The Noveltea Corner: Book Review

Book Review

Save the Date Review

5:30 AM

Title // Save the Date

Author // Morgan Matson

Publication Date //July 2018

Publisher // Simon & Schuster

Readership // Young Adult

Genre // Contemporary

Rating // ✭✭✭✭

I received a copy of Save the Date from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Synopsis

Charlie Grant tries to keep her life as normal as possible. Hanging out with her best friend, pining for Jesse Foster - who she’s loved since she was twelve - and generally flying under the radar as much as she can.

But sometimes normal is just another word for stuck, and this weekend that's all going to change. Not only will everyone be back home for her sister’s wedding, but she’s also juggling:

- a rented dog that just won't stop howling

- an unexpectedly hot wedding-coordinator’s nephew

- her favourite brother bringing home his HORRIBLE new girlfriend

- fear that her parents’ marriage is falling apart

- and the return to town of the boy she’s loved practically all her life…

Over the course of four days Charlie will learn there's so much more to each member of her family than she imagined, even herself, and that maybe letting go of the things she's been holding on tightest to can help her find what really keeps them together.

Review

Save the Date is a fun, young adult contemporary book about finding yourself and understanding that your family are people, too.

Charlie Grant is the youngest child in her family, and loves her siblings and her life to bits, but struggles with change, even though it’s happening all around her - her siblings have all moved out, one’s getting married, her parents are selling their family home, and she’s soon to discover that all of them have secrets that she’s chosen to turn a blind eye to for the sake of nostalgia.

She throws herself head first into making sure her sister’s wedding day goes smoothly, addressing each and every obstacle and set-back with a determination that’s admirable, if at times a little worrying. She tries to keep the peace between her family and the guests and puts herself and her needs on the back burner until she can’t anymore and she’s forced to see the world as it is, and not as she wants it to be.

This is an easy-to-read coming of age story that addresses love, lust, loss and family in an easily accessible way. Charlie comes across as quite young for her age, but only because she’s chosen to play the part of the youngest sibling, the baby of the family, for so long that it’s a role she falls into and it’s great to see her start to take steps into her own life and how she plans to create her own story parallel to the story of her family.

I gave Save the Date 4 out of 5 stars.

Book Review

Record of a Spaceborn Few

11:12 AM

Title // Record of a Spaceborn Few (Wayfarers #3)

Author // Becky Chambers

Publication Date //July 2018

Publisher // Hachette

Readership // Adult

Genre // Science Fiction

Rating // ✭✭✭✭✭

I received a copy of Record of a Spaceborn Few from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Synopsis

Centuries after the last humans left Earth, the Exodus Fleet is a living relic, a place many are from but few outsiders have seen. Humanity has finally been accepted into the galactic community, but while this has opened doors for many, those who have not yet left for alien cities fear that their carefully cultivated way of life is under threat.

Tessa chose to stay home when her brother Ashby left for the stars, but has to question that decision when her position in the Fleet is threatened.

Kip, a reluctant young apprentice, itches for change but doesn't know where to find it.

Sawyer, a lost and lonely newcomer, is just looking for a place to belong.

And when a disaster rocks this already fragile community, those Exodans who still call the Fleet their home can no longer avoid the inescapable question:

What is the purpose of a ship that has reached its destination?

Review

Wow.

Just wow.

Anyone who follows my blog or youtube channel will know how much I adore Becky Chambers’ books and writing, and Record of a Spaceborn Few was no different. Set in the same universe as her two previous novels, with characters tied loosely to characters from those books, Chambers explores so many different ideas in this story. Each and every ideas is poignant and draws on the themes of humanity, relationship and life and death.

I’ll admit, it took a minute to get used to all the different character perspectives, but it was well-worth it, and each character that we meet brings a different perspective and history to the story that, once they begin to weave together, creates a rich tapestry of the history of these spacefaring humans who’ve chosen to stay with their fleet, rather than leave and explore the rest of the universe.

The strength in Chambers’ writing, beside her style (which is just gorgeous), is that she develops character so well. Every character is well-defined and as a reader you feel like you know them. You can see the world through their eyes, understanding how their history and experiences shape the way they interact with others.

This is not fast-paced science-fiction; after the disaster at the start of the book, there’s not a lot of action, rather focusing on the impact the opening scenes have on the characters. And it’s just gorgeous.

If you haven’t picked up Becky Chambers’ books before, I highly recommend all of them.

I gave Record of a Spaceborn Few 5 out of 5 stars.

Book Review

Tiger's Roar Review

4:47 PM

Book Review

The Neighborhood Review

5:30 AM

Title // The Neighborhood

Author // Mario Vargas Llosa

Translated by // Edith Grossman

Publication Date // April 2018

Publisher //Faber

Readership // Adult

Genre // Fiction

Australian RRP // $29.99

Rating // ✭✭✭☆

I received a copy of The Neighborhood from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Synopsis

A thrilling tale of desire and Peruvian corruption from the world-renowned Nobel Laureate.

From the Nobel Laureate comes a politically charged detective novel weaving through the underbelly of Peruvian privilege. In the 1990s, during the turbulent and deeply corrupt years of Alberto Fujimori's presidency, two wealthy couples of Lima's high society become embroiled in a disturbing vortex of erotic adventures and politically driven blackmail.

One day Enrique, a high-profile businessman, receives a visit from Rolando Garro, the editor of a notorious magazine that specializes in salacious exposes. Garro presents Enrique with lewd pictures from an old business trip and demands that he invest in the magazine. Enrique refuses, and the next day the pictures are on the front page. Meanwhile, Enrique's wife is in the midst of a passionate and secret affair with the wife of Enrique's lawyer and best friend. When Garro shows up murdered, the two couples are thrown into a whirlwind of navigating Peru's unspoken laws and customs, while the staff of the magazine embark on their greatest expose yet.

Ironic and sensual, provocative and redemptive, the novel swirls into the kind of restless realism that has become Mario Vargas Llosa's signature style. A twisting, unpredictable tale, The Neighborhood is at once a scathing indictment of Fujimori's regime and a crime thriller that evokes the vulgarity of freedom in a corrupt system.

Review

I had never heard of The Neighborhood when it was sent to me unsolicited and I will admit to being rather hesitant to pick it up. I often get that way with books that I have heard nothing about because of a fear of the unknown. While I can say that I probably wouldn’t have picked up The Neighborhood of my own accord, I was pleasantly surprised by this translated work that proved to be filled with political and sexual intrigue, coupled with a very different writing style.

The story follows two high-profile couples who are also friends. One of the men, Enrique, is approached by the editor of magazine with scandalous photos of Enrique from a previous business trip which he threatens to publish unless Enrique invests in his magazine. Upon refusal, the photos are released and Enrique’s life is turned upside down as all eyes turn on him. His wife, meanwhile, has begun an affair with the wife of her husband’s best friend. If that wasn’t enough intrigue, the reporter then turns up dead and both couples are forced to navigate a politically tricky situation.

It sounds very complicated - and it is - but it wasn’t a hard story to follow. I’m the first to admit to being unfamiliar with Peruvian history, so this narrative was, in itself, quite eye-opening for me because it includes quite a bit of political backstory. The story of the two couples involved in the scandal was engaging and watching each person navigate the fall from social grace and search for redemption in the eyes of the public was of great interest. I also appreciated the presence of very strong female characters who take their lives into their own hands, in spite of their husbands.

The one part of the book that left me uncertain, for a while, was a chapter towards the end, titled A Whirlpool. This chapter includes the perspective of every major character in the book, with the perspective shifting from one to the next every other paragraph. At first this left me highly confused and it took me a bit to recognise what was happening. After some time away from the book, I think my impression of that chapter has improved greatly, because it takes skill to be able to weave in all the different storylines together and keep track of them. So while it’s unusual, it may have become one of my favourite aspects.

Overall, I gave The Neighborhood 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Book Review

Monsters Review

11:07 AM

Title // Monsters

Author // Anna Fienberg

Illustrators // Kim Gamble, Stephen Axelson

Publication Date // May 2018

Publisher // Allen & Unwin

Readership // Children

Genre // Fiction

Australian RRP // $24.99

Rating // ✭✭✭✭

I received a copy of Monsters from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Synopsis

Tildy can see monsters that no one else can see and she sleeps with one eye open, until a new friend at school helps her overcome her fear - a delightful new picture book by the popular picture-book creators of Tashi.

Tildy knew there were monsters. They sailed in from outside and hid behind the curtains. Moonlight brought them in. Tildy hated moonlight. Mum and Dad said there were no such things. Her aunt and uncle couldn't see them, and when Tildy wrote to her twenty-three cousins about monsters, only one wrote back saying she shouldn't eat spicy food before bedtime.

Then a new boy came to school. Hendrik drew pages and pages of monsters when the class was writing numbers. He had a way of dealing with his monsters.

When Tildy dares to stay over at Hendrik's house, she panics when the moon rises... but together they make the night safe, and Tildy can watch the moon sail through the starry sky.

Review

Monsters is a beautiful picture book that shows the power of friendship in conquering fears.

Tidy is a little girl who sees monsters everywhere once the sun goes down at night. Her fear stops her from sleeping at night and the lack of acknowledgement from her family members makes her feel miserable all the time. When she makes a new friend at school, he shows her a new way of looking at her monsters, and Tildy finds a way to get through the night without fear.

This gorgeous little book can be interpreted in so many different ways for children - as all the best books can. Tildy is a tough little girl who tries to find solutions to her fears by asking the adults around her only to be met with disbelief or dismissal, which causes her to internalise her fears. It takes the courage of trusting her new friend to help her see past her fears and even finding compassion for them to help her overcome them, which is a great message for young readers.

The illustrations are wonderful, too. As Kim Gamble’s final book, it’s a lovely testament to his skill as an illustrator, as well as Stephen Axelsen, for the way the story is conveyed through this quirky and whimsical style with monsters that could be frightening or intriguing. Anna Fienberg’s storytelling is beautiful and easy to read, and reminiscent of conversations that children would actually have with both adults and their peers.

This would be a great book to read with children who are working on ways to overcome their own fears.

I gave Monsters 4 out of 5 stars.

Book Review

Into the Night Review

7:40 PM

Title // Into the Night

Author // Sarah Bailey

Publication Date // May 2018

Publisher // Allen & Unwin

Readership // Adult

Genre // Thriller

Australian RRP // $32.99

Rating // ✭✭✭☆

I received a copy of Into the Night from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Synopsis

The riveting follow-up to The Dark Lake, acclaimed debut novel and international bestseller.

'The Dark Lakeis a stunning debut that gripped me from page one and never eased up. Dark, dark, dark--but infused with insight, pathos, a great sense of place, and razor-sharp writing. It's going to be big and Sarah Bailey needs to clear a shelf for awards.' C.J. Box, #1 New York Times bestselling author

Sarah Bailey's acclaimed debut novel The Dark Lakewas a bestseller around the world and Bailey's taut and suspenseful storytelling earned her fitting comparisons with Gillian Flynn and Paula Hawkins.

Into the Nightis her stunning new crime novel featuring the troubled and brilliant Detective Sergeant Gemma Woodstock. This time Gemma finds herself lost and alone in the city, broken-hearted by the decisions she's had to make. Her new workplace is a minefield and the partner she has been assigned is uncommunicative and often hostile. When a homeless man is murdered and Gemma is put on the case, she can't help feeling a connection with the victim and the lonely and isolated life he led despite being in the middle of a bustling city.

Then a movie star is killed in bizarre circumstances on the set of a major film shoot, and Gemma and her partner Detective Sergeant Nick Fleet have to put aside their differences to unravel the mysteries surrounding the actor's life and death. Who could commit such a brazen crime and who stands to profit from it? Far too many people, she soon discovers - and none of them can be trusted. But it's when Gemma realises that she also can't trust the people closest to her that her world starts closing in...

Riveting suspense, incisive writing and a fascinating cast of characters make this an utterly addictive crime thriller and a stunning follow-up to The Dark Lake.

Review

Last year I read Sarah Bailey’s debut novel, The Dark Lake, and loved the atmosphere and the troubled protagonist, Gemma Woodstock. The story wrapped up and I thought that was the end of Gemma’s journey, and then Into the Night came out and I was pleasantly surprised by the direction that Bailey took with her character.

When Into the Night begins, Detective Sergeant Gemma Woodstock has left her small hometown and moved to Melbourne - a complete contrast in settings (and also a major drawcard from me, because I love seeing my hometown in books, through the eyes of characters) for Gemma and her family. She’s made difficult decisions, like leaving her ex-husband and young son behind, in order to cope with her life. Alone in a big city, Gemma’s troubles are highlighted even more so by the anonymity that a city like Melbourne can provide. The only stable part of her life is her job, which she is just as committed to as she was previously.

Alongside the journey that Gemma takes, is the case that falls in her lap - a murder on a movie set, with hundreds of witnesses, film footage… and no clue who was responsible for the death. The high profile nature of the crime increases the pressure for Gemma and her new partner, Nick Fleet, to uncover the truth sooner rather than later. There’s a lot of information to sort through, as well as the seemingly perfect life of the victim which turns up more questions than answers, and the reality that just about every person in the victim’s life has a secret to hide.

Overall, I enjoyed Into the Night. Again, one of my favourite parts was simply the atmosphere that Bailey creates when writing about Melbourne. It’s my city, but it’s dark and gritty and kind of scary at times in this story. I also continued to enjoy reading about Gemma’s personal journey - she’s still flawed. Moving away hasn’t fixed her and she’s still trying to figure who she is and who she wants to be. As a woman at a similar age, I totally relate to that.

I did have a few issues with pacing - I felt there were scenes that could have been moved through a bit quicker - but overall, it’s a solid book with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing who the killer is right until the end.

I gave Into the Night 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Blog Tour

Starry Eyes Blog Tour

5:00 AM

Title //Starry Eyes

Author // Jenn Bennett

Publication Date // June 2018

Publisher //Simon & Schuster

Readership // Young Adult

Genre //Contemporary

Rating // ✭✭✭✭☆

I received a copy ofStarry Eyes from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Synopsis

Ever since last year’s homecoming dance, best-friends-turned-worst-enemies Zorie and Lennon have made an art of avoiding each other. It doesn’t hurt that their families are the modern-day version of the Montagues and Capulets. But when a group camping trip goes south, Zorie and Lennon find themselves stranded in the wilderness. Alone. Together.

Zorie and Lennon have no choice but to try to make their way to safety. But as the two travel deeper into the rugged Californian countryside, secrets and hidden feelings surface. Soon it's not simply a matter of enduring each other’s company, but taming their growing feelings for each other.

Review

Starry Eyes is a coming-of-age story for two young teenagers set amidst the Californian countryside as the two former best friends try to reconcile who they once were with who they are now.

I’m pretty picky when it comes to young adult contemporary books, but Starry Eyes had me hooked from the third paragraph, when main character Zorie waxes lyrical on the benefits of a well-planned, washi-taped lifestyle. Had I known about washi-tape in my teen years that would totally have been me. The instant connection to Zorie continued with astonishing relevancy to my own life when she outlined her ambition to become an astrophysicist (also my - sadly, unattained - childhood dream). Where was this book when I was growing up, I ask?

It also doesn’t hurt that it has a trope that I’m quite fond of - enemies to lovers - and it’s written at a slow-burn pace which draws out the drama and intrigue of how and why Zorie and Lennon came to be at odds with one another. Their relationship is complicated, caught between raging hormones and family issues that are not always readily apparent to the other party. And while Zorie and Lennon are front and centre for the entirety of the novel, there was a lot of information given about their families (and the complications that come with families) that grounded the story in reality. The only thing I wished had been fleshed out further was the mutual friendships they had with the group of fellow students they went camping with, but at the end of the day, the friends were more a plot device than an integral part of the narrative as a whole.

Jenn Bennett has a wonderfully engaging writing style that draws the reader in and keeps you turning pages long into the night, and - even though I can think of nothing worse than camping out - she sets the scene so well that you can picture yourself right there alongside the main characters. There are heaps of cultural references, from books to movies to television, that align the narrative with today’s teens (and adults) and it was honestly a pleasure to read.

I’m definitely going to be picking up Jenn’s other books to catch up on what I’ve missed!

I gave Starry Eyes 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Don’t forget to check out the rest of the stops on this blog tour by clicking this link.

Author Info

Jenn Bennett is an award-winning author of young adult contemporary romance books, including: Alex, Approximately; Night Owls; and Starry Eyes. She also writes romance and urban fantasy for adults. Her books have garnered multiple starred reviews, won the Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA® Award, and been included on Publishers Weekly Best Books annual list. She lives near Atlanta with one husband and two dogs.

Twitter // Instagram // Website

Purchase Links

Amazon // Booktopia // Dymocks // QBD // Readings // Kindle // iBooks

Book Review

To Kill a Kingdom Review

5:30 AM

Title // To Kill a Kingdom

Author // Alexandra Christo

Publication Date // May 2018

Publisher //Bonnier (Hot Key)

Readership // Young Adult

Genre // Fantasy

Australian RRP // $19.99

Rating // ✭✭✭☆

I received a copy ofTo Kill a Kingdom from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Synopsis

Dark and romantic YA fantasy for fans of Sarah J Maas - about the siren with a taste for royal blood and the prince who has sworn to destroy her.

Princess Lira is siren royalty and the most lethal of them all. With the hearts of seventeen princes in her collection, she is revered across the sea. Until a twist of fate forces her to kill one of her own. To punish her daughter, the Sea Queen transforms Lira into the one thing they loathe most - a human. Robbed of her song, Lira has until the winter solstice to deliver Prince Elian's heart to the Sea Queen or remain a human forever.

The ocean is the only place Prince Elian calls home, even though he is heir to the most powerful kingdom in the world. Hunting sirens is more than an unsavoury hobby - it's his calling. When he rescues a drowning woman in the ocean, she's more than what she appears. She promises to help him find the key to destroying all of sirenkind for good. But can he trust her? And just how many deals will Elian have to barter to eliminate mankind's greatest enemy?

Review

To Kill a Kingdom is a dark young adult fantasy novel with The Little Mermaid undertones… but with sirens who like to claim the hearts of humans who trespass on the sea. What’s not to enjoy about that?

Lira is the daughter of the Sea Queen, and a renowned (and feared) siren for her determination to kill and take the hearts of human princes every year on her birthday. After she angers her mother, she’s turned into a human as punishment and sent to capture the heart of Prince Elian, a siren-hunting prince more at home on the sea than on a throne. Thrust together on a dangerous quest to find the one thing that will destroy her mother, and sirens, for good, Lira has to stop Elian from finding out who she truly is.

I have mixed feelings about To Kill a Kingdom. I enjoyed it - a lot - but not for the reasons I was expecting. I was hoping for something dark and gritty that had the potential for taking the unpredictable route and going for an ending that didn’t include a romance. Sirens are dangerous creatures who sing humans to their death and what better story than to pit a siren princess against a siren-hunting prince, right? There are elements of that story included, but about half-way through the story it becomes the adventure quest searching for the way to destroy the Sea Queen and sirens and Lira is beginning to question her people’s history (if not her own past) and her mother’s rule.

There are lots of things I really liked: the banter between Lira and Elian was great, the setting and premise was also really fascinating and I liked the elements of The Little Mermaid thrown in. I also liked the idea that mermaids and mermen were not the magical, beautiful beings we’re familiar with. That added a nice, creepy element.

I felt like the side-characters were just there to add dialogue most of the time, and we don’t really get enough of their backstory to be invested in them. I think the ending took the easy way out and opted for forbidden romance and romanticising the idea of sirens rather than sticking to the notion of them being dangerous and fairly ferocious beings. I also didn’t like Elian as much as Lira - he’s a prince running away from his throne and responsibilities, hiding behind the notion of killing the most dangerous siren as a reason.

Overall I enjoyed the book and appreciated what it was trying to do. I would definitely recommend it to young adult readers who enjoy dark fantasy books with some romance thrown in. If you’re looking for a grittier story, it’s probably not the one for you.

I gave To Kill a Kingdom 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Book Review

The Pharmacist's Wife Review

5:30 AM

Title // The Pharmacist’s Wife

Author // Vanessa Tait

Publication Date // May 2018

Publisher //Atlantic (Corvus)

Readership // Adult

Genre // Historical Fiction

Australian RRP // $29.99

Rating // ✭✭✭☆

Trigger warnings // Abuse, sexual assault, drug use/addiction

I received a copy ofThe Pharmacist’s Wife from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Synopsis

A dark and thrilling tale of Victorian addiction, vengeance and self-discovery.

Love. Desire. Vengeance. A deadly alchemy.

When Rebecca Palmer's new husband opens a pharmacy in Victorian Edinburgh, she expects to live the life of a well-heeled gentlewoman. But her ideal is turns to ashes when she discovers her husband is not what he seems. As Rebecca struggles to maintain her dignity in the face of his infidelity and strange sexual desires, Alexander tries to pacify her so-called hysteria with a magical new chemical creation. A wonder-drug he calls heroin.

Rebecca's journey into addiction takes her further into her past, and her first, lost love, while Alexander looks on, curiously observing his wife's descent. Meanwhile, Alexander's desire to profit from his invention leads him down a dangerous path that blurs science, passion, and death. He soon discovers that even the most promising experiments can have unforeseen and deadly consequences...

Reminiscent of the works of Sarah Waters, this is a brilliantly observed piece of Victoriana which deals with the disempowerment of women, addiction, desire, sexual obsession and vengeance.

Review

The Pharmacist’s Wife is one of those books that I’ll admit to being sucked into purely because of its cover. The cover design is gorgeous and foreboding, and as such, an apt introduction to the story itself.

Set in Victorian Edinburgh, Rebecca Palmer is married to Alexander, who opens a pharmacy and begins to experiment and find new medications and treatments. Rebecca believes she’ll live a good life with her new husband until she discovers he’s not who he seems and has secrets of his own that will, ultimately, threaten her life. Alexander pacifies Rebecca’s fears by treating her hysteria with heroin, a wonder-drug he claims will solve all her problems. Thus begins a story of addiction and personal discovery for Rebecca as she tries to survive her marriage.

First up, I want to state that men do not shine very brightly in this particular story - there are men in the story who do respect women and treat them well, but there’s a long time when we don’t see them. Alexander and his business partner, Mr Badcock, are not nice men and they have very low opinions of women, believing everything from menstruation and sexual desire to simple self-confidence is a disease among women that needs to be cured so that men don’t feel uncomfortable. They’re not particularly likeable at all, especially when it’s revealed to be an experiment they want to report on.

Rebecca, however, I found to be a truly intriguing character. She starts off as relatively passive - she follows her husband’s orders (even when she doesn’t want to) and tries to please him in any way she can. She even accepts his medication as a way of trying to make him happy, unaware of the deadly implications of the drug she is taking. There is enough of a rebellious streak in her, however, to seek out a woman, Eva, whom Alexander has warned her off seeing in an effort to uncover the truth about her husband - which is more than which she predicted. She learns to identify her allies, and, eventually, the truth about her husband.

While parts of the story (anything involving Alexander and Mr Badcock) made me so unbelievably angry, that’s the point. The book made me feel all that, all the injustice, and cheer on the female protagonist as she tackles Alexander’s actions head on.

This book won’t be for everyone, but it’s definitely a thought-provoking read. I gave The Pharmacist’s Wife 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Book Review

Someone Like You Review

5:30 AM

Title // Someone Like You

Author // Karly Lane

Publication Date // May 2018

Publisher //Allen and Unwin

Readership // Adult

Genre // Fiction

Australian RRP // $29.99

Rating // ✭✭✭✭✭

I received a copy ofSomeone Like You from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Synopsis

From the best-selling author of Third Time Lucky comes an intriguing, funny and romantic story about past lives and new beginnings.

When bestselling author, twenty-nine year old Hayley Stevens, walked in on her husband, Paul, and her best friend in bed together, she knew her life would never be the same again.

One year later, Hayley stowed her last bag in her much-loved Audi Coupe and said goodbye to the city. She was excited to be heading west to Lochway, a small colonial village sitting on the beautiful Macdonald River. Wanting peace and quiet, Hayley had impulsively bought a cosy sandstone cottage there surrounded by lush rose gardens, with a small overseer's cottage - ideal for a writer's retreat.

What she didn't expect was the almost immediate 'gift' of a very noisy donkey named Errol. Nor did Hayley expect to meet her handsome new neighbour, Luke Mason, when she was covered in mud trying to drag Errol out of Luke's dam. The strange thing was though that Luke seemed very familiar to her.

As Hayley slowly gains acceptance into her small community and starts writing again she becomes almost afraid of the inexplicable visions she sees. What does it all mean? And why does Luke refuse to listen to her?

Written with warmth and humour, Someone Like Youis an intriguing, funny and romantic story about past lives and new beginnings.

Review

Someone Like You was an absolute delight to read.

Reviewing Karly Lane’s books is becoming a staple for me, because I find her writing style easy to read and easy to engage with. Her characters are well-rounded, grounded and easy to fall in love with, which is not always an easy ask in a book.

Hayley’s packed up her life and moved from the city to a small colonial village on the Macdonald River. She’s hoping the move, after her life was upended by the discovery of her husband and best friend having an affair, will give her a fresh start in a beautiful location that’s the perfect retreat to continue writing her books. Within a short period of time she finds herself in possession of a cranky donkey named Errol, and with the arduous task of winning over the locals who see her as an outsider. She also makes the acquaintance of Luke Mason, farmer and neighbour, whose family has a secret history. Meanwhile, she can’t shake the feeling that she’s met Luke before, or that the land around her is more familiar than it should be.

This book had a really lovely thread of magical realism woven through it, as Hayley and Luke begin to unravel the Mason family history, and the tragic love story of two people lost to time. Through a series of ‘visions’ (interpret as you will) Hayley is determined to find the truth and uncovers a story worth writing.

I loved so many things about this book. Hayley is a great character - strong, resilient, and willing to give everything a go. I found it hilarious that she slowly collects an entire menagerie of household guests over the course of the book and takes it all in her stride. She’s determined to uncover the truth behind her visions and sticks to her guns when it comes to confronting Luke about them. Luke’s family were also a highlight, especially his grandmother, who’s quirky and fun and has no issue with trying to play matchmaker.

If you’re looking for something fun, romantic with a little bit of mystery, this is definitely the book for you. I can’t recommend it enough!

I gave Someone Like You 5 out of 5 stars.

About the Author

Karly Lane lives on the mid-north coast of New South Wales. Proud mum to four children and wife of one very patient mechanic, she is lucky enough to spend her day doing the two things she loves most - being a mum and writing stories set in beautiful rural Australia.

Her bestselling novels include North Star, Morgan's Law, Bridie's Choice, Poppy's Dilemma, Gemma's Bluff, Tallowood Bound, Second Chance Town, Third Time Lucky, If Wishes Were Horses and Six Ways to Sunday. Someone Like You is her eleventh novel.

Book Review

Tight Quarters Review

5:17 PM

Title // Tight Quarters (Out of Uniform #6)

Author // Annabeth Albert

Publication Date //July 2018

Publisher // Carina Press

Readership // Adult

Genre //Romance, LGBTQIA+

Rating // ✭✭✭✭

I received a copy ofTight Quarters from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Synopsis

Petty Officer Bacon, a navy SEAL and ace sharpshooter, has been on the front lines of more than his fair share of dangerous ops. Yet when a minor injury relegates him to the beta team, he’s tasked with what may be his riskiest assignment yet: the silver fox journalist he’s babysitting is the hottest, most charismatic man he’s ever encountered.

Award-winning journalist Spencer Bryant may have been named one of Pride magazine’s most eligible bachelors of the year, but he’s not looking to change his relationship status. He’s a consummate professional who won’t risk his ethics or impeccable reputation by getting involved with a source. Even a sexy-as-hell military man. But while Spencer can resist his physical attraction to Bacon, he has less control over his emotions—especially when the mission goes sideways and the two men are trapped alone.

Getting out of the jungle alive turns out to be easy compared to facing the truth about their feelings for one another back in the real world. And whether or not they can build a future is a different story altogether.

Review

Returning to the Out of Uniform series is always a delight, because the characters and the story are fun, easy to read and always pack a bit of an emotional punch.

Tight Quarters, while not my favourite in the series, is no different, and it was great to see Petty Officer Bacon’s story expanded and fleshed out. His mildly antagonistic attitude towards Spencer initially was also a nice touch to show growth between both characters. I also liked how this book called out and addressed some of the homophobia that still existed within Bacon’s SEAL team in this book. It seemed more out there than usual, and it was refreshing to see the impact that takes mentally on people who identify as LGBTQIA+ and the people who know them, too.

The story, while predictable, remained intense and fun. It was great to return to an active duty character on a mission, and see them deal with the implications of navigating a relationship while on the job. However, given that Bacon was kept in the dark about most of the original mission (and thus the audience), I felt a little disconnected from it, so while Bacon and Spencer had plenty to worry about, the stakes didn’t necessarily feel that high from my perspective as a reader. (But in all honesty, I doubt that was the point of the plot, given it was more about bringing Bacon and Spencer closer together, so that’s a minor issue from me.)

Overall, I loved being back in the series. Great characters, fun stories with romance and some sex thrown in for good measure.

I gave Tight Quarters 4 out of 5 stars.

Book Review

Ignite the Stars Review

8:56 AM

Title // Ignite the Stars

Author // Maura Milan

Publication Date // September 2018

Publisher // Albert Whitman and Company

Readership // YA

Genre // Science-Fiction

Rating // ✭✭

I received a copy ofIgnite the Stars from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Synopsis

Everyone in the universe knows his name. Everyone in the universe fears him. But no one realizes that notorious outlaw Ia Cocha is a seventeen-year-old girl.

A criminal mastermind and unrivaled pilot, Ia has spent her life terrorizing the Olympus Commonwealth, the imperialist nation that destroyed her home. When the Commonwealth captures her and her true identity is exposed, they see Ia’s age and talent as an opportunity: by forcing her to serve them, they will prove that no one is beyond their control.

Soon, Ia is trapped at the Commonwealth’s military academy, desperately plotting her escape. But new acquaintances—including Brinn, a seemingly average student with a closely-held secret, and their charming Flight Master, Knives—cause Ia to question her own alliances. Can she find a way to escape the Commonwealth’s clutches before these bonds deepen?

In this exhilarating edge-of-your-seat sci-fi adventure—perfect for fans of The Lunar Chronicles—debut author Maura Milan introduces our world to a thrilling new heroine.

Review

I was only a few pages into Ignite the Stars when I got the sinking feeling that I knew this story. Ignite the Starsis a very average young adult science-fiction story with a lot of familiar elements. And I mean ‘a lot.’

Do you recognise any of these tropes and traits: a prickly, mercenary female character, caught and imprisoned and given a chance to redeem herself? A school-like environment built upon competition? An inappropriate love-interest that becomes an insta-love situation when said female character shows amazing skills that others don’t have? Roommates who can’t stand each other?

They’re all in here, plus more. And they’re not bad things to include in a story - it just felt like it has all been done before and there wasn’t sufficient depth or exploration of any of them to make me feel like I was invested in the story, or the characters.

If we want to get technical, there’s nothing wrong with the story or the writing style - it’s alright. It’s easy to read and I’m sure there will people out there who really enjoy this story, especially if you're fans of Throne of Glass or Zenith. It just wasn’t what I was after in a science-fiction story and so I was left disappointed.

Ignite the Stars is due to be released early September, 2018.