TBR Challenge: Gilly Macmillan - The Fall

Be careful what you wish for...
Nicole and Tom's lives are changed overnight by a ten-million-pound lottery win.
Before they know it they've moved into a state-of-the-art Glass Barn conversion in the stunning grounds of Lancaut Manor in Gloucestershire.
But their dream quickly turns into a nightmare when Tom is found dead in the swimming pool, with a wound on his head.
Someone close to home must be responsible. But other than the young couple who live in the Manor, and their housekeeper in the Coach House next door, there's no one around for miles.
Who among them is capable of murder?

Comment: October is almost over, it seems incredible, but here we are for one more TBR Challenge post. The theme for this month is "the hunt" and my mind went right away to a story in which someone is being hunted, which happens in pretty much any type of thriller. This book is set in a secluded peninsula, so I imagined that someone, at some point, might chase someone else.

In Lancout there are two incredible houses close by, one of them a state of the art glass construction where an old barn used to be. Their owners, Tom and Nicole won the lottery and were able to do things according to their preferences and all seemed to go well but now Tom is dead and the only people she can ask for help are her neighbors Sasha and Olly at the grand manor. The police arrive and start investigating but the clues don't seem to match the way they thought and the more they look up to things, the stronger the feeling something isn't quite right with the people in these houses. But what really happened? Is now Nicole in danger too?

What made me interested in this book was the cover of a different edition followed by a recommendation at a site I usually check. It seemed to imply this would be a very moody read and with a villain who would need to be found by the police so that reassured me even further when I chose it for this theme.

The plot doesn't have a huge amount of twists but there are enough surprises to make the reading exciting and seemingly fast paced. The story is narrated by many characters, Nicole, Sasha, Ollly, police officers Hal and Jen, and housekeeper Kitty. Then, a major information comes to light half way, kind of, and we also follow Tom's last day alive. There are also some journal entries by Anna, who used to own the grand manor house before Olly and Sasha. It does seem as if it's too many people but they are all different style narrators and I was able to set them apart easily, even with their names on top of the chapter indicating whose POV we were having.

The story begins with Nicole being the one finding Tom and we follow her shocking reaction while she goes to the manor to ask for help. From this moment on, we know something isn't quite right in the whole setting but as discover what secrets are being kept as we peel them off, one by one. I will admit that when the first major twist is presented, while it's not truly surprising because of the hints we had been given, it was still quite a surprise. I think the author did a great planning of the plot's development, for the most part, and at this point, I was fully convinced of it.

The more the story developed, the more interesting it became, especially if I think about the psychological aspects of everything. I say this because, in terms of action and events, this isn't the busiest plot, but the way we link what happens to characters and their motivations, personalities, then this really becomes a much more appealing story to read. Perhaps, I could say that the author didn't go as far she she could with this element, because sometimes we would have some moments about the characters (like how Hal, the police officer, thought Jen to be a good person to date, if she were to find him attractive, and in spite of them being co workers) which didn't evolve in any meaningful way. Well, not in how things are worded, at least.

The writing sometimes wasn't very polished, to be honest, and I think a better story telling here and there would have made the difference. Still, this plot did engage me completely, and I was still doubting who could be Tom's killer, although the plot's development kind of made it a little obvious but, perhaps not... I wondered if the author would write this incredible last twist or something... I'd say, for the sake of the TBR Challenge's theme, that one or two characters seemed to chase someone else at different moments, so I stand by my choice regardless of what others might think.

As one can imagine, all characters hide some kind of secret, but to me it was obvious from the start who was less likely to turn out to be innocent. Thinking this, I expected a great finale but that is where the story lost some points for me. The last chapters with all the twists were captivating and the action resulting from the characters' decisions very thrilling on their own, but... But, the personality established for some characters and how they play out some choices at the end didn't match. Sure, the author could have deceived the reader all this time, but at the very end, two details disappointed me. Thus, a lower grade than the five stars I was planning on giving.

The very end was a let down. It was not necessary for those two characters to do what they did and not for those reasons so I was annoyed, I confess. Anyway... I might try another book by this author one day, to see how it compares.

Grade: 8/10

NR Walker - To the Moon and Back

Gideon Ellery had the perfect life. Nice house, great job, and a long-time boyfriend. Weeks after adopting his nephew, his boyfriend splits, leaving Gideon a single father to a newborn. Overwhelmed, sleep deprived, and unsure how to navigate fatherhood, he’s asked to return to the office. He’s overwhelmed and at his breaking point.
Toby Barlow is back in Sydney after three years of studying, travelling, and nannying in the UK. He needs work and a place to live, and the perfect solution drops in his lap. After all, caring for a sweet baby in a beautiful home owned by a gorgeous single man isn’t exactly terrible.
Gideon isn’t too keen to share his life with a stranger, but his need for help is too great. Sunshiny Toby isn’t prepared for a grumpy Gideon or his utterly adorable son, Benson. Or how easily he slots into their lives. And Gideon’s not prepared for how much he needs Toby.
Or how much he wants him.
Neither is prepared for the complications of falling in love.

Comment: I have read other books by this author before and have liked them, thus why I decided to try this one. Plus, I remember a friend once saying that is was a low angst cozy read... and that seemed good enough reason!

Gideon Ellery is now the proud father of a baby and he loves this new role but it is also a fact that he is way over hid head and needs help. His partner left him because he didn't want to be a parent, and now Gideon struggles to manage which is why he accepts his friends' suggestion to get a nanny.

Toby Barlow has been living in the UK but happily came back to Australia and to work as a nanny, especially since baby Benson is so adorable. His father is as well, but Toby knows there has to be a professional distance between them.

However, as these two bond over how much they care for Benson and on how suitable to one another they are, is there a way for them to be together if Gideon isn't paying Toby to be his employee?

This was, truthfully, a very very low angst story just as I had hear it would be and, probably, this is an element that might seem quite boring to some readers, because nothing really intense is presented here. The relationship develops slowly but in a very considerate way, the characters are likable but not over the top in any way and everything goes smoothly, even when they face some food poisoning. I can understand why it is a little boring to some people.

The story is very sweet and full of considerate elements. Everyone is a good person and that means everything is a matter of polite conversation and decision making. Nothing wrong with this, in fact what a way to convey consideration and consent at several levels, but it does not make for a tense enough read. Even the personal relationship between Toby and Gideon seemed a bit too bland at times, even though we know, from their thoughts, that they have doubts on whether the other one might feel the same.

The set up seems easy enough, but I confess the live-in nanny situation isn't one I'm very familiar with where I am. Still, it helped with proximity and a cozy environment for the guys to learn more about one another. I think the romance was sweet and very easy and the intimacy part seemed fine too. Personally, however, the idea of Gideon having a mustache that is often compared with Tom Selleck's was a bit of a let down, not that I am against mustaches, but it seemed such an obvious physical statement that made me appreciate it less.

The plot goes as easily as one can imagine, with the guys dealing with the little things in an adult way and by having honest conversations,which should be the norm but then it makes for a not as thrilling romance. Gideon has some negative aspects to deal with in his life,namely with how things went on with his ex, and how he got to adopt his sister's baby legally, which didn't happen in an easy emotional process, and I suppose this was the element to offer the necessary tension. Toby's family life was certainly less complicated and his mother, in particular, was a sweet secondary character.

Honestly, there isn't much I can say without simply describing the main events of what the characters did everyday, so the cozy label is definitely suitable. At the same time, it could have been a much more engaging novel if other things had been made to seem more complicated... anyway, it was a nice, simple read.

Grade: 7/10

A.K. Caggiano - Throne in the Dark

His dark destiny awaits, and nothing will stand in his way. Except her.
Dark lord
Demon spawn
Prophesied realm destroyer
With a demon for a father, Damien Maleficus Bloodthorne’s destiny could be nothing but nefarious, and with the completion of his most vicious spell, Damien is on the cusp of fulfilling the evil inevitability all of his dark machinations have led to.
And then, her.
Bubbly
Obnoxious
Blonde
Harboring secrets of her own, a tiny yet troublesome thief calling herself Amma completely upsets Damien’s malevolent plans when she mistakenly gets chained to his side through magic, forcing him to drag her across the realm. Killing her would fix things, of course, but the nauseatingly sweet Amma proves herself useful on Damien's unholy crusade and then proves herself the source of something even more sinister: feelings.
Will Damien be forced to abandon his villainous birthright to help the tender thorn in his side? Or will he manage to overcome the virtue Amma insists on inspiring and instead cut it out at the heart?

Comment: I decided to give this book a try after seeing it being recommended as having a grumpy/sunshine pairing and I do like this romance pairing, so...

Damien is the son of an evil lord and he feels his destiny is to be as evil. He also wants to help free his father, who has been imprisoned in a crystal, and to do that he finally comes up with the perfect tool, a magical orb. However, his plans to use the orb, which would allow him to control someone in the best place to be useful, go terribly wrong when he meets this young woman at a market and she tries to rob him. In the process, she grabs the orb, which is then absorbed by this woman, making it necessary for him to stick close to her...

Amma is on a mission, she wants to retrieve a certain scroll, and she had to travel to a shady area where it's supposedly located, but all goes wrong when she meets Damien. Now, not only does she need to stay close to him but she is being controlled by him. Nevertheless, she is able to see a side of him that isn't as evil as he claims to be, but how will he react when he learns her secrets?

I didn't have a great reading experience with this one, to be honest. The little summary I wrote above is pretty much all I got from this story, because the details are very fuzzy and I can't say I'm really disappointed I didn't get more details. This was a boring story to me.

Of course I can now say that the writing style didn't work for me, I could not see the opposites attract trope nor the world building being as attractive as it was meant to be. I struggled with having interest and I confess I actually forced myself to keep going, just to not DNF another book. What I liked, which is the reason I didn't grade this even lower, was the individual details about some characters and the magical elements here and there.

The plot is confusing to me, the only thing I got out of it was that both main characters had a mission, had to accomplish a certain task and then they went, looking to do it. On the way, it seemed as if they were on a sort of road trip, in which they met many new people, for some reason or another, and sometimes that gave them a new perspective things and of one another, sometimes it felt as if they were simply doing stuff because the plot had to advance.

Since I wasn't particularly interested in either mission - at first Damien seemed he would be a complex character but I quickly lost interest - I was just turning the pages without retaining much information. I got the feeling not much was happening and the goal was for Damien and Amma to become aware of each other and realize there was more to them than what seemed at first. Usually, I love these types of romances, in which protagonists "peel off" layers as they get to know each other, but this time I didn't have that sensation.

When I finished, I saw the reference that the story would continue in the next installment, thus this being a trilogy of course not everything was made obvious here, but I don't feel interested in going on. I liked Damien, for the most part, and would not mind knowing more about him, something that can be remedied by looking at reviews on the next books, but Amma wasn't a character I empathized with, personality wise. She's a great person but... not captivating to me. Clearly, their romance was pretty much nonexistent here, this is the first book and things were mostly being set up.

This didn't work out for me. Several elements were cute, yes, but the ensemble of them didn't seem to fit properly, even more so when the tone was also meant to be slightly funny (it wasn't, for me). Anyway, one more off the pile.

Grade: 4/10

Fredrik Backman - My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry

Elsa is seven years old and different. Her grandmother is seventy-seven years old and crazy—as in standing-on-the-balcony-firing-paintball-guns-at-strangers crazy. She is also Elsa’s best, and only, friend. At night Elsa takes refuge in her grandmother’s stories, in the Land-of-Almost-Awake and the Kingdom of Miamas, where everybody is different and nobody needs to be normal.
When Elsa’s grandmother dies and leaves behind a series of letters apologizing to people she has wronged, Elsa’s greatest adventure begins. Her grandmother’s instructions lead her to an apartment building full of drunks, monsters, attack dogs, and old crones but also to the truth about fairy tales and kingdoms and a grandmother like no other.
My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry is told with the same comic accuracy and beating heart as Fredrik Backman’s bestselling debut novel, A Man Called Ove. It is a story about life and death and one of the most important human rights: the right to be different.

Comment: One more book I try by this author... this was also available at the library and that is the reason I decided to read it, for some of the books I tried before by this author had not met my personal expectations.

Elsa is a seven year old who lives in a building with many neighbors, all unique somehow. Elsa loves her grandmother, whom everyone claims is crazy, but that is what helped her to be someone Elsa loves, especially with her skill to share stories. However, Elsa's grandmother is ill and dies when this story starts, which leaves Elsa with a final request on her hands. She now has to hand in letters to the neighbors, letters her grandmother wrote apologizing for something, but this will prove to be quite complicated, after all Elsa is only seven! As she tries to go on with her task, Elsa discovers a lot about the neighbors and how they actually knew her grandmother...

After having a less than great experience with the last books by the author I had tried, I was a little reticent about starting this one, but the fact it was at the library and that it wasn't very big convinced me. I also had a tiny hope that it would be more alike A Man Called Ove (that I liked) than Anxious People (which wasn't great)...

The story is third person but always with Elsa's POV. Since she is a child, clearly many things are seen in a dubious way and the reader needs to read between the lines. Some situations are obvious, while others only become understandable as Elsa goes on with her mission, and in a way this is the best thing of the novel, how we can infer so much through the perspective of someone who might not see things as an adult... although, to be fair, Elsa is quite mature for her age.

The plot then follows a very linear sequence, with the reader following Elsa in her letter delivery, which isn't as simple as it sounds, for with each letter comes learning, context of why that person receives a letter and, as things move along, the obvious fact that everyone in the building had a special connection to Elsa's grandmother. I liked this method and some of the things we learn are quite thought provoking, even though disguised under the apparent simplicity of a child's observation.

Then, as we get closer to the end, certain details bring up the real secrets in this story and how a few details that seemed unimportant are actually the key to a few situations being cleared. I've felt invested enough in what was happening and wanted to see Elsa succeed in her mission, and some details were surprising enough to make this a worthy experience, but at the same time, if one thinks about the writing style this author is known for, I also had moments when it seemed everything was too vague and subtle and didn't have the gravitas it required. At least, until a certain emotional scene towards the end.

I liked Elsa as a main character, she is a special child, used to reading, used to have someone sharing fairy tales and stories with her, allowing her to dream and to reach for more, especially when we realize that this uniqueness makes a target for bullying at school. The secondary characters were all interesting in their own way and I did like the interactions beetween some of them, and more so how Elsa seems to become closer to her divorced parents while she goes on this adventure.

I would say this an emotional story about the meaning of our actions, the meaning of the relationships with have with others and how some people simply leave a mark that is everlasting. I liked this book, yes, but not as much as I've liked my favorite books by this author.

Grade: 7/10

Mini - Comments

The following two books are of different genres and styles but I don't feel like writing too much about wither of them, for different reasons. 

One of Us is Dead by Jeneva Rose is my first attempt at something by this author. It was a birthday gift, actually, and I was surprised by the choice but also eager to give it a try. 
Sadly, I think I'll have to join the group of readers who doesn't appreciate the author's style (something I can now see is quite divisive among those who tried the author's books) because this book did nothing to impress me. I disliked the characters and their characterization, I wasn't fond of the setting and the plot and I felt rather indifferent towards the end. I suppose it is fairer to say that I didn't like the author's style. 
This story is so annoying, I can't understand how many people liked it. Basically, we have a small group of socialite friends who spend almost all of their days in gatherings or at the salon. There is envy and back stacking and one of them will be dead by the end, although we don't know whom. 
The author kept the mystery until the end and that alone is what "saved" this book from being worse in my eyes, but no, I cannot find any real interest in these characters, most are incredible unlikable and vain, and in what they go through. I do like thrillers and domestic mysteries, whether cozy or fast paced, but this wasn't it.
Grade: 3/10

Sweep With Me by Ilona Andrews is a novella, part of the Innkeeper Chronicles series, which I have been reading lately. In this novella, which happens pretty much right after the events of book #3 - the fourth is also before this novella but mostly set in a different place - we have a glimpse of how life is being for Dina and Sean now that they are a couple working together at the Inn. They need to deal with another adventure that follows some new guests...

This was like a little sweet, not really incredible in terms of plot advancement, but it was a great way to let us know what has been going on and how the main characters have been dealing with changes due to the events of past books. The author's imagination is really incredible and it was nice to get to know a few more characters and beings that can be allies to Dina in the future. This was quick to read but very tasteful.

Grade: 8/10

Riku Onda - Honeybees and Distant Thunder

In a small coastal town just a stone's throw from Tokyo, a prestigious piano competition is underway. Over the course of two feverish weeks, three students will experience some of the most joyous—and painful—moments of their lives. Though they don't know it yet, each will profoundly and unpredictably change the others, for ever.
Aya was a child prodigy who abruptly gave up performing after the death of her mother, and is now trying for a comeback; Masaru, a childhood friend of Aya who came to the piano through her insistence that he learn to play, is now reunited with her after many years, and is equally invested in both his and her success; Akashi, who is older and married, works in a music store and is the “old man” of the competitors, hoping for a final chance at success; and Jin, a sixteen-year-old prodigy, the free spirited son of a beekeeper who travels constantly, and has no formal training (and doesn’t even own a piano) yet whose mesmerizing insight into music has brought him to the attention of one of the world’s most celebrated pianists, the late Maestro Von Hoffman.
Each of them will break the rules, awe their fans and push themselves to the brink. But at what cost?
Beloved in Japan, Riku Onda immerses us in the world of music—from piano masterpieces to the buzz of bees and the rumble of thunder—which crescendos to a surprising ending in this rich and vibrant novel.

Comment: I saw this book at the library and the title certainly caught my eye, for its originality. Since I had previously read books by Japanese authors, that I liked, I wondered if I'd like this too, so I brought it with me.

The international music competition for piano takes place in several cities, including in Japan, and the contestants need to prepare several pieces and there are two eliminations until the final. Akishi, Masuru, Aya and Jin are four of the contestants, each one with a specific reason to play and with a distinguishable style. However, others are going to compete too and the jury has a hard task ahead, for these people are all talented and all symbolize a certain way of looking at classical music. What unites and what separates all these people? Can music really bring people together?

I'm not really certain on how to classify and explain this book. The premise is very simple for such a long book (more than 450 pages in the edition I've read) but somehow one can turn the pages and still be absorbed by the thoughts of these characters and the motions they go through while they are playing.

I don't know much about classical music, much less specific pieces meant to be played on a piano. I know I like listening to some pieces, of course some of the most famous ones, but I cannot truly appreciate the art and precision of how the same piece can sound so different when played by different people - I mean, unless it's done on purpose to be so - or, as I've learned, if the piano isn't tuned or placed on the right spot on the stage. I did like this part of the book: the more technical details shared and how that can influence the music and the sound.

The book is divided into three main sections, what happens during the first elimination, then in the second, and then in the final. We follow the thoughts of several characters, not only the ones competing. I've found this to be a little confusing at times, because we jump from one characters' POV to the next in the following paragraph, often without a graphic break in the text. I guess this is the author's style but it created a certain distance between what was happening and the matching emotions. With this I mean I could easily separate myself  emotionally from what was being shared.

It's natural that some characters seem more approachable than others, and it seems to me that, in the simplicity of their personalities/Japanese culture, a lot is more inferred than shared. Often characters would exhibit feelings and thoughts precisely through the music and not as much through conversation. It is great that music is universal, but I did miss, sometimes, a less subtle information on certain things. For instance, when one of the four main characters is eliminated between the first and the second elimination, we get to see the impact, but it wasn't as heartfelt as it could, if the author had been another one, perhaps.

I would say this is a poetic story. It's more about words we can associate with music, with how certain pieces make one feel and look at the world. One of the characters, for instance, sees the playing of the piano as an extension of some kind of the nature around people and how we overlook or dismiss certain obvious things, like the flapping of wings of a bird, or the sounds of a storm coming... To me, this was all beautiful and rather philosophical, but I can see how it would frustrate some readers too.

This was a good discovery for me, actually. I have a hit and miss experience with Japanese authors, but have enjoyed the majority of what I've read so far, and it was good to see this one does seems appealing.

Grade: 8/10

Mary Balogh - Someone to Romance

Lady Jessica Archer lost her own interest in the glittering excitement of romance after her cousin and dearest friend, Abigail Westcott, was rejected by the ton when her father was revealed to be a bigamist. Ever practical, however, once she's twenty-five, she decides it's time to wed. Though she no longer believes she will find true love, she is still very eligible. She is, after all, the sister of Avery Archer, Duke of Netherby.
Jessica considers the many qualified gentlemen who court her. But when she meets the mysterious Gabriel Thorne, who has returned to England from the New World to claim an equally mysterious inheritance, Jessica considers him completely unsuitable, because he had the audacity, when he first met her, to announce his intention to wed her.
When Jessica guesses who Gabriel really is, however, and watches the lengths to which he will go in order to protect those who rely upon him, she is drawn to his cause—and to the man.

Comment: This is the 7th installment in the Westcott series by Mary Balogh, following the lives of several members of the Westcott family and their relatives and friends.

Jessica Archer loves her family and the fact most of those who are married are so blissfully happy makes her want to marry for love as well. She is 25 but never felt the urge to find a husband, even more so after the crisis that affected the family years ago which caused her cousin and best friend Abby to not have a come out as they were both so eager to share. Now Abby is happy too and Jessica feels this is the year to see if she can find someone...

Gabriel Thorne left England and succeed in America with the help of an uncle, but he is back to take his place as the earl of Lyndale, especially when it seems the man who would be so if Gabriel didn't who up is not someone who respects those under his care. Gabriel feels Jessica would be the perfect wife to better support his cause in society, but will he discover she is more than her status?

I've been a fan of this author for some years now and have read many books in most of her series. There are situations/themes that are inevitably repetitive but it is always a good reading experience anyway.

This book can be read as a standalone, as all the author's books can in terms of structure and development. However, I would not advise it because a lot about Jessica and her thoughts and motivations in certain moments come from events that happened in past books. Her attitude and behavior in some moments only feels special or meaningful if one had read the first book at least, when her actions and ideas were different than in this book, regarding certain things. This way, how she behaves now feels a lot more impactful.

The plot, however, seemed to me to be a bit more focused on Gabriel and his reasons to return to England. He was successful in America and had all motives to stay there but by coming back we get to see how likable he is and how he can cherish his personality. He is someone who matured and learned from the past - he went away as a young man, urged by others who did not help him as they should - and now feels he has to be there for those who depend on him, namely the workers of the estate he will inherit and an aunt that he cares for.

I've found him to be a good character and was rooting for him, even though there were times where he seemed a little too aloof, although this can be explained too, considering the circumstances. He is, therefore, quite well matched with Jessica, whom we have seen as someone likable but slightly uppity sometimes. Of course they will learn together that friendship and family to support you are some of the best things in life and by becoming a couple they would find themselves with someone who would also understand them.

Their romance isn't very demonstrative, but to be fair this author's writing style isn't meant to be over the top nor fluffy, and a lot of things are inferred in a more subtle way. Actually, to my personal taste, perhaps I could say that a few things related to the romance were a bit too tame, a bit too subtle, and I wish the feelings between them had been a bit more easily demonstrated. Again, however, this is an historical romance and the author does try to keep things relatively realistic in terms of character interaction.

This was an engaging story to read. Gabriel has a lot of things to worry about and with Jessica's help, and of her family, he manages to deal with some. I thought this part of the plot was interesting and made the interactions between many characters to feel more dynamic, since many contributed somehow to enhance the romance between Gabriel and Jessica and then to help him with his personal affairs. 

I'm now looking for to the next story, which will feature Harry, at last.

Grade: 8/10

Rachel Reid - The Shots You Take

After moving back to his hometown ten years ago, Riley Tuck thought he had left his major league hockey career—and his broken heart—far behind. But when an unexpected tragedy strikes, it brings ex-teammate and former best friend with benefits Adam Sheppard back into his life.
Coming to the small town of Avery River, Nova Scotia, might have been a mistake. Adam’s not sure he’ll ever win back Riley’s trust after the way they left things—and the attention he’s getting as a huge hockey star isn’t exactly helping. Yet the chemistry that crackles between them is undeniable, even now.
As Adam helps Riley navigate his grief, long-buried feelings start to resurface. But they’ll have to square off with their complicated past if they’re going to have a real shot at a new beginning.

Comment: Like many other readers, I've been a fan of the Game Changers series by this author. Since last year, with the TV show based on those books, two of them in particular, becoming a viral phenomenon, it seems the eagerness and the obsession won't stop, especially with the upcoming second season, set to be ready in 2027, and the publishing of a new book in that series also next year.

Thus, my interest in Rachel Reid's writing continues and that is why I've picked this book, which is a standalone.

Riley and Adam were best friends and roommates during their rookie seasons as professional hockey players. They have also been incredibly attracted to one another and fooled around until Riley confessed his feelings. Adm, however, wasn't ready to be himself and they drifted apart, especially when Riley was traded to another team. Now, many years after, Riley's dad died and Adam felt he had to attend the funeral, at least to pay his respects to someone he admired. He also wants to try to med things with Riley, now that he finally accepted he his gay and that his life has not been as easy as everyone thinks, considering his fame in the hockey world. But Riley hasn't had it easy either and he still feels a lot of resentment. Is there any way for a second change between them to end up in happiness?

This story features a second chance romance which isn't my favorite trope, to be honest. If not by this author, I might skip it, but I also trusted the writing and hoped it would be as captivating as I have seen in the others books by mrs Reid I've tried. I knew it would not be the same as the Game Changers installments, but I still thought this might surprise me.

This isn't an easy book, though, in the sense that the majority of the novel is about the protagonists being in opposed sides of their memories and things aren't simple for them. Their youth was rich in experiences, mainly regarding their hockey careers, but while they were intimate and close, Riley would have been ready to commit to Adam but Adam was not. The thing is, intellectually I can understand both their POVs and I cannot say Adam was a villain in this situation, even though his attitude was horrible. I think only someone going through such doubts would know how to describe it but I can understand Adam's lack of maturity to see what was happening.

This said, of course that for a romance novel, Adam's attitude seems nonredeemable. This is made even more apparent because we know Riley suffered a lot and dealt with depression and anxiety and many other emotions once he realized Adam would not be the person he wanted then. Again, i can certainly see his side too and I could more easily commiserate with his feelings, especially the impotence of changing Adam's mind when Riley wanted. Things between them were great until they weren't and I think the author really presented this quite well.

When the story begins, Riley has just lost his father, so that is another layer to add to his state of mind and the tone of the book was, until a certain point, rather bleak. Things seemed quite negative and the rehashing of their past and failed communication and so on really highlighted the main reason why I tend to avoid this trope. Still, slowly, chapter after chapter things change between them, they talk and obviously the roots of romance that have always existed between them come to life again. It was sometimes sweet but, honestly, that isn't the word I think of in regards to this novel.

Of course not all books have to be great epic romances (like Shane and Ilya's from Heated Rivalry end up being for me) but this was a much more serious story than what I imagined. Nothing wrong with it but it isn't as warm and cozy as the Game Changers books are to me, even allowing for serious issues dealt with there too. The tone in this book is simply that, a lot more contemplative. The end is as happy and sweet, though, and I liked it that Riley and Adam found a way to finally be as happy as they deserve, considering their heartfelt dedication to one another. But, honestly again, it's not a story I will feel eager to re-read.

Grade: 7/10

Grace Draven - Phoenix Unbound

Every year, each village is required to send a young woman to the Empire's capital - her fate: to be burned alive for the entertainment of the masses. For the last five years, one small village's tithe has been the same woman. Gilene's sacrifice protects all the other young women of her village, and her secret to staying alive lies with the magic only she possesses.
But this year is different.
Azarion, the Empire's most famous gladiator, has somehow seen through her illusion, and is set on blackmailing Gilene into using her abilities to help him escape his life of slavery. And unknown to Gilene, he also wants to reclaim the birthright of his clan.
To protect her family and village, she will risk everything to return to the Empire and burn once more.

Comment: I have read several books by this author now and, as always, when I saw the blurb for this one, it made me curious. I finally had the chance to try it.

Gilene is a sort of fire witch, in the sense that she isn't burned in contact with fire, which comes in handy in her village, since all villages in the empire have to "offer" a woman for the Rites of Spring, the end of a special event demanded by the emperors when the women are burned at a pire. Gilene has done this many times already and she does it because she knows she is immune, saving many other women who aren't. However, this time, something doesn't happens as always, because Azarion, the most successful gladiator, who is also a slave like everyone trapped by the empire, sees through her illusion and blackmails her into helping him escape. She reluctantly agrees, thinking this would be the end of it... the thing is, once she is outside, already ready to be taken away by her brothers, Azarion kind of kidnaps her. He claims he needs her help again, to regain his status in his hometown. But how can she trust him again?

This author has the best ideas for her books, even if based in other stories or situations. I'm always eager to see how the plots develop in her fantasy settings and this time, the beginning was as captivating as I imagined, with both Gilene and Azarion teaming up to escape. Of course, I knew they could not separate right away, because this is clearly a romance too, but I will say that after they escape, things aren't as thrilling as I wanted.

The empire is ruled by evil people, who enslave others and promote entertainment in humiliating ways. We are immediately taken by the characters' need to escape and to do something about this, but the road until the final battle (of course there would be one) wasn't as smooth as I hoped for. I mean, expectations are always hard to meet, but I've read other books by the author and some did accomplish this goal nicely, so I know the author could do it.

The details about the characters, the settings, the world building are all interesting and easy to visualize. I see that the author had obvious inspiration on Roman culture, as well as other subjects, but this all seemed to mesh well. I'd say that my issue with the novel was mainly the romance and the development of the plot around that. Azarion and Gilene as likable characters on their own (despite their actions in some moments) and I did root for them, and wanted to see them succeed, and for Gilene to escape and for Azarion to gain his freedom. Once they were running together, though, things weren't as interesting.

They aren't immediate allies, after all he didn't tell her he would need more of her help, but time on the road and then in his hometown work to being them closer. This plot move made sense within the story we were given but.... the pace sometimes was a bit too quick for the amount of issues they both went through in their lives. I get it that the point was not to offer a huge story but there are plot transitions that could have helped this and I think that didn't happen, so the progression of things between them felt rushed.

Perhaps the thing is, both Azarion and Gilene weren't given enough layers, to match the traumas and the situations they faced. In particular Azarion, who was a slave and how all this affected him. The author does offer some context for how they are still mentally sane (my interpretation) but I just didn't buy it completely, if one takes into consideration how they suffered. In a way, this element was kind of superficial and made the reading experience less impactful, emotionally.

The romance was also too bland, because we don't get to see how it happens. We don't have enough scenes with them thinking about one another, with them interacting in a gradual way for the final acceptance of their feelings to seem inevitable. It just was, and with the fact of their personalities being superficially presented too, it wasn't as romantic nor amazing as I wanted, and as had happened in other books by the author.

Therefore, this was a good reading experience but not great. I liked it but there were times I also noticed how many pages were left, so...

Grade: 6/10

Louise Penny - A Rule Against Murder

It is the height of summer, and Armand and Reine-Marie Gamache are celebrating their wedding anniversary at Manoir Bellechasse, an isolated, luxurious inn not far from the village of Three Pines. But they're not alone. The Finney family—rich, cultured, and respectable—has also arrived for a celebration of their own.
The beautiful Manoir Bellechasse might be surrounded by nature, but there is something unnatural looming. As the heat rises and the humidity closes in, some surprising guests turn up at the family reunion, and a terrible summer storm leaves behind a dead body. It is up to Chief Inspector Gamache to unearth secrets long buried and hatreds hidden behind polite smiles. The chase takes him to Three Pines, into the dark corners of his own life, and finally to a harrowing climax.

Comment: This is the 4th installment in the Armand Gamache series, which I foresee being something I will enjoy reading...

In this story, inspector Gamache and his wife are spending some time at an inn close to Three Pines, celebrating their anniversary. They are having a quiet time enjoying the summer, in spite of the fact some other guests, namely the Finney family, not being all congenial. Then, one of the siblings and his wife finally arrive and everything changes once more. The family dynamics are tense and it all goes to worse when one person is murdered. Who killed this person and how did they manage it since the tool used was impossible for one person to maneuver on their own?

The author has said plenty of times that these books are about a crime investigation, yes, which means they might be read solely for the closure of having a resolution to a mystery, but they are also character studies. I find that this is actually the most provoking part of the novels, because everyone, main character or not, has something about them that we want to see revealed, there are many layers to all characters.

In this book the inspector and his wife are spending some days at the Manoir Bellechasse, which has a solid reputation despite the origins of its construction. They are regulars but do not mind they are not given the best rooms, which immediately tells us about their personality and attitude. These characters are meant for us to like them and I really like the fact we can genuinely care for them and want for them to have good things happening in return.

In contrast, pretty much all of the secondary characters are not as likable. All of them, even the ones we would label"good people", have some kind of deep layer or some secret behavior that makes their personality less than what we see in Gamache and his wife. Although, to be fair, they are not perfect! They just seem so by contrast, and after 4 books I can see that Gamache's big flaw is that he does like to be right, not as in arrogance, but in knowing his deductions are often correct.

The plot is quite usual in how it develops. A good part of the book is on character observation,let's say, in which we see many situations where the characters do and say things that matter to their personality and as to why they could be the murderer or the victim, and a lot is shared through Gamache's skills in seeing between the lines. A lot doesn't make immediate sense, although the writing conveys that tension and anticipation quite well. We just know something is going to happen.

Obviously, only after the investigation is well under way do we understand some of the previous references or scenes. I don't tend to guess who the killer is in these types of books and this time it was no different. Only once the explanations were given did some of those seemingly unimportant references in chapters past make sense. Even then, I would say that there are always some things that don't scream logic or sometimes the way they are viable is through some conveniences and not real logic (to me at least).

The author also seems to have a predilection to unusual crime scenes and methods. I had never heard of the method in which the victim was killed in this book and even investigating on google didn't show an obvious result, although I accept the science behind it. Perhaps this, along with a few other small details, prevented me from seeing the big picture better. Still, it was a good entertainment, to read this story and to see the sequence of events developing at the same time the characters became more visible. Too bad, also, that most of them were not friendly people,even those who had reasons not to be.

I will definitely read the next book and see what new things I'll learn!

Grade: 8/10

Maggie O'Farrell - Hamnet

England, 1580: The Black Death creeps across the land, an ever-present threat, infecting the healthy, the sick, the old and the young alike. The end of days is near, but life always goes on.
A young Latin tutor—penniless and bullied by a violent father—falls in love with an extraordinary, eccentric young woman. Agnes is a wild creature who walks her family’s land with a falcon on her glove and is known throughout the countryside for her unusual gifts as a healer, understanding plants and potions better than she does people. Once she settles with her husband on Henley Street in Stratford-upon-Avon, she becomes a fiercely protective mother and a steadfast, centrifugal force in the life of her young husband, whose career on the London stage is just taking off when his beloved young son succumbs to sudden fever.

Comment: I had previously seen references to this book by some readers but I wasn't particularly driven to try it. My best friend did and she liked it, recommending it to me as well, and that is why I read it.

In the late 16th century, the plague is spreading throughout Europe and many people aren't able to stay safe. In a rural area of England, a little boy dies because of it, although he isn't the only case, nor the only one being mourned. However, his family is devastated, especially his mother and his twin, but should not make them special in any way. The truth, though, it that it does and  the aftermath will be much more meaningful than anyone would think.

At the end of this book, the author includes a note explaining her inspiration for this book and the sources and reference books she used. The story is fiction, of course, but based on real facts and people and some are easily recognizable. I like Shakespeare for what he did in literature, but I confess I didn't know that much about his life, apart from what I had seen in movies and in other fiction books. It was interesting that this story wasn't really meant to be about him, but it end up being so anyway.

I was positively surprised by the writing style, it is fluid while moody and it reminded me of lyricism and poetry. Some passages were very beautiful and the characters seemed to be so much larger than life at times because of this. However, there was always a part of me that felt this was an obvious fictional story and I was not really taken by the characters themselves but by how they were portrayed. I suppose there's nothing wrong with seeing this this way but it meant that I kept a certain emotional distance anyway.

The plot isn't too complicated. It is divided into two parts, the first (and bigger) one in which we see how cute Hamnet is and why his loss would certainly be so heavy for everyone, although most of the focus is on other family members, namely his mother Agnes. The second part happens after Hamnet dies and how everyone copes, and how this certainly seemed to have inspired his father to write a tragic play in which the main character has a very similar name to that of his son...

The author says this is her interpretation of how things might have been, so I don't really give much importance to its veracity or not, it seems more like a fun detail than an intrinsic part of the novel. As for the actual plot, I assume the main point of interest isn't exactly the emotions caused by or related to Hamnet's death, but how special his mother is and how she was like a wise woman/seer. Was this the element that changed the way the story is developed? I can't tell, but at the end, I cannot say I really got to know these characters well.

Nevertheless, as the focus wasn't on any specific situation, and even the event of Hamnet's death was not overly developed, I feel like this was an OK story for me to read. My friend said it was very emotional...I just didn't see that... Still, I think it was a good story to read, not so heavy as I pictured, considering the theme and the whole plague setting and inevitable outcomes.

Perhaps an interesting element here is how the author was able to write a lot about several scenes but the real depth of the story is on what wasn't written. I think this is a good book for the reader to read between the lines, in which some of the things not mentioned, not explicit become part of the plot precisely due to this tactic. I enjoyed the idea of seeing things that should not matter (like the flea) take such an importance in the big scheme of things.

I don't see the hype, honestly, but I can see the moodiness and in the right moment, reading this book, can certainly seem even more special. I liked it but didn't love it.

Grade: 7/10