A Founding Mother: A Novel of Abigail Adams by Stephanie Dray & Laura Kamoie

In time for the 250th Anniversary of the birth of the United States comes a sweeping, intimate portrayal of Abigail Adams - wife of one president and mother to another - whose wit, willpower, and wisdom helped shape the fledgling republic. 

In the heart of revolutionary Boston, Abigail Adams raises her children amid riots, blockades, and the outbreak of war. While her husband, John Adams, rises from country lawyer to nation-builder, often away for years at a time, Abigail builds her own independence—managing their farm, making lucrative investments, amassing savings, battling plague and loss, and defending their home. Unafraid to speak her mind, she famously offers fearless political counsel, urging John to “remember the ladies” in the new government. Through it all, she becomes his most trusted confidante and indispensable ally.

When peace is secured, Abigail steps onto the world stage—exchanging ideas with Thomas Jefferson in the French countryside, navigating court life as the wife of the Minister to Great Britain, and presiding over the parlor politics of the early American republic in New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC. Even after her husband’s presidential administration, she continues battling political foes and working behind the scenes to advance her family, secure independence for the women in her life, and ensure a better life for the next generation of Americans.

From war-torn streets to the chandeliered halls of power, A Founding Mother is the unforgettable story of a woman ahead of her time—one whose voice, vision, and valor still resonate powerfully today.

Audiobook, 17 hours 20 minutes

Expected publication May 5, 2026

by William Morrow Paperbacks

4.5/5 stars

A Founding Mother is exactly what I've come to expect from this writing duo - they consistently deliver when it comes to well researched historical fiction.

This story brings Abigail Adams to life.  Set against the backdrop of the American Revolution and the early years of the nation, I didn't just see the political world taking shape but also her personal side. While John Adams is off helping to build a nation she is at home managing everything - raising a family, handling finances while also facing the realities of war and loss.

As with their previous books, the writing is detailed but not bogged down with details.  It isn't a small thing either, 464 pages, it is a slower paced, character driven read.  Abigail Adams was a woman ahead of her time.

I listened to the audiobook, which comes in at just over 17 hours.  It was narrated by Cassandra Campbell - one of my favourites.  

I've had the privilege of meeting Stephanie Dray many years ago and felt honored when she started following my blog in its early years.  Knowing what Laura Kamoie has been through in recent years made certain scenes hit that much harder emotionally.

This Canadian definitely appreciates reading about this time in history and can't wait to see what comes next for this duo.

My thanks to William Morrow for the audiobook arc in exchange for a honest review.

Wildwood by Elinor Florence

A single mother, an abandoned farmhouse, and an epic battle with the northern wilderness. Rediscover the Canadian classic by the #1 bestselling author of Finding Flora.

Broke and desperate, Molly Bannister accepts the ironclad condition laid down in her great-aunt’s will: to receive her inheritance, Molly must spend one year in an abandoned, off-the-grid farmhouse in the remote backwoods of northern Alberta. If she does, she will be able to sell the farm and fund her four-year-old daughter’s badly needed medical treatment.

With grim determination, Molly teaches herself basic homesteading skills. But her greatest perils come from the brutal wilderness itself, from blizzards to grizzly bears. Will she and her child survive the savage winter? Will she outsmart the idealist young farmer who would thwart her plan to sell the farm? Not only their financial future, but their very lives are at stake. Only the journal written by Molly's courageous great-aunt, the land’s original homesteader, inspires her to struggle on.

Paperback, 400 pages

Expected publication April 28, 2026

 by Simon & Schuster Canada

4/5 stars

This was my first time reading this author, I was impressed with the atmospheric writing and strong sense of place. 

Wildwood is a well-written survival story that blends the harsh realities of wilderness living with a personal journey of resilience and determination.

Molly Bannister is a interesting character, her desperation to secure a future for her daughter makes her situation feel urgent and real from the very beginning. Inheriting an old, off the grid farmhouse with the stimulation of having to live in it for a year in order to claim ownership is a lot of pressure for someone who hasn't even seen snow before.  Let alone all the other realities of  country living.  Watching her learn to navigate in the unforgiving northern Alberta wilderness was both gripping and at times stressful in the best way. The elements themselves, between blizzards, isolation and the constant threat of wildlife felt like characters in their own right.

One of my favourite aspects was the dual timeline through her great-aunt’s journal. It added depth and a strong sense of history, showing the parallels between two women shaped by the same land.

All in all this was an immersive and atmospheric read, it's a story about survival, motherhood and perseverance. I’ll definitely be checking out more from this author’s backlist.

My thanks to Simon & Schuster CA for a print arc in exchange for a honest review.

Finlay Donovan Crosses the Line by Elle Cosimano

Life hasn’t been easy for Finlay Donovan lately, but it just got a whole lot harder. Her nanny and partner-in-crime, Vero, has been extradited from Virginia to Maryland, where she’s facing criminal charges for a theft she swears she didn’t commit. A prisoner to an ankle bracelet as she awaits her trial, Vero is forced to live with her overbearing mother and nosy aunt. Threatening messages keep arriving on her mother’s door, demanding Vero “turn over the money . . . or else.” And if she doesn’t figure out who really stole her former sorority’s treasury funds, her next home might be a prison cell.

But proving her innocence might be an impossible feat. Vero was the treasurer of her sorority when the money went missing—one of the only people who had access to the cash. And her alibi is a date who ghosted her. With her court date quickly approaching, and her mysterious stalker on her tail, Vero needs to clear her name fast.

Finlay decides a trip to Maryland is in order. After all, Vero stood by her through her darkest moments, and Finlay will be damned if she lets her best friend and children’s nanny be convicted for something she didn’t do. She sets off on a mission to sus out the real thief and bring Vero home.

Audiobook, 10 Hours, 12 minutes

Published March 17, 2026 

by Macmillan Audio

3.5/5 stars

This the 6th installment in the Finlay Donovan series, Crosses the Line,  picks right up with the chaos I've come to expect, I wouldn’t want it any other way.

This is definitely a series that needs to be read in order. There’s a lot of backstory and character development that carries through each book.  I’d also recommend reading the novellas , they help round out the story nicely.

This time around, the focus shifts a bit more to Vero, which I really liked. Seeing her in the middle of her own mess with an ankle monitor, lots of family drama and a looming court case added a different layer to the usual Finlay focused story.

Finlay, of course is right there diving headfirst into yet another situation she probably shouldn’t be in but that’s part of what makes this series so fun. The dynamic between her and Vero continues to be a highlight, balancing humour with genuine friendship and mystery.

I’ll be honest, it was also kind of nice that her kids weren’t in this one. They’re a busy pair and while they add to the chaos, it gave the story a bit more room to focus on the main plot and Vero’s situation.

The mystery itself kept things moving, the pacing was solid and there were still plenty of those classic chaotic moments that make this series so entertaining.

Overall, a fun, fast-paced read, one that keeps me invested, I’ll definitely be back for book seven - because yea there will be a book 7.

This audiobook was obtained through my Spodify account.

The Anniversary by Alex Finlay

Every Year He Comes For Them.

On one fateful night in 1992, the lives of two seventeen-year-olds are changed and intertwined forever. Quinn Riley, a boy from the wrong side of the tracks, is arrested after he innocently tries to break up a fight but ends up nearly killing someone. Jules Delaney, high school royalty, survives an attack by the elusive and terrifying May Day Killer—a serial predator who strikes every May 1st in midwestern small towns.

A year later, Jules is struggling with trauma and guilt, tormented by one question: Why was I spared? Quinn is newly released from juvenile detention and returns home to fresh the unsolved murder of his mother.

Over the next decade, their lives are revisited on a single day each year—May 1st. As secrets unravel and the paths of Quinn and Jules collide, two mysteries edge closer to the truth. All the while, the May Day Killer is still out there—and the clock is racing toward another May 1st.

The Anniversary is an utterly compelling story of the hunt for a serial killer. But it’s also a heartfelt—and heartrending—novel about fate, innocence lost, and two souls who find that sometimes being broken is the only way for the light to get in.

Kindle Edition, 336 pages

Expected publication May 12, 2026

by Minotaur Books

3.75 stars

Alex Finlay has quickly becoming one of those authors I keep an eye out for, and this one immediately caught my attention. I love the cover.

I was also lucky enough to receive both a digital and audiobook ARC, so I ended up doing a hybrid read again, which worked really well for this one. With the story going back to the same date over multiple years, having both formats actually helped keep everything straight.

The story is told from two points of view, it worked nicely since Jules and Quinn’s lives are so connected. I liked seeing both sides, especially as more pieces started to come together.

Jules and Quinn were both solid characters. The way their lives are tied together from that one night and continue to overlap over the years, it added a bit more depth than I was expecting. It’s not just about the mystery.

The Anniversary is unique in that the story kept going back to May 1st each year. It kept things interesting and I found myself trying to figure everything out as it went along. It’s one of those books where I was trying to connecting the dots.  It is a story about how one moment can change everything and how the truth has a way of coming out, no matter how much time has passed. 

Overall, this was a solid, engaging read and one that kept me turning the pages to see how it would all come together.

My thanks to both St. Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio for advanced copies in exchange for a honest review. 

The Shippers Katherine Center

One of the hottest, fastest-rising rom-com stars delivers her latest swoon-worthy novel about a destination wedding on a cruise ship.

After a whole lifetime of being bad at love, JoJo Burton decides to solve her intimacy issues once and for all at her sister’s destination wedding on a cruise ship. With the help of a little pop psychology, she diagnoses herself with a fixation on the neighborhood guy who was her her first crush and first kiss (and who just happens to be a newly-divorced wedding guest ), and she decides to woo him during the cruise for some long-delayed closure. Only problem is, her sister’s a little busy being a bride at the moment—so JoJo ropes in her childhood bestie, Cooper Watts, to be her wing man. Cooper: who RSVPed no, but then showed up, anyway. Cooper: who left town without a word four years earlier and moved to London. Cooper: who was, if she’s honest, the worst heartbreak of JoJo’s life. It’s bliss for her to see him again, and it’s agony, too—and the more they team up for Project Conquest, the more she obsesses over questions she can’t bring herself to ask.

Shipboard antics ensue in this witty, heart-tugging, childhood-friends-to-lovers romance—as JoJo and Cooper fake flirt, slow dance, share a cabin, sing duets, treat sunburns, get jealous, rescue each other over and over, and finally, at last, figure it all out in the most blissful, swoony, romantic way.

No one does summer romance quite like Katherine Center. THE SHIPPERS will take readers on the cruise of a lifetime in a story awash with romantic longing, top-notch banter, long-held secrets . . . and true love rediscovered.

Kindle Edition, 336 pages

Expected publication May 19, 2026

 by St. Martin's Press

3.75/5 stars

Katherine Center is an auto-read author for me. Ever since reading The Bodyguard, I’ve been slowly working my way through her backlist, and I’ll pretty much pick up anything new she releases.

I was also lucky enough to receive both a digital and audiobook ARC for this one, so I ended up doing a bit of a hybrid read, which worked really well for this kind of story.

The audiobook is narrated by Patti Murin, I’ve listened to a number of books she’s done before and have always enjoyed them. She really does know how to bring a book to life.

A romance set on a cruise ship? As a cruiser myself, I couldn't wait to dig in.

The setting was a lot of fun. Between the wedding prep, the close quarters and all the classic cruise ship moments, it made for a easy, beach read. It has that light, escapist feel her books are known for, but still with some emotional depth underneath.

JoJo is definitely one of those slightly messy, figuring-it-out characters. Her plan to 'fix' her love life added some humour, but also highlighted some deeper issues. I didn’t always agree with her choices but I understood where she was coming from. Then there is Cooper… the childhood best friend who left without a word. Their history is what drives this story. It added tension and gives the romance more weight, even when the story leans into the lighter, rom-com moments.

The romance hits a lot of familiar tropes along with Center's witty banter is always fun to read. Overall, this was a fun, easy read. Not my favourite of hers, but still a solid addition to her backlist and exactly the kind of book I reach for when I want something light and romantic.

My thanks to Macmillain Audio and St. Martin's Press for audio/digital arc in exchange for honest review.

The Happy Ever After Playlist by Abby Jimenez

Two years after losing her fiancé, Sloan Monroe still can't seem to get her life back on track. But one trouble-making pup with a "take me home" look in his eyes is about to change everything. With her new pet by her side, Sloan finally starts to feel more like herself. Then, after weeks of unanswered texts, Tucker's owner reaches out. He's a musician on tour in Australia. And bottom line: He wants Tucker back.

Well, Sloan's not about to give up her dog without a fight. But what if this Jason guy really loves Tucker? As their flirty texts turn into long calls, Sloan can't deny a connection. Jason is hot and nice and funny. There's no telling what could happen when they meet in person. The question is: With his music career on the rise, how long will Jason really stick around? And is it possible for Sloan to survive another heartbreak?

From the USA Today bestselling author of The Friend Zone comes an adorable and fresh romantic comedy about one trouble-making dog who brings together two perfect strangers.

Paperback, 400 pages

Published April 14, 2020

 by Forever

4/5 stars

This is book 2 in The Friend Zone series, which started with The Friend Zone.  You can get away without reading it first but I still recommend it.

The Happy Ever After Playlist is a story of healing and new beginnings.    It's been 2 years since tragedy struck Sloan's life.  Is she ready to move on, open her heart again?  While there is no set time limit on grief, taking that first step is the hardest. 

With the help of Tucker, the doggie, this was a fun read with Jimenez's usual wit, banter and heart. I enjoyed being along side Sloan on this journey as she rediscovers herself and imagines a future for herself.

Coming in at 400 pages, it might have felt a be long but worth it.

This book was part of my 2026 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge, #11

Cinderella and the Beast by Kim Bussing

What would happen if Cinderella found herself in the beast's castle, and Beauty woke up in some evil stepmother's home? Fairy tales meet Freaky Friday in this series, where there’s a magical mix-up for every princess!

Ella’s spent her life dreaming about adventure, but it’s hard to have adventures when you’re stuck with a stepfamily who treat you like a servant. When she unexpectedly wakes up in a land far, far away, she’s thrilled at the chance to embark on an epic quest. That is, until she finds herself trapped once more—this time in the castle of a dangerous beast.

Belle, meanwhile, has plans. Her family’s trading company is on the brink of ruin, and to save it, she’s going to enter—and win—a royal competition in the prince’s honor. But when she unexpectedly winds up in a cellar with a wicked stepfamily who have their own plans to keep her from the competition . . . things get complicated.

Happily-ever-after couldn’t feel farther away. Can Ella escape the beast’s clutches? And can Belle get rid of this stepfamily in time for the competition?

For other Princess Swaps, don't miss Snow White and the Dragon (or, Sleeping Beauty and the Seven Dwarfs)!

Paperback, 304 pages

Published January 7, 2025

 by Random House Books for Young Readers

3/5

The Princess Swap: Cinderella and the Beast  takes two familiar fairy tales and gives them a fun twist, swapping Cinderella and Belle into each other’s stories. It’s unique, kind of a fairy tale Freaky Friday.

The Princess Swap is a story of stepping into someone else's shoes, its challenging and a story of how courage looks different for everyone.  Overall, this was a light, easy read with a clever twist on classic fairy tales. 

There were some fun moments watching Belle and Ella as they suddenly find themselves in completely different worlds.  But I gotta say the closeness of their names got to me a bunch of times, had to rethink where and who I was with.  It's  a nice fit for younger reads - yea you should really know the original fairy tales to get the full effect.

This book was part of my 2026 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge. #4

Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys

It's 1950, and as the French Quarter of New Orleans simmers with secrets, seventeen-year-old Josie Moraine is silently stirring a pot of her own. Known among locals as the daughter of a brothel prostitute, Josie wants more out of life than the Big Easy has to offer. She devises a plan get out, but a mysterious death in the Quarter leaves Josie tangled in an investigation that will challenge her allegiance to her mother, her conscience, and Willie Woodley, the brusque madam on Conti Street.

Josie is caught between the dream of an elite college and a clandestine underworld. New Orleans lures her in her quest for truth, dangling temptation at every turn, and escalating to the ultimate test.

With characters as captivating as those in her internationally bestselling novel Between Shades of Gray, Ruta Sepetys skillfully creates a rich story of secrets, lies, and the haunting reminder that decisions can shape our destiny.

Paperback, 348 pages

Published February 12, 2013

 by Philomel Books

4/5 stars

Out of the Easy is my 2nd book by Ruta Sepetys, Between Shades of Gray was my first, which I loved. Departing from WW2 this one is set in 1950s New Orleans, a city teaming with secrets. 

This story follows Josie Moraine, a seventeen-year-old determined to carve out a life beyond what’s expected of her as the daughter of a courtesan. She is driven and ambition, while also loyal and caring, a character I rooted for. Though a suspicious death, she finds herself pulled deeper into a world she’s trying to escape.

Having been to New Orleans myself, I already had a strong sense and visual of the area, which made the setting feel even more vivid. 

Out of the Easy is a story of secrets, ambition and the pull between where you come from and where you want to go. It highlights how the choices we make can shape our future, even when the odds feel stacked against us. An enjoyable read by an author I really need to read more of.

This book was part of my 2026 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge, #9

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit who enjoys a comfortable, unambitious life, rarely travelling further than the pantry of his hobbit-hole in Bag End.

But his contentment is disturbed when the wizard, Gandalf, and a company of thirteen dwarves arrive on his doorstep one day to whisk him away on an unexpected journey ‘there and back again’. They have a plot to raid the treasure hoard of Smaug the Magnificent, a large and very dangerous dragon…

The prelude to The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit has sold many millions of copies since its publication in 1937, establishing itself as one of the most beloved and influential books of the twentieth century.

Hardcover, 317 pages

Audiobook, 10 hours, 29 minutes

Published November 8, 2012

 by HarperCollins

3.5/5 stars

The Hobbit has been on my radar (and my tbr shelf) for years. Listening to the advice of my off spring and glowing comments I dived into this hybrid read.  Andy Serkis did an amazing job of narrating The Hobbit - he also does The Lord of the Rings books.

It did take a little bit to adjust to the language and the fantasy elements, things like trolls, dwarves and keeping track of all the names and places. But once I settled into the story, I really enjoyed the adventure.

Bilbo is a wonderful character to follow as he is pulled out of his quiet life and takes a journey far beyond anything he imagined. Along the way there are plenty of encounters that make this story feel like a classic quest.

I used to say fantasy isn't a genre i read alot of, but these days I feel that I read plenty.  And this was a fun read.  My print copy had illustrations which had nice visuals. 

My print copy was part of my 2026 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge (#7)

 and the audiobook purchase via Audible

The Friend Zone by Abby Jimenez

Kristen Petersen doesn't do drama, will fight to the death for her friends, and has no room in her life for guys who just don't get her. She's also keeping a big secret: facing a medically necessary procedure that will make it impossible for her to have children.

Planning her best friend's wedding is bittersweet for Kristen -- especially when she meets the best man, Josh Copeland. He's funny, sexy, never offended by her mile-wide streak of sarcasm, and always one chicken enchilada ahead of her hangry. Even her dog, Stuntman Mike, adores him. The only catch: Josh wants a big family someday. Kristen knows he'd be better off with someone else, but as their attraction grows, it's harder and harder to keep him at arm's length.

Paperback, 384 pages

Published June 11, 2019

 by Forever

3/5 stars

I first discovered Abby Jimenez a few books ago and quickly became a fan.  Her witty banter, fun characters, heartfelt stories and there is always a dog to round things out nicely.   So I was curious to read her back list and started with The Friend Zone and am pretty sure this is her debut.

Again I was treated to all the things I mentioned already.  Her characters are engaging and she has a way of mixing humour with emotional moments.  There is always a strong and relevant message given also.

That being said, this one didn't hit the same level for me as some of her later books.  I still enjoyed the story overall but found parts of it felt a bit repetitive and some of the secrets were drawn out longer than necessary.

Even with that it was an enjoyable read and nice to read Jimenez's earlier works.  I have already finished book 2 in this series, The Happy Ever After Playlist.  That review is coming in a couple days.

This book was part of my 2026 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge, #8