Book Review: The Last Death of the Year (New Hercule Poirot Mysteries, #6) by Sophie Hannah

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The Last Death of the Year (New Hercule Poirot Mysteries, #6)  by Sophie Hannah and Agatha Christie  opens with Hercule Poirot and Inspector Edward Catchpool arriving on the island of Lamperos in Greece on New Year's Eve in 1932. Poirot has been requested by the leader of a religious community to investigate the threat against one of its members, but just a short while later, another resident is found dead after a New Year's game threatened this member's life. I'd like to thank NetGalley and William Morrow for approving my request for an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of this mystery. I've been a long time fan of Agatha Christie and her Hercule Poirot series, so learning I'd receive a copy of Sophie Hannah's new book based on this series made me absolutely giddy. A digital copy was provided to me in exchange for my honest review. Sophie Hannah has done a fabulous job of recreating Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot series and keeping a similar style of writin...
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Book Review: Little Sister (Sweet Dreams, #5) by Yvonne Greene

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The Running Bibliophile's Teen Romance Book Review of Little Sister (Sweet Dreams, #5) by Yvonne Greene
Growing up, I remember being fascinated by a teen romance book series called Sweet Dreams, published by Bantam Books. Each book in the series was mostly a standalone story featuring different characters and was written by a variety of authors. Like many long-running teen series, the books were hit-or-miss when it came to character development and plot, especially in the earlier installments. Some stories felt predictable, while others were surprisingly engaging, but the series as a whole left a lasting impression on teenage readers.

As a kid, finding these books was its own little adventure. They weren’t readily available at my local bookstores, and it seemed like the only place I could reliably get my hands on them was at school book fairs, a source of constant frustration for a young reader craving her next romance. While the internet existed, online shopping hadn’t yet become widespread, so hunting down books online wasn’t really an option at the time.

As an adult, curiosity got the best of me, and I decided to track down some of these nostalgic teen romances. While browsing ThriftBooks.com, I came across a copy of Little Sister (Sweet Dreams, #5) by Yvonne Greene and couldn’t resist ordering it. Revisiting it years later brought a wave of nostalgia and a fresh perspective on teen romance writing in the 1980s.

Plot Summary of Little Sister
Little Sister opens with Cindy waking up on the morning of her sixteenth birthday. As a child, she had dreamed of a huge “Sweet Sixteen” party, but now that the day had arrived, she doesn’t want one ... mostly because she feels it could never live up to the celebration her older sister, Christine, had thrown the year before. Right away, we see Cindy grappling with feelings of jealousy and insecurity, common themes in teen romance novels. Christine, the older sister, is the favorite child in their family ... beautiful, confident, and seemingly perfect. Cindy feels overshadowed and underappreciated, setting the stage for the story’s central conflict.

Cindy also harbors a huge crush on Ron, a senior and former basketball player turned actor, who happens to sit behind her in study hall. When Ron asks her out, Cindy feels like her dreams have come true. But the romance faces complications when Christine lands the lead in the school production of Romeo and Juliet opposite Ron. Cindy misinterprets their rehearsals and time together, convinced that Ron is cheating on her with her own sister. This misunderstanding fuels the tension between the sisters and drives much of the book’s drama.
little sister sweet dreams yvonne greene

Characters and Themes
Cindy is relatable in many ways; she embodies the self-absorbed tendencies of a typical teenager. She often prioritizes her own problems over those of her friends, ignoring her friend Helen when she tries to share her own heartbreak. Cindy even refuses to accompany Helen into a store where her crush works, choosing instead to focus solely on her relationship with Ron.

The dynamic between Cindy and Christine adds another layer of complexity. While I don’t have siblings, it seems realistic that a younger sister might feel jealous or resentful of an older sibling, especially when it comes to attention from parents or peers. Cindy’s behavior sometimes feels more middle school than high school, but that’s part of what makes her character authentic. Teenagers often act impulsively and emotionally, struggling to navigate relationships and self-identity.

Ultimately, the book reinforces an important lesson for young readers: don’t jump to conclusions, and remember that things are not always as they appear. It’s a gentle reminder about the importance of communication, trust, and perspective, wrapped in a lighthearted teen romance.

Final Thoughts and Rating
Overall, I found Little Sister to be a charming and nostalgic read. While the plot and supporting character development were limited, Cindy’s journey made the story engaging and relatable. It’s a perfect example of a classic teen romance that balances drama, humor, and life lessons. For these reasons, I’m giving Little Sister (Sweet Dreams, #5) by Yvonne Greene a solid 4 out of 5 stars.

Whether you’re revisiting your childhood favorites or discovering the Sweet Dreams series for the first time, this book offers a delightful glimpse into teen romance fiction of the 1980s.

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