Tag Archives: book review

Inexcusable

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Author: Chris Lynch                                     inexcuxible
Publisher: Atheneum Books
Pages: 176
Genre:  Young Adult
Source:  Purchased

 

 

Goodreads:  “I am a good guy. Good guys don’t do bad things. Good guys understand that no means no, and so I could not have done this because I understand.”

Keir Sarafian knows many things about himself. He is a talented football player, a loyal friend, a devoted son and brother. Most of all, he is a good guy.

And yet the love of his life thinks otherwise. Gigi says Keir has done something awful. Something unforgivable.

Keir doesn’t understand. He loves Gigi. He would never do anything to hurt her. So Keir carefully recounts the events leading up to that one fateful night, in order to uncover the truth. Clearly, there has been a mistake.

But what has happened is, indeed, something inexcusable.

Ope’s Opinion:  This book was so difficult to read.  I felt like the author was  just rambling  all over the place. It was so repetitive, I found my mind drifting off while I was reading.  

This felt like a male justification for rape. In the end, I  wanted Keir to see he made a mistake.  All he did was continue to say I am a good guy, so I couldn’t do it.  No growth in his character.  I wanted to yell at him to grow up and take responsibility for his actions.  I hope this character is not a reflection of this author.

 

Rating:  Two Chairs – I may have one friend who might like this book.
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A Whisper To A Scream

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Author: Karen Wojcik Berner                  a whisper
Publisher: CreateSpace
Pages: 267
Genre:  Women’s Fiction
Source: Karen Wojcik Berner

Goodreads:  Ovulation detectors. Hormone surges. Anxiety-ridden dreams. This is the world in which Annie Jacobs is thrust when she and her husband John receive a diagnosis of unexplained infertility. A 37-year old PR executive, Annie has wanted to be a mother since she first cuddled her Baby Tenderlove at age five. She is dreading another Christmas of relatives asking when they will be hearing the pitter patter of little feet, and Uncle Joe slapping John on the back, telling him to relax and take a cruise. Lots of people get pregnant on vacation, you know.

Across town, stay-at-home mom of two, Sarah Anderson, attempts grocery shopping with a toddler intent on hurling items from the cart at passersby. She notices a box of rice heading straight for a gray-haired head. Leaping across the aisle, Sarah grabs it, saving the woman from certain doom, or at least a minor head injury. Little Alex screams at being thwarted. The unknowing octogenarian shakes her head and admonishes Sarah for not knowing how to keep her child quiet in public.

“A Whisper to a Scream” is the story of two women on opposite ends of the child-bearing spectrum who come to realize the grass is not necessarily greener on the other side of the fence. A vivid portrayal of contemporary marriage and its problems, the novel speaks to a longing in all of us, a yearning that might start as a vague notion, but eventually grows into an unbearable, vociferous cry.

Ope’s Opinion:  I enjoyed seeing two women deal with the issues of having children.  I was disappointed that the two stories did not intertwine  more.  The two women were not involved with each other as much as I expected.

The author did write the two main characters in such a way that I could relate to each of them.  I felt sorry for them in different ways.  I could see where each thought the other one had the better life.

I did not feel like the ending gave me a feeling of resolution.  I know this is a series and may be followed up in the coming books, but I wanted these two characters to find some peace in their situations.

Rating:  Three Chairs – I like the book enough to suggest it to a friend or two.
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Operation Oleander

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Author: Valerie O. Patterson                           operation oleander
Publisher: Clarion Books
Pages: 192
Genre: Realistic Young Adult
Source: Purchased

 

 

Goodreads:  Ninth-grader Jess Westmark had the best of intentions when she started Operation Oleander to raise money for a girls’ orphanage in Kabul. She named her charity for the oleander that grows both in her Florida hometown and in Afghanistan, where her father is deployed. But on one of her father’s trips to deliver supplies to the orphans, a car bomb explodes nearby and her father is gravely injured. Worse, her best friend’s mother and some of the children are killed, and people are blaming Operation Oleander for turning the orphanage into a military target for the Taliban. Is this all Jess’s fault?

Ope’s Opinion:  This book is so good I am saving it for when my granddaughter gets older.  I have a shelf of books for her, so this one will definitely be on it.

It was good to see the support of the military children.  You hear about the support for adult members, but this really showed the children of the military.

I enjoyed watching the characters develop.  The story moves at a nice, quick pace.  I would like to have heard more about Jess’s coming into this family.

This book should be in school and public libraries.  It would open up a conversation for students with military families.

 

Rating: Four Chairs – I like this book so much I know several friends to share it with.   de9fc-4chairs

The Sea Glass Sisters

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Author:  Lisa Wingate                                   the seaglass sisters
Publisher:  Tyndale House Publishers
Pages:  86
Genre: Contemporary Christian Fiction
Source: Lisa Wingate

Goodreads:  Elizabeth Gallagher has been balancing on the ragged edge for a while now. Then a rough case on the boards of her 911 operator’s job collides with a family conflict at home, and Elizabeth finds herself finally coming apart at the seams. A four-state road trip–trapped in a car with her mother–is the last thing she needs. Their destination may be beautiful Hatteras Island, but the reason for going is anything by pleasant. After one disastrous hurricane, and with a second one working its way up the coast, it’s time to convince Aunt Sandy to abandon her little seaside store on North Carolina’s Outer Banks and return to the family fold in Michigan. But when the storm sweeps through, the three women will discover that sisterhood and the sea can change hearts, lives, and futures . . . often in the most unpredictable of ways.

Ope’s Opinion:  My suggestion is that you don’t start this book until you have time to finish it.  It is a short one that will grab you from page one and keep you there until the end.  It is good to know there will be more since this is a prequel  to The Prayer Box. 

I am a huge Outer Banks fan, so a book set there always catches my attention.  This one moved very quickly and made me want more.  So, now I am looking forward to The Prayer Box.

Now I am looking forward to The Prayer Box.

Rating:  Four Chairs – I like this book so much I know several friends to share it with.  de9fc-4chairs

Early Decision

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Author: Lacy Crawford                        early decision
Publisher: William Morrow
Pages:  384
Genre: Contemporary
Source: Kristi of Kritters Ramblings

 

 

Goodreads:  In Early Decision, debut novelist Lacy Crawford draws on 15 years of experience traveling the world as a highly sought-after private college counselor to illuminate the madness of college admissions.

Working one-on-one with Tiger-mothered, burned-out kids, Anne “the application whisperer” can make Harvard a reality. Early Decision follows five students over one autumn as Anne helps them craft their college essays, cram for the SATs, and perfect the Common Application. It seems their entire future is on the line—and it is. Though not because of Princeton and Yale. It’s because the process, warped as it is by money, connections, competition, and parental mania, threatens to crush their independence just as adulthood begins.

Whether you want to get in or just get out, with wit and heart, Early Decision explodes the secrets of the college admissions race.

Ope’s Opinion:  Since I worked in a high school guidance office for a few years and have two daughters who went to very different colleges, I was attracted to the subject of this book.  I really do enjoy the whole matching a  college and student process.

I felt like there were times  when the book was wordy and lost my attention. I kept reading because I did want to see where each of Anne’s students ended up going and how it worked out for them.  

Personally, I did not connect with Anne.  I did not find her personal life added to the story.

Reading diary’s, emails and texts as a work of fiction is not usually my favorite read.  I see how in this subject matter that was the best form mat.

 

Rating:  Three Chairs – I like the book enough to suggest it to a friend or two.
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Lost in London

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Author: Cindy Callaghan               lost in london
Publisher:  Aladdin
Pages: 240
Genre: Middle Grade
Source:  Book Sparks

 

Goodreads:  A tween’s foreign exchange experience lands her in London luxury—and some hot water as well!

Twelve-year-old Jordan isn’t unhappy, but she’s definitely bored. So when she gets the chance to take part in a London exchange program, she’s thrilled to ditch her small town in Delaware and see the world across the pond.

Unfortunately, Jordan’s host sister in London, Caroline, isn’t exactly enthusiastic about entertaining an American girl. Despite the chilly welcome, Jordan finds herself loving the city and Caroline’s group of friends, who are much nicer than Caroline herself.

And then a major misstep leaves Jordan and Caroline trapped together overnight—inside Daphne’s, the world’s largest department store. Given they have complete access to all the fancy shoes, designer dresses, and coolest makeup around, there are worse places to be stuck. But when the girls’ fun has not-so-fun consequences, Jordan’s wish for excitement abroad turns into a lot more than she ever bargained for..

Ope’s Opinion:  This is a cute, quick read.  I will definitely be putting it on my granddaughter Emma’s shelf.  It is a great pleasure to read, review, and save books for her.

This is every young girls dream – to be locked in a department store.

This may not be a realistic book, but it is very cute and one I would recommend to parents looking for something to keep their girls reading.

 

Rating:  Four Chairs – I like this book so much I know several friends to share it with.
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Lambert’s Code

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Author:  Rachel Hauck                                  lamberts code
Publisher: Barbour Publishing
Pages: 173
Genre:  Christian Fiction
Source: Purchased

Goodreads:  After three years of medical treatment, Julie Lambert faces the irrefutable truth: She will never have children. Devastated, lost, and alone, she buries her pain by making several life decisions that threaten her relationship with her husband, Ethan. Ethan Lambert can’t imagine a life without Julie. Yet, his marriage is failing and he doesn’t know how to save it. Urged by his grandpa, Ethan launches a journey to understand the Lambert Family Code – submit one to another. Can Ethan and Julie overcome the loss of their dream and rediscover their love for each other? Will they learn to live by Lambert’s Code? Fall in love with this inspiring love story and our entire collection of Christian romance novels from Heartsong Presents!

Ope’s Opinion:  If you enjoy Christian Fiction you will like this book.  The story is very God centered. Not preachy at all.  This is one of the first books Rachel Hauck wrote.  Her newer books are still God centered, but not as blunt.

This book has wonderful characters with flaws.  It was great to read about a marriage as a work in progress.  Ethan and Julie have difficulties to overcome and work out.  They weren’t always being mature and communicative.  This is so real and awesome to read about.  It was nice to see the people who surrounded Ethan and Julie wanted their marriage to succeed.  So many books are written as though a marriage is disposable.

This book is very uplifting and encouraging.  I will be reading more of Rachel Hauck.

Rating:  Three Chairs – I like the book enough to to suggest it to a friend or two.
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Down from the Clouds

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Author:  Marilyn Grey                             down from the clouds
Publisher:  Winslet Press
Pages:  149
Genre: New Adult
Source:  Winslet Press

Goodreads:  Gavin Kessler is one of the most sensitive and emotional people you’d ever know, except you’d never know it. Trying to find out how he feels is like pulling a one-hundred pound bucket of water out of a seventy foot well. But when he finally falls in love and meets the woman of his dreams, who is set on getting to know every part of him, for better or worse, his walls crumble as he is forced to stand face-to-face with the past he’s been avoiding.

Continue the stories of your favorite characters from Where Love Finds You in this sequel written from Gavin s perspective.

Ope’s Opinion:  With Marilyn Grey, expect the unexpected in her books.

It was fun to see Gavin’s perspective.  I enjoyed seeing his and Ella’s relationship grow.  I loved Ella’s stand not to live with Gavin even while they were engaged.  I also love the fact that there was no foul language in the book.  This awesome love story is very romantic and mature.

I do want to know what happens to Sarah, Mwenye and the others.

Rating:  Four Chairs – I like this book so much I know several friends to share it with.  de9fc-4chairs

Where Love Finds You

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Author:  Marilyn Grey                                            where love finds you
Publisher:  Winslet Press
Pages:  158
Genre:  Contemporary Young Adult
Source:  Winslet Press

Goodreads: Ella and Matthew have many differences, but they share a common goal: to find the one person they are meant to spend their lives with.

Years ago, Ella Rhodes looked across a crowded cafe and saw the man she wanted to spend the rest of her life with. She left her number, but he never called. Wondering if he somehow missed the note on the back of the receipt, she spent her twenties waiting for this man to walk into her life again. After all this time, will Ella finally discover “the one” she’s been waiting for? Or, after being sent on various blind dates, will she give her heart to someone else?

Meanwhile, Matthew Ryan breaks up with his long-time girlfriend. Searching his heart he wonders if there is really a “one” for every person, or if there is simply a good, better, and best. Where does Lydia, the girl who would do anything for him, fit into the story of his life? Confused, Matthew sets out to explore his options and find the love he’s been looking for his entire life. Will he find love before it’s too late or will he lose everything?

Ope’s Opinion:   This is a must read!! 

The beginning didn’t move as fast as I would have liked, but keep reading… It is worth every minute of it.  Watching Matt and Ella grow through their relationships makes you root for them.

These characters are well developed and their friends have interesting personalities you want to know more about.

The ending was absolutely amazing!  I loved that it was not your traditional ending to a book.  The twists were awesome and very unexpected.  I do not want to say more – I don’t want to spoil it for anyone else.

I am starting the second book today!

Rating: Five Chairs – This book is so good it will be passed on and on and on…..   

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Redesigning Rose

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Author: Lydia Laceby                         redisigning rose
Publisher: Lydia Laceby
Pages: 279
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Source: Lydia Laceby

Goodreads:  Rose Parker’s husband has been lying. About everything.

When a conversation with her husband triggers questions, Rose Parker uncovers alarming answers that shatter her perfect life. But it is only when she shoves her belongings in her SUV and drives off that Rose realizes just how far from perfect her life actually was. She has nowhere to turn.

While debating between distressing sleeping arrangements-her mother’s house full of questions or a hotel room with too much solitude-Rose bumps into an acquaintance from her gardening class and allows bubbly, exuberant Becky to indulge her in a wild night full of whiskey, weeping, and whispered confidences. Suddenly, Rose has a new friend, a roof over her head, and two gorgeous men moving her out of her marital home.

As Rose struggles to settle into her new life, she remains determined to comprehend her past. And with time and distance and especially wine, comes knowledge. Frank wasn’t the only one lying to her. Rose was lying to herself.

Ope’s Opinion:  If you are divorced, you may enjoy this book.  Since I am not in that situation, I found this book hard to relate to.

The characters were well written.  I think it shows how people cope with divorce.  I think it is pretty realistic.  Rose’s friend Becky was a real friend and someone I would appreciate if I had been in Roses position.

I enjoyed Rose’s relationship with her mother.  Their relationship grew and deepened.  Her mother was able to tell Rose about her own marriage and about her Gram.

Rating:  Three Chairs – I like the book enough to suggest it to a friend or two.
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