Book Review: The Song From Somewhere Else by A.F. Harrold, Levi Pinfold (Illustrator)

Bloomsbury Children’s Books
Published Nov. 10, 2016
216 Pages

Frank doesn’t know how to feel when Nick Underbridge rescues her from bullies one afternoon. No one likes Nick. He’s big, he’s weird and he smells – or so everyone in Frank’s class thinks.

And yet, there’s something nice about Nick’s house. There’s strange music playing there, and it feels light and good and makes Frank feel happy for the first time in forever.

But there’s more to Nick, and to his house, than meets the eye, and soon Frank realises she isn’t the only one keeping secrets. Or the only one who needs help …-Goodreads

This will be a short review and mainly because I am not sure how I feel about this book. To begin this book was not what you think it is. Although I would consider this a coming of age story it isn’t a typical coming of age story. Frank is a difficult character to love. I say that because there was no real personality to her. She was a very shy girl that was being bullied and cared  a lot about her reputation. But beyond that there was not a lot to her. I couldn’t say she was strong, noisy a bit but she was truthful as much as she could has been. She was very unsure of herself but there was some growth, especially towards the end, which is why I consider this a coming of age story.

However, what shifted in this book was the magical element. It came out of nowhere…nothing lead up to it. I liked that aspect of the book. But I didn’t feel that the magic was the best route for this book. I am not the author, obviously, therefore, I had no right to say that but something was off, maybe misplaced about Nick and his secrets. Maybe it was Frank and the lack of life she brought to the book. I am not exactly sure.

But the entire book felt monotone and it was slow; even when thing were happening. I love this author but this was not the strongest book.

Overall,

2 Pickles

Historical Romance: One Pink Rose (Claybornes’ Brides (Rose Hill) #2) by Julie Garwood

Pocket Books
Published June, 1, 1997
150 Pages

Travis Clayborne is the youngest of the Clayborne brothers and he knows exactly what he wants and what he doesn’t want in life. So when he is escorting, Emily Finnegan to Golden Crest, Montana, to become a bride… a mail order bride, he isn’t exactly sure what he signed up for.

Emily is determined to be in control of her life; even if that means marrying a man she has never met. But falling in love with a rugged stranger makes her question, is she really in control?

*Short Review*

Julie Garwood is one of my favorite authors. Her romances are lovely for a lack of better term and this book is no different.

It is a short romance; so things move rather quickly. However, it wasn’t distasteful nor did it feel rushed. I would say it takes place about three/four days and the chemistry is instant. What is great about this book, is it doesn’t feel like lust. Their attraction their love feel genuine and I chalk that up to good writing.

There was no predictability within this novel. Yes, the elephant in the room is there but that is known from the summary. Other details in this novel was placed very well without hint to what will happen next. There was color in the surrounding and there wasn’t extra characters that were unnecessary.

However, my biggest issue with this book is it was too short. I would have loved a bigger plot and some more tension between Travis and Emily. I have no problem was snippets of romances but I would have loved so much more of this.

This is book two but you don’t feel like you are missing something by not reading the first one.

3 Pickles