February 2022 – Brooke & Binding

Reckless Girls by Rachel Hawkins

My Rating: 3 Stars

Here’s why

This was my January 2022 Book of the Month selection and I was excited to see Rachel Hawkins’ name again as an option!

Lux and her boyfriend, Nico, have been living in Maui for the past few months, trying to save up money to continue their sailing adventure throughout the Pacific. But after a while, comforts have kicked in and they have yet to make any progress towards leaving – especially being short on funds. However their luck is about to change when two friends offer them $50,000 to sail them to a remote island called Meroe Island for a few days and come back. Sounds easy enough, right? But this island has a history that is less than pristine, full of mystery, death, and more. What will wait this foursome on their journey and will they all make it back alive?

***

This is my third book by Rachel Hawkins and she definitely has her own voice in the thriller/suspense genre!

Hawkins tends to use majority of her novels to set up the exposition, to build tension, and set the scene/world for the characters before she reveals their tragic and often psychotic decisions. I would say she is more of a suspense/drama author with a bit of murder in the mix, and this book follows this exact format.

I am giving this book 3 stars because it is a solid read. Once you wrap your head around her style and that there might not be that *gasp!* moment like some other thrillers; by laying down those expectations, you are able to can take in the book for how she designed it and the story she is wanting to tell.

I enjoyed The Wife Upstairs more, but Reckless Girls still held my attention. Check out my review for The Wife Upstairs down below!

HAPPY READING 🙂

The Wife Upstairs review: https://brookeandbinding.wordpress.com/2020/12/30/the-wife-upstairs-by-rachel-hawkins/

Genre: Mystery/Thriller/Suspense/Drama

Finlay Donovan is Killing It (Finlay Donovan, #1) by Elle Cosimano

My Rating: 4 Stars

Here’s why

I saw this book around last year but wasn’t sure what it was about. It wasn’t until I was watching a Booktube video that my interest was peaked – and just in time for book #2 to be released!

Finlay Donovan is going through a bit of a rough patch – to say the least. After divorcing her unfaithful husband, she is left with a pile of bills, two young kids to juggle, and a deadline for her next novel that has yet to be started. She is in over her head. One day when she is meeting with her agent discussing her struggles and writers block, her conversation is overheard by a desperate woman in search of help and she thinks Finlay is the person for the job. You see, Finlay writes romantic murder mysteries and this woman believes Finlay actually kills people and wants her husband gone, for a large sum. Finlay needs the money, but she’s not a killer, is she? This writer finds herself in the midst of one of her novels brought to life in this hilarious and entertaining read!

***

I fell in love with this character – and Cosimano’s writing – from page one.

This book has so many light-hearted moments in the midst of murder that you forget it’s supposed to be a serious situation. Throughout the novel, Finlay does some sketchy things, but you can’t help rooting for her. There is a lot on the line for her in her life and you want her to succeed, even if that does mean killing someone.

I am giving this book 4 stars because I loved the writing, Finlay as a character, and the overall premise of the story. Does Finlay do thinks I don’t necessarily like or agree with? Yes. But overall she is a very likable character and I was entertained throughout the novel. Some plot choices felt a little weak, but for the most part it made sense. I am excited to see what book #2 brings and can’t wait to get my hands on it – this one really left you with a cliff hanger!

I would definitely recommend this read to anyone who enjoys humor, murder, or anything in between! And don’t forget to grab Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead, which was released Feb. 1, 2022.

HAPPY READING 🙂

Genre: Mystery/Humor/Contemporary/Fiction

The Ballerinas by Rachel Kepelke-Dale

My Rating: 4 Stars

Here’s why

I have been dying to read this and was so happy when my library said there was a copy available for pick up!

Delphine, Lindsay, and Margaux have been inseparable for most of their lives as they grew up and trained together at the Paris Opera Ballet. Starting off just as students working their way to company members and ultimately desiring to be a “star,” they each go through their own challenges and difficulties trying to make it there. But something happened to these friends fourteen years ago that altered the course of their friendship until they are reunited once again. Told through the eyes of Delphine, tragedies, scandals, fall-outs, and death ensue for this trio over the course of twenty years as these women push their bodies, minds, and relationships to the ultimate edge.

***

Now this is the type of ballet book I have been looking for.

Like I have stated previously in my reviews, I am a dancer, teacher, and choreographer and love the dance world so much. I was so hopeful for The Turnout by Megan Abbott to be able to encapsulate everything that a dancer goes through and the hard work that goes into performing, but it seems like Rachel Kepelke-Dale has done it for me instead.

The story of these three friends and the secrets that come between them, as well as the way that each of their lives have been shaped by the dance world, really paint a broad picture of the different ways you can deal with the stress for perfection. One friend – Delphine – has returned to POB as in “up and coming”choreographer, one still has her eyes on the prize for that renowned star position, and the another has been more focused on her personal life. Seeing these three work through not only their own personal issues, but try to mend their relationship was very enticing, engaging, and enjoyable to read.

I am giving this book 4 stars because I enjoyed the writing, the characters were well developed, and I really feel like she did a great job portraying the dance world in a realistic yet dramatic way.

Whether you are a dancer, used to be a dancer, or even just like a good story filled with drama, this would be a great read for you. And might even give you a glimpse into the hard work, politics, and intensity of being in a ballet company.

HAPPY READING 🙂

Genre: Fiction/Suspense/Drama/Culture/France/Russia

The Maid by Nita Prose

My Rating: 3 Stars

Here’s why

This is my first book of 2022! I took the month of January off from reading any fiction and heard such great things/saw this book everywhere so I was very happy to see it as an add-on for Book of the Month in January.

Molly is a maid at the Regency Grand Hotel and loves every minute of it, except when she finds a hotel guest dead in their room, of course. Luckily she has people in her life that work at the hotel with her she feels she can rely on. But without realizing it, Molly finds herself in the midst of this murder investigation – and maybe more! – that has been happening at this beloved workplace. What really happened to this guest and who is involved? Because it most certainly wasn’t Molly.

***

This year I think I might be a little bit more stingy on my star ratings. I’ve been thinking a lot about my ratings and want to make sure that I am giving solid reviews and solid ratings to books that deserve them, but really making sure that the standouts actually stand out above the others.

As this is a debut novel, this is obviously the first novel by Nita Prose I have read. I was charmed by Molly’s character from the beginning, and as an outsider looking in at how she processes situations and people around her, I could tell right away that she didn’t always fully understand the innuendos in conversations or people’s motives. She is truly pure at heart and gives everyone the benefit of the doubt out of politeness. But that is where her trouble starts. As the story progresses, she begins to piece together facial expressions, comments, and tones a lot better, with the help of some real friends.

I am giving this book 3 out of 5 stars because I think that the overall vibe of the book is very charming, positive, and a good representation that not everybody views the world or people the same way socially. However, I don’t necessarily feel like this book is a “stand out” like other people have been painting it, but that’s just me. 🙂

If you’ve seen this book around and are intrigued to read it like I was, go for it! Will this be one I recommend to everyone? Probably not. But if someone asks if I’ve read it and it was worth the read, would I say yes? Probably.

HAPPY READING 🙂

Genre: Fiction/Cozy Mystery/Crime

The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah

My Rating: 5 Stars

Here’s why

This book came out earlier this year and my sister wanted me to read it this summer, but as a Book of the Year top 5 selection for 2021 I finally felt the fire under my behind to read it.

In the 1930’s, the plains and prairies experienced the worst drought in history, The Dust Bowl. Elsa Martinelli and her family are trying to tend to their farm and animals as best as possible while still maintaining a livelihood, which has become harder and harder with each passing season. Now, life has become almost unbearable, unlivable even, and they have to make a choice – to stick it out and try to outlast the storms, or to move on, like so many other families, and try to make it out west to California for a new beginning. Told through the eyes of a mother and daughter, this story not only sheds light on The Dust Bowl and Great Depression, but the hard decisions these American families had to make to try and survive in these unthinkable circumstances.

***

Kristin Hannah is a powerhouse let me tell you!

She is one of those authors that truly dives deep into a historic event or time period and brings peoples’ lives to life in ways that make history feel relevant, relatable, and more real than just a lesson in school. Elsa and her family are so resilient, hard-working, dedicated, humble, and thankful for their chance at an American Dream which it is so inspiring to read; however, her daughter, Loreda, is willing and ready to push boundaries to take the family further, to see more of the “big picture” of the world instead just their little unit.

I am giving this book 5/5 Stars because the writing was so well done, the story was told in a captivating way, and I really enjoyed learning more about this time period. The only thing that somewhat bothered me in this book, which I can’t remember if I felt this way with the others I have read of hers, but I struggled a bit with the character development. Did they develop? 100% yes, but I feel like it could’ve been done in a more gradual way, especially with Elsa, than just a 180 degree change that happens within the last 50 pages or so, which is what I felt like happened with her character. It was very moving and a strong choice, but it also felt rushed in the storytelling if that makes sense.

Overall, Kristin Hannah is definitely an author I can rely upon to pick meaningful moments in history, tell a compelling story, and stir up some emotions in the process. If you haven’t read any of her novels, I would highly recommend checking them out! I have attached the links to two of her others I have read down below!

HAPPY READING 🙂

The Nightingale review:

The Great Alone review:

Genre: Historical Fiction/Literary Fiction