The Cuban Heiress by Chanel Cleeton

In 1934, a luxury cruise becomes a fight for survival as two women’s pasts collide on a round-trip voyage from New York to Havana in New York Times bestselling author Chanel Cleeton's page-turning new novel inspired by the true story of the SS Morro Castle.

New York heiress Catherine Dohan seemingly has it all. There’s only one problem. It’s a lie. As soon as the Morro Castle leaves port, Catherine’s past returns with a vengeance and threatens her life. Joining forces with a charismatic jewel thief, Catherine must discover who wants her dead—and why.

Elena Palacio is a dead woman. Or so everyone thinks. After a devastating betrayal left her penniless and on the run, Elena’s journey on the Morro Castle is her last hope. Steeped in secrecy and a burning desire for revenge, her return to Havana is a chance to right the wrong that has been done to her—and her prey is on the ship.

As danger swirls aboard the Morro Castle and their fates intertwine, Elena and Catherine must risk everything to see justice served once and for all.

Kindle edition, 336 pages

Published April 11, 2023

 by Berkley

4/5 stars

On board the SS Morro Castle, a luxurious cruise ship in 1934, I was introduced to two women with mysterious pasts and a jewel thief. The ship was headed to Havana, Cuba, taking place in the midst of the Great Depression this ship was filled with both high society and those from lower classes.

The book opens with a gripping scene and maintains a steady pace throughout. I found myself thoroughly enjoying the mystery with a cast of both likeable and suspicious characters. While there were moments where I had to suspend my disbelief, I was captivated by the story.

I appreciated how the story reflected the historical context of the time. The author's notes, the history lesson, and the distinction between fictional and historical characters is always appreciated in a HF read.  As someone who was not familiar with this particular period in history, I found it all the more fascinating.

Overall, I highly recommend this book. The Cuban Heiress released yesterday.

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

The Lost English Girl by Julia Kelly

The acclaimed author of The Light Over London weaves an epic saga of love, motherhood, and betrayal from World War II to the 1960s.

Liverpool, 1935: Raised in a strict Catholic family, Viv Byrne knows what’s expected of her: marry a Catholic man from her working-class neighborhood and have his children. However, when she finds herself pregnant after a fling with Joshua Levinson, a Jewish man with dreams of becoming a famous Jazz musician, Viv knows that a swift wedding is the only answer. Her only solace is that marrying Joshua will mean escaping her strict mother’s scrutiny. But when Joshua makes a life-changing choice on their wedding day, Viv is forced once again into the arms of her disapproving family.

Five years later and on the eve of World War II, Viv is faced with the impossible choice to evacuate her young daughter, Maggie, to the countryside estate of the affluent Thompson family. In New York City, Joshua gives up his failing musical career to serve in the Royal Air Force, fight for his country, and try to piece together his feelings about the family, wife, and daughter he left behind at eighteen. However, tragedy strikes when Viv learns that the countryside safe haven she sent her daughter to wasn’t immune from the horrors of war. It is only years later, with Joshua’s help, that Viv learns the secrets of their shared past and what it will take to put a family back together again.

Telling the harrowing story of England’s many evacuated children, bestselling author Julia Kelly’s The Lost English Girl explores how one simple choice can change the course of a life, and what we are willing to forgive to find a way back to the ones we love and thought lost.

Kindle Edition, 320 pages

First published March 7, 2023

March 7, 2023 by Gallery Books

4/5 stars

This story begins in 1935 as Viv prepares to get married.  She was raised in a strict Catholic household and has defied her parents' belief by marrying outside of their circle to avoid bringing shame upon the family.  Fast forward 5 years and Viv is a single mom raising her almost 5-year-old daughter Maggie.

Set in Liverpool, a city that is not immune to the war and Operation Pied Piper.  Viv goes against her better judgement and evacuates her daughter to the countryside to live with a well-to-do family.

As the title suggest, The Lost English Girl is a story of separation caused not only by the war but also poor decision making.  Told from Viv's point of view, the emotional impact of her separation from her child, parents and dealing with Maggie's foster mother is explored.  Viv second-guesses her decision all the time, especially as the bombs fall with destructive force. 

 The other perspective is from Joshau, Maggie's father.  Although that was interesting I found myself more connected to Viv's storyline.

The Lost English Girl is a story of family dynamics, religion, and standing up for oneself. This lighter historical fiction read was predictable at times but still entertaining.

Maame by Jessica George

Maame (ma-meh) has many meanings in Twi but in my case, it means woman.

t’s fair to say that Maddie’s life in London is far from rewarding. With a mother who spends most of her time in Ghana (yet still somehow manages to be overbearing), Maddie is the primary caretaker for her father, who suffers from advanced stage Parkinson’s. At work, her boss is a nightmare and Maddie is tired of always being the only Black person in every meeting.

When her mum returns from her latest trip to Ghana, Maddie leaps at the chance to get out of the family home and finally start living. A self-acknowledged late bloomer, she’s ready to experience some important “firsts”: She finds a flat share, says yes to after-work drinks, pushes for more recognition in her career, and throws herself into the bewildering world of internet dating. But it's not long before tragedy strikes, forcing Maddie to face the true nature of her unconventional family, and the perils—and rewards—of putting her heart on the line.

Smart, funny, and deeply affecting, Jessica George's Maame deals with the themes of our time with humor and poignancy: from familial duty and racism, to female pleasure, the complexity of love, and the life-saving power of friendship. Most important, it explores what it feels like to be torn between two homes and cultures―and it celebrates finally being able to find where you belong.

Paperback, 312 pages

Published January 31, 2023

by St. Martin's Press

3.5/5 stars

I was drawn to this book due to the buzz on social media and its popularity among online reading groups. It also happens to be the author's debut work. I decided to take it with me on a recent vacation and opted for a hybrid reading experience, alternating between the physical book and the audiobook version. The audiobook, read by Heather Agyepong, was just over 10 hours long and she did an excellent job bringing the story to life.

The protagonist, Maddie, is a 25-year-old woman living in London who juggles a full-time job with being the primary caregiver for her father. The emotional toll of her responsibilities at home and the challenges she faces at work take a toll on her. When her mother returns to town, Maddie seizes the opportunity to move out and live independently for the first time in her life. What follows is a journey of self-discovery for Maddie as she navigates her mental health issues, career, dating, and her relationships with her family.

I found the audiobook more enjoyable than the physical book, as the reader's accent reinforced Maddie's Ghanaian roots. The story touches on racial issues, mental health, and family dynamics, all wrapped up in Maddie's personal journey. While I may not give it the five-star rating that many others have, I did find it entertaining and thought-provoking.

This book was part of my 2023 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge, #24.

The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

All children mythologize their birth...

So begins the prologue of reclusive author Vida Winter's collection of stories, which are as famous for the mystery of the missing thirteenth tale as they are for the delight and enchantment of the twelve that do exist.

The enigmatic Winter has spent six decades creating various outlandish life histories for herself -- all of them inventions that have brought her fame and fortune but have kept her violent and tragic past a secret. Now old and ailing, she at last wants to tell the truth about her extraordinary life. She summons biographer Margaret Lea, a young woman for whom the secret of her own birth, hidden by those who loved her most, remains an ever-present pain. Struck by a curious parallel between Miss Winter's story and her own, Margaret takes on the commission.

As Vida disinters the life she meant to bury for good, Margaret is mesmerized. It is a tale of gothic strangeness featuring the Angelfield family, including the beautiful and willful Isabelle, the feral twins Adeline and Emmeline, a ghost, a governess, a topiary garden and a devastating fire.

Margaret succumbs to the power of Vida's storytelling but remains suspicious of the author's sincerity. She demands the truth from Vida, and together they confront the ghosts that have haunted them while becoming, finally, transformed by the truth themselves.

The Thirteenth Tale is a love letter to reading, a book for the feral reader in all of us, a return to that rich vein of storytelling that our parents loved and that we loved as children. Diane Setterfield will keep you guessing, make you wonder, move you to tears and laughter and, in the end, deposit you breathless yet satisfied back upon the shore of your everyday life.

Hardcover, 406 pages

Published September 12, 2006 

by Atria Books

Audiobook, 15 hours, 38 minutes

Narrated by: Bianco Amato & Jill Tanner

4/5 stars

“All children mythologise their birth. It is a universal trait. You want to know someone? Heart, mind and soul? Ask him to tell you about when he was born. What you get won’t be the truth: it will be a story. And nothing is more telling than a story.”

Ever since I read Once Upon A River I've been a little apprehensive to read another Setterfield book.  I loved it that much.  Ultimately curiosity got the better of me and I dove in.  First with the book, then a couple chapters on audio had me finishing that way.  The 2 readers did an exceptional job.

The Thirteenth Tale is a dark and Gothic mystery that follows Margaret Lea, who works at her father's rare book shop.  Out of the blue she is contacted to write the biography of Vida Winter, a famous author with a mysterious past.  What unfolds is a story that slowly unravels over 400 pages, revealing unsettling twists.  It was a intricately woven plot and one I wasn't able to predict.

Thirteenth is a tale of family, truth and secrets...so many secrets.  It is well-written and full of surprises.  I highly recommend the audiobook for the unique voices that added depth to Margaret and Vida's stories.

This book was part of my 2023 Reading Off My Challenge, #27.  The audiobook was obtained via Scribd.

The Lioness of Leiden by Robert Loewen

How do you fight the Nazis right under their noses? With cunning and courage.

When the Germans invade the Netherlands, Leiden University student Hetty’s boyfriend goes missing. But she has little time to grieve when she volunteers as a courier for the Dutch resistance, joined by her roommate, the beautiful Mimi, and seventeen-year-old Maria, the daughter of a slain resistance fighter. At great personal risk, the three women carry documents, secret messages, and cash to protect Jews, downed pilots, and others hiding from the Nazis.

During five years of war, Hetty is challenged by a gauntlet of spies and betrayal. She heroically fights back as she and her friends accept increasingly dangerous assignments. All the while, Hetty worries about her family. She tries to forbid her younger brother from volunteering for combat in the resistance and argues with her father about becoming too cozy with the Nazis.

As the Gestapo closes in, can Hetty and her family and friends make it through the war, free to live and love again?

Inspired by true events, Robert Loewen’s debut novel pays tribute to the heroism of his mother-in-law, who served as a courier in the Dutch resistance during World War II.

Kindle, 276 pages

Expected publication April 4, 2023

by Greenleaf Book Group

4/5 stars

I was attracted to this book because of the location, The Hague in the Netherlands, is where my parents grew up and lived during the war.

The author does not hold back as he describes some of the atrocities the Dutch endured as the Nazis endeavoured to take over. However, this book shows they did not take this invasion lightly and fought back. 

There is a lot of people to keep track of, especially at the beginning, even though I had wished I had kept notes it didn't take long to become absorbed. The Lioness of Leiden is a well researched, raw story centring around Hetty as she worked with the resistance.  She endured terrible losses, heartache, and danger. There are a number of different POVs which gave a vivid picture.   The only thing I found lacking was a timeline to indict the progression of time.

The author notes at the end made this book all the more compelling with a final chapter that was emotional and a fitting end.  Given this book is loosely based on the author's mother-in-law made the story all the more interesting and sad for the things her family lived through.

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

The Coronation Year by Jennifer Robson

The USA Today bestselling author of The Gown returns with another enthralling and royal-adjacent historical novel—as the lives of three very different residents of London’s historic Blue Lion hotel converge in a potentially explosive climax on the day of Queen Elizabeth’s Coronation.

It is Coronation Year, 1953, and a new queen is about to be crowned. The people of London are in a mood to celebrate, none more so than the residents of the Blue Lion hotel.

Edie Howard, owner and operator of the floundering Blue Lion, has found the miracle she needs: on Coronation Day, Queen Elizabeth in her gold coach will pass by the hotel’s front door, allowing Edie to charge a fortune for rooms and, barring disaster, save her beloved home from financial ruin. Edie’s luck might just be turning, all thanks to a young queen about her own age.

Stella Donati, a young Italian photographer and Holocaust survivor, has come to live at the Blue Lion while she takes up a coveted position at Picture Weekly magazine. London in celebration mode feels like a different world to her. As she learns the ins and outs of her new profession, Stella discovers a purpose and direction that honor her past and bring hope for her future.

James Geddes, a war hero and gifted artist, has struggled to make his mark in a world that disdains his Indian ancestry. At the Blue Lion, though, he is made to feel welcome and worthy. Yet even as his friendship with Edie deepens, he begins to suspect that something is badly amiss at his new home.

When anonymous threats focused on Coronation Day, the Blue Lion, and even the queen herself disrupt their mood of happy optimism, Edie and her friends must race to uncover the truth, save their home, and expose those who seek to erase the joy and promise of Coronation Year.

Kindle, 400 pages

Expected publication April 4, 2023

by William Morrow & Company

3/5 stars

Jennifer Robson is an auto read author for me. Her love of all things royal and England is evident in her social media accounts and her writing. She is actually the first author that I attended an author event for.

In her latest novel, The Coronation Year, Robson takes us on a journey through the six months leading up to the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Through the eyes of three individuals scarred by the war, we witness their struggles and triumphs as they make their way towards this historic event.

Edie, the owner of the Blue Lion Hotel on the coronation route, faces one trial after another as she prepares for the big day. Stella, a photographer who survived the war in Italy, is in England for a fresh start after losing most of her family in various camps. And James, a Scottish painter with Indian roots, must navigate not only the aftermath of the war, but also racial tensions.

As the new monarchy becomes official, the coronation year is a story of hope for the future, despite the trials and tribulations that these characters face. And of course, there is a touch of romance to round things out nicely.

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

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg

When Claudia decided to run away, she planned very carefully. She would be gone just long enough to teach her parents a lesson in Claudia appreciation. And she would go in comfort - she would live at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. She saved her money, and she invited her brother Jamie to go, mostly because he was a miser and would have money.

Claudia was a good organizer and Jamie had some ideas, too; so the two took up residence at the museum right on schedule. But once the fun of settling in was over, Claudia had two unexpected problems: She felt just the same, and she wanted to feel different; and she found a statue at the Museum so beautiful she could not go home until she had discovered its maker, a question that baffled the experts, too.

The former owner of the statue was Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. Without her - well, without her, Claudia might never have found a way to go home.

Hardcover, 162 pages

Published March 1, 1967 

by Atheneum Books for Young Readers

Several years ago, I embarked on a mission to read all of the John Newbery Honour winners. This prestigious award has been bestowed upon exceptional children's books since 1922. While I still have a long way to go with these middle-grade novels, I manage to read a handful each year. In 1968, From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler was the recipient of this esteemed award.

The story follows the escapades of siblings Claudia and Jamie, who run away from home to live in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. The tale is narrated from the perspective of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, leaving this reader to ponder her connection to the two children.

Claudia masterminds the runaway plan, enlisting her younger brother Jamie to join her. Jamie's frugality and savings make him the perfect partner for this adventure.  The reason for this adventure is made clear with an unexpected quest added along the way.

From the Mixed Up Files is a story of siblings, adventure and mayhem. Unlike many of the honour winners, this book is a fun and entertaining read, filled with words of wisdom, lessons in frugality, and adventure.

This book was part of my 2023 reading off myself challenge. #26

All My Knotted-Up Life: A Memoir by Beth Moore

An incredibly thoughtful, disarmingly funny, and intensely vulnerable glimpse into the life and ministry of a woman familiar to many but known by few.

“It’s a peculiar thing, this having lived long enough to take a good look back. We go from knowing each other better than we know ourselves to barely sure if we know each other at all, to precisely sure that we don’t. All my knotted-up life I’ve longed for the sanity and simplicity of knowing who’s good and who’s bad. I’ve wanted to know this about myself as much as anyone. This was not theological. It was strictly relational. God could do what he wanted with eternity. I was just trying to make it here in the meantime. As benevolent as he has been in a myriad of ways, God has remained aloof on this uncomplicated request .” – Beth Moore

New York Times best-selling author, speaker, visionary, and founder of Living Proof Ministries Beth Moore has devoted her whole life to helping women across the globe come to know the transforming power of Jesus. An established writer of many acclaimed books and Bible studies for women on spiritual growth and personal development, Beth now unveils her own story in a much-anticipated debut memoir.

All My Knotted-Up Life is told with surprising candor about some of the personal heartbreaks and behind-the-scenes challenges that have marked Beth’s life. But beyond that, it’s a beautifully crafted portrait of resilience and survival, a poignant reminder of God’s enduring faithfulness, and proof positive that if we ever truly took the time to hear people’s full stories . . . we’d all walk around slack-jawed.

Hardcover, 304 pages

Published February 21, 2023 

by Tyndale House Publishers

Audiobook, 8 hours, 20 minutes

Narrator: Beth Moore

Published by One Audiobooks

4/5 stars

Although I'm not typically a fan of memoirs, Beth Moore's latest book caught my attention. I opted for a hybrid read (audio and book), she narrated it herself with her charming southern twang, making for an entertaining listen. Also the book is great for the pictures.

As a gifted Bible study leader, Moore shares her story with a perfect blend of humour, tears, and heartache. She bravely opens up about her past, including the hurts she experienced during her early years and the lasting impact they had on her life.  Moore's love for Jesus shines through in her teachings and her way of life. It's heartbreaking to read about the abuse she suffered at the hands of those who claimed to be Christians, but her courage in speaking out about it is admirable.  I appreciated her honesty as she shared about her marriage, struggles with the southern Baptist community, and her need for rest.

While I found the book to be an entertaining read, I was left wanting more. Specifically, I wanted to know more about what drove her spiritual life, including the biblical references that influenced her decisions. For example, when she was 18 years old and attending church, she knew she would dedicate her life to Jesus. I would have loved to know what was preached during that service and why it had such a profound impact on her.  She has gone through difficulty in her life, I know what sustained me through hard times and would have loved to know what scriptures sustained her.

Overall, this book offers an open and honest look at Moore's life. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a compelling memoir.

This book was part of my 2023 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge #22.  The audio was obtained through my local library via Hoopla.

Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating by Christina Lauren

Hazel Camille Bradford knows she’s a lot to take—and frankly, most men aren’t up to the challenge. If her army of pets and thrill for the absurd don’t send them running, her lack of filter means she’ll say exactly the wrong thing in a delicate moment. Their loss. She’s a good soul in search of honest fun.

Josh Im has known Hazel since college, where her zany playfulness proved completely incompatible with his mellow restraint. From the first night they met—when she gracelessly threw up on his shoes—to when she sent him an unintelligible email while in a post-surgical haze, Josh has always thought of Hazel more as a spectacle than a peer. But now, ten years later, after a cheating girlfriend has turned his life upside down, going out with Hazel is a breath of fresh air.

Not that Josh and Hazel date. At least, not each other. Because setting each other up on progressively terrible double blind dates means there’s nothing between them...right?

Paperback, 309 pages

Published September 4, 2018

 by Gallery Books

Audiobook, 7 hours, 16 minutes

by Simon & Schuster Audio

4/5 stars

This was an impulse audio read.  I can't really say that the writing duo named Christina Lauren is a new to me author.  I've read a couple books last year that I loved.  So for 2023 my goal is to read her backlist.

Josh and Haley is the story of reunited friends (with a past from high school days).After Josh's breakup this pair sets out to create blind dates for each other, but these blind dates are also double dates.  What follows was a laugh out loud read - yes I did almost spit wine on my puzzle a couple times.

Would I have enjoyed it as much if I had read the book?  I can't really say. Nevertheless the plot was fun, the characters well developed, personalities authentic making an entertaining story.

That being said there were a few things that niggled at me.  Josh & Hazel haven't seen each other in over a decade and within moments are the best of friends -bester than their teen years. Plus the epilogue felt a bit over the top IMHO.

But other than that this was an entertaining audio read where I followed along with my print copy.

Audiobook was obtained through CloudLibrary with the print copy being a recent thrift shop rescue.

Wonderland by Jennifer Hillier

"Welcome to Wonderland." 

By day, it's a magical place boasting a certain retro charm. Excited children, hands sticky with cotton candy, run frenetically from the Giant Octopus ride to the Spinning Sombrero, while the tinkling carnival music of the giant Wonder Wheel--the oldest Ferris wheel in the Pacific Northwest--fills the air. But before daybreak, an eerie feeling descends. 

Maybe it's the Clown Museum, home to creepy wax replicas of movie stars and a massive collection of antique porcelain dolls. Or maybe it's the terrifyingly real House of Horrors. Or...maybe it's the dead, decaying body left in the midway for all the Wonder Workers to see.

Vanessa Castro's first day as deputy police chief of Seaside, Washington, is off to a bang. The unidentifiable homeless man rotting inside the tiny town's main tourist attraction is strange enough, but now a teenage employee--whose defiant picture at the top of the Wonder Wheel went viral that same morning--is missing. 

As the clues in those seemingly disparate crimes lead her down a mysterious shared path of missing persons that goes back decades, she suspects the seedy rumors surrounding the amusement park's dark history might just be true. She moved to Seaside to escape her own scandalous past, but has she brought her family to the center of an insidious killer's twisted game?

 Acclaimed author Jennifer Hillier's bone-chilling thriller is masterful and fast-paced, hurtling toward a shocking, bloody conclusion.

Paperback, 419 pages

First published October 5, 2015

by Gallery Books

Audiobook, 11 hours 35 minutes

Narrator: Eunice Wong

by Macmillian Audio

4.5/5 stars

Do not be intimidated by the cover of this book. Although it gives off Stephen King vibes, it is not a horror story. Instead, it is a captivating thriller that takes place in an amusement park.

Jennifer Hillier's Wonderland was first published in 2015 (it is also her debut), but a new paperback version and audiobook will be released next month. I've had the physical copy on my shelf for some time, but I jumped at the opportunity to listen to the audiobook, narrated by Eunice Wong. The audiobook is just shy of 12 hours, and Wong did an excellent job as the narrator.

The story is told from multiple points of view.  One being Vanessa Castro the new deputy chief of police in the small town of Seaside in Washington State. The book starts off quickly with the discovery of a body in Wonderland, the local amusement park. Vanessa moved to the town for a fresh start, but she quickly finds herself embroiled in a murder investigation that progresses to much more.

One of the things I enjoyed about this book was the setting.  It was atmospheric with the amusement park and its dark history. The mystery deepens as Vanessa uncovers leads and makes gruesome discoveries. The book features a large cast of characters, ranging from friendly to unreliable. At times, I wished I had kept notes to keep track of who was who.

Wonderland is a story of murder, secrets, and a parent's worst nightmare. It was fast paced and suspenseful. A well-written debut and highly entertaining.

I highly recommend the audiobook, as it allows you to multitask while enjoying the story.

My thanks to McMillan Audio and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

A delight for readers of Where'd You Go, Bernadette, this blockbuster debut set in 1960s California features the singular voice of Elizabeth Zott, a scientist whose career takes a detour when she becomes the star of a beloved TV cooking show.

Elizabeth Zott is not your average woman. In fact Elizabeth Zott would be the first to point out that there is no such thing as an average woman. But it's the 1960s and despite the fact that she is a scientist, her peers are very unscientific when it comes to equality. The only good thing to happen to her on the road to professional fulfillment is a run-in with her super-star colleague Calvin Evans (well, she stole his beakers). The only man who ever treated her--and her ideas--as equal, Calvin is already a legend and Nobel nominee. He's also awkward, kind and tenacious. Theirs is true chemistry.

But as events are never as predictable as chemical reactions, three years later Elizabeth Zott is an unwed, single mother (did we mention it's the early 60s?) and the star of America's most beloved cooking show Supper at Six. Elizabeth's singular approach to cooking (take one pint of H2O and add a pinch of sodium chloride) and independent example are proving revolutionary. Because Elizabeth isn't just teaching women how to cook, she's teaching them how to change the status quo.

Laugh-out-loud funny, shrewdly observant and studded with a dazzling cast of supporting characters (including the best canine character in years), Lessons in Chemistry is as original and vibrant as its protagonist.

Paperback, 390 pages

Audiobook, 11 hours, 55 minutes

Published March 29, 2022

 by Doubleday Canada

4/5 stars

Elizabeth Zott is a single mother in the 1960s, she defies all stereotypes for women of her time. She is intelligent but socially awkward, with a unique personality that is both entertaining and endearing. Her loyal companion, a dog named Six-Thirty, adds to her charm. 

This was a hybrid read, combining both the book and audiobook formats. While I enjoyed the audiobook, I believe that reading the book in its entirety would have resulted in a lower rating.  The three readers did an exceptional job bringing the characters to life with their distinct voices, making the humour more enjoyable.

Lessons is a story about a woman ahead of her time. Despite her lack of social skills, Elizabeth's antics make her a likeable character.  Her daughter, Mad and Six-Thirty are also delightful additions to the story.  The plot was both entertaining while tackling some serious socials issues with a touch of humour.

This is the author's debut, looking forward to what comes up next.

This book was part of my 2023 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge - #21

Her Deadly Game by Robert Dugoni

A defense attorney is prepared to play. But is she a pawn in a master’s deadly match? A twisting novel of suspense by New York Times bestselling author Robert Dugoni.

Keera Duggan was building a solid reputation as a Seattle prosecutor, until her romantic relationship with a senior colleague ended badly. For the competitive former chess prodigy, returning to her family’s failing criminal defense law firm to work for her father is the best shot she has. With the right moves, she hopes to restore the family’s reputation, her relationship with her father, and her career.

Keera’s chance to play in the big leagues comes when she’s retained by Vince LaRussa, an investment adviser accused of murdering his wealthy wife. There’s little hard evidence against him, but considering the couple’s impending and potentially nasty divorce, LaRussa faces life in prison. The prosecutor is equally challenging: Miller Ambrose, Keera’s former lover, who’s eager to destroy her in court on her first homicide defense.

As Keera and her team follow the evidence, they uncover a complicated and deadly game that’s more than Keera bargained for. When shocking information turns the case upside down, Keera must decide between her duty to her client, her family’s legacy, and her own future.

Kindle Edition, 396 pages 

Expected publication March 28, 2023  

by Thomas & Mercer

4.5/5 stars

I was excited to dive into the start of Robert Dugoni's newest series with Her Deadly Game. 

 The story follows Attorney Keera Duggan as she is hired to defend Victor LaRossa, who stands accused of brutally murdering his disabled wife. To make matters worse, the DA is a former lover of Keera's, adding a complicated layer to this trial. Pitted against each other made this a addicting and mysterious courtroom thriller.  The plot was intricately woven.

What I appreciated here was the authenticity of the legal system portrayed, it wasn't bogged down with endless details but enough to feel real. The story delved into family dynamics, addiction, past secrets, and mayhem, all while keeping the focus on the courtroom drama. It was a well-written and captivating read that kept me flipping through my Kindle pages. 

Her Deadly Game incorporated the chess board into it's pages, which was unique and fitting. 

My thanks to Thomas Mercer for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. Her Deadly Game is set to release on March 28th, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a thrilling legal drama.

I Will Find You by Harlan Coben

An innocent father serving life for the murder of his own son receives evidence that his child may still be alive, and must break out of prison to find out the truth in #1 New York Times bestselling author Harlan Coben’s latest breathtaking thriller.

David and Cheryl Burroughs were living the dream life when tragedy struck. Now, five years after that terrible night, Cheryl is remarried. And David is serving a life sentence in a maximum-security prison for the brutal murder of their son.

Then Cheryl’s sister, Rachel, arrives unexpectedly during visiting hours and drops a bombshell. She’s come with a photograph that a friend took on vacation at a theme park with a boy in the background who has a familiar, distinctive birthmark … and even though David and Rachel realize it can’t be, they both just know. It's David’s son, Matthew, and he's still alive.

David plans a harrowing escape from prison, determined to do what seems impossible–save his son, clear his own name, and discover the real story of what happened that devastating night.

Kindle Edition, 400 pages

Expected publication: March 14, 2023

 by Grand Central Publishing

4/5 stars

Harlan Coben's highly anticipated new book is set to release next week, and it promised to be a gripping read. The story revolves around a parent's worst nightmare - the loss of a child. David, the father of three-year-old Matthew, is accused and convicted of his son's murder, and is now serving time in prison. Despite his claims of innocence, David accepts his punishment, because the way he sees it, he is at fault because he didn't protect Matthew.

"I Will Find You" is a heart-wrenching tale, especially when David is given a glimmer of hope that his son may still be alive. What follows is a thrilling game of cat and mouse as he evades law enforcement to unravel the mystery of that fateful night. With nice sized chapters it was easy to say, JustOneMoreChapter (pun intended), in fact I read this in a matter of days.  There were parts of the book I needed to see how the author was going to pull it off and he did (as usual). 

 A well written suspenseful story that would be a perfect fit for anyone who loves a good mystery.

My thanks to Grand Central Publishing for a digital arc in exchange for a honest review.