The Portal Keeper by David Alexander Robertson

Eli and Morgan experience life-changing revelations in the fourth adventure in the award-winning, Narnia-inspired Indigenous middle-grade fantasy series, now in paperback.

While exploring World's End, an area in Aski they've just discovered, Morgan and Emily delight in their developing relationship, while Eli struggles to understand his new-found the ability to locate a portal. A shocking turn of events leads them to a new village, Ministik, where the animal beings who live there are going missing. Horrified to discover who is responsible, the children vow to help and turn to friends, old and new. But it's getting harder and harder to keep the two worlds separate, especially when details of a traditional legend change everything. 

Forever.

Paperback, 256 pages

Audiobook, 7 hours, 35 minutes

Published July 2, 2024

 by Tundra Books

3.5/5 stars

The Portal Keeper, is the 4th book the Misewa Saga. It's another imaginative and heartfelt journey into the richly woven world of Indigenous storytelling. Robertson continues to blend fantasy and Cree culture in a way that feels both magical and meaningful.

Morgan and Eli continue into new realms and face fresh challenges that test their courage, wisdom and friendship. Being the 4th book I wondered what could be next and again the Misewa world expands in new ways  that offer new characters and settings.

I don't really want to say too much, especially for those that haven't started this series.  Book 6 just released today.  Suffice to say this is an adventure filled series with emotion and cultural insight.  I definitely recommend reading this series in order.  Though written for the middle grade readers this adult is enjoying this series.

This book is part of my 2025 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge - #40

The Fort by Christy K. Lee

The Fort transports readers to the rugged Canadian fur trade era, where a resilient single mother defies conventions to forge a new life on the frontier.

It's the height of the fur trade in Canada, and Abigail Williams leaves her home in England and travels deep within the rugged wilderness to escape her scandalous past. With her young son in tow, Abby imagines a life on the banks of the North Saskatchewan River, in the rugged but beautiful Fort Edmonton, where she can mend horseshoes in her father’s blacksmith shop and her past will not be a hindrance to her happiness.

Life has other plans. The interest of Henry, an officer at the fort, and Gabriel, a French trapper, are not what she expected. While she wrestles with what future either man can give her, her past comes to haunt her, and she and her son must flee with a ragtag group of voyageurs to Montreal. The winter journey is fraught with dangers, from raging rivers to the chaos that is Lake Superior. But Abby is determined to create a new life for herself, whatever the barriers.

The Fort features the iconic Hudson's Bay Company and rival North West Company, English-French tensions, a heartfelt love story, LGBTQ+ representation, and impeccably-researched historical detail.

Kindle Edition, 283 pages

Expected publication July 15, 2025

 by Rising Action

4/5 stars

I requested an ARC of The Fort as soon as I read Canadian historical fiction and I love the fact it's penned by a Canadian author based in BC. The setting is Fort Edmonton during the peak of the fur trade, with icy winters, fierce voyageurs, and that tug between English and French Canadian.

Abigail Williams is a fascinating character. A single mum fleeing scandal in England, she arrives at Fort Edmonton hoping to restart her life as a blacksmith. There’s the earnest officer Henry, the rugged Métis trapper Gabriel, and even a roommate with ties to Marie-Anne Lagimodière (an actual early female pioneer in the fur trade) to add some spark. 

Lee carefully blended historical detail and emotional depth. The harshness and beautiful Canada’s wilderness was described vividly, I even felt the chill during this recent heat wave.

Yes, some might question how plausible a British woman blacksmith fits into an early 1800s fur fort life, but Lee leans into that with inventive storytelling that made it totally plausible.

All in all, if you enjoy vivid and immersive Canadian historical fiction featuring strong female leads, moral dilemmas, and a sweeping wilderness backdrop, The Fort is a solid pick. Lee’s Canadian roots give the story authenticity and her pacing keeps the plot moving.

My thanks to Rising Action for a digital arc in exchange for a honest review.

The Stone Child by David Alexander Robertson

It's a race against time to save Eli, in this third book in the award-winning, Narnia-inspired Indigenous middle-grade fantasy series.

After discovering a near-lifeless Eli at the base of the Great Tree, Morgan knows she doesn't have much time to save him. And it will mean asking for help — from friends old and new. Racing against the clock, and with Arik and Emily at her side, Morgan sets off to follow the trail away from the Great Tree to find Eli's soul before it's too late. As they journey deep into the northern woods, a place they've been warned never to enter, they face new challenges and life-threatening attacks from strange and horrifying creatures. But a surprise ally comes to their aid, and Morgan finds the strength to focus on what's most saving her brother's life.

 

Paperback, 256 pages

Published July 5, 2023

 by Tundra Books

3.5/5 stars

I really enjoyed The Stone Child. It’s a solid addition to David A. Robertson’s series, The Misewa Saga. 

It's a race against time for Morgan to save Eli, and she has to step out of her comfort zone and ask for help. Good on her! Though it is slower paced compared to the previous books. That said, the story still kept me interested with its mix of adventure, mystery and deeper themes. Eli and Morgan continue to grow in meaningful ways, plus the world-building remains strong and imaginative.

While it didn’t quite grab me as much as earlier installments, it still felt like an important stepping stone in the series. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing where things go next in The Portal Keeper.

This book was part of my 2025 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge #38

Munro vs. the Coyote by Darren Groth

Since the sudden death of his younger sister, Evie, sixteen-year-old Munro Maddux has been having flashbacks and anger-management issues. 

He has a constant ache in his right hand. And there's a taunting, barking, biting voice he calls "the Coyote." Munro knows a six-month student exchange will not be the stuff of teenage dreams, but in Brisbane, he intends to move beyond his troubled past. 

It is there, at an assisted-living residence called Fair Go Community Village, that Munro discovers the Coyote can be silenced. Munro volunteers as a "Living Partner" and gets to know the team of residents he is assigned to. The burden Munro carries, however, is not so easily cast aside. When one of the team makes the decision to leave, the Coyote gets a new life. When a second resident is taken away, the specter of trauma and death looms larger than ever. 

Will Munro learn how to silence the voice? Or will the Coyote ultimately triumph?

Paperback, 288 pages, 

Published May 11, 2021

 by Orca Book Publishers

4.5/5 stars

Munro vs. the Coyote was a thoughtful and emotionally honest read. It is the story of a teenage boy dealing with grief after the sudden loss of his sister. It tackles some heavy themes that include mental health, suicide, guilt, and resilience - with a quiet strength and empathy that doesn’t feel forced or preachy.

Munro is a believable and hurting character. His grief feels raw and genuine, and the way he interacts with the 'Coyote' his internal voice of doubt and pain is both clever and heartbreaking. The metaphor might seem quirky at first, but it becomes a powerful symbol of the internal battles so many young people face.

Darren Groth writes with a simple, clear style that lets the emotional weight of the story come through without over-explaining. There are moments of dark humor, genuine warmth and small flashes of hope that keep the story grounded, even as it explores a difficult subject.

It’s not a fast-paced book, and there were a few spots that felt a little slow or repetitive, but overall, it’s a deeply meaningful story about love and loss and learning how to keep going when everything feels broken.

I’d definitely recommend this to older teens or adults looking for a raw, compassionate take on grief and healing.

This book was part of my 2025 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge #17 - I read this in March and struggled putting the words together until now.

Warbird by Jennifer Maruno

Etienne is called on an adventure in the new world... 

In 1647, ten-year-old Etienne yearns for a life of adventure far from his family farm in Quebec. He meets an orphan destined to apprentice among the Jesuits at Fort Sainte-Marie. Making the most impulsive decision of his life, Etienne replaces the orphan and paddles off with the voyageurs into the north country. 

At Sainte-Marie, Etienne must learn to live a life of piety.

 Meanwhile, he also makes friends with a Huron youth, Tsiko, who teaches him the ways of his people. 

When the Iroquois attack and destroy the nearby village, Etienne must put his new skills into practice. 

Will he survive?

 Will he ever see his family again?

Paperback, 120 pages

Published September 1, 2010

 by Napoleon and Co

4/5 stars

I was drawn to this book because of the Canadian historical fiction theme. And also the author is local for me.

It’s 1647 in Quebec, which was a time of exploration and for 10-year-old Etienne a time for adventure. When he switches places with an orphan boy destined for Fort Sainte-Marie, he gets more of an adventure than he ever thought possible. Coming in at 120 pages might not seem like a lot but for the middle grade reader it is enough to get a look at what voyageurs and explorers went through in the early settlements of Ontario.

Warbird is ultimately a story of friendship, history and a close look at the struggles between the Iroquois, Jesuits and Hurons.  A great book to learn about history in Ontario with an entertaining read.

This book was part of my 2025 reading off my shelf challenge and is book # 29

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.

No Fixed Address by Susin Nielsen

A middle-grade story about family, friendship, and growing up when you're one step away from homelessness.

Twelve-and-three-quarter-year-old Felix Knutsson has a knack for trivia. His favorite game show is Who What Where When; he even named his gerbil after the host. Felix's mom, Astrid, is loving but can't seem to hold on to a job. So when they get evicted from their latest shabby apartment, they have to move into a van. Astrid swears him to secrecy. He can't tell anyone about their living arrangement, not even Dylan and Winnie, his best friends at his new school. If he does, she warns him, he'll be taken away from her and put in foster care.

As their circumstances go from bad to worse, Felix gets a chance to audition for a junior edition of Who What Where When, and he's determined to earn a spot on the show. Winning the cash prize could make everything okay again. But things don't turn out the way he expects. . . .

Hardcover, 288 pages

Published September 11, 2018

 by Tundra Books

4.5/5 stars

This is my first time reading, Canadian author Susan Nelson, I will definitely be back for more. No Fixed Address is a heartwarming story about 12 year-old Felix and his mother, they suddenly find themselves homeless or almost since they are living in a van.

I really like Felix, he is smart, caring, kinda quirky while dealing alot with a lot of stuff that he shouldn’t be. His mother tries, she’s a complicated character and though I felt her love for her son she just has issues.

No Fixed Address pulls at the heart strings as it deals with the stigma attached to poverty and homelessness, while being a strong story involving friendship, family, and hope. The author’s writing style made this for an addicting read that only took me a couple days to finish. It is a great book to open up discussions while also showing a good side of human nature.

This book was part of my 2025 reading off my shelf challenge and is booked #8.

The Barren Grounds by David A. Robertson

Narnia meets traditional Indigenous stories of the sky and constellations in an epic middle-grade fantasy series from award-winning author David Robertson.

Morgan and Eli, two Indigenous children forced away from their families and communities, are brought together in a foster home in Winnipeg, Manitoba. They each feel disconnected, from their culture and each other, and struggle to fit in at school and at their new home -- until they find a secret place, walled off in an unfinished attic bedroom. A portal opens to another reality, Ask�, bringing them onto frozen, barren grounds, where they meet Ochek (Fisher). The only hunter supporting his starving community, Misewa, Ochek welcomes the human children, teaching them traditional ways to survive. But as the need for food becomes desperate, they embark on a dangerous mission. Accompanied by Arik, a sassy Squirrel they catch stealing from the trapline, they try to save Misewa before the icy grip of winter freezes everything -- including them.

Paperback, 256 pages

Published August 31, 2021

 by Tundra Books

4/5 stars

This is book 1 in The Misewa Saga with book 5 coming out in August. I was lucky enough to get a digital arc of book 5 so now I am slowly going through this series to caught up.

I was excited to start this series not just because David Robertson is a Canadian author with his books taking place on Canadian soil but rather that he is known for his indigenous stories. He did not disappoint here.

For Morgan and Eli they are brought together in a foster home living in Winnipeg, Manitoba. They don’t start off as friends, in fact the opposite, but when they travel through a portal they are forced to work together. Transported to a alternate fantasy world called Aski they are met with a culture that both have been internally craving along with myths and creatures, both good and bad. 

This book did have a Narnia vibe to it, but instead of a faith theme it had a very indigenous feel along with a great message. 

This book was part of my 2025 reading off my shelf challenge and is booked #2.

Hopeless in Hope by Wanda John-Kehewin

We live in a hopeless old house on an almost-deserted dead-end street in a middle-of-nowhere town named Hope. This is the oldest part of Hope; eventually it will all be torn down and rebuilt into perfect homes for perfect people. Until then, we live here: imperfect people on an imperfect street that everyone forgets about. For Eva Brown, life feels lonely and small. Her mother, Shirley, drinks and yells all the time. She’s the target of the popular mean girl, and her only friend doesn’t want to talk to her anymore. All of it would be unbearable if it weren’t for her cat, Toofie, her beloved nohkum, and her writing, which no one will ever see. When Nohkum is hospitalized, Shirley struggles to keep things together for Eva and her younger brother, Marcus. After Marcus is found wandering the neighbourhood alone, he is sent to live with a foster family, and Eva finds herself in a group home. Furious at her mother, Eva struggles to adjust―and being reunited with her family seems less and less likely. During a visit to the hospital, Nohkum gives Eva Shirley’s diary. Will the truths it holds help Eva understand her mother? Heartbreaking and humorous, Hopeless in Hope is a compelling story of family and forgiveness.

Paperback, 216 pages

Published September 5, 2023

by HighWater Press

5/5 stars

Hopeless in Hope is one of those stories that makes me wonder why it isn’t getting the hype that it deserves. And knowing that this is the authors debut makes it all the more poignant.

Eva is 14-years-old, she lives in Hope, BC.  Not only is she indigenous, but bullied for being overweight and impoverished. Her mother is an alcoholic, along with her brother Marcus, they are being raised by their grandmother, her Hohkum.

Hopeless in Hope was an emotional read as it tackles a number of subjects. It is about Eva‘s journey as she enters a group home while her brother enters a another one following their grandmother's hospitalization. It is during that time that Eva reconciles with her mother and grandmother‘s past and how they arrived where they are today.

Such a well written story about the effect of Canada‘s past on future generations.  This book should be in classrooms and widely talked about.  I recommend this to readers of all ages.

My copy was obtained through my local public library.

Forever Birchwood by Danielle Daniel

The middle-grade debut of star picture-book author and illustrator Danielle Daniel

Adventurous, trail-blazing Wolf lives in a northern mining town and spends her days exploring the mountains and wilderness with her three best friends Penny, Ann and Brandi. The girls' secret refuge is their tree-house hideaway, Birchwood, Wolf's favourite place on earth. When her beloved grandmother tells her that she is the great-granddaughter of a tree talker, Wolf knows that she is destined to protect the birch trees and wildlife that surround her.

But Wolf's mother doesn't understand this connection at all. Not only is she reluctant to engage with their family's Indigenous roots, she seems suspiciously on the wrong side of the environmental protection efforts in their hometown. To make matters worse, she's just started dating an annoying new boyfriend named Roger, whose motives--and construction company--seem equally suspect.

As summer arrives, so do bigger problems. Wolf and her friends discover orange plastic bands wrapped around the trees near their cherished hangout spot, and their once stable friendship seems on the verge of unravelling. Birchwood has given them so much--can they even stay together long enough to save this special place?

With gorgeous yet understated language, Danielle Daniel beautifully captures an urgent and aching time in a young person's life. To read this astonishing middle-grade debut is to have your heart broken and then tenderly mended.

Paperback, 304 pages

Published January 18, 2022 

by HarperCollins

4.5/5 stars

I have previously read Daughters of the Deer by Danielle Daniel, so I was anxious to read this her debut middle grade Forever Birchwood.

Taking place in Sudbury, Ontario 12-year-old Wolf along with three of her best friends spend a summer trying to save their beloved Birchwood from destruction.

Though I started off reading the book, it wasn’t long before I grabbed the audio and finished it in a day. I don’t understand some other reviews that criticize the audio and the narrator, for myself I found it a pleasant listen.  The reader did a great job, I was captivated.

 Wolf is a strong girl, determined along with her friends. But she also has other things going on in her life, her mother‘s new boyfriend who just happens to work for the construction company set to destroy Birchwood. She can't help wondering if her real estate mother is also somehow involved.

As these girls sneak around trying to thaw the demolition effort they get more than they bargained for in this mining town.  I won’t go into what all these obstacles are for fear of spoilers.  But suffice to say I think this was a well written coming of age story, that shows determination, the importance of heritage and family along with standing up for something you strongly believe in.

This Canadian reader also loves the setting and hopes the author will continue featuring this great province.

This was part of my 2024 reading off my shelf challenge and my copy of the audiobook was obtained through CloudLibrary

Weird Rules to Follow by Kim Spencer

Mia knows her family is very different than her best friend's. 

In the 1980s, the coastal fishing town of Prince Rupert is booming. There is plenty of sockeye salmon in the nearby ocean, which means the fishermen are happy and there is plenty of work at the cannery. 

Eleven-year-old Mia and her best friend, Lara, have known each other since kindergarten. Like most tweens, they like to hang out and compare notes on their crushes and dream about their futures. But even though they both live in the same cul-de-sac, Mia’s life is very different from her non-Indigenous, middle-class neighbor. 

Lara lives with her mom, her dad and her little brother in a big house, with two cars in the drive and a view of the ocean. Mia lives in a shabby wartime house that is full of relatives―her churchgoing grandmother, binge-drinking mother and a rotating number of aunts, uncles and cousins. 

Even though their differences never seemed to matter to the two friends, Mia begins to notice how adults treat her differently, just because she is Indigenous. Teachers, shopkeepers, even Lara’s parents―they all seem to have decided who Mia is without getting to know her first.

Paperback, 192 pages

Published November 1, 2023

 by Orca Book Publishers

5/5 stars

I had the opportunity to listen to Kim Spencer do a keynote address at a conference I attended recently. Growing up in Prince Rupert in northern British Columbia herself is where this book takes place. My general feel is that a lot of this is her own experiences that she wrote about.

Weird Rules to Follow is the story of 11 year-old Mia in the 1980's.  Along with her best friend Lara, it's a story not just about her friendship with a white girl or about not being brought up in a middle class home.  But rather it's a story of Mia's life and the things that shape her as she grows up.

I really enjoyed this book. Told from Mia’s pov helped to build empathy for her and the struggles she has with who she is, her family, and friendships. One could almost say this is a series of short stories through her teens, but it packs a punch in how it reflects the times and location. It was well written and an author I will be reading more of.

This book was part of my 2024 reading off my shelf challenge

When the World Fell Silent by Donna Jones Alward

A story of loss, hope and redemption against the most impossible odds. 1917. Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Nora Crowell wants more than her sister’s life as a wife and mother. As WWI rages across the Atlantic, she becomes a lieutenant in the Canadian Army Nursing Corp. But trouble is looming and it won’t be long before the truth comes to light.

Having lost her beloved husband in the trenches and with no-one else to turn to, Charlotte Campbell now lives with his haughty relations who treat her like the help. It is baby Aileen, the joy and light of her life, who spurs her to dream of a better life.

When tragedy strikes in Halifax Harbour, nothing for these two women will ever be the same again. Their paths will cross in the most unexpected way, trailing both heartbreak and joy its wake…

Paperback, 374 pages

Published August 1, 2024

 by One More Chapter

3/5 stars

I grabbed this book because of the Canadian setting, a debut Canadian author and that it revolves around real Canadian history.  It’s 1917 when the Halifax explosion rocks Canada.  Do you see the theme?  Yea I love reading about this great country.

I wanted to love this book.  The social media hype was high so maybe my expectations were way up there.  But for a number of reasons I was left wanting more.

I love that this story highlights an almost forgotten tragedy in our history but I wanted more details, like the how, why and who was responsible.  It almost seems that this was more a background story with Nora and Charlotte's story front and center.

Told from the point of view of these two young women, who I found similar and at times hard to distinguish.  They have both lost so much between the war and the explosion, and now they struggle to carry on afterwards.

This is falling between a 2.5 and a 3 star book for me. While I didn’t love it, I also didn’t hate it. It was a predictable story with a lot of inner dialogue and at times repetitive. 

It was just a so-so read that would have taken me longer to finish if it was not for the audio.

This book was part of my 2024 reading off my shelf challenge.

This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune

This summer they’ll keep their promise. This summer they won’t give into temptation. This summer will be different.

Lucy is the tourist vacationing at a beach house on Prince Edward Island. Felix is the local who shows her a very good time. The only problem: Lucy doesn’t know he’s her best friend’s younger brother. Lucy and Felix’s chemistry is unreal, but the list of reasons why they need to stay away from each other is long, and they vow to never repeat that electric night again.

It’s easier said than done.

Each year, Lucy escapes to PEI for a big breath of coastal air, fresh oysters and crisp vinho verde with her best friend, Bridget. Every visit begins with a long walk on the beach, beneath soaring red cliffs and a golden sun. And every visit, Lucy promises herself she won’t wind up in Felix’s bed. Again.

If Lucy can’t help being drawn to Felix, at least she’s always kept her heart out of it.

When Bridget suddenly flees Toronto a week before her wedding, Lucy drops everything to follow her to the island. Her mission is to help Bridget through her crisis and resist the one man she’s never been able to. But Felix’s sparkling eyes and flirty quips have been replaced with something new, and Lucy’s beginning to wonder just how safe her heart truly is.

Paperback, 320 pages

Published May 7, 2024

by Berkley

3.5/5 stars

Canadian author, Carly Fortune has written another summer read with a Canadian setting. I hope she continues her books within Canada, it’s refreshing to read about places that one is familiar with.

This story alternates between Toronto and PEI. When Lucy goes to visit, her friends family’s home in PEI she was given explicit instructions to stay away from the brother… but obviously we know how that’s gonna end up.

This Summer Will Be Different is the story of Lucy, still grieving the loss of a beloved aunt, it is also about her relationship with her friend Bridget and Bridget‘s brother Felix. It feels very much like a coming of age story for these adults. As I’ve come to expect with Fortune's writing, it is entertaining. 

Is this my favorite Fortune book, probably not, I loved the Canadian vibe. Having only ever visited PEI for a couple hours I am anxious to go back and get a good taste of the island.

This book was part of my 2024 reading off my shelf challenge.

A Noise Downstairs by Linwood Barclay

The New York Times bestselling author of No Time for Goodbye returns with a haunting psychological thriller that blends the twists and turns of Gillian Flynn with the driving suspense of Harlan Coben, in which a man is troubled by odd sounds for which there is no rational explanation.

College professor Paul Davis is a normal guy with a normal life. Until, driving along a deserted road late one night, he surprises a murderer disposing of a couple of bodies. That’s when Paul’s "normal" existence is turned upside down. After nearly losing his own life in that encounter, he finds himself battling PTSD, depression, and severe problems at work. His wife, Charlotte, desperate to cheer him up, brings home a vintage typewriter—complete with ink ribbons and heavy round keys—to encourage him to get started on that novel he’s always intended to write.

However, the typewriter itself is a problem. Paul swears it’s possessed and types by itself at night. But only Paul can hear the noise coming from downstairs; Charlotte doesn’t hear a thing. And she worries he’s going off the rails.

Paul believes the typewriter is somehow connected to the murderer he discovered nearly a year ago. The killer had made his victims type apologies to him before ending their lives. Has another sick twist of fate entwined his life with the killer—could this be the same machine? Increasingly tormented but determined to discover the truth and confront his nightmare, Paul begins investigating the deaths himself.

But that may not be the best thing to do. Maybe Paul should just take the typewriter back to where his wife found it. Maybe he should stop asking questions and simply walk away while he can. . .

Audiobook, Duration: 9 hours, 9 minutes

Published July 24, 2018

 by HarperAudio

4/5 stars

A Noise Downstairs is my next stop as I go through Linwood Barclay's backlist. This was mostly an audio read with George Newburn and Jared Zeus doing a great job.

Life changes for college professor Paul Davis, one dark night when he stumbles across someone disposing of a couple bodies. His life is threatened and as he battles PTSD and other issues he slowly begins to think he’s losing his mind. Things take a drastic turn after his wife surprises him with a vintage typewriter.

A Noise Downstairs is a story of paranoia, trust and the battle within yourself. As with other Barclay stories there were many twists and turns along the road as Paul struggles. Whether it be trust of his friends, his wife and even his therapist. There is mystery as to what is going on with the typewriter as it seemingly comes to life in the middle of the night. All reaching a conclusion that took me by surprise on one hand and not on the other.

An enjoyable read with a unique premise and flawed cast of characters.

I obtained the audiobook through  CloudLibrary.

Just Playing House by Farah Heron

Stylist Marley Kamal has waited years for the chance to be a private shopper for a major celebrity. But finding out that her first big client is the guy she went to prom with - and was promptly ghosted by - seems like the universe is mocking her. Because now Nikhil Shamdasani is back in her life, about to star in a major movie, and is more drop-dead hot than ever . . . at the worst possible time. 

Marley's weeks away from an elective double mastectomy and breast reconstruction that's supposed to save her life. But this surgery is going to change things in more ways than she can possibly imagine. 

For one, Nik is so eager to have her as his stylist that he's offered to stay in her home and take care of her while she recovers. 

Now Marley is about to learn that as the door to her old life closes, something - or rather someone - else will enter . . . if she's ready to let him in.

Kindle Edition, 382 pages

Published June 18, 2024 

by Forever

3/5 stars

Canadian author, Farah Heron is one of my go-to-authors ever since reading Accidentally Engaged. I love that her settings are usually in Toronto and that her books revolve around food.

Marley is a fashion sales association and aspires to become more. She also has a gene that increases her chances of developing breast cancer, as she prepares for surgery she is given a professional opportunity that could forward career. Enter Nikhil, an actor and also former heartthrob.

Just Playing House is a story of friendship, finding one self and a second chance for romance. While, I didn’t get all the feels that I was hoping for this was a solid and entertaining read.

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

Meet Me at the Lake by Carley Fortune

Fern Brookbanks has wasted far too much of her adult life thinking about Will Baxter. She spent just twenty-four hours in her early twenties with the aggravatingly attractive, idealistic artist, a chance encounter that spiraled into a daylong adventure in Toronto. The timing was wrong, but their connection was undeniable: they shared every secret, every dream, and made a pact to meet one year later. Fern showed up. Will didn't.

At thirty-two, Fern's life doesn't look at all how she once imagined it would. Instead of living in the city, Fern's back home, running her mother's Muskoka lakeside resort—something she vowed never to do. The place is in disarray, her ex-boyfriend's the manager, and Fern doesn't know where to begin.

She needs a plan—a lifeline. To her surprise, it comes in the form of Will, who arrives nine years too late, with a suitcase in tow and an offer to help on his lips. Will may be the only person who understands what Fern's going through. But how could she possibly trust this expensive-suit wearing mirage who seems nothing like the young man she met all those years ago. Will is hiding something, and Fern's not sure she wants to know what it is.

But ten years ago, Will Baxter rescued Fern. Can she do the same for him?

Paperback, 336 pages

Published May 2, 2023

by Viking

 3.5/5 stars

This is Canadian author Carley Fortune's 2nd book which takes place in Ontario. This Canadian reader loves reading with Canadian settings and places that are familiar.

This was an audio book for me and the reader did a stellar job bringing this story to life. This dual-time story is told from the point of view of Fern Brookbanks, a 32 year old taking place just months after the death of her mother.  It also jumps back 10 years when she first meets Will. 

Meet me at the Lake is story a of relationships, loss and finding oneself. As Fern is still grieving, the past unexpectedly comes back. Can she come to grips with what happened 10 years ago and reconcile to the present. Well, you will have to read the book to find out.

I enjoyed this read, I was draw into the story. It had me itching to head north find a lake and paddle around.  The only negative takeaway is that I wish the ending wasn't rushed and the issues presented were given more space.  The author notes added to the ended with her own experiences.

A good start to my summer reading, hopefully I will be reading her recent release, This Summer Will Be Different in the coming months.

This book was part of my 2024 reading off my shelf challenge .

The Secret Keeper by Genevieve Graham

From USA TODAY and internationally bestselling author Genevieve Graham comes a gripping World War II novel about two sisters who join the war effort—one as a codebreaker and the other as a pilot—and the secrets that threaten to tear them apart. Perfect for fans of The Rose Code and The Nightingale .

Twin sisters Dot and Dash Wilson share many things, and while they are practically inseparable, they are nothing alike. Dot is fascinated by books, puzzles, and Morse code, a language taught to both girls by their father, a WWI veteran. Dash’s days are filled with fixing engines, dancing with friends, and dreaming of flying airplanes. Almost always at their side is their best friend Gus—until war breaks out and he enlists in the army, deploying to an unknown front.

Determined to do their duty, both girls join the WRENS, Dash as a mechanic and Dot as a typist. Before long, Dot’s fixation on patterns and numbers takes her from HMCS Coverdale, a covert listening and codebreaking station working with Bletchley Park in England, to Camp X, a top-secret spy school. But when personal tragedy strikes the family, Dot’s oath of secrecy causes a rift between the sisters.

Eager to leave her pain behind, Dash jumps at the opportunity to train as a pilot with the Air Transport Auxiliary, where she risks her life to ferry aircraft and troops across the battlefields of Europe. Meanwhile Dot is drawn into the Allies’ preparations for D-Day. But Dot’s loyalties are put to the test once more when someone close to her goes missing in Nazi-occupied territory. With everyone’s eyes on Operation Overlord, Dot must use every skill at her disposal to save those she loves before it’s too late.

Inspired by the real-life stories of women in World War II, The Secret Keeper is an extraordinary novel about the unbreakable bonds of sisterhood and the light of courage during the darkest of nights.

Paperback, 448 pages

Published April 2, 2024

 by Simon & Schuster

4/5 stars

Genevieve Graham is synonymous with writing books about little known facts in Canadian history. I have learned so much from her stories.

The Secret Keeper is the story of twin sisters, opposite in personalities and interest. One has taken to engines and airplanes while the other loves a good puzzle and attention to detail.

It is in the early years of the war, but these two women have the desire to help in someway.  While working in separate locations they can still communicate, until tragedy strikes.  Their relationship is fractured. I found the book had a slow beginning but around the 40% mark things picked up and I was captivated.  It was being educated and entertained, reading the struggles women faced and learning about Hydra and Camp X - they didn't teach that in my history classes.  Like I said Graham has a passion for Canadian history and that shines through in her writing.

The Secret Keeper is a story of family, secrets and healing.  The author notes at the end were great to read. They gave the author's inspiration, her research and a lovely list of books for those that would like to read more about Hydra and Camp X.  

If you enjoy HF off the beaten path, then I highly recommend Genevieve Graham.. 

This book was part of my 2024 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge

The Grace of Wild Things by Heather Fawcett

An inventive and fantastical reimagining of Anne of Green Gables—with magic and witches!—that explores found family, loss, and the power of a girl's imagination, from the acclaimed author of The Language of Ghosts and The School Between Winter and Fairyland.

Grace has never been good at anything except magic—not that anyone believes her. While other children are adopted from the orphanage, nobody wants Grace. So she decides to make a home for herself by running away and offering herself as an apprentice to the witch in the nearby woods. After all, who better to teach Grace to use her magic? Surely the witch can’t be that bad.

But the witch is that bad—she steals souls for spells and gobbles up hearts. So Grace offers a deal: If she can learn all 100½ spells in the witch’s grimoire, the witch will make Grace her apprentice. But if Grace fails, the witch can take her magic. The witch agrees, and soon an unexpected bond develops between them. But the spells are much harder than Grace expected, and when a monster from the witch’s past threatens the home Grace has built, she may have to sacrifice more than her magic to save it.

Inspired by Anne of Green Gables, this is a magical story of found family, loss, and the power of a girl’s imagination.

Hardcover, 368 pages

Published February 14, 2023

 by Balzer + Bray

4.5/5 stars

I first stumbled upon this book on Instagram, it was the cover that totally caught my eye.   Also I love a good retellings or reimagining of stories.  So, when I found out that it was a magical twist on Anne of Green Gables, I just couldn't resist! 

From the very beginning, this book had me hooked with its whimsical and enchanting vibe. Grace, a runaway from an orphanage, ends up seeking refuge with a witch who lives in a cabin deep in the woods.  She not only manages to convince the witch to let her stay, but they even strike a deal where Grace might just become her apprentice. Of course the road to achieve this is filled with adventure.

What follows over the next nine months is a story of friendship, imagination and family. A fun and entertaining read.

This book was part of my 2024 reading off my shelf challenge. It is also part of my 52 bookclub challenge and prompt number 23 of 52.

 

This Spells Love by Kate Robb

A young woman tries to heal her heartbreak by casting a spell to erase her ex from her past, but she wakes up in an alternate reality where she’s lost more than she wished for in this witty, whimsical friends-to-lovers debut.

What if one little wish changed everything?

When Gemma gets dumped by her long-term boyfriend, she reacts the way any reasonable twenty-eight-year-old would: by getting drunk with her sister, kooky aunt, and best friend, Dax. After one too many margaritas, they decide to perform a love- cleansing spell, which promises to erase Gemma’s ex from her memory. They follow all the instructions, including a platonic kiss from Dax to seal the deal.

When Gemma wakes up, she realizes that this silly spell has worked. Not only does it seem that she never dated her ex, but the rest of her life is completely unrecognizable. The worst part: Dax has no idea who she is.

To reverse the spell and get back to her old life, Gemma must convince her once-best-friend-now-near-stranger to kiss her. But as she carries out her plans, she finds herself falling for him—hard. Soon, Gemma begins to wonder whether she even wants to go back to the way things once were. What if Dax was The One all along?

Hardcover, 352 pages

Published December 5, 2023

 by Dial Press Trade Paperback

3/5 stars

This Spells Love is a book that I wanted to love. It is by a Canadian author with a Canadian setting that I am very familiar with. The book started off great with a little bit of magic and a nice blend of characters, Gemma the recently jilted, her sister, and an aunt who dabbles in magically spells. Gemma wants to forget the four years she spent with Stuart. She wishes that they never happened and after one too many margaritas her wish comes true, but with repercussions she never anticipated. Now she has one month to correct it.

There were parts in the beginning that I really struggled with, but once I hit the 60% mark it picked up and I finished it in one sitting. I think my only problem was parts in the first half were a bit disjointed, too convenient and the Insta love didn’t feel authentic. I was hoping for more of a magical feel as the blurb hint to, but alas, the magic played a small part.

All in all This Spells Love was a cute and quick read that redeemed itself in the last half.

This book was part of my 2023 reading off my shelf challenge (#91). My copy was obtained through my November book of the month.