The Audrey Hepburn Estate by Brenda Janowitz
Goodreads blurb: When Emma Jansen discovers that the grand Long Island estate where she grew up is set to be demolished, she can’t help but return for one last visit. After all, it was a place filled with firsts: learning to ride a bike, sneaking a glass of champagne, falling in love. But once Emma arrives at the storied mansion, she can’t ignore the more complicated memories. Because that’s not exactly where Emma grew up. Her mother and father worked for the family that owned the estate, and they lived over the garage like Audrey Hepburn’s character in the film Sabrina. Emma never felt fully accepted, except by the family’s grandson, Henry—a former love—and by the driver’s son, Leo—her best friend. As plans for the property are put into motion and the three are together for the first time in over a decade, Emma finds herself caught between two worlds and two loves. And when the house reveals a shattering secret about her own family, she’ll have to decide what kind of life she really wants for herself now and who she wants to be i
my take: 3.75 out of 5. This is a cute story, although fair warning it really has nothing to do with Audrey Hepburn. There is a minor link but it is definitely not the key. Although if you are a Sabrina fan like me you will appreciate a lot of references. A beautiful architectural historical fiction that is very enjoyable.
The Writing Retreat by Julia Bartz
Goodreads blurb: A book deal to die for.Five attendees are selected for a month-long writing retreat at the remote estate of Roza Vallo, the controversial high priestess of feminist horror. Alex, a struggling writer, is thrilled.Upon arrival, they discover they must complete an entire novel from scratch, and the best one will receive a seven-figure publishing deal. Alex’s long-extinguished dream now seems within reach.But then the women begin to die.Trapped, terrified yet still desperately writing, it is clear there is more than a publishing deal at stake at Blackbriar Estate. Alex must confront her own demons – and finish her novel – to save herself.This unhinged, propulsive, claustrophobic closed-door thriller will pull you in and spit you out…
This is an ARC review thanks to a gift from the publisher.
my take: 3 out of 5. This was a weird book. I’m a bit more removed now from when i read it and i still haven’t figured out if its good or bad weird. But weird is definitely the feeling. Its gothic, murder craziness that is definitely not my style. I was engaged at first because i love books about writers but this went off the rails quickly. Some of the twists were good and I liked the mystery aspect of it but it turned dark fast.
Wanderlust by Elle Everhart
Goodreads blurb: People We Meet on Vacation meets The Unhoneymooners in this sparkling debut romantic comedy about two near strangers—and complete opposites—who win a radio contest for a trip around the world. Love’s about to take flight . Feeling stuck at work and tired of London’s dreary weather, magazine writer Dylan Coughlan impulsively rings a radio station one day only to win a once-in-a-lifetime trip around the world. The catch? Her travel partner must be a contact randomly selected on her phone. And of course this stressful game of contact roulette lands on a number listed only as Jack the Posho , an uptight, unbearably posh guy she met on a night out and accidentally ghosted. The two couldn’t be more different, and as the trip kicks off, Jack seems like he’d sooner fling himself into the sun than have a conversation with Dylan. But more is hinging on this trip than the chance to see the world. For the past two years, Dylan’s been relegated to writing quizzes (and only quizzes) at her lifestyle magazine after an article about her past abortion went viral—and not in the good way. If she’s able to make a series about their trip successful, her overbearing boss will give her a chance at a permanent column. Dylan’s willing to do anything to make the series a hit, even if it means embellishing her and Jack’s relationship to satisfy readers. But as the column’s popularity grows, so does the bond between Dylan and Jack, and Dylan is forced to consider if the one thing she thought she always wanted is worth the price she’ll have to pay to get there.
This is an ARC review thanks to a gift from the publisher. This book comes out July 4th.
My take: 3.5 out of 5. I thought i was going to love this book. Travel + romance in my book meant it was destined to be great. In the end it was good but not fully great. It wants to be People we meet on Vacation but it does not get to that level of greatness. What did i like: The concept of course. As absurd as it seems, a travel around the world with a hot stranger has an epic premise. I love reading and I love travel so this was made to me. Also I really liked Jack as a character. The writing is also very agreeable and its a quick and enjoyable read. some of my qualms: I really wanted more of the travel, I think the first locations were very detailed and then the rest of the world goes on with a blur – i would have liked some more travel content. Also Dylan was a bit exasperating. Side note that maybe only me will think about: how do they do all these locations and all the different plans plus all the different outfits they talk about in 1 bag? this book should have a travel guide in the end.
Dirty Laundry by Disha Bose
Goodreads blurb: Ciara Dunphy has it all–a loving husband, well-behaved children, and a beautiful home. Her circle of friends in their small Irish village go to her for tips about mothering, style, and influencer success–a picture-perfect life is easy money on Instagram. But behind the filters, reality is less polished.Enter Mishti Guha: Ciara’s best friend. Ciara welcomed Mishti into her inner circle for being… unlike the other mothers in the group. But, discontent in a marriage arranged for her through her parents back in Calcutta, Mishti now raises her young daughter in a country that is too cold, among the children of her new friends who look nothing like her. She just wants what Ciara has–the ease with which she moves through the world–and in that sense, Mishti might be exactly like the other mothers. And there’s earth mother Lauren Doyle, born, bred, and the butt of jokes in their village. With her disheveled partner and children who run naked in the yard, they’re mostly a happy lot, though unsurprisingly ostracized for being the singular dysfunction in Ciara’s immaculate world. When Lauren finds an unlikely ally in Mishti, she decides that her days of ridicule are over.Then Ciara is found murdered in her own pristine home, and the house of cards she’d worked so hard to build comes crumbling down. Everyone seems to have something to gain from Ciara’s death, so if they don’t want the blame, it may be the perfect time to air their enemies’ dirty laundry. In this dazzling debut novel, Disha Bose revolutionizes age-old ideas of love and deceit. What ensues is the delicious unspooling of a group
My take: 2.75 out of 5. For me this was a formulaic attempt to make a soapy book with lots of hype but it just did not do it for me. I was actually surprised it was a GMA book club book as they are usually pretty solid takes but here they just lost me. I was about to DNF this book but I am too curious and needed to figure out what happened, what the mystery was, so i dragged on. But it was dragged and not too engaged reading at the end. My main problem was: I did not care at all about any of the characters. I was not engaged and they were all either so terrible or so bland that I was checked out. Also the stakes appear to be high but are so low, this is the equivalent of drowning in a glass of water. And third, the mystery was just so poorly executed in my take, and the ending was just not my favorite.
Tati's Tidbits 