The Maid's Secret by Nita Prose

A wedding. A heist. A secret.

Molly Gray’s life is about to change in ways she could never have imagined. As the esteemed Head Maid and recently promoted Special Events Manager of the Regency Grand Hotel, good things are just around the corner, including her marriage to her beloved fiancé, Juan Manuel, only two months away.

But Molly’s entire existence is upended when a film crew descends upon the hotel to shoot the hit reality TV show Hidden Treasures, starring popular art appraisers Brown and Beagle. On a whim, Molly brings in a shoebox containing a few of her gran’s old things for appraisal, and much to everyone's surprise, one item turns out to be a rare and priceless treasure. Instantly, Molly is both a multi-millionaire and a media sensation—the world’s rags-to-riches darling—until the priceless piece vanishes from the hotel in the boldest, brashest antiquities heist in recent memory.

The key to the mystery lies in the past, in a long-forgotten diary written by Molly’s gran. For the first time ever, Molly learns about Gran’s true-to-life fairytale, a young girl to the manor born, the only child of a wealthy magnate. But when Gran falls head over heels in love with a young man her parents deem below her station, her life is thrown into turmoil. As fate would have it, the greatest love of Gran’s life is someone Molly knows quite well….

Together with her friends, Molly combs the past and the present to catch the thief before looming threats against her become real.

A spirited heist caper and an epic love story, The Maid’s Secret is a spellbinding whodunnit that will capture and warm your heart.

Hardcover, 336 pages

Audioboook, 11 hours, 3 minutes

Published April 8, 2025 

by Ballantine Books/Viking

4/5 stars

And here we have the conclusion to Molly the Maid Series, or is it really ?

This was an audio read for me and I quite enjoyed it. Again told from Molly‘s point of view, but also from her Grans as she takes us through her life story. I’ll confess that I really enjoyed Grans story more, because of its history and what takes place.

Molly‘s journey to the altar is interrupted when she discovers that one of her Grans possessions is worth millions, therefore Molly has now become a target for unsavory characters and the media. How Gran was able to possess such an item is what her past story highlights.

This was a great audiobook and an enjoyable mystery, it was a story of hope, family and love & friendship.  A fitting conclusion for Molly.

This book was part of my 2025 reading off my shelf challenge and is booked number 32.

Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry

Two writers compete for the chance to tell the larger-than-life story of a woman with more than a couple of plot twists up her sleeve in this dazzling and sweeping new novel from Emily Henry.

Alice Scott is an eternal optimist still dreaming of her big writing break. Hayden Anderson is a Pulitzer-prize winning human thundercloud. And they’re both on balmy Little Crescent Island for the same reason: To write the biography of a woman no one has seen in years--or at least to meet with the octogenarian who claims to be the Margaret Ives. Tragic heiress, former tabloid princess, and daughter of one of the most storied (and scandalous) families of the 20th Century.

When Margaret invites them both for a one-month trial period, after which she’ll choose the person who’ll tell her story, there are three things keeping Alice’s head in the game.

One: Alice genuinely likes people, which means people usually like Alice—and she has a whole month to win the legendary woman over.

Two: She’s ready for this job and the chance to impress her perennially unimpressed family with a Serious Publication

Three: Hayden Anderson, who should have no reason to be concerned about losing this book, is glowering at her in a shaken-to-the core way that suggests he sees her as competition.

But the problem is, Margaret is only giving each of them pieces of her story. Pieces they can’t swap to put together because of an ironclad NDA and an inconvenient yearning pulsing between them every time they’re in the same room.

And it’s becoming abundantly clear that their story—just like the tale Margaret’s spinning—could be a mystery, tragedy, or love ballad…depending on who’s telling it.

Hardcover, 432 pages

Published April 22, 2025

 by Berkley

4.5/5 stars

This is Emily Henry’s newest release that felt unlike anything she has written before.

Told from the point of view of both Alice Scott and Hayden Anderson, they are vying for the opportunity to write Margaret Ives biography.  A recluse for the past 20 years her life have been filled with scandal, it's quite the story.

Not only do we get Alice and Hayden‘s point of view but we also get Margaret and what it was like growing up in a family with so many secrets, along with tragedy that made headlines. Suffice to say her family was very scandalous over the century.

Great Big Beautiful Life is a story of tragedy, family, and surprises. I know that not everyone enjoyed Henry’s departure from her usual signature writing, but I found this book quite enjoyable. It could be the history buff in me that enjoyed reading about Margaret’s past or rather her family's and what transpired over the years to bring her to where she is now.  Her story is one of heartache along with  twists that took me by surprise and worked perfectly here.

I alternated with the audiobook, which was read by Julie Whalen, she’s one of my favourites and knows how to transport me into the story as well as bringing the characters to life.

This book was part of my 2025 reading off my shelf challenge (#31). The audiobook was obtained through Cloud Library.

The English Masterpiece by Katherine Reay

Set in the art world of 1970s London, The English Masterpiece is a fast-paced read to the end, full of glamour and secrets, tensions and lies, as one young woman races against the clock to uncover the truth about a Picasso masterpiece. Perfect for fans of Kate Quinn and Ariel Lawhon.

As the recently promoted assistant to the Tate's Modern Collections keeper Diana Gilden, Lily helps plan a world-class Picasso exhibit to honor the passing of the great artist--and she's waited her whole life for this moment. The opening is beyond anyone's expectations--the lighting, the champagne, the glittering crowd, and the international acclaim--until Lily does the unthinkable. She stops in front of a masterpiece and hears her own voice say, "It's a forgery." The gallery falls silent.

Lily's boss, Diana, is polished perfection, schooled in art, and descends from European high society. She's worked hard to become the trusted voice in London's modern art scene and respected across the Continent. The Tate's Picasso Commemorative is to be her crowning achievement, featuring not only the artist's most iconic and intimate works, but a newly discovered painting--one she advised an investor to purchase. But when Lily makes her outrageous declaration, suspicion and scandal threaten everything Diana has achieved, as museums and collectors across Europe, already doubting most post-war acquisitions, fall into chaos and rumors of a world-wide forgery run wild.

All Lily has ever wanted is to follow in Diana's footsteps and take the art world by storm in her own right. Yet one comment puts not only her own career at risk but also her mentor's. Unless . . . Was she right? With the clock ticking and the clues starting to pile up against her, Lily must uncover the truth behind the Picasso before she loses not only the career she's always wanted, but her freedom.

Block off your calendar and lose yourself in The English Masterpiece, a thrilling read that will keep you on the edge of your seat till the very end from the author who brought you The London House and The Berlin Letters.

Paperback, 304 pages

Expected publication June 10, 2025

 by Harper Muse

4/5 stars

Katherine Reay has turned into one of my auto read authors, I am still going through her back list and jumped when offered a print arc of her newest read which releases tomorrow (June 10).

I love that the setting takes place in 1970s London, England. A world void of social media and electronic devices, however it was a time when women were not always accepted in the workplace. In The English Masterpiece Pablo Picasso has just passed away. His art is in demand, and when Lily, assistant to a highly respected Art curator, utters three words her life changes in an instant. Those three words, 'it's a forgery'. Not only is Picasso's painting on display but up for sale as well.

Told from the point of view of both Lily and her boss Diana, we enter into the world of modern art with its inner workings and suspicious activity. I really enjoyed this read. I found it interesting and appreciate the research to the author undertook to bring this story to light. It was well written with authentic characters and certainly reflected the time period.

While The Berlin Letters is still my favorite Reay book, The English Masterpiece follows close behind.  I am looking forward to continuing with my dive into her backlist. I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next.

My thanks to Harper Muse for a print arc in exchange for a honest review.

The Sapphire Widow by Dinah Jefferies

A sweeping, breath-taking story of love and betrayal.

Ceylon, 1935. Louisa Reeve, the daughter of a successful British gem trader, and her husband Elliot, a charming, thrill-seeking businessman, seem like the couple who have it all. Except what they long for more than anything: a child.

While Louisa struggles with miscarriages, Elliot is increasingly absent, spending much of his time at a nearby cinnamon plantation, overlooking the Indian ocean. After his sudden death, Louisa is left alone to solve the mystery he left behind. Revisiting the plantation at Cinnamon Hills, she finds herself unexpectedly drawn towards the owner Leo, a rugged outdoors man with a chequered past. The plantation casts a spell, but all is not as it seems. And when Elliot's shocking betrayal is revealed, Louisa has only Leo to turn to...

Kindle Edition, 365 pages

Published April 5, 2018

by Penguin

2.5/5 stars

Dinah Jefferies is an author that I have been wanting to read for a while. I’ve heard great things about her book The Tea Planter’s Wife, but it was this The Sapphire Widow as my first foray into her writing. Plus I had it on my Kindle.

The Sapphire Widow is the story of Louisa, a recent widow, which takes place in 1935 Ceylon. This was a atmospheric story in that the author vividly described the scenery, the sunsets, basically setting the scene and placing me there. Louisa's story following the death of her husband is one of revelations, secrets and her journey through them all.

I found this to be a slow paced story, though well researched, not as gripping as I hoped it would be. The plot itself was familiar and given that it took me a couple weeks to read this not as captivating. I found I struggled to connect with any of the characters and honestly feel any emotion through this tragic situation.

All in all in OK read for me and I will probably try The Tea Planter's Wife to give this author a second chance.

My thanks to Crown Publishing for a digital copy in exchange for a honest review.

The Sacred Scales by Bryan Davis

A middle grade faith-building fantasy adventure from the bestselling Dragons in Our Midst story world.

In King Arthur’s Camelot where dragons are outlawed, a poor apprentice boy and a dragon-raised orphan girl unravel an evil plot to exterminate dragons from this world and the next.

Hawk spends his days trying to survive as a lowly apprentice in the harsh employ of Master Andrew—a sly shopkeeper making illegal bargains with dragons. But when Master Andrew is hired by Lady Morgan to cheat the dragon Clefspeare out of his promised gemstone payment, Hawk’s faith in God spurs him to action.

Sabina hasn’t had contact with humans in years, not since the kind-hearted dragon Legossi rescued her from the ruins of her burned village. But the forest is no place for a young girl to come of age, so Legossi agrees to have a knight take Sabina to Lady Morgan’s estate. Yet Sabina quickly realizes Lady Morgan has a sinister scheme to wipe out dragons in this realm and beyond. Can Hawk and Sabina warn the dragons and foil Lady Morgan’s plans before it’s too late?

Kindle Edition, 226 pages

Published June 3, 2025

 by Tyndale Kids

4/5 stars

The Sacred Scales is the start to a new series, Dragons of Camelot. Faith based that puts good vs evil as its theme.

A Christian Fantasy that mixes the Arthurian legends along with strong elements of Biblical faith.  There are authentic characters, nice world building and a plot that was intricately woven...plus it has dragons. Following along with Hawk and Sabrina on this journey to protect the dragons was a story of courage and friendship.  I'm looking forward to the next book in series, yes that door is open for a sequel.

This is my first time reading a Bryan Davis book,  I've been eyeing them in our church library though.  I requested as soon as I saw this on offer on Netgalley.  A Christian fantasy that fits right along side of Narnia and geared for middle grade readers.  I am much older then that and quite enjoyed the ride and can't wait to introduce my grandsons to this book.

My thanks to Tyndale House for a digital arc in exchange for a honest review.

The Busybody Book Club by Freya Sampson

A dysfunctional book club must pull together when one of their members goes missing in this bighearted new mystery from the USA Today bestselling author of Nosy Neighbors.

The five members of the St. Tredock Book Club disagree on everything, from the books they read to the biscuits they eat. But when one of the group suddenly disappears and a dead body is discovered at his house, these bibliophiles must put their differences aside to solve the mystery.

Having recently moved to Cornwall, Nova Davies started the book club to impress her new colleagues at the community center, but so far it’s a disaster. To make matters worse, six thousand pounds is stolen from the community center during one of her meetings, putting both her job and the whole center at risk.

Suspicion for the theft falls on book club member Michael, especially when a dead body is discovered at his house and Michael disappears. The police think he’s simply run away, but the other members have their own theories. Agatha Christie superfan Phyllis is determined to prove he’s a murderer as well as a thief, while secret romance reader Arthur believes Michael’s eloped with his mistress, and teenage sci-fi fan Ash thinks dark forces are at play.

While trying to find Michael and recover the money, each book club member has their own secrets to protect. With inspiration from their favorite fictional sleuths, they won’t rest until they’ve cracked the case and everyone is safe at home where they belong.

Kindle Edition, 384 pages

Published May 27, 2025

 by Berkley

4/5 stars

I don’t usually gravitate toward cozy mysteries—if this even fits that genre—but I have to say, this was a surprisingly fun read.

The story centers on a newly formed book club made up of five very different individuals, each with their own quirks, secrets, and backgrounds. What unites them is their shared love of reading—though not everyone is thrilled with every book pick, the meetings are more about connection than the literature itself. (The blurb gives a good rundown of who's who.)

Things take a dramatic turn when a large sum of money goes missing, and Nova finds herself accused. That accusation sets off a chain of events involving a dead body, long-buried secrets, and a determined effort by the group to clear Nova’s name—and save her job in the process.

The Busybody Book Club is ultimately a heartwarming story about unexpected friendship, healing old wounds, and solving a pretty compelling mystery along the way. The characters are delightfully quirky, easy to root for, and the plot had enough twists to keep me engaged throughout. It was a genuinely enjoyable ride.

 My thanks to the Berkley for a digital arc (via Netgalley) in exchange for a honest review.

Fifty Fifty by Steve Cavanagh

Two sisters on trial for murder. They accuse each other. Who do you believe? 

“911 what’s your emergency?”

“My dad’s dead. My sister Sofia killed him. She’s still in the house. Please send help.”

“My dad’s dead. My sister Alexandra killed him. She’s still in the house. Please send help.”

One of them is a liar and a killer.

But which one?

Kindle Edition, 384 pages

First published September 3, 2020

Rereleased June 3, 2025

 by Atria Books

3.5/5 stars

Here is another chapter in the Eddie Flynn series, I have read book 8 and 1 - in that order and now the 5th book.  I think they work fine as a stand alone, though I am curious about some of the players.  I hope to read the rest of the series in order.

Fifty Fifty is a fast paced story about two sisters each charged with the murder of their father, both say the other one did it. The story alternates point of view between each of the sisters and Eddie along with another one. It was an intriguing read that kept my attention. There was action along with familiar faces from his other books and yes, I did have to suspend my belief a couple times.

If you like an addicting read with courtroom drama, twist and turns along with unreliable characters, mystery and suspense then I highly recommend Steve Cavanaugh.

Thanks to Atria Books for a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Spotlight: The Lost Book of First Loves by RaeAnne Thayne

THE LOST BOOK OF FIRST LOVES

By RaeAnne Thayne

Publication Date: June 3, 2025

Canary Street Press

  From New York Times bestselling author RaeAnne Thayne comes a brand-new story about two women, a family secret and a lost manuscript that changes everything… 

Raised by her literary icon father Carson Wells, Alison Wells always felt loved, even though her mother died when she was a teen. But when she takes a DNA test on a whim and discovers she has a sister she never knew about, it’s clear there are things her father didn't tell her before he died. Determined to meet Juniper—her half sister—and unravel the truth of what happened all those years ago, Ali finds herself taking a job as Juniper’s intern. She’ll eventually figure out a way to tell Juniper the truth of their relationship. But she never could have imagined what would happen next… 

Juniper Connolly has always been incredibly healthy…until she wakes up in the hospital after experiencing cardiac arrest, with her new—and recently red—intern to thank for saving her life. It’s clear June needs to de-stress her life a little, so when Ali offers her the use of her family’s cabin in a small Wyoming town, June has no reason not to go. But when she arrives, her life will never be the same. 

Under the wide-open spaces of the Wyoming summer sun, Ali and June will untangle the secrets and lies their lives were built on to discover who they really are and what family really means. But even more than that, they'll build a real relationship with one another and finally become sisters. 

“Readers can always depend on Thayne to provide a compelling story with lots of heart, featuring endearing characters and serious life issues.” —Booklist

 “RaeAnne Thayne will capture your heart with her beautiful, touching stories.” —Robyn Carr, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Virgin River series 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 #1 Publishers Weekly, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author RaeAnne Thayne finds inspiration in the beautiful northern Utah mountains where she lives with her family. Her books have won numerous honors, including seven RITA Award nominations from Romance Writers of America and a Career Achievement Award from RT Book Reviews magazine. RaeAnne loves to hear from readers and can be reached through her website at raeannethayne.com

Beach House Rules by Kristy Woodson Harvey

Kristy Woodson Harvey returns with a delightfully moving new novel about a mother-daughter duo learning to lean on their community of women—and each other—after their world is turned upside down.

When Charlotte Sitterly’s husband is arrested for a white-collar crime, she and her daughter Iris are locked out of their house by the FBI and—what’s potentially even worse—thrust into the spotlight of @JuniperShoresSocialite, the town’s snarky anonymous Instagram account. Cut off from her bank accounts and feeling desperate, Charlotte takes up an acquaintance’s offer to stay at a beachfront former bed-and-breakfast that’s home to a community of single mothers and draws plenty of gossip in the small coastal North Carolina town.

Charlotte and Iris find solace and are surprised by how much fun they’re having with the other families despite their circumstances. But when the women discover a secret link between them, it changes everything they thought they knew about the unconventional family they’ve created and leaves them wondering whether their coming together was a coincidence at all. Will the skeletons in the mommune closets help Charlotte and Iris reclaim their place in the Juniper Shores community—or shatter the sisterhood forever?

Beach House Rules is a charming exploration of the joy of friendship, the true meaning of family, and reclaiming the power to reshape our own destiny.

Paperback, 368 pages

Expected publication May 27, 2025 

by Gallery Books

3.5/5 stars

There is a lot going on in Kristy Woodson Harvey’s new book, Beach House Rules.   

Beginning after Charlotte‘s husband is arrested for security fraud, she is at her wits end as she has to deal with no access to her bank account and even her home. Through a chance encounter, she becomes part of a community called mommune. A home for single moms struggling to get back on their feet.

Told from a couple points of view, one being Charlotte herself, but also her daughter and the owner of this mommune. What follows is a story of rumors, some mystery, family dynamics, trust and coming to terms with the past. It was an interesting premise with a few twists that caught me by surprise.

Beach House Rules is a perfect beach read, it is a story of friendship but maybe a little on the lighthearted side.

My thanks to the publisher for a print arc in exchange for a honest review.

The Bookshop of Dust and Dreams by Mindy Thompson

What does all the magic in the world matter if it can't save the ones you love?

It's 1944 Sutton, NY, and Poppy's family owns and runs, Rhyme and Reason, a magical bookshop that caters to people from all different places and time periods. Though her family's world is ravaged by World War II, their customers hail from their past and their future, infusing the shop with a delightful mix of ideas and experiences. The shop runs on a set of rules handed down from one generation of bookseller to the next, with their cardinal rule their most strict: shopkeepers must never use the magic for themselves.

But then Poppy's brother's best friend is killed in the war and her brother wants to use the magic to save him. Young Poppy is caught between her love for her brother and loyalty to her family, all the while knowing that her brother's actions could have devastating consequences that reach far beyond the bookshop, feeding an insidious, growing darkness.

Hardcover,  30 pages

Published October 26, 2021

 by Viking Books for Young Readers

4/5 stars

This was another one of those middle grade books that did some serious damage to my TBR, a book about books, that only stands to reason.

Taking place in 1944 in  Sutton, New York, the setting for Poppy‘s family and the bookstore that they run. But the bookstore is different than your average bookstore, it is magical in that you see people from different places and different time. Which all seems normal for Poppy.

Told from Poppy‘s point of view it also uses the shop Rhyme & Reason as a character, a character with feeling and emotions that it isn’t shy to express them.

When Poppy‘s brother tries to rearrange history, after the death of his best friend, things really go haywire in the magical world and young Poppy is left in charge to try to right the wrongs her brother does.

This was a fun read, it was unique in it’s story and it had authentic characters, characters with a wide range of emotions. There were times that I felt maybe the story might’ve been a bit too twisty for the target audience, the dark vs light and rules I had to pay attention to.

I did love all the references to other middle grade books from different eras. Yes I googled and yes my tbr has expanded, thank you very much Mindy Thompson.

All in all a fun story that I think would be geared more towards the girls than the guys. Also while I love the cover this book had more serious undertones than the whimsical feeling from the cover.

This book was part of my 2025 reading off my shelf challenge and is book #26.

We All Live Here by Jojo Moyes

The #1 New York Times bestselling author, whose books so many love, brings us a fresh, contemporary story of a woman and her unruly blended family

Lila Kennedy has a lot on her plate. A broken marriage, two wayward daughters, a house that is falling apart, and an elderly stepfather who seems to have quietly moved in. Her career is in freefall and her love life is... complicated. So when her real dad—a man she has barely seen since he ran off to Hollywood thirty-five years ago—suddenly appears on her doorstep, it feels like the final straw. But it turns out even the family you thought you could never forgive might have something to teach about love, and what it actually means to be family.

Hardcover, 450 pages

Published February 11, 2025

 by Pamela Dorman Books

4/5 stars

Jojo Moyes latest book released this past February. It is the story of a newly divorced woman with two daughters and still grieving the recent loss of her mother. Her stepfather has moved in with her to help her cope, and her career is slowly spiraling down the drain . There’s a lot going on in this book, but weaves together nicely.

We All Live Here is a well written story of a woman who seems lost as her life is not turning out the way she expected. They were funny moments, there were cringe worthy moments as Lila struggles to be a mother to teenagers, write her latest book and then to top everything off her estranged father shows up on her doorstep. Coming in at 450 pages it seemed a little longer than necessary, but it was still an interesting read that felt authentic, I felt exhausted myself reading some of the things she was going through. There are a couple different points of view here besides Lila, one being her daughter who is being bullied at school. So yea there is some relevant subject matter going on.

All in all an entertaining read with likeable characters in real life situations.

This book was part of my 2025 reading off my shelf challenge and is book #14. Yeah I read it back in February when it was released.

The Other Side of Now by Paige Harbison

A hilarious and heartfelt novel about how loves and lives are never truly lost, for fans of Rebecca Serle and Taylor Jenkins Reid.

With a leading role on a hit TV show and a relationship with Hollywood's latest heartthrob, Meg Bryan appears to have everything she ever wanted. But underneath the layers of makeup and hairspray, her happiness is as fake as her stage name, Lana Lord. Following a small breakdown at her thirtieth birthday party, she books an impromptu trip where she knows the grass is greener: Ireland. Specifically, the quaint little village where she and her best friend Aimee always dreamt of moving—a dream that fell apart when an accident claimed Aimee’s life a decade ago.

When Meg arrives, the people in town are so nice, treating her not as a stranger, but a friend. Except for the (extremely hot) bartender giving her the cold shoulder. Meg writes it all off as jetlag until she looks in the mirror. Her hair is no longer bleached within an inch of its life, her skin has a few natural fine lines, and her nose looks like… well, her old nose. Her real nose.

Her phone reveals hundreds of pictures of her life in this little town: with an adorable dog she doesn’t know; with the bartender who might be her (ex?) boyfriend; and at a retail job unrelated to acting. Eventually, she comes to accept that she somehow made a quantum slide into an alternate version of her life. But the most shocking realization of all? In this life, her best friend Aimee is alive and well…but wants nothing to do with Meg.

Despite her bewilderment, Meg is clear-eyed about one thing: this is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to reconnect with her friend and repair what she broke. She finagles an opportunity to act in the play Aimee is writing and directing and as the project unfolds, Meg realizes that events as she remembers them may not be the only truth, and that an impossible choice looms before her.

Kindle Edition, 320 pages

Audiobook, 10 hours, 22 minutes

Expected publication June 3, 2025 

by St. Martin's Press/Macmillian Audio

4.5/5 stars

From the time I requested this on Netgalley until I read it I totally forgot what this book was about. So I headed in blind, which is so much fun.

The book starts on Meg Bryan’s 30th birthday, she is a Hollywood star and out of sorts. On impulse she books a trip to Ireland and left immediately. The story begins when she steps off the plane and begins exploring her way through this acquaint little town.  But something just feels off. Turns out she stepped into a alternate timeline where things that happened in the past 12 years didn’t actually happen.

I really enjoyed this book, it was witty, had some great characters and the storyline worked. The changes in her life begin to mess with her mind, because maybe she just likes this  new life better.

The Other Side of Now is a story of family, friendship, grief, and forgiveness.  It's about second chances and following your heart. I love the Ireland setting, yeah it’s on my bucket list.

The blurb advertises that this is great for fans of a couple well-known authors, but I think Ashley Poston would be a better comparison.

This was a hybrid read for me, the audio and the digital e-book, I highly recommend both formats.

My thanks to Macmillan Audio and Saint Martin’s press for advanced copies of both the digital and audiobook.

My Friends by Fredrik Backman

Fredrik Backman returns with an unforgettably funny, deeply moving tale of four teenagers whose friendship creates a bond so powerful that it changes a stranger’s life twenty-five years later.

Most people don’t even notice them—three tiny figures sitting at the end of a long pier in the corner of one of the most famous paintings in the world. Most people think it’s just a depiction of the sea. But Louisa, an artist herself, knows otherwise and she is determined to find out the story of these three enigmatic figures.

Twenty-five years earlier, in a distant town, a group of teenagers find refuge from their difficult home lives by spending their days laughing and telling stories out on a pier. There’s Joar, who never backs down from a fight; quiet and bookish Ted who is mourning his father; Ali, the daughter of a man who never stays in one place for long; and finally, there’s the artist, a boy who hoards sleeping pills and shuns attention, but who possesses an extraordinary gift that might be his ticket to a better life. These four lost souls find in each other a reason to get up each morning, a reason to dream.

Out of that summer emerges a transcendent work of art, a painting that will unexpectedly be put into eighteen-year-old Louisa’s care. As she struggles to decide what to do with this bequest, she embarks on a surprise-filled cross-country journey to learn the story of how the painting came to be. The closer she gets to the painting’s birthplace, the more she feels compelled to unleash her own artistic spirit, but happy endings don’t always take the form we expect in this fresh testament to the transformative power of friendship and art.

Kindle Edition, 448 pages

Published May 6, 2025

 by Atria Books

4/5 stars

Fredrik Backman’s new book released last week, it's a tad different in writing style, but the story has his signature wit, one-liners and heartbreak.

There are alternating perspectives, even changes within a page or scene and Backman makes it work. The common denominator throughout is a painting, as the story alternates between present day and 25 years previous. It revolves around this painting and 4 teenagers, their unique friendship and their life.

A unique story by an auto-read author, it was full of memorable quotes that had me pausing to reflect on them. It took me back to my teen years and those carefree summers by the water.  It was filled with memories that explored many themes and the repercussions years later.   With authentic characters, a slow burn weaving of the past to the present, Fredrik Backman has again pulled at heartstrings.

Released just last week, I recommend both the print and audiobook.

My thanks to Atria Books for a digital arc in exchange for a honest review.

The Bookstore Family by Alice Hoffman

New York Times bestselling author Alice Hoffman takes her sweet bookshop series to Paris with an emotional short story about chasing your dreams—and finding your passion where you least expect it.

Growing up, Violet was so busy helping others realize their dreams, she found little time to pursue her own. But five years ago, she took the chance of a lifetime, leaving the family bookshop on Brinkley’s Island, Maine, to attend culinary school in Paris. Now she’s working her dream job as a pâtissiere in an upscale Parisian restaurant—yet all she can think about is home.

Feeling unmoored, Violet finds herself still searching for something…Connection? Maybe. She hasn’t made any real friends in the city. Inspiration? Possibly. Her desserts are lovely, but they’re definitely lacking something.

After her aunt Isabel urges her to keep on looking, Violet finally gets a taste of what she’s been missing in the café at the Museum of Romantic Life. But just as life begins to come into focus, she’s abruptly called home to Maine. Like her aunt before her, Violet soon learns that family could hold the key to discovering what she truly needs.

Kindle Edition, 43 pages

Published May 13, 2025

 by Amazon Original Stories

4/5 stars

This is the 4th book in the Once Upon a Time Bookshop Stories. I’ve read the previous 3 and have quite enjoyed myself. They come in around 43 pages so a quick read and again I was left feeling that this would make a great full length story. But alas, this installment was still an enjoyable read.

It was great to get caught up with his family again. This installment takes place mostly in Paris as Violet is working for a Patissiere. She seems at odds within herself and feels a little lost. Then she meets someone.

Haven’t gotten to know the two sisters that run the family bookstore this point of view from Violet, the daughter/niece brought the story full circle. It was sad and happy at the same time. A powerful message in a short story

My thanks to Amazon Original Stories for an advanced copy in exchange for a honest review.

Say You'll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez

There might be no such a thing as a perfect guy, but Xavier Rush comes disastrously close. A gorgeous veterinarian giving Greek god vibes—all while cuddling a tiny kitten? Immediately yes. That is until Xavier opens his mouth and proves that even sculpted gods can say the absolute wrong thing. Like, really wrong. Of course, there’s nothing Samantha loves more than proving an asshole wrong…

. . . unless, of course, he can admit he made a mistake. But after one incredible and seemingly endless date—possibly the best in living history—Samantha is forced to admit the truth, that her family is in crisis and any kind of relationship would be impossible. Samantha begs Xavier to forget her. To remember their night together as a perfect moment, as crushing as that may be.

Only no amount of distance or time is nearly enough to forget that something between them. And the only thing better than one single perfect memory is to make a life—and even a love—worth remembering.

Paperback, 416 pages

Audiobook, 9 hours, 59 minutes

Published April 1, 2025

 by Piatkus/Forever

5/5 stars

This is Abby Jimenez's new book and I went into it totally blind. I had no idea what it was about, but it’s Abby Jimenez, so I knew that I would love it.

Told from the point of view of Xavier, a veterinarian who just happens to be gorgeous and that of Samantha, a spunky woman who brings her kitty in for a pet visit. What follows is the perfect date and then life gets in the way with Sam moving across the country.

I listened to most of this in audio format on a recent road trip.  The reader did a fantastic job of bringing this story to life, but ultimately it was the author that wove an intricate story about Xavier and Samantha's relationship and the struggles they faced. As someone who has dealt with dementia in an elderly parent, this book was spot on in all the struggles that come with that diagnosis. For Samantha, I could feel what this family was going through.

Say You’ll Remember Me is a story of caregivers, family, loss, past hurts and long distance romance. Along with all those serious subject matter, Abby was able to write a story that played on a pile of emotions, I laughed out loud, my heart broke for this family, I felt anger of past betrayals and I enjoyed the furry friends that rounded this cast out nicely.

The ending was nice and considering this is book one in a series I can’t wait to see what happens next.

This book was part of my 2025 reading off my shelf challenge (#27) with the audio through the library via CloudLibrary

Educated by Tara Westover

Tara Westover was 17 the first time she set foot in a classroom. Born to survivalists in the mountains of Idaho, she prepared for the end of the world by stockpiling home-canned peaches and sleeping with her "head-for-the-hills bag". In the summer she stewed herbs for her mother, a midwife and healer, and in the winter she salvaged in her father's junkyard.

Her father forbade hospitals, so Tara never saw a doctor or nurse. Gashes and concussions, even burns from explosions, were all treated at home with herbalism. The family was so isolated from mainstream society that there was no one to ensure the children received an education and no one to intervene when one of Tara's older brothers became violent.

Then, lacking any formal education, Tara began to educate herself. She taught herself enough mathematics and grammar to be admitted to Brigham Young University, where she studied history, learning for the first time about important world events like the Holocaust and the civil rights movement. Her quest for knowledge transformed her, taking her over oceans and across continents, to Harvard and to Cambridge. Only then would she wonder if she'd traveled too far, if there was still a way home.

Educated is an account of the struggle for self-invention. It is a tale of fierce family loyalty and of the grief that comes with severing the closest of ties. With the acute insight that distinguishes all great writers, Westover has crafted a universal coming-of-age story that gets to the heart of what an education is and what it offers: the perspective to see one's life through new eyes and the will to change it.

Paperback, 336 pages

Audiobook, 12 hours, 11 minutes

Published February 8, 2018

 by Random House Trade Paperbacks/Audible Studios

4/5 stars

This book has been out for a while, I finally listened to the audio which was read by Julie Whalen (one of my favorites). I found it captivating as well as heartbreaking.

Educated is a story told from the point of view of the author. She talks about her life in the mountains of Idaho being part of a survivalist family. There’s so much going on here with the family as they stockpile for the end of the world.

Tara is 17 years old when she enters the school for the first time. Supposedly being homeschooled, oh let’s just say that her parents have different ideas of what type of education she needs.  Living with the family, especially a father who is suspicious of Government, hospitals, and basically other people. She had a sheltered upbringing.

Educated is a well written memoir that doesn’t mince words when she describes her upbringing, whether the abuse at the hands of her brother, the illogical thinking of her father and so much more. The fact that she made it out alive is a testament to her resilience, determination and at times her ignorance towards the world she was unfamiliar with.

Definitely a book i recommend, especially in audio format, it's like Tara is telling me her story.

My copy of the audio was through Audible - it's actually the only place to get it.

The Winemaker's Wife by Kristin Harmel

Champagne, 1940: Inès has just married Michel, the owner of storied champagne house Maison Chauveau, when the Germans invade. As the danger mounts, Michel turns his back on his marriage to begin hiding munitions for the Résistance. Inès fears they’ll be exposed, but for Céline, the French-Jewish wife of Chauveau’s chef de cave, the risk is even greater—rumors abound of Jews being shipped east to an unspeakable fate.

When Céline recklessly follows her heart in one desperate bid for happiness, and Inès makes a dangerous mistake with a Nazi collaborator, they risk the lives of those they love—and the vineyard that ties them together.

New York, 2019: Recently divorced, Liv Kent is at rock bottom when her feisty, eccentric French grandmother shows up unannounced, insisting on a trip to France. But the older woman has an ulterior motive—and a tragic, decades-old story to share. When past and present finally collide, Liv finds herself on a road to salvation that leads right to the caves of the Maison Chauveau.

Paperback, 432 pages

Audiobook, 11 hours, 32 minutes

Published March 17, 2020 

by Gallery Books/Simon & Schuster Audio

3.5/5 stars

Here is a book that has been sitting on my bookshelf probably since close to publication day. I have to be in the mood for a WW2 story, and apparently I was last week.

The Winemaker‘s Wife is a dual timeperiod story. In 1940 Ines, a recent newlywed is married to the owner of a famous champagne house. She is naïve, insecure, and second guesses herself at all times. In New York, 2019 Liv has just finalized her divorce when her grandmother shows up. She flies her back to her home in France. There is a story there that grandma wants to share, but she struggles.

I’m usually drawn to one storyline over the other, with this book I was intrigued with the present day story and how it connected to the past.  I found Ines's story to be intriguing as the German invade. Revolving around the champagne house I found the little tidbits of the operation interesting as well as the caves and how the different houses work together.

I am not new to Kirsten Harmel, her books usually show a side of the war that I am unfamiliar with, her writing style that is comfortable and holds my interest. 

The Winemaker‘s Wife is a story of resilience, betrayal, heartache, and guilt. The ending is not one I saw coming, which just made the present day story all the more compelling.

I’ll continue to slowly read my way through Harmel's books as I've enjoyed some of her other books.

This book was part of my 2025 reading off my shelf challenge and is booked # 25.

The Breakdown by B.A. Paris

If you can’t trust yourself, who can you trust?

Cass is having a hard time since the night she saw the car in the woods. It was on the winding rural road, in the middle of a downpour, and a woman was sitting inside—the woman who was killed. She’s been trying to put the crime out of her mind; what could she have done, really? It’s a dangerous road to be on in the middle of a storm, and she probably would have been hurt herself if she’d stopped. Not only that, her husband would be furious if he knew she’d broken her promise not to take that shortcut home.

But since then, she’s been forgetting every little thing. Where she left the car; if she took her pills; even the alarm code.

The only thing she can’t forget is that woman, the woman she might have saved, and the terrible nagging guilt.

And the silent calls she’s receiving, or the feeling that someone’s watching her…

Kindle Edition, 337 pages

Audiobook 9 hours, 25 minutes

Published March 1, 2019

 by St. Martin's Press

3/5 stars

This was my first time reading a book by this author. The Breakdown started with an enticing scene that had me hunkering down as I listened to the audiobook. I also had the Kindle version and alternated while not driving.

Like I said the opening scenes really grabbed my attention.  A dark stormy night, deserted country road until it wasn't, the guilt Cass feels for not stopping...I was feeling the vibes.  But then it lost a little momentum. It got bogged down with repetitiveness as Cass feels like she is losing her mind. Since her mother passed away after having dementia diagnosed while young, Cass feels she has inherited this trait. Cass also feels guilt for not helping the woman stranded on the side of the road though that is her little secret that keeps eating away at her thoughts, thus creating tension within.

It wasn’t until the last quarter that things really picked up, it became an addicting read that I had to finish before retiring for the night.

The Breakdown is a story of inner demons, tragedy and mystery. Is Cassie really losing her mind or is something else to play?

Like I said I listened to the audio for most of this book and I’m glad I went that route, I think if I read I might have given up at the halfway point.

The audiobook was obtained through CloudLibrary with the Kindle via the publisher, St. Martin Press

The Mirror by Nora Roberts

When Sonya MacTavish inherits the huge Victorian mansion on the coast of Maine, she has no idea that the house is haunted. The footsteps she hears at night, the doors slamming, the music playing, are not figments of her imagination. In her dreams she sees glimpses of the past. In the present she finds portraits of brides. And when she has visions of an antique mirror, she is drawn to it, sensing it holds dark family secrets.

Then one night the mirror appears and Sonya glides through this looking glass, into the past—and sees a bride murdered on her wedding day, the circle of gold torn from her finger. It is a scene that will play out again and again—a centuries-old curse that must be broken—and a puzzle she must solve if there is any hope of breaking the curse.

Hardcover, 435 pages

Audiobook, 16 hours, 48 minutes

Published November 19, 2024

 by St. Martin's Press

4/5 stars

Book 2 in Nora Roberts, The Lost Bride Trilogy continues right where Inheritance left off.

In The Mirror, the ghosts of the past are getting restless. And for Sonya McTavish, her newly inherited mansion begins to take on more of a life of its own. Aside from the footsteps, the piano playing and music, she now dreams of the past and the pieces are finally clicking together in regards to the seven brides. She knows what needs to be done, but alas, that will be for book 3, which comes out in the fall.

As a new Nora Roberts reader I enjoyed this one just as much as Inheritance. It has things that go bump in the night and the acceptance of Sonya and her friends makes it not as creepy as one would anticipate. Because seriously if someone started playing the piano at 3 AM every single night I wouldn’t really be staying there for very long.

 There are twist to the backstory and part of me wishes that there was a family tree available just so this old brain can remember who is who and what year each bride was from. All in all a fun and entertaining read/listen.  Yes I did have the audiobook on hand also.

My copy of the book was through my local public library and the audiobook via Everand

The Love Haters by Katherine Center

It’s a thin line between love and love-hating.

Katie Vaughn has been burned by love in the past—now she may be lighting her career on fire. She has two choices: wait to get laid off from her job as a video producer or, at her coworker Cole’s request, take a career-making gig profiling Tom “Hutch” Hutcheson, a Coast Guard rescue swimmer in Key West.

The catch? Katie’s not exactly qualified. She can’t swim—but fakes it that she can.

Plus: Cole is Hutch’s brother. And they don’t get along. Next stop paradise!

But paradise is messier than it seems. As Katie gets entangled with Hutch (the most scientifically good looking man she has ever seen . . . but also a bit of a love hater), along with his colorful Aunt Rue and his rescue Great Dane, she gets trapped in a lie. Or two.

Swim lessons, helicopter flights, conga lines, drinking contests, hurricanes, and stolen kisses ensue—along with chances to tell the truth, to face old fears, and to be truly brave at last.

Kindle edition, 320 pages

Audiobook, 10 hours

Expected publication May 20, 2025

by St. Martin's Press/Macmillan Audio

5/5 stars

Oh how good it feels to jump into a Katherine Centre story, some of my favourite rom/coms she has penned.  The Love Haters releases in less than a month, I highly recommend it.

Told from Katie Vaughn's point of view she takes on a job she is nowhere near qualified for, She is not only trying to help a coworker out but also possibly saving her own job. She gets way more than she bargained for.

As I’ve come to expect with this author, this wasn't just a rom/com, she also deals with relevant subject matter. For Katie, it is dealing with her inner demons in terms of body image, love ability and being too hard on herself. With a wonderful cast of characters I was thoroughly entertained with a story that was heartfelt. It made me laugh, smile and feel for all the characters, even George.

I was lucky enough to get both the e-book and audiobook for review purposes and I listened and read both. Center’s books are a perfect fit for audio since they are usually from the point of view of the main character, it's like she’s telling her story. The reader did an awesome job bringing Katie's story to life with heart and emotion. The e-book worked great for curling up on the couch to read and unwind. I will be adding the print copy to my shelf to go with her other books.

The Love Haters is a story of friendship, loss, self love and stepping out of your comfort zone. There is a Great Dane named George Bailey, who one can’t help but love along with Lucky his new little friend.

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

The Last Thing to Burn by Will Dean

A woman being held captive is willing to risk everything to save herself, her unborn child, and her captor’s latest victim in this claustrophobic thriller in the tradition of Misery and Room.

On an isolated farm in the United Kingdom, a woman is trapped by the monster who kidnapped her seven years ago. When she discovers she is pregnant, she resolves to protect her child no matter the cost, and starts to meticulously plan her escape. But when another woman is brought into the fold on the farm, her plans go awry. Can she save herself, her child, and this innocent woman at the same time? Or is she doomed to spend the remainder of her life captive on this farm?

Intense, dark, and utterly gripping The Last Thing to Burn is a breathtaking thriller from an author to watch.

Audiobook, 8 hours, 29 minutes

Published April 20, 2021 

by Atria/Emily Bestler Books

4/5 stars

This book has been on my TBR for so long, ever since I heard thebakingbookworm rave about it. Finally, I grabbed the audiobook while on a recent vacation. It was my listen while I walked on the beach, needless to say I did a lot of walking

The Last Thing to Burn was a fast paced story about a young woman kept hostage by someone who was supposed to offer her freedom. In exchange she is trapped going on seven years. I really didn’t know what to expect here but what I got was a suspenseful story that was atmospheric in that I could tell the surroundings that Jane was forced to live in. It was told from her point of view, which was great showing everything that she has gone through

Though I’m not usually into these types of stories, this was well written and hard to read/listen to at times, since it deals with both physical and mental abuse. It was great to witness her bravery, resilience, and thought process.  As for the ending yeah I didn’t see that coming.

This listen it isn’t very long, approximately 241 pages or 8 and half hours for the audiobook.  
I highly recommend the audiobook if that is available to you.

My audio was obtained through my subscription with Everand

The Great Bear by David A. Robertson

Eli and Morgan journey once more to Misewa, travelling back in time.

Back at home after their first adventure in the Barren Grounds, Eli and Morgan each struggle with personal issues: Eli is being bullied at school, and tries to hide it from Morgan, while Morgan has to make an important decision about her birth mother. They turn to the place where they know they can learn the most, and make the journey to Misewa to visit their animal friends. This time they travel back in time and meet a young fisher that might just be their lost friend. But they discover that the village is once again in peril, and they must dig deep within themselves to find the strength to protect their beloved friends. Can they carry this strength back home to face their own challenges?

Paperback, 240 pages

Published August 2, 2022

 by Tundra Books

3.5/5 starts

This is book 2 in the Misewa Saga by Canadian author David A. Robertson.

The Great Bear begins right where book 1, The Barren Grounds left off. For Eli and Morgan, foster children, they have found a secret portal into the land of Misewa. But this time it comes with a twist as they can travel back in time . It wasn’t as detailed oriented or explorative as the previous book but it did have a great story about bullying. Not only is Eli being bullied at school, a secret he tried to tries to hide, but bullying also takes place in Misewa. Which is something they want to curb. But how do you tame The Great Bear?

This is a fun series that might remind some of Narnia, but it comes with a Canadian flair and current day setting. I recommend not just to the middle grade but this adult is enjoying this series. I look forward to reading more as book 5 is released in August and #6 coming soon also.

This book was part of my 2025 reading off my shelf challenge and is book # 24.

On Isabella Street by Genevieve Graham

From #1 bestselling author Genevieve Graham comes a gripping novel set in Toronto and Vietnam during the turbulent sixties about two women caught up in powerful social movements and the tragedy that will bring them together.

Toronto, 1967. Two young women with different backgrounds, attitudes, and aptitudes are living in an exciting but confusing time, the most extreme counter-culture movement the modern world has ever seen. They have little in common except for the place they both call an apartment building on Isabella Street.

Marion Hart, a psychiatrist working in Toronto’s foremost mental institution, is fighting deinstitutionalization—the closing of major institutions in favour of community-based centres—because she believes it could one day cause major homelessness. When Alex Neumann, a vet with a debilitating wound, is admitted to the mental institution, Marion will learn through him that there is so much more to life than what she is living.

Sassy Rankin, a budding folk singer and carefree hippy from a privileged family, joins protests over the Vietnam War and is devastated that her brother chose to join the US Marines. At the same time, she must deal with the truth that her comfortable life is financed by her father, a real estate magnate bent on gentrifying the city, making it unaffordable for many of her friends.

The strength of their unlikely friendship means that when one grapples with a catastrophic event, the other must do all she can to make it right.

Inspired by the unfettered optimism and crushing disillusionment of the sixties, On Isabella Street is an extraordinary novel about the enduring bonds of friendship and family and the devastating cost of war.

Paperback, 432 pages

Published April 22, 2025 

by Simon & Schuster

5/5 stars

Genevieve Graham has solidified herself as an auto-read author. Her passion for telling Canadian historical fiction stories is evident in her well researched books. On Isabel Street released just a few days ago.

On Isabella Street is a vivid portrayal of what life was like in Toronto in 1967. Seen through the eyes of two women, from different walks of life, and how they develop a special friendship. One a psychiatrist that deals with the deinstitutionalization of mental institutions that took place in that year. As one of a very few female doctors in her field, her struggle is felt. The other view is of a carefree, happy, bubbling folk singer from a well to do family. Her brother has joined the US Marines and sent over to Vietnam.

I could go on and on what takes place in this book but rather say that On Isabella Street is a must read for historical fiction lovers. It is not just a story of a friendship, but it is also a glimpse of how the Vietnam war affected Canada, the struggles with PTSD when it wasn’t as well known as it is today. This is a very well written story that has some twists, romance, but ultimately it is about friendship, family and the bonds that held them together.

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

The Book Club for Troublesome Women by Marie Bostwick

Four dissatisfied sixties-era housewives form a book club turned sisterhood that will hold fast amid the turmoil of a rapidly changing world and alter the course of each of their lives.

By early 1960s standards, Margaret Ryan, Viv Buschetti, and Bitsy Cobb, suburban housewives in a brand-new "planned community" in Northern Virginia, appear to have it all. The fact that "all" doesn't feel like enough leaves them feeling confused and guilty, certain the fault must lie with them. Things begin to change when they form a book club with Charlotte Gustafson--the eccentric and artsy "new neighbor" from Manhattan--and read Betty Friedan's just-released book, The Feminine Mystique.

Controversial and groundbreaking, the book struck a chord with an entire generation of women, helping them realize that they weren't alone in their dissatisfactions, or their longings, lifting their eyes to new horizons of possibility and achievement. Margaret, Charlotte, Bitsy, and Viv are among them. But is it really the book that alters the lives of these four very different women? Or is it the bond of sisterhood that helps them find courage to confront the past, navigate turmoil in a rapidly changing world, and see themselves in a new and limitless light?

Paperback, 384 pages

Expected publication April 22, 2025 

by Harper Muse

4.5/5 stars

This was my first time reading a Marie Boswick book, I was drawn to it by the time period and bookish title.

Set in the early 1960s three women Margaret, Viv and Bitsy invite their new neighbour Charlotte to their newly formed book club.  Charlotte will only come if the book is the newly released  The Feminist Mystique, which sets off a lot of discussion, soul searching and drama in this Virginia community.

I really enjoyed this book. I found the woman were relatable on one hand, and I felt their injustice and lack of opportunities as frustrating as they did. It was a well written story about four women with different personalities, goals and way of life. There was a lot of historical events that took place making it all the more authentic. It also gave a glimmer of hope for future women.

Don’t let the title fool you into thinking this is a typical book club, it is far from. It is a story of the power of female friendships that is heartwarming as they navigate life.

My thanks to Harper Muse (US) for a print arc in exchange for a honest review.

The Last One at the Wedding by Jason Rekulak

From the bestselling author of Hidden Pictures comes a breathtaking work of suspense about a father trying to save his daughter from a life-altering decision that will put everything he loves on the line.

Frank Szatowski is shocked when his daughter, Maggie, calls him for the first time in three years. He was convinced that their estrangement would become permanent. He’s even more surprised when she invites him to her upcoming wedding in New Hampshire. Frank is ecstatic, and determined to finally make things right.

He arrives to find that the wedding is at a private estate—very secluded, very luxurious, very much out of his league. It seems that Maggie failed to mention that she’s marrying Aidan Gardner, the son of a famous tech billionaire. Feeling desperately out of place, Frank focuses on reconnecting with Maggie and getting to know her new family. But it’s difficult: Aidan is withdrawn and evasive; Maggie doesn’t seem to have time for him; and he finds that the locals are disturbingly hostile to the Gardners. Frank needs to know more about this family his daughter is marrying into, but if he pushes too hard, he could lose Maggie forever.

An edge-of-your-seat thriller that delves deep into the heart of one family, The Last One at the Wedding is a work of brilliant suspense from a true modern master.

Paperback, 368 pages

Published October 8, 2024

 by Flatiron Books

3.5/5 stars

I really enjoyed the author‘s previous book Hidden Pictures. It was 5 stars for me so maybe my expectations were a little high for this his latest, which released last fall.

I wouldn’t exactly call this a thriller, but rather a mystery. It’s been three years since Frank Szatokski has seen or communicated with his daughter Maggie, then out of the blue he gets a call announcing that she is getting married and would like Frank to walk her down the aisle.

When Frank turns up to meet the fiancé red flags start to appear. And then for the wedding weekend Frank questions so much about this new family Maggie is married to. It is a twisty story, there are secrets of the  past and present that are revealed with drastic consequences.

Maybe my expectations were too high, this was an okay mystery but definitely not suspenseful or a thriller like advertised.

This book was part of my 2025 reading off my shelf challenge (#18).

The Last One by Rachel Howzell Hall

Thrown into a desolate land of sickness and unnatural beasts, Kai wakes in the woods with no idea who she is or how she got there. All she knows is that if she cannot reach the Sea of Devour, even this hellscape will get worse. But when she sees the village blacksmith fight invaders with unspeakable skill, she decides to accept his offer of help.

Too bad he’s as skilled at annoying her as he is at fighting.

As she searches for answers, Kai only finds more questions, especially regarding the blacksmith who can ignite her body like a flame, then douse it with ice in the next breath.

And no one is what—or who—they appear to be in the kingdom of Vinevridth, including the man whose secrets might be as deadly as the land itself.

Hardcover, 496 pages

Published December 3, 2024

by Entangled Publishing, LLC (Red Tower Books)

2.5/5 stars

I was sucked into this book because of the cover and the lovely sprayed edges. Though the blurb did sound intriguing.

Imagine waking up in the woods not knowing who you are, where you are and watching someone steal all your possessions. That is what happened with Kai and thus begins her journey searching for answers. And as the blurb states she gets more questions in that regard.

This was a long book, 496 pages, and honestly it was longer than necessary. There was a lot of yelling, cringe worthy scenes and banter that just didn’t work for me. The story itself I enjoyed but again it was slow paced and way too long.

The Last One has an interesting world building, though long in the telling. I think I keep repeating that. I did switch over to the audiobook for a bit, though the reader and I just did not hit it off. Her emotions in the telling did not correspond or rather were over the top compared to actually reading the book.

All in all an okay read that has me questioning whether I will read book 2 in the series.

This book was part of my 2025 reading off my shelf challenge and is book number 23

Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult

In nineteen minutes, you can mow the front lawn, color your hair, watch a third of a hockey game. In nineteen minutes, you can bake scones or get a tooth filled by a dentist; you can fold laundry for a family of five....In nineteen minutes, you can stop the world, or you can just jump off it. 

In nineteen minutes, you can get revenge.

Sterling is a small, ordinary New Hampshire town where nothing ever happens -- until the day its complacency is shattered by a shocking act of violence. In the aftermath, the town's residents must not only seek justice in order to begin healing but also come to terms with the role they played in the tragedy. For them, the lines between truth and fiction, right and wrong, insider and outsider have been obscured forever. Josie Cormier, the teenage daughter of the judge sitting on the case, could be the state's best witness, but she can't remember what happened in front of her own eyes. And as the trial progresses, fault lines between the high school and the adult community begin to show, destroying the closest of friendships and families.

Nineteen Minutes is New York Times bestselling author Jodi Picoult's most raw, honest, and important novel yet. Told with the straightforward style for which she has become known, it asks simple questions that have no easy answers: Can your own child become a mystery to you? What does it mean to be different in our society? Is it ever okay for a victim to strike back? And who -- if anyone -- has the right to judge someone else?

Hardcover, 440 pages

Published March 5, 2007

 by Atria

4.5/5 stars

there are so many things you can do in 19 minutes …

This book has been on my shelf for a while, I’ve been hesitant to read it because of the subject matter but recently Mistress Mood put it front and centre and I’m glad she did. This was a gripping story that put me in a reading slump for a couple days when I finished.

With Jodi Picoult I knew it would be an emotional read, that it would have controversy and maybe a few unexpected things jumping off the pages. It comes in at 440 pages, which isn’t a small read, and at times I felt maybe it could’ve been a tad shorter. Were there times I set it aside until the next day?  Yes there were.

Nineteen Minutes is a story of a school shooting. It is seen from many angles - the shooter‘s mom, the shooter’s himself, his lawyer, the judge, investigating detective and a few more. It was a vivid insight into what they were thinking, what led up to what happened and the fallout. It tackles subjects of bullying, PTSD and friendships. It would make a great book club read though I can imagine all the different discussions which could get intense. It is realistic, which makes it all the more heartbreaking. 

I am glad that I finally read this, though I had to read something happy and sweet for a bit, talk about a book hangover.

This book was part of my 2025 reading off my shelf challenge and is book # 22.