Make A Wish

Author: Helena Hunting
Genre: Fiction, Romance
Rating: 2 out of 5
Pages: 368
Date Started: 3 November 2023
Date Finished: 18 November 2023

"Make a Wish" by Helena Hunting presents a contemporary romance narrative centered around Harley Spark and Gavin Rhodes, revisiting a moment from their past that caused Harley immense embarrassment. When Gavin and his daughter Peyton reenter Harley's life unexpectedly, it reignites past emotions and creates an opportunity for second chances.

The book diverges from typical contemporary romance tropes, presenting a storyline that encompasses more than just romantic entanglements. It delves into the complexities of balancing various responsibilities, showcasing Harley's juggling act between her work, family, and aspirations. Her multitasking abilities, while admirable, might seem unrealistic to some readers, as she seamlessly manages an array of commitments, from hosting kids' birthday parties to contemplating setting up a daycare.

The portrayal of Harley's character might leave readers questioning the plausibility of her energy levels and patience, considering the extensive tasks she handles daily. Despite this, the story attempts to navigate the challenges of balancing personal aspirations with familial obligations, offering a glimpse into the struggles of a multifaceted protagonist.

However, amidst the whirlwind of activities and responsibilities, the romantic aspect of the plot might feel overshadowed or lack depth. The relationship between Harley and Gavin unfolds within the constraints of Harley's busy schedule, potentially diminishing the emotional depth and connection readers seek in a contemporary romance novel.

While the book's premise suggests a focus on love, family dynamics, and second chances, some readers might find the narrative lacking in substantial depth and character development. The storyline may appear to lack significant substance beyond the romantic aspect, leaving room for a more profound exploration of characters and their relationships.

In conclusion, "Make a Wish" offers a deviation from typical contemporary romance narratives by incorporating various aspects of life beyond love. However, the book might fall short in providing substantial depth, possibly leaving readers wanting more depth in character development and emotional connections. Overall, it's an okay read that explores the challenges of balancing multiple responsibilities but might lack the emotional resonance expected in the romance genre.

The Silent Patient

Author: Alex Michaelides
Genre: Mystery, Thriller
Rating: 3 out of 5
Pages: 336
Date Started: 19 March 2023
Date Finished: 26 March 2023

The Silent Patient was also recommended by Goodreads and a couple of my friends. The storyline sounded interesting and I had lost a couple of chances to read it earlier! And here I am, having completed it in March of 2023!

Excerpt: (from Goodreads) - Alicia Berenson’s life is seemingly perfect. A famous painter married to an in-demand fashion photographer, she lives in a grand house with big windows overlooking a park in one of London’s most desirable areas. One evening her husband Gabriel returns home late from a fashion shoot, and Alicia shoots him five times in the face, and then never speaks another word.

Alicia’s refusal to talk, or give any kind of explanation, turns a domestic tragedy into something far grander, a mystery that captures the public imagination and casts Alicia into notoriety. The price of her art skyrockets, and she, the silent patient, is hidden away from the tabloids and spotlight at the Grove, a secure forensic unit in North London.

Theo Faber is a criminal psychotherapist who has waited a long time for the opportunity to work with Alicia. His determination to get her to talk and unravel the mystery of why she shot her husband takes him down a twisting path into his own motivations—a search for the truth that threatens to consume him....

My Review:

The book began on a promising note, immediately capturing my interest and holding my attention throughout. I particularly admired the author's approach of keeping the cast of characters minimal and focusing on the core narrative. This decision eliminated any unnecessary subplots or characters that can sometimes detract from a story. However, while the book was compelling, I couldn't help but feel that it was longer than required. Despite its length, the ending managed to catch me by surprise, which is often a hallmark of a good thriller. Nevertheless, it's a common challenge with many thrillers that the ending might not always live up to the buildup, and this book was no exception. In the initial stages, I was drawn into the mystery surrounding Alicia Berenson's crime, eager to uncover the reason behind her actions. However, as the story progressed with its limited cast of characters, I began to feel somewhat lost in the narrative, struggling to see where it was leading. The twist in the story was indeed difficult to anticipate, which added to its allure, but the final outcome left me somewhat unimpressed. In summary, this book is a solid choice for those who enjoy a well-crafted mystery, with its tight focus on characters and plot. It manages to keep you engaged, but be prepared for an ending that may not fully satisfy your expectations.

Favorite lines from the book:

• Mental illness is precisely about a lack of this kind of integration - we end up losing contact with unacceptable parts of ourselves.

• Unexpressed emotions will never die. They are buried alive and will come forth later, in uglier ways. - Sigmond Freud

• Rage is a powerful communication.

• About love. About how we often mistake love for fireworks - for drama and dysfunction. But real love is very quiet, very still. It's boring, if seen from the perspective of high drama. Love is deep and calm - and constant.

• One of the hardest things to admit is that we weren't loved when we needed it most. It's a terrible feeling, the pain of not being loved.

• Remember, love that doesn't include honesty doesn't deserve to be called love.

• Sometimes it takes courage, you know, and a long time, to be honest.

• I suppose what scares me is giving in to the unknown.

The Reading List

Author: Sara Nisha Adams

Genre: Fiction

Rating: 2 out of 5

Pages: 384

Date Started: 28 January 2022

Date Finished:

(Did Not Finish)

I chose this book because it was available in the local library and had good ratings on Goodreads. This book was about books, so what could stop me from reading this?!

Mukesh, who is recently widowed, tries to connect his wife and his granddaughter through the books. Mukesh's wife Naina was an avid reader and he never knew about her interests and feels guilty that he never asked about the books she was reading. There are many other characters who have different stories and keep finding the same list of books.

I liked the character of Mukesh, who is a typical Indian man at that age. He wants to live his life, yet misses his wife terribly. Trying to connect himself to his late wife and his 8 years old granddaughter through books makes him look forward to the days. I really liked the way the author writes about his feelings of Mukesh towards life and his late wife.

I really tried hard to keep going and a little more than half of the book. I believe life is too short to read something that doesn't hold my interest! The story wasn't going anywhere and kept circling around Aleisha and Mukesh. It was the same routine expressed in different words, and I eventually lost interest and decided to stop reading!

Favorite lines from the book:

• Mukesh wished now that he'd asked her what they were about, what she loved about them, and why she'd felt the need to read the same ones again and again. He wished that he'd read them with her.

• Every reader, unknowingly connected in some small way.

• We found it (the book) under my wife's bed after she passed away. Reading it made me feel closer to her; it made me realize my loss as well.

• I think we have all been a bit of Amir in our lives - self-centered, focused only on ourselves - and we have all been a bit Hassan too, forgotten by the people we love the most. But in the end, the book was as happy as it could be. Amir made the right choice, to do the right thing. (About the book 'The Kite Runner')

• It is good to be kind to people, especially the people you love because you never know what it's like to walk in their shoes until one day you do.