Author: melreviewsherbooks

Book Review: ‘The Last Love Note’ by Emma Grey

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Oh Hugh, you have my heart!! *calling on somebody to find me a Hugh*

I would describe The Last Love Note by Emma Grey in 3 simple ways; heart-wrenching; a direct but warm portrayal of grief; & from the heart. Let’s break these down shall we …

Heart-wrenching is the perfect way to describe Kate, Cam and Hugh’s story. At the beginning of the novel, we’re in the present and Kate is living with the grief of losing her once in a lifetime love, Cam. Cam was diagnosed with early onset dementia and his deterioration was rapid. Kate lost Cam over 2 years ago and living with that grief has been raw, brutal and hard. It smears a smog over each everyday action, conversation & decision. We learn to live with this grief as the reader just as Kate is, because we move through past and present watching how this horrible disease changed Cam and alter’s their lives forever.

I think Emma Grey has created a direct and warm portrayal of grief through her ability to make this novel a romance, incorporate humour AND take us on the hard, stressful and uncertain journey of Kate finding love again – all in one!

Hugh, Kate’s boss and workplace colleague, has always been a fixture in Kate’s life since her meeting him. And by ‘meeting him’ I mean falling off a treadmill in a hot sweaty gym, and then feeling very exposed when her breastmilk makes an entry, and Hugh, ever caring Hugh, hands over a spare shirt to help Kate cover up her chest and her embarrassment. The moment Kate enters her new job interview, all while Cam is sick and they’re needing income to support their small family, Hugh is taken with her. The grief she is living with is something he has experienced himself in a way we didn’t expect. He understands Kate’s grief process and gives her all the time, energy and support she needs. His silent yet reassuring manner is not what Kate realised she needed during the deterioration of Cam’s health and after his passing … until now. That’s right, Kate and Hugh are on an unexpected holiday together!

This novel is truely from the heart. Hugh’s grumpy personality (which we know is just his attempt to stay away from Kate, give her space and grieve) is just the reason we love him. But there is a challenge and reason for Kate and Hugh not exploring what could be … Hugh & Cam had a friendship and in this friendship there was a secret passed between the two of them that Kate was not allowed to know. This secret really keeps us guessing until the end of the book and when you find it out, my GOSH , my HEART!! I’m not usually one to shed a tear while reading but let me tell you, my eyes were brimming 🥺

The Last Love Note has been one of my favourite novels this year and to be honest, I may not have ever found it in the endless bookshelves until Emma walked into the shop, introduced herself and signed a few copies. I’m so grateful she did because we have now connected over books, met multiple times and had an awesome time in July with weekend of romance together 💖

Author Talks with Zoë Coyle

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Zoë Coyle 📸 David Levenson via Getty Images at Oxford Literary Festival

Zoë Coyle is a natural born storyteller. Her career in corporate speaking and presenting has taught many around the world how to communicate choice and improved strategy. Her two novels, Where the Light Gets In & The Dangers of Female Provocation have brought her writing and creative industry talent, feminist power and years of experience to the page.

Welcome Zoë, to Mel Reviews Her Books 🌸🎙

Zoë WOW – what an edgy, powerful and fierce novel you’ve created. Tell us, what was the turning point for you to start putting pen to paper?

Thank you, that’s a lovely thing to say. The book sprang from several tributaries, one being an acquaintance’s husband had an affair. He was absolved with astonishing totality and speed – I wondered what would need to happen for him to actually repent and evolve. Another source was growing up female. Another is being the mother to two teenaged daughters and two little boys, observing how the world they navigate is so different due to their genders. I also wanted to pour some petrol on the conversation around marriage and like so many before me, set a match to the bullshit of patriarchy.

Was there a particular reason for picking 6 couples to span Odessa’s female rage and educational methods?

I like balance and I thought that 6 was the right number of characters for Odessa to unleash her mission of reeducation. Anymore would have been confusing and any less would have offered fewer computations. Each relationship shows another dimension of Odessa’s love, hurt, bravery and rage.

The central question of the novel is not monogamy or non-monogamy (weirdly some men have reflected back to me that they think it is), but to intentionally explore how is it we can turn up for love, platonic, familial and sexual in whatever shape we courageously co-create to live beautiful, purposeful and compassionate lives. Then, if that love comes to an end or changes shape, it is a powerful teacher for us if we are brave enough to learn. In the book as in life, good people do bad things, why is that? Though more interesting to me is when people have the courage to stand in accountability – what beauty can grow from that?

Paloma! What a companion! Did Paloma represent anything in particular within The Dangers of Female Provocation for you? Do you have your own Paloma in real life?

I don’t have a Paloma because in truth, I’m quite afraid of cats. I do however have a beloved miniature dachshund named Solace, but I loved the idea of a cat as Odessa’s companion. Cats always strike me as complicated, calculated, independent and elegant – much how Odessa is. Paloma ended up being one of my favourite characters I’ve ever written.

Odessa’s marriage, familial relationship breakdown and grief have such influence over the decisions she makes in this period of her life. Did you always plan on making Odessa such a complex and layered character? Additionally, was Odessa always your lead voice in the story?

Yes, Odessa was always the central voice. I aim to write characters that I would like to read; complex, contradictory, valiant, weak, love filled, damaged, learning, all the things. What The Dangers of Female Provocation explores is how dishonesty to self and others, erodes belonging, and our sense of selves. That when we do the hard work of garnering self awareness, integrating our trauma and family of origin story, we don’t lash out and damage. Hurt people hurt people.

That moving towards clarity is the sacred integration that Odessa the main character undertakes. She is propelled by traumatic events, and is painfully waking up to her actualised adult self. All the wealth, brands and conventional power were a mirage. What is truth is the art of loving and being loved. Where there is courage, there is vulnerability and we must resolve our demons or they own us.

Describe to us how different the writing and publishing experience was for you with The Dangers of Female Provocation, compared to your first novel, Where the Light Gets In.

My first novel was a labour of love. Exploring issues that I have thought about deeply and that have upended my life. I found The Dangers of Female Provocation much easier all round. From the writing, which was so much fun, through to the editing as I had two amazing women editing me. Alex Craig from Ultimo Press and Nadine Davidoff. It fulfilled every hope I’d ever had of being edited. As for the process of being published, it is surreal and so vulnerable. I have a dear writer friend who says that the writing is the thing, the rest is just crazy making. Of course we write and publish to find readers, and that has mostly been really beautiful.

Thank you Zoë for your time, thoughts and responses on the blog! I look forward to seeing your next novel 😊💫🌸

You can find Zoë’s books available via this link & my review for The Dangers of Female Provocation here.

Book Review: ‘The Dangers of Female Provocation’ by Zoë Coyle

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The Dangers of Female Provocation is the type of novel that will make you feel empowered with female strength, visibility and what could just be the consequence of a women/all women being pushed aside for far too long. If you’re wanting feminism and spice – this is the novel for you!

I had the pleasure of meeting Zoë in the bookstore. Her and I immediately connected over books that we love – most, if not all of them having themes of modern feminism, female empowerment and English & Australian historical fiction. I knew immediately after these discussions with Zoë that I would adore her writing and sure enough, The Dangers of Female Provocation has been one of my favourite reads this year ⭐️

Odessa is an enraged woman on a mission. Her beautiful group of female friends are surrounding her and discussing openly how much of their lives they’ve placed on hold for their husbands. Whether that be; putting the family first; diverting their career for another 2-3 years because their family just can’t manage without her being at home; limited intimate time with their husband; having a financial allowance enforced by him; and/or overlooking his affairs with younger colleagues from his workplace. Simply brushing it off as letting out steam and convincing herself it is more the female colleagues fault for tempting her husband in that sexual manner.

All of this sounding familiar? There are so many instances where conversations like this take place and a woman is continuously repressed, put down and has limitations set on her by a male figure. Some men have an ability to confidently manipulate and coercively control a woman’s autonomy and voice.

Odessa cannot let her sisterhood be repressed, ignored and persuaded like this any longer. A strong, fiery and burning female rage is growing. She is determined to teach the husbands of her sisterhood a lesson. She’s going to educate them in a way they’ve never been educated before. She will seduce, lure, tempt and manipulate these men. Her intentions are clear, yet as the pieces of her life begin to disintegrate around her, her methods become more and more extreme.

Odessa is moving through grief, reflecting on her parents relationship and her own current marriage breakdown while her ‘re-education’ is taking place. We can see how much of an influence processing these emotions are taking on her. Yet, does this excuse her actions or make them more justified?

This book was quite divisive in our book club and it encouraged deeper conversations about our own feminist perspectives and what experiences we’ve had in being disrespected, pushed aside for our thoughts and feelings, as well as what our place is in society.

I cannot wait to join Zoë Coyle for an Instagram Live this Saturday 10am over on @melreviewsherbooks. Come along and ask bookish questions away.

Comfy Girl Mode *ON*

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The last 3 days, I have not left my house for more than an hour each day and let me tell you, for the soul of a homebody and booklover – this has been magnificent!

I’ve devoured words, chapters, emails and blog posts. I’ve eaten warm food, drank wholesome cups of coffee and given Peach 🐱 lots of love. I’ve rested, I’ve napped and I’ve not felt guilty for doing this type of self-care. It is absolutely necessary sometimes.

Describe to me your ideal cozy day? I’d love to know 😊

🖼 @holliestartup

❌ Why I DNF’d ‘Carrie Soto is Back’ by Taylor Jenkins Reid

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I generally give a book 100 pages to get me in. If an author can give me the hook, have me invested in the characters, have me rooting for the journey/challenge the characters are facing and has me wanting to read, read, read – I will continue with a book. Sadly, I’ve lost that momentum with Carrie Soto is Back.

Only two nights ago I posted on my Instagram (give me a follow @melreviewsherbooks) to say how much I was enjoying this book and I was around the 60 page mark. But now, I’m sitting at 107, about to start a new chapter first thing this morning and I just find myself avoiding it!

I love tennis and the premise of this novel is fantastic. Carrie Soto is coming out of retirement after having 5 years off from a knee surgery, and she is aiming to defend her title of 12 grand slams in women’s singles. She is the greatest tennis player of all time. But the thing is, I don’t really feel connected or frankly like Carrie enough for me to keep reading her story. At the beginning, we’re learning about her Spanish heritage and how her father never made it pro and has invested his life in making Carrie a ‘tennis warrior’. Now at 100 pages, we’re in the thick of her play by play about which match is coming up, who she has to beat next, how she is training and what’s involved on her journey back to glory.

I think me DNFing this novel is a mixture of wanting deeper investment in Carrie, reminiscing on how I felt reading other Taylor Jenkins Reid books like The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and Daisy Jones & the Six, and just not feeling the same buzz with Carrie. Also, having so many books to read that I can happily re-home this to a friend who may enjoy it more.

What books have you DNF’d lately?? ❌

Book Autonomy

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📸 Clare Fletcher *stunning country romance author*

My confessing this may come as a shock to some people but it’s the honest truth. I finished up working in my local bookstore after near 7 years of being a bookseller … and I feel an overwhelming sense of book autonomy.

Here’s how I can explain …

Since working around books, I’ve always been given the generous opportunity to read books before they’re released (many of you would name these as ARC’s ‘advanced readers copies’) which are handed onto booksellers from Publishing House representatives. This is one of the most appealing and exciting parts of bookselling.

Yet, this comes with added pressure to always keep on top of the latest books, read the most anticipated novels before they hit shelves and recommend, recommend, recommend. I don’t mean to sound like this isn’t fantastic because it truely is – but the challenge comes when new stock is unboxed EVERY SINGLE DAY. That means, every week, I was taking home at least 3-4 new titles that NEED to be read. My book autonomy dwindled. My ability to finish books grew and my bookshelf has become an absolute MESS! Plus the added piles of books overtaking my living room, desk, bedroom, kitchen has become unbelievable!

Now, having closed the bookselling chapter, I’m pleased to revisit titles that are still new and popular like; Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid; Kookaburra Cottage by Maya Linnell; The Isles of the Gods by Amie Kaufman; Charlie, Love & Clichés by Ella Maise; I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy; Thirst for Salt by Madelaine Lucas; One for my Enemy by Olivie Blake; and so many more! (this is just SOME of my TBR books 🤓)

In summary, I’m looking forward to a little time to read for pleasure, reignite my passion for diverse genres and get planning for the July 2024 Riverina Readers Festival 📚

Book Review: ‘Five Bush Weddings’ by Clare Fletcher

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My goodness, I needed to pick up my laptop and get this feeling down before it was gone! I finished Five Bush Weddings by Clare Fletcher last night (Friday) at 1.30am!! That’s right – this novel had me grinning from ear to ear and I was so invested that sleep was not in sight.

I can easily say by far, this novel has been my most fun, laugh out loud and unputdownable read so far this year.

If you’re a follower of the blog, you may remember that I DNF’d this book back in May last year (READ HERE) but I specifically pointed out that it was a funny and capturing read, just not what I was feeling at the time. Let me tell you – the time was RIGHT and this is why you should never be ashamed about keeping books that you haven’t read … like ever! … says an unashamed book buying lover 😉

Stevie-Jean is 31 and feels as if love is passing her by. She’s a trending bush wedding photographer who takes on the role of capturing everybody else’s special day. The flowers, the dancing, the speeches, the cake cutting and more. But when will it ever be her?

Feeling a little lost but pushing through with the task at hand, Stevie is snapping away at a local wedding when Johnno West strides over. Johnno is the best friend of Stevie’s old uni flame and has always had a long lasting crush on her. But that’s in the past … isn’t it 😉

Johnno is at a bit of a crossroads himself. He has finally hit the ripe age of 31 as well and is being called back to run the family farm. He is of course, the only son in the family. His job in London had his passions sufficed but something was missing and being in an office job 9-5 was not his calling.

See, Stevie and Johnno actually have a bit of history and their long line of weddings they are both attending in the year of 2019 is ever growing. It’s a given that they’re going to bump into each other and learn about the other’s life again. What’s not a given, is whether Stevie can accept that love isn’t always about grand gestures, much like the displays put on at these wedding dos, but more like the little gestures of love Johnno gives along the way.

I adored every inch of this story. I particularly LOVED that you could read the ending and it connected in sequence to the beginning of the story. The perfect circle! I actually have the privilege of moderating a panel of which Clare Fletcher is a part of, next weekend at A Romantic Evening of Books. Come along if you’re a Wagga local, you’ll be feeling cozy, loved up and chummy 💖

WWW Wednesdays

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WWW Wednesday is hosted by Sam @ Taking on a World of Words 📚 It is a book tag to broaden the reading community and help connect avid readers!

All you have to do is answer the following three questions:

What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?

CR: Five Bush Weddings by Clare Fletcher is going down as one of my favourite books this year! I am laughing out loud at the conversations between Stevie-Jean (bush photographer who is yet to find love at 31) and Jen (social worker, housemate and best friend), as well as the spicy implications of Johnno (handsome farmer who is best friend of Stevie-Jean’s ex) moving back to the country after being away for years. Stevie-Jean and Johnno have a bit of a history. They promised each other drunkly one night while catching up overseas, that if they’d turned 32 and were both single, they’d marry each other … will it come true?! I DAMN WELL HOPE SO!!

RF: Chain of Gold by Cassandra Clare was such a nostalgic read for me in my week off of R&R. How is it, that since starting out with the Mortal Instruments series (perfect for 15-20 year olds) when I was 16, I’m now 25 and have the same warm and cozy feeling reading Cassandra Clare. Every time a new book by her comes out, I need to buy it! I just know it will find me when the time is right. All I can tell you about Chain of Gold (as you probably do need to read the Infernal Devices series for reference) is that the children of Will & Tessa Herondale are fighting off demons and figuring out their own individual powers and abilities to help save the human race and world.

RN: The Last Love Note by Emma Grey is my next read and it is connected with an upcoming romance panel I am moderating, plus – it’s just such a sweet book!! The perfect romantic comedy to lighten ones TBR and whisk you into another fictional world.

If you’re local to Wagga Wagga, come along to this event I’m moderating: