person POV. 

My Observations: 

The setting of the cult island is as dark and depressing as the theme. Get into the book with the right expectations to feel the oppressive mood of the island. 

The shift/ progress in Esta’s thoughts from her childhood to pre-teens to teenage is done well. However, she sounds the same at all ages. And she continues to sound more like a guest than a resident. Not to mention, she’s also more self-aware than other characters in the book. 

The characterization of Sarl (Esta’s grandmother) and Father Jossops was spot on. Their presence was a constant thing in the book. Sometimes, I felt these two outshone Esta in characterization. 

The tone is almost distanced and gets a little monotonous in the middle. It’s more like Esta is explaining things to the reader. The slow pacing doesn’t help either. Things start to happen after 75%. 

There’s a bit of fantasy (if you can call it that) but nothing spectacular. This works for the story as it kings things rooted in reality. 

The theme isn’t that unique per se (witch trials, abuse by church heads, oppression of women, etc.). However, that doesn’t take anything away from the book. I won’t compare it with The Handmaid’s Tale because I haven’t read it yet (don’t judge me). 

This book belongs to Esta. It doesn’t belong to the island or anyone else. The setting has been created for her, which means the closure comes only for Esta. There is no blanket ending. 

The writing has a very YA feel to it until towards the end. This should work for older teens who don’t mind reading depressing and dark subjects. 

Since this is a dystopian setting, suspension of belief is necessary. Some things seem farfetched, but the story demands them to be that way. Take it in stride. 

The ending is the highlight of the book. I would’ve loved an epilogue, though. The Untethering chapter acts as a prologue, so it’s only fair to have an epilogue. 

My major grouse with the book is the lack of mermaids. The entire plot is hinged on the seawomen, and we hardly get to see one. The tiny instances don’t count. I think I wanted more from the book, which left me a little dissatisfied.  

To sum up, The Seawomen is a slow-paced dystopian drama with powerful evil characters. Looking forward to more releases by the author. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton, for the eARC.  

#NetGalley #TheSeawomen 

Four Ways to Wear a Dress by Gillian Libby - Book Review

Four Ways to Wear a Dress by Gillian Libby

Publication Date: 07th June 2022

Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Romance 

2.8 Stars 

One Liner: More misses than hits! 

Mille Ward has been laid off from her PR job. She feels like a failure, not able to hold on to a job and settle down in life (according to her parents). Her parents blame it on her ADHD, but Millie knows that’s not the reason. She decides to visit her best friend Quincy in a small Bay town in California. 

Quincy and her folk of influencers work overtime to promote the laidback town, and Millie decides she could try a hand at becoming an influencer herself. Not to mention, she also gets to crush on Pete, Quincy’s brother, from close quarters. 

Her other two besties, Kate and Bree, help her with the move and encourage her to wear their magical black dress. It never failed them before, after all. Millie is doubtful she would fail the dress but wears it. 

When Millie has to convince Pete to be her Instagram Husband to promote her profile and his hotel business, things get a little complicated for them. Can their fake relationship lead to something real? Can the influencers save the town? Can Millie get her career back on track? 

The story is written in Mille’s first-person POV. 

What I Like: 

Millie is a decent character when she doesn’t go overboard (which happens more often during the second half). 

The setting was beautiful. I liked the scenes about surfing. Got to learn something from it, so that’s always a plus. Not that I intend to surf or anything. 

Pete is a really cool character (it also helps that he is super handsome). I feel bad for him, thanks to Millie’s stupidity. Not that he was faultless, but still. 

We see different types of working women, and each of them goes through ups and downs. I don't like Alana’s idea of perfection, but I can understand her fear of losing followers and risking everything they built from scratch. That doesn’t excuse her interference in others’ lives. 

The story has potential and made me chuckle a few times. I also didn’t have to stress my grey cells, which is another plus. But it could have been so much better. 

What Didn’t Work for Me: 

This is a case where the reader can see that Pete is in love with Millie, but she doesn’t see it (she is the narrator). She is determined to remind him that their relationship is fake at every possible opportunity. I started checking how many pages were left each time this happened. 

While the title makes the black dress a prominent part of the book, the storyline somehow loses track of it. There’s a scene towards the end that feels patchy and unnecessary (only to somehow do justice to the title). The book could’ve been the same even without that dress. Not to mention that the same dress fits four different women. 

Since when did an invitation to an interview imply a job? If that was the case, the unemployment rate around the world would never shoot up. Getting a job isn’t that easy. Millie getting kicked out of hers on the first page of the book is enough indication of the market conditions.

A major part of the book is about the life of social media influencers. It sure is damn hard to create an Instagram-worthy perfect life and hide the rest from the world. But that shouldn’t come at the cost of personal, especially kids’ future. 

Alana’s character is a contradiction throughout. I still don’t know who she really is.  

Millie is almost an instant success on Instagram. She has like 75K followers in around a month. How does that happen to non-celebs or people without no previous accounts or recognition on social media? (I’m a content writer, and digital marketing is one of my niches.) 

ADHD and autism are both a part of the book, but neither gets justice. And no, Millie can’t blame her stupidity on ADHD. I disliked how the kid (Quincy’s son) hardly got any space in the book. Nope. He deserved better. 

To sum up, Four Ways to Wear a Dress is a lighthearted book with some laughs and annoying moments if you don’t mind an overload of the influencer stuff. Oh, a generous amount of the F-word. 

Thank you, NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley 

*****

P.S: The book has steam (level 3-ish, I suppose). Readers, be warned. ;) 

Damage & Other Stories by Poornima Manco - Book Review

Damage & Other Stories by Poornima Manco

Genre: Short Stories

2.5 Stars 

One Liner: It could have been better 

*****

*Long Post Alert* 

*Contains Spoilers* 

*****

I picked up the book with some expectations. Having read two anthologies by the author, I was sure this would work. Sadly, it didn’t. Not because I’m not used to dark emotions. But because many stories don’t reach the mark, and one is subtly ideological. 

Damage: The first story in the book and one with great potential. Yet, it felt like too many themes crammed into a smaller word count. None of it seemed real or relatable. (I don’t move in such circles anyway.) And no full-page introspections, please. 

Samsara: If you are like me, let me inform you that Samsara is a perfume. The word also means family in Telugu (though it would be samsaram). An apt title, in a way. This is a sort of crime thriller with a female cop and the death of a politician’s wife. The plot had merit, but the narration didn’t have enough words. This story required a larger canvas. The female cop had such potential. A novel or a novella would do justice to her character. 

Creep: A creep trying to smooth talk women to get laid. A short piece from the creep’s POV. Does the job but not enough. 

Ma Vie Sans Couleur: I have no idea what happened here. There are too many themes (adultery, racism, mental illness, abuse) left hanging in the air, with faint threads connecting some of them. Too vague. 

Secrets and Lies: The dead grandfather still manages to protect the young grandson. But can the boy find love and affection from this arrangement? The POV keeps the story interesting, as the intentions of other characters are revealed in bits and pieces.  

The Consequence of Contradiction: This was a little confusing in the beginning. It settles down later and packs a punch. A very well-written tale that ends right where it should. One of the best in the book that will leave you thinking. 

The Unlikely Casanova: “Creep is so middle class, Monisha. It’s Casanova!” says Maya Sarabhai. Indians will understand the reference here. To explain, this story is an elite version of Creep we read a couple of stories earlier. 

Swami Claus: The internal darkness of self-declared religious leaders but with a twist. The double track is interesting and makes the storyline fresh. I initially thought it was about that pedophile Ram Rahim, but I’m not entirely sure. Children continue to suffer, be it in Asia, the Middle East, Europe, or America. 

Ugly: A story told in two POVs- the brute husband and a too-loyal wife. Sadly, this is a common occurrence in our society. The story starts with a bang, but the ending is melodramatic and OTT. It would have been more powerful if the ending was realistic.  

Palindrome: Is this inspired by Sridevi’s death? Maybe, maybe not. But an Indian reader cannot help but wonder. The title suits the story- the rise and fall of a famous actress in the film industry. It tends to lag at times but wraps up well. 

Dear Anil: A letter from a woman to the only love of her life. She details the journey from childhood friendship to unrequited love to a relationship that probably wasn’t meant to be. A sad story indeed.  

Unrequited: A semi-erotica presented as a feminist revenge story. It wasn't bad though. 

The Strings That Bind Us: This was bittersweet in its own way. It seemed like the author wanted to use the same story for multiple themes (friendship between cousins, family dynamics, and children neglecting parents). It works because of the two lead characters. 

Fallen: This is Raavan’s POV of Ramayana, and honestly, he deserved a better voice. Raavan has always been a huge (larger-than-life) presence. You are sure to find intense drama when Raavan is around. This version is mild and almost resigned. I don’t remember reading Raavan being this mild, even on his deathbed. And no, I didn’t mind the sly digs at Rama. Those are expected when the story is from Raavan’s POV, but I wish the tone was powerful enough to establish his voice.  Gimme the attitude!

Like a Boss: Okay! This is a sort-of retelling of the Nirbhaya case that shook India years ago. I’m not sure how I feel about this but the writing is impactful. So that’s something. 

The dead girl’s parents had to fight for so many years to get justice for the dead child. Incomplete justice because one of the rapists (a juvenile from the minority community) was released within three years. He was gifted a sewing machine, Rs. 10,000/-, and a new identity away from the public eye. 

Imagine that! A teen old enough to rape someone is being protected and safeguarded even today. What’s worse is that his counselor says there is no change in him. No remorse, nothing. He should have been tried as an adult and hanged with the others, but no. Let’s protect and unleash him on unsuspecting people! 

Love Jihad: This story comes right in the middle of the book but I decided to wait until the end to read this. A good decision, indeed. You’ll know why soon enough. 

This dual plotline has two couples- one in London and another in Jaipur, India. Both tracks have a Hindu girl falling in love with a Muslim man (the eternally romantic love story), but with different endings. The London track has educated and ‘liberal’ families, while the Jaipur track deals with the poor. 

On the surface, it appears perfect, with two contrasting endings that show two sides of the story. But is it really unbiased? Let’s analyze the execution and find out. 

London Track- The guy is handsome, so handsome that every woman (married and unmarried) in the heroine’s office wants nothing more than to screw him. Should I feel pity for objectifying the guy, or should I be worried that the trope matches the H-M porn sold on Amazon? 

The girl gets pregnant and marries her lover. Then, we get to know she may not be treated well and may have been forced to covert. Nothing is explicit in the narration. It’s all between the lines and gut feeling. When the girl’s family and a friend try to get her back home, they find out that the guy’s family has left the city.

Jaipur, India Track- This is where the author’s intelligence comes out in full force. The H girl and M guy are high school kids from a poor background. The girl’s brother (wait for it) goes around campaigning for a saffron-robed Guruji who ‘spreads venom against Muslims’. The author takes great pain to show the ‘hatred’ and ‘bias’ in explicit detail. After all, how else will the reader know that they are reading about Hinduvadis? 

The girl’s possibly uneducated mother speaks more like an upper-class woman about her ‘Hinduvadi son’ and the ‘hate-monger Guruji’. Finally, the story ends with the girl’s brother burning her M boyfriend and posting the video on Twitter. He is a ‘maniac’ Hindu burning a Muslim boy for daring to love his sister. We have almost no information about the clothes the characters wear in the story. But we most certainly know that the Guruji wears saffron. Such detailing! 

Now, let’s shift the scene to real life and look at a few reports from recent times. Mind you, these are limited to the guys who were murdered. Don’t even get me started on the cases about women who were abused, raped, kidnapped, converted, butchered, and packed into suitcases. I’ve been following the reports for more than five years. I know exactly what I'm talking about. 

Mithun Thakur was killed by his M girlfriend’s family. 

Vijaya Kamble (25), a Dalit, was killed by the family of his Muslim girlfriend in Bangalore. 

Nagaraju, a Dalit boy, was killed by his M wife’s brothers for the inter-faith marriage. The girl repeatedly blamed her mother and brothers for the murder (there was already a case registered in the police station seeking protection from them). She chose to live with her dead husband’s family. The media, of course, wants you to believe that the upper caste Hindus are somehow responsible for it when they are not even involved in the first place. 

Dablu Singh (22), Sanjay Kumar, Rahul (20), Ankit Saxena, and Ravi (17) are just a few names where Hindu boys have been murdered for falling in love with Muslim girls. 

This 14-year-old boy from the Schedule Tribe community was butchered because the boy spoke to a Muslim girl. 

But then, who is to blame in fiction? The Hindu fanatic brother, of course! 

Let me make one thing very clear. I am under no stupid illusion that Hindus don’t kill or commit crimes. I would have had no problem with the story if the girl’s brother was a maniac by default. He could have been a wastrel who couldn’t digest his sister loving a boy from another religion. He could have been anything, literally, and the storyline would still hold strong. 

What I object to is the blatant ideological thrust on readers by describing the guru and his activities while only hinting at what could have happened in the other track. Why not show them both the same way? Why go into detail about Guruji but not Mohsin and his parents? 

I’m reminded of the intellectual’s idea of a good Hindu. A good Hindu is someone who bends backward to appease others but has zero self-respect. This good Hindu, with a minus-level understanding of Hinduism, mocks their own culture and relates to a foreign culture. 

Do you know who a bad Hindu is? A bad Hindu doesn’t appease others and is proud of their rich cultural heritage. A bad Hindu asks for equal rights and takes a firm stand, declaring that respect is a two-way street. The story pretty much pushes the idea of a good Hindu to the readers. Too bad I am not one of them. 

I’ve read Eight - Fantastical Tales From Here, There & Everywhere and Holi Moly! & other stories by the author and enjoyed the stories. This one, however, is an exception. 

The book feels like it has been written for people who are not comfortable with dark stories but want to try if they can handle grim and disturbing. The themes are hinted at, but there’s nothing graphic or detailed in some stories. This makes the Indian track of the Love Jihad story rather apparent. 

To sum up, Damage & Other Stories could have been an outstanding collection if some stories were more fleshed out and personal ideologies were kept away from sensitive topics. 

I should have rounded it off to 3 stars (which would be more accurate considering the stories), but I can’t make myself do that. So 2 stars it is. 

Can't Look Away by Carola Lovering - Book Review

Can't Look Away by Carola Lovering

Publication Date: 14th June 2022

Genre: Contemporary Women, Drama 

2 Stars 

One Liner: Duh! 

*****

2013: Molly, a 23-year-old MFA student, and Jake Danner, the lead singer and guitarist of the Danner Lane band, meet and fall in love. Their relationship is intense, draining, and explosive, with the two of them wanting forever. 

A Decade Later: Molly is married to Hunter and has a six-year-old daughter Stella. She and Hunter are trying for another child through embryo transplantation. Molly is lonely and unable to fit into the wealthy lifestyle of Flynn Cove. 

She meets Sabrina, who seems to be just like her. The two hit off instantly and become good friends. As Sabrina spins her web, Molly can’t help but feel torn between her past and present. Sabrina won’t stop until she gets what she wants. 

Can Molly deal with the aftermath? What will her past cost her? 

My Observations: 

• First 33% - Not sure if I was too tired or bored to not care about the characters 
• Next 33% - Hmm… can the plot move ahead, please  
• Last 33% - At least, it’s over 

The story comes in installments of past and present from Molly and Jake's limited third-person POVs and Sabrina’s first-person POV. 

There’s a lot of story (info dump) despite the segregation of the plot into different segments. Sabrina’s present chapters were interesting of all. 

Sadly, none of the characters made me feel anything for them. Not even dislike. I didn’t care for any of them for the majority of the book. Stella was the bright spot whenever she appeared. 

There’s so much drama, but it felt so distanced that I was bored rather than feeling sad for either character. The writing is too much YA-ish, but I enjoyed some YA books way better than one. 

And no! This is NOT a thriller. It is a drama. I didn’t find anything remotely ‘thrilling’ in the book. The twists can’t even be called twists, IMO. 

It’s kind of ironic that the book has scenes about multiple edits required to polish and fine-tune a manuscript. If only… 

I can’t say who the right audiences for the book are, but it’s not me. I was bored more than half the time. (I'm repeating myself. Can't help it). 

The pacing is super slow. I finished it in 3 days only because I started to speed-read from the first day. No way I would spend more than 3 days on a 320-page book that claims to be a thriller. 

To sum up, Can’t Look Away is a drama that reads a lot like a YA book with NA characters. However, read other reviews before you decide. 

Thank you, NetGalley and St.Martin’s Press, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley