Book Reviews & Thoughts |
Goodreads Synopsis: The Vignes twin sisters will always be identical. But after growing up together in a small, southern black community and running away at age sixteen, it's not just the shape of their daily lives that is different as adults, it's everything: their families, their communities, their racial identities. Many years later, one sister lives with her black daughter in the same southern town she once tried to escape. The other passes for white, and her white husband knows nothing of her past. Still, even separated by so many miles and just as many lies, the fates of the twins remain intertwined. What will happen to the next generation, when their own daughters' storylines intersect? Weaving together multiple strands and generations of this family, from the Deep South to California, from the 1950s to the 1990s, Brit Bennett produces a story that is at once a riveting, emotional family story and a brilliant exploration of the American history of passing. Looking well beyond issues of race, The Vanishing Half considers the lasting influence of the past as it shapes a person's decisions, desires, and expectations, and explores some of the multiple reasons and realms in which people sometimes feel pulled to live as something other than their origins. The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett | Goodreads Holy moly! This book took me through a whole roller coaster of emotions! The writing style was very elegant and smooth, however, I struggled sometimes to follow the time period and point of view jumps. There were years included occasionally, but not every time the story jumped forward or back in time. The inclusion of the year at the start of a chapter more often would have made this easier to follow. I simultaneously love and hate that this book was based on a real town that the author's mother told her about. I always want to expand my knowledge in order to grow and improve, but it was also heartbreaking and infuriating to read about horrible things that were happening and some that still are. This novel shines a very bright light on a wide variety of scenarios involving racism, sexism, and discrimination. This was an incredibly powerful novel that I know I will remember forever. 4 Stars!
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Goodreads Synopsis: He took them in, but could they ever leave? Lord Rupert Lacy gives Caz the creeps. But her hippie mother and dreamy younger sister have fallen for his act and accept his invitation to move in. While it’s a step up from living in a van, the dilapidated mansion scares Caz. As she explores its lonely corridors, she begins to suspect that the reclusive aristocrat is hiding a dark secret. Haunted by strange noises and bizarre dreams, Caz tries to warn her family. Only nobody is listening. Increasingly desperate and isolated, the teenager feels compelled to take drastic action. Will it be enough to save them before it’s too late? The Insect Room by Felicity Hughes | Goodreads Thank you to Felicity Hughes for providing me with an ebook copy of The Insect Room for me to read and review. The Insect Room is a very unique, suspense-filled debut novel. It is filled with many quirky, creepy scenes that brought back memories of reading A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket. The winding, weird events of the story woven by Hughes had me questioning the main character's sanity and the suspense built was very reminiscent of the vibes created by B.A. Paris in The Breakdown. However, the ending fell a bit flat for me. I feel like I missed or misunderstood some important detail and I felt like I was left hanging and there was no resolution of the final situation. 3 Stars! Goodreads Synopsis: She’s a hot mess. Success lives in his back pocket. The stage calls to them, until a twisted fan tries to seal their fate…using nine words. Five days ago, I couldn’t stand Jett. He’s a world-renowned guitarist in a hit band, and I’m a washed-up sex symbol vocalist in a band that’s seen its glory. Five days ago, something changed. I was given an ultimatum that I’m not sure I can live up to. The world of rock and roll is a cruel place. It’s a world where I can only be sure of one thing, and that one thing is what is ruining me. Jett sees right through me. And as much as I hate him, he keeps coming around. Until he disappears back to the stage. But does he really leave me? I find Roxy in the back room, kicking my most prized amp. Sure, it’s held together with duct tape, but it plays better than anything else. She sneers and pokes at me, until she realizes that I have the one thing that she’s lost. I’d help her get it back if she’d lose the chip on her shoulder. Then I find out what’s eating her, and I see her in a different light. There’s more to Roxy than meets the eye. Her bandmates see it. That’s why they stick around. But will the world see it…and more important, will they see it before it’s too late? Dreams by Sandra Alex | Goodreads Thank you to Sandra Alex for providing me with an ebook copy of Dreams for me to read and review. What a wild ride to start this brand new series! I absolutely devoured this story! I did not want to put it down and flew through it so fast. There is quite a large cast of characters in this story which was a bit challenging to keep straight especially near the beginning of the book, but there were some unique, very distinctive personalities that quickly rose to the forefront of the story. Alex as always, writes excellent development of her important characters, and in this novel she has specifically shone a spotlight on a character who struggled with addiction in a very raw, real, but yet hopeful manner. My one dislike, which may be my own personal preference, was the continued use of the word man when other characters are speaking to or referring to the female characters of the story. This writing choice appears in a number of Alex's books; it rubs me the wrong way and throws off my reading flow when it happens. The chemistry between the two main characters is off the charts, with an incredibly drawn out build up of sexual tension and romantic feelings throughout most of the book. The sex scenes were very hot and accurately depicted the culmination of the huge amount of tension built up between these two characters. As for the ending, Alex did not disappoint! No where in my wildest dreams did I see that coming! I cannot wait to read the next book in the series to see what happens. 4 Stars! Goodreads Synopsis: My acting coach says I’m destined for greatness. My parents say they’re proud of me no matter what. The social media trolls say I’m nothing more than a failed child star. Everyone says what they think, but no one knows who I really am or what I want. Even me. I’ve spent eighteen years of my life pretending to be other people, but when Cole Keller moves in next door, I get a major reality check. I don’t know if it’s his arrogance, our proximity this summer, or whatever he’s hiding, but I’m drawn to him. I’m convinced stardom is in my past, but the more time I spend with Cole under the night sky, I wonder if it’s actually my present—and my future. Just Play Pretend by Jennifer Ann Shore | Goodreads Thank you to Jennifer Ann Shore and Book Sirens for providing me with an ebook copy of Just Play Pretend for me to read and review. Shore succeeded again in sucking me right into the story from the very first page with her great use of witty, sarcastic humor. I was instantly transported into the story and the mindset of the main character. Shore's writing had me feeling the highs and lows along with the characters. All of the characters were so very relatable and yet still such unique, individual personalities. I also have to draw attention to the exquisite cover, that illustrates beautifully the acts of stargazing and reflective practices that are entwined throughout the story. This novel is a young adult book that is truly a unique coming of age story, with an inspiring rediscovery of a previously abandoned passion and a sweet story of young love. 4 Stars! |
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