9.20.2024

Many thanks to NetGalley, Celadon Books, and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this wonderful sequel to The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz, with the audio perfectly narrated by the wonderful Julia Whelan.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own – 4.5 stars rounded up! 

After the death of her husband, bestselling novelist Jacob Finch Bonner, Anna Williams-Bonner has calmed the waters about his possible plagiarism. Then she writes her own novel, The Afterword, which starts to receive much success.  But then she begins to receive excerpts of a novel that should not exist.  Someone knows too much.

 

I loved The Plot and this book is just as fabulous.  Jean Hanff Korelitz is a master at giving us twisted but realistic characters and spreading breadcrumbs throughout the book.  Just like The Plot, this is so creative and will have you chasing your tail!  Anna is definitely not likable but, just like a train wreck, you won’t be able to look away.  It’s been a while since I read The Plot and I’m sure it would be even better to read these two back to back, but the author gives enough information to enjoy it as a standalone as well.  Julia Whelan made the audiobook a masterpiece, as she always does, and I enjoyed being able to switch between the two formats.  I also loved the names of the chapters being sequels, with a helpful list in the back of the book.  More creativity points!  A must read!

 

9.20.2024 - When We Flew Away

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Scholastic Press for gifting me a digital ARC of this wonderful book by Alice Hoffman.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Geared toward middle grades but a must-read for any age, this is a look at Anne Frank's life before the events written about in her diary.  Here, we get a glimpse into Anne's world and that of her family, as the impact of being a Jew in the Netherlands at this time hits them.  We see Anne and her sister, Margot, go through so many forced changes, as their parents seek only to keep them safe.  Anne's spunkiness and eternal optimism shine through as she continues to dream of a different life, but basically just to be able to grow up.

Knowing how the true story ends, this book can't be anything but heartbreaking, but it does shine a light into the "before."  Hoffman is such a wonderful writer and this book is no exception.   Highly recommended.

9.16.2024 - True Confessions of an Ambivalent Caregiver

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and She Writes Press for gifting me both a physical and digital ARC of this amazing book of essays by Cindy Eastman.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Cindy and her husband took her father into their home to care for him.  And life as they knew it was forever changed.  This book goes through the before, during, and after stages of being a full-time caregiver in your home and doesn't sugarcoat anything.

I cannot begin to express how much this book meant to me and I will keep it by my bedside and reread it often.  I am living this life right now, as my husband and I brought my then 88-year-old mother to live with us.  While I am grateful that she is in a place where she is cared for, to say this has been anything but completely disruptive of our lives would be false.  For all the people who tell you that it is a blessing and how lucky you are to have this time with your mom, they have no clue how hard it is.  She has been here 3 years and except for a one-month stay in a respite facility when I had to have major surgery, my husband and I haven't had one minute of alone time, an afternoon or evening away, or a good night's sleep since she arrived.  While it is stressful if you have a relative in a facility, it is nothing like having them in your house 24/7.  This book goes through all the feelings - from resentment to guilt to anger to love - and does it in such a relatable, humorous way.  I could go on and on but suffice it to say that if you are living this life, you need this book.  I feel like I need the author on speed dial. 

9.16.2024 - Bear

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Hogarth for gifting me a digital ARC of this fairy-tale like story by Julia Phillips.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own – 4.5 stars!

Elena and Sam are two sisters living on San Juan Island off the coast of Washington.  They are just barely surviving financially, with Sam working concessions on the ferry and Elena waitressing, to help keep their family going.  Their mother has lung cancer from chemicals inhaled after years of doing other people’s nails.  Sam dreams of the day when they can eventually sell their family home and escape the small town with her sister.  But everything changes when a bear appears in the area.  

 

I loved this wonderfully written, atmospheric story of these two sisters and their encounter with the bear.  You feel for both sisters, trying to do the right thing for their mother, and still hold on to their dreams and some semblance of a life.  They had a tough childhood experience with a boyfriend of their mom’s that scarred them but tightened their bond.  But Elena is keeping secrets from Sam and their differing reactions to the bear only make things worse.  It’s very atmospheric and tense and I was gripped to the very last page.

9.15.2024 - The Night We Lost Him

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster/Simon Element/Marysue Rucci Books for gifting me both a physical and audio ARC of the new book by a favorite, Laura Dave.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Liam Noone was a complicated man, especially when it came to relationships.  He had 3 ex-wives and 3 children.  While he did his best to be there for his kids, he kept his various families separate, so that Nora really didn't know her younger twin brothers who worked with their dad as a hotel magnate.  His life ended with a fall to his death from his beloved cliffside cottage.  It is ruled accidental, but Nora and her brother, Sam, think otherwise.  They begin to investigate.

Don't go into this thinking it's a thriller like Dave's last book, The Last Thing He Told Me, made into a gripping TV series.  This one is a strong character-driven family novel, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.  Told in alternating timelines between present and Liam's past, it's suspenseful but mostly a family and personal drama.  You could feel the longing for relationships that weren't fulfilled, the grief that runs through the whole book, and the fear of giving ourselves completely to another.  This book reminded me of her previous book, Eight Hundred Grapes, in all the best ways - an exploration of family and relationships.  

9.13.2024 - I Dreamed of Falling

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin’s Press Minotaur Books, and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this mystery by Julia Dahl, with the audio perfectly narrated by Jennifer Blom and Shahjehan Khan.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own – 4 stars.

A young couple – Roman and Ashley – live with his mother who helps with their young son Mason.  They struggle with money, and both had difficult upbringings.  When Ashley is found dead, Roman realizes that he didn’t really know her.  He starts looking into what could have happened and what Ashley was hiding.

 

I’ve seen mixed reviews, but I really enjoyed this story.  It takes place in a small town in the Hudson Valley, where everyone knows everything and it’s hard to make changes.  Roman had bigger dreams but is now working for a tiny local newspaper, mostly reporting on local events.  Ashley wants to build her yoga practice, but Covid fears make that difficult.  Roman’s mother, Tara, is very attached to young Mason, trying to make up for her own failings.  So while no one is completely likeable, they are relatable and you can feel their struggles while trying to do better.  The audiobook kept me interested until the last page!

 

9.12.2024 - Tell Me Everything

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest novel by one of my favorites, Elizabeth Strout, and Oprah's latest Book Club Pick.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Elizabeth Strout returns us once again to Crosby, Maine, and reunites us with the beloved characters from past novels - Lucy Barton, Olive Kitteridge, the Burgess brothers, William and more.  A crime has happened in the small town, and lawyer Bob Burgess has become involved in the murder investigation.  Bob is also deeply immersed in a friendship with Lucy, as has Lucy with Olive as she shares her stories from the retirement home.  

It is truly a glorious day when Strout gifts the world with another book.  These are some of my very favorite characters, and I fell in love with them all over again.  This book explores the meaning of someone's life and all the unrecorded lives of people.  It's in the sharing of all those stories that allow those lives to carry on as well as add meaning to our own lives.  This book explores some heavy subjects - abuse, suicide, alcoholism, depression, family turmoil - but it's not a sad or depressing book.  Those things happen in life but Strout shows us once again that life is hopeful, bright, and better shared with friends.  Can I wish for more stories from this group?  Very highly recommended - I treasured it!

9.11.2024 - The Examiner

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster Atria Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest mystery by a huge favorite, Janice Hallett.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Gela Nathaniel, head of Royal Hastings University’s new Multimedia Art course, must find six students from all walks of life across the UK for her new master’s program before the university cuts her funding. The students are nothing but trouble from day one.  These students must collaborate for a final project - an art installation for a local cloud-based solutions company.  But just who can you trust?

Janice Hallett is the master of mysteries told in epistolary style - this one through emails, text messages, and student essays.  I love this style of writing when done right - and Hallett does it right.  She deftly led you down one path, only to circle back, and lead you down another until you weren't sure exactly what was happening.  With a relatively small cast of characters, there was no confusion there, although no one's motives were without question.  I also appreciated the dark academic feel and appreciated the nod to lack of respect for art instruction.  As with all of Hallett's books, this is a must read!

9.11.2024 - Bitter is the Heart

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for gifting me an audio ARC of this creepy tale by Mina Hardy.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own – 4.5 stars!

Tamar Glass escaped her very dysfunctional relationship with her mom as soon as she was able.  Now she’s back in her hometown and is forced to bring her mother, Ruth, into her home when she was kicked out of her nursing home.  But then strange things start happening in the house, all making Tamar relive her childhood experiences.  

 

While not really a horror novel, this one was completely creepy to me in all the good ways.  You were never sure whose story you could trust.  Tamar was trying desperately to do the right things for her mom, even when she had such a tumultuous relationship with her in the past.  I also really loved the Judaism thread throughout the book.  Great read – but maybe keep the lights on!

 

9.10.2024 - Here One Moment

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Crown Publishing for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by a favorite author, Liane Moriarty.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own – 5 stars!

It’s supposed to be an ordinary, short flight.  But there’s a delay and the passengers are getting anxious.  But that’s just the beginning.  Because one person on the flight starts telling the passengers how and when they will die.  The passengers are frightened but most are disbelieving.  Then a few months later, one passenger on the flight dies exactly as the woman had predicted.  Then two more.  

 

This story pulled me in from the very beginning.  I loved the way it was written, starting with the author lulling us into feeling like we were watching all the passengers on the plane, describing everything.  Then the chapters are split between learning the “death lady,” Cherry’s backstory, as well as focusing on a handful of passengers and how they were affected by the prediction.  It’s a long book, but I couldn’t put it down.  I felt anxious, scared, hopeful, and just loved how all the pieces of the many puzzles started falling into place.  It makes you think about what you would do if you knew how much time you had left.  Moriarty has done it again – a must-read book that will have you thinking about fate and destiny.

9.10.2024 - Death at the Sanatorium

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio for gifting me an audio ARC of the latest thriller by Ragnar Jonasson, wonderfully narrated by Sam Woolf.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own – 4 stars!

In 1983, at a former sanatorium in Iceland, now a hospital ward, nurse Yrsa is found murdered.  Detective Hulda Hermansdottir and her boss, Sverrir, are sent to investigate her death.  Less than a week after the murder, the chief physician is also found dead from a fall from a balcony; later ruled as a suicide.  He was presumed to have commited the murder as well and the case was closed.  Almost 30 years later, Helgi Reykdal, a young police officer, has been studying criminology in the UK, but returns to Iceland when offered a job – the job from which Detective Hermannsdottir is about to retire.  Helgi is writing his thesis on the sanatorium murders and begins his investigation.

The story goes back and forth between these two timelines and with different POV.  The atmosphere is dark and the story spools out mostly as interviews, so it’s a bit slow.  It’s a nod to Agatha Christie’s novels (be sure to read the author’s note at the end), and the building tension and many suspects follow suit.  A good old-fashioned murder mystery!

9.10.2024 - Not the Killing Kind

 

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 Maria Kelson, with the audiobook perfectly narrated by Cynthia Ferrell..  All opinions expressed in this review are my own – 4 stars!

Boots is a Latina single mom to 18-year-old Jaral, whom she adopted 6 years ago.  She runs a school that helps undocumented people in her politically divided town in Northern California.  Boots’ world is turned upside down when Jaral is arrested for the murder of one of her former students.  Plus, the school board is trying to get rid of her for some of her unpopular actions.  Just how far will Boots go to protect her child?

This was a good thriller that will make you think about very relevant topics.  But at the heart of it, it’s about what one mother will do for her child.  Even when that child has been keeping secrets.  Boots puts herself in very dangerous positions to save Jaral and others.  Full of action, some of it over the top, but intriguing.  The audiobook narration was wonderful!

9.10.2024 - The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins William Morrow for gifting me both a digital and physical ARC of this amazing debut book by Anna Johnston.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own – 5 stars!

 

Frederick Fife is in his 80s, broke, lonely, and just about to be homeless.  But Fred’s luck changes when he takes the place of grumpy Bernard at the local nursing home, through a bizarre case of mistaken identity.  Now, he’s being sheltered, has meals and medical care and, most importantly, friends.  Denise is a caregiver at the nursing home, and her life is falling apart as well.  Her marriage is failing, and her daughter has health issues.  Denise becomes suspicious of the change in Bernard’s personality.  Will she reveal the  truth?

 

This book was amazing.  I could not put it down nor could I love Fred any more.  The entire cast of characters is wonderful – full of relatable people with flaws just trying to do what’s right.  This story will pull at your heartstrings in so many different ways.  I felt so bad for the people in the nursing home dealing with dementia and other health issues, but the caring people made all the difference.  This book is a must read – it’s laugh-out-loud hilarious, smart, and will have you thinking about grief, forgiveness, and second chances.  Plus, there’s a twist that shook me! Highly recommended and just an astonishing debut novel!  

9.4.2024 - Amish Pies

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Skyhorse Publishing for gifting me a beautiful digital ARC of this wonderful cookbook by Laura Anne Lapp.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

The Amish people are known for their simple, yet amazing food and dessert.  I was thrilled to get a copy of this book focusing on pies, since I both love to bake and eat them!  The recipes are simply written, each with an accompanying picture, and require no special ingredients or techniques.  I have bookmarked so many that I can't wait to try.  Also a shoutout to the photographer - in keeping with the Amish simplicity, the pictures aren't overly styled and look like they were taken at the kitchen table.  This is a must have cookbook!

9.4.2024 - Natural Selection

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories for gifting me a digital ARC of this short story by the one-and-only Elin Hilderbrand.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Sophia and her boyfriend, JP, are headed for a getaway to the Galápagos Islands when JP receives a call that he must return home immediately.  JP had been married before and has 3 children with whom he is still very involved.  JP insists that Sophia go on the trip alone.  Now she's alone on a trip meant for couples and must decide who she wants and where she should be.

Elin has once again written a story with compelling characters, in situations that make them and the reader think.  Plus, it takes place in a beautiful setting with amazing descriptions of nature.  The other characters on the cruise with Sophia are fully fleshed out, even in this short story.  You can picture everyone!  A good story of finding yourself.

9.4.2024 - The Trap

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Random House Ballantine Bantam for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest in this amazing series by Ava Glass.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

British spy Emma Makepeace is back!  She's now headed to Scotland for the global G7 Summit when her team is tipped off about a possible assassination by the Russians - they just don't know who the target is.  She has one week to figure it all out.  She must get close to Nick, a wealthy Russian with a British passport who The Agency believes has valuable information about the target.  She must also work with a local police officer, Kate Mackenzie, to help her navigate through Edinburgh.  

This is one of my favorite series, full of action and adventure.  Emma is tough, smart, determined, and a complete bad ass!  This book shines a little more light into Emma's vulnerabilities as she tackles her past as well as how far she can ethically go in her pursuit of knowledge.  Plus, there's a leak of confidential information leading Emma and her team to wonder who they can trust.  Definitely works as a stand alone, but start with the beginning for full enjoyment of this amazing series!  Can't wait for more!

9.2.2024 - The Truth About the Accident

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for gifting me a digital ARC of this book by Nicole Trope that sat on my TBR shelf for way too long!  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 twisty stars!

A hit-and-run accident leaves a man in the hospital in a coma.  It happened on a rainy night and the police have not been able to find the car that hit him.  But there are suspects, including his wife.  What really happened?

Go into this one as blind as possible because nothing is as it seems!  Just who is the victim and who are the other women involved?   We get multiple POV to tell this story, and your allegiances will change as you read.  Nicole Trope always writes a well-crafted, domestic suspense story and this one is no exception.  I loved the short chapters that kept me glued to the twisty end!

9.2.2024 - The Night Guest

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Tor Publishing, and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this creepy novella by Hildur Knútsdóttir, absolutely perfectly narrated by Mary Robinette Kowal.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up because I just couldn't stop listening!

Iðunn is in yet another doctor's office. She knows her constant fatigue is a sign that something's not right, but practitioners dismiss her symptoms and blood tests haven't revealed any cause.  Everyone tells her to eat better, get more sleep, exercise more but nothing helps.  One night, Iðunn falls asleep with her new step-counting watch on, and wakes up to find she’s walked over 40,000 steps in the night.  Just what is happening when she's asleep?

I was pulled into this book right away.  A woman goes to the doctor with symptoms, only to be dismissed.  After just going through something very similar, I could definitely relate to her, as most women probably can.  I also loved the way this story was written.  Some chapters only had a few words or one sentence.  It just kept pulling me further and further in.  If you want a book with an ending tied up neatly with a bow, this is not your book.  But I thought the ending just added to the creepiness of the book, the unreliable narrator, and just felt right.  The narrator was perfect and added to the overall mystery of the book.  I loved it!

9.1.2024 - Meet the Parents

 

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

Gina meets Owen, a successful doctor, at the hospital where she works.  They soon fall in love and are anxious to make a life together.  But first, she must meet his parents.  Mother Marta lives and breathes for Owen and she's not happy that Gina has come into his life.  Father Grant is creepy.  Their home is beautiful, but set in a very remote location in the woods.  And everyone has secrets.

Oh my goodness.  Emily Shiner has done it again.  She's crafted a twisty thriller where everyone has ulterior motives and secrets.  Gina had a traumatic childhood and she is determined to get revenge.  But Owen's parents are hiding their own motives for not wanting Gina in their family.  These characters are mostly unlikeable, creepy, and the house and setting amplify that.  I couldn't put this one down and the epilogue blew me away!  Don't miss this one!

9.1.2024 - All the Missing Girls

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for gifting me a digital ARC of the new book by Linda Hurtado Bond.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Mari is determined to get into Cuba to find her missing sister, whom she fears is under control of their mother's murderer.  Along with her cameraman and a detective, they enter the country illegally in the dead of night, with the clock ticking on how long they can stay.  They soon realize that they are being watched and may not make it out alive.

While you can certainly read this as a stand alone, All the Broken Girls is a great book that I would recommend reading first.  In that book, Mari is on the hunt for her mother's killer.  In this book, she is still hunting for him, but now she fears her sister may be in big trouble as well.  Just as in the first, the author's real life anchor job makes Mari's story more real, and I loved the Cuban plot line once again.  This one definitely has a creepy, scary vibe to it, as Mari realizes that her sister is not the only missing girl.  The reality might be one of the creepiest things I've read, but there's also a touch of romance.  It ended on a cliffhanger so I can't wait for the next book!

9.1.2024 - Talking to Strangers

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for gifting me a digital ARC of the new book by Fiona Barton, he second in the Detective Elise King series, and including me in the blog tour for this book.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Detective Elise King is in recovery from her cancer and still coping with that trauma, as well as with persistent brain fog.  But Ronnie, her coworker, continues to have her back.  They are now dealing with the murder of Karen Simmons on Valentine's Day.  Karen was a big user of dating apps, and Elise is wondering if she was killed by someone she met online.  Kiki, a single mother trying to survive as a journalist, wants to get the scoop on Karen's murder to help her career and is willing to venture into unsafe territory to investigate.

I loved the first book in this series, Local Gone Missing, and was so happy to reunite with Elise and Ronnie.  This book delves into a lot of relevant and serious subjects, such as the dangers of online dating and social media, family trauma, and abuse.  There are quite a few threads and characters here, but it was helpful to have the character names at the beginning of each chapter to keep everything straight in my mind.  The story is told from the POVs of Elise, Kiki, and Annie, a woman whose son was murdered in the same woods that Karen was found.  These storylines all intersect perfectly and I couldn't put this book down!  Fingers crossed for another chapter in this great series.