Three July 30th releases: a thriller, a regency romance, and a contemporary romance with elements of magical realism. Check out my July 2019 Mini-Reviews!
Okay, before we get into the mini-reviews I thought we’d play a little game. Can you match the character to the book?
PLOT ELEMENTS:
1. Woman who, using a pseudonym, writes a column giving other women controversial advice
2. Prickly woman in love with her mysterious next-door neighbor
3. Woman who enters into a scandalous relationship to avoid financial ruin
BOOKS:
A. Contemporary thriller
B. Regency romance
C. Small town contemporary romance
ANSWER: 1 B 2C 3A
The Duke is But a Dream by Anna Bennett
Published on July 30, 2019 by St. Martins Press
Synopsis adapted from Goodreads: Miss Lily Hartley is the anonymous mastermind behind The Debutante’s Revenge, a titillating advice column for ladies on the marriage mart. To keep her identity secret, Lily delivers her columns disguised as a chimney sweep—which is all well and good, until she unwittingly lands in the middle of an ugly tavern brawl. The devastatingly handsome Duke of Stonebridge sweeps in to rescue her, but she’s forgotten her name, leaving him little choice but to take her in himself until he can locate her family. But the closer he gets to finding them, the more he doesn’t want to let her go.Lily’s trying to figure out exactly who she is…in more ways than one. With so much at stake—her column, her reputation, and even her heart—she needs a plan, and she needs it fast. Before Nash finds her family. Before he learns who she is. Before they fall totally, completely, and utterly inconveniently in love.
My (Mini) thoughts: Ah, Amnesia. That wonderful staple trope of many a 80s soap opera (and early 2000s YA book!) Amnesia plots are tricky to pull off as I think they make character development more difficult. The amnesia plot also meant that there was more contrivance in this than was ideal for me as a reader. Plus there were a LOT of other tropes crammed in: the secret lady columnist, woman disguised as a boy, amnesia, mystery parentage… I liked Lily and felt bad for her (okay, really bad for her because she was missing for weeks with amnesia and no one seemed to notice.) For me Eric was a little overbearing and hypocritical.
The Book Charmer by Karen Hawkins
Published by Gallery Books on July 30, 2019
Synopsis adapted from Goodreads: Sarah Dove is no ordinary bookworm. To her, books have always been more than just objects: they live, they breathe, and sometimes they even speak. When Sarah grows up to become the librarian in her quaint Southern town of Dove Pond, her gift helps place every book in the hands of the perfect reader. Recently, however, the books have been whispering about something out of the ordinary: the arrival of a displaced city girl named Grace Wheeler. If the books are right, Grace could be the savior that Dove Pond desperately needs. The problem is, Grace wants little to do with the town or its quirky residents. In her quest, Grace discovers the tantalizing promise of new love, the deep strength that comes from having a true friend, and the power of finding just the right book.
My (Mini) thoughts: I’ll be honest: I requested this by accident, thinking it was a different book, but decided to try it. Magical realism is not usually my thing, but I sort of liked that aspect of the book. The small town setting was also well done. But while I have read a lot of romances that are companion books in a series, I have never read a book that felt as unfinished as this one – the ending was strangely unresolved. I guess the romances in this and the saving of Dove Pond will have to finish playing out in later books, but this one, while charming, felt to me like one piece of a larger puzzle.
The Arrangement by Robyn Harding
Published on July 30, 2019 by Gallery/Scout
Synopsis adapted from Goodreads: Natalie, a young art student in New York City, is struggling to pay her bills when a friend makes a suggestion: Why not go online and find a sugar daddy—a wealthy, older man who will pay her for dates, and even give her a monthly allowance? All that’s required is to look pretty and hang on his every word. Sexual favours are optional. Gabe, a handsome corporate finance attorney more than thirty years her senior, seems like the perfect candidate. But Gabe already has a family, whom he has no intention of leaving. When Gabe abruptly ends things, Nat can’t let go. She begins stalking him: watching him at work, spying on his wife, even befriending his daughter, who is not much younger than she is. But Gabe’s not about to let his sugar baby destroy his perfect life.
My (Mini) thoughts: No, this isn’t a thoughtful foray into the world of sex workers – think more Lifetime movie or Law and Order SVU. I thought the flash forward/flashback structure (which makes it clear from the opening pages that someone has murdered someone) worked well. The characters were not the most well-developed or easiest to like or relate to, but in a book like this, I can get past that. In theme, setting, and tone this reminded me a little of The Affair on Showtime (though I’m a few seasons behind.) If you’re looking for a guilty pleasure summer read, this is a book you should consider.
Are any of these on your list? Did anyone else read Book Charmer and feel that it needed more of an ending?
Want more mini-reviews? You can find some here.
