Posted on by Maureen

Do You Want to Start a Scandal by Tessa Dare

 

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I recently listened to the Audible edition of Tessa Dare’s Do You Want To Start a Scandal after purchasing the Kindle edition and adding the audiobook at a discounted price.

Even though the basis of the plot utilizes a fairly common trope- the forced engagement- it is apparent even from the beginning that this is going to be a rather unconventional story. To begin with, a young child claims that he heard noises coming from the library in which our hero and heroine are discovered. But wait, there’s more- the aforementioned child then proceeds to imitate the noises he heard. This, of course, shocks the house party guests, but it had me doubling over with laughter.

It should be noted that although Charlotte and Piers were in the library together, they were not, as Piers so eloquently puts it, the “mystery tuppers”. However, he declares his intention to marry Charlotte to preserve her reputation. Charlotte is less than pleased with this development; her mother is a known schemer, and the consensus is that Charlotte has tricked/trapped Piers into marriage. Read more

Posted on by Maureen

Unicorn Crossing (Phoebe and Her Unicorn) by Dana Simpson

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I received a digital copy of this book from Netgalley/the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Unicorn Crossing is the fifth book in the Phoebe and her Unicorn Adventure series by Dana Simpson. My three girls- especially my oldest- are big fans of this comic, so I was very excited about the opportunity to share this with them.

Phoebe is a fairly average girl, with one notable exception: her pet unicorn Marigold. Phoebe and Marigold navigate a fairly typical American childhood with a good sense of humor. This dynamic duo experiences seasons, holidays, school, friendship, and more. A fairly small ensemble rounds out the cast: Phoebe’s parents, her friend Max, and her frenemy Dakota. There are plenty of pop culture references, with a notable geeky slant. Read more

Posted on by Maureen

Perennials by Mandy Berman

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I received a digital copy of this book from Netgalley/the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Perennials is author Mandy Berman’s debut novel. I was looking forward to reading this book because I spent seven summers at sleepaway camp as both a camper and a counselor, so I could relate to the subject matter and wanted to see how this (albeit fictional) account compared to my own experiences.

Rachel lives in an apartment in the city with her single mother and Fiona lives in a big house in Westchester with her family. But when they meet at summer camp as girls, they find that they have a lot in common.   Read more

Posted on by Maureen

The Lost History of Stars by Dave Boling

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I received a digital copy of this book from Netgalley/the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

The Lost History of Stars is a novel by Dave Boling. I was looking forward to reading this book because it is set in South Africa, just like one of my all-time favorites- The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay. Almost immediately, I realized there was a connection between the books: in The Power of One, the English protagonist is severely bullied by Boer boys at his boarding school as punishment for the abuse their grandparents suffered in concentration camps at the hands of the English. The Lost History of Stars is an account of life in those camps as seen by a teenage girl.

Lettie is sent to a concentration camp along with her brother and mother after their farm is burned to the ground by the English. Her father, older brother, grandfather, and uncles are all conducting guerilla operations against the English. Conditions in the camp are bleak, and disease is rampant. Lettie is rather stoic about her experience, and tries to find pleasure in small moments. One of her most treasured possessions is her English dictionary, which she reads for comfort and to pass the time. Read more

Posted on by Maureen

The Girl With The Make-Believe Husband

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Julia Quinn is one of my favorite authors, and I always look forward to her books. I pre-ordered The Girl With The Make-Believe Husband several months ago, and it was a nice treat to see it in my Kindle this morning.

The Girl With The Make Believe-Husband is the second book in the Bridgerton Prequel series. The first prequel was a departure from Quinn’s usual historical romances because it takes place in the Georgian period rather than the Regency. This second book is even more of a departure; not only is it set in the Georgian era, but it takes place almost entirely in America.

Cecilia Harcourt travels to New York after learning that her only brother has been injured during the war. While this is quite an impulsive thing to do, she is left with few options after her father’s death. Upon her arrival, she can not find her brother, but she does find Captain Edward Rokesby, her brother Thomas’ best friend. Although they have never met, Cecilia looked forward to receiving letters from Thomas because they would always contain a little note from Captain Rokesby. She would include notes of her own when writing to Thomas. So when she sees Captain Rokesby gravely injured, she makes another impulsive decision: she informs the British Army that she is Captain Rokesby’s wife. Read more

Posted on by Maureen

Rich People Problems by Kevin Kwan

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I received a digital copy of this book from Netgalley/the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I have been a big fan of Kevin Kwan since his first book, Crazy Rich Asians, which was published in 2013. Needless to say, I was very excited about the opportunity to read the third installment of the series- Rich People Problems.

As the story resumes, beloved matriarch Sun Yi falls ill, and her large extended family flies in from around the world, although it remains to be seen whether they arrive out of filial obligation or because they hope to inherit Tyersall Park, the family compound. Let’s be honest with each other: it’s mostly the latter.  Read more

Posted on by Maureen

Murder Between the Lines by Radha Vatsal

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I received a digital copy of this book from Netgalley/the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Murder Between the Lines is the second book in Radha Vatsal’s Kitty Weeks mystery series. These books take place during World War I- but before the United States has entered the war. Kitty is a young woman who works as a newspaper reporter for the Ladies’ Page of The New York Sentinel. She doesn’t intend to become a detective, but her dedication to discovering the truth compels her to pursue irregularities until victims receive the justice they deserve.

In this book, a routine story about a girls’ boarding school places Kitty back in investigator mode. At the school, Kitty meets a bright girl named Elspeth. They arrange to get together when Elspeth returns home for Christmas vacation. She is excited about something she wants to tell Kitty, but the next morning, Elspeth is found outside- dead. The death is labeled a tragic accident, a side effect of Elspeth’s childhood sleepwalking. Naturally, Kitty is suspicious, and as she probes deeper, she realizes that she has every reason to feel that way. Read more

Posted on by Maureen

Dragons Love Tacos 2 by Adam Rubin and Daniel Salmieri

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My three girls loved the first Dragons Love Tacos book, so I preordered the sequel here on Amazon a couple of months ago.

Dragons Love Tacos 2 is a picture book written by Adam Rubin and illustrated by Daniel Salmieri.

It is a truth universally acknowledged that dragons like tacos. But what would happen if we ran out of tacos? Well, in this book, you’ll find the answer to that question. Here’s a hint: it involves a time machine. But you’ll have to read the book to find out more than that! Read more

Posted on by Maureen

Nothing Like a Duke by Jane Ashford

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I received a copy of this book from Netgalley/the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Nothing Like a Duke is a historical romance written by Jane Ashford. It is the fourth book in The Duke’s Sons series.

Robert Gresham is one of the younger sons of the Duke of Langford. He has much to offer Society- he is young, handsome, and personable. It is no surprise that he is invited to a house party thrown by his friend’s family. On the way to the house party, the carriage breaks, and Robert finds a stray dog. Because Robert is kind-hearted, he can’t just leave the wretched creature on the side of the road in the pouring rain. So naturally, he arrives at the house party soaking wet, disheveled, and clutching a disreputable dog. This arrival only adds to his charm.

Flora is the daughter of an academic, and she specializes in cuneiform. She seems rather surprised by being included in the house party, and she is even more surprised to see Lord Robert, who she knows from her academic world. Read more

Posted on by Maureen

The Bad Luck Bride by Janna MacGregor

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I received a digital copy of this book from Netgalley/the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I was very excited about the opportunity to read The Bad Luck Bride because historical romance is one of my favorite genres. I was even more excited when I found out that this was author Janna MacGregor’s debut novel; new authors are always a special treat.

When Alex approaches Claire with a marriage proposal, he actually has an ulterior motive. This is supposed to be the final part of his ultimate revenge plot against the man who was once one of his closest friends.

Claire has developed an unfortunate reputation as a “bad luck bride” due to several broken engagements. She barely knows Alex, but isn’t really in a position to add another broken engagement to the list. Read more