Julio ist ein bisschen traurig dass er sich so lange 

Thilo Wydra schildert in seinem Buch „Grace Kelly und Diana Spencer“ die Verbundenheit zweier Frauen in einem herausfordernden Umfeld von royaler Pflichterfüllung und dem Funktionieren als öffentlicher Person. Er zeigt anhand von Briefen und einem andauernden freundschaftlichen Austausch, sowie der jeweiligen Kindheit und Entwicklungen wie ähnlich letztlich die Lebenswege der beiden prominenten Frauen waren. Es werden vielfältige biografische Inhalte und Eckpunkte geschildert und nebeneinander gestellt. Diese teilweise faktenbasierte Analyse fand ich tatsächlich sehr interessant und man erhält womöglich einen neuen Blick auf die beiden Frauen, die durch ihre „erheirateten Pflichten“ neben allen Vorzügen doch so sehr unter Druck standen. Dazu erhält der Leser einige tolle Fotos zum Hintergrund der Biografien. Thilo Wydra beschreibt in seinem Buch die Menschen hinter den Masken und den royalen Mauern. Doch hier liegt meines Erachtens gleichzeitig auch die Schwäche dieses Buches. Meinem Empfinden nach gab es einfach zu viel Interpretation von biografischen Eckdaten, Entwicklungen, Beziehungen und Begebenheiten. So wirkt das Buch häufig wieder wie eine voyeuristische Betrachtung à la bekannter Gazetten. Weil, wer weiß schon wirklich (trotz schriftlicher Dokumente) wie Grace Kelly und Diana Spencer tickten, dachten und fühlten? Hier psychologisch zum Beispiel die Beziehung zwischen den Frauen und ihren Eltern zu analysieren geht meines Erachtens weit über das Ziel, ein Fakten-basiertes Porträt zu schaffen, hinaus. Vieles war zwar durchaus interessant und beeindruckend, aber insgesamt fand ich das Buch leider doch eher mittelmäßig und zu interpretativ. Insofern würde ich es eingefleischten Royal-Fans sicherlich empfehlen, weil es doch flüssig lesbar und unterhaltend ist, aber wohl auch nur, wenn man gerne in Gazetten über Promis schmökert. Deshalb gut gemeinte 3 Sterne.

I’ve been wanting to read this book so I was excited we read it for bookclub.  The cover of the book and the synopsis gives me this dark mysterious feeling and I was intrigued by how these girls seemed so much alike but were separated by race.   Nestled into the swamp, these folks have their own way about doing things and whether it’s proper or not, is not what matters, it’s that it’s taken care of.

She was in love when she left and now, she has returned.  Her fondness of Jesse prompted her to run off with him but now she has returned. Returned to her home, to her father, to this home in the swamp, the house on stilts.  There had been room for Ada in this house but now, her father’s tools are more important and Ada will sleep in the shed.  Her father has expectations of Ada now that she has returned.  He didn’t welcome her with open arms but with expectations and responsibilities. 

My heart was torn for Ada as she tried to fit back into her old lifestyle.  Her father wasn’t making it any easier.  When he compares his daughter to his wife and begins to criticize and lash out at her, I wanted to reach inside the book and cause my own scene.  The words that were spoken, the truth that was revealed was painful but Ada had to learn what she could from her father, no matter what the conditions were.  

Matilda to the rescue!  I was so grateful that Matilda arrived on the scene and took action.  Anything that she could do would be beneficial but I didn’t expect her to be such a strong character.  Matilda had her own issues but to Ada she was a ray of light and she knew the w’s: what, where, why and when.    I enjoyed the friendship that Ada and Matilda formed and how they supported each other.   

I liked how the beginning of the book tied into the middle of this book rather than at the end of the book, that had a nice touch.  I knew the story wasn’t over and the ending was still yet to come.   I had never expected the ending that the author led me down, as I had envisioned many different paths as I became entwined inside this book.  A 5-star read for me.

You're Still The One by Erika Kelly

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Erika Kelly is at the top of my must read list. With humor and heart, she creates tempting stories of heartache and courage that are hard to resist. You're Still the One gives emotions a workout. Stella and Griffin's journey is one of misunderstandings and deep regret. When a blast from the past explodes back into Griffin's world at the most inconvenient of times, it's up to fate and family to make sure that everything turns out just right. Move over heartache and welcome back happily ever after.



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Willow just wants to work on her skating, what she has left of it.  The career adjusting injury has made her life something she never thought she would see.  Now she has been given a chance for something different. Does she have the guts?

Brodie is attracted to the amazing girl he does not want to like.  It seems mutual, but teenage attraction is never that simple.  When his teammates taunt him into hanging out with the good looking skater, he may get more than he bargained for.

This story was cute and charming, in a teen snarky kind of way.  I am not sure if I liked it at first, but I loved the honesty between the characters.  I was fully vested by the third chapter and I couldn't wait to read the end.  I give this a 3/5 Kitty's Paws UP!

***This early copy was given in exchange for an honest review by its publishers and Netgalley.