Category: Book Reviews

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 💖

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.

❌ 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 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 💖

💫 Mini Review 💫

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Ascension by Nicholas Binge NEEDS to be added to your TBR! Let me tell you why:

  • It’s a stand alone fantasy & only 300 pages
  • A mysterious mountain appears out of nowhere and the world’s best scientists and professionals are brought together to discover how it came to be there
  • Isolated and trippy events take place
  • Characters are pegged as crazy and disturbed after coming back from the top of the mountain – nobody knows what was at the top
  • Time travel elements that you can ACTUALLY understand as a new time travel reader
  • Clever historical and religious elements
  • Unreliable narrator and told through letters back and forth
  • Short chapters and regular chapter breaks to help you put down and pick back up after making a quick cup of tea … and then reading again
  • Addictive scale was at HIGH
  • I would reread this book! SAY WHAT?! Yes, it was that good.

This is a debut novel for UK author Nicholas Binge and I so SO hope this is adapted to screen, because it would be one heck of a movie! Pick this novel up – you will not be disappointed. Purchase your own copy via the link here CLICK ME ✅

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: Ascension by Nicholas Binge is SO addictive! Imagine a mountain appears out of nowhere but it’s only brought to your attention because you are a physicist that is needed on the highly secretive mission to the top. Everyone who has come back from the top base camp (only 2 so far in its small history) has turned mad and been ‘changed’ from whatever they learnt/experiences/whatever happened up there. And one of those two is the main character’s ex-wife. The story is cleverly written from the past by letters the main character is holding onto for his niece. In the present time, the main character is found by his brother in a mental facility and he has also lost his mind. So we know what’s to come but how does it all play out. I cannot wait to finish this book!

RF: The Cheat Sheet by Sarah Adams was my recent fun and smutty read for my week off from bookselling. It was great and you can find my review here (click me romance go-er) 💖

RN: Death of a Book Seller by Alice Slater is a book I know nearly nothing about but have every desire to read from its title! How capturing and well, frightening … This book involves a true crime bookseller buff, a new employee who is not as they seem and a deadly friendship. It’s had pretty high reviews so I am keen to give it a whirl.

What are you all reading this week? Leave a COMMENT below 💬

Purchase or download your books via this link: BOOKTOPIA

Sundays in bed with … The Daily Stoic

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This blog tag was originally hosted by Midnight Book Girl and it aims to share how you’re spending your Sunday reading 🤓

This Sunday I am waking up to read The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday & Stephen Hanselman 🧠

Now I am new to these stoicism theories, texts and concepts. I’ve been mostly introduced to them by someone close in my life and The Daily Stoic is my first taster.

For me, I am really seeking this book out as something to read each morning, as it sets a precedent for each day of the year. For example, todays message is:

HOW TO HAVE A GOOD DAY: Here is how you guarantee to have a good day: do good things. Any other source of joy is outside of your control or is nonrenewable. But this one is all you, all the time, and unending. It is the ultimate form of self-reliance.

I don’t know about you but I really needed to hear this today. Somehow each passage daily, as humans, we can find some way of applying and resonating this with our lives and current lifestyle. I highly recommend giving this a try and maybe even keep a journal to write down your minds initial thoughts and feelings about each daily passage.

🎧 ‘Folklore’ by Taylor Swift – currently obsessed with this album, I think it is connected to the winter weather rolling in 🌧

Purchase or download your copy via this link: The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday & Stephen Hanselman

💫 Mini Review 💫

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The Cheat Sheet by Sarah Adams is your new smutty book on the block ✅

I can promise that in 48 hours, you will snavel this novel up and will be continuing on your book buying binge for ALL other Sarah Adams books. (click me and you can see them 😉)

Bree and Nathan have been best friends since high school. Nathan dreamt of becoming an NFL superstar and Bree dreamt of becoming a professional ballet dancer. Sadly, only one of their dreams came true. After having a few years apart in collage, Nathan and Bree have reconnected and their friendship is stronger than ever. It is also particularly threatening to any of the women Nathan’s chooses to dates, mainly as all of these woman can see the unrequited love between the two of them that neither care to admit.

This friends to lovers trope takes a great turn when Nathan’s celebrity stardom approves of Bree as a potential cutesy girlfriend after yet another breakup goes wrong. Que, the two of them in a fake relationship and oh how this is entertaining to read!

Okay positives and contrary aspects:

+ve’s:

  • Written as if the author is talking to you in conversation which makes the novel extremely easy to read
  • Friends to lovers trope
  • Characters are really warm and loveable
  • Dual perspective
  • Bree is so quirky and cute that she is what every girls dreams the main character is in these smutty novels (… or maybe that’s just what I enjoy reading!)
  • The whole premise of this book happens over quite a short period of time

Contrary:

  • Not a lot of depth to the environment or back story of each character. I wanted a little more historical detail surrounding Bree and Nathan’s teenage years and friendship bond back then
  • Wasn’t long enough … I was invested 🤗
  • There wasn’t a big dramatic peak as there usually is in 80% of novels in this genre. I was kind of waiting for a big secret to be exposed or a disagreement to happen over something minuscule and then have the main characters make up … but it didn’t really happen. In a way this was kind of a positive as the character’s didn’t resent, argue or disagree with one another. The novel just ended in a peachy kind way which was warm and fuzzy.

All in all, this smutty read is perfect for a rainy day, with a nice hot cup of tea!

Purchase or download your copy via this link: The Cheat Sheet by Sarah Adams

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: Tomorrow, Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin has me captivated and desperate to find out where these characters lives are at the end of the novel. I cannot wait to break down each character and my thoughts in a full review when I finish this. I have SO many thoughts on Sadie, Sam, Marx and Dov. Golly, if any of my previous encouragement has not gotten you over the line in reading this novel, this is your calling – DO IT!

RF: The Redgum River Retreat by Sandie Docker was an Australian fiction I recently finished and loved this month. As you longtime book blog followers will know, Sandie is not only one of my favourite authors but also one of my favourite people! Sandie was the first Australian author I interviewed on this blog and she was/is incredibly kind. I am beyond excited to have the opportunity to actually meet Sandie in a week as she visits my local bookstore. It was an absolute pleasure reading her latest novel (in 48hr as per usual – I ADORE them all) and to have organised a few events for her.

RN: How To Be Remembered by Michael Thompson is a perfectly modern and unique spin on The Time Traveller’s Wife and also a novel that I am half way through … meaning, I desperately need to finish it and write a review. Additionally, having the pleasure of meeting Michael recently upon my organisation of his visit to our local store, ensured my desire to finish Tommy Llewellyn’s story.

What are some novels on your TBR pile?

Book Review: ‘The Whispering’ by Veronica Lando

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Imagine a rainforest that overshadows your local town. The sounds of the leaves rustling, the swoosh of the trees moving and the crackle of branches being trodden on the damp and mossy floor which create a sort of compelling whispering.

A whispering that many young people have heard before.

A whispering that is believed to take people away, into the rainforest and never come out again.

‘The Whispering’ by Veronica Lando had an eerie, compelling and unique spin on crime fiction. I have only read one other novel similar in this spiritual/naturalist/mystical sub genre of crime fiction, and that book was ‘The Bluffs’ by Kyle Perry. It was one of my favourite books of 2021. It was a given as soon as I read the blurb of this novel, I was hooked. ‘The Whispering’ was also the winner of the Banjo Prize for Fiction in 2020, therefore I was also more inclined to start reading. This prize is awarded by Harper Collins Australia to an unpublished Australian manuscript and author with the hope of launching their writing career.

Now about the book … Callum Haffenden never believed he would return to Granite Creek. It’s a place of heartbreak, sickening memories and feelings of physical and emotional loss. In the past and as a teenager, Callum was involved in an accident that caused the loss of his leg from the kneecap down. At the same time, he also lost the girl who was his first love and she lost her elder sister. The tragic series of accidents have always been swirled with mystery and secrets. But a feeling, or a whispering of events unresolved, are calling him back now.

In the present, a local, well-known and well-loved community man has gone missing in the rainforest, around the same dangerous boulders of Callum’s accident. When his body is soon discovered, Callum’s previous journalism traits jump to action. In search of answers, Callum’s past and present collide. This isn’t the only secret that Callum begins to uncover the more questions he asks around town. You quickly discover as the reader that nobody is trustworthy and everybody has a motive to be part of this towns historical eeriness.

This was a quick but slow read. Quick because the storyline mostly flowed and the amount of dialogue included helped to move things along well. Slow because, I personally felt some aspects were disjointed. One moment I was in one place and then the next the story had moved on without a clear explanation or connection. HOWEVER, I will hand on heart admit I read a lot of this novel before bed and mostly falling asleep. This is also one the first crime book I’ve read in a while (like, 6 months a while), so my judgement could be swayed. Overall an enjoyable read for a debut fiction ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (3.5/5 stars)