I Was Anastasia by Ariel Lawhon - Book Review

I Was Anastasia is the latest release by Ariel Lawhon. This historical fiction novel reads like twin memoirs. One from the perspective Anastasia Romanov in 1917 and 1918 and another from the perspective of Anna Anderson, the woman who claimed to be the missing Russian duchess.

I knew nothing about the Romanovs before beginning this novel (Including in even which century this all happened! I had heard of the Romanvos but assumed this scandal/mystery was centuries old.) I also didn't know whether Anna really was Anastasia or not, which I think made this saga especially interesting for me to read. I won't tell you either, so you need to read the book to find out!

I love stories told with dual timelines and perspectives, and what makes this structure unique in I Was Anastasia is that while Anastasia's timeline moves forward in a traditional narrative, Anna's moved backwards Momento-style, and they two timelines meet at the end of the book in 1918. I will admit, the Momento/backwards timeline takes a bit of getting used to, but it's worth it, so keep going!

Ariel Lawhon writes beautifully and turns mountains of research into a gripping and fascinating historical tale. Even when I wasn't reading this book, I was thinking about it and carrying this puzzle with me. Was she really Anastasia? How was her survival possible?

Importantly, the Author's Note at the end is 100% part of the reading experience for this book, so be sure not to skip it.

I Was Anastasia reminded me of The Cottingley Secret by Hazel Gaynor. If you enjoyed the real-life mystery behind that story, you will probably really enjoy this one as well.

I Was Anastasia is available wherever books are sold. You can connect with Ariel Lawhon on her website, Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.

xo
Jenn

Disclaimer - I received a complementary copy of this novel from Penguin Random House Canada for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions are true and entirely my own.

Sebastian: 6 Years Old and 20 Questions

Every year, Rob and I do a little interview with Sebastian on his birthday. Here's the 6-year-old edition!

1. What is your favorite color? pink (for the fourth year in a row!)
2. What is your favorite toy? Scooby Doo toys
3. What is your favorite fruit? watermelon
4. What is your favorite tv show? Scooby Doo
5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? tacos
6. What is your favorite outfit? footies (for the second year in a row)
7. What is your favorite game? Scooby Masks (half Scooby Doo half PJ Masks)
8. What is your favorite snack? gummies 
9. What is your favorite animal? cat
10. What is your favorite song? Scooby Doo songs
11. What is your favorite book? Scooby Doo books 
12. Who is your best friend? Mommy and Daddy (for the second year in a row)
13. What is your favorite cereal? red berries (Kellogg's Strawberry)
14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? play
15. What is your favorite drink? milk
16. What is your favorite holiday?  Christmas (for the second year in a row)
17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? stuffies 
18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? cereal
19. What do you want for dinner? tacos
20. What do you want to be when you grow up? helping Daddy (for the second year in a row)

And here are his answers from his 5th birthday, 4th birthday, and 3rd birthday.

xo
Jenn 

The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory - Book Review

I'm so excited to share with you my latest romantic read. I recently finished The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory, and it is such a delightful story!

In The Wedding Date, Alexa and Drew meet while they are briefly stuck together in a hotel elevator. Alexa agrees to be Drew's last minute date to his ex-girlfriend's wedding. They pretend to be a couple in front of Drew's friends and seemingly have a blast all weekend long. However, is it real? Or is it just part of the act they are putting on? As they continue to see each other casually via a long-distance relationship, Alexa and Drew begin to wonder, is this really casual? Or is it something more? And could they even make it work if they wanted to?

Alexa and Drew make an adorable couple. Their playful banter and secret feelings will have you rooting for these two to finally snap out of it, be honest with each other, and live happily ever after!

Plus, there is an Anne of Green Gables reference that is totally on point, which cemented, for me, how much fun this book is to read.

The other element that makes The Wedding Date a unique read is that Alexa is black and Drew is white, so they have to work though the dynamics that brings to their relationship, for Drew especially. I don't often gravitate towards diverse books, and I am clearly missing out because there is so much here that is relatable and relevant.

The Wedding Date is Jasmine Guillory's first novel and is available now, but I am already counting down the days until her next release in the fall, The Proposal!

You can connect with Jasmine Guillory on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and her website.

xo
Jenn

Disclaimer - I received a complementary copy of this novel courtesy of Penguin Random House Canada for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions and love of Anne of Green Gables references are entirely my own.