The Hemsworth Effect by James Weir

I’m sorry I was unable to finish this book. I got to over 1/3 of the way through and it wasn’t for me. The setting and precis drew me in, but it was a hard slog to get to where I did.

 

The main character, Aimee was immature and frustrating, I found her best friend, Jane, even more annoying.

 

I didn’t find it funny. There didn’t seem to be much of a story line and reading it made me feel I was in the middle of one of those dreadful, fake reality TV shows.

 

Maybe it would appeal to younger readers or those who enjoy chicklit.

 

I received an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for a voluntary honest review. 

 

My rating 1* 

Shampoo & Condition by M.L. Ortega

 

Precis

In Shampoo & Condition, Vivian, Maggie’s soon to be ex sister-in-law, drops dead in a beauty salon and Maggie’s brother becomes suspect number one – creating friction between our main character and her policeman boyfriend.

 

What can a girl do but pursue other suspects: Vivian’s shifty sisters, a smooth financial operator, and a secretive shampoo girl.

 

Meanwhile, Maggie’s best friend is matching corpses with missing persons on the Jane Doe website, eventually spotting a dead person in their midst.

 

My review

Shampoo & Condition is the second book in a series featuring the main characters Maggie and Jane. I have not read the first book so I am unable to make a comparison. It fits in the cosy mystery genre and is a quick easy read (about 100 pages)

 

The story follows Maggie and Jane’s investigation of the death of Maggies sister-in-law, Viv, after she dies at a hairdresser.

 

The characters are for the most part likeable and the story line is unusual, but I felt there were a couple of things that let the book down preventing it from being a great read. Firstly, I think the manuscript could do with some editing particularly to correct some duplication.

 

Secondly, while most reviewers like the fact that it was a quick read I would have enjoyed more substance to the mystery. Its brevity didn’t give me time to warm to the characters or immerse myself in what could have been and excellent mystery.

 

Thank you to M.L. Ortega for providing me with an ebook copy of Shampoo & Condition in return for an honest review.

 

My rating 2*

A Recipe for Family by Tori Haschka

Set in the northern beaches of Sydney, Recipe for Family is the story of three women of three different generations.

Stella is a working mother of a four-year-old and stepmother to a 14 year old. Her husband’s job has him for long periods and her mother has dementia. Her job is demanding and she finds herself struggling to balance her job, family, house, and social life.

 

She is convinced to hire an au pair. Eighteen-year-old Eva arrives from the USA to fill the role. Ava has her own struggles following the death of her mother, but her memories are kept alive through a series of envelopes with messages, and recipes, to cope with any situation.

 

Stella’s mother-in-law, Elise, is a highly qualified industrial chemist and a staunch feminist. She has her own issues with her job and matters from the past.

 

The story follows each of the women and their struggles to juggle expectations and relationships.

 

It was an interesting concept and enjoyable enough read but I felt it was a bit slow in parts.

 

Throughout the story, reference is made to various food and dishes appropriate for occasions. The recipes for these are included at the back of the book.

 

Thank you to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster and Tori Haschka for providing a copy for review.

My rating 2*