👶👶👶👶: Blue Hours: A Novel, by Daphne Kalotay

I recently finished listening to this unexpectedly meditative novel, and honestly, I'm not even mad that it wasn't the ending I'd hoped for; in fact it was more poetic than my reasonable mind could have conjured up. The story was raw and intelligent, and had some truly resonant moments. Sure, the plot stretched the limits of believability, yet somehow I was still moved. @daphnekalotay has a way with words that take hold, and suddenly there I was on an unexpected journey with 2 unlikely souls from the hip early 90s in NYC to the chaos of war-torn Afghanistan in the 2000s. While it was a bit of a mental stretch, I also found it uniquely effective. Also, shout out to Ms. Kalotay on the development of the character Awesome! What a breath of fresh air he brings to the storyline, providing just the right amount of comedic relief and giving us someone to truly root for during the most intense moments.

I'm always a sucker for a book narrated by @justjuliawhelan so when I was given the chance to listen this audiobook, my response was an immediate YES!!! Ms. Whelan has this amazing ability to breathe life into novels and she's a big part of why I enjoy Kristin Hannah's work so much. Her character portrayals are spot-on, the accents are so authentic, and the emotional depth to her voice is unequaled.

Many thanks to partner @tlcbooktours - it's always a joy to read and promote your books!

Read 9/25/26

👶🏼👶🏼👶🏼👶🏼: The Amateur, by Chris Bohjalian

In my opinion, authors who can seamlessly navigate multiple genres are the true talent in the literary world. The first book I picked up by @chrisbohjalian was 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑱𝒂𝒄𝒌𝒂𝒍'𝒔 𝑴𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔, a captivating piece of historical fiction that gave me a deeper understanding of the Civil War. This latest novel, however, was a whole different experience. It served as a sharp critique of the outdated perspectives of the late 1970s while also providing an insightful psychological exploration of youthful misconceptions. Mr. Bohjalian has done an incredible job of bringing us right into the mind of the young protagonist.

In this gripping story set in 1978, we follow 18-year-old Mira as she grapples with the aftermath of a tragic incident where she accidentally killed her classmate with a golf ball during practice. In the wake of this terrible tragedy, readers discover revelations about Mira's life, including her own complicated self-image.

Mr. Bohjalian has definitely excelled in immersing his readers in the culture of the late '70s, shedding light on the social norms of that time period. It is certainly a cautionary tale about a morally questionable era that we should remain cautious about revisiting, especially as we seem to be experiencing a social setback as of late.

Many thanks to partners @doubledaybooks and @netgalley for this #gifted review copy!

Read 8/17/26

👶👶👶👶: The Shippers, by Katherine Center

What an absolute joy to attend a book signing for @katherinecenter ! This author is the absolute bomb .com! We gained so much insight into her writing process. For starters, we found out that she has written most of her novels in Galveston (a local author🎉), which is also the embarkation port in her latest story. Secondly, her dedication to thorough research - something not always common in the Romcom genre - is likely why I connect so well with her work. I've tried reading other authors in this space, but I've often struggled to suspend my disbelief... enter 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑩𝒐𝒅𝒚𝒈𝒖𝒂𝒓𝒅 and I was all in! And this latest book was just as engaging. We also discovered that miscommunication is a recurring theme in her stories, and while she playfully acknowledges that it can sometimes get slightly exasperating, I can see why she keeps it in her toolbox. It’s a fantastic way to drive the plot and build anticipation!

Now that I've gushed about what a delight Ms. Center is as a human, let's talk about this book! The characters she created are such a joy; I was genuinely invested in the outcome for the whole cast of quirky misfits. The premise was fantastic (which is surprising coming from a historical fiction enthusiast like me) - it's a childhood friends-to-lovers story and I was all in!!! And the setting? A cruise ship! I was thrilled to discover that the author shares my obsession with The Love Boat!

Also, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the fabulous
@pattimurin who narrated this audiobook - wowza! What a talent! And Lori who owns @then_and_now_bookshop had the foresight to book the @thegrand1894operahouse venue
...just amazing!!! The whole experience was sublime...

So, all this to say, Katherine Center has definitely gained a new fan in me! She was an absolute delight and I whole-heartedly recommend her books! If she’s ever in your area, make sure to stop by and say hello! She's as charming as can be!

Read 6/12/26

👶👶👶👶: Leave Your Mess at Home, by Tolani Akinola

In this surprise debut novel, @tolani_akinola brings to life the challenges that grown immigrant children face as they try to balance two vastly different worlds. As a daughter of immigrants, I completely resonated with the struggle of trying to fulfill my parents' traditional expectations while also attempting to fit into American culture. Reading this novel presented such a familiar tug-of-war; the need to stay true to myself while trying so hard not to let them down.

I also loved diving deeper into the experiences of Nigerian Americans and their dynamic with Black Americans—a topic I never realized I was so ignorant about. To boot, the characters were well developed; I genuinely found myself invested in their journeys and where they would lead. Ms. Akinola truly hit it out of the park with her debut!

Many thanks to @pameladormanbooks and @netgalley for sharing this #gifted early review e-copy. I am always grateful to delve further into immigrant stories.

Read 5/21/26

👶👶👶👶👶: Mad Mabel, by Sally Hepworth

WOWZA!!! It's been ages since I've managed to read a book in one day! So, if that doesn't speak volumes (pun intended) about how excellent this book is, I'm not sure what will! This book had me hooked from the very first page:

"𝐼𝑡'𝑠 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝑜 𝑛𝑜𝑡𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑡𝑤𝑜 𝑔𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑝𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑝𝑒𝑜𝑝𝑙𝑒 𝑤ℎ𝑜 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑟𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑙𝑦, 𝑖𝑓 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟, 𝑠𝑢𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑢𝑟𝑑𝑒𝑟. 𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑠𝑒 𝑔𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑝𝑠 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑒𝑙𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑙𝑦 𝑤𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑡𝑙𝑒 𝑔𝑖𝑟𝑙𝑠...

...𝐼'𝑣𝑒 𝑎𝑙𝑤𝑎𝑦𝑠 𝑙𝑖𝑘𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑘 𝐼 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑎𝑙."

C'mon! How could anyone put a book down after an intro like that?! And that was just a snippet of the prologue... This novel was EXTRAORDINARY!!! I am such a sucker for stories about old curmudgeons, and this was no exception. To boot, Mabel had such spunk; I found myself rooting for her right from the start! I ran the gamut of emotions throughout the story. @sallyhepworth you really outdid yourself!

There’s so much to unpack about this book, but can we take a moment to appreciate that this kind-hearted author included a beloved fellow late bookstagrammer as a character?! I was so touched to see Linda Raiti @lilyraiti in the story—it was such a magnificent tribute.

Speaking of character development - it is simply sublime. I felt as though I knew each individual intimately in such a short span. I adored the relationship between Mabel and Daphne, and oh, sweet Persephone. The description of Cess as a fascinating contradiction stopped me cold - that could've been me. Fun fact: my nickname in grade school? Maybelline!!! I could go on and on about this book.

Absolutely ALL. THE. STARS!!! Run to the bookstore NOW!!!

Many thanks to #partners @stmartinspress and @netgalley for this #gifted early review copy! Loved every minute!

Read 4/21/26

👶👶👶👶: The Blackwoods, by Brandy Colbert

What a treat to receive a box of surprise book mail from @harpercollins , one of which was this unexpected delight, The Blackwoods. The cover is absolute🔥🔥🔥 as you can see, and the story was just as hot!

It was a tale of 3 generations of black women in Hollywood who really made a name for themselves throughout the decades. The matriarch, Blossom Blackwood, had to make some truly difficult decisions along the way to foster her own career. Having had a mother who spent some time in Vaudeville, but ultimately moved on from her career, Blossom made it her mission to become successful. Being a black woman in Old Hollywood proved to be a most difficult task, and yet she was able to pave the way for the next generations in her family, Hollis & Ardith. This book was so clearly a labor of love for the author, and this heartfelt sentiment came across in her vibrant characters.

I especially loved reading the author's note, in which she recounts her inspiration for writing this book. Watching a wide assortment of TV shows growing up, one in particular stood out to her, featuring Diahann Carroll (love her❤️). She noted what a pioneer she and others were in Old Hollywood, and acknowledged what a triumph it was for these trailblazers to build the foundation for future generations of black actors. What a powerful tribute @brandycolbert has written here👏👏👏!

It was a really entertaining story and one that I was so glad to have been #gifted by the publisher. Thank you again, Harper Collins!

Read 6/1/24

👶👶👶: Sike, by Fred Lumer

This novel was definitely one of a kind! I can really tell that the author has a brilliant mind—his writing is quite cerebral and thought-provoking.

I was quite intrigued by the idea of AI glasses with an app that functions as a psychotherapist around the clock. We’re actually not too far from that reality! My son has a pair of Meta sunglasses equipped with a built-in camera and AI that can identify whatever he's looking at. They can even send messages and make calls—how cool is that? So, I was really captivated by the concept explored in this book.

However, I did find the story a little disjointed, which made it tough for me to keep up with the plot. I tend to connect with characters right away, and I struggled to do that here.

I really don’t like to undervalue anyone’s work, especially knowing how much effort and passion this author must have put into his debut. I also believe there’s a “smarter-than-me” audience out there that would absolutely appreciate this kind of intellectual writing. If you enjoy a clever novel that delves deep into the human psyche, this could be just the book for you!

Many thanks to partner, @celadonbooks for this surprise book mail!

Read 8/22/25

👶👶👶👶👶: Here One Moment, by Liane Moriarty

Okay Liane Moriarty, I see you now! This novel, a finalist in the 2024 Goodreads Choice Awards, really resonated with me. Poignant and powerful, I was absolutely GLUED to the pages from the moment Cherry, an older, seemingly ordinary woman, stood up in the airplane. From that moment on, it was unputdownable!

This novel truly invites readers to reflect on their own lives - even the small choices that often feel inconsequential. It was definitely an amazing pick for our Book Club!

It certainly begs the question: ❓️If you had known the path your life would take, would you have changed anything along the way❓️

ALL the stars from me!!!

Read 7/2/25

👶👶👶: The Scandalous Life of Ruby Devereaux, by M.J. Robotham

90-year-old Ruby Devereaux isn't one to back down from a challenge, especially when she can drop some jaws along the way. So when her publisher demands she fulfill her contract and write one more book, Ruby ultimately obliges, but does so on her own terms, adding some shock value along the way.

This novel takes readers on a romp through a good portion of the 20th century, all while learning a few of the "scandalous" details of the many loves of her life.

Overall, it was an entertaining read. I enjoyed Ruby's feisty nature and her assertion of her female autonomy. I'm probably not in the target audience, but for the most part, I still enjoyed Ruby's escapades throughout the decades - even the farfetched ones. I will admit, the historical fiction aspect kept me interested for sure. If romance tropes are your shtick, this novel certainly covers several of them!

Many thanks to partner, @kayepublicity for this #gifted review copy.

Read 8/20/24

👶👶👶👶: Mercury, by Amy Jo Burns

Temperatures rise in this hometown mystery set in the small town of Mercury, Pennsylvania. Marley, a drifter who has spent the better part of her youth traipsing from town to town as her vagabond mother searches for work, finds herself drawn into the Joseph family's drama. Amy Jo Burns does a wonderful job with character development, and I found myself completely enthralled in the family dynamics! Albeit a whole lot of crazy in this small town, it was a story with rich layers that delved into human frailty. Of course, I figured out whodunit early on, but luckily, that didn't detract from the story.

Many thanks to Celadon Books for this gifted coming-of-age novel.

Read 4/6/24

👶👶👶👶👶: The Briar Club, by Kate Quinn

I've learned, through the years, that you just can't go wrong with a Kate Quinn novel. She has quickly become an auto-buy author for me, and I relish her work. Honestly, I've tried many a cozy mystery, and it is rare that I read one that I absolutely love, but this one was certainly an exception. Throw in some historical fiction, and I'm hooked from page one.

Set in DC during the Second Red Scare, it was fascinating to learn about the fear that enveloped people during that time. I fell in love with nearly every character, as they were all incredibly well-fleshed-out. I so love the concept of making the house itself a viable character; it added just the right touch of humor and charm to the story.

It was so witty of Ms. Quinn to include a nod to The Rose Code by including a relative of a character in that novel. I also appreciated that not only was the culprit of the crime a mystery for the reader, but so was the identity of the victim! The reader is therefore strung along in the hopes of discovering these two curious mysteries🤔. It was also fun to discover the back stories of all of the characters along the way, and each one was more intriguing than the next. And I can't forget to rave about the recipes included with a humorous twist (iykyk😂).

Bravo, Ms. Quinn! What a privilege to be given a gifted review copy prior to pub day, from partners , William Morrow Books and Netgalley! Thanks so much!

Read 7/9/24

👶👶👶👶: Looking for Smoke, by K.A. Cobell

I get so excited for new authors when they hit it out of the park with their debut novels! Pop off K.A. Cobell! This story was powerful and truly demanded my attention from the first page. Although it is considered a YA novel, it is smartly written and incredibly informative. As an OwnVoices author, Ms. Cobell has written a murder mystery with heart and substance. I learned so much about the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) movement, which advocates for the end of violence against Native women. The data shared in this novel is staggering: 𝙁𝙊𝙐𝙍 𝙄𝙉 𝙁𝙄𝙑𝙀 Native women have experienced violence, and their murder rate is 𝙏𝙀𝙉 𝙏𝙄𝙈𝙀𝙎 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙉𝘼𝙏𝙄𝙊𝙉𝘼𝙇 𝘼𝙑𝙀𝙍𝘼𝙂𝙀!!! Can we just take a moment to digest that? That is absolutely horrifying and unacceptable. Thankfully, more light is being shed on this tragedy: President Biden selected May 5th as Missing Murdered & Indigenous People day, and more and more people are recognizing the seriousness of these crimes happening right here in our backyard. We can not just stand by and allow this to happen to these women, and must spread awareness in any way we can.

Many thanks to partners, Harper Collins and NetGalley for this gifted review copy. What an important read!

Read 6/16/24

👶👶👶: Klara's Truth, by Susan Weissbach Friedman

Susan Weissbach Friedman debuts with this fictional account of Dr. Klara Lieberman, a professor of archaeology in Maine, who discovers hidden family secrets a world away. The story takes readers through Klara's journey of self-discovery and her revelations of how one's past can shape the present. Although it's a current-day story and can't technically be labeled as historical fiction, I was pleasantly surprised to read so many historical references regarding post-WWII Poland.

The story was written in a very straightforward manner, and read to me like a YA novel, and can therefore be enjoyed by readers of a wide age range!

Many thanks to partners, BookSparks and She Writes Press for this gifted review copy.

Read 6/14/24

👶👶👶: The Limits, by Nell Freudenberger

Get ready for some drama surrounding my favorite topic, and yours, the Covid years! I applaud how Nell Freudenberger captured the emotions and uncertainty of the years surrounding the Covid pandemic. It still seems to be a surreal experience in light of all that happened. This particular story took place in two very different parts of the world: NYC & Mo'Orea island in French Polynesia. It follows the lives of 4 people all bound together by familial obligation. The overarching protagonist, 15-year-old Pia, is the glue that binds - as she is shuttled between her mother, a scientist in Mo'Orea and her father, a doctor, and his young wife in NYC.

The novel takes readers back to that most trying time in our very recent history. Ms. Freudenberger excelled in bringing me right back to the feelings, emotions, and struggles of Covid. There were so many things I had forgotten, things that were so unknown and absolutely terrifying at the time. It was a good reminder of what we've overcome.

I especially appreciated the historical information of nuclear testing in and around the islands, which I knew little about. But you all know I'm a sucker for a good history lesson!

I will admit that some of the technical descriptions of the research went over my head, and I could've done without so much French dialogue that wasn't always fully translated. I didn't like how casually teen sex was approached, if I'm honest, and Pia's infatuation with a much older man was uncomfy for me. I also didn't love the May/December marriage - it was evident Pia's father wasn't fully over his first wife.

However, this story tackles a lot aside from Covid, including broken families, poverty, politics, and environmental degradation as it pertains to mining of coral reefs. I feel as though the author handled each topic with care and respect.

Many thanks to partners, Alfred A. Knopf and NetGalley for this gifted review copy.

Read 6/16/24

👶👶: A Short Walk Through a Wide World, by Douglas Westerbeke

I feel like this novel was an attempt to impart some ethereal wisdom that I was supposed to appreciate, but all I can say is, "What the hayl did I just read???!!!" Clearly, I was not intelligent enough to understand what the author was hoping to promulgate. Honestly, it took me FOREVER to finish this book... like 2 months😱!!! I just couldn't get into it, but I never gave up! The bloody scenes were just too much for me to stomach, and such a strange way to move the plot along. The frustration of Aubrey never being able to escape her unbidden reality only ended up frustrating me.

This book was likened to Addie LaRue, which is the reason I chose to read it, but I must respectfully disagree. Whereas I absolutely adored Addie LaRue, I muddled through this one. I feel terrible being so forthright about my feelings with regard to the book because I know this was the author's debut and he poured his heart into it, but I must be honest, it just wasn't for me. 

However, don't discount it just because of my opinion - if your thing is magical realism with moments of horror, and a tinge of mystery, this might be your cup of tea! But beware of a nonlinear and confusing (for me) storyline that will leave you with many unanswered questions.

Truth be told, I just don't think I was the target audience, so Ima go rinse my palate with something light and lovely.

Many thanks to partners, Avid Reader Press & NetGalley for this gifted review copy! So sorry I didn't love it y'all🙈.

Read 5/22/24

👶👶👶: The Keeper of Lost Things, by Ruth Hogan

A throwback to November book club last year! Sheesh, if I could just keep up with my reviews🙈!

This was a charming little novel. Anthony, a guilt-ridden elderly man mourning the loss of his wife, was a collector of lost items. Laura, a divorcée, was looking for a fresh start while working in Anthony's home as his assistant. Her unlikely inheritance after his death leads readers on a unique journey filled with several serendipitous events along the way.

If I'm honest, the plot felt a wee bit contrived, the outcome was quite predictable, and the addition of the ghost gave it an element of silliness. However, it was a super sweet mini mystery and an easy read. I'd recommend it as a good palate cleanser after a more intense novel, and it kept me entertained from the beginning!

Read 11/8/23

👶👶👶👶: Listen for the Lie, by Amy Tintera

What a wild ride! Amy Tintera absolutely killed it in this uniquely humorous murder mystery. EVERY ONE of our book club members loved it, NONE of us guessed whodunit (we guessed everyone BUT the culprit), and the twists were unforeseen by ALL! But the thing that most speaks to Ms. Tintera's talent is the fact that several of us aren't really true murder mystery fans, and I personally don't enjoy reading stories where the characters engage in infidelity or casual sex. Despite this novel checking off each of those boxes, somehow, with the interjected humor, it just worked and was a truly entertaining novel!

We were big fans of the podcast host, Ben and the protagonist, Lucy, but Grandma was surely the crowd fave! We also loved discussing the characterization of each of the other individuals; Amy Tintera really fleshed out each one vividly. The discussion was so animated, and we highly recommend this novel for other book clubs!

Oh, Celadon Books and NetGalley, I just can't thank you enough for this fun surprise for my book club! The timing worked out perfectly for our weekend getaway, and we had great fun chatting it up after we read it!

Read 2/29/24

👶: Red, White & Royal Blue, by Caset McQuiston

I truly love reading all genres, this just wasn't my bailiwick. I very rarely DNF books, but I just had to call it quits with this one after reading 2/3 of it. And it's not for the reason you may think, so don't @ me! It had absolutely nothing to do with who was in the relationship at all. It was the salacious manner in which the book was written in general. Once they discovered they liked each other, every other scene was an open-door sex scene, and I'm just not into that, no matter who is involved. There was little focus on plot development and too much focus on open-door spice. Close the damn door🙈! On top of that, every other word was F or F-ing when discussing the deed, and I'm just not there. I know plenty of others loved it, so if open-door spice with a litany of obscenities is your thing, more power to you! Call me old school, call me a prude, but thank you, next.

Read 11/15/23

👶👶: Atonement, by Ian McEwan

So Mr. McEwan's prose is beautiful, no doubt. He writes in an almost melodic manner. However, at the same time, his writing is incongruent - often jumping from one scenario to another without solid transitions. Also, in both of his works I've read, he's managed to throw in a shocker or two just to throw his readers for a loop. So, I can see why he is such a notorious author; his work sticks with his readers. The couple allusions to incest definitely turned me off, and I never formed any kind of bond with the characters. So, suffice to say, although he's not my favorite author, I can understand his lure!

Read 11/3/23

👶👶👶: The Guest List, by Lucy Foley

I honestly can't even remember what spurred me to read this novel, as I generally don't gravitate toward murder mysteries, but I guess I was intrigued!

This novel was told in varying timelines, from multiple POVs. This method of storytelling inevitably leads to a feeling of chaos, seemingly by design, as the reader attempts to uncover the truth about "whodunit" from often unreliable narrators. Lots of twists and turns abound - some more predictable than others - and an overall a wild ride.

I liked it, but just didn't LOVE it, probably mostly due to my aversion to murder mysteries, not because of how it was written🤷🏻‍♀️.

Read 8/23