The Blackberry Island Trilogy by Susan Mallery

 

 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/series/77216-blackberry-island

Source: Books provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review

SERIES REVIEW

These books make me want to move to Blackberry Island! It is a small island where everyone seems to know everyone, and that is where I long to live. This was my first experience with Susan Mallery, and will not be my last, I loved the writing style, the characters, and the plots in all three novels, but the second in the series was my favourite.

The first of the series follows Michelle and she had moved away from the island years before and was in the military. After her Mothers death, she had to return to the island and take control of the family business which is not in a state that she was prepared for. She comes back to her ex-best friend managing the business and they have not spoken since an incident that happened between the two of them that ruined the friendship, and now they have to find a way to work together for the sake of the business.

The second in the series follows Andi and she had been jilted at the alter, so she decided to move to the island and buy a house that needed some major renovations which included a practice on the first floor (she is a pediatrician). The house is on a road with just three houses in a row, and a history behind each one. This one is the favourite in the series for me because of the characters and plot line, it kept me wanting to read the most so much so that I finished it in one sitting.

The final novel in the series surrounds Nina and she is a nurse at Andi's office. She still lives with her Mom and her partner, and finds herself wanting more. What she didn't count on was suddenly having two men to choose from and on top of that having her sister move back to the island and she was always the "Mom" in their house, and does not want to be put in that position again.

If you are looking for a series that will take you on ups and downs and keep you guessing to the end, this is the one for you. Each book carries on some of the same characters from the previous ones so you get to see how everyone's story develops even after that novel may be over. I give this series as a whole a 5/5.

Necessary Lies by Diane Chamberlain

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17286747-necessary-lies

Source: ARC provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review

SYNOPSIS

Bestselling author Diane Chamberlain delivers a breakout book about a small southern town fifty years ago, and the darkest—and most hopeful—places in the human heart

After losing her parents, fifteen-year-old Ivy Hart is left to care for her grandmother, older sister and nephew as tenants on a small tobacco farm.  As she struggles with her grandmother’s aging, her sister’s mental illness and her own epilepsy, she realizes they might need more than she can give.

When Jane Forrester takes a position as Grace County’s newest social worker, she doesn’t realize just how much her help is needed.  She quickly becomes emotionally invested in her clients' lives, causing tension with her boss and her new husband.  But as Jane is drawn in by the Hart women, she begins to discover the secrets of the small farm—secrets much darker than she would have guessed.  Soon, she must decide whether to take drastic action to help them, or risk losing the battle against everything she believes is wrong.

Set in rural Grace County, North Carolina in a time of state-mandated sterilizations and racial tension, Necessary Lies tells the story of these two young women, seemingly worlds apart, but both haunted by tragedy.  Jane and Ivy are thrown together and must ask themselves: how can you know what you believe is right, when everyone is telling you it’s wrong?

REVIEW

This is the first book that I have read by Diane Chamberlain, and it certainly will not be my last! The writing was absolutely stunning. I got so immersed in this story that I didn't want it to end, however, the ending was perfection. 

The setting that she describes puts you right there with the characters in their homes, and their work environment, and it is not all roses and sunshine. You really get a feel for what it was like back then and just how hard things really were for a lot of people.

The characters are flawless, and the way that she was able to switch points of view between the two main characters and give each their own distinctive voice was something that I have not read in a long time. Everything from the way that they walked, talked etc was different from one another but each was so fascinating at the same time, I just cannot sing enough praise for this novel.

I have read a few novels set in the same time period, however, nothing that included the governments sterilization project and this was so moving as even though this is a work of fiction, these things really did happen, and it just makes me so sad that someone would or could be tricked in to something like that and having all of their rights taken away from them is just sickening.

If you are looking for something that will move you and make you think about how lucky we really do have it these days, this is for sure the book for you, it is an incredible piece of art is the only way for me to explain it, absolute 5/5!

Changing His Game by Justine Elvira

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18480475-changing-his-game

Source: An ARC was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review

SUMMARY

*Warning: This book is for mature readers ages 18 and up. It contains sex, sex, and more sex with a porn star. It briefly touches on M/F/M and M/F/F.

Adult Films. XXX Movies. Porn.

These are the kind of movies I've never planned to watch. It was a taboo topic where I grew up. As a kid I had only heard of it in passing. In middle school my parents would talk about my creepy uncle Frank and how he should look for a job instead of watching "those movies" all day. In High School boys thought it was funny to ask my friends and me to star in the amateur adult films they were making. In college most of my guy friends watched them, but I never had. When I moved to California that changed.

After surprising my fiancé at home and catching him screwing another woman, I hopped in my car and started driving. I was running away from my old life and I needed a change. I remembered my friend Tawny inviting me to visit her in Los Angeles, so that's where I went.

I didn’t find Tawny when I got there, but I did find her gorgeous roommate, Jared. Our friendship started out rough, but he gave me a place to stay and helped me get back on my feet. He became my best friend. My best friend who millions of women happened to lust over.

Jared plays by a different set of rules, where anything goes. His lifestyle is unlike anything I’ve ever witnessed before and it scares me. When you live your life on the edge, eventually you'll fall over. I didn't want to see that happen to him.

At night he’s just Jared, my Jared, and I’ll deny it to anyone who asks, but I’m completely in love with him. During the day he’s Brandon Boner, and the world is in love with him.

Oh yeah, did I mention he’s a porn star?

REVIEW

This book was an awesome read, really quick with great characters! 

It starts off with Autumn traveling to California because she had just walked in on her boyfriend having sex with someone else when she decided to pay him a surprise visit. She decided that she is going to go to California to spend time with her friend Tawny who moved out there to become an actress.

She gets there and gets yet another shock when Tawny is not there when she arrives, however, she does meet Jared, whose house Tawny was living in, and immediately she feels an attraction to him. 

There are things about Tawny's lifestyle that Autumn is not aware of, but she is soon introduced to it, and her eyes are opened to a new kind of world that she never could have imagined. I love how the author portrayed the porn industry as a job and not what most people think of when they think of the industry. 

My favourite character has to be Jared, he is hot! I can see why she would be attracted to him, and he is very well rounded as well. His gut reaction when he meets her the morning after she arrived at his house was to kick her out, however, he soon comes to change his decision and allows her to stay and give her the time to get on her feet.

Their relationship builds from friendship to more, and it is really sweet to watch. They both grow a lot during the book, and they learn to compromise with each other on certain things. 

I promise if you like erotica, you will like this book, it gets a 5/5 from me!

How To Be A Good Wife by Emma Chapman

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17286775-how-to-be-a-good-wife

Source: Won an ARC

SUMMARY

In the tradition of Emma Donoghue's Room and S.J. Watson’s Before I  Go to Sleep, a  haunting literary debut about a woman who begins having visions that make her question everything she knows


Marta and Hector have been married for a long time. Through the good and bad; through raising a son and sending him off to life after university. So long, in fact, that Marta finds it difficult to remember her life before Hector. He has always taken care of her, and she has always done everything she can to be a good wife—as advised by a dog-eared manual given to her by Hector’s aloof mother on their wedding day.

But now, something is changing. Small things seem off. A flash of movement in the corner of her eye, elapsed moments that she can’t recall. Visions of a blonde girl in the darkness that only Marta can see. Perhaps she is starting to remember—or perhaps her mind is playing tricks on her. As Marta’s visions persist and her reality grows more disjointed, it’s unclear if the danger lies in the world around her, or in Marta herself. The girl is growing more real every day, and she wants something.

REVIEW

There was definitely something about this book that kept me reading, even though I wasn't sure what it was at first. The writing was brilliant, and so vividly done I cannot believe that this is her debut novel and I cannot wait to read what she puts out next, I just know it is going to be great. If you have not read this book yet, I highly suggest that you do.

We meet Marta right away and there is something about her right from the very beginning that you almost find haunting, like she is in a fog. At the surface she is a typical housewife going about her daily routine, but we soon come to find out that she is anything but typical. She has secrets that even she does not know that she has. We also meet her husband Hector shortly after the novel begins (he is a teacher), and I could tell that there was also something off about him almost from the beginning as everything seemed too "normal" between the two of them.

I loved the way that the story was built and the pacing was just right. Marta starts to see visions of a young blonde girl, and it is more than halfway through the novel before we find out what the significance of that is, and it kept me reading at a fast pace to get to that moment, it was perfectly done. There was so much in the first half of the novel that kept you wondering what it all meant, and I promise they will all be answered and more, and it is so worth it!

We also meet her son Kylan, and he has recently in the last few months moved away from home, and she misses him terribly. The first time that he brings his girlfriend home to meet his parents didn't go anywhere near as well as he hoped it would, and that is all thanks to Marta and her visions that she is having and her wanting him to come home and live there so that she can still take care of him as she did when he was a little boy. I think that this is something every Mother can understand to an extent, however, Marta takes it to the extreme.

The name of the novel comes from the book that she was given as a wedding present from her new Mother-In-Law on the day of her wedding, and some of the suggestions in there just seem so archaic! It is something that I could see women reading in the 40's or 50's for sure, but it just does not apply in today's society, however, Marta still remembers some of the suggestions in there, and still follows them on a daily basis.

If you are looking for a haunting, chilling read that will leave you thinking about it for days after this one is for you! This one gets a 4/5 from me!

Dark Witch (Book one in the Cousins O'Dwyer trilogy) by Nora Roberts

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16158558-dark-witch

Source: Purchased

SYNOPSIS

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts comes a trilogy about the land we’re drawn to, the family we learn to cherish, and the people we long to love…

With indifferent parents, Iona Sheehan grew up craving devotion and acceptance. From her maternal grandmother, she learned where to find both: a land of lush forests, dazzling lakes, and centuries-old legends.

Ireland.

County Mayo, to be exact. Where her ancestors’ blood and magic have flowed through generations—and where her destiny awaits.

Iona arrives in Ireland with nothing but her Nan’s directions, an unfailingly optimistic attitude, and an innate talent with horses. Not far from the luxurious castle where she is spending a week, she finds her cousins, Branna and Connor O’Dwyer. And since family is family, they invite her into their home and their lives.

When Iona lands a job at the local stables, she meets the owner, Boyle McGrath. Cowboy, pirate, wild tribal horsemen, he’s three of her biggest fantasy weaknesses all in one big, bold package.

Iona realizes that here she can make a home for herself—and live her life as she wants, even if that means falling head over heels for Boyle. But nothing is as it seems. An ancient evil has wound its way around Iona’s family tree and must be defeated. Family and friends will fight with each other and for each other to keep the promise of hope—and love—alive…

REVIEW

Nora Roberts is by far one of my favourite romance authors, and I love when she puts a little spin on the stories, and this one did not disappoint at all! We meet Iona when she arrives in Ireland after selling off all her belongings and taking a chance on moving from the US to Ireland to find her heritage, something I have always wanted to do.

We learn early on that she is part of a long line of witches, and when she meets her cousins she becomes part of the three, and later on we learn what the three are and what it means, and I find it very cool. I really liked all the characters in this book as well, they were all very normal loving people, even the witches, they were very easy to like and root for.

The romance in dark witch was not the forefront of the story which is a bit of a different switch for Nora Roberts, and I think that it worked really well. The main plot of this story is the history in Iona's family, where they came from, and what they have to do to save their future. I loved her cousins, and their friends, I think that they each added a little to the story without the author trying too hard. 

The romance between Iona and Boyle was perfect, it didn't move too fast, and I liked how she acted like a giddy teenager a little when he was around, or when she was thinking about him, it was very sweet. Boyle on the other hand seemed very reserved about getting involved with her, and I can understand his reasons for it, however, I am glad that in the end they seemed to come to a compromise. 

I loved everything about this book, and will be patiently awaiting the next one in April, this one gets a 5/5!

The In-Between Hour by Barbara Claypole White

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18006104-the-in-between-hour

Source: ARC provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review

SUMMARY

What could be worse than losing your child? Having to pretend he's still alive...

Bestselling author Will Shepard is caught in the twilight of grief, after his young son dies in a car accident. But when his father's aging mind erases the memory, Will rewrites the truth. The story he spins brings unexpected relief…until he's forced to return to rural North Carolina, trapping himself in a lie. 

Holistic veterinarian Hannah Linden is a healer who opens her heart to strays but can only watch, powerless, as her grown son struggles with inner demons. When she rents her guest cottage to Will and his dad, she finds solace in trying to mend their broken world, even while her own shatters. 

As their lives connect and collide, Will and Hannah become each other's only hope—if they can find their way into a new story, one that begins with love.

REVIEW

I just finished reading this book, and am trying to put my thoughts in to words, and am finding it difficult to express how much I loved this book! The characters were so well done, and the scenery is so vivid I felt like I was there with them.

I think my favourite character is Jacob, he is so alive and colourful even though he is getting older and losing his memory. He is so full of love, and really do what he thought was best for his son when he was younger, and it made me realise that when we are young we always see our parents as "parents" and never as "people". 

The theme of mental illness is ongoing through this book, and for personal reasons there was a few times that I found myself having to put it down and take a deep breath before picking it back up again. I think that the author did a great job of getting in to someones mind that has depression and understanding where they may be coming from, and also making a point that medication is not the be all and end all of the situation, there is so much more that goes in to it.

I also really liked how all of the characters in this book were not perfect, they all came with their baggage, and yet they were all able to put it aside when one of them was in need of the others and help, it is the true meaning of family, whether born or made. The friendships that were made you can tell will last a lifetime, and I love that.

The relationship between Will and Hannah was not an easy one, there was an attraction at first sight, and I think that we can all relate to that, but they had to work at it, it did not come easily, and they turned in to friends before they were anything else, and I like when that happens in a story, I find it to be more realistic than the whole love at first sight. 

There were ups and downs in this book for sure, and that is life right? Nothing goes smoothly all the time, if you are looking for a book that gives you reality over anything else, this one is for you! I give this book a 5/5!

The Sweetest Hallelujah by Elaine Hussey

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17251437-the-sweetest-hallelujah

Source: An ARC was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review

SUMMARY

An unforgettable story of two courageous women brought together by one extraordinary little girl.

Betty Jewel Hughes was once the hottest black jazz singer in Memphis. But when she finds herself pregnant and alone, she gives up her dream of being a star to raise her beautiful daughter, Billie, in Shakerag, Mississippi. Now, ten years later, in 1955, Betty Jewel is dying of cancer and looking for someone to care for Billie when she's gone. With no one she can count on, Betty Jewel does the unthinkable: she takes out a want ad seeking a loving mother for her daughter.

Meanwhile, on the other side of town, recently widowed Cassie Malone is an outspoken housewife insulated by her wealth and privileged white society. Working part-time at a newspaper, she is drawn to Betty Jewel through her mysterious ad. With racial tension in the South brewing, the women forge a bond as deep as it is forbidden. But neither woman could have imagined the gifts they would find in each other, and in the sweet young girl they both love with all their hearts. Deeply moving and richly evocative, The Sweetest Hallelujah is a remarkable tale about finding hope in a time of turmoil, and about the transcendent and transformative power of friendship.

REVIEW

I read this book a couple months ago, and it has stayed with me ever since, the writing was brilliant, and the story was even better. The characters were so colourful and charismatic, I loved them all! I requested this book just based on the synopsis, and I was so happy when I finished it, I felt privileged to have read this story.

The racism is something that runs throughout this novel, and it is something that I can see happening in that time period for sure (1955). I can also imagine that there were a lot of people in the same situation as Betty Jewel and Cassie where they want or need help and that this factor stood in their way, and I am glad that they did not let it stop them from being there for Billie. 

Billie is growing up in a house with her Mom and her Grandmother, and is aware that her Mom is sick, however, I don't think that she had ever thought about what would happen to her when her Mom passed away, and when her Grandmother is gone. She has been brought up with strict rules, and she is to follow them, or she has to deal with her Grandmother, and that is not a good situation! I think that her Grandmother is probably my favourite character in the book, I just loved her.

I also loved how even though it seemed like everyone in Cassie's life was telling her to back off with helping Betty Jewel and Billie, she stayed true to herself and continued on what she was doing. She had a stubborn streak and would not let anything take her away from wanting to help.

If you are looking for a truly engrossing story that brings you back to the 50's, and is based around family and the power of friendship, this is the book for you, I promise you will not be disappointed! This book gets a perfect 5/5 from me!