12.13.2025 - Crush

Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group | Viking Penguin for gifting me a digital ARC of this book by Ada Calhoun.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 3.5 stars rounded up.

A couple has been married for a while, with a teenage son.  The wife is a flirt and men always respond.  Her husband, Paul, who doesn't work, enjoys watching her flirt and asks her to consider opening their marriage, as long as she tells him about it later.  The wife isn't particularly interested, although she misses kissing, but soon starts up an online relationship with David, a college professor from her past.  It doesn't get physical because they are geographically far apart, but David soon occupies all her thoughts.  

This is apparently semi-autobiographical, and was an interesting take on marriage and relationships.  There's even a trip to a counselor and best friend nearby to unpack their issues.  It's also a book big on books, with lots of quotes and passages from other books that she shares mostly with David.  It's written in a conversational tone and thankfully doesn't get graphic.  Thought provoking for sure!

12.13.2025 - Dear Writer

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books | Washington Square Press for gifting me a digital ARC of this helpful book by Maggie Smith.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

I adore Maggie Smith's poems and have bought her books for myself and gifts.  She's also a teacher, and this book is a wonderful guide for anyone interested in writing (especially poetry).  She breaks down creativity into ten essential components, with prompts and examples.  But even if you are not a writer (me!), I loved the gentle reminders to take time to stop and look around at all the blessings in the world.  Magic can be found in the every day.  Any book from Maggie Smith is a treat.

12.11.2025 - Wreck Your Heart

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio for gifting me an audio ARC of this wonderful story by Lori Rader-Day, perfectly narrated by Lauren Ezzo.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own – 5 stars!

 

Dahlia “Doll” Devine had a tough upbringing and has had no contact with her mom since she was six.  She’s now singing country songs at McPhee’s Tavern, owned by Alex, who continues to rescue her.  But now her boyfriend, Joey, left her and took the rent money with him, so she’s back to relying on Alex.  Then out of the blue, her mom shows up at the bar, only to go missing soon after, and the stepsister she didn’t know she had turns up looking for her as well.  Then a body is discovered outside the tavern.  It all sounds like a country song.

 

This was just so good.  I loved the way it was written, as if Dahlia is sitting across from you telling you her tale and even asking you questions along the way.  This book has it all – family drama, an intriguing mystery, a hidden treasure, wonderful characters, a touch of romance, and even dogs.  You won’t be able to stop rooting for Doll and the ending was very satisfying.  The narration was perfect – sounded just like I would expect Dahlia to sound.  This is a new to me author and I now need to go back and read her others!

12.9.2025 - Loves of Our Lives

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster | Simon Element for gifting me a physical and digital copy of this gorgeous book by Josie Balka.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

I was a huge fan of Balka's book, I Hope You Remember, buying copies for myself and as gifts.  I will be doing the same with this new book of poems, covering the entire human spectrum of love.  With chapters exploring Romantic Love, Lost Love, Family Love, Toxic Love, Friendship Love, and Self-Love, you will find yourself laughing, crying, reflecting, feeling.  I'm not typically a poetry person, but Balka will touch you with this collection in so many ways.  Highly recommended!

12.9.2025 - Spasm

Many thanks to NetGalley and GP Putnam Sons for gifting me a digital ARC of the new book by a long time favorite, Robin Cook.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

NYC Medical Examiner Jack Stapleton gets a call from an old medical school friend, Dr Robert Neilson, about some strange happenings in his small town located in the Adirondacks.  His wife, Laurie Montgomery, Chief ME in NYC is ready for a break, so the two head upstate to see if they can assist.  But trouble is brewing in Essex Falls with a homegrown militia group with foreign assistance training in the woods.  It soon appears that a dangerous bioweapon might be in play as well.

This book is number 15 in the Jack Stapleton & Laurie Montgomery series, which I've read most of, but you could certainly read this as a stand alone.   Robin Cook is a master at medical thrillers, typically involving current topics that make the reader feel scared about the real life possibilities of such issues.  Such is the case here, with fanatical people with weapons and terrorist infiltration. The possibilities are more than frightening.  I liked the Adirondack setting and enjoyed getting reacquainted with these characters.  More please!

12.9.2025 - Dark Sisters

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin’s Press and Brilliance Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this fascinating book by Kristi DeMeester, with the audiobook narrated by Austenne Grey.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own – 4.5 stars rounded up!

A curse bridges generations, binding the fates of three women.  In the 1700s, Anne Bolton is a healer facing persecution for witchcraft who bargains with a dark entity for protection.  In the 1950s, Mary Shephard is the perfect wife in a suffocating religious community, who falls for Sharon and begins a forbidden affair that could destroy them both.  In present time, Camilla Burson, the daughter of a preacher, defies all the expectations put upon her to uncover an ancient power.

 

When I started this book, I wasn’t sure what I was reading, but I was soon completely enthralled in these different worlds.  The point of view is told through these three different timelines and women, each captivating in their own right, and woven through each is the legend of the Dark Sisters.  The more recent timeframes also take place within a religious cult.  There’s a lot to unpack here, but I couldn’t stop listening to this one.  With realistic themes of misogyny, religious fanaticism, purity rituals, this book is atmospheric, scary, creepy, and the horror kept building.  The audiobook narration added to the creep factor and I couldn’t look away.  

 

12.7.2025 - Dark Humor

Many thanks to NetGalley and Severn House for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by Matt Goldman.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Private investigator Nils Shapiro has decided to take the law into his own hands.  It's been two years since his wife was killed, and despite the efforts of law enforcement and FBI, her killer, Sammy Sykes is still on the loose.  A trip to see Sammy's daughter in prison opens up a potential lead into finding Sykes' location.  His hunt takes him from Minnesota to Europe, but can he both survive and ensure his daughter's safety while bringing down this murderer?

I'm a huge fan of Goldman's stand alone books, so I requested this one without delving too deep.  I didn't realize it was #5 in a series, although it's apparently been a while since #4, so if they are like me, everyone has forgotten most of the details!  But never fear, I enjoyed this book thoroughly, even not knowing what happened before.  It has spurred me to read those other four books though.  This book was filled with great characters, gritty action and suspense, and Goldman's trademark dark humor (hence the title).  Loved it.