parenting

The Grimoire Grammar School Parent Teacher Association

/ Book Girl / Leave a comment

The Grimoire Grammar School Parent Teacher Association by Caitlin Rozakis

Hard to put down, this contemporary fantasy novel is full of drama, humor, suspense, and guilt. Vivian has felt guilty since she couldn’t prevent her daughter Aria becoming a werewolf. Vivian and Daniel have relocated to a mostly magical town in New England, where Aria is starting kindergarten at a private school. Daniel is still commuting to New York City by train while accountant Vivian is helping Aria adjust to her new surroundings and trying to fit in as a non-magical parent. Of course, Vivian ends up on the PTA board, trying to sort out the accounts from last year’s gala.

While Aria was granted a scholarship for kindergarten, Vivian is dismayed to learn that Aria must participate in three events to determine if she will qualify for first grade: a talent show, a sports day, and a research project. It is rather ridiculous to have a kindergartner be expected to do anything except learn to stay in her human form more often and not to be too hard on her clothes. Vivian is told that a consultant can help, if needed. Then there’s Daniel, who is ready to move the family somewhere more welcoming, if they can find the right place. Oh, and there’s an ominous prophecy that might involve Aria or Vivian. Aria is adorable, the community is quite interesting, and the reader hopes that Vivian will learn which parents can be trusted and welcoming.

An excellent, immersive read. I’m not sure if it would be quite as enjoyable for a PTA parent in a new town, but they might find it hilarious. I haven’t even described the over-the-top kids’ birthday parties, or the magical gala. And why have I never seen a book set at a magical school from the point of view of an ordinary parent, or even a magical parent?

Brenda

Birding With Benefits

/ Book Girl / Leave a comment

Birding With Benefits by Sarah T. Dubb

This is such a fun debut romance, and I really appreciate that the couple on the cover are both around 40. Celeste is a middle school language arts teacher. Her daughter Morgan is an amazing artist and a high school senior, though she keeps putting off her college entrance paperwork. Celeste’s ex-husband, Peter, didn’t appreciate her exuberant personality. Her best friend Maria is a brand-new mom. Always trying new hobbies, Celeste meets Chris at a sip and paint event, decorating little teapots.

Chris, who studies snails, connects Celeste with his best friend John, who needs a partner and a fake date for a birding event. The event turns out to be a six-week birding competition in the Tucson area for experienced birders. John would like to start guiding new birders and winning the competition would really help him jumpstart his business. Currently he’s a part-time woodworker. Improbably (but predictably), they agree to partner for the event, and Celeste gradually learns to be a birder. After sparks fly, they decide to be birders with benefits and make out in a closet during a party.

Later on, there are some steamy sex scenes for Celeste and John, but their arrangement is planned to end with the competition. When one of the pair wants a regular relationship, the other one gets cold feet. Celeste also has some parenting issues to cope with, and John worries that he’s not ambitious enough for Celeste.

Sweet, sexy, and funny, with realistic conflicts and characters. The author lives in Tucson, writes under a pen name, and is a birder and librarian. She’s happily under contract for two more books. A readalike author is Emily Henry.

Brenda

Big Time

/ Book Girl / Leave a comment

Big Time by Ben Winters

This is a thrilling, scary, mind-bending page turner, set in the present. Grace Berney review applications for medical devices. Her mother, Kathy, increasingly needs more help at home. Grace’s teen, River, who uses they/them pronouns, is a typically challenging teen. Grace gets caught up in an adventure after a young woman, Allie, is kidnapped. Allie escapes after a car crash and runs away. She is injured and ends up in an emergency room. The hospital asks Grace’s department for information on a medical port on Allie’s chest. Grace sees the photos of Allie on her manager’s desk and reaches out to the hospital with the information. Allie has gone, running again.

Allie can remember her baby daughter Rachel, but also has memories of a completely differently life as Ana. Allie/Ana seeks help from her old friend, who is shocked to see her. River helps their mother find more information on Allie and the maker of her medical device. Grace tracks down a scientist who has found the durational element in blood. Time can be extracted and used for someone else, but how? Allie’s kidnapper is still intent on retrieving her, at all costs, and the future is uncertain, even after a big showdown. I don’t read many thrillers, but have read the author’s The Last Policeman trilogy, and knew that his creativity and plotting are excellent. Readalike authors include Black Crouch and Mike Chen.

Brenda