The Honeymoon Affair by Sheila O’Flanagan

#TheHoneymoonAffair #NetGalley

Books by Sheila O’Flanagan consistently offer just what a reader in search of relaxation needs. There are good characters, a story that keeps the pages turning and some luxurious settings. In this story, I also liked the literary quotes that begin each chapter.

Izzy is broken hearted as the novel begins. She was all set to be married in a gorgeous island venue when her fiancé concludes that he is not ready to settle down. Rather than give up the honeymoon trip, Izzy travels with her cousin to a resort that sounds amazing.

There is a well known author, Charles, staying there. He was once in a relationship with his agent Ariel who continues to represent him. Working on his forthcoming novel while holed up in this paradise, Charles meets Izzy. The lives of these three characters then keep readers engaged.

What will happen to each of them? Will Izzy or Ariel have a long term and more permanent relationship with Charles? If not, where will each of their lives take them?

I enjoyed that, in addition to the relationships, readers learn about the work of each character. Charles who had big success illustrates that writing the next books can be a challenge. Ariel offers insight into the life of a literary agent while Izzy taught me a lot about inspections at ports.

This book will be welcomed by fans of the author and those who flock to women’s fiction titles.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Headline for this title. All opinions are my own.

This title was published in May 2024

Let’s Go, Kitty!

by Holly Rosensweig

#LetsGoKitty #NetGalley

This book begins with a short section for adults that notes the importance of sounds and ways to encourage very young children’s speech development. All this is indeed so but I think that little ones will enjoy this title without knowing that it has higher aspirations. The illustrations are adorable and the kitty is just mischievous enough. What a great way to learn without even trying!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Ninewise Publishing for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 27 August 2024

100 First Words for Little Bookworms

A Board Book

by Stephanie Campisi

#FamiliusBooks #NetGalley

This title is categorized as a book for children but also as humor & satire. I put it not exactly in either of these categories. To me, this book is a kind of treasure trove of illustrations that invites readers to identify the literary references. That can be entertaining. Just a few examples: a picture of puffed sleeves, a skull, a serpent and so on.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Familius for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 03 September 2024

Glass Houses

A Novel

by Louise Penny

Louise Penny’s All the Devils are Here is one of my favorite books ever. In that title as in all the others I have found that it is easy to love Armand Gamache. Much like Donna Leon’s fictional Brunetti, Gamache is a good man and it is a pleasure to spend time with him.

Glass Houses is the 13th entry in the series that began with Still Life. Most of the books are set, as this one is, in the fictional village of Three Pines (Canada). Gamache has chosen to live there for the sense of peace and community that he finds there, in contrast with the grittiness he sees in his investigations.

In this novel, all of the reader’s favorite townspeople are there. To name a few besides Gamache, there is his second in command (and son in law) Jean Guy Beauvoir, Isabelle, the inn owners, poet Ruth, and painter Clara, to name a few. There are also some weekend visitors including a politician and an architect. However…in addition, there is someone rather odd in the village. This character is dressed all in black, stands in one place, does not engage and leaves everyone feeling menaced. Why is this figure there? What does this character symbolize? What will be uncovered? What moral dilemmas will Gamache face? Readers will want to know.

The structure of this book is goes between a court trial and the actual events. This perspective heightened my interest in the story.

Kirkus Reviews notes the very high level of tension in this story. I agree. My opinion is that one can NEVER go wrong reading this series. Pick up this one and all of the others. Note that Penny has a new novel coming out this fall.

Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press-Minotaur Books for this title. All opinions are my own.

This book was published in 2017.

Imagine: Calm in 40 Images

The art of finding serenity

by The School of Life

#Calmin40Images #NetGalley

The authors of this title observe that they, like all of us, become anxious at times. They hope that this book will make things a bit easier for whoever picks it up.

In these pages are a series of images. To the left of each image is a short essay with something to contemplate and, hopefully, for the reader to take away.

A reader can dip in and out as they choose. Hopefully, this book’s intended audience will find comfort in these pages.

Many thanks to NetGalley and The School of Life for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 05 September 2024

I would love to wear: The Paris Gown

A Novel

by Christine Wells

#TheParisGown #NetGalley

Christian Dior is having a moment. He has featured in a recent Apple TV series as well as in a number of works of historical fiction. That is the case in this novel where window shopping and a dress by the couturier feature in the story.

Wells tells the story of three friends who reunite in post war Paris. They are Claire, Gina and Margot. Claire is a native French woman and chef. Gina is an American aspiring writer/journalist. Australian Margot is working at Dior’s fashion house. All have their struggles, relationships and hopes.

Early in the novel, readers learn that Claire was lucky enough to be loaned an apartment above her father’s bistro. The mysterious Madam Vaughan has gone away for reasons not initially shared and left Claire to occupy her home. She has also gifted a Dior gown to Claire. The three young women clearly benefit from her generosity.

Claire invites her friends to stay with her. Readers then follow them through their lives and will, I think, care about what happens to them.

This story is involving and nicely details the characters and their world. This is a story of female friendship that I very much enjoyed.

Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 20 August 2024