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hannahmariebrankley's reviews
61 reviews
Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross
5.0
This is another book I saw hyped on TikTok but the synopsis drew me in.
In a world where the gods are at war, 18-year-old Iris Winnow is distraught when her brother replies to the call to arms. However, having to get on with life and care for her mother, Iris takes a journalist position at the local paper. This is where she meets her rival, Roman Kitt.
Being from an entirely different background to Iris, the two battle for a columnist's position. When, suddenly, tragedy strikes and Iris finds herself questioning everything she thinks she knows.
Deciding to take a position with a rival paper, Iris ends up reporting on the front line of this war between the gods.
But that's not all that's going on. Iris writes on an old typewriter her grandmother left her. When she feels worried, she writes a letter to her brother. Slips it into her wardrobe and the letter magically disappears. She does this hoping it has reached her brother. One day a letter slips back through the wardrobe, a reply from a stranger, or is it? All this time, the letters had been delivered to none other than Roman Kitt. He knows it's Iris, but Iris doesn't know she's now writing back and forth to Roman. How is this happening? Well, you'll have to read to find out...
TikTok has done it again. I never actually think about picking up a YA book when shopping. I've found myself doing that more often this year and love finding stories like this. Ones that you can lose yourself in. I couldn't put this down and ended up finishing it in two days!
This book has two well thought out, complex and yet completely relatable characters. Rebecca Ross has managed to create a jam-packed storyline that will leave you wanting more. It's difficult to find the words without spoiling this book. I will say, it wasn't until the end I found out it was part of a duology. The second one has already been preordered! 4.5 Stars.
In a world where the gods are at war, 18-year-old Iris Winnow is distraught when her brother replies to the call to arms. However, having to get on with life and care for her mother, Iris takes a journalist position at the local paper. This is where she meets her rival, Roman Kitt.
Being from an entirely different background to Iris, the two battle for a columnist's position. When, suddenly, tragedy strikes and Iris finds herself questioning everything she thinks she knows.
Deciding to take a position with a rival paper, Iris ends up reporting on the front line of this war between the gods.
But that's not all that's going on. Iris writes on an old typewriter her grandmother left her. When she feels worried, she writes a letter to her brother. Slips it into her wardrobe and the letter magically disappears. She does this hoping it has reached her brother. One day a letter slips back through the wardrobe, a reply from a stranger, or is it? All this time, the letters had been delivered to none other than Roman Kitt. He knows it's Iris, but Iris doesn't know she's now writing back and forth to Roman. How is this happening? Well, you'll have to read to find out...
TikTok has done it again. I never actually think about picking up a YA book when shopping. I've found myself doing that more often this year and love finding stories like this. Ones that you can lose yourself in. I couldn't put this down and ended up finishing it in two days!
This book has two well thought out, complex and yet completely relatable characters. Rebecca Ross has managed to create a jam-packed storyline that will leave you wanting more. It's difficult to find the words without spoiling this book. I will say, it wasn't until the end I found out it was part of a duology. The second one has already been preordered! 4.5 Stars.
Ink Blood Sister Scribe by Emma Törzs
5.0
I picked this book up a few months ago. The line "not all books should be opened" drew me in. I decided to save it for the autumn months and really wish I had read it sooner!
A debut novel by Emma Törzs. A unique fantasy / thriller novel that follows 3 different POVs.
There's Joanna, who lives alone in the woods in the USA. She is the sole protector of a collection of rare books. Her sister, Esther, moves around constantly. Never allowed to stay anywhere longer than a year. Meanwhile, in London we meet Nicholas. Rich, sheltered and honestly getting tired of being blood let to write magical books.
Nicholas is a scribe. Joanna's rare books are magic. Esther is always on the move because people are hunting her down.
When Esther finds blood smeared on the mirrors at her current job, she knows they have found her. And now, not only her life, but her sisters, are in danger.
A slow burner over the first 100 pages. With all the different POVs, you do have quite a bit of backstory to get through. Once the plot comes together, it is gripping. I had never read a book with mirror magic before. It's a concept I'll definitely look for again. This covers so many different themes, from LGBT+ to family. I am actually finding it hard to describe without giving too much away. It's a very interesting premise and, for anyone who loves fantasy, it is very well written. For anyone wanting to get into fantasy, I would say this covers different areas of the genre. Without being too descriptive about the world building. 4.5 stars and the best way to start the month.
A debut novel by Emma Törzs. A unique fantasy / thriller novel that follows 3 different POVs.
There's Joanna, who lives alone in the woods in the USA. She is the sole protector of a collection of rare books. Her sister, Esther, moves around constantly. Never allowed to stay anywhere longer than a year. Meanwhile, in London we meet Nicholas. Rich, sheltered and honestly getting tired of being blood let to write magical books.
Nicholas is a scribe. Joanna's rare books are magic. Esther is always on the move because people are hunting her down.
When Esther finds blood smeared on the mirrors at her current job, she knows they have found her. And now, not only her life, but her sisters, are in danger.
A slow burner over the first 100 pages. With all the different POVs, you do have quite a bit of backstory to get through. Once the plot comes together, it is gripping. I had never read a book with mirror magic before. It's a concept I'll definitely look for again. This covers so many different themes, from LGBT+ to family. I am actually finding it hard to describe without giving too much away. It's a very interesting premise and, for anyone who loves fantasy, it is very well written. For anyone wanting to get into fantasy, I would say this covers different areas of the genre. Without being too descriptive about the world building. 4.5 stars and the best way to start the month.
Holly by Stephen King
4.0
It's spooky season. Of course, I had to read a Stephen King novel.
Holly Gibney is back.
When mother Penny Dahl calls Finders Keepers detective agency to help find her missing daughter, Bonnie, Holly hesitates.
Her partner at the agency has covid and she has just buried her mum because of the virus. But she takes the case and starts to investigate.
Meanwhile, just a few blocks from where Bonnie disappeared, we have the Harris's.
Both are now, mostly retired. Both trying to cheat ill health in the most gruesome of ways. Holly has to question everything she comes across. Especially to outthink two professors. But I don't think, even with what she has seen in her life, she ever expected a case like this.
Although I dodged spoilers, I did see a few reviews where some really liked this book and others really hated it.
Stephen King has written a novel based in Midwestern America in the last few years. There are references to Trump, the Covid-19 pandemic, racism, homophobia, sexism, misogyny... everything that had happened during that time.
For some, they see this as a way for King to put all his own views in a book. Well, it is his book, his characters and if that's what he wants to write about, that's what he wants to write about.
I do concede to a few reviewers who said it wasn't that the book was bad. They just didn't enjoy reading about something they had just gone through. I felt very on the fence myself at first. But, I could then see the norm in Holly's actions with regards to asking about being vaccinated or wearing a mask.
Couldn't put the book down, I was engrossed in the gross of the case. 4 Stars and highly recommend it.
Holly Gibney is back.
When mother Penny Dahl calls Finders Keepers detective agency to help find her missing daughter, Bonnie, Holly hesitates.
Her partner at the agency has covid and she has just buried her mum because of the virus. But she takes the case and starts to investigate.
Meanwhile, just a few blocks from where Bonnie disappeared, we have the Harris's.
Both are now, mostly retired. Both trying to cheat ill health in the most gruesome of ways. Holly has to question everything she comes across. Especially to outthink two professors. But I don't think, even with what she has seen in her life, she ever expected a case like this.
Although I dodged spoilers, I did see a few reviews where some really liked this book and others really hated it.
Stephen King has written a novel based in Midwestern America in the last few years. There are references to Trump, the Covid-19 pandemic, racism, homophobia, sexism, misogyny... everything that had happened during that time.
For some, they see this as a way for King to put all his own views in a book. Well, it is his book, his characters and if that's what he wants to write about, that's what he wants to write about.
I do concede to a few reviewers who said it wasn't that the book was bad. They just didn't enjoy reading about something they had just gone through. I felt very on the fence myself at first. But, I could then see the norm in Holly's actions with regards to asking about being vaccinated or wearing a mask.
Couldn't put the book down, I was engrossed in the gross of the case. 4 Stars and highly recommend it.
Nineteen Steps by Millie Bobby Brown
5.0
Let’s address the elephant in the room first, this book is ghostwritten by Kathleen McGurl.
When I saw this advertised I always saw Kathleen’s name alongside Millie’s as an author. But I can understand why many people don’t like books that use ghostwriters or don’t want to buy books with just the one name on the cover. But it wasn’t a secret.
Kathleen McGurl is an author in her own right and chose to take on this job. I was appalled by reviews I saw on this book, from people who never even opened the cover.
I loved this book, so much so, I managed to complete it in a day.
Set in Bethnal Green, London 1942, we meet 18-year-old Nellie Morris who has dreams of travelling the world. But she is always teased about marrying the boy next door, Billy, who is sweet on her. Then she meets American airman, Ray and falls head over heels for him. As their relationship develops, tragedy strikes during an air raid at the Bethnal Green Tube Station. A real-life event which you can read about online. Nellie couldn’t escape the devastation of war. Her life then takes the most unexpected turn…
This book is not only based on a real-life event but true events from Millie’s family history. Reading this made me realise how much did occur here in the UK during the war, that we didn’t learn about in school. Beautifully written, I cried reading this book. It will sound strange to say, but having the family connection element, just makes it a lot less textbook. I felt I learned more about the home war efforts through Millie’s ancestors than I did in school. 4.5 stars.
When I saw this advertised I always saw Kathleen’s name alongside Millie’s as an author. But I can understand why many people don’t like books that use ghostwriters or don’t want to buy books with just the one name on the cover. But it wasn’t a secret.
Kathleen McGurl is an author in her own right and chose to take on this job. I was appalled by reviews I saw on this book, from people who never even opened the cover.
I loved this book, so much so, I managed to complete it in a day.
Set in Bethnal Green, London 1942, we meet 18-year-old Nellie Morris who has dreams of travelling the world. But she is always teased about marrying the boy next door, Billy, who is sweet on her. Then she meets American airman, Ray and falls head over heels for him. As their relationship develops, tragedy strikes during an air raid at the Bethnal Green Tube Station. A real-life event which you can read about online. Nellie couldn’t escape the devastation of war. Her life then takes the most unexpected turn…
This book is not only based on a real-life event but true events from Millie’s family history. Reading this made me realise how much did occur here in the UK during the war, that we didn’t learn about in school. Beautifully written, I cried reading this book. It will sound strange to say, but having the family connection element, just makes it a lot less textbook. I felt I learned more about the home war efforts through Millie’s ancestors than I did in school. 4.5 stars.
The Christmas Appeal by Janice Hallett
4.0
I am going to use the Goodreads synopsis for this book;
“The Christmas season has arrived in Lower Lockwood, and the Fairway Players are busy rehearsing their festive holiday production of Jack and the Beanstalk to raise money for a new church roof. But despite the season, goodwill is distinctly lacking among the amateur theatre enthusiasts with petty rivalries, a possibly asbestos-filled beanstalk, and some perennially absent players behind the scenes. Of course, there’s also the matter of the dead body onstage. Who could have had the victim on their naughty list? Join lawyers Femi and Charlotte as they investigate Christmas letters, examine emails, and pore over police transcripts to identify both the victim and killer before the curtain closes on their holiday production—for good.”
When trying to explain this book to people, I find it difficult. Which is why I used the synopsis. This is a book of emails, text exchanges, legal documents, and WhatsApp messages… all to tell the story. It is very strange to get into, even for such a short book.
I am on the fence with this book. I enjoyed the storyline, the twists and the unusual format. For me, not reading the first book, The Appeal, has thrown me off. There are mentions of what happened in the first book that kind of spoils it a little. Overall I would say it isn’t an overly Christmassy book. But this gives an overlooked insight into Christmas at the theatre. 3.5 stars.
“The Christmas season has arrived in Lower Lockwood, and the Fairway Players are busy rehearsing their festive holiday production of Jack and the Beanstalk to raise money for a new church roof. But despite the season, goodwill is distinctly lacking among the amateur theatre enthusiasts with petty rivalries, a possibly asbestos-filled beanstalk, and some perennially absent players behind the scenes. Of course, there’s also the matter of the dead body onstage. Who could have had the victim on their naughty list? Join lawyers Femi and Charlotte as they investigate Christmas letters, examine emails, and pore over police transcripts to identify both the victim and killer before the curtain closes on their holiday production—for good.”
When trying to explain this book to people, I find it difficult. Which is why I used the synopsis. This is a book of emails, text exchanges, legal documents, and WhatsApp messages… all to tell the story. It is very strange to get into, even for such a short book.
I am on the fence with this book. I enjoyed the storyline, the twists and the unusual format. For me, not reading the first book, The Appeal, has thrown me off. There are mentions of what happened in the first book that kind of spoils it a little. Overall I would say it isn’t an overly Christmassy book. But this gives an overlooked insight into Christmas at the theatre. 3.5 stars.
Lovelight Farms by B.K. Borison
5.0
This was one of those books I saw all over Booktok last year as well as this year.
Stella recently bought a Christmas Tree farm. But it’s in financial trouble. After scrolling through social media one night, she came across a competition by influencer Evelyn St. James.
All she had to do was talk about her Christmas Tree farm and how it was a romantic destination for the holidays. With publicity and a $100,00 cash price it’ll be easy…right?
But Stella lies on her application. Talking about how she owns Lovelight Farms with her boyfriend. Only, there is no boyfriend.
But there is Luka Peters. Stella’s best friend, who agrees to fake date Stella whilst Evelyn St. James visits for the competition. Luka seems very happy to help Stella, could fake dating his best friend might be the best Christmas present he’s ever received?
Booktok has come through once again. I’ve read quite a few books recommended across social media and I am so glad I listened to all those people.
Luka and Stella have that friendship that straight away, you question why they are not already dating. It’s quite a cliche but in the best way. Their humour and little acts of friendship are adorable. I found their relationship in a Christmas story worked very well.
The small town setting felt very Hallmark Christmas movie, the other characters were very relatable and wholesome. B. K. Borison has created a great series premise here. I feel quite late to the party, but excited to read the other books in this series. 5 Stars.
Stella recently bought a Christmas Tree farm. But it’s in financial trouble. After scrolling through social media one night, she came across a competition by influencer Evelyn St. James.
All she had to do was talk about her Christmas Tree farm and how it was a romantic destination for the holidays. With publicity and a $100,00 cash price it’ll be easy…right?
But Stella lies on her application. Talking about how she owns Lovelight Farms with her boyfriend. Only, there is no boyfriend.
But there is Luka Peters. Stella’s best friend, who agrees to fake date Stella whilst Evelyn St. James visits for the competition. Luka seems very happy to help Stella, could fake dating his best friend might be the best Christmas present he’s ever received?
Booktok has come through once again. I’ve read quite a few books recommended across social media and I am so glad I listened to all those people.
Luka and Stella have that friendship that straight away, you question why they are not already dating. It’s quite a cliche but in the best way. Their humour and little acts of friendship are adorable. I found their relationship in a Christmas story worked very well.
The small town setting felt very Hallmark Christmas movie, the other characters were very relatable and wholesome. B. K. Borison has created a great series premise here. I feel quite late to the party, but excited to read the other books in this series. 5 Stars.
Christmas at Corgi Cove: A Novel by Annie England Noblin
5.0
I pre-ordered this book back in the summer! I love corgis and I love Christmas so picking this up was a no-brainer. This became my favourite Christmas read of 2023 and I want to visit Corgi Cove!
We meet Rosie Reynolds who is quite the lost and troubled teenager. Her mother decides to send her to live with her aunt and uncle at Corgi Cove. What she didn’t know was that it would become home.
Fast forward and the small town inn is being squashed by the big hotel corporations popping up in the area.
Everett St Claire has been sent to Corgi Cove in the hopes of getting it sold to his company. Yes, one of the big hotel corporations. Rosie wasn’t having it. No matter how handsome and charming Everett may seem, he is the enemy. But is Everett seeing the inn through Rosie’s eyes?
Rosie, having entered an online competition, is hoping the publicity will boost business at Corgi Cove. Meaning her aunt and uncle would not need to sell and she can keep her home. Will she succeed?
In a similar circumstance to Lovelight Farms, but with a more enemy-to-lovers style premise for the romance side. I cannot tell you, how Christmassy and how cosy this book made me feel. I started at 10 pm one night and finished at 1:30 am. Of course, the corgis, Bonnie and Clyde, are the stars of the book, but chapter by chapter, the story just takes you in. I highly recommend this. Especially if you are after a cosy Christmas story. Someone contact Hallmark! 5 stars.
We meet Rosie Reynolds who is quite the lost and troubled teenager. Her mother decides to send her to live with her aunt and uncle at Corgi Cove. What she didn’t know was that it would become home.
Fast forward and the small town inn is being squashed by the big hotel corporations popping up in the area.
Everett St Claire has been sent to Corgi Cove in the hopes of getting it sold to his company. Yes, one of the big hotel corporations. Rosie wasn’t having it. No matter how handsome and charming Everett may seem, he is the enemy. But is Everett seeing the inn through Rosie’s eyes?
Rosie, having entered an online competition, is hoping the publicity will boost business at Corgi Cove. Meaning her aunt and uncle would not need to sell and she can keep her home. Will she succeed?
In a similar circumstance to Lovelight Farms, but with a more enemy-to-lovers style premise for the romance side. I cannot tell you, how Christmassy and how cosy this book made me feel. I started at 10 pm one night and finished at 1:30 am. Of course, the corgis, Bonnie and Clyde, are the stars of the book, but chapter by chapter, the story just takes you in. I highly recommend this. Especially if you are after a cosy Christmas story. Someone contact Hallmark! 5 stars.
The Christmas Book Club by Sarah Morgan
5.0
It’s a book about a book club. Of course, I bought it.
Erica, Claudia and Anna have this amazing friendship bond and they go on a book club holiday every year. This year, there was just so much going on in the summer, when they’d usually go. So, they decided on a Christmas trip.
But something is afoot. Erica, who isn’t your typical small-town getaway person, decides to book at Maple Sugar Inn. A cosy, small town, snowy location. Although it strikes as odd to Anna and Claudia, they don’t dig deep as to why Erica has chosen this inn.
Until they arrive at check-in, where Erica comes face-to-face with the owner, Hattie.
Hattie, who is recently widowed, is struggling to run the Maple Sugar Inn whilst juggling being a single mum, having a head chef with rage issues and fretting over an awkward romantic encounter with Noah. Her friend and the town’s ‘Christmas Tree Man’.
Over the week, secrets are revealed. Unspoken truths shake everything we come to know about the characters. And, the friends read a new book.
This is going to be so difficult to talk about without spoiling the big reason why Erica chose that location. I think it becomes clear as you read the first few chapters, but I like how it isn’t too obvious.
What I enjoyed most are the differences between the characters and yet, how well they gel together. I think it’s great to see how friendships can last, even when on different life paths.
I hadn’t read anything by Sarah Morgan before. This book was suggested when I ordered Christmas at Corgi Cove. Very happy I picked it up. I really like how Sarah describes the relationships between characters. 4.5 Stars.
Erica, Claudia and Anna have this amazing friendship bond and they go on a book club holiday every year. This year, there was just so much going on in the summer, when they’d usually go. So, they decided on a Christmas trip.
But something is afoot. Erica, who isn’t your typical small-town getaway person, decides to book at Maple Sugar Inn. A cosy, small town, snowy location. Although it strikes as odd to Anna and Claudia, they don’t dig deep as to why Erica has chosen this inn.
Until they arrive at check-in, where Erica comes face-to-face with the owner, Hattie.
Hattie, who is recently widowed, is struggling to run the Maple Sugar Inn whilst juggling being a single mum, having a head chef with rage issues and fretting over an awkward romantic encounter with Noah. Her friend and the town’s ‘Christmas Tree Man’.
Over the week, secrets are revealed. Unspoken truths shake everything we come to know about the characters. And, the friends read a new book.
This is going to be so difficult to talk about without spoiling the big reason why Erica chose that location. I think it becomes clear as you read the first few chapters, but I like how it isn’t too obvious.
What I enjoyed most are the differences between the characters and yet, how well they gel together. I think it’s great to see how friendships can last, even when on different life paths.
I hadn’t read anything by Sarah Morgan before. This book was suggested when I ordered Christmas at Corgi Cove. Very happy I picked it up. I really like how Sarah describes the relationships between characters. 4.5 Stars.
The Christmas Love Letters by Sue Moorcroft
4.0
A secret romance. A small town. A man has gone missing.
We meet Maddy Cracey, a single mum who lives in Nelson’s Bar. A small village on the Norfolk coast. Six years prior, Maddy’s husband Adey walks out after a row, never to be seen again. Some believe he fell victim to a blizzard that swept the coast that night. Maddy believes he hauled out as they were in a financial pit.
Not being able to tell Adey she was pregnant, Maddy has not only raised her daughter alone but become a carer to her great aunt Ruthie.
Ruthie, who was more of a parent to Maddie than her own, is sitting talking to a handsome stranger, Raff when Maddy comes home one day. Raff is holding a handful of love letters. Ruthie reveals a secret that she had been harbouring for decades.
As Maddy helps support Ruthie with this big family secret coming to light, she starts to wonder, is Raff legit? As she gets close to finding out, she grows closer to Raff. Is there a romance on the horizon? But then, Maddy starts receiving some very strange and mysterious messages…
Sue Moorcroft was another author recommended when I bought Christmas at Corgi Cove. I was quite shocked at the amount of Christmas books she’s written! This one stood out to me because of the family secret. It’s a premise that always takes my fancy and I was excited to see how it would play out. What I came to enjoy was Sue’s writing style. I’ll definitely be picking up some more of her work.
Not quite the usual go-to cosy Christmas story. But one I recommend you read. It was nice to break up all of the Hallmark-style romance with something a little more complex. 4 stars.
We meet Maddy Cracey, a single mum who lives in Nelson’s Bar. A small village on the Norfolk coast. Six years prior, Maddy’s husband Adey walks out after a row, never to be seen again. Some believe he fell victim to a blizzard that swept the coast that night. Maddy believes he hauled out as they were in a financial pit.
Not being able to tell Adey she was pregnant, Maddy has not only raised her daughter alone but become a carer to her great aunt Ruthie.
Ruthie, who was more of a parent to Maddie than her own, is sitting talking to a handsome stranger, Raff when Maddy comes home one day. Raff is holding a handful of love letters. Ruthie reveals a secret that she had been harbouring for decades.
As Maddy helps support Ruthie with this big family secret coming to light, she starts to wonder, is Raff legit? As she gets close to finding out, she grows closer to Raff. Is there a romance on the horizon? But then, Maddy starts receiving some very strange and mysterious messages…
Sue Moorcroft was another author recommended when I bought Christmas at Corgi Cove. I was quite shocked at the amount of Christmas books she’s written! This one stood out to me because of the family secret. It’s a premise that always takes my fancy and I was excited to see how it would play out. What I came to enjoy was Sue’s writing style. I’ll definitely be picking up some more of her work.
Not quite the usual go-to cosy Christmas story. But one I recommend you read. It was nice to break up all of the Hallmark-style romance with something a little more complex. 4 stars.
Midnight at the Christmas Bookshop by Jenny Colgan
5.0
When I saw this in ASDA, I thought, don’t I have this? Before realising it was the sequel!
Carmen is about to throw everyone out of the bookshop. We start the story in the middle of summer, with a cheesy Christmas movie using the bookshop as a filming location.
Getting on Carmen’s nerves for sure, but then her sister decides she wants her out of her house, her boyfriend decides to fly halfway around the world and Mr McCredie wants to sell up!
The buyer is very much a “make a quick buck” kind of businessman. Selling mass-produced items and having no form of identity other than “tatt”.
Carmen decides that the bookshop can make the profit Mr McCredie needs, so he wouldn’t have to sell. It’s going to be hard work, but Carmen is up to it… she hopes.
Without spoiling too much, we do see Carmen develop stronger relationships, particularly with her nieces and nephews. I also liked how much more confidence in her working abilities Carmen gains. To see that contrast with her wavering in her personal life hits home to how people are not always 100% in every aspect of their lives.
With how Jenny writes, we do see extended chapters of other character’s lives and I like which moments she chooses. And how she places them with Carmen’s timeline. 4.5 stars.
Carmen is about to throw everyone out of the bookshop. We start the story in the middle of summer, with a cheesy Christmas movie using the bookshop as a filming location.
Getting on Carmen’s nerves for sure, but then her sister decides she wants her out of her house, her boyfriend decides to fly halfway around the world and Mr McCredie wants to sell up!
The buyer is very much a “make a quick buck” kind of businessman. Selling mass-produced items and having no form of identity other than “tatt”.
Carmen decides that the bookshop can make the profit Mr McCredie needs, so he wouldn’t have to sell. It’s going to be hard work, but Carmen is up to it… she hopes.
Without spoiling too much, we do see Carmen develop stronger relationships, particularly with her nieces and nephews. I also liked how much more confidence in her working abilities Carmen gains. To see that contrast with her wavering in her personal life hits home to how people are not always 100% in every aspect of their lives.
With how Jenny writes, we do see extended chapters of other character’s lives and I like which moments she chooses. And how she places them with Carmen’s timeline. 4.5 stars.