First Impression Friday for May 17, 2019

First Impression Friday is hosted by J.W. Martin. Apparently, it has a brand new theme, but this is the first one I’m joining in on, so…

First Impression Friday will be a meme where you talk about a book that you JUST STARTED! Maybe you’re only a chapter or two in, maybe a little farther.

Based on this sampling of your current read, give a few impressions and predict what you’ll think by the end.

“Mistress of the Ritz” by Melanie Benjamin

I only started reading this a few days ago, and I’m already nearly half way through this book (which will be published in less than a week)!

First of all, the writing is just beautiful, and it flows so well, I’m just gobbling this one up. I think that the third-person narrative works well here, and lends a consistency that switching between points of view rarely affords. So good call here.

Secondly, Benjamin is a real pro at writing dialog and we can really feel the different voices of the two main protagonists, without ever wondering who is talking. That’s not as easy as it sounds, so trust me, it is a real plus.

Finally, I’m a huge fan of biographical, historical fiction, so I knew at the outset that this one was for me. I’m totally thrilled that I’m getting to know about a woman I had no idea even existed! That’s always a real treat for me.

So…

I’m predicting that if this book continues to keep up this quality, it could be the first book of 2019 that gets an unequivocal five out of five stars from me! (Don’t disappoint me, Melanie, please!)