So This Is Love(A Twisted Tale,#9)

☆☆☆☆☆

so this is love.

A Twisted Tale, #9.
 Elizabeth lim.

Publisher  Disney-Hyperion.

Publication Date: April 7,2020.

Genre:  Fairy Tale Retelling.

 Format|Pages: Kindle|416.

 Source: Goodreads| Library. 

CONTAINS SPOILERS

What if Cinderella never tried on the glass slipper?



Unable to prove that she's the missing princess, and unable to bear life under Lady Tremaine any longer, Cinderella starts work at the palace as a seamstress. However, when Cinderella finds herself witness to a grand conspiracy to take the king - and the prince - out of power, she is faced with questions of love and loyalty to the kingdom.



Cinderella must find a way to stop the villains of past and present... before it's too late. 

 ✎

Magical.



There are no other words to describe this retelling. I started reading A Twisted Tale series a couple of years ago, once one of my best friends told me about it. SO THIS IS LOVE is the third book that I read in the series. Cinderella has always been one of my favorite fairytales as a kid, and I have read a few retellings through the years. SO THIS IS LOVE is unlike any Cinderella retelling that I have read before, I love the unique spin on the fairytale. When I have read the original fairytale, I did wonder what would happen if Cinderella did not have a chance to try on the glass slipper. When I found out about SO THIS IS LOVE , I knew that I had to check out, and I had a feeling that it was going be a book I would love. The twist on this fairytale was unlike what I was expecting to be, and it was filled with so many twists that even I did not see coming. For instance, I did not think that Cinderella's stepmother would be so cruel that she would sell her. That is going too far. I was happy that Cinderella was able to escape; I cannot begin to imagine what might happen to her if she didn't.



When Cinderella started working at the palace, I wondered if the prince would recognize her as the girl that got away. That is another thing that I loved about this retelling; there was more about the prince and the king. In the original fairytale, he seemed to have a small role, and I had always wondered more about Prince Charles, what was he thinking? How did he feel when he met Cinderella? I loved it when SO THIS IS LOVE started with the ball when Cinderella and Prince Charles met. It was easy to see, to feel how much the two cared about one another, despite that the two of them knowing each other for a short period. I wondered how long it would take Prince Charles to figure out that Cinderella is the same girl that he fell in love with. I did hope that Grand Duke did not find out; first, he was one character that I had a bad feeling about from the start, I knew he was up to something.



Duchess Genevieve. At first, I was not sure how to feel about her. I felt as if she was harsh, too hard on Cinderella. As time passed, I could tell that all of that was an act. Despite not telling her, I knew that she liked Cinderella and was fond of her. I knew that Genevieve was someone that you could trust. She was a character that I did not think that I was going to like, but she ended up being one of my favorite characters. SO THIS IS LOVE is another great addition to A Twisted Tale collection. I am glad that King George figured out Grand Duke was not who he thought that he was. SO THIS IS LOVE is a book that has something happening on every page. If you are a fan of fairytale retelling, I would highly recommend this book.

All The Flowers In Paris.

☆☆☆☆☆

all the flowers in paris.

Sarah jio.

Publisher  Ballantine Books.

Publication Date: August 13,2019.

Genre:  Historical Fiction.

 Format|Pages: Kindle|240.

 Source: Goodreads| Library. 

 CONTAINS SPOILERS

Two women are connected across time by the city of Paris, a mysterious journal, and shocking secrets, sweeping from World War II to the present--for readers of Sarah's Key.



When Caroline wakes up in a Paris hospital with no memory of her past, she's confused to learn that she's lived a sad, reclusive life for years in a sprawling apartment on the Seine. Slowly regaining vague memories of a man and young child, she vows to piece her life back together--though she can't help but feel she may be in danger. A budding friendship with the chef of a charming nearby restaurant takes her mind off of her foggy past, as does a startling mystery from decades prior...



In Nazi-occupied Paris, young widow Celine lives a quiet life with her father, the local florist, and her daughter, Cosi. When a ruthless German officer discovers the family's Jewish ancestry, he blackmails Celine, forcing her to become his mistress in exchange for the others' safety. The trio plans an escape, but their mission goes horribly awry and Celine's beloved father and daughter are sent away to a cruel fate. Initially distraught, Celine fears the worst. Yet she soon discovers that Cosi has snuck away and followed her into captivity. More motivated than ever, Celine must now fight to hide and protect the person she loves most.



Parallel timelines intersect when Caroline discovers Celine's diary tucked away in a closet, and it is revealed that the walls of her apartment harbor dark secrets. With the help of a local student from the Sorbonne, she realizes that she may have more in common with Celine than she could ever imagine. 

 ✎

Have you read that breaks your heart into pieces, and yet you keep on reading? ALL THE FLOWERS IN THE PARIS was that book for me. It was a story that broke my heart into pieces, but I could not stop. I wanted to see the outcome for Celine and Caroline. Both Caroline and Celine went through pain, though Celine was more terrifying than Caroline’s was. ALL THE FLOWERS IN THE PARIS is a book that I had on my to-read list for a while, but my library did not have it for a while. I am glad that I got to chance to read it. I was happy that I had a break between semesters, giving me time to read more. I do not think I would be able to put the book down even if I had to. I was so captivated by the story that I spent hours reading the book. ALL THE FLOWERS IN THE PARIS is a book that you will find yourself thinking about as you read. You will be attached to the characters, and you will read on so you can find out what will happen with them. The fact that the story was going between World War II and the present time made so much more interested. I loved how the author connected the two characters.



I do not think that I would be able to choose a favorite character. However, I loved Caroline, Celine, and Cosi the most. From the beginning, I did wonder what would happen to Caroline if she remembered, would she turn into a completely different person? Would she remember? As for Celine, I cannot even begin to imagine the horror that she had to go through while being held captive by that German Officer, plus having to hide her daughter Cosi at the same time. Both of them are brave to have to go through something that horrific. ALL THE FLOWERS IN THE PARIS is not an easy novel to read, especially Celine’s story. I did cry. However, it was not all that I did, and I felt anger, fear. All those emotions that were described in the book, I could feel it even if I cannot begin to imagine how it must be. It felt real. I felt as I was there, along with Celine, Cosi. I loved both Caroline and Celine’s stories, and it worked well, going back and forth between the two-time lines.



The ending, I was not expecting it, but it worked so well with this book. I am still thinking about it. Despite the subject, I have a feeling that this is the book that I will come back and re-read in the future. ALL THE FLOWERS IN THE PARIS was the first book that I have read by the author. Now I cannot wait to check rest of her books. If you love historical fiction, ALL THE FLOWERS IN THE PARIS is a must read.

Kindred.

☆☆☆☆

kindred.

Octavia e.butler.

Publisher  Beacon Press.

Publication Date: February 1,2004.

Genre:  Historical Fiction|Science Fiction.

 Format|Pages: Kindle|287.

 Source: Goodreads| Library. 

CONTAINS SPOILERS

Having just celebrated her 26th birthday in 1976 California, Dana, an African-American woman, is suddenly and inexplicably wrenched through time into antebellum Maryland. After saving a drowning white boy there, she finds herself staring into the barrel of a shotgun and is transported back to the present just in time to save her life.



During numerous such time-defying episodes with the same young man, she realizes the challenge she’s been given...

 ✎

This was… I do not think I have the words to explain all the feelings that I am having about this book. I do know that KINDRED is a story that I will not forget. I finished the book last night, and I am still thinking about the story. KINDRED is a heartbreaking story but the one that should be read by everyone, the one that will be remembered for years to come. I love time travel books and have read a few of them through the years. KINDRED is unlike any time travel book that I have read before. Dana does time travel, but she travels back to the time that was real, to the time when slavery was legal. I remember when I learned about that time when I was in high school. Slavery was one of the hardest subjects to learn and read about. It was the same as I read KINDRED . It is impossible to read the book without going through the emotions. You will cry, get angry, and hope. Every time that Dana ended up there, I was rooting for her to be able to escape before she was hurt, or worse, killed.



At first, I wasn’t sure if her husband, Kevin, believed her. He saw her vanish, but I do not think he believed her where she was. Not until he ended up time traveling with her. Kevin might not go through what Dana went through, but it was clear that it was hard on him when he came back. Dana, I cannot even begin to imagine to have to go through what she went through, especially since she was born free. I feel as if nobody believed her when she told him or her. She had no proof. Even Rufus did not seem to believe her that she was married to Kevin. It was hard to read about what all the slaves had to go through, the harsh treatments they had to deal back then. I cannot even begin to imagine how it must be during that time. OCTAVIA E. BUTLER transformed to that time along with Dana, and I felt as I was there. I could feel all the pain and fear.



Rufus. I wanted to like him, and at first, I did. That did not last; I could tell that he was turning into his father. What I could not understand is why Dana kept on rescuing him when he got himself into trouble, why she kept on helping me. If it were me, I would stop supporting him a long time ago. Rufus might have saved her few times, but at the same time, he put her through so much. Rufus was not the kind of character that you could like. Not once did I feel sorry for him. KINDRED is a beautifully written novel, and I found myself reading it until I reached the end. This is a hard subject to learn, but I feel as if it something that everyone should check out.

The Dressmaker's Gift.

☆☆☆☆

the dressmaker's gift.

Fiona  valpy..

Publisher  Lake Union Publishing.

Publication Date: October 1,2019.

Genre:  Historical Fiction.

 Format|Pages: Kindle|286.

 Source: Goodreads| Kindle Unlimited.

CONTAINS SPOILERS

Paris, 1940. With the city occupied by the Nazis, three young seamstresses go about their normal lives as best they can. But all three are hiding secrets. War-scarred Mireille is fighting with the Resistance; Claire has been seduced by a German officer; and Vivienne’s involvement is something she can’t reveal to either of them.


Two generations later, Claire’s English granddaughter Harriet arrives in Paris, rootless and adrift, desperate to find a connection with her past. Living and working in the same building on the Rue Cardinale, she learns the truth about her grandmother – and herself – and unravels a family history that is darker and more painful than she ever imagined.


In wartime, the three seamstresses face impossible choices when their secret activities put them in grave danger. Brought together by loyalty, threatened by betrayal, can they survive history’s darkest era without being torn apart? 

 ✎

 

Gripping. Suspenseful. Haunting.


Once again, I am in love. This is the third book that I read by FIONA VALPY , and I have no words what I read, all the emotions that I was feeling. So far, I had loved all of the books that I have read so far. FIONA VALPY is one author that I wished that I had discovered sooner than I have, I love her writing style and you cannot but fall in love with the story, the characters. Every page, every chapter will have you wondering what is going to happen next, what will happen with them all. From the start, from the moment that Harriet arrives in Paris, searching for her grandmother, Claire’s history, and like her, I am curious. I am eager to find out what happened to Claire, along with her friends in that photograph. I love that the book goes back and forth between Claire’s story in 1940 and Harriet’s story. I had enjoyed Harriet’s story; however, I enjoyed reading Claire, Mireille, and Vivienne more; there seemed to be much more going on in their story, but of course, during that time, a lot was happening. While reading their story, I felt as I was transformed there along with them. I felt as if I was there, along with Claire, Mireille, and Vivienne.




Out of all of her books, , THE DRESSMAKER’S GIFT was the most heartbreaking one. I should know, considering the time it took place, yet I was not prepared how heart wrecking it would be. I did wonder if Claire, at some point, would join the resistance with Mireille and Vivienne. I was wondering about the German officer, and I wondered if he was up to something or if he cared about Claire. I had a bad feeling about him, but at the same time, I hoped that I was wrong. I could not help but wonder about his interest in Claire. I love the friendship between Claire, Mireille, and Vivienne, and the way that the three of them were always looking out for each other. I cannot even begin to imagine what Mireille was feeling when Claire and Vivienne were captured and not knowing if there were alive or not. I felt the same horror that she was feeling, and I was rooting for the two of them to make it out of there alive.




What Vivienne and Claire went through, it broke my heart into a million pieces. Sometimes it was hard for me to read what they had to go through. I just hoped that they would make out of there alive. I knew that even if they made out of there alive, they would never be the same. How can anyone be after going through something that horrific? Once I reached the end, I could not stop thinking about them. It was as if my brain did not want to forget it. Despite the subject and how hard it was to read at a time, I could not put it down. I did not want to put it down; I wanted to see how it was going to end. I am glad that Harriet was able to find out about her grandmother’s history, and I felt as it gave her peace once she did. THE DRESSMAKER’S GIFT is one of the best, most passionate historical fiction that I have read this year. I cannot wait to see what FIONA VALPY has in store for us next. If you are a fan of historical fiction, be sure to check her books out. You will have a hard time putting them down once you do.

Ghost Story (The Dresden Files, #13)

☆☆☆☆

Ghost story.

The Dresden Files, #13.
 Jim butcher.

Publisher  ROC

Publication Date: July 26,2011

Genre:  Fantasy|Mystery. 

 Format|Pages: Hardcover|481.

 Source: Goodreads| Owned.

CONTAINS SPOILERS

When we last left the mighty wizard detective Harry Dresden, he wasn't doing well. In fact, he had been murdered by an unknown assassin.



But being dead doesn't stop him when his friends are in danger. Except now he has no body, and no magic to help him. And there are also several dark spirits roaming the Chicago shadows who owe Harry some payback of their own.



To save his friends—and his own soul—Harry will have to pull off the ultimate trick without any magic. 

✎

Magical. Thrilling.



After that ending in CHANGES you cannot help but wonder : what happens next? .I was eager to find out what happened to Harry afterward. A part of me was hoping that it did not happen, that Harry was dreaming. Of course, there was no such luck. My next, though, was wondering who killer Harry, and why? I know that Harry had made many enemies through the series, so I was more curious about who wanted him dead. I did wonder if it might be Marcone. The actual truth is not something that occurred to me. Yet when the truth came out, it was not something that surprised me either, considering the trouble Harry seemed to get himself in once again. I was surprised that when Harry came back to Chicago in his spirit form those months had passed since his death. Like him, it felt as if he just died. I did wonder how everyone was dealing with his death, especially Molly and Murphy. I had a strong feeling that something was going to happen between Harry and Murphy, right before his death. For the past few books, I sensed that there was an attraction between him and Murphy. I was wondering when they would do something about that if they would take that step.



Molly. She had impressed me a while back, becoming one of my favorite characters in the series. GHOST STORY is where I became an even bigger fan of her. I could see she was struggling at the beginning, which I had a feeling was mostly due to Harry's death and her feelings for him. Molly had grown up and had the most character development since she had become Harry's apprentice. I did wonder what was going to happen to her after his death. I wondered who was going to take over the training. It is clear how much Molly still cares about Harry. What she has done for him, she would not have if she did not care about him. I love her character's development, and I am eager to see what happens with her next. Molly is a fierce and strong and I love the fact that she never gives up, that she keeps on going. She became one of the strongest female characters in the book.



Butters. That is another character that improved since the beginning of the series. He became a much stronger character that you do not want to mess with. Few characters changed quite a few through the series, but Molly and Butters are my favorites. I wondered how GHOST STORY would end, what would happen to Harry after his task was completed. Would her remain a spirit, or would he go and serve Mab? How can you not help but wonder what he would have to face next. GHOST STORY always had something happening and had you wondering what will come next. It did have a bit of slow start, and there were a couple of slow parts but not for long. GHOST STORY had me going through the emotions, and once again, I felt as I was there along with Harry and his friends.



Another great addition to the Dresden Files .