This audiobook was made available to me by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This novel was simply4.5 Stars Rounded Up
Happy Publication Day!
This audiobook was made available to me by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This novel was simply a beautiful exploration of friend and family relationships. The main characters are Rachel, a married mother of 3, with her oldest a freshman at university, and her 2 youngest in grade school. Her best friend since her own college days, Monica, an IVF doctor, married to a mayoral candidate and the mother of 2 grade school aged sons. Rachel's oldest daughter, Chloe, is also a pov character.
This follows their families and friendships through an extremely complicated year. Between Chloe's news and Monica's husbands campaign, this is a year of changes and growth.
I found the story incredibly touching. I read this in one sitting, and while not surprised, I was fully engrossed. I'd definitely read another novel by this author.
Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read/listen to and review this novel....more
Another solid installment in this coziest of cozy mystery series. I love how the author mixes in the true Gilded Age history in these novels. Well done.
I'm done with this series. It's not for me. I'll stick to the historical romances in the future.I'm done with this series. It's not for me. I'll stick to the historical romances in the future....more
This is a bit formulaic but no less sweet. I love how Henry Adam's is growing and changing.
While I love these novels, they are a wee-bit heavy on respThis is a bit formulaic but no less sweet. I love how Henry Adam's is growing and changing.
While I love these novels, they are a wee-bit heavy on respectability politics, strong xtian themes when I prefer lighter themes, a bit fat phobic, and a bit homophobic, though gay characters exist.
The charm of this wholesome town is perfect in so many ways. I'd move there and see Ms. Bernadine about helping the town be less of all the above. ...more
2.5 Stars First significant gay character, though romance/relationship happens 'off-stage', so to speak. An interesting visit with old and dear friends2.5 Stars First significant gay character, though romance/relationship happens 'off-stage', so to speak. An interesting visit with old and dear friends. The true but rarely known US history included in all elements of this novel are handled with a very deft hand. So the harsh history is honored, but the sad/bad feeling is muted so to seamlessly fit into an otherwise cozy story without interrupting the sweet after taste. That's a real skill and helps me swallow my complaints below. Spoilers below: . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . .. .. . . . This novel bothered me. The ridiculous sexism involved in Mel's storyline. Like in what world are we blaming the victim for his own bad behaviors because his grown ass didn't know how to speak to the town minister/therapist? Plus, why is he cruel?
I'm tired of the main drama in the novels being the sexist and boneheaded behavior of the male love interest in a heterosexual relationship. It's always just kinda forgiven and overlooked. It's like a Tyler Perry dramedy encouraging women to be patient with sorry ass men. It's so dated.
The addition of more police, like why they have hardly any citizens. Usually, in small towns, crime is low and usually vandalism. Now cameras are being extended to cover more of the town. I realize it's to drive the story, but yikes.
Foster kids don't need to be raised in such a heavily monitored and policed environment. The town is in the literal middle of nowhere. A single sheriff, voted in by citizens, would be standard. The state police would handle large or conplicated crimes. This just ruins the town for me.
In addition, I disliked how trauma resulting from transracial adoption was treated. White parents struggle to raise children of color. This is addressed in Colin in Black & White on Netflix really well. I think this particular foster parent was clearly the better choice but to dismiss that these types of foster/adoptions create adults that often require decades of therapy.
My mom is white, she carried me in her body and is racist as fuck. We no longer speak. Her family was also awful. I don't speak to any of them. They were all liberal with the exception of my youngest aunt who has a biracial child and is a maga-Karen. Its a fucking mess. I can't imagine what this is like for fostered and adopted kids but from what I've read it's much worse.
Also are we gonna ignore that conservative racists often adopt Black kids to try to prove their racist agendas? This is a well documented history and the story didn't need to deal with race in this way at all. This manufactured conservative storyline was uncomfortable.
I think I'll pass on the Henry Adams in this novel....more
This was sweet, and I love the new additions to the town.
While I love these novels, they are a wee-bit heavy on respectability politics, a tad bit strThis was sweet, and I love the new additions to the town.
While I love these novels, they are a wee-bit heavy on respectability politics, a tad bit strong on xtian themes when I prefer lighter themes, a bit fat phobic, and a bit homophobic, though gay characters exist.
The charm of this wholesome town is perfect in so many ways. I'd move there and see Ms. Bernadine about helping the town be less of all the above. ...more
I actually liked the bonus story better than the Blessing novella.
While I love these novels, they are a wee-bit heavy on respectability politics, a taI actually liked the bonus story better than the Blessing novella.
While I love these novels, they are a wee-bit heavy on respectability politics, a tad bit strong on xtian themes when I prefer lighter themes, a bit fat phobic, and a bit homophobic, though gay characters exist.
The charm of this wholesome town is perfect in so many ways. I'd move there and see Ms. Bernadine about helping the town be less of all the above. ...more
This was both more hilarious and a bit darker than usual.
While I love these novels, they are a wee-bit heavy on respectability politics, a tad bit strThis was both more hilarious and a bit darker than usual.
While I love these novels, they are a wee-bit heavy on respectability politics, a tad bit strong on xtian themes when I prefer lighter themes, a bit fat phobic, and a bit homophobic, though a gay characters exist.
The charm of this wholesome town is perfect in so many ways. I'd move there and see Ms. Bernadine about helping the town be less of all the above. ...more
And I'm in love with this small Black town and its charming residents. If it was real, I'd move thereAnd I'm in love with this small Black town and its charming residents. If it was real, I'd move there...more
3.75 Stars See, I knew this series would grow on me despite the parts I don't like quite so much. Ms. Jenkins has a way of creating compelling character3.75 Stars See, I knew this series would grow on me despite the parts I don't like quite so much. Ms. Jenkins has a way of creating compelling characters that I wish to check up on and spend time with. I can see the appeal given this series has so many installments.
While I love these novels, they are a wee-bit heavy on respectability politics, a tad bit strong on xtian themes when I prefer lighter themes, a bit fat phobic, and a bit homophobic, though a gay characters exist.
The charm of this wholesome town is perfect in so many ways. I'd move there and see Ms. Bernadine about helping the town be less of all the above. ...more
Honestly this is easily my least favorite novel by Ms Jenkins. Too much respectability politics. Too much xtianity. Hated the fat phobia and casual use oHonestly this is easily my least favorite novel by Ms Jenkins. Too much respectability politics. Too much xtianity. Hated the fat phobia and casual use of crackhead, just cringey.. Plus there wasn't real conflict or mystery so it was kinda boring. Still it was Ms.Jenkins so I like some of the characters...more
2.5 rounded up This was really painfully slow and didn't pick up until the end. It felt like this story really only required 1 maybe 2 novels. Definitel2.5 rounded up This was really painfully slow and didn't pick up until the end. It felt like this story really only required 1 maybe 2 novels. Definitely not 3....more
This series is fun, compulsively readable, light, funny, charming, and always leaves a fine cozy after taste.
Includes the standar2.75 stars rounded up
This series is fun, compulsively readable, light, funny, charming, and always leaves a fine cozy after taste.
Includes the standard elements of cultural appropriation such as voodoo dolls, spirit animals, dream catchers etc used as magical tools so to speak in a largely European set magical world....more