The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer
Goodreads blurb: Years ago, a reclusive mega-bestselling children’s author quit writing under mysterious circumstances. Suddenly he resurfaces with a brand-new book and a one-of-a-kind competition, offering a prize that will change the winner’s life in this absorbing and whimsical novel. Make a wish. . . . Lucy Hart knows better than anyone what it’s like to grow up without parents who loved her. In a childhood marked by neglect and loneliness, Lucy found her solace in books, namely the Clock Island series by Jack Masterson. Now a twenty-six-year-old teacher’s aide, she is able to share her love of reading with bright, young students, especially seven-year-old Christopher Lamb, who was left orphaned after the tragic death of his parents. Lucy would give anything to adopt Christopher, but even the idea of becoming a family seems like an impossible dream without proper funds and stability. But be careful what you wish for. . . .Just when Lucy is about to give up, Jack Masterson announces he’s finally written a new book. Even better, he’s holding a contest at his home on the real Clock Island, and Lucy is one of the four lucky contestants chosen to compete to win the one and only copy. For Lucy, the chance of winning the most sought-after book in the world means everything to her and Christopher. But first she must contend with ruthless book collectors, wily opponents, and the distractingly handsome (and grumpy) Hugo Reese, the illustrator of the Clock Island books. Meanwhile, Jack “the Mastermind” Masterson is plotting the ultimate twist ending that could change all their lives forever. . . . You might just get it.
My take: 4.75 out of 5. This book was an absolute delight. A delight that had me crying all over the place. I did half audiobook and half reading and i do have to say I must have had some crazy glances at some traffic stops. It brought back Midnight Library memories in all the right ways, even though it is a very different story. A new take of Charlie and the Chocolate factory and I might love it as much, because also changing chocolates for books is right up my alley. It has child wonder in adult themes. That beauty of engaging hope, of wishing that we loose as adults. In the end the whole serendipitous way this book plays out just wad my heart warm. But even within all the wishing themes, there was also a beautiful reminder of being careful what you wish for and valuing what you have, because not always the grass is greener on the other side. Things can look very different once you peel some layers or talk further. Additionally there is a whole section of facing fears that is absolutely lovely and again made this wonderful fictional book an almost self help book, and those are my favorite kind. I will stop gushing, and just say you must read it so that we can discuss.
some of my favorite quotes:
- “Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards.”
- “The stories write us, you see. We read something that moves us, touches us, speaks to us and it…it changes us.”
- “Hate is a knife without a handle. You can’t cut something with it without cutting yourself.”
- “Sometimes the thing we want most in the world is the thing we’re most afraid of. And the thing we’re most afraid of is often the thing we most want.”
Kiss the Girl by Zoraida Cordova
Good reads blurb: Ariel del Mar is one of the most famous singers in the world. She and her sisters—together, known as the band Siren Seven—have been a pop culture phenomenon since they were kids. On stage, wearing her iconic red wig and sequined costumes, staring out at a sea of fans, is where she shines. Anyone would think she’s the girl who has everything. But lately, she wants more . Siren Seven is wrapping up their farewell tour, and Ariel can’t wait to spend the summer just living a normal life—part of a world she’s only ever seen from the outside. But her father, the head of Atlantica Records, has other begin her breakout solo career immediately, starting with a splashy announcement on a morning talk show. The night before, Ariel and her sisters sneak out of their Manhattan penthouse for a night of incognito fun at a rock concert in Brooklyn. It’s there that Ariel crosses paths with Eric Reyes, dreamy lead singer of an up-and-coming band. Unaware of her true identity, Eric spontaneously invites her on the road for the summer. And for the first time in her life, Ariel disobeys her father—and goes with him. Caught between the world she longs for and the one she’s left behind, can Ariel follow her dreams, fall in love, and, somehow, find her own voice?
my take: 4.25 out of 5. I love the meant to be series, they are adorable and as a fairytale and Disney fan how can i not love these twisty modern day adaptations. Cinderella and beauty and the beast were great and here we have Little mermaid. (side note Tangled was just announced with Christina Lauren! I’m so happy about this). All the references and links to the original story are fabulous as are all the name associations. one of my favorites was the blog writer being a Scuttle reference was amazing, and i just kept singing and that’s the scuttlebutt rap in my head. But there are so many they just bring constant smiles to your face. The story is actually great, and even if you are not a little mermaid fan like me you would appreciate it. Wonderfully musical and thoroughly sweet. onus points: prince being from Colombia and the fabulous song name Love Like Lightning.
Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth
Goodreads blurb: From the outside, Alicia, Jessica and Norah might seem like ordinary women you’d meet on the street any day of the week. Sure, Jessica has a little OCD and Norah has some anger issues. And Alicia has low self-esteem that manifests itself in surprising ways. But these three have a bond that no one can fully understand. It’s a bond that takes them back decades, to when they were girls, and they lived on a farm with a foster mother named Miss Fairchild. Miss Fairchild had rules. Miss Fairchild could be unpredictable. And Miss Fairchild was never, ever to be crossed. In a moment of desperation, the three broke away from Miss Fairchild, and they thought they were free. But the reach of someone with such power is long, and even though they never saw her again, she was always somewhere in the shadows of their minds. When bones are discovered buried under the farmhouse of their childhood, they are called in by the police to tell what they know. Against their will, they are brought back to the past, and to Miss Fairchild herself. DARLING GIRLS asks the questions: what are we capable of when in a desperate place? How much can we hide the demons inside us? And can the past ever truly be buried?
This is an ARC review thanks to a gift from the publisher. Book comes out April 23.
my take: 4 out of 5. I love me a Sally Hepworth book and I was really excited to get this ARC to review. I felt in this one it was less about the who dunit or the big twist that the end like her other books and more the buildup to the emotional trauma that had been endured. It was a very enjoyable and quick read and it does keep you at the edge of your seat and you become emotionally invested with all the characters. What i did not get was the book cover : Revenge is Sweet .. I would actually not say this book is about revenge at all. I would use the words atonement, reckoning and karma before that one. Also Miss Fairchild was a fascinating character. I Wanted more of her psychiatry sessions, her insights and that skewed perspective made the book.
Business or Pleasure by Rachel Lynn Solomon
Goodreads blurb: Chandler Cohen has never felt more like the ghost in “ghostwriter” until she attends a signing for a book she wrote—and the author doesn’t even recognize her. The evening turns more promising when she meets a charming man at the bar and immediately connects with him. But when all their sexual tension culminates in a spectacularly awkward hookup, she decides this is one night better off forgotten. Unfortunately, that’s easier said than done. Her next project is ghostwriting a memoir for Finn Walsh, a C-list actor best known for playing a lovable nerd on a cult classic werewolf show who now makes a living appearing at fan conventions across the country. But Chandler knows him better from their one-night stand of hilarious mishaps. Chandler’s determined to keep their partnership as professional as possible, but when she admits to Finn their night together wasn’t as mind-blowing as he thought it was, he’s distraught. He intrigues her enough that they strike a deal: when they’re not working on his book, Chandler will school Finn in the art of satisfaction. As they grow closer both in and out of the bedroom, they must figure out which is more important, business or pleasure—or if there’s a way for them to have both.
My take: 4 out of 5. Although how terrible this would have blown up was absolutely predictable from the start, the buildup was quite enjoyable and swoony. Big props for the originality of the premise, I had not had a bad sexual encounter leads to sexual education classes and a book romance premise and it was funny, entertaining and educational all at once. Also Chandler will definitely go up there in there list of great rom com male characters. Absolutely adorable. I love backstage entertainment drama and here it got mixed with a good romance so I was all over that side of the premise as well.
Tati's Tidbits 