Have you heard about The Rumor... by Lesley Kara?

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC that I received in exchange for a fair and honest review.

In Lesley Kara’s The Rumor, our main character has moved back to her home town after her son needs to leave the school where he is shamelessly bullied and tormented. When she gets to her hometown, she spreads a rumor to get in with the other moms out of desperation to keep Alfie from being victimized a second time. Predictably, the rumor spreads quickly and proves to be quite disruptive for their seaside town. 

The Rumor reminded me of a cross between Liane Moriarty’s Big Little Lies and TJ Stinson’s The picture of Innocence. One of those comparisons helped the book; the other made me like it considerably less.  The Mommy politics, drama starting, and gossip spreading in a small, seaside town was the part that was reminiscent of BLL and aside from being a bit more preachy (the admonishment of gossips was pretty consistent and a bit over done), that part worked well. It felt real and engaging, and I was very excited to find out who Sally was. Very excited that it, until I found out.

That’s the part that reminded me of TJ Stimson. I won’t go in to anymore details to avoid spoilers, but the two books were too similar for my taste. 

The Rumor was a well written book, although a bit plodding at times. To have a partner who is a reporter and seems to value her intellect, Joanna seems a bit dull witted sometimes. I will say this, though: I really thought I knew who the bad guy was and I was wrong. I also was completely shocked by the twist at the end, BUT I didn’t care for it. It was too gimmicky. 

3.5/5

Hello, (Nearly) Perfect: A Review of Goodbye Perfect by Sara Barnard

First, thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC I was given in exchange for a fair and honest review. I did end up buying a copy because I could never figure out how to open the file, but it was well worth paying for.

Goodbye, Perfect is the story of a teenage girl named Eden whose best friend is a bit perfect. At least, on the surface (isn't that always the way?). She gets great grades while Eden flounders; her parents are steady, if a bit overbearing, while Eden was adopted after years of foster care, and she never gets in trouble, while Eden had a rough couple of years. then one day, Bonnie, Eden's best friend, shocks everyone by running away with her music teacher.

On the surface, this book is about Eden's struggle to navigate the ethics of a tricky situation. Who deserves her loyalty? Bonnie, who disappeared after keeping a huge secret from her best friend? Her mother, Carolyn, who has loved her with unwavering patience and compassion?

It turns out, though, that Goodbye, Perfect is about so much more than that. It's about realizing no one is perfect and that the people we love might not always meet our expectations. It's about learning sometimes the people we write off are the ones most deserving of our love. Mostly, though, it's about learning what love really is: love isn't selfish and reckless and while you might be willing to give up everything for someone you love, someone who loves you wouldn't ask you to.

This is a really lovely book with many layers that would make it a good read for basically anyone. 4.5/5

The Apology by Eve Ensler: a review

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC of The Apology by Eve Ensler. I was given this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

It’s that old dilemma: how do you review a book when you didn’t enjoy it, but you know, objectively, that it is very good?

I’ll confess: my issue while reading this book is my own. This is a book written by a victim of abuse, but told through the imagined words of her abuser. It is triggering, rage inducing, heartbreaking, and stomach churning. It was also beautiful. 

There was nothing but artistry in this book; somehow, the poisonous, abusive, cruel father becomes three dimensional and layered and his psyche is explored with the kind of skill that would make any writer envious. For most people, it would be impossible to revisit trauma so vivid and so raw and still look honestly and compassionately into the mind of the person who committed such cruelty upon you. Ensler not only does it, not only crafts a complex, rich character, she does it beautifully and with lyric, flowing prose that almost takes the stinger from the painful content. Key word: almost. 

While I can’t help but laud Eve Ensler’s talent, that didn’t mean the book was enjoyable. It was explicit and painful, so much so that at one point, I really didn’t think I was going to be able to continue reading. The writing is triggering for victims of sexual abuse, but empowering, too: Ensler’s scathing honesty sears through every page. I cannot tell you that you will love this book: it is painful. I also can’t tell you not to read it. I believe everyone must. It’s so important. This story is more common than we know and Ensler makes you feel her pain. She brings the issue to life. Ultimately, no matter how hard to read, this was a must read. After all, I couldn’t look away, even when I was desperate to.

5/5