Review: The Skylighter

The Skylighter by Becky Wallace
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It is hard to find a series that is only two books these days.

The Keepers' Chronicles was well contained and the characters were easy to connect with. Rafi and Johanna were fun characters to cheer for. I liked how we got to see more of Rafi's brother Dom in this novel. He was more than just the Dukes second son who was easy going and liked to fool around. I like when I get to know a character and it isn't just me as the reader who didn't see their depth but also those know seemed to know them best.

There are some things that could have been better developed, such as why the wall was necessary between the Keepers and Santarem. The creation of the wall is touched on but I didn't really understand the conflict between the two kingdoms. However, for me this was the story of Santarem and the conflicts happening there. It was also about the relationships between the characters. I think the book got the characters right and I would recommend this series. The world of storyspinners, performers, and magic was one that I found intriguing.

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Review: Barefoot Season

Barefoot Season by Susan Mallery
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I had a really hard time picking between a 3 star rating and a 4 star rating. I dropped it done from 4 stars to 3 because after some thought the ending just didn't work for me and felt forced.

I really liked the book up until the ending. Michelle and Carly are brought together after 10 years apart. Their friendship was ruined before Michelle went into the army and neither have forgiven the other for the betrayal. I liked the idea of the Blackberry Island and how in the summer the blackberries and beautiful setting bring in tourists, but it is really just a small town and you can't escape your past in a small town. This for me is a story of friendship. However, it also tried to be a romance and I personally felt like it was just to much and the romance side of novel wasn't developed enough to be satisfying. I did enjoy the book a lot. It just didn't end in a way that was believable based on what I know of the characters.

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Review: Beneath the Sugar Sky

Beneath the Sugar Sky by Seanan McGuire
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is my favorite book in the Wayward Children series. It takes us back to Eleanor West's Home for Wayward Children. A new student, Cora, who was a mermaid narrates the majority of the story. She was a likable character and I found I enjoyed spending time with her.

This book was different from the previous ones in a few significant ways. One is that it take some of our favorite characters from Every Heart a Doorway and takes them on an adventure to help Sumi's daughter. As a result of the adventure we learn about the worlds. I didn't feel like I really understood the lay out of the worlds and this book really helped me to see that.

I would highly recommend this novella. It is by far my favorite in the series to this point.

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Review: Catch of the Day

Catch of the Day by Kristan Higgins
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was a cute novel. It was also funny. The opening was one of the best I have read in a while. It also did a really good job demonstrating what a small town can be like. Gossip moves quickly. The premise of a priest setting up blind dates for one of his parishioners was funny. Maggie takes things in stride even when things go hilariously wrong. There weren't a lot of surprises in this novel however it was a very enjoyable read and I liked Maggie and her leading man...not the priest.

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Review: The Lemon Orchard

The Lemon Orchard by Luanne Rice
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was very good. It was also a bit of an emotional read. Roberto and Julia have both experienced the loss of a daughter. However, Roberto an undocumented immigrant doesn't know if is daughter survived. Their connection over a shared grief is strong.

I listened to the audiobook an it was very well done. I didn't want to stop listening. I would recommend this novel. I think it shows a side of immigration that we often hear about but don't have a human side for. If you are uncertain about this novel I would suggest you give it a try.

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Review: Hello Stranger

Hello Stranger by Lisa Kleypas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Garrett and Ethan have both appeared in other Ravenel novels. I was excited that we would have a novel featuring Garrett, because she is such a head strong inspirational character as a female doctor. I wasn't sure about her being paired with Ethan Ransom though. It worked very well though.

Ethan was a bit dramatic at times. His character had me rolling my eyes and laughing multiple times. I really enjoyed that the male character was the one with a flair for the dramatic. Garrett was of course steady and doctorly. Well she was emotional when it was reasonable however she didn't loose her cool the way many women would.

Lisa Klaypas wrote another book in the Ravenel series that made me love the characters and care about them. Also, female power to Pandora and Garrett. They are great strong women in a world dominated by men.

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Review: Men Without Women

Men Without Women by Haruki Murakami
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed these stories. However, they were often startling in how strange and unexpected they were. That is a good thing though.

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