Wednesday, December 21

Book Review: Jasmine Nights by Julia Gregson




Author: Julia Gregson
Title: Jasmine Nights
Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance, Adventure
Format: paperback
Pages: 416
Published: June 5, 2012 
Where I Got It: Dollar Tree

Summary: 
At twenty-three, Saba Tarcan knows her only hope of escaping the clamor of Cardiff Bay, Wales, lies in her voice. While traveling Britain, singing for wounded soldiers, Saba meets handsome fighter pilot Dom Benson, recovering from burns after a crash. When Saba auditions to entertain troops in far-off lands, Dom follows her to London. Just as their relationship begins to take root, Saba is sent to sing in Africa, and Dom is assigned a new mission in the Middle East. As Saba explores Cairo’s bazaars, finding friendship among the troupe’s acrobats and dancers, Dom returns to the cockpit once again, both thrilled and terrified to be flying above the desert floor. In spite of great danger, the two resolve to reunite.

When Saba learns that her position makes her uniquely qualified for a secret mission of international importance, she agrees to help the British Secret Service, concealing her role from Dom. Her decision will jeopardize not only her safety but also the love of her life.


Review:
Yet another one I am finally dusting off! I'm trying to complete my TBR reading challenge. I have one left after this and I have beat the challenge! Huzzah!

Here we follow Saba Tarcan. The only way she can escape Wales is with her voice. While traveling Britain to sing and entertain injured soldiers from the war, she meets Dom. Dom is a fighter pilot who was injured in a crash. They hit it off right away and there seems to be a bond there. Just as their relationship seems to be taking off. Saba is sent to sing in Africa and Dom is sent to the Middle East for a mission. They promise that if they both survive they will find each other again. However, Saba's gig gets much more dangerous when she learns that she will be part of a secret mission of international importance...this may jeopardize her safety and possibly the love of her life.

Soooooooooooo I did struggle to get into this at first. I couldn't really connect with the characters or the story. I did kind of like Saba but I was unsure about Dom. Once we got going I grew to really adore Saba. Dom? He seemed okay, but there was something about him that made me feel MEH about him. I didn't like him until the very end.

Once I got through the first few chapters and Saba and Dom were separated to do their own thing (is that bad that I was excited to see Saba go off on her own?), I started enjoying the story more. 

Ooooh! The author really does have a way of bringing the past to life. I loved the settings and the descriptions. I could feel the energy. I could hear the music and taste the food. I felt like I was standing right there! Fantastic. 

The last quarter of the book seemed to deflate for me. The middle 50% was just so good. I couldn't put it down. The last 25% though. Mmm. I did love the last scene...it made my heart jump. However, the rest of the end felt like it was missing something. It just didn't pull together for me like I would hope. For example, the scene with the German, the table singing, and then Sabba's reaction just seemed forced. It was supposed to be a big moment and it felt awkward and missing something. 

Overall, the author really does have a way with words. These different locations came to life. The music, the smells, the food, the feel, the war, the people....fantastic. The beginning and a good chunk of the ending fell a little flat for me. I wish I had liked Dom more too. I did end up warming up to him at the end, but it took too long. Loved Sabba though. Some good, some meh, but I did enjoy some of the ride. 2 stars. 








Challenge(s):
- TBR Reading Challenge (#11)







 

4 comments:

Jen Twimom said...

Ugh. Sorry the book wasn't better - but yea for finishing the challenge!

Blodeuedd said...

Oh, yeah maybe not

Mary Kirkland said...

Sounds like some highs and lows. Sorry it wasn't more to your liking.

Carole Rae said...

Jen, got one more left for the challenge! Yayy!

B, maybe you would like it more...IDK I just wished I liked it more.

Mary, can't win them all.