Tropical Girl Reads

One Night Only – ARC Book Review

One Night Only: An absolutely hilarious and uplifting romantic comedy by [Catherine Walsh]

Who could have predicted this? Being at the same wedding. In Ireland. There’s a reason one-night stands are one-night stands. You’re not supposed to see each other again, especially not when you’re the maid of honor, and he’s the groom’s brother…

Sarah Anderson has never been more excited about anything in her life. She’s going to her best friend’s wedding. And not just any wedding. An Irish wedding. Goodbye New York, hello rolling green hills and men with beautiful accents and twinkling eyes.

But Sarah should have known that not all guests are fairy-tale princes…

There’s the chinless Uncle Trevor, whose idea of small talk is to claim climate change is a conspiracy.

Then there’s Great Aunt Eileen, who doesn’t talk at all (she’s too busy replacing the hotel cutlery with her own set).

Worst of all, there’s Declan Murphy. Best man. Brother of the groom. And the man Sarah last saw naked.

Is there anything more mortifying than bumping into a one-night stand halfway across the world? Especially as Declan seems determined to embarrass Sarah at every turn. At least when the wedding’s over she’ll never have to see him again.

But, back in New York, Sarah finds the more she tries to forget Declan, the more she can’t shake the thought of that infuriatingly charming smile and the way he wears a tux…

Was he really just for one night only, or might Declan Murphy be The One?

Prepare to laugh until you cry with this perfect feel-good romantic comedy about taking a chance on love. Fans of Sophie Ranald, Sophie Kinsella and Marian Keyes won’t be able to put this down!

No. of pages:- 314 pages

Publisher:- Bookouture

Date published:- will be published on 30th July 2021

Genre:- Romance/Comedy

Rating:-

Here’s the thing–I am not normally a fan of romcom novels but if I feel like I want to get a break from the usual genres I read AKA thrillers, then I opt to read a romcom novel. The book cover is cute, the title is appealing and…I actually loved this book!

Meet Sarah–an architect working in a firm in New York who recently didn’t get a promotion. After a failed relationship, she has one night flings with no string attached. The last man she had one night stand was with a man named Declan Murphy. Sarah vowed to forget the night she always does by flying over to Ireland to attend her best friend’s Annie’s wedding…only to find that Declan is also at the wedding and is the groom’s brother. The story then takes a cheesy romantic and funny term as Sarah for the first time is struggling with her feelings towards Declan–is her just a one night stand or more than that?

I really enjoyed reading this book! The plot, though is unrealistic and is more like a soap/romcom theme, I actually enjoyed reading it. The author, this book being her debut did a good job, drawing the reader into the story and once I started reading this, I actually couldn’t put the book as I want to know if Sarah and Declan would get back together or not! There were some funny parts in the book that I almost laughed out loud! I really like the main character- Sarah seems to be funny and witty and I also liked Declan as well. I also like Sarah’s relationship with her friend Annie and her roommate Claire, and also her colleague, Will, how they supported her and was always there for her. I also like how Sarah soon develop feelings towards Declan and I must say, the author did a good job capturing the budding relationship between Sarah and Declan. Even as her debut book, the author did a good job with her writing, making the reading more enjoyable and making the reader feel like a part of the story with Sarah and Declan!

Overall, this is a funny and quite enjoyable book to read that will make you laugh out loud and will not let you down! Worth five stars!

Catherine Walsh was born and raised in Ireland.

She lived in London for a few years where she worked in Publishing and the non-profit sector before returning to Dublin where she now lives between the mountains and the sea. When not writing she is trying and failing to not kill her houseplants.

The Henna Artist – Book Review

The Henna Artist: A Novel (The Jaipur Trilogy Book 1) by [Alka Joshi]

Vivid and compelling in its portrait of one woman’s struggle for fulfillment in a society pivoting between the traditional and the modern, The Henna Artist opens a door into a world that is at once lush and fascinating, stark and cruel.

Escaping from an abusive marriage, seventeen-year-old Lakshmi makes her way alone to the vibrant 1950s pink city of Jaipur. There she becomes the most highly requested henna artist—and confidante—to the wealthy women of the upper class. But trusted with the secrets of the wealthy, she can never reveal her own…

Known for her original designs and sage advice, Lakshmi must tread carefully to avoid the jealous gossips who could ruin her reputation and her livelihood. As she pursues her dream of an independent life, she is startled one day when she is confronted by her husband, who has tracked her down these many years later with a high-spirited young girl in tow—a sister Lakshmi never knew she had. Suddenly the caution that she has carefully cultivated as protection is threatened. Still she perseveres, applying her talents and lifting up those that surround her as she does.

No. of pages:- 317 pages

Published:- March 3rd 2020

Publisher:- Mira

Genre:- Women’s Fiction

Rating:-

The Henna Artist is one of the books that I have wanted to read for a long time and was finally glad when I got the chance to listen to the audiobook. The story is set during the 1950’s, in a colorful and vibrant city called Jaipur, Rajasthan, where a seventeen-year-old Lakshmi, after escaping from an abusive marriage, works as a henna artist and helping women with their “problems”, with a wide knowledge of herbal medicines. She mainly works for the elite ladies of Jaipur and has already established her name. However, she gets an unexpected visit–her ex husband, Hari brings a thirteen year old girl named Radha, who is Lakshmi’s younger sister. With the arrival of her sister, Lakshmi’s life starts to change drastically.

This story is realistic in so many ways that I have to give kudos to the author for doing so much research about the life of India during the 1950’s–the vast differences between the rich and poverty–how rich spend their summers in Europe and poor people remain fretting about money and loans (like Lakshmi), caste issues and of course various ideals and culture. If you read this book, as a reader, you would feel like you are in India in the city of Jaipur, experiencing the culture and traditions and going through the emotions and story with the main character, Lakshmi. The story is mainly told from the perspectives of Lakshmi and you would be surprised at the age of seventeen, how matured she sounds though she had taken rash decision that impacted on her relationship with her parents and her ex husband as well as her sister. The characters in the book are complex and realistic–both Lakshmi and her sister Radha are favorable characters, their emotions and feelings seem to be real in the book. Vividly, by reading through this book, I feel as if I was a part of the story and so the author–as well as the narrator did a good job drawing the reader to the story!

Overall, I give this book five stars–emotional, heartbreaking and you will never be able to put this book down–I devoured from the first chapter to the end!

This is the first book of the Jaipur triology and I am currently reading the second book, The Secret Keeper of Jaipur, which is the second book of the series–so stay tuned for the review!

lka Joshi was born in the desert state of Rajasthan in India. In 1967, her family immigrated to America. She earned a BA from Stanford University and an MFA from California College of Arts in San Francisco. Prior to writing The Henna Artist, Alka ran an advertising and marketing agency for 30 years. She has spent time in France and Italy and currently lives with her husband on the Northern California Coast.

Little Secrets – Book Review

Little Secrets: 'For fans of Shari Lapena, Liz Nugent and Gillian Flynn' Will Dean, author of Dark Pines by [Jennifer Hillier]

All it takes to unravel a life… is one home truth.

Marin used to have it all. She’s married to the love of her life, Derek, she owns a chain of upscale hair salons, and is admired in her community as head of a loving family. Until the world falls apart the day her son Sebastian is taken…

A year later, Marin is a shadow of herself. The police search has gone cold. The publicity has faded. She and her husband rarely speak. With her sanity ebbing, Marin hires a private investigator to pick up where the police left off.

But instead of finding Sebastian, she learns that Derek is having an affair with a much younger woman. This discovery sparks Marin back to life. She’s lost her son; she’s not about to lose her husband. Derek’s mistress is an enemy with a face, which means this is a problem Marin can fix. Permanently.

No. of pages:- 320 pages

Published:- May 7th 2020

Publisher:- Corvus Publishers

Genre:- Psychological Thriller

Rating:-

This is the third book I have read of Jennifer Hiller and so far I have enjoyed reading her books — Jar of Hearts is one of her best books I have read so far. Little Secrets is a gripping psychological thriller that will keep you up all night!

One day, a few days before Christmas, Marin goes out shopping with her son Sebastian. Then Sebastian goes missing and was last seen leaving the shopping premises with a person dressed as Santa. Marin and her husband, Derek tried finding their only child but their search became fruitless with Marin succumbing to depression and suicide. Marin then soon decides to move on but soon, the PI she hired tells her something–that her husband, Derek is having an affair with a younger woman, named Mackenzie Li. And Marin would do anything to save her marriage, even if it involves, murdering the mistress.

Like all Jennifer Hiller’s books, this story was intense and intriguing. Her writing was really good and did a good job, capturing the reader into the story. The story is told from the perspectives of Marin and also Mackenzie Li, who happened to be Derek’s mistress. You could actually feel sorry for Marin, as you think of what she is going through with her child missing and no idea about what happened to her child. I am not a mother, but I could actually feel her pain and sorrow, not to tell the betrayal she felt when she found out her husband is found cheating behind her back. I am not saying that I don’t like Mackenzie, but then the more I read about her, the more I kind of disliked her as a character, though in the end, I started appreciating her as a character. The story is twisted, fast paced with numerous turns, and this book will keep you hooked till the end!

Overall, I enjoyed reading this book–Jennifer Hiller has become one of my favorite psychological thriller authors–worth five stars!

Jennifer Hillier writes about dark, twisted people who do dark, twisted things. Born and raised in Toronto and a proud Canadian, she spent eight years in the Seattle area, which is where all her books are set.

She loves her son, her husband, the Seahawks, and Stephen King. Not equally, but close. She’s the author of six novels, including JAR OF HEARTS, which won the Thriller Award, and was shortlisted for the Anthony and Macavity Awards.

Her newest psychological thriller, LITTLE SECRETS, will be out on April 21, 2020 from Minotaur Books.

The Woman in the Water- ARC Book Review

The Woman in the Water : A completely gripping mystery and suspense novel by [Kelly Heard]

I know my sister didn’t die by accident. Does someone know our secret?

I swore I’d never go home to Brightwater. It would be safer for everyone if I stayed away.

But now my sister is dead, and I am driving down the familiar highway, watching the sunlight glimmer off the lake, with the memory of her green eyes like a knife in my heart.

I know Holly didn’t slip and drown out by the old boardwalk, surrounded by trees and dark water. She would never have gone there, if she had a choice.

Her little girls need me now. I couldn’t save Holly, but I must protect them.

Because if whoever killed Holly knows what we did all those years ago, out on the water, then I need to find them before they come after me.

But how can I, when there are still so many things I don’t know about what really happened that night?

An absolutely gripping, twisty psychological thrillerabout secrets between sisters that will keep you turning the pages late into the night. Perfect for fans of The Girl on the Train, The Woman in the Window and The Silent Patient.

No. of pages:- 345 pages

Publisher:- Bookouture

Date published:- will be published July 22nd 2021

Genre:- Psychological Thriller

After reading Silent Girl by Kelly Heard, I was so excited to read her next book, The Woman in the Water.

When her sister, Holly called, Felicity didn’t want to amend things with her. But when a call reaches to her that her sister died drowning, Felicity returns back to the small town she vowed never to return back. The police thing it was accidental drowning but Felicity things that Holly’s death was no accident. With Holly’s daughters Tess and Frankie under her care, Felicity tries to find the answers she had left behind, many years ago and someone is out there to stop her.

Just like the Silent Girl, the plot was intriguing and started fast paced. There were some twists and turns here and there and the story is mainly told from Felicity’s point of view. However, the story to me was a bit too direct and the story itself was a bit predictable. There were some sense of horror theme in the book but not really related to the book. So overall, it was an unputdownable thriller, and despite the flaws, the book will keep you hooked until the end.

This was a fast paced thriller with some twists and turns–worth four stars!

Many thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion only.

If Only — ARC Book Review

If Only: The perfect feel-good romantic comedy by [Angela Marsons]

“I want Michael Hunter to fall so deeply in love with me that he can’t bear to be more than fifty feet away,” Cher declares to her best friends over cheesecake and wine. But what if she’s searching for happiness in the wrong place?

As Cher types up letters about overflowing rubbish bins in a job she hates, she dreams of Michael Hunter. He’s gorgeous, smart, funny and he’s about to become her new boss. But he barely looks at Cher except to ask for a coffee refill. How can she get him to notice she’s the perfect girl for him?

While Cher ignores the warning from workmate Dan that Michael is bad news, her friends have their own problems to fix. Sarah is longing to start a new life with a man who won’t commit, and bride-to-be Deb should be looking forward to her wedding, but her future mother-in-law is turning it into a nightmare from hell… If only her fiancé could see it that way.

So, when one summer evening, over several glasses of wine, Cher, Sarah and Deb stumble across an old book and decide to cast a wishing spell, they don’t think for one minute that it will come true. It’s just three best friends having a laugh and throwing some herbs around the garden. Or is it?

No. of pages:- 325 pages

Date published:- will be published on 6th July 2021

Publisher:- Bookouture

Genre:- Romance/Comedy

Rating:- 2.5/5

Here’s a thing–if the cover is nice, you tend to get attracted to the cover and then you get the book. But unfortunately, the story didn’t work out for me. However, this is the first time I have read from this author and I heard she is a crime fiction writer but this romcom book didn’t do well for me.

Cher, Deb and Sarah are three friends–Cher is determined to fall in love with her boss, Michael Hunter but her friend, Dan warns her against it, Deb is trying to get along with her fiance’s mother-in-law and Sarah is having an affair with a married man named David, who doesn’t really want to have a committed relationship. So basically this story is trying to tell how these women overcame with their problems.

I have read fair number of romcom books but unfortunately, this book is not for me. The story started out too slow and a little bland to me that I almost DNF the book. However, during the middle part of the book, it got a teeny weeny bit interesting and with a little difficulty I managed to finish the book. The writing was however good and there was a sense of funny parts in the book.

Overall, I give this book as 2.5 stars! Many thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion only.

Angela Marsons is the Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author of the DI Kim Stone series and her books have sold more than 4 million in 5 years.

She lives in Worcestershire with her partner and their 2 cheeky Golden Retrievers.

She first discovered her love of writing at Junior School when actual lessons came second to watching other people and quietly making up her own stories about them. Her report card invariably read “Angela would do well if she minded her own business as well as she minds other people’s”.

After years of writing relationship based stories (The Forgotten Woman and Dear Mother) Angela turned to Crime, fictionally speaking of course, and developed a character that refused to go away.

She is signed to Bookouture.com for a total of 28 books in the Kim Stone series and her books have been translated into more than 27 languages.

Many of her books, including Blood Lines, Dead Souls, Broken Bones, Fatal Promise and Dead Memories reached the #1 spot on Amazon on pre-orders alone and the translation of Dead Souls, La Verita Sepolte, recently won the prestigious Primo Bancarella award.

Tokyo Ever After – Book Review

The New York Times bestseller and Reese Witherspoon x Hello Sunshine YA Book Club Pick! Emiko Jean’s Tokyo Ever After is the “refreshing, spot-on” (Booklist, starred review) story of an ordinary Japanese-American girl who discovers that her father is the Crown Prince of Japan.

Izumi Tanaka has never really felt like she fit in―it isn’t easy being Japanese American in her small, mostly white, northern California town. Raised by a single mother, it’s always been Izumi―or Izzy, because “It’s easier this way”―and her mom against the world. But then Izumi discovers a clue to her previously unknown father’s identity…and he’s none other than the Crown Prince of Japan. Which means outspoken, irreverent Izzy is literally a princess.

In a whirlwind, Izumi travels to Japan to meet the father she never knew and discover the country she always dreamed of. But being a princess isn’t all ball gowns and tiaras. There are conniving cousins, a hungry press, a scowling but handsome bodyguard who just might be her soulmate, and thousands of years of tradition and customs to learn practically overnight.

Izumi soon finds herself caught between worlds, and between versions of herself―back home, she was never “American” enough, and in Japan, she must prove she’s “Japanese” enough. Will Izumi crumble under the weight of the crown, or will she live out her fairy tale, happily ever after?

No. of pages:- 336 pages

Publisher:- Flatiron Books

Date published:- May 18th 2021

Genre:- YA/Comedy/Romance

Rating:- 4.5/5 stars!

Here’s my brief summary of the book review

A combination of the movie What a Girl Wants with Princess Diaries meeting Crazy Rich Asians! If you watched What A Girl Wants and read/watched Princess Diaries and Crazy Rich Asians, you would know what I am talking about.

Image gallery for What a Girl Wants - FilmAffinity

Now here’s my full review

Izumi Tanaka, a Japanese-American girl living in a small town called Mount Shasta, California with no idea about who her father is. She is struggling to live in this small town as an American and is close friends with three girls, Noora, Hansani and Glory, calling themselves as AGG. But a chance clue while rummaging accidentally through her mother’s belongings finds about her biological father–his name is Makato. And is not just a normal person–he is the Crown Prince of Japan.

Now in a whirlwind, Izumi’s life changes drastically as she travels across the world to Japan to get to know her father, the man she barely knows. From the paparazzi’s trailing after her to conniving and evil cousins to a handsome bodyguard named Akio, Izumi tries to adjust her new life as a princess. However, in order to win the hearts of the members of Imperial family and the public, she has to be “Japanese”.

OK, if many of you all know, I am a bit into Asian culture the fact that I was born and grew up in Japan so this is one of the things that got attracted to me in the first place. And I recently joined Reese Witherspoon’s book club and this book is the summer pick. Initially, I was a bit reluctant and skeptical but nonetheless, with good raving reviews, I decided to try out. And man, I was not disappointed at all! In fact I really enjoyed reading this book!

The plot though is a bit similar to Princess Diaries, (if you have read Princess Diaries, you would know Mia, the main character used to be a normal teenager living in San Francisco until she finds that she is the daughter of the Crown Prince of Genovia), the only difference is, the story is not written in the diary format like in the Princess Diaries, and is told from the perspectives of Izumi. What makes this book more unique than Princess Diaries (don’t worry Princess Diaries will always be my childhood love) is the vivid descriptions of Japanese culture, food and also the places like Kyoto where the reader feels like they are in Japan with Izumi. There were some funny parts in the story that at times, I burst out laughing, just by reading those parts! The writing overall is engaging and the author did a good job drawing the reader into the story. Though the ending is a bit predictable and is like a fairy tale ending as you would normally expect, nonetheless, I enjoyed reading this book. As a matter of fact, I can’t wait for the sequel to come!

As for the characters, I found the main character, Izumi very likable–a funny but intelligent girl and also sounds loyal. I felt like while reading the book, Izumi and I are more like best friends! I also like her bodyguard, Akio and really did like the growing romance between the two.

Overall, this is a cheesy, romantic YA that will make you laugh out loud and guaranteed you wouldn’t want to put this book down–worth five stars!

P.S. – I am not sure if people knows, but there’s a real Japanese Imperial family in Japan. Though in the book, the members are fictional, the fact that women must leave the Imperial Family after marrying a commoner and that the woman cannot inherit the throne is real. The author has done some tremendous research about the Imperial Family.

Emiko Jean is the author of Tokyo Ever After, Empress of all Seasons, and We’ll Never be Apart. When Emiko is not writing, she is reading. Most of her friends are imaginary. Before she became a writer she was an entomologist (fancy name for bug catcher), a candle maker, a florist, and most recently a teacher. She lives in Washington with her husband and children (unruly twins). She loves the rain. You may find her at emikojean.com or on Instagram at emikojeanbooks.

The Life She Wants – ARC Book Review

The Life She Wants: A totally unputdownable psychological thriller by [J.M. Hewitt]

You want to save your marriage. She wants to destroy it.

Paula worries that her marriage to Tommy is hanging by a thread. She loves how safe her husband makes her feel, but lately, it seems like he’s pulling away from her, and he keeps avoiding a much-needed conversation about finally having children.

When Tommy suggests a cruise getaway for the two of them, Paula is thrilled. He’s fighting for this marriage, and he’s even promised that they will talk about growing their family. It’s Paula’s dream come true. Until the couple meets beautiful Anna.

From the moment Anna appears in their lives, things start to go wrong for Paula. She finds herself trapped in a sauna. Her hair is destroyed at the salon. Money goes missing from her cabin. At first, Paula thinks she’s paranoid in suspecting Anna is turning her dream holiday into a nightmare. But soon, it becomes clear that Paula may not be the only woman fighting for Tommy’s affections.

How far will Anna go to get what she wants? What lines will Paula cross to protect her marriage? And whose dark past will return to destroy them first?

No. of pages:- 240 pages

Date published:- will be published on 8th July 2021

Publisher:- Canelo

Genre:- Psychological Thriller

Rating:- 2.5/5

The plot line sounded interesting to me initially. However, as I read the book, I realize that this is not my cup of tea.

One of the things I like in a thriller is the pace–if it’s fast paced, then that would be a plus one for me. Unfortunately, the book started slow, not much fast paced like I would normally expect from in a thriller
Another thing about the thrillers would be the number of twists and turns and unpredictablity–twists and turns would make a good thriller in my opinion. In this one however, the plot is too direct, not many twists and turns and is too predictable to me.
Characters are not very likable in my opinion. One person wants to destroy the marriage–the reason not very clear and the other person wants to make the marriage working.
The book was too slow and overall bland to me. The ending was OK to me.

I don’t normally give bad reviews but to me, this book was a bit of a disappointment–worth 2.5 stars in my opinion.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion only.

J.M. Hewitt is the author of five crime fiction novels. Her work has also been published in three short story anthologies. Her books usually incorporate twentieth and twenty-first century events and far flung locations, and her novels explore the darker side of human behaviour.
In contrast to the sometimes dark content of her books, she lives a very nice life in a seaside town in Suffolk with her dog, Marley.

When she was ten years old she’d read all the books she owned, all those on her mother’s bookcase and everything the library had to offer. She decided the only course of action to take was to write her own stories. Thirty years later, she is still writing them.

Our Darkest Night – Book Review

Our Darkest Night: A Novel of Italy and the Second World War by [Jennifer Robson]

To survive the Holocaust, a young Jewish woman must pose as a Christian farmer’s wife in this unforgettable novel from USA Today bestselling author Jennifer Robson—a story of terror, hope, love, and sacrifice, inspired by true events, that vividly evokes the most perilous days of World War II.

It is the autumn of 1943, and life is becoming increasingly perilous for Italian Jews like the Mazin family. With Nazi Germany now occupying most of her beloved homeland, and the threat of imprisonment and deportation growing ever more certain, Antonina Mazin has but one hope to survive—to leave Venice and her beloved parents and hide in the countryside with a man she has only just met.

Nico Gerardi was studying for the priesthood until circumstances forced him to leave the seminary to run his family’s farm. A moral and just man, he could not stand by when the fascists and Nazis began taking innocent lives. Rather than risk a perilous escape across the mountains, Nina will pose as his new bride. And to keep her safe and protect secrets of his own, Nico and Nina must convince prying eyes they are happily married and in love.

But farm life is not easy for a cultured city girl who dreams of becoming a doctor like her father, and Nico’s provincial neighbors are wary of this soft and educated woman they do not know. Even worse, their distrust is shared by a local Nazi official with a vendetta against Nico. The more he learns of Nina, the more his suspicions grow—and with them his determination to exact revenge.

As Nina and Nico come to know each other, their feelings deepen, transforming their relationship into much more than a charade. Yet both fear that every passing day brings them closer to being torn apart . .

No. of pages:- 377 pages

Date published:- January 5th 2021

Publisher:- William and Morrow

Genre:- Historical Fiction

Rating:-

Films to See Before You Kick the Bucket - Rotten Potatoes Film Reviews

First of all, I know I have been posting the blog after a long time but I am back again!

Now, to the book review, if the book is based on

World War II
Holocaust

Then the book is for me. Our Darkest Night by Jennifer Robson falls into that category and after getting rejected in the Netgalley, I got an opportunity to listen to the audiobook!

The story though is fictional with fictional characters are based on true horrific events that happened during the WWII. The story takes place in Italy, when Italy is an ally to Germany and is under German rule. Antonina is a Jewish woman, living in Venice and is studying to be a nurse and her father is a well reputed doctor. Antonina takes care of her mother. So when Italy starts imposing racial laws, her father, through the connection of Father Bernard who was cured by Antonina’s father helps Antonina to escape by posing as a bride to another man, named Nico Gerardi. Nico meanwhile was studying to be a priest and does not agree with the fascist rule. Antonina changes her name to Nina and together with Nico move to a remote farming village to live with Nico’s family. Meanwhile, a local Nazi who does not get along with Nico becomes suspicious about Nina.

Let’s talk about the plot first. The plot, just like any Holocaust books were interesting and the author did a good job, doing well research into Italy and its culture as well as the farming life. The narrator also did a good job with the narration as well. I like how Nina who is actually a city girl initially struggled to adjust to the farming life and soon became a favorite among Nico’s family. The first part of the book mainly talks about how Nina slowly adjust to the farming life and without her parents with her and Nico eventually developing into a romantic relationship. The second part of the book is where the story gets intense–the rounding of Partisans, Nina getting caught and of course the horrific conditions in labor camps and of course the Nazi treatment towards the Jews. Despite the fact that the story is fictional, the events are real and as a reader, I was drawn into that era with Nina and Nico and imagined myself in that place with the character. The story is mainly told from Nina’s perspectives using as a third person.

As for characters, except for the Nazis, nearly all the characters in the book are likable–I liked how the romantic relationship developed between Nina and Nico, how Nina grew a close bond towards Rosa, Nico’s sister and the other members of the family, painting us a vivid picture of a happy farming family. I also like the description of the life in a farming community, which seemed too real.

Overall, I enjoyed reading this book–an emotional, heart wrenching story and a story that you wouldn’t want to put down–worth five stars!

An academic by background, a former editor by profession, and a lifelong history geek, I am lucky enough to now call myself a full-time writer. I’m the author of three novels set during and after the First World War: Somewhere in France, After the War is Over, and Moonlight Over Paris, and a contributor to the forthcoming anthology Fall of Poppies…Stories of Love and the Great War.

I first learned about the Great War from my father, acclaimed historian Stuart Robson, and later served as an official guide at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial at Vimy Ridge, France. I studied French literature and modern history as an undergraduate at King’s College at the University of Western Ontario, then attended Saint Antony’s College at the University of Oxford, where I obtained my doctorate in British economic and social history. While at Oxford I was a Commonwealth Scholar and SSHRC Doctoral Fellow.

For a number of years I worked as an editor but am now fortunate enough to consider myself a full-time writer. I am represented by Kevan Lyon of the Marsal Lyon Agency.

I live in Toronto, Canada, with my husband and young children, and share my home office with Ellie the sheepdog and Sam the cat.

Sleepless – Book Review #bookreview #blogtour @romyhausman @quercusbooks @joechristie #sleepless

Sleepless: the mind-bending new thriller from the bestselling author of DEAR CHILD by [Romy Hausmann]

It’s been years since Nadja Kulka was convicted of a cruel crime. After being released from prison, she’s wanted nothing more than to live a normal life: nice flat, steady job, even a few friends. But when one of those friends, Laura von Hoven – free-spirited beauty and wife of Nadja’s boss – kills her lover and begs Nadja for her help, Nadja can’t seem to be able to refuse.

The two women make for a remote house in the woods, the perfect place to bury a body. But their plan quickly falls apart and Nadja finds herself outplayed, a pawn in a bizarre game in which she is both the perfect victim and the perfect murderer . . .

Dark secrets past and present collide in this haunting novel of guilt and retribution from the internationally bestselling author of Dear Child.

No. of pages:- 336 pages

Date published:- 26th June 2021

Rating:-

First of all, thank you Joe Christie, Quercus and Romy Hausmann for giving me a privilege to be a part of the blog tour.

Nadja Kulka was convicted of a crime and has been in prison for a long time. So after being released from the prison, all Nadja wants is to live a normal life with a nice flat, steady job and friends. But when one of her friends Laura asks Nadja’s help to bury a body, who happened to be the lover of Laura by going to a remote place for burial, soon, get embroiled into a tangle when the plan falls and Nadja was being used as a pawn in a game where she is both a perfect victim and a murderer.

I have not read her books before but I have read reviews from her previous books which actually prompted me to try out the book. And the plot line of the story sounds interesting as well. The book despite the fact that it had twists and turns, was a bit slow paced and a bit confusing and complicated so you have to read this book with full attention to it. Nonetheless, it is packed with suspense, chill and scary at times that would make a perfect psychological thriller! Characters in the book are a bit complex particularly the main character Nadja and there are different storylines and timeless but then I was so hooked into the story. The book covers many different dark topics that actually left you questions about yourself.

Overall, the book is packed with suspense and chill that will keep you at the edge of the seat which is the perfect combination of a good psychological thriller–worth five stars!

Romy Hausmann was born in East Germany in 1981. At the age of twenty-four she became chief editor at a film production company in Munich. Since the birth of her son, Romy has been working as a freelancer in television. Her thriller debut, DEAR CHILD, became a number one bestseller in Germany and is being published in twenty countries. SLEEPLESS is her second thriller. Romy lives with her family in a remote house in the woods near Stuttgart.

Heidi’s Guide to Four Letter Words – Book Review

Heidi's Guide to Four Letter Words by [Tara Sivec, Andi Arndt]

Nothing good ever comes from drinking a box of wine alone. So when I decided to entertain my drunken self by setting up some hand-me-down podcasting equipment and reading the steamy parts from romance novels, I never thought anyone would actually listen. The fact that I admitted my huge crush on my sexy next door neighbor made the whole thing even more mortifying. But sometimes life surprises you, and that’s how my podcast, Heidi’s Discount Erotica, was born.

Now I, Heidi Larsen, a sweet former kindergarten teacher in Waconia, Minnesota, lead a scandalous double life reading erotic novels to the listening world. And with each episode, I find myself embracing my new alter ego more and more. Now I’m starting to feel more comfortable in my own skin and do things I never would have dreamed of – like kissing my neighbor.

Look out, Waconia, because Heidi’s on the loose! She’s in your ears, in your hearts, and down your pants…wait, that didn’t sound as good as it did in my head. Well, you get the picture, don’tcha know!

No. of pages:- 296 pages

Date published:- December 3rd 2019

Genre:- Comedy/Romance

Rating:-

Heidi Larsen leaves her job behind as a teacher and then gets a job as an administrative assistant in a place called Eden Media where they make audiobooks for…erotic books. And Heidi whose mother is very particular about Heidi’s job keeps her job a secret. And in the meantime, Heidi has a crush on her neighbor Brent and is working out to talk to him and also has started her own podcast.

If you really like cheesy funny romantic story line, then this book will be for you. The story is short and quick to read and the writing was good that the authors did a good job drawing the reader into the story. There were some parts in the book that will actually make you burst into laughing and overall, despite the fact that it’s an unrealistic and predictable book, I quiet enjoyed reading the book. I felt like I was actually watching a soap opera on the TV that I actually enjoy while reading the book. As for the characters, the book is completely based on Heidi’s perspectives and as a character, Heidi is actually a likable character. I enjoyed reading Heidi’s podcasts that seemed to be funny and liked the growing romantic relationship between Heidi and her neighbor Brent.

Overall, this is a cheesy hallmark kind of romance story that you will enjoy reading and laughing at the same time–worth four stars!