Review Shots
- Published on
- Shalini
- in Book Reviews, Fiction
Review Shots are mini-book reviews of the books that I have read over the weeks. What book didn't work for me might just be apt for you
Fiona and the Whale by Hannah Lynn
Publication Date:
Book Links
Blurb
With her life on the rocks, it is going to take a whale sized miracle to keep her afloat.
Event planner Fiona Reeves did not have her husband’s sudden departure on her schedule. However, she’s certain that it’s only a hiccup and he’ll be back in no time, begging for forgiveness. Fortunately there’s a distraction of mammoth proportions swimming in the River Thames.
Absorbed by the story of Martha the sperm whale, Fiona attempts to carry on life as usual as she awaits her husband’s return. However, nothing can prepare her for the dramatic turn of events that throw her life into ever greater turmoil. The road ahead has many paths and for Fiona it’s time to sink or swim.
My Review Shots
In the beginning I thought it would be a routine chick-lit syoe with some laughs, some tears, and a happily ever after. But I WAS WRONG. This book was bloody brilliant. It was fun, honest, ethical, and so passionate. I loved the emotions the book pulled out from me.
A whale Martha lost in river Thames died after ingesting 20 kg of plastic. Fiona, the events planner, whose son had left home and husband was sleeping with secretary, found herself remembering her son’s of plastic toy… Found in the stomach of the dead whale. That brought in a flurry of emotions, shock and guilt being the foremost. And a change occurred. A change in the thoughts, a change in the way of being.
The book by Hanna M. Lynn brought out the real social issue of plastic used everywhere in a fictional tale. I loved how the author remained true to the story where it told me how Fiona got her life back, from devastation to hope. A partner walking out produces the most intense pain, I have seen that. So I could identify with the main character.
To see her start living her life again was a joy to me and inspiring. With the backdrop of her event planning company deciding to go eco-friendly, she lost everything, her contacts, business, but she got her life back slowly, sticking to her principles and living in amalgamation with nature, doing her bit to protect environment and animals in it.
I loved everything about this book, the words, the story, the dialogues, the characters, friendships and relationships. OK, I didn’t like that louse of an infidel husband. Him, I could have kicked. But he did evoke my emotions. So I suppose I would let him be and wait for karma to get him
This was Fiona’s story written by Hannah in a captivating way, disguised as a chick-lit but in reality delivering a poignant message, filled with emotions and hope. Truly inspiring. And one of my most unexpected reads.
Moonlight Kisses by Alison Sherlock
Publication Date:
Book Links
Blurb
Romance blossoms under the stars in this feelgood love story for fans of Milly Johnson and Heidi Swain.
Lily Harper is an events organiser, but her neat, ordered world has just exploded. First she lost her job, then she lost her fiancé. Her five-year plan is looking increasingly shaky.
Lost and lonely, Lily heads home to her childhood village, and accepts the position of live-in housekeeper at the grand but welcoming Willow Tree Hall. It’s not exactly her dream job – Lily is more used to arranging parties than pantries – but at least she’s working.
Her first task is to arrange the Willow Tree Hall summer fete. Lily is in her element, writing to-do lists and organising bunting and baking – until her old flame Jack Carter turns up in the village. Lily hasn’t seen Jack in over ten years, when he sped off on his motorbike, taking with him the pieces of her broken heart.
Lily vowed she would never forgive him. But as Willow Tree Hall weaves its magic, Lily finds she might just give Jack a second chance after all…
My Review Shots
A cute second chance romance where the Willow Tree Hall and the author’s words charmed the young sweethearts to fall in love with each other again years later. Or had the love never gone?
Lily had the worst day where she lost her job and her man and forced to go back home where she met with Jack, her first love. Both were in the same boat and it was heartening to see them find their way back.
My second book by author Alison Sherlock, this was a love story with a few social issues. The author’s writing made the book charming without it being too heavy handed. The characters were varied and eccentric, but it was Aunt Rose who was teh most charming.
Humor provided by the great aunt had me chuckling. There was warmth and a sense of camaraderie between the characters. Emotions peeked in at the right places, Lily’s penchant for lists had a place of its own in the story.
Overall, the story was entertaining, the bar raised by Aunt Rose. She was cool and fabulous
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Publication Date:
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Blurb
Ten years ago, Dani fled Appledore with a broken-heart and a suitcase full of shattered dreams. Only now is she brave enough to put her past behind her and return for a summer selling homemade ice cream and getting fit by doing sit-ups by the sea.
But the new-look cafe is filled with old memories of Jude, her teenage sweetheart-turned-sour. She thinks of him every time she swirls warm sauce onto a ‘chocolate-bockaglory’ and even with the help of Chris, her gorgeous personal trainer, the urge to break her diet is everywhere she turns.
When Jude makes an appearance at the cafe on the eve of Dani’s birthday party, history threatens to repeat itself. Is Dani strong enough to say no? And is the love she’s been longing for much closer than she thinks?
My Review Shots
We eat either to escape some emotional trauma or to fill an emotional need, and that’s why it is known as comfort food. And this comfort food is almost always something delicious, something ridiculously fattening, and something which fills the mouth with bursts of flavor and hips with a bigger arse. That is the law of Murphy… Everything good is seriously bad for us.
The author, Sue Watson, also has her main character, Dani, doing just that: eating to forget her ex’s lousy behaviour, her mother’s emotional negligence, to forget that she is fat and to hide the pain when people point out the obvious..
I could identify myself with Dani (but unlike her, I do not like ice creams, chocolates, or cakes..) and I understood her pain at the comments received. Ultimately, Dani has had enough with the direction where her life and her size are heading, so she decides to take charge. And there enters Prince Charming a.k.a personal trainer, Chris who helps her with her weight loss mission. Her exJude also would like to know her better now. And all of a sudden, a fitter Dani has a lot of options to choose from…
The author, Sue Watson, has done a brilliant job with this piece of writing. The second half of the book is exemptuous. The way Dani grows into her confident, beautiful self is a sight to behold, and I just read the entire book at a go, all the while rooting for Dani, cheering her on from the sidelines. The other characters, her friends at work and her best friend, Karla are supportive and quirky. All of them together take the book from ordinary to extraordinary.
When Dani reaches the finish line, no one was more happy than I (girls with curves unite!!). This is the beauty of Ms. Watson’s writing. Her words go beyond the plot line to touch the inner woman, they resonate with her genuineness, and there is something so encouraging with the way she writes that the words fills our inner core with confidence. I believe, no woman who reads this book, would come away unaffected.
The emotions felt have a wide array, I found myself getting frustrated with Dani when she doesn’t take charge, angry with her when she gives excuses in the first half of the book. But in the second half, when Dani blossoms and there is happiness, sheer bliss and I laughed with her. The emotions felt are so exhilarating that I found myself running along with her, ready to face the world.
The only point that jarred me and almost made me lose interest is when the main character Dani ruminates and ponders on and on and on. That goes on for pages, the same matter explained in different ways, but then the story picks up and goes back on track.
I kept this book on hold as I wanted to read it when life was dark and gloomy. I knew Ms. SueWatson brilliance with her words would definitely bring a ray of hope to the heavy heart. Her words light a fire in the heart and make us bolder and confident. My first book by her, but definitely not my last.
In the beginning I thought it would be a routine chick-lit syoe with some laughs, some tears, and a happily ever after. But I WAS WRONG. This book was bloody brilliant. It was fun, honest, ethical, and so passionate. I loved the emotions the book pulled out from me.
A whale Martha lost in river Thames died after ingesting 20 kg of plastic. Fiona, the events planner, whose son had left home and husband was sleeping with secretary, found herself remembering her son’s of plastic toy… Found in the stomach of the dead whale. That brought in a flurry of emotions, shock and guilt being the foremost. And a change occurred. A change in the thoughts, a change in the way of being.
The book by Hanna M. Lynn brought out the real social issue of plastic used everywhere in a fictional tale. I loved how the author remained true to the story where it told me how Fiona got her life back, from devastation to hope. A partner walking out produces the most intense pain, I have seen that. So I could identify with the main character.
To see her start living her life again was a joy to me and inspiring. With the backdrop of her event planning company deciding to go eco-friendly, she lost everything, her contacts, business, but she got her life back slowly, sticking to her principles and living in amalgamation with nature, doing her bit to protect environment and animals in it.
I loved everything about this book, the words, the story, the dialogues, the characters, friendships and relationships. OK, I didn’t like that louse of an infidel husband. Him, I could have kicked. But he did evoke my emotions. So I suppose I would let him be and wait for karma to get him
This was Fiona’s story written by Hannah in a captivating way, disguised as a chick-lit but in reality delivering a poignant message, filled with emotions and hope. Truly inspiring. And one of my most unexpected reads.
Publication Date:
Book Links
Blurb
Adele and Justine have never been close. Born twenty years apart, Justine was already an adult when Addie was born. The sisters love each other but they don’t really know each other.
When Addie dropped out of university to care for their ailing parents, Justine, a successful lawyer, covered the expenses. It was the best arrangement at the time but now that their parents are gone, the future has changed dramatically for both women.
Addie had great plans for her life but has been worn down by the pressures of being a caregiver and doesn’t know how to live for herself. And Justine’s success has come at a price. Her marriage is falling apart despite her best efforts.
Neither woman knows how to start life over but both realize they can and must support each other the way only sisters can. Together they find the strength to accept their failures and overcome their challenges. Happiness is within reach, if only they have the courage to fight for it.
My Review Shots
BEAUTIFUL. BEAUTIFUL. BEAUTIFUL.
This book hugged me deep into its depths with its loving hand, holding me close to it as I read/listened to it with my heart gradually filling with warmth for the characters. Author Robyn Carr’s writing was what I needed when my mind was so depressed. The story enlivened me and gave me hope and courage in these times of strife. The book was my comfort blanky. I held on to my kindle long after the story was done hoping to bask in its love for a few minutes more.
Two sisters separated by 2 decades in age and still more in their bond, suddenly found themselves at the crossroads with some devastating news. This story was all about discovering themselves and the love and connection between each other.
The book was simply unputdownable, as each word had a wealth of emotion hidden in it. I kept craving this book in between my chores as I wanted to know how both of them would manage. Each had to make a new start and that took courage. I got to see each phase of their development and it gladdened my heart.
Every character added a layer to the story, a gem they were to take me into their world. I adored the sisters. Their pain and happiness became mine down the pages. I couldn’t stay far from them until I got to the last line.
The book is a must-read.
I downloaded the digital version of the book from an online retail, and this is my journey down its pages, straight from the heart. STRICTLY HONEST and UNBIASED.
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13 Responses
I love when books are more than expected:)
This was so unexpected
I passed this by thinking it was a kid’s book – silly me!
It was fabulous. I thought it to be chick lit… It was sooo much
Great review! Sounds interesting.
This was so much more than a chick lit I loved it
I didn’t know what to expect when I started reading your review–kiddie lit or chick lit? Wow, the answer is totally different. The author combined personal issues with eco-issues with business problems with ethics. And it sounds like she had a good storyline to boot. Great review, Shalini!
This was fabulous. On the day of her book release, a whale really was found in Thames river in London, hit head against ship and died after a few days. So it was serendipity
Oh, my! That is sad!
Very sad
Excellent review, Shalini. I loved the way you described the lousy husband. 😂😂
Hahaha I have personal experience of being betrayed recently… So it all came out
😔… I’m sorry.