Tag Archives: women’s fiction

Book Review: The Aloha Lawyer by Jeanilou Grace

by in Book Review and tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The Aloha Lawyer by Jeanilou Grace

A Women’s Fiction Novel published (11/15/25)

I received an Advanced Review Copy (or ARC) on Reedsy Discovery

This memoir-like book is an introspective exploration of identity, relationships, career path, motherhood, and personal growth. The main character, Santana, reflects on pivotal moments in her life, from young adulthood to middle age, examining her thoughts and feelings to understand herself, her choices, and her place in the world. She views her life through a lens that doesn’t always define facts and details but is based more on the thoughts and feelings she has for different parts of her life.

Keywords:

Fiction, Hawaii, Filipino, Identity, Romance, Lawyer, Family, Strong Female, Aloha, Motherhood

My Review:

The book reads more like a memoir than a fictional story in that it is a retelling of the past and the feelings associated with those building, pivotal moments, without strict setting details of place, time, etc. The writing is very introspective, almost a stream-of-consciousness narration, with life divided by how Santana feels about a period of time rather than by any one specific event or occasion. The book doesn’t have scenes and dialogue in the present like a fictional story might. Some of the phrasing is so on point, you have to read it three times for it to really sink in because the truth is so weighty.

For anyone questioning their identity, be they biracial or bicultural, or anyone wanting to empathize and understand, this is a thoughtfully written book. It contains a sense and a breakdown of identity at all life stages and life definitions: adulthood, motherhood, relationships, lawyer, ethnicity, and even feelings of otherness.

The law themes are powerful: law as protection, law as a canoe, law as healing. The author breaks down lawyer stereotypes within the aloha spirit, humanizing the lawyer experience. “They think that aloha means soft. But it also means strength, and we’re going to make sure they don’t ever forget it.”

The book imparts wisdom in small bites and pieces as mantras and lessons that Santana thinks about and learns over time. For example: Tiis lang means to endure with grace. Legacy isn’t what you build but who you become while creating a legacy.

Santana’s relationship arc hits hardest, showing the lessons that life teaches the hard way. She discovers that a healthy, loving partner is someone who listens and shows up without being asked, an active presence, not passive. The book explores what love really looks like and how to recognize it without running away. It felt like a philosophical study of what love is and how to embody it in a relationship with both positive and negative examples in Santana’s life. Her partner is kind, but he feels like a lowercase presence in her capital-letter life, believing that simply being near her is the same as showing up. He takes the last piece of sushi and never looks back. Some of these described partner crimes are so visual and gut-punching that they are like a bullet point list of what not to do in a loving relationship.

The book makes a powerful point: when one partner doesn’t put in effort unless prompted, it’s not a true partnership. It’s a tit-for-tat arrangement of two people together, but not fully in it together. Santana says it best when she asks for “support that moves” in a partner. It’s like the author is breaking down common phrases (like people need to grow together) into understandable examples using Santana’s fictional life.

The book overall resonates as a guide for every partner to understand that showing up means more than presence. It’s about solidarity, sacrifice, and consistently thinking of the other person, not only when it’s convenient.

While the pacing slows a bit in the middle, that doesn’t detract from the book’s wisdom and impact. This book is more fun to read than a typical couples therapy or self-help book, blending heartfelt, meaningful lessons with a compelling and intimate story.

This novel was published on 11/15/2025 and is available on Amazon here.

TL;DR Star Rating: 4.25

Links for more information

Goodreads

Book Review: Snow in Vietnam: A Novel by Amy M. Le

by in Author Tuesdays, Book Review, Free Valley Publishing, Local Authors and tagged , , ,

Snow in Vietnam: A Novel by Amy M. Le

A Historical Fiction novel published by Amazon Digital Services (05/24/2019)

Summary:

Snow is the youngest of seven children growing up in Vietnam during a time of war. Life isn’t always certain. The future isn’t always certain. Snow agrees to marry a Vietnamese man even though she pines for an American G.I. She gives birth to sick child with a heart problem. America could be her daughter’s chance to live and Snow’s chance for freedom. Vietnam is uncertain in times of unification but every time Snow gathers enough resources to leave, another tragedy forces her to prolong her escape.

Keywords:

Love, Family, Survival, Hope, Politics, War, Vietnam, Mother, Struggle, Historical, Women’s Fiction, Trust, Strength, Fear, Uncertainty, Freedom

My Review:

This book was gritty and raw. I didn’t always understand why Snow treated her daughter or family like she did at times, but I felt like I was looking into the life of a real person. Snow felt like a completely genuine person, flaws and all. Snow was the essence of bravery and determination. Her goal to escape with her daughter was always in her mind and always in her actions. But family and tragedy kept getting in the way. I loved how close knit family is portrayed in this book. The characters in this book would do anything for family – to honor them, to love them, to provide for them, to give them a chance for a better life.

The love story in this novel was cleverly wound around the war-torn country and its effects on Snow’s family. The mystery surrounding her G.I. will keep you guessing as to where he is. The book was sad yet compelling because Snow had the strength to continue to adapt and survive and care for her sick daughter. If she can live and prosper and love under those conditions, then anything is possible.

This novel was published by Amazon Digital Services 05/24/2019 and is available on Amazon here.

TLDR Star Rating: 4.50

 

Links for more information:

Goodreads

Amy M Le’s Website

Book Review: The Kitchen Brigade by Laurie Boris

by in Book Review and tagged , , , ,

The Kitchen Brigade by Laurie Boris

A Contemporary Women’s Dystopian Novel published by Amazon Digital Services LLC (01/10/19)

Summary:

In a not-so-distant future Russia occupies America. Travel is limited. Employment is limited. Freedom is limited. Valerie grew up privileged as the daughter of the secretary of state but is now forced to cook for the army in this occupied-America. With her culinary background she impresses a Russian general and is given the ‘opportunity’ to work in his mansion. Christened “Three” she works with a head chef and four other chefs in the kitchen during the day. This opportunity involves being led to her work space in handcuffs every day, bullied and belittled by the guards and the guests at times, and forced to work for the same men who killed her father and are destroying her country’s freedoms. She knows she will not do nothing, will not work demurely, will not stand idly by if an opportunity presents itself.

Keywords:

Social Sci-fi, Cooking, Kitchen, Servitude, Occupied America, Passion, Friendship, Loyalty, Courage, Despair, Russia, Violence, Oppression, Tension

My Review:

Though supplies may be scarce, the kitchen brigade bring life and love to the dishes they prepare. Head Chef Svetlana says some very poignant remarks about cooking and food throughout the novel. It is their love of food and their passion for cooking that bring life to the kitchen and hope to their hearts. It is this passion that seems to lead them in other areas of their lives and gives them the willingness to stand up for what they believe in and the need to act when they can.

I enjoyed all the characters very much. Head Chef Svetlana seemed so complex when viewed from both her point of view and from Valerie’s point of view combined. Who is Svetlana really and what side does she work for? Valerie is very courageous, even in the beginning she does not yield instantly to her fate. Yet, she does not fight when there is no reason. She is industrious and clever. Two seemed the most complex character with the least explanation or backstory and I really enjoyed this slight ambiguity. In the height of chaos, what would she do? She is the loose cannon that could crumble Svetlana’s plans and yet Svetlana loves Two like a daughter. I adored Four so much! She was so cool. Each of the women in the employ of Svetlana in the kitchen were full of personality.

I enjoyed the details of running the kitchen, including food preparation, wine pairing, cleaning, herb gardening, and more.

This book had great suspension and tension throughout. The ending came suddenly and some of the action I couldn’t quite picture but I enjoyed reading it nonetheless.

This novel was published by Amazon Digital Services LLC on 01/10/19 and is available on Amazon here.

TL;DR Star Rating: 4.25

Links for more information:

Laurie Boris’s Website

Goodreads

Twitter

Book Review: The Call: A Baseball Novel by Laurie Boris

by in Book Review and tagged , , ,

The Call: A Baseball Novel by Laurie Boris

A Women’s Fiction Sports Novel published by Amazon Digital Services LLC (9/01/07)

Summary:

Margie is the first female umpire in the minor league of baseball – but it was an uphill battle. Without support from some progressive folks, she never would have made. Every step of the way she is disrespected, insulted, and worse because some people think baseball is a man’s world.

Keywords:

Baseball, Umpire, Season, Enemies, Sexism, Major-League, History, Historical, Women, First Female Umpire, Man’s World, Resistance, Career, Male-Dominated, Learning, Personal Growth

My Review:

The baseball scenarios went right over my head, but because of the excitement of being a part of the game, I didn’t care. I could feel the tense atmosphere in the stadium when the ball connected with the bat. I could feel the sweat from the players. I could sense the emotion and love Margie felt for the game and her role in it.

I loved Margie. I loved her conviction and her love of baseball. I loved her stubborn personality and her willingness to learn from her mistakes. She was an amazingly full and rich character. She is an excellent role model. She sticks by her calls.

I absolutely loved every scene with Margie and Wes. Their friendship was awesome and I liked that Margie had a relationship with a man that was not romantic.

This novel was published by Amazon Digital Services LLC on 9/01/07 and is available on Amazon here.

TL;DR Star Rating: 4.50

Links for more information:

Laurie Boris’s Website

Goodreads

Twitter