3.31.2025 - Making the Best of What's Left

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for gifting me a digital ARC of the new book by Judith Viorst.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

I have loved all of Judith Viorst’s books, from reading her children’s books to my boys to her decade poem books that I’ve bought for myself and others, so I couldn’t wait to read her latest.  Judith reflects on her life in the Final Fifth, as she terms the period from age 80-100, and living after the loss of her husband.  There are heartbreaking and heartwarming stories, as well as much good practical advice and her trademark humor, honesty, and practicality.  As the caregiver for my mom who’s in her 90s, this one hit home on many fronts.  Highly recommended!

3.31.2025 - Follow Me

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer Amazon Publishing for gifting me both a physical and digital ARC of this debut book by Elizabeth Rose Quinn.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Adrienne Shaw feels like she is the only one who really believes that her twin sister, Chiara, who went missing at a mom-fluencer weekend, never left the resort.  The authorities found nothing, and she feels her brother-in-law is useless.  Adrienne decides to go undercover at the next influencer retreat to see if she can find any answers.  

While this is all a bit over the top, this was an entertaining story with a very relevant storyline.  Especially for moms who are struggling, it’s impossible to measure up with all the Instagram/Facebook perfect pictures and stories.  Adrienne is single and childless and it’s funny to watch her try to fit in with these “perfect” mothers.  Plus, it’s a good mystery to try and figure out exactly what happened to Chiara.  Will absolutely pick up more books from this debut author, plus the film rights have been optioned by Amazon MGM Studios!

3.30.2025 - The Murder Show

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Tor Books and Macmillan Audio for gifting me an audio ARC of the latest mystery by Matt Goldman, narrated by Dan Bittner.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!

Ethan is a show runner for The Murder Show, but when a writer's strike shuts down work, he returns to his family home in Minnesota to try and come up with an idea for his next season.  His high school friend and backyard neighbor, Ro, is now a police officer.  The two decide to try and investigate what happened to another high school friend, Ricky, who died in a hit-and-run accident.  But they may be in for more than they bargained for.

This book felt realistic, mainly due to the fact that Matt Goldman is a screenwriter himself.  Ethan and Ro thought the investigation would be a good subject for the next season of Ethan's show, plus it would bring them closure on what really happened to their friend.  I liked the characters and their relationships, and enjoyed following along on the investigation.  The narrator was great with all the voices, and added to the enjoyment of the story. 

3.29.2025 - The Sirens

Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio for gifting me an audio ARC of this intriguing book by Emilia Hart, beautifully narrated by Barrie Kreinik.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own – 4 stars!

 

In 2019, Lucy is being cyber-bullied by a secret boyfriend who shared pictures of her without her knowledge, and the authorities don’t believe her.  When she awakens in his room in the middle of the night with her hands wrapped around his throat, she flees to her sister’s house.  Jess isn’t there, but Lucy stays in her house awaiting her return.  In 1999, we learn Jess’ story of always feeling different, until a teacher takes a special interest in her.  In 1800, Mary and Eliza are forced onto a convict ship from Ireland to Australia, taking them away from all they know. Trapped, they begin to notice changes in their bodies.

 

This is a wonderful magical realism book, highlighting sisterhood, women’s strength and resilience, as well as generational trauma and family secrets.  That’s a lot to wrap your head around in these different timelines, and the book was a bit slow for me at times.  But the beautiful writing will transport you to another world and the power of water and the sea to transform.  The narration was gorgeous too and pulled me into the stories of these sisters.    

3.28.2025 - The Many Mothers of Ivy Puddingstone

 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Koehler Books for gifting me a digital ARC of this wonderful historical fiction novel by Randy Susan Meyers.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Annabel Cooper wants to save the world. She begins her mission in 1964 as a part of Freedom Summer in Mississippi, trying to register Blacks to vote.  She meets her first love and his disappearance ignites her fight for justice even stronger.  Later, she and her husband as well as four other couples form a Boston political group, living together with all their children.  But as the parents' pull to become more active gets stronger, they move the children to a farm in Vermont, cared for by one of the group members.  Annabel's daughter, Ivy, wants to be normal and misses her parents.  A disaster changes everything.

I love how this book explores the mother/child relationship amid all the political and societal changes from the 60s to present day, as viewed from both Annabel and Ivy.  The parents had the best of intentions - to fight for what they believed is right while keeping their children safe and away from the turmoil.  But we know what is said about good intentions.  This book languished too long on my TBR shift; it was a thought-provoking and sometimes heartbreaking read.

3.28.2025 - The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris

 

Many thanks to NetGalley, Harper 360, Harper UK, One More Chapter for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by Evie Woods.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Edie Lane is grieving the loss of her mother, and has left everything behind in Ireland for a once-in-a-lifetime job at a bakery in Paris. Except, thanks to a mistranslation, the bakery is not in Paris, and neither is Edie.  The tiny town of Compiègne, complete with its local bakery on the Rue de Paris, holds many secrets. This might not be where Edie intended to be but it's not long before she realizes it's exactly where she needs to be

Evie Woods has done it again, and created a magical world that you won't want to leave.  This time it's a bakery in France, and the food descriptions will leave you hungry and needing pastries - and hot chocolate!  Just who is baking all these delicious treats?  Is there magic in the hot chocolate?  This book is sweet and heartwarming, as Evie makes new friends and works to keep the magic alive.  I appreciated how there were French words and phrases but enough information was given to decipher without constantly looking up the translation.

3.26.2025 - When the Moon Hits Your Eye

Many thanks to NetGalley and Tor Books for gifting me a digital ARC of this wonderful book by John Scalzi.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

The moon has turned into cheese.  Now humanity has to deal with it.  Just how's that going to work?  Do you question your faith in God, in science, in everything you thought you knew?  

I love John Scalzi.  In the same vein as The Kaiju Preservation Society and Starter Villain (both 5 star reads for me), these books explore humanity when faced with the unthinkable.  They are funny, thought-provoking, sci-fi light books and his latest is my favorite, I think.  I loved how it explored reactions from different people from all walks of life in almost a connected short story style, as we followed scholars, pastors, students, writers, government officials, and those billionaires who want to go to space.  This was perfection!