My Name is Anton by Catherine Ryan Hyde is an historical fiction book that explores a variety of themes. The characters are well-developed and the writing is beautiful. This story is written in classic Catherine Ryan Hyde style with a huge focus on characters and societal issues. Continue reading
Mistletoe and Mr. Right by Lyla Payne is comprised of two novellas that take place over Christmas break. Both of the stories have such picturesque settings, and the amusement of the first one in particular stood out to me. I did find that this book has a lot of drama, but because the characters are so well-developed for such short stories in a way that we can understand their actions, I was mostly willing to overlook this. This would be a great read for those looking for a more casual Christmas story. Continue reading
A Castle in the Clouds by Kerstin Gier is a novel I knew I would enjoy from page one. This one has such a unique setting, and I loved the balance between upbeat and ominous events in the plot. The large cast of characters and the whimsical yet haunting atmosphere are also highlights. This is such an engaging read that those in search of a fresh contemporary will love. Continue reading
All I Want for Christmas by Wendy Loggia is a book I had been eagerly anticipating since I can’t resist books with Hallmark movie vibes. I loved all the festive activities throughout the book and the main character’s love for all things Christmas. However, I found that the characters are underdeveloped, and the ending feels rushed. But because this is meant to be a short and sweet read, I was willing to overlook this and ultimately enjoyed the story. Continue reading
Heiress Apparently by Diana Ma is a story of family secrets that also touches upon the film industry’s perpetuation of harmful stereotypes. I enjoyed the Beijing setting, and the main character’s excitement for acting and desire to challenge offensive Asian representation was a pleasant surprise. The pacing is slow, but there are still many elements of the book that I found enjoyable that outweigh this. Continue reading