Thursday 28 June 2012

#121 Book Review: Love Notes from Vinegar House

Love Notes from Vinegar House
Release Date: May 1st 2012
Author: Karen Tayleur
Publisher: Walker Books Australia
Source: Publisher for Review
Format: Paperback
Where to Buy: Fishpond
More Info: Goodreads
Summary from Goodreads:
A gothic romance-thriller – think Rebecca meets Gossip Girl.

“There are some things you should know about me if we are going to be friends. Like I don’t believe in ghosts.”

Freya Jackson Kramer has done some stupid things before, but this is the first time they’ve been splashed across Facebook. When she escapes to Vinegar House for the holidays, she thinks she’s leaving her troubles behind. But Freya’s troubles are just beginning.

How will she deal with her manipulative cousin, Rumer? How can she avoid the ex-love of her life, Luke Hart? And what secrets lie in the locked attic? This is a book for readers who believe in ghosts, for readers who disbelieve, and for those who are still sitting on the fence.
Cover:
The cover looks so creepy and scary! I think the room is the blue room in Vinegar House. The cover suits the book well!

Story:

Do you believe in ghosts?

Love Notes from Vinegar House is a chilling, creepy yet funny and sweet book at the same time. When I first saw the title of the book, I found the title very strange and rare. Why Vinegar House? To be precise, why is the house called Vinegar? And the book completely answered my questions. It has been a while since I read a book about ghosts (as in not books where the character falls in love with ghosts, etc). I expected a scary and super duper creepy book but it's not like that at all! The book does talk about ghosts but nothing too extreme. 

Love Notes from Vinegar House is about finding out the secrets in Vinegar House, love story, ghosts and annoying cousin. I really enjoyed reading the story and how the book addresses the readers, asking you questions that makes you think whether ghosts do exist in the world? Written from Freya's POV, I was completely immersed in Freya's story. Tayleur's writing was hillarious, funny but also chilling. I love how the book ended. It wrapped up the whole book nicely!

Characters:
Freya was a great character and narrator as well. I loved reading the book from her POV, her feelings about ghosts, Vinegar House, her cousin and her crush. I also loved how she addressed us, the readers, by asking us questions about different things! Rumer was an annoying and bossy cousin of Freya. I completely understood how Freya hated her. Although, she became nicer towards the end of the book. Luke Hart, Freya's crush, was cute as well. I love the way he called Freya 'shrimp' and how happy he made Freya feel. Grandma Vinegar was quite scary and was a great addition to the characters in the book! The characters felt so real and they were all very enjoyable to read about!
  
Overall:
Love Notes from Vinegar House is a gorgeous, haunting and chilling novel. Karen Tayleur's wonderful writing brings you a story of love, ghosts, annoying cousin and a mysterious house. By the end of the book, you will wonder whether ghosts do exist in this world...
4 Forget-Me-Not flowers for Love Notes from Vinegar House!

 Thank you Walker Books Australia for the review copy!

16 comments:

  1. I haven't heard of this before you posted! Awesome review. And I agree that the cover does look scary!

    A new fellow Aussie follower :P

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  2. This book sounds really creepy! I'm surprised to hear that it's also funny and sweet at the same time - I think I'd enjoy it more because of that since I hate full-on creepy books (I'm such a scaredy-cat!) Freya seems like a great character and I'm glad you enjoyed reading from her POV :)

    Fab review, Celine - you've really enticed me to give this a go once I get over how scary the cover is :D

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  3. Haven't heard of this one before your review... going to have to check it out!

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  4. Oh wow this book sounds so creepy, but so good, I can't remember the last time I picked up a book about ghost, but this one sounds like one I definitely want to try! And I love the cover! Thanks for bringing this to my attention Celine! :)

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  5. Oh haha it's very interesting that the love interest calls her 'shrimp'! I don't think I would take it very well if a guy called me shrimp. :P I'm not a big fan of books about ghost (can't stand the creepiness!) but this one sounds great for me! I can take ghost book which aren't too extreme. x)

    Stunning review, Celine! <3

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  6. Whew! For a second there, I was afraid this would be too supernatural for me. Scaredy cat right here, folks! Haha. Annnd, I love her name. Fray-yuh. Well, that's how I pronounce it in my head. It tickles my mouth when I say her name. Yes, I have very shallow happiness. =))

    New follower here! Great review :D

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  7. I think that this has to be the FIRST time I've ever heard a book pitched as Rebecca meets Gossip Girl, but I am so intrigued! x) It sounds so creepy and chilling and haunting and sweet, but I love all of those things too, so I think I'm going to love this too! :) I've always had a soft spot for ghosts (since one of my first book ideas was about ghosts). Hehe, and isn't "shrimp" such a cute nickname? x)

    Amazing review, Celine! I really DO hope ghosts actually exist! ;) <3

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  8. Haha, I saw the title on my Google Reader and I was like, "The title is so cute!" Then I saw the cover and I was like oh. I feel the chill just reading your review! I don't think I've really read a YA with ghosts but I really want to read this one now. It sounds like the perfect combination of creepy and gorgeous. :)

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  9. OOH I didn't know this book at all, but having a great book about ghosts is always so nice! I think I'll keep this one in mind now. thank you.

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  10. Now this sounds very interesting! I'm surprised I haven't come across it before but now I really want to read it. The tile and cover alone are really intriguing. ;) A great review, Celine! I'm glad you ended up liking this overall. :)

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  11. SHRIMP! That's kind of adorable. I'm not usually a fan of ghost books because I get freaked out easily, but this book sounds like it has just the right amount of creepy without it being overwhelming.

    Thanks for the great review! I'm glad you liked this book.

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  12. I like how it's a mix of both creepy and humour! I just finished a book about ghost so I'm HUNGRY for more!! I love when the house itself has that spooky, haunted vibe and is just as much a character as the characters themselves. And Freya sounds like an awesome heroine!

    I hadn't heard of this before, so thanks for putting it on my radar with your fantastic review! <3

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  13. I haven't heard of this before, but it looks amazing and the cover is so haunting. I love it. :) Creepy, goergous, AND funny?? Sold lady, sold. Thanks for the req and wonderful review!

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  14. Oooo this sounds great! I'm always up for a good ghost story, and the fact that it has some humor mixed in there really appeals to me as well. Usually I freak myself out reading ghost stories, so I think the sweet/funny element you mentioned will help me deal with the creepiness:) Thanks for the review Celine, this one is new to me!

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  15. This is the first time I'm hearing of this book, but it sure does sound creepy as hell! I like ghost stories, so I'll have to check it out soon. I agree that the title is especially intriguing and I'm so glad that the book answers your questions. :)
    Great review, Celine ! :)

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  16. I've never heard of this one but I love the sound of it, Celine! I'm going to add it to my TBR. Brilliant review. :)

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