Nic (Nicole) arrives in the small town of Hastings to investigate her mother Molly’s disappearance after her car was found abandoned by the side of thNic (Nicole) arrives in the small town of Hastings to investigate her mother Molly’s disappearance after her car was found abandoned by the side of the road. The authorities are calling it a walk-away, a mom who left her family as the result of grief and guilt after a family tragedy. Nic doesn’t believe it and perseveres in her search for her mom.
The reader knows what has happened to Molly and we follow her ordeal and Nic’s investigation and search in alternating chapters. I was captivated from the first page with heart-pounding, edge-of-your-seat tension. I simply couldn’t put it down and read it in two sittings.
One of the things I enjoy most about a Wendy Walker novel is the way she delves into the psychology of her characters. People are complex and life is full of shades of gray. The way Molly and Nic suffer and cope after their tragedy is done with skill and empathy.
The small town has a dark underbelly with secrets and untrustworthy characters. I did guess one twist but the tension as to how it would be resolved remained, so it didn’t ruin the story for me. I found the ending somewhat convoluted, or this would have been an easy 5 stars.
Still, this is a terrific psychological thriller that I highly recommend!
• To be published on Sept 20, 2020. • I received a free copy of the book from St. Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review. • This was a buddy read with Marialyce, and one we both enjoyed.For our duo review of this book, and others, please visit https://yayareadslotsofbooks.wordpres......more
“Genius women have lived and died, but if nobody told their stories, it was as if they didn’t live at all”.
And just what is a genius? It’s not simply“Genius women have lived and died, but if nobody told their stories, it was as if they didn’t live at all”.
And just what is a genius? It’s not simply IQ. Genius is a combination of intelligence, talent, and hard work. Persistence, often despite the odds. There’s no question that there are women who have excelled in the fields of music, art, the sciences, and many others. But how many of us can name these women? Worse yet, how many women had a spark of genius that was extinguished because of lack of encouragement and opportunities? It boggles the mind.
One of the strengths of this book are the many, many women whose accomplishments are highlighted. I am humbled and proud of the many extraordinary accomplishments made by women and I’m angered that they have rarely received the recognition they so deserved (or received it too late). It’s impossible to list them all here but it’s worth picking up this book to read about these women.
“What counts as great is what those in power say is great.” Throughout the centuries who has been in power? Men. Which is why we hear about more men than women when we think of geniuses. In one study, six-year-olds were asked to pick out the genius in a line-up of pictures of both men and women. In every single case, the children chose a man. Shocking isn't it that bias starts so early?
Bias is sometimes overt, but it can also be subtle and there were many instances where I questioned my own assumptions. As the mother of a daughter, and a Nana to three girls, I appreciated hearing many of these accomplished women speak about what it was that made the difference. Why did they excel in what was often a man’s domain? How can we encourage and nurture young girls and women to reach their full potential, to not feel limited in their vision and opportunities? The author gives us the answers in these pages from the mouths of the geniuses themselves. Times are changing, but slowly. Change is made one woman at a time.
The first half of the book was riveting. The story starts to lose steam in the second half when the anecdotes and opinions become a tad repetitive. It’s clear the author is passionate about the subject, as she should be, but I started to lose interest and there were a few times I questioned her assumptions. There were times she seemed too prickly, seeing bias everywhere. Also, if an author is going to include women in politics in a non-fiction book, then it should include accomplished women of both political persuasions.
Still, despite some shortcomings, this is an important book with a strong message that I’m glad I read and I urge others to pick it up. 3.5 stars.
**Many thanks to Dutton Publishing for a copy of this book for review. All opinions are my own. *This was a buddy read with Marialyce, and one we both found enlightening and enjoyable. For the duo review of this book and others please visit https://yayareadslotsofbooks.wordpres......more
3.5 stars Told from three points of view, this is a multi-layered plot that will have you flipping the pages to find out what happens next. Gabe’s wife3.5 stars Told from three points of view, this is a multi-layered plot that will have you flipping the pages to find out what happens next. Gabe’s wife, Jenny, and their young daughter, Izzy, were murdered in their home three years ago but Gabe is convinced that Izzy is still alive after he sees her in the back of a car. Despite no one believing him, and a father-in-law who identified the bodies of his wife and daughter, he has devoted his life to searching for her. The second POV is a woman and her daughter who are on the run from an unnamed threat. And finally, we have the waitress who often waits on Gabe at the restaurant where she works.
All three characters are dealing with grief and loss. Their stories will come together and intersect in surprising ways. I won’t ruin the fun for readers by giving away any more of the plot. It's best discovered on your own.
Readers who enjoy complicated plots, a fair bit of coincidence, and who don’t have a problem with suspending disbelief will find much to enjoy. Be aware there are some supernatural elements, but it was a minor element. This was a buddy read with Marialyce and one we both enjoyed. We both agree that C.J. Tudor writes very well and the different plot lines came together quite nicely.
A dysfunctional family story combined with a chaotic family wedding sounds like perfect summer reading to me so I was excited when offDNF at page 70.
A dysfunctional family story combined with a chaotic family wedding sounds like perfect summer reading to me so I was excited when offered a copy for review. The writing is excellent but the story was a struggle for me. The blurb and description did not seem fitting. It's not funny, light, and breezy but demands strict attention, which I'm not in the mood for right now. I was dreading picking it up so decided to let it go
Not every book is for every reader and this one was not for me.
* I received a copy of this book from Riverhead publishing for review...more
The author, a highly decorated Marine turned reporter, has a long list of accomplishments. A quick google search outlined his many awards and honors, The author, a highly decorated Marine turned reporter, has a long list of accomplishments. A quick google search outlined his many awards and honors, both military and literary. Very impressive.
It is from his viewpoint as both soldier and journalist that he tries to make sense of a war that “left a wake of destruction, forcing (us) to craft new lives from the ruins”. A war where the paradox is that the greatest achievements are tied to the greatest failures, where victory is tied to defeat. A war where winning battles is not as much of a problem as rebuilding after the battles, both physically and politically. The latter is, of course, a complicated matter in such a politically unstable area. The unintended consequences of war. The author offers no answers, but the questions exist between the lines of his stories.
As the title suggests, the book is a series of essays about the places he’s been and the names of fellow soldiers and resistance fighters. The ‘places’ sections were sometimes difficult for me to follow since I’m unfamiliar with the area. The ‘names’ sections, the human stories, were what I was especially drawn to.
The book ends with his Silver Star citation for his actions during the Second Battle of Fallujah in 2004. Woven throughout the narrative of his gallantry in action are the flashback memories he experiences when he returns as a reporter. It is an extremely powerful piece of writing.
Ackerman’s love of the military and his fellow soldiers is evident in these pages. The human and political costs are brilliantly outlined. I appreciate that the author doesn’t tell us what to think but instead makes us feel and gives us much to ponder.
I very much enjoyed Rust and Stardust, the author’s last book, so I was excited at the opportunity to read this one.
When Ginny’s second child is bornI very much enjoyed Rust and Stardust, the author’s last book, so I was excited at the opportunity to read this one.
When Ginny’s second child is born, a daughter with Down Syndrome, the baby is whisked away by her husband and sent to a residential home, Willowbrook. Ginny never laid eyes on her daughter or held her. She grieves the baby she never met but is subservient to her husband to a fault and the subject is never discussed in their household.
Two years later the school is the subject of an investigative article alleging abuse and neglect. Ginny decides to go on a road trip with a friend to rescue her daughter and takes her young son with her.
I’m sorry to say I found the writing simplistic with tired tropes and eye-rolling scenes. In addition there were several scenes that were medically inaccurate. Simple things that a quick google search could have corrected.
Ginny was infuriatingly passive, naïve and clueless. It was 1971 people! She drove me nuts. And her companion was supposed to be her opposite, progressive and liberated. How do we know she’s such a liberated lady? She’s promiscuous, smokes, and curses a lot, including in front of the children. Oh and she’s a nurse. How’s that for a cliched stereotype? (full disclosure: I am a nurse). Reading this book was like reading a Lifetime movie, a bad one. I gave up at 75% and just didn’t care anymore. I guessed how it would end and my friend Marialyce confirmed that I was correct.
Heartbreakingly, places like Willowbridge, the school for the mentally disabled did exist. An institution in New York, Willowbrook, was the inspiration for this story, a place Robert Kennedy called a “snake pit”. He is quoted as saying the people living in the overcrowded facility were “living in filth and dirt, their clothing in rags, in rooms less comfortable and cheerful than the cages in which we put animals in a zoo.” Thankfully, it closed in 1987 and led to legislation for people with disabilities.
I wish the focus of this book had been on facilities like this and the treatment and prejudices that surrounded the mentally disadvantaged.
Sadly, I can’t recommend this one. Many thanks to my friend Marialyce for buddy reading this one with me and sending me links to articles about Willowbrook.
** I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review....more
Life has been tough for Cassie. To cope, she has built walls that lets no one in, especially men, and she thrives on routine and order with no drama. Life has been tough for Cassie. To cope, she has built walls that lets no one in, especially men, and she thrives on routine and order with no drama. Oh, and she’s a firefighter who can hold her own physically and mentally in a male-dominated profession.
When her ailing, estranged mother asks her to come live with her in Massachusetts for a year, Cassie moves from her modern, progressive fire department in Austin, to a job at a small, ill-equipped firehouse where she’s up against some old-fashioned ideas about women in the profession. Before she moves, her old boss gives her “The Rules” on how to survive in her new job.
“So to succeed in my new job, I basically need to be an asexual, androgynous, human robot that’s dead to all physical and emotional sensation”
And then life throws her for a loop when she meets The Rookie, a firefighter who starts the job on the same day. The Rookie has Cassie re-thinking The Rules. But the Rookie isn’t the only person who is leading Cassie to question her life choices. She must navigate the complicated mother-daughter relationship and come to terms with a trauma in her past.
Marialyce and I had fun reading this one! There’s so much to love about this well-written book. It’s light and fun but with substance and depth. The protagonist is a strong, independent, capable woman but not without flaws, which makes her relatable. The theme of forgiveness, of yourself and others, is strong and well-done with many thoughtful, quotable passages. The side characters were delightful.
Is it a bit sappy and predictable? Yes, but this kind of book demands it and I went from laughing to tears more than once. These are characters to root for and I closed the last page with a smile on my face.
I’ve loved previous books by Katherine Center and she is now a go-to author and a must read. Publication date is August 13, 2019. Do yourself a favor and read it! I rate according to genre, and this gets 5 enthusiastic stars.
*many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for a copy of this book for review * this was a fantastic buddy read with my friend Marialyce, and a book we both highly recommend. For the duo review of this and other books please visit https://yayareadslotsofbooks.wordpres......more
2.5 stars One of my all-time favorite books is Ordinary Grace, a book I gave 5 stars and have read twice, even though I rarely re-read books. I was hi2.5 stars One of my all-time favorite books is Ordinary Grace, a book I gave 5 stars and have read twice, even though I rarely re-read books. I was highly anticipating the author’s new release and was thrilled when offered a review copy by the publisher.
Four orphans escape an abusive situation at a boarding school and set off on a river trip in a canoe bound for St Louis. The trip is not a leisurely one, as the authorities are hot on their trail. Along the way, they meet a variety of people, all trying to make their way in the world under trying circumstances. Some are good, some not so much, and some are somewhere in the middle. They all have lessons to teach as Odie, the main character, attempts to come to terms with his faith and God in a world he find unfair, and where everything and everyone he loves is taken from him.
The author is a wonderful storyteller, the prose is beautiful, the characters well-developed and engaging, and the setting and time period of the Depression years were brought to life. But the story is a long one, my interest flagged, and I found myself fighting the urge to skim. The overall message is heavy-handed and the story took on a farcical fairy tale quality with too many unlikely scenarios and coincidences.
The book has gotten plenty of 5 stars reviews so take my review with a grain of salt. The two books mentioned in the blurb as comparisons (Before We Were Yours and Where the Crawdads Sing) were not books I enjoyed so it’s likely a case of being the wrong reader for this book.
*many thanks to the author and Atria books for a copy of the book for review....more
Despite her recent heartaches and troubles Flavia is still her usual precocious, chemistry-loving self, and she remains one of my very favorite fictioDespite her recent heartaches and troubles Flavia is still her usual precocious, chemistry-loving self, and she remains one of my very favorite fictional characters. Life is full of changes, and in this installment her sister Feely is getting married. The festivities grinds to a halt when a severed finger is found in the wedding cake. Feely faints dead away but, of course, Flavia is delighted at this turn of events. She surreptitiously whisks the finger away, and she and Dogger have a new case for their fledging business, Arthur W. Dogger & Associates.
I'm delighted that she and Dogger have joined forces, as they are my two favorite characters. Dogger is able to gently channel Flavia's impulsivity and they make a fabulous team. Honestly, the mysteries interest me less than the interactions between the characters. I did miss the sarcasm and wit between Flavia and her sisters but Flavia has met her match in her cousin Undine, and I hope we will be seeing more of her in future books.
There has been speculation that this is the final book in the series but I can see quite a future for Flavia and Dogger in their working relationship as private investigators. The series is fun, humorous, and charming and I hope it continues for a long while.
The narrator of the audiobooks is excellent, and even when reading the print copy the voice of Jayne Entwistle is in my head as I read. She IS Flavia to me and if she hasn't won an Audie award she should. Her narration enhances the story.
*I received a copy of the book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review...more
First of all, I want to thank all the reviewers who left nasty tweets and one star reviews of this book on Goodreads before it was published and beforFirst of all, I want to thank all the reviewers who left nasty tweets and one star reviews of this book on Goodreads before it was published and before the ARC was available. The controversy you stirred up played a factor in me responding with an enthusiastic yes when I was contacted by the publisher to ask if I wanted a copy. I’m so glad I did! I truly hope the author sells tons of copies as a result.
It was much ado about nothing in my opinion. I respect differences of opinions but to leave a one star review while admitting you haven’t read the book or even held it in your hands should not be allowed on Goodreads and the "reviews" should be removed.
But onto the book….
Body image, weight, self-confidence, eating disorders…is there a woman alive who hasn’t dealt with these issues on some level? If not with herself, then with a family member or friend?
In this story, three teens, Emerson, Marley, and Georgia, meet at “fat camp” and remain lifelong friends. The following is not a spoiler as it happens in the first pages: Now in their 30s, Emerson tragically dies from the effects of morbid obesity and asks her two friends to fulfill the bucket list they wrote as teens of things to do when they are “skinny”.
As I read, I was invested in the lives of these women: their struggles, their emotions, and their growth. The fat- shaming, the discrimination, and the lack of self-confidence was heartbreaking and difficult to read. It was hard to read the thoughts of women who have a negative self-talk tape running constantly in their minds, but it made me empathize and understand how painful it is to live this way every single day of your life.
The friendship between the women was heartwarming and the message of self-love and self-acceptance is one women of any weight can identify with.
What didn’t I like?
1. Why is the mother of anyone with an eating disorder, whether it’s anorexia, bulimia or binge eating, often portrayed as controlling, demanding, and critical? Guess what? Some girls have loving, close relationships with their mothers yet still have body dysmorphia and issues surrounding food. Can we please ditch the old-school thinking that is a damaging, hurtful stereotype?
2. At 480 pages the book was simply too long and some of the side stories didn’t appeal to me
But I liked the overall message. This is a sensitive examination of women, weight, body image, and self-acceptance that I think any woman can identify with on some level.
Are the criticisms of the book from those who stirred up the controversy valid? I suggest you grab a copy, read it, and decide for yourself.
• Recommended for fans of chick-lit that deals with heavy subjects
• I received a physical ARC of this book from Berkely publishing as well as an electronic copy from Edelweiss. All opinions are my own....more
This book is a prime example of what a psychological suspense thriller should be! By far, it’s my favorite thriller read so far this year.
The4.5 stars
This book is a prime example of what a psychological suspense thriller should be! By far, it’s my favorite thriller read so far this year.
The publisher blurb:
"Twelve hours earlier, she was... Hopeful. Excited. Safe. Now she's gone."
Now that is a perfect blurb! It’s best to go into this read with as little information as possible.
Laura goes on a date with a man she met on an online dating site and doesn’t return home. From there, the story alternates between the ‘night before’ chapters narrated by Laura, and chapters featuring her sister Rosie, who attempts to piece together the clues in an increasingly desperate attempt to locate her sister. Interspersed throughout the book are chapters detailing sessions between Laura and her therapist. I love how the author brings a psychological slant to all her books.
I picked this up early one morning to read and three hours later I was still in the same spot. If life had not intervened I would have read this cover to cover in one sitting. The pacing is perfect and the author reveals additional information at just the right times to keep the tension and suspense high. The ending had my pulse racing and I couldn’t flip the pages fast enough.
If you’ve given up on thrillers because many are less than thrilling my advice is to put this on your radar for the May 2019 publication date. It will restore your faith in the genre!
*thanks to St Martin's Press for an e-galley of the book in exchange for an honest opinion. *Many thanks to the Traveling Sisters here on Goodreads, for the pleasure of reading and discussing this book as a group....more
Let me be clear that I think an author can choose to write her characters any way she wants, and I can choose to read it or not. But this was1.5 stars
Let me be clear that I think an author can choose to write her characters any way she wants, and I can choose to read it or not. But this was an issue book with characters vs a book with characters who have issues. I prefer the latter. If the author is going to write an issue(s) book then I’m going to comment on what I disliked about her stance on those issues. It is not the characters so much as the fact the author seems to be pushing an agenda.
We are told from the start that Diana, the mother-in-law, is dead of an apparent suicide but the police have their suspicions that it was murder, not suicide. From the blurb: “She was a pillar of the community, an advocate for social justice who helped female refugees assimilate to their new country.” But she was not well-loved by her family and for good reason. I don't require my characters to be likable, but if they are unlikable they'd better have other redeeming qualities, be sympathetic, or be funny. Diana was none of these.
The author tried to generate sympathy for Diana and, while I sympathized with what happened to her in the past, it was no excuse for her behavior in the present. She was cold and mean-spirited, even to her own children and grandchildren. She had money, but found money distasteful and judged everyone accordingly. Diana was just a vehicle for the issues the author wanted to highlight: money is bad. Being poor is good and will make you happy.
Money in and of itself is neither good nor bad. It offers people choices, and can be used for good. But not to Diana. She was a stingy miser who refused to help her children, even when they were clearly hurting and in need. Plus she was hypercritical of everything they did, even to the point of openly criticizing her future daughter-in-law in public for spending too much money on her wedding dress.
Instead of making sure her own children would not suffer from being unloved as a child, as she was, she repeated the pattern. But she's only cold and unloving to her family. She had no problem showing love and concern for strangers or giving them a helping hand. They got her attention and her money, while her own family did not. Little wonder that her own grandchildren were unmoved by her death.
I also felt the author trivialized severe depression, even to the point of intimating that assisted suicide is a valid option, instead of ensuring the person received the psychiatric help they needed (btw, this is NOT a spoiler, there are a lot of characters, twists and turns, and red herrings).
There were dramatic personality turnarounds in characters that were absurd, and behavior that made no sense. Other characters, like her husband, were undeveloped. I, for one, needed to know why he married Diana in the first place.
This was definitely easy reading and the first 75% was interesting enough for me to continue. But the last 25% was ridiculous.
2 stars because I finished the book and did want to know what happened to Diana. I shouldn't have bothered. Thank you to my friend Marialyce for reading this book with me and listening to me vent.
*I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review...more
Sweet and heartwarming! I enjoyed this book very much. This was a Traveling Sister read, and, as always, it made the experience even more enjo3.5 stars
Sweet and heartwarming! I enjoyed this book very much. This was a Traveling Sister read, and, as always, it made the experience even more enjoyable.
The story is told from the POV of 10-year-old Zac, his mother Juliet, and his grandfather Mick. I enjoyed all three perspectives. Zac has never met his father, who “did a runner” before he was born. Zac decides he will undertake a super-secret 'Find Dad Mission', and he recruits his best friend Teagan to help him. The plan, of course, is not just to find his father, but to re-unite his parents.
Zac...what a sweet boy with a big heart. Although Zac’s insights seemed particularly astute given his age, I fell in love with him and my heart broke over the bullying he endured over his weight. His hope and optimism were endearing. I loved how he collected facts, and they were quoted at the beginning of chapters. I really loved his best friend Teagan too....what a great friend she was.
Juliet is a single mom whose heart was broken when Zac’s dad abandoned them, but she is doing the best she can. I was a little frustrated with her at times but I also thought she was portrayed realistically. Her love for her son knew no bounds, something that as a mom I can relate to. Juliet’s own mother is still grieving the death of her son, Juliet’s brother, who died 10 years ago, and their relationship is somewhat strained.
Mick, the grandfather, is holding onto an explosive secret that he'd rather not reveal. Juliet and Mick both love Zac deeply but each of them has kept secrets from each other and from Zac. Secrets that, if revealed, have the potential to cause a lot of damage.
The overriding themes were love and forgiveness. But the sheer number of issues threaten to overwhelm the story. These include bullying, weight and body image, grief, family secrets, alcoholism/addiction, asthma, and unhealthy living conditions. This makes the book sound rather grim, but there is enough humor and sweetness to offset the seriousness. The story has some unexpected twists and ended on a hopeful note. This is the type of book that demands that type of ending and I was satisfied. I admit that at one point my eyes welled up.
Recommended for fans of heartwarming and sweet family stories. It was a perfect read for me in between some heavier reads.
*Many thanks to Elisha at Berkley Publishing for a copy of this book for review. All opinions are my own. * you can see this and other Sister book reviews at https://twosisterslostinacoulee.com/2......more
I'm afraid this wasn't the book for me. The premise was a good one and I was totally invested in seeing how this would play out. Unfortunately the maiI'm afraid this wasn't the book for me. The premise was a good one and I was totally invested in seeing how this would play out. Unfortunately the main character's stupidity and naivety is what drives the plot forward. From the beginning I wanted to reach through the pages, smack him, and tell him to wake up.
2 stars because I did finish it but the ending didn't save the book. In fact, it was so preposterous it made it worse.
*many thanks to Netgalley for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review...more
This is a beautiful book, both visually and in it's content. It’s a slow burn, a quiet novel with such beautifully expressed thoughts that it would beThis is a beautiful book, both visually and in it's content. It’s a slow burn, a quiet novel with such beautifully expressed thoughts that it would be impossible to read without being deeply affected. I’m in awe that this is a debut novel of a 26-year-old author. Believe all the hype and glowing reviews – this book is deserving of all of it.
The book opens in California with the wedding of Hadia, the eldest of 3 siblings in an Indian-American Muslim family. The estranged brother, Amar, surprisingly attends and stirs up deep-seated complicated family relationships. It is clear something has happened in this family to create a rift, and the reasons are slowly revealed as the story seamlessly toggles back and forth in time, in a non-chronological order. The reader wanders through the memories of this family as we experience them through various points of view. Each memory, each perspective, gives us more insight.
The last 100 or so pages are devoted to a first-person account from Rafiq, the father, and they are riveting. Reading this section tore my heart out and stomped on it, not in a manipulative way, but in a contemplative way. It’s been a long time since a book affected me this deeply.
Although an Indian Muslim family is at its center, there’s such a universality to Mizra’s writing that each reader will find it relatable in some way. Some of the themes include family dynamics, unmet expectations, betrayal, forgiveness, and acceptance. Also explored are the seemingly small, inconsequential decisions that are made every day but which have the power to create a devastasting ripple effect through the decades. It’s about bridging the gap between tradition and the modern world, and the children’s struggle to find a place in the family, in their home, and in the world. The author explores all of these themes with a tenderness and compassion that is extraordinary.
This debut of 26-year-old Mirza is the first book from Sarah Jessica Parker's imprint at Hogarth. I can’t wait to see what the author and the imprint publishes next.
*I read this book with the Traveling Sisters group, and it inspired deep discussions. This would make an excellent book club selection. For the review of this book and others please visit https://twosisterslostinacoulee.com
*I received both an e-galley and a print copy from the publisher. Thanks to Netgalley, SJP for Hogarth, the author Fatima Farheen Mirza, and Penguin Random House for providing the ARCs in exchange for an honest review...more
Old characters reappear and new characters are introduced in this book, the follow-up to last year's phenomenal hit, Beartown. There's drama, marital Old characters reappear and new characters are introduced in this book, the follow-up to last year's phenomenal hit, Beartown. There's drama, marital difficulties, bullying, rivalries, political machinations, and heartbreak. This book may not have the impact of Beartown but fans will have much to enjoy with this new novel. Backman excels at insights into human nature and writing characters that are easy to care for.
The writing is beautiful with excellent character development. Many passages made me pause to savor his words. I didn't really care about the political maneuverings, which slowed the story down for me a bit, and I have a lot of difficulty understanding sports culture/rivalries. Even so, Backman delivers a poignant read that will satisfy his many fans.
*Publication date June 5, 2018 * I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review...more
What a fun jaunt through Italy in 1956 with newlyweds Michael and Scottie! After a whirlwind romance and wedding, they barely know one another, but eaWhat a fun jaunt through Italy in 1956 with newlyweds Michael and Scottie! After a whirlwind romance and wedding, they barely know one another, but each thinks they have hit the jackpot with this marriage. However, both have a secret. Scottie has his reasons for being in Italy that he keeps from Scottie, and Scottie has secrets in her past that Michael knows nothing about. They are very young and very naïve when they arrive in Italy where Michael will open a business selling tractors. The tone at the beginning of the book has a fun light rom-com feel to it.
But this is set during the Cold War and there’s fear that Italy will fall to the Communists. The U.S. is determined to make sure that doesn’t happen, and sends CIA operatives to Italy in an attempt to sway the impending election. There’s quite a bit of history and political commentary which was delivered with a light touch.
But along with the intrigue, there’s also love and romance in the air, the beautiful Italian countryside, the delicious food, the quirky colorful characters, and a mystery to solve when a young friend who was teaching Scottie Italian disappears.
This had a little bit of a slow start and I wasn’t sure I liked the style, but I was quickly caught up in the story and could see this as a charming and witty 1950’s movie. I loved the humor and I fell in love with both Scottie and Michael as secrets are revealed and their relationship develops. A fun escape and easy read!
* thanks to St Martin's Press for a copy of the book via Netgalley * book will be published March 20, 2018...more
Do we really need another neighborhood book that focuses on the domestic dramas of the people who live there? As it turns out, yes we do! Especially o Do we really need another neighborhood book that focuses on the domestic dramas of the people who live there? As it turns out, yes we do! Especially one as irreverent and wickedly funny as this one. The focus is on four families and told mainly from the point of view of Frances, the neighborhood’s car pool mom. She’s the woman you’d want as your best friend. Nicknamed St. Frances, she’s always ready to help anyone in need and puts everyone else’s needs above her own. She truly does have a heart of gold, but she cusses like a sailor, and her thoughts are irreverent, snarky, and witty. Many of them are thoughts we’ve all had but wouldn’t dare say out loud. It was real and relatable, and she had me chuckling more than once.
One day St. Frances runs to a neighbor’s house to retrieve a forgotten school supply for one of the car pool kids and finds her neighbor Anne in a compromising position. This revelation creates a ripple effect that affects everyone and leads them to look at their own relationships a little more closely. How well do we really know our neighbors, our children, and sometimes even our own spouse?
Families and relationships are messy and I loved how irreverent, relatable, and real this was. Underneath the humor serious issues were addressed, ones that many of us can relate to. I was hooked from the first page to the last. This book needs to be on everyone’s summer reading list!
* be aware there is quite a bit of profanity, including f-bombs. I was put off by it at first, but was able to tune it out quickly
* I received an ARC of this book from Berkley Publishing. All opinions are my own.
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