Dear Edward

Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

“There was no reason for what happened to you, Eddie. You could have died; you just didn’t. It was dumb luck. Nobody chose you for anything. Which means, truly, that you can do anything.”

Yuk. Just yuk. I was expecting a story of grief, love, loss, survival, and overcoming tragedy. While the intentions were good, and there may have been a bit of that in there, this book did not make me FEEL anything. Except annoyed. Cold writing and very little plot left me empty. Perhaps this book may appeal to middle-schoolers and tweens, but probably not. 2.5 stars

The Girl Who Wrote in Silk

The Girl Who Wrote in Silk by Kelli Estes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

“but the island was still cloaked in that blue-black moment before dark that felt in equal parts like a quiet sigh and a pounding heart.”

A beautiful yet shocking story based on true events. The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 drove thousands of Chinese immigrants from their homes in urban areas of the U. S. This moving love story, although overly sentimental at times, sheds light on a piece of history that needs to be told. Narrated in parallel stories over one hundred years apart, the tales of two women become intertwined with a dark piece of history that finally becomes exposed. This was a very emotional read.

Sadie

Sadie by Courtney Summers
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

“People don’t change. They just get better at hiding who they really are.”

The audio of this is outstanding, I’ve never experienced anything like it. Full cast and narrated podcast style, you will feel like you are listening to the real thing. The heartbreaking story of a young woman on a mission for unspeakable reasons. A story of sisterly love, and the pain that comes along with it. The ending left me a bit empty, but I think it was meant to. Four stars.

Jar of Hearts

Jar of Hearts by Jennifer Hillier
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

“you never think about what serial killers eat, do you? I mean, other than Jeffrey Dahmer.”

Jennifer Hiller’s bio states she writes about dark, twisted people who do dark, twisted things. Well, this is that. Definitely gruesome, but fun and appealing if you like that sort of thing. A bit lighter than a Karin Slaughter tale, but more hideous than your standard twisty thriller. Four grisly stars.

Little Secrets

Little Secrets by Jennifer Hillier
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

“The one term Kenzie has never liked is homewrecker. She is not a homewrecker, and neither was the woman her father left them for. Men wreck their own homes.”

A twisty little thriller. A game of cat and mouse between a wife, a mistress, and a best friend. Nothing too new here but if you like this genre you will enjoy this one. I did. Three stars.