The Black Flamingo

Fierce, fabulous, and inspiring. Written in verse this coming of age teen novel tells of a young boy's journey to acceptance and self love. Michael is mixed raced queer Londoner who has always had an idea of who he is but never felt he truly fit in anywhere. When he goes away to college he discovers the drag society and it's the missing piece of the puzzle. Suddenly things make more sense and Michael has the clarity and the confidence that he aspired to for so long. Moving and honest, this uplifting tale inspires readers to find their own spotlight and revel in it. Fantastic. 

The Switch

 

Endearing, cute, witty, and implausible. A perfect feel good fluff read filled with quirky characters. Leena and her grandmother Eileen decide to swap lives for 2 months. Eileen has had a nervous breakdown at work (she's taken no time off after the death of her sister) and needs to have a nice breather in the countryside. Her grandmother Eileen is a recent divorcee who has never experienced London. The two will swap not only their homes but their phones and friends. Things are a little tricky initially but soon they are relishing their new experiences and adventures. Of course there is a little romance, a little intrigue, and a lot of fun. A very cute book.

Roommates Wanted

Jewell, Lisa. Roommates Wanted. 10 CDs. unabridged. 12 hrs 8 mins. 2019. Dreamscape Media. ISBN 9781974980482. 

Having been gifted a grand old Victorian house as a wedding gift but unable to fill it after his bride left him; Toby opened his home to wayward souls needing a new chance at life. Nearly fifteen years later, some of the home's residents are having trouble moving on; and that includes Toby. He has finally decided to put the house on the market and move on with his life after his oldest tenant dies and leaves him some money. However, Toby feels responsible for everyone living under his roof and has no idea how to get them to move on with their lives and move out. Thankfully Toby gets help from across the street from his gorgeous neighbor, Leah, and together they discover what it means to truly let go of the past and look towards the future. Brilliantly narrated by Helen Duff who does a superb job nailing the myriad of accents of the housemates. Readers will find themselves captivated by all the hi-jinks Toby and his housemates find themselves in as they try to navigate what the future holds. Charming, unique, and funny; Lisa Jewell is a master of contemporary fiction. - Erin Cataldi, Johnson Co. Public Library, Franklin, IN

Little Bee

Impossible to put down, this story of love, betrayal, hope, and family will leave readers wiping their eyes and wishing for more. Two women on opposite sides of the world find their lives entangled by one horrific moment in time that neither of them will ever be able to forget. Little Bee, a Nigerian asylum seeker and Sarah an editor in London will find their paths crossing nearly two years after their first horrible encounter and both will be powerless to stop the chain of events that will unfold. Uplifting, captivating, and unique; the characters leap right off the pages and into your heart and you're powerless to turn away. A real triumph in storytelling.

The Flatshare

This book was precious!! I absolutely ADORED the quirky, awkward, crafty, tall, adorable protagonist, she was so relatable to be. She could have been me (in my mind) or my best friend. Tiffy just had her heart ripped out of her chest and she needs a new place to live immediately. Shes an editor at a small arts and crafts publishing house so she doesn't exactly have a large salary to find something in London. In desperation she finally decides to answer an ad for a flatshare. At first, she's skeptical, she's never even met the man she's living with due to his opposite schedule, maybe he's a psychopath! But soon as they get to know each other through: coffee cups left out, loads of laundry hanging up to dry, leftovers, and post it notes. The flatshare turns out to be the best thing that could have happened to either of them. Leon is a third shift hospice nurse who devotes all his free time trying to get his brother out of prison for a crime he didn't commit, he barely has time for his girlfriend, let alone a weird flatmate, but soon coming home to Tiffy's notes and stress induced baking is the best part of his day. How long can they go on living together without meeting? Can you find your soulmate without ever laying eyes on them? Charming and wonderful. I adored this book!

The Mister

I did this to myself. No-one forced me to read this, but I said "screw it" and threw caution to the wind. I knew better, I had read the 50 Shades trilogy. In the back of my head, I thought, maybe she's improved, maybe all the fame helped her get better editors and better ideas. I was wrong. So wrong. The Mister makes 50 Shades look like a damn masterpiece. This was somehow far worse than 50 Shades; I honestly didn't know that could be possible. The Mister features a WEALTHY LORD (named Maxim... are you kidding me?!?!) who starts to fall for his new maid, Alessia. Alessia escaped from some "shady shit" in Albania and she is in London illegally. She hasn't been around for very long and is soo naive! She is literally screaming damsel in distress. Maxim is a rich playboy who bones a different woman every night of the week. Then he sees his new maid and becomes infatuated with her and helps save her from the "shady shit" that's following her from Albania. He wants to "keep her safe" and "keep her to himself." They soon start shagging and he's even a gentleman and takes her virginity... All the while, Alessia is so naive she doesn't even know that the man she has been cleaning for/making love to, is a Lord. I mean, for fucking real?!?!!?! Since it's E.L. James there is a ton of steamy sex (that's perfect every time - I mean a virgin who gets the hang of it that quick?! How neat!). If you're looking for a story that is short on plot and heavy on unrealistic sex, then this is the book for you. I'm tired of reading about naive dumb girls that need a man to rescue them and show them around a bedroom. Next!

Lethal White

I won't lie. This might be my favorite out of the Cormoran Strike series so far. Once I got into it, I was INTO it. There were soo many twists, turns, clues, and red herrings; it takes a genius to map out a plot like this. I also enjoyed where their love lives are heading are heading in Lethal White; at this rate I don't know if Robin and Cormoran will ever get together but after reading this... book five should be promising. So much sexual tension!!!! The plot of this one is intriguing, it starts with a mentally deranged man barging into Strike's office blathering on about witnessing a murder as a child and suddenly it ties in with socialists, ministers, some wealthy snobs, and worst of all, Strike's ex, Charlotte. Tightly wound and filled with unforgettable (albeit, mostly unlikable) characters. I literally cannot wait for the next book. What will they solve next? Hopefully their attraction for each other!

The Dishonorable Miss DeLancey

This inspirational Regency romance was a surprisingly quick read. I also neglected to realize that this was the third in the series until after I finished it but that didn't seem to matter as I understood the story perfectly well and didn't feel like their were any missing pieces. Clara was forced to flee London and any prospects of marrying again after she befell some unspeakable scandal. The seaside does little to mend her broken heart until she encounters a dashing man who happens to save her life one stormy night. She soon begins to encounter him again and again as she has become friends with his younger sisters, and tries in vain to avoid opening her heart to him. Captain Kemsley isn't in high standing like Clara's family and doesn't have money or fancy titles to offer her, but worse than that is the scandal surrounding her, she'll be mortified if he ever discovers her past dark secrets. If she allows her faith to take flight and her new friends to guide her, there is no telling where it might lead her heart.

Living the Dream

Broke twenty somethings struggle to find themselves, happiness, and some money in modern day London. Clementine has just recently returned from a year of film school in America. Unfortunately she is stuck living in her parents house and forced to face mounting debt. In order to make ends meet and pay bills she takes a job bartending until she can sell some of her screenplays. Her best friend, Emma is stuck in a monotonous job at a corporate advertising firm. It's slowly sapping her of her creativity, passion, and zest for life. Together they face one night stands, binge drinking, aging parents, unhappy jobs, and a quest to find a better life. Certainly not ground breaking but the writing was fresh and witty which made reading this a breeze. For fans of Sex in the City, Bridget Jones' Diary, and other coming of age novels.

The Infidel Stain

I read the first in the Avery and Blake series last year so it was very fortuitous that I won the audiobook of the second installment. Rather than taking place in India like the first one, this one is set in the grimiest parts of London. Jeremiah Blake and Captain Avery haven't seen each other in three years, but their daring exploits in India made them very popular and a wealthy aristocrat wants to hire their services. Two printers have been murdered in rather gruesome ways and the police are doing nothing about it. He wants Blake and Avery to look into the matter and find the killer. Things quickly go awry and the plot thickens as deep as the smog. An enjoyable romp through the underbelly of nineteenth century London and full of unforgettable characters. The narrator does a great job with voice accents and it is definitely worth a listen.

I received this book for free from Librarything.

The Jazz Files

The first in a new series, this charming little mystery will delight readers. It's 1920 and Poppy Denby is new to London and determined to take in all the sights and sounds. Lured by her handicapped aunt with the promise of employment, she leaves behind her overprotective parents and seeks adventure. She quickly finds employment at a local newspaper and makes friends with the handsome press photographer and a local actress. Poppy soon finds herself in over her head after one of her coworkers mysteriously dies. Is something amiss? She soon finds herself playing the dutiful journalist an investigating all leads; she stumbles upon a web soo tangled that suffragettes, Marie Curie, a Victorian Cross wearing veteran, and a mental health patient are all involved. How will she ever get to the bottom of it? Intriguing and it keeps you guessing to the end. For fans of cozy mysteries and period pieces.

I received this book for free from Kregel Publications in return for my honest, unbiased review.

The Girl on the Train

The kind of mystery that hooks you and won't let you go. The Girl on the Train has been compared to Gone Girl, but the only similarities lie in the mystery aspect, it's not as much of a shock or twist as Flynn's novel. That being said, it was still a damn good read. I listened to the audiobook which was fantastic! It was narrated by three lovely English girls and definitely helped me picture the book a little better. There are three different narrators, none of which are likable. I literally hated them all, especially the main one, Rachel. Rachel is a raging alcoholic and the least reliable narrator ever. Every scenario or decision she is in, is quite literally cringe worthy. Rachel rides the train every day. She especially loves staring at the people she passes, her favorite is a couple by her old house. She gives them imaginary names and backgrounds and tries to live vicariously through the happy life she "imagines" they have. One day though her little bubble is shattered when she sees the wife... with another man! That weekend the woman is reported missing and when Rachel sees that in the paper all hell breaks loose. One bad decision after another gets her more and more involved in the case. What if the couple's "happiness" was just a figment of Rachel's imagination? What if everything is?!?!?

Daughter of Highland Hall

Sometimes, inspirational romance can be a little too sappy and melodramatic for me but thankfully, I needn't have worried. This is definitely one of the books that restores your faith in a genre! Carrie Turansky deftly lays the groundwork in this romance and within the first few pages ensnares the reader in her tale faith, romance, charity, and intrigue.

I'll admit I have not read the first story in the "Edwardian Brides" series (this is the second), but I don't feel as if anything was over my head. Several times the past was mentioned and I could clearly form what had taken place in the previous story. So if you can't secure a copy of "The Governess of Highland Hall" don't fret, you can still enjoy this one without missing out on any of the story!

This story follows strong willed Kate. It's her debut season in London and she must make a good impression. If she doesn't secure a wealthy husband she will have no hopes for her future, since her inheritance was given to a cousin. She starts the season excitedly reveling in the beautiful clothes, the parties, the men. But soon she starts to feel that it may not be enough. Is she only looking for a wealthy man so she can belong in society? Could she find true meaningful love, and compatible faith with someone not in her social class? After a scandal shames her family name, she decides to spend her time doing good works and helping in a local free clinic. For once she has purpose and her heart is lighter. Could she learn to live with this? Would it be enough?

Obviously their is plenty of romance, but their is also faith, scandal, and historical details that may bring new readers to inspirational fiction. Another splendid work by Carrie Turansky.

I received this book for free from Litfuse Publicity in return for my honest, unbiased opinion.

The Silkworm

I know, I know. I'm a horrible JK Rowling fan, this book has been out for nearly three weeks and I'm just now getting around to reading. I'm awful! I loved the first Comoran Strike novel and I'm glad to say I loved the newest addition as well! For readers that haven't read the first book, don't be alarmed. As with any good mystery series they all serve well as stand alones and don't have to be read in order.

This mystery was fast paced and had me guessing the entire time. I had no idea how it was all going to possibly come together. This mystery follows the disappearance of a b-list author. His wife contacts Detective Strike to find him after he's been gone for ten days thinking that he's off on some writer's retreat or worse with a mistress. Strike soon finds out however, that things are much, much worse.

For fans of JK Rowlings, mysteries, and anything set in London.

A Heart's Rebellion

Although the beginning of the book nearly dissuaded me, I was very glad I kept with it, because I dearly enjoyed this book. I hadn't read a regency romance in ages so this really re-opened the floodgates for me. Ruth Axtell brings together a cast of characters that are flawed, vain individuals but makes them immensely likable. You root for them when they're down, chide them when they're misbehaving, and feel their sorrow when they're suffering. Jessamine Berry and her best friend Megan are enjoying their first season in London. Although not from the rich upper class, they intend to enjoy themselves to the best of their ability. Jessamine is determined that a season in the summer will help her forget about her heartbreak involving Megan's older brother. Almost immediately, they make the acquaintance of Mr. Marfleet, a young vicar who has his eyes set on Jessamine. Feeling that he is too intolerable, too rude, and too much like her father, Jessamine rebuffs his advances and tries to find someone more dashing for the season. But sometimes the heart can be a fickle thing, maybe Mr. Marfleet is what the doctor ordered?

Well written and enjoyable, this novel is well researched and true to the period. For fans of Jane Austen and other regency romances.

I received this book for free from Revell Reads in return for my honest, unbiased opinion.

A Long Way Down

I wanted so hard to like this book. It was quirky, humorous, and inventive, but I truly, utterly hated the characters. Yes I sympathized with them on occasion, but at the end of the day... I still didn't care about them!

The whole premise of this book is that four completely opposite and radically different people all ran into each other on top of Topper House as they attempted to off themselves on New Year's Eve. Each of these four individuals had different reasons for wanting to jump off the roof and end their miserable lives. Over the course of the night they discover why they're each so ready to die and decide to hold off on the suiciding until Valentine's Day where they can re-evaluate if they're ready to leave this world or not. 

There is Martin, a fresh out of jail former newscaster, who had an affair with a fifteen year old and lost his wife and daughters in the process. Little old Maureen, a devout Christian who can no longer bear the thought of never going anywhere and only caring for her severely disabled son who is little more than a vegetable. JJ, a down and out musician who just broke up with his band and his girlfriend. And finally Jess, a punk ass little eighteen year old who is always in trouble and takes it out on everyone around her.

This diverse group decide that if they can hold off on jumping to their death for one night and find something to live for then maybe there is still something to look forward to after all. The story is broken into short sections each narrated by a different character.

It was unique, I'll give it that. But like I said, I couldn't relate with any of the characters. They were almost too flawed for me. Which is, I guess, the point.