The Dead Are Gods by Eirinie Carson | Blog Tour Book Review

[ad/gifted - I received an ebook copy of this book for the purpose of this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links.]

The Dead Are Gods by Eirinie Carson

My rating: 5/5

Publisher: Melville House 

Publication date: 13th April 2023

Blurb:

After an unexpected phone call on an early morning in 2018, writer and model Eirinie Carson learned of her best friend Larissa's death. 

In the wake of her shock, Eirinie attempts to make sense of the events leading up to Larissa's death and uncovers startling secrets about her life in the process. 

THE DEAD ARE GODS is Eirinie's striking, intimate, and profoundly moving depiction of life after a sudden loss. Amid navigating moments of intense grief, Eirinie is overwhelmed by her love for Larissa. She finds power in pulling moments of joy from the depths of her emotion. 

Eirinie's portrayal of what love feels like after death bursts from the page alongside a timely, honest, and personal exploration of Black love and Black life. Perhaps, Eirinie proposes, 'The only way out is through.'

Review:

This is an absolutely gorgeous book that I read in near enough one sitting.

In 2018, Eirinie receives a call to say that her best friend Larissa has died. As soon as I started reading I instantly fell in love with Eirinie's writing style and although the subject is a hard one, it was very easy to read. Grief is explored so well with a lot of raw honesty surrounding feelings, how to cope and remembering.

I adored reading about Eirinie and Larissa's friendship and from the personality descriptions to music that they enjoyed, I truthfully felt like I'd love to have been friends with them too.

Not only does it explore grief and the loss of a best friend who was like a sister, you also have the focus on Black life and love.

The transcripts between Eirinie and Larissa peppered between the chapters were a lovely addition. The Dead Are Gods is a beautiful book that I will be thinking about for a really long time.

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A massive thank you to Melville House for having me on the blog tour. You can find information about the other bloggers on the tour in the graphic below.

Sleeping With A Psychopath by Carolyn Woods | Book Review

[This post contains affiliate links.]

Sleeping With A Psychopath by Carolyn Woods

My rating: 4/5

Publisher: HarperElement

Publication date: 29th April 2021

Blurb:

Carolyn Woods was living happily in a quiet Cotswolds village when an attractive stranger abruptly arrived in her life.

Introducing himself as Mark Conway, he exuded confidence and to her surprise Carolyn quickly became captivated by this mysterious man. A rich Swiss banker (who later confessed to being a spy), he offered Carolyn companionship and introduced her to an exciting, glamorous world.

In fact, some things were so astonishing she began to question her new lover. Was all as it seemed?

The truth was even harder to believe. For a start, his real name was Mark Acklom, he was wanted by Interpol, and he was rich but for one reason only…

A true-crime story that reads like a thriller, Sleeping with a Psychopath is a blow-by-blow account of the power of manipulation and a testament to the human will to survive.

Review:

I, like the majority of people these days, love anything to do with true crime. I was vaguely familiar with Carolyn's story so I was interested to hear the intricate details surrounding what happened.

Divorcée Carolyn Woods met Mark Conway (real name Mark Acklom) and he quickly set his sights on her. He duped her into a whirlwind relationship, managing to get her to transfer all of her savings to him and being very clever whilst doing so.

When I hear stories like this in the news, I am always confused as to why these women put their trust into men like this and Carolyn explains exactly how everything transpired. She seems like a very headstrong and independent woman at the start but, I felt, barely recognisable by the end. Mark was great at theatrics and made everything so believable.

Not only did he take Carolyn's savings, leaving her with nothing, he destroyed relationships and left her reaping the consequences for years afterwards. I am so happy that she is living a better life now but can't believe that Mark will be free soon and clearly he will continue on!

Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson | Book Review

[ad/gifted - I received a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links.]

Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson

My rating: 3/5

Publisher: Hutchinson Heinemann 

Publication date: 13th April 2023

Blurb:

Old money. New family...

Pineapple Street in Brooklyn Heights is one of New York City's most desirable residences, and home to the glamorous and well-connected Stockton family...

Darley, the eldest daughter, has never had to worry about money. She followed her heart, trading her job and her inheritance for motherhood - but ended up sacrificing more of herself than she ever intended.

Sasha is marrying into the wealthy Stockton family, who are worlds apart from her own. She feels like the outsider, trying to navigate their impenetrable traditions and please her new mother-in-law - plus her hesitancy to sign a pre-nup has everyone questioning her true intentions.

Georgiana, the youngest, is falling in love with someone she can't (and really shouldn't) have - and is forced to confront the kind of person she wants to be.

Review:

Pineapple Street is a character driven book so if you are looking for fast-paced plot, this maybe isn't for you. In saying that, it is written in a way that totally immersed me and I felt like I knew the characters well.

Pineapple Street is told from the points of view of three women, Darley and Georgiana who are sisters and Sasha, their sister-in-law (married to their brother Cord). The Stockton family are very well-to-do and are in the 1%. They live in the Fruit Streets area of Brooklyn Heights, hence the title.

Darley is married to Malcolm and gave up her inheritance to be with him, although his career in banking means that they aren't stuck for money.

Sasha grew up in a middle class family, and this causes a bit of a rift between her and Cord's two sisters, especially as they believe she didn't sign a pre-nup. 

Georgiana is the baby of the family and at 25 following the death of a married colleague that she is having an affair with, decides that she wants to be a philanthropist and donates her inheritance.

The plot doesn't really go anywhere but the writing is entertaining. I read this whilst on holiday and I feel like it was the best way to read because I could fully relax. If you like reading about the lives of the rich, you will like this one.