April Reads

• The Nature of Fragile Things by Susan Meissner 
• 5 Stars 
• Set during the San Francisco Earthquake of 1906 and full of murder, mystery and intrigue, this was one of my favorites this month!  
• The Elite & The One by Kierra Cass 
• 3 Stars & 4 Stars 
• Since I started The Selection series last month, I just had to finish!  I liked the final installment better than the second, but they both filled their roles as brain candy admirably.  
• The Nature of a Lady by Roseanna M. White 
• 5 Stars 
• Even though White (or her assistant) didn't think I was cool enough to be on the publicity team for this novel, I still loved it.  See my full review here.
• Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis 
• 4 Stars 
• Monster read this in 5th grade earlier this year while his class learned about the Great Depression.  The story took a while to get going, but the end was beautifully sweet. 
• Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel 
• 3 Stars 
• The Hubby and I listened to this as an audiobook earlier this month.  While this post-apocalyptic story was compelling and certainly kept us entertained for hours, the ending was abrupt and unsatisfying.  
• A Gilded Lady by Elizabeth Camden 
• 4 Stars 
• I've long been a fan of Camden, but her stories seem to have fallen into a predictable pattern.  This novel was not exception.  That said, I still enjoyed the story and its setting during the McKinley Administration.  
• The Children's Blizzard by Melanie Benjamin 
• 3 Stars 
• Set in January 1888, this historical fiction novel tells the story of a horrific blizzard that hit the Dakota territory and Nebraska just as schools released students for the day.  The novel tracks the decisions and fates of several different characters throughout the region.  While I found the subject fascinating, but tragic, the writing was a bit disjointed and the characters not terribly likable.  
• Winning the Gentleman by Kristi Ann Hunter 
• 4 Stars 
• This was a fun, light, historical fiction romance by one of my favorite authors.  You can see my full review here. 
• Surviving Savannah by Patti Callahan 
• 4 Stars 
• Maybe 5 Stars 
• Despite a little too much emotional exploration, I truly enjoyed this book.  I had never even heard of the Pulaski steamship explosion, often referred to as "The Southern Titanic."  I always love when I learn something completely new from a book!  
• Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi 
• 4 Stars 
• This is a heartbreakingly lovely story that follows several generations of two branches of the same African family.  One branch remains in Ghana while the other ends up in the US.  It was a difficult but powerful read.  
• Let It Be Me Becky Wade 
• 3 Stars 
• I really didn't love this contemporary Christian romance.  You can read my rant about it here.  
• Something Old by Rebecca Connolly 
• 4 Stars 
• Along with Mimi Matthews, Connolly is one of my go-to historical romance writers when I need something light.  Sweet, easy, clean, and romantic was just what I needed, and Something Old delivered.  

Let It Be Me

 

Becky Wade's Let It Be Me tells the love story of pediatric heart surgeon Sebastian Grant and math- prodigy-turned-teacher Leah Montgomery.  Several obstacles stand in the their path to true love, however; Sebastian's best friend has been in love with Leah for months, Leah  professes not to believe herself capable of romance or attraction, Leah finds herself distracted by a quest to discover how and why she was evidently switched at birth, and Sebastian admittedly holds himself apart from others as a result of his troubled childhood.  In the end, predictably, the problems resolve and the happy couple waltzes off toward the Georgian horizon.  

After reading in the afterward that Wade is a fellow Baylor Bear, it pains me to profess that I am not at all a fan of this book. Before you accuse me of disliking the novel because it isn't historical fiction, bear in mind that there have been several contemporary romance series from Bethany House that I've enjoyed, like Liz Johnson's Prince Edward Island Dreams, Susan May Warren's Montana Rescue, or Irene Hannon's Hope Harbor.  First, there were simply far too many unrelated plotlines.  The love triangle issue and the whole "switched at birth" saga were unnecessary, distracting, and borderline bizarre.  Second, I may have been able to overlook the first issue if I had found the love story compelling or even believable.  I'm honestly not sure why either Leah or Sebastian managed to even like each other.  Despite physical attraction, which Wade described at one point as "a pleasurable menstrual cramp," the characters didn't seem to have anything in common or any reason to find themselves in love.  Sebastian, despite being a rich, handsome heart surgeon, regularly deliverers cringe-inducing lines like, "I want to make out with you" and sometimes behaves like a maniacal stalker.  Which brings me to my final point, the characters' actions simply don't make sense.  Sebastian goes to great lengths (mostly spending inappropriate amounts of money) to get Leah to go on a date, but has no intention of maintaining a long-term or serious relationship with her.  If it weren't Christian fiction, I'd assume he just wanted to get in her pants then dump her.  It was all very confusing.  I won't be reading any other Misty River books.  

I received a free copy from the publisher.  No review, positive or otherwise, was required—all opinions are my own.

Winning the Gentleman

 

In Kristi Ann Hunter's 2nd installment of her Hearts on the Heath series, Winning the Gentleman, readers experience the sweet love story of Sophia Fitzroy and Aaron Whitworth.  Aaron, the illegitimate son of an earl, has always had to work hard to maintain his reputation as a gentleman, businessman, and horseman.  When he mistakenly hires Sophia as a temporary jockey, however, his well-ordered life and painstakingly crafted image begin to crumble.  Sophia regrets the trouble she has caused, but still can't see another way to save her brother and herself from the itinerant life they've led since their father's death.  Will Sophia and Aaron hold tight to old dreams and vulnerabilities or take a chance on each other?  

While this wasn't my favorite of Hunter's novels, I did enjoy Sophia and Aaron's story.  The story took a while to get moving; from the back cover the reader knows that Aaron will hire Sophia, so the several chapters prior to her arrival at the Heath seemed to drag.  The ending, however, was as sweetly romantic as I could have hoped.  Even though I've read all of Hunter's books, I found myself confused by the cast of characters from time to time.  Aaron himself, for example, featured in two other of Hunter's novels.  This flaw, however, didn't hinder my ability to follow the primary plotline, and I absolutely loved getting to see Trent and Adelaide from An Uncommon Courtship again!  All in all, Winning the Gentleman and its prequel, Vying for the Viscount, are worth reading, but I haven't loved them as much as her Hathorne House series.  

I received a free copy from the publisher.  No review, positive or otherwise, was required—all opinions are my own.

The Nature of a Lady

 

In the first installment of her newest series, The Secrets of the Isles, Roseanna M. White transports her readers to the fascinating history, culture, and geography of the Scilly Isles off the southwestern tip of England.  The Nature of a Lady's heroine, Lady Elizabeth "Libby" Sinclair, hasn't ever felt that she belongs among London's society and decides to spend an idyllic summer in the Isles with her maid.  When she arrives at her cottage, however, she discovers its former occupant has mysteriously vanished.  Libby and her maid, who hails from the Isles, join with the missing girl's brother, the dashing Oliver Tremayne, to find her.  The team wade through ancient legends, treasure maps, and forbidding caves and castles as the search becomes more fascinating and dangerous.  What will they discover about the nature of science, history, faith and love?  

The Nature of a Lady is nothing short of White at her finest.  I adored her Ladies of the Manor series (A Lady Unrivaled, The Reluctant Duchess, The Lost Heiress), liked her Shadows over England series, and tolerated her Codebreakers series, but if this first installment is any indication, I may soon have a new favorite.  The characters were believable and dynamic, the plot was fast paced and full of adventure, and her overarching theme of finding the difficult balance between faith and science was compelling.  I'll be anxiously awaiting the next novel and a return trip to the Scilly Isles!   

I received a free copy from the publisher.  No review was required, and all opinions are my own.

March Reads

 Fiction: 

• To Sir Phillip with Love by Julia Quinn 
• 3 Stars 
• This is my last Bridgerton book.  For real this time.  I now know what happens to all of my favorite characters from the show, so I'm finally content to let the series lie.  I mean it.  
• A Vow So Bold and Deadly (Cursebreakers #3) by Brigid Kemmerer 
• 4 Stars 
• I read the first two installments of this series last summer while quarantined and have been impatiently waiting to get my hands on this finale from the library.  I wasn't disappointed.  I read several very negative reviews, so my hopes weren't high going in, but I ended up liking the ending just fine.  
• The Cursebreakers Series is a fun YA series loosely based on "Beauty and the Beast".  It's definitely worth reading for tween and teen girls!  
• Veiled in Smoke by Jocelyn Green 
• 3 Stars 
• This is the first installment by Green in a historical series set in Chicago with this particular novel chronicling the Great Fire. 
• I enjoyed the story and the historical perspective, but the writing seemed clunky and the characters a bit over done.  If I can find the next in the series from the library i and don't have anything else I'm dying to read, it might be worth the time.  We'll see.  
• Lady Clementine by Marie Benedict 
• 4 Stars 
• Our book club pick for Women's History Month, this historical-fiction novel tells the story of Clementine (pronounced so it rhymes with Josephine) Churchill from the day of her wedding to Winston Churchill to VE Day.  While I learned a great deal about the Churchills, the story seemed to drag a bit toward the end and most ladies at our meeting couldn't bring themselves to like the heroine much.  I'd be interested in reading more about her for a different perspective!  
• The Forest of Vanishing Stars by Kristin Harmel 
• 5 Stars 
• I managed to nab an early-release copy of this book from Netgalley, so you can read my full review here, but I absolutely ADORED this book.  It's probably my favorite from the month.  
• All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr 
• 4 Stars 
• First let me say that I did enjoy this book.  However, I can't help but wonder why so many people love it as much as they do.  The story follows two characters through the trials of WWII both in Germany and France.  While I loved getting a German perspective and the writing was truly beautiful, the story undeniably dragged through the middle.  Maybe it's a personal flaw in my own tastes and unrealistic in WWII fiction, but I would've enjoyed a slightlier happy ending as well!  
• Number the Stars by Lois Lowry 
• 4 Stars 
• One unexpected silver lining of new school COVID procedures is that the Monster, now in 5th grade, had to purchase each novel he has read in his ELA class this year and bring it home when he's done!  I've loved getting to read what he reads and chat about it. 
• This short, middle grades novel chronicles the story of a young Danish girl whose best friend has to flee the Nazis.  I love WWII and I love historical fiction, so I loved getting to share both with one of my favorite people!  
• The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah 
• 4 Stars 
• While I wholeheartedly loved The Nightingale and Winter Garden, I needed a Kristin Hannah break after I tortured myself and sent my brain into an anxiety spiral with Firefly Lane.  
• I wasn't sure what to expect with The Four Winds when I heard some people complain about Hannah having an "agenda" in telling stories of the Dust Bowl and California immigration during the 1940s.  I can see where this complaint would spring from, but it didn't bother me, and I wouldn't go so far as to say Hannah was forcing any contemporary commentary or comparison.  It was fascinating and well written, but I just don't know that Hannah can beat some of her earlier work.  
• The Selection by Kierra Cass 
• 4 Stars 
• After some heavy, dark reading this month I really needed some "brain candy"; I needed something shallow, sweet, and purely enjoyable, and "The Selection" series fit the bill!  
• This YA series is essentially a post-apocalyptic version of The Bachelor.  Again, there's not much substance, but it was easy and fun.  As far as teen romances go, too, I'd argue this one is more realistic and healthy than others of the same genre.  
• The Nature of Fragile Things by Susan Meissner 
• 5 Stars 
• Set during the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake, this fun novel had love, mystery, and adventure.  

Nonfiction: 

• Composting for a New Generation by Michelle Balz 
• 4 Stars 
• The Hubby built me a beautiful garden for my birthday with an accompanying compost bin, so I obviously needed to read a book about composting!  
• I didn't need to understand the science of the decomposition process nor plans and instructions for nearly a dozen compost bins/devices, but the book had some very helpful calendars, lists, and charts to get me going.  
• The Mediterranean Diet for Beginners by John Chatham 
• 5 Stars 
• This is another Hubby-induced book pick.  His doctor instructed him to lower his cholesterol by adopting a "Mediterranean Diet," but didn't give much instruction beyond that.  Again, the library came to the rescue!  This book provided an excellent introduction to the diet, explanations as to why it works, charts for weekly and monthly meal planning, and a handful of great recipes.  

The Forest of Vanishing Stars

 

In The Forest of Vanishing Stars, Kristin Harmel tells the beautifully heart wrenching story of Yona, a German-born girl who had been kidnapped and taken to live in the forest at the age of 2.  When her kidnapper and teacher, Jerusza, dies, Yona begins a journey of self-discovery, adventure, and love that brings her face-to-face with the outside world, the plight of Jewish refugees, and even her Nazi father.  Which world will she embrace: the glittering one Jerusza stole her from, one of isolation in the woods, or something new? 

I simply could not put this book down and devoured every single page over the course of about 24 hours.  From the very first page, Harmel weaves a complex, engaging, and truly exquisite coming of age story.  Despite having read my fair share of WWII historical fiction,  I've not read anything about the thousands of Jewish refugees who hid, mostly successfully, in the Polish forests until the end of the war.  Not only is the plot itself fast paced and excellently researched, but Harmel's character development was masterful as well.  This novel had everything I love in a great book: a fascinating historical setting, complicatedly believable characters, love, and adventure.  

I received a free copy from the publisher.  No review, positive or otherwise, was required—all opinions are my own. 

February Reads

 Fiction: 

• News of the World by Paulette Jiles 
• 3 Stars 
• The plot was fascinating, but the ending was abrupt and the writing difficult to follow. 
• I don't say this often, but just wait for the movie to come out.  With Tom Hanks in the lead, my guess is that it'll be better than the book. 
• Romancing Mr. Bridgerton by Julia Quinn 
• 4 Stars 
• Ok, I keep saying that I won't read any more Bridgeton books, but then I do.  I just keep getting so involved with the characters and HAVE to know what happens! I'm trying to quit. 
• The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel 
• 4 Stars 
• This. Story. Was. Awesome.  
• The writing seemed a bit clunky to me, but I otherwise loved it. 
• Lakeshire Park by Meagan Walker 
• 4 Stars 
• This was a lovely little Regency Romance that gave my brain a little break.  
• The Address by Fiona Davis 
• 5 Stars 
• This was, by far, the best of Davis's books so far.  Definitely worth the read!  
• My Dear Hamilton by Stephanie Dray & Laura Kaye 
• 5 Stars 
• At about 800 pages, this book isn't for casual reading!  That said, it was excellent.  I had so much fun comparing it to the play.  
• Fair as a Star by Mimi Matthews 
• 4 Stars 
• I read this while on vacation a few weeks ago, and it was another fun, clean, and light Regency Romance from Matthews. 
• The Dollhouse by Fiona Davis 
• 4 Stars 
• The Address is easily Davis's best, but this one and Chelsea Girls are also thoroughly enjoyable.  If you like history with a bit of mystery and drama, Fiona Davis is excellent.  
• The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams 
• 3 Stars 
• This one was definitely outside my typical reading, but the Hubby had checked it out and since it's something of a cult classic, I decided to give it a try. 
• While the writing was extremely witty and I appreciated the dry, British humor, I had a difficult time "getting in" to the story.  The characters are caricatures and the whole story was satirical.  Again, I appreciated the genius, but it wasn't my cup of tea.   

Nonfiction: 

• Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance 
• 4 Stars 
• This was a fascinating memoir that really helped me understand our current political climate.  There's a chapter that almost eerily foretells the rise of Donald Trump and the reasons he is so beloved by such a large portion of the country.  This wasn't, by any stretch of the imagination, a pleasurable read, but it was an important one.