4.7.2026 - American Han

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Algonquin Books for gifting me a digital ARC of this novel by Lisa Lee.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Jane Kim and her brother, Kevin, are growing up in San Francisco in the 1980s, trying to keep up with their parents demands.  But in 2002, Jane is not going to her law school classes, and Kevin, a police officer, is distant and spiraling.  Their parents have changed too - they are separated, her dad with a new job, and her mom stresses over her aging face.  

Probably every child on earth strives to please their parents just as their parents want them to achieve, but some cultures do that in spades.  The stress to have perfect grades, be the best tennis player, and to look and act a certain way would wear on the hardiest of souls.  You can see the cracks in this family form early and grow wider.  It was a multilayered, thoughtful book, told from Jane's POV, with mostly unlikable characters, yet ones that you can't help wishing peace and healing.  

4.7.2026 - Dog Person

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Ballantine Books | Delacorte Press for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by Camille Pagán.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Harold is an aging dog, living with heartbroken Miguel after his partner, Amelia May, died.  Amelia May tasked Harold with making sure that Miguel found love again after she was gone.  But that's going to be hard.  Miguel rarely goes out, not even to the bookstore the two owned together, that's now in danger of going under.  Harold is running out of time.

Sorry - I'm not really a dog person - but I was converted literally at least by the narrator of this novel, Harold.  Harold is so insightful into his human's minds and knows what's best for them, even if they won't listen.  This is a heartwarming story, with plenty of laughs, but it's also an exploration of grief and loss.  Above all, it's a story of found family, second chances, and reinventions.  I am always a fan of books that feature bookstores and reference books, and this one has that in spades.  It's set in the time before ebooks were a big thing, and it's interesting to see how small independent bookstores may have dealt with that change.  Plus, you will fall in love with Harold.  

4.6.2026 - Once in a Blue Moon

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Recorded Books Media for gifting me an audio ARC of the latest books by a favorite, Kristan Higgins.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Winnie Smith was the responsible sister, owner of an event planning company, and the one who avoids drama at all cost.  How did she end up publicly humiliated and an outcast in her community?  She gets a job as the personal assistant to Lorenzo Santini, a world-renowned surgeon AKA as Dr. Satan by his staff.  It will be strictly business - until it isn't.

This book basically follows in timeline from Look on the Bright Side, which features Winnie’s sister, Lark, and her interactions with Lorenzo/Dr. Satan.  Once in a Blue Moon could be read as a standalone, but I would recommend reading that one first.  Plus, it was a great book with more depth than a normal romance.  I really liked getting to know Winnie more in this new book – the unflappable younger sister who suddenly is at a loss, through no real fault of her own.  She stands up to Lorenzo and isn’t awed by his money or power.  More themes of second chances abound.  Narration by Xe Sands was impeccable once again!

4.6.2026 - Invasive Species

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing | Hanover Square Press, and Harlequin Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this wonderful novel by Ellery Adams, with the audiobook perfectly narrated by Courtney Patterson.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

In 1980s Cold Harbor, every woman is striving for something better, sometimes against all odds.  The town also has a mysterious resident who is finally making an appearance, with a deadly mission in mind.  As fear spreads, can a young girl and her ally uncover the darkness?

This was so unique in the best of ways – kind of a mash up between historical women’s fiction, domestic suspense, horror, and even coming-of-age.  All these different genres were smashed together into this creepy, funny, entertaining novel that I couldn’t stop listening to.  Go into this one as blind as possible for maximum enjoyment.  The tale is told from multiple POV, including the monster.  I especially liked the storyline of the women searching for their place where men have such control and some are the monsters among us.  The narration was amazing – each voice was distinct, making it easy to discern the characters.  So good!

4.5.2026 - The Infinite Sadness of Small Appliances

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster | Atria Books for gifting me a digital ARC of this wonderful little book by Glenn Dixon.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Harold and Edie have lived in their home for decades, but when Edie passes away, things change.  The Grid controls and monitors everything and it has plans for Harold's future.  Can anything stop them?

This book has everything.  A speculative fiction look into a not-so-distant future when our appliances are sentient.  With AI being so prevalent, the Grid controlling everything did not seem like science fiction.  Our refrigerators already can tell us what’s inside and what we need, our thermostats control our homes, we have autonomous cars, and our watches know all.  I was so pulled into this story and its characters, both human and appliance, loved how books were so important, and felt all the emotions.  Scout's journey was especially poignant as she came into her own.  Hopefully we can remember our humanness always.  Highly recommended!

4.4.2026 - Love by the Book

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press, and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the new novel by Jessica George, with the audiobook perfectly narrated by Isabel Adomakoh Young.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Two strangers are going through big changes in their lives.  Remy's debut novel was based on her three best friends and became an instant bestseller.  But now she's stuck on a follow up, just as her friends are forging their own new paths.  Plus, she now has another major decision to make.  Simone loves her job as a teacher, but her side job pays for the lifestyle she desires; unfortunately, that side job also separated her from her family.

As many books as I’ve read, not too many books focus mainly on female friendships.  Plus, as we grow in different ways, friendships change, for better or worse, and who talks about that?  Or about how difficult it is to make new friends as we get older?  I loved this author’s debut, Maame, and she once again shows her prowess in creating characters and their arcs that you will care about.  Told in alternating viewpoints between Remy and Simone, their connection soon becomes clear as the book progresses.    There are serious topics explored, but also plenty of humor and camaraderie.  I thought the narrator's voice was beautiful - smooth, easy to discern characters, and so enjoyable to list to.  Wonderful!  

4.3.2026 - Yours Always

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing | Thomas & Mercer for gifting me a digital ARC of this thriller by Corinne Sullivan.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Talia Danvers is an engineer for a dating app company, working alongside her best friend, Meera.  She reconnects with her ex-boyfriend, Townsend Fuller, who originally left her for someone else.  He swears he's changed and Talia wants to believe him.  But then his ex goes missing and they are getting harassed.  Just what is happening?

This was a quick read and I was anxious to figure out just what was going on.  It's full of unreliable narrators and unlikable characters, leaving you to not trust or believe anyone.  There are secrets galore and lots of toxic relationships.  The story unfolds through multiple POV, which kept me guessing and flipping the pages till that unexpected end!