Monthly Archives: March 2016

Arthur Pepper is a set in his ways, 69-year-old widower. He does the same thing every day. He wears the same thing every day. Sometimes, when his neighbor, Bernadette, brings him a treat to try to cheer him up, he hides from her in National Trust statue mode just because he doesn’t want to deal with talking to anyone at that time. All that changes on the one year anniversary of the death of his wife, Miriam. While cleaning out her things, he discovers a charm bracelet he does not recall ever seeing. When he calls the phone number on the elephant charm, he is led on a journey that spans three countries and many stories. In the process, Arthur meets some incredible people and learns as much about himself as about his wife.

The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper by Phaedra Patrick is a delightful, gentle, wonderfully British story. The pace is slow, but it is so captivating that I found it difficult to pull myself away from Arthur and his curious charms. I especially enjoyed watching Arthur come to terms with his feelings of inadequacy and wondering if he ever really knew his wife. I found his evolving relationship with his children very sweet and a lovely addition to the story. Sometimes, however, things would kind of come to a standstill or repeat itself a little. Occasionally, there would be a flashback and I’d be left momentarily confused not realizing what had happened. These issues are minor, however, and did not substantially take away from my enjoyment of the story. I highly recommend this book, particularly those who love (or are) someone older!

***I was provided this ebook by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper will be released on May 3rd and can be pre-ordered is now available and can be purchased on Amazon here.***

4 (out of 5) Stars

Books Read in 2016: 27
Pages Read in 2016: 6607
Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks (more book reviews!)

In this second of the Rachael O’Brien Chronicles, Rachael is home for the summer of 1987, between her first and second years of college. First her father’s girlfriend practically moves in since someone broke into her apartment… and cleaned. Then Rachael’s mom and her probable girlfriend, aura reader Betts, show up in Canton for a few days for a psychic convention (where Rachael runs into a very hot guy who happens to be from her past). When a very valuable old painting goes missing at the same time Maeve and Betts disappear, Rachael gets some shocking news about her family.

Rachael O’Brien’s life is certainly never dull and because of that, the Rachael O’Brien Chronicles are interesting and fun to read. Summer Flambè is well-edited with only a handful of mistakes, mostly toward the end. The climax and resolution happened a little too suddenly, but were quite the unexpected twist. I highly recommend this book (it is not necessary to read the first book first, but it does gives background information that would make this one more understandable).

5 (out of 5) Stars

Books Read in 2016: 25
Pages Read in 2016: 6084
Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks (more book reviews!)