The Sweetheart Deal
by Polly Dugan
Enjoyable but Predictable (2/10/2015)
The Sweetheart Deal is a quick and easy read. I enjoyed the format of short chapters with alternating characters featured. The ending is predictable right from the beginning but there are some twists to keep the pages turning. I would like to have had another chapter or two, perhaps a glimpse into the future a few years later. Overall, I enjoyed this book and think it would be interesting for a book club discussion.
Irritable Hearts: A PTSD Love Story
by Mac McClelland
A Rambling Read (12/29/2014)
Irritable Hearts is a memoir that is lost in vague textbook talk. The first half is painfully slow going with a mostly unexplained major event that triggers the author's PTSD. The rambling tale seems disjointed and I found myself rereading pages constantly to try to stay on track. The book evolves into a sort of autobiographical textbook saga which I found uninteresting and consistently difficult to read. While I certainly empathize with the author's struggle to find peace with her diagnosis, I found this to be an underwhelming psychological case study.
Descent
by Tim Johnston
An Emotional Read (11/2/2014)
Descent is a psychological family study for the first half then picks up speed to become a true 'movie' thriller by the end. I found the beginning to be a bit slow and had to adjust to the chapters alternating between various characters. This is, overall, a well-written novel that tugs at the heartstrings while keeping a gritty, tough facade. Excellent character development keeps the reader turning pages to the satisfying conclusion. This book would be excellent for a book club.
Bitter Greens
by Kate Forsyth
Bitter Greens (8/9/2014)
I'm not sure I like the title of this novel but I certainly enjoyed reading it. The back cover alludes to Philippa Gregory and I wholeheartedly agree. The author nicely weaves together historical fiction in the style of Gregory along with the fairy tale, Rapunzel. Sadly, my advance copy was incomplete and I did not get the last few pages but I highly recommend this novel if you enjoy historical fiction.
Her
by Harriet Lane
Ominous Reading (5/8/2014)
Her is a novel that grows more ominous with each chapter. I found it difficult to engage early on but the second half picked up speed. It's interesting to have the perspective of both main characters, while still maintaining some mystery about what would happen next. The ending was too vague for my liking, though I'm sure I know what happened. Would have liked another chapter or two for closure. Overall, an enjoyable read and good for book clubs.
The Quick
by Lauren Owen
A Cumbersome Read (4/18/2014)
The Quick is cumbersome, in more ways than one. It's a large book at 500 pages and the extensive cast of characters and winding plot is honestly a bit exhausting. I did not find it an enjoyable read, especially as I am not particularly fond of the "vampire" genre. It was dark macabre on every level, with characters who showed little or no redeeming qualities. Just not the book for me.
Mating for Life
by Marissa Stapley
Good, not Great (3/10/2014)
This is a fairly quick read focusing on the relationships of three sisters and their mother. I found the title to be a bit misleading as most of these characters have had multiple relationships with men and do not appear terribly successful at "mating for life". The story flows nicely as the chapters rotate among the different women. The opening blurbs about wildlife at each chapter are interesting, if a bit unnecessary. This is a book that would work for book club or make a light read for a weekend vacation at the lake.
