5.23.2026 - The Children

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, William Morrow, and HarperAudio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest book by Melissa Albert, with the audiobook perfectly narrated by the cast of Rebecca Lowman, Saskia Maarleveld, Kristen Sieh, Leslie Aleman and Iggy Costello.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Guinevere Sharpe has two childhoods.  In one, she lives in her family's isolated Vermont farmhouse; in the other, the pages of her mother's famous Ninth City books.  In reality, Guin's childhood isn't the magical one portrayed in the books.  She and her older brother grow up mostly feral, escaping into the woods, until the night it all goes up into flames, leaving Edith’s series unfinished and her children the sole survivors.  Now as an adult, Guin is estranged from her brother and capitalizing on her mother's name.  Then her brother announces an art installation titled Mother.  Guin must face the past she's been running from.

This is an immersive read, made more so if you choose to listen to the audiobook, with its full cast and original music.  There is a sinister, creepy feeling throughout the entire book, and it will take you back to your childhood.  If you were a reader then, it will invoke the magical worlds you lived in and experienced, only to have the tarnish of those books possibly worn off by adult realizations of the actual author's real selves.  This is an ode to generational inheritance, of memory, and all the stories and trauma passed down.  Fascinating!

5.22.2026 - Pollock's Last Lover

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by Stephen P. Kiernan.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

In 2006, Sotheby’s sells a painting by Jackson Pollock for $140 million—the highest sum ever paid for a work of art. Two weeks later, an older woman named Ruth Kligman, in high heels and a dusty fascinator, contacts a smaller, less prominent auction house to announce that she was Pollock’s lover, and that he gave her his last painting. She declares that it was selfish to keep it in her apartment for fifty years, and that people should see this masterpiece in galleries and museums the world over. The bidding will start at $50 million.  Gwen is the associate at the firm assigned the task of verifying the painting.

This was a fascinating look into Pollock, his work, his lifestyle, even his death, but more so the women who circle him and both idolize him and struggle against him.  It's told through alternating time periods as we go back and imagine Ruth's life with Pollock as well as Pollock's wife, Lee. In 2006, we see Gwen's world as she's trying to make a name for herself and still stick to her principles.  I'm not much of an art person, but learning about Pollock was interesting.  I loved the look back into how smartphones were first viewed when they entered the scene, as Gwen was an early adopter.  There are some good thoughts even then about how we experience the world through a device.  

5.21.2026 - Last Seen

 

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

Seven years ago, two boys went missing at sea – and only one was brought to shore.  Sarah’s son, Jacob, survived, but on the anniversary of the accident and the loss of his best friend, Marley, he disappears without a trace. As new secrets begin to surface, The Sandbank hums with tension and unanswered questions. 

This is one of those books that's hard to review without giving anything away, but suffice it to say that the twists and turns and wonderful plot line speak for themselves.  The story is told from the viewpoints of both the moms - Sarah and Isla, the mother of Marley, who died.  As an aside - I had thoughts of A Christmas Carol going through my head with every mention of the two boys!  It's a taut mystery, because you can only imagine the terrible grief and fear these women are experiencing and the motherhood and friendship themes are impactful.  There are lots of secrets here and that ending caught me totally by surprise.  Another book to pack along for your vacation!

5.20.2026 - Dissection of a Murder

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Dutton Books for gifting me a digital ARC of this wonderful debut novel by Jo Murray.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Leila Reynolds is a young barrister, just handed her first murder case.  The prosecutor is also her husband.  The victim?  A well-known and respected judge.  The defendant?  He insisted on having only her to represent him, but he's not talking.  She'll soon be fighting for both her client and her marriage.

Wow - what an amazing debut.  No wonder it was picked for the next season of Apple TV's Presumed Innocent.  I loved how the author gave us insight into the legal world, which as a former barrister she knows all too well, all the while presenting us with such a twisty legal thriller.  It is full of tension and suspense from the beginning and I was riveted.  There are chapters from the mysterious POV of "Witness X," just to keep things interesting.  Go into it as blind as possible - and be sure and read the book first because you know it's always better!  Highly recommended!

5.20.2026 - Forty Love

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Zibby Publishing for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by Jane Costello.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Jules is trying to cope with her empty nest, as her 19-year-old daughter heads out for a summer trip with a friend.  Plus, things aren't feeling stable at her job, and she worries about money.  Then her old school crush, Sam, returns from the USA decades after leaving.  She can see him playing tennis at the club next door from her bedroom window.  Full of anxiety, she's talked into joining an amateur women's tennis team desperate for players.

I love books that show middle-aged women in a strong light, able to take life's struggles and keep moving forward.  This is a story of second chances, made possible with the help and support of a strong woman support group.  These women encourage each other to make changes in their lives, plus there's romance in the air of course!  The story is full of humor, hope, and courage - all traits that are definitely needed as we age.

5.18.2026 - The One Day You Were My Husband

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Viking/Penguin and Pamela Dorman Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest novel by Rosie Walsh.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Carrie is a newly-qualified doctor in London when she meets Johan, who has brought an accident victim to the hospital.  They fall fast and Carrie agrees to meet him in Thailand during a work break.  They get married on the beach, but during the wedding, Johan is arrested and taken away.  She calls on her activist mother for help, but he can't be released.  Years later, Carrie is now married to Robin and they have twins.  But everything changes when Carrie sees Johan's name online and realizes he's out of prison and never contacted her.  She becomes obsessed with finding out what happened all those years ago.

This one kept me completely glued to the pages and I was so surprised at the twist - really made me take a huge pause!  Don't read too much about the plot so that you get no spoilers.  There is a lot going on here - Carrie's relationships with her divorced parents and her sister, her home life, and the pull she feels towards Johan even after all the years apart.  You can feel her desperation at just wanting answers, no matter where they lead.  This is a thrill ride, but also an emotional one and I loved it!

5.17.2026 - Both Can Be True

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Muse for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the sophomore book by Jessica Guerrieri, with the audiobook wonderfully narrated by Helen Laser, Mia Hutchinson-Shaw, Rebecca Lowman, and the author.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Mare and Frankie are two sisters in their late 30s, navigating motherhood, marriage and life.  Mare is the mother of a neurodivergent preschooler who never feels like her husband steps up.  Frankie is a bookstore owner, now sober, raising two teenage daughters.   Their husbands go on a camping weekend and come across a body they later believe to be Brie - a woman from their town and Frankie's AA circle.

I loved Guerrieri's debut, Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea, and her latest is just as powerful.  Told from the differing POV of the two sisters, we see how they each struggle with past trauma, caregiving, and who they are outside of being wives and mothers.  It explores all those questions that women feel - is it wrong to want more even when we're happy?  Can we love our husbands but still feel trapped?  What happens when cracks appear - who is there to support us?  Add alcoholism as a way to cope and we see all those careful plans start to crumble.  The author is forthright about her own struggles with alcoholism and her sobriety, which adds such realism to her books.  There is a mystery here, but this is a strong character-driven story of women struggling with all those "both can be true" situations. I mostly listened to the audiobook because the cast was top notch and just added more depth to the story.  I loved this one!

5.16.2026 - Mist and Malice

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing | Thomas and Mercer, and Brilliance Publishing for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the second in the Haven Thriller series by Rachel Howzell Hall, with the audiobook perfectly narrated by Inger Tudor.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

PI Sonny Rush is pulled into a new case when Honor Butler shows up at her door scared to death.  Honor tells Sonny a horrifying story of what she was forced to do.  Only hours later, a missing man is found dead in the forest near Sonny's cottage.  Are these two cases related?  Is the town of Haven corrupted?

This book follows immediately after the events of the first book in this series, Fog and Fury, so reading that one first is a must.  Sonny is a wonderful character - flawed, funny, trying to move on from her past, and trying to do her best for her mom, who is struggling with dementia.  You can feel her stress coming off in waves.  The small town of Haven is a character in itself, with the fog hanging over the area keeping its residents secrets close.  The mystery is well plotted and the tension high, and I'm looking forward to more in this series!  The narration was great and pulled me even more into the story.

5.15.2026 - The May House

 

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

Raised by their single dad in Chicago, three sisters spend one week in May every year with their maternal grandmother.  When she passes away, the adult sisters inherit the California beach house  on the condition that they return every May to spend one week together.  The sisters are now spread across the country and aren't always close, but they make sure to reserve that week to spend together.  But one year, the oldest and most dependable, doesn't show.  The other two begin questioning just how much they know about their sister's life.

I loved this story and how it's told from multiple POV in a nonlinear style from the sisters' childhood to 2019 when Julia doesn't show.  Along the way, we learn about each of the sister's lives and loves, the secrets they hold, the fears they have.  It's so atmospheric, and when you read the author's note, you'll learn that many of the locations are real, giving it such an authentic feel.  Plus it has nostalgia, romance and a wonderful guy next door.  This is the perfect book to read on the beach this summer!

5.14.2026 - Accumulation

Many thanks to NetGalley and GP Putnam's Sons for gifting me a digital ARC of this creepy novel by Aimee Pokawatka.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Tenn, Ward, Anders and Aisling have moved to New York for Ward's job.  Ward hopes that Tenn's dream house will help the fact that she had to leave behind her friends and her job as a filmmaker.  But the house just isn't right.  Ward is too busy with his job to help and the kids are struggling as well.  

Creepy dolls?  Ghosts?  Is the house haunted or is it all in Tenn's mind?  This book is creepy good, but where it excels is in the thoughts it brings up about motherhood, parenthood, loss of self, gaslighting.  Mothers everywhere will be able to relate to having to put their job and life on hold to be able to take care of everyone else.  I loved how there was repetition in conversations - take out the trash, run the dishwasher.  Plus, all the house weirdness and the trouble with the kids.  Kept me glued to the pages!

5.14.2026 - The Shippers

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press, and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest rom-com by Katherine Center, with the audiobook perfectly narrated by Patti Murin.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

JoJo is bad at love, and along with her sister, who is getting married on a cruise ship, decide to end that once and for all.  She feels like her childhood crush is holding her back and that he's really the one she should be with.  JoJo also gets her childhood best friend, Cooper, to be her wing man for this venture.  Let the shipboard antics begin!

I'm not always a big romance book fan, but will always sign up to read anything Katherine Center writes.  They are just happy books!  This one starts out with a note from the author ensuring you that there will be a happy ending, so never fear!  There are a lot of opportunities here for second chances, and you won't be able to resist Cooper.  JoJo is a bit immature for her genius brain, but she's still one that you will root for her happy ending.  I loved having both the book and the audiobook to get fully immersed, and Patti Murin's narration is always top notch.  Pack this one in your back for your summer vacation!

5.13.2026 - The Forgotten Midwife

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster | Gallery Books for gifting me a digital ARC of this amazing novel by Laura Anthony.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

A dual-timeline story playing out between New Jersey in 2023, and Tipperary, Ireland, in 1954.  In 2023, Riley's grandmother has a rare moment of clarity in her dementia and gives Riley an Irish birth certificate for an unknown baby.  Riley and her fiancé decide to go to Ireland to investigate.  In 1954, Margaret Lannigan is forced to become a nun and then serve as a midwife in a home for "fallen girls."  

This book will break your heart, even though we all are probably familiar with the Ireland laundries, where unmarried mothers were forced to work in abusive conditions and give up their babies.  This story from the viewpoint of one of the women who did their best to help will give you hope over the horrors we humans can heap on others.  The research was impeccable, the writing kept me glued, and the characters felt so real that you will hurt along with them.  Highly recommended!

5.12.2026 - The Foursome

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins | Mariner Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest historical fiction novel by Christina Baker Kline.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

It's 1839 when Chang and Eng Bunker, conjoined twins from Siam (now Thailand), arrive in Wilkes County NC.  They are wealthy after their circuit as oddities, and they quickly buy land and start building.  Sisters Adelaide and Sarah Yates, daughters of a once-prominent local family scarred by a scandal, are drawn into their orbit.  Addie sees marriage to Chang as her way of reclaiming her future; Sallie is less sure.  But their lives soon become entangled.

As you would expect from this author, this is a wonderfully researched book, made personal by the fact that the Yates are distant cousins.  Natural curiosity leads anyone to ponder just how this marriage and its subsequent 21 total children worked, but the book never veers into salacious territory.  Instead, we are privy to the emotional side of this coupling and the inevitable squabbles between spouses, brothers and sisters.  It's beautifully written, leading you to explore the unimaginable feeling of being tethered to someone for life.  This is also a story of the period, of slavery and the Civil War.  It's a fascinating look into these people as well as these issues.  Highly recommended.

5.12.2026 - Mercy Hill

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Doubleday Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the debut novel by Hannah Thurman.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

The Cross sisters have lived their entire lives on the sprawling grounds of Mercy Hill, the Raleigh mental hospital run by their formidable mother, Lisa. Since childhood, JJ, Caro, Mimi, and Denise have been inculcated with their mother's mission: they'll work alongside her to protect Mercy Hill from the fate of other state hospitals across the country, which are being gutted and closed, one by one.  But Mercy Hill faces great scrutiny and Lisa pushes her children even harder.  

I truly enjoyed spending time with this book and the Cross sisters.  Told from the viewpoint of Denise, the youngest, and taking place in the late 1990s-early 2000s, this is a coming-of-age story as well as a look into mental health treatment.  My heart hurt for the way Lisa pushed her girls - skipping grades in school, following a path long laid out for them to become doctors to continue work at Mercy Hill.  Neither parent was aware of the bullying happening at school nor the secrets the girls kept.  This is a very character-driven novel and it's so interesting to see how the girls, raised the same way, handled the pressures and expectations differently.    Wonderful debut and I'm looking forward to more from this author!

5.11.2026 - Coyoteland

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for gifting me an audio ARC of this novel by Vanessa Hu, narrated wonderfully by Ina Barrón.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own – 4 stars!

 

El Nido is a privileged community in the hills east of Berkeley.  Jin Chang moves there with his wife and daughters hoping for a new start.  However, he has a secret to make it big in real estate.  Jin’s daughter, Jane, knows he’s keeping a secret but she’s struggling to fit in at school.  In the wake of a coyote attack, Jane and Tasha, one of the only Black girls at school, bond.  They hatch a plot to expose the town’s hypocrisies. 

 

This takes place during the time of Covid, and I am one who appreciates a Covid storyline that adds to the atmosphere of the book – and it works great here.  Because this is a slow burn character study about racism, classism, entitlement – all those things lurking under the surface of the shiny world we may present to others.  Add in wildfire smoke in the air and the atmosphere mirrors all those societal problems.  My only issue is that I sometimes had difficulties keeping up with the characters.  Ina Barrón is one of my favorite narrators and she did a great job, but this may have been better served with a cast.  

5.11.2026 - Come Back to the World

 

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

Amelia is a journalist and expert in American literature, specifically the author EL Swann, who vanished 40 years ago after the success of her first and only novel.  Amelia receives a picture leading to the possible whereabouts of Swann, and decides to take a trip to Mexico to investigate with her young son, Jaden.  Jaden is the one to break through to the elderly woman, and they form a tight connection.

There's no one better at writing characters and dialogue that pull at your heart without being too sappy, and leave you wanting to do just a bit better in your own life.  As in most of her novels, the author explores relationships between unlikely characters and usually involve an animal or two; in this case, wait until you meet Francisco the donkey.  Plus, she's so wonderful at giving a voice to children's thoughts.  This book showcases found family, the courage it takes to be in the world, and the respect we need to show each other.  The quote "When people show you who they are, believe them" is apt here - we all handle situations differently, and we need to  absorb that.  The narration was wonderful and totally immersed me into this story.  As always with her books, this one is highly recommended!  

5.10.2026 - The Calamity Club

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Spiegel & Grau for granting my wish to read a digital ARC of the first book by Kathryn Stockett since she wrote The Help - it was worth the 17-year wait!  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

It's 1933 in Oxford, Mississippi, and times are extremely tough for almost everyone.  We meet Meg, an 11-year-old who is taken to the Orphan Asylum because her mother never came back from a trip to the store.  Meg is one of the "big girls" at the orphanage, deemed unadoptable, and woman in charge singles her out for the worst treatment.  Birdie travels to Oxford from her small town hoping to get a loan from her married sister, Frances, in order that the home she shares with her mother and grandmother won't be taken because of the taxes due.  Frances volunteers at the orphanage, and Birdie is enlisted to help with the books, where she meets Meg.  This meeting sets up the rest of the story.

Wow - this book is a commitment at 650 pages, but it is well worth the time.  Plus, the time will fly as you are transported back in time.  There are a lot of tough subjects here - racism, sexism, poverty, abuse - but the humor portrayed within softens all those rough edges.  It's the story of how women take back their power to try and make better lives for themselves however they can, even when the chips are stacked against them.  They all fight back against the labels that have been attached to them, and it is inspiring.  Meg and Birdie are both wonderful characters that will capture your heart, but the rest of the supporting cast  are just as wonderful (with a few exceptions!).  Highly recommended!

5.9.2026 - The Anniversary

 

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 thriller by a favorite, Alex Finlay, with the audiobook perfectly narrated by Ari Fliakos and Brittany Pressley.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

In 1992, two 17-year-olds' lives are changed and forever intertwined.  Quinn is from the wrong side of town and is arrested after he tries to break up a fight.  Julies is high school royalty, who survives a brutal attack by the "May Day Killer" - a serial predator who strikes every May 1st in midwestern small towns.  Over the next decade, their lives are revisited every May 1st, as secrets unravel and the May Day Killer is still out there and hurting young women.

Fabulous!  I loved how this novel played out, forwarding one year with each of the main characters, slowly spooling out all the backstories and secrets they carry.  Their lives are very separate yet slowly veer together as time clicks by.  The tension was high throughout and I felt strongly towards both of these main characters.  Plus, the 1990s nostalgia was perfect!  The narrators did such a good job bringing these characters to life and the story was the better for it.  Another wonderful thriller (maybe my favorite?) by Alex Finlay!

5.8.2026 - The Mediator

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing | Thomas & Mercer, and Brilliance Publishing for gifting me a physical, digital and audio ARC of the new crime fiction novel by Robert Bailey, perfectly narrated by Ann Marie Gideon.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Max Ringo was once a star at an elite law firm.  Then a car accident left her addicted to painkillers.  Fresh out of rehab, she is making her comeback as a mediator, and is appointed to handle a high-stakes divorce.  But then the husband kidnaps her teenage son, Nathan, and tells Max that she either settles the case on his terms or her son dies.

This book takes place over three days, as the suspense and tension kept ramping up hour by hour.  Told from multiple POV, we get the backstories of what led this couple to divorce as well as all the power struggles involved.  .Max is a great character - flawed, but trying to do her best for herself and her son.   Her addiction was handled respectfully - any one of us could find ourselves in such a situation.  This is the first book I've read by this author, but I'm anxious for more.   I always like a good legal thriller and this was all that and then some - plus, it's the first in a series starring Max Ringo and I am completely on board for more!  The narration was great and I had no issues differentiating characters.  I enjoyed listening to it when I couldn't be reading.

5.7.2026 - Ash

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, HarperCollins | Mariner Books, and HarperAudio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this debut novel by Louise Wallace, perfectly narrated by Saskia Maarleveld and Natalie Beran.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Thea is a vet in a rural practice, called back from her maternity leave early.  But the animals aren't causing her to be overwhelmed, it's everything else in her life.  Then a weather event causes everything to change.

I loved this short novel but am so glad that I had the opportunity to both listen to it (and the fabulous narrators) and read it.  In between the story are "figures," mostly poetic type musings, and hearing them spoken added so much.  The weather event was eerily similar to the pandemic reactions (no toilet paper available!) and the dark ash falling on top of everything else in Thea's life was just so symbolic.  This is such a unique and powerful look at all the demands of being a working mom of very young children.  

5.6.2026 - Five

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Crown Publishing for gifting me a digital ARC of this unique novel by Ilona Bannister.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

The narrator quickly introduces us to five passengers waiting for a train, and tells the reader that one is about to die from the oncoming train.  We are then introduced to the characters' lives to understand who they are and what has led them to the station at this particular time.  The time ticks down as the reader tries to guess which character will die.

Wow - this one was so unique and intense.  As you meet these unlikeable characters and learn their backstories, you begin thinking about which of them deserves to die, which will then have you questioning your own morals.  The genius of this book is first making you care about these characters and their foibles, easily putting yourself and others into similar positions.  It's so easy to judge others for their behavior.  I loved the format of the author/narrator talking to the reader, counting down the minutes, using dark humor and perfect plotting.  I couldn't put this one down.  

5.6.2026 - The Wish

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Perennial for gifting me a digital ARC of the new contemporary novel by Heather Morris.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Jesse is fifteen, but spending her days in the hospital with a terminal illness.  She just has one wish - a video experience of her life.  Alex is a virtual reality games designer and the one picked to make Jesse's wish come true.  

Heather Morris is famous for her wonderful historical fiction novels, but you can feel how important this contemporary fiction novel is to her, a reflection of her over 20 years of work in the social work department of a hospital.  She knows firsthand the impact that such a diagnosis has on the patient and family members.  While this book is sad, it's also hopeful.  One of my favorite lines - It only takes a moment to die; the rest of the time we're living.  While this was a very moving story, there are very important life lessons within.  

5.6.2026 - Dispatches from Grief

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Infinite Books for gifting me a copy of this moving memoir by Danielle Crittenden.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Danielle Crittenden received the phone call that all parents dread and none can prepare for - her 32-year-old daughter, Miranda, had been found dead in her Brooklyn apartment.  This beautiful book is both a tribute to Miranda and an honest portrayal of unimaginable grief.  She allows the reader to accompany her on the path of their family's after.  It's beautifully written and a wonderful companion for anyone going through grief - and isn't that all of us at various points in our lives?  Highly recommended. 

5.5.2026 - The Author Weekend

Many thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest novel by Laura Zigman, with the audiobook perfectly narrated by Gabra Zackman, Carol Monda, Joel Froomkin, and Emily Lawrence.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

This is bestselling mystery writer Faye Wader's first-ever fan weekend.  Everything is precisely planned by Faye and her assistant down to the smallest detail. What wasn't planned was the attendance of rival novelist Abby Schuss.  Faye thinks things can't get worse - until there's a dead body.

I'm been a fan of Zigman's work in the past and this was so much fun - I can't count how many times I laughed out loud at the antics.  Told from multiple POV, we hear from Faye, Jade, as well as her publisher, agent, and others.  The audiobook cast makes this even more fun and I so enjoyed listening to it.  It's a satirical (maybe?) look into the publishing world, where allegiances are only as good as the latest sale numbers, with the addition of a locked-room murder mystery.  Certainly not all the characters are likable, but they are ones that you will still be kind of rooting for because you can relate to their insecurities.  It's wild and the ending was pitch perfect.  A must read if you like your humor a little on the dark side!

5.5.2026 - Summer State of Mind

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster | Gallery Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest novel by Kristy Woodson Harvey.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Burnt-out NICU nurse Daisy Stevens flees to Cape Carolina, NC, after her worst professional day, looking for a new life.  On her first day at her new hospital job, high school baseball Coach Mason Thaysden discovers an abandoned baby in a dumpster.  Sparks fly between Daisy and Mason as well as with their little charge.  But secrets don't stay quiet for long in a small town.

What a wonderful novel - the perfect summer read!  Told from multiple POVs, we learn that everyone has a secret or two, but you will fall in love with each of these characters.  I loved their big, messy family life and the love and concern they showed each other, even in difficult times.  There are moral and ethical dilemmas that will have you thinking, and moments of laughter and tears.  Themes of grief, second chances, and new beginnings abound.  Pack this one in your beach tote for sure!

5.4.2026 - The Hill

Many thanks to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio and Farrar, Straus & Giroux for gifting me an audio ARC of this debut novel by Harriet Clark, narrated by Maggie Thompson.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

When Suzanne was a baby, her mother was sentenced to life in prison for her part in bank robbery that left a security guard dead.  Since then, she has lived with her grandparents, and her grandfather faithfully takes Suzanne to the prison every weekend.  Her grandmother refuses to go or have any contact with her daughter.  When her grandfather dies, Suzanne's life revolves around her solitary visits to her mom with help from a volunteer nun and her grandmother's friends who circle around her, all who seem to be separated from their children as well.

This is a haunting, beautifully written coming-of-age story, and it will break your heart.  Suzanne finds herself caught in two different worlds - one where she gets to spend time with her mother, and one where her mother doesn't exist.  Basically, Suzanne is left on her own and her life stagnates, as her grandmother's health worsens.  The narration of this novel was perfect - it's a slow, steady narration that fits perfectly with this slow, character-driven, introspective novel.  This book will make you think about how parental decisions affect their children's lives.  

5.4.2026 - Leave Your Mess at Home

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Viking/Penguin | Pamela Dorman Books for gifting me a digital ARC of this debut novel by Tolani Akinola.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Four siblings - each with their own issues - find themselves around their parents' Thanksgiving table for the first time in years.  They are all products of their Nigerian parents' American dreams for them, and each feels they have failed in different ways.  Sola was kicked out of the house years ago; Angola is a Yale grad in love with her best friend, who is engaged to someone else; only sone Ole is struggling in his marriage and impending fatherhood; and youngest daughter, Karen, is struggling with her chosen college path and sexuality.  

This novel is an emotional look at a dysfunctional family - and aren't all families dysfunctional in their own way?  What I liked about this novel is that it's told from the siblings different POV, so we get different looks at the same event, depending on who's telling the story.  There is a lot to unpack in everyone's story, overlooked by even close siblings, as they try and reunite.  

5.3.2026 - Payback

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing | Thomas & Mercer, and Brilliance Publishing for gifting me a physical, digital and audio ARC of the sophomore book by Elizabeth Rose Quinn, author of Follow Me.  The audiobook is narrated by Mozhan Navabi, who does a fabulous job with all of the different voices.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Pay to Stay is LA's premier minimum-security facility where the privileged can serve time just on the weekends, letting them live normal lives during the week.  But this weekend just days after Christmas, the inmates discover their abusive guard dead.  Now they must solve his murder before ending up in maximum security or worse, because someone in this block is a murderer and everyone is a suspect.

I love a locked-room mystery and this one kept me on my toes throughout.  All of the inmates are women except for one male prisoner, and each has a voice and a story.  You'll find yourself rooting for people you might not otherwise do.  It's entertaining from the beginning - and there's even a support iguana named Nacho!  It's also part social commentary of the state of our penal system - be sure to read the author's note.  

5.3.2026 - Good Joy Bad Joy

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press, and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the sophomore book by Mikki Brammer, author of The Collected Regrets of Clover, which I also loved.  The audiobook was perfectly narrated by the duo of Kimberly M. Wetherell and Maggi-Meg Reed, who brought Joy and Hazel to life.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Joy and Hazel have been best friends for their whole life.  At age 89, Joy was always the one who played it safe, while Hazel lived a more adventurous life.  But when Hazel reveals that she has cancer, Joy’s world is turned upside down.  Determined to make the most of the time they have left, Joy steps out of her comfort zone and veers into Bad Joy.

I’ve been on a streak of books featuring older women main characters, and I love this trend.  This book was sweet and funny yet brought up serious topics about how best to live your life, and what type of legacy and relationship you want to pass down, as well as pausing on rushing to judgments of others.  My only quibble with this book was that Joy’s walk on the wild side certainly ventured into very questionable behaviors.  But it’s a book that will make you think about your life and relationships.

5.2.2026 - Caller Unknown

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins | William Morrow for gifting me the latest thriller from Gillian McAllister, always a favorite.  This book was picked as this month's Read With Jenna selection.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Simone and her daughter, Lucy, have always been close.  Lucy has been spending time at an acting camp in TX before starting university, so Simone travels from the UK to visit.  They plan on going camping and just spending time together.  But when Simone wakes up on their first morning there, Lucy is gone from their rental cabin.  In her place is a cell phone and a voice issuing a ransom demand - don't tell the police, come to this location, be prepared to do a deal.  Simone will do anything to save her child.

This story kept me on the edge of my seat the entire read, even when things may have veered into improbable territory - I was still all in.   Simone and her husband disagreed about how they should proceed with the kidnappers, bringing even more tension into the situation, and prompting reflection on the differences between parenting styles of mothers and fathers.  The cat-and-mouse hunt for the kidnapper while trying to stay away from law enforcement is gripping, made more so by chapters from the kidnapper's point of view.  Besides being a thrill ride, this is a good reflection on motherhood.  You won't be able to not put yourself in Simone's position, and there are lots of moral and ethical issues here to ponder.

5.2.2026 - Enormous Wings

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Henry Holt & Company, and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest novel by a favorite, Laurie Frankel, with the audiobook wonderfully narrated by Becky Ann Baker.  All opinions in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Pepper Mills is 77, and after a car accident, her children moved her into the Vista View Retirement Community of Austin, TX.  She wasn't thrilled, but eventually she makes wonderful new friends and even falls in love.  Then she starts feeling unwell and learns that she is pregnant.  Pepper has some big decisions to make, and the world is watching.

I’m a huge fan of anything that Laurie Frankel writes.  I appreciate how she takes a relevant issue and makes you think about all the different sides.  While this premise is pretty wild, Frankel gives a reasonable-ish way that it could have occured so that it never felt completely out of the realm of possibility.  Frankel writes characters that feel so relatable and multidimensional.  I listened to the audiobook and loved the narration but also found myself then laughing out loud many times while wearing earbuds – the humor is just spot on.  Pepper was such a fantastic character – trying to live her best life, going along with her children’s wishes within reason, and still living life on her terms.  While it centers around the theme of women’s rights, the exploration of relationships as we age, from partners to friends to children and grandchildren was wonderful.  Highly recommended!

5.1.2026 - Liar's Dice

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House | Thousand Voices for gifting me a digital ARC of the debut novel by Juliet Faithfull.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Identical twins Dolores and Mita grow up in rural Brazil in the turbulent 1970s, . But at age seven, they discover that Mita has a degenerative condition eventually becoming debilitating.  Without telling Dolores, their parents send Mita to a hospital in their father’s native London.  The rest of the family moves to Rio, but Dolores is miserable without her twin, and her parents seem to have forgotten her.  Dolores can't even contact Mita because she doesn't know how to read or write.  Then she meets a new friend at school who opens doors for her.

This is a beautiful debut, a very haunting and heartbreaking coming-of-age story.  It's a tale of quiet strength, as Dolores overcomes her lack of education in order to be able to write a letter to her sister, and the wonderful teacher who made that happen, eventually using that talent to make money.  The story also shows the rise of the dictatorship in Brazil, marked by oppression, police torture, and the early sexualization of young girls, all portrayed through Dolores' eyes.  It contains a powerful theme of family secrets, and all the guilt and shame those secrets can invoke.  This one will stay with you.

5.1.2026 - Don't Wait to Light the Candles

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Park Row, and Harlequin Audio for gifting me an audio ARC of this beautiful collection of poems by Allie Michelle, narrated by the author.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

I'm not always one to pick up a poetry collection, but I've now added Allie Michelle to my list of those poets that I will gladly read anything they write.  This is a slow, soft collection of poems that give a much-needed reminder in this fast-paced world to appreciate all the people, opportunities, and joys that surround us.  So many of them touched me personally, that I am going to order a physical copy of this book to keep on my shelf along with my other favorite poetry collections.  The author did a wonderful job bringing life to her words on the audiobook.  Highly recommended!

4.29.2026 - Ghost Town

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster | Scribner for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest novel by Tom Perrotta.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Narrated by a much-older Jimmy, we basically meet Jimmy growing up in 1970s suburban NJ.  After tragedy strikes his family, he finds himself drifting into troubling friendships, searching for answers in an Ouija board, and confronting racism at its worst.  As an adult, Jimmy is invited back to his hometown and is finally able to face his past.

This was a short book with some punch, but not the usual humor that inhabits most of Perrotta's books.  I would have been Jimmy's age in the 1970s and it was a nostalgic look at that era.  It's definitely a coming-of-age book from the male point of view, which I haven't read much about.  The small-town feeling and whiteness/racism felt very on point for that time period.  A look into how the past changes us and our future.

4.29.2026 - The Radiant Dark

Many thanks to NetGalley and Zando Projects | SJP Lit for gifting me a digital ARC of this intriguing book by Alexandra Oliva.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

It's 1980, and Carol and her husband are living in a small town in the Adirondacks.  They have just had their first child, Michael, and Carol is struggling with motherhood.  Then, lights appear in the sky which are later determined to be communication from life on another planet 11 light years away.  We follow the stories of Carol, Michael, and Ro, named for the celestial star.  

While this book has an interesting sci-fi plot about possibly communicating with other intelligent beings. this is more of a character-driven novel.  Carol's obsession with this other life leads her to search for answers outside her small town and family.  It's the story of generational trauma, identity, marriage, and motherhood.  We follow this family for generations, through tragedies and celebrations, as they navigate their future.  Extra points for all the Adirondack area references (Stewart's!).  Wonderful, thoughtful book.

4.28.2026 - How to Cheat Your Own Death

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Dutton for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book in the Castle Knoll Files series by Kristen Perrin.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

In 1968, Frances Adams is loving her new London life, going to university, and stepping into a new world of glamour thanks to a new friend, Vera.  In present day, Annie Adams heads to London to visit her famous artist mother, Laura, only to find herself investigating the murder of Laura's new protégée.  Annie has read about a very similar murder in the journals of her late great aunt Frances.  

This series just keeps getting better!  Do yourself a big favor and start at the beginning, because there is no sign of this one slowing down.  This time, the majority of the action takes place in London, rather than Castle Knolls, but we still catch up with all the regulars, including getting the backstory of Sam, Annie's father whom Laura has always refused to discuss.  I love how the story plays out, with excerpts from Frances' diary telling the story of her life as it relates to what's going on in the present.  Plus, the connection between Annie and Detective Crane continues on, or does it?  Please don't make us wait too long for the next in this series!

4.27.2026 - The Story of Marceau Miller

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Marceau Miller for gifting me an audio ARC of this novel by Marceau Miller, narrated by the wonderful team of Saskia Maarleveld, Jean Brassard, and Stephanie Németh-Parker.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 3.5 stars rounded up!

Marceau Miller is a successful writer who falls while climbing in the French Alps (with no ropes!) and dies.  His wife, Sarah, is convinced that it was not an accident and was instead murder.  Then she discovers that her husband has left behind a final manuscript that she has to find if she wants to know the truth about Marceau as well as the disappearance of his sister long ago.

The audiobook was narrated by a dream team, so I would highly recommend listening to that version.  This is a slow-burn mystery, and very clever as it is written from the perspective of the author after his death.  It kept me on my toes and I felt so bad for Sarah.  It's an exploration of just how toxic both secrets and relationships can get.  Intriguing!

4.27.2026 - We Burned So Bright

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Tor Books, and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the new book by TJ Klune, with the audiobook beautifully narrated by Kirt Graves.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Don and Rodney have been married for over 40 years and thought they had more time.  But the world is ending because of a rogue black hole heading for Earth.  They hope they have enough time to make it from Maine to Washington to fulfill a promise.  Traveling in their old RV, they meet others trying to live their last days as best they can.

What a punch this book gives in only 176 pages.  I listened to and read this in one sitting, and it left me in tears, with life lessons to ponder.   It's tragic, beautiful, and a must read.

4.27.2026 - This Weekend Doesn't End Well for Anyone

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press | Minotaur Books, and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest in the Vacation Mystery series by Catherine Mack (pseudonym of Catherine McKenzie), with the audiobook perfectly narrated by Elizabeth Evans.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Eleanor Dash is trying to get in a vacation with boyfriend Oliver and her sister/assistant Harper by accepting a speaking engagement at a book conference in the Bahamas.  But as soon as they walk into their hotel room, someone is dead.  Plus, the trio soon realize that they are surrounded by others they know at the conference (aka characters in the other books).  Let the fun begin!

These books are just so entertaining, as Eleanor talks to the reader about all that is happening, inviting you to come along for the ride and try to solve the murder.  There's a lot in this book and at times it had my head spinning, between actual writing advice that she was presenting, a bit of a confusing plot, and those footnotes!  I actually started listening to this one and felt it was a bit easier than trying to read the footnotes in real time on my Kindle.  I would definitely recommend starting from the beginning in this series so get to the know all the characters, although Eleanor stresses that you don't need to and she will give you all you need!  Looking forward to more in this series!

4.26.2026 - Dogs, Boys, and Other Things I've Cried About

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, William Morrow, and HarperAudio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this sweet memoir by Isabel Klee, with the audiobook narrated by the author.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars rounded up!

I hadn't heard of this author who's a TikTok celebrity and (sorry) I'm not even a dog person, but couldn't resist the title and cover.  I found myself thoroughly enjoying this book.  It's the story of how Isabel took her childhood love of dogs and made it into a career to rescue dogs from around the world.  The stories of these dogs will touch your heart.  Along the way, we learn how she achieved her dream of living in NYC and her experiences with various apartments, friends and romantic partners.  I loved going along on her journey.  The author did a great job narrating the audiobook and I always feel that memoirs are more powerful when read by the author.

4.26.2026 - Dear Mother

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing | Thomas & Mercer for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by Rea Frey.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Isabelle is back home where all her trauma happened, cleaning out her mother's house after her death.  Now a journalist, Isabelle wants an answer to the story that haunts her - her three foster siblings died tragically in a fire when she was 13.  There were so many questions circling around her mother's responsibility, even though the blaze was considered accidental.  When her mother's autopsy report comes back, Isabelle is more determined than ever to find answers.

I’m a big fan of Rea Frey’s books and this one kept me glued to the pages.  Told from multiple points of view and two timelines, the best part is how the suspense and tension was palpable through the entire book – I was just waiting for the other shoe to drop.  The characters were portrayed realistically, and I felt so anxious for them.  The creepy woods just added another layer of suspense.  Besides being a mystery on many levels, it was also a look into motherhood, even though we never meet one of the mothers.  And that ending?  Mind blown.  Sequel please!!

4.25.2026 - Dark is When the Devil Comes

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press | Minotaur Books, and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the new novel by Daisy Pearce, with the audiobook perfectly narrated by Catrin Walker-Booth.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Hazel comes back to her small hometown to housesit for her parents and hopefully reconnect with her sister, Cathy.  The sisters arrange to meet for lunch but then Hazel fails to show.  Things just aren't feeling right, and Cathy enlists her friend, Suzie, to investigate.

There is a lot going on in this book - so atmospheric, with a small town closeness, creepy woods, folklore passed down, family drama, and even supernatural elements.  The horror is spun out slowly, the scare factor inching up the entire time until you can't quite catch your breath.  The villain is horrible and will make your skin crawl, while reminding you that monsters live among us and aren't always easy to recognize.  I felt for the sisters, juggling all those sibling tensions, and liked Suzie's character as well.  Even Cathy's kids will warm your heart.  he narration was wonderful with all the characters and again upped the creep factor.  Another wonderful book by this author and I can't wait to see what she has in store for us next!

4.25.2026 - The Wedding Vow

Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for gifting me a digital ARC of the re-release of this thriller by Dandy Smith.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own – 4 stars!

 

Verity and Linden Lockwood are the perfect couple, until Linden is brutally murdered in their home.  One year later, her world is shattered again when she discovers evidence that Linden was not the man she thought he was; he had been having an affair.  Determined to find out the identity of the other woman, Verity delves deep into their lives.  Everyone is a suspect, but the truth may be more dangerous than she realizes.

 

Told from alternating chapters of The Wife and The Other Woman, there were so many twists and turns in this book that I had a bit of trouble keeping them all straight.  But that didn’t lessen the fun; this was a quick read that had me questioning everyone until that last shocking twist!

4.24.2026 - Everything Has Happened

Many thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for gifting me a digital and physical ARC of the latest novel by a favorite, T. Greenwood.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own – 5 stars! 

In 1986, Edie Marshall dreamed of escaping her small Vermont town, anxious for a bigger life.  But then her little brother, Charlie, vanished on his walk home from camp and nothing was ever the same.  In 2023, Edie is teaching at her old high school and has returned to her childhood home to take care of her mother.  Then a call comes in on their old tip line from Jericho, the brother of her estranged best friend and the only person of interest ever identified, who believes he found something of Charlie’s on his property.  Suddenly, everything in the past comes back.

 

I loved this book – Greenwood has such a way with her words.  Told from these dual timeframes, we see Edie come of age in the 1980s and it is certainly nostalgic and will take you back in time.  You can feel the angst of Edie’s long-ago decisions and secrets and how they have affected her present life.  I also related to her taking care of her mom, with all the feelings that invokes.  The mystery was compelling, but it’s the characters that really shine.  I was sad when it was over.

4.24.2026 - Big Nobody

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House for gifting me a digital ARC of the debut novel by Alex Kadis.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

It's 1974 in London and Connie Costa is miserable.  She blames her dad, whom she refers to as The Fat Murderer" for the death of her mom and younger brothers in a car accident.  Her dad rules the roost with an iron fist, and Connie spends her time talking to the rock star posters in her room.  The bright spot in her life is her burgeoning relationship with Vas.

This book melds a couple of strong themes - it is a funny coming-of-age story as we get Connie's stream of consciousness about her life.  But it's also a book about childhood and generational trauma and abuse, and how to survive.  Connie's character was so bright and vibrant and you will be cheering her on throughout the book.  It was quite nostalgic as well, as I was Connie's age in 1974.  Loved the dark humor.  Wonderful debut - will be anxious for more from this author!

4.23.2026 - Ms Mebel Goes Back to the Chopping Block

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest novel by Jesse Q. Sutanto.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Mebel is a self-proclaimed trophy wife, but when her husband of more than 40 years announces that he's leaving her for their private chef, her world is turned upside down.  But she has the perfect plan - go to culinary school to be able to create a perfect meal and win back her husband.  Four days later, she finds herself in a small village outside of Oxford, surrounded by. much younger classmates.  

This was fun - full of laughs and adventures, but also with a more serious theme of self-discovery, no matter what age.  It's definitely a story of found family and being there for each other.  There's a bit of mystery involved as one of the students disappears, and no one but Mebel is willing to do anything about it.  I especially liked how the changed Mebel interacted with her daughter-in-law.  

Jesse, if you are reading this review, hello Carrie Breadshaw! 

4.23.2026 - This Song is About Me

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Little A, and Brilliance Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest book by Melissa de la Cruz, with the audiobook narrated by Dominique Salvacion.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 3.5 stars rounded up.

It's award night, and as soon as she walked off the stage, Ryan Holding, the biggest star in the world, disappeared.  Six years later, there is still no trace of her.  What happened?  Reporter Elyse James wants the truth, and interviews everyone to try and find out the answers.

I really liked the way this story was told, through interviews from multiple points of view, giving us an oral history.  I thought the narrator did a great job doing all the different voices.  However, it was not even a veiled retell of the story of Taylor Swift, although with a different ending as of now!  While I like some of her songs, I'm way too old to be a Swiftie, so I probably wasn't the target audience for this book.  It would definitely work as YA.  It certainly showcases the dark side of fame and how the public feels entitled to every bit of a celebrity, made worse with social media.

4.22.2026 - The Mountains We Call Home

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for gifting me a digital ARC of the third book in this wonderful series by Kim Michele Richardson. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Following in line with the first two books in this series, this book goes back to the story of Cussy Lovett.  We learn about her time in prison, bringing hope to the incarcerated women, while yearning for her husband and daughter.  

I waited to read the second book so that I could read these two in order, and the story really resonated that way.  You can read any of these books as a stand alone, but I'd highly recommend immersing yourself in this Kentucky world.  While once again showcasing the themes of prejudice (Cussy has hereditary methemoglobinemia, giving her skin a blue color) and the lack of women's rights, in addition to poverty and illiteracy, this book really focuses on the effects of incarceration on the families of the poor and powerless.  But it also focuses on the resiliency of the human spirit, how found family can change our lives, and the power of books.

4.22.2026 - The Book Woman's Daughter

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for gifting me a digital ARC of the second book in this wonderful series by Kim Michele Richardson.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Following in line with The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek, this book focuses on Honey Lovett.  Her parents have been arrested and are in jail for being in a "mixed" marriage, and Honey tries to avoid becoming a ward of the state.  This was another wonderful book, so thoroughly researched, highlighting the prejudice and injustices of the times, as women fought for their basic rights.  While this can be read alone, I think it's best read in sequence.

4.21.2026 - Liar's Creek

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press | Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the new book by Matt Goldman, with the audiobook wonderfully narrated by Fred Berman.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

After twenty years away playing soccer overseas, Clay Hawkins has returned to small town Riverwood, Minnesota, with his son Braedon.  His relationship with his father, Judd, recently replaced sheriff, remains difficult.  When Clay's uncle and Judd's twin suddenly disappears, all three Hawkins men must do whatever they can to find him.

I'm excited that this is the first in the series, and I'm already anxious to see what happens next in Riverwood.  Know that it's more of a character study than thriller, but there was still a good mystery to figure out just what happened to Teddy.  I liked all of the main characters and appreciated the themes of parental expectation, reconnection, and forgiveness - all with that small town feel.  The narrator did a great job with all the voices and I liked having both formats to get fully immersed into this story.