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.