Review: The Butler

The Butler by Danielle Steel
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Two different people from two different backgrounds meet in Paris and find their way to each other. Joachim von Hartman is from Buenos Aires and has an identical twin, Javier. Raised by their single mother, Joachim enters a life of service as a butler. Trained by the best, Joachim has worked for some of England's most powerful elite.

Olivia White is recovering from her magazine folding, a magazine she labored with for ten years. The only child of a single mom, Olivia decides to start fresh in Paris. She is excited about her new venture, having never done anything so spontaneous. New to the country, she needs an assistant, familiar with the language to help her set up her home and hires, Joachim.

Both will find themselves on a new chapter, a new journey and maybe, find love and solace in each other.

First, I have to say that I truly enjoyed this read. I was sucked into the story and couldn't believe the trauma and tragedy they went through. I loved the title and concept. Just that alone made me want to read. This was a story of self-discovery, forgiveness, renewal, family. It had intrigue that kept me swiping on my kindle to get to the end.

However, as I am seeing with Danielle Steel, there is a lot of info dumping in the beginning. I am guessing she is able to get away with all those pages of narratives because of who she is. Because of this, I had stopped reading another book but after reading The Butler and another book of hers, I think I might go back and give that book a chance.

People will enjoy the strong characters who you want to root for. Their love felt organic and it wasn't the central part of the story, though of course, there was the happy ending. Rather it was about Joachim and Olivia coming to terms with their past and using what they have learned to embark on a new future. Sometimes things happen in life that make up skeptical about love or about becoming vulnerable to another person. But it is beautiful when it happens and that is what I enjoyed reading.

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Review: Blindsided

Blindsided by Trice Hickman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Blindsided is about three women who will face the biggest challenge of their lives:

Bernie Gibson is in the best relationship of her life. She is fifty and thrilled to marry the man of her dreams but then she discovers she is pregnant and she isn't sure how Coop will handle this new complication.

Tess Sinclair is engaged to a wonderful successful man who wants to marry her and have children. Tess hasn't told him she has serious fertility issues.

Arizona is married to a man who appears to be the perfect Adonis but the newlyweds have serious intimacy issues. Their happy-ever-after is threatened by past secrets.

From the opening scene for each of these three friends, I knew this was going to be a page-turner. I read it over a couple days and I was intrigued to find out what was going to happen. I really loved that Trice Hickman introduced us to characters in different stages of maturity and also different ages. It was wonderful reading about a woman in her fifties enjoying a hot relationship with a good man.

Of course, the drama was plenty and there were a few times were my eyebrows raised at their actions but that made for a really good read.

I absolutely loved the cover. Loved it. Loved the title. It matched the book perfectly. I truly enjoyed this read. Thank you #Netgalley and #Kensington.

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Review: The Last Debutantes

The Last Debutantes by Georgie Blalock
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

First, what a cover. What a cover. It made me want to read the book. I wanted to know Valerie's story before the second world war. However, I struggled to get into the story. Not sure why.

Thank you #Netgalley for the ARC.

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Review: Complications

Complications by Danielle Steel
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The story takes place at the luxurious Hotel Louis XVI in Paris, which has changed management. After undergoing years of renovations, the door opens with a new manager, Olivier Bateau, and assistant manager, Yvonne Philippe. There are a group of guests that enter and after that night, their lives change.

The first is a politician whose secret life is about to be revealed with lasting consequences. One that impacts his life but his family. The next is a couple, Judythe and Richard, who has been through a lot to finally be together, only a medical emergency might put their future on jeopardy. Finally, we meet the art consultant and the internist, Gabrielle and Alastair who are joined together by all the events surrounding the hotel. Whether or not a relationship will happen depends on whether or not they will face life's complications as a couple.

When I started, this was heavy on the narrative that I almost stopped. But, I am glad I persisted. I was drawn into Alastair and Gabrielle's story. Without their storyline, I know I wouldn't have continued. I loved that aspect of the tale the most, though there were other storylines introduced. The theme for them was that of a second-chance for love. What I did enjoy was how Danielle Steel intertwined the storyline around the hotel and how it affected the lives of some of the guests.

I also enjoyed the imagery of the Paris scenes and the dower house. I loved the descriptions and visuals that made me feel a part of the scene.

Thank you, #Netgalley for the ARC

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Review: Christmas Miracle in Jamaica

Christmas Miracle in Jamaica by Ann McIntosh
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Neurologist Chloe Bailey had a one-night stand with a surgeon after her divorce. Little did she know that she would see Sam again across the waters into the sunny island of Jamaica! Her assignment is until the new year and during that time she learns she is pregnant which is a drastic change for both doctors.

As a Jamaican, I loved seeing 'back home' through the author's eyes. I could see the lush tropics and feel the sun. It made me ready to go home. I loved how authentic the characters spoke and it was a celebration of heritage. I don't read a lot of medical romances so I loved that Chloe was a neurologist. The detail and experience with neurology was evident, which I appreciated because I learned some things. I have a close family member struggling and I found myself wishing I could refer them to Chloe!

I also love love the cover and I look forward to reading more from this author.
Thank you #Netgalley and #Harlequin

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Review: A Blues Singer to Redeem Him

A Blues Singer to Redeem Him by Elle Jackson
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Evelyn Laroque is pleased to start her job as a blues singer. Her voice captures owner and mob boss son, Lorenzo De Luca. Lorenzo is drawn to her and feels the need to protect her when she becomes targeted by the KKK. As Lorenzo seeks to help her, he must decide if he will revert to his gangster roots or stay on his new path?

I absolutely love love the cover and I love historical romance. However, I found it hard to get into the book in the beginning. I persevered but I didn't fall in love.

Thank you, #Netgalley for this read.

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Review: Redeemed by His New York Cinderella

Redeemed by His New York Cinderella by Jadesola James
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Jadesola James makes her debut for Harlequin Presents!

Kitty Asare is desperate enough to help her foundation by crashing Manhattan's exclusive event for the affluent members of society. She didn't expect to encounter a man from her past, one that brings her trauma when she was a teen back into her mind with full force.

Laurence Stone is all about closing the deal and doing whatever he has to in order to do so, including pretending to date Kitty Asare. He is all about remaining detached and keeping everything business but the chemistry he feels with Kitty is overpowering his good sense. He doesn't need any attachments yet he find himself drawn to this woman from his past.

I really enjoyed this story, although I didn't agree with Laurence's actions of the past. However, he is on a journey to redemption and it is always great to see how love can bring heartwarming change. I read this quickly and I loved seeing how Kitty came full circle.

I will definitely read more from this author. She has a way of drawing you in and you're halfway through a book before realizing it.

Thank you, #Netgalley and #Harlequin.

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