This is a very deep and dark family drama. Sometimes the best books are about dysfunctional families. Not every family is picture perfect. And, most pThis is a very deep and dark family drama. Sometimes the best books are about dysfunctional families. Not every family is picture perfect. And, most people do not want to read about people who live in Happyland. But, this family goes above and beyond dysfunctional.
To start with, the premise is interesting, that's why I chose to read this. The plot centers around 2 sisters. The younger one takes off in her teen years and is not heard from for many years. After living a “hippie� lifestyle, she returns to her sister with a couple of children. But, it goes downhill from there. And, it gets quite disturbing.
It is the writing style that turned me off. There is no depth to it. Each chapter seems to be like an outline for the finished product to come later. Almost “point form�. And, each chapter seems to jump ahead a year or more. The characters seem to be shells, soulless.
I see that the book is endorsed by a few of my favourite authors. And, the majority of the reviews are favourable. But, this book is not for me. Not every book is for every reader.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy. ...more
This is a great book for fans of The Wizard of Oz. The focus is on Auntie Em, Dorothy's aunt. Dorothy goes to live with her, in Kansas, after her pareThis is a great book for fans of The Wizard of Oz. The focus is on Auntie Em, Dorothy's aunt. Dorothy goes to live with her, in Kansas, after her parents die.
In the movie (I don't remember much about the book), Emily (Auntie Em) was very secondary. Her character was not developed at all. In Google searches, she is described as “grayed,� which is not complimentary at all. She sounds invisible. She was anything but that.
This story focuses on Emily, long before Dorothy was born. She is the daughter of Irish immigrants and she had two sisters. Emily is a very strong woman, physically and mentally. She is determined to be a successful prairie farmer and wife. But at the same time, she is vulnerable. The reader learns about prairie life, the joys in the early, prosperous years and the devastation of the Dust Bowl and the Depression years in the 1930s.
The description of the Dust Bowl is very vivid. I could feel the grit in my eyes and the dust on my face. As in Kristin Hannah's The Four Winds, we learn how the settlers unknowingly caused The Dust Bowl of the 1930s by over-farming. It is sad to witness�..such long term devastation.
Once Dorothy comes to live with her aunt and uncle there is a period of adjustment for all of them. Along the way, there are lots of hints as to what will come in The Wizard of Oz. It's fun to recognize the hints. I'm sure there are a few I missed.
Emily's character is multi-faceted. She shows strength, love, self-doubt, resilience, determination, vulnerability and more. I really liked her. That is a credit to Ms Gaynor.
The story is full of ups and downs of life in Kansas. The “downs� were are difficult. But the end is full of hope for new adventures to come.
At the end of the book are 2 sections written by the author. One includes historical facts about the time period and certain events. The other is about Ms Gaynor's personal love of The Wizard of Oz. Both were interesting and the perfect way to wrap up this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the Advance Readers Copy. ...more
I still don't know what my feelings are about this book, but here goes. Two half sisters (who have not been close to each other, ever) are sharing a rI still don't know what my feelings are about this book, but here goes. Two half sisters (who have not been close to each other, ever) are sharing a road trip to visit their father, who has been an absent father to the older one. Their father has called them to his side on his deathbed because he has something to reveal.
So, we have the basic feature of many books, Secrets. Basically, one big secret. This book is a slow burn. Most of it takes place over the course of two days in the car. The book is about relationships: not just the two half-sisters, but also about people connected to each of them. It's also about a lot of self-realization, for both ladies. And, there is a ton of drama, especially toward the end.
This book had all the elements of a story that I should enjoy. But, somehow, it just didn't come together for me. Usually, I enjoy stories about families and their interactions, especially sisters. But, I could not relate to any of the characters this time. In fact, I couldn't even find them very likable. Likewise with the secondary characters.
I'm glad that I seem to be in the minority. Most of the other reviews I see are positive. It reinforces my belief that “every book is not for everybody� and that's ok. I didn't hate it, I thought that it was ok.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy. ...more
The saga continues, we get to read about another chapter in Molly The Maid's life. This instalment has a slightly different format. It alternates betwThe saga continues, we get to read about another chapter in Molly The Maid's life. This instalment has a slightly different format. It alternates between Molly and her Grandmother. Gran has been gone for a few years but in diary form, addressed to Molly, she tells Molly about her younger days.
Gran's origins and younger days are totally not what this reader expected. Her life was opposite to what we know from the previous two books. It was a surprise to Molly too, as she learned about Gran's past.
Cozy mysteries are not one of my regular genres, but I was totally drawn into this trilogy. I am glad that I read them. They are uncomplicated and enjoyable. They are a total distraction from all the day-to-day stuff that we sometimes like to get away from.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the Advance Readers Copy....more
Denny Voss is one of the most endearing characters I have ever met in a book. He is a 30-year-old man who happens to be developmentally delayed. He isDenny Voss is one of the most endearing characters I have ever met in a book. He is a 30-year-old man who happens to be developmentally delayed. He is kind, he is interested in the world around him, he is smart in his own way but also has an innocence about him. He has a deaf and blind St Bernard that he rescued, sleeps with him every night.
Circumstances lead him into all sorts of problematic situations. The worst of these situations is being charged with the murder of the town's mayoral candidate. And, there are viable reasons that he could suspect. The reader learns about his escapades through flashbacks throughout the story. They are always told in his own voice, with lots and lots of side details. Denny is also a bit of a philosopher. He has life and the people around him figured out, quite accurately.
Besides Denny, there is so much to love about this story. The characters in town are quirky. Most are kind, but some are mean to Denny. Realistic presentation. The two main secondary characters are his mother, Nana-Jo and his cousin, Angus. Nana-Jo brought Denny up to be a confident young man. And, Angus (though he is odd) looks out for Denny in the day-to-day world outside of home.
There are lots of surprises as the tale unfolds. Some parts are actually laugh-out-loud funny. Other parts might have brought a tear to my eye.
This book brings me a whole new appreciation of the song, You've Got a Friend in Me, from Toy Story. It’s Denny’s comfort song.
This is one of my favourite quotes from Denny. Dare I call it a “Denny-ism�?
“I also know it hurts when someone you love dies, but I think it’s supposed to because if it didn’t they’d be easy to forget and who wants to forget all the louds and quiets about someone you love after they’re gone? Not me.�
I don't usually do this in a review but I want to thank Ms Kennedy, the author, for the hard work and thought process she put into the creation of Denny’s character. The effort was definitely worth it. And, I appreciate the bits and pieces she pulled from her own life.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the Advance Readers Copy. ...more
I was excited to see that there was a new book out by this author. I loved The Stilt Girls, a lot!
This book has two timelines, 2 stories, seemingly unI was excited to see that there was a new book out by this author. I loved The Stilt Girls, a lot!
This book has two timelines, 2 stories, seemingly unconnected. One timeline is in the 1930s, during the tough depression. Becca is a young widow trying to bring up a toddler without family support. The 1970s is about Nell and Evie, who were sisters by chance with a very enigmatic “mother�. Nell is trying to figure out their past. It takes place in the Deep South, often close to the Mississippi River, sometimes in the mountains in the Carolinas. As in the previous book, the setting is very descriptive and important to the story.
BUT. And, I hate that there is a “but�. This story fell short for me. There were a few too many characters, especially in the 1930s segments. I had trouble trying to keep them straight in my mind. A name would pop up and I’d have to stop to try to figure out who it was. Some of the story felt disjointed. Maybe there were too many words. I'm not sure what it was.
As happens with two timelines, they come together in the end, in ways that I did not expect. And, I enjoyed that. In fact, I enjoyed the whole storyline. It had good elements: secrets, family, perseverance. I think it could have been presented a little more smoothly.
I would rate this a solid 3.5 stars, but I have to go up or down. I'll go up to 4 stars because I did enjoy the story, through my own confusion.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy....more
I chose to read this book because of the time period and the New York setting. I love the 1950s-60s era. I thought the premise was interesting. But……�I chose to read this book because of the time period and the New York setting. I love the 1950s-60s era. I thought the premise was interesting. But……�
It was easy to get into the story. But, it quickly fell flat. The writing was very basic, the characters seemed shallow, the plot seemed like an outline of a future book……everything was skimmed over. Few details were given. The main character (Maggie) went from a stand-in for radio commercials to a hugely successful television host of a cooking show featuring boxed cake mixes. It seemed like in happened in one chapter. I found it unbelievable that this level of success could be achieved from a cooking show using cake mixes.
The book did touch on a few serious points: body image, eating disorders, anti-semitism, PTSD, drugs. But, again, all these topics (except PTSD) seemed like they were only mentioned in passing.
Redeeming features: 1. I enjoyed the description of the clothing styles of the era. 2. I enjoyed the fact female was portrayed as a successful tv host. It was far from the norm in the early 1950s. 3. Part of Maggie's TV hostess job was to answer write-in questions from the TV audience. For the most part, her answers were thought out very well and positive. 4. Maggie went to a Gala wearing L'Air du Temps perfume. It was my late mother's favourite fragrance. (The fragrance has been reformulated over the years and is not the same as it was.)
While this was not a perfect fit for me, it is a quick and entertaining read. I think it would have been a perfect beach or airplane read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the Advance Readers Copy. ...more
This is a wonderful old-timey historical novel. It's a story that draws the reader in. Great storyline and characters. The setting is Australia, startThis is a wonderful old-timey historical novel. It's a story that draws the reader in. Great storyline and characters. The setting is Australia, starting in 1913, moving forward into the 1930s.
I have to admit, while the beginning was focused on the sheep industry, I was not really that interested in it. It described the shearing of the sheep and the grading of the wool. The workaday world of an Australian sheep station complete with the colourful workers. I found this first part a little drawn out but it introduced us to Tom and Fleur, as children, but they are the main characters that the story focuses on. The meeting as children was to continue as an adult relationship, full of drama.
One of the principal settings is a mortuary, owned by Fleur's father. Fleur grows up there and is very comfortable with the process of preparing the deceased for burial. It might be a trigger for some readers. The mortuary is central to the story.
Fleur is a very strong and innovative woman for the era in the book. She has excellent business sense, compassion and the ability to love strong.
The story has villains, a couple of vicious and nasty villains. That's what makes me think of this as an old-fashioned story. They are characters the reader loves to hate. The story moves at a good pace to keep readers interested. There is deception, murder, evil and love. As I mentioned, there is a lot of drama, but that is what kept me turning pages. I was hoping that it was moving toward the conclusion that I wanted to see. The orphan theme plays a large part in the story.
I think this would make an excellent movie. The Australian setting would provide beautiful scenery and a well-written script could be very interesting.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Reader's Copy....more
Last year I read a book by this author (To The Wild Horizon) and loved it. When I saw a new book by her, I jumped at the chance to read it. I was moreLast year I read a book by this author (To The Wild Horizon) and loved it. When I saw a new book by her, I jumped at the chance to read it. I was more than pleasantly surprised that it was a sequel to the previous book……same characters, continuing on their life's journey.
It's hard to classify this book: historical novel, western, women's fiction, love story (NOT cheesy romance). It's a combination of all. And best of all, it features a very strong woman(Grace) during times when women were not expected to be strong.
The book focuses on the wild and lawless times of the California Gold Rush. It is set mostly in San Francisco's very early days, just getting settled. It graphically illustrates the hardships the people endured. I learned more about the gold rush than I thought I wanted to know�.and, it is very interesting.
There were lots of interesting scenes. Some pretty graphic violence (among the gold rush prospectors, no women involved). A ton of interesting characters. There are a couple of Parisienne courtesans, lovely ladies. And, a diverse selection of other characters converging for the Goldrush.
Ms Martin writes excellent stories, both books really captivated me. This book could be a stand-alone, but to anyone reading this review, I strongly suggest you read To the Wild Horizon first. It would really help to understand Grace and Randolph and their character development. This is a link to my review of the first book, also posted on NG.
The ONLY negative I have is that the book ended. It was over. I did not want it to end. I have my fingers crossed that it ends up as a trilogy.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy....more
Abby Jimenez never disappoints. She's the queen of quirky, fun stories with serious undertones. She does not minimize the serious parts. She manages tAbby Jimenez never disappoints. She's the queen of quirky, fun stories with serious undertones. She does not minimize the serious parts. She manages to interweave in such a way that it flows easily.
This is a short story about Seth and Charlotte who are thrown together in close quarters by circumstances and the inevitable happens. Typical Rom-Com. Yes, predictable. But, fun! Actually, laugh out loud funny in spots.
This is a perfect fast read in between other books or on a commute.
At the beginning of the book, Ms Jimenez gives the opportunity to know the triggers warnings.
This is such a complicated story. There are lots and lots of secrets. Some secrets the reader is aware of but the character who is affected does not kThis is such a complicated story. There are lots and lots of secrets. Some secrets the reader is aware of but the character who is affected does not know yet. Then there are the secrets that are hinted at but it takes time for the reader and the character(s) to learn of them.
There is a love story from the past in journal form, but pertinent details are not revealed until the time is right.
It’s about a mother/daughter relationship which is not harmonious. And, it's also about a mother/son relationship which is also on the rocks. It's about second chances. It’s about accepting the past. It's about forgiveness.
There's more, but to add it here will only make it confusing. It is a complex story with a lot going on but it is written in such a way that it is easy to follow. The characters are interesting and realistic. Certainly not perfect.
I got to a point where some of it became predictable but not all of it. But most of the plot points did not wrap up until I was approaching the end. A few surprises along the way, which is always good.
Sometimes people’s lives get messy. Sometimes there's so much going on in people's lives that is hard to know which way to turn. Sometimes bad things happen to good people. This story is an example. And it's refreshing to read a story that imitates life. And, the ending made me happy. Always good!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy. ...more
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