Book Review: Goodbye Stranger by Rebecca Stead

Pages: 304

Genre: Middle Grade Fiction

Pub. Date: August 4, 2015

Source: Publisher for review

Other Books By Author: When You Reach Me

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "Bridge is an accident survivor who's wondering why she's still alive. Emily has new curves and an almost-boyfriend who wants a certain kind of picture. Tabitha sees through everybody's games--or so she tells the world. The three girls are best friends with one rule: No fighting. Can it get them through seventh grade? This year everything is different for Sherm Russo as he gets to know Bridge Barsamian. What does it mean to fall for a girl--as a friend?  On Valentine's Day, an unnamed high school girl struggles with a betrayal. How long can she hide in plain sight?"

Bridge, also known as Bridget, is a seventh grader growing up in New York City.  When she was a child, she was hit by a car and nearly died. The doctors tell her that she beat the odds.  She has a small group of best friends: Emily and Tabitha.  They have been friends since childhood and pride themselves on never fighting.  Seventh grade brings changes though.  Emily has a new curvy body that gets a lot of attention.  Tabitha tells it like it is and has many interests that her friends don't always support.  Then there's Sherm, who is also going through his own issues with his family, but when he meets Bridge, they form an unexpected friendship and maybe even something more.  Goodbye Stranger by Rebecca Stead examines how middle school is a turning point in many people's lives. It's a tough sea to navigate and Stead gets that about middle school students.

Bridge is a fun and very eccentric character in Goodbye Stranger. She likes to wear cat ears (and not just on Halloween) and is a good friend. I loved her friendship with Tabitha and Emily, even though seventh grade can shake things up a bit socially.  I also loved the character of Sherm. Readers get to learn more about him through his letters to his grandfather who has disappointed him. It felt very raw and real.

Goodbye Stranger also examines how social media can negatively impact a person's life. In the novel, one of the girls makes a mistake with social media and has to live with the consequences.  I can't imagine how hard it must be growing up with the internet, Facebook, Instagram, etc, and I think many teenagers today can relate to this part of the plot.

In typical Stead fashion, there are three points of view that tell the story of Goodbye Stranger. One is even in second person, told by a mysterious person on Valentine's Day.  At first, I imagined middle school students having a hard time wrapping their heads around this, but if they just go with it, I think they would enjoy the novel's overall message.

Stead captures middle school so very well.  The drama, the problems that occur that seem life threatening (but aren't) and the ups and downs of friendship.  Sometimes Stead's novels make me scratch my head in confusion, but if you just go with it, you'll be rewarded in the end.  Plus, there's no denying that this Newbery author is a brilliant writer.

Stacking the Shelves (85)

Romancing the Dark in the City of Light by Ann Jacobus - Thanks to St. Martin's and NetGalley

All the Stars in the Heavens by Adriana Trigiani - Thanks to Harper and Edelweiss

A Study in Charlotte by Brittany Cavallaro - Thanks to Katherine Tegen and Edelweiss

The Great Hunt by Wendy Higgins - Thanks to Harper Teen and Edelweiss

Reign of Shadows by Sophie Jordan - Thanks to Harper Teen and Edelweiss

So what do you guys think? Have you read any of these books or are they on your TBR list? Let me know! This meme is hosted by Tynga at Tynga's Reviews.

Book Review: If You Only Knew by Kristan Higgins

Pages: 416

Genre: Adult Fiction

Pub. Date: August 25, 2015

Source: Publisher for review

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "Wedding-dress designer Jenny Tate understands the happily-ever-after business, yet somehow she's still involved in her ex-husband's life. In fact, Owen's new wife may—inexplicably—be Jenny's new best friend. Sensing this, well, relationship isn't helping her move on, Jenny trades the Manhattan skyline for her hometown up the Hudson, where she'll be able to bask in her sister Rachel's picture-perfect family life…and hopefully make one of her own.  Her timing couldn't be more perfect, since Rachel will need her younger sister. Her idyllic marriage has just fallen to pieces in spectacular fashion after she discovers her husband sexting with one of his colleagues. Second chances aren't in Rachel's nature, but the desire for an intact family has her rethinking her stance on adultery, much to Jenny's surprise. Rachel points to their parents' "perfect" marriage as a shining example, but to protect her sister Jenny may have to tarnish that memory—and their relationship­—and reveal a secret about their family she's been keeping since childhood.  During this summer of secrets and lies, temptation and revelation, Jenny and Rachel will rely on each other to find the humor in their personal catastrophes, the joy in their triumphs…and the strength to keep hanging on."

Jenny, a wedding dress designer, used to have it all, that is until her husband decided to leave her for someone else. Except she never really got "rid" of him and even remained his friend in the aftermath. To make matters worse, she even befriended his new wife and has to witness her ex-husband, Owen, riding off into the sunset with her and their newborn daughter.  She realizes it's time for a change and leaves Manhattan for the suburb of Cambry-on-Hudson in order to be closer to her family, including her sister.  Jenny plans on starting over and she's hoping her wedding dress business will be a success in this wealthy suburb.  Her sister, Rachel, is going through her own problems despite the way her marriage looks from the outside. From the outside, it appears Rachel has it all...triplet girls, a successful husband, a beautiful home and great friends, but that isn't the case at all.  Rachel discovers a "sext" on her husband's phone and from this day forward, Rachel's world is turned upside down and she'll need her sister more than ever.  If You Only Knew by Kristan Higgins is a delightful beach read that examines sisterhood as well as the "perfect" life. It reminds us that things aren't always what they seem.

The point of view in If You Only Knew switches from Jenny to Rachel, so readers get to know each woman and their struggles very well.  Jenny is starting over and I desperately wanted her to forget about Owen, his new wife and their new baby, but she couldn't make a clean break. That really drove me nuts, because Owen can't have her as a best friend. No. I was raging.  I did enjoy Jenny's attempts to start over in the suburb with her store and building her clientele.  Also, I enjoyed her budding romance with Leo, a piano teacher, that lives in her building. 

Rachel's chapters were tough to read in If You Only Knew. I hate "cheating" plots (usually) and this one was a tough pill to swallow, mostly because Rachel would take one step forward and three steps back. At times, she didn't want to believe that her husband cheated on her; she was in complete denial.  When all the signs kept popping up, she chose to believe him....that is until the other shoe drops.  Rachel was very dedicated to her three daughter and the life she created with her husband; she deserves someone better than her husband. 

If You Only Knew makes for a great beach read. There's family drama, secrets, betrayal as well as loyalty amongst sisters.  If you are looking for a beach read that packs an emotional punch and you enjoy women's fiction,  check out If You Only Knew. 

Book Review: Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas

Pages: 562

Genre: YA Fantasy

Pub. Date: September 2, 2014

Source: Personal Copy
Other Books By Author: Throne of Glass (#1) and 
Crown of Midnight (#2)

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "Celaena Sardothien has survived deadly contests and shattering heartbreak—but at an unspeakable cost. Now she must travel to a new land to confront her darkest truth...a truth about her heritage that could change her life—and her future—forever. Meanwhile, brutal and monstrous forces are gathering on the horizon, intent on enslaving her world. To defeat them, Celaena must find the strength to not only fight her inner demons but to battle the evil that is about to be unleashed. The king's assassin takes on an even greater destiny and burns brighter than ever before in this follow-up to the New York Times bestselling Crown of Midnight."

If you read Crown of Midnight, you know that Celaena is in Wendlyn on orders from the King to assassinate the royal family. If she doesn't do it, bad things will happen to Nehemia's family as well as Chaol. So, Celaena finds herself in this foreign land, but readers must remember that she is no longer just Celaena. She is the heir Terrasen, which is a complete game changer.  Ultimately, Celaena wants to take down the King of Adarlan, but she needs to talk to the Fae Queen first.  However, the Fae Queen she won't help her until Celaena proves herself.  She has to train with Rowan, a hardcore Fae warrior, and Celaena is having a hard time embracing her magic.  Heir of Fire had some slow parts and a few things I struggled with; however, I am still a huge fan of this series.

Celaena is very different in Heir of Fire. She lacks some of her confidence and even seems depressed from time to time. Obviously, she is going through the fall out of what happened at the end of Crown of Midnight and it's a lot to process. So readers won't see a kick-butt Celaena the entire time.

The point of view switches from Celaena to Dorian as well as Chaol and a few others. Dorian is also dealing with the fact that he has to control his magic and he meets a healer in Heir of Fire, but not just any healer. She happens to be someone who has feelings for.  Chaol is still very present in this novel, although I didn't feel my usual swooning when I was reading his parts. He is also dealing with court life as well as his own personal issues and to make matters worse, Celaena's very mysterious cousin arrives at court and shakes things up. There's also a new point of view added into the mix. There's a witch, Manon, who at first I was unsure as to why she was included, but as time went on, I could see her importance, as she is heir to the Blackbeak Clan.

This series has been so absolutely stellar, but Heir of Fire had a few issues for me. For starters, there are TOO many points of view. For me, it was just too much and it made the story a bit choppy.  I found myself gravitating more towards Celaena's story as well as Dorian's, but not the others.  This didn't help the slow start of the novel either.  

One thing is for sure, Maas always brings it towards the end of the novel. I was completely entertained and dying to know what happens next. Thankfully book four, Queen of Shadows, comes out September 1st. 

If you enjoy fantasy, this series is not to be missed.

Waiting on Wednesday: Into the Dim

This is a weekly meme hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine.  "Waiting on Wednesday" spotlights upcoming releases that I'm eagerly anticipating.

Into the Dim by Janet B. Taylor

Pub. Date: March 1, 2016

Goodreads says, "Being “the home-schooled girl” in a small town, Hope Walton’s crippling phobias and photographic memory don’t endear her to her dad's perfectly blond, very Southern family. When her mother is killed in a natural disaster thousands of miles from home, Hope’s secluded world implodes. After being shipped off to an aunt she's never met, Hope learns there's more to her mother's "death" than she ever dreamed. At her aunt's manor, high in the Scottish Highlands, Hope begins to unravel the shocking truth about her family. Her mom isn't just a brilliant academic. She’s a member of a secret society of time travelers, and is currently trapped in the twelfth century in the age of King Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine. To stage a rescue, the sheltered teen must join the Indiana Jones-wannabe team of time-jumpers, before her mother is lost for good. In a brutal, medieval world, Hope will discover more family secrets, and a mysterious boy who could be vital to setting her mother free…or the very key to Hope’s undoing. Addictive and rich with historical detail, INTO THE DIM (Coming Spring 2016 from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt) is an unlikely heroine's story of adventure, sacrifice, and first love, in a high stakes race against time itself."

This is probably one of my most anticipated YA novels for 2016.  It has time travelers, the Scottish Highlands, the 12th Century? A big yes from me!

If You Love Stories About Royals

I have a thing for books about royalty. I love them and find it fascinating, especially since it's based on real people. I find books about royalty possess more drama than a Real Housewives episode.  Here are some of my favorites and if I reviewed the novel on my blog, I linked it to my review.

Philippa Gregory's Cousins' War Series:

1.  The White Queen - This is my favorite novel of the series. If focuses on Elizabeth's Woodville's rise at court and the War of the Roses.

2.  The Red Queen - This novel is from Lady Margaret Beaufort's perspective and she is one bad ass lady.  She will do anything to put her son Henry Tudor on the throne. 

3.  The Lady of the Rivers - This book reads like a prequel to The White Queen. I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about Jacquetta, Elizabeth Woodville's mother, and her "second sight."

4.  The Kingmaker's Daughter - The story follows Anne Neville, who is the daughter of the Earl of Warwick, otherwise known at The Kingmaker. He uses his daughter as a chess piece, which makes for an entertaining novel. 

5.  The White Princess - This novel focuses on Elizabeth of York, who is the daughter of Elizabeth Woodville (The White Queen) and mother to the infamous Henry VIII.  It's a captivating glimpse into her life as well as her political marriage.

6.  The King's Curse - When compared to the other books in the series, I thought this book was just ok. It is from Lady Margaret Pole's perspective, cousin to Elizabeth of York, so it's interesting to see how everything played out at court through someone on the sideline's view point.  This novel also focuses on the alleged Tudor curse. 

7.  Women of the Cousins' War  - A nonfiction read about the women involved in the War of the Roses.

Philippa Gregory's Tudor Court Series:

1.  The Constant Princess - This is one of my favorite novels from the series. It focuses on Katherine of Aragon, Henry VIII's first wife.  We all know what happened, but getting it from Katherine's perspective is very interesting. 

2.  The Other Boleyn Girl - This is one of Gregory's best novels focusing on the infamous Anne Boleyn and her sister, Mary.  

3.  The Boleyn Inheritance - A very well written novel focusing on three women: Anne of Cleves (Henry VIII's fourth wife), Katherine Howard (Henry VIII's fifth wife and Anne Boleyn's cousin) and Jane Rochford (George Boleyn's wife--her testimony sent her husband and sister-in-law to their deaths!)

4.  The Queen's Fool - A young girl with the "sight" is hired by Lord Dudley to be his aide and then she works as a "fool" at court, slowly becoming friends with Queen Mary and also the future Queen Elizabeth.

5.  The Virgin's Lover - For me, this was just an ok read when compared to Gregory's other novels in the series. This one focuses on Elizabeth I and her rise to the throne as well as the issue of whom she will marry.  

6.  The Other Queen - This is my least favorite book from the series. It focuses on Mary Queen of Scots, who is extremely fascinating, but unfortunately, she did not sparkle in this novel. 

Other Tudor Novels:

• The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn by Robin Maxwell (Anne's life and untimely death)
• The Six Wives by Henry VIII by Alison Weir (Non-fiction, but a fascinating read!)
• Innocent Traitor by Alison Weir - (Lady Jane Grey, the Nine Days' Queen)
• Queen's Gambit by Elizabeth Fremantle - (Katherine Parr, Henry VII's last wife)
• A Dangerous Inheritance by Alison Weir (Lady Katherine Grey and also deals with the mystery surrounding Princes in the tower)
• To Serve a King by Donna Russo Morin - (Henry VIII's spy at the French Court)
• Brazen by Katherine Longshore  - (A YA novel about Mary Howard - married off to Henry VIII's illegitimate son)
• Tarnish by Katherine Longshore - A YA novel about Anne Boleyn)
• Gilt by Katherine Longshore - (A YA novel about Katherine Howard, Henry VIII's fifth wife)

Miscellaneous Stories Involving Royals:

• The Royal We by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan (A modern day royal tale inspired by Kate Middleton and Prince William's real-life romance)
• The Accidental Empress by Allison Pataki - (Empress Elizabeth of Austria - a fascinating glimpse into her life)
• Lady Catherine, the Earl and the Real Downton Abbey by Fiona Carnarvon (If you love Downton Abbey, you'll enjoy this book about the real people that resided there)
• The American Heiress by Daisy Goodwin - (A wealthy American becomes an English Duchess)
• Georgiana: Duchess of Devonshire by Amanda Foreman (A fascinating biography of Georgiana, ancestor to Diana Princess of Wales, who lived wildly during George III's reign)
• The Other Countess by Eve Edwards (YA novel about a Spanish Countess who enters Elizabethan court along with her alchemy studying father)

Other "Royal" Novels On My TBR List:

• Captive Queen by Alison Weir
• We Two: Victoria and Albert by Gillian Gill
• Mary Boleyn: Mistress of Kings by Alison Weir
• The Wild Queen: The Days and Nights of Mary Queen of Scots by Carolyn Meyer
• Elizabeth of York: A Tudor Queen and Her World by Alison Weir
• Princesses Behaving Badly: Real Stories From History Without the Fairy Tale Endings by Linda Rodriguez McRobbie
• Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey by Fiona Carnarvon
• Catherine the Great by Robert J. Massie
• The Boleyn Bride by Brandy Purdy
• The Winter Palace: A Novel of Catherine the Great by Eva Stachinak
• The Taming of the Queen by Philippa Gregory (due out the end of August)
• The Sisters of Versailles by Sally Christie (Pub. Date September 2015)
• The Heir and the Spare by Emily Albright (Due out in early 2016)

So, what do you think of my list? Any "Royal" novels that you'd like to recommend to me? Let me know in the comments below.  

Book Review: The Accidental Empress by Allison Pataki

Pages: 512

Genre: Adult Historical Fiction

Pub. Date: February 17, 2015

Source: Personal Copy

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "New York Times bestselling author Allison Pataki follows up on her critically acclaimed debut novel, The Traitor’s Wife, with the little-known and tumultuous love story of “Sisi” the Austro-Hungarian Empress and captivating wife of Emperor Franz Joseph. The year is 1853, and the Habsburgs are Europe’s most powerful ruling family. With his empire stretching from Austria to Russia, from Germany to Italy, Emperor Franz Joseph is young, rich, and ready to marry. Fifteen-year-old Elisabeth, “Sisi,” Duchess of Bavaria, travels to the Habsburg Court with her older sister, who is betrothed to the young emperor. But shortly after her arrival at court, Sisi finds herself in an unexpected dilemma: she has inadvertently fallen for and won the heart of her sister’s groom. Franz Joseph reneges on his earlier proposal and declares his intention to marry Sisi instead.  Thrust onto the throne of Europe’s most treacherous imperial court, Sisi upsets political and familial loyalties in her quest to win, and keep, the love of her emperor, her people, and of the world. With Pataki’s rich period detail and cast of complex, bewitching characters, The Accidental Empress offers a captivating glimpse into one of history’s most intriguing royal families, shedding new light on the glittering Hapsburg Empire and its most mesmerizing, most beloved “Fairy Queen.”

Sisi, otherwise known as Elizabeth, has grown up as the daughter of a Bavarian duke, but she's grown up in an unconventional way. She's free to roam around outside, ride her horses, and partake in other "un-lady" like activities.  When her older sister, Helene, is summoned by the Hapsburg Court in Vienna as a possible love-match to their cousin, Franz Joseph, their lives change forever.  Helene is not interested in becoming an Empress. She is shy, a bookworm, and wants to be a nun.  But when the Emperor and his mother, Aunt Sophie, summon you, you must go.  Helene makes the trek to Vienna along with Sisi and their mother.  Right away they find out that Aunt Sophie is still very much overbearing, opinionated and controlling.  As more time goes on, Franz realizes that the love match isn't so much with boring Helene, but rather with vivacious and charismatic Sisi, much to his mother's dismay.  A wedding occurs and Sisi realizes that this is the life she has dreamed of; she never thought she would make a match this great, let alone become an Empress.  However, things aren't what they seem at court, especially with her aunt breathing down her neck and whispering in Franz's ear.  Allison Pataki's The Accidental Empress is a fascinating story about Sisi as well as the Hapsburg Empire.

I loved fifteen year old Sisi in The Accidental Empress. She was the kind of girl that threw caution to the wind. She was athletic and larger than life. Of course she would overshadow Helene, whose initial interaction with Franz and Aunt Sophie was so painful. She didn't even talk when she first met them. So, of course, Franz was interested in Sisi, especially when he found out she loved to ride horses.  After their first date on horseback, Franz knew that Sisi was the girl for him, but he had to convince his mother, of course.  

Once they are married and she is at court, things were painful at times. Because Sisi is so young and inexperienced, she put up with a lot from both Franz and Aunt Sophie. I can't tell you how many times I wanted to punch Sophie in the jugular. That woman is a nightmare of epic proportions.  I could see why Sisi wanted to escape court.  

I don't want to give too much away regarding Sisi's story, but it's so very fascinating. Pataki did an excellent job researching Sisi's life and including many details in The Accidental Empress.  Also, Pataki did a superb job bringing the time period to life as well as the glittering Hapsburg Court. 

I was left chomping at the bit at the end of The Accidental Empress. Pataki left us with a bit of a cliffhanger, so I am happy there will be a book two that will tell us what happens to Sisi. I'm dying to know if she finds happiness. 

Fans of historical fiction will thoroughly enjoy The Accidental Empress, especially if you are like me and have always been interested in learning more about the Hapsburg Empire and love stories of royalty.

Stacking the Shelves (84)

The Appearance of Annie van Sinderin by Katherine Howe  - Thanks to Putnam
America's First Daughter by Stephanie Dray - Thanks to William Morrow and Edelweiss

Along the Infinite Sea by Beatriz Williams - Thanks to Putnum and NetGalley
Confessions of an Imaginary Friend by Michelle Cuevas - Thanks to Penguin

So what do you guys think? Have you read any of these books or are they on your TBR list? Let me know! This meme is hosted by Tynga at Tynga's Reviews.

It's Not You, It's Me (11)

"It's not you, it's me."  Some books just don't work for me, whereas other readers may have really enjoyed them.  This feature will be showcasing books that I never finished or reviewed; you know…...the dreaded DNF.

Guys, I have been receiving so many books for review and while that is great, I find out I encounter more and more duds. You need to be selective regarding what books you give your time to, so I have tried desperately to be a little more discerning.....a little more picky.  If I am not feeling it the first 50 pages, then I put the book down. Here are my latest DNFs:

Everybody Rise by Stephanie Clifford 

Goodreads says, "It's 2006 in the Manhattan of the young and glamorous. Money and class are colliding in a city that is about to go over a financial precipice and take much of the country with it. At 26, bright, funny and socially anxious Evelyn Beegan is determined to carve her own path in life and free herself from the influence of her social-climbing mother, who propelled her through prep school and onto the Upper East Side. Evelyn has long felt like an outsider to her privileged peers, but when she gets a job at a social network aimed at the elite, she's forced to embrace them. Recruiting new members for the site, Evelyn steps into a promised land of Adirondack camps, Newport cottages and Southampton clubs thick with socialites and Wall Streeters. Despite herself, Evelyn finds the lure of belonging intoxicating, and starts trying to pass as old money herself. When her father, a crusading class-action lawyer, is indicted for bribery, Evelyn must contend with her own family's downfall as she keeps up appearances in her new life, grasping with increasing desperation as the ground underneath her begins to give way. Bracing, hilarious and often poignant, Stephanie Clifford's debut offers a thoroughly modern take on classic American themes - money, ambition, family, friendship - and on the universal longing to fit in."

My Thoughts: This appears to have all the ingredients for a great beach read. There are rich people, drama, social climbing all with a Gossip Girl vibe, but I wasn't sold on it. The first 30+ pages left me sort of confused and I was wondering why I should even care about Evelyn. 

Until Friday Night by Abbi Glines 

Goodreads says, "To everyone who knows him, West Ashby has always been that guy: the cocky, popular, way-too-handsome-for-his-own-good football god who led Lawton High to the state championships. But while West may be Big Man on Campus on the outside, on the inside he’s battling the grief that comes with watching his father slowly die of cancer. Two years ago, Maggie Carleton’s life fell apart when her father murdered her mother. And after she told the police what happened, she stopped speaking and hasn’t spoken since. Even the move to Lawton, Alabama, couldn’t draw Maggie back out. So she stayed quiet, keeping her sorrow and her fractured heart hidden away. As West’s pain becomes too much to handle, he knows he needs to talk to someone about his father—so in the dark shadows of a post-game party, he opens up to the one girl who he knows won’t tell anyone else. West expected that talking about his dad would bring some relief, or at least a flood of emotions he couldn’t control. But he never expected the quiet new girl to reply, to reveal a pain even deeper than his own—or for them to form a connection so strong that he couldn’t ever let her go…"

My Thoughts: You might have already heard me complain about this book in my Friday Five post, but I want to explain in more detail. When it comes to pet peeves in life and in novels it's when people disrespect women repeatedly.  I found that to be the case in this novel over and over again...(from what I read).  I couldn't believe it. These football players kept focusing on how a girl LOOKS and not what she says or what she does. They would also talk about women like they weren't in the room, yet the woman was standing RIGHT THERE. Plus, the girls in this novel weren't much better, (except for the main character who is mute, so there's that.)  I think it was hard, because I wanted Maggie to stand up for herself and I figured it was coming later on in the story, but I couldn't.get.past.it.  Not all football players act like this and I just felt like it was playing into a stereotype. Sure, there are many guys who act this way, but do I want to be subjected to their crude behavior and offensive comments? No, thanks. Plus, their grammar was atrocious.  So, needless to say, it wasn't the book for me.

Newport by Jill Morrow 

Goodreads says, "Spring 1921. The Great War is over, Prohibition is in full swing, the Depression still years away, and Newport, Rhode Island's glittering "summer cottages" are inhabited by the gloriously rich families who built them. Attorney Adrian De la Noye is no stranger to Newport, having sheltered there during his misspent youth. Though he'd prefer to forget the place, he returns to revise the will of a well-heeled client. Bennett Chapman's offspring have the usual concerns about their father's much-younger fiancee. But when they learn of the old widower's firm belief that his first late wife, who "communicates" via seance, has chosen the beautiful Catherine Walsh for him, they're shocked. And for Adrian, encountering Catherine in the last place he saw her decades ago proves to be a far greater surprise. Still, De la Noye is here to handle a will, and he fully intends to do so--just as soon as he unearths every last secret, otherworldly or not, about the Chapmans, Catherine Walsh . . . and his own very fraught history. A skillful alchemy of social satire, dark humor, and finely drawn characters, Newport vividly brings to life the glitzy era of the 1920s. 

My Thoughts: I loved the time period of the Roaring Twenties, but ultimately, the characters weren't compelling enough. I found myself not really caring about them and when that happens it is time to abandon ship.   


So, what makes you not finish a novel? Have you read any of these books? Let me know what you think in the comments below. 

Book Review: The Accident Season by Moira Fowley-Doyle

Pages: 288

Genre: YA Fantasy

Pub. Date: August 18, 2015

Source: Publisher for review

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "The accident season has been part of seventeen-year-old Cara's life for as long as she can remember. Towards the end of October, foreshadowed by the deaths of many relatives before them, Cara's family becomes inexplicably accident-prone. They banish knives to locked drawers, cover sharp table edges with padding, switch off electrical items - but injuries follow wherever they go, and the accident season becomes an ever-growing obsession and fear. But why are they so cursed? And how can they break free?"

Every October, Cara's family refers to it as "accident season," where strange accidents happen to her and her family members.  In the past, people have even died! Cara lives in Ireland with her mother, her sister, and her ex-stepbrother, Sam.  They are all aware of the dangers that accident season brings.  Things get really confusing when Cara notices Elsie, a former friend and classmate, in almost all of her photographs.   Elsie would be present in the background or you'd see a part of her hair in the corner of the shot, but either way, she was there.  When Cara tries to find out why Elsie is essentially stalking her, she notices the girl hasn't shown up for school and has gone missing.  The trail leads to an abandoned house that is very creepy and hides even more secrets.  The Accident Season by Moira Fowley-Doyle is an edge-of-your-seat mystery with a touch of fantasy that had me questioning everything.  

I'm not sure Cara was written to be an unreliable narrator, but she sure felt like it, especially when she started seeing Elsie in all of her photos. I wasn't sure what was real and what was part of her imagination.  Because she seemed so flighty, I had a hard time connecting with her in the same sense that I felt sort of removed from We Were Liars and was observing it from afar.  I also wasn't really feeling Cara's secret crush on her ex-stepbrother, Sam. It wasn't swoon-worthy by any means, but I did want these two to uncover the truth surrounding accident season and Elsie.

One of my favorite aspects of the The Accident Season was the setting of Ireland. I loved the little town, the river, and all of the mystical qualities the town brought to the story.  It was very atmospheric and the haunted house with all of its mysteries, not to count the disappearance of Elsie, really added to the creepiness of the novel.  Fowley-Doyle's writing was very lyrical as well, which also contributed to the story's mood.

The Accident Season is very trippy.  I could see the plot twist coming; however, I was completely invested in the story.  If you enjoy novels where secrets unfold slowly, you aren't sure what to believe, and you like a touch of fantasy, then you should check out The Accident Season. It would be the perfect read for this Halloween and fall season.

Waiting on Wednesday: The Heir and the Spare

This is a weekly meme hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine.  "Waiting on Wednesday" spotlights upcoming releases that I'm eagerly anticipating.

The Heir and the Spare by Emily Albright

Pub. Date: January 1, 2016

Goodreads says, "Family can be complicated. Especially when skeletons from the past pop up unexpectedly. For American Evie Gray, finding out her deceased mother had a secret identity, and not one of the caped crusader variety, was quite the surprise. Evie’s mom had a secret life before she was even born, one that involved tiaras. In this modern day fairytale, Evie is on a path to figure out who her mom really was, while discovering for herself what the future will hold. Charged with her late mother’s letters, Evie embarks on a quest into her past. The first item on the list is to attend Oxford, her mom’s alma mater. There, Evie stumbles upon a real life prince charming, Edmund Stuart the second Prince of England, who is all too happy to be the counterpart to her damsel in distress. Evie can’t resist her growing attraction to Edmund as they spend more time together trying to unravel the clues her mother left behind. But, when doubts arise as to whether or not Edmund could ever be with an untitled American, what really ends up unraveling is Evie’s heart. When Evie uncovers all the facts about her mom’s former life, she realizes her mom’s past can open doors she never dreamed possible, doors that can help her be with Edmund. But, with everything now unveiled, Evie starts to crack under the pressure of new family responsibilities and the realization that her perfect prince may want her for all the wrong reasons."

Ever since reading The Royal We (and loving it!!) this past summer, I have been on a Royals kick. I love the sound of this one. What do you guys think?

Top Ten Tuesday: My Auto-Buy Authors

This week's Top Ten Tuesday focuses on our auto-buy authors, meaning the authors whose books I buy immediately or pre-order without even looking at the novel's synopsis. No matter what these authors write, I will read it! Next to each author's name, I included my favorite novel by the author and a link to my review.

1.  Jenny Han - The Summer I Turned Pretty
2.  Sarah Dessen - The Truth About Forever 
3.  Philippa Gregory - The White Queen
4.  Beatriz Williams - A Hundred Summers
5.  Stephanie Perkins - Anna and the French Kiss
6.  Emery Lord - The Start of Me and You
7.  J.K. Rowling - Harry Potter series, obviously. 
8.  Cynthia Hand - Unearthly
9.  Cassandra Clare - Clockwork Angel
10.  John Green - The Fault in Our Stars and Looking for Alaska

Who are some of your auto-buy authors?  Let me know what you think in the comments below.  This meme is hosted by The Broke and The Bookish.