Tag: book review

Book Review:   Casket Case, by Lauren Evans

Image belongs to Random House.

Title:  Casket Case  
Author:   Lauren Evans
Genre: Romance, fantasy        
Rating: 3 out of 5

In this warm-hearted debut rom-com, a young woman returns home to run her family’s casket business and falls in love with a seemingly perfect stranger. But there’s just one problem . . . he works for Death.

Nora thought she was finished with Rabbittown, Alabama, for good. But an unexpected tragedy turned her life upside down, and she’s found herself back in her tiny hometown running the family casket business.

There aren’t exactly a lot of prospects for a single woman in her thirties in a place like Rabbittown. Until Nora Clanton’s ordinary, casket-selling day is interrupted by a handsome stranger wandering into her shop and asking for directions–as well as a date.

Garrett Bishop seems like the ideal guy. He’s thoughtful, he’s kind, and he has a lucrative job as a logistics coordinator, for which he seems to have a passion. She’s not totally sure what “logistics” entails, but she knows it means long hours, lots of travel, and urgent calls in the middle of the night.

When a few of Rabbittown’s residents suddenly pass away–a heart attack here, a car crash there–and Garrett is spotted at the scenes of, well, all of the deaths, his frustratingly vague job description starts to become increasingly . . . suspicious. What is it that Garrett actually does for a living?

He’s a logistics coordinator for Death.

When Nora discovers the truth, she is unable to reconcile the wonderful man she knows with the unthinkably cruel job he loves. Will she ever be able to understand how he can do what he does, or will she have to lay her best chance at love to rest?

This was an interesting premise, but it felt so slow! And yet, it also included insta-love with no explanation, so that part felt fast. Nora was so passive she got on my nerves. She’s dissatisfied with her life, yet unwilling to take any sort of action at all. And Garrett seems way too good to be true. I never figured out what they saw in each other—or why they got together. The execution of this idea underwhelmed me a bit.

Lauren Evans lives in Atlanta. Casket Case is her debut novel.

(Galley courtesy of Random House in exchange for an honest review.)

Book Review: The Booklover’s Library, by Madeline Martin 

Image belongs to Harlequin/Hanover Square Press.

Title:  The Booklover’s Library
Author:  Madeline Martin        
Genre: Historical fiction        
Rating: 5 out of 5

In Nottingham, England, widow Emma Taylor finds herself in desperate need of a job to provide for herself and her beloved daughter, Olivia. But with the legal restrictions prohibiting widows with children from most employment opportunities, she’s left with only one option: persuading the manageress at Boots’ Booklover’s Library to take a chance on her.

When the threat of war becomes a reality, Olivia must be evacuated to the countryside. In her daughter’s absence, Emma seeks solace in the unlikely friendships she forms with her neighbors and coworkers, as well as the recommendations she provides to the library’s quirky regulars. But the job doesn’t come without its difficulties. Books are mysteriously misshelved and disappearing, and her work forces her to confront the memories of her late father and the bookstore they once owned together before a terrible accident.

As the Blitz intensifies in Nottingham and Emma fights to reunite with her daughter, she must learn to depend on her community and the power of literature more than ever to find hope in the darkest of times.

This was such a lovely read! I do love World War II historical fiction, but Martin’s characters are always so well-done and vivid that I end up drawn into the story just because I’m so interested in the people. I loved the library, and I think being a book concierge would be a fun job! This is a great read, and I highly recommend it.

Madeline Martin is a bestselling author. The Booklover’s Library is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of Harlequin/Hanover Square Press in exchange for an honest review.)

  

Sundays are for Writing #294

This was a solid writing week, despite chaos at work and a friend in the hospital. I got in five fiction sessions, and one book review, The Bookshop of Hidden Dreams, by Karen Hawkins.

Happy writing!

Book Review:  The Bookshop of Hidden Dreams, by Karen Hawkins

Image belongs to Gallery Books.

Title:   The Bookshop of Hidden Dreams
Author:  Karen Hawkins        
Genre:  Romance       
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

When an antique tin of love letters is found hidden in her family home, noted historian Tay Dove rushes home to Dove Pond to investigate. Tay is still reeling from a romantic betrayal, so she’s relieved to refocus her energies on her latest project: a biography of her great-great-grandmother Sarafina, a star reporter who began her career in Dove Pond in the late 19th century before abruptly leaving town.

Tay believes the letters could be the key in solving what happened, but they only add to her questions—especially when they reveal a forbidden love affair with William Day, a wild youth who took part in a notorious train robbery. Some answers might be found in eighty-year-old Rose Day’s bookshop, which doubles as a town archive, but Rose is curiously resistant to give Tay access. Just when Tay thinks she’s reached a dead end, she finds an unlikely ally in Rose’s grandson, Luke, a fellow puzzle lover. Together, they set out to uncover what really happened all those years ago…and find the truth behind a love story that could be more precious than gold.

I do love the Dove Pond Books! I enjoyed the first two more than the third one, but I think this one I just as good as those first two. I love the small-town feel of Dove Pond, and the Dove family is just so much fun. I like the dual timelines in this story and found myself engrossed in both of these, although knowing only one of them could have a happy ending. Love this newest installment in this magical series!

Karen Hawkins is bestselling author. The Bookshop of Hidden Dreams is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of Gallery Books in exchange for an honest review.)

Sundays are for Writing #293

This was a good writing week! Five fiction sessions, and three book reviews: The Housekeeper’s Secret, by Iona Grey, How to Fall for a Scoundrel, by Kate Bateman, and The New Camelot, by Robyn Schneider.

Happy writing!

Book Review:  The Break-Up Pact, by Emma Lord

Image belongs to St. Martin’s Press.

Title:  The Break-Up Pact  
Author:  Emma Lord        
Genre:  Romance       
Rating:  4 out of 5

June and Levi were best friends as teenagers—until the day they weren’t. Now June is struggling to make rent on her beachside tea shop, Levi is living a New York cliché as a disillusioned hedge fund manager and failed novelist, and they’ve barely spoken in years.

But after they both experience public, humiliating break-ups with their exes that spread like wildfire across TikTok rabbit holes and daytime talk shows alike, they accidentally make some juicy gossip of their own—a photo of them together has the internet convinced they’re a couple. With so many people rooting for them, they decide to put aside their rocky past and make a pact to fuel the fire. Pretending to date will help June’s shop get back on its feet and make Levi’s ex realize that she made a mistake. All they have to do is convince the world they’re in love, one swoon-worthy photo opp at a time.

Two viral break-ups. One fake relationship. Five sparkling, heart-pounding dates. June and Levi can definitely pull this off without their hearts getting involved. Because everyone knows fake dating doesn’t come with real feelings. Right?

This was a cute read! I loved the banter between June and Levi, and their interactions were both sweet and funny. So many good secondary characters in this! These added a lot of believability to the story, so June and Levi weren’t operating in a bubble. I love the idea of the tea shop, although some of the scone flavors mentioned—Red Bull?—were not to my taste. A fun weekend read!

Emma Lord is a bestselling author. The Break-Up Pact is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of St. Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review.)

Book Review:  The New Camelot, by Robyn Schneider

Image belongs to Penguin Group.

Title:   The New Camelot
Author: Robyn Schneider  
Genre:  YA      
Rating: 

Everything is finally going right for Emry Merlin. Now that Arthur is the king and her wayward magic is under control, she’s enjoying life as Camelot’s official court wizard—and as Arthur’s girlfriend.But when an unexpected visitor arrives at court, Emry finds her hard-won position threatened. And Arthur is torn between listening to his advisors and following his heart. Even more troubling, war is on the horizon, with King Yurien’s access to dark magic ensuring Camelot’s doom. That is, unless Emry, Arthur, and Lance can find a way to defeat the evil sorceress Bellicent with magic from her own world. But undertaking a quest to Anwen is perilous business, and our young heroes will face many obstacles on their journey—from dangerous beasts to suspicious nobles to cursed maidens determined to find someone to marry. Can Emry and Arthur save their kingdom and fix their relationship, or will they have to choose between their future and Camelot’s?

I haven’t read the other two books in this trilogy, but this was a lot of fun! I liked how the Arthurian mythos was twisted and modernized. Some of it really made me laugh! What if King Arthur wasn’t so impressed with his job, and Merlin was a big faker? This was a quick, fun read.

Robyn Schneider is a bestselling author. The New Camelot is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of Penguin Group in exchange for an honest review.)

Book Review: How to Fall for a Scoundrel, by Kate Bateman  

Image belongs to St. Martin’s Press.

Title:  How to Fall for a Scoundrel  
Author:  Kate Bateman        
Genre: Romance        
Rating: 4 out of 5

As a founding member of King & Co., London’s most successful private investigation firm, studious Eleanor Law delights in secretly proving that women can solve crimes just as well as men. When a charming con man pretends to be her fictional boss, “Charles King,” Ellie knows he’s lying, but accepting the scoundrel’s offer of help might just be the key to cracking her new case and recovering a priceless manuscript.

“Henri Bonheur”—or “Harry” as he asks to be called—claims his criminal past is behind him, but a man who steals and seduces with such consummate ease can never be trusted. As the investigation draws them deeper into danger and desire, Ellie’s infuriated to realize she’s developed feelings for her law-breaking accomplice. How can she love the scoundrel when she doesn’t even know his real name? And what will happen when Harry’s past finally catches up with him?

This was a fun read! I liked the basic premise of the three girls secretly investigating crimes, and they were a ton of fun to read. Ellie and Henry were a lot of fun to read together, and I enjoyed their adventure.

Kate Bateman is from England. How to Fall for a Scoundrel is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of St. Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review.)

Book Review:  The Housekeeper’s Secret, by Iona Grey

Image belongs to St. Martin’s Press.

Title:  The Housekeeper’s Secret
Author: Iona Grey
Genre: Historical fiction
Rating:  4.5 out of 5

Duty, desire, and deception reside under one roof.

Standing in the remote windswept moors of Northern England, Coldwell Hall is the perfect place to hide. For the past five years, Kate Furniss has maintained her professional mask so carefully that she almost believes she is the character she has created: Coldwell’s respectable housekeeper.

It is the summer of 1911 that brings new faces above and below the stairs of Coldwell Hall―including the handsome and mysterious new footman, Jem Arden. Just as the house’s shuttered rooms open, so does Kate’s guarded heart to a love affair that is as intense as it is forbidden. But Kate can feel her control slipping as Jem harbors secrets of his own.

I enjoyed this historical fiction read! Even the reader didn’t know Kate or Jem’s secrets all at once, and the gradual reveal was well-done and immersive. The servants’ lives in the early 1900s was fascinating to read about, and even the secondary characters tugged on my heartstrings.

Iona Grey is an award-winning author. The Housekeeper’s Secret is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of St. Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review.)

The Best Books I Read in August (2024)

In August, I read 23 books. Most of these were solid reads, some were “meh,” and a few were excellent.

Where the Forest Meets the Stars, by Glendy Vanderah. I liked this read that had been lingering on my TBR for far too long. It felt like a touch of magic, and the cover is gorgeous.

Cast in Atonement, by Michelle Sagara. I’ve loved all 18 books in this series, so this was a no-brainer. Kaylin’s adventures are always engrossing—and usually good for a laugh or two.

The Story Collector, by Evie Woods. I enjoyed The Lost Bookshop so much, and couldn’t wait to read this. Loved these characters–in both timelines–and had a hard time putting this down. I definitely recommend it.