The Christmas Bookshop by Jenny Colgan - Audio version

 The Christmas Bookshop

by Jenny Colgan

Audio Version

Jenny Colgan has a simple way of writing. She gets

all the feels. All the love. All the confusion and

uncertainty that we all feel when the rug is pulled 

out from under us with life. Whether it is the loss

of a job. The loss of a loved one. Maybe a plan you 

had for your life did not work like you were sure

that it would. Whatever it is, Jenny Colgan writes all

the fear that we feel at times like that. But then she 

builds her characters back up. Brings the life back

to them. There is no sad endings here.

 Carmen starts out as a typical whoa-is-me little

sister. The next thing she knows, she is living in 

her sisters spare room. The perfect sister that can 

handle everything well. Working at a bookshop 

that is on its last leg! How on earth did she find 

herself in this situation? She talks to a friend that

found a restaurant job that is paying well. One that 

won't end after the holiday. Carmen decides to find

her own restaurant job. But Mr McCredie, the shop 

owner picks the right moment to let Carmen see

just how much he needs her to help him 

save the shop.

 In the end, Carmen has turned her life around,. 

turned the Christmas bookshop around and become an 

Aunt. Again. Life could not be better. 

Review by Lisa Hutson

Susan's Review of Andrew Morton's Elizabeth and Margaret-the Intimate World of the Windsor Sisters

This biography from a New York Times bestselling author follows Queen Elizabeth II and her sister Margaret as they navigate life in the royal spotlight. They were the closest of sisters and the best of friends.

But when, in a quixotic twist of fate, their uncle Edward Vlll abdicated the throne, the dynamic between Elizabeth and Margaret was dramatically altered. Forever more Margaret would have to curtsey to the sister she called 'Lillibet.' And bow to her wishes. Margaret's struggle to find a place and position inside the royal system—and her fraught relationship with its expectations—was often a source of tension.. This book explores their relationship over the years.

Andrew Morton’s Elizabeth and Margaret is a well-researched, charming, insightful read. I enjoyed how Andrew Morton focused on the close relationship between the two sisters rather than historical events. I have not read a biography in ages and Morton’s choice to focus on the sister’s relationship captured my interest and kept me reading.

Elizabeth and Margaret had an idyllic childhood; they dressed alike, shared the same nanny and slept the same bedroom. King Edward VIII’s abdication forever altered their relationship. Morton shared Margaret’s feelings throughout the book as she realized that the limelight no longer shined on her; it shifted to her quiet, horse loving sister.

Morton carefully presents information about Margaret’s complicated love affair with Captain Peter Townsend. I enjoyed that he presented facts and allowed the reader to determine what lead Margaret to break off her relationship with Townsend. At first, I wondered if Margaret was attracted to Townsend because he was a connection to her father whom she adored. Morton makes it clear that Elizabeth made every effort to make her sister happy and it was Margaret’s choice to step way.

Andrew Morton brings history to life in the book. The book encompasses WWII, Elizabeth’s marriage, Margaret’s marriage and her unorthodox lifestyle. I loved the author’s voice—his descriptive writing style showed that the sisters-although very different-deeply cared for each other. The Margaret-Peter Townsend chapters were very thorough and well researched. Loved learning bits and pieces of the sister’s lives—the details make this book stand out!

If you are a fan of the Crown series and enjoy books about the royals—this is the perfect book for you!

Reviewed by Susan Gorman

ARC provided by Grand Central Publishing

The Beach House by Rachel Hanna - Audio Version

 The Beach House

by Rachel Hanna

Audio Version

                                                                        

  ★★★★★

Perhaps if you read the synopsis of this story,

you will think you know how it is going to go.

But you would be wrong. 

I don't know how you can describe a book

without giving away distinguishing details.

This is what I struggle with when 

writing a review for a book I have read. 

This is my first book by Rachel Hanna. 

Maybe the cover was a big factor. It is so 

beautiful. Places kept popping into my 

head while reading. They always fit 

together with this cover. 

The beginning of the story is a marriage

break up. Typical, in that the husband 

decides the grass is greener on the 

other side. But is it ever, really?

The Beach House is a typical situation with

many unusual twists and turns. It was a 

good story to listen to. The narration

was nice. The narrator was perfect for 

this story. 

Review by Lisa Hutson

If You Only Knew by Kristan Higgins-Audio Version

If You Only Knew

by Kristan Higgins

I listened to the audio version of this story. Starting there,

it has to be noted that the narration was fabulous. It's the

story of two sisters. In brilliant fashion, they used two

narrators, Xe Sands and Amy Rubinate. This only added

to the pleasure of listening. They did a terrific job.

Having read a number of Kristan Higgins stories, I have

to start out saying, this one took her out of her own

comfort zone. Don't get me wrong, I love her comfort

zone. Her comfort zone is often my comfort zone.

 But this story strayed off from her normal style. At least,

it did for me. This is harder real life. The real life that

we normal people live. With deceit and anger. Not sure who

to trust. Low self esteem. Then, of course, you have your

sister. The one person on the planet you can share

everything with. Everything. The person you are always

sure it doing better than you are. The person you want to be

more like. Only of course, you find out their life isn't all you

thought it was. There is Kristans beautiful comedy too. You will
laugh as well as cry and worry.

This story took me up, down and all around. There

were moments that you could not figure out what she is

thinking. And you could not wait to find out. Jenny and

Rachel have a very interesting mother. We all know

someone with a mother like this. We also know people

that stay friendly with their ex husband. Everyone knows

that some people have the perfect marriage.

And then, none of it is true or good after all.

I highly recommend this story and especially in

the audio version. Such great writing

from Kristan Higgins to send off to the

fabulous narrators.

  And I will never look at a tree the same.

This review written by Lisa Hutson.

I bought the paperback and 

audio versions of this story.