Book Review – Marvel and Mayhem

Harrisburg, PA, 1926.

New York City flapper, Mattie O’Keefe, lives and breathes for the next rush. City life is all she’s ever known but a tragic disaster forces her to hide somewhere she never dreamed of, a farm. She despises everything about this forsaken place—dirt, animals, an outhouse, and Grant Emery. But if she leaves its concealed security, it will mean her death, and she’s not ready to die.
Grant Emery disagrees with his grandmother’s decision to take Mattie on as a farmhand. He believes the wild redhead will only create more toil upon their already struggling farm. However, when mayhem ensues, he finds that the person he needs to beat the rival is the last one he’d ever choose—Mattie O’Keefe.

Sometimes survival can take a providential twist.

When I was contacted by the author and asked if I’d be willing to read this book, I was quite happy to help her out! This was my first introduction to the writing of Catie Cordero, but I am sure it won’t be my last! (I’d seen her books pictured online prior to this, and had heard nothing but good about them…but hadn’t gotten my hands on any of them yet.)

This book. It made me laugh. It touched my heart. I couldn’t wait to read the ending, and then I was sad when it was over.

You see, Mattie O’Keefe… well, she’s quite the character. You’ll want to get to know her! She is a NYC flapper. Yeah, one of those. Loud, glamorous, a gal that couldn’t live without her cigarettes and excitement.

Then she encounters just a bit too much excitement….and finds herself hiding out in an entirely different environment, just to be safe! She’s whisked away from all that feels safe, namely that big city that she’s used to.

This new, strange place- well, it was a farm way out in a rural, country area in Pennsylvania. (a flapper on a farm–yes, it does stretch your imagination!! In a good way!)

And she was asked to do awful tasks….like milk cows and clean manure out of a barn. Mattie O’Keefe is not lacking in determination, and she ends up fitting in a lot better in her new environment than I had given her credit for.

Somehow, she actually finds herself enjoying those tasks

I loved seeing her grow and appreciate her new life. This author has real talent when it comes to bringing characters to life right in front of you!

I also enjoyed the little bit of suspense that was involved in this story.

Ms. Cordero did an excellent job at bringing those roaring twenties to life!

Now I want to go read the first book in this series (I think I would’ve enjoyed the book even more if I’d have read the other one first, but they do work well as stand alone novels), Ramble and Roar

Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255