10.20.2016 - A Portrait of Emily Price

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book. I would probably give this one 4.5 stars if allowed - a really good read. As a plus to those for whom it would matter, there is not even a hint of sex written about in this love story.

Emily is a restorer and is sent from Chicago to Atlanta to work on damage to a home from a fire. She is working out of a studio owned by Joseph, an Italian who is a fine art restorer. Her first night there, he takes her to a family restaurant that his brother, Ben, came from Italy to try and salvage. Cue love at first sight made all the more special by language and cultural differences. A quick marriage later and Emily is on her way to Italy. There, she confronts more than what she bargained for with a family full of baggage.

The writing and portrayal of the Italian landscapes, treasures, food and lifestyles just encouraged my dream of visiting. This book lends a voice to what is involved in family and the secrets that are kept, finding oneself while giving of oneself.

Highly recommended!

10.16.2016 - Always

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I've loved all of Sarah Jio's books and this is no exception. In the 1990s, Kailey and her best friend move to Seattle after college where Kailey gets a job with the local newspaper. She meets Cade, a music executive who started a company to promote new artists in the Seattle music scene. They fall madly in love - until Cade suddenly disappears after a fight.

Contrasted with the background of their love affair, fast forward ten years. Kailey has had no choice but to move on with her life. She's engaged to Ryan, a wealthy building project manager. While at times his occupation is at odds with hers (she is still writing for the paper with an emphasis on the homeless population), they are planning their wedding and new life.

Then, Kailey meets a homeless man who she eventually recognizes as Cade. She can't let it go and makes it her mission to find him and find out what happened.

This is a great story as we learn about Kailey & Cade's past while she presently struggles on how to let her heart move forward with Ryan instead of being back in the past with Cade. A great story of compassion and following your heart.

P.S.  What a pretty book cover - love it too!

10.13.2016 - The Light in Paris

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book.

I loved Eleanor Brown's first book, Weird Sisters. I didn't love this one as much, but it was still a good book.

The story alternates between two characters and two different time periods. Madeline, in 1999, is trapped in a marriage that she knew was wrong to begin with. Her husband is controlling and basically married her for her family's social connections. Madeline was never able to fit into the mold that her mother wanted for her and felt that this marriage was her last chance. She gave up her passion - art - to try and fit in others' molds.

On a trip back to her mother's house, Madeline finds her grandmother's journals from 1924. Margie is very similar to Madeline - trying to fit into a mold and being miserable with her choices. When an opportunity arises to go to Paris, she finds herself slowly waking up and becoming the person she wants to be.

These two contrasting stories tell a similar tale of being true to yourself. A good read!

10.7.2016 - The Long, Hot Summer

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read and review this book!

I really liked this book and enjoyed getting to know the MacEntee family. This book takes place in Ireland in 2013, when there was apparently a very unusual hot summer. The story opens with the matriarch, Dieirdre, planning an 80th birthday party for herself.

Each chapter segues into the story of another family member - from her husband who left her for a much-younger man, their 3 children and their spouses, and her granddaughters. The writing style was wonderful - I loved how intimately we got to know each of these people. While the characters didn't always behave appropriately, they each felt personable and we grew to understand their behavior.

A great portrait of family, in all its many shapes and sizes, and how it shapes each of us.

10.2.2016 - The Roanoke Girls

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read and review this book.

First - those easily offended or put off by disturbing situations might want to choose another book. This one will definitely make you squirm and angry.

If you can get past that, this is a winner of a book. Told in alternating views of Then and Now, with short snippets in between to give more info on other characters, this story pulls you in and won't let you go until you find out what happens.

Lane is a very neglected teenage girl living in NYC with an apparently mentally unstable mother. After her death, she is sent to live with grandparents in Kansas she's never met. Allegra has lived her whole life at Roanoke because her mom ran off when she was young. This is both a coming-of-age book (the then chapters) as well as mystery when Allegra goes missing and Lane comes home to Roanoke to help search for her (the now).

I couldn't put this one down. Creepy, sure, but a great read!

9.30.2016 - One to Five

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read and review this cookbook.

I love cookbooks - can sit and read them like a novel!  This one was great and definitely lived up to the title.  Rachael Ray wrote the foreword so you know it's a good book.

This is a great concept - take one recipe for a food...say a pot roast.  Then he gives you 5 more recipes to make that use the pot roast.  Genius!  Plus, this is not one of those "have to run to the store for some weird ingredient" cookbooks.  This uses things you probably already have in your house. Plus, he gives you great tips on essentials for your pantry and refrigerator.  I've already bookmarked lots of recipes. 

This is just personal preference, but I love when cookbooks have nutrition info for their recipes.  I knew going into this book that since it uses some processed foods (like canned biscuits) it probably wasn't uber-healthy but I still enjoy the nutrition info.

Bravo to the chef!  Families short on time as well as those just starting to cook will love this book!

9.29.2016 - The Fall Guy

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This was a good suspense novel, although it's one that has a slower build with more emphasis on the characters' lives.

Matthew and Charlie are cousins but because of their family situations are more like brothers. However, Charlie is a wealthy businessman with a gorgeous wife and beautiful homes. Matthew is an out of work chef who comes to spend the summer with Charlie and his wife, Chloe. Matthew also has a secret crush on Chloe.

I enjoyed this book and it was a page turner to find out what happens. Everyone has an agenda and you're never sure where the truth lies. However, none of the characters were exceptionally likeable.