Tag: family

REVIEW: The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

REVIEW: The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Avery is doing what she can to get by. After the death of her mother, her half sister, Libby, took her in. Their mutual father is long gone. But in a couple years, Avery will finish high school, go to college for something to pay the bills, and then she can travel to her heart’s content. They may be scraping by, but Avery is making the best of things.

Then the prissy, proper, authoritarian boy shows up at her school. He can’t be much older than Avery is, but he kicks her principal out of his own office. And he tells Avery she is required to attend the reading of his late grandfather’s will.

Tobias Hawthorne, billionaire. Avery had never even heard of him. Why would she have to be at the reading of his will? Turns out, he named her heir of almost his entire estate.

To inherit, Avery has to move into Hawthorne House with Tobias Hawthorne’s family – his mother-in-law, his two daughters, and his four grandsons. But nothing is what it appears. The house is full of secret passages, and Tobias loved challenging the boys to different games. The only question is what games were in play when Tobias named Avery in his will? And what games might his family be playing to get Avery out of the way?

Review

This was fantastic! I loved almost every moment. Avery is excellent as a protagonist. She’s bright and determined, but also down to earth and relate-able. She would fit in well with the author’s other excellent characters. The four Hawthorne boys are a delight. I wanted more time to get to know each of them. I still have questions and want to know more about all four of them.

There are several mysteries at play which swirl around Avery – whispers of another girl involved with the grandsons, Avery’s connection to Tobias, the attempts to get her out of the way, and the games and puzzles in the house and on the grounds. I loved every bit of it. I would have read hundreds of pages about the house even if they had nothing to do with the main questions of the book because it was all so fascinating.

Frankly, I was disappointed with the wrap up of one of the main questions of the book. I was expecting… MORE I guess, something bigger. I went back and re-read the climax scene and the second read gave me a better sense of satisfaction, but it still wasn’t the punch I wanted. But…

The last few pages launched several new questions – or at least pulled some of the secondary questions from this novel into the spotlight. And I am SO excited to read a sequel and find out what else Tobias Hawthorne – and Jennifer Lynn Barnes – have in store for these characters! (Some language, LGBTQ+, CW: Domestic violence/abuse, grief/loss)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥= Great! Might re-read

 

REVIEW: The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan

REVIEW: The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Carter Kane and his dad are in London for Christmas to visit Carter’s sister, Sadie, who lives with their mom’s parents. After their mom died, the grandparents sued for custody, taking Sadie in. This left Carter to travel the world with his archaeologist father and only see his younger sister twice a year.

Going to the museum on Christmas Eve wasn’t Sadie’s idea of a great visitation plan. The whole evening had been weird. Carter and her dad had been late. There was that Amos guy who talked to their dad and then disappeared.

But all of that weird was nothing compared to the Rosetta Stone exploding in a bit of magical combat. Now their father is gone, the police are threatening to arrest them, and their uncle has magically whisked them away to Brooklyn.

Turns out, the Egyptian gods are real. And two of them are working with Carter and Sadie to help take down the evil god, Set. But the Egyptian magicians of the day don’t trust anything to do with the gods. So they, too, are trying to stop Carter and Sadie.

Review

This book is 10 years old this year, and it’s been close to that long since I read it. At my first reading, I liked the story and the characters, but I preferred Percy Jackson’s world of Greek mythology. This is written for older middle grade readers – 10 and up.

My son assigned this to me as part of our Summer Reading Challenge, and I loved getting to read it after also reading the first five Percy books this summer.

The world building here is extensive. I don’t know if the magic system in Percy Jackson is just easier, or if Greek mythology is just more familiar. But grasping the details of the Egyptian gods as well as the magic system here felt like more work than with Percy.

I did like the other differences in this book. Carter and Sadie take turns telling the story, and there’s an interesting framework for readers that is more extensive than in the first Percy books. I also liked that Carter and Sadie have two fronts for battle – the magicians who don’t trust them and then the gods. I’d like to re-read the rest of this series – The Kane Chronicles – soon. I have enjoyed the return to this world.

I had forgotten the references to racism that are sprinkled throughout the book. (Carter’s parents were an interracial couple. Carter presents as Black, and Sadie presents as white.) Considering the discussions of race and racial justice from this summer, this book felt like a timely read. Sadly, little has changed in the last 10 years.

I think it’s easy for readers to dive into Percy because it’s more well known. But kids who love mythology stories should not miss this series. In the last 10 years, Riordan has expanded into Roman mythology and Norse mythology as well as launching a publishing imprint which has explored other racial and ethnic groups. There is a beautiful library of mythology stories to choose from these days. Don’t miss the Egyptian ones in this series.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥♥½= Loved it! Would re-read

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.

REVIEW: Swamp Thing: Twin Branches by Maggie Stiefvater

REVIEW: Swamp Thing: Twin Branches by Maggie Stiefvater

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

Alec and Walker Holland are spending their last summer before college with their cousins out in the country because of some… discord at home. For twins, the boys couldn’t have more different personalities. Walker is the extrovert, the life of the party. It’s not long before he knows everyone in town. Alec, on the other hand, is quiet and introverted. He’s far more interested in his plant-based science experiments than in people.

Some problems with Alec’s experiments lead to strange reactions in the local wildlife. And then in the people. But just when Alec finds someone to share his breakthroughs with, things escalate to a shocking degree.

Review

I am still stunned by where this story goes from start to finish. It’s an odd little story. And I loved it.

I have no history with Alec Holland or the Swamp Thing. I looked up the character’s history online, and wow! I liked the ways this changes the story. I liked the twin brothers angle to this a lot – the way they care for each other even when they are so different and don’t always understand each other.

I didn’t understand all of the plant science/science fiction in this, but I enjoyed it. The depiction of Alec connecting with a plant while his parents are talking in the background to the school personnel about his difficulties with people was beautiful and gave me a ton of insight into the character. That may be my favorite moment in the book. What happens to the local animal life after encountering Alec’s experiment was fascinating, too. Although not as interesting as what happens to the people.

The story and the characters here are supremely engaging. I would have loved a longer story, but I’ll settle for a sequel! Hand this to graphic novel fans and readers who want to dive into some of the lesser known DC characters. The way the author re-imagines this character really clicked for me. And the art work – while not my favorite style (just a matter of personal preference) – is lovely. (Language, sexual references)

You can read more reviews of books and graphic novels from the DC Universe here. DC has graciously provided some samples of the interior artwork for you to enjoy!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥=Great. Might re-read.

REVIEW: Running by Natalia Sylvester

REVIEW: Running by Natalia Sylvester

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Mariana Ruiz’s father is running for president. He’s been in the state legislature before, and he’s currently a US Senator for Florida. Mariana knows what politics means for their day-to-day life. But she hasn’t really registered that his run for the Republican nomination means this election is at a whole new level.

Joe, her father’s assistant, is dictating her comments for TV spots and interviews. Her bedroom gets made-over like an elementary school classroom, complete with motivational posters, against her will because reporters are going to be seeing it. The whole family will be interviewed. No matter how many times Mariana asks to be left out of things, no one listens. So she disappears before the interview and goes to a friend’s house. That’s the first time Mariana pushes back. But it won’t be the last.

Review

This was excellent! No only does the book look at big issues like politics and the environment and activism, but it also drills down to interpersonal issues like family unity, teenage autonomy, family obligations, and political identity. For most of Mariana’s life, politics was just what her father did. It was background noise like other parental jobs might be for teens. But her father’s run for president amps up all the pressure over appearances and media scrutiny. Mariana’s discomfort starts there.

Then, a school assignment converges with a friend’s personal issues and raises her awareness about real life factors – things that impact people she loves. Things that used to just be political talking points. Mariana connects with students at her school who are more politically aware and engaged. She sees her father’s voting record, and it doesn’t line up with what he’s always said he believes. The more she learns, the more the idealized picture of her father fractures.

There are no easy answers offered, which I loved. This is Mariana’s coming-of-age story where her assumptions are torn down and what she rebuilds is a new comprehension of not only her family but also the larger world. And she realizes she has a place in it, and she has a unique platform where her voice can be heard. I loved this! (Language, LGBTQ+, TW: gaslighting)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥♥½ – I loved it! Would re-read.

BONUS REVIEW: Premeditated Myrtle by Elizabeth C. Bunce

BONUS REVIEW: Premeditated Myrtle by Elizabeth C. Bunce

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

Myrtle Hardcastle is the daughter of the local prosecutor, and a scientist, her late mother. So she comes by her intellect and her curiosity honestly. So can anyone be surprised when she uses the telescope to look in on the neighbors or when she reads about poisons?

When Myrtle notices a change in the daily patterns of her neighbors at Redgraves, she looks into things on her own and then notifies the police. They discover that the lady of the house, Miss Wodehouse, has passed away.

Everyone says it was her heart, but Myrtle is convinced it was murder. Myrtle and her governess, Miss Judson, do some of their own investigating at Redgraves, talking to the presumed heirs as well and hunting for clues. In fact, Myrtle eventually convinces the powers that be that it was, in fact, murder. Now, all she has to do is find the killer.

Review

This was excellent! I loved the characters in this. Myrtle is a delight – brilliant and confident. And the cast around her is equally fantastic. I would snap up book 2 – How to Get Away With Myrtle – which also released this week. This was terrific!

The characters are what would keep me coming back to this series. I’m already excited about their next adventure. But the mystery in this is also excellent. There are several suspects and some nice surprises. Mystery fans are going to love this! Crimes include a suspicious death/murder, fraud, and kidnapping.

Do not miss this new mystery series for older middle grade readers (ages 10+) or the amazing Myrtle Hardcastle. I’d hand this to kids who enjoy mysteries like City Spies, FRAMED, Aggie Morton, The Westing Game, Capture the Flag, The Parker Inheritance, or Winterborne Home for Vengeance and Valor. (You can read about other middle grade mysteries here.) I think they will fall in love with Myrtle.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥♥½=I loved it! Would re-read!

SATURDAY SMORGASBORD: In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren

SATURDAY SMORGASBORD: In a Holidaze 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. This book will release on October 6, 2020.]

Summary

Maelyn Jones and her family spend each Christmas with her parents’ college friends and their families. Maelynn has been coming to this cabin since she was born. The rest of the “kids”in the group are her younger brother, Miles who is 17; the twins, Kennedy and Zachary who are five; Theo, who is Mae’s age, 26; and Theo’s older brother, Andrew, Mae’s lifelong crush, who is 30.

This Christmas, Mae and Theo enjoy too much eggnog and end up making out in the mudroom. Now, Mae is mortified. She doesn’t have those sorts of feelings for womanizing Theo. Thankfully she halted things before they went too far. But Theo is being a jerk about it all. And to make it even worse, Andrew saw them. He’s clueless about her crush and teases her about Theo.

The final straw to this awful 24 hour period is hearing that Theo and Andrew’s parents are going to sell the cabin. The one happy anchor in her life is going to disappear. So she asks the universe to show her what would make her happy. Right after that, the car she is in with her family is blindsided and everything goes dark.

When Mae wakes up, it is December 20th – again. She’s in the airplane on her way to the Christmas she already lived through once. As Mae’s personal Groundhog Day plays out, she’ll have to figure out what the universe is trying to show her.

Review

This is a fun holiday story with some laugh-out-loud moments. Mae and Andrew are great, especially together. They felt young at times compared to their stated ages. Maybe it’s because they are the second generation of this extended family group. I enjoyed the rest of the cast, too. The whole Christmas week at the cabin together was a fun set up for this.

The Groundhog Day story hits hard and fast, but then it almost disappears. Mae has 2 false starts at her do-over, but on the third it shifts from more do-overs to just anxiety about a reset coming and losing the progress she has made. It felt a little off balance.

The ending was good, and I enjoyed the epilogue that ties everything together in a satisfying way. If you enjoy the author’s other work or are looking for a Christmas romance, give this one a try. (Language, sex, LGBTQ+, references to tarot readings)

Rating: ♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥½ = Good+

SATURDAY SMORGASBORD: A Princess for Christmas by Jenny Holiday

SATURDAY SMORGASBORD: A Princess for Christmas by Jenny Holiday

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Avon in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. This book will release on October 13, 2020.]

Summary

Leo Ricci drives a New York City cab and also is the super of the building where he lives. He’s raising his eleven-year-old sister, Gabby. His neighbor and cousin-in-law, Dani, is a huge help as he feels out of his league almost all of the time.

Her Royal Highness Marie Joséphine Annagret Elana, Princess of Eldovia, is in New York to speak at the United Nations about the refugee crisis and then to handle some negotiations with American businesses, one in particular. Failing to fix the relationship between Eldovia and the businessman will be devastating to her country. And she’s not sure how much more of her father’s disapproval she can take.

Leo and Maria meet when she gets in his cab. His sister is gaga over meeting a real life princess. And Leo’s always had a thing for rescuing damsels in distress. He agrees to help Maria out by serving as her driver while she is in the city. In return, she invites Leo and Gabby to Eldovia for Christmas, like they are in some sort of Hallmark Christmas movie. But Leo and Maria come from two vastly different worlds. He’s barely making ends meet, and she’s a princess with an obligation to marry “strategically.” What business do they have spending Christmas together?

Review

This was delightful! It definitely has a Hallmark Christmas Movie feel to it (though far steamier than Hallmark Channel would ever allow), which is exactly what the author was going for. In fact, according to the acknowledgements, there are going to be two more books in the series. And if I am reading the signs right in the epilogue about where the sequel is headed, I am absolutely here for book 2!

I adored Leo and Marie. They really “get” each other. And they have great chemistry complete with excellent banter. They connect over their lost family members, care well for Gabby, and Leo helps Marie find her way through several conflicts. He sees her as a person, not just as a princess.

The story here is great. I loved that the conflicts are around the differences in their status and in the expectations of Marie in her role. There’s no secret identity or lying involved which is a nice change of pace.

This is another winner for Christmas 2020. Don’t miss this sexy holiday romance! (Language, sex, CW: grief/loss)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥♥½ = Loved it! Would read again!

SATURDAY SMORGASBORD: The Christmas Table by Donna VanLiere

SATURDAY SMORGASBORD: The Christmas Table by Donna VanLiere

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. This book will release on October 6, 2020.]

Summary

In 1972, Joan, a young wife and mother, teaches herself to cook from her mother’s recipes. When cancer strikes, she continues to cook, when she feels up to it, using the recipes to connect with her children. Family time is precious as they fight for her survival. Through the year, her husband finds some respite working on a table for their kitchen.

In 2012, Lauren and Travis discover they’re going to have a baby. As their friends help the newlyweds prepare their home for a new arrival, Lauren gets a refurbished kitchen table. The table has a secret drawer. Inside, she discovers a stack of recipe cards which include family stories. As she experiments with the recipes, Lauren is determined to do all she can to return those cards to that family.

Review

This is book 10 in the Christmas Hope series by Donna VanLiere. I think the books can be read alone (I started with book 8, The Christmas Town) without too much trouble, but to get everything out of the relationships, readers might try the books in order.

I liked the dual timeline/split timeline in this. The 1972 story keeps you wondering all the way through about how things will turn out for this family. For me, it was stressful. There’s a strong prayer/faith component to this timeline in the book which I enjoyed. For some, the cancer/chemo pieces could be difficult to read.

I preferred the 2012 timeline. I have loved Lauren’s story since The Christmas Town, so I was happy to spend more time with her in this book. The ending, where all was connected and revealed, was terrific and satisfying.

I liked the idea of using recipe cards as a storytelling mechanism. But in reality, it got old to me at times to read the cooking details. I felt like it slowed the story down. Cooking is not something I enjoy, but those pieces might be perfect and enjoyable for other readers who do. The book includes several recipes for readers who want to try some of the items on their own.

Fans of Grandon and the Christmas Hope series will want to pick this one up. Readers who enjoy stories of faith, warm Christmas tales, and dual/split  timeline stories should check this out, too. (CW: Cancer/Chemo. One reference in the ARC to a newborn sleeping on her stomach. Due to SIDS risk, babies should be put to sleep on their backs.)

Rating: ♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥½ = Good+

SATURDAY SMORGASBORD: Holding Out for Christmas by Janet Dailey

SATURDAY SMORGASBORD: Holding Out for Christmas by Janet Dailey

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

Connor Branch, former rodeo star, has settled into the Christmas Tree Ranch in Branding Iron with his buddies, Travis and Rush. This time of year they’re cutting down and selling Christmas trees, caring for the ranch, and giving sleigh rides. And Connor is dreaming of his Cinderella – a singer he heard at last year’s Cowboy Christmas Ball. She left before he could meet her, but he hasn’t been able to stop thinking about her for the last year. He is hoping to meet the beautiful and talented Lacy Leatherwood this Christmas.

Megan Carson teaches kindergarten in Nashville. She was driving into Branding Iron to help her family with some things during the holidays when the storm kicked up, stranding her. Thankfully, Connor came along and rescued her from a cold night in her car in a ditch. Megan likes Branding Iron, but this is going to be a visit only. Her parents could use her help here on a regular basis. And teachers are in high demand in the community. But in Nashville, Megan’s alter ego, Lacy Leatherwood, is pursuing her dream performing career.

Megan finds out about Connor’s feelings regarding Lacy Leatherwood, but she doesn’t want to tell him the truth about her. Men tend to get hot and bothered over Lacy and forget about Megan, the real woman behind the flashy clothes, wig, and false eyelashes. She’ll just pal around with him while she’s in town and then get back to her real life and her dream in Nashville.

Review

I didn’t realize this was part of a series when I requested it, but it is the third book in the Christmas Tree Ranch series. Book one is My Kind of Christmas (Travis’ story), and book 2 is It’s a Christmas Thing (Rush’s story – part of the Kindle Unlimited program at the time of this writing).

This was a warm Christmas story in a nice community with interesting characters. I especially enjoyed meeting Megan and her family. I would have liked to get to know Connor’s friends a bit more, but that’s what the first two books are for. Those books are already on my wishlist so I can go back and pick up their stories.

Megan’s personal conflicts – her feelings about the guy in Nashville, her questions about what her role should be with her family, and her dreams of a music career – were more engaging to me than the “masked singer” pieces about Lacy. I wasn’t sold on her passion for performing. But her wrestling over her family responsibilities was something I wanted to see play out more.

Series fans will absolutely want to pick this up to finish the story arcs of the three guys from the ranch. New readers, though, should have no trouble starting here. I think you will want to track down the rest of the books, though, eventually. Pick this up for a light Christmas romance with great characters in a lovely community setting. But if you are picking this up for the truck full of puppies, don’t bother. While there’s a dog in the book, these puppies don’t make an appearance at all.

Rating: ♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥½ = Good+