Modern Herstory by Blair Imani (audiobook)
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Saturday, May 31, 2025
DNF - The Power of Parting (audiobook)
 The Power of Parting by Eamon Dolan (audiobook) |
I will not be finishing this book. As I am estranged from my family, this book could be a helpful resource. Unfortunately, it was not written by a PhD or medical doctor, but rather by a book editor. That is concerning to me.
Also, I don't need validation from anyone, as I have worked this through with my therapist.
This book may work for others, but it wasn't for me.
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
REVIEW - Under the Stars (eARC/eBOOK)
Under the Stars by Beatriz Williams (eARC/ebook)
OVERVIEW
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
This is the fifteenth or so book by Beatriz Williams that I have read. What a departure from her other books! Yes, this is a familiar location (Winthrop Island), with familiar characters (from Winthrop Island), but that is where it stops. This is a triple-storyline novel with much more "spice" than any previous Beatriz novel I have read.
For full disclosure, I am writing this review with only about six hours of sleep. I finished this historical fiction novel around 2:00 am because I couldn't put it down. That is my review in a nutshell.
One caveat, this book does stand alone, but it is part of the series based on Winthrop Island. It is up to you if you want to know some of the backstory by reading the other novels.
OVERALL REVIEW: 5.0 stars
Writing: 5.0 stars
Beatriz always writes so amazingly beautifully. This novel is just a notch above her normal writing, as if she found her authentic and true voice. The descriptions are raw, powerful, and detailed without being overwhelming. It is filled with such incredible and strong writing.
I don't consider myself a prude, but "spicy" writing isn't my thing. Also, my favorite swear word is liberally used throughout the book.
Character development: 5.0 stars
The main characters are divided into three distinct timelines: Providence (1846 - a runaway servant); Audrey (2024 - Meredith's daughter); and Meredith (1993/1994, 2024 - Audrey's mother, famous movie star, and former local).
The secondary characters are: Mike (1993/1994, 2024 - Audrey's father, owner of a dive bar, and local); Sedge (2024 - connected visitor to the island); and Starkweather (1846 - police detective).
There are many tertiary characters, as this is a historical novel after all. But all were necessary and important to the progression of the three storylines.
Storyline: 5.0 stars
The three storylines could stand alone; however, the weaving of the three together is what makes this a fantastic novel.
In the 1846 timeline, Providence is escaping the murder warrant as a body is found in the home where she is a servant. In the 1993/1994 timeline, Meredith and Mike are living their lives until a visitor disrupts it all. The 2024 timeline is Meredith returning home with Audrey as chaos reigns.
The location was primarily the fictional Winthrop Island, New York, as well as Boston, Massachusetts.
Memorable/Informative: 5.0 stars
The description of travel in a steamship in 1846 was terrifying.
I cannot imagine how my ancestors traveled from Europe to the United States (most likely in the hold) for weeks on end in smaller vessels across the Atlantic Ocean. My heart aches for them.
Book cover: 5.0 stars
Beautiful.
Book title: 5.0 stars
Perfect and symbolic.
HIGHLY recommend
NetGalley eARC/ebook
Under the Stars by Beatriz Williams
368 pages
Ballantine Books
FUTURE release date: 7/29/2025
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
TRIGGER WARNINGS:
GRAPHIC cursing and sexual situations, murder, gun violence, pregnancy, infidelity, alcohol, alcohol abuse, terminal illness, suicide, medical content, blood
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Thursday, May 29, 2025
REVIEW - Accidentally on Purpose (audiobook)
Accidentally on Purpose by Kristen Kish (audiobook)
OVERVIEW
I used to watch Top Chef and was rooting for Kristen when she won season 10! She was my favorite from the season opener, but most especially when she won Last Chance Kitchen five times in a row! She was talented, gutsy, and amazing!
While browsing the Libby application on my cell phone, I stumbled upon her memoir! I immediately knew that I would want to listen to this as an audiobook. It did not disappoint!
OVERALL REVIEW: 5.0 stars
Writing: 5.0 stars
The writing is strong, emotional, raw, and real. Kristen writes from the heart, and it shows!
It appears that she wrote this on her own without a ghost writer, BRAVA, Kristen!
Narration: 5.0 stars
Kristen narrated this book, even though she is not a professional narrator; she did a fantastic job. On a few occasions, she became emotional, but it added to the power of this memoir.
Character development: 5.0 stars
The main character is, of course, Kristen. She details her life from her first picture in the United States (as she is an adoptee from South Korea) to her recent hosting job on Top Chef. It is told chronologically, which is the format that I prefer.
Kristen shares her life journey as an adoptee, an Asian-American, and part of the LGBT+ community, and a chef. She takes great pride in all of the groups that she represents and understands the power of representation.
She shares how she was raised in Michigan with an older non-biological brother. Kristen has incredibly loving parents who supported her choices to leave college and pursue a culinary degree. She shares her confusion about being LGBT+ and her coming out. Add that she is a female, Asian American chef when there were not many women or Asian-American chefs when she was starting out, period. She shares working in restaurants, opening her first restaurant, being on food/travel television shows, and finally becoming the host of Top Chef. Finally, she shares meeting the love of her life, Bianca, and getting married.
Memorable: 5.0 stars
For me, one of the biggest takeaways was finding joy. We cannot qualify or quantify it, but we know it when we see it. Kristen focuses on finding joy in her life both individually and as part of a married couple.
Entertaining/Educational: 5.0 stars
As a mom of a hapa (Asian-American/Northern European) daughter, Kristen is a strong role model. But, I also found her endearing, real, and so accessible that the mom in me adored her and her memoir.
I would so love to cook or dine with Kristen! I know that she would make it a fun time!
Book cover: 5.0 stars
Great photograph.
Book title: 5.0 stars
Very appropriate.
HIGHLY recommend
Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow: audiobook
Accidentally on Purpose by Kristen Kish
10 hours, 28 minutes
Little, Brown & Company
Release date: 4/22/2025
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL)
TRIGGER WARNINGS: Cursing, drug use, alcohol use, racism, sexism, pandemic
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Tuesday, May 27, 2025
REVIEW - The One That Got Away (ebook/short story)
The One That Got Away by Mike Gayle (ebook/short story)
OVERVIEW
This was the additional short story provided with Amazon First Reads for April 2025. I had never read anything by Mike Gayle, who is a British author.
I somewhat liked this story, but it wasn't one of my favorites offered by the Amazon First Reads program. It was something to read while I waited for my daughter to shop at Costco.
OVERALL REVIEW: 3.0 stars
Writing: 3.0 stars
Mike writes beautifully. I have no issues with the quality of the writing at all.
Character development: 3.0 stars
There was fairly good character development, but I didn't like either of the primary characters. They were both selfish jerks.
The primary characters are Reuben and Beth, who were a couple.
The secondary characters are Leo (Beth's fiancé) and the assorted friends of Reuben, Beth, and Leo. As an aside, Reuben has incredible friends that he doesn't deserve!
The tertiary characters are Alan (Reuben's dad), Anne (Reuben's stepmother), and some minor characters.
Storyline: 3.0 stars
This short story is told in a dual timeline with "Then" and "Now" chapters.
Basically, Reuben and Beth have been broken up for about six months, and she is getting married. Beth calls Reuben on the morning of the wedding, and nothing but chaos ensues.
The main location is southern England.
Memorable/Informative: 3.0 stars
The premise of Reuben and Beth's relationship, their issues, and why they break up is just ridiculous.
Book cover: 3.5 stars
Meh.
Book title: 3.0 stars
True, but trite.
LUKEWARM recommend
BOOK INFORMATION
Amazon First Reads - ebook/short story
The One That Got Away by Mike Gayle
100 pages
Amazon Original Stories
Release date of 5/1/2025
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
TRIGGER WARNINGS:
Infidelity, alcohol
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Monday, May 26, 2025
My next ebook is ...
The One That Got Away by Mike Gayle (ebook - short story)
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
REVIEW - The Bookstore Family (ebook/ short story)
The Bookstore Family (Once Upon a Time Bookshop Stories #4) by Alice Hoffman (ebook/short story)
OVERVIEW
This was a special treat! I had no idea Alice Hoffman had written a fourth short story in the Once Upon a Time Bookshop Stories. I am hoping for a fifth short story in this series. Yes, I am being so greedy!
This was another great short story by the amazing Alice Hoffman. This is the fourth and final (say it isn't so!) short story in The Once Upon a Time Bookshop Stories about a family bookstore on the fictional island of Brinkley's Island, Maine. I so love this sweet and lovely series.
Caveat: Please read the first three short stories before reading this one.
OVERALL REVIEW: 5.0 stars
Writing: 5.0 stars
Alice Hoffman is my favorite author, period. Her writing is beautifully spectacular, poetic, and brilliant. This fourth short story was another great addition to this lovely series.
Character development: 5.0 stars
As always, there is good character development! This short story is primarily about Violet (Sophie's daughter), who is living an unhappy life as a pastry chef in Paris.
The secondary characters are Sophie (Violet's mother), Isabel (Violet's aunt), and Remy (Violet's friend in Paris).
The tertiary characters are Johnny (Isabel's husband), David (Sophie's husband), and Suzy (Johnny and Isabel's young daughter).
Storyline: 5.0 stars
This short story concerns family, loss, grief, and unconditional love, as in the first three short stories.
Violet leaves Paris to return home to the island. Sadly, her mother, Sophie, has had a recurrence of her cancer. The family rallies to help Sophie meet all of the tasks on her bucket list.
We receive a lovely, bittersweet ending (maybe not) to this wonderful short story series!
The main location is the fictional Brinkley's Island, Maine.
Memorable/Informative: 5.0 stars
This is another beautiful short story in a short story series. Alice Hoffman could write her grocery list, and I would read it!
Book cover: 5.0 stars
Gorgeous.
Book title: 5.0 stars
Perfect!
HIGHLY recommend
BOOK INFORMATION
Purchased Kindle digital copy
The Bookstore Family (Once Upon a Time Bookshop Stories #4) by Alice Hoffman
43 pages
Amazon Original Stories
Release date of 5/13/2025
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
TRIGGER WARNINGS:
Death of a parent, terminal illness
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
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