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February was going to the month I got my reading mojo back… sort of. I did manage to finish up two audiobooks, read my first hold it in your hand book of the year, and get almost done with a book I’ve been reading since the fall (I know). I’m still not feeling great, but I can definitely tell that I’m turning a corner and I hope that daily reading will be a part of my life again very soon. I’m sorry for getting this post up a few days late, but so thankful for Rachel, who is always on top of things. I feel sure that with my energy and appetite making a reappearance this month, that surely regularly scheduled blogging is right around the corner.
2. THE MASTERPIECE by Francine Rivers
★★★☆☆ | Christian Fiction
A successful LA artist, Roman Velasco appears to have everything he could possibly want―money, women, fame. Only Grace Moore, his reluctant, newly hired personal assistant, knows how little he truly has. The demons of Roman’s past seem to echo through the halls of his empty mansion and out across his breathtaking Topanga Canyon view. But Grace doesn’t know how her boss secretly wrestles with those demons: by tagging buildings as the Bird, a notorious but unidentified graffiti artist―an alter ego that could destroy his career and land him in prison.
Like Roman, Grace is wrestling with ghosts and secrets of her own. After a disastrous marriage threw her life completely off course, she vowed never to let love steal her dreams again. But as she gets to know the enigmatic man behind the reputation, it’s as if the jagged pieces of both of their pasts slowly begin to fit together . . . until something so unexpected happens that it changes the course of their relationship―and both their lives―forever.
I’ll admit to not being a huge fan of contemporary Christian fiction — everything seems easy and cliché and underwhelming. I have read a couple of Francine Rivers’ books before (The Atonement Child and Redeeming Love) and really enjoyed them both. When Tyndale reached out about reviewing this book and hosting a giveaway on Instagram, I decided to give her another chance! This was the sweet love story of Roman and Grace and despite being fairly predictable, I really enjoyed it. Both characters were dynamic and well developed and I loved seeing them get to know each other and discover things they never expected. It might not be my usual genre, but I devoured it in a single sitting and would definitely recommend it if you need a quick, romantic read. It was perfect for our “love and romance” prompt in February!
This book was gifted by Tyndale Publishing in exchange for my honest review.
3. INSTRUCTIONS FOR A HEATWAVE by Maggie O’Farrell
★★★☆☆ | Contemporary Fiction
Gretta Riordan wakes on a stultifying July morning to find that her husband of forty years has gone to get the paper and vanished, cleaning out his bank account along the way. Gretta’s three grown children converge on their parents’ home for the first time in years: Michael Francis, a history teacher whose marriage is failing; Monica, with two stepdaughters who despise her and a blighted past that has driven away the younger sister she once adored; and Aoife, the youngest, now living in Manhattan, a smart, immensely resourceful young woman who has arranged her entire life to conceal a devastating secret.
I downloaded the audio version of this novel after hearing Anne Bogel recommend it on her podcast last month. It sounded so intriguing and it was. It was so interesting to hear about Gretta’s adult children — how they interacted both as adults and how they reflected on their childhood together. There were so many misconceptions about their family and the dynamics among them and it was so engaging to see how they sorted through assumptions and long-held beliefs and opinions to arrive in a new, more unified place as a family. I’m on record as loving a good family story, so that part of this novel checked all of my boxes. My favorite storyline was that of Aoife, the youngest daughter. I loved seeing how she pictured her parents and older siblings, how no one knew how to correctly pronounce her name, and especially how she survived the modern world (and New York City!) with her secret intact. I think I would have loved this novel more and given it a proud fourth star if the ending had been handled a little differently. I wasn’t unhappy with how the story ended, but frustrated that it just ended. It seemed abrupt and less resolved than I wanted (even though the individual stories are actually quite resolved) and I wanted a few more chapters to feel settled. Obviously, I haven’t read the print version, but I would highly recommend the audio version of this one — the narration was spot on!
4. THE WOMAN IN THE WINDOW by A.J. Finn
★★★★☆ | Thriller / Suspense
Anna Fox lives alone—a recluse in her New York City home, unable to venture outside. She spends her day drinking wine (maybe too much), watching old movies, recalling happier times . . . and spying on her neighbors. Then the Russells move into the house across the way: a father, mother, their teenaged son. The perfect family. But when Anna, gazing out her window one night, sees something she shouldn’t, her world begins to crumble and its shocking secrets are laid bare. What is real? What is imagined? Who is in danger? Who is in control? In this diabolically gripping thriller, no one—and nothing—is what it seems.
I love a good thriller and it had been quite a while since I got lost in a creepy story. After seeing this on a few other book blogs, I decided to download the audiobook without even reading the synopsis. What is it with all of the “the woman” books that seem so dang intriguing?! I’ll keep this review short and sweet, because one of the reasons I found this one so good was the lack of prior knowledge I had about everything going on. I love an unreliable narrator and Anna is unreliable at best and a liar at worst. Her story is sad and heart-wrenching, but even more sad is the way her past impacts her future and how she deals with every day life. I saw a few twists and turns coming, but there is enough suspense and switcheroo to keep you turning pages (or taking the long way home to finish a few more chapters).
You know I didn’t set any numerical reading goals for this year, but I still plan to track my numbers, much like I did in 2017. I’ll likely throw in a few other categories once I’ve read more than a single title, but for now — we’re keeping it simple.
Total number of books in February: three
Number of fiction books in February: three
Number of nonfiction books in February: none
Number of Audible books in February: two
Total number of books this year: four
Currently reading/listening to: A Column of Fire*
* still reading this, but danged determined to finish it in March. I’m officially NOT a fan of super long books!
Rachel and I are so excited for you to join us this month, for the second edition of the Book by Book Link Party! The first week of each month, we’ll share our reading recap from the previous month, along with a linky widget where you can share your own post(s). The widget will be open for the entire month, so feel free to add as many posts as you’d like until the next round begins. Share your reviews, reading roundup posts, gift guides for readers, or anything else book related. Share with your friends and tag us on Instagram — let’s grow another link up together this year!
Want bonus points for reading something outside of your comfort zone? Here is a list of Collaboreads-style reading prompts, just for you!
