I have a lot of book reviews that have piled up in the past few weeks. (As of today, I have TEN book reviews to share, eeps.) I’m going to break my book reviews into a few posts so I don’t inundate you guys with all of my opinions all at once. This first set includes five books, ranging from 2 to 4 stars. Let’s discuss!
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie (★★★★☆)
Print • Owned (Amazon) • Mystery • 1926
Short synopsis: The peaceful English village of King’s Abbot is stunned. The widow Ferrars dies from an overdose of Veronal. Not twenty-four hours later, Roger Ackroyd—the man she had planned to marry—is murdered. It is a baffling case involving blackmail and death that taxes Hercule Poirot’s “little grey cells” before he reaches one of the most startling conclusions of his career.
I have to admit that I was confused for the majority of this book. There were just so many characters to keep track of and a timeline that was hard to make sense of. I don’t know if it was me or the book, but it was not the most pleasant reading experience. But this does seem to be a normal occurrence with Christie’s books, so I probably just need to keep some sort of character bible when I’m reading her books. I loved that this novel had one narrator and Hercule Poroit almost seemed like a side character, even though we all know he’s the main event. I had a suspicion of who I thought the murderer was and it was actually pretty delightful to be right! This was a great mystery, though, but I just wish everything didn’t feel so confusing for so much of the novel.
You Should Be So Lucky by Cat Sebastian (★★★☆☆)
Print • Library • Queer Romance • 2024
Short synopsis: An emotional, slow-burn, grumpy/sunshine, queer mid-century romance about grief and found family, between the new star shortstop stuck in a batting slump and the reporter assigned to (reluctantly) cover his first season.
Cat Sebastian is my reliable three-star romance author. I was hoping this one would be more of a 4- or 5-star read, but alas, it was just okay. I loved the setting of this romance novel – 1960s New York City – and that it was a queer romance involving a baseball player and a reporter. What a fun concept, especially the way the novel dug into the queer landscape of 1960s New York. While I enjoyed the romance between the two men and thought they had great chemistry, the novel was also a little boring at times. There were a lot of side plots that could have probably been cut out of the story because overall, it was just way too long and the pacing felt a little disjointed. I’d give this one 3.5 stars.
The Museum of Ordinary People by Mike Gayle (★★☆☆☆)
Audiobook • Library • Contemporary Fiction • 2023
Short synopsis: After her mother’s death, Jess struggles to let go of her childhood home, especially an old set of encyclopedias that hold deep sentimental value. In her search for a new home for the books, she discovers the Museum of Ordinary People, where she becomes involved in uncovering hidden stories and secrets, including those from her own past.
I loved Mike Gayle’s book All the Lonely People, and was excited to get my hands on this new one but ughhh, it was not my favorite. I think my main issue with the book was the main character and her relationship with her boyfriend. Do you ever read a book where the author doesn’t even try to add nuance to a relationship that’s doomed to fail, and you have no idea why this person is staying with such an awful partner? That was this book. I had no idea why Jess was with this person when he was such an obvious villain. He was rude, condescending, and a jerk. And look, I get that people sometimes stay in bad relationships but I’m not talking about situations where it’s unsafe to leave. I’m talking about relationships where people just put up with bullshit because it’s easier than being on their own. Stop dating bad people! Gah.
Anyway, that was my main issue with the book and the way it was resolved was not satisfying at all. It makes me wonder if Mike Gayle even knows how to write women properly? I don’t know… I got a weird vibe from the female main character throughout the novel. What I did like about this novel was the museum! What a wonderful concept – a museum filled with ordinary belongings that had extraordinary meaning to other people. I’m still not sure how a museum like that could find funding, but it’s a great idea.
There was a weird twist at the end of the novel that did not need to be there (and soured me even more on the book), so all in all, not a book I’m likely to recommend. Give his other book a try over this one!
When in Rome by Sarah Adams (★★★★☆)
E-Book • Library • Contemporary Romance • 2022
Short synopsis: Pop star Amelia Rose, seeking a break from her high-profile life, escapes to small-town Rome, Kentucky, where she meets Noah, a pie shop owner wary of her celebrity status. As they grow closer, Amelia finds comfort in the town’s simplicity and Noah’s warmth, but both must face the reality that her return to stardom is inevitable.
This romance was simply delightful from beginning to end! I loved the rapport between Amelia and Noah, and I loved this small-town community of Rome, Kentucky. Authors can sometimes be a little too cutesy when creating a small-town dynamic, but this one completely worked and every character stole my heart. The way they all came together to welcome Amelia and keep out the paparazzi was heart-warming. And I just really, really wanted there to be a way for Amelia to get everything she wanted: a less hectic pop star schedule and the hot guy. The author wrapped up the book in such a realistic, sweet way and it’s a book that just made me happy-sigh when I finished it.
The Husbands by Holly Gramazio (★★☆☆☆)
Print • Owned (indie bookstore) • Contemporary Fiction • 2024
Short synopsis: When Lauren returns home one night to find herself married to a man she’s never met, she discovers her attic mysteriously swaps out husbands and reshapes her life with each change. As her world shifts with every new “partner,” Lauren must confront whether constantly pursuing a better life is worth losing her sense of self.
I was so excited about this book! I loved the concept and thought it was going to be such a clever look at marriage, choices, and singlehood. Instead, I got a meandering book that never really had any important message and featured a protagonist who bordered on problematic at times. It’s hard to really explain why I disliked this book so much without giving away important details of the plot, but suffice it to say, I didn’t see any sort of character arc from Lauren and the ending made me feel really lackluster about the book as a whole. There was also a plotline that had Lauren engaging in some seriously stalkerish behavior that made me nearly DNF the book. It was so problematic! I think this concept was just too much for the author to handle, and I do wonder what this book could have been with a more adept writer at hand.
What are you reading?
I was planning to read The Husbands but now I am not so sure! I might need to read a sample first.
I struggle with books when a character is in a bad relationship but doesn’t leave the relationship. A lot of time that seems to be the set up for a romance – and then they meet someone who makes them realize they could do better (and possibly cheat on their partner). It bugs me that they have to meet someone else to realize they deserve more. It especially bothers me when they are engaged!! How did you say yes to this person?? And I realize it takes a lot of strength to leave a relationship but still… it’s a pet peeve of mine as well.
You may enjoy The Husbands more than I did. I’m wondering if people in happy marriages vs people who are single are the dividing line for this book. It seems like married people are enjoying it more than single people, but it’s a small sample size.
And yes to EVERYTHING you said. I just can’t imagine being in a shitty relationship and just GOING WITH IT. At the very least, an author needs to add some nuance to the relationship so I can better understand why the character is still with their partner.
In undergrad I did an in-depth research paper on Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple mysteries. Talk about keeping track of multiple characters! I’d not thought about that paper in years until I read this and found myself nodding my head along with your assessment of Roger Ackroyd. Uh huh.
I’m currently reading *ten poems to change your life* by Roger Housden. I felt like I needed to dip my toe into poetry, tired of novels.
Oh, what a cool research topic! I have discovered that I really just need to read Christie’s mysteries with a notepad by my side so I can keep track of everything. There’s just a lot going on!
I’m not reading anything good right now – I’m in a bit of a slump where I think maybe I am bad at reading and hate books – so I want to talk about When In Rome. We have such interesting opposite reactions to book. You happy-sighed when you finished, I pondered how this relationship is never going to last and it made me so sad because I wanted good things for them, but they are not the good thing for each other. Also, this book made me rethink one of my main criticisms of a lot of books – why don’t they just talk to each other? Well, they did talk to each other in this book and it made the book boring. And now I get why authors don’t do that regularly!
Thank you for allowing me to vent about a book you liked. I did give it 3.5 stars because I liked the setting.
I’m also in a book slump and feeling very grumpy about all the books I’m reading, so I feel you!
When it comes to reading romance, I think we have very different ideas of what we want to get out of the experience. I guess I just don’t think too hard about the couple’s long-term future. Ha. I’m just like “Was it a good story and did it make me feel good things?” That’s all I really need!
Stephany, sometimes we are complete book opposites! I LOVED The Husbands and kind of wish it had gone on forever and ever. I know what you mean about it not having an important message, but I kind of loved that???
I’m glad it worked for you! I’m wondering if this book works better for married people than single people. Since the main character was single at the start of the novel, I wanted there to be some big realization about being single and/or loving what you have. She just ends up with a random guy at the end of it all, and I wish there had been more discussion of her single life/dating/etc before the magic attic happened.
I saw “When In Rome” and I got SO excited because I will be in Rome in only a couple of days! But then it’s a different Rome. Still, fun.
I’m reading Three Apples Fell From The Sky which is about an Armenian village, it’s pretty good but so many characters, it’s hard to keep track.
HAVE SO MUCH FUN IN THE “REAL” ROME!!!
Of all of these I’ve only read The Husbands. I didn’t dislike it as much as you, and thought it was fairly entertaining. I am currently reading one you would probably like called How To End a Love Story. It’s classic romance, boy meets girl, they dislike each other then like each other, then have a conflict, then it all works out in the end. At least I think it all works out, but I’m not done yet, but of it follows the usual plot, it will work out.
I’m interested in your thoughts on How to End a Love Story – I’ve heard some good reviews but it’s really low Goodreads rating makes me pause!
I think I just wanted the author to explore the main character’s singleness a bit more. She was single and then BAM, suddenly married and has a whole different life, and as someone who is single, that would be a MASSIVE lifestyle shift for me. I wanted there to be more of a purpose to the novel. But I’m glad you liked it!
I thought that HTEALS was okay, but it did not wow me. However, you know how I feel about cliched romance novels, so you should obviously take my review with a grain of salt.
Hmm, The Husbands has such an interesting premise. Too bad it wasn’t a better book.
I remember the ending of The Murder of Roger Ackroyd so I won’t be rereading that one. I’m impressed that you guessed the murderer- I never guess right in Agatha Christies.
I wanted so much more from The Husbands. It was a big let-down for me.
I had my suspicions about the murderer and I kinda wanted to be proven wrong, lol. But then I felt very smug when I was right. It’s the first time it’s happened in a Christie novel I’ve read!
Oh, When in Rome sounds so good! Just requested it from the library. I’m mostly reading fantasy these days, but the best ones (by my current taste/mood, I mean) have a romance element to them, so I’m open to it.
I hope you enjoy When in Rome! I really loved it.
Are you going to read the next one after When in Rome? Now I can’t remember the name LOL. It wasn’t as good as When in Rome but still cute.
I applaud you for even finishing The Husbands. I read a couple chapters and when I realized it was going to be so many husbands coming out of the attic I just couldn’t. I felt like it was going nowhere!
I was super excited about the Husbands when I first heard about it, but I’m on the fence now if I want to read it.
murder of Roger Ackroyd is such a classic! I read it years ago and did not see the ending coming.
I’m currently reading A Love Song for Ricki Wilde- kind of a time bending romance novel that straddles New York’s jazz age and present day. I’m liking it a lot. I always say I don’t like time bending novels but I’ve recently really enjoyed How to Stop Time and The Ministry of Time, so maybe I do like them after all?
(Though I didn’t like the Invisible Lide of addie LaRue, so maybe it depends…)
I am currently trying to finish up a book that started out so promising but is dragging on. I really don’t want to carry it over to November. We’ll see. Other than that I need to pick another good one to read during the night.