Welcome to Litsy!

Snow Day are the best words to a teacher. Curling up to finish my first winter read while my kiddos still sleep. Not looking forward to shoveling 🥶 #XmasChaCha #wintergsmes2024

4.5⭐
⬗ I had sworn off Megan Miranda after a string of disappointing books. So, I guess the FOMO was bad because I decided to give this one a try, and hey, I actually liked it. I think it‘s even her best yet. It has loads of tension, family secrets, and an ending that took me by surprise.
⬗ The narration by Inés del Castillo was performed quite well.

#weekendreads @rachelsbrittain

(Off topic😂)

With the aftermath of Hurricane Helene my birth state is having a very tough time right now. I found the below link informative.

https://youtu.be/CbrCyWzF464?si=WixJFQ50WCn-RPfh

How is everybody in #NorthCarolina faring? I hear the hurricane has gotten pretty nasty. #litsywellnesscheck #litsy

The historical setting (1930s turpentine camp) was vividly rendered and was swept into the story. But the “good” characters were too good and the “evil” characters were outlandishly so. I was also troubled by how heterosexual white characters were used to illustrate experiences that were predominantly those of black men (horrid labor conditions at the camp) and queer women (violent homophobia/misogyny).

Everly moves back to her home town of Charm, NC, buys one of the town's historical oceanfront homes, and opens an iced tea shop in it. Mr. Paine is on a campaign to keep people from opening businesses in the historical homes. When his death is ruled foul play and it's determined he's been poisoned, it's suggested that Everly and her sweet tea are the culprits.
#SeasonalCozies @julieclair

Pick, but a soft pick. I‘ve read all(?) of Miranda‘s adult reader books and sometimes they‘re brilliant and sometimes they feel half baked. This is the latter. The framing of “[x] days without rain” was pointless which is a shame because she can do atmosphere so well. (Ex: The Last to Vanish.) I did really like the evolution of the Hazel/Jamie friendship, I think that saved this book for me.

Years ago I saw this in an antique store and was interested, but they wanted over $100 for it. I found it for a quarter of that and pounced on it! I love old houses, and these are close enough to drive by and take a look.