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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I'd read "The Passing Storm" by this author and liked this. Very similar feel here. Included in Kindle Unlimited with text and audio ... narrator was Megan Tusing and she sounded familiar, she's been the narrator for a few I've listened to.
3rd person/Past tense ... two POVs, little Bella and Nova. In the audiobook, the chapters have the POV noted (which is appreciated and helpful. They didn't alternate evenly, there was a lot more Nova in the book). In the Kindle copy, Bella's chapters were also in italics, and her "voice" was definitely younger.
This wasn't completely contemporary -not "historical" either (we're not calling the 80s "history" yet are we?) I don't know that the time was super essential, perhaps a little in that pre-internet/Google, it probably would have been easier to "hide" a foster parent, keeping that information private. Bella's original chapter gives that year as 1982 and it moves chronologically from there (no big time jumps). That it's the 80s it brought out when one of the characters talks about "buying one of those IBM personal computers" and no cell phones, landline with cords.
Issues here with the foster parent trying to protect and win over abused children, the children acting out, the challenge of giving foster kids love without becoming too attached (in both directions). There were some other issues at play here too. While it was a bit of a reveal, it had also been set up, so I had guessed the "twist" fairly early on.
Words - six smirks and a couple scowls. Cacophony (not one I was tracking until someone else mentioned it, and it IS in a lot of books!). Riffled ... both with the double l, but I'm fairly certain that it was pronounced riffled once, and rifled once (even though it was spelled the same). Not sure if I have the energy to double check that ;)
Content - No proFanity, no sexual stuff that I remember. Quite clean.
While I liked this, I'm not sure how much will stick in my memory.
There were discussion questions at the end in the Kindle version - I appreciated that.
41 chapters.
Quote "Children, like adults, deserved to keep their secrets until they were ready to share them."
There was also a mention of marigolds "“Every flower is beautiful in its own way. Some are very special. Take the lowly marigold. It’s not the most glamorous flower, but lots of bugs don’t like the smell, so they stay away. It’s a big help to other plants, keeping them free of pests." I had sewn seeds and had shared many marigold plants this year, and had just posted a picture on FB when I came across the mention. I like little connections like that.
3rd person/Past tense ... two POVs, little Bella and Nova. In the audiobook, the chapters have the POV noted (which is appreciated and helpful. They didn't alternate evenly, there was a lot more Nova in the book). In the Kindle copy, Bella's chapters were also in italics, and her "voice" was definitely younger.
This wasn't completely contemporary -not "historical" either (we're not calling the 80s "history" yet are we?) I don't know that the time was super essential, perhaps a little in that pre-internet/Google, it probably would have been easier to "hide" a foster parent, keeping that information private. Bella's original chapter gives that year as 1982 and it moves chronologically from there (no big time jumps). That it's the 80s it brought out when one of the characters talks about "buying one of those IBM personal computers" and no cell phones, landline with cords.
Issues here with the foster parent trying to protect and win over abused children, the children acting out, the challenge of giving foster kids love without becoming too attached (in both directions). There were some other issues at play here too. While it was a bit of a reveal, it had also been set up, so I had guessed the "twist" fairly early on.
Words - six smirks and a couple scowls. Cacophony (not one I was tracking until someone else mentioned it, and it IS in a lot of books!). Riffled ... both with the double l, but I'm fairly certain that it was pronounced riffled once, and rifled once (even though it was spelled the same). Not sure if I have the energy to double check that ;)
Content - No proFanity, no sexual stuff that I remember. Quite clean.
While I liked this, I'm not sure how much will stick in my memory.
There were discussion questions at the end in the Kindle version - I appreciated that.
41 chapters.
Quote "Children, like adults, deserved to keep their secrets until they were ready to share them."
There was also a mention of marigolds "“Every flower is beautiful in its own way. Some are very special. Take the lowly marigold. It’s not the most glamorous flower, but lots of bugs don’t like the smell, so they stay away. It’s a big help to other plants, keeping them free of pests." I had sewn seeds and had shared many marigold plants this year, and had just posted a picture on FB when I came across the mention. I like little connections like that.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I really loved this story and Nova's character. This was a really heartfelt novel about two children caught up in the foster system and how confusing this situation can be for them. Nova has just landed a huge landscaping job that could put her company in the forefront for other jobs, and give her more of a name. But just as this job is supposed to kick off, she gets a very desperate call from her good friend and a case worker, there is an emergency and two smaller children need a place to stay. Nova is torn, she usually only takes in teenagers and she really needs to focus on this job, this is what will cement her future, but she knows she cannot say no. With the help of her mother and Imani she prepares all that is needed and takes in Bella and Henry, it should not be a long stay and this will be just temporary. But this case is unlike others before and Nova is in deeper than she wanted to get with these two kids, but when the truth about their father and fear for her and their lives is front and center, Nova has to decide what she wants her future to look like and what she must do to protect these kids. This was a very fast read and I was rooting for Nova the whole time. Thank you to the author for the complementary novel and to Suzy Approved Book Tours for the invite. This review is of my own opinion and accord.
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Nova Doubeck isn't a typical foster parent. She's single and in her late twenties. She also has a relatively new and growing landscaping business. Although Nova has several years of experience being an emergency foster parent, she prefers teenagers to younger children simply because she relates better to teens. All that changes with one phone call from her good friend and social worker, Imani Weiss. Without any other options, Nova accepts the care of the young siblings, Henry and Bella Croy. Their mother is deceased and their father is irresponsible and unreliable. Bella and Nova seem to bond quickly, but Henry is aloof and a bit standoffish. Nova's primary concern is providing a safe, caring, and nurturing environment for Henry and Bella. The longer these kids stay with her, the more attached she becomes. Bella's relationship with Nova reawakens dormant feelings and seems to unlock an undiscovered secret to Nova's past. The big question seems to be can Nova protect these children from their father and is she prepared for the journey to permanent foster parent to Henry and Nova?
Christine Nolfi is one of my must-read authors. I've read (and re-read) all of her books and was greatly looking forward to reading A HEART LIKE HOME. Ms. Nolfi did not disappoint with this heart-wrenching yet hopeful story filled with friendship, family, and romance. I especially appreciated the developing relationship between Nova, Henry, and Bella. Ms. Nolfi does a fantastic job of spotlighting the "secrets" each character is keeping and revealing how those secrets are intertwined. If you're looking for a story that will tug at your heartstrings but end on an uplifting note, I strongly encourage you to grab a copy of A HEART LIKE HOME to read. I'm looking forward to re-reading this one and will definitely be grabbing a print copy for my 89-y.o. book diva mother.
Christine Nolfi is one of my must-read authors. I've read (and re-read) all of her books and was greatly looking forward to reading A HEART LIKE HOME. Ms. Nolfi did not disappoint with this heart-wrenching yet hopeful story filled with friendship, family, and romance. I especially appreciated the developing relationship between Nova, Henry, and Bella. Ms. Nolfi does a fantastic job of spotlighting the "secrets" each character is keeping and revealing how those secrets are intertwined. If you're looking for a story that will tug at your heartstrings but end on an uplifting note, I strongly encourage you to grab a copy of A HEART LIKE HOME to read. I'm looking forward to re-reading this one and will definitely be grabbing a print copy for my 89-y.o. book diva mother.
challenging
emotional
fast-paced
Nova is asked to take on a brother and sister to foster. Their mom died and their father is negligent and abusive.
This book made my heart hurt for Henry and Bella. They are only 9 and 7 and they just have the worst father. Henry acts out and there is fear (and some very legitimate ways) he's like his dad. All 3 do the best they can in this new situation and Nova is just a saint.
You will get angry but you will also feel joy as the story goes along. The book starts out sad and hard to get through but ends in hope and tears. So beautiful
This book made my heart hurt for Henry and Bella. They are only 9 and 7 and they just have the worst father. Henry acts out and there is fear (and some very legitimate ways) he's like his dad. All 3 do the best they can in this new situation and Nova is just a saint.
You will get angry but you will also feel joy as the story goes along. The book starts out sad and hard to get through but ends in hope and tears. So beautiful