The Union Street Bakery by Mary Ellen Taylor - #bookreview

Life can turn on a dime. It’s a common cliché, and I’d heard it often enough. People die or move away. Investments go south. Affairs end. Loved ones betray us... Stuff happens.

***

The Blurb

This was a charming story which I really enjoyed.

Daisy McCrae’s life got off to a rocky start. Abandoned by a mother she never really knew, she was adopted into a family she’s never truly felt a part of. Thirty years later, her life is just as rocky. Between losing her job and her boyfriend, she’s lost all sense of self.

Now Daisy is back where it all began: the Union Street Bakery. She’s resigned to living in the bakery’s attic, learning the family business, and saving it if she can. But patching up the holes in her relationship with her sisters is another story.

So, too, is the century-old journal she inherits. Written by an enslaved girl named Susie, the weathered pages offer Daisy a glimpse into a past that has everything to do with her present.

As Daisy learns more about Susie, the town, and her family, she starts to see who she’s been and who she wants to be―and realizes that maybe, no matter how much you’ve lost, there’s always something more to find.

From the bestselling author of The Brighter the Light comes a bittersweet and hopeful story about how one woman’s journey into her family’s past helps her embrace her future.This is the first in the Union Street Bakery and I'm already looking forward to reading the next one, Sweet Expectations, which I already have downloaded to my kindle.

My Review

The book centres around three sisters, Rachel, Margaret and Daisy McCrae with the latter of the three being the main character. Daisy is a successful and determined woman but when she loses her high powered job in finance, and separates from her fiance, she moves back home to her family in Virginia. There she finds the family bakery business close to financial ruin and she steps in to help save it.

Daisy is also the only one of the sisters to be adopted and has always struggled with feeling like 'a real McCrae' and finding her place in the family. When Daisy inherits a 19th century journal from an elderly customer she couldn't be more surprised. At first appearance, the journal seems to have been written by a literate slave girl called Susie.

Susie is someone that Daisy has known all her life. Her ghostly form has appeared to her since her childhood and now she is back at the bakery, Daisy still hears her... along with another ghostly presence who makes it clear he wants her gone.

The bakery itself is every bit as important as the characters.  I thought it was a lovely touch to include some of the recipes at the back of the book.

This was a gripping and engaging novel which I really loved. It is a multi-faceted story and the author does a fabulous job in bringing together the present and the past, and with a paranormal aspect thrown in.

The book is about love, belonging and identity. It is about second chances and having sufficient faith and trust to start again, not just for the people but for the bakery itself.

An excellent novel which I highly recommend.

Book Details

ISBN:  978 1662531002

Publisher:  Montlake

Formats:  e-book, audio and paperback

No. of Pages:  335 (paperback)

Purchase Links

Bookshop.org

Amazon UK

Amazon US

Blackwell's

About the Author

Amazon Charts bestselling author, Mary Ellen Taylor’s love of her home state Virginia is evident in her contemporary women’s fiction, including After Paris, The Promise of Tomorrow, Winter Cottage, Spring House, and Honeysuckle Season. She brings her new home on the Outer Banks of North Carolina to life in her latest novel The Brighter The Light and When the Rain Ends.

As do so many people, her protagonists search for their place in the world, exploring issues of family, home, love and belonging. Inevitably, Mary Ellen’s stories interweave setting, history and mysteries that span past and present.

You can also find her at:

Author Website

Facebook

Instagram

(ARC courtesy of NetGalley)

(author media courtesy of the Author)

(all opinions are my own)

(Bookshop.org affiliated)

Looking for Lucie by Amanda Addison - #repost #blogtour #bookreview

 

Dad walks into the dining room carrying a showstopper of a cake. All eighteen candles flicker above the raspberry and pistachio topping...

"A work of art, Steve," says Nana Pat...

"Baking is pretty similar to building; cake for the bricks and cream for cement. Just on a much smaller scale!" laughs Dad...

***

Looking for Lucie is a contemporary YA novel that explores identity, self-discovery, and newfound friendship as an 18-year-old girl sets out to uncover her ethnic heritage and family history.

"Where are you really from?"

It's a question every brown girl in a white-washed town is familiar with, and one that Lucie has never been able to answer. All she knows is that her mother is white, she's never met her father, and she looks nothing like the rest of her family. She can't even talk about it because everyone says it shouldn't matter!

Well, it matters to Lucie and-with her new friend Nav, who knows exactly who he is-she's determined to find some answers.

What do you do when your entire existence is a question with no answer?

You do a DNA test.

***

To celebrate the release of this book in the US, I am reposting the book review that I originally posted in April of this year.

It is aimed at a secondary school-age audience, so roughly 11-18 year olds.  The main character, Lucie, has her eighteenth birthday at the beginning of the book, and she is on the cusp of going to university to study art. She is also having an identity crisis. She has never looked like her family, mum, step-dad and sister, Maisie. She is darker skinned and has always been unable to answer the question when people ask "Where are you really from?" and the answer, Norfolk, did not satisfy. Her mum has never talked about her biological father, and she is desperate to know more about him and his ethnicity. This leads her to secretly taking a DNA test. Lucie was a wonderful character and she was very easy to identify and engage with. I was rooting for her every step of the way.

The book moves along at an appropriate pace for the genre. There were some surprises along the way which kept the plot moving forwards nicely. 

The book considers what it means to belong, as well as personal identity and working out how we fit into our individual world. I enjoyed following Lucie's journey as she grappled with some of these questions.

The majority of the chapters are written from the perspective of Lucie and her new friend, Nav. Later in the book we also get to hear the viewpoint of Lucie and Nav's mothers. The multiple perspectives enable the reader to understand that family dynamics and how or where we belong are never simplistic. This book performs an excellent job of demonstrating that situations can be viewed differently, and will vary with each individual.

If you have a young person in your life, I suggest buying them a copy of this book... but I would have a sneaky read of it before you pass it to them! Both young adults and adults alike will adore this book, and I heartily recommend it.

ISBN:  978 1911107682

Publisher:  Neem Tree Press

Formats:  Paperback

No. of Pages: 272

About the Author:

Amanda Addison is an award-winning author of books for adults and children. Her writing has been translated into German, Greek, Italian and Ukrainian. Her picture book, Boundless Sky, was nominated for The CILIP Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Medal, and her YA novel, Looking for Lucie, was listed for the Searchlight Writing Novel Opening Award. A graduate of Chelsea school of Art, her writing and artwork are inspired by travel, textiles, and the natural world. Amanda holds an MA in Writing the Visual and lectures in Art & Design and has also led workshops in Creative Writing at the National Centre for Writing. Amanda lives in Norfolk, UK, with her family.

Her writing includes flash fiction, short stories, picture books and novels. She explores themes of home and belonging, and enjoys using the juxtaposition of rural and city life. Her characters are often artists or scientists, as their curiosity about the world around them are two sides to the same coin, and the exploration of art and science can give us meaning and purpose in life with its infinite avenues of discovery. Amanda’s debut YA novel, Looking for Lucie, Neem Tree Press 2024, explores the above. It is a contemporary story of identity, self-discovery, and newfound friendship. Lucie, an 18-year-old art student sets out to uncover her ethnic heritage and family history with her new scientist friend Nav. Together they unravel family secrets.

Amanda believes in the power of stories as a window on the world, and a mirror to better see ourselves and is passionate about stories which are empowering and inclusive. When not writing she can be found swimming in the North Sea or running in the countryside, and that is when she gets some of her best ideas!

Borrowed Memories by Mark Foss - #bookreview

 

When I pulled up to the cottage, my father is standing outside the main garage, jamming a steel rod into a metal pipe like he's priming a cannon. It's his latest attempt to build a pole for his air force flag...

***

It has recently come to my attention that I must make it clear at the beginning of my reviews that I received this book for free from the publisher. I have not been paid for doing this and all opinions are my own. I am Bookshop.org affiliated, which means I earn a very small amount of money if you buy from there using my direct link. Although I include purchase links to Amazon, I am not affiliated with them. I include them to make it easy for you to navigate to them if you so wish.

***

The Blurb

In the midst of the Arab Spring's upheaval, Borrowed Memories unravels a tale of shifting identities and the profound impact of memory. Meet Ivan Pyefinch, a freelance translator seeking solace in the Thousand Islands as he tends to his aging parents, Horace and Aida. Horace, a former World War II pilot, fights to reclaim his driver's license, while Aida grapples with the relentless advance of Alzheimer's. Their borrowed time is both a burden and a gift, and Ivan is determined to make the most of it.

Enter Mia Hakim, an immigrant filmmaker from Quebec with a penchant for other people's memories and an unyielding quest for her Sephardic roots. When she seeks Ivan's help in translating her scenario for a research trip to Tunisia, the collision of their worlds becomes inevitable. As Mia unexpectedly arrives at the Pyefinch home on the eve of Remembrance Day, a family health crisis sets in motion a profound narrative that explores the intricacies of love, loss, and the perennial search for identity.

My Review 

Let me start off by saying how much I really enjoyed this book. It is the story of Ivan, a middle aged man, and his coming to terms with the ageing of his parents, Horace and Aida.

Aida's health is deteriorating as she has Alzeimer's. Horace, who is totally self obsessed, is not without his health challenges either. Through Ivan, the book asks the question as to how much are adults responsible for the care of their failing parents? Should that care take precedence over their own lives?

I lost both of my parents some years ago, and so I was readily able to identify with Ivan. He is an interesting character. He has just come out of a failed relationship, and his work as a translator enables him to spend this level of time with his parents. 

Through his eyes we observe his relationship with Horace and Aida and their relationship with one another. Ivan recognises that Horace is not giving his wife the care that she needs, but Horace is insistent that he can look after her himself. I could not help but wonder in how many families that this scenario is playing out. I think it's relatablility elevates this book to another level.

I was mesmerised by this trio of characters and their situation. When Mia, who Ivan is doing some translation work for, enters the picture it adds another dynamic to the household. Her presence opens the readers eyes to how neglected Aida has been. Mia steps in and provides her with some of the care that has been absent.

Mia is an immigrant film maker, and through her we hear of her exile. In many ways, Ivan is an exile in his own life. He doesn't quite belong anywhere. The book considers identity and belonging and the part that memories have to play in that.

I thought this was a fabulous book. It is a short novel at 228 pages. The fact that Mr. Foss was able to convey such feeling and emotion in so few words demonstrates great writing skill. I was really moved by this book.

I highly recommend this to anyone who likes a slower paced literary novel.

Book Details

 ISBN: 978 1926716787

Publisher: 8th House Publishing

Formats:  Paperback

No. of Pages:  228 (paperback)

Purchase Links

Amazon UK

Amazon CA

Amazon US

About the Author:

Mark Foss is the author of the novels Molly 0 and Spoilers, as well as the short-story collection Kissing the Damned. His fiction and creative nonfiction have also appeared in print and online literary journals, including The Fiddlehead, The New Quarterly, subTerrain, Numéro Cinq, carte blanche, and Montréal Serai. A radio drama, Higher Ground, was broadcast on CBC. He lives in Montreal.

You can also find Mark at:

Author Website

Instagram

Bluesky

(all author media courtesy of the author's website)

(all opinions are my own)

Looking for Lucie by Amanda Addison - #bookreview #blogtour

 

Dad walks into the dining room carrying a showstopper of a cake. All eighteen candles flicker above the raspberry and pistachio topping...

"A work of art, Steve," says Nana Pat...

"Baking is pretty similar to building; cake for the bricks and cream for cement. Just on a much smaller scale!" laughs Dad...

***

Looking for Lucie is a contemporary YA novel that explores identity, self-discovery, and newfound friendship as an 18-year-old girl sets out to uncover her ethnic heritage and family history.

"Where are you really from?"

It's a question every brown girl in a white-washed town is familiar with, and one that Lucie has never been able to answer. All she knows is that her mother is white, she's never met her father, and she looks nothing like the rest of her family. She can't even talk about it because everyone says it shouldn't matter!

Well, it matters to Lucie and-with her new friend Nav, who knows exactly who he is-she's determined to find some answers.

What do you do when your entire existence is a question with no answer?

You do a DNA test.

***

Publishing on 18th April, you only have to wait a couple of days to be able to get your hands on this fantastic book for young adults. Having said that, it has been many years since I could call myself young, but I enjoyed every word of this book. 

It is aimed at a secondary school-age audience, so roughly 11-18 year olds.  The main character, Lucie, has her eighteenth birthday at the beginning of the book, and she is on the cusp of going to university to study art. She is also having an identity crisis. She has never looked like her family, mum, step-dad and sister, Maisie. She is darker skinned and has always been unable to answer the question when people ask "Where are you really from?" and the answer, Norfolk, did not satisfy. Her mum has never talked about her biological father, and she is desperate to know more about him and his ethnicity. This leads her to secretly taking a DNA test. Lucie was a wonderful character and she was very easy to identify and engage with. I was rooting for her every step of the way.

The book moves along at an appropriate pace for the genre. There were some surprises along the way which kept the plot moving forwards nicely. 

The book considers what it means to belong, as well as personal identity and working out how we fit into our individual world. I enjoyed following Lucie's journey as she grappled with some of these questions.

The majority of the chapters are written from the perspective of Lucie and her new friend, Nav. Later in the book we also get to hear the viewpoint of Lucie and Nav's mothers. The multiple perspectives enable the reader to understand that family dynamics and how or where we belong are never simplistic. This book performs an excellent job of demonstrating that situations can be viewed differently, and will vary with each individual.

If you have a young person in your life, I suggest buying them a copy of this book... but I would have a sneaky read of it before you pass it to them! Both young adults and adults alike will adore this book, and I heartily recommend it.

ISBN:  978 1911107682

Publisher:  Neem Tree Press

Formats:  Paperback

No. of Pages: 272

About the Author:

Amanda Addison is an award-winning author of books for adults and children. Her writing has been translated into German, Greek, Italian and Ukrainian. Her picture book, Boundless Sky, was nominated for The CILIP Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Medal, and her YA novel, Looking for Lucie, was listed for the Searchlight Writing Novel Opening Award. A graduate of Chelsea school of Art, her writing and artwork are inspired by travel, textiles, and the natural world. Amanda holds an MA in Writing the Visual and lectures in Art & Design and has also led workshops in Creative Writing at the National Centre for Writing. Amanda lives in Norfolk, UK, with her family.

Her writing includes flash fiction, short stories, picture books and novels. She explores themes of home and belonging, and enjoys using the juxtaposition of rural and city life. Her characters are often artists or scientists, as their curiosity about the world around them are two sides to the same coin, and the exploration of art and science can give us meaning and purpose in life with its infinite avenues of discovery. Amanda’s debut YA novel, Looking for Lucie, Neem Tree Press 2024, explores the above. It is a contemporary story of identity, self-discovery, and newfound friendship. Lucie, an 18-year-old art student sets out to uncover her ethnic heritage and family history with her new scientist friend Nav. Together they unravel family secrets.

Amanda believes in the power of stories as a window on the world, and a mirror to better see ourselves and is passionate about stories which are empowering and inclusive. When not writing she can be found swimming in the North Sea or running in the countryside, and that is when she gets some of her best ideas!

(book and media courtesy of The Write Reads)

(all opinions are my own)

The Story Collector by Iris Costello - #bookreview #NetGalley

 

1914 - All is darkness. As I am led into the room, the blindfold tied firmly around my eyes, I hold out my hands to get my bearings and lower myself onto the silk-covered dais. From this perch I can hear the chit-chat of the men and women seated below me who are sipping their cockails and waiting.

"I hear she's very good,"

"Didn't she foretell the sinking of Titanic a couple of years ago?"

***

Three women. A long-buried secret. One voice will free them all…

London, 1915: Amid the wartime chaos, Katerina is hailed as a beacon of hope for her bakery, which offers divination alongside sweet treats. But the dark truth she’s hiding could cost her everything.

Germany, 1918: Miriam secretly vows to help a mute British soldier in the prisoner-of-war camp she’s stationed at. Soon she must make an impossible choice: will she save the one she loves, or herself?

Cornwall, Present Day: Edie is astonished to discover a mysterious box hidden in the wall of her newly renovated cottage. As Edie starts to investigate, she uncovers a secret that has lain hidden for over a century...

***

This book is worthy of five stars and was an absolute joy to read.

There is a triple timeline running throughout with three very distinct voices which were easily recognisable from each other. At no point was I ever confused as to which character I was reading. I have read books in the past where the voices completely merge into one another but Ms Costello has portrayed her characters in an unmistakably individual manner.

Each of the three women were excellent main characters in their respective time periods which the author has brought vividly to life on the page. It was the separate points of view of each of them that elevated this book above the average historical fiction novel. They were all engaging characters and it was easy to become invested in their individual stories.

Some of the themes running throughout the book made for an emotive and heartbreaking read; the futility of war and it's losses, as well as the sense of belonging and identity. I felt very moved when reading about the support and friendship that the women offered one another, particularly the sections set during the First World War. But these were also themes which touched Edie in the present-day section of the book. Equally, she was coming to terms with the loss of her husband and was trying to find a new fit for her life.

The plotlines were compelling and as the storylines progress the reader can reasonably assume there will ultimately be a merging of the three stories and I was not disappointed. The author concludes her story beautifully, and I sighed with satisfaction that everything tied up so completely. This is an excellent novel for lovers of historical fiction with a bit of mysticism thrown in and also for readers who like contemporary fiction and I highly recommend it.

ISBN:  978 0241999110

Publisher:  Penguin

Formats:  e-book, audio and paperback

No. of Pages:  400 (paperback)

***

About the Author:

As Iris Costello, she writes historical fiction that has been described as 'a triumph of storytelling'. She is also the author of six bestselling thrillers as Nuala Ellwood and was named by the Guardian as a New Face of Fiction in 2017. She writes mhery novels in a rickety Georgian house where she lives with her teenage son, Luke, and a resident ghost! 

(ARC coutesy of NetGalley & the publisher)

(media courtesy of Amazon)

(all opinions are my own)

Next of Kin by Hannah Bonam-Young - #bookreview

 

My phone rings, flashing a number that immediately sends a chill down my spine. I follow my instincts, ditching my cart and spot in the checkout line to find quiet in the grocery store's bathroom, which, thankfully is empty.

"Hello, this is Chloe." My voice already shaking.

"Hi, Chloe, this is Rachel Feroux calling from Child Protective Services. Is this a good time to talk?..

***

Two bickering strangers trying to foster their younger siblings team up to create a stable home, but the undeniable chemistry between them threatens to ruin everything.

When she discovers her biological mother has had a new baby, Chloe doesn't hesitate to provide a home for her. Failing to meet social services' financial evaluation, she's forced into a new initiative: joining households with another prospective guardian.

Surly garage mechanic Warren, who is trying to gain custody of his deaf teenage brother, does not make a great first impression. But as their lives intertwine, Chloe and Warren discover they have more in common than they thought. So much so that the chemistry between them threatens everything they've fought for...

***

Publishing today, this funny, lovely book is well worth getting your hands on.

The main character, Chloe, is in her early twenties and finds herself in the unusual position of fostering her newborn baby sister when her biological mother gives birth. Instantly, the reader expects Chloe to be kind-hearted, and it is this, coupled with her protectiveness of her sister that propels her and the story along.

The love interest in this book is Warren, who teams up with Chloe as he is also caring for his teenage younger brother. However, although these two are thrown together and take a dislike to one another, the reader can happily anticipate the potential relationship that they might fall into.

The book does not disappoint in this respect. In fact, some scenes are a little racy at times. However, this felt natural, but you may choose to avoid this book if you prefer the hanky panky to remain out of sight in your reading. The budding relationship between them played out really well, and I was completely hooked by this book. Both Chloe and Warren are flawed characters but with the turn of each page I was rooting for them more and more.

The book deals with themes of identity, belonging and what constitutes family. It is written with humour and is also romantic and highly readable.  I enjoyed it very much. It is a heartwarming read with a feel-good factor, and I turned the final page with a satisfied smile. 

If you enjoy the friends to lovers romance trope, infused with humour and chemistry then you will love this book every bit as much as I did. I highly recommend it.

ISBN: 978  1835010938

Publisher:  Bedford Square Publishers 

Formats:  e-book, audio and paperback

No. of Pages:  368 (paperback)

About the Author:

Hannah writes romances featuring a cast of diverse, disabled, marginalized, and LGBTQIA+ folks wherein swoon-worthy storylines blend with the beautiful, messy, and challenging realities of life.

When not reading or writing romance you can find her having living room dance parties with her kids or planning any occasion that warrants a cheese board. Originally from Ontario, Canada, she lives with her childhood friend turned husband, Ben,  their two kids, a feisty orange cat, and a sleepy bulldog near Niagara Falls on the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe peoples.

(ARC courtesy of the publisher)

(author media coutesy of the author's webiste)

(all opinions are my own)

If I Were Invisible by Lily Lawson - Illustrated by Gustyawan - #BookReview #BlogTour

 

If I were invisible, I wonder what I'd do?

I would stand on rooftops! No-one would have a clue.

***

Think of all the things we could get away with if nobody could see us! But how long would the fun last, if we had to do it all alone?

***

This is a charming picture book aimed at a young audience. I could well imagine this becoming a favourite with pre-school/early infant age children.

The book is written in rhyme within speech bubbles as the little boy who features in the story questions how his life would be if he was invisible. The illustrations support this perfectly and they have a simplistic design to them that young children will love.

It is an interesting concept and could lead to good and simple discussions with children regarding how it would feel to not belong to a family or have friends.

It is a delightful little story and I cannot wait to share it with my grandson.

ISBN:  978 1916278042

Publisher:  The Wright House

Formats:  e-book and paperback (currently available on Kindle Unlimited)

No. of Pages:  59 (paperback)

About the Author:

Lily is a poet and fiction writer living in the UK.  She has poetry, short stories and creative non-fiction published in anthologies and online in addition to her books. 

She has written three illustrated rhyming picture books. Santa's Early Christmas has greedy Santa eating all the food. The Palm Tree Swingers Island Band is an unusual combination of animals making music. If I Were Invisible ... is about a boy wondering what fun he could have if no-one could see him.  

 She is currently studying online for an Open Degree with the Open University and loves reading, watching American TV, eating chocolate, listening to music, and hanging out on social media.

(book courtesy of Rachel's Random Resources)

(all opinions are my own)

(author info courtesy of her own website Lily's Writing Life)