Tag: family

REVIEW: Wine Tastings Are Murder by Libby Klein

REVIEW: Wine Tastings Are Murder by Libby Klein

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

Poppy and her aunt, Ginny, are hosting members of a wine tasting tour at the B&B when tragedy strikes. One of Poppy’s guests dies at their first winery visit. What at first blush looks like a heart attack seems to be murder instead.

Poppy’s friends who have a stake in the winery beg her to look into things and clear the winery before the bad press puts them out of business.

It seems unlikely that the rest of the tour group would be involved. They’re mostly strangers to one another. But the victim was travelling with his attractive young wife as well as his bitter adult daughter and her husband. The son-in-law had been pressuring the man to ditch the women and go sailing so they could “talk business” from the moment they arrived. The daughter was trying to drive a wedge between her father and his new wife. Maybe something bigger was going on within the family – or the business – that led to murder.

At least investigating a murder will give Poppy something else to think about besides her complicated love life.

Review

This is book 5 in the Poppy McAllister Mystery series. This was a fun addition to this great mystery series. While I still don’t care for the love triangle (You can read my rant from book 4 here.), it took a back seat in this book which I was happy about. And there was progress made by the end – although with a new wrinkle to carry us into book 6, Beauty Expos Are Murder, due out in the summer of 2021.

This is a busy series to begin with. Poppy has her work at the B&B, plus caring for her elderly – and spunky – aunt. She also bakes for two local businesses with her two love interests. She has her small circle of friends who help with the sleuthing. And Aunt Ginny has her crew, too.

This book adds the murder as well as a wine tasting group, a problematic new employee, possible rivals in both of her romantic relationships, and an unusual request from her law enforcement frenemy. So there’s a LOT happening here. But the author never loses track of the various threads. Secondary story elements never overwhelm the focus on the mystery, which I appreciated. The mystery develops at a great pace, and there are lots of avenues for Poppy to pursue in her sleuthing. The solution to the mystery was quite satisfying.

This is a fun series that often makes me laugh out loud. The mysteries are always terrific, and I get a kick out of most of the main characters. If we could get past the love triangle, I would adore it all the more. (Poppy spends a lot of time in this book talking about and thinking about her weight, her diet, and what she is and is not eating. This could be triggering for some readers.)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read.

REVIEW: The Mutant Mushroom Takeover by Summer Rachel Short

REVIEW: The Mutant Mushroom Takeover by Summer Rachel Short

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a print copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Magnolia is on the hunt for something scientifically amazing. Something to help her win the Junior Naturalist Merit Award. Not only is there a cash prize, but she would also have a chance to meet with the board of Vitaccino. She could convince them to give her dad his job back so he could come home from his latest job at Yellowstone.

Maggie agrees to explore Old Man Bell’s woods with her best friend Nate. Nate believes he can find evidence of paranormal activity. Maggie just wants some nature pictures for her award application. But the kids find more than they bargained for.

The woods light up with bio-luminescence. But there seems to be something else in the woods, too. Maggie’s brother is exposed to it and is acting strangely. She’s also noticing mutations and strange behavior in the local wildlife. Pretty soon, Maggie’s investigation is about a whole lot more than an award program, some glowing mushrooms, or getting her dad his job back. If she doesn’t figure out what is going on, her whole town could be lost to this thing – and it could continue to spread.

Review

Kids are going to love this!

This is a prime example of how a book can be great while at the same time being a story I did not like. This hits closer to horror than science fiction for me, and that’s not a genre I care for. I don’t watch zombie shows, and I don’t like being scared. So this was not a great fit for me as a reader. But the horror pieces are absolutely middle grade appropriate. And I think a lot of kids are going to love this one.

The story is well constructed. And the science is solid and fascinating. One of my favorite moments was when Maggie devises an experiment – with a control group – to see what solution has the best chance of fixing the problem she discovers. The characters here are terrific. I loved Maggie and was rooting for her from the start, both in her quest to reunite her family and later in the one to save her town – and possibly the world.

Teachers could have a field day with this, tying it to biology and ecology. The cross-discipline potential for using this in the classroom is vast – reading, writing, and science applications.

Hand this to fans of Goosebumps, science fiction, mysteries, and zombie stories as well as kids who love hard science. While this is not a book I personally *enjoyed,* it is well written and will be a huge hit with kids. If I had had this book when I was teaching, the kids would have kept it in constant circulation!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥= Great

 

REVIEW: Goodbye, Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea

REVIEW: Goodbye, Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

Mr. Terupt’s favorite students are back for another year of middle school. Their summer is full of camp and festivals and babysitting Mr. Terupt’s daughter, Hope. But when their 8th grade year starts, Mr. Terupt is teaching 7th grade science. All the kids are disappointed to not have him as their teacher for another year.

But when the school announces a one hour advising block every two weeks, the “Babysitters Gang” is thrilled to find out their advisor is Mr. Terupt. The kids are looking forward to the projects Mr. Terupt comes up with for them, like the time capsule, before they move on to high school.

In the midst of their season of change at school, the kids are also dealing with personal issues:

  • Peter is maturing, getting in less trouble, and doing well in school and wrestling. But he’s also watching his friends struggle, not aware that his own crisis is coming.
  • Jessica’s dad is moving back to town, hoping to reconnect with his family. But will he stick it out this time?
  • Anna misses the quality time she used to have with her mom before she got engaged to Danielle’s older brother.
  • Jeffrey is determined to make varsity wrestling as an 8th grader, in a lower weight class, no matter what it takes.
  • Lexie wonders if she carries the breast cancer gene now that her mom is in remission, so she steals a test to find out.
  • Luke is trying to excel in his advanced courses, which includes spending a lot of time with Danielle on the farm for a project.
  • Danielle is adjusting to the logistics of an insulin pump and wondering about her new feelings for Luke.

But the kids don’t know Mr. Terupt has his own changes on the horizon – and those changes will impact them most of all.

Review

What a perfect send off for this delightful series! Oh, how I cried. It’s been years since I spent time with these characters, but I felt like I was with old friends. They are older, wrestling with more mature life moments. But they are still sweet and loyal and compassionate. Wonderful friends. And they are soaking up time with the teacher who loves them and has drawn out the best in them over the years. (I wrote a post about my favorite teachers in children’s literature, and Mr. Terupt is on the list. You can read that post here.) And aside from some coaching, literally and figuratively, he gives them the space to step into their own opportunities to care for others and make a difference.

The focus of the book is relationships – the relationships between the kids, including some dating relationships (hand holding, a couple kisses), as well as the kids with their families, and ultimately their relationship with Mr. Terupt and his family. Through the lens of relationships, the book addresses communication, warning signs of trouble, service, friendship, and loyalty. There’s also a faith component for some of the characters that is lovely and feels genuine. With the dating and relationship pieces and some of the other material these 8th graders face, this might appeal more to the older end of the middle grade age range, even pushing up to “Older Middle Grade” readers between 10 and 14.

Fans of the series will NOT want to miss this final installment. Mr. Terupt even gets a point-of-view chapter in this book! If you are a parent or teacher planning to read this aloud, bring your tissues. I cried often. This is a beautiful story! If this series is new to you, be sure to grab all of the books – Because of Mr. Terupt (♥♥♥♥♥), Mr. Terupt Falls Again (♥♥♥♥♥), and Saving Mr. Terupt (♥♥♥♥♥) – and read them in order so you can enjoy the evolution of the relationships and watch the impact of this great teacher on his beloved students. You can read my reviews of the author’s other series, The Perfect Score, here. (TW: Eating disorders, cancer remission)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½*

♥♥♥♥½* = I loved it! Would re-read.

BONUS REVIEW: A Lady Compromised by Darcie Wilde

BONUS REVIEW: A Lady Compromised by Darcie Wilde

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

Rosalind is off to stay with the Winterbourne family for a month to help her friend – and the Duke of Casselmaine/Devon Winterbourne’s cousin – Louisa with her wedding. But before she leaves London, Rosalind receives a letter from one of Louisa’s friends hoping Rosalind might help her with a delicate matter. Rosalind’s specialty.

Helen Corbyn is still mourning the death of her older brother. He was to fight a duel – with Helen’s fiancé. She was going to interfere, with her fiancé’s encouragement. He didn’t want to fight her brother. But when she got to the site, her brother was already dead. The inquiry blamed it on poachers, but Helen never believed that. And a small part of her is afraid her fiancé is responsible. She wants Rosalind to find the truth.

At the same time, Rosalind’s days at Cassel House will give her and Devon the opportunity to see if their one-time understanding could once again blossom into a match and a future together.

But Devon doesn’t know all the secrets Rosalind has been holding. If they are to have any sort of future, she will need to tell him the whole truth – and see if, once he’s heard it all, he still wants her in his life.

Review

This is book 4 in the excellent Rosalind Thorne Mystery series after A Useful Woman (♥♥♥♥♥), A Purely Private Matter (♥♥♥♥♥), and also And Dangerous to Know (♥♥♥♥). I love this series, and I love the main characters – Rosalind, Alice, and Adam.

This was dizzying in its complexity! The one question of the cause of Colonel Corbyn’s death was exceedingly twisty. His death occurred months ago. There’s no consensus on the nature of his wounds, and the body has already been buried. There are several people who know what the duel was about, but none of them are talking. There are inheritance rules and gossip and rivalries at play. And Rosalind is not in London, so she is at a disadvantage with these families and their histories.

On top of that, there’s Rosalind’s relationship with Devon, his projects in his community, and his prickly mother. And then Rosalind is separated from the people she loves in London and the regular routine of her life there.

All of this makes for a busy story. I’m afraid if I tried to read this a few chapters at a time, I might not have been able to keep hold of all the threads. There is almost too much going on in this one. I’d recommend reading this when you have time to devote to large chunks so you can keep the whole plot in mind.

I enjoyed this journey with Rosalind, although the case left me feeling more scattered than earlier books. I also missed Alice as a more central character. But the epilogue here sets up a future story where Alice and Rosalind will have to work together again. And I am here for that story!

Rating: ♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥½=Good+

BONUS REVIEW: The Star-Crossed Sisters of Tuscany by Lori Nelson Spielman

BONUS REVIEW: The Star-Crossed Sisters of Tuscany by Lori Nelson Spielman

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

Over 200 years ago, when Filomena’s boyfriend stole a kiss from her younger sister, Maria, an enraged and jealous Filomena cursed Maria and every second-born daughter the family would ever have to never find love.

Emilia is the second-born daughter in her family. She lives and works around her family – her widowed father, her married older sister, her perpetually disapproving grandmother, her beloved great-uncle, and tons of cousins.

Out of the blue, Emilia receives a note from her great-aunt Poppy, the second-born daughter of her generation. Poppy is the one family member Emilia is forbidden to contact. Poppy is headed to Italy for her 80th birthday, and she wants Emilia to go with her. But Nonna Rosa would never allow it, even though Emilia is an adult of almost 30.

But Poppy is a force to be reckoned with, too. She insists if Emilia – and her cousin, Lucy, who is also a second daughter – come with her to Italy, they will throw off the family curse once and for all.

Review

Wow, this was good! I loved the personal growth for Emilia and Lucy. And Poppy’s story, told through periodic flashback chapters, was captivating! I wanted more, in all the best ways – more chapters, more time in Italy, more time with these characters. And I can’t stop thinking about the twists and turns and the way things turned out for these women.

Emilia’s family is infuriating. I was incensed, grumbling and cursing on her behalf any time her sister or grandmother was on the page. The writing here is so good I wanted to defend Emilia right from the beginning, before I really even knew her. The evolution of the family stories and curse pieces was excellent. While everything didn’t work out perfectly, the resolution was supremely satisfying.

I loved that Lucy was part of this journey. While she isn’t a point-of-view character, I enjoyed her development over the trip to Italy. She has a different reaction to the curse from Emilia. That contrast was fascinating!

I assumed from the curse that this would be a romance. There are elements of that, but really this is a journey with these three women. It’s about their self-concepts and identities as well as their family relationships. And every bit of it was fantastic! Do not miss this one! (Language, references to sex, LGBTQ+)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!

BONUS REVIEW: Chasing Lucky by Jenn Bennett

BONUS REVIEW: Chasing Lucky by Jenn Bennett

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Simon Pulse/Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Josie Saint-Martin was born in Beauty, Rhode Island, and lived there until she was 12. But then in one moment it went from her home to a place she avoided as much as possible. But now she’s back for her final year of high school. Josie’s grandmother and aunt have joined the Peace Corps, so Josie’s mom is running the family bookstore in Beauty until they return. It’s unclear who is dreading the return to Beauty more, Josie or her mom.

Josie comforts herself with the idea that this is temporary. One year. The plan is that Josie will finish high school, they will save money living rent-free above the store, and then they will move to sunny Florida. Except Josie has plans of her own – a photography apprenticeship with her biological father in LA. But she hasn’t told her mom, yet.

Lucky Karras is not part of Josie’s plan. Josie’s childhood best friend has grown into a brooding young man with a motorcycle, a leather jacket, and a reputation for trouble. They haven’t spoken since Josie left five years ago while Lucky was in the hospital. She braces herself for hostility or indifference. She never expects him to take the blame for a crime she commits.

Out of guilt, Josie looks for ways to help Lucky pay off the damage she caused. As the two start to spend more time together, the sparks between them are undeniable. But is a relationship with Lucky a good idea when Josie is just planning to leave again?

Review

What a delightful, romantic, RICH story! I loved this! The romance at the center of the book is excellent. I loved the rekindling of Josie and Lucky’s friendship. I loved how the two of them were with one another. This is my favorite sort of romantic couple – bruised but not broken, bantering, and completely compelling. It was “one more chapter, one more chapter” for me until I finished.

Come for the romance, but stay for the character exploration. There are some fascinating dynamics between the women in Josie’s family. Sure, some moments were pretty painful to walk through. But the growth in those relationships was like a bonus on top of the supremely satisfying romance. I’m not sure I could pick which piece I loved more. I would have happily kept reading to see what happens for everyone next.

Jenn Bennett fans will love what she’s done with these characters and this story. New readers will discover why she is at the top of every YA romance list. Don’t miss this story! I would read this one again. (Language, sex, TW: harassment, sexual misconduct)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥♥½ = I loved this! Would re-read.

REVIEW: Lies Like Poison by Chelsea Pitcher

REVIEW: Lies Like Poison by Chelsea Pitcher

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Margaret K. McElderberry Books/Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

When they were 14, and they were convinced Raven’s stepmother was abusing him, Belle came up with the plan and showed it to Poppy. They would put petals of belladonna and poppies into the woman’s tea. It would look like an accident as the girls had just been making garlands. Raven’s stepmother would die, and Raven would finally be safe. When Lily found the plan, she wanted in, too. They might have been talking about her mother, but Lily wanted her gone just as desperately.

But it never happened. Raven went away to boarding school. Lily went into a treatment facility. And the four teens drifted apart.

Three years later, Raven’s stepmother is found dead. And there’s belladonna in her tea. The police found their childhood plan. Belle is arrested. Raven comes home. Poppy, now going by “Jack,” reaches out to Lily for help. And the secrets between them, and those they kept from one another, start to take on a life of their own.

Review

Wow! This is super twisty! It’s the sort of book that is compelling. You’re not sure what exactly is going on, but you *have* to keep reading so you can figure it out. And it’s a doozy! There are some terrific fairy tale moments cleverly woven in that I enjoyed.

This is the sort of book that’s hard to review because almost anything I say could be a spoiler. I don’t know that I liked many of the characters in this. There are so many twists and lies and secrets, it’s hard to really know them or trust them. But at the same time, I was completely invested in finding out what really happened. In fact, I would have liked a few more pages at the end with definitive details of what happens next for everyone. Fans of found family stories should check this one out.

If you are a fan of twisty, suspenseful stories like We Were Liars (♥♥♥♥) or One of Us Is Lying (♥♥♥♥), don’t miss this one! (Language, sexual references, LGBTQ+, TW: grief/loss, abuse/neglect, eating disorders, inpatient treatment)

Rating: ♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥½ = Good+

REVIEW: Absolutely Truly by Heather Vogel Frederick

REVIEW: Absolutely Truly by Heather Vogel Frederick

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Truly Lovejoy was devastated by her family’s move to Pumpkin Falls, NH. It’s January, so the weather is awful. It’s so cold, a waterfall is freezing, and it snows all the time. They were supposed to be living in their very own house in Texas, down the road from Truly’s cousin/best friend after years of military housing. After her father’s accident, days before he was supposed to come home and retire, though, everything changed.

Now, Truly’s father and his sister are running the family bookstore for their parents who have joined the peace corps. That means a mid-year school change for Truly and her siblings. A new town, a new school, and tons of new people.

Truly usually tries to blend into the background. It’s been pretty easy at home since she’s the middle kid of five. It’s harder in public when she’s almost 6 feet tall and not quite 13 years old yet. Usually she can manage to fade into the woodwork anyway. But when she finds a letter with a scavenger hunt clue tucked into a rare book at the store, Truly will need the help of her new classmates to solve the mystery.

Review

I had heard great things about the Pumpkin Falls Mystery series for years, but this was my first chance to try it out. What a delight!

The mysteries are fun. The 20 year old scavenger hunt pushes Truly to get to know her new home town and her classmates. There are also some fun references to Much Ado About Nothing, one of my favorite Shakespeare plays.

The family bookstore is a great place for characters to meet, story elements to unfold, and Truly’s family to start to heal. I adored the shop and all of the activities centered there. And Truly’s family (and her friends) are a treat.

The characters are what makes this book special. From Truly’s dad who is adjusting to a disability and the change in all of his ideas of what his retirement would look like to each of Truly’s friends who are distinct and delightful, there are tons of great characters in this. But Truly is my favorite of them all. She may not tell the adults in her life everything she is thinking and feeling, but she is very clear in her own mind. I loved watching her process the changes in her family, the transition to her new school, and the mysteries she stumbles into. I can’t wait to read the other books in this series!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥♥½ = Loved it! Would re-read.

REVIEW: Crazy Stupid Bromance by Lyssa Kay Adams

REVIEW: Crazy Stupid Bromance by Lyssa Kay Adams

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

Alexis’s coffee shop, ToeBeans Cat Café, has become something of a safe haven for other survivors of sexual harassment and assault. And that’s why she thinks the new arrival at her shop has shown up. But Candi is actually there because she believes Alexis is her biological sister. And she has an unbelievable request. Her biological father is going to die unless he gets a kidney transplant.

Noah desperately wants to protect Alexis from whatever this business is with Candi. Either it’s all a scam, or it’s a gross imposition on Alexis for a man who never bothered to acknowledge her before now, a man who left Alexis and her mother to scrape by on their own.

But this crisis is tweaking Noah’s and Alexis’s feelings for one another. Out loud, they both insist they are only friends.  Or that they can’t risk their friendship on something more. But maybe a chance at rich, true love is worth the risk.

Review

There’s a lovely emotional ebb and flow to this story. There are laugh-out-loud moments, especially when it comes to Lexa’s cat, Beefcake. There are also heart-tugging ones with the core romance as well as with the losses both characters have experienced. The ups and downs evolve naturally and made for a fun reading experience.

It was good to be with the Bromance Book Club crew again. The premise for this series – a group of men who read romance novels to help them in their romantic relationships – is outstanding. The men in the group are a hoot, and I enjoy the banter between them. Even more, I love their more touching, emotional moments with one another. The scenes with the Bromance guys were my favorites in the story.

While I was moved at times by Noah and Lexa’s story, I didn’t click with them like I have with other series characters. One of the issues for the couple is his seething resentment and anger and unresolved grief while she tends to gloss over her hard feelings in an attempt to take the high road and be “above” such things. It was perfect for the story being told, and the growth needed for the characters. But their situations should have made them furious, at least at some moments. But there wasn’t enough fury for me for the context. (Of course, this could just be my own 2020 rage looking for an outlet, too.)

I enjoyed this addition to this excellent series, and I cannot wait to get my hands on book 4, Isn’t It Bromantic, set for a summer 2021 release. If you are a fan of the series, you will want to pick this one up for yourself and check out Noah and Alexis’s story. (Language, sex, TW: grief/loss)

Rating: ♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥½=Good+

BONUS REVIEW: Serena Says by Tanita S. Davis

BONUS REVIEW: Serena Says by Tanita S. Davis

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

Serena and JC have been best friends since 4th grade. But when JC gets a transplant in 6th grade, things start to shift. Serena gets sick so she can’t visit JC at the hospital. They can only see each other online for awhile. Then JC starts spending time with Leilani instead. Pretty soon, Serena is feeling like Leilani has pushed her out of everything – her class ambassador position at school, her WinterFest project plans, and her friendship with JC.

This leaves Serena wondering where she fits as she joins the Student Senate at school and deals with conflict with another classmate. But it’s possible that Serena has places where she could shine – opportunities she might never have tried if her friendship with JC hadn’t changed. Maybe there’s a silver lining in all of the 6th grade drama.

Review

I enjoyed this finding-your-voice story! There are lots of friendship pieces to this as well as some lovely family moments, but my favorite moments were the ones where Serena speaks up, sets a boundary, advocates for a peer, and carries the mantle of leadership.

There’s a vlog thread to this where Serena is learning to be confident speaking on camera and off the cuff. I think kids who also want to be You Tube stars will get a kick out of watching Serena find her voice through her videos. It’s a nice support piece to the work she does in the novel to find and use her voice in her school relationships.

I was pleasantly surprised that one of the friendship messages in this is that people grow apart. I would have liked a little weightier empathy for Serena’s hurt feelings to go with it. Sometimes the advice seemed too dismissive of her feelings. But I liked the normalizing of friendships that stretch and change and grow and drift over time. These things don’t only happen because someone is mean or thoughtless. Sometimes it just happens from growing up.

Be sure to add this to your home or classroom library if you are in the market for a smart friendship story where the main character finds her voice – and uses it!

Rating: ♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥½ = Good+