Review: Then There Was You by Claire Contreras

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Overall, I did enjoy Then There Was You. I had a few minor issues with the book, which I explore later on. However, first I want to touch on the positives.

I thought Then There Was You had a nice pace. It never felt rushed and the author allowed for the moments to play out. Because of this I felt a strong attachment to the characters and was invested to their stories. I was completely sold on the romance between Rowan and Tessa. The two of them had amazing chemistry. In addition, I thought they were rounded characters, and I did enjoy them together and separately.

There’s a lot happening in this book; so it is hard to explain. But I will mention that this book is filled with angst. Sometimes that angst does cause you to have a bit of an emotional outbreak.

Then There Was You does end on a cliffhanger. And quite frankly, the cliff hanger felt anti-climactic and predictable. Many New Adults book have ended the same way and because of this I was a little annoyed when it happened in this book as well. Especially, because I do not feel that the book needed that kind of drama. There was already a balanced amount of drama, and it did not need more.

However, I will read the next book because I’m curious to see where the journey is going to lead Rowan and Tessa.

Final Analysis

Then There Was You is a book filled with angst and complex characters. It’s well written and a little addicting but it does feature an overdone and lack luster cliff hanger. 

Review: Through Tick & Tinn: The True Story Of The Greatest Unknown Comedy Team Ever Known by Josh Hickman

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Summary

Say “Martin & Lewis,” they’ll say, “A phenomenon!” Say “Rowan & Martin,” they’ll say, “Laugh-In!” Say “Tick & Tinn,” they’ll say, “You mean the tailors?” Finally, Josh Hickman bravely attempts to right a tragic comedic travesty which has persisted in the annals of entertainment for decades longer than it should have. Unmercifully digging through personal interviews, yellowed press clippings, grainy videotapes, scratchy kinescopes, scratchier comedy albums, and reams of questionable anecdotes, Mr. Hickman has managed to do the unthinkable—to piece together the most coherent portrait possible of the life of one of the last great comedy teams of the era. 

Through rifts, marriages, divorces, and an infamous accusation of joke-theft, Jerry Tick and Larry Tinn persevered undaunted, spreading laughter through memorable challenges such as “The Pope Lick Monster” controversy, Jerry’s comedy cult involvement, and facing on live television Hobarth Goetz, “The Man Who Couldn’t Laugh.” (less)

Review

I'm not the biggest comedy fan but I do love a good laugh. I had no idea who Tick & Tinn were going into the book, so this was an interesting experience reading about them. They are definitely characters from a different time that at first, I was sort of offended and not at all humored by their experiences. Then, like everyone has a story, I started to see them through a different lens. I don't know what happened but as the book went on, they started to grow on me and I even chuckled here or there.

They definitely went through the grind. I don't recall how the author became interested in writing about them but they both came from some challenging pasts and like other comics, turned tragedy into laughs. Much of their experiences seem a little too good to be true but considering Jerry, anything was possible. They didn't have the sort of careers as megastars of their time but did good as a duo generating interest with signature skits. I really think the author did a great job for the limited information available to give us a glimpse into who they were from his perspective. Like a I said, at first I didn't like them but they grew on me as the book went on but was bummed that there wasn't any information that I could find to see them. Even though the author gives us a great visually on them, places and event, it would've been nice to see pictures to match the face with the words. I should note, I read the digital version so I could be wrong that the actual book might be different. Still, I'd love to see what they looked like.

Overall, it was an interesting experience going through their lives. I thought the book really dove well into their personalities and experiences to bring to life these comedians. If you love comedians and enjoy that era of that sort of comedy, this might be one that you may be interested in checking. 

Review: Textrovert by Lindsey Summers

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The premise of Textrovert is that two teenagers, Keeley & Talon, accidentally pick up each other’s phones. Unfortunately, for them Talon leaves for football camp before they are able to switch back.  For a week, the two communicate via a text and strike up an unlikely friendship. And when they finally exchange phones, secrets and true identities are revealed.

The premise of Textrovert is what drew me to this book. It sounding intriguing, fun, and like the plot of RomCom, I could see someone making in the near future. Unfortunately, I felt a little underwhelmed by the book itself. The plot felt a little rushed. There were times where I had to go back and read a paragraph to see if I had missed something, because somethings did not add up.

The dialogue didn’t flow well. Conversations felt awkward and not real.

Characters

I wasn’t too invested in the characters. They felt a tad underdeveloped, and immature.  They mentioned college several times throughout the book and even visited a campus, but it felt more as a throwaway line than anything. Not as something that could have been used to show what the character’s interest are or what the characters will be doing in the future.

I started the book knowing nothing about Keeley, and I ended it that way as well. Besides, being Zach’s twin sister, who was she?

The characters had a habit of blowing things out of proportion and overreacting. But only the small things. There were a few things that warranted a serious discussion, that they brushed over; move on that in a second.

One of the major problems I had with Textrovert was Talon. I found him annoying the beginning. However, after finding out that he was problematic and did a terrible thing to someone, I disliked him even more.

Although, what he did was in the past, I didn’t like how the characters treated it like a light subject and there were no real consequences for him. I especially did not like how the “he’s changed” card was pulled. He did something wrong that caused emotional distress to another character that caused her to move.

Final Analysis

Textrovert has a good premise that is poorly executed. It’s predictable, and attempts to sell an instalove romance that falls short and lacks depth.

Review: The Lost Castle by Kristy Cambron

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The Lost Castle, the first in her new series, takes the reader through three different time periods of history: The French Revolution, World World II and the present. Inspired by a forgotten heirloom and a moment of lucidity, Ellie Carver was stunned when her grandmother began to share a glimpse of her past that connected her to an important part of history. With her grandmother slipping away due to Alzheimer's, she wished there had been more moments where she could've learned more.  So as he began to talk about a forgotten past including a castle named, The Sleeping Beauty, Ellie's curiosity is piqued when she uncovers new information about her life and a request to unlock secrets of her past. Finding her way back to Loire Valley, Ellie unlocks the mystery to her grandmother's past as well discover secret about her own. 

Overall, I thought the book was really intriguing. There is something special about that region and history that has always interested me. What was fascinating is how the story ties together but the individual experiences especially of Ellie grandmother's past and present. I really loved her getting a chance to get to know her grandmother more by retracing her past. That journey she took to unlock her mystery really was touching to read. The love she had for her grandmother, especially since she was her only living relative, really hits home for those who wish they had more time. The fairy tale inspiration of what happened to the castle brought something interesting to mix. I thought her details of the historical aspects of those periods with her narrative places you at those moments as well as give you a great visual of what is happening. An engaging plot with wonderful characters, you won't be disappointed. I'd recommend this one to your reading list. 

Review: The Story of Our Lives by Helen Warner

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About the Book

They think nothing can tear their bond apart, until a long-buried secret threatens to destroy everything.

Every year they have met up for a vacation, but their time away is much more than just a bit of fun. Over time, it has become a lifesaver, as each of them struggles with life’s triumphs and tragedies.

Sophie, Emily, Amy and Melissa have been best friends since they were girls. They have seen each other through everything—from Sophie’s private fear that she doesn’t actually want to be a mother despite having two kids, to Amy’s perfect-on-the-outside marriage that starts to reveal troubling warning signs, to Melissa’s spiraling alcoholism, to questions that are suddenly bubbling up around the paternity of Emily’s son. But could a lie that spans just as long as their friendship be the thing that tears them apart?

Review

I knew after the first chapter that this was going to be a good one. I love books like this because it reminds me of that sisterhood feeling like with the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. Not so much the story but that female connection to the characters that will on some level resonate or you find comfort of a sense of belonging. This is one that women will definitely feel something for. You might see yourself in one of the girls or it maybe one of your friends. You forget you're reading the book. You feel like you are one of the girls and trust me they will stay with you. They will make you will laugh, cry, get mad but you will feel the love they have for each other no matter what happens to them at anytime during their life.

What I loved about the characters is that no one is perfect and when you think you know someone you don't. We all would like to think that we know each other well but like these gals, there's always something in our lives that we just are embarrassed, ashamed or insecure but if you open up and trust your friends, they can really bring you out of your darkest despair. What was great about this is how the book really brought home that female friendship/relationship and how important it is to have good friends in your life. Yes, we all eventually live our own lives but it takes a good friend to be there for you no matter what. These women went through it all: infidelity, a miscarriage, domestic violence, insecurities and so much more but the tests of their friendships that happened over again, didn't break that bond that was meant to be. 

Overall, this book was a really good read that you can dive into and really take in. The Story of Our Lives is probably my favorite read this year so far. Their individual experiences as well at their collective ones really make you want to keep reading. I really think the author brought something fresh to the story and told it in a way that really stands on its own. I loved how their experiences are chronicled by year so we can see them change and grow. There is so much to love about this book and I hope you add this to your TBR!

Review: Shooting Stars: My Unexpected Life Photographing Hollywood’s Most Famous by Jennifer Buhl

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Rarely in media do we ever hear the perspective of the paparazzi. Most of what he hear about paparazzi are that they are these annoying people who refuse to leave celebrities alone. I do get where celebrities are coming from. It would be truly annoying to have a camera in my face every day. However, it’s always intriguing to hear the other side of the argument. The justification from the paparazzi.

Shooting Stars: My Unexpected Life Photographing Hollywood’s Most Famous was written by a former paparazzi who spent quite a few years capturing the lives of celebrities.  It’s marketed as a “memoir” that “reveals the lives of Hollywood’s rich and famous – from behind the camera.”

I was originally excited for this book, however, in the end I felt a little disappointment. It felt cluttered, not necessarily organized. And towards the end it got a little repetitive.

I appreciate that she incorporated paparazzi jargon into the book, but it felt a little out of place and odd.

And I think the biggest problem I had with Shooting Stars: My Unexpected Life Photographing Hollywood’s Most Famous is that it does a poor job of defending the profession. I wanted a more in-depth look into the conflicting profession. I wanted more an analyzes of the why’s and how’s of paparazzi. For example, where is the line and what happens if it’s crossed?

It worth mentioning that it was not all bad. It’s definitely a quick read and it does have some entertaining moments. For example, her “Being a Celebrity for Dummies” list were my favorite in the entire book.