The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins

My Rating: 4 Stars

Here’s why

I have not actually read Jane Eyre, but I was excited to see this retelling of the classic story as a December 2020 Book of the Month selection.

Jane is new to the Birmingham area and finds herself walking dogs for the residents of the prestigious Thorfield Estates – a rich, uppity gated community full of McMansions, fancy SUVs and gossipy housewives. When Jane catches the eye of newly-widowed Edward “Eddie” Rochester, their romance moves quickly as they fall hard and fast for one another. However, Eddie’s late wife, Bea, still seems to haunt their lives as the successful rags-to-riches owner of the interior design company Southern Manors. Can Jane fully win over Eddie’s heart or will her past – and his – taint their futures?

***

When I first read a synopsis for this book I immediately thought of Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier, which I read earlier this year.

The widowed husband, mysterious death of/missing wife, a new love entering their world, it seemed too similar for my liking. However, reading it now for myself, it isn’t exactly the same. Plus, comparing the plot to a short summary I read of Jane Eyre, I can see where Hawkins decided to take some liberties whilst keeping some plot points, names, and characters the same.

I am giving this book 4/5 Stars because I really enjoyed the writing (I read it in 24 hours!), the plot line was intriguing, and I loved that it gave me Gone Girl/Rebecca vibes. Both great novels with great, twisted characters. I am not giving it 5 stars because I wish there was one more chapter/sneak peek into the character’s lives to tie up all the loose ends! 

If you love retellings of classics, or stories like Gone Girl and Rebecca, you will love The Wife Upstairs!

HAPPY READING 🙂

Genre: Thriller/Mystery/Fiction/Retelling/Classic/Adult

People Like Her by Ellery Lloyd

My Rating: 5 Stars

Here’s why

This was my 2020 December Book of the Month choice! I thought the premise was intriguing and very relatable in today’s social media-crazed world.

Emmy – or better known as @the_mamabare on Instagram – has made her mark on the world of “Instamums” as someone who tells it like it is. Her novelist husband and two adorable daughters are featured on her profile on the daily, although her husband is worried they are taking things too far. And he seem to be right as this “Instafamous” family has a stalker, and their intentions are far from innocent.

***

As a stay-at-home mom, I have found myself falling into the dangers of comparing my life with those “Instamums” who make parenting/life seem easy as 1, 2, 3. So it was interesting to get a glimpse of these influencers’ lives, what they might be like and get the behind-the-scenes look at these not-so-effortless snapshots.

Ellery Lloyd is actually a pseudonym for writing couple/duo Collette Lyons and Paul Vlitos. Man, do they make a great team! The novel has three different POVs: the wife, Emmy, the husband, Dan, and the stalker, and I loved each of their perspectives. They all had a unique voice which makes me wonder if Collette wrote one and Paul would write another, or if they collaborate throughout.

I am giving this book 5/5 Stars because of the uniqueness of the plot line, the flow of the writing, the twists along the way, and the characters themselves. Each character has elements that I could empathize with, but moments of irritation/frustration,too. I could relate, justify, and understand the reasons for their actions, whether good or bad, which made them feel so real.

I really hope they write more novels because I will be keeping my eyes peeled for their name to pop up in the future!

HAPPY READING 🙂

Genre: Thriller/Suspense/Mystery/Stalker/Social Media/Contemporary/Fiction

Death on the Nile (Hercule Poirot #17) by Agatha Christie

My Rating: 3 Stars

Here’s why

I haven’t read too many Agatha Christie novels, but I did enjoy the other two more than this one. However, this was a fast read and luckily there are plenty more for me to try out!

What started out as a nice, tranquil trip down the Nile turns into a multiple-murder mystery that Poirot and Detective Race find themselves in the midst of. Can they catch the murderer in time?

***

This Agatha Christie first came to my attention after seeing a movie trailer that is supposed to be released next year (I believe!) so I wanted to read it beforehand.

I love Christie’s cast of characters and her plot lines, usually. This book in particular had a slower start with a lot of exposition of the characters setting the scene prior to the main event – the death(s). Although there were a few potentials as to what happened and why, I guessed the twist on the first go. I did entertain a few other options hoping what I originally thought was wrong, but I was proven correct.

I am giving this book 3/5 Stars because of the ease in which I guessed the killer and the reason why, but I still did enjoy reading another Hercule Poirot mystery. There is a reason Agatha Christie is the mother of murder mysteries – my guess is the only reason I figured out her plot is someone was inspired by what she originally wrote and the trope has become more mainstream which is why I could figure it out in the first place.

If you love Agatha Christie, or want to read this book yourself before the movie comes out, check out your local library – or buy it! – today!

HAPPY READING 🙂

Genre: Fiction/Mystery/Murder/Hercule Poirot/Classic/Crime/Detective

The Toll (Arc of a Scythe, #3) by Neal Shusterman

My Rating: 4 Stars

Here’s why

I pumped these books out pretty quick for how hefty they are! This series finale felt like a great way to end the journey.

It has been three years since Citra and Rowan have disappeared and the world has changed in many ways. After a catastrophic event leaving thousands killed, Citra and Rowan are needed now more than ever. Can humanity save themselves or does the Thunderhead have one more plan up its sleeve?

***

I won’t give any spoilers so don’t worry!

This book was so much better than the second. I really enjoyed how Shusterman ended the series, how the loose ends tied up, and the way the character’s journeys concluded. All in all, this is a solid series and I can’t wait to read a few more YA series in 2021!

I am giving this book 4/5 Stars because of the fluidity of the writing, the conclusion of the character’s stories, and the overall enjoyment I had reading it.

If you are intrigued AT ALL by this series, do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of the first book today! (My reviews for the first two books are below!)

HAPPY READING 🙂

Scythe (Book 1): https://brookeandbinding.wordpress.com/2020/11/17/scythe-arc-of-a-scythe-1-by-neal-shusterman/

Thunderhead (Book 2): https://brookeandbinding.wordpress.com/2020/12/03/thunderhead-arc-of-the-scythe-2-by-neal-shusterman/

Genre: YA/Dystopian/Fantasy/Fiction/Romance

One to Watch by Kate Stayman-London

My Rating: 3 Stars

Here’s why

This book has been getting a lot of attention – and was even in the top 20 books in the genres of Romance and Debut Novel on Goodreads for the Goodreads Best Books of 2020 awards – so I was pretty excited to get my hands on a copy. I can see why people liked it, but it just wasn’t my personal cup of tea (I’m a chai girl 😉 )

Bea Schumacher is a social media influencer, making her mark in the world of fashion as a plus-size fashion blogger with thousands of followers. One night while watching the reality romance show, Main Squeeze, Bea tweets about the lack of body diversity in the cast as well as the Main Squeeze herself. Next thing she knows, she is talking to the new producer of the show and becomes the first plus-sized Main Squeeze; but there is one condition – Bea does not and will not fall in love. This is purely to skyrocket her career, or is it?

***

I really thought this book was going to hook me in. I used to be a part of Bachelor Nation (heck, even watching more than one season of Bachelor in Paradise for goodness’ sake!), so I had a good idea as to where this book was going to go. However, what I was not prepared for where specific plot points/choices Stayman-London included.

Some people really liked this book and even praise some of these elements, but for me it was a turn-off. I appreciate when a romance novel takes on more than just the lightheartedness of love, but some of these felt like they were put in the story simply to appeal to readers, hit certain cultural topics, and to be “inclusive.”

I am giving this book 3/5 Stars because although this book definitely took a hit with my rating because of what I stated above, but there were some redeeming moments/qualities as well.

If this book seems interesting to you – which it is! – don’t be swayed by me from picking it up!

HAPPY READING 🙂

Genre: Chick Lit/Contemporary/Romance/Fiction

The Book of Two Ways by Jodi Picoult

My Rating: 4 Stars

Here’s why

This is my second Jodi Picoult novel, my first was Small Great Things which I read at the beginning of this year, so it feels fitting I ended the year with her, too. (Book review for SGT down below!)

If given the opportunity to have a second chance at life – and love – would you take it? In another life, Dawn Edelstein was deep in the sand dunes of Egypt working on her doctorate about the Book of Two Ways (an ancient Egyptian map about the afterlife) alongside other students, and one in particular left a lasting impression. However, due to her mother’s illness, she is whisked away back to Boston where she meets, falls in love, and marries a man named Brian. Now, fifteen years later, she is working as a death doula while juggling life as a mom to a teenager and working on her crumbling marriage.

When an opportunities arises for her to cross the Atlantic once again, will she decide to return home to Boston or make her way back to the world she had to give up all those years ago? And will the man who captured her heart still be there?

***

I feel like I tried to write a different take on the synopsis of this book because the official one – and other people’s reviews – feel a bit misleading. This book is not told chronologically and you don’t know how it all fits together until you get towards the end. That’s why I decided to write MY synopsis a bit more concise and direct as to help YOU, my fellow reader 🙂

I have also seen a lot of people critique this book because of how “textbook heavy” it is. There is a lot of ancient Egyptian information, history, stories, and hieroglyphics that are deciphered, but I LOVED IT. In another life, this was also my dream job so, I could relate (haha). Dawn’s career as a death doula is a super interesting plot point as well, full of emotion, touching scenes, and thought-provoking moments. Let’s just say, I definitely shed a few tears while reading this book.

I am giving this book 4/5 Stars because although I loved the plot, the characters, and Picoult’s beautiful writing, there were a few plot points I did not agree with like a few of the character’s choices and the results of those choices. For me, it hit a bit too close to home. The very end was not my favorite either, but I understand why she left it the way she did. (Also, death is a big theme throughout the book so if that is something that is hard for you, I would still encourage you to read it, but just be aware.)

If you have EVER been intrigued by ancient Egypt, or just love a good heart-wrenching, dramatic, love/loss story, this is the book for you.

This definitely will not be the last of my Picoult reads so I would love to hear some advice as to which one I should pick up next!

HAPPY READING 🙂

Genre: Fiction/Contemporary/Romance/Death/Egypt/Historical Fiction

Small Great Things review: https://brookeandbinding.wordpress.com/2020/02/02/small-great-things-by-jodi-picoult/

Emma by Jane Austen

My Rating: 4 Stars

Here’s why

This was my first Jane Austen ever!!! I can’t believe it has taken me this long to read such a classic and renown author, but alas I finally did it!

Emma Woodhouse is witty, beautiful, young, and a self-proclaimed “matchmaker” for the little town of Highbury. Although her intentions are good, her “matchmaking skills” get her into more trouble than if she just let things be; but that is not how Miss Woodhouse likes to operate. A cute, humorous, light-hearted story of a girl who loves love, but meddles a bit too much for others’ liking.

***

Jane Austen,

I have read you – finally!

I love a good classic piece of literature, but I will say it has been a while since I decided to dive into one. This book is not very long – my copy was only 381 pages! – but it took me A LOT longer than it normally would take me for book that length. I blame it on the wordiness and small text on the page, but I think part of it is the fact that I needed to shift my mindset to a “classic literature reader” instead of a “pump it out/contemporary fiction reader.” Once I was in that mindset though, I was able to read good chunks at a time! It really was just me.

Jane Austen is a great writer. Her characters are so cute, relatable, and I loved a few in particular. It had a nice flow, the storyline was adorable, and there really wasn’t a ton of description/detail given like some of the other classic British authors I have read (which was nice!); but I think it might be a while until I pick up another. It’s like a good dessert – so rich you can’t eat it everyday haha

I am giving this book 4/5 Stars because although it took me longer than anticipated, looking back I did enjoy the world/writing of Jane Austen. I loved all the twists and turns and bad matchmaking/romances Emma tries to “force”/”predict” will happen; but after awhile as I was getting to the end, I still had no idea which of the male characters was going to end up being Emma’s love interest. I did appreciate how all the storylines resolved, though!

Should I read another Jane Austen? Which one would you recommend next? Are there other classic authors you think I should read? Let me know in the comments below!

HAPPY READING 🙂

Genre: Classics/Historical Fiction/Romance/Literature/British

Thunderhead (Arc of a Scythe, #2) by Neal Shusterman

My Rating: 4 Stars

Here’s why

I could not get my hands on this second novel of the Arc of the Scythe series fast enough! Luckily my library had a copy, but I did have to wait a few days haha 😉

Rowan and Citra have both chosen their paths – 0ne is in the spotlight, one is on the run – but each are defending the Scythedom in the way they see fit. There needs to be a change in the Scythedom and together they might just be able to do it.

Plus, the introduction of new player and another brought back from the dead is changing the dynamics and shaping the future of not just the Scythedom, but society as a whole. Will Citra and Rowan be able to make their mark before it’s too late?

***

Okay that could be one of the shortest synopses I’ve ever written; however, I try not to give anything away especially in series, but what you need to know is that this book gets interesting!

Rowan is a really interesting character with a lot of sides to him, but I feel like this new character as well as Citra play major roles in this novel. I think it might suffer a bit from “Middle Book Syndrome” because it took a bit for me to get into it and for it to pick up speed, but once it did it was like a bullet train without breaks! Moment after moment, action scene after action scene, death after death, this book ended with a HUGE turn of events. I have NO clue where the last book will go, but I am here for it.

I am giving this book 4/5 Stars because I love this world in general, I love the addition of the Thunderhead as a character in its “journal entries,” and the ending really threw me for a loop, but it did have slow/draggy moments. I LOVED the first book and I am hoping the last one mirrors the first!

Have you read this series before? Let me know you thoughts about it in the comments below or get your copy and read along with me today!

HAPPY READING 🙂

Genre: Young Adult/Fantasy/Dystopian/Science Fiction/Romance

Link to my review for the first novel in the series, Scythe!

https://brookeandbinding.wordpress.com/2020/11/17/scythe-arc-of-a-scythe-1-by-neal-shusterman/