Tender by Belinda McKeon | Rating: ★★★☆☆

As a note, a printed galley of this novel was sent to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not effect my opinions in any way.

Belinda McKeon is back with her latest release Tender. I have to say that overall the book wasn’t that astounding to me–it didn’t enthrall me like I’d hope it would and felt rather lackluster at times–but in its highs, it was an incredibly honest release and Belinda’s writing, in all its simplicity, is what made me continue on.

I’ll set the scene for you: 1990s, Dublin and a sense of new found freedom for one of our characters, Catherine. Catherine, in many ways, is not unlike a large sum of leading ladies throughout literature and film. She comes from a modest upbringing and sets the tone of inexperience on a high.

Catherine comes to Dublin, a far cry from the farm she’d grown up on, to study and is faced with many chances and realities by novels end. Let’s put it this way: I’ve read countless stories of countless characters like Catherine and her story isn’t all that unique.

This isn’t to say she’s a horrendous character but it does get a bit repetitive and tiring after our timeline progresses and I longed for something to spice things up further in terms of her growth and plots.

The Gracekeepers by Kirsty Logan | Rating: ★★★★★

Many ways to fly, but only one way to fall.

As a note, a printed galley of this novel was sent to me via the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not effect my opinions in any way.

How can I describe the feeling of reading The Gracekeepers without spoiling everything? It’s utterly impossible. I loved this novel so much more than I could have possibly imagined and I can honestly say it’s one of my favorite releases this year. It came to me during a very dark period this spring, at a time when my grandfather was nearing his death and I needed a distraction, and it soothed me wonderfully.

The Gracekeepers is smart and moving, vivid, engaging to the highest degree, and poetic in a way that is sorely lacking in fiction. It has many layers to it and is overall a delight to read. I truly feel privileged.

Kirsty Logan’s prose is comparable to Margaret Atwood, as I’m sure you’ve heard, and it’s a title well deserving. She has a gift of creating a world that is unlike any other and gracefully navigates through it all. I am trying not to spoil all of it, because reading it is something you have to experience on your own.

I Take You by Eliza Kennedy | Rating: ★★☆☆☆

As a note, a printed galley of this novel was sent to me via the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not effect my opinions in any way.

For months I’d been anticipating the release of Eliza Kennedy’s debut novel; the blurb I’d read sounded like it had all the makings of an entertaining spring and summer, kick back and relax read. And the cover art: boy, is that cover a beauty. I couldn’t stop starring at it. I still can’t; in spite of the flaws of the book the cover art is still lovely.

I squealed a lot when I saw my request had been filled. There may have been a bit of obnoxious, neighbor's stare inducing, happy dance. I honestly couldn’t wait to dig in. It promised to be delicious and offensive in that good, fun sort of way. And while it did strike a lot of chords humor wise, it was generally a letdown. I can’t figure out where everything went wrong – Eliza’s writing is easy, descriptive, stylish and witty.

But the story was so… sigh.

And the characters are even worse.