Thank you Ariella for inviting me on this blog tour, I really enjoyed your book and look forward to reading more.
Review
This book sounded really delightful but at the same time slightly thought provoking in a way with the connection to war and the Holocaust. That pretty much sums it up to a tea. It reminded me of one of my favourite books by Jodi Picoult ‘The Storyteller’, with the flashbacks to the Holocaust and Miriam’s time in the ghetto via her old journal entries, and this one was just as interesting to read about. I could infact read an entire book about Miriam as it is a terrible haunting and heart breaking subject, but at the same time incredibly interesting. That isn’t to say that the present day story is dull, it’s just as wonderful. The main line story is well written and along with the community feeling I love to read about, it had a more loving sisterly feelings as most the characters are female and I loved the friendly camaraderie they had going. All the characters dynamics together were wonderful and fluid, Shown especially in how they welcomed Cate into their fold.
The setting of Amberley is beautiful, and set near a town that is close to my heart, Amherst, which gets a mention once or twice (which only goes to prove my theory that Amherst is the centre of universe – Long story).
Cate at first is a bit of a closed book, but she soon opens up as the residents of Amberley take her under their wings. She’s caring soft and conscientious but when she put her mind to it and really wants to be she can be strong, focused and determined.
At times the book is also narrated by other characters for brief periods, and this is when the book particularly shines, getting to know the characters and community of Amberley. Having such a wonderful cast of characters really helps Cate a lot as I’ve previously said and none helps more than Sheila, especially at the beginning when she gives both her friendship, an ear that listens and a roof over her head. Sheila one of those larger-than-life characters, bubbly with a great sense of humour and always happy to help. She has her own struggles going on, but still found time for all of her friends new and old.
Beatrice was perhaps the character that made me laugh the most. She was one of the people Kate has care for, known to be a bit crabby and may be hard to handle if you don’t have the right touch, thankfully Cate did. Once you got to know Beatrice, she was simply just eccentric, I really like her style and respected her.
I will mention of all the characters of course, I think those two the most noteworthy, but do look out for Mary Lou and Gaby, they were another couple of characters that were just simply lovely to get tonight especially Gaby, I really felt for her.
Overall this book was touching, beautiful and had a lot of heart.
Published by:Kensington
Gratefully received from the author for review.
Released 28th June 2016
View Book on Goodreads
Order on: Amazon UK | Amazon US | Book Depository | Waterstones
Ariella is a graduate of Columbia University, the Hebrew University and the University of Michigan Law School. Although she makes her home in New England, her dream self resides in County Mayo, Ireland. SWEET BREATH OF MEMORY is her debut novel and she’s hard at work on the sequel.
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Please check out the other bloggers on the blog tour poster below.
Click on the picture for a bigger version.