Review: Give Me a Reason by Jayci Lee

After a run of science fiction, fantasy, and horror reading that leaned towards the dark and dystopian, a modern-day Korean retelling of Jane Austen's Persuasion felt like the perfect palate cleanser.

Anne Lee broke Fredrick Nam's heart when she left America to become a K-drama actress. It's ten years later when she returns, only to find the boy she left behind is a man she can't get out of her head.

I'll be honest, the plot of Persuasion is not one I remember well. but a skim of the plot shows that this book is more faithful than I initially thought. Nonetheless, the setting update to modern-day LA and the tweaks to various characters serve to disguise the inspiration quite handily. 

Apart from the events of ten years ago and a shared inability to spit it out, both Anne and Fredrick seem almost too good to be true - a self-sacrificing K-drama star and a respected firefighting captain. Their chemistry is sparking from the first page and I couldn't wait for them to fall into each other's arms. 

I personally found the Korean-American update really effective in explaining some of the dynamics between characters and I enjoyed Anne's journey out of self-denial, but I do wish this got a bit more of a conclusion and perhaps something more satisfying around her more selfish family members. I also loved the delicious pining in this book as both Anne and Fredrick realise that beneath the hurt, regret, and anger, love remains - but the tension seemed to melt away partway through in favour of a persistent misunderstanding that just got frustrating and seemed to be resolved in-story by a deus ex.

I couldn't put this book down and was rooting for the happy ending, but I can't help but wish for a little more out of the ending. 

If Austen retellings or second chance romances are your jam, I think you'll enjoy this as much as I did.

Give Me a Reason is available now in ebook or hard copy

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book via Netgalley; all opinions are my own. 

Review: The Retired Assassin's Guide to Country Gardening by Naomi Kuttner

A cosy mystery set in NZ by a Kiwi author? Deadly force restrained by cosy vibes? I knew I had to read this immediately and I'm glad I did.

Dante's anonymous retirement is almost immediately scuppered by his choice to settle in a small town - which any small town resident or reader can tell you is the opposite of anonymous. It's further disrupted by faux affable blackmail, expensive fireworks, and a dead woman. His involvement in the resulting murder investigation lands him in an unlikely alliance with a stately older woman and his nervy young gardener - and all while keeping an eye on the rare corpse flower in his greenhouse.

I found the mystery quite straightforward and there were a couple of investigative holes that irked me, and the paranormal aspects felt a little unnecessary, but the characters and overall vibe of the book is extremely charming - not to mention Dante's recovery support group.

If any of the above sounds good to you, pick this up and enjoy!

4.5 stars, rounded up for national pride

Review: Wildflowers by Kylie Scott

Once again, Kylie Scott - first known to me as author of the excellent Stage Dive rock star romances - has spun the genre wheel of fortune and somehow I'm reading a post-apocalyptic romance. And I'm digging it. This is fluffy cracky wish fulfillment that I ate up with a spoon and it all starts when Astrid is kidnapped by her hot neighbour Dean.

Hear me out.

Dean has word of another pandemic, only this one is far more infectious and a lot more deadly. Thanks to his enforced isolation, him and Astrid survive and set out to build a new life from the ruins of the old. Yes, the premise is traumatic and has shades of dubcon, but there's something intoxicating about a man who risks everything for you specifically, and the chance to start the world anew in a tight knit community based on mutual aid.

Some people might find this story triggering, some might quibble with the romance - but for some, this is going to hit the spot as a cathartic and surprisingly lighthearted take on the end of the world as we know it.

If this sounds like your catnip, Wildflowers is available in now

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher; all opinions are my own.