Molly_Y

What can I say about this book? It is so cozy and refreshing! Our FMC is a land witch named Evelyn, or Evie, who is trying to adopt a young witch named Ruby. Ruby also happens to be a witch. Evie has been denied adoption once, so she takes a different job, being the caretaker of a sentient house, in hopes of being in a better position to adopt. The house has rejected every owner since its last caretaker died. Needless to say, Evie and Ruby face a few challenges with the house. This is a lovely and delightful book that will warm your heart on the rainiest, coldest day!

The characters in the book are fantastical and wonderful. It is very easy to come to love them and care about them. The house itself is a character, although it doesn't speak. There is a mystery or two to unravel. There is a dash of romance. The theme of found family is strong. Overall, I rated this book 4 out of 5 stars. If you enjoyed Howl's Moving Castle, or any fantasy books (possibly leaning towards YA), you will probably enjoy this book. Thank you to BookBrowse and the author for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

When We Were Brilliant is a breath of fresh air. It is, at its heart, the story of two women, Marilyn Monroe (Norma Jeane) and Eve Arnold, who recognized a kindred spirit in the other and became colleagues and friends. The story is told linearly, which I loved, and it worked well in this novel. Eve was the only female photographer to photograph Marilyn. I loved reading about their first meeting and all the subsequent encounters. The progression of their support and friendship was surprising to me. I knew very little about Marilyn Monroe's life before I began reading this novel.

Some elements of the story appear to be non-fiction facts about her life, although it is written as fiction. After Marilyn and Eve meet for the first time, they form a lasting partnership that will endure for the rest of their lives. The author did an excellent job painting vivid images of both women, as well as their personal struggles. I was drawn into the story from the very beginning. The author conducted thorough research for this book, and it shows. It feels like reading a biography about both women while also reading a fiction novel. I feel like I got a glimpse behind the curtain regarding Marilyn’s life, and I enjoyed learning Eve’s story and how it intertwined with Marilyn’s.

It’s a great book and worth the time to read if you love historical fiction or biography. There is a sense of wonder and artfulness about the book that will stay with you long after you read the last page (and what an ending)!