Bittersweet in the Hollow by Kate Pearsall

Title: Bittersweet in the Hollow

Author: Kate Pearsall

Genre: YA, Fiction, Folklore

Series: Bittersweet in the Hollow #1

Hardcover, 384 pages 

Publication: October 10, 2023 by G.P Putman's Sons Books for Young Readers
Source: I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for a honest review.
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In rural Caball Hollow, surrounded by the vast National Forest, the James women serve up more than fried green tomatoes at the Harvest Moon diner, where the family recipes are not the only secrets.

Like her sisters, Linden was born with an unusual ability. She can taste what others are feeling, but this so-called gift soured her relationship with the vexingly attractive Cole Spencer one fateful night a year ago . . . A night when Linden vanished into the depths of the Forest and returned with no memories of what happened, just a litany of questions--and a haze of nightmares that suggest there's more to her story than simply getting lost.

Now, during the hottest summer on record, another girl in town is gone, and the similarities to last year's events are striking. Except, this time the missing girl doesn't make it home, and when her body is discovered, the scene unmistakably spells murder.

As tempers boil over, Linden enlists the help of her sisters to find what's hiding in the forest . . . before it finds her. But as she starts digging for truth--about the Moth-Winged Man rumored to haunt the Hollow, about her bitter rift with Cole, and even about her family--she must question if some secrets are best left buried.

MY THOUGHTS

When I first read the synopsis of Bittersweet in the Hollow, I thought I was getting a small-town witchy cottage-core mystery. To my surprise I got all of that and so much more. Bittersweet in the Hollow incorporates the rich tradition and folklore of the Appalachians; especially to the story setting of West Virginia and its myths and legends of the Winged Moth-man.

A year ago, Linden James disappeared in the woods and only to reappear battered with no memories of what happened. Suddenly another girl goes missing except she doesn't return. The townspeople start whispering tales that perhaps the Winged Moth-Man abducted the girl like they did a child twenty-years ago…or a worst rumor, that Linden is involved. In a race against time, Linden begins investigating the disappearances only to unearth secrets that've been buried long ago while also unlocking memories from the night she disappeared.

What I loved about Bittersweet in the Hollow is everything can be found in reality and grounded in traditions and history. The James women come from a long generation of intuitives and healers…or what most like to say, witches. Each woman has a specialty; Linden can taste and influence peoples’ feelings, Rowan can detect lies, Juniper sees spirits and Sorrel can charm bees. The women work and own Bittersweet Farms that provides for their diner, The Harvest Moon. Any ailment that anyone may have, the James women can whip up a homemade remedy for it. As previously mentioned, Linden’s ability is that she tastes people’ feeling. I love how descriptive it was. Most of the time I notice that when authors use metaphors, they make no sense. But Pearsall’s metaphorical description and storytelling was clear, vivid and well-done. I also loved the use of the language of flowers…something I don’t see often used in literature except once before. It’s truly fascinating.

At the forefront the book is a mystery wrapped in lore but at the core it’s a story about family, sisterhood and community. I thought the mystery aspect was great and I was on the edge of my seat as the story picked up one-third of the way through but what I really enjoyed was the tight-knit family and cozy vibes. I love the description of the town of Caball Hollow and can see it clearly as if I was there. From Linden’s family Diner, the creek where all the high school-er ventured, all the little garden bed on Bittersweet Farm to the split Bone Tree in the forest.

Bittersweet in the Hollow was truly a pleasant surprise. As a girl that lives in the city, I am quite charmed and fond of rural small towns, and I absolutely love all things magical and folklore…and Bittersweet in the Hollow was the perfect combo hitting all the high notes. If you’re looking for this year’s fall-spooky book, look no further than Bittersweet in the Hollow. It won’t disappoint! For an extra treat, sprinkled in between chapters are snippets of Appalachians wisdoms along with recipes. How great is that?! 

 

 

 

 

 

In Her Boots by K.J. Dell'Antonia

Title: In Her Boots

Author: K.J. Dell'Antonia

Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Series: N/A

Trade Paperback, 384 pages 

Publication: July 5, 2022 by  G.P. Putnam's Sons

Source: I received a review copy in exchange for honest review.
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Filling these boots is harder than it looks.

Rhett Gallagher’s adventurous life is imploding. Just as she turns the big 4-0, her long-term relationship collapses, and news of a tragedy forces her to return to the family farm. The only silver lining is that Rhett’s inspirational book, The Modern Pioneer Girl—written under a pseudonym—has become a wild success, so much so that in a moment of panic, self-doubting Rhett persuades her best friend Jasmine to step into the limelight as the famed author.

But their prank turns into something more when the controlling mother Rhett hasn’t seen in two decades announces her intent to sell the farm Rhett loves and expected to make her own. To Rhett’s dismay, her mother is far more impressed by the fake author than she's ever been by Rhett. To save her inheritance—and her identity—Rhett must concoct a scheme that will save the farm, and prove to her mother, and to herself, that she can stand on her own two feet.

. . . she is not the hero.

 

MY THOUGHTS

In Her Boots tells the story of Rhett Gallagher, an independent almost forty-year-old living the nomad lifestyle. By day she’s your small town gal living out the dream of the farm life and by night she moonlights under the pseudonym of Maggie Strong, a social media influencer and Best-Selling Author of The Modern Pioneer Girl; a book teaching women how to live and embrace their best authentic self and life. Rhett’s two worlds collide when she return home and a one-time stunt spirals into an endless web of lies.

This is my first time reading a book by K.J. Dell'Antonia and it certainly didn’t disappoint. In Her Boots was filled with so many gems and touched on a wide range of topics. I was amazed at how much Dell’Antonia packed into the story. At the core, this is a story of self discovery and acceptance. It doesn’t matter if one is eighteen, twenty-five or in Rhett’s case at the cusp of forty; its a journey we’d all make in our life one time or another. I love that Dell’Antonia incorporated the social media aspect. In this day and age, people are caught between the person they present to the world and their personal life, and in most causes its always different…premeditated and groomed. And the consequences of that is many times people lose themselves along the way and don’t know what is real or not. That is the gist of Rhett’s dilemma.

Relationships, especially female relationships also played a key component in this book. Relationships between friends, family, and the community. But don’t fret, there’s a little romance but its a minor plot thread in comparison to the other themes and relationships in the story. I enjoyed seeing Rhett’s complex relationship with her best friend Jasmine and her mother Margaret. Jasmine hands down is the epitome of a ride or die friend and I loved that! Rhett and her mother’s relationship while complex, its also the clear case of miscommunication or lack thereof.

All in all In Her Boots was an unexpected funny and heartfelt read. There were a lot of tears shed while reading it! I enjoyed it very much. It kind of reminded me of those cozy feel-good Lifetime/Hallmark Channel special…minus the cheese! In Her Boots wasn’t just a great read but it had amazing messages…whether someone needs to hear it or be reminded. I highly recommend checking this book out!

 

 

How Not to Die Alone by Richard Roper

Title: How Not to Die Alone
Author: Richard Roper
Genre: Fiction
Series: N/A

Hardcover, 336 pages
Publication: May 28, 2019 by G.P. Putnam's Sons

Source: I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for a honest review.

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Andrew's day-to-day is a little grim, searching for next of kin for those who die alone. Thankfully, he has a loving family waiting for him when he gets home, to help wash the day's cares away. At least, that's what his coworkers believe.

Andrew didn't mean for the misunderstanding to happen, yet he's become trapped in his own white lie. The fantasy of his wife and two kids has become a pleasant escape from his lonely one bedroom with only his Ella Fitzgerald records for company. But when new employee Peggy breezes into his life like a breath of fresh air, Andrew is shaken out of his routine. She doesn't notice the wall he's been safely hiding behind and their friendship promises to break it down.

Andrew must choose: Does he tell the truth and start really living his life, but risk losing his friendship with Peggy? Or will he stay safe and alone, behind the façade?

Every year, without fail, I come across a book that enthralls me from beginning to end. A book that takes me on an emotional roller coaster, has me in deep contemplation about life and a story that stays with me long after I’ve read it. This year that wonderful gem of a book is How Not to Die Alone.

How Not to Die Alone tells the story of Andrew, who has an unusual day job which consists of rummaging through recently deceased’s home for clues of next of kin and financial records and attending their funerals. It’s a pretty morbid job, and after years of going from one property to the next; Andrew, who is 42-years-old and lives alone begins to wonder if the same fate awaits him.

How Not to Die Alone has one of the most unique premises I’ve ever read. I never knew about Pauper funerals until I read this book, and that it’s a legit, real job! Pauper funerals A.K.A. Public Health Funerals is predominantly found in the U.K. (not sure bout the U.S) and are funded by the local council in an event a person dies without anyone to pay for their funeral or when they don’t have enough money. And it seems that more and more people are passing away alone. I remember reading an article not too long ago how loneliness is on the rise amongst seniors and teens and how it was considered an epidemic.

Scary stuff.

I thought Roper did a spectacular job highlighting such a delicate, sometimes taboo topic, because let’s be real; no one likes talking about or admitting to being lonely or contemplate how we’re all eventually going to die. Roper created a compelling, touching, heartbreaking and at times hilarious story that shows us the meaning of life, not to be afraid to take risk, and especially, to forget and let go of all the pettiness and bullshit. Because most of the time, that’s all it really is and not worth anyone being estranged from friends or family over.

I am surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. As I’ve already mentioned, I thought the story was clever and unique. I’ve read countless of novels that dealt with bullying, depression,and suicide…but never loneliness. And I’m so glad Roper wrote it. It’s a book I think we all need and one that will be well received. I thought the writing was exceptional and the characters were well-developed and realistic. I liked how Roper slowly revealed the mystery bit by bit behind Andrew and Sally’s relationship and why/how his white lie overtook his life. There wasn’t a lot of action but the mystery was so intriguing and well-written that I barely even noticed, not till it was almost over that there was no action (I’m an action kinda gal) but it didn’t even matter because it’s just so darn good.

SPOILER! WARNING!

Stop. Do not pass Go. Do not collect the $200. Spoiler ahead!

I know y’all, this anit monopoly. Alright I warned you.

Anyways, as I was saying it was so good, I’m shocked that I overlooked by biggest peeve: cheating.

Andrew ends up falling for his co-worker who is married with children. I hate all forms of cheating. Hate it. Even the romanticized kind we see in most chick flicks today. I’d normally stop reading a book immediately when situations like this pop-up but damn-it, I liked Andrew and even Peggy, so much so that I continued reading! I loved everything about the book, except the cheating…even if Peggy’s husband is a POS alcoholic, it doesn’t make cheating okay. Plus, it didn’t do anything for the story itself. I didn’t see the purpose for including it because it didn’t help nor was it needed for the novel to progress forward. It may have complicated matters for the two leads to be together but couldn’t there been another dilemma, couldn’t she been divorce and not ready for a relationship? I don’t know…just anything else? Alright, end of rant.

With that said, overall I really enjoyed this book. There were so many times while reading, that I stopped and mulled things over. Most of the time I read for pure escapism but once in awhile a book makes me reflect and think on a deeper level. I appreciate those type of books. I appreciate this book. It made me take a moment to look at my own life. One of the things Andrew encountered in his job was how much family and friend lost touch, aren’t on speaking terms over the most silly, inconsequential things. Sure we all argue, we’re human…but for me, it made me take a step back and evaluate the times when I stopped talking to my friends and family over asinine things. This book made me more conscious of it and for that I’m grateful.

Sorry, this review got a bit too melancholic! How Not to Die Alone deals with death and loneliness but Roper balances everything out with plenty of humor. My favorite scenes were definitively the work dinners. That last one with the train gang was the absolute best! I highly, highly recommend this book, read it A.S.A.P you won’t be disappointed…I mean, even the title is pretty darn freakin’ witty and awesome.