srivalli's reviews
1564 reviews

 3 Stars

Emmie Brown knew her mum, Nellie Brown, adopted her as a baby and gave her the best life she could. Now, two years after Nellie’s death, Emmie is begging to feel the burnout of the routine she still follows. Running Parsley Pasties at the airport with the same menu and no inclination for a social life starts to weigh her down. 

An impulsive decision reveals a box in her mother’s wardrobe and a stack of letters from someone named G from Siskin. Emmie does the unexpected and travels to the Isle of Siskin, a beautiful island with around three thousand population. Pip Hawkins, the handsome agriculture student, and her crush may also be a reason for this trip, but Emmie wants to find out who G is. 

Can this trip help Emmie find her true self as well as some answers? 

The story comes in Emmie’s first-person POV. 

This is my first book by the author. I quite enjoyed most of it, especially the descriptions of the island and Emmie’s growth up to a point. 

Though there’s some crushing and romance, this is not a love story. It is women’s fiction focusing on the MC making changes to her routine and learning to be herself. 

Despite the rigidity and routine, there’s no denying that Emmie’s mum loved her. It’s evident throughout the book (and there’s a valid reason for why she became this way). 

The way the letters were incorporated into the narration is beautiful and just right. The letters are spaced apart and provide character backstories and support the plot. 

Some of the side characters are cool. I just love the kids and their diverse personalities. We also see how not everyone being nice to someone is a good person and vice-versa. 

There’s a sort of mystery where the FMC is targeted by someone with a grudge. This blows up quite a bit, and therein lies my problem. 

The last 20% covers months of progress, while the first 80% deals with a couple of weeks. This doesn’t really help, but okay. I can see why it was necessary. 

However, the last chapter doesn’t sit right with me. It’s like all of Emmie’s growth has been overshadowed by a side character. Where is consent? What about setting boundaries? What about letting someone make up their mind even if it took them a few months? Ridiculous! 

This might have still worked if the drama wasn’t exaggerated in the middle. Acting like nothing’s happened after that level of unhingedness is insanity. How would she even feel safe with them? How to trust someone like that? 

The rating was close to 4 stars, but the way we reached the conclusion, I cannot rate it more than 3. I’m surprised no one (until now) found it odd. I love HEA more than anything else, but not like this. It needs to be better. And there’s no epilogue either, so we don’t know how they handled it afterward. 

To summarize, Have I Told You Lately has a lovely premise and some good themes to think about, but it left me dissatisfied with how the issue was handled at the end. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #HaveIToldYouLately 

 3.8 stars 

1940: Nita Bineham is twenty-one, the daughter of a wealthy businessman (industrialist) who wants to be independent and not marry someone her parents choose. One day, she gets a chance to join the local newspaper as an assistant. Nita is determined to prove her worth as a journalist. However, danger lurks in the form of a traitor. 

2008: Beth Bineham is Nita’s great-niece and a thirty-two-year-old woman still doing what her parents want. After a mishap, Beth’s job at her father’s company is under scrutiny. As if that’s not enough, her marriage is about to end. Beth’s visit to Nita’s house leads her to the secrets from the past. Eager to ignore the mess in her life, Beth starts to dig for the truth. But it might bring the enemy closer home than intended. 

The story comes in the third-person POV of Beth (in present tense) and Nita (also in present tense) in alternating chapters. 

 My Thoughts:  

The prologue provides a great hook and hints at the danger we’ll read about. However, it turns out to be a snippet from one of the later chapters. While I like prologues, I want them to add extra value to the plot and not repeat an existing element. That means, a certain reveal is exposed right on the first page. 

The first 25% is slow as the foundation is established in both timelines. Thankfully, the pace picks up a little after 30% or so. The alternating chapters ensure we get enough information in both timelines. It does feel a little strange to read the past track in the present tense but okay. Not a deal breaker. 

For a change, I liked both timelines well. The characters are flawed but not annoying. They make mistakes but are willing to learn and do what’s right for their future. I also like the parallels between Nita and Beth’s arcs though the situations are different. We can still see the similarities, though. 

The parents in this book are ugh! The side characters are good; be it Harriet or Rowan, I like how sweet and affectionate they are. Kindness matters. 

Things come together well at the end. There’s even a surprising twist which I liked a lot. The ending is hopeful and positive with a hint of potential love. It doesn’t overpower the plot at any point. 

Wiccan has a dominant role in the book. I didn’t expect that but well, I like all things pagan, so this is good. The definition is positive and well-presented. I wouldn’t have minded a little more detail into this element. Also, I’m not sure if the ‘possibly paranormal but maybe rational’ events that happen in the book. You either make them supernatural or you don’t. 

WWII is the backdrop for the past timeline but the focus is on Nita and her life. Of course, the book deals with many themes like gender discrimination, war, working-class troubles, financial concerns, selfish parents, marital trouble, etc. One piece of advice by Rowan was wonderful. Appreciate that. 

While the title fits the story in two ways, I still don’t think it is that suitable for the overall plotline. But then, I have enough trouble naming my stories, so don’t listen to me! 

To summarize, The Storyteller's Daughter is a poignant and slightly heavier read about love, life, second chances, relationships, and finding oneself. 

I liked it a lot more than the author’s previous book (The House on Water), so I’m looking forward to her next release. 

Thank you, Rachel's Random Resources and Boldwood Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

 3.7 Stars

FBI Agent Gardner Camden is an analytical genius and one of the four super-talented agents at the PAR (Patterns and Recognition) unit. Of course, this comes at the cost of human emotions, something he fails to achieve even with his seven-year-old daughter. 

When the DNA of a new victim reveals he was recorded dead seven years ago, Gardner is called to investigate the case (along with his team). A second death occurs, starting a pattern they need to break to stop the killer from committing more murders. 

However, things are complicated, and the killer knows a lot more about PAR and its members than they do. Can Gardner and his team solve it before their lives are in danger? 

The story comes in Gardner’s first-person POV. 

The premise screams high competence coupled with wonder kid-type talent which made me want to read the book. The 4-star reviews by friends sealed my decision. Despite the flaws, I don’t regret reading it. In fact, I want the series to be longer than two books (with the hope that the flaws get addressed). 

The initial 30% is slow despite starting with the murder. We also get details about the team members and teeny backstories. The foundation is laid, so makes sense that the pacing dips. The second half was pretty fast for me. It sustained the momentum with reveals and twists. Is some of it a bit too convenient? Yeah, it is but still fun. 

Each member of the team has a distinct ability and a reason for being in PAR, and the reasons aren’t always good. While this adds some layers to the characters, there isn’t enough to turn them into strong personalities. Gardner gets better profiling since he is the MC and the voice of the book. His personal life is rather interesting, something similar yet different to what we tend to see in the genre. 

The police procedural part was cool, especially since we have these competent fellas working on the same. They are still human - make mistakes, miss clues, and even go in circles. But hey, you can notice they are good at what they do. 

The MC likes to share random insights and facts. Since this doesn’t get excessive, I liked how it added to his personality. Don’t bother about connecting with him or others. It’s not likely that we will. Think of it as a TV show (Criminal Minds maybe) in book form. 

The MC’s mother has a short yet important role. I hope she will be featured in the next book too. His daughter is certainly interesting but we don’t see enough to get an idea. Of course, she’s just a sweet seven-year-old. 

Naturally, there are office politics but it doesn’t overpower the central plot. It is woven into the mystery and provides a smooth landing for the ending and maybe a lead for the next book. 

To summarize, Head Cases is an entertaining novel if you like FBI-style police procedurals with highly talented characters. While it has a few issues, there’s no denying that I enjoyed the book and look forward to the next one. 

My thanks to Steve Erickson, NetGalley, and St. Martin’s (Minotaur Books), for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

 

 3.7 Stars 

Chryssy Hua Williams, a Chinese American herbalist never believed in the family curse that left all Hua women heartbroken. However, after her ninth breakup, she could no longer ignore it. Deciding that love isn’t for them, Chryssy joins her three aunts to start In Full Bloom an inn where they cure heartbreak using Traditional Chinese Medicine. 

Vin Chaos and his brother Leo are famous musicians with a reputation for breaking hearts. Even their band is called Heartbreak. A chance meeting between Vin and Chryssy becomes viral. Vin needs her to be his fake girlfriend for tour promotions. Chryssy decides Vin could help promote her tea brand as well. A beneficial deal for sure!  

Well, love might have other plans but what about the curse? 

The story comes in the first-person POV of Chryssy and Vin. 

The premise is quite fun, though my main reason for grabbing the book is TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine). It has similarities with Ayurveda (both are ancient and use natural medicine). In that aspect, I enjoyed the information provided – the properties of flowers and herbs, the importance of balancing Qi (possibly equal to prakrati/ prana), and the need for self-discipline to improve our health. 

This is an #ownvoices book, so the cultural aspects are just right without being OTT. The aunts and family members are diverse and quirky, much like our Indian relatives. 

The main characters started out well. I liked Chryssy. She is cool, composed, and independent. A bit too independent maybe but I won’t hold it against her. Vin started out average but gained some depth as the story progressed. I liked his brother as well (and want to know if he’ll have a book of his own). 

The dual POV, though helpful, wasn’t easy to read. I often got confused between their voices and had to check whose POV it was in that chapter. The voices need to be more distinct, especially Vin’s, which didn’t help in understanding his personality. 

Since this is primarily a romance, the chemistry had to be good. Sadly, the graph fell flat here. Their interactions were nice, friendly even but the spark wasn’t there. This dampened things a bit.  There were all the necessary scenes, gestures, and dialogues but somehow I couldn’t feel the vibe. There’s only a little spice, thankfully. 

The pacing is on the slower side, something I did not expect. Maybe it was because of the explanations and internal thoughts. I didn’t mind the detail about TCM (I wanted it), so can’t really complain. 

The curse part was decently handled (no magic realism and all that). I liked the discussion around it, though. The exploration of what a supposed curse did to multiple generations of women and how it shaped their lives, identities, and relationships with themselves and others was portrayed very well. It doesn’t get overwhelming or excessively dramatic. 

There’s a lovely author’s note at the end and a couple of recipes (another surprise). I understand what she says about the stereotyping and distrust in TCM. Despite the various benefits and success rate, Ayurveda faces similar discrimination. 

To summarize, Yin Yang Love Song is a story of not just finding love but also of self-care, breaking generational cycles, taking care of our health (physical, psychological, and emotional), and realizing that our fears don’t have to dictate our actions. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing), for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #YinYangLoveSong 

 

 4 Stars

1884 

Leonora Spencer, a twenty-five-year-old, has been haunted by the unsolved mystery of her family’s death for years. She is her uncle’s apprentice and helps him perform post-mortems of the dead (police surgeon) and keep the records. What starts as a simple thievery in the morgue leads to a potential gang war. No way, Leonora (Leo) is going to sit idle and let others lead. 

Jasper Reid became the Inspector after his father’s retirement. As someone born and bred on the streets, he is determined to keep his past separate from his present. He would abide by the laws and follow the rules. However, when Leo doesn’t let him handle the investigation alone, Jasper needs to uncover the mystery quickly. After all, both their lives are in danger. 

The story comes in Leo and Jasper’s third-person POVs. 

I read the first book of the author’s previous series (Bow Street Duchess) with a grand plan to continue with all the subsequent books. But I couldn’t do it back then, so one day, I’ll binge on those books. Now, I’m again determined to follow this series and read all the books around the release dates. Fingers crossed! 

Since this is the first of the series, it takes time to establish the setting and the backstories of the characters. There’s some repetition as well but considering the steady pace and action, it doesn’t bother me much. 

Leo and Jasper are intriguing characters with dark pasts. They are currently frenemies and likely to become lovers as the series progresses. The tension is easy enough to spot, though I guess it’ll take them a while to make the move. Not gonna deny I’m looking forward to seeing how it unfolds (I have three theories already). 

Admittedly, I oscillated between liking Leo and Jasper, though both are decent. Jasper’s backstory is bound to be as interesting as Leo’s. Likely that these will form the overarching plot and will be resolved closer to the end of the series. 

The mystery starts out simple but gets complex as new details emerge. Leo does act impulsively and needs to keep her mouth shut sometimes. Hopefully, she’ll learn that some information should be kept secret when an investigation is underway. It’s not like she can’t keep a secret! Jasper scores higher in this area. 

The book ends on the right note. The case has been solved, though a couple of teeny questions don’t get answers. I presume we’ll meet one of those characters again and know more. Let’s see. 

There are too many characters, and some of them will be regular repeats. Makes sense since there are police, and they have a fairly large staff. 

To summarize, Shadow at the Morgue is a solid start to a new historical mystery set in the darker side of London. The next book will be out in March, so I hope to get the ARC in Feb! 

I have to mention that I don’t like this new trend where Indian women seem to fall head over heels in love with the colonizers (Britishers).  There may have been a few cases but let’s be honest. Many women were forcefully kept as mistresses by the white rulers to enjoy in another country while their dainty wives lived in England. I’m sure it’s the same in most countries they plundered. It wasn’t just the natural resources they abused. 

Thank you, BookSirens and the author, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

 3 Stars

Seven years ago, Liv’s boyfriend, Kit, disappeared on a hike. With help from dear ones, she moved on in her life. On the morning of her wedding with James (Kit’s brother), Liv steps out of the doorway and goes back in time - to six days before Kit disappeared. 

Liv is reliving those same six days again. She needs to get it right to save Kit. Can Liv save Kit? And if she does, whom will she choose? 

The story comes from Liv and another character’s first-person POVs. 

So this has a sort of time-slip/ time travel/Groundhog Day (without multiple loops) story where the FMC travels to the past to relive six days before an event that changes her future forever. 

I grabbed the book despite my dislike for love triangles as I was curious to see how the time travel part was handled. There wasn’t any explanation given but I wasn’t confused when the shift happened. 

The writing is quite descriptive and lyrical. While this gave us some lovely quotes, it also took up a lot of space. Some scenes stretched while others ended quickly, so essentially, we have uneven pacing. 

Liv was decent and I liked her enough. Seeing the shift in her was interesting. James should have had more space. TBH, it doesn’t make much sense that we don’t get more than a couple scenes with Liv and James but are told many times about their love. Compared to this, Kit and Liv have so many scenes! 

However, my major issue with the book is the excessive limelight on Kit. Kit this, Kit that, oh gosh! I mean okay, he was put on a pedestal, but everyone and we get hints about his flaws but all those should have been used in the plot at some point. Why raise so many questions but not deal with any of them when there’s a chance for it? The same with the mother’s actions. No one even questions it after the truth is out. No comeuppance? 

As much as I appreciate the intent of not taking sides, I need details sorted properly. Don’t raise those questions if you don’t want to address them. Simple as that! 

Moreover, even the epilogue takes the focus away from the central plot. This is supposed to be Liv’s story. Her past and present and how she navigates through the muddle when she gets a second chance. 

Ava was actually a great character. It’s a pity that she doesn’t have more meaningful conversations with Liv and help her look at things from another perspective.  

There isn’t much romance as such but it is there. Since I already picked my choice, I wasn’t interested in what we got. At least, I’m glad that there is one grand gesture (feels like a consolation prize but I’ll take it). 

To summarize, The One Before the One has a great premise and raises many vital points only to brush them off. With just one more chapter, all of it could have been sorted and the book would have had a more balanced and stronger ending. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #TheOneBeforeTheOne 

 3.7 Stars

Investment banker Adrian is a high-profile CIO with a successful career and no personal life. He is confident in his abilities but finds out he needs to impress his CEO and comes up with a non-existent fiancée.  Where can he find one now? 

Rowena is a software engineer who finds out she is pregnant with her douchebag ex’s child and loses her job on the same day. When her path crosses with Adrain, he offers an agreement that could help her find her feet. 

Will the fake engagement and marriage lead to true love? 

The story comes in Rowena and Adrain’s first-person POVs. 

The book is standalone. I didn’t read the previous book in the series but it didn’t affect my enjoyment. 

The beginning is quite a hook. The first chapter starts at ‘present’ of sorts and has high tension ending with a cliffhanger. Then, we get the flashback from both POVs. 

The book combines quite a few tropes – fake dating/ marriage, age gap (11 years), one bed, surprise pregnancy, women in STEM, etc. I like that the age gap is not emphasized much after the initial mention. It doesn’t as such have a vital role but kinda makes the MMC appear mature. 

Though the FMC is in STEM, it plays a relatively moderate role in the plot. This one focuses on their fake relationship and her pregnancy most of the time. 

The FMC is cute enough, though I’m not sure the nickname suits her. She doesn’t really come across as Sunshine. Makes sense considering she has enough concerns about her future. She is quirky but even that doesn’t exactly hit right. We are told her ex didn’t like her humor but it wasn’t that weird, IMO. However, I chuckled a few times so the banter was fun to read. 

The side characters are interesting (one couple is from the previous book). Another couple from a different book (I read that one!) also made a guest appearance. It was a nice surprise. Of course, the ex was a huge jerk (pretty stereotypical and has a teeny part). 

Despite the sexual tension, the book ended up being closed door. Strange! Those who want to read the ‘action’ can subscribe to her newsletter. 

The pacing is decent, moderate to fast, and keeps the story moving. Despite being the archetype, the MMC displays good growth. I like that it is steady and aligns with who he appears to be. No immature drama either (from his side). 

To summarize, If the Ring Fits is an entertaining and cute romance if you enjoy the said tropes. It has a few issues but is a satisfactory read overall. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #IfTheRingFits 

 4 Stars 

Jude Gray accepts DI Binnie Khatri’s invitation to join the local walking group in Malvern Hills. However, what’s supposed to be a peaceful outing ends up with a few scuffles and what seems like an unfortunate car accident where one of the walking members dies. 

Jude cannot ignore the tingling feeling that the accident might be deliberate. But, there’s no proof; not until another death happens in a totally different manner. As Jude and Binnie start to dig, they realize there’s a lot to uncover! 

The story comes in Jude’s third-person POV. 

 My Thoughts:  

This is the fourth book in the series but the mystery works as a standalone. It is a dark cozy, so there might be a couple of triggers. 

It doesn’t take long to notice that things aren’t great with the walking group. The characters stand out making it easy to track who is who despite being introduced to a bunch of them at once. 

Jude and Binnie give everything to investigate the case(s) as always. Of course, Jude does a lot more since she is the heroine of the series. She also has a farm to manage and a neverending list of tasks. 

I like that Granny Margot has more presence in the book. Moreover, she shares vital insights that guide Jude in a new direction. Hoping to read more of her in the coming books. 

The reveal comes in stages with a few red herrings and keeps the reader hooked. While the details and the rest make sense, I wish they weren’t revealed so easily (yeah, there’s some risk involved but still). 

Jude seems to be in two minds about her love life or the lack of it. I can’t understand her thought process here. It’s too mercurial. Since I didn’t particularly like Marco, I don’t care one way or the other. 

The family element really shines. Jude’s relationship with her sister, nephew, and Noah is heartwarming. I like the progress here. An important step for sure. 

In the author’s note, the author mentions there will be eight more books (the series should conclude by the end of 2027). Count me in!  

To summarize, Death in the Hills is steady paced dark cozy mystery with enough secrets and suspects to keep you reading. 

Thank you, Rachel's Random Resources and Boldwood Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley 

 3.5 Stars

Hope Eaton, the cozy little town, is all geared up for May Day to climb the hill to Sweet Agnes’ Spring and watch the first days of sunlight bless their land. Bella Winters, the owner of the new antique store, joins the group and feels the effort was worth it. She also sees one of the residents, Mary Roberts bullied by a young man. Mary seems to take the legends seriously even if Bella thinks it is all nonsense. 

However, the threat is real when Mary is found dead in her home, the cottage she was ready to sell. A statue of Sweet Agnes is missing from her home. Bella decides to investigate since the police are too busy. There is no lack of suspects after all! Soon, Bella realizes there’s a lot she needs to find out before the clues lead her to the killer. 

The story comes in Bella’s third-person POV. 

This is the second book in the series and can be read as a standalone but it might help to read the first one as well (there are too many characters to track). 

In some ways, the book is good. The mystery is twisted and has many threads. There are quite a few red herrings, too. The reveal and conclusion are solid. They make sense and bring everything together. 

However, what I loved in the first book was missing here. The FMC does run her shop, but we get very little detail about the antique pieces or sales. Moreover, she is more worried about the case than her livelihood. She may be her father’s daughter (her dad was a sergeant) but even she needs money to live and that wouldn’t come if she had to shut the store. A bit of balance would have helped. 

The slow pacing continues but I got better at reading the writing style. Still, I wish it was a bit lighter and flows faster. I like dark cozies but this is just heavy in text and not really dark. 

The side characters are a part of the series. John seems to be a little better. Matt has a bit more space in this one, and I hope we get to see him more. He does sound like an interesting guy, never mind the FMC’s judgmental tone whenever she thinks/ talks of him. 

I did enjoy the conversations with the DI. It is frustrating for the character but fun in a twisted way, especially since… no spoilers! 

To summarize, The Antique Store Detective and the May Day Murder is a slow-paced cozy mystery with many red herrings and twists. While I liked it enough, I can’t say I love it. That said, I’ll read the next book to see how things go. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #TheAntiqueStoreDetectiveAndTheMayDayMurder 

 4.5 Stars

I’ve written a super long review (and plan to get it published on a third-party site). This is a shorter version, so I’ll keep it in pointers. 

·       Read Mahabharata (critical/ complete edition) to enjoy Parva better. Don’t start with this book. It won’t be easy. 

·       There is no magic or fantasy. Most events/ incidents have a logical explanation or probable theory. 

·       The book doesn’t glorify anyone. Everyone has flaws, and it’s these flaws that come under the magnifying glass but without being twisted beyond recognition. 

·       A non-linear narration with multiple POVs. Plenty of flashbacks that switch from first-person to second to third to first. 

·       Much to unpack and discuss about Dharma, human weaknesses, power games, manipulation, body autonomy, control, family, relationships, war, etc. A great choice for book club discussions. 

·       Slow-paced as expected but possibly slower due to the English translation and formatting. 

·       Character arcs we cannot help but think about long after the book ends, especially Bhima, Draupadi, Arjuna, and Kunti. 

·       Sexuality is a strong theme and has many facets. Not everyone will like it but that’s exactly the point. 

·       A vivid portrayal of the dark/ smelly side of war and its aftermath. 

·       A doomsday-style ending that’s somehow fitting and aligns with the dark themes in the book. 

To summarize, Parva is an exploration of human fallacies using Mahabharata and its characters as the core framework. It is Mahabharata but it is much more too!