Book Review- Megan Hunter's The End We Start From

Thank you to Grove Atlantic for providing me with a copy of Megan Hunter's novel, The End We Start From, in exchange for an honest review.

PLOT - In the not-too-distance future, a major flood has destroyed London and the unnamed narrator must try to survive with her newborn baby.

LIKE- The End We Start From is a survival story at a break-neck pace. Although due to family visiting, I had to read it in small chunks, Hunter's novella can easily be read in a single sitting. Due to the fast pacing and intense subject of the story, I would highly recommend setting aside a few uninterrupted hours and diving in. 

I liked that Hunter left a lot of mystery, she does not spell things out. Although we know that there has been extreme flood, we don't know more details. For example, we don't know the range and extent of the disaster. This put me in the mindset of the narrator, as she struggles to survive with a lack of direct information. The larger scope of the disaster is really irrelevant to this particular story. The focus is on her survival, the immediate situation, and deals with the rumors and misinformation that she receives as she moves to different refugee camps. She must assess her best move on the fly, including dealing with dangers.

The End We Start From reminded me of The Walking Dead or Cormac McCarthy's novel, The Road. The themes and general story line are not a new idea, however, The End We Start From remains compelling because of the narrator and the exploration of how humans react in extreme circumstances. 

The ending was very interesting to me. It switches from a story of physical survival to one of emotional survival. Hunter ends the story at a precarious moment. The only thing that I was left feeling certain of, is that the narrator is a survivor and will continue to survive. 

DISLIKE- I'm a bit uncertain as to whether only naming the characters by their first initial was a good move. As a reader, I sometimes found it to be confusing and distracting. I had to reread sections to remind myself of a character, which took me out of the story. From a storytelling standpoint, it creates a necessary barrier that the narrator must put up for her own survival. It also quickens the pacing.

RECOMMEND- Yes. The End We Start From is a fast-paced and emotional journey. It's filled with danger and tension. I never quite knew where it was heading and I found the ending to be quite a surprise. I'd seek out future novels by Hunter.

Book Review - Lauren Berry's Living The Dream

Thank you to Holt Paperbacks for providing me with a free copy of Lauren Berry's novel, Living the Dream, in exchange for an honest review.

PLOT- Emma works for a marketing firm in London, but dreams of finding success as a writer. She's miserable at her day job, but has a decent following on her blog and keeps pitching article ideas to various trendy magazines. Emma struggles with her desire to quit her day job to chase her dreams against the reality of having a stable income. Adding to her frustrations is her roommate, a DJ who seems to squeak by, despite not having an "adult career."

Emma's best friend, Clementine, has just finished a prestigious screenwriting course in America and has returned to England with the idea that her big break is just around the corner. In the meantime, she is completely broke and forced to move in with her family, who do not understand her creative aspirations.

Pitched as a Bridget Jones's Diary for millennials, Living The Dream follows post-college age friends as they struggle to chase their dreams, find romantic partners, and make ends meet in London. 

LIKE- Living the Dream reminded me of Lena Dunham's series, Girls, except the characters in Berry's story were less self-involved and far more likable. Emma and Clementine generally had a supportive friendship, one that can weather rough patches. They are both characters that I liked and rooted for to succeed. 

Berry gives equal weight to both Emma and Clementine's stories, making them dual protagonists. However, there is a third friend added to the mix, Yasmin. Yasmin is their high-maintenance, drama-filled friend who is about to marry a wealthy man. At first Yasmin proves to be a difficult character to like, but by the end of the story, as some of her secrets and motives become clear, I totally adored her. It made me think of the somewhat difficult friends that I've had in my life and it's a gentle reminder to be a little understanding and not to rush to judgement. 

I'm forty, a touch older than the target audience for Living the Dream, nevertheless less, it transported me back to that time in my life. Berry may be writing for the millennials, but this is a story that should ring true for older women too. The struggles at that stage of a woman's life is will resonate with older generations. Frankly, it makes me happy to be older and hopefully, wiser! The twenties are a stressful decade.

I love novels set in England, especially London. Although the characters are struggling, London is still a glamorous location. 

DISLIKE- I enjoyed Living the Dream and Barry is a strong writer, but I don't think in the grand scheme of my yearly reading that this will be memorable. It was a quick, enjoyable read, but not a stand-out.

RECOMMEND- Maybe. Living the Dream would be a good pick for a woman in her twenties who is struggling to figure out her direction in life. It can feel like you're the only one with problems and Living the Dream is a good reminder that everyone facing similar issues. 

Book Review- Sophie Kinsella's My Not So Perfect Life

Thank You to Random House Publishing Group for providing me with an advanced copy of Sophie Kinsella's novel, My Not So Perfect Life, in exchange for an honest review.

PLOT - Country girl, Katie Brenner has followed her dreams of moving to London to begin her career at a prestigious branding agency. She loves the excitement of London and the potential opportunity for creativity at her new job, but things are less than perfect. She struggles to make rent for a tiny flat that she shares with difficult roommates, and Katie's boss, Demeter, is a tyrant. Katie tries to reinvent herself as "Cat" and uses social media to create a fictitious life of fabulous events and dining in amazing restaurants. When Katie is downsized at her firm, both her real and imaginary worlds start falling apart. Can Katie manage to keep it together or will she find a new way to reinvent herself?

LIKE - I've read many of Kinsella's novels and I usually find her stories light-hearted and charming, classic chic-lit. My Not So Perfect Life, isn't her best novel,  but it was a nice read for a rainy afternoon.

What I thought worked best, is the way Kinsella captured office politics and the "mean girls" attitude that unfortunately doesn't get left behind in adolescence. I've seen the same cliquish behavior in every job I've ever had, and it gives me anxiety, especially as I've previously been a target. I felt anxious reading these parts of My Not So Perfect Life, which although not pleasant, was affecting. If a story is affecting, I know the writer is doing their job!

I liked Katie as a protagonist. It's easy to root for the plucky heroine, who is chasing her dreams. Katie is smart and creative. She may be a bit in-over-her-head, but she's also not a push-over. I liked that Kinsella took the story in a different direction than I was anticipating, making Demeter a fully realized character, rather than just the "evil boss". At one point, I thought the story was heading in the direction of giving Demeter early on-set Alzheimer's, which would have made for a dramatic turn, possibly a stronger story. It would have been a less obvious twist. My Not So Perfect Life has a bold message about not judging someone's life based on their social media accounts. It's relevant. 

I liked how the title ties with Katie's social media. It's creative and an extra play on the theme of the story.

I read Kinsella's books long before I married a Brit, but now I can read them and understand geographical references and British terminology. I don't know how I felt previously, but now I feel much more clued in, "I've been to Somerset" and "I know what Limsip is". et...there many examples, but now that I'm married to a Brit and have become somewhat immersed in his culture, I have clarity when reading British authors. I think there was a lot that I previously glossed over.

DISLIKE- You must have a huge suspension of disbelief while reading My Not So Perfect Life, the coincidences are outlandish. I did not like the love story between Katie and Alex. It felt rushed and didn't enhance the story, which is really about staying true to yourself and sticking up for others. The story between Katie and Demeter is the real heart of My Not So Perfect Life, it didn't need a love story. Plus, I just didn't like Alex. He seemed slimy and not right for Katie. 

RECOMMEND- Maybe. I like Kinsella and would recommend her books, like the Shopaholic series. She's the perfect vacation-read author with her comedic, fun stories. My Not So Perfect Life, was enjoyable, but not memorable.