Tag: contemporary fiction

REVIEW: Lula Dean's Little Library of Banned Books by Kirsten Miller

REVIEW: Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books by Kirsten Miller

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Lula Dean is on a crusade to rid the town libraries of “pornography.” It doesn’t matter that the erotic cookbook was put on a shelf as a prank. Lula has found her calling.

Beverly Underwood has been Lula Dean’s long-time nemesis. And as the head of the school board, Beverly has a front row seat as Lula and her “Concerned Parents Committee” attack the various school and public libraries with their “righteous” intensions. And the townsfolks are ready to watch the “filth” burn. Beverly is blindsided by the whole thing. But her college-aged daughter, Lindsay, is inspired to action.

In the dark of night, Lindsay swaps out the prim books in Lula’s Little Free Library for the banned titles confiscated from Lula’s crusade, setting them inside the jackets of Lula’s “approved” titles.

And then people in the town start reading those banned books – without Lula noticing.

Review

What a brilliant story! Once the premise is set up, most of the chapters focus on one person and one book from Lula’s library – and how reading that book changes something for them. It’s a series of fascinating short stories from a variety of perspectives.

Positioned around those vignettes is the larger story of Lula, Beverly, and the town. It’s stunning – like watching something get woven together. In the end as the threads are finally pulled taut, you see the whole picture come together in a way that is nothing short of brilliant. It’s a creative structure that elevates an excellent story to a whole other level. (I feel the same way about The Candymakers for kids.)

This is thought-provoking – and funny. But it’s also grim at times. I was captivated by the folks in this town and the way books influenced families and kids and siblings and spouses. The ending is supremely satisfying – including an epilogue from 2034 that was more than I even hoped for.

This will definitely be one of the top reads for me in 2024!

(Language, some sexual content. TW: racism, homophobia, rape, gun violence, suicide, white supremacy/Christian nationalism)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ – Outstanding!

REVIEW: The Flipside of Perfect by Liz Reinhardt

REVIEW: The Flipside of Perfect by Liz Reinhardt

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

When Della heads home to Michigan after her summer with her dad and older siblings in Florida, she feels torn. It was a hard summer after the death of Nan Sunny. And now Dell is about to start high school alone, with her older siblings in Florida and her younger sisters still at Trinity. But Dell’s mother misunderstands the struggle and suggests she stop going to Florida. So Dell decides she just has to be extra awesome at compartmentalizing her life. In Michigan, she’s AJ, the uber-responsible daughter, perfect sister, and top notch student leader. In the summers, she can relax and be Della, the baby of the family who is free to cut loose.

Three years later, AJ has become a pro at her double life. But she doesn’t love how it feels. As she approaches her senior year of high school, the pressure is mounting. Her parents in Michigan are pushing internships and extracurriculars that threaten her time in Florida. Her father’s business in Florida is struggling, and Della keeps butting heads with his teen employee. But as life starts to crumble for one of Della’s younger sisters and she is sent to Florida, Della’s two worlds are about to collide.

Review

This had a slow, slow start for me. It made the book feel twice as long as it really was. I was maybe 1/3 or more into it before things started to click. I needed AJ to get to a place where she was honestly appraising her dual life – and the reasons for it – while also digging into what it was costing her. Once that happened, I was hooked. And once her younger sister arrived in Florida and pushed AJ’s self-evaluation that much deeper, I couldn’t put the book down.

I’m so glad I didn’t give up on this early on. I ended up adoring this book. The characters are a delight – even the one who annoyed me early on. There are fantastic messages woven in about emotional health and maturity, communication, therapy, and identity. The core pieces about family and siblings are lovely. Really, there are almost too many terrific pieces to list them all – romance, humor, self-discovery. So satisfying in the end.

Pick this one up! If it feels slow at first, stick with it. This was so good, I would read it again! (Language, LGBTQ+, sexual references, underage drinking, teen pregnancy)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read.

REVIEW: Meet Me in Paradise by Libby Hubscher

REVIEW: Meet Me in Paradise by Libby Hubscher

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

When Marin’s sister, Sadie, got home from her assignment in China, she looked worn out and thin. Marin, the caretaker and worrier of the pair, agreed to the getaway for Sadie’s sake. Marin had been taking care of Sadie since their mother died. She could put aside her fear of flying and her homebody nature to take a trip with her only sister.

But Sadie missed the flight. Which means she also missed the turbulence. And the storm that re-routed the plane. Sadie also missed every awful, embarrassing moment between Marin and her good looking seatmate, Lucas Tsai. (And really, all that embarrassment was Sadie’s fault! If she had been there, Marin never would have had to sit by Lucas!)

So now, Marin is alone on a beautiful tropical island while her sister is still at home. Marin has never been the adventurous one. She plays things safe. She’s been strangled by fear since their mother died. And this getaway is about to challenge every bit of her safe, quiet existence.

Review

Wow. I was wrecked by this book in all the best ways for a reader. I was expecting something light and funny – and those moments are there. But there are also these beautiful, ugly-crying moments with this stellar cast of characters. I wasn’t expecting the extremes, but I adored them. This book packs and punch, and I am forever a fan.

The author does a fantastic job of balancing the contemporary story with Marin’s backstory. It’s a great way to explain how Marin gets to the point where she’s settled for whatever life hands her instead of living a life she wants. I was engrossed in watching Marin’s journey, cheering for her along the way.

Yes, there’s a beautiful romantic element to this that’s supremely satisfying. But it’s also so much more. Do not miss this one! It will stick with me for a long time. (Language, TW: grief/loss)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!

REVIEW: The Restoration of Celia Fairchild by Marie Bostwick

REVIEW: The Restoration of Celia Fairchild by Marie Bostwick

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

Celia is still grieving the loss of her marriage (lousy cheater!) when she gets a response to her “Dear Birthmother” letter. Afraid her divorce will disqualify her from consideration, Celia drops the name of her famous alter ego – Calpurnia, the advice columnist. And it works. She has three months to find a big enough place to raise a child before the lawyer and birthmother come for a home visit. That also means she needs a raise at work.

Instead, Celia loses her job and inherits her Aunt Calpurnia’s home in Charleston. This might just be the silver lining in a season of clouds, loss, and sadness for Celia.

But the lovely, stately home of Celia’s childhood bears little resemblance to the disaster she has inherited. Calpurnia was a hoarder, and the house and yard are in miserable condition. But with a whole lot of work, Celia could have a home – and a neighborhood – where she could raise a child. But she’ll have to be willing to take a lot of chances to get there.

Review

Oh, this was lovely. It’s a delightful “found family” story that hit all the right notes for me. Celia is fantastic – the sort of person I would be friends with in real life. I loved the community she builds and the journey she is on. I would absolutely read this again.

The story really clicked for me when Celia got settled in Charleston. And as someone who kept a journal for a someday baby (who is now graduating from high school), I really connected with Celia’s journal entries for Peaches.

The only thing that didn’t really work for me was the romance. It was logical, but I never felt any real chemistry for them as a couple. Thankfully, though, the story is really about Celia – about her situation with the house, with being a mother, and with the community of people around her. The romance is a very small part of the story.

You do not want to miss Celia. Put this book on your reading list asap – it’s delightful. (TW: Infertility/adoption)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥♥½ = I loved it ! Would read again.

BONUS REVIEW: The Switch by Beth O'Leary

BONUS REVIEW: The Switch by Beth O’Leary

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

Leena’s been trying to hang onto her “normal” life with both hands, but it’s not working. She’s still grieving the death of her sister. She’s not speaking to her mother after everything that happened. And then she has a panic attack in the middle of a huge pitch for work. In an act of compassion – instead of firing her for her declining work – her boss gives her an 8-week sabbatical to get herself together.

Leena’s grandmother, Eileen, is feeling lonely. In the months since her husband ran off with another woman, she’s been  staying busy with community events and her “Neighborhood Watch” group. She’s tried to be a bridge between her daughter and her granddaughter, but they are still estranged. She still has years of life to live! The men her age in town, though, are not good candidates for romance.

When Leena comes to visit, she suggests the switch. She’ll stay in rural Yorkshire, work on her relationship with her mother, cover her grandmother’s responsibilities to the town, and try to find her equilibrium again. Her grandmother will head to London, stay in Leena’s flat with her flatmates, and see if she can find love in the big city.

Review

This was a delightful surprise! I thought the premise was clever, but the execution was so much more than I expected. It was fabulous!

I fell in love with Eileen’s story first. I loved her relationship with Leena’s flatmates and the difference she makes in their building. She’s a bridge builder, both at home and in London. And she has the wisdom of age and experience, so she’s willing to take risks and ask for what she wants in life. Her story is SO fun!

It takes Leena a lot longer to find her footing in the swap. And that makes sense. She’s there because she has repressed her grief. She is furious with her mother and flees from memories of her sister. She has a lot to work through. But when she finds her groove – in herself and with her grandmother’s friends – her story shines as much as her grandmother’s.

I loved all of the relationships here – the romances, sure, but even more, the family relationships, Eileen’s relationships with the folks in Leena’s building, and Leena’s relationship with the seniors from her grandmother’s home. I loved how the grief pieces are handled here and the growth Leena experiences over time.

Do not miss this rich, character-driven story. I adored it! (Language, LGBTQ+ secondary characters, TW: grief)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥♥½=Loved it! Would re-read.

BONUS REVIEW: The Lions of Fifth Avenue by Fiona Davis

BONUS REVIEW: The Lions of Fifth Avenue by Fiona Davis

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

1913
The Lyons live in the Fifth Avenue branch of the New York Public Library. Jack is the superintendent for the library, and he and Laura live in an apartment in the building with their two kids. After work each night, Jack works on his novel, and Laura manages the kids and their routines. But Laura longs for more. She’s been accepted into a journalism program at Columbia University – one that accepts women. Laura wants to write, too. If she could get a reporting job, she could help with the family’s finances so Jack would have more time to finish his book.

1993
Sadie is working on a special collection at the New York Public Library. As part of the exhibit she’s preparing, her boss wants more examples of Laura Lyons’ work or personal effects. Her feminist essays have had a resurgence of popularity lately. Sadie hasn’t told him that Laura was her grandmother. She would have – she found some great examples of her early writing that would be fun additions to the exhibit. But she also found references to some missing books from the time Laura’s family lived in the library. Until Sadie can find out what happened then, she wants to keep her connection to the Lyons to herself. Books have started to go missing from the collection Sadie is curating, and the connection to the 80 year old mystery could make a difficult situation even worse.

Review

This was an interesting split timeline story connected by family relationships and the thefts at the NYPL. Beyond that, Sadie’s story is also about family, her work, and her identity following her divorce. Laura’s story is even more involved, focusing on the role of women in the early 1900s. She goes back to school to pursue a career in a field dominated by men. She longs for meaning and a challenge outside her home, but she also feels guilt for not being available to her children all the time. She connects with women in her community who are pushing for equality, suffrage, access to contraception and health care, etc. The myriad of issues in 1913 made that section of the story more intricate, but my personal preference was for the “contemporary” story with Sadie and her family and work.

The mystery of the book thefts is well done – in both timelines – and I loved the ways they were connected. I didn’t click with the characters very much in this book, but I was captivated by this mystery. The author does a great job putting together a mystery with an historic story that also explores the lives of grandmother and granddaughter. Readers who enjoy split timeline stories should check this one out. (Some Christian examples of this type of storytelling can be seen in Rachel Hauck’s work – The Writing Desk and The Love Letter are two examples.)

(Language, sex, LGBTQ+: Bisexual and F/F relationships. TW: Suicide)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: War and Speech by Don Zolidis

REVIEW: War and Speech by Don Zolidis

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

In most high schools, the kids at the top of the social food chain are the jocks – the football or basketball players, the cheerleaders. Not at Eaganville. At Eaganville, it’s the Speech and Debate team.

The varsity Speech stars can do no wrong. They will verbally eviscerate another student in class, and the teachers are silent. Teachers offer breaks on class assignments. The teacher’s lounge is like their clubhouse for lunch. They are in the spotlight of the school culture, bright and shiny. They are also catty and cruel. Their coach is esteemed by administration, parents, and colleagues. He’s a winner. And he makes sure the team wins, too. Even if that means he is catty, and cruel as well.

And Sydney is determined to join the team.

Not because she wants to be one of them. Sure, she’s loved to argue her whole life. She’s clever and witty with a sharp sense of humor and plenty of snark. But she wants to join the Eaganville Speech team for the joy of taking them down once and for all, from the inside.

Review

Wow! This was great!! The writing is SO sharp – quick, and snappy. You can hear the rhythm of the debates in the early attacks on Sydney and her friends. It was like reading an Aaron Sorkin West Wing walk-and-talk. I was hooked by the writing. I have to find out what else this author has written.

On top of that, this is SO funny!! I was screenshotting sections and texting them to my husband in another part of the house because they begged to be shared. Between Sydney’s job and the pop culture references, I was in love with this story.

A revenge story – for me – has to be compelling. I need to feel the anger rise up in me, the righteous indignation. I need to feel the fictional vengeance is necessary or justified. (Moxie is a great example of this.) Because otherwise, the revenge acts are just as wrong, just as mean. And when it comes to the coach, that happened. He needed to be dealt with here, and pursuing the proper channels went no where. And his part of the ending was satisfying.

The students’ behavior wasn’t as strong for me. Yes, they were snide and condescending. Yes, some of them were cruel to Sydney’s friends to varying degrees. But those stories happened mostly before Sydney was even there. She didn’t witness them or live through them. Since she is the only point of view character, there was an emotional distance to those stories. It made complete sense for her to be hurt for her new friends, to recognize the wrong-ness of how they were treated. But the emotional punch wasn’t there for me as I considered what drove Sydney to revenge.

There’s is so, so much to love with this book. Yes, I wanted a stronger motive for Sydney to take down the team, but everything else here was absolute perfection for me as a reader. If you enjoy sharp, witty stories with amazing writing, be sure to check this one out! (Language, underage drinking, sexual references, LGBTQ+)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½

REVIEW: Shine! by JJ and Chris Grabenstein

REVIEW: Shine! by JJ and Chris Grabenstein

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

Piper’s life revolves around music, although she says she personally can’t carry a tune in a lunch box.

Her mother was a cellist and also a singer. At Piper’s age she had a full music scholarship to Chumley Prep. Piper’s dad has always dreamed of writing musicals and directing orchestras on Broadway, but he never caught a break like that. When Piper’s mom died, he started directing music at Fairview Middle School so he had a steady job to take care of the two of them.

And now, her dad’s a cappella group has won the Winter Sing-Off, beating the Chumley Prep group. It’s a huge achievement for Piper’s dad. And it gets him invited to take the director’s job at Chumley after Christmas. A “perk” is that Piper can go to the school for free. She’s less than thrilled.

At the Winter Sing-Off, Piper overheard the arrogant Chumley kids mocking her dad and his group, but she was too shy to speak up. What is she going to do now when she has to go to school with those kids every day?

Review

“The brightest stars don’t just shine for themselves.”

What a DELIGHT! This is the kind of book I want to hug. I loved this – the characters, the plot, the message. It was a treat to read!

Piper is my favorite sort of middle grade character. She’s bright and sweet and over time she gets comfortable in her own skin. She finds a fantastic crew at Chumley which offsets some of the social issues at the school. Piper’s not perfect. She struggles with the pressure to be a star at Chumley and with her expectations of herself, and that leads her to vent that frustration onto a friend. But she finds her way back, on her own, given some time and space – exactly what you hope kids can do.

The story was almost as excellent as Piper. It’s a new kid story combined with an identity story as Piper is trying to figure out who she wants to be in this new setting. As an outsider, she catches glimpses of what the pressure of a school like Chumley can be like for kids, especially kids with parents who have sky-high expectations and the money to make things happen. And while Piper puts up with some taunting and some unfair treatment, she mostly has the freedom to find her place and be herself while she figures out the Chumley system and competes for an all-school award.

This would be terrific for a classroom read aloud, for book groups, or for family/bedtime reading. Don’t miss out on this one. You can check out my reviews of some of Chris Grabenstein’s other books here.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: Twice in a Blue Moon by Christina Lauren

REVIEW: Twice in a Blue Moon by Christina Lauren

Posted on by Jaymie

[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

When Tate was 18, she and her grandmother left their small town behind for a couple weeks and flew to London. While she was there, Tate met Sam who was there with his grandfather. Every evening, Tate and Sam would hang out in the hotel garden, talking. After a few nights, Tate shared her biggest secret.

Tate’s parents had been actors in LA. Her father was especially well known. When her mother had had enough of his infidelity, they left town. It was national news – Ian Bishop’s wife and daughter “disappeared.” Where did they go? What were they doing now? Tate kept the news mostly to herself and never pursued a relationship with her father. Her mom and grandmother told her to never tell another person.

As Tate and Sam spent more time together in London they grew closer. Their friendship became more and more romantic, and their relationship turned physical. Then suddenly, one morning, Sam was gone. In his place were crowds of reporters who suddenly knew her true identity. And all the secrets she shared with Sam were in every tabloid and newspaper.

Fourteen years later, as Tate is getting read to star in her seventh feature film, the first she is making with her father, Sam unexpectedly comes back into her life.

Review

I enjoyed this. I was surprised – and pleased – with how much time was devoted to the first part of the story. Expecting something much shorter, I found the extended focus really gave me a lot of time to get to know the characters. The London betrayal had a bigger emotional punch because I was invested in both characters.

I would have loved to know more of what Tate did in the 14 year gap, but I was happy with how the authors conveyed an older, more mature Tate. The reunion was obviously coming, but Tate’s shock was perfect. I was drawn into all the emotions Tate was working through on the set of the movie – with Sam, with her father, with her acting career, with the character she was playing, etc. Not only does she have the anger and hurt from Sam’s betrayal and the shock of his appearance, but she is also self-conscious about her career. Is she ready for this kind of role? And her relationship with her father is easily as complex as the one with Sam. All of these pieces kept me turning pages.

This is a solid romance with fascinating characters in an interesting situation. If you are a fan of contemporary romance or the authors’ other work, be sure to check this one out. (Language, sex)

Rating: ♥♥♥½

 

REVIEW: Call It What You Want by Brigid Kemmerer

REVIEW: Call It What You Want by Brigid Kemmerer

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

Rob is a social outcast at school – and in the community. His dad was caught embezzling. He lost people’s entire life savings. He tried to commit suicide, but survived. He’s in no state for a trial – or even a conversation or eye contact. And Rob and his mom have to take care of him. Even after he cost them so much. People at school even whisper (loudly) that Rob probably knew what his dad was doing all along.

Maegan is something of an outcast, too, although at least her best friend has stayed by her side. Maegan cheated on the SAT. The whole cohort at her school had their scores thrown out. The dark looks and “cheater” reputation is easier to take than her parents’ disappointment. Although now that Maegan’s sister is home mid-semester from college, pregnant, the focus has shifted off of Maegan for awhile.

Rob and Maegan are thrown together for a school project. The weight of their loneliness and the secrets each of them carry push them together in a way that never would have happened a year or two ago. But it’s nice to have someone to share that weight after all this time.

Review

After each book I say, “Brigid Kemmerer is a must-buy author for me.” And once again, that is absolutely true!

This is an amazing character-driven story, my favorite kind of book. I loved each of these characters – even when I wasn’t sure I liked one of them. The complexity – of their situations, their emotions and their choices – was stunning. I am  in awe of how the author put all of those pieces together in a quickly-moving story. It never felt weighed down by the complexity. But it was absolutely compelling. I didn’t mean to read this in one sitting, but I couldn’t help myself.

I have come to love stories with multiple point-of-view characters. And I can’t think of how this story would have even worked if Maegan and Rob couldn’t have told their own pieces of it. They had too many burdens, secrets and conflicting emotions to not tell their own stories.

While there’s a TON of character work in this, there’s an intricate plot, too. Maegan is trying to support her sister while carrying her secrets and wondering if she should. Rob looks at his old life, his former friends, and the people around him in new ways after the corruption and tragedy in his family. And he makes some questionable-to-bad choices as he tries to figure things out almost entirely on his own. And then there’s the matter of finding in each other someone who gets the feelings of shame and isolation, the weight of secrets, and the cutting remarks of outsiders who think they know the truth.

It’s all SO good!
Do not miss this one!

(Language, LGBTQ, Trigger Warning: Suicide Attempt)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½