3/31/2020 0 Comments The Evil Within by S. M. Hardy
The Evil Within by S M Hardy
My rating: 2 of 5 stars I was excited to read this book, I always love a good paranormal thriller. It started out promising, even if the initial premise was not at all original; personal trauma followed by a mental breakdown and an escape to a secluded cabin in the woods. However, the longer I read, the more I realized that I was to be severely disappointed. Again, a cabin in the woods followed by the untimely death of a loved one is hardly a new concept, so in order to make it succeed, the following story line would need to be mind blowing. Instead, I read a very wordy, British, small town version of the Mr. Mercedes trilogy by Stephen King. All of the suspense and tension fell flat due to the author's overuse of adjectives and her tendency to over explain a scene. She somehow managed to not leave enough to the imagination while also leaving me confused due to a lack of information. It seems that sometimes she got so wrapped up in descriptions that she left out actual, necessary details. I was constantly going back a few pages to see if I had missed something crucial, only to realize it hadn't been explained, or at least not clearly enough. None of the personal stories or people were realistic, or relatable; everyone lacked depth. Their "mysterious" stories either weren't worth hiding in the first place or just boring. The "fight scenes" were muddled and hard to follow. Everything, really, was hard to follow. This author clearly has talent, but suspense is not her forte. View all my reviews
Many thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.
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3/24/2020 0 Comments What It Seems by Emily Bleeker
What It Seems by Emily Bleeker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars If I had to describe this book in one word, it would be "tense". Teeth-grinding, edge-of-your-seat, watching TV while your hands are covering your eyes, TENSE. The highly disturbing and traumatic premise of this book is mixed with exquisite storytelling. An abusive parent/child relationship, escapism via internet, a literal escape, and slowly the walls of secrecy start crumbling and the truth is finally revealed. Families are complex, and "What It Seems" digs into the dark family dynamics of abuse, using two different facades to cover similar problems. When it comes to what you're shown on the outside, nothing is quite WHAT IT SEEMS. View all my reviews
Many thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.
3/24/2020 0 Comments Wine Girl by Victoria James
Wine Girl: The Obstacles, Humiliations, and Triumphs of America's Youngest Sommelier by Victoria James
My rating: 5 of 5 stars Few books cause me to react in the way that this story evoked. From the very beginning, I was drawn into her bizarre and tumultuous family dynamic, the unique, terrifying, and depressing teenage years, and the crazy ups and downs of the early 20s. I now simultaneously (continue to) hate the food service industry while respecting those who succeed and thrive in such a cutthroat atmosphere. At the very start, you know this story will be unlike any other. Victoria was raised in an environment of strife, postnatal depression, teetotaling and a strict religious upbringing that swings to drunkenness, wild parties, drugs, gambling, and a young girl doing her best to survive. Her early lessons in economics from budgeting a grocery list and growing her lemonade stand, and the constant pressure and drive to succeed, become a sustaining force in her life, which ultimately leads to a saga worth reading. Growing up in the ways she was accustomed rarely leads to much more than a repeat cycle of pain and abuse, but Victoria not only exceeds, she ascends, and continues to climb, claw, scrape and scrabble her way to the top. Not only that, it’s done with grit and integrity often lost to her generation. Her career in beverages starts first with lemonade, and then through a series of diners, chain eateries and Michelin star restaurants, she breaks barriers, shatters records, and rises through the ranks of the wine and spirits industry. She exposes the darker side of restaurant service (although, my former, and limited, experience fails to see much light). There is bribery, endless swapping of favors, blackmail, a horrific caste system, and the always prevalent gender inequality. Despite the persistent forward trajectory in Victoria’s life, there are tragic bumps along the way. She manages to push through a lot of trauma but not without emotional repercussions. She shares her experiences not as a victim, but as a survivor. Within each incident, she finds wisdom and the ability to grow and change. Her bravery in sharing her stories is only overshadowed by the callousness and cowardice of her attackers and those who turned a blind eye to the obvious indiscretions. My favorite part of this book was the tastings and descriptions of the different wines. Reading about her education is an education in itself. It makes you want to learn more about wine, visit the places she’s gone, meet some of the people, definitely drink the wine. I even would be game to work at one of the smaller wineries like where she interned. She makes it sound so fun and attainable, when in actuality, it was a lot of work. She makes surviving hellish scenarios look effortless. I’m still in awe of how people can smell the different notes in wines. As a relatively new wine drinker, I can only dream of smelling and tasting like a sommelier (that’s some-all-yay). Victoria is not only a successful, certified sommelier and beverage director, she’s an incredible writer and storyteller. I didn’t want this book to end, but even at the end, I wanted to sit down with her with a bottle of wine and pick her brain further about her time at Marea, find out the true names behind the pseudonyms, and hear more stories about celebrities she’s served. Wine Girl is an immersive experience that I recommend for anyone that enjoys good food, good wine, and a good story. View all my reviews
I received a free book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
3/20/2020 0 Comments Follow Me by Kathleen Barber
Follow Me by Kathleen Barber
Everything about this story is infuriating, but again, I do not feel that this book was made for my age range. That being said, it was very well written, and anything that can make me feel anything so passionately has to be given credit. To feel nothing at all would mean it was awful. My frustration is mainly with the main character. I don't think she's very bright. Definitely naive to think that she can plaster her entire life online and not have consequences. Why she puts up with any of the stuff she does, brushing off advances and people breaking into her home, shows so much immaturity that it's painful. Again, documenting your entire life on social media, just the constant need to post and what to post next, it's annoying. However, the story was good, if not a cautionary tale, a successful whodunnit story. View all my reviews
Many thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.
The Lost Book of Adana Moreau by Michael Zapata
My rating: 4 of 5 stars Reading this book was a unique experience. It is not written in a traditional format, whether that is because I"m reading an ARC or if that is the intention, but its idiosyncrasies can make it a challenge to read. The story in itself is fascinating, I've always loved the premise of trying to find someone that has seemingly disappeared. I also enjoyed the progression of the generations, the main character's origin story. The there are the stories within the story, including the "lost book". It's as if you're reading multiple books at the same time. This was not a page-turner in the traditional sense, it takes time to absorb and digest what you're reading, if anything, to sort out what story you're actually reading, but once you process one part, you definitely want to get back into it and learn the conclusion. View all my reviews
Many thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.
3/16/2020 0 Comments The Sleeper Lies by Andrea Mara
The Sleeper Lies by Andrea Mara
My rating: 3 of 5 stars I was pleasantly surprised with the unpredictability and flow of the story. Right from the start, you're drawn into the book by mysterious footprints, and until the very end, you're trying to guess the outcome. Set against a beautiful Irish backdrop, Marianne's troubles don't start at the beginning of the book, she's led a life of ups and downs that are masterfully detailed and leaves the reader wondering, and reading, more. The multiple story lines come together to create a terrifying picture of isolation, depression, stalking, and ultimately, murder. It makes you think twice about what you know about a person, who really is your friend, and can you trust anyone? View all my reviews
Many thanks to Book Sirens for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.
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