Tag Archives: Susan J.

Review: A Spark of Light

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A Spark of Light
by Jodi Picoult
4 stars

You can always count on Jodi Picoult to take on a contentious issue in her novels. This go around the topic is abortion. Her story opens with a gunman holding several patients and staff hostage at a women’s clinic in Mississippi. The hostages are of a variety of ages and reasons for why they’re in the clinic which allows Picoult to explore ranging viewpoints on abortion. Outside the clinic is Hugh McElroy, the hostage negotiator and the father of one of the hostages. A parallel story to the hostage situation is 17-year-old Beth who’s been arrested for ending her pregnancy illegally. Beth is in jail, distraught and treated horribly by the justice system.

The story then unfolds in reverse chronological order which was disconcerting at first, but I came to appreciate Picoult’s approach in the end. She leaves a little surprise at the conclusion as well has a heartfelt letter to readers.

 

Read-alikes:

Keeper by Greg Rucka

A Maiden’s Grave by Jeffery Deaver

The Rosie Effect by Graeme Simsion

 

Review: Wicked and the Wallflower

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Wicked and the Wallflower
by Sarah MacLean
3 stars

Sarah MacLean begins her new Bareknuckle Bastards (what a name!) series with Wicked and the Wallflower This Regency romance brings us Lady Felicity Faircloth, a shunned daughter of the nobility, and Devin (AKA Devil), the illegitimate son of a duke. Devin’s father, who never had a legitimate heir, gathered his bastard sons during their childhood and pitted them against each other to be picked has his heir. The sons came to an agreement that one of them, Ewan, could inherit the dukedom…but only if he never married. They didn’t want their abusive father’s genes to be carried on. When, years later, Ewan enters the scene announcing his intent to marry, Felicity is thrown in his path. Devin steps in to put the kibosh on the engagement by ruining Felicity. Of course, as the reader might expect, Felicity turns the table on him. While the ending is a given from the beginning, MacLean has written engaging characters that grow delightfully throughout the novel. Their love story is a great adventure. I look forward to the next book in the series.

Read-alikes:

 

Scandal in Spring by Lisa Kleypas

Then Comes Seduction by Mary Balogh

Whitney, My Love by Judith McNaught

 

 

 

Review: Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating

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Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating
by Christina Lauren
4 stars

I am a super fan of Christina Lauren. They (not she) are actually the combined duo of longtime writing partners and best friends Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings. Those two ladies work well together as witnessed by their latest novel Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating.

Hazel Camille Bradford is a quick witted, hilarious, and accident prone elementary school teacher. Josh Im is an upright, though not quite stodgy, physical therapist. They first met in college when Hazel threw up on Josh’s shoes…not the greatest start. Fast forward 10 years later and Hazel is doing her best to help Josh get over an ex. She gets him to go on double blind dates that increase in comedic results. You may know where the plot is headed, but the road there is slapstick funny yet also tender and sweet.

A fabulous, funny read with a little bit of heartbreak. This book made me laugh and cry…my favorite combination in a book!

 

Read-alikes:

Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie

The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang

Match Me If You Can by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

 

 

 

Review: The Kiss Quotient

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The Kiss Quotient
by Helen Hoang
4 stars

Helen Hoang’s debut novel is stellar! Stella Lane is a gifted mathematician who looks at her romantic life as a problem that needs to be solved with practice…and the help of a professional. She makes a lesson plan and hires escort Michael Phan. He reluctantly agrees to help her out. Soon their lives become entangled and, as one might expect, their business partnership turns more personal as we learn about the characters’ hidden depths and vulnerabilities. Hoang does an excellent job spinning the romance novel trope of rich man-poor woman on its head with her refreshing characters. A great, steamy summer read!

 

Read-alikes:

Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory

 

Review: Silver Girl

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Silver Girl
by Elin Hilderbrand
3  stars

Elin Hilderbrand’s Silver Girl is a perfect summer read. Meredith Delinn is under siege after her husband is convicted of stealing billions of dollars from investors (think Bernie Madoff). She calls upon an old though estranged friend, Connie Flute, for help. Connie whisks Meredith to Nantucket for the summer where Meredith hopes to stay incognito while thinking of any information the Feds can use to track down the stolen money and thus exonerate herself. Connie hopes to overcome her grief following the death of her husband. Through the thoughts of both women the reader learns about their childhood and young loves up through the present where the estranged friends are reunited but still dealing with their past treatment of each other…and trying to heal from their personal tragedies.

At first glance, Silver Girl appears to be a fluffy read with a beach setting and some predictable romantic subplots. However, there is more heft to the book than you’d imagine. Discussing this book with friends has led me to think more deeply about its similarities to the Bernie Madoff financial fiasco. In particular, how not only the victims were impacted but his family as well. There are also the avenues of mother-daughter, mother-son, and father-daughter relationships to explore. The description of Nantucket has me ready to board a plane for there right now.  And the explanations of the food Connie prepared throughout the novel had my stomach rumbling and my mouth watering.  This was my first Elin Hilderbrand read, but any time I’m in the mood for a semi-light read, I’ll be picking up another!

 

Read-alikes:

Best Friends Forever by Jennifer Weiner

Summer Rental by Mary Kay Andrews

Sweet Salt Air by Barbara Delinsky