Weekly Reads | February 24, 2019

Weekly Reading Update 2-18-19

Review: The Last Collection: A Novel of Elsa Schiaparelli and Coco Chanel

The Last Collection: A Novel of Elsa Schiaparelli and Coco Chanel by Jeanne Mackin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Set in the fashion capital of 1938 Paris, we follow the rivalry between 2 fashion icons, Coco Chanel and Elsa Schiaparelli, as they each strive to be recognized as the most influential designer. This book is filled with elegance, whimsy, and extravagance, juxtaposed with a world that is at war as the Nazis march closer to this glittering city. Additionally, this story is about Lily Cooper who is a young widow striving to find herself in this new city. Lily is an artist and finds herself within the inner circle of these two feuding designers.

The Last Collection is not so much about the couture fashion designs but more about loyalty, purpose, and rebirth. With World War II looming, this book just became more compelling.

I just loved Mackin’s depiction of Paris in the late 1930’s. She made everything come to life in rich color. There is so much layer in this book. It is colorful, fascinating and is absolute perfection!


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Review: The Splendor Before the Dark

The Splendor Before the Dark by Margaret George
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thank you to Netgalley for providing an early copy of this book.

This book was such a great read! The Splendor Before the Dark is the second book in a series but it can also be read by itself. This centers around the last few years of Roman Emperor Nero's life. The book starts off with a bang as Rome is engulfed by a great fire. The entire city is being destroyed and Nero rushes to help the people. He tries to help put out the fire only to later be accused of starting it himself.

As the book continues, Nero faces opposition and betrayal. You see him as he desires to make changes and do things in new ways. He wanted to create a cultural city full of art and theater. However, the leaders of Rome are stuck in the old ways and fight him every step of the way. I really loved Nero's character. He is so complex. He is an innovative thinker and an artist. He is sensitive but also can be very dark.

This book also has a constant theme of politics and power. Nero hangs in the balance as his life is constantly threatened by people conspiring against him. We get to see how Nero changed in his last years due to the any betrayals he faced.

Overall, this book is a wonderful fast read centered around one of the most captivating and notorious historical figures. This is the best in historical fiction and I highly recommend it.

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Review: The Little Shop of Found Things

The Little Shop of Found Things by Paula Brackston
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thank you to Netgalley for providing a copy of the The Little Shop of Found Things by Paula Brackston.

I really enjoyed this book. It had all of the magical qualities that I want in a Brackston book. We follow a young woman, Xanthe, and her mother as they are beginning a new life opening up a small antique store. Xanthe has always had a connection to antiques including the ability to see into its past. While browsing during an antique auction, Xanthe is attracted to a new object that soon has her manipulated by a ghostly presence, hurled into the past on a mission to solve a mystery and stop a murder.

This book is told from Xanthe's point of view which I very much enjoyed. She is an eclectic young woman and thought her character was well developed. I also enjoyed the relationship with her ailing mother, Flora, whom she cares for and wants to protect. The setting was also well developed as we travel back to the 1800's.

The Little Shop of Found Things is the first book in a new series. It was a wonderful fast read full of magic and historical detail. I highly recommend this.

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The Christmas Sisters by Sarah Morgan

Such a heartwarming read. Really loved this one. Here we have the story of three sisters who faced tragedy as young children. Each were affected differently and as adults they grew apart. In this book, due to certain events, they all decide to return home for Christmas in Scotland. They finally have a chance to heal some festering wounds from their childhood.
I really loved this. We get each sisters point of view as well as the mother. I think this was really effective as I was able to see things from their perspective.

As with all of her books, this was an easy fast read and perfect for the holidays.

I received this book from Netgalley and it comes out later this month.

Review: The Ghost and the Bogus Bestseller

The Ghost and the Bogus Bestseller by Cleo Coyle
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was a fun enjoyable mystery. In this book we follow Penelope who is a widowed mother and co-owns a bookstore with her aunt. She also works with the ghost of a private detective, Jack, who was killed on the premises in the 1940's. As the book starts, Penelope is helping a customer who becomes extremely distressed when she notices the author cover photo on a brand new bestseller. The customer claims that the photo is of her and runs out of the store. Pen and Jack decide to try and find the customer to see if she is alright and also to get payment for the book. When that same customer turns up dead, they go on their own investigation and try to unravel what happened. Many twists and turns lie ahead as pieces start to come together.
I really liked the humor in this book and it had a good solid mystery. I also appreciated the distinction of Jack's voice in keeping with the proper lingo from his time period. Overall, this was a fun fast read.

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