Reviewer: @roelia_reads (Instagram)
A Story That Leaves You Shattered and Whole All at Once
What a tearjerker of an ending. This is not your fast-paced romance or suspenseful mystery – it’s something far more profound. Broken Country isn’t just a book; it’s an experience, one that lingers in your mind and heart long after the final page.
Plot Summary
Set against the backdrop of Dorset’s quiet countryside, Broken Country follows Beth and Frank, hardworking farmers whose lives intertwine with Gabriel – Beth’s first love, now a celebrated author returning home after years away. His reappearance stirs long-buried emotions and complicates Beth’s present reality. As the narrative unfolds across multiple timelines – the trial, the past, and the present – the tension builds toward a devastating and unforgettable climax. The emotional weight of love, grief, betrayal, and loss carries the story forward, leaving the reader breathless by its conclusion.
Themes
Hall masterfully explores themes of:
– Love and longing – A poignant love triangle that forces Beth to confront her deepest desires and regrets.
– Loss and grief – A powerful portrayal of sorrow that tugs at the heartstrings.
– Guilt and consequences – The burden of past decisions and their ripple effects on the present.
– Family and small-town ties – The suffocating yet undeniable pull of home, heritage, and belonging.
What Worked for the Book
There is something hypnotic about Hall’s writing – poetic yet piercingly raw. The multiple timelines enhance the depth of the narrative, creating layers of mystery and emotional intensity. The short chapters ensure that the pacing remains gripping despite the book’s heavier themes. While the characters, especially Beth, are flawed, they are deeply human, and their complexities make the story all the more immersive. Frank, in particular, is unforgettable – the kind of man who loves fiercely, yet faces heartbreaking questions about the nature of love and sacrifice.
Who Might Enjoy Broken Country
This book is for those who love character-driven novels rather than plot-heavy thrillers. If you enjoy layered storytelling, emotional depth, and intimate explorations of relationships, Broken Country is a must-read. It’s particularly suited for fans of literary fiction, family sagas, and tragic love stories. Readers who appreciate novels like The Paper Palace or The Light Between Oceans will likely find Hall’s debut captivating.
Final Thoughts
I genuinely can’t tell if my heart is broken or made whole. The last few pages completely undid me. This novel is evocative, beautiful, painful—all the things that make a book unforgettable. If you’re looking for a story that grips your emotions and refuses to let go, pick this one up. Just be warned—you’ll need tissues
Thank you to Jonathan Ball Publishers for the opportunity to read this book.
Reviewer: @cair_paraval_chronicles (Instagram)
Eliza’s story begins in the 1860s. She is on the cusp of adulthood, trying to find her place in a society where women hold little power—although her mother, as the heir of their estate, wields some influence.
Her father is a con artist of the highest degree.
When he disappears, Eliza realizes that her days spent studying and walking the estate with her uncle will be more useful than she ever expected.
A new detective is assigned to the case, and he relies on Eliza for insider information. This is where Eliza begins to find her own place in the world.
As the investigation continues, new information about her father emerges: he was not well-liked, and there is more than one suspect.
Eventually, his body is found, turning the case into a murder mystery.
Her mother does not want her involved in the investigation, but Eliza is headstrong and proves to be good at detective work.
Throughout the story, we follow different leads as suspects are gradually eliminated.
The story feels reminiscent of Enola Holmes and gives the impression it could be the start of a series.
Eliza is instrumental in uncovering who murdered her father. She helps mend broken friendships and, in doing so, teaches her mother about reconciliation and the importance of family.
Reviewer: @lifewithtishaj (Instagram)
“But meeting the right person at the wrong time, the right love in the wrong life, is a tragedy written from the start.”
“Rare are those who appreciate the beauty in darkness.”
I was ecstatic to receive this gorgeous ARC of The Scorpion and The Night Blossom by @ameliewenzhao from @jonathanballpublishers as holiday mail and it was absolutely delightful.
Nine years ago, the war tore Àn’yīng’s family apart, leaving her mother barely alive and a baby sister to fend for. Now the mortal realm is falling into eternal night, and mó—beautiful, ravenous demons—roam the land, feasting on the flesh of humans and drinking their souls.
Armed with her crescent blades and trained in the ancient art of practitioning, she has decided to enter the Immortality Trials. Those who complete the Trials are granted a pill of eternal life—the one thing Àn’yīng knows can heal her dying mother. But to attain the prize, she must survive the competition.
Amelie builds a world that is rich in legend, in imagery, in the hope that she weaves into Àn’yīng’s desperation. She enters a world where every turn is fraught with danger and she has to question the motives of every person she meets. Is what she has been taught the truth? Or can those who have always been painted as evil, be kind even a friend? Yù’chén is a gorgeous, complicated male who is the definition of morally grey. Is he a product of his heritage or are the moments of kindness, real? I find this to be a trademark of excellent characterization when you are left guessing. I love the relationship between Àn’yīng and Méi’zi, their unconditional love and concern for each other is a thing of beauty.
When it quickly becomes apparent that there are larger stakes at play, Àn’yīng is forced to decide what she is willing to risk. Every page pulls you deeper into a beautiful world, her wordplay an utter delight, along a terrifying journey of loss, self-discovery, of delight, and utter devastation. A story that stays with you long after you have closed the book and leaves you wondering what the road ahead has in store for Àn’yīng.
Reviewer: @just_reading_no_thandolwethu (Instagram)
Today’s book of the day is Saturday Night Sunday Morning by PJ Morton.
In this memoir PJ takes us through his life’s journey from growing up as a PK and singing in church to being an independent artist and being a change maker and great example to others seeking to walk the same path.
I loved how well this book is written, the first 50 or so pages really captured me and I was interested in knowing more about this artist that I didn’t know before picking up this book.
Although I don’t have a musical ear, I felt that the way music is explained in this book and how it deep dives into different musicians artistry was so informative and I can imagine that for someone who likes music that would be such a great add.
The title of the book made me think this was a book exploring faith or that it was a Christian book but I didn’t really get that in the book, the closest to that was that PJ is a PK and comes from a family of gospel singers and that he also sings gospel.
I loved that after reading this book I know with certainty that PJ loves his music, has done great things over the years, has changed the lives of those around him and has motivated others to also go for their dreams.
The only thing I found a little off putting was how much he praised himself in this book. Look there’s nothing wrong with being proud of yourself and shouting on the roof tops about it but I found that hearing how great he is, the great things he has done, how he created jobs and fed families, how he was the first one to do this and that, how he could do almost everything for himself and hardly ever needed help throughout the book was a little overwhelming for me and made me uncomfortable like yes you did that but I don’t think we need to know all that more so in the manner it was delivered.
In closing I think PJ fans would really enjoy this book, so I would recommend it to them did, but by the end, I was left haunted, heartbroken, and in awe of Ivey’s talent.
x_chrissie_reads_x (Instagram)
The Ex Effect is a charming, laugh-out-loud romance that depicts love in the most perfect and realistic light.
A sex curse that manifested thirteen years ago leaves Ash with mortifying lovers and experiences that lead her to believe that sex will never be on the same wavelength as her…
Enter Max. The ‘sex-god’ of the ages 🔥
Ash may have a cure for the one thing that has never been perfect in her life. All it takes is one email.
And one blistering hot individual that sparks the flames in Ash’s life. Sexually and emotionally…
Initially the synopsis brought me to the belief that The Ex Effect was going to drag me to ‘smut-island’ and leave me there in despair as I fought my way through an empty plot and devastatingly under-developed characters 🫣
However, through expressive writing that held immense promise, Jo Watson did bring me to smut-island but did not leave me to fight for my life (thank you 😭) Instead, I was taken aback by her eloquent and descriptive writing that led the plot through hilarious and hysterical moments.
A smile accompanied me through this novel as Ash found herself in precarious, true to South Africa, situations that highlighted her comedic personality and entertaining banter.
I was completely and wholly obsessed. The story of Ash and Max was mesmerizing and so utterly heartwarming that my heart LITERALLY squeezed with emotion. It encapsulated love, friendship and the particles of a true love story that ended up creating one wonderful adventure.
Jo Watson embodied the truest form of love and South African lore in The Ex Effect. Ash was an intricate character of pure complexities while Max was the epitome of green-flag behaviour with desirable traits and a beautiful mind 🥹
In all honesty, reading this novel made my aversion to love a whole lot less and that is all thanks to Jo Watson and her incredible storytelling.
New auto-buy author?
New favourite romance ever?
Yeah…yeah, sign me up…
I recommend The Ex Effect whole-heartedly to those who love Emily Henry and Beth O’Leary. Love has never been this pure, until now… 🩷🦋
Rating: 5/5 💫
