Saturday, December 22, 2018

Review: Catching Christmas Terri Blackstock



Book Description

The first Christmas story from New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Terri Blackstock.
“The feel-good Christmas book of the year. Blackstock’s tale of love and redemption wrapped in a holiday bow will leave you smiling. Don’t miss Catching Christmas.” —New York Times bestselling author Rachel Hauck
This Year, Christmas Comes Just in Time
As a first-year law associate, Sydney Batson knows she will be updating her resume by New Year’s if she loses her current court case. So when her grandmother gets inexplicably ill while she’s in court, Sydney arranges for a cab to get her to the clinic.
The last thing cab driver Finn Parrish wants is to be saddled with a wheelchair-bound old lady with dementia. But because Miss Callie reminds him of his own mother, whom he failed miserably in her last days, he can’t say no when she keeps calling him for rides. Once a successful gourmet chef, Finn’s biggest concern now is making his rent, but half the time Callie doesn’t remember to pay him. And as she starts to feel better, she leads him on wild goose chases to find a Christmas date for her granddaughter.
When Finn meets Sydney, he’s quite sure that she’s never needed help finding a date. Does Miss Callie have an ulterior motive, or is this just a mission driven by delusions? He’s willing to do whatever he can to help fulfill Callie’s Christmas wish. He just never expected to be a vital part of it.
“Terri Blackstock’s latest offering touches tender places with its quirky characters and stirring plot. Catching Christmas explores what happens when the paths of a disenchanted Taxi driver collide with that of an overworked attorney. Blackstock weaves a compelling, romantic tale that is sure to get you into the Christmas spirit!” —Denise Hunter, bestselling author of Honeysuckle Dreams
“Blackstock’s Catching Christmas is not your average romance. Darling and laugh-out-loud cute, it makes the reader think about the important things in life. I read it in one gulp and wished there was more. Highly recommended!” —Colleen Coble, USA TODAY bestselling author of the Hope Beach series and the Lavender Tides series

My review:

 Catching Christmas is such a lovely and heartfelt story. I absolutely love Miss Callie's personality. She is so funny and precious. I love how she was able to bring out the best in Finn and how much she truly loves her granddaughter. Some of the things she says had me tickled and genuinely laughing out loud. Just thinking of it again right now even brings a big ole smile to my face. I feel like Finn really needed Miss Callie to come into his life and bring some things together for him. She needed him just as much and maybe even more so her granddaughter Sydney needed Finn as well, especially in the end. It felt like it was all somehow destined to be.

 Catching Christmas is a fast sentimental read that definitely pulls on the heartstrings. It does have some sad moments, so be prepared. I would certainly recommend Catching Christmas and look forward to reading more books by this author.  

   ** I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. **

Saturday, December 1, 2018

Review: White as Silence, Red as Song A Novel By Alessandro D'Avenia



Book Description

Hailed as Italy’s The Fault in Our Stars, this Italian bestseller is now available for the first time in English.
“I was born on the first day of school, and I grew up and old in just two hundred days . . .”
Sixteen-year-old Leo has a way with words, but he doesn’t know it yet. He spends his time texting, polishing soccer maneuvers, and killing time with Niko and Silvia. Until a new teacher arrives and challenges him to give voice to his dreams.
And so Leo is inspired to win over the red-haired beauty Beatrice. She doesn’t know Leo exists, but he’s convinced that his dream will come true. When Leo lands in the hospital and learns that Beatrice has been admitted too, his mission to be there for her will send him on a thrilling but heartbreaking journey. He wants to help her but doesn’t know how—and his dream of love will force him to grow up fast.
Having already sold over a million copies, Alessandro D’Avenia’s debut novel is considered Italy’s The Fault in Our Stars. Now available in English for the first time, this rich, funny, and heartwarming coming-of-age tale asks us to explore the meaning—and the cost—of friendship, and shows us what happens when suffering bursts into the world of teenagers and renders the world of adults speechless.
My review: 

I don't have a lot to say about this one. I didn't really like Leo. I thought he was immature and slightly annoying. I don't know why, but this one just didn't grab me. I found myself having a very hard time getting through it. The writing just didn't flow for me. Hopefully others will enjoy this more than I did. I really wanted to like it. I truly did...


** I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. **