Sacha T. Y. Fortuné

I chose this from an ARC program because I was in the mood for a good women’s fiction and the preview was intriguing.

The Premise

After a fatal driving accident, the driver Jess and her mother Liz deal with the fallout. Evidence indicates that Jess was texting while driving, and the victim was the town’s beloved football coach. The one eyewitness who was a passenger in the car — her supposed friend Sheila — is clearly lying about something, but Jess can’t remember exactly what happened.

As the town turns on Jess, Liz reaches out to an acquaintance, Kevin, who is a lawyer, to help with Jess’ case. Liz’ ex-husband and Jess’ father Jake also steps up to help his daughter — finally showing inklings of the man that Liz always wanted him to be prior to their divorce after a teenage pregnancy and subsequent marriage.

As Liz vacillates between old love and new, she tries to do her best by her daughter, whom she believes she raised well: an honour student, track star, and “good girl” in their society… until she wasn’t. As the legal battle unfolds, we ask ourselves — even if Jess did really do it and is at fault, should her one mistake be all that shapes who she is for the rest of her life?

The Pros

This was an emotional, tragic, heartbreaking story with all the feels, and I enjoyed it from beginning to end. The pacing is exquisite — the reader experiences all the highs and lows, panic, fear, desperation, love and regret along with both Liz and Jess.

There were many relationships shown, and I appreciated how there was far more showing than telling with them all: mother-daughter, father-daughter, young-female-friendship, adult-female-friendship, ex-husband-wife, and so much more. I was grateful to see both perspectives from mother and daughter, and the writing switches appropriately between the two — something many authors don’t do well, but it was done so seamlessly here so that I could tell who was narrating at all times.

I also found it intriguing as Jess built an unusual relationship with the victim’s wife, and that she had a moment when she got to choose to go back to her old life through Sheila. Similarly, Liz also had moments where she came to terms with imperfections with her past love Jake, and her difficult relationship with her father. These were exceptional touches that breathed life and realism into the story, and overall it was a coming-of-age tale of forgiveness and growth for both mother and daughter.

The Cons

While I enjoyed this novel thoroughly, I did think at times that it could have been a bit shorter to its benefit, by cutting some of the side stories that did not seem necessary. Jess’ friendship with Dylan seemed irrelevant, and the ill-advised escapade with Fish felt somewhat contrived, and Liz’ friendship with Avery was also given a bit more real estate than necessary. I think there was more than enough of a full picture of who both Jess and Liz were, without these additional characters.

Conclusion

The plot was gripping and felt all too real — this could have so easily happened to anyone: regardless of who you are and all you’ve done up to this point in your life, one mistake can change it and jeopardise everything. I believe it is an important lesson for us all, and would highly recommend this book to anyone, especially female readers. The writing is excellent, and I look forward to more from this author.

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I chose this book from an ARC program because I liked the synopsis and was feeling for a good women’s fiction.

The Premise

Now in her 50s, Allyson has finally found happiness, and is ready to move forward in life with her boyfriend. But just as she becomes Warren’s fiancée, she receives a visitor: a sixteen-year-old grandson she did not know about, the child of the daughter she gave up for adoption when she was seventeen. With few options to care for Nick after his mother’s death, Allyson takes him in.

His presence brings up memories of her past — mainly, Nick’s grandfather, Sonny, who disappeared without a trace after their first time together, at Woodstock almost four decades ago. She decides to embark on a road trip across the country with Nick to meet his grandfather, who never knew Allyson had had a child. Will their past love have any place in the future, or are old memories better left in the past?

The Pros

This was an emotional and beautiful novel with relatable characters and an interesting plot. The developing relationship between Allyson and Nick had its ups and downs, but they found common ground through rebellion. Through Nick, Allyson reclaims some of her own youth. There were vivid descriptions of their adventures together, and these were heartwarming and brought life to the novel.

Warren’s steady love and the potential of the past flame to ignite with Sonny also brought tension to the tale, and I enjoyed that balance of past and present with the uncertainty of the future. It was lovely to see Nick come out of his shell as he found that not only did someone actually want him in their life — but that he was someone worth fighting over.

The Cons

While I enjoyed the novel overall, I did wish for a bit of a twist… some heart-stopping moment that was completely gripping. This didn’t happen, however — there were no surprises, but a gentle build to a satisfying though predictable end. The flashback scenes were also a bit too detailed; I would have preferred these to be much shorter. Finally, at times, I found myself wishing that it were told from two points of view — I would have loved to see Nick’s story unfold alongside Allyson’s, and this may have made for a more dramatic and entertaining story.

Conclusion

Despite those minor niggles, I really enjoyed this novel and I would highly recommend to anyone, but particularly female adult readers. There was a lot of emotional introspection and healing that took place for all the main characters, a nice pacing as the story unfolds, and a few dashes of excitement here and there. I can see this being turned into a Lifetime movie, so if that’s the kind of story that floats your boat, this would be an excellent pick.

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I saw this book show up in an ARC program, and I chose it because I have a toddler and I hope to successfully toilet-train him soon!

The Premise

Written by a paediatric occupational therapist, this book is a comprehensive guide aimed at parents (or carers) to encourage independence in children in the toilet-training process — within just one week! It tackles every aspect of toilet training, including the tools the parent would need to reward good toilet habits and avoid stressful accidents.

The Pros

This was a well laid out, fully comprehensive guide of every aspect to deal with toilet training. Important issues were discussed such as signs to look for to know your child is ready to start toilet training, the types of foods the child should eat, clothes to wear, equipment to support the training process, troubleshooting issues, tips for dealing with public toilets, training children with special needs, different approaches in other countries around the world, and much more.

I appreciated that it was a holistic overview and included considerations for the type of personality the child has, tips for training when you have twins or other children, and much more. I also liked the incorporation of rewards system, and the toolkits provided via links — I subscribed and received free copies of these, which were very useful.

The Cons

While I appreciated the thought and research that went into this, it was a little overwhelming at times. Though I read it through quickly, I found it was a bit long (200+ pages in the PDF version I downloaded) which did feel like a lot on the topic, and there were a few things that got repetitive or could have been omitted.

I can also see aspects that I just don’t agree with or won’t try. I’m sure not every parent will be willing to have a naked baby for days while toilet training, and there didn’t seem to be any alternative to this in the guidance. Not to mention, getting the child to help with cleanup when there are accidents might be unlikely.

I also wish that some (say even 25%) of the “bonus” content was included in the actual book, because I found those even more useful than some of the long sections of text that the target audience may not have the time or patience to read in its entirety. Though it targets adults, even adults like to look at pictures and charts with examples WHILE reading, rather than after the fact if they go through the process to (1) confirm subscription (2) get account info (3) log in with account info (4) navigate to the toolbox (5) click through all the resources to download them individually.

Conclusion

Nothing here was absolutely ground-breaking or fundamentally brand new, so “The Holy Grail” might be a high claim, but there is a LOT of useful info that can be applied (especially all the bonus guides you have to subscribe to download). It expertly puts together a lot of concepts, and approaches toilet training — a seemingly “basic” thing — from both the parent and child viewpoints, to bridge that gap and enable the parent to help their child emotionally and physically to acclimatise to toilet training.

My only drawback was that at times it seemed to be more of a subject-matter-expert approach from an Occupational Therapist (i.e. an ideal), and I’m not sure if the authors have actually toilet-trained his/her own children, or how many children were successfully trained with this method. Theory is one thing, but application is quite another.

It does seem to be for fairly docile children — I am not looking forward to my upcoming time toilet training my hyperactive, easily distracted toddler! Nevertheless, I’m glad I read this, as it gave me a great base as a starting point. I would highly recommend to other readers, and wish them best of luck in their potty journeys!

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This book came to me via an ARC program, and I chose it because I was in the mood for a good YA read, and I usually enjoy books featuring horses.

The Premise

After her mother died, Perry has been trying to keep her old horse North healthy and happy, while also struggling to balance caring for her four-year-old brother Lief and being a good, supportive daughter to her stepfather Justin.

But living in the city is costly and it’s wearing everyone down, even North. When she inherits her mother’s childhood home in Perryside, she knows it is the best decision to make for the whole family — even if it means leaving the only place she has memories of her mother.

Can she find happiness in a new place, far from her mother’s memory?

The Pros & Cons

This was a beautiful novel with rich descriptions that take you right there to the peaceful scenes of rural Canada. I loved that it showed a young, admirable protagonist who was very mature for her teenage years — spotting her stepfather’s financial distress, stepping in as a maternal substitute for her brother, and realising when she had outgrown her friends and not reacting poorly to certain situations. It was refreshing to see strong female characters like this.

I especially enjoyed her relationship with her stepfather, because despite the lack of blood ties, it is clear they love each other deeply. Lief also jumps off the page with his innocence, and even the dialogue used reflects his adorableness. There is also an undercurrent of a romantic relationship with Gil, which was sweet and age-appropriate for young readers. The horse theme and her relationship with North were also lovely and heartwarming.

My only con with the novel was that it was a bit simple in terms of conflict, so there isn’t a huge pay-off in drama or relationship angst. However, as the first in the series, I expect there may be more of this to come.

Conclusion

While the book is about “moving North” as he has had issues with his health between stables, it is clear that it goes much deeper — about moving the entire family forward after her mother’s death. This is an excellent book for anyone to enjoy, but I particularly recommend to teenage girls. With realistic characters, diverse families, the flutters of first love, beautiful horses and an idyllic countryside setting, it all combines to make a rich novel about grief and healing after loss, and a journey to maturity. I look forward to more in this series, and more from this author.

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I chose this book from an ARC program because I was looking for a good YA read.

The Premise

Avery’s life changes in an instant when a drunk driver slams through a red light, killing her mother and leaving her with lifelong scars.

Before she has a chance to mourn her mother’s death, she is introduced to her new family who she never knew existed, and vice versa — a father, a stepmother, and a brother the same age as her. Her new life takes her from a working-class existence to an upper-class life in a penthouse apartment in New York, where she intends to bide her time until she becomes an adult in a few months.

But as she gets to know her parents and her brother’s friends, she is swept away by the throes of her first love. Opportunities for a future career emerge, and soon her former life is a vestigial memory. Can the love of a family, friends and a boyfriend be enough to heal her scars — both on the outside, as well as the inside?

The Pros

This was a beautiful, heartwarming story of loss, grief, and the power of love and redemption. Avery’s overwhelming welcome from her new family was lovely, and all of the characters came to life through the author’s vivid descriptions and witty dialogue.

While romance was a major theme, there was so much more here. The pacing moves swiftly along as the bonds between the teenagers strengthen, and I loved all of the relationships that are shown — female friendships, male friendships, sibling relationships, longstanding love between married couples, and much more.

I also appreciated the growth and development of the main character, Avery, and I liked seeing her push beyond her grief and open herself up to find love for others and herself.

The Cons

While I loved this story, it was a bit simplistic, and I kept hoping for a twist. The big dramatic moment was swiftly resolved before the happy ending. I also wish we found out why her mother had hid her father from her; I felt like the background given was insufficient reason. Knowing exactly who her father was, and that he was a good man (with no bad history with her mother), but still keeping him a secret… it was a selfish decision, to limit Avery’s future and deprive her of a positive male relationship for her entire life. Though realistic, it seemed out of place in such a great mother-daughter relationship.

Conclusion

Nevertheless, overall this was a great pick for a Young Adult coming-of-age novel that packs an emotional punch. I highly recommend to anyone, but particularly to young women. The main character’s emergence through all this emotional drama, and journey to healing, is a story of triumph that will resonate with many readers. I loved seeing such a positive story with strong families, and I look forward to more from the author.

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I first came across this author after reading her novel “A Quiet Dissonance“, and when I signed up for her newsletter I was directed to review other books she had written. I chose several short-story collections, this being the third one (I also reviewed “Parvathy’s Well & Other Stories” and “Holi Moly! & Other Stories“), because I was in the mood for something distinctly different from what I had read from her before, but still with the enticing flavour of the cultural Indian backdrop.

 

The Premise

Damage

The collection opens with a dark tale of an illicit love triangle that deeply affects a child with special needs, showing that actions can have “collateral damage” consequences no one expects.

Samsara

A female detective defies expectations of her sex in the society, when she investigates a brutal murder of the wife of a Minister, a beloved woman in the community who had dark secrets.

Creep

A brief look at the machinations of the mind of a lecherous man as he approaches women with nefarious intentions.

Ma Vie Sans Couleur

An artist experiences life through colour, each colour representing a moment in her life that she cannot escape, as her memories overcome her and bleed from the past into the present.

Secrets and Lies

A child, sidelined for being different, experiences the death of a grandfather who took him in after his parents’ death, despite having had a volatile relationship with his daughter, his mother. Through the boy, he tries to right his sins by providing for him.

The Consequence of Contradiction

A woman in a loveless marriage engages in many affairs, until it comes to pass that one of her lovers is matched to her own daughter. Caught in a difficult situation, she has to decide if to protect her daughter or her own reputation. 

Love Jihad

Two love stories, both taking place in 2017, unfold in parallel. In India, a Hindu/Muslim couple risks everything for their forbidden love. Meanwhile, another Hindu/Muslim couple’s relationship in London is permitted by their families, but also comes to a dark end. 

The Unlikely Casanova

A brief look into the mind of a man who contemplates his emotionless approach to relationships he does not care for. 

Swami Claus

A young woman’s loss of innocence as a child converts her from the abused to the abuser, due to meet her own untimely end.

Ugly

An arranged marriage of a handsome man to an “ugly” woman unfolds throughout decades as she sacrifices herself for her children to have a better life, and they despise their father for how he treats their mother.

Palindrome

An aging star loses her zeal for life as her daughter surpasses her in allure, and she reflects on her own upbringing once she learnt how her own mother sacrificed herself to survive.

Dear Anil

A letter recalls a lifetime of missed opportunities for a friendship to blossom into love. 

Unrequited

After being rejected, a woman enacts her revenge on the object of her affection.

The Strings That Bind Us

Two young girls are curious to find out the origins of a kind old woman staying with one of their families, who is not related to the family. 

Fallen

A fall from grace is told from the point of view of the Ravana, the demon king in Indian mythology.

Like A Boss

Under the influence of alcohol and peer pressure, a group of young men commit a ghastly crime.

The Pros

I had enjoyed the author’s previous collection with some dark tales, “Parvathy’s Well & Other Stories“, but this one goes even deeper down that rabbit hole of darkness.

Told from the viewpoints of many characters in Indian society, these entirely separate stories weave a collection of tales that explore the damage some of us live with, caused by love, loss, lust, abuse, and our own evildoings. The writing style changes from story to story, but with each it is captivating and takes you on a journey to Indian culture and society.

Of the sixteen stories, my favourites were “Samsara” and “Love Jihad”. I loved how “Samsara” vividly brought to light a sinful corner of the perversions hidden in society, and also gave us the double thrill of the detective’s experience as well — it felt like this could have been an entire novel on its own, from the richness of how the tale interweaves. “Love Jihad” also had that intriguing element of duality, and the concept of karma coming full circle was splendidly delivered in “Swami Claus”, “The Consequence of Contradiction”, and “Unrequited”.

There were many others that also delighted me with their darkness, and the collection strings together these wicked fissures of society expertly, with a sprinkle of language and culture to enthrall the senses.

The Cons

While I loved many of the stories, there were a few that I had to re-read and still am not sure I fully understood, which affected my overall experience.

My least favourites of the collection were “Ma Vie Sans Couleur” because it was challenging to understand at first, and “Fallen” — though the story itself was good, it felt too brief and without enough action. I also did not care much for “Casanova” and “Creep” which had similar themes and were also very short, and though I really liked “Unrequited” I did wish we got a chance to understand the rejection that had taken place.

Conclusion

Overall, the collection was expertly assembled with a thread of dark drama to tie it all together, and still had a bit of humour sprinkled throughout as we see beneath the shiny glimmer of appearances to the happenings behind closed doors.

Again, the collection as a whole provided a brilliant tapestry of Indian culture, and while there were a few stories I could have done without, overall this was a great collection with many tales that will remain with me for quite some time. The author is very talented in her writing, and having read four books by her now, I am quite a fan!

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A thrilling supernatural sci-fi joyride of bloody action and steamy romance

This was my twelfth book I chose via the Reedsy Discovery program, for which I am the single approved reviewer for this new book. In this case, the author sought me out and asked me to review her trilogy, and after reading the synopsis I was intrigued. This review also appears on Reedsy.

 

If you’re interested in becoming a Reedsy reviewer (and have the chance to get paid “tips” to review books!) check it out here.

The Premise

This third part of the Black Wings series features Quinn and Logan, genetically engineered children from the Facility who were kidnapped by the antagonist Drakeson, introduced earlier in Part 2. Having lived on the outside, they struggle to acclimatise to lives once they return to the Facility, but they find solace in each other to survive and thrive. Their paths diverge as teenagers, and Quinn becomes a deathly Facility Operative.

At 20, she meets Logan again when she is tasked to annihilate the rebel leader of an uprising in the Northern Undercity. She soon realises that he is the leader she was sent to kill. Her mind meshed into the body of another Rooftop woman, Lila, she hides from him in plain sight, but her heart’s desires can’t stay hidden for long. As she finds a new home among the Rooftop community, can she execute her mission — betraying her new friends, not to mention her own heart?

The Pros & Cons

This third instalment in the series was a sci-fi joyride of bloody action and steamy romance, this time with the added elements of supernatural killer beasts.

Quinn’s innocence as the child we met earlier in Part 2 is now long gone:

She is beautiful, in a dangerous and savage way like a wolf or a wild cat. She has no soft edges; behind the smiling face and happy, shining eyes is a hardness and a deep emptiness.

As a deadly assassin working for the Facility, she is employed to infiltrate the Rooftop community and decimate its leader. But as she learns the identity of the leader is none other than the boy who broke her heart as a teenager when he left, Quinn’s resolve withers.

As her identity bleeds through the shell of the woman she is hiding within, their passion soon consumes them both:

He does not expect the scent of her skin to flood his senses; he does not expect the heat of her body, the blaze of Quinn’s fire[…] Lila has disappeared in flames and it is Quinn, only Quinn, always Quinn.

Despite the heavy sexual overtures as the narrative unfolds, the romance plays second fiddle to the triumph of bloody battles and survival against killer beasts.

This third instalment has the richest story of them all: a community thriving beneath the surface; a beautiful family borne and built in defiance of the authority of the Facility and the World Committee. The vivid descriptions as the supernatural beasts overwhelm the group of protagonists had me gripping onto the edge of my seat.

Again, I enjoyed the interweaving of characters we had met previously in the earlier books — both the main characters, and many of the supporting friends along the way.

Though by now, this being my third time along for this thrilling joyride, I anticipated the overall sentiment to wane a bit, there is still enough newness to fascinate and delight you, and just enough familiarity with recurring characters and the machine-like style of writing to place you right there at every scene.

Conclusion

I have thoroughly enjoyed this entire series, and this third one leaves you breathless and still wanting more. There is enough meat here for dozens more in this series, and I would never tire of reading. I can easily see this series being translated into a film or an episodic series, and I would love to see it come to life on the screen. I would highly recommend to both male and female adult readers, and I look forward to see what’s next by this author.

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I chose this book from an ARC program, because the preview sounded interesting and humorous.

The Premise

After his bravery got her son in trouble, Faith is in hiding, a long way from the home she left behind. There, her sketchy legal status means she can only get menial jobs — one of which is as a cleaner at Max’s — also known as “Pops” — bar. Despite their age difference of 11 years, he’s a hottie silver fox she can’t keep her eyes off of.

Max is instantly attracted to her and insists they will get together, but Faith resists. Being a single mom is a full time job, and their past may catch up to them. Even if the authorities sort out the drama back home, she also intends to go back once it’s safe. There’s no chance in hell she needs a man in her life. But Max isn’t taking no for an answer. He’s waited long enough to find love, and he knows she’s the one.

The Pros

This was a nice, lighthearted read with humour throughout. From the dirty jokes of Max’s “brothers”, Max’s daughter and her friends playing matchmaker, her teenage son driving her bonkers, and some witty dialogue sprinkled throughout, it made an enjoyable read overall. As a fourth in the series that can work as a standalone, I didn’t feel lost, and I became interested in the side characters to read their stories as well.

I loved the relationships we see throughout the book. There were a few hot-and-heavy sexy moments, which was just enough to whet the appetite without being gratuitous. I enjoyed the one-liners about motherhood (and a few with fatherhood) that opened each chapter. I also loved that this story featured older leads who deserve and receive love in their later years — much needed, in today’s romance book landscape!

The Cons

While I enjoyed this story, I admit I expected more. It was funny and sweet, but honestly… not much happened. All of the drama that brought Faith and her son to live there, fizzled away in the background… there was no actual action relating to this at all. It felt like a missed opportunity that could’ve been further developed.

Apart from that, it bothered me that the POV was not balanced. It was 90-95% Faith and 5-10% Max, which left it overall very, very unbalanced and seemed like the Max chapters were included as an afterthought, or to explain the parts of the narrative that Faith could not be present for. I wished these chapters were omitted entirely, or that the book was written with at least a 60/40 weighting.

The characters also often behaved much more immature than one would expect — a lot of repetition of Faith’s “dorkiness” was scatted throughout, but this didn’t explain away her naïveté as a forty-five-year-old woman, and even the teenage son acted like a much younger kid at times. It detracted from the love story a bit, particularly as the main characters are meant to be older and more mature.

Conclusion

Though I had some issues with the plot and writing style, I did enjoy the book overall. The author has a great talent for writing comedy, fleshing out characters and entire side narratives that don’t detract from the plot but fill it with so much heart. I really felt the entire family of characters in this novel, as they were all so well written that I could picture them. I would recommend this book to other readers, and would love to read others in the series.

Purchase your copy

I first came across this author after reading her novel “A Quiet Dissonance“, and when I signed up for her newsletter I was directed to review other books she had written. I chose several short-story collections, this being the second one (I also reviewed “Parvathy’s Well & Other Stories“), because I was in the mood for something distinctly different from what I had read from her before, but still with the enticing flavour of the cultural Indian backdrop.

 

The Premise

Holi Moly!

The collection opens with a lighthearted love story — Preeti’s longtime friend and crush Giles returns in time for the apartment complex’s Holi celebration, but he’s always had eyes for Preeti’s sister Neeti. Partly to make Giles jealous, she invites her colleague and admirer Akhil. Among the colourful laughter and joyousness of the day, a love triangle unfolds.

An Unsuitable Boy

Told from the first person perspective, a husband’s recollection of a longstanding marriage is told: as an outsider, he recalls the difficulties they faced as an odd match: a Jewish American coming into his wife’s Indian territory to win her family over. The different perspectives of marriage between the two cultures are a vast divide, but their love triumphs above all.

Karma-Band

Still mourning her beloved sister-in-law who passed away five years ago, Rashmi accompanies her brother and his new wife Anita and their child on a business trip, where it seems that her purpose is solely to care for the young child. Anita’s conceited, snobbish ways grate against her every nerve as she struggles to reconcile this person with the one she lost, and she observes the change in her brother as well.

The Best Laid Plans

Grouchy old retiree Hiten has a nasty fall, and a kind couple Thomas and Lola take over his care. After they go out of their way to nurse him back to health, he realises the error of his reclusive ways. Then, he learns that their baby was born prematurely and is struggling to survive. As Lola sinks into post-natal depression, Hiten finds a way to help them in return.

The Return

In a remote Indian village, corruption caused education to stop after the money for it was repurposed and the teacher left. Yamuna takes it upon herself to nudge things back in that direction when Master Raju returns to the village with his pregnant wife, and she offers to care for their newborn child. Under the pretext of entertaining the baby, she slowly gets Raju to resume teaching, and the village flourishes with its newfound knowledge.

Top That

Four friends get together decades later, reminiscing about their glory days while they reflect on how each of their paths veered off into their separate lives. They play “Top That” — a game to recount their embarrassing moments. From amorous overtures to cringeworthy shame to incredulous true stories, they challenge each other to have a more and more shocking story as they take turns.

Funk

After a break-up, Gul is now staying with her Auntie JJ in London. Left in charge of the apartment and Auntie JJ’s flatulent poodle Chi-chi, she recalls her developing sexuality that came in between her and her boyfriend Farhan. She soon meets David, and as they get closer she decides to invite him over, determined to lose her virginity. A horrible yet hilarious comedy of errors ensues.

Lost and Found

After Dr. Seth is mugged near his home and robbed of the ring he treasured from his late wife, he later meets one of the thugs who attacked him. His mercy and forgiveness leave a lasting impression on Suhel, who changes his life to follow his passion in the steps of his mentor.

The Pros

This was an amazing collection of short stories, filled with joy and heartbreak and love. Having read “Parvathy’s Well & Other Stories” prior to this, I went in with an expectation of dark drama, and I was pleasantly and resplendently surprised with this collection that deviated sharply from that collection’s darkness. Though the writing was just as superb, here almost every story left me with an uplifting sensation and a smile on my face as it came to an end.

Told from the viewpoints of many characters in Indian society, these entirely separate stories weave a collection of tales that explore themes of love, marriage, forgiveness, redemption, and the humorous side of life. The writing style throughout the collection is captivating, and the stories themselves take you on a journey through the senses and into the lives of every character.

Of the eight stories, my favourite was “The Best Laid Plans”. The richness of life that blossoms in Hiten’s soul at this late stage of his life was such a beautiful story, showing how it is never too late to find love and purpose in life, and that family is more than blood. Similarly, “Lost and Found” has this uplifting theme of redemption that I thoroughly relished.

I also laughed at the dark humour of “Funk” — what a story! — and the lighter shade of humour in “An Unsuitable Boy” which made me feel as if I was right there listening to a grandfather tell his favourite story. Overall, I really appreciated the fact that there was so much depth in each story that it could easily have been an entire novel’s worth of a reader’s connection to the characters in these stories.

The Cons

My least favourite of the collection was “Top That” — despite every vignette being funny as the old friends reconnect, I didn’t feel quite as enamoured with the overall story as I did with the others. While every other story left a warm feeling and a lasting impression on me, that one didn’t as much.

Conclusion

Overall, the collection had many rich descriptions and a sprinkle of language snippets to whet the appetite for a taste of Indian culture. Though I had my favourites, I really enjoyed reading the entire collection, and feel as though some of these stories will forever stay with me. I love how the author used intergenerational discussions between characters to integrate some of the seemingly “backward” parts of Indian culture with modern life.

Again, the collection as a whole provided a brilliant tapestry of Indian culture. There is a universality to these stories that can touch anyone and everyone, so while it will please other readers who are looking for something to make them experience another culture, I also highly recommend to anyone in need of a beautiful story to uplift and inspire.

Purchase your copy

I first saw this book on Reedsy, but it was taken by another reviewer before I got the chance. I noticed it was on promotion shortly thereafter, and decided to get it.

 

The Premise

After his daughter’s murder and his wife’s suicide, former detective Frank Grimm now spends his days snooping through his neighbours’ houses looking for clues to find his daughter’s killer. He secretly enjoys seeing the hidden parts of their lives — until one day, a new neighbour leaves him a note: “Help. My father is raping me. Please kill him.”

While Frank struggles with the decision of how best to act to protect the girl, meanwhile his former colleague Detective Mallory Black is hell-bent on proving that Frank himself was the one who abused and killed his daughter. Told from both points of view, their individual obsessions with bringing the truth to light drastically affect both their lives.

The Pros

I liked the premise of the story a lot, and found myself wondering right up to the end if Frank was hiding a darkness within himself that he did not recognise. It was intriguing to see the good and the bad of each main character — they were both far from perfect, and I appreciated this gritty reality of flawed protagonists.

I also thought the subject matter of abuse was well handled with many small touches to make it believable, and there were moments that were gripping — particularly when Mallory finally realises that she may have been wrong, and we see the truth unfold in her eyes. Despite Frank’s flaws, we are able to connect with his mindset of vigilante justice, and there were even some streaks of humour that make the reading an enjoyable journey despite the heavy subject matter.

The Cons

I love getting lost in a good thriller, but it’s a genre where I’m not fond of even the slightest awry piece of dialogue or superfluous adjective. Here, I found that it got off to a slow start, and some of the dialogue was unnecessarily long — particularly with his cousin Stan, and some sentences were confusing, which affected my overall reading experience.

In terms of the plot, I kept waiting for a “twist” but nothing shocking played out — Frank acted predictably, and the story ended exactly as I thought it would. Also, Mallory’s complete disregard for her family make her an unlikeable and unlikely protagonist, and while that in itself wasn’t a drawback for me, I was alarmed at her swift change of heart in the end to commit to her family — it felt implausible at best.

Conclusion

I noticed that the author was actually a writer duo, which could account for the feeling of “disjointedness” that I had while reading. Nevertheless it did hold my interest as a thriller, and I would be interested in reading more from either author or another joint effort. Despite my own feelings about the book, I still gave it a good rating because I would recommend it to others. There’s a lot to like here, and the moral dilemma the main character faces is all too real. I found similarities with the TV series “Dexter” in his vigilante justice approach, because it’s clear that he’s enjoying himself despite his belief that he is helping others. If you’re into antiheroes like Dexter, this would be right up your alley.

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This book came to me via an ARC program, and I chose it because I was in the mood for something different than my usual genres.

The Premise

Between 1869-1932, over 100,000 children were sent from the United Kingdom to Canada and other countries through assisted juvenile emigration. Called “home children”, many were distributed from a receiving home to families in rural Canada, where they worked under contract until they came of age. It intended to assist the impoverished British children and alleviate the labour shortage in the destination countries, but research eventually exposed abuse and hardships of some of the relocated children via this scheme.

Hazel’s story is a fictional account of the plight that befell some of these children. 15-year-old Hazel and her 6-year-old brother are placed temporarily in a home by their mother, but before she can return for them, they are shipped off from Liverpool, England, to Ontario, Canada. She is met with heartache when the siblings are immediately separated, and she is put into a home with a strict headmistress. Her life takes a turn for the worse when she is sent to the Gagnons to care for their children and the home. There, the brutal abuse from Mrs. Gagnon threatens to break her spirit.

Meanwhile, former home child Charlotte Appleton and her sister Ellie, now adults and workers at the receiving home, are fighting to make a difference after what they have endured. Charlotte strives to help the children that pass through the home, and takes a particular interest in Hazel after finding out what had happened to a previous girl at the Gagnons’ farm. Can her efforts prevent Hazel from the same fate?

The Pros

This was a heartbreaking story, told beautifully and effectively. The details of the abuse and the day-to-day living were well done, and there were many complicated characters that brought the story to life. At times my heart soared for the poor children suffering at the hands of their mother, a religious fanatic, while they craved the love from Hazel. There were themes of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse interwoven throughout the novel, as well as salvation and redemption through the possibility of a rescue that felt like it took far too long to come.

The Cons

While I enjoyed the story, it got off to a bit of a slow start — a prequel was included, which felt disjointed somehow because it then shifted to a prologue from Hazel’s mother’s viewpoint, and this was the only time we see her side. There were also a few other hitches in the narrative that were confusing, as it switched between viewpoints frequently and at times didn’t mention who was speaking. I also wasn’t sure at its end if there would be a second part, as some things felt unresolved, however given the genre this may be the grim reality of life.

Conclusion

This was a really interesting novel that dealt with a difficult topic with style and nuance. I remember reading books which mentioned child emigration and labour, but it was a sanitised version of this scheme. I was not truly aware of this part of history, and Hazel’s and Charlotte’s stories led me to do my own research to learn more about it — which is a hallmark of any good historical fiction. I would highly recommend to other mature readers, and look forward to reading more from the author.

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This is the third book I’ve read by this author, and the second from this series. After enjoying “Man Candy” and the other one in this series, “Irresistible“, I chose this one when I saw it in a newsletter promotion because I had really enjoyed the other one in the series.

The Premise

Former professional baseball player Tyler is living in the shadow of his former glory after tanking his career. Under the veil of public scrutiny about his failures, he visits his hometown for his sister’s wedding. There, he runs into his former friend April — who he’d had a one-night stand with, eighteen years ago. The result was a baby neither of them had expected, but April dealt with it on her own and let Tyler go on to live his dreams, for which he was grateful. When they meet again as adults, they reconnect and realise the chemistry is still there. But as the past begins to creep into their present, it becomes emotionally heavy for them both. Can they overcome their challenges and heal their way to a happy ending?

The Pros

I liked the dialogue between the characters, which is my expectation from a Harlow romance. The sisterly relationships for both main characters were heartwarming and made me smile, and I really enjoyed seeing the glimpses of side characters that I’ve read about in the other book — Mack and Frannie. The Cloverleigh farm scenes were really well done, and I felt so much pride at seeing the family and legacy that had been built over the past four decades; I was happy to celebrate it with them. I appreciated the highs and lows of redemption and forgiveness, and the use of April’s therapy as a means of healing from the past. I also really liked that this was a positive adoption story, which gives us a lot to hope for as a young woman in this position — sometimes, a mother’s love means making a difficult choice.

The Cons

I was absolutely thrilled after the other book I’ve read in the series, so I really wanted to like this book more. Unfortunately, I found myself struggling to really like either the hero or heroine — she was a doormat, and he was a douche… there’s no nicer way to put it. He apparently had no qualms about abandoning her as a teenager, and even as an adult did it all over again. While this may be realistic, it’s not exciting from a reader’s perspective to be in the head of someone so self-absorbed and unlikeable that they hadn’t even thought of the child or the mother of the child in eighteen years until she reenters the picture. I kept waiting to fall in love with him, and it didn’t happen. The plot was also predictable, and I wished for a bit more of an element of surprise, or a bit more drama — but instead I thought there were missed opportunities… April and Tyler both just tell their families about their past secret; their son is welcoming and accepting without judgement; and at the end their solution comes quickly and felt too simple. Usually with a romance, there’s a moment when your heart soars for the couple and you’re on the edge of your seat in shock frantically turning the pages to get to the next one… but for me, it just didn’t happen here.

Conclusion

Overall this was a nice story about second chances, redemption and forgiveness… but just a let-down. Maybe my expectations were too high as I am familiar with the author’s work, but I felt like it could have been so much better. I’m a picky reader — especially for romance! — and this book has hundreds of 5-star ratings, so I’m sure most people will love this book and not have the same feelings as me, so I will recommend it to others. I also would love to continue reading more of the author’s books, because I have faith that thought this was just okay for me, another book will make my heart soar again.

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This is the first book in awhile that I didn’t get from an ARC program or personal review request! I saw it in a newsletter and after an excellent thriller I recently read, I was in the mood for another dark thriller so I grabbed this one.

The Premise

Tired of the corporate grind at her New York law firm, Amelia chucks it all and heads for a solo trek along the California Coastal Trail — a trip she’d planned for years before finally deciding to take the plunge. But things take a swift turn for the worst when she is kidnapped by a stranger and taken into the wilderness. Attacked and left for dead, can she find her way out of the woods — both the physical woods, as well as the darkest corners of her own mind?

The Pros

This was a swift, vicious psychological thrill. I realised it would be a short book, and still — the kidnapping came far too sudden, and it was disturbingly vivid. As Amelia and her kidnapper Rex get to know each other, I could feel the chills along my spine. As she developed a kinship with a wild animal, I was left wondering if the animal was real or part of her imagination. The descriptions were well done, taking you right to the scene of the crime, and the psychological twist with her interwoven memories of the past was shocking.

The Cons

While I enjoyed this novella, it was so short that it felt unfinished. I know it’s meant to be a series starter, but the ending was really rushed. While maybe this feeling of “unfinished” is the point (as you’re meant to purchase the next book in the series), some of the plot points left holes that made it confusing. I was also concerned that the main character didn’t seem like she had prepared enough to live for months in the wilderness; it could have used some fleshing out in that aspect of character-building.

Conclusion

The simplicity of the story made an interesting premise, as it goes to show just how unsafe it is to be a woman travelling alone. This was a swift thriller with believable characters that leaves you thinking and feeling unsettled, which is how a psychological thriller should be. I enjoyed this and would recommend it to others, and I look forward to picking up the other books in the series so that I can find out what happens next.

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