Review | Mrs. Poe by Lynn Cullen

Author: Lynn Cullen
Published: September 10, 2013
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Pages: 338
Format: ebook ARC
Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance, Women's Fiction
Rating: ★☆☆☆☆

[Show Synopsis]
Synopsis
A vivid and compelling novel about a woman who becomes entangled in an affair with Edgar Allan Poe—at the same time she becomes the unwilling confidante of his much-younger wife. It is 1845, and Frances Osgood is desperately trying to make a living as a writer in New York; not an easy task for a woman—especially one with two children and a philandering portrait painter as her husband. As Frances tries to sell her work, she finds that editors are only interested in writing similar to that of the new renegade literary sensation Edgar Allan Poe, whose poem, “The Raven” has struck a public nerve. She meets the handsome and mysterious Poe at a literary party, and the two have an immediate connection. Poe wants Frances to meet with his wife since she claims to be an admirer of her poems, and Frances is curious to see the woman whom Edgar married. As Frances spends more and more time with the intriguing couple, her intense attraction for Edgar brings her into dangerous territory. And Mrs. Poe, who acts like an innocent child, is actually more manipulative and threatening than she appears. As Frances and Edgar’s passionate affair escalates, Frances must decide whether she can walk away before it’s too late... Set amidst the fascinating world of New York’s literati, this smart and sexy novel offers a unique view into the life of one of history’s most unforgettable literary figures.

Review
I received this book in exchange for an honest review via NetGalley.

I just couldn't get into this story. The writing style was good--very descriptive and made it easy to get into the character's heads. Even the story itself was pretty interesting when I thought back on what had happened, but I just couldn't get excited while actually reading it. Maybe it's how it was expressed?

Review | What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty

Author: Liane Moriarty
Published: May 2010 (January 2009)
Publisher: PanMacmillan Australia
Pages: 487
Format: Paperback
Genre: Romance, Women's Fiction
Rating: ★★★★☆

[Show Synopsis]
Synopsis
Alice is twenty-nine. She is whimsical, optimistic and adores sleep, chocolate, her ramshackle new house and her wonderful husband Nick. What's more, she's looking forward to the birth of the 'Sultana' - her first baby.

But now Alice has slipped and hit her head in her step-aerobics class and everyone's telling her she's misplaced the last ten years of her life.

In fact, it would seem that Alice is actually thirty-nine and now she loves schedules, expensive lingerie, caffeine and manicures. She has three children and the honeymoon is well and truly over for her and Nick. In fact, he looks at her like she's his worst enemy. What's more, her beloved sister Elisabeth isn't speaking to her either. And who is this 'Gina' everyone is so carefully trying not to mention?

Alice isn't sure that she likes life ten years on. Every photo is another memory she doesn't have and nothing makes sense. Just how much can happen in a decade? Has she really lost her lovely husband forever?

Review
Not exactly an original idea. Girl has family troubles, she falls down, gets amnesia, and forgets all about any family problems, but it was a pretty good book. It didn't end anything like I expected it to though.

I liked younger Alice more. She was more carefree, maybe a little too much though, and actually listened to her kids instead of assuming she knew everything. Younger Alice kind of reminds me more of my mom. I always felt sorry for the kids who had parents like older Alice.

Review | Before I Met You by Lisa Jewell

Author: Lisa Jewell
Published: October 15, 2013 (July 19, 2012)
Publisher: Atria (Simon & Schuster)
Pages: 448
Format: ARC/ebook
Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Women's Fiction
Rating: ★★★☆☆

[Show Synopsis]
Synopsis
After her grandmother Arlette’s death, Betty is finally ready to begin her life. She had forfeited university, parties, boyfriends, summer jobs—all the usual preoccupations of a woman her age—in order to care for Arlette in their dilapidated, albeit charming home on the English island of Guernsey. Her will included a beneficiary unknown to Betty and her family, a woman named Clara Pickle who presumably could be found at a London address. Now, having landed on a rather shabby street corner in ’90s Soho, Betty is determined to find the mysterious Clara. She’s ready for whatever life has to throw her way. Or so she thinks . . . 

Review 
I received this book in exchange for an honest review via NetGalley.

This book seemed to be in three parts. You have Betty's childhood and growing up on the island with her step-grandmother, Betty living in Soho, and Betty solving the mystery. The first part of the book was pretty good. It was enjoyable but unsurprising. During the second part, the mystery is introduced and Betty goes off to try and solve it. At first, things seem to be moving along, but then they kind of go to a standstill and you see Betty doing this and that while you get pieces of Arlette's past. During the last part of the book, the pace all of a sudden picks up again as the mystery finally starts fitting together. Unfortunately, this happens very late in the book, so I spent most of the book trying to force myself to get through everything.

Review | The Last Letter From Your Lover by Jojo Moyes

Author: Jojo Moyes
Published: June 26, 2012 (first published 2010)
Publisher: Penguin Books
Pages: 416
Format: Paperback
Genre: Drama, Historical, Romance, Women's Fiction 
Rating: ★★★★☆

[Show Synopsis]
Synopsis
(from Goodreads)
A Brief Encounter for our time, The Last Letter from Your Lover is a sophisticated, spellbinding double love story that spans decades and thrillingly evokes a bygone era. In 1960, Jennifer Stirling wakes in the hospital and remembers nothing—not the car accident that put her there, not her wealthy husband, not even her own name. Searching for clues, she finds an impassioned letter, signed simply "B," from a man for whom she seemed willing to risk everything. In 2003, journalist Ellie Haworth stumbles upon the letter and becomes obsessed with learning the unknown lovers’ fate—hoping it will inspire her own happy ending. Remarkably moving, this is a novel for romantics of every age.

Review
Yet another book that I wouldn't have picked up on my own that I can thank Ladies & Lit book club for. The first half of the book takes place in the 1960s. As you are reading (I can't stress this enough), pay attention to dates. The titles of each chapter tell when the chapter is occurring. They jump back and forth from before and after a car accident. I was really confused during the first few chapters since I wasn't aware of this.

I felt really sorry for Jennifer. Her husband wanted the old fashion trophy housewife--dumb, quiet, breeding, and pretty. If Jennifer acted even slightly intellectual, he quickly told her to mind business she actually knew about and that was up to her standards--like the house and home. The way he treated her drove me crazy. What made me even madder is that she just took it meekly. I know that's how women were treated and reacted back then. It just made me even happier that I was born toward the end of the 20th century.

Review | A Vintage Affair

Author: Isabel Wolff
Published: January 19, 2009
Publisher: Harper
Pages: 432
Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Women's Fiction, World War II
Rating: ★★★★☆
Reading Guide from LitLovers

Synopsis 
(from Goodreads)
Every dress has a history. And so does every woman.

Phoebe Swift’s friends are stunned when she abruptly leaves a plum job to open her own vintage clothing shop in London—but to Phoebe, it’s the fulfillment of a dream, and her passion. Digging for finds in attics and wardrobes, Phoebe knows that when you buy a piece of vintage clothing, you’re not just buying fabric and thread—you’re buying a piece of someone’s past. But one particular article of clothing will soon unexpectedly change her life.

Review | The Light Between Oceans

Author: M.L. Stedman
Published: April 9, 2012
Publisher: Scribner
Pages: 343
Genres: Drama, Historical Fiction, Romance, Women's Fiction
Rating: ★★★★☆

Synopsis
(from Goodreads)
After four harrowing years on the Western Front, Tom Sherbourne returns to Australia and takes a job as the lighthouse keeper on Janus Rock, nearly half a day’s journey from the coast. To this isolated island, where the supply boat comes once a season and shore leaves are granted every other year at best, Tom brings a young, bold, and loving wife, Isabel. Years later, after two miscarriages and one stillbirth, the grieving Isabel hears a baby’s cries on the wind. A boat has washed up onshore carrying a dead man and a living baby.

Tom, whose records as a lighthouse keeper are meticulous and whose moral principles have withstood a horrific war, wants to report the man and infant immediately. But Isabel has taken the tiny baby to her breast. Against Tom’s judgment, they claim her as their own and name her Lucy. When she is two, Tom and Isabel return to the mainland and are reminded that there are other people in the world. Their choice has devastated one of them.

Easy

Find Easy on Goodreads
Genres/Themes: Romance, Women's Fiction
My Rating: ★★★★★

The romantic story mentioned in the book description is what drew me to this story, but this book ended up turning into something a whole lot more.

This is a story of romantic, emotional, and confidence growth. Many women do not realize how vulnerable they are, thinking nothing bad will happen to them. Guys don't realize how traumatizing situations can be for women, especially sexual harassment and assault. Easy gives a message that women can become empowered no matter how vulnerable they are or feel.

I wish I could accurately convey what I want to say about this book. Re-reading this, it sounds very cheesy. Read the book; it's good. Learn from it and survive.

I would recommend this for anyone mature enough for the content, especially college women.

The Language of Flowers

Find The Language of Flowers on Goodreads
Genres/Themes: Romance, Women's Fiction
My Rating: ★★☆☆☆

Not quite sure why this book is rated as high as it is. Even the people in my book group mostly seemed to love it. I found it depressing from beginning to end. Victoria was so stupid about many of her choices. I couldn't connect with any of the characters at all. I pretty much wanted to slap everyone all the way through, especially Elizabeth. 




From Book Club Discussion:

The Dovekeepers

Find The Dovekeepers on Goodreads
Genres/Themes: Historical Fiction, Women's Fiction
My Rating: ★★★★☆

This book was much better than I expected. When I started this book, I was having such a hard time reading it. I wanted to just drop it and give it 2 stars. Don't!

The first story, I didn't think was all that good. I just wanted to strangle Yael. The second part featuring Revka was much better. The third portion with Aziza was my favorite. I could relate to her a lot more than the others, but I can see where different women would find it easier to relate to one of the other women of the story. The last part with Shirah was also very good. After finishing the story, I googled Masada to get a better picture of where the main part of the story took place. Putting the images together with the story just ripped at my heart.

I would definitely recommend this book to any woman, especially if you are interested in history or religious history.


From Book Club Discussion (spoilers):