A Trio of Book Reviews

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Suburbia is a jungle, filled with lots of vicious creatures.

Review

Source: Library 

I picked this book up because I thought the title was intriguing and I liked the cover. The story was okay: I didn't hate it (entirely) and I didn't enjoy it as much as I do my usual 3-star reads. I was really hoping that the book would not end with couples split by divorce; that was a futile endeavor. While I think Brown did a fair job of fleshing out well developed characters, I didn't really find myself connecting with any of them; my favorite was a tertiary male character that worked from home in a technical field and was maligned by the neighborhood despite being one of the most normal residents of all. 

I gave this book: ★★

★ = I did not like it     ★★ = It was okay     ★★★ = I liked it    

★★★★ = I really liked it     ★★★★★ = I loved it

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Three best friends met every Tuesday for twenty-six years. And then they stopped. 

Review

Source: Kindle Unlimited

I loved the idea of three friends who spent over 25 years sharing a daily cup of tea on the front porch. This book explores the friendship of three women who are very different but are the best of friends. I laughed at the beginning and bawled (not cried, bawled) at the end with bouts of disgust, frustration, anger, hopelessness, and understanding along the journey in between.  Stories about life-long friendships always fascinate me and Farley wrote a story that was funny, raw, honest, heart-breaking, and ultimately, redemptive. Each of the women: Georgia, Midge and Lula, are so beautifully captured that you can find pieces of each of them to identify with. They have a major falling out and yet, as the reader, you can't pick a side....all you can do is root for them to look past the moment to the past that has drawn them together for 26 years. In the end, they discover that true friendship may face trials, but it can never be completely destroyed. 

I did cry at the end of the book - I couldn't help it - I felt as if I was a fourth friend and felt their loss so completely.

I gave this book: ★★★★★

★ = I did not like it     ★★ = It was okay     ★★★ = I liked it    

★★★★ = I really liked it     ★★★★★ = I loved it

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Interoffice dating can only lead to trouble—unless it leads to true love . . .

Review

This was a pretty cute romance that had some more serious plot twists. I admired the heroine for being brave enough to start over after a misunderstanding results in her being fired. The whole setup of her finding a new job and the parameters within that company are completely believable which for me, is a must in a romance book such as this. 
One thing that really surprised me was that Hanson used a stalker and even a physical attack on Kenley; this took the book from just a romance with a guaranteed happy ending to a book that explores a serious issue. It wasn't easy for Kenley to recover from the experience but Hanson wrote it in such an authentic and hopeful way. You are getting more than just a formulaic romance with this book. 

I won this book as a giveaway here on Goodreads - thank you to the giveaway sponsor - yet this is an honest review.

I gave this book: ★★★

★ = I did not like it     ★★ = It was okay     ★★★ = I liked it    

★★★★ = I really liked it     ★★★★★ = I loved it

Redemption of the Cube Dweller by Joanne Fox Phillips, A Review

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Book Description

Tanzie Lewis may be confessing her sins, but has this corporate auditor turned sleuth really learn any lessons from her crimes?

Tanzie successfully brought down her previous company for their dirty dealings, but she feels compelled to fly back to her hometown of San Francisco to confess the sins she committed in the process. However, instead of the liberation Tanzie hoped to gain from her time in the dim light of the confessional, she finds herself drawn into intertwining investigations where her professional skills, once again, threaten to place her in danger, and a budding romance competes for this appealing detective’s attention in another clever adventure in the series.

Review

I received an eARC copy of this book from the publisher. Here is my honest review.

I have been waiting for this book since I finished the first one: Revenge of the Cube Dweller. Redemption did not disappoint! Like the first book, Tanzie was a character that you can easily love and root for in spite of - or maybe because of - her flaws. The plot was developed and kept you guessing as well as being fast-paced. The secondary characters were so strong in this book that they really added so much to the story! I can't wait to see what Tanzie gets up to next! Note: While this is the second book in the series, and I always recommend reading in order, you could read this book without having read the first. The plot of this book is not a continuation of the first and the author does a good job of filling in some back story for Tanzie. I gave this book: ★★★★ ★ = I did not like it     ★★ = It was okay     ★★★ = I liked it     ★★★★ = I really liked it     ★★★★★ = I loved it Want to Know More? You can read my review of the first book in the series HERE.

Rescued by Peter Zheutlin, A Review

Rescued: What Second-Chance Dogs Teach Us About Living with Purpose, Loving with Abandon, and Finding Joy in the Little Things

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Book Description

In RESCUED, NYT bestselling author Peter Zheutlin interweaves stories and lessons from families who have welcomed rescue dogs into their homes with his own zany experiences adopting one for the first time in midlife to reveal what we can learn from these animals who were once lost and are now found. Blending keen insights and advice on navigating the complexities of caring for a rescue dog with humorous (and occasionally heart-wrenching) anecdotes, each chapter reveals important life lessons we can learn from second-chance dogs, such as: 
- The truth about living with a rescued pet: it is not one continuous Hallmark moment
- How rescue dogs can heal us just like we heal them
- Surprising new ways they can teach us to rediscover and celebrate our joyous inner child, accept change gracefully, and forgive others and, most importantly, ourselves 
For anyone who loves, lives with, or has ever wanted a dog, this irresistibly charming book will warm your heart and show how the dogs whose lives we've saved can change ours for the better too.

Review

I received an eARC copy of this book from the publisher. Here is my honest review.

An absolutely delightful and adorable read! Zheutlin was able to bring the dogs to life and showcase their personalities with the written word - a truly remarkable feat. I don't know who wouldn't want to cuddle the sweet, skittish, and lovable Albie after finishing this book. 
Dog rescue is a world of extremes: Zheutlin points to the horrors that many dogs (especially in the South) face and then shifts the focus to the realities of rescuing a dog and giving them a home of love, safety and comfort. The author doesn't shy away from the challenges that an owner could face when rescuing a dog; instead he addresses it in a practical way that inspires rather than discourages rescue. I really enjoyed the way Zheutlin took several "case studies", or rescued dogs and their owners, and used their stories repeatedly throughout the book. Instead of briefly meeting a great number of dogs and owners, we are able to really get to know a handful of great human beings and their dogs. It also gives continuity to the exploration of what one can expect when rescuing a dog.

I gave this book: ★★★★

★ = I did not like it     ★★ = It was okay     ★★★ = I liked it    

★★★★ = I really liked it     ★★★★★ = I loved it

Want to Know More?

1. Read Rescue Road: One Man, Thirty Thousand Dogs, and a Million Miles on the Last Hope Highway by Peter Zheutlin. 

2. Fostering a Pet: FAQs by Petfinder

3. Finally, get involved. A good friend of mine is actively involved in dog rescue and I know it is a rewarding experience for her.  You can donate money to a rescue or if that is outside your limits, you can volunteer to help a rescue in a variety of ways (post about dogs needing a home, foster a dog, help at a rescue event, transport dogs, etc)  

Zheutlin mentions the vast number of homeless dogs after Hurricane Katrina.  With the recent Harvey and Irma hurricane's, there are many dogs currently needing assistance. There are many dog rescues to choose from. A Google search for dog rescue Hurricane Harvey/Irma should give you multiple charities to choose from. 

Ban This Book by Alan Gratz, A Review

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Book Description

An inspiring tale of a fourth-grader who fights back when her favorite book is banned from the school library--by starting her own illegal locker library!

It all started the day Amy Anne Ollinger tried to check out her favorite book in the whole world, From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, from the school library. That's when Mrs. Jones, the librarian, told her the bad news: her favorite book was banned! All because a classmate's mom thought the book wasn't appropriate for kids to read.

Amy Anne decides to fight back by starting a secret banned books library out of her locker. Soon, she finds herself on the front line of an unexpected battle over book banning, censorship, and who has the right to decide what she and her fellow students can read.

Review

I received an eARC copy of this book from the publisher. Here is my honest review.

This is absolutely one of the best books I've read this year. I keep finding ways to sneak it into conversations with the people in my life.

There are so many reasons why I loved this book.
1. Amy Anne is a fantastic protagonist. I completely connected and identified with her. I love that her school library allowed her to visit everyday. It seems now, students are only allowed to go once a week and hardly before or after school. It's like the education system wants to block access to books - but I digress. Gratz writes her perfectly as a bookworm: she's an introvert yet inwardly strong, she's fairly understanding of those around her and quick to forgive once she's knows what drives those in her life.

2. The supporting characters are also wonderfully developed and complex and make this story come to life.

3. Amy Anne's favorite book is From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, which happens to be one of my most favorite books of all time as well. I remember reading it as a girl decades ago and it was the first chapter book I read aloud to my son (he was four). It's a book I quickly recommend to parents and kids alike as one to read. I cannot even fathom a single soul thinking this book is a negative influence on children.

4. I love how even though Amy Anne is 9 or 10 years old, she has already formed opinions about her world. She carries on dialogues with people in her head; she thinks this makes her weak but ultimately it gives her strength as she finds that she can voice her thoughts and opinions to those around her. While she has to learn the correct way to go about it, she definitely is a character that struggles and grows throughout the book. Young readers are going to identify with Amy Anne as she learns to speak up and stand up for what she believes in. She's a book character that you wish was real and was friends with your own child. She's inspiring. Watching her confidence grow is a magical thing.

5. Gratz tackles the concept of censorship in a direct and thought-provoking way. Since it's a children's book, it is absolutely written on their level, bringing up issues that third to sixth graders are going to easily recognize. As a parent, it is our job to guide and direct children; Gratz realizes that for middle grade readers, there still needs to be parental guidance and I respect the stance that only a parent can tell you you can't read a book. Instead of tackling issues that might give parents pause, such as the inclusion of alcohol or drug use, Gratz focuses on books that are beloved by children (and that I loved as a child) and reference bodily functions, clothing that is typically kept private, etc.

6. Amy Anne and her friends grasp the ridiculousness of the situation before the school officials do. Simple truth they come to realize: any book can be offensive to any reader. They fight back with a plan to ban every book in the library. (Example: Old Yeller - because the dog dies and that is too sad for children to deal with). The reasons they give are simple and inarguable. Gratz lays out this argument against censorship: if one book can be banned because one person doesn't like it, then any book (and thus every book) can be banned because one person takes offense. As a parent or a teacher, addressing the issue of censorship in the book can open up discussion about the world around us and whether there are lessons in the book that can be applied to our bigger world, in a way that is easy for middle grade readers to make sense of.

I gave this book: ★★★★★

★ = I did not like it     ★★ = It was okay     ★★★ = I liked it    

★★★★ = I really liked it     ★★★★★ = I loved it

Crown of Souls (Tox Files #2) by Ronie Kendig, A Review

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Book Description

Six months after stopping a deadly plague, Cole "Tox" Russell and his team are enjoying a little rest. That peace is short-lived when a sniper shot hits Tox. The enemy is discovered to be one of their own, a rogue Special Forces team operator. 
Alec King is perhaps the only person as skilled as Tox, and he's out for justice. Furious with orders that got his men killed, he intends to make those responsible pay. And he insists Tox join him, believing they are the same breed of soldier. 
Afraid his old friend is right, Tox battles a growing darkness within himself as he and his team engage in another deadly encounter with antiquity. It appears Alec is cheating--he's using a mysterious artifact, a crown that history has linked to some of the worst slaughters in humanity. Racing to stop Alec before his vengeance is unleashed, Tox must fight the monster without becoming one.

Review

I received an eARC copy of this book from the publisher. Here is my honest review.

I really like to read books in order although sometimes it's not necessary to read a series in order. I didn't realize that this was a series and so I spent the first half of the book feeling disconnected: I was still trying to figure out who all the characters were and what they brought to this elite team of soldiers. 
I'm really glad I stuck with it as the story took off for me about 40% in; the plot was thickening and I finally felt connected to the characters. Tox did annoy me a bit with all his self-recrimination. 
Another thing that surprised me about this story was the way Kendig mixed the soldier thriller genre with fantasy (science fiction?). It's a very unique perspective and made the story super interesting. Another aspect that I appreciate about this book is for a military focused book, it is very clean: no sex (kissing but nothing beyond that), no language and the violence is not over the top. 

I enjoyed it and look forward to the next book in the series and seeing what evil the Wraith team battles next. 

I gave this book: ★★★

★ = I did not like it     ★★ = It was okay     ★★★ = I liked it    

★★★★ = I really liked it     ★★★★★ = I loved it

Deadly Proof by Rachel Dylan, A Review

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Book Description

In the biggest case of her career, attorney Kate Sullivan is tapped as lead counsel to take on Mason Pharmaceutical because of a corporate cover-up related to its newest drug. After a whistleblower dies, Kate knows the stakes are much higher than her other lawsuits.

Former Army Ranger turned private investigator Landon James is still haunted by mistakes made while serving overseas. Trying to forget the past, he is hired by Kate to look into the whistleblower's allegation and soon suspects that the company may be engaging in a dangerous game for profit. He also soon finds himself falling for this passionate and earnest young lawyer. 

Determined not to make the same mistakes, he's intent on keeping Kate safe, but as the case deepens, it appears someone is willing to risk everything--even murder--to keep the case from going to trial.

Review

I received an eARC copy of this book from the publisher. Here is my honest review.

This is legal thriller that doesn't have the typical cursing or violence that is characteristic of this genre. The legal case in the story is interesting but what makes the book enjoyable are the characters that Dylan has created. Kate is an attorney who is tough and accomplished but also full of heart. What I really enjoyed was the way Dylan wove the redemption of God into the story. The way she shared the Christian faith was the strongest part of the story.

Additionally, the supporting characters were not only likable but they are introduced in a way that the readers knows their story will be told later.

I gave this book: ★★★★

★ = I did not like it     ★★ = It was okay     ★★★ = I liked it    

★★★★ = I really liked it     ★★★★★ = I loved it

Quick Book Reviews: Inside Hudson Pickle and Bookishly Ever After

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Review

I received an eARC copy of this book from the publisher. Here is my honest review.

Hudson Pickle is a teenage boy struggling with growing up; he has a growth spurt that no only has him towering over his friends, it gets him cut from the hockey team, his favorite sport and the one thing that he thinks identifies him. He also has no idea who his father is and while it might not have been an issue in years past, it is becoming more and more important to him to know who he was and what he was like. His mom wants to protect him from the realities of life and Hudson feels like he is old enough to have his questions answered. He is not a little kid and resents being treated like one. (Despite the friction between Hudson and his mother, it does not create a rift between them that cannot be bridged). 
Ridge does a really good job of writing in the voice of a seventh grade boy who is trying to figure out who he is, friendships that change, his mom and girls. There is of course the bully that Hudson and his friend Trevor must deal with and I really like how Ridge shows the duo dealing with him and realizing that he is not someone to fear and how they stand up for themselves. 
The ending was pretty good: Hudson finds a new sport to love and has repaired his friendship with his best friend, and yet, it felt like there is more to Hudson's story. 

This is definitely a book that I would let my son read: drug use, bullying, lying are dealt with in the book but done in a way that one, doesn't glorify the activities and two, opens the door to discussions on these issues that teens today are facing. Talking about them through a fictional character is one of the best ways to broach the subject in a way that is safe and allows them to open up in a way that is less threatening than talking about real-life people they know. 

I gave this book: ★★★

★ = I did not like it     ★★ = It was okay     ★★★ = I liked it    

★★★★ = I really liked it     ★★★★★ = I loved it

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Review

It pains me to give this book one star; however, if I'm being honest, I just did not enjoy it. 

I was excited about this book: a bookworm who ends up falling for a friend - that is right up my alley.

And yet, Phoebe drove me absolutely bonkers. I didn't feel like she was a particularly strong heroine, despite her desire to be. 

I don't want to go too much into why I didn't like this book. I think much of it can be attributed to the fact that I am an adult mom and this is a YA book that you need to be a teenager to actually enjoy. Just don't think it is anywhere close to reality. It's a fairy tale.

I received an eARC of this book from the publisher. This is my honest review. 

I gave this book: ★

★ = I did not like it     ★★ = It was okay     ★★★ = I liked it    

★★★★ = I really liked it     ★★★★★ = I loved it