A Robot in the Garden. Book Review.

That’s it guys: my final read of the decade.

I’ve gotta say, I enjoyed this heartwarming story about getting unstuck, wrapped in a tale of friendship.

SYNOPSIS

Meet Ben. He’s married to Amy; she is smart, driven, and poised for success. Meanwhile, he spends his days in his pajamas, living off the money his parents left to him. But Amy wants more from their marriage, yet she hasn’t been successful in motivating Ben to strive for more. And she is fed up.

Early one morning, she notices a robot sitting against a tree in their yard. Not the sleek service Androids that are all the rage, but a rinky-dink, haphazardly thrown together, robot. She asks Ben to send it away.

But he’s determined that there is something special about this robot, even though he can’t explain why. So, he keeps it, much to Amy’s dismay.

After giving the robot a once-over, Ben notices that one of its cylinders is leaking fluid. Unable to repair it, and concerned for its survival, Ben and the robot embark on a quest to find, and return it, to its owner, before it’s too late.

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Excerpt…

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I liked it, ummm, I said that already.

Ok, let’s start with this –

Book Review: The Book of M by Peng Shepherd

Hey Y’all,

It’s book review time!

Today we’re chatting about the Post Apocalyptic, Dystopian novel: The Book of M by Peng Shepherd.

Whew chile, this was rough!

At least, for me, it was.

First, we’ll get into the synopsis, then I’m going to tell you about why this book was a no-go, no-no, for me.

Just so you’ll know, both the synopsis, and the review, are spoiler-free.

Let’s get into it –

Synopsis

One day a man mysteriously loses his shadow.

His memories soon follow.

As the days pass, more people lose their shadows too, along with their memories.

What began as a singular case, quickly turns into a global pandemic.

Widespread chaos follows.

We follow married couple Ory and Max, just after Max has lost her shadow.

Max, not wanting to endanger Ory, because losing your shadow has strange side-effects, flees their home.

Despite a promise they made to one another, he refuses to leave her alone in a world filled with danger, so he goes after her.

::Official synopsis here::

My Thoughts

Book Review: Virgil Wander by Leif Enger

There is some plotting though not the exhilarating, wild ride, kind. Rather it’s the slow down and savor the story, kind.

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Synopsis (No Spoilers)

**Title:** Virgil Wander | **Author:** Leif Enger | **Published:** 2018

In the old mining town of Greenstone, Minnesota – Virgil Wander accidentally drives off a snowy road, into Lake Superior.

Fortunately his only injuries are: a concussion, and being unable to recall most of his adjectives.

Told in first person perspective, we follow Virgil as he: recovers, rekindles old friendships, makes new ones, and manages his movie theater: The Empress.

See the official synopsis…

What I Liked

Book Review: The House on Half Moon Street by Alex Reeve

A transgender main character. A sex-worker’s murder. 1800’s Victorian London.

Heads up: Affiliate links ahead, which means I could earn a small fee if you make a purchase using one of these links.

Synopsis (No Spoilers)

**Title:** The House on Half Moon Street | **Author:** Alex Reeve | **Published:** 2018

Leo Stanhope is a transgender man working as a Coroner’s Assistant, during Victorian era London.

At the local brothel, he’s met and fallen in love with a sex-worker named Maria. Leo dreams of a better life for Maria and desires to settle down with her.

He pursues a courtship, inviting her to meet him at the theatre on a Sunday afternoon.

She stands him up.

The next day at work he finds Maria, deceased.

Believing her death was a murder, and determined to solve the crime (because the police won’t give it any attention), Leo sets out to find Maria’s killer.

What I Liked

Book Review: Limelight (Contemporary Chick Lit Novel)

Could you love someone who seems unlovable? Even when they spurn your care? What about if they’re young, rich, and famous yet have no one who loves them?

Heads up: Affiliate links ahead, which means I could earn a small fee if you make a purchase using one of these links.

Synopsis (Spoiler-Free)

Book cover for Limelight by Amy Poeppel, a book review. — **Title:** Limelight | **Author:** Amy Poeppel | **Genre:** Women’s Fiction, Contemporary Fiction | **Published:** 2018

Allison, a woman, wife, and mother of three relocates from Texas to New York after her husband gets a promotion.

Soon after she arrives, she hits a car while dropping her son off at school, but the owner is nowhere to be found.

She leaves her contact information instead.

Days later, Allison receives a call, the voice on the other line demanding she drop off her insurance information to an address on Central Park West.

When she gets there, she discovers it’s the home of young, famous, pop-star: Carter Reid (her daughters’ favorite heartthrob).

But Carter isn’t all bubblegum and sunshine. He’s a mess who’s lacking love and guidance, as those around him take advantage. This concerns Allison.

Soon thereafter, she takes a job as his Personal Assistant.

Can Allison and her family make the adjustment to New York living? Can she help Carter get on a better path? Make better decisions? Not ruin his career? Trust again?

♥ Here’s the official synopsis…

What I Liked About It

Strong characterization. Take Carter, for instance. He was so expertly portrayed that I forgot he wasn’t a real person. His thoughts, actions, and motivations were so spot-on given his backstory. I felt like I knew him, and eventually felt an affinity towards him.

Book Review: Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie (Realistic Teen Fiction Novel)

Important.

That’s the one word I’d use to describe this book.

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Synopsis

Book Cover of Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick, a teen, family fiction novel. — **Title**: Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie | **Author**: Jordan Sonnenblick | **Genres**: Teen Fiction, Family Fiction, Realistic Fiction | **First Published**: 2004

Meet 13 year old Steven Alper – he’s starting 8th grade, loves drumming, and has a crush on the cutest girl in school: Renee.

Steven lives with his mom, dad, and his annoying little brother: 4 year old Jeffery.

All is well.

Until it’s not, when Jeffery is diagnosed with cancer.

With their world upended, we follow the Alpers as they as they navigate this unexpected terrain.

And we experience it all through Steven’s eyes.

Book Review: A Heart in a Body in the World (Realistic Fiction YA Novel)

A searing, raw, honest, and unflinching portrait and exploration of grief.

Heads up: Affiliate links ahead, which means I could earn a small fee if you make a purchase using one of these links.

Synopsis

Book Cover of A Heart In A Body In The World, by Deb Caletti, a Young Adult Fiction Novel. — **Title:** A Heart In A Body In The World | **Author**: Deb Caletti | **Genre**: Young Adult Fiction | **Year Published**: 2018

17 year old Annabelle Agnelli has been through something BIG. So big that it’s upended her entire world.

Grieving, she decides to run from Seattle to Washington, DC.

Why? Because she has to do something.

Anything.

She runs because she’s tired of sitting still.

She runs because she has to keep on living.

Read the official synopsis…

Book Review: Murder on the Orient Express (Classic Detective Fiction Novel)

I bet ya can’t guess whodunit. Or can you?

Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock, you’ve heard of Agatha Christie. Fun Fact: She’s one of the best-selling authors of all time. And she wrote over 70 novels, during her lifetime, all of which are still in print.

Murder on the Orient Express was my introduction to her works.

I’m hella late, I know. But I am here now. 😛

Now, shall we get into the synopsis? Spoiler-free, of course.

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Synopsis

The Orient Express is en route to London when a passenger is found stabbed to death inside his cabin. By chance, world renown detective, Hercule Poirot, is aboard. We follow Poirot’s investigation as he searches for clues, collects his evidence, and ultimately learns the killer’s identity.

Here’s a better synopsis…

Book Cover of Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie, a Classic, Mystery Fiction Novel. — **Title:** Murder on the Orient Express | **Author:** Agatha Christie | **First Published:** 1934 (as Murder in the Calais Coach) | **Genre:** Mystery, Classic

Book Review: Scythe (YA Dystopian Fiction Novel)

Scythe features fascinating world-building and presents thought-provoking questions about the possible repercussions of human immortality.

Have you ever heard of this novel? If not, well allow me to bring you up to speed. Spoiler-free of course.

Heads up: Affiliate links ahead, which means I could earn a small fee if you make a purchase using one of these links.

Synopsis

**Title**: Scythe | **Author:** Neal Shusterman | **Published**: 2017

Set in the near-future, natural death has become a thing of past. As have war, hunger, and disease.

The Cloud is in control and provides for everyone’s needs from food to employment, housing, education, and anything else that may be required.

But this new reality must be preserved, and the population must not get out of hand, therefore, people still need to die.

Instead of by natural causes, death now comes by trained killers called Scythes. And two new apprentices have been chosen.

We follow teenagers Citra and Rowan, as they learn the art of kill-craft and discover what it truly means to be a Scythe.

Here’s the official synopsis…

Book Review: Kumquat (A Rom-Com)

If you want to laugh out loud or if you like awkward, quirky characters, then this book might be for you.

But before we get in to the review, let me tell you what it’s about. Spoiler-free, of course.

Heads up: Affiliate links ahead, which means I could earn a small fee if you make a purchase using one of these links.

Synopsis

Kumquat by Jeff Strand, A Book Review — **Title:** Kumquat | **Author:** Jeff Strand | **Genre:** Comedy, Romantic Comedy | **Published:** 2014

Would you take a road trip with someone you just met?

35 year old Todd certainly wouldn’t.

Todd plays life safe – content with a run of the mill job, unemployed-gamer roommate, and failed love life. That is, until he meets Amy at the Worst Film Festival of the Century.

She’s cute, quirky, and funny. She also doesn’t have much time to live.

Amy convinces Todd to step out of his comfort zone and the duo embark upon a 22 hour cross-country trip for an infamous hot dog.

Will they get their hot dog before her time runs out?

Also – there may or may not be giant gummy bear tractors, men with hooks for hands, suspicious looking hitchhikers, ornery old ladies, stolen or damaged property, a hospital stay, and some vomiting. Maybe.

A quirky, hilarious, and entertaining read.

Read an excerpt…