Amelie Notomb définit ce premier roman de Maud Venture comme une délice irresistible. Moi je le qualifierai plutôt de "délire " irrésistible. Ce livreAmelie Notomb définit ce premier roman de Maud Venture comme une délice irresistible. Moi je le qualifierai plutôt de "délire " irrésistible. Ce livre était simplement somptueux. J'étais d'emblée prise dans cet engrenade à me comparer à la protagoniste, à la jyger, à me dire que: "ça y est, elle a touché le fond", pour que finalement elle me prouve le contraire quelques pages plus loin. La fin m'a scotché! Un chef d'œuvre de littérature contemporaine! J'ai hâte de lire son prochain opus!...more
This book was a lit fiction gem! I loved it! I got hooked from the very beginning! The 3 different POVs were just as good: we are starting off with LiThis book was a lit fiction gem! I loved it! I got hooked from the very beginning! The 3 different POVs were just as good: we are starting off with Lily who tells us about her childhood growing up as a child of Chinese immigrants, her difficult relationship with her mother (Chinese people do not show or share their feelings), how she was very often treated as a foreigner due to her Asian features, even though she was a Real American, born and raised. Then comes Matthew: he is gorgeous, successful, disgustingly wealthy, and head over heels in love with Lily. They end up getting married and having a son, even though Lily often wonders how such a man can be in love with her. The second POV in Nick, Lily and Matthew's son, and the 3rd POV is May, Lily's mother and Nick's grandmother.
The story narrates the consequences of grandmother May's choices as a young Chinese person living in China in the 1960s during Mao's communisistic sequestration toward his people. I loved how I picked up on details from the get-go, such as the four-leaf clover and this constant reference to time. All characters were perfectly flawed, my favorite being Nick; I kept wanting to give a big hug, and I would not have hesitated making a move on him if I would have met him in college or later on in life;-) I did not see that sci-fi thing coming, but I enjoyed it. It fit. It was not out there. I will definitely re-read this book, and I look forward to Rachel Khong's next book!
Thank you Net Galley and the publisher for this great opportunity to discover this work prior to its release. My review was true and genuine....more
This is my first fabulous read from Silvia Garci-Moreno! After reading The Daughter of Dr Moreau (not fond of this one) and Silver Nitrate (super coolThis is my first fabulous read from Silvia Garci-Moreno! After reading The Daughter of Dr Moreau (not fond of this one) and Silver Nitrate (super cool dark thriller coming out July 2023), the Beautiful Ones is a breath of seduction, luxury, and passion that I have been high on for the past five days. I was engrossed in the Hector-Nina relationship and was rooting for them all along. I kept wanting to shout "Wake up!!!" in Hector's ear as he did not seem to be able to cut the cord on his memories of puppy love with Valerie, Nina's cousin by marriage who was as evil inside as she was beautiful on the outside. She was part of the Beautiful Ones only thanks to her looks. And all characters felt so alive and distinctive from one another, something not many authors can accomplish. But SGM is so skilled at storytelling and character development., it is insane. The twists and turns are not insane, but I kept wanting to read more about those people. Definitely one of my favorite books of the year!
PS I loooove the cover, it reflects so well the story! I want to say that this drawing represents Nina....more
Amazing Grace Adams was a pleasant book to read about a couple falling in love in unusual circumstances and building a family the non-traditional way.Amazing Grace Adams was a pleasant book to read about a couple falling in love in unusual circumstances and building a family the non-traditional way. It is interesting to read about a young woman --Grace-- who has her whole life in front of her (she speaks fluently 5 foreign languages, she has a strong personality, a good head on her shoulders). She knows from a young age that she does not want to have children; she wants to focus on herself solely. And then she meets this guy... Ben. They never really dated, but they spent a steamy night together. And then, Grace's life gets turned upside down when she discovers 5 months later that she is expecting. As a respectable and responsible young adult, she decides to keep the baby and inform Ben, even though she hasn't seen him since that night. Ben, just as responsibly, decides to give this relationship a try, and be a daddy to this unborn child. That's when you think, "Nothing can go wrong, right?" Well, wrong! Anyone's life can go wrong. The reason being that no one has any control over their lives. Fran Littlewood takes on this amazing woman's journey; how hard it is to be a mom, to handle so many things in life: your relationship with the kids, with your husband, trying to juggle a career in the middle of all that chaos, and manage to tackle the constant obstacles, flawlessly.
There is no perfect mom, and sometimes we mess up: we say the wrong thing, we make the wrong decision, we look like the asshole for a greater good, BUT we love our family with every fiber of our being. I recognized myself in Grace Adams, that might be why I enjoyed this book so much. It was a good reminder to give myself a break.
Thank you Net Galley and the publisher for this advanced copy in exchange of my honest opinion....more
This is my first Louise Penny and it will definitely not be my last. I discovered Chief Armand Gamache, the main character off the Armand Gam4.5 stars
This is my first Louise Penny and it will definitely not be my last. I discovered Chief Armand Gamache, the main character off the Armand Gamache series. This book is the 17th book off the series. I loved the setting in snowy Three Pines Canada, in a small town where everybody knows each other and there is a large family vibe throughout. The plot was also super intersting with this scientist/statistician coming to town for a talk about mercy killing. I won't say more to avoid spoiling it for you. We end up investigating an attempted murder on one person and one actual murder.
This book was so, so clever! Penny injected lots of psychology, sociology, scentific theories (fictional or not, they were so cool!), the plot was so well knitted together, the characters were so complex that you go through phases about your relationship with all of them. Very impressed with this tour de force. I will read All The Devils Are Here next.
The reason why I did not give this a 5-star is because the story started dragging a bit toward the end. If it reached its conclusion 30 pages faster, it would have earned a 5th star....more
How I love reading Fiona Davis! The way she brings New York to life through her fictional tales built around iconic NY landmarks. In this case, the stHow I love reading Fiona Davis! The way she brings New York to life through her fictional tales built around iconic NY landmarks. In this case, the story is built around Radio Music City Hall in the 50s during the time the city was terrorized by the Big Apple Bomber. Main character Marion wants to pursue her passion for dance, so she auditions to become a Rockette. Her father is furious and doesn't want her to come back home until she gets back to her sense. Marion wants to walk in the footsteps of her dead mother who was an actress, but had to give up on her dream. This book is the epitome of following your dreams, of finding real love, of live the consequences of life, and how you are to live your life despite you trying to fight it....more
This is another slam dunk for one of my favorite authors, Adrienne Young. Emery, Lily, August and Dutch all live in the unique island of Saiorse. They This is another slam dunk for one of my favorite authors, Adrienne Young. Emery, Lily, August and Dutch all live in the unique island of Saiorse. They are a tight bunch of friends until graduation night when Lily is found dead and the famous orchard catches on fire. For some reason, the whole island is pointing their finger at August, who happens to be with Emery. August's mom ends up leaving the island for good along with her son August because life becomes too unbearable. Emery stays behind and it takes her years to recover from the loss of the love of life. Until 14 years later, August comes back to the island the sell his mother's cottage and put her ashes to rest. That's when all dark, buried stories come back to the surface and Emery's life (and others') turns upside down.
Adrienne's words are knitted together beautifully and they sounds like poetry from the Gods. I could not put this book down. From the ambiance of the island, the mysterious characters, and the many secrets being smartly divulged throughout the pages kept me addicted to the story till the very end. My favorite part was the love story between Emery and August; drafting love stories is Ms. Young's forte. I still remember my favorite kissing scene of all-time: Fable and West's first kiss, underwater. Unforgettable! (Fable book, came out in 2020 if I remember well)
I will purchase a hardcover copy of Spells for Forgetting as soon as it comes out. I want to read it again.
Thank you Net Galley, Delacorte Press and Adrienne Young for this e-ARC in exchange of my honest review....more
A book containing nothing but fucked-up characters, but it teaches us that each other's darkness can bring light. A book full of hope. I loved the intA book containing nothing but fucked-up characters, but it teaches us that each other's darkness can bring light. A book full of hope. I loved the intelligent and fresh writing, and I am happy that I have discovered Coco Mellors. I will read her again. ...more
Mab, Monday and Mirabelle are triplets also known as One, Two, Three. They are from small town Bourne which years ago was the center of an environmentMab, Monday and Mirabelle are triplets also known as One, Two, Three. They are from small town Bourne which years ago was the center of an environmental scandal. which led to many cancers, deformities and other medical conditions. A story that did not touch me, despite the many positive reviews all over the net. The audio was good though, I quite enjoyed the three narrators representing each sister, and particularly Mirabelle the handicapped sister with the altered voice. I also thoroughly enjoyed the author interview at the end; it brought added value to the product.
Thank you Net Galley and MacMillan Audio for this audio advanced copy in exchange for my honest review. ...more
This book was so not for me. All I kept hearing about is women wanting babies, being mommies, and those women not wanting babies and being so misunderThis book was so not for me. All I kept hearing about is women wanting babies, being mommies, and those women not wanting babies and being so misunderstood by society. I couldn't care less what other women want to do or NOT do with their bodies; who are those women judging other women who don't want to procreate? This is beyond me. And make a whole book discussing this topic? This just blows my mind. The only thing I agreed with is that a woman who never want to have children has a partner who hopes to become a daddy one day needs to be honest with him and not waste his time so he can end the relationship and find another partner he can build a family with. This is only fair. He shouldn't be blind sighted.
This story is unrealistic, I came across too many stereotypes for my liking, and the friendships did not come across as genuine. The characters were not relatable, one dimensional, and the character Olive was very immature for her age. A real waste of my time.
Thank you Net Galley and Harper Collins for this audio in exchange for my honest review....more
"This is it, isn't it? Lucas's monument. A giant, beautiful, glass fuck-you monument to all those people who said he couldn't."
Elin is invited by brot"This is it, isn't it? Lucas's monument. A giant, beautiful, glass fuck-you monument to all those people who said he couldn't."
Elin is invited by brother Isaac to celebrate his engagement to Laure in an old remote sanatorium turned fancy luxury hotel in a remote location in Switzerland.
Elin and boyfriend end up stuck in this spooky location due to a major snowstorm that did not give its customers enough time time to evacuate.
Management and travelers are frantic after bodies have been found in and around the sanatorium. This is particularly freaky since no one can access the hotel from the outside. So, the murderer got to be among them. But who is it? Everybody is a suspect. and Elin is taking over the investigation as a former detective since the police cannot access the resort.
I enjoyed this thriller, it did remind me of Stephen King's The Shining a bit with its remote hotel buried in snow while people inside are fighting for their lives. Sarah Pearse added quite some family drama into the mix to add a layer of mystery, but I believe she should have pushed the traumatic events in question a little further. The resolve was a little weak in my opinion, nothing mind-blowing but still entertaining. I wish there was more to the sanatorium history, like a story of one of the women that had been illegally brought to that institution and get some insight to her experience through a diary or something.
Underwhelmed by the lack of storyline and character development.
This is the story of Grace Porter, a mixed race 29 year old lesbian (Black father in tUnderwhelmed by the lack of storyline and character development.
This is the story of Grace Porter, a mixed race 29 year old lesbian (Black father in the military and white, bohemian mother). She lives in Portland with her very strict father; she went against his wishes bny studying astronomy instead of medicine. She still still ends up with a PhD but she feels like she let her father down. She wasn't able to make him proud of her.
We are following this Honey girl character and her acceptance of not following the path her father set up in his mind for her. Her pursuit of purpose. She struggles with her relationships, with her choice of a professional path, with who she is. Does her mom in Florida still cares for her. Does this mystery female she marries by accident on a celebratory night in Vegas really exist? Who is she? Should she look for her and touch base? Or should she annul the marriage?
I did not connect with any single character as I felt like all remained quite stereotypical with little depth. I also wasn't able to put myself in Grace's shoes, understand her and empathize for her. Her friendships were a little "too much" for adult women, not realistic. I felt that there was too much hoopla for nothing , really. I expected so much more out of this book.
Thank you Net Galley and Wednesday Books for this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review....more
I did not connect with this book. Off to a good start when Anne-Lise finds this old manuscript in her hotel room and decides to go on a quest to find I did not connect with this book. Off to a good start when Anne-Lise finds this old manuscript in her hotel room and decides to go on a quest to find whose work it belongs to and who finished the story, but I got lost in the too many letters. It was a cute story but rather pointless to me. The story did not fascinate me. It did not draw me in. I am still giving it a 3-star for the emotions and the French-speaking narrators who made the story more believable.
Thank you Net Galley and the publisher for this audio ARC in exchange for my honest review....more
This book is officially my favorite LGBTQ YA book! I fell in love with protagonists Larissa and Jasmine: Larissa's mom works for Jasmine's dad and botThis book is officially my favorite LGBTQ YA book! I fell in love with protagonists Larissa and Jasmine: Larissa's mom works for Jasmine's dad and both girls end up spending a summer together. Things happen, they get to know each other, they experiment, and then it's time to resume their respective lives and go back to high school. Larissa has been crushing on QB Chase Harding. Turns out that Chase is showing interest back, like whouaww.. But the excitement is short-lived when Larissa catches glance of Jasmine at her school and this causes Larissa to questions herself; what are those feelings she is feeling? Why is Jasmine avoiding her? Was their summer meaningless to her? A fun love triangle that I fully enjoyed following. I was rather impressed by the maturity of the reflections and conversation among teenagers and teenagers with their parents, the lack of labeling, and the not obnoxious sex scenes. There was just one sex scene and it was steaming hot, and the scene made so much sense. A very smart book without LGBTQ stereotypes, what a joy!
Thank you Net Galley and Wednesday Books for this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review....more
As one of my favorite audio book narrators, Bahni Turpin did not disappoint once again. Bahni made the three victim girls so relatable. This book was As one of my favorite audio book narrators, Bahni Turpin did not disappoint once again. Bahni made the three victim girls so relatable. This book was not an easy book to bring to audio considering the unorthodox writing style: bullet points, lists, scratched off words, etc.
I recommend this audio to anyone looking for a contemporary drama: three girls being kidnapped in Queens, NY and kept captives for a full decade without any neighbors noticing anything. When finally found, Jesenia is missing but her baby girl is found at the house and immediately brought to social services. An interesting take on how one’s life can turn upside down when kidnapped, whether you are the victim, or à loved one of the victims, or even a neighbor of that « House of Horror » who had no clue what was happening next door for 10 years.
Thank you Net Galley and Macmillan Audio for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.....more
I had very high expectations diving into The Maidens, even though I haven't read The Silent Patient yet (but it's on my bookshelf!). A good read, not I had very high expectations diving into The Maidens, even though I haven't read The Silent Patient yet (but it's on my bookshelf!). A good read, not a memorable read. I enjoyed all the Greek mythology references but I was disappointed that the narrator was not familiar with the Greek language so the ancient Greek snippets sounded awful.
The story was unfortunately not believable. I won't go into details but Mariana came across as a weak character and, considering her professional training, she clearly has no clue how to read people. She is not instinctive at all, quite unusual for a woman to be so wrong about so many different people. Or were people around her so good at concealing their true selves?
Do you want to pick up an entertaining thriller that will keep you guessing? Get The Maidens. Do you want to be blown away? Pass.
Thank you Net Galley and MacMillan audio for this e-ARC in exchange for my honest read....more
It is 1965. Anton has just turned 18. He still lives home with his parents. He has recently lost his yoTrigger warning: suicide
What a wonderful story!
It is 1965. Anton has just turned 18. He still lives home with his parents. He has recently lost his younger brother. He tried to save him from shooting himself but failed. As a result he lost his only brother and his right hand while trying to save him. Anton's parents are acting like this loss does not affect them the way it affects him and decide to go on a trip to South America over the holidays, leaving Anton alone at the apartment. Thank God Anton has a wonderful grandmother and great uncle who are there for him, supporting him and visiting regularly.
Anton receives a telescope and while putting together the heavy and expensive device, he has a first look through the lens and what he sees startles him: in an apartment across the street, a man is putting his hands on his wife and hurts her. Anton makes his mission to find the woman and save her from this monster. Little does he know that this mission is about to shape the rest of is life.
This story was simply amazing. Anton is a young man full of love, compassion, empathy while still standing up for himself and for those he loves.
I loved the 60s vibe in the beginning of the book: the urban descriptions, local shops, Anton's apartment, the fashion, the conversations.
I also loved that author Catherine Ryan Hyde allowed us to live alongside Anton and his loved ones all his life (the book ends in the year 2000) and see that despite the losses and pain, Anton stayed true to himself and to what his grandmother taught him: when you truly love someone, you do what is best for them, and not what is best for you. And Anton lived by it.
People often wonder and come back on important decisions they make through life. This book taught me that there is no right or wrong decision. We just make a decision depending on what we consider is best at the time. After the decision is made, no one can say whether it was right or wrong, because no one knows the trajectory your life would have taken if your decision would have been different. You just live with it and make the best of it.
I recommend this book to anyone who want to read a feel-good and meaningful story. Definitely my favorite novel of the season!
Thank you so much Net Galley and Lake Union Publishing for this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review....more
What a riveting debut novel! How I enjoy those multi-generational family sagas, and this one did not disappoint. The main protagonist is Julian WarnerWhat a riveting debut novel! How I enjoy those multi-generational family sagas, and this one did not disappoint. The main protagonist is Julian Warner, a young genius who discovers his gayness in a very realistic manner and who is so lucky to have such a loving and dedicated mother like Lacy. Never have I read a LGBTQ book whose main focus is not on gayness, it was so great and refreshing. I enjoyed seeing him grow up and go through all those life stages we all go through, no matter our sexual orientation.
It is interesting to note the recurring theme of rejection and shame, starting with Julian’s maternal grandmother and the denial of her Mexican roots, which can be understandable when put in context, followed by Julian’s father and his difficulties accepting his son for who he was, and finishing with Julian being ashamed of his mother when comparing her to his wealthy in-laws. The beauty of it all is that, no matter our flaws, no one us is perfect. Despite that, the people in our lives love us by accepting who we are. This is what is so beautiful in this story, and much needed to hear in a time where we all pretend to be someone we’re not on social media.
I also have to point out the love story between Lacy Adams and Aaron Warner that was so romantic! I was swooning over those two: the way they fell in love before they even met while corresponding during WWII was so Hollywood-esque!
This is my favorite LGBTQ novel ever, I don’t recall ever reading one that did not revolve around the protagonist’s sexuality. This one is meaty; it has a lot of content and would be a smart book club selection.
Thank you very much Net Galley and St. Martin’s Press for this e-ARC in exchange of my honest opinion....more
This is the story of Afi, a young woman from Ghana who desperately fights tooth and nail for her husband Eli’s affection and recognition as being his This is the story of Afi, a young woman from Ghana who desperately fights tooth and nail for her husband Eli’s affection and recognition as being his #1 and, ultimately, his only wife.
My favorite part of this book was the last quarter. I loved Efi’s strong personality and will to do everything in her power in order to be valued. It’s good to see a non-subservient African woman.
Thank you Net Galley an de the publisher for this audio ARC in exchange for my honest opinion....more
The Wife Upstairs, or the story of nothing is what it seems. You think you know people? You don't. You think you have them figured out? Far from it. YThe Wife Upstairs, or the story of nothing is what it seems. You think you know people? You don't. You think you have them figured out? Far from it. You think you are a fake among money? Maybe the money are worse than you and your stupid secrets. This mystery thriller is very well written, the plot is smart and evil and I enjoyed the many curveballs thrown at me throughout this read. And I definitely loved the mysterious ending that fitted the general atmosphere of the book.
I did not like a single character. This was, I am sure, the author's intention, but it did not prevent me from bowing down to their evilness when revealed. Hats down to them!
The narrators were amazing, carrying me through the story. I felt their passion, lots of intonations, a pure delight!
A successful contemporary gothic thriller, which I am sure will be a favorite among many in 2021.
Thank you Net Galley and Macmillan Audio for this ARC in exchange for my honest review....more
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