td3's reviews
1174 reviews

Set in the depression along the Mississippi River, sisters Nell and Evie grew up with Hazel, their secretive and closed off mother. Nell often felt Hazel favored Evie, but with a 4 year age difference between them, she attributed it to Evie being younger.

Once grown, the sisters notice a change in Hazel. She has become more involved, getting in church choir and becoming more social. Nell decides to take it upon herself to learn more about Hazel, and due to a document she and Evie stumbled upon uses that as a starting point.

I really enjoyed the story. The dual timeline was not annoying and the characters were interesting. As the truth was revealed, the characters proved to have links to each other, some in a surprising way. I especially liked the villain’s (Mildred’s) link to a woman who ran a brothel!

This is a story about a lost child, a found family and a group of friends who share a strong bound and form to make an even larger family.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for allowing me to read an advance copy. I am happy to give my honest review and recommend this to readers.

I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys

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adventurous challenging dark informative mysterious sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated

3.75

The Sirens by Emilia Hart

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

I had the fortunate experience of reading this book while on a cruise, which made it all the better for the sense of place in the story.

The Sirens is a dual timeline story that focuses on two sisters during each timeline. These sisters share a certain genetic makeup that links them together and one that also sets them apart from other women.

In the present day timeline, Lucy and Jess learn who they are through dreams that link them to the sisters Mary and Eliza, from the 1800 timeline. Set in Australia, the story takes place in a small coastal town that becomes known as a place where men disappear.

Lucy, a journalist, sets out to find a link between the men who have disappeared. With limited information, she concludes that it is highly likely the men share cruelty and sexual deviancy as a trait that may make them a target.

As the story places out, readers will see if Lucy’s theory is true. I was intrigued by the mystery of the story, but expected it to be a bit more murder filled. At any rate, it was a good read for cruising the seas.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for allowing me to read an advance copy. I am happy to offer my honest review and to recommend this to other readers who enjoy mermaids and mysteries.

Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley

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