Tag: genre: contemporary

• Book Review: “When Dimple Met Rishi” by Sandhya Menon (ARC)

  Posted at 3:15 am by Laura, on May 17, 2017

  When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon

  Publisher: Simon Pulse
  Publishing Date: May 30
  Genre: young adult, contemporary, romance
  ISBN: 9781481478687
  Rating: ★★★★

  Dimple Shah has it all figured out. With graduation behind her, she’s more than ready for a break from her family, from Mamma’s inexplicable obsession with her finding the “Ideal Indian Husband.” Ugh. Dimple knows they must respect her principles on some level, though. If they truly believed she needed a husband right now, they wouldn’t have paid for her to attend a summer program for aspiring web developers…right?

  Rishi Patel is a hopeless romantic. So when his parents tell him that his future wife will be attending the same summer program as him—wherein he’ll have to woo her—he’s totally on board. Because as silly as it sounds to most people in his life, Rishi wants to be arranged, believes in the power of tradition, stability, and being a part of something much bigger than himself.

  The Shahs and Patels didn’t mean to start turning the wheels on this “suggested arrangement” so early in their children’s lives, but when they noticed them both gravitate toward the same summer program, they figured, Why not?

  Dimple wants nothing more than to be away from her family, immersing herself in college life and web development and all things coding. Rishi wants nothing more than to continue honoring his cultural roots, experiencing that big sweeping romance his parents had when they were arranged to be married. Little do they know, once their parents got wind both teens were interested in the same summer program, the arranged marriage between them would start taking flight earlier than expected.

  I thoroughly enjoyed this romantic comedy. Everything about it screamed nerdy cute fun flails, and I especially loved the cultural elements in here. Though the novel did fall into some stereotypical YA tropes, I let it slide in favor of the great story beneath it all.

  First, Dimple is such a fierce, determined, energetic young woman eager to embark on her own adventures and govern her own life by her own rules. I wanted to squeeze her in a hug every time she spoke up about feminism, females in the tech industry, and combining two cultures (being American and being Indian) instead of ignoring one and embracing another. I understood where she came from…but I also understood where Rishi came from! He’s such an artistic, romantic soul, who has to live up to his parents’ expectations. The difference is that he doesn’t find it to be a burden, at least not at first. As their romance blossoms, they both learn from one another — Dimple the importance of tradition and respect, Rishi the importance of independence and openness.

  Second, the diversity in this novel isn’t a problem that needs fixing. There’s no agenda here. It’s open and honest and a character of the story. It’s not an issue, it’s just another life we have the privilege to experience and learn about. First generation Americans have that tough in-between role to play: living up to parents’ expectations within the “old” culture and traditions, and living up to friends’/society’s expectations within the “new” culture. Too often first generation Americans are asked, “Where are you from?” And in many ways, that’s shared in this novel too. I highly recommend reading this if you want to add more diversity to your TBR. Experience America through another’s eyes, and experience another culture’s expectations within America through two different perspectives. It’s bound to start conversations!

  Though some major YA tropes do occur in this novel (all possible relationship milestones occur within six weeks, to give you an idea without blatantly spoiling), it didn’t take away from the entertainment and enjoyment of a feel-good contemporary romcom on a sunny California campus with a bunch of app-development nerds.

  When Dimple Met Rishi is perfect for fans of Anna and the French Kiss. Get your hands on this book ASAP!

  Thank you, Edelweiss, for providing this book from Simon Pulse for review!

  Posted in books, Reviews 2017 | 6 Comments | Tagged advance reading copy, ARC, book review, books, genre: contemporary, genre: romance, genre: young adult, review

• Book Review: “Always and Forever, Lara Jean” by Jenny Han

  Posted at 3:50 am by Laura, on May 15, 2017

  Always and Forever, Lara Jean by Jenny Han

  Publisher: Simon & Schuster BFYR
  Published: May 2017
  Genre: young adult, contemporary
  ISBN: 9781481430487
  Rating: ★★★★

  Lara Jean is having the best senior year a girl could ever hope for. She is head over heels in love with her boyfriend, Peter; her dad’s finally getting remarried to their next door neighbor, Ms. Rothschild; and Margot’s coming home for the summer just in time for the wedding.

  But change is looming on the horizon. And while Lara Jean is having fun and keeping busy helping plan her father’s wedding, she can’t ignore the big life decisions she has to make. Most pressingly, where she wants to go to college and what that means for her relationship with Peter. She watched her sister Margot go through these growing pains. Now Lara Jean’s the one who’ll be graduating high school and leaving for college and leaving her family—and possibly the boy she loves—behind.

  When your heart and your head are saying two different things, which one should you listen to?

  It’s senior year, and Lara Jean is having a wonderful time with Peter, her friends, and her family. She’s nostalgic and excited for the future all at once, which leads to a lot of stress baking to perfect her chocolate chip cookie recipe. Will she get into her dream school? How will she and Peter continue their relationship in college? How will she cope being away from home for college? As change trickles in one after another, creating rocking waves in previously calm waters, Lara Jean must decide what she wants to do and who she wants to be in this first step of adulthood.

  There are no spoilers if one has not read To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before or PS I Still Love You, though I still highly recommend reading those books!

  What a great conclusion to a beautiful contemporary trilogy about sisterhood and growing up. When Jenny Han announced writing a third book for her intended duology, I admit I was a little worried. I felt Lara Jean’s story ended in a good place in the second book. But  Han was right: Lara Jean had more to tell, more experiences to share, and this book tied everything back full circle. Thanks, Han!

  This trilogy speaks to me on so many levels. Lara Jean is such a crafty, nostalgic, smart, quiet, good, loving girl. She likes the fine things in life, expresses her emotions through art and baking, and enjoys frank conversations with her sisters Margot and Kitty. In many ways, Han and Dessen (to toss in another contemporary classic) create characters that speak to me now as an adult and who I was as a teen. I especially appreciate the very sisterly, clean but informative discussions about love, heartbreak, sex, periods, the whole gambit.

  Though Lara Jean isn’t dealing with the sort of drama that plagued her in the last book (and boy, social media can really be a burden for teens today), she does need to think about life as an adult away from home. She will have so many freedoms and responsibilities, making her own rules based on her wishes and values. Choosing a college is one of them, especially if the college choice may or may not be influenced by her love for her devoted boyfriend. So many college-bound seniors battle between wanting to stay together and choose the same college, when the right thing is to choose the college best suited for one’s future and career. It’s a tough place to be in, and Lara Jean is facing those growing pains head on.

  The Song sisters are experiencing growing pains as well. Margot continues to flourish studying abroad, but it’s jolting to come home to several changes, including a new stepmother. Lara Jean wants to keep the peace, while at the same time allow the wedding to distract her from bigger decisions in her life. She can be quite pushy and teasing without realizing, and others notice. Kitty, who barely remembers their mother, is thrilled to have a proper mother figure in her life, though there’s concern she will “forget” her Korean culture. The bond between these three is impenetrable, and they will always find home base with one another.

  I’m not here for the romance. I’m here for the sisters. I’m here to watch Lara Jean come of age and navigate this brave new world all on her own. I’m here to see her come full circle and start another chapter in her life. It all began when her sister left for college and she felt unmoored by the loss — now it’s her turn to leave for college. And I am pleased to see what she decided to do with her life!

  Thank you, Jenny Han, for bringing these wonderful sisters, especially Lara Jean, to life!

  .

  This qualifies as book 8 of 12 in the Rock My TBR challenge.

  Posted in books, Reviews 2017, Rock My TBR | 2 Comments | Tagged book review, books, genre: contemporary, genre: young adult, review

• Book Review: “Windfall” by Jennifer E. Smith (ARC)

  Posted at 3:45 am by Laura, on May 12, 2017

  Windfall by Jennifer E. Smith

  Publisher: Delacorte
  Published: May 2017
  Genre: young adult, contemporary
  ISBN: 9780399559372
  Rating: ★★★.75

  Alice doesn’t believe in luck—at least, not the good kind. But she does believe in love, and for some time now, she’s been pining for her best friend, Teddy. On his eighteenth birthday—just when it seems they might be on the brink of something—she buys him a lottery ticket on a lark. To their astonishment, he wins $140 million, and in an instant, everything changes.

  At first, it seems like a dream come true, especially since the two of them are no strangers to misfortune. As a kid, Alice won the worst kind of lottery possible when her parents died just over a year apart from each other. And Teddy’s father abandoned his family not long after that, leaving them to grapple with his gambling debts. Through it all, Teddy and Alice have leaned on each other. But now, as they negotiate the ripple effects of Teddy’s newfound wealth, a gulf opens between them. And soon, the money starts to feel like more of a curse than a windfall.

  As they try to find their way back to each other, Alice learns more about herself than she ever could have imagined…and about the unexpected ways in which luck and love sometimes intersect.

  Alice, Teddy, and Leo are attached to one another, united by hardships and varying perceptions of luck. When Alice, who has crushed on Teddy for ages, purchases a lottery ticket for Teddy’s birthday, and Teddy wins, she immediately worries about all that would change in the dynamics of their group. Teddy’s newfound wealth touches everyone in ways Alice didn’t think was possible, and soon she and Leo are grappling to bring Teddy back to reality.

  It’s been some time since I enjoyed a Smith book, and it’s clear she poured her heart and soul into this one. The writing is beautiful, and Alice’s internal monologues are deeply felt. She lost both of her parents before she was ten, moved in with her cousin Leo, and has tried to live up to the image she believes her parents would be proud of: giving back to others, doing good in the community, making the world a better place. But is she doing this for the idea of them, for herself, or for others?

  Toss in the struggles every teenager faces in high school — college applications, choosing the right school, seeking approval from your peers, experiencing first love and heartbreak — and Alice has a full plate. Teddy has always been the athlete, utilizing the use-them-and-drop-them method with girlfriends, not the best in school but not terrible, just an all-around gregarious sort of guy. Alice lets his behavior slide (before, during, and after the lottery win) because she knows a lot of it stems from his father leaving the family and wracking up debt.

  But this doesn’t excuse the romance. I was not pleased with it whatsoever, and I’m not sure if it’s because I felt a personal connection to it and know that in hindsight this is terrible for Alice, or if I’m an adult reader and can see 20/20. I’ll come out and say it: it was frustrating and agonizing to watch. The ending for these two upset me, as I felt Alice could really grow (and grow apart) and be given wings separate from Teddy.

  The message of this novel was poignant and clear and something I could root for. What would you do if you won the lottery? What would you do if you won millions and millions of dollars overnight? Some people know exactly what they’d do with money, others freeze at the thought. There’s no right or wrong way about it. It’s a lot of responsibility, and can come as a burden, too. I especially enjoyed how Alice grappled with change — good and bad, pertaining to the lottery or just to choosing a college — struggling to make decisions best for her rather than what others thought. She had a lot of internal wrestling going on, and working that out with her was a pleasure. Smith executed this really well.

  Though the romance thread wasn’t for me, the writing, heart, concept, and execution of this novel blew me away. The importance of family and growing up — and growing into one’s identity — was beautiful. What a unique and compelling read!

  Thank you, Edelweiss, for providing this book from Delacorte for review. 

  Posted in books, Reviews 2017 | 5 Comments | Tagged advance reading copy, ARC, book review, books, genre: contemporary, genre: young adult, review

• Book Review: “Alex, Approximately” by Jenn Bennett

  Posted at 5:15 am by Laura, on April 20, 2017

  Alex, Approximately by Jenn Bennett

  Publisher: Simon Pulse
  Published: April 2017
  Genre: young adult, contemporary, romance
  ISBN: 9781481478779
  Rating: ★★★.5

  Classic movie fan Bailey “Mink” Rydell has spent months crushing on a witty film geek she only knows online as Alex. Two coasts separate the teens until Bailey moves in with her dad, who lives in the same California surfing town as her online crush.

  Faced with doubts (what if he’s a creep in real life—or worse?), Bailey doesn’t tell Alex she’s moved to his hometown. Or that she’s landed a job at the local tourist-trap museum. Or that she’s being heckled daily by the irritatingly hot museum security guard, Porter Roth—a.k.a. her new archnemesis. But life is whole lot messier than the movies, especially when Bailey discovers that tricky fine line between hate, love, and whatever it is she’s starting to feel for Porter.

  And as the summer months go by, Bailey must choose whether to cling to a dreamy online fantasy in Alex or take a risk on an imperfect reality with Porter. The choice is both simpler and more complicated than she realizes, because Porter Roth is hiding a secret of his own: Porter is Alex…Approximately.

  Bailey is an Artful Dodger: she likes to avoid confrontation, she dislikes new environments without checking them out first, and she’s wary of new people. The one true friend she has someone named “Alex” online on a classic Hollywood film fanatic website, and he happens to be living in the same California coastal town Bailey just moved to. Before telling him she’s moved there, she wants to test the waters first and see if she can figure out who he is before the summer’s big film festival on the beach. But her new job at the local museum, and the annoying boy Porter she’s beginning to fall for, are making her Artful Dodger plans to meet Alex unravel. Or are they?

  This was such a cute contemporary, and definitely something the doctor ordered! It has an awesome surfer/beachy vibe to it without it being all about going to the beach and getting tan or catching boys or getting up to shenanigans. Bailey’s interest in old Hollywood films also adds retro flavoring — she dresses like classic film stars and even drives a Vespa! So cool.

  Bailey’s voice was engaging, and I liked the recipe for romantic banter between her and Porter: the kind that is genuinely funny, there’s no game involved, and they don’t hate each other. They just know how to bicker really well, and really affectionately. It was almost like reading an old couple’s bickering conversation — laced with love, but still poking fun at one another.

  Elements of the novel that really appealed to me included one perspective (gosh, this feels so rare in contemporary YA lately — or YA in general) and a super cool, unique job. She’s not working at one of the many churro stands along the beach, or a boardwalk shop, or fast food restaurant, or babysitting, or any of the other super predictable summer jobs for teens. No, in this YA, Bailey is working at an interesting, local, wacky museum that’s part manor house part cave, curated by a wealthy couple from the 1920s and full of all sorts of odds and ends within themed rooms. This is the perfect job for Bailey because she would like to be a museum curator one day.

  I’m not sure if I wanted to know that Porter is Alex. In many ways it makes Bailey look dumb — to no fault of her own. I tried to read this without my extra insight getting in the way. Would I have noticed this clue if I were Bailey? But I have to admit that part of the fun of the book was waiting to see when Bailey (or Porter) would figure it out.

  If you’re looking for a grounded YA contemporary that’s not too fluffy but not too serious, has great “we met on the internet” vibes, and you’re eager to dig your toes into some figurative sand, grab a copy of Bennett’s latest novel!

  This qualifies as book 6 of 5 library books in 2017.

  Trigger warning: guns, shark attack

   

  Posted in books, Reviews 2017 | 1 Comment | Tagged book review, books, genre: contemporary, genre: romance, genre: young adult, review

• Book Review: “Little Black Dresses, Little White Lies” by Laura Stampler

  Posted at 4:15 am by Laura, on March 8, 2017

  Little Black Dresses, Little White Lies by Laura Stampler

  Publisher: Simon Pulse
  Published: July 2016
  Genre: young adult, contemporary
  ISBN: 9781481459891
  Rating: ★★★

  Harper Anderson always believed she belonged somewhere more glamorous than her sleepy Northern California suburb. After all, how many water polo matches and lame parties in Bobby McKittrick’s backyard can one girl take? That’s why Harper is beyond ecstatic when she lands her dream internship as a dating blogger at the elite teen magazine Shift. Getting to spend the summer in New York City to live her dream of becoming a writer? Harper’s totally in.

  There’s just one teeny, tiny, infinitesimal problem: apart from some dance floor make-outs, Harper doesn’t have a lot of—or, really, any—dating expertise. In fact, she might have sort of stolen her best friend’s experiences as her own on her Shift application. But she can learn on the job…right?

  From awkward run-ins with the cute neighborhood dog walker to terrifying encounters with her crazed editor, from Brooklyn gallery openings to weekends in the Hamptons, Harper finds out what it takes to make it in the Big City—and as the writer of her own destiny.

  Harper’s dream is to become a journalist, and the best pie-in-the-sky opportunity is a summer internship with Shift, an elite teen magazine. Any girl in late high school or college who interns there is guaranteed a job in the industry come graduation. But that internship is truly pie-in-the-sky — until it’s not. Harper’s wishful thinking turns into a dream come true when the editor calls her up and gives her three days to pack her bags and fly to New York. The thing is, though, Harper can’t tell the editor or any of the glamorous interns that she knows nothing about the topic she’s assigned: dating. But what’s one little white lie here and there, anyway?

  The Devil Wears Prada meets Gossip Girl in this laugh-out-loud, feel-good, at times ridiculous novel. All sense of this novel being rooted in reality goes out the window right from the beginning: Harper conveniently has a crazy and lovable “aunt” (an old college roommate of her mother’s) who lives right next to Central Park and has all the money in the world for Harper to utilize during her 6-week internship. Lodging and money for NYC, INSTANT CHECK!

  But the hilarity begins the second Harper walks into Shift. High stress, high heels, and high rise in this environment, and every intern is competing for the Young Journalist to Watch spread in the September issue, as well as a story on the Leader Board. That Leader Board is vicious, tracking the top ten stories on the magazine’s website based on the number of clicks. The editor’s number one goal is to crank out as many stories as possible, to gain click momentum, and get viral.

  Harper’s feeling the heat, because the summer dating blogger is supposed to attract interest — and who wants to read a dating blog by someone who (1) has no dating experience and (2) doesn’t really, well, date? Harper gets creative, utilizing help from her best friend’s experiences, the adorable dog walker in her aunt’s building, and observations from her fellow interns. One story goes a bit too far, though, and Harper’s morals and values are on the line.

  Fun, funny, and just plain good brain candy to get you out of a reading slump!

  This qualifies as book 4 of 5 library books in 2017.

  Posted in books, Reviews 2017 | 4 Comments | Tagged book review, books, genre: contemporary, genre: young adult, review

• Book Review: “You and Me, Always” by Jill Mansell

  Posted at 4:15 am by Laura, on February 27, 2017

  You and Me, Always by Jill Mansell

  Publisher: Sourcebooks
  Published: July 2016
  Genre: adult fiction, chick lit, contemporary
  ISBN: 9781492638858
  Rating: ★★★.5

  On the morning of Lily’s twenty-fifth birthday, it’s time to open the very last letter written to her by her beloved mother, who died when she was eight.

  Learning more about the first and only real love of her mum’s life is a revelation. On the same day, Lily also meets Eddie Tessler, a man fleeing fame who just might have the ability to change her world in unimaginable ways. But her childhood friend Dan has his own reasons for not wanting Lily to get too carried away by Eddie’s attentions.

  Before long, secrets begin to emerge and Lily’s friends and family become involved. In the beautiful Cotswold village of Stanton Langley, nothing will ever be the same again…

  With her mother’s final letter, Lily and her friends’ lives are about to change forever. Lily’s mother passed away when Lily was a child, and every year on her birthday she receives a letter from her mother. In this last letter, her mother mentions a man, Declan, who was the only real love her life. Lily sets out to find Declan and befriend him on the same day she runs into Eddie Tessler, a movie star hiding away in her friend Patsy’s house till the most recent scandal calms down. As Lily and Eddie grow closer, her childhood friend Dan comes to grips with his secret feelings. But Dan’s not the only one with secrets in the village of Stanton Langley, and the summer is about to change for everyone.

  If you’re a fan of Win a Date With Tad Hamilton, this book is for you!

  I enjoyed the glimpse of Cotswold village life, how everyone knows everyone in some way or another, and yet the secrets keep on building. Unlike many novels I’ve read recently with secrets that just lead to massive amounts of frustrating miscommunication, these secrets are ones we everyday folks keep from family and friends: one night of regret that would never ever ever be mentioned or brought up again ever, harboring a secret crush or love, or surprising a sibling with Beyoncé tickets. What was entertaining was seeing how even these tiny secrets created a snowball all when Declan and Eddie come to town.

  Though it comes across as a love triangle, I promise you it’s not. It’s clear from the beginning, even if it’s not clear to Lily, that Dan is the one. Their banter was the kind I enjoy — not hate-to-love, but one of familiarity, friendship, and excellent witty comebacks. A genuine friendship and love underneath it all. Eddie’s glamorous life and lifestyle made him seem more appealing, yet I didn’t see much going for him. He was nice, don’t get me wrong, but I had a hard time being convinced Lily liked Eddie for Eddie rather than Eddie the Movie Star, if that makes sense. This was a good, clean, funny romance all in all.

  Shout out to Patsy, who is — I swear — my soul sister.

  Cozy up with this great afternoon romcom, and enjoy the banter, the dates, the village life, and the glamor!

  .

  This qualifies as book 2 of 12 in the Rock My TBR challenge.

  Posted in books, Reviews 2017, Rock My TBR | 0 Comments | Tagged book review, books, genre: adult fiction, genre: contemporary, genre: romance, review, rock my TBR

• Book Review: “Whenever I’m With You” by Lydia Sharp (ARC)

  Posted at 3:15 am by Laura, on January 30, 2017

  Whenever I’m With You by Lydia Sharp

  Publisher: Scholastic Press
  Published: January 3
  Genre: young adult, contemporary
  ISBN: 9781338047493
  Rating: ★★★

  After Gabi’s parents’ divorce, she moves from California to Alaska with her dad. At first, it feels like banishment—until she meets Kai. He welcomes her into his life, sharing his family, his friends, and his warmth. But as winter approaches, Kai pulls away for seemingly no reason at all. He’s quiet, withdrawn. Then one day, he disappears.

  Kai’s twin brother, Hunter, believes Kai is retracing their missing father’s steps in the wilderness north of Anchorage. There’s a blizzard on the way, and Kai is alone out there. Gabi’s frustration over his emotional distance quickly turns to serious concern. This is the boy who saved her from the dark. She can’t lose him to it.

  So Gabi and Hunter agree to head out together on a wild journey north—a trip that will challenge them physically and emotionally, as they try to convince the boy they love to return home.

  Gabi still feels so new to Alaskan lifestyle, even with boyfriend Kai by her side, explaining fun traditions the other teens do at the start of winter, how to fend for oneself during the winter months, and neat ways to banish the darkness. But Kai starts to act a bit odd, and disappears just before a large snowstorm hits Anchorage. With his concerned twin Hunter’s help, Gabi heads straight into the storm to find Kai, and survive the wildness of America’s last frontier.

  I was drawn to this contemporary YA based on the romantic relationship style (the two teens are already together, strong, and established) and the setting (ALASKAAAA). While I found some of the storytelling to be a bit underdeveloped, this is definitely a good, clean YA that reminded me a bit of Sarah Dessen and Jenny Han.

  How easily your whole world can change with just
  two simple words, spoken from the heart:
  I’m sorry. *

  There’s also a lot of discussion on grief and the various forms it takes. Not everyone grieves the same way, either in a death or in a broken relationship. Gabi has many issues with her mother (valid ones, too), and is battling coming to terms with her parents’ divorce. Kai and Hunter grieve the loss of their father in different ways — denial and acceptance, in short — and that changes how they interact with their friends, family, and environment.

  Two sides to every story: another theme within the novel especially between the twin brothers. Each perspective is important and a major key to the puzzle of Kai’s disappearance. Family dynamics, friendship, and determination were some underlying themes of the book that really struck a chord with me.

  Whenever I’m With You is a plot-driven adventure of survival and love in the middle of an Alaskan snowstorm, completely disconnected from the comforts of modern technology and civilization. If you’re itching for a good, quick contemporary read on love and friendship, I’d suggest Sharp’s novel.

  Thank you, Edelweiss, for providing this book from Scholastic for review.

  *quote taken from uncorrected proof

  Posted in books, Reviews 2017 | 0 Comments | Tagged advance reading copy, ARC, book review, books, genre: action/adventure, genre: contemporary, genre: young adult, review

• Book Review: “My Not So Perfect Life” by Sophie Kinsella (ARC)

  Posted at 3:15 am by Laura, on January 24, 2017

  My Not So Perfect Life by Sophie Kinsella

  Publisher: Dial
  Publishing Date: February 7
  Genre: women’s fiction, contemporary, chick lit
  ISBN: 9780812998269
  Rating: ★★★★★

  Everywhere Katie Brenner looks, someone else is living the life she longs for, particularly her boss, Demeter Farlowe. Demeter is brilliant and creative, lives with her perfect family in a posh townhouse, and wears the coolest clothes. Katie’s life, meanwhile, is a daily struggle—from her dismal rental to her oddball flatmates to the tense office politics she’s trying to negotiate. The final, demeaning straw comes when Demeter makes Katie dye her roots in the office. No wonder Katie takes refuge in not-quite-true Instagram posts, especially as she’s desperate to make her dad proud.

  Then, just as she’s finding her feet—not to mention a possible new romance—the worst happens. Demeter fires Katie. Shattered but determined to stay positive, Katie retreats to her family’s farm in Somerset to help them set up a vacation business. London has never seemed so far away—until Demeter unexpectedly turns up as a guest. Secrets are spilled and relationships rejiggered, and as the stakes for Katie’s future get higher, she must question her own assumptions about what makes for a truly meaningful life.

  Katie wants nothing more than to be successful just like her boss Demeter. She wants that perfect life: career, friends, flat, dinners and parties, clothes. Demeter seems to have it all, and Katie both admires and resents her boss. She needs an opportunity to prove to Demeter she can do more for the branding company than plugging in survey responses. But when Katie’s suddenly let go, she heads back to her father’s farm, and tries to piece together a new life. Little does she know, London comes calling in the summer when Demeter and her family decide to vacation in her father’s new glamping resort. After several muddy fiascos and revealed disguises, Katie and Demeter piece together vendettas within the London company, and do their very best to make things right again.

  I went through a massive Kinsella binge early last year (here, here, and here) and was thrilled to read an advance copy of her latest novel. Even if I hadn’t read Kinsella before, this book caught my attention immediately.

  Katie (or Cat, as she wants to be called for her London Persona) is instantly likeable. I wanted to be her friend and commiserate with her in her tiny bedroom with a hammock for a closet, or with her at work beside her tiny desk plugging in survey after survey into spreadsheets. I wanted to go on adventures with her around London and do our very best to not spend a single pound, because money is precious and we have very little of it. Heck, I’d even dig in the trash to get the wrapped sandwich back (THAT SCENE!).

  She tries so hard to fit into the ideal London image that she forgets who she really is and where she comes from. Her transformation back in Somerset with her father’s glamping business isn’t a drastic one, but certainly eye-opening for her. She finds her talent in branding blossoming, her customer service skills flourishing, and her ability to run the business smoothly is something of a gift. Is this where she truly belongs?

  The entire novel focuses on perception, both in real life and online. Take the settings, for example. Katie perceives London to be this glamorous place, the ideal city in which to live and work — but her father thinks London is scary and dirty and cruel. Katie also finds comfort in the country, and is more than aware of farm life hardships — but the glampers, such as Demeter, idealize it to be rustic and quaint and “back to the roots” of civilization. Now, take the people! Katie perceives Demeter to have an absolutely perfect life, but Demeter’s life is falling to pieces. Katie also works hard to maintain an Instagram account of her false London life with images of nice cafes and expensive restaurants, gorgeous clothes and party venues. It’s all a lie, but it convinces her friends that everything is bright and cheerful. Not everything is as it seems, and it takes some investigation and proper observation to find the truth.

  There is so much more I want to talk about — Katie’s coworkers, Dad and Biddy (BIDDY!!), Alex the Love Interest, Coco and Hal, the glampers — but if I say anything more, I may spoil the book!

  Part office dramedy, part love story, I could not put down this witty new novel. The little romance is second (even third!) to the primary plot of Katie’s life and growth, navigating adulthood with as much professionalism and gumption as she can muster. Toss in the hilarious scenes with Demeter in the office and on the glamping farm, and you’re in for a treat!

  Thank you, Edelweiss, for providing this book from Dial for review!

  Posted in books, Reviews 2017 | 5 Comments | Tagged advance reading copy, ARC, book review, books, genre: adult fiction, genre: contemporary, review

• Book Review: “A Constellation of Vital Phenomena” by Anthony Marra

  Posted at 5:45 am by Laura, on November 17, 2016

  A Constellation of Vital Phenomena by Anthony Marra

  Publisher: Hogarth
  Published: February 2014
  Genre: literary fiction, historical fiction
  ISBN: 9780770436421
  Rating: ★★★.5

  In a small rural village in Chechnya, eight-year-old Havaa watches from the woods as Russian soldiers abduct her father in the middle of the night and then set fire to her home. When their lifelong neighbor Akhmed finds Havaa hiding in the forest with a strange blue suitcase, he makes a decision that will forever change their lives. He will seek refuge at the abandoned hospital where the sole remaining doctor, Sonja Rabina, treats the wounded.

  For Sonja, the arrival of Akhmed and Havaa is an unwelcome surprise. Weary and overburdened, she has no desire to take on additional risk and responsibility. But over the course of five extraordinary days, Sonja’s world will shift on its axis and reveal the intricate pattern of connections that weaves together the pasts of these three unlikely companions and unexpectedly decides their fate.

  When Akhmed finds his neighbor’s daughter, Havaa, hiding in the woods with a bright blue suitcase, her takes it upon himself to see to her freedom and care. They hike to an abandoned hospital, where an overworked ethnic Russian, Sonja, treats the sick, dying, and wounded. Sonja, however, has a difficult time welcoming the two into her life. But across five seemingly ordinary days, Akhmed, Havaa, and Sonja’s lives become irrevocably interconnected, past and present coming together in one pivotal moment.

  What a remarkable novel.

  Marra’s writing was accessible and commercial while still powerfully beautiful and literary. The characters — varied as they were and with drastically different life experiences from our own — were easy to relate to. It’s easy to find at least one character to follow closely and eagerly anticipate their next chapter. The focus on the characters and the human story was appreciated, as the book highlights a tumultuous political moment in recent Chechen history. Marra could’ve easily bogged down a reader with facts and figures.

  That said, I wish there would’ve been a bit more information at the beginning of the novel to “set the stage” more, as I wasn’t aware of the struggles between Chechnya and Russia (granted, at the time this was happening, I was a child/selfish teenager).

  Compelling read, emotional, shocking, heartfelt, and powerful. An experience to read. Best to go in not knowing too much about this one!

  This qualifies as book 12 of 10 library books in 2016.

  Posted in books, Reviews 2016 | 1 Comment | Tagged book review, books, genre: adult fiction, genre: contemporary, genre: historical fiction, review

• Book Review: “Nine Women, One Dress” by Jane L. Rosen

  Posted at 5:15 am by Laura, on November 14, 2016

  Nine Women, One Dress by Jane L. Rosen

  Publisher: Doubleday
  Published: July 2016
  Genre: women’s fiction
  ISBN: 9780385541404
  Rating: ★★★★

  A charming, hilarious, irresistible romp of a novel that brings together nine unrelated women, each touched by the same little black dress that weaves through their lives, bringing a little magic with it.

  Natalie is a Bloomingdale’s salesgirl mooning over her lawyer ex-boyfriend who’s engaged to someone else after just two months. Felicia has been quietly in love with her happily married boss for twenty years; now that he’s a lonely widower, she just needs the right situation to make him see her as more than the best executive assistant in Midtown Manhattan. Andrea is a private detective specializing in gathering evidence on cheating husbands—a skill she unfortunately learned from her own life—and can’t figure out why her intuition tells her the guy she’s tailing is one of the good ones when she hasn’t trusted a man in years.

  For these three women, as well as half a dozen others in sparkling supporting roles—a young model fresh from rural Georgia, a diva Hollywood star making her Broadway debut, an overachieving, unemployed Brown grad who starts faking a fabulous life on social media, to name just a few—everything is about to change, thanks to the dress of the season, the perfect little black number everyone wants to get their hands on…

  It all begins with one Little Black Dress. From the moment a shy Southern model is pushed into the limelight, this particular dress becomes a smashing hit and changes the lives of eight other women who wear it.

  I really enjoyed this novel, told in multiple vignettes from a variety of perspectives outside of the nine women who get their hands on this one particular black dress from Bloomingdale’s. After reading Lauren’s review, it was apparent this would be a treat to read, and perfect for the approaching holiday season.

  Of all the vignettes, I liked Natalie’s the most. She’s a simple Bloomingdale’s salesgirl who was asked by a movie star and his agent to step in as a red carpet date last minute. Fueled by rumors of the star’s sexuality, Natalie agrees, believing this would be the perfect way to get back at her ex and not fall for the star. Little does she know…

  There’s also a sweet storyline between Arthur, a lawyer, and Felicia, his longtime secretary. One nosy Bloomingdale’s employee purposely messes up Arthur’s order, and the dress is sent to sweet Felicia instead of Arthur’s snobbish girlfriend.

  From an Instagramming millennial to a longtime pattern-maker for a phenomenal fashion designer, this dress touches the lives of several people. A quick and charming read, you’re guaranteed to find a storyline to hook you in through the end.

  This book qualifies as book 11 of 10 library books in 2016.

  Posted in books, Reviews 2016 | 6 Comments | Tagged book review, books, genre: adult fiction, genre: contemporary, review

• 

• Hello, I’m Laura!

  I'm a bookish bookworm and book hoarder. By day I'm a literary agent, and by night I'm forever rearranging my bookshelves. I could talk your ear off about Gothic literature, and in my past life people thought I'd become a professional musician. I have a fluffy black cat named Rossetti, I love to travel, tea is my drink of choice, British TV is the best, and I'm always down for chips-and-queso nights. Welcome to Scribbles & Wanderlust! Grab your favorite hot beverage and let's chat books!

• Search the Blog

  Search for:

• Currently Reading

  

• Book Review Rating Key

  ★★★ — It’s good
  ★★★★ — It’s great
  ★★★★★ — OMG LOVE!!!

• Recent Posts

  • MSWL for 2026
  • Favorite Reads of 2025
  • Deal Announcement: Nina Moreno, YA Romance
  • Deal Announcement: Sharon Choe, YA Fantasy
  • Deal Announcement: Hanna R. Neier, MG Historical/Contemporary