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Showing posts with label Contemporary Fiction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Contemporary Fiction. Show all posts
Saturday, November 14, 2020
With Or Without You? I'll Take Without.
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
For the twenty years Stella Davison has been with her husband, Simon, she's consistently put her dreams on hold in order to help him pursue his. While his band has had some success over the years, Simon has never achieved the fame and fortune he craves. Stella's done with the dying dream. At 42, she's desperate to start the family she's put off having because of Simon's single-minded pursuit of celebrity. Already at odds, Stella and Simon may not be able to survive as their rapidly diverging needs and wants slowly destroy their marriage.
On the night before Simon plans to board a plane for L.A. for what he's sure is going to be his big break, Stella accidentally overdoses, putting herself in a coma. Staying by his wife's side means Simon misses out on a major opportunity. He also becomes close to Stella's best friend, Libby. When Stella awakens after two months, everything has changed. Not only has she been betrayed by the two people she loves most, but she's also developed a surprising new talent for portraiture. Can Stella figure out how to get along in her strange, new world? Does she want to go back to her old life? Or is it finally time to break out and forge her own path?
I'm not sure what to say about With Or Without You by Caroline Leavitt. My feelings about the novel are about as ambivalent as its title. Actually, I veer more toward without since I just didn't love this one. The book has no real plot, so its focus is really on the characters. I can't say I loved any of the three people at its center, although there were times in the novel when I both liked and loathed all of them. They feel like real people, authentic in their weakness and vulnerability. They do all experience growth in the novel, which adds to their humanness. Because With Or Without You is basically plotless, it feels long and unfocused, even downright dull in places. So, while I appreciated the story's insights on aging, forgiveness, letting go, selfishness, etc., overall, With Or Without You was just an average read for me. Bummer.
(Readalikes: Hm, nothing is coming to mind. You?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language, sexual content, and depictions of illegal drug use
To the FTC, with love: I received an e-ARC of With Or Without You from the generous folks at Algonquin Books. Thank you!
Monday, September 14, 2020
Middle Grade Debut Heartfelt and Hopeful
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Where the Watermelons Grow, Cindy Baldwin's debut, is an atmospheric, heartfelt novel about family, mental illness, and the pain and confusion that often goes along with growing up. Della is a sympathetic, authentic heroine—it's easy to root for her success. My favorite aspect of the novel was the idea of the magic honey. While I understand that Della had to learn a lesson about tackling tough problems with real solutions, I still wanted more of the magical element. Overall, though, I enjoyed this poignant, hopeful story.
(Readalikes: Reminds me a little of Rules by Cynthia Lord)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for subject matter (erratic/dangerous behavior of a parent due to mental illness) that might be disturbing for readers under 12
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Saturday, May 09, 2020
Summery Friendship/Secrets Novel Gets a Meh From Me
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Six years ago, three strangers flew to Italy to enjoy a surprise vacation on the stunning Amalfi Coast. Each of the women expected to soak in the picture-perfect scenery, dine on delectable cuisine, and relax on the sparkling beach. None of them foresaw meeting the others at a ramshackle villa and becoming instant, lifelong friends. What Kim, Colette, and Annie experienced in Italy—from friendship to romance to the start of a successful business—changed their lives.
Now, Kim is bringing them back to Italy for the grand re-opening of the villa that started it all. A well-known wellness guru, she's had the place renovated and turned into a health spa. She can't wait for her old friends to join celebrities, investors, and other influencers at what will certainly be the most glamorous event of the season. It soon becomes apparent, however, that someone is out to sabotage Kim by exposing a ruinous secret she thought no one knew about. She's not the only one worried about what could happen in Italy. Annie has her own secret to hide. She's also got her own reasons for needing to be at Kim's fancy party—and it's not to pat Kim on the back for a job well done. Then there's Colette, who fell madly in love with a local while in Italy and subsequently had her heart dashed into a million pieces. Although she's been happily married to another man for five years, she can't help but wonder what happened to the one that got away. Luca will no doubt be at Kim's party. What will happen when she sees him again?
When the three women reunite on the Amalfi Coast, shocking secrets will out, old resentments will flare, and, once again, the friends' lives will be forever changed by what happens in Italy ...
Old-friends-coming-back-together-to-deal-with-past-secrets-that-are-threatening-to-come-to-light is one of my favorite mystery/thriller tropes. I figured I'd dig it in a contemporary romance/women's novel as well. Unfortunately, The Summer Villa by Melissa Hill didn't pull me in like such thrillers usually do. The story started slowly and took its time getting to the juicy parts. As much as I loved the book's sparkling setting, I found the characters, the prose, and the plot pretty meh. All of the starring women irritated me with their immaturity—even their adult selves were childish and petty. Even though I saw the plot twists coming, I did want to know what was going to happen in the story, so I finished it. In the end, though, The Summer Villa was just an average read for me. Nothing special.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of other summer friendship novels, but no specific titles are coming to mind. You?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (a few F-bombs, plus milder expletives) and sexual content
To the FTC, with love: I received an e-ARC of The Summer Villa from the generous folks at HarperCollins. Thank you!
Monday, February 17, 2020
Big Little Lies-Ish Debut Entertaining and "Discussable"
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Isobel Johnson considers it her duty to challenge the entitled thinking of the students she teaches at wealthy Liston Heights High. Sure, her liberal methods occasionally garner a raised eyebrow from the administration or the occasional criticism from a tightly-wound parent, but that just means they're effective, right? Still, when Isobel receives an anonymous voicemail accusing her of going too far, she's surprised. She's even more stunned to learn she's become the target of a smear campaign that threatens not just Isobel's position at the school, but also her entire teaching career.
Julia Abbott will do anything for her two kids, including buying her son a coveted role in the upcoming high school musical. After all the volunteer hours she's put in over the years, she figures she's owed a few favors now and then. When one of her helicopter mommy maneuvers lands Julia in a hot spot thanks to a video gone viral, however, she discovers she can no longer bribe her way out of trouble. This time, the consequences of her actions will have far-reaching effects on everyone in her family.
As the two women deal with their separate, but intertwining battles, they will have to decide when to back down, when to stand up, and when to hurl themselves into the ring and fight with everything they've got.
In the vein of Liane Moriarty's Big Little Lies, Kathleen West's debut takes a sharp, cutting look at the politics, privilege, and power plays that parents wield in order to push their children to the front of the pack in a competitive, high-pressure school environment. Minor Dramas & Other Catastrophes shows just how far some parents will go and how little administrators and teachers can—and will—do to stop them. While Julia's actions seem outrageous, West, a veteran middle and high school teacher, insists it's par for the course. Unbelievable. In promotional material for the book, West says her aim was to produce a "discussable" novel. She has certainly done that, while also creating a story that's engrossing and entertaining. With short, punchy chapters; interesting, recognizable characters; and bright, snappy prose; the book is a quick, easy read. However, the questions it asks are not so simple: What is a parent's role in their child's education? How involved should they be with homework, extracurricular activities, and teacher/student conflicts? How far would you go to help your child achieve? Questions like these will certainly lead to lively book club discussions.
Personally, I liked Minor Dramas & Other Catastrophes but didn't totally love it. While most of the adult characters are relatable, none of them are particularly likable. I did enjoy the role reversal of the adults behaving badly, letting the kids shine as examples of honesty and fairness. I also liked that the novel kept me reading fast and furious to find out what would happen next. Overall, I enjoyed it.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (a handful of F-bombs, plus milder expletives)
To the FTC, with love: I received an ARC of Minor Dramas & Other Catastrophes from the generous folks at Penguin Random House in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
Thursday, December 26, 2019
Simple, But Intriguing Premise Leads to Compelling, Poignant Novel
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
With less than two weeks left of probation after writing a bad check at the grocery store, freedom is in sight for 25-year-old Bernadette "Bird" Connolly. If she can keep her nose clean for thirteen more days, she'll finally be able to move on. She can't wait to leave her mother's house and make an independent life for herself and her 4-year-old son, Angus. Everything will be better in just thirteen short days.
In the meantime, Bird is shocked to learn that James Rittenhouse, an old co-worker of hers, is on the run from the police. According to the news, he beat up a man in a bar, then escaped a police vehicle while being taken to the station. Armed with a gun stolen from one of the officers, James is considered very dangerous. The James Bird once knew could never have done such a thing. In fact, he once did her a big favor, one for which she is still in his debt. Her heart breaks a little for him, but there's nothing she can do to help the fugitive.
Then, Bird makes a shocking discovery—James is hiding in the abandoned choir loft of the church Bird's mother attends. Wounded and in pain, he begs Bird to help him. Aiding James puts her impending freedom at great risk, but she can't walk away while he bleeds out in the church. Can she? She can't turn him in, not after what he did for her. But what does she really owe him? What should she do? With the clock ticking for both Bird and James, Bird must make an impossible choice ...
The premise of The Odds of You and Me by Cecilia Galante is what drew me to this book. It asks such a simple, but intriguing question, one which pricks the reader's conscience by asking, "What would you do?" I don't know that I would have made the decision Bird does in the book, but her actions sure make for a compelling novel. Bird is a sympathetic heroine, one who's easy to empathize with and root for. She's flawed, but she's also compassionate, brave, and devoted to her son. I definitely wanted a happy ending for her. Did I get it? I won't spoil anything for you. I can say, though, that I enjoyed this novel. Even though the story didn't close in quite the way I wanted it to, the tale still felt satisfying overall.
(Readalikes: Hm, I can't think of anything. Can you?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language, violence, sexual content, and depictions of illegal drug use
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Friday, February 22, 2019
Sisters + Family Secrets + Coming Home = Always-Appealing Trifecta
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
After the trauma of losing their mother and youngest sister in a sudden storm, none of the remaining Hemingway sisters had any reason to stay in their tiny hometown in the Ozarks. As soon as they were old enough to leave Cold River, Missouri, they did. The only thing that could bring the three sisters back is the death of the aunt who raised them. As the women return to the dilapidated ancestral farmhouse where they grew up, they're filled with grief, anxiety, and fear. All of them are harboring secrets they haven't shared with the others. When Aunt Bea posthumously lets out a few of her own skeletons, the Hemingway sisters are thrown for a dizzying, unexpected loop.
As Hadley, Pfeiffer, and Martha try to puzzle out a family mystery, they must come together in a way they haven't since they were children. With the help of friends old and new, including an affectionate basset hound who adopts them despite their protests, they will discover that the happiness and fulfillment which has been so elusive to all of them might just be waiting in the exact place they never expected to find it—home.
I love books about sisters, family secrets, and coming home, so a story that combines all three is always going to appeal to me. The Sisters Hemingway by Annie England Noblin offers this bewitching trifecta in an engaging novel that is compelling, upbeat, and enjoyable. I would have liked a stronger mystery plot, but really it's the relationship between the sisters that is at the heart of this novel. And while none of the women are all that original or exciting, they're all sympathetic and likable. I cared about what happened to them. There were a few holes in the novel's plot that had me scratching my head and I got a good laugh out of Noblin's description of driving a new Tesla with "keys" and an engine that "purred" (we use an app on our phones to drive ours [with a slim key card as a back-up] and the engine is eerily silent, an oddity that a first-time electric car driver would definitely notice). Overall, though, I found The Sisters Hemingway to be an easy, entertaining read that I liked but didn't love.
(Readalikes: Reminded me of Joshilyn Jackson's Southern family sagas, especially Almost Sisters)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (one F-bomb plus milder expletives) and mild sexual content
To the FTC, with love: I received an ARC of The Sisters Hemingway from the generous folks at William Morrow (an imprint of HarperCollins) via those at TLC Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
Interested in more opinions on The Sisters Hemingway? Follow along on the book's blog tour by clicking the links below:
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Review Stops
Tuesday, February 12th: A Bookish Affair
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Monday, February 25th: Instagram: @giuliland
Tuesday, February 26th: Laura’s Reviews
Wednesday, February 27th: Into the Hall of Books
Thursday, February 28th: What Is That Book About
Thursday, February 28th: From the TBR Pile
Wednesday, February 20, 2019
Little Big Love: I Laughed, I Cried, I Loved It
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Juliet Hutchinson may be tired, overweight, and perennially bankrupt, but she's making it. Barely. She lives in a dingy council flat, subsists on cheap convenience food, and can't always be home at night due to her dead-end job. Still, Juliet pours what little energy she has into the care of her 10-year-old son, Zac. It's not a glamorous life, but at least Zac knows that he's loved, that his mom would do anything for him. What he doesn't realize is that she's been lying to him his whole life. She's done it to protect his fragile ego—and her own. After all, it's easier on Juliet's non-existent self-esteem to forget that Liam Jones—Zac's father and the only man she's ever loved—walked out on them when Zac was only two weeks old.
Even though Zac has a doting grandpa who does "dad" things with him, the boy can't help but wonder about the father he's never known. His mum and her parents insist Liam is a waste of space and they're better off without him. But if Zac's dad is such a loser, why did his mother love him so much? And, if Zac has half Liam's DNA, does that mean Zac will grow up to be a bad person, too? The only way to get answers is to find Liam. If his father's not a bad person, maybe Zac can even get his parents back together so his mum can be happy again.
With Zac's Find Dad mission, he unwittingly opens a can of worms that will crack open the secrets, pains, and hard truths that have defined his family's lives for the past decade. As each of them is forced to face the things they've done, the lies they've told, and the assumptions they've made, they may finally be able to find healing, forgiveness, and peace.
Little Big Love by Katy Regan is a sweet, but heart-wrenching novel about a vulnerable boy and his search for answers. It tells a warm, hopeful story, one that is, nonetheless, realistic and peopled with complex, flawed human beings. Both engaging and engrossing, Little Big Love is an enjoyable read about redemption, forgiveness, and the kind of truths that set men (even little big ones) free. I laughed, I cried, I loved it.
(Readalikes: Hm, I can't think of anything. Can you?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for strong language and some violence
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of Little Big Love from the generous folks at Penguin Random House. Thank you!
Monday, December 31, 2018
Sweet, Wholesome Heart Land An Enjoyable Read
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Grace Klaren has always been a small town girl with a big city dream.
Just when it seems she's finally getting somewhere in the New York City fashion world after six years of grunt work, Grace finds herself jobless and unable to afford the exorbitant rent on her apartment in the city. With little other choice, she returns to the tiny farming town where she grew up to wallow in the arms of Gigi, the loving grandmother who raised her. Silver Creek, Iowa, might be her home, but it's still the boring, backwards place it's always been; as soon as Grace can save up enough money, she'll flee it once again.
In the meantime, Grace spends her days trying to help Gigi sell hopelessly unfashionable clothing at a flea market stall. It's here that inspiration strikes. When Grace sells a dress she remakes using her own designs for $200 online, she realizes that—despite what some snooty designer in New York City might say—she can make money creating her own clothing. Soon, the enterprise has turned into a booming business, one that turns heads in The Big Apple. An old colleague calls with a lucrative offer of his own and suddenly, Grace faces a surprisingly difficult choice—New York City or Silver Creek, Iowa?
Heart Land by Kimberly Stuart is a warm, wholesome novel about one woman's quest to find her place in the world. Sweet and clean, it focuses on the power of family, friendship, and faith. Although Heart Land is technically a Christian novel, it treads lightly in the God department. The subject shows up enough that we know religion is important to several of the book's characters, but not so much that it feels fake or cheesy. Grace comes off as a little flaky, but she's a likable heroine, even if she's not all that well developed. This description fits most of the book's cast, in fact. Although not everything in the novel rings true (Silver Creek is economically depressed, but people can still afford new construction and expensive dresses?), but overall, it's a light, enjoyable read that reminds the reader of what's most important in life. I liked it and am definitely up for reading more from Kimberly Stuart.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of a million other down-on-her-luck-woman-retreats-to-the-small-town-to-which-she-swore-she'd-never-return-only-to-discover-she-never-wants-to-leave novels, although no specific title is coming to mind.)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for mild innuendo
To the FTC, with love: I bought a copy of Heart Land from Amazon with a portion of the millions I make from my lucrative career as a book blogger. Ha ha.
Wednesday, April 20, 2016
Wickedly Funny Epistolary Novel Not As Fluffy As It Seems
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
After swooning over letters their grandparents exchanged during WWII, Cassie Sunday and her sister decide to launch their own written correspondence campaign. A stay-at-home mom obsessed with how she looks on Facebook, 34-year-old Cassie vows to be real in her letters to her older sister—no more hiding behind staged selfies and clever status updates. If she wants to be as close to Sid as she once was, she's going to have to open up like she hasn't since.
Spilling her guts turns out to be a cathartic exercise for the frazzled New Yorker, who hasn't quite adjusted to full-time mommyhood. As Cassie vents about everything from toddler tantrums to her lackluster marriage to her annoying in-laws, she receives the kind of authentic support and reassurance she never gets from her Facebook friendships. Sid, a soft-hearted midwife who's leading a luxurious ex-pat life in Singapore, is likewise invigorated by the correspondence. Despite the physical distance between them, the sisters are growing closer than ever.
Then, the unthinkable happens. Suddenly, all of the sisters' letters are on the Internet, out in the open for everyone to see. Cassie has poured her heart out to Sid, sharing everything from petty gossip to a confession that will tear her husband apart. Sid's been equally as forthcoming. With their dirty laundry flapping in the Web's wind, the sisters stand to lose everything they hold dear—their marriages, their friends, their families, and, most distressingly, each other.
Keep Me Posted, a debut novel by Lisa Beazley, is an epistolary tale about the risks and rewards of being authentically oneself. It's a cautionary story that will strike a chord with perpetually plugged-in women everywhere. Wickedly funny, Keep Me Posted entertains while teaching some important lessons about honesty, vulnerability, and focusing on what's most important. Although it leaves a few threads hanging, the story wraps up a little too neatly. I would have liked the sisters to struggle a little more so their finale feels more hard-won. Still, this a satisfying novel that's not as fluffy as it first appears. While it didn't blow my socks off or anything, I found Keep Me Posted enjoyable.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of other books/movies about diaries being revealed to the public, although no specific titles are coming to mind ... Help?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for strong language, sexual content, and references to illegal drug use
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of Keep Me Posted from the generous folks at New American Library (an imprint of Penguin Random House). Thank you!
Wednesday, September 09, 2015
Two Roads Diverged in a Wood and She ... Took Them Both?
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Despite three positive test results, Molly Sullivan still can't believe she's pregnant. It's not that the 30-year-old doesn't want to be a mother. She does. Just not now. Especially when the baby's father, Scott Berkus, has only been a casual, on-again-off-again boyfriend. Things get even more complicated when Scott sinks to one knee at a New Year's Eve party and—very publicly—asks Molly to marry him. It's a perfect proposal that couldn't have come at a better time considering the secret Molly carries inside her. She should be deliriously happy. So, why is Scott's question making her feel unsure? Shouldn't she be jumping at the chance to wed her gorgeous, wealthy boyfriend, despite her reservations about his slovenly ways and old-fashioned ideas about marriage and parenting? She can't turn him down when it means facing an uncertain future as a struggling single mom. Or can she? With so many things hanging in the balance—her beautiful home, a job she loves, and the little person growing inside her—Molly has to make the right decision. But which path is the best one for her and her unborn child?
All of us have probably found ourselves at a crossroads in life, pondering choices as befuddling as Molly's. When we come to these junctions, how helpful would it be to be able to get a peek down each road, just to see what that path has in store for us? All the Difference, a debut novel by Leah Ferguson, gives us that chance, if only in a fictional sense. In alternating "Yes" and "No" chapters, the author describes what happens to Molly, based on her answer to Scott's question. It's a fun device that gives a familiar story an interesting twist. The back-and-forth does get a little confusing, but overall, I enjoyed the format. The characters, on the other hand, drove me crazy. Bottom line: Both Molly and Scott are too selfish and immature for marriage and/or parenthood. Scott's as cliché as they come. With no redeeming qualities whatsoever, he's too flat to feel real. Molly's not much more likable. She's sympathetic in some ways, but also whiny and self-centered. Maybe it's because I was the full-time mother of three children by the time I was 30, but a lot of her actions/reactions made me roll my eyes. So, yeah, I wasn't too wild about either Molly or Scott. So, while I liked this novel's unique format, I ended up not loving the characters or the story. In the end, it was just an okay read for me.
(Readalikes: Reminded me a little of Pivot Point by Kasie West)
Grade:
All of us have probably found ourselves at a crossroads in life, pondering choices as befuddling as Molly's. When we come to these junctions, how helpful would it be to be able to get a peek down each road, just to see what that path has in store for us? All the Difference, a debut novel by Leah Ferguson, gives us that chance, if only in a fictional sense. In alternating "Yes" and "No" chapters, the author describes what happens to Molly, based on her answer to Scott's question. It's a fun device that gives a familiar story an interesting twist. The back-and-forth does get a little confusing, but overall, I enjoyed the format. The characters, on the other hand, drove me crazy. Bottom line: Both Molly and Scott are too selfish and immature for marriage and/or parenthood. Scott's as cliché as they come. With no redeeming qualities whatsoever, he's too flat to feel real. Molly's not much more likable. She's sympathetic in some ways, but also whiny and self-centered. Maybe it's because I was the full-time mother of three children by the time I was 30, but a lot of her actions/reactions made me roll my eyes. So, yeah, I wasn't too wild about either Molly or Scott. So, while I liked this novel's unique format, I ended up not loving the characters or the story. In the end, it was just an okay read for me.
(Readalikes: Reminded me a little of Pivot Point by Kasie West)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (no F-bombs), sexual innuendo, mild sexual content and vague references to the use of illegal drugs
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of All the Difference from the generous folks at Penguin. Thank you!
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