Charlotte (184 KP) rated Smith's Corner: Alora & Ash (The Heartwood Series #3) in Books
Jan 14, 2022
Book three in the Heartwood series managed to smack me right in the feels!
Each character had their own reasons for their actions and was strong enough to own that. As with all good romance though things don't run smoothly into wedded bliss. Secrets that can't be hidden any longer, disappointment and hurt that needs addressing and trust needs to been earned.
This is a brilliant edition to the Heartwood series and I love the whole family aspect that is always present. The depth of love and loyalty that spills out and encompasses, not only the brothers, but their chose partner is always heart-fluttering to witness.
As always, this is an adult read that deserves chocolate and a cheeky drink while snuggled up on the sofa!
The Unravelling
10.0
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When Tartelin Brown accepts a job with the reclusive Marianne Stourbridge, she finds herself on a...
Historical fiction Literary fiction
Charlotte
8.0
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For fans of Longbourn and The Other Bennet Sister, this beautifully told story of marriage, duty and...
Pride and Prejudice Jane Austen Regency England
Weaver by Tish Thawer
Book
He walked out of my dream, identifying himself only as the Weaver. In a black cloak, with eyes like...
Adult Paranormal Romance
Bethr1986 (305 KP) rated Forced Perspective: A Novel of Domestic Suspense in Books
Nov 28, 2022
I was hooked from the get-go. This is part of the Chasing Secrets series but, as far as I can tell, you don't have to read both. I think they are stand-alone.
Harper has been on the run for a long time, hiding her identity to stay safe from the drug cartel she was kidnapped by when she was younger. I don't want to say too much as I feel it would take away from the suspense that the story gives. It is so cleverly written, I found myself being pulled so far in that I was getting anxious that things wouldn't be fixed.
It is a recommendation by me. A fantastic mystery that keeps you on your toes.
Knot My Sister’s Keeper
10.0
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In tracing her ancestry, quilter Martha Rose discovers a ritzy half-sister, a stash of family...
A Sundered Moon (Legends of Elessia - Shadows Over Garm #3)
8.0
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When the Blood God rises, two sworn enemies hold the fate of the world in their hands. Lucius has...
Action and Adventure Sword and Sorcery Epic Fantasy
Left (Reflections #12)
8.0
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I spent five hellish years in a constant state of fear, convinced that we were only a heartbeat away...
Young Adult Paranormal Romance
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Her Sister's Lie in Books
Mar 11, 2019
"I... then stopped myself, pulled by the invisible thread that runs through all of us, that however much we might want to, none of us can ever truly disown. Family."
Well, this was an interesting, albeit frustrating one. I really love Debbie Howells' work and the fascinating stories she weaves. Her characters are always complex and often flawed, and there's no exception here. Hannah is a mess, honestly, and I won't lie, she's not the easiest to like. Truly, there aren't really any likeable characters here. Hannah is an unreliable narrator, which sometimes drives me a bit insane. However, the book does a strong job of making you wonder who to trust or believe and what exactly is going on. I was confused a good portion of the time. The weird, creepy things that happen to Hannah are interesting and crazy, though they sort of stressed me out. (Maybe I get too involved?)
The novel is filled with references of Hannah and Nina sticking to the script and keeping each other's secrets. At first, it's intriguing and you're curious as to what they are hiding. After a while, when Hannah makes yet *another* reference to the script and secrets--without any details being revealed--you sort of want to scream. I get a little frustrated at the lack of any reveal throughout the entire book. Eventually, I basically guessed all the major twists anyway, though I still found them clever.
So, overall, this one is a mixed bag. Unlikable characters, some frustrating plot pieces. Some clever plot twists, though I managed to predict most of them. It's a very quick read, however. My rating may be slightly affected by my overall love of Howells. If you've never read anything by her, I would definitely head to THE BONES OF YOU first.
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review (thank you!).
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated The Operator in Books
Mar 19, 2020
"That was the thing about small towns. Everyone knew everyone else's business."
I don't often pick up historical fiction, but I won this book, and it sounded interesting. It certainly was. This is a fascinating look at small town relationships and the power of secrets and family. Vivian is quite a character; married to her husband, Edward, for fifteen years, with a daughter Charlotte, who is a sophomore in high school. Her life is small and mainly confined to Wooster. Vivian resents her siblings who finished high school, something she couldn't do as she had to help her family when money grew tight.
The book starts off a little slow, as I'm never a huge fan when we're told there's a huge secret (what Vivian overhears) but it isn't revealed. Once we finally find out what it was, things pick up. Vivian takes on more power, showing a tough and determined side, especially for what was expected of women in 1950s. The book does a good job of illustrating the limitations, but also strengths, of women in the time period. Berg also includes excerpts from Vivian's childhood and growing in the 1930s. I enjoyed seeing how different things were and watching Vivian overcome so much. Her daughter, Charlotte, was a great character, too. There are also a lot of side stories, too, involving a host of small town Wooster characters and even a bank robbery.
Overall, while this took a while to warm up, it was an intriguing look at lies and secrets and how they affected the Dalton family. It's easy to get invested in Vivian and Charlotte (her husband, Edward, seemed like a pretty one-dimensional character, though). It does a strong job of portraying women and all they endure. The book is witty and heartfelt as well. 3.75 stars, rounded to four here.