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

She Didn't See It Coming by Shari Lapena

When a beloved wife and mother disappears, a luxurious condo building transforms into a potential crime scene, and the investigation begins: can the detectives find her before it's too late?

Bryden and Sam have it all: thriving careers, a smart apartment in a luxury condominium, supportive friends and a cherished daughter. The perfect life for the perfect couple.

Then Sam receives a call at his office. Bryden–working from home that day–has failed to collect their daughter from daycare. Arriving home with their little girl, he finds his wife’s car in the underground garage. Upstairs in their apartment her laptop is open on the table, her cell phone nearby, her keys in their usual place in the hall.

Except Bryden is nowhere to be seen. It’s as if she just walked out.

Paperback, 352 pages

Published July 29, 2025

 by Doubleday Canada

4.5/5 stars

Shari Lapena’s She Didn’t See It Coming was a gripping page‑turner that was a fast paced story that opened with a chilling twist: Bryden, a devoted mother and wife vanishes mysteriously from her upscale condominium while working from home. Her keys, phone, and laptop are all in place, everything suggests she never left...but she’s nowhere to be found.

The novel flows with multiple viewpoints and as suspicion grow throughout the building as an investigator pieces together secrets that some want to keep secret. What kept me reading was the premise, it was captivating in the sense of Bryden's portrayed perfect life which makes her disappearance baffling. The characters were flawed but authentic.  The plot I found to be tight, the twists were cleverly executed - I've come to expect that with Lapena's books.

She Didn't See It Coming isn't just a suspense mystery, it's also a story of family and trust. In the end I grabbed the audiobook through my Spodify account so I could listen to the last half, highly recommend both formats.

This book was part of my 2025 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge, #39

Mrs. Endicott's Splendid Adventure by Rhys Bowen

Blindsided by betrayal in pre-WWII England, a woman charts a daring new course in this captivating tale of resilience, friendship, and new love.

 
Surrey, England, 1938. After thirty devoted years of marriage, Ellie Endicott is blindsided by her husband’s appeal for divorce. It’s Ellie’s opportunity for change too. The unfaithful cad can have the house. She’s taking the Bentley. Ellie, her housekeeper Mavis, and her elderly friend Dora - each needing escape - impulsively head for parts unknown in the South of France.

With the Rhône surging beside them, they have nowhere to be and everywhere to go. Until the Bentley breaks down in the inviting fishing hamlet of Saint Benet. Here, Ellie rents an abandoned villa in the hills, makes wonderful friends among the villagers, and finds herself drawn to Nico, a handsome and enigmatic fisherman. As for unexpected destinations, the simple paradise of Saint Benet is perfect. But fates soon change when the threat of war encroaches.

Ellie’s second act in life is just beginning—and becoming an adventure she never expected.

Kindle Edition, 377 pages 

Expected publication August 5, 2025

  by Lake Union Publishing

3.5/5 stars

Mrs. Endicott's Splendid Adventure is a warm and quietly engaging story that takes place as rumblings of war begin and continue through the next 5 years. 

Eddie Endicott, recently divorced - a scandalous status for a woman in that age - finds herself searching for meaning and freedom in a time that offered little of either to women. Her journey takes her to a fictional village on the French coast, it's a great setting, it is charming and made me want to visit. There, she reconnects with herself and builds new bonds with Dora and Mavis, two women also quietly pushing back against the roles society has forced upon them.

Mrs. Endicott's Splendid Adventure is a story of friendship, trust and self discovery. It explores the lingering effects of the war with sensitivity.  The war years, with it's historical context help shape the characters’ choices, relationships and courage to change. While the pacing was a tad slow and some resolutions a bit too neat, the novel’s heart lies in its depiction of women taking charge of their lives, often for the first time, highlighting it's not too late to go after what you want in life.

My thanks to Lake Union 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

The Rebel Witch by Kristen Ciccarelli

The highly anticipated sequel to The Crimson Moth.

A WITCH…

Rune Winters is on the run. Ever since the boy she loved, Gideon Sharpe, revealed who she was and delivered her into enemy hands, everyone wants her dead. If Rune hopes to survive, she must ally herself with the cruel and dangerous Cressida Roseblood, who’s planning to take back the Republic and reinstate a Reign of Witches―something Cressida needs Rune to accomplish.

A WITCH HUNTER…

Apparently it wasn’t enough for Rune to deceive Gideon; she’s now betrayed him by allying herself with Cressida―the witch who made his life a living hell. Gideon won’t allow the Republic to fall to the witches and be plunged back into the nightmares of the past. In order to protect this new world he fought for, every last witch must die―especially Rune Winters.

AN IMPOSSIBLE CHOICE…

When Rune makes Gideon an offer he can’t refuse, the two must pair up to accomplish dangerous goals. The more they’re forced into each other’s company, the more Gideon realizes the feelings he had for Rune aren’t as dead and buried as he thought. And now he’s faced with a terrible choice: sacrifice the girl he loves to stop a monster taking back power, or let Rune live and watch the world he fought so hard for burn.

In Kristen Ciccarelli’s The Rebel Witch, the exciting conclusion to The Crimson Moth duology, love has never been so deadly.

Hardcover, 458 pages

Published February 27, 2025

 by Magpie

4.5/5 stars

The much-anticipated sequel to The Crimson Moth had me going in with both excitement and a tad nervous.  Kristen Ciccarelli did not make things easy for Rune and Gideon at the conclusion in The Crimson Moth. The enemies-to-lovers setup between the witch and the witch hunter? Yeah, it was looking pretty doomed by the end of book one.

But yes, Ciccarelli does deliver here.

Set in the smartly imagined world as the first, The Rebel Witch picks up with Rune and Gideon very much at odds - still reeling, still hurting and still tangled up in a complicated mess of magic, betrayal and fate. The weight of the Rebellion, the danger of magic in hiding and the complexity of a society built on fear and control. 

And the story? Completely gripping. Ciccarelli knows how to keep me turning the pages with just the right mix of action, heartbreak, and the kind of emotional slow burn that makes enemies-to-lovers one of the best tropes when it’s done right. (Spoiler: It’s done right here.) But really it wasn't a slow burn pace but action packed throughout.

If you liked The Crimson Moth and were afraid of where it was all heading, trust me: pick up The Rebel Witch. It’s intense, magical, and worth the emotional rollercoaster.

This book was part of my 2025 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge, #30

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.

Don't Let Him In by Lisa Jewell

Three women are connected by one man in this kaleidoscopic thriller.

“Who are you? Who are you really?”

Nick Radcliffe is a man of substance and good taste. He has a smile that could melt the coldest heart and a knack for putting others at ease. He’s just what Nina Swann needed in her life after her husband’s unexpected death. But to Nina’s adult daughter, Ash, Nick seems too slick, too polished, too good to be true. Without telling her mother, Ash begins digging into Nick’s past. What she finds is more than unsettling…

“Because there are things that don’t make sense, and I’ve been so patient, so very patient…”

Martha is a florist living in a neighboring town with her infant daughter and her devoted husband Alistair. But lately, Alistair has been traveling more and more frequently for work, disappearing for days at a time. When Martha questions him about his frequent absences, he always has a legitimate explanation, but Martha can’t share the feeling that something isn't right.

“You know that’s mad, don’t you? I’m your husband. We know everything there is to know about each other.”

Nina, Martha, and Ash are on a collision course with a shocking truth that is far darker than anyone could have imagined. And all three are about to wish they had heeded the same warning: Don’t let him in. But the past won’t stay buried forever.

Kindle Edition, 368 pages

Expected publication June 24, 2025

 by Atria Books

2/5 stars

Lisa Jewell has long been one of my go-to authors - an auto-read whose unique plots and unexpected twists usually has me finishing within a couple days. Naturally, I dove into her latest release, Don’t Let Him In without reading any reviews or even looking at the blurb. I was anxious to experience the story fresh, trusting in Jewell's talent to deliver a gripping story.

The novel follows a man who appears charming and confident - someone who believes he's irresistible to women - but beneath that facade lies someone far more sinister. He preys on women from various walks of life, manipulating them with ease. As suspicions grow, the truth about him begins to unravel piece by piece, like a jigsaw puzzle slowly taking shape.

While the premise had all the ingredients of a compelling psychological thriller, the execution didn’t quite hit the mark for me. The pacing was so slow, there were many characters to keep track of and the execution - jumping between similar characters and multiple timelines - made it difficult to stay engaged. By the time the story picked up, I found myself emotionally detached from the characters and their outcomes.

Don’t Let Him In had promise, and I appreciated the clever setup of its central mystery. But overall, it didn’t captivate me the way Lisa Jewell’s previous books have. Longtime fans might still find elements to enjoy, but for me, this one fell short of the mark.

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

The Maid's Secret by Nita Prose

A wedding. A heist. A secret.

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

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

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

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

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

Hardcover, 336 pages

Audioboook, 11 hours, 3 minutes

Published April 8, 2025 

by Ballantine Books/Viking

4/5 stars

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

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

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

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

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

My Friends by Fredrik Backman

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

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

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

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

Kindle Edition, 448 pages

Published May 6, 2025

 by Atria Books

4/5 stars

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

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

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

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

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

The 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.

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

The Champagne Letters by Kate Macintosh

Perfect for fans of bubbly wine and Kristin Harmel, this historical fiction novel follows Mme. Clicquot as she builds her legacy, and the modern divorcee who looks to her letters for inspiration.

Reims, France, 1805: Barbe-Nicole Clicquot has just lost her beloved husband but is determined to pursue their dream of creating the premier champagne house in France, now named for her new identity as a Veuve Clicquot. With the Russians poised to invade, competitors fighting for her customers, and the Napoleonic court politics complicating matters she must set herself apart quickly and permanently if she, and her business, are to survive. 

In present day Chicago, broken from her divorce, Natalie Taylor runs away to Paris. In a book stall by the Seine, Natalie finds a collection of the Widow Clicquot’s published letters and uses them as inspiration to step out of her comfort zone and create a new, empowered life for herself. But when her Parisian escape takes a shocking and unexpected turn, she’s forced to make a choice. Should she accept her losses and return home, or fight for the future she’s only dreamed about? What would the widow do?

Audiobook, 9 hours, 36 minutes

Published December 10, 2024 

by Blackstone Pub

3.5/5 stars

The Champagne Letters is a dual time period story taking place in France.

For Natalie Taylor, a recent divorcee, she takes an impulsive trip to Paris that sets her on a journey of self discovery. But it is a journey that isn’t easy with many bumps along the way. It is at a book stall that she discovers a collection of letters published by Barbe-Nicole Clicquot written in 1805. 

This was an audio read for me with the narrator being Cassandra Campbell and Jackie Sanders. Both are ones I’ve listened to before and have enjoyed. Again they brought the story to life with the required accents to make it as authentic as possible.

The Champagne Letters is a story or rather a journey for two women on their own and the decisions they make that will form their future. I’m glad I went the audio route, it was easy listening with emphasis on the wine market or rather champagne house in France.  I liked both characters and both storylines the same and like how they parallel each other.

Released just this past December it is readily available in all formats and I recommend for those that like their historical fiction with travel and relevant subject matter. Oh and yes I loved the fact that Clicquot was a real historical figure - yes I googled her.

I was able to obtain the audiobook via my library through CloudLibrary

There's Something About Mira by Sonali Dev

From USA Today bestselling author Sonali Dev comes the heartfelt story of a woman determined to reunite a lost ring with its owner, who ends up finding herself along the way.

Mira Salvi has the perfect life—a job she loves, a fiancé everyone adores, and the secure future she’s always imagined for herself. Really, she hasn’t a thing to complain about, not even when she has to go on her engagement trip to New York alone.

While playing tourist in the city, Mira chances upon a lost ring, and her social media post to locate its owner goes viral. With everyone trying to claim the ring, only one person seems to want to find its owner as badly as Mira journalist Krish Hale. Brooding and arrogant, he will do anything to get to write this story.

As Krish and Mira reluctantly join forces and jump into the adventure of tracing the ring back to where it belongs, Mira begins to wonder if she is in the right place in her own life. She had to have found this ring for a reason…right? Maybe, like the owner of the lost ring, her happy ending hasn’t been written yet either.

Kindle Edition, 314 pages

Expected publication February 1, 2025

 by Lake Union Publishing

3.5/5 stars

Mira is almost 30 years old, engaged to be married but ends up going on her engagement weekend without her intended.  She is alone for the first time in New York City. Red flags right there.

An interesting story that had all the elements for a great read but still fell a little flat for me.  I enjoyed Mira's character, her background, relationship with her parents and brother.   This book is a story of self discovery that has a YA feel but had some good banter at times.

There's Something About Mira is a journey from Chicago, to NYC and off to India for wedding clothes shopping. It was a good lesson in traditonal Indian weddings and food, lots of food talk.  It's a story of self discovery and learning how to take a stand.

My thanks to Lake Union for a digital arc in exchange for a honest review.

The Science of Boys by Emily Seo

Twelve-year-old science nerd Emma Sakamoto wants to reinvent herself when she starts high school. When stylish new girl Poppy asks for Emma’s help getting the attention of her crush, Cole, Emma lies and tells Poppy that she’s writing a book about the science of boys. Emma’s friend, George, offers to help Emma apply scientific principles to the mystery of getting a boyfriend. But George has an ulterior motive! Real science and enthusiasm for scientific principles are interwoven into this humorous story of friendship, family and what it means to truly belong.

Paperback, 256 pages 

Published June 30, 2022

 by Tradewind Books

3/5 stars

I didn’t read the synopsis for this one, but grabbed a copy after meeting the author.

For 12-year-old Emma, her plans for high school include having a good year. But what she actually gets is a lot of drama, new friends, friends from the past and a test of what friendship really is.  Whew...sounds like alot.

This was a fun read, a little choppy at times and repetitive, but it highlights the high school drama, social media overload and the opportunity to learn some lessons that are not taught in the classroom. This is heavy on the science elements which added a little spark to the story.

An entertaining read with some wonderful illustrations by Gracey Zhang

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

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

Beyond Reasonable Doubt by Robert Dugoni

A master manipulator accused of murder. An attorney sworn to defend her. Keera Duggan returns in a riveting novel of suspense by New York Times bestselling author Robert Dugoni.

When Jenna Bernstein, disgraced wunderkind CEO of a controversial biotech company, is accused of murdering her former partner and lover, she turns to Seattle attorney Keera Duggan to defend her. Keera is more than a master chess player who brings her intuitive moves into court—she’s Jenna’s childhood friend. But considering their history, Keera knows that where Jenna goes, trouble follows.

Three years earlier, Keera’s father successfully defended Jenna when she was tried for the killing of her company’s chief medical scientist who threatened to go public with allegations of corporate fraud. Keera knows Jenna too well. When she was a kid, Keera saw Jenna for what she a manipulative and frighteningly controlling sociopath. Now, with only circumstantial evidence against Jenna, Keera is willing to bury any trepidation she might have to defend a woman she believes, this time, to be innocent.

As the investigation gets underway and disturbing questions arise, Keera puts her trust in a client who swears nothing but the truth. If this is all just another devious game, Keera might be working to set a murderer free.

Kindle Edition, 365 pages

Expected publication October 22, 2024

by Thomas & Mercer

4/5 stars

Book 2 in the Keera Duggan Series, Beyond Reasonable Doubt, was one of my highly anticipated books of 2024. I loved Her Deadly Game and highly recommend reading it first - though not absolutely necessary.

Forced to give up her staycation, Keera is back in the office when another high profile case lands on her desk. What follows is another legal drama told from a couple POVs - Keera the lawyer and police detective, Frank Derossi.  Again Dugoni has written a compelling courtroom legal story that was authentic and had me reading the last 50% in one day.

The storyline, red herrings and characters were real (even if I didn't like them - looking at you Jenna). The backstory of Keera and Jenna's relationship was woven in nicely to get that big picture of what Keera was going through as she defended her. 

I am a relatively new fan of Robert Dugoni, my thanks to TheBakingBookworm for the recommendation and now I continue with his backlist to keep me occupied until book 3 comes out.

My thanks to Thomas Mercer for a digital ARC in exchange for a honest review.

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. 

The Paris Widow by Kimberly Belle

A dream vacation turns deadly when secrets from the past catch up to a married couple in Paris in this new edge-of-your-seat thriller from USA Today bestselling author, Kimberly Belle.

When Stella met Adam, she thought she had finally found a nice, normal guy—a welcome change from her previous boyfriend and her precarious jetsetter lifestyle with him. But her secure world comes crashing down when Adam goes missing after an explosion in the city square. Unable to reach him, she panics.

As the French police investigate, it’s revealed that Adam was on their radar as a dealer of rare and stolen antiquities with a long roster of criminal clients. Reeling from this news, Stella is determined not to leave Paris until she has the full story. Was Adam a random victim or the target of the explosion? And why is someone following her through the streets of Paris?

An irresistible, fast-paced read set in some of Europe’s most inviting locales, The Paris Widow explores how sinister secrets of the past stay with us—no matter how far we travel.

Audiobook, 10 hours, 23 minutes

Published June 11, 2024 

by Harlequin Audio

3/5 stars

Kimberly Bell's latest took this reader to different countries in Europe.  There were 2 different points of view, that of Stella and her husband Adam.  Their dream vacation takes a drastic turn when a bomb goes of in a Paris square leaving Stella searching for Adam 

It was an intriguing plot that took me into the black market of stolen art and antiquities. This was very much a telling story that was entertaining, but not as suspenseful and thrilling as I had hoped it to be.

It was mysterious and kept me guessing but it wasn't without issues. Had I read this book vs the audio maybe my thoughts would be different.  But I found the narrators not in tune with the characters personalities. Stella came off as hysterical and gullible with a very whiny and loud voice.  Adam's point of view came in at a slower speed, therefore I was constantly upping and slowing the speed down. Thankfully he didn't get as much time as Stella did.

Like I said, I wish I'd gone the book/ebook route and recommend that way to go.

My audiobook was obtained through Hoopla via local public library.