REVIEW: James by Percival Everett

 

OUR REVIEW:

As you know, we're normally a romance focused blog, but every once in a while we'll branch out to something else and feel compelled to share. Today you need to know more about James a look at Huck Finn's adventures from the point of view of Jim (James). 

To be honest, I wasn't sure if I wanted to read it at first. These days I read to escape and I wasn't sure if I wanted to escape into something that would feel heavy but my curiosity about the rave reviews urged me on and I'm so glad I did. I've told all of my friends who read lit fic to try it because it was such a great read. While it did most definitely delve into really heavy, despicable things in our American history, it also had an undercurrent of hope. I loved James's voice, his conversations with philosophers, his sharp, witty, poignant, striking inner monologue, and his empathy and compassion. Percival Everett gave me a novel I didn't know I needed and I'll be recommending it to all those who will listen. 

Please pick up this novel and then let me know how much you love it, because I think you will. 

Happy reading!

BUY IT: https://amzn.to/3YFP4fN

SYNOPSIS:

A brilliant, action-packed reimagining of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn , both harrowing and ferociously funny, told from the enslaved Jim's point of view.

When the enslaved Jim overhears that he is about to be sold to a man in New Orleans, separated from his wife and daughter forever, he decides to hide on nearby Jackson Island until he can formulate a plan. Meanwhile, Huck Finn has faked his own death to escape his violent father, recently returned to town. As all readers of American literature know, thus begins the dangerous and transcendent journey by raft down the Mississippi River toward the elusive and too-often-unreliable promise of the Free States and beyond.

While many narrative set pieces of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn remain in place (floods and storms, stumbling across both unexpected death and unexpected treasure in the myriad stopping points along the river’s banks, encountering the scam artists posing as the Duke and Dauphin…), Jim’s agency, intelligence and compassion are shown in a radically new light.

REVIEW: Look on the Bright Side by Kristan Higgins

OUR REVIEW:

I've never read a Kristan Higgins novel before so I had no idea what to expect and I have to say I actually had low expectations. That was dumb. This novel was such an easy, cute, clean romance that I devoured in a matter of hours. It follows the story of Lark, with a few chapters dedicated to Ellie (Lark's mom), and Joy (Lark's landlord). Lark is this super kind and empathetic resident who has just been kicked out of her oncology residency because she's too teary. She's moved to the ER, with the hopes she'll toughen up and perhaps be able to join the oncology department later. As all of this is happening, she's asked to pretend date the biggest a-hole doctor on the hospital's campus, by said a-hole doctor, and somehow she winds up saying yes. It's through her interactions with him and her work at the hospital that we learn more of her tragic past and how's become who she is. And while her past is truly tragic, her present is quite delightful. She has a full life, a lovely family, and she's quite unafraid to give the a-hole doctor some hard truths. Interspersed between her life at the hospital, and her fake dates, we learn about Ellie and her current marriage struggles and Joy and her hurtful past. All three narratives work well together to show a variety of women's experiences and the importance female friendships. They also show the power of all types of love.

All in all a really solid read. 

BUY IT: https://amzn.to/3WvsJ1N

SYNOPSIS:

Lark Smith has always had a plan for her life: find a fantastic guy, create a marriage as blissful as her parents’, pop out a couple of kids and build a rewarding career as an oncologist.

Things aren’t going so well.

For one, the guy didn’t work out. Theoretically, she’d love to find someone else, but it hasn’t happened. Two, she’s just been transferred out of oncology for being too emotional. (Is it her fault she’s a weeper?) Three, her parents just split up.

Deviating from the plan was…well, not in the plan. A potential solution comes from the foul-tempered and renowned surgeon Lorenzo Santini (aka Dr. Satan). He needs a date this summer for his sister’s wedding. His ancient Noni wants to see him settled. In exchange, he could make a few introductions and maybe get Lark back into the field of her choice.

As a sucker for old people and fake relationships, Lark agrees. Teeny problem—she instantly falls for his big, warm family. Especially his estranged brother.

Meanwhile, Lark’s mom has moved in with Lark’s flamboyant landlady, Joy, and an unlikely friendship blossoms. The three women have a long summer and a big beautiful house on the ocean to figure out what’s next…and quite possibly learn that the best things in life aren’t planned at all.
 

REVIEW: Business Casual by B.K Borison

 

OUR REVIEW:

It's been a while since I've come across a new to me author that I instantly want to read their entire backlist but B.K. Borison has definitely done that for me. I grabbed Business Casual on NetGalley (thank you NetGalley!) on a whim and I'm so glad I did. It was evident within the first pages that Borison loved the characters and the town she placed them in. Nova was so adorably snarky and snappy and Charlie was so adorably adorable.

Their entire book was just so fun. All romance readers know resistance is futile and yet it's so delightful to read a well written romance where both the characters try their damnedest to resist each other, resist what they truly want. Both Nova and Charlie thought they were doing the 'right thing' by keeping things casual, while secretly wanting things to be way more serious than they were. Their journey to get from nothing to everything was playful and sweet and cute and sexy and just so much fun to read. I had a smile on my face the entire time I was reading and by the time I got to the end, even though I knew a lot about the other couples, I still knew I would be picking up the first books in the series. 

Love this couple, this town, the residents of this town, and everything about it. 5 fun stars!

BUY IT: https://amzn.to/3y6kFwn

SYNOPSIS:
Two opposites decide to test their chemistry with one steamy night together. But will once be enough?

Nova Porter isn’t looking for love, and she certainly has no explanation for her attraction to buttoned-up, three-piece-suit-wearing investment banker Charlie Milford. Maybe it’s his charm? Or maybe it’s his determination to help her fledgling business however he can. Either way, she’s distracted every time he’s around. With her new tattoo studio set to open in her hometown of Inglewild, she doesn’t have time for frivolous flirtations. 

In an effort to get Charlie out of her system once and for all, Nova offers a proposition. One night. No strings. They’ll kick their uncomfortable attraction to the curb and return to their respective responsibilities. But their explosive night together scatters their expectations like fallen leaves. And with Charlie in town as the temporary head of Lovelight Farms, Nova can’t quite avoid him. 

And Charlie? Well, Charlie knows a good investment when he sees one. He’s hoping he can convince Nova he’s worth some of her time.