Book Review: Binding 13 by Chloe Walsh

Author: Chloe Walsh

Title: Binding 13

Series: Boys of Tommen #1

Genre: YA Romance, Contemporary, Sports

Format: ebook

Pages: 626

Published: July 18, 2018

Where I got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

He wants to save her. She wants to hide. She's damaged. He's determined. Fate brought them together. Love binds them. Johnny Kavanagh has everything going for him. On the rugby pitch, he's a force to be reckoned with, even plagued with a hidden injury. Everyone knows he's heading straight for the top—but that means there's no room for mistakes or distractions. Not even the shy new girl at Tommen College, the one with the sad eyes and hidden bruises. He needs to stay focused, keep his cool, and not let anything get in the way of the bigger picture.  Except before he knows it, this lonely girl has become his only picture. Life has never been easy for Shannon Lynch. Bullied and tortured, she arrives at Tommen College mid-way through the school year praying for a fresh start and desperate to shake off the demons that plague her. But when she meets the notorious Johnny Kavanagh on her first day, her plans to keep a low profile are at serious risk. As they fall into a complicated friendship and grapple with their undeniable chemistry, hidden pain and complicated secrets threaten to be their undoing—but Johnny won't give up on Shannon. No matter what it might cost them both.

Review:

This was a picked by a member of my community over on my Twitch account (Carole_Rae). 

Here we follow Shannon and Johnny. Shannon has not had the best go of it. She was relentlessly bullied at her school, her dad is terrible, and her mom is working so much. She finally convinces her mom to let her go to the private school just to have a fresh start and reconnect with old friends. Her plan is to keep a low profile and just get through school. However, when she meets Johnny all her plans are destroyed. They fall into a complicated friendship and deny any sort of chemistry. Johnny wants more but he'll take what he can get...for now. 

This was really, really, really long. I enjoyed the story for what it was but man....it needed some trimming. Some scenes felt like they were NEVER going to end. Some scenes didn't seem to help the plot move forward at all. Honestly, just shaving 50-100 pages would've helped the story immensely.

Nooooow don't get it twisted...I love a good slow burn. I love watching people deny their feelings and then finally overcome themselves and just be together. It's great! But man the slow burn here sometimes felt like watching paint dry. However, I will say that when I felt like giving up some scenes would happen and I would be hooked again. The author did a good job keeping you reading even with the slowness. 

The characters also helped keep my attention. They were sweet kids who deserved happiness. I just wanted them to be in love though. Shannon especially needs solid love man. I can't believe the bullying she witnessed. It was ASSAULT in many cases. Yes, I was bullied in school but MAN. 

Nice side characters too. I loved Shannon's one brother. He was an angel. 

All-in-all, I did like the story and characters. But the length was too much. It really killed some of the story for me. I think a nice edit was needed. Maybe 50 or 100 pages could've been shaved off. The flow would get so slowed down that I felt like we were wadding in a puddle. I'll give this 3 stars overall. The characters and some scenes really did help me stay attached to the story. 

Favorite Character(s): Shannon and Johnny

Least Favorite Character(s): Too many people to count. So many mean people

 Challenge(s):

- Library Love #21

Re-listen: Wild Irish Christmas by Tricia O'Malley

Author: Tricia O'Malley

Narrator: Amy Landon

Title: Wild Irish Christmas

Series: Mystic Cove #9

Genre: Paranormal Romance, Fantasy, Novella

Format: Audiobook 

Published: December 18, 2020

Where I Got It: Audible

Summary: 

Lily Walden finds herself inexplicably drawn to the small village of Grace’s Cove where she retreats to heal from a broken relationship as the lonely Christmas holiday looms. Escaping each evening into dreams more vivid than life, Lily nurtures a secret desire to write the fairy tales she lives each night. If only the fae prince of her dreams could rescue her from her haunted past.

Prince Callum, head of a secret faction of Fae protectors, is desperate to find his fated mate as each night she sings their lovesong to him in his dreams. One fateful night, he takes to the seas to find her, only to land catastrophically at the shores of an enchanted cove.

With Prince Callum near death, only Lily can save him in time, forever sealing their fated bond – but first, she must bring herself to believe in her own fairy tale…

Review:

We're back babbbyyy! I decided to have a relisten to this one because....I couldn't remember anything that happened. It's been so long. 

Here we have Prince Callum of the Fae and Lily the human. After an abusive relationship, she needs to break free. She runs to Grace's Cove. She doesn't know why, but it calls for her name. This could be the escape she needs to heal and write her little fantasy stories that she dreams about. Little does she know that her dreams have been real and Callum is real and has been looking for her. He finally gets the clue he needs to find her, but he is attacked and near death until Lily saves him. 

Again....I loved this as much as I did the first time. It's so sweet and they are adorable. Lily deserves all the love the world can give her. Callum is adorable and sweet and perfect. 

I loved seeing old faces along at the pub. This is a cross-over with another of the author's works so that is fun. I read book of that other series...I should push forward and read more once I catch up with this one. Soooo many books....so little time. 

But yes. Still just as sweet as the first time I read it. I wanted more though. I just really loved these characters. 

The narrator? Still amazing. Still perfect for this series. 

5 stars still from me.

Favorite Character(s): Lily and Callum

Least Favorite Character(s): Lily's ex

 Challenge(s):

- Audiobook #35

Audiobook Review: Wild Irish Dreamer by Tricia O'Malley

Author: Tricia O'Malley

Narrator: Amy Landon

Title: Wild Irish Dreamer

Series: Mystic Cove #8

Genre: Paranormal Romance, Fantasy

Format: Audiobook 

Published: July 14, 2020

Where I Got It: Audible

Summary: 

What would happen if dreams came true?

It's said that the world is made of dreamers. Which is a lovely thought and all, except for when those dreams come with a foretelling of the future. In order to find out what she really wants, Fiona MacAuliffe has spent her life running from who she truly is. Determined to ignore her gifts in order to make her own way in the world, Fi long ago said goodbye to her family's pub in Grace's Cove and set off to follow her heart.

Little does she know that it is her heart that will betray her when she returns home.

Review:

Man. Coming back to this series is like coming back home. For some reason I took a LONG break from this series. In 2021 (eek), I accidently skipped this and read book 9. It's nice coming back. 

We are back in the cove. Here we have Fiona (Fi) and Liam. They both have the wanderlust and they keep on meeting randomly. Or is it the universe giving them chance after chance? Fi doesn't want to be held down by her small town, her powers, or a man. She doesn't want the white picket fence life. She wants to be free and explore every corner of the world and be surprised by it. Love? That isn't a dream to her....or is it? 

*sighs deeply*

Fi. Fi oh Fi oh Fi. Idiot girl. I wanted to kick her. I get she has some issues trusting men outside of her group because of her ex. However, Liam is friends of friends and was saved by Grace in the past so he believes in magic. Plus he's SUCH a good guy. He shows it over and over and over. But Fi is so "I don't need a man! They'll hold me down!" So the universe gives her a man that has the same wanderlust and would travel the world too, but nooooOoooOOOooooo still not good enough. >_> 

Plus her hating her powers? Sure...I get it...don't abuse your powers and use them for bad. Keep your walls up and etc, but she flat out ignores the signs her dreams tries to give her. Like near the end with a certain situation (no spoilers from me). 

Don't get me wrong Fi is a nice girl, but she's an absolute moron. I still loved this book and it was nice seeing Fi FINALLY grow up. It took the entire book but she finally does it. Bless Liam for his patience. He has his own demons and terrible ex trauma to deal with, but he's willing to try but Fi keeps leading him on. 

Again...I liked this book a lot but Fi drove me to insanity. 

I can't wait to read book 10 (I may re-read book 9 since it has been so long and I read out of order by mistake). I hope we can see more of Fi and Liam enjoying each other. It took forever for them to become a couple. I want to see them be in love. 

The narrator is a gem. I can't imagine ANYONE else reading these books. 

In the end, I had some big issues with Fi. Yes, I love good conflict and internal (and external) issues standing in the way, but man, she really was a rough character to understand and in some moments...like. I'll give this 3 stars overall.  

Favorite Character(s): Liam

Least Favorite Character(s): Fi 

 Challenge(s):

- Audiobook #34

Book Review: The Pretender by Jo Harkin

Author: Jo Harkin

Title: The Pretender

Genre: Historical Fiction

Format: ebook

Pages: 496

Expected publication April 22, 2025

Where I Got It: Netgalley for my honest and unbiased opinion

Summary: 

A sweeping historical novel in the vein of Hilary Mantel and Maggie O’Farrell set during the time of the Tudors’ ascent. The Pretender tells the story of Lambert Simnel, who was raised in obscurity as a peasant boy to protect his safety, believed to be the heir to the throne occupied by Richard III, and briefly crowned, at the age of ten, as King Edward the Sixth, one of the last of the Plantagenets.

In 1480 John Collan’s greatest anxiety is how to circumvent the village’s devil goat on the way to collect water. But the arrival of a well-dressed stranger from London upends his life forever: John is not John Collan, not the son of Will Collan, but the son of the long-deceased Duke of Clarence, hidden in the countryside after a brotherly rift over the crown, and because Richard III has a habit of disappearing his nephews. Removed from his humble origins, sent to Oxford to be educated in a manner befitting the throne’s rightful heir, John is put into play by his masters, learning the rules of etiquette in Burgundy and the machinations of the court in Ireland, where he encounters the intractable Joan, the delightfully strong-willed and manipulative daughter of his Irish patrons, a girl imbued with both extraordinary political savvy and occasional murderous tendencies. Joan has two paths available her—marry, or become a nun. Lambert’s choices are similarly stark: he will either become King, or die in battle. Together they form an alliance that will change the fate of the English monarchy.

Inspired by a footnote to history—the true story of the little known Simnel, who was a figurehead of the 1487 Yorkist rebellion and ended up working as a spy in the court of King Henry VII— The Pretender is historical fiction at its finest, a gripping, exuberant, rollicking portrait of British monarchy and life within the court, with a cast of unforgettable heroes and villains drawn from 15th century England. A masterful new work from a major new author.

Review:

Seen this and knew I had to check it out! Love a good historical fiction!

After the arrival of a well-dressed stranger, John's life is forever changed. He finds out he is the son of the long-deceased Duke of Clarence. He was hidden out in the country to protect him because Richard III has a nasty habit of removing his nephews. He is sent to Oxford to be trained and prepared to be the heir of the throne and is then sent to Ireland and he meets Joan. They form an alliance that will forever change the fate of the English monarchy. 

What an interesting take and viewpoint to read from. This is based off the true story of Simnel who was the figurehead of the Yorkist rebellion. I honestly don't recall the name personally, so I'll have to do some googling after writing this to freshen up my 15th century knowledge. 

The 1/3 and last 3rd were great! I was addicted and couldn't stop reading. I stayed up WAY too late finishing the book. The middle 3rd.....was a little rougher. It took me a while to get through it. I wanted to skim so badly, but I felt like I would miss some important stuff if I did. TBF - there was some trimming that could be done throughout. Some scenes went on for far too long. 

But yes, the detail and the writing style was refreshing and really made this story come to life. I'm now itching for more. I might have to try out the other novel by this author. 

There is a HUGE list of characters running amuck here, but the author did a good job keeping everything straight and keeping the reader in the know. We got the reminders we needed but yes, just keep that in mind that there is a big cast and you need to pay attention. Thus another reason why I didn't skim the middle bit. 

Ugh Joan. Not sure why, but she really rubbed me the wrong way. 

I adored John!! He was a gem. I loved watching him grow and try to find his way and his identity.

All-in-all, I did enjoy this. The writing style was great and the author just sucks you into the story. I felt like I was there! Sure there needs to be some trimming (especially in the middle 3rd), but I did appreciate the attention to detail. If you like historical fiction, keep your eyes out for this one when it releases! I'll give this 3 stars. 

- Favorite Character(s): John

- Least Favorite Character(s): Joan and Richard III

 

Audiobook Review: The Lost Duke of Wyndham by Julia Quinn

Author: Julia Quinn

Narrator: Rosalyn Landor

Title: The Lost Duke of Wyndham

Series: Two Dukes of Wyndham #1

Genre: Historical Romance

Format: Audiobook

Published: May 1, 2008

Where I got It: Audible

Summary: 

WILL THE REAL DUKE OF WYNDHAM PLEASE STAND UP?

Jack Audley has been a highwayman. A soldier. And he has always been a rogue. What he is not, and never wanted to be, is a peer of the realm, responsible for an ancient heritage and the livelihood of hundreds. But when he is recognized as the long-lost son of the House of Wyndham, his carefree life is over. And if his birth proves to be legitimate, then he will find himself with the one title he never wanted: Duke of Wyndham.

Grace Eversleigh has spent the last five years toiling as the companion to the dowager Duchess of Wyndham. It is a thankless job, with very little break from the routine... until Jack Audley lands in her life, all rakish smiles and debonair charm. He is not a man who takes no for an answer, and when she is in his arms, she's not a woman who wants to say no. But if he is the true duke, then he is the one man she can never have...

Review:

Can't help but adore Julia Quinn and her work. Always fun. 

Here we have Jack and Grace. Jack has been it all....a soldier, a highwayman, and always a rogue of the top order. However, when he is recognized as the long-lost son of the House of Wyndham, his carefree life is over. He is soon to become a Duke. Grace has spent the last five years as the companion to the dowager Duchess of Wyndham. It is a thankless job, but at least she is saved from a life she would've hated. Enter in Jack who is about to shake everything up. 

This was really cute and fun. Not a crazy amount of drama. Lots of talking and thinking and traveling. Which is always refreshing. Yes, yes, yes I love a good drama, but sometimes it's nice not having it. Sure, there is the whole drama of Jack and becoming the Duke. There is no doubt who his father is, but is he legitimate? Were his parents married before or after his birth? Jack has no idea so they have to travel to Ireland to check the church records. And there is the pesky contract of marriage. Amelia is suppose to marry the original Duke, Thomas, but with Jack coming in...that brings up some questions. 

Lots of fun. Lots of talking. Lots of kissing. Cute. 

The dowager made my head hurt. Yes, she is old and etc, but someone please YELL at her. Tell her to calm down. She was a menace and mean. 

I still don't fully understand HOW Jack became a highwayman. Yes, we get some explanation about his past later on, but I feel like it was glossed over. Maybe we are supposed to assume that after the war he ran off after his cousin died? I was very confused. I might've missed it...maybe...but yeah. I'm happy to assume but I would've liked to learn more about Jack. 

The narrator was perfection as per normal. Her voices are always great. Perfect for the story at hand. 

In the end, I really enjoyed this. More detail about Jack's past would've been nice, but all-in-all, I found this delightful. For sure fun. 4 stars from me. 

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Enjoyable

Challenge(s):
- Audiobook #32

-  Library Love #18

Audiobook Review: Halloween Cupcake Murder

Author: Carlene O'Connor, Carol J. Perry, & Liz Ireland

Narrator: Daniela Acitelli
Title: Halloween Cupcake Murder

Series: Irish Village Mystery #9.5 - Halloween Cupcake Murder

Genre: Anthology, Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Holiday, fantasy
Published: August 22, 2023

Where I Got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

A trio of sweet-toothed Halloween cozy mystery tales by nationally bestselling authors.

HALLOWEEN CUPCAKE MURDER by CARLENE O'CONNOR

With Galway’s Halloween Mystery Tour only a few days away, Tara Meehan is scouring the town’s curiosity shops for spooky decorations to draw tourists into her architectural salvage store. But when a stranger appears in her shop bearing a cryptic cupcake and an ominous message, Tara suddenly finds herself tangled in a mystery with ancient Gaelic roots, but very modern—and very deadly—consequences . . .

 

MRS. CLAUS AND THE CANDY CORN CAPER by LIZ IRELAND

Christmastown is pulling out all the stops for their Halloween celebration, planning a huge carnival with rides, games, and a candy corn-themed bake-off! But the sweet theme stokes the bitterest of rivalries amongst the elves, until tragedy strikes at Santaland’s newest bakery. The only clue is a cupcake, leaving Mrs. Claus to sort through tricks and treats as she races to unmask a Halloween fiend . . .

 

A TRIPLE LAYER HALLOWEEN MURDER by CAROL J. PERRY

Every October, Salem plunges into a month-long celebration of Halloween and WICH-TV’s Lee Barrett can’t wait to cover the festivities. But rumors swirl after a wealthy bakery owner goes missing—and his beloved cat, Cupcake, is found—under mysterious circumstances. Now, amid Salem’s wicked revelry, Lee must conjure clues to reveal the missing millionaire . . . or the truth about his disappearance . . .

Review:

This is perrrrrect for the Halloween season! Yayy for anthologies!

Halloween Cupcake Murder by Carlene O'Connor

Story 1! 

Galway's Halloween Mystery Tour is only a few days away and Tara is scouring the town's curiosity shops for some decorations. She will find herself entangled in a murder mystery all thanks to a cupcake.

This is book a million in the series, but it worked well as a standalone. I wouldn't have know this was a series until near the end. I missed a lot of backstory between our Tara and some others. Still didn't ruin the story for me. Just the ending didn't mean as much to me as it would've. Still adorbs tho. 

But yessss this was a fun mystery. Nice and cozy and spooky. Perfect for Halloween! 

The narrator.....was okay. Maybe I'll warm up to her in the next....

4 stars. 

MRS. CLAUS AND THE CANDY CORN CAPER by LIZ IRELAND

Christmas town is going hard for Halloween! Between a huge carnival, games, and a candy corn-themed bake-off...this is going to be a Halloween to remember! However, tragedy strikes at the new bakery. The only clue is a cupcake. It will be up to Mrs.Claus to find the killer.

This was simply adorable. OKAY, not the murder, but the whole premise. I love this village and I love Mrs. Claus and the whole crew. I will def want to backtrack and read more. So much fun. 

The mystery was good. Lots of twists and suspects. Every suspect had a motive. I was right in my guess....but I was not 100% sure.

Same narrator as the last one. Still slightly monotone in parts. Slightly better here though...or was I just getting used to it? Mmmmm.

I'll give this a 5 even with the monotone. The story, mystery, and characters were just that sweet to override the bitter. ;) 

A TRIPLE LAYER HALLOWEEN MURDER by CAROL J. PERRY

Halloween strikes Salem! The town of Salem loves Halloween and so does Lee Barrett. She can't wait to cover the festivities. However, rumors are taking the town by storm with the disappearance of a wealthy bakery owner and his cat. When Cupcake the cat is found under mysterious circumstances, Lee will conjure clues to figure out where the baker is and find out the truth.

This started out strong. I love the cat. I love the sprinkle of magic. The mystery was mysterious..........however......I was slightly meh by the end. I was intrigued enough to stay, but I wasn't blown away or really cared about the baker. Yes, yes, all human life is important and all, but that baker was super sus. I found myself zoning out in parts and would have to back up the player. 

This one was just okay by the end. And it was the same narrator so it was monotone in parts. 

I'll give this 2 stars. 

OVERALL

This was a very nice collection of Halloween cozy mysteries! Def worth the read. The narrator was pretty monotone for me, so I think I would've enjoyed this much more as a read instead. But that could just be me. Maybe you'll like her voice more. I loved listening to this while decorating for my Halloween party! 

After doing complicated and spooky math, it would be a 3.6....so I rounded up to a 4. :)

 

Challenge(s):

- #42 for Audiobook challenge

Book Review: Georgina by Clare Darcy

Author: Clare Darcy

Title: Georgina

Genre: Historical Romance

Format: Paperback

Published: January 1, 1971

Where I Got It: Flint Library Book Sale

Summary: 

A dead bore! Miss Georgina Powers concluded after shutting the door in the face of her latest suitor, announcing to one and all that spinsterhood was preferable to a life with a dimwit twice her age. She longed for a love match, not the humdrum offers that came her way. But as the granddaughter of Lady Mercer, Georgina was expected to make a shrewd alliance of the first order. And now after refusing this most eligible suitor she was being shipped off to distant relations in the wilds of Ireland, where sheer boredom would force her to reflect on her folly.

To the surprise of both Georgina and her disapproving grandmama, the Emerald Isle yielded the roguish Mr. Shannon, a handsome Irishman with a most scandalous past. Georgina was sure to set the ton on its ear with her choice of a groom, but for all the wrong reasons!

Review:

I picked this up at the annual Flint Library book sale a million years ago. I haven't gone in a long while but it is a lot of fun. They give you a huge paper bag for $5 and you can take as many books as you want so as long as they fit in the bag. It is a chaotic fun time! There were some books I literally just took because of the title and the cover. No time to read the summary. Thus is the case with this one. It is finally time to dust this bad boy off. 

Here we follow Miss Georgina Powers. She is done with suitors. She would rather be a spinster than marry a bore, idiot, or someone twice her age. She wants love, but there is none to be had with the list of suitors calling her. After refusing the prize of a suitor, she is sent off to live with distant relations in the wilds of Ireland. Enter in Mr Shannon....a handsome Irishman with the most roguish and scandalous past. 

Okay. I am going to be 100% honest here. When I shoved this book in my paper bag...I assumed this was going to be a P&P variation. Georgina is the title and the author's name is Darcy.........lo' and behold I was wrong. LOL.

To quote Georgina....what a bore! The beginning had me nodding off while attempting to read this. Things spiced up a bit when Mr Shannon entered in but that fizzled out after a few. 

I just could not care about anyone in this. I just couldn't connect. I did finish this though but I'll admit I skimmed here and there just to move things along. 

Oh. The ending wasn't too shabby. It seemed very organic and fit.

Sadly, this wasn't for me. There was that one golden section and the ending wasn't too bad, but other than that? Eh. I will give this 2 stars. I'm feeling generous today.

Challenge(s):

- #6 TBR Pile Reading

Book Review: Songbird by Penny Reid & L.H. Cosway

Author: Penny Reid & L.H. Cosway

Title: Songbird

Series: Rugby #4.5

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Short Story

Format: ebook

Pages: 130

Published: December 1, 2022

Where I Got It: My shelf (Amazon)

Summary: 

After finishing another long shift at her dead-end job, Ophelia is left with the bleak prospect of spending Christmas alone for the very first time. Not wanting to return to the house she rents with far too many strangers, she wanders the streets of Dublin taking in the festive cheer. Then, in the cozy confines of a small, quiet pub she graces the patrons with a song, snagging the attention of a tall, handsome American stranger.

Review:

Didn't realize this was technically book 4.5 in a series until after I went to type this review. Oops. But at least it didn't feel like I was missing references from the others SO that is a plus...it can be a standalone story. 

Here we follow Ophelia who is left with the bleak prospect of spending the holidays alone for the first time. Not wanting to return to her house that she rents with far too many strangers...she decides to wander the streets of Dublin. In a small, quiet pub she sings for the patrons. This snags the attention of a handsome American stranger.

This was a short one and I feel like it was a teaser for more. It ended abruptly and not very HEA. Hopefully, there is more because I would like to see them fall in love and start their life together. There will be drama for sure. They will have a lot of stuff to work through...you can already tell...

But yes, super duper short and an ending that will leave you wanting more. I am bummed it was so cliffhanger-ish BUT it did leave me wanting more so if that was the intent......that worked LOL. 

Short and sweet. Probably my last Xmas story until December. Sighs. 

3 stars from me. 

Joint Review: The Making of Her by Bernadette Jiwa

Hello all! Blodeuedd and I will be discussing "The Making of Her" by Bernadette Jiwa. Blodeuedd is in red and I am in orange.

Author: Bernadette Jiwa
Title: The Making of Her
Genre: Historical Fiction
Published: August 9th 2022
Format: ebook

Pages: 352

Provided to us by Netgalley

Summary:

Dublin 1996. Joan Egan lives an enviable life. She and her husband, Martin, and daughter, Carmel, are thriving in Dublin at the dawn of an economic boom. But everything changes when Joan receives a letter from Emma, the daughter who she and Martin gave up for adoption thirty years before, asking for a life-or-death favor.

While Joan grapples with the guilt over giving up her baby long ago, she must confront her present as the cracks in her marriage become impossible to ignore and simmering tension with Carmel boils over. Meanwhile, Carmel and Emma must come to terms with the perceived sins of their mother, to imagine a future for their family before it is too late.

Discussion:

This was just a random book I said yes to and made Carole read it too.

Awwww! It sounded too good to not check it out. I’m glad we read it! This is for sure an excellent book club book.

I thought the whole preggo in Ireland in the 60s sounded good cos of all those scandals and all. But there was almost nothing about the effed up things the Catholic church was up to back then. And I still wonder about her siblings?!?!

I do wish we had more seeing her journey when she was young and preggo. We only got glimpses. And yessss I would’ve liked to see what happened to the siblings. Maybe there will be a sequel with her finding all her family?

I did feel a bit disappointed personally, I felt there were many roads that could have been taken. Like did she never look or wonder about them? I’d wonder about my siblings! And yes I felt the whole pregnancy journey should have been more. Now it was more a boring middle-aged couple where the husband was a d*ck.

I think it would’ve been more…. heart-wrenching if we got to see her before, during, and then after. And then all the drama with Emma and Ben. I think it would’ve been more impactful. And ugh damn Martin and his venomous mother. 

Yes, it should have been more gutwrenching. I did not even like Emma, I felt she was too oh if my mum had been alone then poor mum, but now she was not so f her.

I get Emma being a little bitter because she didn’t know the story. You finally get a chance to learn and hear Joan’s side, but she was still f her. It’s tragic how it all went down. I felt bad for Joan and Emma and even Carmel. They deserved more. Again…f Martin and his mom. LOL that is all I kept saying the whole time. 

I get bitter, but one thinks that after hearing the story she would understand, like hello, your dad?!? Doesn’t that tell you anything? I felt really sorry for Joan. Being stuck with Martin and his toxic mum for 30 years. The ending too was so meh, it needed more impact.

For real. Joan was so young and she was pretty much a prisoner in that house….a bird locked in a gilded cage. I did cheer at the end when Joan did what she did. Good for her. Good for Carmel. I’m mad at Emma for what she did. I am hopeful there will a second book. I feel like there is more story to tell. Like we get to see Joan’s siblings. The ending just ended. Too many loose ends.

Hmm, I wonder how Catholic the author is, maybe she doesn’t want to say too much about 60s practices of taking kids and such. Delve deeper you know. But yes I really wanted to know more. Maybe there were no records, but still, go find them! See, what this book left me was that question.

To be fair…Joan may not know anything about that. If there is another book maybe the author can dive into with Joan looking for her siblings that were taken. I’m sure those poor kids have horror stories!

I do wonder….but hey at least Martin did stand by her. This book could have taken a much much bleaker turn. Her ending up in some home run by nuns, and shunned by her friends.

I’m very, very surprised Martin stayed by her. I still don’t fully get why he just didn’t marry her in London. He was an ass and only wanted to do things on his and his mother’s schedule. Grrrr Martin. Maybe Joan could’ve found a nice fella to take her and her baby in.

Nah, that baby would have been taken from her and adopted, and maybe she finally had made it somewhere to start a new life. But yes I am surprised Martin didn’t just say bye and leave. At least he tried that asshole. And they could just have pretended to have married earlier, but hhh scandal. Well fu Martin, you coward.  Be a man!

Yes. That was his biggest flaw. He was a coward. I like to think that maybe Joan could’ve found another man. Even if they took the baby…maybe when Emma showed up that man would’ve been all “YES! LET’S HELP HER!!!!” IDK. I’m so glad Joan and Carmel womened up. 

That other man would totally have been, let’s help her at once! And then it would have taken a happier turn. And maybe they would have hunted down Martin, and he would still be a bitter old man. But this time Joan and Emma would have been all f that guy.

Wishful thinking! I hope there is a book 2. I am invested in these characters…especially Joan, Carmel, and little Ben. I need more of a closure.

I need more closure too.

More is needed, but def a good book for book club. Lots to talk about lol.

Agreed.

The end?

The end! Until next time friend.

About the Authors

Carole and Blodeuedd have been blogging for a long while now. The last few years the epic duo has been discussing books, watching movies, and even wetting the pen and sharing their stories with the worldwide web. They both love cats, chocolate, and a good story.

Audiobook Review: The Scarlet Lion by Elizabeth Chadwick

Author: Elizabeth Chadwick

Narrator: Christopher Scott

Title: The Scarlet Lion

(William Marshal #3)

Genre: Historical Fiction

Format: Audiobook

Published: December 7th 2006

Where I got It: My shelf (audible) 

Summary: 

Following early beginnings as a knight in the English royal household and a champion of the tourneys, William Marshal's prowess and loyalty have been rewarded by the hand in marriage of Isabelle de Clare, heiress to great estates in England, Normandy and Ireland. Now a powerful magnate, William has weathered the difficult years of King Richard's absence on crusade and is currently serving him on campaign in Normandy while Isabelle governs their estates. All the stability William and Isabelle have enjoyed with their young and growing family comes crashing down as Richard dies and his brother John becomes King. Rebellion is stirring throughout the Angevin domains and although John has created William Earl of Pembroke, the friction between the two men leads William and Isabelle to distance themselves in Ireland. The situation escalates, with John holding their sons as hostages and seizing their English lands. The conflict between remaining loyal and rebelling over injustices committed, threatens to tear apart William and Isabelle's marriage and their family.

Review:

Literally been wanting to read this for yearsssssssssss. Thanks to the TBR pile challenge, I decided to get my hands on a copy of this and read it. 

Years have passed and all the stability William and his wife, Isabelle, have enjoyed with their young family comes crashing down. Richard is dead and John has become King. Rebellion is stirring throughout the Angevin domains. The friction between the new King and William leads William and Isabelle to distance themselves by going to their lands in Ireland. The situation further escalates when John holds their sons as hostages and seizes their English lands. This conflict between remaining loyal and rebelling over the injustices committed threatens to tear William's family apart. 

This can be read as a stand-alone. I read book 2 years ago so I barely remember what happened there and I never read book 1. Things you need to know will be told/explained to the reader so it's okay not to backtrack to book 1 or 2.

I do remember loving William and Isabelle. They are an adorable couple and they fit each other so well. However, I did want to kick William once in a while. I get WHY he wants to be loyal to the throne and fight through the issues and find common ground...but John is a right old bastard. No Richard by ANY means. So I get young Will's annoyance with his father. 

Sobbbbbs I didn't want this to end. I hated seeing William get old. I hated seeing others get old too and die like Queen Eleanor!!! So dang sad. It made me want to re-read book 2 when William was a super youth and Eleanor was in her prime. I do want to read book 1 which is about John FitzGilbert who is William's dad. 

This had politics, feels, love, war, and death. It is the ending chapter for William, but it isn't the end of the story. There are other stories to be told. I do want to read them, but it made me cry saying goodbye to William. He was truly the greatest knight. Yes, yes, I am being dramatic, but he was such a fun character to watch grow from a boy to an old man. I would love to see a movie based on him. I think the BBC has a documentary on him, but I think the man deserves his own movie. C'MON NETFLIX OR HULU!!!!!

Anyways...this was really good. I do think a couple parts dragged a bit. We just kept waiting and waiting for the other shoe to drop. There were a couple of lulls that seemed to slow down the plot a bit. 

The narrator was pretty good. Loved his male voices. His female voices were okay.

In the end, I recommend reading book 2 but it is not necessary story-wise. I do think you will appreciate all William did for the throne and understand him better when you read book 2 first. Yours to do. I really enjoyed this. It made me cry at the end, but I am curious to see what happens next for this family.  There are a couple of lulls that slowed down the plot a hair. I'll give this 4 stars overall. 

Challenge(s):
- #31 for Audiobook challenge

- TBR Reading Challenge (#5)