11.3.2026 - Madeline McKnight Signs Off

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster | Atria Books for gifting me a digital and physical ARC of the debut novel by Evan Brooke.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Madeline is dying.  Once a powerful figure on Wall Street, she still uses pie charts, line graphs, and predictive formulas in her life.  Madeline knows she's going to need help, so she presents her goddaughter, Bri, an offer she can't refuse.  Bri, the daughter of Madeline's estranged best friend, is struggling with debt to finish nursing school.  Bri isn't expecting Madeline's feistiness nor her plans for the future.  Can Madeline make things better before it's too late?

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and all its snarky humor while dealing with some serious subjects.  Madeline was treated horribly in her past and that has fueled her behaviors.  But she has regrets too and a desire to leave things better.  There are just wonderful characters here, including Madeline's male friend, Lee, and Hopie, the dog.  Some of my favorite parts were Madeline's musings in between alternating POV chapters.  You'll also learn a lot about Hetty Green, known as the Witch of Wall Street, the richest woman at the turn of the 20th century.  On a personal note, I liked all the NE Ohio references.  Wonderful debut - looking forward to more from this author!

11.2.2026 - How to Be Less Useful

  

Many thanks to NetGalley and Knopf for gifting me a digital and physical ARC of this wonderful book of essays by Priyanka Mattoo.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Some books arrive just when you need them, even if you wish you had them decades ago when you really needed them!  This is that book.  So much of the author's stories about wanting to swoop in and fix things for people, especially family, and then getting internally upset and frustrated when you have given everything you have just really rang true.  Even now, when my kids have long flown the nest, it's still in my nature.  But when actively parenting, these messages would have been invaluable.  This book is filled with ah ha moments that I marked and plan on revisiting, as well as relatable humor just being a human in these times.  Never preachy, just wonderful.  

11.1.2026 - Sweet Pea

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press, and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this wonderful novel by Kit de Waal, with the audiobook perfectly narrated by Sara Powell.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.75 stars!

Paulette's grandmother called her "Sweet Pea," and taught her to avoid temptation and embrace love and forgiveness, in that order.  Paulette feels like it's her time - she has a good job, hopefully she's soon to be married, children and a home will follow.  Until tragedy strikes and she finds herself grieving and with a son, Bird.  Then another child comes into her life who needs her.  

Oh, this story will sneak up on you and will slowly carve out a special place in your heart for these characters.  In all her troubles, Paulette can still open her heart to others, even when her own is broken.  It's the story of how small kindnesses can mean so much - just one of the lessons that will make you look into your own life and feel that you can do a bit better.  This story is very character-driven and one that readers will relate to, because most of us have a future that we mourn for, but this book gives hope in that future even though it may look a bit different.  I loved this book and the ending was perfect.  I listened to the audiobook and felt that the narration and production just added to my immersion in this story.

10.31.2026 - Another Name for Red

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Pantheon for gifting me a digital ARC of this debut novel by Amber Blaeser-Wardzala.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

A red dress remains on the clothesline of the house on the Minnesota Rez where Old Sister has been missing for a year.  Middle Sister is keeping a secret from her family, and feels that her sister's disappearance is her fault.  All of her old relationships have disintegrated, and there's a new man in town, John Smith, who follows Middle Sister around.  Middle Sister is also actively trying to investigate her sister's disappearance, finding she must rely on her community for assistance.

A beautifully-written debut that once again showcases the plight of Indigenous women disappearing and being found murdered, while a nation turns a blind eye.  It's also a moving story about grief, guilt, and loss and what it does to individuals, families, and communities.  It's very atmospheric, and a sense of impending pain and dread hangs over Middle Sister, yet there's a hopeful turn as well.  A wonderful debut - looking forward to more from this author!

10.31.2026 - Gloria Don't Speak

Many thanks to NetGalley, HarperAudio and Mariner Books for gifting me an audio ARC of the debut novel by Lucy Apps, a Women's Prize for Fiction nominee.  The audiobook was narrated to perfection by Olivia Vinall.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.25 stars!

Gloria is mostly nonverbal, has aged out of school, and spends her days wandering the streets.  That's where she meets Jack, who talks to her, gives her Cokes, walks with her.  It's 1999 and Jack fears everything will change when the calendar flips to 2000.  But Jack breaks before the world does and changes Gloria forever.

This book is so well written and the narration made Gloria come alive.  I felt like I was inside her head, hearing all the words she couldn't say.  But Jack occupies Gloria's brain, even as her life moves on.  I was set for an incident that didn't occur, and that made the real incident even more powerful.  It's heartbreaking to think of how society treats those with disabilities, and showcases how all of us need others.  I felt privileged to spend time with this book.

10.31.2026 - The Tribes

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House | Dutton Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the debut novel by Mari Howes.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Heather is a college student, not fitting into the expectations of her family, and failing out of college.  She comes across a group that seems so welcoming and loving, giving her all she needs.  Until she's trapped.  Decades later, police respond to a 911 call that a newborn baby has died, and they charge Heather with murder of her infant son.  Abby, single and pregnant, is Heather's lawyer, and she's convinced that there's more to Heather's story than she's admitting.

Wow - I was completely engrossed with this book until the very last page.  It has a bit of everything - a cult, mystery, legal thriller, intriguing characters - wrapped up in such a fashion that you won't be able to look away.  The old saying, Nobody joins a cult, is sure apt here.  Things always look good in the beginning until you slowly lose yourself.  Heather's story is parsed out slowly as the chapters alternate between her past and Abby's defense of her in the present.  These characters and their plights felt so real to me.  Know that this isn't an easy read, but it is so well written with such a thought-provoking, emotional storyline that I was obsessed with it and felt gutted at the end. 

10.29.2026 - What Mother Knows

Many thanks to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing | Thomas & Mercer, and Brilliance Publishing for gifting me a digital and audio ARC of the latest thriller by Chad Zunker, wonderfully narrated by Austin Rising.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.25 stars!

Denver attorney Josh King has been estranged from his mother and stepfather, but when his mother is accused of killing his stepfather, Josh returns to Austin to be there for his younger sister.  But when he arrives, his mom, the city's mayor, persuades him to act as her defense attorney.  Josh must believe everything she tells him but does he?

This was a quick story, made better by the wonderful narration that made the characters come alive.  Loved the relationship between Josh and his sister and how he rose above all the noise to take care of her.  Dark family secrets abound and liked the final twist at the end!