Reviews, Etc.

REVIEW: What I Like About Me by Jenna Guillaume

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Peachtree Publishing in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary


Maisie and her mom are off for the winter holiday. Her dad is working instead of going to the beach. Maisie’s best friend, Anna, is coming along on the trip which is perfect timing. (She recently caught her boyfriend cheating.) Anna’s mom is going away for the holiday, so Anna was going to be alone.

Maisie is excited to be getting away, even if she does have to do a journal writing/self-discovery assignment for school over the break. The family is going where they always go for vacation. Which means Sebastian will be there.

Maisie and Sebastian’s parents have been friends for ages. The two teens have grown up together. And while Sebastian has gotten hotter as the years have gone on, Maisie has only gotten more awkward. And this trip is no different. If anything, the awkward is dialing up a notch or two.

And through it all – the trip, questions about her parents’ marriage, her feelings for Seb, his new relationship, the arrival of Maisie’s “perfect” older sister and her new girlfriend, and Maisie’s entry into a beauty pageant, she’s journalling her thoughts and feelings for school. Who knows what she might discover about herself by the time the vacation is done?

Review


This was so good! I really enjoyed Maisie’s evolution through the story. While it covers about a month of time, a LOT happens for Maisie, her family, and her friends.

The central story is really Maisie’s self-acceptance. As a plus-sized young woman, Maisie feels self-conscious. She won’t wear a swimsuit on the beach. She’s been hurt by others who have judged her by her weight – including people in her own family. And she’s developed a protective response of assuming the worst to defect against her fear of rejection. The pageant pulls all of that to the front of Maisie’s awareness and forces her to deal with some of it.

The other major piece of this is Maisie’s crush on Seb. When he starts dating someone else, Maisie pretends to herself – and to others – that she doesn’t care. She misses the signs that there might be someone interested in her because she thinks her size makes that impossible. While parts of this plot line were predictable, at least to me, I still loved watching it play out.

There’s a lot to enjoy here –  a romance, a body-positive thread, some amazing characters (Leila is my favorite), and tons of family and friendship pieces. Be sure to check it out. (Language, sexual references, underage drinking)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

BONUS REVIEW: The Enneagram and You by Gina Gomez

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Adams Media in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary/Structure


The book begins with something of a quiz for readers to help them identify their Enneagram type. Then there’s some introductory and background material before the author dives into a description for each of the nine types (about 5 pages of content per number). Then the book considers the numbers in pairs – Type One with Type One, Type One with Type Two, etc. – in the areas of relationships at home, romantic relationships, and relationships at work.

 

Review


In a lot of ways, this is an introductory level Enneagram book. There’s a lot of breadth. There’s a brief introduction to the nine types and some of the features of each (wings, stress and security numbers, strengths and challenges). A good portion of the book looks at the numbers in various relationship contexts.

My first concern is with the quiz. Most certified teachers will tell you that tests are notoriously bad at helping people find their true Enneagram Type. In fact, the tests can put someone on the wrong path for a long time, leaving the individual frustrated because their number only sort of fits. (You can find pieces of yourself in all nine types.) The best approach for discovering your number is to listen to some highly respected teachers (The Enneagram Journey Podcast by Suzanne Stabile is my personal favorite.). And then do some reading on the types. (You can see my reviews of other Enneagram resources here.)

My favorite thing about this resource is the author’s exploration of the various triads involved in the Enneagram – stances, or the Hornevian triads; Harmonic triads; Object Relations triads; and then the usual centers of intelligence. In my opinion, these triads are easily second or even third level material on the Enneagram. They can be helpful to beginners, because if someone finds themselves in a particular triad, it narrows their possible type from nine down to three. If they find themselves in a couple triads, they might be able to pin their number down even farther. But most introductory materials don’t dig into anything beyond the centers of intelligence.

I was delighted to find the triads piece in this book, but it is really only touched on. I would love to find a meaty resource that really digs into that level of study, but this is not that resource.

If a beginner asked me where to start, I would still recommend The Road Back to You before any other resource. And for those looking to dig into the types in relationships, I would suggest The Path Between Us. But this is a resource that could also work as an introduction to the Enneagram and to the Enneagram in relationships for those starting to explore their type.

Rating: ♥♥♥½

REVIEW: The Honey-Don’t List by Christina Lauren

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Gallery Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary


Carey has been working for Melly and Rusty Tripp for ten years. She was 16 when she started working in their shop in Jackson Hole. Now they are nationally recognized celebrities with TV shows and best selling books.

James applied to be the head engineer for the Tripps’ TV show. He needs this job because his last one went up in flames when the arrests started happening. He’s not exactly sure how he went from engineer to personal assistant, but that’s what role he falls into these days.

Carey and James had been looking forward to sending their bosses off on a long book tour so they could get a little break from the work – and the couple. But on the eve of the launch for the Tripps’ marriage and relationship book, Carey and James catch Rusty with another woman. The powers that be decide that Carey and James must go on the book tour, too. They have to wrangle the Tripps and keep the public and the media from discovering how fractured their relationship is. If Carey and James fail at this, everything the Tripps have built could go off the rails and leave the two assistants with nothing.

Review


I thoroughly enjoyed this! The premise is terrific. The Tripps are a hot mess of ego and expectation, manipulation and malice. And at the start, Carey and James feel completely stuck. By the end the reader realizes that Carey is less stuck by her circumstances than she thinks she is. Maybe her issues are more learned-helplessness related. She thinks the abuse and manipulation is what she has to endure because she doesn’t think she has any other choices in her life.

James and Carey are a delight. They might be my favorite Christina Lauren couple from the books I have read so far. They go from strangers to “misery-loves-company” coworkers, before the chemistry between them evolves. And it’s terrific.

There are notes from a police interview scattered throughout the book. I’m not convinced they were essential to the story. They foreshadow that something big is coming. And they also made for something of a division between “before” and “after.” But I think the story would have worked without it, too.

Fans of this writing duo’s work should be sure to check this one out – as should fans of general contemporary romance. This one was a lot of fun to read! (Language, sex)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: Winterborne Home for Vengeance and Valor by Ally Carter

Summary


April has lived in foster care since her mother left her with a note and a key April’s always worn around her neck but never understood. That key was the launching point for April’s adventure.

While on a museum visit, April recognizes that her key matches a Winterborne family heirloom – a jewel-covered box. She sneaks into the museum only to discover the key won’t turn. Then, she accidentally sets the museum on fire.

When April wakes up in the hospital, she finds her life has changed. Ms. Nelson represents the Winterborne Family Foundation, and they offer to take April in. She and four other kids are cared for at the huge and mysterious Winterborne mansion.

April is eager to see if her key will lead her to any answers about her mother, so she explores the mansion. As she slowly gets to know the other kids, she also discovers some mysterious goings on at the mansion. How far will a mysterious figure go to make sure no one believes what April says she has seen and to keep their own secrets?

Review


This was fantastic!! I only planned to get a few chapters in when I stared this. Next thing I knew, I was at the end. I could not put this down! The kids, the mysteries – all of it was perfect!

I am a sucker for a book with a great ensemble, and this has one. Each one of the kids has a story I would eagerly read. And even though I fell in love with each one just on the little I discovered in this book, it’s clear there is so much more to learn about each of them.

The mysteries are exceptional. Tons of twists and turns, including some at the very end. And even more unanswered questions to be addressed in future books.

And I hope there will be TONS of future books! This is the sort of book I would hand to every kid I know. This is for older middle grade readers (10+) and teens, I imagine due to the action and some violence involved in the mystery. I have yet to read an Ally Carter novel I didn’t love. But this is now one of my all time favorites. Fans of her previous books should run right out and get this one. You will not be disappointed.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

 

BOOK NEWS: March 31, 2020

How is it that we are already at the end of March?! Here are some of the new books out this week:

Books for Kids


Your Nose! – The latest board book from Sandra Boynton.
Hound Won’t Go (April 1) – In the middle of a walk, in the middle of an intersection, Hound decides he’s done.
Peanut Goes for the Gold – Picture book from Jonathan Van Ness (Queer Eye) about a gender nonbinary guinea pig with flair.
The Princess and the Petri Dish (April 1) – A princess who prefers petri dishes to curtsies gets a bright idea.
Rover Throws a Party: Inspired by NASA’s Curiosity on Mars – A lonely Mars rover plans a birthday party.
Pete the Cat’s Family Road Trip – Pete’s family explores America in this early reader.
Prance Like No One’s Watching: A Guided Journal for Exploding Unicorns – A funny activity book for kids from humor writer James Breakwell.

Books for Older Kids/Teens/Young Adults


Dog Diaries: Mission ImPAWsible – Book 3 in the Dog Diaries series from James Patterson. Junior’s family goes on vacation and leaves him behind where he has his own adventure.
Fins (Sharks Inc.) – Book 1 in the Sharks Incorporated series. Three kids help Doc Ford protect sharks from poachers by tagging them for research. But their work puts them in danger where they will have to learn to work together.
The Great Upending (Older Middle Grade) – A struggling family plays host to a famous writer. While the kids are supposed to leave “The Mister” alone, Sara figures if they steal the ending of his series finale, maybe his publisher will pay them the money she needs for a life saving surgery. I’ve already requested this one at the library!
How to Make Friends with the Sea – A boy living in the Philippines with his zoologist mother has collected a slew of fears and anxieties as they have moved around over the years. When his mother takes in an orphan with a cleft lip, the boy finds that his fears fade when he focuses on helping the girl. I have requested this one, too.
Twilight Hauntings – First in the new Enchanter’s Child series by the author of the Septimus Heap series (Magyk, etc,) A girl with magic powers is betrayed by her foster sister because magic is forbidden. While the girl is able to escape the city, she finds that she is the target of creatures hunting for Enchanters and their children.
What Stars Are Made Of (Older Middle Grade) – A girl makes a bargain with the universe – she will enter a contest and if she wins and gives the money to her pregnant sister and her husband, that means their baby will be born healthy.
Wink – A boy with cancer longs to blend in, but that is no longer an option that is going to work out for him. Illustrated novel based on the author’s life.
We Are the Wildcats – The girls on a field hockey team on the evening before their first game host their usual initiation ceremony, but their coach takes things in a new direction.

Books for Adults


Before I Called You Mine (Trade Paperback) – A first grade teacher committed to international adoption has agreed to stay single through the whole adoption process. But as her match with a child becomes a real possibility, a new man drops unexpectedly into her life and could make her commitment to staying single waver.
Daughter of Cana (Trade Paperback) – Book 1 in the Jerusalem Road series by Angela Hunt. Twins working a wedding in Cana are amazed when a wedding guest turns rainwater into wine. When the brother decides to follow the teacher, his sister teams up with Jesus’ younger brother to trail the group until she can bring her brother home.
Dead in the Doorway (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 2 in the House-Flipper Mystery series. A Nashville house-flipper finds the perfect property for her next project. Too bad there’s that dead body blocking the entrance.
A Fatal Yarn (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 5 in the Knit and Nibble Mystery series. I love these just for the darling covers. I really need to read them soon. Someone is covering trees with yarn to hide the fact that the mayor has marked them for removal. When the mayor is murdered, one of the Knit and Nibble knitters is the prime suspect.
Gone With the Whisker (Mass Market Paperback) – Book 8 in the Bookmobile CAT Mystery series by Laurie Cass, not to be confused with the Bookmobile Mystery series by Nora Page. When Minnie’s visiting niece discovers a body at the Fourth of July fireworks, Minnie realizes it is a bookmobile regular. She and her cat Eddie are on the case!
Lily Barlow: The Mystery in the Mangroves (Trade Paperback) – Book 2 in the Lily Barlow series. Back in Virginia to help her dad after a heart attack (and solve a murder), Lily is wrestling with whether she should stay there when she is drawn into another mystery. After reading the full description of this book, it seems best if readers start with the first book (The Mystery of Jane Dough) to get a handle on all the goings on here!
The Sunday Potluck Club (Trade Paperback) – Book 1 in a new series. A pair of grieving women who connected at an Anchorage hospital cancer ward start meeting on Sundays for a pitch in and inviting other grieving women to join them.
The Traitor’s Pawn (Trade Paperback) – An FBI agent tracking down a person selling government secrets is drawn into a kidnapping case when he realizes he knows the victim.
Colossians: A Biblical Study (Hardcover) – A Bible study by Joyce Meyer.
Midnight Mom Devotional: 365 Prayers to Put Your Momma Heart to Rest (Hardcover) – A devotional for moms. Great gift idea for Mother’s Day.

REVIEW: How to Speak Boy by Tiana Smith

Summary


Is it weird to have a nemesis in high school?

Because Quinn Edwards does – Grayson Hawks. Handsome, smart, son of the governor. Her fiercest competitor in everything since he moved to town. Even when she beats him, he is always hot on her heels. Like with the captaincy of the speech and debate team. She couldn’t just beat him and have it all to herself. Nope, they had to be CO-captains.

Quinn’s best friend, Naomi, thinks Grayson likes Quinn. He flirts with her all the time! But Quinn thinks her friend is delusional. Even if he was flirting, Grayson is NOT to be trusted.

Assignments at their school are done by student ID numbers instead of name. So when Quinn gets someone else’s AP Government assignment, she starts exchanging notes with that person. All business at first, then turning playful. It’s thrilling to have this honest little relationship with a stranger – to say things she would never say to anyone else.

As Quinn struggles in some of her classes and bombs her first speech meet, her notes with #15211 have become a highlight of her day. Should they share who they are? Or is it better to leave things secret for now?

Review


This was darling! It’s You’ve Got Mail set in a high school around speech and debate team. I loved it! The chemistry between Quinn and Grayson jumps off the page. Even when she thinks she hates him, their banter and bickering shows there’s potential for something more.

I loved how the notes played out. At first, Quinn just enjoys them, but eventually she combs through them looking for hints. I loved watching the story unfold, watching her try to figure out who the hints lined up to.

Through the ups and downs, the warm moments and the trials, I adored Quinn and Grayson, both individually and together. They are my favorite sort of YA pair – smart, endearing, and kids you are always rooting for. Don’t miss this one!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

BONUS REVIEW: If I Never Met You by Mhairi McFarlane

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and William Morrow Paperbacks in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary


Laurie and Dan have been together since they were teens. They’re each other’s first and only love. They work together; they live together. And after 18 years as a couple, it’s time to have a family. At least, that’s what Laurie thought. Dan, however, is thinking he wants something else. No only does he not want kids, but he doesn’t want to be with Laurie any more.

After the break up and clear evidence that, instead of pining over her and wanting her back, Dan has moved on, Laurie can’t escape the aggravating scenario. Everyone at work knows. It’s clear that Laurie and Dan are at the top of the gossips’ list of hot topics. And it’s only getting worse.

Jamie Carter has an interesting and cynical view of long term relationships. And it could cost him a big move at work. The partners find his cavalier, different-woman-every-weekend lifestyle unsettling. They’ve actually come out and said he needs to find someone steady and conventional.

When Laurie and Jamie spend a couple hours trapped in an elevator and then go for a drink afterwards, the idea strikes. If they pretend to have a relationship together, he gets the respectable match the partners want, and Laurie can rub Dan’s nose in her own “moving on.” Once they both get what they want, they “break up.” Everyone wins. What could possibly go wrong?

Review


When I started this, I wasn’t a fan. I didn’t care for Laurie or Dan, and we didn’t really get any time with Jamie until the book was 25% done. My expectations for this to be like other fake relationship books did not serve me well either. This isn’t like other fake relationship stories.

This is really more of a self-discovery, self-recovery story for Laurie. And once I realized that, I grew to like it. I enjoyed watching her puzzle out the break up with Dan. Where did it come from? What signs did she miss? What does the break up say about her as a woman and as a romantic partner?

The foreshadowing of the fall out over this fake relationship is blatant. When Laurie’s friend challenges her about the lying and asks how she reconciles a fake relationship at work with her general integrity, it was startling. It put me on edge (in a good way) waiting for things to fall apart. It gave a whole new sense of the story at that point.

I also enjoyed the fact that the fake relationship was not physical. It allowed Jamie and Laurie to process her break up. If this had had a lot of physical moments rather than emotional ones, I think I would have liked the story less.

The change in Jamie’s philosophy of relationships was abrupt for me. The author uses it for the plot well – Laurie doubts the change is real, adding to the conflict between them. But I didn’t feel we got as much of Jamie’s transformation over time as we do Laurie’s. It’s really more HER story than THEIR story.

If you enjoy the fake relationship trope, but you want it to play out in some new ways, don’t miss this one. (Language, sexual references, off-page sex)

Rating: ♥♥♥½

REVIEW: The K Team by David Rosenfelt

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Minotaur Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary


Corey Douglas is a former-cop-turned-private-investigator. His business partners are Laurie Collins (wife of much-loathed defense attorney Andy Carpenter), Marcus Clark, and Simon Garfunkel, Corey’s German shepherd. Corey and Simon worked together at the police department before retiring.

Their first case as a team is for local judge Henry “Hatchet” Henderson. He’s a tough, by-the-book judge who is being blackmailed for something he didn’t do. He’s been set up thoroughly. And if he doesn’t do what the black mailers want – something that is still a mystery – they’ll expose him with their fake evidence.

The “evidence” against the judge wasn’t thrown together on a whim. The planning goes back at least 18 months. And there’s a ton of money behind it, too. Who could have been targeting him for all this time? And why? What’s their endgame?

That’s what the K-Team has to figure out.

Review


I’ve been looking forward to this since I read Dachshund Through the Snow last year when readers first met Corey and Simon. And I was not disappointed. I enjoyed the new point of view character and seeing all of my favorites from the Andy Carpenter series.

The mystery here is fantastic! Tons of twists – some I saw coming and others that caught me completely by surprise. One even made me exclaim out loud. There were a lot of things to unwind in this case. It goes to the very last page, too. In fact, for awhile I thought the case might carry over to the next book, but it all gets settled in the end.

I would have loved more with Simon the German shepherd in this one. He doesn’t have a very big role in this case due to the nature of what was being investigated, but I still wanted more. I also wanted more development of Corey’s character. There were a few spots that felt either repetitive or over-explained. We got a lot of Corey waffling over his dating relationship and his concerns about some of the less-than-legal aspects of the investigation. Each of those pieces was a great part of showing us who Corey is, but they were covered often throughout the story.

If you enjoy top notch mysteries with law enforcement/legal system characters (and some great dogs), don’t miss this spin off – or the source material in the Andy Carpenter series. The author has two Andy Carpenter books releasing later this year – Muzzled (currently scheduled for a July release) and Silent Bite, a Christmas story (scheduled to release in October), and I will absolutely be reading both of them!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: Chirp by Kate Messner

Summary


Mia and her family are moving back to Vermont after two years in Boston. Two years Mia would love to forget. But now they’ll be close to her grandmother again and get to do all the things she remembers from when she was younger.

Mia’s parents are requiring her to choose two summer activities to keep her busy. They are quick to point out the gymnastics spot near her grandmother’s cricket farm. But Mia wants nothing to do with gymnastics these days. But she does sign up for a Warrior Camp nearby as well as a Launch Camp for Young Entrepreneurs. Mia thinks Launch Camp might help her come up with ideas to help the cricket farm.

Because the farm is in trouble. Gram is convinced someone is sabotaging her business – letting seagulls in, turning of the breakers to the freezers, etc. Mia’s parents think it’s more a run of bad luck – and a sign Gram should get out of the business. But Mia’s noticing weird things at the farm, too. And she’s determined to do whatever she can to help her grandmother.

Review


This was so good! There’s a TON of great stuff going on in this story. The cricket farm and the pieces on insects as a protein source for humans is fascinating (and creepy, in my opinion). Then there are the two camps Mia attends, the friends she makes there, and the things she learns at both. It’s obvious something happened at Mia’s gym back in Boston, and it feels bigger than just her broken arm. But it takes awhile for Mia to get to a place where she’s ready to address it, even in her own mind, much less tell an adult about it. And finally there’s the sabotage mystery. All of those pieces are woven together beautifully and seamlessly. Everything fits like an intricate jigsaw puzzle.

There are so many ways I could see teachers (and homeschooling parents) use this book in the classroom. It would be a great read-aloud and would also work for book clubs and reading groups. Kids could learn more about insects as food or about real cricket farms. They could learn about maker spaces or visit some. Students could learn about Warrior camps or business plans or a whole host of things that come up in the course of the novel.

In my opinion, you can’t go wrong with a novel by Kate Messner. I believe she does a masterful job of addressing serious and important topics (in this case harassment and boundary issues) in age-appropriate ways. Her books give kids an opening to talk about real life issues and give them language for difficult topics. Be sure to check this one out – for older middle grade readers (10+).

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

BOOK NEWS: March 24, 2020

Happy Spring! It’s finally official, no matter what our weather might look like from day to day. I don’t know about you, but I am ready to celebrate SPRING! How about a new book or two to help us ring in the new season? Here are some of the books releasing this week:

Books for Kids


Bad Brows – A boy wakes up to discover his eyebrows have gone rogue.
Home Base: A Mother-Daughter Story – Mother’s and daughter’s stories are told side by side as the girl steps onto the pitcher’s mound and the mom pursues a new project as a brick layer.
When the Babies Came to Stay – A librarian takes home the four babies who arrived at the island, raising them around the library and turning them into a family. This looks lovely!

Books for Older Kids/Teens


The Derby Daredevils: Kenzie Kickstarts a Team (LGBTQ+) – Two girls who love roller derby have a chance to play in the junior league if they can convince three others to join them.
Disney Princess: Friends, Family, Fantastic – A collection of princess stories in comics format. The art work for these three stories looks fantastic!
The Only Living Girl: Beneath the Unseen City – Book 2 in the Only Living Girl graphic novel series starring one of the last human survivors of a cosmic disaster. In this book, Zee and her friends are looking for answers and a cure when people in the city are poisoned.
Tyrannosaurus Wrecks – Book 6 in the FunJungle/Teddy Fitzroy series. Teddy is drawn into a series of mysteries including a missing T-Rex skull from a secret excavation site and a black market on reptiles.
The Next President: The Unexpected Beginnings and Unwritten Future of America’s Presidents – Just think – there are at least 10 future Presidents of the United States alive today! What might they be doing? Some might be kids like you. I’ll say it again – you can’t go wrong with a book by Kate Messner!

Books for Adults


Bag of Bones (e-book, March 28) – Book 5 in the Press Pass Mysteries series, starring a secondary character from the first four books and her teenage daughter. When sixteen-year-old Maisey is taking down the Christmas decorations at her mall job, she discovers a bag of human bones. In order to keep her job – and help her mom keep hers as Media Relations Director for the mall – the two start investigating. This sound like a fun series.
The Honey Don’t List (Trade Paperback) – The latest from Christina Lauren. Melissa and Rusty Tripp are America’s home remodeling and design gurus. They’re about to go on a book tour together, but behind the scenes they can’t stand each other. Two assistants in the Tripp’s empire are tasked with going on the book tour with the couple to keep things on the rails. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
If I Never Met You (Trade Paperback) – Two co-workers stuck in an elevator hatch a plan for a fake relationship that will give the office something else to gossip about (besides her ex and his newly pregnant girlfriend) and give him a “respectable” relationship to impress the bosses. I’ll be reviewing this one soon.
The K-Team (Hardcover) – A spin-off from the fantastic Andy Carpenter series! Andy’s wife, Laurie, and her investigation partner Marcus, team up with some characters from Dachshund Through the Snow to form an investigative team. Their first case is to help a judge who is being blackmailed. I’ll be reviewing this later this week.
Sunsets, Sabbatical and Scandal (e-book) – Book 10 in the Campers and Criminals Cozy Mystery series. This one focuses on a murder at a local diner.
The Enneagram and You: Understand Your Personality Type and How It Can Transform Your Relationships (Hardcover) – If you’ve spent any time around here in the last couple years you have probably seen me review other books on the Enneagram. I love learning more about it, and I’ll be reviewing this new resource soon.
The Everyday Life – Psalms and Proverbs (Leather) – Psalms and Proverbs with commentary from Joyce Meyer.