Rach's Reading Club

"Three French Hens" - the next in the "Aloha Chicken" Series. What a wonderful book this was! I loved it! It was like experiencing Christmas in Hawaii, a bizarre chicken show mystery, a beautiful community, interesting and highly varied new kinds of chickens intruduced, a character of a photographer, interesting law enforcement tactics, and nature preservation (NeNe conservation and egg hatching) all together. There were also hilarious kid's interpretations of Christmas songs for their pagent, and 12 days of Christmas malasada flavors. Malasadas are not something I think I've ever had and I don't eat sugar but for some reason, I loved hearing what each new flavor of the day was. I wondered if I could do something similar with date balls next Christmas.

Also, she and her dad had some nice interactions and there were some interesting family dynamics in other families and a French theme (I love French themes and, unlike Saffron, I could read the clues that were in French, which I suppose made things easier to figure out but I still really enjoyed the book).

The romance I was missing in the last book kind of came back in this book. I guess I should explain the whole romance thing but.. if you're going to read the series, don't read this explanation. It's definitely full of spoilers. So.. in the first book, she met Keahi, who I adore and admire. I think she also met Nik then too but the romance was clearly with Keahi.. a few books later Keahi moved to Boston and in a moment of weakness, she kissed Nik. Keahi broke up with her (the kiss was televised and he saw it, making it even worse). Being lonely and missing Keahi, and with Nik being so easygoing and easy to be with, they kind of fell into a relationship (these are very clean, sweet books. Kissing is the most that happens). I never felt that she should be with Nik, not that he's not a great guy, just not a great match for Saffron. Anyway, Nik bailed on Saffron's big moment in this book to go surfing in Barbados, after she'd planned a big Christmas thing and he was supposed to help and she got him all kinds of gifts etc. Keahi came back and ended up being the substitute Santa and it was clear they still love each other... but with her not being willing to move to Boston and the long distance thing not working, it was a sad parting. She hasn't actually broken up with Nik yet but I expect that to happen. And somehow in the series she and Keahi have to get back together. They're perfect for each other. And really, doesn't Hawaii need a good pediatric surgeon too? Boston can't be the only place for him to work. So all that's to say, that the romance was kind of back, but not in the way I'd hoped for, but the rest of the book made up for it.

This might be my favorite book of the series so far. I have a library book to read next but I expect I'll return to this series soon.