Review of Dear Martin by Nic Stone

Dear Martin, took me by complete surprise and introduced me to an Own Voice author that I have not known before. Nic Stone has become, very quickly I might add, one of my favorite new middle grade and YA authors. Her storytelling ability is remarkable as I'm reading the book, I am picturing scene by scene in my mind and putting faces to voices. This character-driven story has impacted me in a way most contemporaries don't do. 

Dear Martin, made me look at my surroundings, my work office, my school, my church, my grocery store, and my neighborhood. I listened to how people said things to and about one another, and I recognize the injustices as soon as I opened my eyes. I am a white middle-aged, middle-class woman and even though I struggle from time to time to have money to do extra things that I want to do (I am by no means a Beverly Hills chick), I don't and could not understand what it is like to be oppressed in America. 

Dear Martin, opened my eyes to the injustices that surround us on a day-to-day basis. For such a small book to have such a huge impact makes me speechless even though I'm rambling on about how much I loved it. This is a book that my 12-year-old son will read. This is a book, that I want my husband to read. I want to gift this book to everyone I know because I want people to look past the notions of prejudices that we’re taught and raised with.  I immediately fell down a Nic Stone rabbit hole and just devoured my third book of hers and I'm ready for the next one!

]

Christmas in Winter Hill by Melody Carlson

Christmas in Winter Hill

by Melody Carlson

Published by Fleming H. Revell Company

This was such a sweet story that gave me all the Hallmark Christmas vibes!  I loved the main character Krista as she seemed very real and relatable. She comes from a dysfunctional background but has persevered through it in order to provide a successful future for her and her daughter.  Also, she isn’t afraid to stand on her own two feet and I admire that in a female protagonist.  I felt that she real life comments and advice to offer her daughter which I can relate to as a mother of a 12 year old.  The description of Christmasville was festive and cheerful.  I love reading about small towns that celebrate together.  I come from a suburban area and we only wave hi and bye to our neighbors. 

I do wish the story would have been longer. At times the plot felt driven too quickly and the romance was very rushed, especially considering the background for Conner.  This is my first Melody Carlson book and I would love to read more of work, but I do usually prefer more content in my reads as well as a much slower build to a romance.  Some light flirting and hand holding can really build the anticipation for a reader! 

 

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publishing company. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

About the Author

Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of over two hundred books, several of them Christmas novellas from Revell, including her much-loved and bestselling book, The Christmas Bus. 

She also writes many teen books, including the Diary of a Teenage Girl series, the TrueColors series, and the Carter House Girls series. 

Melody was nominated for a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her books, including the Notes from a Spinning Planet series and Finding Alice, which is in production as a Lifetime Television movie. She and her husband serve on the Young Life adult committee in central Oregon.