Book Review: A Family of Strangers by Fiona Lowe

A Family of Strangers

by

Fiona Lowe 

 

How can you know so little about those you love?

 

Publisher: Harlequin Australia

 

Imprint: HQ Fiction

 

Publication date: 2nd march 2022

 

Genre: Contemporary fiction

 

Pages: 544

 

RRP: $32.99AUD

 

Format read: Paperback

 

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

My review

 

In A Family of Strangers Fiona Lowe brings together three women, who would not normally mix, and has them supporting each other and solving problems together.

Set in the small seaside community of Rookery Cove, Tasmania, Brenda is trying to get back on her feet after the death of her husband. She is hoping to connect with her daughter Courtney. Their relationship has always been fragile. Encouraged by her friend Marilyn, Brenda joins the Rookery Cove choir.

 

Stephanie and husband Henry have come to the Cove to start a new life, a more relaxed way of living, with their young son and Henry's 12 year old daughter Zoe. But Steph finds herself doing the lion's share of the parenting and starts to resent Henry and his daughter. She joins the local choir for some me time.

 

Addy is back at the Cove to renovate her late parent's home. Meanwhile she is taking on large amounts of work and the pressure has her turning to alcohol as a release. When new friend, Steph, asks her to join the choir she is torn between friendship and old ghosts.

 

This is such a big book, I tend to shy away from anything over 400 pages because I easily get bored with the characters. However, I was totally immersed in the story of these characters. I loved them all and genuinely cared about their lives.

I am amazed how Fiona Lowe can include a diverse amount of topics that are relevant to women and the story does not sound at all contrived. (I don't think I did a single eye roll).

Some themes included are; alcohol abuse, helicopter parenting, step parenting, relationships after a partner's death, bullying, misogyny in the work place, shaming by social media and infertility.

 

I love the idea of a choir as the glue for the friendships. It's a hobby that is all inclusive and not bound by gender or age.

Each woman has her demons that need to be overcome and I loved the way they supported each other even when they weren't at their best. Forgiveness, acceptance and support are key themes throughout and Fiona Lowe shows how our decisions can impact on family and relationships.

 

Fiona Lowe is a counsellor herself and I like how therapists and counsellors have a sort of ghost appearance in her novels. Their value in society is sometimes overlooked. 

 

My rating  5 / 5  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

About the author

 

For more about Fiona Lowe see my author interviews:

 

 https://theburgeoningbookshelf.blogspot.com/2022/03/author-interview-fiona-lowe.html

https://theburgeoningbookshelf.blogspot.com/2019/02/author-interview-fiona-lowe.html 

 

 

 

 

Mailbox Monday - March 21st

Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week (or month). I post my new books on the last Monday of the month. EDIT: only just realised the 21st isn't the last Monday of March (life has been crazy this month) 😄 Mailbox Monday now has a permanent home at the Mailbox Monday Blog

 

 Happy Monday!

 

We have had son no. 2 at home with a broken ankle for the last month. He is slowly recovering and goes to see the surgeon again in three weeks to see if he will be able to start load bearing on his foot. He is sleeping in our spare room in a tiny double bed and I am sure he is looking forward to going back to his own place as soon as he can.

 

The Book Fairies were out and about all over Australia leaving copies of The Sky is Everywhere for people to find. These are a couple of the books I left. 

 

There has been an abundance of gorgeous flowers blooming at the moment. These are some I came across on my walks.

              

Books I purchased after reading and loving book #28 in the Stephanie Plum series. These were found at my local Op Shop.

 

 Books Purchased with a Dymocks voucher I was given. The book with the sprayed edges is The Witches by Roald Dahl. 

 Books received during March for review

 

 In a New York Minute - Kate Spencer

 

The Gosling Girl - Jacqueline Roy

 

The Kaiju Preservation Society - John Scalzi

 

The Understudy - Julie Bennett

 

The Nurses  War - Victoria Purman

 

Rising Dust - Fleur McDonald

 

Sister Stardust - Jane Green

 

Her Time to Shine - Fiona McCallum 

 

What has arrived in your mailbox lately?

 

Book Review: The Postcard from Italy by Angela Petch

 The Postcard from Italy

by

Angela Petch

 

Publisher: Bookouture

 

Publication date: 16th March 2022

 

Genre: Historical Fiction

 

Pages: 375

 

Format read: eBook

 

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

My review

 

The Postcard from Italy is a dual timeline historical fiction.

 

1945 - Billy, a gunner with the RAF, is shot down over Puglia, Italy. He is found unconscious by Domenico and together with his grandson Anto they nurse him back to health. Billy has lost his memory and has no idea who he is or how he came to be on the beach. Domenico is becoming frail and Anto secretly wishes Billy, who they call Roberto, will stay. However, both Domenico and Anto are harbouring secrets.

Present day - Susannah's grandmother is in a nursing home and whilst Susannah is clearing out her home she finds a hidden postcard from Italy dated 1947 with professions of love but unsigned. Did her grandmother Elsie have an affair with an Italian soldier?

 

Billy's story in 1945 is narrated in first person and then later through his diary entries. He has forgotten his previous life and feels writing snippets of thoughts could bring back details of his past.

The descriptions of the scenery of Puglia are visceral and the day to day life of the simple country people was amazing to read about.

 

I also enjoyed Susannah's story and how she was eager to find out more about the writer of the postcard and her trip to Puglia held a small romance. We all know those Italian men are pretty hot!!

I was much more invested in Billy's story however I was still intrigued as to how Angela Petch was going to tie it all together. This was executed well and the events that led to Sussannah finding out the full story were quite believable. 

I loved everything about the small country town of Puglia, it's past and present day. The characters were real and heartwarming, the scenery was spectacular and the food was mouthwatering. I almost felt like I was experienced it all firsthand.

My Rating 4 / 5  ⭐⭐⭐⭐

About the author

Published by Bookouture, Angela Petch is an award-winning writer of fiction – and the occasional poem. 

 

Every summer she moves to Tuscany for six months where she and her husband own a renovated watermill which they let out. When not exploring their unspoilt corner of the Apennines, she disappears to her writing desk at the top of a converted stable. In her Italian handbag or hiking rucksack she always makes sure to store a notebook and pen to jot down ideas.

The winter months are spent in Sussex where most of her family live. When Angela’s not helping out with grandchildren, she catches up with writer friends.

Angela’s gripping, WWII, Tuscan novels are published by Bookouture. While her novel, Mavis and Dot, was self-published and tells of the frolics and foibles of two best-friends who live by the seaside. Angela also writes short stories published in Prima and People’s Friend.

 

  Follow the blog tour

 

Book Review: Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult

 Wish you Were Here

by

Jodi Picoult

 

What if your dream holiday wasn't what it seemed.... 

 

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

 

Publication date: 25th November 2021

 

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

 

Pages: 336

 

RRP: $32.99AUD

 

Format read: Uncorrected Paperback

 

Source: Courtesy of the publisher 

 My review

 

Through Wish You Were Here Jodi Picoult expresses the feelings of isolation, loss of control and re-evaluation of life that we all struggled with during the pandemic.

Wish You Were Here is not only a story set during the pandemic it is centred on the pandemic.

 

Diana has her perfect job at Sotheby's art department and she is about to land a major coup; auctioning a painting by Toulouse-Lautrec. I am sure the references to the painting Diana was going to auction and all the information on the painter and the John and Yoko-ish vibe had some deep meaning but I just didn't get it.  

Diana is also certain her boyfriend, Finn is going to propose to her on their upcoming holiday.

 

It's March 2020 and the cusp of the Covid pandemic. Finn, an intern in a New York hospital, is called in to do extra hours at the hospital and he encourages Diana to go on their prepaid holiday alone.

 

Diana arrives on the island of Isabela in the Galapagos just as they are going into a two week shut-down and communication with the outside world is scant. As the weeks turn to months we are taken on an exquisite tour of the island in all its beauty as Diana lives with the locals.

Updates on the pandemic are received through intermittent emails from Finn who is on the front line. Through these emails we see the catastrophe unfold; the horror, the fear and death is real.

Picoult's descriptions of the idyllic island life are captivating and vividly contrasted with life back in New York.

There is a huge plot twist in the middle of the book and I found it hard to recover from this. For me, the remainder of the book was hard to read, Covid is still too fresh and raw. I think if I read it again in another 5 or 10 years I would find myself more invested.

My rating 3 / 5  ⭐⭐⭐

About the author

photo credit: Goodreads

  Jodi Picoult is the author of twenty-five novels, with forty million copies sold worldwide. Her last twelve books have debuted at #1 on the New York Times best-seller list, including her most recent, The Book of Two Ways. Five novels have been made into movies. She is the recipient of multiple awards, including the New England Booksellers Award for Fiction, the Alex Award from the YA Library Services Association, and the New Hampshire Literary Award for Outstanding Literary Merit. She lives in New Hampshire with her husband.

 

 

Book Review: The Magical Girl's Guide to Life by Jacque Aye

The Magical Girl's Guide to Life

by

Jacque Aye 

 

Find your inner power, fight everyday evil & save the day with self-care.

 

Publisher: Ulysses Press

 

Publication date: 21st December 2021

 

Genre: Self Help

 

Pages: 192

 

RRP: $17.95US  $24.95CAN

 

Format read: Hardcover

 

Source: Courtesy of the publisher via Pacific & Court Publicity

 

My review

 

The Magical Girl's Guide to Life is a unique pocket sized book aimed at finding your inner magic and dispelling self-doubt. 

I originally thought this was a middle grade book, just going by the manga style cover, however the book is geared toward a young adult and older readership.

 

Jacque Aye uses scenarios from her favourite anime shows, such as Sailor Moon, Winx Club and cardcaptor Sakura, and explains how these magical girls handled different situations.

 

There are lots of fun exercises, journal prompts and personality tests throughout the book and sections on making friends, expelling self-doubt, caring for yourself, finding love and how to survive a broken heart. I found the book helpful to read a bit at a time, having fun with the quizzes, and learning more about my inner power.

 

Author Jacque Aye is an advocate and vocal supporter of mental health awareness and self-care. The Magical Girl's Guide to Life is a fun little book that will be especially loved by followers of anime and manga readers but will also find a special place on the shelf of any girl who wants their life to be a little less boring and a whole lot more magical.

 

My rating 3 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐

 

About the author

 

Jacque Aye is a therapist-in-training and “Head Magical Girl” of the Adorned by Chi lifestyle brand, Since launching Adorned by Chi in 2015 Jacque has grown her business tremendously, racking in 6-figure sales within the first two years of operation and a development deal within the first five. Adorned by Chi has also worked with the likes of Sanrio, collaborating on a collection for their Small Business, Big Smile initiative. As a leader in the manga and anime space, Jacque has grown her small tight knit community into one that boasts over 100,000 magical beings across social media. She is a vocal supporter of mental health awareness and self care amongst Black women, and advocates for those suffering from social anxiety. In 2020, Adorned by Chi was able to donate $10,000 to the Loveland Foundation. 

 

 

 

 

Book Review: Dressed by Iris by Mary-Anne O'Connor

 Dressed by Iris

by

Mary-Anne O'Connor

From sheer poverty to high glamour, a story of courage and all-conquering love

 

Publisher: Harlequin Australia

Imprint: HQ Fiction

 

Publication date: 2nd February 2022

 

Genre: Historical Fiction

 

Pages: 480

 

RRP: $ 29.99AUD

 

Format read: Paperback  

 

Source: courtesy of the publisher

 

My review

 

Dressed by Iris is a powerful novel with themes of hope, pride, optimism and rising above adversity. 

 

In a Great Southern Land is one of my all time favourite novels so I was expecting big things from Mary-Anne O'Connor and I'm happy to say I wasn't disappointed.

 

Iris lives with her family in the shanty towns of Newcastle. It's 1930 and Australia is on the verge of The Great Depression. The family get by on the mother Agnes' frugalness and the bit of money they get from the father Bob's panning.

The Catholics and the Protestants had a great divide and when Iris falls for local boy John, who is a Protestant, she knows their relationship can never be. However she lives on dreams and hope that one day they can be together.

 

When a job offer on the Sydney Harbour Bridge comes up for Iris's father and brother, the family of eight move to Sydney.

Through this one struggling family Mary-Anne O'Connor has delivered an emotional story highlighting the plight of renters, the high unemployment, anti-eviction riots and political unrest of the time.

 

Amidst a backdrop of poverty Iris discovers she has a flair for fashion design and with her family's help and encouragement she enters the fashion industry, although her path is beset with prejudice and setbacks.

 

I love stories where women push the boundaries for their time. These are the women that helped change attitudes and laws, giving women the right to choose how to live the life.

 

Mary-Anne O'Connor uses real situations from her grandparents' tales which makes this story all the more endearing. Many of the scenes brought back memories of my own grandparents' stories.

 

Dressed by Iris is an inspiring and moving story rich in memorable characters who will stay with you long after you turn the last page.

 

My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

About the author

 

Mary-Anne O'Connor has a combined arts education degree with specialties in environment, music and literature. She worked in marketing and lecturing and co-wrote/edited A Brush With Light and Secrets of the Brush with artist Kevin Best, her late father.

Mary-Anne lives in a house overlooking her beloved bushland in northern Sydney with her husband Anthony, their two sons Jimmy and Jack, and their very spoilt dog Saxon. This is her seventh major novel.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Book Review: Dash and Nikki and the Jellybean Game by Anthony C. Delauney

 Dash and Nikki

and the Jellybean Game

by

Anthony C. Delauney

Illustrated by Chiara Civati

 

Publisher: Mascot Books
 

Publication date: 7th December 2021

 

Genre: Children's Picture Book

 

Pages: 38

 

Format read: Hardcover

 

Source: Courtesy of the publisher via Smith Publicity 

 

My review

 

Dash and Nikki are introduced to a new game by their mother. The jellybean game is a game to nurture patience and working together. Each child is given 10 jellybeans and if they don't eat any in 1 hour they will be given an additional 5 jellybeans and so on each hour until dinner time.

 

Nikki couldn't wait out the hour and ate her jellybeans. Dash went out to play so he wouldn't be tempted, after 1 hour he had 5 more jellybeans and 5 more the next hour. Nikki seeing all his beans was very upset. Seeing his sister upset, Dash gave Nikki 10 of his beans so she could also get more beans under the proviso at the end of the day she give him 12 beans back. (A little lesson on borrowing and interest here). The jellybeans mount up as the hours passed and  at the end of the day the children ate half their jellybeans and saved half for later.

 

Dash and Nikki and the Jellybean Game has important themes of saving, patience and helping each other. The children learn that sometimes delayed gratification can lead to greater rewards.

 

The children enjoyed this rhyming picture book and immediately Dot wanted to play the game. She knew Jay didn't like jellybeans so she would easily get them all. Hmmm maybe we will change it to smarties. 

Dot had a few questions at the end of the book one of which was; What if Nikki ate the 10 jellybeans Dash gave her and then couldn't pay him back? (that's a whole other story about debt recovery). 

 

The author doesn't use money as currency in this book and although the idea of saving jellybeans is fun I think that children understand the concept of money from an early age.

 

The bright illustrations will appeal to children and the rhythm of the text flows well when read aloud.

 

My rating 3 / 5  ⭐⭐⭐

 

About the author

 

Anthony Delauney is a financial advisor in Raleigh, North Carolina, who has a passion for helping families take control of their financial lives. he is also the founder of Owning the Dash, LLC, an organisation dedicated to helping educate and inspire families as they work to achieve their financial goals.

Dash and Nikki and The jellybean Game is Anthony's first book in the Owning the Dash children's series. With the help of his daughter Abbie, and son, Jason, he wrote the book both to entertain children of all ages and to teach them an important financial lesson that will help guide them in years to come.