Book Review –The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell

 

The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell is about a woman, Libby Jones, who inherits her family’s home on her twenty-fifth birthday and uncovers the dark secrets it holds.

Libby has been eagerly awaiting her twenty-fifth birthday. She will finally learn who she is after spending her entire life knowing nothing about her birth parents. Shortly after her birthday, she receives a letter revealing their identities, along with the news that she is the sole heir to an abandoned mansion on the banks of the Thames worth millions. Libby is thrilled by the discovery. However, she soon learns that she isn’t the only one waiting for this day, and others are just as eager to meet her.

Twenty-five years earlier, police were called to the rambling mansion after reports of a baby crying. When they arrived, they found a healthy ten-month-old baby in her crib. Downstairs, however, they discovered three dead bodies, all dressed in black. A note was left beside them, but the four other children who had been living in the house had vanished without a trace.

I thought the book was an okay read. It had a few suspenseful moments and a couple of unexpected twists.  I found it an enjoyable, straightforward read, though slow at times. The story is told through three different perspectives and timelines, which kept things interesting. However, because of the way the story was structured, I found it fairly easy to figure out where it was heading.

Overall, it was a solid read, but it lacked the extra oomph that I’ve come to expect from the author’s books. Even so, I would still be open to reading more by Lisa Jewell.

Book Review – This Weekend Doesn’t End Well for Anyone by Catherine Mack

   

This Weekend Doesn’t End Well for Anyone by Catherine Mack follows famous mystery writer Eleanor Dash, who attends a writers’ retreat to teach aspiring authors how to craft murder mysteries, only to discover a dead body in her room.

Eleanor has a knack for stumbling into trouble. On both of her previous vacations that year, she found herself caught up in real-life murder investigations. Hoping for a quieter experience, she travels to an all-inclusive resort in the Bahamas to participate in a conference for mystery writers. She looks forward to relaxing by the pool, but her plans are immediately derailed when she opens her hotel room door and finds a dead body.

At the resort, Eleanor is surrounded by a mix of familiar faces, friends and rivals alike, any of whom could be responsible for the murder or could have been the intended target. With a group of mystery writers gathered in one place, everyone has the knowledge to commit the perfect crime. Determined to uncover the truth, Eleanor begins investigating, even as it puts her in danger.

This is the third book in a series. While it can be read as a standalone, there are character and story nuances that might be missed without reading the earlier books. I didn’t realize it was part of a series until I reached the prologue, but I was still able to follow the story for the most part.

I found the novel to be an entertaining read with a few genuinely funny moments. However, the narrator’s habit of directly addressing the reader became repetitive and a bit tiresome over time along with the constant Taylor Swift and other culture references. The culprit and motive were fairly easy to guess, although there were still a few twists along the way. Overall, it works as a quick beach read, but I didn’t particularly enjoy the writing style enough to seek out more books by this author.

Book Review – It Happens All the Time by Amy Hatvany

 

It Happens All the Time by Amy Hatvany is about two best friends whose lives are forever changed after an incident at a party.

Amber Bryant and Tyler Hicks have been best friends since childhood. Their families live next door to each other and are close friends as well. Over the years, Amber and Tyler have supported each other through some of their darkest moments and have always been there when the other needed help.

Amber has always loved Tyler like an older brother. She considers him her best friend and has never viewed him romantically. Tyler, however, has been in love with Amber for years and believes she is the one for him. He continues to hope that one day Amber will realize she feels the same way.

After graduating from college, Amber returns home for the summer. She recently became engaged to her college boyfriend but has started having doubts about the relationship. While she tries to figure out what she wants, she begins spending more time with Tyler.

As they grow closer, Amber starts flirting with Tyler. Then, during a party where both of them have been drinking, and emotions are running high, a single moment changes everything between them.

The book is told through dual perspectives, alternating between Amber and Tyler's points of view. I thought it was interesting to see how each of them interpreted events and understood their relationship. At times, though, I had conflicting feelings about how certain characters and situations were portrayed. It often felt like the story was leading readers to believe one thing, only to slowly reveal additional information that changed the context. In some cases, those revelations felt out of character for the people involved.

I also felt that the situation was not always as clear-cut as it was initially presented, even though more details are revealed as the story progresses. It left me wondering whether things might have unfolded differently if Amber had made different choices or if Tyler had been more willing to openly acknowledge his feelings and actions earlier.

Overall, I thought the book was an okay read. It didn't contain any major twists or surprises, and I can't say that I was particularly attached to any of the characters. I had mixed feelings about both Amber and Tyler throughout the story. The novel tackles the difficult topics of rape and consent in a thoughtful and timely way, giving readers plenty to think about long after they finish the book.

 

Book Review – Rainbow Boys by Alex Sanchez

 

 Rainbow Boys by Alex Sanchez is a coming-of-age novel about three teenage boys navigating their sexuality in an intolerant world.

Jason Carrillo is a popular jock with a steady girlfriend. However, he can’t stop thinking about being intimate with other men. Kyle Meeks is a swimmer on the swim team who has won many awards for his athleticism. He doesn’t “look” gay, but he is, and he is terrified of his parents or school classmates finding out. Nelson Glassman has proudly admitted his sexuality to the entire world, but he is afraid of confessing his feelings to the boy he loves.

I thought the book was an enjoyable read. I liked that the book ended on a positive and hopeful note. I was expecting one of the characters to have an unfortunate ending. While I did enjoy the novel, I had a hard time liking Nelson. While he was brash and fun, I didn’t like that he could be quite abrasive. I especially didn’t like how he would try to get people to admit things before they were comfortable or how forceful he could be with Kyle when trying to express his interest.

While the book is a straightforward read with no twists and some dated slang, it did help pave the way for more queer stories to be told. That is one of the reasons I enjoyed it a bit more, as it was a trailblazer in its own way.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own and were not influenced by the publisher or author.

 

Book Review – The Tiny Thing by Ellen Tarlow

 

The Tiny Thing by Ellen Tarlow is a picture book about a mole finding his voice and self-confidence.

Mole is shy and spends a lot of time by himself. However, on one of his walks, he discovers a tiny thing and brings it home. He makes the tiny thing comfortable and treats it like a beloved guest. Mole is used to not having many friends, so the tiny thing becomes his imaginary friend, whom Mole includes in his games and adventures. Soon, Mole is able to find his voice and make new friends.

The book is a cute and fun read. It teaches little ones about self-confidence, friendship, imagination, and being brave, while also showing how a little bit of encouragement can help. The illustrations have a soft, cozy vibe that, paired with the heartwarming message, creates a warm, nurturing reading experience. I think the book would be perfect for a fall reading session with little ones.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own and were not influenced by the publisher or author.