Book Review: Merry and Bright by Debbie Macomber

Okay, I'm done with Christmas romances for the season.  Merry and Bright gave me that warm, holiday feeling I always look for.

Merry has a temporary job and is working on a hard, fast approaching deadline.  She's working overtime, and it is difficult during the holiday season.  Especially when her mother is ill, her father travels, and her brother has Down syndrome. It doesn't help that her boss, Jayson Bright, is such a crab.  He never smiles and doesn't appreciate Merry or the other employees.

There's the setup.  Merry and Jayson both try using an online dating service and end up communicating via chatting, but they don't know that they know each other.  This goes on for a while, and they really like each other, so they decide to meet.  I think that's all I'll say because if I tell you too much more, I'm telling you the whole story.

I enjoyed Merry and Bright, but it's a short novel, and it still dragged on too long.  We hear way too often about how Merry loves Christmas, and how she would do anything for her family.  We hear way too often about how Jayson had a horrible upbringing and his family didn't care about him, and he doesn't care about Christmas.  I just wanted to say, "Tell each other who you are, for God's sake!" The tension didn't really mount the way I like it too.  It was just more of the same for the middle of the book until the final resolution.  Which is happy, of course.

I enjoyed Merry and Bright, don't get me wrong.  I read it in one day, so even with the middle feeling kind of repetitive, it was still quick.  This is Macomber's newest Christmas story, so at least I hadn't read this one before! If you need a quick, Christmas romance, here's your book.

Published by Ballentine, October 3, 2017
Copy obtained from the library
224 pages

Rating: 3.5/5

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Book Review: Genuine Fraud, by e. lockhart

I loved the way that Genuine Fraud was told.  The book is very creative, although along with the backward format came a bit of a disappointment.

Each chapter in Genuine Fraud happens before the chapter you just read (until the very last chapter.) Once you get into the rhythm, it is really compelling.

At the beginning of the book (which is the end of the story), Jule is on the run. She's an unreliable narrator, so it is hard to believe everything she says. As we travel back in time, we figure out the path Jule has taken to get to this point in the story. And as the blurb says, it involves a murder, or maybe two.

I was really sucked into this story at first.  I read about 3/4 of the book the first day.  I had several possibilities as to what happened to Jule and her best friend Imogen, and none of them were exactly correct.  But you know something is twisted about this story.

My issue  has to do with the ending (or beginning, depending on how you look at it.) When I got towards the end of my reading, I just felt underwhelmed.  I think it's because books are more exciting at the end, and the beginning of the story is just the setup.  And I was reading the setup last.  I just felt like after all that reading and anticipation of where this all started, my reaction was just, "Oh." Not really disappointed, but just okay.  And I didn't have the problem that not enough loose ends were tied up, as I read that many other reviewers had. I was satisfied with what we know by the time we get to the end.

If you liked this book, you should see the movie Memento.  It is about a guy who loses his short-term memory and is told backward, just like Genuine Fraud.

I would definitely recommend Genuine Fraud just because it's unique.  It's a quick read.  I had difficulty keeping track of a couple of characters, but for the most part, this was really fun.

Published by Delacorte, September 5, 2017
Copy obtained from the library
265 pages

Rating: 4/5

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Book Review: The Perfect Christmas by Debbie Macomber

The Perfect Christmas is the finally the Christmas story I've been looking for.  (After two previous attempts -- see here and here.)

Cassie and her best friend Angie are looking for husbands. Cassie, in particular, wants to find the perfect man and have the perfect Christmas.  Angie suggests she enlist the help of a professional matchmaker, Simon, at a price of $36,000.  It's hefty, but Cassie is desperate, and there is a money back guarantee.

Simon is cold and off-putting, and Cassie tries desperately to break through his facade.  But she's after a husband and will put up with almost anything to meet Simon's pick for her.  And she does put up with a lot.

As in most of these types of stories, the reader can see where this is going.  And Angie is going to find someone too, and it's pretty obvious who that will be.  But that's all I'm saying. That's what is expected when you pick up a book like The Perfect Christmas.

The Perfect Christmas is a delightful, heartwarming, happy Christmas story that I crave every year.  Macomber's stories are always clean and appropriate for teens. This edition contains another story, Can This Be Christmas? that I didn't read. I have another Macomber Christmas story coming from the library, so if I have time, I'm going to read that one too!  I'm such a mushy romantic around Christmas!

Note: WOW.  I just realized I read and reviewed this in 2013.  I have no recollection of this story!  It is "fluff," and I don't read a lot of that. But that's never happened before.  I mean, I read a lot, but still...

Published by MIRA, 2016
Copy obtained from the library
187 pages

Rating:4/5

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Book Review (DNF) - The Afterlife of Holly Chase by Cynthia Hand

The Afterlife of Holly Chase is a cute book, and I would recommend it if you want a lighthearted Christmas story, even though I didn't finish it.

I started reading The Afterlife of Holly Chase in October, before the release date and just couldn't get into the story.  It seemed too silly.  But, after reading some excellent reviews and since it's the Christmas season, I thought I'd try again.

The Afterlife of Holly Chase is based on A Christmas Carol.  I wouldn't call it a retelling, but maybe a modernization.  Holly is awful.  She's the Scrooge.  And she's visited by three ghosts and still doesn't change her ways.  So, she dies.  As a ghost, she works for a company who finds a different Scrooge each year and sends them their ghosts to try to get them to change.  Holly is the ghost of Christmas past.  She has to do a lot of research throughout the year to learn about this year's Scrooge so she knows what to show him/her from the past.

This year's Scrooge is a rich, spoiled teenager, just like Holly.  He's hot too. So you can probably see where this is going.

I read 1/3 of The Afterlife of Holly Chase. It's well-written, well-paced, and entertaining. It was just too goofy for me.  I just couldn't buy in.  I was doing the eye roll too often.  And it seemed a bit predictable, but that's not really why I quit. (And maybe my predictions aren't correct since I didn't finish it!)

If this sounds like something you would enjoy--go for it! It's a great read for the season.  And if you want something light-hearted that can't be taken too seriously, The Afterlife of Holly Chase will fit the bill.  And the references to, A Christmas Carol make it even better.

Published by HarperTeen, October 24, 2017
eARC obtained from Edelweiss
132/389 pages

Rating: DNF

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Book Review: The Love Letters of Abelard and Lily by Laura Creedle

I loved The Love Letters of Abelard and Lily in so many ways. 

The story is told by Lily, who has ADHD.  She struggles to stay in school, to follow directions, to keep track of papers and things, to keep track of time. She has difficulty following some conversations if things go too fast.  She is dyslexic, so sometimes she can't read fast. She often breaks things. She wants to visit her father in Portland, Oregon, during the summer.  Her mom has told her she must pass all her classes and not skip school in order to do so, but her medication makes her feel different and when she quits taking it, things happen.

She gets in trouble at school for breaking something, and it turns out Abelard was in on it, so they both get detention.  Abelard is high-functioning autistic.  He is very smart but lacks social skills.  He doesn't like to be touched. He loves routine and can't stand it if people aren't punctual.

These two unlikely teens fall in love.  The relationship is rocky, and because of their neurodifferences, unusual situations cause more problems than the usual teen relationship.

I loved that I learned so much about what it might be like to be ADHD.  The author has this condition, so I'm assuming this is pretty accurate, at least for some kids. I loved that the ending is hopeful but very open.  Not a perfect "happily ever after." The pacing is excellent. I couldn't stay away from this book.  It's not that it is action-packed, but it's that enough happens.  But mostly it is Lily and Abelard--and their families, who really wanted what is best for these kids.  No crazy parents in this one.  Both of these teens are really intelligent and well read. The title of the book comes from The Love Letters of Abelard and Heloise, which they have both read and quote a lot in this book.

The Love Letters of Abelard and Lily gave me such warm fuzzies.  I've already recommended this to several people.  One of my favorite books of the year (And a contemporary! Who would have thought!)

Published by HMH BFYR, December 26, 2017
eARC obtained from Edelweiss
352 pages

Rating: 5/5

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Book Review: The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux

The Phantom of the Opera is a tragic and exciting tale.

I've seen the musical a couple of times live, as well as the movie, so I have always wanted to read the book. For a classic, it's pretty easy to read and follow.  I'm going to assume you are at least familiar with the basic premise of the story.  (If not, click on the link for a summary.) The beginning goes much like the story in the musical, but after Christine is taken by the Phantom (although he is never called that in the book), it is much more exciting!

There is an additional character, the Persian, not in the musical, who along with Raoul are tortured and barely escape with their lives! We also learn about the Phantom's past, which helps explain why he is so evil. The reader is asked to have sympathy for him, but it is difficult, given what he put everyone through.

I'm glad I read the story, but I wouldn't read it again.  If you are a true fan, it's a must-read. If you enjoy macabre classics, this is a good one.

Published by Pierre Laie (originally), in 1910 (in English in 1911.)
eBook obtained from Serial Reader
270 pages

Rating: 3.5/5

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Book Review: Midnight at the Electric, by Jodi Lynn Anderson

Midnight at the Electric is a uniquely written story, narrated by three women in three different time periods.

Adri exists in the near future.  She has been chosen to go to the colony on Mars. (Don't worry, this book isn't science fiction.) As part of her final training, she will go to The Center in Kansas where the rocket will be launched.  She finds out she has a cousin, Lily, who is 107 years old and lives close to the Center.  Adri will stay with Lily while in her final preparations.

While Adri is staying with Lily (who is in the early stages of dementia), she finds letters from someone called Catherine, who is writing in 1934.  They are in the middle of the Dust Bowl, and Catherine, her mother, and her little sister are barely surviving. Ellis is their farm hand, who they hired after Catherine's father died.  Catherine is secretly in love with Ellis.

Catherine finds letters that were sent to her mother, Beth, by someone named Lenore.  When Cathy asks her mother about Lenore, all she gets is silence. It seems Lenore was Cathy's best friend when Cathy's parents decided to leave England to avoid the war.

Lenore is writing in 1919 and has lost her brother, Teddy, in the war.  Her entire family is in mourning.  She longs to go to America to be with Cathy and is saving her money to do so.  Lenore finds an old shack in their woods and begins to clean it up.  It is a place she can go for peace and quiet.  And she can pretend that Cathy is there.  Soon she realizes that someone else has been using the cabin.  And she meets James, who is a severely deformed veteran of the war who has left civilization and is surviving in the wild.

There are secrets, friendship, hardship, and a lot of soul-searching in Midnight at the Electric.  It is interesting how the stories finally fit together, and we find out, along with Adri, how these people are connected to Lily's house.  Oh, and there's a Galapagos turtle, who is probably older than Lily, that plays an important part in the story.

Midnight at the Electric is a mellow story that I got wrapped up in quickly.  The changes in time and perspective are easy, and with all the jumping around, the story flows well. I'm not sure which teens to push this one to -- I've already recommended it to some of my adult friends.  I think it will need to be pushed, but it's a wonderful story.

Published by HarperTeen, June 13, 2017
Copy obtained from the library
257 pages

Rating: 4/5

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Book Review: The Christmas Room by Catherine Anderson

The Christmas Room is a cute, heartwarming romance but wasn't the Christmas story I expected.

Cam has moved his family (his mother, Maddie, and son) to Montana where he bought some land and intends to build a house.  But, in the meantime, they are camping out - living in a trailer and other makeshift dwellings. When he strikes up a conversation with Kirstin while having a drink, he has no idea she's the daughter of his crazy neighbor, Sam Conacher.

Sam has a reputation for running off and ruining any suitor that even thinks about dating his daughter.  Cam and Kirstin can't ignore the attraction they feel, so they begin seeing each other in secret.

Since Sam's wife died six years ago, he's been a totally different person.  Almost all of his ranch hands have quit.  He's lost contact with all his friends.  When he discovers his daughter has been seeing Cam, he explodes and ends up confronting Maddie, who is a tough older lady and doesn't take any crap from Sam.

We end up with a double romance in The Christmas Room--the older and younger generations trying to make their way into a relationship.  Maddie has been recently widowed, so surviving and grieving after losing a spouse is a strong theme.

I enjoyed watching it all play out.  The characters are interesting, all having their faults.  Nothing is easy, but love prevails. My only complaint is that I didn't really consider this a Christmas story.  Christmas isn't even mentioned until well into the second half of the book.  I kept looking at the cover and thinking, "This looks like a Christmas book, right?" The book ends at Christmas, and there are some Christmas surprises, but I didn't get enough Christmas to satisfy my need.

I enjoyed The Christmas Room, but I'll be looking for another Christmas novel that I hopefully can get to before the holiday.  This is the first book I've read by Anderson, and I won't hesitate to pick up her others when I'm in the mood for a romance.

Published by Berkley, September 26, 2017
eARC obtained from NetGalley
432 pages

Rating: 4/5

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Book Review: March, Book One, by John Lewis and Andrew Aydin

March: Book One is the story of the life of U.S. Congressman John Lewis.  It is the first of a three-part graphic novel series about his life.

John Lewis was (and is) a staunch supporter and fighter for civil rights.  March: Book One is the beginning of his life when he discovered Martin Luther King and several other civil rights leaders. John Lewis got arrested for the first of many times in this book.

His philosophy is all about passive, nonviolent resistance. At the end of the book, he makes a point of discussing that this fight is not only against the white leadership but also the black leadership because so far, they have been content with "partial segregation."  John Lewis was one of the first of the new generation that would only be content with true equality.

I enjoyed this book and learned some things about the history of the civil rights movement.  I did find the print to be extremely tiny, but my eyes are old and this may not be a problem for everyone. The book goes back and forth from the past to the present very abruptly because it is told as if John Lewis is telling his life story to a couple of children in 2009. In some spots, there is a (very tiny) date indicated so you know you've jumped, but not every time, so I kept having to backtrack.

The artwork is black and white and goes well with the text.  I'm not a fan of graphic novels. I read the bubbles in the wrong order -- it's not a natural thing for me.  I read too fast and don't always take the time to look at the art, but March: Book One is worth the time.

March: Book One is nominated for the Lincoln Award, Illinois Teen Readers' Choice Award for 2018. Students interested in the history of civil rights should not miss this one.

Published by Top Shelf Productions, 2013
Copy obtained from the library
121 pages

Rating: 4/5

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