Tag Archives: fiction

Book Review: If He Had Been With Me by Laura Nowlin

If he had been with me, everything would have been different…

Autumn and Finn used to be inseparable. But then something changed. Or they changed. Now, they do their best to ignore each other.

Autumn has her boyfriend Jamie, and her close-knit group of friends. And Finn has become that boy at school, the one everyone wants to be around.

That still doesn’t stop the way Autumn feels every time she and Finn cross paths, and the growing, nagging thought that maybe things could have been different. Maybe they should be together.

But come August, things will change forever. And as time passes, Autumn will be forced to confront how else life might have been different if they had never parted ways…

***

The book follows a single point of view, which I generally appreciate in stories. It shares a similar sentimental quality to The Fault in Our Stars,” albeit set in a high school environment. Autumn, like Hazel Grace Lancaster, is a character with whom it’s easy to empathize.

However, the narrative’s occasional jumps in time can be disorienting. The author transitions abruptly from one topic to another without clear indication, which can confuse readers.

Autumn and Finny’s love for each other is evident, but their inability to communicate effectively leads to numerous misunderstandings. This theme of miscommunication permeates the story, adding layers of complexity to their relationship.

The predictability of the tragic ending somewhat dampens the climax for me. From early on, it’s apparent that the story will conclude tragically, leaving readers to ponder not if, but rather who, will meet their demise.

Despite the disjointed writing style, I found myself enjoying the book. Its simplicity belies the intricate emotions and themes it explores. Autumn and Finny serve as poignant reminders that time is fleeting and uncertain, urging us to seize opportunities and embrace courage when faced with life’s challenges.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Published on November 1, 2019 by Sourcebooks Fire

About the Author
Laura Nowlin holds a B.A. in English with an emphasis in Creative Writing from Missouri State University. . In addition to being ambitious writer Laura is also an avid reader who believes that books allow her to live many lives in one lifetime. When she isn’t at home agonizing over her own novels Laura works at the public library where the patrons give her plenty of inspiration for her writing. She lives in St. Louis with her musician husband, neurotic dog, and psychotic cat.

Book Review: The Stillwater Girls by Minka Kent

Ignorant of civilization and cautioned against its evils, nineteen-year-old Wren and her two sisters, Sage and Evie, were raised in off-the-grid isolation in a primitive cabin in upstate New York. When the youngest grows gravely ill, their mother leaves with the child to get help from a nearby town. And they never return.

As months pass, hope vanishes. Supplies are low. Livestock are dying. A brutal winter is bearing down. Then comes the stranger. He claims to be looking for the girls’ mother, and he’s not leaving without them.

To escape, Wren and her sister must break the rule they’ve grown up with: never go beyond the forest.

Past the thicket of dread, they come upon a house on the other side of the pines. This is where Wren and Sage must confront something more chilling than the unknowable. They’ll discover what’s been hidden from them, what they’re running from, and the secrets that have left them in the dark their entire lives.

***

I just finished this book last night, and it’s easily one of the most fulfilling reads I’ve had this year. The ending caught me off guard, yet it left me feeling thoroughly satisfied! The Stillwater Girls is a compelling mystery that delves into the anguish and turmoil of a mother coping with the loss of her child.

The book begins by introducing us to Wren and her sisters, Sage and Evie, depicting the difficult circumstances they endure. In the following chapters, we meet Nicolette, a socialite whose marriage is on the verge of collapse. The narrative alternates between Wren’s and Nicolette’s experiences, eventually weaving their lives together in an unforeseen manner.

It’s an excellent story with unexpected twists and turns that keep you engaged and on the edge of your seat. However, some of the foreshadowing made certain revelations feel predictable instead of surprising. Nevertheless, it’s a quick read, albeit with a few moments that may seem way over the top. Overall, it’s a thoroughly enjoyable book.

As I’ve said at the beginning, the ending took me by surprise, and I wholeheartedly recommend it. If you’re a fan of mysteries with satisfying conclusions, this is the book for you.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Published on April 9, 2019 by Thomas & Mercer

About the Author
Washington Post and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Minka Kent is a graduate of Iowa State University and the author of The Memory Watcher, The Perfect Roommate, The Thinnest Air, The Stillwater Girls, When I Was You, Unmissing, The Silent Woman, and Gone Again (2023). Her debut psychological suspense, The Memory Watcher, hit #9 in the Kindle store and landed on the Amazon Most Sold chart. Her follow-up, The Thinnest Air, was a Washington Post bestseller five weeks in a row and reached #1 in the Kindle store. Her work has been featured in People Magazine and The New York Post.

Minka also writes contemporary romance as Wall Street Journal and #1 Amazon bestselling author Winter Renshaw.

She is represented by Jill Marsal of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.

Want to hear about sales and new releases? Visit http://www.minkakent.com/subscribe/

Book Review: The Woman on the Bridge by Sheila O’Flanagan

“In a country fighting for freedom, it’s hard to live a normal life. Winnie O’Leary supports the cause, but she doesn’t go looking for trouble. Then rebel Joseph Burke steps into her workplace. Winnie is furious with him about a broken window. She’s not interested in romance. But love comes when you least expect it.

Joseph’s family shelter fugitives and smuggle weapons. Joseph would never ask Winnie to join the fight; but his mother and sisters demand commitment. Will Winnie choose Joseph, and put her own loved ones in deadly danger? Or wait for a time of peace that may never come?

***

The narrative was recounted from the viewpoint of the women in the aftermath of the Easter Rising during the Irish Civil War. A compelling narrative about one family, their interactions, their disagreements, and the impact on a single woman at the heart of Ireland’s fight for independence from England.

I thought it was interesting, even though it feels very niche to me since I’m not very knowledgeable about Irish history. I also struggled a bit keeping up with it as it was going from present-day Ireland to the events of the Easter uprising. 

The story was engaging, but there are a lot of unlikable characters. I mean, we all have those in books, right? But these are unlikable characters brought about by that era, I guess, when women had no rights at all, everything was quiet, everything was all in the family, and it’ll just be your luck if they are supportive or not. 

I found it a tad lengthy, but overall, it was a very intresting read, albeit tailored to a specific audience.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Published on April 27, 2023 by Review.

About the Author
Sheila O’Flanagan is the author of over 30 bestselling books, including What Eden Did Next,Three Weddings and a Proposal, The Women Who Ran Away, Her Husband’s Mistake,The Hideaway and The Missing Wife. She lives in Dublin with her husband.

http://www.sheilaoflanagan.com
TwitteItr @sheilaoflanagan
Facebook.com/sheilabooks –This text refers to the paperback edition.

Book Review: Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell

Ellie Mack, a beloved and seemingly perfect teenage daughter, vanished suddenly, leaving her mother Laurel shattered. Ten years later, Laurel’s life remains in pieces as she grapples with Ellie’s disappearance and the collapse of her marriage. A chance encounter with Floyd, a charming man, leads to a surprising romance, but it’s his daughter, Poppy, who stirs Laurel’s heartache anew with her uncanny resemblance to Ellie. As Laurel delves into unanswered questions about Ellie’s fate, doubts about Floyd and his connection to her daughter intensify, reigniting her desperate search for the truth.

***

A good friend recommended this one, saying it was a must-read. Honestly, the first half of the book was a bit of a drag for me, but the second half was full of jaw-dropping twists with an absolutely satisfying conclusion.

The central character is Laurel, but the book also features multiple POVs, which I usually do not like in a book, but it works here. I can feel Laura’s emotions—the harrowing sadness and deeply poignant events in the past and present of each character—some of whom I empathized with deeply, while others I despised. At times, the weight of the story became so heavy that I needed to take a breather.

What I loved most about the book, though, was how the author kept me guessing until the very end. As someone who grew attached to Laurel and was rooting for her, I was relieved that she got some closure (sorry, spoiler alert!).

While the storyline wasn’t entirely groundbreaking, the author was very good in developing her characters and the unexpected twists, even the obvious ones, were executed flawlessly. This being my first encounter with Lisa Jewell’s work, I’m very much eager to explore more of her writing.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Published on July 27, 2027 by Atria Books