Title: The Sea Gate Author: Jane Johnson Genre: Historical Fiction Publisher: Simon and Schuster Canada Source: Publisher Format: Paperback arc Release Date: November 17, 2020 Rating: ★★★★★
Goodreads Synopsis:
A broken family, a house of secrets—an entrancing tale of love and courage set during the Second World War.
After Rebecca’s mother dies, she must sort through her empty flat and come to terms with her loss. As she goes through her mother’s mail, she finds a handwritten envelope. In it is a letter that will change her life forever.
Olivia, her mother’s elderly cousin, needs help to save her beloved home. Rebecca immediately goes to visit Olivia in Cornwall only to find a house full of secrets—treasures in the attic and a mysterious tunnel leading from the cellar to the sea, and Olivia, nowhere to be found.
As it turns out, the old woman is stuck in hospital with no hope of being discharged until her house is made habitable again. Rebecca sets to work restoring the home to its former glory, but as she peels back the layers of paint and grime, she uncovers even more buried secrets—secrets from a time when the Second World War was raging, when Olivia was a young woman, and when both romance and danger lurked around every corner…
A sweeping and utterly spellbinding tale of a young woman’s courage in the face of war and the lengths to which she’ll go to protect those she loves against the most unexpected of enemies.
Review:
After Rebecca’s mother dies suddenly, she finds letters from her mother’s elderly cousin, Olivia. Olivia needs help renovating her home so she can move back in after breaking her leg. While Rebecca is fixing Olivia’s home, she finds some mysterious things, including a human finger bone, which makes her curious about her cousin. When Olivia was a young woman during WWII, she fell in love and had to make some tough decisions. Rebecca slowly uncovers Olivia’s past as she fixes up her house.
This was such a powerful story about love and loss. The story opened with Rebecca losing her mother suddenly, but she discovered her distant relative, Olivia. Olivia suffered some tragic losses during the war, but she also found love.
Olivia was treated horribly during the war and later in life. She was left with strangers after her father went to fight and her mother went to London. When she saw injustices happen, she tried to fight them but wasn’t believed and earned a negative reputation. This carried on throughout her life. It was so disappointing to see a young woman treated this way, just because she was a woman.
There was some possibly triggering content in this story. There was a rape, assaults, and murder. These scenes were brief, but could be triggering to some readers.
I loved this story. I couldn’t put it down! This is a beautiful and powerful historical story.
Thank you Simon and Schuster Canada for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
What to read next:
The Forgotten Home Child by Genevieve Graham
The Temptation of Gracie by Santa Montefiore
Have you read The Sea Gate? What did you think of it?
This blog meme is hosted by Book Date. It is a place to meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week. It’s a great post to organize yourself. It’s an opportunity to visit and comment, and er… add to that ever growing TBR pile!
What I just finished:
This weekend I finished The Sea Gate by Jane Johnson.
What I’m currently reading:
I’m currently reading An Alaskan Christmas by Jennifer Snow.
What I’m reading next:
Next I will be reading Christmas at the Second Chance Chocolate Shop by Kellie Hailes.
What are you guys reading this week? Have you read any of these books?
The meme that dares to ask what book has been in your bed this morning? Come share what book you’ve spent time curled up reading in bed, or which book you wish you had time to read today! This meme is hosted by Midnight Book Girl.
This Sunday I’m reading The Sea Gate by Jane Johnson.
Goodreads Synopsis:
A broken family, a house of secrets—an entrancing tale of love and courage set during the Second World War.
After Rebecca’s mother dies, she must sort through her empty flat and come to terms with her loss. As she goes through her mother’s mail, she finds a handwritten envelope. In it is a letter that will change her life forever.
Olivia, her mother’s elderly cousin, needs help to save her beloved home. Rebecca immediately goes to visit Olivia in Cornwall only to find a house full of secrets—treasures in the attic and a mysterious tunnel leading from the cellar to the sea, and Olivia, nowhere to be found.
As it turns out, the old woman is stuck in hospital with no hope of being discharged until her house is made habitable again. Rebecca sets to work restoring the home to its former glory, but as she peels back the layers of paint and grime, she uncovers even more buried secrets—secrets from a time when the Second World War was raging, when Olivia was a young woman, and when both romance and danger lurked around every corner…
A sweeping and utterly spellbinding tale of a young woman’s courage in the face of war and the lengths to which she’ll go to protect those she loves against the most unexpected of enemies.
Title: The Ravens (The Ravens #1) Author: Kass Morgan, Danielle Paige Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Fantasy Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers Source: Beacon Book Box Format: Hardcover Release Date: November 3, 2020 Rating: ★★★★★
Goodreads Synopsis:
Kappa Rho Nu isn’t your average sorority. Their parties are notorious. Their fundraisers are known for being Westerly College’s most elaborate affairs. But beneath the veil of Greek life and prestige, the sisters of Kappu Rho Nu share a secret: they’re a coven of witches. For Vivi Deveraux, being one of Kappa Rho Nu’s Ravens means getting a chance to redefine herself. For Scarlett Winters, a bonafide Raven and daughter of a legacy Raven, pledge this year means living up to her mother’s impossible expectations of becoming Kappa Rho Nu’s next president. Scarlett knows she’d be the perfect candidate — that is, if she didn’t have one human-sized skeleton in her closet…. When Vivi and Scarlett are paired as big and little for initiation, they find themselves sinking into the sinister world of blood oaths and betrayals.
Review:
Kappa Rho Nu is a special sorority at Westerly College with a big secret. All of the members are witches. When Vivi moved to Westerly, she was excited to finally settle down in one place after moving around constantly with her mom her whole life. She’s drawn to the mystery of Kappa Rho Nu. Scarlett is a junior in the sorority this year. She has to do her best to prove that she can be the president next year. Vivi is paired with Scarlett to get to know the sorority, but their partnership is tested when the ghosts of their past show up.
I love stories about witches and stories set at schools, so this one was perfect for me! There was a mysterious history of the sorority, which included the mothers of some of the members who were part of the sorority when they went to the school. They were a secret society of witches, so it surprised the new girls when they found out what the sorority did. They also had a personal history of personal drama, which was revealed throughout the story.
The ending was so surprising. Anything can happen when witches are around, but I wasn’t expecting what happened. This was a great ending. I can’t wait to read the next one!
What to read next:
These Vengeful Hearts by Katherine Laurin
Lobizona by Romina Garber
Have you read The Ravens? What did you think of it?
Title: A California Christmas (Silver Springs #7) Author: Brenda Novak Genre: Romance Publisher: MIRA Source: Publisher via NetGalley Format: Ebook Release Date: October 13, 2020 Rating: ★★★★★
Goodreads Synopsis:
Up-and-coming TV anchor Emery Bliss can’t imagine anything more humiliating than the sex tape her ex revenge-posted online. That is, until it causes her to lose her job on top of her self-esteem. Seeking solace—and anonymity—in Silver Springs, Emery isn’t looking to get involved with another man anytime soon. But when she’s thrown back into contact with Dallas Turner, she sees something that his many detractors have missed.
Being home for the holidays and his adoptive mother’s wedding isn’t where mountain climber Dallas feels most comfortable. Thanks to his troubled childhood, he’d rather be on a rock face alone than trying to connect with people. Emery, however, makes him want to overcome his past…somehow.
Both Emery and Dallas had been planning on a quiet, solitary Christmas, but the sparks between them are lighting a fire strong enough to last—possibly forever.
Review:
Emery Bliss is a former television anchor who lost her job after her ex-boyfriend, and co-anchor, posted a sex tape of them online. She goes back to her hometown of Silver Springs to stay with a family friend, Aiyana. Aiyana is planning her Christmas wedding, and all of her adoptive sons are coming home for the holiday. Dallas Turner is one of her sons. He’s a professional mountain climber. Now, someone from Dallas’s troubled past has reached out to him. Emery and Dallas are both planning on having a quiet Christmas in Silver Springs, but the problems in their pasts come back into their lives.
I haven’t read any of the other books in the Silver Springs series, but I’m interested in reading the other books now. There were some other characters in the large adoptive family, who were mentioned briefly. It looks like they’re the focus of the other stories. This story mostly focused on Dallas and Emery, but I didn’t feel lost without reading the other books first.
This story had a great combination of suspense and steamy romance. There were some tense scenes, with Dallas’s dark family history and Emery’s devastating sex tape. The romance between Dallas and Emery started quickly and stayed steam my throughout the story. This story had a great balance of tense moments and romance.
I really enjoyed this holiday romance.
Thank you MIRA for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
What to read next:
Christmas in Silver Springs by Brenda Novak
In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren
Other books in the series:
Finding Our Forever
No One But You
Until You Loved Me
Right Where We Belong
Unforgettable You
Christmas in Silver Springs
Have you read A California Christmas? What did you think of it?
Jill's Book Blog 