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.

 

Book Review – I Let You Go by Clare Mackintosh

 

 I Let You Go by Clare Mackintosh is about a tragic accident and the devastating truth behind it.

Jenna Gray’s entire world comes crashing down in a matter of seconds. Desperate for a fresh start, she leaves everything behind and moves to a remote cottage on the Welsh coast. As she tries to rebuild her life, she is haunted by fear, grief, and memories of the fateful November night that changed everything.

Slowly, Jenna begins to put the pieces of her life back together and starts to believe that happiness may still be possible. However, someone from her past is about to catch up with her, and the consequences could be deadly.

I thought the book was an okay read overall. It had one major twist that caught my attention, but after that, I found the rest of the story fairly predictable. I also had a hard time getting into the book. The characters felt somewhat boring, and I never really found myself rooting for any of them.

I especially struggled with some of Jenna’s decisions. She seemed completely convinced that a certain person would find her, yet she never really tried to get help and instead seemed to accept whatever consequences might come. Then, when she believed someone was actively after her, she turned off her phone and opened the door without even checking who was there first. Considering how concerned she claimed to be about her safety, those choices didn’t make much sense to me. As a result, I found it difficult to connect with her character and fully invest in the story.

 

Book Review – The Violets of March by Sarah Jio

 

  

The Violets of March by Sarah Jio is the story of a woman, Emily Wilson, who discovers a dark secret hidden within her family’s history.

When Emily Wilson was in her twenties, she seemed to have it all. She had written a bestselling novel, had a handsome husband, and shared a beautiful home with him. However, ten years later, everything has changed for the worse. Her husband tells her he is leaving her for another woman, and to make matters worse, Emily has been struggling with writer’s block and is unable to finish a new book.

When her great-aunt Bee invites her to spend a month on Bainbridge Island in Washington State, Emily happily accepts. She hopes that returning to the island, where she made many cherished childhood memories, will help heal her heart and inspire her writing. While staying at her aunt’s house, she discovers a red velvet diary dating back to 1943. As her curiosity grows, Emily begins to suspect that the diary belonged to someone in her family.

I was excited to read this book because the premise sounded interesting. However, as the story progressed, my interest started to wane. The characters felt boring and one-dimensional, and I never found myself rooting for any of them, especially Emily, who kept making what I felt were some questionable decisions.

I also have no idea why almost every person connected to the diary seemed to change their name and refuse to talk about the past. It felt like they wanted to tell the story, but kept dragging their feet for no real reason, and Emily seemed in no rush to find any answers. Several moments felt unbelievable to me. For example, an elderly woman serving as a pallbearer seemed odd, and one character suddenly revealed she had cancer, and only a month to live, came completely out of nowhere. It was especially strange since she had apparently never mentioned it to her best friend. The insta-love between some of the characters felt equally unrealistic.

Overall, I felt there were too many coincidences and implausible moments throughout the story. There were also quite a few loose ends that left me wanting more answers. While the premise had a lot of potential, the execution ultimately fell flat for me.

 

Book Review –Rain Falling on Embers by Liana Gardner

 

Rain Falling on Embers is about a young girl, Katie McCabe, whose life is turned upside down when her father sends her to live with relatives.

Thirteen-year-old Katie is known as a troublemaker in her community. Rebellious and headstrong, she often finds herself in trouble. After her latest prank nearly burns down a neighbor's shed, her father, the town sheriff, decides to send her away. He believes it is the best decision, especially as his health is declining and it is becoming increasingly difficult for him to manage Katie on his own.

Katie is sent to live with her uncle and three cousins. She struggles to find her place in her new home and longs to return to her father. Just when she begins to think she might be able to go home, she receives devastating news: her father has died, and she never got the chance to say goodbye. Feeling lost and as though she no longer has a place to belong, Katie tries to adjust to her new life. Along the way, she crosses paths with the son of the man who owns much of the town. Tensions escalate, and one day Katie is kidnapped, taken on horseback to the outskirts of town during a storm, and left to find her way back. Will she be able to survive the storm and make it home?

I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I started this book, but ultimately I found it to be a boring and underwhelming read. I was also never entirely sure what time period the story was supposed to take place in. Everything felt antiquated and quaint, which made the setting somewhat confusing.

I also felt that the summary gave away several major plot points that would have had more impact if I had discovered them while reading. The story moved at a slow pace and often felt like it was plodding along without much happening. The ending was left on a cliffhanger, which seemed designed to set up the next book in the series. However, I felt the main story could have been resolved within this installment.

One of my biggest frustrations was Katie herself. The book repeatedly hinted at the significance of the McCabe name and why she disliked it so much, yet readers are never given a satisfying explanation. I also found Katie to be an difficult protagonist to connect with. At times she acted much older than her age, while at other times she seemed immature. She frequently complained that nobody trusted or cared about her, yet her actions often gave those around her reasons to question her behavior.

I was also puzzled by how unaware Katie seemed of her father's declining health. His death felt abrupt and somewhat out of nowhere, which lessened its emotional impact for me.

The novel hints at a long-standing conflict between the McCabes and another family, but that story line is never developed. Likewise, the author suggests that Katie's cousin Sarah is hiding a secret, but readers are given little information about what it might be. I assume both plot threads are intended for future books, but I found it frustrating that so many mysteries were introduced without meaningful development.

I felt the book contained a lot of filler, bland characters, and too few engaging moments to keep me invested. I would have preferred more character development and stronger story lines rather than numerous hints and mysteries that never fully materialized. While the book clearly aims to set up future installments, this first book did not leave me eager to continue the series.

September 2026 Empties!

 

 

Finally, it's almost fall weather! I have been patiently waiting for summer to end. It is the worst, especially with all the humidity.

I feel like Bliss used to be all the rage back in the early 2000s. I am always surprised when I see one of their products. I tried their Green Tea Wonder, and it literally smells like glue and leaves my skin feeling tight. However, I think it does help brighten my skin. I wasn't able to find it again to repurchase, so I guess I will have to wait for the brand to have another resurgence.

The Benefit POREfessional Deep Retreat was fun to use. It was like any other clay mask I have used, so I wouldn't get it again. It had a fun purple hue and left my skin feeling soft. However, it didn't do anything different from more affordable options.

The SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic has a terrible scent. It smells like rusty iron nails. It leaves my skin feeling a bit tight. Unfortunately, it was an expensive waste of time, as I didn't notice my skin looking any different.

I feel the same way about the 111SKIN Rose Gold Radiance Booster. It has a pretty glittery consistency and goes on smoothly. It feels like nothing on my skin, and it also looks like it does nothing for my skin.

Book Review – Tomorrow Is for the Brave by Kelly Bowen

 

Tomorrow Is for the Brave by Kelly Bowen is the story of a young socialite, Violet St. Croix, who decides to follow her heart and volunteer in the war. In 1939, France, Violet had everything she could possibly dream of. She is engaged to one of those eligible bachelors, has access to the latest fashion and fastest cars, and attends lavish parties.

However, what Violet really wants is something else. She’s tired of living her life as everyone else wants her to. She wants a life full of purpose and meaning. So when the war reaches France, she goes against her family’s and fiancé’s wishes and volunteers to join the war effort. With her fearless driving skills under pressure, she is sent to North Africa to drive French Foreign Legion officers while carrying valuable intelligence through dangerous territory.

The information could determine the outcome of the war if it falls into enemy hands. After one mishap after another, Violet is sure that someone among them is a spy. When her beloved commanding officer is murdered, and the authorities determine it was a robbery gone wrong, Violet is determined to find the traitor. Will Violet be able to find the culprit before it’s too late?

The novel was inspired by true events. It was an emotional read. While the author hints at a spy, I feel like Violet didn’t play much of a role in trying to find them. I feel like she tried telling other people and then went about her mission. I felt like the book mostly focused on her wartime accomplishments rather than on finding the spy. I thought the book was beautifully written, and I enjoyed it a lot. I would look forward to reading more books by the author.

Book Review - Naturally Tan by Tan France

 

 

In Naturally Tan, Tan France shares his upbringing, personal experiences, and journey into show business. The memoir includes fashion tips, life advice, and behind-the-scenes stories from his career. Tan discusses what it was like growing up gay in a traditional Muslim family and being one of the few people of color in Doncaster, England.

I thought the book was an okay read. I was familiar with Tan France before picking it up, but I have not watched his show. He always seemed fun and down-to-earth, which made me want to read his memoir.

One aspect I enjoyed was how he sprinkled fashion advice throughout the book. Some of the suggestions felt a bit over the top for my taste, but they added personality and reflected his expertise in the fashion industry. I also liked the behind-the-scenes stories from television appearances, press events, and other parts of his career.

I'm looking for more personal details about Tan, his family, and his private life. I also expected a few more revealing or surprising stories than the book ultimately provided. I felt like the book lightly touched on anything personal and was done on a superficial level, so we didn't really get to know more about him. Overall, I think fans of Tan France and his shows will likely enjoy this memoir more than I did.

 

Book Review – The Lost Language by Claudia Mills

 

 The Lost Language by Claudia Mills is about a young girl, Betsy, who tries to save a dying language with her best friend, Lizard, while also coping with a traumatic experience.

Sixth-grader Betsy’s mom is a linguistics professor who works tirelessly to study dying languages before they disappear forever. Betsy tells her best friend, Lizard, that thousands of the world’s languages are at risk of becoming extinct in the coming years.

Lizard is shocked by the news. Instead of simply writing about endangered languages, she proposes that they learn one and encourage others to do the same. The girls decide to focus on Guernésiais, a nearly extinct language. However, Lizard’s plans quickly become much bigger and more complicated than either girl anticipated, putting a strain on their friendship.

Lizard becomes increasingly obsessed with saving dying languages and wants to spend all of her time focused on that goal. Meanwhile, Betsy wants to branch out, try new things, and gain some independence from both her charismatic but controlling best friend and her mother. However, Betsy’s life is turned upside down when something terrible happens, and she is left dealing with a traumatic experience. At the same time, she feels betrayed by Lizard when she needs her friend the most.

I thought this was a cute read. The novel is written in verse, which worked well for the story. I actually remember reading about endangered languages years ago and thinking that I, too, could help save one. It was funny because the author included notes at the end of the book, and one of the languages mentioned was one that I had unsuccessfully tried to learn myself.

I enjoyed reading about Betsy’s journey as she learned more about herself, found her voice, and gained independence. The story has some tender and emotional moments, but overall it is a heartwarming read.

 

Book Review – Night of Madness by Ryan Douglass

  

 

Night of Madness by Ryan Douglass is about five teen influencers competing in a horror-themed overnight competition with a dark and twisted motive.

Mara loves horror movies, and her only fond memories of her dad involve bonding over movies made by horror maestro Jack Stanley. Stanley was known for his campy slasher movies in the 1980s, but he has since faded from the public eye. That changes when he announces a contest centered around his most popular and terrifying film, Asylum. Five influencers are invited to spend the night on a fully constructed set, and whoever survives until morning wins $100,000.

Mara is stuck in a dead-end job, so when she hears about the grand prize, she is excited about how much the money could change her life. She isn’t a famous influencer, so she has to find a way to manipulate the contest in her favor and capture Stanley’s attention.

When Mara’s efforts pay off and she is chosen, she is excited to discover that her best friend, Storm, will be joining her in the competition. However, as the night wears on, Mara realizes that something is wrong. She begins to fear that the competition might be much more deadly than she expected. Will Mara be able to survive the night?

I love horror movies, so I was excited to read this book. However, I ended up being on the fence about it. While the story was interesting, I found the writing and storyline convoluted and choppy. I felt like the author hinted at a lot of things but never fully explored them. For example, there were mentions of Jack’s odd appearance, his history with Mara’s father, her parents’ drama, and a script she discovered. I felt like parts of the story were left out, or the author introduced too many plot threads without fully exploring or explaining them.

I also felt like the story had an unrealistic feel. Some of the things Jack did didn’t feel believable or explained. I never really felt like we got enough time to bond with or care about the other contestants. I also found some of the descriptions of the competition confusing, particularly the scenes involving the props Jack used to target specific contestants, such as the photographs of the contestants and the bedroom furniture setup. I found my eyes glazing over and getting confused. 

I think this book would have benefited from additional editing and more time spent developing some of the plot threads that were introduced. I had a hard time connecting with the story, which was disappointing because I thought the premise had a lot of potential.

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 - Adventure in the City of Stories by Emma Otheguy

 

Adventure in the City of Stories by Emma Otheguy is about three cousins who must help prove their aunt’s innocence after she is falsely accused of stealing an artifact.

While hanging out at their aunt’s house, cousins Jorge, Camila, and Siggy discover dusty old puppets and a book. They soon discover that the book and puppets once belonged to Pura Belpré, a trailblazing Latina librarian and storyteller. Their aunt has been accused of stealing the artifacts, so the cousins must travel back to 1930s New York to return the puppets and book and prove that their aunt didn’t steal them.

As the trio travels back in time, they realize that danger is lurking around every corner. A powerful woman wants to steal the book, while their nosy neighbor is hot on their heels. While trying to find a safe place to hide the artifacts, the trio meets Antonia, a young Puerto Rican girl who is fighting against the injustice and stigma faced by her community.

This is the second book in the series. Like the previous book, I thought this was an okay read. I felt like it was missing something that would have gotten me truly invested in the story. The writing felt a bit dry, and the characters seemed wooden. I wasn’t able to connect with any of them.

I did like that the author showcases different aspects of Latin culture and history that might not be well known. I also liked that the book includes a glossary and additional information at the end. However, I would have liked to see translations for the Spanish words. I think this would have been a great way for young readers who aren’t familiar with Spanish to learn some new words.

While this is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone. I did like that the book introduces a larger mystery that could continue throughout the series. I was feeling a bit lackluster about the series, but I might give the third book a chance before deciding whether to continue with future installments.

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.