I've seen so much buzz around Greenwich Park online, so I was so excited to receive an ARC last week. Faulkner's first novel centers on Helen, a youngI've seen so much buzz around Greenwich Park online, so I was so excited to receive an ARC last week. Faulkner's first novel centers on Helen, a young woman finally pregnant with her child after suffering numerous losses (so content warning on that one). When her sister-in-law bails on her for a childbirth class, Helen meets Rachel instead, a young pregnant woman who demands a lot of attention from her and begins inserting herself into Helen's life. Faulker does a good job of establishing the scene and leaving a trail of breadcrumbs for the reader to follow. However, I found Helen to be such a flat and uninteresting character. We don't really see her develop, which kept me from getting invested in the book. And as other reviewers have said, Rachel is the most annoying character almost to the point of distraction.
Ultimately, I think there's a lot of potential in Faulkner's writing, and I look forward to reading her next book even if this one didn't hit quite right for me.
Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC of this book....more
I've read all of Josie Silver's books, but this one is definitely my favorite. Reading One Night on the Island reminded me a lot of Maeve Binchy's boI've read all of Josie Silver's books, but this one is definitely my favorite. Reading One Night on the Island reminded me a lot of Maeve Binchy's books. The cast of characters is really charming and even though the main plot is a romance one, Silver shows really solid female friendships along the way. Overall, I found the book really charming, and definitely expect to see this book featured in a lot of book clubs online.
I didn't realize that this was the second in the series when I read it, but I don't think that affects the book too much. Alpsten's The Tsarina's DaugI didn't realize that this was the second in the series when I read it, but I don't think that affects the book too much. Alpsten's The Tsarina's Daughter is a fictional account of the life of Elizabeth I.
There were parts of the book I really like--Alpsten is great at descriptions of the scenery, dresses, and food, but as others have said there are a lot of historical inaccuracies even for a historical fiction novel. The biggest issues that stood out to me were how uneven the plot was (her accession to the throne happens in the last 5% of the book) and is really anti-climatic given the build-up to it. The magical element with the leshy also feels out of place. It comes in during the beginning of the book and then just at the end. I don't think it would have made any difference if that part had been cut out.
There's also an overuse of Russian words. I get that it adds to the atmosphere, but everything white is described as "smetana" colored and it gets a little goofy after a while.
Thanks, NetGalley for the ARC of this book....more
This one had all of my favorite tropes plus it takes place in London at Christmas (which is always a favorite), but then it zonked out with my least fThis one had all of my favorite tropes plus it takes place in London at Christmas (which is always a favorite), but then it zonked out with my least favorite type of ending. So much potential for 80% of the book....more
A Match Made in Venice just never came together for me. I ended up skimming a lot of the story since the characters never really grabbed me and there A Match Made in Venice just never came together for me. I ended up skimming a lot of the story since the characters never really grabbed me and there was no real tension to the story.
Thank you, NetGalley for the ARC of the book....more
Gallant is Victoria Schwab's latest young adult book. The story centers on Olivia, a young mute orphan at a school that trains girls to be servants inGallant is Victoria Schwab's latest young adult book. The story centers on Olivia, a young mute orphan at a school that trains girls to be servants in well-to-do houses. Olivia's misery is the school is shortlived when she receives a letter from a long-lost uncle who invites her to come to the family home called Gallant. However, when Olivia arrives no one is expecting her and the uncle who sent the letter has been dead for years.
This is a delightfully spooky book for young adults. It would be a great intro for preteens who want to venture into horror but aren't quite ready for really scary books. Like Schwab's other books, she really creates an encompassing world for her characters. I read this one over Halloween weekend and it was a real treat.
Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC of this book. ...more
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