10.30.2025 - Call of the Camino

 

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

Reina Watkins is still grieving her father who died when she was eight.  Now a copyeditor looking for her journalism break, she ends up with the assignment to write about walking the 5--mile Camino de Santiago in Spain.  Decades ago, her father made the same trip, and we get to learn his adventures through Isabelle, a young woman on the run.  One woman is coming to grips with her past; the other is grasping for her future. 

This was a wonderful, totally immersive story told from these two women's POV a generation apart.  Both seeking a new life, they come to learn so much about themselves over their pilgrimage.  I loved the community both women encountered on their walk, teaching us all that we need friends to help us along the way.  The descriptions of the walk and scenery were amazing, and you'll really feel like you are along for the ride (minus horrible blisters and other ailments!).  Great story!

10.29.2025 - A Little Book of Self-care for Caregivers

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Girl Friday Productions | Flashpoint for gifting me a digital ARC of this lovely book, edited by Sara Speed Addicott.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

"I like to say that there are only four kinds of people in the world - those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who will need caregivers."  Rosalynn Carter

What a simple, beautiful book, filled with affirmations, quotes, wonderful watercolor illustrations.  It's a small book, one that could be picked up and read in one sitting, or one that could be picked up and read a page at a time when you need a boost.  As caretaker for my elderly mother with Alzheimer's, I read it quickly and it left my soul feeling a bit lighter.  I am going to purchase a hard copy to have and be able to access at any time.  Just lovely.

10.29.2025 - The Mad Wife

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Recorded Books Media and Sourcebooks Landmark for gifting me an audio ARC of this wonderful novel by Meagan Church, narrated superbly by Susan Bennett.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Lulu Mayfield is doing her best to be the perfect 1950s housewife.  Her gelatin salads are the talk of the neighborhood, she keeps her husband and child happy, and the household running smoothly.  But after the birth of her second child, things start to unravel.  A new neighbor, Bitsy, moves in and Lulu becomes fixated with her.  

I'm trying to say as little as possible so that you get the full effect of this amazing story when you read it - and you must read it, although the author does give trigger warnings at the beginning of the book.  This book is so nostalgic - while I was born right after the 1950s, so much was familiar.  Remember S&H Green Stamps?  Those gelatin salads?  I laughed out loud at that dishwasher although we certainly didn't have one growing up.  All that doesn't even begin to talk about the expectations on women during that time.  While this book is mostly a character driven domestic drama, there's a twist that had me gasping, and pushed it over into a psychological suspense novel.  The audiobook narration was perfect and I was drawn in right from the start.  Very highly recommended - loved it!

10.27.2025 - The Bone Thief

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for gifting me a digital ARC of the second book in the Syd Walker series by Vanessa Lillie.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Bureau of Indian Affairs archaeologist Syd Walker is called to investigate when newly discovered skeletal remains have been stolen. Not only have bones gone missing, but a Native teen girl has disappeared near the camp, and law enforcement dismisses her family's fears.  As Syd investigates both crimes, she's drawn into a world of privileged campers and their wealthy parents—most of them members of the Founders Society, an exclusive club whose members trace their lineage to the first colonists and claim ancestral rights to the land, despite fierce objections from the local tribal community. And it's not the first time something—or someone—has gone missing from the camp.

I would highly recommend reading the first in this series, Blood Sisters, before reading this book to fully understand the characters' stories.  Taking place in Rhode Island in 2008, Lillie has once again written a well-researched novel that will both educate and entertain you, making you think about those who have gone before us.  Syd's job is a fascinating look into walking the fine line between trying to educate people about the past in museum exhibits versus returning artifacts and remains to their people.  The author also stresses how marginalized and politicized Indigenous people remain, and the terrifying numbers of missing and murdered women and girls.  This is also a fast-paced, multilayered mystery that kept me turning the pages.  Can't wait for the next in this series!

10.25.2025 - Show Don't Tell

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House for gifting me a digital ARC of this short story collection by Curtis Sittenfeld.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Why did this one fall off the top of my TBR shelf?  Because once I started reading it, I couldn't put it down.  This collection of short stories will make you think, make you look at yourself, and will definitely make you laugh.  Each of the stories features characters at pivotal moments in their lives, and the characters and their issues felt real.  Sittenfeld has another winner in this book and it's definitely worth pushing to the top of your reading list.

10.24.2025 - The Proving Ground

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest crime fiction novel by a favorite, Michael Connelly.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

The so-called Lincoln Lawyer, defense attorney Mickey Haller, is now working the civil side of law.  He files a lawsuit against an artificial intelligence company whose female chatbot told a 16-year-old boy that it was okay for him to kill his ex-girlfriend for her supposed disloyalty.  Representing the victim's mother, Mickey's case explores the exploding AI business and the lack of training guardrails.  But it's not just about money - the mother is insisting that the company take accountability for their bad product and apologize, something the company is unwilling to do.  So it's onto the proving ground - the courtroom.

I'm a huge Connelly fan of both his books and tv shows, and this book is top notch.  Picking a topic that's on everyone's minds (and computers), this book explores AI, in all its good, bad, and ugly glory.  It was so enlightening and powerful how Mickey explained it all so that the jury (and reader) could understand.  The recent LA fires played a role in this book, as does Haller's ex-wife, Maggie, now the District Attorney.  I couldn't put this one down - it's tense, suspenseful, and very highly recommended!

10.21.2025 - Same

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press | St Martin's Griffin for gifting me a digital ARC of this wonderful little book of poems by Hannah Rosenberg.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

This is a book of poems, divided into categories - for our younger selves, families, friends, the ones we date and marry, for our bodies, our minds and our children.  I read this in one sitting, tears in my eyes, and even though I am at an age beyond the target audience, these poems are nostalgic because as the title says, we all go through the same things.  This would be a perfect gift for a young girl, to read the parts that apply, to remember to be grateful to those around us, as well as ourselves.  But no matter your age or position in life, these poems will touch you.  Bravo.

10.21.2025 - Dorie's Anytime Cakes

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow | Harvest for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest gorgeous cookbook by Dorie Greenspan.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

This is just beautiful and you know that every recipe will be wonderful because it's from Dorie.  But this book has such wonderful pictures, explanations, helpful hints, ways to customize - I was drooling throughout.  Plus, there are basic cakes, cupcakes, Bundt cakes, even savory cakes and I wanted to try them all.  I've already decided to order a hardcopy version because I need this in my kitchen.  If you love cooking or like me, love to read cookbooks, this is a winner!

10.21.2025 - The Widow

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Doubleday for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest thriller by a long-time favorite, John Grisham.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Simon Latch is a small town lawyer, in debt, living in his office because of a failing marriage.  Then in walks Eleanor (Netty) Barnett who asks Simon to redo her will.  She claims to have millions of dollars in stock and no family, besides two stepsons that she has no contact with.  Simon has dollar signs in his eyes and begins having luncheons with Netty to discuss her affairs.  Then Netty is involved in a car accident, landing her in the hospital where she dies.  Soon Simon finds himself charged with homicide.

This was classic Grisham and I loved it!  The first half of the book slowly builds up the relationships and Simon's backstory, but the second half ramps up with courtroom and legal drama, ethical dilemmas, and lots of twists and turns.  Simon is one of those characters that you don't really like, until you find yourself rooting for him.  There are lots of other great characters here as well.  Clear off your schedule and pick this one up today!

10.20.2025 - Something to Look Forward To

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by Fannie Flagg.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Reading these short, sometimes interconnected stories just made my day.  While some made me a little sad, most will just bring a smile to your face because they are so relatable.   In Fannie Flagg's warmhearted style, she first introduces us to an alien sent to earth to observe and discover just what we humans are up to.  These stories are mostly lighthearted ways to deal with life and its challenges - and I think we can all use some of that right now.  I actually ended up listening to the audiobook of this, narrated by the author, and it was wonderful.  

10.18.2025 - Remain

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House for gifting me a digital ARC of this book by Nicholas Sparks and M. Night Shyamalan.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Tate is an architect from NYC, but arrives in Cape Cod to design a summer home for his best friend and his family.  Tate is recently discharged from a psychiatric facility where he was treated for depression after losing his sister.  At her deathbed, his sister reveals that she can see spirits still tethered to the living world, and tells him that the gift runs in the family.  On Cape Cod, Tate takes up residents in a historic bed-and-breakfast, and soon encounters Wren, a beautiful young woman who will have him questioning all he believes.

I'm a huge fan of M. Night Shyamalan's movies and used to read everything Nicholas Sparks wrote, so I was anxious to read this collaborative effort.  It definitely leans more to Sparks' romantic genre, but the paranormal thread adds another dimension to the story.  It was a fast read, combining emotion, mystery, and suspense as Tate and his friend, Oscar, try and investigate what actually happened to Wren.  Great characters and I can't wait to see the movie that I'm sure is on its way!

10.17.2025 - This is a Safe Place

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Audio for gifting me an audio ARC of this novella by Lucinda Berry, narrated by a cast.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Jenna runs a successful private therapy practice but still struggles with trust issues of her own.  She’s close to ruining her marriage because she can't stop snooping in her husband's phone.  Colton has been texting with his cousin, Bodie, who's being blackmailed by an exotic dancer, one whose name is family to Jenna through her practice.  

This was an immersive audio experience, with multiple narrators and sound effects, which I love in an audiobook to really keep me involved in the story.  This was a good mystery with unreliable narrators that kept me guessing as to who was actually trustworthy.  This short story has a lot going for it and kept me completely entertained!

10.16.2025 - Joyride

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster | Avid Reader Press for gifting me a digital ARC of the new book by Susan Orlean.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Joyride is the story of Orlean's life and career, where every day is an opportunity for discovering something new.  The prolific author first came to my attention with The Library Book, showcasing not only an event in history with the worst library fire, but more importantly, talking about what libraries mean to so many people.  That's how she writes - exploring something new, going into it wide eyed, and giving a unique perspective.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, from her beginning in her literary field to current times, talking about both her personal and professional life, as well as lessons for would-be writers or creatives on the many steps towards achieving goals.  Her nonfiction never reads boring or stilted - she has a unique capacity to bring words, people, and events to life.  I also enjoyed reading some of her full articles at the end of the book.  Wonderful!

10.14.2025 - The Dogs of Venice

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for gifting me a digital ARC of this short story by Steven Rowley.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Paul was supposed to be traveling to Venice with his husband, Darren, but when Darren tells Paul that he's moving out, Paul is heartbroken and decides to go on the trip solo.  Once in Venice, he becomes obsessed with a street dog he spots, who seems so comfortable being alone. 

A quick, enjoyable read, as we see Paul come into his own on his solo adventure.  Before, he was uncomfortable on his own and needed someone beside him, but the trip forces him out of his comfort zone.  I liked the exploration of Venice from my comfy chair at home as well!

10.13.2025 - The Last Witch

Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for gifting me a digital ARC of the new book by CJ Cooke.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

It's 1485, and Helena Scheuberin is accused of being a witch and of murder.  Imprisoned with six other women, Helena is plunged from her  life of comfort into a world of terror.  Subjected to horrible torture, Helena must fight not only for her survival, but for her voice and truth.

Wow - this book will transport you to a time when women had zero rights.  Considered property of their husbands and sinful because of their sex, this story will horrify you because it's based on truth.  In CJ Cooke's masterful hands, you will be immersed into another world where an evil man with power can convince the masses that he's right.  But it's also the story of the strength of women, standing up for the truth, while supporting each other to the best of their abilities.  This book is emotional, haunting, and the perfect book to read during this spooky season, mindful of our privileges and the women who went before us.  It's a must read.

10.13.2025 - Workhorse

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for gifting me an audio ARC of this wonderful novel by Caroline Palmer, narrated perfectly by Helen Laser.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

It's early 2000s, and editorial assistant Clodagh “Clo” Harmon wants nothing more than to rise through the ranks at the world’s most prestigious fashion magazine. There’s just one problem: She doesn’t have the right pedigree. Instead, Clo is a “workhorse” surrounded by beautiful, wealthy, impossibly well-connected “show horses” who get ahead without effort, including her beguiling cubicle-mate, Davis Lawrence, the daughter of a beloved but fading Broadway actress. Harry Wood, Davis’s boarding school classmate and a reporter with visions of his own media empire, might be Clo’s ally in gaming the system—or he might be the only thing standing between Clo and her rightful place at the top.

On paper, this doesn't seem like a book I would rave about, but here goes - I loved every minute of it!  Helen Laser brilliantly brought these characters to life and captured my interest from page one.  It's a long book, but it didn't feel like it when I was listening.  While I'm well past worrying about career ambitions right now, Clo's feeling of never quite fitting in and belonging is something that almost all young women will relate to.  Where it gets interesting is the steps Clo takes to get what and where she wants to be, stepping on others along the way.  It's funny, sad, dark, snarky, insightful, and fascinating.  You'll find yourself rooting for people you wouldn't normally give the time of day.  Brilliant.

10.11.2025 - Totally Fine

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing UK | Lake Union Publishing and Brilliance Publishing for gifting me both an audio and digital ARC of the latest novel by Nick Spalding, with the audiobook narrated wonderfully by Laurence Dobiesz.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Charlie King is totally fine.  Really.  He has a great job, a girlfriend, two best friends.  So why is everything going wrong?  He's fine.  Except for that car crash a few months ago.  His girlfriend wants him to see a doctor, but he's totally fine.  He can fix himself and his friends while he's at it.

I always look forward to a new Nick Spalding book because they are always fun, yet filled with worthwhile messages.  This one centers around men's mental health issues and their reluctance to seek help, which is probably relatable to anyone involved with a male.  These characters are relatable, although they certainly put themselves in some crazy situations, but it's also touching and sweet.  

10.10.2025 - A Dog in Georgia

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

Amy feels like she lost her self in service to everyone around her - her husband and his ex-wife, and her stepson.  She becomes obsessed with the search of a lost dog in the republic of Georgia that she follows online.  On the spur of the moment, she books a ticket and arranges to live with a family in Tbilisil.  Instead of finding Angel, she embarks on a journey of self-discovery along with the family she is staying with.

This was such an immersive book and I totally enjoyed getting lost in it, as well as learning more about the food, politics, and people of Georgia.  Spending time with her host family and Russian border opens Amy's worldview and allows her time to reflect on her life.  I absolutely adored her relationship with her stepson, as well as his relationship with both his moms.  This is so well written and kept me engaged from the beginning to the twists at the end.  

10.9.2025 - Keep This For Me

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster | Atria Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the sophomore book by Jennifer Fawcett.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

In 1993, Ben and Ana go to a party, leaving their daughter, Fiona, at home with grandparents.  Their car breaks down and they are picked up by a truck driver who attacks Ben and abducts Ana, who is never seen again.   When Eddie, the truck driver, is caught, a mass grave of bodies is discovered in his backyard, but he says he didn't kill Ana.  Thirty years later, Ana has never been found and Eddie is on his death bed in prison.  Fiona gets a phone call that this may be her last chance to ask him what happened to her mother.  Back in town, Fiona is shocked when history repeats itself and another woman is missing after her car broke down.  This time, the primary suspect is Jason Ward, Eddie's son.

I loved this author's debut, Beneath the Stairs, and this one was just as wonderful.  You need to pay attention to the chapter POV and timeline switches, but they are marked accordingly and easily followed.  I loved the way the story unfolded from past to present and from these different voices, to learn all the feelings and reasons behind their behaviors.  I was gripped from start to finish, and appreciated the theme exploration of generational trauma, legacy, grief, as well as postpartum issues.  This is suspenseful, you won't know who you can trust, and I was holding my breath until the end.  I felt for Fiona throughout the book and was cheering her on - loved the ending.  Extra points for an author from my local area too!

10.9.2025 - Five Found Dead

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest novel by Sulari Gentill.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Crime fiction writer Joe Penvale just finished his cancer treatment.  He and his twin sister, Meredith, board the Orient Express in Paris, hoping for rest and relaxation.  Meredith is also hoping that the train journey will jumpstart Joe's writing, and it seems to be doing that.  But then they wake to learn that the cabin next door has become a crime scene with no body in sight.  The twins soon find themselves caught up in a murder investigation.  But that's not the only murder on the train - soon five are dead and one still missing.  

Very Agatha Christie-like, a locked room mystery on the Orient Express with the addition of a Covid outbreak!  This was a fun, almost cozy mystery, with enough light moments to balance out all the dead bodies.  As you would expect, there are plenty of twists and turns leading to the surprising ending.  This is a fun, slightly over-the-top read - hop aboard for a wild ride (but be careful!).

10.8.2025 - Yours for the Season

 

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

Melanie thought she would spend forever with Finn, and was shocked that he broke up with her publicly at his sister's engagement party.  So when he shows up 6 months later with a proposition that they fake continue their relationship at his family's Christmas get together in Scotland, she says no.  Until Finn agrees to let Mel break up with him on Boxing Day so that she can get her revenge.  Will they be able to fool his family?

Told in alternating timelines from the Past, starting from their meeting to their breakup, and the Present, when they are on vacation.  I'm not always a huge romance fan (my reading preferences lean darker), but I love Emily Stone and am always up for a second chance story.  This one will pull you in and have you rooting for the couple, as well as other family members and friends.  Plus, there are lots of life lessons here about communication and honesty in order to make relationships work, as well as following your own dreams as opposed to what you think others want you to do.  Be sure to add this to your Christmas book TBR!

10.7.2025 - Over Yonder

 

Many thanks to NetGalley,  Thomas Nelson Fiction, and Zondervan Fiction Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this wonderful book by Sean Dietrich, with the audiobook perfectly narrated by the author.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Ex-cop Woody Barker lives on a houseboat off the Gulf Coast and spends his days bickering/flirting with his ex-wife and attending doctor appointments about his malfunctioning heart. He gets the surprise of a lifetime when an old girlfriend reveals on her deathbed that Woody has a seventeen-year-old daughter he never knew, Caroline.  Caroline is pregnant and trapped in an endless loop of bad choices. When her estranged dying mother begs her to go back to her singlewide trailer to dig up the bathroom vanity subfloor to "get something that needs to be gone yesterday," Caroline finds herself at the center of a very dangerous plot that--if she survives--has the potential to turn her world upside down.

I adored this book - I started listening to the audiobook and never even opened the digital, because the author's narration is pitch perfect.  The dry humor that I love came across perfectly and I found myself laughing out loud often.  This book shines with its characters - they really come to life and you'll find yourself rooting for second chances, rising up from tough places, and just a sense of community.  This was fun from beginning to end.

10.7.2025 - Atlas of Unknowable Things

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press, and Dreamscape Media for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this gothic thriller by McCormick Templeman, with the audiobook narrated by Jess Moran.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 3.5 stars rounded up!

High in the Rocky Mountains on a secluded campus, sits Hildegard College, a celebrated institution known for its scientific innovation and its sprawling, botanical gardens. Historian Robin Quain has been awarded a residency to examine Hildegard’s impressive collection of ancient manuscripts, but she has a secret. She’s actually on the hunt for an artifact—one she must find before her former best friend turned professional rival gets his hands on it first.  But Hildegard has secrets of its own. 

This is a dark academic thriller, one of my favorite themes, but this one focused on the staff as opposed to students.  The book was well written, had lots of twists and turns, and will definitely give you spooky vibes, because nothing is as it seems.  There are cryptic messages, missing people, occult themes, and a creepy atmosphere.  I didn't feel a real connection to the characters though, which made the reading (and listening) a bit more tedious for me.  I thought the narration of the audiobook was well done.

10.7.2025 - To Die For

 

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

Food is a nostalgic thing that brings families together, so much so that some people immortalize their recipes on their gravestones.  Rosie Grant researched this phenomenon and now shares 40 of the recipes she has found, each accompanied by a story and pictures of the food, family, and gravestone.

What a beautiful concept and it was perfectly executed.  I was enthralled with the stories and the pictures and the recipes were the proverbial icing on the cake!  I also appreciated the respectful way everything was presented, with helpful hints on preserving your own legacy for your family.  I enjoyed Rosie's own personal connection to the Congressional Cemetery in Washington DC and thought the community activities there were wonderful.  This book didn't make me sad; instead, it is a beautiful tribute to family connection through food.

10.6.2025 - Wanting Daisy Dead

Many thanks to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing UK | Thomas and Mercer, and Brilliance Publishing for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest thriller by a favorite, Sue Watson, and narrated perfectly by a full cast.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Twenty years ago, student Daisy Harrington went out for the evening and never came home. Her body was found a week later. The killer was caught. Case closed.  Now, on what would have been her 40th birthday, her five university housemates are invited to a weekend gathering.  They don't want to go but it's made clear if they don't, that their secrets will be revealed.  Because the man convicted of Daisy's murder is innocent, and one of the five knows just exactly who killed Daisy.

Well, that was fun!  I started reading the book but switched over to the audiobook, produced with a full narration cast, which I always like.  This is definitely a locked-room type mystery, with all the housemates assembled together, each having secrets, with one of them a killer.  They all had a different motive to want Daisy dead, but which one wanted it more?  Told through all the different housemates' POV as well as from the podcast interviews, I was guessing the killer throughout the book.  None of the characters are likable, but that just adds to the fun.  

10.5.2025 - Good Days Bad Days

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing | Lake Union Publishing and Brilliance Publishing for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest novel by Emily Bleeker, with the audiobook dually narrated by Aasne Vigesaa and Eric Altheide.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Charlie McFadden was fifteen when CPS removed her from her hoarded home.  Her mother, Betty, chose her collection of junk; her father, Charlie, chose Betty; neither chose Charlie.  Decades later, Charlie's dad pleads with her to come home to say goodbye to her mother who is now confined to a memory care center, and help him with the house.  She hasn't seen either of them since then, but needs a break from her personal life and makes the trip.  

This story touched my heart in so many ways.  The title is perfect for anyone dealing with someone with dementia, and Charlie's conflicting emotions made you feel for her.  Told from the present in Charlie's POV to the past from her dad's, the story plays out so that we understand just how everyone got to where they are.  It's a story of family secrets, generational trauma, mental illness, and eventually hope.  The audio narration was great, and I always appreciate a male and female narrator when called for.  Highly recommended!

10.4.2025 - The Hitchhikers

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press, and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this thriller by Chevy Stevens, with the audiobook wonderfully narrated by Lindsey Dorcus and Moniqua Plante.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

It's 1976, and Tom and Alice set out in their RV for a road trip to reconnect and smooth the sharp edges of their grief.  When they meet a young couple at a campground, they offer to give them a ride to the next town.  And discover too late what a bad idea that was.

I'm a big fan of Chevy Stevens and this book shows why she's a must-read author for me.  From the very beginning, you can't help but relate to Tom and Alice, trying to do the right thing only to have it turn completely wrong.  There are plenty of twists and turns along the way on this road trip gone wrong, so buckle up and enjoy the ride!  I liked the nostalgic feel of the story as well.  The audio narration was great, adding another layer of tension into the story.  Loved the ending.

10.4.2025 - How Bad Things Can Get

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for gifting me a digital ARC of this thriller by Darcy Coates.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Welcome to mysterious Prosperity Island, where an influencer and his fans have assembled for a five-day dream party full of games with big money prizes.  However, the island has a past - it was once home to a mysterious cult with only one survivor.  One of the party attendees, Ruth, has a secret connection to the cult and things soon go terribly awry.  

A creepy island, cult, influencers, and disappearing people - what's not to love?  Coates is a master of building suspense until you just can't look away.  It very much had that locked room feel, with the island keeping everyone trapped.  Plus, the do anything for likes influencer theme pushed things to the next level.  This is creepy season - the perfect time to dive into this read!

10.3.2025 - Heart the Lover

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Grove Atlantic for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by Lily King.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Jordan (the nickname given to her by her friends) is in the fall of her senior year of college.  She meets Sam and Yash, star students in her 17th Century Lit class, and best friends living off campus in the house of a professor on sabbatical.  The two invite Jordan into their world and she starts to discover herself.  But as graduation comes and goes, the choices made by these three will alter their lives forever.  Decades later, her past comes crashing into her present, and she must confront her past.

Following on the heels of Writers and Lovers, although not mandatory to read that one to enjoy this one, this book explores our youth and the bonds and decisions we make that shape our future.  The beginning is academic heavy as the friends explore their intellectual side as well as their romantic entanglements.  But decisions are made that can't be taken back, and those decisions haunt the future as well.  This book moves on to explore the decades afterwards and comes full circle in the end.  Trust me - this one will definitely pull at your heartstrings and have you thinking about your own decisions and their impact.  The writing is gorgeous and I was engrossed throughout.

10.2.2025 - Ring of Salt

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster | Avid Reader Press for gifting me a digital ARC of this amazing memoir by Betsy Cornwell.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

After finishing her education in the US, at age 24 Betsy Cornwell leaves behind her abusive family and heads to Ireland to fulfill her dream of becoming a novelist.  She falls in love with the beautiful country, and life seems idyllic when she meets and elopes with a charming man.  But her fairy tale soon becomes a nightmare and she finds herself trapped in an abusive marriage with a newborn baby.  She flees once again, but this time with the help of a community, and starts again.  Can she make her dream come true to use her writing to not only buy a home of her own, but to offer support to others as well?

This is such a powerful, must read, book for women especially, but anyone dealing with the trauma of domestic abuse.  Betsy is so honest in her retelling, but never venturing into the lurid, or compromising others.  This book details not only how she put her son first to get out of a terrible situation, while still being concerned for others in her situation.  It reads almost like a suspense novel, because I was holding my breath in so many places, just hoping and praying for good outcomes.  Even more important is the focus on community to help us when we need help, to be there in unimaginable ways, and for us to be there for others as well.  There are so many passages I highlighted with words of wisdom that hit home.  Plus, this is a love story to Ireland and you’ll definitely want to visit after reading.  Don't miss this one!