Tag: pregnancy

SATURDAY SMORGASBORD: The Christmas Table by Donna VanLiere

SATURDAY SMORGASBORD: The Christmas Table by Donna VanLiere

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. This book will release on October 6, 2020.]

Summary

In 1972, Joan, a young wife and mother, teaches herself to cook from her mother’s recipes. When cancer strikes, she continues to cook, when she feels up to it, using the recipes to connect with her children. Family time is precious as they fight for her survival. Through the year, her husband finds some respite working on a table for their kitchen.

In 2012, Lauren and Travis discover they’re going to have a baby. As their friends help the newlyweds prepare their home for a new arrival, Lauren gets a refurbished kitchen table. The table has a secret drawer. Inside, she discovers a stack of recipe cards which include family stories. As she experiments with the recipes, Lauren is determined to do all she can to return those cards to that family.

Review

This is book 10 in the Christmas Hope series by Donna VanLiere. I think the books can be read alone (I started with book 8, The Christmas Town) without too much trouble, but to get everything out of the relationships, readers might try the books in order.

I liked the dual timeline/split timeline in this. The 1972 story keeps you wondering all the way through about how things will turn out for this family. For me, it was stressful. There’s a strong prayer/faith component to this timeline in the book which I enjoyed. For some, the cancer/chemo pieces could be difficult to read.

I preferred the 2012 timeline. I have loved Lauren’s story since The Christmas Town, so I was happy to spend more time with her in this book. The ending, where all was connected and revealed, was terrific and satisfying.

I liked the idea of using recipe cards as a storytelling mechanism. But in reality, it got old to me at times to read the cooking details. I felt like it slowed the story down. Cooking is not something I enjoy, but those pieces might be perfect and enjoyable for other readers who do. The book includes several recipes for readers who want to try some of the items on their own.

Fans of Grandon and the Christmas Hope series will want to pick this one up. Readers who enjoy stories of faith, warm Christmas tales, and dual/split  timeline stories should check this out, too. (CW: Cancer/Chemo. One reference in the ARC to a newborn sleeping on her stomach. Due to SIDS risk, babies should be put to sleep on their backs.)

Rating: ♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥½ = Good+

REVIEW: This Is Home by Lisa Duffy

REVIEW: This Is Home by Lisa Duffy

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Atria Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Libby and her dad, Bent, moved in with her aunts after her mom died. Lucy lives in one apartment. Aunt Desiree moved in with Lucy after she broke up with her boyfriend. Libby and Bent live in a second apartment. Then Bent helps Quinn move into the third apartment. Libby isn’t sure they should trust her; she could be a serial killer!

Quinn’s husband had been in the military with Bent. After two tours, John is physically home, but mentally and emotionally, the war has changed him. He insists he’s fine, but he’s drinking. And the PTSD makes him unconsciously violent at times. Now John has disappeared, and Quinn is on her own. She’s grateful to have a place to stay. But she thinks Bent knows more than he is saying about where John is and why he has disappeared.

Review

This was a good story while also being a poor fit for me as a reader. I like stories with a clearly defined goal – finish the quest, dethrone the usurper, find the killer, etc. I had a hard time figuring out what the goal was for this one. Was it about finding John? Or Quinn finding herself? Or Libby and Quinn becoming friends? I just wasn’t certain. In the end I decided it was less of a goal-oriented story and more of a snapshot of this season in life for these characters. I also struggled to put the prologue into the right place in the timeline, so that left me flipping back and forth in the book to be sure I didn’t miss something. In the end the timing all made sense.

It took me as long to warm up to the characters as it took them to warm up to each other.  Once they all started interacting more comfortably, I was on board. By the end, I was invested in Libby and Quinn specifically, although Quinn’s boss became a fun addition to the story as well.

Libby and Quinn face some complicated relationships with the men in their lives. I enjoyed watching them find a friend in one another. Quinn’s journey includes more self-reflection, self-discovery and growth, which I enjoyed.

If you like character-driven stories, check out This Is Home and get to know Libby and Quinn. (Language, sex, substance use, PTSD/war stories, LGBTQ+)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥