April and May Confessions

What a great two months it has been for reading!  I've read some fantastic beach reads and truly no book really disappointed me, which is a rarity.  I can tell already that it's going to be a great summer for reading.

Books Read in April and May: 
1.  Serious Moonlight by Jenn Bennett (YA Realistic Fiction) - 4 out of 5 stars
2.  When We Left Cuba by Chantel Cleeton (Adult Historical Fiction) - 4 out of 5 stars
3.  The Girl He Used to Know by Tracey Garvis Graves (Adult Fiction) - 4.5 out of 5 stars
4.  The Winter Palace by Eve Stachniak (Audio Book/Adult Historical Fiction) - 3.5 out of 5 stars
5.  The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren (Adult Fiction) - 4.5 out of 5 stars
6.  Drawing Home by Jamie Brenner (Adult Fiction) - 4 out of 5 stars
7.  The Southern Side of Paradise by Kristy Woodson Harvey (Adult Fiction) - 4 out of 5 stars - Review to come!
8.  You, Me and the Sea by Megan Donohue (Adult Fiction) - 4 out of 5 stars - Review to come!
9.  The Rest of the Story by Sarah Dessen (YA Realistic Fiction) - 5 out of 5 stars - Review to come!

Chapter Books Read:
I have really enjoyed revisiting some of the Beverly Clearly books from my childhood with my oldest son.  They are started to get a little dated, but I love that they take place during a simpler time.
1.  The Haunted Library by Dori Hillestad Butler
2.  Beezus and Ramona by Beverly Clearly
3.  Henry Huggins by Beverly Clearly
4.  Ramona the Pest by Beverly Clearly
5.  Henry and Beezus by Beverly Clearly

1.  Favorite Book: I have a tie! The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren was such a delight! It was so just so much fun and the PERFECT beach read. The witty dialogue had me laughing out loud.  The Rest of the Story was also an amazing read. It tugged on my heartstrings and solidified why I read Sarah Dessen every summer.

2.  Biggest Surprise: The Girl He Used to Know was my biggest surprise. When I found out the main character was on the spectrum for autism, I wasn't sure if I would be able to connect with her like I did.  Boy, was I wrong! It was a fantastic and heartwarming read that's perfect for summer vacation!

3.  Biggest Disappointment - The Winter Palace had some rave reviews and it had been on my TBR list forever. The audio book was just ok for me. I wanted to learn more about Catherine the Great, but the story was from someone else's point of view and that got tiresome.  There was lots of court intrigue though, which kept me entertained.

4.  Favorite Post: My 8th Annual Summer Kickoff

5.  Favorite Part of the Month:  We made it to Cape May, New Jersey for Memorial Day Weekend and we had a blast. The weather was perfect and we spent some quality time with family.  My only regret was that I didn't read on the beach.  One day soon, right?


What was your favorite book that you read this past month? Which one was disappointing? Let me know in the comments.

Audio Book Review: The Winter Palace by Eve Stachniak

Genre: Adult Historical Fiction

Pub. Date: January 10, 2012

Source: Personal Copy

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "From award-winning author Eva Stachniak comes this passionate novel that illuminates, as only fiction can, the early life of one of history’s boldest women. The Winter Palace tells the epic story of Catherine the Great’s improbable rise to power—as seen through the ever-watchful eyes of an all-but-invisible servant close to the throne.  Her name is Barbara—in Russian, Varvara. Nimble-witted and attentive, she’s allowed into the employ of the Empress Elizabeth, amid the glitter and cruelty of the world’s most eminent court. Under the tutelage of Count Bestuzhev, Chancellor and spymaster, Varvara will be educated in skills from lock picking to lovemaking, learning above all else to listen—and to wait for opportunity. That opportunity arrives in a slender young princess from Zerbst named Sophie, a playful teenager destined to become the indomitable Catherine the Great. Sophie’s destiny at court is to marry the Empress’s nephew, but she has other, loftier, more dangerous ambitions, and she proves to be more guileful than she first appears.  What Sophie needs is an insider at court, a loyal pair of eyes and ears who knows the traps, the conspiracies, and the treacheries that surround her. Varvara will become Sophie’s confidante—and together the two young women will rise to the pinnacle of absolute power.   With dazzling details and intense drama, Eva Stachniak depicts Varvara’s secret alliance with Catherine as the princess grows into a legend—through an enforced marriage, illicit seductions, and, at last, the shocking coup to assume the throne of all of Russia.   Impeccably researched and magnificently written, The Winter Palace is an irresistible peek through the keyhole of one of history’s grandest tales."

Varvara becomes an orphan at a young age and her fate doesn't look promising until Empress Elizabeth of Russia hires her as a seamstress.  The Chancellor of Russia takes her under his wing and makes her his spy.  She must report on all the events surrounding the Empress.  Essentially, Varvara has gone from a seamstress to a spy.  Then Sophie, the future Catherine the Great, comes to court to hopefully marry Elizabeth's nephew, Peter.  The two young girls, despite their differing stations in life, become quick friends.  Varvara, despite the Chancellor's directives, is extremely loyal to Catherine.  Both girls are forced into a marriage and life at court is never easy.  Eve Stachniak's The Winter Palace showcases Catherine the Great's life through the eyes of a fictional servant and the tumultuous Russian Court.

Varvara is an underdog in The Winter Palace and who doesn't like to root for the underdog?  The loss of her parents and her move to court is a drastic one.  Then when the Chancellor uses her as his spy, things start to get really tricky for her.  She feels a loyalty to Catherine, but finds herself having to spy on her.  I was rooting for Varvara to the very end, especially when she ends up in an arranged marriage thanks to the Empress and banished from Court.  Varvara still keeps her friendship with Catherine though.

Stachniak tells Sophie's (the future Catherine the Great) story through Varvara's eyes and while I found this interesting at first, I wanted a few chapters from Catherine's perspective in order to understand her a bit more.  After her marriage to Peter, she still finds herself in a precarious position in court as the Empress doesn't like her and her husband isn't the least bit interested in producing an heir.  Essentially, Catherine's story is about women rising to power despite all the odds and I appreciated that.  All in all,  Catherine the Great is such an interesting character historically and she comes to life in The Winter Palace, but I would have preferred more from her point of view as sometimes she would come across very dependent through Varvara's eyes.

The narrator of The Winter Palace audio book is Beata Pozniak and with her accent, she truly brought the Russian Court to life. I didn't find her accent jarring; in fact, I liked it as it felt very authentic to the story.

While I liked my first foray into the Russian Court, I think I'll stick to the English Court as The Winter Palace didn't dazzle me as much as I was hoping despite the glowing reviews for this series.  Fans of historical fiction that love political intrigue as well as espionage, will enjoy The Winter Palace the most.

Have you read or listened to novels about Catherine the Great?  If so, can you make some recommendations for me? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

Can't Wait Wednesday: The Giver of Stars

Can't Wait Wednesday is hosted by Wishful Endings and helps us spotlight upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating!

The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes

Pub. Date: October 8, 2019

Goodreads says, "When Alice Wright agrees to marry handsome American Bennett Van Cleve and leave behind her stifling life in England for a new adventure in Kentucky, she’s soon disenchanted by her newlywed status and overbearing father-in-law, owner of the local coal mine. So when a call goes out for a team of women to deliver books as part of Eleanor Roosevelt's new traveling library, Alice signs on enthusiastically.  The leader, and soon Alice's greatest ally, is Margery, the smart-talking, self-sufficient daughter of a notorious local criminal, a woman who's never asked a man's permission for anything. Alice finds Margery as bracing and courageous as anyone she's ever met--and comes to rely on her, especially as her marriage starts to fail.   They will be joined by three diverse women and become known as the Horseback Librarians of Kentucky.   What happens to these women--and to the men they love--becomes a classic drama of loyalty, justice, humanity and passion. Though they face all kinds of dangers--from moonshiners to snakes, from mountains to floods--and social disapproval to boot. But they believe deeply in their work bringing books to people who had never had any, expanding horizons and arming them with facts that will change their lives. Based on a true story rooted in America's past, the storytelling itself here is enthralling--the pages fly, and the book is unparalleled in its scope and its epic breadth. Funny, heartbreaking, and rewarding, it is a rich novel of women's friendship, of true love, and of what happens when we reach beyond our grasp for the great beyond."

Ohhh! There's a historical novel by Jojo Moyes coming out this fall! If this cover doesn't catch your eye, I don't know what will!  I love stories that highlight extraordinary females and this one is set in Depression-era America, which should be an interesting setting for sure. What do you guys think? Are you a fan of Jojo Moyes?

Book Review: Drawing Home by Jamie Brenner

Pages: 368

Genre: Adult Fiction

Pub. Date: May 7, 2019

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company

Source: Publisher for review

Other Books By Author: The Forever Summer,
The Husband Hour and The Wedding Sisters

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "Summer has started in idyllic Sag Harbor, and for Emma Mapson that means greeting guests at the front desk of The American Hotel. But when one of the town's most famous residents, artist Henry Wyatt, dies suddenly, Emma learns he has mysteriously left his waterfront home - a self-designed masterpiece filled with his work - to her teenage daughter, Penny.   Back in Manhattan, legendary art patron Bea Winstead's grief at her lifelong friend and former business partner Henry's passing turns to outrage at the news of his shocking bequest. How did these unknown locals get their hands on the estate? Bea, with her devoted assistant Kyle in tow, descends on Sag Harbor determined to reclaim the house and preserve Henry's legacy.  While Emma fights to defend her daughter's inheritance, Bea discovers that Henry left a treasure trove of sketches scattered around town. With Penny's reluctant help, Bea pieces them together to find a story hidden in plain sight: an illustration of their shared history with an unexpected twist that will change all of their lives.  Drawn together in their battle for the house, Emma and Bea are forced to confront the past while facing a future that challenges everything they believe about love, fate, and family."

Emma and her daughter live in Sag Harbor year round. As a single mom, she lives an average life and works at the famous American Hotel.  However, Emma's daughter, Penny, is challenging.  She is not only a moody teenager, but she also has OCD and anxiety.  Thankfully, Penny has found drawing to be a great outlet and has blossomed working with Henry Wyatt.  Henry is Sag Harbor's most important resident as he is a famous artist.  When Henry Wyatt suddenly dies, Emma and Penny's world is thrown upside down as Henry has bequeathed his beach front home to Penny.   This is obviously life changing to both Emma and Penny and Emma is pretty stunned by the whole turn of events.  To complicate matters further, Henry Wyatt's best friend and former business partner, Bea, comes to town determined to find out why Henry would have left his estate and the artwork inside it to a teenager. She finds it unbelievable and is determined to fight it.  This brings even more drama into Emma's life.  Just when you think Emma has things figured out, Penny's father comes back to town and wants to be a part of Penny's life and quite suddenly.  Drawing Home by Jamie Brenner isn't an overly saccharine beach read. It's set in Sag Harbor, which makes it the perfect beachy setting, but the issues that Emma and Penny deal with are serious. Nonetheless, the mystery surrounding Henry's will and the Emma's journey will tug on your heartstrings.

I really enjoyed the characters of Emma and Penny in Drawing Home despite their flaws.  I liked how Brenner depicted a complicated teenager and one that has some mental health issues. We need more of this in literature! I also liked that Emma was a single mother who is just trying to get by and raise her teenager as best as she can.  As the story progresses, readers slowly learn more about Henry Wyatt and his friendship with Penny.  Penny loved to spend time with Henry and learn about art as well as practice drawing. This helped with her anxiety and in turn, she shared with him her love of graphic novels.  I really enjoyed learning more and more about their relationship despite the fact that Bea was on a mission to take the estate away from Penny and discredit their friendship.

Speaking of Bea--what a complicated character! I disliked her in the beginning of Drawing Home, but I could understand where she was coming from.  I really can't blame her for questioning why Henry left his estate to a minor that he just recently met, so at times I felt badly for her.  She just goes about it all wrong and takes up residence (illegally!) in Henry's house much to her assistant, Kyle's, dismay. The more Kyle and Bea research Henry in Sag Harbor, the more they cross paths with Emma, and in turn, Kyle starts to show more interest in Emma than in helping Bea. So, obviously, this creates another set of problems for Bea.

I loved the historical town of Sag Harbor in Drawing Home.  It was beautifully depicted and came to life as an adorable seaside town that bustles with tourism in the summer. 

If you are looking for a smarter beach read with a lot of heart and less fluff, give Drawing Home a try. I have come to really enjoy Brenner's beach reads every year and this one doesn't disappoint.

Have you read any of Jamie Brenner's novels? If so, which ones are your favorite?

My Favorite Backlist Beach Reads

Can you believe it? It's the unofficial start of summer and you know what that means! You'll be wanting to throw some entertaining beach reads into your beach or pool bag this summer.  If so, I've got you covered! Some of my favorite beach reads are novels that were published in the past.  Here are some of my favorites that I have featured before. Each title is linked to my review.  There's something here for everyone! 

Adult Fiction:  

A Hundred Summers by Beatriz Williams

The Summer House by Hannah McKinnon

The Book of Summer by Michelle Gable

Slightly South of Simple by Kristy Woodson Harvey

Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter

On the Island by Tracey Garvis-Graves

The Island by Elin Hilderbrand

All the Summer Girls by Meg Donohue

Under a Dark Summer Sky by Vanessa Lafaye

The Last Summer at Chelsea Beach by Pam Jenoff

The Night the Lights Went Out by Karne White

Villa America by Liza Klausmann

Young Adult Fiction:

The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen

The Lake Effect by Erin McCahan

The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han

The Boys Next Door/Endless Summer by Jennifer Echols

Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson

My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

Nantucket Blue by Leila Howland

The Season of You and Me by Robin Constatine

Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen

Open Road Summer by Emory Lord

Broken Hearts, Fences, and Other Things to Mend by Katie Finn

The Summer After You and Me by Jennifer Doktorski

The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen

Southern Beach Reads:

Hemingway's Girl by Erika Robuck  (Key West, Florida)

Slightly South of Simple by Kristy Woodson Harvey (Georgia)

The Night the Lights Went Out by Karen White (Georgia)

The Weekenders by Mary Kay Andrews - (North Carolina)

The Last Original Wife by Dorothea Benton Frank (Charleston, South Carolina)

All Summer Long by Dorothea Benton Frank (Charleston, South Carolina)

Under a Dark Summer Sky by Vanessa LaFaye (Key West, Florida)

Recent Additions:

Starry Eyes by Jenn Bennett

Save the Date by Morgan Matson

The Summer Wives by Beatriz Williams

The Perfect Couple by Elin Hilderbrand

Something in the Water by Catherine Steaman

The Summer I Met Jack by Michelle Gable

Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren

The Husband Hour by Jamie Brenner 
The Secret to Southern Charm by Kristy Woodson Harvey


Let me know what are some of your favorite beach reads? What book(s) do you plan to take along with you to the beach or pool this year? 

Book Review: The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren

Pages: 395

Pub. Date: May 14, 2019

Publisher: Gallery

Source: Publisher for review

Other Books By Author: Love and Other Words

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "Olive is always unlucky: in her career, in love, in…well, everything. Her identical twin sister Ami, on the other hand, is probably the luckiest person in the world. Her meet-cute with her fiancé is something out of a romantic comedy (gag) and she’s managed to finance her entire wedding by winning a series of Internet contests (double gag). Worst of all, she’s forcing Olive to spend the day with her sworn enemy, Ethan, who just happens to be the best man.  Olive braces herself to get through 24 hours of wedding hell before she can return to her comfortable, unlucky life. But when the entire wedding party gets food poisoning from eating bad shellfish, the only people who aren’t affected are Olive and Ethan. And now there’s an all-expenses-paid honeymoon in Hawaii up for grabs.  Putting their mutual hatred aside for the sake of a free vacation, Olive and Ethan head for paradise, determined to avoid each other at all costs. But when Olive runs into her future boss, the little white lie she tells him is suddenly at risk to become a whole lot bigger. She and Ethan now have to pretend to be loving newlyweds, and her luck seems worse than ever. But the weird thing is that she doesn’t mind playing pretend. In fact, she feels kind of... lucky."

Olive Torres considers herself unlucky; her twin sister on the other hand is one of the luckiest people she knows. She has won various sweepstakes and even most of her wedding is already paid for through competitions.  At this point, Olive just wants her sister's lavish wedding to be over as she has had a ton of things to do for her sister not to mention deal with the groom's brother, Ethan, whom she can't stand in the least thanks to a very awkward encounter a few years ago.  But her sister's luck is most definitely over.  Most the wedding guests, except Olive and Ethan, get food poisoning from the wedding buffet and the bride and groom are unable to attend their own honeymoon. Her sister can't reschedule either because (you guessed it!) she won the honeymoon and its non-transferable.  Her sister insists that she goes instead of her, but the only issue is that Ethan, the groom's brother and her least favorite person, is going as well.  Ethan and Olive must pretend to be married on this all-inclusive trip that is in her sister's name.  This can't be too bad though, right? I mean a free trip to Maui is worth it.  Christina Lauren's The Unhoneymooners has some of the best dialogue I've read in quite sometime. I was rip roaring laughing! I absolutely loved this romantic comedy; it is quintessential beach reading.

Olive is such a fun character in The Unhoneymooners.  She's smart, a little awkward, and is extremely witty.  I seriously was dying at some of the things that came out of her mouth. Her relationship with Ethan is complicated though. I mean I sort of knew where this was going (obviously), but it was so much fun to go along for the ride. Also, readers slowly figure out why these two don't get a long and what exactly happened in their past. I liked that Lauren slowly revealed it to us.  I know that the enemies-to-lovers trope has been done a lot, but boy, did I love it. Christina Lauren made it so, so much fun!

The chemistry in The Unhoneymooners was through the roof.  Man, Christina Lauren knows how to write such sizzling chemistry without it being too over the top. I actually haven't enjoyed many books from the romance genre, but she writes my kind of romances.   Also, did I mention the setting is Maui? I can't think of a better location for a beach read. I adored Olive and Ethan and the many adventures they encountered whether it was exploring the Hawaiian beaches, snorkeling, couples massages, fancy dinners, or tropical drinks...it was all perfect and my only regret is that I didn't read this book while on vacation.

If you're looking for a light beach read that will have you awkwardly laughing out loud while in public and swooning a few seconds later, look no further. The Unhoneymooners is THE book to throw in your beach bag this summer.  I adored it and I can't wait to read more Christina Lauren in my future.  Which one of her novels should I read next?

Can't Wait Wednesday: The Last List of Miss Judith Kratt

Can't Wait Wednesday is hosted by Wishful Endings and helps us spotlight upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating!

The Last List of Miss Judith Kratt by Andrea Bobotis

Pub. Date: July 9, 2019

Goodreads says, "Some bury their secrets close to home. Others scatter them to the wind and hope they land somewhere far away.  Judith Kratt inherited all the Kratt family had to offer—the pie safe, the copper clock, the murder no one talks about. She knows it's high time to make an inventory of her household and its valuables, but she finds that cataloging the family belongings—as well as their misfortunes—won't contain her family's secrets, not when her wayward sister suddenly returns, determined to expose skeletons the Kratts had hoped to take to their graves.  Interweaving the present with chilling flashbacks from one fateful evening in 1929, Judith pieces together the influence of her family on their small South Carolina cotton town, learning that the devastating effects of dark family secrets can last a lifetime and beyond."

I love a good historical mystery in the summertime, especially if it's set in the South. Doesn't this one sound delicious? What do you guys think?

Book Review: The Girl He Used to Know by Tracey Garvis Graves

Pages: 291

Genre: Adult Fiction

Pub. Date: April 2, 2019

Source: Publisher for review

Publisher: St. Martin's

Other Books by Author: On the Island

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars 

Goodreads says, "Annika (rhymes with Monica) Rose is an English major at the University of Illinois. Anxious in social situations where she finds most people's behavior confusing, she'd rather be surrounded by the order and discipline of books or the quiet solitude of playing chess.  Jonathan Hoffman joined the chess club and lost his first game--and his heart--to the shy and awkward, yet brilliant and beautiful Annika. He admires her ability to be true to herself, quirks and all, and accepts the challenges involved in pursuing a relationship with her. Jonathan and Annika bring out the best in each other, finding the confidence and courage within themselves to plan a future together. What follows is a tumultuous yet tender love affair that withstands everything except the unforeseen tragedy that forces them apart, shattering their connection and leaving them to navigate their lives alone.  Now, a decade later, fate reunites Annika and Jonathan in Chicago. She's living the life she wanted as a librarian. He's a Wall Street whiz, recovering from a divorce and seeking a fresh start. The attraction and strong feelings they once shared are instantly rekindled, but until they confront the fears and anxieties that drove them apart, their second chance will end before it truly begins."

Annika is a bright young woman; however, she falls on the Autism spectrum, so she has some difficulty in her life relating to people, picking up on social cues, etc.  She has spent most of her life trying to avoid her triggers and mimic socially adept people so she can fit in as she truly is high-functioning.  Once she heads off to college, her world opens up for her.  Thankfully, she ends up with Janice, who is pretty much the best roommate ever.  She is so caring; she takes Annika under her wing and helps her with her wardrobe, her social situations, and more. She is a godsend.  Annika joins the chess club as she is an avid player and in turn meets Jonathan.  No one has ever noticed Annika despite her outward beauty as most people are turned off by her quirks. Not Jonathan though.  He loves Annika just the way she is. Swoon.  They dated for quite sometime, but at first readers aren't privy to what went wrong.  Fast forward ten years later, Annika runs into Jonathan at the grocery store of all places and there's still something there between them.  Can they push aside the past and whatever event turned them away from each other? The Girl He Used to Know by Tracey Garvis Graves is such a swoon-worthy romance. I was hooked from the beginning and was so sad to say goodbye to these characters.  This book is one of my favorites of the year! 

Annika, as I mentioned previously, is on the Autism spectrum, but is high-functioning. She graduated college, has a job, is able to live on her own, and even has dated a few guys.  Graves captured someone who is autistic brilliantly.  She was able to highlight some of her quirks and issues while also showcasing how fantastic people can be on the spectrum, especially when it comes to their honesty and their passions. I love that Graves wrote Annika as an autistic woman and I would love to see more of this in adult as well as young adult fiction as it helps people to understand and relate.

Jonathan was also a great character in The Girl He Used to Know. He embraces Annika for who she truly is, quirks and all.  He appreciates every aspect of her and I adored their relationship.  At times, it broke my heart to see how hard it was for Annika to fit in in some of Jonathan's social situations, such as a dinner party or work event, but he handles it so well for the both of them.  What can I say? Their romance is beautiful!

There's a lot more that goes on in The Girl He Used to Know; it's not just a simple romance. Disaster strikes and things get very complicated, but I know readers will be rooting for Annika and Jonathan just like I was.  The Girl He Used to Know is a phenomenal read that would be perfect for fans of contemporary fiction. I couldn't think of a better book to read on vacation this summer, especially if you love characters that tug your heartstrings.  

Stacking the Shelves (97)

Book Review: Cape May by Chip Cheek 

Can't Wait Wednesday: Montauk by Nicola Harrison 

Book Review: When We Left Cuba by Chanel Cleeton

This week I'll be sharing some AMAZING beach reads. The Girl He Used to Know by Tracey Garvis Graves was absolutely fantastic. I can't wait to share my thoughts on it!  The Unhoneymooners was the absolute perfect beach read with a gorgeous Hawaiian setting and the dialogue had me laughing out loud.   I'll also be sharing some of my favorite "back list" beach reads to kick off Memorial Day Weekend.

 

Realm by Alexandrea Weis - Thanks to Vesuvian Books

A Nantucket Wedding by Nancy Thayer - Thanks to Ballantine and Library Thing Early Reviewers

 

The Last List of Miss Judith Kratt by Andrea Bobotis - Thanks to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Landmark

Every Stolen Breath by Kimberly Gabriel - Thanks to Blink YA 

 

The Monster Catchers by George Brewington - Thanks to Henry Holt

Once a Liar by A.F. Brady - Thanks to Park Row 

Have you read any of these books? Are they on your TBR list? Let me know your thoughts. This meme is hosted by Kimberly at Caffeinated Book Reviewer. Thanks for visiting!

Book Review: Cape May by Chip Cheek

Pages:

Genre: Adult Historical Fiction

Pub. Date: April 30, 2019

Publisher: Celadon Books

Source: Publisher for review

My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "A mesmerizing debut novel by Chip Cheek, Cape May explores the social and sexual mores of 1950s America through the eyes of a newly married couple from the genteel south corrupted by sophisticated New England urbanites.  Late September 1957. Henry and Effie, very young newlyweds from Georgia, arrive in Cape May, New Jersey, for their honeymoon only to find the town is deserted. Feeling shy of each other and isolated, they decide to cut the trip short. But before they leave, they meet a glamorous set of people who sweep them up into their drama. Clara, a beautiful socialite who feels her youth slipping away; Max, a wealthy playboy and Clara’s lover; and Alma, Max’s aloof and mysterious half-sister, to whom Henry is irresistibly drawn.  The empty beach town becomes their playground, and as they sneak into abandoned summer homes, go sailing, walk naked under the stars, make love, and drink a great deal of gin, Henry and Effie slip from innocence into betrayal, with irrevocable consequences.  Erotic and moving, this is a novel about marriage, love and sexuality, and the lifelong repercussions that meeting a group of debauched cosmopolitans has on a new marriage."

Henry is a young country boy from Georgia and he just married his high school sweet heart, Effie.  They are on their honeymoon in Cape May, New Jersey and the year is 1957.  They are not only exploring their sexuality as newlyweds, but they are also expanding their horizons as this isn't rural Georgia anymore.  In fact, Cape May is pretty much abandoned for the season except for a group of sophisticated city dwellers from up North.  They have money, they throw lavish dinner parties, they drink, they go boating, they drink more.... rinse and repeat.  When Henry and Effie fall into their clutches, it alters their marriage irrevocably.  Cape May by Chip Cheek is an erotic story filled with despicable characters and horrible situations--very much so that I was unable to put down the book.

At first, I really thought Henry and Effie were cute in Cape May. Adorable, really. But then I realized how naive they actually are.  When they meet up with Clara, Max, and Alma who are also in Cape May during the off season that is where things go awry.  It was like watching two baby rabbits fall into the clutches of a vulture.  Clara, Max and Alma are worldly, experienced, and live life by their own rules.  When Henry and Effie try to assimilate into their world, things don't go well as one could easily predict.  So, this is where I thought the story would take on this Great Gatsby vibe with partying and different psychologically thrilling details, but I was wrong.  

Without giving too much away, Henry is seduced by someone (on his honeymoon!) and starts an affair with her. Willingly. And continues it. On his honeymoon.  I repeat. On his honeymoon.  I was appalled. I won't say more, but it's like just the tip of the iceberg here with these two.  Everything that could possibly go wrong on a honeymoon goes wrong in Cape May and it almost became unbelievable at one point.  Then I started disliking all the characters.  To the point where I put down the book, because I don't want my beach reads to stress me out in this manner.  This was just.too.much.  

And the sex. Oh, man. Now I am not a romance novel reader per se and I didn't read 50 Shades of Grey, but I like to think I can deal with an average amount of sex scenes in a novel.  I can also let go of a lot of erotic details if the story is strong.  But this was just too much.  The sex scenes were so overly detailed that it left a bad taste in my mouth and it felt almost smutty.  In fact, there was so much detail that all the sex became ineffective and I became numb to it.

But I will say I somehow became addicted to Cape May in the same way I might watch a reality TV show that is a disaster. I usually don't finish books like this, which is why I rarely review a book that I rate as two or three stars, but I had to know how it would end for these characters.  And once I got to the end, I was disappointed and almost depressed by it.  The overall message of Cape May, for me, was dismal.

Was Cape May well written? I guess. I will admit I was entertained, but I was disappointed because Cape May is one of my favorite places in the world and I was hoping for so much more. The town doesn't shine through the novel in the least bit.  However, there are some outstanding reviews for this novel; in fact, Kirkus gave it a starred review, but ultimately, this book is not for me and one I wouldn't recommend unless novels about drinking, sex, bad decisions, and more drinking are your cup of tea.

Did you read Cape May? Let me know your thoughts in the comment below.

 

Can't Wait Wednesday: Montauk

Can't Wait Wednesday is hosted by Wishful Endings and helps us spotlight upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating!

Montauk by Nicola Harrison

Pub. Date: June 4, 2019

Goodreads says, "Montauk, Long Island, 1938.   For three months, this humble fishing village will serve as the playground for New York City’s wealthy elite. Beatrice Bordeaux was looking forward to a summer of reigniting the passion between her and her husband, Harry. Instead, tasked with furthering his investment interest in Montauk as a resort destination, she learns she’ll be spending twelve weeks sequestered with the high society wives at The Montauk Manor—a two-hundred room seaside hotel—while Harry pursues other interests in the city.   College educated, but raised a modest country girl in Pennsylvania, Bea has never felt fully comfortable among these privileged women, whose days are devoted not to their children but to leisure activities and charities that seemingly benefit no one but themselves. She longs to be a mother herself, as well as a loving wife, but after five years of marriage she remains childless while Harry is increasingly remote and distracted. Despite lavish parties at the Manor and the Yacht Club, Bea is lost and lonely and befriends the manor’s laundress whose work ethic and family life stir memories of who she once was.   As she drifts further from the society women and their preoccupations and closer toward Montauk’s natural beauty and community spirit, Bea finds herself drawn to a man nothing like her husband –stoic, plain spoken and enigmatic. Inspiring a strength and courage she had almost forgotten, his presence forces her to face a haunting tragedy of her past and question her future.  Desperate to embrace moments of happiness, no matter how fleeting, she soon discovers that such moments may be all she has, when fates conspire to tear her world apart…"

You guys know I am a sucker for a good historical beach read and this one sound amazing. I love the new cover as well. What do you guys think? Will you be throwing this one in your each bag this summer?