Book Spotlight - There Goes the Neighborhood by Jade Adia + Giveaway

 

About The Book:

Title: THERE GOES THE NEIGHBORHOOD

Author: Jade Adia

Pub. Date: March 7, 2023

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Formats: Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook

Pages: 432

Find it: Goodreads, https://mybook.to/jade-adia 

A raised fist against the destructive forces of gentrification and a love letter to communities of color everywhere, Jade Adia's unforgettable debut tells the darkly hilarious story of three best friends willing to do whatever it takes to stay together.

The gang is fake, but the fear is real.

Rhea’s neighborhood is fading away―the mom-and-pop shops of her childhood forced out to make space for an artisanal kombucha brewery here, a hot yoga studio there. And everywhere, the feeling that this place is no longer meant for her. Because while their little corner of South L.A. isn’t perfect, to Rhea and her two best friends, it’s something even more important―it’s home. And it’s worth protecting.

But as more white people flock to their latest edgy, urban paradise for its cheap rent and sparkling new Whole Foods, more of Rhea’s friends and family are pushed out. Until Rhea decides it’s time to push back. Armed with their cellphones and a bag of firecrackers, the friends manipulate social media to create the illusion of gang violence in their neighborhood. All Rhea wanted to do was protect her community. Her friends. Herself. No one was supposed to get hurt. No one was supposed to die.

But is anyone ever really safe when you’re fighting power with fear?

Reviews:

"Equally strong in its magnetic messiness and potent candor, the novel plunges into discussions of youth activism, capitalism-fueled displacement, and racism’s myriad forms with fierce vision and conviction. A robust cast of characters diverse across various dimensions gives voice to contemporary perspectives on community-oriented social justice and performative wokeness . . . this one’s a much-needed read. Plain terrific."――Kirkus Reviews

"In this riveting portrait of community care, debut author Adia paints the pain, danger, and consequences of gentrification with visceral clarity, highlighting changes such as displacement and fractured families via Rhea’s biting and witty voice and her unwavering loyalty to her hometown."――Publishers Weekly

About Jade Adia:

Born and raised in South LA, Jade Adia writes stories about gentrification, Black teen joy, and the sh*tshow that is capitalism.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in Ethnicity, Race & Migration, and a certificate in Human Rights. She recently survived law school, graduating with a specialization in Critical Race Studies. There Goes the Neighborhood is her debut novel.

Website | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok | Goodreads | Amazon

 

Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive a finished copy of THERE GOES THE NEIGHBORHOOD, US Only.

Ends April 7th, midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

3/1/2023	#BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog	Excerpt/IG Post
3/2/2023	YA Books Central	Excerpt/IG Post
3/3/2023	Kait Plus Books	Excerpt/IG Post
3/4/2023	Two Chicks on Books	Excerpt/IG Post

Week Two:

3/5/2023	A Dream Within A Dream	Excerpt
3/6/2023	@ugcbyabby	IG Review/TikTok Post
3/7/2023	Kim"s Book Reviews and Writing Aha's	Review/IG Post
3/8/2023	Lifestyle of Me	Review
3/9/2023	Lisa Loves Literature	Review/IG Post
3/10/2023	gsreadingspree	IG Review
3/11/2023	Emily Ashlyn	IG Review/Facebook Post

Week Three:

3/12/2023	Brandi Danielle Davis	IG Review/TikTok Post
3/13/2023	onemused	IG Spotlight
3/14/2023	Eli to the nth	Review/IG Post
3/15/2023	Review Thick And Thin	Review/IG Post
3/16/2023	A Blue Box Full of Books	IG Review/LFL Drop Pic
3/17/2023	Author Z. Knight's Guild	Review
3/18/2023	travelersguidetobooks	IG Review

Week Four:

3/19/2023	Country Mamas With Kids	Review/IG Post
3/20/2023	@froggyreadteach	IG Review
3/21/2023	OneMoreExclamation	Review/IG Post
3/22/2023	@carlysunshinebooks	IG Review/LFL Drop Pic
3/23/2023	The Litt Librarian	Review/IG Post
3/24/2023	I'm Into Books	Excerpt
3/25/2023	popthebutterfly	Review/IG Post

Week Five:

3/26/2023	Cara North	Review/IG Post
3/27/2023	Two Points of Interest	Review
3/28/2023	@evergirl200	IG Review
3/29/2023	@drew_ambitious_reading	IG Review/TikTok Post
3/30/2023	More Books Please blog	Review/IG Post
3/31/2023	Books with Brandie Shanae	YouTube Review/IG Post

Book Review - No Two Persons by Erica Bauermeister

No Two Persons by Erica Bauermeister is a love story between writers and readers and their love and special bond with books. Alice loved reading and it was her lifeline when her family life became unbearable. Alice knew that she always wanted to be a writer as books were her only form of escape. She can create imaginary worlds where she can be disconnected from reality, and where everything could turn out okay.

Alice found joy in writing and creating stories but her stories always seemed to have held something back. She never fully immersed herself in her writing so while her stories were descriptive and engaging, it always felt detached like she was a spectator. When a distressing event occurs, a dam of emotions bursts open and becomes filled with overwhelming emotions. Alice needed a place to collect herself and something to pour her thoughts and feelings into.

She decides to write a debut novel to express herself and to help navigate her feelings. When Alice finishes her novel, she is unsure if she should publish the story, because then the story would no longer just be hers. In the end, she decides to go for it and as her novel reaches the hands of readers, it changes and evolves as they read the book just as how Alice evolves and grows while she writes the book.

The novel starts with Alice’s story and her reason for writing. Then the book is narrated by different people who read her book and they describe how their lives changed after reading the book. I enjoyed reading about each different character and their life story. I was usually disappointed when one character’s chapter was over and the book would move on to another. I would be so attached to that character and would want to read more about them. While the characters were all flawed and were searching for something, they were relatable and highly engaging to me. It was nice seeing how the characters were trying to overcome a situation and become the best version of themselves.

I did get a bit overwhelmed with the amount of different character stories that were being introduced. I was trying to remember each story and figure out what link would connect them all. There is a link that does connect the characters that is revealed towards the end. However, I would recommend just sitting back and enjoying each unique character story. I did like that bits and pieces of Alice’s book are uncovered during each character chapter and it shows which part of the book resonated with that character the most.

As an avid reader this book was inspiring to see how books can change a person’s life and dreams along with the joy one gets from reading. It was also interesting to read how writers might feel about their stories being published. I always assumed that writers would enjoy having their stories told and they do but, once a story is published it’s no longer just theirs and every reader has its own bond and meaning attached to that story. The book was a dazzling and stunning read that would inspire budding writers and warm the hearts of fellow readers.

 

Book Review - City of the Dead by James Ponti

  

 

City of the Dead by James Ponti is the fourth book in the City Spies series. The City Spies are a group of young spies that solve mysteries all over the world. In the latest installment, the spies head to Egypt in order to investigate an unknown person hacking into the computers of the British’s government and holding their data ransom.

Each child in the group takes turns acting as the Alpha during a mission. This allows them to test and hone their respective special ability. Kat (codename Kathmandu) is the Alpha for this book/mission. She loves logic and order, and prime numbers hold a special place in her heart. Kat’s special ability is being able to spot patterns in things that look completely random.

Kat and the team were requested by British Intelligence to test the security of the British Museum. The group thought it was a random mission until a string of cyber-attacks threatened to cripple the British government. As the team tries to solve puzzles and hidden messages left behind from the cyberattacks, they find a link between these attacks, Egypt, and the museum.

The team receives a decrypted message that hints that the person behind the hacks is located in Egypt. They follow the leads but something isn’t adding up. There is another layer to the mystery behind the attacks – Will the team be able to figure it out before it’s too late?

I read the first book in the series but not the second and third. I was able to follow along with most of the story, even with this being the fourth in the series. However, I feel that the books should be read in order because there is a larger mystery that is covered between the books and each book gives more clues to it. The book is packed with action, twists, and sprinkled with humor. I liked reading how each character brought their own unique ability and skill set to the table, and how they were open with each other about their own insecurities. I also liked that the author included a dossier on each character giving more details about their background and skill sets.

I liked that each book takes place in a different country and that the author includes tidbits of the culture. It was interesting to read about Egypt’s food, culture, and the pyramids.  The book is great for young readers who are interested in spy stories and love learning about new heritages. It also teaches young readers the importance of family, believing in yourself, and being a team player.

 

Book Review - Human Remains: The Complete Series by Dearbhla Kelly and Peter Milligan

 

Imagine living in a world where you can't express yourself unless you want to be devoured by an alien. In this new world, deadly alien invaders attack and kill humans who display emotions. The aliens hunt humans and everyday life for humans has become a nightmare. People are living on the edge and afraid of everything. 

The book has similarities to how people reacted during the pandemic in the early years. The graphic novel showed people acting hysterically, hiding behind their faith, or being just plain ignorant. It showed how scientists and the military were at odds with each other instead of coming together for the common good.

The graphic novel was a fun and interesting read. The artwork was beautifully done and had diverse characters. The story was engaging as it showed different character perspectives. It was interesting seeing how different characters reacted and adapted to the alien invaders. If you like horror graphic novels, then you might enjoy this one.

Book Review - The Wrong Kind of Weird by James Ramos

 

 

 

The Wrong Kind of Weird by James Ramos is about a high school “nerd” who falls for the popular girl at his school. Cameron Carson is a proud member of the Geeks and Nerds United (GANU) club. He proudly lets his geek flag fly until he catches the attention of Karla Ortega. Karla is the revered student council president, cheerleader, theater kid, and the most popular girl at their school.

The unlikely duo meet one summer while working together at a local coffee shop. They kept a respectable distance from each other at first, until they realized that they had a lot more in common with each other than they initially thought. Cameron finds himself falling head over heels for Karla.  Their summer romance starts to bloom and grow. However, Karla isn’t interested in taking their relationship public and acknowledging his presence at school.

The reader is then introduced to Mackenzie Briggs, the fourth and newest member of the GANU club. She wears her heart on her sleeve. She doesn’t care what other people say about her, nor is she afraid to express herself.  When Mackenzie first joined the club, she and Cameron had always bickered back and forth. Cameron realizes that Mackenzie has a lot in common with him and he feels that he is able to be his true self when he is around her. After Cameron repeatedly gets ignored at school by Karla, he finds himself drawn to Mackenzie. How will this love triangle end?

The book is an easy and quick read. The novel is littered with Japanese anime and manga along with other pop culture references. I was familiar with the majority of the references but they could be overwhelming at times and hard to follow especially if you are not familiar with them. I felt that at times the dialogue and writing didn’t flow as smoothly. At times, the dialogue felt forced.  Then at times the book included a lot of unnecessary details and it felt choppy.  

The story was predictable and had no unexpected twists. I felt that there weren't any antagonists nor any protagonist I was rooting for.  Instead the story just seemed to be about young adults who are trying to find their place in the world while exploring intimate and romantic relationships with other people. The only unique aspect of this novel was perhaps the anime and manga references.While I thought the book was an okay read, I felt like it had already been done before, and there was nothing in this book that hasn’t already been explored in other teenage love triangle novels.  I felt that the book was missing something to make it memorable.

 

Book Review - Promise Boys by Nick Brooks

 

 

Promise Boys by Nick Brooks is about three teenage boys of color accused of murdering their principal.  The Urban Promise Prep School’s goal is to turn disadvantaged youth into men with bright futures. The school utilizes strict rules and rigid disciplinary guidelines, and expects their students to adhere to its policies if they want to continue to have a place there. Principal Moore has changed the trajectory of many students’ lives for the better over the years.

When Principal Moore turns up dead in his office, the police believe they have their suspects. Three students, J.B., Ramón, and Trey, each had their own disagreement with the principal hours before he was murdered.  The three students know of each other but they have never interacted much.  They’re not sure if one of them is hiding something, as the three of them were the closest to the murder scene and each of them has a motive. However, they each maintain that they are innocent and didn’t kill anyone. The trio decides to put their suspicions aside of each other and work together to figure out who might be behind the murder. As they go through the events that occur the day of the crime, they realize someone might be keeping a secret and knows more than they are letting on. Will the boys be able to figure out the mastermind behind the murder before their futures are ruined?

The book is told from multiple points of views along with multiple timeframes.  At first, it was a lot to keep track of the different character testimonials and what happened before and after the murder. However, as the story progressed most of the events started overlapping, and a few details did differ depending on who was narrating. As a reader, I had to decide if one character was lying or if another was lying. It was interesting trying to guess who was telling the truth and who might be the culprit.

The story weaved themes of social injustice, racism, and gang violence. It also highlighted the dreams and hopes of the young men and how they wanted to rise above the life and circumstances they were given. One of the characters wanted to break free from the gang life that his cousin is deeply embedded with, and instead own a restaurant. Another character wanted to prove that he could be something more than a street thug, but he was always afraid to ask for help because of the judgements people made about him due to how he looked.

The mystery behind the murder was predictable but it was fun trying to guess who was being deceitful. I thought the book was a good read as it portrayed the power and influence educators have over their young charges. The book also imparted a few important lessons to readers such as not making judgements based on a person’s looks as well as having empathy. 

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

Book Review - The Hermes Protocol by Chris M. Arnone

 

 

The Hermes Protocol by Chris M. Arnone is set in a futuristic world and time, and is about an Intel agent who is assigned a standard heist operation, but it turns out to be much bigger than she could have ever imagined. Elise Corto-Intel is an intelligence agent for the Corto Corporation. Her job is to break into highly classified and secured areas and retrieve items for her handlers. Elise is assigned a new heist which should have been a routine job for her. When Elise breaks into the safe and opens the package she sees a tiny microchip. She doesn’t think anything of it until a mysterious voice greets her on her private communication network.

Elise is bewildered and confused because no one should have access to her private network. It turns out the microchip she was assigned to steal housed an artificial intelligence being, named Bastion. In Elise’s world artificial intelligence is banned and considered a threat. Elise could be in serious trouble just knowing that Bastion exists; having the AI could bring graver consequences.

Elise is torn on whether or not to let her team know that she has the chip and its contents. She decides to turn the chip in against her better judgment. She thought she would be able to wash her hands clean of the situation until their vault was compromised and the microchip was stolen. Elise becomes the prime suspect as she is the last person to leave their secured vault. Elise is desperate to figure out who is behind the theft and clear her name before she loses everything she holds dearly.

This was my first time reading a novel in the cyberpunk science fiction genre. I am on the fence because the book was an okay read but I felt like it missed the mark a few times. The story felt repetitive because Elise mentioned every single time how her mechanical body parts were superior to her biological body parts. I feel like that was stating the obvious since the world was more technologically advanced than our present times. If the author had felt the need to reinforce the fact I felt it would have been fine once or twice but not more than that.

The author gets repetitive for other things as well. He explains basic common concepts over and over again. Some of the ideas could have been easily understood given previous context and didn’t need the additional time explaining it. I felt like the time would have been better spent world building.

Elise was a complicated protagonist. At times I thought she was clever and acted quickly on her feet. Then there are times where she gets beaten so badly that you can’t help but wonder why she is an intelligence agent and not a punching bag. I felt like most of the battles she loses on physical prowess but she comes up with a clever solution to get out of the situation. The book ends with a possibility for more books in the future but I don’t think this book made a strong case to read more books in the series.  

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

Book Review - Critical Threat (Extreme Measures #3) by Lynette Eason

 

In Critical Threat by Lynette Eason, an FBI agent will need to team up with the son of a serial killer to stop the recent string of murders. FBI Special Agent Grace Billingsley is a psychiatrist and behavioral analyst who focuses on tracking serial killers and getting them off the streets. Sam Monroe is a prison psychiatrist who works with violent criminals on a daily basis. He knows that just because someone is in prison doesn’t mean that person isn’t a threat anymore. Sam’s father, Peter, is a notorious serial killer who is serving multiple life sentences in prison. Even while behind bars, Peter is still actively trying to get involved in Sam’s life. However, Sam wants nothing to do with his father and wishes that he can rid himself of Peter.

When a rash of dead bodies start to show up with a similar M.O. to Peter’s, Sam and Grace are asked to consult on the case together. Grace is hesitant to work with Sam because they have met before and things didn’t work out. They went on a date after meeting at a conference and Grace thought they hit it off, except Sam ghosted her after the date. Grace tries to put her feelings aside as they work together but she can’t help but feel that there is something between the two of them.

This book is the third book in the series but can be read as standalone. I read the first book in the series and a few of the characters from the earlier works make an appearance in this book, but they are minor characters and the reader does not need to know their backstory. I thought the book was an okay read. The mastermind was an unexpected twist but a few of the other twists were predictable. I do like that the book has a lot of action and thrills to keep the reader guessing.

Like the first book, I also didn’t really care for the characters in this book. I felt that the characters were one dimensional and wooden. The interaction between the two protagonists felt dull and forced. I felt like there wasn’t any chemistry between all the characters. There wasn’t a single character that I found believable or likable. The drama with Sam and his ex-wife was cliché. Grace and her family also deal with their own familial issues that I felt like didn’t add much to the story. I felt that while the author woven these family dramas to give readers a glimpse into Sam’s and Grace’s lives to help readers build an understanding about them, I could have done without these details. Even the interaction with minor characters didn’t seem plausible. I find it hard to believe a teenage boy who doesn’t want to hang out with his younger sister and calls her a munchkin, then has intellectual conversations about how isolated and afraid his sister might feel (without prompting!).

I also didn’t like that Grace continuously kept putting herself in danger because she assumed that backup was right behind her. I also don’t understand how the killer managed to get her so many times. I do commend her bravery but, after the first three times of her being captured and then needing to be saved, it got boring and repetitive.

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

Book Review - Locust Lane by Stephen Amidon

 

Emerson, Massachusetts is a small suburb town. It's a quiet place where people keep to themselves and follow the rules. When a young women is found dead in the posh part of town, the residents put their guards up and will stop at nothing to protect their own.

When Eden Perry is found dead, investigators feel that the three teenagers she was partying with that night is hiding something. Jack is the son of a prominent lawyer and is from a well liked family. Hannah, Jack's girlfriend, is shy and sweet. Christopher is a newcomer and desperate to fit in with the group. Their parents are desperate to protect them from the investigation and start to complicate matters when they try to push the blame on someone else.

The book started off interesting and then became boring. The book would progress with nothing being added to the story. The story was told from multiple point of views and at first, it was interesting but, then it felt like filler as, none of them actually really knew what happened that night. One of the characters had no purpose and I am not sure why they were included in the story and I had no reaction to their demise other than thinking it was entire pointless. All of the characters were unlikable and frustrating. The ending was disappointing and left me feeling unsettled. I am not sure that I would read another book by the author.

Book Review - Flight by Lynn Steger Strong

 

Flight by Lynn Steger Strong is about three siblings, Henry, Kate, and Martin, dealing with the aftermath of their elderly mother’s recent death. The three siblings and their young families decide to spend the Christmas break together at Henry’s house in upstate New York. This is the siblings' first Christmas without their beloved matriarch. They decide to use the time to bond with each other and to decide on what to do with their late mother’s house.

Over the three day gathering, the siblings find themselves squabbling with each other and past resentments bubble to the surface. Each of the siblings want a different outcome for their mother’s house. Kate wants to keep the house, Tess (Martin’s wife) wants to sell the house and split the profits, and Henry wants to donate the land for conservation purposes. They try to perform the same traditions they used to when their mother was alive but the dilemma of the house is hanging above them like a dark cloud.

As tensions rise and tempers flare between the siblings, a local mother, Quinn, reaches out to the group for help. Quinn is a single mother and she is struggling to provide for her young daughter, Maddie. When Maddie goes missing during a brutally cold night, Quinn is desperate to find someone to help her find her daughter. The siblings will need to put their differences aside and help the young woman find a missing child.

The story is told from multiple points of view and the points of view change often enough that it was hard to keep track of who was narrating. The book also had a lot of characters and it was hard trying to remember the family structure, as some of the siblings had multiple kids.

It was interesting seeing how each of the siblings was trying to adapt to the new family dynamics while trying to keep the memories of their mother and her traditions alive. I enjoyed reading how the characters were struggling to find their own identity especially since they were so close to their mother and so different from each other. During the novel, we saw the  siblings’ struggle to connect with each other and move forward after their loss.

The book was mostly narrated by the women including Henry and Martin’s wives. I thought it was interesting how the wives had complicated feelings over their deceased mother in law. However, I felt like the book felt one sided or incomplete as we never got to see the point of views from the male characters.  Also, I felt the book was sparse on character development.

I felt the subplot of Maddie being missing and her relationship with her mother detracted from the main story line. I feel like the book should have focused on the siblings healing and resolving some of their conflicts. The book ended with some conflicts being left to interpretation and I felt like I would have enjoyed the book more if the ending was spelled out and the characters were developed more. If you like character driven family stories that slowly unfold, then you might enjoy this book.   

 

Book Review - Rockstars: The Complete Series by Joe Harris

 

Jackie Mayer is die hard rock fan but, he has a secret ability. He is able to connect the music industry with secrets and mysteries. He knows that people who chase fame and fortune, like musicians, are easy targets for dark forces.

A decades old murder is familiar to the recent string of murders that are occurring. No one else seems to notice the pattern but, Jackie. He is determined to solve the mystery behind the murders before another body drops.

I was excited to read the graphic novel but, I abandoned it half way through. The graphic novel was incredibly boring and the story was confusing to follow. I thought if I read more that the story would start to make more sense but, it doesn't. Characters appear and disappear without any real explanation. The story had so much potential but failed execution wise.

Book Review - Tracy Flick Can’t Win by Tom Perrotta

  

Tracy Flick Can’t Win by Tom Perrotta is about an assistant high school principal who feels stuck and unacknowledged at her job and in life. Tracy works tirelessly at her job and feels that she should be further along at this stage in her life. When she hears that the current principal, Jack Weede, is retiring, Tracy’s sullen moods are lifted and energized by the news, as she expects to be promoted to his position. She feels that the promotion is long overdue because she has acted as a temporary principal when Jack was on medical leave. Tracy throws herself into her work hoping that she can convince the School Board and faculty that she is well qualified for the job. However, as Tracy tries to focus her attention on getting promoted, she feels herself being pulled in different directions away from her goal. Tracy’s 10 year old daughter wants to spend more time with her father than with her; Tracy’s “boyfriend” is needy and wants Tracy to make a decision about their relationship; and Tracy has a non-existent social life and is in desperate need of a true friend.

Tracy tries to juggle all of life’s demands flawlessly but that doesn’t seem to help because nothing goes her way. Her male colleagues are determined to undermine her goals and progress to further their own interests.  One of the demands of her role involves a new initiative by the school board to honor past students with an award. As time progresses and Tracy and the board try to work through the different candidates, she notices that something feels off. She knows she has a proven track record but she feels that something is going on behind her back.

This is the second novel by the author featuring Tracy Flick as the protagonist.  I was able to read the novel as a standalone. However, I feel like I didn’t really get to know Tracy as a character in this book. She just seemed like an ambitious person who had to settle in life after one too many obstacles were thrown at her. For example, it seems that her non-existent relationship with her daughter bugs her. Tracy constantly laments that she had a great relationship with her mother and that she doesn’t understand why she doesn’t connect with her own daughter. Tracy seems like she is just going through the emotions being with her daughter instead of making an actual effort to bond with her.

Perhaps it’s because the book is narrated by several different characters with only a few pages dedicated to each person at a time, I feel like the characters were never really fully fleshed out and each character only progressed the story a tiny bit. After a while, it was confusing to keep track of the different characters and what role they played in the story. I felt that 90% of the book was rather pointless and had no story progression and purpose.  The last 10% of the book is when the story wraps up and the link between all the characters is revealed in a rather lackluster way. The book is a quick read with its short chapters but it's boring with no story or purpose page after page.

 

Book Review - Starry Messenger: Cosmic Perspectives on Civilization by Neil deGrasse Tyson

 

 

 

Starry Messenger: Cosmic Perspective on Civilization by Neil deGrasse Tyson is an examination of different topics based on facts and observations along with personal commentary. Tyson examines hot button topics that could unite and divide us as a country. He states each side of a topic and then dismantles both sides by stating empirical scientific evidence to provide why that stance is incorrect based on evidence. Tyson tackles a variety of topics including race, space exploration, political parties and many more. Tyson states that there is a difference between believing in something because it’s what you think is correct and what is actually true based on irrefutable scientific evidence.

While Tyson investigates the different topics he provides witty commentary and facts. I found this enjoyable to read and chuckle every so often. I found some of Tyson’s points to be profound and thought provoking and caused me to reevaluate a few of my own thought patterns. While Tyson does have his own biases and at times and also pokes fun at his own mistakes, he points out the logical reasoning behind different ideas. For example, he examines a few of his tweets that he based on facts when he wrote it.  The tweets emotionally caused a big commotion because of how someone felt about the topic regardless of whether the facts prove that they are wrong.

There were some topics that I felt didn’t need a whole entire chapter dedicated to. More specifically, the chapters dedicated to race, being a vegetarian, and what constitutes a disability. I felt like while they were important topics to be discussed, it seemed like Tyson was missing the point or the grander scheme of things. For example, while the merits of being a vegetarian/vegans are praiseworthy, Tyson pointed out that vegans are still killing plants and that plants are living things. While I understand what he is trying to say, no matter what type of eater you are, you are still killing something to survive. However, I feel like Tyson glossed over the fact that a lot of people become vegetarians/vegans to help combat global warming because of the toll animal husbandry has taken on our planet. I feel like some of the topics Tyson provided one or two main thoughts but failed to go into greater detail as to why it’s important.

I did enjoy the book but I wasn’t entirely sure what the purpose of the book was. Is it a call to action to help fight climate change? Was it a plea to spend more money on space exploration? Or is it a thought piece to unite people? Perhaps it was an appeal to remind readers that you can still base your decision on emotion even after you analyzed all the facts and statistics and that’s okay too.

 

Book Review - Always Be My Duchess (Taming of the Dukes, #1) by Amalie Howard

 

 

  

Always Be My Duchess by Amalie Howard is a tale of two opposite people who are brought together by a mutual interest in accomplishing their goals. Lord Lysander Blackstone is the Duke of Montcroix, and he only has one goal and interest on his mind. He singularly cares to increase his already considerable fortune in order to surpass his late father’s legacy, and has no interest in finding a “duchess”. After a series of betrayals and broken promises, he finds it easier to keep his emotions in check if he focuses on growing his empire. However, a piece of real estate that he needs for his budding railroad empire is blocked by the eccentric owner of the property. The owner is only willing to sell the property to someone who believes in love and who wants to build and raise a family on the land. Lysander is devastated and annoyed that his cold personality and lack of a love life could jeopardize his business plans. He starts to lose hope for being a candidate the owner will sell to until he crosses paths with the alluring Miss Geneviève Valery.

Geneviève “Nève” Valery once had a promising ballet dancer career and her entire life ahead of her. However, her dreams and career were destroyed when Nève refused to become the mistress of a wealthy patron. Nève is out of work and desperate to find a new job but her scorned lover makes it impossible for her to land any roles. 

Nève crosses paths with the Duke when she saves him from a group of unsavory men when he was in a vulnerable state. He makes her an offer that is hard to resist. Nève is skeptical if the Duke will act honorably given her last encounter with the ton, in which the Duke is a prominent member. After hitting a dead end in job prospects, Nève decides to take up the Duke on his offer to be his fake fiancée. The plan is to help convince the eccentric seller to sell Lysander the property he desires, and Nève would be well compensated if the deal goes through. Nève and Lysander are both only focused on getting their side of the deal, until they realize that they might get more than they bargained for!

Nève and Lysander are both strong characters who are determined to keep their feelings in check but find themselves instantly drawn to each other. It was interesting and fun seeing how the duo tried to ignore their budding feelings for each other but kept finding themselves in compromising situations. The novel was set in the Victorian era but it could have taken place in any era with minor edits to the story. The elements of the Victorian era (other than the class issues) did not really come into play. There were no facts of the era or the time period to build the world in the mind of the reader. It just seemed to be chosen by the author for the romantic aspect of this time period.

I enjoyed the first half of the novel as it showed the pair maneuvering their relationship from two parties with a business arrangement while being romantically attracted to each other. However, towards the middle it got repetitive. Lysander kept making the same mistake of doing something nice but not taking into consideration Nève’s feelings, even though she told him how she felt. This could have been due to ignorance because of his social standing and privilege.  Nève also ran hot and cold. She was not consistent – she was either a fiery firecracker or a damsel in distress. 

The book was mildly reminiscent of “Pretty Woman” but it's not a remake of the story. The novel is a predictable read with no unexpected twists. The ending does leave an opening for another character to get their “happy ending” in the next book in the series. The book had adult content and language, and isn’t for readers who prefer clean romances.

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