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hannahmariebrankley's reviews
61 reviews
The Christmas Bookshop by Jenny Colgan
5.0
This is one of those The Works purchases, where I ordered about £40 worth of books and picked everything I liked the sound of.
I’m so glad I picked this up.
Carmen has worked in a department store since she left school. But when it closes for good, she has very few options. Her mother pushes for her to move in with her sister Sofia. Who in Carmen’s mind, lives the perfect life, in the perfect house with the perfect family.
Nestled in the streets of Edinburgh is a bookshop owned by Mr McCredie, one of Sofia’s clients. With the bookshop in trouble, and Carmen’s experience in retail, Sofia thinks it’s the perfect place to put Carmen. She isn’t exactly thrilled with housing her sister. What with a new baby on the way and their strained relationship.
At the bookshop, Carmen realises this is going to take more skills than she has. And then, to throw in the mix, an egotistical writer, Blair, and a quiet Quaker student, Oke.
This is one of those stories that I really could relate to, and I feel most people in their 30s can. I feel we were raised in a time where we needed to prepare for the way the world was, as society changed. Navigating starting over in that, with Christmas and a strained family dynamic. It felt like a story I was hearing over drinks with friends at the pub.
The Christmas side to this story, how Carmen works hard in the bookshop and the nods to childhood favourite stories were perfect. I also really enjoyed Jenny Colgan’s writing and I’ve added her to my list of authors to read more from. 4.5 stars.
I’m so glad I picked this up.
Carmen has worked in a department store since she left school. But when it closes for good, she has very few options. Her mother pushes for her to move in with her sister Sofia. Who in Carmen’s mind, lives the perfect life, in the perfect house with the perfect family.
Nestled in the streets of Edinburgh is a bookshop owned by Mr McCredie, one of Sofia’s clients. With the bookshop in trouble, and Carmen’s experience in retail, Sofia thinks it’s the perfect place to put Carmen. She isn’t exactly thrilled with housing her sister. What with a new baby on the way and their strained relationship.
At the bookshop, Carmen realises this is going to take more skills than she has. And then, to throw in the mix, an egotistical writer, Blair, and a quiet Quaker student, Oke.
This is one of those stories that I really could relate to, and I feel most people in their 30s can. I feel we were raised in a time where we needed to prepare for the way the world was, as society changed. Navigating starting over in that, with Christmas and a strained family dynamic. It felt like a story I was hearing over drinks with friends at the pub.
The Christmas side to this story, how Carmen works hard in the bookshop and the nods to childhood favourite stories were perfect. I also really enjoyed Jenny Colgan’s writing and I’ve added her to my list of authors to read more from. 4.5 stars.
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
5.0
This isn’t a new read for me. I always like to start December by reading A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.
I feel everyone knows this story but in case you don’t. A Christmas Carol is about Ebenezer Scrooge who is a greedy horrible man who cannot stand Christmas. But all that changes when the ghost of his long-dead business partner, Jacob Marley, visits him.
Marley warns Scrooge to change his ways and says he will be visited by 3 ghosts. Of Christmas Past, Present and Future.
Will Scrooge change his ways?
For me, this is a classic Christmas tale that goes towards showing the true meaning of the festive season. Although I re-read this every year, I decided to pop it in this year’s monthly reading wrap-up. I feel more people have watched movie or tv adaptations than read the book.
In my opinion, the book conveys so much more emotion and because of when it was written, the writing style emphasises the Victorian period. 5 Stars.
I feel everyone knows this story but in case you don’t. A Christmas Carol is about Ebenezer Scrooge who is a greedy horrible man who cannot stand Christmas. But all that changes when the ghost of his long-dead business partner, Jacob Marley, visits him.
Marley warns Scrooge to change his ways and says he will be visited by 3 ghosts. Of Christmas Past, Present and Future.
Will Scrooge change his ways?
For me, this is a classic Christmas tale that goes towards showing the true meaning of the festive season. Although I re-read this every year, I decided to pop it in this year’s monthly reading wrap-up. I feel more people have watched movie or tv adaptations than read the book.
In my opinion, the book conveys so much more emotion and because of when it was written, the writing style emphasises the Victorian period. 5 Stars.
Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
4.0
When I read the first book in this series, Fourth Wing, it put me in a reading slump. I knew I had to read this in a day or two. To give me more time in case the same thing happened.
Trying not to spoil this too much, but please skip ahead just in case. Iron Flame follows on from a huge cliffhanger. I was so glad that this wasn’t one of those sequels that glossed over it until a few chapters in!
After the events of Violet’s first year at Basgaith College, the real training begins. It’s physically and mentally gruelling. With what Violet has recently learned, she is dealing with conflicting emotions and not knowing who she can trust. Insert a new teacher whose mission is to try and break Violet. But, the fragile young woman who everyone expected to die during her first year, is stronger than everyone expected.
But Violet still has so much to learn about and from her dragons. With a huge secret coming to the surface, will Violet live through her second year?
I loved this book but after sitting on it for a few days, it has me on the fence. There were many twists I didn’t expect, new characters I cannot wait to see developed further and I loved seeing more of the dragons. The writing style felt…rushed. There were a few plot holes and spelling mistakes, and some things were left hanging with no answer. Overall I was entertained. I cried, I nearly threw the book across the room and the ending has left me broken. But, I think for book 3, there needs to be an extra layer of checking it through. 4 stars.
Trying not to spoil this too much, but please skip ahead just in case. Iron Flame follows on from a huge cliffhanger. I was so glad that this wasn’t one of those sequels that glossed over it until a few chapters in!
After the events of Violet’s first year at Basgaith College, the real training begins. It’s physically and mentally gruelling. With what Violet has recently learned, she is dealing with conflicting emotions and not knowing who she can trust. Insert a new teacher whose mission is to try and break Violet. But, the fragile young woman who everyone expected to die during her first year, is stronger than everyone expected.
But Violet still has so much to learn about and from her dragons. With a huge secret coming to the surface, will Violet live through her second year?
I loved this book but after sitting on it for a few days, it has me on the fence. There were many twists I didn’t expect, new characters I cannot wait to see developed further and I loved seeing more of the dragons. The writing style felt…rushed. There were a few plot holes and spelling mistakes, and some things were left hanging with no answer. Overall I was entertained. I cried, I nearly threw the book across the room and the ending has left me broken. But, I think for book 3, there needs to be an extra layer of checking it through. 4 stars.
The City of Stardust by Georgia Summers
4.0
This is a debut novel for Georgia Summers and I was very interested when reading the synopsis. I was so glad to have 'pre-order a new book' as a prompt.
Curses are made to be broken. That line took me in. A standalone fantasy novel, we meet the Everlys. A family where the brightest and best disappear. A punishment that has been going on for centuries.
Violet Everly's mother left Violet and her family to try and break the curse. But never returned. Now, it's Violet's turn. But she's tied to a non-negotiable deadline. Will Violet break the curse? Will she find the City of Stardust?
This is one of those books I enjoyed reading but when finished, it didn't spark as much emotion from me as others have. For a debut novel, I liked Georgia's writing style, her way of world-building and her character development. But, I feel as though there were many questions and many other characters we could have heard more from to help thicken the plot. Especially for this kind of unique storyline. In the synopsis, we read that Violet's mother leaves and as Violet travels she hears more and more about her. However, we never experience her mother as a full character. I'd have liked to have heard these stories of her mother from her mother, like a flashback. Intending to be a standalone, I think this book could have been executed better as a duology. 3.5 stars.
Curses are made to be broken. That line took me in. A standalone fantasy novel, we meet the Everlys. A family where the brightest and best disappear. A punishment that has been going on for centuries.
Violet Everly's mother left Violet and her family to try and break the curse. But never returned. Now, it's Violet's turn. But she's tied to a non-negotiable deadline. Will Violet break the curse? Will she find the City of Stardust?
This is one of those books I enjoyed reading but when finished, it didn't spark as much emotion from me as others have. For a debut novel, I liked Georgia's writing style, her way of world-building and her character development. But, I feel as though there were many questions and many other characters we could have heard more from to help thicken the plot. Especially for this kind of unique storyline. In the synopsis, we read that Violet's mother leaves and as Violet travels she hears more and more about her. However, we never experience her mother as a full character. I'd have liked to have heard these stories of her mother from her mother, like a flashback. Intending to be a standalone, I think this book could have been executed better as a duology. 3.5 stars.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
5.0
“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.”
Pride and Prejudice is one of those books I reread yearly. It’s one of my all time 5 star favourites. A classic romance that makes me want my own Mr Darcy.
Set in the late 18th century, Pride and Prejudice follows Elizabeth Bennet, the second eldest daughter of five, all subject to their mother’s pursuit of obtaining them a successful marriage. But in a time where success is defined by the amount of money the future husband has, Elizabeth did not want to become another social ornament. A level-headed woman with no interest in the silly social standards that dictate how and who a woman should be.
This story covers familial relationships, romantic relationships, the mean girl cliques, the other love interest, the villains and, of course, personal growth.
I am a sucker for all the romantic parts of this book, but I love reading Elizabeth’s relationship with her sister Jane, her mother’s anecdotes about other characters and watching Elizabeth realise how fighting against conforming to those social standards narrowed her view.
Pride and Prejudice is one of those books I reread yearly. It’s one of my all time 5 star favourites. A classic romance that makes me want my own Mr Darcy.
Set in the late 18th century, Pride and Prejudice follows Elizabeth Bennet, the second eldest daughter of five, all subject to their mother’s pursuit of obtaining them a successful marriage. But in a time where success is defined by the amount of money the future husband has, Elizabeth did not want to become another social ornament. A level-headed woman with no interest in the silly social standards that dictate how and who a woman should be.
This story covers familial relationships, romantic relationships, the mean girl cliques, the other love interest, the villains and, of course, personal growth.
I am a sucker for all the romantic parts of this book, but I love reading Elizabeth’s relationship with her sister Jane, her mother’s anecdotes about other characters and watching Elizabeth realise how fighting against conforming to those social standards narrowed her view.
Ruthless Vows by Rebecca Ross
5.0
The anticipated sequel to Divine Rivals, I was so happy when this came a few weeks early in the post!
This (of course) picks up where Divine Rivals left off and without spoiling too much, I will give a general synopsis.
Iris Winnow and Roman Kitt are two people from entirely different backgrounds but they are both in a world where the gods are at war. In Divine Rivals we discover a magical connection between the two characters, They're story was just beginning when they are ripped apart by the war. But as the tagline says, "Torn apart by war, reunited by love."
I couldn't put this down once I started reading. It has this old-school enchantment to romance that seeps into your bones. In terms of plot direction, I did find it a little predictable at times. But, there are twists and surprises I didn't see coming. I thoroughly enjoyed the dynamics in the relationship between Iris and Attie and Iris and Forest. It was great to read a story where there was depth to friendships and familial relationships. We didn't just feel the woman's emotional connections with the love interest. I did come to find that Rebecca Ross is not one for a completely happy ending. The amount of times I had to close the book to reflect, to wipe the tears or to go back and reread. As if I couldn't believe that was what happened. It is 4.5 stars from me. I actually cannot wait to reread the series.
This (of course) picks up where Divine Rivals left off and without spoiling too much, I will give a general synopsis.
Iris Winnow and Roman Kitt are two people from entirely different backgrounds but they are both in a world where the gods are at war. In Divine Rivals we discover a magical connection between the two characters, They're story was just beginning when they are ripped apart by the war. But as the tagline says, "Torn apart by war, reunited by love."
I couldn't put this down once I started reading. It has this old-school enchantment to romance that seeps into your bones. In terms of plot direction, I did find it a little predictable at times. But, there are twists and surprises I didn't see coming. I thoroughly enjoyed the dynamics in the relationship between Iris and Attie and Iris and Forest. It was great to read a story where there was depth to friendships and familial relationships. We didn't just feel the woman's emotional connections with the love interest. I did come to find that Rebecca Ross is not one for a completely happy ending. The amount of times I had to close the book to reflect, to wipe the tears or to go back and reread. As if I couldn't believe that was what happened. It is 4.5 stars from me. I actually cannot wait to reread the series.
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
5.0
This has sat on my TBR since last summer. I bought this because I had heard good things. I still have not seen the movie, but after hearing that my Poppa has read this and enjoyed it. It had to be the choice for my "book before the film" prompt.
The 'Marsh Girl' has been the subject of many rumours. But Kya Clark is a young woman, who was abandoned as a little girl.
She survived for years alone or with very little support. There are a few whom she comes to call friends, that stay in her life.
But in 1969, Chase Andrews the quiet town's star alumni athlete, is found dead. Locals immediately suspect "the marsh girl", as rumours of her and Chase had circled for a few years prior. Charged with murder, did Kya kill Chase?
Trigger warning; this book contains mentions of physical and mental abuse, hunger, bullying, isolation and sexual assault.
There is so much to this story. We flick between the murder trial, and Kya's life growing up on the marsh. For most, a marsh is like a swamp. It's part of the land where unwanted creatures live. It is an almost villainised piece of nature that you mainly read about or watch as part of the horror, mystery or crime genre. It made me think differently about the beauty of America's "outback" lands.
How Delia entwines it all with Kya's story, which on its own is so incredibly written. It's the perfect setting for the different emotions this pulled from me. And the parallels I could draw on my own life. Many will tell you, that having a disability can be incredibly lonely. I loved this. This was a 5-star read for me.
The 'Marsh Girl' has been the subject of many rumours. But Kya Clark is a young woman, who was abandoned as a little girl.
She survived for years alone or with very little support. There are a few whom she comes to call friends, that stay in her life.
But in 1969, Chase Andrews the quiet town's star alumni athlete, is found dead. Locals immediately suspect "the marsh girl", as rumours of her and Chase had circled for a few years prior. Charged with murder, did Kya kill Chase?
Trigger warning; this book contains mentions of physical and mental abuse, hunger, bullying, isolation and sexual assault.
There is so much to this story. We flick between the murder trial, and Kya's life growing up on the marsh. For most, a marsh is like a swamp. It's part of the land where unwanted creatures live. It is an almost villainised piece of nature that you mainly read about or watch as part of the horror, mystery or crime genre. It made me think differently about the beauty of America's "outback" lands.
How Delia entwines it all with Kya's story, which on its own is so incredibly written. It's the perfect setting for the different emotions this pulled from me. And the parallels I could draw on my own life. Many will tell you, that having a disability can be incredibly lonely. I loved this. This was a 5-star read for me.
The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer
5.0
I saw a few reviews for this book and it was described as “Willy Wonka for booklovers”. Of course, I had to purchase it.
The only issue? It’s not available at the usual UK retailers. I managed to find a copy at Scifier. Which opened up a new book retailer for me. A bonus!
The Wishing Game is about a competition for one book, the newest in the Clock Island series, by bestselling children’s author, Jack Masterson. An author who has been a recluse for the last couple of years.
Lucy, our protagonist, is competing to win that book. Like the other competitors, she has a childhood connection to Jack Masterson. And to Clock Island where the competition is taking place. Winning the book would change one of their lives, but for Lucy, it would also change the life of someone very special to her.
This is a massive 5 star read for me. It is so hard to review without just giving the plot away. It was wonderful. I laughed, I cried and was so excited by all the twists.
As mentioned, in this story, Jack Masterson is an author and, with the nature of the competition, there are references to his work. The detail that Meg Shaffer went into for the author’s backstory is incredible. This is her debut novel and I would be so thrilled if she actually wrote all the books mentioned. Of which there are 66! Yes, she created 66 different children’s books. She seriously could backstop for the FBI.
Cannot recommend this enough. If you see it, buy it, borrow it, read it.
The only issue? It’s not available at the usual UK retailers. I managed to find a copy at Scifier. Which opened up a new book retailer for me. A bonus!
The Wishing Game is about a competition for one book, the newest in the Clock Island series, by bestselling children’s author, Jack Masterson. An author who has been a recluse for the last couple of years.
Lucy, our protagonist, is competing to win that book. Like the other competitors, she has a childhood connection to Jack Masterson. And to Clock Island where the competition is taking place. Winning the book would change one of their lives, but for Lucy, it would also change the life of someone very special to her.
This is a massive 5 star read for me. It is so hard to review without just giving the plot away. It was wonderful. I laughed, I cried and was so excited by all the twists.
As mentioned, in this story, Jack Masterson is an author and, with the nature of the competition, there are references to his work. The detail that Meg Shaffer went into for the author’s backstory is incredible. This is her debut novel and I would be so thrilled if she actually wrote all the books mentioned. Of which there are 66! Yes, she created 66 different children’s books. She seriously could backstop for the FBI.
Cannot recommend this enough. If you see it, buy it, borrow it, read it.
In the Weeds by B.K. Borison
5.0
The second book in this small-town series and we are following Evelyn St James and Beckett Porter.
If you didn't read the first book, Evelyn and Beckett met again during a competition. I say again because they spent one unforgettable weekend together in Maine months earlier.
But after her time spent at Lovelight Farms, influencer Evelyn St James is rethinking her life. Feeling a disconnect with her work and always travelling, she decides a break is needed. She wants to find a little happy and decides to go to the place where she last was.
So, unable to find a room at the local B&B in Inglewood, is where Beckett Porter finds her. No matter how hard he tried, he hadn't been able to stop thinking about her.
The best way he could get over her? By offering for Evelyn to stop at his place of course!
In The Weeds is the classic second chance romance trope. With a few spicy scenes, this had so much heart. With Evelyn finding herself and Beckett opening up, the characters were well fleshed out. I've seen a few people review how this book didn't have much plot, which I do agree with. But I find that is because this book is about the characters and their growth. It is actually refreshing to see the plot being something that develops in a more "normal" day-to-day way. I loved this book. 5 Stars.
If you didn't read the first book, Evelyn and Beckett met again during a competition. I say again because they spent one unforgettable weekend together in Maine months earlier.
But after her time spent at Lovelight Farms, influencer Evelyn St James is rethinking her life. Feeling a disconnect with her work and always travelling, she decides a break is needed. She wants to find a little happy and decides to go to the place where she last was.
So, unable to find a room at the local B&B in Inglewood, is where Beckett Porter finds her. No matter how hard he tried, he hadn't been able to stop thinking about her.
The best way he could get over her? By offering for Evelyn to stop at his place of course!
In The Weeds is the classic second chance romance trope. With a few spicy scenes, this had so much heart. With Evelyn finding herself and Beckett opening up, the characters were well fleshed out. I've seen a few people review how this book didn't have much plot, which I do agree with. But I find that is because this book is about the characters and their growth. It is actually refreshing to see the plot being something that develops in a more "normal" day-to-day way. I loved this book. 5 Stars.
Mixed Signals by B.K. Borison
5.0
The third book in the Lovelight Farm series and we are following Layla and Caleb.
Layla Dupree, Lovelight Farms bakery owner, has been really unlucky in love. When a date goes south, Caleb Alvarez comes to her rescue.
Caleb, recently hired as the high school's substitute Spanish teacher, has always had a crush on Layla. However, everyone but Layla could see it.
When Layla opens up to Caleb about her disastrous dating life, he says how he has been unlucky too. He proposes they date for the month. He will do his best to show her that not all men are bad. And she can help rate his dating game.
With a very hot chemistry between the two, is it inevitable that they end up together?
This book had some quite spicy scenes! In comparison to In The Weeds, this had more to the plot but B.K. Borison still kept that great style of character development. I like how both Layla and Caleb grow emotionally with this plot line. It goes to show that romance is about the right person for you. What I also loved was Caleb's family. We saw some ties to a family with Beckett, but Caleb's family is that reminder that the ones who love you will not only root for what's best for you. But give you that metaphorical smack on the back of the head when you need it. Another 5 stars.
And there are the two books of the month. It may not have been a large reading month, but it was a 5-star one. The next book, Business Casual, is due to be released in June, which I am very excited for.
Layla Dupree, Lovelight Farms bakery owner, has been really unlucky in love. When a date goes south, Caleb Alvarez comes to her rescue.
Caleb, recently hired as the high school's substitute Spanish teacher, has always had a crush on Layla. However, everyone but Layla could see it.
When Layla opens up to Caleb about her disastrous dating life, he says how he has been unlucky too. He proposes they date for the month. He will do his best to show her that not all men are bad. And she can help rate his dating game.
With a very hot chemistry between the two, is it inevitable that they end up together?
This book had some quite spicy scenes! In comparison to In The Weeds, this had more to the plot but B.K. Borison still kept that great style of character development. I like how both Layla and Caleb grow emotionally with this plot line. It goes to show that romance is about the right person for you. What I also loved was Caleb's family. We saw some ties to a family with Beckett, but Caleb's family is that reminder that the ones who love you will not only root for what's best for you. But give you that metaphorical smack on the back of the head when you need it. Another 5 stars.
And there are the two books of the month. It may not have been a large reading month, but it was a 5-star one. The next book, Business Casual, is due to be released in June, which I am very excited for.