Tag: fresh start/reinvention

REVIEW: Double Twist by Stephanie Rowe

REVIEW: Double Twist by Stephanie Rowe

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

After helping the FBI put her husband in jail – and dodging a couple attempts on her life – Mia has bought a marina in Maine with big plans to start over, fresh.

On the plus side, the lake is gorgeous, and she’s already made a couple of friends. On the down side, though, the marina is in horrible shape, the town hates her because they think she destroyed a prized landmark, Mia’s already had to break out her lockpicks despite saying she would live her new life on the straight and narrow, and one of her new friends is a murder suspect.

Review

What a fun, unusual “cozy” mystery! I got such a kick out of this!

Mia is fantastic. She’s got a fun, sassy voice I loved. But I was also touched by the push and pull she feels about her “old” life. She longs to leave the crime-adjacent life she’s always known. But her experiences also help her stay alive and help her try to keep her friend out of jail. I also loved how much she appreciated the women in her new life.

There’s a lot to love here for mystery fans. This is twisty and layered. I really enjoyed the journey to the resolution. The hot Law Enforcement Officer (LEO), and a fantastic feline sidekick round out the terrific cast in this book. And I can’t wait to read more. Book 2, Top Notch, is scheduled to release this fall. I’ll be picking that one up for sure.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read.

REVIEW: The Humiliations of Pipi McGee by Beth Vrabel

REVIEW: The Humiliations of Pipi McGee by Beth Vrabel

Posted on by Jaymie

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

Summary

Pipi’s humiliations are legendary. And no one at her middle school is going to let her forget them. From her kindergarten self-portrait (as a strip of bacon with boobs) shown on the first day of 8th grade to her reputation for picking her nose (an unfortunate school picture fiasco) and starting a vomiting epidemic on the school bus, Pipi can’t catch a break. If anyone touches her, they treat their hand as if they have the plague, trying to pass the “Pipi touch” to other students. But Pipi is convinced THIS will be the year everything changes. This will be the year of revenge and redemption!

Pipi has a plan to reinvent herself, undo all of her humiliations, and to strike back at those who hurt her the most when she was vulnerable. Her single-minded focus on changing her life before high school ends up causing more trouble than it fixes. In fact, her quest for reinvention could cost her the parts of her current life she actually enjoys.

Review

There are some truly delightful moments in this story. But there are also plenty of painful ones for Pipi. This is the second “revenge” story line I’ve read recently, and both were a bit painful to read. This isn’t the good-will-triumph-over-evil sort of revenge where you identify with the oppressed and cheer for them to rise up. It tends to look more like good-kid-temporarily-becomes-a-jerk-to-get-back-at-the-jerks.  And as the reader, you have to sit back and watch it all fall apart while you hope Pipi will learn from everything and find some redemption in the end.

Pipi’s family really helps offset the more awkward and painful parts of the book. They are spectacular! My favorite scene is a birthday party in the middle of the book – it’s an absolute treat. There’s also a couple brief appearances of characters from the author’s 2018 book The Reckless Club (which I ADORED). The tie in was terrific.

I am loving the publishing trend of producing books for older middle grade readers – the 10 to 14-year-olds, the middle schoolers who are ready for more complicated and intricate stories but still young enough to steer away from some YA themes. This is a perfect example of a story for that audience – complicated friendships and relationships, lessons to be learned, and identity to develop. Be sure to check out Pipi McGee! (LGBTQ+)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥