Review: The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang

Title: The Prince and The Dressmaker

Author: Jen Wang

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Graphic Novel, Young Adult, Fantasy,

Pages: 277

Publisher: First Second

Year Published: 2018

Format: Paperback Copy (Library)

"Paris, at the dawn of the modern age:

Prince Sebastian is looking for a bride- or rather, his parents are looking for one for him. Sebastian is too busy hiding his secret life from everyone. At night he puts on daring dresses and takes Paris by storm as the fabulous Lady Crystallia- the hottest fashion icon in the world capital of fashion!

Sebastian's secret weapon is his brilliant dressmaker, Frances- his best friend and one of only two people who know the truth: sometimes this boy wears dresses. But Frances dreams of greatness, and being someone's secret weapon means being a secret. Forever. How long can Frances defer her dreams to protect her friend?

Jen Wang weaves an exuberantly romantic tale of identity, young love, are, and family. A fairy tale for any age."

My Rating: 5/5

This was a perfect refresher of a graphic novel for me. It was light, it was fun, but it also had a beautiful coming-of-age story. The way the artist tells the story is beautiful and the ending had me smiling. I would gladly read something else by the author. A perfect palate cleanser for an older audience or a coming-of-age story for young adults. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: The London Seance Society by Sarah Penner

Title: The London Seance Society

Author: Sarah Penner

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Adult

Pages: 352

Publisher: Park Row

Year Published: 2023

Format: Audiobook

"A spellbinding tale about two daring women who hunt for truth and justice in the perilous art of conjuring the dead.

1873. At an abandoned chateau on the outskirts of Paris, a dark seance is about to take place, led by acclaimed spiritualist Vaudeline D'Allaire. Known worldwide for her talent in conjuring the spirits of murder victims to ascertain the identities of the people who killed them, she is highly sought after by widows and investigators alike.

Lenna Wickes has come to Paris to find answers about her sister's death, but to do so, she must embrace the unknown and overcome her own logic-driven bias against the occult. When Vaudeline is beckoned to England to solve a high-profile murder, Lenna accompanies her as an understudy. But as the women team up with the powerful men of London's exclusive Seance Society to solve the mystery, they begin to suspect that they are not merely out to solve a crime, but perhaps entangled in one themselves..."

My Rating: 2/5

After reading The Lost Apothecary by this author I was quick to pick up this one once it was available at my library. Unfortunately, it didn't give me the same feelings as her debut. The characters didn't grab my attention as quickly and the concept wasn't what I expected it to be. It was fun, but I felt that I knew where we were going from fairly early on. If you are looking for a historical mystery with twists and turns everywhere this might not be for you. If you are in it for the historical ideas about seances I think it would be a great pick for you. I don't think this book was for me but I hope that others find enjoyment in Sarah Penner's writing. 

-Sidny

Book Review: My Sweet Audrina by VC Andrews

Title: My Sweet Audrina

Author: VC Andrews

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Horror, Adult Fiction

Pages: 403

Publisher: Pocket Books

Year Published: 1982

Format: Physical Copy

"VC Andrews, author of the phenomenally successful Dollanganger series, has created a fascinating new cast of characters in this haunting story of love and deceit, innocence and betrayal, and the suffocating power of parental love.

Audrina Adare wanted so to be as good as her sister. She knew her father could not love her as he loved her sister. Her sister was so special, so perfect- and dead.

Now she will come face with the dangerous, terrifying secret that everyone knows. Everyone except....

My Sweet Audrina."

DNF @ 60%

My Rating: 1/5

I bought this book after I read Flowers in the Attic when I was in high school and finally decided to pick it up. This book did NOT age well. While I understand that language choices have changed over the past 40 years, I'm curious how this book was reprinted in 2011. I'm also curious as to how people didn't see where the twist was. After reading the first chapter I was pretty sure I knew exactly what was going to happen and after reading the spark notes I was correct about the twist. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Secretly Yours by Tessa Bailey

Title: Secretly Yours

Author: Tessa Bailey

Series/Standalone: A Vine Mess Duology (Book #1)

Genre: Romance, Contemporary, Adult Fiction

Pages: 384

Publisher: Avon

Year Published: 2023

Format: Audiobook

"A steamy new rom-com about a starchy professor and the bubbly neighbor he clashes with at every turn...

Hallie Wlech fell hard for Julian Vos at fourteen, after they almost kissed in the dark vineyards of his family's winery. Now the prodigal hottie has returned to their small town. When Hallie is hired to revamp the gardens on the Vos estate, she wonders if she'll finally get that smooch. But the grumpy professor isn't the teenager she remembers and their polar opposite personalities clash spectacularly. One wine-fueled girls' night later, Hallie can't shake the sense that she did something reckless- and then she remembers the drunken secret admirer letter she left for Julian. Oh shit. 

On sabbatical from his ivy league job, Julian plans to write a novel. But having Hallie gardening right outside his window is the ultimate distraction. She's eccentric, chronically late, often literally covered in dirt- and so unbelievably beautiful, he can't focus on anything else. Until he finds an anonymous letter sent by a woman from his past. Even as Julian wonders about this admirer, he's sucked further into Hallie's orbit. Like the flowers she plants all over town, Hallie is a burst of color in Julian's gray-scale life. For a man who irons his socks and runs on tight schedules, her sunny chaotic energy makes zero sense. But there's something so familiar about her... and her very presence is turning his world upside down.

My Rating: 3.5/5

I think this is a really fun contemporary read with fantastic steamy scenes. Tessa Bailey does an excellent job of making unique characters that you can visualize with their own unique voice. I also appreciate that they have struggles that are relatable. The steamy scenes in this one were perfect, and I look forward to reading the next one! How can a marriage of convenience go wrong?

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas

Title: Heir of Fire

Author: Sarah J. Maas

Series/Standalone: Throne of Glass (Book #3)

Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult

Pages: 576

Publisher: Bloomsbury

Year Published: 2014

Format: Paperback Copy (Own It)

First Line: "God, it was boiling in this useless excuse for a kingdom."

"Celaena has survived deadly contests and shattering heartbreak- but at an unspeakable cost. Now, she must travel to a new land to confront her darkest truth... a truth about her heritage that could change her life-and her future- forever. Meanwhile, brutal and monstrous forces are gathering on the horizon, intent on enslaving her world. Will Celaena find the strength to not only fight her inner demons, but to take on the evil that is about to be unleashed?"

My Rating: 4.75/5

This book really upped the ante from the last two. After taking a break from the novella, I was able to dive back into the world. I found that this book was able to bridge the gap between very YA vs. only a bit of YA. I loved the different plotlines we were following, I also found that some of the plot twists were able to surprise me which hadn't happened much if at all in previous books. I loved the new characters we met and I look forward to continuing the series soon. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: The Last Housewife by Ashley Winstead

Title: The Last Housewife

Author: Ashley Winstead

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Thriller, Mystery, Fiction, Adult

Pages: 385

Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark

Year Published: 2022

Format: Audiobook (Own Paperback Copy)

"From the author of the acclaimed In My Dreams I Hold a Knife comes a pitch-black thriller about a woman determined to destroy a powerful cult and avenge the deaths of the women taken in by it, no matter the cost.

While in college in upstate New York, Shay Evans and her best friends met a captivating man who seduced them with a web of lies about the way the world works, bringing them under his thrall. By senior year, Shay and her friend Laurel were the only ones who managed to escape. Now, eight years later, Shay's built a new life in a tiny Texas suburb. But when she hears the horrifying news of Laurel's death- delivered, of all ways, by her favorite true-crime podcast crusader- she begins to suspect that the past she ]thought she buried is still very much alive, and the predators more dangerous than ever.

Recruiting the help of the podcast host, Shay goes back to the place she vowed never to return to in search of answers. As she follows the threads of her friend's life, she's pulled into a dark, seductive world, where wealth and privilege shield brutal philosophies that feel all too familiar. When Shay's obsession with uncovering the truth becomes also consuming she can no longer separate her desire for justice from darker desires newly reawakened, she must confront the depths of her own complicity and conditioning. But in a world built for men to rule it- both inside the cult and outside of it- is justice even possible, and if so, how far will Shay go to get it?"

My Rating: 5/5

This was such a great audiobook! I would highly recommend the audiobook if you're interested in the content matter as it helps the podcast feel alive. This book contained a lot of subject matter that I find interesting. Interesting in the way i find true crime interesting. I know that it's probably not a healthy thing to be curious about but it's just one of those things for me. I am always curious about how cults start, how they end up where they do and what makes people start them or even join them along the way. This delivered on the mystery aspect of these ideas and the use of a podcast to link it together was perfect! I would highly recommend it!

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Review: Counting the Cost by Jill Duggar

Title: Counting the Cost

Author: Jill Duggar

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Nonfiction, Memoir, Adult

Pages: 287

Publisher: Gallery Books

Year Published: 2023

Format: Audiobook

"For the first time, discover the unedited truth about the Duggars, the traditional Christian family that captivated the nation on TLC's hit show 19 Kids and Counting. Jill Duggar and her husband Derick are finally ready to share their story, revealing the secrets, manipulation, and intimidation behind the show that remained hidden from their fans.

Jill and Derick knew a normal life wasn't possible for them. As a star on the popular TLC really shows 19 Kids and Counting. Jill grew up in front of viewers who were fascinated by her family's way of life. She was the responsible, second daughter of Jim Bob and Michelle's nineteen kids; always with a baby on her hip and happy to wear the modest ankel-length dresses with throat-high necklines. She didn't protest the strict model of patriarchy that her family followed, which declares that men are superior, that women are expected to be wives and mothers and are discouraged from attaining a higher education, and that paternal authority over their children continues well into adulthood, even once they are married.

But as Jill got older, married Derick, and they embarked on their own lives, the red flags became too obvious to ignore. For as long as they could, Jill and Derick tried to be obedient family members- they weren't willing to rock the boat. But now they're raising a family of their own, and they're done with the secrets. Thanks to time, tears, therapy, and a blessing from God, they have the strength to share their journey. Theirs is a remarkable story of the power of the truth and is a moving example of how to find healing through honesty."

My Rating: 5/5

I think that after seeing a few episodes of 19 Kids and Counting, you know that there is more going on than meets the eye. But if you watched it as it came out how would you know. I really think that this delves into so many of the things that viewers didn't think to look for behind the scenes. I would strongly recommend the audiobook if you're curious.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Review: The Woman in Me by Britney Spears

Title: The Woman in Me

Author: Britney Spears

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Nonfiction, Memoir, Adult

Pages: 288

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Year Published: 2023

Format: Audiobook

"The Woman in Me is a brave and astonishingly moving story about freedom, fame, motherhood, survival, faith and hope.

In June 2021, the whole world was listening as Britney Spears spoke in open court. The impact of sharing her voice- her truth- was undeniable, and it changed the course of her life and the lives of countless others. The Woman in Me reveals for the first time her incredible journey- and the strength at the core of one of the greatest performers in pop music history.

Written with remarkable candor and humor, Spear's groundbreaking book illuminates the enduring power of music and love- and the importance of a woman telling her own story, on her own terms, at last."

Unrated

There are certain times that I leave nonfiction books unrated, and this one is going to be one of those. I think that this story while short, is important to read to learn about conservatorship and how teen, child and even adult celebrities may have a lot more going on than what we see on the outside. It was a great remind that celebrities are people too, regardless of what the media may say. I found the writing a bit unusual, but genuine and would recommend it overall.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: The Last Bookshop in London by Madeline Martin

 

Title: The Last Bookshop in London

Author: Madeline Martin

Series/Standalone: Standalone

Genre: Historical Fiction, WWII, Adult Fiction

Pages: 325

Publisher: Hanover Square Press

Year Published: 2021

Format: Audiobook (Unhauled Physical Copy)

"Inspired by the true World War II history of the few bookshops to survive the Blitz. The Last Bookshop in London is a timeless story of wartime loss, love and the enduring power of literature.

August 1939: London prepares for war as Hitler's forces sweep across Europe. Grace Bennett has always dreamed of moving to the city, but the bunkers and blackout curtains that she finds on her arrival were not what she expected. And she certainly never imagined she'd wind up working at Primrose Hill, a dusty old bookshop nestled in the heart of London.

Through blackouts and air raids as the Blitz intensifies, Grace discovers the power of storytelling to unite her community in ways she never dreamed- a force that triumphs over even the darkest nights of the war."

My Rating: 1.5/5

This was all the rage as soon as it came out, but I don't think it was historical fiction for me. It might be for someone who hasn't read much of the genre, but overall I felt that the author did a lot more telling than showing. For example, we wouldn't see events unfold, but rather be told about them and how they made sense for the plot as an afterthought. I also would have appreciated either more time to fully flesh out these scenes or a different form of storytelling (ex. journals)

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Court by Tracy Wolff

Title: Court

Author: Tracy Wolff

Series/Standalone: Crave Series (Book #4)

Genre: Young Adult, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal

Pages: 720

Publisher: Entangled Teen

Year Published: 2022

Format: Audiobook

"No one survived the last battle unscathed. Flint is angry at the world, Jaxon is turning into something I don't recognize, and Hudson has put up a wall I'm not sure I'll ever break through.

Now war is coming, and we're not ready. We're going to need an army to have any hope of winning. But first, there are questions about my ancestors that need answers. Answers that might just reveal who the real monster is among us.

And that's saying something in a world filled with bloodthirsty vampires, immortal gargoyles and an ancient battle between two gods.

There's no guarantee that anyone will be left standing when the dust settles, but if we want to save this world, I have no choice. I'll have to embrace every part of me... even the parts I fear the most."

My Rating: 2/5

I was really enjoying this series, but this one seemed to drag so much that I actually had to return it and come back to it to be able to finish it. The whole series has always been pretty over the top, but this one felt as though the author was trying really hard to be serious. That is not what I want from the series and I'm unsure if I will be continuing on.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny