Member Reviews
Wow, this book was fantastic and potentially my favorite read this month!
What I was expecting to be a 2-day read turned into a half-day, one-sitting, binge read. It has cozy seaside romance vibes, a dash of cozy mystery, a smidge of magic, a treasure hunt, and reunited families.
I loved the relationship between Blythe and her Nomi, as well as the way Nomi encouraged Blythe's whimsical side.
Blythe and Flynn were a little bit too insta-love, but still made a lovely and believable couple. Savannah, Brodie, and the rest of the townspeople were awesome and I am dying to go on a viking/pirate treasure hunt now.
Without realising it, this is the third book I’ve read by Kerry Anne King! Featuring themes of magical realism, loss, grief and romance, Improbably Yours is a nice enough story. A Hallmark-movie of the book world, if you will. The story doesn’t take a lot of focus and a perfect light read.
The protagonist is Blythe - just turned 30, and seemingly throwing away the perfect life; a successful fiancée and the chance of her dream job, much to her parents chagrin. Instead, she’s following a message from beyond the grave. A map drawn by herself as a small child under the behest of her long since dead grandmother. As her 30th birthday gift, her grandmother left in trust instructions for her to travel to an island to bury her ashes and solve a riddle.
As I said - a nice enough story! But my dark got his mind was looking for things that didn’t materialise. The ghosts, for example. I totally expected some malevolent entities, some evil deeds and hauntings but that didn’t happen! Maybe a solid 3/5 and that’s because romance isn’t my particular genre.
This is really good book. Blythe's story will keep you turning the pages to see what happens next. This book is full of emotions and mystery. It has great characters, beautiful setting and plenty of surprises.
I received a complimentary copy from Lake Union Publishing via NetGalley and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.
This ARC was provided to me via Kindle, from Lake Union Publishing and #NetGalley. Thank you for the opportunity to preview and review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.
A story that will take places you don’t expect.
Blythe's 30th birthday leads to big changes in her life thanks to her beloved deceased grandmother Noni. She's sent on a treasure hunt to Vinland, an intriguing island, where she meets new people and discovers things about her family and herself. And, of course, finds love. It's nicely written and paced with some good atmospherics. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. King's fans will be pleased with this one.
𝘐𝘮𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘣𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘺 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴 tells the story of Blythe who has been tasked by her grandmother on her 30th birthday to bury her ashes on a small Island following a treasure map. And so Blythe, out of love and respect for her grandmother goes through with it, leaving behind her years long relationship and quitting her job. But what she discovers on the lsand is more than what her grandmother could have possibly led her to.
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Ok this going to sound very confusing but the actual mystery in itself was kinda anticlimactic and predictable but the very last letter addressed to Blythe from her grandmother made it all better.
My main issue with the story is the insta love aspect. I mean did a few butterflies flutter in my chest? Yes. But did I want more coupley scenes of Blythe and Flynn? Also, yes.
To be honest, other than the actual treasure hunt reveal, Flynn and Savannah's secrets(ish) were better thrill inducing.
Aside from all of that, I guess the whole Island coming together (kinda) to help Blythe bury her grandmother was wholesome.
- ~ -
3.64 / 5✩
𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘓𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘜𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘗𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘱𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬, 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘐 𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 & 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸𝘦𝘥. 𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘰𝘸𝘯.
Kerry Anne King is not a new author for me, I enjoyed Whisper Me This as well as A Borrowed Life, it only stands to reason that I would jump when given the opportunity to review Improbably Yours which releases in a few short weeks.
Improbably Yours begins with a 24 year old conversation that revisits Blyther on her 30th birthday that sets her on a path of self discovery through a treasure hunt on an island off the coast of Oregon.
This was a fun and interesting read. It wasn’t just Blythe's journey but for others on the island as well. It’s a story of grief, of guilt, and how the past doesn’t always stay secret. Eventually, all will be revealed no matter how hard you try not to let it happen.
I enjoyed the location of the story, the treasure hunt, the clues, the connections and while some of it may have been a tad predictable, it was still entertaining watching everything unfold. I enjoyed the mystery, the magical parts, the island and unique cast of characters and way of life on this island, I love that there was a canine and that just rounded everything out nicely.
While this might not be my favourite, Kerry Anne King book, that place belongs to Whisper Me This, but Improbably Yours gets four stars from me.
My thanks to the publisher, Lake Union Publishing and Netgalley for a digital arc in exchange for a honest review. You can find this book on your bookshelves October 18.
A delightful read! When Blythe is turning 30, she has several surprises…one of which takes her on a treasure hunt! Along the way, the clues will lead her to so much more than treasure!
Does the sheer anticipation of an unopened gift overwhelm you?
I don’t like waiting. It makes me an awful person. I’m the child who opened her siblings’ Christmas gifts on Christmas Eve and then whispered what I’d discovered as I sneaked into their room. Awful.
Blythe Beatrice Harmon has just passed the signpost marking thirty years old and feels like she’s “on a train headed for the wrong destination, traveling down a mountainside without brakes, gathering momentum at an alarming rate.” At 10, 950 days old, she feels like it’s easier to stay on board another day than jump off. She's not happy with her life, but it works. Her 30th birthday gift couldn’t have come at a more perfect moment. Serendipitous, really.
A life-changing inheritance leads Blythe on a journey of self-discovery, a treasure hunt of sorts, and opens her heart up to the magic that’s always surrounded her.
This was a long-awaited book (you’ll recall that I’m in the process of developing patience, right?!) by a trusted author and it was everything I’d built it up to be and more! It was the treasure hunt of a lifetime! I loved the quirky characters, the mysterious letters, the second chance romance, and the coming together of the past and the future. My inner treasure seeker loved the references to ghosts, pirates, a secluded island, buried treasure in chests and a map, and the haunted house.
King managed to awaken the treasure seeker within and reminded me that while some things need to be buried, other things need to be discovered. She pointed out the buried treasure for each of us to find - the treasure of love, of second chances, and of found family. Some of us, like Blythe, will have to dig up our past to make sense of our present and future. And that’s o.k., too.
Two takeaways for me that will be added to my personal dictionary are: Improbable House and Vinland Thursdays.
You absolutely must read about Norman and the depth of his utterance - “Nevermore.”
I was gifted this advance copy by Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
If you like secrets, adventure, and a dash of whimsy then this is one to add to your wish list. Magical in places and captivating to read.
This story reached right into my heart and cast its spell. Blythe is turning thirty and examining her life when a surprise arrives up sending her plans and taking her on a journey. As she explores the Island of Vinland, she finds clues to an unknown mystery and she crosses paths with Flynn and Savannah whose own struggles add to the depth of this stories layers. King carefully examines complex family relationships and the secrets kept. This story is also considers grief in a way that resonated deeply. Improbably Yours is also filled with whimsy and has a magical quality that is hard to describe yet delightful. Thank you to Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to read an advanced copy through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The premise of this book sounded really good and, unfortunately, the writing style wasn't what I expected... the love story fell flat for me. It has fun moments. I seem to be in the minority so check out other reviewd as well!
Loved it!!! Such a magical book. This might be my favorite book by the author. I'm not sure how Blythe made it so far in her life without strangling her mother or sister. I can't believe she still talks to them. They don't want Blythe to be herself, they both want to control Blythe. That's why Kristen and her mom love Alan so much, he's just like them. Blythe's birthday party was a perfect example. The birthday party was what they all wanted not Blythe. Alan was such a tool, anyone could see he wasn't the person for Blythe. Everyone except her mom and sister. Blythe was lucky to have Nomi in her life. I loved Vinland. Not only do I want to live there, but I want to participate in all the activities. Such a fun adventure. I would definitely have picked to be a Viking. I can't believe all the time and planning it must have taken to get Blythe on the island and set up all the clues. I had a suspicion about Old Nick, now I know why he was always so grumpy. Loved Norman. I couldn't wait to find out why Flynn left the island and the reason behind his scar.
Definitely recommend the book. Loved the characters, writing style and story. It was so much fun trying to solve all of the clues. Look forward to reading more books by the author.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Lake Union Publishing through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
A heartfelt journey, a grandmother’s love, a quirky setting, some well-intentioned ghosts, an unusual cast of characters, and a satisfying love story—who else but Kerry Anne King could bake up these ingredients into a magical, moving, and totally delightful story? A pleasure from start to finish!
On her thirtieth birthday, Blythe is about to change everything about her life all because of a treasure map she drew when she was six years old with the help of her grandmother, Nomi. Improbably Yours takes you on an adventure on Vinland Island in the Pacific Northwest where there are family ties and secrets, treasures to be found, ghosts, and even romance. This delightful book had me hooked from the first page. Thanks to the author Kerry Anne King, Lake Union Publishing, and NetGalley for providing a copy of this ebook for an honest review.
What a unique, intriguing story! I couldn't put this one down. The twists and turns were so original, I didn't see them coming. Romance, mystery, adventure, magic, even an enchanted island. The layers to this novel offered unexpected treasures, such as lines like this: "Never again will I forget who I really am or how to keep my eyes open to the magic all around me."
What a delight! I loved this novel and it held my interest even more as the story moved ahead. I wasn't sure if I liked the main character at first, but thirty pages in, I was rooting for our plucky heroine on her quest to find buried treasure hidden by her grandmother many years ago. Become steeped in a mystery while reading this page-turning book and soak in the atmosphere of the San Juan Islands. Three cheers all around!
This book was magical!
We follow Blythe who has an unusual bequest from her beloved Grandmother. She wants her to follow a treasure map and be buried on this island. Blythe meets Savannah and Flynn once she’s on the island, both who have their own secrets.
It’s a lovely location with just the right amount of mystery and romance. I truly enjoyed the story. Thanks to the author for the early copy
I am one of Kerry Anne King’s biggest fans, I admit. So I am always looking for what she is going to do next. The great thing is that each of her books is totally original, and this one is no exception. I fell in love with the main character immediately. I identified with her. And she didn’t let me down.
Blythe is the outlier in her family. She won’t settle down and follow the path that other people have plotted out for her. So when her boyfriend proposes to her at a surprise birthday party (she hates surprise parties) and a lawyer show up at the same moment with her grandmother’s ashes and instructions to bury them on an island Blythe thought she had imagined but was real, well—-this is her “out”, the reason not to accept the proposal she doesn’t want.
Fast forward to an island in the San Juans, not to far from Orca. Meet Flynn who is the reluctant manager of the not so imaginary island, where it seems Blythe’s grandmother once lived. The island has since been turned into a kind of kitchey resort where people pay to search for treasure. Flynn’s sister died in a horrible accident and he is now custodian of his 12 going on twenty year old niece, as well as manager.
Blythe arrives at the island with quite a different search in mind than the treasure hunters. She must decipher where her grandmother wanted her ashes buried. There are no end of complications, not the least of which is that Flynn and Blythe are strongly attracted to one another.
The story is part magical reality, part Hallmark mystery, and part finding yourself story. I know it sounds improbable (as indicated by the title), but it works. It really works. It has kept me committed from beginning to end.
Blythe Harmon is floundering, facing her 30th birthday feeling lukewarm about her job and romantic partner, and feeling the effects of her family’s disappointment that she isn’t living up to her “potential”. She is offered a lifeline after her beloved grandmother’s death when she is left her grandmother’s urn with instructions to bury her ashes and complete a treasure hunt on a mysterious island. She embraces the challenge and in so doing she rediscovers herself and her zest for living. I enjoyed the island setting, the treasure hunt clues, and the journey the main character went through.