Category: Book Review

Book Review

A British Girl’s Guide to Hurricanes and Heartbreak

TheShelfLife

A British Girl’s Guide to Hurricanes and Heartbreak by Laura Taylor Namey

Publication Date: September 2023 | Thanks NetGalley for an ARC

Overall Verdict: A cute companion novel that shares a story of drama, love, friendship and finding yourself against all odds.

4/5 Stars

Book Summary: Flora has always been known as a ‘hurricane’ in her family, having trouble managing her emotions. When her mother passes after a long term illness, Flora leaves her home in England to try and find herself in Miami. Along her journey she meets new people and connects even deeper with some people she has known all her life. In doing so, Flora attempts to repair her heart and determine her place and future.

My Analysis: This is a companion novel to A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow (which I LOVED), but can absolutely be read as a stand alone. Overall it’s an enjoyable read for fans of romance and coming of age tales. The standout thing that I disliked about this one however was the main protagonist. Flora drove me a little crazy and it was honestly hard to want to root for her when she was just kind of a horrible person to everyone around her. I get that part of it was to show her growth etc, but that made it tougher for me to get into fully. The secondary characters though were brilliant. I loved every single one of them and they were what carried me through more so than Flora. I also liked that this was a bit of a flip from Cuban Girl’s Guide and the reader is able to see the British girl in a Miami setting this time. A cute realistic fiction with some drama and romance.

Book Review

The Meadows

TheShelfLife

The Meadows by Stephanie Oakes

Publication Date: September 2023 | Thanks NetGalley for an ARC

Overall Verdict: Dystopian reminiscent of The Handmaids Tale that dives deep into an alternative society, for a story full of emotion. If you are a dystopian fan, this one is definitely recommended.

4/5 Stars

Book Summary: A new society has emerged after natural disasters plague the planet, focusing on conformity. Anything that is deemed to upset the ‘natural order’ is forbidden. When Eleanor receives a letter to go to The Meadows, she thinks that she has finally found her place. As she begins her time at the school however, she realizes that the motivations of the Matrons may not be what she originally thought. When she meets Rose, Eleanor begins to further question her place in The Meadows and within society.

My Analysis: Overall I enjoyed the journey of reading this book. I thought that is was a unique take on a dystopian society and that it was mostly well done. I do wish the author would have described a bit more background either at the beginning to set the stage more or have revealed it throughout. I wanted to know more of the how and why behind all of the details that led to this society and the way it is. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters, and I thought it was nicely done how you are able to see how different people coped and reacted to similar circumstances. Definitely led to some emotional moments! There is a ‘then’ and ‘now’ format to the book which at first I didn’t care for, but I enjoyed more as I read on. The connection between the two helped to add to the overall story and character development. It could be just the ARC, but I didn’t love that it wasn’t indicated in the chapter heading whether we were in the past or present. Didn’t take long to figure it out, but just a little per peeve of mine for that kind of writing. Overall, a solid dystopian!

Book Review

Pride and Prejudice in Pittsburgh

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Pride and Prejudice in Pittsburgh by Rachael Lippincott

Publication Date: August 2023 | Thanks NetGalley for an ARC

Overall Verdict: A solid romance and coming of age story, so long as you can look past the lack of explanation of time travel and historical aspects.

2.5/5 Stars

Book Summary: Audrey feels the future she dreamed of falling apart. When a family friend visits the convenient store she works at, things get even more strange when she finds herself transported back to the year 1812. There she meets Lucy, who is currently being courted despite her own hesitations about her future. The two become instantly close and begin to realize they bring out the best in one another.

My Analysis: As far as romance goes, this was solid. I enjoyed the building relationship between Lucy and Audrey and the challenges that both of their lives present. The historical aspects of the book though were underwhelming. They were not nearly as detailed as they could have been, and I don’t really see historical fiction fans enjoying this one. Like I said though, if you’re looking for some romance, this would work for you! Another thing that I really couldn’t get past in this book was the time travel. Really cool in concept and I was very interested in reading this, but again it just didn’t deliver. Everyone was just so accepting of the idea of time travel and it is extremely fanciful. It is however very neatly wrapped up at the end, which I appreciated.

Book Review

Everyone Here Is Lying

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Everyone Here Is Lying by Shari Lapena

Publication Date: July 2023 | Thanks NetGalley for an ARC

Overall Verdict: Adult title that has YA crossover potential. A straightforward thriller that shares a suspenseful story, even if the tropes are a bit overdone.

3/5 Stars

Book Summary: Dr. Wooler has been having an affair, up until it’s horrible end this afternoon. When he arrives home early to unexpectedly find his daughter Avery home, he loses his temper. Later, it is discovered that Avery has gone missing. As the police search for her, secrets of a small town come to light.

My Analysis: This is an adult title, but I can see the YA crossover potential. It is extremely suspenseful right from the start, a classic thriller. The events that occur are a bit overdone in this genre of lit, but it doesn’t diminish the overall story. I just didn’t love all of the things that happened, and think it could have been better if some things were changed a bit. I really enjoy Lapena’s writing however, and it was very interesting to see multiple perspectives of different characters. She really dives into the heads and thoughts of each character which really drives the plot. If you’re looking for a straightforward thriller give this one a try!

Book Review

Artifice

TheShelfLife

Artifice by Sharon Cameron

Publication Date: November 2023 | Thanks NetGalley for an ARC

Overall Verdict: A must-read for fans of historical fiction! Cameron flawlessly combines past events together to provide well developed characters and a suspenseful plot.

4.5/5 Stars

Book Summary: Growing up in a gallery, Isa has always been surrounded by the art world. When the Nazi occupation of The Netherlands takes hold, she must confront ways to resist and survive. When Isa realizes just how much money can be made selling art forgeries, she risks everything to help the resistance and the rescue of Jewish children.

My Analysis: This book was fantastic. Anyone who enjoys historical fiction will thoroughly enjoy this story. In the authors note Cameron discusses how she pondered the ‘what-if’ possibility of two historical events that were occurring simultaneously colliding, and she does this flawlessly. I appreciate that this author takes on a time period that is frequently written about, but always looks at new perspectives. At some points I almost felt like I was reading a thriller with how suspenseful the plot was. It was a little slow to start, but once you get past that is it pretty fast paced. The only part that I didn’t care for as much was some of Isa’s character traits. They annoyed me, but that also may have been the point. Otherwise, a very solid and well thought out read!

Book Review

Where He Can’t Find You

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Where He Can’t Find You by Darcy Coates

Publication Date: November 2023 | Thanks NetGalley for an ARC

Overall Verdict: A creepy page turner that will keep you invested in intriguing characters, so long as you can suspend disbelief of reality.

4/5 Stars

Book Summary: Abby and her friends have a set a rules to keep them safe from the Stitcher, who haunts their small town with disappearances and murder. When her sister goes missing, she will stop at nothing to uncover the secrets of the Stitcher.

My Analysis: I was unsure about how I would feel about this book, but I gave it a try because it had a very interesting premise. I throughly enjoyed it and found myself looking forward to when I could read more. The author does a nice job of writing in some pretty creepy moments. Some of which are a bit gruesome in description, so be aware of that. I also enjoyed the historical aspects of the characters that were intertwined with the overall story. It was very interesting to hear personal past experiences from characters. The biggest challenge with reading this book though is that the reader has to suspend disbelief in reality for it to really work as a novel. That does go along with any kind of supernatural elements, but there are other moments throughout that you just have to accept instead of question the likelihood of it actually happening.

Book Review

Going Bicoastal

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Going Bicoastal by Dahlia Adler

Publication Date: June 2023 | Thanks NetGalley for an ARC

Overall Verdict: If you can get past the sometimes juvenile writing, this a decent romance story that also factors in friendship and family. It is intriguing to see the possibilities of both options in the choice Natalya has to make.

2.5/Stars

Book Summary: Natalya has two choices: stay in NYC with her Dad for the summer or go out to LA to visit her Mom. Going Bicoastal shares what could happen in both scenarios weaving together two alternate realities. In each, Natalya finds love, friendship and a direction for her life.

My Analysis: I was totally hooked by the premise of this book – one character with two alternative story lines? So intriguing! Overall the plots for both scenarios were solid, although I did find myself more interested in one version over the other. What bothered me though was how hard the author was trying to make her characters sound ‘cool.’ Some of the language was too juvenile, even for a YA book, especially for the events that occur throughout the story. It took quite a bit of the enjoyment out of the reading of it for me, and I found myself eye rolling far too many times. I did however really enjoy the representation of the Jewish population in this book. It was a very realistic component to the story and I appreciated how the main character held this as a part of her identity. I also think the author did well with how Natalya shares that she is bisexual. She let the stories speak for themselves in sharing her feelings, thoughts and experiences.

Book Review

All That’s Left to Say

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All That’s Left to Say by Emery Lord

Publication Date: July 2023 | Thanks NetGalley for an ARC

Overall Verdict: A powerful look into the impact of opioid addition with well-developed characters. A slow pace, but well worth the read.

4/5 Stars

Book Summary: Hannah is lost in the grief of her cousin, who died unexpectedly of an overdose. No one close to Sophie knew she was using, and Hannah is determined to find an explanation for her death. Enrolling at her cousins private school, Hannah uncovers secrets while keeping many of her own. Along the way, she ends up teaming with Sophie’s friends and her long time enemy.

My Analysis: I really enjoyed this book. I wasn’t sure at first as it went at a bit of a slow pace, but I do ultimately think that is was necessary for the author to get the depth of character development that she was able to accomplish. This story shares an important topic about opioid addition and the fallout for everyone involved with those using. The author handles the topic very well, and gives insight into the impact of family and friends of those who have overdosed. There is also a dual-time line with past events and present events intertwined. I thought this was helpful to the overall story and keeps the reader guessing, but as the time lines came closer together I did find myself having to double check which I was currently reading through. Overall, definitely recommended to any fans of realistic fiction.

Book Review

Here Lies Olive

TheShelfLife

Here Lies Olive by Kate Anderson

Publication Date: October 2023 | Thanks NetGalley for an ARC

Overall Verdict: If you are very into reading ghost-related material and have exhausted everything else on the topic, give this a read. If not, it may be best to skip this one.

1/5 Stars

Book Summary: Ever since Olive had a near death experience, she has been obsessed with what comes after we die. She has decided to keep everyone at a distance, with the thought that the Nothing that comes after death makes creating relationships pointless. Olive finds herself faced with a ghost, who she strikes a deal with. She will help him locate his unmarked grave if he tells her what comes next in the afterlife. A somewhat unlikely crew bands together on this endeavor in hopes of getting answers and saving the town from some suspicious events that occur.

My Analysis: I had a really tough time getting into this book. The premise sounded interesting, but overall, I just don’t think it was executed well. I really liked the descriptions in the beginning of the dark tourism of the town, but unfortunately it went downhill from there. I think ultimately it would be better suited as a middle grade book (with the removal of some more YA moments) and would appeal more to that audience. Olive’s mental health struggles with death were done well, as were her relationships with the other characters. As much of a horror book as this set out to be however, the supernatural aspects and ghosts represented fell flat. I had thought by the summary that Olive would be the only one able to see the ghost in the story, and I think that would have been much better for the plot. Understanding that some suspension of reality must occur in this genre, the supernatural abilities seemed overly coincidental for the characters who happened to get together in the narrative.

Book Review

Last Girl Breathing

TheShelfLife

Last Girl Breathing by Court Stevens

Publication Date: November 2023 | Thanks NetGalley for an ARC

Overall Verdict: A suspenseful thriller that focuses on deep character development, trauma, and the lengths people will go to to protect and survive.

4/5 Stars

Book Summary: Lucy has never been able to escape the tragedy that took her younger brothers life. Years later, she is focused on making the Olympic Air Rifle team when disaster strikes her small town again. Two murders that occur on the same land where her brother died push her into investigating secrets and suspicion seems to be pointing at everyone.

My Analysis: I enjoyed this book! I am a fan of Court Stevens, and the writing did not disappoint. It is a little slower paced at some points, but overall the characters keep you guessing throughout. Although it is written for a YA audience, I can see some of the younger side of that demographic struggling to get into the story. This novel is more depth than pure entertainment to read. I like that the author included a female protagonist that is interested in air rifle shooting. This is something that could be appealing to some readers who don’t usually get to see that combination represented. I really appreciated the character development throughout and the comprehensive nature to the story which combined together past and present events. So long as you’re able to put up with the slow burn pace, this is a thriller you don’t want to miss.