6.8.2022 - Acts of Violet

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for gifting me an audio ARC of the new book by Margarita Montimore, narrated by a wonderful ensemble cast of characters - 5 stars!

Ten years ago, famous musician Violet Volk performed her most famous act of all - disappearing mid-show without a trace.  The public still can't get enough of wondering what happened - is she still alive?  Is she dead?  Something else?  Her sister, Sasha, was always the responsible one and she stayed at home, took over her mom's beauty salon, got married and has a daughter set to graduate college.  But she can't escape the publicity around Violet's disappearance and everyone always assumes she knows more than she is saying.

I adored this audiobook - it made the story come alive.  The story is told in alternating points of view between Sasha and Cameron Frank, host of a podcast centered on Violet's disappearance.  There are also snippets of correspondence between other characters and the audio sound effects just made those fun.  This was also a nod to sci-fi - the nerd in me loved the mention of X Files vs Fringe or Star Trek vs Doctor Who.  Plus, it was such a masterful mix of family drama, mystery, magic history and women's roles.  Don't miss this one!

6.7.2022 - Meant to be Mine

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for gifting me a digital copy of the latest book by Hannah Orenstein - 4.5 stars for a wonderful romance story!

Edie and Rea are twins, having grown up in a loving Jewish family in Brooklyn.  Their beloved grandmother, Gloria, has a gift - she has been able to accurately predict the day that family members will meet their soulmate.  Edie's date is now at hand and she broke up with her boyfriend because, even though she was in love, she knew he wasn't her destiny.  When Edie meets Theo on a plane trip to Maine for Rea's surprise engagement proposal, she knows that he is her meant to be.  But is he?

Just a fun romantic book that asks the question - Is love destiny or do we make destiny happen?  I loved the close family bond that Edie had as well as all the love shown to Brooklyn and NYC and those Jewish traditions.  It even includes a recipe for her grandma's Matzo Ball soup - can't wait to try that!  

6.6.2022 - Elsewhere

Many thanks to NetGalley, Celadon Books and MacMillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the sophomore novel by Alexis Schaitkin, audio narration by Ell Potter - 4.5 stars!

Vera grew up in a remote mountain town with Elsewhere - any place besides their town - just a thought.  Their town has an affliction - mothers disappear, never to return.  No one ever knows when or whom will vanish - but when they do, the other mothers sweep in to gather and burn any remaining photos, clothing or proof of their existence.  Vera's own mother disappeared into the clouds and now that she is a mother, she feels the anxious pull of thought that she could leave her child.  Should she leave first?

This is not an easy read; it requires thought, speculation, and introspection.  But I loved all the topics it introduced - how we give of ourselves to our families no matter the cost; how mothers are judged by others; what we would do for our children; community and isolation.  The narrator's voice was perfect for this book - it was lyrical, otherworldly, and gave life to the beautiful verse.  I was a huge fan of Schaitkin's debut novel, Saint X.  With her latest, she is definitely a must-read author.

6.5.2022 - Her Dying Day

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for gifting me a digital copy of the debut novel by Mindy Carlson - 4.5 stars!

Pear Blossom Jubilee Masterson was raised in upstate New York by hippie parents who sheltered her from anyone outside their little commune.  The minute she turned 18, she left for college and became June and hasn't spoken to her parents since.  Now working on her master's thesis in filmmaking, she once again changes her topic to explore the disappearance 20 years ago of Greer Larkin, a teenage prodigy author whose mystery books June devoured.  While exploring the disappearance, she discovers that many people had motive and opportunity for Greer's death, and June may well have brought danger to her own doorstep with her investigation.

I really enjoyed this mystery and the way it was eventually resolved.  It kept me guessing and changing my mind along the way.  Even though June didn't always make smart decisions with her life, her character made me laugh with her rules of dating a married man and her dealings with the other supporting characters.  I can't wait to read more from this author! 

6.3.2022 - The Messy Lives of Book People

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Park Row Publishing for gifting me a digital copy of the latest book by Phaedra Patrick - 4.5 stars rounded up!

Liz is married and the mother of two boys, about to have an empty nest.  Her husband, Jake, works in the family printing business and there is never enough time or money.  Liz works for three different employers as a cleaner, but her favorite job is working for Essie Starling, an author who wrote Liz's favorite book series.  Liz has always dreamed of being a writer and was encouraged to do so by her professor father, but life intervened.  When Essie dies, she leaves word that Liz is the one who should complete her last book with a short deadline.

This was just a lovely story that drew me in and kept me captivated - what's not to love about a book featuring writers, writing and books?  Liz was so relatable - she always did what she needed to do, didn't complain about her life even when people treated her badly, and kept her dreams quiet.  It was so fun to see her flourish and thrive, yet remain Liz to her core.  I loved all the author and book references in this book too - made it even more relatable to see Liz reading some of my favorites.  Don't miss this one!

6.3.2022 - 1414°

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Snafublishing for gifting me an audio ARC of the debut book by Paul Bradley Carr and narrated by Emily Lawrence - 4 intriguing stars!

Lou McCarthy has spent her career exposing predators in Silicon Valley as she works for the small Bay Area Herald newspaper.  But it's all been for naught - the tech boys always win while she has lost everything.  But when two of her subjects died by public suicide on the same night, she is thrust into the world of online and real world trolls.  She discovers something that she wasn't prepared for while investigating that throws everything for a loop.

This is an interesting book - a story of bad tech boys and the Silicon Valley patriarchy written by a man!  It's a thriller - and a scary one considering how much of our privacy we already give up to our phones, our Fitbits, our home systems.  I thought the narration was great but I did have a little trouble keeping people straight - mostly because there was a lot of subterfuge in the characters.  I loved the title - 1414° is the melting point of silicon.  How apt.  Definitely worth checking out!

6.2.2022 - Out of the Clear Blue Sky

Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by a favorite, Kristan Higgins - 5 stars!

Lillie knew that life would be hard and difference once her only child, Dylan, left home.  But she never dreamt that her husband, Brad, would tell her he wanted a divorce and was in love with someone else right before Dylan left.  Even though she had a good job as a nurse midwife that she loved, she was filled with anger and rage towards Brad and his new love.  So maybe a little revenge was in order?

This book was SO fun on so many levels.  As with all Higgins' books, it makes you think and feel all the emotions but this one just tops all that.  At almost 500 pages, I raced through it and didn't want it to end.  I loved Lillie as well as so many of the supporting characters.  Ultimately, this is a book about doing the right things, being there for each other, and moving on when life throws you a curve.  All mixed up with lots of laughs and heart.  Don't miss this one!