Anita de Monte Laughs Last.

 

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1985. Anita de Monte, a rising star in the art world, is found dead in New York City; her tragic death is the talk of the town. Until it isn’t. By 1998 Anita’s name has been all but forgotten—certainly by the time Raquel, a third-year art history student is preparing her final thesis. On College Hill, surrounded by privileged students whose futures are already paved out for them, Raquel feels like an outsider. Students of color, like her, are the minority there, and the pressure to work twice as hard for the same opportunities is no secret. 

But when Raquel becomes romantically involved with a well-connected older art student, she finds herself unexpectedly rising up the social ranks. As she attempts to straddle both worlds, she stumbles upon Anita’s story, raising questions about the dynamics of her own relationship, which eerily mirrors that of the forgotten artist. 

Moving back and forth through time and told from the perspectives of both women, Anita de Monte Laughs Last is a propulsive, witty examination of power, love, and art, daring to ask who gets to be remembered and who is left behind in the rarefied world of the elite. 

 

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I learned about this book from Reese's Book Club and was intrigued by the story. I wasn't sure what to expect from the book because Anita de Monte Laughs Last was the first book I had read by the author. I had heard several different reviews about the book, but that didn't stop me from reading it, and I am glad that I did. Anita de Monte Laughs Last is unique, and the story surprised me on several occasions. I've read art books before, but this one is unique...I don't know how to begin to explain everything. There were so many emotions that were going through me all at once, and I know that it’s going to be a book that I will be returning to in the future. 

I discovered this book during the cover reveal when the title caught my attention, and I looked it up out of curiosity. I couldn't help but wonder about the meaning behind the title. When I started reading Anita's perspective, the title made a lot more sense. I loved how the book smoothly combined magical realism, making the story feel incredibly lifelike. In most of the book that I read, I find myself able to transform into the story and experience everything that the characters go through. That was one of my favorite aspects of this book. Reading from multiple points of view helped me to better connect with each character. 

I enjoyed both Raquel's and Anita's perspectives, but Raquel's seemed to start slower. However, it didn’t take long for Raquel’s to pick up, to the point where I was so invested in the story that I lost track of time. I knew a little about art before reading the book, but I felt like I learned more about the process of creating art just by reading the book. While reading the book, I did wonder if the two timelines would end up connecting somehow. In general, I couldn't get enough of this book and would finish it faster if I didn't have to study. 

Highly recommended.

The Disspearance Of Astrid Bricard.

 

 

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Three generations. One chance to prove themselves. Can the women of the Bricard fashion dynasty finally rewrite their history? 

French countryside, Present Blythe Bricard is the daughter of famous fashion muses but that doesn't mean she wants to be one. She turned her back on that world, and her dreams, years ago. Fate, however, has a different plan, and Blythe will discover there is more to her iconic mother and grandmother than she ever knew. New York, 1970: Designer Astrid Bricard arrives in bohemian Chelsea determined to change the fashion world forever. And she does―cast as muse to her lover, Hawk Jones. And when they're both invited to compete in the fashion event of the century―the Battle of Versailles―Astrid sacrifices everything to showcase her talent. But then, just as her career is about to take off, she mysteriously vanishes, leaving behind only a white silk dress. 

Paris, 1917: Parentless sixteen-year-old Mizza Bricard has made a to be remembered on her own terms. Her promise sustains her through turbulent decades and volatile couture houses until, finally, her name is remembered and a legend is born―one that proves impossible for Astrid and Blythe to distance themselves from. 

 

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A captivating story that will transport you to another world. 

I was drawn into this story from the first page, but the title first sparked my interest. I love reading historical fiction with a mystery twist I had a feeling that I was going to enjoy this book, and once again, I found myself falling in love with the story. I'm unsure where to begin with this book review because there is so much I could say. The Disappearance of Astrid Bricard is different from other historical fiction I've read. That's what attracted me to the story. I love reading stories told from different perspectives and timelines as they feel interconnected. I loved how all the viewpoints in The Disappearance of Astrid Bricard were from the same family. Like everyone else, I was curious about what happened to Astrid, whether something bad happened to her or if she just wanted to escape. I couldn't help but wonder what the reason for her escape might have been, and if anyone knew what had happened to Astrid. There was so much happening that I found it difficult to put the book down. 

I enjoyed getting to know Astrid, Blythe, and Mizza; they were all impossible not to love. I found some parts of Mizza's story slow, but other parts were intriguing I enjoyed the historical aspects of fashion included in this book, which is not a topic I typically read about. Now I know how much goes into fashion, to make it as a fashion designer. 

This isn't my first time reading a book by Natasha Lester, but it's been years since I last read one of her books. I’m glad that I came across this book at the library. I highly recommend this book to any fans of historical fiction who love a mix of mystery. The story will keep you on edge until the very last page.

The Royal Librarian.

 

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 Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher, Avon, for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

 

A royal palace. A closed book. A betrayal that will echo through generations… 

Windsor, 1940: Secretly tasked with foiling a suspected plot, Sophie Klein is placed in the Royal Library at Windsor castle, where the princesses reside. But when she learns that Windsor is compromised, Sophie must sacrifice everything she knows to save the future queen of England…
Philadelphia, Present day: Looking through her grandmother's papers, Lacey Jones comes across a mysterious letter stamped with the Windsor Castle crest. But how did it come to be in her family's possession? 

And so begins a journey that will take Lacey deep into the heart of the oldest inhabited castle in the world and change her life forever. 

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This is the second novel I've read by Daisy Wood, and I love her writing. I admire that this is about a librarian, particularly a royal librarian. One of the first things that captured my attention about the book was the intriguing storyline. However, I felt it took a few chapters to get into the story itself. As the story progressed, I became engrossed and unable to put it down. I was desperate to find out how it would end. My main interest was to see if Sophie would reunite with her sister at some point in the story. 

I enjoy books that alternate between two timelines, and I have read several over the years. In this book, I preferred Sophie's story over Lacey's. I did enjoy Lacey's story, but some parts felt a bit slow. I found the parts where she was trying to uncover what happened to Sophie to be particularly interesting, but other parts seemed to drag on. I admired Lacey's determination to uncover the truth about Sophie. There were so many emotions in this book, and I found myself being able to feel every single one of them. 

This author has quickly become a favorite of mine. This book is another amazing example of why I love her writing. I can't wait to see what she has in store for us next.