Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too!

I truly enjoyed this author’s novel, How to Walk Away, so immediately requested this e galley when I saw it on NetGalley. I had a bit of a wait before I was approved but luckily I was!

This book is about Cassie, a seemingly tough, no nonsense, keep all emotion at bay firefighter. Cassie has been hurt and traumatized in the past. Her mother left the family on Cassie’s 16th birthday, a high school boy violated her; she does not believe that she wants more than work and routine.

The plot takes Cassie from Texas to Rockport, MA where she agrees to help her ill mother, but only for a year. Cassie vows not to get close. She gets a job in a new firehouse. The antics within in terms of initiations are vividly described. The author credits her husband, a volunteer firefighter for their authenticity.

Cassie joins the fire station on the same day as “the rookie.” Their relationship forms the core of the novel, along with Cassie’s evolving relationship with her mother.

The book is a good, quick read. There is some philosophizing by Cassie’s mother that adds dimension to the novel. If you are a reader of this author’s novels or enjoy women’s fiction, give this one a try. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the book in exchange for my honest review.

This novel is a richly imagined, evocative and detailed portrait of life in England, Europe and the U.S. in the years surrounding WW II.  The book focuses on the Kennedys and their circle.

Readers will spend time with staunchly Catholic parents, Joe and Rose, who have many aspirations for their children.  Joe Jr. and JFK are portrayed as they fall in love and commit to service in the war.  Rosemary and her emotional struggles are described and the younger Kennedy children also have a place.  The book though is most especially the story of Kathleen (Kick) Kennedy and her friends, colleague, romances and search for meaning.

Kick falls in love with England where she strives to find a worthwhile life while also enjoying a busy social life with her friends, including Deborah Mitford and her circle.  Kick is always aware of what is expected of her as a Kennedy but struggles with this.

Nowadays when marriages are not universally expected to take place between people who are the same (the same race, religion, socioeconomic status, etc.), it is hard to recall that this was not always the case.  However, when Kathleen (Kick) Kennedy, of Irish background and Catholic, falls in love with Billy, an aristocratic British, Protestant, her parents clearly do not approve.  How Kick chooses to live her life forms the core of the novel.  I do not want to put in any spoilers so will stop here.

I found The Kennedy Debutante to be an excellent historical novel.  I hope that you will too!

Critical Praise for the book:
“You will be swept up, first and foremost, by its vivid, captivating heroine. Kick Kennedy was naive and privileged, to be sure, but in Maher’s masterful portrait, she is also a bold young woman living at a precarious moment in history, eager to make her mark on the world as fearlessly as she will follow her heart.”—Julia Glass, Author of A House Among the Trees and the National Book Award–winning Three Junes

“Maher’s assured debut, set against the backdrop of World War II, explores the life of JFK’s younger sister Kathleen “Kick” Kennedy…This immersive, rich portrait of a complex young woman from one of the world’s most famous families will hold readers in thrall.”—Publishers Weekly

Fantastic You is an entry in the American Psychological Association’s book series for kids. In this one, children are gently and sensitively taught about self care. This includes everything from being kind to oneself to learning techniques to cope with stress and disappointment. This is a positive, upbeat title that gives a clear message to a child; you do not have to be perfect and you have agency. The book is not preachy but is helpful with great illustrations. I would have welcomed it when I was a kid.

Note: There is a helpful section for adults at the end of the book.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book in exchange for an honest review.

When I was a child, one of the first chapter books that I loved was called Ellen Tebbits. Years later, I introduced my children to Ramona and Beezus. Then, more recently I read about Beverly Cleary’s 100th birthday. Clearly, she [s known to me as a beloved children’s author.

This book, that is illustrated with humor and a sense of nostalgia, tells the story of Beverly. She was a child with a vivid imagination who, at first, did not like school. Having a teacher who took a special interest in her helped to change this as did having a seventh grade teacher who encouraged her to use her imagination.

Beverly Cleary went on to become a children’s author who wrote stories based on her experiences and her sense of the kinds of books that children want to read. She started with Sparerib (Ribsy) and Henry and progressed from there.

This book includes the illustrated biography along with more detailed information at the end of the book. Young readers and author hopefuls will enjoy this story as will those who have read books by the talented Ms. Cleary.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this e galley in exchange for an honest review.

From the Publisher

I am excited to see In the Bleak Midwinter here; it is the first title in one of my favorite series.  Otherwise, an historical novel about the Dionne quintuplets and some mystery/suspense.

The Dearly Beloved is the first novel by Cara Wall; I am pretty certain that it will not be her last. The Dearly Beloved is the story of Charles, Lily, James and Nan. Each is an adult with a unique upbringing. Charles has faced many parental expectations; Lily has suffered much loss; James had a hardscrabble background, while life seemed sweet for Nan. While in college, Charles and Lily meet as do James and Nan.

Both Charles and James are “called” to the church; they have different approaches to God and activism, as demonstrated over the course of the book. Charles and James are appointed as co-ministers of a New York City church on lower Fifth Avenue. Their strengths and weaknesses come to light and are not the same. The reader watches as the two families’ lives unravel and knit over a period of many years.

This book includes discussion about what faith (or lack of it) means to each protagonist. I found these sections enhanced the novel for me.

This is not perhaps a perfect book, just as James, Charles, Nan and Lily are not prefect but it IS mighty good.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this e galley in exchange for my honest review.

EDITORIAL REVIEWS

“Writing with restrained lyricism, Wall’s debut offers a kind of literary chamber music, combining the viewpoints of a quartet of characters across multiple decades and events. Finely drawn and paced and written with intense compassion…A moving, eloquent exploration of faith and its response to the refining fire of life’s challenges.”—KIRKUS REVIEWS (STARRED REVIEW)

“A rare and intellectually stimulating outing…By creating such well-defined characters, [Wall] is able to all the more effectively explore the role of faith, or its lack, in dealing with the pressures of marriage, child-rearing, and work.“—PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

“Underlying the very readable, honestly human propulsion of her characters’ lives in their near-entirety, Wall does a tricky thing quite well, exploring the facts of faith and love at both their most exalting and most trying.”—BOOKLIST

“Compelling…a sneakily addictive read.”—VOGUE

This book is part of the series that is sponsored by the American Psychological Association. It was written by the parents of a gender non-conforming child who have first hand experience with the topic being addressed here.

The book tells the story of Jacob and Sophie along with their many classmates and wise teacher/librarian. It presents the dilemma that the two friends face when they need to use the restroom at school. With the help of a sensitive adult, the students move away from stereotypes and do a poster project for gender neutral facilities.

This book can provide a way for educators to introduce a topic that may seem difficult but can be addressed with sensitivity. Parents of children and children who feel different at times will most likely find that the book resonates for them.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book in return for an honest review.

All different from one another but maybe something for you…

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes.

Part of this author’s wildly successful trilogy.

Many readers will know that literary fiction author, John Banville, uses the pen name Benjamin Black. As Mr Black he has written a well regarded series of mysteries that take place in 1950s Ireland.

This historical/suspense novel also takes place in Ireland. It is a dark time for Britain as bombs regularly fell in London. Based on what the author thinks happened, this novel posits that fourteen year old Elizabeth and ten year old Mary were sent to Ireland to keep them safe.

This slow burn of a novel imagines how this was done, what it was like for the princesses and who the people were who ensured their safety. They are challenged.

Margaret, renamed Mary, to keep her identity hidden, is a particularly vividly drawn character. She is inquisitive and a bit of an imp. Elizabeth/Ellen as the older, more staid sister is also brought to life.

There is a plot against the princesses. Who knew they were there? Who is responsible? We all know that Margaret and Elizabeth survived so the reader knows the ending. Nonetheless, the unraveling is suspenseful.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this read in exchange for an honest review.