Book Review: The Wedding Cake

By Sara Steven

One steamy summer in Spain. One accidentally double-booked eight-tier wedding cake that needs to put in a same day appearance at a rustic countryside finca AND a beachside villa. Two brides. Two grooms. Hundreds of hungry guests.

FREYA ASHCROFT, owner and culinary whizz at Marbella’s five star bakery (and general queen of dating disasters), is going to need a miracle to save this date. If only that was her sole dilemma. She's also fallen head over heels in love with super hot fitness instructor, TIM NUTKINS... and his rippling abs.

Which would be fine, if he wasn't one of her aforementioned male clients. (Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads)

This is my favorite read from Isabella May! 

Freya was such a great character. She gets by on her determination and grit, which has led to her becoming a much sought-after baker where wedding cakes are concerned. But while she does all she can to be as professional as possible with all of her clients, there is something different about Tim, the hot fitness instructor who ends up showing up for a cake tasting sans fiancée. It was neat to see the contrasting emotions Freya has when working with him, trying to maintain her professionalism despite the muck up that is their initial meeting. 

And poor Tim. He’s really stuck his foot in it where relationships are concerned, and it’s obvious his fiancée is a huge pain in the neck. I despised her, yet I wanted to keep reading all I could about her, because she’s the type of character that you just can’t tear your attention away from. You want to see what will happen next. 

The Wedding Cake is told in three different perspectives; Freya’s, Tim’s, and there is a third individual who is a past character I’ve read about in other Isabella May books, but she’s not mentioned in the synopsis, so I’ll keep mum on who it is. I really appreciated all three viewpoints, because eventually they all cross paths with one another, ending with a really fun showdown between characters–and all for good reason. Particularly with Tim’s situation. While reading the outcome, I nodded my head and silently gave praise for a job well done, not only for Tim but for his fiancée, too. It was extremely fitting. 

The dialogue was really elevated, a really engrossing experience. My favorite interactions were the ones between Tim and Freya, and Tim and his fiancée. It was just so much fun and I always wanted to know what was next for all of the characters. It was a wild five-star experience!

Thanks to Rachel's Random Resources for the book in exchange for an honest review. 

Purchase Links:
Amazon UK * Amazon US

Isabella May lives in (mostly) sunny Andalusia, Spain with her husband, daughter and son, creatively inspired by the mountains and the sea. She grew up in Somerset on Glastonbury's ley lines and loves to feature her quirky English hometown in her stories.

After a degree in Modern Languages and European Studies at UWE, Bristol (and a year working abroad in Bordeaux and Stuttgart), Isabella bagged an extremely jammy and fascinating job in children's publishing... selling foreign rights for novelty, board, pop-up and non-fiction books all over the world; in every language from Icelandic to Korean, Bahasa Indonesian to Papiamento!

All of which has fueled her curiosity and love of international food and travel - both feature extensively in her romcoms.

Isabella is also a Level 4 Pranic Healer and a stillbirth mum.

Visit Isabella online:
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Checking in with Dee Ernst...plus a book giveaway

Today we welcome Dee Ernst back to CLC to talk about her latest rom com, Lucy Checks In. If the stunning and picturesque cover hasn't already grabbed you, then the synopsis definitely will. Her previous novel is Maggie Finds Her Muse, but Dee is here to tell us how she found HER muse. She also has TWO copies of Lucy Checks In to give away!

Dee Ernst was born and raised in New Jersey, which may explain her attitude toward life. She moved around a bit, had a husband or two, a daughter or two, and settled back in New Jersey where she writes women's fiction, romance, and cozy mysteries. And a bit of YA and SFF.

She has self-published under the 235 Alexander Street imprint. She has been published by Montlake, Lake Union, and in 2021, released Maggie Finds Her Muse with St. Martin's Griffin. 

Visit Dee online:

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram

Synopsis:
Lucia Giannetti needs a fresh start. Once the hotel manager of a glamorous NYC hotel and intimately involved with the hotel’s owner, Lucy had her entire future planned out. But when the owner disappears, taking millions of dollars with him, Lucy's life as she knows it falls apart.

Two years later, forty-nine years old and unemployed, Lucy takes a job in Rennes, France to manage the Hotel Paradis. She pictures fur quilts and extravagant chandeliers, but what she finds is wildly different. Lucy is now in charge of turning the run-down, but charming hotel into a bustling tourist attraction. 

Between painting rooms, building a website, and getting to know Bing, the irritatingly attractive artist, Lucy finds an unexpected home. But can she succeed in bringing the Hotel Paradis to its former glory?

Witty and heartfelt, Lucy Checks In is an inspiring and feel-good novel about reclaiming your life, finding love, and creating a home in places you never thought possible. (Courtesy of Amazon.)

"This funny, heartwarming story has all the charm of a small-town romance, with a delightful French twist." 

~Publishers Weekly

How I went to France and wrote my heart out

Five years ago, my oldest daughter decided to move to France. Rennes, in Brittany, to be precise. She wanted to study at the University there and decided, on a previous visit, that Rennes was ‘her place.’ She worked, sold everything she owned, got the money she needed and, with literally all her possessions in a backpack and two suitcases, flew to Paris, then took a train to Rennes to start her new life.

As her mother, of course I had to go with her. After all, she needed somebody to claim that extra suitcase of belongings, right? And help her move into her new place?? And to see Paris???

We had an amazing time playing tourists; we stayed in fabulous apartments through VRBO, ate incredible food and saw all the sights. I was smitten. I thought that maybe France could be my place too.  I returned to New Jersey desperate to write about what I had seen, heard, ate and drank. 

I was fascinated with the country and its people. For one thing, everything there is so old. Yes, I know that we’re a younger country, and we don’t have buildings dating back to the 1300’s.  But it’s not just the age of the buildings. Those buildings are not torn down and replaced with something new. Tommy Hilfiger shops are in 16th century storefronts. Cobblestone streets remain smooth and well-used. Timber framed houses lean and no one thinks to tear them down. 

Are there cultural differences? You bet. You bag your own groceries, for example, in your own bags. No tipping. When you enter a shop, you’re expected to say hello. People in cafes talk to each other, not their phones. I wanted to write about all of it.  In a casual conversation with my accountant – probably over wine (yes, she’s a friend) – she told me that if I wrote a book that took place in Paris, I could deduct the cost of the whole trip as research. 

SCORE!

So, I wrote Maggie Finds Her Muse, about a romance writer who’s on deadline, is totally blocked, and goes to Paris for inspiration. And why not? After all, I’d been inspired. The book sold to St. Martin’s Press and came out in 2021 and readers loved the descriptions of the city, the people, and the food.  Everything I had found so interesting about France went into Maggie Finds Her Muse and helped bring the story and country to life.

When I went back two years later — another research trip — I took notes. And pictures. My daughter, still living in Rennes, had just gotten married to a French musician, so we saw life through the eyes of a native, not a tourist, and what a difference! Then I went home to write my newest book, Lucy Checks In.

Lucy Checks In takes place mostly in Rennes, because it is such a beautiful city. Walking down its streets, you can easily imagine what life was like hundreds of years ago. I wanted my character, Lucy, to find a new life for herself in an unexpected place. I wanted a fish-out-of-water story, and I really wanted her to be in charge of a hotel that people would want to visit in real life. The Hotel Paradis is not real, but if it was, it could easily be in Rennes.

I can’t wait to go back to France. This time, I want to go to Avignon. And Lyon. And…well, anywhere would suit me just fine. And will I write another book? You bet. After all, why waste all that research!

Thanks to Dee for visiting with us and for sharing her book with our readers.

How to win: Use Rafflecopter to enter the giveaway. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. If you have trouble using Rafflecopter on our blog, enter the giveaway here. 

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Giveaway ends August 23rd at midnight EST.

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Sara and Melissa Talk About...Pets

We've been running a column series (for over two years now!) to get more personal with our readers. This month, we're talking about pets. Pets are featured prominently in chick lit novels. Cannie Shapiro's dog from Good in Bed by Jennifer Weiner definitely stands out in that category. And most recently, there's the pampered pooch in The Dachshund Wears Prada by Stefanie London. We've read many, many, many books that feature pets (dogs, cats, birds, turtles, etc.) in some way or another!

We're always open to topic suggestions, so please don't hesitate to share those in the comments. We'd also love to know if you can relate to anything we've said or hear your own thoughts on the topic. So don't be shy. :) We look forward to getting to know you as much as we're letting you get to know us. You can find our previous columns here, in case you missed them.

Melissa Amster:

It's been a very rough and hectic week due to a death in the family (on my husband's side), so I am sharing and modifying part of an old post I wrote at my personal blog.

I want to briefly share my family's pet “history” from when I was growing up.

When I was a baby, my parents had a West Highland Terrier named Fluffy. She was very sweet and easygoing. She died when I was seven, on Christmas (not that I even celebrate it). My parents then tried to fill the void with other dogs, but their stays with us were short-lived for various reasons. 

After that, we got our first cat, T.J. (the name she came with at the shelter). I didn’t know what to make of her at first, but she was really sweet. She managed to gain a lot of weight and our visitor from England called her “massive.” Another friend called her a “Mama Pillow Kitty.” The following year after we got T.J., we saw a kitten that looked similar to her at the same shelter. We decided to adopt her too and named her Cassie (because of “A Chorus Line.”) She was very cute and sweet, but a nervous wreck. This was brought to light when we got a beagle named Buddy (the summer I turned twelve). Buddy was rather quirky, but we managed to keep him around for a long time. Despite the fact that he drove my mom up the wall, he was my faithful friend. I took him on walks all the time and loved playing with him. He did things to embarrass me in front of my friends, but that’s okay. It made for interesting conversations later. :) 

T.J. hanging out by the front door

Cassie by her favorite hiding spot

Anyway, Cassie would hide under my bed and Buddy knew she didn’t like him. He’d come in my room and howl at the bed. I think he needed a new distraction. In the spring of my freshman year of high school, we got Velvet, a black kitten. She was nice and extremely vocal at times. We had these four pets until I graduated high school. Then we got another cat (just because we were browsing at a shelter and he liked my dad) and named him Kitty (so original…not my idea). My grandpa thought we had too many pets at the time so we pretended that he was really Cassie. We couldn’t trick him though. Kitty was a match for Buddy. This little cat could intimidate him from eating his own food or keep him away from my parents’ room, just by blocking the entrance and hissing at him. In 1997, T.J. died from feline diabetes. The following fall, Cassie met T.J.’s same fate. Velvet died from a brain tumor in 2002 and Kitty died from diabetes at some point later on. (I think it was well after we had moved out east.)

My all-time favorite picture of Buddy

Kitty and Velvet getting some fresh air

In the meantime, I moved into a condo in 2000 and got two cats a week later. I had some allergy problems with Dixie (a tabby), which I ignored until my husband also developed allergic reactions to her. We found her a new home with some friends though. Winnie stuck around the summer of 2009, due to our older son’s allergies (which weren’t tested until spring of that year). We also found her a new home and I found out earlier this year that she passed away about six years ago. I'm glad to know that she had a loving home between ours and the time she passed away. We currently do not have any pets and I do miss having them in my life. Especially after seeing my parents and sister with their dogs.

Winnie (sometime around 2005?)

While it would be fun to get a dog again someday (I’d love another beagle), I don’t know if they’ll bother people (including our children) with allergies. We’ll enjoy everyone else's dogs in the meantime...

Sara Steven:

We always seem to have a zoo at my house. I’m not sure why or how. We’ll start out with the customary dog and cat. Then we’ll add red-clawed crabs and a snake. Mice. Guinea pigs. Random insects my children have found outside that they attempt to keep as pets. And always fish. 

I’m sure a big reason for our large animal roster is due to my own love for animals. I was raised to love and appreciate all pets; furry, scaly, slimy, or otherwise. That viewpoint has extended out to my children and my ever patient husband who continually tells me, “no more pets,” but we seem to end up with them anyway. I think he secretly enjoys them just as much as the rest of us do!

Here is our family pet roster:

Chance: This little boy, or big boy nowadays–he’s twenty pounds–was found abandoned on a farm out in Nebraska. A good friend of mine had asked that I keep an eye on him for her while she was out running errands, and when she showed up carrying a small shoe box with a tiny kitten inside of it, I was a goner. I knew he would be my cat. The eight years since have been a bit of a rollercoaster with Chance. He was diagnosed with FIV in his younger years, which means he has a compromised immune system and we have to be a bit more careful with him. Despite that, he’s been healthy and ornery, nicknamed “el gato diablo” by those who know him best. Thankfully he’s mellowed out a lot in his older years. 

Mojo: We found Mojo at a PetSmart adoption event. A local animal shelter had set up shop indoors, with cages housing dogs of various sizes and shapes, and Mojo was the only one who didn’t appear to be antsy or like he wanted to put on a show for anyone. Sure, we could have adopted the adorable little chihuahua who pranced and danced about on its tiny little paws, but I felt drawn to Mojo and his super calm and chill attitude. We weren’t entirely sure yet, though, so when we left PetSmart I said, “If he’s still around next weekend, we’re going to adopt him.” And sure enough, he was. He was four when we brought him home, and despite some comments from well-meaning friends who warned me that a shelter dog could spell trouble for our family and more importantly, the safety of our children, Mojo proved the naysayers wrong. He’s sweet and kind and has been the perfect addition. 

Peter: Peter Skinkledge is my oldest son’s blue-tongued skink. He was another pet store find, a rarity, all things considered. It’s not often you see blue-tongued skinks at pet stores. Despite his scaly reptilian appearance, he’s a very sweet creature who literally cuddles on my son! I enjoy talking to him and holding him, particularly when he burrows inside of the hood of my sweatshirt. 

Last but not least, are Lemon and Mist: My younger son developed a strong interest in birds, and wanted to adopt two. He even went so far as to create a slideshow presentation so we could see just how serious he was about the birds! They’ve been a lot of fun to have around and a great way for my eleven year-old to learn to take care of something other than himself. The birds enjoy chirping (a lot) and flying around when we open up the doors of the bird cage. Lemon is a lot more laid back, while Mist thinks she’s the one in charge. 

Do you have any pets? If so, tell us about them. If not, do you want a pet?

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Book Review: Stay Awake

By Jami Denison

Amnesia is a well-worn plot in fiction, driving stories in soap operas, romance, mysteries, and thrillers. The best writers are able to make the cliché feel fresh and different. Stay Awake, thriller author Megan Goldin’s third novel, may be her best yet. She combines the 2000 film Memento with domestic thriller tropes in a book that is “unputdownable.” 

When Liv Reese wakes up on a park bench in New York City, her purse and phone are missing and her hands are covered with her own handwriting. “Stay awake! Wake up!” With strangers in her apartment and her boyfriend’s phone number disconnected, eventually Liv discovers she has lost the last two years of her life. At the same time, detective Darcy Halliday is the first officer on the scene of a homicide—an unknown man in a high-rise apartment has been found dead. The only clue: Someone has written, on the window in the victim’s blood, the message: “Wake up!”

What happened to Liv in the past two years? Is she a victim or a killer? Will Halliday find out the truth before it’s too late?

Stay Awake pulls readers in from the first sentence and doesn’t let go. Told mostly from Liv’s first-person account, moving from present to past and back again, the reader becomes fully immersed in Liv’s fear and frustration. As she learns about the killing and that a woman matching her description was seen leaving the building, she races to find out what really happened and if a killer is after her. 

When the events from two years ago unfold, though, Liv comes across as naïve and trusting. Since Goldin establishes Liv as the victim of a troubled childhood with a neglectful mother and a series of narcissist stepfathers, I found her trusting attitude a little hard to believe. Halliday is less well-rounded, and her point-of-view seems to be presented mainly so readers can get a look at the mystery outside of Liv’s purview. 

While the scenes from the past don’t have the same breathless pace and stakes of the present-day sections, Goldin does a good job of using them to set up the possible villains. The final reveal makes sense, although I wished Goldin had spent more time laying the groundwork for the conclusion. 

Almost impossible to put down, Stay Awake is a terrific book to add to your end-of-summer beach reading list. Goldin’s few, small missteps don’t take away from the wild roller coaster ride she presents. 

Thanks to St. Martin's Press for the book in exchange for an honest review.

More by Megan Goldin:

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Roselle Lim captures hearts with her new novel...plus a book giveaway

© Shelley Smith

We're pleased to have Roselle Lim back at CLC today to celebrate the publication of her latest novel, Sophie Go's Lonely Hearts Club. Melissa recently read and loved this book, so check out her review. Thanks to BookSparks, we have TWO copies for some lucky readers!

Roselle Lim is the critically acclaimed author of Natalie Tan’s Book of Luck and Fortune, and Vanessa Yu’s Magical Paris Tea Shop. She lives on the north shore of Lake Erie and always has an artistic project on the go. (Bio adapted from Roselle's website.)

Visit Roselle online:
Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram

Synopsis:
Newly minted professional matchmaker Sophie Go has returned to Toronto, her hometown, after spending three years in Shanghai. Her job is made quite difficult, however, when she is revealed as a fraud—she never actually graduated from matchmaking school. In a competitive market like Toronto, no one wants to take a chance on an inexperienced and unaccredited matchmaker, and soon Sophie becomes an outcast.

In dire search of clients, Sophie stumbles upon a secret club within her condo complex: the Old Ducks, seven septuagenarian Chinese bachelors who never found love. Somehow, she convinces them to hire her, but her matchmaking skills are put to the test as she learns the depths of loneliness, heartbreak, and love by attempting to make the hardest matches of her life. (Courtesy of Amazon.)

"With a vivid setting, a lovable heroine, and a supporting cast of unforgettable characters, Roselle Lim’s new novel about magical matchmaking sparkles. I was enchanted by this delightful tale about family, friendship, and the redemptive power of love." 

—Emily Giffin, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Meant to Be

"Lim’s third novel is a heartfelt exploration of the facets of love and found families. You’ll fall in love with the charming Old Ducks."

—Helen Hoang, New York Times bestselling author of The Heart Principle

What were the biggest rewards and challenges with writing Sophie Go's Lonely Hearts Club?
I wrote this book during the pandemic. I've lost my father-in-law to cancer during that time and yes, there is a palpable thread of melancholy and grief running through this novel. I wanted to make sure I added enough whimsy and humor to offset and balance the underlying tone.

The last few years of the pandemic was so difficult for me personally and I wrote a book reflecting this. It's truer to my overall vision that life isn't perfect and you have to make the best of what you get--with a lot of humour and grace.

How is Sophie similar to or different from you?
Sophie is an optimist and I'm naturally a pessimist. This is the biggest and most fundamental difference between us. She's still able to see all the wonderful possibilities despite the darkness looming overhead. I'd be the one first to shout the sky is falling then hide in a cave I'd have prepared long beforehand. I catastrophize by habit and I swear that I'm trying to break this. Writing about Sophie taught me that joy can be found in unexpected places.

If Sophie Go were made into a movie, which songs would be on the soundtrack?
It has to be all the Beatles songs that I've woven into the entire novel. If I have to narrow it down to five songs: "Here Comes the Sun," "The Long and Winding Road," "Octopus' Garden," "Across the Universe," and "All You Need is Love." These songs accompany or mention important scenes in the book.

Since Sophie is a big fan of sweets, what is your favorite candy?
I'm going to cheat and name my favourite snack instead. Since Sophie also loves her snacks, I think it's a fair swerve. My absolute, would hoard and never share item, is Japanese shrimp rice crackers (ebi senbei). The ones that I adore are infused with cheese. It's about the crunch and the umami. If you haven't tried it yet, you should.

If we were to visit you right now, what are some places you would take us to see?
If you're visiting me in Toronto, I'd take you to Casa Loma, a storybook castle with hidden passages. Then we'd head to  Streetsville, a picturesque small town with so much charm in the middle of the city, and the last stop would be outdoor skating rink at Nathan Phillips Square. These places are important to Sophie and Mr. Particular. When you read the book, you'll be able to see how each of these wonderful places contribute to the story.

Which TV series are you currently binge watching?
The Bear!!! I can't gush enough about it. My favorite character is Marcus and I adore him. The series itself was compelling and of course, with all the food/restaurant shots, it was spectacular, albeit stressful in some places. I'm so thrilled that there will be a season two.

Thanks to Roselle for chatting with us, Berkley for coordinating the interview, and BookSparks for sharing her book with our readers!

How to win: Use Rafflecopter to enter the giveaway. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. If you have trouble using Rafflecopter on our blog, enter the giveaway here. 

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Giveaway ends August 21st at midnight EST.

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Book Review: Someone Else's Honeymoon

By Sara Steven

When Charley finds herself suddenly single on Christmas Day it feels like her world has fallen apart.

Forced to move back in with her parents, she embarks on a journey of re-invention. When she meets Ed, who is on honeymoon alone after being jilted at the altar by a bride he's never met, it looks like her life may be taking a turn for the better.

Fate, however, has other ideas, and she and Ed are forced apart.

Will she find her way back to him, or are they just not meant to be? (Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads)

I love the very first paragraph that starts off Someone Else’s Honeymoon: “A toothbrush. That’s what finally unraveled just over ten years of Josh and me. A fu***** toothbrush–can you believe it?” Right there, I knew I would be in for an interesting ride where relationships are concerned, and Charley’s experience doesn’t disappoint. There is a lot more involved than just the toothbrush and why she finds herself alone on Christmas Day. And all of it is the catalyst for the fateful trip she takes with her parents, discovering Ed. 

Charley is a likable character. Immediately you root for her, given the circumstances. It was also fun to witness the slow transformation of someone who has been stuck in a rut within a dead end relationship, and how she comes out of that. I think a lot of people can relate to that; finding the strength to go on without the person you’ve been with for so long. The struggle was shown well within the writing. 

It was fun to witness the budding relationship between Charley and Ed. It was an accidental romance in a sense, considering how they meet and what lends into the two of them even having a chance at something more. The scenario surrounding why Ed is on his own “vacation” was an interesting twist to things, too, one I didn’t see coming for Charley. 

The start of the story began with a bang in a sense, with the whole toothbrush debacle, and then it slowed down for me until about the middle. I kept waiting to see how Charley, or anyone else, would be on someone else's honeymoon, and when we discover that, the story begins to roll along again at a nice pace. Overall, I really enjoyed Charley’s experiences and misadventures with her love life, along with the road she takes while rediscovering herself. It was a sweet summer read. 

Thanks to Rachel's Random Resources for the book in exchange for an honest review.

Purchase Links:
Amazon US * Amazon UK

Phoebe MacLeod is the author of several popular laugh-out-loud romantic comedies. She mainly sets her books in her home county of Kent and her first new title for Boldwood will be published in November 2022. They will also be republishing her existing titles from August this year.

Visit Phoebe online:
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Book Review: The Making of Her

By Jami Denison

With the country under turmoil after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, historical novels about women facing crisis pregnancies have more meaning and resonance than ever before. While The Making of Her, Irish-Australian author Bernadette Jiwa’s debut novel, has some issues, it’s a mesmerizing look at how a woman’s lack of choice reverberates over her entire life. 

In 1960s Dublin, Joan is the eldest daughter of an alcoholic dock worker, a man so weak that he gave up his younger children when his wife died in childbirth. Working in a factory and keeping house, Joan’s life has little sunshine until she spots a cute bike messenger. After they meet and flirt, Joan is stunned to learn that Martin is the scion of one of the most successful business owners in the city. Martin’s overbearing mother disapproves of the relationship, but the young couple continues to meet in secret until the inevitable happens…

In 1996, Joan and Martin have been unhappily married for 30 years. They still live with his mother, and their adult daughter, Carmel, helps out in the business. When the daughter they gave up for adoption finally contacts Joan, Martin doesn’t want her to respond due to fear for their reputation. But Joan has missed this girl every day since she gave her up. What will she do?

While the prose was often unsophisticated, this story drew me right in. It has a lot of classic soap opera beats, and I’ve always loved a good soap opera. The scenes in 1960s Dublin were especially compelling; Call The Midwife from the hardscrabble woman’s point-of-view. Jiwa demonstrates how sexism, classism, and religion combine to keep a poor young woman firmly in her station. Even when she manages to escape her old neighborhood, she’s still judged for it.

The novel is written in third person, from the points-of-view of Joan and her two daughters. While each of these women comes across as three-dimensional, Martin and his mother are opaque. Martin’s love for his younger daughter makes his decision to ignore his older one a mystery that the writer never really solves. And his mother never has a single human moment in the entire book. Still, it’s good soap opera and Jiwa delivers the emotional experience the reader wants.

The past, as the saying goes, is prologue, and as the nation reacts to women losing their bodily autonomy, books like The Making of Her are an important reminder of what’s at stake. Without options, an unplanned pregnancy can derail a woman’s entire life, or even end it. And that’s exactly what many forced-birth supporters want. 

Thanks to Dutton for the book in exchange for an honest review.   

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