Srivalli Rekha (Semi Hiatus)'s Blog, page 70
December 7, 2021
To Love and Be Loved by Amanda Prowse - Book Review
Genre: Women’s Fiction3 Stars One-Liner: Some great side characters, but not enough.
Merrin was in love and excited to marry her beau, Digby. She could see her entire future with her family and Digby in Port Charles, Cornwall. It was her home, after all. But the day of the wedding leaves her shattered and vulnerable. Merrin leaves her home in the fishing village to rebuild her life.
Six years have passed, and Merrin has a life of her own away from home. She doesn’t want to go back but has no choice when a tragedy strikes. Merrin realizes what she missed by leaving her community and dear ones and changing into someone she isn’t. Back home, Merrin has to decide who she is and what she wants from life. What does her future hold? Is she willing to move on and be truly happy?
I’ve had some of the author’s previous books on my TBR list for a while. When this one showed up in the Read Now section on NetGalley, I decided to go ahead and give it a shot.
Plus Points:
Ruby (Merrin’s older sister) and Bella (Merrin’s bestie) are two fab characters in the book. Merrin’s mother was just as good. The tension between Ruby and Merrin is a highlight of the book. Women have a larger role to play (as expected) throughout. They are the decision-makers. Beautiful descriptions of Cornwall. Something different from the city/ small town descriptions I usually read.Not-so Plus Points:
The narration is too slow. I understand slow beginnings, but this one is slow from start to finish. At no point did I want to read fast to know what happened next. The story went its own sweet way. Despite Ruby being painted as the insecure sister, Merrin seemed self-absorbed in many scenes. It was about her most of the time. Even when I understood what she went through, I couldn’t continue feeling sad for her for the rest of the book. Multiple POVs (in the limited third person) but none for Ruby. I wanted to know her more. She seemed more real and vulnerable than many others. No clear indication for time leaps. We won’t know that a few months/ years have passed until we read the first 2-4 paragraphs in a chapter. Makes it a little hard to track the timeline.The happy ending was good, but bringing a new love interest in the last chapter somehow didn’t work for me. Given what Merrin repeats throughout the book, it felt surreal. Some weird adverbs (I forgot to note them but I remember wondering why they had to be used).To sum up, To Love and Be Loved has its merits but hasn’t been a noteworthy read for me. Pick it up if you want something slow and sedate with bursts of emotions.
Thank you, NetGalley, Amazon Publishing UK, and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
#ToLoveandBeLoved #NetGalley
December 3, 2021
The Night of the Party by Anna-Lou Weatherley - Book Review
Genre: Thriller 3.5 Stars One Liner: Interesting, but nothing new to offer
*****The Drayton family is enjoying dinner with close friends on a cold night. Libby is a 17-yo and the perfect daughter of Evie and Tom Drayton. Brandon, Evie’s stepson, doesn’t enjoy the same adoration.
Una and Jim are Evie’s college friends. Jim is a GP and a docile middle-aged man, while Una is the life of the party. When Libby goes out for an event and doesn’t respond to Evie’s messages or calls, Evie starts to panic. When the girl doesn’t come home, Evie knows something is wrong.
Dan Riley is assigned to find Evie and soon discovers that the girl was neither perfect nor as innocent as Evie believed. Soon enough, Libby’s body is found, and thus begins a murder investigation. As secrets are uncovered, we realize that no one is who they seem to be.
What made Libby turn into a manipulative daughter? Can Dan find out who the killer is?
The story is revealed in multiple perspectives, with Dan’s voice in the first person and the rest in the limited third person. This gives us all the necessary information to solve the case ourselves even before Dan does. This is both an advantage and a disadvantage.
Plus Points:
I got to know after reading the book that it is a part of a series of cases solved by DI Dan Riley. Makes sense that his voice is the first person. It worked so well as a standalone! I wondered why there was a chapter at the end with more details about Dan. Now I understand. The main characters are all flawed, some more than others. The side characters are decent, though. The story moves more like a show on the telly. Given the characters, this approach worked well. I could read the book without being involved and still enjoy it.Not-so-Plus Points:
There isn’t anything new in the book. Story-wise or character-wise, we don’t have much to look forward to. The twists are super easy to guess (especially for a thriller reader). That does make the book slightly dull. Since there wasn’t any action, the story felt bland towards the end. Readers following the Dam Riley series might connect more and like it better than I did. For me, it was just another regular thriller.To sum up, The Night of the Party is a decent thriller with a fast-paced narration. Non-thriller readers might find it more entertaining.
Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
#TheNightoftheParty #NetGalley
November 30, 2021
The Fashion Orphans by Randy Susan Meyers and M.J. Rose - Book Review
Publication Date: 1st Feb 2022
Genre: Women’s Fiction, Family Drama, Contemporary
3.8 Stars
One Liner: Heartwarming
Gabrielle Winslow and Lulu Quattro are estranged half-sisters with debts, pain, and a common dislike for their mother’s controlling methods. Bette has passed away recently and left detailed instructions for her daughters to fulfill her wishes before they can get their inheritance.
Gabi and Lulu resent that Bette is controlling them even after death. They are both in dire need of money to continue living with dignity. Moreover, relations have been strained, and working together doesn’t seem like a good option.
With no other choice, Gabi and Lulu visit Bette’s house and discover a huge secret collection, almost all of the best from Chanel, Bette’s favorite brand. Confused, annoyed, frustrated, and uncertain, the sisters start to work out their differences and try to find out what Bette wanted them to do with her collection.
The path they choose is not easy, but they learn some valuable lessons on the way. Gabi needs to get over her ex-husband’s betrayal and the messy divorce, while Lulu needs to spread her wings and look beyond her late husband’s family bakery. The two sisters need to find each other again and learn to forgive themselves and others. But is it really possible? Can Gabi and Lulu rebuild their bond and also forge a new path to the future and happiness?
As the title suggests, the book relies heavily on fashion and brands (Chanel being the predominant one). However, it is relationships and emotions that keep the momentum going. Gabi is fifty-five and seven years older than Lulu. The sisters are opposite in many ways, be it their sense of fashion, appearance, or approach to life.
Relationships, self-love, and happiness are major themes of the book. We see how Bette pushes Gabi and Lulu to take control of their lives again and do what makes them happy. The story is presented from both their perspectives, giving us insights into their lives.
The reader might be tempted to support one sister a wee bit more than the other, though we want them to sort their differences and become close as they used to be. I was team Gabi even before the book touched 20%. That didn’t stop me from empathizing with Lulu and her circumstances.
The book dragged a little in the second half. As much as I liked Nicholas and Seth (Lulu’s sons) and the other interesting ladies (Bette’s friends), I wanted the story to move a little faster. However, it managed to provide a happy and satisfying ending.
To sum up, The Fashion Orphans is a heartwarming story about love, forgiveness, and relationships. Happy to add that the book doesn’t focus on romance though there’s a glimmer of hope and lots to look forward to.
Thank you, NetGalley, Blue Box Press, and AuthorBuzz, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
#NetGalley
November 27, 2021
Last Redemption by Matt Coyle - Book Review
***Rick Cahill is leading a settled life after pretty much giving up on dangerous detective pursuits. His fiancée, Leah, is pregnant with their child, and Rick is more than delighted by the news. However, his health seems to be a concern, as the headaches suggest a grave brain-related disease. Rick just wants to stay alive long enough to see his child and maybe spend some quality time with the baby.
When Moria, his dear friend, and investigative partner, calls for help, Rick knows he’ll do anything for her. She’s been through thick and thin by his side, and it’s time to help her. Moria’s son Luke seems to have broken a restraining order, and she wants to know what Luke is up to.
Rick finds the request simple enough. However, the surveillance and Luke’s subsequent disappearance, followed by deaths in the past and present complicate the case. Rick is now deep into the dealings of the corporate and Pharma world. With billions of dollars at stake, no life is safe. It’s up to Rick to find the truth and keep Luke alive (if he isn’t already dead). Of course, it feels as if Rick’s time has become rather limited on the earth.
Will Rick manage to expose the dark dealings and stay alive long enough to see his child?
Last Redemption is the eighth book in the series and can be read as a standalone. It starts a little slow but soon picks up the pace and keeps the story going. There’s a mystery, thrill, suspense, intrigue, danger, and action.
Even though this is my first book, I had no trouble understanding the relationship between the characters. There are enough snippets to provide a backstory when necessary. Rick is a rugged PI who goes more by instinct than by the book (PIs can’t solve cases if they go by the book). That puts him in danger more than once, but it goes with the job. He’s extra worried this time because of the ticking clock and a miracle child on the way.
The plot is revealed one step at a time through different characters and developments. I enjoyed how the whole thing was structured to arrive at the final conclusion. The culprit wasn’t hard to guess. In fact, we pretty much know who it is halfway through. The rest of it is to uncover the what, how, when, why and bring everything together.
There were a couple of incidents that made me wonder why Rick didn’t think of those on his own. He is an experienced PI, after all. But I let go because his character was clearly not at his best in this book. He was worried about the brain damage, and that most likely affected his instincts.
There’s an epilogue of sorts, which ties up the loose ends (almost). The book ends in such a way that there may or may not be a continuation. It leaves the reader satisfied and gives the author a chance to decide what to do with the series.
The story reminded me of the current scenario where a section of the Indian media and opposition has been lobbying for Pfizer to be brought when our Indian vaccines are already effective.
To sum up, Last Redemption is a steady-paced thriller with a capable PI taking control of the case. I’m going to check out the previous books in the series and start from the first.
Thank you, NetGalley and Oceanview Publishing, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
#LastRedemption #NetGalley
November 19, 2021
I'll Never Tell by Casey Kelleher - Book Review
Genre: Mystery/ Thriller 4 Stars One Liner: Quick, Focused, and Intriguing
*****
Alessia has a loving husband, Carl, and a cute little son, Jacob. Her life appears wonderful, and it was until it isn’t anymore.
Alessia has a past. She and her friend Sarah have done something they shouldn’t have. The news became public, and somehow it was only Alessia who stood the trial.
Twenty years have gone by, and some of her fears have subsided. But then, there’s someone intent on digging up the past and ruining her life again.
People didn’t believe her when she said she didn’t commit the crime. Alessia knows they won’t believe her now either. Her family, her life, and her future are at stake. Can she face the past to save her family?
What will happen when the truth comes out? And…what is the actual truth?
The story goes back and forth (now and then, written under the chapter head for convenience). The narration is in the limited third person and gives us insights into the characters’ minds.
Plus Points
Short chapters and lots of tell (works for the story) Good pace throughoutFocus on what’s necessary for the plotNo unnecessary twists or subplots (there were many instances to complicate the story and extend it by another 50-70 pages. Thank you for not doing that.)Clearly defined characters (not deep but easy to predict their actions)Harriet is a sensible cop. I wish she has a book of her own (or even a series) No rambling (most of the time. The rest was necessary to provide more information)Deals with topics like child abuse, trauma, and mental health without overemphasizing anything Sustains interest almost from first to last (I had to rearrange my ideas more than once)It's a small book (less than 300 pages) and a quick readThings That Didn’t Work Me
Some strange use of adverbs (ref: robotically). It seemed like an attempt to shorten sentences to increase the pace. Doesn’t always work. The first chapter! I can’t put my finger on it, but the first chapter just wasn’t right in there for me. It’s perfect bait (something I've done myself). Yet, something felt off. If the book didn’t come with recco, I’d have been wary of the rest. The scene in the climax felt a wee bit unrealistic. I see why it was done. Just wished it was a bit more ‘in there’ with the rest of it.To sum up, I’ll Never Tell is a quick thriller dealing with important social issues. The overall result is more than satisfactory.
Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
#IllNeverTell #NetGalley
November 17, 2021
The Music Makers- Book Review
Genre: Women’s Fiction, Dual Timeline, Contemporary, Historical 3.7 Stars One Liner: The historical timeline worked better.
Eleanor Wilder goes back to Pembrokeshire from London to start afresh. After falling sick and being hospitalized, she’s too weak to manage the business in the bustling city. Her love for theatre and theatrical costumes made her a successful businesswoman, and she can easily continue it online from her parent’s house.
The trip back home brings back her interest in tracing the ancestors. The name Esme Blood calls to her soul. In fact, Eleanor finds that nature is giving her the necessary clues to know what happened to Esme.
Back in 1875, Esme Blood is a young girl born to a teenage mother who left her in a fortune tellers’ tent and vanished. Esme only has a doll to call her own. She’s lucky that Rose and her husband have adopted and loved her like their own.
But Esme’s life is not easy. Each time she finds that happiness is within reach, something happens that makes things worse. Is Esme’s life only about uncovering secrets and yearning for a happy ever after?
How is Esme connected to Eleanor apart from the obvious family link? The Tarot cards show hope. Is it possible to hope for love and find it too?
The Music Makers is the second book in the series and pretty much follows the same format as the first one. The heroine has the urge to find out what happened to a certain ancestor and is helped by diaries written by the ancestor.
What Worked for Me:
I’ve been fascinated by tarot cards since I was in high school. Tarot cards are an intrinsic part of the book. So that’s a definite plus. One day, I’m going to learn how to read tarot cards. Esme is a strong character. Though her decisions seem a little rash at times, she sees them through and doesn’t give up. Eleanor is smart, sensible, and loving. The way she handles her illness and her business was a treat to read. A majority of the historical track is interesting and engaging. Lynette, Aaron, Cassie, etc., were intriguing in their own way. The shift between past and present is clear and doesn’t cause any confusion. The use of Victorian theatre throughout the book was consistent and artful. In fact, I loved the role of theatre and tarot cards more than music (which went on and off). There’s no need to read book one to read this. It works as a standalone.What Didn’t Work for Me:
The connection between Eleanor and Arthur wasn’t explored properly. In dual timelines, one timeline suffers, and this book is no exception. There are too many characters again. But this time, they come towards the end and create confusion. Since it happens at a stage where the story picks up speed and races towards the conclusion, it gets overwhelming. The relationships reminded me of Ekta Kapoor’s daily soaps (Indians will know what I mean). I was tempted to round down to 3 stars. But such convoluted relationships are not new (I’ve read enough Regency and Victorian books to know that as a fact), so I let it go.To sum up, The Music Makers is a good continuation of the series. While I enjoyed it, I wouldn’t call it the best. Still, I’m looking forward to reading the next one.
Maybe the author will use a new technique to reveal the past in book three. Diaries are convenient but can get boring if they are used multiple times in the same series.
Thank you, NetGalley and Sapere Books, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
#TheMusicMakers #NetGalley
November 11, 2021
The Midwife's Secret- Book Review
Yew Tree Manor has seen a lot of tragedy and hides many secrets. No one knows what happened to Alice, the seven-year-old girl who vanished one evening in 1969.
It’s 2017, and the Manor is all set to be demolished to develop a new series of buildings. However, history repeats when Sienna, the six-year-old of Leo Hilton, disappears the same way. Leo is Alice’s elder brother and the current owner of Yew Tree Manor.
Willow James is the architect overseeing the project. She’s the daughter of Bobby James, the last person to see Alice alive, the boy who grew up into a broken man in a detention center. Willow knows there are secrets around her and intends to dig out the truth, come what may.
The task isn’t easy, of course. The story began sometime in 1945 and much before that. Willow’s great-grandmother was a midwife and lived in the Vicarage on the grounds of Yew Tree Manor. She was wronged and declared guilty for a crime she didn’t commit, and things have never been good for long ever since.
Can Willow put an end to the pain and justice for her family?
Confused by the blurb I wrote? The story pretty much moves on similar lines. It was a little easier because I copied the chart provided on the book's first page and referred to it.
The story moves in three timelines with different characters as the focal points. All of it is the limited third person, and some sudden shifts were confusing. Not the ones between the chapters but the shift between immediate past and present in the same chapter.
The beginning is slow but picks up pace as more information is revealed. The twists were transparent enough to see most of the time. I’m not sure if this would be classified as a mystery as such.
What I Like:
• The track dealing with Tessa (the midwife) and how much hatred women like her had to face.
• Bella was an effective character, and Nell was cute as a child.
• Sienna was endearing despite having a limited role in the book.
What Could Have Been Better:
• With so many characters in focus, I couldn’t feel for any of them. Tess and Bella were the strongest. Willow’s arc didn’t feel effective enough. There wasn’t enough of her to feel a connection.
• Charlie felt more like a prop than Willow’s boyfriend. He goes in and out of the story, and I feel bad for him.
• There were too many themes in the book, and none of them got full justice. The midwife’s secret isn’t even a secret, as it was revealed during the initial pages. I was expecting another bigger secret that would turn things upside down in the present, but that didn’t happen.
• I love happy endings. Still, this one felt a little too neat and convenient.
To sum up, The Midwife’s Secret was underwhelming, which could be due to many topics it tries to handle at once. The effort is commendable. I liked the portions related to the title.
Thank you, NetGalley, Mobius Books, and Headline Review, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
#TheMidwifesSecret #NetGalley
October 30, 2021
A Special Cornish Christmas- Book Review
Genre: Christmas Romance, Contemporary 3.7 Stars One Liner: Heartwarming (but there were things I didn’t like much)
Bo Grayson loves Christmas. However, her last one wasn’t memorable in any way, no thanks to the guy she was seeing.
While it brought her love life to a halt, Bo is busier than ever. Managing her café and being an active member of the dance group is not easy. Of course, she’s a sweet woman. She supports her friends and takes care of them.
Ran has his own troubled past to deal with and keeps things to himself. Being a diving instructor and a DJ at the dance group doesn’t mean he has to share his past with everyone, right?
But then Bo and Ran unwillingly end up facing Madame Odette to get their future prediction. April, their dear friend is shaken by the experience, and so are Bo and Ran. Turns out, Madame Odette had the same prediction for all three of them- they would be with the love of their lives by Christmas.
With the celebrations being only four months away, can they really believe in her words? Can Bo get over her hurt and take another chance at love? What’s Ran hiding, and how will it affect his future? What turns April’s world upside down? Is a new beginning on the cards for all three of them?
The book leans heavily on rock and roll dancing and music from the yesteryears. Some of it went over my head (not surprising as it’s not my country’s music or my preferred genre). Still, I didn’t miss anything. The connection to music and dance needs little or no explanation.
The story is written in the limited third person, with 60% of the chapters from Bo’s POV and the rest from Ran’s POV.
What I Liked:
• The warmth of small communities with a touch of idiotic people
• Bo’s relationship with her group members and others
• April is a lovely character, and she’s got a meaty role in the book
• Jenna’s presence as a catalyst and her assertive nature
• Madame Odette’s predictions generate subtle undercurrents throughout
• Not much emphasis on romance per se
• Bo- she’s a beautiful mix of kindness, assertiveness, and vulnerability
What Could Have Been Better:
Ran’s character arc- He’s presented as a good guy, which he is. He also believes in communicating with Bo and clearing things up, and it seemed like a great trait. However, towards the end, I found him annoying.
His indecisiveness was stupid rather than endearing. There’s a thin line between wanting to be kind and being a pushover. Boundaries are termed healthy for a reason. I won’t say much because I’ll have to put it all up as a spoiler, and it’s likely to turn into a rant.
The book gets four stars because Bo and a few side characters were a treat to read. My favorite is April, and her character growth is fab. I also love her interpretation of Madame Odette’s prediction.
To sum up, A Special Cornish Christmas is a heartwarming story and a good read on cold afternoons. It’s got some great moments.
Thank you, NetGalley and Avon Books UK, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
#NetGalley
October 27, 2021
The Memory Box- Book Review
Jenny is living at an elder care center and has just celebrated her 100th birthday. As her favorite caretaker Candice takes out an old wooden box from the drawers, Jenny feels the memories rushing in. She knows there’s something she needs to do, and that involves traveling to Italy.
Being a child of delicate health, it took persistence and grit for Jenny to outlive many others. She hopes for an additional couple of months to lay the past to rest. Jenny asks Candice to accompany her to Italy. It’s for physical support as well as to help Candice see the truth of her relationship with a douche bag manipulative jerk of a boyfriend Beau (eww!).
How will the trip to a place full of past events and memories help both women come to terms with their lives? Can Jenny find her peace? Can Candice force herself to see the truth she so desperately wants to ignore?
The Memory Box has a dual time is as smooth as butter. The story weaves in and out between the 1940s and 2019. The first-person narration by Jenny and the third-person narrative to show Candice’s life seamlessly blend across the chapters.
Can’t tell you how many times I wanted to shake Candice to make her see what everyone around her saw. There were enough red flags to supply for a global red-themed party, and still have some left to spare.
The book starts slow and picks up a little pace as the story moves ahead. The focus isn’t much on the setting but rather the thoughts of the characters. Jenny feels real with her strengths, flaws, and uncertainties. Candice, well, there are girls like her. I think the author drove her point straight in about toxic relationships using Candice and Beau.
The actual story takes place after 65-70% of the book. Things crucial to the book enter the picture and bring the threads together. I guessed all the twists except for one, and I must admit I’m not fully convinced about it. It works more as a plot device, IMO. Also, a couple of things were a tad too convenient. I do like happy endings, so I’m not complaining as such.
While Jenny’s arc was pretty much stable, Candice’s arc seemed confusing in the second half. I was pretty much fed up with her by then, or it would’ve annoyed me more. That girl could do with some solid dumping of sense into her brain.
The only reason the book still has it rounded off to 4 stars is the portrayal of toxic love and gaslighting in relationships. It irked me to no end to see Candice make excuses and deny the truth, and that I would say is the biggest achievement. That part is very realistic.
To sum up, The Memory Box is not a must-read historical, but it has a few sweet moments and some valuable relationship lessons that can start a discussion.
Thank you, NetGalley, Mobius Books, and Headline Review, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
TheMemoryBox #NetGalley
October 21, 2021
The Little Christmas House - Book Review
Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Christmas Fiction3.7 StarsOne Liner: Good, but could’ve been better.
It’s Christmas time in Hopley village, and what’s Christmas when wounded hearts don’t heal? Holly loves to teach little kids and is a drama teacher in the village school.
Edward and his eight-year-old daughter, Eliza, have recently moved into the Christmas House that’s a bit away from the village. Eliza is in the same class Holly teaches and is trying to adjust to the new place. Holly is nursing heartbreak after Alex ended their 10-year relationship.
Holly, Edward, and Eliza are struggling with issues from the past. When fate brings them together, will they manage to look past the wounds and find each other? How will the past affect their present and future?
The story is told in the limited third person from three perspectives- Holly, Edward, and Eliza. My favorite character in the book is Eliza. To say she’s the life of the story wouldn’t be an exaggeration.
Holly and Edward are sweet people who want to do the best they can. The book is pretty much a Hallmark movie kind of story. While it was enjoyable, the overall impact wasn’t as good as I expected. I’ve read the author’s first book and was impressed by it.
This one, though sweet and inclusive, was more of a tell than show when it came to backstory. While it contained the length, it dimmed the effect on readers (at least me). Also, there wasn’t an epilogue! The last chapter has a decent, hopeful ending, but that’s not enough. I wanted something more concrete.
Three things I loved the most:
Eliza is an absolute sweetheart, and so were the other kids at school. Holly is a wonderful teacher. Sensitive, attentive, and assertive. Edward is a great dad.Things that could have been better:
Cressida’s character. We never really get to understand her. A little more show than tell. A couple of more chapters from Eliza’s POV. More interaction between the lead characters.To sum up, The Little Christmas House is a sweet book to pick up between heavy reads or on a lazy afternoon.
Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
#TheLittleChristmasHouse #NetGalley
*****
P.S: Can we please not use Fatima in so many books? There are many other beautiful Arabic names for girls.
Indira Khan sounds a bit awkward, especially without the backstory, and I kept wondering if the parents were a fan of the late Indira Gandhi.
