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.

Parents Weekend by Alex Finlay

In the glow of their children’s exciting first year of college at a small private school in Northern California, five families plan on a night of dinner and cocktails for the opening festivities of Parents Weekend. As the parents stay out way past their bedtimes, their kids—five residents of Campisi Hall—never show up at dinner.

At first, everyone thinks that they’re just being college students, irresponsibly forgetting about the gathering or skipping out to go to a party. But as the hours click by and another night falls with not so much as a text from the students, panic ensues. Soon, the campus police call in reinforcements. Search parties are formed. Reporters swarm the small enclave. Rumors swirl and questions arise.

Libby, Blane, Mark, Felix, and Stella—The Five, as the podcasters, bloggers, and TikTok sleuths call them—come from five very different families. What led them out on that fateful night? Could it be the sins of their mothers and fathers come to cause them peril or a threat to the friend group from within?

Told through multiple points of view in past and present—and marking the return of FBI Special Agent Sarah Keller from Every Last Fear and The Night Shift—Parents Weekend explores the weight of expectation, family dysfunction, and those exhilarating first days we all remember in the dorms when our friends become our family.

Kindle Edition, 384 pages

Expected publication May 6, 2025 

by Minotaur Books

3.5/5 stars

Alex Finley is an author I discovered a number of years ago and have read his last three books, enjoying them all. This his latest Parents Weekend releases on May 6.

Taking place in Northern California parents gather at their children’s private school for a dinner together. However, five kids don’t show up and what follows is a twisty road as to what happened. The book starts with introductions so as you can imagine five older teens and their parents, that is a lot of who's who, and which parents belong to which teen. Once I finally got everything straight in my brain, the story took off.

I didn’t realize that a face from past books, FBI special agent Sarah Keller was going to make an appearance (and you don’t really need to read the other books to get her story) but I do remember her and hope that I see more of her in the future. It was Sarah‘s point of view that was my favorite.

Parents Weekend is a fast paced story with many layers, red herrings, and characters that I really couldn’t connect with or even like. With Sarah being the exception.. It was a quick read as I was intrigued as to what was taking place. The mystery itself kept me guess, trying to solve it, but Sarah beat me to the punch.

All in all a quick read, with chapters leaving me wanting to read just one more .

I thanks to Saint Martin’s Press for a digital arc in exchange for a honest review

Summer in a Bottle by Annie Rains

In this tender, uplifting novel for fans of Josie Silver and Rebecca Serle, a young woman returns to her North Carolina hometown hoping to make new memories, but finds history repeating itself—literally . . .

Dumped by her fiancé, opinion columnist Lyla Dune returns to small-town Echo Cove to heal, and to help her parents prep their house for sale. When she decides to open a time capsule she buried in high school, past memories lead her to a diary filled with memorable moments from the last summer she spent at home, right before college. Some of the events feel like they happened yesterday. That’s normal. Not so normal is that they actually start happening all over again . . .

Lyla gets a flat tire in the same spot and is saved by the same person. The same movie is playing at the theater. Her house has the same leak it once had. As her current summer increasingly mirrors that last one, Lyla worries it will end just as with a category 3 hurricane—and with losing Travis, the best friend she was always secretly in love with. If only she hadn’t been too scared to admit it.

She revisits other fears too, like the fear of rejection that led her to abandon her passion for fiction writing. And when she reconnects with Travis, Lyla becomes certain that unless she does what her younger self was unable to do, she’ll suffer the same regrets. But if this time around she can gather her courage, maybe the life that was falling apart when she arrived will fall back together—even better than before.

Kindle Edition, 343 pages

Publishing date April 29, 2025 

by Kensington Books

3.5/5 stars

I have recently discovered Annie Raines, she is a refreshing, clean author.

Summer in a Bottle is a perfect summer, beach read, which is exactly what I did on a recent vacation. The story started out at a great momentum with Lyla returning home to help her parents pack up their house to sell. It is here that Lyla reflects on her past, especially as she digs up her time capsule from 10 years previous. It was a fun read as she returns to a town and friends she quite suddenly abandoned. As things start to happen that reflect her last summer home, it opens up old wounds.

Summer in a Bottle is a story of friendship, lost loves and discovering oneself. It started out great, petered out a bit in the middle with an ending that picked up the pace. There was one trope that I’m not a fan of so that didn’t help, I won’t specify which one as it will definitely be a spoiler.

All in all this was a great beach read and an author that I will be reading more of.

 

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

Austen at Sea by Natalie Jenner

Two pairs of siblings, devotees of Jane Austen, find their lives transformed by a visit to England and Sir Francis Austen, her last surviving brother and keeper of a long-suppressed, secret legacy.

In Boston, 1865, Charlotte and Henrietta Stevenson, daughters of a Massachusetts Supreme Court Justice, have accomplished as much as women are allowed in those days. Chafing against those restrictions and inspired by the works of Jane Austen, they start a secret correspondence with Sir Francis Austen, her last surviving brother, now in his nineties. He sends them an original letter from his sister and invites them to come visit him in England.

In Philadelphia, Nicholas & Haslett Nelson—bachelor brothers, veterans of the recent Civil War, and rare book dealers—are also in correspondence with Sir Francis Austen, who lures them, too, to England, with the promise of a never-before-seen, rare Austen artifact to be evaluated.

The Stevenson sisters sneak away without a chaperone to sail to England. On their ship are the Nelson brothers, writer Louisa May Alcott, Sara-Beth Gleason—wealthy daughter of a Pennsylvania state senator with her eye on the Nelsons—and, a would-be last-minute chaperone to the Stevenson sisters, Justice Thomas Nash.

It's a voyage and trip that will dramatically change each of their lives in ways that are unforeseen, with the transformative spirit of the love of literature and that of Jane Austen herself.

Kindle Edition, 320 pages

Audiobook, 11 hours, 12 minutes

Expected publication May 6, 2025

 by St. Martin's Press and Macmillian Audio

3.5/5 stars

This is my first time reading a Natalie Jenner book, even though I do have her previous ones in my TBR.  Austen at Sea releases next month and I was given both the Kindle edition and the audiobook for review.

Taking place in 1865 from a couple different view points. There are the sisters who are two women ahead of their time. They have a on going correspondence with Sir Frances Austen, who just happens to be the brother of Jane Austen. Another is from the Nelson brothers, bookstore owners who also just happen to have a correspondence with Sir Austen. These four meet on a ship bound for England, along with familiar faces in history.

I will confess that I have not read much Jane Austen, actually Pride and Prejudice is my only one, though I am intrigued after reading this book. Austen at Sea is an interesting read, and I much preferred the e-book versus the audio. I found the voices in the audio just a bit distracting.

Austen at Sea is a story of relationships, women ahead of their time, and well, Jane Austen and her legacy. It was atmospheric as it reflected the time. How women were treated and the tension between England and America. I am intrigued enough to head over to my TBR and boost Natalie Jenner‘s books up closer to the top.

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

The Frugal Wizard's Handbook for Surviving Medieval England by Brandon Sanderson

A man awakes in a clearing in what appears to be medieval England with no memory of who he is, where he came from, or why he is there. 

Chased by a group from his own time, his sole hope for survival lies in regaining his missing memories, making allies among the locals, and perhaps even trusting in their superstitious boasts.

 His only help from the "real world" should have been a guidebook entitled The Frugal Wizard's Handbook for Surviving Medieval England, except his copy exploded during transit. The few fragments he managed to save provide clues to his situation, but can he figure them out in time to survive?

Hardcover, 366 pages

Published June 27, 2023 

by Tor Books

3.5/5 stars

This is book #2 in Brandon Sanderson’s secret project series. Each book is a standalone so no need to read in order.

Given the title I was expecting somewhat of a familiar setting in mediaeval England, but then I remember this is Brandon Sanderson and there is really nothing predicable in his writing.

An entertaining story that revolved around a portal that can send people through time.  So this man goes through the portal where his problems begin right away.  Mainly he doesn’t remember where he came from or his purpose. Plus his handbook is of little use. As he slowly begins to regain his memory, while at the same time making new friends and enemies. And of course his past slowly comes back to haunt him.

A unique plot that disperses snippets of the handbook for time travel. Though I don’t read a lot of Sanderson books, have you seen the size of some of them, what I have read I have enjoyed.

This was a hybrid read, switching between the book and audio.  I recommend both methods, the readers were great and the book not to heavy.

This was part of my 2025 Reading off my shelf challenge and it is book #16

The Undercover Book List by Colleen Nelson

Governor General’s Award Finalist Colleen Nelson’s tale of identity, unlikely friends, and a secret book club, now available in a new paperback format.

 Between her father’s posting overseas and her best friend Sienna’s move to the other side of the country, seventh grade is looking lonely for Jane MacDonald.

 But Sienna has left her with one last a hidden message in a library book—the perfect plot to start a secret club and find Jane a new book-loving friend. Tyson Flamand has problems of his own. 

Since the fourth grade he’s had a reputation as a bad kid, and there’s no point fighting it when teachers always think the worst. So when he finds an anonymous note in the library looking for a nerdy new friend, he knows he’s the last person in the world it could be meant for. 

But something makes him answer it anyway, and Tyson finds himself pulled into a secret book club where being hidden may be the first step to being truly seen. 

With the insight of a veteran middle-school teacher, Colleen Nelson, weaves together two stories of identity, expectation, and the courage to challenge both. As their paths move ever closer, Jane and Tyson both discover their own self-reliance and their ability to overcome obstacles that seemed insurmountable.

Paperback, 264 pages

Published November 15, 2022

 by Pajama Press

4/5 stars

This was such a fun read, kind of makes me wish something like this happened while I was in the seventh grade.

Jane MacDonald's best friend has moved to the other side of the country and she is lonely. But Sierra has left a hidden message in a library book that sends Jane on a journey.  A journey that includes a mystery new friend and the discovery of  many books she has never read before.

I was drawn to this book not just because of it bookish theme,  bookish cover, but also Colleen Nelson is a Canadian author that I have heard many great things about.

The Undercover Book List is a story of friendship, reading,  stepping out of one comfort zone and ultimately about being honest while under peer pressure. It was a fun read that will appeal to all readers, but beware you will be adding to your TBR with the many book recommendations. The chapters are not long and told from two perspectives really rounded out this story nicely.

This book was part of my 2025 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge and is #15

Inheritance by Nora Roberts

Inheritance is the first in The Lost Bride Trilogy by #1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts―a tale of tragedies, loves found and lost, and a family haunted for generations.

1806: Astrid Poole sits in her bridal clothes, overwhelmed with happiness. But before her marriage can be consummated, she is murdered, and the circle of gold torn from her finger. Her last words are a promise to Collin never to leave him…

Graphic designer Sonya MacTavish is stunned to learn that her late father had a twin he never knew about―and that her newly discovered uncle, Collin Poole, has left her almost everything he owned, including a majestic Victorian house on the Maine coast, which the will stipulates she must live in it for at least three years. Her engagement recently broken, she sets off to find out why the boys were separated at birth―and why it was all kept secret until a genealogy website brought it to light.

Trey, the young lawyer who greets her at the sprawling clifftop manor, notes Sonya’s unease―and acknowledges that yes, the place is haunted…but just a little. Sure enough, Sonya finds objects moved and music playing out of nowhere. She sees a painting by her father inexplicably hanging in her deceased uncle’s office, and a portrait of a woman named Astrid, whom the lawyer refers to as “the first lost bride.” It’s becoming clear that Sonya has inherited far more than a house. She has inherited a centuries-old curse, and a puzzle to be solved if there is any hope of breaking it…

Audiobook, 14 hours, 27 minutes

Published November 21, 2023

 by Macmillan Audio

4/5 stars

This is my first time reading a Nora Roberts book, I guess the mood reader in me thought it was time.

I have to say I really enjoyed this book, I don't know why that should surprise me, but it does. Most of it was an audio read, but I did sit down and read a few chapters. Both methods I thoroughly enjoyed.

This was a fun ghost story with an old manor house, some history that goes back a couple centuries, and the story of seven brides who through connections to this manor or rather family lost their lives. Nothing that looks outright sinister, but the ghosts seem to differ on that opinion.

Basically, Sonya inherited a house from a relative that she did not know existed and part of the stipulation of the will is that she lives there for three years. Call it love at first sight. She connected to this house and accepted the invisible occupants. It was actually an addicting listen, it was spooky, mysterious, and with Yoda by her side, what can go wrong.

Yoda is her dog by the way, every good story needs a dog.

This is book 1 in The Lost Brides Trilogy, I’ll definitely be reading book 2, The Mirror and look forward to November when book 3 comes out.

My copy was obtained through my local library and the audio via Everand

A Sea of Unspoken Things by Adrienne Young

A woman investigates her brother's mysterious death while coming to terms with her own haunting past in this atmospheric novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Unmaking of June Farrow

The only thing James and Johnny Golden have ever had is each other. For as long as she can remember, James’s deep connection with her twin brother, Johnny, has gone beyond intuition—she can feel what he feels. So, when Johnny is killed in a tragic accident, James knows before her phone even rings that her brother is gone and that she’s alone—truly alone—for the first time in her life.

When James arrives in the rural town of Hawthorne, California to settle her brother’s affairs, she’s forced to rehash the ominous past she and Johnny shared and finally face Micah, the only person who knows about it. He’s also the only man she’s ever loved.

But James soon discovers that the strange connection she had with Johnny isn’t quite gone, and the more she immerses herself into his world, the more questions she has about the brother she thought she knew. Johnny was keeping secrets, and he’s not the only one. What she uncovers will push her to unravel what happened in the days before Johnny’s death, but in the end, she’ll have to decide which truths should come to light, and which should stay buried forever.

Hardcover, 288 pages

Published January 7, 2025

 by Delacorte Press

3.5/5 stars

This is my second Adrienne Young book, the previous being The Unmaking of June Farrow, which was a magical realism story. 

James returns home to go through your brother’s belongings after his sudden and tragic death. Johnny was killed in the bush while researching the lifestyle of a certain owl. James left many years ago after the tragic death of a friend that still brings up bitter memories of the past.

This was very slow paced story that I did a combo read and listen to the audiobook, it isn’t very long, but still managed to keep my attention with the multiple layers. It slowly unraveled the past to reveal what happened in the months previous to Johnny’s death. There were parts of the story that took me by surprise, not anticipating some things. It wasn’t the best mystery suspense story that I have read, but it was entertaining as it talks about the connection between twins, and even in your 30's this is a story of self discovery. 

I continue to read this author as I found she delivers with unique plots and likeable characters.

This book was part of my 2025 reading off my shelf challenge (#20) .

The Lost Whale by Hannah Gold

Rio has been sent to live with a grandmother he barely knows in California, while his mum is in hospital. 

All Rio wants is for Mum to get better so he can return home. But everything changes when he joins a whale-watching trip and meets White Beak, a gentle giant of the sea. 

Rio forms an instant bond with the whale, and for the first time in ages he feels a spark of hope. 

Then White Beak goes missing and Rio may be the only person who can help.

Can Rio draw on their special connection to somehow find and save his whale . . . ?

Perfect for readers of 8+, beautifully illustrated throughout by Levi Pinfold

Paperback, 336 pages 

Published February 2, 2023

 by HarperCollins

4.5/5 stars

When Rio is sent to live with his grandmother, whom he hasn’t seen for many years, the loneliness creeps in as he misses his mother back in England.

The Lost Whale is a story of family, mental health, the environment and friendship. After finding a box of his mother‘s treasures when she was a child, Rio is introduced to a whale that sent him  not just on an emotional journey, but a physical one as well. It is through the struggles that Rio grows closer to his new friend, his grandmother, and even his mother who is thousands of miles away. 

This was a well written story that will grab at the heart strings as this 12-year-old boy grows in ways he never imagined. It was an informative story to learn about the habits of whales along the western coast of Canada and the US along with the dangers they faced along the way.

This was my first time reading a Hannah Gold story. I'm excited to explore her back list and see what other adventures she takes readers on.

This book was part of my 2025 reading off my shelf challenge and is book #20, it was obtained through a book box by onceuponbookclub.

The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis

From New York Times bestselling author Fiona Davis, an utterly addictive new novel that will transport you from New York City’s most glamorous party to the labyrinth streets of Cairo and back.

Egypt, 1936: When anthropology student Charlotte Cross is offered a coveted spot on an archaeological dig in Egypt’s Valley of the Kings, she leaps at the opportunity. But after an unbearable tragedy strikes, Charlotte knows her future will never be the same.

New York City, 1978: Eighteen-year-old Annie Jenkins is thrilled when she lands an opportunity to work for iconic former Vogue fashion editor Diana Vreeland, who’s in the midst of organizing the famous Met Gala, hosted at the museum and known across the city as the “party of the year.” Though Annie soon realizes she’ll have her work cut out for her, scrambling to meet Diana’s capricious demands and exacting standards.

Meanwhile, Charlotte, now leading a quiet life as the associate curator of the Met’s celebrated Department of Egyptian Art, wants little to do with the upcoming gala. She’s consumed with her research on Hathorkare—a rare female pharaoh dismissed by most other Egyptologists as unimportant.

That is, until the night of the gala. When one of the Egyptian art collection’s most valuable artifacts goes missing . . . and there are signs Hathorkare’s legendary curse might be reawakening.

As Annie and Charlotte team up to search for the missing antiquity, a desperate hunch leads the unlikely duo to one place Charlotte swore she’d never return: Egypt. But if they’re to have any hope of finding the artifact, Charlotte will need to confront the demons of her past—which may mean leading them both directly into danger.

Hardcover, 339 pages

Published January 7, 2025

 by Dutton

4/5 stars

It felt good to not only get back into historical Egypt and the Valley of the Kings, but also to read a Fiona Davis book. It has been a while and once I started reading, I felt the familiarity of why I enjoy her stories.

This dual time-period story alternates between Egypt 1936 and New York City 1978. I love both time periods, the historical one because I have a soft spot for Egypt having had the privilege of touring Giza once while on a cruise. In 1978 it was a refreshing change reading a time-period without the distraction of social media, cell phones, etc.

The Stolen Queen is a story of two women from vastly different backgrounds, but each connected to the Met, specifically the department of Egyptian art. I love the history lesson on Hathorkare, whom I knew nothing about. I enjoyed getting a glimpse at the agricultural digs and also the illegal activity of stolen artefacts and fakes.

The Stolen Queen is a story of women ahead of their time, it has an intricately woven mystery, there is deception, and lost treasures. Released earlier this year. I highly recommend this book to those that like historical fiction off the beaten track and strong women.

My copy was obtained through my local public library with the audio via my Spotify account.

The Impossible Thing by Belinda Bauer

From the exceptionally original mind of CWA Gold Dagger Award winner and Booker longlisted author Belinda Bauer comes this sweeping tale of obsession, greed, ambition, and a crime that has remained unsolved for a hundred years.

How do you find something that doesn’t exist?

1926. On the cliffs of Yorkshire, men are lowered on ropes to steal the eggs of the sea birds who nest there. The most beautiful are sold for large sums. A small girl—penniless and neglected by her family—retrieves one such treasure. Its discovery will forever alter the course of her life.

A century later. In a remote cottage in Wales, Patrick Fort finds his friend, Nick, and his mother tied up and robbed. The only thing missing: a carved case containing an incredible scarlet egg. Doggedly attempting to retrieve it, Patrick and Nick discover the cruel world of egg trafficking, and soon find themselves on the trail of a priceless collection of eggs lost to history. Until now.

A taut, wonderfully imagined novel brimming with skullduggery at every turn.

Kindle Edition, 336 pages

Audiobook, 8 hours, 16 minutes

Expected publication April 8, 2025

by Grove Atlantic & Dreamscape Media

4/5 stars

This is my second book by Belinda Bauer, Blacklands being my first.  This was a hybrid read, meaning I read the book while alternating with the audiobook - the reader did a read job bringing this story to life.

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started, a book about eggs. It sounds not that interesting but I was intrigued. What I got was an entertaining and highly educational read about a subject I knew nothing about.

Beginning in 1926 as recently laid eggs are stolen from the nest of migrant birds. I did not realize how sought after these eggs are because of their colour and shell designs. An act that is illegal now and rather barbaric. A tiny hole is made to empty out the shell.

This is a dual time-period story that shows what length people will go to for these treasures.  A captivating story about greed, friendship and deceit.  It was mysterious, suspenseful and like I said educational.  And yes, I did Google it, what a fascinating subject. It gives homage to the learn something new every day saying.

My thanks to Grove Atlantic (for the kindle edition) and Dreamscape Media (for the audiobook) in exchange for a honest review.

The Ghost Woods by C.J. Cooke

In the midst of the woods stands a house called Lichen Hall.

This place is shrouded in folklore—old stories of ghosts, of witches, of a child who was not quite a child.

Now the woods are creeping closer, and something has been unleashed.

Pearl Gorham arrives in 1965, one of a string of young women sent to Lichen Hall to give birth. And she soon suspects the proprietors are hiding something.

Then she meets the mysterious mother and young boy who live in the grounds—and together they begin to unpick the secrets of this place.

As the truth comes to the surface and the darkness moves in, Pearl must rethink everything she knew—and risk what she holds most dear.

Kindle Edition, 408 pages

Published October 13, 2022

by Berkley

3/5 stars

This is my second time reading a CJ Cooke novel, The Lighthouse Witches was the first and quite enjoyable.

The Ghost Woods is a dual time period story, 1959 and then in 1965. The setting for both is the same place, a manor for unwed pregnant women, mostly in their teens. Yes it gave off YA vibes.

I was in the mood for a spooky ghost story and unfortunately, it felt flat for me. But please take that with a grain of salt so many raved about this book. I felt the two timelines were to similar, especially when the first started to catch up to the second and the characters overlapped . Though the chapter heading note a change in time period,  all of those chapters have chapters within them. If you stop reading in the middle of a section it took me a minute or so to figure out where and when I was. Which was jarring, losing some of the momentum.

This had a unique plot with a great setting, atmospheric with the gardens, woods and house along with a mystery and characters that I really struggled to connect with.  All in all and OK read.

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

Hello, Juliet by Samantha M. Bailey

In a dark thriller from USA Today bestselling author Samantha M. Bailey, a TV reunion brings costars back for the drama and betrayals their viewers once craved—and this time, the stakes are deadly.

Ivy Westcott fled LA as her acting career imploded. In a flash, she lost her first love and chosen family—her Hello, Juliet castmates. But she never discovered who turned her closest friends against her. Now the whole world knows her as #PoisonIvy.

A decade later, Ivy is horrified when a celebrity exposé thrusts the Hello, Juliet cast back into the limelight, dredging up the old scandals she hoped to escape. Desperate for a fresh start and some financial stability for her mother and manager, Ivy agrees to participate in a top-secret reunion episode.

Ivy’s poised for a comeback, but past betrayals become a present danger when she and the man who once broke her heart find their costar dead.

Determined to find justice and clear her name, Ivy must tear down the facades of cast and crew to uncover chilling secrets that have plagued the Hollywood set from day one. Or she could be the next to die.

Kindle Edition, 303 pages

Expected publication April 29, 2025

 by Thomas & Mercer

4/5 stars

Hello Juliet is Samantha Bailey’s 4th novel, she’s one author I have managed to stay current with.

Hello Juliet is told in dual time periods. Current day Ivy has discovered the body of a former friend and castmate. A decade earlier on Ivy was cast in the lead role in a teen drama that ended with her reputation ruined - social media handles that role.

Hello Juliet is a twisty story that goes into the life of a celebrity and how one wrong move can ruin a career. It's a story of friendship and what can divide them, secrets because everyone has them, and the search for new beginnings. A captivating slow burn mystery with nice short chapters, making it a perfect fit for just one more chapter (pun intended). Along with the right amount of tension amongst the many layers that revealed a satisfying ending. 

Coming in at 303 pages it didn’t take long to zip through this, but don't let the size fool you into thinking this is a cozy mystery because it isn't.

My thanks to Thomas & Mercer for a digital arc in exchange for a honest review