First Case
James Patterson and Chris Tebbetts
5.0
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A young tech genius is offered an opportunity that could change her life . . . or end it. When...
The Fourteenth Letter
6.0
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Phoebe Stanbury was killed in the summer of secrets... One balmy June evening in 1881, Phoebe...
Historical fiction mystery thriller Victorian
My Sister's Bones
9.0
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If you can't trust your sister, then who can you trust? Kate Rafter has spent her life running...
Bewitched on Bourbon Street (Jade Calhoun #7)
9.0
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Baby-making with Kane is right up Jade’s alley…until a curse throws a bucket of ice on their...
The Last Girl To Die
7.0
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The island watched and wept… In search of a new life, sixteen-year-old Adriana Clark’s family...
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!
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.
A Portrait of Emily Price
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Art restorer Emily Price has never encountered anything she can't fix-until she meets Ben, an...
The Silence in the Garden
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The Silence in the Garden by William Trevor - a classic early novel by one of the world's greatest...
Far from the Tree
8.3
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Perfect for fans of NBC's "This Is Us," Robin Benway’s beautiful interweaving story of three very...
Young Adult