Review: The Seven Year Slip

Title: The Seven Year Slip

Author: Ashley Poston

Publisher: 30th June 2023 by Harlequin Australia, HQ

Pages: 352 pages

Genre: romance, contemporary, magical realism

My Rating: 5 cups

Synopsis:

Sometimes, the worst day of your life happens, and you have to figure out how to live after it.

So Clementine forms a plan to keep her heart safe: stay busy, work hard, find someone decent to love, and try to remember to chase the moon. The last one is silly and obviously metaphorical, but her aunt always told her that you needed at least one big dream to keep going. And for the last year, that plan has gone off without a hitch. Mostly. The love part is hard because she doesn’t want to get too close to anyone—she isn’t sure her heart can take it.

And then she finds a strange man standing in the kitchen of her late aunt’s apartment. A man with kind eyes and a Southern drawl and a taste for lemon pies. The kind of man that, before it all, she would’ve fallen head-over-heels for. And she might again.

Except, he exists in the past. Seven years ago, to be exact. And she, quite literally, lives seven years in his future.

Her aunt always said the apartment was a pinch in time, a place where moments blended together like watercolors. And Clementine knows that if she lets her heart fall, she’ll be doomed.

After all, love is never a matter of time—but a matter of timing.

My Thoughts

Oh.My.Gosh! I LOVED this book. Absolutely brilliant! There is so much to appreciate about this book … so much. Go read it. The End. 

Wait, should I tell you more? Well ….. 

"I want to tell you a story," I replied, "about a magical apartment. You might not believe me at first, but I promise it's true."

The apartment is like a character itself, it’s magical, it’s perceptive and it's clever. I loved the relationship between it and its occupants. I loved the relationship between Clementine and her Aunt. I loved the relationship between Clementine and her friends. The relationship between Clementine and her love interest - it’s beautiful. And I especially loved the relationship between Clementine and herself - what a journey. This is such clever and engaging writing. 

‘It felt nice to do something for me again. To just be.

No to-do lists to keep pushing myself through, no expectations.

Just me.’

The writing is exquisite and I was thoroughly invested with the storyline from the outset. I loved the short, sharp chapters and even the good old fashion chapter headings that give you clues as to what will be upcoming. I would flick back and give that knowing nod upon completion. Brilliant. Not to mention, the wonderful love of all things literature scattered throughout. 

‘I loved how a book, a story, a set of words in a sentence organized in the exact right order, made you miss places you've never visited, and people you’ve never met.’

This book is so complex and so smart, I used almost an entire packet of tabs with my underlining and note taking. It’s intelligent, moving, heartwarming and equally heartbreaking. The use of the magical realism was so ‘magical’ and ‘real’ that Ashley made the sequencing look so easy. This is an intricate and clever tale with themes ranging from grief and change, to friends and lovers. 

‘… she lived in the moment because she always figured it was her last …. I used to love the way she saw the world …. drinking in everything … she spent every moment making a memory, every second living life wide and full.’

The Seven Year Slip is absolutely delightful and will stay with me for a long, long time. Its layers and nuances, the relationships, the love of family and friends, the romance, the special relationship with Clementine and her aunt are all truly remarkable and memorable. However, the journey Clementine has with herself, the realisations and lessons she has to learn … well, mind blowing. 

Do yourself a favour. Go read this book.

‘If you do it right … once is all you need.’

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

Review: The Things That Matter Most

Title: The Things That Matter Most

Author: Gabbie Stroud

Publisher: 1st August 2023 by Allen & Unwin

Pages: 368 pages

Genre: general fiction, adult, education, school

Rating: 4.5 cups

Synopsis:

The staff of St Margaret's Primary School are hanging by a thread. There's serious litigation pending, the school is due for registration, and a powerful parent named Janet Bellevue has a lot to say about everything. As teachers they're trying to remain professional, as people they're fast unravelling.

There's Tyson, first year out of uni and nervous as hell, Derek the Assistant Principal who's dropped the ball on administration, Bev from the office who's confronting a serious diagnosis, and Sally-Ann who's desperate for a child of her own.

Thank goodness for kids like Lionel Merrick. Lionel is the student who steals your heart and makes the whole teaching gig he's cheerful, likeable and helpful - and devoted to his little sister Lacey. But Lionel has a secret of his own. As his future slides from vulnerable to dangerous, will someone from St Margaret's realise before it's too late?

As secrets threaten to be exposed and working demands increase, each staff member begins to lose sight of the things that matter most.

A moving and compelling novel about teachers and their students by the acclaimed author of the bestselling books Teacher and Dear Parents.

My Thoughts

Being a teacher and, might I add a teacher at the end of her career, I have read and been impressed with everything Gabbie has written thus far about the teaching profession. Her books, Teacher and Dear Parents, were must reads. Gabbie has now extended her repertoire to a fiction novel and gosh! It is everything you could wish for and makes for compelling reading that will break your heart. 

‘You will fall in love in ways you didn’t even know … And you will fail. They should teach you that too. Somewhere very early on in the course. They should prepare you for it, make you do an assignment about it or write an essay. You will fail as a teacher. It is inevitable. Describe five ways you will deal with your certain and ongoing failure. Cite references. Three thousand words.’

Gabbie takes all her knowledge and experience from writing the previous two books and steps into the arena of molding it into a fictional tale that ticks all the boxes. This is a book for teachers, for parents, for the media and for society in general. This is a book with a plot that captures all the love and the loss, all the stress and the success - everything that encapsulates this profession. 

‘Forget the theorists and the child development. They should make it known that teaching is an emotionally exhausting way to make money. You should live with others so you can talk about your day and take it in turns to cook. That should be the very first thing at the very first lecture on the very first PowerPoint slide that they show you.’

Gabbie continues to pursue her advocacy for this wondrous profession and although the circumstance may be extreme and difficult to presume in reality, it's this hard stance and strong words and actions that have made Gabbie into the fighting voice she is for this embattled profession. All the topics and themes covered in her previous two books are here, wrapped around a fictional tale that shines a new and heartbreaking consequence of the strains on this current system. 

‘He’d been teaching for forty years, but suddenly now he had to prove he was accredited - accountable. He had to produce evidence to show he was doing his job, had to have data to justify his choices.’

There are a few debut fictional novel flaws. The main school stereotypical characters are there - graduate teacher, experienced teacher, empathetic teacher, the annoying parent …. even the grumpy office lady. Yet on top of that she endowed each of them with further personal issues which, for me, was just that one step too far. I would have preferred to concentrate on the many, many issues schools face on a daily basis without the marriage or health issues which pulled away from the main message.  Yes, they are connected but I did not want to lose focus from the main school based message. 

‘He also hated the change of plans. It happened all the freaking time. The one constant thing about teaching was change, he decided. Constant change. It messed with his head.’

Is this book perfect? No. Does she push the limits of what could really happen? Most certainly. But gosh it is a great effort and I hope Gabbie continues to pen further fictional tales along similar themes as it will take some time for her message to get across. Keep fighting the good fight Gabbie!

‘Teaching and caring are one and the same thing. People don’t realise that. They’re squeezing out the time we need for caring. It’s all documenting and accounting and data. It makes the job something else, takes away from the caring.’

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the author in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

 

Review: The French Chateau Dream

Title: The French Chateau Dream

Author: Julie Caplin

Publisher: 30th June 2023 by HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter

Pages: 377 pages

Genre: romance, contemporary, France

My Rating: 4 cups

Synopsis:

You are invited to a summer of sparkling champagne, warm buttery croissants and a little bit of je ne sais quoi… With a broken heart and a broken spirit, Hattie is in need of a summer escape. So when an opportunity comes up to work at a beautiful, stately chateau in the Champagne region of France she books her flights quicker than the pop of a cork. Romance is the last thing Hattie is looking for but then she wasn’t expecting gorgeous Luc to stroll into her life. With picnics in the warm French sun and delicious foodie trips to the local market, Hattie starts to wonder if a holiday fling – or maybe even something more – might be just what she needs.

My Thoughts

I have read and enjoyed some of Julie’s previous ‘Romantic Escapes’ (this one is #10) as they offer great escapism to some wonderful world locations. Each of these novels are stand-alones (although there are characters from previous novels that may make fun appearances) and this time around I was fully ready for a stay at a French chateau in the Champagne region.

‘This wasn’t real life, it was an interlude. A long holiday. Hattie had never even thought about the possibility of staying. Living abroad was one of those pipe dreams.’

As I have come to expect from the previous ‘escapes’, Julie offers a story filled to the brim - this is certainly no one dimensional chick lit tale. Yes, there is the requisite romance but Julie always provides a cast of characters and locales that guarantee to add real depth to the story. On this occasion Julie takes us to rural France and the wine making region. With the exception of a few days shopping in Paris (ooh la la!) the bulk of the tale is set in the Champagne region of France and she immerses you in all things French - oui! What’s not to love? If you are a foodie you are sure to lick your lips with all the scrumptious food and baking on offer. I also enjoyed learning about the vineyard and wine making, the upkeep of a chateau and a bit of a history mystery. All up, who would not want to spend some time in a French chateau (vicariously of course!) and have family and friends, love and laughter, French cuisine and champagne? 

‘… no one should be dependent on someone else for their happiness. You have to be happy for yourself.’

The French Chateau Dream is the perfect recipe for light escapism. I like how Julie’s heroines tend to be at the crossroads of both career and love life, attempting to be bold enough to take strong steps to live their best. So, wait no more ... grab a glass of bubbles and snuggle up in your favourite reading spot to spend a few hours in France with this comfort read. If you are looking for the ultimate French Chateau Dream experience be sure to grab Julie’s latest romantic escape book.

‘You should slow down, enjoy life, savour things, enjoy lunch … the French way. You take things too seriously.’

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

Review: The Housekeepers

Title: The Housekeepers

Author: Alex Hay

Publisher: 11th July 2023 by Hachette Australia

Pages: 390 pages

Genre: historical fiction, mystery, heist 

Rating: 3 cups

Synopsis:

The night of London's grandest ball, a bold group of women downstairs launch a daring revenge heist against Mayfair society in this dazzling historical novel about power, gender, and class.

Mrs. King is no ordinary housekeeper. Born into a world of con artists and thieves, she’s made herself respectable, running the grandest home in Mayfair. The place is packed with treasures, a glittering symbol of wealth and power, but dark secrets lurk in the shadows.

When Mrs. King is suddenly dismissed from her position, she recruits an eclectic group of women to join her in revenge: A black market queen out to settle her scores. An actress desperate for a magnificent part. A seamstress dreaming of a better life. And Mrs. King’s predecessor, with her own desire for vengeance.

Their plan? On the night of the house’s highly anticipated costume ball—set to be the most illustrious of the year—they will rob it of its every possession, right under the noses of the distinguished guests and their elusive heiress host. But there’s one thing Mrs. King wants even more than money: the truth. And she’ll run any risk to get it…

After all, one should never underestimate the women downstairs.

My Thoughts

Housekeeper Mrs King is dismissed and has revenge on her mind. She brings together a team of female associates to plan a robbery and all whilst the house is in the throes of a party during the season. Laughs and mysteries abound in Alex Hay’s, The Housekeepers.

‘I pledge allegiance to this plan, and to the bonds herein defined - with firm intent, free will, in ridicule of all doubt and fear.’

I was intrigued by the plot, setting and period - the promise of a good heist from a wealthy London mansion - all very ‘upstairs and downstairs’ vibes. There are secrets and revelations to keep readers engaged as the countdown to the big day plays out. How are the various characters connected? Why is Mrs King so driven? Is this plan feasible? The rich house descriptions and eclectic group of characters are certainly unique. 

‘You shouldn't forget where you come from,' said Mrs King thoughtfully. She took out her pen, signed the first letter with a flourish. ' The Housekeepers will do nicely.'

Unfortunately, for me, it did not all add up. It is largely a character driven book and with a long (read, ‘huge’) cast of characters to contend with. The pace is slow in places and the heist itself falls a little flat for me. There was a great deal more going on than the premise suggested and with that large cast, I found it difficult to not only keep tabs but also be invested and therefore thrilled by proceedings. 

‘She kept her eyes fixed on the green baize door at the top. It was a partition between worlds. On the other side the air thinned and the light became frosted around the edges.’

Still, if you are intrigued and looking for a fun read with elements of mystery, robbery and an eclectic cast then this may well be the book for you. 

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the author in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

Review: The Radcliffe Ladies' Reading Club

Title: The Radcliffe Ladies' Reading Club

Author: Julia Bryan Thomas

Publisher: 6th June 2023 by Sourcebooks Landmark

Pages: 384 pages

Genre: historical fiction

My Rating: 4 cups

Synopsis:

Massachusetts, 1954. With bags packed alongside her heavy heart, Alice Campbell escaped halfway across the country and found herself in front of a derelict building tucked among the cobblestone streets of Cambridge. She turns it into the enchanting bookshop of her dreams, knowing firsthand the power of books to comfort the brokenhearted.

The Cambridge Bookshop soon becomes a haven for Tess, Caroline, Evie, and Merritt, who are all navigating the struggles of being newly independent college women in a world that seems to want to keep them in the kitchen. But when a member of the group finds herself shattered, everything they know about themselves will be called into question. 

From the author of For Those Who Are Lost comes an extraordinary love letter to books and friendship, a story that is at once heart-wrenching, strengthening, and inspiring.

My Thoughts

‘Brewing a cup of tea, she took it to the chaise and sat down with her book. It lay unopened on her lap as she contemplated the silence. It was good to have a space to oneself where one could think and dream and plan.’

The Radcliffe Ladies' Reading Club is a worthy read for people who love books about books. Set in 1954 it details the lives of four girls from varying socio-economic backgrounds who are struggling to meld their own dreams with those of family and society. When the local bookshop owner starts up a classic book club, it becomes the avenue, through the use of classic literature, to analyse their own lives. This is a coming-of-age story of young friendships and fallouts. 

‘…. through books we can find out more about the world and see where our imaginations take us.’

There are alternating chapters between daily life and the monthly book club discussions.  Alice selects a range of classic books including F.Scott Fitzgerald, Tolstoy, Brontë, Austen, Woolf - and uses the issues raised to insightfully discuss and then somewhat apply the lessons to the lives and challenges these young women of the 1950s face. There are stereotypical class levels and incidents, many of which readers have seen before. I did have a couple of doubts about how certain aspects played out, but I let that go for my overall enjoyment of joining classic literature as a vehicle to steer these young women onto bigger and better things. It was the combination of literature to fuel the proverbial fire for these young females and the various paths they would find themselves on that appealed to me the most. With issues raised including sexual violence and domestic abuse, the author does a solid job of sensitively addressing them.

‘Women weren’t china dolls for men to pamper and care for with the caveat that they never speak their minds. They were living, breathing human beings with thoughts and feelings and emotions that were meant to be expressed however they chose to do it.’

If you love books about books with a special focus on the impact of classic literature on 1950s female societal evolution, you are sure to enjoy this book. The list of books are specifically curated (it even had me rushing to read one that I had not come across before) with the discussions lively and engaging. 

‘All four of them were probably only delaying the marriage process by a few months, a couple of years at most, and then, if they weren’t careful, many avenues of thought would close to them. How likely would they be as young women to read books that challenged or interested them when there was a household to run and pregnancies to endure?’

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.