Tag: Realistic Fiction

Book Review

After You Vanished

TheShelfLife

After You Vanished by E.A. Neeves, Narrated by Kathleen McInerney

Publication Date: September 2023 | Thanks NetGalley for an ARC | Audiobook Version

Overall Verdict: An emotional story that shares the journey of a sibling navigating the grief of her missing sister.

3.5/Stars – Novel

5/5 Stars – Narrator

Book Summary: Teddy has worked at Bottomrock Lake every summer, including last year when her twin sister went missing. Izzy went for a midnight swim in the lake, and was never seen again. When Izzy’s friend Toby comes to work at Bottomrock, Teddy begins to dive deeper into what happened to her sister. She can’t help but continue to question everything, including how an Olympic level swimmer could have gone missing in a lake. As Teddy investigates she learns there was more to her twin than she ever knew.

My Analysis: This is one of those books where not a whole lot happens in terms of events, but instead you get so emotionally invested in the characters. The author did a nice job in sharing the characters and their grief. I really felt for all of them and what they went through. I also liked the descriptions of the relationship between the twins. I thought it was an interesting take on a sibling relationship. I listed to the audiobook version of After You Vanished and I thoroughly enjoyed the narrator. She did a wonderful job speaking and in really making you feel the emotion involved in the plot. If you’re a realistic fiction fan but like a hint of mystery, give this one a try!

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

Going Bicoastal

TheShelfLife

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

TheShelfLife

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

Wolfpack

TheShelfLife

Wolfpack by Amelia Brunskill

Publication Date: June 2023 | Thanks NetGalley for an ARC

Overall Verdict: An intriguing story told in verse. If you are willing to only gain a surface level understanding of the characters and cult life, it is worth the quick read! Realistic fiction with a mystery twist.

3.5/5 Stars

Book Summary: Wolfpack shares the story of a group of girls living in a remote location that they are told is a safe haven from the outside world. Under the leadership of a man named Joseph, these girls live life by his code and readers see a glimpse into their experiences. When one of the girls goes missing and no one seems to notice, the group starts to investigate the cause of her disappearance.

My Analysis:

This book is written in verse, and is a very quick read. It is broken up into chapters each focusing on one of the ‘wolfpack’ girls, but the author does little to really dive in to each specific character. If it wasn’t indicated, each chapter could have been the same characters perspective. I wish more time had been spent getting to know the individuals, I think it would have made for a larger impact to the story overall. It is also important to note that if you are looking for a book that dives into the inner workings of cults, that this is not what you’re looking for. Although it is clear these girls have grown up in a cult environment and that is key to their story, only surface level information about the cults inner workings are revealed throughout. Overall it did hold my attention and I was curious to know the outcome of the mystery that is presented as the story unfolds. The inner thoughts of the girls at Havenwood are intriguing and their bond with one another helped to garner emotion. If the characters and the cult life went a little deeper, it definitely would have added greatly to the story.