Srivalli Rekha (Semi Hiatus)'s Blog, page 57

Delicious Death by Byrd Nash - Book Review

Delicious Death by Byrd Nash

Series: Madame Chalamet Ghost Mysteries #2

Publication Date: 27th December 2022 

Genre: Paranormal Historical Mystery (Gaslamp Fantasy), Novella 

4.5 Stars 

One Liner: Witty, entertaining, and fun 

*****
Elinor is bored. There don’t seem to be any gruesome deaths that need solving. However, she is excited to enjoy her holiday in a small town, Vouvant, and take part in the Winter Revels event. Why would she say no to delicious food? 

But Elinor is not without projects for long. She has to save a young society lady from a society brute and help a grieving widow. What’s more, she also has to step in when her favorite chef is implicated due to an attempt on the king’s life. Elinor has help from Dr. Charlotte. But the duke feels he can solve the case before she can. 

Elinor, being her, has to prove him wrong. But can she handle all issues at once and not end up risking her life?

The story comes from Elinor’s first-person POV. 

My Thoughts: 

The book is the second in the series and another fast-paced novella where Elinor is entangled in crimes of the nobility. The book should work as a standalone, though I recommend reading the first to get a better idea of the characters. 

There wasn’t a death in this book though we had ghosts in plenty. How can there not be a dramatic ghost to create a scene and maybe help Elinor?

I enjoyed the dynamics between Elinor and the duke. This book has more chemistry and sparks, showing that their track is slowly progressing… you know. ;) 

Dr. Charlotte had a bigger role in this book. It was great to know her a little more. Maybe we’ll get some backstory about her in one of the next books? 

A certain subplot was pretty much ignored in this book. Also, an issue with a ghost seemed to be resumed (as a presumption). 

The writing was easy and flowed well. The blend of genres was seamless and just the way I liked it. The depiction of nobility, their superiority complex, and the disconnect with reality were well-presented without shadowing the main plot. 

There was a teaser for book three, which showed that the bar had been raised higher. I’m also hoping the book throws light on the subplot. 

To summarize, Delicious Death is a fast and wholesome entertainer if you like mystery and ghosts in a historical setting. 

Thank you, NetGalley, Rook and Castle Press, and IBPA Member Titles, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #DeliciousDeath

***

Read the review of Ghost Talker (book 1). 

Last Dance on the Starlight Pier by Sarah Bird - Book Review

Last Dance on the Starlight Pier by Sarah Bird

Genre: Historical Fiction (Great Depression)  

2.5 Stars 

One Liner: Umm… I don’t know. Kinda scattered 

*****

1932, Galveston

Evie wants to become a nurse. She is eager to shut off her dark past and move into a brighter future. However, this is easier dreamt than achieved. She goes through a series of hardships, trains to become a nurse but is denied her PIN, and finally joins a marathon dance group. 

Evie’s life changes as she meets different people and gets swept into their worlds. Depression is making everyone desperate, and her struggle to find love can ruin everything for her and others. Can Evie find what she cherishes the most and have a family to call her own? 

The story comes from Evie’s first-person POV. 

My Thoughts:

The writing is beautiful but slow. I started to speed-read and found it much more to my liking. 

The book gives a glimpse into the lives of marathon dancers. This was a new topic for me, so it was informative and enjoyable. 

The story comes from Evie’s POV, and there’s some character growth to support it. However, the plot deals with too many issues, making the book a bit scattered. Also, I couldn’t connect with Evie or root for her. 

I’m still unclear about the core theme in this one. Is it Evie’s nursing? Is it about the Great Depression? Is it about falling in love with someone unavailable? Is it capitalism vs. communism? It is Catholic vs. Protestant? Is it about an abusive and selfish parent? Is it about homophobia? No idea. There’s a little of everything and nothing to anchor the reader. 

We had a solid plotline with Evie and her mafia friends. Then we jump to marathon dancers. We have a potential love track and some homophobia. The mafia family enters again. More drama and Evie is being the opposite of smart. Finally, there’s regret and reveal. Some happy news too. And then we have another sort of HEA that seems out of place in a book set in the early 1930s. 

There are quite a few characters to keep track of. I went with the flow as they seemed to pop in and out of the story whenever necessary. 

Not a fan of political commentary either, especially when some of it sounded more contemporary than historical. But I could be wrong as I don’t belong to the region. 

To summarize, Last Dance on the Starlight Pier is a novel with many themes and has a few good elements. But it is underwhelming as a package. Maybe removing extra elements and limiting the story to 350 pages or less would have made it compact. 

Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley 

Crime Writer by Dime Sheppard - Book Review

Crime Writer by Dime Sheppard

Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Thriller, Romcom

4.5 Stars 

One Liner: Love it! 

*****

Evie Howland is working on the sixteenth book of her famous police procedural series. She is also trying to overcome writer’s block (shh! don’t even say that word aloud) and planning her wedding with a super-rich and handsome Daniel. She is used to seeing her characters in her house. But when the lead characters Carolyn and Jay become visible to just about everyone, Evie knows she is in trouble. 

Things get worse when psychopath killers from her books are also out in the open and going on a killing spree. The only way Evie can control the situation is by facing her biggest fears and overcoming them. Unfortunately, escaping to the fictional world is no longer an option for her. 

Can Evie do what it takes to save the day? 

The story comes from Evie’s first-person POV and a chapter of her book in the third-person narration. 

My Thoughts: 

Well, this is a wonderful surprise. I kept pushing the book down my list because of the page count (440 pages!). This is one of those rare instances when I wondered why I didn’t pick it up sooner. 

The book is a blend of genres and could pretty much be classified as contemporary/ urban magic realism (I created this subgenre), along with being a thriller and a rom-com. The idea is to go with the flow and enjoy where the author’s imagination takes you. 

As a writer, this is even more delightful and a wee bit scary. Imagine writing monsters and Hulders killing people. I sure don’t want them to come alive (so glad that I set my stories in forests). At the same time, I also want to create my perfect guy and make him appear in reality. It’s too tempting! 

Back to the book, the plot is whimsical, emotional (without being overwhelming), and action-intensive (especially in the second half). It is easy to visualize the scenes and would make a cool screen adaptation. 

Evie’s character starts off as a nerdy writer (even a little annoying, at times), but we see her depth as the story progresses. Jay and Carolyn are my absolute favorites. I mean, how can you not fall in love with Jay Ryan? 

Every book has a few clichés, and so does this one. Here, Evie straight out tells us that it is cliché, so it adds to the fun. Evie’s voice is fun to read. She can be dramatic, quirky, silly, stupid, and childish. It makes her a rather sweet and capable MC to carry the book on her fragile shoulders. 

As a fan of HEA, I am delighted by the ending. It is just right without being too sweet or sugary. And it also has a piece of advice for writers who want to make their characters appear in real life and keep them there (if you haven’t figured it out already, I am taking this seriously). 

My only grouse is that one important scene in the climax is (intentionally?) vague. It increases the anticipation to know what happens, but I had to read it twice to understand what was happening. Also, there are a few missed threads/ connections. I assumed the connections based on guesswork. 

To summarize, Crime Writer is a wonderfully quirky book and is a tasty mixed vegetable curry (Indians, you know what I mean). The first 10% is slow. Hang in there, and it’ll pick up the pace. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Ruby Books, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley 

***

This was a buddy read (my first ever) with Rosh (Reviews), and we loved gushing about how hard it was to stop reading (and get back to reality). Of course, we also decided to manifest our own Jay Ryan(s), one of each of us. Wish us luck, guys! 

Sealkeeper by Ria Rees - Book Review

Sealkeeper by Ria Rees

Genre: YA Fantasy (& Romance)

4 Stars

One Liner: Enjoyable read 

*****

Tegwen is a guardian of the dream realm. Her job is to keep the seals safe and prevent the nightmares from entering the waking plane. Making a mistake could mean demotion if she gets caught. 

Namid has more nightmares than dreams. The Windigo doesn’t seem to leave her alone. Tegwen tries to repair the seal in her first solo shift but creates a mess. However, she decides to fix it on her own. Turns out that her decision puts more people in danger. Tegwen is still trying to find a way out when she has her first dream. 

Can she prevent further harm, or will her decisions lead to more chaos and terror? 

The story comes from Tegwen’s first-person POV. 

My Thoughts: 

This is a short novella that reads at a steady pace. It’s neither slow nor fast and has the right amount of pacing to understand the setting and feel the terror. 

There aren’t too many details about the sealkeepers and their roles. It’s more enjoyable to go with the flow and take things in stride. A few things get revealed towards the end, but the setting is very much a work in progress. 

Tegwen is our narrator, and while she is brave, capable, and talented, she isn’t super easy to like (for an adult who dislikes characters making stupid decisions). She grows a little, but she’ll be my third favorite in the book. 

Namid is an Ojibwe girl with spunk, attitude, and vulnerabilities. TBH, I loved Namid more than Tegwen. She is more grounded despite the things in her life. Her character arc is really good. She’s my first favorite (if you haven’t figured it out). 

Ravi is Tegwen’s trainer and superior. He has a limited role in the story but shines whenever he makes an appearance (my second favorite). 

The book deals with themes of how things in real life reflect in our nightmares. I like the presentation of the concept and how it blends with the treatment of indigenous people. 

I first marked the book as MG fiction but realized it would be closer to YA. There isn’t information about their ages, so we have to guess it based on their voices and actions. 

To summarize, Sealkeeper is a lovely fantasy with interesting characters and an intriguing plotline. The ending is perfect for a sequel. I sure would love to read it. 

Thank you, Book Sirens and author Ria Rees, for the eARC. 

Murder in Chianti by T.A. Williams - Book Review

Murder in Chianti by T.A. Williams

Series: Armstrong and Oscar Cozy Mysteries #2 (Standalone) 

Publication Date: 27th Jan 2023

Genre: Cozy Mystery 

3.7 Stars 

One Liner: Entertaining and fun 

*****

Rex Hunter, a millionaire, is found dead on his golf links. The sight of his bashed head is enough to show that it’s murder. But who wants to kill the owner of a prestigious golf and country club in Chianti? 

Turns out that Hunter had a thing for women. He was a bully, a womanizer, and a heartless man disliked and loathed by many. With the number of suspects increasing every hour, the case doesn’t look simple anymore. 

Being retired doesn’t mean Dan can spend the rest of his life away from crime, right? Dan agrees to help the local chief and his friend Virgilio catch the killer. Can Dan and Oliver (black Labrador) solve the case in time? Will there be more deaths to deal with? 

The story comes from Dam Armstrong’s first-person POV. 

My Thoughts: 

Dan Armstrong and Oliver are back in action in the second book of the series. This reads very well as a standalone despite the continuing personal track from book one. There’s enough information for the readers to get the gist. 

My issue with long chapters continues in this one too. Please, once again, divide the chapters into smaller ones. It shouldn't take so much time to read a 250-page book (for a cozy mystery). Though the plot is different, I couldn’t help but find parallels in both books. 

The central plot is engaging with an array of suspects and new developments. The numerous characters are easy to track and remember. With most of them hating the dead man, it’s interesting to figure out the killer. I admit only one of my guesses is right. The reveal made sense and fit with the theme, so no complaints. 

Oliver is an adorable buddy and seems to be a ladies’ man. ;) I also like that Oliver isn’t just a pet but has an important role in the book. 

There will be new developments in Dan’s life next, and I’m looking forward to seeing where it goes. I like the way the track is progressing. It feels natural. 

To summarize, Murder in Chianti is an entertaining cozy mystery (albeit a slower one) and a solid continuation of the series. Of course, I’m hoping for a fresh theme in the next book. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley # MurderinChianti 

Miss Newbury's List by Megan Walker - Book Review

Miss Newbury's List by Megan Walker

Publication Date: 07th Feb 2023

Genre: Historical Romance, Regency Romance 

3.7 Stars 

One Liner: Entertaining; a comfort read 

*****

1820, England 

Rosalind Newbury is engaged to marry a duke even without having a season. Her family sees it as an opportunity to increase their reach. Rosalind agrees to make her family happy. As the wedding date gets closer, she cannot help but feel suffocated and uncomfortable. She barely knows the duke and hasn’t had a chance to live life the way she wanted. 

Rosalind digs out a list from her childhood and is determined to complete it before the wedding. She thinks it’ll make her ready for the marriage. She seeks help from her dearest friend Liza. But Liza’s cousin Charlie also joins the gang. After all, a gentleman-turned-wayward boxer needs something to keep him entertained. 

As Ros ticks off each item on the list, she realizes more about her suppressed self. But with the wedding fast approaching, can she make a decision that’s right for her and her family? Is there a place for love and happy ever after? 

The story comes from Rosalind’s first-person POV. 

What I Like: 

This is a straightforward historical romance. It was rather a relief to read something simple and sweet. This is a clean romance, too (not that I mind some steam). 

The pacing is steady. I could finish the book in two days and didn’t have to speed-read either. 

The characters are neither too deep nor shallow. They have the right amount of depth to keep the whole thing light and easy on the mind. 

Rosalind, Charlie, Liza, and Ben are easy to like. They have their flaws but are loving, witty, and family-oriented. Ros can be a little childish, but she isn’t even eighteen, so that’s understandable. 

The banter between Ros and Charlie is fun to read. Some of it is silly, while some of their conversations are thoughtful and heartwarming. 

The secondary characters are also sweet and warm. They don’t get much space, but I can see the potential to turn this into a standalone series. There definitely is a track ready for the next book. 

It has HEA, which is always welcome (with exceptions). We know what will happen. It’s the how that matters, and this was entertaining pretty much throughout. 

What Didn’t Work for Me: 

The climax and resolution were too simple and flat. A little more tension would have made the ending much better. 

Rosalind’s father and the duke have very limited roles. We don’t see the duke until toward the end. By then, we already have our loyalties towards another character. The duke has to be live in action early in the book to build a case. It seems unfair that this happens to him (and a couple of dialogues don’t justify it enough). 

To summarize, Miss Newbury's List is a sweet regency romance with pretty likable characters and lighthearted banter. It works great as a breather or a comfort read. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing, for the eARC.  

#MissNewburysList #NetGalley

The Bandit Queens by Parini Shroff - Book Review

The Bandit Queens by Parini Shroff

Publication Date: 03rd Jan 2023

Genre: Contemporary Women’s Fiction, Dark Fiction (Lit Fic?)

2.7 Stars 

One Liner: I like it and hate it in equal measure 

*****

Geeta's abusive husband disappeared five years ago, making her an outcast in the village. People have decided she did something to get rid of him. Of course, it comes with perks, and Geeta is content to be left alone. 

However, when other women from the village start asking for her help to off their husbands, things start to spiral out of control. Geeta may be inspired by Phoolan Devi, but can she handle the worst that comes with it? 

***

How do you identify a progressive author of Indian origin? Their book has the following topics: 

Poor India, slums, unclean villages 

Hindu Vs. Muslim (beginning to feel bad for Indian Christians) 

Upper Castes Vs. Lower Castes (upper caste are villains, lower castes are victims) 

A patriarchal society with loads of women abuse 

Targeting Hindu symbols, customs, and rituals 

Abuse, misery, and anything that’ll make readers consider India the worst place in the world 

The Bandit Queen is no exception. It satisfies each element on the checklist and makes it a perfect choice for intellectual book club reads. However, the book has certain elements I like and enjoy. 

What I Like: 

The cover is fab. Love those eyes on the black background. So, so good! 

The kids are a treat to read. I wish the book had more of them instead of social activism. Be it Raees, Arhaan, or Irem, each has a distinct personality and is just as adorable (and funny). Irem deserved more space, given that she is the most likely candidate to take over when the time comes. 

The women, Geeta, Saloni, Farah, Priya, and Preity, are layered and flawed. They are much more than the first impressions, and knowing them through the course of the book makes them real (despite a few hiccups). ASP Sinha is another underexplored character. The author could have done so much for the plot with better priorities. 

The book has many references to CID (it is a popular crime show on Sony TV and one of my favorites). As someone who watched 1000+ episodes, it’s a treat to see it inspire women (let’s ignore that the inspiration is not something the channel intended). 

The story picks up pace in the second half. It is not fast but maintains a steady momentum. The climax is Bollywoodish but entertaining. Well, I can visualize the scenes playing out, so that’s a plus. 

The book has a good dose of dark and morbid humor. Some may find it strange, but I like it. The interactions are coarse, crude, and crass, which is exactly how it should be in such a setting. You have to listen to them speak to realize it. Some women use cusswords as a part of their speech, just like men do. And women from rural areas are more likely to have a colorful vocab with native cusswords.

What Didn’t Work for Me: 

The first half is slow, like really slooow. Imagine reading so much only to notice that you’ve completed just a quarter of the novel. This isn’t the kind of book I could speed-read. Sigh!

The dialogues! Yeah, I know it is hard to balance authentic Indian dialogues and their readability for a global audience. It will always be too desi or too western. This book tries hard to get the balance right and manages to a certain extent. But as a desi (#OwnVoice) reader, I could see how it is a weird blend of both. It was hard to sustain the image of Geeta when she sounds like an American in some places (yo, F*ck ya bitch*s) and a proper desi woman (I earn my own salt) the other time. 

The translated proverbs were just as strange. There’s only so much of ‘something black in the lentils’ I can tolerate before screaming. It doesn’t help that this appears around half a dozen times in the book. Please, don’t translate native proverbs into English. I endured the same in The Island of Missing Trees very recently. *sob* 

I don’t mind frustrated characters. They can be wonderful to read. Take one jab at something, and I’ll see it as a part of the plot and character arc. Do it repeatedly, and I’ll pick patterns. Wanna attack unfair societal rules? Go ahead. I’ll cheer for you. Want to use it as a ruse to target one religion, sorry, but no.  

Attack mangalsutra as a sign of oppression (coz wedding rings and nikah don’t affect women at all!)

Karva Chauth is a symbol of oppression (yeah, every woman hates her husband! Geeta is sure of this. I’ll leave it to married women to handle this claim) 

Karva Chauth again- why add one more fasting to the list? (nevermind that the character wishes another character Eid Mubarak in the next scene. Muslims fast for a month during the Holy Ramadan period.)

Temples blare, screech, & blast bhajans (I wonder which temples have such schedules; we don’t pray multiple times a day. Trivia: https://www.google.com/maps/search/jambusar+gujarat+mosque/@22.053285,72.7986077,15z/data=!3m1!4b1) 

No caste in Islam (theoretically no; practically yes. But it’s the same with Hinduism. Varna is not caste or jati and is flexible. A person’s varna is determined by the character and not birth. Why use theoretical data for one religion and societal data for another? This analysis sums up the issue in the best possible manner.)

Trivia: Qureshi Vs. Saifi case and what happened to Danish Ansari 
From what I know Yadavs are OBC (cattle rearers/ milkmen). 

Dhobi (washer men) would be OBC or SC depending on the state (they are considered auspicious and invited to happy celebrations in Andhra) 

I could tell myself to ignore all of this in the name of creative freedom. But this (read below) is ridiculous. 

We have a three-page crash course on Ramayana because a book set in India is not complete with invoking Ramayana or Mahabharata. It adds nothing to the plot. Like zero. I still don’t mind. So what does this version of Ramayana say? It says Raavan was madly in love with Sita, and hence he kidnapped her. I literally choked on my glass of water when I read this. 

You write a book about perverted men abusing, raping, and controlling women and say that Raavan was in love with Sita. Irony downed itself in Bubble Tea. 

How is it that the difference between lust, dominance, and love is still not clear? Raavan was a rapist who abused countless women. (He was upper caste too, and the author could have made use of this to drive her point for the nth time. But no, he has to be in lovey-dovey love with Sita.) 

Oh, by the way, Raavan did not touch Sita because he was cursed that he would die (his head would be blown into a thousand pieces) if he ever touched a woman without her consent. The curse was given by Nala Kuber when Raavan raped Ramba, Nala Kuber’s fiancé. So, darlings, his lack of action had nothing to do with love or respect but everything to do with the curse. End of the crash course. 

A Few Other Hiccups: 

Indians use the word postmortem more than an autopsy.

Not sure why Farah wears a bindi (she is a Muslim). 

Some terms used by the characters contradict the setting and characterization. There is less probability of them knowing such information. 

To summarize, The Bandit Queens is a book I like and hate in equal measure. I love the layered characters and compelling plotline. But I cannot ignore the attempts at presenting a poor, pathetic, ugly, dirty India with Indians who can’t think beyond caste and religion. This has been an image the developed countries love and expect from third-world countries. I’m tired of authors catering to such needs and playing an earnest brown sepoy. 

I won’t deny the existence of ugly in my country. But we have so much good too. We have people working for equality, balance, and overall growth of the country. Presenting a more balanced view wouldn’t make you any less of an activist. 

I came across a couple of reviews mentioning they have a much lower opinion of Indian society after reading the book. Well, I have a perfect reply for this, I’ll share this instead. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s TED Talk on the danger of a single story. Listen to it from minutes 10 to 12. That is my answer.  

The saddest part is that such stereotypes are encouraged and cemented by authors of Indian origin, which adds a false layer of credibility to the narrative and makes them ‘more authentic’. This view doesn’t consider that the author’s personal perceptions and ideology are the foundation of the plot. Hetero, we have a bundle of stereotypes presented as an entire country. 

To quote Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, ‘show a people as one thing, as an only thing over and over again, and that is what they become’. 

Thank you, NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, and Ballantine Books, for the eARC. 

#TheBanditQueens #NetGalley 

*****

P.S: The author mentions how she was worried about milking Phoolan Devi’s name and past for the book and that it wasn’t her intention. She doesn’t have to worry about it. She doesn’t commercialize Phoolan Devi. She commercializes and sells dirty India instead. Something that’ll bring more fame and accolades. 

I mention this because the author has enough talent to create characters that carry a story without a checklist. 

Tales Untold: Mythos Around the World Anthology - Book Review

Tales Untold: Mythos Around the World Anthology 

Genre: Folklore, Retellings, Short Stories 

3.3 Stars 

One Liner: A mixed bag with some intriguing stories 

Tales Untold is a collection of fifteen short stories that deal with various folklore and mythologies from around the world. Each story is based on a lore/ myth/ part of an epic and is represented with a fresh twist. There’s a brief intro about the lore at the beginning of each story. This helped me understand the plot. 

As with all anthologies, some stories are great, some are decent, and a few didn’t make any impact. I’ve listed the ones I loved and the ones that had potential but didn’t reach the mark (for me). 

Real Good Stories (4 stars)

The Littlest Rose: I love this heartwarming story. It is a little preachy and tries to balance it out at the end. But the story of the Blackfeet tribe, the lives of Native Americans, and the bullying by the settlers (White people) was very well done. 

A Final Cut: This story combines two myths about the dead, and the result is a scary yet satisfying read. Imagine shaving the dead to soothe the spirit! The writing is descriptive but compact, with a steady pace and solid ending. 

The Young Man and The New World: It starts slow with long-winded sentences, but once the action begins, the story flows well and keeps the reader interested. I like the blend of myths too. It’s MG fiction, so even better for me. 

The Fairy Soldier's Last Request: This started okay but got interesting as it progressed. I love the flow and execution. The formatting needs to work to make it more readable (it got a bit confusing to track when the flashback ended and started again). 

Decent Stories (3-3.5 stars)

The Tomb of Squire Cabell: This one deals with the lore of the Hound of Baskervilles. The concept was intriguing, but the setup took up too much space. The end was rather rushed and didn’t cause any emotional impact. 

The Crane In The Mist: This story is based on Kodava lore from India. I enjoyed the plot, but it didn’t hit the mark. I thought it would. The ending is okay but missing something. 

Never Trust a Fae: The plot is dark and really good until I realized that the narrator’s a male. Here I am, thinking it is a sad Sapphic romance, and bingo, the narrator is a ‘him’. A male character’s voice has to sound distinct from a female character's. 

The Gandharva: Set in Kerala (India), it’s a retelling of the story of a Gandharva. I wanted more from it, though. The ending seemed too easy. It needed a little more drama and tension. 

Halcyon Days: It is an innovative retelling of Greek lore about Kingfisher birds. The writing is easy and fluid. The ending is compact and sweet. 

The Emissary: This is the last story in the book. It has a mashup of Gods and lore from different cultures. The first third of the story was a little boring (just not my thing), but the rest was engaging and entertaining. 

The overall writing styles are easy to read; some were better than others. As this is an ARC, I’m hoping the random typos will be weeded out. 

To summarize, Tales Untold is an intriguing collection of short stories with varied themes. Each of them is distinct and will appeal to different audiences. Grab the book and find your favorites. 

Thank you, Ravens & Roses Publishing, for the eARC. 

Keep It In The Family by John Marrs - Book Review

Keep It In The Family by John Marrs

Genre: Thriller

2.5 Stars 

One Liner: Intriguing premise but a convoluted presentation 

*****

Mia and Finn invest all their money in an old house. They are busy repairing it when Mia realizes she is pregnant. The couple is elated. However, Mia sees a message carved into the wall in the nursery, resulting in a series of incidents that change their lives forever. 

The past horrors of the house come to light, bringing more secrets to the surface. The killer is around, too, lurking and waiting for the right time. With the dangers surrounding Mia, her newborn, and the family, can they find a way to deal with it? Can Mia save her family and herself? 

The story comes in the first-person POV of six characters. Sigh! Why!!! 

My Thoughts: 

The book starts with an intriguing chapter and alternates between different POVs and timelines. It can be super confusing if you don’t note the years (something I gave up halfway through the book). 

The information comes in bits and pieces, but we are essentially going around in circles, with each character having its POV [Mia, Finn, Dave (Mai’s father-in-law), and Debbie (Mia’s mother-in-law]. We know many of them are hiding something but what? It gets revealed towards the end. 

Though things aren’t too graphic, we know that a lot of bad things happen to kids. If you are sensitive about this, be prepared for it. What made it easy to read is the writing (and not in a good way). I wasn’t the least bit affected, as the whole thing felt distant. 

Thrillers tend to have unlikeable characters. Here, except for Mia (with exceptions again), the rest are pretty much unlikable. DC Mark is cool, though (he has very limited space in the book and is not explored at all). 

The reveals start around 63%, which means a majority of the second half has a twist, reveal, twist, reveal, and so on. It got tiring when I could already see what the twist would be. I don’t usually mind guessing right, but here, it gets too much. 

The epilogue is like a final and special presentation, but I couldn’t feel awed by it. There are enough hints to show this would happen. In fact, I might have upped the stars if the twist deals with Mia. 

The best part of the book is that I could speed-read it and not miss any detail. That frees a day for me (hence the additional 0.5 stars). But it shows how much rambling could have been edited to make the narration taut. 

The title is all you need to guess the plot. Really. It can’t be more evident than this, and once again, I pat myself on the back for listening to my friends and asking for help titling my stories. 

To summarize, Keep It In The Family could have been a wow thriller but ended up underwhelming. I see the author has written some fab works, so time to check them out. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #KeepItInTheFamily 

*****

P.S: Also, can we please not have men ‘press the right buttons’ to excite a woman? It sounds weird. 

Improbably Yours by Kerry Anne King - Book Review

Improbably Yours by Kerry Anne King

Genre: Contemporary Women, Romance 

3.7 Stars 

One Liner: Sweet and Cute (if you ignore insta love) 

*****

Blythe Harmon is living a fast-track life the way her mother, sister, and boyfriend want. It’s her 30h birthday, and she can’t help but feel suffocated and unhappy. Things couldn’t have been better with a new high-profile job and a marriage proposal from the boyfriend. 

But Blythe knows she needs to do what makes her happy. Respite comes in the form of Nomi’s ashes and last request (Nomi is her late grandmother). Blythe goes on an adventure to a small island in the San Juans. Her stay at the Improbable House takes her closer to the past. 

However, things get complicated with new revelations. Blythe now has to connect the past to the present to have a happy future. And somewhere amidst the chaos lies the key to her happiness. 

The story comes in the first-person POVs of Blythe and Flynn in the present tense. 

What I Like: 

The story is heartwarming and sweet with a blend of happy and sad moments. There is enough pain (death of loved ones and secrets) in the book, but it doesn’t get overwhelming. 

The narration is fast-paced and engaging. It dips a little in the middle but gains momentum again. It does feel a little rushed because of the HEA ending, but I don’t mind it. 

Even though the characters aren’t very detailed, they are easy to understand. None of them is perfect, but there aren’t any outright villains (with one exception) either. This makes them easy to understand, if not always likable. 

The blurb uses the word magic, and it is important to consider this when reading the book. There are a few unexplainable events that make the setting atmospheric. However, these aren’t explored enough to make the story dark or creepy. This could go either way, depending on your reading preferences. 

Savannah is easily my favorite in the book, and Brodie is adorable. Who can resist a fluffy doggy with loads of enthusiasm and no manners? ;P 

The themes of self-discovery, acceptance, being true to one’s self, taking a risk, etc., are well done without being too heavy-handed.  

What Didn’t Work for Me: 

Well, as much as I enjoy romance, I don’t like insta love between Blythe and Flynn. A couple of more scenes to show their chemistry would have made the story even better (for me). Also, Flynn’s character needed to be fleshed out more. 

The plot is complex and has some twists. But it is solved a little too easily and within the week’s deadline. Maybe a bit of spacing it over the days would increase the impact. 

The crucial issues of the plot are also resolved quickly. Given how the issues are dragged over the storyline, the resolution doesn’t feel solid. The gravity of the events is lost when they are wrapped up with ease. 

To summarize, Improbably Yours is a sweet and heartwarming book with a few hits and misses. But it is a good read if you want a blend of genres without getting too deep into any of them.  

Thank you, NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #ImprobablyYours 

TW: Parental death, domestic violence, grief 

*****

P.S: The cover suits the story really well, though I don't much like how the title covers the detailing.