Book Review: Better Luck Next Time by Kate Hilton

Better Luck Next Time

by

Kate Hilton

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Publication date: 16th June 2020

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Pages: 368

RRP: $29.99AUD

Format read: paperback

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

It isn’t easy being related to a feminist icon, especially when she’s celebrating the greatest moment of her storied career.

Just ask the daughters of Lydia Hennessey, who could have it all if only they’d stop self-destructing. Mariana, the eldest, is on the verge of throwing away a distinguished reputation in journalism, along with her marriage. Nina, the middle daughter, has returned from a medical mission overseas as a changed woman but won’t discuss it with anyone. And Beata, the youngest, has a hostile teenaged son who just discovered the existence of a father who didn’t know about him either. Meanwhile, their cousin Zoe is making divorce look like a death match, while her brother, Zack, is grappling with the fallout from his popular television dramedy, which is based far too closely on Lydia herself.

It might be easier to find their paths if they could step out of Lydia’s shadow—but the biggest women’s march in history is underway, and Lydia and her family are at the centre of it.

Over the course of an eventful year, the Hennessey children contend with the big struggles of midlife: aging parents, raging teens, crumbling marriages and bodies, new loves and the choice between playing it safe or taking life-altering risks. And as they inch toward a new definition of happiness, they might even persuade their parents—and themselves—that they’re all grown up.

Better Luck Next Time is a generational comedy with a subtle theme of feminism.

The story opens on a Hennessey Christmas where the Hennesseys and the Goldstein-Hennesseys all come together for Christmas lunch. This opening family Christmas scene is both tragically funny and wholly relatable. The room is in chaos, some are simply there out of duty and want to get the day over with.

There is quite a cast of characters in this extended family and Kate Hilton has them listed in the front pages but it doesn’t take long to get the idea of who is related to who.

I immediately liked Zoe who is reticent to tell her overbearing mother that she had recently separated from her husband. Zoe had a wonderful relationship with her younger brother Zack and it was nice to see them opening up to each other. Their friendly banter and ribbing come across as fun and natural.

Mariana, Nina and Beata are siblings, cousins to Zoe and Zack. Nina doesn’t feature much in the story but when she does it is heart-breaking and meaningful.

Mariana is a high flying journalist unhappy with her marriage but feels trapped with a no-hoper husband and young twins to bring up.

Beata, a single mother and Reiki specialist, has dedicated her life to raising her 15 year old son Oscar. She now wonders how she ended up with an angry teenager who slams doors and won’t talk.

Putting their grievances aside the family comes together as family matriarch and well known feminist Lydia Hennessey plans to lead the upcoming feminist march with coordinating marches across the country

The story follows the Hennessey family over the course of one eventful year which will see separations, bridal showers, secrets divulged and a confrontation ending in hospitalisation. The Hennessey’s are anything but boring!

Better Luck Next Time is a light easy read that is filled with relevant issues such as divorce, dating after divorce, single parenthood, secrets, gay relationships, self love and family. Hilton’s characters are highly relatable. You might find yourself in one of the characters or little bits of yourself in all of them.

Kate Hilton tests the six degrees of separation theory, again and again, but in most cases here it is on about two degrees which makes for some awkwardly funny situations.

This is not a dysfunctional family it is just an all round normal family finding their way in love and life.

Better Luck Next Time is everything it promised to be; funny, engaging and highly relatable.

 My rating 5/5     ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Kate Hilton is the bestselling author of Hole in the Middle, Just Like Family and Better Luck Next Time. Before settling on fiction writing, Kate pursued careers in law, university administration, publishing, and major gift fundraising. While she rarely uses her law degree these days, she's delighted that English degree has turned out to be so useful. Kate's non-fiction writing has appeared in The National Post. Canadian Living, and The Huffington Post, on topics ranging from working motherhood to creativity reinvention. She lives in a blended family - including a husband, two sons, a stepdaughter, and a rescue dog - in Toronto. 

 

Book Review: I Thought I Knew You by Penny Hancock

I Thought I Knew You

by

Penny Hancock

Publisher: Pan Macmillan

Publication date: 12th March 2019

Imprint: Mantle

Genre: Contemporary Fiction / Mystery

Pages: 384

RRP: $29.99

Format read: Trade paperback

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

Jules and Holly have been best friends since university. They tell each other everything – trading revelations and confessions, and sharing both the big moments and the small details of their lives: Holly is the only person who knows about Jules' affair; Jules was there for Holly when her husband died. And their two children – just four years apart – have grown up together.

So when Jules' daughter Saffie accuses Holly's son of a terrible crime, neither woman can possibly be prepared for what this means – for their families or their friendship.
Especially as Holly refuses to believe her son is guilty.

I thought I Knew You is a thought provoking read with a he said, she said premise.

After the death of her husband Holly and her 16 year old son, Saul, move to a small country town to be closer to Holly’s best friend, Jules.

Saul is all dark hair, black clothes and sullen. He is finding it hard to cope with his father’s death 6 years ago. He is not making friends at his new High School and Jules’ 13 year old daughter, Saffie, wants nothing to do with him.

Holly had a secret she was keeping for Jules from her husband but she didn’t know Jules was also keeping a secret from her. Two friends that knew everything about each other, or thought they did. Inseparable since Uni nothing could tear their friendship apart. Until Jules’ daughter makes a serious accusation against Holly’s son.

Jules confronts Holly but Holly doesn’t believe Saul could possibly do this and Jules can’t believe that her daughter would lie.

As more people find out what has happened the situation blows out of control through gossip, conjecture and judgement. Tempers are flared, someone goes missing and people are threatened.

This book is one of those mysteries that you can’t put down. The pages fly by so quickly as the mystery ramps up and the plot thickens. The characters begin asking themselves how well do they really know their best friend, son, daughter or even their husband.

Penny Hancock has used two different narrative styles. Holly’s point of view is in first person whilst Jules’ is in third person. I felt more connected to Holly and more sympathy for her through her first person perspective.

Throughout the book my allegiances were jumping back and forward as tempers flare and accusations are flying.

Penny Hancock includes themes of consent, mother guilt, anger management, loss of a parent and not fitting in.

I Thought I Knew You is a compelling mystery that will have you glued to the book until the very last page.

 My rating 5/5              ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Photo credit : Goodreads

 
Penny Hancock is the author of Tideline, a Richard & Judy bookclub pick, The Darkening Hour and A Trick of the Mind. She works as at Anglia Ruskin University, supporting students with their writing, and lives in Cambridge. She is married with three children.

Book Review: Thomas Wildus and the Wizard of Sumeria by J. M. Bergen

Thomas Wildus and the Wizard of Sumeria
by
J. M. Bergen

Publisher: Elandrian Press

Publication date: 20th May 2020

Series: The Elandrian Chronicles #2

Genre: Middle Grade / Fantasy

Pages: 408

Format read: eBook

Source: Courtesy of Book Publicity Services

A boy discovering his destiny. An ancient object of unspeakable power. An impenetrable web of deception.

It's been three months since Thomas and his friends faced off against the enigmatic Arius Strong in an epic fight for the future of humanity. They thought the battle was over. It was only just beginning.

Now, with a mysterious message from an unknown hacker, the action starts again. This time an ancient talisman with legendary powers is at stake, and Arius will stop at nothing to make it his own. Dark witches and wizards are rallying to his cause, and behind it all, a mysterious figure with inexplicable abilities. The forces of light are gathering as well, but the web of deception is thick. Will Thomas and his friends see through the lies in time to stop the forces of evil and prevent a catastrophe of historic proportions?

In book two of The Elandrian Chronicles J. M. Bergen has delivered another edge of your seat story featuring Thomas Wildus and his friends, Enrique and Akhil. I enjoyed this book even more than the first one!

The boys are now 14 and there is a brief introduction of girlfriends and movie dates before they are called away during school’s summer break to once again find a magic-imbued ancient artefact before it falls into the wrong hands.

The three boys all have their own unique qualities. Whilst Thomas is hesitant and thinks before acting, Enrique is snarky ans quick to act. Akhil will be coming along on this mission where his outstanding computer skills will be of great value.

The magic is stepped up in this book, both in the boys training and in battles with sinister elements. The chapters are short and the plot is easily followed. I became captivated as the story moved along at a steady pace.

No-one is who they seem to be and as the boys and their mentors plan to find the magical staff help will come from an unlikely source.

A new, powerful and evasive enemy is lurking. Someone more sinister than any enemy they have encountered before.

Triumph doesn’t come easily and Bergen includes themes of team work, friendship and perseverance.

There are a few mentions of people and events from the first book and to get the full benefit from book two I would suggest reading book one first.

This book includes moderate violence and awesome magic scenes.

Ages 8+

 My rating 5/5          ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Photo credit: Goodreads

J.M.’s debut fantasy/magic series originally started as a bedtime story for his oldest son. The story turned into a saga, and one book turned into five. The first book in the series, Thomas Wildus and TheBook of Sorrows, is scheduled for release in February 2019.

When J.M. isn’t working on the Thomas Wildus books, you can find him playing with his kids, napping, or dreaming up new adventures. If you ever meet him and can’t think of anything to talk about, you might ask about Herman the Shark, the Kai and Eli stories, or why Riddle-Master by Patricia McKillip is his all-time favorite book. Or maybe, just maybe, you’ll have questions and stories of your own (if you do, he’ll think that’s far more interesting).

Blog Tour Book Review & Giveaway: Playground Zero by Sarah Relyea

Playground Zero

by

Sarah Relyea

Publisher: She Writes Press

Publication date: 9th June 2020

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 416

Format Read: eBook

Source: Courtesy of  Stephanie Barko - Literary Publicist

1968. It’s the season of siren songs and loosened bonds—as well as war, campaign slogans, and assassination. When the Rayson family leaves the East Coast for the gathering anarchy of Berkeley, twelve-year-old Alice embraces the moment in a hippie paradise that’s fast becoming a cultural ground zero. As her family and school fade away in a tear gas fog, the 1960s counterculture brings ambiguous freedom. Guided only by a child’s-eye view in a tumultuous era, Alice could become another casualty—or she could come through to her new family, her developing life. But first, she must find her way in a world where the street signs hang backward and there’s a bootleg candy called Orange Sunshine.

Playground Zero is a finely written work of Historical Fiction set in Berkeley, California during the years 1968 – 1971. The story follows Alice Rayson from the age of 10 to 13 years, when she and and her family lived in Berkeley. Alice finds it hard to fit in after moving from Washington, D.C. where she had many friends. Berkeley had a very different culture to Washington, D.C. With her parents, Marian and Tom, concentrating on their own lives and problems they give Alice free reign to make her own decisions and mistakes. With her father’s frequent absences and her mother’s apathy Alice feels she has no one to talk to and confide in.

Sarah Relyea’s look back at the psychedelic 60’s through the eyes of a pre-teen was eye-opening and heart-breaking. She includes details of the political unrest of the time, the Peace and Freedom Movement, civil protests, demonstrations and police confrontations.

Told in multiple points of view the Rayson family were finding their place during a time of great political upheaval for America with the ongoing controversy over the Vietnam war and the protests at the Berkeley Campus of the University of California.

Sarah Relyea’s writing is profound and haunting. With short sentences that flow effortlessly this is a literary style I enjoy reading.

Alice is a child living a lonely life desperately trying to fit in, be accepted, knowing what is right and wrong but lacking the maturity to say no, she tests the limits and runs wild.

Playground Zero is not a book to rush through. It is better to read it slowly, absorb the words and immerse yourself in the characters, their development and capture a picture of Berkeley at a crucial time in history.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Photo credit:Hunter Canning Photography

Born in Washington, D.C., Sarah Relyea left the Berkeley counterculture at age thirteen and processed its effects as a teenager in suburban Los Angeles. She would soon swap California’s psychedelic scene to study English literature at Harvard. Sarah is the author of Playground Zero: A Novel and Outsider Citizens: The Remaking of Postwar Identity in Wright, Beauvoir, and Baldwin. She remains bicoastal, living in Brooklyn and spending time on the Left Coast.

 

Visit the listed blogs to follow the rest of the tour.

Giveaway:

Thanks to Stephanie Barko Literary Publicist I have one eCopy of Playground Zero to give away. This competition is open internationally and closes at Midnight AEST 23rd June 2020.

Entry is via the form below. 

 

This giveaway is now closed and the winner was... SARAHMARY

Mailbox Monday & Life This Week - June 15th

Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week. It now has a permanent home at the Mailbox Monday blog.

Life This Week is a meme created by Denyse Whelan Blogs where bloggers share snaps of what is currently happening in their lives.

Happy Monday!

What has been happening over the last two weeks!

There hasn't been much happening on the home front lately.

We had our first, in almost 3 months, cafe lunch where we could sit at a table and eat.

I've been madly knitting trying to get the jacket I'm knitting for Jay finished before he grows too much bigger. I'm not sure it is going to fit him but it's starting to look quite nice. Photos next time.

The council is building a children's playground at the end of our street. I've been very excited watching it go up. I only wish they had of built it 30 years ago. Although we will still get plenty of use out of it with the grandchildren.

My daughter had a small group of friends over for her birthday and made a gorgeous outdoor picnic. We have had a mixture of sunny, overcast and wet days so far this winter. She was lucky enough to get one of the sunny days.

Books received over the last two weeks:

From the publisher:

The Girl in the Mirror by Rose Carlyle. (Pub date 4th August 2020)
Beautiful twin sisters Iris and Summer are startlingly alike, but beyond what the eye can see lies a darkness that sets them apart. Cynical and insecure, Iris has long been envious of open-hearted Summer's seemingly never-ending good fortune, including her perfect husband, Adam.
Called to Thailand to help sail the family yacht to the Seychelles, Iris nurtures her own secret hopes for what might happen on the journey. But when she unexpectedly finds herself alone in the middle of the Indian Ocean, everything changes.

Now is her chance to take what she's always wanted - the idyllic life she's always coveted. But just how far will she go to get the life she's dreamed about? And how will she make sure no one discovers the truth?

Finding Eadie by Caroline Beecham (Pub date 2nd July 2020)
War and dwindling resources are taking their toll on the staff of Partridge Press. The pressure is on to create new books to distract readers from the grim realities of the war, but Partridge's rising star, Alice Cotton, leaves abruptly and cannot be found.

Alice's secret absence is to birth her child, and although her baby's father remains unnamed, Alice's mother promises to help her raise her tiny granddaughter, Eadie. Instead, she takes a shocking action.

Theo Bloom is employed by the American office of Partridge. When he is tasked with helping the British publisher overcome their challenges, Theo has his own trials to face before he can return to New York to marry his fiancee.

Inspired by real events during the Second World War, Finding Eadie is a story about the triumph of three friendships bound by hope, love, secrets and the belief that books have the power to change lives.

I would love to hear what you received in the mail lately!

Book Bingo - Round 6: Themes of Culture #BookBingo2020

Red Dirt Country by Fleur McDonald

This week I have chosen the category 'Themes of Culture.'

The book I have chosen for this category is: Red Dirt Country.

Red Dirt Country is set in the Australian outback and revolves around cattle stealing on a few cattle stations. Dave Burrows becomes involved when the stock squad is called in to investigate.

Fleur McDonald includes themes of culture through the station run by an aboriginal tribe. There is some conflict between the young station manager and the elders as the younger generation want to do things differently than their older relatives. The elders hold to their traditions and superstitions. They do not want police involved, even though their cattle is being stolen, preferring a quiet existence.

You can read my full review HERE

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Book Bingo is a reading challenge hosted by Theresa Smith Writes , Mrs B’s Book Reviews and The Book Muse. The second Saturday of each month book bingo participants reveal which bingo category they have read and what book they chose.

#BookBingo2020