8.14.2025 - Kiss Her Goodbye

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Grand Central Publishing and Hachette Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest in the Frankie Elkin series by Lisa Gardner, with the audiobook perfectly narrated by the wonderful Hillary Huber.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Missing person expert Frankie Elkin takes on a case of finding a missing Afghan refugee, Sabera, that no one seems to be looking very hard for.  Then a video surfaces with the young mother walking away from the scene of a brutal double murder.  When her husband also disappears and an attempt is made on their child's life, Frankie needs to act quickly.

Frankie is back!  She is such a good character, full of flaws, dark humor, and the absolute dedication to find those missing.  Frankie lands a swanky place to live for the month, with the job of pet sitting - for some very exotic pets.  But she also meets the owner's workers/friends, who become lifelines for her.  Told in two timelines, we hear Sabera's complex story in the past.  While the book also shines light on important issues such as the challenges of refugees and the affordable housing crisis, it's also a fun, twisty thriller that kept me gripped.  It can certainly be read as a stand alone (I missed the first couple) and I'm anxiously awaiting the next adventure for Frankie.  As always, Hillary Huber's narration was amazing, voicing all of the characters in the cast perfectly.  Be sure to read the author's note at the end.

8.14.2025 - Gone in the Night

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by a favorite, Joanna Schaffhausen.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Former detective Annalisa Vega, now pregnant and a floundering PI,  hasn’t forgiven her brother for his role in a murder, and he hasn’t forgiven her for turning him in, so she’s surprised when he asks her to visit him in prison. Turns out, he has a possible case for her: one of his fellow inmates, Joe Green, may be innocent of the murder that landed him behind bars.  Annalisa begins investigating and finds some issues with the original case; unfortunately, his arresting officer was her husband, Nick.  This case tests the bounds of her marriage, her family, and her sense of justice.

This is one of my favorite series, but if you haven't read it, the author gives plenty of background so that it can be enjoyed as a stand alone.  But if you've read from the beginning, you get the treat of knowing and reuniting with these characters.  These books are so well written and expertly plotted, with lots of twists and turns that I didn't see coming.  Plus, the family relationships and dynamics keep the storyline feeling personal.  Great police procedural and I can't wait to see what happens next in this series!

8.13.2025 - High Season

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the new book by Katie Bishop, with the audiobook perfectly narrated by Alix Dunmore.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

At a birthday party 20 years ago, Tamara was found floating facedown in the pool of her family's mansion in the south of France, leaving her twin brother, Blake, and younger sister, Nina, behind.  Nina, at age 6 became the youngest person ever to testify in a murder trial, saying she saw her babysitter, Josie, push Tamara under the water.  Or did she?  Now Nina's memories have faded.  When a new true crime documentary about her sister's murder is announced, maybe the truth will finally come out.

Told in dual timelines of before the party and 20 years later, we get to meet all the key characters and see how they have changed in that time period.  This is a fascinating look at memory, trauma, classism, family relationships wrapped up in a gripping, suspenseful tale.  It was atmospheric and the characters felt so real - all their flaws well on display, both intentional and otherwise.  Plus there was the true crime story aspect.  I was shocked at the ending and never saw it coming.  Great read for the summer!  The narration was wonderful, and I enjoyed listening and reading.  This was my second audiobook in a row by this narrator and both were excellent!

8.12.2025 - Bless Your Heart

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Crooked Lane Books and Megan Beatie Communications for gifting me a physical and digital ARC of the debut novel by Leigh Dunlap.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Anderson Tupper, a member of one of Atlanta’s richest families, has been murdered in the dugout of the Little League field where he was a volunteer coach, and it’s up to Detective Shay Claypool, a single mother from the other side of town, to find his killer.  But to do that, she has to deal with the Buckhead Betties, the entitled women of Georgia's most affluent zip code.  One of them may be a murdered, but which one?  Because everyone has secrets and lies.

I love domestic suspense/thrillers and this one was entertaining from the first page to that shocking ending.  While there are plenty of themes of entitled people, classism, and racism, this is just some downright fun.  Plus, the southern setting was so real, you can tell that the author used to live there.  Detectives Shay and Dub are great characters too.  There's still plenty of summer time left to enjoy this juicy book!  Can't wait to see what this author will come up with next, but sign me up now!

8.12.2025 - Down Cemetery Road

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Recorded Books Media for gifting me an audio ARC of this crime fiction novel by Mick Herron, narrated by Alix Dunmore.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

When a house explodes in a quiet suburb and a young girl disappears, Sarah, married and bored with her life, becomes obsessed with finding her. But the more she investigates, the muddier things become, and Sarah finds herself in danger.

I'm a huge Slow Horses fan and when I had the opportunity to read Herron's debut book, which is also about to become an Apple TV series, I jumped at it.  It was a little confusing and jumbled for me, but that may have just been my mindset while reading.  The parts I liked were the snarky characters, especially Sarah, and the dark humor.  You're always kept on your toes because you just never know with Herron.  And that's a good thing!  We are introduced here to Zoe, who is a detective featured in subsequent books.

8.11.2025 - Hemlock & Silver

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

Healer Anja regularly drinks poison, seeking cures for those that other have given up on.  Her quiet life is upended when she is summoned by the King.  His daughter, Snow, is dying, and no one can figure out why.  He's hoping Anja can save her.  Nothing works, until she finds a hidden world inside a magic mirror.

I will read anything that T. Kingfisher writes, and this retelling of Snow White was fabulous - especially the audiobook, which I would highly recommend.  I loved Anja's character - an older woman who says what she thinks no matter what, understands her own social awkwardness, and is so relatable.  Plus, there are so many wonderful characters here - including a talking cat!  This was just the perfect, dark fairy tale that really came to life with the author's skill and the wonderful narration.  

8.11.2025 - For the Record

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest novel by Emma Lord, with the audiobook wonderfully narrated by Andrew Eiden and Jesse Vilinsky.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Once rivals in the music scene, pop princess Mackenzie Waters and punk rockstar Sam Blaze electrified audiences as their bands clashed on stage. But behind the scenes, their simmering tension grew into something more until both bands fell apart, and the idea of Mackenzie and Sam did, too.  Two years later, Sam has given up the music world to raise a son he didn't know about, and Mackenzie lost the voice she was known for and is adjusting to the new one.  With their futures on the line, Sam and Mackenzie face their biggest challenge yet: giving up the old rivalry and learning to work together. 

Emma Lord always writes a good rom com, and the narration made the audiobook sing (sorry, bad pun intended).  I liked this story being set in the music world, and liked both these main characters, and enjoyed having the story from both of their POV.  I found myself rooting for them and hoping for second chances.  It definitely leaned toward YA, but I enjoyed it!

8.10.2025 - The Cover Girl

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | Mira Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the debut novel by Amy Rossi.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Birdie Rhodes was only 13 when legendary modeling agent Harriet Goldman discovered her and transformed her into one of Harriet's Girls.  But two years later, she meets a 31-year-old rock star and begins a whole new life, despite Harriet's warnings.  Then it's over and Birdie has to try and pick up the pieces of her life.  Decades later, she lives a quiet life and is as content as possible.  Until a letter arrives inviting Birdie to celebrate Harriet's career.  The two haven't spoken in nearly 30 years.

This is a wonderful debut, a chilling look into the exploitation of children and young girls for the sake of a photo.  Set in two timelines, this book takes you back into the 1970s and 1980s and beyond, with glittering settings of NY, LA, Paris.  My heart broke for 13-year-old Birdie, with no one looking out just for her, not even her parents.  I'm not sure I've read a book strictly about modeling during this time period and it was fascinating.  If you liked Daisy Jones and the Six, you'll devour this one.  I was rooting for Birdie throughout the book and her journey into self-acceptance.  Looking forward to more from this author!

8.9.2025 - Tantrum

Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for gifting me a digital ARC of this novel by Rachel Eve Moulton.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Lucia didn't have a good relationship with her own mother, so she was worried and stressed throughout her first two pregnancies.  But everything went well and she has two wonderful little boys.  Her third pregnancy was easy and she had none of the same fears.  Until she was born and she just knew her baby girl was a monster.  

This is a wild ride and certainly won't be for everyone.  But if you love dark humor with a side of horror, this look at motherhood, mother/daughter relationships, and generational trauma just might be for you.  I'm not sure I've read anything else like this before and I read a lot!  It's short and unhinged in a good way, and I couldn't look away.  

8.8.2025 - Full Bloom

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House | Ballantine Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the sophomore book by Francesca Serritella.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Iris is feeling a bit loss after a recent breakup and being overlooked at her job as a lighting designer.  Then a mysterious neighbor, an older Frenchwoman, makes her a special personal perfume.  One spritz and she is a different person.  Suddenly, men are interested and she's dazzling a new client at work,   But she also finds herself in the sordid side of the cutthroat NY real estate world.  

Serritella, daughter of and coauthor with Lisa Scottoline, proves that her debut novel, Ghosts of Harvard, wasn't a one off, and we can expect more fabulous books!  From the beginning, I got caught up in this story, its beautiful writing, the mystery, and the romance - because it really has it all.  At its core, it's a story of coming to terms with your past and into your best self.  There were lots of fascinating subplots too, and I learned about scents, environmental lighting, glass blowing, and even egg retrieval,   I loved the ending too - can't say more without ruining anything but it was perfect.  Plus, that gorgeous cover.  

8.7.2025 - The Wrong Sister

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Perennial for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest thriller by Claire Douglas.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Tasha and Aaron live a very different lifestyle than her sister, Alice, does with her husband, Kyle.  Alice offers to "life swap" with them, letting Tasha and Aaron stay at their Venice house while Alice and Kyle stay in Bristol with their twin girls.  But while Tasha and Aaron are enjoying a romantic night, they get a call that there's been an attack at their home.  Later, Tasha finds a note saying, It was supposed to be you.

As you would expect from this author, this was a fast-paced thriller with lots of twists and turns and plenty of people to suspect.  Plus, there is a secondary mystery as to what happened to Tasha and Alice's younger sister decades ago.  Told from the POV of both Alice and Tasha, with some chapters from their mother and a few other characters, this one had me guessing until the end.  Pick this one up!

8.7.2025 - Jenny Cooper Has a Secret

 

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

Linda Davidson's life is not going well.  She's still reeling from her husband's death and her best friend's dementia diagnosis and move into a care facility.  Her daughter, Kleo, and her husband, Mick, have moved in with Linda, but their constant fighting just causes more stress.  Linda goes to visit her friend at the care facility and meets Jenny Cooper, a 92-year-old patient.  She tells Linda her secret - she kills people.  Is it her dementia talking or is it true?

I have been a huge fan of Fielding's books for decades and loved this one.  It's filled with sharp, dark humor and characters that you will love and those you will love to hate.  The story plays out in short chapters that keep you reading just one more to find out if you are dealing with unreliable narrators or not.  It's got tough themes of abuse and dementia, but it's also a look into aging well and moving on after grief.  I loved spending time with Linda and Jenny - this is a must read!

8.6.2025 - L.A. Women

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by Ella Berman.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Two women, Lane and Gala, became friends during the 1960s party scene in LA.  Both writers, they were drawn to each other, until Gala's star began to rise.  Ten years later, Lane is back on top with a new book deal based on Gala's life.  However, Gala has been missing for months and no one can find her.

Ella Berman is great at writing female characters and their complicated relationships, with each other and with the men in their lives.  This book is no exception.  It's a bit of a slow burn, but I liked learning more about these women in a time when they were still viewed as less than men.  There are some heavy topics here too - addiction, grief, struggles with motherhood - but it's the characters that shine.  Charlie, Lane's friend, is another intriguing character.  I liked the dual timelines of Then and Now to flesh out the backstories.  Good read!

8.5.2025 - The Man No One Believed

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and WW Norton & Company for gifting me a digital ARC of this true crime story by Joshua Sharpe.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

In 1985, a white man walked into a southern Georgia church and brutally murdered Harold and Thelma Swain, both pillars of the area's Black community.  The killer vanished into the night and the case went cold until another officer was assigned and quickly zeroed in on Dennis Perry.  Despite no real evidence, he was convicted and received a double life sentence.  The author retraced the case and discovered grave injustices and was diligent in pursuing the truth.

This was such a well-written book, covering the crime and victims, but also the deeper corruption, greed, racism, and hate involved.  Sharpe was a bulldog to investigate this case even when he was in danger, and tried so hard to get justice for Perry and the Swain's.  Not only that, but to find the real murderer.  This book shines light on how powerful journalism can be, to overtake evil.  

8.4.2025 - Fine Young People

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Algonquin Books for gifting me a digital ARC of this novel by Anna Bruno.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Frankie and her best friend, Shiv, are working on a senior journalism project at their elite Catholic prep school in Pittsburgh, focusing on the presumed suicide of a student years earlier, after a current classmate just died by suicide.  The young women start probing into the earlier death of Woolf Whiting, a hockey star student, and begin conversations with his sister, his best friend, his girlfriend, and his mother.  Along the way, Frankie discovers much more than she expected.

I really enjoyed this novel and the way the story was presented.  From the viewpoint of her college years, Frankie narrates the story of their high school project as they are interviewing those involved.  Those interviews give us insight into the back story of all the involved people in Woolf's life.  While the mystery into what really happened to Woolf is intriguing, I also really enjoyed the coming-of-age exploration and the Catholic and religious themes throughout.  Plus, it definitely shines an eye on the importance of sports in such institutions and the issues that can present.  Wonderful book!

8.2.2025 - The Last Letter of Rachel Ellsworth

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing | Lake Union Publishing for gifting me a digital ARC of the new novel by Barbara O'Neal.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Veronica is recently divorced and struggling with both a purpose and money woes when she answers a listing for a travel companion.  It's from Mariah, a young skier adjusting to an injury that ended her Olympic career.  Mariah is also grieving the loss of her mother, Rachel, a famous food writer.  Mariah plans to trace the steps of her mom's final, unfinished project as a way to help her heal.  The two are accompanied by a former war photographer, Henry, a father figure to Mariah.  The trio follow Rachel's last letters to solve a mystery and hopefully heal in the process.

This is a beautifully-written story with travel and food descriptions that will totally immerse you into the trio's trip through London, Paris, Morocco, and India.  While both women had some characteristics that drove me crazy (Veronica is totally obsessed with how many calories she's eating and Mariah is not always kind), I loved the healing journey they all took as they forged new lives out of trauma.  There's also a theme of mother/daughter relationships throughout.  Plus, the mystery of the letters unfolds slowly to keep you turning the pages.  Great read!

8.1.2025 - That Missing Piece is Killing Me

Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for gifting me the new book by Roz Noonan, the second in this series.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Librarian Alice Pepper has found her tribe in small town West Hazel, women who enjoy making puzzles and maybe solving a mystery or two.  When a local lady goes missing, Alice and her friends are determined to find out what happened.  Those investigations lead to a look into the art world in their town and they may have put themselves into danger as well.   

This is such a fun, cozy mystery series that I would highly recommend, especially because it showcases older women who are strong, resilient, and determined, plus they are there for each other no matter what.  This was a good mystery with multiple suspects and I liked the thread of Alice's fractured family as well.  I hope there are more books to come in this series!

7.31.2025 - The Locked Ward

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest thriller by Sarah Pekkanen with the audiobook narrated by January LaVoy.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Georgia was adopted by a wealthy Southern family as a newborn.  She's now in a locked psychiatric ward awaiting trial, accused of killing Annabelle, the biological daughter of that family.  Georgia has her lawyer contact Mandy, her biological twin sister, though they have never met before. Georgia tells Mandy that she didn't kill Annabelle and she needs her help to get her out.  Mandy doesn't know who or what to believe.

Told in short chapters from each sister's POV, this book drew me in right from the start.  Neither narrator is completely reliable and you'll wonder just who or what you can believe.  The twins seem to have a mysterious connection, and Mandy feels compelled to investigate Georgia's story.  It's also interesting to see how differently the twins were raised - Georgia being raised by a wealthy family seemed to have gotten the better part of the bargain, but did she?  The psychiatric ward was a creepy, scary place and I couldn't wait to see how all this was going to work out - and I wasn't disappointed.  January LaVoy once again was fabulous, completely capturing both women's personalities perfectly.  I couldn't stop listening!

7.30.2025 - Under the Stars

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House | Ballantine Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest novel by Beatriz Williams.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Three women and three timelines - Audrey, struggling in the shadow of her famous mother, Meredith.  Meredith is plagued with trauma of a tragic accident in her youth.  Neither want to return to Winthrop Island where they lived, but Meredith needs someone to watch over her while she dries out before a film that will hopefully save her career.  Audrey starts working as a chef in her father's restaurant and they find priceless paintings in a trunk.  We hear from Providence through her diary in 1846 as she fled Boston after being accused of murder and is on a ship about to crash.  

This is an epic novel about mothers and daughters, lost loves, and secrets passed down through generations.  I liked the change of POV from all three women, with their backstories, mysteries, and romances.  While this is certainly a stand-alone novel, there are familiar names and even titles from the author's previous novels, which is fun.  A good mix of historical fiction and family drama and I loved how all the storylines came together.

7.30.2025 - The Carpool Detectives

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House for gifting me a digital ARC of this true crime book by Chuck Hogan.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Marissa takes a journalism class and instantly becomes obsessed with a picture of a crime scene from a decade ago.  A couple in their 60s vanished overnight, their bodies later found at the bottom of a steep ravine.  The case then turned cold.  Marissa can't stop thinking about it though, and when she finds a group of moms who also have a shared interest in true crime, they begin to seriously investigate.

The title of this book is a bit misleading, because the women didn't meet at carpool, although they are all moms.  This book will remind you of the single-minded obsession of Michelle McNamara, who investigated the Golden State Killer.  These four women had no connection to the victims or suspects in this crime, nor any law enforcement background, but they were dogged in their pursuit of getting answers and justice for the family.  This investigation took place during Covid, making it even more remarkable.  This book reads like a thriller novel and I couldn't put it down.  Bravo to these women!

7.29.2025 - Mean Moms

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for gifting me an audio ARC of the latest book by Emma Rosenblum and fabulously narrated by January LaVoy.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Frost, Morgan and Nell are the queen bees of Manhattan society as well as at Atherton Seminary, the top private school where their children attend.  But then a new mom, Sofia, shows up on the first day of school.  Sofia is a mysterious beauty from Miami and quickly integrates herself into the clique.  But then bad things start happening to the women.  Just what is happening?

I'm a big fan of this trope - rich moms behaving badly.  I guess it's just a peak into how the other half live that will quickly having you thank your lucky stars that you aren't among them.  But it's fun to pull back the curtain at all the messiness and excess.  Plus, it's an exploration of friendship, especially those tight cliques that form and always seem to leave someone on the outside just dying to get in.  This is just fun escapism made even better by the narration of January LaVoy - truly made this cast come alive.  The perfect book to read before those school bells ring!

7.28.2025 - You Belong Here

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon Element Books | Marysue Rucci Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest thriller by Megan Miranda.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own – 4.5 stars!

Beckett Bowery never thought she’d return to Wyatt Valley, a picturesque college town in the Virginia mountains steeped in tradition. Beckett’s parents taught at the college so she was able to attend free.  But her senior year ends tragically when her roommate is accused of setting a fire that kills two men before disappearing, and Beckett is suspected of being involved.  Two decades later, Beckett’s daughter, Delilah, secretly applies to Wyatt College and receives a full scholarship.  Beckett is convinced that something is going to happen to Delilah.

 

I am always ready to read a dark academic tale, and this one had creepy vibes from the beginning, with mysterious tunnels underneath buildings, to rituals based around the first day of howling winds through the valley, to secrets galore.  I liked how the book went back to the past when Beckett was in school to the present, ramping up the suspense that things are circling back.  You can feel Beckett’s anguish over fears for her daughter’s safety, even as she remembers what it was like to be at Wyatt as a teenager.  I was completely in the dark as to how things were going to resolve until the very end.  

7.27.2025 - The Dead Husband Cookbook

 

Many thanks to NetGalle, Sourcebooks Landmark and Dreamscape Media for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the new book by Danielle Valentine, with the audiobook perfectly narrated by Lauryn Allman.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Maria Capello is a celebrity chef, with dozens of cookbooks, a television show, and bestselling pasta sauces.  But there's also her history - after her famous chef husband, Damien, disappeared twenty years ago, she stepped into the spotlight and never looked back.  Nor has she ever spoken about his disappearance until now.  She approaches a small publishing house with her memoir but will only work with editor Thea Woods.  Thea, a huge fan of Maria's, has never met the star and doesn't understand why she's being picked to edit this book.  But she needs a win after a disastrous mistake that threatens to ruin her career.  Will she finally learn whether the rumors are true that Maria killed Damien and about her legend secret ingredient?

After reading and loving Delicate Condition, I couldn't wait to dive into Valentine's latest and I was not disappointed.  If you like dark humor and mystery and have a strong stomach, you are going to love this book.  Written in a book-in-a-book format, we go back in the past and read Maria's memoir (one chapter at a time) to learn the background, as well as the story of Thea staying in Maria's farmhouse in the present reading the manuscript.  And discovering many creepy things both in the present and past.  Plus there are wonderful sounding recipes in Maria's manuscript that will make you seriously hungry.  I thought the narrator did an exceptional job with all the voices and I was addicted from the beginning.  Don't miss this one!

7.25.2025 - The Confessions

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster | Atria Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest thriller by Paul Bradley Carr.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

LLIAM is the world's most powerful supercomputer and it makes tough decisions for its users.  People have gotten used to not having to make any decisions on their own, until the day that LLIAM goes offline with no warning or explanation and the world is thrust into chaos.  Then letters start arriving, exposing people's secrets and crimes, all starting with "We must confess."  CEO Kaitlan Goss must track down the only person who can help - an ex-nun who taught LLIAM what it means to be human.  But Maud receives a letter to, revealing Caitlin's sin.

Written by a Silicon Valley journalist and owner of a bookstore, Paul Bradley Carr has written another intriguing story of the perils of technology (have you read 1414° yet?).  With all of our internet searches now answered by AI, this book tells of a not-so-distant future when we turn over all our decisions to a computer.  What about all the ethics involved in that?  This book is filled with characters crossing all kinds of lines to get what they want and what they think is best.  Full of non-stop thrills and action, this one will definitely make you think.

7.23.2025 - You Shouldn't Have Done That

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Inkubator Books and Dreamscape Media for gifting me an audio ARC of the latest domestic thriller by Liz Alterman, with the audiobook narrated by Cat Protano.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Jane Whitaker and Ivy Chapman have been best friends for twenty years - ever since their sons Cal and Brad attended the same preschool.  Just as the two families are set to go to Wyoming for a ski vacation and to see their two sons who are rooming together, they get word that Cal is missing.  Brad's behavior is suspect - he has Cal's phone and didn't report him missing.  Cal's sister, Emerson, fuels the rumors by her social media posts.  How far will these mothers go to protect their children?

Buckle up for this ride!  There is not a likable character in the bunch and all of them have secrets and ulterior. motives.  But I was glued to listening to this audiobook, with the story playing out from multiple POVs, revealing differing sides of the story.  I'm always up for family messy dramas and these families had them in spades.  Friendships are tested and there's a nod to the dangers of social media as well.  I thought the audiobook production was spot on, even with all the different voices.  

7.22.2025 - Guess Again

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Kensington Publishing and Recorded Books Media for gifting me a physical, digital and audio ARC of the latest thriller by a favorite, Charlie Donlea, with the audiobook perfectly narrated by Vivienne Leheny.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Ten years ago, 17-year-old high school volleyball star Callie Jones vanished from her quiet Wisconsin lake community. A highly publicized search followed but her body was never found. The case went cold but the original investigator, Pete Kramer, never let it go.  Pete turns to Ethan Hall, his former partner who left law enforcement to become an ER doctor, to help him solve the case.  Ethan turns to his nemesis, currently in a maximum-security prison, for some assistance, but he may get more than he bargains for.

Wow!  As typical with Donlea's books, this one had me flipping the pages as fast as I could, and when I couldn't read, I was listening to the audiobook.  Told from multiple POV and timelines, we learn of multiple cases - from Callie's disappearance, to a serial killer's conquests, to Ethan's father's murder, to another missing girl  The plotting is perfection and I was blown away with how all these multiple plot lines came together in such a twisty fashion to keep me totally on my toes.  The best part?  The open ending that leaves hope that this isn't the last we will hear from Ethan.  The audiobook production was great - the narrator voiced all the characters so well and I appreciated the way her voice took on the qualities of different effects, to really immerse the reader in the experience.  Don't miss this one!

7.20.2025 - Dead of Summer

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster | Atria Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest thriller by Jessa Maxwell.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Orla and her best friend grew up on Hadley Island, and Orla was enamored with rich boy David who summered there.  But when Alice disappeared, everything changed.  Years later, Orla is back on the island to get her family home ready to sell.  David is also back at his family mansion along with his girlfriend, Faith. But things aren't going the way anyone planned this summer.

Told from dual timelines and from the POV of Orla, Faith, and Henry, who is a loner living on a private island who was always blamed for Alice's death.  This is a very atmospheric story with remote island settings from both the very rich to the very neglected.  Plus, there are multiple mysteries, not only what happened to Alice in the past but a young girl goes missing in the present.  This is a quick read that kept me interested from the beginning, with some unexpected twists along the way.  I'm a fan of Maxwell's and look forward to her next book as well.

7.19.2025 - Ink Ribbon Red

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Henry Holt & Company, and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the sophomore book by Alex Pavesi, author of The Eighth Detective, which I loved.  The audiobook was narrated by Dino Fetscher, who did a fabulous job with all the different voices.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Anatol recently lost his father and has invited five of his oldest friends to his family home in the countryside to celebrate his 30th birthday.  He asks them to play a game he invented called Motive Method Death.  Everyone chooses two players at random, then writes a short story in which one kills the other.  But the game brings out the worst in the players.  

Just as in The Eighth Detective, buckle up for this one!  Fact and fiction swirl in and out of reality as we read the stories - or are they real?  None of the characters are likable, non are trustworthy, and everyone has a motive to kill.  It's an extremely smart locked room mystery that you have to give up solving and just go along for the ride, because it's meant to be confusing.  I thought the audiobook was very well done, but my mind tended to run more while listening and I ended up reading quite a bit of it.  Love Pavesi's mind and can't wait to see what he comes up with next!

7.19.2025 - Maggie; Or a Man and a Woman Walk Into a Bar

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster | Summit Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the debut novel by Katie Yee.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

A man and a woman walk into a restaurant.  The woman expects a lovely night with her husband.  Instead, he tells her he's having an affair with a woman named Maggie.  Then she finds out she has breast cancer and decides to name the tumor Maggie.  

First, how could you not want to read a book with this title?  And that cover?  I really loved this quiet, introspective novel as the narrator (unnamed) walks through her new life as a single mom and breast cancer patient.  But the best part is it never goes into the blaming, hating, nasty way it easily could, but instead she deals with her feelings internally, with humor and sadness, and with only one close friend she relies on.  She even goes so far to make a list for Maggie (the woman) of things she should know about her husband.  She acknowledges the good in her husband, his abilities as a father, even while she is hurting.  She talks to Maggie (her tumor) as she learns to live with her.  And there are beautiful Chinese folk stories told to her children at night, passed down from her own mother.  All the stars for this book - highly recommended!

7.18.2025 - Our Last Resort

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Elliott & Thompson for gifting me a digital ARC of the sophomore book by Clemence Michallon, after her wonderful debut, A Quiet Tenant.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Frida and Gabriel grew up together in a cult, barely surviving together after their escape.  Years later, they meet at an upscale hotel in the Utah dessert to try and get their relationship back on track.  But then a dead body is discovered and suspicion quickly falls on Gabriel.

Told from Frida's POV from both the past and present, I couldn't put this book down.  Cults are fascinating to read about, with a leader's complete control over the members.  Especially difficult to think about are the children forced to grow up like this.  Michallon does a fabulous job of showing the effects of the cult during their time there, as well as long afterwards, as they try to have a more normal life.  Each of the timelines was gripping and tense, and that suspense just kept rolling until the shocking reveals at the end.  Don't miss this one!

7.17.2025 - Greenwich

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this debut book by Kate Broad, with the audiobook wonderfully narrated by Imani Jade Powers.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Rachel Fiske is a young woman who has just graduated from high school and needs a summer escape plan.  She heads to Greenwich CT to help her aunt recover from an injury and to help care for her young daughter.  Her aunt and uncle are distant though, and Rachel still feels lost until she gets to know Claudia, her young cousin's nanny, better.  But when a tragedy occurs, Rachel must make a choice.

This is a slow, character study novel, a coming of age book taking place in 1999.  Rachel is portrayed as a naive young woman and seems to let life happen to her, as opposed to taking charge of it.  Her home life is messy, with a sick younger sister, her high school friends turned their back on her, and she's just not feeling comfortable anywhere.  Claudia gives her a glimpse of a different kind of life for a bit.  None of these characters are really likable, but you'll still feel for them and feel the nostalgic pull of just not knowing how to fit into life.  I liked how there was some foreshadowing of a tragedy throughout the book, with hints about a trial to add some tension into the narrative.  Definitely a discussion of wealth and privilege, status, and racism.  The audiobook production was immersive, and I enjoyed going back and forth between the two formats.  Can't wait to see what will be next from this author.

7.15.2025 - A Beginner's Guide to Dying

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor | Vintage for gifting me a digital ARC of this memoir by Simon Boas.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Simon Boas was diagnosed with terminal throat cancer in his mid-40s.  Having lived what he will say is a fortunate and blessed life, having privilege and experience, he shares his death journey with readers.  I completely appreciated his blunt, dark humor approach and admire his viewpoints.  To me, this is more of a book on how best to live than how to die, as well as how best for the rest of us to deal with those in our circle that are dying.  I loved the book analogy about grief, and feel that this book contained so many good reminders about priorities in life. 

7.15.2025 - Death of an Ex

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press | Minotaur Books, and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the second book in the Vandy Myrick Mystery series by Delia Pitts, with the audiobook narrated by Bahni Turpin.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Vandy is a private investigator in Queenstown, NJ.  She's still coping with the grief of losing her only daughter when her ex-husband, Phil, comes back into her life.  But just as quick as he enters, he is murdered and Vandy decides to investigate.

I enjoyed the first book in this series, Trouble in Queenstown, but the author gives plenty of background so that this one works perfectly well on its own.  I like Vandy's grit and determination to uncover the truth, even when it hits close to home.  Pitts creates multi-faceted characters and there are plenty of suspects to consider for Phil's murder, as well as other plot lines.  I enjoyed the audiobook production and ended up mostly listening to it.  Will be looking forward to the next in this series!

7.14.2025 - The Silent Woman

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing | Thomas & Mercer for gifting me a digital ARC of this thriller by Minka Kent.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Newlywed Jade Westmore is completely happy in her new life with Wells.  There's just the fact that his first wife, Sylvie, lives in a gatehouse behind their home, silent since a terrible accident years ago.  Jade isn't supposed to interact with her, but one day when Wells is away and the caretaker is called away, the two meet.  

This was a quick, suspenseful read that kept me guessing to the end.  There were plenty of intriguing characters - Portia would be a fun neighbor friend!  Interesting past family drama as well with Wells' mother and the fact that they are living in his grandmother's home.  You're never quite sure who you can believe, which of course makes it all the more fun!

7.14.2025 - The Lake Escape

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio for gifting me a digital and audio ARC of the latest domestic thriller by Jamie Day, with the audiobook wonderfully narrated by Lisa Larsen and Phoebe Strole.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Three friends grew up together, spending summers at their Vermont lake homes with their families.  Now adults, with marriages and kids, they look forward to getting together every year.  But this year starts off with resentment, as David has remodeled his home to block the lake views from the others, plus he brought with him a new girlfriend and a nanny.  And everyone has secrets.

I've enjoyed all of Jamie Day's books and this was no exception.  Give me a messy family drama any day and then throw a mystery in the mix and you have the perfect book for your own lake or beach escape (hopefully with no bodies!).  I felt the audiobook was very well done, with different narrators for the two points of view, making it easy to follow along.  I liked the different family dramas and storylines and was always anxious to get back to the lake!  The ending wrapped up all the plots very well.

7.13.2025 - The Unraveling of Julia

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Grand Central Publishing, and Hachette Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest thriller by a favorite, Lisa Scottoline, with the audio wonderfully narrated by Maria Marquis.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Julia is mourning the murder of her husband when she receives notice that she has inherited a Tuscan villa and vineyard.  But Julia doesn't know her benefactor, a stranger named Emilia Rossi.  Because Julia is adopted, she thinks this could be a link to her past and heads to Italy.  But the villa is in shambles and Rossi apparently was a paranoid recluse, although they both apparently shared a fascination with astrology.  Before long, Julia also feels paranoid and suspects she's being followed.  Is she in danger or is she losing her mind?

I'm a huge fan of Scottoline, although this book seems a bit of a departure from her normal books.  It had slight gothic and supernatural vibes in addition to all the astrology mentions,  There are multiple mysteries involved and while it seemed like it might veer off, I appreciated how the ending tied up the plots.  There's a touch of romance as well and the Italian setting and food descriptions were definitely on point.  I alternated between reading and listening for an immersive experience and enjoyed them both!

7.12.2025 - This Stays Between Us

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for gifting me a digital ARC of the new thriller by Sara Ochs, author of The Resort.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Ten years ago, six college students meet in an Australian summer study abroad program meant to introduce them to the beauty of the country and immerse them in the culture.  In reality, it's a long, alcohol-fueled party, with hook ups and friendships turned wrong.  When Phoebe disappears, the group decides to pack up and leave the past behind along with their secrets.  Until they all receive a call that Phoebe's body has been found and they must return.

I love a good destination thriller, and this one highlighted Australia beautifully.  Plus, every one of the students is holding secrets in both the past and present timelines and it's fun to see them peel back slowly.  The story unfolds with two distinct voices and timelines - Phoebe in the past and Claire in the present.  The plotting and pacing were great and I liked how little truths kept revealing themselves along with some twists and turns.  A great vacation read without leaving home!

7.11.2025 - Fox

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House | Hogarth for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest offering by Joyce Carol Oates.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Francis Fox is a charming English teacher at the private Langhorne Academy. boarding school.  His students love him as do their parents and his colleagues.  But when two brothers discover Fox's car half-submerged in a pond, the entire community begins to ask questions.

Oh my goodness.  This book will gut you.  But it's masterful in its execution, as to be expected from Joyce Carol Oates.  It's dark, disturbing, frightening in its evil reality.  What I loved most was how this story was told from the viewpoint of so many people in Fox's orbit, from a janitor, a child, even a dog!  Your mind will wrap around all these people and the tentacles that can result from one person's actions.  There are many suspects that I questioned along the way.   It's a long, immersive book and I started reading the digital copy when my audiobook hold came in from the library.  And I never went back to the digital.  The audiobook is done with a cast and it was perfection.  It truly brought these characters to life.  Do not miss this one.

7.10.2025 - If You Love It, Let It Kill You

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Henry Holt & Company for gifting me a digital ARC of this auto fiction book by Hannah Pittard.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 3.5 stars rounded up!

Hana P is living in Lexington, KY, teaching at the university and living with her boyfriend and his daughter.  Hana's family has all migrated to live in close proximity to her as well.  Hana learns that her ex-husband's novel features a version of her and she is not happy.  

I had never heard of auto fiction before and once I realized that's what this book was, I did a quick look to see how close it was to real life.  Apparently very.  This is Hana's (and Hannah's?) way of working through her life and emotions and the rest of us get to tag along.  It's almost a stream of consciousness-type book, and parts were hilarious even when some were sad as well.  We get to watch as Hana is questioning all her life choices and feelings.  It's quirky (talking cats!) and messy and an interesting read.  

7.10.2025 - Mrs. Plansky Goes Rogue

Many thanks to NetGalley, Tor Publishing | Forge Books, and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the second book in the Mrs. Plansky series by Spencer Quinn, with the audiobook perfectly narrated by Petrea Burchard, who really brings Mrs. Plansky alive.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Mrs. Plansky is fresh off of winning a thrilling senior tennis championship with her doubles partner, Kev Dinardo, and is gearing up to celebrate with him on his yacht. That is, until the yacht is destroyed in a fire. Kev claims the fire was caused by a lightning strike, pure bad luck, but there's one small problem—Mrs. Plansky didn't see any lightning.  Then Kev goes missing, as does her son, Jack.  Does her 98-year-old dad know anything about all this?

Once again, it's fun to inhabit Mrs. Plansky's world for a while, and it's nice to see an older woman portrayed as vibrant and capable.    Mrs. Plansky excels at tennis, takes care of her dad, and still has time to solve a mystery or two - what's not to love?  I would definitely recommend reading the first in this series, but this one would work as a standalone as well.  The audiobook narration was perfect, and I ended up mostly listening to it.  Quite entertaining and I'm looking forward to more escapades from Mrs. Plansky!

7.9.2025 - The Game is Afoot

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for gifting me a digital ARC of the second book in the Mavis Miller series by Elise Bryant.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Mavis quit her job in a rash moment, and now she finally has the time to do all the things she has been putting off.  Or at least theoretically she does.  Because now she feels like she needs to be supermom and spend all her time getting roped into being in charge of activities at Pearl's school.  Then when a beloved coach drops dead during a soccer game, Mavis is once again determined to find out exactly what happened.  Then she can put off making life decisions for a little bit longer too.

Mavis is back!  The first book in this series, It's Elementary, was so fun and this one was as well.  Mavis always tries to do the right things and seems to dig herself deeper and deeper.  These books will make you smile and even laugh out loud, as Mavis tries to do it all, even investigate another murder.  These are cozy mysteries with a touch of romance, and I'm anxiously awaiting more in the life of Mavis!

7.8.2025 - Remote The Five

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for gifting me a digital ARC of the second in The Remote series by Eric Rickstad.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

FBI Agent Lukas Stark is now partnering with Agent Jayla King, both working with Gilles Garnier, a remote viewer who is able to see things that are distant and hidden.  They are still on the search for Q, another remote viewer charged with killing families, who is on a mission to learn what the Stargazer program did to him and his 5 peers.  The race is on once again.

You really need to read Remote: The Six before reading this one, but count me in for Remote: The Four!  The first book in this series was non-stop tension; this one not as much but an intriguing look into the Stargazer program as Q discovers some important facts.  I like these characters and feel for them and their families.  This is part crime fiction and part sci-fi and I'm anxious for more!

7.7.2025 - Rage

 

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 book by a favorite, Linda Castillo, with the audiobook perfectly narrated by Kathleen McInerney.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Three Amish children make a gruesome discovery in Painters Mill, and Police Chief Kate Burkholder is on the case to discover who would dismember a young Amish man.  It's not long before another body is discovered.  Just what is happening in her community?  Will she be the next victim?

I have been reading the loving this series since the first book, and now that we are on #17, it just keeps getting better.  It's a wonderful police procedural set in Amish country, and while each book could be read as a stand alone, they are much better read in order.  That way, you get to see the progression of the characters' personal lives as well.  This is the second book that I have mostly listened to on audiobook, and enjoy hearing the Amish language spoken aloud.  This latest chapter has everything you've come to expect from this series, so don't miss it!

7.6.2025 - The Woman in Suite 11

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster | Gallery Books | Scout Press for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest thriller by Ruth Ware, a follow-up to The Woman in Cabin 10.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Lo Blacklock receives an invitation to attend the press opening of a luxury Swiss hotel owned by a reclusive billionaire.  The timing is perfect, as Lo is ready to get back to her journalism career after staying home with Covid and her two children.  Lo is hoping to get an interview with the owner and resurrect her career.  However, she soon finds herself once again in a cat-and-mouse pursuit and she may not make it back home.

The timeline in the book and real life are the same - it's been 10 years since The Woman in Cabin 10 was published.  I will admit to not remembering book details even a month after I read them, let alone 10 years, but things did come back to me as I read this follow-up.  Ruth Ware always writes compelling thrillers, and I was never sure who to trust in this book.  I did think that Lo was naive in who she put her trust in after barely surviving her last adventure, but I felt her anxiety and stress.  The luxury hotel settings were perfect and the chase across Europe was tense - this was a twisty thriller that kept my interest throughout.

7.6.2025 - Finding Grace

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press, and Macmillan Audio for gifting me a physical, digital and audio ARC of the debut novel by Loretta Rothschild, with the audio perfectly narrated by the wonderful Fiona Button.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Go into this one as blind as possible - so here's a very short synopsis.  Honor seems to have everything. She adores her daughter Chloe and her husband Tom.  But her longing for another baby threatens to eclipse all of it.  Years later, Tom makes a decision that causes ripples in their lives..

This was a fabulous debut novel and the audiobook was wonderful as well.  If you don't gasp at the end of the first chapter, check your pulse!  Saying much of anything about the plot of this book would ruin it, but it is a creative, beautiful, quiet and contemplative novel about grief, loss, second chances, and moral dilemmas.  I loved the characters in this book and felt all the emotions.  Don't miss this one!

7.4.2025 - These Summer Storms

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House | Ballantine for gifting me a digital ARC of this contemporary family drama by Sarah MacLean.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Alice has been estranged from her family but returns to their private island off Rhode Island after the sudden death of her father.  Unlike her, the rest of the Storm siblings - Greta, Sam, and Emily - had stayed and revolved their lives around their father, vying for attention, approval, and billions of dollars.  Alice just wants to survive the funeral and go back to her life in Brooklyn.  But her father had other plans.  Always one to make his children compete against each other, he has one final game for them from the grave - and all that money is on the line.

I have never read Sarah MacLean's historical fiction novels, but I really enjoyed this contemporary one!  I'm always up for some messy family drama and the Storm family had that in spades!  Plus, it's a look into the uber-rich family lifestyle with all the luxuries and issues that go along with that.  But all families, regardless of wealth, deal with similar issues, just not quite in the way that the patriarch of this family dealt with them.  There's a lot of emotions between these siblings as they deal with their grief and moving forward that felt real, and the ending was perfect.  

7.2.2025 - Sunburned

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House | Ballantine | Bantam for gifting me a digital ARC of the sophomore book by Katherine Wood, following her debut Ladykiller, which I enjoyed.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Audrey Collet's ex-boyfriend, Tyson, calls after over a decade absence, threatening to expose the secrets in her past unless she helps him figure out who is blackmailing him.  Tyson is now a billionaire and lives on St. Barth's in the Caribbean, and has invited all his suspects there for Audrey to help him figure out who's extorting him.  Once there, Audrey realizes that everyone has a reason to wish him harm.

I love a good locked room mystery and one set in the Caribbean with private beaches and yachts involved?  Sign me up!  This book was very well-executed, with glimpses into the past and secrets that Audrey and Tyson share that are threatening to come to the surface.  I suspected everyone but was rooting for Audrey throughout the book, although there are plenty of morally-ambiguous threads here.  The story was tense from the beginning when a foot shows up in the Everglades to that twisty end I didn't see coming.  Perfect for summer reading!

7.1.2025 - The White Crow

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Scribner for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest thriller by Michael Robotham, and second in the Philomena McCarthy series.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Philomena McCarthy has defied the odds to become a young officer with the Metropolitan Police because her father and her uncles are notorious London gangsters.  On patrol one night, Phil finds a small child hiding in a bush, covered in blood, saying she can't wake up her mother.  Close by, a jeweler has a bomb strapped to his chest in his store and millions of dollars in jewelry is gone.  These two events collide, along with her family and personal life.

While this book would work as a standalone, I would recommend reading When You Are Mine first to get the full background of the characters.  But this second one is fabulous and I was glued to the pages.  Robotham is the master of suspense, and the moral dilemma that Phil faces between her job and family just add to the tension.  Her character is fantastic because she stands up for what is right no matter the personal cost.  There are a whole slew of good characters here and you'll be feeling all the emotions and fear right alongside them.  Can't wait for more in this series!

6.29.2025 - A Change of Habit

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Crown Publishing for gifting me a digital ARC of this memoir by Sister Monica Clare.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Claudette Powell's childhood was tough, filled with abuse, addiction, and neglect by those charged with caring for her.  But even from an early age, she felt a religious calling to be a nun.  She went out into the secular world, was married and divorced, worked in advertising and comedy, and still felt that pull.  She found the Episcopalian church and a group of nuns living in a religious order that she longed to join.  It took much perseverance to clear all her debts and be accepted, and still her childhood issues and low self-esteem threatened.  

This is a powerful and inspiring book of a strong woman who stuck to her calling and found the perfect home.  She even pushed to get training to become a priest as well as mother superior in her order.  It's a fascinating look into both religious life and personal fortitude.  Loved the pictures as well.

6.28.2025 - Our Last Vineyard Summer

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster | Gallery Books for gifting me the sophomore novel by Brooke Lea Foster, author of Summer Darlings, which I also loved.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Set in dual timelines of 1964 and 1978, we follow a family of women at their family summer house on Martha's Vineyard.  In 1965, the story is mostly focused on Virgie and her relationship and marriage to Charlie, and their 3 daughters.  In 1978, the youngest daughter, Betsy, is struggling with grad school and has come back to the summer house along with her sisters after Virgie announces they must sell the house to pay off their father's debts.  What they find are family secrets, strained relationships, and facing the complicated legacy of both parents.

Well, no sophomore slump here.  I liked this one even more than her debut.  The setting is once again on the Cape Cod islands, and focuses on the strength of these women within their family and in the larger context of the times.  I really enjoyed the look back at women's rights and feminism in both of these timelines - some of it is eye-opening!  But where the book really shines is in its characters.  I so enjoyed getting to spend time with these women, as they held secrets within so as not to hurt the others.  One line really spoke to me about family relationships - "...my story is not your story.  You could write a different version of the same exact events, and they would still be true."  It was nostalgic, atmospheric, emotional and I thought it was wonderful.  It's the perfect book to pack along on your beach vacation!