January Confessions

January was such a weird month.  I thought I was going to read much more than I did, but the events in the USA in early January had me glued to the news.  Then I was glued to the inauguration, which was wonderful to watch.  I am hoping February will be much calmer and I can really tackle my TBR list.  

Books Read in January:

1.  Winter Solstice (Winter Street #4) by Elin Hilderbrand  (Adult Fiction) - 4 out of 5 stars  (Review to come)

2.  The War Widow by Tara Moss (Adult Historical Fiction) - 4.5 out of 5 stars

3.  The Last Garden in England by Julia Kelly (Adult Historical Fiction) 4 out of 5 stars 

4.  Seven Stones to Stand or Fall by Diana Gabaldon (Adult Fiction/Audio Book) - 4 out of 5 stars  (Review to come)

5.  The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins (Adult Fiction) - 3.5 out of 5 stars  (Review to come)

6. You Have a Match by Emma Lord (YA Fiction) - 3.5 out of 5 stars

1. Favorite Book: I really liked The War Widow. It was such a great historical mystery and the perfect escape.  I'll definitely continue with the series.

2.  Biggest Surprise: You Have a Match was a cute YA read. I wasn't sure if a summer camp setting would work for me when reading it in the middle of winter, but it did! It was nice to daydream of warmer days. 

3.  Biggest Disappointment: The Wife Upstairs was a decent thriller, but based on everyone's reviews I was expecting to be blown away. 

 
4.  Favorite Post: My Most Anticipated Reads for First Half of 2021

5.  Favorite Part of January: All this time at home with my family has at times made me stir crazy, but it has been nice to slow down, watch movies, play board games, and get outside together.  I am ready for spring though!

 

So, what was your favorite book that you read this month? Let me know in the comments below.

 

Book Review: You Have a Match by Emma Lord

Pages: 320

Genre: YA Realistic Fiction

Pub. Date: January 12, 2021

Publisher: Wednesday Books

Source: Publisher for review

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

 

 

Goodreads says, "From the beloved author of Tweet Cute comes Emma Lord's You Have a Match, a hilarious and heartfelt novel of romance, sisterhood, and friendship...  When Abby signs up for a DNA service, it’s mainly to give her friend and secret love interest, Leo, a nudge. After all, she knows who she is already: Avid photographer. Injury-prone tree climber. Best friend to Leo and Connie…although ever since the B.E.I. (Big Embarrassing Incident) with Leo, things have been awkward on that front.  But she didn’t know she’s a younger sister.  When the DNA service reveals Abby has a secret sister, shimmery-haired Instagram star Savannah Tully, it’s hard to believe they’re from the same planet, never mind the same parents — especially considering Savannah, queen of green smoothies, is only a year and a half older than Abby herself.  The logical course of action? Meet up at summer camp (obviously) and figure out why Abby’s parents gave Savvy up for adoption. But there are complications: Savvy is a rigid rule-follower and total narc. Leo is the camp’s co-chef, putting Abby's growing feelings for him on blast. And her parents have a secret that threatens to unravel everything.  But part of life is showing up, leaning in, and learning to fit all your awkward pieces together. Because sometimes, the hardest things can also be the best ones."

 

Abby's best friend, Leo, participates in a DNA service, like Ancestry, with the hopes to find out more about his birth parents as he is adopted.  He convinces Abby to do it as well.  Abby assumes she will find out boring things like how Irish she is, etc, but what she finds out changes her life forever.  According to her DNA results, Abby has a sister....an older sister she never met...as in a 100% (not half!) sister!  This sister is Savannah, or Savvy, who lives not far away in another Seattle suburb. Although she is only a year and a half older than Abby, she is very different. She is pretty much an Instagram star with a huge following and is the polar opposite of Abby. How could they come from the same parents? The two girls decide a course of action in order to learn more about each other; they decide to meet up at summer camp.  To complicate things further, Leo, her best friend and crush, works at this camp and after their awkward moment things haven't been as easy  as before.  Savvy and Abby have a whole summer to figure out their complicated story and there's much more in store for Abby.  Emma Lord's You Have a Match is a sweet coming of age tale that focuses on friendship, family, social media, and the beauty of figuring out all those important, yet complicated moments in a person's life. 

Both Abby and Savvy are interesting character in You Have a Match.  They are opposites, but sisters nonetheless and this made me think of The Parent Trap, especially with the summer camp setting.  I enjoyed Savvy's type A personality and rule following antics, whereas Abby isn't even sure of the rules right off the bat and is chewing gum at camp. It's a no-no!  I also really enjoyed Abby's best friend-turned-love interest, Leo. He also has an adoption story as he was adopted from the Philippines. I do wish Lord would have paid a bit more attention to Leo's story, because I think it is a worthwhile one and much needed in YA literature this day in age.  Nonetheless, his adorable romance with Abby was well done and very cute--perfect for camp and summer love.

The best part for me was the setting of summer camp in You Have a Match. Summer camp is the    quintessential location for learning more about yourself, making new friends, having a summer romances, and all that a coming-of-age summer brings. Lord's descriptions of camp and the Pacific Northwest were really great and something I most definitely enjoyed.

While I didn't love You Have a Match as much as I had hoped, it was still a cute and heartwarming YA novel that I enjoyed cuddling up with this winter.  So, are you a fan of Emma Lord?  Have you read Have a Match? Do you enjoy stories set at summer camp? Let me know in the comments below. 

 

Blog Tour and Giveaway: Who Loves the Dragon?

Looking for an adorable picture book to share with your little ones this Valentine's Day? I've got you covered! Today I've partnered with The Children's Book Review to host a fantastic giveaway in honor of the new picture book, Who Loves the Dragon? by Bianca Schulze. Fans of Don't Wake the Dragon will love this interactive followup that's perfect to share as a read-aloud.

 

 

 

 

Learn More About the Book: 

 

 

Who Loves the Dragon?
Written by Bianca Schulze

Illustrated by Samara Hardy

Publisher’s Synopsis: "In this interactive follow-up to Don’t Wake the Dragon, our beloved Dragon is wide-awake and preparing to celebrate one of the kingdom’s most important events of the year: the annual Friendship Festival! It’s a time for everyone to gather and have fun, all honoring their meaningful friendships. But on the day of the feast, the cooks are called away to cater to the Queen and the knights must report for special duty in the Enchanted Forest. With everyone gone, Dragon is upset and worried that this year’s Friendship Festival is doomed. Could they be planning something special for her? And in the meantime, can you help cheer her up? With colorful and humorous illustrations throughout, this read-aloud picture book encourages kids to interact with the text on every page. Young readers will love waving to characters, blowing kisses, dancing, and more on this fun ride alongside Dragon and her adorable friends in this delightful story that will beg to be read again and again."

Ages 3-6 | 32 Pages | Publisher: Clever Publishing | ISBN-13: 978-1951100438

 

You can purchase a copy of the book at Amazon and Bookshop.org. You can learn more about the author by visiting her website. Also, you can connect with Bianca Schulze on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.  

The Giveaway:

 

One grand prize winner will receive a hardcover copy of Who Loves the Dragon? autographed by Bianca Schulze, a hardcover copy of Don't Wake the Dragon autographed by Bianca Schulze, a Sugarfina "XOXO"  3pc Candy Bento Box and a $50 Target gift card.  The giveaway begins January 6, 2021, at 12:01 A.M. MT and ends February 5 2021, at 11:59 P.M. MT. 

 

 

Good luck!

Can't Wait Wednesday: Take Me Home Tonight

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

 

Take Me Home Tonight by Morgan Matson

Pub. Date: May 4, 2021

 

 

Goodreads says, "Two girls. One night. Zero phones.  Kat and Stevie—best friends, theater kids, polar opposites—have snuck away from the suburbs to spend a night in New York City. They have it all planned out. They’ll see a play, eat at the city’s hottest restaurant, and have the best. Night. Ever. What could go wrong?  Well. Kind of a lot? They’re barely off the train before they’re dealing with destroyed phones, family drama, and unexpected Pomeranians. Over the next few hours, they’ll have to grapple with old flames, terrible theater, and unhelpful cab drivers. But there are also cute boys to kiss, parties to crash, dry cleaning to deliver (don’t ask), and the world’s best museum to explore.  Over the course of a wild night in the city that never sleeps, both Kat and Stevie will get a wake-up call about their friendship, their choices…and finally discover what they really want for their future.   That is, assuming they can make it to Grand Central before the clock strikes midnight."

 

Morgan Matson, one of my favorite YA authors, has a new novel coming out! Woo hoo! Her novels never disappoint me. Are you a fan of Morgan Matson? If so, which of her novels is your favorite? Let me know in the comments below. 

 

Top Ten Tuesday: New to Me Authors I Read in 2020

I read many new-to-me authors this past year, so today I'm highlighting my top ten.  Some are really well known authors that I finally got around to reading!

 

1.  Lemony Snicket  - A Series of Unfortunate Events

2.  Martha Hall Kelly - Lilac Girls

 

 

3.  Monalisa DeGross - Donavan's Word Jar

4.  Celeste Ng - Little Fires Everywhere

 

 

5.  Sally Rooney - Normal People

 

 

6.  Jill Shalvis - The Summer Deal

 

 

7.  Christina Baker Kline - The Exiles

 

 

8.  Chris Matthews - Jack Kennedy: Elusive Hero

 

 

9.  Matt Haig - The Midnight Library

 

 

10.  V.E. Schwab  - The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue

 

Who are some of the new-to-you authors that you read this past year? Let me know in the comments below.  This meme is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl.

Stacking the Shelves (135)

Book Review: The Last Garden in England by Julia Kelly

Blog Tour and Giveaway: I Miss You Most

 

I'll be hosting another giveaway for a children's book that is perfect for Valentine's Day and I'll also be sharing my thoughts on You Have a Match by Emma Lord, which is Reese Witherspoon's YA Winter pick. The book was very cute!

The Last Goodbye by Fiona Lucas - Thanks to William Morrow and NetGalley

Our Woman in Moscow by Beatriz Williams - Thanks to William Morrow and NetGalley

 

 

The Last Debutantes by Georgie Blalock - Thanks to William Morrow and NetGalley

The Paris Apartment by Kelly Bowen - Thanks to Grand Central and NetGalley

 

 

The Bookstore on the Beach by Brenda Novak - Thanks to Mira and NetGalley

A Summer to Remember by Erika Montgomery - Thanks to St. Martin's

 

 

Ladies of the House by Lauren Edmondson - Thanks to Graydon House and NetGalley

 

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: The Last Garden in England by Julia Kelly

Pages: 368

Genre: Adult Historical Fiction

Pub. Date: January 12, 2021

Publisher: Gallery

Other Books By Author: The Light Over London

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

 

 

Goodreads says, "Present day: Emma Lovett, who has dedicated her career to breathing new life into long-neglected gardens, has just been given the opportunity of a lifetime: to restore the gardens of the famed Highbury House estate, designed in 1907 by her hero Venetia Smith. But as Emma dives deeper into the gardens’ past, she begins to uncover secrets that have long lain hidden.  1907: A talented artist with a growing reputation for her ambitious work, Venetia Smith has carved out a niche for herself as a garden designer to industrialists, solicitors, and bankers looking to show off their wealth with sumptuous country houses. When she is hired to design the gardens of Highbury House, she is determined to make them a triumph, but the gardens—and the people she meets—promise to change her life forever  1944: When land girl Beth Pedley arrives at a farm on the outskirts of the village of Highbury, all she wants is to find a place she can call home. Cook Stella Adderton, on the other hand, is desperate to leave Highbury House to pursue her own dreams. And widow Diana Symonds, the mistress of the grand house, is anxiously trying to cling to her pre-war life now that her home has been requisitioned and transformed into a convalescent hospital for wounded soldiers. But when war threatens Highbury House’s treasured gardens, these three very different women are drawn together by a secret that will last for decades."

 

Venetia Smith is a renowned garden designer and is hired in 1907 by Highbury House to renovate the gardens.  While there, she becomes entwined in a love affair that will change her life forever. Fast forward to 1944, the mistress of Highbury House is Diana Symonds, a war widow.  Her husband was killed during the war and she lives there with her young son, but Highbury House is no longer just her home, it is now a convalescent hospital. This obviously turns her world upside down, not to mention the fact that her sister-in-law has come to help run it.  Stella Adderton, the cook at Highbury House, longs for a different life, but things change for her when her sister reaches out to her for help.  Then there's Beth Pedley, who is a land girl during the war and works on a farm in Highbury.  Beth is looking for where she fits in and her life will be changed forever as well by her time spent at Highbury.  Jump to present day and we meet Emma Lovell, who is in charge of restoring the gardens at Highbury.  As she restores the gardens to their former glory, she learns more about Venetia and the secrets that surround Highbury.  Fans of Downton Abbey will especially love The Last Garden in England by Julia Kelly; it's a historical story that spans generations and highlights the beauty of gardening, as well the focus on strong female friendships.  

There are many points of view in The Last Garden in England.  There's Venetia, in 1907, and she immediately impressed me. Most women during that time period did not have a jobs and were not unmarried, so I was taken in by her from the beginning. I loved her unconventional behavior; however, this definitely gets her into trouble at Highbury.  Then in 1944, there's a focus on Stella, Beth, and Diana.  While they are all very different, I loved how they form a friendship as well as a respect for each other by the novel's end.  Diana now finds herself as mistress of Highbury, but it's her husband's family's house and without him there, it's not the same. She does pride herself on her garden and she finds it in jeopardy due to the war. She already lost part of her house as a convalescent hospital, so she is determined to not see the gardens ruined.  Diana grows a lot throughout this novel, but things aren't easy for her.  Beth and Stella both want more for their lives and their time at Highbury also proves to be interesting.  Stella can't wait to escape Highbury and the daily drudgery of the kitchens, but she finds her plans going up in flames when her sister needs her help. She works in London and it's dangerous, so she needs Stella to watch her son.  Beth is not only learning what it takes to be a farmer, but she is also learning more about herself. She also finds an unexpected love while at Highbury.  Emma, who lives in present day, ties all the women's stories together as well as the secrets surrounding Highbury House and the gardens.

As you can see, there's a lot of points of view in The Last Garden in England.  At times, it was difficult to remember which character lived during which time period. The e-galley I read did not always include dates prior to each chapter, so I am hoping the final copy will, otherwise can get rather confusing. In fact, I do think there may be one narrator too many in The Last Garden in England as sometimes it felt a bit too choppy.

Nonetheless, I really enjoyed the female friendship showcased in The Last Garden in England and I adored the focus on gardening.  It made me want to get outside and bring my springtime gardens back to life.  Kelly gives us a lot of details regarding the various plants and the design; being a fan of gardens, I especially appreciated all of these details.

So, if you are looking for a historical novel to get swept up in this winter, give Julia Kelly's The Last Garden in England a try, especially if you are a fan of Downton Abbey or Upstairs, Downstairs and if you are like me, The Last Garden in England will have you looking outside longingly for the first blooms of spring.

 

Blog Tour and Giveaway: I Miss You Most

 

This past year has been tough on children for so many reasons. Many children are missing in-person school, hanging out with their friends, big birthday parties, and seeing extended family members. Or perhaps a family member or a good friend has moved away, which is always difficult. I find reading books to children about tough topics can help them to open up and tackle these issues.  

 

When I heard about Cassie Hoyt's book I Miss You Most I loved the concept. Even though our loved ones might not be by our sides physically, they are always in our hearts! That is why I have teamed up with Cassie Hoyt and The Children's Book Review to share this book and host a great giveaway!

 

 

Learn More About the Book:

 

I Miss You Most by Cassie Hoyt

Illustrated by Stefanie St. Denis

Publisher’s Synopsis: "Love knows no distance. I Miss You Most helps children through the heartache of distance by showing them how to hold their loved ones near. Whether exploring the seas as pirates or twirling like ballerinas, imagination can bridge even the greatest distance. Because time with those you love is the most magical thing of all!"

Ages 3 and up | 28 Pages | Publisher: Tellwell Talent | ISBN-13: 978-0228836070

You can purchase a copy of I Miss You Most at Amazon or Bookshop.org.  Also, check out the free activity pages to accompany the book, which include coloring pages and writing prompts.  To learn more about I Miss You Most, visit Cassie Hoyt's website. 

 

 

 

 

 

Enter the Giveaway:

 

 

One lucky winner will receive an autographed hardcover copy of Cassie Hoyt's I Miss You Most and a $100 Barnes and Noble e-gift card.  Two winners will receive an autographed hardcover copy of I Miss You Most.  The giveaway begins January 7, 2021 at 12:01 A.M. MT and ends February 7, 2021, at 11:59 P.M. MT. 

 

 

 

Good luck,

Book Review: Everything Beautiful in Its Time by Jenna Bush Hager

Pages: 288

Genre: Adult Non-Fiction/Memoir

Pub. Date: September 8, 2020

Publisher: William Morrow

Source: Library

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

 

 

Goodreads says, "To the world, George and Barbara Bush were America’s powerful president and influ­ential first lady. To Jenna Bush Hager, they were her beloved Gampy and Ganny, who taught her about respect, humility, kindness, and living a life of passion and meaning—timeless lessons that continue to guide her.  In Midland, Texas, Jenna’s maternal grandparents, Harold and Jenna Welch—Pa and Grammee—a home builder and homemaker, lived a quieter life outside the national spotlight. Yet their influence was no less indelible to their granddaughter. Throughout Jenna’s childhood and adolescence, the Welches taught her the name of every star in the sky, the way a dove uses her voice—teaching her to appreciate the beauty in the smallest things.  Now the mother of three young children, Jenna pays homage to her grandparents in this collection of heartwarming, intimate personal essays. Filled with love, laughter, and unforgettable stories, Everything Beautiful in Its Time captures the joyous and bittersweet nature of life itself. Jenna reflects on the single year in which she and her family lost Barbara and George H. W. Bush, and Jenna Welch. With the light, self-deprecating charm of the bestselling Sisters First—cowritten with her twin sister, Barbara—Jenna reveals how they navigated this difficult period with grace, faith, and nostalgic humor, uplifted by their grandparents’ sage advice and incomparable spirits.In this moving book, Jenna remembers the past, cherishes the present, and prepares for the future—providing a wealth of anecdotes and lessons for her own children and all of us. Poignant and humorous, intimate and sincere, Everything Beautiful in Its Time is a warm and wonderful celebration of the enduring power of family and an exploration of the things that truly matter most."

 

Everyone knows the Bush family, but few really know what it's like to grow up with such famous family members.  Jenna Bush Hager provides us a glimpse into what life was like with her grandparents and shares some adorable anecdotes as well as stories of heartbreak that her grandparents endured.  Whether she is sharing her stories of growing up in the White House or spending time with her former president grandfather at their house in Maine, it was all very endearing.  That's what Jenna does well in this memoir; she shares her stories of her grandparents and tugs on your heartstrings in the process.  Readers who are fans of Hager herself or the Bush family should definitely check out  Everything Beautiful in Its Time. It's a nice reminder of a time when politics wasn't so divisive.

I am right around the same age as Hager, so I could especially connect to her memories of her grandparents, her pregnancies, and her struggles as a mother. Reading her stories was like sitting down at a restaurant and catching up with an old friend. During the time of COVID, this was a nice escape, especially since we are all missing that connection with friends that we used to have. Hager is so heartwarming that at times I even felt an affinity towards her father, whom I have never been the biggest fan of. Sure, I respect him, but he wasn't my favorite president; however, after reading this memoir, it put him in a different light for me.

Hager shares stories about her grandparents in Everything Beautiful in Its Time, which I found very interesting and I was hoping there would be more about them in this memoir. While Hager is adorably sweet, I sort of wasn't as interested in her personal stories as much as I was hoping. When compared to her grandparents' stories, they felt rather ordinary, which I guess is why she is so relatable despite growing up in such a prominent family. Her grandparents were truly remarkable, especially when learning about how much her grandfather (former President George H.W. Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush) really went through in their lives. George and Barbara's relationship was beautiful and I loved that Hager included family letters.  Some of the letters brought a tear to my eye. Lastly, the advice from her grandparents, like "nobody likes an overbearing big shot" really hit home, especially in today's political climate.  It made me appreciate the Bush family more than ever.

There wasn't any "new" information in Everything Beautiful in Its Time, but that's not why I read it. I was looking for stories about enduring love, the connection between grandparents and grandchildren, and the importance of family. That is exactly what I got when I read  Everything Beautiful in Its Time and it ended up being one of my favorite non-fiction books of the year.

Did you read  Everything Beautiful in Its Time? Are you a fan of the Bush family or Jenna Bush Hager? Let me know in the comments below. 

 

Can't Wait Wednesday: The Summer of Lost and Found

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

 

 

The Summer of Lost and Found by Mary Alice Monroe

Pub. Date: May 11, 2021

Goodreads says, "The coming of Spring usually means renewal, but for Linnea Rutledge, Spring 2020 threatens stagnation. Linnea faces another layoff, this time from the aquarium she adores. For her—and her family—finances, emotions, and health teeter at the brink. To complicate matters, her new love interest, Gordon, struggles to return to the Isle of Palms from England. Meanwhile, her old flame, John, turns up from California and is quarantining next door. She tries to ignore him, but when he sends her plaintive notes in the form of paper airplanes, old sparks ignite. When Gordon at last reaches the island, Linnea wonders—is it possible to love two men at the same time?  Love in the time of the coronavirus proves challenging, at times humorous, and ever changing. Relationships are redefined, friendships made and broken, and marriages tested. As the weeks turn to months, and another sea turtle season comes to a close, Linnea learns there are more meaningful lessons learned during this summer than opportunities lost, that summer is a time of wonder, and that the exotic lives in our own back yards. In The Summer of Lost and Found, Linnea and the Rutledge family continue to face their challenges with the strength, faith, and commitment that has inspired fans for decades.  Mary Alice Monroe once again delves into the complexities of family relationships and brings her signature “sensitive and true” (Dorothea Benton Frank, New York Times bestselling author) storytelling to this poignant and timely novel of love, courage, and resilience."

 

I have really come to enjoy Monroe's novels each summer and I look forward to revisiting the Rutledge family again.  What do you guys think? Are you a fan of Mary Alice Monroe's beach reads? 

Book Review: The Awakening by Nora Roberts

Pages: 448

Genre: Adult Fiction

Pub. Date: November 24, 2020

Publisher: St. Martin's
Source: Library

Other Books By Author: Jewels of the Sun

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "In the realm of Talamh, a teenage warrior named Keegan emerges from a lake holding a sword—representing both power and the terrifying responsibility to protect the Fey. In another realm known as Philadelphia, a young woman has just discovered she
possesses a treasure of her own…  When Breen Kelly was a girl, her father would tell her stories of magical places. Now she’s an anxious twentysomething mired in student debt and working a job she hates. But one day she stumbles upon a shocking discovery: her mother has been hiding an investment account in her name. It has been funded by her long-lost father—and it’s worth nearly four million dollars.  This newfound fortune would be life-changing for anyone. But little does Breen know that when she uses some of the money to journey to Ireland, it will unlock mysteries she couldn’t have imagined. Here, she will begin to understand why she kept seeing that silver-haired, elusive man, why she imagined his voice in her head saying Come home, Breen Siobhan. It’s time you came home. Why she dreamed of dragons. And where her true destiny lies—through a portal in Galway that takes her to a land of faeries and mermaids, to a man named Keegan, and to the courage in her own heart that will guide her through a powerful, dangerous destiny."

 

Breen Kelly seems like your average twenty-year old living in Philadelphia.  She is a reluctant teacher who struggles to pay her bills. Breen's relationship with her mother is a strange one as she is very domineering. Her mother has made most of the life decisions for Breen and her father is out of the picture.  He has disappeared from Breen's life years ago. Breen has been house sitting for her mother and while at her mother's house, she stumbles across a bank statement for an investment account in Breen's name. It has millions of dollars in it! Why did her mother hide this from her despite the fact that she knew she was a struggling teacher? Breen takes matters into her own hands, takes out some of the money from the account, and quits her job. She travels to Ireland, where her father is from, not only for a vacation, but to learn more about him.  While there in Galway, she ends up going through some type of magical portal where she ends up in the fantasy world of Talamh.  While there, Breen learns about her father and her extended family as well as why her mother kept things a secret. The Awakening by Nora Roberts is an entertaining first book in a new fantasy series.

Breen is initially a bit of a disappointment in The Awakening. She lets her mother boss her around and make her feel guilty. She hasn't really come into her own, but that all changes when she gets a hold of her inheritance, quits the job she never wanted, and travels to Ireland. While there, she learns more about her dad and more about her new family; all of this helps Breen to build confidence and realize that she is so much more than her mother led her to believe. While in this new world of Talamh, she learns about the faerie people, their conflicts, and her possible magical powers.  She also learns more about her father, his role in Talamh and what happened to him.  Will Breen decide to stay in Talamh or return to her world?  All of the eye-opening events make Breen question her destiny and her place in Talamh.

Roberts did a great job bringing Ireland to life in The Awakening; I really felt like I was there. Roberts includes such vivid details of Ireland in all of her books set there; you can really tell how much Ireland means to her.  While I wasn't completely sold her he depictions of the fantasy world of Talamh, I still enjoyed this wild ride to a world where faeries lurk and there's magic around every corner.  However, I do wish Roberts would have developed Talamh a bit more as well as the backstory surrounding it.

I originally thought that since The Awakening was a Nora Roberts novel, it was geared towards adults and might have some adult moments in it, but it was surprisingly tame and would even work for older teens who love enjoy the fantasy genre.  While I was hoping to love this new series a bit more than I did, I will say that it was a decent novel and readers who love a touch of Irish folklore in their fantasies will especially appreciate The Awakening.

 

Stacking the Shelves (134)

Book Review: The War Widow by Tara Moss

What I'm Reading Next

Top Ten Tuesday: Most Anticipated Reads for the First Half of 2021 

Book Review: The Lying Life of Adults by Elena Ferrante  

 

 

This coming week I'll be sharing my thoughts on Nora Roberts' fantasy, The Awakening, and the memoir Everything Beautiful in its Time by Jenna Bush Hager.  Everything Beautiful in its Time was one of my favorite non-fiction reads of 2020!  

 

 

 

The Newcomer by Mary Kay Andrews - Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's 

The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba by Chanel Cleeton - Thanks to Berkley and NetGalley

 

 

 

But You're Still So Young: How Thirtysomethings Are Redefining Adulthood by Kayleen Schaefer - Thanks to NetGalley and Dutton 

Sisters by Choice by Susan Mallery - Thanks to Susan Mallery 

 

Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid - Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine

 

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!