Tag: Historical Fiction

Book Review – Summer of ’69

Summer of ’69 by Elin Hildebrand
Genre: Historical Fiction

What a great book to start the summer with! 

This is the story of the Levin family and the summer they spent on Nantucket during 1969. Blair, the oldest sister, is pregnant with twins. Kirby, the middle sister, is very much caught up in the civil rights movement. Tiger, the only son, has been drafted and was recently deployed to Vietnam. Jessie, the youngest daughter, just turned 13 and is trying to find her way.

Kate, their mother, has been keeping a secret for years that she is afraid will come out. Finally, there is Exalta, Kate’s Mom, who is the Matriarch of the family and seems to be out of touch with the times.

I loved this book! This was the first book I’ve read by Elin Hildebrand and I know it won’t be my last! I felt as if I was truly transported back in time. I laughed and, yes, I cried too.

HIGHLY recommend this book to everyone who enjoys historical fiction.

This book received a 5/5 stars from me!

May 2019 Wrap-Up

I was able to finish 2 books during the month of May. Both books were from authors that were new to me and one of the books was another ARC that I received through NetGalley!

In Total I read 837 pages and my average rating was 4.25 stars.

Full reviews of both books are in prior posts on my blog but short recaps of the books are below:

Miracle Creek
Genre: Mystery
5/5 Stars
From my Book of the Month subscription
The Golden Hour by Beatriz Williams
Genre: Historical Fiction
3.5/5 Stars
ARC from NetGalley
Publish Date: July 9, 2019

Now that nicer days are finally here (we seem to have gone through a monsoon season instead of Spring here in the Northeast!), I’m looking forward to spending time out on my deck with a book in hand!

Happy reading friends!! 🙂

Book Review – The Golden Hour

The Golden Hour by Beatriz Williams
Genre: Historical Fiction

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins Publishing for allowing me to read an advanced copy of The Golden Hour! This book comes out on July 9, 2019.

The story takes place between WWI and WWII and follows the lives of Elfriede and Lulu. The women are from two different times and are connected but don’t know it.

Historical Fiction is my favorite genre and I really enjoyed the book overall but I did feel like there were parts of this book that moved a little slow for me. With that being said, there were some twists at the end that I didn’t see coming which I thoroughly enjoyed!

This was the first book I have ever read by Beatrix Williams. I’m not sure it was her best book, but I will definitely give some of her other books a try!

I rated this book a 3.5/5 stars.

April 2019 Wrap-Up

April started out really strong for me and then fizzled out, but that’s ok. I was able to read 2 books during April and they were both ARCs (Advanced Reader Copies) that I received through NetGalley so that was very exciting for me!

Both authors were new to me. In total I read 638 pages and my average rating was 3.5 stars.

Full reviews of these books are in prior posts on my blog but short recaps of the books are below:

When I Was Yours by Lizzie Page
Genre: Historical Fiction
3/5 Stars
ARC From NetGalley
Publish Date: April 16, 2019
They Called Me Wyatt by Natasha Tynes
Genre: Mystery
4/5 Stars
ARC From NetGalley
Publish Date: June 11, 2019

I have 2 more ARCs waiting for me in NetGalley. I’ll be splitting those up between May and June and will post reviews as I finish them. Here’s hoping I have a more productive reading month during May!

Happy reading!!

Book Review – When I Was Yours

When I Was Yours by Lizzie Page
Genre: Historical Fiction

This is an ebook which comes out April 16th that I was fortunate enough to preview from NetGalley!

The book follows Vivienne’s life during both WWI and WWII. She helped the troops during WWI where she and her sister, Olive, drive the wounded soldiers to get medical attention. During WWII, Vivienne helps take care of a little girl, Pearl, who is an evacuee from London. Vivienne is also married to Edmund who is less than thrilled about having Pearl in their house. The book does a great job of switching between the two wars and even though it is historical fiction, there are some true elements that did take place during each of the wars.

This story was good, but the book started out a little slow for me and for this reason, I rated it a 3/5 stars.

Book Review – Winter Garden

Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah
GENRE: Historical Fiction

Winter Garden deals with the relationships between mothers and daughters and how the past shapes us into who we become in the present.

Meredith and Nina are sisters and pretty much have nothing in common. Meredith is living her life running the family business and pleasing everyone around her. Nina is a free spirit living her life traveling the world as a photographer. Their mother, Anya, has always been very cold towards them and they never understood why. Their father becomes ill and his last wish before he dies is that he wants Anya to tell Meredith and Nina a Russian Fairytale in hopes that this will bring the three women together after he is gone.

What Meredith and Nina don’t understand at first but eventually realize is that this fairytale is actually about Anya and the life she lived during WWII in Leningrad.

This was a heartbreakingly beautifully written story. There were some twists at the end that you will not see coming and yes, tissues will be needed! This is the fourth book I’ve read by Kristin Hannah and it did not disappoint at all! I rated this book a 5/5 stars!