Retelling Archives - The Litertarian

Book Review:: The Battle of the Bookshops | Poppy Alexander

It’s the Romeo + Juliet of the 21st century, but make it cozy and super intricate! Of the two bookstore battle books that have come out this year, this is the one I prefer. The plot is detailed and well thought out, both the characters and setting are charming, there are hearts on the line, age old rivalries, AND there is a mystery to solve!

The Battle of the Bookshops by Poppy Alexander Book Cover

The Battle of the Bookshops certainly has a lot going on. In some ways I wonder if it could have gone without an entire storyline, or even two and still been an interesting story, but also, the more the merrier! The Capelthorne’s and Montbeau’s have been in a competitve rivalry for generations. Currently the Montbeau’s are on the upswing, and the Capelthorne’s are on the verge of losing their beloved bookshop. Roman (Montbeau) and Julia (Capelthorne) are the young generation, and guess what? Yep, they’re falling in love.

With such a robust plot, every time you open the pages it feels like you’re stepping right into the quaint little seaside town. There’s got to be something for everyone to enjoy in this book, and it’s such a fun book for a summer read!

Note:: I received an early copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Details

Title:: The Battle of the Bookshops
Author:: Poppy Alexander
Genre:: Contemporary Romance
Publisher:: Avon and Harper Voyager
Length:: 336 pages
Published:: August 19th, 2025
The Litertarian Rating:: 4-Stars

If you liked this book, check out…

Battle of the Bookstores | Ali Brady
Finders Keepers | Sarah Adler
The Summer You Were Mine | Jill Francis

Book Review:: Toto | A.J. Hackwith

You think you know what the yellow brick road will bring. You have no idea. When you live life through the eyes of a bad dog, it’s a whole new world.

The Wizard of Oz is an American classic. Toto is a hilarious take on what is objectively a bat-shit crazy tale. I guess this takes my original assumption that the events in Oz were just a dream Dorothy has and tosses it out the window, but hey, at least it’s done well.

This book is funny. I know I already said that, but it’s really funny. Toto is sarcastic and spunky and vein and thinks of Dorothy as the one he’s training to be a good human and not the other way around. Toto’s internal dialogue is *chef’s kiss*.

I found it to be a much wider tale than the film. There is far more depth to it, and the scope is wider. There are wars, and rebellions, and pestilence. There are also some interesting character quirks that might give you an idea of the kind of shenanigans you might encounter in this tale. The wicked witch of the west, for example, is an avid crocheter.

I found it to be a nice escape, but I didn’t find it very emotionally interesting. I didn’t care overmuch about anything happening, and it took me awhile to get through. That being said, it is an excellent book. I laughed a great deal and was so impressed by the cleverness throughout. Well done, Hackwith!

Note: I received this from the publisher & netgalley in exchange for review.

Details

Title:: Toto
Author:: A.J. Hackwith
Genre:: Humor, Fantasy, Retelling
Publisher:: Berkley/Ace
Length:: 352 pages
Audio Length:: 10h 45m
Audiobook Narrator:: Andrew Santana
Audiobook Publisher:: Penguin Audio
Published:: November 12th, 2024
The Litertarian Rating:: 4-Stars

Linky Links!!

Goodreads
Author Website
Amazon Affiliate Links
[Paperback] [eBook] [Audible]

If you liked this book, check out…

Libby Lost and Found | Stephanie Booth
The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife | Anna Johnston

Book Review:: The Wife Upstairs | Rachel Hawkins

One of my top books of all time is Jane Eyre, so do I think you should read this modern, exaggerated, twisted novel that heavily draws upon it for inspiration?

Hell yes.

The Wife Upstairs Rachel Hawkins Book Cover

Jane has run away from her old life in Arizona and has taken a job as a dog walker in the ultra-chic suburban neighborhood of Thornfield Heights (already getting good, amiright?). One day she runs into a new man, Eddie Rochester. When she finds out he’s a widower and at least intrigued by her, she decides to wiggle herself into his life, which she convinces herself she deserves. His wife, B(ertha), and her BFF Blanch Ingram, disappeared from a boat on a trip to the lake several months back (hello nod to Rebecca). The investigation is ongoing, but Jane doesn’t let that stop her. Eddie gets a new dog (Adele) and hires Jane to walk her. Before long, their affair is hot and heavy and the neighbors are talking. She’s moved out of her dingy apartment she shared with her foster brother John Rivers and has installed herself into Eddie’s house. But that’s not enough. The other women in the neighborhood won’t accept her as one of them until she has a ring on her finger…

I forgot just how many Jane Eyre references there are in this book until I recently reread it. Each one is like a little Easter Egg, but the kind that’s just thrown on the lawn for the youngsters to find instead of actually hidden. This book is loud and proud about what it is. If you have any familiarity at all with the classic gothic romance, you’ll catch on pretty quickly. And we all know the twist from that book…

The Jane in The Wife Upstairs is the exact opposite of Our Lady Jane. She is a kleptomaniac and obsessed with how others perceive her. She manipulates and gaslights and convinces herself when all is said and done, she will be happy. And she gets what she wants…somehow, things come a little too easily to her.

Rachel Hawkins is so good at mastering a tone of something-just-isn’t-right-here. The investigation of the two women’s disappearances put off Daphne DuMaurier’s Rebecca vibes both in the suspicions and manor of…what happened. If you haven’t read Rebecca – come on. That is gothic lit Required Reading (But be forewarned, you won’t get that first read back, so savor it the first time!). Being in a relationship with B’s husband, she begins to wonder what actually happened to her out there. Was it Blanche’s husband? Was it her own?

I am a big fan of Rachel Hawkins, and it all started with this gem of a book right here. The balance of suspense and intrigue and mystery and f***ed up s***…it’s delicious. Feast yourself.

Details

Title:: The Wife Upstairs
Author:: Rachel Hawkins
Genre:: Mystery/Suspense
Publisher:: St. Martin’s Press
Length:: 290 pages
Audio Length:: 8h 57m
Audiobook Narrator:: Emily Shaffer, Kirby Heyborne, Lauren Fortgang
Audiobook Publisher:: Macmillan Audio
Published:: January 5th, 2021
The Litertarian Rating:: 5-Stars