Catherine by April Lindner + Giveaway

Release Date: Out now!

Publisher: Poppy

Pages: 320pgs

The Story

A forbidden romance. A modern mystery. 

Wuthering Heights as you’ve never seen it before.

Catherine is tired of struggling musicians befriending her just so they can get a gig at her Dad’s famous Manhattan club, The Underground. Then she meets mysterious Hence, an unbelievably passionate and talented musician on the brink of success. As their relationship grows, both are swept away in a fiery romance. But when their love is tested by a cruel whim of fate, will pride keep them apart?

Chelsea has always believed that her mom died of a sudden illness, until she finds a letter her dad has kept from her for years—a letter from her mom, Catherine, who didn’t die: She disappeared. Driven by unanswered questions, Chelsea sets out to look for her—starting with the return address on the letter: The Underground.

Told in two voices, twenty years apart, Catherine interweaves a timeless forbidden romance with a compelling modern mystery.

The Review

CATHERINE was such an amazing modern retelling of Wuthering Heights (I kid you not) and I loved it even more than April Lindner's previous book titled Jane, another modern retelling of Jane Eyre. So what surprised me most about this book? Why did I love it so much? Well, despite the fact that Wuthering Heights is one of my absolute favourite classic books of all time, but I actually cried a little after reading this one not only because it was quite sad in a sense but it was because it reminded me so much of how the original book made me feel (how much I fell in love with the book) when I first read it and I loved that feeling!

In this new, fresh modern retelling, the story is told between two girls, Catherine and Catherine's daughter Chelsea, whose stories are separated and are told twenty years apart. Now I don't want to spoil things of the storyline so let's just say I really loved both of these girls! They were so interesting, headstrong, brave, determined, and let nothing stop them. So while I did love Chelsea's journey in finding out what happened to her mother who'd disappeared years ago when she was a child and even her interactions with characters including Cooper (who I just loved!), I thought Catherine in particular was a voice that I couldn't help but be captivated by, much like how I was with the character Catherine in the original book. But most of all, I really loved reading about Catherine's love for Hence, the character who is obviously inspired by Heathcliff of Wuthering Heights, and how their powerful connection destroyed them both. Those two, Catherine and Hence, were so intense and raw and even for a retelling you just wanted them to be together no matter what. No matter their frustrating actions caused by jealousy and getting back at each other. But after one obstacle after another . . . you know it's just not going to happen for them and that's what I loved, the fact that the author followed Wuthering Heights as close as possible while also adding on her own couple twists here and there. And it was just so good!

Apart from the characters (even though it was the main reason why I hugged this book like . . . a lot), but what had really impressed me the most was the setting! Now for some retellings - especially modern ones - it will either work or it won't for a story, but for me it totally worked! It just captured the essence of the original work and I found the modern setting finally brought something new onto the table for new readers who haven't read Wuthering Heights before so I think - and I hope - it will make those readers want to read the original book. Trust me, it's just as awesome as this one right here. And as for the ending of this book . . . so beautiful in its own special way and I cried. Well, just a little though. Hehe.

Overall, CATHERINE lived up to every one of my very high expectations and it played out like a fantastic drama, one you wished never came to an end. Filled with intense characters, gripping storylines, and a piece of work that stayed true to the original work of Wuthering Heights, I think this book will be a real hit with its readers!

The Rating

5/5 stars

Since I loved this book so much, I want YOU to have a chance to read it as well. So in celebration of this very awesome modern retelling, I have two books for two lucky winners to giveaway on my blog. The giveaway includes a finished copy of Catherine by April Lindner (INTL giveaway for anywhere book depository can ship to you) and a copy of the classic tale and one of my favourite books ever Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë (AUS giveaway only). To enter, simply click and fill out the form below:

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

Giveaway closes February 28th.

The winners will have 48 hours to reply to my email. Good luck!