Shelf Care

Welcome! You can call my Piper Nicole. I am a book reviewer and beta reader. I am also working on several of my own writing projects and I will be posting excerpts of my own writing from time to time. I love that you're here!

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I purchased Scrivener writing software, and I am so exited to get started using it! I’ve heard nothing but good things and lord knows I need the organization help 🥴 any other authors use this?

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"I can't comprehend living to work, but then I'm afraid of working just to live" -Maddie "Maame" Wright.

In this heartwarming and -breaking story, we join Maddie Wright, a young black woman living in London. She takes care of her father while her mother and brother are away. Her mother is in Ghana, where she and Maddie's father are from, while her brother is off doing whatever it is that he does. One thing he definitely is not doing, though, is helping Maddie take take care of their father, who has Parkinson's disease.

Aside from being, seemingly, the only responsible member of her family in (and outside of) London, Maddie also sends money to her mother in Ghana whenever she needs it. Her mother does come home from time to time, only to tell Maddie that she isn't living up to her expectations. Or at least that is how Maddie feels.

Eventually, Maddie's mother comes home for good, telling Maddie she needs to go out and experience life. She is 25, after all. So, Maddie does just that and quickly learns that life is not at all what she was expecting. The biggest curve ball has yet to come, though. When Maddie is faced with the unthinkable it shatters her entire world, her Faith, and her belief in herself.

"Maame has many meanings in Twi, but to me it just means woman'."

I thoroughly enjoyed every page of this book. I laughed and related to some of it, but I loved getting a glimpse inside of two different cultures outside of what I live every day in the United States. I did not cry until I read the acknowledgements. Jessica George has put together such an amazing work of art that I am not sure that there are words that exist (in English) to describe it.

It seems unfair that someone can pour their heart and soul into a project for years only for it to be consumed by the likes of me in less than 48 hours.

Will be reading again and recommending to everyone I know!

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Current reads! March has really gotten away from me with so many unpredictable things happening to give me whiplash, but thankfully, I always have books. #bookstagram . . . . . . . . . . #booktok #read #reading #marchmadness #march #infiveyears #whenwerebrightandbeautiful #botm #kindleunlimited #bibliophile #followforfollowback https://www.instagram.com/p/CqKTIZhMinr/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Here are my #March MUST READS. I’ve got a few others I’d like get around to, as well, along with at least one #reread from #bookstagram #marchreads #marchreading #mustread #tbr #botm https://www.instagram.com/p/CpOjY_qISSy/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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With classes starting and being in the THICK of tax season, my reading has had to slow down a bit. But, fear not! I am still reading away every chance I get. This latest one (not a newbie, just new to me) is fantastic so far! I’ll post a #bookreview when I’m done! #bookstagram #books #reading #meganmiranda #allthemissinggirls #februaryreads #taxseason #college https://www.instagram.com/p/CpOi0OnIsPZ/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Today’s tiny book haul! Now, the impossible decision of which to read first! . . . . . . . . . . #bookstagram #bookhaul #thrillerbooks #andreabartz #meganmiranda #readersofinstagram #writingcommunity #booktok #read #books https://www.instagram.com/p/CpGPWSZppqS/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Five Women, One Month, Countless Mysteries

Writer's block: it happens to us all at some point. The cause of Alex's writer's block isn't just a loss of inspiration. There was a near tragedy involving her (former) best friend, Wren, and she hadn't been able to write a single word since then. It had been almost a year since the two women, usually joined at the hip, had seen or spoken to each other when fate came along and brought them back together.

Fate's name is Rosa Vallo; an immensely famous author. Rosa is beautiful, powerful, and mysterious-- and she is hosting a retreat for young women who have the passion for writing. Alex knew about the retreat but she was 30 years old, one year older than the oldest allowed at Rosa's retreat.

However, at the very last minute, Alex gets invited. Soon after, she learns that her former bestie, Wren, will also be there but, she doesn't let that get in the way of meeting her favorite author of all time! How could she?!

The author of this book, Julia Bartz, begins to blow you away at this point.

The women all arrive at the estate of the famed Rosa Vallo, and they get to know each other before Rosa finally comes along and gives them the rundown on the 'retreat' is going to go down. I'll just say, I don't believe any of them were expecting that kind of news.

It doesn't take long for Alex to sense that something isn't quite right about this 'retreat' and the woman who is hosting it.

This is another kudos to Julia Bartz because she makes you suspicious of everyone except our protagonist. Rosa takes extreme measures to motivate the women. Some of her tactics are quite dangerous. One of them goes beyond Rosa's control, beyond anyone's control and someone disappears.

Alex is having a battle in her mind at times it seems like she is struggling to determine what is real and what is not.

I will say this: the plot twist was one I never saw coming. Of course, I knew there was something off about our beloved Rosa from the start, but I was NOT expecting what unfolded in the last portion of the book.

If you are looking for a novel that will keep you wanting more, look no further. I loved it so much that when I was done reading it, I started reading it again!