The Dollhouse by Fiona Davis
4 stars
Rose is a journalist living with her boyfriend in the historic Barbizon building. Once a hotel for women, such as Sylvia Plath, it is now a condominium for the wealthy. Except for the residents of the fourth floor, which are holdouts from the different era. Rose meets one of those residents and her exploration into a drama which occurred in the 1950's consumes her as her own life begins to crumble. Shifting in narratives between the fifties and 2016, this novel explores a period of time in which the options for an independent woman were extremely limited. I enjoyed this story and appreciated learning about New York City in the mid twentieth century. I liked the characters and rooted for them to branch away from stifling relationships. Overall, an enjoyable and interesting read. I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Friday, February 28, 2020
Taking Control of Your Thoughts
Get Out of Your Head: Stopping the Spiral of Toxic Thoughts by Jennie Allen
3.5 stars
This is a short, easy to digest book with some really good advice about using scripture, faith and your own will power to take control of your thoughts. I will say that I got a lot more about of the second 2/3 of the book. I am still not quite sure I got her personal experience and how it affected her, it was a bit vague. Once she offering strategies, though, the book felt a lot more applicable. I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 stars
This is a short, easy to digest book with some really good advice about using scripture, faith and your own will power to take control of your thoughts. I will say that I got a lot more about of the second 2/3 of the book. I am still not quite sure I got her personal experience and how it affected her, it was a bit vague. Once she offering strategies, though, the book felt a lot more applicable. I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Tuesday, February 18, 2020
Another World War II Account
The Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz
By Erik Larsen
Publication Date - February 25, 2020
3 stars
I automatically pick up Erik Larsen’s book because he is a talented and entertaining nonfiction author. This one, about the bombing of London during World War II and Churchill’s actions, was not one of my favorites. It is always a good reminder of the horrific actions during this war, but I am not sure this would be categorized as the best or the most gripping of the many books on this subject. It was well-written, but I had a hard time picking it up to continue reading. This was just an okay read for me. I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
By Erik Larsen
Publication Date - February 25, 2020
3 stars
I automatically pick up Erik Larsen’s book because he is a talented and entertaining nonfiction author. This one, about the bombing of London during World War II and Churchill’s actions, was not one of my favorites. It is always a good reminder of the horrific actions during this war, but I am not sure this would be categorized as the best or the most gripping of the many books on this subject. It was well-written, but I had a hard time picking it up to continue reading. This was just an okay read for me. I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Monday, February 10, 2020
Historical Romance Review
Fair Weather Enemies by Sawyer North
Publication Date - February 10, 2020
4 stars
This is an incredibly sweet and interesting historical romance from an author new to the genre. The story follows two people from enemy families who are forced on a difficult treasure hunt through the lake district of nineteenth century England. Their banter is witty and and the romance builds slowly and realistically. One thing to note is that it is a relatively chaste historical romance, however, I still enjoyed getting to know these characters. I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The Earl Not Taken by A.S. Fenichel
Publication Date - March 17, 2020
3 stars
Poppy is somewhat of an outcast in society, she speaks what is on her mind and does not have much time for societal niceties. She doesn't really need anyone besides her three best friends who have dubbed themselves wallflowers. When one of her friends might become bethrothed to a mysterious duke, she enlists the help of her childhood antogonist, Rhys, in order to discover if the duke is good enough for her dear friend. This started out strong and I read the first third very quickly. It then turns a little ridiculous as some of Poppy's attitude and the resulting obstacles just doesn't make a whole lot of sense. Overall, this was entertaining, yet also a little frustrating. I received ad digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Highland Sword by May McGoldrick
Publication Date - March 31, 2020
4 stars
This is a continuation of an excellent historical romance series that read more like the best of historical fiction. The writing, the plot and the historical detail are fantastic and the romance is delightful, if maybe a little underdeveloped. This is definitely an author I will continue to read. I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
To Have and to Hoax by Martha Waters
Publication Date - April 7, 2020
2.5 stars
This historical romance has an interesting premise. The two main characters have been married for five years and are in the middle of a four year argument that has caused them not to speak to each other or interact at all. In order to get her husband's attention the heroine, Violet, pretends to be sick even going to the extreme of hiring an actor to portray her doctor. It just gets more ridiculous from there. I appreciate anytime an author tries to mix up the genre but the characters in this one just annoyed me more than anything. I can foresee that some people will really enjoy the back-and-forth of this book but it just wasn't for me. I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Publication Date - February 10, 2020
4 stars
This is an incredibly sweet and interesting historical romance from an author new to the genre. The story follows two people from enemy families who are forced on a difficult treasure hunt through the lake district of nineteenth century England. Their banter is witty and and the romance builds slowly and realistically. One thing to note is that it is a relatively chaste historical romance, however, I still enjoyed getting to know these characters. I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The Earl Not Taken by A.S. Fenichel
Publication Date - March 17, 2020
3 stars
Poppy is somewhat of an outcast in society, she speaks what is on her mind and does not have much time for societal niceties. She doesn't really need anyone besides her three best friends who have dubbed themselves wallflowers. When one of her friends might become bethrothed to a mysterious duke, she enlists the help of her childhood antogonist, Rhys, in order to discover if the duke is good enough for her dear friend. This started out strong and I read the first third very quickly. It then turns a little ridiculous as some of Poppy's attitude and the resulting obstacles just doesn't make a whole lot of sense. Overall, this was entertaining, yet also a little frustrating. I received ad digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Highland Sword by May McGoldrick
Publication Date - March 31, 2020
4 stars
This is a continuation of an excellent historical romance series that read more like the best of historical fiction. The writing, the plot and the historical detail are fantastic and the romance is delightful, if maybe a little underdeveloped. This is definitely an author I will continue to read. I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
To Have and to Hoax by Martha Waters
Publication Date - April 7, 2020
2.5 stars
This historical romance has an interesting premise. The two main characters have been married for five years and are in the middle of a four year argument that has caused them not to speak to each other or interact at all. In order to get her husband's attention the heroine, Violet, pretends to be sick even going to the extreme of hiring an actor to portray her doctor. It just gets more ridiculous from there. I appreciate anytime an author tries to mix up the genre but the characters in this one just annoyed me more than anything. I can foresee that some people will really enjoy the back-and-forth of this book but it just wasn't for me. I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Tuesday, February 4, 2020
Popular Release
Dead to Her by Sarah Pinborough
Publication Date - February 11, 2020
4 stars
I read this author’s previous psychological thriller, Behind Her Eyes, and wasn’t a huge fan of the supernatural twists. Suffice to say, I went into this book with with a bit of trepidation. This, though, is deliciously dishy with fairly horrible people all around and a good old fashioned mystery (with just a dash of the supernatural). This was fun, and I didn’t root for anyone because they were all terrible and yet it was so well paced that I enjoyed every page. I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The World of Borgia
The Borgia Confessions by Alyssa Palombo
Publication Date - February 11, 2019
4 stars
The Borgia family dominated Roman political and religious culture in the late 15th century. The family is mostly known for its ruthless and scandalous behavior and that is on display in this historical fiction retelling. The author does stick fairly close to historical research and stays away from the more salacious (and probably unlikely) gossip which provides an interesting yet entertaining glimpse into the private lives of the Borgias. There is more written about politics then I was expecting but I ended up learning quite a bit about fragmented Italy at that period of time. I love meaty historical fiction and I think I would include this in that category. I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Publication Date - February 11, 2019
4 stars
The Borgia family dominated Roman political and religious culture in the late 15th century. The family is mostly known for its ruthless and scandalous behavior and that is on display in this historical fiction retelling. The author does stick fairly close to historical research and stays away from the more salacious (and probably unlikely) gossip which provides an interesting yet entertaining glimpse into the private lives of the Borgias. There is more written about politics then I was expecting but I ended up learning quite a bit about fragmented Italy at that period of time. I love meaty historical fiction and I think I would include this in that category. I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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