Review: Light Changes Everything

Light Changes Everything by Nancy E. Turner
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I just love Nancy E. Turner's writing. Her books are well written but her strength is writing a narrative with the protagonist's voice. Like her previous books, this is historical fiction that continues the story of a previous protagonist except this is her niece. I don't know how she comes up with the storylines but they are realistic and very well written. I accidentally picked up These Is My Words years ago and was immediately swallowed whole. The writing style and character development immediately enveloped me. The same is true for this book. Like her previous books, the story isn’t told or developed. It is revealed. This could be my ancestor, that’s how believable the story is. My only criticism is that I wish that Nancy Turner wrote books as fast as I read them. However, they are too consuming for me so it’s good he doesn’t.

This book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

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Review: Truths I Never Told You

Truths I Never Told You by Kelly Rimmer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a very well written book that tackles some very difficult issues. One of the issues is far too polarizing, hence, I will not discuss it since it also would be a spoiler.

The issues at the center of the story are post partum depression, aging parents, and relationships. I found the story to perfectly align with addressing the issues at hand. A very adept writer, as Rimmer clearly is, is able to seamlessly allow the characters to develop and interact with one another while allowing a story to develop on two timelines.

I found Beth’s story to be an accurate depiction of the struggles of identifying depression and the difficulties of seeking treatment when it might adversely impact her career. I also related well to the juggling of motherhood and career goals. The other timeline is narrated by Grace, Beth’s mother, and Maryanne, Grace’s aunt. Between them, the complexities of motherhood within periods of recent historical times, expectations, and the love of family is beautifully addressed. The book would be a good choice for a book club.

Thank you to Edelweiss who provided me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

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