Review: How the Light Gets In by Jolina Petersheim

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Honestly, when I finished the book, I didn’t know how to feel. I gave it some time, went back and read the last chapter again, then I felt at a cautious ease. I don’t want to give anything away but the third part of the book into it’s conclusion. left me a bit rattled because of the invested interest the journey takes you on. Despite this, overall it was a beautiful story that delve into grief and working yourself towards finding that affirmation that it’s ok to move forward without feeling guilty.

How the Light Gets In, introduces us to Ruth, who is trying to put her life together after the news of the death of her husband and father in law. Her marriage prior to hearing this news wasn’t the best it could be and now having to mourn what was and could’ve been really have taken it’s toll. At the request of her mother in law, they set out to Wisconsin to bury her husband and temporary reside with a relative to deal with their grief.

Elam, recluse and shy, found it to be a challenge and a blessing. After the loss of his mother, he found it hard to open his heart to anyone. When his aunt and Ruth extended their stay through the harvest, there was something that drew him to Ruth that he hadn’t felt in a long time. As time passed and Ruth got in a rhythm of living again, she unexpectedly felt something stir within whenever Elam was around. As time started to heal her wounds, a friendship began to blossom between the two. Inspiring each other, Elam helped give her the seeds to plant and grow something in her that made her find a purpose. Then something happens that might change the path she is on like the poem of the fork in the road. Her path will be the determinate of her fate.

Overall, this was a beautifully written book that will definitely have you glued to the pages. This journey of grief led her down a path that she dealt with it in her own way that when you get to the end, you may or may not agree with something major that happens. I’m definitely on the fence with how I feel based on how it ended because I felt a certain way regarding the path of Ruth and Elam and then two things happen that just really make the book stand out. I’m really curious about the feedback on this book. This was one that I couldn’t stop reading and hope you will add this to your tbr list.

Review: The Wrong Game: A Sports Romance by Kandi Steiner

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Buy on Amazon

Buy on Amazon

The Wrong Game was everything I had hoped it to be and more. It was funny. It was sweet. And it was a little heartbreaking at times.

The Wrong Game tells the story of Gemma who has purchased season tickets to every Bears game for her and her husband. However, due to unfortunate and tragic circumstances her husband, excuse me- ex-husband is unable to attend. That is until Zach Brown offers to fill in and be her practice rule for dating.

Characters

Reading this book was an enjoyable experience, and I couldn’t help but fall in love with the characters.

Both Gemma and Zach were extremely likable, complex characters. The chemistry between them was amazing. There’s nothing better than a banter between two people who deserve to be together.

It was interesting to see both Gemma and Zach develop as the story processed. Their story never felt rushed or overdramatic. It felt realistic. Especially, Gemma’s fears. It was understandable that she would be hesitant. Her husband was terrible.

Another positive about this book was that not only was the romance relationship important, it really stressed the importance of the main characters’ relationships with the supporting characters. For example, Zach’s relationship with his family and Doc. Also, Gemma’s relationship with her best friend, Belle, and her grandfather. All the relationships in the book were well developed and all characters benefitted from them.

I would also like to point out that Belle was the funniest person in the book. Although she was only a supporting character, she shined and was a scene stealer. She was laugh out loud funny and I would love to have a book based solely on her and her romance adventures.

Final Analysis

The Wrong Game has all the right ingredients. It’s funny. It’s heartfelt and it has an amazing love story.

Review: On the Same Page by N. D. Galland

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On the Same Page, was such a lovely cute book that sets the reader smack in the middle of Martha’s Vineyard. We are introduced to Joanne who has returned to the island to take care of her uncle Hank. Getting readjusted to the island life, she is in desperate need to work and finds it in one of the local newspapers. Seeing that this gig won’t take care of the bills, she secretly decides to use an alias to write also for the rival paper which makes life a bit complicated. There is this unspoken rule between them. You know small town papers that compete against each other. Half the town supports one, and the other half the other paper. When she finds herself getting too close to a story, which happens to involve the one person who everyone in town seems to despise, she has to make a decision that might be more than just her story.

Overall, the book had a lot of charm. It was witty and fun. The relationship with Joanna and her uncle will definitely make you chuckle. Not just between them but also with the other characters as well. Their banter throughout among the book makes me wish I would’ve listened to the audio version. Small community settings are always the best because of their intimate relationships and that inviting feel you get into their town and lives. You will laugh at moments, have fun with some cool characters and be whisked away to the charm of the endearing Martha Vineyard.

Review: Evoke by Danielle Simmons

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Buy on Amazon

Buy on Amazon

Evoke centers on Laney Thomas after she awakens from a coma with light memory of what happened. Her and her best friends were tragically involved in a car accident, and unfortunately, she is the only one who made it out alive.

Evoke was a solid read. It had enough to keep me reading, however, there were times when it was a little frustrating. For example, the withholding of information. I understand that this book centers on the mystery and secrets. Still, it was a little frustrating that a character would vaguely allude to something in front of Laney and although she asked them to tell her, they would not. I didn't quite understand why they would keep the information from her. She found out pretty earlier on that her friends died so the other information felt small in comparison.

Another issue I had was the romance. Especially the loop sided love triangle. I had no issue with the romance between Laney and Evan, but I could have done without the stalkerish subplot with Dean. Quite frankly, it made me uncomfortable and I don’t think the book needed that. It felt unnecessary and I think the plot between Laney and her friends was stronger.  

Enough about the bad; I want to talk about what I enjoyed. I found Evoke to be incredibly heartbreaking at times. Especially when Laney found that her friends had not made it. The author really did a great job of capturing that pain and heartache.

And although it was small in comparison to the other events, I really enjoyed the relationship that Laney and her mother had. It was cute and very loving.

Final Analysis

Evoke has the bad, but it also has a good. And all and all, it’s a pretty decent read.

Review: Flights by Olga Tokarczuk

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Translated for the first time into English,  Flights by Polish novelist Olga Tokarczuk, has finally landed.  A beautifully fragmented book, Flights executes a perfect blending of fiction, history, and an undiluted observation of the world at large and of the exceedingly small. The novel’s narration is at times omnipresent and at others, co-piloted by an unnamed but immediately familiar  protagonist. The book  acts as a fulcrum from which readers are transported from one of over a hundred vignettes on to the next—occasionally to return and find that things have inevitably changed, having moved on—as if by flight. A man combs over an entire Croatian isle in search of his missing wife and son.  Another visits the widow of an esteemed colleague in hopes that she will divulge long-kept vocational secrets. Chopin’s heart is smuggled by his sister back to his native Poland. Dutch anatomist Philip Verheyen discovers the achilles tendon. The captain of a commuter ferry shuffling unsuspecting passengers turns his helm toward the open sea.

 In one such vignette it is said, “Only what is different will survive.” If those words are to be believed, Tokarczuk will be sustained on such unrivaled and unique writing. As a long-time lover of European novelists such as Milan Kundera and an chronic journeyer my heart leapt with the recognition brought forth by Tokarczuk’s contemplation of modern-day travel. To hear it all rendered by a female voice made me wonder where this translation has been all this time. It was a wonderful read. Flights is a museum of a book; artfully arranged, edifying, fascinating, and insightful.

Spotlight: The Confident Woman Devotional: 365 Daily Inspirations by Joyce Meyer

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With the new year just beginning, many of you will be setting your goals and aspirations for the upcoming year. For those of you out there faith driven and looking to be the best you can be, Joyce Meyer has this beautiful devotional that will uplift your upcoming year. For those of you who don't know her background, she had some trials that crippled and challenged her faith, confidence, emotional and physical spirit. On the outside, the world saw this bold, strong woman but internally she felt the opposite. Over time and faith, she overcame her personal obstacles to build a more confident self. This devotional, inspired by the lessons she learned through the strength of her faith and how to overcome her fears and insecurities.

This beautiful expanded edition, based on her book The Confident Woman, is gorgeous. The cover, texture, and symbolism of a woman with branches surrounding her are so inspiring. I'm not sure if this was intended but how inspiring see those branches expand in growth around her. Her devotional features new insights, inspirational quotes and practical ways to incorporate faith in your life. For those women out there who may feel broken, lost confidence, compare yourself to others, this devotional gives you a personal insight of someone who understands and knows how you feel but want to help your journey towards a more confident life. Just a side note, I started at the beginning of the year and I've found each daily inspiration has really left a comforting and encouraging imprint to embrace the new day with an inspired foot. For those of you who are faith driven, this one I encourage you to get regardless of where you are as a reminder as a reminder to "walk boldly" and love your life and yourself first.

#Sponsored by FaithWords