Valentine

So much to say about Valentine. But I'll try to keep it brief (ish).
First, this is a debut?!? Wow!
Wetmore's descriptions are like poetry. MY kind of poetry. I envisioned all the scenes clearly. It was easy to feel like I was right in this small town in Texas.
What got me most about Valentine is this novel is just lovely, despite the horrible story. That's writing talent. Plus exceptional narration can change the tone of a novel. You know how in some regions, you need to hear the dialects?
Wetmore gives us real, flawed, honest women, like Corrine: she revealed how she felt upon becoming a mother, that she wanted/needed to go back to work after her daughter's birth.
I review a book based on what it is, not on what it isn't. So while it starts off with the vicious attack of 14 year-old Gloria Ramirez, Valentine doesn't stay with her alone throughout. More of her story is told, but it's mainly about the women in Odessa, Texas. Kick ass women like Mary Rose, who refuses to cower to town pressure, which would be the easier & safer thing to do. Instead she supports & defends Gloria, because it's the right thing to do.
Themes of race, class, assault and justice make up Valentine, and strong female characters overcome.
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I look for narrators that have special character in their voice, and Cassandra Campbell and Jenna Lamia certainly have it! Jenna Lamia's Mary Beth reminded me of Ruth on Ozark. So lyrical is Jenna Lamia's voice, I searched for other books she's narrated. I will be listening to Valentine again, and I 👏🏼can't 👏🏼recommend 👏🏼it 👏🏼enough.
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It's because of these ladies talent at bringing Wetmore's wonderful writing to life, and giving me such a memorable experience that is this story, that makes this awesome audio.

I received Valentine free from Audible. 

Until next time,
Kara

The Virtue of Sin

🦋"Perfection is not for the pure of soul; there may be virtue in sin."

Sixteen year old Mariam lives in an isolated desert community New Jerusalem under the watchful eye of leader Daniel.
When the traditional ceremony of Daniel marrying teenage boys to the teenage girls they choose to marry goes very wrong, Mariam begins to dig. She uncovers truths about her community and Daniel, and questions if she will continue to blindly believe.

This YA novel easily had me hooked with it's different, compelling story and interesting characters.
What I was especially impressed with was the female empowerment theme throughout. Mariam takes a hard look at the patriarchal culture she's been raised in, and dares to speak up for herself and others. In this culture, men don't own their mistakes, they do whatever they like, and women never have a choice. Mariam points out that even not choosing (who to marry) is more choice than the women get. She wonders why temptation is always girl's fault, why men never take responsibility.

I haven't seen this book mentioned on the usual online places, so guys, I'm here to recommend you get your hands on it!

I received The Virtue of Sin in an Instagram giveaway win, thank you Thesmartcookiephiles!

Until next time,
Kara