2020May – A Take from Two Cities

LOVE IS FOR LOSERS by Wibke Brueggeman

A laugh out loud look at first love, loss and trying to avoid the girl of your dreams.

What a stupid expression that is in the first place: To fall in love.
Like you fall into a ditch or something.
Maybe people need to look where they’re going.

As far as Phoebe Davies is concerned, love is to be avoided at all costs. Why would you spend your life worrying about something that turns you into a complete moron? If her best friend Polly is anything to go by, the first sniff of a relationship makes you forget about your friends (like, hello?), get completely obsessed with sex (yawn) and bang on constantly about a person who definitely isn’t as great as you think they are.

So Phoebe isn’t going to fall in love, ever.
But then she meets Emma . . .

Love is for Losers by Wibke Brueggemann is a hilarious, life-affirming novel about all the big stuff: love, sex, death, family, heartbreak, kittens . . . and kisses that turn the whole world upside down.

Title : Love Is For Losers
Author : Wibke Brueggeman
Format : Paperback ARC
Page Count : 508
Genre : Contemporary YA
Publisher : Macmillan Children’s Books
Release Date : May 28, 2020

Reviewer : Micky
Rating : ★ ★ ★

Micky’s 3 star review

Love Is For Losers has a strong and powerful British narrative voice, that is told in a diary format. I loved this format and it accounts for why there are so many pages in the book, it isn’t necessarily a long book but spacing for the diary accounts for some of this.

Phoebe, the protagonist is the kind of character with a big chip on her shoulder, shes spikey, hard to like and I only just got to like by the end. Despite her character, there are many reasons to still enjoy the book because not every protagonist regurgitates hearts and rainbows. Phoebe is on a journey in this book, reconciliation with the state of her maternal relationship, finding first love and losing friends. I found it to be a compelling read.

I did have struggles however with Phoebe, some early attitude towards disability was annoying, even though it was corrected. She was pretty judgey with all of those around her and she didn’t really endear herself to the reader. She came across as immature, judgmental and in need of some familial love. I felt annoyed at her mum and found her to be selfish, so I got where some of that element came from.

Overall, this was a solid read with many enjoyable facets. The diary writing style made it very engaging and kept me invested. There was great open dialogue about sex and sexuality for this mid-teen age group. I would definitely read this author again.

Thank you to Macmillan Kids UK for the early review copy.

MONTHLY WRAP UP – MAY 2020

To close out each month, we’ll be posting a break down of everything we reviewed, beginning with the reads we loved.. and ending with the reads we didn’t. Not only does this compile all our reviews in one handy summary for you to peruse, or catch up on, it also gives us an interesting birds eye view of the month and our reads. And maybe, even, our moods.

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ star reads

BEACH READ by Emily Henry — see Hollis’ review here

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ star reads

NETWORK EFFECT by Martha Wells — see Hollis’ review here
THE GUY ON THE RIGHT by Kate Stewart — see Hollis’ review here
CLAP WHEN YOU LAND by Elizabeth Acevedo — see Micky’s review here
THREE HOURS IN PARIS by Cara Black — see Micky’s review here
SAPPHIRE FLAMES by Ilona Andrews — see Micky’s review here
THE EDUCATION OF IVY EDWARDS by Hannah Tovey — see Micky’s review here
HIDEAWAY by Nora Roberts — see Micky’s review here
DEAR EDWARD by Ann Napolitano — see Micky’s review here
CLOCKWORK PRINCESS by Cassandra Clare — see Micky’s review here

☆ ☆ ☆ star reads

AURORA BURNING by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff — see Hollis’ review here
THE LONELY FAJITA by Abigail Mann — see Micky’s review here
THE SWITCH by Beth O’Leary — see Micky’s review here
THE BRIGHTEST FELL by Seanan McGuire — see Hollis’ review here
BLACK TANGLED HEART by Samantha Young — see Micky’s review here
THE DUTCH HOUSE by Ann Patchett — see Micky’s review here
THE VINE WITCH by Luanne G Smith — see Micky’s review here

☆ ☆ star reads

LATE ECLIPSES by Seanan McGuire — see Hollis’ review here
ONE SALT SEA by Seanan McGuire — see Hollis’ review here
ASHES OF HONOR by Seanan McGuire — see Hollis’ review here
CHIMES AT MIDNIGHT by Seanan McGuire — see Hollis’ review here
THE WINTER LONG by Seanan McGuire — see Hollis’ review here
A RED-ROSE CHAIN by Seanan McGuire — see Hollis’ review here
ONCE BROKEN FAITH by Seanan McGuire — see Hollis’ review here
THE BRIGHTEST FELL by Seanan McGuire — see Hollis’ review here
THE HUNTING PARTY by Lucy Foley — see Micky’s review here
THE GRAVITY OF US by Phil Stamper — see Micky’s review here

☆ star reads

u n r a t e d

DNF

AGAIN AGAIN by E Lockhart — see Micky’s brief GR review here

additional reads not reviewed for blog : five
total reads by Micky : twenty
favourite read of the month : THE BOY, THE MOLE, THE FOX AND THE HORSE (GR review here), SEA PRAYER by Khaled Housseini (GR review here)
least favourite read of the month : AGAIN AGAIN by E Lockhart
most read genre : contemporary

total reviews by Hollis : thirteen
favourite read of the month : BEACH READ by Emily Henry
least favourite read of the month : elle oh elle, all of my October Daye reads
most read genre : urban fantasy

CLOCKWORK PRINCESS by Cassandra Clare

If the only way to save the world was to destroy what you loved most, would you do it?

The clock is ticking. Everyone must choose.

Passion. Power. Secrets. Enchantment.

Danger closes in around the Shadowhunters in the final installment of the bestselling Infernal Devices trilogy.

Title : Clockwork Princess
Author : Cassandra Clare
Series : The Infernal Devices #3
Format : ebook
Page Count : 557
Genre : YA Historical Fantasy
Publisher : Walker Books
Release Date : March 19, 2013

Reviewer : Micky
Rating : ★ ★ ★ ★

Micky’s 4 star review

The completion of this trilogy within the wider shadowhunters series was an emotive experience. Alongside the fast-pacing and action was a tragedy unfolding and though I had a vague sense of plot direction from CLOCKWORK PRINCE, I didn’t expect what I got. It was rich, it was well written and it was hard to swallow.

This has to be the weirdest and yet most gracious love triangle I have ever read, I found it palatable in the way that love triangles often aren’t. Will had such character growth over book two and then this book, he matured, he stepped up and he was proper hero-material. Jem remained sweet and good but he didn’t draw my focus as much. I continued to like all the other characters, especially Tessa, Charlotte, the Lightwoods, Sophie and Magnus.

Jem’s story arc was unexpected in so many ways (no spoilers), the twists were multiple and clever. The silent brothers element to the story development brought all sorts of jaw drops to my face. Finally getting answers to who Tessa was, was satisfying and seeing the Clockwork Angel come to the fore again was exciting.

This book made me cry and I am a reluctant crier at books, but oh my, how could you not? The epilogue was everything unexpected, joy and pain combined. I am not convinced by the ending, the convenience of the final playing out of events; the now. I would love to hear your thoughts on that ending.

So, late to the party by a decade but here all the same to enjoy a series I thought I’d never read. I might even read the other series in this world that I said I wouldn’t.

DEAR EDWARD by Ann Napolitano

A heart-wrenching, life-affirming novel about a 12-year-old boy who is the sole survivor of a deadly plane crash

One summer morning, a flight takes off from New York to Los Angeles. There are 187 passengers aboard: among them a Wall Street millionaire; a young woman taking a pregnancy test in the airplane toilet; a soldier returning from Afghanistan; and two beleaguered parents moving across the country with their adolescent sons. When the plane suddenly crashes in a field in Colorado, the younger of these boys, 12-year-old Edward Adler, is the sole survivor.

Dear Edward recounts the stories of the passengers aboard that flight as it hurtles toward its fateful end, and depicts Edward’s life in the crash’s aftermath as he tries to make sense of the loss of his family, the strangeness of his sudden fame, and the meaning of his survival. As Edward comes of age against the backdrop of sudden tragedy, he must confront one of life’s most profound questions: how do we make the most of the time we are given?’

Title : Dear Edward
Author : Ann Napolitano
Format : Hardcover
Page Count : 368
Genre : Literary Fiction
Publisher : Viking
Release Date : February 20, 2020

Reviewer : Micky
Rating : ★ ★ ★ ★

Micky’s 4 star review

Less is going to be more with this review, so I will try and encapsulate my feelings on this memorable book. Told in alternating perspectives from Edward the sole survivor of a plane crash and various passengers on the plane, this story was structured and unfurled in the perfect way. Edward grew from the broken 12 year old to a young man and it was a painful, aching process as he grieved.

Edward feels barren on the inside. There’s nothing alive in him. Food seems not only unnecessary but irrelevant.

Ann Napolitano took the approach of show and not tell when it came to grief journeys and I think she nailed a possible individual experience rather perfectly. I couldn’t personally relate to Edward’s experience but man, did I feel it. With the passangers, Napolitano crafted individuals that you got to know and cared for (at least most of them), including their relatives.

The slow growth of the story was a strength of this book, I never knew what was around the meandering corner for Edward. His friendship with Shay felt realistic and beautiful. The last quarter of the book took my breath away whilst filling my tear ducts simultaneously as everything came together.

What a character driven book this was. Edward was a boy and young man to root for and his journey was compelling. Everything about this book was unique and unforgettable.

THE VINE WITCH by Luanne G Smith

A young witch emerges from a curse to find her world upended in this gripping fantasy of betrayal, vengeance, and self-discovery set in turn-of-the-century France.

For centuries, the vineyards at Château Renard have depended on the talent of their vine witches, whose spells help create the world-renowned wine of the Chanceaux Valley. Then the skill of divining harvests fell into ruin when sorcière Elena Boureanu was blindsided by a curse. Now, after breaking the spell that confined her to the shallows of a marshland and weakened her magic, Elena is struggling to return to her former life. And the vineyard she was destined to inherit is now in the possession of a handsome stranger.

Vigneron Jean-Paul Martel naively favors science over superstition, and he certainly doesn’t endorse the locals’ belief in witches. But Elena knows a hex when she sees one, and the vineyard is covered in them. To stay on and help the vines recover, she’ll have to hide her true identity, along with her plans for revenge against whoever stole seven winters of her life. And she won’t rest until she can defy the evil powers that are still a threat to herself, Jean-Paul, and the ancient vine-witch legacy in the rolling hills of the Chanceaux Valley.

Title : The Vine Witch
Author : Luanne G. Smith
Series : Vine Witch #1
Format : ebook
Page Count : 263
Genre : Historical Fantasy
Publisher : 47 North
Release Date : October 1, 2019

Reviewer : Micky
Rating : ★ ★ ★

Micky’s 3 star review

THE VINE WITCH was a case of a really strong start and an exciting story that didn’t quite keep hold of that promise all the way through. This was a historical fantasy, set in the wineries of France with a rich history of witches working with the vines and elements to produce good wine. I absolutely loved this idea and the main character Elena was so interesting. Elena remained a strong characterisation throughout, she carried the show.

The story started with a curse, a toad and transformation. Elena’s return to her home was sad and interesting and the two key characters of Grand-Mere and Jean-Paul added to the intrigue. The wider village characters were rich and made me reminiscent of Chocolat by Joanne Harris.

Where my love for the book waned a little was when the story direction changed in the second half. This may be more about my expectations than anything else, but I wanted more time in the winery, how Elena worked, how she and Jean-Paul worked together. I didn’t expect what I got and I longed for more story development in other directions.

The romance that developed was so low-level and unfulfilled in terms of character connection to one another. This story line needed a fuller commitment on the page because I wanted this couple together and I believed in their grudging work relationship, so much that their romantic connection could have been great.

Overall, this was a good read that didn’t quite fulfill what I wanted but it was unique and quick. The second book follows a side character from this story and I believe more of Elena, so I may read on in the series.

HIDEAWAY by Nora Roberts

A family ranch in Big Sur country and a legacy of Hollywood royalty set the stage for Nora Roberts’ emotional new suspense novel.

Caitlyn Sullivan, a daughter of Hollywood royalty, was already a star at ten, but still loved to play hide-and-seek with her cousins at the family home in Big Sur. It was during one of those games that she disappeared.

Despite her glamorous background, Cate was a shrewd, scrappy survivor, and she managed to escape her abductors. Callan Cooper was shocked to find the bruised and terrified girl huddled in his ranch house kitchen—but when the teenager and his family heard her story they provided refuge and comfort, reuniting her with her loved ones.

Cate’s ordeal, though, was far from over. First came the discovery of a betrayal that would send someone she’d trusted to prison. Then there were years away in Ireland, sheltered and protected but with restlessness growing in her soul. Then, finally, she returned to Los Angeles, hoping to act again and get past the trauma that had derailed her life. What she didn’t yet know was that two seeds had been planted that long-ago night—one of a great love, and one of a terrible vengeance…

Title : Hidewaway
Author : Nora Roberts
Format : eARC
Page Count : 352
Genre : Romantic Thriller
Publisher : Piatkus
Release Date : May 26, 2020

Reviewer : Micky
Rating : ★ ★ ★ ★

Micky’s 4 star review

HIDEAWAY was a rich melding of a family saga with suspense and a gentle romance. It was also only my second stroll with Nora Roberts. The story started with an almighty thrilling bang and then the rest of the tale played out over decades. This growth of the readers knowledge and affection for the family was facilitated by great writing and a solid plot.

Caitlyn (Cate) was at the centre of a kidnapping plot, age ten, all due to the fact she was from a famous family of actors. The Sullivans as a family made for great reading even though I got confused with the many names and who was who in the first quarter of the book. The whole kidnapping plot made for tense reading and this tension ebbed and flowed through the years as the crime was never really put to rest.

The characterisation was the key strength in this read, all the characters, good and bad, had great depth. I loved to read about Cate’s mother, Noah, Dillon, Red, Michaela and of course Cate herself. There were a few niggles for me, some of the ‘darling world’ and privileged life of the Sullivans was a little irritating at times and I didn’t like Dillon’s consistent reference to his mother and grams as ‘my ladies’.

The plot was interesting, I wanted to get back to the book and although there were some unexpected twists, many of the twists were pretty predictable. I can’t say that aspect spoilt the read at all. The wrap up at the end was a little too swift and I would have liked a bit of the calm after.

HIDEAWAY has definitely made me want to read more of this genre from Nora Roberts and this family saga is likely to appeal widely.

Thank you Piatkus/Little Brown UK for the early review copy.

NEW RELEASE TUESDAY – MAY 26, 2020

Happy “where’d all my money go?” new release Tuesday, everyone!

As you know, the most exciting day of the week in this community is the day that follows the one we all dread (Mondays for the nope) and today we’re going to highlight one of the new books chipping away at our bank accounts.

HIDEAWAY by Nora Roberts is a romantic suspense/thriller coupled with a epic family saga. It starts with a kidnapping and travels decades of family intrigue and survivor-ship. Look for a review coming for this on the blog.

Are there any titles out today you’re excited for? Let us know in the comments below!

THE DUTCH HOUSE by Ann Patchett

At the end of the Second World War, Cyril Conroy combines luck and a single canny investment to begin an enormous real estate empire, propelling his family from poverty to enormous wealth. His first order of business is to buy the Dutch House, a lavish estate in the suburbs outside of Philadelphia. Meant as a surprise for his wife, the house sets in motion the undoing of everyone he loves.

The story is told by Cyril’s son Danny, as he and his older sister, the brilliantly acerbic and self-assured Maeve, are exiled from the house where they grew up by their stepmother. The two wealthy siblings are thrown back into the poverty their parents had escaped from and find that all they have to count on is one another. It is this unshakable bond between them that both saves their lives and thwarts their futures.

Set over the course of five decades, The Dutch House is a dark fairy tale about two smart people who cannot overcome their past. Despite every outward sign of success, Danny and Maeve are only truly comfortable when they’re together. Throughout their lives, they return to the well-worn story of what they’ve lost with humor and rage. But when at last they’re forced to confront the people who left them behind, the relationship between an indulged brother and his ever-protective sister is finally tested.

Title : The Dutch House
Author : Ann Patchett
Format : Paperback
Page Count : 352
Genre : Literary Fiction
Publisher : Bloomsbury Publishing
Release Date :

Reviewer : Micky
Rating : ★ ★ ★

Micky’s 3 star review

THE DUTCH HOUSE was an epic family saga told over decades, detailing the level to which a family can be messed up. There was nothing predictable about this tale and overall the tone of the story was pretty sad and depressing. However, it was rich in characterisation and description.

The story was told from the POV of Danny, at first a young boy, at the end in his fifties. Alongside, his sister Maeve, they navigated traumatic family events that initially revolved around their house (The Dutch House) and later away from the house. There was an amazing cast of side characters, my favourites of whom were Dr Able, Fluffy and Andrea (who doesn’t love a Cruella de Ville character).

I spent various points in this book incensed on behalf of Maeve and Danny. Danny had all the potential as a young man to turn out differently from his father but as the book progressed, I did feel he became something of a self-centred cold fish and he definitely had shades of his father. I adored Maeve as a character, she was the rudder to this story and many of her story lines just plain hurt.

It sounded so nostalgic when he said it, the three of us, as if we had once been a unit instead of just a circumstance.

The return of Elna to the story was not welcome to me and I just knew that she wasn’t going to be great news despite the understandable glee of Maeve. The wrap up to Andrea was a little disappointing as well; these mothers were just awful.

I am left reflecting on how much this book made me feel and how involved I became with this family despite my middling rating. I would definitely read Ann Patchett again because she creates such characters that you cannot help but get swept up by them.

Thank you to Bloomsbury Publishing and Tandem Collective for the review copy.

PAINTED FACES by LH Cosway

Come forth with an open mind, for an unconventional tale of love..

Dublin native Freda Wilson considers herself to be an acquired taste. She has a habit of making offensive jokes and speaking her mind too often. She doesn’t have the best track record with first impressions, which is why she gets a surprise when her new neighbour Nicholas takes a shine to her.

Nicholas is darkly handsome, funny and magnetic, and Freda feels like her black and white existence is plunged into a rainbow of colour when she’s around him. When he walks into a room he lights it up, with his quick wit and charisma. He is a travelling cabaret performer, but Freda doesn’t know exactly what that entails until the curtains pull back on his opening night.

She is gob-smacked and entirely intrigued to see him take to the stage in drag. Later on, Nicholas asks her if she would like to become his show assistant. Excited by the idea, she jumps at the chance. Soon she finds herself immersed in a world of wigs, make-up and high heels, surrounded by pretty men and the temptation of falling for her incredibly beautiful employer.

In this story of passion and sexual discovery, Nicholas and Freda will contend with jealousy, emotional highs and lows, and the kind of love that only comes around once in a lifetime.

Title : Painted Faces
Author : LH Cosway
Series : Painted Faces #1
Format : Ebook
Page Count : 355
Genre : Contemporary Romance
Publisher : Indie
Release Date : December 16, 2012

Reviewer : Micky
Rating : ★ ★ ★ ★ .5

Micky’s 4.5 star review

Wholly delightful, PAINTED FACES was that elusive treasure hiding down in the depths of my kindle, just waiting for me to catch it’s eye. I don’t know what made me pick it up but I am so glad I did and I really wish I’d read it sooner. I really think this is a special, fresh and unique story. It was released in 2012 but nothing about it feels dated as a contemporary read.

Told in the backdrop of city centre Dublin, Nicholas is a new resident to Ireland and next door neighbour to Fred (Freda). Freda was a most quirky character, brusque and difficult at times but a loyal friend to those around her. Nicholas took to Freda immediately and their working relationship was incredibly fun with star-bolts of chemistry shooting. These two burnt for one another but everything them was laden with insecurity.

Nicholas is one of the most unique characters I’ve ever read about, his persona and his real character were both poles apart and complimentary at the same time. I loved him, he appealed to me and his sexual cheekiness was something else. The banter between Freda and Nicholas was divine.

The description in this book of characters, clubs, people, costumes created such a colourful picture in my imagination, that the world was brought to life.

I want to tell everyone about this book and what I’m getting are pitiful looks, ‘yeah love, I read this about 7 years ago, you’re a bit late‘. If for some reason like me this one got buried, rectify your mistake immediately, you won’t regret it. Sometimes the backlog is a treasure chest.

SAPPHIRE FLAMES by Ilona Andrews

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Ilona Andrews comes an enthralling new trilogy set in the Hidden Legacy world, where magic means power, and family bloodlines are the new currency of society…

In a world where magic is the key to power and wealth, Catalina Baylor is a Prime, the highest rank of magic user, and the Head of her House. Catalina has always been afraid to use her unique powers, but when her friend’s mother and sister are murdered, Catalina risks her reputation and safety to unravel the mystery.

But behind the scenes powerful forces are at work, and one of them is Alessandro Sagredo, the Italian Prime who was once Catalina’s teenage crush. Dangerous and unpredictable, Alessandro’s true motives are unclear, but he’s drawn to Catalina like a moth to a flame.

To help her friend, Catalina must test the limits of her extraordinary powers, but doing so may cost her both her House–and her heart.

Title : Sapphire Flames
Author : Ilona Andrews
Series : Hidden Legacy #4
Format : ebook
Page Count : 400
Genre : Urban Fantasy/PNR
Publisher : Avon Books
Release Date : August 27, 2019

Reviewer : Micky
Rating : ★ ★ ★ ★

Micky’s 4 star review

I’ve got this old song going through my head…
🎵Don’t leave me this way🎵…because quite frankly, I cannot believe Ilona Andrews left it like that. I’ve read a stack of their books and I don’t think I’ve ever felt this incomplete at the end of a book, but I’ve got to tell you, it’s a delicious incompleteness.

SAPPHIRE FLAMES is the first novel where there’s truly been a full flavour of Catalina and she’s as interesting as Nevada but in a totally different way. I liked the age jump from the previous novella and having Catalina more settled in her position of responsibility. As ever with this series, this book was fast-paced, full of action, magic and monsters.

Now to the coupling, Alessandro, the smooth Italian stallion, was pretty to fun to read about and on a mission, the like of which I still don’t know. The banter between Alessandro and Catalina was exceptionally funny, entrancing and it totally gave me Jake and Amy vibes from Brooklyn 99 (sorry if you’re not a fan).

I am left worrying about where their joint story will go, what Catalina has got herself up to the neck in and most of all, what do I have to do to get my hands on EMERALD BLAZE? If you’ve not started The Hidden Legacy series yet, then what are you even doing with your life. Let’s call this my rec to you and get on it.