Srivalli Rekha (Semi Hiatus)'s Blog, page 39

Murder in Williamstown by Kerry Greenwood - Book Review

Series: Phryne Fisher #22 (Standalone)

Publication Date: 07th Nov 2023

Genre: Historical Cozy Mystery, Australia 

3.7 Stars 

One Liner: Entertaining 

Miss Phryne Fisher is back in action, handling multiple cases. Who is sending her threats? Who is the dead man found in Williamstown? What about the accounts in the Blind Institute? The first case is being handled by Tinker while Jane and Ruth (all three are her adopted kids) are dealing with the accounts. 

However, when Phryne attends the famous parties hosted by the mysterious Hong, there’s another tragedy to solve. As if things aren’t bad enough, Lin Chung, her paramour, seems to be at risk. Are the issues connected or independent? Can Phryne solve them before her life is in danger? 

The story comes in the third-person POV of different characters. 

My Thoughts: 

I saw Phyrne Fisher on Netflix before researching the series a couple of years ago. Then I read a collection of short stories (The Lady with the Gun Asks Questions) where I found out about the differences in both worlds. However, Phryne is the same – feisty, independent, fun-loving, quirky, and always ready to solve a crime. 

This is my first entry into the book series, even if it doesn’t feel that way. The book works as a standalone, but you will enjoy it more if you know a bit about our MC and her adopted family. 

The blurb gives you an idea about the multiple tracks. The actual case doesn’t even start until after 25%. The book takes quite a while to set the stage and provide the necessary information for the mysteries to develop. It worked for me since I could use that space to reacquaint myself with the characters. Series readers might find that this slows the pacing as nothing happens (yet something happens). 

There are some lighthearted moments and the trademark Phryne humor, though somehow, the character doesn’t seem fully there in the plot. Hard to explain. It’s as if the MC is not invested in the story but goes along for the sake of it. 

The mysteries are decent. Jane and Ruth (with Phryne’s help) solve the case at the Blind Institute while Tinker does his share of work on another mystery (which isn’t fully developed). 

The main mystery about the murder in Williamstown has enough to keep the reader guessing. The resolution may seem a bit unsatisfactory to some, but it makes sense in the context. 

The book does make use of the setting and the historical context well. The author’s notes at the end and bibliography provide more information about this. 

I like the details about Phryne’s dresses (her fashion choice is a treat to read). Scents and food are also found in a healthy portion. The book concludes with a party and some happy announcements, providing a satisfactory ending. 

To summarize, Murder in Williamstown is a steady-paced entertainer (I didn’t find this slow) with multiple mysteries and several characters. I can’t help but visualize the TV show when reading the book. Too bad that Jack doesn’t get much space in this one. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #MurderinWilliamstown

Snowed In by Catherine Walsh - Book Review

Publication Date: 01st Nov 2023

Genre: Christmas Romance

4.3 Stars 

One Liner: Adorable 

Megan is the black sheep of the family and the village when she ran away from her wedding to Issac five years ago. However, she has to attend the family Christmas dinner that year. With Issac being engaged and Megan’s love life nowhere in sight, she isn’t sure if going home would do her any good. 

Christian likes Christmas and his family, but he is fed up with being the odd one out while everyone has a partner to love. Well, he is fine, but maybe he is not fine, either. 

Megan and Christian bump into each other (literally) in a pub in Dublin. As childhood school friends, they recognize each other and chat up. Of course, this gives them a plan to solve their Christmas problem – why not fake-date each other for a while and make both families happy? 

But then, we all know how risky this is! And with the festive magic in the air, the duo might find what they want. 

The story comes in the first-person POV of Megan and Christian in alternate chapters. Though standalone, it should be read after Holiday Romance. 

My Thoughts: 

After enjoying the author’s previous two books (Holiday Romance and Matchmaker), I was excited to read this one. And the book doesn’t disappoint. It occurs a couple of years after Holiday Romance and has the couple (Molly and Andrew) play an active part. Zoe also waltzes in and out, adding her trademark sparkle to the story. 

The first-person POV for both characters makes it a little hard to track in some scenes. Though their voices are distinct, things get confusing at times. 

Christian is such a darling. Undoubtedly the best book boyfriend if you want one (or more). He is compassionate, understanding, patient, caring, attentive, supportive, thoughtful… the list goes on (and oh, those washboard abs). 

Megan stands equal, though it seems like he is the one giving more than her. Since she is the ‘villain’ in the town for breaking Issac’s heart, she does have more to deal with than him. Her actions/ reactions make sense and align with her character arc. 

No third-act breakup or miscommunication. Both of them are mature enough to acknowledge their feelings when the time comes. They communicate well, too. It’s endearing to see them trusting each other and sharing their vulnerabilities. Their relationship progresses and strengthens as they get to know each other more. 

As always, the book has a healthy dose of humor – some chuckles, some laugh-out-loud moments, and some ‘silly’ smiles. Even the scenes with high drama have a touch of humor to lighten the situation without taking the focus away from it. I love how easy and natural the humor reads. 

It feels good to revisit characters from Holiday Romance. This can easily be a longer series. After all, we have at least two more potential candidates to find their true love. Let’s hope there will be one next year. 

The Christmas theme seamlessly blends with the plot, and the setting is a flavor enhancer. The snow, family, food, last-minute rushing, gifts, music, and whatnot decorate the story. 

Megan’s love for knitting is more than just a character quirk. It is a part of her and is integral to the plot throughout. Angry knitting is indeed a thing. ;) 

Ignore the title, though. That event doesn’t occur until the last quarter of the book. 

To summarize, Snowed In is a delightful Christmas book about love, acceptance, standing up for oneself, family bonding, and food. The pacing is slow, but it never gets dull. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #SnowedIn

Deadly Tides by Mary Keliikoa - Book Review

Misty Pines Mystery #2

Publication Date: 24th Oct 2023

Genre: Small Town Mystery, Police Procedural 

3.7 Stars 

One Liner: Better than book one but slower too 

Misty Pines’ Sheriff Jax Turner is slowly getting his life on track. Of course, he is still struggling, and his ex-wife, Abby, doesn’t seem to be as interested in him. However, when the local surfing legend goes missing, Jax is busy gathering evidence and digging deeper. 

Abby isn’t having it easy, either. A severed foot washes ashore, which seems connected to another missing case. Since it falls in Jax’s jurisdiction, she hands it over to him but takes up the investigation at the FBI level as more clues turn up. 

As the waters get murky, Jax will have to find a way out and expose the layers of lies and agendas without risking precious lives in the process. 

The story comes in the third-person POV of Jax and Abby. 

My Thoughts: 

Reading books one and two together sure helped. This one is better and doesn’t try to bring ‘surprise twists’. Though there’s a sort of curveball, the killer and clues are pretty much aligned. 

Having Abby’s POV helped to an extent. We get to see both their perspectives about their personal lives. I also like that they are a work-in-progress, irrespective of the result. 

Jax is much better in this book. He is more in control, assured, and capable. True that he is still coming to terms and makes some mistakes, but I like his arc (possibly more than Abby’s). 

The mysteries go in parallel, and as new evidence comes to light, some things become clear, while some get murkier. The resolution is decent and not unexpected. A little more focus on the reason would have helped. 

Apart from recurring characters like Trudy, Troy, Dylan, and Jax’s team, we have two new entries- Olek (Abby’s FBI partner) and Rachel. It will be interesting to see how they contribute to the future books. 

Compared to book one, this one heavily leans on Jax and Abby’s past and present lives. There’s a reason for this. Nurse Margot, with her Maggi noodles curls, does her bit to keep the plot going. 

While the setting and descriptions are nice to read, this is a slow-burn mystery mixed with some police procedural. Unlike book one, it takes a long time for the plot to pick up pace. The urgency of the storyline is not replicated in the narrative style. This contrast makes it a little hard to stay interested.

The book does work as a standalone, but I am not sure how much readers can connect with Jax and Abby’s strained relationship. Though we get the basic information, some important snippets are not repeated, which could make the characters feel distant (depends, though). 

To summarize, Deadly Tides is an engaging slow-burn mystery with introspective themes like grief, healing, abandonment, family, relationships, etc. I like it better and will read book #3 next year (or whenever it is available). 

Thank you, NetGalley and Level Best Books, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #DeadlyTides

Hidden Pieces by Mary Keliikoa - Book Review

Series: Misty Pines Mystery #1

Publication Date: 25th Oct 2022

Genre: Small Town Mystery, Police Procedural 

3 Stars (4 stars up to 75% and 2 stars for the last 25%) 

One Liner: Starts well but not my favorite trope! 

Sheriff Jax Turner is on the brink of ending everything forever when he is forced to solve the case of a missing schoolgirl. Jax is determined to not lose this chance and find the fourteen-year-old Allison. However, he soon realizes that the case is a lot more complex and might be connected to a kidnapping case twenty-five years ago. He couldn’t solve it and couldn’t let go of it either. 

Dealing with the loss of a daughter, broken marriage, and depression, Jax has to sort through the lies and half-truths of witnesses. With so many people unwilling to reveal even the necessary information, Jax’s attempts to save Allison become frantic. 

Can he save the girl this time? 

The story comes in the third-person POV of Jax Turner, with a few chapters from Elena’s. 

My Thoughts: 

Book one of the Misty Pines series works well as a standalone. I got this ARC last year but couldn’t read it on time. Now that I have book two waiting, I decided to tick them off the list. 

The book starts with a short prologue where Allison is kidnapped. Then, we see Jax Turner deciding to end his life when the news reaches him. With no alternative, he begins to work on the case and hopes bringing Allison back safe might help with some of his demons. 

The first half of the book is quite good. While the beginning is slow, the pacing gets better over time. It is a bit confusing with names like Emily and Elena, but not for long. There are quite a good number of characters, though. 

Jax’s POV reads semi-frantic and suits his state of mind. He is a deeply troubled man and not that easy to like. He also tends to be fixated on suspects, some with reason and some even when not necessary. Still, all of this makes him real rather than perfect. 

Trudy is my favorite character in the book. I hope she is in book two and we get to know more about her life. The other characters aren’t yet fully developed. It takes time when setting up a series, so that’s fine. 

The second half starts well, but the last quarter is a mess. I know some readers will love that kind of twist, but I hate that stuff. More than 15 years ago, I was impressed by the trope when I read it the first time, but not anymore. Also, it led to a truckload of plot holes in an otherwise decent plot. 

I did guess about the culprit, but only after the hints appeared in the last section. Readers do not have enough information to guess, which is not fair. Moreover, despite the details matching, the reveal doesn’t feel strong. 

I like the development of Jax’s arc toward the end. It makes me eager to book two and see whether he gets better. 

To summarize, Hidden Pieces starts and progresses well but falls flat at the end. Mystery writers need to stop using THAT trope. It feels amateurish. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Level Best Books, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #HiddenPieces 

***

TW: Suicide attempt, kidnap, death of child, mental illness, sexual assault, and mention of pedophilia 

The Curse of Nona May Taylor by Jess K. Hardy - Book Review

Publication Date: 01st Nov 2023

Genre: Paranormal Romance, Gender-Flipped Fairytale Retelling 

3.5 Stars 

One Liner: Entertaining but could have been better 

Nona May Taylor was cursed by a witch to become an old woman, while the witch enjoys Nona’s stardom and career as a singer. Nona is content in her secluded cabin with her family and her agent, who were also cursed by the witch. 

However, Nona saves Charlie, a hiker, and is nursing him back to health. He brings her hope, and Nona realizes maybe there’s a chance to break the curse. Is Charlie indeed her true love? If yes, will the witch let it happen without a fight? 

The story comes in three parts in Nona’s first-person POV. 

What I Like: 

The family dynamics are the highlight of the book. Nona is eighty-three years old (though her actual age is around 22) and the only human in her family. The rest of them have been cursed to become various animals. 

From the beginning, readers can see the love and bonding between Nona’s family members, the agent included. They are quirky and have distinctive personalities, even though they don’t get an in-depth characterization. It’s refreshing to read about such positive family dynamics despite their situation. 

 The setting is also well done. The snow, cold, cabin, and woods create the right atmosphere for the plot. There are quite a few instances of hunting for food and dressing the dead animals (I don’t mind it; mentioning it for others to be prepared). 

Charlie is adorable and a sweetheart (despite one of his decisions). It is easy to see him and Nona as a young couple in love even though there isn’t enough ‘show’ where it’s necessary. 

There is enough humor to make the reader chuckle a few times. The story is more or less lighthearted and very much surface-level (this is a disadvantage too). The first half is definitely stronger. The most enjoyable part of the second half is Larry. 

There is no third-act breakup or miscommunication. And we also get an epilogue to present the story with a neatly tied bow.  

What Could Have Been Better for Me: 

The book is a loose retelling of Beauty and the Beast. While I’m not bothered by that, I do wish the whole concept of the curse and the actual story behind it is better presented. 

As the reveals begin in the second half, the story switches to romance, which still works to an extent. However, the plot gets more and more convoluted as it progresses. 

It could have still worked if the threads were handled in detail. Instead, we get random bits and pieces of information in an attempt that bring them, which doesn’t entirely succeed. 

NGL, the threesome caught me unawares. I’m not sure why it is even there except to tick it off a checklist. Also, given the ages and their past, it makes the whole thing awkward. Some relationships don’t have to be defined by sex, and the sort of pity angle makes this even worse. 

The climax could have been a lot stronger. It started well, but the villain is a caricature, which made the whole thing feel OTT. Confrontations in snow remind me of Breaking Dawn (something I enjoyed a lot more). 

An item that plays a prominent role in the plot is quite easily obtained and used so causally that I didn’t even feel its presence and power. Moreover, Aunt Lulu and her cabin could have amplified the atmosphere but have a limited role. 

To summarize, The Curse of Nona May Taylor is a medium-paced, lighthearted read with talking animals and a love story. This would have worked better if the subplots were more cohesive and detailed or removed to retain focus only on the core story. 

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

#NetGalley #TheCurseofNonaMayTaylor

The Herbalist's Secret by Annabelle Marx - Book Review

Publication Date: 27th Oct 2023

Genre: Dual Timeline, Family Drama, Paranormal 

2.7 Stars 

One Liner: Got potential but falls flat 

1889

Kitty Gray dreams of becoming a doctor like her father but is married to Charles Maclean, one of the richest men in Glasgow. However, circumstances make the Ardbray House in the remote Scottish Highlands her permanent home. Kitty finds a new passion in herbs, and is soon the local midwife and herbalist. Until one day, tragedy strikes. 

2003

Greer Mackenzie’s family has been the housekeepers of the Ardbray House for decades. She resents the house for denying her freedom but doesn’t want to let go of the house she calls home. When Caitlin Black arrives as a prospective buyer, Greer is torn. 

As Caitlin delves deep into the house’s history, she comes across some disturbing events. Now, it’s up to her to find out what had happened. Moreover, the Ardbray House seems to have its own demands.

The story comes in the third-person POV of Kitty and the first-person POV of Greer Mackenzie. 

What I Like:

The Scottish Highlands setting is descriptive and paints a picture of the house, the loch, and the chilly remoteness of the location. 

Every chapter starts with a brief note about an herb and its medicinal benefits. This was informative and educative. 

The historical setting deals with women’s rights (without getting preachy), the cotton mills and the horrible working conditions, and the gradual entry of women into medical colleges. A few scenes are well done, especially between Kitty and the staff. 

There’s a recipe for ginger cake at the end of the book. Since this delicious cake is mentioned multiple times, it’s nice to have the recipe. The other descriptions of the food are also enjoyable and made my reading a little more enjoyable. 

The prologue is solid and sets high expectations for the rest of the book. However… 

What Could Have Been Better for Me: 

Well, the book has many elements, but no single aspect stands out. I kept wondering what the actual focus of the story was. The prologue makes it seem like it’s the house. Soon, we see it’s the characters, especially Kitty. But yet again, the house seems to be important. Then Kitty again. Based on the title, it should be Kitty, but the prologue makes the house stand out. See what’s happening? 

A story with paranormal elements (ghosts) should have a solid atmosphere and sustain it. While Geer’s first-person POV tries to make the house seem oppressive and brooding, it doesn’t sustain the feelings for long. Also, Geer is annoying, making the contemporary track a chore. 

Moreover, the book doesn’t really have herbalism except for Kitty’s paintings and her garden. Even though she is said to have become a self-learned herbalist, we see just a random instance or two of her using herbs, that too only for the family and the house staff. 

The book tries to pack too much into the plot, and almost none of it is explored in detail (the kitchen sink syndrome, as a friend calls it). We get Kitty’s biography with missing years (that have important developments). The contemporary track is entirely surface-level. Neither Geer nor Caitlin is impressive. The ending is okay, I suppose, but nothing wow. 

The pacing is slow and dragging. Moreover, the mystery mentioned in the blurb doesn’t appear until after 50%. Then, of course, it is almost immediately solved in the same timeline, followed by the events revealing the truth. It’s a good thing the book is listed as General Fiction on NetGalley. This cannot be considered a mystery despite the countless secrets our characters like to keep. 

To summarize, The Herbalist's Secret has a great premise but needs some structuring and prioritizing to decide the main element and amplify it. Cutting down the excessive explanations would also help. Since this is a debut release, I’ll round up the rating to 3 stars. 

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

#NetGalley #TheHerbalistsSecret

TW: Death of children, attempted rape, suicide. 

Murder in a French Village by Merryn Allingham - Book Review

Series: Flora Steele Mystery #7 (standalone)

Publication Date: 30th Oct 2023

Genre: Historical Cozy Mystery

Amazon: https://geni.us/B0C53HLVP6social

4 Stars

One Liner: A little slow but entertaining

Book Blurb

Join bookshop owner Flora Steele andhandsome writer Jack Carrington as they set off on a French adventure and solvea chilling crime!

Jack is stunned to receive a call from his estranged mother, Sybil,asking him to drop everything and come to France. Together with Flora,his fellow sleuth, they pack their suitcases, dreaming of fragrant lavenderfields and freshly baked pain au chocolat. It’s only when they arrive that theydiscover the shocking truth – Sybil’s friend was killed on a street in Paris,and she is desperate for their help.

The case leads them to a picturesque village in the south of France where lifeshould be rosé, but even the bright blue skies can’t hide the fact thatsomething is very wrong. And the mystery only deepens when Flora discovers thatSybil was in fact the intended target. Who would want her out of the way?

Perhaps Sybil’s relationship with wealthy Italian count Massimo Falconi hassomething to do with it. His darling daughter Allegra, ruthlessbusiness partner Pascal and his jealous estranged wife Isabella allhave reasons for revenge…

Then when another person in the small French town dies in suspicious circumstances,Flora is convinced the two untimely deaths must be connected. Just when thecase seems impossible to crack, a chess box provides an unlikely clue.

Can Flora discover the truth before Sybil meets her end? Or couldtrouble in paradise spell a final au revoir for the detective duo?

A completely addictive cozy crime novel. Perfect for fans of AgathaChristie, Faith Martin, and Joy Ellis!

My Thoughts

The story comes in the third-person POV of Flora andJack.

Despite being the seventh book in the series, thisone can be read as a standalone. However, you will enjoy it more if you read atleast the previous book or two.

The setting, especially Provence, is vivid andbeautiful to read. We get a majority of the descriptions from Flora’s POV. Ithelps that this is her first visit to the country. The narration has a sense ofawe and makes it a delightful read.

Sybil is quite a character. She’s annoying andinfuriating; someone we would love to hate. Luckily, Jack and Flora know how todeal with her tantrums (which is to let her go on until she’ll shut up).

The other characters, aka suspects, also havedefinite personalities, some bordering on stereotypes. Still, this is a cozymystery, so it works well for the plot.

The pacing is slow due to the focus on the setting,but I don’t mind it much. Reading about new destinations is always fun, and theduo is a favorite of mine. We also see progress in their personal lives(Flora’s backstory feels anticlimactic, though I suspect it’s a deliberatechoice and necessary).

The mystery has multiple elements, though if you payattention, it is easy to identify the actual culprit. Most questions getanswered by the end, while a couple of them are left to guess (even for themain characters). The reveal comes in two stages, followed by a nice roundedending. I’m also sure we have two leads for the next book.

To summarize, Murder in a French Village is slowerbut never boring. It combines mystery, emotions, and introspection to deliveran enjoyable read. The book is a solid addition to the series, and I can’t waitfor the next one.

Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for the eARC.This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

#NetGalley #MurderinaFrenchVillage

***

Author Bio - Merryn Allingham

Merryn taught university literature for many years,and it took a while to pluck up the courage to begin writing herself. Bringingthe past to life is a passion and her historical fiction includes Regencyromances, wartime sagas, and timeslip novels, all of which have a mystery attheir heart. As the books have grown darker, it was only a matter of timebefore she plunged into crime with a cozy crime series set in rural Sussexagainst the fascinating backdrop of the 1950s.

Merryn lives in a beautiful old town in Sussex with her husband. When she’s notwriting, she tries to keep fit with adult ballet classes and plenty of walking.

Website: https://merrynallingham.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MerrynWrites

X: https://twitter.com/merrynwrites

Sign up to be the first to hear about new releases from Merryn Allingham here: https://www.bookouture.com/merryn-allingham

***

This is a pitstop on the Books On Tour by Bookouture.Thank you for stopping by!

Ghosted by Mark McCrum - Book Review

Publication Date: 30th October 28, 2023

Genre: Paranormal Cozy Mystery 

3.5 Stars 

One Liner: Okayish; nothing new 

Adam Albury is shocked to find himself attending his funeral. He is even more surprised when his death was ruled a suicide. While the ghost Adam had no memory of what happened, he knew for sure that he would never take his own life. This could only mean one thing – he was murdered. 

Adam decides to take advantage of his ghost state to solve his death. Soon, he realizes that quite a few people, including his family members, have reasons to bump him off. But who is the killer, and why? Can Adam find it before his ghostly time ends? 

The story comes in Adam’s third-person POV with random first-person rants and three chapters from others’ third-person POVs. 

My Thoughts: 

My primary reason for picking this book is to tick off a reading challenge prompt – a book from a ghost’s POV. And this, being a cozy mystery, was a nice addition. 

Well, Adam is a wealthy architect in his late fifties and has/ had a colorful life. He has more than his share of faults, which does make him a bit realistic and quite annoying. Dude is quite judgmental, too, though we can see where he gets it from. 

The concept of ghosts and interactions with humans doesn’t have much reasoning as it is more of a trial and error for Adam. After all, this is the first time he is a ghost. Nevertheless, most people he interacts with seem to quite easily accept his ghostly presence. There’s some doubt, naturally, but not that much. 

His dysfunctional family keeps things interesting. Each of them has a definite personality, making it easier to track who is who. I do like Adam’s relationship with his children, Matilda and Leo. His love for them resonates in his words. 

However, the writing is slow and borderline uninteresting. Adam can really ramble on, and I zoned out a few times before deciding to speed-read the book. That turned out to be the best way to stay focused. 

With such a cool premise, I expected more chills. This one is more on the comic side, but it’s not humorous either. Hard to describe, tbh. The best I can say is that it tries to be funny but doesn’t succeed. At least, not for me. 

The mystery is decent and easy enough to guess. There could be a parallel track, or maybe it is a part of the main mystery. Not saying to avoid spoilers. The reveal comes in lengthy, multi-page-long dialogues. The first part is boring, but the second reveal is cool. I like how it is done. Suits the character perfectly. 

There’s a last chapter to round up the threads, though some are left open (which cannot be helped). However, it settles the mystery, which is the primary requirement. 

To summarize, Ghosted is a slow-paced, cozy mystery with a ghost or more. It has its moments but delivers only an average reading experience. Don’t take my word for it, though. Give it a shot if the premise appeals to you. 

Thank you, Bloodhound Books, for the eARC. 

The Search for Us by Susan Azim Boyer - Book Review

Publication Date: 24th Oct 2023

Genre: YA Family Drama

3.7 Stars 

One Liner: Heartwarming but with a few issues

Samira Murphy is stretching herself thin to keep her family together. At seventeen, she has an autoimmune disorder, low attendance, a Gran in mourning, an alcoholic brother, a mother working the job of her dreams in another state, and a low bank balance. When Samira’s college and future become uncertain, she decides to hunt down her estranged father through a DNA search. Imagine her surprise when it matches with a sibling she didn’t even know about!

Henry Owen has two moms – a bio-mom who loves him (and may not always be reliable) and a not-adopted-but-adopted mom and dad/ uncle who want him to achieve the sky and more. Henry longs for a connection to call his own. His DNA search leads him to Samira, a half-sibling. 

Can two people struggling with personal demons find comfort in this new bond? What is it to have a brother or sister you didn’t know about? 

The story comes in the third-person POV of Samira and Henry in alternative chapters. 

My Thoughts: 

My only reason to grab this book was the premise. A YA read that centers on half-siblings finding each other is not common (at least as far as I know). It’s refreshing to read how two people get to know each other’s existence when they are in a most vulnerable age group. 

Samira and Henry are well-etched. They are your average teens but also different. Samira is half-adult, no thanks to the responsibilities dumped on her head. Henry has anger management issues (which somehow get resolved off-page) but is a sweet guy. 

Tara and Linh ensure there are enough lighthearted and sweet moments in the book. People do need friends like them (even if Tara can be overwhelming at times). 

The dual POV (both in the third-person) works well. We see their current situation and get the necessary backstories. Once they start interacting, the dual POV helps maintain the balance between the happenings and the characters’ perceived ideas about the events. 

The interactions between Samira and Henry feel organic. They go through a range of emotions, learn to bond, fight like all siblings do, and support each other. 

Since this is a YA novel, it doesn’t deal with the triggers in depth. Much of it is surface level but that’s expected. Still, I wish Kamron’s alcoholism got a bit more space. While we see how it affects Samira’s life, the resolution feels a little too neatly tied up. 

The same goes for Henry’s personal issues with his uncle and aunt, who are also his dad and mom. The change seems to come out of nowhere. While this can be due to the POV restrictions, it also makes everything seem too easy. 

However, I do like that Gran’s arc is consistent. It makes more sense since people are indeed like that in real life. Change doesn’t happen so easily, and people who make selfish decisions are more likely to continue making them. I don’t mind the happy ending, though I do wish it wasn’t made easy for certain characters. 

I also wouldn’t mind if Samira and Henry spent more time together. The siblings sure have a lot to talk about! 

Family is another theme of the book. Some of it is handled well and provides a hopeful outlook. The other part may be too optimistic even for YA readers. 

There are a few cuss words commonly used by teens (even if we want to pretend otherwise). There’s a bit of adult-ish content, too. 

To summarize, The Search for Us deals with quite a few complex issues at the surface level. It is a steady-paced read with a different premise and delivers a neatly wrapped-up ending. 

Oh, don’t miss the author’s note at the end. 

Thank you, NetGalley and St.Martin’s Press (Wednesday Books), for the eARC. 

#NetGalley 

The Leftover Woman by Jean Kwok - Book Review

Publication Date: 10th Oct 2023

Genre: Contemporary Women’s Fiction 

3.7 Stars 

One Liner: Steady paced and well done 

Jasmine runs away from rural China to New York with the help of snakeheads. She doesn’t have the necessary papers but needs to find a job desperately to pay the money loaned for her move. Jasmine hopes for a fresh start away from her controlling husband. She is in the city to find and reunite with her daughter, the one her husband gave away for adoption due to the One Child Policy. 

Rebecca has it all – a flourishing career as an editor-in-chief of a reputed publishing house, a handsome and successful husband, and an adopted daughter. There’s enough money for luxurious living and designer labels. However, a scandal put Rebecca’s career in jeopardy, and she finds herself on the outer boundary in more ways than one. Soon, Rebecca realizes she needs to make some tough decisions if she wants her career and family. 

What brings Jasmine and Rebecca face-to-face? What will happen when things go beyond their control? 

The story comes in Jasmine's first-person POV and Rebecca's third-person POV. It is divided into four parts (not sure why). 

My Thoughts: 

I’m not sure why this is tagged a mystery/ thriller on NetGalley. While it does have a ‘mystery’, 99% of it is evident and too easy to guess. The book works better as women’s fiction or drama. Luckily, I saw the tag on NG after reading it, so it didn’t affect my experience. 

It’s a short book and a quick read. Not everything is explored in detail. However, this works for me since I’d rather have character arcs do the talking than be hit on the head with the message. Jasmine and Rebecca are the main characters and they indeed carry the book well. 

The book deals with themes like motherhood, immigration, love, family, acceptance, relationships, career, choices or the lack of them, casual racism, privilege, Asian fetish, etc. Even though there’s a lot of tell due to Jasmine’s first-person POV, it doesn’t get overboard anywhere. 

We see the ground-level impact of China’s One Child Policy, and there’s no sugarcoating here (neither is much drama). I remember our social teacher in school creating a discussion around it and how a similar policy in India (Two Child Policy) would work in reality. 

We also get a glimpse into the world of publishing, where appearances and persona matter more than maybe even talent. While I am a bit doubtful about a few things (after all, there are enough books in the market that shouldn’t have even been published), I do know that the stakes are high. 

I’m not sure about Anthony’s track, but I’m not the one to say no to a bit of happiness for my characters. I just wish the ending didn’t take such a big leap, like our daily soaps, and tie up the loose ends. A few more pages would have helped.

I like Rebecca’s characterization. She represents millions of people in the thought process (even if they don’t have the same financial privilege). Be it white saviorism or inherent racism, it’s a part of society and manifests itself in different ways. 

The bits about the differences in cultural aspects are well done, whether it is the significance of white flowers or the use of chopsticks. I could connect a lot with this since Indians, too, have to deal with similar apathy and appropriation in the West. There have been countless incidents of sellers printing our Gods on doormats, footwear, underwear, etc. Pubs have our gods painted in their bathrooms! 1-2 years ago, we had to write to a fashion brand about why they should not print our gods on their bikini collection. A quick internet search would tell them (that’s where they get the images, too), but nope, they still go ahead. The reason is quite simple – they don’t give a damn. I don’t even want to start talking about what the billion-dollar white yoga industry does. 

The climax is predictable. I see some readers being surprised by Jasmine’s decision, but that’s the only way it would have gone (or maybe I saw too many movies to guess it right). I have a few doubts about certain plot developments (they seem less likely), but I’ll let it be since the overall presentation delivers. 

To summarize, The Leftover Woman is a steady-paced and balanced read dealing with a multitude of themes. It’s not an easy read, but a worthy one. There are a few triggers, though nothing too graphic. 

Thank you, NetGalley and William Marrow, for the eARC.  

#TheLeftoverWoman #NetGalley

T.W: Mentions of domestic abuse, mention of miscarriage, hints of probable infidelity, mentions of abuse.