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obsidian_blue's reviews
3102 reviews
Your Perfect Life by Liz Fenton, Lisa Steinke
4.0
I was home the other day sick so while in bed and cursing the fates I went and bought and downloaded some samples from books that looked interesting. I really loved the sample of this book and went ahead and just bought the book.
This book focuses on two childhood best friends, Casey and Rachel. Casey is an entertainment reporter feeling like if something doesn't change soon then she may lose her job. Rachel is feeling overwhelmed by her three children and her husband that seems to be taking her for granted more and more each day.
Going to their 20 year high school reunion both women are feeling frustrated with their lives and each other. Both women think the the other one has the perfect life and after taking two shots toasting the other one's perfect life they wake up the next day to realize that they swapped bodies.
Apparently something was in those shots. Mental note stop doing so many shots so I don't accidentally swap bodies with other people.
This book was seriously entertaining and reminded me a lot of Freaky Friday.
Of course we don't have the mom and daughter swapping with each other we instead have two best friends swapping. What I thought was wonderful was that through swapping with each other Casey and Rachel actually get to see what was truly going on in each other's lives. The first time that Rachel in Casey's body realizes that Casey has to deal with people trying to get her fired at her job or thinking she is too old or fat (at a size 2) to do her job she finally feels sympathy for her. And Casey realizing that Rachel's family expects her to do everything and how does she even get washed up in the morning was a definite highlight.
I think the person that I felt the most close to in this story though was Casey. Finding out about her past and what led her to have misgivings about relationships and children was heartbreaking. Both authors wrote these characters in such a believable way and I really loved seeing how Rachel realized that she had not been there for Casey as much as she should have been and vice versa.
Of course everything wrapped up in a little bit too tidy bow but for the story I can see why it ended that way.
This book focuses on two childhood best friends, Casey and Rachel. Casey is an entertainment reporter feeling like if something doesn't change soon then she may lose her job. Rachel is feeling overwhelmed by her three children and her husband that seems to be taking her for granted more and more each day.
Going to their 20 year high school reunion both women are feeling frustrated with their lives and each other. Both women think the the other one has the perfect life and after taking two shots toasting the other one's perfect life they wake up the next day to realize that they swapped bodies.
Apparently something was in those shots. Mental note stop doing so many shots so I don't accidentally swap bodies with other people.
This book was seriously entertaining and reminded me a lot of Freaky Friday.
Of course we don't have the mom and daughter swapping with each other we instead have two best friends swapping. What I thought was wonderful was that through swapping with each other Casey and Rachel actually get to see what was truly going on in each other's lives. The first time that Rachel in Casey's body realizes that Casey has to deal with people trying to get her fired at her job or thinking she is too old or fat (at a size 2) to do her job she finally feels sympathy for her. And Casey realizing that Rachel's family expects her to do everything and how does she even get washed up in the morning was a definite highlight.
I think the person that I felt the most close to in this story though was Casey. Finding out about her past and what led her to have misgivings about relationships and children was heartbreaking. Both authors wrote these characters in such a believable way and I really loved seeing how Rachel realized that she had not been there for Casey as much as she should have been and vice versa.
Of course everything wrapped up in a little bit too tidy bow but for the story I can see why it ended that way.
Getting Even by Sarah Rayner
2.0
I previously read Sarah Rayner's One Moment, One Morning and was blown away by how good that novel was and how in just a few pages where the book begins on a train you get to read about how a typical ordinary day turned into such tragedy that affected three different women. I initially reviewed that book back in 2012 and I remember thinking to keep an eye on Ms. Rayner since I wanted to read some of her other books to see if I would like them. This book published originally in 2002 does not even show a hint of the brilliance that was "One Moment, One Morning."
Getting Even is ultimately a boring and at times plain stupid book. Told in the third person we have Orianna and Ivy work colleagues and at first blush each other's best friends.
Due to certain events Orianna is promoted and Ivy swears revenge against Orianna for taking a job she rightfully feels should have gone to her and also for not telling Ivy about her dating someone at their work. Yes you heard that right, Ivy is mad that Orianna did not tell her about her dating someone at work. At times I felt as if I was reading about two kids fighting over a Ken doll.
When I first selected this book through the Amazon Vine program I thought this was going to be a light-hearted funny look at a woman who was rightfully screwed out of a promotion and who was out to get a former friend who used her relationship with a work colleague to get ahead.
Well just a few pages into the book you know that Ivy is not the aggrieved party in this situation. The book hinting at secrets was just a joke because you find out all about Ivy and what's driving her within the first few chapters. Ivy is awful. You wonder at times how dumb Orianna can be to not see through the awfulness and lies that Ivy is telling her but she keeps doing it.
Ms. Rayner gives a weak back-story to the character of Ivy to try to justify why she may be an unrepentant monster but I was not buying it.
I think also the way that this book depicts two successful women in their field as either naive or a user and seducer of men that lies was off-putting. Not all successful women act like this.
This could have been a different book if it was really a funny book looking at one women's attempts to get revenge. This was just not that book.
There was also the character of Rob (Orianna's boyfriend Dan's trainer and also Ivy's trainer) that did not need to be included in this story at all. I don't know if Ms. Rayner just didn't have a lot to work with or what or she thought she could jazz things up a bit by adding Rob, but she could have cut that entire point of view from being included in this book and it would have taken nothing away from this book.
Ultimately, the things that Ivy does to Orianna and others is just hateful and disgusting. There was not one funny or hilarious scene at all. I could maybe have excused the book not being exactly as it promoted itself to be if there had been any comeuppance for the character of Ivy.
Besides one small scene between Ivy and Orianna I was left dissatisfied because Orianna still was acting as if Ivy had a leg to stand on. I just wish that something bigger or more awful had befallen Ivy so you can feel happy she got what was coming to her.
Besides being a totally different book than what was promoted, and the characterization of Ivy and Orianna, the totally unnecessary Rob, I have to sadly say the writing just showed no depth at all. There was no description of people, places, smells, anything. This book could have taken place in any place in the world. I know it takes place in London and besides a few throwaway lines here and there you would have no idea that it takes place in that city. Overall I would just not recommend this book to anyone and would instead select one of Ms. Rayner's later books.
Please note that I received this book for free via the Amazon Vine Program.
Getting Even is ultimately a boring and at times plain stupid book. Told in the third person we have Orianna and Ivy work colleagues and at first blush each other's best friends.
Due to certain events Orianna is promoted and Ivy swears revenge against Orianna for taking a job she rightfully feels should have gone to her and also for not telling Ivy about her dating someone at their work. Yes you heard that right, Ivy is mad that Orianna did not tell her about her dating someone at work. At times I felt as if I was reading about two kids fighting over a Ken doll.
When I first selected this book through the Amazon Vine program I thought this was going to be a light-hearted funny look at a woman who was rightfully screwed out of a promotion and who was out to get a former friend who used her relationship with a work colleague to get ahead.
Well just a few pages into the book you know that Ivy is not the aggrieved party in this situation. The book hinting at secrets was just a joke because you find out all about Ivy and what's driving her within the first few chapters. Ivy is awful. You wonder at times how dumb Orianna can be to not see through the awfulness and lies that Ivy is telling her but she keeps doing it.
Ms. Rayner gives a weak back-story to the character of Ivy to try to justify why she may be an unrepentant monster but I was not buying it.
I think also the way that this book depicts two successful women in their field as either naive or a user and seducer of men that lies was off-putting. Not all successful women act like this.
This could have been a different book if it was really a funny book looking at one women's attempts to get revenge. This was just not that book.
There was also the character of Rob (Orianna's boyfriend Dan's trainer and also Ivy's trainer) that did not need to be included in this story at all. I don't know if Ms. Rayner just didn't have a lot to work with or what or she thought she could jazz things up a bit by adding Rob, but she could have cut that entire point of view from being included in this book and it would have taken nothing away from this book.
Ultimately, the things that Ivy does to Orianna and others is just hateful and disgusting. There was not one funny or hilarious scene at all. I could maybe have excused the book not being exactly as it promoted itself to be if there had been any comeuppance for the character of Ivy.
Besides one small scene between Ivy and Orianna I was left dissatisfied because Orianna still was acting as if Ivy had a leg to stand on. I just wish that something bigger or more awful had befallen Ivy so you can feel happy she got what was coming to her.
Besides being a totally different book than what was promoted, and the characterization of Ivy and Orianna, the totally unnecessary Rob, I have to sadly say the writing just showed no depth at all. There was no description of people, places, smells, anything. This book could have taken place in any place in the world. I know it takes place in London and besides a few throwaway lines here and there you would have no idea that it takes place in that city. Overall I would just not recommend this book to anyone and would instead select one of Ms. Rayner's later books.
Please note that I received this book for free via the Amazon Vine Program.
The Big Four by Agatha Christie
3.0
For me to be disappointed with an Agatha Christie novel is saying a lot. The Big Four is the fifth book in the Hercule Poirot series that Agatha Christie wrote. I finished with all of the Miss Marple books and hope to finish all of the Poirot books in the order they should be read by next year.
This book was probably the toughest Christie book for me to finish. At first, I really did like the plot of this book. We have Hercule Poirot and Hastings back together again investigating the mysterious "Big Four". When the novel begins the gang was trying to lure Hercule Poirot out of the country so they could go about doing their machinations unimpeded. Of course Hercule Poirot sees through this (eventually) and he starts his investigation of the mysterious syndicate.
Unlike with previous Christie novels there is no clever gotcha moment with Hercule reasoning out who dun it. Earlier on Hercule figures out the identities of the 'Big Four'. This novel is just Hercule trying to catch one of them in the act in order to bring down the whole group.
This novel takes place over the course of at least 7-8 months. At one point in the story Hercule says to Hastings he has been back in London for six months and doesn't his wife miss him. I had to wonder that too.
For every step closer that Hercule gets to naming the 'Big Four' he is pushed back two steps. He is at times disbelieved by those in Scotland Yard and the UK government since it seems so surreal that four people would go about murdering and stealing and doing their best to bring the world government to their knees. That was the hardest part for me to swallow. How did these four people meet? Did they all decide yes anarchy is the way to go? You do find out why possibly number 3 wants the world brought to its knees and even number 1. However, number 2 and 4 make no sense and it would have been nice to gain some understanding of this group's mindset instead of yes we're evil.
During the course of the story we have Hercule becoming obsessed with number 4 of the syndicate and that is who most of the story focuses on. We do have interactions with number 2 and 3 but not number 1.
For some reason number 4 though knowing it is dangerous cannot help going after Hercule Poirot. Hercule tries to reason that all out with Hastings, but honestly it makes no sense.
When we do get to the final denouement the book ends with a whimper. It does help to know that this novel initially started off as eleven short stories which does show when you start going from chapter to chapter since it appears that sometimes we readers are missing key information.
Though it is important to read this novel in order to gain understanding in later books to plots or characters referenced from this one I would just recommend skimming it or borrowing it from the library. This is definitely not a top shelf Christie novel in my humble opinion. If you want to read a truly great Poirot novel I would stick with "Murder on the Orient Express" and "The Murder of Roger Ackroyd".
This book was probably the toughest Christie book for me to finish. At first, I really did like the plot of this book. We have Hercule Poirot and Hastings back together again investigating the mysterious "Big Four". When the novel begins the gang was trying to lure Hercule Poirot out of the country so they could go about doing their machinations unimpeded. Of course Hercule Poirot sees through this (eventually) and he starts his investigation of the mysterious syndicate.
Unlike with previous Christie novels there is no clever gotcha moment with Hercule reasoning out who dun it. Earlier on Hercule figures out the identities of the 'Big Four'. This novel is just Hercule trying to catch one of them in the act in order to bring down the whole group.
This novel takes place over the course of at least 7-8 months. At one point in the story Hercule says to Hastings he has been back in London for six months and doesn't his wife miss him. I had to wonder that too.
For every step closer that Hercule gets to naming the 'Big Four' he is pushed back two steps. He is at times disbelieved by those in Scotland Yard and the UK government since it seems so surreal that four people would go about murdering and stealing and doing their best to bring the world government to their knees. That was the hardest part for me to swallow. How did these four people meet? Did they all decide yes anarchy is the way to go? You do find out why possibly number 3 wants the world brought to its knees and even number 1. However, number 2 and 4 make no sense and it would have been nice to gain some understanding of this group's mindset instead of yes we're evil.
During the course of the story we have Hercule becoming obsessed with number 4 of the syndicate and that is who most of the story focuses on. We do have interactions with number 2 and 3 but not number 1.
For some reason number 4 though knowing it is dangerous cannot help going after Hercule Poirot. Hercule tries to reason that all out with Hastings, but honestly it makes no sense.
When we do get to the final denouement the book ends with a whimper. It does help to know that this novel initially started off as eleven short stories which does show when you start going from chapter to chapter since it appears that sometimes we readers are missing key information.
Though it is important to read this novel in order to gain understanding in later books to plots or characters referenced from this one I would just recommend skimming it or borrowing it from the library. This is definitely not a top shelf Christie novel in my humble opinion. If you want to read a truly great Poirot novel I would stick with "Murder on the Orient Express" and "The Murder of Roger Ackroyd".
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
5.0
A Wrinkle in Time is still one of my favorite books to re-read as an adult.
Written by Madeleine L'Engle and published in 1962 it was seen as controversial when first published. I remember finishing this book when I was 11 and sitting and thinking about a tesseract and distant worlds. I loved the word tesseract and used to repeat it to myself often since it starts off soft "tess" and ends on a hard "t". At 11 anything seems possible even wrinkling time and traveling to distant worlds.
This is the first book in the "Time Quintet" by Madeleine L'Engle and starts off with 13 year old Meg Murry, her 5 year old brother Charles Wallace, and Meg's classmate Calvin O'Keefe who begin to look for Meg and Charles's missing father.
There are many themes in "A Wrinkle in Time" that I think are still relevant to young adults today. The theme between good and evil, doing what is right even when it is hard, family, love (be it love between siblings, or a girl and boy, or between children and parents) and how parents are just human and make mistakes.
“They are very young. And on their earth, as they call it, they never communicate with other planets.
They revolve about all alone in space."
"Oh," the thin beast said. "Aren't they lonely?”
“Itt iss Eevill…"
"What is going to happen?"
"Wee wwill cconnttinnue tto ffightt!"…
"And we’re not alone, you know, children," came Mrs.Whatsit, the comforter. "…some of the best fighters have come from
your own planet…"
"Who have our fighters been?" Calvin asked.
"Oh, you must know them, dear," Mrs.Whatsit said. Mrs.Who’s spectacles shone out at them triumphantly.
"And the light shineth in the darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.”
The writing in this book flows and the character of Meg Murry ended up being a girl I most wanted to be like when I was growing up. If you read all of the books in the Time Quintet you get to see Meg as a young woman, married, and expecting her first child. I remember getting a thrill that Meg got her happy ending and finally realized that she was just as smart and beautiful as her own mother. I plan on starting and finishing the next series after the Quintet some day.
I think this book is a definite must for any young adults out there. I just recently gave this book to my 11 year old niece who squealed when she saw it last weekend. She has been wanting this book forever. I plan on giving her the other books in the Quintet for Christmas and I hope she treasures them like I do.
Written by Madeleine L'Engle and published in 1962 it was seen as controversial when first published. I remember finishing this book when I was 11 and sitting and thinking about a tesseract and distant worlds. I loved the word tesseract and used to repeat it to myself often since it starts off soft "tess" and ends on a hard "t". At 11 anything seems possible even wrinkling time and traveling to distant worlds.
This is the first book in the "Time Quintet" by Madeleine L'Engle and starts off with 13 year old Meg Murry, her 5 year old brother Charles Wallace, and Meg's classmate Calvin O'Keefe who begin to look for Meg and Charles's missing father.
There are many themes in "A Wrinkle in Time" that I think are still relevant to young adults today. The theme between good and evil, doing what is right even when it is hard, family, love (be it love between siblings, or a girl and boy, or between children and parents) and how parents are just human and make mistakes.
“They are very young. And on their earth, as they call it, they never communicate with other planets.
They revolve about all alone in space."
"Oh," the thin beast said. "Aren't they lonely?”
“Itt iss Eevill…"
"What is going to happen?"
"Wee wwill cconnttinnue tto ffightt!"…
"And we’re not alone, you know, children," came Mrs.Whatsit, the comforter. "…some of the best fighters have come from
your own planet…"
"Who have our fighters been?" Calvin asked.
"Oh, you must know them, dear," Mrs.Whatsit said. Mrs.Who’s spectacles shone out at them triumphantly.
"And the light shineth in the darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.”
The writing in this book flows and the character of Meg Murry ended up being a girl I most wanted to be like when I was growing up. If you read all of the books in the Time Quintet you get to see Meg as a young woman, married, and expecting her first child. I remember getting a thrill that Meg got her happy ending and finally realized that she was just as smart and beautiful as her own mother. I plan on starting and finishing the next series after the Quintet some day.
I think this book is a definite must for any young adults out there. I just recently gave this book to my 11 year old niece who squealed when she saw it last weekend. She has been wanting this book forever. I plan on giving her the other books in the Quintet for Christmas and I hope she treasures them like I do.
I Suck at Girls by Justin Halpern
5.0
After penning the hilarious and at times tears inducing due to laughter novel, S*** My Dad Says, Justin Halpern is back again with his memoir going through his dating/sexual history prior to meeting the woman who is now his wife.
Instead of like in "S*** My Dad Says" we don't get just quick vignettes of incidents that caused Mr. Halpern's father to repeat some totally off color remark. Now we have full fledged chapters dealing with Justin's confusion about the opposite sex and hilarious re-telling of his dating life (it was sad).
I have to say my favorite chapter had to be Mr. Halpern's tale of his prom and his prom date. The way he uses words to describe the girl and them drinking in silence and her silent rage was awesome.
I would say that I wish we got more details on Justin's brothers' and his mother. Sometimes they seem to be total non-entities in some of the stories due to his focus still being somewhat on his relationship with his father and repeating funny things his dad has said to the reader.
I have to say that if you are offended by language, sexual situations you may want to skip this book. If you are fine with that, prepare to enjoy!
Instead of like in "S*** My Dad Says" we don't get just quick vignettes of incidents that caused Mr. Halpern's father to repeat some totally off color remark. Now we have full fledged chapters dealing with Justin's confusion about the opposite sex and hilarious re-telling of his dating life (it was sad).
I have to say my favorite chapter had to be Mr. Halpern's tale of his prom and his prom date. The way he uses words to describe the girl and them drinking in silence and her silent rage was awesome.
I would say that I wish we got more details on Justin's brothers' and his mother. Sometimes they seem to be total non-entities in some of the stories due to his focus still being somewhat on his relationship with his father and repeating funny things his dad has said to the reader.
I have to say that if you are offended by language, sexual situations you may want to skip this book. If you are fine with that, prepare to enjoy!
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
5.0
After being told by no less than 10 people that I must read "Gone Girl" by Gillian Flynn I finally caved to peer pressure and bought this novel.
I have never been so happy with a purchase in my life.
I definitely do not want to spoil this novel for readers who still have not read this yet so I will only focus on the bare facts. We have a couple Nick and Amy Dunne who are approaching their fifth wedding anniversary. Nick and Amy have moved back to Nick's hometown of North Carthage, Missouri after their lives in New York working in their chosen literary fields went up in smoke. Nick on returning home finds his wife gone, with the police investigating, Nick and Amy's perfect life gets turned upside down.
We get the story told from Nick and Amy's point of view and the way that Gillian Flynn writes both characters is fantastic. I love how Gillian Flynn explores what makes a relationship, marriage, and what can people live with. I honestly did not expect the ending and have to say I loved that for once I was not able to call out an entire novel.
I can say I was surprised to see so many reviews not liking the novel because of the ending, but I honestly loved it! It reminds me a lot of Daphne De Maurier's novels and short stories. The ending is left ambiguous and leaves it to the readers imagination to what comes next. I am glad that the novel didn't resolve things quick and neatly (life isn't like that) and I think for most readers out there you will be happy imagining what came next.
I highly recommend this novel!
I have never been so happy with a purchase in my life.
I definitely do not want to spoil this novel for readers who still have not read this yet so I will only focus on the bare facts. We have a couple Nick and Amy Dunne who are approaching their fifth wedding anniversary. Nick and Amy have moved back to Nick's hometown of North Carthage, Missouri after their lives in New York working in their chosen literary fields went up in smoke. Nick on returning home finds his wife gone, with the police investigating, Nick and Amy's perfect life gets turned upside down.
We get the story told from Nick and Amy's point of view and the way that Gillian Flynn writes both characters is fantastic. I love how Gillian Flynn explores what makes a relationship, marriage, and what can people live with. I honestly did not expect the ending and have to say I loved that for once I was not able to call out an entire novel.
I can say I was surprised to see so many reviews not liking the novel because of the ending, but I honestly loved it! It reminds me a lot of Daphne De Maurier's novels and short stories. The ending is left ambiguous and leaves it to the readers imagination to what comes next. I am glad that the novel didn't resolve things quick and neatly (life isn't like that) and I think for most readers out there you will be happy imagining what came next.
I highly recommend this novel!
W is for Wasted by Sue Grafton
5.0
After reading the recent Kinsey and Me: Stories by Sue Grafton all it did was whet my appetite for the new Alphabet Murder Mystery by Ms. Grafton.
I have to say I for one will be saddened when Ms. Grafton eventually reaches Z is for...since I will not know what I will do without my yearly dose of Kinsey Millhone.
This novel takes place more than a year after the events in V is for Vengeance. We have what at first seems to be a murder and one unexpected death with no ties between them. However, as Kinsey comes onto the scene, we eventually figure out how these two deaths are linked.
The murder victim was Pete Wolinsky, a local P.I. that Kinsey knew when she was working on obtaining her private investigator credentials. The unexpected death was a homeless man, John Doe, that had Kinsey's phone number and name in his pocket. Due to Kinsey having some downtime she decides to explore the homeless man's life and finds a surprising connection between herself and him.
What I thought was really well done was we have Kinsey interacting with the homeless community in Santa Teresa in order to found out who the homeless John Doe was and why he had her information. We still have Kinsey loving McDonald's Quarter Pounders, her hot hard boiled sandwiches, and Henry. However, there seems to be a certain new awareness about Kinsey as she is starting to realize that she is alone and though has always clamored for her independence is starting to realize that she wants more connections in her life.
Additionally, we have welcomed appearances by Henry, William, and also two former men from Kinsey's romantic life. I realized that one of the gentleman would be making a later appearance in the novel by the clues that were dropped throughout which made me happy to see I was right when it did happen. However, I am still hoping for Kinsey to make it work with the one guy over the other since I feel as if he will actually be what she really needs in her life, a man that stays.
I do want to let readers know that Ms. Grafton is still splitting the novel between Kinsey's narrative and another character. In this novel, we have the narrative shift between Kinsey and Pete Wolinsky in the few months and then days before he was found murdered. I actually was not bothered by this (and was never bothered by this in previous novels) but would like others to know that the majority of the novel is still told from Kinsey's point of view.
Finally, one thing that I really did love about this latest novel was that Ms. Grafton for the first time that I can remember mentions certain events such as the national debt, unemployment, and how the costs of stamps had been increased from 22 cents to 25 cents. I loved these little tidbits being dropped in because it really did blow my mind about the costs of cigarettes, drinks, hotel rooms and realizing that in 2013 things are sky high and would make Kinsey cringe inside at the costs of certain things.
I 100 percent recommend this novel!
I have to say I for one will be saddened when Ms. Grafton eventually reaches Z is for...since I will not know what I will do without my yearly dose of Kinsey Millhone.
This novel takes place more than a year after the events in V is for Vengeance. We have what at first seems to be a murder and one unexpected death with no ties between them. However, as Kinsey comes onto the scene, we eventually figure out how these two deaths are linked.
The murder victim was Pete Wolinsky, a local P.I. that Kinsey knew when she was working on obtaining her private investigator credentials. The unexpected death was a homeless man, John Doe, that had Kinsey's phone number and name in his pocket. Due to Kinsey having some downtime she decides to explore the homeless man's life and finds a surprising connection between herself and him.
What I thought was really well done was we have Kinsey interacting with the homeless community in Santa Teresa in order to found out who the homeless John Doe was and why he had her information. We still have Kinsey loving McDonald's Quarter Pounders, her hot hard boiled sandwiches, and Henry. However, there seems to be a certain new awareness about Kinsey as she is starting to realize that she is alone and though has always clamored for her independence is starting to realize that she wants more connections in her life.
Additionally, we have welcomed appearances by Henry, William, and also two former men from Kinsey's romantic life. I realized that one of the gentleman would be making a later appearance in the novel by the clues that were dropped throughout which made me happy to see I was right when it did happen. However, I am still hoping for Kinsey to make it work with the one guy over the other since I feel as if he will actually be what she really needs in her life, a man that stays.
I do want to let readers know that Ms. Grafton is still splitting the novel between Kinsey's narrative and another character. In this novel, we have the narrative shift between Kinsey and Pete Wolinsky in the few months and then days before he was found murdered. I actually was not bothered by this (and was never bothered by this in previous novels) but would like others to know that the majority of the novel is still told from Kinsey's point of view.
Finally, one thing that I really did love about this latest novel was that Ms. Grafton for the first time that I can remember mentions certain events such as the national debt, unemployment, and how the costs of stamps had been increased from 22 cents to 25 cents. I loved these little tidbits being dropped in because it really did blow my mind about the costs of cigarettes, drinks, hotel rooms and realizing that in 2013 things are sky high and would make Kinsey cringe inside at the costs of certain things.
I 100 percent recommend this novel!
A Week in Winter by Maeve Binchy
5.0
I don't know how many readers realize but "A Week in Winter" was Maeve Binchy's last novel. I made sure the day that I started reading this novel I had nothing else to do in order to slowly savor the novel and delight in her writing like I usually do.
I have been a Maeve Binchy fan for many years and except for one or two of her novels I have loved them all. I love how even with her newest work she still calls upon prior characters and gives you updates about their lives. The newest novels are not sequels in the traditional sense but it still warms me inside that I can read about characters from Whitehorn Woods, Evening Class, and Heart and Soul.
In this newest offering, "A Week in Winter" is typical Maeve Binchy fare. A solid novel telling the tale of many people that surround a particular subject in the novel. In this case, it is about the village of Stoneybridge that resides on the west coast of Ireland.
The main protagonist in this novel is Chicky Starr, who leaves Stoneybridge when she is a girl to follow her lover to America to return more than 20 years later to open a hotel in a former neighbor's falling down mansion.
When we begin the novel we get to hear about Chicky's story to a point before it switches gears to other characters, such as her old school friend Nuala, Nuala's son Rigger, Nuala's brother's new wife Irene, Chicky's niece Orla, and characters who come to stay at Chicky's hotel at Stoneybridge.
What I really loved is that all of the characters stories overlap each other since when we start with Chicky's story she is getting the mansion ready to turn it into a hotel and when you continue on she is still working on getting the hotel ready and then you have the hotel receiving it's first guests.
We also get to see familiar faces that if you are a long time Binchy fan you will love to hear about, like Fiona and Declan from Nights of Rain and Stars and Heart and Soul, or Ania from "Heart and Soul", and Barbara from "Nights of Rain and Stars" as well.
I would definitely recommend this novel to new and old fans of Binchy's work and prepare to savor this novel. I can say with absolute certainty I did not find one thing wrong with this novel and now look forward to reading it again this weekend. I know that I am going to miss her writing and catching up with some of the characters I have known for years now.
Please note I received this novel for free via Amazon's Vine Program.
I have been a Maeve Binchy fan for many years and except for one or two of her novels I have loved them all. I love how even with her newest work she still calls upon prior characters and gives you updates about their lives. The newest novels are not sequels in the traditional sense but it still warms me inside that I can read about characters from Whitehorn Woods, Evening Class, and Heart and Soul.
In this newest offering, "A Week in Winter" is typical Maeve Binchy fare. A solid novel telling the tale of many people that surround a particular subject in the novel. In this case, it is about the village of Stoneybridge that resides on the west coast of Ireland.
The main protagonist in this novel is Chicky Starr, who leaves Stoneybridge when she is a girl to follow her lover to America to return more than 20 years later to open a hotel in a former neighbor's falling down mansion.
When we begin the novel we get to hear about Chicky's story to a point before it switches gears to other characters, such as her old school friend Nuala, Nuala's son Rigger, Nuala's brother's new wife Irene, Chicky's niece Orla, and characters who come to stay at Chicky's hotel at Stoneybridge.
What I really loved is that all of the characters stories overlap each other since when we start with Chicky's story she is getting the mansion ready to turn it into a hotel and when you continue on she is still working on getting the hotel ready and then you have the hotel receiving it's first guests.
We also get to see familiar faces that if you are a long time Binchy fan you will love to hear about, like Fiona and Declan from Nights of Rain and Stars and Heart and Soul, or Ania from "Heart and Soul", and Barbara from "Nights of Rain and Stars" as well.
I would definitely recommend this novel to new and old fans of Binchy's work and prepare to savor this novel. I can say with absolute certainty I did not find one thing wrong with this novel and now look forward to reading it again this weekend. I know that I am going to miss her writing and catching up with some of the characters I have known for years now.
Please note I received this novel for free via Amazon's Vine Program.
Mrs. Kimble by Jennifer Haigh
5.0
I had never heard of Jennifer Haigh before but a friend recommended that I read "News from Heaven" The Bakerton Stories." After devouring that book in less than a day I promptly bought Mrs. Kimble.
"Mrs. Kimble" focuses on three women, Birdie, Joan, and Dinah who all marry the same man, Mr. Ken Kimble during different points of the novel that goes from the 1960s up until the present day.
I want to first of all applaud Jennifer Haigh for writing such an engaging novel that takes place in different periods and places and still manages to evoke authenticity throughout the novel with describing the uber traditional marriage and family in the 1960s, to the free love of the 1970s, and women gaining ground in the workplace in the 1980s.
One thing that I am always worried about is that when a novel has different protagonists throughout the novel is that either all of the characters sound the same, or it is very confusing to tell who is speaking at different parts of the novel. However, none of those things occurred in this novel. Ms. Haigh manages to write these three different women, with different backgrounds, stories, with such distinct voices I was loathe to end the novel since I wanted to know how they all ended up.
The one thing that I really wished that Haigh had done (and did not deduct any stars from my rating) was to allow the readers into Ken's head a little bit. He remained a cipher through the whole novel and I know that the novel was supposed to focus on his wives but I really do wish we had been given a glimpse into his machinations a bit more.
I highly recommend this novel!
"Mrs. Kimble" focuses on three women, Birdie, Joan, and Dinah who all marry the same man, Mr. Ken Kimble during different points of the novel that goes from the 1960s up until the present day.
I want to first of all applaud Jennifer Haigh for writing such an engaging novel that takes place in different periods and places and still manages to evoke authenticity throughout the novel with describing the uber traditional marriage and family in the 1960s, to the free love of the 1970s, and women gaining ground in the workplace in the 1980s.
One thing that I am always worried about is that when a novel has different protagonists throughout the novel is that either all of the characters sound the same, or it is very confusing to tell who is speaking at different parts of the novel. However, none of those things occurred in this novel. Ms. Haigh manages to write these three different women, with different backgrounds, stories, with such distinct voices I was loathe to end the novel since I wanted to know how they all ended up.
The one thing that I really wished that Haigh had done (and did not deduct any stars from my rating) was to allow the readers into Ken's head a little bit. He remained a cipher through the whole novel and I know that the novel was supposed to focus on his wives but I really do wish we had been given a glimpse into his machinations a bit more.
I highly recommend this novel!
An Unexpected Love Story by Rachel Schurig
5.0
Rachel Schurig's newest offering An Unexpected Love Story (Love Story Book Two) is book two in her Love Story series.
With the ease and talent she has shown in writing the Three Girls series I am falling in love with the characters in her newest series. Since this is book two I would suggest you read In Search of a Love Story first since events and characters from that novel are referenced in this one.
Brooke Murray the main protagonist of this novel was introduced in book one as Emily Donovan's best friend who was still back in their hometown running her family's inn.
We find Brooke despairing of changing her life to go home and deal with the aftermath of her father's illness that led to her managing her family's inn and trying to get it to turn a profit. I liked Brooke's personality and her friendship with Paul (former lover and currently working for her) and her love/ hate relationship with still living in her hometown.
Brooke though is unexpectedly changed after meeting an inn customer John and falling for his urban and sophisticated style. Feeling thrown for the first time ever by a man we get to see Brooke grow up and choose what future she wants. We also get some throw away lines about characters from Three Girls which was welcomed. I really loved the push/ pull with Brooke and seeing her realize her worth. I have read this novel twice already and plan on reading it one more time before reading the third and final book, An (Almost) Perfect Love Story (Love Story Book Three)
I 100% recommend reading!
With the ease and talent she has shown in writing the Three Girls series I am falling in love with the characters in her newest series. Since this is book two I would suggest you read In Search of a Love Story first since events and characters from that novel are referenced in this one.
Brooke Murray the main protagonist of this novel was introduced in book one as Emily Donovan's best friend who was still back in their hometown running her family's inn.
We find Brooke despairing of changing her life to go home and deal with the aftermath of her father's illness that led to her managing her family's inn and trying to get it to turn a profit. I liked Brooke's personality and her friendship with Paul (former lover and currently working for her) and her love/ hate relationship with still living in her hometown.
Brooke though is unexpectedly changed after meeting an inn customer John and falling for his urban and sophisticated style. Feeling thrown for the first time ever by a man we get to see Brooke grow up and choose what future she wants. We also get some throw away lines about characters from Three Girls which was welcomed. I really loved the push/ pull with Brooke and seeing her realize her worth. I have read this novel twice already and plan on reading it one more time before reading the third and final book, An (Almost) Perfect Love Story (Love Story Book Three)
I 100% recommend reading!