VIDEO REVIEW
-calliope
chick lit
Review: Second Chance Summer by Jill Shalvis
Aidan and Lily are risk-takers – with anything except their hearts. So when Lily returns to Cedar Ridge for a job and heart-healing, she finds herself more likely to climb rock faces than to kiss Aiden. In the spirit of sexy, contemporary romance, Aiden gives Lily her space while he falls in love with her. And of course she can read it all over his face … and starts to fall hard.
I love these Kincaid brothers! They pull some pretty dumb moves, but they work hard and love hard. Watching brothers and friends look out for each other in matters of life, death, and love really touched me. Shalvis writes a realistic but exciting adventure that left me breathless. Or maybe I was left breathless from the sizzle between Aiden and Lily…
Check it out! Release date: June 30.
-calliope
Review: Cocktails at Le Carmen by Isabelle Andover
Chloe’s transferred from London to Paris for a one- year work contract. And while she’s there she misses her mediocre boyfriend Scott, crushes on handsome boss Jean-Luc, and meets new confidante Rosie. All’s well that ends well, but a lot goes on in the meantime!
This is a very light, fun story about shopping and girlfriends, cocktails and hangovers, and finding a good man while finding oneself. I enjoyed it but found some things a little disconcerting. Andover wrote in a few pages here and there that I thought were to move the plot in a certain direction, but then didn’t. They weren’t quite plot twists, and they weren’t quite plot inconsistencies. They were just odd hints or teases that I expected to be fulfilled in some later chapter, but weren’t. Some extra editing would have helped avoid these pointless insertions.
Besides that, I loved the love story, the friendships and the sibling rivalry. Andover wrote a terrific male lead… who wouldn’t adore a Jean-Luc with a French accent?!
Cocktails at Le Carmen is solid three star chick lit, and I’ll definitely pick up another Isabelle Andover… tout de suite!
-calliope
Review: The Status of All Things by Liz Fenton & Lisa Steinke
Ah, social media. For better or for worse, it’s part of our society, ingrained into our culture these days. Checking in at favorite restaurants, posting selfies at every opportunity…welcome to 2015. Sure, most of us post only the best of the best for the world to see. After all, who wants to read about the argument you had with your significant other? And why would you want the world to know about that, anyway?
But what if, with one quick status update and a fast click on the “post” button, you could change your path, rewrite history even? That’s the premise of this delightful new book cowritten by Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke.
Kate has everything going for her. She has a demanding yet highly fulfilling dream job. She has two best friends who have been with her since childhood. And she’s getting ready to marry the man of her dreams in a wedding straight out of a fairy tale.
Everything comes to a screeching halt, though, when Max calls it off the day before the wedding. Kate’s devastated, and of course she goes on Facebook to share her heartbreak with her nearest and dearest friends. But something has happened. Kate discovers that she unexplainably has the ability to change the past, and the future, by simply writing about it in her status.
Her first order of business is to get Max back, so of course she uses her newfound power to go back in time, to the time before things went so wrong. She soon discovers, however, that nothing is without consequence. And there’s a ripple effect to everything. Each attempt to keep Max as her own leads to another unforeseen outcome, and Kate is left wondering if it’s truly possible to change her path in life, her destiny.
This was a sweet story, funny and witty while also serving as somewhat of a cautionary tale. The authors write with humor but at the same time address the issue of presenting a picture perfect life for the world to see. And it serves as a reminder that what you see is often not the true picture. That status update that’s full of cheer and happiness? It may not be telling the whole story. This story, though, is a perfect summer read!
~Thalia
Buy It Now: The Status of All Things: A Novel
Review: The Story of Us by Dani Atkins
This was my first experience with Dani Atkins and I wasn’t disappointed. I really enjoyed this read it and found it a pleasure from start to finish.
Contrary to popular belief (I suppose even my own) I do enjoy a HEA story from time to time. However, they don’t always have to be predictable. I was a wee bit disappointed that this one was predictable in many ways. I knew from the moment on the roadside what the secret was. I don’t think it necessarily needed to be hinted about and toted though half the book. It could have been exposed far earlier than it was and worked though…
I have to say (and this is my one major complaint, and it still rubs me) **Spoiler**
I was very irritated by this bit:
Maybe I was just being naive, but it hadn’t occurred to me that after the night we’d just shared, Jack would still willing walk out of my life.
Uhhhh….hello!!!!! He had avoided getting serious with you though 85% of the book. He had told you that he had to leave. He had told you that he couldn’t get serious. That he didn’t believe in marriage. Yada Yada Yada….
And yet, you think because he slept with you ONLY after he asked you numerous times if you were sure and sent you away numerous times due to all those statements….well that he would magically turn into someone else? You thought you could change him? Is your vagina really that powerful? Seriously?
Okay….I DID tell you it irritated me….sorry for my little tantrum there…..but seriously women….you whine that men aren’t open and honest enough and talk about their expectations, when in reality you just want what you want and ignore what they do say…..psssfffttttt….
Okay…sorry….there I go again….
Never mind…..just go and read the book! Even though it’s a love triangle, it is handled well. I can’t object (much) with how the heroine handled the awkwardness that I often see in love triangles…
Until next time…
Urania xx
ARC copy provided by Edelweiss and Netgalley for an honest review
Buy it now The Story of Us by Dani Atkins
Review: Worthy by Catherine Ryan Hyde
Catherine Ryan Hyde is one of my most reliable authors. Without fail, her stories make you feel. Their characters are so real and appealing that you can’t help but root for them. Her newest book is no exception.
Worthy is his name, but that wasn’t always the case. Once upon a time, not so very long ago, he went by the name of T-Rex. I know, that’s not a very practical name for a dog. But there’s rationale behind it. Anyway, he once belonged to a woman who loved him very much. But there was a man, a not-so-very-nice man who didn’t want to compete with a dog. So he was dropped off, destined to freeze to death.
But a young man found him and saved him. Or did he actually save the young man? It seems as if they both needed each other at the same time. Through this one not-so-extraordinary dog, two people find each other again.
Never fear, this isn’t a love story. Not really, at least. It’s more than that. It’s the story of a tragic ending to what might have been. And it’s the story of friendship and connection many years later. It’s the story of people helping each other get over their fears and their weaknesses. And it’s not really so much about the dog. Worthy just becomes the key that unlocks the past for both the woman and the young man.
This is a story that’s both sweet and sad. Things don’t end perfectly and happily ever after, but life seldom does. It’s a story that will leave you satisfied, and your heart will be a bit fuller.
~Thalia
Buy It Now: Worthy
Review: Making Your Mind Up by Jill Mansell
Jill Mansell writes satisfying stories. Here it is a week after I finished Making Your Mind Up, and I’m sighing with satisfaction at this complete, thoroughly developed, fun piece of fiction.
So Lottie lives in a little cottage with her two children (when they aren’t with their nice-enough but childish father). She feels chemistry with her new boss Tyler, but her children aren’t having it. They behave badly around him, and speak badly of him. So after a failed attempt at dating, Lottie moves on to ever charming Seb… who isn’t all that he seems to be. I KNEW there was something odd about that guy!
In the end, love prevails, as do family and loyalty and reason.
So besides phenomenal characters and a happily ever after, Making Your Mind Up illustrates the strength of family love. Most of Mansell’s novels are fun and flirty, but this one adds the dimension of children – truth-telling, tiring, joyful parts of us that keep us forever in love.
-calliope
Review: Between Sisters by Kristin Hannah
So Kristin Hannah is a pretty popular author, but I’m not really one for making a reading list based on popularity only. I chose to pick up this book next because I fondly remembered Firefly Lane, also by Hannah. And because the title of this one referenced sisters. I’m a sister, and I have a sister… I love sisters!
Okay except these sisters don’t even get along AT ALL. They’re on different pages, in different ballparks, on different wavelengths. But Meghan keeps trying to make things better with Claire. And it’s the effort that makes all the difference.
The sisters’ relationship developed so nicely throughout the book. Hannah had the women change and grow together, letting the women maintain their quirks and disagreements and strengths and weaknesses. For example, by the end of the book, we see Meghan is still bossy, but she leads with love.
I loved seeing the sisters love each other – really put each others’ needs first. I also enjoyed the sisters’ attempts at communicating with their mother. But it wasn’t all smiles – I cried my eyes out at times… Forewarned is forearmed: get some tissues.
The romance angle was unexpected, I’ve got to say. The choice of love interests surprised me, not just for their uncommonness, but also because I didn’t see how they would fit with Meghan and Claire. But Hannah made it work and eked out a happily every after, so I’m happy. 🙂
-calliope
Review: The Beautiful Daughters by Nicole Baart
One of the very first books I read on my Kindle was After the Leaves Fall by Nicole Baart. It was such a beautiful, lyrical story that it sticks with me to this very day. As do the sequels as well as others written by Baart. So it was with great excitement that I began her newest book.
Adri and Harper were the best of friends. Along with a few select others, they did everything together. Their futures looked bright, and they had their whole lives ahead of them. But then tragedy struck, and their close-knit group of five was reduced to four. Driven apart by equal parts grief and guilt, they all went in separate directions.
Now they’ve been brought back together as Adri comes home to help settle the estate of a family friend. But it’s impossible to pick up where they’ve left off. Too many changes have happened, and too many secrets from the past remain just below the surface.
This is a book that was compelling and intriguing from the very beginning. You just know that there’s more to the story than what you’re getting, and you gladly go along for the ride. The author is such a skillful storyteller that you’re pulled into the story immediately. The characters are likable, and the story is entirely believable. A great read!
~Thalia
Buy It Now: The Beautiful Daughters: A Novel
Review: The Traveling Tea Shop by Belinda Jones
Here’s the premise: Ex-pat Laurie takes British pastry chef Pamela on a food tour of New England. On a red London double decker. Driven by Pamela’s mom… and then later by Pamela’s true love… who has a really good-looking and nice son about Laurie’s age. Sigh.
Oh sorry I got carried away with the romance part.
Most of the book brings you to bakeries in the New England states. You read about gorgeous kitchens and quality ingredients, talented chefs and scrumptious treats. And then you get back on the bus with Laurie et al, check the itinerary, and go on to the next one. And maybe you watch some people fall a little bit in love.
I loved the food, the traveling, the allusions to quirky state stereotypes, the Newport, R.I. scenery, and the cathartic hotel stays. The Traveling Tea Shop gives you a cozy, family feeling, like you’re home on holiday, eating cakes and baking for friends. If I were going to take a road-trip with some friends, this very well might be our guidebook.
-calliope
Random Book Muses 