Category: Reviews

Posted in Reviews

Book Review – Drowned

Posted on by Mama

Title: Drowned


Author: Therese Bohman


Genre: Fiction, Thriller


Number of Pages: 217


My Rating: 💋💋💋


Book Summary:

Marina has left behind her stalled relationship and floundering academic career in Stockholm and travels to rural Skåne to visit her sister, Stella. They haven’t seen each other in some time and Stella now lives with a much older, quite famous author, Gabriel. The couple resides in a beautiful old house full of books, gorgeous flowers and, as Marina soon learns, plenty of secrets. Despite herself, Marina becomes more and more enthralled by the enigmatic and unpredictable Gabriel even as she becomes convinced that something isn’t right about her sister’s new love.

Set in the idyllic countryside during a fleeting Swedish summer and autumn, nothing is as it seems in this spellbinding novel of psychological suspense. Combining hothouse sensuality with ice-cold fear on every page, Drowned heralds the emergence of a major new talent on the international scene.


My Thoughts:

I was sucked into the novel almost instantly, reading the first 50 or so pages with ease. The story was intriguing from the start; the sisterly dynamic, the mysterious famous boyfriend, the loss of interest Marina was battling with her academics and all wrapped up in the beautiful country side in Sweden. How could you not be enthralled?

As the book progressed, though I was still reading with ease, but it started to dwindle my interest slightly. The best way I could describe it is, if you’ve ever watched a tea kettle begin to boil and then you pull it off the burner before it begins to whistle. It’s mildly disappointing when you get to the peak and it just….stops.

I won’t spoil anything but the relationship dynamics were interesting, somewhat realistic to a degree, especially that of Stella and Marina and of Stella and Gabriel. You never really know what’s occurring in a romantic relationship behind closed doors. But the story took a turn for the boring and frankly, almost abusive in the second act. The mystery of Stella wasn’t fully solved and it only hinted, strongly, that Gabriel had a hand in it. But you kind of have to make your own conclusions and assumptions about that and his past.

Marina, Stella’s younger sister, who the book’s perspective is set, seems lost in her life. She craves romance, confidence and to be something or someone better. She admired her sister and looked up to her quite a lot. However, it begs the question if she herself wanted to step into her sister’s life and not live her own. Gabriel gladly obliges by giving her the attention she desires.

The descriptions of the scenery, florals and everything in between was spectacular, however the ending was, let’s just say, boring and lack-lustre at best. To me it felt like it was missing something, more substance, but it just ends abruptly.

It was translated from Swedish, so it was kind of funny when I would see grammatical errors, or at least I thought so, but that was rare. If you want a quick read, it’s something to get through in about a day or two, I’m a slow reader though. It’s good for what it was, but I’ll be passing this one along.

FYI, I shelved Magic Lessons by Alice Hoffman for the time being. I was struggling with the writing style, but enjoy the story. I just needed a break.

Up next is The Manor House by Gilly Macmillan!

Hope you enjoyed the review!

Ciao!!

Posted in Reviews

Book Review – The Perfect Neighbors

Posted on by Mama

Title: The Perfect Neighbors


Author: Sarah Pekkanen


Genre:


Number of Pages: 339


My Rating: 💋💋💋💋


Book Summary:

How well do you ever really know the family next door?

Bucolic Newport Cove, where spontaneous block parties occur on balmy nights and all the streets are named for flowers, is proud of being named one of the top-twenty safest neighborhoods in the United States.

It’s also one of the most secret-filled.

Kellie, Susan, and Gigi are long-time residents and close friends. But behind closed doors, each woman is hiding something. Kellie has just returned to work after a decade at home, and she finds herself relishing the attention of her very handsome, very married male colleague. Susan is a single mom and a small-business owner, but late at night, she’s stalking her ex-husband and his new girlfriend. Gigi is poised to become the perfect politician’s wife – except she has skeletons in her closet, which are in danger of being brought into the light now that her husband is running for Congress.

Then a new family moves to the neighborhood. Tessa seems friendly enough to the other mothers, if a bit reserved. But when no one is ever invited to Tessa’s house, it becomes clear that she is hiding the biggest secret of all.


My Thoughts:

I picked this one up at a local library in town, which was raising funds to be able to help the library stock the shelves with new books and this gem happened to be in the pile.

I found this to be a bit of a slow burn, but once the novel started getting more into the characters and shining a light on their lives and secrets, well I had a hard time putting it down.

Kellie was a woman entering back into the workplace after a decade of being at home; intelligent, motivated and driven to do well in her job. She ultimately wanted to be noticed, however that attention ended up coming from the wrong source in the way of her colleague Miller. Kellie and her husband were high-school sweethearts and being with someone for that long, you sometimes feel unnoticed, frumpy and underappreciated. She ultimately lost her way when she started getting attention from an outside source, only to realize what she nearly lost at home. Her story was sad, frustrating, but also relieving because it shows how much the love she has in her marriage truly was all that she really needed and love does conquer all!

Susan’s story was sad and a bit bitter sweet. She was the character you rooted for and really hoped would find her way out of the darkness. She was a full-time mom and business owner and man was she constantly on the go! Reading about her navigating her life after divorce was heartbreaking, and stalking your ex-husband is never a good idea in my opinion. But people grieve in different ways, right? Watching her grow throughout the novel, though slowly, was wonderful to see and it made it even sweeter to see how her story ended.

Gigi was my absolute favourite in the book to be honest, just from her care-free, supportive, hippy persona, now sadly trapped behind the facade of a politician’s wife. Behind closed doors you saw the real woman; whose trying to keep up the picture perfect family for the public, struggling to connect with her rebelling teenage daughter, dealing with her husband’s annoying campaign manager, being a good friend and hiding who she really is deep down.

Tessa was an interesting character, you begin to understand her reserved and protective nature near the end of the book. Anyone with children will most likely relate to the fear a parent has and when your alarm bells begin to go off. You will do anything to protect your children, no matter the cost.

I will say I liked it quite a bit, however I feel like the wrap up near the end was a little too neat for my liking. Life doesn’t always end up in a happy ending, it’s a sad reality, but in this novel it was. Overall I really enjoyed the novel as a whole, minus the perfect ending to each story. Each woman has their secrets and the trials and tribulations that go along with it. Relatable to a degree, but worth the read if you like Chick Lit!

Up next is Magic Lessons by Alice Hoffman!

Hope you enjoyed the review!

Ciao!!

Posted in Reviews

Review – Anime – Delicious in Dungeon

Posted on by Mama

Now I’ll leave the episode by episode review to the real anime watchers but this is my review. And to be honest, I thought it was a cute little gem to be found on Netflix. You can watch it dubbed, but I personally like watching anime in Japanese and reading subtitles. But there are options! Now, I’m pretty positive this was a Manga first…..yup, just checked! The Manga was released in 2014.

Title: Delicious in Dungeon

My Rating: 👍

Released: 2024

Genre: Anime

Number of Seasons: 1

Actors: Kentarô Kumagai, Sayaka Senbongi, Asuna Tomari, Hiroshi Naka, Saori Hayami

Setting: The Island, situated off the coast of Kahka Brudlt – dungeon located near Merini Village

Where to watch: Netflix

Plot:

After a failed dungeon raid that resulted in his younger sister being eaten by a dragon, Laios and the remaining members of his party, Marcille and Chilchuck, set out to rescue her from being digested by the dragon. Having lost most of their supplies in the raid, the group are unable to afford rations, so they make the unusual decision to source all their food from inside the dungeon… including eating monsters! Fortunately, a odd dwarf named Senshi is willing to help them by showing them how to cook the various monsters in the dungeon.

My Opinion:

I genuinely loved this show, it ‘s fun and quirky and made me giggle quite a bit. I personally love anime that showcase food/cooking and this mixed with the fantasy aspect of dungeon diving almost feels like a D&D vibe.

The relationship development between characters is interesting and well thought out, along with each characters back stories and own growth as the show progresses. The main characters are all lovable in their own ways, my personal favourite is Senshi, but each has a special place in my heart. However, the secondary cast of characters were a surprise and their personalities a wonderful addition to the plot.

But if you think this show is lighthearted and happy throughout the whole thing, you are sadly mistaken. I love that it has a darker overarching story line which also develops as the season progresses, a nice surprise and I personally feel that it deepens the show even further.

I will however mention that it starts off a touch slow, but seriously stick with it! The show progresses nicely and well worth the watch for the characters and comedy alone.

It’s clever, fun and a show I looked forward to watching every week! Well, when it was still releasing episodes. There has been confirmation of a Season 2 coming in the future so looking forward to it. Give it a watch and I promise you won’t be disappointed!

Big Thumbs up!

Posted in Reviews

Bonus – Docuseries – The Program: Cons, Cults, and Kidnapping

Posted on by Mama

Title: The Program: Cons, Cults, and Kidnapping

My Rating: 👍

Released: 2024

Genre: Documentary, True Crime

Number of Seasons: Docuseries – 3 Episodes

Director: Katherine Kubler

Cast: Katherine Kubler, Alexa Brand, Dominick Bolella, Allison Chee, Diana Nowak, Janja Lalich, Maia Szalavitz, Thomas Houlahan

Setting: 2024, video evidence from early 2000’s

Where to watch: Netflix

Plot: Years after being sent to a disciplinary school, a woman who is haunted by her experiences decides to expose the corruption and abuse of the troubled teen industry.

My Opinion:

I love true crime anything and this was on my watch list as soon as it came on Netflix. It’s always hard to watch documentaries regarding the abuse of children/teens and this was no exception.

It tells the stories of Katherine Kubler and her fellow “classmates” as they are kidnapped and taken to this institution for troubled teens. However, like most of these types of places it was rampant with physical, mental, and sexual abuse. Absolutely disgusting for these adults to have even participated and work for a place in which this was happening. They didn’t even question their job roles and the disciplinary actions being used on these children. Makes me question their moral compass, don’t you think? What’s even worse is that the parents were brainwashed enough to believe in this program.

This isn’t the worst video evidence I’ve watched in a documentary related to child abuse, but it certainly hits you like a ton of bricks, especially when the victims recount their experiences themselves. It’s heartbreaking to watch and listen to.

But this sheds light on a larger problem and the fact that these institutions and “programs” geared to help troubled youth are not regulated and aren’t really thoroughly looked into. It’s scary to think there is an entire umbrella company that is still in full operation. It’s the long con to reap as much money from these poor unsuspecting parents, ultimately using cult techniques to turn the parents first then the children.

It’s incredible the amount of people they re-encounter through this process of discovery, attempt at healing and so forth. Even some of their abusers in which they attempt to speak with was revolting to listen to/watch. Some had remorse, while others did not.

There was a light at the end of all this darkness, it seems that they are attempting to pass bills in the U.S. to have these institutions regulated and so forth. Sadly, the bills keep being met with resistance and road blocks. What will it take? Teens have died due to abuse in these programs/institutions.

Ultimately, I feel like this documentary only scratched the very dark surface of the topic at hand and the organization of these institutions. You can sense the trauma that these individuals are STILL going through. The joking and laughing is clearly their coping mechanism for what they all endured, which those watching this can only imagine unless you lived it yourself.

This was hauntingly good and definitely recommend watching it, especially if you enjoy true crime. But be warned, it may be difficult to watch, I know I had to watch the episodes in intervals.

My only dilemma with this documentary is the title, they kept referencing work the program so I feel that would have been a fitting. Though I can understand why this title was chosen.

Otherwise…

Thumbs up!

Posted in Reviews

Bonus – Movie Review – Don’t Worry Darling

Posted on by Mama

Title: Don’t Worry Darling

My Rating: 👎🏻

Released: 2022

Genre: Drama, Mystery, Thriller

Director: Olivia Wilde

Actors: Florence Pugh, Harry Styles, Chris Pine, Olivia Wilde

Setting: 1950’s

Where to Watch: Netflix, Amazon Prime

Plot: While her husband leaves home everyday to work in a top secret facility, a young 1950s housewife begins to question her life when she notices strange behaviour from the other wives in the neighbourhood.

My Opinion:

The cast was amazing to say the least and it’s the first time I’ve seen Harry Styles act, which I have to say he is a fantastic actor. Chris Pine and Olivia Wilde are always favourites of mine and I’d never seen Florence Pugh before, but have another one of her movies lined up on my watch list. Needless to say, she makes a wonderful leading lady and a gem of an actress. Each actor played their characters perfectly, I really couldn’t see anyone else in those roles. The set and wardrobe were stunning and brought you right back to the the 1950’s, fully immersing you the the entire experience.

However, as much as I loved all those aspects, the story line seemed like it was missing something. It was engaging and intriguing for the first half of the movie, but the character development starts to lag behind, leaving the mystery of the movie to be the star of the show.

The final twist was interesting, but ultimately dissatisfying. It felt rushed and unfinished at the conclusion, and some of the character’s actions make no sense at all in the end.

The movie had so much imagination, intrigue and a cast to die for, but never quite finds it’s way in the end to be that diamond in the rough. That out of the blue surprise that keeps you captivated and spread the word to friends and family of it’s brilliance.

I enjoyed it for what it was, but I wouldn’t ever watch it again and it’s not a movie I would recommend anyone to watch.

So unfortunately it’s a Thumbs down for me.

Posted in Reviews

Bonus – Television Series Review – Griselda

Posted on by Mama

Title: Griselda

My Rating: 👍

Released: 2024

Genre: Biography, Crime, Drama

Number of Seasons: Tv Mini Series – 6 Episodes

Creators: Carlo Bernard, Ingrid Escajeda, Dour Miro

Actors: Sofia Vergara, Alberto Guerra, Martin Rodriguez, Juliana Aiden Martinez

Setting: Miami, Florida during the 70’s and 80’s

Where to watch: Netflix

Plot: Griselda chronicles the real life of savvy and ambitious Colombian business woman, Griselda Blanco, who created one of the most profitable cartels in history. A devoted mother, Blanco’s lethal blend of charm and unsuspecting savagery helped her expertly navigate between family and business leading her to become widely known as the “Black Widow”.

My Opinion:

An interesting story and to be honest, one I had never heard about. Everyone knows about famous Columbian Drug Lord Pablo Escobar, but who knew about this woman? I enjoy a good Crime/Drama as much as the next person, heck the movie Blow with Johnny Depp is one of my favourites. But this one took me by surprise and it was the talk of the “town” aka everywhere this past two months.

Sofia Vergara plays Griselda Blanco, a woman who flees Medellín, Columbia and ends up in beautiful Miami, Florida. Where she begins her difficult climb to the top in a male driven drug trade, only to learn that being naive doesn’t get you to where you want to be. She became ruthless and savvy in her tact, even monstrous at times. She slowly acquires her team of confidants, body guards and henchmen. Her once body guard, Dario played by Alberto Guerra, who later became her husband, was a bright spot in her darkened path. Attempting to be a voice of reason for her, only to be over shadowed by Rivi, played by Martin Rodriquez.

June, played by Juliana Aiden Martinez, is a woman attempting to make her mark in her career as a police officer. Her struggles pay off when her hunch is correct and she joins a tactical force designed to capture drug lords in Miami, Griselda included. Eventually she makes her mark in her career.

The whole series was intriguing and they really tried to humanize Griselda through it all, justifying her actions. However, actions have consequences, which lead to terrible consequences in the end.

Sofia Vergara was incredible all around. The physical transformation she had to go through with the prosthetics on her face must have taking hours, but looked flawless. I couldn’t have chosen a better person for the role to be completely honest. But than again, I may be biased as I adore Sofia Vergara in general. As for the other actors/actresses, I had never seen most of them before and I can say they were fabulous as well. I would definitely like to see them in more television series or even films in the future.

With that all said, I have to admit that the last episode felt rushed, like they were just trying to tidy everything up in a neat little bow to finish off the series. I didn’t enjoy that at all. No spoilers, but I wish they had got into more detail and time lines for certain things. Even extending it to another one or two episodes. It felt almost unfinished. That was definitely a huge negative in my book.

All in all, it’s an enjoyable watch, but with anything take it with a grain of salt. I’m sure her reign as a female drug lord was far darker then they made it out to be in the show. But I’d say go in with an open mind and just appreciate the brilliant acting, the setting and the story for what it is. If you are intrigued enough to look into Griselda’s life further then this, it’s your prerogative. But for me, I don’t care to know more then this.

Thumbs up all the way!

Posted in Reviews

Bonus – Movie Review – Watcher

Posted on by Mama

Title: Watcher

My Rating: 👎🏻

Released: 2022

Genre: Drama, Horror, Thriller

Director: Chloe Okuno

Actors: Maika Monroe, Karl Glusman, Burn Gorman

Setting: Current Day – Bucharest, Romania

Where to watch: Netflix

Plot: A young American actress moves with her husband to Bucharest, and begins to suspect that a stranger who watches her from an apartment window may be a serial killer.

My Opinion:

Don’t get this movie confused with the television series “The Watcher” by creators Ian Brennan and Ryan Murphy.

While it was nice to see a film based in Romania, the movie was far too obvious and they made it look gloomy and depressing. Plus the fact that when they are speaking in Romanian, there are no English Subtitles, which made absolutely no sense and thank God for my husband who could translate for me.

The main actress, Maika Monroe, plays Julia who is a lonely housewife in a foreign country with a paranoia that she is being stalked by a serial killer. Maika Monroe did a fabulous job in the role, playing the part perfectly and it makes you wonder if she is actually being stalked or not. Though I had never seen her in anything prior, I would definitely watch more of her work. Julia’s husband Francis, played by Karl Glusman, is your typical workaholic who leaves his wife home alone all the time to fend for herself and not believing her “paranoid” ramblings.

The scenario is typical and rather obvious and to be frank, disappointing. Though the actor who played the “Watcher” did a great job at giving you that creepy, shivers down your spine feeling with his demeanor and appearance. However the writers lacked creativity in the plot.

My husband didn’t mind the movie, stating it was a one time watch. I wouldn’t have wasted my time watching it if I knew it would be that lackluster. I give it positives for the actors chosen for their respective roles and that it was directed by a woman, but this is not worth the watch in my opinion. It had so much potential and really just flopped.

I really wanted to love this one too for the shear fact it was a serial killer thriller. Those are some of my favourite movies.

Thumbs down….sorry!