Review: Hazel Fine Sings Along

Many, many moons ago, I discovered a novel titled Arranged by a Canadian author by the name of Catherine McKenzie. I loved it. So very much. I continued to read everything McKenzie wrote, even when she started writing more thrillers, which, as you know, aren’t always my cup of tea. Imagine my immense delight when I find out that she was writing a rom com under the pseudonym Katie Wicks. Yippee! Hazel Fine Sings Along was published earlier this month and I really enjoyed it!

Here’s the book’s description:

When your voice is all that matters―sing loud.
As Hazel Fine steps out of her crummy hotel room into the bright LA sunshine, she knows she’s got one, and only one, chance. Her audition for the massive talent show, The Sing Along, could change her life forever. She has the skills, what she needs now is a bit of luck.
Soon Hazel finds herself alongside fifteen other contestants who all have the same superstardom. There’s the beautiful Hollywood golden child, Bella. The bright, bubbly country singer, Zoey. The extraordinarily handsome surfer/influencer, Benji. And Hazel, who has more to hide than her past. She’s got the chops, but can she handle the pressure without self-combusting?
Add in an undeniable attraction to the show’s talented yet brooding musical director, Nick, and the lecherous tactics of one of the judges, Hazel soon finds herself in over her head. But with her guitar strapped to her shoulder, she’s going to sing her heart out―and maybe open herself up to love at the same time. Who says you can’t have it all . . .

This novel is, at its core, a romance. I knew there would be a Happily Ever After (more about that later) but there’s so much more to this story than just will they-won’t they. Romances are so much better when they have some substance to them, which this one does. Maybe that could potentially be attributed to the thrillers that Wicks writes as McKenzie. They’re wildly different genres but I feel like a good story means more than just a love story or a suspenseful act etc. In this romance, there’s a thread of Me Too and how there are still issues within the entertainment industry. Wicks does a great job of showing all the nuances involved when someone comes forward with allegations of abuse and I thought it was quite well done and realistic.

The secondary characters in this book really help round out the story. I hadn’t realized how much I appreciated them until I listened to an online chat between Wicks and Romance by the Book last week. Wicks said that, while Bella is the “villain” in Hazel’s story, the whole narrative could have been flipped on its head and, if told from Bella’s point of view, Hazel would be the villain and you’d be rooting for Bella the entire time. It was a really interesting way to put it and made me appreciate all the characters - and the way Wicks wrote them - so much more.

OK. I gotta mention the rabbit. I was thrilled to be introduced to Checkers the rabbit because I’m a rabbit owner myself. I know what it’s like to have a small, furry creature who loves to chew things and poop everywhere (truthfully, Tonks is very good about using her litter box but she’s an old girl now and sometimes I find myself asking her, “Why is there a poop over here?”). I know how to care for a rabbit. So, I was very concerned for Checkers on a number of occasions and, honestly, don’t know if the poor guy would have survived. Is it dumb that this affected me so much that I was almost shouting at the book for Hazel to do something differently? Perhaps. I was rooting for Hazel but I was also very much Team Checkers!

I don’t watch singing competitions but I really enjoyed that part of the story (which is good because it’s a huge part of the book!). It added the drama needed for the book instead of forcing drama between the love interests that doesn’t need to be there.

Now, about those love interests! Nick was very swoon-worthy and it took awhile for Hazel to realize that and that, duh, he totally has feelings for her. She had trouble reading him, not because she didn’t understand him, I don’t think, but because he was keeping himself very guarded. As was she. She had a big secret and wasn’t looking to open herself up to scrutiny. That makes it hard to get a relationship started, especially when the plan was to win a singing competition, not get a boyfriend. The tension between the two was delightful and I was rooting for them to end up together every step of the way. I absolutely love how Wicks wrapped up their story.

Hazel Fine Sings Along was an immensely enjoyable rom com romp that is a must read for anyone who enjoys their romances with laughs and drama. This debut from Katie Wicks is a solid one and I cannot wait for her next!

*An egalley of this novel was provided by the publisher, Wattpad Books, via NetGalley in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.*

Review: Six Weeks to Live

Catherine McKenzie has been an auto-read author for me for many, many years. Her latest, Six Weeks to Live, might be her darkest yet with an ending I'm sure you won't see coming.

Here's the book's description:

Jennifer Barnes never expected the shocking news she received at a routine doctor’s appointment: she has a terminal brain tumor—and only six weeks left to live.
While stunned by the diagnosis, the forty-eight-year-old mother decides to spend what little time she has left with her family—her adult triplets and twin grandsons—close by her side. But when she realizes she was possibly poisoned a year earlier, she’s determined to discover who might have tried to get rid of her before she’s gone for good.
Separated from her husband and with a contentious divorce in progress, Jennifer focuses her suspicions on her soon-to-be ex. Meanwhile, her daughters are each processing the news differently. Calm medical student Emily is there for whatever Jennifer needs. Moody scientist Aline, who keeps her mother at arm’s length, nonetheless agrees to help with the investigation. Even imprudent Miranda, who has recently had to move back home, is being unusually solicitous.
But with her daughters doubting her campaign against their father, Jennifer can’t help but wonder if the poisoning is all in her head—or if there’s someone else who wanted her dead. 

I had a thought that I knew who might be behind Jennifer's poisoning. I was wrong. Technically. (Man, is it hard to review thrillers.) That part of the story was what kept me the most intrigued: Who was behind the poisoning? And was there actually a poisoning? I really wasn't sure what was going to happen in the end!

I kind of feel like I didn't get a super satisfying ending. I did in one sense because you find out the true motivation and that was satisfying. But there were a lot of things hinted at that I didn't feel like were fully discussed on the page. I was often feeling like I missed some conversation but it just wasn't a conversation that was given to the reader and the links weren't there. 

I had a big problem with mental health and this book. Unreliable narrators are all the rage and usually work pretty well for thrillers. But...I really don't like it when they're unreliable and then it turns out there's a medical diagnosis for why they're unreliable. It's like mental health is being used as some sort of plot device. I'd call myself a mental health ally, not having been diagnosed with anything myself, and the storyline in this book surrounding mental health sat pretty wrong with me. I'm not going to say what it was because it's kind of part of the twists but...I really wish it wasn't.

The story is told in alternating perspectives. Jennifer and all three of her daughters - Aline, Emily, and Miranda - each have chapters to tell their side of the story. I thought this was really well done and helped amp up the suspense a little bit more than if it had just been told from one or two perspectives.

Six Weeks to Live won't be my favourite Catherine McKenzie novel but fans of domestic suspense should still find this one to be a good read. It's so incredibly hard not to LOVE a book from a favourite author but not every book can personally be a winner.

*An egalley of this novel was provided by the publisher, Simon & Schuster Canada, via NetGalley in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.*

Review: You Can't Catch Me

2020 has been a hell of a year, hasn't it? As some of  you may know, I also write reviews for Niagara Life, a magazine put out by my local newspaper. Usually there are four issues a year and I write reviews for three (or sometimes four) books for each issue. This year we lost the summer issue because of COVID. The fall issue was pushed back and one of my reviews wasn't able to make it into the issue. That review was of Catherine McKenzie's latest novel, You Can't Catch Me. I read the book way back in February 2020 as it was originally supposed to be published earlier than the August pub date. So, instead of reinventing the wheel and trying to add to a review of a book I read before COVID was a Thing in North America, below you'll find the review as I wrote it for the magazine. I hope you check out this book by one of my favourite Canadian authors!

Jessica Williams has had a rough few weeks. She’s been fired from her job as a journalist and now her identity has been stolen. What else could go wrong? Everything, as it turns out in Catherine McKenzie’s latest novel, You Can’t Catch Me.

After Jessica is fired for plagiarism, she takes herself on a trip to Mexico. While in the airport bar, she meets another Jessica Williams (now known as Jessica Two). Knowing Jessica will be out of the country, Jessica Two wipes out her bank account. Jessica vows to get revenge.

But who is Jessica really? The unreliable female narrator trope has gotten pretty tired over the last couple of years but McKenzie manages to do something that feels completely fresh. Without giving too much away, there are a number of explosive revelations that leave the reader wondering exactly who to trust. And just when you think you have it figured out? You find out you don’t. Not at all.

There are many threads to this novel with layers of information that are revealed slowly over the course of the novel. Jessica’s background holds more than a few surprises and the mystery of who Jessica Two is will consume thriller fans.

*An egalley of this novel was provided by the publisher, Simon & Schuster Canada, via NetGalley in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.*

Review: I'll Never Tell

I've been reading Catherine McKenzie's novels for years (eight, as my Goodreads has told me) and I have always marveled at how unique each story is. I eagerly look forward to her next novel as soon as I finish her last. I was especially looking forward to I'll Never Tell after absolutely loving The Good Liar last year (review is here if you missed it). Could her new one live up to her last (which was an instant bestseller, btw)? The short answer is: hell, yes.

Here's the synopsis:

What happened to Amanda Holmes?
Twenty years ago, she washed up on shore in a rowboat with a gash to the head after an overnight at Camp Macaw. No one was ever charged with a crime.
Now, the MacAllister children are all grown up. After their parents die suddenly, they return to Camp to read the will and decide what to do with the prime real estate it's sitting on. Ryan, the oldest, wants to sell. Margo, the family's center, hasn't made up her mind. Mary has her own horse farm to run, and believes in leaving well-enough alone. Kate and Liddie—the twins—have opposing views. And Sean Booth, the family groundskeeper, just hopes he still has a home when all is said and done.
But then the will is read and they learn that it's much more complicated than a simple vote. Until they unravel the mystery of what happened to Amanda, they can't move forward. Any one of them could have done it, and all of them are hiding key pieces of the puzzle. Will they work together to solve the mystery, or will their suspicions and secrets finally tear the family apart?

This isn't the first novel that features a dysfunctional family and a surprise in a will, and it won't be the last. But it's definitely going to be one that sticks with me for awhile. The MacAllisters are likeable enough (way more palatable than some families), they're just a bit messed up. And who isn't? It's hard to say if they really deserved to be dealing with their father's bizarre conditions even though it's pretty clear one of them is a murderer.

Speaking of murder and whodunnit - I had no idea. Every time the perspective changed with a new chapter (not as jarring as you might think), I changed my mind. Every sibling had motive and opportunity, though a few of them were immediately ruled out. Or were they? Yep. It's a twisted mystery and I loved it.

There's one thing that's been niggling at me since I finished the novel and it has to do with some choices Pete MacAllister made. I can't really say anything more because it's a hell of a spoiler if I do but his reasoning never made clear (not for the surprise in the will, that part was pretty clear). I guess I'm always just looking for more of an "everything wrapped up in a bow" situation than McKenzie was going for, especially for a character who is dead, but I feel like there's way more to him and his motivations than we got to see.

I loved that this books was set at a summer camp. I never went to overnight camp growing up so I don't have the kinds of memories that the campers at Macaw would but McKenzie does have that experience and, through that background and her great writing, I was able to understand what it was like and why the characters may have acted the way they did.

Also, I always thought the cover was so well suited to this novel - and I was very happy that McKenzie wasn't given an obviously feminine cover - but it wasn't until I inserted it into this review that I realized how perfect (and perfectly creepy) it really is.

I'll Never Tell is an amazing follow up to Catherine McKenzie's success with The Good Liar. It's an intriguing, complex, twisted story that she tells so, so well. I may have started reading her books because they were contemporary, fun, and relateable but I'm so happy with the direction she's taken because she's so good at writing thrillers. Pick this one up for your summer vacation!

*A copy of this novel was provided by the publisher, Simon & Schuster Canada, in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.*

Review: The Good Liar

I've been reading Catherine McKenzie's books for years. I've enjoyed all of them but her last couple weren't as high up on my "really good" books list as I would have expected. But then I read her newest, The Good Liar. And it's fantastic.

Here's the synopsis:

Can you hide a secret with the whole world watching?
When an explosion rips apart a Chicago building, the lives of three women are forever altered.
A year later, Cecily is in mourning. She was supposed to be in the building that day. Instead, she stood on the street and witnessed it going down, with her husband and best friend inside. Kate, now living thousands of miles away, fled the disaster and is hoping that her past won’t catch up with her. And Franny, a young woman in search of her birth mother, watched the horror unfold on the morning news, knowing that the woman she was so desperate to reconnect with was in the building.
Now, despite the marks left by the tragedy, they all seem safe. But as its anniversary dominates the media, the memories of that terrifying morning become dangerous triggers. All these women are guarding important secrets. Just how far will they go to keep them?

I'm finding the whole twisted story told by an unreliable female character trope getting a wee bit old. But then a novel like The Good Liar comes along and reminds me that there are a lot of really great stories being told in that genre (whatever we're calling that genre these days). I wouldn't really say this book is a psychological thriller because it's not quite a thriller - but it's definitely a psychological story. It's also a bit deceptive because you may think you know how all of the twisted threads will be unraveled. But, let me assure you, you will not know. Not at all. And I loved that!

McKenzie starts dropping little clues to something being not quite right early on in the story. Some of them start to make sense quickly but others led to a complete shock for me. It's almost not until the last third of the novel that I start wondering who I should be trusting. Cecily seems fairly trustworthy but you know she's hiding something and when that's revealed first, you wonder what else she could be hiding. Kate's motivations seem simple enough on the surface but are they? And what about Franny?

I also really liked that it was a balance of a mystery with a family drama. I mean, it's all tied together really but both parts of the story were told so well. Cecily is trying to find out what really happened the day her husband and her best friend (along with 500 other people) died. But at the same time she's raising two teenagers. And trying to start a new job. And maybe start dating? All the different facets of the story were balanced and told so well.

The women are front and centre in this book. The men all play a secondary role to the females, which I thought was great. Even Teo, who is trying to weave his own narrative for his documentary, is never in the forefront of the story. 

I'm really excited for everyone to read The Good Liar. Catherine McKenzie is still one of my favourite authors and she's written an amazing novel. Can you do me a favour though? Once you finish it can you let me know so we can talk about that ending?

*An egalley was provided by the author via NetGalley in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.*

Review: Fractured

Catherine McKenzie is one of my favourite writers and I always look forward to her latest novel. Fractured was released last fall and even though I read it right away I just haven’t sat down to share my thoughts on it! Bad blogger.

Here’s the synopsis:

Julie Prentice and her family move across the country to the idyllic Mount Adams district of Cincinnati, hoping to evade the stalker who’s been terrorizing them ever since the publication of her bestselling novel, The Murder Game. Since Julie doesn’t know anyone in her new town, when she meets her neighbor John Dunbar, their instant connection brings measured hope for a new beginning. But she never imagines that a simple, benign conversation with him could set her life spinning so far off course.
After a series of misunderstandings, Julie and her family become the target of increasingly unsettling harassment. Has Julie’s stalker found her, or are her neighbors out to get her, too? As tension in the neighborhood rises, new friends turn into enemies, and the results are deadly.

I’ve been finding a lot of authors who started out writing and publishing lighter books have begun gravitating to the darker, more twisted stories. I think we can thank Gone Girl for the emergence of “grip lit” and I appreciate how its given authors, women in particular, the ability to put more serious and dramatic novels out in the world. I think people are finally coming to terms that female characters can be unlikeable (and women can write them). My point? Fractured is much more twisted than McKenzie’s earlier books. And it’s awesome.

The story is told by both Julie and John and each chapter takes place either in the past or present day. McKenzie makes it really easy to follow, which I, as a reader, really appreciated. Each chapter, whether it's told by Julie or John, is in first person and I found it really gets you into the mindset of each character. (Quick aside...I found that Julie is the main character but the story would not have been as impactful had it not been for John's parts of the story.) There are also emails from the Pine Street Neighborhood Association president sprinkled throughout as well that help set the tone of how the rest of the neighbourhood is feeling about Julie and her family.

Julie isn't as unreliable as some other narrators in this genre but you can't help but wonder if you can trust her or if she's hiding something that will impact the rest of the neighbourhood and, ultimately, the overall story. You also have to wonder if you can trust John. You're pretty certain you can but every once and awhile something happens that makes you go, "hmmm." All of this helps create the suspense and you can't wait to find out exactly it was that happened "that day" which John alludes to at the start of the novel.

And here’s a fun fact – McKenzie has written and published Julie’s novel. You can actually buy The Murder Game by “Julie Apple.” How cool is that? I only just purchased it myself recently but I’m looking forward to reading it!

Finally, check out this article McKenzie wrote about the cover of Fractured and the state of covers by female authors. It's a must read that has so many great points.

You're definitely going to want to pick up a copy of Fractured if you're into thrillers and really good storytelling. Catherine McKenzie is still firmly in my list of favourite authors. I already can't wait for her next book!

*A copy of this novel was provided by the author in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.*

Review: Smoke

It's no secret that I adore Catherine McKenzie's novels. I'll tell anyone who will listen (and some who won't) that they should read her books because they're so great. One of my favourite things about her novels is they all feature something you wouldn't normally think of writing (or reading) a book about and her latest is no different. Smoke was a novel that kept me turning the pages quickly because I was so invested in the story.

Here's the synopsis:

After a decade-long career combating wildfires, Elizabeth has traded in for a quieter life with her husband. Now she works as the local arson investigator in a beautiful, quaint town in the Rockies. But that tranquil life vanishes when she and her husband agree to divorce, and when a fire started in nearby Cooper Basin begins to spread rapidly. For Elizabeth, containing a raging wildfire is easier than accepting that her marriage has failed.
For Elizabeth’s ex-friend Mindy, who feels disconnected from her husband and teenage children, the fire represents a chance to find a new purpose: helping a man who lost his home to the blaze. But her faith is shattered by a shocking accusation.
As the encroaching inferno threatens the town’s residents, Elizabeth and Mindy must discover what will be lost in the fire, and what will be saved.

I liked that there was a hint of a mystery in this novel - though I wouldn't exactly classify it as such. I think what makes the book seem more mysterious is that there are so many secrets being kept by various characters. Secrets that, for the most part, don't actually have anything to do with the fire. The fire is the main mystery...what happened? Who set it? Was it done on purpose? As the town, and, by extension, Elizabeth, get closer to figuring out how the fire got started, even more secrets are revealed.

As I mentioned earlier, McKenzie has a knack for writing interesting stories. Not only are they interesting but they really dig into the human psyche. Why do people act in certain ways? Arranged is my favourite novel by McKenzie and it features arranged marriages. Hidden focuses on extramarital affairs. Smoke has characters who willingly fight fires, plus there's a marriage in trouble and a friendship that has completely fallen apart. How did these characters get to this point? And can they repair the relationships? Do they want to? Even though the main characters in Smoke are your average people you'd meet on the street, the way McKenzie writes them turns them into something so much more fascinating. You'll want to know what happens to them (and, in my case, make sure they're all going to be ok...you know me and the Happily Ever After!), as much as you want to know how the fire got started.

This novel is told in two perspectives. The chapters alternated between Elizabeth and Mindy. I liked this because it showed two very different approaches to the fire and also showed, first hand, the emotional upheaval each woman was going through over the course of the novel. What I didn't especially love was that Elizabeth's POV was told in first person whereas Mindy's was third. I'm not really sure what the reasoning was but, for me at least, it created more of a connection to Elizabeth when that didn't necessarily need to be the case. I loved that the story was broken up into days from when the fire started to the end of the novel. I liked this because it made it clear how much time had passed and it also further hit home how quickly a fire can start, spread, get out of hand, and (hopefully) be contained.

I don't think Smoke will make it as my favourite Catherine McKenzie novel but that doesn't mean it's not any good (Arranged  is on a pretty high pedestal!). I really enjoyed it! I loved the setting, the secrets, the characters...it all came together in such a great read. I think this one would be perfect for book clubs because there are so many elements to discuss. Have you read McKenzie's latest novel? What did you think of it?

*I received an ARC of this novel at BEA but I am also a member of Catherine's Street Team. As always, opinions are honest and my own.*

Top Ten Tuesday: Fall TBR

Top Ten Tuesday is weekly meme created by the lovely folks at The Broke and the Bookish. They created it because they're "particularly fond of lists" and since I also enjoy lists, I've decided to participate in this fun feature.

Tomorrow is the first official day of fall! Can you believe it? As much as I love fall clothing, I am not looking forward to cooler weather and Canadian winter! The books I've included in this week's Top Ten Tuesday are a mix of titles. Some of them are not released yet so I'm looking forward to reading them as soon as they're released. Others are for events, book clubs, blog tours, or just because. What are you looking forward to reading this fall?

Racing the Sun - Karina Halle
This is a bit of a cheat as I just started it yesterday but I need to have it done before the weekend so I can pass it (and another of Halle's) onto a friend I'm seeing on Sunday!

Surviving Ice - K.A. Tucker (publication date: October 27)
I'm so excited for this last book in the Burying Water series! More than I thought I would be, actually. I'll admit that I'm still not sure if I'll love reading about Ivy but I love Tucker so I know it'll be a good story.

The Girl on the Train - Paula Hawkins
This is a book I've been thinking about reading and I always decide not to because it's so not my usual fare. However, the time has come for me to dive in because I'll be leading the discussion for next month's Beer and Books event the library I work at holds every month. Can't run a meeting without reading the book first!

Avelynn - Marissa Campbell
This will be a read for the magazine I review for. Apparently it will appeal to fans of Outlander!

Smoke - Catherine McKenzie (publication date: October 20)
Catherine is one of my favourite authors. I actually have a signed ARC from BEA that I've been holding off on reading. I think I just wanted to wait until closer to the publication date (it feels like a fall book) plus I know as soon as I read it I'll have to start waiting all over again for her next book!

Anne of Ingleside - L.M. Montgomery
I've gotten back into the swing of things with the Green Gables Readalong. This one is October's read.

Poles Apart - Terry Fallis (publication date: October 20)
I've still only read one of Fallis' novels but I'm going to rectify that soon with his upcoming book. I have an ARC (that the boyfriend has already devoured) that I'm really looking forward to reading!

A Sister's Place - Savannah Page
I've read and loved Page's other works (the When Girlfriends... series) so I'm excited about this one. I have to have it read before November for a blog tour.

The Nightingale - Kristin Hannah
This one will be next month's book club pick. I just had my first meeting last night and put the book on reserve at my library. 23 holds. Gulp.

The Vintage Guide to Love and Romance - Kirsty Greenwood
I've received a few books from publishers in the last little while and this is the one I'm most looking forward to diving into. It seems like it'll be really different and fun!

BEA 2015: Day Three

This is it, friends. The final day of BEA. *sobs* I couldn't believe it was already Friday! I felt like I had barely scratched the surface of the event.

The day started early for me and Katherine. I wanted to get an autograph line ticket for Meg Cabot and she wanted tickets for Jennifer L. Armentrout and another author (I think?). Tickets were handed out starting at the ridiculous hour of 7:00 AM. These tickets weren't for all authors, just the ones that would have a really large crowd. So, we woke up at 6:00, stumbled out of the house at 6:15, arrived at Javits at 6:30, got our tickets just after 7:00, and stumbled back home for breakfast (and tea for me). While we sat in line, I finally read one of the show guides. Um. Why hadn't I been reading that every day? So many tidbits! We also shook our heads in amazement at the group already lined up to get into the show, which, by the way, didn't open for another two hours.

Everyone else in the house left early because there were important books to be had but Katherine and I took our time and wandered back to Javits together. We got more Litograph tattoos (this time it was "The Tell-Tale Heart") and I remembered there was a print I wanted to get from an upcoming picture book. Finding Winnie is about the real Winnie the Pooh. As a Canadian and a Winnie fan, I had to have it!

Left: How cute is this illustration? | Right: How cute is Beth? :)

While wandering I also found a copy of Everybody Rise, which I had I wanted to pick up but missed out on. How lucky is that? Also, after hemming and hawing all week, I finally picked up the Litographs Anne of Green Gables print I've been lusting after for ages. This way I wouldn't have to pay the obscene shipping cost to Canada. Win! Another notable moment was getting a picture with Beth (Fuelled by Fiction), though I didn't want to say goodbye because she lives so far away!

Friday was all about quality over quantity. I got a bunch of signed books (of the nine I picked up that day, five of them were signed) which was amazing. (Stay tuned for the haul post where you can see each and every title I received!) I had planned on getting Sandy Hall's new one, Signs Point to Yes, because I adored A Little Something Different (review here). Not anticipated was the new Abbi Glines novel, Until Friday Night. She had two signings that day but that one was the only one that fit into my schedule.

Lunch was with Katherine at the little healthy grocery store down the street from Javits. I was in desperate need of vitamins and nutrients so I loaded up on Greek salad and a ton of fruit. SO needed and delicious!

Finally it was time for the main event of my BEA: Meeting Catherine McKenzie! I was standing in line, quietly hyperventilating, when Katherine came up behind me. I had been gushing about McKenzie all week so Katherine wanted to see what it was all about. Of course, now she'd be present for my fangirling and she was finding way too much pleasure in that. I don't know why I was so worried about meeting Catherine ("what if she doesn't know who I am?") because as soon as I came up and she saw the sticky note with my name on it, she lit up and immediately gave me a hug. She even introduced me to her agent ("Kaley's been reviewing my books since 2010!")! I ended up being quite happy Katherine was there as she took this picture of Catherine and I. I wanted to keep chatting but I knew there were others in line. I walked off clutching my signed ARC of Smoke and wearing, I'm sure, a stupid, huge grin on my face. Whee!

I lined up in the unofficial Meg Cabot line quite early (I had learned the ropes quickly, plus I didn't have anything else pressing to see) and when we moved to the official pre-line, I was about fourth or so. I knew there would be some people jumping the line (you could purchase passes that allowed you to have a line jump at an autograph session), such as Emilie, but I was still pretty excited about how close to the front I was. I made friends with a woman behind me (who is friends with the woman who got bit a few years ago! She was so amused that so many people had heard that story. Her friend? Not so amused.). This new friendship with Kate worked out very well for me because I was able to hop over the the K.A. Tucker signing line, which I didn't think I'd be able to make! I was totally thrilled that Tucker remembered meeting me in Toronto last September and that I had reviewed Burying Water for the magazine I write for. After a lovely, fangirling (on my part) meeting, I hopped back over to the Meg Cabot line. It's been years since I've read a Princess Diaries book, but I was so excited about Royal Wedding. Cabot asked if it was for me and I said how I had thought about having her sign it to my sister but she said that was silly and I needed it for me! (Sorry, dude!) Also, did I mention Cabot was wearing a tiara? Amazing!

By this point most of us roomies had met up and we decided to do one last lap before trudging home. Emilie and Jess got some travel books (pro tip: wait until the last day and sometimes the publishers will give you things that had previously only been on display. This is how Ciara got the mini light up TARDIS I was going to give to my sister until I found out she already had it. I just politely asked at the end of the day if I may please have one of the mini books.) Katherine and I each picked up a cute picture book for the kiddos in our lives (niece/nephew on my end). After a quick couple of pictures of the venue (why hadn't I done that before?) and the Pengin Book Truck, it was time to say goodbye to Javits and BEA.

Left: SO many posters for BOOKS! | Right: I saw the Penguin book truck in person!

We dumped our books and made our way to the blogger dinner Tiff had planned at Bourbon Street Bar and Grille. It was nice to see some other bloggers buuut...we really didn't have the chance to mingle. We ended up getting there last so it was basically just us roomies at the table and those of us at one end of the table couldn't hear a thing at the other end because the restaurant was so loud.

How many bloggers can you fit in one picture?

The evening took an upswing when we decided to go back to The Strand that night instead of working it into our busy Saturday. I knew I wanted to get myself a shot glass to add to my collection and get as many postcards as I could for my sister to add to her collection. I was a really good girl and just bought souvenir type things and didn't get any books or totes or anything totally unnecessary. Yay, me!

Once we got home we decided it'd be a brilliant idea to drink, eat more food, and watch The Princess Diaries. As you do when a few of the roommates met Meg Cabot that day. (Yes, we know the books and the movie are very different.) It was probably the best way to end the day and I am so glad the girls didn't mind me quoting the movie constantly. I've only seen it a bajillion times. :) Then, to bed to prepare for a day of touristing in New York City! Whee!

In case you missed it...

Planning + Travel Day

Day One - Day at the Show

Day One - Evening Events

Day Two

Top Ten Tuesday: Favourite Authors

Top Ten Tuesday is weekly meme created by the lovely folks at The Broke and the Bookish. They created it because they're "particularly fond of lists" and since I also enjoy lists, I've decided to participate in this fun feature.

Trying to come up with ten favourite authors is quite the daunting task, let me tell you. I had to include two sub-categories because, let's face it, it's pretty much impossible to come up with just ten. My process was to list the ones that came to me right off the top of my head and then went through my five star rated books on Goodreads. I also kind of love that every single author, all thirteen of them, are women. Sure, I've read some amazing books by male authors but there aren't any that are on my autobuy list (though Kevin Kwan comes close...I cannot wait until China Rich Girlfriend is released). It's also no surprise that many of the authors on this list are ones that I've met. Though, on the flip side, there's one author who I used to list on my favourites but I no longer will since I saw her in person. (Any guesses?) I'm sure I'm missing a few but these authors are always recommended and dearly loved. Who are your favourite authors? Which ones are on your autobuy list?

My Favourite Ladies
Sarah Dessen
No one should be surprised that Dessen tops my list. She is an amazing writer, I've loved her since I was in my teens, and she's just an absolute sweetheart. I'm counting down the days until Saint Anything is released!! Definitely an autobuy author.

Rainbow Rowell
I've loved both Rowell's adult and young adult books, which is important, but I also found her to be amazing in person when I met her a few years ago.

Jennifer Weiner
I've been reading Weiner for years and have always found her books smart and engaging. Meeting her last year cemented my love for her because she is one amazing woman.

Heather Wardell
Heather was one of the first indie authors I read and now, many years later, I consider her a friend. (Hopefully that's not presumptuous...) Not only does she write amazing novels but she is also great at connecting with her readers.

Meredith Schorr
I've loved all of Meredith's books and she's another author who I like to consider a friend (she's offered to make sure I don't get lost in NYC when I'm there for BEA next month...that's a friend!) She also wins a ton of points for writing an awesome book about a chick lit blogger, appropriately called Blogger Girl, that is one of my all time favourites.

K.A. Tucker
Tucker's stories completely suck me in. They have interesting characters who you're immediately invested in. Plus, when I met her at a signing last year she saw my name and knew what my Twitter and Instagram was (it helps that my name is so unique!). She's definitely my favourite New Adult author.

Gayle Forman
I first read Just One Day and Just One Year and fell in love with Forman's writing. The love sort of lessened when I read If I Stay and Where She Went. I just didn't connect with that story. I decided to try her latest, I Was Here, and fell in love all over again. I also met her at the Toronto International Book Fair last year and she was really nice!

Catherine McKenzie
McKenzie is on my autobuy list as well. She's written so many amazing novels, though Arranged is by far my favourite. I haven't met her yet but I'd absolutely love to.

Beth Kendrick
I fell in love with Kendrick's books when I read Second Time Around and have thoroughly enjoyed all of the others of hers that I've read. Happily, I still have a few from her backlist still to read to tide me over until she releases a new one.

Stephanie Perkins
I freaking love Anna and the French Kiss, Lola and the Boy Next Door, and Isla and the Happily Ever After. Plus, the book of short holiday stories she edited, My True Love Gave to Me, was absolutely amazing (plus it featured authors like Rowell and Forman). I like that Perkins seems so real and awesome. I'm looking forward to seeing what she comes up with next.

Dearly Departed Authors
Lucy Maud Montgomery
I've been rereading the Anne of Green Gables series and I'm remembering how much I loved them when I was younger. The books and writing are just so delightful!

Jane Austen
I admit that it can sometimes be difficult to read Austen but her stories are intelligent and entertaining...she's a lot funnier than a lot of people give her credit for.

The Ultimate Queen of Authors
J.K. Rowling
Do I really need to explain this one? Harry Potter is my all time favourite and Rowling herself is one awesome lady.

Blog Tour: Spun

It's no secret that I adore Catherine McKenzie's novels. So when I heard that she was writing a sequel to her first novel I was super excited. It's been awhile since I've read Spin but I remember enjoying it and I was looking forward to seeing what It Girl Amber was up to now. In the novella Spun, we get an update on Amber's life post-rehab, just as things are getting really out of control. I really enjoyed this one!

Here's the synopsis:

In this funny and touching novella, bestselling author Catherine McKenzie returns to the story of Amber Sheppard, It Girl and celebrity train wreck from her reader-favourite novel Spin. Life has been rough for starlet Amber since leaving rehab. She’s been two years sober, but no one seems to believe her – not the gossip media, not casting agents, and most certainly not her spotlight-loving parents. With her friendships ruined by betrayal and her career at a standstill, Amber’s just trying to get her life back on track. It doesn’t help that her former love, movie star Connor Parks, keeps trying to draw Amber back in, not just to their relationship but to his hard partying ways. One fateful night, Amber breaks down and agrees to join him on board his private jet as it readies for takeoff – a decision that will change her life forever and expose her to a whole new level of scrutiny and heartbreak.

The only negative thing I have to say doesn't even have anything to do with the book itself. It's been over three years since I've read Spin so I couldn't remember every detail of Amber's story. I don't think that actually really matters, I was just frustrated at myself for not remembering everything. I wish I had had the time to reread Spin before I dove into Spun. You don't really even have to have read the first book to understand this one but I think it increases the enjoyment of it. If you've read Spin and are lookin forward to reading Spun, I'd suggest rereading the novel before tackling the novella. It'll be worth it!

Spun is really short - it has just 142 pages - so it's a really quick read. Part of me wishes it had been longer (because who wouldn't want an enjoyable book to be longer?) but I can also appreciate that Amber's story was best told in a novella format. I was a little worried at first because I wasn't sure how all of Amber's problems would be dealt with and resolved by the end. And, truthfully, not everything is wrapped up in a neat little bow. I like how McKenzie ended things...you're happy with the resolution but it's not perfect because how could things be perfect after what happened? (Nope, not going to tell you what happens.)

I liked how Spun was written. I think it had a bit of a different feel than McKenzie's other books...maybe because Amber is the youngest heroine she's ever written. She's 25 in this book (er, I think?) and because McKenzie's last few main characters have been older, it's a bit of a change in the way the story is told and how it feels. It's not a bad thing, don't get me wrong, it was just different. If I had to try to explain how the story is told I think I'd say that it's sort of like a stream of consciousness. The story bops around but not in a confusing way. It's realistic - the way you would be telling a story to a friend. That's the best way I can describe it!

I also liked more of an insight into Amber's life and what it might be like to be famous. For her, at least, it's no fun. The paparazzi are vultures and it's hard to get your life back on track when your every move is being analyzed. And, for me at least, you can't help but root for Amber. I really loved her in this book and was happy with how she was doing and where she was going by the end of the story.

I don't know if I did Spun justice. I almost always feel like that when I review Catherine McKenzie's books. I just love her and her novels so much that all I want to do is say READ THIS :) But, since I can't do that, I will say: McKenzie has written another fabulous novel (honestly, guys, her writing is just amazing) and Spun has a great balance of serious and funny and I couldn't get enough. I'm ready for her next novel already! If you'd like to read what others thought of Spun, check out The Savvy Reader site. And, if you haven't read Spin (tsk tsk tsk), enter this giveaway! a Rafflecopter giveaway

*A copy of this novel was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.*

Top Ten Tuesday: My Favourite Chick Lit

Top Ten Tuesday is weekly meme created by the lovely folks at The Broke and the Bookish. They created it because they're "particularly fond of lists" and since I also enjoy lists, I've decided to participate in this fun feature.

I'm a chick lit fan. I have been for years and I have no problem using the term. But, in the interest of being inclusive (who says dudes can't read chick lit?) I've considered using the term rom-com more often. After all, chick flicks are now marketed as romantic comedies. And the romance plus the comedy is exactly why I love these kinds of books. I've read a lot of them over the years so narrowing my favourites list down to ten was a HUGE challenge. Most of the books are on the funnier side but there are a few that might be considered more women's fiction. Either way, they're my favourites! Hopefully I've shared some new titles with you and that you'll give this genre a chance, if you haven't already! What's your favourite genre?

Blogger Girl - Meredith Schorr (review)

I will tell every single chick lit fan that they must read this book. I love love love it. Partially because it's about a chick lit book blogger but also because it's just an amazing book. I also love Meredith's first novel, Just Friends with Benefits. 

Go Small or Go Home - Heather Wardell (review)

Really, this could be every Heather Wardell book. I adore them all. And I doubly adore that she's Canadian and her books are set in Toronto. If you want to check them out, her first, Life, Love, and a Polar Bear Tattoo is free on all ebook outlets! (Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Kobo, Nook). Read it!

Arranged – Catherine McKenzie (review)

Once again, I love every single one of Catherine's books but Arranged is my favourite. It's so clever and all around awesome.

Second Time Around – Beth Kendrick (review)

This story starts out kind of heavy but it's a really great book. I loved it (and Nearlyweds) so much that I've bought every single one of Kendrick's books published since then (there are three, with a fourth coming out soon). 

Love the One You're With – Emily Giffin

It seems like Giffin fans are pretty split on their favourite book but I love this one. I also really liked her last one, Where We Belong (review), and have high hopes for her upcoming book, The One and Only. Can't wait to get to my ARC! 

Breaking the Rules - Cat Lavoie (review)

The thing I love about Cat's debut novel is that it takes a typical chick lit story (boy and girl friends realize they have romantic feelings for each other) and takes it in a completely unexpected direction. Her second novel, Zoey and the Moment of Zen is just as awesome.

Winter Wonderland – Belinda Jones (review)

The setting of this novel plays a huge part in why I love it so much. It's set during Quebec's Carnival. I've never been but it's on my list of things to do...eventually. It's also a really fun story featuring a travel writer (one of my favourite types of characters to read about). 

Sugar Spun Sister - Anna Garner (review)

I love all of Anna's books (which include the ones she writes under Libby Mercer) because she writes some of the best characters. I always want to be friends with them. I chose to feature this one because it takes the typical sweet shop story and switches it up. The friends in this series own an ice cream shop! What's not to love?

Finding Lucas - Samantha Stroh Bailey (review)

This book puts the comedy in romantic comedy. I couldn't believe some of the things the characters get up to and it was so much fun to read. I can't wait for Sam's next book!

The Runaway Princess – Hester Browne (review)

I call this book The Princess Diaries for grown-ups. The story is a little different but it has the same feel of the Princess books and movies. I was so incredibly and pleasantly surprised when I read this book and think all chick lit and princess lovers should read it. 

Holiday Blog Tour: Hidden + Author Interview

Welcome to the holiday blog tour for Catherine McKenzie's latest novel, Hidden! This was one of my favourite books of 2013 and Catherine is one of my all time favourite authors so I'm so excited to be a part of this tour. In today's post you'll find an interview I did with Catherine and a repost of my review of Hidden (originally posted in June). Have you read this one yet? I know it's not out in the US yet but Amazon.com tells me it should be released in April. I hope you enjoy today's post!

Books Etc.: Your novel Arranged (my favourite!) is being made into a short film. Tell us about this experience. How did you find out about it? How involved are you in the production? What was it like spending a day on the set?

Catherine McKenzie: Yes, it is! In fact, as I write this, I've just gotten back from the set in Toronto. What an awesome experience - seeing my first novel being brought to life, even in a small way was surreal and exciting and just plain fun. I've known about it for a while - the producers had to buy the option on the film and then get their financing, and I had read the script months ago. I'm not involved in an active way (i.e. not writing the script or anything) but the producers are nice enough to keep me up to date and to have me on set.

BE: What is the best writing advice you’ve ever received?

CM: Gosh, that's a hard one. I'm not sure if someone told me this or I just realized it, but learning to write when you're not inspired is I think the best advice I have.

BE: What’s your writing routine like? Is there a particular place or time of day that suits you best when it comes to writing?

CM: I don't tend to have much of a routine these days - I need to get one of those - but I find that either in the morning or in the hour or so after dinner are usually my best times.

BE: Do you create outlines for your novels or are you a write by the seat of your pants author?

CM: Much more by the seat of my pants, though I had to outline for HIDDEN given the more intricate plot lines and multiple points of view.

BE: Do you find yourself giving your characters qualities that you or people who are close to you have?

CM: I do sometimes give them qualities I have - exaggerated, usually - but I try not to do that for people I know. At least not intentionally!

BE: This year you pledged to read 52 books in 52 weeks. I love that idea. Your choices cover all sorts of genres but do you have a favourite genre to read?

CM: I find I kind of go through genre phases. Sometimes it's non-fiction. Sometimes it's detective fiction. Sometimes novels. Depends on my mood, really. That has been one of the hard parts of the project; having to read within some confines as opposed to whatever I feel like, but it's mostly been fun.

BE: What’s next for you? Are you working on another novel now?

CM: I should have a fun project coming out sometime in the first half of next year (sorry to be vague but still wrapping up the details), but I can say that fans of Spin will (hopefully) be pleased. (Blogger Note: Ooh, I cannot wait to hear more about this!)

Most readers look forward to many new books throughout the year but they usually have that one book they can't wait to get their hands on. For me, the book I was most looking forward to in 2013 was Hidden by Catherine McKenzie. I have read and loved Catherine's previous three novels and am constantly recommending them to others. I was curious to see if her fourth novel lived up to my expectations...it did! I couldn't turn the pages fast enough to find out what would happen next in this fantastic novel.

Here's the synopsis:

When a married man suffers a sudden fatal accident, two women are shattered—his wife and someone else's—and past secrets, desires and regrets are brought to light.
While walking home from work one evening, Jeff Manning is struck by a car and killed. Not one but two women fall to pieces at the news: his wife, Claire, and his co-worker Tish. Reeling from her loss, Claire must comfort her grieving son and contend with funeral arrangements, well-meaning family members and the arrival of Jeff’s estranged brother—her ex-boyfriend—Tim.
With Tish’s co-workers in the dark about her connection to Jeff outside the workplace, she volunteers to attend the funeral on the company’s behalf, but only she knows the true risk of inserting herself into the wreckage of Jeff’s life. Told through the three voices of Jeff, Tish and Claire, Hidden explores the complexity of relationships, our personal choices and the responsibilities we have to the ones we love.

One of my favourite things about this novel was that it is told from three different perspectives - Jeff, Tish, and Claire. It's all told in first person and you'd think it'd get confusing but it doesn't. Though, I admit, it did take me until I was about three quarters into the novel before I realized what the (clever) indicator was: different font for the first few words in each chapter. I think it takes real talent to be able to keep each thread both separate and connected, and to know which scenes to repeat from different perspectives and which to only touch on once. I think McKenzie did a fabulous job of telling the story from each perspective and I loved reading the inner thoughts of each character.

I really wasn't sure how things were going to end up by the last page and I loved that. What makes this even better is that even when I thought everything was all sewn up, McKenzie threw in a little twist. Admittedly, I'm not sure if I particularly likes how it ended but I know that was the right way to conclude the story.

As with McKenzie's previous novels, she's given us some fabulous characters. They are in no way perfect (hello, this story deals with a possible affair) but that's what makes them so awesome. They're real and relatable and so much fun to read about (er, perhaps fun is the wrong word to use when one of the characters is actually dead...). Even with the potential of a couple of affairs, you'll still fall in love with the characters and want the very best for them.

Catherine McKenzie has, once again, delivered a fantastic novel. Hidden will definitely make my top ten favourites list for 2013 and will be another novel I push on everyone who is looking for a good book to read. Friends, prepare yourselves!

*An ARC of this novel was provided by HarperCollins Canada in exchange for an honest review.*

A to Z Bookish Survey

Created by Jamie at The Perpetual Page-Turner

Jamie at The Perpetual Page-Turner has done it again. She's created another really fun bookish survey! On Friday Jamie revealed this A to Z survey for anyone looking to shake things up with their blog. It's a great idea because it gives us something else to do and talk about other than a review. Hopefully it'll create some fun discussions around the blogosphere! (And my personal hope is that it won't all be about YA). 

Here goes!:

Author you’ve read the most books from:

My first thought was Sarah Dessen then I checked my “most read authors” list on Goodreads…turns out it’s Sophie Kinsella!

Best Sequel Ever:

Sisterhood Everlasting - Ann Brashares. This was the final book in the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series and I think it was perfectly done. It broke my heart and I know a lot of others thought it was unnecessary but I thought it was amazing. 

Currently Reading:

As I write this, nothing. But I will probably start Trains and Lovers tonight. 

Drink of Choice While Reading:

Tea, for sure. I may be slightly addicted to David’s Tea…

E-reader or Physical Book?

I’ll always love physical books but e-readers definitely have their uses (gym, traveling, while eating).

Fictional Character You Probably Would Have Actually Dated In High School:

Cricket from Lola and the Boy Next Door.  This is a recently discovered book boyfriend so that’s probably why he’s top of mind. While I was reading it I texted my friend something like this (I no longer have the actual text):  “I know he’s fictional, and 18, and that I have a boyfriend but I need Cricket in my life”. He’s a bit nerdy and shy, as well as tall, and is exactly what I’d go for when I was in high school.

Glad You Gave This Book A Chance:

The Hunger Games. I know, I blew it off for years and finally read it before the movie came out. Amazing.

Hidden Gem Book:

Breaking the Rules – Cat Lavoie

Important Moment in your Reading Life:

Starting this blog was pretty huge as was going to my first author signing (Sarah Dessen, two years ago - reaction post here) but I think the two internships I did this year (one at Random House of Canada - wrap up post here - and the other at Project Bookmark Canada - wrap up post here) were pretty big moments.

Just Finished:

Finding My Happy Pace – Heather Wardell (one of my favourite authors!)

Kinds of Books You Won’t Read:

Horror. I am the biggest scaredy cat.

Longest Book You’ve Read:

Using the nifty trick of sorting my Goodreads list by number of pages…seriously? Breaking Dawn is 756 pages? Yikes.

Major book hangover because of:

There are probably several but the first I thought of was The Hunger Games series. Didn’t want to think about starting anything new after that.

Number of Bookcases You Own:

I have two, tall stuffed ones at my own house and another tall full one in my room at my mom’s plus a bunch that are on a few of her shelves in her living room.

One Book You Have Read Multiple Times:

Harry Potter. Oh, one book? ;) Ummm…I got nothing. I haven’t reread books in ages, other than all the Sarah Dessen books I’ve been rereadingthis year for a challenge.

Preferred Place To Read:

On my couch. Or any couch, really. As long as it’s long enough to fit me (I’m tall and couches don’t always like to accommodate my tallness!)

Quote that inspires you/gives you all the feels from a book you’ve read:

There are probably several but I took a picture of this one from Dreamland by Sarah Dessen that really affected me:

“I stood in front of my mirror and turned slowly, watching the skirt twirl up and fall around my knees. I wanted to be a girl that could wear a dress like this. Instead, the girl in the mirror looked back at me, and I hardly recognized her. She was just some strange girl who’d tumbled off a pyramid, falling into a dream, and now waited, in the a beautiful dress, like some princess in a forgotten fairy tale, for someone to come save her.”

Reading Regret:

Not reading more Canadian literature until this year.

Series You Started And Need To Finish (all books are out in series):

Enchanted, Inc. by Shanna Swendson. The final (I think) book was just released earlier this year (again, I think) and I have yet to read it! Part of that is because I haven’t discovered it in a store yet and I want the physical copy because I own the rest and my mom’s read them, too.

Three of your All-Time Favorite Books:

Arranged – Catherine McKenzie

The Truth About Forever – Sarah Dessen

Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen

Unapologetic Fangirl For:

Catherine McKenzie. I love that she’s Canadian and I love all her books. She’s a huge supporter of other authors too, which I think is great. She’s always been so nice when I’ve emailed her and I hope to someday meet her in person!

Very Excited For This Release More Than All The Others:

Longbourn – Jo Baker. Think Downton Abbey but with the Bennet’s servants. Yes, the Pride and Prejudice Bennet’s. I’ve been hearing about this one since January when I was at Random House of Canada and I NEED IT.

Worst Bookish Habit:

Skimming. I’m a fast reader but sometimes I find myself skimming and not noticing things because I just want to get to the good parts or the end.

X Marks The Spot: Start at the top left of your shelf and pick the 27th book:

Comfort Food – Kate Jacobs.

Your latest book purchase:

The Week Before the Wedding – Beth Kendrick. I had a gift card and a 25% off coupon! Win!

ZZZ-snatcher book (last book that kept you up WAY late):

Oh man. Um. I’ve been very good lately and haven’t gone to bed with a book. I have no willpower so I would keep reading until I was done. I don’t know what the last one was but I do know that I stayed up past midnight on a Wednesday or something (ie a “school” night) to finish Catching Fire last fall.