Bailey McArthur moved to Heather Moore for a fresh start. As someone who always loved flowers, she opened a flo3 Stars
One Liner: Read it as a drama
Bailey McArthur moved to Heather Moore for a fresh start. As someone who always loved flowers, she opened a florist shop, Flower Power, and was getting her life back on track.
The arrival of Zach Stern, a journalist, threatens her newfound freedom. When Zach wouldn’t stop asking about Eric, the famous celebrity hiding in the town, Bailey was afraid that her secrets would tumble out. Her growing feelings for Zach complicated things. Can Bailey sort out the mess and find happiness?
The story comes in Bailey’s first-person POV.
My Thoughts:
Firstly, this is not romance. It has a lot of drama too, so we’ll call it contemporary fiction.
The start is quite good. I enjoyed the descriptions of the flower shop and the picturesque small town in winter.
As the story progressed, I realized this would not be romance. There isn’t enough connection between the main characters. Insta-love trope but sadly it’s not well done. I was still wondering how they could develop such deep feelings for each other.
There’s a lot of side drama involving Bailey’s family. The celebrity, Eric, is also hit with drama and scandals from all sides. Naturally, Bailey, with her helpful attitude, is at the center of it. Things spiral out of control in the second half.
Fortunately, I liked the bond between Bailey and Marcus (her brother). His arc was quite believable. In fact, I empathized more with him than the main characters.
Bailey’s character is decent if a bit silly over Zach. I like she made some great points about starting over, the role of media in sharing gossip at the cost of privacy, the right to become a better person after making mistakes, etc.
Zach’s character is so surface level, he was hardly anything more than great eyes and hair with commendable ethics. If the side drama was limited to one topic, there would have been enough space for the MMC to grow and the romance to feel like something.
As expected of the genre, everything gets sorted at the end. There’s an epilogue too. The saving grace for me was the pacing. I could read this in a couple of days.
To summarize, A Scottish Highland Hideaway has a solid premise but messes it up by bringing too much drama and turning it into a soap opera. It might work better if you go with the right expectations. (It is a proper standalone.)
Thank you, Rachel's Random Resources and One More Chapter (Harper Collins), for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
I’m ready for autumn! Heck, I’m always ready for cool weather. The warm cover was all I needed to read this book. I love that it has a lesbian4 Stars
I’m ready for autumn! Heck, I’m always ready for cool weather. The warm cover was all I needed to read this book. I love that it has a lesbian couple with two little happy kids. Mom has silver hair with a pixie cut, and Mama has black hair with blue highlights. So cool!
The illustrations are beautiful. The vibrant colors light up the screen. There’s a touch of blur, which adds to the ethereal effect. I’m not that sure about the expressions on some pages, but nature is very well done.
The story, as such, is simple. The kids go to the park with their Mama, and she explains things about fall. The narration is not smooth. It feels jerky and clunky. The writing could do with some editing and restructuring to elevate the content.
We have a few pages of additional information at the end about the season, plants, animals, insects, fungi, etc. There are a couple of resources and some tips, too!
To summarize, Fall Feast is an informative and lovely book introducing the colorful season to kids. Would be better if kids read it with parents since there’s some exploration, which can be risky if little ones touch random insects or eat berries without parental supervision.
Thank you, NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group – Frances Lincoln Children's Books | Happy Yak, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
Elizabeth Wynchester loves nothing more than an opportunity to stab the guilty with her swor3.7 Stars
One Liner: A bit silly and OTT but entertaining
Elizabeth Wynchester loves nothing more than an opportunity to stab the guilty with her sword. She is bold, beautiful, smart, and competent despite the unknown reason for her joints to jam at random. When Elizabeth’s mission takes her to the castle of Earl of Densmore, she realizes she needs more than a sword to complete the mission.
Stephen Lennox loves tinkering with machinations. He has invented too many of them and continues to do so. After all, machines are more reliable than humans. However, when he agrees to take the place of his cousin, the Earl of Densmore, for a while, Stephen comes face to face with a woman who truly understands him.
Elizabeth and Stephen are similar yet different. However, before they explore their feelings, they need to sort out the case of the hidden/ missing will and put a criminal in his place.
The story comes in the third-person POV of Elizabeth and Stephen.
My Thoughts:
After enjoying the previous book in the series and loving Elizabeth in that one, I knew I had to read this. I understand her urge to stab anything/ anyone that annoys her. Naturally, people don’t let us act on it, but one can dream!
The dual POV does what it should and gives us the backstories of the main characters. Both of them present a façade to the public to hide their vulnerabilities. While Elizabeth is kinda sunshine, she is also grumpy (with loads of delightful bloodlust). She loves that the MMC builds murder machines (even if not all are meant to… you know… pop off a person).
There is insta-lust (obv) but there is also some friendship, banter, and the case, which keeps things interesting. I enjoyed the puzzle parts.
The villain is pretty much a 2D cartoonish man though we can see glimpses of his cunningness and evilness. Not sure if he’ll appear again but in this one, he is more like a comic villain than a real one.
The FMC is curvy and has Fibromyalgia. This is my second book where the FMC has this condition. However, this book is historical, so no one knows what her condition is called and why it affects people. I like how the whole aspect is incorporated into the plot and her character arc.
Stephen is well-written, and there were instances when I liked him more than Elizabeth. Somehow, his vulnerability comes out more clearly. I empathized with his loneliness and sense of wanting to belong.
There’s some filler which at times results in uneven pacing. There’s a 3rd act breakup, but no miscommunication. This one was bound to happen, so I was okay with it.
The battle scenes are nice but lighthearted. This aligns with the book’s overall tone but it may not work for everyone.
The Wynchester family scenes are always fun to read. I missed Tickletums, the hedgehog. He barely got any space. Ugh! So not fair as I was hoping to meet the cutie again. The book ends with a teeny lead to the next one. I know Jacob’s book will be lovely with all those animals and… Tickletums!
To summarize, Hot Earl Summer is a lighthearted and fun read that also deals with some important themes like acceptance, found family, loneliness, finding love, etc. It is moderately paced and enjoyable if you like historical romances with a modern touch.
Thank you, NetGalley, and Forever (Grand Central Publishing), for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
Lilou started Paris Cupid to help her friend find love in the old-fashioned way3.25 Stars (Outliner)
One Liner: Cute in parts; great side characters
Lilou started Paris Cupid to help her friend find love in the old-fashioned way, by exchanging letters and getting to know one another before meeting face-to-face. However, she didn’t expect it to become so popular and suddenly enter the limelight. The fame seems to be bringing more trouble too!
That aside, Lilou’s love life is non-existent. After the disaster of her previous relationship, she wants to get it right. When Lilou gets admiring messages as letters, she needs to find out who the sender is. It is the cheerful Felix, the nerdy and handsome Beniot, or the scowling and muscular Pascal? Can one of them be her happy-ever-after?
The story comes in Lilou’s first-person POV.
My Thoghts:
A cozy book set in Paris dealing with love letters – what’s not to like? It is categorized as General Fiction on NetGalley, an apt tag. Don’t look for romance though there’s a lot of about around it.
The good things first –
The setting is lovely! The market reminded me of the bazaars in my city with multiple shops bundled in one region. It is almost always buzzing with activity.
The side characters are very well crafted. In fact, I liked them more than the main character. They come in different types – flirty, old school, gossipy, friendly, nerdy, etc.
The cats, Minou and Marmalade, are a treat (even if Minou’s antics can give you grey hair!). They elevated the book when I was losing interest.
Lilou’s character is decent too. I like how she was great at giving relationship advice to others but too afraid to try it herself (relatable, lol). It is easy to see the bigger picture when we are a few steps away from the situation. Of course, her concerns about public opinions and SM outrage are more than valid!
If only –
Based on the cute cover and the premise (it mentions three men!), I expected it to have a lot more romance. While there is some love, most of it occurs off-page and mainly for other characters.
The first-person POV means we see only what Lilou sees. Though this didn’t affect my opinion of some characters, it definitely distanced me from the MMC.
Moreover, in an attempt to keep the suspense going for as long as possible, we don’t get Lilou’s ‘real’ feelings. So I found zero chemistry between her and the main guy even though we are supposed to guess it. Enemies-to-lovers is not an easy trope, and without good banter, it feels flatter than a crepe.
The ending is rushed and wrapped up too quickly. There’s no surprise since that’s the only way it would go. But that doesn’t mean the characters cannot at least have a decent connection. I still don’t know why the MMC fell in love with her.
At least, there’s a short epilogue which is good.
To summarize, A Love Letter to Paris is more of a story about a woman realizing she needs to follow the relationship advice she gives others through the matchmaking website. Would have enjoyed it more if I saw the FMC fall in love.
I’m an outliner here, so check other reviews before you decide.
Thank you, Rachel’s Random Resources and Boldwood Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
One Liner: Enjoyed the book but not a fan of the FMC
Charlie Sparrow’s family has owned the Chanterelle Cottage for six generations in the 3.7 Stars
One Liner: Enjoyed the book but not a fan of the FMC
Charlie Sparrow’s family has owned the Chanterelle Cottage for six generations in the small-town Owl’s Hollow. She and her moms form the trio of witches in the town. The shop is her everything but they are struggling to keep it afloat. Still, her parents don’t want to make Charlie a business partner.
The arrival of Sterling Fitzgerald aka Fitz complicates things. Fitz is a mage and has opened a magecraft store, Maven Enterprises. He comes from money, which makes him Charlie’s enemy. How will a spell shop survive when mages are around?
However, neither can deny the attraction between them. Moreover, someone has been causing trouble with strange supernatural events affecting the whole town. It’s up to Charlie and Fitz to sort out the issue and find a common ground for their businesses and hearts.
The story comes in the first-person POV of Charlie.
My Thoughts:
That’s such a cute cover, right? I knew I had to read this one (and lucked out this time).
A big yay to Charlie’s moms Alice (Mama) and Ruby (Mim). They are the definition of opposites attract and form a beautiful team (with a few parental flaws, of course).
The side characters like Elinor, Bonnie, and Tandy are well-etched. While they start as stereotypical, we see the characters have more depth to them. The LBGT rep is cool and seamless. I also like how the white characters are mentioned as white (as opposed to assuming that anyone whose skin tone is not described is automatically white). Love this.
The setting is lovely as it should be in small-town books. Since this one is 400+ pages, there’s enough space for world-building in terms of location and magic. Both are deftly handled with enough explanations woven into the plot. The magical world combines quite a few elements (runes, elemental magic, crystals, spellwork, nature witchcraft, etc.)
Fitz is actually a sweet person. I admit there were many instances I liked him more than Charlie (more on this next). He is caring, loving, kind, talented, and a good businessman. He knows how to run a business, which is important if one wants to become a business partner. It helps that he also has enough trauma in his past.
Charlie is not a bad character; just immature and idiotic. Since we get the book from her POV, her voice needs to be good and it is to an extent (I’ll say that I liked the author’s narration more than Charlie’s POV if it makes sense). The voice is cheeky (which I credit the author and not the character). While it is interesting to have a flawed FMC, there were quite a few instances when she got annoying. The FMC’s actions (some of her interactions with the love interest) don’t make her cute. If Fitz did that, we’d be calling him a red flag and a toxic man. (view spoiler)[Imagine judging the guy from the start and calling him a judgmental ass while he is actually trying to do something for you after you hurt him. Not good, Charlie. (hide spoiler)]
Since this is not a mystery book, the characters don’t see what’s right in front of their eyes, nor do they connect the dots until the mess becomes a bigger mess. I expected that, so wasn’t disappointed.
There is a third-act breakup which comes early in the last quarter and extends until the end. Moreover, there is no epilogue. Why? When I read 400+ pages, why can’t have at least a 2-page epilogue? I need to know some details. Grr!
Before I forget, I have to applaud the ease with which we have the Celtic cross (Tarot) spread presented in the first 10% of the book. Can I get a free reading too, please?
To summarize, The Cottage Around the Corner is a cozy witchy romance with an interesting magic system and a good setting. I’d have liked it if the FMC was a little more mature, but I did love the author’s voice and the MMC.
Thank you, NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group (Ballantine | Dell), for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
The Briarwood House is a boarding house for women and holds many secrets. When a wi4.2 stars
One Liner: A long book but enjoyable
1950, Washington D.C
The Briarwood House is a boarding house for women and holds many secrets. When a widow, Grace March, moves into the attic, it leads to new friendships with diverse people. Soon, Grace is hosting weekly dinners and finding solace in her new life. However, the secrets of her past continue to haunt her. When a murder occurs in the boarding house, it’s time for the women to make some tough decisions. Lives will change forever. What will happen to Grace and her friends?
The story comes in the third-person POV of Pete, Nora, Reka, Fliss, Bea, Grace, Arlene, and a special character).
My Thoughts:
This is my first book by the author. I’ve seen many friends praise her works and know she writes lengthy yet well-crafted historical novels (turns out this is not like her previous works). The Briar Club is 444 pages (my NG copy) and feels like a 500-page book.
However, soon I was immersed in the setting and the characters. The prologue is set in 1954 (crime scene). The story begins in 1950 when Grace enters Briarwood House. The narrative comes from different characters who share their backstory as well as carry the plot forward. This serves a dual purpose to make us understand the people who live in the boarding house while minimizing repetition.
Each woman is different and clearly defined. The main male characters are also given enough depth (depending on their purpose in the plot).
Since food plays one of the major roles in the book, we get recipes between chapters. However, these are not your standard recipes and act only as small interludes in those never-ending chapters. Why each POV had to be a single chapter beats me, but each one is 50-70 pages long (I think). Only one POV is short (thankfully).
The narrative is slow and steady. You cannot increase the speed. But that’s okay since things happen, and we don’t want to miss any of it. I was also ticking the characters to see if I could guess who was killed.
I like that the first POV belongs to the young Pete (some reviews hated this) as it gives us an overview of the main characters and establishes the plot.
There is a lot of talk about politics, the US welcoming every immigrant, communists vs. republicans, and blah blah. As you can guess, it gets boring after a while, though some of it is necessary for the plot. Considering the events that occurred when I was reading this one, let’s say, the big brother needs to stop bothering about democracy in other countries and focus on its own mess. Glass houses and all that (IYKYK).
While the mystery is dangled as a carrot, this should not be read as a mystery book. It is a character-driven historical fiction that can also be read as a series of interconnected stories. The epilogue ends the story with the right blend of HEA and reality.
My favorite is, of course, the detailed Author’s Note where she talks about the idea, how it grew, and what influenced the arcs of each main character. Wonderful! Don’t skip this even if you are not into the habit of reading author notes.
To summarize, The Briar Club is an interesting read dealing with many themes and subplots. I enjoyed it, despite the few issues, and can see why the author is popular though readers say this is not her usual style. It worked for me, and that’s all I need!
Thank you, NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers Australia, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
One Liner: Cozy indeed! Read it if you like theaters
1934, London West End
Bertie Carroll has no choice but to go when his friendly rival an3.7 Stars
One Liner: Cozy indeed! Read it if you like theaters
1934, London West End
Bertie Carroll has no choice but to go when his friendly rival and playwright, Alice, gives him a frantic call. Someone had placed an advert that a murder would take place in the third act of her play. Though Bertie has no idea how or what he should do, he goes to offer moral support to Alice.
However, a murder indeed occurs, and Alice is determined Bertie should solve it (with her help, of course)! With Inspector Hugh Chapman assigned to the case, Bertie has to navigate the clues as well as his feelings for his friend.
The story comes in the third-person POV of Bertie (mostly), Hugh, and Alice.
My Thoughts:
As someone who quite enjoyed the first book, I was excited to read this one. The author’s experience with theater shines even in this book. The detailing of the Gaiety theatre- the seats, the backend, etc., is so good! Also, don’t miss the author’s note at the end.
While this works as a standalone, reading the first book will be better. That’s because unlike other LGBT+ works, this one is subtle and hush-hush (better than book one, though). It was the same in book one. Though the friction between the lead characters is a bit more apparent, it doesn’t openly highlight anything.
Bertie is easy to like, which makes this an easy and entertaining read. Alice is a force to reckon with (for the MC and readers, lol). She does bring a lot of lighthearted moments and chuckles, though. Her characterization is steady, and I would be delighted to meet her again in future books.
Once again, the theater industry, actors, and relevant issues are the primary focus. The 1930s setting adds a lovely charm as well as provides details about how the backgrounds (for plays) were made, the local living conditions (based on income), transportation, etc. Quite a lot of history is packed into it without distracting from the plot.
The mystery as such is easy to guess. While it should have been a whodunit, it is more of a howdunit and whydunit for me since I guessed the killer early. The repetition of certain details made it even more obvious (toning it down a little should help the plot).
Bertie’s secretary, the efficient Miss. Gertie (Gertrude) Williams, has a small role in the last quarter. It’s fun meeting her again. Always give me characters that thrive on order and color-coded lists.
The reveal is not a monologue but comes from more than one character and involves others asking questions and such. This works well as it keeps the reader more invested in the proceedings.
To summarize, Murder at the Matinee is a light and cozy read set in the world of theater from the 1930s. It reads a lot like a classic mystery with the visible influence of Christie’s works.
We are told there will be more books in the series, so I’m hoping the next one will not be a long wait.
Thank you, NetGalley and Brabinger Publishing, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
Ezra Friedman’s family owned the Friedman Family Memorial Chapel, which made it hard for hi3 Stars
One Liner: An under-baked cake smothered in icing
Ezra Friedman’s family owned the Friedman Family Memorial Chapel, which made it hard for him as he saw ghosts. The ghosts (dead ones and personal) made him leave his home to make a new life. Being a trans male with unprocessed trauma was hard enough.
However, Ezra meets a ghost who defies all the rules he has understood about them. It doesn’t help that the ghost is Ben, the dead husband of Jonathan, a part-time volunteer at the Chapel and Ezra’s new neighbor. Ezra needs to face his trauma instead of avoiding it if he wants a chance with Jonathan. Can he do it?
The story comes in Ezra’s third-person POV.
My Thoughts:
So… I fell in love with that wonderful cover. The mention of a funeral home and its ghosts was enough for me to request the book. I went into it hoping for an entertaining paranormal romance. Unfortunately, I got a slow-paced family drama with meandering narration.
This is a debut book (from what I see on Goodreads) and reads like one. There’s no denying that it deals with some important themes. But it should have been marketed as an intense read, not lighthearted. (You see me use the word trauma twice in my summary. I’d have appreciated it if the official blurb said it at least once)
The rep is terrific. There are several queer characters in the book. Some of them have been wasted, though. It would have been better with just one or two of them present and well-fleshed out than a blurry of names.
I love the found family trope and hoped it would be prominent when we were introduced to a bunch of housemates at once. While they do play a small part, I felt the potential has been wasted in too much monologue and heavy exposition. It gets lost in the drama of the existing family.
This is a book about a sort of dysfunctional family. However, the members clearly love each other. Communication is a big issue, but otherwise, it’s not horrible. The focus is so much on family drama and the MC’s response (or the lack of it) that it doesn’t leave space for anything else.
Jonathan is a lovely guy, human and flawed obviously, but also someone with a beautiful heart. Ben, despite being a ghost, shines better than some other characters.
The Jewish rep and the details of the rituals were great to read. I learned a lot about their funeral practices, so that’s well done.
I really wish the ghostly aspects were more prominent in the story. I wanted to see the MC explore his talents. Without ghosts, the story wouldn’t be much different. Also, it was too easy with Ben being a talking ghost and all.
The narration is super slow. I zoned out whenever the MC spaced out. Yeah, not assuring! Readers who enjoy such kind of meandering narration will like this book more. IMO, I’d have loved it if it was 30-50 pages shorter. The first half could have benefitted from toning with surgical precision.
The author calls this a family drama with ghosts, queer rep, romance, and humor in the interview at the end. The book was intended to be a family drama. It should have stuck to that aspect (along with the queer rep, of course). There really isn’t much of the dark humor I was expecting. The whole book is heavy and exhausting, unlike the cover, which is vibrant and cheerful. Anyway, thank you for not finalizing the version with the ‘twist’.
To summarize, Rules for Ghosting is the story of a family that finally learns to communicate properly and an MC who realizes his self-worth after a lot of monologues. I think the book needed a ruthless editor for the main plot to stand out and shine. Right now, it is, unfortunately, a kitchen sink.
Thank you, NetGalley and Ramdon House Books (Ballantine | Dell), for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
One Liner: Ambitious and dark but flatters in execution
1980s, Appalachia
Sheila, a seventeen-year-old, livePublication Date: 16th July 2024
2.7 stars
One Liner: Ambitious and dark but flatters in execution
1980s, Appalachia
Sheila, a seventeen-year-old, lives with an old woman, a twelve-year-old sister Angie, and their mother. Life is hard and a constant battle of bullying, lack of money, and too much work. It doesn’t help that Angie lives in her own world and draws cards that seem to have a life of their own. When a pair of female hikers is murdered in the region, the sisters are drawn to the case. This brings danger and violence closer to their home. As things get murkier, can Sheila and Angie survive the aftermath?
The story comes in the third-person POV.
My Thoughts:
There’s something dark and suffocating about the title and cover, which made me request a copy of the book. The premise was intriguing too, especially the setting. The main characters are YA but this is an adult read. I wouldn’t recommend it to teens (unless they are comfortable with dark themes).
What I Like:
The setting is dark and intense. It shows the brutal side of nature, which aligns perfectly with the plot and the characters. The atmosphere is thick, suffocating, strange, uncomfortable, and sinister. Anything can go wrong and they do.
There’s hardly any lighter moment or a scene that makes the reader smile. Everything is tainted with suspicion. Naturally, it makes for an intense read. I enjoyed how the elements were used even when the rest wasn’t working as expected.
Despite the characters living in imaginary worlds, the situations are very much real and gritty. The MCs are poor, outcasts, and bullied. They have different coping mechanisms. The adults aren’t great either. Flawed and compelling.
The chapters' titles and the drawings are intriguing.
What Didn’t Work for Me:
There’s magic realism of sorts, and the lines between real and imaginary often blur. I don’t have issues with this since it is one of my favorite genres. However, I do need things to be a little less haphazard.
The mystery is so, so weak! I hoped for some tension-filled stuff. But nothing much happens for a long, long time and then something happens. After that, I’m not sure how the whole thing would work in reality. It’s confusing and disappointing.
While I understood metaphors like the invisible rope, I’m still not sure about ifs and what’s regarding the recurring role of rabbits. Is there even some sort of inference? No idea!
There are a few more themes like sexuality, gender orientation, eating disorders, dysfunctional family, etc. These weave in and out of the narrative but don’t always make sense. The whole thing feels elusive and hazy.
The ending is okay, decent. There is some progress but this feels largely like a slice-of-life narrative that doesn’t provide any answers. All those bits and pieces were underdeveloped and went nowhere.
The POVs jump from one character to another and from reality to make-believe. It is easy to lose track if we don’t give it 100% attention. In fact, I’ve had to reread some paragraphs even when I was fully focused on the narrative. It feels like a fever dream in many places.
The book is just 250+ pages but packed full, though nothing much seems to happen. This is a strange mix of everything and nothing and further weighs down the reader (unless you enjoy such styles).
To summarize, Smothermoss sounds great in theory and has some worthy elements. It works great in parts but ends up a bit undercooked as a whole. The results will be case-sensitive. So, if my nays are your ayes, give this a try. I know I’d want to read another book by the author. Good potential.
My thanks to NetGalley, and Tin House Books, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
One Liner: A good mystery but not enough vampire chills
Alaska
Deadhart is an Alaskan small town. It has a few hundred human population and 3.7 Stars
One Liner: A good mystery but not enough vampire chills
Alaska
Deadhart is an Alaskan small town. It has a few hundred human population and a Colony of vampyrs, who recently came back to settle down in their home. Soon, a young boy is found dead with his throat ripped. The townsfolk are sure it is someone from the Colony and want all the vampyrs culled.
Detective and forensic doctor Barbara Atkins, with specialization in vampyr killings, arrives to determine if it is indeed a Colony killing and decide the status of the request for a cull. Soon, she realizes there are secrets and discrepancies everywhere. With help from former police Chief Jenson Tucker, Barbara sets out to find the truth. As another body surfaces, the tension rises.
What’s going on in Deadhart? Are the new killings related to the death from twenty-five years ago? Is it a vampyr on a bloodlust? Is it a human psychopath taking advantage of the prejudice against the Colony? Can Barbara solve the case before it’s too late?
The story comes in the third-person POV of Barbara, Beau, Jenson Tucker, Jess, Reverend Colleen, and Athelinda.
My Thoughts:
The premise gives you more than a clear idea of what the story would be. The vampyrs are a replacement for indigenous people, and the others are well, humans (white). As a mystery, it does have quite a bit to offer.
The MC is a combination of what we expect and what we don’t. Barbara Atkins is 50-something, single, not entirely fit, and a darn good detective. She also has a tragic backstory, which is almost a must for detectives in thrillers. Still, I do like how it connects to the plot.
The mystery has a few twists, and the information is revealed in stages. There are some clues, too, which can be red herrings or real clues. I like how this is done. The suspense holds well until the last quarter.
The pacing is uneven – slow, fast, slow, fast… which dampened my reading experience. This is because of the excessive emphasis and repeated scenes where the townsfolk show their hatred and prejudice for the vampyrs. As a pagan, I happily support books that highlight this. However, it should crowd the plot.
Additionally, there are a lot of characters to track. I stopped listing them at one point (ran out of space on that sheet). This doesn’t leave room for character development. They are what they are. That’s it. Also, one of those could have been removed or presented from another perspective. However, I quite liked Athelinda’s POV. If only there was more of it!
Is the book horror? Nope. There is a bit of gore and some creepy moments, but nothing on the horror scale. Of course, it has triggers, which aren’t graphic but can make you uncomfortable.
I’m not sure why the vampyrs don’t get enough space given their importance in the book. Apart from a vague idea of what they could be, we get very little about them. Instead, we got way too much of what the townsfolk think about them. This got tiring, TBH. Knowing when to tone down is also important for a writer.
No idea if the book will turn into a series. The last chapter has nothing to do with the plot but is a hook for the next book. If it won’t be coming, then, keeping that chapter would be a bad idea. I know contemporary thrillers tend to have unwanted final twists, but this book doesn’t need it. The book could be a series, but we’ll need more than socio-political hate and bigotry to hold it together.
To summarize, The Gathering is a worthy mystery with a good setting and some chills. Don’t look for any vampirish stuff, though.
Thank you, NetGalley and Random House (Ballantine Books), for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #TheGathering
***
TW:(view spoiler)[mentions of pedophilia, sexual abuse and violence, torture (not graphic), religious bigotry, and phobias (I guess). (hide spoiler)]...more
Young boys and best friends, Jeremy Cox and Rafe Howell, disappeared in the Red Crow Forest and 3.7 Stars
One Liner: Heartwarming and a tad whimsical
Young boys and best friends, Jeremy Cox and Rafe Howell, disappeared in the Red Crow Forest and were found six months later. One of them knows what happened, while the other wants answers he cannot be given. Fifteen years later, Jeremy is a missing persons investigator and Rafe is a recluse.
Emilie wants to find her missing sister and contacts Jeremy. He knows where she is but it would mean going back to where they were during those six special months. As the trio embarks on a new adventure, they hope to find more than answers.
The story comes in the third-person POV of Emilie and Rafe with one chapter from Jeremy and occasional snippets from the ‘storyteller’.
My Thoughts:
After loving The Wishing Game, I was excited to this book. It is supposed to have a good dose of magic realism, which is my favorite.
The book started great. I liked the characters though the men seemed they didn’t always act their age. That could be explained by their mysterious disappearance (or so I told myself). Fritz was a cute addition too!
The bits by the storyteller were cute, though not all readers will enjoy such interruptions to the plot. I liked those, though.
The pacing is a bit uneven. The blurb reveals 50% of the plot. Or, it would be more accurate to say that the event mentioned in the blurb occurs at the midpoint of the story. Quite a long wait if you ask me.
The second half of the book is a lot different given the change in the setting. I initially enjoyed the setting despite the weird phrases that popped up from time to time. It sounded like teens wanting to appear cool by using ‘adult’ language (mostly for the guys). The conversation between the girls was good.
I hoped there wouldn’t be a love triangle, so to see the romance track develop differently made me very happy. While it was sweet, the vibes were off at times ((view spoiler)[do not please use the words brother and lover together for the same person (hide spoiler)]). That said, I can’t deny it was rather sweet in some scenes.
The last quarter felt like it dragged on a little. I was ready for a HEA when we got a new development. Can see why it had to happen but I wouldn’t have minded a shorter and easier resolution. The ending is hopeful (HFN types). I did wonder if there would be a sequel though I think that won’t be necessary.
The world-building is patchy but provides enough details for the readers to imagine the setting. Considering the book’s length, I’m okay with what we get. I would have loved more of it (obviously).
The author’s note is charming, cute, and funny. Don’t miss it.
To summarize, The Lost Story is a bittersweet tale about second chances, healing, found family, love, and the power of magic (writing). While it didn’t wow me, I can’t deny that it made me smile many times.
(If you loved The Wishing Game, maybe go into this with lesser expectations).
Thank you, NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group (Ballantine), for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
One Liner: A good mystery drowns in a vague setting
Eccentric investigator Ana Dolabra is asked to solve the case of the mysterious death of a3 stars
One Liner: A good mystery drowns in a vague setting
Eccentric investigator Ana Dolabra is asked to solve the case of the mysterious death of an Imperial officer in the Empire. The dead man is now a tree or has a tree growing from his dead body.
Dinios Kol, Ana’s new assistant and an engraver with ever-lasting memory, goes to the scene to collect information for his superior. As they find more details, it’s clear that the death is not an independent incident. With what seems to be a threat to the Empire itself, Ana and Din have to find the culprit before it’s too late.
The story comes in the first-person POV of Dinios Kol.
My Thoughts:
The premise is wonderful, and the combination of mystery and fantasy made me curious. The mystery is the best part of the book. I like how complex and layered it is. Ana (despite everything) has turbo-charged grey cells that work 24*7. Din is solid and balances out the equation well. While some readers may find Din bland, I like that it is his personality. He is supposed to be that way. Imagine him being like Ana. That would be super annoying. Din is good the way he is.
The revelation also comes in stages. Even though we get lengthy dialogues with explanations, these are followed by fast-paced action scenes to balance the narrative.
Some secondary characters are promising. I quite liked meeting them. It’ll be nice to see them in the future books. The names are typical fantasy stuff- made up by throwing together random alphabets. Not an issue since I do the same, lol.
When I read fantasy, I tend to go with the flow and see where the story takes me. However, that approach didn’t help here. I still have little to no idea about the setting. On a side note, shouldn’t this be a dystopian fantasy? That way, I can tick off a reading challenge prompt!
Man, the pacing is slow. There is a lot of detail about the setting, which sadly doesn’t translate to an imaginable output. I’m someone who finds it easy to visualize settings and scenes. Yet I couldn’t see beyond the outlines. (Translation- it needs better editing)
Ana tries hard to be Sherlock but doesn’t get close. Maybe the character was just herself, we’d have better luck. There’s potential buried under all that swearing and cursing. Saying the F-word a million times doesn’t make anyone cool or whatever.
Still, I admit I chuckled a few times, even when danger was looming over. The monsters (which are just as vague but super duper huge) tend to come out at random.
The first chapter is terrific. The subsequent ones, not as much, make it hard to sustain interest after the initial burst of intrigue. Luckily, the last section is solid, which pushed the rating from 2 to 3 stars.
A special mention about the cover for this edition. At first glance, I thought the red part was a cracked bowl with some bluish fumes around it. Then I realized I was wrong. The bigger red portion is the sky with a red sun (or whatever the Empire has). The crack is a breach in the sea wall. The haze is detailed, with steps, exotic plants, and the main characters. There’s a cup on the side and a couple of lanterns on the opposite corners. The design is brilliant once you start reading the book.
To summarize, The Tainted Cup is a layered mystery set in a fantasy world. It would make a great read with some strict editing and clearer world-building. If I read book #2, it’ll be for Din.
Thank you, NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton (Hodderscape), for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
Valour and Petrichor are young but esteemed members of the Order of Axsten, an assassin guild in V2.5 Stars (outliner)
One Liner: Too slow and clunky
Valour and Petrichor are young but esteemed members of the Order of Axsten, an assassin guild in Vinterstock, Sweden. They were with the guild as children and hated each other, which continues even to date.
The guild then gives them a job – to kill Brandquist, the mysterious leader of the city’s drug ring. No one knows who he is and how he looks. Valour and Petrichor are determined to deal with the job alone, but they may have to work together to stay alive.
As if that wasn’t hard enough, Valour has to babysit Ingrid Rytterdahl, the beautiful daughter of an aristocrat. With Valour in love (lust) with Ingrid and the mounting danger, can the assassins stay alive and finish the job?
The story comes in the Valour and Petrichor’s third-person POVs.
My Thoughts:
NGL, I requested the book mainly for the cover. Just look at it! So gorgeous! The premise was intriguing, too, though I admit the execution is less than satisfying.
First, the good points –
• The setting is dark, grim, and depressing. Given the premise, this works well to create a sense of doom, especially for the underprivileged. The snowy landscape adds to the atmosphere.
• I also love the interpretation of the title. That’s a great touch!
• Ingrid shines better than the main characters. There’s more to her than the mask she puts on. • A few scenes where the characters introspect their lives are well done.
• I could guess one of the twists and like it.
• The romance between Ingrid and Valour is okay. It suits Valour’s arc, so can’t complain. • A decent ending (and I could finally breathe a sigh of relief).
Now, the not-so-good points –
The characters are 20+ (around mid-20s) but act like teenagers and kids. They have been through so much trauma, but it feels hard to empathize due to their behavior. The scenes between Valour and Petrichor tend to be annoying, even when they are being nice to each other.
The narration is super slow. A lot seems to happen, but the % doesn’t move. And when you stop reading and consider the story that happened until then, it wouldn’t be much. There are many conversations; some are necessary, but some can be edited.
Looking back, it doesn’t feel like the two are as efficient assassins as they are portrayed. Yeah, they can fight well and stab, et al, but an assassin has to be focused and precise. We are told they are very good at the job, but I couldn’t see it anywhere in the book (except once in Petrichor’s case).
Instead, we get pages of hate-filled banter between V and P that’s supposed to be some sort of trauma-bonding sibling rivalry type thing (?) except on the extreme level. There are ten instances of V saying ‘stick up the arse’ with some variation.
The last section is better than the beginning in terms of action and drama. Yet, not much of it is due to the MCs’ efforts. It doesn’t seem realistic that the villain would so easily share everything. It works in cozy mysteries, but the stakes are high here (think kingdom-level).
And oh, that brings me to the vibes. Though this is historical, the feel is almost modern. Also, there really isn’t any magic or fantasy. While I appreciate the support for old gods and paganism, it is not well done. Make it a cohesive part of the plot (and not simply repeat the stuff in dialogues).
To summarize, Snowblooded has a worthy premise and an intriguing setting but is weighed down by extras. Toning down the excess will give the characters more space to show their true selves.
Thank you, NetGalley and Solaris, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
No one expected a middle-aged and widowed Twyla Banneker to become a marshal. But Frank Ellis, her 3 Stars (Outliner)
One Liner: Sadly, underwhelming
No one expected a middle-aged and widowed Twyla Banneker to become a marshal. But Frank Ellis, her friend and workplace partner, helped her find the footing she needed to survive. Eight years later, they have settled into a rhythm at the job. The land of Tarnia is less dangerous and safer, which doesn’t bode well for their job but gives them some relief.
However, things start to spiral out of control when they find a dead body. Soon, Frank becomes a foster parent for a baby dragon! There’s something sinister going on, and the Marshalls have to solve the case. Life gets harder when Twyla realizes Frank could be much more than a best friend.
The story comes in Twyla’s third-person POV.
My Thoughts:
So, I admit I pretty much forgot the previous book and remember only vague stuff about some letters. Thankfully, I could recollect a few more details as I read this one (not a lot but enough to follow the story and visualize the setting).
I like that the lead characters share a great friendship. This is hard to write without making the whole thing sound off in a friends-to-lovers romance. However, the transition isn’t smooth. It comes a bit too late and is a bumpy ride (much like the battered ducks used in the book).
I also like that the couple are older and in their 50s. This should make them more mature, right? Not always! Still, it’s good to read books with different age groups.
Why do we get only a single POV in this one? The book (desperately) needs Frank’s POV. Instead, we have Twyla going on and on for 400+ pages, which gets repetitive (annoying and boring). I understand Twyla’s situation. I truly do. But she needs to be more than someone who goes on a rant whenever possible. Moreover, the lack of Frank’s POV means we are stuck with being in the FMC’s head throughout.
The book has dragons but the cutesy type. They release glitter (and not fire). This is actually cool. However, the dragons are underutilized in the plot. There’s so much to do with them (observing how they eat, swim, and poop is not enough!) but except for a little in the climax, the rest doesn’t explore their potential. The baby dragon is adorable, though!
The book is a drama. There is supposed to be a mystery but forget about it if you want to enjoy this one. Mystery is used as a plot device for more drama (angst once, humor next). The reveal made me laugh at the absurdity of the whole thing. I think that’s what the author was aiming for. If not, well… *shrug*
At least there’s an epilogue, so bonus points for that. No denying that the book tackles some important themes about marriage and motherhood. But, TBH, don’t hit the readers on the head with it. We understand soon.
There are quite a few F-bombs scattered in the book. Some might find it excessive. I ignored them mostly. Duckers is fun when he is not being too goofy. His love track has some developments, so we are likely to get more details in book three.
The pacing is a bit uneven due to the repetition. Trimming down the content to 330 pages and then adding Frank’s POVs for some 20 pages would make this a great read and feel more like romance.
To summarize, The Undermining of Twyla and Frank is a decent read but ends up underwhelming when it could have been a lot better. Read this as women’s fiction with a wee bit of mystery and a touch of romance.
My thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK (Orbit), for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
Miss Agnes Humphries, the landlady of No. 23 Burlington Square, has to decide a3.7 Stars
One Liner: Entertaining but drags in the middle
05th Aug 1927
Miss Agnes Humphries, the landlady of No. 23 Burlington Square, has to decide among three prospective tenants for the second floor. It has been empty since the unfortunate death of Mr. Blandford. Agnes has three options –
• Young Clara, her niece, living the glamorous life of a privileged daughter but with hidden pain deep inside her, • Stephen, the sensible bank clerk who will surely pay the rent on time and seems a little too good to be true and wants something hidden in the past, • Mercy, a young war widow down, on her luck and running away from her past and the painful life that made things hell.
Each choice will lead to different endings – bittersweet resolution, wrong choice for everyone, and a HEA. How will Agnes choose? As each gets a chance to rent the place in alternative timelines, Agnes may realize things she hadn’t considered before.
The story comes in the third-person POV of the main characters – Agnes, Clara, Stephen, and Mercy.
My Thoughts:
When the book title and cover highlight the house, it should have a prominent part in the plot. I’m happy to report the house indeed has a presence. While some of it may be due to Agnes, you can feel the house.
The house has other tenants- an old Polish musician on the first floor, a mysterious photographer in the attic, and a young and impoverished family with kids in the basement. Each time, the lives of these people are affected differently, though one of them gets a major share. This ensures they don’t remain passive but have an active role in the story.
I like the choice of beginning with Clara since most readers will inevitably root for Mercy. It’s not easy to like Clara, but she will grow on you to an extent. Stephen’s part falls in the middle. Though it has its merits, it weighs down the pacing and makes the book slow. Mercy comes in the last section, finally promising to reveal the secrets.
Given the structuring, we have to accept repetition in the timelines. However, a few other details are also repeated, slowing the narration even more. The book could have been less than 400 pages with some tightening (mainly in Clara’s section). Moreover, the setting is 1927, but doesn’t feel like it always.
Despite having specific sections allotted to the three characters, they don’t get in-depth development. This is where you have to go with the flow and not question the convenient changes and coincidences.
We get a few chapters from Agnes’ POV at random, which gives us a glimpse into her life, past, etc. NGL, if I could kick Daphne on her dainty backside, I would.
The book also shows us what really happened and concludes it with an epilogue (yay!) set some years later. The epilogue is bittersweet but beautiful and provides a good ending to the book. (Don’t be too particular about things, though).
To summarize, No. 23 Burlington Square is a heartwarming three-in-one book about how a decision can potentially impact the lives of people belonging to the house. It’s a story of kindness, second chances, and finding one’s tribe.
Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #No23BurlingtonSquare
****
At one place, Agnes talks about a painting of India and mentions temples with onion-shaped domes. I’m not sure what she means here since our temples don’t have rounded domes. The gopurams are sharper and conical (with pointed or cut-off ends). This is when Agnes is young, so it would be around 1880-1890. Akshardham Temple in Delhi has a sort of domes, but it was completed in 2005.
Red Tarot is an advanced-level thesis that attempts to decolonize tarot symbolism and meanings. It cater3.7 Stars
One Liner: That’s a lot to process!
Red Tarot is an advanced-level thesis that attempts to decolonize tarot symbolism and meanings. It caters to the BIPOC and the queer community to guide them to find themselves and their roots in their culture and divination. Being an #OwnVoices work, it has many personal insights and experiences shared by the author.
My Thoughts:
Firstly, this book is not a casual read. It is not for beginners. I put myself somewhere around the intermediary level, and this was still a bit hard to understand.
There’s an abundance of information, too much at times, which feels overwhelming to read at a stretch. I’ve been reading a few pages per day for more than two months, and still, I can’t say I got it all. Serious readers should buy a physical copy for easy reference.
Moreover, this is rooted in American history, which means I cannot always relate to it (though I’m a pagan by birth). If you belong to the same land, you are likely to find a deeper connection.
That said, some of the interpretations are beautiful. Though it draws from the RWS (Raider Waite Smith), I found myself visualizing the cards from the Light Seers Tarot Deck . There is certainly a connection between the two, which could help me as I learn more.
[image]
There isn’t a single illustration in the book. Having at least a rough sketch for each card would have helped a lot more.
The book doesn’t interpret the cards in the ‘standard’ order. It is grouped into Aces, twos, and on, with the major and minor arcana bundled under the subheads. This is an interesting approach as it also creates a link between different cards (the Magician and Wheel; Empress and Queens; Justice, Hanged One, and Judgment, etc.)
Many quotes are included in the book, with a clear bibliography at the end divided into neat sections. That’s helpful and efficient.
Sharing some of the many quotes I marked (these are from the ARC and might have changed in the published version):
The Magician is the astrologer and the Wheel of Fortune is the astrology, both images of each other. The High Priestess shows us how we shape ourselves.
If Justice reflects our blindness, then the Hanged One offers the sacrifice of self that restores sight.
While the Empress births us into body, Death brings us back to Spirit. Birth and death are but two sides of the same veil.
If you could look at the rings of a tree without cutting it down you would be looking at the World card.
They (The Fool) are a dangerously free character, just as they are honest about the danger they face, on the verge of tragedy and comedy at the same time.
To summarize, Red Tarot is what would best be termed as an in-depth academic read with a liberal dose of personal experience and history. It is not a book for a quick reference.
Thank you, NetGalley and North Atlantic Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
Logan Theakar, the Bear, is now a retired monster hunter living with Pie (Magie), his beautiful bard husband, in the St3 Stars
One Liner: A mixed bag
Logan Theakar, the Bear, is now a retired monster hunter living with Pie (Magie), his beautiful bard husband, in the Stowatt village. The year had been great, making him enjoy domesticity for the first time in 42 years. Never mind that he still itched to use his axe and hunt some monsters.
One night, Pie disappears, and Logan soon finds he has been kidnapped and blackmailed into helping the evil king retrieve a precious object that could lead to devastation. With help from an old Countess, a necromancer, and some unlikely support, Logan sets out to find Pie and save the day. But what does it mean for him and his marriage with his darling husband?
The story comes in Logan’s third-person POV.
My Thoughts:
With a title, cover, and premise (mentioning unicorns, necromancers, and magic), how can I resist the book? The results, as you can see, are mixed.
I like that we have a 40+ lead M/M couple, even though they act as if they are in their early 20s. It’s an opposite attract plus grumpy vs. sunshine trope. Logan is the grumpy guy (no points for guessing).
Well, Pie-Magpie (Bond, James Bond, ugh) is beautiful and wonderful, according to Logan. He is a decent character who could have been better if given a chance.
Logan is like the grumpiest of the grumps. I know I should sympathize considering his backstory and fears, et al, but for the majority of the book, he is annoying. His ‘I’m the only one who is capable and can save you all while you go around partying’ attitude and actions grated on my nerves. Glad that he redeems himself in the last section to a good extent.
Ophelia, Gary, and a couple of others do what’s expected of them. However, the Countess, oh well! She starts out as someone quirky and funny without a filter. Since such women are now a thing, I could see her make some of those comments. That said, things get too much, especially with her touching the men and making them uncomfortable (it borders on sexual harassment). I don’t see why this has to be her character trait when she is a powerful necromancer.
While the story blends mystery, fantasy, romance, drama, and magic, none of the elements actually shine. Everything is there but not in enough quantity to take the book to the next level. The world-building could have been better. The romance is sweet but with a lot of (unnecessary) angst, thanks to Logan. It doesn’t have much steam and is mostly fade-to-black, which helps.
Providing the past between Logan and Pie in installments (interludes) works great and prevents info dumping. Nevertheless, the relationship between the two reads toxic in some places. Of course, they do realize their mistakes, especially Logan. Having at least a few chapters from Pie’s POV might have helped me see things from another perspective.
The ending is good, all sorted and nice, with a good dose of hope. However, the last section (65-95%) is slow-paced and feels as if the story won’t end. I speed-read at one point to get to the crucial part.
To summarize, Til Death Do Us Bard has its moments but remains an average read throughout. The premise and setting have great potential, though the execution could have been better.
Thank you, NetGalley and Hodderscape (Hodder & Stoughton), for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
One Liner: Heartwarming (but the writing style is not for everyone)
Annie’s moms own a beautiful bookstore and live iHappy Publication Day
4.2 Stars
One Liner: Heartwarming (but the writing style is not for everyone)
Annie’s moms own a beautiful bookstore and live in the apartment above. Moms, Annie, and her older sister Charlotte are a perfect family. But every family has issues, especially when they have worries about finances, identity, and a touch of erratic magic.
The Birch Books bookshop selects a few books for readers every day. However, the yellow and purple-covered book is not taken by anyone. How can that be possible? As days go on and the lonely book has no takers, the bookshop becomes anxious and distressed. It affects Annie, our darling narrator. Can she and her family find the person and unite them with the lonely book? And why is Charlotte so angry?
The story comes from Annie’s first-person POV.
My Thoughts:
The book has four main characters, Mum, Mama, Charlotte (a sixteen-year-old), and Annie, the youngest in the family. They love each other and love the bookshop just as much. Everything seems okay, but things happen and can be sorted too.
The story comes in verse though I wouldn’t call it poetry. It’s prose poetry at the most, with multiple repetitions. The best way to enjoy the book is to read it in Annie’s voice, the way it is meant to be read. Think of a little girl (possibly around 8) with a kind heart, open mind, and a gentle soul. She loves to talk and emphasize her points through repetition.
It takes a while to get used to the narrative style. But once you’re familiar with it, the flow is smoother and faster. Don’t look for meters or rhymes. Find your rhythm and flow with it. Also, try to read it in a single sitting. A break means you may have to get used to the style yet again.
The story, as such, is beautiful, warm, and heart-touching. It deals with a few topics, but the primary focus is on understanding gender identities and coming out. It also deals with selective mutism and the positive ways to handle the issue. The story oozes love and bonding while showing how anxiety, worries, and stress co-exist with love (even when the love is healthy).
The core theme of non-binary gender identity is introduced halfway through the book. It is presented in the most simplified format, making it easy for kids to understand. Annie represents the young minds that want to learn new things but can feel overwhelmed by excess information. Sensitive topics are handled with care and a good dose of positivity. It’s the kind that fills kids with gentle confidence to face life’s challenges their way. Naturally, the book has characters more open and accepting towards queer identities. But that’s necessary too.
I like how the bookshop is a tangible being with emotions and expresses it by throwing books off the shelves, ringing the bell, messing with the cash machine, etc. While this magic is not explained, it aligns with Annie’s anxiety, making it easy to relate to the emotions. In a way, you could say that the bookshop expresses the feelings of its owners (all four of them). It is happy when they are happy and agitated when they are stressed.
The book doesn’t have illustrations. At least the ARC doesn’t (and no, the chapter titles don’t count). This is disappointing as I expected at least a handful of illustrations of the bookshop, the main characters, their home, Annie’s room, etc.
To summarize, The Lonely Book is a sweet book dealing with some important topics with a positive intent. If you want to talk about gender identity, anxiety, selective mutism, and Sapphic parents, this is for you.
Don’t skip the author’s interview at the end. It is informative and explains a few things from the book (not the magic, though).
Thank you, NetGalley and Little Island Books, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #TheLonelyBook
***
P.S.: I’m not sure how this would work on Kindle, though the formatting isn’t complex. I read it on my desktop, which was easier on the eyes. The paperback would be most convenient for the target age group....more
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