Don't Even Think About It - Review

Don't Even Think About It by Sarah Mlynowski

Rating: 4 Stars

Description:  When homeroom 10B at Bloomberg High School gets flu shots they get an unexpected side effect.  They can read minds.  Chaos ensues for this group of high school sophomores as they deal with the benefits and consequences of knowing what everyone is thinking.

Genre: YA

My Impression: I wasn't quite sure what to expect from this book and kind of expected it to go to more of a science fiction angle.  Instead it was really about this group of 15 and 16 year old teenagers figuring out who they are with the added complication of knowing what everyone is thinking and knowing that a select group of people can read their thoughts.  For some, like nervous hypochondriac Olivia, it's a good thing when she discovers that people don't judge her nearly as much as she thought they did.  For some, like popular pretty Mackenzie, it causes her world to tumble as it's revealed that she's not nearly as perfect as she'd like everyone to think she is.  I have kids who are in this age range and I thought Mlynowski did a good job with making these teenagers act like actual teenagers.  They're not stupid, they're worried about the future and thinking about sex.  In some ways they're terribly mature and in other ways they're woefully immature.  There's a lot of angst regarding boy/girl issues that can come off as overly dramatic or silly to adult readers but I thought was appropriate and accurate.  It did drag a little in the middle once they had figured out what was going on and were trying to live with it but the story was well wrapped up.  This feels like a fun lightweight read but the issues about dealing with the world around you are thought-provoking.

*An added note - Emma (almost 17) was so intrigued by my description of this book so she borrowed my Kindle and got through it in about a day.  She really enjoyed the story and the characters as well.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?: Yes

Would I Recommend this Book?:  Yes definitely!  I've already ordered a copy for Emma (almost 17 years old)

Home to Seaview Key - Review

Home to Seaview Key by Sherryl Woods

Rating: 4 Stars

Description:  After her divorce Abby Miller just wants to go home to Seaview Key and stay under the radar for a little bit before trying to become part of her hometown community again.  When handsome paramedic Seth Landry rescues her from a near drowning the staying under the radar idea quickly disappears.  Soon Abby is trying to rebuild her relationship with former best friend Hannah which is made a little trickier because Hannah is married to Abby's ex-boyfriend as well as become part of Seaview Key again.  On top of everything she has to figure out what this growing attraction to Seth means.

Genre: Fiction

My Impression:  For some reason I was really prepared not to like this book but the best thing about something like that is the fantastic surprise when you find a book you really enjoy.  I loved this book.  I loved the characters, I loved the setting, I loved the plot and just found it a thoroughly enjoyable read. The characters weren't always perfect and frequently Hannah, Jenny or Kelsey did something that annoyed me but their actions were always understandable.  I always understood why they would've acted the way they did even if I didn't agree with it.  I loved Abby.  I love how practical and smart she is, I love how honest she is and I love how she handles adversity.  This is a good book in a beautiful setting with fantastic characters that seemed like real people and people you'd actually want to get coffee with.  I'm classifying this as fiction rather than a romance because I felt that while Seth and Abby's relationship was very important the book really revolved around Abby finding her home again.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?: Yes

Would I Recommend this Book?:  Yes

Magic for Marigold by L.M. Montgomery - Review

Magic for Marigold by L.M. Montgomery

Rating: 4 Stars

Description:  Marigold Lesley is born shortly after her the death of her father and spends weeks unnamed as her mother is very ill.  When Marigold falls ill the Lesley clan is in a panic lest the child die unnamed.  They finally decide to name her after the doctor who saves her - a woman named Marigold.  The rest of the book is about the adventures Marigold has throughout her childhood.

Genre: Children/Classic

My Impression: This was a sweet little stand alone but definitely not my favorite.  Marigold is an usual Montgomery child because she is dearly loved and has a pretty charmed life.  Marigold is an imaginative little girl who spends quite a bit of time with imaginary friends in imaginary lands.  It's a fun sweet little book but not much of it really stuck with me.  Marigold is the youngest character and by the end she's only about as old as Anne was at the start of Anne of Green Gables.  This book I think is definitely geared more towards a younger reading audience.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?:  Yes

Would I Recommend this Book?:  Probably not though it would be a good read aloud book for a little girl.

A Tangled Web by L.M. Montgomery - Review

A Tangled Web by L.M. Montgomery

Rating: 4 Stars

Description:  Over the years 60 Darks have married 60 Penhallows leaving a confusing web of Penhallow and Dark families.  The family matriarch, Aunt Becky calls the mass of Penhallows and Darks together for one last gathering before her death to hand out her worldly possessions including the famous family heirloom the Dark jug.  During the party she announces embarrassing past incidents that most of the family would rather be forgotten and has her usual too truthful sharp observations but the biggest bombshell of all is that ownership of the Dark jug won't be revealed until a year after her death.  This book is the story of that year.  Relationships are altered irrevocably either for better or worse and the whole family waits for the year to be up.

Genre: Children's Classic

My Impression:  This book has a massive character list and it could have easily gotten extremely confusing.  Luckily, Montgomery draws each of the characters strongly enough that they are memorable and also sticks to a main core group.  This is one of the few books that doesn't center around a child.  In fact, with the exception of Brian Dark I can't think of any child that is an actual character.  Some children are mentioned but are never seen.  This is a fun book and a quick read.  The ending was handled very entertainingly.  It is really a collection of woven together short stories but never feels disconnected or disjointed.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?:  Obviously

Would I Recommend this Book?:  Yes.  This would be a good Montgomery book for those that like children's lit but aren't Montgomery fans.  There aren't the speeches that some people find tedious and there's a lot more doing than talking/thinking.

Dream Lake by Lisa Kleyaps - Review

Dream Lake by Lisa Kleypas

Rating: 4 Stars

Description:  Alex Nolan is the youngest of the four Nolan siblings and also the most messed up.  With a failed marriage, a struggling business and a growing drinking problem the last thing he needs is to start seeing a ghost.  The ghost isn't exactly thrilled to be stuck watching Alex drink himself to death but since Alex is the only one who can see or hear him the ghost has to work with what he's got.
Zoe has lost a lot but still hopes to find that special someone to share her life with.  When she needs help renovating a cottage to move her grandmother into she is sent to Alex.  As the two of them sort through their lives and feelings for each other could they also be the link to helping the ghost figure out his past?

Genre: Romance

My Impression:  Ever since the first book in this series I was looking forward to Alex's story.  I loved Zoe when she showed up in book 2.  Throw in the ghost story and the renovation of old houses (which for some reason is a big thing for me) and I could barely wait to start this one.  This book didn't disappoint.  I loved Alex and the ghost and enjoyed their relationship.  Zoe was so sweet and so nice it's impossible not to root for her.  I liked how Alex's drinking problem was handled and I was glad it wasn't too easy.  I felt that their relationship built realistically and their happily ever after is believable.  Alex was drowning and Zoe was his rock but she needs him as much as he needs her.  The only reason this isn't a 5 star book for me is that the ending got a bit weird and felt to contrived like it was a way to wrap it up quickly.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?:   Yes on both though I'm not quite as motivated to read the 4th book of this series.  Witchcraft and curses don't do quite as much for me as ghost stories and renovating old houses.

Would I Recommend this Book?:  Yes.

Rainshadow Road by Lisa Kleypas - Review

Rainshadow Road by Lisa Kleypas

Rating: 4 Stars

Description:  Lucy thinks her life is going pretty well.  She has a successful career that she loves as a glass artist and her relationship with live in boyfriend Kevin seems to be coasting along.  That is until Kevin comes in and announces that their relationship is over.  To make matters worse it's over because he has found someone else and to make things unbearable that someone else is Lucy's sister Alice.  Alice and Lucy's parents are furious at this betrayal and refuse to pay for a wedding until Alice makes peace with Lucy.  Kevin seeks out former highschool classmate Sam Nolan and convinces him to take Lucy out a time or two.

Genre: Romance

My Impression:  I adored the first book in the series but I was a little hesitant about starting this one because on the surface it looks like it uses one of my least favorite plot devices - the secret.  The way the secret usually works is two people are put together for some kind of contrived reason - spying, revenge, etc - then they actually get along and fall in love.  Then person who is having the secret kept from them discovers secret, usually from some kind of enemy.  After that is a big fight, sense of betrayal, tears and the inevitable breakup.  Things usually do work out in the end but I still don't like it.  However, when Sam was upfront with Lucy at the beginning I wanted to reach into the pages and kiss him.  I loved both Sam and Lucy.  They were honest with each other about who they were and what they wanted.  I loved that Lucy decided that she wasn't going to try to change him and stuck to it and even made plans for her future that didn't include him.  I loved the ending.  This is the story of two people with some past scars who love each other for who they truly are and don't want to change the other.  The only thing I didn't like about the book is the magic.  It seemed a bit random and completely unnecessary to the story.  I understand that there is a ghost in book 3 so maybe Kleypas wants to run a supernatural theme through the whole series but this book just didn't need it and to me it ended up being distracting.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?:  Without question.  Kleypas is one of my favorite historical romance authors and I have loved both books in this series.  I can't wait to read the 3rd.

Would I Recommend this Book?:  Yes definitely.

Miss Silver Comes to Stay by Patricia Wentworth - Review

Miss Silver Comes to Stay by Patricia Wentworth

Rating: 4 Stars

Description:  Shortly after his arrival back home after 20 years James Lessiter is found murdered.  The list of suspects is huge - the former fiance who is now the sole heir to his fortune, the widow who he is threatening to evict and prosecute for theft, the abandoned husband whose wife ran off with Lessiter years before, and the housekeeper with her criminal son.  Luckily, Miss Silver happens to be staying with a friend in the area and manages to get things under control.

Genre: Mystery

My Impression:  The Miss Silver series is one of my very favorite mystery series and this entry is no exception.  After reading a British mystery I truly disliked I had to go back to my favorites.  While the series is pretty light weight - lighter than Christie even - the mystery is always well done and the characters (with the general exception of the victim) are always likable.  This isn't my absolute favorite of the series but it's still a fun and satisfying read.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?: Definitely

Would I Recommend this Book?:  I would definitely recommend this author but maybe not this exact book to start off with.

House of Many Shadows by Barbara Michaels - Review

House of Many Shadows by Barbara Michaels

Rating:  4 Stars

Description:  23 year old New Yorker, Meg Rittenhouse is at the end of her rope after a head injury leaves her unable to work.  Luckily, distant and wealthy cousin Sylvia, swoops in and packs her off to to rural Pennsylvania Dutch country with the job of restoring one of Sylvia's homes.  Despite her hopes that the peace and quiet of the country will help her hallucinations they seem to be back and even stronger and to make it worse Andy, caretaker and step-son to Sylvia, sees them too.

Genre:  Mystery

My Impression: I've been in a serious reading slump so far this month and this is one of those books that always proves a quick read and jolts me out of my rut.  This is a fun read with history, creepy atmosphere and a little bit of romance.  My only real problem with the book is there is an event that happens maybe 100 pages into the book and its never completely resolved.  This happens in several of her books where something will happen that seems important or adds to mystery of the situation and then is never really explained.  As usual Michaels doesn't disappoint and I would pay serious money to go exploring the attic that Meg spends quite a bit of time in.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?:  Yes definitely!  This is one of my favorite authors.

Would I Recommend this Book?:  Yes!

Rainbow Valley by L.M. Montgomery - Review

Rainbow Valley by L.M. Montgomery

Rating: 4 Stars

Description:  The Blythe children are getting older and have found wonderful playmates in the Meredith children, the loved but somewhat neglected children of the minister.  Adventures abound and new friends are made.

Genre: Children Classic

My Impression:  This is truly the story of the Blythe children.  Anne shows up some but it is very infrequent and the stories are never about her.  The children really come into their own in this book and are much more developed than they were in Anne of Ingleside.  I love the Blythes and I love the Merediths but I never warmed to Mary Vance.  This is definitely more of a character driven book versus a plot driven book but I think it is necessary to read this one before Rilla's book so that you really know who the children are.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?:  Yes

Would I Recommend this Book?:  Yes but it's not my favorite of the series.

Let's Play Dead by Sheila Connolly - Review

Let's Play Dead by Sheila Connolly

Rating: 4 Stars

Description:  Nell takes some time away from adjusting to being the new president of the Philadelphia Historical Society to visit the new exhibit at Philadelphia's premier children's museum Let's Play.  While she's there an employee is electrocuted while setting up the exhibit.  He's okay but a few days later another man isn't so lucky.  In between trying to run the Historical Society and hiring desperately needed employees she takes some time to help Let's Play Director figure out what happened.

Genre:  Mystery

My Impression:  Sheila Connolly is one of my current favorite mystery authors.  Her 2nd series involving the inner workings of  the museum world hit close to home for me after years of working at a small museum.  Connolly does a good job showing the politics of museum, the constant need to raise money and the time and effort it takes to get an exhibit open.  This is the 2nd book of the series and while it was strong I didn't like it quite as much as the 1st one.  This is primarily because it's more of a what happened versus the typical murder/whodunnit format.  The end felt a little disjointed because of that.  Despite that this is a fairly fast paced book with an interesting setting and likable characters.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?:  Yes to both.  I already have the next book of this series waiting for me and the 1st book of her newest series (set in Ireland!).

Would I Recommend this Book?:   Yes, especially to mystery readers who prefer the cozy genre.  Despite being a book in a series the books can definitely be read out of order.

Forever and a Day - Review

Forever and a Day by Jill Shalvis

Rating: 4 Stars

Description:  Dr. Josh Scott is overworked and exhausted.  He's a single dad, caretaker to his paraplegic sister and runs a hugely busy practice with ER shifts thrown in.  Oh and there's also an incredibly destructive pug puppy that his sister got his son.  In desperate need of a dog walker he accidentally calls Grace Brooks and she takes the job.  Grace is quickly running out of money and picking up odd jobs where she can get them.  She has put enormous pressure on herself to be as successful as her family expects her to be.  The dog walking quickly turns chaotic and she ends up adding replacement nanny to her resume on top of that.  All is going well but will Josh and Grace be able to get past their problems and grab a chance to be happy?

Genre: Contemporary Romance

My Impression:  I had this book sitting on my nightstand for weeks but never picked it up.  The description just really didn't grab me though I had liked Josh and Grace in previous books.  When I finally picked it up I finished it in a day.  Grace drives this book.  She's nice, she listens, she cares and she's got a sense of humor.  Her relationship with Anna and Toby are really wonderful and really flesh out the story.  She mentions her expectations and self-esteem issues about being adopted but I was disappointed with how little that was explored.  It's mentioned but it's pretty crucial to Grace being Grace.  Josh is also a good character.  He can come off as cold and controlling but in reality he is trying to shoulder an enormous weight of responsibilities.  I found it believable that he would have a hard time allowing someone to take care of him for a change.  Anna's character is nicely developed as well and she does quite a bit of maturing from the beginning to end of the story.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?:   Yes.  I've read all but #2 of the Lucky Harbor series but I definitely plan on reading that one at some point.  I'm already on the wait list for the next Lucky Harbor novel as well.

Would I Recommend this Book?:  Yes but only to a romance reader.  This is definitely not a series that really needs to be read in order and this might be one I'd recommend to start with.