What is your opinion?
Beautiful imagery and writing
"Immediately from the prologue, I was pulled in and enchanted by the author's vivid writing style and use of imagery. My understanding is that this is one part of a series, so rather than being carried by an identifiable plot out of context, the story takes on a slice-of-life quality that is all about characters and relationships. The protagonist narrator's charming sense of humor was another hook that kept me wanting more - the way her inner monologue describes the events taking place is a counterbalance to the story's more poetic, hifalutin moments. They work together very well to keep the story from getting too big or too small for itself. I was also captured by how there is no one clear hero or villain - each character is a gray area with complex history and motivations that move them more toward one end of the scale or the other at any given moment - just like real life, we are all the villain in someone's story at some point. And despite the fact that I'm not entirely sure who the main character, Phoenix, really is at her core, it actually works out of context. There is a lot more to her than we can know within the edges of this slice of her life, but this story isn't about that. It's about this transitional period that she's in, and transitions have a way of becoming one's entire personality, which makes her relatable. I just hope that somewhere, sometime, beyond the boundaries of this slice, she takes advantage of her obvious interest in and knowledge about historical architecture and interior design :)"
The Secrets Between Us
"This is a story about a woman, married to an unfaithful husband, who wants to change her life. Yet she’s conflicted because it means a step down in lifestyle, not just for her but her boy. For most women, this book will resonate deeply, evoking memories of specific times, places, or feelings in your life—especially those tied to a child or a challenging relationship. The emotions leap off the page, allowing you to experience someone else’s world—a testament to the author’s extraordinary ability to craft reality in writing. The realism is so vivid that it’s hard to believe it wasn’t drawn directly from the author’s own life. The writing is intimate, as if the author has opened her personal diary for the world to see. When I gave editing suggestions, I often had to stop myself from saying “when you” instead of “when your protagonist,” because it truly felt like I was reading her life. This isn’t just a story you read; it’s a life you step into. Achieving this level of authenticity isn’t something taught in writing classes—it’s a rare and exceptional gift. I discovered this book while editing (I’m not a beta reader). I reviewed every chapter three times—for grammar, punctuation, missing words, repetitive phrasing, flow, timeline, and more. She didn’t ask me to; I just did it. My corrections were minimal because it was so well executed. Unfortunately, Inkkit’s editor function stopped working before I could finish; if it gets fixed, I will. Even though I didn’t get to the end, I felt compelled to write this review without being asked; this book deserves to be read. Whether you’re a writer seeking inspiration or a reader looking for a deeply immersive experience, this is talent on another level. "
wow
"I'm only 1/3 in so far and I dodn't know what to expect at first. You have a very unique style of writing, with a strong identity. The humour and smart cynical remarks are a great touch. This isn't usually my type of story, but it is so well constructed and the world and characters so palpable that it sucked me in. You absolutely nailed the feel of the 2000s (even late 90s in certain places). The prologue was one of the most intriguing and heartwrenching I've read in a long time. The 4 stars for techncial skills refer to certain typing errors and punctuation. I'd also add just maybe that Phee being a *spoiler* Buddhist came out of nowhere, as well as her having a son (but her relationship with herson soon picked up and was believable). I can't wait to finish it because I have no idea what happens next"
Review
"The story is captivating. It’s a nice light read. One thing you can make better is keeping chapters a bit short so that they can easily be read. Overall, it’s a captivating story. Keep up the good work. "
