srivalli's reviews
1522 reviews

 4.2 Stars

2018, Bangalore 

The suicide of a business tycoon’s son is declared murder when evidence is found. Inspector Meenakshi Rao is ordered to solve the case ASAP. While she has three women suspects, the case is far from easy. As if the pressure isn’t enough, Meenakshi Rao has to deal with her messy personal life too. Can she find the killer in time? 

The story comes in the third-person POV in a dual timeline (past in past tense and present in present tense). 

Well, this was a great ride. Knowing the author’s style, I can say this book displays her writing talent in full. It starts with an author’s note, establishing what to expect from the story. This helps since there’s quite a bit of content that would make some readers uncomfortable. A fair amount of cussing too! 

Right from the beginning, we know there will be nothing fluffy or lighthearted here. The primacy characters are damaged in some way or another. It’s hard to like most of them but we are expected to. Yet, we might empathize with a couple of them. 

The FMC is gritty, foul-mouthed, bitter, angry, and toxic. She lashes out at anyone and everyone but there’s a part of her that bleeds for others. She’ll annoy you like crazy. Yet you grudgingly feel sad for her at times. It’s like watching a train wreck. You know it’ll hurt. Still, you cannot help but be fascinated by it. And the way she carries the plot on her shoulders is marvelous. 

The chapters alter between the past and present. It might take a little while, but you’ll get used to the change in tenses. In fact, I stopped noticing the shift. After all, the timeline is clear in the tense. 

The other main characters have varying levels of character development. It suits their importance in the plot. However, I wish the FMC’s hubby also got some development. It’s very sketchy, though for some that’s all they need to know. I need more before I decide. I confirmed from the author that she plans to make it a series (the book works perfectly well as a standalone), so the hubby might have something when it happens. 

As expected from a book high on feminist rage, the men are evil in varying degrees or jerks/ idiots in some cases. So far, there’s just one guy who seems decent, soft, and compassionate (and the poor guy gets abused for it). I would have liked it if just one guy was nice and assertive. Maybe in the next book? 

So, there’s a bit of graphic content about kink along with some open-door scenes. These have just the required amount of detail and are used to provide a picture of the characters. A few other scenes are just mentioned, which works out to balance the effect. I gained some knowledge too (hey, it's all a part of a writer’s life).  

There are a bunch of triggers too (check TW at the end). Most of it is presented in a matter-of-fact tone which helps. The grief over a child’s death hits really hard, though. It is raw and so potent that the feeling lingers for a while. 

The pacing is steady from start to finish. I finished 60% in one go and had to stop for dinner. This means, the book doesn’t linger on descriptions but keeps the plot moving through actions and dialogues. Those who want a feel of the setting won’t really find it. Should be okay for Indian readers since the cities tend to have common aspects but it may not work for everyone. 

The same can be said about the lack of a glossary, though there are only a few words that need to be translated. Adding one for the international readers would have helped. 

The mystery as such can be figured out after the halfway point. There isn’t any attempt to surprise the reader with unwanted twists, so the progress feels organic. 

To summarize, Shameless in Stilettos is a fast-paced gritty thriller with unlikeable but well-crafted characters. The book is not for everyone. However, if you are into dark subjects and like messed-up characters it might be your thing! 

The author is a friend (we’ve worked together on the editorial board of The Hive) and a fellow writer. That does not affect my review. 

 3.5 Stars 

After the death of Mab and Nessa’s mother, their father relocated to New Zealand and married his third wife, dusting off his young daughters’ responsibilities. The kids had to deal with a lot more than the loss of parental support. 

Twenty years later, the sisters receive the news of their father’s death. They are forced to handle the grief that weighed them down for years and confront the secrets from the past that changed their lives forever. 

They return to the Lowlands where they live for a while with Con, their father’s first wife. Can Mab and Nessa find the answers this time? 

The story comes in the third-person POV of Mab, Con, and Nessa in a dual timeline. 

Rating this is hard coz I like it but also didn’t like it much. 

The book is essentially a family drama with secrets and messy emotions. The story shifts between present and past, clearly distinguished by the years mentioned under the chapter title. 

Mab has a major share of the narration, which works and doesn’t work. At times, she sounds like an adult. But most of the time, she sounds pretty much like the eight-year-old version in the past. Moreover, her POV is not entirely reliable since she continues to think like a kid even twenty years later. The way her thoughts spiral into a tangled mess is exhausting to read. 

 Nessa, the older sister, has a better arc. She was parentified as a young teen and grew up taking care of her younger sister (Mab). This affected her in many ways, though her POV is reliable and easier to read. 

Con is an intriguing character. She is rather sweet and lovely, which is a welcome change from a bad stepmom (though she is not really a stepmother). However, she too is flawed and makes some mistakes, which have long-lasting effects. 

The core premise relies on assumptions, keeping secrets, and lack of communication. While it works to an extent, the story goes in circles in the first and second parts to keep the reader in suspense. However, there are clues to guess (which I did) that make it hard to enjoy the narration. 

While the descriptions are lovely, there’s too much internal thought. Some of it aids in character development but it mostly reduces the pace and tires the reader. There were many instances when I had to skim a bit when the characters went on and on without a break (Mab specializes in this). 

The third part is stronger since we finally address the issue. Such a relief! The ending is hopeful and positive. It may seem like an easy way out but I don’t mind. 

Not sure why but the last chapter (the one before the epilogue) is in omnipresent third-person POV breaking the fourth wall and has a philosophical touch. I don’t think this is necessary. Much of it could have been included in the epilogue. 

To summarize, The House of Echoes is a slow-moving story about a dysfunctional and broken family caused by a selfish man who couldn’t take responsibility for his actions or for his people. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Bloodhound Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #TheHouseOfEchoes 

 4.5 Stars

It’s Ivan Vert’s birthday and his sister, Estie is super excited. She organizes a party and invites the neighbors. Who doesn’t want a party? Ivan doesn’t. He is more than happy to spend time with his family and snuggle under a blanket to read his book. How will the extroverted sister and her introverted brother handle the day? 

I knew I had to read this one after Rosh reviewed it. I’m an introvert bordering on ambivert depending on my mood. Parties are okay for as long as I want to socialize; then you go home, lol. 

Anyway, this is an adorable little book about siblings with different personalities. Neither of them is wrong or right. They are who they are, which is emphasized by Mr. Vert’s dialogue (twice). Easy acceptance of their kids and supporting them too. 

Mrs. Vert is cool. She knows what her children want and lets them be. Seems she is an ambivert and Estie got her genes from Mr. Vert. There’s Grandma Vert too, though I don’t know why she’s drawn like one of those old ladies from the classics when others had a more modern style. Maybe it reflects her taste (cool, though). 

As the story progresses, we see the sister trying to understand what her brother wants and giving him that even if she cannot fully comprehend it. The kids love each other, which is evident in their interactions. 

The illustrations are so vibrant and messy (in a good way). Some pages are a riot of color but it all makes sense. I love it! My favorite ones are towards the end where Estie makes the makeshift comfy tent at the back of the sofa. A little gesture that speaks so much! And boy, those curls! I want Estie’s curly hair (look at the cover picture). 

The characters are diverse and inclusive. There are varied pets and more kids. Though I wonder how that little child slept through all those sounds. Haven’t been around kids lately but I’m sure some moms would be delighted if their younglings did the same. 

To summarize, The Verts: A Story of Introverts and Extroverts is a delightful read about how kids (and adults) can be comfortable being who they are without having to become someone else. Moreover, they can co-exist and live comfortably in the same space. 

Thank you, Edelweiss+ and HarperCollins Children’s Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

 

 4.5 Stars

Little Lupita loves to dance and is learning ballet. However, she doesn’t feel the same when wearing the pink ballet slippers that don’t match her lovely brown skin. Lupita realizes there aren’t many options. Nevertheless, she is determined to find a way and get her chance under the spotlight. 

This is an #ownvoices book with a Latino main character. Like Lupita, the author is a dancer and had similar experiences. I know only a wee bit about ballet, so I didn’t know the costumes were not inclusive and didn’t suit diverse skin tones. 

The story is the right length for kiddos and shows how Lupita comes up with ideas to match the ballet slippers with her skin tone. This little girl is resourceful, hopeful, and positive. She does her research, makes plans, comes up with an alternative until her goal is reached, and then buys the shoes from a store that sells different-toned ballet slippers. I love how it ends, almost like a ripple effect. 

There is more information about non-White ballet dancers and their experiences. Surprisingly, it took so many decades for companies to come out with ballet slippers in more shades. Shows how the industry has been rigid and so-not-supportive of talented ballet dancers from diverse backgrounds. 

Illustrations are the key to any children’s book. The artwork gets a top score for realistic paintings of the characters. The kids come in different shapes, sizes, and skin tones. The elders are in proper proportions. I especially love the shape of Lupita’s eyes (nice little almonds). The earthy tones are a perfect match for the book’s theme and create a sense of warmth. 

To summarize, Lupita's Brown Ballet Slippers takes on an important topic and gives it a positive and hopeful ending. 

Thank you, Edelweiss+ and Beaming Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

 4.5 Stars (since I read it with book one) 

Sonya MacTavish is actually a Poole and the only one who can break the centuries-old curse and free the lost brides in the manor. 

One night, the elusive mirror appears, and Sonya walks through to watch a bride get killed and her ring stolen. The events seem to happen in a loop. Sonya and her friends have to find the rings soon, but that’s easier said than done. 

The story comes mainly in Sonya’s third-person POV (with a few scenes from others’ POVs). 

I continued with book two immediately after the previous one, so the cliffhanger lasted only a few seconds. My poor heart was saved, lol! 

The story continues seamlessly as we get bits and pieces of new information. There’s progress on multiple levels but it is blended into routine. This makes it seem like the book has a lot of fluff with the same scenes (working, eating, meeting, etc.). It is necessary to create this buffer for the development to feel organic. Think of it as watching the episodes of your favorite serial. You get lured into their lives, watching them live a make-believe life on the screen with subtle developments. It’s the same here. 

Hence, the pacing continues to be on the slower side. Again, I don’t mind. I love Molly, Clover, Jack, and the fur babies who enrich the narrative. Imagine a haunted house with built-in cleaning services, a DJ, a pet-sitter, and a spooky witch. Yeah, we can do without the last one but she’ll be there until they break the curse. 

I absolutely love Clover. I liked her a lot in book one but here she is easily my favorite. Though I’m not into English music, the song titles were enough to see just how wonderful she was. We meet more side characters, and Imogene stands out with ease. I like Winter too (everyone needs a mom like her) but Imogene is a star. I hope we get to meet her in the next book again. 

When I started Inheritance, I didn’t think it would become a new favorite (The Sign of Seven trilogy continues to be at the top). However, this one might reach there. I don’t think the year-long gap between the books would work. In fact, reading one and two back to back kept me inside the haunted manor for six+ days and made me a part of the story. A long break would diffuse that mood and may make this feel slow and repetitive. 

I was prepared for a cliffhanger ending, so this didn’t shock me. Knowing the stakes, I know book three will have a lot of action and intense scenes. We also need to get more information about Hester-Pest. I’m curious to see what lay in her past. 

There is romance but it is pretty much mild. From what I remember, her books have a little more spice. This one doesn’t. Not a complaint since the current stuff works well but I wouldn’t say no if the next book has an extra sprinkle of heat. ;) 

To summarize, The Mirror is a great continuation of book one. It establishes the character arcs, sets a routine, and provides more details about the lost brides. Can I get the ARC for book three when it is available? Pretty please! 

Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley 

 4 Stars

1806 

Astrid Poole, a happy bride in love with Collin Poole, was excited about her future. However, before her marriage was consummated, she was murdered and the ring torn from her finger. Astrid promised never to leave Collin and kept it for centuries. 

Sonya MacTavish is a graphic designer who ended up without a fiancé and her wedding in a few minutes. However, a bigger shock to her is finding out that her late father was adopted and had a twin brother. Sonya has inherited a Victorian mansion on the Maine Coast. 

Reaching the mansion, Sonya is excited and nervous. Despite her self-assurances, she has to soon admit that the mansion is indeed haunted by the Lost Brides. She needs to break the centuries-old curse to free the ghosts as well as herself and the future generations from brutal deaths. 

The story comes in Sonya’s third-person POV with snippets from others’ POVs. 

I’m always excited to read a book by Nora Roberts. It’s been a while since I enjoyed her works, so this seemed like a good opportunity (I’d have been happier if all three books of the trilogy were out but two are better than one). 

The book takes its time to get to the gothic mansion. The beginning establishes Sonya’s character and gives us an idea about her family, career, etc. Though we are made to wait, this initial setup makes it easy to understand how she settles in Poole Manor once she gets there. 

I absolutely love how the author writes friendships. I’ve seen this in most of her books and enjoy it every time. They could be cousins, best friends, childhood buddies, new friends, or anything basically, the interactions are usually positive, cheeky, and fun with many feel-good vibes. No gender bias either. 

Another aspect I noticed is how at least one main character is an artist (professionally). The characters are not only talented but love their craft and are passionate about it. I enjoy the scenes detailing their artwork. 

Naturally, I loved Cleo. She is not just a perfect balance to Sonya but also a very lovable character. The men (Trey and Owen) are just as good and complement the ladies well. 

Descriptions are another favorite. It was her books that made me fall in love with magical Ireland. While this one doesn’t reach that level of awesomeness, I could picturize the mansion and the surroundings. Who wouldn’t want to live there (never mind the haunted part)? 

One thing I didn’t expect was the slower pace throughout. I usually used to breeze through her books (to be fair, most of them were physical copies from the library) but this one took some time. I wasn’t bored but I wondered why the % moved so slowly. 

The romance between the lead couple could have been a little slower. While they don’t jump into the act right away, the slow burn is missing. I wouldn’t have minded a bit more teasing. 

Thank god I had the next book ready. That was one heck of a cliffhanger. Most of her trilogies tend to have moderate cliffhangers. Of course, this one deviated from the template of three couples (which got repetitive), so maybe that’s the reason. 

Oh, there are a lot of characters to remember. That’s bound to happen when you need to cover seven generations. A family tree would be a spoiler, so we can’t ask for it. Just go with the flow. You’ll figure them out soon. 

To summarize, Inheritance is a slow-paced yet entertaining contemporary gothic romance with enough lighthearted moments to make you smile. The dogs are adorable! 

Ishmael Dollah is a sixty-year-old retired CEO living in Singapore with his wife, Nysa. They have a son Shahed and daughter-in-law Marianna, who also enjoy busy lives with successful careers. 

Everything is good, or so Ishmael thinks until he finds out that his daughter-in-law is having an affair. Being the kind to get things done, he applies his years of experience to create a checklist to handle the matter. Soon, he realizes that his new life gives him much satisfaction and enjoyment! 

The story comes in the first-person POV of Ishmael Dollah with a few interludes (also in the first-person) from Nysa, Shahed, Marianna, and another character. 

Sixty-something sleuths and assassins are a thing right now. There are quite a few books in the subgenre though I read only two or three. The premise here felt fresh despite using the same old family drama trope. 

For a debut book, I’d say the writing style is pretty easy to read. It doesn’t try to pack a lot of themes, either— just the ones associated with the plotline. 

The first-person narrative allows readers to know the MC. Whether you like him or not depends on your taste but he sure manages to entertain the readers. I like how the snippets from his past are woven into the narrative. Aligning his current plan with management lessons works well for me. I’m a list girl myself, so anyone who is systematic, planned, and careful in their approach will get my approval. 

There’s some repetition throughout. Some of it cannot be avoided but others could have been replaced with new detail (this could also have added more depth to the characters). 

Nysa won me over as the story progressed. I began to enjoy her interludes the most. The others were there just to provide info (these could have been in limited third-person. We don’t need all POVs to be in the first person). 

The setting (Singapore) is well utilized and an integral part of the plot. There aren’t any excessive descriptions but just enough for us to get an idea of the place. I wouldn’t have minded a rough map, though. 

There are many mentions of food. Yummm! That’s a foodie family, and man, they made me hungry! That said, why is dosai spelled thosai? Is that how they pronounce it in Singapore? Sounds a bit weird but oh well! 

The mystery, as such, is easy to put together. There are enough twists but I guessed them all. It may not offer anything special to mystery lovers. However, the main character carries the plot well on his shoulders. 

There is some humor. Some cheeky stuff that might bring out a few half smiles. Despite the slow beginning, the narration picks up pace quickly. I finished 75% of the book in one sitting. 

To summarize, Sixty Is The New Assassin is a solid debut with a Singaporean 60-something lead character who has an affinity for lists and planning. This could very well become a series, though it works well as a standalone. If there’s a book two, I’ll be sure to read it. 

I received a complimentary copy of the book. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinions. 

 4.5 Stars

Luca was happy because he was alone and knew exactly what he wanted. Everything was great until a frying pan ruined it. 

The story comes in the third-person POV. 

Don’t bother with the blurb. The teeny first chapter sets the stage. Go with the flow and see where it takes you. 

I wouldn’t call this laugh-out-loud funny, but it was more like a handful of chuckles and smirks along the way kind. Humor is subjective, so how well this story works depends on how much you enjoy this style of humor. It is satirical, dry, ironic, and teasing. Relatable but also exaggerated. 

While I do empathize with Lucas a lot, my favorite is Linda. I mean, how can I not like her? She is the only other character named. The rest of the cast goes by identifiers that suit them well. 

The pacing is a bit on the slower side, but the tempo doesn’t slack. The writing is intelligent and witty without being OTT. 

To summarize, The Answer Is No is something a good portion of readers will possibly relate to an extent. The other kind might be a wee bit annoyed, but… calm down, extroverts. Go find someone else to annoy! 

Thank you, NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley 

 4.5 Stars

Greece 

Irini, a musician, lives with her painter husband, Tasso, and their sweet ten-year-old daughter Chara. They live in a beautiful home deep in an ancient forest bordering a seaside village. One day, a raging forest fire devours the village and many of its people. Chara is injured. Tasso’s hands are burnt and he lost his sense of purpose. 

Irini does her best to survive the aftermath and return to a new routine with her family like everyone else in the region. However, one day she stumbles upon the man responsible for the fire; the man whose greed led to utter destruction. Irini makes a split-second decision that stays with her forever. 

The story comes in the first-person POV of Irini and snippets from The Book of Fire in the third-person. 

We need to be in a certain mood for some books. This is one such example. I pushed this down my 2024 list because I wasn’t in the right mindset for it back then. 

As someone who loves forests (shamelessly plugging my book Forests and Faeries), I 1000% enjoyed the descriptions of the region. So mesmerizing, vivid, and surreal! It felt as if I was in the forest, walking barefoot and breathing in the special scent. Bliss! (On that note, some readers may find this excessive) 

Irini’s narration takes some time to get used to. She likes to go around in circles. I’d call this borderline stream of consciousness. Once you get into the flow, it’ll become easier to follow where her thoughts take her. Also, she is not someone who likes to face disturbing things, so her avoidance makes the narration go around in circles. Interestingly, this shapes her daughter’s personality (and I did feel sad for the kid a few times). 

Half the details are provided through chapters titled The Book of Fire. These have a sort of distant tone, which makes sense and works well to balance Irini’s first-person POV in the other chapters. We also get some history lessons without a load of info dump. 

NGL, I expected the book to be slow. But it is not! Wouldn’t call it fast-paced but it is steady and has a good tempo. Or maybe it is because I like to lose myself in the forest. 

There’s a bit of repetition and some discrepancies in details. Also, the dialogues sound a bit off. However, these are minor complaints. 

The ending is hopeful, a necessity since the book has heavy melancholy, pain, and tragedy. While not everything is fixed, there is enough happiness to find peace and accept reality. 

The author’s note is informative and thought-provoking. It is also probably the only lyrical author’s note I read so far. This makes the note feel more like an extension of the book than a separate entity added at the end. 

To summarize, The Book of Fire is a heartbreakingly beautiful, lyrical, and poignant story of people, nature, family, and life. It is a heavy read so pick it up when you are in the mood for something like this. 

And oh, thank you for mentioning how to pronounce Chara (C is silent) right when the character was introduced. I wasn’t sure if it was ‘Ch’ara or ‘K’ara. Neither, apparently! 

Thank you, NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #TheBookOfFire 

 3.3 Stars

One Liner: Enjoyable but has some loose ends

 It has been five years since Eve broke up and walked away from Foster. While she does what she loves as a trauma nurse, her love life is standstill. Seeing Foster in the ER brings up the unresolved past and her emotions to the surface. 

Foster, too, has missed Eve though he kept his distance from her. When a bike stunt goes terribly wrong and lands him in her hospital, Foster hopes to tell Eve what he wanted to tell her for a long time. 

When the situation puts them together, can Eve and Foster resolve the past and find a way forward? 

The story comes in Eve and Foster’s first-person POVs. 

The premise is rather sweet, and I hoped for a heartwarming story. It is a nice book, no doubt there. However, it doesn’t reach its full potential. 

Eve and Foster are well-written. Since we get both POVs, we see their feelings for each other, their fears, their vulnerability, etc. I like that we never have to doubt Foster’s love for Eve. It is steady and unwavering from start to finish. Eve’s feelings are clear too though she is a bit more tentative and wary of commitment (the second time). 

The flashbacks of the past are short yet detailed. Those they are not linear, it is easy to put the pieces together. What started as an insta-love ends up convincing by the end. However, I wish we had more scenes (at least 2 more) from the past. 

Foster injuries make this a slow burn with no spice (not even in the past). I admit it’s a little disappointing but fine. The banter is childish and silly but fun too. I laughed and rolled my eyes at their flirting. It fits the character arcs. 

I also like the medical and nursing part of the plot. The author’s professional experience blends the details into the storyline seamlessly. (This isn’t my field, I don’t know if something is incorrect) 

The premise calls for extra depth to the narrative and some tears. However, the story doesn’t dig deep. Quite a few leads have been provided but have gone nowhere. Sustaining those would have made it better (the memory lapse part, the video, the annoying friend & sis, the lack of official documents which Eve didn’t seem to wonder about until the end, Eve’s other exes, etc.). 

That said, the MCs do have good conversations and don’t try to hide their feelings (or confusion). Even if they messed up in the past, they try to fix things by being open about their current situation. 

I tend to like the best friends more in this genre but I couldn’t really like Kait and Jess. Gen, Phil, and Matt are much better. I was glad when Eve stood her ground and set boundaries. 

Don’t go into the book for the tropes, though. The forced proximity part is okay but the one-bed thing is not even an issue in a way. Read it as a clean second-chance romance (not really smoldering in there). It’s got a steady pace, so you can finish it in a couple of hours. 

To summarize, Still The One is a good read about lovers finding their way back to each other after a painful separation. It could have been a lot better but should work if you want something light yet touching. 

The author’s note throws a light on some of the whys, but I wish the editors worked a little more on the inconsistencies to iron out the wrinkles. 

Thank you, Rachel’s Random Resources and Boldwood Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley