andiesmith's reviews
2021 reviews

The Lost Passenger: A Novel by Frances Quinn

5.0

Elinor Coombes is the daughter of the “Cotton King” and marries above her social class and marries the son of aristocrats. She ends up isolated in her husband’s family home and is only allowed 20 mins a day with her son. I was angry reading the first part of this book. I wanted to scream how unfeeling these people were. Elinor’s dad sends a gift, tickets for the maiden voyage of the RMS Titanic, a luxurious new ocean liner for her, her husband, son, and her lady’s maid. Elinor and her son survive, but she has a choice to go on to NYC or to go back to England. 

 

Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the advanced reader copy. #TheLostPassenger #NetGalley. 

Golden State: The Making of California by Michael Hiltzik

4.0

I grew up in California until high school, so I know lot of California history (more than Texas history). Field trips growing up included, gold mines, panning for gold, missions, and Presidios. I knew I had a decent understanding of the state’s history. Golden State filled in so many holes and expanded on the basics I had. Mind blowing amount. 

 

Golden State was informative, but an easy ready as well. The book starts for the quest of El Dorado and covers everything to current state history and politics (though interesting to find out a lot of policies were made just after the 1906 earthquake and still on the books. 

 

Thank you NetGalley and Mariner Books for the advanced reader copy. #GoldenState #NetGalley 

How Fascism Works: The Politics of Us and Them by Jason Stanley

5.0

The Fall Risk by Abby Jimenez

4.0

A cute short story by Abby Jimenez. Charlotte and Seth are getting over relationships and not looking for love. A miss communication by their landlord has them stuck on the second floor of their apartment complex for the weekend. Do Charlotte and Seth become friends, or more? 

 

Paris Undercover: A Wartime Story of Courage, Friendship, and Betrayal by Matthew Goodman

4.0

Paris Undercover is a story of courage, friendship, and betrayal. Etta Shiber and Kate Bonnefous are, an American widow and an English divorcée, are living quietly together in Paris. Under the eyes of the Nazis with the help of a French priest and others, they rescue British and French soldiers trapped behind enemy lines.
I was telling a friend about this book over brunch, and her reply was “this is nonfiction”. Yeah. It is quite a story! The book was a good read, but I feel could have been written more story like than report like. I do love a book that was birthed from research during the pandemic, and a lot of research there was. On my device there was close to 100 pages of citations! (Round of applause for that! I respect great research). 
Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the advanced reader copy. #ParisUndercover #NetGalley
 

The Queens of Crime by Marie Benedict

5.0

Think “The Woman’s Murder Club” but based on a true story. The Queens of Crime are all crime writers, Dorothy L. Sayers, Agatha Christie, Ngaio Marsh, Margery Allingham and Baroness Emma Orczy. The goal? To show the men they can do what they can and to solve an actual murder, of a young woman found strangled in a park in France. 

 

I only put this book down last night because it was almost midnight, and I fell asleep, and my kindle fell and hit my head. I only had 25 pages left! I wanted to finish it! It was soo good. Too early to claim my favorite book of February? 

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced reader copy. #queensofcrime #netgalley 

Temple of Swoon by Jo Segura

4.0

I fell in love with “Raiders of the Lost Heart” and immediately wanted more. I got it with “Temple of Swoon”. The same “Romancing the Stone” meets “Indiana Jones”, and loveable characters. Dr. Miriam Jacobs wants to be like her mentor, but she is clumsy and tells silly jokes. When she gets her chance (could be her last) to lead an expedition, she feels like she has failed, but did she. Journalist Rafael Monfils has been sent to ruin the expedition to the fabled Lost City of the Moon but seems to have a change of heart once he meets Dr. Jacobs. 

 

I hope for more archeology romance books! Kyla Garcia is a fantastic narrator! 

Southern by Design by Grace Helena Walz

5.0

 All you have to tell me is “This book is set in Charleston” and I will read it. “Southern by Design”. Had not only Charleston, but also a design show (think HGTV) AND the boy that got away…mix some southern family drama in the mix and you have a great read. 

 

“Southern by Design” is great romance to be able to escape to the world! I do want more of stories with Mack! 

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins Focus for an ARC. #SouthernbyDesign #NetGalley #Charleston 

Waste Land: A World in Permanent Crisis by Robert D. Kaplan

4.0

If Robert D. Kaplan (geopolitical expert) has no fans, I am dead. I have always loved how he connects history and present in his books. Kaplan’s books are so well researched and cited (mad props!). If you have never read any of Kaplan’s work, this is a good one to start with. 

Waste Land starts off comparing current geopolitical landscape and the Weimar Republic, the post-World War I democratic German government. My fellow historians have been looking at the comparisons for a while but somehow doesn’t lessen the guy punch reading it. The first week of the current US presidency was probably not the ideal time to read it regarding stress levels, but at the same time the perfect time. 

Thank you NetGalley and Random House for an ARC. #WasteLand #NetGalley#nonfiction 

The Last Hamilton: A Novel by Jenn Bregman

4.0

 Jenn Bregman's "The Last Hamilton" is a page turning thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. Before Elizabeth Walker, the last member of Alexander Hamilton’s family line, is killed she sends a message and a key to her best friend Sarah. Sarah with the help of Elizabeth’s husband unravel the mystery that includes a secret society that goes back to the founding father! 

Perfect read for fans of “National Treasure” and “he Da Vinci Code” (me!) 

Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for an ARC. #TheLastHamilton #NetGalley