The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

***1/2

PG

Could Recommend

This book was very poignant.  

I loved that it was written in the perspective of a small boy.

The voice was very naive and I feel that's what allowed it to stay clean and vague.

For instance, not once did it have language issues but there is some dialogue where a word is omitted because it's a word that the boy knows is not good.

The ending is not what I expected at all...crazy twist.

It made me glad it wasn't based on a true story.

Sad, but again, in a naive sort of way.

The Boy Who Dared

***

PG

{L}

Could Recommend

This book is based on a true story.

The main character is a member of the LDS church.

However, I was not happy with how the church was represented.

There was one instance of the Lord's name in vain {L}.

It's a sad story of a very brave boy...with not a necessarily happy ending.

Salt to the Sea

This book was recommended to me by my daughter's librarian.

She was aware that Abby and I both enjoy WWII books.

Abby was interested in it so I told her I would have to preview it before she read it.

***1/2

PG-13

{L} {GS} also, a few mild innuendos

Not Recommend

This was an amazing story and so well written.

That being said, there was a bit of {L}.

My biggest problem with it though was the {GS}.  It's super graphic (for me anyway) with the imagery...especially toward the end.  Lots of death, lots of sadness.

After I read it I told Abby I would prefer her not to read it but I would give her the choice.

Well, she chose to read it.  I made sure we debriefed after she finished it and talked about some of the issues.

An Inconvenient Beauty

****

PG

Easily Recommend

I really liked this book.  It did get a little bit long for me toward the end but I thought there was a lot of good humor...there's an especially funny scene that she did a great job with :)

It was a very nice and clean read!

*This is the fourth book in the Hawthorne House series.  I should mention that more than one person expressed disappointment in the content of the third book, An Uncommon Courtship...so much so that I didn't even attempt it.  It's quite surprising how an author can swing between clean and not clean amongst their books.  A couple of other authors that I feel do the same thing are Julie Klassen and Carla Kelly.

All That Makes Life Bright

***1/2

PG

{UM}!

Possibly Recommend 

(with and explanation)

Marital Intimacy is referred to multiple times {UM}

That was the only think I didn't like about this book.  The story actually really resonated with me.

I sympathized with Hattie and her preference to pursue hobbies and talents over household duties...I guess who wouldn't right?

It was well written. 

I just wish it didn't have the {UM}!

The Paper Magician

***

PG-13

{L} {GS} {UM}

Not Recommendable

I guess I didn't know what to expect from this book but it didn't end up being like what I didn't know what to expect :)

It really had an intriguing plot but there were too many things that I didn't like.

There was too much {Language}

Also {Uncomfortable Moments}

And lastly, there were blood and guts! {GS}

Can not recommend this one :(

My Dearest Love (Novella) & Love Remains

****

PG

Easily Recommend

This was a sweet story.

There was just a little more passion than I am used to from Sarah but I thought it was still in the appropriate range.

****1/2

G

Easily Recommendable

I loved this book!

It was so sweet and I cried a lot.

It was sad at times but she always has a great balance of humor that cheers you up :)

Love Sarah Eden!

The Pursuit of Lady Harriett

****

PG

{TMP}

Recommendable 

(maybe with an explanation)

This is probably the cleanest of the three in the series.

There was maybe just a little {TMP} and I would want to mention that to anyone to whom I recommended it.

I thought it was a cute story line.

Searching for Irene

***1/2

PG

{UM}

Could Recommend

This was quite clean...maybe 1 or 2 {UM}

I'm not usually a fan of books that are blatant about its characters being LDS and

I did not realize this was one of those when I picked it up.

It wasn't my favorite story ever but it was worth a read.

I did guess 'who dun it' before it was revealed :)

And Only to Deceive

PG 13

**1/2

{L} (strong), {UM} (strong)

Not Recommend

I decided to try ONE more of this series.

I was even more disappointed with this one than I was with the first two.  Therefore, I have absolutely decided that I will not read any more.

Strong {L}!

Again, there were many references to marital intimacy {UM}

I love these mystery storylines but there's just too much other undesirable junk.

So disappointed :(

Miss Leslie's Secret

PG

***1/2

{UM}, {TMP} (ever so slightly)

Easily Recommend

There were just 1 or 2 {UM}

and the {TMP} was really very borderline...almost didn't mention it.

I had one real issue with the story.

I didn't feel like the main man's reaction at the climax of the story was very realistic.  However, it didn't ruin the book for me.

I loved the Scottish brogue in the dialogue :)

Lies and Letters

****

G

maybe 1 or 2 {UM}

Easily Recommend

I really made very few notes about this book after I read it.

That certainly doesn't mean I didn't like it though.

I did not like the main woman at first because she is a brat!

But of course, that's part of the greatness of the book...by the end you love her.

Sweet story!

Looking forward to more from Ashtyn :)

A Name Unknown

****

G

Easily Recommend

I really can't remember anything objectionable in this book!

About the first half of the book was a bit slow for me but then I really got into it.

I often get annoyed when an author adds too much emotion and thoughts from the characters but I felt so drawn into the turmoil inside of them that I was not bothered by it at all.

I loved the sweet relationship between the two main characters.  The main man was quite endearing!

I'm excited to read the next installment in the series.

Haven Cross

****1/2

G

{UM}

Easily Recommend

Julie Daines has given us another lovely Regency!

{UM}  There were just a couple of very mildly uncomfortable moments but really, very clean!

I felt like this plot was a bit more unpredictable than most.  Not as far as the love interest and villian, but in the storyline itself.

I don't think I liked it quite as well as her first regency, Willowkeep, but it was still very enjoyable.

Haven Cross is definitely more action packed.

I ran into Julie Daines (and Jennifer Moore) at Swiss Days in Midway, Utah this summer!

It was fun to meet them...very gracious and kind.

I hope Julie keeps writing beautifully clean regencies :)

The Secret of the India Orchid

***1/2

PG

{TMP} {UM}

Probably Recommend

I liked the story...there were just a few things that bothered me.

{TMP} The one kissing scene was just a bit more passionate than I like.

{UM}  There were just a few moments...mostly mentioning womens' anatomy and such.