Review: Defy or Defend by Gail Carriger

Rating: 2.5 hoots out of 5 hoots

Published: May 3 2020

Number of pages: 240

Format: electronic advanced reading copy

Publisher: Gail Carriger LLC

Genre: espionage, romantic comedy, supernatural

Audience: adult

Get it at: Chapters Indigo

Shelve it at: Goodreads

Summary:

A vampire hive descending into madness. A beautiful spy with a sparkly plan. A handsome bodyguard who must keep both vampires and the spy from killing each other. A charming story of espionage, love, and makeovers set in the Parasol Protectorate universe.

My Review:

An electronic advanced reading copy was received from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Minor spoilers below!

I just want to say a big thank you to Gail Carriger for reaching out to me about her next new book in the Delightfully Deadly series. This series is the spin off from the Finishing School books and follows after Poison or Protect.

Dimity Plumleigh-Teignmott is back! For those who don’t know or haven’t read The Finishing Schools series, Dimity is Sophronia’s best friend and sidekick with a love for all things sparkly, hence her codename Sparkles in this story. After graduating, Dimity has earned her place in the Honey Bee where she takes on espionage missions for the War Office. A fitting position for a Finishing School graduate who has a knack for flirting while gaining many marriage proposals from her unsuspecting targets, and keeping dangerous yet, fashionable weapons hidden in her purse. 

Review: The Rosie Effect by Greame Simsion

Published: September 11, 2014

Number of pages: 424

Format: paperback

Publisher: HarperCollins

Genre: contemporary, romance, comedy

Audience: older adult

Rating: 3 owl hoots out of 5

Summary:

Don Tillman and Rosie Jarman have been engaged for 10 months and are living happily in New York. Life for the married couple was stable until Rosie announces that she’s pregnant! All hands are on deck as Don schedules everything from a Standardized Mini Meal System to researching the proper protocols to being a father. All while making some living arrangements after his best friend Gene moves out and into Don and Rosie’s apartment. But preparing himself for parenthood isn’t as easy as Don predicted as he’s tangled into a web of deceit including prosecution, deportation, and at risk of losing Rosie.

 

My Review: 

I loved The Rosie Project! The story was unpredictable and full of laughs. I had no idea how much I would enjoy this book until I started chuckling at all the right places. The chemistry between Don and Rosie was adorably funny and is a clear example of opposites attract. When I heard that the author was coming out with a sequel I was really excited but also surprised, as I had no idea that there was a series coming.

Review: Love by the Morning Star by Laura Sullivan

*I received an ARC from the publisher in advance. Therefore this is an honest review and no monetary exchange was involved. 

Published: June 3, 2013

Number of pages: 320

Format: ARC paperback

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Genre: romantic comedy, historical fiction

Rating: YA

Verdict: 2 owl hoots out of 5

Summary:

In 1938 Germany, two girls are sent to a country estate in England for entirely different reasons. Hannah raise in a cabaret is half-Jewish and is asked by her mother to visit her distant relatives in the estate of the Starkers. Anna, a grocer’s daughter is sent there by her father as a spy for the German Nazi’s. But when both girls arrive, things go dreadfully wrong until it goes very right!

My Review:

I received an ARC from Goodreads after winning one of their giveaways last month. While reading the story it reminded me of Downtown Abbey if turned into a romantic comedy. I had a few chuckles but overall, I thought the book was alright.

Review: The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

Published: May 13, 2013

Number of pages: 324

Format: paperback

Publisher: Harper Collins

Genre: romantic comedy

Rating: older adults

Verdict: 5 hoots out of 5

Summary:

Don Tillman is a genetics professor whose mission is to find a suitable partner by initiating the Wife Project, a 16-page questionnaire to find the perfect wife. Rosie is a medical student looking for her biological father that requires the assistance of a genetics expert. Don and Rosie meet and are unsuitable for each other but as Don helps her with the search, he learns a valuable lesson: you don’t find love love finds you.

My Review:

I don’t read romance or romantic comedy books, as they’re not my taste. But this was an exception as I heard such great reviews from bloggers that I decided to give it a try. And I’m glad I did or else I would have missed out on the most hilarious romantic comedy novel I’ve ever read!

Top 10 Books to Revisit on Valentines Day

Whether you’re looking for a romantic comedy, a tear-jerker, or something heartwarming, these books will sure to make you laugh, cry, and tug at your heartstrings on Valentines Day.

1. Novel Cure: An A-Z of Literary Remedies by Ella Berthoud and Susan Elderkin

It’s not really a book but whether you’re lonely on Valentines or in need of a cure from heartbreak this will help ease your pain. When read at the right time a novel can change your life and with an A-Z index, the Novel Cure lists books for whatever that ails you.

2. The Fault in our Stars by John Green

A compelling story of how a terminally ill girl gives up on love, but after meeting a young boy in a support group, she learns how to love and to live. I’ll be reading this on Valentines (along with a box of tissues on hand just in case).

3. Love Poems by Pablo Naruda

A short, small book of the most sensual poems based on the popular movie Il Postino. Filled with passion, beauty, and eroticism Naruda captivates readers with earthly images of the paradise island, Capri.

4. Granny is my Wingman by Kayli Stollak

A laugh-out-load story about a twenty something year old and her granny who convinces her to do online dating.

5. The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks

Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams made us cry with their all-star performance on-screen, but make sure you read the book. A story of how love and passion can be timeless and ageless, Sparks moves us with an incredible love story that touches our hearts.

6. Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin

A novel about how a New York lawyer falls in love with her friend’s fiancé. It’s a story of betrayal and trust but once you get into it, you find yourself rooting for her, especially when the best friend is a selfish, loathing bitch. A very breezy story with a somewhat happily ever after ending that makes it a great light-hearted read.

7. Stardust by Neil Gaiman

If you love fantasy and romance than you’re going to love Neil Gaiman’s bestselling novel of a young boy who travels beyond his homeland in search of a falling star to win the cold-heart of a young girl.

8. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

A thrilling story of forbidden love as two powerful magicians are fated to battle each other that will cost either of them their life. Set in a mysterious circus that only opens at night and serves as a magnificent backdrop to this magical retelling of true love conquering all.

9. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

A classic and ageless story of opposites attract, who could forget handsome Mr. Darcy and the intelligent Elizabeth Bennet. A match that seems unlikely at first but eventually blossoms to an unforgettable love story.

10. Emma by Jane Austin

I wanted to add Emma to this list because it’s the most romantic and comedic novel of misconstrued love. A clever and spoiled girl, Emma thinks that she’ll make an excellent matchmaker until she finds an unexpected match of her own.

Review: Revenge Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger

Number of pages: 400

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Format: hardcover

Genre: romantic comedy, relationships

Rating: ages 18 and up

Notes: sequel to The Devil Wears Prada

Summary:

Leaving Runway magazine was the best thing that happened to Andy Sachs. No more slaving away for the pretentious and demanding Miranda Priestly again. No more running near impossible errands (does the un-published manuscript for Harry Potter ring a bell?) And most importantly, no more hearing her voice and reading her name on caller ID again. Or is it? A decade later, Andy is on top of the world. After quitting the job “a million girls would die for,” she joins unlikely forces with her ex-nemesis Emily Charlton in publishing a wedding magazine, The Plunge. After being recognized as the stylish and must-have magazine for the fashionably young, Andy and Emily celebrate themselves as being the best dream team of their career. And even better, Andy is engaged to the richest, famous, and media mogul billionaire Max Harrison. Andy’s living the perfect life, but then karma bites her in the ass, and an unforeseen fate turns her life for the worst.

My thoughts:

First of all, I admit that I absolutely loved Meryl Streep’s portrayal of Miranda Priestly. The film motivated me to read The Devil Wears Prada, and a well-deserved bestseller it was. But then I heard that Weisberger was coming up with a sequel. And I asked myself, “dare I?” Why not? After all, I loved The Devil Wears Prada so I decided to give Revenge Wears Prada, a worthy try. Until…

After the first 5 chapters, I started hating the book for 2 reasons: the characters were plain, terrible, and stupid (except Miranda has she remained the same), and the story was just awful. To sum it up: this book was a complete bore. So much so, that it was a challenge to even continue reading the book, which is why it took so long to finish because I kept putting it off to read a more interesting book. But when it comes to reading, there’s one rule I always follow: no matter how bad the story is, keep reading to see how it ends. And I did just that (regrettably).

This book was obviously an excuse to make another film sequel. You can tell that Weisberger had a lot of fun describing people’s fashion and style. Apart from that, I felt like I was reading a poorly written diary of Andy Sach’s humdrum life as she goes through a personal life crisis with her marriage and career. The entire story I hear Andy nagging and second doubting her marriage, while complaining how her career life isn’t going her way because of her whiny partner, Emily and former boss, Miranda Priestly. Worse enough, Weisberger sees to it that every chapter ends with a neatly tied ribbon to create some happy ending effect. If Weisberger were to take out the meaningless dribble, the story could have easily been written in 10 chapters or less. But instead she wrote it in 24 chapters, and the story was obviously predictable from start to end so there was nothing unexpected.

I could go on and on about how much I hated reading this book, or how it was a poor excuse for a another film adaption, but instead, I’ll sum up by saying that this was the worst chick-lit I’ve read so far. And I’m glad that I burrowed this book from the library, or else I would have asked for my money back if I had bought it.

NOTE: As this book was a complete disappointment, I’ve decided not to rate it, as it doesn’t deserve any hoots at all. Although I strongly recommend anyone whose still interested to borrow the book at your local library to avoid spending $30 on a hardcover that you may likely ask for a refund after. Or feel free to reread The Devil Wears Prada so you don’t end up hating the author as much.

On a last note, I think we can all agree that The Plunge is a terrible name for a wedding magazine.

Review: the Jane Austen marriage manual by Kim Izzo

Number of pages: 336

Publisher: HarperCollins

Format: paperback

Rating: ages 18 and up

Genre: romance, relationships

Notes: loosely based on one part of the author’s life

Summary:

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.

Kate is a 40-year-old beauty editor for Haute magazine until her services are no longer needed because of cutbacks. Eventually she finds herself unemployed, homeless, and heartbroken, while overcoming family issues. However an opportunity strikes for Kate, as her love for Austen (and her favorite book Pride and Prejudice) makes her an excellent candidate for writing an Austenique article about how a woman her age can still find love and marry well. Soon Kate finds herself traveling around Europe with an aristocratic title, chasing after Mr. Rich, but not before she falls for Mr. Right. Kate must choose what she wants out of life: true love or throwing it away for money.

My thoughts:

This book was a birthday present for me and as I’ve read a few of Austen’s works, I thought it might be an interesting read for the summer. I’ve never read a contemporary novel with an Austen theme before, so I was careful not to have any high expectations. And now that I’ve read the book without any expectations, I’m a tad disappointed.

Pure Austen fans will not like this novel, as it doesn’t touch on her themes. Obviously there is romance, but the story is nothing like a Jane Austen classic. In fact, it’s entirely the opposite but I won’t say how as I don’t want to reveal any spoilers. I find Kate Shaw a foolish character for chasing after an older and richer man by changing her persona and feigning an aristocratic lifestyle to blend in the high society crowd. But to charm a rich man into marriage just for his money is deceitful. I admit this novel was a page-turner but only because I wanted to see how long Kate’s shenanigan of pretending to be aristocratic was going to last. The story ended in a somewhat satisfying way.

Although this was a foolhardy way to base a story on Jane Austen’s classics, I will give the author credit for adding hilariously awkward moments in the storyline. Those were the only moments I enjoyed reading. I wouldn’t recommend this book to Austen die-hard fans, even if you’re looking for a quick read over the summer then I suggest reading Pride and Prejudice again. At least you’ll enjoy Austen’s characters more than reading the misadventures of a 40-year-old fashion writer doing “field work” for her marriage manual.

I give this book 2 hoots out of 5. Each for the laugh-out-loud moments.

Reveiw: Something Blue by Emily Giffin

Number of pages: 368

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press

Format: paperback

Rating: ages 18 and up

Genre: romance, relationships, friendships

Summary:

Something Borrowed was told in Rachel White’s point of view, and now Darcy Rhone is telling her story in Something Blue. After discovering her best friend betrayed her, Darcy tries in vain to recreate her new glamorous life in London using only her charm and beauty. But as we would expect, Darcy soon realizes that her luck has changed, and she must learn to begin her journey through forgiveness and redemption.

My thoughts:

My only reason for reading Something Blue is because I hate reading cliffhangers, which is exactly what Something Borrowed left me with. I just had to know what happened to Darcy and how she would manage her life without Rachel, her only moral support, guidance, and (as she puts it) her plain, do-gooder, best friend since childhood.

I never liked Darcy. She’s blindly aware of other people’s feelings including Rachel’s, always thinking about herself, and cruising through life with a “just get by” mentality. While reading Something Blue, I couldn’t help shake my head at Darcy’s inappropriate and self-serving actions, nor could I resist gritting my teeth at her shallowness and inconsiderable amount of feelings for others. She’s a character you will love to hate. You find her intolerable at first, but as her story progresses, you learn to forgive her as she attempts to redeem herself and regain balance in her life.

Readers are supposed to hate Darcy’s character so that we observe how she changes herself; her story begins as a travesty but ends in a warmer and compelling note. It was ingenious as to how Emily Giffin purposefully wrote her as a villainous character but turned her into a heroine in the end.

Something Blue is an entertaining novel, but I still enjoyed the prequel more, as the ending to Darcy’s story was predictable. But it finishes with a light-warming sentence about friendship: “They are what makes us who we are, and what can change us, if we let them.”

Something Blue is a delightfully charming novel for younger adults. Although you might have to surpass your disgruntled feelings for Darcy first, before you begin to appreciate her character in the end.

I give the book 3 hoots out of 5 hoots.