Black Rabbit Hall, Eve Chase
I usually read historical fiction. I love historical fiction. It is comfortable; my safe zone. But ever since I read The Girl on the Train in March, I have been branching out to thrillers. I have read two so far this month and enjoyed them both.
When I saw this cover and read the blurb, I knew it was time to read another historical fiction.
I am only on the second chapter, but I like it already. It features two storylines woven together, which I really enjoy. I can't wait till I can get back to it.
As an aside, my digital copy seems to have no dialogue punctuation. So, it took me a few pages to get comfortable with it.
Rosanna Menici is just eleven years old when she meets Roberto Rossini, the man who will change her life forever. In the years to come, their destinies are bound together by their extraordinary talents as opera singers and by their enduring but obsessive love for each other - a love that will ultimately affect the lives of all those closest to them. For, as Rosanna slowly discovers, their union is haunted by powerful secrets from the past.
Before I started this book I had tried about 5 or 6 books that I just couldn't get into. I didn't like the writing, or the main character, or the story-line. A few of these novels were outside of my usual reads. When this happens I know I can rely on Lucinda Riley to get me out of a rut, and she did not let me down! I didn't plan on reviewing this one, so this will be a quick review.
What I liked:
The characters were wonderful. I liked Rosanna right away. She was sweet and lived in the shadow of her beautiful sister. Even when she started training her voice, she remained humble and likable. Her brother Luca was so protective of her and supported her, it was impossible not to love him. Roberto was written so well. He wasn't a jerk, even though he acted like one some of the time. He wanted to be a better person than he actually was. He had a good heart but some of the things he did drove me crazy.
The secrets. There were so many secrets in this story. Little things that turned into big things that turned into life changing secrets. As a reader I knew them all and kept reading to see how the secrets would come to light.
The writing. As soon as I started this I knew it was going to be great. The way Ms. Riley writes just comforts me. I felt like I was sitting on the couch with her and she was telling me a story. I was never bored. With it being about opera, I though I might be, but the story turned out to be so much more than that.
It should be no surprise that I loved this book. I'm giving it 5 out of 5 leaves.
The Italian Wife, Kate Furnivall
I am about 60 percent done with this novel and I am really loving it. It is one of those books that every reader looks for. I have completely fallen into the story and have to drag myself out for real life. I can't wait to see how it turns out, although I don't want it to end yet...... reader problems.
