It’s time for some catch-up! This summer has been crazy busy, with family things and work things and general life things, and I’m kind of embarrassed to admit… this post has been sitting in my drafts for weeks upon weeks because my brain couldn’t summon the words to finish it up. But while life hasn’t settled down, my brain has, and I’m ready to clear these reviews out so I can tell you about the fun things I’m reading now! There are some goodies below, so check it out.
The Art of Love & Lies by Rebecca Anderson: A gentle, easy-read romance between the head of security at an art exhibition and a young woman who reproduces masterpieces for the parlors of the idle rich. Going in, I expected the art theft to be the main plot rather than just the final arc, so the sudden shift from leisurely romance and character study in the first half to thrilling heroics in the second was a bit jarring. The leads were a likable pair but sometimes made choices that seemed more plot than character-driven, particularly in the latter part of the book. However, the descriptions of painting and Rosanna’s relationship with her art was lovely, and I was sad it didn’t receive more attention before jumping over her self-acceptance to the final chapter. I’m sure many will enjoy this book, as it’s not unpleasant, but if you are looking for nuance, it’s in too much of hurry to comply. My thanks to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese: I’m a big fan of the inter-generational family saga, and this entry into the genre does not disappoint. There are resilient matriarchs, well-intended but flawed men, and faith and fear that span decades. Verghese takes on a lot with this story, and overall I think he manages it quite well. I especially loved how important the connection to land and community is to the tale, how faith and science and superstition can all exist together. Not only does it resonate with my own experiences, but the writing is beautifully grounded and warm. I may not have grown up in India (of this or any time), but it came alive for me and even evoked some of my own family history. It’s a brick of a book but well worth the read.
Juniper Bean Resorts to Murder by Gracie Ruth Mitchell: With a name like that, you expect this book to be a good time, and it is! The murder mystery itself is quite transparent, but you’re not reading this for Agatha Christie-esque intrigue, you’re reading it for the lead pair. Juniper and Aiden are a lot of fun with their bicker and banter, but there’s also a warm center to their love story that grounds their hijinks. It was a good example of the meet-as-kids, fall-in-love-as-adults trope. It never felt like heavy-handed fate but like something that just made sense because they were both so important to each other’s lives. Plus, they’re just really enjoyable together and have great chemistry. A thoroughly enjoyable read for a lazy afternoon.
Appointment in Bath (Somerset Stories #4) by Mimi Matthews: A warm and charming take on Romeo & Juliet — but with a happy ending this time. I quickly fell in love with Ivo and Meg as they grew closer and struggled to keep the past from determining their future. It’s the perfect blend of swoony and introspective. My thanks to NetGalley and Perfectly Proper Press for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Parish Orphans of Devon #1-4 by Mimi Matthews: I was sick a few weeks ago and spent a whole weekend in bed, drinking tea, and devouring these books. As expected from Matthews, they are warm and romantic, wonderfully researched, and just good entertainment. Here, as in other books, Matthews is great at making each book and pair of leads unique, so it never feels like the same tropes and character types plugged into different plots. It was also fun to go back and meet some characters from the Belles of London series and learn more about their origins. Highly recommended.
What’s on your reading list this week? And if you’ve ready any of these, what did you think?
—b
Book It With Becca 