The Inn at Lake Devine by Elinor Lipman

Fiction/Romance

Natalie Marx is just a kid in 1962, looking forward to a family vacation. When her parents call up the Inn at Lake Devine, they quickly are turned away for being Jewish. Her parents move past it but Natalie can't. She needs to see this place and learn why the inn-keeper acts the way she acts. Eventually, Natalie gets an invite with a friend when her friend's family is going for a summer vacation there. At first, the inn-keeper doesn't realize that Natalie is Jewish and she really enjoys her time, including getting friendly with the children of the owners. But eventually the owner finds out and the reception is much cooler.

As Natalie grows older, the inn stays in the back of her mind. Eventually she runs in to the friend that invited her on that family holiday to find out she is engaged to the eldest son of the owners. Natalie finds herself back up at this inn and the owner is no nicer than she was in the past.

Despite the racial undertones of this entire book, it really is a romance. There are a couple of relationships focused on in the book, though obviously Natalie's is the focus. It's not a typical romance that's sappy in nature but a pretty relaxed and gentle romance.

This was an easy book to read. The characters were well flushed out and felt real. When the antisemitism issue was finally addressed it was a bit underwhelming, but the rest of the book made up for it.

First Line: "It was not complicated, and, as my mother pointed out, not even personal: They had a hotel; they didn't want Jews; we were Jews. "

Rating:
(4/5)

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford

Historical Fiction

Henry is a Chinese American in Seattle during WWII. The Japanese have just bombed Pearl Harbour and tensions between Americans and Japanese are at an all time high. Henry's parents came to the USA from China, having suffered at the hands of the Japanese and despise them even more than the Americans. His father strictly forbids Henry from having anything to do with anything Japanese, and sends him to an all-white school to keep him out of trouble.

Henry tries to stay clear of the bullies, helps in the kitchens at lunch, and cleans up the school after the last bell. Then one day he's no longer the only Asian at the school. Keiko starts attending Henry's school and performing all the same work activities that Henry does. He knows he should stay clear of her but just can't help but be drawn in.

40 years later, Henry is a father and widower, and is sucked back in time when the Panama Hotel opens up their basement, which is full of Japanese family's belongings from when the Japanese were taken to internment camps. Henry wonders if there's a piece of Keiko in the Hotel and all his memories come flooding back.

This story provides a bit of insight in to what was going on in the US during WWII to Japanese and Japanese-Americans. Americans rounded up the Japanese, removed them of their belongings, and sent them off to camps. Isn't that similar to what happened with the Nazis rounding up Jewish people? The outsiders view of this was interesting, and as sad as the other books I've read on this from the Japanese point of view.

This book is really a romance though. An incredibly sweet and touching romance with an ending that moved me.

First Line: "Old Henry Lee stood transfixed by all the commotion at the Panama Hotel."

Rating:
(4.5/5)

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

Fiction/Romance

When the restaurant that Louisa has been working at for the past 6 years shuts down, she knows she needs to find a job soon. Her dad thinks he is going to be laid off at any time, her mom is taking care of her grandfather who had a stroke, and her sister wants to go back to school but can't because of her young son. The family needs Louisa's income. She finds a job listing to be a companion for a quadriplegic. She would be responsible for basic care and basic cleaning, but also spending time with this man Will. Lou isn't sure she can do it, but she has no choice and goes for the interview, getting the job.

The two don't hit it off right away. Will is used to pushing people away and Lou is a bit eccentric. Eventually they come to an understanding, when Louisa learns a secret the family has kept from her. She doesn't want to be a part of it, but enjoys Will's company and wants to show him how he can still live a somewhat normal life.

The shining light in this book isn't the plot, though it's good, so much as it's the characters. Lou is quirky. She is annoyed with her sister, complacent with her boyfriend, but just trying to do right by her family. She's a very realistic portrayal and one you can get behind very easily. Will, though being slightly acerbic, you can understand why he is this way and you see the glimmers of wit and intelligence behind his facade. The two make a great combination for this story.

The plot is slightly predictable, you know what's coming, but the journey to get there is memorable and worth while. I really enjoyed this book. However after reading reviews of the second book in the series, I think I'll stay away from that one.

Rating:
(4.5/5)

Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquirel

Fiction

Tita, the youngest daughter of a Mexican family, is destined to take care of her mother for the rest of her life because the youngest daughter doesn't get to marry to make her own life, instead she's stuck taking care of her mother. Tita has fallen in love with a young man who asks for her hand in marriage and is told by the family that this cannot be. Instead, the man married Tita's sister and this breaks Tita's heart. As a fabulous cook, Tita releases her emotions through her cooking. Can true love survive through life's trial and tribulations?

This short book is easy to read and you get in to it fast. There are some magical elements where Tita's emotions can be felt through her cooking. I really enjoyed Tita's story of breaking from tradition and becoming independent. On the flip side, I didn't like how the story played out at the end and specifically didn't like Tita's love interest.

First Line: "Take care to chop the onion fine."

Rating:
(3.5/5)

Tara Road by Maeve Binchy

Romance

Ria is a doting, loving mother of two to Annie and Brian. Her husband, Danny, is charming and a powerful real estate agent. They live in their dream home on Tara Road in Dublin and have friends and family coming and going, constantly filling the home with love and noise. Ria loves her live until one day, everything comes crashing down around her. Her husband has been unfaithful and has gotten a younger girl pregnant and wants to make a life with her. Trying to escape her problems but still desperate for a reunion with her husband, Ria accepts a house exchange in the USA.

This is the first Maeve Binchy book that I've read and I'm surprised it made it to Oprah's Book List. The characters were interesting and the novel flows very well. I did have a few problems with this book though. I felt like the purpose of this book was to have Ria and Marilyn exchange homes to learn more about themselves. Marilyn isn't even introduced to the book until 1/2 way through. Less background on Ria and more on Marilyn would have made more sense.

The other major issue with this book is how the female characters let their male counterparts walk all over them. There's very little justice for most of them. I wanted to slap Ria a few times for how she felt and acted around Danny. This is part of what made me so surprised that this was an Oprah book club pick because she usually likes her women strong and to stand up when being treated like crap.

First Line: "Ria's mother had always been very fond of film stars."

Rating:
(3.5/5)

Where Rainbows End

Where Rainbows End by Cecelia Aherne
Romance

Rosie and Alex have been friends forever growing up in Dublin. In their teens Alex's father is transferred to America and he is gone. But they still communicate and grow closer. Rosie is even planning on college close to Alex until the unthinkable happens and she ends up becoming a single mother.

Rosie brings up her daughter, marries and divorces; while Alex marries and divorces twice. They remain close and each wonder what if?

This is definitely a long time love story, one where you would like to knock some sense into these two so that they don't waste all that time.


First Line: "To Alex, you are invited to my 7th birthday party on Tuesday the 8th of April in my house."

Rating:
(3.5/5)

Heaven and Earth

Heaven and Earth by Nora Roberts
Romance
This story is about Ripley, the no nonsense police officer on Three Sisters Island. She has refused to have anything to do with her paranormal powers and just wants to lead an ordinary life.

Enter MacAllister Booke , a paranormal researcher, who wants to find out what is happening on the island. He is very interested in Ripley both professionally and personally. She, of course, fights it.

Ripley is a brash, sometimes caustic young woman who must battle the forces of evil that is trying to pull the island apart. I enjoyed this light fun read

First Line: "She called the storm."
Rating:
(3.5/5)

Dance Upon Air

Dance Upon Air by Nora Roberts
Romance
Nell Channing arrives on Three Sisters island with nothing. She happens to walk into the bookstore/cafe just as the present cook is leaving and gets the job. Nell is running from a horrid past. She faked her own death in order to escape an abusive relationship.

Nell finds a place where she can heal. She finds out her boss is a witch and furthermore so is she. And most important she finds Zach. Zach is the local policeman and a genuine good guy.

This is a fairly typical romance. It is nice that Nell grows and becomes the woman she can be instead of a scared rabbit. It is also nice that Zach seems to be just an ordinary nice guy instead of one of those hunks that are usually in romance stories.

First Line: "In the dark grren shadows of the deep woods, an hour before moonrise, they met in secret."
Rating:
(3.5/5)

The First Time

The First Time by Joy Fielding
Romance

Mattie Hart discovers her lawyer husband, Jake is involved in another love affair. Their sixteen year marriage is finished. Jake moves out to live with his girlfriend. Soon after Mattie discovers she has Lou Gehrig's disease.

Jake returns home to help Mattie. Jake is feeling guilty. Mattie is needy and their teenaged daughter wants nothing to do with Jake.

This is a romance with a bit more meat to it. It is about how conflict and tragedy brings people together. There should be second chances in life.

First Line: "She was thinking of ways to kill her husband."

Rating:
(3.5/5)

Julie and Romeo

Julie and Romeo by Jeanne Ray
Romance

Romeo Cacciamani and Julie Roseman are competing florists in Somerville, MA, whose families have feuded for generations. Romeo's son Tony and Julie's daughter Sandy tried to date in high school but the families made sure it didn't get very far. Romeo and Julie meet at a small-business seminar and start a love affair that will not be happily celebrated by either of their families. Even though some of the family has no clue about how the feud got started, it still goes on, hurtful as it can be. Will anyone get out an olive branch?

This book has over the top situations that are just plain funny. A plain old-fashioned romance on the Romeo and Juliet theme but the protagonists are in the 60s. This is a welcome change from the girls with their flowing locks and fluttering eyelashes and guys with their brawn and might.

As an aside, I read the sequel first and consider it to be better than this book

First Line: "The first time I heard the name Cacciamani I was five years old."

Rating:
(3.5/5)