Book Review - The Secret to Happiness by Suzanne Woods Fisher

 

 

 

The Secret to Happiness  by Suzanne Woods Fisher is about a young woman who is dealing with the aftermath of a career ending mistake. Callie Dixon had it all. She was a chef at a top restaurant and managed the catering team for a hotel. Everything was going so well until she was fired from her job. Callie is usually meticulous and well organized, but she forgot to put a sauce in the fridge overnight. A member of her staff thought Callie took out the sauce and served it to a hotel meeting filled with people from the food safety department. Unfortunately for Callie, many people got sick and she was booted from her job.

Callie always had a purpose in life until recently when she lost her job. She takes an assistant position with an old coworker teaching students how to make ice cream. There she crosses paths with her beloved aunt that she had lost contact with. She decides that she needs a break and invites herself to her aunt’s home in Cape Cod to regroup and plan her next steps. Callie knows why she made the mistake but she is struggling to come to terms with the reason behind it.

Little does Callie know that her aunt’s home is also an ice cream shop that is runned by her cousin, Dawn. Dawn doesn’t have patience with Callie’s pity party. She pushes Callie to take a community class about the secret of happiness. It’s the last thing Callie wants to think about right now but her solemn instructor, Bruno Bianco, is persistent with Callie. He believes that if Callie attends his class and reads his book, that she will be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel. However, Bruno believes that she needs to hit rock bottom before she can figure out what is missing from her life. Will Callie be able to find her life’s purpose?

I have read several books by the author and have enjoyed most of her books. The book is the second book in the series but I was able to read the book as a standalone. I found this book to be very enjoyable to read with many fun and interesting characters.  I enjoyed reading Callie’s interaction with Cowboy Leo.

I like reading about the techniques they used to make ice cream and the different flavor combinations. I never had curry flavored ice cream but it seems interesting. I like reading how Callie tackled new recipes and was finding her joy in cooking and being useful to her family.

I really liked the happiness snippets and blurbs. I found that they were helpful and could be applied to everyday life. I like when books weave helpful life information into stories especially when the stories are entertaining.  The book is straightforward and didn’t have any unexpected turns. If you like cozy romantic novels where the main character discovers their passion for life, then you would like this book.

 

Book Review - Little Monsters by Adrienne Brodeur

 

 Little Monsters by Adrienne Brodeur is about two siblings who come together to celebrate their dad’s seventieth birthday. Ken and Abby Gardner lost their mother when she was giving birth to Abby. While their mother is gone, her presence still haunts the Gardner family. Their father, Adam, is a renowned oceanographer/whale expert who is bipolar. Since the death of his wife, he has raised both of them mostly on his own.

Ken and Abby were raised in a remote location in Cape Cod. They spend most of their time together until their relationship develops into something more complicated. As adults their relationship has become strained with neither of them not knowing exactly what went wrong and how to move forward.

Even though years later the siblings still spend a lot of time together, they still end up resenting or arguing with each other.  Ken is a successful real estate developer who plans to run for political office. By all accounts, he has a successful life and a perfect family. He is married to Abby’s best friend, Jenny. Abby is a talented visual artist and works as a teacher to supplement her income. She depends on her brother’s goodwill for her survival because he owns the studio that she lives and works in.

In 2016, Adam is approaching his milestone birthday,  and is faced with his fading relevance at work and his mortality. He has always managed his bipolar disorder with medication but he wants to leave a mark  and make one last scientific breakthrough. He decides to stop taking his medication even though his kids would be upset by his decision in hopes to make one last discovery.  

Adam isn’t the only one who is keeping secrets from his loved ones. Abby and Ken are keeping their own secrets from everyone and there is a mysterious person connected to the family, Steph, who keeps her presence a secret. She tries to get to know the family without telling them her true motives. As Adam's birthday approaches, each of his children plan on personal and elaborate gifts for their father in hopes that Adam knows how much he is loved, while Adam is more focused on the whales in the deep sea than his family.

The book is told from alternating viewpoints of each of the characters. Each of the characters is multi-faceted and flawed. The story takes time to develop as it goes into each character’s backstory and motivations along with how their daily life progresses. At times, I felt like the story developed too slowly for my liking. 

The story doesn’t have any surprise twists that weren't easy to guess. It took a bit for me to get into the plot, especially Adam’s story, but once I read more, I was invested in each character’s journey.  I was hoping that there would be a big reveal but the ending was predictable with a few things that weren't resolved in the end.  I felt that there was a lot going on in the book and it could be narrowed down to give more closure at the end. If you like cozy beach reads about family drama, then you will enjoy this book.

 

Book Review - With Every Memory by Janine Rosche

 

 

With Every Memory by Janine Rosche is about a woman, Lori Mendenhall, who tries to pick up the pieces of her life after a devastating accident that killed her teenage son, Austin. A year after Lori’s family was in a car accident, she is able to return back home to her family after her recovery and awakening from a coma. Lori is still recovering from a traumatic brain injury that has left her unable to remember the last eight years of her life.

Her family is still reeling from Austin’s death but as Lori tries to heal,she realizes and is shocked that her family and life before the accident is unrecognizable. Her doting husband, Michael, is distant and spends most of his time at work. He seems hesitant when she asks for details about their past. Lori feels that he is hiding something from her and doesn’t know if she can trust him. Avery, Austin’s twin sister, was once bubbly and the center of attention. She now spends most of her time locked up in her room listening to music and avoids socializing and school. Lori feels that someone is keeping a secret and with every returning memory, she wonders if the life she can’t remember is actually one she wants to forget.

Avery feels that her life is different since she lost her beloved brother. She has spent the last year in limbo but after she was told she might not graduate high school, she will decide how she wants to spend the rest of her life. If she wants to have a chance at graduating, she would need to accept help from her brother’s best friend, Xander Dixon. When the trio were young, Xander would pick and tease her relentlessly. Avery feels isolated and she doesn’t know if she will be able to put her and Xander’s past behind her and ask for his help.

The novel was told from Avery’s and Lori’s point of view. Even though the two characters were very different, they both had similar struggles. Avery is trying to move forward and figure out her life without her twin by her side. She has spent most of her life with him and there is no one else who had her back like he did. Lori is trying to figure out what has happened in the past 8 years that has caused a strain in her marriage and how to move forward. Usually, with novels that had dual point of views, I am usually invested in one storyline over the other but both were equally captivating to read.

It was heartwarming to read how the once close knit family is working to bridge the distance that was caused by the accident. Avery is learning that she can be her own independent person apart from her twin and is rediscovering her joy in fashion. Lori is trying to rekindle the love she had for her husband while following her passion for interior design. As readers we can feel that the family loves each other and Austin, and they are trying to carve a path forward without Austin.

The story had a few unpredictable twists that were interesting and helped lead to a satisfying conclusion for the Mendenhall family.  The novel illustrates that grief can rip a family apart but it can also help them heal and be a better version of themselves. If you love stories about redemption, family bonds, and fighting for the ones you love, then you will enjoy this heartwarming read.

 

Book Review - Heart Eyes: The Complete Series by Dennis Hopeless + Giveaway

 

 

 

Heart Eyes: The Complete Series by Dennis Hopeless centers on a young girl, Lupe,l who wanders around San Antonio in a post apocalypse world.  The world has been taken over by monsters that consume humans and their brains. Humanity is at the brink of collapse with the few remaining survivors focused on surviving instead of fighting back.

Rico spots another person, Lupe,  wandering around the rubble. He is curious to know how she survived and why she is smiling. He knows that no one smiles and laughs anymore, especially in the streets where the monsters can get you. Rico finds himself attracted to her and wants to know more about her. How is Lupe able to walk around in the open without being food for the monsters?

The graphic novel was a quick read but I thought the story didn’t explain much. The ending was predictable and a bit of a let down. I wish the story went into more detail about why Lupe was able to do certain things.  I didn’t really care for any of the characters mostly because they didn’t seem developed enough. The graphics were realistic and well drawn. The graphic novel has gore and adult content that might not make it suitable for young readers.

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

 

About The Book:

Title: HEART EYES (The Complete Series)

Authors: Dennis Hopeless & Víctor Ibáñez (Illustrator)

Pub. Date: July 18, 2023

Publisher: Vault Comics

Formats:  Paperback, eBook

Pages: 144

Find it: Goodreads, https://books2read.com/HEART-EYES-The-Complete-Series

A post-apocalyptic monster story teeming with horror, Lovecraftian-inspired monstrosities, romance, and one devil-may-care teenager named Lupe who is much more than she seems. 

SMILES HIDE WHAT LURKS BENEATH.

Sanity-eating monsters ended humanity. The unlucky few who survived now hide in the cracks of a broken world. And yet somehow, beneath the graveyard that used to be San Antonio, Rico met Lupe, the girl of his dreams - and an enigma. How did she get here? And why is she smiling? No one survives out in the street. No one smiles where the monsters lurk. But Lupe does.

Join teenagers Rico and Lupe as they journey through a the desolate landscape of monstrous devastation - and their own obstacle-ridden relationship.

Heart Eyes explores themes of loneliness, mental illness, being your own worst enemy, and human connection reflecting the pandemic and post-pandemic world in which we live.

For fans of Lovecraftian monsters and horror, weird romance, post-apocalyptic fiction,Caitlin R. Kiernan (Houses Under the Sea ,The Tinfoil Dossier series, Vile Affections, Tales of Pain and Wonder, Daughter of Hounds, Alabaster, Comes a Pale Rider), the Ellen Datlow-edited Lovecraft's Monsters, James Tynion IV's Something is Killing the Children, Robert Kirkman's Oblivion Song, Scott Snyder's Undiscovered Country, Bad Girls, Rick Remender's Low, Justin Jordan's The Spread, and Human Remains.

Collects the complete five-issue series.

About Dennis Hopeles:

Dennis Hopeless is a Harvey Award-winning writer from Kansas City, MO best known for Marvel titles such as X-Men, Avengers, Spider-woman, and Captain America. Hopeless has also written for DC Comics, Image Comics, BOOM! Studios, and is the writer and co-creator of HEART EYES for Vault Comics. 

 

Keep in touch here:

Twitter | Instagram

 

 

About Víctor Ibáñez:

Victor Ibanez is a critically-acclaimed illustrator based in Barcelona, Spain.

 

Keep in touch here:

Twitter | Instagram

Giveaway Details:

2 winners will receive finished copies of HEART EYES (The Complete Series), US Only.

Ends August 5th, midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

7/1/2023

The Book View

Excerpt/IG Post

Week Two:

7/2/2023	Tara’s Book Addiction	IG Post
7/3/2023	Writer of Wrongs	Excerpt
7/4/2023	Sadie's Spotlight	Excerpt/IG Post
7/5/2023	Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer	Review/IG Post
7/6/2023	Two Chicks on Books	Excerpt/IG Post
7/7/2023	Cara North	Excerpt/IG Post
7/8/2023	A Dream Within A Dream	Excerpt/IG Post

Week Three:

7/9/2023	#BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog	Excerpt/IG Post
7/10/2023	Brandi Danielle Davis	IG Review/TikTok Post
7/11/2023	Jaime_of_gryffindor	IG Review
7/12/2023	@bookish_aly_cat	IG Review
7/13/2023	@enthuse_reader	IG Review/TikTok Post
7/14/2023	Bookish In Bed	Review
7/15/2023	The Book Countess	Review/IG Post

Week Four:

7/16/2023	Books With a Chance	Review/IG Post
7/17/2023	Locks, Hooks and Books	Review
7/18/2023	Country Mamas With Kids	Review/IG Post
7/19/2023	Fieldstone_lfl	IG Review
7/20/2023	A Blue Box Full of Books	IG Review/LFL Drop Pic/TikTok Post
7/21/2023	OneMoreExclamation	Review/IG Post
7/22/2023	@evergirl200	IG Review

Week Five:

7/23/2023	Lifestyle of Me	Review
7/24/2023	celiamcmahonreads	IG Review
7/25/2023	Kim's Book Reviews and Writing Aha's	Review/IG Post
7/26/2023	FUONLYKNEW	Review
7/27/2023	@jlreadstoperpetuity	IG Review/TikTok Post
7/28/2023	Nerdophiles	Review
7/29/2023	Fire and Ice	Review/IG Post

Week Six:

7/30/2023	Books with Brandie Shanae	YouTube Review/IG Post
7/31/2023	two points of interest	Review

Book Rview - Falling Upwards: Living the Dream, One Panic Attack at a Time by Jeremy Fall

 

Falling Upwards: Living the Dream, One Panic Attack at a Time by Jeremy Fall is about the author’s journey to manage a successful career while juggling his mental health issues. Jeremy Fall was raised by a single mom who managed a restaurant. Jeremy grew up blocks away from LA's infamous Skid Row and he and his mother struggled financially.

Skid Row is known for being an area where people who are down on their luck or addicted to drugs hang out. The majority of people who reside at Skid Row live on the streets. Society expects people who come from this area or surrounding area to stay there and not excel in life. 

At night, Jeremy would go into the kitchen in the restaurant and prepare snacks that would help calm his anxious, OCD mind. He creates things without following a recipe but to his own taste. Following his dad, Jeremy was drawn to the nightlife and wanted to create something that was low key but still fun and noteworthy. He created a few successful ventures in the nightlife and food space. He became known as “The Food Guy”. Many of his ideas were widely successful, creative, and out of the box. He used this idea of “paper clipping” two unrelated ideas to make a successful new idea.

As Jeremy continues to rack up accolades and achievements, he still couldn’t quiet the voices in his head that told him that he wasn’t good enough. He struggled with crippling anxiety that would leave him coughing and unable to focus on the situation at hand. Jeremy was hesitant to see a therapist or take drugs to help manage his condition until one day he decided he needed to stand up and take charge of his health.

I thought the book was an interesting read. I am not familiar with Jeremy Fall so reading about his work and accomplishments was new for me. I enjoyed reading to see how Jeremy tries to use his anxiety to his advantage until the day he realizes he needs help. It was a big step for him and anyone else who realizes when they need help and tries to get it. It was refreshing to read about his experiences with his therapist and finding the right treatment plan for him.

I liked reading about his different career paths and accomplishments. I did hear about the boozy cereal milk idea but had no idea the author was behind its creation. It was interesting to see his thought process in creating new ideas. His idea of “paperclipping” seemed cool and I am not sure if it can be applied to other areas but it was an interesting technique to learn about.

It was entertaining to read about his childhood and how his childhood experiences shaped him. He got his love for food from his mother and his love for nightlife from his dad and he paperclipped those two loves into a successful career. It was inspiring because he grew up with modest means and tried to be successful so he would never have to feel poor again. As someone who grew up in a similar financial situation, I can understand and connect with him on that level. 

I also tend to have a lot of anxiety and it was educational seeing someone else describe their anxiety. He had a similar experience and even our need to people please over our own wellbeing. We both tend to stress and overthink situations that are beyond our control. The author also shared a helpful tip on using a stop light when we find ourselves spiraling. We should stop to think about why we are thinking about it and then understand why we feel the need to continuously ruminate on it. Then we decide if it is something in our control or if we can do anything to change the situation. If not, we should let it go and move on. I found this helpful when I found myself stressing over something and was using a similar technique when I was trying to manage my anxiety. If you are a fan of Jeremy Fall, I think you would enjoy this book.

 

Book Review - The Girl Who Lost a Leopard by Nizrana Farook

 

The Girl Who Lost a Leopard by Nizrana Farook is about a young girl, Selvi, who likes being outdoors and exploring the beautiful area behind her home. She likes spending her time climbing the mountains. There she comes across a leopard. Since Selvi doesn’t have any human friends, she befriends the leopard.

Selvi names him Lokka. Unlike other leopards in the area, Lokka has a beautiful shimmering coat with huge golden eyes. Together the duo roam and explore the wilderness. Because Lokka has a rare and beautiful coat, he becomes prey to hunters who want his fur. Selvi wants to protect Lokka and ensure he is not caught, but circumstances lead to Lokka’s capture. She feels powerless against the hunters and she isn’t sure who she can turn to for help. Will Selvi be able to help rescue her friend before he is sold to traders?

The book is a quick and fun read. The novel has short chapters for young readers. I liked that the book contained lush descriptions of the wilderness and the characters were well fleshed out. I liked the cute illustrations. While the book was based on a fictional Sri Lanka, I would have loved to learn more about the actual culture and people.

I thought the book was a heartwarming read about a young girl who befriends a wild animal because she was struggling to fit in. I liked that she mentions that she can’t control Lokka, i.e. that she will always remain on guard because Lokka is a wild animal and she needs to be careful of this creature. As the book progressed, I liked seeing the different characters finding their voices and standing up for their beliefs. It was nice seeing Selvi and the other characters grow while finding a supportive community. 

Book Review - The Blue Flame by Christopher Cantwell

 

The Blue Flame by Christopher Cantwell is about an HVAC repairman who creates a suit that allows him to travel into space. Sam Brausam is a blue collar repairman during the day and at night, he is Blue Flame, a vigilante, who fights crime.

At a local convention to showcase the acts of Blue Flame and his fellow vigilantes, an unexpected and horrific tragedy occurs. The tragedy leaves many people hurt and killed, including Sam and all of his friends. While Sam is trying to come to terms with the aftermath, he is given an impossible task. 

There is another story arc, where Sam uses his special suit to visit another planet. While there, he is captured by the native inhabitants. His captors put him on trial and tell him that he must prove why humanity is worth saving, otherwise they will wipe Earth of all humans. Sam isn’t sure if he is able to help humanity when he is barely able to help himself overcome his grief. Will Sam be able to pull himself together to help humanity one more time?

I thought the graphic novel was a confusing read. I normally don’t read sci-fi novels but the premise of this one seemed interesting. The story did have a few twists but I had a hard time following the two different timelines: 1) where Sam survived a shooting and 2) the timeline where the world depended on Sam. I didn’t understand why he was on trial to defend humanity. Was this a test that his conscience came up with or is this actually happening? I felt that the ending was a bit abrupt and didn’t really let the audience know what humanity’s faith was. Were we supposed to read between the lines? The book was boring and it didn’t help that the author didn’t flesh out the story to help understand why Blue Flame specifically was on trial.

Book Review - Girls Like Girls by Hayley Kiyoko

 

Girls Like Girls by Hayley Kiyoko is about a young girl who is sent to live with her father who had abandoned her at a young age.  Seventeen-year-old Coley finds herself alone again after she loses her mother. She moves to rural Oregon to live with her father who abandoned her mother and her when Coley was young. 

Coley is afraid to let anyone into her heart. However, when she crosses paths with Sonya, Coley feels immediately attracted to her. She worries that she isn’t worthy of being loved, as everyone she has ever cared about has left her. Coley is also afraid that Sonya might not be into her since Sonya has never been with a girl before.  As Coley and Sonya spend more time together, Coley does feel a certain level of attraction from Sonya, but also feels hesitation from Sonya. Will Coley be able to open up her heart and love again, or will Sonya leave her like everyone else in her life has so far?

The book was an okay and straightforward read. There were no unexpected twists or turns. Both Coley and Sonya are two complicated characters who are desperate to feel and be in love but have different hangups when it comes to love. Coley is fragile and afraid to open up herself to love again while Sonya is afraid of being “different” and disappointing people she cares about. It was heartbreaking at times, watching two characters who seemed to love each other hurt each other and themselves in the process.

The book takes place in the early 2000s. It is told by alternating point of views but also includes snippets of LiveJournal and AIM conversations. I did enjoy reading the AIM conversations as it was very nostalgic. I felt after a while the LifeJournal entries were repetitive and didn’t really progress the story, especially towards the end. I wanted more closure after their fight and more narrative of what happened after that. If you like cozy queer romances or are a fan of Hayley Kiyoko then you might enjoy this book.