Shirley Review

Shirley by Charlotte Bronte is a Victorian classic telling the story of two women, Caroline and Shirley, in a country mill town during the Napoleonic war.



I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars. I loved this book. The writing style is wonderful. It does slow me down a bit and require extra focus, but it is absolutely lovely to read. My only problem with the writing is that there are sections of dialogue that are in French (apparently enough of Charlotte’s reading audience understood French for her to do that), but I don’t know French. I found the process of looking up a translation (there wasn’t one in my e-book) pulled me out of the story a bit and majorly slowed down my reading. However, that was only in the first few chapters and it was so worth the effort.

The characters are very well done. I felt invested in them faster than I expected to. They are interesting and endearing and flawed. I found myself eager to know their stories and to see what was going to happen next.

This book was also a fascinating look at the roles and expectations of woman in the early Victorian era. I loved that we got to see many perspectives of the topic: young rich and poor women, matrons and spinsters, as well as many of the male perspectives.

Bronte also gave interesting insight into the effect of the war on trade, both the trade masters and the lower-class workers, as well as the beginnings of industrialization coming at the same time.

This was an absolutely wonderful and captivating read. I can’t believe it has taken me this long to pick it up (especially since Jane Eyre was the first classic I ever read and loved).

Healing the Soldier's Heart Review

Healing the Soldier’s Heart by Lily George is the third book in her Christian historical fiction Brides of Waterloo trilogy. It follows penniless governess Lucy Williams who has resigned herself to a spinster life, her only dreams to maybe one day open her own small school, and Ensign James Rowland a veteran of Waterloo struggling with PTSD in the form of great difficulties in speaking along with guilt from the battle and seeing no purpose for his life. When they are brought together by the veteran’s society of Bath, new life and dreams start to awaken in both of them, but class, position, and disapproving family must be overcome in the battle for happiness.



I gave this book 2.5 out of 5 stars. This was quite the disappointment. I expected there to be a certain amount of instalove, but it was just too much for me. There have been times when I have seen instalove done well, but that was not the case here. Their feelings often baffled me and the unreality of it pulled me out of the story and prevented real connection to the characters. On top of that, the look at being a governess of the time was not authentic. There were hints of truth about what it meant to be a governess in those times, but it was never really shown in Lucy’s experiences (even if in her own perception).  Add to that the introduction of James with his PTSD which is basically cured through love and his beginning an apprenticeship in a craft/ trade where within a month he is building a name for himself. All of these unrealistic circumstances built on top of each other to diminish my enjoyment of the work.

I do like that this was a clean and sweet romance. And who doesn’t like a love that conquers all challenges placed in its way (even if a bit unrealistic)? There is a nice element of faith in it, if a bit less than I personally like to see. This is a quick and light read that might be good for a pick me up, but not when seeking quality writing.

Overall it is just a very predictable, unrealistic and bland historical love story.

Agnes Gray Review

Agnes Gray by Anne Bronte is a Victorian classic. It follows Agnes as she sets out to become a governess and the experiences she goes through.



I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars. This was a lovely book. Agnes was such a pleasure to get to know and follow. The characters she meets are all so different and varied. All of Anne’s characters feel so real and substantial. This book has the feel of an autobiography (especially in writing style and tone) and I can understand why people have speculated about there being true autobiographical elements in the story.

The themes were interesting and thought provoking. I liked the look into parenting and castes and the value of moral living. I especially appreciated the look into faith during the Victorian era, especially the positive view of faith.

I was surprised to find how fast paced the story was as the action is quite minimal. This is very much a character driven story, but I loved that. It felt very real to life and therefore, relatable. I am so glad that I picked this book up and look forward to reading her other novel.

The Rancher's Holiday Hope Review

The Rancher’s Holiday Hope by Brenda Minton is the 4^th book in her Mercy Ranch Christian contemporary series, but can be read as a standalone. This is the story of veteran Sierra who is a wedding planner and focused on healing emotionally from her past and Max the brother of Sierra’s current client. Max is fully focused on work and repaying his family for standing by him through his rough past. They are brought together over this holiday season and touch each other’s lives.



I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars. This was a quick and sweet holiday read. It was very well written. The story kept me interested and reminded me of Christmas time without feeling overdone.


The characters were all interesting and complicated people making their way through life. I really enjoyed the theme of hope for them. Their faith seemed honest and realistic, but not preachy. The romance was sweet and heartwarming. Even though it only took place over about 1 month, their romance didn’t feel rushed.

This turned out to be just the right amount of serious and honest life with holiday activities. I look forward to seeing more of what this author has written.

Snow Bride Review

The Snow Bride by Debbie Macomber is a contemporary novel about a woman named Jenna who has always been the practical one, but she met a man on the internet and has decided to leave her home and job to go to Alaska and marry him. However, on the way, a gruff and unfriendly man named Reid sits next to her and when he discovers who she is heading off toward, he makes it his mission to stop her. Now she is stuck in his one-woman town with a snow storm blowing in.



I gave this book 3 out of 5 stars. It was a cute, funny and quick read. The characters were quirky and entertaining. However, they were all just a bit too much so (especially as pretty much every single one of them were some extreme or another). They didn’t feel realistic.

The plot was fast paced and kept me interested from beginning to end. Again, it didn’t feel very realistic, but it was funny. This was a good book to read as a light filler (which I need from time to time). I wouldn’t recommend it for heavier or more in-depth/ profound reading, but it is a good quick and entertaining read.

Snowflake Sweethearts Review

Snowflake Sweethearts by Carrie Turansky is a Christian contemporary fiction novel about Annie, a single mom returning to her hometown and Alex an old secret flame who needs a live-in caregiver for his grandmother.



I gave this book 2 out of 5 stars. It was pretty meh. The writing style was smooth and easy to read. It does have the occasional odd description but overall was comfortable and familiar. However, I found it extremely slow. I really had to slog my way through.


The characters were not really believable, nor particularly likeable or relatable. I never felt invested in their stories. Their faith felt shallow and thrown in without it seeming authentic or realistic. 
The story line was slow moving with not much really happening. As for what did happen, much of it felt unrealistic (like every single guy she met being interested in her). Furthermore, it is supposed to be a Christmas story but the first 2/3 of the book happen before and during Thanksgiving.  Overall it was quite disappointing. 


I feel like the concept of this book and the skeleton of the story have real potential, but this didn’t rise up to it.

December Overview

It has been a long time since I have posted, but I am trying to do a come back. So, this was a fun reading month for me with all the holiday books and I am really looking forward to 2020.



Christian Fiction:

The Rancher’s Holiday Hope by Brenda Minton (contemporary)

Snowflake Sweethearts by Carrie Turansky (contemporary)

Christmas Mail Order Brides by Carrie Turansky, Vickie McDonough, Therese Stenzel & Susan Page Davis (historical)

Two Tickets to the Christmas Ball by Donita Paul (urban fantasy)

The Captain’s Christmas Family by Deborah Hale (historical)

The Baron’s Governess Bride by Deborah Hale (historical)



Historical Fiction:

A Wallflower Christmas by Lisa Kleypas

Secrets of a Summer Night by Lisa Kleypas

It Happened One Autumn by Lisa Kleypas

Her Christmas Earl by Anna Campbell

Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas



Classics:

An Ideal Husband by Oscar Wilde

Lady Windermere’s Fan by Oscar Wilde

A Child’s Christmas in Wales & Five Poems by Dylan Thomas

A Family Christmas by Various



Contemporary:

Dashing through the Snow by Debbie Macomber

Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor by Lisa Kleypas

Buffalo Valley by Debbie Macomber

The Nine Lives of Christmas by Sheila Roberts

Merry and Bright by Jill Shalvis



Poetry:

Poems for Christmas Day by Donald Williams

Warm Memories and Thoughts of Christmas by Diane Chamberlain



Fantasy:

Flamebringer by Elle Katherine White



Short story collection:

My True Love Gave to Me by 12 various authors



Picture books:

How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr Seuss

The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats

The Night Before Christmas by Clement C Moore

Olaf’s Night Before Christmas by Walt Disney Company

Good King Wenceslas by John Mason Neale

The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg

Christmas Cookie Day by Tara Knudson

The Legend of St Nicholas: A Story of Christmas Giving by Dandi Daley Mackall