Book Review –Surrendered by Chang-rae Lee

 

Surrendered by Chang-rae Lee is about three people who are connected by love, war, and the things they have lost.

June Han was only eight years old when the Korean War left her an orphan. Hector Brennan enlisted to escape his small town and serve his country. After the war ends, the two meet at a Korean orphanage, where they both find themselves drawn to Sylvie Tanner. Sylvie is the beautiful wife of a missionary, but she harbors dark secrets from her past. Despite her own burdens, her kindness and compassion seem to transform the lives of everyone around her. Thirty years later, in America, June and Hector are brought together once again and are forced to confront their shared past and the secrets that have bound them together for decades.

The novel follows three main characters and alternates between the past and present. I really wanted to read this book because the premise sounded very interesting. Unfortunately, I found it incredibly boring, and the plot moved at an extremely slow pace. Just as I would start settling into one character's story or a particular time period, the narrative would switch to someone else. The constant back-and-forth made it difficult for me to stay invested in either the story or the characters.

I ended up reading more than half of this hefty novel before realizing that it didn't seem to be building toward anything meaningful. At that point, I felt comfortable putting it down because I wasn't invested enough to care how the characters' stories ended. I think I would have enjoyed this book much more if it had been shorter, tighter, and focused more on moving the plot forward.

Book Review – Doe by Rebecca Barrow

 

 

 

Doe by Rebecca Barrow is about a popular teenager, Maris Larsen, whose status is threatened when a new girl joins her cheerleading squad.

Maris is the captain of the West Eaton High cheer team. Her teammates admire her, she's the coach's favorite, and being on the squad makes her feel special, powerful, and loved—something she feels is missing from the rest of her life in their small town. When she's cheering, she doesn't have to think about how her life feels like it's going nowhere, her mother's clinical depression, her father abandoning the family, or the fact that her girlfriend will likely leave town as soon as she gets the chance.

Everything changes when Genevieve Ray joins the squad. Genevieve is talented and quickly forms a close relationship with the coach. Maris is devastated as everything she has worked so hard for suddenly feels threatened, and she's terrified of losing the one thing that truly matters to her. A bitter rivalry develops between the two, and Maris becomes determined to do whatever it takes to bring Genevieve down.

Unexpectedly, the answer seems to come to Maris in her dreams. Maris is a sleepwalker and is visited by a monstrous, decaying beast in the form of a deer named Doe. Doe is an ancient and powerful creature who was bound and trapped in her current form decades ago after those who imprisoned her died. Unable to die yet unable to truly live, Doe's only hope for freedom lies with a girl descended from the bloodline of those who bound her.

Maris is connected to that bloodline, and the two form an uneasy alliance. Maris has the power to free Doe in exchange for Doe helping her defeat Genevieve. However, Doe has motives of her own, and by the end, only one of them may be left standing.

I was initially drawn to this novel because of its beautiful cover. I didn't realize it was written in verse, but I actually didn't mind that format. At times, though, I felt the writing was a little too flowery and overly descriptive without adding much to the story. I also found the plot to be fairly predictable and didn't encounter any moments that truly surprised me. I was a bit disappointed in the ending because it felt unresolved and incomplete. 

I wasn't really sure why this was marketed as a horror novel because I didn't find it scary at all. One thing I will say, though, is that I'm glad I didn't read the book's blurb beforehand because it gives away some major spoilers.

 

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.

Book Review – The Secret Life of Violet Grant by Beatriz Williams

 

 

 

The Secret Life of Violet Grant by Beatriz Williams is about a woman, Vivian Schuyler, whose life is turned upside down when a mysterious suitcase belonging to her long-lost aunt is delivered to her.

In Manhattan in 1964, Vivian Schuyler had just graduated from Bryn Mawr College. She wants something different from the life her privileged socialite parents envision for her. Rather than settling into the expected role, Vivian dreams of becoming a journalist and chasing noteworthy stories. When she receives a bulky overseas parcel in the mail, her life takes an unexpected turn. As she investigates the suitcase and its contents, she discovers it may be connected to a dark chapter in her family's history. The suitcase belonged to an aunt she never knew, a woman whose existence is rarely discussed because she was rumored to have committed a crime of passion against her husband before fleeing with her lover.

In Berlin in 1914, Violet Schuyler Grant is trapped in a loveless marriage to Dr. Walter Grant, a scientist decades older than she is who openly cheats on her. Violet tolerates the marriage because it provides her with security and allows her to pursue her work as a female physicist in his laboratory. Things begin to change when one of Dr. Grant’s charismatic former students comes to stay with them for the summer.

Lionel Richardson, a captain in the British Army, quickly becomes enamored with Violet and urges her to leave her husband and escape Germany as the threat of war looms. As Violet spends more time with Lionel, she finds herself drawn to him. However, as their relationship deepens, she uncovers truths that complicate everything she thought she knew. Will Violet be able to leave her husband, find her freedom, and escape before war descends upon Germany?

The book is told through dual timelines and narrators. I was excited to read it because I had previously enjoyed two other books by the author. Unfortunately, I found this one to be an insipid waste of time. I don't think Vivian's storyline was necessary, as it added very little to the overall story. I also found her unrealistic and overly privileged, especially with some of the situations she found herself in. The number of men who seemed willing to throw themselves at her or do whatever she wanted simply because she was attractive became increasingly annoying.

I think I would have enjoyed this book much more if it had been significantly shorter and focused solely on Violet's story, with perhaps an epilogue showing her reconnecting with her family. Violet had her own issues as a character. I struggled to understand why a woman portrayed as intelligent and capable would continue to stay with a husband who openly flaunted his affairs in front of her and their friends.

One of my biggest pet peeves was the way the diary entries were written. Names and certain descriptions were abbreviated or hyphenated rather than spelled out. It became frustrating trying to guess what the writer was referring to. I don't think it was done to keep the book clean, considering it contains profanity and detailed sex scenes. The choice to abbreviate and obscure parts of the diary felt unnecessary, pointless, and ultimately more irritating than intriguing. Much like the book itself, it felt like a gimmick that added little to the overall experience.