We may have been given complimentary copies and/or access for review purposes to any books, products, and/or any other visual or audio media mentioned below. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own.
Books: The Unlikely Heir & How to Survive a Killer Musical
Me - Today we are recommending The Unlikely Heir by Jax Calder. I had such a fun time reading The Unlikely Heir! This book is about Oliver, the prime minister of England, and Callum, a half-British, half-American minor royal who is suddenly thrust into the full royal life when he becomes heir to the British throne after a scandal removes most of his relatives from the line of succession. The two of them end up in each other’s orbit and their relationship quickly moves from professional into a friendship before turning into a romance. However, the prime minister and the heir to the throne can not possibly be together so the two of them must decide what’s more important: their respective positions or their love.
I really enjoyed both main characters! They were both fleshed out well in my opinion and I felt like I understood their motivations, interests, and personalities. Callum was so sunshiney, sweet, and awkward and I loved his optimism and constant ability to find lightness in even his darkest moments. Every time someone wronged him or mistreated him I was infuriated on his behalf. Oliver was far more stoic and serious but he was also protective and snarky and I loved watching his sillier side come out throughout the book.
The two of them were so cute together! I love that they found each other attractive from the start but they also had such a solid foundation of friendship before things turned romantic. They also made so much sense together! Oliver lifted Callum up, listened to him, took him seriously and encouraged him in a way no one else ever had before and Callum brought out a sense of joy and brightness in Oliver that he hadn’t even known existed. They had good banter and chemistry and a strong emotional connection and they just genuinely loved being in each other’s company. Their cuteness made me giddy throughout the whole story and I adored following them as they fell in love.
The conflict between them also played out in a really satisfying way. They fought but it was for a legitimate reason that made a lot of sense rather than just having a random overblown miscommunication. Additionally, even when they were mad at each other they treated/thought about each other with respect and care. There was no pettiness involved either. Then, the resolution was extremely sweet and while it wasn’t realistic in a real-world sense, it worked given the characters and the context of their story.
The royalty plotline was so much fun as well! Royalty storylines are extremely hit or miss for me but this one worked and I think that’s largely because it didn’t take itself too seriously. There was a lot of suspension of disbelief involved in the story for many reasons. Obviously, it’s extremely unlikely that a half-American who was raised in California would suddenly become heir to the throne, that almost a dozen royal heirs would be disinherited at the same time, or that the British prince and prime minister would get together. Also, the fact that Callum and Oliver were both men didn’t really factor into the conflict at all. Instead, the conflict was almost entirely focussed on the fact that royals aren’t allowed to express any political opinions and prime ministers can’t be biased towards the monarchy. It was nice not to have to deal with any homophobia in the story but in real life that would definitely have been a much bigger issue. However, I wasn’t bothered by the lack of realism in the slightest for a couple of reasons. First, the romance, like I said, felt well-developed and realistic which kept the story grounded. And second, the whole tone was just super lighthearted and fun. It wasn’t meant to be a legitimate critique or analysis of the British monarchy or a realistic tale of what it’s like to be a royal; it was meant to be a cute royal romance and I absolutely think it delivered. I will add that I know next to nothing about the British government or monarchy so I have no idea whether those elements in and of themselves were portrayed accurately, but whether they are or not, I don’t think it makes a difference. If you’re looking for an informational book about those subjects, this isn’t the one for you.
The whole book was fast-paced, but especially the ending. There was a twist that gave the last few chapters a more intense vibe and took me very much by surprise.It wasn’t the most shocking or well-planned twist in the world but I still mostly enjoyed the way it played out even though it also hurt me.
Overall, I had a great time reading this! If you prefer a realistic story with a serious tone, this may not be the one for you but if you want a royal romance that’s silly and fun with lovable characters and a super cute relationship at its heart, I’d highly recommend The Unlikely Heir!
Mom - Today we are recommending How to Survive a Killer Musical by Douglass J. Cohen. Cohen is a composter and lyricist who, among other things, created a musical based on the book, No Way to Treat a Lady by William Goldman, which was also the basis for the 1968 film of the same name. This is a no-holds-barred account of the history of this musical. It covers everything from the idea to create the musical, to obtaining permission, to writing the musical, finding a venue, finding a director and producer, casting, and much more including numerous rewriting of lines, scenes, and songs along the way. However, all of that is not even the end of the process once a production of the musical has finished the whole process starts over again. Ultimately playing Broadway and/or the West End is a nice end result, but it doesn't always happen. In fact, for most shows, it doesn't.
The book gives you an insider's look at how difficult it is to get a new musical off the ground and how much it takes out of the people involved. Multiple opinions, numerous, casting changing that is only the tip of the iceberg. This particular show also had to deal with two leading ladies being injured onstage among other things. This book gives you a new appreciation for the people who make theater and the theater they create. Whether a show is a huge hit or a massive flop, the blood, sweat, and tears of numerous people are behind its creation. It is definitely not as easy as it looks.
Today we are recommending Irena's Vow. This is the true story of Polish nurse, Irena Gut Opdyke, who risked her own life to hide a group of Polish Jews during World War II. The story was also the basis of the 2009 Broadway play of the same name starring Tovah Feldshuh. The story is quite moving. It is extremely gutwrenching but ultimately at its center quite hopeful and uplifting.
It should be noted that the film contains violence including the killing of young children although the actual killings are not shown on screen as well as brief nudity. Accordingly, it is definitely not suitable for children and/or those who are triggered by such things. However, overall, the film is another important reminder of both what can come of man's inhumanity to man and how one person's action can make a life-changing difference in the world.
And that's our view. Tune in tomorrow for Where-To-Go Wednesday.
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