Book Review - Welcome to Murder Week by Karen Dukess

 

Welcome to Murder Week by Karen Dukess follows thirty-four-year-old Cath, who flies halfway across the world when her mother unexpectedly passes away. Cath feels ambivalent about the loss of her mostly absentee mother. Living in Buffalo, New York, Cath keeps herself grounded by following the same predictable routine every day, determined not to become like her impulsive, thrill-seeking mother. After putting off sorting through her mother’s belongings, Cath is stunned to discover tickets to an upcoming “Murder Week” in England’s Peak.

For one week, the entire town stages a fake murder mystery to attract tourists and raise funds for the community. Confused by her mother’s secret trip and with no way to cancel it, Cath ends up going in her place.

Once she arrives, she meets her two new roommates, both devoted mystery fans. Wyatt Green, forty, unhappily works at his husband’s birding store. Amity Clary, fifty, is a divorced romance writer struggling with writer’s block. As the trio prepares to solve the staged murder, Cath slowly uncovers the real reason her mother planned to attend and realizes she may not have known her mother nearly as well as she thought.

I thought the novel made for a nice cozy read. There are two mysteries, and both have satisfying conclusions. The story does move a bit slowly at times, with stretches where not much happens, but I enjoyed the scenes with the trio trying to piece together the clues. Overall, I thought it was an okay read, and I would be open to reading more books by this author. If you enjoy cozy mysteries or quaint, Hallmark-style small-town stories, you might enjoy this one.

Book Review - Finding Her Edge by Jennifer Iacopelli

 

Finding Her Edge by Jennifer Iacopelli follows competitive ice dance skater Adriana Russo as she navigates the pressures of fame, family expectations, and financial strain while trying to find her own voice. Adriana comes from a legendary figure skating family: both of her parents are gold medalists, and her older sister, Elisa, is Olympic-bound. All Adriana wants is to live up to her family’s name and legacy.

Her dream is to stand atop the ice dance podium at the Junior World Championships. However, fame doesn’t equal financial security. Despite their reputation, the Russo family is struggling financially. Their iconic skating rink is barely staying afloat due to her father’s and sister’s lavish spending, and the family is burning through money faster than they can earn it. Their only chance to keep the rink open is to host the rest of the Junior Worlds team before the competition in Paris.

As if Adriana doesn’t already have enough on her plate, her first crush, Freddie, is part of the team staying with them. Two years earlier, Adriana had been forced to replace Freddie with her current partner, Brayden, because Freddie was too short and not strong enough to perform certain lifts. Since then, the once-close pair have barely spoken, and now they’ll be living under the same roof.

Just before Adriana is set to leave for Paris, her family’s finances take another hit, and losing their home suddenly feels inevitable until Brayden suggests they pretend to be a couple to convince fans and sponsors that their on-ice chemistry extends off the ice. As Adriana trains with Freddie while pretending to date Brayden, the situation grows increasingly complicated. Torn between her past and her present, Adriana struggles to protect her family’s legacy without jeopardizing her own future.

I found the book boring. It felt like nothing happened for pages at a time, which didn’t help given that none of the characters were particularly likable. Adriana came across as a spineless doormat who took far too long to stand up for herself, and the two love interests were about as exciting as a bag of rusty nails. We barely get to know Brayden or Freddie, and their supposed feelings for Adriana felt unearned since they rarely interacted with her. One of them even claims to have been in love with her all along, despite consistently dating other people, including her sister.

The plot was predictable, and nothing felt new or surprising. Since I’m not familiar with ice dance, much of the terminology went over my head, which made it harder to connect with that aspect of the story. Overall, I wouldn’t go out of my way, or even bother to read another book by this author.

Book Review - These Impossible Things by Salma El-Wardany

 

These Impossible Things by Salma El-Wardany explores the lives of three Muslim best friends navigating the complexities of love, sex, and faith. Malak, Kees, and Jenna have been best friends since childhood. Under the watchful eyes of their families, they learn to live their lives while trying to meet expectations of being good Muslim women. They often blend lies to fulfill those expectations; for example, they disguise staying at their boyfriends’ places as sleepovers at each other’s houses. They spend their days partying and blame fatigue from studying. 

They live in a moment of perceived perfection, knowing that as they grow older, they will have to change. The delicate balancing act between rebellion and religion will become harder to manage. Malak desires a Muslim partner and community, wanting her love and faith to coexist harmoniously. She longs for this so badly that she's willing to break her own heart to obtain it. Kees is in love with Harry, a white Catholic man her parents don’t know about. When Harry proposes, Kees will face the heartbreaking choice between the man she loves and her family and community. Jenna is the lively, adventurous one, always ready for something new. Yet, despite her numerous relationships and activities, she often feels lonely. Though the three have always supported each other, a single incident as college ends will change their lives forever.

I am not a Muslim, but I can understand what these women are experiencing. Still, I struggled to fully relate, especially when two of the characters pursue relationships outside their faith, despite wanting someone within it. It felt like they might be setting themselves up for heartbreak, particularly since their relationships seem serious. Aside from that, I found the characters well-written, even if they are frustrating at times. I was worried about some risky choices they made, and some situations seemed downright dangerous. My inner older sister or mom personality kept saying, “don’t do that!” Overall, I found the book emotionally compelling, and I even shed a few tears. I would be interested in reading more works by the author.

Book Review - Abeni's Song by P. Djèlí Clark

 

Abeni's Song by P. Djèlí Clark tells the story of a young girl named Abeni, who witnesses her village being destroyed and her struggles to save her friends and family. While celebrating a festival in their small village, Abeni and her family are visited by Asha, an old woman from the forest, who delivers an ominous warning. She warns that the villagers ignored her prior cautions, and now it is too late to escape.

Soon after, warriors with burning swords attack the village. A horned man plays a cursed flute, enchanting children to follow him blindly. Abeni narrowly escapes but sees her friends and family being captured or led away by the horned man. The old woman magically teleports Abeni away from the destroyed village. They then live together in the forest, where Abeni reluctantly begins her magical training. All she can think about is rescuing her loved ones instead of hiding. Will Abeni succeed in saving her family?

I was very surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. I found it well-written and entertaining. It strikes a good balance of humor and emotional depth. I loved watching Abeni grow into her own person, discovering her voice and courage to do what is right. This book is the first in a series, and I plan to keep reading the subsequent books.

Book Review - The White Hot by Quiara Alegría Hudes

 

The White Hot by Quiara Alegría Hudes is a mother’s love letter to her daughter she abandoned. April Soto is a young mother raising her daughter, Noelle, in an intergenerational home. April’s only refuge is to hide in the bathroom, lock the door, and listen to music. One day, she finds herself spiraling into a deep rage she calls the white hot. The voice in her head tells her to walk away. April decides to buy a one-way ticket to the furthest destination she can afford. Her journey triggers an awakening that will change April and Noelle’s lives forever.

I thought the book had an interesting premise, and I was excited to read it. I found the writing style difficult to get into at times. I felt like the writing was raw and emotional, but sometimes I struggled to understand what the author was trying to convey. I also found the book quite boring. I read more than half of it, and nothing really happened. I don’t have children, so I couldn’t relate to April and her situation, and I didn’t feel invested enough to finish the book. While the book isn’t for me, I can see others enjoying it, but I won’t be reading any more books by the author.