Browsing Tag

Realistic Fiction

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The Other Half of Augusta Hope by Joanna Glen

June 14, 2019

The Other Half of Augusta Hope is written about two twins, Julia and Augusta, who couldn’t be any more different. While Julia is pretty, calm and happy with her life, while Augusta is strange, inquisitive and eager to escape their world. Augusta feels at odds with her family, and struggles with acceptance, all the while forming a close bond with Burundi. Despite their differences, the bond forged between them is strong, they do everything together and share everything. That is, until a family holiday in Spain, where a mysterious event sees Julia becoming withdrawn, and leaving Augusta guessing about what unfolded that day on the beach.

The story is told from two narratives, Augusta, and Parfait who is trying to escape the violence and blood shed in Burundi with his family, each chapter bringing the pair closer together, till their paths cross. Briefly at first, but when they do finally collide, and Augusta finally learns the consequences of that fated day in Spain.

I really enjoyed The Other Half of Augusta Hope, it had me in tears, and took me on an emotional roller coaster that I was all too happy to go on. I found myself relating all too well with Augusta and her nomadic quirks, and the story wrapped up beautifully in the end.

* This eBook ARC was provided by HarperCollins Publishers Australia through NetGalley for an honest review.

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Always and Forever, Lara Jean by Jenny Han

February 16, 2018

In the third and (probably?) final installment in the life and loves of Lara Jean, she’s in her senior year, and all excited and ready to head off to college with Peter. She’s also planning (or rather taking over) her father’s wedding to Ms Rothchild, and on a quest to bake the perfect cookie!

But things don’t go according to plan, and Lara Jean is left scrambling as she tries to cope and make some difficult decisions.

I found the pace a little slower than the previous two books, and things didn’t really liven up till just past the half way point in the book. Lara Jean was less likable, and especially in the first half of the book, sometimes felt like reaching through the book and throttling her.

But like with the previous books, Lara Jean has some growing to do as a person, and it was great to see how the character developed throughout the course of the book.

What I loved:- Food, and cookies, and Korean face masks. A light, and cozy read, perfect for my Valentines read.

What I didn’t love:- Little in the way of antics in the retirement village.

I enjoyed all three books in the series for what they are, a light and easy read, that was the perfect break from some of the heavier, and more emotionally twisted novels. But I’m happy now to put them aside, and get into something else.

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P.S. I Still Like You by Jenny Han

February 11, 2018

Well, that didn’t last long did it? I somehow devoured the second installment in the To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before even quicker than the first one, finishing it up just before my clock hit 2am and I was in dire need of some sleep.

So, it’s not surprising that I found P.S. I Still Love You as light and easy to read as the first. It was heart warming, it was warm and fuzzy, and it was completely adorable and utterly cute.

All the foodie goodness that I loved in the first book was just as sweet in this one, with the added touch of the Stormy antics, and all the goings on in the retirement village where Lara Jean is now working. I enjoyed the insight that Stormy gave to Lara Jean’s problems with the video, and the ongoing and perhaps unwanted advise into her love life, including a completely awkward and very relevant chat on safe sex.

I did think the story was a little bit slower paced than the first one, with most of the storyline seeming to unfold in the second half of the book, but the adorable supporting characters, especially Kitty and Stormy, really seem to carry it all the same.

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To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han

February 9, 2018

This was a surprisingly enjoyable read, easy, relatable and likable characters and a story that warmed my heart. I needed a light and fun read, and this filled that need perfectly. I found myself drawn in to Lara Jeans world and her predicament right from page one and unable to put the book down, read it in about a day, which would be the fastest read I’ve done for quite a while!

I loved that Lara Jean is half-Korean, and those little details about her father trying his hardest to cook Korean food, and other aspects of their culture just really added to the story. I also enjoyed that the story revolved around the three sisters, and how they cope with their mother’s death, and then the Margot’s departure off to school. It made me more than a little wistful for a sister or two of my own.

The progression of developing feelings towards the male characters in the story was right on point, and had me experiencing all the feels right up to the last page. I was going to read something else next, but find that I have no choice but to read the next in the series. And probably the next after that!