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Reviews by Christine B. (Lilydale, MN)

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The September House
The September House
by Carissa Orlando
Run! (5/11/2023)
I usually can suspend my disbelief in horror books, movies etc. but The September House was so ridiculous and out of anyone's realm of belief it was impossible. Margaret, Hal and their daughter Katherine buy their dream house that is haunted by various pranksters who " …more
The Critic's Daughter
The Critic's Daughter: A Memoir
by Priscilla Gilman
"A Source of Sustenance" (1/18/2023)
This memoir by Priscilla Gilman about "finding" her father was both poignant and terribly sad. Throughout the book Priscilla tries so hard to be the daughter, wife, sister she believes everybody expects her to be. In this process she loses sight of her own self- her needs, …more
The Last Russian Doll
The Last Russian Doll
by Kristen Loesch
Dolls in Pieces (10/14/2022)
I only gave this book a 3 because I thought it was terribly disjointed. The sprawling love story between Valentin and Tonya never quite gelled. This novel takes place between 1919 and 1991 alternating between three generations of women in Russia and the US. All the women …more
Widowland
Widowland: Widowland #1
by C. J. Carey
Stars in the Past (5/18/2022)
My goodness what a clever scenario! I loved this book from the very beginning. What a startling world view - no discussion or remembrance of the past. Our history is what makes us wise and able to confront our present and future. All this was taken and erased by the …more
The Last Grand Duchess
The Last Grand Duchess: A Novel of Olga Romanov, Imperial Russia, and Revolution
by Bryn Turnbull
The Fierce Defender (12/9/2021)
I thought this was a mesmerizing betrayal of the Grand Duchess Olga. More it seems has been written about her sister Anastasia- most likely because of the rumors that she survived. I loved the way the author intertwined the evolution of the Russian revolution with the …more
The Fields
The Fields: A Novel
by Erin Young
Too Many Plots (10/27/2021)
This crime/mystery debut is not one novel it is many. There are so many plots within subplots it became very confusing. Out protagonist is young Riley Fisher newly promoted head of investigations for the Sheriff's office in Iowa. Her first case is the heinous murder of her …more
The Widow Queen
The Widow Queen: The Bold #1
by Elzbieta Cherezinska
The Polish Ken Follett (11/17/2020)
My goodness what a fantastic saga! Although I am of 100 percent Polish ancestry, I learned so much history from this sprawling novel. The interplay of the Polish, Swedish, English, Norwegian, and Danish kingdoms was fascinating. I enjoyed the allure of the main protagonist …more
The In-Betweens
The In-Betweens: The Spiritualists, Mediums, and Legends of Camp Etna
by Mira Ptacin
:::;;; (10/17/2019)
I don't think I have ever read a book that used so many colons and semi-colons. I got so overwhelmed by her questionable writing style that I had trouble enjoying what the author was trying to say. She definitely needs a new editor. I did find the history of spiritualism …more
The Seine
The Seine: The River that Made Paris
by Elaine Sciolino
A River For Everyone (9/18/2019)
What a marvelous history of a river and the people it touched through the centuries. I not only learned about a river and how it changed, but the effect it had on a lot of famous actors, painters, farmers, wars, industrialization, and ordinary Parisians. This a a very well …more
Never Have I Ever
Never Have I Ever
by Joshilyn Jackson
Never Have I Ever Read A Book Like This (5/1/2019)
I'm not sure where to start. The two main protagonists in this novel have no redeeming qualities that I could ascertain. They are both very self serving, narcissistic individuals living the life their many lies have created. The author tried to tie together robbery, child …more
The Last Romantics
The Last Romantics
by Tara Conklin
Where is Romance (12/13/2018)
This novel had so many different aspects to it. Told from the voice of Fiona , one of the four Skinner siblings, their interactions pull us into their diverse worlds. They certainly depend on each other, which begins when their mother went through her "pause". Throughout …more
My Lovely Wife
My Lovely Wife
by Samantha Downing
Too predictable (10/14/2018)
This is a hard book to review because I did enjoy it even though the plot is very predictable despite its many twists and turns. Murdering people for "sport" seemed a bit far fetched and the family itself was so dysfunctional they became unbelievable. Not the best whodunit.
Our House
Our House
by Louise Candlish
A reverse O.Henry (6/18/2018)
My goodness - this novel contains so many twists of fate and errors of judgment. Each character is flawed and gets more deeply mired in their traps of deception as the story expands. I think every reader will find themselves believing one version of events and then …more
The Family Tabor
The Family Tabor
by Cherise Wolas
don't miss this book (5/2/2018)
This is an exquisite, poignant and soul searching read. Each member of the Family Tabor is so thoughtfully and thoroughly rendered that I felt that I was living with them as an interested bystander who wanted to be a part of their family. The secrets they each had and how …more
Sometimes I Lie
Sometimes I Lie
by Alice Feeney
Who Lied? (11/20/2017)
I did not enjoy this book because it is so convoluted its impossible to keep track of the protagonists identities and name changes. it is so unbelievable it is bordering on inane. I would not recommend this book.
The French Girl
The French Girl
by Lexie Elliott
Conflicting Views (9/20/2017)
I enjoyed the universal message and question this book conveys- Do we see others as we want to seem them or as we think they see us? The protagonist Kate struggles with this question throughout all the relationships she has or, as in the case of Severine, had. Not only Kate …more
The Gypsy Moth Summer
The Gypsy Moth Summer
by Julia Fierro
Summer of Change (5/8/2017)
What an interesting book! I found that the juxtaposition between Leslie who is bent on destruction and her husband Jules who is desperately trying to save and create most interesting. This small island contains a summer of drama, teenage angst and aging sadness. Three …more
The Stars Are Fire
The Stars Are Fire
by Anita Shreve
The Stars Are Fire (3/16/2017)
I absolutely loved this book. Ms. Shreve's description of the fire was so intense and believable I felt like I was living it with Grace and her children. The resilience of Grace is unbelievable. Her determination to make a new life for herself and her children is …more
Karolina's Twins
Karolina's Twins
by Ronald H. Balson
Their Twins (7/20/2016)
I am 100 percent Polish, so I really enjoyed this book not only because of my heritage but because I will be visiting there in September. This story was so poignant, sad, but still filled with joy all at the same time. It is hard to believe the choices these young women had …more
The Children
The Children
by Ann Leary
Family Circus (5/12/2016)
My goodness- what an interesting cast of characters! Ms. Leary introduces us to the inept and narcissistic widow- her two daughters, one a manic-depressive musical genius and the other an accomplished agoraphobic blog writer - the two step sons- one a wealthy family loner …more
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