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Carma (21 KP) rated A Snowbound Scandal in Books

Jun 17, 2019

Chase Ferguson and Miriam Mimi Andrix knew each other 10 years ago. Very well as a matter of fact, but neither could survive in the others lifestyle. A Snowbound Scandal by Jessica Lemmon tells their story from 10 years later amid a possible mayoral scandal involving Chase and an old picture of activist Mimi.

Chase Ferguson is now Mayor in Dallas Texas. Miriam Mimi Andrix is from Bigfork Montana still an activist in her own right but more teacher than doer these days. They couldnt still be more on the opposite sides of life if they tried. 10 years ago Chase and Mimi started a love affair that lasted all summer, until their social standings and callings got in the way and Chase let Mimi go.

All Chase has wanted to do since that moment was get her back but he knew he couldnt bend her to fit into his life in Dallas, just as he couldnt fit into her life in Montana. He did keep tabs on her and bought the mansion they used to fantasize about living in together one day. He regretted that decision all these years later and when a scandal threatens to expose that relationship and use it for harm, he goes to Bigfork in hopes of making it right.

Mimi has received notice of the scandal threat too, and may have even Googled Chase to see what his life had become. Heading to the grocery store for Thanksgiving supplies she never expected to run into him in Bigfork. He gives her his private number and she later invites him to Thanksgiving dinner, which he declines. She then makes it her mission to give him a piece of her mind and set him straight about just exactly who she is.

Chase and Mimi go round and round about the past and who is responsible or not. An unexpected snowstorm traps Mimi at the Mansion for days and they find they are not quite as over each other as they would want the other to believe.

In the end, they both decide to go their separate ways again to live the lives they are currently living, separate from the other. But will they finally give love a chance to overcome the biggest obstacles in their lives?

I received an advance copy from Netgalley without expectation for review. Any and all opinions expressed are my own.

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Hazel (1853 KP) rated Sisterland in Books

Dec 14, 2018

Sisterland

Curtis Sittenfeld | 2013 | Fiction & Poetry

7.6

(5 Ratings)

Book Rating

I enjoyed this book much more than I expected to - I had been slightly wary of reading Curtis Sittenfeld’s <i>Sisterland</i> after seeing that it has been listed as Chick Lit on <i>Goodreads</i>. It is a story about two sisters (the title sort of gives that away) – twins in fact: Violet and Daisy. Although for the majority of the novel the narrator, Daisy, is known as Kate.

The chapters alternate between past and present, which helps the reader to understand the characters and their developments whilst the main story line is being played out. I say present but you later discover that Kate is actually narrating these events a couple of years after although this was not clear and the beginning.

Vi and Kate both have ESP or “senses” meaning that they occasionally experience visions, thoughts, or feelings about certain people or events that are yet to occur. When Vi receives a message about an earthquake due to occur in their hometown, the media ends up getting involved, speculating how much truth there is behind this prediction.

As the supposed “doomsday” date approaches, Vi and Kate’s relationship has its ups and down – something which seems to have been the case throughout most of their lives. But the main question is will there be an earthquake or is it, perhaps, a metaphor for events taking place in Kate’s own home and family?

While reading I felt as though I was - I am not really sure how to word it – perhaps growing close to the narrator as she recounted her tale. Learning about Kate as a person and understand and relating to how she felt and acted. This meant, however, that I became disappointed in Kate for making a certain bad decision – or more like giving in to an impulse. I will not reveal what that is as I do not want to spoil the book for anyone who has not yet read it.

As I have already said, I did enjoy this book. Personally I would not label it as Chick Lit, although I will not deny that it is intended for women to read. It is a contemporary, fictional novel with a hint of fantasy or the paranormal about it. I would recommend it to readers who appreciate other novels of a similar genre.