5.31.2023 - The Senator's Wife

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Ballantine Bantam for gifting me a digital ARC of the new thriller by my favorite sister authors - Liv Constantine - 4.5 stars rounded up!

After they both lost their spouses in a tragic event which drew them closer, Senator Whit Montgomery and DC philanthropist Sloane Chase are now married.  Sloane is preparing for hip replacement surgery complicated by the fact that she has lupus.  In order to have help for her both at home and for her foundation work, Whit hires Athena to act as a home health aid and assistant to Sloane.  But after the operation, Sloane grows sicker, a feared side affect to her lupus.  Sloane begins to distrust herself and all those around her.

This was a quick read because it was hard to put down!  I liked the short chapters with varying viewpoints of the major characters that left you questioning events and people along with Sloane.  The DC political scene was a great backdrop to this thriller and the ending was perfect!

5.30.2023 - Poverty, By America

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Crown Publishing for gifting me a digital ARC of the new book by Pulitzer Prize winning author of Evicted, Matthew Desmond - 4 stars!

The United States, the richest country on earth, has more poverty than any other advanced democracy.  In this book, Desmond, gives his opinions as to why this is true and ways to change it.

I was a huge fan of Evicted, and it made me think and feel so much about the plight of the poor and homeless.  This book should make you feel all that as well, but to me it was more of an opinion piece.  Desmond gave lots of ways we can change poverty (getting the IRS to change tax laws and go after the cheaters, for example) which are great in theory but difficult in practice.  Many of his suggestions may help some but hurt the middle-class poor in the process.  It's important that this is a conversation though, but realize this is definitely a left-leaning book.

5.29.2023 - I Didn't Do It

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Penzler Publishers Scarlet for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest thriller by Jaime Lynn Hendricks - 5 stars!

Murderpalooza is the big thriller writer convention held in NYC.  When a Kristin, nominee for the top prize is found dead at the hotel, four rival authors start receiving private Twitter messages threatening that they could be next.  All four have connections to Kristin and possible motives for wanting her out of the picture.  The four get together to try to figure out who is behind the threats, but soon find themselves turning on each other.  

This was such a fun book!  Reminiscent of Knives Out or Clue, the reader is introduced to all the characters in alternating first person chapters, while we learn their secrets and try to figure out the mystery.  In addition, I loved the behind-the-scenes peek into the world of authors, publishers, and those of us who just love to read.  I never saw the ending coming but loved every minute!

5.29.2023 - For You and Only You

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House for gifting me the next installment in the You series by Caroline Kepnes - 3.5 stars!

This book finds Joe not selling books, but writing them.  He's at Harvard in a writing fellowship group, picked by instructor Glenn Shoddy.  Joe feels his work is superior to everyone's but the other fellows are published or more distinguished.  Then he meets Wonder, who he feels he has so much in common with compared to the others in the group.  He soon becomes obsessed.

I will preface this review saying that I didn't read the first two books in this series nor have I watched the show.  But I read this new installment right after #3 in the series and maybe it's just too much of the same for me.  There are parts of this one that I liked better - the book references, the Goodreads talk - but it just seemed to be the same story in a different setting.  

5.26.2023 - You Love Me

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House for gifting me a digital copy of this book in the You series by Caroline Kepnes - 3.5 stars rounded up!

Joe has moved and is living on an island in the Pacific Northwest.  He gets a job at the library (well, a volunteer job because he made a big donation) and meets Mary Kay, the librarian.  Then he becomes obsessed with her.  Mary Kay has an already busy world, taking care of her daughter and spending time with her friend.  She also has a secret that she hasn't told Joe about yet.  But Joe is determined.

I have to say that I haven't read the other books in this series nor watched the show, so I'm sure I would have been more into this book if I had.  You have to get used to Joe's stream of consciousness talk, as well as his nicknames for everyone.  I do like the snarky, dark humor and the way you find yourself rooting for an unlikable character.  I'm intrigued enough to be on to the next book!

5.25.2023 - Killing Me

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for gifting me a digital copy of this wonderful book by Michelle Gagnon - 5 stars!

Amber can't believe she let herself be pushed into a white van and kidnapped, about to become the latest victim of a serial killer.  Until she is saved by a mysterious woman.  Amber has a past, and feels law enforcement too close for comfort now, so she abandons her life and heads west.  Who could believe that she would find herself in even worse trouble?

How can a book about serial killers be so much fun?  Michelle Gagnon has created a character that is feisty, smart, loyal, and has a wicked sense of humor.  The fact that the storyline frequently goes over the top just adds to the fun.  I love quirky characters and dark humor and this one checked both boxes.  Plus, the author's note said there may be a sequel - yes, please!

5.24.2023 - The Revenge List

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing MIRA for gifting me a digital ARC of the new thriller by Hannah Mary McKinnon - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Frankie is angry.  Sure, she has reason to be but her anger keeps getting her in trouble.  When it starts affecting her dad's business where she is an employee, he requires her to go to anger management classes.  The first night, the attendees are given an assignment - create a list of everyone who has wronged her in her life so as to promote forgiveness.  Frankie makes her list, puts herself on it as well, and proceeds to lose it.  Then the people on the list start getting hurt in freak accidents.

I loved the premise of this book - I can imagine making such a private list and then having it come to light.  Frankie is an angry woman who makes very questionable choices no matter how legitimate her feelings may be.  She begins questioning everyone around her and yet keeps getting into more and more trouble as she goes along.  Some things are over the top but it was a twisty tale, one that features hard feelings and forgiveness.  The end leaves hope that we could possibly be hearing more from Frankie in the future - sign me up, please!

5.24.2023 - The New Mother

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the newest novel by Nora Murphy, wonderfully narrated by Dylan Moore and Lee Osorio- 4 stars!

Natalie is a new mother to baby Oliver.  But nothing is as easy as she thought it would be.  Oliver is colicky, doesn't sleep, and Natalie finds herself holding him all day and night.  She's exhausted, angry at her husband who can go off to work, missing work and her old life.  Then she meets Paul, a stay-at-home dad and close neighbor.  Paul has the magic touch of soothing Oliver and Natalie finds herself seeking him out as someone who understands her like no one else can.  But Paul has his own motives for getting close to her.

This is a slow burn, which I thought fit well with the storyline. You can feel Natalie getting more and more desperate as she tries to be a good mother, but is getting no sleep or support.  There is definitely a mystery involved here but it is alluded to and no big surprise.  I enjoyed the dual narration and could felt the book was relatable and the storyline intriguing.  Good read!

5.22.2023 - The Wedding Day

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest psychological thriller by a favorite, Sue Watson - 4.5 stars!

Facing possible legal problems after issues with her ex-husband, Alice flees to the Greek island of Corfu.  There she befriends Sylvie, a wedding planner who hires her, and Nik, a handsome vineyard owner.  Despite a few pangs of doubt, when Nik asks her to marry him, she says yes.   Then he is arrested on their wedding day.

Sue Watson has done it again and written a thriller that will have you guessing and turning the pages as quickly as you can.  I found myself questioning most of the characters at some point and even when I thought I had things figured out, there were more twists to come.  The setting was beautiful and added to the drama.  Pack this one along in your beach bag!

5.19.2023 - The Guest

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House for gifting me a digital ARC of the new book by Emma Cline - 4.5 stars!

Alex is a grifter and desperate to get out of the city, where her roommates have asked her to leave and someone is hunting for her to get back what she took from him.  The offer to spend August in the Hamptons with Simon, an older man wanting an easy companion, will perfectly fit the bill.  Until he tells her to leave.  Alex is sure that with a little bit of time and space, he'll welcome her back and plans to show up at his annual Labor Day party.  She just has to survive the week until then.

Alex is one of those characters that will have you rooting for her, even while you don't agree with her behavior.  Cline's writing is once again top notch as we watch Alex flit and flitter in and out of strangers' lives, sometimes helping them but mostly causing them more issues, as she does whatever she needs to do to bide her time.  This is all character development and the ending is left open to interpretation, which seems a fitting end to Alex's personality.

5.17.2023 - A Living Remedy

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Ecco for gifting me a digital ARC of this touching memoir by Nicole Chung - 5 stars!

Nicole is Korean and was adopted as a newborn to white parents.  They eventually settled in Oregon, where she was always the only Korean person in school.  Her parents sometimes struggled with jobs and money was never plentiful or medical insurance available.  She was anxious to leave and went east to college on a scholarship.  She got married young and began to raise a family.  She realized that her middle class existence was different than what she lived in growing up.  When her parents had health problems, money and insurance were always an issue.  Then both parents die within a relatively short time period and Nicole is left to deal with loss, guilt and regret.

This was a beautifully written story, and one that is so relatable.  Losing a parent is so difficult no matter what, but Nicole had to face the somewhat sudden loss of her father and then her mother died during Covid.  She was present for neither death.  This is also the story of our medical system - when people work so hard but don't have access to health insurance.  As a caregiver for my elderly mother, the cost of services we may need in the future, such as home health care or a memory facility, is out of reach.  As we age, we find ourselves weighing decisions between what's best for our parents or our own families - nothing is easy.  Wonderful book!

5.17.2023 - The Summer Holiday

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest thriller by a favorite, S.E. Lynes - 4.5 stars!

Jeff and Kate are on a long-awaited holiday at their villa in Spain, vacationing for the first time without their teenage daughter, who is on her own vacation with friends.  Jeff is a workaholic and Kate is used to spending time by herself, but hoping to right the ship on this vacation.  Then she runs into Coco Moss, a friend Jeff and Kate knew at university.  She was the ultimate "it" girl at school and both Jeff and Kate wanted to be in her orbit.  Kate arranges Coco to come to dinner and is shocked when Jeff and Coco exchange a terrified moment when spotting each other for the first time.  What's going on?

This was a great psychological thriller, told in the POVs of both Jeff, Kate and Coco over a week's time, although their stories go back to their university days.  All of these characters are flawed and you can feel each of their needs by their actions.  I was glued to these pages and that ending was amazing!

5.16.2023 - Someone Else's Bucket List

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and HighBridge Audio for gifting me an audio ARC of this wonderful book by Amy T. Matthews, beautifully narrated by Brenda Scott Wlazlo - 5 stars!

Jodie has always been in awe of her older sister, Bree, who lived life fearlessly whereas Jodie was fearful.  Bree was a popular Instagram influencer with over a million followers; Jodie worked as a rental car agent and shied away from social media.  When Bree got leukemia, everything of course changed.  Jodie moved back home to help with medical expenses that the Boyd family was rapidly accruing.  When Bree dies, she left her uncompleted bucket list for Jodie to fill - with the incentive of getting all their medical bills paid if she did.  But will Jodie be able to do it?

While this premise may sound a bit maudlin, it is anything but.  It is so heartwarming, hopeful, full of good characters you will be rooting for.  It's a story of living life and not just existing, of having courage to step outside your comfort zone.  It's also about all those who are behind us now matter what - family and friends who become family - who only want the best for us.  I loved this book - highly recommended!

5.15.2023

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for gifting me a digital ARC of the debut novel by Ore Agbaje-Williams - 4 stars!

What if the two most important people in your life hated each other?  The wife is content - doesn't have to work, lives a good life with her husband, and has a best friend that fills all her other needs.  The husband is content with having his wife at home but is bowing to parental pressure and wants to have a baby.  The best friend in the middle wants her relationship with her friend to be like it was before she got married.

This was so intriguing - the story is told from each of their viewpoints.  Both the husband and wife remain nameless, and only the best friend, Temi, is named.  I loved seeing the same scene play out through different eyes.  This was an exploration of married life, of the way we change for the people we love, the compromises we make for them, and what we'll do to keep things status quo.  A short read that I really enjoyed!

5.13.2023 - The Ferryman

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Ballantine for gifting me a digital ARC of the newest novel by Justin Cronin, author of The Passage, which I loved.  4.5 stars!

The islands of Prospera is geared towards everyone living their best life.  Once they get old or sick and the monitor in their arm falls below 10%, they are ferried over to The Nursery, where their minds are wiped, their bodies renewed, and they can begin again.  There is also an island called The Annex, where the support staff live.  Director Proctor Bennett is a Ferryman, charged with helping those people pass over to The Nursery.  Everything is fine until he has to ferry his father over and there is an incident, including a message from his father that Proctor doesn't understand.  From that point on, nothing is as it seems.

As typical for Cronin's books, this is a long, book that will totally transport you to a different reality and environment.  It's a complicated world but there are twists and turns that keep you glued to the pages.  As with most dystophian novels, there are lots of issues that translate directly to our present day.  Intriguing, engrossing read! 

5.12.2023 - Katie Fine Sings Along

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Wattpad WEBTOON Book Group for gifting me a digital ARC of this fun book by Katie Wicks (AKA Catherine McKenzie) - 4 stars!

Hazel Fine knows this is her last chance at stardom - an audition for The Sing Along, a popular musical talent show.  She's basically living in her car or a seedy motel with a rabbit named Checkers that she inherited along the way.  But of course, there are 15 other contestants just as desperate to win.  

While Catherine McKenzie is known for her thrillers, this was a light-hearted detour into a rom-com, women's fiction genre.  It was very interesting getting a behind-the-scenes look at these reality shows, complete with all the requisite contestant drama.  There were some heavier themes though - the MeToo movement, family dysfunction, forgiveness and moving on.  Good beach read!

5.10.2023 - The Bird Hotel

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Skyhorse Publishing Arcade for gifting me a copy of the beautiful new book by Joyce Maynard - 5 stars!

Irene is living in San Francisco when tragedy strikes.  In desperation, she runs away from her life and finds herself in Central America.  She happens onto a hotel named La Llorona, by a lake and volcano.  The owner welcomes Irene into the hotel and offers her a chance to heal and renew.  She finds new friends who become family and a purpose.  

What a gorgeous novel - I didn't want it to end.  The setting is so beautiful and comes to life in these pages.  The characters are so rich and full - it was such a pleasure to get to know them and experience all these events through their eyes.  The story spans four decades - from Irene's childhood to the present.  There are themes of childhood trauma, loss, acceptance, forgiveness, hope - and especially of opening our hurt hearts to new beginnings.  Highly recommended - another fabulous book by Joyce Maynard.  Don't miss reading the author's note at the end as well.

5.8.2023 - The Collected Regrets of Clover

 Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this wonderful debut novel by Mikki Brammer, the audio beautifully narrated by Jennifer Pickens - 5 stars!

Clover has felt a strong connection with death ever since her kindergarten teacher died in front of her class.  After her parents died, she was raised by her grandfather in his NYC apartment.  She became a death doula, and was gifted at helping people through their end-of-life process, so much so that she didn't have a life of her own.  Now 36, she lives in her deceased grandfather's apartment, no friends except an elderly neighbor, has never been kissed, and spends time visiting death cafes, where people talk about dying.

While you might think that a book about death and people dying would be grim and sad, this book is anything but.  It's full of wonderful characters that come to life as you read.  It's also a primer of how to best live your life.  Clover kept notebooks of people's last words and organized them into the categories regrets, advice, confessions.  In these regrets are lessons for living of which we should all take heed.   Can't wait to read more from this author - highly recommended!

5.7.2023 - Everything's Still There

Many thanks to NetGalley and Alcove Press for gifting me a digital ARC of this wonderful book by Kalyn Fogarty - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Brynn is a new mother to Cody and struggling.  She was a planner in her "before" life and nothing about Cody's birth or her mothering ability has gone according to plan.  To make things worse, she constantly compares herself to the instagram moms, who do it all, have it all, and look great doing it.  She sees some lights in the dark and follows them the next day to a neighbor's house.  There, elderly Joy is a refuge to Brynn - listens to her, is able to comfort Cody.  For Joy, these visits are sorely welcome as well - she knows loneliness and heartache.  

I really loved this book - each woman's story felt true and their intergenerational relationship was heartwarming.  They each provided a safe place for the other's secrets.  A story of postpartum depression and anxiety, of loneliness,  of aging, of the pitfalls of social media, this story will resonate with so many women.  This one made me tear up, which is a rare thing for me when reading!  I also loved the Virginia Woolf quotes from To the Lighthouse - they were perfect companions to each chapter.  Highly recommended!

5.5.2023 - Koresh

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Mariner Books for gifting me a digital ARC of this nonfiction story of David Koresh by Stephan Talty - 4.5 stars!

This book gives us insight into the past of Vernon Howell, being raised in neglectful and abusive situations, and his transformation into David Koresh.  There is no doubt that David was intelligent - he could quote scripture word for word, but like so many others, used his gifts for his own power and pleasure.  The second half of the book focuses more on the tragedy of Waco, where 76 people, including children, lost their lives along with the lives of law enforcement personnel.  The author also gives his views on American terrorism and its evolution, from Ruby Ridge to Oklahoma City to the attack on the Capitol.

The book is well written and focuses less on the mistakes made by the government and more on Koresh.  I've watched movies and documentaries on Koresh and this was a worthy addition to the subject.

5.4.2023 - The Half Moon

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Scribner for gifting me a digital ARC of the new book by Mary Beth Keane.  I was a huge fan of Ask Again, Yes and couldn't wait to dive into this one.  It didn't disappoint - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Malcom and Jess married young.  Now in their forties, they have spent all their money trying unsuccessfully to have a baby.  Jess works as a lawyer at a new firm after failing to make partner at a larger firm.  Malcom has worked at The Half Moon for over 25 years and considers its owner, Hugh, like a second father.  When Hugh retires, Malcolm buys the bar with basically a handshake deal.  But now he's drowning in debt and troubles.  Jess is struggling to see what her future holds.

This book basically takes place over a week's time, during a blizzard, but is told in third person between Malcom and Jess going back in time so the reader understands their relationship.  I love Keane's writing and I was totally invested in these characters and storyline.  This is a middle-of-life story, when people take stock of where they are, where they thought they would be, and where they want to go.  But it's also a story of love and commitment, forgiveness, and family.  Great read!

5.3.2023 - The Golden Doves

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Ballantine Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the new historical fiction book by Martha Hall Kelly, author of Lilac Girls - 4 stars!

Josie is an American living in Paris with her Jewish family during the Nazi occupation.  Arlette is a newly-pregnant Frenchwoman who basically was forced to give up her child to the Reich.  Both women are recruited to carry out secret missions for the resistance and are code named the Golden Doves.  They are eventually caught and taken to Ravensbruck concentration camp.  Years later, they are called back to track down an infamous Nazi doctor, the one who did terrible things to Josie's mother years ago.  They are also hoping to find Arlette's stolen son.

Another WWII book filled with atrocities and wonderfully written and researched.  I read The German Wife, by Kelly Rimmer, who introduced me to Operation Paperclip, part of this story as well, where Americans brought Nazi scientists to America for their expertise in expanding our rocket program.  It's hard to even imagine living through a concentration camp and then having to be part of bringing those in charge to America to live a comfortable lifestyle with no punishment.  I felt like this book could have been a bit shorter and I found myself a bit confused between the different viewpoints and timelines, but it is definitely a worthy read for historical fiction lovers.

5.2.2023 - No Two Persons

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press, and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the new book by Erica Bauermeister.  I loved The Scent Keeper and was so excited to read her new book and this one exceeded all expectations and is a 5 plus star read!  The audio cast narration was wonderful!

Alice always wanted to be a writer but it took a caring professor and a tragic life event before she could write the book she was meant to write, simply named Theo.  As the book progresses, we see how this book touched the lives of others.

No two persons reads the same book is the theme of this book, and how true that is.  Anyone in a book club or who has recommended a book to someone, only to find they have a vastly different opinion, is well aware of this statement.  This beautifully-written book plays that truth out - it shows us in such a creative way how Theo affects the lives of ten other people, from a homeless teen to a widow to a publishing agent.  It shows us the power of books and how interconnected we really are.  It even speaks to the power of social media's book review world, and some of those varying opinions had me laughing and definitely relating.  Some of these stories left me desperate for a deeper look into their lives but that was also part of the magic.  I will be recommending this one for sure and I think they will all love it!

5.1.2023 - It Was an Ugly Couch Anyway

 

Many, many thanks to NetGalley and Nelson Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the new book by Elizabeth Passarella - 5 stars!

I was an absolute huge fan of Elizabeth's first collection of essays, Good Apple, focusing mostly on growing up in the south as an evangelical Christian and now living in NYC.  Her second book continues along that same vein, probably with less religious themes, but with all the heart and humor from the first.  These interconnected stories also feature the family's quest to purchase a larger apartment in their same building.  

Elizabeth's writing is so relatable and even though I'm older than she is, I feel like I''m sitting across the table from a best friend drinking a glass of wine and talking about everything - but really talking, not just instagram highlight talking.  I loved the story of her dad's couch - I had a relatable ugly couch in my life too that would probably have coordinated well with hers!  But of course, it's about more than a couch and that's where Elizabeth's writing shines.  It's about all the feelings associated with objects.  Plus, there are very few people out there who are completely honest these days - so when Elizabeth writes about her facial hair woes or temporarily losing a child in Times Square, you can't help but relate and laugh along.

I can't recommend her books enough - I'm hoping she's sitting in the library now working on her next one!