Christmas Reads

I love Christmas books. They give me the feelings that actual Christmas no longer does. They leave me feeling warm and hopeful, while actual Christmas leaves me feeling stressed and anxious. I'm not a Grinch at all, however, I do struggle with Christmas. My favourite part is all the decorations and lights. My least favourite is shopping. It's become way too stressful and frustrating. I also lost my grandma on December 22nd, 2011, so Christmas just isn't the same anymore.

That all being said, I do love the feelings that Christmas books give me and I always look forward to reading them each year. So far this year, I've only read two. The first was Dashing Through the Snow by Debbie Macomber. I've read a few Macomber books and she definitely knows how to get that Christmas feeling flowing. This book wasn't my favourite. It had a great premise, but it fell a little flat for me.

Ashley has to get home to her mom in Seattle for Christmas and Dash has to get to Seattle for a job interview, but there's a problem, all flights are booked. They both decide to rent a car, but there's only one car left. Despite being strangers, they decide to share the car. I love road trip books, and this one had its moments but I had some issues. I did enjoy the banter between Ashley and Dash. I did not enjoy how elusive Dash was with his job interview. I just wanted to know what job he was interviewing for.

The entire FBI/mistaken identity of Ashley was a little too much and too unbelievable for me. I honestly could have done without that entire setting. The ending was very anti-climatic, and it all ended way too perfectly. I expect Christmas books to be cheesy, but this was almost too cheesy. I did give this 3 stars because I was looking for something quick and cheesy and that is exactly what I got.

I received this book through NetGalley

The next one I read was One Wish in Manhattan by Mandy Baggot. I really adored this one! Hayley is heading to New York with her nine year old daughter Angel with one wish: to find Angel's dad. Angel is the product of a one night stand in New York and now Hayley is determined to find him, even though they've had no contact whatsoever since that one night.

Oliver Drummond is the CEO of a large company, and has a reputation of being a bit of a ladies man. A chance encounter at a Chinese restaurant sets the whole book in motion, but Oliver also has a secret. He believes he has a life threatening gene defect that could end his life at any moment.

As I said, I really liked this book. I could see the setting perfectly, and to see New York at Christmas is on my bucket list. Baggot did an incredible job of setting up the scenery and I really did feel like I was there. Angel and Hayley were so much fun. I loved their relationship and banter. It reminded me a little bit of Rory and Lorelai in Gilmore Girls. They got themselves into a few silly situations, but they only added to the story.

Oliver was a little frustrating at times, but I liked his character, too. He was a little misunderstood, and through the book he really came into himself. I liked the romance because while it was a little unbelievable, it was sweet and imperfect.

My only complaint about this book was that it felt a little bit long at times. It dragged a little bit, but I still really enjoyed it and gave it a 4 out of 5 stars. It's the perfect book to read during this time of year.

What are your favourite Christmas books? I'm always looking for more to add to my list.

Confess by Colleen Hoover

I have a weird relationship with Colleen Hoover's books. I love them, but at the same time, I don't. Earlier this year I read my first, which was Maybe Someday and I freaking loved it. It was so good, and such a breath of fresh air for me. Then I read Slammed and really liked that one, too, but have no interest in reading the other two books. Then came Ugly Love, which was not my favourite but still enjoyable. I had a lot of hope for Hopeless, but the ending was way too dramatic for the storyline.

Reading that paragraph, you'd probably wonder why I keep going back to her books. It's because they're so addicting and I really do love the way she's able to weave a story together. There is always something different about her characters and I appreciate that. You know you're going to get some sort of twist at some point, and that keeps me going back for more.

This month I decided to pick up Confess, and it's another one that I seem to have a love/hate relationship with. The prologue drew me in immediately, and left me needing to know about present day Auburn. Auburn is a weird character. I didn't hate her, and I definitely understood why she ended up doing the things she does, but at one point she says she can't be spineless for reasons (spoilers, so I won't say), and yet being spineless is exactly what she's being.

Owen was another odd character. Hoover's characters are all flawed, but Owen was trying so hard not to be flawed, but may very well be the most flawed. Again, I won't say why because spoilers, but why on earth would you go that far for someone? Maybe I'm just a bad person, but I certainly wouldn't do what he did. The resolution between Owen and his father felt way too forced, too. I really doubt that someone would change that quickly.

The relationship between Owen and Auburn was a little too instantaneous for me, which I do find is a theme in Hoover's books. Owen was driving me crazy constantly saying that Auburn deserved him and having to hear her say it. I didn't hate the pairing, though, as I think they would be good for each other. I just hate that it happened right away.

I loved the art and confession aspect to the story. I read this as an e-book, so the photos weren't in colour, but they were still beautiful. The things like the poetry in Slammed and the art in Confess is another reason why I love Colleen Hoover's books.

I gave this book a 3 out of 5 stars because I didn't absolutely love it, but I didn't hate it. I always enjoy myself as I'm reading the book. It's only after when I start to think about what I'm reading that I develop my love/hate feelings. That being said, I will continue to read Hoover's books because I like her style and I always love the twists.

Mini-Reviews: Ink and Bone and Off The Page

The last two months have not been very good reading months for me. I always seem to get a bit slumpy during the beginning of fall, which makes no sense as fall is such a good reading time. I think I'm finally getting out of the slump, as it's only November 9th and I've already read 3.5 books. In an effort to make this blog more active, I have two mini-reviews today.

 



 

First off, this cover is gorgeous! The spine looks like an old leather bound hardcover, and I just love it. The reason I was so drawn to this book was because it's about books, and because it had a lot of Harry Potter comparisons. It is definitely nothing like Harry Potter. They both take place in a learning environment, but there is no awesome school like Hogwarts in this book. The only real similar thing was a chess set that moves itself, which to be honest, kind of bugged me. Oh, and there's a train that transports them, but it's much more fancy than the Hogwarts Express.

 

I spent the first half of this book not really caring about it. I was liking it enough, but it wasn't completely holding my attention. The premise is really interesting. Real books are kept controlled by the Library and to be in possession of them is a crime. There's a group of students who are being trained to work for the Library (there are different job titles), and then they are sent to war-torn England to try and smuggle out some books. Naturally, people are trying to kill the students. This was when the story got really interesting.

 

At times I found it hard to care about the characters. I thought they were well-written and such, but I just didn't care that much until about the middle of the book. It probably sounds like I didn't enjoy this book, and that's not true. I did like it, but I did have some issues. I didn't really like/care about the romance . It felt forced and rushed and just off. I do plan to read the next one because once I finally became invested in the story, I really needed to know what happens.

 

I gave this a 3 out of 5 stars because it was a bit slow at first, but it ending up picking up in the latter half.

 

 

If you've been reading my blog for any length of time then you know that Jodi Picoult is one of my favourite authors, and I will basically try anything that she writes. Off The Page is the companion book to her book Between The Lines, which was co-written with her daughter Samantha van Leer. I read Between The Lines back in 2012 and really liked it.

 

Between The Lines is about a girl who falls in love with a prince from a book, and about how they try to get him out of the book. Off The Page is about the boy, Oliver, out of the book and living in the real world. I'll mention right away that you do need to suspend your beliefs in order to read this book, but I really loved it. I had such a good time reading this book. It's fun, and cute, and maybe a bit cheesy, but there are also some serious undertones to it.

 

In order for Oliver to leave the book, someone had to take his place. The authors son, Edgar, happened to be the one who took Oliver's place.  The author doesn't know that the boy living with her is the character she created, and most definitely not her son.

 

Watching Oliver try to navigate modern life/high school was funny and sweet, until something happens to the author and it's decided that Oliver needs to go back to the book so that Edgar can come out and be with his mom. Problems arise when they try to get Edgar back out and Oliver back in. I loved the cast of characters, both in the book and in the real world. I will never forgive Picoult and van Leer for a particular THING that happened, though. I just don't think IT had to happen.

 

Like I said before, I had a lot of fun reading this book. It's almost like a modern day fairy tale, and is perfect for anyone who hasn't read a good old fairy tale in a long time. After all, who hasn't fallen for a book character and wished they could be a real person?

 

 



Always the Bridesmaid by Lindsey Kelk

Have you read anything by Lindsey Kelk yet? Because if you haven't, you definitely need to get to it!

From Goodreads: Everyone loves a bridesmaid.
Except Maddie, who’s perpetually asked to be one.
Everyone loves a wedding.
Except Maddie’s best friend, who’s getting divorced.
And everyone loves the way Maddie’s so happy backstage.
Except Maddie herself.
One best friend is in wedding countdown while the other heads for marriage meltdown. And as Maddie juggles her best chance at promotion in years with bridezilla texts and late-night counselling sessions, she starts to wonder – is it time to stop being the bridesmaid?

My thoughts: Kelk is definitely on her game in this new book! If you've read Kelk then you already know that her books are funny, but this one was hilarious. Definitely the funniest book I've read in a while. What I like about her books is that, while funny, they're also real. Her characters are certainly flawed, but in a way that you or I are flawed.

Maddie is sick and tired of being walked on by her friends, family, and work, but is too nice to speak up and say much about it until she's had enough. I found her family to be really frustrating, her sister especially. I can't even remember her name because I was so annoyed with her. The only one who had any sort of redeeming quality was her brother, and even he was a bit of a wanker. Side note, Kelk's books always make me start using British slang. This is not a bad thing.

Maddie's best friends, Sarah and Lauren were also frustrating, but to a lesser degree. I really liked Sarah and her situation made me really sad because who wants to go through a divorce in your early 30s?  She was cynical (obviously) and sarcastic, and I always appreciate good sarcasm. I'd like to read a book with Sarah as the main character. I didn't like Lauren as much because I found her selfish and spoiled, but we all have friends like that. Unless you are that friend, in which case you probably don't even know it. Now you're wondering if you're that friend.

There is, of course, romance in this book. Maddie has a one night stand with Will, which turns into lots of one night stands with him. She can't get him to commit to anything more than bedroom fun, and naturally, can't see the other guy who would be perfect for her. I liked the romance in the book, but it wasn't my favourite part.

Maddie is an events assistant for a large PR firm and has been in the same position for the last 10 years. Her boss is an absolute nightmare and even Satan wouldn't want to work for her. An opportunity for a promotion comes up at work, and Maddie is forced into applying. This is where things got really fun because Maddie is put in full charge of planning a baby welcoming party for a gay couple with extravagant requests. As you can imagine, things don't go so well. This was one of my favourite scenes, and had me laughing like a moron alone on my balcony:

There was a lot of growth for Maddie in the book, and I was excited when she finally started to stick up for herself and refuse to make everyone else happy. It's hard to always be on for everyone else, especially when they don't appreciate it. It was refreshing to see her argue with her friends and finally tell them off because they really needed to hear it.

I loved the very end with all the IMs, emails, and texts, and wished those had been scattered throughout the entire book. I love when authors add little things like that to a story.

If you're looking for something hilarious and light, but with real, flawed characters, check out any of Lindsey Kelk's books. I'm still making my way through her books because I don't want to run out of them. 5 out of 5 stars!

Happiness for Beginners by Katherine Center

From Goodreads: A year after getting divorced, Helen Carpenter, thirty-two, lets her annoying, ten years younger brother talk her into signing up for a wilderness survival course. It's supposed to be a chance for her to pull herself together again, but when she discovers that her brother's even-more-annoying best friend is also coming on the trip, she can't imagine how it will be anything other than a disaster. Thus begins the strangest adventure of Helen's well-behaved life: three weeks in the remotest wilderness of a mountain range in Wyoming where she will survive mosquito infestations, a surprise summer blizzard, and a group of sorority girls.

Yet, despite everything, the vast wilderness has a way of making Helen's own little life seem bigger, too. And, somehow the people who annoy her the most start teaching her the very things she needs to learn. Like how to stand up for herself. And how being scared can make you brave. And how sometimes you just have to get really, really lost before you can even have a hope of being found.

My thoughts: I am definitely a sucker for those novels about people who go on a journey of self discovery. Eat, Pray, Love? I loved it. I think I like them so much because I want to do something similar, but can't at the moment.

Helen was a fantastic character. She was definitely flawed, but she understood her flaws and her self-reflection was great. Even though Helen was a 32 year old divorced woman, I really connected to her. Her feelings and thoughts are some that I've felt, too, so I found reading this book insightful. Plus, it was easy to lose myself in the beautiful setting.

Jake was also a great character. Definitely the epitome of the goofy, good looking guy who may be a little deeper than meets the eye. While I did really enjoy the romance in this book, what I really loved was the actual wilderness adventure and Helen's own personal journey.

The reason Helen decides to go on this wilderness course is because she needs to step out of her normal life and do something entirely different, in the hopes that it will change her. I've definitely felt like this on multiple occasions, but deep down I know that leaving my world for three weeks isn't the answer. It won't bring me lifelong happiness.

Helen starts out as a closed off woman who thinks she's too old to connect with the 'kids' on the trip. She's shy, nervous, and everything I know I would be. Change comes fairly quickly, though, and she's able to contribute to a group she didn't think she'd fit in with. Her growth is really fun to read about. She faces trials on the trail, but her self-reflection and how she deals with them are great. She surpasses her expectations of herself, as well as everyone else's.

This book talks a lot about happiness and what it truly means to be happy. Happiness doesn't have to mean that you're married with 2.5 kids, a big house, and a fluffy dog. Happiness can simply mean that you're content with yourself and what you have right now. Not what you don't have. Not what you want to have, and definitely not what everyone else has. I really liked the idea of keeping a 3 good things journal because happiness truly does come from the ordinary.

I liked Helen at the beginning of the book, but I really liked her by the end. Her growth and attitude change was inspiring. I love reading about people who finally realize their own worth and who decide to embrace it.

This was a 4 star read for me simply because I wanted more of the story.

The Blue by Lucy Clarke

I stumbled upon Lucy Clarke last year, and fell in love with her two books, Swimming at Night and A Single Breath. Both of them made it onto my favourites list for the year, and they're books I push onto others whenever I can. Clarke's writing is just so beautiful and readable. That's not to say it's simple or mindless, because it's definitely not. Her books are detailed, and I absolutely love the mystery in all of them.  The Blue was perhaps a little darker and grittier than her previous two, but it was just as great! I started this book on June 30th, but read the majority of it on Canada Day because I could not put it down. 

 

Go ahead and drop me right into that cover. I'd be one happy girl.

 

Clarke is a master at writing settings that will transport you and make you never want to return to reality. I lose myself in the beautiful surroundings in her books. The Blue had me picturing long, lazy days laying on beaches and snorkeling through coral reefs, while spending the evenings drifting through the ocean on a beautiful yacht. If you have severe wanderlust, like I do, beware, this book will make it 10x worse. 

 

Best friends Kitty and Lana decide to take a trip after some personal issues come to a head, and find themselves enchanted by The Blue, a yacht being sailed by a group of misfits looking for adventure. After befriending the crew, they are invited to continue to sail with the group. In total, there are seven people aboard the yacht, so one can imagine that there would be problems. No one ever imagined a death, though, and that's what happens after one crew member disappears overboard.

 

The characters in this book were fantastic. Considering that there's seven of them, they're all very well developed. Everyone appears to be keeping a secret and no one is entirely up front about why they've come to The Blue. When you live and breathe the sea, trust in your fellow crew members is essential, but what do you do when you're not sure you can trust anyone? The story is told mostly through Lana's point of view after she leaves the yacht, with the perspective switching between the present, and her time on the yacht. Dual perspectives is one of my favourite writing styles when done well, and it works really well in this book. It definitely drew me into the story even more. I HAD to know why Lana left the yacht, and Kitty, behind. 

 

Lucy Clarke tends to reveal the big event early on, and then spends the rest of the book describing what led to the event, and the consequences. In this case, the big event is that the yacht has sunk and all crew members are missing, including Kitty. Once that was revealed, I was done. I needed more. There are always fantastic twists and turns and a few moments where I stopped reading and just said, "what?!" to myself.

 

Oh, and that epilogue. Oooh, that epilogue! Killed me. RIP me.

If I haven't convinced you to read this, Simon and Schuster Canada have kindly provided an excerpt from the book! Read below to get hooked:

 

The paintbrush slips from Lana’s fingers, turning through the air as it falls. It clatters to the floor at the foot of the easel, splattering tiny flecks of blue acrylic paint against her ankle.

Lana doesn’t glance down, doesn’t notice the spots of paint that decorate the small tattoo of a wing inked on her ankle. Her gaze remains fixed on the radio that sits on the windowsill, her fingers raised as if still holding the brush to the canvas. That silver box of metal and wires holds the entire sum of her concentration as she focuses on the voice of a news presenter.

“...has sunk a hundred nautical miles off the north coast of New Zealand. The yacht—The Blue—was believed to have left Fiji eight days ago with a crew of five on board, including two New Zealanders. A search-and-rescue operation has been launched from the Maritime Rescue Centre at the Bay of Islands. The Coast Guard has described the sea state as moderate with wind speeds of up to twenty knots.”

Lana blinks, struggling to absorb the information, as if it’s rain running off hard, scorched earth. Her gaze bores into the radio, willing it to disclose something more, but the newscaster has already moved on to the next story.

She turns on the spot, lifting a hand to her head. She feels the cool silk of her headscarf keeping her hair off her face. It has been eight months since she stepped from that yacht, her skin tanned, her feet bare, a backpack heaved onto her shoulders. She’d walked along the shoreline with dark hollows beneath her eyes and hadn’t looked back. She couldn’t.

As she turns, she catches sight of herself in the long mirror that leans against her apartment wall. She stares: her face has paled, and large green eyes glare back at her, wide with questions. Was Kitty still on board after all this time? Had she stayed even after Lana left? It’s possible that Kitty could have returned to England. Lana tries to picture her riding the Tube with a script in her hand, glossy dark hair loose over her shoulders, her lips painted red. But the image won’t form, not clearly. She knows that Kitty wouldn’t have left the yacht, because how could either of them go home after what’d happened?

------------------------------

See? You know you want to find out what happens! The Blue by Lucy Clarke is available August 4th from all major book retailers. Check it out, as you will not be disappointed. Five out of five wanderlust filled stars.

A copy of this book was graciously provided by Simon and Schuster Canada, so thank you to them!

Those Girls by Chevy Stevens

I discovered Chevy Stevens about two years ago, and have absolutely devoured each of her books. My mom is also a huge fan, and I literally spend most of the year listening to, "when is the next Chevy book coming out?"

Her newest book, Those Girls, came out July 7th and did not disappoint!

From the publisher: Life has never been easy for the three Campbell sisters. Jess, Courtney, and Dani live on a remote ranch in Western Canada where they work hard and try to stay out of the way of their father's temper. One night, a fight gets out of hand and the sisters are forced to go on the run, only to get caught in an even worse nightmare when their truck breaks down in a small town. As events spiral out of control they find themselves in a horrifying situation and are left with no choice but to change their names and create new lives.
Eighteen years later, they are still trying to forget what happened that summer. But when one of the sisters goes missing, followed closely by her niece, they are pulled back into the past. And this time there's nowhere left to run.

Stevens knows how to write a book that will leave you tense with anticipation. Within a few pages, you are sucked into the story and it won't let you go. I found myself all tensed up during a lot of the story, but I could not stop reading. The setting is fantastic because it's set during the hot summer days, but what happens is so dark and horrible. The contrast between the two really adds to the feeling of the book. I should mention that there are some scenes of violence that may be triggering or difficult to read.

I really liked all the characters and just wanted to protect them, especially Skylar (the niece). She was a bit naïve, but that is no surprise considering how protective her mother was. Though naïve, she was also stubborn and strong. Courtney absolutely broke my heart, and watching her struggle to rid herself of the past was difficult. I wish I'd gotten more of Dani's story because I felt like I barely got to know her.

I can barely write this review because I loved the book so much, and I don't want to give away any spoilers. It was visceral and suspenseful and Stevens is a master at writing thrillers that will leave you breathless. I could not turn the pages fast enough, and I actually had to stop myself from reading so quickly because I was missing things.

While this is incredibly intense, the bond between the sisters and the niece is actually heartwarming. I was so emotionally spent by the end, but also so moved and almost happy. Sounds weird for a thriller, right? But it totally worked.

Stevens' books are terrifying because they are situations that can happen to anyone. They aren't hugely fabricated tales, but simple things we all do everyday that lead to terror. These books mess with my head because I find myself wondering what I would do in the same situation and they always make me a little edgy for a few days. I kind of love that, though. Maybe I'm just weird.

Not sure it's for you? There's an excerpt on St. Martin's Press page here that you should check out if you're unsure.  If that doesn't hook you, then well, I don't know what else will.

I can't say enough about how great this book was. If you want a good thriller, pick this up. Still searching for that elusive book after reading Gone Girl? Pick up ANY of Steven's books. I dislike book/author comparisons, but I am willing to make one in this case.

5 out of 5 incredible stars for sure and my favourite thriller this year! I can't wait to pass this onto my mom and go back to listening to "when is the next Chevy book coming out?" I want to know, too, mom.

The Truth and Other Lies by Sascha Arango

From Goodreads: On the surface, Henry Hayden seems like someone you could like, or even admire. A famous bestselling author who appears a modest everyman. A loving, devoted husband even though he could have any woman he desires. A generous friend and coworker. But Henry Hayden is a construction, a mask. His past is a secret, his methods more so. No one besides him and his wife know that she is the actual writer of the novels that made him famous.

For most of Henry’s life, it hasn’t been a problem. But when his hidden-in-plain-sight mistress becomes pregnant and his carefully constructed facade is about to crumble, he tries to find a permanent solution, only to make a terrible mistake.

Now not only are the police after Henry, but his past—which he has painstakingly kept hidden—threatens to catch up with him as well. Henry is an ingenious man and he works out an ingenious plan. He weaves lies, truths, and half-truths into a story that might help him survive. But bit by bit the noose still tightens.

The Truth and Other Lies has me confused. It's one of those books that I'm not sure I either a.) liked or b.) understood. The book opens and you are thrown right into the plot, which I liked. It was so easy to get sucked into this story and into Henry's mind. I disagree about Henry being someone you could like, because I absolutely did not like him. He was manipulative, conniving, and sociopathic. I liked the ride through his mind, though, because his way of thinking is so different than my own (non-sociopathic, that is!). While I didn't like him, I did find him a bit fascinating. He may not have been an author himself, but he could definitely wind together a good story!

I can't say much about the plot without spoiling anything, so I'll just say that it's a little complicated. This is a fairly short book, so you really have to be paying attention because things happen quickly. I did not like a single character in this book as everyone seems shady. Whether they were or not, you can decide for yourself, but I felt like they were. It seemed like nobody truly knew anyone in this book, but I guess that's true life. Can we ever really know someone? Know what they're capable of?

I just finished this book, so I'm still sorting out my feelings. It left a little to be desired, especially the unsatisfying ending. I have questions that I want answers to. I didn't dislike the book, as it did leave me thinking and questioning, which is always a good thing in my mind. I will say, though, that it is pretty literary and descriptive and some of the situations are a bit gory and hard to read.

This has the potential to be a big summer hit, and I think it's the perfect book to read on a dark, rainy night, preferably at an old cabin, to really ramp up the atmosphere.

Overall, it was not my favourite book, but it was still a really interesting story that had me questioning Henry and everyone else the whole time. I rated it 3 out of 5 stars based on Goodreads rating system. It's on sale now, so check it out if you're into unreliable, twisty stories.

*I was provided with a copy of this book by the publisher, Penguin Random House Canada, so thank you so much!*

Cocktails at Le Carmen by Isabelle Andover

From Simon & Fig: When job cuts at Chloe Saddler’s London communications firm result in an unexpected transfer to Paris, she finds herself leaving behind her friends, family, and boyfriend Scott to start a new life in the City of Light. Getting to grips with La Vie Parisienne and keeping a long-distance relationship afloat is not made any easier by the culture shock. Committing the odd French faux pas and inadvertently indulging in a few too many flirtations with her very sexy (and very taken) boss, Jean-Luc, is just the start of it. Factor in her bridezilla of a sister’s wedding (the hottest event of the year in the Saddler family’s social calendar), an unexpected session of hot, naked yoga, a slightly psychotic stalker, and one incredible kiss at an infamous Montmartre nightspot, and Chloe can say au revoir to her old, safe London life and bonjour to the romance, splendour, and glamour of Paris.

If you're looking for a really fun read this summer, this should definitely be on your radar. I was offered this book for review from the publisher, and can honestly say that I really enjoyed it.

I really liked Chloe. She wasn't perfect by any means, but she was funny, intelligent, and not afraid to be herself, even if it earns her the odd glance from people. I loved following along with Chloe in her adventures, finding her way through Paris, renting a flat, making friends, and embarrassing herself.

 I really liked the group of friends, both her London friends and her Paris friends. I appreciate it when authors celebrate female friendship because I think it can be easier to not do so. I would love to be part of their group, and found myself relating to each of them in different ways. Andover did a great job of representing women in all different life stages.

I had a slight issue with the Amanda storyline. I kind of felt like it didn't need to be part of the story. I guess she offered some comic relief, but I just found her creepy and out of place. That was my only slight issue, though.

I enjoyed reading this, and definitely think it makes a great summertime book to enjoy on a patio with a pitcher of fruity drinks. It will make you feel good, and who doesn't like that? You'll cheer for Chloe, hate certain people, and ultimately want to move to Paris. Or at least I do.

Cocktails at Le Carmen by Isabelle Andover is available now, and is a perfect summer book!

A solid 3 out of 5 stars for me.

Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen

I discovered Sarah Dessen about 10 years ago. I had just graduated high school, and my family had rented a cottage for a week. I was a reader back then, but definitely not like I am now, so I wasn't up on all the popular authors. I was browsing my local bookstore because I wanted a book to take to the cottage when I spotted the gorgeous covers that could only belong to Sarah Dessen. I can't remember if I grabbed The Truth About Forever or This Lullaby (I think it was TTAF), but after I read it, I was hooked.

I've always been disappointed that I didn't discover her books until after high school because they would have helped me a lot during that time. Sarah Dessen just gets it, you know? I can always relate to at least one of her characters and her books always make me feel super nostalgic.

That being said, I was starting to worry that I was growing out of her books. I enjoyed The Moon & More, but didn't feel the same way about it that I had with her other books. And that's okay, but I was worried that perhaps I was just too old to identify with her characters.

Enter Saint Anything, Dessen's newest release. Oh, how I loved this book! I identified with Sydney so much, even as a 28 year old married woman. There have been times when I've felt like the outsider of my family, the one who is a little different. I have two older brothers, and sometimes my personality is a little more quiet than theirs, which again, is okay. It can be hard to feel invisible, though.

I loved the Chathams so much. Layla, Mac, and their parents. I even found an appreciation for their sister by the end. Ames was deeply disturbing, and I felt creeped out every time there was a scene about him.

Sydney was a fantastic main character. She was flawed, but she knew that. She never claimed to be perfect in any way, but that just made her more appealing. Layla was definitely reminiscent of a lot of girls I knew in high school. Quick to fall in love (with the wrong person) and perhaps a tad naïve about love (who isn't?), but deep down, a sweet and smart girl. I always finish a Dessen book wondering where these people were when I was in high school. I'm sure they were there, and I would have loved to have been friends with them.

This book reminded me that I'm not too old to be reading Sarah Dessen. This book reminded me that it's okay to be invisible, because there is always someone who will see you. Those are the people that you should focus on. Those are the people that matter.

I'll be 50 and still reading Sarah Dessen novels, and I'm so happy about that.

An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

Look at how pretty this cover is! It shines in the sun!

This book has been so hyped for the last few months, which automatically makes me nervous. You want it to live up to all the hype, and when it doesn't, it always feels more disappointing. This book definitely lived up to all the hype for me. I loved it, and I need a sequel asap. I'm so glad it's been selling well, because that means the odds of the publisher wanting to buy another book are much greater.

From Goodreads: AN EMBER IN THE ASHES is a thought-provoking, heart-wrenching and pulse-pounding read. Set in a rich, high-fantasy world with echoes of ancient Rome, it tells the story of a slave fighting for her family and a young soldier fighting for his freedom.

Laia is a slave. Elias is a soldier. Neither is free.

Under the Martial Empire, defiance is met with death. Those who do not vow their blood and bodies to the Emperor risk the execution of their loved ones and the destruction of all they hold dear.

It is in this brutal world, inspired by ancient Rome, that Laia lives with her grandparents and older brother. The family ekes out an existence in the Empire’s impoverished backstreets. They do not challenge the Empire. They’ve seen what happens to those who do.

But when Laia’s brother is arrested for treason, Laia is forced to make a decision. In exchange for help from rebels who promise to rescue her brother, she will risk her life to spy for them from within the Empire’s greatest military academy.

There, Laia meets Elias, the school’s finest soldier—and secretly, its most unwilling. Elias wants only to be free of the tyranny he’s being trained to enforce. He and Laia will soon realize that their destinies are intertwined—and that their choices will change the fate of the Empire itself.

Sounds crazy, right? This book is not for the faint of heart. There is lots of violence and rape threats, which can make it a difficult read, but that's the entire premise of the Empire.

The characters are varied and so interesting. Laia isn't the super brave heroine that we've come to see in YA fantasy lately. She is strong in her own ways, and does what she does in order to save her brother. She grows a lot throughout the book, and doesn't let any of her hardships sway her from her mission.

The Commandant is absolutely insane, but also fascinating. I liked that we got to see a bit of her back story, because while it didn't make me sympathetic towards her, it did leave me more intrigued.

Elias is more the hero we're used to, but like everyone in the book, he has secrets. I really liked his character because he seems to be one of the only people in the Empire (the actual military part of it) with any sort of brain. He has compassion, wit, and the guts to do what's right. He stands up to his best friend(s), which is never an easy thing.

I did have a few slight issues with the love triangle, but honestly, it didn't take away from my enjoyment of the book. I'm interested to see how that plays out if there's a second book.

I'm probably not doing a great job of reviewing this, but I did really, really like it. The world building was gradual, but sufficient in that there wasn't an overload of information, but you understand the world and its ways. You hate some of the characters and the world, but you also cheer for them. I can't say enough good things about this book. I need a sequel!

Definitely pick this one up if you're in fantasy with a diverse set of characters, and a world that is equally horrible and fascinating.

 

**Photos belong to me, please do not take them without permission

Waiting on Wednesday: The Blue by Lucy Clarke

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine, and is a weekly spotlight on upcoming releases.

I discovered Lucy Clarke last year, and absolutely fell in love. Both of her books were favourite reads for me in 2014. I also passed them along to my mom and sister-in-law, who both really enjoyed them as well.

I reviewed A Single Breath here and Swimming at Night here. I absolutely loved both and can not rave about them enough.

Clarke has definitely become an auto-buy author for me, and I cannot wait for her next book, The Blue. Her covers are always beautiful, too.

Goodreads synopsis: In the tradition of Alex Garland's The Beach, a spine-tingling adventure novel about a group of friends whose journey around the world on a yacht turns from a trip to paradise into a chilling nightmare when one of them disappears at sea.

Lana and her best friend Kitty leave home looking for freedom and that's exactly what they find when they are invited onto The Blue, a fifty-foot yacht making its way from the Philippines to New Zealand. Manned by a young crew of wanderers, The Blue is exactly the escape they are looking for and the two quickly fall under The Blue's spell spending their days exploring remote islands, and their rum-filled nights relaxing on deck beneath the stars.

Yet paradise found can just as quickly become lost. Lana and Kitty begin to discover that they aren't the only ones with secrets they'd rather run from than reveal. And when one of their new friends disappears overboard after an argument with the other crew members, the dark secrets that brought each of them aboard start to unravel.

Yes, please! This sounds like more of a thriller than her previous two novels, but that is absolutely okay with me. It looks like it's set to release August 4th, and I am already counting down the days (103)!

The Wicked Will Rise by Danielle Paige

Last year I read Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige (review here) and fell in love. When I heard that it was going to be a series, I was pretty excited and started the countdown until the second book.

Goodreads Synopsis: To make Oz a free land again, Amy Gumm was given a mission: remove the Tin Woodman’s heart, steal the Scarecrow’s brain, take the Lion’s courage, and then Dorothy must die....

But Dorothy still lives. Now the Revolutionary Order of the Wicked has vanished, and mysterious Princess Ozma might be Amy’s only ally. As Amy learns the truth about her mission, she realizes that she’s only just scratched the surface of Oz’s past—and that Kansas, the home she couldn't wait to leave behind, may also be in danger. In a place where the line between good and evil shifts with just a strong gust of wind, who can Amy trust—and who is really Wicked?

My thoughts: This was nothing like Dorothy Must Die. I feel like nothing really happened. Yes, there was one big issue dealt with (not going to spoil it), but beyond that there was a lot of Amy questioning herself. Am I good, or am I evil? Where do I belong? I got tired of her questions. We get it, you're angsty.

We did learn more about Ozma, and I'm starting to like her character, but there wasn't a lot of character development for anyone else. I was definitely let down by this book, which is unfortunate. I expected more after the action-packed first book, but I didn't get that.

I was also disappointed by the length. Dorothy Must Die was 452 pages and this one was 293 pages. That was probably a good thing, considering that nothing really happened, but still.

It wasn't all bad. I did like some of the new characters we were introduced to and I loved the monkey lair. The ending did leave me wanting to read the next book, so it's not like I'm going to abandon the series, but I think this was suffered from second book syndrome majorly. Here's hoping that the third book is more reminiscent of Dorothy Must Die.

I rated this 3 out of 5, but it's probably more like 2.5.

Where They Found Her by Kimberly McCreight

Disclaimer: I did receive an ARC of this novel (as part of HarperCollins Canada's newly relaunched HCC First Look program) in exchange for a review, but that has not altered my opinion at all.

Synopsis:
At the end of a long winter in well-to-do Ridgedale, New Jersey, the body of an infant is discovered in the woods near the town's prestigious university campus. No one knows who the baby is, or how her body ended up out there. But there is no shortage of opinions.

When freelance journalist, and recent Ridgedale transplant, Molly Anderson is unexpectedly called upon to cover the story for the Ridgedale Reader, it's a risk, given the severe depression that followed the loss of her own baby. But the bigger threat comes when Molly unearths some of Ridgedale's darkest secrets, including a string of unreported sexual assaults going back twenty years. Meanwhile, Sandy, a high school dropout, searches for her volatile and now missing mother, and PTA president Barbara struggles to help her young son, who's suddenly having disturbing outbursts.

Told from the perspectives of Molly, Barbara, and Sandy, Kimberly McCreight's taut and profoundly moving novel unwinds the tangled truth about the baby's death, revealing that these three women have far more in common than they realized. That the very worst crimes are committed against those we love. And that—sooner or later—the past catches up to all of us.

My thoughts:
I've said it before, but I love thrillers, especially those that are a little psychological and play with your mind. If you've read Kimberly McCreight's massively popular Reconstructing Amelia than you're familiar with how fantastic McCreight's writing is. She is able to weave a fascinatingly creepy story about a small, wealthy town and the secrets surrounding it. This book had me up beyond my bedtime.

Where They Found Her kept me guessing. I hate 'thriller's that are easy to figure out. That was not a problem with this book at all. Everyone is a suspect, and everyone has some sort of motive. While this book was creepy, it was also sad. Molly is still struggling with the loss of her own infant daughter, Sandy can't find her mother and assumes the worst, and Barbara is trying to cope with her son who everyone thinks is becoming crazy. I liked this aspect of the book, though, because it's far from that notion of the idyllic college town. It's real life, and real life is scary.

The pacing was excellent. It gripped me right away and kept me interested the whole time, without any major lack. The characters were creepy because they were both relatable and different. You can probably find yourself in one of the characters, and that always makes a thriller seem more real and scary. Like I said, real life is scary.

I rated this a 4 out of 5 because I did have a very slight issue with the ending. I won't say what it is because it's a spoiler, but I just felt like the resolution to one issue was inconsistent with the characters previous actions, and it made me sad for that character.

Where They Found Her is on sale today, and is definitely the perfect book to curl up on the couch with during a rainy April.

Inside The O'Briens by Lisa Genova

 

At the end of December, I read that Lisa Genova (of 'Still Alice' fame) had a new book coming out in 2015. Luckily for me, it was on NetGalley and I was approved! I've read all of her previous books, and admire that she can take a medical disease/disorder and make it completely readable. I love that I'm learning something not only about the physical body, but also about human nature, compassion, and love.

Inside The O'Briens examines what happens to a family after a Huntington's diagnosis. In case you don't know, Huntington's is a neurological degenerative disease that has no treatment, no cure, and sadly, is genetically inheritable.

Joe is a 41 year old cop who absolutely loves both his job and his close-knit family. After experiencing some strange symptoms, Joe goes to the doctor for a checkup, where he later receives the diagnosis. Perhaps more devastating than the diagnosis itself, is being told that any, or all, of his four grown children could carry the same gene.

Can you even imagine? Finding out that you have a degenerative disease, and oh, hey, the people you love most might develop it, too. Oh, and you are the one who passed it to them. I can't even fathom what would go through a person's mind. Genova delves right in to that exact question and examines it

I will say that it was a little slow, but that's only because there is a lot of family development. Once the diagnosis is revealed, the pace picks up and the book really becomes interesting. There are tests that can be done to see if you are gene-positive (does not mean that you will develop it, but the chances are higher), so each of Joe's children must decide if they want to find out or not.

Finding out why each child chose to find out or not was definitely my favourite part of the book. I found myself nodding along to their reasons for and against finding out, and tried to figure out what I would do in that position. I'm still trying to decide what I'd do. I especially enjoyed reading about Joe's youngest daughter, Katie. The story mostly takes place through Joe's perspective, but Katie has some chapters, too. I do wish that each family member had their own chapters, but that would have probably made the book really long.

I ended up giving this about a 3.5 out of 5 stars, because while it was very interesting, it was a little slow in places, and I didn't enjoy it as much as 'Still Alice'. It's still a great read, and I will always read whatever Lisa Genova writes because I just love to learn as I read.

Waiting on Wednesday: Where They Found Her

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine and is a weekly event that spotlights upcoming book releases.

I read Reconstructing Amelia by Kimberly McCreight in December of 2013, and I still think about it from time to time. McCreight's upcoming release, Where They Found Her is due out April 14th, 2015 from HarperCollins.

Love this cover!

From Goodreads, "An idyllic suburban town. A devastating discovery. Shocking revelations that will change three lives forever.

At the end of a long winter in well-to-do Ridgedale, New Jersey, the body of a newborn is found in the woods fringing the campus of the town's prestigious university. No one knows the identity of the baby, what ended her very short life, or how she wound up among the fallen leaves. But among the residents of Ridgedale, there is no shortage of opinions.

When freelance journalist, and recent Ridgedale transplant, Molly Anderson is unexpectedly called upon to cover the disturbing news for the Ridgedale Reader—the town's local paper—she has good reason to hesitate. A severe depression followed the loss of her own baby, and this assignment could unearth memories she has tried so hard to bury. But the history Molly uncovers is not her own. Her investigation unravels a decades-old trail of dark secrets hiding behind Ridgedale's white picket fences.

Told from the perspectives of three Ridgedale women, Kimberly McCreight's taut and profoundly moving novel unwinds the tangled truth behind the tragedy, revealing that these women have far more in common than they could have ever known. That the very worst crimes are committed against those we love. And that—sooner or later—the past catches up to all of us."

Also, check out this awesome book trailer from HarperBooks YouTube channel:

How can you NOT want to read that?! Come on, April!

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

Historical fiction is a genre that I don't tend to read a lot of, but that I love. It's a genre that's full of rich details, despair, poverty, and ultimately hope. Kristin Hannah's The Nightingale was no exception. If pressed to give an answer on my favourite authors, I always answer with Jodi Picoult and Kristin Hannah. They never disappoint.

From Goodreads:
In love we find out who we want to be.
In war we find out who we are.

FRANCE, 1939

In the quiet village of Carriveau, Vianne Mauriac says goodbye to her husband, Antoine, as he heads for the Front. She doesn’t believe that the Nazis will invade France...but invade they do, in droves of marching soldiers, in caravans of trucks and tanks, in planes that fill the skies and drop bombs upon the innocent. When France is overrun, Vianne is forced to take an enemy into her house, and suddenly her every move is watched; her life and her child’s life is at constant risk. Without food or money or hope, as danger escalates around her, she must make one terrible choice after another.

Vianne’s sister, Isabelle, is a rebellious eighteen-year-old girl, searching for purpose with all the reckless passion of youth. While thousands of Parisians march into the unknown terrors of war, she meets the compelling and mysterious Gäetan, a partisan who believes the French can fight the Nazis from within France, and she falls in love as only the young can...completely. When he betrays her, Isabelle races headlong into danger and joins the Resistance, never looking back or giving a thought to the real--and deadly--consequences.

With courage, grace and powerful insight, bestselling author Kristin Hannah takes her talented pen to the epic panorama of WWII and illuminates an intimate part of history seldom seen: the women’s war. The Nightingale tells the stories of two sisters, separated by years and experience, by ideals, passion and circumstance, each embarking on her own dangerous path toward survival, love, and freedom in German-occupied, war-torn France--a heartbreakingly beautiful novel that celebrates the resilience of the human spirit and the durability of women. It is a novel for everyone, a novel for a lifetime.

My thoughts: I read this book fairly slowly (for me) because I wanted to absorb everything about it. I needed time between readings to fully comprehend the sadness and the beauty in both the words and the story.

I fell in love with these characters. Strong, resilient Isabelle and her equally strong sister Vianne. Both women had crosses to bear and their own struggles, but each made the war their own and did what they had to in order to survive. Vianne may seem like the sister who is less strong, but as the story goes on, you see the sacrifices she has to make in order to keep her family safe. It could not have been easy to be a woman (or person) in occupied France during World War II. I feel like any comment I make will not even be close to describing the horrors and sadness of that time, but Kristin Hannah does a good job at it.

This is definitely a tough book to read. It's heartbreaking, dark, and at times can be very difficult to read, but it's important. My history lessons as a child were about the soldiers. The men who fought the war and the men who started the war. I don't remember learning much about the women during the war, but they were fighting, too, and ooh, fight they did. This book, while dark, celebrates women in the war. You won't get battle scenes here, but you will get strong women battling to fight their own demons - inner and outer.

I'm having trouble properly reviewing this book because I don't want to give too much away. I want people to pick this up because it's an important book to read. It will satisfy historical fiction lovers, as well as those just looking for a good read. Have some Kleenex handy, and perhaps some funny animal photos, because you will cry. You'll reach the end with tears running down your face, but also with hope and love for the real people who suffered through the war. After all, Vianne and Isabelle are just characters, but real people are the ones who fought, died, and survived during this awful time. Read it for them.

*photos by me.

All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

Every so often a book comes out that is so important, and beautifully written, and I just want to shove it into everyone's hands. All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven is that book for me right now. I don't even think I'm going to able to properly put my feelings into words, but I'll try.

From Goodreads: Theodore Finch is fascinated by death, and he constantly thinks of ways he might kill himself. But each time, something good, no matter how small, stops him.

Violet Markey lives for the future, counting the days until graduation, when she can escape her Indiana town and her aching grief in the wake of her sister’s recent death.

When Finch and Violet meet on the ledge of the bell tower at school, it’s unclear who saves whom. And when they pair up on a project to discover the “natural wonders” of their state, both Finch and Violet make more important discoveries: It’s only with Violet that Finch can be himself—a weird, funny, live-out-loud guy who’s not such a freak after all. And it’s only with Finch that Violet can forget to count away the days and start living them. But as Violet’s world grows, Finch’s begins to shrink.

My thoughts: What I loved most about this book was that there wasn't a huge focus on labels. There was a short piece about Finch possibly being bipolar, but that was not the focus. This is important because people need to realize that depression is an illness. It's not a character flaw, it's not someone just being sad because they got a bad grade, it's a sickness. I hate hearing about people dismissing feelings because they assume the person is just sad or looking for attention. Mental illness is much more than that.

This book has the potential to start a discussion. I'm not sure how I feel about it becoming a movie, however, I do feel like (if done correctly), the book could start a discussion about teen mental illness that is so needed and important. Mental illness is often suffered in silence, and it doesn't have to be.

I hope people will read this book. While marketed as a young adult novel, it should be read by everyone. Yes, it's sad and heartbreaking and will knock you down, but it will make you think and reassess your thinking process. Perhaps you'll look at those "sad people" differently, of if you're suffering from a mental illness, I hope you realize that you're not alone.

All the Bright Places is about mental illness and suicide, but ultimately, it's about hope and life, and making the most of the time we're given; even if it's just a short time.