Book Review - In the Tunnel by Julie Lee

 

In the Tunnel by Julie Lee is about a family’s journey to escape North Korea. Myungi-gi knows that war between North and South Korea is inevitable. Life in North Korea has become unbearable where most people live in fear that they might disappear if they do not follow their regime’s rules.

Myungi-gi’s family decide to make plans to escape as life is becoming unbearable and harder to survive. However, things take a turn for the worse when his father is abducted by the secret police when they were about to leave. Their plans to escape hinged on their father coming with them.  Myungi-gi feels shattered because he knows that his family needs to escape to survive but he is unable to leave his father behind. He feels guilty because deep down he believes his father’s abduction was his fault.

I have read the author’s previous book, Brother’s Keeper, and enjoyed it. This book can be read as a standalone but readers of the previous book would notice some recurring characters. The book is split between the past and the present, with both being narrated by Myungi-gi. 

In the past, he talks about his family’s journey to South Korea and the struggles and dangers they faced. In the current timeline, we find that Myungi-gi joined the war efforts and is stuck in an enemy tunnel.  It was interesting trying to figure out how the shy, gentle bookish Myungi-gi ends up fighting in the war when it seemed like that was the farthest thing from his mind.

I liked the previous novel but I didn’t really like this one. I had a hard time connecting with Myungi-gi, his younger sister, Yooemi, and his parents. I felt like there wasn’t much time spent on character development. I felt that this book was missing something that prevented me from liking it as much as the previous book. In the Tunnel is an emotional read about loss and survival but there is hope for the characters that they would be able to overcome the obstacles in their lives. I was surprised that the book is targeted for middle school readers as I felt that it was too graphic and despairing at times. Overall, I did enjoy the book and learned a lot about North Korea and the struggles that refugees face when trying to escape.

Book Review - Rules for Being Dead by Kim Powers

 

In the late 1960s in McKinney, Texas ten-year-old Clarke and his brother, Corey escapes to the local theaters to watch movies. They use the movies as a way to fuel their dreams and cope with the recent death of their mother. The boys lose their beloved mother. but, no one will them how she died. And no one has told their mother, Creola, how she died either. She is floating around trapped between life and death. She spends her days watching her family and trying to figure out her final moments. Clarke decides that he will figure out the truth behind his mother's death. Will be able to cope with the truth?

I had hard a time getting into this book because the font size and spacing was so tiny! I felt like a grandmother trying to read this book and I had to read it in small bursts. However, I thought it was an entertaining but, a sad read. The author did a good job illustrating grief and flawed characters. The book was narrated in alternating points of view which allowed readers a glimpse into each character.  The author took portions of his life story as inspiration for this book. I wish there was a section in the book explaining which parts were true to life and which were fabricated. I found myself thinking about it throughout the novel.  

 **Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Book Review - All This Time by Mikki Daughtry + Giveaway

 

Kyle and Kimberly were the perfect couple in high school. He is on the football team and she is a cheerleader. However, when Kimberly breaks up with him on the night of their graduation party, Kyle's life changes forever. Their car crashes and Kyle suffers a brain injury. He finds out that Kimberly is dead. He is unable to cope with his grief and hopes to find someone who can understand his pain.

When he meets Marley, he finds someone who understands him. Marley is dealing with her grief from losing her twin sister. She thinks it's her fault that her sister died. When Marley and Kyle hang out, Kyle feels that he found a kindred spirit.

Together they work to heal each other's pain. They realize that they falling in love with each other. However, Kyle can't help feel that he is heading towards another disaster after he finally got his life back together.

I had mixed feelings about this novel. I found it to be an emotional read but, I was conflicted about some parts of the novel. I felt like Kyle left one "bad" relationship and traded it for another. I felt like he did learn and grow himself but, Marley wasn't able to do that herself. I felt like their relationship was co-dependent on each other for their happiness. I can't say I liked Marley and some of Kyle's behavior. I found that parts of the novel were over-the-top and not believable. I am on the fence on reading other books by the author.

**Disclosure - I received a free unedited copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

 

About The Book:

Title: ALL THIS TIME

Authors: Mikki Daughtry & Rachael Lippincott

Pub. Date: September 29, 2020

Publisher: Simon Schuster Books for Young Readers

Formats: Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook

Pages: 336

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, Audible, B&N Exclusive Edition, iBooks, Kobo, TBD, Bookshop.org

 

From the team behind #1 New York Times bestseller Five Feet Apart comes a gripping new romance that asks: Can you find true love after losing everything?

 

Kyle and Kimberly have been the perfect couple all through high school, but when Kimberly breaks up with him on the night of their graduation party, Kyle’s entire world upends—literally. Their car crashes and when he awakes, he has a brain injury. Kimberly is dead. And no one in his life could possibly understand.

Until Marley. Marley is suffering from her own loss, a loss she thinks was her fault. And when their paths cross, Kyle sees in her all the unspoken things he’s feeling.

As Kyle and Marley work to heal each other’s wounds, their feelings for each other grow stronger. But Kyle can’t shake the sense that he’s headed for another crashing moment that will blow up his life as soon as he’s started to put it back together.

And he’s right.

 

 

About Mikki Daughtry:

 

Mikki Daughtry graduated from Brenau University, where she studied theatre arts. She is a screenwriter and novelist living in Los Angeles and is one of the authors of the New York Times #1 bestseller Five Feet Apart. When she’s not writing, she is watching old black and white movies, listening to Doris Day on repeat, or reading ancient Greek plays. The classics. Always.

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads

 

 

About Rachael Lippincott:

 

Rachael Lippincott was born in Philadelphia and raised in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. She holds a BA in English writing from the University of Pittsburgh. She currently resides in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, splitting her time between writing and running a food truck with her partner.

 

Her debut novel, FIVE FEET APART, is a #1 NYT Bestseller.

 

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads

 

Giveaway Details:

3 lucky winners will win a finished copy of ALL THIS TIME, US Only.

 

Giveaway Link:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba21145/?

 

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

9/7/2020	Kait Plus Books	Spotlight
9/7/2020	Two Chicks on Books	Spotlight
9/8/2020	Jazzy Book Reviews	Spotlight
9/8/2020	BookHounds Ya	Spotlight
9/9/2020	YA Books Central	Spotlight
9/9/2020	Lifestyle of Me	Review
9/10/2020	Abellafairytale	Review
9/10/2020	Infinite Lives, Infinite Stories	Review
9/11/2020	Do You Dog-ear?	Review
9/11/2020	The Desert Bibliophile	Review

 

Week Two:

9/14/2020	Pages and Pugs	Spotlight
9/14/2020	The Bookwyrm's Den	Review
9/15/2020	notinjersey	Review
9/15/2020	The Pages In-Between	Review
9/16/2020	Book Briefs	Review
9/16/2020	Rajiv's Reviews	Review
9/17/2020	The Book View	Review
9/17/2020	Jotted by Jena	Spotlight
9/18/2020	Fangirl Fury	Review
9/18/2020	What A Nerd Girl Says	Review

 

Week Three:

9/21/2020	Emelie's Books	Review
9/21/2020	dwantstoread	Review
9/22/2020	Popthebutterfly Reads	Review
9/22/2020	The Clever Reader	Review
9/23/2020	Gimme The Scoop Reviews	Review
9/23/2020	Zainey Laney	Spotlight
9/24/2020	BookishConnoisseur	Review
9/24/2020	Reese's Reviews	Review
9/25/2020	Momfluenster	Review
9/25/2020	Jaime's World	Spotlight

 

Week Four:

9/28/2020	Sometimes Leelynn Reads	Review
9/28/2020	Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers	Review
9/29/2020	stuck.in.the.stacks	Review
9/29/2020	Book-Keeping	Review
9/30/2020	The Mind of a Book Dragon	Review
9/30/2020	A Gingerly Review	Review
10/1/2020	Smada's Book Smack	Review
10/1/2020	Eli to the nth	Review
10/2/2020	Becky on Books	Review
10/2/2020	two points of interest	Review

 

Book Review - The Safe Place by Anna Downes

Photo Credit - Amazon

In a span of one day, Emily Proudman's life is a terrible mess. She lost her acting agent, her apartment and her job. Scott Denny is a successful CEO and he has a problem that he can't fix on his own. His business prowess or his vast wealth isn't able to help him until he meets Emily.

Scott offers a job as his housekeeper and a companion for his wife, Nina on his remote, paradise French estate. Emily is immediately taken with Nina and her young daughter, Aurelia.  Emily finally feels like her life is where she wants it. However, soon Emily realizes Scott and Nina are keeping a deadly secret and if she doesn't play along things won't end well for her.

Being stuck in my apartment for what seems like days on end, I couldn't wait to dive into this thriller. The writing style was easy to read and fluid. However, as I kept reading I felt like the plot was predictable and it took the writer forever to get there. I found myself losing patience once, the predictable secret was exposed. I also didn't care for any of the characters and thought the whole situation was rather silly in the end. Perhaps at face value, the plot might sound promising but, once you delve deeper, it kinds of seems meaningless in some ways. The author did show how far someone would go to protect the people they love. I was expecting more from this book and disappointed it didn't deliver.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Book Review - A Place at Our Table (Amish Homestead #1) by Amy Clipston

 

Photo Credit - Amazon

Kayla Dienner vowed to protect  her heart after seeing the heartache her sister-in-law, Eva, faced when Kayla's brother, Simeon died while firefighting. Less than two months after her brother's death, Kayla's boyfriend, Abram, also breaks up with her. She felt abandoned and hurt, so she closed off her heart to love.

James Riehl tries to juggle the volunteer work at the fire department and running his farm. James finds he barely has any time for himself, let alone to find the time to date someone. However, when an accident calls him to the Dienner's family, James can't deny the attraction he feels for Kayla. Will Kayla and James be able to put their past behind them and love again?

I have read a few other books from Amy Clipston and felt they were enjoyable. However, I felt that Kayla was a bit demanding. James is reeling from a tragedy and Kayla wants him to put her first, when they only just started dating. She tries to be understanding,  but once they start dating, she puts most of the burden on James. She used to go visit James at work, but after they start dating, she expects him to plan all the dates along with seeing him everyday. When James tries to make the effort, she is constantly pushing him away and then wonders why he doesn't make the effort. However, he is always the one coming back and asking for another chance, even when Kayla broke up with James just when he needed her the most. Kayla came across as needy and demanding when they became a couple instead of the caring and understanding person, she was portrayed to be.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**