Book Review: None of This is True by Lisa Jewell

Title: None of This is True

Author: Lisa Jewell

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Adult Fiction, Thriller, Mystery

Pages: 390

Publisher: Atria Books

Year Published: 2023

Format: Audiobook

"Celebrating her forty-fifth birthday at her local pub, popular podcaster Alix Summers crosses paths with an unassuming woman called Josie Fair. Josie, it turns out, is also celebrating her forty-fifth birthday. They are, in fact, birthday twins. 

A few days later, Alix and Josie bump into each other again, this time outside Alix's children's school. Josie has been listening to Alix's podcast and thinks she might be an interesting subject for her series. She is, she tells Alix, on the cusp of great changes in her life.

Josie's life appears to be strange and complicated, and although Alix finds her unsettling, she can't resist the temptation to keep making the podcast. Slowly, she starts to realise that Josie has been hiding some very dark secrets, and before she knows it, Josie has inveigled her way into Alix's life- and into her home.

But, as quickly as she arrived, Josie disappears. Only then does Alix discover that Josie has left a terrible and terrifying legacy in her wake, and that Alix has become the subject of her own true crime podcast, with her life and her family's lives under mortal threat.

Who is Josie Fair? And what has she done?"

My Rating: 5/5

It's been a long time since I finished an audiobook so quickly. I often listen to audiobooks when I'm driving or doing chores, but I was finding more chores to do to keep reading this book. The twists, the turns, the podcast elements. The time jumps, different perspectives. All of it was doing exactly what I wanted. I loved this. I cannot recommend the audiobook enough.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Maybe in Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Title: Maybe in Another Life

Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Adult Fiction, Contemporary, Romance

Pages: 342

Publisher: Atria Books

Year Published: 2015

Format: Audiobook

"At the age of twenty-nine, Hannah Martin still has no idea what she wants to do with her life. She has lived in six different cities and held countless meaningless jobs since graduating college. On the heels of leaving yet another city, Hannah moves back to her hometown of los Angeles and takes up residence in her best friend Gabby's guestroom. Shortly after getting back to town, Hannah goes out to a bar one night with Gabby and meets up with her high school boyfriend, Ethan.

Just after midnight, Gabby asks Hannah if she's ready to go. A moment later, Ethan offers to give her a ride later if she wants to stay. Hannah hesitates. What happens if she leaves with Gabby? What happens if she leaves with Ethan?

In concurrent storylines, Hannah lives out the effects of each decision. Quickly, these parallel universes develop into radically different stories with large-scale consequences for Hannah, as well as the people around her. As the two alternate realities run their course, Maybe in Another Life raises questions about fate and true love: Is anything meant to be? How much in our life is determined by chance? And perhaps, most compellingly: Is there such a thing as a soul mate?

Hannah believes there is. And, in both worlds, she believes she's found him."

My Rating: 3.5/5

This was not what I expected when I picked this one up. Taylor Jenkin Reid does a great job of creating the main characters that you root for. Hannah is no different in that regard. I obviously haven't read all of her backlog (I'm working on it). That being said, I found that there were portions of this book where the plot was a little over the top. The well-thought-out changes between the universes were incredible. The friendships we see in both timelines were excellent and overall I really enjoyed my read of it. 

Which book of hers should I read next?

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover

Title: It Ends with Us

Author: Colleen Hoover

Series/Standalone: It Ends with Us Duology (Book #1)

Genre: Contemporary, Hardhitting, New Adult

Pages: 386

Publisher: Atria Books

Year Published: 2016

Format: Audiobook

"Sometimes it is the one who loves you who hurts you the most. 

Lily hasn't always had it easy, but that's never stopped her from working hard for the life she wants. She's come a long way from the small town in Maine where she grew up- she graduated from college, moved to Boston, and started her own business. So when she feels a spark with a gorgeous neurosurgeon named Ryle Kincaid, everything in Lily's life suddenly seems almost too good to be true.

Ryle is assertive, stubborn, maybe even a little arrogant. He's also sensitive, brilliant, and has a total soft spot for Lily. And the way he looks in scrubs certainly doesn't hurt. Lily can't get him out of her head. But Ryle's complete aversion to relationships is disturbing. Even as Lily finds herself becoming the exception to his 'no dating' rule, she can't help but wonder what made him that way in the first place.

As questions about her new relationship overwhelm her, so do thoughts of Atlas Corrigan- her first love and a link to the past she left behind. He was her kindred spirit, her protector. When Atlas suddenly reappears, everything Lily has built with Ryle is threatened."

My Rating: 3.5/5

This is somehow still tabbed generally under romance, and I don't think that is the correct genre that I would identify it as. This is a hard-hitting new adult contemporary for me. There is romance, but there is more than that. There are so many important discussions that happen within this story. Triggers for suicide, abuse, sexual assault, etc.  While I think this story was important I did not always enjoy the telling of it and the writing overall, so for me it was 3.5 but I can see why people feel so strongly about the plot line.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: The Winners by Fredrik Backman

Title: The Winners

Author: Fredrik Backman

Series/Standalone: Beartown Series (Book #3)

Genre: Literary Fiction, Contemporary, Adult

Pages: 671

Publisher: Atria Books

Year Published: 2022

Format: Audiobook

"Two years have passed since the events that no one wants to think about. Everyone has tried to move on, but there's something about this place that prevents it. The residents continue to grapple with life's big questions: What is a family? What is a community? And what, if anything, are we willing to sacrifice in order to protect them?

As the locals of Beartown struggle to overcome the past, great change is on the horizon. Someone is coming home after a long time away. Someone will be laid to rest. Someone will fall in love, someone will try to fix their marriage, and someone will do anything to save their children. Someone will submit to hate, someone will fight, and someone will grab a gun and walk towards the ice rink.

So what are the residents of Beartown willing to sacrifice for their home?"

My Rating: 5/5

I can't recommend the audiobooks enough for this series.  The way the author's story lends itself so well to audio narration is fantastic and the characters seem to jump off the page or the earbuds....? You get it. I have felt so deeply throughout this series. The pain, joy, fear and overall strength that the main characters in this series exhibit. The setting lends itself perfectly to the story and I would highly recommend anyone interested in picking up the books.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: November 9 by Colleen Hoover

Title: November 9

Author: Colleen Hoover

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Pages: 310

Publisher: Atria Books

Year Published: 2015

Format: Audiobook

"Fallon meets Ben, an aspiring novelist, the day before her scheduled cross-country move. Their untimely attraction leads them to spend Fallon's last day in L.A. together, and her eventful life becomes the creative inspiration Ben has always sought for his novel. Over time and amidst the various relationships and tribulations of their own separate lives, they continue to meet on the same date every year. until one day Fallon becomes unsure if Ben has been telling her the truth or fabricating a perfect reality for the sake of the ultimate plot twist.

Can Ben's relationship with Fallon- and simultaneously his novel- be considered a love story if it ends in heartbreak?"

My Rating: 4/5

For what this is, it was fun. The binge-ability of this book was higher than any of the other books I've read by the author. Do I think it's the highest of substance? No. But it sets out to do a thing and it succeeds. I will say that the part I disliked was the way the female main character needed a man to tell her how to feel about herself.  But the plot and intrigue for pure entertainment made up for it. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Us Against You by Fredrik Backman

Title: Us Against You

Author: Fredrik Backman

Series/Standalone: Beartown Series (Book #2)

Genre: Adult Fiction, Contemporary

Pages: 448

Publisher: Atria Books

Year Published: 2017

Format: Audiobook

"After everything that the citizens of Beartown have gone through, they are struck yet another blow when they hear that their beloved local hockey team will soon be disbanded. What makes it worse is the obvious satisfaction that'll the former Beartown players, who now play for a rival team in Hed, take in that fact. Amidst the mounting tension between the two rivals, a surprising newcomer is handpicked to be Beartown's new hockey coach.

Soon a new team starts to take shape around Amat, the fastest player you'll ever see; Benji, the intense lone wolf; and Vidar, a born-to-be-bad troublemaker. But bringing this team together proves to be a challenge as old bonds are broken, new ones are formed, and the enmity with Hed grows more and more acute.

As the big match approaches, the not-so-innocent pranks and incidents between the communities pile up and their mutual contempt grows deeper. By the time the last game is finally played, a resident of Beartown will be dead, and the people of both towns will to be forced to wonder if, after all they've been through, the game they love can ever return to be something simple and innocent."

My Rating: 5/5

This book was so much more than I anticipated. I didn't expect this to hit so hard. It was hard to imagine how the author was going to make this a series, but once again the small-town hard-hitting contemporary vibes. Since I grew up in this kind of small town all of this hit a little too close to home. The characters in this series felt so deep and realistic. I look forward to continuing the series and seeing how the author wraps up the town's story overall.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas

Title: The Spanish Love Deception

Author: Elena Armas

Series/Standalone: Spanish Love Deception Duology (Book #1)

Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Adult Fiction

Pages: 487

Publisher: Atria Books

Year Published: 2021

Format: Audiobook

"Cataline Martin desperately needs a date to her sister's wedding. Especially since her little white lie about her American boyfriend has spiralled out of control. Now everyone she knows- including her ex and his fiancee- will be there and eager to meet him.

She only has four weeks to find someone willing to cross the Atlantic and aid in her deception. New York to Spain is no short flight and her raucous family won't be easy to fool. 

Enter Aaron Blackford- her tall, handsome, condescending colleague- who surprisingly offers to step in. She'd rather refuse; never has there been a more aggravating, blood-boiling and insufferable man.

But Catalina is desperate, and as the wedding draws nearer, Aaron looks like her best option. And she begins to realize he might not be as terrible in the world as he is at the office."

My Rating: 2.5/5

As someone who doesn't work in cooperate America, I don't think I can accurately understand an office job. That seems like a good place to start because I think the office politics in this (office-wise) were not what I anticipated. There are a few scenes in this in the workplace that made me cringe and a few more that made me fume and while they were dealt with, it wasn't in a way that I would have preferred. The romance was fun, and the enemies-to-lovers trope was cute, but the actual steamy scene had a few buzzwords that I just don't prefer (things that just take me out of the moment). It was fun, I will listen to the next one, but I don't think they are new favourites.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover

Title: Ugly Love

Author: Colleen Hoover

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: New Adult, Romance, Fiction

Pages: 337

Publisher: Atria Books

Year Published: 2014

Format: Audiobook

"When Tate Collins meets airline Miles Archer, she knows it isn't love at first sight. They wouldn't even go so far as to consider themselves friends. Once their desires are out in the open they realize they have the perfect set-up. He doesn't want love, she doesn't have time for love, so that just leaves the sex. Their arrangement could be surprisingly seamless, as long as Tate can stick to the only two rules Miles has for her.

Never ask about the past.

Don't expect a future.

They think they can handle it, but realize almost immediately they can't handle it at all.

Hearts get infiltrated.

Promises get broken.

Rules get shattered.

Love gets ugly."

My Rating: 3.5/5

I want to note that a 3.5 isn't a bad rating. I liked this. This book is exactly what people on the internet have promised I would get from Colleen Hoover a problematic but hard-to-put-down new adult read. This book didn't bring me to tears but there were moments when it got me up in my emotions. I will say that Tate had next to no defining traits, which brought down my rating. There were also a few lines in regard to the romance that wasn't for me or made me a bit uncomfortable. Overall fast-paced, intriguing and hard to put down. Would recommend if you're looking for something that matches that description, but I doubt that I'm the first person you have heard about Colleen Hoover through.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny 

Book Review: Confess by Colleen Hoover

Title: Confess

Author: Colleen Hoover

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: New Adult, Romance

Pages: 320

Publisher: Atria Books

Year Published: 2015

Format: Audiobook

"Auburn Reed is determined to rebuild her shattered life and she has no room for mistakes. But when she walks into a Dallas art studio in search of a job, she doesn't expect to become deeply attracted to the studio's enigmatic artist, Owen Gentry.

For once, Auburn takes a chance and puts her heart in control, only to discover that Owen is hiding a huge secret. The magnitude of his past threatens to destroy everything Auburn loves most, and the only way to get her life back on track is to cut Owen out of it- but can she do it?"

My Rating: 2.75/5

This book was a fun and quick audiobook. I'd read another work from Colleen Hoover and she is well known in the bookish community so I thought I'd pick this up from my library's Libby app and it was a good time. Was it a literary masterpiece? Maybe not. Was it entertaining? Yes. I think if I had read the author's work at a younger age it might have appealed to me more, but as someone in her late twenties, not her early ones, this felt pretty young to me. If you are in it for the drama, I would recommend it.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Without Merit by Colleen Hoover

Title: Without Merit

Author: Colleen Hoover

Series/standalone: Standalone

Genre: Young Adult, Romance

Pages: 385

Publisher: Atria Books

Year Published: 2017

Format: Audiobook

"Not every mistake deserves a consequence. 

Sometimes the only thing it deserves is forgiveness.

The Voss family is anything but normal. They live in a repurposed church, newly baptized Dollar Voss. The once cancer-stricken mother lives in the basement, the father is married to the mother's former nurse, the little brother isn't allowed to do or eat anything fun, and the eldest siblings are irritatingly perfect. Then, there's Merit.

Merit Voss collects trophies she hasn't earned and secrets her family forces her to keep. While browsing the local antiques shop for her next trophy, she finds Sagan. His wit and unapologetic idealism disarm and spark renewed life into her- until she discovers that he's completely unavailable. Merit retreats deeper into herself, watching her family from the sidelines when she learns a secret that no trophy in the world can fix.

Fed up with the lies, Merit decides to shatter the happy family illusion that she's never been a part of before leaving them behind for good. When her escape plan fails, Merit is forced to deal with the staggering consequences of telling the truth and losing the one boy she loves."

My Rating: 3.5/5

I understand why people find Colleen Hoover's books are well-rated, they are extremely entertaining and the characters are fun and have quirky things about them. I enjoyed reading about the Voss family and all their unusual quirks. That being said, I think that some of the secrets that Merit is expected to keep are too much to just let go of. It was interesting to see how their lives went on after tragedies and changes, but I think that at some points there needed to be more of a reaction to certain behaviors. I found it entertaining and an interesting read. I look forward to reading more works by this author.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Beckman

Title: A Man Called Ove
Author: Fredrik Backman
Series/Standalone: Standalone
Genre: Adult Fiction, Contemporary, Humor
Pages: 294
Publisher: Atria Books
Year Published: 2012
Format: Paperback Copy (Library Copy)
First Line: "Ove is fifty-nine."

"A grumpy yet loveable man finds his solitary world turned on its head when a boisterous young family moves in next door.

Meet Ove. he's a curmudgeon, the kind of man who points at people he dislikes as if they were burglars caught outside his bedroom window. he has staunch principles, strict routines, and a short fuse. people called him the bitter neighbor from hell, but must Ove be bitter just because he doesn't walk around with a smile plastered on his face all the time?

Behind the cranky exterior, there is a story and a sadness. So when one November morning a chatty young couple with two chatty young daughters move in next door and accidentally flatten Ove's mailbox, it is the lead-in to a comical and heartwarming tale of unkempt cats, unexpected friendship, and the ancient art of backing up a U-Haul. All of which will change one cranky old man and a local residents' association to their very foundation."

My Rating: 5/5

This was the monthly book for my local book club this month and it took me a while to get into the storyline and the characters, but the more I read the more I enjoyed the storytelling and everything involved in the story. This story is a great book to read, it's emotional in ways that make you laugh, cry and just stare into space filled with emotion. You know what I'm trying to say? This book will forever be in my mind, and I'm glad to say it will probably be one of my new favourite reads.

Thanks for reading,
Sidny

Spoiler: A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

This book was heartwrenching. We start by following Ove, a man whose the main job would at first appear to be making everyone else's life miserable just due to the changing time. I also thought that this story was interesting to follow due to the loss, the backstory and the use of time. I loved the characters and the plot. 

Characters:
Ove: Yes he is crotchety. He is rude to those around him, and he seems to not have a reason for it. But over time he grows on you and you begin to understand how his past has affected how he does things now and why things that are changing is hard for him to understand/deal with. I really loved the way he grew on characters around him and found a reason to live without the love of his life. 

Sonja: I wish we could have seen more of her years with Ove and how she handled his need to have everything a certain way. They were beautiful together and it hurt my heart to see how they met, fell in love and went through life together just for him to be left behind.

Anita: To have lost your best girlfriend, as well as to be losing your husband would be a horrible fate. To lay in bed beside someone who doesn't know who you are or to have the love of your life asking about things would just break my heart.

Rune: I would classify him as Ove's best friend. I hope that he had the chance to live a long and happy life with his wife, although his condition did not improve.

Jimmy: He was the sweetest person I could imagine, and I loved how blunt he was about things. 

Parvaneh: I think that she's really Ove's match in a human. Someone who can give as good as she gets from him while still managing to pull him out of his shell. I loved their relationship and the way he acted with her.


Moments to Remember:
Pg.  113
"'You like reading?' she asked him brightly.
Ove shook his head with some insecurity, but it didn't seem to concern her very much. She just smiled, said that she loved books more than anything and started telling him excitedly what each of the ones in her lap was about. And Ove realised that he wanted to hear her talking about the things she loved for the rest of his life."

Pg. 176
"Ove knew there and then that he would never forgive himself for having got up from his seat at that exact moment, for not being there to protect them."

Pg. 227
"It was as if he didn't want other people to talk to him, he was afraid that their chattering voices would drown out the memory of her voice."

Pg. 266
"'Loving someone is like moving into a house,' Sonja used to say. 'At first, you fall in love with all the new things, amazed every morning that all this belongs to you, as if fearing that someone would suddenly come rushing in through the door to explain that a terrible mistake had been made, you weren't actually supposed to live in a wonderful place like this. Then over the years, the walls become weathered, the wood splinter here and there, and you start to love that house not so much because of all its perfection, but rather its imperfections."

Final Line: "'Saab.'"

Thanks for reading,
Sidny

Book Review: Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult

Title: Sing You Home
Author: Jodi Picoult
Series/Standalone: Standalone
Genre: Adult Fiction, Chicklit, LGBT
Pages: 466
Publisher: Atria Books
Year Published: 2011
Format: Physical Copy
First Line: "One sunny, crisp Saturday in September when I was seven years old, I watched my father drop dead."

"Every life has a soundtrack. All you have to do is listen.

In the aftermath of a series of personal tragedies, Zoe throws herself into her career as a music therapist. When an unexpected friendship slowly blossoms into love, she makes plans for a new life, but to her shock and inevitable rage, some people- even those she loves and trusts most- don't want that to happen.

Sing You Home explores the delicate boundaries of identity, love, marriage, and parenthood. What happens when the outside world brutally calls into question the very thing closest to our hearts: family? Once again, Jodi Picoult gracefully brings the hidden tension of life sharply into focus in this poignantly honest novel."

My Rating: 4/5

I know that Jodi Picoult is a very popular author for chicklit and adult fiction, but this is the first novel of hers that I have read. And I really enjoyed it. I came to realize though  that Jodi Picoult is to chicklit, what Nicholas Sparks is to romance. A standard if that makes sense. Not to say that I didn't enjoy this story. I think that this book does an interesting job of questioning values and relationships, especially the idea of families in the modern day. 
I also think that Jodi Picoult does a great job of hitting hard right from the start, which makes me interested in reading more of her works.

Thanks for reading,
Sidny

Spoiler: Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult

I have come to terms with the fact that I might be trash for the drama in Jodi Picoult's books. I'm really looking into the idea of looking into more of her books (kind of hoping that some of her books come up in the bookclub I thought). I really think that Jodi Picoult tackled important subjects in this story. Homophobia, the idea of the modern family, mental health, etc. These were all important themes throughout the story line. I can understand how this is alittle much for some people, but to me these were important subjects to think about.

Characters:
Zoe: I think that this concept may be difficult for people to understand, but this story is an interesting account about sexuality and how sexuality is fluid. I liked the way that Zoe described how she was attracted to Vanessa. She very much describes that she is attracted to people rather than the gender.  I also enjoyed her perspective as a music therapist it made me happy to see someone taking their love of music to help those around them. 

Vanessa: I liked Vanessa. She was willing to fight for Zoe and give it her all. She also didn't force her into anything she wasn't comfortable with. She is straightforward with her sexuality and doesn't hide it from Zoe which I think is an important aspect to consider.

Max: I really liked him at the beginning of the stoyr, but as i watched the story unfold I found myself getting extremely frustrated with him. I understand that people change with their experiences, but Max totally flipped into another person after joining the church (not that I think this happens to all people who join a religious group).

Reid: He might be my least favorite character in this whole story. He thinks that he can buy the embreos near the end of the story he wants to have kids but doesn't care about the cost that it would put anyone else under. He also is very suspicious. I can't explain it all, because I don't want any biased that I might have towards certain religions to come front and centre, so let's just say I hated him.

Liddy: I do wonder more about her childhood and how she gained such a personal relationship with God and the idea of religion. I understand that she was a pastor's daughter, but it's also made clear that he engaged in drinking and possibly other "sins". I'm curious about her back story but happy to see her happy with Max at the end.

Pastor Clive: I honestly think that he thinks he is doing the right thing, but I enjoyed in the court room when his beliefs were brought into perspective. You can't only take things you need as direct quotes, when there are so many others that are not appropriate to this day and age. 

Wade: He's a smooth talking son of a gun, but that didn't win him any favors by the end of the story line. I truly hope that his career went downhill from here.

Angela: I loved her. She was sassy, full of passion for her job and just honest with those around her. Although she herself doesn't identify as gay, she is able to defend gay rights and rights of those that often go unheard. 

Lucy: I wonder more and more about her life. About what happened to her by the end of the book and if she was able to survive in Pastor Clive's house until she was 18. I can't say that I was surprised by the fact that she was his step daughter, in fact I started to wonder about it about half way through the book, then brushed that idea aside. I hope that she got the help she needed before it was too late.


Moments to Remember:
Final Line: "That, really, she is the luckiest girl in the world."


Thanks for reading,
Sidny