REVIEW: The Finish Line by Kate Stewart

 

🦅🦅 NOW AVAILABLE 🦅🦅

OUR REVIEW:

While I feel it probably goes without saying, I feel the need to preface this review with the understanding that this is the third book in a series, and you must read the first two books first because this review most likely will spoiling you for the previous books.

Honestly, The Finish Line was an unexpected surprise. I thought the second book ended in an open ended way that left me longing for more but accepting of where the characters were in their journey. When I saw that this was a continuation of the story of these characters, I was curious and cautiously optimistic. 

Continuing with that honest reflection, since it's been a while since I've read the original duet, when I started reading The Finish Line I felt rusty on what I thought were pertinent details so I reread sections of Exodus to refresh my memory and I'm glad I did. It helped reconnect me to the emotional journey of these characters and kept me focused on what was happening on the page rather than trying to remember what I forgot (so if you're like me and a little rusty on things, I definitely recommend skimming the previous book to reconnect some dots). Once I was fully back into the narrative of The Finish Line I was emotionally sucked in, so much so that I had to put it down at times because it just hurt sometimes. This story is the story of Tobias, really, and it pieces together a lot of the backstory of the Ravenhood. But even though it's a story of his past, it's also very much a story of Tobias and Cecelia and their present. The story weaves through history as it pushes us forward into the future and features as much history as it does present day twists and turns. I was captivated and entertained and felt a full range of emotions. And while I was uncertain when I first started reading, about what I was getting into, I can say without any hesitation that this was a book that this series needed. It filled in gaps and gave everything more depth and range--it was a novel that I never would've thought I needed and yet I did and I'm so glad Kate Steward decided to write it. 

Grab this once you've read the first two books...but also grab some tissues because you're gonna need them.

🦅🦅 NOW AVAILABLE 🦅🦅

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐞 is the explosive conclusion in The Ravenhood Trilogy from best-selling author, Kate Stewart, is live! 

This trilogy is of a modern day take on Robin Hood, but with more Fast and Furious/Fight Club vibes. It’s an unconventional love story—#𝐁𝐀𝐃𝐁𝐎𝐘𝐒 #𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐎𝐄𝐒—filled with 𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞, hella 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐦, major 𝐭𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬, a little 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, and 𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐄𝐄𝐋𝐒! 

 

**All books in the The Ravenhood Trilogy must be read in order. 

Purchase the series here! #𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄 to read in #𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 

FLOCK: http://mybook.to/FlockKateStewart
EXODUS: http://mybook.to/ExodusKateStewart

THE FINISH LINE: http://mybook.to/TheFinishLine

𝗪𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐚 𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐩𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤? 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞’𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐚 𝐛𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐰𝐞𝐛𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐞 @ www.katestewartwrites.com

The Finish Line Blurb 

Secrets and Lies...

 

I’ve lived the entirety of my life wrapped up in subterfuge for one purpose—revenge.

 

Through the years, I lived more as an enigma than a man.

 

For so long, I denied I had a beating heart of my own. 

 

Until her. Until she unearthed the starving vessel inside, forced me to acknowledge it, forced me to understand that I’m capable of bleeding the same as any other.

 

For that, we paid. We're still paying.

 

Yet, she demands it still, the useless heart of the ruthless thief and shameless villain she fell for. My fear is, I’m no longer that man.

 

With the lies I’ve told, the life I’ve led, my mistakes are beginning to catch up with me, day by day, one by one. 

 

This is my last chance, and I have no intention of losing her again, but as the deception of my past starts to unravel and close in, shedding my humanity may be the only thing that can save us both. 

 

Maybe it’s already too late.

Add to your GOODREADS TBR:

𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐤- (The Ravenhood #1)- https://bit.ly/38FTjxP

𝐄𝐱𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐬- (The Ravenhood Book #2)- http://bit.ly/3qiC638

The Finish Line (The Ravenhood #3) - https://bit.ly/3bzZQf1

Join Kate's Asskickers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/katesasskickers/

The Ravenhood Spotify Playlist: https://spoti.fi/38Y1FiU

Kate's Newsletter-Get a FREE book!: https://www.katestewartwrites.com/contact-me.html

REVIEW: A Woman is No Man by Etaf Rum

 

OUR REVIEW:

A Woman is No Man is one of those novels that will stick with me for months and probably years. It touches on something I'm wholly unfamiliar with--life as a Palestinian/Palestinian American woman. It shares the rich culture and an aspect of submission and oppression that I really didn't think existed, anymore, to the extent it was explored in this novel. It's heartbreaking and yet it leaves you with a sense of hope.

The novelist has repeatedly stated her hesitancy in publishing a novel that may hinder the plight of others, be harmful in any way, or may perpetuate stereotypes but she also felt an obligation to share a novel that many (?)/some (?) have and do experience; I'm so glad she did--she's right that voices like hers need to be readily available for us all to read and listen to.

I found it to be a novel that latched onto my heart and I know it may never leave. 

BUY IT: https://amzn.to/3s6qUse

In her debut novel Etaf Rum tells the story of three generations of Palestinian-American women struggling to express their individual desires within the confines of their Arab culture in the wake of shocking intimate violence in their community—a story of culture and honor, secrets and betrayals, love and violence. Set in an America at once foreign to many and staggeringly close at hand, A Woman Is No Man is an intimate glimpse into a controlling and closed cultural world, and a universal tale about family and the ways silence and shame can destroy those we have sworn to protect.

"Where I come from, we’ve learned to silence ourselves. We’ve been taught that silence will save us. Where I come from, we keep these stories to ourselves. To tell them to the outside world is unheard of—dangerous, the ultimate shame.”

Palestine, 1990. Seventeen-year-old Isra prefers reading books to entertaining the suitors her father has chosen for her. Over the course of a week, the naïve and dreamy girl finds herself quickly betrothed and married, and is soon living in Brooklyn. There Isra struggles to adapt to the expectations of her oppressive mother-in-law Fareeda and strange new husband Adam, a pressure that intensifies as she begins to have children—four daughters instead of the sons Fareeda tells Isra she must bear.

Brooklyn, 2008. Eighteen-year-old Deya, Isra’s oldest daughter, must meet with potential husbands at her grandmother Fareeda’s insistence, though her only desire is to go to college. Deya can’t help but wonder if her options would have been different had her parents survived the car crash that killed them when Deya was only eight. But her grandmother is firm on the matter: the only way to secure a worthy future for Deya is through marriage to the right man.

But fate has a will of its own, and soon Deya will find herself on an unexpected path that leads her to shocking truths about her family—knowledge that will force her to question everything she thought she knew about her parents, the past, and her own future.

REVIEW: Follow Me Under by Helen Hardt

 

OUR REVIEW:

Follow Me Under  is the second of three novels in this series. It continues the story of Braden and Skye, picking up exactly where the first book left us. Skye is question Braden's history and intentions, much to his chagrin.

The entirety of this novel is these two trying to establish some sort of trust and continuity in their relationship while maintain their individuality. While one of them has less of a struggle with that, one of them definitely is feeling a little overwhelmed and lost.

When I put this novel down, I honestly felt some disappointment. The first novel was not perfect but held some potential--potential I hoped would be seen in this second novel. Instead, some of the same issues I had with the first novel, I had with the second. There was a lot of dialogue and plot that I felt like didn't have enough exposition and context and just needed more development...more words. I needed more internal monologues and thoughts between events to round out what was happening and make the pacing feel more balanced and like it made sense and wasn't so rushed. 

I wanted to..and still want to...like this series. It's such a fun throwback to the beginnings of this era of romance that I just want it to be better--better paced and edited. These characters have so much potential to ensare us in their story; they're just not there yet. I'm holding out hope that the final installment of this series really does Skye and Braden justice. 

BUY IT: https://amzn.to/38ItFXP

SYNOPSIS:

She gave him control in the bedroom. But is she losing control of her identity?

Dating Boston’s billionaire bachelor has opened up a new world for Skye Manning. Opportunities are suddenly everywhere, her new career is flourishing, and she experiences luxury she’s only seen in the pages of magazines. So why does she feel like she’s losing herself?

Braden Black never meant to fall for Skye, and he still tries to resist a relationship he knows he’s not wired for. But not only has Skye awoken something inside him—he’s stirring something dark and forbidden inside his Cinderella. Something even he can’t control…

The Follow Me series is best enjoyed in order.
Reading Order:
Book #1 Follow Me Darkly
Book #2 Follow Me Under

REVIEW: The Perfect Guests by Emma Rous

 

OUR REVIEW:

The Perfect Guests was not perfect but it was a nice break from what I normally read. The alternating perspectives between characters and time periods nicely built into a culminating reveal in which all the answers to the mysteries of Beth and Sadie and their relationship to Raven Hall and the Averells were explained. And while nothing was SHOCKING! I did find the way all of the pieces fit together very interesting. I think what was lacking for me was a true exploration of why this place was *the thing* that motivated some decisions--I just didn't feel that connection between house and person as a deep and abiding reason for many actions and therefore while I thought it was an interesting idea, it just didn't hit me like the slap in the face that I like when I'm reading psychological fiction. Instead, I found myself feeling sorrow for some characters and head-tilting, I don't get it, with others. Overall, though, it was something different for me and I'm always up for that.

BUY IT: https://amzn.to/3pY0Fmb

The USA Today bestselling author of The Au Pair returns with another delicious, twisty novel—about a grand estate with many secrets, an orphan caught in a web of lies, and a young woman playing a sinister game.

1988. Beth Soames is fourteen years old when her aunt takes her to stay at Raven Hall, a rambling manor in the isolated East Anglian fens. The Averells, the family who lives there, are warm and welcoming, and Beth becomes fast friends with their daughter, Nina. At times, Beth even feels like she's truly part of the family...until they ask her to help them with a harmless game—and nothing is ever the same.

2019. Sadie Langton is an actress struggling to make ends meet when she lands a well-paying gig to pretend to be a guest at a weekend party. She is sent a suitcase of clothing, a dossier outlining the role she is to play, and instructions. It's strange, but she needs the money, and when she sees the stunning manor she'll be staying at, she figures she’s got nothing to lose. 

In person, Raven Hall is even grander than she'd imagined—even with damage from a fire decades before—but the walls seem to have eyes. As day turns to night, Sadie starts to feel that there’s something off about the glamorous guests who arrive, and as the party begins, it becomes chillingly apparent their unseen host is playing games with everyone...including her.

REVIEW: Sorrow by Tiffanie DeBartolo

OUR REVIEW:

To be honest, trying to write a review for Sorrow seems like such an injustice to the experience of reading it. But it would be an even bigger injustice if I didn't let the world know that I read it and loved it. The people who happen across this blog or review have to know that this is a MUST READ. 

Ever since Tiffanie DeBartolo posted the first hint, the first suggestion, that she was writing this novel, I knew I'd have to have it. Everything she's written I've felt a connection to. Her characters and their journeys just burrow under my skin, race through my bloodstream, and find a home in my heart. 

Sorrow is...

a love story

a grief story

a story of hope cloaked in melancholy

Sorrow may...

make you frustrated or annoyed with Joe

even when you understand why he's so quick to run away 

and so slow to embrace who he is, or could be

Sorrow will

remind you of what you may forget

about time

and action

and inaction

and loss

Sorrow should

nudge you

prod you

inspire you

invigorate you

And Sorrow will most definitely make you hope and wish that Tiffanie DeBartolo is finding her next inspiration because we all need more of her words in our heads, on our shelves, and in our hearts. I know that this novel will be absolutely perfect for so many of my former students and even some of my current ones. 

The story of October and Joe and Cal is one that I won't forget. Between October and her quirky art installations (which WOW, the time and imagination to come up with those!) and her sage wisdom on relationships and humanity, and Joe and his stubborn resistance to truly live for himself, and Cal's heart and inability to let Joe sink into nothingness, I didn't stand a chance--I was destined to love them all, and love them I did. 

Thank you, Tiffanie DeBartolo, for giving me new words, new characters to love, and a reminder to not give up before I've even started.

BUY IT: https://amzn.to/37XOorF

SYNOPSIS:

From Tiffanie DeBartolo, author of God Shaped Hole, How to Kill a Rock Star, and Grace: The Jeff Buckley Story, comes Sorrow, a poignant story about friendship and love, art and music, and how these pursuits can save us from ourselves.

Joe Harper has backpedaled throughout his life. A once-promising guitar prodigy, he's been living without direction since abandoning his musical dreams. Now into his thirties, having retreated from every opportunity he's had to level up, he has lost his family, his best friend, and his own self-respect.

 

But Joe finds an unlikely path to redemption when he starts working as a carpenter for the bohemian conceptual artist October Danko. The job returns him to his hometown, loaded with bittersweet reminders of his former life, in the shadows of his beloved redwood trees. As Joe's relationship with October develops, he yearns to take a daring step toward a bold future, but struggles to escape the craven decisions of his past.

 

Sorrow is a stunning, moving novel that explores masculinity and suspended adolescence, all the while begging the questions: Can courage be learned? And is it ever too late to follow your heart?