srivalli's reviews
1546 reviews

 3.8 Stars 

In a remote seaside town in Uchibo (near Tokyo), there’s a tiny restaurant that serves remembrance meals. The specialty of this place is that a person who lost their loved ones can meet them one last time during the meal. 

How does this place help people, including the owner? 

The story comes in the third-person POV of multiple characters. 

This is another feel-good Japanese fiction with a touch of magic realism. The book has three inter-connecting stories. The recipe for the special dish in each story is provided at the end of the section. 

After enjoying Full Moon Coffee Shop, I was eager to read something along the same lines. This is a bit heavier as it deals with death and mourning. However, the vibe is the same – mellow, soothing, reflective, and hopeful. 

Though there’s a cat (a kitten), I felt it was more of a prop. Yeah, the kitten was a cutie but doesn’t have an active role as such. It just walks around and meows. Maybe there will be more of the cute kitten in the subsequent books. 

All three stories are distinct and deal with characters of different ages (which gives us a wide spectrum of backstories and emotions).  While I didn't particularly like kids have a love story of sorts, it was still sad. 

I like how we also get the backstory about the restaurant and sweet Kai. I particularly like how the book ends. It works as a standalone, though I am delighted there will be more books in the series. It would be lovely to see Kai and Kotoko’s characters grow. 

The setting is atmospheric and adds to the impact. We also get some information about the region, the past and the present, so there's something to learn as well. 

To summarize, The Curious Kitten at the Chibineko Kitchen is a bittersweet and heartwarming book about finding solace and moving on after losing a loved one. It shows there’s hope and more to life than grief. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Penguin Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley 

 4.5 Stars (considering the average rating, I'm rounding up) 

Meneka is one of the apsaras of Indra’s court and a powerful weapon. Her power is the art of seduction – to use dance and illusion to defeat Indra’s enemies and prevent heaven from losing its magic. However, Meneka no longer wants to do this. She wants to stay in Amaravathi, Indra’s kingdom, and use her talents there. 

However, Indra offers her a deal – seduce Kaushika and prove her devotion to Amaravthi to get what she wants. Meneka agrees knowing the new mission is near impossible. Kaushika may have become a sage but he was a well-feared Kshatriya with warrior instincts. By channeling the same intensity, he became a sage with tremendous magic intent on waging war against Indra. 

Will Meneka be successful in her mission or will she get more than what she bargained for and at what cost? 

The story comes in Meneka’s first-person POV in the present tense. 

Though I’m wary of retellings exploring Hindu Puranic and Ithihasic stories, I did want to try this after someone recommended the author’s previous books. The lower rating scared and worried me. NGL, I postponed this to read closer to the pub date as I didn’t want a repeat of Kaikeyi. 

Patel’s Kaikeyi is nothing more than a distorted and colonized take on something sacred to my culture. All those comparing Legend of Meneka to that nonsense in a perfumed package have absolutely missed all the nuances that make this a Hindu book. The sad state is that even the official promotion does it! 

Moreover, marketing this book using popular tropes has done it a disservice. I know, readers need a checklist these days; the tags are important; the comparisons are important; even more than the book itself. But, a book is much more than its tropes. 

Enemies to lovers, romantasy, cozy fantasy, spicy, et al… well, the tags are right but only if you know the core context. Otherwise, these won’t make sense or feel incorrect. 

Legend of Meneka is not just lust, seduction, or spice. It is an exploration of sringara and Kama at physical, emotional, spiritual, and cosmic levels. It is the celebration of the union of divine masculine and divine feminine without which this universe wouldn’t exist. When it talks of Shiva and Shakti in terms of lingam and yoni, it transcends the mortal desire for flesh and sexual gratification. It is the pulsing life that ensures the universe thrums with neverending energy to prevent self-destruction. Without the union of Shiva and Shakti, there is no life, no prana, no jeeva, and no prakriti. Love is too small a word to encompass the relationship of Shiva and Shakti. They are two halves of a whole, the Ardhanareeshwara, the perfect balance of divine masculine and divine feminine.  

Though the author uses the word lust in the story, she switches to the actual term in her note –Kama. Lust doesn’t define Kama as it is only a part of it. Kama is one of the Purusharthas (Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha) and a part of our lives. We have only reduced their true meanings with our incorrect translations to English. Lust might be a sin but Kama is necessary and has to be balanced with Dharma and Artha to travel the path to Moksha (Artha and Kama have to be discarded at the appropriate stage). Kama is not limited to physical and material aspects; it never has been. 

When something so intricate and integral to Hinduism is removed from its framework, the result is a diluted and surface-level narrative that limits the story to the physical realm. Those unfamiliar with the core details miss out on the nuance; it doesn’t exist for them. It’s much like how yoga became a billion-dollar industry of stretching exercises with fancy and exotic names. It has no soul. Similarly, when the Hindu framework is removed/ ignored/ avoided, this book ends up as a weak YA story of a whiny heroine and a grumpy hero.  

Before I dive into the details, let me share a short version of the original. This isn’t an individual story but is mentioned in different places as a part of the backstory. 

Kaushika aka Vishwamitra is a king who left his Kshatriya dharma to become the best rishi in the world. He wanted to become Brahmarishi (think of it as a topmost title) and be called this by Vashishta. Kaushika as a king once visited Vashishta’s ashram, and something happened. This makes him determined to be the greatest rishi (never mind that the concept of being a rishi is to denounce such traits, something he learns after a long time). He attains a higher state through penance but loses it when he helps a king called Trishanku by creating an exclusive heaven for him. He starts fresh again and wants to show Indra and others what he is capable of. 

Indra isn’t going to sit idle, right? He sends Meneka to disrupt Kaushika’s penance. If Kaushika had really given up worldly pleasures, he wouldn’t be swayed and might become worthy of the title he seeks. If not, well… 

Meneka goes to seduce Kaushika and the result is their baby girl Shakuntala. Meneka leaves the newborn outside Rishi Kanva’s ashram and returns to heaven. Kaushika starts his tapasya once again, finally proves his worth, and becomes Vishwamitra the Brahmarishi. 

The cookie-cutter version makes it seem like Kaushika and Meneka had a one-nighter or a fling. However, it was likely to be an affair that lasted a solid few months or years that ended with Meneka’s pregnancy/ Shakuntala’s birth. 

The second half dealing with Indra sending Meneka to Kaushika is provided as a backstory in Shakuntala’s story in the Mahabharata (Adi Parva). The first half can be found in the Ramayana.   

The author took different versions of this story and used creative liberties to spin a tale of magic, love, lust, seduction, and power strongly rooted in Hinduism. 

While her MMC retained the core traits of Kaushika, she gave her own spin to Meneka (which is where I believe things went a bit south). 

Characters 

Kaushika is a Kshatriya turned Brahmin. The blend of both has given him an advantage and a disadvantage. I don’t use the terms in the ‘caste’ sense. Not even varna or jati. I talk of them as gunas (personality traits). A Kshatriya is a warrior born and trained to protect, rule, govern, and spends most of his years as a grihasta (a married man). A Brahmin is leaner born and trained to study, acquire knowledge, gain wisdom, and attain a balance of mind that prevents partiality, pride, anger, and grief. It’s a life-long tapasya to constantly improve oneself; not for accolades but for the peace felt when one separates themselves from the rest of the world. 

Those who know Vishwamitra (even the movies/ TV version should be enough) can easily see Kaushika. The aloof grumpy hero with a temper is not an archetype. It is him. It is who he is, and has always been. The author retained his essence perfectly. I had zero issues visualizing him as I read the book. 

She did the same for Indra – who can be a hero, villain, or both. He is a complicated deva with an abundance of grey shades. After all, he is my god even if he is not my God. Rambha is much like how I expect an apsara to be. 

I think the issue lies with Meneka’s characterization. Since we don’t get much information about her, the author created someone vulnerable and naïve possibly to showcase her growth. A great idea. However, the execution makes her sound whiny at times. While I can see her conflict, I don’t think it makes much sense when you ignore the Hindu framework. She pales as a new adult who whines and cries and cannot decide what to do. But within the framework, she presents the conflict of dharma. I think using the word loyalty in place of devotion for Indra might have helped. 

The book deals with many themes like loyalty, love, friendships, devotion, dharma, etc. The core of it is finding oneself. I wouldn’t have minded if Meneka found herself earlier than she did. I prefer strong FMCs, so there have been instances when I wanted to shake sense into her. Still, when it happened, it was beautiful. Diversity is another theme that blends with everything else. The devas would hardly bother with the gender rules humans like to define! They accept everything as natural. Beautiful! 

The book has spice but only around 2.5. That may not be enough for those who want a spice romantasy. It works for me as I can see the elements of sringara rasa, which is integral to my culture. It is one of the nava rasas (nine flavors, to put it loosely). It blends romance, love, lust, desire, seduction, sensuality, and erotica but is a lot more than these. English really doesn’t do justice to the word. There’s no exact translation. For an apsara, sringara is in every fiber of her being. She is it. In the book, their interactions are a heady blend of everything with a good dose of vulnerability. Maybe more spice might have helped but it is not necessary. What we get here is a slow dance where every move is full of eroticism that stems from genuine feelings. 

The world-building is also Hindu. It is colorful, vibrant, rich, and full of life. Be it Amaravati or Kaushika’s ashram, opulence or earthiness, everything is inherent to my culture. Even though the choice of kurta-pajama as costumes took a while to get used to, the saris, jewelry, topknots, dhoti, etc., are familiar and comforting. 

I love the use of scents to describe the characters. I could feel and smell them. Star anise for Rambha – what a choice! Potent and spicy, exciting and mysterious, and a touch of sweetness with a bite that can draw blood; most importantly, best in small quantities or it will overpower the dish. 

Magic is inherent to our essence. It is the prana that keeps us hoping and living. In the book, magic comes from prana (the source of life). It is represented by the elements (fire, wind, water, and earth), the pancha bhootas that sustain life. 

While it may seem silly for ‘love’ to be the key, it is apt. It is the truth. For an apsara, it is the most vital differentiating factor. The key couldn’t have been anything else. Nothing would make sense other than love. It is this love that resulted in the birth of Shakuntala. 

I could easily visualize every scene in the book, be it the setting, the intimacy, the dance, or the magic. It helps that I know what a Kalpavriksha is or what Sri Yantra looks like. Not being familiar with these elements will make a difference to your reading experience. 

I’m not a crier when I read books. I read too many words a day for them to touch my heart. So, when a book makes me teary-eyed, I give it grace marks. But this made me cry; not for the characters, though. I was a little annoyed by Meneka by then. 

The tears had everything to do with Shiva in that one chapter. The tears are a response to the beauty of love for Shiva. The author must be a Shiv bhakt. You cannot fake bhakti like this (at least I think it cannot be). Words carry intentions that seep through at some point. All I feel here is love and devotion that comes from deep trust; not something we are expected to display but something that’s a part of our soul. I can only pray I’m right. If book two proves me otherwise, it’ll be a lesson I have to learn. 

The ending is open since the whole thing will conclude in the sequel. Meneka has decent growth, so I hope it sustains and increases in the next book instead of crashing to zero and starting again. The stakes are high, and I prefer we have a heroine capable of more transparency and self-reflection. Don’t turn her into a new adult again. Let her continue to bloom. And… give us a beautiful chapter with Shakti. 

To summarize, The Legend of Meneka is an unapologetically Hindu story filled with symbolism from my culture. Not many will understand the nuances. But I wouldn’t have it any other way. 

There’s a glossary at the beginning (a great idea) and the final version will have a map as well. Don’t miss the author’s note. It might help understand the book a little more (if you couldn’t). 

Thank you, NetGalley, and Harper Voyager, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #TheLegendOfMeneka 

 3 Stars

Emmie Brown knew her mum, Nellie Brown, adopted her as a baby and gave her the best life she could. Now, two years after Nellie’s death, Emmie is begging to feel the burnout of the routine she still follows. Running Parsley Pasties at the airport with the same menu and no inclination for a social life starts to weigh her down. 

An impulsive decision reveals a box in her mother’s wardrobe and a stack of letters from someone named G from Siskin. Emmie does the unexpected and travels to the Isle of Siskin, a beautiful island with around three thousand population. Pip Hawkins, the handsome agriculture student, and her crush may also be a reason for this trip, but Emmie wants to find out who G is. 

Can this trip help Emmie find her true self as well as some answers? 

The story comes in Emmie’s first-person POV. 

This is my first book by the author. I quite enjoyed most of it, especially the descriptions of the island and Emmie’s growth up to a point. 

Though there’s some crushing and romance, this is not a love story. It is women’s fiction focusing on the MC making changes to her routine and learning to be herself. 

Despite the rigidity and routine, there’s no denying that Emmie’s mum loved her. It’s evident throughout the book (and there’s a valid reason for why she became this way). 

The way the letters were incorporated into the narration is beautiful and just right. The letters are spaced apart and provide character backstories and support the plot. 

Some of the side characters are cool. I just love the kids and their diverse personalities. We also see how not everyone being nice to someone is a good person and vice-versa. 

There’s a sort of mystery where the FMC is targeted by someone with a grudge. This blows up quite a bit, and therein lies my problem. 

The last 20% covers months of progress, while the first 80% deals with a couple of weeks. This doesn’t really help, but okay. I can see why it was necessary. 

However, the last chapter doesn’t sit right with me. It’s like all of Emmie’s growth has been overshadowed by a side character. Where is consent? What about setting boundaries? What about letting someone make up their mind even if it took them a few months? Ridiculous! 

This might have still worked if the drama wasn’t exaggerated in the middle. Acting like nothing’s happened after that level of unhingedness is insanity. How would she even feel safe with them? How to trust someone like that? 

The rating was close to 4 stars, but the way we reached the conclusion, I cannot rate it more than 3. I’m surprised no one (until now) found it odd. I love HEA more than anything else, but not like this. It needs to be better. And there’s no epilogue either, so we don’t know how they handled it afterward. 

To summarize, Have I Told You Lately has a lovely premise and some good themes to think about, but it left me dissatisfied with how the issue was handled at the end. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #HaveIToldYouLately 

 3.8 stars 

1940: Nita Bineham is twenty-one, the daughter of a wealthy businessman (industrialist) who wants to be independent and not marry someone her parents choose. One day, she gets a chance to join the local newspaper as an assistant. Nita is determined to prove her worth as a journalist. However, danger lurks in the form of a traitor. 

2008: Beth Bineham is Nita’s great-niece and a thirty-two-year-old woman still doing what her parents want. After a mishap, Beth’s job at her father’s company is under scrutiny. As if that’s not enough, her marriage is about to end. Beth’s visit to Nita’s house leads her to the secrets from the past. Eager to ignore the mess in her life, Beth starts to dig for the truth. But it might bring the enemy closer home than intended. 

The story comes in the third-person POV of Beth (in present tense) and Nita (also in present tense) in alternating chapters. 

 My Thoughts:  

The prologue provides a great hook and hints at the danger we’ll read about. However, it turns out to be a snippet from one of the later chapters. While I like prologues, I want them to add extra value to the plot and not repeat an existing element. That means, a certain reveal is exposed right on the first page. 

The first 25% is slow as the foundation is established in both timelines. Thankfully, the pace picks up a little after 30% or so. The alternating chapters ensure we get enough information in both timelines. It does feel a little strange to read the past track in the present tense but okay. Not a deal breaker. 

For a change, I liked both timelines well. The characters are flawed but not annoying. They make mistakes but are willing to learn and do what’s right for their future. I also like the parallels between Nita and Beth’s arcs though the situations are different. We can still see the similarities, though. 

The parents in this book are ugh! The side characters are good; be it Harriet or Rowan, I like how sweet and affectionate they are. Kindness matters. 

Things come together well at the end. There’s even a surprising twist which I liked a lot. The ending is hopeful and positive with a hint of potential love. It doesn’t overpower the plot at any point. 

Wiccan has a dominant role in the book. I didn’t expect that but well, I like all things pagan, so this is good. The definition is positive and well-presented. I wouldn’t have minded a little more detail into this element. Also, I’m not sure if the ‘possibly paranormal but maybe rational’ events that happen in the book. You either make them supernatural or you don’t. 

WWII is the backdrop for the past timeline but the focus is on Nita and her life. Of course, the book deals with many themes like gender discrimination, war, working-class troubles, financial concerns, selfish parents, marital trouble, etc. One piece of advice by Rowan was wonderful. Appreciate that. 

While the title fits the story in two ways, I still don’t think it is that suitable for the overall plotline. But then, I have enough trouble naming my stories, so don’t listen to me! 

To summarize, The Storyteller's Daughter is a poignant and slightly heavier read about love, life, second chances, relationships, and finding oneself. 

I liked it a lot more than the author’s previous book (The House on Water), so I’m looking forward to her next release. 

Thank you, Rachel's Random Resources and Boldwood Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

 3.7 Stars

FBI Agent Gardner Camden is an analytical genius and one of the four super-talented agents at the PAR (Patterns and Recognition) unit. Of course, this comes at the cost of human emotions, something he fails to achieve even with his seven-year-old daughter. 

When the DNA of a new victim reveals he was recorded dead seven years ago, Gardner is called to investigate the case (along with his team). A second death occurs, starting a pattern they need to break to stop the killer from committing more murders. 

However, things are complicated, and the killer knows a lot more about PAR and its members than they do. Can Gardner and his team solve it before their lives are in danger? 

The story comes in Gardner’s first-person POV. 

The premise screams high competence coupled with wonder kid-type talent which made me want to read the book. The 4-star reviews by friends sealed my decision. Despite the flaws, I don’t regret reading it. In fact, I want the series to be longer than two books (with the hope that the flaws get addressed). 

The initial 30% is slow despite starting with the murder. We also get details about the team members and teeny backstories. The foundation is laid, so makes sense that the pacing dips. The second half was pretty fast for me. It sustained the momentum with reveals and twists. Is some of it a bit too convenient? Yeah, it is but still fun. 

Each member of the team has a distinct ability and a reason for being in PAR, and the reasons aren’t always good. While this adds some layers to the characters, there isn’t enough to turn them into strong personalities. Gardner gets better profiling since he is the MC and the voice of the book. His personal life is rather interesting, something similar yet different to what we tend to see in the genre. 

The police procedural part was cool, especially since we have these competent fellas working on the same. They are still human - make mistakes, miss clues, and even go in circles. But hey, you can notice they are good at what they do. 

The MC likes to share random insights and facts. Since this doesn’t get excessive, I liked how it added to his personality. Don’t bother about connecting with him or others. It’s not likely that we will. Think of it as a TV show (Criminal Minds maybe) in book form. 

The MC’s mother has a short yet important role. I hope she will be featured in the next book too. His daughter is certainly interesting but we don’t see enough to get an idea. Of course, she’s just a sweet seven-year-old. 

Naturally, there are office politics but it doesn’t overpower the central plot. It is woven into the mystery and provides a smooth landing for the ending and maybe a lead for the next book. 

To summarize, Head Cases is an entertaining novel if you like FBI-style police procedurals with highly talented characters. While it has a few issues, there’s no denying that I enjoyed the book and look forward to the next one. 

My thanks to Steve Erickson, NetGalley, and St. Martin’s (Minotaur Books), for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

 

 3.7 Stars 

Chryssy Hua Williams, a Chinese American herbalist never believed in the family curse that left all Hua women heartbroken. However, after her ninth breakup, she could no longer ignore it. Deciding that love isn’t for them, Chryssy joins her three aunts to start In Full Bloom an inn where they cure heartbreak using Traditional Chinese Medicine. 

Vin Chaos and his brother Leo are famous musicians with a reputation for breaking hearts. Even their band is called Heartbreak. A chance meeting between Vin and Chryssy becomes viral. Vin needs her to be his fake girlfriend for tour promotions. Chryssy decides Vin could help promote her tea brand as well. A beneficial deal for sure!  

Well, love might have other plans but what about the curse? 

The story comes in the first-person POV of Chryssy and Vin. 

The premise is quite fun, though my main reason for grabbing the book is TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine). It has similarities with Ayurveda (both are ancient and use natural medicine). In that aspect, I enjoyed the information provided – the properties of flowers and herbs, the importance of balancing Qi (possibly equal to prakrati/ prana), and the need for self-discipline to improve our health. 

This is an #ownvoices book, so the cultural aspects are just right without being OTT. The aunts and family members are diverse and quirky, much like our Indian relatives. 

The main characters started out well. I liked Chryssy. She is cool, composed, and independent. A bit too independent maybe but I won’t hold it against her. Vin started out average but gained some depth as the story progressed. I liked his brother as well (and want to know if he’ll have a book of his own). 

The dual POV, though helpful, wasn’t easy to read. I often got confused between their voices and had to check whose POV it was in that chapter. The voices need to be more distinct, especially Vin’s, which didn’t help in understanding his personality. 

Since this is primarily a romance, the chemistry had to be good. Sadly, the graph fell flat here. Their interactions were nice, friendly even but the spark wasn’t there. This dampened things a bit.  There were all the necessary scenes, gestures, and dialogues but somehow I couldn’t feel the vibe. There’s only a little spice, thankfully. 

The pacing is on the slower side, something I did not expect. Maybe it was because of the explanations and internal thoughts. I didn’t mind the detail about TCM (I wanted it), so can’t really complain. 

The curse part was decently handled (no magic realism and all that). I liked the discussion around it, though. The exploration of what a supposed curse did to multiple generations of women and how it shaped their lives, identities, and relationships with themselves and others was portrayed very well. It doesn’t get overwhelming or excessively dramatic. 

There’s a lovely author’s note at the end and a couple of recipes (another surprise). I understand what she says about the stereotyping and distrust in TCM. Despite the various benefits and success rate, Ayurveda faces similar discrimination. 

To summarize, Yin Yang Love Song is a story of not just finding love but also of self-care, breaking generational cycles, taking care of our health (physical, psychological, and emotional), and realizing that our fears don’t have to dictate our actions. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing), for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #YinYangLoveSong 

 

 4 Stars

1884 

Leonora Spencer, a twenty-five-year-old, has been haunted by the unsolved mystery of her family’s death for years. She is her uncle’s apprentice and helps him perform post-mortems of the dead (police surgeon) and keep the records. What starts as a simple thievery in the morgue leads to a potential gang war. No way, Leonora (Leo) is going to sit idle and let others lead. 

Jasper Reid became the Inspector after his father’s retirement. As someone born and bred on the streets, he is determined to keep his past separate from his present. He would abide by the laws and follow the rules. However, when Leo doesn’t let him handle the investigation alone, Jasper needs to uncover the mystery quickly. After all, both their lives are in danger. 

The story comes in Leo and Jasper’s third-person POVs. 

I read the first book of the author’s previous series (Bow Street Duchess) with a grand plan to continue with all the subsequent books. But I couldn’t do it back then, so one day, I’ll binge on those books. Now, I’m again determined to follow this series and read all the books around the release dates. Fingers crossed! 

Since this is the first of the series, it takes time to establish the setting and the backstories of the characters. There’s some repetition as well but considering the steady pace and action, it doesn’t bother me much. 

Leo and Jasper are intriguing characters with dark pasts. They are currently frenemies and likely to become lovers as the series progresses. The tension is easy enough to spot, though I guess it’ll take them a while to make the move. Not gonna deny I’m looking forward to seeing how it unfolds (I have three theories already). 

Admittedly, I oscillated between liking Leo and Jasper, though both are decent. Jasper’s backstory is bound to be as interesting as Leo’s. Likely that these will form the overarching plot and will be resolved closer to the end of the series. 

The mystery starts out simple but gets complex as new details emerge. Leo does act impulsively and needs to keep her mouth shut sometimes. Hopefully, she’ll learn that some information should be kept secret when an investigation is underway. It’s not like she can’t keep a secret! Jasper scores higher in this area. 

The book ends on the right note. The case has been solved, though a couple of teeny questions don’t get answers. I presume we’ll meet one of those characters again and know more. Let’s see. 

There are too many characters, and some of them will be regular repeats. Makes sense since there are police, and they have a fairly large staff. 

To summarize, Shadow at the Morgue is a solid start to a new historical mystery set in the darker side of London. The next book will be out in March, so I hope to get the ARC in Feb! 

I have to mention that I don’t like this new trend where Indian women seem to fall head over heels in love with the colonizers (Britishers).  There may have been a few cases but let’s be honest. Many women were forcefully kept as mistresses by the white rulers to enjoy in another country while their dainty wives lived in England. I’m sure it’s the same in most countries they plundered. It wasn’t just the natural resources they abused. 

Thank you, BookSirens and the author, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

 3 Stars

Seven years ago, Liv’s boyfriend, Kit, disappeared on a hike. With help from dear ones, she moved on in her life. On the morning of her wedding with James (Kit’s brother), Liv steps out of the doorway and goes back in time - to six days before Kit disappeared. 

Liv is reliving those same six days again. She needs to get it right to save Kit. Can Liv save Kit? And if she does, whom will she choose? 

The story comes from Liv and another character’s first-person POVs. 

So this has a sort of time-slip/ time travel/Groundhog Day (without multiple loops) story where the FMC travels to the past to relive six days before an event that changes her future forever. 

I grabbed the book despite my dislike for love triangles as I was curious to see how the time travel part was handled. There wasn’t any explanation given but I wasn’t confused when the shift happened. 

The writing is quite descriptive and lyrical. While this gave us some lovely quotes, it also took up a lot of space. Some scenes stretched while others ended quickly, so essentially, we have uneven pacing. 

Liv was decent and I liked her enough. Seeing the shift in her was interesting. James should have had more space. TBH, it doesn’t make much sense that we don’t get more than a couple scenes with Liv and James but are told many times about their love. Compared to this, Kit and Liv have so many scenes! 

However, my major issue with the book is the excessive limelight on Kit. Kit this, Kit that, oh gosh! I mean okay, he was put on a pedestal, but everyone and we get hints about his flaws but all those should have been used in the plot at some point. Why raise so many questions but not deal with any of them when there’s a chance for it? The same with the mother’s actions. No one even questions it after the truth is out. No comeuppance? 

As much as I appreciate the intent of not taking sides, I need details sorted properly. Don’t raise those questions if you don’t want to address them. Simple as that! 

Moreover, even the epilogue takes the focus away from the central plot. This is supposed to be Liv’s story. Her past and present and how she navigates through the muddle when she gets a second chance. 

Ava was actually a great character. It’s a pity that she doesn’t have more meaningful conversations with Liv and help her look at things from another perspective.  

There isn’t much romance as such but it is there. Since I already picked my choice, I wasn’t interested in what we got. At least, I’m glad that there is one grand gesture (feels like a consolation prize but I’ll take it). 

To summarize, The One Before the One has a great premise and raises many vital points only to brush them off. With just one more chapter, all of it could have been sorted and the book would have had a more balanced and stronger ending. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #TheOneBeforeTheOne 

 3.7 Stars

Investment banker Adrian is a high-profile CIO with a successful career and no personal life. He is confident in his abilities but finds out he needs to impress his CEO and comes up with a non-existent fiancée.  Where can he find one now? 

Rowena is a software engineer who finds out she is pregnant with her douchebag ex’s child and loses her job on the same day. When her path crosses with Adrain, he offers an agreement that could help her find her feet. 

Will the fake engagement and marriage lead to true love? 

The story comes in Rowena and Adrain’s first-person POVs. 

The book is standalone. I didn’t read the previous book in the series but it didn’t affect my enjoyment. 

The beginning is quite a hook. The first chapter starts at ‘present’ of sorts and has high tension ending with a cliffhanger. Then, we get the flashback from both POVs. 

The book combines quite a few tropes – fake dating/ marriage, age gap (11 years), one bed, surprise pregnancy, women in STEM, etc. I like that the age gap is not emphasized much after the initial mention. It doesn’t as such have a vital role but kinda makes the MMC appear mature. 

Though the FMC is in STEM, it plays a relatively moderate role in the plot. This one focuses on their fake relationship and her pregnancy most of the time. 

The FMC is cute enough, though I’m not sure the nickname suits her. She doesn’t really come across as Sunshine. Makes sense considering she has enough concerns about her future. She is quirky but even that doesn’t exactly hit right. We are told her ex didn’t like her humor but it wasn’t that weird, IMO. However, I chuckled a few times so the banter was fun to read. 

The side characters are interesting (one couple is from the previous book). Another couple from a different book (I read that one!) also made a guest appearance. It was a nice surprise. Of course, the ex was a huge jerk (pretty stereotypical and has a teeny part). 

Despite the sexual tension, the book ended up being closed door. Strange! Those who want to read the ‘action’ can subscribe to her newsletter. 

The pacing is decent, moderate to fast, and keeps the story moving. Despite being the archetype, the MMC displays good growth. I like that it is steady and aligns with who he appears to be. No immature drama either (from his side). 

To summarize, If the Ring Fits is an entertaining and cute romance if you enjoy the said tropes. It has a few issues but is a satisfactory read overall. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #IfTheRingFits 

 4 Stars 

Jude Gray accepts DI Binnie Khatri’s invitation to join the local walking group in Malvern Hills. However, what’s supposed to be a peaceful outing ends up with a few scuffles and what seems like an unfortunate car accident where one of the walking members dies. 

Jude cannot ignore the tingling feeling that the accident might be deliberate. But, there’s no proof; not until another death happens in a totally different manner. As Jude and Binnie start to dig, they realize there’s a lot to uncover! 

The story comes in Jude’s third-person POV. 

 My Thoughts:  

This is the fourth book in the series but the mystery works as a standalone. It is a dark cozy, so there might be a couple of triggers. 

It doesn’t take long to notice that things aren’t great with the walking group. The characters stand out making it easy to track who is who despite being introduced to a bunch of them at once. 

Jude and Binnie give everything to investigate the case(s) as always. Of course, Jude does a lot more since she is the heroine of the series. She also has a farm to manage and a neverending list of tasks. 

I like that Granny Margot has more presence in the book. Moreover, she shares vital insights that guide Jude in a new direction. Hoping to read more of her in the coming books. 

The reveal comes in stages with a few red herrings and keeps the reader hooked. While the details and the rest make sense, I wish they weren’t revealed so easily (yeah, there’s some risk involved but still). 

Jude seems to be in two minds about her love life or the lack of it. I can’t understand her thought process here. It’s too mercurial. Since I didn’t particularly like Marco, I don’t care one way or the other. 

The family element really shines. Jude’s relationship with her sister, nephew, and Noah is heartwarming. I like the progress here. An important step for sure. 

In the author’s note, the author mentions there will be eight more books (the series should conclude by the end of 2027). Count me in!  

To summarize, Death in the Hills is steady paced dark cozy mystery with enough secrets and suspects to keep you reading. 

Thank you, Rachel's Random Resources and Boldwood Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley