12.2.2025 - Canticle

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Spiegel and Grau for gifting me this wonderful debut novel by Janet Rich Edwards.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

In 13th Century Bruges, Aleys is sixteen years old and serious, stubborn, prone to religious visions. She and her only friend, a young scholar, have been learning Latin together in secret—but just as she thinks their connection might become something more, he abandons her for the monastery. When her family falls on hard financial times, her father promises her in marriage to the unctuous head of the weavers’ guild, and in desperation she runs away from home, eventually finding shelter within a community of religious women who do not answer to the church.  Among the hardworking and strong-willed Beguines, Aleys glimpses for the first time the joys of a life of song, friendship, and time spent in the markets and along the canals of Bruges. But forces both mystical and political are afoot. Illegal translations of scripture, the women’s independence, and a sudden rash of miracles all draw the attention of an ambitious bishop—and bring Aleys and those around her into ever-increasing danger, a danger that will push Aleys to a new understanding of love and sacrifice.

I just finished this book and while I should probably take some time before reviewing, I also want to get my thoughts down about this amazing debut novel.  While it’s easy to judge past behavior based on today’s societal views, this book opens up a look into history where religion rules every part of a person’s day and where women are no more than chattel.  As a Catholic, it was fascinating to go back in time – again, not judging as much as learning in the hopes of doing better.  If you are interested in how women come together for each other no matter what, this is your book.  I’m awed by the research and faith in this book, and I feel so unworthy compared to what those in our past dealt with and gave up.  In a society where religion is passe, and only half of Americans even consider themselves religious, to subject yourself to what these people did in our past is almost inconceivable.  To think that this was a debut novel is in itself inconceivable.  While I can’t imagine the time and research involved in this book, I’m hoping that this author has more stories to tell.  Sign me up for whatever she writes.

12.1.2025 - Before I Forget

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin’s Press, and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this amazing book by Tory Henwood Hoen, with the audiobook perfectly narrated by the fabulous Barrie Kreinik.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own – 5 stars!

 

Cricket Campbell feels stuck in her job with a wellness company and her life in NYC.  When her older sister, Nina, decides it’s time to move their father who is suffering from Alzheimer’s into a care home, she decides to move into their beloved Adirondack lake house to take care of him, hoping to also repair their strained relationship.  While Arthur no longer knows Cricket, he now seems to have the ability to predict the future.  But for Cricket, believing in her dad’s prophecies must also mean facing her past.

 

Oh, this book.  It gutted me in the best of ways.  Anyone who is dealing or has dealt with a loved one with Alzheimer’s will see their lives in this book, with the sentiment that you must laugh or else you’ll cry at the forefront.  This book perfectly melds the two, with humor and sentiment on every page.  I loved the Adirondack lake setting, and the loving care both daughters showed to their dad.  It’s about memory, what we choose to remember and what we choose to forget, and at what cost.  This book was a privilege to experience.  As always, Barrie Kreinik was an exceptional narrator, making this book even better.

 

12.1.2025 - Kill Clause

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing | Amazon Original Stories, and Megan Beatie Communications for gifting me a digital ARC of this short story by Lisa Unger - a free November First Reads Amazon selection.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Paige is a hit woman who does what she's told without question.  Until a small child is involved and her ethics take over.  But where will that leave her?

It's a short story, so you need to go into it as blind as possible.  But Lisa Unger has given us a complete short story, one that was satisfying from beginning to end.  Paige was a great character, as were others in this book, and I was rooting for her.  Easily read in one sitting, it's a must read for Unger fans and thriller fans in general.  

11.25.2025 - The Memory Gardener

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster | Gallery Books for gifting me a digital ARC of this charming book by Meg Donohue.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Lucy has always had an ability to know exactly what scent from the flowers that she grows will return a memory from the past to a person.  She's hid that ability and lived a very nomadic life, going from one gardening job to another.  When her dad needs help after her mother's death, she returns to her home town and gets a job at an assisted-living community, unearthing gardens and transforming the community.

This was just a sweet story, full of magical realism and thoughts about memory - those memories that make us happy or sad, those that keep us trapped, those that move us forward.  I loved the characters - and Gully the dog - and could just imagine the secret gardens and flowers that transformed a place that was inherently sad.  Each chapter began with a description of a different flower and its meaning, making the book even more of a special experience.  I did not see the end coming adding a nice twist to the story.  This was just the quiet book I needed right now!

11.24.2025 - Hemlock Lane

Many thanks to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and Brilliance Audio for gifting me an audio ARC of this wonderful audiobook by Marshall Fine, made all the better because of the narration by Helen Laser.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

It's the summer of 1967, and the Levitsky family gets together for a long weekend at their home in the suburbs.  But all is not as it seems behind closed doors.  Nora's mother, Lillian, is full of rage, mostly focused on Nora.  Her dad tiptoes around the situation.  Nora's only refuge is Clara, the housekeeper and her surrogate mother.  But things are beginning to crack and secrets are showing.

I loved how this story played out over four days, each day from the perspective of a different family member.  We learn how they got to this day and the secrets they are holding within.  It's tense, with the family dysfunction becoming clearer as we delve deeper into each different personality and the decisions they made along the way.  It's definitely a nod to finding our own true self and those around us who can nurture that.  Quietly powerful and the narration was perfect.

11.23.2025 - A Different Type of Poison

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and One More Page Press for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest thriller by Liz Alterman.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Molly is thrilled that her latest book, Birds at Night is an instant hit.  Newly divorced and raising two children while trying to write another book, she's desperate to keep her name out there and takes every opportunity to promote her book.  She receives an email from a woman in her hometown inviting her to her bookclub.  Since Molly's mom's health and memory seem to be failing, it's the perfect opportunity to check on her and meet some readers.  But she can't quite remember Anna Fox, the woman who invited her.  

Sometimes the book-in-a-book trope works for me, and sometimes it doesn't.  In this book, it sure did.  Molly's book is a dark academic thriller that was compelling in its own right.  Told in alternating POV between Molly and Anna, backstories play out and secrets unfold, barreling towards the ending I never saw coming.  There are lots of themes involved, mostly the danger of keeping secrets, even from ourselves.  Great characters and plenty of twists and turns to keep you glued.  

11.21.2025 - Best Offer Wins

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Celadon Books, and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this fabulous debut novel by Marisa Kashino, with the audiobook perfectly narrated by Cia Court.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Margo is desperate to get out of the cramped apartment she shares with her husband, Ian, and get their real life plans back on track.  But they've spent 18 months and lost 11 bidding wars trying to buy a home in the Washington DC suburbs.  Margo gets a tip about the perfect house in the perfect neighborhood and soon becomes obsessed with buying it before it's listed.  She'll do anything to make it happen.  Anything.

I was likewise obsessed with this book!  The dark humor was pitch perfect, with laugh out loud scenes.  It was like watching a train wreck - I couldn't look away.  Margo was a character who I alternately loved and hated, but I was still rooting for her to get her dream house.  It was captivating from the first page and I was either reading the digital copy or listening to the audiobook.  The narrator totally nailed Margo and made her really come alive.  It's hard to believe this is a debut - bravo!  Can't wait to see what will be coming next from this author.  This is a must read if you like your humor on the dark side.