Eva García Saenz de Urturi - The Lords of Time

Kraken is enjoying life as a family man, content to spend his days with Alba and their young daughter Deba. But there’s no rest for the weary, especially when you’re the most famous investigator in Vitoria. Kraken and Esti are charged with investigating the mysterious disappearance of two sisters and finding it hard to make any headway when a wealthy businessman’s murder appears to shine a light on the case. The man was poisoned with a medieval aphrodisiac–a crime that has eerie similarities to one detailed in the novel everyone in Vitoria is buzzing about. When the two sisters are discovered trapped behind a wall–bricked up alive–the parallels to the novel are undeniable. With the author’s identity a closely held secret, will Kraken be able to track down the killer before they can strike again? Or will Vitoria’s sordid underworld finally break Kraken, and his family, apart.

Comment: This is the third installment in the White City trilogy by this author, which follows the investigations of Kraken, the way detective Unai is known by everyone around him. It just happens that the author has added two more stories to the "Kraken" investigations, but apparently not meant to be a continuation of the initial main narrative, although they are set chronologically after this story.

Some years have gone since the events in the second installment and Unai is now happily together with Alba raising their daughter. Everything changes again with the sudden cases of two missing sisters and a murdered businessman apparently having something in common. The thing is, recently a book had been published by a mysterious author using a pseudonym, and in that book, set in the 12th century, one of the characters had died exactly like the current murdered businessman. This leads Unai and his team to suspect the missing girls might have had the same fate as two sisters in the book... while trying to find out who the author of the book was they get to know the secrets many local families are hiding too...

From the beginning, I was captivated by this story. I remember I had liked the first one and that is why I wanted to keep up with the trilogy but the second book wasn't as wonderful or, to be more specific, I wasn't as thrilled by it as I had been with the first. When I saw this one available at the library, I thought it would be great to finish the trilogy anyway, and I'm glad because this ended up being my favorite installment.

When this story begins, considerable time has passed since what happened in the second book and I can say I only remembered the basics, even though I only read that book in January! Still, I was happy that the main characters seemed to have reached a peaceful moment in their lives and everyone was content with how things were. This did give me hope that whatever would happen in this book would not be as difficult to get over as what happened to them in the previous book.

I also liked the premise of having two parallel stories. We do get the development of the main narrative with all the murder investigations and such, and we get several alternated chapters which are narrated by a fictional character of the book in which some contemporary crimes were based on. The medieval period is not my favorite period in History but since the chapters were short and mainly related to the current plot events, it was easy to read and process/compare.

The investigations Unai and his team are doing really reeled me in. I was quickly taken by the story, the way things were linked between them and with the fictional book and it was very entertaining to turn the pages. The biggest mystery is investigating who murdered the victims we learn about as the story progresses, but there is also another intrigue, which is related to a character who seems to have dissociative identity disorder (or multiple personalities, if that is easier). I think all the details related to these two main subjects were quite enthralling and I can see how, considering the amount of bibliography the author mentions at the end of the book. Also, all the historical facts related to the region and the medieval practices must have meant a lot of hours doing research.

The story probably have some flaws in plot and in how some information is sequentially presented, and reading some less positive reviews has made me think of that, but knowing that some things didn't work out as well, and even including some boredom with the siege scenes some characters go through during the medieval sections didn't detract from my overall enjoyment. I think most elements were interesting and used in good proportion. 

Of course, some things about the main characters were always kind of implied and thus, some emotions related to things about them as individuals (as opposed to police investigators working) were a little too obvious and not as smoothly presented as I would prefer, but I think that all this with the sense of creepiness over the murders and with what was going on with the multiple personality guy simply compensated. When we learn who the murdered is, for me, it was just positively surprising on how all worked out. 

Even with flaws, to me this was a great book.

Grade: 9/10

Kristin Hannah - The Women

Women can be heroes. When twenty-year-old nursing student Frances “Frankie” McGrath hears these words, it is a revelation. Raised in the sun-drenched, idyllic world of Southern California and sheltered by her conservative parents, she has always prided herself on doing the right thing. But in 1965, the world is changing, and she suddenly dares to imagine a different future for herself. When her brother ships out to serve in Vietnam, she joins the Army Nurse Corps and follows his path.
As green and inexperienced as the men sent to Vietnam to fight, Frankie is overwhelmed by the chaos and destruction of war. Each day is a gamble of life and death, hope and betrayal; friendships run deep and can be shattered in an instant. In war, she meets―and becomes one of―the lucky, the brave, the broken, and the lost.
But war is just the beginning for Frankie and her veteran friends. The real battle lies in coming home to a changed and divided America, to angry protesters, and to a country that wants to forget Vietnam.
The Women is the story of one woman gone to war, but it shines a light on all women who put themselves in harm’s way and whose sacrifice and commitment to their country has too often been forgotten. A novel about deep friendships and bold patriotism, The Women is a richly drawn story with a memorable heroine whose idealism and courage under fire will come to define an era.

Comment: I saw this book at the library and felt the impulse to try it. I had read another book by the author back in January and I still had the memory of the elements I enjoyed about her writing in my head, so I've decided to read this one too.

Frankie is a young 20 year old when her beloved brother is sent to Vietnam and she decides to follow him, especially after a friend of his tells her women could be heroines too. Certainly her limited nursing experience didn't prepare her for what she was about to find, but Frankie needs to adapt quickly. She needs to learn fast because lives are at stake and there is no time to regrets, but is she truly ready for everything that she will learn due to this war? The adrenaline of what is doing might help her endure the most difficult moments, but will she be ready to come back home and deal with the consequences?

I don't know much about the Vietnam war, except for the more superficial details one learns in school or the references in other books and even movies. It was interesting to know more about this period of time,especially from the POV of someone who was there, something the author mentions in a note, that she used testimonies of women stationed there and their notes/memoirs to base her story on.

As the old saying goes, one would need to be there, but history makers do love to twist the message anyway... This regarding the fact the role of women in wars is minimized and the way the politicians always present wars as inevitable when they don't actively fight there along the soldiers. I think these ideas and the food for thought they allow was well done by the author, and it did enrich the fictional plot to the point I feel a lot was possible to read between the lines.

Frankie is a wonderful heroine, she is flawed but determined to carry on, to do something she feels is important and that makes her feel she is making a difference somehow. She needs to adapt quickly for noting can prepare people to the shock of dealing with war injuries and the emotional aspects of it. The term "PTSD" is never mentioned but it is part of the story until the end, even if by other expressions. Humans need to cope and something that coping mechanism seems weak, but, again, it's so easy to say this or to feel this when it wasn't us facing that situation.

I liked the writing, of course, it made reading this bearable. I say this because I admit, I did cry three or four times, but the way the story is told wasn't devastating to me. I felt the emotions but I could process them in the context of this text and it wasn't impossible to keep reading, even when it felt things were unfair and heartbreaking. Thankfully, Frankie finds two best friends, also nurses, and this does balance out the negative aspects. 

Frankie is the the main character and we see pretty much everything from her POV, third person. I liked this style because it kept the plot on track but wasn't self centered and I preferred to get to know Frankie this way. Obviously, she grows up a lot, especially emotionally, but her road isn't easy or without obstacles. I liked her because her decisions and thoughts, even allowing the setting is the late 60s for the most part, were easy to identify with and to imagine I might see some things the same way.

There is a lot of drama, yes, and at one point or two I felt this was,perhaps, a little too much, in particular when it came to character interactions and relationships, but I will say that there was still room for some surprises, things i thought would be predictable but even when they were, the author managed to add something extra, which means that, in terms of the fictional story line, things were always engaging and made me want to keep reading so I could see what would happen next.

All in all, this was very entertaining, very compelling and it does make me hopeful to read more by her.

Grade: 9/10

Janice Hallett - The Appeal

The Fairway Players, a local theatre group, is in the midst of rehearsals when tragedy strikes the family of director Martin Hayward and his wife Helen, the play’s star. Their young granddaughter has been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, and with an experimental treatment costing a tremendous sum, their castmates rally to raise the money to give her a chance at survival. 

But not everybody is convinced of the experimental treatment’s efficacy—or of the good intentions of those involved. As tension grows within the community, things come to a shocking head at the explosive dress rehearsal. The next day, a dead body is found, and soon, an arrest is made. 

In the run-up to the trial, two young lawyers sift through the material—emails, messages, letters—with a growing suspicion that the killer may be hiding in plain sight. The evidence is all there, between the lines, waiting to be uncovered.

Comment: I got interested in this book because it was mentioned somewhere that the mystery would be developed through the exchange of emails. I was very curious to know how the author would present things and if the plot would make enough sense.

The Fairway Players is a group of amateur actors and they have several plays performed in their local community. They are ready to start the auditions for a new play when everyone is shocked by the news of little Poppy, the granddaughter of director Martin and star actress Helen, who has a rare type of cancer. Poppy's apparent only hope is a new drug, but one that is only available in the US and at a very expensive price. Thus, the family and those they are close to start to do what they can to find funding, while still maintaining the play's work and rehearsals. As the exchange continues and times passes by, though, it becomes more and more difficult to understand who is doing everything for the sake of Poppy and who is hiding secrets, especially when someone starts asking questions... and then, someone is found dead...

This is the first book I try by this author. I see many readers have loved it, others thought it didn't go as far as it could, but for me it ended up being very enjoyable and rewarding, even though the very end wasn't as brilliant as I hoped for. Still, practically at the end of the year, it had that extra something that made me give it five stars on Goodreads, the first I give in 2025.

I had great fun going through the plot. This method of presenting things through email/letter exchange isn't new to me, I've enjoyed the majority of books with a similar style I had read before, and my expectations of this method here were all met. It might seem weird and unlikely one gets to follow things as well, namely understanding character evolution, but it's precisely the reading between the lines exercise that makes this work out so well to me, when well done.

The story starts off very plainly, the group of actors has just finished a play, they are ready to do another, this time a drama. As the emails keep coming, we get to know a lot about the main characters' personalities, even the ones who are not actively participating in the emails, and I had a great fun going though all this and sympathizing more with this or that character as things move along. Of course, it also becomes very obvious there is something shady going on, whether about the Poppy's fundraising or about the doctor involved in her treatment at the hospital.

The author did a good job placing all clues and all characters on a certain level, some things do seem rather obvious at the end but before that, I must say, some details started to feel a little easy to guess where they would go. I will confess that the supposed big reveal in the end wasn't that surprising to me, only the why. Still, although the twists weren't that convincing, it didn't ruin my fun reading the novel. I really think the author was clever in plotting and in the delivery method, and it did make me curious to think if more stories presented like this one (that I'd like of course) would be out there..

While this is ongoing, we get to have a few breaks in plot by two other characters. Femi and Charlotte are young lawyers, reviewing the case because it is known someone dies and someone goes to jail for it. Until a certain point this is all a mystery, and things progress slowly. Then, when we finally learn who died, when the email exchange part reaches its climax, these lawyers repeat things in a more concise manner so that the final becomes easier to understand. I think this was a little anti climatic... perhaps continuing with the email format until the very end would have been more satisfying to me, it would not feel as if there was a break on the novel, as I think this choice made it seem.

I don't think this was the most incredible plot ever, no, but the slow developing plot, and the tension we could feel though the exchanges, especially as some apparently innocent things turned out to be part of a much bigger picture later on, made this a very gripping reading. It's one of those situations where the final disclosures and the the identity of the killer aren't that important after all - hey weren't to me - but the journey to get there was the true prize. For that, I will certainly try something else by this author, even if not in this format.

Grade: 9/10

Debora Geary - A Modern Witch

Can you live 28 years without discovering you're a witch? — Lauren is downtown Chicago's youngest elite realtor. She's also a witch. She must be - the fetching spell for Witches' Chat isn't supposed to make mistakes. So says the woman who coded the spell, at least. — The tall, dark, and handsome guy sent to assess her is a witch too (and no, that doesn't end the way you might think). What he finds in Lauren will change lives, mess with a perfectly good career, and require lots of ice cream therapy.

Comment: I had this book in the (ebook) pile since 2013 and I can't really say why I didn't read it before now. I suppose it didn't help how easily one is influenced by ratings and while this sometimes is unfair, sometimes there's a good reason for it..perhaps I was scared this would be another book which would disappoint. Still, in one of the challenges I'm doing with one of my groups, one topic was to pick something with a Halloween type characters, so I picked up this book, which would have witches.

In this story we meet a vast cast of characters, being the focus centered on Lauren, a realtor in Chicago who, accidentally - or not - finds herself following the online conversation between some witches. She thinks there had been a glitch and everyone says a friendly goodbye but Nell, one of the witches, sends her brother Jamie so he can check if Lauren was indeed an error in the site or if she has powers she isn't aware of. When Jamie does meet Lauren, he soon realizes that yes, she has some abilities, but it isn't until he is coaching her and the sudden appearance of her best friend makes him lose control of his own powers. From this moment on, there is no doubt Lauren is a witch, but will she want to be part of the community?

I'll start by saying I can definitely understand why this story didn't work out for many readers. There is simply no plot. This is a story about Lauren discovering herself and on the way she meets many friendly and happy people, the whole story is a love/friendship fest and there isn't really any serious obstacle nor conflict to add drama. This is a fantasy meant to entertain.

Normally, I'd agree with the critics about the lack of gravitas here and this should have been boring and a bit too silly - I have had this opinion regarding other similar stories - but somehow all the little details and silly content and unlikely characters made sense to me. It was fun and cute and I had a great time reading this story, it's one of those things that make one feel warm and happy and it was the perfect escapism.

Lauren is realtor who likes her job and she feels extra glad when she can match the clients to their perfect house. She sometimes has some "feelings" but never really gave that much thought but as soon as she is told about her possible witch abilities, she does remember some situations which could be linked to it. Still, Lauren is reluctant to accept she is this amazing witch others claim she could be, as long as she learns and practices.Things improve for her after she travels to California to meet Nell and the rest of Jamie's family. Her best friend Natalia goes as well because it seems pretty obvious she and Jamie might become a couple.

While in California, Lauren meets several people, including Nell's youngest child and they have an immediate connection. In fact, Lauren's witch skills seem to match those of the child and they become friends. This propels her to think of a life where she has friends, a newfound family and a support system to not only her role as a witch but also as someone who is part of a community. I did love this part of the story, this need Lauren had and never imagined, and how easy it was for her to find others who could be special to her. 

The biggest issue is that Lauren isn't certain how things could be and how much she could learn if she is in Chicago while all these amazing people are in California. Of course, along with Lauren's path, we also have some POVs of other characters and there are several situations which contribute to people's decisions and how they think about the future. I also liked this because while nothing is set in stone, nothing is magically done (meaning no magical influence happens) everyone just knows they are meant to be a close family.

This is truly a sweet, cozy type of story. There isn't much to it in terms of a challenging story line, but I was still eager to see what would happen next, and the author sprinkles these small or apparently unassuming little tidbits here and there about many things which make the story feel even more charming and somehow everything seemed to develop well enough. Are there questionable situations and fantasy-like odds in what happens? No doubt, but that doesn't make the story feel ridiculous or silly as I often find some books to be, and here things are just so positive, one feels glad to be part of everything.

There is also some romance and some situations that are clearly too fantastical but I was happy enough with the result. Perhaps this is one of a kind and the other books in the (long) series won't be as great, but I think I will try the next one at least.

Grade: 9/10

Mini-Comments

I've recently read two books by Portuguese authors, which I brought from the library. 

One of them is an author I had read before and that I had good expectations about this new book, and the other is by a new author, whose "voice" seems to be well received.

O Nome Que a Cidade Esqueceu by João Tordo could be literally translated into "the name the city has forgotten" and is a story the author wrote after reading a piece on a newspaper from New York. The story is based on a man who lived alone and died without anyone knowing and in this book, the author picks up that idea and developed it by introducing a young woman who arrived in New York as a refugee from Georgia in the early 1990s. This young girl, away from everything familiar, has to start over and she ends up "working" for this man, by reading him the phone book aloud.

I really liked the story and the vibe. The author is known to add social commentary here and there and I think this time, a lot of what is said and a lot of what is shown through the characters somehow touched me and I was more than captivated by the story. Not everything is perfect, in fact some passages were a little irrelevant to me, if I think about the big picture, but overall, reading this was a pleasure, despite the subdued themes. Plus, there's a little bit of hope in the female character, for she finds love and something to look for in life, despite the tragedies she saw. There are also some emotional passages and situations which made me care more for what was happening. If I had time, this is a book I'd re-read.

Grade: 9/10

Leme by Madalena Sá Fernandes could be translated into "rudder", meaning something used to steer. In this story's context it could be seen as something that influences the narrator to take on a direction. This is the first book I try by the author - it's also her debut - and is a short story about the memories she had regarding her stepfather. The story is more a set of small scenes/situations grouped into chapters, and not a traditionally narrated tale. 

Perhaps, due to this graphic choice, I struggled to really get into this sort of memoir. It's true that the text is beautifully written, truly competent and with perfect syntax, hits all the correct elements but it also sounds incredibly automated and I failed to connect wit what the author wanted. Apparently, the stepfather was a bully and was violent towards the author's mother, so this is a depiction of how abusive he was and how this shaped the author. I can see how many readers loved this writing and apparent mundane way of presenting such a terrible scenario, but at the end I confess I felt if I had not read it, I would not have missed much...

Grade: 5/10

Hailey Turner - The Queen's Starfire Throne

Every road must come to an end.
THE DEAD. Facing a war where revenants outnumber the living, Caris Rourke must confront a future written in the stars, one she wants no part of. In order to outmaneuver the enemy, Caris must learn to trust her instincts, no matter where they lead, whether into the heart of danger or into the arms of Nathaniel, a dead man walking she should not trust, much less love.
THE WAR. Eimarille Rourke wants nothing more than to be queen of all Maricol and will do anything to succeed, even the unthinkable. Determined to claim the starfire throne for herself, she must first eradicate all other claimants. Seeking to assassinate her sister and brother amidst a war of her own making will lead Eimarille down a road of ruin from which there is no turning back.
THE LIVING. In the wake of the attack on the Warden’s Island, Soren returns to the people who made him into the warden he is today. But the past he thought he’d left behind as a child has given him a name he does not want. Far from the only man he’s ever loved, carrying a vow that could change the course of the war, Soren must decide if destroying his life is worth saving a world.
THE STARS. In the throes of an escalating war, Vanya Sa’Liandel must put his country above all else, even his own happiness. As Houses seek to betray him and the fallout of his family’s past mistakes claws ever closer, not having Soren by his side is an anguish he can’t escape. In the end, the tide of war could turn with an alliance he cannot afford to grant. But years ago, Vanya gave his heart to a warden, and some kinds of love weren’t meant to burn out but to rage like starfire.

Comment: This is the final story in the Infernal War saga trilogy. I was quite eager to read it and to know how everything would end up, and now that I have, part of me is still mourning the loss...

In this final installment, all the countries in Maricol are getting ready for full on war. Eimarille and the army of Daijal has subjugated many others, and has planned to take over the whole of Maricol and not only Ashion, as she has said before. In the meantime, her siblings finally meet and need to decide if they will join forces or not and what course of action they will take. The gods who guided them into their roads also watch from the sidelines, and whatever decision made will be approved or not by them. The problem is that not everyone can be the winner, therefore, which queen will sit in the throne, Eimarille or Caris?

This is the end of a wonderful trilogy which I have been following for the past months and that has been incredibly satisfying. Not every single detail has been great, but the overall world building was amazing and so complex that I just can't imagine how the author must have done it or how long did it take to plan, much less write, three books around 600 pages each with such a level of detail and character liaisons that still baffles me.

Simplifying things, after the other two books, all countries in Maricol are about to go into war because Eimarille, the oldest daughter of queen Ophelia of Ashion, was taken to enemy country Daijal as a child, and kind of groomed by the god Innes to go into a road in which she believed she would be on her mother's throne again one day, but not only as that country's queen. She would rule them all. Then, her younger brother Alesainder and baby sister Caris were saved by other gods and grew up with other lives. Now they are trying to save the world from her sister who, it all seems, can't see she went too far in her attempt to gain power.

This trilogy has been about playing the right part to accomplish a goal, but whose goal is more valid? I, of course, loved Soren/Alesainder and his "road", and Caris wasn't my favorite but she was clearly the good sister vs Eimarille, the villain. It's funny because in the first book I could not say there was a hero and a villain, but clearly that is not the case in this book or in the previous. There are also several secondary characters, some whose POV we can follow too, and all are part of this big scheme of things, which was a delight to follow. Some readers have said this book was kind of repetitive in parts, but when something is so captivating, minor things can easily be overlooked.

Personally, there are things I'd prefer to see different.. in a cozy cute world, instead of this being a saga about rivalry and misused powers, the siblings would unite and fight the gods perhaps, or something, instead of being at odds with each other. I think, deep down, this is a story about one's road. Each one of us has a road to walk in this life, and sometimes that road might take us into better or worse situations, and how we deal is the key. I also disliked a few situations throughout the main story line, but they do make sense in the big picture.

My favorite parts were the ones with Alesainder/Soren and emperor Vanya. I just loved how their relationship developed and grew and I saw myself smiling when they reunited and confessed their feelings... I could easily envision their HEA and they were probably the main characters that I more eagerly followed and who made it worth the time to keep reading the books. Not that the rest of the books aren't great elements done by the author, but this relationship (and one other) was key.

If there is an element that I was disappointed with here was how the gods' actions - or non actions - affected the characters. I'm especially thinking of the god who led Eimarille towards her "road" and why. The reason can certainly have merit but was almost too trivial to be seen as valid that I feel this might have been done better. The end result of this situation for this god was also, as seen by his siblings, quite shallow and made me think the author could have done better. 

I also kept thinking about a very specific detail regarding the moment Caris was left with her adoptive parents in the first book, which I must have misread because it was never mentioned again and I can't help but think something more might happen because of that and didn't.

Still, this didn't detract from the generous story line, the amount of details and characters and situations that are a show of character development but also evidence attention for detail and a rich set of places and scenes that kept me reading page after page, as if this wasn't a huge book. The very last sentence was both terrific and heartbreaking, enough to make me shed a few tears, but also perfect, and one I won't forget easily.

Grade: 9/10

Julie Klassen - The Ladies of Ivy Cottage

Return to Ivy Hill in The Ladies of Ivy Cottage as friendships deepen, romances blossom, and mysteries unfold.
Living with the two Miss Groves in Ivy Cottage, impoverished gentlewoman Rachel Ashford is determined to earn her own livelihood . . . somehow. When the village women encourage her to open a subscription library with the many books she has inherited or acquired through donations, Rachel discovers two mysteries hidden among them. A man who once broke her heart helps her search for clues, but will both find more than they bargained for?
Rachel's friend and hostess, Mercy Grove, has given up thoughts of suitors and fills her days managing her girls' school. So when several men take an interest in Ivy Cottage, she assumes pretty Miss Ashford is the cause. Exactly what--or who--has captured each man's attention? The truth may surprise them all.
Meanwhile, life has improved at the coaching inn and Jane Bell is ready to put grief behind her. Now if only the man she misses would return--but where is he?
As the women of Ivy Hill search for answers about the past and hope for the future, might they find love along the way?

Comment: Last month I've read and was not amazed by the first book in the Tales from Ivy Hill trilogy (plus a novella), set in a quaint and charming fictional village. The story was very much the author's usual style but I felt it didn't met my expectations. I was less eager to start this second one but since I was determined to read the three books anyway...

In this second installment, life goes on for the inhabitants of Ivy Hill and new challenges and worries make the daily routines of everyone. Rachel Ashford, whose father's scandal brought her down in certain cicles, is now helping at her friend Mercy's school but she still feels adrift in her new circumstances. She knows a proposal might come her way and she isn't certain if she should accept but in the meantime the suggestion of a library helps filling up her days. Mercy, on the other hand, is used to her days and the girls at her school but her parents decide enough is enough and Mercy must make decisions about her future. At the inn, Jane is now more confident about her work and role but while she is also happy for the new marriage of her mother-in-law, she can't help thinking what if in regards to a certain someone... 

As the days go by and many new things happen, with people coming and going, will these friends be able to grasp their happy endings?

Thankfully, I preserved in wanting to keep up with this trilogy because I'm happy to say that, for me, this second installment was everything I wanted from the beginning and now I feel even more the difference, and the pity, that the first book was not as compelling as this one turned out to be.

In this second book, the story starts pretty much right after the events of the first, but this time the focus is more obviously divided between the three friends, more so on Mercy and Rachel, although we do have other POVs here and there. I can imagine how the pace might be too slow for some readers but I think things worked very well for the type of story the author planned, an that this time seemed to be so much better. I was really glad to keep turning the pages and knowing more about what was happening to the ladies and what they had to deal with.

Since the pace is slow and the situations the characters are facing require very repetitive actions, I can see how this might feel like not having a plot. But somehow, I was captivated by the charm of the village, by the small but important steps required to accomplish something and how even the apparently simplest things could be more meaningful than what one would think. These things seemed to enrich the story line because the characters were likable and this time around, the overall vibe I got was not one of bleakness, even when something less good was happening.

This time, the three main ladies - Jane, Rachel and Mercy - were all doing worthy actions, things that helped themselves having peace of mind, but also things which helped others and even when something wasn't immediately fixed, they seemed to have a good support system in one another and in close friends. I felt this made the whole difference, because what seemed to be too sad and too dramatic in the first book suddenly made more sense and gave me a different side of their personalities, making me like them more. I can't explain properly without spoiler examples, but I think the ladies' actions made them more assertive and, as a consequence, more likable without losing the notion this is the 19th century, with all the expected social and financial limitations.

I think there are plenty specific scenes with each lady and their closer circle of friends, and then with them interacting, to convince me of the charm and the friendship I wanted to have in the first book too, if this is meant to be a trilogy about a vast cast of characters living in a practically idyllic village. Things aren't that simple though, and each lady has a personal road to travel. Rachel has her fate solved but the other two ladies, despite some obvious clues in regards to what might come for them, still have decisions to make, which certainly will happen in the last book.

This book surprised me very positively, I had a great time with these characters and their struggles, and watching some of their conquests. I hope the next book is as fascinating to me as this one and that the trilogy can have a good ending.

Grade: 9/10

Emily Henry - Book Lovers

Nora Stephens’ life is books—she’s read them all—and she is not that type of heroine. Not the plucky one, not the laidback dream girl, and especially not the sweetheart. In fact, the only people Nora is a heroine for are her clients, for whom she lands enormous deals as a cutthroat literary agent, and her beloved little sister Libby.
Which is why she agrees to go to Sunshine Falls, North Carolina for the month of August when Libby begs her for a sisters’ trip away—with visions of a small-town transformation for Nora, who she’s convinced needs to become the heroine in her own story. But instead of picnics in meadows, or run-ins with a handsome country doctor or bulging-forearmed bartender, Nora keeps bumping into Charlie Lastra, a bookish brooding editor from back in the city. It would be a meet-cute if not for the fact that they’ve met many times and it’s never been cute.
If Nora knows she’s not an ideal heroine, Charlie knows he’s nobody’s hero, but as they are thrown together again and again—in a series of coincidences no editor worth their salt would allow—what they discover might just unravel the carefully crafted stories they’ve written about themselves.

Comment: Two years ago I've read a book by this author which many readers liked but that to me was a little underwhelming. Nevertheless, the author's themes (books mainly) are very appealing and I've decided to try another one, and this time I was amazed by this story...

In this book dedicated to book lovers, as the title so conveniently alludes to, an editor and an agent must unite efforts to help an author have the best professional advice she can to publish her book. Nora is an agent whose personality and life is very similar to the dumped women in romances, always put aside when their intended finds true love. Charlie is an editor who wants to help his family even if that means working in a cliched bookshop, famous after a successful book made readers curious about its location, and by the same author he is now responsible for editing. Nora and her sister Libby are just in their holidays, for Libby wanted to relax before she's due to have her third baby, but the more the small town resembles the cozy romance setting everyone expected, the more Nora runs into Charlie and the more they interact in weirdly fun ways. Could it be that romance cliches are much more obvious than they ever imagined after all?

As a romance, this fit all the boxes for me and I had a great time spending time with these characters and following their thoughts. In this aspect, I must say I liked this book a lot more than the other, where there times when things felt very boring or not very interesting. Here, the characters' interactions and the situations they put themselves in always felt cute or captivating.

Nora is actually a fascinating character, a mix of vulnerability and strength often hidden under the guise of apparent indifference. I liked how the author characterized her and it was quite an idea, to compare her with those characters in books and in movies that so often are seen as villains or even redundant, only there to present an obstacle to the main characters' romance. Nora has had more than one experience being dumped by guys who found "true love" and this, along with her absent father and disillusioned mother - even though she kept an upbeat persona while alive - probably caused her to feel she was not meant for an everlasting love.

Of course, part of the fun is to watch precisely this happening and Charlie, who also seemed at first a bit standoffish, is the perfect partner for her. The setting is truly a cliché but I had so much fun following Nora and Charlie, and even sister Libby, while they did silly things, sometimes connected to the scenes int he book that made the place known among romance readers. This was even better when we find out Charlie is the son of the bookshop's owners, a must in any cozy romance. I also liked learning how being their child affected Charlie's perception on this, especially once he shares with Nora certain things about hos parent's past.

In a way, I'm surprised the author used so many expected tropes/situations often found in romances and included them in very clever ways, almost as if they were truly part of the natural lives of the cast of characters, instead of being just something handy to use. Even things not directly meant to interfere with the plot were fun things to find like small town vibe being perfect for a HEA against all odds, or the quirky restaurant being a spot for a failed date.... things we take for granted in romances but that here, somehow, were made to look easy, almost organic to this world.

I also liked all the conversations about agents and editors and the work entailed and how some things are processed. Any reader probably has some clue on this or that but it's always nice to me to read things that make the characters look more professional or knowledgeable about what they do. The plenty references to books or anything book related were also a big plus!

Also, when the story gets to a certain point, the options the characters have to do also start to fit in with what we came to expect after a few comments the characters say but I was still a little surprised by one small twist, which is not that impossible to guess, but that I feel was still clever of the author to have done it. It made me think ti was another plot trope added...

When I finished the book, I felt very happy, this really made me imagine myself along with the characters seeing and hoping for the same things they wanted. I think the author balanced very well all the details she used and the characters might become just another couple in romance, but I really believed them and hoped they would find their way. It was very satisfying when they did precisely that.

Grade: 9/10

M. M. Crane - Bold Fortune

Quinn Fortune is the official protector of all the unspoiled beauty in Lost Lake, Alaska, as the head of the community trust. A rugged frontiersman through and through, he doesn't do soft. But he can't help his fascination with the pink-clad professor who shows up in Lost Lake seeking his approval for her cheerful outsider's proposal about land that isn't hers. Still, he agrees to consider it--if she can handle a month of good old-fashioned Alaska living. He's betting she'll head back to the safety of the Lower 48 within the week.
Violet Parrish is a thinker, not a doer, but desperate times call for extraordinary measures--like taking on the Alaskan wilderness. In January. Off the grid. With a mountain man hot enough to melt a glacier. The frozen Alaskan tundra should be no match for Violet's determination, but the sheer immensity of the Last Frontier takes her by surprise--as does her attraction to gruff, impossibly handsome Quinn, and the unexpected heat that burns between them during the freezing Alaska nights...

Comment: I've seen some positive reviews on this book and that is why I've added it to my list, especially because it would feature opposites attract and, when well done, these types of stories can be really fun to read.

In this story, activist/professor Violet Parrish is determined to work on a deal with Quinn Fortune, the person responsible for the mine rights and the community in Lost Lake, and Alaska region, classified as preserved. Quinn has refused any contact so Violet, after knowing someone she trusted betrayed her, feels he must prove herself and travels all the way to Lost Lake so she can present her case personally.

Quinn knows this Outsider should be treated like all the others, being tested until she cracked, but among all the pink and positivism, he sees someone who entrances him like no woman has done before and day by day she keeps surprising him. When their feelings start to become stronger, can they find a way to be together or the expectations of Violet's institute will prove to be the reason they can't be together?

Oh, I loved this one!

This was such a fun and romantic story and had all the ingredients I tend to like in an "opposites attract" type of story. Violet and Quinn are very different, personality wise, but deep down they see each other as someone special and much worthier of love and consideration than what others might think. It does sound like a cliché but they certainly felt like complementing each other.

First of all, I loved the Alaska setting. I'm not crazy over it because I would love to live in the wilderness but the landscape descriptions and the sort of activities one can do and the so-called communion with nature do seem to have been highlighted here. The fact Alaska as a region was important for the plot was also perfect, since the need to safe keep certain regions should never be questionable if on the other side one only has profit in mind. Still, I think the author used enough amount of information to not make this feel like a moral lesson.

Then, the main characters were really special. Of course they both had their reasons, their POVs, but the fun part of these stories is to see them interact and discuss things in a way that is only challenging because of their differences. Quinn is used to the place and he has had negative experiences when he was studying and in the expectations regarding a woman he cared about but who didn't want to stay in Alaska. This obviously colors his perception of what any one woman might be like, but what fun it was to see him happy when Violet was amazed by everything around them.

Since Violet is the newcomer, "outsider", the fun is to see how she deals with every new thing. I must say I struggled to think of myself as happy as she seemed to be if I had to be in the type of conditions she has, when Quinn is testing her but it was so sweet to read about her thoughts and love for the region anyway. Violet is a naturally bubbly woman, but she also has quite a vulnerable side and, of course, I loved how she got to be herself but still attempting to be a stronger person, doing things she liked and along with someone she felt she could trust.

I liked them both as individuals and as a couple, so many romantic scenes and I loved to know their inner musings, thoughts... these are more than likable characters and it was great to be "in their heads". Obviously, not everything is perfect, each one has doubts and worries and we just know that at some point everything will have to be dealt with and some of that met more cliché situations, but I feel it didn't detract from my enjoyment of the story. The plot isn't complicated and some things were not very original (how Violet feels guilty over the role she is playing after she gets to fall in love with Quinn and with Alaska) but nothing seemed badly done.

Closer to the end, the author used some devices to enhance the drama and while I liked how this made the characters think about their behavior and feelings, it wasn't the best way to bring originality to the story. Again, I can't say it was bad but it could have been better for certain. There some cute scenes and love declarations which I found a bit exaggerated but I was just so happy with how things had evolved, especially on the emotional level for them, that I could just savor the overall story.

I really liked this one and I will read the next one too. Since it seems the stories will be focused on the Fortune siblings, I hope the author won't forget about the ones still single!

Grade: 9/10

Amy E. Reichert - The Kindred Spirits Supper Club

Jobless and forced home to Wisconsin, journalist Sabrina Monroe can tolerate reunions with frenemies and kisses from old boyfriends, but not the literal ghosts that greet her in this heartwarming tale of the power of love and connection from acclaimed author Amy E. Reichert.
For Sabrina Monroe, moving back home to the Wisconsin Dells--the self-described Waterpark Capital of the World--means returning to the Monroe family curse: the women in her family can see spirits who come to them for help with unfinished business. But Sabrina's always redirected the needy spirits to her mom, who's much better suited for the job. The one exception has always been Molly, a bubbly rom-com loving ghost, who stuck by Sabrina's side all through her lonely childhood.
Her personal life starts looking up when Ray, the new local restaurateur, invites Sabrina to his supper club, where he flirts with her over his famous Brandy Old-Fashioneds. He's charming and handsome, but Sabrina tells herself she doesn't have time for romance--she needs to focus on finding a job. Except the longer she's in the Dells, the harder it is to resist her feelings for Ray. Who can turn down a cute guy with a fondness for rescue dogs and an obsession with perfecting his fried cheese curds recipe?
When the Dells starts to feel like home for the first time and with Ray in her corner, Sabrina begins to realize that she can make a difference and help others wherever she is.

Comment: The premise of this book caught my eye and having read other books by the author, I had an idea of how this might be like, and it turned out to be a very satisfying read for me.

In this novel heroine Sabrina is back to her parents' house in Wisconsin, after another job fail in New York. Sabrina loves writing, is a journalist but she does struggle to interact with others, such as making phone calls. The problem of going back is not just because she feels like a burden, but also due to her family legacy: the women in her family are able to see and speak with ghosts. 

In New York, Sabrina was free of this, which has caused a lot of problems as she was growing up, but near her hometown it's impossible to escape them. Her mother helps but sometimes it's not possible to avoid them, except Molly, a ghost who has been part of her life since she started seeing them.

Things change when she meets Ray at a park after a small accident and from that moment on, it seems they bump into each other all the time. She wants nothing to do with him because she fears he would laugh at her, but could it be her happiness has always been there waiting for her?

I really liked reading this book. Things happened to make me be able to dedicate hours to it without much interruption and I've discovered that nowadays, for the most part, this is the best way for me to savor a book better, especially if it's something I might not like as much - although this can depend on the book. That wasn't the case here, I was glued to the plot from the start and was rooting for Sabrina.

I believe that, in a way, this worked out so well for me in general because I identified with the heroine's thoughts on her choices and challenges. She often comments she feels a burden to her parents or that she made a mistake making them spend so much money and now she isn't using her degree as well as she feels she should, she still has student debts and she feels a little depressed. My personal situation isn't exactly the same - thankfully here public universities mean that a student can have scholarships or if someone is not eligible, the fees aren't impossible for some families - but I also think along these lines, am I good enough, am I making the right decisions, am I justifying my parents' help and money spent on me... I think I liked Sabrina for her situation alone.

Sabrina is also a bit shy or introverted, we are led to think that her teenager years were bad because of her ability to see ghosts, but this could be somehow extrapolated into anyone who has been bullied. She dislikes having to make phone calls and how I understand her! Too bad people can't just sent texts. Sabrina is, despite her "flaws", a good and genuine person and I liked following her live. Of course, part of this plot is to make her realize helping ghost won't be that bad, she has a good support system in her parents, she meets a great guy and the interesting part is how she slowly comes to realize he isn't like her high school sweetheart, who betrayed her trust.

Ray is, indeed, a great guy. He is back to take care of his uncle's legacy, especially in regards to the supper club he is managing but he still feels family pressure to let this go and focus again on what his parents aimed for his career. It's not that they dislike his current work, but they are sued to money and a certain status quo, meaning they would prefer him to go back. But Ray preserves and meeting Sabrina in such a funny way makes him think about putting down roots.

I liked the slow development of their relationship, how we could see they matched in the little things.. I wouldn't say the romance is perfect, since Sabrina is often scared he might see her differently after he discovers the ghost thing, but of course things happen exactly as they should, he is very respectful of her and she also helps him be strong to defend his wants for his life. They were a very sweet couple and while I could do with a bit more tension before they admitted their feelings it was still cute to see.

All in all, this was very entertaining, I really liked reading this and the family friend ghost even has a HEA, so only good aspects to consider. I know this might not be seen the same way by all, but several details made it really special for me.

Grade: 9/10

Karen White - The Strangers on Montagu Street

With her relationship with writer Jack Treholm as shaky as the foundation of her family home, Melanie’s juggling a number of problems. Like restoring her Tradd Street house...and resisting her mother’s pressure to ‘go public’ with her talent—a sixth sense that unites them to the lost souls of the dead. But Melanie never anticipated her new problem.
Her name is Nola, Jack’s estranged young daughter who appears on their doorstep, damaged, lonely and defiantly immune to her father’s attempts to reconnect. Melanie understands the emotional chasm all too well. As a special, bonding gift Jack’s mother buys Nola an antique dollhouse—a precious tableaux of a perfect Victorian family. Melanie hopes the gift will help thaw Nola’s reserve and draw her into the family she’s never known.
At first, Nola is charmed, and Melanie is delighted—until night falls, and the most unnerving shadows are cast within its miniature rooms. By the time Melanie senses a malevolent presence she fears it may already be too late. A new family has accepted her unwitting invitation to move in—with their own secrets, their own personal demons, and a past that’s drawing Nola into their own inescapable darkness...

Comment: This is the third installment in the Tradd street series by Karen White and I loved it!

Melanie is at a sort of comfortable place right now, she has a restored relationship with her mother, her father seems to be on a steady road too, her house is being dealt with despite some not surprising setbacks but now her life is about to change again because Jack asks her to help with his recently found daughter. Nola is a teenager with issues, as expected, but she doesn't mind staying with Melanie - and then with her mother when house renovations need to happen - because she is still trying to cope. Everything gets even more complicated when Amelia, Nola's grandmother, offers her a dollhouse and after a while, Melanie picks up on the weird behavior of the figurines of the dollhouse, which clearly means spirits are on the loose again. 

But Melanie's fortieth birthday approaches and this can be quite a mark for her... will she have time to think about what it truly means when she has to, once again, deal with angry and whimsical ghosts?

Since the first book that the tone and writing of the author captivated me. If there is one thing I can say is that I love to spend time with the characters, even though, in terms of plot, there isn't that much going on. The series is very focused on Melanie as protagonist, but also in her interactions with the others and her ability to see and speak to ghosts. It's not an action packed story line, although a few scenes can be seen as more energetic, but I had a great time reading about them and imagining them going about their lives.

I think the story might be a bit too slow for some readers, and not all elements always seem to go any direct path, but I really liked the time it takes to savor knowing what the characters think, how they develop their relationships and the ghosts as well as Melanie's abilities (and of others) add a very interesting layer to what would probably be too mild. As it happened with the other books, there is a ghost to help move on, and that means learning about them and why they might have stayed. I actually felt sad over what we learn about the ghosts Melanie helps in this book, I think the story was quite emotional.

Of course, as Melanie and the others face these issues, their lives carry on and I must say I really love Melanie's personality, her adoration for doughnuts and her notion that time isn't stopping and she rather have small things than be disappointed again in life. I do like how she slowly welcomed her mother back, how they aren't a perfect combo and she still debates on her mother's advice regarding her ability to see the ghosts and stuff, how she ponders what this could mean for a career she worked so much for but deep down I think Melanie is cautious because she feels she might loose more than she gains.

For the reader, this can sound a bit irritating because we see Melanie has a wonderful support system and a cast of people who help her and who love her so her fears aren't that realistic but it's always easier to see it from the distance than to accept that ourselves. Melanie does feel like being too serious most time but I kind of identify with her... I think I'd probably be quite alike if my life were to be like hers, personality wise, and probably that helps me to simply enjoy reading these books more.

I did like the introduction of Nola, a new character who immediately changed a bit the dynamics between some characters and I liked how Melanie was so helpful and tried to make Nola see how Jack wasn't aware of her existence and that they should get to know one another before being best buddies. Nola's mother died which means it's one more ghost for Melanie to deal with but this time, the ghost wants to protect Nola, like a guardian angel, and her presence does add to the sub plots ongoing, as well as being handy accessory of sorts in a key situation when Melanie is in danger.

The romance is obviously very slow paced but I'm happy to say Jack and Melanie did talk at last, and their relationship took quite a huge step in the right direction. Things aren't fixed between them yet but I'm confident their HEA will be even sweeter because of the little things in their way still.

The ghosts are helped as they need, there are some sad moments regarding other things too, but overall, the feeling I had when finished was positive and I'm very eager to read the rest of the series.

Grade: 9/10

Victor Hugo - Les Miserables

Victor Hugo's tale of injustice, heroism and love follows the fortunes of Jean Valjean, an escaped convict determined to put his criminal past behind him. But his attempts to become a respected member of the community are constantly put under threat: by his own conscience, when, owing to a case of mistaken identity, another man is arrested in his place; and by the relentless investigations of the dogged Inspector Javert. It is not simply for himself that Valjean must stay free, however, for he has sworn to protect the baby daughter of Fantine, driven to prostitution by poverty.

Comment: This is a classic I've wanted to read for a long time. But I didn't have the book and my local library only had an edition divided into several smaller volumes. I've decided to invest in the most recent Portuguese edition, divided into two volumes, because despite the price, it is still more convenient to me to read classics in my mother tongue. I feel the translation of this one was a masterful work and I'm glad I've chosen to go with it as my first read of 2023.

I believe there is no need to summarize the plot, but nevertheless here it is the premise: It's the 19th century and Jean Valjean is a poor, hungry man who has pity on his sister's children too and one time he steals a bread. He is caught and sent to jail but when he is finally released no one wants to help him until he meets a true good man, a priest who trust in him. Valjean turns his life around and decides to help others, until one police officer decides it's his life mission to expose Valjean's past to everyone. At the same time, Fantine, who works in one of Valjean's factories to help pay her daughters' stay with a deceiving couple, is dismissed and her only solution is to become a prostitute. When Valjean discovers this, he decides to do the right thing and help the child, Cosette. However, his past and his conscience are always in the way, as well as the unfairness of a system and the prejudice of others... will Valjean be able to accomplish what he promised to Fantine?

Often, classic texts are seen by our contemporary standards and style as being boring or outdated or just not appealing at all. Any writer can be caught in these descriptions and I've read a few classics which felt like too much of a task or a duty because of the heavy text or the boring writing or even the unappealing plots. I expected this book to have a little of everything but I decided to not investigate the story (I have not yet seen any of the movies based on it either) so that my experience would not be swayed.

Portuguese Edition
Volume I

I'm very glad I did this and that I tried the book in the professional translation I picked. The story simply flowed for me and I saw myself eager to turn the pages and to see what the characters would do next. It's pretty much a classic, not only because of when it was written and all that it contains because of the cultural and historical setting the author wrote about, but also because it's one of those "larger than life" texts, the quest/ path of a character (Valjean) through redemption and forgiveness, especially by his own standards and attitudes.

I was truly invested in this book, even at an emotional level. Some passages, although I can't repeat or memorize them, evoked in me a lot of feelings and thoughts. Jean Valjean is a true hero: imperfect, making mistakes, doing bad things, making wrong choices but his character and his heart flawless. Just like any good person but who makes human mistakes. An example: close to the end of the story he has this monologue explaining to another character why he isn't worthy of the good opinion Cosette has of him and it was one of the most emotional and heartbreaking passages I've read in a book! I couldn't help crying because his self esteem was never something he considered, not once but he still did his best and I just couldn't help not feeling sad for him.

Portuguese Edition
Volume II

For me, the book worked out wonderfully. I know it wasn't so for everyone who has read it and perhaps the way the book is told might have something to do with it, but the author captivated me completely. The book is divided into five parts and each part into chapters. As it's a given when it comes to 19th century works and/or style, there is plenty of text where the author introduces ideas or just goes away from the story to provide context and this can certainly annoy many people, as it becomes distracting and boring, but I actually liked all the historical and social commentary.

Each part is focused on one character (or what they are suppose to represent) and although one could say the characters are a bit too conventional - they are meant to personify an idea/value which means they don't really have more to them than the basics and simple interactions - I was still rooting for the ones who had unfairness happening to them and hated the ones who hurt others on purpose. The author obviously had an agenda writing this, mostly regarding society, but I think that for me, the fictional part was as interesting as everything else.

There are many reviewers and readers out there who did a much better job in explaining why this is deserving of the classic status and why it still captivates readers so long after the historical events used to develop the plot took place. The root of this story and the characters still touches us nowadays, still tells us about a message and a concept, we still wish to see the "good ones" win the day or be seen as heroes. This was really a fascinating read for me, for certain.

Grade: 9/10

Anthony Horowitz - Moonflower Murders

Retired publisher Susan Ryeland is running a small hotel on a Greek island with her long-term boyfriend. But life isn’t as idyllic as it should be: exhausted by the responsibility of making everything work on an island where nothing ever does, Susan is beginning to miss her literary life in London – even though her publishing career once entangled her in a lethal literary murder plot.
So when an English couple come to visit with tales of a murder that took place in a hotel the same day their daughter Cecily was married there, Susan can’t help but find herself fascinated.
And when they tell her that Cecily has gone missing a few short hours after reading Atticus Pund Takes The Case, a crime novel Susan edited some years previously, Susan knows she must return to London to find out what has happened.
The clues to the murder and to Cecily’s disappearance must lie within the pages of this novel.
But to save Cecily, Susan must place her own life in mortal danger…

Comment: Two months ago I've read and loved Magpie Murders, the first book I tried by this author. I'm now thankful I'm only reading these books now, because I could simply pick this second one instead of having to wait the years it took until it was published. The stories aren't linear sequels, but this second one has enough references to the first that reading in order is absolutely necessary.

The protagonist Susan is now living in Crete with her boyfriend but it is clear that things at their hotel aren't as simple and carefree as she might imagined, once everything was ready. When a British couple shows up, Susan immediately knows they have money and aren't there to book a stay with them. Lawrence and Pauline came to Crete to speak to Susan personally because heir daughter Cecily has been missing and they believe it has something to do with a book by Alan Conway, whose editor was Susan. Apparently, Cecily noticed some kind of clue in a book which is obviously based on the family's hotel in the UK and in a crime which happened there. Soon after making a phone call to her parents about it, she wasn't seen anymore. Susan isn't certain if she can really help but the couple will pay her "work" investigating what Cecily might have seen in the book and the fact she does want to be back in the UK also works to convince her. Will she be able to find anything? Could it be she will be in danger herself?

I did find the other book clever because of all the connections and clues and ideas, not only related to the main plot but also to the story within the story. The author must have a wonderful imagination and organizational skills to keep everything steady or, at least, a very good editor too, to help him with all the details that need to make sense! Once again, this was a very clever book and I think I liked it slightly more than the first!

The structure of this novel is pretty much the same as the other book, but the fictional book featuring Atticus Pund, which was introduced early on in the first book comes up a bit more towards the middle of the plot of this one. It's quite a treat how much effort and detail was put into creating that story. I actually think mr Horowitz could start his own "small town cozy mysteries during the 40s" series and those books would be quite a success! It's true they are smaller, more concise plots along the lines of Agatha Christie (an obvious influence), but so rewarding nevertheless.

However, I must say that despite my enjoyment in reading this story, I don't think the overall effect was as well achieved as it had happened in the other book, not only because the wow factor wasn't as obvious anymore, but also because I feel the real show stopper this time was the primary plot regarding Susan and the people she interacts with at the hotel and in her investigation. It felt as if that was the actual mystery to be concerned with, when in Magpie Murders I felt the focus was divided equally into the two plots.

Susan's investigation was very clever and easy to follow, even though I'll confess at some point I did wonder if the killer wasn't a certain someone, based on one clue but, of course at that point there were still plenty of red herrings to come out way... still, I was surprised by how everything came to happen but the killer's identity wasn't a complete novelty. The plot is still well thought, don't be mistaken; But I did think the reason why things happened that way could have been stronger. 

I also can't help thinking how unlikely it is that Susan, not a police officer or anything alike it, can so easily talk to people and they answer her questions... this is addressed a few times throughout the book so we know there's a valid reason but I think to myself, if I were involved, would I so easily want to speak with someone who is not an actual authority figure...? Oh well, it serves its purpose!

While all this happens and Susan talks to people and connects clues and we discover things, the big picture starts to come to life. The murder which happened at the hotel and that propelled the whole thing happened before the events of Magpie Murders which is quite funny to me, here we have a prequel regarding a book published but with events which are a sequel. It is quite ingenious and astute how the author planned everything. Some of the distractions and red herrings are also doubly clever because they offer possibilities but even those have a special meaning and get some kind of importance in the novel, unlike the times where things are used just so the reader doesn't guess things right away.

At some point, Susan realizes what really happened and she can finally explain to Lawrence and Pauline wat happened to Cecily and what she saw that sealed her fate. I still think some small details feel a little forced, like the initial clue Cecily sees in the book! Now I know what it was and how she would have made the connection she did but to be fair, it's not that obvious and the reason why it was for Cecily didn't fully convince me... still, when Susan explains things to the majority of characters, just like Poirot does in Agatha Christie's novels, it was quite a rush, to finally see the big picture.

I had such a wonderful time reading this, even with the flaws or the details I think could have been better, it was a very well done story. I certainly hope the author might write something else in this series or in this genre because it's a very consistent and rich work.

Grade: 9/10

Angie Hockman - Shipped

Between taking night classes for her MBA and her demanding day job at a cruise line, marketing manager Henley Evans barely has time for herself, let alone family, friends, or dating. But when she’s shortlisted for the promotion of her dreams, all her sacrifices finally seem worth it.
The only problem? Graeme Crawford-Collins, the remote social media manager and the bane of her existence, is also up for the position. Although they’ve never met in person, their epic email battles are the stuff of office legend.
Their boss tasks each of them with drafting a proposal on how to boost bookings in the Galápagos—best proposal wins the promotion. There’s just one catch: they have to go on a company cruise to the Galápagos Islands...together. But when the two meet on the ship, Henley is shocked to discover that the real Graeme is nothing like she imagined. As they explore the Islands together, she soon finds the line between loathing and liking thinner than a postcard.
With her career dreams in her sights and a growing attraction to the competition, Henley begins questioning her life choices. Because what’s the point of working all the time if you never actually live?

Comment: When this book was released and people started to add it to their TBRs, I thought it would be a cute and light novel and I got curious, so on to the list it went. I'm very glad I read it because I ended up liking it quite a lot.

In this story we meet Henley Evans, she works for a cruise line, in the marketing and management department and she is studying at night to her a MBA so she can advance in her career. She has been a good employee and she is told a new management position will be open and she and social media director Graeme are the two being considered for the spot. Henley has a sort of clash with Graeme, for she thinks he isn't very cooperative but when the boss tells them their performance on a cruise to the Galapagos as well as a plan to increase bookings will be key to choose the one to be in management, they both embark on an exotic trip. Henley expected a lot but not that she and Graeme would have sparks nor that they would be such a good match. But can she overlook what she always aimed for to be with someone that wants the same job?

I really had a great time reading this novel. The writing style is easy and fluid and I kept being eager to turn the pages, to see what would happen next. The story seems pretty basic and perhaps in a way it is, but I've felt the author included a lot of information and somehow she made everything work well and in a cohesive manner.

Henley is a good heroine, in the sense that she is dedicated to her job, she wants to do things right and in a way that others would appreciate too. She feels sorry some of her ideas weren't always used but she knows she is a good professional. She is also studying so she can reach a higher position, and she is more or less happy, although she had a heartbreak and she does worry for her younger sister. We get to see these two things dealt with as the plot moves along because Henley is a busy person, quite nonsense and she doesn't give in to silly wanderings, which I found great.

Graeme is a bit more reserved, we only get to know him better while he and Henley interact during their trip, but I ended up thinking he is a good guy and a very good match to Henley, especially because they are both professional, they both want to do well and unlike what the fun and cartoonish cover might indicate, they never go into silly nor childish behavior (as I thought happened in one of the books this one is so easily compared with). I really liked this aspect of their personalities and what it meant for them as a possible couple.

The romance was cute in its own way. It's true they seem to be antagonists at first because of the interactions they had for work, often by phone or email since Graeme doesn't live in the same state, but with perspective and after they meet each other for the first time, I think it's cute to see that they had fun exchanging jibes over emails and such. Their physical attraction seems to be well done too, I was convinced they liked each other that way, but the best feature was how in sync they were over values, ideas, behavior, attitudes and this truly sold me on their romance. Even their ethics over the job and how that goes made me feel they would always be a balanced pair.

As for the plot, this was a very good element of the book because it wasn't there just to wrap up the romance of the presence of the secondary characters. I felt it had a purpose and Henley's proposal for the job seemed a very clever idea, something the author commented on in her notes at the end. I think the final section, when everyone who is important to Henley is helping her and adding something to her idea was really special and made the story feel a lot richer.

This is also a story set on an exotic place - well, most of it. After reading about it, now I wish I could visit the Galapagos too, to see the things described. Again, the author's experience shows because everything has enough detail without being an info dump, but it's special enough to make it obvious she saw what she is including and the picture painted seems to be very special indeed...

I liked this one. I know everyone sees things differently and some readers have stressed out some negative aspects but to me this one worked out pretty well. 

Grade: 9/10