The Moon, the Stars, and Madame Burova by Ruth Hogan

 

In keeping with my magical, mysterious reads for October, I grabbed Ruth Hogan's latest novel featuring a fortune telling woman who keeps everyone's secrets, no matter what. 

This story bounces back and forth between present day and 1973 in the English seaside town of Brighton. Imelda Burova is young and full of life. She's taking over her mother's fortune telling business on the pier, and she's very, very good at it. Imelda spends her whole life reading fortunes, and after decades of business, she decides its time to retire. 

Only retirement and Imelda just don't quite go together. As a keeper of promises and secrets, Imelda has one whopper of a secret she just can't share. She can, however, do some digging and make contact with the woman who was left as an infant in front of Imelda's storefront on the pier. 

Enter Billie, who has just sold her parent's home and laid her father to rest. Newly divorced and without a job, she is at a crossroads in life. Two letters turn her life upside down. One is from her father, telling her she was adopted, and the second is from Imelda, inviting her to tea in Brighton so she can talk to Billie. Shocked her parents never told her she was adopted, Billie decides that yes, she does want to know where she came from, and maybe Madam Burova has some of the answers she is seeking. 

As Billie and Imelda meet and get to know each other, Billie has more questions than answers. The cast of characters in Brighton are all charming, and all have ties to Imelda's past, and ties to what was once a wildly popular entertainment venue, the Larkin Holiday Park. Are Billie's parents entertainers from the park? 

This was a charming story full of characters who all made some great and not so great choices in their youth. Now, they all have chances to try again. Billie has a chance to start completely over in life; will she remain in Brighton or return to London? Will Imelda finally get the answers her broken heart needs after almost fifty years of heartache? 

This is a great read for an afternoon in front of the fireplace, sipping tea. It took me a bit to click into the story; I confess I was a bit confused at the beginning--mostly because I stopped and started a lot. But once I sat down and read for a bit, it all clicked and I was curious how everything would play out. 

Rating: 3/6 for a charming novel about second chances, secrets, and love. 

Available in paperback, ebook, and audio. 

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The Moon, the Stars, and Madame Burova by Ruth Hogan

Two Reviews: The Cookbook Club and Vanessa Yu's Magical Paris Tea Shop

I recently read advanced review copies of two novels that helped me kick my book blockage. Neither is out just yet, so you'll have to make sure you add them to your TBR list for later. 

The Cookbook Club by Beth Harbison is about three women who come together through a cookbook club. Margo has just been dumped by her husband--he's moving to San Francisco without her. She's really annoyed because she's been unhappy for a long time, but felt like she couldn't rock the boat and leave the marriage. And then her husband dumps her! Aja is in a relationship with an older, wealthy businessman who doesn't treat her very well. And, she's got a secret she won't be able to hid much longer. Finally, there's Trista, who left her lawyer job and bought a bar. She's got a lot of work to do to make the bar a success and may be in over her head. 

A trio of unlikely friends, yet their monthly cookbook club has all three women indulging in their love of food and developing a strong friendship. The food in this novel is mouthwatering, and features a lot of familiar cookbooks. This novel was a short, quick read that put a smile on my face. Loved it. 

It's not out in the U.S. until October! Ugh. Something to look forward to for cool nights later this year. I give it a 4/6 for a fun novel with likable characters. It has inspired me to try new dishes this summer. 

Roselle Lim's second novel was just as much fun as her first novel, Natalie Tan's Book of Luck and Fortune. Vanessa Yu has a big family in Palo Alto, California. She's an accountant who works for the family tea business. It's an okay job, but not what she really wants to do. Vanessa is also one of two people in her big family that has the gift of prophecy. Yes, she's a fortune teller, and it's something Vanessa has tried to avoid her whole life. They come out of the blue, and she can't help but spit them out, whether they are good or bad fortunes. Her Aunt Evelyn is also a fortune teller, and has managed her gift so well it's effortless. A few terrible fortunes for two family members force Vanessa to realize she needs to embrace her gift and learn to control it. Off to Paris she goes with Aunt Evelyn, who is opening a special tea shop in a quaint neighborhood. 

In Paris, Vanessa's love of food and art sends her out and about, and bumping into a potential love interest-even though she knows it will never last. And she suspects there's something Aunt Evelyn is keeping secret; the reason she's moved to Paris and left her whole family behind. How will Vanessa learn to control her gift and be able to find her true calling? 

This was such a fun book to read. Again, another book with so much delicious food that you'll find it hard not to drool. Add in some delicious tea blends and a bit of magic, and you'll love this perfect summer read. 

This novel will be out in early August, 2020 in the U.S. A perfect end of summer read. 
Rating: 4/6 for a magical novel about love, family loyalty, art, happiness, and taking chances. And the food! Yum! 

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Two Reviews: The Cookbook Club and Vanessa Yu's Magical Paris Tea Shop