I'll even put the rating up to 4.5 stars for me, for being exactly what I wanted to read.
I love a sappy Christmas story. One where the community comesI'll even put the rating up to 4.5 stars for me, for being exactly what I wanted to read.
I love a sappy Christmas story. One where the community comes together, where the main character finds true love and her purpose in life, and everything is so happy could cry.
This was that kind of book for me.
Overall, it was a nice romance, as were the other couple of books I've read in the series. I liked Becca, and Denny was a genuine Nice Guy (the kind of romance hero I prefer), even if a bit damaged by events in his life. They both have caring relationships with their friends and families, but still something was missing without each other.
One aspect I particularly appreciated is how each of the main characters grew in their understanding of themselves as they understood more of the other person's side of the story of their shared past. When they were previously involved, they were very young, but neither really appreciated how that affected both of them.
The town of Virgin River is a character unto itself-- a collection of people that stumble in and stay for whatever reason. It's a town that takes care of its own, even when it isn't Christmas, but when it is Christmas, and there is a big storm... As I said, this book isn't for those that don't like sappy.
The one issue I had with this book is one that has bothered me a little with other books in the series. I'm not sure why it is more of a problem for me here than in other romances, since it is a theme present in most books I've read in the genre, but there it is. Simply, it's the idea that True Love is present if and only if the sex is amazing. And that's all I'll say about that.
I hadn't realized how many books there are in this series, but there doesn't seem to be any need to read them all or to read them in order. They are simply a set of books set in the same small town. There are some key central characters, and others pop up occasionally, but I haven't run into much in the way of continuing stories. Since the books are romances, there isn't a worry about giving away the ending of previous books. I take it as a given that the couple will end up together, and (for this series) living in this little town. ...more
I'm really enjoying this series of fairy tale romances with historical clothing on.
What I liked best was the playful tone of the book, never 4.5 stars
I'm really enjoying this series of fairy tale romances with historical clothing on.
What I liked best was the playful tone of the book, never entirely taking itself seriously. There were nods to the fairy tale, there were nods to the norms of historical fiction. None of these nods got in the way of the story or (more important in a romance) the characters.
The characters were entertaining, and both had more to them than a quick glance would see.
In this volume, the "Beast" is an extremely talented young doctor with a damaged (and painful) leg, a terrible temper and no desire to obey the usual rules of society (a character that will feel familiar to many TV viewers).
"Beauty", on the other hand, reminds me more of Fiona in Shrek-- certainly, her outside has everything that society deems desirable. That is, right up until the moment a small lapse in judgement leaves society believing she is pregnant. Luckily, she isn't merely a beautiful face (and body). She's got a sharp mind and, when pushed, a tongue to match.
A marriage between them seems to be the answer to both of their parents' concerns, and so Linnet is off to meet Piers in his remote home...
There is one steamy scene, and other references to such activities without the same level of detail.
I hope there are more of these on the way! ...more
3.5 stars overall, although I think that would be higher for someone closer to the target demographic. Shatter Me is a YA dystopian novel where I felt3.5 stars overall, although I think that would be higher for someone closer to the target demographic. Shatter Me is a YA dystopian novel where I felt the YA aspect more than in some others that I've read.
The book has solid strengths that will cut across all age ranges.
I enjoyed the style of the presentation, where I was plunged into a cell with Juliette, and left to guess as to the details of the world and of her situation. The answers are slowly revealed, but more questions are added.
Juliette is an interesting character, and I was engrossed in her situation as more details unfolded. I could see her growing as she was confronted with new situations.
The world is well constructed, as far as it is explained. There are a number of questions that I'm still suspending disbelief on, and as long as I get answers to the "why" of them somewhere along the way, I'll be happy. It's believable that our world could devolve into this one, at least as it is presented in the first two thirds of the book.
There were points where I noticed the beauty of the writing, although this isn't something I read for. The distinct style does not get in the way of the story.
The primary aspect of the story that made me feel the story was targeted at someone younger than me didn't come out until the end, and I really don't feel I can discuss it without getting into more spoilers than I'm comfortable with. All I can say is that it did detract from the story a little for me, but it may not be an issue for you.
There were other things, such as the ages of all the characters (it felt natural that Juliette and Adam were young, but the age of their adversary felt forced to me). Many aspects of the characters (and the world) were very black and white, rather than grey (Juliette and Adam are such NICE people, in spite of everything that has happened to them. I actually enjoy that about them, but it does lead to that feeling of a younger target audience).
I'm very much looking forward to the next book, and I'm eager to share this book with my daughter, I'm interested in what she thinks of it....more
The problem for me is that I just didn't get the point of this book.
The words themselves flowed well enough, anA very low 3 stars, bordering on 2.5...
The problem for me is that I just didn't get the point of this book.
The words themselves flowed well enough, and they didn't get in the way of the story as I often fear in a literary novel. The story was coherent, and worked well enough in that sense.
I simply didn't get insight into the life of Steve Jobs (or if I did, I just didn't care), and the story didn't have enough strength to stand alone.
This was true of the plot, but even more so of the characters. Tom Owens didn't intrigue me as Steve Jobs, largely because I never saw the charisma the character was described as having. Simply seen as a fictional character, he was both unbelievable and uninteresting, which is pretty sad if you think about it.
At the beginning of the book, I had some hope for Jane (Owens' daughter) and her mother, Mary. Jane simply faded into the story (and that may have actually been the point-- if so, I feel terrible for the real life model of Jane, and wonder what her relationship with her aunt the writer must be like.) Mary turned into a whiny caricature as the woman who sent her 10 year old daughter driving solo cross country to live with her father becomes resentful as that daughter chooses to spend time with her father.
The one character I found interesting was Noah, a scientist that chose to continue to follow his own path rather than work with Owens and his company. He was an intriguing secondary character, and I find it telling that I have no idea if he had a real life counterpart.
I admit, I was relieved that the rest of my book club had a similar reaction, whether they were all to familiar with the details of Jobs and his life, or relatively uninformed, at least about this chapter. Whatever the point was, it was well hidden. ...more
So much of this book was wildly improbable, but somehow this didn't bother me, because I was having so much fun with it. It was a tremendous adventureSo much of this book was wildly improbable, but somehow this didn't bother me, because I was having so much fun with it. It was a tremendous adventure, with kidnapping, rescue, running, escaping, and long, lonely nights in hiding.
I loved the two main characters and their journeys (physical and personal).
Eliza was a somewhat reserved young lady, and the only way in which she doesn't appear to be the paragon of what a young woman in society should be is her failure to be married at age 24. She's decided she won't marry until she finds her hero, and her hero is nowhere to be found in her usual circles.
Jeremy is a quiet scholar (and I'm a sucker for a brainy guy) who has recently realized he'd like more than intellectual conversation in his life.
Both of them get to discover that they are capable of more than they imagined.
As much as I liked the heroes, I also enjoyed the villains-- two of them. One is a basically nice guy, if you can overlook his habit of kidnapping young women. The other is a pushed over the edge psychopath. Both do a good job with the chasing and pursuing side of the adventure.
The romance was pleasantly steamy (very steamy), and the couple was all around well suited. I really enjoyed reading this book, my first with this author.
(One last comment-- I did indeed come in mid-series here. Certainly the outcome of at least one previous book was fairly thoroughly spoiled for me, but I rarely enter a romance novel without complete certainty as to how it will end, even if I've never heard of the book or author before. I'm not sure if certain villainous motives would have been clearer if I'd read some of the earlier books, but I am sure that any confusion there didn't keep me from enjoying the book.) ...more
I associate Laura Lippman with mysteries, and I was expecting this book to fall somewhere in the mystery/thriller genre.
It doesn't, not really. Yes, tI associate Laura Lippman with mysteries, and I was expecting this book to fall somewhere in the mystery/thriller genre.
It doesn't, not really. Yes, there is a death (and exactly what happened is murky), and people trying to deal with what happened shapes the lives of the 5 kids (and associated parents) involved, but that's just one part of the story.
This is a story of friendships and how they change, and how who you are as a child can affect the rest of your life.
It's an extremely character centered book, spread among many characters. This leads to a complex, textured story that may not get as much depth as I would have liked with any given character. All of the characters were interesting. None of them were entirely likeable, but that can make for good reading.
The book features changing points of view-- including one that I encountered for the first time in The Weird Sisters. I'm sure it has a name, but it's a collective "we" referring to a group POV. Each character is referred to individually, but the general narration in these sections is from them together.
Most of the book is third person, focusing on a changing set of characters, taken from those involved with the death of a man the five children knew. The book jumps between their childhood and adult years, after the youngest of them dies in a car crash.
It was fascinating to get the view of their childhood friendship from so many perspectives, both at the time and years later, and to see how it shaped each of them as they became adults.
As a fun side note, Tess Monaghan (the detective from Lippman's long running series) makes a cameo appearance in this book. I've only read a few of the books featuring her, and it took me a little while to place the name.
I was absorbed in this book the whole way through, and the end packed quite a punch-- I'm not sure that I liked it, but it really made an impression. I'd love to discuss it with others that read the book, and see what they thought.
I admit, Persuasion isn't my favorite Jane Austen novel, and listening to it while reading Murder Most Persuasive confirmed that. StillLight and fun!
I admit, Persuasion isn't my favorite Jane Austen novel, and listening to it while reading Murder Most Persuasive confirmed that. Still, I'm glad I revisited it, because I would have missed most of the Austen references in this book, and then I would have missed out on much of the fun.
I haven't read any of the previous books in the Elizabeth Parker series, but that didn't present any problems here.
The characters are lively and well-drawn. I suspect there is a little more depth if you watch them from book to book, but I enjoyed them as presented. I particularly enjoyed Elizabeth, as she struggled with a job she didn't love and a sister she loved but didn't always like (with good reason!).
The mystery was reasonably complex and well presented. I figured out the murderer fairly early on, but there really was some luck involved in that guess, and I did have my doubts as the story moved along.
And (as I mentioned above) the Austen references were lots of fun! The book never tries to be a retelling of Persuasion, so there isn't any worry about getting the details wrong. It simply is a story with amusing references and parallels.
Mystery loving Austen fans should check out this series....more
He's got a very interesting history, and I liked the glimpse into the life of this gay ballet dancer of Navajo/Puerto Rican heritage.
He actu3.5 stars
He's got a very interesting history, and I liked the glimpse into the life of this gay ballet dancer of Navajo/Puerto Rican heritage.
He actually lived in the Phoenix area around the same time I did, and he lived a similarly middle-class life at the time. There the similarities between our paths ends.
Even more than his talent (which I hear about indirectly in the book, but I don't really see, since it is hard to get the true nature of dance through the written word), I am awed by his dedication to dance. He knows from a very young age exactly what he wants to do, and is willing to spend all his time and energy on it at an age when most children have a much more limited attention span. Even as an adult, I long for a purpose so consuming, a path that is so clear.
He makes no effort to hide his youthful shortsightedness and selfishness that led to him being on his own in New York at age 14. Still, he was savvy enough to survive this, as well as get through a rather intense young love affair with an older man without family support to back him up.
The best part for me was the glimpses into the world of the ballet, the inner working of his company. I liked seeing the aspects from insight as to how a dance was choreographed (and I wish there was much more detail here-- it truly was only a glance), seeing the personal relationships and the politics that went on.
I had two issues with the book, neither of which were enough to keep me from enjoying my reading, but they were enough to keep me from loving Every Step You Take.
First the voice of the narration didn't match the person being portrayed. Part of it is that he's looking back, so it is the voice of a 40+ year old telling the story of a teen and young man, but even after he was grown up, it still didn't seem to have the passion that was being described.
The other problem is that the book really felt like just a glimpse into the life. Ballets, lovers, family relationships, complex living situations all were quickly mentioned, but I never really saw it or felt it. I was interested, but not involved.
Still, when the worst I can say is that I wish there was more to it, I can't really complain.
3.5 stars, since it felt a little clunky, but overall I enjoyed the story and the characters.
I expected chick lit meets mystery, and certainly aspects3.5 stars, since it felt a little clunky, but overall I enjoyed the story and the characters.
I expected chick lit meets mystery, and certainly aspects of both were present in the book. Overall, it was heavier on the mystery and lighter on the chick lit. In fact, I'd call this more of a big city cozy!
Emily was a much more mature (in all senses of the word) adult than is usually implied by the term "chick", which I appreciated-- which isn't unusual in a cozy. The community around her shoe store was very big city crowd, but still had the feeling of a cozy mystery. It was a bit grittier than a cozy, but that fit with the setting.
I liked Emily, and I enjoyed the mystery component, but I did have some issues with the book-- not major ones, luckily. The secondary characters were interesting, but felt a bit forced at times. The writing felt a bit clunky at times, where I didn't get as immersed in the story as I would have liked and expected.
Overall, I enjoyed it, and would pick up another book by the author....more
I was a little worried about how the graphic format would work with this book, but that wasn't an issue, at least not in the way I thought it would beI was a little worried about how the graphic format would work with this book, but that wasn't an issue, at least not in the way I thought it would be. The drawings really added to the, well, picture of who Stacey was.
They told a somewhat different story than would have been told only in words. You can see the changes she makes to her hair, for instance. A page might have several panels with her and her therapist, with nothing else happening. Words might have described the silence, but this shows it.
I really felt the book nailed her depression as well, although it may be that it tapped into what I already know (all too well) on the subject.
My only real complaint is that the book was too short. I actually don't mind that it didn't have a tidy ending, but I wish it had given more snippets along the way, more on what happened after she made her breakthrough, just more of this book....more
This book is a simple but beautiful story of a thirteen year old girl struggling to make sense of her life after the death of her mother.
The book is This book is a simple but beautiful story of a thirteen year old girl struggling to make sense of her life after the death of her mother.
The book is very readable, with a main character (Serenity) that struggles with all the issues of being a teen, as well as the bigger challenge of her mother's death.
I really enjoyed the bits from Serenity's journal at the beginning of each chapter as she uses something from her writing class to begin to develop a voice as a writer.
Serenity struggles with her attraction to the neighborhood bad boy (who isn't all bad, but certainly is involved with things she knows she wants to keep a distance from). She takes comfort from her church at one moment while railing at God the next, as part of her process of coming to terms with her life and spirituality.
She has strong role models in her life, and she's trying to figure out how her mother and her mother's choices fit into the patterns Serenity is starting to figure out.
There are no pat conclusions or easy answers to be found, but there is hope that life is improving, and that the actions we take on our behalf and on behalf of our friends can make a difference. It was a great message without being obnoxious in the process. ...more
When the book started off with the main character talking about his erectile dysfunction, I knew this wasn't going to be like anything else 4.5 stars.
When the book started off with the main character talking about his erectile dysfunction, I knew this wasn't going to be like anything else I'd read. It took me a little longer to decide if this was a good thing.
It was, largely because Tom Violet was such a great character-- someone that isn't at all like me, but who has me very interested in his life none-the-less.
If I don't have much in common with Tom, we live in recognizably the same world, and I love his skewed view of how to handle office politics. I'd hate to work with him, but I love to read about him.
On a different note, I loved the handling of the strained relationship between him and his wife. Not that I'd want to be in that relationship, but the kind of stress that happens in a marriage after some number of years have past rang very true.
I even appreciated the handling of the paths that can lead to adultery, even in people who really don't think it could happen to them.
Beyond work and his relationship with his wife, Tim is dealing with the questions that many of us face in middle age: Who am I? Who do I want to be?
In the end, Domestic Violets features a funny guy facing the challenges of modern life, and I'm really glad I saw the world through his eyes for a little while.
This book did not start out well for me. If I hadn't been reading it for book club, I would not have continued past the first third or so.
The first haThis book did not start out well for me. If I hadn't been reading it for book club, I would not have continued past the first third or so.
The first half of the book takes place when Petra and her friends are young teens, obsessed with David Cassidy, and having the sort of problems that girls in books (and real life) often seem to have-- Bullying, friendship issues, parental problems...
Since the David Cassidy connection didn't speak to me, it just felt like a book I'd read before, with characters that I didn't particularly want to spend time with.
I think this is a book where listening to the audio really got in the way for me.
First, the narrators voice was not that of a young teen (the Petra sections were first person), which isn't a showstopper, but it didn't help, either.
Second, the book moves between Petra's story and that of Bill (a young journalist writing for the David Cassidy magazine that Petra and her friends pour over), and excerpts from the David Cassidy magazine. Looking at the printed book, I think this would have broken up the experience more-- I would have felt the "Bill" sections gave me more of a break if I hadn't still been hearing Petra's voice. The magazine excerpts had a completely different look, which also would have served as a chance to take a breath, away from Petra and her friends.
I don't think I would have loved this first part in print, but I also don't think I would have been longing to stop reading.
Luckily, the second half worked much better for me. I found it a pleasant enough read, and the narrator's voice fit the adult Petra much better (although since it is no longer first person, it isn't such an issue).
I enjoyed Petra's escape from her life as she gets a chance to meet her childhood crush, reconnects with her childhood friend, and gets a chance to move on from her more recent hurts in her life.
Bill was actually my favorite character in both halves of the book, but even he isn't particularly memorable.
I'm glad it improved for me, but it still won't be one of my favorite books of the year....more
The Tapestry of Love was a beautiful read, with wonderful characters and a setting that truly came alive.
This book was truly a character piec4.5 stars
The Tapestry of Love was a beautiful read, with wonderful characters and a setting that truly came alive.
This book was truly a character piece, a portrait of a woman who has reached the stage of her life where she can make a new beginning without needed to take into accounts the needs of her (grown) children, her ex-husband, or her successful sister.
She's ready to start a small business in a place she picks for herself, away from her well established routine in England. It's a life that permits her to indulge her talent with tapestry work, cultivate a garden, get to know her new neighbors, and explore activities she never dreamed she'd try-- like beekeeping.
The story explores her relationship with family: her children (both of them were characters with just enough depth for me to want to get to know them better; her sister (who turns Catherine's life upside down when she comes to visit); and her mother (suffering from dementia, she's both the easiest and hardest relationship to leave behind).
Catherine develops new relationships with her neighbors, and while they are interesting in and of themselves they also help show what kind of a person Catherine is and contribute to the picture of Catherine's new home.
As a confirmed city (or at least suburbs) dweller, I was amazed how wonderful the rural French setting sounded. Even if I quickly came to my senses as far as my living there, I could really feel the appeal for Catherine, even with the downsides that were lovingly portrayed as well.
The only aspect of the book that didn't entirely work for me was the potential romantic relationship with Patrick, the mysterious man of the mountains. If I didn't love that aspect of the book, I didn't hate it either, and it didn't interfere with my overall enjoyment.
Overall, reading this book was a highly enjoyable experience. ...more
This book and I did not get along. It isn't that it was a bad book, it just wasn't for me.
For me, the book was too heavy on the dark, without enough lThis book and I did not get along. It isn't that it was a bad book, it just wasn't for me.
For me, the book was too heavy on the dark, without enough light to counterbalance it. All the characters were deeply flawed, without positive characteristics to allow me to relate. Cat was a smart (but not socially savvy) teen, and usually that's enough for me. That's probably why I kept expecting to start liking the book soon. Unfortunately, while I did feel sorry for her, I didn't like the decisions she made, and I didn't want to spend my reading time with her.
The other characters in the modern storyline were at least as bad. I'm sure they had positive attributes, but as reader, I never saw them. The teens were horrendous, the adults oblivious. I had hopes for the teacher, but he was too weak to be interesting (although he certainly didn't deserve what happened to him).
I couldn't get up enough interest in the historical storyline to care about the characters. It was written as an interview transcript, and the style seemed meant to distance the reader from the events. It certainly had that effect on me.
All that said, I still don't think it was a bad book. It was well written, with characters that had stories that came through in their actions. It had history that I didn't know about, and a very different perspective than I've seen about the lasting effects of life during wartime. The interweaving of the two time periods, and the similarities and differences in the plotlines in them, would have been compelling if I'd just been able to get into the characters a little more.
For someone with a little more tolerance for realistically disagreeable characters, this could be a wonderful read....more
I have to start out by saying I had somewhat mixed feelings about this book. I found it very well written, so much so that I found it a very uncomfortI have to start out by saying I had somewhat mixed feelings about this book. I found it very well written, so much so that I found it a very uncomfortable read at times.
Things We Didn't Say is a very character centered novel. All the characters were collections of problems and issues, with a few good characteristics that showed through. I admit, I'm more used to lead characters that are generally good, competent people, with enough flaws to keep them real, and this was part of my discomfort with the book-- I was never entirely sure I liked any of the characters.
However, even if it wasn't comfortable, it was real. The story was compelling, and the experience of reading it got so intense for me at one point that I did something I don't think I've ever done before. I peeked ahead to the ending, so that I could continue reading without the stress of worrying about the end result.
In the end, I found it intense, compelling, and very, very real....more
Not a bad mystery, but I found the writing a bit rough. It wasn't terrible, but it could have been better.
The plot itself was well done-- lots and lotNot a bad mystery, but I found the writing a bit rough. It wasn't terrible, but it could have been better.
The plot itself was well done-- lots and lots of twists and turns, so that neither you nor Toni are ever quite sure where things stand. This was by far the strength of the book, and if that's why you read mysteries, check this one out.
My biggest problem with Deed to Death is related to all of the twists and turns of the plot. I never felt I got to know any of the secondary characters, because there was always something between Toni and even her best friends. The situation kept changing, and Toni was once again on her own.
With all of that happening, I should have felt I know Toni well, but I didn't. Her character felt flat, and without the excuse of the twists and turns interfering with my perceptions of her.
And this takes me to the writing. I don't read for the writing, but the writing has to deliver the story and the characters. While this isn't the kind of writing that gets in the way of the story, it also never really delivers the kind of flow that sweeps me into the world of the book.
In the end, I liked the book, but not as much as I'd hoped....more
Honaria is one of my favorite romance heroines in a while. Often, I feel this way because I feel some kinship with the character. In this case I like Honaria is one of my favorite romance heroines in a while. Often, I feel this way because I feel some kinship with the character. In this case I like her quite simply for being herself.
She was a sweet, appropriately naive girl that cared about her family. She wasn't perfect (which would be annoying!), but her flaws weren't in my face, either.
The romance actually developed over time, which is my preference. It actually seemed to make sense for both of the parties involved! Their personalities complimented one another, and they had time to know that.
For most of the book, I thought this was going to be one of the most chaste romances I'd read in quite some time. That changed near the end, and if that scene wasn't entirely in character, it was otherwise well done (brief but emotional and intense).
I'm having trouble identifying what made this book work so well for me, other that the vague comment "it was the writing". Really, that's what it is-- a very well written book.
I haven't read a lot of Julia Quinn's books, but I've been very impressed by those I have. I look forward to reading more....more
This was a slow read, and I'm not entirely certain why. It isn't that I didn't want to read it, and it isn't that I didn't enjoy it. I think I just neThis was a slow read, and I'm not entirely certain why. It isn't that I didn't want to read it, and it isn't that I didn't enjoy it. I think I just needed to keep taking some quiet moments to allow me to keep up.
Every time I thought I knew what was happening, something changed. I ended up confused, and I mean that in mostly a good way.
Zed (undercover as Troy) was a fascinating character, with a tough past in the "Perfect Society" of the future. He's a true believer in what he's doing, but he's smart enough to let doubts come in. They include the doubts that would occur to anyone sent through time as an assassin, but they take him places I never even imagined.
The contemporary characters were also thought provoking, if somewhat simpler. But beyond Zed, this wasn't a book about character. It was a book about world building, and how a future is built. It was a book about plot and thrills and crazy and unexpected changes of direction in both small and large scale.
If you want a mind-bending adventure with many twists and turns, time travel, and a look at a path from where we are to a future "perfect society", this book is for you. If you like to be certain of your footing when you are reading, you'd probably be happier avoiding it. ...more