7.31.2024 - A Sorceress Comes to Call

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Tor Publishing, and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest book by the amazing T. Kingfisher, with the audiobook perfectly narrated by Eliza Foss and Jennifer Pickens.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

In this retelling of the Brothers Grimm's "Goose Girl," Cordelia's mom, Evangeline, has kept her isolated and controlled, her only friend being their horse, Falada, her mother's familiar.  She discovers that Evangeline is a sorceress and has set her sights on marriage to the wealthy Squire.  Squire's sister, Hester, sees through Evangeline's plans and hopes to avoid her brother's marriage to Evangeline.  

T. Kingfisher writes such immersive, magical books and this one is no exception.  It's dark, with themes of abuse and coercion, but also the power of good over evil, as Hester, her maid and friends to their best to save Cordelia.  Cordelia will steal your heart, with her naivety as to how things work, and her belief in goodness.  There's tension, humor, magic, great characters, geese, and even ghosts!  It's so descriptive that it will put you into this other world.  I loved having both the audio and digital versions so as to never be far away from this story!  Another highly recommended book from this author!

7.30.2024 - The Days I Loved You Most

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing Park Row Books for gifting me a digital ARC of this wonderful debut novel by Amy Neff.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Evelyn and Joseph fell in love as teenage neighbors in the 1940s.  Now, more than sixty years later, with a lifetime between them, they have gathered their three grown children to share the staggering news: she has received a tragic diagnosis, and he cannot live without her. So in one year’s time, they will end their lives on their own terms.

This is a beautiful love story, spanning decades, from WWII to 9/11.  But if you are looking for a rom com or a lighthearted book, this isn't it.  It is, however, beautifully written and pulls all the emotions with characters that feel so real and relatable.  Evelyn struggles with her decisions, she has a fallout with her daughter, the couple experiences the ebbs and flows that all long-married couples do.  It's told from the POV of both Evelyn and Joseph, in alternating timelines, so we see how their relationship started and progressed.  While the subject matter of death hangs over, I didn't feel it was depressing.  Instead, it showed hope in bettering relationships and fulfilling dreams.  Fabulous debut - this is definitely an author to watch.  I loved her author's note as well.

7.29.2024 - Like Mother, Like Daughter

 

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

Cleo has a difficult relationship with her mother, Kat, but is shocked to come home to find a scary scene and her mother missing.  She starts looking into a few things on her own apart from the police investigation, and soon discovers that she didn't know her mom like she imagined.  

There is a lot going on in this novel, and it requires some concentration to keep it all straight in your mind; at least it did for me.  But it's well worth the effort, because McCreight has once again crafted a multi-layered thriller with so many themes about motherhood, and especially the mother/daughter relationship.  I'm always happy when fictional relationships between parent and child aren't all sunshine and light, but show us real feelings.  I would suggest going into reading this book as blind as possible and left my synopsis short on purpose.  Told from mostly the POV of Kat and Cleo, I loved the way the author also used therapy and legal transcripts, news reports, etc., to add critical elements to the story.  Another highly recommended book by this author!

7.28.2024 - A World of Hurt

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Grove Atlantic, and Recorded Books Media for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest thriller by Mindy Mejia, with the audiobook wonderfully narrated by Justis Bolding and Brian Hutchison.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Kara Johnson is grieving the loss of her girlfriend, who sacrificed her life to save Kara's.  Kara has a unique disability that allows her to feel so physical pain, and she's lived accordingly.  The DEA offers Kara a choice to go to prison or to become an informant to find the last of the drug trafficking ring that killed her girlfriend.  Max Summerlin is a cop who struggles with chronic pain after being shot twice.  He becomes part of the DEA task force, which puts him in the job of working with Kara.  The cop and the criminal have to find a way to work together.

While this is a follow-up to Mejia's, To Catch a Storm, which I thoroughly enjoyed, this is easily read as a stand alone, although I loved catching up with some great characters.  It's an action-packed story and police procedural, even including once again the psychic visions of Jonah.  Plus, it's set in the time of Covid and that plot element was very well done.  It also included police protests and BLM as relevant themes for a book involving law enforcement.  I hope this continues to be a series and we get more stories from this ensemble!

7.28.2024 - No Road Home

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for gifting me a digital ARC of this thriller by John Fram.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Toby is newly married to Alyssa, and they are moving from California to Texas where her family lives.  But Alyssa has kept many secrets from Toby about herself and her religious family.  Her grandfather is a big TV evangelist and the family mansion is full of locked doors and winding passageways.  Toby is adamant about protecting his young son, Luca, who is quiet and sensitive.  Once a storm moves in and cuts off all communication, things really take a turn.

This had such a gothic horror feel to it, and the author did a great job making the creepy mansion and approaching storm a big part of the story.  I always like a locked room mystery and this one had me questioning everyone.  The real story spools out slowing until the twisty ending, and it's filled with characters you will dislike, bigotry, religious fanaticism, greed, but also hope, with Toby's protection of his son.  It's a lot to keep up with, but definitely a good, twisty, atmospheric thrlller!

7.27.2024 - The Wedding People

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Henry Holt & Company, and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this fabulous book by Allison Espach, with the audiobook narrated perfectly by Helen Laser.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Phoebe Stone arrives at the Cornwall Inn in Newport, Rhode Island, for a one-night only stay.  She's immediately mistaken as one of the wedding people, because Lila has taken over the entire inn for a 6-day, million dollar wedding.   As much as Phoebe tries to stay out of the way, she soon becomes a confidant to Lila, and the two become close.  

This is the perfect summer novel.  It's beautifully written to touch all your emotions, but with that dark humor I love to balance it out..  I loved getting to know these characters, especially Phoebe, and loved going along on their journey to find themselves.  It's hilarious, touching, hopeful, and will have you rooting for both these women while you are vicariously experiencing all this wedding and family drama.  There's a wonderful cast of supporting characters too, those you'll love and those that will have you rolling your eyes..  I already miss all the wedding people - don't miss this wonderful book!  Helen Laser's narration only added to the perfection.

7.24.2024

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Little Brown & Company Mulholland Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the new thriller by Heather Chavez.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Leyna Clarke watched her older sister, Grace, walk away from their home with her boyfriend, Adam, never to be seen again.  Sixteen years later, a stranger who looks like Grace shows up at the restaurant where Leyna works, and then disappears as well.  Leyna is desperate to find the missing girl, Ellie, with hopes that it will lead her to answers about Grace.  She returns home to the house where her mother still lives, and Adam's family just a couple doors down.  And a wildfire is looming.

This was a slow burn but I liked how the story was told in the voices of three women - Leyna, her mother, Meredith, and Adam's mother, Olivia, in both past and present timelines.  In between, The Fire slowly grows, adding yet another intensity to the story.  I liked the atmospheric feel, from the impending wildfire, to the all but deserted housing development.  Everyone is keeping secrets and no one is trustworthy or very likable.  I was glued to the pages to figure out what happened to Grace and Ellie.  

7.23.2024 - Puzzle Me a Murder

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for gifting me a digital ARC of this debut mystery by Roz Noonan.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Alice Pepper is a librarian in a small Oregon town, still trying to recover financially from her divorce.  She's thankful for good friends and family, who enjoy putting together puzzles with her at the kitchen table.  But when her good friend Ruby is a suspect in her husband's murder, Alice knows that she has to figure out who actually killed Ruby's husband.

I'm not usually a cozy mystery fan, but this one was fun and intriguing.  The mystery was complex and had plenty of suspects that kept me guessing.  I liked the fact that Alice was older, relatable, and did not back down.  Plus she was always there for her friends.  This is the start of a series, and I'll be anxious to read more from this group of amateur sleuths!

7.22.2024 - Echoes of Memory

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Kensington Books, and Recorded Books Media for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this standalone book by Sara Driscoll, wonderfully narrated by Cynthia Farrell.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Quinn survived a terrible attack that left her with a traumatic brain injury.  Three months later, she relies on tips she learned in a TBI support group to help her retain her short-term memories.  When she witnesses a crime, she writes down the details before she forgets them.  The police aren't impressed and she soon starts experiencing flashbacks about the crime, leading her to do her own investigation.

I got lost in this book, and loved being able to switch from the audio to the digital versions so I could keep reading.  I thought the TBI storyline was fascinating, as were all the tricks and tips Quinn used to help retain her memories.  The suspense was high and I worried for Quinn's safety as she took things into her own hands.  Detective Reyes was the only law enforcement officer who put stock into Quinn's story, and she turned into a very sympathetic friend and supporting character.   Great read - would love to read more from these characters!

7.20.2024 - The Faculty Lounge

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Penguin Group Dutton for gifting me a digital ARC of the adult debut by Jennifer Mathieu.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

An elderly substitute teacher at Baldwin High School is found dead in the faculty lounge.  That sets off a series of events that cause ripples through the staff at the school.  

I loved this book so much!  I worked as a public school secretary for many years, and so much of this book rang absolutely true.  And it is true because the author is a public school teacher!  It covers everything from the teachers to the custodians, school nurses to counselors, to central office, to standardized tests, to parents.  I could go on and on, but the best part is getting to meet different staff members and learn the back stories that influence their behavior.  This is a must read for anyone involved in education, but also for parents.  It's laugh-out-loud funny, poignant, full of heart and hope for our educational system.  Highly recommended!

7.19.2024 - A Hunger to Kill

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press, and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this true crime story by Kim Mager and Lisa Pulitzer, with the audiobook wonderfully narrated by Jennifer Blom.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

On September 13, 2016, in the small town of Ashland, Ohio, emergency dispatchers received a 911 call from a terrified woman who claimed to be kidnapped. The man holding her hostage was Shawn Grate, a serial killer whom the press later dubbed “The Ladykiller.” A key to his conviction and death sentence were Grate’s extensive recorded confessions—all extracted by one woman: Detective Kim Mager.  As an experienced specialist in sex offenses, Detective Mager was one of the officers assigned to Grate’s case upon his arrest. 

Reading and listening to this book puts you in the interrogation room.  It was chilling to listen to Grate confess to multiple murders and sexual assaults.  Detective Mager put her life on the line to develop a rapport with Grate to get him comfortable enough to spew.  I used to live about 45 miles from where most of these crimes happened, but since moving away after they occurred, I never heard about them, surprisingly enough.  Mager was so skilled at interrogating and getting information to be able to give some of these families peace.  It also spoke of the personal and family sacrifices law enforcement officers make to keep us safe.  Gripping true crime story, very well written and both voices wonderfully narrated.

7.18.2024 - One One Survives

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing MIRA for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest thriller by a favorite, Hannah Mary McKinnon.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Vienna and Madison grew up very differently, but became close friends in high school.  Vienna had a tough home life, and Madison came from a wealthy family who had high expectations for her.  Music united them.  Vienna just wanted to play; Madison was looking for fame..  They eventually add 3 more women to their group and start having success.   On the way to an event, the band's car goes off an icy mountain road in the Catskills during a blizzard, leaving one member severely injured.   They take shelter in a nearby abandoned cabin, but who will survive?

Wow - my mouth dropped at the twist and I was all for it - bravo!  This book had me questioning everyone and believing no one.  This book really shows the ugly side of fame, the pull it has over so many people, and what some people will do to achieve it.  McKinnon's writing nailed the tension and the atmospheric feel of a remote cabin in the mountains during a blizzard.  I loved the social media blurbs plus the rock and roll theme throughout.  Don't miss this one this summer!

7.18.2024 - A Novel Summer

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing Park Row for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by Jamie Brenner.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

When Shelby Archer returns to Provincetown to celebrate the publication of her first novel, she is expecting to get a warm welcome.  Instead, her friends are giving her the cold shoulder, especially Harper who feels betrayed that one of Shelby's book characters is based on her.  She tries working on her next novel which is under deadline, but is not having any luck.  When her friend, Colleen, who owns the local bookshop needs help for the summer, Shelby returns to manage the store.  But is history about to repeat itself?

This is a wonderful book to pack along for your summer beach trip.  Plus, I loved all the book-related topics and learned more about both the publishing and the selling ends of how our beloved books make it to readers.  There is a full cast of intriguing characters - both main and side - and I especially liked Mia's story.  This book is full of sunshine, the importance of friendships, and second chances, with a bit of romance along the way.  

7.17.2024 - The Lost Story

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Ballantine Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the new book by Meg Shaffer the author of the wonderful book, The Wishing Game,  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Jeremy and Rafe met at school and became best friends.  They went missing in a West Virginia state forest, only to mysteriously reappear 6 months later with no explanations.  Now 15 years later, Rafe lives in the woods by himself, while Jeremy has gained fame as a missing persons' investigator.  Emilie approaches him to help find her sister, who disappeared in the same forest as Rafe and Jeremy.  Only Jeremy retains memories about the disappearances and the fact that they were in a magical realm.  The quest for Emilie's sister begins.

Inspired by CS Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia, this was such an atmospheric fairy tale that will have you dreaming of unicorns and rainbow lakes, princesses and knights, and so much magic.  But there's also loss, pain, and abuse because there is no light without darkness.  These characters will feel like old friends that you are along with on a journey.  It's a journey of found family, moving on, discovering love.  There were chapters in between from The Storyteller, which I thought were one of the best parts of the book, providing insight and humor.  The ending was perfection.  I can't wait to see what magical journey is to come from Meg Shaffer!

7.16.2024 - What Lies in Darkness

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer Amazon Publishing for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest in the Jess Lambert series by Christina McDonald.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

On Christmas Eve, the Harper family's car crashed and 16-year-old Alice was the only survivor.  Her parents and younger sister Ella had just disappeared.  One year later, Alice is still trying to deal with nightmares and questions when she and her friends find Ella's backpack in the basement of an abandoned house.  Detective Jess Lambert investigates and uncovers dark secrets that connect to her past.    

I love this series more with each book!  Jess Lambert is such a multi-faceted character - , kick-ass detective, recovering alcoholic, obsessed with her job, devastated by the loss of her daughter, haunted by ghosts of the past.  Jess feels a bond with Alice and won't rest until she brings her some closure to the mystery of her family's disappearance, no matter what the personal cost.  Told in alternating POV from Jess, Alice and Laura (Alice's mom) in the past, it's atmospheric, creepy, with that touch of the supernatural that just adds another layer to the mystery.  A must read along with the others in the series - very anxious for more to come!

7.15.2024 - It Had to Be You

Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by a favorite, Eliza Jane Brazier, and allowing me to participate in the blog tour for the book.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Eva and Jonathan meet on the sleeper train from Florence to Paris and hook up, thinking they'll never meet again.  They both feel a spark unlike they've felt before, but work must come first.  Because unbeknownst to the other, they are both contract killers.  Let the games begin!

I adored Brazier's last novel, Girls and Their Horses, but this one is even better and just as deliciously fun!  It's a sexy, over the top, cat and mouse tour through Europe with characters trying to deal with past trauma the only way they can.  There are twists and surprises and bodies left along the way.  I loved the dark humor, the romance, the thrill ride.  This is an absolute must read for the summer - don't miss it!

7.14.2024 - Tell it to Me Singing

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster/Simon Element/Mary Sue Rucci Books for gifting me a digital ARC of this wonderful debut book by Tita Ramirez.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Monica is pregnant with her first child when her mom, moments before having emergency heart surgery, confesses that Monica's father is not the man who raised her.  When her mom wakes up, her mother begins having delusions and Monica isn't sure if the confession is real or not.  It sounds more like the plot of  the telenovela they watch together.  But Monica's life is sort of like a soap opera as well.  The first person she wanted to talk to about her mom's confession was her ex-boyfriend, Manny, and not her fiancé and father of her child.

This is a wonderful generational saga, with alternating chapters of her mother's life as a younger Cuban American.  The story is very atmospheric, taking place in Miami, Cuba, and Costa Rico, and full of that cultural experience.  The writing is rich and beautiful and while the subject matter felt like a telenovela, it explored such topics as what constitutes family, those hard decisions we must face, and family secrets.  But it's joyful too, and the characters feel completely fleshed out.  What I loved is that I didn't hate any of the characters; they all had good and bad parts, just like we all do.  This did not feel like a debut book and I'm anxiously awaiting more from this author!

7.12.2024 - Long Island Compromise

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House for gifting me a digital ARC of the new book by Taffy Brodesser-Akner.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

In 1980, a wealthy businessman named Carl Fletcher is kidnapped from his driveway in the nicest part of Long Island, brutalized, and held for ransom. He is returned to his wife and kids less than a week later, only slightly the worse for wear, and the family begins the hard work of trying to move on with their lives and resume their prized places in the saga of the American dream, coming to understand that though their money may have been what put them in danger, it is also what guaranteed them their safety in the end. But forty years later, when Carl's mother dies and the family comes home to mourn her, it becomes clear that nobody ever really got over anything.

This is a hard one for me to review.  I alternately loved it and hated it, but in the end I'm glad I read it and will settle with the fact that I liked it.  What I liked was the exploration of generational trauma, inherited wealth, and family secrets.  I liked how we got to hear from each of the kids' POV.  Beamer was my least favorite and very tough for me to read; Nathan was my favorite, relatable with his anxiety; and Jenny, struggling with acceptance of her family money while also relying on it.  Learning more about the Jewish American experience and traditions was also interesting.  Definitely read if you love a complicated family saga - and aren't all families complicated in their own ways?

7.12.2024 - The Stranger at Black Lake

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Intrigue Ink Publishing for gifting me a digital ARC of this prequel to the Jess Lambert series by Christina McDonald.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Jess and her husband have just moved to Black Lake looking for a more peaceful life.  One morning, she meets what she hopes will be her first friend in town - Annie Parker.  But only hours later, Jess finds Annie wandering naked along the lake.  Taking her back to Annie's home, she comes upon a murder scene.  Then Annie disappears.

I was so anxious to read this series because I always like Christina McDonald's writing.  In fact, I waited to read this one so that I could read all three in a row.  This was a short introduction to Jess' backstory, but was definitely a good stand-alone mystery.  I loved the haunting feel to this book and the twists and turns made for a quick read.  Onto the next books!

7.10.2024 - Husbands and Lovers

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Penguin Random House Ballantine Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by Beatriz Williams.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!  

Two women, separated by decades and continents, discover second chances at love as well as their own strength.  Mallory is a single mom to Sam, who suffers kidney failure after eating a deadly mushroom at summer camp.  We go back a little bit in time to see how Mallory and Monk meet when they are younger.  Then we go back even further to meet Hannah in Egypt during and after WWII.  

This is one of those books that cause me to get so involved in one storyline, only to get even more involved when it switches.  In the past, Hannah fled Hungary and met her diplomat husband, but it wasn't a marriage made of love.  In Egypt, she meets Lucien who saves her from a potentially-fatal snake bite.  The resemblances to Mallory's story are similar, and a bracelet ties the storylines together.  I got more invested in Mallory and Monk's relationship, but this book highlights what both women did to protect those they loved.  It's atmospheric, full of family secrets and betrayals, and love.  Highly recommended!

7.9.2024 - The Burning

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press Minotaur Books, and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest in the wonderful Kate Burkholder series by Linda Castillo, narrated by another favorite, Kathleen McInerney.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Police Chief Kate Burkholder is awakened by an urgent call about a suspicious fire in the woods.  When she arrives, she finds a charred body, apparently burned at the stake.  While investigating, Kate learns that the dead man, Milan Swanz, was banned from the Amish and appeared troubled.  No one is talking and then her brother is implicated in the murder.  To uncover the truth, Kate dives deep into the Anabaptist culture and history, putting her and her new husband in danger's path.

This is one of my favorite series and I look forward to the new release each summer.  Following along from the beginning, it feels like falling back with old friends.  This is a series best read from the beginning, although Castillo gives enough information that it could easily be read as a stand alone.  This installment is a bit darker, both the crime and the history, and poor Kate takes yet another beating!  I found myself going back and forth between the digital and audio versions, because I was too engrossed with the story to stop.  Kathleen McInerney does a fabulous job narrating these books and I always look forward to listening her voice Kate.  Highly recommended this whole series!

7.8.2024 - Two Mothers

 

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

Rachel and Holly are best friends, both mothers to young daughters who are also close.  When Rachel's daughter, Evie, dies in a terrible accident, Rachel shares her grief.  But then Holly's daughter, Luna, goes missing.  She is eventually returned physically unharmed but not able to verbalize what happened.  Fingers point to Rachel because of some of her actions, but Holly is convinced she's not responsible.  Then Rachel goes missing.

Kathryn Croft always delivers a suspenseful book that is tough to put down until you know how all the pieces will play out.  This book is no exception, plus it deals with the subject of grief and how it affects relationships.  Both of these mothers were strong characters and put their children first.  There's lots going on here and plenty of characters you will find yourself questioning, along with some twists and turns you won't see coming.

7.8.2024 - Humor Me

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Celadon Books and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the sophomore book by Cat Shook, with the audio wonderfully narrated by Ferdelle Capistrano.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Presley Fry loves NYC and her job finding new comedians for a tv show and has a crush on her coworker, Adam, but they seem to be stuck in the friend zone.  For romance, she tends to use Tinder for hookups, and lets her roommate, Izzy, be in charge of her social life.  She's also still coming to grips with her feelings about the death of her mom, an alcoholic, with whom she had a difficult relationship.  Her mom's childhood friend, Susan, whose husband has just been caught in a #MeToo situation and is the head of the network where Presley works, comes back into her life.

This is not really a rom-com, but it certainly has those aspects, as we see Presley pining for Adam, but also developing feelings for Susan's son.  It's more of a look at grief, found family and friends who are there to help us through the hard parts of life - if only we can let them in.  The characters felt real and Presley was lucky to have lots of people in her corner.  It's definitely a love story to NYC (and Bud Light and Trader Joe's!), and I enjoyed the look behind the scenes of discovering new comedic talent.  

7.7.2024 - On the Surface

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books and Dreamscape Media for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the debut thriller by the writing duo known as Rachel McGuire, wonderfully narrated by a full cast.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Sawyer Stone and Dani Fox are a young couple who spend their time documenting their "cruising" lifestyle.  They have a 42' sailboat and are documenting their adventures for their YouTube channel, Sailing with the Foxes.  Anchored in the Bahamas, they are partying with their fellow cruisers when Dani vanishes after a boat party.  Sawyer has no memory of her disappearance so becomes an instant suspect.  

I thought this was a great read - while it was a good mystery story as to what happened to Dani, it was also an introspection of the dark side of social media.  Dani's disappearance was perfect viral fodder too - gorgeous young blond, boyfriend who was drunk and doesn't remember what happened, and enough speculation and accusations to go around.  Liked the twists and turns and will be anxious to read more from this writing pair!

7.7.2024 - We Carry the Sea In Our Hands

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Alcove Press and Dreamscape Media for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the debut novel by Janie Kim, wonderfully narrated by Michelle H. Lee.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Abby was a "drop-box baby," a Korean orphan whose mother left her as an infant.  Her experience in the American foster care system was traumatic, and she sought refuge with her best friend, Iseul and her family, who welcomed her as another daughter.  Abby and Iseul remain fast friends into adulthood.  Abby is working at a university studying the origins of life in sea slugs.  This work leads her to wonder about her birth family.  But when a tragedy occurs, Abby is devastated and unsure how to go on.

This was an ambitious book, with lots of both true and speculative science, but it all works beautifully.  The writing is wonderful and feels lyrical and magical.  I loved the family Abby found in Iseul's home, and the characters in this book are where it truly shines as such themes of family, trauma, grief, and the importance of communication are explored.  Fabulous debut!

7.6.2024 - The Family Experiment

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing/Hanover Square Press  for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest thriller by a favorite, John Marrs.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

In the not-so-distant future, the population is soaring, creating overcrowded cities and an economic crisis.  A growing number of people can no longer afford to have families.  For those desperate enough and for enough money, clients can create a virtual child that lives in the metaverse and is accessible through a VR headset.  To launch this project, the company creates a reality TV show to pit 5 couples and 1 single man to see who provides the best parenting.  The virtual children go through an accelerated growth pattern, going from birth to age 18 in a 9-month period.  Of course, viewers can watch all the interactions, giving red hearts for good parenting and black ones for bad behaviors.  Of course there will be monthly challenges the contestants must face.  And the prize?  The winner can either keep their virtual child or take the prize money to be able to have a real world child.  What could go wrong?

John Marrs is the best at speculative fiction - you can easily take reality up a notch and imagine these dilemmas.  This will keep you glued to the pages as each of the contestants secrets, motives and behaviors slowly reveal themselves.  Also included are news headlines, social media clips, as well as the back story of this concept, and plenty of twists that will leave you gasping.  With AI seeming to seep into our current world, this is a scary, eye-opening look into a potential future.

7.5.2024 - The Haters

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest thriller by Robyn Harding.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

All of Camryn Lane's hard work and perseverance have finally paid off - her first novel has been published.  Everyone in her professional and personal life are thrilled for her.  But then she gets a message from an unknown person saying that she used her experience as a school counselor as material for her book.  When she checks a popular book review site, she sees a one-star review that quickly gains traction and soon becomes personal.  Who is so intent on destroying her?

I really liked this peek into an author's view of online reviews and reviewers; basically seeing exactly what I'm doing from the other side.  It's so frightening to see how quickly social media rants become viral and people feel free to spew hatred of someone they don't know from behind the safety of their screens.  Camryn certainly didn't make great decisions on handling this situation, but most of her actions were certainly understandable.  How do you know the right way to handle trolls?  This book also has a "book in a book" format, as we get to read excerpts of Camryn's book.  There's plenty of domestic drama here too, as we see how all this affects Camryn's personal life.  Another good thriller from Robyn Harding!

7.4.2024 - The Unraveling

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria/Emily Bestler Books for gifting me a digital copy of the debut thriller by Vi Keeland.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

NYC psychiatrist Meredith McCall is struggling with all the events surrounding the death of her husband.  When a man walks into her office that looks familiar, she finds herself crossing all her personal and ethical lines.

That's a short and sweet synopsis but I think you are best going into this one as blind as possible.  This story pulled me in from the beginning, with multiple timelines and an unreliable narrator.  The therapy sessions were intriguing, and I really felt for Meredith's mindset.  Yes, she veered off into questionable behavior, but who could blame her?  There were plenty of twists and turns but that last paragraph had me gasping!  As a romance writer, this one has some steamy scenes, but this is a wonderful psychological thriller that has me anxiously awaiting more from this author.

7.3.2024 - The Same Bright Stars

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Scribner for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest release by a favorite, Ethan Joella.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 bright stars!

Three generations of Schmidts have run their family's Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, seaside restaurant.  Since his father's death, Jack has put everything else second to the demands of the restaurant.  He can't even remember having a minute to himself.  The DelDine group has been buying established restaurants along the coast, turning them into cookie-cutter operations.  When they approach him with a very generous offer, he is adamant that he won't sell, until his life takes a sudden curve.

I have loved each of Joella's books, and this one is no exception.  He writes straight from the heart, exploring issues such as grief, relationships, trust, and community.  There are so many characters to root for in this book, which is also a love letter to Rehoboth Beach.  I won't be alone in wanting to explore this little town after reading this book.  While this story is emotional and will cause you to feel,  laugh and cry, it never veers to the maudlin or sappy - it's perfect and highly recommended!  Be sure to pack this one (along with his others!) in your vacation beach bag, maybe to Delaware?

7.2.2024 - The God of the Woods

Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Riverhead Books for gifting me a digital ARC of this wonderful book by Liz Moore.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

In August 1975, a teenager camper is discovered missing from her bunk at summer camp in the Adirondack Mountains.  However, Barbara is also the daughter of the family that owns the camp and this isn't the first time that a Van Laar child has gone missing.  Barbara's older brother disappeared 14 years ago and has never been found, nor has their family been the same since.  A panicked search begins.

This story draws you in slowly until you can't put it down.  Told from multiple POV and timelines, we hear from. Louise, camp counselor,; Tracy, Barbara's  bunkmate; Barbara's mother, Alice; and a young police investigator, Judyta, who was a wonderful character you'll be rooting for.  This is an ambitious book but it is brilliant in execution, with multiple mysteries spanning generations.  It is richly atmospheric - I live in the foothills of the Adirondacks, and loved all the local mentions, and the deep woods add another mysterious element, complete with a few ghost stories.  It also delves into classism, sexism, motherhood, especially in the time periods covered in this book.  The ending was pitch perfect.  Highly recommended and a must read this summer!

7.1.2024 - Storm Child

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Scriber for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest in the Cyrus Haven series by a favorite, Michael Robotham.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

As Cyrus and Evie are at the beach, a boat carrying migrants washes ashore.  There is only one survivor, a teenage boy, who tells the police that their boat was intentionally rammed and sunk.  Seeing the bodies, Evie has a break and requires a short hospitalization.  As Cyrus begins to investigate the situation, more of Evie's memories come back.  But will they be safe as they look into this situation?

I loved how this installment lets us in on more of Evie's past, while also introducing some new characters into the series, leaving me very excited about more books to come in the future.  This is a wonderful series with such great main characters, both living after experiencing intense trauma in their early lives.  Cyrus is a psychologist who is completely focused on caring for Evie, straddling the line between protecting her and letting her live.  Evie, so tough on the outside but still struggling, also straddles that line.  This book also portrays both sides of the immigration debate, but unlike some books I've read lately, does not push the author's opinions or agenda on readers, just giving them food for thought on both sides.  Fast paced and action packed, this is a must read in this series!