The Paper Girl of Paris by Jordyn Taylor is set in Paris during World War II and follows both a member of a resistance group and a girl in the present day who discovers her diary. The historical elements of the book are very well done, and I learned a lot about women in the resistance. However, I didn’t think that the modern storyline was as necessary, and I found the main character’s drama takes away from the emotions of the narration in the past. Continue reading
The Imperfects by Amy Meyerson is a contemporary novel with an interesting historical element. The mysterious Florentine Diamond and how it came into the family’s possession makes the book intriguing to read. However, the intrigue becomes lost due to the large number of characters and slow moving plot. Continue reading
The Silence of Bones by June Hur is a murder mystery set in the Joseon dynasty of Korea. I have never read anything with this setting, and it was exciting to see this fresh take on a thriller and learn some history at the same time. Seol is a clever character, and the book’s setting is well described. Although I didn’t love certain aspects like the pacing, this one is still a pretty strong work. Continue reading
Title: The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue (Montague Siblings #1)
Henry “Monty” Montague was born and bred to be a gentleman, but he was never one to be tamed. The finest boarding schools in England and the constant disapproval of his father haven’t been able to curb any of his roguish passions—not for gambling halls, late nights spent with a bottle of spirits, or waking up in the arms of women or men.
But as Monty embarks on his Grand Tour of Europe, his quest for a life filled with pleasure and vice is in danger of coming to an end. Not only does his father expect him to take over the family’s estate upon his return, but Monty is also nursing an impossible crush on his best friend and traveling companion, Percy.
Still it isn’t in Monty’s nature to give up. Even with his younger sister, Felicity, in tow, he vows to make this yearlong escapade one last hedonistic hurrah and flirt with Percy from Paris to Rome. But when one of Monty’s reckless decisions turns their trip abroad into a harrowing manhunt that spans across Europe, it calls into question everything he knows, including his relationship with the boy he adores.
When I first heard about The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue, I knew it was going to be amusing. It tells the story of a group on a tour of Europe and contains such likeable characters. I listened to the audio version of the book, and I can definitely say that it completes the epic experience of the story and does and amazing job transporting the listener to 18th century Europe. This book is so original, and I would consider it to be a must-read this year. Continue reading
Title: Maud
Fourteen-year-old Lucy Maud Montgomery—Maud to her friends—has a dream: to go to college and, just like her idol, Louisa May Alcott, become a writer. But living with her grandparents on Prince Edward Island, she worries that this dream will never come true. Her grandfather has strong opinions about a woman’s place in the world, and they do not include spending good money on college. Luckily, she has a teacher to believe in her, and good friends to support her, including Nate, the Baptist minister’s stepson and the smartest boy in the class. If only he weren’t a Baptist; her Presbyterian grandparents would never approve. Then again, Maud isn’t sure she wants to settle down with a boy—her dreams of being a writer are much more important.
Life changes for Maud when she goes out West to live with her father and his new wife and daughter. Her new home offers her another chance at love, as well as attending school, but tensions increase as Maud discovers her stepmother’s plans for her, which threaten Maud’s future—and her happiness—forever.
❃ I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. ❃
Maud by Melanie J. Fishbane is a book that is going to take you right back to Lover’s Lane and beyond. If you are a fan of anything related to Anne of Green Gables, get excited! Fishbane has created an historical fiction that tells a story of what L.M. Montgomery’s life may have been like and has written it in the style of the infamous Anne books. There are also some interesting aspects to this novel that explore the treatment of the Métis and the last section of the book that describes the extensive research conducted by the author to piece the whole story together. Continue reading