Two Dogs and a Book

The Forgotten Daughter  by  Joanna Goodman My rating:  4 of 5 stars 📚 Hello Book Friends! THE FORGOTTEN DAUGHTER by Joanna Goodman was a beautiful and yet exceedingly difficult read for me. Difficult because it brought back memories about a time when there were tense events in my childhood province. I was a child when the October Crisis took place in Québec. I remember it well and those memories are still giving me an unsettled feeling whenever I think about them. Although loosely based on the actual October Crisis events, this novel succeeds to emanate the tension of those times and up to the early 2000s. The book is about Véronique Fortin, daughter of Léo Fortin, an FLQ leader who was accused and found guilty of the kidnapping and murder of Pierre Laporte in 1970. Véronique idolizes her father and is determined to make her mark in life. She falls in love with James, an English journalist who does not share her ideologies. They are madly in love and have been able to ov...

Blood & Honey  by  Shelby Mahurin My rating:  3 of 5 stars 📚 Hello Book Friends! BLOOD & HONEY by Shelby Mahurin was another great story filled with mystical beings and adventures! In this book, Louise and Reid will ally with other witches and werewolves to defeat Morgane. Many will meet their ends; the battle will be fierce. The love between Louise and Reid will burn bright and will have many explosive moments…maybe a few too many. The numerous ups and downs of their relationship are a distraction and, after a while, got very repetitive. I am not against a bit of tension in love, but the insecurities they both suffered from are over the top. Nevertheless, the story remains exciting. It is interesting to see Louise’s magic evolve and become more powerful. Reid holds his own and I am hoping that will have a stronger role in the next book. I am looking forward to finding out what happens next and will have to wait until the next book comes out in August next year. ...

The Memory Wood  by  Sam Lloyd My rating:  5 of 5 stars 📚 Hello Book Friends! I just finished THE MEMORY WOOD by Sam Lloyd and I am all shaken up. This was the most stressful and terrifying book I read this month and I loved it!!! The story is raw and sick, sick, sick. I could not put it down. The writing was so vivid that I could see everything happening like a movie. I was on the edge of my seat and out of breath by the end of the book. What a phenomenal ending!! Sam Lloyd’s debut novel is a must-read! 🙋🏼‍♀️ Thank you, PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE CANADA for sending me an ARC of this chilling book. THE MEMORY WOOD by Sam Lloyd is available at your favourite bookstore. #bookstadog #poodles #poodlestagram #poodlesofinstagram #furbabies #dogsofinstagram #bookstagram #dogsandbooks #bookishlife #bookishlove #bookstagrammer #books #booklover #bookish #bookaholic #reading #readersofinstagram #instaread #ilovebooks #bookishcanadians #canadianbookstagram #bookreviewer #bookcommunity ...

Invisible Girl  by  Lisa Jewell My rating:  4 of 5 stars 📚 Hello Book Friends! INVISIBLE GIRL is another awesome entertaining thriller by Lisa Jewell. I enjoyed the intricate plot and all the twists and turns. The story had a great flow and brought everything together in the end. I like how Lisa Jewell ended the book with another wicked possibility. If you are a fan of Gone Girl or The Woman in the Window, you will enjoy this intelligent thriller. Great read! 🙋🏼‍♀️ Thank you, ATRIA BOOKS for sending me an eARC of this thrilling book. INVISIBLE GIRL by Lisa Jewell is available at your favourite bookstore. #bookstadog #poodles #poodlestagram #poodlesofinstagram #furbabies #dogsofinstagram #bookstagram #dogsandbooks #bookishlife #bookishlove #bookstagrammer #books #booklover #bookish #bookaholic #reading #readersofinstagram #instaread #ilovebooks #bookishcanadians #canadianbookstagram #bookreviewer #bookcommunity #bibliophile #bookphotography #invisiblegirl #lisajewell #...

The Devil and the Dark Water  by  Stuart Turton My rating:  4 of 5 stars 📚 Hello Book Friends! THE DEVIL AND THE DARK WATER by Stuart Turton was a fantastic read. Unlike The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle (which is one of my fav books ever), this book is written in a linear timeline and many characters are telling the story. The plot is clever and keeps you guessing. While reading, I was debating if the story was supernatural or a well-developed tricky plot. You will have to read the book to find out. This book has all the right elements for a great read: mystery, murder, and musketeers (I needed a third M). It also includes love, betrayal, and revenge. There is not much better read than one with a devil, a leper, and a secret. The Devil and the Dark Water is a great read from the first to the last page. I recommend it. #bookstadog #poodles #poodlestagram #poodlesofinstagram #furbabies #dogsofinstagram #bookstagram #dogsandbooks #bookishlife #bookishlove #bookstagrammer ...

The World That We Knew  by  Alice Hoffman My rating:  4 of 5 stars 📚 Hello Book Friends! THE WORLD THAT WE KNEW by Alice Hoffman is a beautiful and poignant story of courage, love, and survival. The story takes place during WWII and follows the lives of four individuals and a golem (a golem is a clay creature that has been magically brought to life). They each face many dangers and will encounter Azriel, the Angel of Death, numerous times. Despite all the pain, loss, and trials they will experience, we are reminded that love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. (I Corinthians 13:4-8a) #bookstadog #poodles #poodlestagram #poodlesofinstagram #furbabies #dogsofinstagram #bookstagram...

Of Salt and Shore  by  Annet Schaap My rating:  5 of 5 stars 📚 Hello Book Friends! OF SALT & SHORE by Annet Schaap was a creative story that starts where The Little Mermaid fairy tale ends. Schaap’s writing is gorgeous and poetic. The story a similar feel to the novel Coraline by Neil Gaiman. I enjoyed the characters’ personalities and determination. The story flows brilliantly from chapter to chapter and ends in the most beautiful way. It is also left open and I hope there will be a second book. The illustrations are lovely and appropriate to the plot. I was charmed by Lampie, the main character. This is a middle-grade book that can be enjoyed by adults as well. If you enjoyed The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Andersen, you would want to read this story to discover what might have happened when the fairy tale ended. I totally recommend it. 🙋🏼‍♀️ Thank you, CHARLESBRIDGE for sending me an advanced copy of this whimsical book. OF SALT & SHORE by Annet Schaap ...

The Scold's Bridle  by  Minette Walters My rating:  2 of 5 stars 📚 Hello Book Friends! THE SCOLD’S BRIDLE by Minette Walters was named one of the best crime novels of the year 1994. Crime fiction is not one of my go-to genres because it often includes really weird facts to lead someone to commit a crime. This book is not an exception to the rule. But since a friend recommended this book because she liked it, I gave it a go. The book started with finding Mathilda Gillespie dead in her bath with a scold’s bridle on her head. If you do not know what a scold bridle is, please Google it. You will understand how strangely this story started. When I thought things were weird, it got weirder. I cannot say I enjoyed the story itself, but I can say that I did not guess who committed the murder. Even when the murderer was revealed, I was still not convinced they had the right person. There were too many suspects and too many reasons to kill Mathilda to feel confident of that deduct...

The Conference of the Birds  by  Ransom Riggs My rating:  3 of 5 stars 📚 Hello Book Friends! THE CONFERENCE OF THE BIRDS is the fifth novel of Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs. I have enjoyed this series a lot because it is so unique, and the old pictures displayed in the books add fun and creepy element to the stories. The book starts where the fourth book ended, and it took me a while to remember what had happened in the previous book. Once I had my bearings, I was able to enjoy the peculiar characters and their wild adventures between the loops. Although I enjoyed the plot of this book, I was disappointed that the series is not done yet. I am sure I will purchase the next book because I hope it will be the last. The novelty is wearing off and it will take a spectacular ending to redeem this one. #bookstadog #poodles #poodlestagram #poodlesofinstagram #furbabies #dogsofinstagram #bookstagram #dogsandbooks #bookishlife #bookishlove #bookstagrammer #boo...

Poppy in the Wild: A Lost Dog, Fifteen Hundred Acres of Wilderness, and the Dogged Determination that Brought Her Home  by  Teresa Rhyne My rating:  4 of 5 stars 📚 Hello Book Friends! POPPY IN THE WILD by Teresa J. Rhyne was an uplifting read and got me to cheer a big “YASSSSSS” when Poppy was found. This is the story of a dog lover (Teresa, the author) and a little rescue furbaby (Poppy, the Beagle). I love how Teresa sets the story and explains in detail her deep affection for dogs and how she came to foster Poppy. Poppy’s story is filled with emotion and when she escapes her dogsitters while on a walk, your heart skips a beat, and you start worrying for her. She spends several days and nights in acres and acres of wildness. Teresa succeeds to make you feel her fears and worries through the account of the search for Poppy. This book has a fantabulous ending, and you will cheer as much as I did if you read this book. I know many of you are concerned to read books relat...

Monsoon Summer  by  Julia Gregson My rating:  5 of 5 stars 📚 Hello Book Friends! MONSOON SUMMER by Julia Gregson has been on my TBR shelf for a long time and begged to be read many times. I am so happy I picked it up and read it. It is a gorgeous novel about a young woman’s courage and determination in unsettled times. The story starts in 1947. Kit Smallwood is a young nurse who has never met her father and who finds her Anglo-Indian mother difficult. During a visit with her aunt, she meets and falls in love with Anto, a young Indian doctor. Despite Kit’s mom’s objections, they secretly marry and move to South India. Before she leaves, her aunt asks Kit to work at a charity called the Moonstone Home where midwives are professionally trained. Despite all her good intentions, Kit soon finds out that not everyone is happy for her presence in India. Her life will be threatened, and she will face jail time for her work. Through it all, she will be supported by her husband and...

Magic Lessons  by  Alice Hoffman My rating:  5 of 5 stars 📚 Hello Book Friends! MAGIC LESSONS by Alice Hoffman was everything I hope for and more. I did not want the book to end, it was phenomenal. This is the prequel to Practical Magic. If you have read that book, you will want to read Magic Lessons as it explains the Owens family's origins. In this book, we follow the story of Maria Owens and her daughter Faith. We see their struggles, pains, fears, and we also see their courage, devotion, and their hearts. The story takes place during the witch trials in Salem. They will both face hardship, but how they handle it will show the true value of their hearts. The book is filled with magic recipes which, funny enough, I knew a lot from seeing my mother using them. Sage for headaches, mint for toothache, and chamomile tea for asthma are just a few of these remedies. I also love that the author included the recipe for the Love Potion #9. The story is beautiful, emotional, and...

Girl, Serpent, Thorn  by  Melissa Bashardoust My rating:  4 of 5 stars 📚 Hello Book Friends! GIRL, SERPENT, THORN by Melissa Bashardoust is a fantastic YA fantasy. This is a stand-alone book, but I would have not minded if it would be a duology. Hint! Hint! Ms. Bashardoust… there is surely more to this tale for a second book! The story is fresh and entertaining. Soraya, the main character is a strong female protagonist and you cannot stop yourself from rooting for her the entire book. If you are a fan of mystical beings and kick-arse heroine, I recommend you read this one. 🙋🏼‍♀️ Thank you, RAINCOAST BOOKS for sending me an ARC of this extraordinary book. GIRL, SERPENT, THORN by Melissa Bashardoust is available at your favourite bookstore. #bookstadog #poodles #poodlestagram #poodlesofinstagram #furbabies #dogsofinstagram #bookstagram #dogsandbooks #bookishlife #bookishlove #bookstagrammer #books #booklover #bookish #bookaholic #reading #readersofinstagram #instaread #i...

Only the Women are Burning  by  Nancy Burke My rating:  3 of 5 stars 📚 Hello Book Friends! ONLY THE WOMEN ARE BURNING by Nancy Burke was nothing like what I expected. I never read the synopsis in advance so the book can surprise me. Cassie witnessed a wife burning event in India and this has marked her deeply. Many years later, back in America, she witnesses a woman burning to ashes on a train platform for no apparent reason. Many theories arise as more women burn to ashes all around their small town. Is this the work of a cult? Are these women doing this to themselves? Is there a serial killer on the loose causing these deaths? Cassie, former anthropologist before she had her children, is not convinced that this is the work of a cult or a serial killer. Pulling out her thesis on Stonehenge, she will correlate the facts and try to solve the mystery. But is she wrong to use science or is there something more sinister at work? This was a slow read but the science aspect wa...

The Woman Before Wallis  by  Bryn Turnbull My rating:  4 of 5 stars 📚 Hello Book Friends! THE WOMAN BEFORE WALLIS by Canadian author Bryn Turnbull is a novel based on the affair between Thelma Morgan Furness and Edward, Prince of Whale in the mid-’20s. This book is getting a lot of buzzes and I must confess that I have a thing for British royalty and had to read it to find out more about them. Bryn Turnbull delivered a well-researched account of Thelma’s life, her relationship with her twin sister, Gloria Morgan Vanderbilt, her two marriages, her standing in high society, and her affair with Prince Edward. It was also interesting to read about the famous Vanderbilt trial concerning the custody of young Gloria Laura Vanderbilt (daughter of Gloria and Reginald Claypoole Vanderbilt) who later in life became a famous fashion designer. Most of you are familiar with the reason why Prince Edward abdicated his throne, but you will be surprised to find out the circumstances of ho...