My last reading month of 2022 was a good one to say the least! I ended up reading more than “planned” and also just reallyy enjoyed what I read! There were several great ones that I’m excited to share and talk about! Here we goooo!
Scotland, 1933. While her true love, Darcy O’Mara, is spending his feliz navidad tramping around South America and her mother is holed up in a tiny village called Tiddleton-under-Lovey with droll playwright Noel Coward, Georgie is quite literally stuck at Castle Rannoch thanks to a snowstorm. It seems like a Christmas miracle when she manages to land a position as hostess to a posh holiday party in Tiddleton. The village should be like something out of A Christmas Carol, but as soon as she arrives things take a deadly turn when a neighborhood nuisance falls out of a tree. On her second day, another so-called accident results in a death—and there’s yet another on her third, making Georgie wonder if there’s something wicked happening in this winter wonderland…
MY REVIEW
Ahh this was so cute and fun! If you’re a Downton Abbey fan–that’s the vibe it gave me. The era, the grand homes, the food, the parties–it’s all so fancy and fun! It was cozy and festive and I really enjoyed the writing style. This isn’t the first book in the series, but it’s the first I’ve read and I felt like I was able to jump into it perfectly fine. It was easy to follow, it didn’t get confusing (mysteries with lots of characters can often get confusing to me personally) and I just overall enjoyed it! (Content “Warning” It did have a teensie bit of language–I think mostly just the “d” word)
Tis the season for change and Becky Brandon (née Bloomwood) is embracing it, returning from the States to live in the charming village of Letherby and working with her best friend, Suze, in the gift shop of Suze’s stately home. Life is good, especially now that Becky takes time every day for mindfulness—even if that only means listening to a meditation tape while hunting down online bargains. But Becky still adores the traditions of Christmas: Her parents hosting, carols playing on repeat, her mother pretending she made the Christmas pudding, and the neighbors coming ’round for sherry in their terrible holiday sweaters. Things are looking cheerier than ever, until Becky’s parents announce they’re moving to ultra-trendy Shoreditch—unable to resist the draw of craft beer and smashed avocados—and ask Becky if she’ll host this year. What could possibly go wrong?
MY REVIEW
Lots of folks with similar reading tastes to mine seemed to really enjoy this book. However, I couldn’t get into it. I found it a bit boring and there was just a lot of senseless language which is a turn off to me in books. Normally I can tolerate a few “words” or if it feels realistic to the era/plot/etc. but it just was hard to overlook in this one. Ugh…I didn’t finish it 🙁 It might be okay for someone else, just wasn’t for me.
Sold into slavery by her father and forsaken by the man she was supposed to marry, young Egyptian Kiya must serve a mistress who takes pleasure in her humiliation. When terrifying plagues strike Egypt, Kiya is in the middle of it all. To save her older brother and escape the bonds of slavery, Kiya flees with the Hebrews during the Great Exodus. She finds herself utterly dependent on a fearsome God she’s only just beginning to learn about, and in love with a man who despises her people. With everything she’s ever known swept away, will Kiya turn back toward Egypt or surrender her life and her future to Yahweh?
MY REVIEW
This was my second Biblical fiction read this year and I really enjoyed how this brought Biblical events to life! It was an interesting point in history to read about and a neat way to consider how each of the plagues effected people! I felt like the beginning was a bit better than the last half–it seemed to have quite a focus shift. The first half seemed to focus mostly on the evolution of Kiya’s religious stances/feelings which was interesting to watch unfold. But then we ended up focusing on the romance aspect of the book. Which I’m not saying was a bad thing–but the romance did feel a bit cheesy and wasn’t the strongest part of the storytelling for me. But again–I did enjoy this and will definitely be reading the next book to see what happens next!
Apples are at the core of the family business run by Winona Mae Montgomery and her Granny Smythe. But this year’s crop is unseasonably ripe with murder! Blossom Valley, West Virginia, is home to Smythe Orchards, Winnie and her Granny’s beloved twenty-five-acre farm and family business. But any way you slice it, it’s struggling. That’s why they’re trying to drum up business with the “First Annual Christmas at the Orchard,” a good old-fashioned holiday festival with enough delicious draw to satisfy apple-picking locals and cider-loving tourists alike—until the whole endeavor takes a sour turn when the body of Nadine Cooper, Granny’s long-time, grudge-holding nemesis, is found lodged in the apple press. Now, with Granny the number one suspect, Winnie is hard-pressed to prove her innocence before the real killer delivers another murder.
MY REVIEW
As you can see, I gave it five stars 🙂 Because it deserved it. It was easy to follow, it was festive, it was cozy, it was just so good. It gave me Nancy Drew vibes (which I used to adore reading growing up) and yeah–it was pretty much perfect. I have no complaints or anything I’d wish to be different about it. Highly recommend!
When Kyle Keeley learns that the world’s world’s most famous game maker, Luigi Lemoncello, has designed the town’s new library and is having an invitation-only lock-in on opening night, Kyle is determined to be there! But the tricky part isn’t getting into the library—it’s getting out. Because when morning comes, the doors stay locked. Kyle and the other kids must catch every clue and solve every puzzle to find the hidden escape route!
MY REVIEW
I picked up this book at a Little Free Library as a palate cleanse read. I needed something easy and mindless and middle grade is always a fun go-to for that. This was a pretty fun read! Take Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and literally make it an Escape Room Library! 3.5 stars from me!
Scarlett has never left the tiny island where she and her beloved sister, Tella, live with their powerful and cruel father. Now Scarlett’s father has arranged a marriage for her, and Scarlett thinks her dreams of seeing Caraval, the far-away, once-a-year performance where the audience participates in the show, are over. But this year, Scarlett’s long-dreamt-of invitation finally arrives. With the help of a mysterious sailor, Tella whisks Scarlett away to attend. Only, as soon as they arrive, Tella is kidnapped by Caraval’s mastermind organizer, Legend. It turns out that this season’s Caraval revolves around Tella, and whoever finds her first is the winner. Scarlett has been told that everything that happens during Caraval is only an elaborate performance. But whether Caraval is real or not, she must find Tella before the five nights of the game are over, and her sister disappears forever.
MY REVIEW
Wow it’s been a minute since I was actually addicted to a book. I loved, loved the setting and it was just so atmospheric! There are definitely some aspects of the romance part of things that I wasn’t crazy about, nothing crazy explicit but just not my taste and a little ridiculous at times (every guy is basically described as super attractive it seemed haha). But to be honest I was just so stinking intrigued by it all and I ordered book two the moment I finished it. I’ve just gottaaa see what’s next!! It definitely wasn’t perfect but I REALLY enjoyed it. If it wasn’t for the romantic bits I didn’t care for it probably would have gotten five stars for me!
Grown-up Meg, tomboyish Jo, timid Beth, and precocious Amy. The four March sisters couldn’t be more different. But with their father away at war, and their mother working to support the family, they have to rely on one another. Whether they’re putting on a play, forming a secret society, or celebrating Christmas, there’s one thing they can’t help wondering: Will Father return home safely?
MY REVIEW
This is one of those most wholesome and precious books I’ve ever read. I don’t think it’s a commonly known thing how much of Christianity is in this book and how important Faith is to this family. It’s truly so beautiful. As a sister of three girls the sister relationships really hit home. We grew up watching the movie adaption over and over and over and Little Women is just so nostalgic for me. It’s so perfect for the holidays/winter months but truly can be read at any time of the year. It’s a chunky read but it’s just brimming with wonderful!!