srivalli's reviews
1553 reviews

 3.7 Stars

~1818 

Lydia Hope-Wallace is a shy heiress who spent her life cocooned by her brothers. Her disastrous Seasons make it easy for her to become a wallflower and pen seditious pamphlets anonymously. This led to her correspondence with the Earl of Strathrannoch, a man with the same political ideas as her. 

After three years of correspondence, the earl admits to financial troubles. Lydia goes to Scotland to offer help and support – a marriage of convenience (with herself) so that he can revive his beloved castle. However, a rude shock greets Lydia in Scotland. Arthur, the Earl of Strathrannoch, has no idea who she is. Turns out, it was his brother using his name. Moreover, the same brother has stolen an important item from the earl. 

Together, they try to find where the missing man is. If only the attraction between them wasn’t so strong. ;) 

The story comes in the third-person POV of Lydia and Arthur. 

Firstly, this is a silly kind of read with some OTT elements. Don’t take anything seriously. Just enjoy the silliness, and you’ll have more fun that way. 

Initially, I wasn’t sure if I’d like it much. But it was an easy read so I kept swiping the pages. After the initial 20% or so, I realized the book would be fluffy with a touch of absurdity. It was funny in its own way and made me happy. I can’t complain much if I’m enjoying it, right?  

The plot has many elements but they are all surface-level stuff most of the time. This is a romance before anything else. The characters are attracted to each other pretty much from the start. It’s spicy too. There’s a Verity-inspired scene as well (IYKYK). 

Each chapter starts with a short excerpt from a letter/ journal written by one of the characters. Some of these were so much fun, especially the ones by the side characters. 

Apart from a pet dog (Bacon), this book happens to have some zebras and a degu (a rodent apparently) as well. We don’t meet the degu personally, though I wish we did. She has a name too! 

There’s some drama in the climax and towards the end, which is expected. It does get sorted after a couple of scenes. It would have been nice to read a proper conversation between two certain characters which was only mentioned afterward. I feel it would have made a difference. 

Anyway, the epilogue is well done. I won’t reveal spoilers but the presentation was interesting. I like it! 

To summarize, Earl Crush is entertaining as long as you don’t think too much about the contents. The writing style is easy and light, so you can finish the book in a couple of sittings. 

I think this will be a standalone series since the blurb for the next book is out on GR (it’ll be a Sapphic romance!) and some eligible bachelors are waiting for their turn. 

Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #EarlCrush 

 4 Stars 

1821, Italy 

Olivia Van Hoff is the wife and assistant of famous conjurer and illusionist Oscar Van Hoff. The crowd goes crazy to attend his shows, and Olivia wonders about his magic acts. Her routine job of smiling and reciting the same lines for every show bores her. When a random act leads her to a secret, Olivia decides to take control of the situation. 

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

This 40-page short story uses the craze for illusionists and ‘spiritual stuff’ in the 19th century as the backdrop to talk about the identity crisis, the role of women, the art of magic, etc. 

Though people flock to see professional illusionists and are proud that they don’t encourage fraudsters, they also have a generational hatred for witches (pagan magic and women).  

For a short piece, this establishes both characters, provides intrigue, reveals a few secrets, and leads the finale to an open ending. In a way, the end suits the character arc and lets readers come to their own conclusions. 

The atmosphere and setting are well done despite the word limit. It is easy to visualize the scenes and characters, especially Marmalade (read to find out who/ what it is). 

Though the story has a slightly heavier vibe, there’s a sense of lightness too. The balance is quite good and makes the story engaging. It’s a quick read as well. 

To summarize, The Conjurer's Wife is an interesting and entertaining short story that touches on a few important themes. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #TheConjurersWife 

 3.5 Stars

Ajay Anthonipillai has followed the rules all his life. However, his desire to make friends with Jacob, the famous kid in school leads him to steal and lie. Worse, the Mercury chocolate bar he stole is special. It has the Twenty-fifth Anniversary Grand Prize offered by the company – a million dollars! 

But how can Ajay claim the prize when he stole the chocolate? As his lies spiral out of control, Ajay needs to reevaluate his actions and decisions. 

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

I was curious to read a book about a Sri Lankan immigrant family in the US. Their struggles, the desire to do their best at the cost of interpersonal relationships, the racism they face, etc., are well presented and appropriate for the age group. 

It was easy to empathize with Ajay’s situation in school even though he managed to irritate me a few times. But it only proves a point so I can see it as a part of character and story development. 

It was a bit of surprise to see Ajay’s family as Christians but it shouldn’t have been. What I didn’t expect was the extent of faith in the content. Nothing against it but I don’t think I’ve read an MG book where the main character talks often about god. Just not what I was expecting. That said, Father Freddie sounds cool! 

As you can guess from the official blurb, the MC’s parents are typical Asian tiger mom and dad. That’s something I don’t particularly relate to. Yeah, I had friends whose parents were like that. Luckily, mine were and are cool with what I do. I didn’t have to be a topper (I wasn’t either). 

A couple of side characters had potential (Mindy and Al). However, they don’t get enough development. The light shines on Ajay almost throughout, and sometimes, reading his first-person POV felt a little exhausting. 

A part of this is maybe because the book feels heavier than the blurb. I hoped it would have some fun lighthearted moments or heartwarming ones. There might be a couple but not enough to feel the warmth. The heaviness remains. This may not work that well for the target age group. 

Still, I liked how the ending was handled. Some good luck but no real miracles, which is good. I’d have liked a conversation or two between the family members at the end. 

There’s a glossary at the end (not necessary for most Indian readers) which will be helpful to understand the native terms. 

To summarize, No Purchase Necessary is an interesting read, though I think it will work better for adults than kids. 

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

#NetGalley #NoPurchaseNecessary 

 3.7 Stars

James (our FMC) and Johnny Golden are twins with a connection that lies in the supernatural realm. She can feel and experience what he feels, so when Johnny is killed, James knows it has happened and lives through it even before the news officially reaches her. 

Now, James is back in the rural town of Hawthorne, California, after twenty years to sort out her twin’s work and find out what actually happened. She soon realizes her brother is trying to communicate with her from wherever he is but it is too overwhelming. After all, James left the town after an incident that changed a few lives. Being back means she also has to deal with the past, especially her first love Micah, the man who has been with her brother’s friend all these years and might be the only one to help her connect the dots. 

The story comes in James’ first-person POV. 

This is my first book by the author (I was declined the last time) and I can see why her works are popular. Though there are many elements I dislike, the writing style has a haunting quality. 

The atmosphere is next level. Most of the story is set in and around a dense forest, so it’s already my favorite place. However, this forest is not magical. It is dark, mossy, thick, suffocating, oppressive, and overwhelming. It closes in from all sides and traps you inside. But… it is still my favorite. For the FMC, the forest is a representation of what she has escaped but couldn’t let go. This is apparent on many pages. 

Since the story is in James’ first-person (don’t worry, she tells us right in the first chapter why she has a male name), there’s a lot of suppressed information. She doesn’t want to even think of it which means we go around in circles in the first half. Still, after the slow start, the momentum picks up. Little bits of information are scattered in the monologues. Collecting it is our responsibility. 

Micah is a nice guy; a bit intense but then the FMC is intenser (I know it’s not a word), and Johnny seems to be intensiest. We don’t directly meet the dead man but he is everywhere (to the point of possibly coming out of the Kindle scree as smoke). 

However, don’t expect to connect with any of them. At around 10% I realized this is a book where everything has a surreal tinge. The characters are no exception. If you can connect with them, good; if not, nothing to worry about. I don’t think we are meant to. 

Despite the FMC being 37, she acts like a late teen the majority of the time. That’s probably coz it was the age she left the forest town without a proper closure. When she returns, she falls into the same pattern despite thinking she should be an adult. Such a character would annoy me (did too), but it seemed to fit here. 

So, why the relatively lower rating? One, because of how the story goes in circles until 60%+, and then we get reveal after reveal in quick succession. Two, the sort of love triangle wasn’t necessary since the other guy barely had any active role. Three, quite a few questions remain unanswered, which dim the enjoyment of the epilogue. 

To summarize, A Sea of Unspoken Things has a great atmosphere and a few possible triggers. It was an intriguing read but not without flaws. I would be happy to read more books by the author. The prose is excellent! 

Thank you, NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Delacorte Press, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #ASeaofUnspokenThings 

 3.8 Stars          

Emily Walker doesn’t like disruptions or changes. She also doesn’t like her nemesis, Jackson Bennett, her fellow second-grade teacher in the local school. 

When Jack left Rome, Kentucky, to live with his fiancée, Emily was delighted. Her loving hometown was free of him at last. She could focus on completing her secret romance novel. 

Jack returns to Rome after breaking off his engagement. He is happy to be back in the small town that charmed him even if Emily doesn’t want him around. He has his own secrets to keep and would do what he could to make Rome his home. 

When Emily mistakenly sends her manuscript to their school principal instead of a literary agent, she needs Jack’s help to steal back her manuscript. Their interactions soon show that they may not have hated each other for so long! 

The story comes in the first-person POVs of Emily and Jack. 

This is my first book by the author. It is the third in the series and works as a standalone. One day, I’ll read the previous two. 

The book starts with a short note about triggers and the chapter numbers for those who want to skip spicy scenes. A clear idea indeed! 

We get the story from both POVs, though Emily’s is more than Jack’s. That’s fine since they cover the base pretty well. The first-person voices are distinct enough to not create confusion about who narrates the chapter (there are clear headers too). 

The little email and SMS interactions placed between the chapters not only add to the fun but also give more insight into the characters and their past. I enjoyed reading these. 

It took a while to warm to Emily but I liked her as I got to know her. Jack was easier to like (everyone in the book likes him too!). Emily’s family and her relationship with them were heartwarming and bittersweet. There’s some joint trauma there but much love too. 

The book deals with some heavy themes like parental loss, parentification of a child, toxic family, narcissistic parent, etc. These influence the main characters in many ways. There are some intense moments but the book stays true to the genre and keeps things from becoming too overwhelming. I prefer it this way. 

Writing is another part of the plotline. Some good insights are provided. I related to some of the emotions the characters feel when they write. 

One aspect I wanted more was the teaching part. They talk a lot about teaching, students, school, etc. but we don’t get to see them in the classroom or with their students. Yeah, it’s set during the holidays. Still, I needed at least one scene. After all, they take their professions seriously! 

The second half is slower than the first half, probably coz it packs more stuff. There’s a teeny epilogue but I admit I wanted more. Also, one important element has not been detailed, and I needed to see it after having to deal with such an annoying character. It should have been included in the epilogue. 

To summarize, Beg, Borrow, or Steal is an entertaining enemies-to-lovers story with good banter and interesting supporting characters. 

The next book will belong to Madison (the only unmarried Walker sibling). I hope she impresses me coz I’m already rooting for the guy (Team James). Excited to read it! 

Thank you, NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine (Dell), for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #BegBorrowOrSteal 

 3.7 Stars

Peighton is a famous author of children’s books and the creator of Harley, the Fairy Hedgehog. She writes under a pen name and is happy to stay away from the limelight. However, she has to attend a book signing tour, and one stop is close to Winter Valley, the small town she grew up in and has no fond memories of. Also, it’s where Morgan Bradford lives, the last man she wants to see again after he broke her heart. 

Morgan Bradford runs a successful automobile business in Winter Valley. He takes care of his family and ensures everyone is happy and safe. He has everything he wants, or so he thinks until he sees Peighton again. This time, he doesn’t want to let her go. But the decision has to be hers. 

The story comes in Peighton and Morgan’s first-person POVs. 

Soo… this is my year’s Christmas read. A few years ago, I signed up for some authors’ newsletters. I skim through the emails but read only a couple of them since I find those cool. Claudia was one of them. Her newsletters are delightful and personal. Some months ago, I decided to read at least one book of hers. At last, I could make it happen close to the deadline. 

This is the second standalone book in the series. Books one and three also deal with the Bradford children. No need to read book one to read this (though you might get a few spoilers). 

I like that it’s a short book with a dual POV. Keeping their voices separate was easy enough most of the time. I did get confused in a couple of chapters and had to double-check. 

It’s a second chance romance in a Hallmarky setting. Even the story is pretty much in the same vibe but with a touch of spice (nothing too graphic). 

I love the illustration of the Harley, the hedgehog. It’s the main reason I chose the book. Wish there were more but I’m glad there’s at least one image to see how it looks. 

The characters are pretty decent. Morgan’s decision to break up doesn’t make much sense but then we cannot expect too much, I guess. Peigh is nice, and I like that she didn’t give in easily. 

The side characters are cute, so I’ll probably read the other books someday. The pacing is moderate to fast, so that’s decent too. You can clock the book in a single sitting if you have a couple of hours. 

All nice and sweet but please… it is not chai tea! Call it either chai or tea. Since the book was published in 2021, I hope the author now knows this usage is wrong. 

To summarize, Home With You is a cozy second-chance romance set during Christmas. It’ll work great as a palate cleanser and a breather between heavy reads. 

 3.5 Stars

A six-year-old Moji loves spending time with her family in their house in Tehran. What’s better than listening to her grandfather narrating bedtime stories from One Thousand and One Nights? 

However, the Iranian Revolution disrupts their lives. The new regime brings Islamic laws, restricting women to their homes. Moji has to live through the changes, adjust to a new life in the US, and see her father detained by the Islamic Revolutionary Army, all the while growing up into an adolescent with new awareness, questions, and desires. 

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

It’s my second book of the month dealing with a tough topic. However, the presentation is the opposite of Tali Girls. Those who want something less traumatic and triggering will find this easier to read. 

Iran didn’t go from monarchy to supposed democracy. It went from being a Persian culture to an Islamic one with the colors replaced by black chadors (or burqas) and multiple restrictions on women. A quick internet search about 'Iran then and now' will give you a clear picture of the changes. 

More links: 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwy42vxd99po 

https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/irans-women-going-without-hijabs-as-2nd-anniversary-of-mahsa-aminis-death-approaches/article68641437.ece 

https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/armita-geravand-iran-hijab-death-mahsa-amini-101698475937481.html 

In this book, the changes are recorded by a six-year-old Moji. We see the developments from her eyes. The first part is very strong despite the lack of detail. It presents the uncertainties, the shift from a carefree life to one filled with fear and anxiety, and how easy it is to get carried away by extreme ideas. We also see the racism and hatred little Moji faces during her short stay in the US. 

Family is the central theme throughout, it certainly stands out more in the first part. We also learn about the Parsi/ Iranian culture, the language, the region, etc. Moji’s grandfather is easily my favorite character in the book. 

The second part has Moji back in Iran but as a twelve-year-old. Things have changed already which soon becomes a background with her fascination for a teacher taking most of the space. I admit I lost interest as this became a bit too much. It is very common for young students to look up to their favorite teachers and develop a crush irrespective of gender. It’s a special feeling when a teacher you like spends more time with you (we’ve been there). But things here get a bit more uncomfortable at one point. No idea if it is a part of the autobiography part or if it is a fictional exaggeration. The age and power dynamics don’t show things in a good light even if I understand the reason for it. 

Moreover, I’m not sure if the afterword is by the author or if it should be read like an epilogue. There’s possibly a two-decade jump, where a lot of changes took place in Iran. We get almost no information about this. 

To summarize, The House On Sun Street is a worthy read dealing with some important topics. It is slow-paced with fewer triggers. However, I wish the second part was stronger. 

It may not even register for others, but the mention of infidels is a trigger for me. In the name of infidels and kafirs, countless murders (mass genocides) have been justified for centuries and continue to be even today. 

Thank you, Edelweiss+ and Blair, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

 3.5 Stars

This is a teeny story set on Christmas Eve after Molly and Andrew become a couple (post-Holiday Romance and pre-Snowed In). Molly and Andrew invite his family to their apartment to spend that year’s Christmas. How does the day go? 

Well, I enjoy the author’s writing style but this was too short and ended before I could fully feel the vibe. Of course, I still chuckled a few times, so that’s a plus. 

My advice is to read this immediately after book #1 or before #2. Don’t pick it at random like I did. It’s hard to get into the mood and appreciate how the characters manage to stand out despite the page count. 

 4 Stars 

Gale Nathaniel is the head of Royal Hastings University’s new Multimedia Art course. She finds six people from diverse backgrounds to join the master’s program. This course has to be a hit or the university would take it off the list. 

Enter, a young Jem (an overachiever and clay sculptor), Jonathan (who runs his family art gallery and has limited knowledge), Patrick (a 50-something business owner who sells art supplies), Ludya (a single mother and small-time professional graphic designer), Alyson (an overqualified artist), and Cameron (a marketing executive who needs a hobby for stress-relief). 

The Examiner, the man hired to grade their final assignments finds something he shouldn’t. If his guess is right, someone on the course had died or could be in danger. 

The story comes in a collection of emails, text messages, essays, and notes. 

So, this is my first book by the author though I have her works in my TBR. I was postponing it because of the page count (460+ pages) and since I was worried the pacing would be slow. 

Guess what? I was wrong. Considering the length, the pace is very good; much, much better than I expected. The use of chat, emails, and notes keeps the story moving. There are no chapters as much but headings we may or may not track. It doesn’t matter if you don’t track the heads as long as you figure things out. 

The characters are so distinct and easy to remember despite not knowing anything about them. We get only the basic information and yet, we can imagine them easily. Of course, whether or not our imagination aligns with the actual depends on the reveals. ;) 

My favorite is Jem (not because she’s an Indian… okay! A little because she is). She is a gem in many ways (remember that a gem has many definitions). She is the youngest in the team and her outspoken nature made the whole thing so much more interesting. 

Naturally, important details are not revealed immediately. However, it is easy to see how the tensions and the hidden agendas (even if we don’t know what these are) affect the characters. The part about teamwork and credit is spot on! It is one reason I don’t prefer to work in teams (in college, I ended up doing everything and herding others to be there when they should. Ugh!). 

Things are not straightforward. Neither is the timeline. That shouldn’t matter if you follow the plot and can fill the gaps with your ideas. Mystery lovers will find it easier, I guess. The brain is wired for it, lol. 

The climax and reveal are OTT bordering on absurd. However, there’s a sense of crazy fun in it that makes the whole thing work somehow (for the reader). TBH, I’m not sure I’d have liked it as much if the format was different. Yeah, it is convoluted but entertaining nevertheless. 

Don’t ignore the author’s note and don’t read it first. Read it at the end. She makes some really great points. Also, makes me glad I opted for distance mode education for my MA in English Literature! 

To summarize, The Examiner is best enjoyed if you go with the flow, but also track a few plot elements that grab your attention. There’s a lot of drama, lies, secrets, etc., that can make the whole thing confusing but manages to deliver as a package. I won't postpone reading her next book. 

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

#NetGalley #TheExaminer 

 4.5 Stars

Tulip, the cutesy green tugboat, knows she is special even if the other tugboats don’t think so. But when a big-big-BIG boat gets stuck, it’s Tulip who rises to the occasion and proves her worth. 

Well, after Rosh reviewed this book, I knew I had to read it. Luckily, the very next day, I got an email notification from BookSirens about the ARC being available for reading. 

I googled tugboats already, so knew what they were and how they worked (a little bit). Tulip is one of the cutest tugboats I have seen (another is the one with a face and a cap I found on the internet). 

This is a really short story but would be a super fun piece to read aloud with younglings. The repetition will make kids laugh and ensure they remember the story (with the message). Coz, obviously, the message is just as important here – don’t let others’ opinions affect you when you know you are good, and being different doesn’t mean there’s something wrong. 

The cover is a great example of the illustrations. The text is presented in the rope box and the corresponding scenes are presented through a ship’s window. This leaves a lot of white (green) space around to prevent distractions. I wouldn’t have minded if the font size was a bit bigger but no worries. The watercolor illustrations are super cute, especially the big-big-BIG boat! Tulip too, of course. She looks like a tugboat plant or a plant tugboat. 

To summarize, Tulip the Tugboat is a teeny book with an important message and beautiful illustrations. I’m sure kids will enjoy reading this more than once. 

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