Wow, so here I am reading this family drama when I get hit by a massive emotional bombshell! (Que the tissues!!) First, imagine being a 14 yr old girlWow, so here I am reading this family drama when I get hit by a massive emotional bombshell! (Que the tissues!!) First, imagine being a 14 yr old girl who lost her mother at 4 yrs old and can't get anyone to tell her about her mom, this huge gaping hole in her heart.
"All of us seemed to be trapped - trapped by missing her, by having lost her. By the huge hole she'd left in our lives when she disappeared"
Everyone seems to be frozen in place and all Dani wants is to know who her mom was, what she was like, even how she died. Yet her dad and aunt refuse to talk about her.
"The dead always want to tell us something, maybe something we would much prefer not to know. But they can't. They can't speak. It's only in a ghost story that we can find out what they're trying to say."
Dani finds her mother's diary and this is where the 'ghost story' begins. The story unfolds by alternating between current time with Dani and her mother's diary. And the journey that unravels leads to family secrets, lies, deceit, guilt, forgiveness, closure, love and a crazy emotional roller-coaster with many twists and turns and a splash of mystery.
This is a book I recommend and will definitely be checking out other books by this author.
My thanks to Ali Mercer, Bookouture and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Merged review:
Wow, so here I am reading this family drama when I get hit by a massive emotional bombshell! (Que the tissues!!) First, imagine being a 14 yr old girl who lost her mother at 4 yrs old and can't get anyone to tell her about her mom, this huge gaping hole in her heart.
"All of us seemed to be trapped - trapped by missing her, by having lost her. By the huge hole she'd left in our lives when she disappeared"
Everyone seems to be frozen in place and all Dani wants is to know who her mom was, what she was like, even how she died. Yet her dad and aunt refuse to talk about her.
"The dead always want to tell us something, maybe something we would much prefer not to know. But they can't. They can't speak. It's only in a ghost story that we can find out what they're trying to say."
Dani finds her mother's diary and this is where the 'ghost story' begins. The story unfolds by alternating between current time with Dani and her mother's diary. And the journey that unravels leads to family secrets, lies, deceit, guilt, forgiveness, closure, love and a crazy emotional roller-coaster with many twists and turns and a splash of mystery.
This is a book I recommend and will definitely be checking out other books by this author.
My thanks to Ali Mercer, Bookouture and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review....more
I'm in between a 3 and 4 star rating. I liked this book, I liked most of the characters, I liked the story. I'm a little confused about the ending... I'm in between a 3 and 4 star rating. I liked this book, I liked most of the characters, I liked the story. I'm a little confused about the ending... ...more
I'm really between a 3 and 4 star rating here. The ground hog day aspect of this book went on a little too long for my liking. Having said that, I stiI'm really between a 3 and 4 star rating here. The ground hog day aspect of this book went on a little too long for my liking. Having said that, I still enjoyed the story. It's a cute, funny at times and emotional story all in one. That ending is what make me want to give it 4 stars. Have tissues ready for the ending....more
I had to read this children's book because my niece is named Mabel and I love books with her name. So the premise of this book is about teaching youngI had to read this children's book because my niece is named Mabel and I love books with her name. So the premise of this book is about teaching younger kids how to save their money and start to be financially responsible. I think this is a lesson that is important to start at a young age. Too many kids these days want to spend their cash before it burns a hole in their pocket. Teaching kids how to save will grow into smart spending habits as adults.
While the lesson is good, the illustrations are great, the overall story fell a little flat. I'm not sure it will hold a child's attention completely. But over it's a cute children's book.
My thanks to Kalee Boisvert, SparkPress and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review....more
Ugh!!!! This is just a weird book. And for the record I have read and enjoyed books in the fantasy genre. This author's writing wasn't for me. I kept Ugh!!!! This is just a weird book. And for the record I have read and enjoyed books in the fantasy genre. This author's writing wasn't for me. I kept reading because I wanted to finally know what in the world was going on in that Starling House. I'm sure I'm in the minority here, but I just didn't care for this book. ...more
Another good book in the monsters on mill street series. Meet Becks, who has an endless supply of energy, fidgets, twists, can’t sit still and bouncesAnother good book in the monsters on mill street series. Meet Becks, who has an endless supply of energy, fidgets, twists, can’t sit still and bounces all over the place. Sounds like most young kids these days! Becks has to learn to slow down, calm down and figure out ways to constructively use all of that energy without getting hurt or causing trouble. A lesson that many kids need. As with the other books in this series, the Illustrations are bright, funny and spot on for catching a kids attention. The rhyming nature of the story will keep a child engaged and help them relate to the story’s message in an entertaining way. I have thoroughly enjoyed these books and highly recommend them for schools.
Anyone with young children, check out these books!!
My thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. ...more
The Angriest Monster on Mill Street is another great book in the mill street series. The author has done an incredible job of picking out behaviors thThe Angriest Monster on Mill Street is another great book in the mill street series. The author has done an incredible job of picking out behaviors that many children struggle with these days and write a story to help explain these behaviors and how to deal with them. I think that’s a huge issue with young kids these days - they have all these emotions but have not been taught what they mean or how how to manage them. So meet Albie - he is a monster that has a horrible temper and gets so angry that utter chaos erupts around him. Albie has to learn to not only control his tantrums but also fix the mess they cause. What I found interesting in this book is that it can show a child how big their tantrums can turn or be perceived when I often think they don’t realize how their anger comes across. (At least this is my experience some as a mother). As with the other books, the illustrations are bright, colorful and will definitely capture the attention of a child. The cute rhyming prose will help keep a child engaged and teaches some valuable lessons on anger management in a cute, entertaining way.
“But now when he’s mad, Albie knows how to cope.�
I really recommend these books to teachers and guidance counselors at schools. Great stories with great lessons in a way that kids will be able to relate to.
My thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review....more
My son and I read this one to prepare for a crossover bok in one of James Patterson's series. We had a hard time getting into this book. My son and I read this one to prepare for a crossover bok in one of James Patterson's series. We had a hard time getting into this book. ...more
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