Quick Review: Saving Grayson, by Chris Fabry
Month: November 2023
Quick Review: Christmas Spark, by Cindy Steel
I’m trying something new here! Introducing “Quick Reviews,” a brand new category with my blog and Goodreads ratings of certain books. The purpose is to be able to document books here without feeling the pressure of writing lengthy reviews each time. Usually, but not always, they will be books that made less of an impression on me. But sometimes they will just be time savers. Here’s the first one!
Two Historical Romances by Emma Melbourne…
Riding on the heels of the previous rom-com post, a well-written historical romance requires a lot of the same balance of great characters, banter, plot, and pacing. Here are two that succeed. They’re fun, they’re clean, and I found a new author. A win x 3! The stories work in tandem, so read them together and read them in order.
Miss Fleming Falls in Love and The Mysterious Mr. Oliver, by Emma Melbourne, were two of my favorite reads last month.
Miss Fleming Falls in Love: We begin with Miss Amelia Fleming, a spirited young woman who is trying to settle her father’s gambling debts after his death. Desperate, she visits the Earl of Langley, who won a fortune from the family estate. Again and again, Amelia offers different solutions to pay back what is owed, never quite knowing the exact amount. Again and again, Langley steers the conversation away from money and into a battle of wits. Like two magnets, these characters attract and repel each other repeatedly. Every meeting is full of clever dialogue and prideful rebuffs. I enjoyed this book immensely! 9.5/10 Stars
The Mysterious Mr. Oliver picks up soon after Miss Fleming ends. This time we are entertained by Amelia’s beautiful younger sister, Isabelle and land agent, Mr. Oliver. While visiting her sister at Stonecroft, a country estate, Isabelle looks for a quiet setting to write a book. In doing so, she intrudes upon Mr. Oliver’s work cottage, prompting a rocky beginning to their relationship. But, feelings cannot be denied. Isabelle is tenacious and Oliver has a secret. Like its predecessor, this book is a wonderful read with well-developed characters that are a joy to know. 9/10 Stars
The Bookish Collective
I tried, I really tried. Is it readable?
This, my friends, is The Bookish Collective, assembled by the fabulous Patty Noonan. She is the admin for LiterALLy BOOKiSh, an extremely fun, creative, supportive book group on Facebook. So pick your poison. Do you prefer FB groups? FB book sales? Instagram? Storygraph? (Haven’t tried that one yet, but people love it.) Pango? Blogs? (Shoutout to this blog–see it?) There is a potpourri of options.
The possibilities are endless and so are the book choices! Each one has their primary focus so, if you go exploring, you are bound to find something you enjoy.
Happy Reading!
Theme: What I like in a Rom Com…
If someone asked you what makes a great romantic comedy, what would you tell them? Would it the characters? Plot? Pacing? Trope? Spice level? Dialogue? Banter? Or would it be a combination of all of those things? I’ve been reading a lot of romantic comedies lately and I’m here to tell you that, like any genre, not all are created equal.
For me, the characters and their banter is very, very important. How do they interact? Do I root for them? Plot and pacing are close seconds. The tropes are where I struggle. There are some very overdone tropes out there: Friends to lovers, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, the “meet cute,” childhood sweethearts, second chance/impossible/forbidden love, fake relationships, the list goes on and on.
But there are some standout authors and books that rise to the top. When that happens they are usually fun, smart, and deep. Personally, I like main characters that are kind of damaged–either from family issues or past relationships gone wrong. Why? Because all of us are damaged in one way or another. Who wants to read about shiny, perfect characters? Not me. But everything needs to be done in moderation too. Do you see the delicate balance it takes to achieve a successful story? I’m sure I couldn’t do it. (Those who can, write stories. Those those cannot, critique the stories…)
But enough blah, blah. Let’s focus on two rom coms I read in October that get it right. Now, I’m not some who likes a lot of spice and smut. But I do like some romance and am OK with closed-door physical contact if it is written tastefully. PG, bordering on PG-13 is my limit. Whoops, more blah, blah. Let’s talk about books!
Practice Makes Perfect, by Sarah Adams is the sequel to When In Rome, which I enjoyed very much. (You can read that review HERE.) This time, our main characters are youngest sister, Annie Walker, and bodyguard, Will Griffin. On the surface, these two are confident and strong. Behind the scenes, both are struggling. For Annie it is trying to prove her independence to her family. For Will it is to escape the memories of his dysfunctional parents. The relationship between these two characters is wonderful, each of them bring out the best in each other. The ending is no surprise, but the journey getting there is totally worth reading. 9/10 Stars
The Hating Game, by Sally Thorne, has been in my Kindle for as long as I can remember. This is an enemies-to-lovers story, starting as a workplace rivalry at a publishing house. Lucy and Josh are each assistants to co-CEOs who also dislike each other and have very different ethics after a big merger. Forced to share space and work together every day, Lucy and Josh do everything they can to undermine each other (never quite crossing the line–a good thing.) Of course, such animosity is not sustainable and the inevitable happens, but what a fun ride along the way! Seeing the way their relationship begins, changes, and ends is a delight. 9/10 Stars
And there you have it! Happy Reading! (And don’t forget to set your clocks back tonight.)
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Windsong Manor, by Julie Wright
A few weeks ago, while touring St. George, Utah, my husband and I stopped in at a Deseret Book. Two authors were there introducing and signing new books and, because it was early evening, the store was relatively empty. One of those authors was Julie Wright, who I recognized from a Facebook group I follow. She had two new books, one of which was Windsong Manor. I apologized for not buying it there, confessing that I prefer digital ebooks on my Kindle, but she was very nice and I was captivated by the plot. After several attempts to find it on library sites, I relented and ended up buying it, hoping that I would not regret my purchase.
I did not. In fact, Windsong Manor is now in my special collection of “Kristie’s Favorites” in my Kindle, a file I only reserve for those rare books who draw me in and transport me completely.
The plot: Eleanora Coventry is a baroness and a young widow. Her late husband was much older and domineering and her young son, who was sent away to school, has returned with all of his father’s worst traits. To add to her challenges, Eleanora “Nora” has also been tasked to raise her late husband’s illegitimate daughter, a recent orphan and the product of an embarrassing affair. Life is topsy turvy.
In an effort of lead a quieter life, Nora moves her family from their London townhouse to Windsong Manor, the late baron’s country home that he rarely visited. While finding her way as a single mother with two challenging children, Nora befriends the quiet stablehand, Ridley Ellis. Despite his social station, Ridley moves and speaks like a gentleman, and his calm influence on everyone around him is felt deeply by Nora and the children.
The writing is as wonderful as the plot is intriguing. Nora and Ridley’s characters are excellently developed, with terrific dialogue and pacing. Both are strong and steadfast in the midst of their many challenges. Their kindness to each other and others makes this story one of warmth and depth. I loved every bit of it and highly recommend this book for a very satisfying read. It will leave you with renewed faith in people and modern literature.
9.5/10 Stars
Farewell to Matthew Perry…
Like so many others, I am reeling over the sad, sudden passing of actor Matthew Perry on October 28th. As my husband said yesterday, watching Friends will never feel the same. I agree. When I read Matthew’s memoir a few months ago, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing, I learned a lot about this funny, talented man. It may be too soon for some, but I do encourage anyone and everyone to read it. Beyond his legacy of laughter, Matthew Perry battled some huge mental and physical challenges.
You can read my review HERE. Matthew wanted to be remembered for so much more than Friends. Reading his book is a good place to start.
Theme: Unconventional Women
Two of the best books I’ve read in recent months focus on women going against society’s expectations during periods in history when such behavior was much less acceptable. These are books not to be missed:
October in the Earth, by Olivia Hawker, takes place in Depression-era Kentucky. Del Wensley is the submissive wife of the area’s most influential and charismatic preacher. But not all is as it seems and, when her husband’s rampant infidelity is revealed, Del decides to leave her life behind and ride the rails. Crisscrossing the country, she meets friends and foes, learning the laws of life as a hobo from a young woman named Louisa. As the two travel together, Del is relentlessly pursued by her disgraced husband. She witnesses kindness and horror, sympathy and rejection, and comes to understand that true Christian behavior is found in the most unlikely places.
I devoured this book, spellbound by its imagery and the relationship between Del and Louisa. They hop on and off boxcars, face unimaginable danger, and are challenged physically, but their strength and friendship are their armor through every difficulty. There is so much to love about this story, not the least of which is an ending that I never expected. 9.5/10 Stars
Don’t Forget to Write, by Sara Goodman Confino is available with a Kindle Unlimited subscription and comes with the accompanying audiobook, which is superbly narrated. Set in 1960, we follow twenty-year-old Marilyn Kleinman, the rebellious daughter of Jewish parents who is sent to live with her great aunt Ada after being caught necking with the rabbi’s son in the synagogue. Aunt Ada is strict, cantankerous, and critical, but she is also wise, generous, and well-respected by all who know her. Aunt and niece spar endlessly, but their bond deepens over two summer months. Meanwhile, Marilyn learns life lessons she never realized she needed and comes into her own as a young woman ready to make her own choices.
I finished this book today and I knew I would be remiss if I didn’t mention it here. It is wondrous. One of the best books I’ve read this year, and nothing I say here will do it justice. It could be seen as historical fiction or as a coming-of-age story. Some might interpret it as a comment on hot button topics like religion, race, and sexual attraction. My main takeaway of this extremely well-written novel was this: even if we don’t agree with someone, even if we don’t understand them, we can still love and respect them. I’ll say no more. Just read this book. 9.5/10 Stars
November Amazon First Reads!
Did you know that Amazon Prime members get a free Kindle book every month? We do!
🍁Go to Amazon through a search engine (not the app.)
🍁Type “Amazon first reads” into the search bar.
🍁The selections will appear. Make your choice!
🍁Your new Kindle book will appear in your Kindle and your Kindle app on your smartphone, tablet, and computer.
FYI, all of the choices will become available the following month to Kindle Unlimited subscribers. So if you’re having a difficult time choosing, fear not! You’ll still be able to access all of the books. If you don’t subscribe to Kindle Unlimited, they are $4.99 each. Still a pretty good deal!
Happy reading!☺️
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