Project Hero - Briar Prescott

Date of Reading: 16/04/2020

Author: Briar Prescott

Publication Date: March 26, 2020

Source: BookSirens

Rating: 4.5/5

About the book:

What if you accidentally fell in love with the right guy?

Andy:

If my life was a movie, I would be the sidekick. Not an especially promising start when my plan is to finally let my best friend know I have a crush on him. No worries, though. I have a plan. I just need a complete makeover. Change everything about myself so that when Falcon returns from his summer vacation, he can finally see I’m the love of his life. I totally know what I’m doing here.

Well, not really.

If I knew what I was doing, I wouldn’t look like every nerd cliché wrapped into one awkward package.

In short, I’m screwed.

But then Law Anderson enters the picture…

Law:

It’s all very simple. I need somebody to tutor my hockey team, and Andy needs somebody to help him with his crush. Sounds like a match made in heaven.

Only the more time I spend with Andy, the more I like this quirky guy who makes me laugh, and pretty soon I’m the one who’s tutoring Andy in way more than we initially agreed upon.

It’s fine.

I have it all under control.

But as weeks pass and the chemistry between us turns explosive, I’m starting to think that I might be in way over my head with Andy.

If only I could make Andy realize that he doesn’t need to change himself for love. If only I could make Andy see that he just needs to be with somebody who has considered him perfect all along…

Review:

     Not recognising the right person right in front of you . . . definitely a tale as old as time, but it never loses its appeal. This story incorporates this particular trope in the cutest way imaginable. Romance involving a physics nerd with a wry sense of humour and a handsome (former) hockey player who is so down to earth is surely a recipe for a swoon worthy love story. And that is what 'Project Hero' delivers.

      The novel made me recall why I love reading romance. It's fun, light and within no time we get into an easy rapport with the characters. Narrated through dual POV, the novel will soon have you in a giggling fit, especially whenever Andy comes into the picture. Even with his low self esteem and fear of public speaking, the guy is nothing short of hilarious. Law Anderson is right: he doesn't need to change to find love.

      I loved the way story progressed culminating in a beautiful epilogue set after ten years. What didn't sit well with me is the sex education part, that felt too cliched. But apart from that minor blip, this had been a hugely enjoyable story. Highly recommended!

Meet the author:

Briar Prescott is a work in progress. She swears too much, doesn't eat enough leafy greens and binge watches too much television. It's okay, though. One of these days she'll get a hang of that adulting thing.

Probably.

Maybe.

She hopes.

You can contact Briar by email at prescottbriar@gmail.com. Seriously, she'd be so happy to hear from you.

You can also visit Briar's webpage at briarprescott.com

The Book That Gives Me Joy . . .

Hello guys, 

     I am participating in the #Book Review Blog Challenge organised by Great New Reads and today I get to write about the book that sparks joy in my life, a book that brings back fond memories. Ta da! That will be 'Jane Eyre' (Hmm. . . considering I revealed the cover already, that won't come as big surprise). 

     But why? It's simple. This is the first book I read online and that made me realise some things. First, we can enjoy a book even if it is not on paper. It also gives you some advantages since there is an option to enlarge the font size (comes quite handy when it comes to penguin books). And, most importantly, we get to save a lot of trees. So yes, this book had been a milestone in my bookish world.

The Eyes of Darkness - Dean Koontz (Review & Summary)

Date of Reading: 22/03/2020

Author: Dean Koontz/Leigh Nichols (pseudonym)

Publisher: Berkley

Year: 1981

Rating: 4.5/5

About the book:

A year after little Danny's death, his mother swore she saw him in a stranger's car... It was a mystery she could not escape. An obsession that would lead her from the bright lights of Las Vegas to the cold shadows of the High Sierras. A terrible secret seen only by... The Eyes Of Darkness.

Review:

      One of my friends suggested this book a while back but I just put it off. Then with the onset of Covid-19, the novel gained an unprecedented popularity and now I can't really keep it aside, right? 

     The novel started off like a ghost story with Danny's mother seeing her dead son in another car. Well, horror is my least favourite genre along with psychological thriller, so I did have a peek at some of the spoilers. Don't want to waste my brain work finding the criminal only to realise that it only happened in the protagonist's mind. Nope, definitely not my thing.

       The story tuned out to be a thriller with some elements of the supernatural. Packed with action, the narrative follows Tina Evans and Elliot Stryker on their journey to find what really happened with Danny. With just more than three fifty pages, the book can be finished in one sitting. The plot gives some old cinematic vibes, but it can only be expected since this was written way back in 1981.

    So to the million dollar question that is on everyone's mind: did this 1981 novel predict corona virus? Not exactly. But a virus named Wuhan-400 (so named since it is developed by the Chinese in Wuhan lab) is the crux of the problem. Fortunately for us, the virus that we experience is far from lethal compared to the one described in the novel. The author seems to have taken great care not to insinuate something against China and US, but may not have succeeded completely. It do blames both the countries, at least that is the way I found it.

Summary:

      Its been one year since Danny Evans died during a camping trip. His mother Tina is in the process of coming in terms with this tragedy, but then mysterious things begin to happen. First, she feels that she saw Danny in a car, and then a message appears inside Danny's old room -- "NOT DEAD". First she thinks this is a prank played by her ex-husband, Michael, but a meeting with him clears those doubts.

       Meanwhile, she meets Elliot Stryker, a lawyer who previously worked for Army Intelligence. There is an instant attraction between the two. Considering Tina's flustered state, Elliot decides to petition the reopening of Danny's grave. She had never seen Danny's body since the authorities advised against it. His body was too mangled to be recognised. Both believe that once she sees the remains of her son, she will be able to accept his death. Then her frequent nightmares involving Danny trapped in a pit about to be buried alive by a skull face also may stop. 

      Elliot approached Harold Kennebeck, a judge who was also his mentor in the Intelligence. He agrees to think about it and when Elliot is attacked at home, he realises that something is amiss. Someone needs to keep Danny's grave unopened and Harold has leaked Elliot's whereabouts to them.

      While packing all the things in Danny's room Tina finds an old horror comic which features the same skull faced man in her dreams. It is titled 'The Boy Who Was Not Dead'. She wracks her memory but cannot remember checking Danny's comics before. A worker comes to check signs of gas leak in her house and tampers with the pipes. Luckily, Elliot arrives on time to save her from the explosion.

     They lose their pursuers and another series of mysterious events convince Tina that her son is alive. It is Danny who is reaching out to them. Even as a boy, he is known to have strange telepathic powers, and it seems he has improved a lot. Since reopening Danny's grave is no longer possible, their only lead is a series of questions found in one of the attacker's body. They were supposed to question Elliot with it.

      The Sierra accident which supposed to have killed Danny seems to be linked to Project Pandora. They decide to talk with Luciano Bellicosti, the coroner who prepared Danny's coffin and fly out to meet him in Reno. Meanwhile, the head of the Nevada bureau of the Network, George Alexander, figures out their destination and things are set in motion to trap Elliot and Tina once they land.

     Elliot finds the coroner murdered in his house and his quick thinking helps them make a narrow escape. To find Danny's location Tina tries to channel his energy to pinpoint his location in a map. But her mind is too restless to cooperate. With the help of Billy, one of Tina's friends proficient in hypnotism, they manage to find the route eventually. 

Source: npr.org

     Borrowing Billy's vehicle they proceed to Project Pandora. With Danny's help they make a smooth entry. The guns of the guards failed to work and door opened leading the way. Danny is found in a lab, skeleton thin and full of tubes attached to his body.

     Dr. Carlton Dombey, one of the scientists in charge of the experiments on Danny takes their side to rescue the weak boy. It was a military centre dedicated to chemical and biological weapons. From a defected Chinese scientist they got the news of a deadly virus named Wuhan-400. The scientists in the institute managed to create a replica but one of them got infected. Instead of following the standard procedures on such an instance, he panicked and got away. On the way he met the scouts including Danny and they too got infected. No one survived except Danny. They kept him there to isolate the antibody and when that is accomplished, Dr. Tamaguchi, the director used him like a lab rat to test how many times he can withstand the attack of the virus. Danny beat it fourteen times so far.

       Tina and Elliot wrapped Danny carefully for the journey back. But Alexander and his cronies had followed them in a helicopter. Just before they land, Danny creates a storm to smash them to pieces. Finally, he is on his way home.

Meet the author:

Acknowledged as "America's most popular suspense novelist" (Rolling Stone) and as one of today's most celebrated and successful writers, Dean Ray Koontz has earned the devotion of millions of readers around the world and the praise of critics everywhere for tales of character, mystery, and adventure that strike to the core of what it means to be human.

Dean, the author of many #1 New York Times bestsellers, lives in Southern California with his wife, Gerda, their golden retriever, Elsa, and the enduring spirit of their goldens, Trixie and Anna.

Of Silver and Shadow - Jennifer Gruenke

Date of Reading: 09/04/2020

Author: Jennifer Gruenke

Publisher: Flux

Publication Date: May 26, 2020

Source: NetGalley

Rating: 4.5/5

About the book:

Ren Kolins is a silver wielder—a dangerous thing to be in the kingdom of Erdis, where magic has been outlawed for a century. Ren is just trying to survive, sticking to a life of petty thievery, card games, and pit fighting to get by. But when a wealthy rebel leader discovers her secret, he offers her a fortune to join his revolution. The caveat: she won’t see a single coin until they overthrow the King.

Behind the castle walls, a brutal group of warriors known as the King’s Children is engaged in a competition: the first to find the rebel leader will be made King’s Fang, the right hand of the King of Erdis. And Adley Farre is hunting down the rebels one by one, torturing her way to Ren and the rebel leader, and the coveted King’s Fang title.

But time is running out for all of them, including the youngest Prince of Erdis, who finds himself pulled into the rebellion. Political tensions have reached a boiling point, and Ren and the rebels must take the throne before war breaks out. 

Review:

       When almost everything in the fantasy genre tends to be a part of the series, I am really glad to find this rare gem where the story actually ends. Some of us have fragile hearts you know and cannot handle prolonged state of tension which may even last years. So thank you Jennifer Gruenke for keeping us in mind.

      What are the things I loved then? First there is the plot. Kingdom of Erdis is governed by a cruel king (practically a devil incarnate) and the country is at the brink of war. A revolution brews in the midst; many had attempted to overthrow the king before but this time it could be different. They have got hold of a silver wielder, a magic outlawed and is restricted to the royal family. 

     I loved the way Gruenke gradually built up a story of epic proportions. First half of the book is dedicated to character development simultaneously introducing us to a slice of what we have signed up for. The tension builds up gradually culminating in a short but well planned battle scene. Yup, I loved it all.

      Narrated through the perspective of four characters -- Ren, Darek, Adley and Prince Kellen -- we do get to see the action from all sides just like multiple cameras. My preference usually goes for dual POVs or first person narrative, but I enjoyed this too. Just like the narrators there are multiple couples (three in fact, and one of them is f/f), clearly the icing on the cake. 

       What I didn't quite buy is the revolution. Apart from the last part, it is clearly not well organised, and I doubt it would have survived if it is not for the authorial intervention. Considering the threat they are under, being a bit more secretive should have been necessary.

      So will I recommend this book? Without a doubt. Definitely, something to watch out for in May.

Meet the author:

Jennifer Gruenke is a graduate of UC Santa Barbara, where she studied communication and writing. She grew up among the redwoods of Northern California, and now lives in Charlotte with her books and the houseplants she hasn't killed yet. If she's not writing or reading, you're most likely to find her in a cafe, music venue, or the aisles of Trader Joe's. Of Silver and Shadow is her debut novel.

New Year, New Guy - Angela Britnell (Blog Tour)

Date of Reading: 07/04/2020

Author: Angela Britnell

Publisher: Choc Lit

Publication Date: February 25, 2020

Rating: 4/5

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

About the book:

Out with the old life, in with the new …

When Laura’s bride-to-be sister, Polly, organises a surprise reunion for her fiancé and his long lost American friend, Laura grudgingly agrees to help keep the secret. And when the plain-spoken, larger-than-life Hunter McQueen steps off the bus in her rainy Devon town and only just squeezes into her tiny car, it confirms that Laura has made a big mistake in going along with her sister's crazy plan. 

But could the tall, handsome man with the Nashville drawl be just what reserved Laura Williams needs to shake up her life and start something new?

Review:

      Angela Britnell's stories are always a pleasure to read: easy to finish, unputdownable and full of wit and laughter. 'New Year, New Guy' is no different. What we have here is a transatlantic love story involving a devilishly handsome American named Hunter McQueen (alright, I confess; whenever his name popped up, the image that came to my mind was that of Lightning McQueen, huh . . . weird?). So Hunter it is.

      Now to the bits I loved. If you think this is just a girl meets boy, falls in love and then the happily after story, you are absolutely right. But what makes it different is the complex layers lurking underneath. Britnell has packed the story with some burning issues; marital abuse and unresolved trauma. And the way both Laura and Hunter tackle these issues creates enough tension  for a blossoming romance.

      The characters are well defined and easy to connect. Laura is a no-nonsense heroine and without a doubt lives up to her nick name, 'Enforcer'. Yup, the girl can take care of herself, she is no Cinderella as her ex-husband can vouch for by the end of the story. Hunter, with his mysterious and guilt filled past could not have hoped for a better ally.

       Being a short read, this novel can easily be finished in one sitting. The easy banter had me giggling throughout. Overall, the perfect quarantine read to relax and unwind.

Meet the author:

I was born in the beautiful county of Cornwall in southwestern England and grew up in a small village there. I return frequently to visit family and friends but especially to savor the cool rainy weather and hot tea. After school I joined the Royal Navy and served for nearly six years. I held varying jobs from being the only woman in the staff of a sports center to arranging social engagements for the Captain of the base. My last assignment was to Denmark where I thought I would spend a wild two years in Copenhagen only to discover I was being sent to a NATO Headquarters in a quiet town on the Jutland Peninsula. I was only disappointed for a while as I met my own tall, dark, handsome stranger there - a US Naval Officer named Richard who became my husband.

That was the beginning of an itinerant life as from Denmark we went to Sicily where we had our first son. Then it was on to Monterey, California and the birth of our second son. From there we headed to Patuxent River, Maryland where we had our third son. Richard's last assignment was to London where we spent a wonderful three years. Retiring from the Navy he took a job in Brentwood, Tennessee near where he grew up. Since 2008 we are empty nesters which allows more time for my writing.

I have always been a voracious reader, even at 5 years old my school reports show a keen interest in English and very little in math - some things never change! Although I enjoyed writing in school it wasn't until 2001 that I was tempted to take a creative writing class at a local recreation center which has sparked my new career.

When I'm not busy writing I enjoy spending time with family and friends. I try to grow English flowers in the Tennessee heat and succeed some of the time. I belong to the wonderful Red Bandanas Writing Group, Jubilee Readers Book Club, and volunteer at my local library so you can see that words are important to me.

I hope you enjoy reading my work as much as I enjoy writing it so sit back, make yourself a cup of tea and enjoy a break from everyday life.

Conventionally Yours - Annabeth Albert

Date of Reading: 28/03/2020

Author: Annabeth Albert

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca

Publication Date: June 2, 2020

Source: NetGalley

Rating: 5/5

About the book:

When two "big name fans" go head-to-head at a convention, love isn't the only thing at stake.

Charming, charismatic, and effortlessly popular, Conrad Stewart seems to have it all...but in reality, he's scrambling to keep his life from tumbling out of control.

Brilliant, guarded, and endlessly driven, Alden Roth may as well be the poster boy for perfection...but even he can't help but feel a little broken inside.

When these mortal enemies are stuck together on a cross-country road trip to the biggest fan convention of their lives, their infamous rivalry takes a backseat as an unexpected connection is forged. Yet each has a reason why they have to win the upcoming Odyssey gaming tournament and neither is willing to let emotion get in the way―even if it means giving up their one chance at something truly magical.

Review:

       Breathe in, breathe out, breathe in . . .

I am slumped. How will you describe a book that you loved so much and no adjective is adequate to describe the feeling? Amazing, addictive, fast-paced, cute . . . it's everything and much more. The plethora of emotions this story arouses will leave you lightheaded for sure (in a good way, that is).

      Not many authors handle enemies to lovers trope really well and in that case, this book by Annabeth Albert, without a doubt, is a rare gem. The slow-burning romance involving two guys from different social backgrounds is dealt with an impeccable storyline; the cross-country road trip (I loved how four men team is eliminated to two), the Odyssey games and the family drama all produce an unrivalled emotional ambience. 
       Conrad and Alden have their own demons to fight. While the former is kicked out of home for being gay, Alden is battling the expectations of his super-academic family along with social awkwardness problems. Since both hide their problems quite efficiently, it takes some divine (or authorial) intervention to bring them together. And that makes one of the most beautiful stories I have ever read.
      The Odyssey game is an integral part of the storyline but you don't have to be a gamer to enjoy this. I hardly play any games, but reading this was like vicariously living through the characters. The thrill, dilemma, frustrations. . . you name it. And the Gamer Grandpa vlog is something to root for.
      All in all, a vibrant story that should not be missed. Thank you Sourcebooks for granting my wish through NetGalley. When everything is dark and gloomy outside, this was like getting your favourite dessert. 

Meet the author:

Frequent tweeter, professional grammar nerd, and obsessive reader, Annabeth Albert is also a Pacific Northwest romance writer in a variety of subgenres.

Emotionally complex, sexy, and funny stories are her favourites both to read and to write. In between searching out dark heroes to redeem, she works a rewarding day job and wrangles two toddlers.

Alphabet Soup for Lovers - Anita Nair (Review & Summary)

Date of Reading: 21/03/2020

Author: Anita Nair

Publisher: Harper Collins

Year: 2015

Source: Nirmalagiri College Library

Rating: 4.5/5

About the book:

Lena Abraham knows that love can end in only one way - disappointment. Her marriage to KK is perfect precisely because she is not in love with him, and their life on a tea plantation in the picturesque Anamalai hills is idyllic. Then, one rainy morning, a man arrives to take up temporary residence in the homestay they run. Shoola Pani is south Indian cinema's heartthrob, an actor in flight from his own superstardom, and the last thing he is looking for is emotional entanglement. But when Lena and he meet, something flares between them that neither could have anticipated. She becomes his Lee and he her Ship, and the place they inhabit Arcadia. Told partly from the point of view of Komathi, whose own relationship with Lena is fraught with buried truths from the past, this searing tale of unexpected passion and adultery reaffirms the magical power of love in all our lives.

Review:

      I have this nasty habit of checking what others read. Quite irritating, I know. All the same, this is what brought this cute little story to my attention. The book was found on my colleague's table. Well, I am not a fan of 'Ladies Coupe' like many others, but Anita Nair's 'Mistress' is one of my all-time favourites. Understandably, I can't really pass this one, can I? Especially when it shares a remarkable likeness to 'Mistress'.

     The novel has a unique structure. Each chapter begins with a first-person narrative by Komathi and is titled with the name of a food or ingredient to make up an alphabet list. So instead of "A for Apple" we get "A for Appalam", the Tamil food item Komathi is familiar with. I was not familiar with all of them, but the way the author linked the events in the story to the food was quite remarkable. 

      The story revolves around the adulterous relationship of Lena with Shoola Pani, a famous South Indian actor. Both of them lead 'perfect' unhappy marriages and now a choice is given which will surely have consequences. Not a morally driven story in that respect, but which is better, living a lie or confronting the reality? I will leave that to your discretion.

     On the whole, this was a fast-paced, enjoyable read that had my brain wheels turning.

Summary:

      Komathi works as a servant on Anamalai Hills in the household of Lena. She had come to the family to look after Lena as a child. At that time she started calling her 'Leema', combining her original name with 'amma', as a term of respect.

     Now Lena lives with her husband KK and both of them are indifferent to each other. A new chapter begins in her life when a visitor comes to stay at the guest house they rent. The guest turns out to be Shoola Pani, one of the leading actors of Tamil cinema. In need of a break from the film shooting routine and his unhappy marriage, he has come to this place with a shaven head hoping that no one will recognise him. Most of the workers are from Assam or Jharkhand and so his plans worked to an extend. But Lena recognises him at the very first meeting itself and the two form an unlikely connection.

       The affair doesn't go unnoticed by Komathi who gets irritated with Lena because she is the one who spoiled her chance for happiness. Her lover Rayar is sent away from the household when Lena's mother noticed that her daughter is also interested in him. He never came back for Komathi.

      To ease Lena's guilty conscience, Shoola Pani goes to Pollachi to find Rayar. He is no longer with his wife and implies his willingness to accept Komathi. But Komathi refuses to seek him since he had already lived their dream with another woman. Still, she wants Lena to take some action to make herself happy.

      When Shoola Pani asks her to come with him, Lena shows reluctance. But a night's sleep clears her thoughts and she leaves with the actor. We will never know how their fates will play out, "But until they try it, how will they know?"

Favourite Quotes:

"Sometimes we tend to value things and people merely because they are inaccessible." - 16

"With the heart, you invest in another person. With your liver, you invest in yourself, and if you don't love yourself, how can you love someone else?" - 44

"I have often wished something would happen to bring her alive, inject some energy into their Dettol life. For that is how I see their lives - sterile, clean and dull." - (60 - 61)

Source: https://www.kveller.com/article/tomato-alphabet-soup/

"Sometimes we call a thing by a different name and tell ourselves it's something else even though we know the truth. We like to fool ourselves." - 69

"Sometimes we must make our own rules, depending on what works for us." - 123

"The thing about food, be it grain or vegetable or meat or fish, is that one must know what one can serve to whom. Every ingredient has a purpose and a message" -142

". . . we forget that we must make our lives to suit our taste, and not someone else's" - 190

"If you give it [regret] room, it will take over your life and poison your tomorrows" - 197

Meet the author:

Anita Nair is the bestselling and critically acclaimed author of the novels The Better Man, Ladies Coupé, Mistress, Lessons in Forgetting, Idris: Keeper of the Light and Alphabet Soup for Lovers. She has also authored a crime series featuring Inspector Gowda.

Anita Nair’s other books include a collection of poems titled Malabar Mind, a collection of essays titled Goodnight & God Bless and six books for children. Anita Nair has also written two plays and the screenplay for the movie adaptation of her novel Lessons in Forgetting which was part of the Indian Panorama at IFFI 2012 and won the National Film Award in 2013. Among other awards, she was also given the Central Sahitya Akademi award and the Crossword Prize. Her books have been translated into over thirty-one languages around the world. She is also the founder of the creative writing and mentorship program Anita’s Attic.

To Lahore, with Love - Hina Belitz (Blog Tour)

Date of Reading: 19/03/2020

Author: Hina Belitz

Publisher: Headline

Publication Date: March 19, 2020

Rating: 3/5

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

About the book:

Addy Mayford has always struggled with her identity. Brought up in a household of stories, food and faith by her Irish mother and Pakistani Nana, she feels constantly torn between the two sides of her upbringing. Since the death of her father, she's found contentment cooking delicious recipes from his home city of Lahore, despite the protestations of her mother that being a chef is no career for a young woman. It's only with the love of her gorgeous husband, Gabe, that she's truly found happiness.

When Addy stumbles across a secret that shatters her world, she desperately needs to escape and is drawn to the sights of Lahore and the family she's never known. Waiting for her there is Addy's final acceptance of who she is, and a long-buried family secret that will change her life forever.

A truly feel-good and heartwarming novel for readers of Sofia Khan is Not Obliged, the Amir Sisters novels and Ruth Hogan

Review:

      Reading this book reminded me a lot of Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni's epic novel 'The Mistress of Spices'. Both share a central theme: food can work miracles, it can change a person's mood and even affect their decisions. The only thing to know is how to tap that power. Here is a piece of good news then; each chapter begins with a secret recipe which is helpful in tackling various life situations. They do have some cute names too, beginning with Commitment Cake to Amorous Chilli Chocolate and Calm-Making Cauliflower. So if you desire to enhance your culinary skills, this will surely appeal to the chef inside you and if you are a foodie like me . . . well, be prepared to appease your stomach some way.

       The story deals with Addy's journey of self-realisation; brought up by her Irish mother and Pakistani nana, she is truly a product of east and west. With her cooking powers, she manages to get Gabe to propose to her but now that safely guarded marriage is crumbling. With Nana and best friend Jen, she undertakes a journey to Lahore in search of the answer to something everyone asks: Why did this happen to me? All our religions say that everything happens for a reason, but will we ever accept it without proof? Will Lahore change her life? That's all the story is about.

      Apart from the rushed ending where so many things happened which are not completely relevant to the plot, this novel had me glued to the kindle. The pages just flew by and before I know it, ninety percent of the story is over. I loved the way Lahore came alive in the novel, thanks to the author's brilliant writing skills. Altogether an engaging and powerful read, that left me with a growling stomach. 

Meet the author:

HINA BELITZ is an author and renowned equal rights lawyer. Born in Pakistan to an Indian father and a mother of Iranian, Afghan and Indian descent, Belitz was brought up in Hampshire – a place starkly different to her parent’s home city of Lahore, and where she was the only Asian person in her school. Her debut novel, SET ME FREE, was critically acclaimed and led to her being interviewed by Morgan Freeman and starring in a National Geographic documentary about love. Her writing has appeared in numerous publications including the Guardian and the BBC.

A lot of the narrative in TO LAHORE, WITH LOVE has its roots in Hina's own life experience. She writes pieces on: Normalising Asian stories, food and identity, diversity in literature, careers and women, surviving heartbreak, fertility and growing up in the English countryside, amongst other topics. Follow Hina on Twitter: @Hina_Belitz

The Bookish Life of Nina Hill - Abbi Waxman (Review & Summary)

Date of Reading: 10/03/2020

Author: Abbi Waxman

Publisher: Berkely

Publication Date: July 9, 2019

Rating: 5/5

About the book:

The only child of a single mother, Nina has her life just as she wants it: a job in a bookstore, a kick-butt trivia team, a world-class planner and a cat named Phil. If she sometimes suspects there might be more to life than reading, she just shrugs and picks up a new book.

When the father Nina never knew existed suddenly dies, leaving behind innumerable sisters, brothers, nieces, and nephews, Nina is horrified. They all live close by! They're all—or mostly all—excited to meet her! She'll have to Speak. To. Strangers. It's a disaster! And as if that wasn't enough, Tom, her trivia nemesis, has turned out to be cute, funny, and deeply interested in getting to know her. Doesn't he realize what a terrible idea that is?

Nina considers her options.

1. Completely change her name and appearance. (Too drastic, plus she likes her hair.)

2. Flee to a deserted island. (Hard pass, see: coffee).

3. Hide in a corner of her apartment and rock back and forth. (Already doing it.)

It's time for Nina to come out of her comfortable shell, but she isn't convinced real life could ever live up to fiction. It's going to take a brand-new family, a persistent suitor, and the combined effects of ice cream and trivia to make her turn her own fresh page.

Review:

       I don't think any book lover alive fail to relate to this book as one or other way Nina Hill represents some of our quirky character traits. Thanks are due to my book club for selecting this as the BOTM; looks like that was the only incentive I needed to transfer it from my TBR pile. And so glad I did.

      As you must have gathered from the blurb, the story revolves around Nina Hill, a bookworm who prefer books to reality. Aren't we all? Her days are meticulously arranged with a planner and all these come tumbling down when the father she never knew suddenly died, leaving behind a large family. This is a precarious situation. Now she is forced to get her head out of books, and mingle with actual people. Sounds familiar guys?

       With lots of bookish references, dry humour and a whole set of endearing characters, this book proves to be a light-hearted and engaging tale from beginning to end. So bookworms of the world unite in reading this; after all, this is your story.

Summary:

       Nina is the daughter of a single mother who is a world-famous travelling photographer. Due to her mother’s frequent travels, she is practically raised by her nanny, Louise. Now at the age of twenty-nine, she is happy with her job in the bookstore, her trivia team and the company of her cat, Phil. Everything changes with the visit of a lawyer who informs her that her father, William Reynolds, is dead. Though she knew that her mother is not Virgin Mary type, she was not expecting to hear about the father figure in her life. To make matters worse, her father has married three times and consequently, she has four siblings and a bunch of nephews, nieces, grandniece and grandnephews.
       Her nephew Peter comes forward to introduce the family and soon Nina learns that genetic plays a great role in creating similarities. Even with Archie, her brother whom she thought will be resentful, she finds a comradeship since both share anxiety issues. But Lydia, her grandniece refuses to accept her and considers her as a gold digger.
         Meanwhile, Tom, the leader of their opposite trivia team (You’re a Quizzard Harry) is interested in Nina. They are put together in many situations quite ‘coincidentally’ thanks to the matchmaking skills of both their friends. Nina is not comfortable with surprises or changing her schedule but with Tom, she feels a sense of security. Same goes with her family since she feels no qualms about changing her plans for her youngest sister, Millie, who is also heavily invested in books. But her anxiety problems come as a villain again and cracks begin to appear in her relationship with Tom. The news of her bookstore about to get closed causes a panic attack, but instead of taking the help of Tom, she prefers to spend her time alone as her usual habit. But unlike earlier times, wrapping herself in a cocoon fails to give much comfort.
      Finally, the anticipated will reading occurs with the huge wealth of William Reynolds divided among his legitimate children and grandchildren. Nina is left with her father’s favourite car (a1982 Pontiac Trans Am). She is asked to drive it at least once even if she chooses to sell it. With the help of Moltres, the garage keeper, Nina manages to learn driving and inside she finds letters addressed to all children and grandchildren. 
         From the letter addressed to her, she learns that her father was keeping track of her life even though he was not allowed to meet her. He confesses to the mistakes he has made and asks her to learn something from his experience. He has left more than two and a half million dollars to her but his real gift is her newly acquired family. Nina delivers her father’s letter to Lydia and finally, both of them realizes their bond. Lydia, it seems, is quite brilliant with trivia. 
    Nina goes to Southern California Quiz Bowl Final because Tom’s team has reached the final round. When a question is posed to the audience, in typical cinematic fashion, Nina makes her feelings public and apologizes to Tom. The lovers patch up their differences and there begins their happily ever after. Nina buys the bookshop with her money and intends to spend her whole life with books.

Meet the author:

Abbi Waxman, the USA Today bestselling author of The Bookish Life of Nina Hill, Other People’s Houses, and The Garden of Small Beginnings, is a chocolate-loving, dog-loving woman who lives in Los Angeles and lies down as much as possible. She worked in advertising for many years, which is how she learned to write fiction. She has three daughters, three dogs, three cats, and one very patient husband.

Someday, Someday - Emma Scott

Date of Reading: 13/03/2020

Author: Emma Scott

Publication Date: November 24, 2019

Source: NetGalley

Rating: 5/5

About the book:

How long would you wait for love?

Max Kaufman was kicked out of his home as a teen and his life has been an uphill battle ever since. From addiction and living on the streets to recovery and putting himself through nursing school, he’s spent the last ten years rebuilding his shattered sense of self. Now he’s taken a job as a private caretaker to Edward Marsh III, the president and CEO of one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world. Max soon learns Marsh’s multi-billion-dollar empire is a gold and diamond-encrusted web of secrets and lies.

The longer Max works and lives with the Marsh family, the tighter the secrets tangle around him. And his heart—that he’s worked so hard to protect—falls straight into the hands of the distant, cold, and beautiful son of a dynasty…

Silas Marsh is set to inherit the family fortune, but his father is determined his heir be the “perfect” son. Before Silas can take over the company and end its shady business practices, he must prove himself worthy…and deny his true nature.

Silas must choose: stand up to his father by being true to himself and his undeniable feelings for Max. Or pretend to be someone he is not in order to inherit everything. Even if it means sacrificing a chance at happiness and real love.

Review:

     Wow! Wow! Wow!!!

      I postponed writing this review to give my overactive heart some respite. Still, I am not sure how much coherent I could be. Telling that this had been an emotionally overwhelming read is an understatement. I laughed, wept (being both happy and sad), got angry . . . yes, I am practically an emotional mess now.

      Emma Scott has dedicated this book to "everyone still fighting for the basic human right to love who you want to love without prejudice, censure, or torment". She says this is her small contribution to this end and in my eyes, her voice had been heard loud and clear. The story deals with a lot of issues: homophobia, drug addiction, conversion therapy and PTSD are to name quite a few. There is even one character with Asperger's. 

         Writing a novel addressing all these issues is quite a challenge but Scott has done it splendidly. Everything had its place and nothing felt unrealistic. The love story links all the details with precision, making the author's crafting skills shine throughout. Afterall a Cinderella story where both the protagonists are in benefit will melt even an iron core heart.

      Max and Silas, our gorgeous Greek God level leading characters have gatecrashed into my heart from the very beginning; I don't think they are planning to leave anytime soon. The way they were helping each other, tackling their emotional baggage . . . makes one happy to know them. I couldn't leave Eddie from this either, the eldest Marsh boy living in the Dickensian era. I say, my good man, you are the best big brother anyone can hope for.

      Yup, that's it. I am going to read this again. So if you love m/m romance look no further; this, without a doubt, is one of the best.

Meet the author:

Emma Scott is a USA Today and Wall St. Journal bestselling author whose books have been translated in five languages and featured in Buzzfeed, Huffington Post, New York Daily News and USA Today’s Happy Ever After. She writes emotional, character-driven romances in which art and love intertwine to heal, and in which love always wins. If you enjoy emotionally-charged stories that rip your heart out and put it back together again, with diverse characters and kind-hearted heroes, you will enjoy her novels.