The Favorite Sister by Jessica Knoll

I *almost* did not finish The Favorite Sister by Jessica Knoll. Here are the problems I had with this book: 1) it is slow to take off (at least for me); 2) there were so many women I couldn’t keep them all straight on who was who; 3) some of the characters were not developed well which contributed to remembering who was who; 4) the reality tv backdrop (I didn’t like it, but it could have been a VERY effective device if the story were told better); 5) I didn’t understand how these people knew each other in real life (I watch all of The Real Housewives and they are all friends in some way off the show); and 6) the preachy feminism, almost man-bashing, that occurs constantly throughout this book. 

But, I didn’t quit this book, so here’s what I liked about the book: 1) Layla, who is totally adorable if a little too good to be true, 2) the reality tv backdrop (while I didn’t love this story against this backdrop, in my heart of Hearts I LOVE reality tv); and 3) the huge twists in the last 25% of the book. 

Yes, you have to slog through a lot to get to the payoff, and honestly, I’m not sure the pay off is worth the time and effort, but sometimes a little payoff is better than none at all. Definite 3 Stars for me.

I received an advanced copy of this book by the publisher for an honest review.

My Oxford Year by Julia Whelan

 Julia Whelan has narrated some of my favorite books: Since We Fell by Dennis Lehane, The Best of Enemies by Jen Lancaster, and A Window Opens by Elizabeth Egan. Now she’s written one of my favorite books of 2018! I loved My Oxford Year. Though the story was slow to start, it took off 0 to 60 when it did! I loved all the characters in this story! Charlie, Maggie, Tom, Cecilia, Ella, Jamie, Antonia and William. I laughed; I cried. I truly did not want this book to end. A rich coming of age story, a story of love. That’s My Oxford Year. If you’re looking for a tear jerking, heart wrenching, redemption story, this is what you need. You’ll love it! and if this is Ms. Whelan debut novel, I am so looking forward to her next novel, and the next, and the next.

 I was provided an advanced copy by the publisher for an honest review.

Surprise Me by Sophie Kinsella

Surprise Me by Sophie Kinsella surprised me. Not because I liked it; I figured I would since I’m generally a Kinsella fan. What surprised me was the direction this story took. It started off very light-hearted. Sylvia and Dan go to the doctor for physicals for their health insurance. Because they live fairly healthy lifestyles, and given that life spans are increasing, they learn that “til death do them part” is about sixty eight years. After reality sets in, they decide they need to do things to get through the next sixty eight years as a couple. Ultimately they decide to “surprise” each other, leading to a string of funny occasions as they each plan events for the other. All the surprises lead to a night of passion in a not-so-secret-to-Dan garden. This is when the story took a surprising, and somewhat dark, turn. Dan has an ex that he reacquaints himself with shortly afterward. Sylvia catches parts of conversations between Dan and her mother that concern her. She catches Dan and his ex, Mary, huddled in conversations. Finally, she discovers a hidden cell in a desk drawer that she thinks is one thing but really leads us, the reader, down another path. By the end of the story, the surprise is on Sylvia, who goes through a transformation from naive, sheltered woman, to a woman determined to be her own person, and make her own decisions. While I did enjoy the story, as well as the characters who live in Dan and Sylvie’s world, I feel slightly confused. What I thought the story was wasn’t what it was at all. But what it ended up being was still enjoyable. I guess the “surprise” was on me. I received an advanced copy of this novel from the publisher.