Tag Archives: Carissa S.

Review: The Room on Rue Amelie

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The Room on Rue Amelie
by Kristin Harmel
5 stars

I’ve absolutely loved Kristin Harmel’s previous historical fiction novels, so I was very excited to get my hands on this. I know it’s only April, but this may be the best book I’ll read this year! It reminds me a lot of Kristin Hannah’s “The Nightingale” which I absolutely loved. The book takes places in France right at the beginning of the war. It spans from 1940-1945 and is told in alternating chapters from three characters: Ruby (an American living in France who married a Frenchman), Charlotte (the young neighbor girl who is Jewish and befriends Ruby), and Thomas (a British RAF pilot). The beginning part of the book takes place in 2002, and doesn’t come back to that period until the last chapter. I finished this book in less than 24 hours. It was hard to put down. Very touching and unforgettable story. Highly recommend!

 

Read-alikes

Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly

The Paris Architect by Charles Belfoure

The Invisible Bridge by Julie Orringer

Review: Now That You Mention It

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Now That You Mention It
by Kristan Higgins
4 stars

This is my first read by Kristan Higgins. She’s definitely a well-known author that has been on my to-read list for awhile.  I was expecting a light romance, but this delivered much more. This book had a lot of humor, a well written a cast of characters, a great story line, and even some darker elements that I wasn’t expecting. The story centers around Nora, a gastroenterologist living in Boston with her cute dog and boyfriend, who is an ER doctor. After a freak accident and realizing what a jerk her boyfriend really is, Nora decides to go back home, which is a small island off the coast of Maine. I absolutely loved this setting. Back home isn’t easy for Nora, as her childhood was full of unpleasant memories and her family and friends don’t seem to welcome her back with open arms. However, the way Nora still loves all of these characters despite their flaws makes the reader love them as well. Nora’s voice brings a lot of humor to the book and just puts you in a good mood. I’m looking forward to reading more from Kristan Higgins!

 

Read-alikes

All Fall Down by Jennifer Weiner

Family Tree by Susan Wiggs

Bulls Island by Dorothea Benton Frank

Review: The Glass Castle

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The Glass Castle
by Jeannette Walls
5 stars

I loved this book! Jeannette Walls is a wonderful storyteller.  The book follows Jeannette over the course of her life, mainly focusing on her childhood growing up with dysfunctional parents.  Jeannette and her three siblings lived like nomads in their early childhood then later settled in a small West Virginia mining town.  As she grew older, Jeannette’s parents gradually worsened and the siblings had to stick together in order to come up with resources to leave home.  Although this is a memoir, it is a quick read and has the feel of a fiction novel. I despised the parents during most of this novel, but I greatly admired Jeannette for how she loved her parents and kept an optimistic view. I love how she persevered, as did the other siblings, and made something of themselves. They did a wonderful job with the movie, sticking to the story, and picked actors just as I pictured them while reading the story. I will definitely check out Jeannette’s other books.

 

Read-alikes

Mudbound by Hillary Jordan

She Got Up Off the Couch by Haven Kimmel

As Nature Made Him by John Colapinto

Review: Stillhouse Lake

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Stillhouse Lake
by Rachel Caine
5 stars

Stillhouse Lake is my first read by Rachel Caine and the best thriller I read in 2017. It is one I couldn’t put down and stayed up late to finish. It pulls you in from the first chapter with a very gruesome scene. The story follows the life of Gina Royal after her life is turned upside down when her husband, Melvin Royal’s, secret life as a serial killer is exposed. The killings happened right in her own garage, and much to the public and law enforcement’s disbelief, Gina really had no idea. Gina flees with her two children and changes her name to Gwen Proctor, going to great lengths to protect her children from internet trolls wanting revenge on Gwen and her children. The lengths people go to on the internet is downright nasty in this book. Gwen thinks they are safe and may have found a permanent home at Stillhouse Lake, when a body of a young woman shows up in the lake by their house, killed in the same style that Melvin used. Because of this Gwen and the kids’ real identities are discovered and Gwen is the prime suspect. This prompts Gwen to question their safety. Does Melvin know where they are? Have the internet trolls found them? The novel has a great, although terrifying, ending that also is a cliffhanger. The second book is just as good and was released this month!

 

Read-alikes

Paradise Valley by C.J. Box

Killing Season by Faye Kellerman

Most Wanted by Lisa Scottoline

Review: Mr. Dickens and His Carol

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Mr. Dickens and His Carol:  A Novel of Christmas Past
by Samantha Silva
4 stars

I’m a big fan of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, so when I saw an advertisement for this book I was quick to request it. This is Samantha Silva’s debut novel.  The book started out a bit slow for me, but it picked up in the last half. I did love the way the author weaved together fact and fiction. The story tells how A Christmas Carol was written. Dickens’ latest book wasn’t a big success and his publisher tells him in order to not face financial ruin, he must write a Christmas story in just a few weeks. What follows is a crisis, his family leaving, and an epiphany with some magic thrown in. This book evoked a feeling of warmth in me just in time for some holiday shopping and decorating. It was a great rendition of a favorite Christmas story.

 

Read-alikes

Belgravia by Julian Fellowes

Victoria by Daisy Goodwin

Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier