The Smallest Thing by Lisa Manterfield | A Book Review

I have been MIA for about three weeks. I have another endeavor which I'm trying really hard to work out.  I am currently home away from home and I am hoping that this is going to be the break that I have been waiting for. I am praying that the Lord will have mercy on me and finally grant me this fervent wish.  I have asked the help of all my prayer warriors and from all the angels and saints in heaven to help pray for me also. 

One other reason which contributed to my being MIA from the blogging and the book world is that some keys on my laptop (technically my brother's which I borrowed) are not working. And they turned out to be the most used keys. What a pain it is! I have to resort to using the on-screen keyboard which is not as easy as the usual. I think it would take me a very long time to finish this review.  So, I might as well get on it.

Oh, did I mention that this review was supposed to be due the first day of August? Yes! I am way past the very dead deadline.  I have sent an email to ebooksforreview.com of my challenge. And this has been truly testing my patience and resourcefulness.

Like the story, we would never know how the smallest thing could affect or alter an aspect of our life. Just like the on-going challenge I am experiencing. I never thought that I would ever have this kind of problem and it affects me greatly because the laptop is my partner in this blogging and book reviewing lifestyle. I felt handicapped by this. The Smallest Thing is about a 17-year old girl who can't wait to leave her small town and live and breathe London. Until, a series of deaths in the neighborhood lead to more complications and heartbreaks. If you ask me, what happened in this book was not really a small thing. It was very huge and had affected the life of the main character Emmott and her small town deeply, that made her grow into a mature and selfless woman. 

I can relate to Emmott very closely. I think we have been all under a similar situation where we made plans for our future and have painstakingly and religiously took care of the details but then by some fortuitous event abruptly change all those plans. And all those other backup plans we prepared for such eventuality don't even apply. And the most heartbreaking thing of all, is we are forced to change the direction we are heading. We are not only forced to alter our plans but scrapped it all and do something else. The exact opposite. Even, start over. And much to our surprise and relief, everything works out in the end.

The story is very realistic. It truthfully mirrors real-life. Like how diamonds are made, we too have to undergo a similar process of polishing by going through high pressure and extreme temperatures to bring out our shine and be the best of what we are. We become strong because we have been tested and have survived situations we thought we could never get out alive. And like in the story, the simplest gestures often mean a  whole lot to others. Yes, a random act of kindness goes a long way. It gives hope to some. And for some people, they just need the tiniest spark.

My only wish was that it ended with a clear note on Aiden. He was key to the change in Emmott's character so it's just fair that his character should deserve a better picture of how he turned out in the end of the story.   

I give the book 4.5/5 Big Ben Towers. This is a very unassuming book but it packs a punch. It may say small but it would fill your heart with overwhelming emotions. Emmott started out as a typical teenager who can't wait to spread her wings and be her own person, like we were all were. Then, ends up doing the opposite because it was the right and the best thing to do. The situation demanded that she think beyond herself and she rose up to the challenge.

 

I don't have much to offer--a friendly face, a kind word, and a simple human touch, the smallest thing--but it's better than nothing.

- Lisa Manterfield, The Smallest Thing - 

Thank you again, Kathy of ebooksforreview.com for the copy. Sorry for the delayed post.

 

The Chocolatier's Wife by Cindy Lynn Speer | A Book Review

I won this book in a giveaway. Actually, I was an alternate winner. The one who originally won this declined the prize much to my delight. This book proved to be a real treasure. Thanks again, Cindy Lynn Speer.

Oh, I just love chocolates. I love dark ones, especially. Mint dark chocolates are just irresistible. Hmmmm... It would be heaven to be a chocolatier's wife. I would have easy access to chocolate and would love making chocolates for sale. I am starting to get into baking and chocolate making is right in that area.

This book is as delectable as chocolates. The story was as smooth as chocolate that melts in the mouth. I devoured it with much pleasure. 

What I like about the story is the way the two main characters readily accepted their custom of having a lifetime partner being chosen for them. I admire William's honesty and dedication to write to Tasmin. In this way, he invested in a friendship which later developed into a commitment and loyalty that they both shared. His blind faith and confidence that Tasmin is the one for him, was very commendable. All his efforts put forth into  getting to know Tasmin and developing a friendship has greatly paid off.

I think writing and getting handmade letters is very romantic. The effort put into creating the letter, regardless of length, is just so sweet. There is beauty in seeing the cursive and strokes on a piece of paper. I think the last time I wrote a letter that got sent through post was way back in high school. I kept in touch with a best friend in grade school by sending her letters and cards. Little did I know that my correspondence meant a lot to her. Her parents were going through a difficult time in their marriage and my letters, in some way, gave her a semblance of normalcy and calm during a very chaotic time in her teenage life. 

All relationships need effort and nurturing. If all guys are like William, then, we ladies would all be worry-free. I think loyalty and commitment to a relationship are very important. Whether it be in friendship or any other kind of relationship. Tasmin and William are both prime examples of this virtue.

I give this book 5/5 bars of chocolate. I simply wasn't able to put down this book until I reached the last page. This tale is just so fascinating. I think the story got me at the mention of chocolate. It sort of gave me a promise that I was in for a sweet and magical journey. 

...those who listen at doors hearing things they would rather not.

- Cindy Lynn Speer, The Chocolatier's Wife -