Review: Bette and Joan: the Divine Feud by Shaun Considine

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I must admit that the feud between Bette Davis and Joan Crawford is something that I had only learned in 2017 because of the Ryan Murphy television show. Before then I was vaguely familiar with the two iconic actresses.  

I picked up this book a couple of months ago on a whim. Hollywood is fascinating to me, and I figured I would give this a shot. And it is safe to say that I was not disappointed.

Bette and Joan: the Divine Feud drives into the lives and careers of Bette Davis and Joan Crawford. The book also explores the famous feud between the two. The book is entertaining, enlightening, funny, and also a bit sad. Both Bette and Joan went through a lot to make it big and it is unfortunate that Hollywood was not always so kind to them. And it made me wonder if Bette and Joan would have this feud if they had been a part of this era in Hollywood. Things are much different than they were during their era.

Considine mentions both the good and the bad in the book. He tackles the “Mommie Dearest” rumors head on, and does not deliver a bias reports. Like the majority of the rumors within the book, he provides details from multiple sources to paint the picture for all angles.

Final Analysis

Bette and Joan: the Divine Feud gives an honest depiction of lives of two of Hollywood’s most iconic stars, while also tackling their famous feud.  

Review: The House of Harbor Hill by Shelly Stratton

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Going back and forth from the past and present, The House on Harbor Hill told the story of two women who found the courage to say enough and reclaim their freedom. This incredible story brings the reader through the eyes of two broken spirits on a path to stripping away guilt and residue from being emotionally and physically abused to taking a chance on life without being suffocated by fear.

After being abused by her husband for the last time, Tracy found the strength to run away to protect herself and her children. Falling on hard times, she finds herself with no place to live but stumbles upon an envelope with a note from a stranger giving her the hope that she desperately needed. Not sure what to make of it, she asked a friend about the mysterious woman and was sternly warned from the rumors that had been circulating over the years. Allegedly killed her husband but acquitted, she never seemed to escape the whispers or assumptions. The problem is, there is always another side of the story. In her case, many secrets remain in the past but one day when she sees Tracy and her children, she sees something in her that she recognizes from herself that she desperately wants to help.

As Tracy tries to begin to put the pieces of her life together, Delilah sees so much of herself in Tracy. As these two women find comfort in helping each other, something unexpected changes their calmness and both the past and present collide to force these women to confront the biggest fears and fight to hold onto everything that they worked hard to build. Through determination and resilience, they ladies on their own journeys find a way to conquer being victims to be free.

I can’t put into words how moving the strength and determination of these women really shaped the book. The duality of the story being told from the past (Delilah) and the present really gave the book some deep richness that pushed me more into her journey. I loved Delilah. Being ostracized by the town after being abused, where people didn’t believe her because of the status of her husband, she had no one to help her. I loved how she sought out the people who needed someone and opened her heart and home to give them a place to heal. Then for those women out there like Tracey who are married to rich guys that they feel they can’t get a way, found the strength to say enough is enough and through determination and the love of her children, found a way to stop the cycle of abuse. 

There is so much more to this book that brings it all together that was such a moving, heartfelt read. This was a great read that I hope you will add to your TBR pile! 

Review: We Own the Sky by Luke Allnut

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The loss of a child is probably one of the most difficult experiences a parent can go through. In this beautiful debut, Allnut brings a heartfelt story of the journey of a family whose love for their child carries them through the pain and anguish of experiencing loss. Through hope and love, they fight to make every moment be memorable.

We Own the Sky, is the journey of a family who from the outside seem to have it all. When one day, it was discovered that Jack was ill, after several tests for confirmation, life immediately changed. There was no longer a future. The present became more important that ever. Time was precious and so was every experience. Through their journey, we experience the greatest gift a parent can give their child, eternal love and see how life can be put back together.
 
You know a book is going to be special when you start reading and you stop because you are taken back by how emotional you feel. You don’t know how someone feels unless you are in their shoes. That introduction gave a really insightful perspective of how he felt. Those who have experienced the roller coaster of emotions can relate and for the rest of us all we can do is empathize. This really sets the tone for the book and if you don’t feel anything from that, than I’d check your pulse.

What I loved about the book is the innocence and pure heart of Jack. He was such a fun, loving kid who wanted to live life. It makes the experience tougher when you see it through the eyes of a child like Jack. It can even be harder for the parents because they have to put on a brave front because kids are sensitive to their emotions and behavior. 

Going through this tough journey really can test your relationship and make you make desperate decisions to hold unto time. We see that experienced through Rob and Anna’s relationship. A child who is experiencing a terminal illness can be tough but love for their child conquered all their obstacles. One of the best lessons for parents out there through their experience is how important love and support is. I know many people like to keep to themselves but the power of being part of that support group really helped with their journey. 

Overall, the book was really lovely. This was a beautiful debut that tackled loss, love and the strength of a familial bond. The characters represented an authentic perspective of the ups and downs experienced during loss. Not only the journey but the road to finding life again really leaves you feeling grabs you. I’d recommend this to your TBR pile!

Review: Awake Under the Night Sky by Vanya Sharma

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What if? What if we packed up and moved to another country? What if we sold the business and started over? What if we continued our grandparents’ legacy and helped others? What if? This one little question holds so much power. Life is built on the “what ifs,” the choices we make every day. Foreshadowing the theme, our protagonist rightly perceives that “sometimes life can give us compelling reasons to pick a path we never would have chosen. I guess it’s impossible to foresee what destiny holds for us, and for all you know this might be the path to a new beginning.”

Awake Under the Night Sky by Vanya Sharma follows two young people navigating life’s labyrinth. Andre dreams of reopening his parents’ glass factory in Italy. Vivian, following her grandmother’s footsteps, wishes to provide medical assistance to the poor in Ghana. Crossing paths at a university in India, they unsurprisingly dive into a whirlwind romance in spite of their radically different lives. The plot twists and turns through the ups and downs of their relationship.

While the book begins with a bit of unnecessary character backstory, the real story emerges at the first encounter of the young couple in India. Sharma creates relatable protagonists in real-life situations where Andre and Vivian face the common conundrums of any young couple. They must ask themselves: what is worth sacrificing? What does a life together look like? Is this in fact true love or a passing fling? And ultimately, what if? The story lies in the answers.

Awake Under the Night Sky is a real page turner once the story gets going. I would recommend it in a heartbeat to anyone who loves surprises; my attention remained captured by the ever twisting plot. In the spirit of Nicholas Sparks, Sharma constructs a riveting tale of true love and emotional turmoil that will make even the most callous of readers weep.

Review: Ghost Gifts by Laura Spinella

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A traveling carnival, violets, mysterious disappearance, and a girl with an unusual gift. Twenty years ago Missy, a notoriously average and kind girl, disappeared right before her 21st birthday. Now twenty years later her body is found and a town is rattled. 

Aubrey Ellis had not only an unusual childhood, traveling with her grandmothers carnival, but she also had an unusual gift. Aubrey was able to talk to the dead, though she did not seek them out, she also could not avoid them. Having finally settled in Surrey, a town she used to stop at every year with the carnival, Aubrey had found a way to work as a reporter and handle her gift. When news broke about the discovery of Missy’s body, however, that was all about to change. 

Ghost Gifts is a tantalizing mystery that will suck a reader in, with twists and turns throughout. This story takes a classic idea of having the ability to speak to the dead and puts it into a context that is not only intriguing but relatable. Ghost Gifts is great for any fan of the supernatural or just a fan of a good old fashion mystery. This story will hook you again and again, hoping to learn all of the secrets it has to offer. 

Review: Damage Done by Amanda Panitch

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Words cannot describe how conflicted I am about Damage Done, and it is going to be hard to describe my feelings without spoiling anything. I went in completely blind and left confused and a little frustrated.

Damage Done centers around a teenager by the name of Julia Vann. After a horrific tragedy involving her twin brother, Julia and her family move towns and change their identity. However, the past soon comes creeping in and she is faced with a dangerous situation. She must act soon before it is too late.

I felt disconnected while reading. Given the nature of the past tragedy, I would have expected to feel something. However, I did not, and I think this has mainly something to do with Julia’s narration. From the beginning, I had the feeling that something was off. She immediately felt like an unreliable character and I couldn’t connect with her. Her romance was Michael felt forced and unnecessary.

Another problem I had with Damage Done is that it lacked thrill. The writing did not elevate the excitement. It felt like it was going through the motions and not adding any real substances or seat gripping details or surprises.

When I noticed the direction that the book was leaning towards, I had to take a moment to pause and take a moment. Although, I had suspected earlier that it would be going that route, I felt a little disappointed. It had potential to be a thrilling and gasping twist, however, the book had accidentally revealed all its cards in the beginning and did a poor attempt at hiding it. The twist was not thrilling anymore, it was expected, which was utterly disappointing.

Final Analysis

Damage Done had potential to be a thrilling tale about the extent that the connection that twins harbor. Unfortunately that potential was lost during the execution of the plot.