A round up of the books I read in February. A series of mini book reviews from my February reads. The rating system I used is ☕ I didn’t like it. ☕☕ It was okay. ☕☕☕ I enjoyed it. ☕☕☕☕ I liked it, and ☕☕☕☕☕ I loved it.
The Story Collector
London, 1915: Amid the chaos of war, Katerina, a Tarot reader, strives to keep her life intact. Determined to bring hope to her community, she opens a bakery, selling delicious treats and divination. Her bakery becomes a symbol of optimism in a time of darkness. However, behind her cheerful facade, Katerina harbours a dark secret that could jeopardize everything she holds dear.
Germany, 1918: A British soldier, rendered mute by the horrors of war, finds himself in a prisoner-of-war camp. There, he crosses paths with Miriam, a compassionate researcher. Drawn to his gentle nature, Miriam silently promises to assist him. Yet, as circumstances unfold, she faces an impossible decision: should she save the man she loves or save herself?
Cornwall, Present Day: Edie, recently widowed, stumbles upon a hidden box within the walls of her newly renovated cottage. Intrigued, she embarks on a journey to uncover the secrets that have remained concealed for over a century.
Rating: ☕☕☕☕.5/5
These three women’s stories are intricately connected by a long-held secret, spanning from the bustling streets of wartime London to a secluded German camp during World War I and finally to the windswept cliffs of Cornwall. This beautifully crafted story is an unforgettable exploration of love, sacrifice, and the enduring power of secrets.
Each chapter is told from the point of view of each of the three women in their own timeline. I loved following along as the tales unfold and unwind.
A beautifully written story that is also a page-turner that kept me entertained until the last page.
Dear Rebels
Dear Rebel is a collection of letters, poems, essays, and self-portraits from over 125 extraordinary women and teens who share their advice and experiences on topics like overcoming obstacles, discovering your passion, and dreaming big.
Rating: ☕☕☕/5
The latest book from Rebel Girl, Dear Rebels, is a collection of personal letters and stories to read rather than the mini-biographies that the other books contain. Possibly aimed at a slightly older audience to the previous book, this is a nice addition for someone who has grown up with the Rebel Girls series.
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder
Five years ago, the small town of Little Killton was rocked by the murder of schoolgirl Andie Bell. Everyone in the town knew she was murdered by her boyfriend, Sal Singh.
However, Pippa Fitz-Amobi didn’t believe the story. So, for her end-of-school project, she tries to uncover the truth. She is revealing the secrets the people in the town want hidden. Is the real killer out there, and how far will they go to keep Pippa from discovering the truth?
Rating: ☕☕☕☕/5
This book features all the tropes of a small-town mystery, the dark side of the idyllic town, the unscrupulous characters and plenty of red herrings. Instead of a retiree solving the crime, this modern twist has a teenager with her laptop and phone.
This is a YA novel, and I had to keep reminding myself of this when reading this book. Overall, Pippa is a loveable character, but her actions annoyed me. I had to remember she is a naïve teenager, and that’s why she is putting herself in dangerous situations! However, don’t let the YA aspect deter you from reading this book. If you like clever murder mysteries, I would recommend this book.
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder will be adapted for television later this year on BBC Three.
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