Review: Hang the Moon

I was completely delighted by Alexandria Bellefleur's debut rom com Written in the Stars when I read it at the end of 2020. I was immediately excited for the next book in the sort of series but also worried Hang the Moon wouldn't quite live up to my expectations. I read a lot of rom coms in May. A LOT. Not to mention the number I read prior to May. But Hang the Moon? It's my favourite. I absolutely loved it. 

Here's the book's description:

Brendon Lowell loves love. It’s why he created a dating app to help people find their one true pairing and why he’s convinced “the one” is out there, even if he hasn’t met her yet. Or... has he? When his sister's best friend turns up in Seattle unexpectedly, Brendon jumps at the chance to hang out with her. He’s crushed on Annie since they were kids, and the stars have finally aligned, putting them in the same city at the same time.
Annie booked a spur-of-the-moment trip to Seattle to spend time with friends before moving across the globe. She’s not looking for love, especially with her best friend’s brother. Annie remembers Brendon as a sweet, dorky kid. Except, the 6-foot-4 man who shows up at her door is a certified Hot Nerd and Annie... wants him? Oh yes.
Getting involved would be a terrible idea—her stay is temporary and he wants forever—but when Brendon learns Annie has given up on dating, he’s determined to prove that romance is real. Taking cues from his favorite rom-coms, Brendon plans to woo her with elaborate dates straight out of Nora Ephron’s playbook. The clock is ticking on Annie’s time in Seattle, and Brendon’s starting to realize romance isn’t just flowers and chocolate. But maybe real love doesn’t need to be as perfect as the movies... as long as you think your partner hung the moon.

I had a feeling the second book would be about Brendon and Annie when I finished Written in the Stars (which is about Brendon's sister/Annie's best friend Darcy and Elle, who sort of works with Brendon) and I was SO excited. I really enjoy the sibling's best friend trope (or best friend's sibling, however you want to talk about it) so looked forward to what Bellefleur would write. The pair have history but they haven't seen each other in eight years and when those eight years span your twenties, a lot can change. I loved reading as the pair reconnected and realized that there was something to Brendon's crush all those years ago.

While I'm loving the rom coms that are more serious these days, I also still love the romances that make me literally laugh out loud. This story was as clever as it was charming and it made for such a delightful reading experience. That's not to say there aren't some serious moments, as there are. Both Brendon and Annie have some romantic hurdles to overcome and that makes things...tricky...for them. But the promise of them being together has them working to do whatever they can, even if it scares the hell out of them.

You don't have to have read Written in the Stars to enjoy this one. But for those who have, there is just enough of both Darcy and Elle to satisfy the reader's curiosity about how the pair are doing now without it overwhelming Annie and Brendon's story. They're involved, of course, because Darcy is Annie's best friend and Brendon's sister but they're doing their own thing while the main couple of this book are doing theirs (and, ahem, each other). (My review of Written in the Stars is here if you missed it.)

I've never been to Seattle but these books are making the wanderlust even stronger than it was. The boyfriend and I keep meaning to make concrete plans to go when the Blue Jays are in Seattle but other things got in the way (bills, mostly, but also not enough vacation time on my end) and then, well, COVID-19 hit. There's something about the city that intrigues me and Bellefleur seems to capture the energy so well - or at least well enough that it really makes me want to visit.

I finished reading Hang the Moon with a smile and an overwhelming sense of pleasure. I loved every second I spent reading the story Alexandria Bellefleur had written and was also kind of sad when it was over. Brendon and Annie were a great couple to read about and while I know Bellefleur will give Margot the Happily Ever After she deserves in the next book, I know I'm going to want even more of Brendon and Annie!

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

Cover Reveal: A Brit Player

It's been awhile since I've done a cover reveal and I'm excited to share the cover of Brenda St. John's upcoming novel A Brit Player! I've read a few of St. John's novels and have found them really enjoyable. One of those reads was the first in the Castle Calder series, A Brit on the Side. Because I liked that one so much, I knew I wanted to share the new cover of book 4 with you all.

The series isn't a "true" one so you can hop in and out of the series without feeling like you'll be missing anything by not having read the others. Which is good since I haven't read books two or three! But I'm still looking forward to #4! This one, which publishes June 23, is a second chance sports romance which is kind of my jam.

Before I share the cover, here's what the book is all about:

Whoever said taking a second chance on your first love was a good idea obviously had nothing to hide…
They say the best way to get over someone is to get under someone else. But shagging a guy with a “Bad Decision” tattoo is never a good idea. It’s a warning label. Trust me.
So when a friend coerces me into taking part in a charity dating auction, I jump at the chance to leave London - and my bad decisions - behind for a weekend.
But Max Foster is there and he’s bidding on me like it’s his job. Max isn’t just a guy. He’s THE GUY - my first love who I haven’t seen since the day he left high school to go play professional football in Spain.
I shouldn’t see him again, never mind want to. Because letting him find out about the secret I’ve kept from him these past twelve years? That has “bad decision” written all over it.
** This book may contain triggers for sensitive readers **

Sounds intriguing, right?

Ready for the cover?

Was someone looking for a blond, muscled footie player? 'Cause I found him for us! I love the purple and the gold and shiny font.

If you're already interested (come one, you know you are!) you can add it to Goodreads here. 

And if you're ready to pull the trigger, here are your pre-order links:

Amazon * B&N * Kobo * Apple Books * Books2Read

The rest of the Castle Calder books are below and they're all available now.

A Brit on the Side
FREE on all platforms for a limited time!
Amazon US / UK / CA / AU * B&N * Kobo * Apple Books * Books2Read

A Brit Unexpected

Amazon US / UK / CA / AU * B&N * Kobo * Apple Books * Books2Read

A Brit Complicated

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU * B&N * Kobo * Apple Books * Books2Read

About the Author
Brenda is a displaced New Yorker living in the English countryside. She’s lived in the UK long enough to gain dual citizenship, but still doesn’t understand Celsius. However, she has learned the appropriate use of the word “pants”. And how to order a proper bacon bap/barm/buttie. Because, well, bacon.
Brenda writes contemporary romance to make you giggle and swoon. When she’s not writing, she enjoys hiking, running and reading. In theory, she also enjoys cooking, but it’s more that she enjoys eating and, try as she might, she can’t live on Doritos alone.
For more information or to connect with Brenda visit http://brendastjohnbrown.com

Connect with the author

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Review: A Fate of Wrath and Flame

I used to read a lot more fantasy than I do now. But, then again, when I was a kid and teen, I read pretty much anything I could get my hands on in my small hometown library. For some reason, my adult self isn't drawn to fantasy but when I find a story I like, I really really like it. A Fate of Wrath and Flame is one of those books. I knew I wanted to read it because I love every single thing K.A. Tucker writes plus I wanted to see how I enjoyed a fantasy read. Turns out, I enjoyed it a lot.

Here's the book's description:

Gifted thief Romeria has flourished from her days as a street kid pilfering wallets to survive. Now she thrives, stealing jewels from the rich under the involuntary employ of New York City's most notorious crime boss. But when an enigmatic woman secures her services at swordpoint, Romeria is plunged into a startling realm of opposing thrones, warring elven, and elemental magic she cannot begin to fathom.
Her quest is straightforward: Steal a stone from Islor's sacred garden without anyone discovering her true identity, which would earn her certain death. But the identity she has inexplicably assumed is that of the captured Ybarisan princess--an enemy to Islor after she poisoned their beloved king and queen on the day she was to marry the prince.
Her betrothed, the newly crowned King Zander, detests her with every grain of his handsome being. Fortunately for Romeria, she is more valuable to him alive than dead. Zander gives her a choice: life in a cell, or an acquittal of all charges in exchange for her help in exposing the growing plot against him.
Romeria sees no other option and embraces the tricky role of smitten queen-to-be until she can escape, a ruse that brings her far closer to the king than she anticipated and threatens more than her safety. As she digs deeper into this sacred garden and the ancient feud between Ybaris and Islor, she discovers monstrous truths that could spell ruin for all. 

The novel opens not with Romeria, but with Sofie who is the aforementioned "enigmatic woman." It sets the stage for a story that's going to take place in a world that's not like our own and the reader has no idea how different it is going to be. It took me a bit to get into things but that, I think, was simply my own fault because I was only able to read in snippets. This is the kind of story that you need to sink into completely and not emerge from your reading cocoon until you're completely invested in the story. Or finished the book. Either or!

Tucker has said that she wrote this fantasy for herself and that it reignited the writing spark for her. Also, that it might not be a "true" fantasy that readers might be expecting. Given I don't read a ton of the genre, I didn't really care if it didn't tick all the boxes it was "supposed" to. To me, a fantasy novel is a fantasy novel if there's magic and/or creatures that aren't found in our world. This novel had both. And I was into it. 

Tucker takes the route of having a clueless main character and allowing the reader to learn more about the world they've been dropped in right alongside them. Romy has no idea where she is or that the people who surround her may not be human. She learns things in bits and pieces and, by extension, the reader learns things too. I think it was an effective way to do things as the reader didn't feel like they were alone in their "what the hell is happening and who are these people?!?" feelings. It meant I was constantly playing catch up, which is a bit exhausting to start, but I eventually was able to let some of that go and just roll with the info I was given and trust that it would all make sense in the end.

There's a delightful bit of romance throughout and the "will they, won't they" sexual tension between Romy and Zander is hot. I will say I found myself more drawn to Elisaf, a guard and one of Zander's closest confidantes. I'm not entirely sure why. *shrugs* Zander is a really attractive hero - both inside and out. And Romy is just as fantastic. They make a great pair even though it seems like absolutely everything is against them. 

Raise your hand if you're also swooning over this cover! Hang Le is an absolute master and I love every cover she does.

I really enjoyed A Fate of Wrath and Flame and I wish I could have the next book immediately. I'm definitely going to make sure to carve out a chunk of time to read book two so I can completely lose myself (again) in the world K.A. Tucker has created. I think this has proved she's a master at many genres and I can't wait to read what she publishes next. Also: I am now taking fantasy recommendations. And go!

Buy a copy of A Fate of Wrath and Flame
Amazon * Apple Books * Nook * Kobo

About the Author
K.A. Tucker writes captivating stories with an edge.
She is the internationally bestselling author of the Ten Tiny Breaths and Burying Water series, He Will Be My Ruin, Until It Fades, Keep Her Safe, The Simple Wild, Be the Girl, and Say You Still Love Me. Her books have been featured in national publications including USA Today, Globe & Mail, Suspense Magazine, Publisher’s Weekly, Oprah Mag, and First for Women.
K.A. Tucker currently resides in a quaint town outside of Toronto.

Connect with the Author
Website * Newsletter * Goodreads * Amazon * Facebook 
Facebook Group * Instagram * Twitter * Bookbub * Pinterest

*An egalley of this novel was provided by Valentine PR in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.*

Review: Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake

I missed out on reading Alexis Hall's Boyfriend Material, though it's on my ereader waiting for me to make time for it, but given how many trusted friends enjoyed it, I knew I needed to read Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake. An #OwnVoices rom com set in England and taking place at a televised baking competition? Sign. Me. Up.

Here's the book's description:

Following the recipe is the key to a successful bake. Rosaline Palmer has always lived by those rules—well, except for when she dropped out of college to raise her daughter, Amelie. Now, with a paycheck as useful as greaseproof paper and a house crumbling faster than biscuits in tea, she’s teetering on the edge of financial disaster. But where there’s a whisk there’s a way . . . and Rosaline has just landed a spot on the nation’s most beloved baking show.
Winning the prize money would give her daughter the life she deserves—and Rosaline is determined to stick to the instructions. However, more than collapsing trifles stand between Rosaline and sweet, sweet victory.  Suave, well-educated, and parent-approved Alain Pope knows all the right moves to sweep her off her feet, but it’s shy electrician Harry Dobson who makes Rosaline question her long-held beliefs—about herself, her family, and her desires.
Rosaline fears falling for Harry is a guaranteed recipe for disaster. Yet as the competition—and the ovens—heat up, Rosaline starts to realize the most delicious bakes come from the heart. 

I have to discuss the love triangle first and it's going to be a bit spoilery so if you hate that, please move onto the second paragraph! I hated what happened between Rosaline and one of the men. Absolutely hated it. It was gross and uncomfortable and I didn't like reading it. It felt like I was misled and betrayed a much as Rosaline was and while I appreciate that Hall used it as an opportunity to have really important conversations about gender and sexuality...I really, really wish it hadn't happened. 

Onwards!

I absolutely LOVE Great British Bake Off. So so so much. It is hands down my favourite reality show because it is so soothing and lovely and full of baked goods! So, it was super fun to have Rosaline take part in a GBBO-esque show. My sister told me long ago about how she had read that the hosts will sometimes start swearing or saying brand names when a contestant is having a rough time because then the footage becomes unusable. Hall uses that in the story and I actually laughed out loud. It really added to the feeling that this is what GBBO is actually like and I adored it. 

Related to the baking show, the novel is set up by weeks, just like the show is. Contestants go to the filming location every weekend to compete in their themed weekly challenges. I don't know if the format would work for everyone but I really enjoyed it. I found it kept things moving and focused all the action during the times when all the action was taking place. It just made sense to me!

Rosaline has, as is customary for rom coms, a journey in this novel and she really grows as a person. She's always been a great person, you can just tell, but she becomes so much more confident in herself throughout the course of the show and it's so lovely to see. 

Amelie, Rosaline's daughter, is an absolute hoot. She's a precocious kid (about seven or eight) and she would tell you she was because she has a very extensive vocabulary. Funnily enough, this was the second book in a very short period of time where I read about a single mom/mum with a feisty and wicked intelligent daughter around the same age. Given I have absolutely no desire to have children of my own, I sometimes avoid single parent rom coms but this is a reason you should always read a little outside your norm because both books portrayed single parenthood really well and I enjoyed them. Back to Amelie...I absolutely loved that she called Harry Mr. Viking and he called her Prime Minister. Their instant connection was so cute.

There's a lot of discussion about gender roles, sexual preferences, sexism, and classism in this book. That may sound like a lot of Topics for some people (and if it is...um, pay attention to the world because these are important things) but Hall weaves it together so well and in an entertaining and educational way. It's clear that Hall isn't trying to have Rosaline speak for all women or all bisexuals but by having her have these important discussions, it can help the reader identify problem spots in their own thoughts and behaviours and can, hopefully, correct them in the future. 

All in all, I had a grand time reading Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake. I do think my expectations were a touch high and they weren't quite met but I'll definitely be reading Alexis Hall's previous book and whatever comes next. I laughed and swooned and had a lot of other emotions and that made for a good rom com in my books.

*An egalley of this novel was provided by the Canadian distributor, HBG Canada, via Netgalley in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.*

Review: The Soulmate Equation

I knew May was going to be filled with a lot of rom coms and I kicked things off with the queens of the genre. The Soulmate Equation is Christina Lauren's latest novel and I found it to be absolutely delightful. I laughed and swooned and cringed and loved every second of it.

Here's the book's description:

Single mom Jess Davis is a data and statistics wizard, but no amount of number crunching can convince her to step back into the dating world. Raised by her grandparents--who now help raise her seven-year-old daughter, Juno--Jess has been left behind too often to feel comfortable letting anyone in. After all, her father's never been around, her hard-partying mother disappeared when she was six, and her ex decided he wasn't "father material" before Juno was even born. Jess holds her loved ones close, but working constantly to stay afloat is hard...and lonely.
But then Jess hears about GeneticAlly, a buzzy new DNA-based matchmaking company that's predicted to change dating forever. Finding a soulmate through DNA? The reliability of numbers: This Jess understands. At least she thought she did, until her test shows an unheard-of 98% compatibility with another subject in the database: GeneticAlly's founder, Dr. River Pena. This is one number she can't wrap her head around, because she already knows Dr. Pena. The stuck-up, stubborn man is without a doubt not her soulmate. But GeneticAlly has a proposition: Get to know him and we'll pay you. Jess--who is barely making ends meet--is in no position to turn it down, despite her skepticism about the project and her dislike for River. As the pair are dragged from one event to the next as the "Diamond" pairing that could make GeneticAlly a mint in stock prices, Jess begins to realize that there might be more to the scientist--and the science behind a soulmate--than she thought.

I never know exactly what I'm going to get with Lauren's novels. I always enjoy them but there's definitely a scale on my enjoyment level. The Soulmate Equation? It's joined Roomies and The Unhoneymooners right at the top of the scale. It might have been partly a case of "right book, right time" but mostly it was just because this was a damn good book. It doesn't take itself too seriously but it's not a mindless read, either. It hit the balance of what I love in a rom com and I was sad when it was all over.

The data and science in the novel seem a bit far fetched but if you just kind of roll with it, you'll be incredibly entertained. You can gloss over the science if you want or you can soak up every detail. Either way, you'll still get a lot out of the storyline. I mean, how can you not be intrigued by finding your soulmate through your DNA?

Speaking of soulmates, one River Pena is pretty damn swoonworthy. He's such a grump to start but I knew, a little before Jess did, that he probably wasn't the asshat he was appearing to be. The more Jess (and the reader) got to know him, the more you couldn't help but fall in love with him. The sexual attraction was real and I couldn't wait for them to finally give into that attraction. Fireworks! I've heard quite a few people already request a Dr. Pena of their very own. I totally get it.

The secondary characters in this story are great. Juno was an absolute delight and I, someone who is not a kid fan, would love to babysit her for a day and do all sorts of fun stuff with her. She'd probably ask me a million questions that I would not know the answer to (seriously, the kid is smart!) but we'd have a great time. Jess's grandparents are so solid and dependable and wonderful and there was a scary moment when I thought things would go so badly. Because I loved Jess so much, I was so glad that she had people like her grandparents in her life. And Fizzy! Oh my word, Jess's best friend was AMAZING. She needs her own book. She's a romance author and is so smart and funny and is searching for her own soulmate, one fling at a time. Having a main character with so many people around her is always great because it helps solidify their amazingness.

The Soulmate Equation was so fun to read. It had smarts and heart and those are two of the most important things I want in my romantic comedies. Christina Lauren have given readers yet another entertaining contemporary read that I think will be in many hands over the summer!

*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.*

Blog Tour: Talk Bookish to Me

I love a good rom com when one of the main characters is in a bookish profession. In Kate Bromley's Talk Bookish to Me, the heroine is a romance author whose first love has unexpectedly shown up in her life after ten years and you can imagine the hijinks that ensue. The story was fun and SO funny and I had a good time reading it.

Here's the book's description:

Kara Sullivan is definitely not avoiding her deadline. After all, it's the week of her best friend's wedding and she's the maid of honor, so she's got lots of responsibilities. As a bestselling romance novelist with seven novels under her belt, she’s a pro and looming deadlines and writer’s block (which she definitely doesn’t have) don't scare her. She's just eager to support Cristina as she ties the knot with Jason.
But who should show up at Cristina and Jason's rehearsal dinner but Kara's college ex-boyfriend, (the gorgeous and infuriating) Ryan? Apparently, he’s one of Jason's childhood friends, and he's in the wedding party, too. Considering neither Kara nor Ryan were prepared to see each other again, it's decidedly a meet-NOT-cute. There is nothing cute about this situation, and a bit of notice to mentally prepare would’ve been nice, Cristina! However, when Kara sits down to write again the next day, her writers' block is suddenly gone. She has to wonder what’s changed. Are muses real…? And is Kara's muse...Ryan?

I really liked Kara. She was smart and funny and passionate about the romance genre. She was clearly a fantastic friend, having two equally amazing best friends, and was confident in herself. I liked that she was thirty and had her life together, for the most part. It's so great to see rom coms exploring heroines of all ages (and all everything, really) especially as I move towards being in my mid-thirties. She has her issues, as do we all, but they weren't manufactured flaws or outrageous - it all made sense. Short story long, she was a really great heroine.

Ryan was also a great hero...to a point. You know how in romances and rom coms there's a moment where something goes TERRIBLY WRONG and the couple has to move past it in order to get their Happily Ever After? I was super pissed at the Terribly Wrong Thing. Like REALLY angry. I understood how they could move past it buuuut it made me not a fan of the character and their actions. It was sort of like, really? Was that really necessary? I mean, of course it was because it's fiction and there needed to be a Terribly Wrong Thing but I kinda wanted a different Thing. Other than the whole Thing, Ryan was a sweetheart. Smart and clearly head over heels in love with...his dog. (And, yes, Kara.) He had a bulldog named Duke who stole every scene he was in. It was adorable.

This does read a bit like a debut novel. There were pieces that didn't really connect but didn't take away from my enjoyment of the overall story. I was also totally over Kara being a bookstagrammer. And I say that as a blogger/bookstagrammer. I didn't think it added to the story and while I can understand bringing a bunch of books to stage at a beautiful location, I also found it to be a bit much. Plus she's a very accomplished author with several novels under her belt. That alone would allow her advanced copies - she didn't need to resort to bookstagram for free books. I'm aware this is an odd thing to be nitpicky about but, personally, it just rubbed me the wrong way. 

Second chance romances have long been a favourite trope of mine but the shine had started to come off them in recent months. Talk Bookish to Me managed to polish the shine. I was so happy to hear about Kara and Ryan's initial relationship and read as they were thrown together again and tried to make things work a second time. It wasn't easy but it was a lot of fun to ride along with them as they figured it out.

I had a great time reading Talk Bookish to Me. Kate Bromley has written a debut novel that delighted me and had me laughing out loud on numerous occasions. I liked the bookish vibes and the second chance romance. I'm looking forward to seeing what Bromley writes next!

Where to buy Talk Bookish to Me:
BookShop.org * Harlequin * Barnes & Noble * Amazon * Books-A-Million * Powell’s

Connect with the Author:
Website * Twitter * Instagram * Facebook * Goodreads

About the Author:
KATE BROMLEY lives in New York City with her husband, son, and her somewhat excessive collection of romance novels (It’s not hoarding if it’s books, right?). She was a preschool teacher for seven years and is now focusing full-time on combining her two great passions – writing swoon-worthy love stories and making people laugh. Talk Bookish to Me is her first novel.

*An egalley of this novel was provided by the publisher, Graydon House Books, in exchange for a review for the purpose of a blog tour. All opinions are honest and my own.*

Review: The Spinster Diaries

Oh, The Spinster Diaries. I wanted to love you. I was smitten with your cover and your description sounded so fun! Alas, I was not blown away and I was left wondering how anyone thought that ending would be a good idea. Perhaps I'm being too harsh on the novel author Gina Fattore published in the spring of 2020 but I really expected so much more from it.

Here's the book's description:

Our heroine, a moderately successful TV writer in L.A., wants her life to be as sunny and perfect as a Hollywood rom-com: a cool job, a wacky best friend, and lots of age-appropriate hot guys just dying to date her. Instead, she’s a self-described spinster who is swimming in anxiety and just might have a tiny little brain tumor. So she turns to an unlikely source for inspiration: the eighteenth-century novelist and diarist Frances Burney, who pretty much invented the chick-lit novel.
A semi-autobiographical unromantic comedy, The Spinster Diaries is a laugh-out-loud satire of both the TV business and the well-worn conventions of chick lit―as well as the true tale of the forgotten writer who inspired Jane Austen to greatness. It's an endearing and refreshingly honest testament to how one person’s life can reach out across the centuries to touch another’s.

I was totally intrigued by a story that was about a character who was older than your typical rom com heroine and one who loved an old British author I had never heard of but felt like I should, given the genre formally known as chick lit (I used to be OK with the term...now I hate it) is one of my favourites and has been for as long as I can remember. I honestly wish the character's Frances Burney show would get made because I'd totally watch it.

Something I've learned about myself while reading this book: I don't love (semi)autobiographical novels. I'd rather just read a bunch of essays about your life rather than a loosely fictionalized version of it. If you know what shows Fattore worked on (which you can know because it's right in her author bio) you know that the heroine was probably working on similar ones (namely, Dawson's Creek and Gilmore Girls). Because it was loosely (?) based on Fattore's own life, I imagine that's why it was set in 2006. Which didn't exactly add anything to my enjoyment of the story.

Huh. I just did a bit of a deep dive into Fattore's writing career. I'm a HUGE Gilmore Girls fan and I was pretty bummed when the creator left and season seven, the final season, was just kind of...not great. Guess what season Fattore worked on? 

I really didn't hate The Spinster Diaries. I think I just felt...hoodwinked by it. I wanted something that was a cross between Bridget Jones's Diary (the book) and Nora Ephron's movies. Gina Fattore didn't give me that (though she does seem to be a talented writer). The idea was a good one but the execution (and that ending!!!! argh!) left a lot to be desired.

*A copy of this novel was provided by the Canadian distributor, Thomas Allen and Son, in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.*