Brilliant piece of literary fiction: Looker by Laura Sims #Looker #LiteraryFiction #BookLovers

Looker by Laura Sims UK paperback book cover

GIFTED / Today I want to talk about a book I absolutely loved. Looker was published on July 25th 2019 by Tinder Press and it has 224 pages.
I want to thank Becky Hunter for sending me a physical ARC of the book, in an exchange for an honest review.

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About the book:

FROM GOODREADS / A dazzling, razor-sharp debut novel about a woman whose obsession with the beautiful actress on her block drives her to the edge.

I’ve never crossed their little fenced-in garden, of course. I stand on the sidewalk in front of the fern-and-ivy-filled planter that hangs from the fence—placed there as a sort of screen, I’m sure—and have a direct line of view into the kitchen at night. I’m grateful they’ve never thought to install blinds. That’s how confident they are. No one would dare stand in front of our house and watch us, they think. And they’re probably right: except for me. 

In this taut and thrilling debut, an unraveling woman, unhappily childless and recently separated, becomes fixated on her neighbor—the actress. The unnamed narrator can’t help noticing with wry irony that, though she and the actress live just a few doors apart, a chasm of professional success and personal fulfillment lies between them. The actress, a celebrity with her face on the side of every bus, shares a gleaming brownstone with her handsome husband and their three adorable children, while the narrator, working in a dead-end job, lives in a run-down, three-story walk-up with her ex-husband’s cat.

When an interaction with the actress at the annual block party takes a disastrous turn, what began as an innocent preoccupation spirals quickly, and lethally, into a frightening and irretrievable madness. Searing and darkly witty, Looker is enormously entertaining—at once a propulsive Hitchcockian thriller and a fearlessly original portrait of the perils of envy.

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Review:

Trigger warning: This book talks about one’s inability to have children and in detail pictures IVF process with failed result.

Looker is one book that surprised me in the most positive way. Going into it, I didn’t expect to like it so much.

To be fair, I have already watched some people talk about in on Booktube and it has pretty low rating on Goodreads, so my expectations weren’t too high to begin with.

I think why many readers get disappointed in the book is because, at first glance, it leaves an impression that it is a thriller or mystery, when in reality it is pure literary fiction that explores one’s character development.

The story follows our main (unnamed) character as she’s slowly sinking down in her madness.
Her life is falling apart, after many failed IVF attempts and her husband leaving her. She is having hard time to make piece with the fact that she won’t be a mother even though that is all she ever wanted, and it is even harder to know that her husband who left her can have a family with another woman at some point in his life, that he has a chance she never will.

In her depression her escape is the hope her new neighbour and famous actress gives her by just living near her. Our main character sees her as someone who can she be friends with, and obsessively is trying to make connection, always watching the actress and her children, and even at some point of the story, she crosses the line.

The story is written in first person and it is one beautifully written piece of fiction.
The author used to write poetry, and it surely effected her writing in a good way.

It is a short book (American version has even less then 200 pages) but it does not read quickly.
However, I enjoyed taking my time with this novel.

I understand some people would complain that not much happens in the story, and I would agree with that, but at the same time, I don’t think that’s a fault.
Literary fiction is famous for not having big plot but big character observation, and this is exactly what this novel provides.

I would recommend this book to lovers of literary fiction and once again I want to stress out: this is not a thriller!

5 hearts rating

Book Review: Then She Vanishes by Claire Douglas #Thriller #ThenSheVanishes #BookBloggers

Then She Vanishes by Claire Douglas UK book cover

GIFTED / Today I bring you my brief review for the thriller I read some time ago and never got around to review it: Then She Vanishes by Claire Douglas.
This book was published by Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House on August 8th 2019, and it has 448 pages.
I want to thank the team from Michael Joseph for sending me an e-galley of this novel (in an exchange for an honest review).

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About the book:

Heather and Jess were best friends – until the night Heather’s sister vanished.

Jess has never forgiven herself for the lie she told that night. Nor has Heather.

But now Heather is accused of an awful crime.

And Jess is forced to return to the sleepy seaside town where they grew up, to ask the question she’s avoided for so long:

What really happened the night Flora disappeared? 

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Review:

It has been some time since I finished Then She Vanishes so I will try to keep my review short and point-blank.

First and most important: this thriller was highly entertaining and that is it’s main plus.
It took me five days to finish it but that is because I was very busy in time I was reading it. I imagine if I had more time to read I would probably finish it in two days.

It was so easy to read, and I really wanted to turn those pages faster, even though the reason for that wasn’t that I was dying to know what will happen, but because I was purely enjoying spending my time with this book.

It main disadvantage, if I’m being honest, is it’s predictability.
There are many things that happened in the story and, of course, most of them weren’t as obvious, but the main revelation and the outcome were visible from the very beginning of the book.

The second flaw is that the story is just not rememberable.
As I already stated, it has been some time since I finished this novel and I already have hard time when I try to think about it’s side characters or subplots. Most of it is a blur.

In the end, I think this book would appeal to readers who like to read thriller from time to time, but if you’re an advanced reader of that genre, maybe you’d wish it brought more to the table.

rating 3,5 hearts

Lovely and sweet: New York, Actually by Sarah Morgan (Book Review) #NewYork #Romance #RomCom

new york actually by sarah morgan book cover us edition

GIFTED / I’ve been a fan of Sarah Morgan for some time now and I am happy to talk about the latest book I’ve read that is written by her.
New York, Actually is the fourth book in the From Manhattan With Love series and it was published on May 30th 2017 by Hqn. It has 376 pages.

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About the book:

Meet Molly

New York’s most famous agony aunt, she considers herself an expert at relationships…as long as they’re other people’s. The only love of her life is her Dalmatian, Valentine.

Meet Daniel

A cynical divorce lawyer, he’s hardwired to think relationships are a bad idea. If you don’t get involved, no-one can get hurt. But then he finds himself borrowing a dog to meet the gorgeous woman he sees running in Central Park every morning…

Molly and Daniel think they know everything there is to know about relationships…until they meet each other that is…

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Review:

If you’re looking for a sweet escape when it comes to romances, you can’t go wrong with Sarah Morgan’s books.
I’ve been fan of her work for a while now and every time I read one of her stories, I forget the world around me and lose myself in the passionate occasions.

New York, Actually is the fourth book in the From Manhattan With Love series, but it can be read as standalone.
It is written in third person and it follows perspectives of Molly and Daniel.

I think they were very likeable characters and great company.
I loved spending time with them, but I also really enjoyed reading about side characters, especially Daniel’s sisters Felicity and Harriet. I know next two books in the series are about them, and I am looking forward to read them.

Since this is a series, even though each book can be read as a standalone the same characters do show up in books through the series. I was happy to recognize Eva and Lucas from Miracle on 5th Avenue.

The book itself was really enjoyable, and I really liked how dogs played big part in the story, and how the author gave them their own personalities.
Trust me, dogs were real characters and not just side animals that would trig the plot.

I loved reading about their walks in Central Park and at some point the story even reminded me of the beginning of 101 Dalmatian, even though it is totally different.

New York, Actually is the romance in the first place, but it also touches some serious topics and even asks some important questions (from example, should you try to save the marriage if there are children involved or is it better for children to grow up in house where parents don’t argue).

Overall, this was a fast, relaxing read and I would recommend it to romance lovers.

four hearts

From funny to serious: Kitty’s Countryside Dream by Christie Barlow #Country #BookLovers #BookReview

Kitty's Countryside Dream by Christie Barlow book cover

GIFTED / Today is the day I decided to review one of the best books I’ve read this year: Kitty’s Countryside Dream.
This book was originally published on February 25th 2016 by Bookouture, and it has 340 pages.
I got my copy via Netgalley, in an exchange for an honest review.

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About the book:

FROM GOODREADS / When Kitty inherits Bluebell Lodge from her grandmother, a farm in the beautiful Staffordshire countryside, it’s time for fresh air and a fresh start. Up to her elbows in chickens and ponies, Kitty soon realises there’s an awful lot to learn about farming. Still, at least the locals seem friendly, not least her handsome neighbour Tom…

But just as Kitty is beginning to find her feet, and the possibility of love, the discovery of a long-hidden diary, by a mysterious character called Violet changes everything. Who is Violet and what is her message for Kitty? As Kitty fills in the lost pieces of her family jigsaw and discovers some shocking revelations, will her countryside dream and blossoming relationship fall to pieces? When it comes to life in the country, nothing is ever quite as it seems …

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Review:

Wow, this book was a ride! Not even the fluffy cover or the synopsis could prepare me for this heart shaking story I found inside it’s pages…

The novel starts like a typical chick lit and if I’m being honest, that is all I expected it to be. A feel-good chick lit with funny protagonist and lovely setting. And to be fair, that is what I got, but only in the first half of the story. The second half added a serious note to it and turned this novel into an emotional piece.

I loved how it almost felt like I was reading two different books that brilliantly collided into one perfection, and I really admire Christie Barlow for the way she made it work.

The story is written in first person, following Kitty’s POV.
I think she was a great narrator and even though she was blind to some obvious things that were happening in the book, I still pretty much enjoyed it because her naivety was endearing.

The writing style is simple and the novel was easy to read.
It is an uplifting book with serious tone.

I always pay much attention to characters, because to me, they are the  most important part of every story, and I am happy to say that I was in love with characters Barlow created.
Of course, the positive ones were so likeable and easy to relate to, but the negative ones were also very believable with more layers then one. In other words, they were not one dimensional.

To keep it short, I’ll just say I fell in love with Kitty’s Countryside Dream and I will definitely check other books by Christie Barlow.
I highly recommend this one!

4,75 hearts

With love for book bloggers: Books, Blogs & Reality by Ryan Ringbloom (BookReview) #BookBloggers #ChickLit #BookLovers

books, blogs, & reality by ryan ringbloom book cover

GIFTED / After years of having it on my tbr, I finally decided to read Book, Blogs, & Reality and I am about to tell you everything about it.
I got it for free via Netgalley in an exchange for an honest review. I want to thank the author for my copy.
This novel was published on October 24th 2014 an it has 202 pages.

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About the book:

FROM GOODREADS / Life can suck…

When reality becomes overwhelming, seeking comfort in fictional fantasies keeps hope alive. And while this escape may be a little delusional, it’s also therapeutic.

Sharing secrets is daunting, but virtual friends don’t often judge and they are always ready to share a glass of wine…or three…while typing out life’s latest endeavors.

Brooke believes obstacles only add to romance, not detract. Rachael longs for a more intense relationship, or so she thinks. Lizzie misses the excitement in her life, but sometimes new situations find you when you’re not even looking. And Jess believes a tiger can change his stripes. It can’t.

Bound by a shared passion for blogging about happily ever afters, these four young women use keyboard therapy to work through their expectations, anxieties, and inadequacies, all with the hopes of achieving the perfection found in romance novels.

Completely blinded by what they think life should be, they navigate their unique paths in search of what they envision is right. But when reality taunts them with persistent curve balls, will they be strong enough to choose wisely? Or will their happy endings escape them?

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Review:

I am on a big mission to clean my Netgalley shelf by the end of the year, and rise my ratio to at least 95%.
Therefore, I read all the books I was putting on a side for the time “when I’ll feel like reading them” (I realized it was rude of me to have some titles on my tbr for 2+ years and it was about time to read them).

Books, Blogs, & Reality is one of those books that were my victims, and although there are no good excuses why I procrastinated reading it for so long, I am happy I finally got around to it, because I enjoyed it so much!

The story follows four women who share their love for books and talk to each other every day in their chat group.

I have a feeling this book was written with so much love for book bloggers, and I am sure book bloggers will relate with it on many levels: from sharing love for books and the need to talk about them with other fellow readers, to having blogger friends you talk with on regular basis, not just about books, but also about personal life as well (Hello Amanda!), and also, having blog schedule and writing book reviews on time, participating in blog tours…

The books is pretty short and it is easy to read, so it can easily be read in one sitting.
It is written in third person following all four main characters: Lizzie, Rachael, Brooke and Jess. Each one of them had an interesting story that had good lesson.
There are also chat inserts through the book.

I liked all of the stories, but I was the most interested in Jess‘.
Even though I expected it to end differently, I really liked how it finished.

I also really enjoyed Lizzie’s tale, even though I found it to be predictable, and I only wish Brooke’s story got at least one more chapter, because it felt rushed.

Overall, I am so glad I finally read Books, Blogs, and Reality because I really enjoyed it and I highly recommend it to book bloggers and those who’d like to read what it’s like to be one.

four hearts

The one that gets darker with every page: House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig (Book Review) @PRHGlobal #partner #Fantasy

House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A, Craig book cover

GIFTED / I am so happy to bring you my review for the book that blew my mind with it’s originality.
The House of Salt and Sorrows was published on August 6th 2019 by Delacorte Press and it has 416 pages.
I want to thank the team from Penguin Random House Global for sending me an e-galley of this novel (in an exchange for an honest review).

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About the book:

In a manor by the sea, twelve sisters are cursed.

Annaleigh lives a sheltered life at Highmoor, a manor by the sea, with her sisters, their father, and stepmother. Once they were twelve, but loneliness fills the grand halls now that four of the girls’ lives have been cut short. Each death was more tragic than the last—the plague, a plummeting fall, a drowning, a slippery plunge—and there are whispers throughout the surrounding villages that the family is cursed by the gods.

Disturbed by a series of ghostly visions, Annaleigh becomes increasingly suspicious that the deaths were no accidents. Her sisters have been sneaking out every night to attend glittering balls, dancing until dawn in silk gowns and shimmering slippers, and Annaleigh isn’t sure whether to try to stop them or to join their forbidden trysts. Because who—or what—are they really dancing with?

When Annaleigh’s involvement with a mysterious stranger who has secrets of his own intensifies, it’s a race to unravel the darkness that has fallen over her family—before it claims her next.

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Review:

House of Salt and Sorrows is a hot topic ever since it came out, and it was hyped for months before it’s release.
I was lucky enough to have an opportunity to read it via Netgalley and I can tell you, I completely understand where the hype comes from.

This story really impressed me and even though it is a retelling of a tale of Twelve Dancing Princesses I would say it is one of the most unique books that I have read in the past few months. However, I have to stress out that I am not familiar with the original fairy tale nor did I watch the Barbie movie.

The atmosphere was spooky and I loved it so much. I like how the story became darker and darker as it progressed, that closer to the end it even had some horror elements.
The atmosphere was my favorite part of the novel.

What I found funny was how at some points Highmoor people gave me that Greyjoy vibes (Game of Thrones reference), and it almost felt like they were cousins (their funeral rituals are so similar that I couldn’t help myself but laugh, but in a good way).

The main character Annaleigh was likeable and it was easy to connect with her. I enjoyed following the story from her perspective and I also really liked her relationship with her older sister Camilla.
I was also fascinated with their stepmother and wanted to know more about her.
As for other characters, I have to admit that I wish they had more substance to them, because they felt pretty much dull and I had hard time to recognize one sister from the other.

One of the big reveals (how they went to the dances) blew my mind and in my opinion, it was the best part of the story.

I was also very happy with the way this story ended, including all the dark and spooky elements.

I really enjoyed reading House of Salt and Sorrows and I would like to read other work by Erin A. Craig.

I highly recommend this one to lovers of young adult fantasy and spooky stories.

four hearts

The one about friends who don’t act like friends: The Friends We Keep by Jane Green (Book Review) @PRHGlobal #partner #Books

the friends we keep by jane green book cover

GIFTED / Today I decided to speak about one book that came out few months ago, that I wasn’t too fascinated by. In other words, it left me disappointed.
It’s the story about friendship and forgiveness.
I want to thank the team from Penguin Random House Global for sending me an e-galley of this novel (in an exchange for an honest review).
The Friends We Keep came out on June 4th 2019 and it has 384 pages.

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About the book:

FROM GOODREADS / Evvie, Maggie, and Topher have known each other since university. Their friendship was something they swore would last forever. Now years have passed, the friends have drifted apart, and none of them ever found the lives they wanted – the lives they dreamed of when they were young and everything seemed possible.

Evvie starved herself to become a supermodel but derailed her career by sleeping with a married man.

Maggie married Ben, the boy she fell in love with at university, never imagining the heartbreak his drinking would cause.

Topher became a successful actor but the shame of a childhood secret shut him off from real intimacy.

By their thirtieth reunion, these old friends have lost touch with each other and with the people they dreamed of becoming. Together again, they have a second chance at happiness… until a dark secret is revealed that changes everything.

The Friends We Keep is about how despite disappointments we’ve had or mistakes we’ve made, it’s never too late to find a place to call home.

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Review:

If I could use only one word to describe The Friends We Keep by Jane Green, it would be boring.
Even though the story takes place in time period of 30 years, and so many things happened during that time, it still felt like the story was dragging and dragging.
This novel has 384 pages, but it felt like I was reading 600 pages long book. It took me 4 days to finish it, even though I really do have time for reading on my hands at this point in my life.

The story follows three people, Evvie, Maggie and Topher who met in collage and started their friendship there.
Through the story they keep and lose contact with each other, but their lives are always intertwined in some way.

I usually love novels that explore human relationships, and I don’t mind when the story takes time, but this time I just couldn’t wait for it to be already over.

I think my main problem was with characters. Two of four main characters (yes, four, because one side character is very significant) were very superficial, one was alcoholic and I feel like person who knew about him only tried to find excuses for his behaviour, and one only made bad choices in her life.

The worst of them all was Evvie. I think with a friend like that you really don’t need enemies.

This is the story about forgiveness, and although I am aware that forgiveness is important for one to move on with his life, I also think that some actions are unforgivable and even if you do forgive with time, it’s better to move on with your life without a person who wronged you in it.

Jane Green is very popular author and I have to admit that, even though I haven’t read her work before, I was pretty disappointed with The Friends We Keep.

book review rating 2,5

A novel full of sun, ocean and delicious food: The Secret Cove in Croatia by Julie Caplin (Book Review) #SummerRead #Books #Croatia

The Secret Cove in Croatia by Julie Caplin book cover

GIFTED / I am so happy to present you my first #OwnVoices review (if you can call it that). This was my first time that I read a romance novel set in my own country, written by an foreign author. It was interesting to see how people outside Croatia look upon our little country.
I got this novel in an exchange for an honest review via Netgalley.
The Secret Cove in Croatia was published on July 28th 2019 by HarperImpulse and it has 400 pages.

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About the book:

FROM GOODREADS / Sail away to beautiful Croatia for summer sun, sparkling turquoise seas and a will-they-won’t-they romance you won’t be able to put down!

When no-nonsense, down-to-earth Maddie Wilcox is offered the chance to work on a luxury yacht for the summer, she can’t say no. Yes she’ll be waiting on the posh guests… But island-hopping around the Adriatic sea will more than make up for it – especially when Nick, her best friend Nina’s brother, is one of them.

Sparks fly when they meet on board and Maddie can’t believe self-entitled jerk Nick is really related to Nina. But in a secret, picture-perfect cove, away from the real world, Maddie and Nick discover they might have more in common than they realise…

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Review:

When my friend Amanda (who has an amazing blog ChocolatePages and you should check her blog) told me about The Secret Cove in Croatia I knew I had to read this book.
You see, I love reading books set in different countries that talk about people, food and love, but I have never read that type of book set in my own country.
I wanted to see what perspective foreign author would have on Croatia and it’s residents, and critical side of me wanted to check if descriptions will be authentic.

I have to say, I was so impressed by the way Julie Caplin described Croatia and I truly believe this book will make you consider to take a trip to this country after you finish it.
It was obvious that the author loved places she visited while she was doing her research for this novel, and I applause her for the way she described everything.

There are plenty of places and food mentioned, and even some characteristics of Croatians.
I like how characters of the book drank Karlovačko, our national beer, or Cedevita (which, actually, you can find in more then three flavours and everyone drinks it, not only kids (I’m drinking lime-mint flavour as I’m writing this review)).

The story itself was pretty enjoyable, although I think I would like it more if it was little shorter.

The writing style was also really good and now I understand why so many readers are in love with Caplin’s work.

However, there are two things I didn’t particularly like:
1. The characters were unlikeable, and they were all black and white (even though I wasn’t a fan of the main character who was “white” (and here I talk about personalities)).
I wish they were more dimensional, especially the one character who is pictured as main villain.

2. I don’t like the way author handled a serious topic called eating disorder (bulimia).

This is the fifth book in the series, but it can be read as standalone.

I would recommend this book to readers who are looking for a relaxing summer read filled with sunshine, sea, food and romance.

rating 3,75 hearts

Books, love and new-discovered family: The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman (Book Review) @PRHGlobal #partner #BookLovers

The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman book cover

GIFTED / Today I decided to talk about one book that I read recently, that was, in my opinion, written for book lovers all over the world. It is a comedy about girl who is a true lover of books, and who discovers she has a big family she didn’t know about, and her struggles to bond with the guy she likes.
I want to thank the team from Penguin Random House Global for sending me an e-galley of this novel (in an exchange for an honest review).
The book was released on July 9th 2019 by Berkley Publishing Group, and it has 352 pages.

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About the book:

FROM GOODREADS / The only child of a single mother, Nina has her life just as she wants it: a job in a bookstore, a kick-butt trivia team, a world-class planner and a cat named Phil. If she sometimes suspects there might be more to life than reading, she just shrugs and picks up a new book.

When the father Nina never knew existed suddenly dies, leaving behind innumerable sisters, brothers, nieces, and nephews, Nina is horrified. They all live close by! They’re all—or mostly all—excited to meet her! She’ll have to Speak. To. Strangers. It’s a disaster! And as if that wasn’t enough, Tom, her trivia nemesis, has turned out to be cute, funny, and deeply interested in getting to know her. Doesn’t he realize what a terrible idea that is?

Nina considers her options.

1. Completely change her name and appearance. (Too drastic, plus she likes her hair.)
2. Flee to a deserted island. (Hard pass, see: coffee).
3. Hide in a corner of her apartment and rock back and forth. (Already doing it.)

It’s time for Nina to come out of her comfortable shell, but she isn’t convinced real life could ever live up to fiction. It’s going to take a brand-new family, a persistent suitor, and the combined effects of ice cream and trivia to make her turn her own fresh page.

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Review:

I feel like The Bookish Life of Nina Hill took the bookish community by the storm, and it looks like with time it’s getting more and more fans.
I completely understand why’s that: it has the main character Nina who is completely in love with books so it makes her relatable to so many book lovers all over the world.
With her geekiness and particular sense of humour it’s no wonder she got under the skin of so many readers.

So when it comes to objective side of me, as I already stated, I understand why this book is so big (and trust me when I say, I wish it becomes only bigger with time, and I hope it will be translated to many languages so people all over the world could read about Nina).
However, when it comes to subjective side of me, I have to admit that I did not click with Nina’s sense of humour, didn’t understand reasons behind her behaviour at time, and I also am  not a fan of pub quizzes so therefore this novel wasn’t my favourite.

What immediately won me, when it comes to the story, is it’s interesting narration. It was the highlight of the book. 
It reminds me of old movies and I could hear the narrator’s voice in my head while I was reading, imagining it’s movie adaptation.
I think this book should have it’s adaptation one day, and I bet the movie will be better then the book itself (yes, I know how rare that happens, but sometimes it does).

I liked the family aspect of the story the best. I enjoyed reading about Nina’s new family and how she got to know everyone, her ups and downs when it comes to certain family members and overall how she found her place in this new to her world.

Of course, everything book related was a pleasure to read, as one would assume would be to a hardcore book lover.

However, as I already stated, I didn’t click with Nina nor did I care about pub quizzes and that (big) aspect of her life, which made me like this book less.
I understand it is 100% “It’s not you, it’s me” case here, but it is what it is.
I also didn’t swoon over her love interest (who’s name I already forgot even though I finished this book recently, which speaks for itself (and also tells you that my memory suck)).

Overall, this book was enjoyable ride that I would recommend to book lovers and readers who like to read about geeky characters.

rating 3,5 hearts

Middle Grade with beautiful setting: A Swirl of Ocean by Melissa Sarno (Book Review) @PRHGlobal #partner #BookReview #MiddleGrade

A Swirl of ocean by Melissa Sarno book cover

GIFTED / Today I bring you my review for the middle grade novel I have read lately: A Swirl of Ocean. I liked the atmosphere in this book so much!
I want to thank the team from Penguin Random House Global for sending me an e-galley of this novel (in an exchange for an honest review).
The book was released on August 6th 2019 and it has 224 pages.

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About the book:

FROM GOODREADS / A girl discovers that the ocean is holding secrets she never could have imagined.

Twelve-year-old Summer loves the ocean. The smell, the immensity, the feeling she gets when she dives beneath the surface. She has lived in Barnes Bluff Bay since she was two years old, when Lindy found her on the beach. It’s been the two of them ever since. But now, ten years later, Summer feels uncertainty about her place with Lindy and starts to wonder about where she came from. One night, Summer goes for a swim and gets caught in a riptide, swallowing mouthfuls of seawater. And that night, she dreams of a girl. A girl her age living in the same town, but not in the same time. Summer’s not persuaded that this girl is real, but something about her feels familiar.

Summer dreams again and again about this girl, Tink, and becomes convinced that she is connected to her past. As she sees Tink struggle with her sister growing away from her and her friends starting to pair off, Summer must come to terms with her own evolving home life and discover how the bonds that make us family can help heal the wounds of the past.

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Review:

When I first saw the cover for this middle grade novel, few months ago, I was swept away. I mean, just look at this gorgeousness! Who wouldn’t want to have something so beautiful in his hands?
When it comes to cover design, this book (or should I say author) really hit the jackpot!

The story itself was good, although if I’m being honest, not much happened in it.
I liked the atmosphere and setting the most, and the way the writer put an ocean as part of the story was so brilliantly done, that it felt like the ocean was the character itself.
It does play big part in this sort of coming of age story with magical realism elements.

I loved to read about Summer and Lindy‘s relationship and how their dynamic was shaken after Lindy’s boyfriend came around.

Also, Summer’s friendship with her best friend was so much fun to follow.

The story is written in first person following Summer’s POV, but there are also parts written in third person that talk about Summer’s dreams, featuring a girl named Tink who is somehow connected to Summer.

I have to admit that while I enjoyed following Summer, I simply didn’t care about Tink.
I knew Tink’s story was important but somehow I just couldn’t make myself care enough.

In the end, when it all connected and magical realism played it’s part, I realized that I wasn’t connected to the story enough to be thrilled, which is a shame.

Still, I think many readers will enjoy this book and I feel like it’s a perfect pick for late summer nights.

rating 3,5 hearts