Same As It Ever Was by Claire Lombardo

Julia Ames is an unhappy person. She's having a little series of breakdowns until she confides her miserable days to Helen Russo, a stranger. Julia finds it easier to get along with Helen after their fateful meeting. Helen helps her become a better mom, wife, and person. She enjoys Helen's company. Their friendship breaks through silence and without explanation. The ending of friendships can be as strange and devastating as romantic endings but sometimes it is necessary.

What I see is the most unlikeable character in history. Julia is a narcissistic sociopath and has no social finesse. She doesn't get along with her mother, betrays her husband, and defaults to negativity. I tried not to hate her but ended up feeling bad as things got out of hand.

This story explores the lives of female protagonists, focusing on their many-layered relationships with spouses, parents, children, and friends. I think motherhood, infidelity, dysfunctional families, and balancing these aspects are too much for Julia. It is an engaging story full of heartfelt drama and reconciliation over time.

Thanks to @times.reads and @putrifariza for the review copy. All views are my own 💙 

*Available at all major bookstores in Singapore and Malaysia and their online stores 

BUKU TERPAKAI

PERHATIAN!

Kepada yang berminat hendak membeli buku-buku terpakai di ig saya, bolehlah jemput tengok dan tekan whatsapp seperti yang tertera. Ada pelbagai genre buku berbahasa Melayu dan English. Harga berpatutan dan penghantaran melalui Pos Laju, pasti terjamin.

TERIMA KASIH

SAYEMBARA CERPEN

PERHATIAN!

BERITA BAIK untuk mereka yang ada bakat terpendam atau idea yang menarik, bolehlah mencuba nasib untuk sama-sama memeriahkan lagi Sayembara Cerpen yang dianjurkan bersama oleh Karangkraf dan Cereka App. HADIAH MENARIK menanti!

Death at The Sign of The Rook by Kate Atkinson

This is the sixth Jackson Brodie mystery and can be read as a standalone. Jackson Brodie is a private investigator who was formerly a policeman. Brodie was approached by a client whose mother, Dorothy Padgett, passed away and discovered that her beloved Renaissance artwork was gone from her residence. The client suspected Melanie Hope, the caregiver, of taking the priceless painting and enlisted Brodie's help to recover it.

Not long before the occurrence, a piece of art went missing from Burton Makepeace House, along with Sophie, a servant for Lady Milton, disappearing without a trace. The modus operandi is remarkably similar. Jackson Brodie was curious if Melanie and Sophie were the same person. Honestly, it is hard not to like this classic country house murder. It's easily predicted the whodunnit and whydunnit, but still, we had to wait to figure it out. The plot progressed well until it became a little off when Burton Makepeace House opened its doors to the public for art lovers and hosted a Murder Mystery Weekend. For some reason, this animated and melancholy that lies in Jackson is enjoyable to read, with beautiful writing and solid characters.

Thanks to @times.reads and @putrifariza for this uncorrected proof copy. All views are my own 💙 

*Available at all major bookstores in Singapore and Malaysia and their online stores 

Me

Relatable? 😅😅