12.19.2024 - I Died on a Tuesday

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Penguin Random House Canada/Doubleday Canada for gifting me a digital ARC of the new book by Jane Corry.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Twenty years ago, there is a tragic accident that leaves an 18-year-old Janie for dead on the street, hit by a van that then took off.  In present time, Robbie Manning, international singing star, is arrested for Janie's attempted murder.  Robbie has been waiting for the truth to come out for 20 years, but he's still terrified.  Who knows the whole story of what happened that day? 

There's a lot to unpack in this story, told from these two timelines from multiple POVs.  We hear from Robbie and Janie, as well as Vanessa, a victim support person, and the judge.  Everyone is holding secrets back for a multitude of reasons, and discovering all of them will take a bit of patience as they slowly merge.  What I really enjoyed was exploring how one wrong decision can affect so many people down the line.  I also enjoyed Vanessa's role as victim support as she helped witnesses navigate testifying.  This is a twisty one, with well-developed characters, and an intriguing plot.

12.18.2024 - Beautiful Ugly

Many thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for gifting me an audio ARC of the latest thriller by Alice Feeney.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own – 5 stars!

Author Grady Green calls his wife to share some exciting news as she’s driving home.  But as they are talking Abby gets out of the car and is never seen from again.  One year later, Grady is still devastated and desperate to know what happened.  He can no longer write and is not taking care of himself.  His agent gives him an opportunity to stay on a small Scottish island in a writer’s previous cottage to try and regroup.  But as soon as he arrives, he sees a woman who looks just like his missing wife.

 

Wives think their husbands will change but they don’t.
Husbands think their wives won’t change but they do.

 

I loved this one – Alice Feeney at her best.  A locked room-type mystery, taking place on a small Scottish island with only 25 year-round inhabitants.  The setting is almost another character, because you can feel the isolation, feel the weather coming off the sea, the cold damp feeling settling in your bones.  Plus, there is a group of characters that left you wondering who you could trust and what was real.  The audiobook was fantastic, complete with sound effects at the beginning of each chapter, immersing the reader even further.  I couldn’t stop listening to this one and loved every twist and turn along the way!

 

 

12.16.2024 - Raised by a Serial Killer

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Gallery Books for gifting me a digital ARC of this true crime memoir by April Balascio.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

In 2009, April was searching online for the truth about her father, Edward Wayne Edwards.  She was researching cold cases of murders that happened in the many towns they lived in as a family.  She came across the story of the "Sweetheart Murders," and memories of her father's possible connection came flooding back.  She picked up the phone and called the detective in charge.  

This is a gripping story of growing up in an abusive, dysfunctional family, and April's conviction that her dad could also be a murderer.  It's meticulously written and researched, brutally honest, and horrifying.  Told in alternating chapters detailing her dad's notorious criminal past and her recollections of her childhood, I appreciated how April told all the stories as she knew them.  Not only the mean, sadistic man who pitted his children against each other, brutalized them, played horrible pranks, but also his times of kindness and love.  It's hard to fathom those conflicting emotions, yet knowing the right thing to do was to pick up that phone.  She showed her strength and character; remarkable with the childhood she experienced.  April is a hero to many families by giving them some peace; here's hoping that she and her siblings have that same peace.

12.15.2024 - The Lost House

Many thanks to NetGalley, Minotaur Books, and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this novel by Melissa Larsen, beautifully narrated by Saskia Maarleveld.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own – 4 stars!

Forty years ago in Iceland, a young mother and her infant daughter were brutally murdered.  No one was ever charged, but the community was convinced it was the woman’s husband.  When he fled for the US, it proved his guilt to them.  In the present, Nora is working on a podcast of the story and the man’s granddaughter, Agnes, has agreed to fly from California to Iceland to participate.  Agnes is healing both physically and mentally from an injury and broken relationship, relying on too many pills to get her through the day.  She’s also grieving the loss of her beloved grandfather and is eager to prove his innocence.  When she arrives, Nora is swept up in a new story of another young woman who has gone missing and enlists Agnes’ help.  Are the two cases related?  

 

The stark Icelandic setting and weather were the perfect backdrop for this haunting tale.  The small town’s inhabitants have been convinced of the husband’s guilt and have no use for his granddaughter stirring things up.   But now there is not one case to investigate, but two, and there are plenty of suspects.  I loved having the audiobook to listen to while I read, especially with the different dialect and language.  The narration was beautiful and added depth to the story.  Perfect winter mystery!

12.14.2024 - All the Water in the World

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin’s Press, and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this wonderful book by Eiren Caffall, with the audiobook gorgeously narrated by Eunice Wong.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own – 5 stars!

This book is set in the near future, when climate change has devastated the world.  Nonie and her older sister, their parents and fellow researchers have taken refuge on the roof of the American Museum of Natural History in NYC.  They hunt and grow food in Central Park and only scavage the exhibits if necessary.  When a hypercane (a huge superstorm) breaches the city’s flood walls, Nonie and her family must escape on the Hudson River, determined to find a new world to honor what they’ve saved.

I sometimes have a love/hate relationship with dystopian/apocalyptic stories, but the writing in this book, and the audiobook narration, made it perfection.  Told from Nonie’s point of view in the present, along with flashbacks letting the reader know what it was like before, this is an adventure story, a cautionary tale, and will make you think about what’s important to keep.  While the subject matter is fightening in its potential reality, the book is filled with hope, with community and people trying to help.  The writing was so beautiful, almost poetic, with lines to make you think, such as, “You never know in the darkness, who’s holding the light;” and “A building is just a body through which you live a life.  What mattered was the people we found and lost.”  I listened to the audiobook while reading, and the narrator’s voice was so haunting that it added layers to the story.  Highly recommended!

12.13.2024 - The Getaway

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Howling Unicorn Press for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest thriller by Mina Hardy.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Claire is a married mom of an adult daughter, and her monthly getaway at a remote mountain cabin with Elliott is her perfect escape from real life.  But Claire feels that Elliott is getting a little too needy, so she plans on this being their last getaway.  When a snowstorm traps them in the cabin, things turn bad quickly.  

A short synopsis is best for this book, so that you can go along with all the twists and turns as you read it.  And there are certainly plenty of twists!  This book covers a lot of ground - it starts out romantic, then quickly turns into a mystery thriller once secrets starting coming to light.  None of the characters are real likable, but you'll still find yourself rooting for some of them.  It may be a little over the top, but it is a quick read and pure entertainment and I was all in!

12.11.2024 - What the Wife Knew

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest thriller by Darby Kane.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Dr. Richmond Dougherty is a renowned surgeon, a tragedy survivor and hero.  He's also dead after a fall down the stairs.  His very sudden marriage to much younger Addison is only 97 days old, so all fingers point to her, now that she is a wealthy widow.  But someone killed Richmond before Addison had the chance to do it herself.

This was such twisty fun!  I loved Addison's snarky, dark humor, and her smart thinking and planning.  There are a host of questionable subjects, unlikeable characters, dysfunctional family relationships, and secrets galore - my kind of book!  The story unfolds through the POV of "Her" and "Him," both in the past and present.  It's suspenseful, perfectly plotted, with short chapters that will keep you turning the pages until that crazy ending.  

12.9.2024 - The Next Grave

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Montlake for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest in the Columbia River Series by Kendra Elliot.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Detective Evan Bolton is gutted by his latest investigation.  His friend and mentor, retired detective Rod McLeod, has been murdered, his body left in the trunk of a junkyard car.  When McLeod’s daughter and grandson abruptly vanish, Evan knows it’s not a coincidence. Search and rescue canine specialist Rowan Wolff agrees as she and her dog, Thor, track the missing family.  The two cases converge in a puzzling twist. Evan discovers that McLeod has been reinvestigating old crimes—solved but not forgotten.  Did one of those cases have to do with Rod's death?

I read the first two in this series, but somehow missed the next ones, a mistake I will have to rectify!   You can definitely read this as a stand-alone though, because Elliot gives enough backstory on the characters and their relationships.  This is a fast-paced police procedural that kept me turning the pages to see how it was all going to turn out.  One of the big stars of the book is Thor, Rowan's search and rescue dog.  Amazing how dogs can be trained to aid in finding people.  The characters are realistic, and you can feel their emotions as you flip the pages.  Gripping - can't wait for more in this series!

12.7.2024 - A Mother Always Knows

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for gifting me a digital ARC of second book in the Grace Morton series by Nicole Trope.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own – 4 stars!

Grace is determined to reconnect with her estranged daughter, Cordelia, so she moved to Melbourne.  Grace also doesn’t trust what she knows of Cordelia’s boyfriend, Garth, so she gets a temporary assignment to work at his law firm.  But right away, Grace sees that someone else is following Cordelia and then Garth goes missing.  Has history repeated itself?

 

You could read this book as a stand-alone because Trope gives you enough backstory, but it’s much better read as a series.  Grace is such an intriguing character, donning different personalities and looks, doing whatever she needs to do for her child.  Cordelia never resolved the trauma of losing her father and doesn’t want anything to do with Grace, until she realizes that Grace is the only one who understands.  This is a twisty thriller that will keep you guessing until the very end!  

12.6.2024 - Your Dark Secrets

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest release by Elle Marr.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Addison is a public relations executive, charged with keeping celebrities in the right light and out of trouble.  When her biggest client is murdered before an award show, Addison's fate at the company turns sour.  Plus, the police begin investigating her.  Enter an old boyfriend, Connor, a disgraced private investigator whose image was tarnished by Addison, but is trying to recover.  They must now work together to figure out the mysterious death as well as keep themselves out of trouble.

This was a fun, cat-and-mouse type mystery, where you weren't exactly sure who you could trust and where allegiances truly were.  There's some reignited sparks between the two main characters, and I found myself rooting for them.  They are flawed but likable characters and it's a fun ride following them around the world as they find themselves trying to stay one step ahead of the law as they are forced to work together to figure out the truth behind some mysterious deaths.

12.5.2024 - Home is Where the Lies Live

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for gifting me an audio ARC of the latest thriller by Kerry Wilkinson, perfectly narrated by the cast of Matthew Spencer, Rebecca Lee, Julia Barrie. All opinions expressed in this review are my own – 4 stars!

It’s time for a neighborhood street party in Huntington Grove.  Let’s meet the neighbors - Freddie and Heidi just moved into Huntington Grove, but Freddie seems to be keeping secrets.  Willow’s husband is disappearing in the night, and her relationship with her teenage daughter is fraught. Dylan’s wife was murdered and now he’s the single dad to their young daughter.  Allison’s husband is away in Hong Kong, but there seems to be yelling coming from their house.  Everyone has secrets.

 

I love a good neighborhood/domestic drama as the basis for a thriller, because really, who knows what goes on behind our neighbors’ doors – or our own?  This book starts out with a literal bang and a call to the authorities from the party.  Then we go back to start exploring all those secrets.  This was fast-paced with great characters and a plot that will keep you guessing. Wilkinson nailed the gossip that goes on in neighborhoods, schools, small towns, and all that just added fuel to the many fires.  The narrators were great and added to the fun!

 

12.4.2024 - Deadbeat

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Atria Books for gifting me a digital ARC of this wild ride by Adam Hamdy.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Peyton Collard was a good man once, but his life changed after a horrific car accident.  Now he's divorced, drunk, and severely damaged,  Peyton is offered a life-changing sum of money to kill an evil man.  But as he goes on a vigilante journey that leaves a trail of bodies across California, Peyton wonders about the identity of his anonymous patron.  Soon, his questions become an obsession, and he embarks on a tense and potentially deadly investigation to discover the truth about the murders he’s committed.

This is like an action movie where you have to suspend some disbelief, but you are totally in for the ride, wherever it takes you.  This book is written in the first person, which made it even better.  You feel like Peyton is talking to you, asking you to understand him, and to put yourself in his shoes.  And you do think about where that line is on what you would do if you were desperate.  Peyton was trying so hard to be a good dad to his daughter, Skye, and he just kept making bad decisions.  And drinking and running his mouth, which of course, go hand in hand.  It's gritty, raw, with that dark humor that I love.  It has short chapters and I kept telling myself just one more because I didn't want to put it down.  Grab some popcorn and enjoy!

12.3.2024 - The Survivors

Many thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer Amazon Publishing for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest thriller by Carole Mitchell.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Two cars collide on a winding cliff edge on the Irish coast.  In one car is Finn with her baby daughter; in the other, Kathryn with her own daughter.  Finn, whose mother just died, was on the way to meet her aunt, Maura, who lives in a remote cottage at the top of the cliff, appropriately named Misery Hill.  Both women struggle with the aftermath of the accident, and only Maura knows the whole truth.

Go into this one as blind as possible to fully enjoy the twists and turns.  We hear from all three women's points of view, including from Maura in the past.  There are secrets galore and plenty of family dysfunction to go around.   Both Finn and Maura are unreliable narrators because they were injured in the accident and aren't sure themselves of the truth.  The setting was so atmospheric and added to the mystery of this book.  I've been a huge fan of Mitchell's police procedurals; this book is different but I loved it as well.  

12.3.2024 - Bellevue

 

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

Mitt Fuller is a first-year resident at the iconic Bellevue Hospital, following in the footsteps of four other celebrated Dr Fuller’s.  Mitt is not quite prepared for his first days though, as one patient after another dies after being in his care.  Mitt has always had a secret sensitivity to the nonphysical, but he’s seeing things in the hospital that he’s not sure if they are hallucinations, sleep deprivation, or something else.  As things get worse, Mitt finds himself exploring for answers in the abandoned Bellevue Psychopathic Hospital.

 

Robin Cook’s books always teach you something as well as being intriguing thrillers.  This one was a bit more slow-paced, but that also helped the reader to become indoctrinated into the demanding physical and mental tasks of new residents.  You felt his sleep deprivation and how it affected him.  This book showcased the horrors of medical care in the past, and you will shudder many times to think of the poor patients.  This one is full of supernatural events, but I loved how the ending brought it all together.  

12.2.2024 - The Answer is No

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories for gifting me a digital ARC of this novella by the amazing Fredrik Backman.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Lucas has found the secret to happiness - no people.  He's happy just the way he is.  But then people start appearing in his life.

Fredrik Backman is the hero for all introverts, and this book will resound soundly with all of them.  There is no one who writes with the same relatability, wit, heart and with the best characters to both teach and entertain us.  I loved every short page of this book - a must read!!

12.1.2024 - The Memory Library

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Avon, Harper Audio/Harper 360 for gifting me an audio ARC of this wonderful debut book by Kate Storey, beautifully narrated by the team of Jilly Bond and Imogen Wilde.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

For decades, Sally has been building a library.  Each year, on her daughter, Ella's, birthday, she adds a new book to her shelves with a handwritten note.  But Ella knows nothing about the library.  After a heated exchange with her mother 22 years ago, she fled to Australia and never looked back.  Now married and with a daughter of her own, Ella is forced to come back to London to care for her mother.  

I absolutely loved this novel - it's relatable, hopeful, full of community support and second chances.  Parenting is not always easy, and this highlights how miscommunication can cause irreparable harm.  Sally was a beacon of right choices though, never pushing her daughter but instead protecting her and her choices and keeping doors open.  Ella was so focused on her work in Australia that she lost sight of the important people in her life until she was forced onto a different path and perspective.  I loved her lines, "If I was queen of the world..."  Plus, if you love books and books about books, this one will be right up your alley.  The audiobook narration was perfect and I enjoyed both voices of these main characters (as well as the others).  

11.29.2024 - Desperate Deadly Widows

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for gifting me a digital ARC of the second in the Widow series by the powerhouse writing team of Vanessa Lillie, Layne Fargo, Cate Holahan and Kimberly Belle.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Following all the adventures that happened in the first book, Young Rich Widows, it's 1987 in Rhode Island, two years since the plane crash that killed four law-firm partners.  The four widows have had to regroup, facing the reality of their new lives.  Krystle fights to keep the law firm afloat, while Justine is in law school.  Meredith owns and runs the strip club where she once danced, and Camille orchestrates schemes for scorned women.  However, one of her arrangements goes wrong and the mayor is now dead in the club.  The widows must work together or else go down together. 

These are just such fun books, taking you back to all the excesses of the 80s.  There's enough here to be able to read this one as a stand alone, but do yourself a favor and start with the first.  The audiobook was fabulous (available now on Audible, just like the first!) and had me laughing along at the widows' antics.  But there's a mystery to be solved before one of the widows ends up in jail, and there are plenty of questionable suspects.  Loved how this shows strong women supporting each other no matter what.  

11.29.2024 - The Close-Up

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Gallery Books and MBC Books for gifting me a digital ARC of this wonderful twisty book by Pip Drysale.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Zoe Ann Weiss moved to LA to pursue her dream of a writer.  Her first book, Fractured, had great promise which sales didn’t support.  She met Zach, a bartender, and felt such chemistry, but he ghosted her.  Three years later, Zach is a famous movie star and Zoe is working at a flower shop.  Her deadline for her sophomore book has come and gone and Zoe Ann has writer’s block in all caps.  But when she meets Zach again on a flower delivery, things seem just as magical as they were before.  Zoe felt Zach inspired her first novel and things he can once again be her muse.  Until things fall apart in a very scary way. 

This was such a twisty book, basically a book within a book, which is always fun, especially when it’s so well done.  Plus, my mind was blown by the epilogue!  The characters felt real to me, and I could feel Zoe’s frustration as well as her fear.  The whole stalker theme is so scary and Zoe's fear felt palpable.  You weren't sure quite what to believe and my feelings came and went about who I could trust.  Another fabulous read by this author - I loved her previous book, The Sunday Girl, as well.  

11.26.2024 - Betty Crocker Found Recipes

Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow Harvest for gifting me a digital ARC of this nostalgic cookbook.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

When I got married in 1980, my sister-in-law gifted me a copy of the Betty Crocker Cookbook and even though I know longer have that husband, I still have the cookbook!  This was such a trip to the past and I thoroughly enjoyed going through each page with my elderly mother, reminiscing about how things used to be.  The recipes themselves are nostalgic and will probably remind you of childhood, and I anxiously bookmarked many pages.  Even the page layout is perfect, looking like my old cookbook with its well-loved look and creased and stained pages.  There are 5 chapters:  Holiday Celebrations, Memorable Main Dishes, Warm from the Oven Breads, Irresistible Cookies & Bars, and Better than Ever Desserts.  But there's also lots of stories and pictures from the past that just add to the fun of this cookbook!

11.22.2024 - The Business Trip

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press, and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the fiction debut by Jessie Garcia, with the audio narrated by a fabulous cast.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Jasmine is fleeing an abusive partner and Stephanie is headed to a conference for work when they meet on the plane.  After a few days, both women text their friends and coworkers the same message about meeting the same man - Trent.  But the texts start sending red flags and then the two women disappear.  Who is Trent and what did he do to these women?

I love having both the audio and digital versions of books for a totally immersive experience, but once I started listening to the audiobook, I was hooked.  The cast is fabulous and I could picture all the characters from the voices, especially Trent.  The book is told from multiple POV and different timelines but it was never confusing.  You may have to put aside your realism radar a bit, but this was pure escapism on all levels, and isn't that why we read fiction?  While I thought I had a clue of how things would end up, I couldn't have been more wrong.  So many twists and turns perfectly played out.  Wonderful debut and looking forward to more from this author.

11.22.2024 - Not A Good Enough Mother

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for gifting me a digital ARC of this psychological thriller by Nicole Trope.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Ava Green is struggling.  At work, she lost her last assistant and is working way too much to make up for it.  Plus, she's trying to get the top job in her company, competing with her rival.  Things are no better at home, where her husband, Finn, takes care of the kids and works on his painting, but nothing that brings in any money.  Then Grace walks into work for a job interview as Ava's assistant, and she seems like a dream come true.  But is she?

As you would expect from a Nicole Trope novel, this one is twisty, everyone is keeping secrets, and you'll enjoy every minute!  You can feel Ava's exasperation with her life and the relief when Grace swoops in to make every part easier.  I never saw that final twist coming though!  This is the first book about Grace - the next book, A Mother Always Knows, is set to be published in December and I'm anxious to read that one as well.

11.21.2024 - Trial by Ambush

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing Thomas & Mercer for gifting me a digital ARC of this true crime book by Marcia Clark.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Barbara Graham was cursed from birth, unwanted and neglected.  Left to fend for herself from a young age, she ended up with the wrong people.  Then in 1953, she was thrust into the headlines when a robbery spiraled out of control and ended with a brutal murder of an elderly woman.  Barbara found herself at the forefront of a media circus.

I am a huge Marcia Clark fan and have anxiously read all of her legal thrillers, so I couldn't wait to read this nonfiction book.  I really appreciated the fact that Marcia walked the reader along her journey into this story, interjecting her experience and knowledge.  She was able to accurately point out all the prosecutorial and police errors and downright illegal maneuvers, as well as tell the reader what has changed since this trial.  And what hasn't - how Barbara as a beautiful woman became a media target and every look, hairstyle, and clothing choice became gossip fodder.  Sound familiar?  This book was meticulously researched and the writing engrossing.  A must read for true crime and legal fans!

11.21.2024 - Then Things Went Dark

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for gifting me a digital ARC of this novel by Bea Fitzgerald.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 3 stars!

Six people from varying backgrounds arrive on a desert island for their reality show debut.  All are anxious to prove themselves and millions of viewers are watching.  But only three weeks later, Rhys Sutton dies on camera and the remaining contestants find themselves in a Portuguese police station, and no one is talking.

This has all the trademarks of a winner for me - desert island, locked room mystery, interspersing paragraphs of the police interrogations and social media commentary.  But somehow, I couldn't get into it.  I was never into the reality tv show genre and none of these characters was likable.  I just found myself not really caring.  It may appeal more to someone who is a big fan of reality shows.

11.18.2024 - Shell Games

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Paperbacks for gifting me a digital ARC of the new thriller by Bonnie Kistler.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

You need to go into this one as blind as possible for full enjoyment, so to break the storyline down into its vaguest form, Kate, an elderly real estate developer powerhouse, has reconnected with her childhood sweetheart, Charlie, and they are getting married.  On their wedding night, Charlie makes a confession to Kate and everything changes.

This was such a fabulous, roller coaster thriller!  I questioned everyone because it seemed that everyone had ulterior motives, was gaslighting everyone else, and you didn't know who you could believe or trust, if anyone.  Because when money and power are involved, even with family, everything gets muddy.  This one kept me engrossed with all its twists and turns until the final one on the last page - perfection!  Definitely a must read, so don't miss it!

11.13.2024 - Life's Short, Talk Fast

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and WW Norton & Company for gifting me a digital ARC of this collection of essays revolving around The Gilmore Girls, edited by Ann Hood.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

This is a collection of essays by a diverse group of authors all revolving around this iconic TV show.  I have to admit that when the show first aired in 2000, I had two boys - one just off to college and the other in high school, and my family's TV viewing revolved around Star Trek in all its many forms.  Yet, I still jumped at the opportunity to read this book because first, Ann Hood!  But I found myself so involved in these essays which range from humorous to heartbreaking and everything in between.  Plus the viewpoints were from die-hard fans to those who had never seen it.  The stories show just how uniting and relatable TV can be.  Highly recommended if you are a fan, but the stories are wonderful even if you aren't!

11.12.2024 - What the Nanny Saw

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest thriller by a favorite, Kaira Rouda.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Celicia should be on the top of the world - she has a gorgeous house on the beach, money galore, and a beautiful new baby girl, Peyton.  But she's struggling - Alex, her partner and Peyton's dad, has not been supportive and she fears he's cheating.  Plus she's struggling with being a new mom.  So when she meets Lizzie at a coffee shop, she hires her to be her new nanny.  But Lizzie has some ulterior motives as well.

I'm a sucker for anything that Kaira Rouda writes, especially this series featuring Celicia Strom.  For full effect, start with Best Day Ever, still one of my top favorite books, then read The Second Mrs. Strom.  But even if you just jump right in on this book, you won't be disappointed, because there is enough info to catch up.  Paul, Cecilia's ex, is still in prison, but is still somehow communicating with her, leaving her scared and paranoid.  Both Lizzie and Cecilia will do anything they can to get what they want.  This is another fun, twisted ride and I loved it - please say there will be another chapter in Cecilia's life for us to explore!

11.11.2024 - Her Housekeeper

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest psychological thriller by Samantha Hayes.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Gina and Matt's house was destroyed in a fire, but thankfully their friend, Annie, was out of the area for work and allowed them and their children to stay at her home.  Mary, Annie's housekeeper, shows up and is soon moving into the attic room with her teenage son because of an abusive situation at their home.  Gina isn't completely comfortable with Mary and feels she is acting too close to Matt.  But Annie assures her that all is well.  But is it?

This was such a fast paced thriller with many twists and turns.  You might be like me and think you have it all figured out, but there were so many shocking reveals.  Told from multiple POV and in different timelines, the suspense keeps building and I couldn't put it down.  The characters were relatable - you could feel Gina's angst and concern for her family, as well as her frustration with Matt and Mary.  Another fabulous read by Samantha Hayes!

11.10 - How Does That Make You Feel, Magda Eklund?

Many thanks to NetGalley and Ecco for gifting me a digital ARC of the debut book by Anna Montague.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 3.5 stars rounded up!

Magda Eklund is turning 70 and still working as a therapist in a group practice with friends from school.  She's always been on her own except for the close friendship she shares with Sara.  When Sara dies, she becomes adrift.  Sara's husband gives Magda all Sara's kept letters and journals, and Magda finds out that Sara's plans for her big birthday were for the two of them to go on a road trip to meaningful places in their lives.  Magda decides to take that trip with Sara beside her in her urn.

This was an alternately humorous and thoughtful look at grief and coming to terms with our own wants and desires.  We learn about how Magda's childhood growing up with Swedish immigrant parents and younger sister, Hedda, shaped her.   It's wishing for second chances when the possibility is long past, but still being able to forge on a new path.  I was sometimes a bit confused with the characters for some reason, and kept looking up names to see just where they fit in.  But it was a solid debut and I'm looking forward to reading more from this author!

11.7.2024 - Grave Talk

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Brilliance Audio for gifting me an audio ARC of the latest book by Nick Spalding, narrated perfectly by Imogene Church and Steve West.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Alice is devastated by the loss of her husband, Joe.  So the last thing she expects to see when she's visiting his grave on his birthday is a man dressed up like Kermit the Frog.  It turns out that Ben (AKA Kermit) lost his brother, Harry, who is buried next to Joe.  Harry, always a practical joker, left specific instructions to Ben to visit his grave every year on this date, and left specific costumes he was required to dress up in, as well as a song to sing while there.   Alice and Ben meet in this same way every year and form a friendship forged in grief.  They eventually start making challenges for the other to try and help.

Nick Spalding has done it again - taken the difficult subjects of death and grieving and created a book that is funny, poignant, and hopeful.  The narration only made this book better, and you won't be able to stop seeing Ben in these various costumes in your mind.  Alice and Ben form such a unique bond, and I really appreciated how the story didn't go where I predicted.  Don't miss this one!

11.6.2024 - Deadly Animals

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Henry Holt & Company, and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this debut novel by Marie Tierney, with the audiobook perfectly narrated by Olivia Dowd.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Ava is not a normal teenager.  She has an obsessive interest in dead animals and how they compose.  She collects roadkill in the middle of the night and pulls them into her den, recording her findings in notebooks.  But one night, she comes across the body of her classmate, Mickey.  Worried that she might be in trouble for her nighttime activities, she makes an anonymous phone call to the police.  Detective Delahaye begins investigating, and Ava does her best to help, because more teenagers are going missing.

This is a wonderful debut and I would love to see it become a series, because the combination of Ava and the detective were wonderful!  Ava's character is amazing - having a tough home life, she is strong, intelligent, interested in everything, helpful, very respective.  While the subject matter is definitely dark, it's not overly graphic or gratuitous, though still sad and disturbing.  This story takes place in the 1980s; there was an interview between narrator and author at the end of the audiobook which explained that the author wanted the mystery to not be easily solved with modern advances in DNA.  So it's nostalgic, with a small town feel, and the alternating POV between Ava and the detective in short chapters were perfect to engage the reader with this story.  Anxious to read more from this author!

11.4.2024 - The Sunflower House

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for gifting me a digital ARC of this wonderful debut historical fiction novel by Adriana Allegri.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own – 5 stars!

Allina Strauss has a good life in her small German village.  She lives with her aunt and uncle, works at a bookshop, and spends time with friends and her fiancé, Albert.  But it’s 1939 and Adolf Hitler is Chancellor, when Allina’s family tells her that her birth mother was Jewish.  After a night she will never forget when she loses everything she held dear, Allina is forced into service as a nurse at Hochland Home.  This is a state-run baby factory and a feeder into Heinrich Himmler’s eugenics program.

 

This book once again shines light into such a dark part of human history,  I had never heard of the Lebensborn program, where women stayed in these homes for the sole purpose of having pure babies to perpetuate the Aryan population, babies that were then adopted to Nazi families.  It’s horrific to read and think about these poor babies and women, in addition to the horrors of the Holocaust itself.  But this meticulously-researched book is one that you won’t be able to put down; it’s the triumph of good people in the face of evil.  It’s also a love story, full of family secrets, but also hope for a better future.  It’s so beautifully written and hard to believe it’s a debut novel.  I was also fascinated to read the author’s notes that she started working on this book two decades ago.  Lucky for all readers that she persevered; this is a must read!

11.4.2024 - Flint Kill Creek

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and High Bridge Audio for gifting me an audio ARC of this short story collection by Joyce Carol Oates, perfectly narrated by Kelli Tager.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

This is a collection of 12 short stories, each with a degree of suspense, fear, terror.  What I liked most of all was the fact that most of these were fairly ordinary situations, which to me was the biggest creep factor.  There were medical scares, abuses, relationship issues; real situations that you could see yourself in.  Life can be scary and disturbing for sure, and some of these will put you well out of your comfort zone.  A thoughtful collection of creepy stories!

11.2.2024 - Don't Say A Thing

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer Amazon Publishing for gifting me a digital ARC of this true crime memoir by Tamara Leitner.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Tamara Leitner is an Emmy Award-winning journalist who writes of her decades-long investigation and personal connection to a serial rapist.  In 1999, she woke to an active crime scene outside her Arizona apartment.  Her neighbors had been sexually assaulted by a man later identified as Claude Dean Hull.  Tamara suffered with guilt and fear after this near assault and became obsessed with investigating Hull and his crimes.  

The crimes in this story are appalling, as are the struggles of the justice system when is comes to sexual violence.  I'd like to hope that things have gotten better with the passing of time, but I'm not convinced this is true for the victims.  Certainly, some of the technological advances we have today would have helped in the investigation of these crimes.  I appreciated how Leitner focused so much on the victims of these crimes, letting us feel their pain and the resultant trauma.  Intermixed are chapters about the author's personal relationship, which presented a different kind of trauma.  The timeline wasn't straightforward throughout and I admit to not being able to keep everything straight in my mind while reading.

11.1.2024 - The Married Man

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest thriller by K.L. Slater.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own – 4 stars!

Liv’s husband, Rich, disappeared 11 years ago, and she’s been raising their son Maddox by herself.  But there was a plan, and it looks like Rich didn’t follow it.  Maddox is now a teenager and finding out that his mom is keeping secrets, is leading him down a bad path.  Kait is married and pregnant with her first child with her husband, Daniel, but he is acting strange and she feels he’s having an affair.

 

Watching these storylines come together was fabulous, and KL Slater once again has given us a gripping thriller.  Told from these characters POV in the past and present timelines, I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough to see how it would end up.  The plot was complex but so satisfying to see it all unfold, and the ending was perfection.

10.31.2024 - Rolling Toward Clear Skies

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing/Amazon Publishing, and Brilliance Publishing for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest book by a favorite, Catherine Ryan Hyde, with the audio wonderfully narrated by Kate Rudd.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Maggie is a physician, divorced single mother to two teenage girls, and the founder of Doctors on Wheels with Alex, a nurse and her romantic partner as well.  When disaster strikes, they go wherever they are needed to help out free of charge.  When they get to rural Louisiana after a Category 5 hurricane, she forms a bond with two teenage girls who have lost everything and Maggie refuses to leave them behind when she returns home.  But the two girls are polar opposites to Maggie's own daughters, who are entitled, used to getting whatever they want, and not happy about these new strangers in their lives.

I can never resist the pull of a novel by Catherine Ryan Hyde because, while you know you're getting a good story, there are always so many life lessons intertwined.  Here, we see how the best of intentions in parenting may cause unwanted consequences for everyone.  It's definitely a story of the difference between the have's and the have not's, and in the wake of so many natural disasters recently, will make you grateful and hopefully more aware.  It's also a cautionary tale about teenagers and social media, which always makes me feel relieved that I didn't have to navigate that when my kids were growing up.  Always a treat so don't miss it!

10.30.2024 - Holiday Hideaway

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing/Amazon Original Stories for gifting me a digital ARC of this wonderful holiday short story by the queen, Mary Kay Andrews.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Tilly is down on her luck.  Recently divorced and broke, she's living in one of her rental agency's properties until she can move into her new apartment.  Then the owner shows up and Tilly is forced to hide in the attic.  George is back in town to get the house ready for sale after his granduncle died.  

As you would expect from Mary Kay Andrews, this is just a sweet holiday romance that will have you rooting for the characters and laughing along with them.  You can easily read it in a sitting - don't miss it as we head into the holiday season!

10.29.2024 - Like Mother, Like Mother

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Dial Press for gifting me a digital ARC of this novel by Susan Rieger.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

In 1960, Lila Pereira is just 2 years old, with an older brother and sister, when their abusive father has her mother committed to an asylum in 1960.  Lila never sees her mother again; years later, he tells the children that she died there.  Decades later, she is at the peak of her career as executive editor of The Washington Post.  She prioritized her career, leaving childcare to her husband, Joe.  Grace, their youngest, feels abandoned and wishes for a different type of mother.  Grace becomes a reporter and writes a book about her childhood and becomes obsessed with finding out what happened to Zelda, Lila's mother.

This is a wonderful character study and domestic drama wrapped into one highly-readable book.  It would be a good book club pick, with so much to discuss - motherhood, parenthood, marriage, ambition, and past trauma.  This book explores how their upbringing affected three women of different generations.  It's an exploration of how things have changed between men and women, yet how many things have remained the same.  When Lila works nonstop and leaves childrearing to her husband, it's scandalous, yet it's the norm when reversed.  Grace feels compelled to find out what happened to her grandmother, thinking that she can't know who she is unless she knows where she came from.  But will that knowledge bring her peace or closure?  Great book!

10.29.2024 - This Girl's a Killer

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press, and Dreamscape Media for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the debut book by Emma C. Wells, with the audio perfectly narrated by Stefanie Kay.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own – 5 stars!

Meet Cordelia Black.  By day she's a successful pharmaceutical rep with a pristine reputation and a designer wardrobe.  But there are the nights where she rids the world of monsters – those men who have escaped justice.  She has rules – she must see the smoke in their eyes to know they are truly evil.  She has everything meticulously planned out and has evaded capture herself.  However, the news has caught on that there are missing men in the area and some have thrown around the words “serial killer.”  Things become worse when her best friend, Diane, starts dating a man that Cordelia is convinced is bad.  And he might just be the end of her too.

This book was amazing!  And a debut?  Sign me up for anything that this author writes in the future, please.  It was that perfect blend of dark, snarky humor that I just love with a suspenseful story line.  Cordelia was an amazing character – always trying to stay one step ahead in both her professional life and her personal passion.  She’s the best friend and godmother yet has a secret life no one would ever guess.  When everything starts falling apart, you just can’t look away.  There were twists and turns and lots of crazy, over-the-top adventures which made this one of the most fun books I’ve read in a while.  And the narration was top notch as well!

10.27.2024 - The Lake of Lost Girls

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Crooked Lane Books, and Dreamscape Media for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the second thriller by the best friends writing duo known as Katherine Greene, with the audio fabulously narrated by the cast of Helen Laser, Frankie Corzo, Sara Young, Haley Taylor, and David Bendena.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

It's 1998 and female students are going missing at Southern State University in North Carolina.  Jessica Fadley, a promising student who began struggling, is the latest to disappear.  Twenty-four years later, Jessica's sister, Lindsey, uses the interest in a new true crime podcast focusing on the case, Ten Seconds to Vanish, to help her own investigations into what happened to her sister.  Then bodies of the long-missing women start turning up at a local lake.

Wow - this book was fantastic!  I both read the digital version and listened to the wonderful audio, which is my favorite way to get totally immersed into a story.  Having a whole cast made the audio production top notch and I couldn't put it down.  The story alternates between both timelines as we follow Jessica on the lead up to her disappearance, and in the present as Lindsey tries to put all the pieces together of her sister's life.  In between, we get snippets of the podcast to amp up the tension and suspense.  There were plenty of suspects and creepy behavior that will keep you guessing, and the ending just totally blew my mind in the best possible way!  If you like thrillers, this is an absolute must read!

10.25.2024 - When We Chased the Light

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing/Amazon Publishing for gifting me a digital ARC of the new historical fiction book by Emily Bleeker.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

In the present, Christie's Auction House is preparing to sell the belongings of Hollywood star Vivian Snow.  Her great-granddaughter is there, wanting a collection of postcards sent to Vivian over 60 years by her best friend, Antonio Trombello, an Italian solder, POW,  and Catholic priest.  Vivian met Antonio when singing at the local USO club and met her first husband, Tom Highward, there as well.  When Tom goes missing, and Vivian is pregnant, she has to support her family by traveling and entertaining the troops.  Her life gets complicated through a series of romances and personal issues.

The book before this one, When We Were Enemies, goes in depth to Vivian's backstory of meeting Tom and Antonio, and this book explores all that happens next.  While it could be read as a standalone, since enough backstory is provided, it's such an interesting book that I would recommend reading it first.  This book explores a lot of themes - abuse, addiction, mental illness, motherhood, guilt, the price of fame - but it's told in a way that never becomes depressing.  We see the toll life has taken on Vivian and the results of her decisions passed on to the next generations.  I liked the auction notes in between the chapters to see the progression of Vivian and Antonio's friendship through the years, and the epilogue tied everything up perfectly.

10.23.2024 - Run

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Random House Ballantine for gifting me a digital ARC of this thriller by a favorite, Blake Crouch.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

The world has gone crazy and Jack and his family are running for their lives.  It started with widespread rage, then murders, and then it took over.  But what is happening?  Jack's only chance is to run.

This is republished from the author's first self-published book, which is hard to believe considering where he is today.  Maybe 10+ years ago, this story was too far out, too gory, too everything?  But to me, while this is certainly an apocalyptic one, it's very easy to extrapolate similar events to what our country is going through in current times?  Unchecked rage and hate?  Check.  One side vs another?  Check.  Way too many guns in the wrong hands?  Check.  Not knowing who you can trust?  Check.  Even though it was very violent, I read this book with my heart in my throat wondering how Jack and his family would survive.  I thought it was fascinating that the phenomena of the aurora borealis caused people who viewed it to change.  A smart, but gory, sci-fi thriller that will keep you glued to the pages.

10.23.2024 - Never Trust the Husband

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest domestic thriller by Jessica Payne.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Madeline wasn't expecting to fall in love, but Benjamin swept her off her feet and they were soon married.  Their honeymoon had to be changed because of weather, so instead they took a camping trip with their friends.  While taking pictures of the night sky, Maddie disappears and is presumed dead.  Three years later, Benjamin is married again to Maddie's best friend, Gwen.  Rebecca is trying to avenge Maddie's death and is determined to seek justice.  

This was a twisty thriller with alternating timelines.  I never figured out exactly what happened and was surprised by the ending, always a treat!   There were lots of suspects and questionable behavior from just about everyone.  

10.22.2024 - Everyone This Christmas Has a Secret

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Harper Collins Mariner Books for gifting me a digital ARC of this wonderful Christmas-themed short story by Benjamin Stevenson.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Ernest Cunningham gets a frantic call from his ex-wife saying that she needs him.  Under the guise of seeing a magic show by world-famous magician Rylan Blaze, Ernest meets up with Erin in jail.  Covered in blood with no good alibi or knowledge of what happened, Ernest begins investigating, and there are plenty of other suspects.

Told in the form of an Advent calendar, this is pure Ernest Cunningham fun.  Believing in the Golden Age Mystery rules, Ernest "talks" to the reader, giving all the clues necessary to solve the mystery.  But I'll bet no one but Ernest could solve it, even with all the clues.  It's absolutely pure fun in the best of ways that only Benjamin Stevenson can pull off.  While this novella could certainly be read on its own, the first two books in this series are too good to miss, so read them first!  Highly recommended!

10.22.2024 - Catch You Later

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing/Amazon Publishing for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by a favorite, Jessica Strawser.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Mikki and Lark have been best friends forever, both working at the same highway truck stop in Ohio.  Everything changes when a stranger comes into the truck stop and asks Mikki to accompany him on a road trip to his sister's wedding in Florida - and she accepts, much to Lark's chagrin.  Mike is supposed to come back after the weekend and never returns.  Eight years later, Lark is in the same small town, trying to build a life without Mikki, when the stranger who Mikki left with suddenly appears back at the truck stop, asking for her.  

I am a big fan of Jessica Strawser, and her books are always a 5-star read for me.  In her latest novel, she once again gives us strong women characters, even when they are messy and flawed.  Because aren’t we all?  Mikki and Lark have been best friends in a small town where they dreamed of more.  I loved that the bond continued even when Lark was conflicted about what happened to Mikki.  The small town atmosphere felt real and claustrophobic to Lark as everyone had an opinion of her and Mikki.  Told between Mikki’s POV beginning with that fateful road trip and Lark’s in the present, it was the perfect way to give the reader a look into how Mikki’s actions in the past affected Lark now.  Mikki’s grandmother, Nini, was a hoot as well as being supportive.  I couldn’t put this one down until I knew what happened to Mikki - highly recommended!

10.22.2024 - Beyond Reasonable Doubt

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer Amazon Publishing, Brilliance Publishing for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest book by the wonderful Robert Dugoni, and the second in the Keera Duggan series, with the audiobook perfectly narrated by Saskia Maarleveld – 5 stars!

Jenna Bernstein, disgraced CEO of a controversial biotech company, is accused of murdering her former partner and lover.  Three years early, Keera Dugan’s father successfully defended Jenna when she was tried for killing the company’s chief medical scientist who threatened to go public with allegations of corporate fraud.  Jenna now wants Keera to defend her against the latest allegations, but Jenna and Keera have a history since childhood, and Keera knows that trouble follows Jenna.  

Dugoni has done it again, written a gripping police procedural/legal thriller that kept me guessing until the end.  I really like Keera’s character – smart, confident, driven, flawed – and how she interacts with people both professionally and in her family life, especially with her dad.  This book has Keera defending her childhood nemesis, and she doesn’t trust Jenna to be honest with her.  But with so much on the line, the two must rely on each other.  Keera’s chess prowess once again comes into play as she must think one step ahead.  The ending was perfect and I can’t wait for more in this series!

10.21.2024 - Framed

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Doubleday for gifting me a digital ARC of this nonfiction book by the collaboration of John Grisham and Jim McCloskey.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

John Grisham teamed up with the founder of Centurion Ministries, Jim McCloskey, to take an in-depth look at ten stories of innocent people wrongly convicted.  Each chose five stories and wrote them independently from the other.  Grisham's stories were pulled from the headlines and investigation, whereas McCloskey's were from his company's personal experience trying to get these wrongful convictions overturned.

Each of these stories are horrible - what could be worse than an innocent person going to jail for decades or put to death for something they had no part in?  When you read these stories, you will be hard pressed not to think - there, but for the grace of God, go I.  Because so many of these people were just in the wrong place at the wrong time.  What's so very disturbing is the callous attitude of all those that we entrust to do the right thing - the witnesses, the police, the prosecutors, the judges.  While you certainly can't read these stories and whitewash everyone with the same brush, it's so sad that politics and saving face take priority over someone's life.  This is a must read and should be mandatory reading for police academies and law students.

10.19.2024 - In the Blink of an Eye

  

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House for gifting me a digital ARC of the debut book by Jo Callaghan, and the first in the Kat and Lock series.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own – 4.5 stars rounded up!

Kat Frank is a single mom after her husband died from cancer.  She’s also a cop and has just been tasked to lead a pilot program to test whether AI can be used for police work.  Enter Lock, a hologram activated by a device on Kat’s wrist.  Who will win out – Kat’s gut reactions and experience or Lock’s statistical calculations and analysis?  

 

This was a fascinating book, combining an intriguing police procedural with artificial intelligence.  As Kat’s team starts looking into two missing person cases that suddenly become personal, can they work together to solve the mystery in time?  This book has wonderful characters.  You could feel Kat’s pain of first losing her husband and then losing her son in a different way as he grew up.  Lock felt like a real character as well, infusing humor and naivete into the narrative.  Plus, the cases were disturbing and I had no clue how they were going to be resolved.  I can’t wait to read more from this pair!

10.19.2024 - A Winter Wish

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Random House Ballantine Dell for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest romcom by Emily Stone.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Lexie's dad left when she was a child and started a new family.  Lexie thrives by never staying in one place too long and is currently working as a nanny in the Alps.  But her dad just died and Lexie finds out that he left her half of his travel company.  But there are strings attached, because he left the other half to Theo, who worked with her father in the company.  The will stipulates that they have to work together for a year before the company can be sold.  To make matters worse, Rachel, her half-sister who was born after her dad left her and her mom, is back in the picture.  Suddenly Lexie has to navigate new relationships while coming to grips with the past.

I'm not always a big romcom person, but I will read anything Emily Stone writes.  This was definitely a book that focuses on family, resolving the past in order to move forward.  I loved the idea of the niche travel company focusing on culture and traditions, as well as Lexie's wish jar.  It's a fun holiday-themed book that will have you rooting on Lexie and Theo to make it both professionally and personally.  Plus, it's a reminder that it is easy to form opinions and question people's actions when you don't know the real story.  Put this one on your Christmas wish list!

10.15.2024 - Most Wonderful

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Dial Press for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest novel by Georgia Clark.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

The three Belvedere siblings are a mess.  The oldest, Liz, works in Hollywood as a showrunner and is stumped at how to follow up on her hit show's first season.  She also has a big crush on the series star, Violet Grace.  Birdie, the middle child, is a stand-up comic but is failing to come up with any new material and has just been fired by her manager.  Rafi, the youngest and the golden boy, proposes to his coworker girlfriend at a company party, only to be turned down.  So they all head up to their mother's house in the Catskills for the holidays, only for things to get even more complicated.

This is a queer romcom just in time for the holiday season.  I loved how the siblings were always there for each other, even coming up with different names for their own club to share their innermost thoughts; this year, it's the Black Hearts Club since they've all sworn off love.  But of course love has different plans for all of them.  They all have different dads, but their mom, Babs, is a hoot with a secret of her own.  There's some heavy subjects here as well - addiction, depression, abandonment issues, illness - but the overall book is light and hopeful.

10.14.2024 - Libby Lost and Found

Many thanks to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Landmark and Recorded Books Media for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the debut book by Stephanie Booth, beautifully narrated by Mia Barron.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own – 4.5 stars rounded up!

Libby Weeks is the reclusive author of the best-felling fantasy series, The Falling Children, written under the pseudonym of F.T. Goldhero.  Her last manuscript is months overdue and fans around the world have grown impatient.  Already suffering from severe anxiety, Libby is newly diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s.  She knows she needs help to finish her last book.  She turns to 11-year-old superfan, Peanut Bixton, who knows the books better than Libby, but has her own issues.

 

What a wonderful book and the audio narration made it even better!  It’s somewhat like a book in a book tale, as we learn just what some books mean to readers.  Think of the Harry Potter craze and it relates perfectly to how much The Falling Children series means to its readers.  The struggles of both Libby and Peanut are heartbreaking but they are both so open and charming, that it’s not depressing or sad.  Instead, it’s hopeful and magical and shows the power of books. Wonderful!