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697 reviews
The Golden Doves by Martha Hall Kelly
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
3.0
Review: The Golden Doves by Martha Hall Kelly
If you like to read historical fiction set in WWII, you should check out The Golden Doves. The story follows Josie and Arlette, two women who met in the French Resistance during WWII and survived the end of the war despite imprisonment in Ravensbruck, the women-only concentration camp. The story finds Josie and Arlette in 1952, still trying to heal from their experience. Josie finds herself on a new mission hunting down a notorious Dr. Snow, and hers and Arlette’s paths cross again.
I found the story interesting and focused on a bit of a different part of the war than I have usually read. Although the hunt for Nazi war criminals is similar to the story in The Huntress by Kate Quinn, it was different though and emphasized the problematic aspects of the Cold War race for scientific development. I found the characters and story compelling, but I did find it a bit long. The length caused some parts to feel very slow, especially when some portions were repetitive through the dual perspectives, and made the reveal feel rushed. I think had the story been a bit tighter, it would have made quite a thrilling read throughout.
The Golden Doves is the perfect read for serious historical fiction reader, as it requires a bit of a commitment. However, if you take the time, the characters and story won’t disappoint.
Thank you to Penguin Reads for the opportunity to read this novel. This review reflects my honest opinion.
If you like to read historical fiction set in WWII, you should check out The Golden Doves. The story follows Josie and Arlette, two women who met in the French Resistance during WWII and survived the end of the war despite imprisonment in Ravensbruck, the women-only concentration camp. The story finds Josie and Arlette in 1952, still trying to heal from their experience. Josie finds herself on a new mission hunting down a notorious Dr. Snow, and hers and Arlette’s paths cross again.
I found the story interesting and focused on a bit of a different part of the war than I have usually read. Although the hunt for Nazi war criminals is similar to the story in The Huntress by Kate Quinn, it was different though and emphasized the problematic aspects of the Cold War race for scientific development. I found the characters and story compelling, but I did find it a bit long. The length caused some parts to feel very slow, especially when some portions were repetitive through the dual perspectives, and made the reveal feel rushed. I think had the story been a bit tighter, it would have made quite a thrilling read throughout.
The Golden Doves is the perfect read for serious historical fiction reader, as it requires a bit of a commitment. However, if you take the time, the characters and story won’t disappoint.
Thank you to Penguin Reads for the opportunity to read this novel. This review reflects my honest opinion.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Murder
Moderate: Racism, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail
The Light of Eternal Spring by Angel Di Zhang
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Review: The Light of Eternal Spring by Angel Di Zheng
Aimee is a photographer. She spends her life taking photos and making art because she hopes to fall into a photo again, like she did when she was 8-years old and discovered her love for New York. Upon discovering her mother has died, she and her husband, David, decide to travel to her childhood town in China, Eternal Spring, and what unfolds is a beautiful and heart wrenching story or reconnection with family and an exploration of identity.
Through the story, Aimee’s artistic perspective is intertwined with the memories of her mother’s stories creating an introspective journey into her identity, the fabrication of memory, and the feeling of disconnection that occurs when you feel you belong in more than one place and with more than one family - and also how you can create something new and inspiring if you take the time to embrace all parts of your identity.
From the beginning of Aimee’s journey, I was hooked. This short novel packs a punch of emotions and I admit, I’m still thinking about the stories within the story and how they connect to other aspects in Aimee’s journey. It is a fantastic delve into literary fiction and the difficult reconciliation of identity for immigrants.
Thank you to Penguin Random House and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC. The opinions in this review are my own.
Ghosted by Amanda Quain
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Review: Ghosted: A Northanger Abbey Story by Amanda Quain
A coming-of-age story that demonstrates the difficulty of sitting with grief and the power of exorcising personal ghosts.
Henrietta (Hattie) Tilney is the perfect daughter, the perfect student, and the perfect friend. Ever since her dad died, she has tried to be perfect, to wear a facade to protect her heart and please her mother, the head of Northanger Abbey School. Northanger is known for its hauntings, due to historical legend and a very popular film. Hattie no longer believes in the unknown or paranormal, not since her dad passed and took that part of her with him. Everything is going perfectly toward graduation until a new student, Kit Morland, is paired with her for a school project, and he is determined to find a ghost. As Kit begins to see through Hattie's mask, they both uncover ghosts, but not the ones they were expecting.
This book was an interesting retelling of Northanger Abbey. I really liked Kit Morland, his positivity and perspective were a breath of fresh air in the stifling prep school. Hattie’s persona created to hold herself together was relatable, despite being very sad. In the end, the theme of grief and confronting ghosts was explored with gentle precision through this unique retelling.
If you love:
📖Jane Austen retellings,
🪞Coming-of-age stories,
☀️Grumpy-Sunshine trope,
🕗Second Chances,
👻Ghost stories,
Be sure to check out Ghosted: A Northanger Abbey Story in stores on July 25 or preorder today.
Thank you to Wednesday Books, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for the copy of this ARC. This review is my honest opinion.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
A River Enchanted by Rebecca Ross
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
I didn’t enjoy this book. I found it slow and hard to immerse myself in it. However, I know many people who loved it, so it just wasn’t the right fit for me.
Visions of the Crow by Wanda John-Kehewin
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This is an excellent read, informative and creative.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism and Colonisation
Minor: Child abuse
From the Roots Up by Natasha Donovan, Tasha Spillett
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This was an excellent read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying and Colonisation
Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley by Courtney Walsh
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
📖Review: The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley by Courtney Walsh
A delightful exploration of happiness with a quirky and reclusive heroine.
Isadora Bentley is turning 30 and she has not accomplished any of what she has wanted to. She was supposed to prove her childhood wrong — those bullies and her mom who always said she didn’t measure up — but she is a low level researcher who has isolated herself from the world around her. Until on her birthday, in a sugar-coated haze, Isadora decides to prove an article entitled 31 Steps to Happiness wrong. As Isadora begins trying the steps, she finds herself immersed into the world she was trying so hard to avoid and confronting some of her long held beliefs.
Isadora is a fabulous character. From page one, I found her inner dialogue relatable and funny. The secondary characters were also lovable and their interactions were a perfect mix wise words and witty banter.
I highly recommend this book if you like:
🏡Found Family
❤️Romance
🪞Self-Discovery
💁🏼♀️Lovable characters
📚Books like Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, The Bookish Life of Nina Hill, or The Last Chance Library.
I received this complimentary copy of the book from Thomas Nelson and NetGalley, but opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Emotional abuse
The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
The Bear and the Nightingale is an intensely dark fairytale retelling with characters that you will pull your heart strings.
When I first started reading, it took me a bit to get all of the characters straight as they often have different names to different people. However, once I figured that part out, I was pulled into a fantastical Russia with frightening fairytale creatures come to life and a girl who can see them.
The story definitely was very dark and at times I was reading wide-eyed and scared for the characters.
When I first started reading, it took me a bit to get all of the characters straight as they often have different names to different people. However, once I figured that part out, I was pulled into a fantastical Russia with frightening fairytale creatures come to life and a girl who can see them.
The story definitely was very dark and at times I was reading wide-eyed and scared for the characters.
The Lost Ticket by Freya Sampson
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
A heartwarming found family story. Highly recommend.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pregnancy
Minor: Death, Miscarriage, and Violence
Also includes Alzheimer’s