9.11.2026 - Lump

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for gifting me a digital ARC of this wonderful book by Allison Sweet Grant.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

It would be a rare person today who hasn't been touched by cancer, either personally or through someone they love.  Allison Sweet Grant was not even 40, married with 3 children, when diagnosed with breast cancer.  Writing was her means of processing, and she has done a huge service to all the rest of us.  I'm not typically one who seeks out poems but Sweet Grant is now added to my list of poets that I won't miss whatever they write, like Josie Balka and  Maggie Smith.  Just like with their books, I will be buying Lump for myself and to give to others.  It's beautiful, heartbreaking, full of strength and compassion.  Absolutely a must read for all of us.

9.10.2026 - We Already Dug the Grave

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by Emma C. Wells.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

The Robinson women have a reputation - those of them that have the sight at least.  Milly did, but since an incident in a Tennessee meadow a decade ago, she stays away from reading tea leaves.  That incident also left her estranged from the rest of her family - her aunts and her sister, Francis.  But then Francis shows up on her doorstep, begging for Milly's help escaping her husband.  They'll both have to go back home, where all their secrets are buried.

This had such a good, southern Gothic feel to it and you can't help but get pulled into the story.  The relationships between the Robinson women is fascinating - they will go to the ends of the earth to protect each other, even if that means leaving each other alone.  There are supernatural elements passed down in the family, adding even another creepy feel to this story.  Told from the two timelines of Then and Now, I was quite surprised at the way things turned out.  This book is a perfect start to the spooky reading season.

9.10.2026 - I've Got a New Complaint

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Brilliance Publishing and Little A for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this collection of essays by Laurie Notaro, with the audiobook narrated by the fabulous Hillary Huber. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Anyone over the age of 50 will be able to relate to these essays and won't be able to not see themselves in its stories. As I'm well beyond 50, I found myself relating both to Laurie and even to her parents! I think the best way to approach aging is to laugh, because otherwise old age is going to be awfully depressing. I actually listened to this one on audiobook in one sitting. A new to me author and one that I'll be checking out her backlist! Narration by Hillary Huber fabulous as always!

9.10.2026 - Until She Dies

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing | Montlake for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by a favorite, Kendra Elliot.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

A search dog locates a mass burial ground deep in the Oregon forest.  Detective Noelle Marshall is tasked with the hunt for a serial killer and FBI Agent Max Rhodes is also brought onto the case.  The two are partners in life as well, and this case is getting personal quickly.

I'm a huge fan of Elliot's books and this series, and love how so many characters are intertwined between series.  Plus, they are all such good police procedurals, really giving you a peek into the hard work that detectives do to solve crimes.  This one shows how much time is put into tips received from the public, most of which are bogus but none can be discounted.  Until She Dies is a gripping thriller, with multiple victims, and I had no clue where it was all going.  Could you read it as a stand alone?  Absolutely, but I love watching these characters' relationships grow.   Best news?  There are going to be 3 more books in this series - bring 'em on!

9.9.2026 - Switzy

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by Emma Cline.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

A private plane flies through the night.  David, a retired executive, is accompanied by his assistant, Cody, as they make their way to Zurich, with a few planned stops along the way.  David's world, once so powerful and knowable, is anything but now, although he can't always remember that.  What's left when the remembering is gone?

Emma Cline is a genius.  How did she inhabit David so perfectly?  Written in third person, the reader is privy to all his thoughts and wanderings.  Just like real life where you just gotta laugh lest you cry, this book will make you do both.  The writing is perfection, the story heartbreaking, and it will all make you think.  This book hit me on such a visceral level.  First, as an older person who knows that things don’t matter but who still hangs on to all this stuff, both physically and mentally.  Then, as a daughter who held her mom’s hand for years through her battle with Alzheimer’s.  Bravo.  Don't miss this one.

9.8.2026 - Ash and Honor

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for gifting me a digital ARC of this fascinating book by Jeffrey Robinson.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

We all know the story of 9/11, and as we reach the 25th anniversary of that horrible day, this book is a must read because, trust me, you don't know these stories about that day.  I don't think I've ever read a book written in this style - without affixing time stamps, we get an almost minute-by-minute peek into the behind-the-scenes events of that day from a multitude of sources in an almost stream of consciousness style.  This book is not about survivor or victim stories (although there is one of those stories) and it doesn't go into excruciating detail about the terrorist act itself.  It delves into the people behind making those crucial tactical decisions in so many areas when they have little to no information or time to plan, think, or coordinate.  You'll learn details about how the government and other countries responded in the first 6 hours of this crisis.  It's always easy to play Monday morning quarterback and second guess decisions and actions, but this book puts you in the mindset of the chaos.  Fascinating read to mark this anniversary.

9.8.2026 - Saving Noah

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for gifting me a digital ARC of this re-released book by Lucinda Berry.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Noah is the teenager everyone admires - an honor student, champion swimmer, just a nice boy.  Until he confesses to sexually abusing young girls during swim practice.  Everything changes in an instant and his family implodes.  His mother shoulders the pain of trying to save her son but losing everything else in the process.

I read this book years ago and I'm so glad it is being re-released.  It touches on such an important and relevant topic, and brings it up close and personal.  Where is the line between what you will do for your child?  Do you try and save your child or your marriage?  I am a huge fan of Lucinda Berry and she handles this difficult and sensitive subject in such a way that you really do feel completely invested in the characters.  It's emotionally draining but you won't be able to put it down.