March and April Confessions

Before I go on a blog break to take a much needed family vacation, I wanted to share with you guys the books I read in March and April.  There were so many good ones!  And my heart skips a beat thinking about the amazing beach reads that are coming up in the next few months.

 

Books Read in March & April:

1.  The Rose Code by Kate Quinn (Adult Historical Fiction) - 4.5 out of 5 stars 

2.  Band of Sisters by Lauren Willig (Adult HIstorical Fiction) - 3.5 out of 5 stars 

3.  Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton (Audio/Adult Historical Fiction) - 4 out of 5 stars  (Review to come!)

4.  Eternal by Lisa Scottoline (Adult Historical Fiction) - 4 out of 5 stars

5.  Sunflower Sisters by Martha Hall Kelly (Adult Historical Fiction) - 3.5 out of 5 stars

6.  Surviving Savannah by Patti Callahan (Adult Historical Fiction/Audio Book) - 4.5 out of 5 stars 

7.  Under the Southern Sky by Kristy Woodson Harvey (Adult Fiction) - 4 out of 5 stars  (Review to come!)

8.  The Last Night in London by Karen White (Adult Historical Fiction) - 3.5 out of 5 stars 

9.  The Bookstore on the Beach by Brenda Novak (Adult Fiction/Audio Book) - 3 out of 5 stars  (Review to come!)

10.  The Social Graces by Renee Rosen (Adult Historical Fiction) - 4 out of 5 stars 

11.  Before the Crown by Fiona Harding (Adult Historical Fiction/Audio Book) - 4 out of 5 stars (Review to come!)

 

1. Favorite Book: I absolutely loved The Rose Code and Surviving Savannah---both outstanding examples of compelling historical tales. 

2.  Biggest Surprise: The Social Graces was a bit of a surprise to me in that I enjoyed it way more than I thought I would. I definitely want to check out Rosen's other novels in the future. 

3.  Biggest Disappointment: The Bookstore on the Beach was a bit of a disappointment. I was ready for a delightful beach read and it ended up being anything but. It took a dark turn!

 
4.  Favorite Post: Books on the Big Screen: The Woman in the Window

5.  Favorite Part of March & April:  The highlight has most definitely been getting vaccinated. I also have been recovering my surgeries and I am now ready to enjoy the upcoming summer!

 

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

 

Book Review: The Social Graces by Renee Rosen

Pages: 400

Genre: Adult Historical Fiction

Pub. Date: April 20, 2021

Publisher: Berkley

Source: Publisher for review

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

 

 

Goodreads says, "The author of Park Avenue Summer throws back the curtain on one of the most remarkable feuds in history: Mrs. Vanderbilt and Mrs. Astor's notorious battle for control of New York society during the Gilded Age.  In the glittering world of Manhattan's upper crust, where wives turn a blind eye to husbands' infidelities, and women have few rights and even less independence, society is everything. The more celebrated the hostess, the more powerful the woman. And none is more powerful than Caroline Astor—the Mrs. Astor.  But times are changing.  Alva Vanderbilt has recently married into one of America's richest families. But what good is money when society refuses to acknowledge you? Alva, who knows what it is to have nothing, will do whatever it takes to have everything.  Sweeping three decades and based on true events, this is a gripping novel about two fascinating, complicated women going head to head, behaving badly, and discovering what’s truly at stake."

 

Alva Vanderbilt married one of the most wealthy men in America, which means she should have it all, right? Except she doesn't. She isn't one of the Gilded Age's top society members; in fact, she is shunned by Queen Bee Caroline Astor.  Caroline only lets "old money" into her social circle and since the Vanderbilts are nouveau riche and obtained their money from the railroad, they can't ever be properly let into society. Plus, everyone knows that the Commodore's manners are lacking and Alva doesn't quite get the ins and outs of high society. It's the Gilded Age in New York City and if you are one of the wealthy families, dinners, the opera, mingling in high society and their lavish balls are everything.  Alva naively thinks that she can befriend Caroline, but Caroline gives her the cold shoulder for quite sometime.  After more time passes, Alva is determined to be accepted by high society, so she starts to play by her own rules not only for herself, but for her family too.  Meanwhile, both women aren't untouchable. Each face their own triumphs and tragedies as the years go by and it has left them questioning if all of this is even worth it.  Renee Rosen's The Social Graces is a fascinating historical read that will be put you front and center in the opulent Gilded Age.  

I really liked Alva to begin with once I cracked open my copy of The Social Graces. I had read about her before in A Well Behaved Woman and in Husband Hunters, so I was familiar with her story, but I love how Rosen focuses different aspects of Alva, especially when it comes to her struggle to be accepted in society.  Alva is determined to beat Caroline at her own game, so she forces her way into society one way or another. Their rivalry spans decades and they try to outdo each other, but behind the scenes you have real people with real problems. There's untimely deaths, heartbreak, betrayals, disappointments, philandering husbands, and family members who let these women down.  Underneath the gilded surface, Caroline and Alva both have to deal with problems that even money can't rid them of.  As the years go by, Alva starts to care more about the average woman and what she must go through working in factories and their rights. I love this about her as we all know she is to become an important figure in the women's suffrage movement. 

Caroline Astor in The Social Graces was a difficult person to like initially. She shuns Alva for quite awhile and her disregard for other people was nauseating.  However, behind her steely persona is a woman that is relatable. She wants what is best for her daughters despite their best efforts to sabotage their promising futures and she sadly just wants her husband to love her.  However, none of this comes easy for Caroline.  It's kind of heartbreaking, because she presents herself as having it all when out in society, but we know the truth and like Alva even Caroline can't escape tragedy. 

I really enjoyed how Rosen brought the Gilded Age to life memorably in The Social Graces. The posh parties, the outfits, the mansions, the gems, and the scandals were all so entertaining and to know that this was all based on real events makes it that much more enjoyable.  In the end, Rosen reminds us that both women weren't just a pretty face; they contributed great things to society and often aren't remembered for that.  

In sum, fans of Bridgerton would like The Social Graces as well as readers who enjoy stories about strong women.  The Social Graces is one of my favorite historical reads of the year. So, have you read Renee Rosen's novels? Is The Social Graces on your TBR list? Do you like stories about the Gilded Age? Let me know in the comments below.

 

 

Can't Wait Wednesday: The Newcomer

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

 

The Newcomer by Mary Kay Andrews

Pub. Date: May 4, 2021

 

 

Goodreads says, "In trouble and on the run... After she discovers her sister Tanya dead on the floor of her fashionable New York City townhouse, Letty Carnahan is certain she knows who did it: Tanya’s ex; sleazy real estate entrepreneur Evan Wingfield. Even in the grip of grief and panic Letty heeds her late sister’s warnings: “If anything bad happens to me—it’s Evan. Promise me you’ll take Maya and run. Promise me.”  With a trunkful of emotional baggage... So Letty grabs her sister’s Mercedes and hits the road with her wailing four-year-old niece Maya. Letty is determined to out-run Evan and the law, but run to where? Tanya, a woman with a past shrouded in secrets, left behind a “go-bag” of cash and a big honking diamond ring—but only one clue: a faded magazine story about a sleepy mom-and-pop motel in a Florida beach town with the improbable name of Treasure Island. She sheds her old life and checks into an uncertain future at The Murmuring Surf Motel.  The No Vacancy sign is flashing & the sharks are circling...  And that’s the good news. Because The Surf, as the regulars call it, is the winter home of a close-knit flock of retirees and snowbirds who regard this odd-duck newcomer with suspicion and down-right hostility. As Letty settles into the motel’s former storage room, she tries to heal Maya’s heartache and unravel the key to her sister’s shady past, all while dodging the attention of the owner’s dangerously attractive son Joe, who just happens to be a local police detective. Can Letty find romance as well as a room at the inn—or will Joe betray her secrets and put her behind bars? With danger closing in, it’s a race to find the truth and right the wrongs of the past."

 

The past few summers, I have enjoyed Mary Kay Andrews's novels that are part beach reads part murder mysteries. This one also sounds good! What do you guys think?

 

Book Review: The Last Night in London by Karen White

Pages: 480

Genre: Adult Historical Fiction

Pub. Date: April 20, 2021

Publisher: Berkley

Source: Publisher for review

Other Books By Author: Dreams of Falling

and The Night the Lights Went Out

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

 

 

Goodreads says, "New York Times bestselling author Karen White weaves a story of friendship past and present, love, and betrayal that moves between war-torn London during the Blitz and the present day.  A captivating story of friendship, love and betrayal – and finding hope in the darkness of war.  London, 1939. Beautiful and ambitious Eva Harlow and her American best friend, Precious Dubose, are trying to make their way as fashion models. When Eva falls in love with Graham St. John, an aristocrat and Royal Air Force pilot, she can’t believe her luck – she’s getting everything she ever wanted. Then the Blitz devastates her world, and Eva finds herself slipping into a web of intrigue, spies and secrets. As Eva struggles to protect everything she holds dear, all it takes is one unwary moment to change their lives forever.  London, 2019. American journalist Maddie Warner travels to London to interview Precious about her life in pre-WWII London. Maddie, healing from past trauma and careful to close herself off to others, finds herself drawn to both Precious and to Colin, Precious’ enigmatic surrogate nephew. As Maddie gets closer to her, she begins to unravel Precious’ haunting past – and the secrets she swore she’d never reveal."

Maddie Warner is a freelance journalist and has taken on a very exciting job researching wartime fashion during WWII.  She is set to interview Precious Dubose who just so happens to be a distant relative.  Precious was a model during WWII and is practically an expert on fashion. While there in London, Maddie encounters Colin whom she met in college while studying abroad.  Colin's family is very close with Precious's, so their paths keep crossing, which is awkward since they had an almost moment many years before at Oxford.  Flashback to the year of 1939 and readers are swept into Precious's fast-paced world as a model living in a flat in London.  Precious lives with fellow model, Eva, who has recreated herself in order to separate herself from her working class background.  While working in London, Eva encounters Graham St. John who is pretty much the man of her dreams. He has money, power, and connections; it's everything Eva thinks she wants for herself.  However, things aren't easy as Graham is an RAF pilot and the war is raging on.  The Blitz bombards London with its chaos and terror; in turn, Eva and Precious's lives are impacted forever.  Meanwhile in present day, Maddie is unraveling Precious's story and finds secrets lurking in the dark corners of her past.  Karen White's The Last Night in London is a captivating historical tale that fans of WWII fiction will enjoy.

Maddie is an interesting character in The Last Night in London.  Avid readers of White's novels may recognize some of these characters from her previous novels, which is a nice touch.  While I wasn't familiar with Maddie from White's Falling Home, I liked her as she is a complex character.  She has issues of her own that she is hiding from and while spending time in London, she not only figures out Precious's story, but also comes to terms with her own.  Unfortunately, her relationship with Colin was a bit predictable at times, so I found myself drawn to the WWII part of the story.

Like many other WWII novels out there today, White tells The Last Night in London through a dual timeline.  I did find Eva and Precious's time period to be the most compelling, because you can't really compete with wartime London and the Blitz. There was romance, war, spying, traitors, blackmail, and dark secrets.  I was completely hooked with this timeline and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough.

Since I found the dual narratives to be a bit uneven, I have to say The Last Night in London wasn't my favorite of White's novels that I've read so far.  However, I did appreciate how White connected the two women despite the many years that separated them.  They did have a lot in common regarding grief and I like how White suggests to readers that women are strong and can overcome tragedy.  So, if you love WWII fiction and are a fan of White definitely check out The Last Night in London this spring.

So, let me know if you are you a fan of Karen White's novels and if this novel is on your TBR list.  Do you like WWII fiction as well? Let me know your thought sin the comments below. 

  

 

Blog Tour: Itty Bitty Betty & the Cookies

I have the cutest picture book to share with you guys today! I have partnered with The Children's Book Review and Sandrian Nelson-Moon to host a fabulous giveaway for a prize pack to celebrate the publication of Itty Bitty Betty & the Cookies.  If you have a little one at home who loves to sneak a sweet treat, you will especially appreciate this book!

 

Learn More About the Book: 

Publisher’s Synopsis: "Join Itty Bitty Betty in this thrilling story as she tries to sneak a tasty treat without Mommy knowing!  Itty Bitty Betty was small as can be,  About as tall as her mom’s knee.  After a fun day out by the sea,  Itty Bitty wanted cookies for tea!"

 

You can purchase your own copy of Itty Bitty & the Cookies at Amazon and Bookshop.org.  You can learn more about Sandrian Nelson-Moon by visiting her website or connecting with her on Instagram and Facebook.  

The Giveaway:

Enter for a chance to win an Itty Bitty Betty & the Cookies prize pack!  One grand prize winner receives a hardcover copy of Itty Bitty Betty & the Cookies signed by Sandrian Nelson-Moon, a copy of Itty Bitty Betty & the Cookies: Activity and Coloring Book, a $25 Amazon gift card, and a set of limited edition Itty Bitty Betty and the Cookies bookmarks, a key chain and stickers.  

 

Two winners will receive a paperback copy of Itty Bitty Betty & the Cookies signed by Sandrian Nelson-Moon and a set of limited edition Itty Bitty Betty & the Cookies bookmarks, a key chain and stickers. The giveaway begins April 12, 2021, at 12:01 A.M. MT and ends May 12, 2021, at 11:59 P.M. MT.

 

 a Rafflecopter giveaway   

 

Good luck!

Books on the Big Screen: The Woman in the Window

I had an exciting opportunity a few weeks ago thanks to Netflix Film and BookSparks. I was able to join Amy Adams, Julianne Moore, and others from the cast of The Woman in the Window to learn more about the movie, which is coming to Netflix on May 14th. I was also able to see some exclusive clips as well and I was hooked!

When I first read The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn a few years ago, I was totally absorbed by the thriller. I really enjoyed its Hitchcock and film noir vibe.  I am so excited to see the book come to life on Netflix and from what I saw already, I don't think fans will be disappointed. You can check out the official trailer here.  

 

If you aren't familiar with The Woman in the Window it's about an "agoraphobic woman living alone in New York who begins spying on her new neighbors, only to witness a disturbing act of violence."  When I first read the novel, Anna, played by Amy Adams, was a bit of an unreliable narrator and a bit quirky.  But after living through the pandemic and quarantines, looking out your window and observing the world doesn't seem too far fetched, right?  I wonder how it will feel watching The Woman in the Window through a different lens, especially after stay at home orders.  

 

 

So, are you a fan of The Woman in the Window? Will you watch Netflix's adaptation? If you haven't read the book yet, now is the time!  Let me know your thoughts in the comments below. 

Can't Wait Wednesday: The Summer Job

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

 

The Summer Job by Lizzy Dent

Pub. Date: May 18, 2021

 

Goodreads says, "Beach Read meets Sweetbitter in this laugh-out-loud and ultimately heartwarming debut of a good friend's very bad decision and the summer job that stands to ruin or make her life.  What if you could be someone else? Just for the summer...  Birdy has made a mistake. Everyone imagines running away from their life at some point. But Birdy has actually done it. And the life she's run into is her best friend Heather's. The only problem is, she hasn't told Heather.  The summer job at the highland Scottish hotel that her world class wine-expert friend ditched turns out to be a lot more than Birdy bargained for. Can she survive a summer pretending to be her best friend? And can Birdy stop herself from falling for the first man she's ever actually liked, but who thinks she's someone else?  One good friend's very bad decision is at the heart of this laugh-out-loud love story and unexpected tale of a woman finally finding herself in the strangest of places.

 

I love a good rom-com summertime read and this one sounds perfect. Plus, there's wine and the setting of Scotland...yes, please! What do you guys think? 

 

Book Review: Sunflower Sisters by Martha Hall Kelly

Pages: 528

Genre: Adult Historical Fiction

Pub. Date:  March 30, 2021

Publisher: Ballantine

Source: Publisher for review

Other Books By Author: Lilac Girls

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

 

 

 

Goodreads says, "Lilac Girls introduced readers to Caroline Ferriday, an American philanthropist who helped young girls released from Ravensbruck concentration camp. Now, in Sunflower Sisters, Kelly tells the story of her ancestor Georgeanna Woolsey, a Union nurse who joins the war effort during the Civil War, and how her calling leads her to cross paths with Jemma, a young enslaved girl who is sold off and conscripted into the army, and Ann-May Wilson, a southern plantation mistress whose husband enlists.  Georgeanne "Georgey" Woolsey isn't meant for the world of lavish parties and demure attitudes of women of her stature. So when the war ignites the nation, Georgey follows her passion for nursing during a time when doctors considered women a bother on the battlefront. In proving them wrong, she and her sister Eliza venture from New York to Washington, D.C., to Gettysburg and witness the unparalleled horrors of slavery as they become involved in the war effort.  In the South, Jemma is enslaved on the Peeler Plantation in Maryland, where she lives with her mother and father. Her sister, Patience, is enslaved on the plantation next door and both live in fear of LeBaron, an abusive overseer who tracks their every move. When Jemma is sold by the cruel plantation mistress Anne-May at the same time the Union army comes through, she sees a chance to finally escape--but only by abandoning the family she loves.  Anne-May is left behind to run Peeler Plantation when her husband joins the Union Army and her cherished brother enlists with the Confederates. In charge of the household, she uses the opportunity to follow her own ambitions and is drawn into a secret Southern network of spies, finally exposing herself to the fate she deserves.  Inspired by true accounts, Sunflower Sisters provides a vivid, detailed look at the Civil War experience, from the barbaric and inhumane plantations, to a war-torn New York City to the horrors of the battlefield. It's a sweeping story of women caught in a country on the brink of collapse, in a society grappling with nationalism and unthinkable racial cruelty, a story still so relevant today."

 

There's three main characters in Sunflower Sisters and each woman brings something different to this memorable Civil War tale. First up, there's Georgy, who comes from a family of abolitionists, and wants to do something meaningful with her life, so she is determined to become a nurse.  She gets the opportunity to study with Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell who is the first female to graduate from medical school.  However, prejudices against women are still running rampant in medicine and this becomes even more apparent to Georgy when she is at a battlefield hospital.  Then there's Jemma, who is an enslaved woman working on a tobacco plantation in Maryland.  The mistress of the plantation in the cruel Anne-May, who is an all-around despicable person.  She treats just about everyone horribly, she is frivolous, and even takes advantage of her husband's part in the war to start an affair. While taking part in the affair, she finds herself spying for the Confederacy and forces Jemma to help her.  Each character paints a different picture of what life was like during the Civil War depending on what side you were on politically as well as the atrocities and hardships of life as an enslaved person.  Sunflower Sisters by Martha Hall Kelly is an epic Civil War saga that depicts all the heart-wrenching situations readers have come to expect during the Civil War.  

Georgy is obviously a character that most people would root for from the beginning of Sunflower Sisters. I found her abolitionist family to be really interesting as well as her determination to become a nurse. She could have easily lived a cushy life, but chose to do something more.  It's also compelling how Kelly brought to the forefront how female medical students were treated and how difficult it was for unconventional women during this time period. 

My heart also went out to Jemma in Sunflower Sisters. Some of her chapters were difficult to read, because it's just so heartbreaking, but I think Kelly does a good job bringing to life the horrors of slavery.  I knew it would be tough, but I couldn't wait for Jemma to break free from Anne-May's clutches as well as LeBaron, the overseer, and escape life on the plantation. Her journey is definitely an arduous one.

Anne-May was the worst character in Sunflower Sisters. She almost felt like a caricature of a Southern slave owner. She not only treats everyone around her horribly, she also spends the family's fortune on snuff and things she doesn't need. She has an affair, which will have major repercussions. She also finds herself knee deep in a spy mission and involves Jemma in it as well.  Ultimately, she is morally bankrupt.  I do wish Kelly would have fleshed out this character a bit more, especially regarding her background and what makes her tick.  However, Anne-May felt like a one dimensional villain at times.  Nonetheless, I couldn't wait for Anne-May to get a nice heaping dose of her own medicine.

While I enjoyed Lilac Girls more than Sunflower Sisters, I did think that it was a compelling historical read.  The Civil War is a difficult topic for many, but I think Kelly captures the horrors of the time period well. She ties together the three women's stories expertly and I think fans of Lilac Girls won't be disappointed, especially when readers recognize that Georgy is an ancestor of Caroline's from Lilac Girls. 

Are you a fan of Martha Kelly Hall's novels? Is this one on your TBR list? Let me know in the comments below.

  

Stacking the Shelves (138)

  

Audio Book Review: Surviving Savannah by Patti Callahan 

What I'm Reading Next 

Blog Tour: The Last Bookshop in London

Blog Tour: The Bookstore on the Beach 

 

 

 

 

This week I'll be sharing my thoughts on the historical novel Sunflower Sisters by Martha Hall Kelly. It takes place during the Civil War, so it's a definite break from all the WWII novels I've been reading.   I'll also be sharing my recap to the virtual event for The Woman in the Window, which is coming to Netflix next month!

The Woman with the Blue Star by Pam Jenoff - Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins 

The Bookseller's Secret by Michelle Gable - Thanks to Graydon House and NetGalley 

 

 

The Devil and the Heiress by Harper St. George - Thanks to Berkley and NetGalley 

The Stepsisters by Susan Mallery - Thanks to Mira and NetGalley

 

 

The Lucky List by Rachel Lippincott - Thanks to Simon Teen

The Paris Apartment by Kelly Bowen - Thanks to Grand Central Publishing

 

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: Surviving Savannah by Patti Callahan Henry

Pages: 432

Genre: Adult Historical Fiction

Pub. Date: March 9, 2021

Publisher: Berkley

Source: Publisher for review

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

 

 

Goodreads says, "It was called "The Titanic of the South." The luxury steamship sank in 1838 with Savannah's elite on board; through time, their fates were forgotten--until the wreck was found, and now their story is finally being told in this breathtaking novel from the New York Times bestselling author of Becoming Mrs. Lewis.  When Savannah history professor Everly Winthrop is asked to guest-curate a new museum collection focusing on artifacts recovered from the steamship Pulaski, she's shocked. The ship sank after a boiler explosion in 1838, and the wreckage was just discovered, 180 years later. Everly can't resist the opportunity to try to solve some of the mysteries and myths surrounding the devastating night of its sinking.  Everly's research leads her to the astounding history of a family of eleven who boarded the Pulaski together, and the extraordinary stories of two women from this family: a known survivor, Augusta Longstreet, and her niece, Lilly Forsyth, who was never found, along with her child. These aristocratic women were part of Savannah's society, but when the ship exploded, each was faced with difficult and heartbreaking decisions. This is a moving and powerful exploration of what women will do to endure in the face of tragedy, the role fate plays, and the myriad ways we survive the surviving.

 

Everly Winthrop is a historian living in the beautiful city of Savannah, Georgia.  She should be happy, but she has a lot of guilt surrounding her best friend's untimely death and this has impacted her life greatly the past few years.  However, things are starting to look up for Everly when she is offered the amazing opportunity to guest-curate a museum collection of artifacts from the steamboat Pulaski, which was just found at the bottom of the ocean. This is a dream come true for Everly and she dives right in learning more about the passengers aboard the Pulaski on that fateful night in 1838 when the boiler exploded and caused the ship to sink.  Flashback to 1838 and readers switch points of view to Augusta Longstreet, one of the passengers aboard the Pulaski. She is heading with her brother's family to a vacation home up north to escape the southern heat.  Also aboard is Lily Forsyth, Augusta's niece, who is trapped in a difficult marriage, but must focus on raising her daughter.  Once the explosion takes place, Savannah's finest citizens now struggle to survive and are faced with unimaginable choices that will haunt survivors for years to come.  Meanwhile in present day, Everly finds out what truly happened aboard the Pulaski, who survived, and she especially highlights the strength and bravery many women possessed in the face of tragedy.  Patti Callahan's Surviving Savannah is one of my favorite historical novels of the year.

I immediately liked Everly once I "met" her in Surviving Savannah.  She is smart, is a history professor, she appreciates her family, and is a complex person.  Everly has endured tragedy and can't seem to completely get over the death of her best friend.  She feels guilt surrounding it and even plays the game of "what if" as she feels partly responsible for her death. This spills over into every aspect of her life including her opportunity to guest curate at the museum as there are reminders of her best friend everywhere.  Nonetheless, Everly throws herself into the exhibit, the history of the Pulaski, and the lives of the people on board.  I liked how Callahan had Everly find out information about the survivors just as the other timeline of the novel was telling us what was happening on board in 1838. It was a great way to tell the story and I especially appreciated how it unfolded. While Everly is studying the Pulaski tragedy, she is also making connections to her own life and in turn begging readers to ponder how tragedy impacts a person's life. Does a person come out of it a better person? What if you had a second chance at life?

The other story line of Surviving Savannah takes readers back to the Pulaski and what it was like for Augusta and Lily. Some scenes here broke my heart and it reminded me a bit of the Titanic.  In fact, the Pulaski is called the Titanic of the South, so the similarities are definitely there.  Entire families were wiped out by this tragedy and it was devastating.  I loved how Callahan used this story to showcase the bravery of women during times like this and their strength to survive.  Both August and Lily had to make upsetting decisions, but they had to do what they had to do in order to survive as there were only four lifeboats on the ship and half didn't work! The stories of survival broke my heart as this tragedy could have been avoided, but there's no denying the courage that these women possessed.

Callahan brings to life Savannah so well in Surviving Savannah.  I haven't visited Savannah in a few years, but after reading the novel, I felt like I was back in the historic city filled with its cobblestoned squares, the bustling waterfront, the blooming flowers, the Spanish moss, and the gorgeous architecture. It's such a charming and memorable city; Callahan does it justice.  

While I had a review copy of Surviving Savannah, I also listened to the audio version from time to time and the narrators were outstanding. I absolutely loved the Southern accents and how each narrator brought the characters to life.  I thought this was one of the best audio books I've listened to all year. 

If you love stories of survival filled with historical details, look no further. Surviving Savannah by Patti Callahan is one of my favorite novels of the year and one that I won't easily forget. 

Are you a fan of Patti Callahan's novels? Have you read this one?  Let me know in the comments below.

   

What I'm Reading Next (44)

I'm a little late to share my April TBR list due to my blog break, but I wanted to be sure to share with you guys some of the amazing books that are coming out this month. Over my break, I did read Under the Southern Sky by Kristy Woodson Harvey and it was really good and heartbreaking at times.  Here are the other books I hope to read this month:

 

The Last Night in London by Karen White

I love this time period and Karen White never disappoints. 

 

The Social Graces by Renee Rosen

Gilded Age New York? Yes, please!

 

 

The Great Godden by Meg Rosoff

I'm always in the mood for a coming-of-age summer story. 

 

 

The Bookstore on the Beach by Brenda Novak

You don't really have to sell me very hard on this one; the title alone has me excited. Could you imagine? Working at a bookstore at the beach is my dream job.  However, this book is a bit darker than I expected. It deals with a lot of serious issues, so I wouldn't classify this as a light beach read by any means. 

 

 

The Widow Queen by Elzbieta Cherezinska

A fictionalized account of a Polish queen...I am intrigued! This story sounds like quite the adventure. 

 

 

Summertime Guests by Wendy Francis

I was part of this blog tour earlier this month and can't wait to read this beach read set at a glamorous hotel.

So, what books do you plan to read this month? Are any of these on your TBR list? Let me know in the comments below.