Blog Tour and Giveaway: Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord

 

Today I am part of an exciting cover reveal and giveaway for a new historical mystery, Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord by Celeste Connally. I hear it's perfect for fans of Agatha Christie and Bridgerton. The novel doesn't come out till November, but today I've partnered with Celeste Connally and Minotaur Books to reveal the new cover. I am also hosting an amazing giveaway--I wish I could enter, that's how good it is! 

Learn More About the Book:

 

"Bridgerton meets Agatha Christie in Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord, a dazzling first entry in a terrific new Regency-era cozy series with a feminist spin.

When Lady Petra Forsyth’s fiancé and soulmate dies just weeks ahead of their wedding, she makes the shocking proclamation―in front of London’s loosest lips―that she will never remarry. A woman of independent means, Petra sees no reason to cede her wealth and freedom to any man now that the love of her life has passed, nor does she intend to become confined to her country home. Instead, she uses her title to gain access to elite spaces and enjoy the best of society without expectations.

But when ballroom gossip suggests that a longtime friend has died of “melancholia” while in the care of a questionable physician, Petra vows to use her status to dig deeper―uncovering a private asylum where men pay to have their wives and daughters locked away, or worse. Just as Lady Petra has reason to believe her friend is not dead, but a prisoner, her own headstrong actions and thirst for independence are used to put her own freedom in jeopardy."

 

What do you all think of the new cover for Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord? I love the Bridgerton and Jane Austen vibes! You can pre-order your copy of Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord at Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Bookshop, Books A Million, and don't forget to add it to your TBR list at Goodreads.

Enter the Giveaway:

 

Thanks to Celeste Connally and Minotaur Books, I am hosting an amazing giveaway today. Two winners will receive one advanced reader’s paperback copy of Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord.  One winner will receive one advanced reader’s paperback copy of Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord and a gift prize package containing the following:

• A Jane Austen 'Obstinate, Headstrong Girl' mug from the Jane Austen Centre giftshop.

• A bookmark, and a bookplate signed by the author.

• A medley of Harney & Sons teas in various flavors individually wrapped teabags.

• A handmade ceramic tea tidy in the shape of a teapot for teabags.

• A box of English tea biscuits.

  a Rafflecopter giveaway  

Giveaway period: Open from 12:01 am Pacific time 02/22/23 until 11:59pm Pacific time on 03/19/23. Winners will be announced on Celeste Connally's website on March 20, 2023. Terms & Conditions: The giveaway is hosted by Celeste Connally and Minotaur Books. No purchase is necessary. Entrants must be 18 years or older. Open to US residents only. All information will remain confidential and will not be sold or otherwise used, except to notify the winner and to facilitate postage of the books and prizes to the winners. Void where prohibited. One giveaway item per eligible entrant.

 

How amazing is this prize package? Not only could you win an ARC of Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man you can win a package of all these fabulous prizes. I love the Jane Austen mug! So, let me know what you think of the new cover and your thoughts on this upcoming novel in the comments below.

Book Review: The Queen of Dirt Island by Donal Ryan

Pages: 256

Genre: Adult Historical Fiction

Pub. Date: February 28, 2023

Publisher: Viking

Source: Publisher for review

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

 

 

Goodreads says, "From the multi-award-winning and internationally bestselling author Donal Ryan, a searing, jubilant story about four generations of women and fierce love. The Aylward women of Nenagh, Tipperary, are mad about each other, but you wouldn't always think it. You'd have to know them to know that--in spite of what the neighbors might say about raised voices and dramatic scenes--their house is a place of peace, filled with love, a refuge from the sadness and cruelty of the world. Their story begins at an end and ends at a beginning. It involves wives and widows, gunrunners and gougers, sinners and saints. It's a story of terrible betrayals and fierce loyalties, of isolation and togetherness, of transgression, forgiveness, desire, and love. Of all the things family can be and all the things it sometimes isn't. The Queen of Dirt Island is an uplifting celebration of fierce, loyal love and the powerful stories that bind generations together.

 

 

 

Saoirse Aylward was raised by her fierce mother, Eileen, and her paternal grandmother, Mary. Her father died in a car crash when she was an infant, so she never really knew him. Eileen faces many problems as the years trudge on. She isn't close with her own parents or brother, but is forced to deal with them regarding an issue with the inheritance of land. Then there's her brother-in-laws and their interest in her, not to mention their involvement with the IRA. Eileen has to provide for her daughter and makes many sacrifices as the years go on, but she always has support from Mary. As Saoirse gets older, she drinks too much at a party and then finds herself pregnant. This devastates her mother as she has given up so much for Saoirse to succeed, but in the end, they rally together. Saoirse is now a young mother and meets Josh, a writer, who moved in next door and opens her world up a bit more. Many tragedies face the Aylward family, but they have each other, along with their determination, as the years go by in County Tipperary.  Donal Ryan's The Queen of Dirt Island is a beautiful family saga that stayed with me.

I really liked Eileen from the start in The Queen of Dirt Island. She is a tough and I loved that about her. She has no choice but to be tough and she doesn't let set backs stop her. Her strained relationship with her brother is heartbreaking and their fight over land doesn't help things. Her brother is a horrible person and I could see why she would want to separate herself from him. On the other hand, her relationship with her mother in law was complicated, but endearing. Slowly Mary has become Eileen's best friend and biggest supporter, vice versa. I really enjoyed this aspect of the story. On the other hand, Saoirse lacks some of Eileen's grit, but her family help her through her rough times as they are intensely loyal. The character of Saoirse isn't as developed as Eileen, but I enjoyed her coming-of-age tale nonetheless.

What really stood out to me in The Queen of Dirt Island was Ryan's prose. It's gorgeous. His dialogue is perfection. The short chapters were like little vignettes that were beautifully done; reading them was like putting on your favorite oversized sweatshirt. I really marinated in a few of the lines. He is most definitely a talented writer. I will admit that at first the short chapters were jarring to me, but slowly I realized how they worked to tell the story over time. 

Ryan truly captured generations of Irish women, their strength, their fortitude, and determination in The Queen of Dirt Island. If you like family sagas, but are looking for a shorter one, this is it. While some parts were sad, ultimately Ryan's Irish humor peeks through and the story of the Alyward women was uplifting.

Is The Queen of Dirt Island on your TBR list? Do you like stories set in Ireland? Let me know in the comments below.

 

Blog Tour: Stone Cold Fox

 

Who loves a good suspense/thriller? I do, especially when it's a twisty one that keeps me guessing. Word on the street is Stone Cold Fox, a debut novel, is just that! 

I'm part of Berkley's blog tour today to showcase Stone Cold Fox by Rachel Koller Croft. It just came out last week and I can't wait to read it! I hear it's perfect for fans of Gone Girl as well as Lisa Unger. In fact, the book is already being adapted for television! How exciting is that?

 

Learn More About the Book:

 

Stone Cold Fox by Rachel Koller Croft

Pub. Date: February 14, 2023

 

 

Goodreads says, "A compelling debut novel about an ambitious woman who, after a lifetime of conning alongside her mother, wants to leave her dark past behind and marry the heir to one of the country's wealthiest families. Like any enterprising woman, Bea knows what she’s worth and is determined to get all she deserves—it just so happens that what she deserves is to marry rich. After a lifetime of forced instruction in the art of swindling men by her mother, Bea wants nothing more than to escape her shadow, close the door on their sordid past, and disappear safely into old-money domesticity. When Bea finds her final mark in the perfectly dull blue-blooded Collin, she’s ready to deploy all her tricks one last time. The challenge isn’t getting the ring, but rather the approval of Collin’s family and everyone else in their tax bracket, particularly his childhood best friend Gale. Going toe-to-toe with Gale isn’t a threat to an expert like Bea, but what begins as an amusing cat-and-mouse game quickly develops into a dangerous chase. As the truth of Bea’s past threatens to come roaring out, she finds herself racing against the clock to pass the finish line before everything is exposed."

 

You can purchase your own copy of Stone Cold Fox at Barnes & Noble, Bookshop, Books A Million, and Amazon. You can learn more about Rachel Koller Croft by visiting her website and connecting with her on  Twitter and Instagram.  

So, have you read Stone Cold Fox already or is it on your TBR list? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

 

Blog Tour and Giveaway: The Museum of Lost Teeth

I adored Elyssa Friedland's Last Summer at the Golden Hotel, so when I heard she wrote a picture book, I knew I had to check it out! I love that The Museum of Lost Teeth is a laugh-out-loud read, because there's nothing better than sharing a picture book with your little one and smiling your way through it.

I am hosting an amazing giveaway to celebrate the book's recent publication, so come check it out!

Learn More About The Book:

The Museum of Lost Teeth  

Written by Elyssa Friedland

Illustrated by Gladys Jose

Ages 4+ | 40 Pages

Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers | ISBN-13: 978-1419757051

  

Publisher’s Book Summary: Find out where the tooth fairy takes all those lost teeth in this laugh-out-loud new picture book, perfect for fans of School’s First Day of School. Toothy lives in Liam’s mouth next to his best friend Fang. He’s a good tooth—sparkly and strong, and he loves doing the floss. One day, Toothy notices that he is loose and panics! Where will he go after he leaves his comfy spot next to Fang? After a crunchy apple seals the deal, Toothy is tucked under Liam’s pillow. When the Tooth Fairy appears, she takes Toothy to the Museum of Lost Teeth. It’s a more incredible place than Toothy could have ever imagined. It’s filled with new friends and fun activities like Tooth or Dare! Toothy finds a new home on the Firsts Floor, where first baby teeth are proudly displayed. In the tradition of School’s First Day of School, The Museum of Lost Teeth answers the question “Where do all the lost teeth go?” in this unexpected and hilarious picture book."

 

You can purchase your own copy of The Museum of Lost Teeth at Bookshop, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon. You can learn more about Elyssa Friedland by visiting her website and connecting with her on Instagram.

The Giveaway:

 

 

Thanks to Elyssa Friedland and The Children's Book Review, I am hosting a fantastic giveaway. One lucky grand prize winner will receive a copy of The Museum of Lost Teeth and also a $25 gift card to Bookshop.  Two other lucky winners will receive copies of The Museum of Lost Teeth. Good luck! 

 

The Museum of Lost Teeth Book Giveaway

 

 

Blog Tour: The Woman with the Cure by Lynn Cullen

Pages: 400

Genre: Adult Historical Fiction

Pub. Date: February 21, 2023

Publisher: Berkley

Source: Publisher for review

Other Books By Author: Mrs. Poe

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

 

 

Goodreads says, "She gave up everything— and changed the world. A riveting novel based on the true story of the woman who stopped a pandemic, from the bestselling author of Mrs. Poe. In 1940s and ’50s America, polio is as dreaded as the atomic bomb. No one’s life is untouched by this disease that kills or paralyzes its victims, particularly children. Outbreaks of the virus across the country regularly put American cities in lockdown. Some of the world’s best minds are engaged in the race to find a vaccine. The man who succeeds will be a god. But Dorothy Horstmann is not focused on beating her colleagues to the vaccine. She just wants the world to have a cure. Applying the same determination that lifted her from a humble background as the daughter of immigrants, to becoming a doctor –often the only woman in the room--she hunts down the monster where it lurks: in the blood. This discovery of hers, and an error by a competitor, catapults her closest colleague to a lead in the race. When his chance to win comes on a worldwide scale, she is asked to sink or validate his vaccine—and to decide what is forgivable, and how much should be sacrificed, in pursuit of the cure."

 

 

Dr. Dorothy Horstmann is a doctor in a world where female doctors aren't really accepted and their ideas are pushed aside. Unlike most females from her time period, she isn't focused on marriage and children, instead she is focused on polio. Yes, you heard it right--polio, the life threatening and disabling virus. She is sick of it having such an impact on the world and is dedicating her life to finding a cure. Slowly, Dorothy is making gains despite the many roadblocks in her way as a woman in science. She makes the discovery that polio spreads via the blood to the nervous system and at first her idea is dismissed. But as the years go by a safe vaccine is developed with Dorothy's help and the world will reap its benefits. The Woman with the Cure by Lynn Cullen is a captivating tale that puts readers behind the scenes of the medical community as they race to find a vaccine for polio.

Dorothy was such an interesting woman in The Woman with the Cure. She came from such a humble background and I believe that is what kept her grounded. She had her chance with love as she had a relationship with Arne Holm, but overall, finding a cure for polio was her main priority. She wasn't going to let anything get her off track from her main goal. I appreciated her self-sacrifice and her determination as she never let the setbacks or the sexism stop her. Oftentimes Dorothy was the only woman in the room! I can't imagine how that must have felt, but I am so thankful for her grit and perseverance.

Cullen really highlights the tension and heartbreak that polio brought to the world. While readers can currently relate to some of the aspects of the polio outbreak, polio felt even more scary as it was targeting children. The descriptions of the children impacted were truly heartbreaking. It made the uphill battle to find a vaccine even more important as these young children's story were just so sad. It's crazy to think that it wasn't that long ago when polio impacted the world; in fact, I have a family member that contracted this horrible disease. 

As someone that is very interested in medicine, I found Cullen's descriptions of the science and what goes into the making of a vaccine not only very timely, but very interesting. It pulled the curtain back on what doctors have to go through to research and develop their theories how a virus spreads, etc. Cullen did a very good job researching this overwhelming topic and made it feel accessible to readers.

If you like powerful historical fiction, pick up a copy of The Woman with the Cure. I think you will come away with such an appreciation for all the people involved in developing the polio vaccine, but especially Dorothy Horstmann. Let me know what you think in the comments below and if you'll be adding The Woman with the Cure to your winter TBR list. 

 

Blog Tour: The Maid of Ballymacool

 

Now that Valentine's Day is over, you will find me gravitating towards novels set in Ireland. Not only is St. Patrick's Day coming up, but Ireland is one of my favorite settings for novels. When I heard about the new historical novel, The Maid of Ballymacool by Jennifer Deibel, I knew I had to read it! 

This historical novel has it all! It includes a fresh take on the traditional Cinderella story, some romance, a gorgeous setting, and a captivating mystery. Thanks to Revell Books and Austenprose PR, I am sharing an official excerpt from the novel today.

 

Learn More About the Novel:

 

The Maid of Ballymacool by Jennifer Deibel

Pub. Date: February 21, 2023

 

 

Goodreads says, "Brianna Kelly was abandoned at Ballymacool House and Boarding School as an infant. She has worked there since she was a wee girl and will likely die there. Despite a sense that she was made for something more, Brianna feels powerless to change her situation, so she consoles herself by exploring the Ballymacool grounds, looking for hidden treasures to add to the secret trove beneath the floorboards of her room. When Michael Wray, the son of local gentry, is sent to Ballymacool to deal with his unruly cousin, he finds himself drawn to Brianna, immediately and inescapably. There is something about her that feels so . . . familiar. When Brianna finds a piece of silver in the woods, she commits to learning its origins, with the help of Michael. What they discover may change everything. Fan favorite Jennifer Deibel invites you back to the Emerald Isle in the 1930s for this fresh take on the Cinderella story, complete with a tantalizing mystery, a budding romance, and a chance at redemption."

You can pre-order your own copy of The Maid of Ballymacool at Barnes & Noble, Bookshop, Amazon, Book Depository, and Baker Publishing.  You can learn more about Jennifer Deibel by visiting her website and connecting with her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

 

Read an Excerpt From the Novel:

 

The Maid of Ballymacool Excerpt 3

 

The table hadn’t been set? Of course, it wouldn’t have been. That was always the last thing Brianna did before retiring for the night. Mary would have done it, she was sure, so Magee must have instructed her not to. Brianna stood in the corridor looking from the kitchen door back to the direction of the dining room, torn on whether or not to deliver the food first or go back and bring the dishes and food all at one time. A stirring of footsteps overhead caught her attention. The girls were lining up and would be marching down the stairs any moment.

She scurried back to the kitchen, set down her tray, and loaded a second one with plates, cutlery, teacups, and serviettes. She propped the door open and then lifted the food and settled that tray into the crook of her right arm. Then, she carefully finagled the tray of dishes onto her left arm. The weight of them both nearly toppled her, but she steadied herself and made for the servants’ quarters. Taking care to roll her feet smoothly from heel to toe so as not to jostle anything, she kept her gaze on the entryway at the end of the long corridor.

Suddenly, the back door slammed open, and Brianna was flung against the wall. By some miracle, she managed to hang on to the tray of dishes, but the food toppled onto the floor with a sickening splat.

“Oh, good gracious me. I beg your pardon.” Mister Wray cupped her elbow with his hand and inclined his head to look at her face. “Are ya alright?” 

She puffed at a strand of hair that had fallen over her face. “I’m fine.” She puffed again, but instead of helping, it frayed the strands, some of which curled into her eye. She clamped them shut against the sting. 

“Allow me.” Tender fingers brushed the hair from her face, gently grazing her forehead and temple. Goose bumps prickled her skin at his touch. “There. Can you see now?” 

Brianna blinked hard and forced herself to meet his gaze while heat crept up her cheeks. “Aye, thank you.” She knelt down, setting the tray of dishes carefully on the floor, then started picking up the broken pieces of pottery. 

“No, no, please let me.” He knelt beside her and started scooping handfuls of porridge and eggs back onto the fallen tray. “’Tis my fault,” he added. “I was rushing to not be late to breakfast and carelessly neglected to look where I was going.” 

Brianna opened her mouth to respond, but Magee flew around the corner and shrieked. 

“What have you done now, you amadán?”

Brianna blanched at the word. Being called a fool stung, but no more so than Magee’s use of Irish. Irish Gaelic was only allowed in certain circumstances within the walls of Ballymacool. “As a center of decorum and propriety, we will speak only proper, civilized English,” the headmistress had said when one of the boarders deigned to converse in her first language. Magee’s slip into her native tongue belied just how furious she was. 

“My apologies, marm,” Brianna said. “’Twas an accident.”  

Magee’s lips clamped into a thin line. She planted balled fists on her hips. “I’m growing quite weary of hearing that from you, Brianna. And to add insult to injury, you’ve forced Mister Wray to help you.” She turned her attention to the man. “Please, sir, you mustn’t help her. This is a problem of her own making.” 

Mister Wray stood, hands held in front of him, porridge dripping from his fingers. He studied the headmistress for a moment before responding. “I’m afraid you’re mistaken. It was I who ran into Brianna in my haste to be on time for breakfast. Therefore, ’tis only right that I be responsible for cleaning this mess.” 

Fire flashed behind Magee’s eyes, and she scowled at Brianna. She opened her mouth to retort but closed it again when she looked back at her guest. A guest who, Brianna noticed, somehow still managed to be blindingly handsome even while covered in porridge.

Chapter 6, pages 62-65 

From The Maid of Ballymacool © 2023, Jennifer Deibel, published by Fleming H. Revell Company

 

So, what do you guys think? The Maid of Ballymacool comes out on Tuesday, so be sure to add it to your TBR list. I can't wait to read it and how gorgeous is that cover? Let me know what you think in the comments below. 

 

Mini Reviews: Middle Grade Edition

I love a good young adult and middle grade fiction novel; in fact, that's what first brought me to blogging. As a middle school English teacher, I mostly read young adult and middle grade fiction. Obviously that has evolved over the years, but I still find myself coming back to this genre. This has been happening a lot lately since my oldest son turned ten. There's so many great novels to share with him! Today I'm reviewing two books that we have read recently and enjoyed.

 

The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street by Karina Yan Glaser

Genre: Middle Grade 

Pub. Date: October 3, 2017

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Source: Library

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars 

 

Goodreads says, "The Vanderbeekers have always lived in the brownstone on 141st Street. It's practically another member of the family. So when their reclusive, curmudgeonly landlord decides not to renew their lease, the five siblings have eleven days to do whatever it takes to stay in their beloved home and convince the dreaded Beiderman just how wonderful they are. And all is fair in love and war when it comes to keeping their home."

 

 

 

 

 

The Vanderbeekers live in Harlem, NY, a diverse and bustling neighborhood. The Vanderbeekers are a big, biracial family filled with adventurous children. They find out around Christmas that their landlord, Mr. Beiderman, doesn't want to renew their lease and they have to find somewhere else to live by the end of the month. This is heartbreaking for the Vanderbeekers, so the children decide it's their mission to change Mr. Beiderman's mind.  The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street is a moving middle grade novel that I instantly loved. It reminded me of the books of my childhood.

There are five Vanderbeeker siblings and tweens can relate to at least one of them. There's twins Jessie and Isa, who are twelve and have a lot of responsibilities. Then there's Oliver, Hyacinth and the youngest, Laney. Surely one of these characters tweens will identify and connect with as they all deal with age appropriate struggles. At the heart of the novel is a heartwarming story about community, family, and friendship. I adored it! 

 

 

Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger

Genre: Middle Grade/Fantasy

Pub. Date: October 2, 2012

Publisher: Aladdin

Source: Library

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

 

 

 

Goodreads says, "Twelve-year-old Sophie Foster has a secret. She’s a Telepath—someone who hears the thoughts of everyone around her. It’s a talent she’s never known how to explain. Everything changes the day she meets Fitz, a mysterious boy who appears out of nowhere and also reads minds. She discovers there’s a place she does belong, and that staying with her family will place her in grave danger. In the blink of an eye, Sophie is forced to leave behind everything and start a new life in a place that is vastly different from anything she has ever known. Sophie has new rules to learn and new skills to master, and not everyone is thrilled that she has come “home.” There are secrets buried deep in Sophie’s memory—secrets about who she really is and why she was hidden among humans—that other people desperately want. Would even kill for. In this page-turning debut, Shannon Messenger creates a riveting story where one girl must figure out why she is the key to her brand-new world, before the wrong person finds the answer first."

 

 

Sophie Foster always knew she was different than everyone else. After an accident at five, she was able to read people's thoughts and had a photographic memory. She obviously stood out at school and was never really able to form meaningful relationships with people her own age. One day she meets Fitz, a mysterious (and good looking) teen who convinces her that she isn't human. She is an elf and she needs to leave the human world and go with him to the magical realm where she will learn how to harness her powers. Once this sinks in and she realizes that her family is in danger if she stays, she goes with Fitz to the magical realm and restarts her life. She attends a magical school, has an elf family that takes her in, and learns about their vastly different world filled with magic, unusual creatures, and worlds, like Atlantis, that she thought were only myths. Sophie makes friends at her new school, some enemies, and finds out that she has memories suppressed within her that might explain who she really is and why she was hiding in the human world. Shannon Messenger's Keeper of the Lost Cities is an entertaining series for fans of high fantasy and Harry Potter. 

I really enjoyed Sophie from the start of Keeper of the Lost Cities. She has so much going on, you can't help but feel for her. Plus, there's the mystery of who she really is and what she was doing in the human world always hovering in her mind. Then there's the problem of dangerous wildfires in the human realm that point to elf magic and Sophie can't help but wonder who is putting secret messages in her locker? Even though this is "elf" school, tweens can relate to the many challenges that Sophie faces socially and the struggles of navigating a new school. While this novel lacked the magic of the Harry Potter series, it was still a fun read and the fantasy elements as well as a magical school filled a void left by Harry. We will definitely be continuing with this series! 

 

Have you read these two middle grade novels? Are they on your radar? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

 

Audio Book Review: It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover

Genre: Romance/Audio Book

Pub. Date: August 2, 2016

Publisher: Atria

Source: Library

Other Books By Author: All Your Perfects,

and Verity

My Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "Sometimes it is the one who loves you who hurts you the most. Lily hasn’t always had it easy, but that’s never stopped her from working hard for the life she wants. She’s come a long way from the small town in Maine where she grew up — she graduated from college, moved to Boston, and started her own business. So when she feels a spark with a gorgeous neurosurgeon named Ryle Kincaid, everything in Lily’s life suddenly seems almost too good to be true. Ryle is assertive, stubborn, maybe even a little arrogant. He’s also sensitive, brilliant, and has a total soft spot for Lily. And the way he looks in scrubs certainly doesn’t hurt. Lily can’t get him out of her head. But Ryle’s complete aversion to relationships is disturbing. Even as Lily finds herself becoming the exception to his “no dating” rule, she can’t help but wonder what made him that way in the first place. As questions about her new relationship overwhelm her, so do thoughts of Atlas Corrigan — her first love and a link to the past she left behind. He was her kindred spirit, her protector. When Atlas suddenly reappears, everything Lily has built with Ryle is threatened."

 

 

Lily has grown up in an abusive household. Her father has abused her mother for years and this has impacted her tremendously. She has since moved on, graduated college, and started her own business. She'll never forget her childhood and even her first love, Atlas, who was a homeless boy in her neighborhood that she instantly connected with and helped. One night she meets Ryle Kincaid, a neurosurgeon, and they instantly connect with one another. He is smart, good looking, charming, full of himself, and he loves Lily. She can't quite believe it. As their relationship progresses, he starts showing another side of him though. To complicate matters further, Lily runs into Atlas at a restaurant in Boston and it stirs up old feelings. It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover is a novel about trauma parading around as a romance novel.

Clearly, Lily is a wounded bird in It Ends with Us. She doesn't have a normal father figure to look up to and it shows. She finds herself as a teenager trying to help Atlas, a homeless boy (actually man-- don't get me started how this was actually statutory rape!!!) in her neighborhood and this desire to "fix" the men in her life will continue to adulthood. This is clearly a trauma response. Her mother allows herself to be abused by her husband and makes excuses for him. This generational trauma will continue and seep into Lily's DNA. I actually blame Lily's mother for not standing up for herself and showing her daughter what a good woman deserves. I understand that it's hard to get out of a codependent relationship, but people do it. This isn't like escaping out of Alcatraz. Also, with all that Lily saw as a child, why didn't she get therapy? She clearly needs it. Also, why didn't Ryle receive therapy after his childhood trauma?

And that's moves us to Ryle in It Ends with Us. She meets Ryle after her father's untimely death and obviously, she is in a weak state of mind. He preys on her and even shows us his tendency for violence by taking it out on a patio chair, but apparently Lily overlooks this blunder. He's everything she could want until he isn't. Slowly, his red flags go up and Lily, like her mother, makes excuses. He has childhood trauma. He is complicated. He is under pressure. But he is a surgeon! The extensive list of excuses was as long as my CVS receipt. I just can't.

Hoover doesn't really develop her characters. Who is Lily? She likes flowers. Good. What else? WE DON"T KNOW! She is mostly defined by a man - even her best friend is Ryle's sister. I mean can we say enmeshment trauma? 

Guys, It Ends with Us is a bestseller. I realize I am an outlier when it comes to this novel, and quite frankly, I have received a lot of hate for critiquing it, but I don't think it highlighted how hard it can be and complicated it could be to get out of an abusive relationship. What I mean is I don't think it was done in a safe way; it romanticized it and then didn't explain at the end of the novel resources women have. I would have appreciated this novel more if there was an epilogue that addressed how you SHOULD report an abusive dipstick. I wanted a paragraph at the end explaining that Lily is a broken person. She has trauma. She is codependent. She has trauma responses. Do not model yourself after her, young girls. Go over the steps you should take if you experience abuse. Get the cops involved! This guy shouldn't be a surgeon! He shouldn't be left in the room with women or children. He has rage strokes. He blacks out with rage. I wouldn't want him preforming surgery on me. I wanted to scream, "REPORT HIM, Lily." Make him pay for it in some way other than losing Lily, which I don't think he truly cared about her anyway. It Ends with Us wasn't empowering, even at the end.

Which leads me to Lily at the end of the novel. She wasn't the hero of her own story. I know people say she was at the end of the novel, but she wasn't. She needed Atlas to save her more than once and she jumps from one broken boy to another. I applaud her for ending the cycle of abuse, but is she really? She leaves her daughter with him. So, does it actually "end with us?" Nope, Lily. It doesn't. That man should have supervised visitation with a child. I wanted a final chapter where Lily to takes krav maga and kicks some ass, but instead she runs down the street looking for another man to solve her problems. So, needless to say, Colleen Hoover isn't for me. I don't get off on trauma, at least done like this. It's not cute. It's not entertaining. It's not how we help women become empowered. Lily needed a major dose of main character energy. Giving her some balls at the end of the story wasn't enough.

Have you read It Ends with Us? If you'd like to have a worthwhile discussion (and not bash me or claim that I misunderstood the novel), I'd love to hear your thoughts below.

 

Blog Tour: Ruby Spencer's Whisky Year

 

I love a good romance, especially around Valentine's Day, so I immediately added Ruby Spencer's Whisky Year by Rochelle Bilow to my wintertime TBR list. The novel comes out today and the story is set in the Scottish Highlands, a setting I love! 

 

Learn More About the Book:

"Ruby Spencer is spending one year living in a small cottage in a tiny town in the Scottish Highlands for three reasons: to write a bestselling cookbook, to drink a barrelful of whisky, and to figure out what comes next. It’s hard to know what to expect after an impulse decision based on a map of Scotland in her Manhattan apartment—but she knows it’s high time she had an adventure.

 

The moment she sets foot in Thistlecross, the verdant scenery, cozy cottages, and struggling local pub steal her heart. Between designing pop-up suppers and conversing with the colorful locals, Ruby starts to see a future that stretches beyond her year of adventure. It doesn’t hurt that Brochan, the ruggedly handsome local handyman, keeps coming around to repair things at her cottage. Though Ruby swore off men, she can’t help fantasizing what a roll in the barley might be like with the bearded Scot.

 

As Ruby grows closer to Brochan and the tightly held traditions of the charming village, she discovers secret plans to turn her beloved pub into an American chain restaurant. Faced with an impossible choice, Ruby must decide between love, loyalty, and the Highlands way of life."

 

 

You can purchase your own copy of Ruby Spencer's Whisky Year at Barnes & Noble, Bookshop, Amazon, and Books A Million. You can learn more about Rochelle Bilow by visiting her website and connecting with her on Instagram and Twitter.

So, are you going to add this fiction debut to your TBR list? I think Ruby Spencer's Whisky Year sounds like the perfect romance to curl up with this winter. Let me know in the comments what you think!

 

Book Review: Varina Palladino's Jersey Italian Love Story by Terri-Lynne DeFino

Pages: 416

Genre: Adult Fiction

Pub. Date: February 14, 2023

Publisher: William Morrow

Source: Publisher for review

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

 

Goodreads says, "Lively widow Varina Paladino has lived in the same house in Wyldale, New Jersey, her entire life. The town might be slightly stuck in the 1960s, when small businesses thrived and most residents were Italian, but its population is getting younger and the Paladinos are embracing the change. What Varina's not embracing, much to her ninety-two-year-old mother's dismay, is dating. Running Paladino's Italian Specialties grocery, caring for her mother, and keeping her large, loud Jersey Italian family from killing one another takes up all of Varina's energy anyway. Sylvia Spini worries about her daughter Varina being left all alone when she dies. Sylvia knows what it is to be old and alone, so when her granddaughter, Donatella, comes to her with an ill-conceived plan to find Varina a man, Sylvia dives in. The three Paladino sons--Dante, Tommy, and Paulie--are each secretly plotting their own big life changes, which will throw the whole family for a loop. Three generations of Paladinos butt heads and break one another's hearts as they wrestle with their own Jersey Italian love stories in this hilarious and life-affirming ode to love and family."

 

 

Varina Palladino has always kept her family together, their traditions alive, and everyone happy. She runs her family's Italian-American grocery story, keeps an eye on her aging mother, and takes care of her grown (and sometimes needy) children when they need her. She is a widow and has never thought of moving on from her husband or even traveling, but this year she is thinking of leaving her comfort zone. Varina's mother, Sylvia, and Varina's troubled daughter, Donatella, decide to hatch a plan to get Varina dating. Meanwhile, there's plenty of family drama. All three of Varina's sons are going through some major life changes, her daughter is getting into trouble....again, their gay family friend has feelings for a Palladino, Sylvia is worried about what will happen to Varina after she passes on, and Varina is planning a trip to Europe. So many changes are en route for the Palladinos and some of these changes will make you laugh-out-loud, cringe, and make you tear up. Varina Palladino's Jersey Italian Love Story by Terri-Lynne DeFino is a charming family tale that fans of Adriana Trigiani will thoroughly enjoy.

I really enjoyed Varina from the start of Varina Palladino's Jersey Italian Love Storyand felt for her. She has dedicated so much of her life to taking care of her mother, her kids and the store that I wanted her to do something for herself. Her daughter, Donatella, is exhausting and honestly needs to grow up, but there's more than just her misbehaving at play here. I was so glad Varina started to put her needs first and plan a trip to Europe with one of her new friends. Even though Sylvia and Donatella have her best interest in mind regarding a love match, I knew that it was destined to be a disaster since Varina was in the dark about it. Nevertheless, it was a entertaining ride to go on as there's a lot of mayhem in this boisterous Italian family.

I especially appreciated the start of each chapter of Varina Palladino's Jersey Italian Love Story as it included Italian-American slang words that pertain to the upcoming plot line. This was pure fun and some of the slang words I hadn't heard in years. Readers who have friends or family that are from Italy will especially appreciate this aspect of the novel. 

If you enjoy Adriana Trigiani's novels or My Big Fat Greek Wedding, give this  heartfelt family drama a try this winter. It had me craving a coffee, a pizzelle, and a long talk with my grandmother. Foodies will enjoy all the descriptions of Italian food and recipes, too! So, is Varina Palladino's Jersey Italian Love Story on your TBR list? It would be a perfect book to curl up with this Valentine's Day. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below. 

 

Mini Reviews: Historical Fiction Edition

 

Today I'm sharing two historical fiction novels - one being a new release and the other is one that has been on my bookshelf for quite awhile and instantly became one of my favorites. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

 

 

Code Name Sapphire by Pan Jenoff

Genre: Adult Historical Fiction

Pub. Date: February 7, 2023

Publisher: Park Row

Source: Publisher for review

Other Books By Author: The Lost Girls of Paris and   

The Last Summer at Chelsea Beach

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars 

 

 

 

Goodreads says, "A woman must rescue her cousin's family from a train bound for Auschwitz in this riveting tale of bravery and resistance, from the bestselling author of The Lost Girls of Paris 1942. Hannah Martel has narrowly escaped Nazi Germany after her fiancé was killed in a pogrom. When her ship bound for America is turned away at port, she has nowhere to go but to her cousin Lily, who lives with her family in Brussels. Fearful for her life, Hannah is desperate to get out of occupied Europe. But with no safe way to leave, she must return to the dangerous underground work she thought she had left behind. Seeking help, Hannah joins the Sapphire Line, a secret resistance network led by a mysterious woman named Micheline and her enigmatic brother Mateo. But when a grave mistake causes Lily’s family to be arrested and slated for deportation to Auschwitz, Hannah finds herself torn between her loyalties. How much is Hannah willing to sacrifice to save the people she loves? Inspired by incredible true stories of courage and sacrifice, Code Name Sapphire is a powerful novel about love, family and the unshakable resilience of women in even the hardest of times."

 

 

Hannah Martel and her fiancé, Issac, printed satiric cartoons from an underground newspaper in Berlin in 1942. Unfortunately, Issac is killed by Nazis and this leaves Hannah on the run. She boards a ship bound for America, but the ship isn't allowed entrance and it returns to Europe. Hannah finds solace at her cousin Lily's in Brussels and while there she learns about the resistance. The Sapphire Line, a resistance group, is run by Micheline and even though Hannah would love to be out of Europe, she realizes that if she can't be in America, she will help. Things get very dangerous for Lily's family and this leaves Hannah in a tough spot. Does she have what it takes to save them? Pam Jenoff's Code Name Sapphire is based on real-life events and is a well-researched historical novel that fans of the time period will appreciate.

Jenoff is known for her memorable WWII novels and this one is no different. It tugged on my heartstrings and while Code Name Sapphire didn't pack the emotional punch like her other novels, it was still a moving read and a reminder of how women and courageous people have stepped up to the plate time and time again. It's inspiring.

 

The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom

Genre: Adult Historical Fiction

Pub. Date: February 2, 2010

Publisher: Atria

Source: Personal Copy

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars 

 

 

Goodreads says, "When a white servant girl violates the order of plantation society, she unleashes a tragedy that exposes the worst and best in the people she has come to call her family. Orphaned while onboard ship from Ireland, seven-year-old Lavinia arrives on the steps of a tobacco plantation where she is to live and work with the slaves of the kitchen house. Under the care of Belle, the master's illegitimate daughter, Lavinia becomes deeply bonded to her adopted family, though she is set apart from them by her white skin.  Eventually, Lavinia is accepted into the world of the big house, where the master is absent and the mistress battles opium addiction. Lavinia finds herself perilously straddling two very different worlds. When she is forced to make a choice, loyalties are brought into question, dangerous truths are laid bare, and lives are put at risk."

 

 

 

Lavinia and her family are aboard a ship to take them from Ireland to America. Tragedy strikes on the ship and Lavinia's parents die. All she has left is her brother, but she is separated from him when the ship's captain takes Lavinia back to his plantation to make her an indentured servant. She is just seven years old, so she needs a lot of support and finds a family in the slaves at the plantation, Tall Oaks. Belle, the master's illegitimate daughter, reluctantly takes Lavinia under her care and before Lavinia knows it, she feels a sense of family in Mama Mae, Papa George, Ben, Uncle Jacob, and the other slaves. As the years go by, this creates some difficulty for Lavinia as she tends to straddle both worlds: the kitchen house with the slaves and the big house with the other white people. To make matters more complicated, Martha, the lady of the house, is struggling as she is an addict, and takes to Lavinia and enjoys her company. Then there's Rankin, the overseer, who is a horribly cruel man making problems for all the slaves and after the master's son, Marshall, endures various forms of trauma, becomes Rankin's sidekick. With the captain gone for long periods of time and Martha incapacitated, Rankin runs the plantation. Cue the drama. Even though The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom could be very melodramatic at times, it was still a hard hitting historical novel that felt more realistic than Gone with the Wind. It carried an emotional punch that will stay with me.

It's hard to tackle The Kitchen House in such a brief review as it's a sweeping family saga that covers a lot. It follows Lavinia's journey through the years and you can't help but root for her. Alternate chapters are narrated by Belle and I thought it was done very well. Grissom covers some upsetting topics, but does it in a way that is respectful. If you enjoy hard hitting historical novels and haven't checked out The Kitchen House yet, please do so! I am mad I didn't pick it up sooner as it is one of my favorite historical novels I've read in quite awhile. I can't wait to read more from Grissom in the future.

So, have you read these two novels? Are they on your TBR list? Let me know in the comments below.