Book Review: "Lost Coast Literary;" (Advanced Reader Copy); Author: Ellie Alexander; Publisher: Sweet Lemon Press LLC; Expected Publication Date: March 29, 2022.

2/21/2022

Thank you to NetGalley, Sweet Lemon Press LLC and Ellie Alexander for the opportunity to read and review an Advanced Reader Copy of "Lost Coast Literary" expected to be released on March 29, 2022.

This book is a perfect blend of reality and magic that captivates the reader with every turn of the page. The first question that entered my mind when I commenced reading the book was: "is it possible that another author's writing style from a different era can be reincarnated in a modern-day author's work?" I truly believe this is possible for after reading the carefully etched, deliberate descriptions in Ms. Alexander's book, I immediately compared her to another engaging author that had a rare gift in bringing a story to life in vivid detail: Elizabeth Von Arnim (1866-1941). Ironically, a few weeks ago I read Ms. Arnim's book, "The Enchanted April," written in the ripe old year of 1922... a book which still resonates today with countless readers across the globe because of the exquisite details she masterfully pens that paint moving pictures within the reader's mind.

And this is the exact writing gift that Ms. Alexander portrays in her own writing. Her every word is a brush stroke, shifting the story from a mere book to a cinematographic vision etched in ink. The reader does not have to strain to envision what the author is trying to convey; the author does the work for you and so it invokes a pleasant, effortless read.

Vivid descriptions contain the keys that open up the portal of the reader's mind that harbors imagination. We can witness this in this book. Emily's anguish in trying to carve her future, her love of all things literary which pulls her in every direction and is the epicenter driving her decisions, and her past and current family issues are palpable- the reader feels her dilemma through her countless self-analysis and never-ending questions. She feels abandoned by her extended family and is drowning in unanswered questions, carrying the weight of her uncertainty and lack of answers throughout her life. Her emotions are heightened. Strained. All these issues are now together, at the forefront of her thoughts and she must confront them. She is at a crossroads- somewhere she does not want to be and this is expertly illustrated through Ms. Alexander's sweeping, yet controlled, descriptions. We got inside Emily's head.

We witness this gift of writing in vivid detail with the fantastic descriptions of "The Ballard" - the 'literary' mansion Ellie inherits from her grandmother and the paint-stroke, finely executed details of the village and it's community inhabitants. These details 'connect' the reader to the unfolding story. Without this, the reader loses interest in the characters and storyline and does not remain vested in the story to read it to the end. This does not happen here. Ms. Alexander masterfully keeps her reader connected.

The "magical" element was a pleasant, refreshing twist to the story. I was able to guess ahead of time what the outcome would be as the story unfolded but the author's writing kept me hooked. The plot was evenly paced and flowed in time to the tone which was pleasant and blended with the descriptions.

In summation, "Lost Coast Literary" was a cozy read and I stayed immersed in the story. I would be delighted to read Ms. Alexander's previous literary works and future ARCs. I do recommend this book be added to your TBR list. All opinions in this review are my own.

Grading: 5/5

Special Notes

You can find out more about the author, Ellie Alexander, by visiting her delightful web page at:
Homepage » Ellie Alexander – Author, Writing Coach, and Speaker

If you read a book, please remember to leave a review on any site of your choosing. It acts as an incentive for other readers to purchase an author's book. Writers are super appreciative of this kind act.

Book Reviewed: "Lost Coast Literary;" (Advanced Reader Copy); Author: Ellie Alexander; Publisher: Sweet Lemon Press LLC; Expected Publication Date: March 29, 2022.

Book Blog Copyright (C) 2022 Mary-Lisa Russo

Author

You have stumbled into the writing world of Mary-Lisa Russo, an avid storyteller observing the universe around her and her humble place amongst the stars. “Excerpts From The Wandering Mind” is Mary-Lisa’s first collection of poems and she is currently working on her next book to be released in 2022. She recently created an e-book, namely, "Voices From the Universe," for her subscribers which is available for download via BookFunnel. She is a university graduate having majored in English Literature and continues to nurture her ongoing writing education at a local college. She is a reviewer both with NetGalley and Goodreads and is a member of the Ontario Poetry Society and various writers’ groups.