November Confessions

So, the good news is that I read a few more books than I thought I would this month, thanks to getting my wisdom teeth out.  I thought that I would mainly watch TV shows after the surgery, but I was really interested in the books I was reading.  While I was recovering, Let it Snow was the perfect holiday escape. Sometimes you just need some light reads that are a good escape, right?

Can you believe the holiday season is upon us? Every year it seems to go by faster than the year before. I am determined to try and savor more moments this year and take some time to chill. Easier said than done though!

Books Read in November: 
1.  Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo (Adult Fantasy) - 3.5 out of 5 stars
2.  The Other Windsor Girl by Georgie Blalock (Adult Historical Fiction) - 3.5 out of 5 stars
3.  The Wicked Redhead by Beatriz Williams (Adult Historical Fiction) - 4 out of 5 stars - Review to come!
4.  Lady Take the Case by Eliza Casey (Adult Historical Fiction/Mystery) - 3.5 out of 5 stars - Review to come!
5.  Let it Snow by Nancy Thayer (Adult Fiction) - 3.5 out of 5 stars - Review to come!
6.  What Happens in Paradise by Elin Hilderbrand (Adult Fiction/Audio Book) - 4 out of 5 stars - Review to come!

Chapter Books:
Ralph S. Mouse by Beverly Clearly

1.  Favorite Book: I really liked The Wicked Redhead, which is a conintuation of The Wicked City. Surprinsgly, I enjoyed this book more than the first in the series.

2.  Biggest Surprise:  Let it Snow was my biggest surprise mainly because I didn't think I'd like a fluffy holiday read, but this was the perfect escape!

3.  Biggest Disappointment: Ninth House was just an average read for me. I was expecting to be blown away!

4.  Favorite Post:  The Bride of Northanger Blog Tour

5.  Favorite Part of November:  Can you believe November is already over? Man, that just flew by! My favorite part of this month was Thanksgiving with my family and getting ready for the most wonderful time of the year.  Let's hope it goes by VERY slowly!

What books did you read this month? Which one was your favorite? Let me know in the comments. 

Can't Wait Wednesday: The Book of Longings

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

The Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd

Pub. Date: April 21, 2020

Goodreads says, ""I am Ana. I was the wife of Jesus.” So begins the new novel from the number one New York Times bestselling author of The Secret Life of Bees and The Invention of Wings, an extraordinary story set in the first century about a woman who finds her voice and her destiny in a time of great despair and great hope.  In her fourth work of fiction, Sue Monk Kidd brings her acclaimed narrative gifts to imagine the story of a young woman named Ana. Raised in a wealthy family in Sepphoris with ties to the ruler of Galilee, she is rebellious and ambitious, a relentless seeker with a brilliant, curious mind and a daring spirit. She yearns for a pursuit worthy of her life, but finds no outlet for her considerable talents. Defying the expectations placed on women, she engages in furtive scholarly pursuits and writes secret narratives about neglected and silenced women. When she meets the eighteen-year-old Jesus, each is drawn to and enriched by the other’s spiritual and philosophical ideas. He becomes a floodgate for her intellect, but also the awakener of her heart.  Their marriage unfolds with love and conflict, humor and pathos in Nazareth, where Ana makes a home with Jesus, his brothers, James and Simon, and their mother, Mary. Here, Ana’s pent-up longings intensify amid the turbulent resistance to the Roman occupation of Israel, partially led by her charismatic adopted brother, Judas. She is sustained by her indomitable aunt Yaltha, who is searching for her long-lost daughter, as well as by other women, including her friend Tabitha, who is sold into slavery after she was raped, and Phasaelis, the shrewd wife of Herod Antipas. Ana’s impetuous streak occasionally invites danger. When one such foray forces her to flee Nazareth for her safety shortly before Jesus’s public ministry begins, she makes her way with Yaltha to Alexandria, where she eventually finds refuge and purpose in unexpected surroundings.  Grounded in meticulous historical research and written with a reverential approach to Jesus’s life that focuses on his humanity, The Book of Longings is an inspiring account of one woman’s bold struggle to realize the passion and potential inside her, while living in a time, place, and culture devised to silence her."

I read and loved Kidd's The Invention of Wings, so I when I heard she was writing a new historical novel, I was thrilled.  Then I read the synopsis and I was really interested.  A book about a woman who married Jesus and it portrays Jesus in a more humanly way?  This should be very interesting! What do you guys think?
 

Book Review: Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo

Pages: 458

Genre: Adult Fiction

Pub. Date: October 8, 2019

Publisher: Flatiron Books

Source: Library

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "Galaxy “Alex” Stern is the most unlikely member of Yale’s freshman class. Raised in the Los Angeles hinterlands by a hippie mom, Alex dropped out of school early and into a world of shady drug dealer boyfriends, dead-end jobs, and much, much worse. By age twenty, in fact, she is the sole survivor of a horrific, unsolved multiple homicide. Some might say she’s thrown her life away. But at her hospital bed, Alex is offered a second chance: to attend one of the world’s most elite universities on a full ride. What’s the catch, and why her?  Still searching for answers to this herself, Alex arrives in New Haven tasked by her mysterious benefactors with monitoring the activities of Yale’s secret societies. These eight windowless “tombs” are well-known to be haunts of the future rich and powerful, from high-ranking politicos to Wall Street and Hollywood’s biggest players. But their occult activities are revealed to be more sinister and more extraordinary than any paranoid imagination might conceive."

Galaxy "Alex" Stern is anything but a normal Yale student.  In fact, she didn't get accepted to Yale by excelling at school, sports, or any of the usual things.  Simply, she got in because she can see dead people and this really appeals to Yale's secret societies.  Alex can attend Yale for free, (yes, free!), if she helps out the Lethe, one of the secret societies, by overseeing society rituals.  You see, all of these rituals attract ghosts and Alex has the uncanny ability to see ghosts without having to take a special drug.  Things start to get really complicated for Alex though.  For starters, there's a murder, there's corruption, and there's a whole slew of problems heading right for Alex.  Not to mention the fact that the ghosts, despite her avoidance of eye contact, are starting to engage with her.  Leigh Bardugo's creepy Ninth House is an adult fiction debut that will appeal to fans of fantasy as well the horror genre.

Alex is a complex character in Ninth House.  Based on her back story, I did feel for her and the many obstacles she had to overcome. I also could see why she became addicted to drugs in order to numb her existence and avoid ghosts.  Despite all of her mistakes, she is granted a second chance by going to Yale and essentially wiping her slate clean.  How could I not get behind her at this point? Everyone loves an underdog story.  When Alex starts to investigate a murder in town things start to heat up and I started to enjoyed her courage and gumption even more.

Bardugo's world building is really good in Ninth House.  I can see why so many people are fans of her YA novels.  The different secret societies at Yale were also done well. I think what is most captivating is the fact that part of this story could very well be true.  Ninth House isn't such high fantasy that none of this could occur, so it was fun to imagine what truly happens in the secret societies.

The best part of Ninth House were the ghostly elements and how Bardugo brought that to life through Alex's abilities. I really love a good ghost story, so I especially appreciated this part of the novel.  I found it to be the most atmospheric and compelling part of Ninth House, especially since I read it around Halloween.

One of my biggest issues with Ninth House was the tough material.  I am not bashful to say the least. I've read plenty of edgy novels, but I think Bardugo, for me, really was pushing the envelope in some instances. There's a lot of triggers in here: drug overdose, rape, statutory rape, forced eating of human waste, assault, etc. It's not for the faint of heart.  

But this made me think. I have dealt with a lot of dark material in novels and despite this, I ended up really LOVING them (Outlander, I am looking at you), but that was not the case here.  The problem came down to characters in Ninth House. I didn't care about Alex enough to be truly impacted by any of the violent elements, so in that case, it just felt like plot devices at times. Each chapter something happened, but nothing.actually.happened.  It just felt like a wash-rinse-repeat sort of situation. 

But with that said, I do think Ninth House will find legions of fans; after all, it was nominated by Goodreads as one of the best books of the year and there will be many people desperate for book two. I, on the other hand, will check out Bardugo's YA fantasy novels as I think they are more my speed.

Did you guys read Ninth House? What did you think? Let me know in the comments below.  

Stacking the Shelves (110)

Audio Book Review: The Chaperone by Laura Moriarty

Can't Wait Wednesday: The Lucky Caller

Book Review: 10 Blind Dates by Ashley Elston

Coming up, I'll be sharing my thoughts on Ninth House before I take a break for Thanksgiving.  Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo was probably the most talked about book of the fall, but for me, it was good.....not great.  Keep your eye out for my review this week.

  

And They Called it Camelot by Stephanie Marie Thornton - Thanks to Berkley and NetGalley

In Five Years by Rebecca Serle - Thanks to Atria and NetGalley

 

The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner - Thanks to St. Martin's

The Star-Crossed Sisters of Tuscany by Lori Nelson Spielman - Thanks to Berkley and NetGalley

City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert

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!

Audio Book Review: The Chaperone by Laura Moriarty

Genre: Adult Historical Fiction/Audio Book

Pub. Date: June 5, 2012

Publisher: Penguin

Source: Personal Copy

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "The Chaperone is  a captivating novel about the woman who chaperoned an irreverent Louise Brooks to New York City in 1922 and the summer that would change them both.  Only a few years before becoming a famous silent-film star and an icon of her generation, a fifteen-year-old Louise Brooks leaves Wichita, Kansas, to study with the prestigious Denishawn School of Dancing in New York. Much to her annoyance, she is accompanied by a thirty-six-year-old chaperone, who is neither mother nor friend. Cora Carlisle, a complicated but traditional woman with her own reasons for making the trip, has no idea what she’s in for. Young Louise, already stunningly beautiful and sporting her famous black bob with blunt bangs, is known for her arrogance and her lack of respect for convention. Ultimately, the five weeks they spend together will transform their lives forever.  For Cora, the city holds the promise of discovery that might answer the question at the core of her being, and even as she does her best to watch over Louise in this strange and bustling place she embarks on a mission of her own. And while what she finds isn’t what she anticipated, she is liberated in a way she could not have imagined. Over the course of Cora’s relationship with Louise, her eyes are opened to the promise of the twentieth century and a new understanding of the possibilities for being fully alive.  Drawing on the rich history of the 1920s,’30s, and beyond—from the orphan trains to Prohibition, flappers,  and the onset of the Great Depression to the burgeoning movement for equal rights and new opportunities for women—Laura Moriarty’s The Chaperone illustrates how rapidly everything, from fashion and hemlines to values and attitudes, was changing at this time and what a vast difference it all made for Louise Brooks, Cora Carlisle, and others like them."

The year is 1922 and Cora Carlisle finds her life is at a crossroads.  Her twin sons are grown and away for the summer, her husband is a successful lawyer and is always busy, and Cora is tired of the same old things.  Although her much older husband, Alan, seems like the perfect husband, things aren't as great as they appear at first glance.  So, when Louise Brooks, a young girl in Cora's neighborhood, has the opportunity to attend dance school in New York City, but needs a reliable chaperone, Cora jumps at this opportunity.  Not only will she get to be in exciting New York City, she also has some unfinished business in this city as well.  This business is in regards to her childhood as Cora grew up in an orphanage in New York City. While she was adopted by a nice couple in Kansas, she has always wanted to know the truth surrounding her biological parents.  Perhaps this trip as Louise's chaperone will provide some answers as well as some closure on that end.  However, Louise isn't your average fifteen year old girl.  She is known to be a bit wild, adventurous, and someone who challenges convention. Maybe being Louise's chaperone won't be as easy as Cora had hoped.  The audio book, The Chaperone by Laura Moriarty was a delight; historical fiction fans will enjoy this novel, especially Elizabeth McGovern's narration.

Cora Carlisle, at first glance, appears to be your run of the mill housewife stuck in the conventions of 1922.  However, there's so much more to her in The Chaperone. As her story unfolds and we learn more about her background, I was even more interested in Cora.  Her childhood at the orphanage truly tugged on my heartstrings.  After her adopted parents passed away, she was finding herself in trouble again and one might think that Alan saved her when she needed saving; however, there's so much more to the situation than that.  I also enjoyed the mystery surrounding Cora's birth parents and I appreciated her courage in trying to find out the truth despite all the obstacles in her way. While investigating, she meets Joseph, a janitor at the orphanage, and sparks fly between the two.  I really loved their budding friendship and although Cora is married to Alan, I wanted so much more for her as Alan ended up being a disappointment.

Louise is an equally compelling character in The Chaperone.  Louise Brooks, the famous silent film star, does travel to New York with a chaperone in 1922, so it was interesting how Moriarty invented the character of Cora, but also kept so much factual information in the novel about Louise.  Poor Louise lived during the wrong time period; she would have done very well now. She bobbed her hair, challenged authority, and broke all the conventional rules. I really liked her and her friendship with Cora. I appreciated the fact that both women were before their time and they truly believed in women's rights.  

I am a huge Downton Abbey fan, so I loved that Elizabeth McGovern, who plays Cora on Downton, narrated this audio book.  It was like listening to a friend read a story; I have to say she is now one of my favorite narrators.  Also, I appreciated the fact that the creators of Downton Abbey have made The Chaperone into a movie, which will air on PBS the end of this month.  Cora will be played by Elizabeth McGovern, so that was a nice touch and one that I enjoyed.  

So, if you are looking forward to watching The Chaperone on PBS, I urge you to check out the book or audio book first; historical fiction fans as well as fans of Elizabeth McGovern won't be disappointed. 

 

Can't Wait Wednesday: Lucky Caller

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

Lucky Caller by Emma Mills

Pub. Date: January 14, 2020

Goodreads says, "With the warmth, wit, intimate friendships, and heart-melting romance she brings to all her books, Emma Mills crafts a story about believing in yourself, owning your mistakes, and trusting in human connection in Lucky Caller.  When Nina decides to take a radio broadcasting class her senior year, she expects it to be a walk in the park. Instead, it’s a complete disaster.  The members of Nina's haphazardly formed radio team have approximately nothing in common. And to maximize the awkwardness her group includes Jamie, a childhood friend she'd hoped to basically avoid for the rest of her life.  The show is a mess, internet rumors threaten to bring the wrath of two fandoms down on their heads, and to top it all off Nina's family is on the brink of some major upheaval.  Everything feels like it's spiraling out of control―but maybe control is overrated?"

I have only read two of Emma Mills's novels, but I have adored them both.  I really like her writing style.  In my opinion, she is one of the most underrated YA authors out there.  So, I am excited to check out her latest novel; thankfully, it comes out soon! What do you guys think? Are you a fan of Emma Mills?

Book Review: 10 Blind Dates by Ashley Elston

Pages: 336

Genre: YA Realistic Fiction

Pub. Date: October 1, 2019

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Source: Publisher for review

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "Sophie wants one thing for Christmas-a little freedom from her overprotective parents. So when they decide to spend Christmas in South Louisiana with her very pregnant older sister, Sophie is looking forward to some much needed private (read: make-out) time with her long-term boyfriend, Griffin. Except it turns out that Griffin wants a little freedom from their relationship. Cue devastation.  Heartbroken, Sophie flees to her grandparents' house, where the rest of her boisterous extended family is gathered for the holiday. That's when her nonna devises a (not so) brilliant plan: Over the next ten days, Sophie will be set up on ten different blind dates by different family members. Like her sweet cousin Sara, who sets her up with a hot guy at an exclusive underground party. Or her crazy aunt Patrice, who signs Sophie up for a lead role in a living nativity. With a boy who barely reaches her shoulder. And a screaming baby.  When Griffin turns up unexpectedly and begs for a second chance, Sophie feels more confused than ever. Because maybe, just maybe, she's started to have feelings for someone else . . . Someone who is definitely not available.  This is going to be the worst Christmas break ever... or is it?"

Sophie imagined a really wonderful Christmas break, but when she overhears her boyfriend, Griffin, saying he needs a break from their relationship, things start to fall apart.  To make matters worse, Sophie's parents are spending Christmas with Sophie's older sister, who is pregnant and not doing well at all.  In turn, Sophie is spending the holidays with her grandmother and extended family.  Her beloved grandmother, Nonna, finds out that Sophie and Griffin are over and she sees how upset Sophie is.  Sophie's Nonna has devised a plan that while Sophie is there on Christmas break each family member will set her up with a nice boy to go out with.  What could go wrong, right? She might even meet someone nice! Or maybe things will go disastrously wrong. 10 Blind Dates by Ashley Elston is the perfect holiday read; it's just like snuggling up with your favorite Hallmark Christmas movie.

Sophie is a delightful character in 10 Blind Dates. I loved her relationship with her grandmother and enjoyed every second of her holiday at her house.  Each extended family member was very entertaining and I loved the relationship she shared with them all, even annoying Aunt Patrice.  What was most heartwarming was the relationship with her Nonna.  I love when YA novels have characters that appreciate and spend time with their grandparents and in this case, I enjoyed every aspect of Sophie's relationship with her Nonna.  I also especially appreciated her many references to Italian-American culture; if you are Italian, you will love this as well.

All the fun (and not so fun) dates that Sophie went on added to the Christmas spirit of 10 Blind Dates. The date with the live nativity scene had me cringing and laughing out loud.  When all is said and done, Sophie needs to decide what is right for her and if Griffin is someone she still even wants.  While figuring all this out, Sophie is reconnecting with family, especially her cousins, and the holidays is the perfect time for this.

10 Blind Dates is such a fun holiday read and one that is reminiscent of a feel-good Christmas movie.  I didn't mind the overly saccharine parts though as this was exactly the kind of read that I was looking for.  So, if you love a cute Christmas tale filled with family, romance, and fun, you must check out 10 Blind Dates this holiday season.  I hear the producers of To All The Boys I Loved Before picked up the film rights to this novel already; I can't wait to see it on my TV screen!

Book Review: The Other Windsor Girl by Georgie Blalock

Pages: 400

Genre: Adult Historical Fiction

Pub. Date: November 5, 2019

Publisher: William Morrow

Source: Publisher for review

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "In a historical debut evoking the style of The Crown, the daughter of an impoverished noble is swept into the fame and notoriety of the royal family and Princess Margaret's fast-living friends when she is appointed as Margaret's second Lady-in-Waiting.  Diana, Catherine, Meghan…glamorous Princess Margaret outdid them all. Springing into post-World War II society, and quite naughty and haughty, she lived in a whirlwind of fame and notoriety. Georgie Blalock captures the fascinating, fast-living princess and her “set” as seen through the eyes of one of her ladies-in-waiting.   In dreary, post-war Britain, Princess Margaret captivates everyone with her cutting edge fashion sense and biting quips. The royal socialite, cigarette holder in one hand, cocktail in the other, sparkles in the company of her glittering entourage of wealthy young aristocrats known as the Margaret Set, but her outrageous lifestyle conflicts with her place as Queen Elizabeth’s younger sister. Can she be a dutiful princess while still dazzling the world on her own terms?  Post-war Britain isn’t glamorous for The Honorable Vera Strathmore. While writing scandalous novels, she dreams of living and working in New York, and regaining the happiness she enjoyed before her fiancé was killed in the war. A chance meeting with the Princess changes her life forever. Vera amuses the princess, and what—or who—Margaret wants, Margaret gets. Soon, Vera gains Margaret’s confidence and the privileged position of second lady-in-waiting to the Princess. Thrust into the center of Margaret’s social and royal life, Vera watches the princess’s love affair with dashing Captain Peter Townsend unfurl.  But while Margaret, as a member of the Royal Family, is not free to act on her desires, Vera soon wants the freedom to pursue her own dreams. As time and Princess Margaret’s scandalous behavior progress, both women will be forced to choose between status, duty, and love…"

Vera Strathmore thought she had it all.  She was engaged to a great guy and even had a career as a novelist writing romance novels under a pseudonym, Mrs. Rose Lavish.  However, her world came crumbling down around her when her fiancé was killed in World War II.  She now lives at home with her parents and her sister, who will soon be moving out once she's married.  Vera has become a bit of a homebody and spends most of her free time writing her romance novels.  Princess Margaret is a fan of these novels and Vera's cousin, Rupert, is friends with Princess Margaret and part of her social set, so he decides to introduce the two women.  Vera and Princess Margaret surprisingly hit it off and in turn, Vera is now catapulted into the Princess's fast moving and hard drinking world.  In fact, Vera finds herself as second lady in waiting to Princess Margaret and now she is exposed to not only the vibrant social life of the Princess, but also the demands of the Royal family.  Georgie Blalock's historical debut, The Other Windsor Girl, is a fascinating glimpse into Princess Margaret's life and is perfect for fans of The Crown.

Blalock gives us Vera, who is a fictional character, but it's interesting to see things through her eyes as opposed to Princess Margaret's. I found Vera to be an interesting character in her own right and liked that she had a promising writing career and dreams for herself despite the cards life dealt her.  However, all of this is put on hold once Princess Margaret sets her eyes on Vera as she finds her very compelling. It was smart of Blalock to write The Other Windsor Girl though Vera's point of view so we are able to experience characters from history and important events, but indirectly.

Blalock's Princess Margaret is well done in The Other Windsor Girl.  I always felt badly for the Princess as she is torn between love, loyalty and duty. She can't seem to get it right at times and the pressures of being a Royal are always on the forefront.  I loved visiting Princess Margaret's world filled with epic parties, amazing clothing, scandalous behavior, and we can't forget the affair with Peter Townsend! 

So, if you are a fan of The Crown of all things Royals, you must check out The Other Windsor Girl.  It will definitely hold you over until the new season of The Crown comes out.  If you are a Royal lover, like me, let me know your thoughts in the comments below.  

Can't Wait Wednesday: The Star-Crossed Sisters of Tuscany

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

The Star-Crossed Sisters of Tuscany by Lori Nelson Spielman

Pub. Date: April 21, 2020

Goodreads says, "A trio of second-born daughters set out to break the family curse that says they’ll never find love on a whirlwind journey through the lush Italian countryside by New York Times bestseller Lori Nelson Spielman, author of The Life List.  Since the day Filomena Fontana cast a curse upon her sister more than two hundred years ago, not one second-born Fontana daughter has found lasting love. Some, like second-born Emilia, the happily-single baker at her grandfather’s Brooklyn deli, claim it’s an odd coincidence. Others, like her sexy, desperate-for-love cousin Lucy, insist it’s a true hex. But both are bewildered when their great-aunt calls with an astounding proposition: If they accompany her to her homeland of Italy, Aunt Poppy vows she’ll meet the love of her life on the steps of the Ravello Cathedral on her eightieth birthday, and break the Fontana Second-Daughter Curse once and for all.  Against the backdrop of wandering Venetian canals, rolling Tuscan fields, and enchanting Amalfi Coast villages, romance blooms, destinies are found, and family secrets are unearthed—secrets that could threaten the family far more than a centuries-old curse."

Tuscany, the Amalfi Coast, family secrets....oh, sign me up! Doesn't this sounds like a great springtime read? What do you guys think?

Book Review: Marilla of Green Gables by Sarah McCoy

Pages: 320

Genre: Adult Historical Fiction

Pub. Date: October 23, 2018

Publisher: William Morrow

Source: LibraryThing Early Reviewer

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "A bold, heartfelt tale of life at Green Gables . . . before Anne: A marvelously entertaining and moving historical novel, set in rural Prince Edward Island in the nineteenth century, that imagines the young life of spinster Marilla Cuthbert, and the choices that will open her life to the possibility of heartbreak—and unimaginable greatness  Plucky and ambitious, Marilla Cuthbert is thirteen years old when her world is turned upside down. Her beloved mother has dies in childbirth, and Marilla suddenly must bear the responsibilities of a farm wife: cooking, sewing, keeping house, and overseeing the day-to-day life of Green Gables with her brother, Matthew and father, Hugh.  In Avonlea—a small, tight-knit farming town on a remote island—life holds few options for farm girls. Her one connection to the wider world is Aunt Elizabeth “Izzy” Johnson, her mother’s sister, who managed to escape from Avonlea to the bustling city of St. Catharines. An opinionated spinster, Aunt Izzy’s talent as a seamstress has allowed her to build a thriving business and make her own way in the world.  Emboldened by her aunt, Marilla dares to venture beyond the safety of Green Gables and discovers new friends and new opportunities. Joining the Ladies Aid Society, she raises funds for an orphanage run by the Sisters of Charity in nearby Nova Scotia that secretly serves as a way station for runaway slaves from America. Her budding romance with John Blythe, the charming son of a neighbor, offers her a possibility of future happiness—Marilla is in no rush to trade one farm life for another. She soon finds herself caught up in the dangerous work of politics, and abolition—jeopardizing all she cherishes, including her bond with her dearest John Blythe. Now Marilla must face a reckoning between her dreams of making a difference in the wider world and the small-town reality of life at Green Gables."

Marilla Cuthbert lives a quiet life on Prince Edward Island.  She lives with her father, her pregnant mother, and her brother in a modest house on their farm.  Although their farmhouse is off the beaten path, Marilla's father is slowly improving it.  Marilla's mother, despite her previous  challenging pregnancies, finds herself pregnant again at an advanced age for the time period.  With this in mind, her mother's sister, Izzy, comes to visit and help out.  Marilla is thirteen years old and things are changing for her on her idyllic island.  She is starting to notice boys, making her first real girl friend, and the politics of the island are changing as well.  Aunt Izzy really interests Marilla and why wouldn't she? She left Avonlea for the busy city and is a successful dressmaker who is, believe it or not, unmarried.  Aunt Izzy, noticing Marilla can be a bit of a homebody, brings her along to a sewing circle at a nearby house and while there Marilla meets Rachel, who ends up being her best friend.  Through Rachel, Marilla also becomes better acquainted with John Blythe.  John and Marilla hit it off and just when things start to look promising for Marilla disaster strikes.  Marilla of Green Gables by Sarah McCoy is the story I had always hoped for the much loved character of Marilla.  Fans of Anne of Green Gables will absolutely love to be back in the charming world of Avonlea.

In Anne of Green Gables, there are references to a past between John Blythe and Marilla. In Marilla of Green Gables, McCoy explores this possibility and I absolutely loved it. While a true Anne of Green Gables fan already knows Marilla's fate, I loved going on the journey with her and it helped me to understand why Marilla felt like she couldn't leave Green Gables or abandon her brother.  Just because Marilla doesn't get the guy in the end doesn't make her any less fascinating of a person.  I truly loved her world and didn't want to leave it.

McCoy does a wonderful job bringing Avonlea to life.  I felt like this re-imagining really worked.  Sometimes when authors continue a beloved story, readers can be upset or disappointed by where the author takes the plot, but that was not the case in Marilla of Green Gables . It was a reuniting that I never thought possible and I was happy to see my old friends.

McCoy also gives us a lot of detail regarding Canadian history and its politic affairs, especially in regards to slavery. I thought this was a nice touch by McCoy and definitely added to the story. I had little prior knowledge about Canada's stance on the issue of slavery prior to the American Civil War, so it was interesting to see how it all played out.

If you are a fan of Anne of Green Gables, you won't want to miss Marilla's story in Marilla of Green Gables . It's the perfect heartwarming novel to cuddle up with this holiday season.

Are you a fan of Anne of Green Gables? Let me know in the comments below.

Stacking the Shelves (109)

Book Review: Twice in a Blue Moon by Christina Lauren 

Can't Wait Wednesday: The Last Train to Key West 

What I'm Reading Next (28)

Blog Tour: The Bride of Northanger 

Next week I hope to share my thoughts on two fantastic historical novels, Marilla of Green Gables and The Chaperone. If you aren't aware, The Chaperone, featuring Downton's Elizabeth McGovern, is coming to PBS, so I wanted to read the book ahead of time. It didn't disappoint!

The Electric Heir by Victoria Lee - Thanks to Amazon Publishing

This Terrible Beauty by Katrin Schumann - Thanks to Lake Union Publishing

 

The Guinevere Deception by Kiersten White - Thanks to Delacorte Press and NetGalley

Let it Snow by Nancy Thayer - Thanks to LibraryThing Early Reviewer and Ballantine Books

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: Twice in a Blue Moon by Christina Lauren

Pages: 358

Genre: Adult Fiction/Romance

Pub. Date: October 22, 2019

Publisher: Gallery

Source: Publisher for review

Other Books by Author: Love and Other Words
and The Unhoneymooners

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "Sam Brandis was Tate Jones’s first: Her first love. Her first everything. Including her first heartbreak.  During a whirlwind two-week vacation abroad, Sam and Tate fell for each other in only the way that first loves do: sharing all of their hopes, dreams, and deepest secrets along the way. Sam was the first, and only, person that Tate—the long-lost daughter of one of the world’s biggest film stars—ever revealed her identity to. So when it became clear her trust was misplaced, her world shattered for good.  Fourteen years later, Tate, now an up-and-coming actress, only thinks about her first love every once in a blue moon. When she steps onto the set of her first big break, he’s the last person she expects to see. Yet here Sam is, the same charming, confident man she knew, but even more alluring than she remembered. Forced to confront the man who betrayed her, Tate must ask herself if it’s possible to do the wrong thing for the right reason… and whether “once in a lifetime” can come around twice. "

Tate Butler is on a trip of a lifetime to London with her grandmother.  While there, they meet Sam Brandis and his grandfather.  Tate and Sam hit it off and find themselves spending more and more time together while on this trip.  Sam has a complicated family history and Tate, well, her family's story is ripped straight off the cover of a tabloid. Her father is Ian Butler, the world's most famous movie star and since her mother divorced him, Tate has fallen off the face of the Earth much to the paparazzi's chagrin.  She has maintained an extremely low profile living under a different name off the beaten path, so she could experience a normal childhood.  While in London, Tate and Sam get very close. So close that she actually reveals who is truly is and some of her backstory.  Disaster ensues and her whereabouts are leaked to the press.  Skip ahead to many years later when Tate is a working actress herself and she runs into Sam on set.  What will happen when the only man she ever truly loved as well as the only man to break her heart re-enters her life again?  Twice in a Blue Moon by Christina Lauren is a compelling romance set amongst movie sets and ultimately, it's all about second chances at love and life.

Twice in a Blue Moon starts off with Tate and her grandmother on this amazing trip to London. Tate is naive and hasn't really lived much thanks to her sheltered childhood. So, this is a very exciting trip for Tate. As sparks fly between Sam and Tate, they not only have chemistry, but they have a deeper connection. They get each other and surprisingly, Tate can relate to Sam, which never happens.  But by the end of the trip; however, word is out that Tate Butler is in London and the paparazzi have found her.  She only told one person about her true identity and that person is Sam. So, this means he betrayed her trust.  Plus, there's no more hiding anymore. Everyone has found Tate Butler and even has some insight into her story, thanks to Sam's blubbering mouth.

Sam is a complex character in Twice in a Blue Moon.  Initially, I found myself really liking him, but he made some horribly bad decisions, so it was tough to finally come around to him.  Keep in mind, there is more to Sam than we initially though and more is revealed as the story unfolds.  Fast forward many years and we have Tate, a successful actress, on set and she runs into Sam. Not only is Sam on the movie set, he wrote the screenplay under a pseudonym, which is why Tate is shocked about this encounter.  It truly throws her for a loop.  A big loop.  To complicate matters further, Tate is on set with her formally estranged father, who is the famous Ian Butler.  He is playing her dad in the movie. So, cue all the drama.  

My favorite part of Twice in a Blue Moon is the Hollywood/movie set setting. I loved that and it felt fun and original.  It was interesting to learn how Sam came up with his idea for the movie and what inspired him to write the screenplay.  His family's history plays a big role in it, which I also found compelling.  

White the romance didn't wow me like it did in Lauren's The Unhoneymooners, I was still delighted by this original romance.  I wish it had more of the witty banter and snarky comments Lauren is known for, but ultimately, Twice in a Blue Moon worked for me.   It's a good book to curl up with this November and holiday season, especially if you appreciate a satisfying second chance at love story. 

Can't Wait Wednesday: The Last Train to Key West

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

The Last Train to Key West by Chanel Cleeton

Pub. Date: June 16, 2020

Goodreads says, "In 1935 three women are forever changed when one of the most powerful hurricanes in history barrels toward the Florida Keys in New York Times bestselling author Chanel Cleeton's captivating new novel.  Everyone journeys to Key West searching for something. For the tourists traveling on Henry Flagler’s legendary Overseas Railroad, Labor Day weekend is an opportunity to forget the economic depression gripping the nation. But one person’s paradise can be another’s prison, and Key West-native Helen Berner yearns to escape.   The Cuban Revolution of 1933 left Mirta Perez’s family in a precarious position. After an arranged wedding in Havana, Mirta arrives in the Keys on her honeymoon. While she can’t deny the growing attraction to the stranger she’s married, her new husband’s illicit business interests may threaten not only her relationship, but her life.   Elizabeth Preston's trip from New York to Key West is a chance to save her once-wealthy family from their troubles as a result of the Wall Street crash. Her quest takes her to the camps occupied by veterans of the Great War and pairs her with an unlikely ally on a treacherous hunt of his own.  Over the course of the holiday weekend, the women’s paths cross unexpectedly, and the danger swirling around them is matched only by the terrifying force of the deadly storm threatening the Keys.

I've read a few novels featuring this infamous hurricane, but I am excited to read Cleeton's take on it.  Plus, a novel set in the Florida Keys sounds like perfect beach reading to me. What do you guys think?