The Proposal by Jasmine Guillory - Book Review

This spring, I gushed over The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory. It is such a fresh and fun romance, and I immediately fell in love with the characters. Carlos is one of those characters. We meet him in a "best friend" role in The Wedding Date, and he now has his own story in The Proposal.

In The Proposal, the action of the story begins right in the first scene. Nikole is on the receiving end of a very surprising, very public, and very unwanted marriage proposal. Fortunately, Carlos is nearby to help her save face, and also turns out to be the perfect rebound!

Those who are familiar with The Wedding Date will experience Jasmine Guillory's same bubbly writing in The Proposal. I loved the genuine build up between Carlos and Nikole; however, my favourite thing about Jasmine Guillory's books is the diversity. Her novels feature characters who are black, latino, asian, LGBTQ etc. She writes representation well, and that alone is an excellent reason to try out her novels.

The Proposal wasn't the best romance I've read this year (the conflict/miscommunication used in the always-temporary-breakup-scene was pretty cheesy, even for me), but it was funny, uplifting, silly, and sweet which is really all I need my romances to be. The Proposal is available now wherever books are sold; however, I'd say it's one to pick up at the library if you can :)

xo
Jenn


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

Bibliophile by Jane Mount

Bibliophile by Jane Mount may just very well be the most beautiful book on my bookshelves.

If you're not familiar with Jane Mount, she is the creator of the Ideal Bookshelf. She paints extraordinary bookstacks and book covers that allow us to admire our beloved books in a new ways and challenge us to try out titles that we may not have otherwise noticed. I ordered the Paris Ideal Bookshelf for myself this week. She even makes custom bookshelf prints, so you can have your own personalized ideal bookshelf!

Bibliophile - An Illustrated Miscellany is Jane Mount's latest book, and it is such a gem. This beautifully illustrated book is full of bookish trivia, quizzes, and people, along with the most interesting bookstores and libraries from around the world. Throughout the book you will also find her signature bookshelves with some of the most popular and compelling titles for every genre imaginable. Every single page in Bibliophile is overflowing with colourful literary information and images.

 

I love that this book is judgement-free about what people enjoy reading, and I've been savouring Bibliophile, working my way through it slowly. Bibliophile is a fountain of joyful bookish information, literary facts, and recommendations. Any book lover will be truly enchanted by this wonderful collection.

But be warned - reading this book will cause both your TBR and your bucket list to multiply tenfold. If you're okay with that, I'm giving away a copy on Instagram this week. Enter over here.

xo
Jenn

Disclaimer - I received a complementary copy of Bibliophile courtesy of Raincoast Books. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

Marilla of Green Gables by Sarah McCoy - Book Review

There is a chapter in Anne of Green Gables where Anne Shirley and Marilla Cuthbert are chatting about Gilbert Blythe and his father, John.

"What a nice-looking-fellow he is," said Marilla absently. "I saw him in church last Sunday and he seemed so tall and manly. He looks a lot like his father did at the same age. John Blythe was a nice boy. We used to be real good friends, he and I. People called him my beau."

Anne looked up with swift interest.

"Oh, Marilla -- and what happened?"

Anne of Green Gables, L. M. Montgomery

Marilla of Green Gables is Sarah McCoy's answer to that question. What did happen with Marilla and John? What was Marilla like as a young girl? What was Matthew like as a young man? How was the stage set for Anne to be such a perfect fit into their family?

Prequels are interesting. It's a little strange to read a book when you, essentially, already know the ending. I know Marilla and John Blythe do not have a happily ever after together at the end of this book, yet, I cheered for them anyways.

Despite my wishful and romantic thinking, Sarah McCoy takes us on another journey with Marilla Cuthbert. Yes, we learn the answer to Anne's question above, but we also learn that Marilla had many other gifts to share during a time of significant political unrest and that her strength of charachter helped others in profound ways during her time before Anne.

It was so lovely to be back in the world of Avonlea. Marilla of Green Gables has the carefreeness of the Anne stories we all know and love along with the emotional weight of them. I did not expect that this book would make me cry actual, real tears, but that's exactly what happened. Twice. Sarah McCoy does a wonderful job of capturing the voices of our beloved characters without endeavouring to copy L.M. Montgomery's writing style.

If you love Anne of Green Gables, your heart will be so happy you picked up this book. It is the story you didn't know you were waiting for, but will be so delighted you found.

Marilla of Green Gables is out October 23rd, 2018. Look for it wherever books are sold!

xo
Jenn


Disclaimer - I received a complementary copy of Marilla of Green Gables for review purposes courtesy of Harper Collins Canada and William Morrow. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.