Review: The Woman with the Blue Star by Pam Jenoff

The Woman with the Blue Star by Pam Jenoff
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Published: May 2021

It's World War II in Poland. Jews are being forced from their homes. When the ghettos they are placed into are then raided, Sadie and her family take to the sewer where they hope to remain safe. There are many trials and tribulations along the way, but with the help of Ella, a non-Jewish Pole, Sadie finds a way to survive. These two women from the same country, but in very different circumstances form a friendship that can't be broken.

Thank you to Park Row Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Historical fiction is not usually my favorite genre, but this story really hit a special place in my heart. From the beginning, I was intrigued by this story. I had no idea where it would go and if Sadie and her family would survive. I have heard and read several stories about this time in our history, but this is the first I've heard of people taking to the sewers for shelter. This is a story about pain and unimaginable loss. There were even a few twists in the story that I didn't see coming.

If you enjoy WWII stories, I think this is one you should add to your TBR.

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Review: I Am Watching You by Teresa Driscoll

I Am Watching You by Teresa Driscoll
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Published: October 2017



Anna and Sarah have decided to take a trip to London after school has let out. They are two young girls on their own and Ella a woman alone on the train has a slight worry for the girls. This worry intensifies when a couple of guys who just got out of jail board the train and start to entertain the girls. A few days later, Ella learns about Anna's disappearance, and she feels guilty about not calling someone when she saw the girls on the train. One year after the disappearance, there seems to be some new evidence in the case. Will Ella use this opportunity to speak up? Will Anna be found?

I read this as a part of a buddy read. I loved this book. I had no idea what was going to happen or who was the person that was watching. Ella would get these random letters and postcards in the mail with someone telling her that they know what she knows. Ella is afraid to share this with her family because she doesn't want to feel the blame for the girls disappearance. But who is behind the cards and how do they know?

This book had me on the edge of my seat from start to the end. Twists and secrets behind every corner. You never knew what to expect. This was the first book I've read by Teresa Driscoll, but Ilook forward to reading more of her books.



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Review-Bright Lines by Tanwi Nandini Islam

Bright Lines: A Novel by Tanwi Nandini Islam
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Ella is the adopted daughter of Anwar and Hashi Saleem.  The Saleem's took her in when her parents were murdered.  They also have a daughter of their own named Chauru.  They all live together in Brooklyn, New York, where Anwar is the owner of an apothecary(Pharmacy) and Hashi has a salon in their home.  This is the only family that Ella has ever known.  Although she has never really felt as a part of them, she was never treated as an outcast and never referred to as niece or cousin.  The summer after her first year at college, Ella returns home to find things in a bit of disarray.  There is a strange girl in her bed, her cousin/sister, Chauru, is sneaking boys into her room, her uncle is distant and her aunt, is constantly busy with customers during the wedding season.  When a devastating event takes place, the family travels back to their home country of Bangladesh and they all learn important lessons about themselves and family.

This book took me through a lot of different emotions.  First the story started off slowly and I wasn't sure if I was going to like it.  There were parts that had me confused and parts that had me shocked.  Once I made it to the halfway point, it was hard to put it down.

This is a debut novel by Tanwi Nandini Islam.  I love books that take me to a place I have never been.  This book gave me a look into a world that I may not have ever discovered.  Spanning the globe to help the Saleem's to learn to love one another and others.  To learn about their history so they aren't doomed to repeat it in their future.  Learning about family and loss and how to pull together when you have to.  How to survive when you think it's impossible.  This is a novel about discovery and family and learning to find yourself through your history.

**I received a copy of this book from the publisher, PENGUIN, through their First To Read program in exchange for my honest review.**


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