The Witch's Orchard by Archer Sullivan (eARC/ebook)
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Monday, July 7, 2025
REVIEW - Ever After (eARC/ebook)
Ever After by Amanda Prowse (eARC/ebook)
OVERVIEW
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I love Amanda's books because they are based on real-life family situations, from new love to loss of love and everything else in between. Most of Amanda's books are contemporary fiction or women's fiction, but she has also written two very personal non-fiction books.
I have read over twenty books written by Amanda and will continue to read them as long as she is willing to write them! What a great symbiosis.
This book was another lovely, perfect, and palate-cleanser for the chaos in the world!
OVERALL REVIEW: 5.0 stars.
Writing: 5.0 stars
Amanda wrote this book beautifully, descriptively, and thoughtfully. There were many sensitive issues covered, but she handled them with grace and sensitivity.
Plus, Amanda always throws in a few author words that I don't know, but not in a pretentious way. I always love learning new vocabulary.
Character development: 5.0 stars
The main characters are Enya (a widow and Aiden's mother), Aiden (Enya's son and Holly and Iris's friend), Holly (Aiden's neighbor friend), and Iris (Aiden's "airplane friend" - read the book to understand this reference).
The secondary characters are Jenny (Enya's BFF and neighbor), Angela (Enya's sister), and Jonathan (Enya's deceased husband).
The tertiary characters are the other neighbors, friends, and family of the main characters (as well as the secondary characters). primary and secondary characters, and lots of "throw-away" characters.
The character development was strong, as always. The main characters grow, develop, and learn together.
Storyline: 5.0 stars
The storyline focuses on Enya's grief over the loss of her husband, Jonathan, while trying to keep everyone else together, putting her needs last. Aiden travels to Italy for a work trip, and everything changes for everyone during the three weeks that he is gone.
The locations were Essex and Bath, England, and Portugal.
Memorable/Informative: 5.0 stars
This book is about serendipity. You never know who or how you will meet a person who will become special in your life!
Book cover: 5.0 stars
Perfect.
Book title: 5.0 stars
Lovely!
Highly recommend
NetGalley eARC/ebook
Ever After by Amanda Prowse
412 pages
Late Union Publishing
FUTURE release date: 8/12/2025
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
TRIGGER WARNINGS:
Alcohol, alcoholism, death of a parent, grief, cancer, medical content, moderate cursing, pregnancy, and infidelity.
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Sunday, July 6, 2025
My next audiobook is ...
Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight by Alexandra Fuller (audiobook)
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Saturday, July 5, 2025
REVIEW - The Women at Ocean's End
The Women at Ocean's End by Faith Hogan (ebook)
OVERVIEW
This is the sixth book by Faith Hogan that I have read. I have a one-word summation of them all - LOVELY!
I love that this book was based on a fictional island off the coast of Ireland. Apparently, there are many uninhabited and inhabited islands, so adding to my bucket list!
OVERALL REVIEW: 4.5 stars.
Writing: 5.0 stars
Faith writes so beautifully. It is so descriptive that I can picture it all in my mind while I am reading it! That is the best writing for any reader!
Character development: 4.5 stars
The main characters are Constance and Dotty (best friends), Heather (Dotty's daughter), and Ros (park ranger).
The secondary characters are Maggie (Constance's mother), as well as Norman and Sylvie (Dotty's parents).
The tertiary characters are all the various people, including friends and family, primarily on the fictional Pin Hill Island. It is a large cast of characters!
The character development was strong. I just always want more. Most especially about the secondary characters.
Storyline: 4.5 stars
The storyline is told in two main storylines with a lot of overlapping of different times, also told in flashbacks. But, basically, Constance and Dotty are best friends. Constance and her mom move to Pin Hill Island, and Dotty and her mom join the move. Time continues to pass until secrets are revealed and discovered.
The locations were fictional Pin Hill Island, Dublin, and London.
Memorable/Informative: 4.0 stars
It was wonderful to learn about the islands off the coast of Western Island.
Book cover: 5.0 stars
Faith ALWAYS has beautiful covers!
Book title: 4.5 stars
There appears to be confusion as to the correct title on various book sites. Either one is perfect!
Strong Recommend
Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow: ebook
The Women at Ocean's End by Faith Hogan
401 pages
Aria
Release date: 6/5/2025
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL)
TRIGGER WARNINGS:
Alcohol, alcoholism, death of a parent, grief, cancer, medical content, death of an animal, and mild cursing.
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
REVIEW - Walking with Ghosts
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Walking with Ghosts by Gabriel Byrne (audiobook)
OVERVIEW
This is a beautiful, albeit difficult, memoir to read. It primarily focuses on Gabriel's childhood and young adulthood, with important life experiences in his adulthood sprinkled throughout.
I knew there was a difference between an autobiography and a memoir. But this link puts it succinctly, "A memoir is a nonfiction narrative in which the author shares their memories from a specific time period or reflects upon a string of themed occurrences throughout their life. An autobiography is a factual and historical account of one’s entire life from beginning to end." The more you know, LINK.
OVERALL REVIEW: 5.0 stars
Writing: 5.0 stars
Gabriel's writing is so poetic, lyrical, and beautiful. This is a very personal, real, and raw memoir - he spills all of his secrets, and it appears to have been cathartic for him. He has a gift for writing and should write more books, seriously.
There are very few mentions of famous people or name-dropping, so if you are looking for that, this is not the book for you. Additionally, there are many triggers, so please be aware.
Narration: 5.0 stars
The narration was done by Gabriel, and it was perfection. He read the truly horrific parts with raw emotion and sincerity.
Character development: 5.0 stars
The main character is Gabriel.
The secondary characters are Gabriel's friends and family in Ireland, England, and the U.S.
There are many Catholic priests and nuns, as they were at the heart of the Irish community at the time Gabriel was growing up. Also, some Hollywood hangers-on once Gabriel became a "name".
The character development was incredible for Gabriel, specifically. The secondary and tertiary characters don't really change or grow much.
Memorable: 5.0 stars
I was shocked at the ubiquity of alcoholism and depression in Ireland. It seems that the local pub is the heart and soul of the community, like the parish church.
Entertaining/Educational: 5.0 stars
The abuse by Catholic clergy was horrifying. It included emotional, sexual, and physical abuse, which created shame and humiliation for Gabriel and all of the other boys involved.
Book cover: 5.0 stars
Perfect - loved the black and white picture.
Book title: 5.0 stars
On point.
Highly recommend
California Bookshelf borrow: audiobook
Walking with Ghosts by Gabriel Byrne
6 hours, 57 minutes
Recorded Books, Inc.
Release date: 1/12/2021
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
TRIGGER WARNINGS: Death, grief, death of parent, medical content, medical trauma, mental illness, sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, child-adult relationships, alcoholism, sexual content, cursing, drug use.
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Thursday, July 3, 2025
DNF - These Memories Do Not Belong To Us (eARC/ebook)
These Memories Do Not Belong to Us by Yiming Ma (eARC/ebook)
I will not be finishing this book.
This book is set in a dystopian future where every citizen is equipped with a "Mindbank" that controls their memories. China is the victor of a war and now controls the U.S. There is no back story as the book is told in random memory vignettes.
There was nothing wrong with the book - it just wasn't my type of book and may appeal to others!
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
July 2025 - Amazon First Reads
Hi, booksbydorothea blog friends!
One of the perks of your Amazon Prime Membership is a FREE monthly Kindle book (and sometimes a short story)! The program is called Amazon First Reads, and you can find out more HERE.
The July email for Amazon First Reads was delivered, July 1st! There is a choice of two free Kindle books out of eight book choices (no short story this month). But, this was an easy month to choose my two picks to read!
My two free Kindle book choices for July 2025 are:
The Fourth Daughter by Lyn Liao Butler (Kindle eARC, ebook)
The Women of Arlinton Hall by Jane Healey (Kindle eARC, ebook)
Also, "buy" AND download the freebies from Amazon! You can't read a book that hasn't been downloaded! I am going to download them both NOW!
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
booksbydorothea - The Storygraph May 2025 Monthly Recap
Hi, booksbydorothea blog friends!
After using both The Storygraph and Goodreads in tandem for six months, there is no comparison in terms of quality or quantity. You can check out my profile, booksbydorothea, HERE.
The FREE book statistics are beautiful, creative, and wildly informative. You can also sign up for more comparative statistics with the monthly Plus plan. Currently, the free account works well for me. Click here for the free statistics that I get HERE.
Come on over, please be my "friend" as I really want all of my friends (thank you, Chelsea for joining me!) on The Storygraph, as it is so superior to the "other site"! Click the LINK, which will direct you to the sign-in/sign-up page.
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
Tuesday, July 1, 2025
California's Bookshelf and the Palace Project
If you didn't know, Californians now have access to more library books! If you didn't know, no worries. I didn't find out until last night, and this program has been active since March 26, 2025!
"Every Californian with an email address and an internet connection can now visit California’s Bookshelf and access more than 300,000 eBooks and eAudiobooks."
To learn more about this program, including the Palace project used to access the books, click HERE.
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
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