The Bookshop on the Shore by Jenny Colgan, Eilidh Beaton (Narrator)

July 12, 2021 By Leave a Comment


The Bookshop on the Shore by Jenny Colgan, Eilidh Beaton (Narrator)
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks, HarperAudio (Publisher)
Genre: Contemporary, Fiction
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

A grand baronial house on Loch Ness, a quirky small-town bookseller, and a single mom looking for a fresh start all come together in this witty and warm-hearted novel by New York Times bestselling author Jenny Colgan.

Desperate to escape from London, single mother Zoe wants to build a new life for herself and her four year old son Hari. She can barely afford the crammed studio apartment on a busy street where shouting football fans keep them awake all night. Hari’s dad, Jaz, a charismatic but perpetually broke DJ, is no help at all. But his sister Surinder comes to Zoe’s aid, hooking her up with a job as far away from the urban crush as possible: a bookshop on the banks of Loch Ness. And there’s a second job to cover housing: Zoe will be an au pair for three children at a genuine castle in the Scottish Highlands.

But while Scotland is everything Zoe dreamed of—clear skies, brisk fresh air, blessed quiet—everything else is a bit of a mess. The Urquart family castle is grand, but crumbling, the childrens’ single dad is a wreck, and the kids have been kicked out of school and left to their own devices. Zoe has her work cut out for her, and is determined to rise to the challenge, especially when she sees how happily Hari has taken to their new home.

With the help of Nina, the friendly local bookseller, Zoe begins to put down roots in the community. Are books, fresh air, and kindness enough to heal this broken family—and her own…?

I honestly don’t know where to start, what to share and how to avoid spoilers. To say this is a busy story is putting it mildly. My mind is blown, my emotions and feelings are all over the place because there are so many reasons to smile, cry, worry and grin. There are parts where I could feel my eyes widen, my jaw drop and my breath stall in my lungs from suspense. There are so many details to all the personalities that star in this novel. The fact that I spent 11 hours listening over two and a half days, at work, late at night, right after breakfast, basically every chance I got tells you how involved I was in the story of Zoe and her little son, Hari. I didn’t know what to expect when I took a chance on this book. I’d never heard of the author before and that’s my loss. I am wowed by this novel.

The narrator has a voice I had to get used to. I did though and now I’ve come to believe that Ms. Beaton’s voice is absolutely perfect for the characters of Ms. Colgan’s characters, especially Zoe, the heroine, and Ramsey’s son, Patrick. The narrator has some other gems throughout but I’ll let readers, if they listen to the book, discover that charming point for themselves.

Here’s the problem with listening to a book instead of reading – I have no idea how to spell some of the names and I don’t want to get it wrong so I’m going to have to describe people through their roles or some such. Bear with me. Patrick is Ramsey’s youngest, Mary is the second oldest and the eldest son has a name I would probably spell wrong. Out of all the hero’s kids, I think Patrick is the most adorable, outgoing and just plain cute. His relationship and effect on Hari is one of the strong elements in the book and one of my favorites. The two were thick as thieves and a delight to read about. I believe Ms. Beaton’s narration was spot on for those two.

Mary’s character is a hard one. That child has issues – serious issues that caused me heartache on her behalf, and is involved in the few scenes that affected my emotions the most. Zoe’s influence is one of the paramount reasons that what happens to Mary is so powerful and important.

Ramsey’s eldest son isn’t quite as prominent as the other two, but Zoe’s gentle guidance took this sullen, internet-gaming young man and turned him into a person with confidence, goals and helped him discover a grand new passion through which he experiences success, joy and a possible path to a career. I liked that.

I think I’m writing this backwards. Zoe is the main character, a single mom of Hari, and Hari can’t speak yet. He’s 4 years old and hasn’t made a peep. Zoe’s love for him comes through loud and clear. He lucked out when he got Zoe for his mom. His dad, Jaz, not so much. Oh, he loves the little tyke, but … there’s a reason Zoe and he never got married. And yet, I didn’t dislike Jaz. He’s irresponsible, yes, but he truly loves his son and I consider that a redeeming quality.

When I first meet Zoe, the author paints a very scary picture. The heroine is in dire straits and things don’t look good. She gets a helping hand from Jaz’s sister and that’s how the whole story in Scotland starts up. True, when I first started listening to the story, I got a little confused about who was who in which chapter, but that confusion didn’t last long. There is a significant reason the author wants readers to meet certain players early on. Readers need to understand what is going on in Zoe’s life, why she takes the jobs that were offered sight unseen and they need to meet the people that mattered in that stage of her life. Here’s another unusual aspect of the book – it has four parts and each part has a ton of chapters. It’s like the author tells Zoe’s and Hari’s story in stages – as a crisis point or major plot twist puts the heroine on a new path, each path becomes a section of her life and that’s why I think the novel is formatted in this manner. It is different, that’s for sure.

When I listed the genre as contemporary fiction, I did not add romance to the list. There are romantic elements, yes, but the book doesn’t really focus on a romance between Ramsey and Zoe. That just happens as Zoe’s influence heals everyone in the house, and that includes the housekeeper. It was nice to see it happen but the focus, the whole story is about Zoe dealing with the hand life has dealt her. It’s showing a reader how she herself heals while she patiently works with all of the hero’s children, meeting each challenge as they come, with compassion, firmness, stubbornness, a gentle grace and love. However, Zoe’s interactions with adults prove to be a bit more challenging. The dialogue comes in fits and starts because she initially is extremely nervous, downtrodden and at the lowest point in her life. That’s at the beginning. By the end of the book, Zoe has come into her own, and she’s a woman a reader can cheer for, care about and be happy for. This novel is basically her journey towards being the strong, confident, and beloved woman she becomes.

Oh my goodness, there is so much more I want to say, to share, to really impress upon readers of this review that The Bookshop on the Shore is worth reading. I mean it. It’s not a fluff read because the author also tackles some hard topics, like what happens to a child that is emotionally traumatized and does things to harm themselves or others. It’s handled with competence, respect and love. Then there is the truth about what really happened to Ramsey’s wife. The townsfolk bandy about lots of rumors and conjectures but don’t believe any of them. The truth is a lot more tragic than any could guess. Yet, it also opened my eyes to what a wonderful person Ramsey is, in his own quiet, few-worded way.

I’ll stop here. I mean, I didn’t even get to mention the evil chicken, the possible sighting of Nessie, what triggered Nina’s contractions to go from 0 to 60, the storm, what happens with the books – see what I mean? This novel is amazing – it’s like a whole world and I felt like I was living it with Zoe. I don’t know if it’s because of the skill and talent of the narrator bringing Ms. Colgan’s words to life or what, but if readers haven’t discovered this heartwarming tale, and are fans of stories that engage a reader on a deeper level, then this book is a must read. Oh, and the HEA is as unusual as Zoe’s life. I couldn’t figure out if it was really a happy ever after or a happily for now. I guess you’ll have to read it and decide for yourself. It does satisfy though because it wraps up with a surprising twist that bodes well for all the people I’ve come to care about.

Filed Under: Mainstream Fiction, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

Ten Beautiful Things by Molly Griffin

July 9, 2021 By Leave a Comment


Ten Beautiful Things by Molly Griffin
Publisher: Charlesbridge
Genre: Children’s (0 – 6 y.o.), Contemporary
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

A heartfelt story of changing perspectives, set in the Midwest. Ten Beautiful Things gently explores loss, a new home, and finding beauty wherever you are.

Lily and her grandmother search for ten beautiful things as they take a long car ride to Iowa and Lily’s new home with Gran. At first, Lily sees nothing beautiful in the April slush and cloudy sky. Soon though, Lily can see beauty in unexpected places, from the smell of spring mud to a cloud shaped like a swan to a dilapidated barn. A furious rainstorm mirrors Lily’s anxiety, but as it clears Lily discovers the tenth beautiful thing: Lily and Gran and their love for each other.

Ten Beautiful Things leaves the exact cause of Lily’s move ambiguous, making it perfect for anyone helping a child navigate change, whether it be the loss of a parent, entering or leaving a foster home, or moving.

Kindness makes everything better.

Lily and her grandmother had such a warm and loving relationship. I appreciated the fact that the narrator focused on what a big change it was for a young child to move in with her grandmother instead of explaining to the audience why this was necessary. Leaving that background detail up to the audience’s imagination meant that this story could appeal to children who need to adjust to living with new legal guardians for any number of reasons. What mattered was that Lily was frightened by this move and that her grandmother had come up with a clever way to help and comfort this girl.

One of my favorite scenes happened early on when the grandmother asked Lily to come up with ten beautiful things as they drove home. The protagonist was skeptical of this idea for understandable reasons, but what happened on the next page instantly endeared me to both of these characters. It was simultaneously delightful as well as something that felt realistic and natural for the plot.

It was also delightful to see how these two characters learned to agree upon what should count for their list. They took a creative approach to filling out certain portions of it. Not only did that work nicely for the storyline, it also made perfect sense based on how Lily was feeling about all of the transitions in her life. I appreciated the fact that the narrator continued to acknowledge the mixed emotions in this child while also gently encouraging her and the reader to look forward to better days.

Ten Beautiful Things was a remarkable tale that I’d enthusiastically recommend to readers of all ages.

Filed Under: Reviews, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , ,

Alaskan Dreams by Beth Carpenter

July 1, 2021 By 2 Comments


Alaskan Dreams by Beth Carpenter
A Northern Lights Novel Book 6
Publisher: Harlequin Heartwarming
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

The dream she wants

The love she found

Lauren Shepherd has traded her hectic office job for a quiet life working on an elderly friend’s farm. Risking everything to move to Alaska might just be the perfect opportunity for her—if Lauren can convince handsome and fiercely protective Patrick O’Shea that she’s not swindling his grandmother. But when financial troubles threaten her dream, Lauren and Patrick unite in a hunt for a legendary treasure…only to discover something between them more precious than gold.

After reading this novel, now I want to do yoga with goats!!! Alaskan Dreams is a delightful, engaging and fun romance loaded with heartwarming moments, adorable goat antics and a hero and heroine perfect for each other. Patrick’s grandmother is a spunky sweetheart and her yoga ladies are amazing secondary characters that add to the warmth and community within the book’s pages. The hunt for a lost chunk of gold adds to the mystery as all parties pitch in to discover the clues and search for what many have written off as a fanciful story from days gone by. That might have stayed the case if not for a teeny tiny key found by both Lauren and Patrick. The wondering if there really was a treasure to find was a compelling thread woven throughout the story. As a hook, it was effective, but what really grabbed my attention and kept it was watching Patrick and Lauren fall in love. It was wonderful.

Ms. Carpenter wrote this sweet/sensual story with a skill at storytelling that impressed me. I liked the attention to detail when it came to the personalities of Lauren’s goats and learning a little bit about their care, feeding and the challenges that accompany critters who love to climb high and jump for fun. It came in handy during yoga, but poor Patrick’s Jeep didn’t fare so well. I thought Spritz the goat was hilarious, especially when she took a shine to Patrick. I think the doe had good taste.

If anyone raises an eyeball regarding yoga with goats, please don’t scoff too loud. There’s a farm not too far from me that hosts Cow Yoga, sometimes called Farmhouse Yoga, but the cows are the draw. It’s quite popular so I totally believe Yoga with Goats would be just as popular for real. I think it’s an awesome idea.

The character with the most emotional growth is the heroine, Lauren. Her only example of relationships and love came from her mother. Believe me when I tell you that the heroine doesn’t have a clue about how true love and a healthy solid relationship works. She is skittish because she wants to avoid anything that smacks of the path her mother took. Fortunately, Bonnie, Patrick’s grandmother, is wise as she is loving and adventurous. She’s the perfect secondary character to help guide her grandson and Lauren to believe in what could be. They just have to learn how to do one important thing – trust. I think readers are going to get the happy feels when things come to fruition.

The only downside of the book was that one scene that made me sad and gave me the sniffles. I felt so bad but I also appreciated the reality. Such a thing can happen to farmers and often does so I could really relate to Lauren’s emotions. It leads to a few powerful scenes that end up being pivotal in the novel.

Alaskan Dreams is a truly wonderful read. The focus is on what it should be – two strangers coming together, learning about each other and joining forces to follow the dream of someone they both love, Bonnie, Patrick’s grandma. Her dream eventually leads Lauren to realize her own, and Patrick comes to respect and love the woman who took a chance and moved all the way from Oregon because of goats. The love of family, the love of the land, the love that Patrick and Lauren eventually have for each other, all of it is what makes Alaskan Dreams such an amazing read and one I heartily recommend for readers looking for a feel-good story.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , ,

The Last Green Valley by Mark Sullivan

June 30, 2021 By Leave a Comment


The Last Green Valley by Mark Sullivan
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
Genre: Historical, Fiction
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Lavender

In late March 1944, as Stalin’s forces push into Ukraine, young Emil and Adeline Martel must make a terrible decision: Do they wait for the Soviet bear’s intrusion and risk being sent to Siberia? Or do they reluctantly follow the wolves—murderous Nazi officers who have pledged to protect “pure-blood” Germans?

The Martels are one of many families of German heritage whose ancestors have farmed in Ukraine for more than a century. But after already living under Stalin’s horrifying regime, Emil and Adeline decide they must run in retreat from their land with the wolves they despise to escape the Soviets and go in search of freedom.
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Caught between two warring forces and overcoming horrific trials to pursue their hope of immigrating to the West, the Martels’ story is a brutal, complex, and ultimately triumphant tale that illuminates the extraordinary power of love, faith, and one family’s incredible will to survive and see their dreams realized.

The Last Green Valley is inspiring as well as entertaining. A family who is ethnically German but living in Ukraine in 1944 is caught between the bear and the wolves (Stalin and Hitler). What a terrible decision. They do what they must to survive, and extreme danger is at every turn.

This family—the Martels—and their near relatives flee as refugees, and life is difficult, to say the least. Heart-breaking decisions must be made along the way, and the Martels suffer in different manners. Sometimes the troubles are physical, but sometimes they are mental and emotional and…haunting. How is this family going to survive such trials?

Emil Martel has lost his faith, even though his wife Adeline has not. Then they meet a man who appears to have lost his link with reality. This man changes Emil’s life in an unexpected way.

The manner in which the Martels deal with their troubles is quite moving. Their triumphs will feel like the readers’ triumphs. The author of this book has done a great job at making the characters and their world so real. This is a memorable story and should be on the reading list of anyone who enjoys true historical stories.

Filed Under: Mainstream Fiction, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

Broken by Elise Faber

June 29, 2021 By Leave a Comment


*Broken by Elise Faber
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Larkspur

He was forty years old.
He was single.
He had his dream job as GM of the Baltimore Breakers hockey franchise, and he was happy.

Lie.

Because the woman he was in love with was married.

To a perfectly nice man who loved her and cared for her and treated her like the queen she was.

But then Lexi showed up at his house, tears in her eyes, Caleb out of the picture, and he finally had a shot.

A real shot.

At love.

The trouble was that Luc had spent almost the entirety of his adult life running from love. He didn’t do relationships, not any longer.

But . . . Lexi was hurt, absolutely devastated, and she needed care and gentleness and deserved all of the romance in the world.

So he needed to man up and find a way to convince her to give him that shot.

I loved reading Broken, it is a beautifully written story about Luc and Lexi. Luc, a former hockey player, is now the GM for the Baltimore Breakers hockey team. Luc immediately falls for Lexi, when she starts working for the Breakers as their attorney. When Luc finds out Lexi is married and he realizes he can’t date her, he becomes her best friend. Until Luc finally has a chance to win Lexi when she divorces her husband.

Elise Faber is one of my favorite authors. I think she is a wonderful storyteller and she does a fantastic job in telling Luc and Lexis’ story. I found this story to be light and refreshing with great plot weaving. The characters are well developed and realistic and I loved reading their story. At times I found this story to be both heartbreaking and heartwarming and there is a lot of underlying tension zinging between Luc and Lexi. It is slow burn at its finest and I loved all the interactions between Luc and Lexi; as two best friends slowly fall in love.

Luc is a good guy and the perfect boyfriend. I loved the way he treats Lexi; he is so patient with her and he never wavers in his feelings for her. Luc is charming, thoughtful and caring and totally dedicated to Lexi.

Luc and Lexi have so much passion about life, their relationship and for each other. They are perfect together. I never wanted this story to end and I loved being in Luc and Lexi’s world. I felt all their emotions as they were going through them and I enjoyed all their interactions. As an added bonus, this story takes place in the world of hockey, where Luc and Lexi both work and I love any book about hockey. I thoroughly enjoyed this upbeat story.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , ,

The Cowboy’s Convenient Marriage by Jessie Gussman

June 28, 2021 By Leave a Comment


The Cowboy’s Convenient Marriage by Jessie Gussman
Sweet Water Ranch Western Cowboy Romance Book 5
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

It was supposed to be simple.

Marry the tall Texan. Her children get a father. They save the ranch.

A business transaction, nothing more. She definitely wasn’t going to fall in love. After her husband ran off with her little sister, she was no longer susceptible to cowboy charm.

Except, the North Dakota girl had never met a Texas cowboy.

He married her for the ranch.

A former champion bull rider needs a spread to call home, even if it is in North Dakota.

Even if it comes with four little kids.

And a big, black, slobbering dog.

Especially if it comes with a woman with enough sweetness and enough toughness to rope his heart and heal it.

The cowboy’s not afraid of anything…except losing his heart again.

Reading this romance was like breathing in a sweet, refreshing gust of air that cleared my mind of current worries and concerns. I needed an uplifting, positive romance read and I found it in The Cowboy’s Convenient Marriage. I’d never read a story by Ms. Gussman before and I am pleased that my first book by this author ended up being a great experience.

The premise is simple. Rich guy leaves a lot of money to various people after he dies, but puts restrictions and provisos that seem ridiculous and unattainable at first glance. I don’t know how other books fared in the series, but in this book, even though it uses a well-known trope, the business arrangement of a marriage, or a marriage of convenience, was perfectly executed and delightfully told.

Rem is a banged up cowboy who has ridden his last champion bull. Elaine is a woman who’s burdened by choosing love and motherhood over the sometimes easier but often-chosen path of shared parenting in her divorce. Her burden isn’t because she chose single-parenthood – it’s because her family legacy and love of the land she called home is causing a hardship that was forcing her to face a choice she didn’t want to make – sell the farm. She’s hanging on by the skin of her teeth when Rem steps up to the plate.

I found it interesting that the author used other people, who must have been characters from a previous romance story, to vet and verify the quality and veracity of Rem and Elaine’s characters so the story could jump right into the good stuff. Two strangers agree to marry to secure their own ends and meet their most pressing concerns but end up doing the very last thing they thought they’d do – fall in love and heal the needs, hopes and lost dreams of their hearts. It’s their journey that the book is about and it’s filled with family, love, sacrifice and gentle humor.

There are too many details to cover that justify my high rating of this novel. I don’t want to accidentally spill spoilers either, so I’ll be vague. Rem’s growing relationship with Elaine’s four children is heartwarming to watch. The dog is sparsely applied but effective comic relief. Rem’s estranged relationship with his father and brother is briefly explored but provided interesting insight. Rem’s mom kind of rubbed me the wrong way – passive aggressive manipulation isn’t a favorite ploy of mine, but I still get the feeling that Rem loves his mom anyway, and she did love her son. The description of inside the home he grew up in kind of makes me understand why his mom might be the way she is. And, I’m really glad Rem ends up in North Dakota. I respect a man who makes his own decisions and makes his way in the world by not backing down from challenges. Elaine’s situation is a huge challenge to be sure, and the hero is more than up to the task of dealing with what looks to be insurmountable financial odds. I say insurmountable because the rich guy’s bequest might not be the boon everyone expected. How Rem deals with that is what makes him an awesome hero.

I would classify this romance as sensual. There are passionate thoughts, kisses and temptations but I appreciated that when the time finally came to be husband and wife in more than name only, the bedroom door closed. I am left knowing that they were satisfied with that part of their relationship and it was blissful, but I didn’t need explicit scenes to believe that their love and compatibility in that arena was genuine and beautiful.

The Cowboy’s Convenient Marriage ends with an emotionally satisfying happy ever after with feelings of joy, contentment and the knowledge that they are now truly one big happy family where love and faith guide and nurture their hearts. The epilogue also includes a very effective hook for the next installment of the series. I’ll have to check it out because it sounds interesting and if it’s anything like this story, I’ll be in for another great read.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , ,

Local Woman Missing by Mary Kubica

June 23, 2021 By Leave a Comment


Local Woman Missing by Mary Kubica
Publisher: Park Row
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Cholla

People don’t just disappear without a trace…

Shelby Tebow is the first to go missing. Not long after, Meredith Dickey and her six-year-old daughter, Delilah, vanish just blocks away from where Shelby was last seen, striking fear into their once-peaceful community. Are these incidents connected? After an elusive search that yields more questions than answers, the case eventually goes cold.

Now, eleven years later, Delilah shockingly returns. Everyone wants to know what happened to her, but no one is prepared for what they’ll find…

When one woman goes missing, it’s an awful event. But when two women and a six-year-old go missing close together? It becomes a local tragedy. Just when the town thinks it’s starting to move past it all, to heal and grow, the missing child shows up out of nowhere, throwing everything and everyone into turmoil again. However, not everything is as it seems.

Leo, Delilah’s younger brother, is probably my favorite character. He was very young when Delilah and their mother disappeared – he was four, I think – so he has no memories of his sister at all. There are times when he doubts her, thinks she’s making things up, and yet, he still finds ways to make her feel at home. He’s probably the most honest of them all, even when he’s being awful about the situation at hand.

Kate is the kind of neighbor you want to have. She’s smart, friendly, and goes above and beyond to help when you need her. When Delilah and Meredith go missing, she’s on the front line searching and helping care for Josh and Leo, the father and son that are left behind to deal with the fallout. Her partner, Bea, is a musician and more of a free spirit than Kate, but she’s generous with her time and makes the perfect partner for Kate.

Meredith’s point of view is one of the more intense since she’s got a lot going on in her life, even before she goes missing. She’s caring for the two kids she has with her husband, Josh, running her business as a doula, and everything else that comes with motherhood. Plus, she had a few unpleasant things she was dealing with as well – an arrogant doctor and mysterious bruises that keep showing up on her son, Leo. I felt her struggle in my soul. Despite not being a single mom – she was very happily married – so much of her kids’ care fell on her and it was wearing her out. Something I could easily relate to. Still, she somehow managed to find a way to get it all done.

I’ve read several books by the author and she has a great way of making you want to believe everyone while not trusting anyone. I thought I knew who was responsible at least six times and each time, I was so wrong. The twist at the end threw me completely and was not something I was expecting at all. Sometimes, her twists aggravate me, but this one left me with my mouth hanging open. I can’t see where she goes next since each book seems to get better and crazier.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

Awakened Are the Starry-Eyed by Christine Dore Miller

June 11, 2021 By Leave a Comment


Awakened Are the Starry-Eyed by Christine Dore Miller
Publisher: Evernight Publishing
Genre: Young Adult (14 – 18 y.o.), LGBTQ, Romance, Contemporary
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

A new city and unexpected freedom give Andrea the fresh start she craved, but her haunting past threatens to unrest an already tangled future. In this tense and emotionally stirring sequel to Forgiven Are the Starry-Eyed, Awakened will leave you breathless as it navigates the heartbreaking disquiet of one survivor’s scattered and uncertain path towards healing.

Healing can be hard work, but it’s always worth it.

Andrea had a wonderful support system. Some of my favorite scenes were the ones that showed how her parents and two best friends reacted to her when she was really struggling with her mental health. They were so kind and compassionate even when they didn’t always necessarily understand why she was behaving the way that she did.

This book’s depiction of the trauma, anxiety, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Andrea faced as a result of the abusive relationship she was in when I first met her was realistic and well written. Healing can be a painfully slow process sometimes, and I appreciated the fact that the author was so honest about that. There were times when I wanted to hug the main character and other scenes when I wished I could drive her to a therapy appointment myself.

My review of the first instalment of this series mentioned some pacing issues I noticed in it. I was quite pleased with the fast but even pacing this time around! Naturally, there were times in Andrea’s life when things were quieter or busier than usual, but I always felt like I had exactly the right amount of time with her no matter what she was going through. It’s a thrill to give a five-star rating to an author the second time around, and I’m excited to do it for her today. She did a wonderful job smoothing out the pacing and keeping this reader sitting on the edge of my seat from the first scene to the last one.

This is the sequel to Forgiven Are the Starry-Eyed. I’d strongly recommend reading this series in order due to how much character development takes place during it.

Awakened Are the Starry-Eyed should be read by anyone who is interested in a compelling example of what life can be like after escaping an abusive relationship.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews, Romance, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , , ,

The Girl Who Fell to Earth by Sophia Al-Maria

June 10, 2021 By Leave a Comment


The Girl Who Fell to Earth by Sophia Al-Maria
Publisher: Harper Perennial
Genre: Historical, Memoir, Non-Fiction
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Lavender

Award-winning filmmaker and writer Sophia Al-Maria’s The Girl Who Fell to Earth is a funny and wry coming-of-age memoir about growing up in between American and Gulf Arab cultures. With poignancy and humor, Al-Maria shares the struggles of being raised by an American mother and Bedouin father while shuttling between homes in the Pacific Northwest and the Middle East. Part family saga and part personal quest, The Girl Who Fell to Earth traces Al-Maria’s journey to make a place for herself in two different worlds.

Sophia is a young woman caught between two worlds. She was born in America to an American mother and a Bedouin father and goes back and forth between the Seattle area and the Middle East, specifically Qatar. Sophia’s comments on her experiences are brutally honest, at times humorous, and at others, tragic.

Her delightful insights allow readers to get a feel for what it is like growing up with two very different value systems pulling at her. She is strong, independent, and takes chances, based on her internal callings. Her father wishes for her to be more traditional, and when she lives with his family, she resents being constrained due to her gender and does something about it. Her father’s people are minorities in their own land though. Other more modern groups see them as “backwards,” and Sophia has to manage her feelings about this.

It is gripping to follow along and see how Sophia handles the cultural clashes and especially situations with young men. The other characters are so realistically drawn that readers can feel what Sophia feels in encountering and interacting with them. The author’s descriptions of the two worlds are stark and bring her point across well.

As Sophia grows up, goes to college in Egypt, and continuously tries find herself, readers will be entertained, surprised at times, and moved emotionally by the talented author telling her story.

This was an enjoyable book, and I would recommend it to others. I would definitely read more from this author.

Filed Under: Non-Fiction, Other, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

Play by Kat Mizera

June 9, 2021 By Leave a Comment


*Play by Kat Mizera
Publisher: Self-published
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Larkspur

Tyler Thompson is a bona fide rock star.

He went on tour at seventeen and never looked back. And now, fifteen years later, he has more fame, fortune, and success than he ever imagined. He’s the bass player for a new band, Nobody’s Fool, and all he wants to do is get back on tour. But business and personal issues are blocking his next move.

Pop star Ariel Fox has been under her father’s thumb for so long she doesn’t remember what freedom is like. When she gets invited to record a single on Nobody’s Fool’s demo tape she’s ready for a week of work…and fun, without the watchful eye of her father. One look at Tyler’s blue eyes and she’s immediately snagged. She wants it all—him, success, a real future. But nothing is ever that simple.

Falling in love wasn’t part of the deal.

And when the record company tries to sabotage Nobody’s Fool, Ariel must choose between protecting Tyler and protecting herself.

Tyler and Ariel may be famous but they have problems just like all of us. I really enjoyed reading Play. It is an enchanting and emotional romance and it captivated me from the first page. The two main characters, Tyler and Ariel are easy to connect with, well developed and I instantly liked them. Kat Mizera knows how to write about characters that are realistic and down to earth, even though they live high profile lives.

Tyler and Ariel have tons of chemistry, feel comfortable together and quickly develop strong feelings for each other. Tyler is a bass player for a hot new band, Nobody’s Fool and Ariel is a famous pop princess. Yes, this plot has been used many times before, but I still found the story refreshing and I was eager to find out what happens next. Tyler and Ariel both stole my heart and I was rooting for them throughout the story and hoping everything would work out between them.

Tyler’s entertaining band mates are also included in the story and I thought it added another dimension to the story. Each of Tyler’s band mates will be getting their own book in the future and I look forward to reading their stories, too. This story has an interesting plot, great pacing and I loved reading Tyler and Ariel’s story. If you enjoy rock star romances as much as I do, you should read this one.

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