As birthday month comes to a close, please read below for all of this month's reads for The Mother. Lots to discuss so let us know if you've read these and what your thoughts were!
Frenchman’s Creek by Daphne DuMaurier
I am an absolute devotee to anything written by the master of gothic romance, Ms. Daphne du Maurier. In my opinion, she is one of the most gifted storytellers of all time.
Best known for her hugely popular My Cousin Rachel, Jamaica Inn, and Rebecca, Du Maurier’s Frenchman’s Creek is the fourth novel I have read by her. It is, I dare say, a lost classic and proved as absorbing and beautifully written as Du Maurier’s other fine novels.
Summary: Frenchman’s Creek is an electrifying tale of suspense, scandal, and love on the high seas. It is haunted by a medieval mood and centered on a woman who is willing to risk it all to satisfy her craving for adventure and freedom.
Jaded by the numbing politeness of London in the late 1600s, Lady Dona St. Columb revolts against high society. She rides into the English countryside, guided only by her restlessness and her longing to escape. But when chance leads her to meet a French pirate, hidden within Cornwall's shadowy forests, Dona discovers that her passions and thirst for adventure have never been more aroused. Together, they embark upon a quest rife with danger, secrets, and glory, one which bestows upon Dona the ultimate sacrifice.
First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston
First Lie Wins is a cloak-and-dagger style, mystery-thriller. I enjoyed its female-focus and dramatic plotting. The middle portion is a bit much with countless characters to follow, and many clandestine assignments and coded messages that jump back and forth between past and present. Overall, as far as thrillers go, First Lie Wins is a good read that explores the themes of identity and redemption. Best of all, it has some great twists.
Summary: First Lie Wins protagonist is Evie Porter. Evie is a con artist hired by a mysterious employer by the name of Mr. Smith. Her latest “mark” is a handsome businessman named Ryan. Although Evie has experienced many false lives, she sinks deeply into this one, and the job slowly starts to spiral out of her control. As Evie fights to complete the job without ruining her alias, she finds herself pulled into a series of events that threaten to expose her true identity and unmask the truth about her mysterious employer.
The Women by Kristin Hannah
The Women is by far the most melodramatic book I have recently read. I may be going rogue as this book is getting much attention and favorable reviews, but my humble opinion is – nope. It is too unrealistic, too long winded, and just too much. It is not a story that breaks new ground or offers any sort of consequential insights. It is a stretch at best and tries to cover war as a generality along with every possible human affliction. These reasons, along with the stories incongruous and preachy ending combined with an inane romantic reunion, is why I gave this book two stars.
Summary: After her brother is killed in Vietnam, main character Frankie McGrath joins the Army Nurse Corps and is shipped overseas to serve as a combat nurse. The first half of the book is set in gore-drenched hospital wards filled with one-dimensional characters and repeated melodrama. Upon returning home, Frankie spends years running from her trauma. She experiences every single possible human affliction as a result of society and her own choices.