Book Review · Books

Coram House by Bailey Seybolt [BOOK REVIEW]

Coram House by Bailey Seybolt [BOOK REVIEW]

About The Book:

Pages: 314

Genre: Romance, Fiction

Publisher: Raven Books

Format I read it in: Hardcover

Rating: ★★★★

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On a blistering summer day in 1968, nine-year-old Tommy vanishes without a trace from Coram House, an orphanage on the shores of Lake Champlain. Some say a nun drowned him, others say he ran away. Or maybe he never existed. Fifty years later, his disappearance is still unsolved.

Struggling true crime writer Alex Kelley needs a fresh start. When she’s asked to ghostwrite a book about the orphanage – and the abuses that occurred there – she packs up her belongings and moves to wintry Burlington, Vermont.

As Alex tries to untangle the conflicting stories surrounding Tommy’s disappearance, her investigation takes a chilling turn when she discovers a woman’s body in the lake. Alex is convinced the death is connected to Coram House’s dark past, even if local police officer Russell Parker thinks she’s just desperate for a career-saving story. As the body count rises, Alex must prove that the key to finding the killer lies in Tommy’s murder, or risk becoming the next victim.

My Thoughts:

“Coram House” was a very atmospheric and enjoyable read. We are instantly introduced to the creepiness of this orphanage and get a feel of what it used to be to live there with the sisters and priests. When a true crime writer, Alex Kelley is offered a submission as a ghost writer, to cover the story about the history of the house, she accepts. 

“And that’s the thing you have to understand. The years we spent there. You can leave Coram House but you can’t leave it behind. Not all of it. The worst of it you carry with you. It becomes part of you. And sometimes I worry you pass it on.”

Alex is not in the best head space, though. Her husband recently passed away. And her last book came with a lot of negative press, because she managed to cause a lot of damage to people whilst trying to investigate and find the truth. 

So the work to write about Coram House seems to arrive at the perfect time and give her a chance to start fresh and get lost in paperwork again. But the more she digs, the more secrets she starts to uncover, and it’s obvious someone doesn’t want her there. Then, people start getting murdered and she always ends up somehow near the events. 

“How few truly perfect moments we’re given in this life. And those are the ones that rip the heart from your chest later. The ones to lock away the tightest.”

The pages were flooding with suspense. And I wanted to find out the answers as much as Alex did. Did the little boy, Tommy, drown? And if he did, who killed him?

The only reason this book didn’t make the 5-star mark is the ending. It’s always the ending… I predicted the ending somewhere around the middle of the book, and felt slightly deflated on the big reveal. It feels like that particular trope has been used very often recently. Or maybe I’ve been unlucky in picking similar books, but it felt like something I’ve seen before. Aside from the ending, I enjoyed the book throughout. It kept me engaged and wanting more after each chapter.

About the Author:

Bailey Seybolt grew up in New York City and studied literature at Brown University and creative writing at Concordia University.

She has worked as a travel writer in Hanoi, a tech writer in San Francisco, and many writerly jobs in between. (Fun fact: She also writes novels)

But whether she’s writing fiction or SaaS case studies, she believes good storytelling is the key to success.

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Book Review · Books

Ever After by Amanda Prowse [BOOK REVIEW]

Ever After by Amanda Prowse [BOOK REVIEW]

About The Book:

Ever After by Amanda Prowse [BOOK REVIEW]

Pages: 412

Genre: Romance, Fiction

Format I read it in: Paperback

Rating: ★★★★

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My Thoughts:

“Ever After” is an emotional rollercoaster of a book, but in the most beautiful way. It had so much emotion poured into it, and I couldn’t help getting invested in Enya’s story. 

Enya is a widow that is still grieving her husband. I mean, do you ever really stop grieving a loved one, especially your soulmate? Her son, Aiden is in a relationship with Enya’s best friend and next-door-neighbour’s daughter, and everything seems to be going well. Except that, one day, Aiden returns from a work conference and has news that will change everyone’s lives forever.

Enya finds herself in a very difficult situation that she neither chose, nor does she have control over. What doesn’t help is that she also keeps a secret that she can’t tell anyone, and this burdens her for multiple reasons. The support network she used to have is now gone, leaving her very lonely, and she reverts to her default setting – making sure everyone around her is okay and happy, even to the detriment of her happiness.

I found it painful, but refreshing, that the characters didn’t shy away from difficult topics and voiced how they were feeling, even though sometimes this took much longer than it should have for them to open up. 

The writing was beautiful and raw, every chapter leaving you satisfied and craving for more at the same time. Amanda Prowse is now on my auto-buy list of authors. I will instantly get her book as soon as I spot the next one. I already have “This One Life” on my TBR to get to it as soon as I possibly can. 

If you are looking for a book that makes you feel things and care for the characters, please pick this book! It will take you on a real and raw adventure and make you open a new tissue box whilst at it. How can you say no to a good old healthy cry? 

Favourite quotes:

“I can’t remember what I used to think about before my head was full of you!”

“Speaking for myself, it has always been rooted in love. Loving those that love me a bit too much and not loving myself enough, I guess.”

“His expression, she feared, matched her own; it was that potent mix of longing and regret that, had it been expressed in music, would have been loud and building, a crescendo that carried you along with its passion and its beauty, a trailing rapture that could pierce her very soul. Feelings that had the ability to floor her, to be her undoing, and her salvation. A moment of connection, knitting all the strands of desire and roping her to him, this man who had come into her life in the most unconventional of ways and had turned things upside down.”

About the Author:

Ever After by Amanda Prowse [BOOK REVIEW]

Amanda Prowse is an International Bestselling author whose thirty-two novels, two non-fiction titles and ten novellas have been published in dozens of languages around the world. Published by Lake Union, Amanda is the most prolific writer of bestselling contemporary fiction in the UK today; her titles also consistently score the highest online review approval ratings across several genres. Her books, including the chart topping No.1 titles ‘What Have I Done?’, ‘Perfect Daughter’, ‘My Husband’s Wife’, ‘The Girl in the Corner’ and ‘The Things I Know’ have sold millions of copies across the globe.

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Book Review · Books

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley [BOOK REVIEW]

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley [BOOK REVIEW]

About The Book:

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley [BOOK REVIEW]

Pages: 260

Genre: Classic, Fiction, Horror

Format I read it in: Hardcover

Rating: ★★★★

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My Thoughts:

I really enjoyed reading “Frankenstein”, and I am glad I read it now, after so many years of wanting to. I usually wish I read a book sooner, but not this one, and for a couple of reasons. Had I read it in high-school, I would have read a translated version in Macedonian and it wouldn’t have been the same experience. Had I read it a few years back, I don’t think I’d appreciate the language and writing style. Now I feel it was the perfect timing, not only because I can appreciate the language more, but I also happened to read it for our book club at work, and it was so much more fun reading the book alongside other people, and discussing it along the way.

I honestly wish we felt this way about books in school. It wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but we kept sharing our progress and encouraging each other. We were sharing theories whilst trying, and sometimes failing to spoil it for someone else. It reminded me of a small time during high school, where we would discuss books like this with my literature professor, a woman I greatly admired then and still admire now.

“How slowly the time passes here, encompassed as I am by frost and snow!”

I was in love with the writing style. It was so vivid and mesmerising. In a world of contemporary fiction, “Frankenstein” was a breath of fresh air. There is so much about this story that can be dissected and analysed, and a lot of topics that can prompt a very good discussion. Who was the true villain and the nature versus nurture trope high on the list. But also the need to be accepted and the need to form connections in this evil world with no mercy.

When it comes to the plot, however, there were a few things that didn’t make sense to me. Please proceed with caution, because there are some spoilers further on: 

The size of the creature.

If it’s your first time creating life, why would you go for such a big creation in size? You’d probably go for something smaller. Not an 8-foot-tall giant. Frankenstein shared little to no information about the creation process itself, so I didn’t know if there was a particular reason for the need for such a size. But maybe it came from a place of arrogance and just shows another layer of Victor’s character?

Not liking your creation.

When Victor was creating this creature, and it was (I’m assuming) lying on a table, surely he could see what it looked like right before it came to life. So how come then, all of a sudden, when the creature was alive, he didn’t like it and was disgusted by him? And then on top of that, he just left. Abandoned the creature instantly. Then he comes back, realises the creature is no longer there and does – absolutely nothing. Surely you would be worried about where your new 8-foot-tall friend (THAT YOU CREATED!) has wandered off to and what he might be up to? 

The creature’s story.

This was the part I struggled with the most. I think of this creature, no matter how tall, and I see him as a toddler. For he was just created and is finding his way in this world. So, some of the parts, like where he discovered food, water, shelter and the need to be loved – I absolutely understood where they came from. But what I couldn’t get past was the way he was talking and describing his adventures. The way he was talking was the same as Robert Walton and Victor Frankenstein. It is simply not possible to have such rich vocabulary in such a short amount of time. It’s not as if he was sitting and reading academia in a library all this time.

Aside from these thoughts, where I struggled with the plot and the reasons behind certain actions, I really enjoyed this book. I read it fast, it evoked positive feelings and when I remember it in the future, I know I will remember it fondly. And that is everything I need to call it a good book!

“But I have one want which I have never been able to satisfy; and the absence of the object of which I now feel as a most severe evil. I have no friend, Margaret: when I am glowing with enthusiasm of success, there will be none to participate my joy; if I am assailed by disappointment, no one will endeavour to sustain me in dejection.”

About the Author:

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley [BOOK REVIEW]

Mary Shelley (née Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin, often known as Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley) was an English novelist, short story writer, dramatist, essayist, biographer, travel writer, and editor of the works of her husband, Romantic poet and philosopher Percy Bysshe Shelley. She was the daughter of the political philosopher William Godwin and the writer, philosopher, and feminist Mary Wollstonecraft.

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Book Review · Books

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J. K. Rowling [BOOK REVIEW]

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J. K. Rowling [BOOK REVIEW]

About The Book:

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J. K. Rowling [BOOK REVIEW]

Pages: 766

Genre: Fantasy

Publisher: Bloomsbury

Format I read it in: Hardcover

Rating: ★★★★★

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My Thoughts:

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is the largest book in the series. With the movies, you will notice how with every movie, the theme gets darker and darker. For the books, it starts with the Goblet of Fire, and continues into the Order of the Phoenix. The dangers they are in are getting graver by the second and death is looming in every corner.

I have realised that the older I get, the more I love this book. This is the book where we meet Luna Lovegood, a character that is impossible to forget. She lives in her own little weird world, unaffected by others, and I love that so much.

“Wit beyond measure is man’s greatest treasure”, said Luna in a singing voice.

We also find out more mysteries inside Hogwarts, such as the Room of Requirement – a place that will become incredibly important to Harry, Ron and Hermione. A place that will serve as the starting ground to a group Harry will create – called Dumbledore’s Army. I couldn’t help but admire their togetherness. Everyone in the DA was there for the same reason, all of them practising magic spells and getting ready for an inevitable battle that no one wants to be part of, but seems imminent.

We also get to see the dark side of things – Voldemort now gaining power and blindly going for what he wants. We also get to meet another horrible person – yes, you guessed it – Dolores Umbridge. I think it’s impossible to find a Potterhead that doesn’t hate the guts of this woman, and I am no exception. The challenges Harry goes through in this book are extremely hard. He faces danger, pain, huge loss and the constant reminder that he’s being chased by the same person who killed his parents.

I feel like this is the book in which we see Harry really mature as a person.

After Cedric’s death and Voldemort’s comeback, something in Harry changes greatly and we can instantly notice it. The ending is incredibly sad and I felt for Harry and the whole crew. However, a lot of things became clearer in the story and I am looking forward to seeing what the next one brings.

On a lighter note, I will leave the below excerpt from the ever-funny Mr. Weasley. It never gets old:

“Third regurgitating public toilet reported in Bethnal Green, kindly investigate immediately.” This is getting ridiculous…

“A regurgitating toilet?”

“Anti-muggle pranksters,” said Mr. Weasley, frowning. “We had two last week, one in Wimbledon, one in Elephant and Castle. Muggles are pulling the flush and instead of everything disappearing – well, you can imagine. The poor things keep calling in those – pumbles, I think they’re called – you know, the ones who mend pipes and things.”

“Plumbers?”

“Exactly, yes, but of course they’re flummoxed. I only hope we can catch whoever’s doing it.”

About the Author:

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J. K. Rowling [BOOK REVIEW]

J.K. Rowling is a British author born in Yate, England, on July 31, 1965, who gained worldwide fame for writing the Harry Potter series. After conceiving the idea for the series on a delayed train in 1990, she wrote the books while on public assistance in Edinburgh, Scotland. The first book, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, was published in 1997. She also writes the Cormoran Strike crime fiction series under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith.

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Book Review · Books

Heart the Lover by Lily King [BOOK REVIEW]

Heart the Lover by Lily King [BOOK REVIEW]

About The Book:

Heart the Lover by Lily King [BOOK REVIEW]

Pages: 256

Genre: Literary Fiction, Romance

Publisher: Canongate Books

Format I read it in: Hardcover

Rating: ★★★★

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My Thoughts:

“You knew I’d write a book about you someday.”

I adored “Heart the Lover” for multiple reasons. The first one is reading the book as a readalong. Thanks to the team at Adventures With Words, around 20 of us read the book over a week and discussed it as we went on. I would definitely recommend this book as a book club pick! The second reason was the writing itself. Even though I didn’t always agree with our narrator, the story was so beautifully written. It was emotional, raw and lyrical and I kept wanting to read more after reading the daily pages. 

“And still, there is this sense that I could express it all in just one nonexistent word and you would understand exactly what I mean.”

We don’t know the name of our female narrator, but she is very honest and vulnerable with us. At moments, it felt like I was reading someone’s diary. It also pained me to see how gullible and too trusting she was in certain situations. 

I liked the other characters as well.

Sam maybe not so much. I didn’t like his actions and behaviour, but I liked his depth and how good of a friend he was to Yash. When it comes to Yash, I liked him from the very beginning, but started to lose trust later on. I liked his funny, caring and polite sides to him. The relationship our narrator has with them is very complicated and tangled. It annoyed me that the lack of communication seemed to be a common theme in the book and the biggest downfall. 

“I couldn’t trust you again with my heart.”

As the time goes on and years pass, the book becomes way more emotional. All the feelings people have seem to come to the surface at one time and they cannot run away from them. Without revealing too much, I will only say that the mood shifts significantly and the pages ooze with nostalgia, regrets, secrets kept and truths left unspoken. 

“You have your regrets and I have mine. I sit on the porch step for a while, thinking about life’s tricks, the ones we see, the ones we don’t.”

“Heart the Lover” is a beautifully written book that will take you on an emotional journey and make you nostalgic about your college days. Get your tissues ready and give this book a go!

About the Author:

Heart the Lover by Lily King [BOOK REVIEW]

Lily King is the award-winning author of six novels. Her most recent novel, Heart the Lover was published on September 30th, 2025. She has also published a collection of short stories, Five Tuesdays in Winter. Her 2020 novel, Writers & Lovers, won the New England Society Book Awards and was a New York Times Notable Book and chosen as a top-ten best book of 2020 by The Washington Post, NPR, People Magazine, and The Los Angeles Times. Her 2014 novel Euphoria won the Kirkus Award, the New England Book Award, and was a finalist for the National Book Critics Award. Euphoria was named one of the 10 Best Books of 2014 by The New York Times Book Review. It was included in TIME’s Top 10 Fiction Books of 2014, as well as on Amazon, NPR, Entertainment Weekly, Publishers Weekly, and Salon’s Best Books of 2014.

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