This Lullaby - Sarah Dessen

This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

I have become a huge Sarah Dessen fan over the past year. This book was so disappointing. Full of foul language and constant drinking. But more than that, I just couldn’t like Remy. Usually I can connect and feel sympathy with Dessen’s main characters although I’m a couple decades off from my teen years. But Remy was just distasteful. As were her friends. Maybe the reader is supposed to connect and feel for Dexter. If so, that worked. He’s the only character I liked at all.

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Origin (Robert Langdon #5) - Dan Brown

Origin by Dan Brown
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Probably more a 2.5 for me this go-around. Maybe.
Origin returns the reader to the art, science, and symbolism of Robert Langdon's world. In this book, Langdon is attending a presentation by a former student that is predicted to shake the world and, specifically, the religious communities. As usual in Langdon's life, something is amiss; and it's a chase through through landmarks to solve anything.
This was not my favorite of Dan Brown's. I found the plot more predictable than usual. And the characters and plot less engaging. However, some of the ideas presented have stuck with me a week later. So I will give it 3 stars for that.

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When Dimple Met Rishi - Sandhya Menon

When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Dimple and Rishi have been "matched" by their parents. Rishi knows it while Dimple has no clue when they meet at an app design camp. Cue disaster? Not really.
I love cheesy YA with the best of readers...usually. But this one was just over the top hokey to me. The similes and metaphors and descriptions of their feelings and thoughts were just beyond eye rolling to me. Too cute, not in the good way.
That being said, it does get a bonus star for the diverse characters and culture. Although hopefully the print version has a glossary in the back as I spent a lot of time googling words and phrases from the ebook.

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The Glass Castle - Jeannette Walls

The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

So I had been told going into this that it is either a book you love or you hate. I come down pretty soundly on the "not the book for me" side of things. I almost gave it up several times. But as it was for a book club (and at the prodding of a friend), I pushed through.
The life and environment that Jeannette Walls describes growing up in is so clearly abhorrent. That any of the siblings are functioning adults is nothing short of a miracle. However, Walls writing doesn't do justice to the horror and conflict and neglect of her childhood. The writing style itself just seemed flat and unemotional. I wanted to feel what she felt, but her feelings were so often left out of the equation. I just couldn't connect, and that affected my overall reading and response to the book.

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Truth Stained Lies (Moonlighters Series #1) - Terri Blackstock

Truth Stained Lies by Terri Blackstock
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

In this first book of the trilogy, we are introduced to the Cramer family: Cathy, Juliet, Holly, and Jay. Jay's ex-wife has been murdered, and he's set up to take the fall. The Cramer sisters, along with family friend Michael, are determined to prove Jay's innocence.
This was a decent, quick read. Each of the characters is definitely a bit cookie cutter, and the story is plot driven. The characters don't grow or change much - at least not past what a reader can predict.
Also, there were several typos involving the wrong sisters' name in various places. That always annoys me. Not sure if those are just errors in the large print.
Anyway, I was needing something easy and entertaining after my last read. This fit the bill.

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Her Majesty: The Court of Queen Elizabeth II - Robert Hardman

Her Majesty: The Court of Queen Elizabeth II by Robert Hardman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book took me forever to read. I’m not entirely sure why, because it was interesting. I did have a few times I had to wait to get it back from the library.
This is not so much a biography of the Queen and her life as it is a biography for her reign. Organized by topic (prime ministers, royalist vs republic debates, foreign interactions, etc.) instead of chronologically, it was a good format.
I learned quite a bit and enjoyed the reading.

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A Gentleman in Moscot - Amor Towles

A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I LOVED this book. I didn't expect to when I was just a few chapters in, despite the fact everyone I knew who read it absolutely raved about it. For me, it got off to a slow start. But then I was hooked. I didn't want to put it down.
This is definitely a characters driven story. And what a character we get in the Count and his "comrades." To see each of the characters grow and develop over the course of the book, in addition to learning snippets of the back story of each. It was just beautifully done.
I learned some Russian history as well, so that's always a nice bonus.
Also liked the alliteration in all the chapter titles.

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The Polygamist's Daughter - Anna LeBaron

The Polygamist's Daughter by Anna LeBaron
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I think my empathetic bone is broken. On one level, I realize that Anna's experiences are horrific and her upbringing so damaging. However, on another level, I just didn't feel anything for her. I'm not sure if it's the way it was written. Or the fact I average 5 hours of sleep a night between my 2- and 4-year-old's wakings so my emotions are dead.
I do admire how Anna has overcome all the things in her past to be the strong woman she appears to be today.

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Enigma (FBI Thriller #21) - Catherine Coulter

Enigma by Catherine Coulter
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

Given the amazing ratings this book has on Goodreads, I’m going to be upfront and say it’s probably a great book but just wasn’t a good one for me.
When I requested it on NetGalley, I don’t remember reading anywhere that it was #21 in a series. That information would have been helpful. As would having read the previous 20 books. The synopsis was even confusing to me.
This book covers two separate stories, complete with their own contingency of suspects, victims, and FBI operatives. One story line follows a hardened criminal who has escaped custody while being transferred. The other is about a scientist who is trying to develop the proverbial “fountain of youth.”
There is just so much going on in this book I was overwhelmed. Too many characters (although I’m sure that wouldn’t have been so overwhelming if I’d read the previous books first). Too many plots. Just too much going on for me. The fact that there had to be multiple epilogues to wrap up all the story lines is telling. And while you pretty much who’s guilty of what pretty much from the get go, you don’t know the details of motivation and plan until the epilogues.
I never was invested in any of the characters or the stories themselves. I was too busy trying to keep it all straight.
I know people love Catherine Coulter and her writing. Clearly, or there wouldn’t be over twenty books in this series. But this book just wasn’t for me.

***Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy.
If you would like to read more of my reviews, please visit www.mommyreadsbooks.blogspot.com




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Invention of Wings - Sue Monk Kidd

The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

So, so, so, SO GOOD!!! I didn't want to put this down. Told from two different perspectives - both strong women in their own rights. Loosely couched in a true historical figure.
Some parts were certainly hard to read due to the content of the material, not the quality of the writing. The writing was engaging. The characters I loved...or loved to hate.
Well done, Sue Monk Kidd.

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If I'm Found (If I Run #2) - Terri Blackstock

If I'm Found by Terri Blackstock
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Enjoyed this addition to the series. Some of it's fairly implausible (How in the world does Casey keep stumbling upon these situations that need her help but put her at risk?) but I like the characters.
A suggestion for all writers/publishers of books in a series: Can I PLEASE get a summary for the story to that point in the front of each book? It took me much longer than it should have to get into this book because i was trying to remember what happened in the first one. Can't imagine having to wait until the third book and what details I'll have forgotten by then.

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Nine Parts of Desire - Geraldine Brooks

Nine Parts of Desire: The Hidden World of Islamic Women by Geraldine Brooks
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I probably wouldn't have picked up this book if it hadn't been a book club choice. This despite the fact I really enjoyed Geraldine Brooks Caleb's Crossing and have other books of hers on my To Read list. This one never crossed my radar.h
While it was tedious to get through and I had to look up a lot of the words, I did find the information interesting. The chapters were arranged by topic and not sequentially. It was almost like each chapter was its own essay.
The book is rather outdated (copyright 1995 and I'm writing this review in 2017), so probably not all of the facts and figures contained remain accurate. However, it is a good jumping off point for me to continue a basis of understanding into women and the Muslim world.

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Spring Brides: Three Novellas - Rachel Hauck, Lenora Worth, Meg Moseley

Spring Brides: A Year of Weddings Novella Collection by Rachel Hauck
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I really liked the March Bride. Probably because I've read all of Rachel Hauck's books and enjoyed this additional glimpse into the romance/wedding of Susanna and King Nathaniel. I found it to be well written and nicely paced. 4 stars.
I really did NOT like the April bride. First of all, I couldn't handle the characters' names. They about sent me over the edge. The timeline seemed wonky - slow in some places and completely skipped in others. And the whole thing was just beyond far-fetched. 0 stars. I didn't even like it enough for 1 star. And since I'm averaging, I don't have to give it a star if I don't want to. :)
And the May bride was okay. I liked the characters...even the over-the-top mom. I would have liked this to be a full-length story where the characters could have developed and not had everything so rushed. 2.5 stars...maybe 3.
So an average for the book of 2.2...since Goodreads doesn't allow half stars (They really should), I'll round to 2.

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Save Me - Lisa Scottoline

Save Me by Lisa Scottoline
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

This book had so much potential. The premise of making the choice to save your child or someone else's in an emergency could have gone so many different ways. For me, this book tried to go too many ways, involving too much - various story lines, a plethora of characters and themes. There were also inconsistencies in the timelines. Which is always extra annoying to me in a suspense book. I will say, the suspense reveal ended up being so far out in left field that I never would have guessed it. So I guess that's good?

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The Knight and the Dove (Kensington Chronicles #4) - Lori Wick

The Knight and the Dove by Lori Wick
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This was the best book of the series. Definitely the most interesting story of the four. However, weird that we went so far back in time after the first three books.
My gripes for the whole series:
-The covers are ridiculous. The models don't look very true to the description. And definitely not in line with the historical timeline.
-The history in the stories either wasn't very well researched or wasn't very well applied. The speech, mannerisms, etiquette, lack of chaperones, etc. were all wrong.

I didn't enjoy this series at all other than the fact they were great for reading on vacation with regular interruptions from my kids.

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How the Other Half Lives - Jacob Riis

How the Other Half Lives by Jacob A. Riis
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This is not the version I read. Okay, I gave up after reading about four chapters in. But my version of the book was by LibriVox, which gave me the idea to look for free audio. I got through the book, and it wouldn't have happened any other way. It was tough reading. I don't know if it was the small text or dense pages or the content. Probably all of the above. I fared much better upon switching to the audio (although it was weird with the different narrators - and varying quality of the recordings). Still, I think I didn't really grasp all of what Riis was conveying. And, really, a lot of the issues with tenements in New York back then are still with us today in the inner cities of America.

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The Austen Escape - Katherine Reay

The Austen Escape by Katherine Reay
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I do so hate to write a less than stellar review for a book authored by someone I’m a fan of. But that is where I find myself now, and why I’ve been putting off writing this review since I finished the book about a month ago.

I love Jane Austen. I’ve been a fan of Katherine Reay’s previous books (with the exception of The Bronte Plot). So when I saw she was writing another book with a Jane Austen tie-in, I started stalking NetGalley to request a copy as soon as it was available.

This book just didn’t do anything for me. The romance aspect and its issues were clear from pretty much the beginning. The entire story line was predictable. I can deal with a predictable story line as long as the characters are brilliantly written and engaging. They weren’t.

While the idea of going staying at a Regency area living history “hotel” could be infinitely fascinating, in this story it wasn’t. That part was just confusing as sometimes the characters involved were “living history” and other times they were just normal, modern-day people. Which I think defeats the purpose of paying that kind of money for that specific experience.

I just had issues with the story and the story telling on many levels. And that makes me sad.

I received a free advanced reader copy from Net Galley and the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

If you would like to read more of my reviews, please visit www.mommyreadsbooks.blogspot.com

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Alexander Hamilton - Rob Chernow

<Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

So I am ridiculously interested in going to see the musical. But as incentive figured I’d read the biography that inspired it all first. I figure 800+ pages should be worth rewarding with a ticket should Hamilton the musical ever come near enough for my viewing pleasure.
I did not expect the biography to be so engaging. It really was quite interesting. Not just Alexander Hamilton’s life but just the politics and the infighting and the beginning years of the United States. Absolutely worth the time investment to read it.

If you would like to read more of my reviews, please visit www.mommyreadsbooks.blogspot.com



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Snowflakes & Coffee Cakes - Joanne DeMaio

I can't believe I didn't post this review on here when I read the book back in December.  It was a book club book, and my book club enjoyed my candid review.  :)

Genre:  Fiction; Christmas; Chick Lit

Pages:  209 pages

Publishing Date:  October 15, 2013

Rating:  1 out of 5 stars on Goodreads

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Reluctant to leave her cherished New England hometown after her sister's winter wedding, former journalist Vera Sterling makes a sudden decision. She takes what's left of her severance pay and invests it in real estate ... in one particular drafty colonial home and old timber barn set upon the pretty banks of Addison Cove. In that rough-hewn barn, she discovers a secret treasure left behind by the previous owner, the proprietor of the long-forgotten Christmas Barn gift shop.
While restoring her run-down, wood-sided home--its creaking floors, broken banister, and neglected widow's walk--that secret slowly unfolds like a bit of snowflake wonder, crystallizing hopes and dreams for many in this small Connecticut town. But mostly for Derek Cooper whose own tragic story has headlined Addison's news. And whom Vera has come to love.
When the first snowstorm hits during Derek's annual Deck the Boats Festival at the cove, residents become stranded. It is then up to Vera to not only bring the town together, but to mend one man's heart she fears she may have lost.
Snowflakes and Coffee Cakes is a heartwarming story, one that reminds us to look to winter's stars. Because snowflakes can grant very special wishes ... if only we believe

My Thoughts:

I loathed this book. I would have quit it was it not a book for book club. I generally don’t finish and review a book that I dislike this much. But, alas, book club. 
I do wonder if my negative reaction to it was based on me being too cynical. Or just the wrong book at the wrong time. Both those things are possible. So perhaps take my review with a grain of salt. 
I was looking forward to this book. I like cozy Christmas tales. Both the title and premise were cute. Unfortunately, it didn’t go past that for me. 
The storyline was disjointed and jumpy throughout. I could get no clear sense of time – how much had passed, one event in relation to previous events, etc. – unless it was specifically stated. Otherwise the timeline was confusing, especially as many section breaks were present when there wasn’t a change of scene or anything. The voice of the whole book just seems off. I kept checking verb tenses to see if that was the issue. I don’t think it was. There was just no consistency or flow. 
I didn’t like any of the main characters. Okay, maybe I could have liked Vera’s sister, Brooke, if she were more developed. They were just all so…I don’t know. Their motivations were beyond me and their musings boring. Was Vera so clueless and unaware of her surroundings that she really needed warnings to see dogs and people that were right in front of her? Could Derek be any more sullen and withdrawn? He blows hot and cold while Vera just hangs on, chasing him around. The characters don’t even talk in real ways. 
Then there is the suspension of disbelief required for so many scenarios. It was presented that Addison was a small town. But no one knows anyone else? And Vera hadn’t ever come home or talked to any of her family in the past 5 years to know what a big deal Deck the Boat is to the whole town? And let’s talk about how Derek has been working on Vera’s house for months yet she doesn’t have his phone number until she goes over to his apartment. How in the world does Vera come across the article on the daughter when searching for Christmas trolley information? There is never indication there is a connection between the two at all. So, it would be weird for that article to show up with Christmas trolley search terms.
Overall, there was too much introspection – of all the characters. Introspection on snowflakes and winter and stars and…everything. The analogies and metaphors were over the top as well – eye roll inducing.
The book stated it was her “red plaid pea coat” EVERY SINGLE TIME Vera put on or had on her coat. Absolutely like nails on a chalkboard for me.
But, hey, a lot of people *really* liked this book. In fact, most in my book club rated it 3 or 4 stars (I would have said -5 but 1 is as low as Goodreads goes). So, don’t take my word for it. Read some more reviews…or just read the book. You might like it even though I didn’t.

Still Alice - Lisa Genova

Genre:  Contemporary Fiction

Pages:  292 pages

Publishing Date:  July 6, 2007

Rating:  5 out of 5 stars on Goodreads

Synopsis from Goodreads:
Alice Howland is proud of the life she worked so hard to build. At fifty years old, she’s a cognitive psychology professor at Harvard and a world-renowned expert in linguistics with a successful husband and three grown children. When she becomes increasingly disoriented and forgetful, a tragic diagnosis changes her life--and her relationship with her family and the world--forever.

My Thoughts:
I debated 4 or 5 stars on this book.  Since I’m still thinking about the story and characters several days later, I believe it has earned a 5. 

This book was both fascinating and heart breaking.  I have not had anyone close to me diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.  This was a very eye-opening read.

Genova really fleshed out all the characters.  They were human to the fullest extent in emotions and reactions in dealing with Alice’s diagnosis.  I felt for them.  The devastation for Alice to have been ultra-successful and cerebral and learning that everything she had built her career – and to a large part her life – on was going to disappear.  That she wouldn’t remember her education and professional knowledge or even worse, not recognize herself or her family.  I can only imagine it now based on what I’ve read in this book.

Such an amazingly well-written book on an important topic. 


For readers sensitive to things, there is some language.

Writing Desk - Rachel Hauck

Genre:  Christian Fiction; Christian Romance; Dual Narrative

Pages:  352 pages

Publishing Date:  July 10, 2017

Rating:  3 out of 5 stars on Goodreads

Synopsis from Goodreads:
Tenley Roth’s first book was a literary and commercial success. Now that her second book is due, she’s locked in fear. Can she repeat her earlier success or is she a fraud who merely found a bit of luck?
With pressure mounting from her publisher, Tenley is weighted with writer’s block. But when her estranged mother calls asking Tenley to help her through chemotherapy, she packs up for Florida where she meets handsome furniture designer Jonas Sullivan and discovers the story her heart’s been missing.
Born during the Gilded Age, Birdie Shehorn is the daughter of the old money Knickerbockers. Yet her life is not her own. Under the strict control of her mother, her every move is decided ahead of time, even whom she’ll marry. But Birdie has dreams of her own. She wants to tell stories, write novels, make an impact on the world. When she discovers her mother has literally destroyed her dreams, she must choose between submission and security or forging a brand new way all on her own.
Tenley and Birdie are from two very different worlds. Yet when Tenley discovers Birdie’s manuscript, their lives intersect. Birdie’s words help Tenley find a way home. Tenley brings Birdie’s writing to the world.
Can two women separated by time help fulfill each other’s destiny?

My Thoughts:
Rachel Hauck is one of the authors I stalk on NetGalley so that I can get first reads on her new books instead of languishing in the hold list at my library.

While this book harkens the Wedding Dress, Wedding Shop, Wedding Chapel series with its item tying a past and a modern story together, I didn’t find this one as engaging and heart-warming.  Not surprisingly, I found the story of Birdie more interesting.  I do have a soft spot for historical fiction.  I also just couldn’t really get attached to Tenley.  I found her to be flighty and a bit dramatic.  Additionally, the development of her relationship with Jonas just seemed too quick and odd to me. 

The unique ties between the characters past and present were interesting, though. 

I did enjoy the tidbits about writing and publishing, both in the Gilded Age and modern times.  The pressure to create no doubt takes some of the creativity out of it. I’ve seen that in many Young Adult trilogies I’ve read in recent years where the first book was great and then the following two not so much (or even rotten).

It was a quick and easy read.  I think fans of Rachel Hauck or of stories with dual timelines would find it worth their time to read.

2.5 out of 5 stars. 

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy.
If you would like to read more of my reviews, please visit www.mommyreadsbooks.blogspot.com

Threads of Suspicion - Dee Henderson (Evie Blackwell Cold Case #2)

Genre:  Christian Fiction, Suspense

Pages:  432 pages


Publishing Date:  May 2, 2017


Rating:  2 out of 5 stars on Goodreads

There was *a lot* going on in this book.  So much so that at times I lost track of cases and characters, and I think the characters lost track of their own thought flows.
Evie Blackwell and the Missing Persons Task Force she's been assigned to is on their first official cases.  Five cases; 5 task force members.  Evie is for some reason paired up with David Marshal even though they are working different cases.  All the other task force team members work solo and only pop up occasionally.
There are task for members, crime suspects, crime victims, witnesses, friends, love interests, famous people, security, hairdressers...just a lot of people and names to keep track of.  And so many story lines:  crimes for the task force, arson for not the task force, romantic ties, friendships, God, music, fan obsession.
I think this book just tried to do too much.  And I think I'm settling into the idea that Dee Henderson writes relationship novels not suspense novels.  As usual, Henderson brings in characters from her other stories and series.  On that note, I think it's time to reread the O'Malley series - her best work, in my opinion.

P.S.  Hate the cover.

True to You - Becky Wade

True to You by Becky Wade
            (Bradford Sisters Romance #1)

Genre:  Fiction; Chick Lit; Christian Romance

Pages:  368 pages

Publishing Date:  May 2, 2017

Rating:  2.5 out of 5 stars (It was okay.)

Synopsis from Goodreads:
After a devastating heartbreak three years ago, genealogist and historical village owner Nora Bradford has decided that burying her nose in her work and her books is far safer than romance in the here and now.

Unlike Nora, former Navy SEAL and Medal of Honor recipient John Lawson is a modern-day man, usually 100 percent focused on the present. But when he's diagnosed with an inherited condition, he's forced to dig into the secrets of his past and his adoption as an infant, enlisting Nora to help him uncover the identity of his birth mother. 

The more time they spend together, the more this pair of opposites suspects they just might be a perfect match. However, John's already dating someone and Nora's not sure she's ready to trade her crushes on fictional heroes for the risks of a real relationship. Finding the answers they're seeking will test the limits of their identity, their faith, and their devotion to one another.

My Thoughts:

I had read the novella to this book and loved it.  It was written completely in epistolary form giving the background of the Bradford sisters parents.  So when I saw the first book was available as an advanced reader copy from NetGalley, I requested and received a copy.

Nora is the middle Bradford sister.  She runs a historical village and helps people with genealogical research.  That is how she and John become connected.

There are many story lines present:  the genealogical search, Nora’s only transformation, dealing with individual characters’ backgrounds, even the two other Bradford sisters’ potential and past romances. 

The spiritual aspects were well done; presented through the natural character development and thoughts.  This did make it a pretty introspective novel.  Many truths were presented in an understandable way.

Wade tried to keep the epistolary feel of the novella going with having texts or Facebook messages at the end of each chapter.  This seemed a little clunky to me at times.  At other times, they were a great addition.

It was a quick, easy read.  I wouldn’t say it was really absorbing or super engaging though. 

There was a surprise I didn’t expect.  So that really earns it a 2.5 instead of a straight 2.

A lot of the issues I had with the book – the very speedy romance ramp up and the not quite edgy but almost emotions and scenes – made a lot more sense when I read the author info and learned Becky Wade wrote secular romance before turning her pen to Christian romance.  So if you’re a reader who likes secular romances, I think you’d enjoy this book more than I did.

The All-Girl Filling Station's Last Runion - Fanny Flag

Genre:  Contemporary Fiction; Historical Fiction

Pages:  347 pages

Publishing Date:  November 5, 2013

Rating:  3 out of 5 stars on Goodreads


Goodreads Summary:
Mrs. Sookie Poole of Point Clear, Alabama, has just married off the last of her daughters and is looking forward to relaxing and perhaps traveling with her husband, Earle. The only thing left to contend with is her mother, the formidable Lenore Simmons Krackenberry. Lenore may be a lot of fun for other people, but is, for the most part, an overbearing presence for her daughter. Then one day, quite by accident, Sookie discovers a secret about her mother's past that knocks her for a loop and suddenly calls into question everything she ever thought she knew about herself, her family, and her future.
Sookie begins a search for answers that takes her to California, the Midwest, and back in time, to the 1940s, when an irrepressible woman named Fritzi takes on the job of running her family's filling station. Soon truck drivers are changing their routes to fill up at the All-Girl Filling Station. Then, Fritzi sees an opportunity for an even more groundbreaking adventure. As Sookie learns about the adventures of the girls at the All-Girl Filling Station, she finds herself with new inspiration for her own life.

My Thoughts:

This is a hard book for me to decide on a star rating.  For the first portion of the book, I was thinking one, maybe one and a half, stars.  I just was having a hard time getting into the narrative, seeing the connections, and being invested in the characters.  Especially Sookie, she just annoyed me.  The filling station doesn’t even show up until you’re quite a bit into the novel…much less the “all-girl” part.

But I am glad I stuck with it.  Around the middle the story really picked up.  Plus, I started seeing character growth/change in Sookie that made her character more relatable. 

The narrative jumps back and forth between contemporary and history.  I will say the history storyline was far more intriguing to me.  It has sparked some additional reading that I want to do around that time period on topics that were introduced. 

So I would say, the novel taken as a whole, is probably a solid 3.  I liked it.

Love Story - Karen Kingsbury

Love Story by Karen Kingsbury

Genre:  Christian fiction; Christian romance

Pages:  368 pages

Publishing Date:  June 6, 2017

Rating:  3 out of 5 stars on Goodreads – liked it

Synopsis from Goodreads:
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Karen Kingsbury comes a new book featuring fan favorite family the Baxters.
Decades ago, John and Elizabeth Baxter lived a love story that is still playing out in the lives of their adult children and grandchildren. But few of them know the exact details of that love story or the heartbreak that brought the two together.
Now in high school, Ashley Baxter Blake’s oldest son, Cole, must write a family history paper for a freshman English class. He decides to interview his grandfather about that long ago distant love story.
At the same time, Baxter family friend Cody Coleman has asked his girlfriend Andi Ellison to marry him. The planning and upcoming wedding touches the heart of Bailey Flanigan, who once was Cody’s best friend. Bailey has news of her own, but is it right for her and her husband, Brandon, to attend Cody’s wedding?
As school ends, Cole presents his report on the love story between his grandparents John and Elizabeth Baxter. It is a tale that touches the hearts of the entire family, and one that causes Cole to better understand his own beginning.
Whether you’re meeting the Baxter family for the first time or finding them all over again, Love Story will stir your heart and remind you of the power of love and family.


My Thoughts:

I heard about this book and thought, “Finally!  I finally get to learn about John and Elizabeth Baxter’s back story.  How they met, fell in love, and raised this incredible family.”  So I immediately jumped on Net Galley (since the book doesn’t come out until summer) and requested an advanced reader copy.  As soon as my kids were in bed that night, I started reading.

And was somewhat disappointed.

The first quarter of the book didn’t address John & Elizabeth’s story at all.  It focused on the relationship issues between Cody and Andi.  Which I expected to be a part of the overall story based on the synopsis copy.  But it was literally the first 25% - all of it - and then more throughout.  In fact, I would probably say this story was more about them than the Baxters.  Also, while I’m on the subject of the synopsis copy, it’s not accurate.  At the start of the book, Cody and Andi are no longer engaged.  So there is no planning or upcoming wedding for Bailey to have her heart touched by. 

And now that we’re on Bailey, let’s transition there.  First, I love all the Baxter and Flannigan series characters.  I’m invested in them and like to see where they are in their “lives.”  However, Bailey’s character and pregnancy and story line again took away from the story I really wanted:  the love story that began the Baxter family in the first place. 

I love the characters.  I love the stories that Karen Kingsbury tells about her characters.  I love the messages of hope and redemption that infuse her stories.  I guess I just wish her books would return to being more focused.  In the original Baxter series, I became attached to the characters because each book focused mainly on introducing and exploring one character at a time.  The other characters were there but not the focus.  That feel has been missing from her last several Baxter/Flannigan books.  And I miss it.

Like the book, this review hasn’t focused much on John & Elizabeth’s love story.  That’s because I don’t feel like that was really a big part of the story this time.  It was embedded, yes.  It was told, yes.  But it wasn’t explored.  Expounded.  I think I would have preferred a novella just of their story, even if it was still told through the device of their grandson’s school project.

That being said, I still believe it’s worth the read for anyone who has read the Baxter tales in the past.  Just don’t expect too much from John & Elizabeth; the focus is definitely elsewhere.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy.

If you would like to read more of my reviews, please visit www.mommyreadsbooks.blogspot.com

My Not So Perfect Life - Sophie Kinsella

My Not So Perfect Life by Sophie Kinsella

Genre:  Fiction; Chick Lit

Pages:  400 pages

Publishing Date:  February 7, 2017

Rating:  4 out of 5 stars on Goodreads



Synopsis from Goodreads:

Katie Brenner has the perfect life: a flat in London, a glamorous job, and a super-cool Instagram feed.
Ok, so the real truth is that she rents a tiny room with no space for a wardrobe, has a hideous commute to a lowly admin job, and the life she shares on Instagram isn’t really hers.
But one day her dreams are bound to come true, aren’t they?
Until her not-so perfect life comes crashing down when her mega-successful boss Demeter gives her the sack. All Katie’s hopes are shattered. She has to move home to Somerset, where she helps her dad with his new glamping business.
Then Demeter and her family book in for a holiday, and Katie sees her chance. But should she get revenge on the woman who ruined her dreams? Or try to get her job back? Does Demeter – the woman with everything – have such an idyllic life herself? Maybe they have more in common than it seems.
And what’s wrong with not-so-perfect, anyway?


My Thoughts:

I received notice of Sophie Kinsella releasing a new book via a NetGalley email.  I have thoroughly enjoyed most of the books I’ve read by her.  This book was not one of the exceptions.

So the synopsis on the back of the book doesn’t quite give you a clear picture.  This book was so much better and more nuanced than the copy would lead you to believe. 

Katie, like most of Kinsella’s protagonists, is insanely likeable.  She is trying so hard yet so not there (achieving all she hopes)…like so many of us in real life.  Okay, maybe that’s just me.  I couldn’t help but root for her throughout the book, even as she’s a bit self-sabotaging at times.  The cast of supporting characters are great as well.  Unique and relatable in some way, each of them. 

The story moves along quickly.  This was a fun book to read.  I pretty much stayed up way too late one night to finish it.  However, one thing I found unique about this book compared to the author’s previous reads is that there is a level of depth to it.  Yes, it can still be just a fun, fluff read.  But Kinsella is saying something more about image and appearance and social media.  As a reader, I appreciated it. 

Definitely recommend it. 

4 out of 5 stars.  Would have been 5 but for the language and sexual references.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy.

Only Daughter - Anna Snoekstra

Only Daughter by Anna Snoekstra
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

So this book was interesting. The main character was intriguing. Her motivations and impulses.
The story was definitely suspenseful and fast-paced. I didn't really figure it out until it was revealed. Then everything fell into place. So that's the best kind of suspense.
Some of it you had to suspend a little disbelief for, but I'm okay with that.
There is language and animal cruelty; a bit too much of each for my taste.

Because You're Mine - Colleen Coble

Genre:  Christian Fiction; Suspense

Pages:  336

Publishing Date:  January 10, 2017

Synopsis from Goodreads:
Alanna has been plagued by tragedy. So it should come as no surprise that in the beauty that surrounds Charleston, all is not as it seems.
When her husband is killed by a car bomb while their band is on tour in Charleston, Alanna doesn’t know where to turn. Her father-in-law is threatening to take custody of the baby she carries, but the one thing she knows for sure is that she can’t lose the last piece of Liam she has left.
Their manager offers her a marriage of convenience to gain her U.S. citizenship and allow her to escape her father-in-law’s control. It seems like the perfect solution . . . but her doubts begin almost as soon as she arrives at Barry’s family home, a decaying mansion surrounded by swamp.
To make matters worse, Liam’s best friend survived the car bomb. She’s never really liked Jesse and now she can’t seem to get away from him. When he takes Liam’s place in their band, it’s almost more than she can bear.
But then things start happening. Things that could easily cost Alanna her life—or the life of her unborn child. Are they merely coincidences? Or is there something much more sinister at work?


My Thoughts:
I received an email from the publisher inviting me to review this book via NetGalley.   I have had Colleen Coble on my radar for awhile but had yet to read any of her books.  So I took this opportunity.

I was looking forward to a good suspense book.  In that way, I was disappointed.  The book was very light on actual suspense…I knew what had really happened and whodunit pretty much from the get go.  Still, it was interesting to see how Coble got her characters to the same point. 

The dialogue took some getting used to as several characters and even some of the narrative was written in Irish brogue.  I think the characters were engaging but could have used more dimension and introspection.  They seemed to jump and react solely based on what was happening in their environments without any real thought to what else could be going on.

The book had a pretty even pace.  I was never lost nor did the story seem to drag.  I also appreciated the epilogue at the end to bring some closure. 

There are supernatural elements both of God and of banshee.  The author is not pushy in her approach.  Alanna, in particular, seems to be a lot like I can tend to be in my God relationship:  turning to Him when things are bad, and I don’t know what more to do in and of myself.  I think in that way, she was very true to life.  Or maybe just to my life and flaws. 

I read very little to offend a conservative reader.  The mentions of a banshee might turn off some; I took it more in a superstition kind of way.  Also, Jesse was a character of questionable morals at times – mentions of drinking and an assault.  However, nothing was explicit in any way.

Some of the characters and story lines were dropped mid-way.  Like Barry’s nanny.  I would have liked to hear more of her story.  And Grady’s.  But I do understand they weren’t central to the main tale. 

Again, while I didn’t find the story to be suspenseful at all, it was an interesting read.

3 stars out of 5.  It was okay.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy.