May 14, 2024 – My Sanctuary

Life, Loss and Puffins By Catherine Ryan Hyde

Freakishly smart. That’s the unwelcome box Ru Evans is put into for life. After all, she taught herself Euclidean geometry at age seven, has an eidetic memory, and is about to enter college at thirteen years old.

Boarding at a house near campus 150 miles from home, Ru meets seventeen-year-old Gabriel, an outsider himself who, like Ru, has trouble making friends—until they form a fast sibling-like bond. Finding a relatable someone in the world to talk to is a first for both of them.

But when Ru’s mother dies and the threat of living with her miserable aunt looms, Ru hatches an escape. It’s an impulsive road trip that takes Ru and Gabriel from California to Canada, where Ru can fulfill her ultimate dream: to see Atlantic puffins in the glorious wild.

Mile by mile, Ru discovers the joy of friendship, found family, dark night skies, and the aurora borealis, and she basks in going from being a smart person to just a person. Though she knows they’ll be in trouble when they’re caught, for the short time they are navigating twist by twist of an unknown road, the freedom is liberating, and she is living for what feels like the first time.

Royal Retelling By Holly Kerr

What if Prince Charming fell for the wicked step-sister?

The youngest son of the king of Laandia, Gunnar lives a charmed life, travelling the world without a thought of what’s going on in the kingdom. But when he’s called home for the royal wedding, Gunnar finds he has a big problem:

Prince Gunnar doesn’t have a date for the wedding.

And while this shouldn’t be a problem for the Playboy Prince, Gunnar has requirements: whoever he takes can’t take the attention away from the bride and groom, which would definitely happen with his jet-setting friends; and whoever he brings needs to know this is a one-time thing.

So when the town’s Sea Queen agrees to go with him, Gunnar is relieved—but her oh-so wicked stepsister, Stella, decrees it a very bad idea.

Once childhood friends, Stella now considers him more like a sworn enemy. Gunnar prefers to not think of her, because this Stella, who curses rather than curtsies, has a never-ending arsenal of insults that is a sure way to ruin his day.

But as the wedding approaches, and Gunnar spends more time with Stella, he starts to wonder that, in this fairy tale retelling, he’s picked the wrong sister.

Ellie Browne has left behind her high-flying job in London to return to the charming Buckinghamshire village of Little Leyton.

Working shifts at the Dog and Duck pub and running her own doggy-daycare business, Ellie’s looking for a simpler way of life in this idyllic English setting.

But Little Leyton’s landscape is changing: Johnny Tay, Ellie’s ex, wants to pick up where they left off; sultry property developer Max Golding has moved into the village and is ruffling feathers; and rumour has it that the pub, which holds a special place in Ellie’s heart, might be sold. Suddenly, life’s looking a whole lot more complicated…. Can Ellie overcome all the challenges to finally find her one true love?

About The Author

My Review

The story follows Ellie as she juggles her new dog-walking business and shifts at The Dog and Duck pub. While the setting is cozy and familiar, the plot feels predictable and lacking freshness, reminiscent of similar themes explored by other authors. One glaring issue is the inclusion of the refugee crisis, which feels out of place in a chick-lit novel and isn’t adequately addressed. Additionally, the extensive introductions of even minor characters feel unnecessary. The plot meanders through various subplots without clear direction, leaving the impression that the author lacked focus. Despite these flaws, the book touches on current issues like the Syrian refugee crisis, adding depth to the narrative. Overall, it’s a heartwarming Christmas read with endearing characters, perfect for the holiday season, but may not offer much beyond its familiar setting.

My Rating