Brian's Return by Gary Paulsen

As millions of readers of Hatchet, The River, and Brian's Winter know, Brian Robeson survived alone in the wilderness by finding solutions to extraordinary challenges. But now that he's back in civilization, he can't find a way to make sense of high school life. He feels disconnected, more isolated than he did alone in the North. The only answer is to return, to "go back in", for only in the wilderness can Brian discover his true path in life, and where he belongs.

Paperback, 115 pages

Audiobook, 2 hours, 26 minutes

Published May 1, 2021

 by Laurel Leaf

3/5 stars

Brian’s Return takes Brian back into the wilderness once again, this time by choice rather than circumstance. Now older, Brian feels restless and disconnected from modern life and is drawn back to the land that shaped him after that original plane crash.

This story focuses more on reflection than survival and exploring how deeply the wilderness has become part of Brian’s identity. Paulsen’s writing is, as I've come to expect, clear when describing nature. I've come to appreciate revisiting Brian’s mindset and growth.

That said, the plot feels quieter and less gripping than earlier books in this series. Much of the novel is introspective, and there’s less tension or forward momentum compared to Brian’s earlier survival experiences.

Overall, Brian’s Return is a thoughtful addition to the series, but not a standout. It’s best suited for readers already invested in Brian’s journey rather than those looking for high-stakes adventure.

I listened to the audiobook, obtained via Cloudlibrary.

The Sower's Secret by Brock Eastman & Shaun Stevenson

A hilarious action-adventure series for Christian kids set in a town where the parables of Jesus literally come to life.

When Anthony and his mom move to the seaside town of Parable Port, they’re just hoping for a fresh start. Anthony soon finds out that there’s something unusual about this little it’s a place where Jesus’ parables come to life in surprising ways.

The adventure begins when a flock of orange birds stalks Anthony and flowering vines grow everywhere, knocking people out cold with their pollen. In the good old days, the living parables would help the town to flourish. But now? Something or someone is messing with the Parable of the Sower and causing chaos.

With the help of his new friends Duck, J.R., Grace, and Brooklyn, Anthony must uncover clues, decipher riddles, and stay one step ahead of the birds and vines to save the town—before it’s too late.

This Christian book series for middle schoolers. A map of Parable Port—Follow along as the kids run around town to solve the mystery. 

Kindle Edition, 208 pages

Expected publication March 3, 2026 

by Tyndale Kids

3.5/5 stars

The Sower’s Secret, releasing in March, is the first book in a new middle-grade series inspired by the parables of the Bible. This opening story focuses on the parable of the mustard seed and the idea that even the smallest beginnings can grow into something significant.

This story follows Anthony and his mom as they move to Parable Port. It's here where Anthony  makes new friends - Duck, JR, Grace and Brooklyn. Not long after settling in strange things begin happening around town, and Anthony and his friends find themselves pulled into a mystery they don’t fully understand. Their journey to uncover what’s really going on adds an engaging sense of adventure while reinforcing the book’s central message about faith, patience and the small acts making a big impact.

The writing is clear, making this a good fit for middle-grade readers, families and even classrooms and church group settings. The plot is fairly straightforward and the lesson is easy to identify, but it’s handled in a way that feels age-appropriate rather than heavy-handed. The notes at the end outline the meaning of the Parable of the Mustard Seed, easy to follow and opening the opportunity for discussion.

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

Daughter of Egypt by Marie Benedict

Bestselling author Marie Benedict, returns with a sweeping tale of a young woman who unearths the truth about a forgotten Pharoah—rewriting both of their legacies forever.

In the 1920s, archeologist Howard Carter and Lord Carnarvon of Highclere Castle made headlines around the world with the discovery of the treasure-filled tomb of the boy Pharaoh Tutankhamun. But behind it all stood Lady Evelyn Herbert—daughter of Lord Carnarvon—whose daring spirit and relentless curiosity made the momentous find possible.

Nearly 3,000 years earlier, another woman defied the expectations of her Hatshepsut, Egypt’s lost pharaoh. Her reign was bold, visionary—and nearly erased from history.

When Evelyn becomes obsessed with finding Hatshepsut’s secret tomb, she risks everything to uncover the truth about her reign and keep valued artifacts in Egypt, their rightful home. But as danger closes in and political tensions rise, she must make an impossible protect her father’s legacy—or forge her own.

Propelled by high adventure and deadly intrigue, Daughter of Egypt is the story of two ambitious women who lived centuries apart. Both were forced to hide who they were during their lifetimes, yet ultimately changed history forever.

Kindle Edition, 320 pages

Audiobook, 10 hours, 15 minutes

Expected publication March 24, 2026 

by St. Martin's Press/Macmillan Audio

4/5 stars

Daughters of Egypt is a dual-timeline historical novel that highlights women whose influence and intelligence were often pushed to the margins of history. Told through two points of view nearly 3,000 years apart, this story shows how power, ambition and determination echo across time.

One timeline is set in the 1920s and follows Lady Evelyn Carnarvon, who has a passion for archaeology.  Through her friendship with Howard Carter, we get a fascinating look at the excitement, tension, and behind-the-scenes look at history. At the same time seeing how much Evelyn herself longed to be taken seriously in a male-dominated field.

The second timeline takes us back to ancient Egypt and follows Hatshepsut, a woman determined to rule in a world that refuses to accept a female pharaoh. Her journey is compelling and powerful, and the parallels between her struggles and Evelyn’s make the dual narrative especially effective.

Overall, this was an immersive and thoughtful read that did a great job bringing overlooked women to the forefront of history. 

Note: I was luck to get both the digital and audiobook, it was a fun hybrid read.  I will confess that I enjoyed reading the book moreso, one of the povs didn't work for me in audio.

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

Skylark by Paula McLain

Bestselling author of The Paris Wife weaves a mesmerizing tale of Paris above and below—where a woman’s quest for artistic freedom in 1664 intertwines with a doctor’s dangerous mission during the German occupation in the 1940s, revealing a story of courage and resistance that transcends time. 

1664: Alouette Voland is the daughter of a master dyer at the famed Gobelin Tapestry Works, who secretly dreams of escaping her circumstances and creating her own masterpiece. When her father is unjustly imprisoned, Alouette's efforts to save him lead to her own confinement in the notorious Salpêtrière asylum, where thousands of women are held captive and cruelly treated. But within its grim walls, she discovers a small group of brave allies, and the possibility of a life bigger than she ever imagined. 

1939: Kristof Larson is a medical student beginning his psychiatric residency in Paris, whose neighbors on the Rue de Gobelins are a Jewish family who have fled Poland. When Nazi forces descend on the city, Kristof becomes their only hope for survival, even as his work as a doctor is jeopardized. 

A spellbinding and transportive look at a side of Paris known to very few—the underground city that is a mirror reflection of the glories above—Paula McLain’s unforgettable new novel chronicles two parallel journeys of defiance and rescue that connect in ways both surprising and deeply moving.

Kindle Edition, 464 pages

First published January 6, 2026

 by Atria Books

3.50/5 stars

Skylark is an atmospheric and ambitious historical novel that feels like a departure from the author’s more familiar work, one that still pays off.

Alternating between Paris of 1664, where women are not allowed to think, decide or even exist independently. And the dawn of World War II, where freedom is again under threat, though in very different ways. The historical setting of 17th-century Paris has fascinating details about the dye guilds, the power structures of the time and the harsh treatment of prisoners and those deemed mentally unwell. Such is similar seeing through the eyes of a medical student in 1939 as he witnesses the atrocities against the Jewish population.

Skylark is all the more an emotional story because its based on real historical events.  Each setting was vivid in descriptions and well researched. The stories were interesting and informative.  This book will appeal to those that like historical fiction that is unique with strong players.

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

Brian's Winter by Gary Paulsen

He would have to find some way to protect himself, some weapon. The fire worked well when it was burning, but it had burned down. His hatchet and knife would have done nothing more than make the bear really angry -- something he did not like to think about -- and his bow was good only for smaller game. He had never tried to shoot anything bigger than a fool bird or rabbit with it and doubted that the bow would push the arrow deep enough to do anything but -- again -- make the bear really mad.

He bundled in his bag that night, the end of the two weeks of warm weather. He kept putting wood on the fire, half afraid the bear would come back. All the while he tried to think of a solution.

But in reality, the bear was not his primary adversary. Nor was the wolf, nor any animal. Brian had become his own worst enemy because in all the business of hunting, fishing and surviving he had forgotten the primary rule: Always, always pay attention to what was happening. Everything in nature means something and he had missed the warnings that summer was ending, had in many ways already ended, and what was coming would be the most dangerous thing he had faced since the plane crashed.

Paperback, 144 pages

Published January 12, 1998

 by Laurel Leaf

3/5 stars

Brian’s Winter is the third book in the Brian Saga Series and takes a familiar story in a new direction. This novel is a “what if” scenario that imagines what would have happened if Brian had not been rescued before winter after the plane crash that left him stranded in the wilderness.

The focus is squarely on survival as Brian endures the brutal winter months, relying on his growing knowledge of the land and sheer determination. Paulsen’s descriptions of the cold, isolation, and daily struggle for food and shelter are vivid, especially for readers who enjoy wilderness survival stories.

That said, the plot feels more reflective than suspenseful and much of the story revisits challenges similar to those in earlier books. While it’s interesting to see Brian tested in a harsher season, the narrative doesn’t offer many surprises or strong emotional shifts.

Overall, Brian’s Winter is a solid addition for fans of the series, particularly those curious about this alternate outcome. It’s an engaging survival tale, but it doesn’t quite stand out from the rest of Brian’s journey.

This book was part of my 2026 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge and is book #1

Keeper of Lost Children by Sadeqa Johnson

In this new novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The House of Eve, one American woman’s vision in post WWII Germany will tie together three people in an unexpected way.

Lost in the streets and smoldering rubble of Occupied Germany, Ethel Gathers, the proud wife of an American soldier spots a gaggle of mixed-race children following a nun. Desperate to conceive her own family, she feels compelled to follow them to learn their story.

Ozzie Philips volunteers for the army in 1948, eager to break barriers for Black soldiers. Despite his best efforts, he finds the racism he encountered at home in Philadelphia has followed him overseas. He finds solace in the arms of Jelka, a German woman struggling with the lack of resources and even joy in her destroyed country.

In 1965, Sophia Clark discovers she’s been given an opportunity to integrate a prestigious boarding school in Maryland and leave behind her spiteful parents and the grueling demands. In a chance meeting with a fellow classmate, she discovers a secret that upends her world.

Toggling between the lives of these three individuals, Keeper of Lost Children explores how one woman’s vision will change the course of countless lives, and demonstrates that love in its myriad of forms—familial, parental, and forbidden, even love of self—can be transcendent.

Kindle Edition, 464 pages

Expected publication February 10, 2026

by Simon & Schuster CA

5/5 stars

The Keeper of Lost Children is a moving historical fiction novel that brings to light a remarkable, largely overlooked chapter of post–World War II history. Given the author's 2 previous books I knew I was in for a captivating read.

Inspired by the life events that explores the aftermath of World War 2 through a couple points of view. One perspective follows an American woman living in Germany with her husband, longing to become a mother but unable to conceive.  Her desire for motherhood becomes inseparable from the children society has abandoned.

Interwoven with this is the perspective of a teenage girl growing up on a farm in Maryland, yearning for more than the life she has been handed. Her coming-of-age story is marked by determination, resilience, and a quiet but powerful sense of purpose. This viewpoint adds depth and hope, showing how ambition and compassion can take root even in the most ordinary of places.

Keeper of Lost Children is a story of family, hope and how one woman decided that these children mattered. It was well written and researched and now weeks after I finished it has stayed with me.

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

Once and Again by Rebecca Serle

A tale of a family of women with an astonishing gift - the ability to redo one moment in their lives.

The women of the Novak family were each born with a they can, just once, turn back time.

Lauren has known since she was fifteen that her mother Marcella saved Lauren’s father from a deadly car accident. Dave is alive and happy, and out on the Malibu waves. But ever since, Marcella, her power spent, has lived in fear of what she won’t be able to reverse. Her own mother, Sylvia, is her polar a free-spirited iconoclast with a glamorous past she only hints at. Lauren has spent her life between these two role models—and waiting for her own catastrophe to strike.

Then one summer, Lauren’s husband takes a job in New York and she moves back to Broad Beach Road, back into her childhood home on the shores of Malibu. Lauren looks forward to surfing with her dad again and perhaps repairing an unspoken fracture in her relationship with her mother. What she doesn’t expect is for the boy next to door to return home as Stone, Lauren’s first love, who broke her heart nearly a decade before.

As Lauren falls into familiar patterns, with her family and, more dangerously, Stone, she finds herself thinking about all the choices, large and small, that have brought her to this moment. And wondering, finally, if one of them should be undone.

Kindle Edition, 256

Expected publication March 10, 2026

 by Atria Books

3/5 stars

Once and Again follows three generations of women, grandmother, mother and daughter, who share a rare and mysterious gift: each is granted a single do over — it’s a second chance that can only be used once.

The premise is compelling as the story slowly reveals unknown pasts layered with twists, scandal, and heartache.  Though blood related they have different personalities and once their stories are shared their characteristics make a whole lot of sense.  A quick read coming in at 256 pages, but it was enough with some depth and the emotion that it needed.

Overall Once and Again is a thought provoking story of family, mistakes and healing.

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

The Names by Florence Knapp

Can a name change the course of a life?

In the wake of a catastrophic storm, Cora sets off with her nine-year-old daughter, Maia, to register the birth of her son. Her husband, Gordon, respected in the community but a controlling presence at home, intends for her to follow a long-standing family tradition and name the baby after him. But when faced with the decision, Cora hesitates....

Spanning thirty-five years, what follows are three alternate and alternating versions of their lives, shaped by Cora's last-minute choice of name. In richly layered prose, The Names explores the painful ripple effects of domestic abuse, the messy ties of family, and the possibilities for autonomy and healing.

Through a prism of what-ifs, Florence Knapp invites us to consider the "one ... precious life" we are given. Full of hope, this is the story of three names, three versions of a life, and the infinite possibilities that a single decision can spark. It is the story of one family and love's endless capacity to endure, no matter what fate has in store.

Hardcover, 328 pages

Published May 6, 2025

 by Pamela Dorman Books

3.5 stars

The Names is a strong debut. At its heart, this book asks an intriguing question: does your name really shape who you become? 

That question sits at the center of the story, which I do think should come with trigger warnings for domestic abuse. While I don’t know if that counts as a spoiler, it’s central to the narrative and important to know going in.

The book is told through three “what if” scenarios rather than traditional timelines. What if this baby boy is named Bear or Julian or Gordon - after his well respected Dr. father.  A decision his mother Cora makes.  What follows is a look at of how their lives might unfold under each name. The writing was smooth and kept me engaged, though I did feel taking too long a break had me pausing to remember where I was and which story I was in.

The Names is a thoughtful, imaginative and emotional debut.  One that has stayed with me weeks after I finished.

This book was part of my 2025 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge (#52)

Alchemy of Secrets by Stephanie Garber

YOU'RE HERE BECAUSE OF A STORY . . .

It starts with a class in an old movie theatre. Folklore 517: Local Legends and Urban Myths, taught by a woman called the Professor.

Most students believe the Professor's stories are just fiction, but Holland St. James has always been convinced that magic is real.

Her search for the truth leads her to a dazzling new world, a deadly ultimatum hidden at the heart of Los Angeles, and into the path of a magnetic stranger who claims he's been sent to save her life.

But everyone in this intoxicating new world is lying to her, even this stranger. And if she can't figure out whom to trust, her magical reality could change from a Hollywood dream to a nightmare.

Alchemy of Secrets is the spectacular new novel from global phenomenon Stephanie Garber, the multimillion-copy bestselling author of the Caraval and Once Upon a Broken Heart series. Fusing spellbinding Hollywood secrets with a cinematic mystery, it will transport you into another world.

Hardcover, 336 pages

Published October 7, 2025

 by Gollancz

4/5 stars

Alchemy of Secrets is Stephanie Garber's first adult novel, and I went into it not quite sure what to expect. The first book I ever read by her was Once Upon a Broken Heart, which I absolutely loved. It felt like such a refreshing YA fantasy - magical, with adventure and fairy tale vibes and imaginative without relying on spice or excessive violence. Because of that, I was really curious to see how Garber would handle a move into adult fiction.

This book steps away from full on fantasy but still carries her signature sense of magic, leaning more toward magical realism or maybe fantasy - I'm not really sure.  The theme is unique, the characters unreliable and the mystery gripping. There was still some YA vibes, especially in tone and character interactions, which didn’t bother me. 

Alchemy of Secrets is a creative, magical-leaning story with a unique premise that came with this gorgeous cover.  While getting ready to post this review I learned that its the first in a new series, which honestly explains the ending a little better.  Can't wait to see what happens next.

This book was part of my 2025 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge (#51)

The Seven Rings by Nora Roberts

Nora Roberts concludes her Lost Bride trilogy as two women—one dead, one alive—prepare for a terrifying final showdown…

Long ago, Arthur Poole built a grand house overlooking the turbulent ocean, in a Maine village that bore his name. Today, Sonya MacTavish lives in that house—a manor that has been cursed for generations. Within its walls, she has witnessed the deaths of seven brides and the thefts of seven wedding rings. And now, to break the curse and banish a malevolent spirit once and for all, a difficult task must be completed.

After Sonya, her boyfriend, Trey, and their friends are forced to hear, see—and feel—the suffering of the house’s many ghosts as their torment is reenacted by the evil presence, their bond only strengthens and their anger is renewed. Refusing to let her spirit be broken, Sonya searches each room for clues to her ancestors’ hidden story, putting the picture together, unearthing small treasures, and uncovering the moments of joy that existed among the sorrows. She’s determined to bring light to this haunted place—to fill it with people, with life and hope, once again.

But the enemy in the black dress continues to hover, to come at her in frightening forms. They may be illusions—but illusions can be powerful enough to wound and kill. She feeds on fear, and lies are her weapon. This dark-hearted witch wants to be mistress of Poole Manor, at any cost. And Sonya will need to fight a battle across two realms to finally take possession of the house on the clifftop—and of her own future…

Hardcover, 454 pages

Published November 18, 2025

 by St. Martin's Press

2.5/5 stars

The Seven Rings is the third book in series and while it has an interesting mystery and a unique overall premise it ultimately didn’t work for me as the previous 2 did.

This series was my first experience reading Nora Roberts, and I listened to this one as an audiobook. My biggest issue was the length. The story felt far too long, with a lot of time spent on cooking, meal planning and rearranging furniture. In audio format, these sections felt especially drawn out and repeatedly pulled focus away from the mystery to the point where I found myself disengaging.

That said, the underlying plot is unusual and I did appreciate the mystery element running through the series. There is nothing like a good ghost story. Unfortunately, the tone leaned overly sweet for my taste, and the ending felt rushed, particularly after such a long build-up.

As a trilogy, this series felt stretched. In all honesty, I think the story and possibly the entire series, could have worked better as a duology, keeping the mystery tighter and the resolution more satisfying.

All in all an imaginative mystery with a strong premise, but weighed down by length, a too-sweet tone at times (in the relationships department that is) and a rushed conclusion.