Famous in a Small Town by Viola Shipman
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Monday, June 26, 2023
REVIEW - The Guest House by the Sea
OVERVIEW
This is the third book by Faith Hogan that I have read. The one word to describe her books is LOVELY! You will see the word LOVELY sprinkled throughout this review!
This was a contemporary fiction novel set primarily on the coast of Ireland at a guest house in the village of Ballycove. The guest house (The Willows) and the owner (Esme) are the primary characters plus the Irish Sea! The secondary characters are the many guests at The Willows. Interestingly, the advice of Esme, The Willows along with the Irish Sea heal the guests in unique and beautiful ways. They may not be healed in the way that is traditional, but it is healing nonetheless.
The ending left much to the imagination so I hope that it means that there is a sequel to this story or even another novel about Ballycove. It sounds like the perfect place to visit, live, or be from!
REVIEW: 4.0 stars
Writing: 4.0 stars
The Guest House by the Sea is just a lovely novel. It was easy to read and get lost in The Willows, Balllycove, and the Irish Sea. The descriptions were good, but NOT overly done. I can picture the characters and the setting perfectly in my head which is ALWAYS a good sign of well-written books!
Character development: 4.0 stars
This novel has two main characters, Esme and The Willows. With the supporting cast of the Irish Sea and The Willows' guests!! There were some difficult things that all of the characters had to heal from and make decisions about which made for very interesting character development! The characters were likeable and lovely.
Storyline: 4.0 stars
The storyline really was about protecting and saving The Willows which is Esme's home and livelihood! There were no real twists or turns that made me gasp, but it was a lovely storyline.
Book cover: 4.0 stars
Beautiful! I wish that I could read, drink tea, and listen to the sea on the cover FOREVER!
Book title: 4.0 stars
Totally on point!
Gut feeling: 4.0 stars
I knew that this book was for me when I saw the cover and the author's name!
Definite RECOMMEND
INFORMATION/LINKS
The Guest House by the Sea by Faith Hogan
366 pages
7 days to read it (It is a LOVELY book for the summer season!)
Read it as a LAPL (Los Angeles Public Library) ebook
Release date of 06/08/2023
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5379860415
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Sunday, June 25, 2023
REVIEW - The Lonely Hearts Book Club
OVERVIEW
This is the first book by Lucy Gilmore that I have read. From her bibliography, it appears that she writes a diverse set of genres!
This was not historical fiction which is my favorite, but a contemporary fiction book. It was based in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho which is such a beautiful location in the United States. The book moves from the library as the main location to various characters' homes, businesses, and other locations.
These characters find out the real meaning of friendship and family. As I have personally learned, friends can be more important in your life than blood relations. Also, I love that the ending to this sweet book was reasonable and not tied up in a perfect bow!
Interestingly, this is the first book that I can EVER remember changing from an audiobook to an ebook because I thought that I would enjoy it better!!!
REVIEW: 4.0 stars
Writing: 4.0 stars
The Lonely Hearts Book Club is a lovely book that reads nicely without a lot of work on the reader's part. It is written beautifully for pure enjoyment!
Character development: 4.0 stars
This novel has two main characters with a small group of supporting characters. The two main characters go through some life changes that make them better human beings than before they met each other. It was so very nice!
Storyline: 4.0 stars
The main plot twist was a little unbelievable, but I rolled with it. I don't think that most people would do what the female main character did, but some people would so it COULD happen.
Book cover: 3.5 stars
Kind of boring.
Book title: 3.5 stars
The title The Lonely Hearts Book Club is kind of misleading. I did not like it.
Gut feeling: 4.0 stars
I was right on the money as to what I would think of this book!
Definite RECOMMEND
INFORMATION/LINKS
The Lonely Hearts Book Club by Lucy Gilmore
352 pages
5 days to read it (It is a perfectly LOVELY beach or pool book for the summer)
Read it as a LAPL (Los Angeles Public Library) ebook
Release date of 03/28/2023
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLucyGilmore/
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5623374141
https://www.sourcebooks.com/romance.html
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
I'm back from my Best Friend Vacay!!!
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We met in Las Vegas, Nevada on Wednesday, June 21st in the late afternoon! We each flew in from our respective cities and reconnected with each other at the airport!!
Now, "whatever happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas", but ...
Nothing like your very best friend since 1967 to revive your spirit, soul, and heart!!
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Dorothea 💜
Sunday, June 18, 2023
On VACATION with my BFF
YIPPIE!! I will be on vacation from June 19th through June 24th. For most of this time, I will be with my best friend (FBBF) since 1967 (or for 56 years)!!
We have been through so many life experiences: breakups, marriages, babies, work changes, and the loss of many special people including grandparents and parents. Our time together will be such a huge treat!!
We will spend our vacation time together away from our home bases and are flying to a neutral, but fun location! It will be ONLY about the two of US!! Yes!!
I plan to continue reading, but I won't be updating my Instagram account OR my book blog. I will update you when I am back home and recovered!!!!
Thanks so much for understanding!!!!
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
UPDATE: Changing AUDIOBOOK to BOOK
I started The Lonely Hearts Book Club by Lucy Gilmore on audiobook. I have only read a few chapters and it is evident that I would love this book even more as an ebook.
So for the first time, since I started this book blog journey, I am switching from an audiobook to an ebook!!
So I have TWO ebook reads going on right now:
The Lonely Hearts Book Club by Lucy Gilmore
AND
Flirting with Danger by Janet Wallach
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Friday, June 16, 2023
DNF - Under the Whispering Door AUDIOBOOK
I will not be finishing (DNF) Under the Whispering Door by T. J. Klune audiobook. It just wasn't the right book for me.
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
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