Book Review “The Heart Principle” by Helen Hoang

Summary (from bn.com):

A woman struggling with burnout learns to embrace the unexpected—and the man she enlists to help her—in this heartfelt new romance by USA Today bestselling author Helen Hoang.

When violinist Anna Sun accidentally achieves career success with a viral YouTube video, she finds herself incapacitated and burned out from her attempts to replicate that moment. And when her longtime boyfriend announces he wants an open relationship before making a final commitment, a hurt and angry Anna decides that if he wants an open relationship, then she does, too. Translation: She’s going to embark on a string of one-night stands. The more unacceptable the men, the better.

That’s where tattooed, motorcycle-riding Quan Diep comes in. Their first attempt at a one-night stand fails, as does their second, and their third, because being with Quan is more than sex—he accepts Anna on an unconditional level that she herself has just started to understand. However, when tragedy strikes Anna’s family she takes on a role that she is ill-suited for, until the burden of expectations threatens to destroy her. Anna and Quan have to fight for their chance at love, but to do that, they also have to fight for themselves.

My thoughts: I joined Book of the Month in February and have really been enjoying all of my picks. I’m also loving the fact that it has opened my eyes to new genres – such as the whole rom com phase that seems to have exploded!

So when I saw “The Heart Principle” pop up as an August selection, I jumped on it. It is the author’s third book in the Kiss Quotient series, but I jumped right in.

I have to admit this rom com was just a huge miss for me. I don’t consider myself a prude but it just had too much sex in it for . . . we get it already. The sexual content didn’t move the storyline forward at all and it just became long and repetitive.

I really enjoyed the two main characters, but in general the storyline plodded along for me, a bit disjointed and stagnant. All of a sudden the last twenty pages or so became feelings, wonderfully mushy, deep, and meaningful – which is frankly what I thought the whole book would be.

Oh well, you win some and you lose some. All in all a miss for me.

And remember,

Books are Life,

Heather

Book Review: “People We Meet on Vacation”

Title: People We Meet on Vacation

Author: Emily Henry

Book of the Month April 2021

Summary:

Two best friends. Ten summer trips. One last chance to fall in love. 

From the New York Times bestselling author of Beach Read, a sparkling new novel that will leave you with the warm, hazy afterglow usually reserved for the best vacations.

Poppy and Alex. Alex and Poppy. They have nothing in common. She’s a wild child; he wears khakis. She has insatiable wanderlust; he prefers to stay home with a book. And somehow, ever since a fateful car share home from college many years ago, they are the very best of friends. For most of the year they live far apart—she’s in New York City, and he’s in their small hometown—but every summer, for a decade, they have taken one glorious week of vacation together. 

Until two years ago, when they ruined everything. They haven’t spoken since. 

Poppy has everything she should want, but she’s stuck in a rut. When someone asks when she was last truly happy, she knows, without a doubt, it was on that ill-fated, final trip with Alex. And so, she decides to convince her best friend to take one more vacation together—lay everything on the table, make it all right. Miraculously, he agrees. 

Now she has a week to fix everything. If only she can get around the one big truth that has always stood quietly in the middle of their seemingly perfect relationship. What could possibly go wrong?

My thoughts: Loved, loved, loved this book! Back in February in the doldrums of winter I somehow decided to join Book of the Month Club (like the 300 books I already have on my shelf weren’t good enough) 🙂 I needed more. When I joined, I promised myself “ok I will only get the one per month, nothing else added on”. Well that thought lasted for February when I got one book. March comes along and I decide I will add just one add on. Enter April – I added 2 add ons and the original so 3 books. That escalated quickly – but I’m so glad it did as it brought me to this wonderful book and author that I never ever would have picked up.

I didn’t really know what to expect, I figured another cute romance – ok what can I lose. It was that and more. It was just a fun, well-written rom com with witty banter between the two main characters that was laugh out loud funny at times.

The main characters were quirky and loveable in their own rights . . . the premise of the storyline really fun.

Overall, a wonderful story of friendship, differences, changes, and the definition of true love!

If you are heading out on vacation this summer grab this book and the author’s Beach Read (review coming soon) and you are all set for some fabulous reading by the pool, the beach, the mountains, . . . wherever you are headed!

And remember,

Books Are Life,

Heather

Book Review “Girl A” by Abigail Dean

Summary (from bn.com):

She thought she had escaped her past. But there are some things you can’t outrun.

Lex Gracie doesn’t want to think about her family. She doesn’t want to think about growing up in her parents’ House of Horrors. And she doesn’t want to think about her identity as Girl A: the girl who escaped, the eldest sister who freed her older brother and four younger siblings. It’s been easy enough to avoid her parents—her father never made it out of the House of Horrors he created, and her mother spent the rest of her life behind bars. But when her mother dies in prison and leaves Lex and her siblings the family home, she can’t run from her past any longer. Together with her sister, Evie, Lex intends to turn the home into a force for good. But first she must come to terms with her siblings—and with the childhood they shared.

What begins as a propulsive tale of escape and survival becomes a gripping psychological family story about the shifting alliances and betrayals of sibling relationships—about the secrets our siblings keep, from themselves and each other. Who have each of these siblings become? How do their memories defy or galvanize Lex’s own? As Lex pins each sibling down to agree to her family’s final act, she discovers how potent the spell of their shared family mythology is, and who among them remains in its thrall and who has truly broken free.

For readers of Room and Sharp Objects, an absorbing and psychologically immersive novel about a young girl who escapes captivity–but not the secrets that shadow the rest of her life.

My thoughts:

I picked this book as my Book of the Month for February and to be honest went in completely blind. From the description I expected a dark psychological thriller like many others I love on the market. What I received from this book was something even more beautiful (yes in a very dark way) and profound!

I expected this book to focus solely on the horrific abuse the 7 Gracie children endured during their childhoods . . . this book instead focused on their stories of resilience, different ways of coping with trauma in their lives, and their stories of survival, relationships, and “family”.

The author’s writing style beautifully blended each of the Gracie children as adults with their stories of abuse and how they each used different coping skills and styles really to survive and continue on with their lives.

Really, really enjoyed this realistic look at how trauma manifests itself differently in different individuals through beautiful story telling that is profound and hopeful yet rightfully dark and horrific at the exact same time.

And remember,

Books Are Life,

Heather

Book Review: “Every Last Lie” by Mary Kubica

Title:  Every Last Lie

Author: Mary Kubica

Synopsis (from bn.com):  A widow’s pursuit of the truth leads her to the darkest corners of the psyche in this exhilarating thriller from New York Times bestselling author Mary Kubica

Clara Solberg’s world shatters when her husband and their four-year-old daughter are in a car crash, killing Nick while Maisie is remarkably unharmed. The crash is ruled an accident…until the coming days, when Maisie starts having night terrors that make Clara question what really happened on that fateful afternoon. Who would have wanted Nick dead? And why? Clara will stop at nothing to find out—and the truth is only the beginning of this twisted tale of secrets and deceit.

Told in the alternating perspectives of Clara’s investigation and Nick’s last months leading up to the crash, master of suspense Mary Kubica weaves her most chilling thriller to date—one that explores the dark recesses of a mind plagued by grief and shows that some secrets might be better left buried.

My thoughts:   Lately, I’ve become obsessed with Mary Kubica’s books . . . I have 4 on my shelf, have finished 2, and yes I just ordered the other 2 I don’t have.   I just can’t put them down once I start . . .buckle up and enjoy the ride!!

This one unfortunately gets mixed reviews from me . . . only because of the absolutely horrible ending!   I thought the book itself once again in Kubica style, took the reader on a mind game of a journey . . . all sorts of possibilities as to what may have actually happened, just when you think you for sure have it figured out there is another twist and you are another great ride.

And then unfortunately . . . comes the ending . . . absolutely anticlimactic, ridiculous, horrible waste of time ending.   The last few pages of this book and the resolution of the story literally ruined the entire book for me . . . which I actually enjoyed!    Ugh, so frustrated with this one . . .

Anyway . . . reader beware, if you don’t want to be frustrated don’t read this one!!!!

 

And remember

Books Are Life,

Heather

 

Book Review: “Don’t You Cry” by Mary Kubica

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Title:  Don’t You Cry

Author:  Mary Kubica

Synopsis (from bn.com):  An electrifying tale of deceit and obsession

In downtown Chicago, Esther Vaughan disappears from her apartment without a trace. A haunting letter addressed to My Dearest is found among her possessions, leaving her roommate Quinn Collins to question how well she really knew her friend. Meanwhile, in a small town an hour outside Chicago, a mysterious woman appears in the quiet coffee shop where eighteen-year-old Alex Gallo works as a dishwasher. He is immediately drawn to her, but what starts as an innocent crush quickly spirals into something far more sinister.

As Quinn searches for answers about Esther, and Alex is drawn further under the stranger’s spell, master of suspense Mary Kubica takes readers on a taut and twisted thrill ride that builds to a stunning conclusion and shows that no matter how fast and far we run, the past always catches up with us.

 

My thoughts:   I can’t believe this book has been on my shelf for years and I’ve just been starting at it.   Love, love, LOVED this book and it’s author.   I was in a bit of a reading slump lately so reached for a good psychological thriller and this certainly fit the bill . . . phew what a ride.

About a third of the way in once I was starting to get familiar with the main characters, I could just feel it was getting creepy . . . although I couldn’t identify why or how.    Then as each chapter passed, the book got increasingly creepy and I knew something wasn’t right.

I literally couldn’t put this book down and then couldn’t wait to pick it up again, in fact little secret – I got up this morning, made myself a cup of coffee, came back up in my bed to drink coffee and read for about 2 hours until I finished this book.   I had to see the resolution and the end did not disappoint.   Great read and I immediately went to myself to pick out another Mary Kubica I had right there.

If you are looking for a psychological thriller that takes you on a fast, fun ride . . . read it!!!

And remember,

Books Are Life,

Heather

 

Book review: “A Heartbeat Away” by Michael Palmer

Synopsis (from bn.com):  On the night of the State of the Union address, President James Allaire expects to give the speech of his career. But no one anticipates the terrifying turn of events that forces him to quarantine everyone in the Capitol building. A terrorist group calling itself “Genesis” has unleashed WRX3883, a deadly, highly contagious virus, into the building. No one fully knows the deadly effect of the germ except for the team responsible for its development—a team headed by Allaire, himself. The only one who might be able to help is virologist Griffin Rhodes, currently in solitary confinement in a maximum security federal prison for alleged terrorist acts, including the attempted theft of WRX3883 from the lab where he worked. Rhodes has no idea why he has been arrested, but when Allaire offers to free him in exchange for his help combating the virus, he reluctantly agrees to do what he can to support the government that has imprisoned him without apparent cause.

Meanwhile, every single person in line for presidential succession is trapped inside the Capitol—every person except one: the Director of Homeland Security, who is safely at home in Minnesota, having been selected as the “Designated Survivor” for this event. With enemies both named and unnamed closing in, and the security of the nation at stake, Griff must unravel the mysteries of WRX3883 without violating his pledge as a scientist to use no animal testing in his experiments…and time is running out.

Tense, thrilling, and entirely plausible, A Heartbeat Away will make you reflect, wonder, and be truly afraid.

 

My thoughts:   Loved, loved, loved this book!   A terrorist group releases a deadly virus directly into the chamber during the President’s State of the Union address . . . could there be a more exciting start to a book.

What ensues is chaos, political agendas, struggles for power, medical mysteries, and a hunt for the cure.

An absolute thrill ride of a book that I literally did not want to put down.

If you love a good virus book and a mix of a medical and political mystery do youself a favor a get this book now!!!

And remember

Books Are life,

Heather

Book Review: “Where the Crawdads Sing” by Delia Owens

Synopsis (from BN.com):  For years, rumors of the “Marsh Girl” have haunted Barkley Cove, a quiet town on the North Carolina coast. So in late 1969, when handsome Chase Andrews is found dead, the locals immediately suspect Kya Clark, the so-called Marsh Girl. But Kya is not what they say. Sensitive and intelligent, she has survived for years alone in the marsh that she calls home, finding friends in the gulls and lessons in the sand. Then the time comes when she yearns to be touched and loved. When two young men from town become intrigued by her wild beauty, Kya opens herself to a new life—until the unthinkable happens.

Where the Crawdads Sing is at once an exquisite ode to the natural world, a heartbreaking coming-of-age story, and a surprising tale of possible murder. Owens reminds us that we are forever shaped by the children we once were, and that we are all subject to the beautiful and violent secrets that nature keeps.

 

My thoughts:  Oh man . . . I really, really wanted to love this book . . . and have to be completely honest – I didn’t!   I almost feel dirty writing that out here in public as the publishing world, Reese Witherspoon’s book club, and the public were just raving about how good it was . . . it’s beautiful, lyrical writing . . . and on and on.

Yes the book was beautifully written, passages were lyrical . . . and I did enjoy learning about the nature of the marshes of North Carolina.

However, from the very first few chapters I simply couldn’t get past the absolute ridiculous unrealistic premise of the story.   Spoiler alert if you haven’t read the book.  Come on people, yes I know its a work of fiction . . . but a 6 year old child raises herself in the marshland of North Carolina, goes to the store in town with $ she’s made, goes to school one time . . . it’s set in the 1960’s and no social service agencies check on this child, . . . you get my drift.   This uneducated girl then grows up to write a number of scientific type nature books based on her life in the marsh.

Nope, I just couldn’t get past it.

And the chapters involving the murder investigation felt odd, forced, out of place . . . it was as if the two storylines didn’t fit together.

I should have known. . . books that are overhyped, all over the media and the public falls in love with – I typically will hate.

Oh well, simply not for me . . . for those that loved it I’m glad you are reading and enjoyed your journey!

And remember,

Books Are Life,

Heather

 

Book review: “Scones & Bones” by Laura Childs (Tea Shop Mystery #12)

Title:  Scones & Bones

Author:  Laura Childs

Series:  Tea Shop Mystery #12

Synopsis (from bn.com):  Indigo Tea Shop owner Theodosia Browning is attending the Heritage Society’s Pirates and Plunder show when a histroy intern is murdered amidst the gold earrings and doubloons. Even with that on her plate, Theodosia still has to attend Charleston’s Food and Wine Festival, where she’s hosting a tea and cheese tasting. But as her thoughts keep drifting to the victim, Theodosia knows she’ll have to whet her investigative skills to find the killer among a schooner of suspects.

My thoughts:   This is a very popular, well known cozy series indeed.   I’m working my way through the series oh so slowly, with stops at other books along the way.   This wasn’t my favorite in the series by any means . . . mostly because I just wasn’t a fan of the whole Pirate theme, but that is just me.   This one seemed to move really slowly . . .

Overall, a charming cozy mystery series . . . likable characters, warm cozy locations, one can learn quite a bit about the culture of Charleston . . . a win for me.

And remember,

Books Are Life,

Heather

Book Review: “By Cook or by Crook” by Maya Corrigan (Five-Ingredient Mystery #1)

Title:  By Cook or by Crook

Author:  Maya Corrigan

Series:  Five-Ingredient Mystery #1

Synopsis (from bn.com):

Take one burned-out city girl. Add a crusty codger, a pinch of gossip, and a dash of romance. Stir in a generous helping of murder and you’ve got the ingredients for one truly delicious mystery. . .

Haunted by the car accident that ended her career as a cookbook publicist, Val Deniston has traded in the chaos of New York City for a quieter life near the Chesapeake Bay. Living with her curmudgeonly grandfather in the tourist town of Bayport is hardly glamorous, but she enjoys working at the Cool Down Café at the local fitness club, and she finally has time to work on her long-planned cookbook. But when one of the club’s patrons is found dead, she’ll have to cook up a scheme to find the killer. As the number of suspects rises like crabs in a bucket, it’s out of the pan and into the fire for Val. If she can’t find the culprit soon, she might as well be chum in the water. . .

My thoughts:  Well . . . I was doing some shelving in my personal library the other day and was looking for a new series to read . . . alas I found this long lost book on my shelf and it fit the bill.

I want to say I loved this cozy mystery, but I just didn’t love it.  Yes, it has all the hallmarks of a cozy mystery – a cozy, beach location, a heroine who is trying to get over some devastating past, a murder that everyone gets involved in . . . but I just didn’t love or feel connected to the characters right away.   I particularly don’t enjoy the curmudgeon grandfather character – it is fine, he just strikes me the wrong way and I get irritated.

And it sounds odd, since this book is really only from 2014 but it is amazing in the last 6 years – how aged the book really seems – it struck me a couple times talking about a landline in the house and such.   Didn’t make or break the book for me, but I definitely noticed it.

I believe I have the second book in this series on my shelf already so I may go back for one more to see if I can connect with the characters . . . but that may have to be it.

And remember,

Books Are Life,

Heather

 

 

 

Book Review: “Tide and Punishment” (Seaside Café Mystery #3)

Title:  Tide and Punishment

Author:  Bree Baker

Series:  Seaside Café Mystery #3

Synopsis (from BN.com): 

No one dreams of a killer Christmas…

It’s Christmastime in Charm, North Carolina, and while Everly Swan would prefer to focus on decorating her iced tea shop for its first holiday season, Great-Aunt Fran has decided to run for mayor against her long-time nemesis. But when the other candidate turns up dead just before the first scheduled debate, all eyes turn to Fran as the suspect with the most obvious motive.

Everly knows her sweet, elderly Aunt Fran couldn’t have murdered anyone, but as she struggles to find the real killer, it begins to seem like this may be the last merry Christmas her family may ever have.

 

My thoughts:  I absolutely love this cozy mystery series.  I found the series “by mistake” if you will during a trip to the bookstore and perusal through the cozy mystery section – everytime I see the words “First in a New Series” chances are its coming home with me.   And this series ended up being a big winner.

What is not to love – great engaging characters, a seaside Iced Tea shop (man why don’t these cozy locations exist in my real life), descriptions of a beachside town,  . . . it is all just good and makes for a great cozy read.

And like any good reader . . . man now I have to wait until May 2020 for her next book in the series . . . A Call to Kelp!

Great read . . . go get it today 🙂

And remember . . . Books Are Life,

Heather