May 31, 2019

First Lines Friday


First Lines Friday is a bookish meme hosted by Literary Marie. I encourage all of my fellow book bloggers and bookhearts to play along.
  • Grab your current read(s).
  • Share the first line(s).
  • Include the title and author.

"Dear readers, it's been four years since my last novel...but in those four years, it feels like the world has changed for all of us, but especially for women."

~ Mrs. Everything by Jennifer Weiner

May 29, 2019

Searching for Sylvie Lee


"When somebody disappears and does not return within three days, there are usually only four main possibilities: suicide, murder, kidnapping, or flight." ~ pg. 103

Much is to be said about a book named "most anticipated" by publications such as Marie Claire, New York Post, Huffington Post, Book Riot, Goodreads, Popsugar and Thrilllist. The excitement really builds when the description alone is a gripping tale. It is further confirmation when an advance copy is granted by the publisher. Which leads me to this moment...reviewing one of the best books I have read so far in 2019.

Sylvie is the successful older daughter of the Lee family. She was raised by a relative in a foreign place—the only Asians in the area—until she rejoined her family in America at age nine. Too young to understand that her parents were newly immigrated and too poor to keep her. Far as Sylvie is concerned, she was not invited back home until she was needed to help care for younger sister, Amy.

Amy has always looked up to Sylvie. She showered her big sister with adoration and unconditional love. She is affected the most when Sylvie visits their dying grandmother back home and then disappears. Overcoming her fear of traveling alone, Amy boards a flight and retraces her sister's movements in a foreign land. Nothing is simple; she uncovers deeply rooted family secrets and the painful truth.

"I think that wherever you are, to live in the world as a white person is a completely different experience than a person of color. Discrimination is invisible to them because it does not affect them." ~ pg. 214

Jean Kwok masterfully leads readers down a road of mystery into the lives of a Chinese immigrant family. In Searching for Sylvie Lee, she illustrates how different a situation may be for a non-citizen. How procedures can change on foreign land. How language is a hinderance when not understood or communicated properly. But also, Kwok shows how even families can lose their identity.

The chapters alternate between narrators in a near daily account. Usually this confuses my sometimes simple mind and I tend not to like past-present storytelling with multiple points of view. However, it works in this novel. In fact, the story couldn't have been told any other way. We discover the truth at the same moment the characters do, making this a suspenseful page-turner.

"Efficiency infused with a careless insouciance." ~ pg. 183

Searching for Sylvie Lee was my companion on the treadmill for a good week. I walked for miles and burned hundreds of calories without realizing because I was so into this complicated immigrant family. At just over 300 pages, it is the perfect length. I was not quite ready to let go of the characters but the ending was right on time.

I finished reading with a message loud and clear: culture can divide us. How appropriate in today's times! So if you have not guessed already, I definitely recommend spending your coin on this new family drama/mystery novel by an author of color.

Happy Early Pub Day, Jean Kwok! It was so nice to interact with you on Twitter. Searching for Sylvie Lee will be available Tuesday, June 4.

Disclaimer: This book was received directly from the publisher for review purposes only. In no way does it influence my review. The opinions I have expressed are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins.

Title: Searching for Sylvie Lee
Author: Jean Kwok
Published: June 2019
Pages: 304
Edition: Galley
Rating: 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤

May 28, 2019

This Stolen Life


"You chose me as an asset?" ~ 79%

Soma is a shy young woman in a new country. She moved from Sri Lanka to Yorkshire, U.K. to become a nanny. Every day is a challenge. Imagine learning a new language, trying new food and adapting to different living routines. Who has time for love? But she cannot help emotions when she has an instant attraction to her employer's cousin. Though hiding her past may pose an issue.

A story that started off compelling turned into meh. While the characters were relatable and the culture of Sri Lanka was well detailed, the story itself turned out just okay. We all know the past comes back to haunt so I would have liked a more unpredictable ending.

This Stolen Life is now available.

Disclaimer: This book was received directly from the publisher for review purposes only. In no way does it influence my review. The opinions I have expressed are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins.

Title: This Stolen Life
Author: Jeevani Charika
Published: May 2019
Pages: 282
Edition: Galley
Rating: 🖤 🖤

 

May 26, 2019

Series Sunday: Rebel

(Women Who Dare #1) 

Series Sunday is a bookish meme hosted by Literary Marie. I encourage all of my fellow book bloggers and bookhearts to play along.
  • Read an installment of a series.
  • Share your review/recommendation below.
  • Include the title, author and series name.

My Series Sunday pick is Rebel, the first book in the new Women Who Dare series by Beverly Jenkins. We are introduced to a new historical character: 28-year-old Valinda Lacy, set in New Orleans, 1867. It is the aftermath of the Civil War. The backdrop is a busy city of newly freedmen, ambitious women of color, wealth and societal class.

Val is temporarily in town for one sole mission: to educate newly emancipated adults and young children. Her intended husband is away securing a newspaper deal so she has limited time to teach the community before heading back north. Then danger strikes. After discovering her school is destroyed, Val is cornered by sinister men who intend her harm. A brave man named Captain Drake LeVeq comes to her rescue.

"The thought came to her that no man had the right to be so handsome, observant, or have the ability to charm her so effortlessly." ~ 45%

The handsome Drake recognizes Val's determination to succeed and help the community. His own mission as an architect is to rebuild New Orleans. He absolutely admires Val but knows she is intended for another. But maybe he can convince her to believe in a love match rather than marry another man out of obligation.

Rebel is so well written. It is informational, captivating, romantic and funny at times. It also addresses racially charged situations and the power of passion. In such a cynical time when marriages were arranged, it gives light to relationships made out of genuine love. Most importantly, this new novel features a strong black woman determined to better her surroundings and not afraid to rebel when necessary. She is certainly a woman who dares!

Once again, I look forward to the history lessons behind every new historical fiction book written by Ms. Bev. Rebel is no exception. The years 1863-1877 are known as the Reconstruction Era in America. Such promise for our nation! Yet here we are today in 2019...

Happy Early Pub Day, Ms. Bev! Rebel will be available Tuesday, May 28.

Disclaimer: This book was received directly from the publisher for review purposes only. In no way does it influence my review. The opinions I have expressed are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins.

Title: Rebel
Author: Beverly Jenkins
Published: May 2019
Pages: 384
Edition: Galley
Rating: 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤

May 24, 2019

First Lines Friday


First Lines Friday is a bookish meme hosted by Literary Marie. I encourage all of my fellow book bloggers and bookhearts to play along.
  • Grab your current read(s).
  • Share the first line(s).
  • Include the title and author.

"We should start back," Gared urged as the woods began to grow dark around them. "The wildlings are dead."

~ A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin

I'm baaaaack! Fresh off the HBO Game of Thrones fleet. Perhaps the book that started it all will give me greater satisfaction than the final season. 🙄