Review: Save the Date by Morgan Matson

/

This was an enjoyable read. It unexpectedly tugged at my heartstrings a little. The premise of the story is that Charlie Grant’s older sister is getting married at their family home. Which means that all five siblings will be together again. Unfortunately, there are several mishaps, and the wedding starts off to a very rough start.

Like mentioned previously, I enjoyed the book. It was a fun read, and I found myself laughing out loud or even wincing at the situations that the character’s faced or the disaster of the situation. I couldn’t help but wonder how this all would play on screen. It would be glorious because this book features several unfortunate events that happen to the Grant family that are unbelievable but also hilarious.

A major theme within this book was family. Charlie was a particular interesting character. She is the younger sister of the family. All of her siblings have moved out of the house, and she is the only one left. She has this strong desire to drop everything because of her siblings. I’ve never encountered a character like her. Her family is everything to her and she tends to disregard or ignore anything or everyone that she feels would threatened her bond with them. Throughout the book, she’s constantly holding on to this idea of a perfect family. You see her struggle with that. And at the end, you see her come to turns with reality. And that was an interesting journey to see happen.

There is some sort of romance within this book. But it isn’t prominent. When you’re introduced to it, you immediately can guess the true nature of the situation and how it is going to turn out. Which I enjoyed. Because this book is the strongest when it is focused on family. Because there are many lessons to be taught and I wouldn’t want that to be overshadowed by a lack luster or unnecessary romance.

Final Analysis

Save the Date is a smart, funny, and emotional read. You can help but be draw to the unfortunate events that take place in the span of three days.

Review: The Weaver's Daughter by Sarah E. Ladd

/

I love period books that just sweep you off your feet. The Weaver’s Daughter introduced me to Sarah Ladd and I must say that after reading this book, I will definitely add her to my favorite author list. Her beautiful novel effortlessly weaved a story of love, familial loyalty, loss and the empowerment to seek out the truth bringing adversaries to allegiance risking everything to protect the present and future. 

I think the book summary brilliant summaries the heart of the book. Here is what it is about: 

"Kate's loyalties bind her to the past. Henry's loyalties compel him to strive for a better future. In a landscape torn between tradition and vision, can two souls find the strength to overcome their preconceptions?

Loyalty has been at the heart of the Dearborne family for as long as Kate can remember, but a war is brewing in their small village, one that has the power to rip families asunder --including her own. As misguided actions are brought to light, she learns how deep her father's pride and bitterness run, and she begins to wonder if her loyalty is well-placed.

Henry Stockton, heir to the Stockton fortune, returns home from three years at war seeking refuge from his haunting memories. Determined to bury the past, he embraces his grandfather's goals to modernize his family's wool mill, regardless of the grumblings from the local weavers. When tragedy strikes shortly after his arrival, Henry must sort truth from suspicion if he is to protect his family's livelihood and legacy.

Henry has been warned about the Dearborne family. Kate, too, has been advised to stay far away from the Stocktons, but chance meetings continue to bring her to Henry's side, blurring the jagged lines between loyalty, justice, and truth. Kate ultimately finds herself with the powerful decision that will forever affect her village's future. As unlikely adversaries, Henry and Kate must come together to find a way to create peace for their families, and their village, and their souls - even if it means risking their hearts in the process."

Overall, I really enjoyed reading this. For a period novel, she does an amazing job creating a beautiful story that transcends time and just as a reader, you just become some absorbed in this book, placing you in that time. The pace of the book and the way the novel carried itself through the plot was like a gentle breeze. Sarah gives us wonderful characters to dive into and I don’t feel there was a moment that I have any criticism towards the way the book. The layers of the plot peeled itself back as is developed. The story came together the way it was supposed to be. I’m definitely looking forward to what’s to come. I’m recommending adding this one to your TBR list! 

Review: Nightmare’s Eve by Stephen H. Provost

/

Held on the edge of that moment between evening light and dusk, Stephen H. Provost’s NIGHTMARE’S EVE is a collections of horror short stories and chilling poems. From a deal in the dark to a gift to bring words to life, this collection will make you want to sleep with a night-light.

Provost’s writing is self-described in the beginning to be like a collection of Twilight Zone episodes, but there’s something more twisted and fantastical awaiting in these pages. With a mix of Stephen King-like story-telling and M. Night Shyamalan twists, Provost brings our deepest nightmares to life. I dare you to read this book in the dark and go to sleep after.

The characters Provost creates make you feel all sorts of emotions while reading. You’ll hate some of them, feel sympathetic for some, but most of them are just like us, and that’s what scares me the most. This collection has so many humanistic qualities, and those are paired well with the unknown and supernatural. 

Along with chilling tales of monsters and strange occurrences are the poems that can only remind me of Edgar Allan Poe. His poetry in this is riveting and dark, mixed with some “certitude” and great language.

Provost’s collection deserves praise with every single story included, which get better and better as you get deeper and deeper into the madness that only can come from Stephen H. Provost’s NIGHTMARE’S EVE.

Review: Burn The Fairy Tales by Adeline Whitmore

/

This book of poems had potential. I understand what the author was attempting to accomplish. I had hoped that it would be book about empowering women and offering encouraging works. but unfortunately, it was not. 

Burn The Fairy Tales felt rushed, unorganized, and a little repetitive. 

I'm not sure if it was my copy, but all the poems were not separated. For example, the title for the next poem tended to run into the next poem. At times, I was not sure if it was the title for the next poem or if it was a line in the prior poem. It was a little confusing. 

Like mentioned earlier, I understand what the book was trying to accomplish. But it felt rant-y. I love a good rant now and again, but the author tended to focus more on the bad and not on the future. I didn't feel inspired. I felt the author's rage, which is not a bad thing, however, I expected something more. 

I wanted to love the poems, instead of only somewhat liking a few. 

The writing was a little conflicting. The author would say something, and then in another poem say something completely different. 

While reading, I did pick up the similarities between this book and The Princess Saves Herself in This One by Amanda Lovelace. Both books have the same black background and white font color. And also both books are in essence about feminism. Whereas, The Princess Saves Herself in This One succeeds, this book fails. 

Review: The Princess Saves Herself in this One by Amanda Lovelace

/

the princess

locked herself away

in the highest tower,

hoping a knight

in shining armor

would come to her

recuse.

  • I didn’t realize I could by my own knight

There is something intimate about poetry. Also like you are reading someone’s diary. Some writers pour their whole heart and soul into their writing, and although you are experiencing it without personally knowing them, you can feel the heartbreak and pain that they had suffered, and you cannot help but get a sense of who they are as a person. The Princess Saves Herself in This One is the perfect example this.

It is emotional and raw, and I felt that I had somehow gotten ahold of Lovelace’s diary. It was deeply personal, and although I haven’t personally experienced what she had experience, I felt her heartbreak.

The book is separated into four parts- the princess, the damaged, the queen, and you. As the book navigates through those sections, you’re first introduced to Amanda Lovelace’s rocky relationship with her mother, her unhappiness with her body, and you end with her finding herself after leaving a trouble romantic relationship and then her offering encouraging and empowering words to the readers. Her journey is prominent within her writing, and her strength is undeniable.

This isn’t just a book filled with poems, it’s someone’s own character development. And I think that why I found this book to be inspiring. There’s heartbreak. There’s recovery. There’s joy, and there’s hope. And I think most importantly, this book shows you that you can save yourself, and that you do not have to wait for someone to save you.

Final Analysis

The Princess Saves Herself in This One is an intimate look into the life of Amanda Lovelace as she records her life of heartbreak, tragedy, and recovery. Also while providing encouraging and relatable words to others in need.
 

Review: No Cowboy Required by JoAnn Sky

/

We are introduced to Grace Harper. When gets the news of the death of her father, she finds herself returning to the home she left and never looked back from. Inheriting his farm, she is told she would become guardian to her stepbrother, JJ, who she never met and had autism. That wasn’t her only surprise. 

Little did she know, the guy who pushed her out of his life and heart years ago, is at the center of things stirring up the past and unresolved feelings. Giving herself two weeks to get everything together and get back to her life, nothing seems to working as she hoped. Having to deal with the fact he is only one to help her with JJ, she finds herself struggling to fight the pull that is bringing her back to not only her past but also to a certain someone she is trying to forget.

Overall, this was a good book that went really fast. Personally, I would’ve loved to dive more into certain aspects of the plot. I sort of feel like things just started to get really good, then the book was over. The heart of the characters were there but just wished I could’ve had a little more meat to some of the plot points and backstory. Despite that, it was a good read.