Mini Reviews: Backlist Beach Reads

 

You guys know that backlist beach reads are some of my favorites, because packing a paperback novel to the beach or pool is ideal. Today I'm sharing my thoughts on a steamy romance and a beach read from the "beach read Queen" that ultimately let me down.

 

The Idea of You by Robinne Lee

Pages: 384

Genre: Romance

Pub. Date: June 13, 2017

Publisher: St. Martin's

Source: Personal Copy

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

 

 

Goodreads says, "Solène Marchand, the thirty-nine-year-old owner of an art gallery in Los Angeles, is reluctant to take her daughter, Isabelle, to meet her favorite boy band. But since her divorce, she’s more eager than ever to be close to Isabelle. The last thing Solène expects is to make a connection with one of the members of the world-famous August Moon. But Hayes Campbell is clever, winning, confident, and posh, and the attraction is immediate. That he is all of twenty years old further complicates things.

What begins as a series of clandestine trysts quickly evolves into a passionate and genuine relationship. It is a journey that spans continents as Solène and Hayes navigate each other’s worlds: from stadium tours to international art fairs to secluded hideaways in Paris and Miami. For Solène, it is a reclaiming of self, as well as a rediscovery of happiness and love. When Solène and Hayes’ romance becomes a viral sensation, and both she and her daughter become the target of rabid fans and an insatiable media, Solène must face how her romantic life has impacted the lives of those she cares about most."

 

 

Solene Marchand is a divorced 39-year-old mother who owns a small art gallery in Los Angeles. After her divorce, she longs to be close to her daughter, Isabelle, so she agrees to take her to meet her favorite boy band, August Moon. While at the concert and backstage, it's Solene who gets to meet and experience some one-on-one time with an August Moon band mate, Hayes Campbell. Initially, she thinks he will be vapid and immature, but he is quite the opposite. He's handsome, smart, witty, posh, and they instantly share a connection. There's one problem though: he's a world famous singer and he's twenty years old. Hayes is very into her despite Solene's hesitation and what they thought would be a brief affair, ends up being something more. Their relationship spans sold-out concert tours, various countries, and more. All is well until the internet finds out who he is dating, which then makes life difficult for not only Solene but her daughter, too. The Idea of You by Robinne Lee is pure escapism and romance readers shouldn't miss this one. 

I really liked Solene from the start of  The Idea of You. I love how Lee flips the script on romance and focuses on women's issues, such as sexism and ageism. Even though this was a fluffy (and steamy!) romance overall, I do applaud Lee for highlighting aging and how that plays out in relationships like this as well as in everyday life. Most people might not bat an eye if a man dated a much younger woman, but in this case, it's scandalous. Lee also focuses on how the media, internet, tabloids, etc, play a role in celebrities' lives and their families. It's not all fun and games and that's definitely highlighted in  The Idea of You. I really loved being lost in Solene's world (who wouldn't?) and once I was done with the novel, I couldn't wait to watch the movie on Amazon staring Anne Hathaway.

The Castaways by Elin Hilderbrand

Pages: 400

Genre: Adult Fiction

Pub. Date: July 9, 2009

Publisher: Little, Brown & Co

Source: Personal Copy

Other Books By Author: The Rumor (Nantucket #1)

My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

 

Goodreads says, "Greg and Tess MacAvoy are one of four prominent Nantucket couples who count each other as best friends. As pillars of their close-knit community, the MacAvoys, Kapenashes, Drakes, and Wheelers are important to their friends and neighbors, and especially to each other. But just before the beginning of another idyllic summer, Greg and Tess are killed when their boat capsizes during an anniversary sail. As the warm weather approaches and the island mourns their loss, nothing can prepare the MacAvoy's closest friends for what will be revealed.

Once again, Hilderbrand masterfully weaves an intense tale of love and loyalty set against the backdrop of endless summer island life."

 

Greg and Tess MacAvoy are part of a group of couples known as the Castaways on the idyllic island of  Nantucket. While celebrating their anniversary on a sailing trip, something goes wrong, and the couple dies. This sends the island, and particularly their friend group, on a tailspin as after their death so many secrets are uncovered. Starting with why was Addison Wheeler calling Tess's phone so much? What was in Tess's bloodstream during the  accident? Was the couple still reeling from Greg's sexual misconduct allegations? Was their death really just an accident? Elin Hilderbrand's The Castaways, a beach read that is part salacious drama part murder mystery, is summertime fluff, but misses the mark.

Hilderbrand told her legion of fans to read The Rumor and The Castaways, both part of her Nantucket series, before diving into Swan Song this summer. Those are two of her novels that I actually haven't read, so I got to work right away. The Rumor was decent, but The Castaways was almost a DNF for me. It felt like another one of  Hilderbrand's novels that I just couldn't get into, definitely not like her last few beach read hits. It included way too many extramarital affairs, ridiculous circumstances, and characters that I truly didn't  care about. By the time the secrets surrounding the deaths were revealed, I actually didn't care, because the characters were despicable. There was so much drama in The Castaways and not enough moments to actually make me care. I ended up giving it three stars due to the beautiful setting of Nantucket and some of the recurring characters I have come to enjoy in Hilderbrand's novels, but other than that, I'd skip this one and focus on her latest bestselling beach reads.

Have you read either of these backlist titles? Are you a fan of Elin Hilderbrand? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

 

Audio Book Review: Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

Pages: 327

Genre: Adult Fiction

Pub. Date: May 19, 2017

Publisher: Paula Dorman Books

Source: Personal Copy/Audio Book

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says,"No one’s ever told Eleanor that life should be better than fine.   Meet Eleanor Oliphant: She struggles with appropriate social skills and tends to say exactly what she’s thinking. Nothing is missing in her carefully timetabled life of avoiding social interactions, where weekends are punctuated by frozen pizza, vodka, and phone chats with Mummy.   But everything changes when Eleanor meets Raymond, the bumbling and deeply unhygienic IT guy from her office. When she and Raymond together save Sammy, an elderly gentleman who has fallen on the sidewalk, the three become the kinds of friends who rescue one another from the lives of isolation they have each been living. And it is Raymond’s big heart that will ultimately help Eleanor find the way to repair her own profoundly damaged one.  Soon to be a major motion picture produced by Reese Witherspoon, Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine is the smart, warm, and uplifting story of an out-of-the-ordinary heroine whose deadpan weirdness and unconscious wit make for an irresistible journey as she realizes. . .   The only way to survive is to open your heart."

Eleanor Oliphant keeps to herself at work and doesn't have any friends.   Then she heads home to her solitary night filled with pizza, alcohol and phone calls with her mother. She keeps to herself in all facets of her life and that's ok for her.  Her life changes though when Raymond from the IT department tries to befriend her and they help save an elderly man together.  Slowly Eleanor opens up.  She even has a crush on a local musician, but we know that isn't going to go far.  But she's branching out and slowly readers find out why Eleanor acts the way she does and more about her upsetting childhood.  Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine is a quirky sort of novel that had me laughing out loud one minute and cringing the next at Eleanor's social awkwardness.  It's an emotional story with a lot of heart.

At first, Eleanor and I did not vibe at all in Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine. She was interesting in a quirky sort of way, but she was just painful to listen to as she is so very socially awkward and way too honest to a fault.  Her observations were usually spot on, but I would think to myself, "oh my god, did she just say that?"  Her relationship with her mother was just horrific and I cringed during their daily phone calls. What a horrible woman her mother is! I slowly I started to understand why Eleanor may have built up these walls around herself like a fortress.

I thought the audio book's narrator, Cathleen McCarron, did a great job bringing strange Eleanor to life and really captured her quirky side as well as the dry humor.  Her British accent was soothing and McCarron's tone really worked for this type of novel. I also appreciated the different voices she used for various characters.

Why I didn't rate Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine a bit higher is because despite the fact that it was well-written, I was taken back by how dark the undertones of the story are.  I didn't expect it to be so thoroughly depressing and while I was rooting for Eleanor to overcome some of the horrible things in her life, I couldn't help but find this book to be a bit too sad even considering the ending. So, be prepared! You have to be in the mood for this type of story.  

If you are looking for an unconventional heroine that you can't help but love, check out Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine.  While I expected a little bit more from such a hyped novel, I did enjoy her journey and I'm glad I read it before it is Reese Witherspoon's company makes it into a movie. Did you read it? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below. 

Book Review: No Good Deed by Kara Connolly

Pages: 352

Genre: YA Fantasy

Pub. Date: July 18, 2017

Publisher: Delacorte

Source: Publisher for review

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "Ellie Hudson is the front-runner on the road to gold for the U.S. Olympic archery team. All she has to do is qualify at the trials in jolly old England. When Ellie makes some kind of crazy wrong turn in the caverns under Nottingham Castle—yes, that Nottingham—she ends up in medieval England.  Ellie doesn’t care how she got to the Middle Ages; she just wants to go home before she gets the plague. But people are suffering in Nottingham, and Ellie has the skills to make it better. What’s an ace archer to do while she’s stuck in Sherwood Forest but make like Robin Hood? Pulled into a past life as an outlaw, Ellie feels her present fading away next to daring do-gooding and a devilishly handsome knight. Only, Ellie is on the brink of rewriting history, and when she picks up her bow and arrow, her next shot could save her past—or doom civilization’s future. "

Ellie Hudson is an experienced archer who is hoping to qualify for the Olympics. She is currently competing in Nottingham, England. While competing, she sees a strange man wearing all white walking around during her competition. This distracts her; thus, impacting her performance. Later on while exploring England, she sees him again and ends up following him into a cave.  Boom... she ends up in the Middle Ages.  Nottingham during the Middle Ages is in trouble for a variety of reasons; plus, the sheriff is on her tail. Will her archery skills get her out of this mess and can she make it back to her own time?  Kara Connolly's No Good Deed is a fun tale with a kick-butt heroine, but it's not without its issues.

I really liked the character of Ellie. She's everything I could want in strong heroine.  She was constantly escaping bad situations and to top it off, she is an incredible archer.  I love how she sort of assumes the role of Robin Hood in this modern retelling. In fact, if you are a fan of Robin Hood, you'll enjoy some of the familiar characters, like Prince John, Much, and Will Scarlet who also play a role in No Good Deed.

My issue with No Good Deed is the pacing. At times, it felt really uneven and while I love a time travel book, I really wasn't fully sold on how Ellie got into the Middle Ages. Connelly definitely needs to explain her time travel theory a bit more as it wasn't really believable. In fact, there were many events in No Good Deed that required too much supsension of disbelief.

Nonetheless, if you enjoy the mythology surrounding Robin Hood, give this book a try.  It's definitely fun to re-imagine Robin Hood as a strong female.

Book Review: The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

Pages: 450

Genre: YA Realistic Fiction

Pub. Date: February 28, 2017

Publisher: Balzer & Bray

Source: Library

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "Sixteen-year-old Starr Carter moves between two worlds: the poor neighborhood where she lives and the fancy suburban prep school she attends. The uneasy balance between these worlds is shattered when Starr witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend Khalil at the hands of a police officer. Khalil was unarmed.  Soon afterward, his death is a national headline. Some are calling him a thug, maybe even a drug dealer and a gangbanger. Protesters are taking to the streets in Khalil's name. Some cops and the local drug lord try to intimidate Starr and her family. What everyone wants to know is: what really went down that night? And the only person alive who can answer that is Starr.  But what Starr does or does not say could upend her community. It could also endanger her life. 

Starr Carter is an African American student at the prestigious Williamson Prep school where mostly well-to-do white people go.  But unlike her classmates, Starr lives in Garden Heights, which is an African American neighborhood that can be rather dangerous.  She is part of both worlds, but often finds herself often torn between the two.  One day Starr is on the way back from a party with her best friend, Khalil, who is fatally shot by a white police officer. He was even unarmed and didn't do anything wrong! Obviously, this becomes a big news story and Starr is right in the center of it as she was a witness to the shooting.  Of course some of the media outlets paint Khalil in a negative light by calling him a drug dealer, thug, and the like, while all of this creates turmoil as well as protests in Starr's neighborhood of Garden Heights.  What should Starr do as she is the only witness to the murder? Will she bring danger to her family if she speaks the truth? Angie Thomas's debut novel, The Hate U Give, is an important and moving story that feels like it has been ripped from the headlines.

I really enjoyed the character of Starr in The Hate U Give. I appreciated her struggled between her "school world" and her home life.  She also struggled with how honest to be with the media; how much should she tell about the night that Khalil was killed? What are the consequences of this? Because if she tells the truth this will put her as well as her family in the national spotlight.  Doing what is right isn't always easy and Starr is faced with many difficult decisions and situations in The Hate U Give. I think many young people would appreciate her story, especially if you follow the news as this is, unfortunately, something we are hearing more and more of.

One thing that I loved about The Hate U Give was author's use of voice. It felt so authentic and easy to read. The voice is really strong, and in turn, it made the story seem very real.  Also, the dialogue felt authentic and not contrived at all. There were parts that made me laugh out loud and parts that truly tugged on my heartstrings.  Thomas did a fantastic job bringing Starr, her community, and the people to life.  

If you are looking for a powerful read this year, I urge you to check out The Hate U Give. It's a timely story and one that will surely stick with you.

Book Review: When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon

Pages: 380

Genre: YA Realistic Fiction

Pub. Date: May 30, 2017

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Source: Publisher for review

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "Dimple Shah has it all figured out. With graduation behind her, she’s more than ready for a break from her family, from Mamma’s inexplicable obsession with her finding the “Ideal Indian Husband.” Ugh. Dimple knows they must respect her principles on some level, though. If they truly believed she needed a husband right now, they wouldn’t have paid for her to attend a summer program for aspiring web developers…right?  Rishi Patel is a hopeless romantic. So when his parents tell him that his future wife will be attending the same summer program as him—wherein he’ll have to woo her—he’s totally on board. Because as silly as it sounds to most people in his life, Rishi wants to be arranged, believes in the power of tradition, stability, and being a part of something much bigger than himself. The Shahs and Patels didn’t mean to start turning the wheels on this “suggested arrangement” so early in their children’s lives, but when they noticed them both gravitate toward the same summer program, they figured, Why not? Dimple and Rishi may think they have each other figured out. But when opposites clash, love works hard to prove itself in the most unexpected ways." 

Dimple Shah is a very smart eighteen year old from California who, although comes from a very traditional Indian-American family, wants a very different life for herself than her parents have planned for her.  You see, her parents have always wanted an arranged marriage for her with a nice Indian boy, but Dimple has other plans. She is talented with coding and computers and in turn, has been invited to San Francisco State's Insomnia Con, which is a six week competitive program.  Surprisingly, her parents support her decision to go, but when she finds out why, she is not only mad, but extremely disappointed in them.  Rishi Patel is also an Indian-American, but he's a romantic at heart. His parents tell him that his future wife is also going to the summer program at San Francisco State, so this obviously gets him excited as he is more of a traditional young adult.  But he is very smart as well and plans to go to MIT, so he has goals for himself and his future--it's not just about marriage.  Things take an unexpected turn when not only Dimple finds out her parents' plan, but also when she is assigned to work with Rishi on a major project.   Will sparks fly, disaster strike, and hilarity ensue or all of the above?  When Dimple Met Rishi is a delightful young adult read that is smart, funny, and heartwarming.

Dimple is a young adult that so many females can relate to. She is expected to live a certain way thanks to her conservative parents and I think many young adults can relate to this. Dimple has goals, is smart and has so much to offer. She wants more than to just be a wife. You don't have to come from an Indian-American family to appreciate her struggle with this as many young adults feel smothered by their parents' expectations. But what about what Dimple wants? I really liked her and there were so many times that When Dimple Met Rishi made me laugh out loud. The humor in this story was so unexpected, but very much appreciated.

Rishi is a swoon worthy guy in When Dimple Met Rishi. Although I couldn't necessarily relate to his obsession with tradition to the point where he was carrying about his grandmother's ring, I could still respect his values and where he was coming from. He also has decisions to make about his life and many teens will find it relatable. He's a good guy and one that I ended up, obviously, wanting Dimple with. But that's the beauty of this story. Readers know where it's ultimately heading, but it's the journey to get there that is so heartwarming and fun.

When Dimple Met Rishi is like watching your favorite romantic comedy. It was just what I needed and would be perfect to curl up with this fall.

Book Review and Giveaway: The Next Together by Lauren James

Pages: 368

Genre: YA Sci-Fi

Pub. Date: June 13, 2017

Publisher: Sky Pony

Source: Publisher for review

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "Katherine and Matthew are destined to be born again and again, century after century. Each time they are total strangers thrust together under unusual circumstances. Each time their presence changes history for the better. And each time they fall hopelessly in love, only to be tragically separated. Why does fate keep bringing them together to save the world, and what must they achieve before they can finally be left to love in peace? Maybe the next together will be different. . . . Told in parallel time streams through a mixture of prose, diary entries, letters, “original” historical documents, news reports, and Internet articles, and spanning the Crimean War, the Siege of Carlisle and the near-future of 2019 and 2039, The Next Together is a glittering, sweeping story of time travel, fate, and the power of first love for fans of Outlander, Passenger, and The Girl from Everywhere."

Katherine and Matthew are what you would call star-crossed lovers. The year is 2039 and they are chemistry students working for the government.  Their attraction is instantaneous. During their research they discover people that lived during 2019 that looks exactly like them. This is all well and good, but they died mysteriously, which has Katherine and Matthew curious about what exactly happened. Through further research, they discover identical Katherine and Matthews at other crucial points in British history.  Katherine and Matthew decide to take it upon themselves to finish what was started when they realize their "relationship" spans many, many years. The Next Together by Lauren James is a nice blend of science-fiction, romance, and tidbits of historical fiction.  Fans of Bracken's Passenger will enjoy this book the most.

All of the various Katherines and Matthews are featured in parallel story lines in The Next Together. I was most intrigued by the future storyline (2039) and James's portrayal of reincarnation.  There's the 1745 version of Katherine and Matthew which focuses on the Siege of Carlisle and there's the 1854 version which features The Crimean War.  I liked learning more about this time period in British history; however, the future versions of Katherine and Matthew were the most compelling.  I wish James would have explained things a bit more about her theory of reincarnation as well as the random computer notes that are dispersed throughout the novel. I am still curious about what that all meant??

What is pretty neat about The Next Together is how the story is presented to readers. There's parallel story lines, but it's interspersed with "primary" sources from the time period, emails, text messages, diary entries, etc.  I thought this was a fun way to add to Katherine and Matthew's story even though I felt the transition between the time periods could have been a bit smoother.

If you love time travel and are a fan of Passenger, definitely give The Next Together a try.   I wish James would have provided readers with a bit more clarification; nonetheless, it was a fun and entertaining ride.

Thanks to Sky Pony, I have a hardback edition of The Next Together to give to one lucky US reader.  Please refer to my giveaway rules and the deadline is October 4th.  Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review: The Sandcastle Empire by Kayla Olson

Pages: 464

Genre: YA Sci-Fi

Pub. Date: June 6, 2017

Publisher: Harper Collins

Source: Publisher for review

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "Before the war, Eden’s life was easy—air conditioning, ice cream, long days at the beach. Then the revolution happened, and everything changed. Now a powerful group called the Wolfpack controls the earth and its resources. Eden has lost everything to them. They killed her family and her friends, destroyed her home, and imprisoned her. But Eden refuses to die by their hands. She knows the coordinates to the only neutral ground left in the world, a place called Sanctuary Island, and she is desperate to escape to its shores. Eden finally reaches the island and meets others resistant to the Wolves—but the solace is short-lived when one of Eden’s new friends goes missing. Braving the jungle in search of their lost ally, they quickly discover Sanctuary is filled with lethal traps and an enemy they never expected.  This island might be deadlier than the world Eden left behind, but surviving it is the only thing that stands between her and freedom."

Imagine a world where a group of people, referred to as the Wolfpack, take over and throw everyone else into work camps.  Eden is alone, her father is dead, and her future looks bleak; that is until she decides to escape.  Along with three other girls, she is able to escape and they search for one of the only places left that promises freedom: Sanctuary Island.  Before Eden's father died, he left her a guidebook which has details about where exactly Sanctuary Island is located. Using this, the girls find the island.  While at the island, they meet other people resisting the Wolfpack and things seem to be going well at Sanctuary for Eden...that is until they aren't.  Finley, Eden's friend, disappears, so perhaps things aren't as good as they initially thought? Who can they trust? What secrets are hidden on this island? Kayla Olson's debut, The Sandcastle Empire, is a suspenseful dystopian novel that gives readers much to think about.

Eden's back story is an interesting one and I was especially intrigued about her father and what happened to him.  I liked that he left her behind a guidebook of sorts and she uses this to find the island.  However, I wish Eden was a bit more developed, as character development was lacking in The Sandcastle Novel; nonetheless, I still cared about her.

What Olson excels at in The Sandcastle Empire is the world-building.  It was truly an interesting as well as terrifying futuristic world that she created, but it seemed plausible at the same time. It made me think about the world we currently live in, our resources, and how we treat the planet as well as each other.

Dystopian novels aren't really my thing anymore, but I am glad I read The Sandcastle Empire. I can see why Paramount picked this novel up and why Leonardo DiCaprio is set to produce the movie. I think it will translate to the big screen very well as it definitely seemed like an action movie as I was reading it.

All in all, The Sandcastle Empire was entertaining, but it was not my favorite dystopian novel. I do like that it made me think about the future, but with all the upsetting events that are going on in the world, I didn't want to imagine a future Earth like this. So, I think you have to be in the mood for The Sandcastle Empire as well as a big fan of dystopian literature or survival stories.

Book Review and Giveaway: Royal Bastards by Andrew Shvarts

Pages: 352

Genre: YA Fantasy

Pub. Date: May 30, 2017

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Source: Publisher for review

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "Being a bastard blows. Tilla would know. Her father, Lord Kent of the Western Province, loved her as a child, but cast her aside as soon as he had trueborn children. At sixteen, Tilla spends her days exploring long-forgotten tunnels beneath the castle with her stablehand half brother, Jax, and her nights drinking with the servants, passing out on Jax’s floor while her castle bedroom collects dust. Tilla secretly longs to sit by her father’s side, resplendent in a sparkling gown, enjoying feasts with the rest of the family. Instead, she sits with the other bastards, like Miles of House Hampstedt, an awkward scholar who’s been in love with Tilla since they were children. Then, at a feast honoring the visiting princess Lyriana, the royal shocks everyone by choosing to sit at the Bastards’ Table. Before she knows it, Tilla is leading the sheltered princess on a late-night escapade. Along with Jax, Miles, and fellow bastard Zell, a Zitochi warrior from the north, they stumble upon a crime they were never meant to witness. Rebellion is brewing in the west, and a brutal coup leaves Lyriana’s uncle, the Royal Archmagus, dead—with Lyriana next on the list. The group flees for their lives, relentlessly pursued by murderous mercenaries; their own parents have put a price on their heads to prevent the king and his powerful Royal Mages from discovering their treachery." 

Tilla's father is Lord Kent, but she is considered a bastard and not one of his "true born" royal children.  Her half sibling, Jax, is also a bastard, so they spend their days hanging out together, exploring the castle and the tunnels.  Tilla says this doesn't bother her, but she secretly wishes she was growing up as a legitimate child living in the lap of luxury.  One day princess Lyriana is visiting the castle and decides to sit at the bastard's table during the feast instead of with the legitimate royals. This sets everyone off and sets many things into motion.  In fact, that evening Tilla and friends, along with the princess, witness a crime that sends them fleeing for their lives.  Royal Bastards by Andrew Shvarts is an adventurous debut that fans of fantasy will appreciate the most.

Tilla is an interesting character in Royal Bastards.  As the story continues, her character is developed a bit more, which I liked as I wasn't really connecting with her during the first half of the story.  I did appreciate her struggle of being a bastards vs. her true feelings of wanting to be recognized and treated fairly. She enjoys some privileges of being a "royal," but isn't exactly legitimate, so she is living in that in between state.

What stood out to me when reading Royal Bastards was the adventure. It's really action-packed and I think reluctant YA readers may enjoy this aspect of the novel. The world-buiding was pretty good and the pace, especially during the second half of the novel, was also quite quick.  It definitely held my attention!

I did have a few issues with dialogue as well as some of the fantasy elements that Shvarts included in the text.  It seemed like just about every aspect of fantasy was included, which made it feel a bit too much at times.

Overall, Royal Bastards was just a middle-of-the-road fantasy for me. It didn't stand out as I was hoping; nonetheless, if an adventure story is your thing, definitely give this first installment in a new series a try.

Thanks to Disney-Hyperion, I have an ARC of Royal Bastards to give away to one lucky US reader. The deadline is August 21st and please refer to my giveaway rules.  Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review: If Birds Fly Back by Carlie Sorosiak

Pages: 448

Genre: YA Realistic Fiction

Pub. Date: June 27, 2017

Publisher: HarperTeen

Source: Publisher for review

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "A sparkling debut about love, family, and the mysteries of the universe.  Linny has been fascinated by disappearances, ever since her sister Grace ran away in the middle of the night without saying goodbye.  Sebastian can tell you how many galaxies there are, and knows how much plutonium weighs. But the one thing he can’t figure out is the identity of his birth father.   They’ve never met, but Linny and Sebastian have one thing in common: an obsession with famous novelist and filmmaker Alvaro Herrera, who went missing three years ago and has just reappeared. As they learn more about the mystery of Alvaro, Linny and Sebastian uncover the answers they’ve been searching for. With humor and heart, debut author Carlie Sorosiak weaves a story of finding people who leave and loving those who stay, perfect for fans of Jandy Nelson and Emery Lord."

Linny has been obsessed with with missing people every since her sister disappeared a few months ago.  Just like the people she reads about, she hopes that Grace reappears one day.  In turn, Linny's parents are super overprotective of her, but can you blame them? It's the summer before her senior year of high school and she has to stay focused if she wants to get into Princeton.  She is volunteering at a retirement community and while there she sees Alvaro Herrera, a famous author.  The only problem is that no one has seen or heard from him for three years. Enter Sebastian.  He has recently found out that his father is Alvaro Herrera and after he flies to Miami, he decides to volunteer at the retirement home with the hopes of meeting him.  While there, he meets Linny and sparks fly between the two of them.  Carlie Sorosiak's debut, If Birds Fly Back, is a smart read for the summer that is in the same vein of John Green and Emery Lord's novels.

Linny is an interesting character in If Birds Fly Back. I really can't relate to her in anyway, but I can empathize with her.  Her preoccupation with missing people eventually reappearing is due to her sister's disappearance and I really feel for her regarding that tough situation.  She is even writing a screenplay inspired by it all and Sorosiak puts excerpts of it in the novel, which I found to be distracting at times.

While Linny was just an ok character for me in If Birds Fly Back, I enjoyed Sebastian a bit more.  He is a science wiz and his chapters (there's dual narration) always included quotes about astrophysics.  I really thought Sebastian was well-developed and I was interested in how he was going to handle the reappearance of his father.

I found the whole love story in If Birds Fly Back to be a bit predictable though.  Nonetheless, there were many parts that were endearing and their relationship did remind me of the kind that are depicted in a John Green novel as Linny and Sebastian are both quirky characters.

While If Birds Fly Back didn't really blow me away by any means, it was an entertaining read for the summer.  If you like smart, realistic YA fiction for the summer, give this one a try.

Book Review: The Scribe of Siena by Melodie Winawer

Pages: 464

Genre: Adult Historical Fiction

Pub. Date: May 16, 2017

Publisher: Touchstone

Source:  Publisher for review

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "Accomplished neurosurgeon Beatrice Trovato knows that her deep empathy for her patients is starting to impede her work. So when her beloved brother passes away, she welcomes the unexpected trip to the Tuscan city of Siena to resolve his estate, even as she wrestles with grief. But as she delves deeper into her brother’s affairs, she discovers intrigue she never imagined—a 700-year-old conspiracy to decimate the city.  After uncovering the journal and paintings of Gabriele Accorsi, the fourteenth-century artist at the heart of the plot, Beatrice finds a startling image of her own face and is suddenly transported to the year 1347. She awakens in a Siena unfamiliar to her, one that will soon be hit by the Plague.  Yet when Beatrice meets Accorsi, something unexpected happens: she falls in love—not only with Gabriele, but also with the beauty and cadence of medieval life. As the Plague and the ruthless hands behind its trajectory threaten not only her survival but also Siena’s very existence, Beatrice must decide in which century she belongs.  The Scribe of Siena is the captivating story of a brilliant woman’s passionate affair with a time and a place that captures her in an impossibly romantic and dangerous trap—testing the strength of fate and the bonds of love."

Beatrice is a dedicated neurosurgeon who hasn't had a vacation in years.  Her brother, Ben, is studying the history of the plague in Siena, Italy. He has encouraged her to come visit, but before she gets the opportunity, he suddenly dies.  Now she is headed off to Siena to go through his stuff and get his things in order. Surprisingly, she is intrigued by some of his theories surrounding the plague.   While continuing his research, she somehow time travels back to Siena during the 1300s.  She assimilates surpassingly well into medevial of life and even finds a job as a scribe where she copies manuscripts.  While there, she meets Gabriele and sparks fly.  This poses a problem as to which time period Beatrice truly belongs. Plus, there's the looming cloud hanging over them that is the plague, which can't be stopped. Melodie Winawer's debut, The Scribe of Siena, is an fanciful jaunt into medieval Siena. Fans of time travel novels as well as historical fiction will appreciate this book the most.

Beatrice is an interesting character and one whom I immediately liked in The Scribe of Siena. She is highly educated and has many interests, which I appreciated.  I loved how she jumped right into her brother's research surrounding the Black Plague. Some of the theories he proposes are pretty thought provoking as well.

When Beatrice sees her own face in one of Gabriele's paintings, that's when the real mystery starts brewing in The Scribe of Siena.  Although I didn't feel their blossoming romance quite as strongly as I would have liked, I still enjoyed the whole concept of their meeting.

Beatrice time travels to Siena right before the plague strikes, so that is always a cause for concern when reading The Scribe of Siena.  Even though Beatrice knows all about it, there's really no way to stop it.  What she is confused by is the fact that Siena suffered so much more from the plague than the other important Italian cities of the time. But why? And this is the overarching question her brother was researching and he had some possible theories. 

The best parts of The Scribe of Siena are Winawer's descriptions of Medieval Siena. They were some of the best that I've read in historical fiction. She truly brought the time period to life. It felt real and her descriptions were extremely vivid. I could tell that Winawer did an extensive job researching it all. 

My only gripe with The Scribe of Siena is the fact that it took me quite sometime to get into it. I think I was expecting more of an initial pull since time travel/time slip novels are my thing. Also, some critics are comparing this debut to Outlander and although it has a few similarities, it is a different type of novel in every sense.  So, fans of Outlander should be forewarned.  Nonetheless, if you love historical fiction and enjoy smart reads, I urge you to give The Scribe of Siena try this summer. 

Book Review: It's Always the Husband by Michele Campbell

Pages: 320

Genre: Adult Fiction

Pub. Date: May 16, 2017

Publisher: St. Martin's 

Source: She Speaks

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars  

Goodreads says, "Kate, Aubrey, and Jenny. They first met as college roommates and soon became inseparable, even though they are as different as three women can be. Twenty years later, one of them is standing at the edge of a bridge . . and someone else is urging her to jump.   How did things come to this As the novel cuts back and forth between their college years and their adult years, you see the exact reasons why these women love and hate each other—but can feelings that strong lead to murder? Or will everyone assume, as is often the case, that it’s always the husband? "

I received this book free from SheSpeaks.

Aubrey, Jenny, and Kate are assigned rooms together at the prestigious Carlisle College, but they couldn't be more different.  Aubrey is leaving behind a life that's rough with a mother who uses her and can't pay the bills; she sees college as a way to escape and start over.  Then there's Jenny, who is a townie, but is so much more than simply that. Obviously, she is a high achiever since she got accepted to Carlisle, but she wants to take herself even further and make the right connections.  Lastly, there's Kate. The quintessential rich girl who only got to school because of, well, nepotism.  One would think these three girls living together would be an epic disaster, but somehow they end up being friends despite the many complications that college brings.  There's death in the family, keeping up grades, spring break, drugs, controlling parents, backstabbing, and so much more.  Then tragedy strikes. Fast forward twenty years later they all end up living in the college town married, but the secrets are still there and the truth always comes out.  It's Always the Husband by Michele Campbell is an entertaining thriller and perfect for those who like darker summertime reads.

Somehow I found it hard to identify with either of the girls as they are all so despicable in their own ways.  This is definitely one of those books where I didn't necessarily enjoy the characters, but Campbell did a good job making me care about their journey and their secrets.  With that said, I cared most about Aubrey; she is a sad character in It's Always the Husband. She latches on to Kate and in turn ends up in situations that she probably would have never been in prior to meeting Kate.  She has a hard time dealing with her past as well as some of the future familial issues that pop up while she is in college.  

Kate is straight up annoying in It's Always the Husband. She's spoiled, troubled, and uses people. Honestly, she needs to get help. She influences people and takes them down the wrong path. I mean her "picture perfect" rich girl life isn't exactly perfect, but that doesn't excuse her bad behavior.

Jenny, I guess, has it together the most in It's Always the Husband, but I also didn't agree with her motives half the time. She is all about connections and doesn't care about what she has to do to get to the top. I think she tried to be a good friend, but essentially, doesn't know how.

I like how Campbell tells their story and how things unfold in college.  The narrative also picks up in the "future" with them as adults in It's Always the Husband. Getting bits and pieces this way sort of puts everything in perspective; plus, there's a major issue surrounding a tragic night.  There's some secrets about what truly happened and who is at fault. Since things were never really dealt with in the past, they become an issue again in the future, especially since more drama ensues. 

Without giving too much away, there's a murder mystery in It's Always the Husbandand this aspect of the novel kept me flipping the pages despite the fact that I found all the characters to be troubled.  Campbell is a federal prosecutor, so you could really tell that portrayal of an investigation and the issues surrounding the murder were well done and realistic.  

If you like darker summer time reads and thrillers, giveIt's Always the Husband a try this summer. 

Thanks to She Speaks and St. Martin's I am giving away my ARC to one lucky US reader. Please refer to my giveaway rules and the deadline is June 28th.  Good luck! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review: Purple Hearts by Tess Wakefield

Pages: 320

Genre: Adult Fiction

Pub. Date: April 25, 2017

Publisher: Atria

Source: Publisher for review

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "When a soldier with a troubled past and a struggling songwriter agree to a marriage of convenience for the military benefits, neither expects much after saying “I do.” Then tragedy strikes, and the line between what’s real and what’s pretend begins to blur in this smart and surprising romance perfect for fans of Nicholas Sparks and Jojo Moyes.  Cassie Salazar and Luke Morrow couldn’t be more different. Sharp-witted Cassie works nights at a bar in Austin, Texas to make ends meet while pursuing her dream of becoming a singer/songwriter. Luke is an Army trainee, about to ship out for duty, who finds comfort in the unswerving discipline of service. But a chance encounter at Cassie’s bar changes the course of both their lives  Cassie is drowning in medical bills after being diagnosed with diabetes. When she runs into her old friend Frankie, now enlisted in the Army, she proposes a deal: she’ll marry him in exchange for better medical insurance and they can split the increased paycheck that comes with having a “family.” When Frankie declines, his attractive but frustratingly intense friend Luke volunteers to marry Cassie instead. What she doesn’t know is that he has desperate reasons of his own to get married. In this unforgettable love story, Cassie and Luke must set aside their differences to make it look like a real marriage...unless, somewhere along the way, it becomes one.."

Cassie's world is turned upside down when she is let go from her steady job.  Instead of falling apart, tries to make the best of it by focusing 100% on her music career as that is her true passion.  Cassie is a part of a band and now that she doesn't have a job and can focus on music, she is hoping that her band will take off.  She is bartending to pay the bills, but there's one problem. She doesn't have health insurance and the timing couldn't be worse. During one of her gigs, she faints and finds out that she is suffering from diabetes, which is a costly disease.  Without insurance, this would be a disaster financially.  One night her childhood friend, Frankie, walks into the bar she is working at and they reconnect.  She meets a few of his friends who are all in the Army and heading off to fight in Afghanistan.  Later on, she asks Frankie if he would "marry" her, so they could receive more money from the government as a married couple and she'd have better health benefits.  Frankie says no, but his good friend, Luke, is interested.  But Luke isn't doing it just for Cassie. He has his own issues and needs more money immediately.  Can they pull this off and make it look like a real marriage?  Tess Wakefield's Purple Hearts is a compulsively readable story about an unlikely romance.  I absolutely adored it.

Cassie is an interesting character in Purple Hearts. I didn't always agree with her choices, but I cared about her a lot.  Her true passion is with her band and while I wanted her to pursue her dreams, it wasn't very practical, especially when she is diagnosed with diabetes.  In walks Luke, who she doesn't hit it off with at first, but they have some sort of connection.  They decide to enter into a marriage of convenience; however, it shouldn't be taken lightly as it's fraud. If they get caught and the consequences are devastating. Can two people who barely hit it off at their first meeting convince the world that they are in love? Cassie isn't too worried about it, because she knows that Luke is going to be shipped off to Afghanistan soon and they won't need to interact too much other than through Skype.  Once he is home, they can get a divorce, right?

I adored Luke in Purple Hearts. I was rooting for him from the beginning. He isn't perfect though, but that's why I appreciated him.  His back story will definitely tug on your heartstrings and he fights his own demons daily.  His own difficult situation gets even more complicated with the return of someone from his former-before the army-life.  He needs more money as soon as possible, so marrying Cassie seems like a good deal.  He just wants to gain the trust back that he broke with his younger brother and his family. Luke just wants his life back, but things keep getting in the way.

Things happen in Afghanistan that complicate things further for Cassie and Luke in Purple Hearts.  I don't want to give too much away, but I absolutely adored their journey.  This book had me flipping the pages late into the night and I just had to know how things would end up for them.

What is even more exciting is that Purple Hearts has already been optioned for film with Gina Rodriguez playing Cassie, which is perfect casting. I think this book will translate very well to the big screen and I can't wait to see who they cast as Luke.

So, if you're looking for a book that will tug on your heartstrings and one that is filled with an unlikely romance which will have you swooning, definitely check out Purple Hearts this summer. It would be the perfect read for a lazy summer day or a relaxing day at the beach.