When Polly Met Olly - Zoe May

Date of Reading: 29/08/2019

Author: Zoe May

Publisher: HQ Digital

Publication Date: January 7, 2019

Source: NetGalley

My Rating: 4.5/5

About the book:

Polly and Olly were never supposed to meet…

Polly might spend her days searching for eligible matches for her elite list of clients at her New York dating agency, but her own love life is starting to go up in smoke.

Even worse, she can’t stop thinking about the very person she’s meant to be setting her latest client up with… surely it can’t get any worse!

But then Polly bumps into oh-so-handsome Olly, who heads up a rival agency, and realizes that perhaps all really is fair in love and dating war…

My Review:

       An air of caution surrounds me whenever I select a Zoe May book to read; she is the queen of unpredictability. We might be deluded in thinking that this is another cosy read, but then the story takes a totally different direction (in a good way, actually). Well, this particular story at least defines the heroes in the title itself, so I was relaxed in that part. But then came the blow: Olly is not your typical dashing young man, he is rather old. Yup! that is Zoe May for you.

       Online dating scenario is turned out to be the setting of far too many novels by now, but the author has managed to put a rare perspective even in this cliched world. Polly is a likeable character trying hard to keep her dreams alive and I immediately warmed up to her. Even though her interest lies with photography, the necessity of keeping the ends meet had forced her to work for a dating agency. But what could we know? This might actually be the turning point in her life. Not only her love life but everything.

       Compared to Polly, we don't see Olly that often in spite of the prominent place allotted to him in the title. Sometimes we get dubious, is he really the one? But the fact is it doesn't really matter. This is all about Polly and how she manages to turn things around with the help of her friends, both new and old.

       Overall, a refreshing read as expected from one of my favourite authors.

Meet the author:

Zoe May lives in Oxford and writes romantic comedies published by Harper Collins. Zoe has dreamt of being a novelist since she was a teenager. She spent her twenties living in London, where she worked in journalism and copywriting before writing her debut novel, Perfect Match. Having experienced the London dating scene first hand, Zoe could not resist writing a novel about dating, since it seems to supply endless amounts of weird and wonderful material!

Perfect Match was one of Apple's top-selling books of 2018. It was also shortlisted for the Romantic Novelists' Association's Joan Hessayon Award, with judges describing it as 'a laugh-out-loud look at love and self-discovery - fresh and very funny.'

Zoe is also the author of How (Not) To Date A Prince (May 2018), When Polly Met Olly (January 2019) and As Luck Would Have It (June 2019).

As well as writing, Zoe enjoys walking her dog, painting and, of course, reading.

Zoe is currently taking part in a blog project called 'Seven Writer, Seven Novels', which charts the publishing journeys of seven writers over the course of a year through monthly updates. The blog was featured in The Bookseller.

The Bistro by Watersmeet Bridge - Julie Stock (Blog Tour & Giveaway)

Date of Reading: 23/08/2019

Author: Julie Stock

Publisher: Clued Up Publishing

Publication Date: August 6, 2019

My Rating: 3.5/5

(This review is part of the blog tour organised by Rachel's Random Resources)

About the book:

When Olivia goes to manage Finn's failing bistro, will they end up sharing a table for two, or will it be a recipe for disaster?

Olivia Fuller longs to manage one of the restaurants in her father’s chain and to break free to live the independent life she’s wanted for so long. When her father finally puts his trust in her and sends her to a failing restaurant in Devon, she’s confident she can prove herself capable of doing the job.

Finn Anderson is about to lose his beloved seaside bistro unless the bank can find a buyer to dig him out. When George Fuller offers Finn a deal, he has no choice but to accept if he wants any chance of getting his bistro back one day. And then the new manager arrives…

Even after meeting the prickly chef and discovering his complete lack of business skills, Olivia is confident she can turn the struggling business around. But as Olivia and Finn start working together, a mutual attraction develops between them, and soon, nothing is going according to Olivia’s plan. 

When there’s a real chance that the bistro might be sold off, Olivia and Finn determine to fight for it, united by their hard work and their growing feelings for each other.

But can they save the bistro and be together, or does destiny have a different path in mind?

A feel-good contemporary romance set in a bistro beside the sea in Devon.

My Review:

       The author was new to me but the cover and the blurb decided it for me. Who can resist a story about a businesswoman and that also when it is set near the seaside? As expected I warmed up to Olivia immediately. She is talented, caring and nothing like the ruthless business types. Finn is the exact opposite and so they two make the perfect halves of the equation.

      Narrated through dual perspectives, we learn a lot about the altogether different spheres both of them come from. But there is a lot in common too. I admire Finn's stubbornness and hard work and yes, what we need sometimes is a bit of help from someone. He is lucky to have got it at the right time.

       What disappointed me is the climax. It failed to produce the tension that I expected. A surprise twist would have really added to the angst. Well, that's all for the author to decide. But as it is, this is a sunny, heartwarming story of togetherness that makes wonders.

Meet the author:

Julie Stock writes contemporary feel-good romance from around the world: novels, novellas and short stories. 

She published her debut novel, From Here to Nashville, on February 2015 and her second novel, The Vineyard in Alsace in March 2017. Over You (Sam's Story) and Finding You (Jenna's Story), her follow-up novellas to From Here to Nashville were published in 2018, making the From Here to You series complete. She has also published a boxed set of the From Here to You trilogy of books. 

You can connect with Julie via her Facebook Author Page - www.facebook.com/JulieStockAuthor, and on Instagram - @julie.stockauthor. 

Julie is a member of the Romantic Novelists' Association and The Society of Authors. 

When she is not writing, she works in communications. She is married and lives with her family in Bedfordshire in the UK.

Giveaway to Win Signed Copy of The Bistro by Watersmeet Bridget and goodies (UK Only)

The prize will contain

• Signed paperback, 

• Notebook with the front cover on 

• Postcard magnet with the front cover on 

• Bookmark with the front cover on 

• Bag of Devon fudge 

*Terms and Conditions –UK entries are welcome.  Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below.  The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will be passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for the fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

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When You were Mine - Lisa Swift

Date of Reading: 09/09/2019

Author: Lisa Swift

Publisher: Hera

Publication Date: August 14, 2019

Source: NetGalley 

My Rating: 5/5

 

About the book:

 

Life is a love song when you find the right notes
Maggie and Ibby make up a happy – if unconventional – family. After meeting at university, they now live in the village of Applecroft on the beautiful West Country coast.

Okay, so Ibby’s gay and prone to disastrous dates, while couples’ counsellor Maggie spends her days helping people with their relationship problems despite having no sex life of her own. Nevertheless, they’re devoted to bringing up teenage daughter Amelia – the result of a drunken one-night stand when they were students – in a stable and loving family.

Until a face from the past – in the form of hard-partying rock star Jordan Nash – disrupts their quiet lives. As Jordan struggles with his personal demons and old secrets are revealed, can Maggie and Ibby stay strong? Or will bringing back the past threaten all that they’ve built in the present?

A feel-good, heart-warming novel about first loves and second chances. Fans of Holly Martin, Dani Atkins and Heidi Swain will be captivated.

Lisa Swift is the pseudonym for bestselling women's fiction novelist, Mary Jayne Baker.

 

My Review:

 

       Ok, I know what you are thinking. This is totally weird. A family of three where the father is gay, mother is . . . let's say. . . straight, and they have a daughter (created not by artificial means). And before you ask, no, they are not a couple. In my opinion this is weirder than 'I've Got Mail'. What puzzled me most was how it is possible (even in a fictional sense) for a gay man to have child. If you are bothered by this, please don't let this spoil your reading as all will be explained by the end.

      This is Mary Jayne Baker's first novel as Lisa Swift. Though I don't really get the reason for different names, I enjoyed it just like her other novels. Of the three novels I am familiar with, this is my favourite. Her signature style shines through even with the change of name. There is the ever present humor, gay characters and most of all the theme of friendship that knits together all her novels.   

      Even with its light hearted tone, the novel discusses some weighty issues like homophobia, coming of age and  drug addiction. This is the story of a family wading through the storm and also that of a friendship beating the odds. The characters are likable, good hearted (a rare breed indeed) even with the human frailities and . . . ya, they are going to stay with me for a very long time.

     Amelia is by far my favourite. She shows a maturity that is unheard of but is not unreal. Whatever sacrifices Iggy and Maggy made to provide her a stable, healthy childhood is totally paid off. Message of the story is simple and probably as old as the universe itself . . . love conquers all. It doesn't matter how odd your family is, if you stand together and welcome the changes with an open heart, anything can be overcome. 

      A remarkable story which is hard to put down. It will embrace you like an old friend and will fill a hole in your heart that you never knew existed.

 

Meet the author:

 

Lisa Swift grew up in rural West Yorkshire, right in the heart of Brontë country... and she's still there. After graduating from Durham University with a degree in English Literature, she dallied with living in cities including London, Nottingham and Cambridge, but eventually came back with her own romantic hero in tow to her beloved Dales, where she first started telling stories about heroines with flaws and the men who love them.

Lisa also writes romantic comedy novels under the name Mary Jayne Baker.  

Sunshine over Bluebell Castle - Sarah Bennett (Blog Tour)

Date of Reading: 31/07/2019

Author: Sarah Bennett

Publisher: HQ Digital

Publication Date: July 1, 2019

Source: NetGalley

My Rating: 4.5/5

(This review is part of the blog tour organised by Rachel's Random Resources)

About the book:

The summer she will never forget…

Time’s running out for Iggy Ludworth to restore the wild gardens of Camland Castle in time for the Summer Fete, so she ropes in hotshot gardener Will Talbot…

But she regrets her decision as soon as he sets foot in the historic grounds – not only is Will arrogant and bossy, he’s totally gorgeous!

And very soon, sparks are flying amongst the bluebells. Yet with summer nearly over, will their summer fling convince Will and Iggy to go the distance?

Perfect for fans of Trisha Ashley, Rachael Lucas and Hilary Boyd.

My Review:

    It seems only yesterday that I have read the first book in the Bluebell Castle series. I enjoyed the story of Arthur immensely and was hoping to know more about the triplets, especially Tristan. Well, so a tad bit disappointed knowing that this is about Iggy, the eldest who lost her title due to her gender.

      Iggy was not one of the prominent characters in the first novel but here her personality and gardening skills completely take over the story. And Will compliments her character perfectly so much so that I eventually ended up loving this more than the first. The story follows the dual narrative technique contributing much to the emotional turmoil we are going to endure throughout. Igraine is a lovable lady (even with all her insecurities) and I am so happy that she found her own path at the end. 

     That being said, we also get to follow our first couple to their marriage vows and there comes a wedding of revelations and new beginnings (ah! not only for those two). On the whole, a beautifully put-together storyline for a relaxed and lazy evening. Can't wait for the last story in the series. . .

Meet the author:

Sarah Bennett has been reading for as long as she can remember. Raised in a family of bookworms, her love affair with books of all genres has culminated in the ultimate Happy Ever After – getting to write her own stories to share with others.

Born and raised in a military family, she is happily married to her own Officer (who is sometimes even A Gentleman). Home is wherever he lays his hat, and life has taught them both that the best family is the one you create from friends as well as relatives.

When not reading or writing, Sarah is a devotee of afternoon naps and sailing the high seas, but only on vessels large enough to accommodate a casino and a choice of restaurants.

You can connect with her via twitter @Sarahlou_writes or on Facebook www.facebook.com/SarahBennettAuthor

Sarah is the author of the Butterfly Cove, Lavender Bay and Bluebell Castle series for HQ Digital UK. 

A Question of Us - Mary Jayne Baker

Date of Reading: 04/08/2019

Author: Mary Jayne Baker

Publisher: Aria

Publication Date: September 5, 2019

Source: NetGalley

My Rating: 5/5

About the book:

Two best friends. Eight pub quizzes. One shot at love...

Some people seem like they have all the answers in life. Clarrie Midwinter isn't one of them.

At the age of 26, tomboy Clarrie is still struggling to become a 'proper' grown-up. She's eternally strapped for cash, she hasn't had a date in nearly a year and her attempts to quit smoking tend to take a nosedive after the second pint. Most annoyingly of all, her ladykiller best friend Simon just won't stop asking her out. The only thing keeping her sane is her pub quiz team, the Mighty Morphin Flower Arrangers.

But when Simon bets her a date their team will win the quiz league, Clarrie is forced to confront what she really wants out of life – and love. Is it finally time for her to grow up?

Gloriously irreverent, badly behaved romantic comedy from the author of Meet Me at the Lighthouse.

My Review:

      There is no contesting the fact that enemies to lovers is my favourite trope, but friends to lovers can always bag the second position. And this lovely book undoubtedly goes straight to my favourite shelf. Set in a typically British village, the story had me in the hooks from the very beginning and the pages flew by . . . just like that.

      When I said 'village' that doesn't mean the story is all about a cosy, little Edenic place. On the contrary, most of the story surrounds a tightly knit group and pub quizzes and so we see more booze and talk than any real village life. The humour is irresistible and the banter (with sexual overtones) is spot on. Yup, if you want to pick some British slangs, this is your right pick.

      Main characters are Clarrie and Simon aka Si. They are close since their birth but never could manage that final leap to love, all thanks to Carrie's anxiety. Now, at the age of twenty-six, she is finally cornered into a bet. Well, let fate make a decision and all that. Si is not your typical macho guy (with all his cockiness, he sobs when he learns that his mom is ill) and I just love him for that.

        The other members of the gang have their own major parts too with stories going on their own. We have Sonny (or Sunil) an Indian Sikh, Dave and Gemma. Everyone knows practically everything about each other and that creates the whole fun scenario. Couples are made (not unmade, fortunately) and life goes on. 
       I am practically jealous of them all actually. One of the drawbacks of village life is that there are no secrets, but the support of the tight-knit community can never be replaced. They make you appreciate the little things. I loved the way the story turned out, expected but still quite romantic. Wooh!
       So what are you waiting for guys? Stock your drink cabinet and keep your tissues at hand; this cute little story is going to make you misty-eyed one moment and howling with laughter the other. A great comfort read for the weekends!

Meet the author:

Mary Jayne Baker grew up in rural West Yorkshire, right in the heart of Brontë country... and she's still there. After graduating from Durham University with a degree in English Literature, she dallied with living in cities including London, Nottingham and Cambridge, but eventually came back with her own romantic hero in tow to her beloved Dales, where she first started telling stories about heroines with flaws and the men who love them.

Mary Jayne also writes uplifting, feelgood romances under the pen name Lisa Swift.       

Five Wakes and a Wedding - Karen Ross

Date of Reading: 16/06/2019

Author: Karen Ross

Publisher:Avon

Publication Date: July 22, 2019

Source: NetGalley

My Rating: 4.5/5

About the book:

Undertaker Nina Sherwood is full of good advice. For example, never wear lip gloss when you’re scattering ashes.

Nina is your average 30-year-old with a steady job, a nice home – and dead bodies in her basement. As an undertaker, she often prefers the company of the dead to the living – they’re obliging, good listeners and take secrets to the grave.

Nina is on a one-woman mission to persuade her peers that passing on is just another part of life. But the residents of Primrose Hill are adamant that a funeral parlour is the last thing they need… and they will stop at nothing to close down her dearly beloved shop.

When Nina’s ‘big break’ funeral turns out to be a prank, it seems like it’s the final nail in the coffin for her new business. That is, until a (tall, dark and) mysterious investor shows up out of the blue, and she decides to take a leap of faith.

Because, after all, it’s her funeral…

The perfect antidote to all those books about weddings, this book will make you laugh until you cry, perfect for fans of Zara Stoneley’s Bridesmaids, Four Weddings and a Funeral and The Good Place.

My Review:

    How many books do we get to read on undertakers? For me: Not a single one. So without a doubt, this was a fresh breeze in a genre I love so much. But don't be misled by the blurb, it is not as intriguing as it sounds. It is your usual relaxing story even if it is all about funerals. Oh! don't make that face like the residents of Primrose Hill. Death is one of the realities of life and we need to face it whether we like it or not. But how you want to make your grand exit is entirely up to you.
       Yes! I know love and death are polar opposites. One is a nourisher while the other is destruction. So a love story featuring funerals (five in fact) is strange indeed. What is stranger is that we are going to love the funerals much more than the wedding at the end. Nina's passion for business clearly dominates the story of her love life. If I have to pick a favourite among the funerals, it is going to be the second one. It was spectacular as well as surprising. 
      If you haven't thought about your funerals yet, this book is a good place to start. Do you want everyone to weep over your death or be glad about the moments they were able to share with you? So don't miss this precious gem, you are bound to get a lot of ideas.     

Muhammad Bin Tughlaq - Anuja Chandramouli

Date of Reading: 20/06/2019

Author: Anuja Chandramouli

Subtitle: Tale of a Tyrant

Publisher: Penguin Ebury Press

Publication Date: May 10, 2019

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

My Rating: 4.5/5

About the book:

Muhammad was a good man who did terrible things and a tyrant of a Sultan who tried to do good. 

When his father dies, Prince Jauna Khan succeeds to the throne of Delhi as Muhammad bin Tughlaq. His reign will prove to be epic and bloody, but unsurpassed in splendour, innovation and defeat. 

A formidable strategist and remarkable scholar, the Sultan will go down in history for his brutality as well as his brilliance, unfairly remembered only as a cruel tyrant who might have been raving mad. His high-flown aspirations and grandiose ambitions may have met with crushing failure, but even so, Tughlaq was a great hero of the fourteenth century, albeit a tragic and fatally flawed one.

In this fictional retelling, Anuja Chandramouli, one of India's best mythology writers, reimagines Muhammad bin Tughlaq's life and times in incredible detail to bring to life the man behind the monarch.

Review:

         I took a lot of time to finish this particular historical fiction, partly due to the awfully small letters characteristic of Penguin and also because this is a book which, as per Baconian dictums, should be chewed and digested. Meanwhile, I took it wherever I went -- meetings, academic gatherings -- and unsurprisingly it drew a lot of attention. 'Are you implying that the agendas we are discussing are of Tughlaquian in nature?' One teased the presence of the book. Well, that aptly summarises what Tughlaq means to Indians -- a mad monarch with crazy projects. And we are forgetting, quite conveniently it seems, that most of his crazy plans are practised nowadays including that of paper money.

      If a writer's function is to remind, inspire and correct, then Anuja Chandramouli has completed that task to perfection. Here is the best defence to a monarch who is largely misunderstood due to his innovative schemes. It is said that a wise man goes with the people, a foolish man against them and a great man brings the people to his way. Looking it in that way, it seems there is only a thin line that separates the foolish and the great. Though Muhammad will surely be categorised with the former (he could never stand the foolish whims of his people), his ideas are nothing short of great. 
       In a way, Chandramouli's cleverly crafted work is a eulogy to a monarch who was too modern for his times and who never cared what history speaks of him. We close the book with a heavy heart mourning for a great man whose intentions never really came to fruition.

Meet the author:

Anuja Chandramouli is a bestselling Indian author and New Age Indian Classicist. Her highly acclaimed debut novel, Arjuna: Saga of a Pandava Warrior-Prince, was named by Amazon India as one of the top 5 books in the Indian Writing category for the year 2013. Kamadeva: The God of Desire and Shakti: The Divine Feminine are her other bestsellers. Currently, all three books are being translated into Hindi, Marathi, Gujarathi and Bengali, a real achievement for one so young. 

Her epic fantasies called Yama’s Lieutenant and its sequel has received an overwhelming response. Her books on Kartikeya, Padmavati and Prithviraj Chauhan have been very successful. Her latest book is Ganga: The Constant Goddess. 

An accomplished orator, she regularly conducts workshops on Creative Writing, Story Telling and Mythology in schools, colleges and various other platforms. Her motivational speeches have also been well received. According to Chandramouli, her work with youngsters in the rural belt helping them improve their Spoken English and Writing skills has been wonderfully satisfying and enriching. 

This happily married, mother of two little girls, lives in Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu. She is a student of classical dance and Yoga. 

Email: anujamouli@gmail.com

Our Stop - Laura Jane Williams

 Date of Reading: 03/07/2019

Author: Laura Jane Williams

Publisher: Avon

Publication Date: June 13, 2019

Source: NetGalley 

My Rating: 4/5

 

About the book:

 

What if you almost missed the love of your life?
Nadia gets the 7.30 train every morning without fail. Well, except if she oversleeps or wakes up at her friend Emma’s after too much wine.

Daniel really does get the 7.30 train every morning, which is easy because he hasn’t been able to sleep properly since his dad died.

One morning, Nadia’s eye catches sight of a post in the daily paper:

To the cute girl with the coffee stains on her dress. I’m the guy who’s always standing near the doors… Drink sometime?

So begins a not-quite-romance of near-misses, true love, and the power of the written word.

My Review:

       This is indeed 'Serendipity' reborn. I loved that movie and so was in no doubt got engrossed with this prettily written novel. With an exciting start (Nadia's first day of new beginnings), the story turns out to be unputdownable halfway through. I am not a regular fan of dual narration, but here I grudgingly admit that the technique was perfect.
        There are so many near misses to make you groan aloud in frustration and will also push you to see it to the end. And the meeting at last . . . ah! it was so worth it. The train guy was right in front of her the whole time. If that is not a lesson to get acquainted with our neighbours, I am not sure what is.  
     Altogether if you are looking for an easy to finish, exciting romance, just go for this blindly. Mind you, better start believing in destiny and true love because as the story of Nadia and Daniel teaches us, miracles do happen. 

Meet the author:

Laura Jane Williams is the author of cult non-fiction memoirs Ice Cream for Breakfast and Becoming, as well as rom-com Our Stop. Our Stop is a HELLO! Magazine summer book club pick and RED Magazine called it "a must read". She is currently working on her next novel - and Instagramming at @laurajaneauthor

Le Tour de Love - Lilac Mills (Blog Tour)

Date of Reading: 30/06/2019

Author: Lilac Mills

Publication Date: March 31, 2019

My Rating: 4.5/5

(This review is part of the blog tour organised by Rachel's Random Resources)

About the book:

“…the opportunity of a lifetime.”

When physiotherapist Molly Matthews is offered a dream job by a guy who shaves his legs and has an obsession with his bicycle, she has serious doubts about accepting. But, as she keeps telling herself, it’s the opportunity of a lifetime and she’ll never get another chance like this. So, she does what anyone in her position would do – she agrees to join a professional cycling team for the most prestigious race in the cycling world – The Tour de France. 

The reality, though, isn’t exactly what she had anticipated; instead of eating out at restaurants in pretty French villages and spending her free time lounging around the hotel pool, Molly finds herself living out of a suitcase for three weeks, massaging eight pairs of sweaty legs, administering ice baths and treating saddle sores. And neither did she anticipate falling for a gorgeous, passionate, professional rider by the name of Alexander Duvall…

My Review:

       Finally here comes the Lilac Mills book I have always dreamed of. I haven't read all her works, but out of the three I had, this is definitely the best. Add a steady mix of cycling euphoria with her humorous style and an out of the ordinary happy ever after and ta-da . . . you have the Le Tour de Love.

       Cycling was a sport that I never cared much but all is about to change now. You will be bitten by this bug too, once you finish this gem of a book. The story was cute from the beginning and there was no question of putting down. Yes, that is one thing you need to be warned. Make sure you have enough reading time at your hand if you don't want to be told off by your boss.

      I love how clear-headed Molly is and the slow development of her relationship with Alex. You both are so adorable! Alex's enthusiasm and dedication to his chosen vocation creep into you eventually. Undoubtedly my working hours witnessed a spring in my step.

      So if you are in the mood for a cute, sporty book with an incredible slow-burning romance, this is just your pick. No worries on the sports idioms, the heroine is as clueless as we are and so we learn together. Happy reading!!!

Meet the author:

Lilac spends all her time writing, or reading, or thinking about writing or reading, often to the detriment of her day job, her family, and the housework. She apologises to her employer and her loved ones, but the house will simply have to deal with it!

She calls Worcester home, though she would prefer to call somewhere hot and sunny home, somewhere with a beach and cocktails and endless opportunities for snoozing in the sun...

When she isn't hunched over a computer or dreaming about foreign shores, she enjoys creating

strange, inedible dishes in the kitchen, accusing her daughter of stealing (she meant to say "borrowing") her clothes, and fighting with her husband over whose turn it is to empty the dishwasher.

Stilettos & Stardust - D. L. Pitchford (Blog Tour)

Date of Reading: 23/06/2019

Author: D. L. Pitchford

Subtitle: A Gender-Swapped Cinderella Story

Publisher: Straight on till Morningside Prints

Publication Date: May 19, 2019

My Rating: 4.5/5

(This review is part of the blog tour organised by Random Things Tours)

About the book: 

A modern day Cinderella with a twist...

High school seniors Noah Barton and Eden Prince have competed for the top of their class since age seven. When their academic rivalry ruins a thermodynamics demo, their physics teacher decides to help them get along. By forcing them to be lab partners.

As graduation approaches, Noah and Eden are too busy figuring out college to deal with each other. Noah's football-loving dad sabotages his chance to win a big scholarship. Eden's traditional mother cares more about finding her a husband than encouraging her dreams.

Winning big at the regional science fair is their last hope.

Will Noah follow in his mother's footsteps? Can Eden show her parents the environment is more important than a boyfriend? Will Noah and Eden finally learn to work together?

Follow Noah and Eden's budding romance in this emotionally charged, sex-positive, gender-swapped retelling of Cinderella.

My Review:

     I was a goner the moment I saw that charmingly beautiful (ok, I am getting short of synonyms here) . . . well, to be short, one of the most amazing covers. And what lies inside is equally captivating. But before going into that, it is better to clear some things out. For one, 'Stilletos & Stardust' is the first in a series of YA romances titled 'True Love's Wish'. Nope, as far as I know, this story won't be continued in the next book. And for the other thing, if you are looking for a retelling of Cinderella within the background of a scientific community, you are in for a heartbreak. Anyway, I didn't find anything remotely related to the fairytale here.

        But that doesn't really affect your reading pleasure. Narrated through the dual point of view, the book follows the thoughts of Noah and Eden, who are struggling to get their tuition fee in order to attend the prestigious Archer Collins University. Each of them having a meddling parent, the regional science fair seems to be the last hope. For Noah, this is a way to follow his astrologist mother's footsteps who died recently. As for Eden, this is the chance to prove her mettle.

       Noah, I thought in the beginning, was slightly autistic. But as the story progressed that striking realisation came; there is someone far worse than him in failing to pick up social cues, his archnemesis Eden. Without a doubt, they make a great pair (frankly speaking, I don't think anyone else can stand Eden). They are rough diamonds, like many other eager young minds of tomorrow and one cannot blame if they are struggling in the social relations department.

     You must have got the drift of the story by now. More than a love story, this book revolves around questions of family relationships (especially the different ways the people react to grief), problems of identity and of course, gender equality. Trust me, you are going to have a new reverence to the scientific community once you finish off that final page.

Meet the author:

YA and NA author D. L. Pitchford is best known for her brutally honest stories and realistic characters.

Throughout her childhood, art and literature were encouraged in every form. Pitchford fell in love with The Lord of the Rings, The Dark Is Rising, and Harry Potter. By age ten, she wrote her first fantasy book. Her love of writing grew exponentially.

In 2013, Pitchford received her BA in English, Writing, and Fine Arts from Drury University. During her studies, she focused on the human condition and penned the first scenes of her debut novel. IF WE HAD NO WINTER released in April 2017 and has been commended for its gritty tone and character growth.

Pitchford lives with her husband and two sons in Springfield, Missouri, where she continues writing young and new adult novels.