hopecobbledpots's reviews
419 reviews

No matter how interesting the premise, it just didn't hold my interest. 

This cautionary tale that borrows elements from Groundhog's Day in living the same day over and over again and A Christmas Carol. It blends these two styles well in that our FMC must live Christmas Day over again, but not as herself. She must see herself through the eyes of others. And see just what a miserable mess she's made of her life. 

Three years ago, Eva lost her Gran and the baby growing inside of her. Since then she's shut out everyone and thrown herself into building her business and now, poised on the brink of opening her brick and mortar business just after Christmas, she is thrust back to the one place that brings back the memories. Penhallow. It was her Gran's home. And a magical place at that.

"My Gran, my home, is now three years dead. Now she is my ghost." 

Eva is trying to juggle everything, but she just cannot keep the pins in the air because she's not juggling pins. She's juggling angry cats at this point.  Her husband is fed up and to the point of leaving her if she doesn't show some effort. Her best friend is heartbroken by her distance and more. Her assistant is being poached away by another company, and, with getting snowed in down at Penhallow, being poached is started to look over easy!

Through the device of the Groundhog's Day/Christmas Carol theme, we see Eva get her perspective back. She gains the most when being in the body of Sarah, the serving lady who has two boys and is doing her best to keep them afloat. She's put herself through school and is quite savvy, but the most important thing Eva learns is Sarah has balance. She has learned to balance between working, her family, getting an education, and finally having that all important conversation with her boss. 

All in all, in the end, I liked this book. It was a slow read for me but one I wanted to finish. 

🌟 🌟🌟💫

Thank you to @netgalley
and @harpercollins for this gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

🌟🌟🌟🌟
Scoville Spice Scale 🌶🌶🌶

"She kissed me and I forgot my own name. I kissed her and forgot my whole world."

Luke and Meera. Meera and Luke. They were meant to be. It just took them awhile to get there. As in a very slow burn but, oh boy, once they got there, they lite that candle and burned it up. 

Meera, the Eldest daughter, who works as a school teacher and takes care of her family. Since her father's death (there are mentions of his suicide and other farmers who have chosen to take their lives), she has taken on a lot of responsibility. Making sure her little brother gets to school, that they have food, and that their debt gets paid monthly. 

Luke comes to India to spend time stupying the ancient step wells of the area, and studying Meera who he met last year who he met last year when he visited when he was in India being supportive to his friend, Sam and his girlfriend, Akira. They make appearances in this book as do Akira's brothers, but you don't have to have read the first book to read this one. 

Luke and Meera circle one another, getting to know each other. Luke's gentleness and respect draws Meera in. Meera's shyness and fiery spirit tempt Luke. They face challenges but face them together. 

This sophomore novel from N.M. Patel shows all the grit, all the heart, and all the determination her first novel demonstrated. 

Tropes:

One Bed
Golden Retriever Hero
Strong Feminine Heroine
Long Distance Relationship 

This book is more than just a romance book. It is an eye opener to as to the goings on in rural India. It is emotional and gut wrenching. But also beautiful.
 Content Warnings

AMAZING!

What an absolute ride this book was. So many unexpected twists and turns. I am so happy to have this story in my hot hands and have it read. Cinder and Tristain have a unique love story the world needs to read. I love their fire for each other, their friends, their country, animals, and complete intolerance for the lies of their enemies. I absolutely loved the dual, back and forth Point of View. I think it lent itself to  the story. And Rath's chapter is charming.

ARC REVIEW

I devoured this book. It hooked me, dragged me into its incredible world and I fell mesmerized down its journey to the end. 

Why? 

Is it the characters? Yes. Is it the worldbuilding? YES! Is it the two different storylines? YES!! 

This book takes two storylines and weaves them together in such a way that you are on the edge of your seat while reading. I annotated at one point "Nooooo! You can't go back to the other storyline now! I need to know what happened!". 

Aella and Arianwen are both such strong female main characters. They are the same age and on different journeys. One is supposed to be on her marti-ritus (custom rite). The other has been drafted into Matri-Ludus: the competition for the opportunity to marry Prince Kaleidos. But all is not going according to plan at all. 

One thing I love is Aella's friendship with Viera throughout the book is so endearing. The lengths they go for each other even though they are keeping secrets from each other. 

Arianwen is a healer. When she meets Wynn, her whole life is turned upside down. She must choose between her duty and her heart. 

I laughed, I held my breath, I hoped for the best, and I hope you will pick up a copy of this incredible fantasy book! If you need comparisons to other books and stuff, this reminded me of Avatar: The Last Airbender, Harry Potter, The Maze Runner, and The Hunger Games. Also, hint of Divergent. 

But this book stands strong of its own two feet! 

This was a really funny story that I listened to for my local book club. It's delightful and I recommend it especially if you were a fan of the Goosebumps series growing up!

Christmas at the Sapori's - a Sherlock Holmes and Irene Adler Mystery, by KD Sherrinford is an absolute must read for fans of Sherlock Holmes, Mystery Fans, Holiday tales fans, and more. It shows the charming relationship between Sherlock and his wife and his children. Sherlock and his brother, Mycroft. Mrs Hudson - the delightful woman from downstate at 221B Baker Street who comes out to cook for them. A surprise lands on the doorstep Christmas Day and, oh yes, something is a foot! 

I highly recommend this delightful quick read to had to you holiday reads. 

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

The Girl Who Talks To Ashes absolutely blew my mind. The concept of tying together what appeared to be epilepsy to baby Lilah's abilities is a stroke of genius on the author's part. Lilah has everyone around her walking on pins and needles except those that love her and accept her abilities. Even her adopted father, Fire Chief Stan Quinn, who fiercely loves his daughter, is terrified what will happen if people find out what she can do. That is, until it happens.

This story has: 

-Found Family
-Death, lots of Death
-Time Manipulation 
-Speaking to the Dead
-Murder
-New Love

This is a perfect spooky season read. Our any time! Be sure to follow it with the pre/sequel The Boy Who Lurks In Shadows.