Review: Here I Stand

Here I Stand by Jessica Leed
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was a quick easy read and although it was the second book in a series, I would have never known that until I read the author notes at the end of the book. I really felt for the main character. Struggling to have been supported by her family to achieve her dreams only to have them crushed by an injury, having a toxic relationship, and a so-so job. But when her life seems to have hit rock bottom, being able to pick up the pieces, move on, find forgiveness and happiness, all the while having compassion and caring for others really shows that hope and goodness does exist in this world.

Definitely a feel-good story that can be read as a stand-alone. Warning: it may tug at your heartstrings a bit.

I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway.

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Review: Mexican Gothic

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I was super excited when my book club chose this book to read this month because it got so much hype over the summer. It really seemed interesting and I just couldn't wait to dive in!

I can certainly say that the author painted a phenomenal picture of the scene. I could vividly see the mansion, the surroundings, and everything associated with the setting as if I was placed within the walls myself. Very clear details of the dust, and walkways, and graveyard, and cracks, and smells, and everything that the characters were seeing, I was seeing as well, almost as if I was watching it on a movie screen. Now, if only she would have done as good a job on the character development and plot. Honestly, this book must've been the weirdest book I have ever read. I'm not saying that it wasn't interesting, but for the longest time, it just went nowhere. I would have to say that about the first two-thirds of the book was building up the scene and the last third described why they were there. I might have given up reading but I just really wanted to know what was going on, and it isn't what you think...

In my opinion, not a horrible book as the descriptors were great but it could have had a little bit better of a storyline and/or kept it going more. This will definitely make for some good conversation with the book club this month! Perfect for October/Halloween, for sure!

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Review: Magic Lessons

Magic Lessons by Alice Hoffman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Alice Hoffman is an incredible storyteller and this is the prequel to her beloved series Practical Magic. You don't necessarily need to be a fan of or have read the series to read this book as it gives the history and backstory to the series and is fine as a standalone. With that being said, it is a very wordy, descriptive book with not a lot of character interaction. It is interesting in the details of witchcraft and lineage, and of the areas in which they were traveling and living. I really enjoyed the information about the witch trials of Salem and would have liked more detail on them. As for the characters themselves, other than the love of a mother for her daughter, they seemed a little surface and not so deep or weren't expanded upon. So if you want to know about the characters, I guess you'll have to read the rest of the series.

Overall it was an interesting read. At times a little hard to get through but certainly enjoyable for the descriptions and backstory for the Practical Magic series.

I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway as an ARC.

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