May 15, 2019

May 15, 2019May 15, 2019

Book Review: The Night Before

I’m a fan of The Walking Dead. One of my favorite quotes of the entire series is Carol’s reaction when she first encounters the Kingdom.

“I don’t know what the hell is going on in the most wonderful way!”

That pretty much sums up how I felt reading the latest release from Wendy Walker.

First, there are so many meanings to this title that it’s difficult to cover them all.

It could mean a night that occurred a decade prior to the story, where the main characters lives (Laura’s in particular) were changed forever. Or, it could mean the night of Laura’s date, when her sister worries if she is ready to get back in the dating pool. Or a few other “nights before.”

The author also does a fantastic job of giving the reader just enough information to feel comfortable in the direction that the story is headed, only to change abruptly with a thoroughly probable event that sends it in a different direction.

Laura was one of the most complex characters I have read in a long time. There was so much to her, but she remained an enigma, even to her own sister. It isn’t until the end that there is a revelation which neatly explains nearly all of her behaviors, as well as reasons for being the way she is in general.

As always, no plot points here, but I will tell you that there are some “Holy crap, I had no idea” and “No WAY!” moments scattered throughout. It makes for one helluva story that you won’t be able to put down!

The Night Before by Wendy Walker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This story grabbed me from the beginning and didn’t let go. There were a lot of twists, a few red herrings, and a whole lot of guessing (and being wrong). The author did a phenomenal job of keeping the reader off-balance. Occurrences which sent the book in a different direction were plausible enough so that it didn’t feel forced. Everything felt like it could actually happen. I read this book in one day, and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a psychological thriller that will keep you on your toes. See my blog at Fireflies and Free Kicks Fiction Reviews for a more in-depth review. Thank you to St.Martin’s Press and NetGalley for a pre-release digital ARC.

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May 15, 2019May 15, 2019

Book Review: Red, White & Royal Blue

Excuse me while I go off-script for this review.

I had absolutely no problem with the angle that the author took with the two main characters. I requested to read the book for that very reason, because I think it is important to have books with strong characters in “alternative lifestyles” (or whatever the current proper phrasing is – it seems to change daily).

I actually loved reading about Alex’s awakening and Henry’s struggle, because I think both were indicative of all of the intricacies involved in life realizations. I thought their romance was tender and well-written, and that Henry was especially poetic. Some of his thoughts were among the most romantic I have read in a long time.

I liked how the girls counterbalanced the boys, and how Pez was sort of ambiguous. The characters were well fleshed out. I liked the plot (as improbable as parts may be). Putting the characters into extreme situations allowed the author to spotlight the challenges that many people face. I get all of that. And I enjoyed the journey up to a point. But then about halfway through, it jumped the rails.

What I did not like was that the author had to go full political and demonize the right, making them the evil villains and horrible people. I get that the author probably has an ax to grind, but the plot would have worked just as well if it had been a Democrat primary challenger who had pulled the crap that the Republican did.

Let me be clear, I understand why the author felt the need to make the GOP candidate the bad guy because let’s face it, that’s the cool thing now. What I do not appreciate in a work of fiction is the overreaching blanket assumptions that anyone who leans right is the devil. My notes in the book went from commenting on the characters and plot to wondering why the extra political opinions mattered so much, totally taking me out of the story.

When will people get through their heads that there are people who lean right who support LGBTQ+ rights and the importance of being able to love who you want to love regardless of gender or status or familial duty? That being Christian is not being ugly any more than being an atheist is? That these types of blanket statements and political partisanship can ruin what would have otherwise been a charming love story?

I still recommend the book, because most of my Christian, right-leaning, GOP-voting friends will appreciate it and see it for what it is because they are also open-minded and accepting…far more than people give them credit for being.

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book had a lot of promise. The characters were engaging, and the plot was unique. I thought the author did a perfect job of handling the sensitivity of Alex’s realizations balanced with the sense of duty that both Alex and Henry felt to their family situations. The tenderness and romance between the two came through. What I did not like is that the author felt the need to go very political. I mean, I get it, Alex’s mom is the President, so I understand that there needed to be politics involved. But I like to read to escape, and don’t care for “real life” politics to enter. I felt that the journey that Alex and Henry took was strong enough to stand on its own without needing to rely on apparent bias. I would still recommend the book and would have been a solid 4 stars were it not for the above. For additional thoughts, visit my blog at Fireflies and Free Kicks Fiction Reviews. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for a pre-release digital ARC.

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May 15, 2019May 15, 2019

Book Review: Emily, Gone

There is no beating around the bush: this was an incredible book that had me avidly turning pages . From the Woodstock-like concert that kicks everything off to the final resolution, the plot never let up.

I especially liked how the author handled the reasons for why Vicki did what she did. This is a sensitive subject, and (taking the time period into account) I think it was an extremely accurate portrayal. Vicki’s character is written in a way that enabled her actions to be perfectly plausible while also allowing other characters to have reasonable reactions to her.

(I know that sounds cryptic, but you know how I hate to give away plot points)

On the flip side is Rachel, a mother who never gives up and learns how to adapt. I think she changes most throughout the book (although Mama Dixon gives her a run for the money). However, by the end, we see that Rachel is still the same nurturing, caring person who never gave up hope. That was a powerful message.

Mama Dixon was an interesting character as well. Her revelations regarding her own actions show the importance of forgiveness and taking other people into consideration. Although Rachel travels the longer journey, Mama Dixon’s transformation is more profound. She becomes the one person who can ultimately help Rachel.

I loved how the author plotted the passage of time. Even though there were events that were lightly skipped over, the pivotal events were detailed. This balance allowed the plot to flow smoothly to the end.

The only thing I missed in this story was a resolution to Murphy’s part in the whole thing. It almost seems as if the author forgot about him because he just disappears roughly two-thirds of the way through. He makes a decision about something that warrants further explanation, but then *poof* he’s gone. I definitely wanted more of a resolution for him, especially since a few of the characters were in the proper location for things to happen.

But to be clear, I didn’t want it to be over the top. Even a “near-miss” incident would have added an interesting touch to the whole story, and it would have wrapped up his part instead of just kind of leaving it.

Regardless, this was an excellent book that detailed the power of a mother’s love, with a few unexpected twists thrown in. It’s available now, so give yourself a treat and pick it up now!

Emily, Gone by Bette Lee Crosby
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It is very fitting that I read this book in one day on Mother’s Day because it is ultimately a study of the love a mother has for a child. I thought that the author did a fantastic job of laying out the plot, and there were enough gentle twists for it all to be plausible. I only wish that there had been more of a resolution with Murphy; it seemed as if he was just forgotten, and I would have liked to have seen him have some closure. Other than that point, I thought the dual message of hope and faith was powerful, and I loved how everything played out. I highly recommend this book. For some more in-depth thoughts on this novel, visit my blog at Fireflies and Free Kicks Fiction Reviews. Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for a complimentary digital ARC.

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