Movie Review: Random Harvest (1943)

Title: Random Harvest

Length: 2 hr & 6 mins

Released: 1943

Genre:  Drama & Romance
Rating: Not Rated
Where I Got It: Borrowed from my parents

SUMMARY:

An amnesiac World War I veteran falls in love with a music hall star, only to suffer an accident which restores his original memories but erases his post-war life.

REVIEW:

My parents watched this recently and then they passed it to me to watch too. It sat on my dresser for a few days because I stink at watching movies lately. Finally got myself to watch it. 

The story follows a WWI veteran who had lost his memory during the war. With the war at end, he is able to escape the asylum. He comes across a music hall star. She takes him under her wing to help him. Some time passes and he has come to terms he may never remember who he was. They fall in love, but everything is ruined when he goes to town for an interview. He has an accident and it restores his original memory right before his first accident during the war, but erases those post-war memories. 

This was actually really good. Yes, I had my doubts. Old b&w movies are 50/50 for me so I get nervous watching them. But this was one of the good ones. Very unrealistic and dramatic but enjoyable. 

This was sad....very sad. You can't help but feel bad for Paula. Kuddos for her, but I don't think I could stand it. I won't spoil anything since there is a big twist. Sure it is an old movie and I could spoil stuff, but I shall be good. 

My only issue was the ending. I feel like we could've cut some of the 2nd memory loss scenes a bit. I would've liked to see more time with everyone (not a spoiler) with their HEA. I feel like there will be some BIG convos that need to be have. 

Overall, if you are itching for a b&w I recommend this one. It was dramatic and tragic and romantic. The ending needed more, but I still enjoyed it overall. I'll give this 4 stars. 

Book Review: Speakeasy by Elyse Douglas

Author: Elyse Douglas 

Title: Speakeasy (Book 1)

Genre: Mystery, Romance, SciFI, Historical Fiction, Fantasy

Format: Paperback

Pages: 315

Published: April 5th, 2022

Where I Got It: My shelf (Given to me by the author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion)

Summary: 

In 2019, A West Village Nightclub Singer, Roxie Raines, stumbles through a basement doorway into the past and finds herself in Roaring Twenties New York, with all its dangers, secrets, excitement, and romance.

Roxie Raines lurches through a secret basement doorway in 2019, and time-slips back to New York’s raucous Roaring Twenties. While she dazzles the speakeasy crowds with her “modern sound,” she gets trapped in the dangerous web of Frankie Shay, an evil club owner. She struggles to escape his control and return to the basement doorway that sent her to 1925.

When she meets the handsome detective, Jake Kane, it’s love at first sight, but Jake has a secret past, and her own time travel secret makes him suspicious.

Roaring Twenties New York comes alive with flappers, gangsters, romance, and speakeasies and Roxie’s stunning rise to stardom could come with the price of losing both the man she loves and her own life.

Review:

I'm so addicted to this author's time-traveling books! When I saw this coming out I had to check it out. 

Here we follow Roxie and Jake. Roxie is from 2019 and she finds herself stumbling through a basement doorway and landing in 1920s New York. In order to make her way, she sings at one of the local speakeasies. However, she gets trapped in the dangerous web of Frankie Shay. She struggles to escape and tries to find a way home. That is when she meets the handsome detective Jake Kane. It is love at first sight, but they both have secrets. 

Ooooo the 20's sound like a crazy time to be alive!!! I don't recall a book when someone time-traveled to then so that was fun to read. Seemed like a fun time, but also a super dangerous time to be alive. 

I loved watching Roxie find her footing and actually be appreciated for her musical talent. Back in 2019, she was a nobody. In 1920...they seem to love her style and her musical abilities. Good for her. 

Now...I didn't like Jake at first. I had to really warm up to him. He seemed so flaky at times, but I get it...he is a detective. He can tell Roxie isn't 100% honest so that puts him on the defense. After a certain event, I started warming up to him and I actually adored him by the end. 

I do wish we had more of Frankie. Yes, yes, he was the baddie of the tale, but I felt like we didn't see much of him and I felt he was a little 2D. I think they could've fleshed out this baddie and made him scarier. I found myself not even worrying about him or even worried about our duo. 

Dr. Hall intrigues me. I hope we get a spin-off or learn more about that tale. 

OoooooOOOOoo that ending was good! It has me wanting more. I hope the next book is about Roxie and Jake. I feel like they still have some stuff to sort through before they can have their HEA. I am itching for the next one!

In the end, I really enjoyed this. I literally can't get enough of these time-traveling novels! They are just too good. I hope we get a book 2 for this couple! There is so much left for Roxie and her man! One can hope! Now, I did have that mini issue about the main baddie, but besides that, no other issues. This is a great summer read! Mysteries, time travel, gangsters, booze, music, love....what else can you ask for? 4 stars from me!

Audiobook Review: The Paris Deadline by Max Byrd

Author: Max Byrd

Narrator: Dennis Holland

Title: The Paris Deadline

Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery

Format: Audiobook

Pages: 328 

Published:   August 20th 2012

Where I got It: Audible

Summary: 

Paris, 1926. Newspaper reporter Toby Keats, a veteran of the Great War and the only American in Paris who doesn’t know Hemingway, has lived a quiet life—until one day he comes into possession of a rare eighteenth-century automate, a very strange and somewhat scandalous mechanical duck. Highly sought after by an enigmatic American banker, European criminals, and the charming young American Elsie Short, the duck is rumored to hold the key to opening a new frontier in weapons technology for the German army, now beginning to threaten Europe once more. Haunted with his nightmarish past in the War, Toby pursues the truth behind the duck.

From the boites of the Left Bank to the dark prehistoric caverns of southern France, The Paris Deadline is a story of love, suspense, and mystery in a world stumbling toward catastrophe.

Review:

I stumbled upon this while looking at the mystery section in Audible. I had enjoyed a previous audio I listened to by this author, so I decided to give a whirl. 

It is 1926 and Toby Keats is an American newspaper reporter in Paris. He was a veteran of the Great War and loves this city. He loves his quiet life until he comes into a possession of a rare 18th century automate. It is a very strange and somewhat scandalous mechanical duck. It is highly sought after by an American banker, European Criminals, and Elsie Short. The duck is rumored to hold the key to opening a new frontier in weapons  technology for the German army. Toby will risk it all to find the truth.  

This was for a unique story with a unique set of characters and a weird mechanical duck. I had no idea what to really expect and I liked that. I really felt like anything could happen at any point. 

I did go back and forth on how I felt for Toby. I think I had a love-hate with him if I am to be frank. There were times I had to roll my eyes at him but I enjoyed his tale and he was a good egg. I was rooting for him to succeed and get the girl and the duck. 

That poor mechanical duck ;) 

There were some slow parts here and Toby seemed to ramble a bit. Which fit his personality. He was for sure a rambler and thorough. I mean - he is a writer after all and this is his writings and accounts of what happened during that weird time in his life. 

I adored the narrator. He was really good and his accents were fantastic from what I could tell. 

Besides for the slow parts, I really enjoyed this. It was for sure a unique story with a unique characters. I was not sure how it was all going to end and I will say the ending got me there! WOAH! So good. I would love to see more Toby and his adventures. 

I highly recommend this especially if you need a fun mystery. I'll give this 4 stars. 

Challenge(s):
- #2 for Audiobook challenge

 

Book Review: The Jade Tiger by E.W Cooper

Author: E.W. Cooper

Title: The Jade Tiger
Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery
Format: ebook

Published:  October 14th 2020 
Where I Got It: My shelf (Given to me by the author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion)

Summary: NEW YORK, OCTOBER 1928. The Big Apple teems with the glitter of Bright Young Things, Prohibition, and scofflaws-the perfect place for Penelope Harris to start her life over. As a former opera singer turned Shanghai nightclub owner, she's seen and done a lot, maybe too much. With any luck, she'll leave more than The Jade Tiger casino behind her-a murdered husband, a blackmailing torch singer, and Thom Lund, the ex-cop who stole her heart. But Penelope has never had that kind of luck; her past is already waiting for her in New York.

When someone murders her chiseling blackmailer at an out-of-control party and Thom is accused of the crime, Penelope must face down her darkest memories to prove his innocence. Is the murderer her cousin Charles, suckered into a hasty marriage by Penelope's blackmailer? Or is it Penelope's over-protective mother, who can't remember a thing after a blow to the head? Or was it Thom after all, ready to commit murder to save Penelope from the blackmailer's wicked plans?

Among the opulent mansions of the obscenely wealthy and the grit of a Hell's Kitchen speakeasy, Penelope and Thom must navigate double-crosses, bad liquor, bootleggers, and dark, obsessive love to find the murderer before the past reaches out to put a noose around both their necks

Review:

The cover drew me in and then the summary had me super curious to read this. Yes, the cover is simple, but there is something about it that I can't stop looking at it. 

It is 1928 and Penelope is looking to start her life over and leave the past where it belongs. Penelope was a former singer turned nightclub owner in Shanghai, but when her husband is murdered she decides to go back to New York. However, the past never stays buried. She is soon approached by a blackmailer and things get worse when that blackmailer is killed at a party and a man who owns her heart is accused. 

Poor Penelope. She cannot get the peaceful life she wants and deserves! Poor thing. And poor Thom. 

Yes, I liked Penelope and Thom right off the bat. I just want them to be together and happy!

The mystery was certainly a mystery. I had no idea who or why! Yessss, there are a lot of people who would have an excellent motive for murdering that person. I felt bad for the cops...because there are a lot of suspects and lots of bad blood and secrets running around. I don't envy them this mystery. 

Now, there are a lot of dialogues that did seem to drag a tiny bit, but I do feel it was important conversations to the characters and even for the reader. Lots of clues, red herrings, and so forth. It fit and even though I was anxious to move forward it was important to read through.

The revelation was a surprise and I applaud the author for the twists and turns! That was one heck of a end. I enjoyed it immensely! It really made me curious about if there will be a book 2. 

Overall, I did really like this. It was short, but good. A very good mystery for a cold fall day. I'll give this 4 stars. 

Book Review: Tiffany Blues by MJ Rose

Author: M.J. Rose 
Title: Tiffany Blues
Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery, & Romance
Pages: ebook
Published: Aug 7th. 2018
Where I Got It: My Shelf (Given to me by the author/publisher)

New York, 1924. Twenty‑four‑year‑old Jenny Bell is one of a dozen burgeoning artists invited to Louis Comfort Tiffany’s prestigious artists’ colony. Gifted and determined, Jenny vows to avoid distractions and romantic entanglements and take full advantage of the many wonders to be found at Laurelton Hall.

But Jenny’s past has followed her to Long Island. Images of her beloved mother, her hard-hearted stepfather, waterfalls, and murder, and the dank hallways of Canada’s notorious Andrew Mercer Reformatory for Women overwhelm Jenny’s thoughts, even as she is inextricably drawn to Oliver, Tiffany’s charismatic grandson.

As the summer shimmers on, and the competition between the artists grows fierce as they vie for a spot at Tiffany’s New York gallery, a series of suspicious and disturbing occurrences suggest someone knows enough about Jenny’s childhood trauma to expose her.

Supported by her closest friend Minx Deering, a seemingly carefree socialite yet dedicated sculptor, and Oliver, Jenny pushes her demons aside. Between stolen kisses and stolen jewels, the champagne flows and the jazz plays on until one moonless night when Jenny’s past and present are thrown together in a desperate moment, that will threaten her promising future, her love, her friendships, and her very life.

I've been dying to read this book since I first read the summary and seen the cover. I also got really excited when I started seeing the reviews come out for this one. 

Jenny has her past and secrets. She is just trying to move forward and do what she loves. She meets Minx and Oliver. Things seem find, but like we all know...secrets have a way of coming back to bite us in the romps. 

I enjoyed the mystery. I was worried and had no idea what was going on or who was causing it. I had my suspicions and I was right, but I was never 100% sure. I especially did NOT see the twist coming at the end there. That was a shocker BUT it did make sense honestly. 

The beginning was rough for me to really get into. It took a while and I was worried, but after a certain event, I was hooked. I had to see what would happen next especially to Jenny. I rooted for her even though I was unsure of her myself. I did not like Minx a bit, but you do grow worried for her at one point. She is like that family member you really don't like, but you still care for them. I adored Oliver, but he made me mad there. 

This was a pretty good read. I enjoyed the mystery and the characters. It took a LONG time for me to really settle into the story, but after a certain event I could not put this down. 

AND LOOK AT THAT COVER! Beautiful!!!

What else to say?

Well - the ending I had a love-hate with. The twist and big reveal was crazy good! I was upset by what happened and I was annoyed, BUT it honestly made the most sense and it was the best course of action. Life is not fair. However, I did think the solution was too easy after the reveal. However, it was justified and it made sense...see? I'm torn. 

In the end, I enjoyed this story. It was written well. The mystery was intriguing. The characters interesting. I recommend it for mystery and historical lovers. The romance is there, but doesn't overtake the story. I'll give this 4 stars overall. A good one for sure. 

Movie Review: The Immigrant (2013)

Film Title: The Immigrant
Length: 2 hours
Released: 2013
Genre: Drama, Historical Romance
Rating: R
Where I Got It: Netflix


SUMMARY:
1921. An innocent immigrant woman is tricked into a life of burlesque and vaudeville until a dazzling magician tries to save her and reunite her with her sister who is being held in the confines of Ellis Island.

TRAILER:

Review:
A really random find on Netflix, but I like all three actors and plus I like a good drama so why not?

This….was an interesting movie for sure. The movie follows Ewa who is coming to America with her sister from Poland. Their family was killed and they had nothing left. So why not try America? Things go wrong...of course (they do not make it easy to move here which is a tragedy in itself). Ewa’s sister is deemed too sick to be let in, which leaves Ewa alone and god forbid they allow a woman to come into the country alone especially after there is a rumor she was giving favors on the boat. They are about to deport her, but Bruno comes and “saves” her and offers her a way to get money to buy her sister’s medical bills and ultimately freedom. Of course that way is to sell her body for money.
This was sad. I felt bad for Ewa. All she wanted was to live in peace with her sister. They went through a lot to get here and those bastards just were bastards and came up with every single thing to deny citizenship. And then they give her crap for trying to get money for being a prostitute. WHAT DO YOU WANT???? If you refuse to assist immigrants they need to feed themselves somehow. SIGH.

Anyways…

The cast was good. I was a little bummed by the guy who played Orland (Renner). He is so good, but this one he seemed so awkward and not up to his normal level of acting. It all seemed so forced. Maybe Historicals are not his cup of tea? Who knows? The rest of the cast did well though.

I did really hate the love-triangle they tried forcing on Ewa. Sure Ewa kinda liked Orlando and kinda liked Bruno for helping her, but all she cared about was saving her sister. I wish there wasn’t the triangle at all. I get they were trying to add more drama, but isn’t a nurse turning to a prostitute because of the cruddy American men enough drama??? Sighs. I do get tired of the love-triangle. I must hand it to them though…this was an interesting one. Ewa was screwed no matter what she did. They both were scum overall. Orlando is an illusionist who is good but hard to work with because he is a womanizer and a jerk. And Bruno is a pimp. EWA YOU DESERVE A PRINCE DAMMIT! *shakes fist*

And what the heck was that ending? Yes, there was a little some of happiness, but really? You are going to leave it like that? It seemed like there was supposed to be another scene and then it ended. Errrr….so no real full conclusion there. Okay…leave it up to imagination I guess. I’m hopeful for Ewa and her sister.

In the end, this was for sure entertaining. Lots of drama. It does give a little message of how America is supposed to be a safe haven for immigrants, but they make it hard as hell even for people who really deserve and need it. Also, it shows the love of family is strong. The love-triangle was meh and the ending left me feeling a void. I’ll give this three stars. Only for the fact I really liked Ewa.

Book Review: Woman Enters Left by Jessica Brockmole

Author: Jessica Brockmole
Title: Woman Enters Left
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: 352
Published: August 2017
Where I Got It: My shelf (Given to me by the author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion)

In the 1950s, movie star Louise Wilde is caught between an unfulfilling acting career and a shaky marriage when she receives an out-of-the-blue phone call: She has inherited the estate of Florence “Florrie” Daniels, a Hollywood screenwriter she barely recalls meeting. Among Florrie’s possessions are several unproduced screenplays, personal journals, and—inexplicably—old photographs of Louise’s mother, Ethel. On an impulse, Louise leaves a film shoot in Las Vegas and sets off for her father’s house on the East Coast, hoping for answers about the curious inheritance and, perhaps, about her own troubled marriage.

Nearly thirty years earlier, Florrie takes off on an adventure of her own, driving her Model T westward from New Jersey in pursuit of broader horizons. She has the promise of a Hollywood job and, in the passenger seat, Ethel, her best friend since childhood. Florrie will do anything for Ethel, who is desperate to reach Nevada in time to reconcile with her husband and reunite with her daughter. Ethel fears the loss of her marriage; Florrie, with long-held secrets confided only in her journal, fears its survival.

In parallel tales, the three women—Louise, Florrie, Ethel—discover that not all journeys follow a map. As they rediscover their carefree selves on the road, they learn that sometimes the paths we follow are shaped more by our traveling companions than by our destinations.

This story follows three women who go on a journey for three different reasons: Florrie to run away to California and make something of herself, Ethel to try and get her husband and child back, and Louise who needs to find herself and what she really wants in life. 

I enjoyed the stories of these women. After a couple of chapters, I could NOT put this down. I finished reading this in a couple of sittings. 

It did take a minute to warm up to Florrie and Ethel's story, but once I really understood more about these women the more I looked forward to their stories. I think it also took me a while to get used to the different format when it would switch to Florrie and Ethel. It was for sure different and you really have to pay attention, because Ethel sometimes adds her own writings to the diary Florrie is writing. It worked, but I feel like there could've been a different way to share Ethel's POV. 

What I really liked about this story is the side characters and how important of a role they play in all the women's stories. I really felt bad for Arnie, Louise's hubbie. I wish I could feel bad for Carl, but his reason for leaving Ethel and taking the kid with him was crappy. I wanted Ethel to yell and scream and be mad when she found out. I think Carl was a real jerk. Especially how he kept so many secrets from Louise. Not cool. 

I loved the complexity behind Florrie. I think she ended up being my favorite character. I can't help but adore really complex characters. 

The ending was the best. I loved how everything tied together and we got all the answers. The "article" snipbits were an added bonus and I think it was a nice way to get a good understanding. I'm happy with how everything ended. So good. 

Overall, this was good. I wasn't 100% in love with the format with the POV for Florrie and Ethel, but it worked. I really loved the whole journey all the women took. It makes me want to do a long road trip like that. I think being on the road for that long really does give time for someone to reflect upon their lives and who they are. I'll give this 4 stars. 

Book Review: Drowning Ruth by Christina Schwarz

Author: Christina Schwarz
Title: Drowning Ruth
Genre: Historical Fiction & Mystery
Pages: 338
Published: August 2000
Where I Got It: Borrowed from my library

Drowning Ruth opens in 1919, on the heels of the influenza epidemic that followed the First World War. Although there were telephones and motor cars and dance halls in the small towns of Wisconsin in those years, the townspeople remained rigid and forbidding. As a young woman, Amanda Starkey, a Lutheran farmer's daughter, had been firmly discouraged from an inappropriate marriage with a neighboring Catholic boy. A few years later, as a nurse in Milwaukee, she is seduced by a dishonorable man. Her shame sends her into a nervous breakdown, and she returns to the family farm. Within a year, though, her beloved sister Mathilde drowns under mysterious circumstances. And when Mathilde's husband, Carl, returns from the war, he finds his small daughter, Ruth, in Amanda's tenacious grip, and she will tell him nothing about the night his wife drowned. Amanda's parents, too, are long gone.

This was a random find at the library and I was in the mood for a mystery. I was worried since this is an Oprah book and she is a hit-or-miss. 

Well - the beginning was confusing as hell. There was so much POV and time period switching. It was so hard to follow and actually care about what was going on. The only thing that kept me on the hook was finding out what happened to Mathilde. I had my theories, but I had a main one and I was rooting for because a certain someone would end up in jail forever and I would be okay with it.

I can't tell you why I hated this certain person, but there is something wrong with this person and everything happened because this person is a selfish liar. I can't name names, because....just because. You'd know exactly who I was talking about if/when you read this.

Poor Ruth and Carl. They were the true victims and I felt horrible for them. I do wish that Carl had more of a closing...I honestly think the author didn't want to deal with him anymore and wrote him off. So sad. 

Okay - after the confusing beginning, it did get somewhat better. I will admit that for sure. But it went from horrible to just meh. I enjoyed the mystery and finding out all the secrets and lies. However, the writing was left to be desired. The characters, besides for Ruth and Carl, were barely tolerable. The jumping between times and POV was a little less confusing, but still all over the place and sometimes I got lost in the narrative. 

Out of five stars, I am going to stamp this with 2. The only good part of this was the mystery and two characters.

Movie Review: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016)

Film Title: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
Length: 2 hr & 13 min
Released: 2016
Genre: Action/Adventure & Fantasy
Rating: PG-13
Where I Got It: Seen at theaters

SUMMARY:
The year is 1926, and Newt Scamander has just completed a global excursion to find and document an extraordinary array of magical creatures. Arriving in New York for a brief stopover, he might have come and gone without incident, were it not for a No-Maj (American for Muggle) named Jacob, a misplaced magical case, and the escape of some of Newt's fantastic beasts, which could spell trouble for both the wizarding and No-Maj worlds.

TRAILER:

REVIEW:

Oh the wizarding world of Harry Potter! Such a place! Now, this movie does not fall Harry. This takes place early on and follows Newt and all his little beasties. He is studying them and trying to preserve them from the nasty wizards and witches who do not understand them. Sighs…even though they think they are better than humans they most certainly are not. People suck. 

Newt has gone to America at the worst time imaginable. There has been such nonsense and destruction happening around New Year. The wizards are blaming creatures because why not? Easy targets. Maybe a little bit of investigation would show that these things are happening from a wizard and/or witch. SMH. 

I feel with each story JK’s world is getting darker and darker and darker. Even though this takes place WAY before Harry, the world is VERY dark. There was a scene that made me really wonder if this is truly meant for kids. I, personally, adore the darkness…but I feel this is a little too dark for the wee ones. 

The effects were great. I lovvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvved the creatures. They were done well. I also loved Newt. The actor is a hit-or-miss for me, but I feel he did well. It is the perfect role for him. Slightly awkward and nerdy. I do wish he would branch out a bit more. 

The other characters were interesting and they all did well. My only issue was the main baddie. They showcased him a bit in the beginning and they never mentioned him again until the end. I forgot he was even a main player in the story. With the reveal at the end (no spoiler there folks), I had to explain to BF who that person was and whatnot. I wish they would have brought the main baddie’s name up and showed the face once or twice throughout the film to remind the viewer that the baddie is a thing. However, the ending was fantastic. Super good and had me on the edge of my seat. 

I am curious what is up next for Newt and his beasts. 

I had a love-hate relationship with the love interests in the movie. I wasn’t a super fan of Newt-Tina. It might have been because I didn’t feel any of the chemistry between the actress and actor. However, I did love Queenie and Jacob. They were cute. Queenie was a bit annoying at times, but I liked her. I am glad that the romances and love interests didn’t take away from the story. There was a good balance there. However, I do wish that there was more chemistry between Newt and Tina. 

Overall, this was pretty good. It was a nice beginning and I am excited to see what they have in store for us next. There were a few things that bugged me especially the whole baddie thing. They really needed to remind the viewers of the baddie’s presence. Even I forgot about the baddie’s role until the end. The effects and costumes were lovely.  The beasts were my favorite. I wanted to see more of them. Out of five stars, I’ll give this a 3. It would’ve been higher, but I think the script needs some fine-tuning. 

Re-watch?: Sure!

Book Review: The Russian Concubine by Kate Furnivall

Author: Kate Furnivall
Title: The Russian Concubine (Russian Concubine #1)
Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance
Pages: 517
First Published: May 1st, 2006
Where I Got It: Borrowed from the library

"A sweeping novel set in war-torn 1928 China, with a star-crossed love story at its center.

In a city full of thieves and Communists, danger and death, spirited young Lydia Ivanova has lived a hard life. Always looking over her shoulder, the sixteen-year-old must steal to feed herself and her mother, Valentina, who numbered among the Russian elite until Bolsheviks murdered most of them, including her husband. As exiles, Lydia and Valentina have learned to survive in a foreign land.

Often, Lydia steals away to meet with the handsome young freedom fighter Chang An Lo. But they face danger: Chiang Kai Shek's troops are headed toward Junchow to kill Reds like Chang, who has in his possession the jewels of a tsarina, meant as a gift for the despot's wife. The young pair's all-consuming love can only bring shame and peril upon them, from both sides. Those in power will do anything to quell it. But Lydia and Chang are powerless to end it."

Been wanting to read this for a while now and I randomly found this at the new library I live by now. I was sooooooo excited! Well...you can't win them all...sighs. 

The beginning was really good. It was pretty intense and even though you know Lydia and Valentina live, it was still worrisome. I was super sad about the Dad being taken...even though I knew this ahead of time.

After that...it slowly fell apart:

Let's begin with a little rant about a couple of the characters:

I lost all respect for Valentina. I just wanted to punch her RIGHT in the face. She was a selfish and didn't care that they didn't have food on the table or that she pretty much made Lydia feel as if she had to take care of them. Onw of the times that Lydia brought home some money (strictly for bills), Valentina went out and bought dresses for the both of them. GAAAAH! This lead Lydia to steal in order to get money. This nearly cost her life multiple times! Granted....it lead her to her lover, Chang. However, when Valentina found out that Lydia was stealing, she was furious! LADY YOU HAVE NO RIGHT! IT WAS YOUR FAULT!!! Meeeeeeeeh.   

Now Lydia...okay...I get that you have to steal, but really? Maybe try and get a job, so you don't get almost killed or taken into slavery EVERY DAY! Chang can't always be there to save your little butt. 

Theo....no one really cares. I couldn't stand him or his POV. I admit it...I totally skimmed RIGHT through all his parts. I felt totally bad about his lover having to deal with him. 

Okay...I'm done with my rant.

The story was okay. It was interesting and there were a couple of times were I didn't expect something to happen. Especially the ending. The ending was okay, but it was defiantly a cliffhanger. I actually, kinda, want to read the next book to see what happens. We shall see though. I do, however, want to read the prequel of this series which is about Valentina and Lydia's father. Even though I have no respect for Valentina, I did like her in the beginning. She seemed strong and willing to do anything for her family. She offered EVERYTHING to the rebel's leaders to save her child and her husband. I want to learn more about that version of Valentina. 

The characters really upset me and I didn't really connect with any of them. It made it hard for me to like the story. This story also was very unrealistic at many points and bad things had easy solutions it seemed. It was all too tidy and convenient for my liking. It's hard to explain without giving away spoilers.

In the end, this was a disappoint for me. I was so looking forward to reading this. Sighs. You can't win them all. I would recommend this to those that like historical fiction with a touch of romance. Out of five stars, I grant this one 2 stars. The beginning and ending saved this from getting only one star. Also, Chang deserves some credit. He was a decent guy and oddly felt inclined to save Lydia.....

Favorite Character(s): Chang, the beginning version of Valentina, and Alexei 
Not-so Favorite Character(s): Theo (enough of your face), Lydia, Valentina, and Alfred.