The Husband's Secret

 Liane Moriarty

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

This is my third Liane Moriarty book after Big Little Lies and Truly Madly Guilty. Right from the beginning, let me say that I enjoyed those two more than this one.

 Although the story's format, which follows three female characters, is similar to Big Little Lies, its execution and outcome are quite different. We follow the main female lead, Cecillia, who is heavily involved in community events and sells Tupperware. She discovers a sealed letter from her husband addressed to her and to be opened in the event of his death. Her husband is still alive, so curiosity kills her.

The second female character is Tess. Along with her son, she moved into her mother’s house after her husband left her for another woman, who is also her cousin and best friend. Then there is Rachel, who, after many years, is still grieving the murder of her daughter. She still has her eyes on Connor as the killer of her daughter.

This book, like the author’s other books, features storylines that are intertwined with one another. Secrets will be out in the open, and characters will find themselves forced to face difficult situations. The plot is intriguing. However, I can’t help but feel it was overwritten. This story didn’t need to be over 400 pages. 

The ending was unbelievable for both the characters and our world. I couldn’t comprehend Rachel acting like that after many years of searching for that killer. Her reaction was totally out of character. The other resolutions were similarly lacking in depth. The story relied more on drama than character growth, which is why it didn’t connect with me like the author’s other books. It’s a decent story, but a forgettable one. 

Dead of Summer

 Jessa Maxwell

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Genre: Mystery Thriller

This novel is the second book I've read by Jessa Maxwell. The first was her debut novel, The Golden Spoon, a 5-star book for me. Obviously, I had very high expectations of this mystery thriller, as I loved everything about the author’s debut novel.

The story takes place on a secluded island in New England and follows a set of characters. There is Orla O’Connor, who is returning to the island after a very long time, and this return brings back many buried memories of her best friend’s mysterious disappearance when they were teenagers. 

Then there is David, who is also bringing his girlfriend, Faith, to introduce her to his family. Faith, being fascinated with the island, will start digging into its past and the secrets that are buried about it. Henry is another character that we follow his perspective. He was once considered a suspect in Alice's disappearance. And now, since Orla is back, he feels completely unsettled about her presence. 

The book has an atmospheric setting, no doubt about that. The isolated island feels eerie at times, which completely suits the main theme. The story shifts between multiple perspectives, giving the readers a better understanding of each character’s behavior and motives. 

The twists and turns were enjoyable for the most part. Yes, some were predictable, but that happens, and it is OK. I think character development would have benefited from some more depth. Overall, the story is a decent mystery thriller that you might enjoy reading, but don’t expect it to be a groundbreaking one. 

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book.

Port Anna

Libby Buck

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ ½ Genre: Contemporary Fiction

This debut novel follows the story of Gwen, a woman in her forties who is returning to her family’s cottage, located in the fictional coastal town of Port Anna, after many setbacks in her life, like a failed relationship and career loss. 

This aging seaside cottage was owned by her family for generations. She goes there again for solace and some rethinking of where she stands. Going back there awakens many memories and secrets. What surprises Gwen is that this time she is drawn to the community that she once fled from. It will be like an opportunity to rekindle old friendships and explore what used to be her home once again.

The story is not fully contemporary fiction and has some magical realism elements in it due to the presence of ghosts. At times, the plot felt overcrowded with events, making it seem unnecessarily stuffed. There are parts of the story that will appeal to many readers, but the ghost part might not be among them.

In my opinion, the overall atmosphere of the coastal town is what makes this story appealing. That atmosphere reminded me of the movie Safe Haven. Although the two stories are different, they both take place in a coastal town and have ghosts! If you loved the atmosphere of the movie, you might also love the atmosphere of this book, which I think can be an excellent beach read choice.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the ARC of this book.

Crown

 Evanthia Bromiley

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Genre: Literary Fiction

Crown is the debut novel of Evanthia Bromiley, and it follows the story of Jude, a pregnant single mother of 9-year-old twins, Evan and Virginia. This small family is facing an eviction from their trailer park home. It is a story of hardship and struggle.

Without getting into the details, this tale is very relevant in today’s world. This family experiences many difficulties, be it the cut-off of the electricity, the risk of the children being taken away from the mother, or the complications of a pregnancy. All these challenges occur simultaneously.

The writing style is beautiful and has emotional depth to it, despite the book not being a long one. The author concentrates on many themes like poverty, resilience, motherhood, and struggle. What I appreciate about this story is that it sheds light on the lives of marginalized communities in the United States. This is something that not many books do.

Yes, there will be moments that you, as a reader, will feel tense due to the theme, which involves dealing with trauma and child endangerment, but we have to remember this is not fantasy, and whatever happened to this family is also happening to real people, if not worse. 

The story is narrated from multiple perspectives, which helps us understand the emotional states of the characters. Though short, this book is hard to read because of its subject, but it is vital for understanding others' struggles. 

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the ARC of this book.

Finding Grace

Loretta Rothschild

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Genre: Literary Fiction

This is the author’s debut novel with an unusual perspective and deep emotional resonance. The book's synopsis gives a brief overview of what to expect, but it's just a taste of the story. I won't say more, as I think it's best if you read the story without spoilers. Fortunately, the synopsis itself doesn’t spoil anything. 

The novel depends a lot on character development. The characters, be it Grace, Honor, or Tom, are all given their due, and throughout the book, we see a lot of character growth in them. Their relationships give the story lots of dramatic and emotional weight.

This is a beautifully written debut novel. Loretta Rothschild’s prose is lyrical, making this character-driven story a pleasure to read. I’d expect nothing less from literary fiction. I think the author has delivered in that aspect. 

There is a bit of mystery surrounding the characters, especially Grace, and this makes the plot more interesting. It is indeed one of the slow-burning varieties, but that is not a bad thing. The novel exhibits several important themes that many readers could relate to, like grief, loss, healing, and emotional connection.

The narrative structure alternates between the present and the past, which enhances understanding of the characters and their perspectives. With the gentle pacing, it feels like peeling layer after layer from the story until reaching the core. Finding Grace is undoubtedly among the best stories I have read this year.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the ARC of this book.

Days of Light

Megan Hunter

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ ½ Genre: Historical Fiction 

This novel follows the life of the main protagonist, Ivy, in six important days of her life across six decades. The story begins in 1938, in the English countryside, when Ivy was 19 years old, and continues until 1999, during Easter, as she nears the end of her life. 

The story is set against many backdrops, like World War II and how England as a country has gone through changes. Ivy herself goes through many changes during those years, such as marrying Bear, later getting a divorce, and then retiring to a convent in 1965. These events make her evaluate her past choices.

Days of Light is a well-written novel with a unique structure that could make an intriguing movie. The author’s lyrical prose is elegant and fits the themes of the story. There are many themes here because the character goes through all the different stages of life. Themes like love, loss, faith, separation, and self-discovery are a few examples.

The author transports readers through different atmospheres and various settings, including the English countryside, the war, and the serene lifestyle of a convent. This setting creates a richly atmospheric experience. Although the pacing feels slow at times, it aligns well with the themes. Overall, Days of Light is a beautiful novel with its merits and imperfections, but the experience of reading it is ultimately rewarding. 

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the ARC of this book.

Ten Incarnations of Rebellion

Vaishnavi Patel

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ ½
Genre: Historical Fiction + Speculative

This is such an intriguing historical fiction that takes place in an alternative or imaginative world where India is still under British colonial rule. While it may not fall under the fantasy category, its imaginative setting in the 1960s certainly qualifies.

The story follows a young female protagonist called Kalki Divekar over a decade of her life, with each chapter representing one year. During that decade, the readers see how much this character has matured with all the struggles and obstacles that she and her people face against the evil forces of colonialism.

The appealing thing about Kalki’s character is taking responsibility when tragedy comes home. Along with her friends, she plans to destroy the empire to get the freedom they have always desired.

The book is neatly structured, and the author did an impressive job with the world-building. The author conducted extensive research and transformed real events into alternate versions. The story focuses more on female characters, who drive the rebellion. This is something more unique for this story than the usual male-dominated rebellion stories.

Despite the strong pros here, there are some drawbacks. At times, the pacing felt uneven. I feel some events needed more development to enhance the story. Although the female protagonist is strong, I couldn’t connect as much as I wished with her, which might be a personal preference. However, regardless of any con, the book has an important message and discusses relevant political and humanitarian themes even in our times, which makes it still a worthwhile read.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the ARC of this book.

My Name Is Emilia del Valle

Isabel Allende

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Genre: Historical Fiction + Literary Fiction

My Name is Emilia del Valle is a historical novel set in 1866 in San Francisco. It follows the protagonist Emilia right before her birth and how her mother got pregnant with her when she was an Irish nun. Her Chilean aristocrat father didn’t want to do anything with her or with her mother.

When Emilia grows up, she starts writing stories and novels under a male pen name. And then she ends up writing a column in The Daily Examiner under the guidance of Eric Whelan, a reporter who becomes her mentor. Their work collaboration and partnership get stronger with time.

When an opportunity arises for a reporter to go to her dad’s homeland, Chile, which is on the brink of a civil war, Emilla signs up for it, and she gets a new contract where she can now write under her real name instead of a male pen name. Eric becomes her partner in this mission, and the two find themselves in very dangerous situations. Being there will also give Emilia the chance to search for her father and his family.

The story is narrated in the first-person style from Emilia’s perspective, and through her voice, we follow her journey, which shows how a person can grow and mature in the most difficult circumstances. If you love stories with a strong female protagonist, then this novel is the one for you.

This is the third book I've read by the author, following the highly enjoyable Violetta and The Wind Knows My Name. Like those two, this story is deep with a rich historical setting, especially the parts that take place in Chile. The author did an excellent job showing the tension and the very tense mood of the people during that time.

I'm unsure how historically accurate the book is since I haven't read anything about Chile before, but the author presents things in a very realistic and believable way. The story encompasses themes such as coming of age, feminism, and the search for one’s identity and roots. Allende’s prose and exceptional storytelling enhance its richness.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the ARC of this book.

Waterline

Aram Mrjoian

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Historical Fiction + Literary Fiction

This debut novel is set on the island of Grosse Ile near Detroit and follows the Kurkijan family, an Armenian American family. The family is devastated when they receive the tragic news of their daughter Mari's suicide. The event causes lots of pain and trauma to a family whose ancestors have already suffered a lot in the past.

As the story unfolds, the ties of this family with the Armenian Genocide, specifically their great-grandfather, Gregor, open up. Gregor is one of the survivors of the genocide, and his voice is felt throughout the novel, showing the importance of staying true to your roots and all the hardships that the ancestors went through.

For a debut novel, the author has done an impressive job with the story. His lyrical prose is beautiful and engaging. The way he blends our contemporary time with the historical context is truly admirable. The deep generational trauma can be felt by all the characters. Reading about the Armenian culture was really good, and all the hardships detailed made the novel a thought-provoking experience.

Usually, I’m not a fan of multiple character perspectives, but in this book, it worked for me. Maybe because more than the plot itself, the book is a character-driven story, so these characters were fleshed out and well written.

The book has a non-linear storytelling approach, so the shifting in timelines and perspectives might feel a bit excessive for such a short novel. While for me, the open ending was quite suitable and realistic for the story’s theme, some readers might feel it is ambiguous and doesn’t provide closure. Regardless of the drawbacks, I think this debut novel has all it takes to be a wonderful reading experience.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the ARC of this book.