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ClareR (5674 KP) rated China Room in Books

Aug 13, 2021  
China Room
China Room
Sunjeev Sahota | 2021 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
China Room was a beautifully written, emotional novel set in rural Punjab in 1929 and the 1990’s. The unnamed male protagonist in the 90’s has travelled to stay with family mainly to kick a drug habit before he starts at university back in the UK. His addiction could well have been caused by the racist taunts and violence he has experienced at home in Britain - these things are addressed in the book.

He ends up staying on the abandoned family farm: a ramshackle building that needs a lot of work. One room is locked: the China Room. This is where his grandmother, Mehar, would have lived away from the prying eyes of men, working with the wives of the other two brothers to her husband. None of the women know who their husband is - they never see them in daylight. They cook and clean for them, and then have sex with them when their mother-in-law, Mai, allows. Their main function is to bear sons.

It’s a hard way of life, but the women accept their roles. As a 21st century women, living in the West, I found this very difficult to read. It’s an oppressive, claustrophobic life - even down to the veils that they had to wear when out in public which gave the impression of suffocation. I don’t know whether any of the girls actually looked another human in the face, other than each other and their mother-in-law.

But I found this timeline fascinating, and it was a huge contrast to that of Mehar’s grandson. It’s a compelling read - I read it in one sitting, and was a bit sad when I turned the last page, to leave the world of Mehar in particular.

Many thanks to Harvill Secker and Viking for my copy of this book to read and review.
  
Of Love and Betrayal (Warriors In Love #2)
Of Love and Betrayal (Warriors In Love #2)
Louise Lyndon | 2015 | Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is the second book of Louise's that I have read and she is definitely my go-to author for Historical Romance! Her stories are full of information, both fact and fiction, about what it was like to live in 'that' time period. With a cast of interesting characters and places, this book is sure to satisfy.

Of Love and Betrayal is the story of Aveline, on the run for killing a man. During the story, you find out that although she gave him a gruesome death, it was still far less than he deserved! The idea of being sold to pay off someone else's debts is simply diabolical, and yet it happened. Aveline is full of trauma and stress, not surprising considering what she's had to live through, but she still has a strong survival instinct and a sharp wit. As a heroine, she was wonderful, especially considering the restraints that Louise had to write within for that time.

Troy is our strong and silent hero, with a secret to hide, who is still willing to marry a stranger to keep her safe. I loved reading about him and his brothers and my heart ached for the breakdown in relationships between them, whilst still wondering what his secret could be. This deep, dark secret seemed so at odds with the person he was, and yet, once his secret was out, it was absolutely and utterly perfect for him.

With no spelling or grammatical errors that I noticed, this is another stunner from Louise Lyndon. Definitely recommended for all fans of Historical Romance!

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Oct 23, 2015
  
The Omega Merger: A Reverse Harem Omegaverse
The Omega Merger: A Reverse Harem Omegaverse
Roxy Collins | 2023 | Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
THE OMEGA MERGER is a Reverse Harem Omegaverse with MM and MF elements and is the first book in the Billionaires in Heat series

I enjoyed the story and the different characters although I did have some issues with it too. It was one of those books that absolutely drew me in whilst I was reading it but, after I had finished, questions and reactions started coming to light.

For example, Alain after he drops a bombshell at dinner when he comments about Maddie and Kel checking in with their boss because he keeps them on a tight leash. He was just being an a$$hole, there was no reason for that. No wonder Maddie didn't think he liked her!

In one respect, the book was actually true to life. After all, things happen every day that don't move our stories forward, and that's what happened here with the bomb threats and stuff about Maddie coming out. It made for fun reading but I don't really know why it was in there. If you take it out, you're not missing anything. Or with Finn Viser or the Lyall Brothers too. It makes me wonder if things will tie together when their stories come out.

I really feel as though Lucas got the short straw. He was the one alpha I was interested in and he got the least amount of page space.

This was an omegaverse with a twist that I did enjoy and would definitely read more in this world.

** same worded review will appear elsewhere **

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
May 6, 2023
  
Conrad (Assassin's To Order #4)
Conrad (Assassin's To Order #4)
JP Sayle, Lisa Oliver | 2023 | LGBTQ+, Paranormal, Romance
10
10.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
CONRAD is the fourth and final book in the Assassin's To Order series and... NO! Just, NO!!! This can't be the final book. It just can't. There's still a brother that needs to find love, plus I need the details of Wyatt and James, so NO!!!

These authors really love to stomp all over my heart. I know they'll do it, but I just can't seem to help myself when it comes to reading their stories. Conrad is the most jovial of the brothers and yet is also the one to never give up control. When he finds his mate in Kylo, he is all in. He trusts Fate, simple as that. I did wonder about Kylo as he is quite highly strung in previous books, but I needn't have worried. Conrad knew how to calm him down!

I loved how the overall story arc came to a satisfying end, plus there is a specific scene when Kylo takes care of Conrad that I found both heartrending and absolutely beautiful!

I'm just not prepared to say goodbye to these guys. I loved the Thalassas and am so glad I read their stories, but I'm afraid the Assassins have knocked them off their perch. Don't get me wrong, I still love all the Krakens, but these guys... And Ekon hasn't got anyone yet! Don't leave him alone. He broke my heart. 😭 He needs to find his mate, PLEASE!

Absolutely brilliant and HIGHLY recommended by me. Just... please... don't leave me hanging. Bring the boys back and let Ekon find happiness!

** same worded review will appear elsewhere **

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
  
Saving Mrs. Roosevelt
Saving Mrs. Roosevelt
Candice Sue Patterson | 2021 | Fiction & Poetry, History & Politics, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Saving Mrs. Roosevelt is a good book about some actual historical events. It deals with someone that needs to be a spy to help keep the first lady safe. But this also has some fiction in it as it is historical fiction. Some actual historical events do take place. This book is about Shirley Davenport and a few SPARS that help on the home front.

The author does a beautiful job of telling the story and adventures that Shirley Davenport goes through. She goes through some training and trials as she is on a mission but can not tell her family. The way she comes home and has to deal with losing her brother on the same day she comes home from training.

You will be surprised as to who it is in the end. Shirley and her friend Joan sign up to be SPARS. Will Joan be loyal to her country, or will she not be? Things do not all seem as they are when Shirley gets home. She must lie to protect herself and her family. Will she be found out?

She seems to be charming a young man who is a Captain. Will the Captain fall for Miss Davenport, or will he wall in his grief for his two young brothers? They have stood paired up to capture the person trying to kill the Roosevelts. Will Shirley be successful in finding out about the conspiracy against the first lady?

Suppose you are looking for an excellent book to read about history and the woman that help during world war two on the homefront. This book does tell a story about a few heroes of ww2. With a little bit of romance as well.