Tag: book-reviews

The Guncle by Steven Rowley

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)3 Comments

A sweet read about love, loss and courage
~Sheila

Patrick and Sara met in College and became close friends, almost inseparable. Sara was the first person to tell Patrick her would be famous some day…. She called Patrick out and while his attraction to her was in a sisterly way… he loved her all the same.

As years went on and Patrick did indeed become famous, and Sara fell in love and married Patrick’s brother, the two friends while still close… drifted with Patrick’s crazy schedule and Sara raising her two children. When Sara became sick, Patrick felt he had time to go and see her and vowed to do so….
and then it was too late.

When Patrick goes to the funeral he is asked a big favor from his brother, to watch his niece Maisie (9), and his nephew Grant (6) for a while as things are sorted out.

Thus begins an interesting summer, Patrick know to the kids as Guncle (Gay Uncle) has no idea how to entertain two children, especially two children that has just lost their mother – and his lifestyle is not exactly set up for young houseguests….

But a summer of togetherness may be just what is needed on both sides as the three go through changes, heartbreak, and rebuilding together.



I first heard about The Guncle on line when social media scrolling (don’t pretend you don’t do that…. ;P)
After coming off two heavy reads I was looking for something fun and lite and immediately secured myself a copy of The Guncle.
It checked the boxed I needed checked.
Lite, funny and heartwarming is the best way I can describe this book. You can see the relationship that Patrick and Sara had built the foundation of all those years ago come forth in what could be a very true situation.
Author, Steven Rowley does a wonderful job of capturing the essence of the children’s resilience and questions during a hard time. Don’t over think it, if you are looking for a sweet read – pick up The Guncle.

Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)2 Comments

Picoult never ceases to amaze, Wish You Were Here caught my totally by surprise in all the right ways. ~Sheila

Diana and Finn are moving forward in their relationship and their careers. Diana works in the auctioning of art, and Finn is a Surgical resident. As the couple prepare for a wonderful vacation in the Galápagos, Diana knows Finn is about to pop the question and can think of no better setting.

The days before they are planned to leave, a virus breaks out that brings the world to its knees. Finn finds out it is all hands on deck at the hospital and no one is approved to leave. He encourages Diana to use her ticket and at least get a chance to get away from whatever is going on. Hesitantly, Diana agrees.

The vacation of course is no where near as planned. Between harsh remarks and looks from the locals towards Diana for coming from an area that the virus is heavy so she can be “on vacation”, poor to no cell service, and the surprise that stores and restaurants are closed. As the island goes on lockdown, Diana finds that she can not get back to Finn even when her vacation is over.

As she makes a few friends, and learns the way of a slower paced life, Diana finds she has time to think more of the life she was creating, her relationship with her mother who is in memory care – and wondering if when she returns to Finn, will she be the same person that he knew.

This was my first fictional read centered around the COVID/a virus outbreak. Well, unless you count Year One by Nora Roberts which is just freaky as her book was written before we even knew what COVID was.

The book started out a little paced, the beginning feeling a bit slow for me, and basically about a woman questioning her decision to get on that plane in the first place. It’s definitely different than anything I read by Picoult before and I found myself not really getting the point of this being book worthy.

It’s not the first time I made a decision on a book too soon….

Let me say this. Hold on to your brain cells because Picoult is once again going to blow you away with a remarkable twist that as it was revealed I really found myself saying….. Whoaaa….No…. way.

Worth the read? You bet. I’m sure there are thousands of fictional reads out there about the pandemic (either the one we lived through, or a made up one). The way this book handles a couple of BIG topics and shows a side of the pandemic that I never considered in nothing less than brilliant.

Do yourself a favor and pick this book up today or enjoy it on audio.

The Inmate by Freida McFadden

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)1 Comment
McFadden has a way with creating a twist time and again that you think you know what’s going to happen…. but you really have no idea. ~Sheila

Brooke Sullivan is still wondering if taking the job as Nurse Practitioner at the Men’s Maximum Security Prison was the right decision. Sure, it was going to pay the bills, and it is going to help to build a better life for herself and her 10 year old son….
But old memories resurface when she runs into an old friend from school. Not only do they share a past, but they also share the night that Brooke was almost killed by her boyfriend, who just so happens to be in the very prison that Brooke is now working.

Yes… I have been on a McFadden kick. This is the 3rd one this month and this one, only because I realized I had already downloaded it and you know… why not? This one may be my least favorite of the three. Brooke’s decision to work where the man who attempted to kill her as well as be in situations where they are in a room together doesn’t fit for me. Too many things we have to suspend disbelief
1) This Maximum Security Prison did not do a back ground check on Brooke’s past? Wouldn’t knowing an inmate personally and in this way be a deal breaker?
2) Brooke’s consistent naivety in trusting and making poor decisions
3) Shane was put in prison when Brooke could not even identify him – she claims several times she never saw her attacker

Throughout this whole book I felt that the author was being too predictable…. I was sure I had the answer and was just waiting to hear how it would all come together… and then…

I was McFaddened.
The way this book came together was a WHOA….. wait… WHAT???? The ending was actually pretty crazy and I had no idea.
While an impressive ending, even right up to the end Brooke was making crazy half assumptions and I just… could not.

I will most likely read this author again. At Book Club last night several of the girls had read others by her and we overall found her books to be engaging, entertaining, and average reads.

Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)6 Comments

Occasionally one can forget how amazing an author is until they dive into another of their books… Picoult once again takes me into a world that I swear I come out better on the other side of the pages. ~Sheila

Olivia McAfee is a strong woman. When the man she loved turned out to have a side that endangered not only herself, but her son Asher as well, she leaves. When her father passed away, she makes the move back to New Hampshire and takes over his Beekeeping Business. And when Asher is accused of killing his high school girlfriend, she stands by her son… even when unwanted doubts creep in….

You never know how strong you are… until being strong is your only choice. ~Bob Marley

I went into this read only knowing that it is getting rave reviews, and something something about bee keeping… which fun fact… I know a little about from a friend who has a Bee Business and an adventure I took with her in the fall of 2014….

Of course, if you read this book… you know it is about WAY MORE than bees and honey… but honestly, the parallels of the bee keeping story line that is woven within the pages is brilliant… I learned more about bees – and more about people.

Mad Honey may very well be the best book I have read so far this year. Jodi Picoult, along with co-author Jennifer Finney Boylan, created an incredible read that gave me so much more than I thought it would. The book reminded me how much I enjoy Jodi Picoult’s ability to bring hard topics to life and give you a well-rounded perspective of all sides. This partnership with Boylan, I am certain only enhanced the story.

For me, definitely a book I did not want to put down, I felt as though I was waiting right along with the rest of those within the pages to hear the outcome, myself wavering on what I believed happened…. hoping for the best – fearing the worst… and even when you think you know… Do you really?

Highly recommended… as mentioned – Picoult is known for taking on tough topics (Nineteen Minutes) – sadly looking at my review that I wrote in 2008 does not do that book justice and may be due for a re-read.
Give Mad Honey a chance and be sure to let me know if you do and what you thought!
Full on 5 star from me… for so many reasons.

~Sheila

The Co Worker by Frieda McFadden

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)3 Comments

Enjoyably twisted…. just the way I like them. ~Sheila

Dawn Schiff is high level functioning autistic (IMO). She does her job well. She is beyond punctual. She has a love of turtles. She notices things others wish she wouldn’t. She struggles with friendships of any kind.

When the day comes that Dawn does not arrive at work with no phone call stating she is ill… co worker Natalie Farrell is quick to notice and find it odd. As clues begin to fall into place – a startling realization does as well… Dawn has met with foul play – and there are more than a few clues that point right at Natalie and its up to Natalie to clear her name – if she can.

This is my second book I have read by McFadden. Honestly, I read it right after my first book by her (The Teacher) which I read for book club and wanted a more well rounded idea of who McFadden is as an author, rather than basing my opinion on one book.

I believe, while the writing style is similar and I get a real sense of her style of twists and turns, I like this one a bit more than the previous one. Perhaps the subject matter was a little more user-friendly… and of course, my personal opinion. The Co-Worker was a good read with plenty of happenings and twists to keep me guessing until the end. Definitely a lighter mystery, it never felt dark or made me think too hard or struggle to keep track of the main characters.

Enjoyable? yes
Size? About perfect – on audio I like a good 7 to 11-hour commitment unless I know I am in for a real treat and then I am happy to go longer. Book size – standard.

Recommended? McFadden feels like an author everyone should give a try. I have seen a lot of positive thoughts on her books from fellow readers.

The Teacher by Freida MCFADDEN

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)Leave a comment

Addie is returning to high school with the weight of the world on her shoulders. Last year, she was part of a student/teacher scandal that resulted in the teacher losing his job. Addie swears she did nothing wrong, however teenagers can be fickle and her once friends now eye her suspiciously and other than making trouble for her, have nothing to do with her.

Eve and Nate are both teachers at this high school. She is a math teacher and he works with poetry. Both have her Addie in their classes – Eve suspiciously keeps an eye on this troubled girl knowing she was the cause of her fellow teacher losing his job, Nate on the other hand, finds Addie to be full of compassion and hurt – all things that make for a good writer.

But can Addie be trusted? What really happened? And if happened once… couldn’t it happen again?

This was my first McFadden book. I was excited to read this as I have seen excellent reviews on this author through trusted fellow reviewers and friends. When our book club nominated this for our April read I was excited to put my vote on this choice.

After reading a series of heavier books, this came as a welcomed easier read. I listened to this on audio and enjoyed the narration by Leslie Howard and Danny Montooth, they flowed well with the story line, so well, that when they switch you do not event notice as it is all part of the story.

I enjoyed the book – although if you read it, you might find that a strange choice of words – but you know what I mean. I did feel that there was a point that was leading to a big plot discovery that I felt this was all going to be a ploy by the author to get us to think one way and shock us with another. Admittedly, I was a little disappointed when instead, it was not a ploy and felt a little like the easy route.

Final over all thoughts – the book did not disappoint. There are twists and turns that keep you turning the page because no matter how you feel about this book, you do want to know how it all comes together…. and that my friends does give me the “WHOA…” I was looking for.

Overall rating by me… a solid 3 (average). I will read her again as I am now curious as what else she brings to the table. There are some elements I plan to bring to the Book Club discussion and food. ;P

The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)4 Comments

If you think word of mouth doesn’t work – think again. The rave reviews everywhere I looked caused me to pick up this book and give it a try. I am so glad I did. What an adventure! ~Sheila

Martha Ballard is a midwife and a healer. One day in Maine, Martha is requested to come and examine a body of a man found frozen in the river. Martha knows this man well as he had been documented in her well kept daily journal as a suspect in a rape. But it is 1789, and Martha’s documentation needs a lot more to make this accusation ring true.

As fingers are pointed and stories told of what not only happened to cause the body to be found in the river, but details of incidents in the days prior to the death that can bring a number of things to light.
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The heart of this story really falls into Martha’s incredibly detailed documentation of her whereabouts and visitors – it is a rare for a women of this day and age to read or write and Martha has the ability to do both.

The book was just as engaging as others in my circles were saying it was. As the details come to light I found myself reaching for this one every chance I had to inch my way towards the truth – and when it does come out, its so worth the wait.

None Of This Is true by Lisa Jewell

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)2 Comments

An adventure of twists and turns and rights and lefts… never knowing what is going to happen next – but in a good way. A very good way. ~ Sheila

Popular Podcaster, Alix Summers meets Josie Fair while out celebrating her birthday. Turns out, it is Josie’s birthday too. A few days later, the two women find each other again and Alix in intrigued by this mysterious woman who showed up with a matching birthday. Josie, who has been listening to Alix’s podcasts feels she would be a great subject to be interviewed as she has an interesting life story. Intrigues, Alix agrees – calling the podcast, “Birthday Twins” and sharing with her fans the story of how she and Josie met.

As the two women dig into the podcasts, Alix finds that not only is Josie’s retelling of her life story interesting – it is down right shocking. Married to a much older man when Josie was only 16, Alix finds herself thinking of words like – pedophile, groomer, and rapist – and truly begins to worry about Josie.

As the two women create some sort of friendship, the unthinkable happens to Josie and the only place she feels she can turn is to Alix… and Alix, dealing with her own troubles in her marriage, feels that she has no choice…. not knowing – this would be the beginning of the end and her podcast was about to be introduced to a new and darker theme. Darker than anyone seen coming.

My gosh it has been a long time since I have read Lisa Jewell and after reading (well listening to) this, I wonder what has taken me so long to return to this incredible author. The story line held me, and while at first the breaks in the narration by the podcast felt odd… the style of reading grew on me and actually ended with me thinking if was pretty brilliant to put the audio version together this way.

I actually really enjoyed this dark read and feel those who enjoy a good twisted story would find this one interesting. I use the word dark in my description as topics of child rape/neglect, as well as abuse are themed throughout the book.

Starter Villain by John Scalzi

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)2 Comments

If a book could be saved by narration, Will Wheaton would be the one to do. Sadly, not even Will could save this book for me. ~Sheila

Charlie was stuck. A divorced, substitute teacher, living in a house that belonged to his recently deceased dad because he can not afford other options, with a cat that honestly – followed him home one day, and in Charlie’s opinion – the cat just decided this was home.

When a rich and eccentric uncle passes away that Charlie barely knows – he is surprised to find that this uncle has a plan for him that includes an interesting inheritance. But all inheritances… are not awesome and Charlie finds himself in a strange world he never knew existed in a leadership role he could have never made up in his wildest dreams.

Full disclosure – I chose this book because I noticed that Will Wheaton was the narrator. And to continue with this line of honesty, I was intrigued in the beginning as it had the essence of Ready Player One (also narrated by Will Wheaton). It started with a guy down on his luck and about as low as one could go… and then… a crazy guy dies who has more money than he knew what to do with and said loser… er, protagonist, has the opportunity to change his life, and of course the amazing Will Wheaton narrating in the way that has made me a mega fan of his work.

Sadly – the similarities end there. The book gets weird. There are smart-talking cats and mega Villains, and as mentioned – reading other reviews, I am clearly one of the few who didn’t laugh out loud or feel this was brilliant.
That’s ok – they can not all be winners. If you have read this one I would love to hear other opinions. I only finished this because of the narrator.

Beneath the Surface by Kaira Rouda

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)1 Comment

-Had a bit of trouble putting this one down… way to go Kaira! ~Sheila

An invite to be aboard a grand yacht.

A weekend like no other.

Dress code: Yacht Fabulous

What could possibly go wrong?

Richard Kingsley is about to make some big decisions. Life has been good, he has made his fortune through his company, has had 5 wives, and now , with Serena his 5th wife, has purchased an incredible yacht with all the bells and whistles (far bigger than his brothers) and has invited his adult children and spouses aboard to talk about the future.

The thing is, none of the siblings know the others are coming. With no love lost between the two brothers, John and Ted, are both hoping the person to take the helm of the company will be them. They both need this for separate reasons… when half sister Sibley shows up in extraordinary fashion, Richard is delighted to see the sparks fly between his children… after all, he does enjoy competion.

Of course, there is always something lurking beneath the surface….

Honestly – WOW. I love a book that grabs you right from the start and Beneath The Surface did just that. I loved the invite in the front of the book inviting us all aboard the Splendid Seas for the weekend. I really felt as though I had joined this family as secrets rolled around the waves, jealousy, competition and truths surface. I enjoyed the chapters named after who was thinking and plotting – honestly I hated to step away from the book and could not wait to see what would happen and how we would get there.

Kaira Rouda has never disappointed me, every book I have read of hers has been a WOW and its always exciting to see what she will do next. It was fun to finish this book on a ferry to Key West… surrounded by water, turning page after page and leaving me with an audible “Whoa”.

Also reviewed:

Best Day Ever by Kaira Rouda

The Next Wife by Kaira Rouda