Who me? Reading a Western? This is a Sandra Dallas novel, so yes, I am...
In 1863, when their mother dies, Haidie Richards, 14, and her younger brotherWho me? Reading a Western? This is a Sandra Dallas novel, so yes, I am...
In 1863, when their mother dies, Haidie Richards, 14, and her younger brother, Boots, 10, live in an orphanage, but not for long. They soon escape and plan to head from Smoak, IL, to the Colorado Territory. They're in search of their father, Manley, who left four years ago with a severe case of gold fever and high hopes of striking it rich.
Boots and Haidie, disguised as a boy, gain passage with folks traveling to the Western Territory and learn hard and fast lessons along the way. Once they arrive in Colorado, their lessons are far from over...
Tough Luck is a story I enjoyed with a compelling storyline, wonderful characters, and simple descriptive writing that immerses you in the timeline of the 1860s and the culture of the West. I love Haidie, our main character, who held the weight of this story on her tiny shoulders. Dallas made a wise choice by placing the first-person narration of this story in the hands of this brave character. She is a little spitfire!
This was an immersion read; the audiobook is narrated by Mia Hutchinson-Shaw, who recounts the story flawlessly in an accentuated voice appropriate for the timeline and delivers the perfect first-person voice for Haidie. The result is an entertaining listening experience.
This was not the first Sandra Dallas novel I have read. I read her second novel, The Persian Pickle Club, five years ago and loved it. I must admit, though, I fell in love with that beautiful, colorful cover first. Take a look for yourself and see if you agree.
Tough Luck was enjoyable to read and listen to, and just as I said when I finished The Persian Pickle Club, I need to read more from this talented author!
4.25⭐
Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio, and Sandra Dallas for a DRC and an ALC through NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review. Publication date: 4/29/25!...more
The Sirens is the story of two sets of sisters, centuries apart, mysteriously linked by the wonder of dreams and thHAPPY PUBLICATION DAY 4/1/25!!!
The Sirens is the story of two sets of sisters, centuries apart, mysteriously linked by the wonder of dreams and the allure of the sea.
In 2019, the primary setting is on the coast of New South Wales, Australia, where two sisters, Lucy and Jess, are searching for answers from the past...
In 1800, the secondary setting is on a convict ship traveling from Ireland to Australia, where twin sisters Mary and Eliza begin to notice unexplainable changes to their bodies as they get further and further out to sea...
The Sirens is a genre blend of Historical Fiction, Magical Realism, and Mystery, and Hart takes it up a notch by sprinkling in a fair amount of Family Drama to tie everything together. Similar in format to her impressive debut novel, Weyward, this has a contemporary timeline intertwined with timelines from the past. And like her previous book, I cannot take my eyes off the gorgeous cover.
I love how this author's storytelling builds with intricate details and emotions given to the characters. You clearly understand the depth of the research effort to create this intense story. An unexpected twist dropping at 70% was a pleasant surprise, and I flew through the remainder of the book.
This was an immersion read; the audiobook was read by Barrie Kreinik, one of my favorite narrators. She recounts the story flawlessly, switching from English to Australian accents as necessary. Her gender voicing was also discernible, making this a pleasurable listening experience.
The Sirens, Emilia Hart's sophomore novel, does not disappoint, and I will patiently await her next book!
4.5⭐
Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio, and Emilia Hart for a DRC and an ALC through NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review. ...more
Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave by Elle Cosimano is Book #5 in the Finlay Donovan Series!
Finlay has never seen eye to eye with her elderly neighbor,Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave by Elle Cosimano is Book #5 in the Finlay Donovan Series!
Finlay has never seen eye to eye with her elderly neighbor, Mrs. Haggerty, a busybody who keeps snooping around and peering across the street into Finlay's business. Now, the tables are turned, and she may need some help from Finlay.
A dead body was found in Mrs. Haggerty's backyard. She has been cleared of any charges, but her house remains a crime scene. Since Finlay's house is directly across the street, Mrs. H. makes herself at home, moving into Finlay's bedroom, where she has a clear view of her house.
Then, Finlay hears the familiar name of a new suspect in the case, which triggers her immediate interest in the investigation...
Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave, like all previous books, picks up where the last book left off. I was on the fence about continuing this series, as I felt it had lost its original appeal. I wanted more Finlay and Vero, less wackiness, and fewer one-dimensional characters. This one delivers all that and a deeper dive into Finlay and Nick's developing relationship.
Mrs. Haggerty is quite the character and one of the best parts of this story. Come to find out there's more to her than meets the eye. I hope we see more of her in the future.
This was an immersion read; the audiobook is narrated by Angela Dawe, whose voicing of Finlay and Vero is so familiar to me that I can read the ebook alone and still hear their voices in my head. I'm not sure what that says about me, but I continue to be impressed by Ms. Dawe's talent.
Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave ends in another cliffhanger, meaning another book is in the works. I'm excited for book #6 and more of Finlay and Vero's shenanigans!
4.5⭐
Thank you to St. Martin's Press - Minotaur Books, Macmillan Audio, and Elle Cosimano for the DRC and ALC through NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review....more
Two women, Stephanie and Jasmine, are on the same plane, sitting in the same row, but have never met.
Their circumstances are very different. StephaniTwo women, Stephanie and Jasmine, are on the same plane, sitting in the same row, but have never met.
Their circumstances are very different. Stephanie is traveling to a business meeting; Jasmine is escaping from an abusive relationship.
Days later, both women begin texting friends about the same man. The texts become increasingly strange and concerning. Then Stephanie and Jasmine disappear...
The Business Trip is a story I was drawn into immediately and found seriously addictive until Part Three, which began to slow down and feel repetitive, often quoting the same dialogue from previous chapters. I did enjoy the author's creative storyline and the balance of likable and unlikable characters, but I wanted to know more about them. Perhaps giving the characters more depth of backstory would have been better than using so many pages to explain what happened.
I never stopped reading and remained curious about the final denouement. I understand how thrillers can feel over the top, and I am okay with that in this story. What I was looking for and didn't find were reasons why I should root for characters I didn't feel a connection to. For me, the characters are the most essential part of every story.
An immersion read, the audiobook has an entire cast of narrators recounting each character's first-person narrative. It was well done!
The Business Trip is a story I liked, and Jessie Garcia is a creative storyteller and author to watch!
3.25⭐
Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio, and Jessie Garcia for a DRC and an ALC through NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review. ...more
A broken family. An unbreakable bond of sisterhood...
Claire and Aaron Litvak are divorced parents of two daughters - Lindsey, 22, their natural dA broken family. An unbreakable bond of sisterhood...
Claire and Aaron Litvak are divorced parents of two daughters - Lindsey, 22, their natural daughter, and Grace, 11, adopted as an infant from China. Despite their age gap, the sisters are loving and devoted to each other. The parents are divided, angry, and bitter towards one another. This family is fractured.
Claire and Aaron are notified that Lindsey is in critical condition at a Shanghai hospital from a hit-and-run accident. They arrive separately and wait contentiously by Lindsey's bedside with questions...
Rabbit Moon is memorable, with much to digest for a relatively short novel. It feels heavy, dark, and sad; it has the heaviness of the unknown, the darkness of secrets and lies, and the sadness of unspoken regrets.
Haigh's writing is beautiful, evocative, and addictive, and I didn't want to put this book down or for it to end. I instinctively knew I would love this even before I started reading. I do have one teeny niggle: I wish it were a little longer to accommodate more of Grace's voice and her innate joy. Sharing this could have lightened the heftiness of this heartbreaking story.
This was an immersion read; the audiobook is narrated by Katharine Chin (Lindsey) and Yu-Li Alice Shen (Grace), who recounts the story flawlessly and delivers the perfect first-person voice for Lindsey and Grace. The result is an enjoyable listening experience.
Rabbit Moon is the first book I've read by Jennifer Haigh, and it will be one of my favorite reads for 2025!
4.75⭐
Thank you to Little, Brown and Company, Hachette Audio, and Jennifer Haigh for the gifted DRC and ALC through NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review....more
The Book of George by Kate Greathead is a Character Study of Millennial Masculinity!
When I began this immersion read, I thought I'd made a horrible mThe Book of George by Kate Greathead is a Character Study of Millennial Masculinity!
When I began this immersion read, I thought I'd made a horrible mistake by requesting The Book of George. Seriously. I even set it aside for two months deciding if I wanted to pick it up again. Eventually, I did and you might say, George began to grow on me.
George is quite a character and you may recognize him. He's good-looking, smart, witty, and has great potential but he's his own worst enemy. He has tons of opportunities but motivation has never found a home in his life. He's happy one minute, sullen the next, snarky, makes snide remarks, pushes those closest to him away and if anyone knows what a mess he is, it's George. And, he's the first one to admit it...
So why did I enjoy the heck out of this story?
I love the satirical side of this characterization. Let's face it, George is not a star but you can't help rooting for him. For some crazy reason, you care about him. He's that relative, friend, or co-worker who does something eye-rolling or off-putting that you explain away by saying, "Oh, that's just George, being George!" Right?!
Do you recognize George now?
The best of my immersion read was the audiobook and the excellent narration of Blair Baker. She hit all the right notes in all the right places and she nailed the voice of George. I think it's also worth mentioning that this is a book about a man named George written and narrated by women. They brought George to life in a way that made him feel familiar to me.
I enjoyed The Book of George much more than I thought I would when I began and I know this won't be a book for everyone. After all, George is an acquired taste. For me with its satiric humor and ridiculous George moments, it was just what I needed! 4.25⭐
Thank you to Henry Holt and Co., Macmillan Audio, and Kate Greathead for a DRC and an ALC via NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review. ...more
Augusta Stern is on the threshold of turning eighty, newly retired, and relocated to Southern Florida. And now she's feeling out-of-s0rts emotionally.Augusta Stern is on the threshold of turning eighty, newly retired, and relocated to Southern Florida. And now she's feeling out-of-s0rts emotionally.
First of all, she's unhappy about being forced to retire. Secondly, she's unsure about living in a senior community far from where she's always lived. But mostly, she's shocked and perplexed at running into Irving Rivkin, who broke her heart sixty years ago...
The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern has alternating timelines of 1920s Brooklyn and 1980s Florida that kept me reading.
* In the 1920s timeline, we are introduced to the two important influences in Augusta's early life in Brooklyn, her father and mentor, Solomon, and the magic of her relationship with her Great Aunt Esther. These chapters are my favorite.
* In the 1980s timeline, we learn how Augusta transitions to her new lifestyle in Florida. I did enjoy the depiction of healthy, active, fun, and intelligent over seventy central characters through these chapters. It was a refreshing perspective of this age group.
An immersion read, the audiobook was narrated by Gabra Zackman, who brought life to the many characters. I found both formats equally enjoyable.
I read the debut novel The Two Family House and fell in love with this author’s simple, uncomplicated, and readable storytelling. Loigman writes evocative stories with heart and soul that are well-researched for historical and character authenticity. Her author's note gives the details of why she wrote this story and it adds to the reasons why I will be here for her next novel.
I recommend The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern to readers who enjoy Historical and Women's Fiction with a sprinkle of magic through the pages!
4.5⭐
Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio, and Lynda Cohen Loigman for a DRC and an ALC through NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review. ...more
The Trail of Lost Hearts is quiet Romance and Women's Fiction with simple writing, meaningful topics, and mature main characters!
Wren Waters once beliThe Trail of Lost Hearts is quiet Romance and Women's Fiction with simple writing, meaningful topics, and mature main characters!
Wren Waters once believed that if you pay attention, the universe will send you exactly what you need.
Now she's not so sure...
Wren meets Marshall Hendricks unexpectedly on a trail while solo geocaching in Oregon. Not initially welcoming to Marshall's friendly small talk, Wren changes her tune when he comes to her aid down the trail. Afterward, Marshall suggests partnering together while continuing to search for hidden cache safely. Based on Wren's close call, she reluctantly agrees and their road trip begins...
Could the universe be at work here? Is Wren paying attention?
The Trail of Lost Hearts is the first novel I've read by this author and it's a refreshing romance story with two mature thirty-something main characters who are likable, vulnerable, and flawed. Both experienced recent setbacks with Wren needing alone time and Marshall craving a distraction. Important topics of grief, trust, and mental health are addressed realistically.
This was an immersion read and I preferred the digital version over the audio, narrated by Eric Meyers and Kate Handford. The voicing was fine overall but felt stilted and uncomfortable at times and didn't translate similarly in the digital version.
If you're in the mood for a quiet, refreshing romance, The Trail of Lost Hearts could be the one! 3.75⭐
Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio, and Tracey Garvis Graves for a DRC and an ALC via NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review. ...more
Bless Your Heart has a lot to love with interesting family dynamics, light horror and humor, diverse characters, and a unique premise all wrapped up iBless Your Heart has a lot to love with interesting family dynamics, light horror and humor, diverse characters, and a unique premise all wrapped up in a Southern Fiction story.
There are also vampires, specifically, ones that are called Strigoi. In Romanian mythology, Strigoi are said to be troubled spirits that rise from the grave. They can be quite troublesome and in 1999, in a small town in Southeast Texas, they're giving Evans Funeral Parlor, quite the time of it.
The four generations of Evans women who own this local funeral parlor are doing their level best to get a handle on the Strigoi issue while protecting certain secrets that need to remain buried...
Bless Your Heart was more entertaining than scary and heads up if blood and gore aren't your thing. It's plentiful here. I did enjoy the strong female characters from the Evans family but I wanted more backstory about them and less Southern chatter that slowed things down. Was I the only one who thought the Strigoi felt more like zombies than vampires? That's just me wondering out loud.
This was an immersion read where I preferred the digital version over the audio, narrated by Stephanie Németh-Parker. Her voicing was stellar but again, the Southern chatter wore me down.
If you enjoy light Horror mixed with Southern Fiction Bless Your Heart may be the beginning of a great series for you!
3.5⭐
Thank you to Minotaur Books, Macmillan Audio, and Lindy Ryan for a DRC and an ALC of this book through NetGalley. It has been a pleasure to give my honest and voluntary review....more
Devil Is Fine by John Vercher is a Blend of Family and Literary Fiction with Touches of Magical Realism!
Our unnamed narrator is a biracial American auDevil Is Fine by John Vercher is a Blend of Family and Literary Fiction with Touches of Magical Realism!
Our unnamed narrator is a biracial American author who leads us through this story speaking in his head to his recently deceased teenage son, Malcolm. He is ravaged with grief, resulting in debilitating panic attacks.
Days after the funeral, he receives a letter from an attorney concerning beachfront property Malcolm inherited from his estranged white maternal grandfather, Malcolm's great-grandfather. As his son's next of kin, this property now falls to him.
What begins as a quick trip south to view and sell the property, ends with unexpected news from an on-site inspection. Our unnamed narrator feels himself spinning in the aftermath of the tragic death of his only child and the shock of what is on this inherited land...
Devil is Fine is the first book I've read by this author and there is much to love about Vercher's beautiful writing, choice of sensitive topics, and flawed characters. This is one of the best books I've read this year and, at less than 300 pages and 9 hours, it's a perfect choice as an immersion read. The audiobook, magnificently narrated by Dion Graham and one of the best narrations I've experienced, was my preference, but either format will deliver a memorable read.
I felt compassion for our unnamed narrator who struggles with his biracial identity, his intense grief, and the bridges he's burned in his relationships. His spiral was hard to witness as he continued making poor choices, yet, I was mesmerized by the author's use of Magical Realism which left me questioning what was real, imagined, or mystical, and feeling much like the unnamed narrator felt.
If you enjoy a blend of Family and Literary Fiction with touches of Magical Realism that leave you wondering, Devil is Fine is a satisfying option I highly recommend!
5⭐
Thank you to Celadon Books, Macmillan Audio, and John Vercher for a DRC and an ALC of this book through NetGalley. It has been a pleasure to give my honest and voluntary review. ...more
Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder was not the Cozy-Mystery I thought it would be...
Still, I love Lenny Marks! I love how she is regimented, doing certLenny Marks Gets Away with Murder was not the Cozy-Mystery I thought it would be...
Still, I love Lenny Marks! I love how she is regimented, doing certain things a specific way, time after time. Making word anagrams calms her. Being surrounded by quiet soothes her. Order and routine are two of her favorite things.
Lenny loves teaching and her students, and is super good at her job. What she isn't good at is dealing with change.
When Lenny receives a letter in the mail and continuing to ignore it doesn't work, her peaceful, quiet existence begins to spin out of control...
Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder is a thoughtful and thought-provoking story with themes of grief and loss, abandonment and secrets, and friendship and acceptance. Horribly sad at times and incredibly heartwarming at others, it was a bittersweet read.
This was an immersion read; the audiobook is read by Annie Maynard, who recounts the story flawlessly in a lovely Australian accent and delivers the perfect voice for Lenny. Her gender voicing is distinguishable and brings life to each of the characters. The result is a pleasurable listening experience.
Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder is an enjoyable debut novel, and when I was finished reading and listening, I was sorry to see Lenny Marks go!
3.75⭐
Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio, and Kerryn Mayne for a DRC and an ALC through NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review....more
There is a subtle meaning to the title Forgotten on Sunday...
Since the passing of her parents, 21-year-old Justine has been living with her grandpareThere is a subtle meaning to the title Forgotten on Sunday...
Since the passing of her parents, 21-year-old Justine has been living with her grandparents and her cousin Jules. She is a nursing assistant at The Hydrangeas, an assisted living facility, and loves listening to the residents tell their stories.
Justine befriends Hélène, a nonagenarian resident, and begins to record the details of her past: her days spent on the beach, her love for a man called Lucien, and her memories of the war.
Justine, moved by Hélène's story and her recollections of the past, is encouraged to piece together her own story driven by the loss she has kept hidden within herself for too long...
Forgotten on Sunday is an emotional, character-driven, and multi-layered story about two women, two separate timelines, and stories from the past. The writing is gorgeous, the prose flows, and the storyline is intense and reflective. As I read, I contemplated the blurred lines between loss of memory and lost memories.
This was an immersion read; the audiobook is read by Elisabeth Lagelée, whose French accent complements the recounting of this story. Her breathy voice perfectly reflects the main character, Justine's thoughtful first-person narration, leading the listener through the tangled tale. The result is a lovely listening experience!
Forgotten on Sunday was my first experience with this author's work, and the timing was ideal with the release of her translated debut novel. It is a beautiful story, and Perrin is an author I will continue to explore.
4.5⭐
Thank you to Europa Editions, Dreamscape Media, and Valérie Perrin for the DRC and ALC through NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review. ...more
The Queen of Poisons by Robert Thorogood is Book #3 in the Marlow Murder Club Cozy Mystery Series!
The Mayor of Marlow, Geoffrey Lushington, drops deadThe Queen of Poisons by Robert Thorogood is Book #3 in the Marlow Murder Club Cozy Mystery Series!
The Mayor of Marlow, Geoffrey Lushington, drops dead during a town council meeting, and with traces of aconite - the queen of poisons - discovered in his coffee cup, the police have no doubt the poor man was murdered. But who would do such a thing? Everyone in Marlow loves the mayor...
The Marlow Murder Club is back! Septuagenarian and crossword puzzle setter Judith Potts, dedicated dog walker Suzie Harris, and the local Vicar's wife Becks Starling are brought in by the police as civilian advisors to have complete control of the investigation.
Short chapters that scrutinize suspect after suspect make this a quick addicting read. Judith, as usual, keeps things interesting, moving along, and slightly outside the lines. Becks reveals more of her personal side and takes a larger part in the investigation. (I think she's quickly becoming my favorite). But, what was Susie doing at the...oh, never mind!
An immersion read, the audiobook was narrated by Nicolette McKenzie and brought life to the story. However, I found both formats equally enjoyable.
With a mix of dry humor, continued shenanigans, shifty characters, and a police force that continues to...what is it that they do? Who else can the folks in Marlow rely on to solve the murders in their community except this trio of female super-sleuths?
I'm looking forward to the next book in this series as these ladies are beginning to feel like old friends!
3.75⭐
Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press, RB Media, and Robert Thorogood for a DRC and an ALC through NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review....more
Bye, Baby by Carola Lovering is Friendship and Women's Fiction With a Touch of Suspense!
Billie and Cassie met during the summer before seventh grade aBye, Baby by Carola Lovering is Friendship and Women's Fiction With a Touch of Suspense!
Billie and Cassie met during the summer before seventh grade and quickly became best friends. Whatever was lacking at home, their friendship filled. Connected at the hip, so to speak, each would do anything for the other.
After high school, they begin to drift apart. As Cassie becomes engaged to a wealthy man, Billie notices subtle changes in their friendship. When Cassie has a baby and Billie remains single and childless, she realizes there's not much left that connects them. Still, Billie remains hopeful...
Bye, Baby is told in Cassie's and Billie's first-person narratives through short, alternating chapters. The focus is on the 30 days before Cassie's 35th birthday, and on the backstory of their friendship. Initially, I didn't care for either protagonist but as the details of the friendship began to unfold, my understanding of both characters levels out. It's a complicated relationship, to say the least.
This was an immersion read-listen through the gifted DRC and ALC. The audiobook narrated by Helen Laser and Karissa Vacker was my preference, but either format will deliver a great experience.
Bye, Baby feels more like Friendship and Women's Fiction with a touch of Suspense rather than a Mystery-Thriller. The pace is consistent and the contrast in personalities between the two main characters contributes to the emotional drama of the story. I enjoyed this far more than I expected to and I love the way it ended. Recommended!
4⭐
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio, and Carola Lovering for a DRC and an ALC of this book through NetGalley. It has been a pleasure to give my honest and voluntary review....more
This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel is a Stunningly Beautiful Story!
Did I fall in love with the cover first? I didn't read the synopsis and I dThis Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel is a Stunningly Beautiful Story!
Did I fall in love with the cover first? I didn't read the synopsis and I didn't know where it would take me, but I was pleasantly surprised by the outcome. If I were to tell you how much I loved this story, it wouldn't be enough...
This Is How It Always Is is a uniquely original and unexpectedly beautiful story with engaging writing and a soft, quiet narrative. It's about a family of seven: five boys, mom Rosie, who is a doctor, and dad Penn, who is a writer. The youngest child, Claude, is different from the other four boys. He feels different, sees himself differently, and when he's five years old, he tells his family that he wants to be a girl when he grows up...
I couldn't stop listening to this story as it carried me along like another member of their family. I adored all of them for their resilience and their immovable displays of love that start at the top, with Rosie and Penn, and trickle down to youngest child, Claude. This is a couple who loves each other, their family, and each of their children in equal measure. Their relationship as a couple is the heartwood that supports the weight of their family.
Mixed within this story is a fairytale told to the children by Penn each night at bedtime that lends a metaphorical tone to the story. Children love fantasy and magic, and Penn loves subliminally playing to the crowd. Did I mention that Penn was my favorite character and his words of reason were magic to my ears?
This Is How It Always Is isn't just a story about one topic, one family, and one different child. At its core, Rosie and Penn are making decisions concerning their children. It comes with the territory and even with the best intentions, it's a tough place to be. This component brings shocking realities to the story.
The audiobook was the best choice for me and my love of the story. Hearing Gabra Zackman narrate this family's story in her soothing voice was exactly what I needed. Why did I wait so long to listen?
This is how you write about a polemical topic and balance it with sensitivity, understanding, and compassion through a loving and thoughtful family of seven. This is how reading can awaken an awareness about the impacts of being transgender from a child's, parent's, and sibling's perspectives.
This Is How It Always Is is a well-thought-out, thought-provoking, and stunningly beautiful story that brought tears to my eyes as I smiled. I highly recommend this amazing book to everyone who can read!
5⭐
Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and Laurie Frankel for an ALC of this book. It has been a pleasure to give my honest and voluntary review....more
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