It’s been two months since my last Quick Lit post, so I have a LOT of books to share with you today. Let’s get right to those reviews!
NONFICTION
The Art Thief: A True Story of Love, Crime, and a Dangerous Obsession, by Michael Finkel: Stéphane Bréitwieser was the most prolific art thief of all time. Between 1995 and 2011 (when he was just in his mid-twenties), he pulled off more than 200 heists, most in broad daylight amid museum crowds. Yet he made no money from his collection (valued at around $2 billion), claiming it was artistic love that drove his crimes, and the pieces remained displayed in the attic bedroom he and his girlfriend rented from his mother. Bréitwieser was eventually caught and his career in art theft came to a shocking finale; this is the story of the man, his heists, and his downfall.
This story is almost too crazy to be believed, and I don’t know how I’d never known about this notorious thief before reading this book. His escapades are shocking, but the book itself is lackluster, with dry narration and little insight into the character and motives of the book’s complicated subject. I would love to see this brought to film! Don’t miss the author’s note at the end in which Finkel discusses his experience researching the story and interviewing Bréitwieser.
My Rating: 3.5 Stars (Rounded to 3 stars on Goodreads) // Book Format: Audiobook
Revenge of the Tipping Point: Overstories, Superspreaders, and the Rise of Social Engineering, by Malcolm Gladwell: Twenty-five years ago, Malcolm Gladwell wrote The Tipping Point in which he introduced “a series of principles to help us make sense of the kinds of sudden shifts in behavior and belief that make up our world.” And in this return to that earlier work, Gladwell acknowledges that while he still finds those ideas useful, he now has different questions as well as “a new set of theories, stories, and arguments about the strange pathways that ideas and behavior follow through our world.”
In Revenge of The Tipping Point, Gladwell attempts to do a forensic investigation of social epidemics to determine the Who and Why behind social change. Drawing from the lessons of Miami crime rings and Ivy Legue sports, infertile cheetahs and insular communities, and television shows that transformed cultural ideologies, Gladwell explores the impact of overstories, super-spreaders, and group proportions on the development of epidemics—specifically the COVID and opioid epidemics. If Gladwell’s assertions are true—if epidemics do follow specific rules and are driven by a number of identifiable people—we can harness these insights to control future epidemics and redirect malicious intentions towards positive outcomes.
Malcolm Gladwell is an excellent storyteller, and the anecdotes included in this book are fascinating. I was absorbed from start to finish, thanks to the fascinating stories, surprising takeaways, and creative storytelling devices (I HIGHLY recommend the audio which is expertly produced). Unfortunately the stories lack much cohesion, and I struggled to follow Gladwell’s thesis. I’m also skeptical of many of his interpretations and logical leaps, and I was disappointed by the book’s distinctly political bent (although I do appreciate Gladwell’s willingness to explore taboo topics and draw controversial conclusions).
I’m not sure that Gladwell has me convinced of his analysis and interpretation of social epidemics, but he HAS given me some new ways of thinking about cultural phenomena and societal trends, and he left me with some stories I won’t soon forget.
My Rating: 4 Stars // Book Format: Audiobook
The Many Lives of Mama Love: A Memoir of Lying, Stealing, Writing, and Healing, by Lara Love Hardin: To her neighbors, Lara Love Hardin was no different from all the other soccer moms occupying nice homes in their suburban neighborhood—until the “ordinary” housewife was arrested for theft and identity fraud, crimes she committed to fund her opioid addiction. Lara was convicted of thirty-two felonies and given a jail sentence, where she became immersed in a totally new social system among inmates who were not too unlike herself: women who had fallen prey to addiction and poor decisions and were left scrambling to survive in a system and a world that seemed bent on their failure.
In prison, Lara began assuming the identities of fellow inmates so she could write letters on their behalf. It’s a skill that proved useful once she was released from jail and reinvented herself as a ghostwriter for a string of bestsellers. In this second life Lara discovered new love, became the mother she always wanted to be to her four sons, and hobnobbed with the likes of Oprah and the Dalai Lama. But her past crimes and addictions were impossible to ignore, and she struggled to assume yet another identity: that of a woman who was forgiven and free.
This is an excellent “window” book that opens readers’ eyes to many difficult issues including addiction, recovery, the underbelly of the prison system, the challenges of post-prison life, and even the world of ghostwriting. This book could have gone much further in discussing causes and solutions to these potentially controversial topics, but I appreciated the “showing vs telling” approach that lends Lara’s humanity to topics that can feel overwhelming to hear about or address. There are parts to Lara’s story that are totally wild (if this were fiction I would have thought some of the “plot twists” were taking the story too far), but aspects of her journey are terrifyingly relatable and helped me feel so much compassion for the author and many like her.
Lara Love Hardin coauthored Crystal Hefner’s memoir which I listened to last year, and I found the similarities in narration a little jarring. Independently, each book succeeds in conveying a hard story with compassion and honesty, showcasing a relatable woman who has found herself in circumstances many of us would tend to judge harshly. But something about the two memoirs together led me to distrust each woman’s story, heightening my sensitivity to the therapy speak and to each woman’s obvious desire to seek forgiveness and approval through her storytelling—walking the fine line between transparent enough to be believable, but not so much as to become unlikeable. (This is an ongoing pet peeve of mine—people [not just high-profile people] saying enough bad things to be deemed “bravely vulnerable” without ever having to tell the whole truth.) This aim is understandable, but as a reader I found it distracting. I also couldn’t help but see that both women are clearly seeking answers that only Jesus can provide, and I want so badly for each of them to find the wholeness and redemption that come only through Him, not through self-acceptance or the approval of man.
Despite those (possibly petty) distractions, I recognize the power and beauty in this memoir and in Lara Love Hardin’s incredible storytelling. I can see why she’s had such success as a ghostwriter and am glad she has chosen to courageously step out of the shadows to let her personal story of resilience take center stage . This would be a great book club selection, especially read alongside the fictional How to Read a Book (also a post-prison story).
Book Format: My Rating: 4.5 Stars (Rounded to 4 Stars on Goodreads) // Book Format: Audiobook
Battle for the American Mind: Uprooting a Century of Miseducation, by Pete Hegseth and David Goodwin: I didn’t know who Pete Hegseth was until he became President Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense. Some research into this unknown entity led me to this book which, I was surprised to discover, was already on my Goodreads TBR (probably recommended at a homeschooling conference).
The book is not at all what I expected but incredibly enlightening. In it, Hegseth and coauthor David Goodwin (an expert in Classical Christian education) pull back the curtain on the American education system—a system whose shortcomings many parents discovered when virtual classrooms entered the scene during COVID. The authors explore the roots of modern education and how progressive ideology came to dominate American schools over the past hundred (or more) years, resulting in a system that leaves kids bored, aimless, and informed about all the wrong things. Their proposed solution is a return to a classical Christian education, and they outline what this is, why it works, and how it could rescue American schools.
Not everyone will agree with the premise or suggested solutions presented here, but I found the authors’ arguments compelling. The “unauthorized” history of American education was pretty shocking: I had no idea how far back progressive dominance in education extended, or how many of my own ideas around culture and pedagogy were shaped by progressive ideals. But their explanation of paideia (which “represents the deeply seated affections, thinking, viewpoints, and virtues embedded in children at a young age, or, more simply, the rearing, molding, and education of a child”) was a helpful framework for examining the shift that I’ve noticed but didn’t understand. As for their solutions: I was familiar with the concepts of classical education (we incorporate much of it into our homeschool) but still found this section informative, albeit somewhat glamorized.
While public education is not in the foreseeable future for our family, the ideas presented here are shaping the way I teach my kids at home, and I hope that those working in the public school system are also taking note. With the increased popularity of Classical eduction, I have a feeling they might!
My Rating: 4 Stars // Book Format: Audiobook (followed along on Kindle)
End of the Hour, by Meghan Riordan Jarvis: What happens when a trauma therapist finds herself in an impatient facility for compound PTSD? It sounds like the start of a bad joke, but this is the subject of the compelling memoir from Meghan Riordan Jarvis, a middle-aged therapist and mother of three whose life unraveled following the back-to-back deaths of her parents. Jarvis was no stranger to trauma, having endured a childhood tragedy that landed her in therapy in her twenties and eventually opened the door to a career in counseling. Meghan’s clinical training did not enable her to heal her own crippling grief, but it DID inform her decision to check herself into a trauma facility where she would begin the hard work of uncovering the root of her traumas in order to find peace and acceptance amidst her loss.
My own time in therapy—including a stint in a treatment facility, as well as experience with many of the therapeutic methods described in this book—has heightened my curiosity about the experiences of those sitting on the OTHER side of the therapist’s couch. I’ve read a number of therapists’ memoirs and always find them fascinating, and this one in which therapist becomes patient was no exception. I was intrigued by the the author’s childhood story of how and why she chose a career as a therapist, as well as her insights into her own trauma—its causes, as well as its bodily manifestation. Jarvis does an excellent job of helping the reader understand trauma from both a clinician’s and patient’s perspective, and while there were parts of her story that I couldn’t relate to or understand, I appreciated the grounded and compassionate take on a challenging subject. This book has the potential to help many who are grieving and unsure how to navigate their emotions. And though it wasn’t necessarily the focus of the book, I found Jarvis’s reflections on her parents’ approach (or rather, non-approach) to her childhood pain very helpful in knowing how to help my own kids navigate their emotions.
My Rating: 4 Stars // Book Format: Audiobook
Gospel Mom: How to Make Biblical Decisions and Discover the Mom God Created You to Be, by Emily A. Jenson and Laura Wifler: The word “Gospel” is pretty ubiquitous in Christian circles, but do we know what it means? And, more importantly, do we know how to apply the Gospel to our daily lives? In this helpful book for Christian moms, Laura Wifler and Emily Jenson (founders of the Risen Motherhood ministry) lean into the truth of the Gospel for moms in our daily lives, reminding us to look to the Lord rather than our own instincts or the behavior of other moms as we parent our children.
The book begins with a walkthrough of the four parts of the Gospel narrative—Creation, Fall, Redemption, Consummation—with explanations of each part’s implications for us in our daily lives. After that, the authors outline some healthy habits and spiritual disciplines that serve as a scaffold for the life of a Gospel Mom. Then, in the book’s final section, they discuss the gray areas of motherhood, explaining how unique circumstances, heart motivations, and convictions can lead Gospel moms to make different decisions for their families with the same overarching goal of doing all things to the glory of God.
This book would be a great guide for a new believer or young mom struggling with comparison as she seeks to live a Gospel-centric life. While much of the material here was familiar for me, I can see how the content would be helpful for many women, especially moms wondering how to reconcile their own choices and values with those of other moms who are also chasing after the Lord but applying the Gospel differently. The theology here is accessible yet sound, and Emily and Laura are encouraging but truthful in their teaching.
My Rating: 4 Stars // Book Format: Audiobook
The Mysteries of Life in Children’s Literature, by Dr. Mitchell Kalpakgian: Our world (at least mine as mom to four young kids) is filled with images of fairies, princesses, magic kingdoms, and happily ever afters. We can thank Walt Disney for bringing these stories to life for our generation, but fairy tales and mythology have existed for centuries, informing the imaginations and values of children and adults alike. By definition, these stories are simple tales, yet they contain deep insight into all that is good and beautiful and true. In The Mysteries of Life in Children’s Literature, a professor of English literature walks alongside readers as we explore the mysteries hidden in familiar (and some not-so-familiar) fables and folk tales. Each chapter examines two or three stories that illustrate the truths within a specific category, from wishes and goodness and beauty to children, play, and even divine providence.
This book unites my love of children’s literature and fairy tales with a passion for literary analysis, and I appreciate Kalpakgian’s insights that help teachers, parents, and all other adult readers of children’s stories to understand the complexity of these simple tales. This book not only highlights specific lessons, it also sets readers up to view ALL works of literature through a similar lens as we ask stories what they have to teach us about universal truths.
Despite its valuable premise and some brilliant takeaways, I found this to be a tedious read with too much retelling of the original stories and a lot of repetition. It’s very academic and would score high marks as a term paper, but ranks low on reader friendliness. I did a lot of skimming, and while the concept will stick with me, the specifics won’t. For those interested in further exploring fairy tales, I do recommend this but as a reference guide rather than a pleasure read.
My Rating: 3.5 Stars (Rounded to 4 Stars on Goodreads) // Book Format: Kindle
The Collapse of Parenting, by Leonard Sax: Today’s kids aren’t okay, and adults are starting to take notice. But not everyone agrees on the source of the problem: is it phones? Too much therapy? Poor diet? According to family practitioner Leonard Sax, the rising levels of anxiety and depression among today’s young people can be traced back to the parents and, more specifically, their failure to actually parent. In this new addition of The Collapse of Parenting (first published in 2015), Sax guides parents in reasserting our authority by prioritizing family, setting appropriate boundaries around screens and diet and sleep, taking a more measured approach to medication, and teaching our kids important values of self-restraint, humility, and healthy goal-setting.
I agree with Sax’s assessment of current parenting trends (and failures) and appreciate his back-to-the-basics approach to parenting. The advice here is straightforward but necessary, and I found Sax’s emphasis on authoritative parenting (engaged and kind but relatively strict) refreshing. Some of the anecdotes are a little corny and I would have liked more discussion on how to navigate sibling dynamics (Sax writes a lot about his personal experience as a parent to one child), but the advice is sound and a great reminder of how I genuinely want to parent.
My Rating: 4 Stars // Book Format: Audiobook
Toxic Empathy: How Progressives Exploit Christian Compassion, by Allie Beth Stuckey: We hear A LOT about empathy, in both Christian and secular circles. On its surface empathy is an admirable trait worthy of our pursuit; but empathy is based on feelings which are notoriously erratic and not always reflective of the truth. So when empathy is prioritized above all other values it can become toxic, especially when used as a tool of manipulation for political ends at the expense of what is good and true.
In Toxic Empathy, Allie Beth Stuckey (host of the Christian conservative podcast Relatable) outlines the problem of using empathy as our ultimate guide and explains how political activists have abused the concept of empathy to persuade well-meaning individuals (particularly Christians) to vote for leftist positions that may seem loving but are un-Biblical and ultimately harmful. She explores five controversial issues (abortion, gender, sexuality, immigration, and social justice), showing how progressives have capitalized on empathy with phrases such as “abortion is healthcare,” “love is love,” or “no human being is illegal.” She then presents a moral case against these ideologies and offers a compassionate yet truth-filled alternative viewpoint that is not just empathetic but genuinely loving.
I’m a long-time listener of Relatable, and I give Allie and her podcast full credit for solidifying my views on many issues (especially abortion and sexuality) and for totally transforming my understanding of other issues (specifically of immigration and social justice, two areas where I, for a time, was blinded by “empathy arguments” from those on the political left). Because I’m such an avid listener of Relatable, much of the material presented in Toxic Empathy was familiar, but I appreciated the clear and systematic presentation, and having these ideas consolidated in a single book makes it an invaluable resource that is easy to share with others.
Allie does an excellent job of presenting her position with conviction and Biblical support while also acknowledging the perspectives and good intentions of the other side. Her storytelling is engaging but concise, making this book the perfect length for her primary demographic (busy young moms).
My Rating: 4.5 Stars (Rounded to 5 stars on Goodreads) // Book Format: Kindle
FICTION
A Woman Under Ground, by Andrew Klavan: Cameron Winter is an ex-spy turned English professor who remains haunted by memories of atrocities he witnessed (and sometimes committed) in his years as a government operative. He regales his therapist with stories from that time, but she knows it’s really the love of his youth—the one who got away—whose memory haunts him most. When that woman appears to have reentered Winter’s life only to be lost again, he sets off to find her in a journey that takes him into the heart of a fascist conclave.
This is the fourth in a series from political commentator Andrew Klavan, whose podcast I love and whose books I enjoy even more. Unfortunately I found this to be the weakest of the series, with too many storylines and an agenda that was a little too on the nose. (I happen to agree with Klavan’s conservative view point, but don’t like when fiction gets too agenda-heavy, regardless of the stance.) Klavan’s writing is literary, which is generally a highlight, but here the overt metaphors lend an allegorical tone to the book that is at odds with the fast-paced plot.
Despite these drawbacks, I mostly enjoyed this and look forward to continuing with the series . . . and hopefully finding a happy ending for Winter who, though he is annoyingly pretentious in this book, is an intriguing character that I want to root for.
My Rating: 3.5 Stars (Rounded to 4 Stars on Goodreads) // Book Format: Kindle
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, by E. L. Konigsburg: Eleven-year-old Claudia feels ignored and unappreciated at home, so she does what any girl her age might do: she decides to run away to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and she invites her penny-pinching brother Jamie (the richest of her three younger brothers) along for the adventure. Just as they are settling into their new routine of hiding out in bathroom stalls to avoid security guards, sleeping in an antique bed, and scouting for change in the statue fountain, they stumble across a mystery: a beautiful new statue has taken up residence in the Italian Renaissance wing of the museum, and the children are determined to discover its origins.
I chose this read-aloud based on wonderful memories of reading it in fifth grade, and it absolutely held up to the reread. In fact I appreciated this more as an adult, having since visited the Met and with a better appreciation for the unique premise, plucky yet believable protagonists, clever storytelling device, historical references, and delightful 1960s setting. (I couldn’t help but think how a story like this would make no sense today in a world where cameras capture everything and the idea of missing children is practically taboo.) The book also has some interesting things to say about identity, the search for meaning, and adolescent growing pains—all points that are recognizable though subtle. Much to my delight, my kids enjoyed this one a lot as well. This is a Newberry winner that is loved by adults and kids alike!
My Rating: 5 Stars // Charleston’s Rating: 5 Stars // Book Format: Print
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, by Sangu Mandanna: Mika Moon has spent all of her thirty-one years concealing her identity as one of the few surviving witches in Britain. So she’s astonished to be recognized in one of her online videos (in which she “pretends” to be doing witchcraft, assuming nobody will take her seriously). The observant party has invited Mika to the remote and mysterious Nowhere House to teach three young witches how to control their magic. And while this goes against every rule of their magical world—which forbids witches from fraternizing in order to keep their combined power in check—she can’t say no to the opportunity for home and family, something she’s only ever dreamed about.
Soon Mika begins to find her place among her three young charges and their four eccentric caretakers. Opening up to love and belonging is new and frightening, especially when the home and family she’s come to love are threatened by outside forces that Mika’s magic could never counter.
I’m not usually one for “witchy” stories, but several glowing reviews of this one had me intrigued and I’m glad I gave this charming story a chance. There was quite a bit that I did NOT like: the excessive swearing, a romance that seemed a little forced, and lots of “woke” themes (with plenty of emphasis on female empowerment, awkward therapy-speak, and too-obvious DEI elements). But the warm vibes and ultimate feel-good story won me over. This was a fun little foray into cozy fantasy, and though I don’t see it becoming a go-to genre for me, I’m glad I branched out with this reading experience.
My Rating: 4 Stars // Book Format: Kindle
Winter Solstice, by Rosamunde Pilcher: Five individuals of varying ages and walks of life find themselves sharing a long-neglected home in a small Scottish village, where they spend a Christmas that none of them will ever forget. The uniting force of these five is Elfrida, a sixty-something retired actress who recently left London for a life of quiet retirement in the English countryside. There she befriends fellow retiree Oscar Blundell, who becomes more than a friend when Oscar’s wife and teenage daughter die in a tragic accident. Oscar and Elfrida attempt to escape their grief by retiring to Oscar’s family estate house, where they will do their best to avoid Christmas altogether.
Through a series of unusual circumstances, Oscar and Elfrida are soon joined by Elfrida’s cousin Carrie, who is grieving the recent end of an affair with an Austrian man; Lucy, Carrie’s 14-year-old niece whose primary caregivers have set off for adventures of their own this holiday; and Sam, a newly-single businessman who has come to revive the mill in a nearby crumbling town. Together, these five rediscover what it means to love and hope and celebrate amidst a quintessentially Scottish winter.
This deeply backlist title (first published in 2000) that is beloved by many has been sitting on my Kindle for a couple of years, and on my radar for much longer. And I quite enjoyed it, though it’s not a favorite. The length (nearly six hundred pages) and pacing (the story doesn’t really get started until the mid-way point) were both sticking points (I tend to enjoy a meandering storyline but here it was just too much), and I struggled with the casual acceptance of infidelity and celebration of selfish life choices by characters who are meant to be sympathetic. The timeline also bothered me: the story covers a brief period, and it was too difficult to suspend my disbelief over characters leaving behind past lives and relationships so quickly. The discussion of grief felt too abbreviated and I could not get on board with the character of Oscar overcoming the deaths of his wife and (supposedly beloved) child and moving on with someone else in a matter of weeks.
In spite of these sticking points, I really did love the cozy winter setting, the time period (I’m so nostalgic for pre-phones/internet times these days), and found-family themes, and while I didn’t particularly love these characters (with the exception of Sam and teenage Lucy, even though she read too young for her age), I did find them memorable and appreciated their diversity and unique relational dynamics. The Scottish setting and British characters were a huge highlight, and I enjoyed learning a great number of British terms and customs.
I read this post-Christmas, and although the story revolves around the holiday I didn’t mind reading it after my own celebrations had concluded (though I don’t think I would have enjoyed this wintery tale in a warmer season). Perfect for those seeking a winter or holiday read with some substance.
My Rating: 4 Stars // Book Format: Kindle
Symphony of Secrets, by Brendan Slocumb: Professional musician Bern Hendricks is given the opportunity of a lifetime when he is invited by the distinguished Delaney Foundation to authenticate a newly discovered piece from famed twentieth century composer Frederick Delaney. Bern has dedicated his life to studying Delaney’s work and jumps at the chance to explore what might be Delaney’s famous lost opera, Red. But it isn’t long before Bern and his tech-savvy assistant/friend Eboni discover that there might be more to Delaney and his music than once believed. Could it be that someone else was involved—or even entirely responsible—in writing the masterpieces attributed to the iconic composer?
From here the novel jumps back to 1920s Manhattan, where young Freddy Delaney is a struggling musician whose fortunes shift when he encounters Josephine Reed, a neurodivergent Black woman living on the streets and frequenting jazz clubs. Josephine is a musical genius who becomes Freddy’s unseen partner in a rise to musical fame. The story jumps back and forth between Freddy’s story and the present day, where Bern and Eboni seek to uncover the truth of the Delaney cannon before it becomes forever buried by the unscrupulous Delaney Foundation.
Brendan Slocumb’s first novel (The Violin Conspiracy) was a wildly popular book that I found disappointing, but I had had high hopes for this sophomore novel after hearing Sarah’s interview with the autho.r Sadly, I think my experience with this one confirms that Slocumb just isn’t an author for me (which is a huge bummer because he seems like the nicest person and I WANT to love his books). My biggest hangup with The Violin Conspiracy was the amateur writing style and awkward dialogue. That wasn’t a problem here, as the sentence-level writing in Symphony of Secrets is much stronger. I also found the premise fascinating and was particularly intrigued by the musical elements and the Olympics-themed opera that is at the center of the story (the book cover does an amazing job of tying this all together).
Unfortunately the book (both the present-day plot as well as the historical storyline) goes totally off the rails in the second half, with forced intrigue and bizarre character shifts. I also struggled with the lack of character development: with the exception of Josephine (whose neurodivergence is depicted rather strangely) I didn’t feel like we got to know these characters, despite spending so much time with them. And the themes of power dynamics, racism, and the marginalization of certain individuals are commendable but too front and center; a little subtlety could have gone a long way in making this a more enjoyable and believable story about art, history, and the once-silenced creators who deserve to be heard. The Author’s Note at the end addresses these issues—and his reasons for writing the book—beautifully and bumped my rating up half a star.
My Rating: 3 Stars // Book Format: Kindle
The Christmas Guest, by Peter Swanson: Christmas of 1989: Ashley Smith is an American art student studying in London, where she plans to spend the holiday alone. So when she receives a last-minute invitation from fellow student, Emma Chapman, to spend Christmas at her family’s Cotswold estate, Ashley jumps at the chance for a new adventure. She records every detail of the week in her “dearest diary,” from the sprawling mansion and surrounding quaint village to the festive meals and, mostly, Emma’s beguiling twin brother, Adam. Emma is certain she has landed herself in a sweeping holiday, but when she discovers that Adam is suspected of killing a local girl who happens to have been Emma’s doppelgänger, her dream turn nightmarish.
Over thirty years later, in New York City: Ashley’s diary has resurfaced, and events of that long-ago Christmas in a cozy English village are cast in a new, ghostly light.
What a surprising and satisfying little story this turned out to be! I read it weeks after Christmas thanks to a well-timed Kindle deal that came just when I was in need of a palate cleanser between longer reads, and while the novella does have a Christmas setting, I found the dark tone and disturbing story elements better suited to non-seasonal reading. (In other words, I liked this a lot in January but might have found it too jarring had I read it at Christmas time.) I enjoyed the epistolary format, the throwback setting, and the Dickensian atmosphere. The 100ish page length is just right, and while this would make for a terrible Hallmark movie, it was an excellent page-turner.
My Rating: 4.5 Stars (Rounded to 4 Stars on Goodreads) // Book Format: Kindle
Have you read any of these titles? Of course I’d love to hear your thoughts. And I’d also love to hear what you’ve been reading and loving (or hating) lately!
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