amy_alwaysreading's reviews
668 reviews

A Haunting in the Arctic by C.J. Cooke

2.5

Many thanks to my friends at @berkleypub and @prhaudio for the free #gifted copies of this book.  #berkleypartner

 

1901 Dundee, Scotland

Nikki’s only solace comes in the form of mail each Monday.  Dealing with unbearable grief, her husband’s absence as he serves on the warfront is deeply felt.  But life turns much bleaker after being kidnapped and thrown aboard one of her father’s whaling boats.  

 

2023 Skúmaskot, Iceland 

Dominique’s interest in the shipwrecked Orman takes her to the deserted fishing village for one last exploration before the ship is dredged out to sea to be properly sunk.  

 

What you’ll find:

⚓️Creepy atmosphere

⚓️Scottish folklore

⚓️Exploration of trauma and grief

⚓️Blend of historical fiction and horror

Early on, I found myself easily engaged with Nikki’s storyline as she walked the streets of Dundee, often reminiscing over times before her husband left for war.  Then suddenly, her storyline turned dark and volatile.  It was hard to read the torture she suffered even as it highlighted the patterns of harassment women have always faced.  

 

The modern-day storyline never quite captured my attention the way Nikki’s historical one did.  The inconsistencies and implausibility of the unfolding hindered my enjoyment even as the mystery began to reveal its closely held secrets.  

 

The author’s aspiration to explore trauma and grief through hauntings was ambitious and something I generally enjoy.  However, I found the storyline prohibited the true exploration of these themes in a meaningful way.  

 

🎧 I am easily enamored by the Scottish brogue.  And the narrator for this read, Lucy Goldie, has quite a lovely one.  But given the switches in timeline and POV, I found the audiobook difficult to follow. It was more enjoyable when partnered with my print copy, but I still found this read more accessible in print format.  

 

Daughters of Shandong by Eve J. Chung

4.5

Many thanks to my friends at @berkleypub and @prhaudio for the free #gifted copies of this book.  #berkleypartner

 

Some stories, like Chung’s vibrant historical fiction debut, are so compelling and important they become etched into my being.  

 

When a mother and her daughters are abandoned by their family, they must flee the upheaval of the Communist Revolution in China on their own with no resources.   

 

With a seamless blend of fact and fiction, Chung breathed life into her own family’s history in a way that captivated.  The attention to every detail proved her careful concern and meticulous research, and the way the storytelling brimmed with raw emotion made it obvious that she poured her heart and soul into this work.  That personal touch made me feel as though I was experiencing the grueling ordeal alongside the characters and made the overcoming feel all the sweeter in the end.  

 

What a harrowing journey!  Hai, her mother, and female siblings faced grueling conditions as they were forced to immigrate to foreign lands.  Homelessness, famine, disease, torture... there seemed no end to the suffering.  And yet, these females proved determined and fierce, never losing sight of their fight for survival and hope for a better future.  

 

Truly, this novel is a testament to the strength of women, in particular Chinese women devalued from birth.  It’s also a tribute to the overwhelming love of a mother and her unwavering fight to break generational holds and forge a new path for her daughters and their future lineage.  

 

Though not a light read, the empowering message made it one I won’t soon forget.  An extraordinary debut that well honors Chung’s grandmother. 

 

➡️As is almost always true, the author’s note is not to be missed.  

 

🎧 I partnered the audiobook with my print copy, and narrator Yu-Lin Alice Shen made it a fully immersive experience.  Her narration amplified the voice of Hai and heightened the emotion in a way that enriched.  

 

 

 

The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley

4.0

Many thanks to my friends at @avidreaderpress and @simon.audio for the free #gifted copies of this book.  

Hysterical.  Unique.  Genre bending.  

What an original concept!  With engaging writing, I gave myself fully to this wholly unexpected storyline, and I was rewarded with a humorous and thought-provoking narrative that delighted.

My favorite part of the read was its motley group of quirky and diverse characters.  Fastidiously crafted and brilliantly layered, there was a richness to each.  They were so easy to love, and I was completely enthralled by them.  

Beyond the characterization, the way the author mixed (embellished) historical figures with completely fictional ones from the current time created an interesting dynamic- often funny but always provocative.  The number of times I laughed out loud!  This unique dichotomy fascinated me, and I found it to greatly enhance the overall plot.  It also made my heart swell as I watched them become an unlikely family unit.

At times, I felt as though I was missing vital information, particularly regarding the time travel, and wished for a bit more definition.  But even when I didn’t quite understand what was happening, I remained entertained and dedicated to the unfolding.  

Brimming with wit and altogether creative, this was a banger debut.  I’ll be eager to see what Bradley produces next.  

🎧 The British accent is one of my favorites, and I could listen to it all day.  So, the dual narration by George Weightman and Katie Leung delighted from the onset.  But also, they did a spectacular job of bringing to life the characters and storyline.  It was an all-around engaging performance. I’d recommend partnering the audio with the print for a full-fledged experience.  

 

 

Christa Comes Out of Her Shell by Abbi Waxman

3.5

Many thanks to my friends at @berkleypub and @prhaudio for the free #gifted copies of this book.  

 

When Christa’s father turns up out of the blue after going missing decades before, she is thrust out of her quietly satisfying life into a stress filled media frenzy.  

 

This premise and the fact that I adored the Bookish Life of Nina Hill had me eager to get my hands on this book.

 

One thing is certain:  Waxman has a way with zany characters!  Christa, a scientist that studies snails, was living her best solitary life amongst the marine life on a remote island.  (Introverts unite!)  So, it was no surprise that she was a completely and totally awkward character, particularly in social circumstances. Her thought process, sometimes noted in the footnotes, often had me in stitches. 

 

Brimming with family drama, the dysfunction in this family was oftentimes comical.  But occasionally the antics went beyond the realistic into the absurd.  Still, it kept the storyline interesting and juicy. 

 

The title is spot on for this read.  Christa’s growth throughout the book is its strengths.  With a focus on leaving the past behind, I appreciated the way Christa evolved into herself and found her voice.  And by the end, she had definitely come out of her shell.  

 

The Bookish Life of Nina Hill is my favorite read by Waxman.  But this book continues to show Waxman’s talent for writing warm storylines that entertain.  

 

🎧 With dual narration from Jesse Vilinsky and Jonathan Todd Ross, the audiobook was a treat to listen to.  Vilinsky’s portrayal of Christa felt genuine and vibrant, adding to the eccentricities written into her character. Vilinsky’s depiction was engaging and kept me fully tuned in to the story.  The “In the News” segments were adeptly portrayed by Jonathan Todd Ross, making them feel authentic to an actual broadcast.  (Watch out Lester Holt!) 

 

The Return of Ellie Black by Emiko Jean

4.5

Many thanks to my friends at @simonbooks and @simon.audio for the free #gifted copies of this book.  

“Why did no one ever tell [her] that the most dangerous thing in the world isn’t natural disasters or wars or weapons. It is unremarkable men with beautiful smiles and even bigger promises.”

Dark.  Twisty.  Captivating.  Jean’s other stories in other genres may indeed be good, but THIS is where she belongs.  

Ellie is back. But she’s not cooperating.  

This isn’t your typical missing girl storyline.  It’s cleverly constructed with a unique focus on the return of the victim which allows a deep dive into the psychological turmoil victims face.  

While not gory, this is a dark read.  Ellie’s perspective gives a first-hand accounting of the torture she experienced, and the psychologist’s perspective underscored the effects of trauma on her mind and body.  At times, it’s hard to read.  

And yet, I couldn’t stop reading. 

This book was a gripping from start to finish.  Well-crafted with propulsive writing and rich characterization, this thriller was both gritty and realistic.  There was a steadiness to the tension laced unfolding as it concentrated on the depravity of women-- primarily ones deemed “unworthy” of resources-- being preyed upon.  This adeptly stressed the timely and pertinent messaging without ever feeling heavy-handed.  

And those twists!  The way my jaw dropped!  A shocking turn of events that led to a pulse pounding ending.    

I don’t know what Jean is working on next, but I can only hope it’s another haunting thriller like this one! 

🎧 I could NOT put this book down.  And so, on long afternoons at the ballfield, I turned to my audiobook to keep me plugging forward.  The Return of Ellie Black is read by a full cast and gives a fullness to each POV.  The audiobook narration intensified the sense of dread and tension making this a fully immersive experience.  

A Happier Life by Kristy Woodson Harvey

4.5

Many thanks to my friends at @gallerybooks and @simon.audio for the #gifted copies of this book.  

 

Harvey’s books are a mainstay for me each summer.  They give me the same kind of uplift that sitting in a rocking chair on a sundrenched front porch with a glass of sweetened iced tea in hand does.  Tinged with nostalgia and laced with charm, this southern bred reader always feels at home in KWH’s storylines.  And this newest may just be my favorite yet.  

 

Keaton’s grandparents’ home sat vacant-- wholly untouched-- for decades, ever since that fateful night Rebecca and Townsend both disappeared.  

 

Suddenly unemployed, Keaton is tasked with preparing the house for sale.  But there’s more than dust to be uncovered, and those long-buried secrets she discovers could lead to unease or catharsis.  

 

I had a sweet relationship with both of my grandmothers, so watching Keaton get to know hers in this unconventional way impacted me deeply.  As Keaton learned to love Becks, so did I! I savored every recipe, every entertaining tip, every purposeful interaction outlined in the guide she left behind.  (I need that guide!) There was a genuineness found in Becks that I adored and admired. 

 

But Rebecca wasn’t the only character I was taken with.  The small-town setting allowed for a full cast- nosy, quirky, and endearing- that I easily became smitten with.  In particular... a certain young boy and his trusty sidekick.  There’s nothing better than when a cast of characters begins to feel like family.

 

This story hit all the right notes for me, and as I closed the last pages, I felt like I’d been hugged by my grandmomma.  

 

☀️Knowing where you come from is often the key to finding a happier life.

 

➡️While the coastal town setting is lush and inviting, this book is so much more than a beach read.  It’s perfect for any time of year.  

 

🎧 Narrators Cassandra Campbell and Devon Sorvari brilliantly embodied Keaton and Becks breathing life into KWH’s words in a way that made these characters leap off the pages.  And Fred Sanders depiction of Townsend made his journal entries a warm addition.   

 

Seven Summer Weekends by Jane L. Rosen

4.0

Many thanks to my friends at @berkleypub and @prhaudio for the free #gifted copies of this read.  

 

After getting fired-- instead of the expected promotion-- Addison spends the summer at her recently deceased aunt’s house on Fire Island.  What starts out as an effort to prepare the house for sale turns into Addison taking stock, recalibrating her priorities, and possibly finding the place she truly belongs.  

 

I found myself falling in love with Fire Island and its close-knit community right alongside Addison.  With an endearing cast of characters and a lush beach atmosphere, I kept wishing I could paint (bike!) my way into the read.  I became easily invested with this second chance storyline while also pining over the budding romance.  There was a nice balance between the introspection and love story which made the read even more readable and relatable.

 

I realized after the fact that this is a sequel to Rosen’s On Fire Island.  While they don’t have to be read in order, I wish I had. 

 

Seven Summer Weekends was a delightful blend of women’s fiction and romance that felt as satisfying as a sundrenched day along the coast.

 

🎧 Narrated by Emily Norman, she brought Addison to life with a warmth that made the character and the storyline endearing and relatable. I alternated between print and audio for this one- not wanting to have to put it aside- and you can’t go wrong with either option.  

 

Hum by Helen Phillips

4.5

Many thanks to my friends at @marysuerucci and @simonelement books for the #gifted copy of this book.  

Intriguing.  Thought provoking.  Disturbing.

The hum of the refrigerator.  The hum of a fan.  Those background noises are a common albeit invasive part of existence. Sometimes annoying.  Other times soothing.  Most often, such an integral part of life we forget the quiet that came in the before.

Such is true in this not-so-distant envisioning of our future where nature only exists in Disneyworld-eque creations, jobs are taken over by machines, and families co-exist while lost within devices.  The hum of technology is a pervasive part of May’s life.

It’s not often that a book surprises me the way this one did.  Written as a futuristic society and yet not that far removed from our current reality, I found myself deeply invested in this look at technology’s invasiveness— with its ability to help and harm.   

Maybe most disconcerting was the subtlety with which technology was embedded in this society.  Necessary and inescapable yet also supportive and accommodating.  A Jekyll and Hyde conundrum.  And most certainly, a nightmare of our own creation.  

With a tense atmosphere, the anxiety laden storyline left me unsettled.  But I was so intrigued I couldn’t look away.   There’s an urgency to the writing that made the sense of foreboding stretch beyond the pages and into my own life, rife with technology.  

As Phillips hit on many timely themes— surveillance, AI, dependence on devices, and consumerism— I found this read to be both a stern warning and a storyline meant for deep ponderings.  

Compelling and visceral, this is a read I won’t soon forget.   

This book is meant for discussion, and I was grateful to have @bookmarked.by.becky and @rachellelovesbooks to unpack this one with.  

The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center

5.0

Many thanks to my friends at @stmartinspress and @macmillan.audio for the #gifted copies of this book. 

Oh Katherine!  You know the way to my heart.  

I finished this book mere hours ago, and I AM SO IN LOVE with everything about it.  

From the beginning, I found myself totally invested.  I laughed so hard my stomach hurt.  And then, I found myself swooning in equal measure.  

This storyline was easy to fall for, and I found myself completely infatuated and basking in its goodness.  The characters.  The storyline.  The sweetness of the romance.  The juxtaposition of the hard things and the joy.  It was total perfection.  

But the true magic in this book: the way Center brazenly defended the rom-com genre.  Center’s fierce dedication and love for romance came through loud and clear in Emma’s voice as she went toe to toe with Charlie on the screenplay they teamed up to write.  If I had not already been a wholehearted devotee of the genre- or Center’s books- Emma would’ve convinced me.  

And the cameo from The Bodyguard... BE STILL MY HEART! 

Center’s books are always a ray of sunshine for me, and The Rom-Commers had me smiling from ear to ear with utter satisfaction.  Another winner!

🎧 Patti Murin’s narration for Center’s books is always “chef’s kiss,” and this one is no exception.  Also, hearing Center read the author’s note added a specialness to the read.  But the real reason you’re going to want to grab the audio:  that extra chapter told from Charlie’s POV.  👌🏻

 

 

The Examiner by Janice Hallett

4.0

Many thanks to my friends at @atriabooks and @simon.audio for the free #gifted copies of this book.

 

Witty.  Clever.  Astute. 

 

I love playing armchair detective, and I know when it comes to Hallett’s books, my skills will be put to the test in the most entertaining manner. 

 

With a modern spin on epistolary format, Hallett’s storytelling always feels fresh and unique.   This dark academia mystery utilized texts, emails, group chats, dairy entries, and assignment reports to unravel suspicions surrounding a missing student. 

 

I’m always blown away by the depth of plot and characterization in Hallett’s novels, and The Examiner is no different.  On the surface, this is a novel about teamwork, various forms of art, and modern classroom dynamics.  But as the layers unfolded and characters came alive, much more was revealed of both the storyline and messaging.  

 

I felt the plot slow towards the middle with a depth of details to unpack.  But as the end approached, twists unraveled at a quickened pace and kept me on the hook right up to the surprising end.  

 

🎧 With a full cast of characters, this is a TREAT of an audiobook.  I partnered the audio with my print copy for a full-bodied experience, and it did not disappoint. Each narrator brought a fullness to his/her character, well portraying them as individuals and members of a group.  I highly recommend grabbing the audio to pair with the physical book.