Happy New Year, Readers! I hope the holiday season was a restful and happy one filled with lots of downtime for you. The last month of the year for our family is never a quiet one. Extended work hours, extra activities for our kids, Christmas prep and family gatherings galore we really don’t stop and because of this my reading time severely lacks. I am really looking forward to January so I can get back to doing what I love to do the most. Originally I had set my reading goal for the year at 52 like last year. However, I passed that back in the fall and decided to reach a bit and shoot for 70 instead. Due to all of the reasons I listed above I only got to 68 but that still feels like a win to me. Below you will find the last eight books that got me through 2019. Looking forward to reading with you in 2020!
“Strangers at the Gate” by Catriona McPherson
Paddy & Finnie have just been offered the jobs they have always dreamed of, a partnership for Paddy at a small law firm and a full-time deaconship for Finnie. Along with the jobs, Paddy has been offered a small cottage on the property of his new boss, Lovett Dudgeon, rent free. After settling in Finnie begins to question the decision they made moving to Simmerton. Their new home is dark and isolated and she has been hearing things in the woods. On Monday evening Paddy and Finnie are invited up to the Dudgeon’s home for dinner. Despite willing herself not to enjoy Tuft Dudgeon’s company she finds the woman engaging and Finn decides she is looking forward to the new start after all. The young couple start their short walk down the path back to their cottage when Finn realizes she has left her purse behind. Turning back Finn & Paddy discover the front door open and what they discover inside upends everything they believe to be true. Catriona McPherson has written a wicked page-turner! For all of you armchair detectives out there, I challenge you try and figure this one out. McPherson kept me guessing right through to the last page. Suspense fans this one is a must! Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Publishing for an advance digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
“Lost Roses” by Martha Hall Kelly
Set during WW1, “Lost Roses” follows three women Eliza (a New Yorker), Sofya (Eliza’s best friend and relative to the Tsar) and Varinka (a young woman on the opposite end of the class spectrum working for Sofya’s family as a nanny). All three women have suffered immeasurable losses throughout their lives but somehow the worst seems to lie ahead as the Bolsheviks begin to overthrow the Tsar and hunt down all Russians in his bloodline. The three women’s lives slowly begin to merge together as they each press on towards Paris to escape danger and to rescue those they love most. It really is impossible to write much more without giving away any of the storyline and Martha Hall Kelly’s words are too beautiful to spoil for a reader. The author’s previous book, “Lilac Girls” was one of my Top 10 reads of 2018 and fans of the Historical Fiction genre should consider both of Martha Hall Kelly’s books a must read.
“We Met in December” by Rosie Curtis
On the verge of turning 30, Jess is venturing out on her own for the first time. Taking a chance with a new job she decides to move to London after a friend offers her a room in a house she just inherited in the sought-after Notting Hill neighborhood. Alex, one of Jess’s new roommates, gives her instant butterflies when they meet for the first time just before the holidays. Jess can’t seem to get him out of her mind but when she returns home from her New Year ski trip early one morning she finds one of her other roommates sneaking out of Alex’s room. Not knowing she is aware of his friends with benefits relationship with Emma, Alex decides to become Jess’s personal tour guide showing her around London and all its secret spots while the two become each other’s confidants. Now Jess has to squash her feelings for the man of her dreams in order to keep living her dream life in the city in a house she can actually afford. As the book progresses over the course of a year this dual narrative will have you feeling all the warm and fuzzies. Rosie Curtis has written the perfect feel good story for the upcoming cold weather. Grab yourself a hot chocolate and cozy up with this book immediately.
“Behind Closed Doors” by B.A. Paris
While Grace was out for an afternoon with her sister Millie, who is many years Grace’s junior living with Down Syndrome, the women meet a handsome stranger in the park. After charming Millie with a dance, Grace and Jack began a whirlwind romance culminating in their wedding not long after that chance meeting. To the outside observer, Grace & Jack Angel are the perfect couple but once the vows were taken a veil was lifted to Jack’s true nature. A controlling, violent psychopath, Jack thrives on manipulating Grace and their home becomes her prison. Unable to escape or seek help she must learn to survive Jack’s games. As Millie’s 18th birthday approaches Grace’s fear begins to escalate as Jack intends to bring Millie to live with them. The plans Jack has for Millie behind closed doors leaves Grace no other choice but to figure a way out before it is too late. In true B.A. Paris fashion this book will leave you turning pages until the wee hours of the morning. For fans of her work be on the lookout for her fourth book “The Dilemma” in June of 2020.
“25 Days ‘Til Christmas” by Poppy Alexander
Kate loved Christmas more than anything but that was before her husband went to Afghanistan, tragically never to return leaving her to raise their then two year old son alone. For the last four years, Kate has done everything to try and keep her head above water while she and Jack adjust to their new normal. As Christmas once again approaches Kate vows that this year will be different. With the help of her friend she creates an activity advent calendar for Jack determined to bring back some of the Christmas spirit she lost. Between all of Kate’s overtime hours, new challenges Jack begins to face at school and mounting financial hardships counting down to Christmas just seems to get bleaker. What Kate doesn’t know yet is that there is someone else in Bristol who is just as lonely as she is. “25 Days of Christmas” isn’t your typical Christmas story. Kate has to go through emotional and gritty moments that are very real for people during the holiday season. Never fear though, Poppy Alexander has ultimately written a heartwarming, feel-good read that will leave you feeling all the Christmas warm and fuzzies. Pick this one up for a good read by the fire.
“Marley” by Jon Clinch
Ever wonder how Ebenezer Scrooge turned into the man we all met in Charles Dickens’ classic “A Christmas Carol”? What could make a man become such a cold-hearted miser? Who exactly was his partner Jacob Marley in life before he warns Scrooge of his coming fate should he not change his ways? In Jon Clinch’s “Marley” you find the answers to these questions and more. Ebenezer meets Jacob as young boy at boarding school where Jacob has already began deceiving the naive with his schemes. As young men in London the two begin their infamous partnership, Ebenezer solely dealing with the accounting leaving Jacob to maneuver their dealings. Unbeknownst to Scrooge, their firm is expanding rapidly thanks in large part to slave trade something Belle’s family is firmly against. When Scrooge is given an ultimatum to remove himself from this business or not receive Belle’s father’s blessing in their marriage, Ebenezer decides he must convince Jacob to find another way for their firm to make a profit. Jacob, however, is too far gone to live an honest life even if that means risking the only person he has ever loved, Fan Scrooge. “Marley” is a must read for fans of the Christmas classic. While reading this it reminded me of Gregory Macguire’s book “Wicked” and how misunderstood the Wicked Witch was when you learned of what came before Dorothy landed in Oz. If you enjoy this concept, Clinch has also written a prequel to “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” which is simply titled “Finn”. Be sure to add “Marley” to your Christmas season TBR pile.
“Christmas Shopaholic” by Sophie Kinsella
Becky Brandon (nee Bloomwood) is up to her old antics again in the latest addition to Sophie Kinsella’s “Shopaholic” series. Becky is tasked with hosting Christmas for the first time after her parents gave up their home for the holidays to Becky’s sister. Nothing is going to stop her from making this the most amazing Christmas her family has ever had. From finding this year’s “in” ornament, figuring out what a vegan turkey is for her sister, sewing the most fabulous Christmas pageant costume and going to the most extreme lengths to get her husband Luke the perfect gift, Becky is determined to be a Christmas rock star. When her guests all begin making demands on what she should serve, what they should watch or how she should decorate for the day Becky fears that this could end up one massive disaster. I am a big fan of Sophie Kinsella’s but oddly enough this was my first time reading a “Shopaholic” book. If you’re like me, never fear, you can join in the Christmas fun as this book could really be a stand alone. Becky gave me perspective on how crazy we can get sometimes trying to make a day into something it doesn’t have to be. Nothing like Christmas to bring out the crazy!
“Royal Holiday” by Jasmine Guillory
Vivian’s daughter, Maddie has been asked to style a member of the royal family for the upcoming Christmas holidays and the two have been invited to stay at Sandringham as guests of the Duke & Duchess. Vivian will hopefully be receiving a big promotion in the new year so she decides to take full advantage of her trip to England. What she didn’t plan on was meeting a handsome stranger shortly after arriving. What follows is pretty much the predictable plot line you can imagine for yourself. I really wish I could have said I enjoyed this book as much as I enjoyed Guillory’s others but sadly I found this one dry. There was so much focus on the weather, fidgety banter and talking about scones that you could have turned it into some sort of literary drinking game. Even though this one fell flat, I have read and enjoyed several other books by this author so I’m hoping this one was just a fluke. Unfortunately, “Royal Holiday” is one you can leave off your Christmas TBR wishlist.
Til next time,
E
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