Review: Charting the Course

Charting the Course by Leslea Wahl
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Note: I received a copy of this book from ARC provided by Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op via NetGalley.

Liz would prefer any destination other than a ten-day Caribbean cruise with her estranged father attending his high school reunion. Despite the distraction of an anonymous note, an onboard mystery, and the company of a cute boy, the trip only widens the gap between Liz and her father. Liz's impulsive actions, triggering unintended consequences, force her to confront her deep-seated hurt and anger. Struggling to maintain her carefully crafted facade, Liz turns to her faith, embarking on a journey to redefine her life.

Honestly, I felt like I was reading a highlight reel of a cruise vacation. You know, the kind where everyone is nonchalantly partaking in a multitude of activities, from salsa dancing lessons to synchronized swimming. I've been on my fair share of cruises, and either I'm missing out on the secret life of cruisegoers or Liz has some kind of time-stretching device that the rest of us don't. The narrative was zipping through activities faster than the ship itself. Now, the plot. I appreciate a good mystery, but this felt like a cozy mystery's distant relative. I kept waiting for the surprising twist, but it was more like a predictable turn.

However, what did strike a chord with me was Liz's internal struggle. The portrayal of her relationship with her father, the emotional turbulence, and her attempt to navigate through the hurt and anger felt genuine. It was like sailing through a sea of emotions, and in that regard, the author did well in capturing the turmoil within Liz.

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Review: The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss

The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Prepare for an exhilarating adventure on a gloomy day as we meet the mischievous Cat in the Hat and his troublemaking companions, Thing 1 and Thing 2. Don't forget about Fish, who adds to the chaos! This beloved story captivates the hearts of children, parents, and teachers alike.

Through simple words and engaging rhyme, this tale encourages and delights beginning readers. It transforms a dreary day into a wild romp filled with excitement and laughter. Join the Cat in the Hat and his whimsical friends as they bring joy and mischief into the lives of readers young and old. It's a timeless favorite that will leave a lasting impression and foster a love of reading.

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Review: What It Seems

What It Seems by Emily Bleeker
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

2.5 Stars

Tara's life has been one of isolation and strict control under the foster mother who adopted her as an eight-year-old. This harsh existence leaves her lonely and craving connection with the outside world. Her one solace is the Feely family, an affectionate and famous vlogging clan who provide an online escape for Tara.

When the opportunity to intern with this close-knit family arises, Tara seizes the chance to break free from her sheltered life. Defying her foster mother's strict rules, she runs away and is embraced into the Feely family. But as she becomes closer to them, the image of the perfect family she's admired from afar begins to unravel. Tara discovers that secrets lurk beneath their cheerful facade, and it becomes evident that she may have traded one trap for another.

To regain control of her life and escape the clutches of her foster mother, Tara needs a new plan. As the Feely family's online popularity skyrockets, reaching more viewers, Tara can't shake the unsettling feeling that her foster mother may be lurking among the fans. She's watching. She's waiting. And she'll never release her grip on Tara.

I had such high hopes for this book, but regrettably, I found something missing that prevented me from truly connecting with the story and its characters. While it was relatively entertaining, it didn't offer the suspense I was expecting, and the plot felt somewhat predictable. I'm usually a fan of Emily Bleeker's writing, and her characters often find themselves in intriguing situations. In this case, the main character's story is undeniably tragic and portrayed with the appropriate tone. However, it became rather evident from the start what was truly happening.

As the story deviates from its course, another intriguing piece of information is presented: the Feelys, the YouTube sensation family, aren't as they seem. What this ultimately means is that the author built up the family to be more significant than what was actually unfolding, leaving me somewhat unsatisfied with the story's direction.

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Review: The Mystery Writer

The Mystery Writer by Sulari Gentill
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Note: I received an advanced copy of this book from Poisoned Pen Press via NetGalley.

Theo Benton, leaving her legal career behind to pursue her dream of becoming a writer, embarks on a journey filled with unexpected challenges. She faces questions about her family's support, her own abilities, and the potential backlash from her parents. Little does she know, her life is about to take a startling twist when she becomes entangled in a secretive literary realm where identities are fluid, shaped to captivate an audience.

Tragedy strikes as her mentor, a renowned author, is brutally murdered, leaving Theo determined to find the killer and ensure justice is served. The situation takes a darker turn when her brother, Gus, is wrongly accused, prompting Theo to take extreme measures to protect him.

Intriguingly, the deceased author has left a trail, a story that becomes a lifeline out of the intricate maze. Gus, following this narrative thread, inadvertently threatens the very foundations of this enigmatic labyrinth. To safeguard the intricately woven tale, Theo and those searching for her must confront deadly consequences, making survival an uncertain proposition.

At first, I was genuinely excited by the intriguing premise of this book. It had all the makings of a captivating story with a well-defined plot and character development that promised to be engrossing. The narrative immediately drew me in, and the relationship between Theo and her older brother Gus was a highlight, portraying a touching and relatable connection.

But as I ventured further into the story, my initial enthusiasm dwindled. The last three-quarters of the book took a perplexing turn, descending into chaotic and nonsensical territory. What began as a promising mystery involving a writer's death and the suspicion falling on another writer eventually morphed into a bizarre, almost farcical narrative. It introduced a dizzying array of elements like conspiracy theorists, preppers, and malevolent corporations, which, rather than enhancing the story, left it convoluted and hard to follow.

The characters, although well-crafted, couldn't salvage the plot's descent into this bizarre realm. Sadly, Theo, the central character, didn't live up to the expectations of a strong female lead. In the end, the potential for a normal, engaging mystery lost out to the peculiar and unconvincing turn of events, ultimately leaving me somewhat unsatisfied with the book.

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Review: Sisters of Fortune

Sisters of Fortune by Anna Lee Huber
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Note: I received an advanced copy of this book from Kensington Books via NetGalley.

In April 1912, the Fortune sisters are concluding their Grand Tour of Europe with a voyage back home on the magnificent Titanic. This voyage is a time for reflection on the past treasures they've seen during their travels and contemplation of their future paths.

For Alice, excitement mingles with foreboding as a dire warning from an Egyptian fortune teller about traveling at sea haunts her. Her fiancé's plans for her return clash with the freedom she's come to cherish on her travels. Flora, the most dutiful daughter, is heading home to marry her parents' choice, a well-to-do banker. However, as the wedding day approaches, Flora's certainty wavers, and she finds herself drawn to another man who challenges her to follow her own desires. Mabel, the youngest sister, was sent on the Grand Tour to keep her away from a jazz musician, but her true passions lie in suffrage and reform, even if it means defying her family.

As the Titanic sails across the Atlantic, each sister grapples with the choices before her. Then, on a fateful night, destiny intervenes, forever altering the course of their lives.

As someone with a lifelong fascination for Titanic stories, I was genuinely drawn to the historical authenticity in this book, especially its focus on real people and their experiences during that tragic voyage. It added a layer of depth and realism that I appreciated.

However, I do have to admit that the beginning of the book presented some challenges. The introduction of numerous characters created a bit of confusion for me, and at times, it was tough to keep track of all the different narratives. This complexity somewhat hindered my initial engagement with the story. Additionally, there were moments where I felt the story dragged on, which affected the overall pacing. Despite these issues, the historical accuracy and the portrayal of real-life individuals added a unique dimension to the narrative.

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Review: The Paris Notebook

The Paris Notebook by Tessa Harris
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3.5 Stars

Note: I received an advanced copy of this book from HQ Digital (HarperCollins) via Edelweiss+.

Katja Heinz secures a job as a typist at Doctor Viktor's clinic, a seemingly ordinary position. However, she soon discovers that she's tasked with copying top-secret medical records from a hidden notebook. These records date back to the end of World War I when Doctor Viktor treated soldiers for psychological disorders. Shockingly, one of his patients was none other than Adolf Hitler.

The notes within the notebook declare Hitler unfit for office, a revelation that could shatter the Führer's reputation and potentially alter the course of the war if exposed. Katja and Doctor Viktor embark on a dangerous journey to Paris, with the notebook hidden in her hatbox. Their goal is to find a publisher courageous enough to print this explosive information.

Yet, the shadow of danger looms. Nazi spies in Paris have caught wind of Katja's plan, and they will stop at nothing to destroy the notebook and silence anyone who possesses knowledge of the explosive secret it contains.

I found Katja's narrative in this story to be incredibly engaging and well-crafted. Her character was portrayed as intelligent and strong, which made her journey all the more captivating. The first 80% of the book held my attention brilliantly, with the intrigue and tension keeping me eagerly turning the pages. However, I must admit that my enthusiasm waned a bit in the latter part of the story. Nonetheless, Katja's character and her part of the narrative remained a highlight, making this an overall intriguing read.

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Review: The Guest

The Guest by B.A. Paris
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Note: I received an advanced copy of this book from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley.

A betrayal was a betrayal, whether it lasted a few hours, a few months or a few years

Iris and Gabriel appear to live a charmed life, nestled in the idyllic British countryside with a daughter contentedly working in Greece and their dear friends, Laure and Pierre from Paris, often joining them for vacations. However, their tranquility shatters when Gabriel stumbles upon a tragic accident in a nearby quarry, becoming the unwitting witness to the young man's final words, leaving him burdened by guilt.

As Gabriel grapples with the trauma, their world takes an unexpected turn as Laure, dealing with her husband's revelation of fathering a child with another woman, moves in with Iris and Gabriel. They offer her solace, but Laure's presence becomes increasingly unsettling. She starts imitating Iris, donning her clothes, shadowing her every move, and obsessively questioning her about the recent death of the young man.

Amidst this fraught atmosphere, the arrival of a new couple expecting their first child seems to offer a breath of fresh air. However, their gardener brings with him a shadowy past.

With their relationships fractured and secrets piling up, the question becomes whether Iris and Gabriel's marriage can withstand the weight of the unsettling circumstances surrounding them.

As an avid fan of B. A. Paris, I came into this book with certain expectations, knowing the author's signature style. While this story may have felt a tad slower in pace compared to some of her other works, it more than made up for it with its rich character development and depth of storytelling.

In this particular book, you embark on a six-month journey alongside Iris and Gabriel, and you genuinely feel the weight of their trials and tribulations during this period. It's as though you're right there with them, navigating the complexities of their lives. There's an abundance of intricacies woven into the narrative, keeping you thoroughly engaged throughout the tale. B. A. Paris has a way of delving into the human psyche, and this book is no exception.

If you're a fan of her previous works, you'll appreciate the psychological depth and character-driven narrative of this story, even if the pacing might be a bit different from what you're used to. It's a book that pulls you into the lives of its characters, making their journey, struggles, and secrets feel all the more real.

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