Laughter from the Darkside by Tracy Jane Hartman

A special thank you to the author for providing a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

In Laughter from the Darkside, Tracy Jane Hartman gives a first hand account of what life is like with an autistic child (from birth to teenager).  Hartman's memoir is moving, yet funny.  She is steadfast in her positivity, is respectful, and relies on humour to see her through the struggles.

Although not a practitioner of any kind, she does offer advice as to what has worked for her, and readers may also find value in her research/tips.  I enjoyed this quick read—Tracy is warm, witty, and a positive voice.  I encourage any parent to pick up this book, it is not just for those in the same situation, there is value to her approach.

Breaking My Silence: Surviving and Healing Myself After Years of Secrecy, Shame, and Abuse by Maya Hope Kitwana

A special thank you to the author, Maya Hope Kitwana, for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

I had the honour of meeting Maya and spending over an hour talking with her.  She is an incredibly beautiful soul with wisdom and grace beyond her years.  Maya radiates kindness.  It was a privilege to be asked to read and review her book.

For over thirty years, Maya Hope Kitwana has kept the secrets of her abusers.  In this memoir, she exposes her truth, showing the strength and resilience that was necessary in order to cope with the emotional, physical, and sexual abuse she endured at the hands of those that were supposed to love and care for her.

This story is graphic and not for the faint of heart—it is a glimpse into Maya's journey of survival from rape, incest, and abandonment.  Kitwana's book reads like a diary and there are times where the narrative is succinct and times where it rambles, but it is always her voice that guides the story (she wrote the book to heal herself).  The incredibly sad fact that struck me when I was reading this is that there are a world full of Mayas.  I found it astounding that this woman persevered in the face of extreme adversity and that she never gave up on herself.  My only criticism is the ending felt rushed and abrupt, I wanted more because I felt that she really hit her stride and I liked the confident voice that developed over the story.  I encourage especially those that are the victims and survivors of abuse to pick up this book.

Under a Dark Sky by Lori Rader-Day

A special thank you to Edelweiss and William Morrow for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Eden Wallace is a widow that is suffering not only with grief, but suffers from a phobia of the dark.  She is a shell of her former self—she doesn't work, has given up on photography, and experiences night terrors so severe that she cannot sleep unless all of the light are on.

In her late husband's effects, Eden finds paperwork for a reservation at a dark sky park.  She decides to face her fear of the dark and go on the anniversary trip he had planned for them.  But when she arrives at the cabin, instead of a private retreat, she finds herself among a group of friends that have gathered for a reunion.  Eden can't believe her bad luck and decides she will leave first thing the next morning.  In the middle of the night, a scream wakes the group, one of their friends has been murdered, and everyone is a suspect.

Eden must unpack her fears to learn who is lying, who is telling the truth, and to find out who is the killer.

I enjoyed The Day I Died and was thrilled to be among the first to read Under a Dark Sky. Rader-Day pens some interesting characters in an Agatha Christie type story.  Eden is a flawed character dealing with a traumatic event that has left her damaged and fragile.  Her complexity and fear, coupled with grief and vulnerability make her the perfect unreliable narrator.

The story unfolds and exposes secrets and lies about all of the characters—none of them are who they appear to be.  The narrative plays out with the blame and focus shifting from one person to the next.  Beyond the thriller/mystery aspects of the story, Rader-Day explores relationships, grief, loss, and how dangerous perception is.  

The Mandela Plot by Kenneth Bonert

A special thank you to Edelweiss, NetGalley, and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Set in 1980s South Africa, The Mandela Plot centres around Martin Helger—a student at an all-boys private school in Johannesburg that doesn't quite fit in unlike his brother who is a mysterious legend.  Martin is bored with his mundane life until a beautiful American girl, Annie Goldberg, arrives.  Martin finds himself no longer in his protective bubble and is immersed into the political and societal struggles.  

Oh boy..where do I start?  I had the honour of reviewing Bonert's first book The Lion Seeker and it was a stunning debut.  But this sophomore effort coming of age tale just simply didn't resonate with me.  Honestly, I can't put my finger on it—perhaps it was the dialogue?  It was very hard for me to get into the book with several failed attempts and start overs.  That being said, once I did get into the story, I did enjoy parts of it.  The characters are complex, some are well-developed, and others, like Martin are underdeveloped.  Bonert clearly has a gift; there are some beautiful passages, but the lengthy paragraphs are unnecessary bulk and the slang stunts the reader (of note: there is a glossary at the end of the book).  

KENNETH BONERT is a South African-Canadian writer. His debut novel The Lion Seeker won both the 2013 National Jewish Book Award for Outstanding Debut Fiction and the 2013 Edward Lewis Wallant Award.  The Lion Seeker was also a shortlisted nominee for the 2013 Governor General's Award for English-language Fiction, and the 2013 Amazon.ca First Novel Award.

Bonert's second novel, The Mandela Plot, was released in 2018.

Originally from Johannesburg, Bonert moved to Toronto, Ontario in 1989.[3]   

The Next Person You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom

A special thank you to Edelweiss and Harper for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

In this delightful sequel to The Five People You Meet in Heaven, we once again meet up with Eddie who is reunited with Annie, the little girl he saved. This is a story of how we are connected in life and loss.

In The Five People You Meet in Heaven, we are introduced to Eddie, a war veteran that worked at an amusement park as a mechanic. Eddie died a hero when he saves Annie's life. Forever scarred emotionally and physically—Annie's hand was surgically reattached—Annie's life is forever changed when she endures a life of bullying even though she can't remember what happened to her. She further struggles when her guilt ridden mother suddenly uproots them and moves away.

Finally finding happiness, as an adult, Annie reconnects with her childhood love Paulo. The novel opens with the two of them marrying. Unfortunately their wedding day ends in terrible tragedy and Annie finds herself on her own journey to discover her five people that will show her how her life mattered and one of those people is Eddie.

I can't believe it has been fifteen years since The Five People You Meet in Heaven was published. Fans of the book have always wondered what ever became of Eddie and Annie—this is a testament to an inspiring story when it stays with readers and keeps them wondering.  

In true Albom style, this book is full of life lessons and grace. Whether you are a spiritual person or not, this book will touch you in some way. Every ending is also a beginning, sometimes we are simply just unwilling to see it as such.

I Know You Know by Gilly Macmillan

A special thank you to Edelweiss and William Morrow for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Twenty years ago, two eleven-year-old boys were murdered in Bristol. The bodies of Charlie Paige and Scott Ashby were found near the dog racing track. Sidney Noyce was convicted of the brutal crime and died in prison—some people perceive him to be the killer and others think he was a convenient scapegoat because he was mentally challenged and could be easily coerced into a confession. There are still lingering questions after all this time.

There was a third boy, Cody Swift, who was supposed to be out with Charlie and Scott the night they were killed, but he got in trouble and had to stay home. It turns out that this punishment actually saved his life. He is now an indie filmmaker and has haunted by the death of his best mates all these years. The unanswered questions and loose ends bring him back to Bristol in search of answers. To help document the information, he starts a podcast which are a series of interviews he conducts with individuals attached to the case. It turns out that there are many people who don't want to visit the past. The one who has the most to lose from Swift's fixation is Charlie's mother, Jess. She is forced to take matters into her own hands in order to protect her daughter from hearing about this horrific crime—she doesn't even know she had a half brother, let alone that he was killed.

A body that has been dead for quite some time is discovered in the same location where the boys were found. Another investigation is opened and Detective John Fletcher who was on the original case must revisit his files to see if the two crimes are related.  

This book was absolutely riveting from the first sentence! I have been on a tear of British mystery/suspense books lately and this one did not disappoint. Having reviewed Macmillan's Odd Child Out, I was hoping to check in again with Detective Jim Clemo. But this book, this book was all its own, and in my opinion her best yet (I have also reviewed The Perfect Girl). It was perfectly executed with enough twists to propel the narrative without becoming predictable or clichéd. And as my followers know, any book that mentions Depeche Mode is a winner!

This page-turning, clever novel is filled with complex and layered characters. Congratulations, Gilly on another wonderful accomplishment!

GILLY MACMILLAN is the New York Times bestselling author of What She Knew (previously published as Burnt Paper Sky in some territories), The Perfect Girl and Odd Child Out.

Gilly is Edgar Award nominated and an ITW award finalist. Her books have been translated into over 20 languages.

She grew up in Swindon, Wiltshire and also lived in Northern California. She studied History of Art at Bristol University and the Courtauld Institute of Art in London.

Macmillan lives in Bristol, UK with her husband, three children and two dogs and writes full time. She’s currently working on her sixth novel.

Her Pretty Face by Robyn Harding

A special thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Frances Metcalfe is a stay-at-home mom that is struggling with her difficult son, her weight, being lonely, and a flat marriage. She is desperate to fit into the elite group of Forrest Academy moms assuming that her acceptance would change her mundane life. But then there is a disturbing incident at the school and the savage mothers further shun the Metcalfes. Frances feels even more judged, ridiculed and alone than before, that is until she meets Kate Randolph.

Kate is everything that Francis is not: beautiful, thin, confident, rich, and she has a gorgeous home. For some reason, she's chosen Frances to be her friend when it is obvious that she would fit right in with the other mothers. The women bond over their boys and their shared scorn of the Forrester snobs. But there is a dark secret is lurking, one that will tear them apart.  You see one of these women is not who she says she is—her real name is Amber Kunick and she is a murderer.    

Can we all just take a moment to appreciate how beautiful this cover is? Gah! I love it!

The story is told from multiple points of view and it is pure genius how the storylines tie together. Harding's writing is sharp, layered, complex, and there are just enough plot twists to keep the reader engaged and fully vested in the narrative.  She spins a tale of secrets and lies, deceit, and examines how well we really know people—especially those we let into our lives.      

Okay, full disclosure: any book that has an 80s fundraiser or 80s anything is top of my list!  This was my first book by Robyn Harding and it won't be my last! I loved it and I can't wait to read The Party, I've heard incredible things about it as well.

Congratulations, Robyn, on a fabulous book and one day we will have that kitchen dance party.   

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ROBYN HARDING is the author of The Party and Her Pretty Face. She has written and executive produced an independent film.

Harding lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, with her husband and two children.

The Favourite Sister by Jessica Knoll

A special thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.   

Five strong, successful women make up the Goal Diggers reality show cast. Set in New York City, this season the producers will get more than they bargain for when one of the women is murdered.

Brett is clearly the fan favourite. She is only 27 and has already launched a highly successful spin studio. That, coupled with her recent engagement, has only increased her popularity and made her the envy of her cast—they are all vying for the spotlight.

Kelly is Brett's older sister, business partner, and the newest cast member. The veterans of the show think she's a cling-on. They don't understand that growing up, it was Kelly who was the favourite, not Brett.

Stephanie is the oldest on the show, and the first black woman. She is a published author of erotic novels, but her success has come from her memoir. The only problem is that she took some liberties and is afraid of being found out. Stephanie is married to an attractive, non-working actor with a wandering eye. Sounds like the perfect storyline for a reality show, but this season, the focus is on the rift between Stephanie and her former best friend, Brett.

Lauren, a successful start-up story, whose out-of-control drinking has her poised for a recovery storyline.

Finally there's Jen. She's rich and famous from her vegan food line, only she's not actually vegan, and behind the scenes, is incredibly ruthless. I pictured her to be like Gwyneth Paltrow chowing down on burgers.  

Can I tell you how riveting this was? Knoll has an incredible knack for writing conversation which is why the premise worked so well—we are also a culture that is obsessed with celebrity and social media, and this story plays right into that.

There are multiple characters introduced in the beginning and I had to keep referring back to the character synopsis to keep them all straight—I really hope that this is included in the published book. Certainly not a criticism, but I wanted to mention it because I found it so useful. Knoll develops intriguing and complex characters with several layers. Once you get into the story, you easily can tell who is speaking and whose point of view it is.  

The title of the book is clever—it speaks to the obvious sisters in the story as well as a nod to the sisterhood of women. It is these relationship dynamics that are present and integral to the narrative.  Knoll's view of the sister/sisterhood is multi-faceted and downright ruthless at times. But she's not wrong. Women are all about coming together and supporting one another however, the flip side is the incredible hypocrisy, women will turn on each other on a dime! Women have to be younger than their male counterparts, thinner, smarter, and so on. Unfortunately, we are our worst critics both to ourselves and each other.  Knoll explores all of this through the lens of a reality show and I thought this was a fantastic read.