Independence by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

India, 1947. In a rural village in Bengal live three sisters, daughters of a well-respected doctor.

Priya: intelligent and idealistic, resolved to follow in her father's footsteps and become a doctor, though society frowns on it.

Deepa: the beauty, determined to make a marriage that will bring her family joy and status.

Jamini: devout, sharp-eyed, and a talented quiltmaker, with deeper passions than she reveals.

Theirs is a home of love and safety, a refuge from the violent events taking shape in the nation. Then their father is killed during a riot, and even their neighbors turn against them, bringing the events of their country closer to home.

As Priya determinedly pursues her career goal, Deepa falls deeply in love with a Muslim, causing her to break with her family. And Jamini attempts to hold her family together, even as she secretly longs for her sister's fiancé.

When the partition of India is officially decided, a drastic--and dangerous--change is in the air. India is now for Hindus, Pakistan for Muslims. The sisters find themselves separated from one another, each on different paths. They fear for what will happen to not just themselves, but each other.

Hardcover, 288 pages

Published January 17, 2023 

by William Morrow

5/5 stars

How gorgeous is that cover, there is so much said in that picture without words needed.

“The year is 1947. It is the best of times, it is the worst of times.”

Independence is the story of three sisters.  The year is 1947 when the British basically walked out the front door on India leaving the Hindus and Muslims to fend for themselves.  The result is that Pakistan and Bangladesh were born.  But it was a far cry from an easy transition.

Told from the povs of three sister, each sister with distinct personalities, goals and strengths. But they also have secrets, which I won't get into. If you don't know the history of what happened in 1947 then this is a great book to read.  It is rich in history but also full of heartache. Right now I don't feel this review will adequately express my feelings for this book.

Independence is a very well written historical story surrounded by fact.  It's a story of family, country and the lengths one will go for those they love.  I listened to part of this in audio format, the reader did an awesome job.  

This is my first time reading a Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, she has set the bar high as I hope to read more.   If you are a HF fan or just want a gripping story about 3 women facing challenges and the bonds that connect them, then this is the book for you.

This book was part of my 2023 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge (#34)

Don't Cry for Me by Daniel Black

A Black father makes amends with his gay son through letters written on his deathbed in this wise and penetrating novel of empathy and forgiveness, for fans of Ta-Nehisi Coates, Robert Jones Jr. and Alice Walker

As Jacob lies dying, he begins to write a letter to his only son, Isaac. They have not met or spoken in many years, and there are things that Isaac must know. Stories about his ancestral legacy in rural Arkansas that extend back to slavery. Secrets from Jacob's tumultuous relationship with Isaac's mother and the shame he carries from the dissolution of their family. Tragedies that informed Jacob's role as a father and his reaction to Isaac's being gay.

But most of all, Jacob must share with Isaac the unspoken truths that reside in his heart. He must give voice to the trauma that Isaac has inherited. And he must create a space for the two to find peace.

With piercing insight and profound empathy, acclaimed author Daniel Black illuminates the lived experiences of Black fathers and queer sons, offering an authentic and ultimately hopeful portrait of reckoning and reconciliation. Spare as it is sweeping, poetic as it is compulsively readable, Don't Cry for Me is a monumental novel about one family grappling with love's hard edges and the unexpected places where hope and healing take flight.

Hardcover, 304 pages

Published February 1, 2022

 by Hanover Square Press

4.5/5 stars

This is my first time reading a Daniel Black book. It was also my March BOTM pick.

This was very much a tell story. Told from the POV of Jacob, a man dying as he pens a letter to his estranged son. He is reflecting on both his past and upbringing to how it affected his relationship with his son Isaac.

This was another combo book and audiobook read. While I enjoyed the book I highly recommend the audiobook. It is read by the author himself making it all the more emotional and personal.

Don’t Cry For Me is a story of father-son relationship. And really I could say more but I won’t. It’s one that needs to be experienced first hand. It is a piece of fiction but very much feels like a memoir. A touching story that spans generations with love and loss, heartache and more. A story that will stay with me.

This book was part of my 2023 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge #32

How to Walk Away by Katherine Center

Margaret Jacobsen has a bright future ahead of her: a fiancé she adores, her dream job, and the promise of a picture-perfect life just around the corner. Then, suddenly, on what should have been one of the happiest days of her life, everything she worked for is taken away in one tumultuous moment.

In the hospital and forced to face the possibility that nothing will ever be the same again, Margaret must figure out how to move forward on her own terms while facing long-held family secrets, devastating heartbreak, and the idea that love might find her in the last place she would ever expect.

Paperback, 368 pages

Published July 9, 2019 

by St. Martin's Griffin

4/5 stars

Another instalment as I go through Katherine Center’s backlist. How to Walk Away was published in 2018.

Margaret Jacobsen has it all, or so it seems. Everything changes when an accident lands her in the hospital.

Without going into too much detail about this story suffice to say Maggie embarks on a journey that takes her to places she never imagined, to revisit relationships and past hurts. It's a story about the dynamics of family and new friends. Maggie’s story is told from her pov, giving this reader a glimpse into her thoughts and feelings. It’s a difficult time to say the least.

While dealing with some serious subject matter Katherine Center has once again written a heartfelt story with wit, nice banter and some laugh out loud scenes. It’s a story of forgiveness, unexpected changes and hope.

I listened to the audiobook, though I did read some from my print copy. Both of which are excellent formats.

This book was part of my 2023 Reading off my shelf challenge with the audiobook obtained via CloudLibrary.

My Sister's Grave Robert Dugoni

The first book in the series that has garnered millions of readers across the globe, from New York Times bestselling author Robert Dugoni.

Tracy Crosswhite has spent twenty years questioning the facts surrounding her sister Sarah’s disappearance and the murder trial that followed. She doesn’t believe that Edmund House—a convicted rapist and the man condemned for Sarah’s murder—is the guilty party. Motivated by the opportunity to obtain real justice, Tracy became a homicide detective with the Seattle PD and dedicated her life to tracking down killers.

When Sarah’s remains are finally discovered near their hometown in the northern Cascade mountains of Washington State, Tracy is determined to get the answers she’s been seeking. As she searches for the real killer, she unearths dark, long-kept secrets that will forever change her relationship to her past—and open the door to deadly danger.

Kindle Edition, 412 pages

Published November 1, 2014

 by Thomas & Mercer

5/5

As a relatively new reader of Robert Dugoni's works, I have already delved into his contemporary books and thoroughly enjoyed his latest crime mystery novel, Her Deadly Game (it's a new series!)

Laurie of TheBakingBookworm fame has been raving about the Tracy Crosswhite Series, so what could I do but jump right in. Not only did I read that book but also the 2 novellas that preceded it (see yesterday's post).

My Sister's Grave follows Tracy Crosswhite, a teacher turned homicide detective.  It's been twenty years since the disappearance of her younger sister Sarah.  Despite a murder trail and conviction, even though Sarah's body has never been found, Tracy has a deep sense that justice was not truly served.  It isn't until her remains are found that Tracy's determination intensifies.  But there might be someone out there who wants the past to remain hidden. 

My Sister's Grave is a well written crime fiction, it's about family relationships, determination, secrets and ultimately the pursuit of justice. What a ride! Definitely an author and series I recommend.

Can I get caught up on this series before book 10 comes out in October?  Time will tell.

This series is available through Kindle Unlimited, which is where I obtained my copy.

The Secret Book of Flora Lea: A Novel by Patti Callahan Henry

From the New York Times bestselling author of Becoming Mrs. Lewis comes a “heartrending, captivating tale of family, first love, and fate” (Kristin Harmel, New York Times bestselling author) about a woman who stumbles across a mysterious children’s book that holds secrets about her missing sister and their childhood spent in the English countryside during World War II.

1939: Fourteen-year-old Hazel and five-year-old Flora evacuate their London home for a rural village to escape the horrors of the Second World War. Living with the Aberdeen family in a charming stone cottage, Hazel distracts her younger sister with a fairy tale about a magical land, a secret place they can escape to that is all their Whisperwood.

But the unthinkable happens when Flora suddenly vanishes after playing near the banks of the River Thames. Shattered, Hazel blames herself for her sister’s disappearance, carrying the guilt into adulthood.

Twenty years later, Hazel is back in London, ready to move on from her job at a cozy rare bookstore for a career at Sotheby’s. With a cherished boyfriend and an upcoming Paris getaway, her future seems set. But her tidy life is turned upside down when she unwraps a package containing a picture book called Whisperwood and the River of Stars . Hazel never told a soul about the storybook world she created just for Flora. Could this book hold the secrets to her beloved sister’s disappearance? Could it be a sign that Flora is still alive after all these years? Or is something sinister at play?

Inspired by the history of the Pied Piper Children, this novel is a poignant reminder of the magical power of stories to draw us together—and ultimately bring us home.

Paperback, 368 pages

Expected publication May 2, 2023

by Simon & Schuster CA

4/5 stars

I try to limit my literary intake of WW2 stories but I could not pass up Patti Callahan Henry’s new book. The cover for The Secret Book of Flora Lea is eye catching along with being one of my top highly anticipated books of 2023.

This is a story of  two sisters sent to the country as part of Operation Pied Piper during WW2. What was deemed for safety seemed fine until Flora Lea disappears without a trace. But 20 years later a secret story shared only between Flora Lea and her older sister Hazel has been published by an American author.  How can that be? Could her sister still be alive because no one else knows this story of a place called Whisperwood.

What follows is a story of hope but it also brings wounds from the past. The Secret Book of Flora Lea is a somewhat magical story of that special sibling relationship, of grief and war. It’s mysterious with fairy tale vibes, slow paced in that it wasn’t a book I rushed through but took my time. I felt for Hazel, her guilt was real as she struggled to let go of the past and embrace life.  Her desire to solve this mystery comes with high stakes and it was great to go along on this journey with Hazel.

Again Patti Callahan Henry has written a thought provoking story that I recommend.

My thanks to Simon and Schuster CA for a print arc in exchange for a honest review.  This book releases on May 2nd.

The Academy & Third Watch by Robert Dugoni

Tracy Crosswhite #.25

Driven by the disappearance of her sister, Tracy Crosswhite quits her job as a high school science teacher to join the Seattle Police Department. While most of her classmates and instructors at the academy want her to succeed, Detective Johnny Nolasco is hell-bent on keeping the boys’ club intact.

The training sessions offer plenty of opportunities for humiliation, but Tracy’s not the type to give in. Fueled by a confrontation with her in the middle of a class, Nolasco is determined to see Tracy fail. Tracy, harboring memories of the loss of her sister and the disintegration of her family, has too much at stake to let one pigheaded detective stand in her way. With so much to lose, will she make the cut in this competitive world?

43 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 9, 2014

4/5 stars

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tracy Crosswhite #.50

Tracy Crosswhite’s ordinary night patrolling her Seattle beat becomes front page news when she responds to a domestic disturbance call that turns into a hostage crisis.

In this prequel short story to Robert Dugoni’s #1 Kindle-bestselling novel, My Sister’s Grave, Tracy Crosswhite is a young patrol officer, paying her dues, keeping her head down, and hoping a solid record will get her promoted to detective. While years have passed since the disappearance of Tracy’s sister, the experience has made her one of the city’s most dedicated cops.

Reporter Tevia Kushman is shadowing Tracy on a ride-along seeking to follow-up on a recent (and nasty) exposé about the Seattle PD’s treatment of female cops. Young and ambitious, Tevia is hoping for a juicy scoop on the gender politics of the PD, but may get a much bigger story than she bargained for…

Neither woman expects a routine-sounding call to turn into something dangerous, until Tracy walks into a domestic dispute and finds herself looking down the barrel of a shot-gun. No stranger to high-pressure situations, Tracy must draw on more than just her academy training and lightning-fast shooting skills to find a way to talk down—or take out—the volatile man holding the gun.

48 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 16, 2015

4/5 stars

Last week I read My Sister's Grave, the first book in Robert Dugoni's Tracy Crosswhite Series. Once I finish that I realized that they were to novellas that were prequels to this book. So I read them, of course. 

The Academy is about Tracy’s entrance into the police academy. I really enjoyed it, seeing her fierce determination not just to be accepted but pass to your the join the force.  Ultimately her goal is to be promoted to Homicide. It was also an introduction to Detective Johnny Nolasco, someone I met in My Sister's Grave.

Third Watch takes place 6 years later.  The blurb gives a good idea of whats going on.  And of course, a lovely scene with Nolasco finishes this novella off nicely.

 Those these books are not necessary when reading My Sister's Grave they are just another glimpse as to Tracy, her past, and how it reflects her career many years later.

Come back tomorrow for my review of  My Sister’s Grave.

Both copies obtained through Kindle Unlimited.

Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret by Judy Blume

Margaret shares her secrets and her spirituality in this iconic Judy Blume novel, beloved by millions, that now has a fresh new look.

Margaret Simon, almost twelve, likes long hair, tuna fish, the smell of rain, and things that are pink. She's just moved from New York City to Farbook, New Jersey, and is anxious to fit in with her new friends--Nancy, Gretchen, and Janie. When they form a secret club to talk about private subjects like boys, bras, and getting their first periods, Margaret is happy to belong.

But none of them can believe Margaret doesn't have religion, and that she isn't going to the Y or the Jewish Community Center. What they don't know is Margaret has her own very special relationship with God. She can talk to God about everything--family, friends, even Moose Freed, her secret crush.

Margaret is funny and real, and her thoughts and feelings are oh-so-relatable--you'll feel like she's talking right to you, sharing her secrets with a friend.

Hardcover, 192 pages

Published April 29, 2014

 by Turtleback Books

3.5/5 stars

This book was a quick and easy read, clocking in just under 200 pages. It was also my first time reading a Judy Blume book. The winner of several mini awards, this book was published in 1970 and is a unique blend of middle grade and young adult coming-of-age story.

The protagonist, Margaret Simon, is almost 12 years old and has recently moved from bustling New York City to a smaller town in New Jersey. As she navigates her new school and surroundings, she finds solace in a secret club where she can discuss all things girlish with her new friends.

Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret is a heartwarming tale of friendship, self-discovery, and family. As the title suggests, Margaret is not religious and is curious about the concept of faith, thus exploring different churches.

While I personally found the book to be just okay, I can see how it would be a fun and engaging read for younger readers. 

This book is part of my 2023 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge, #23.

Someone Else's Shoes by Jojo Moyes

A story of mix-ups, mess-ups and making the most of second chances, this is the new novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Jojo Moyes, author of Me Before You and The Giver of Stars.

Who are you when you are forced to walk in someone else’s shoes?

Nisha Cantor lives the globetrotting life of the seriously wealthy, until her husband announces a divorce and cuts her off. Nisha is determined to hang onto her glamorous life. But in the meantime, she must scramble to cope--she doesn’t even have the shoes she was, until a moment ago, standing in.

That’s because Sam Kemp – in the bleakest point of her life – has accidentally taken Nisha’s gym bag. But Sam hardly has time to worry about a lost gym bag--she’s struggling to keep herself and her family afloat. When she tries on Nisha’s six-inch high Christian Louboutin red crocodile shoes, the resulting jolt of confidence that makes her realize something must change—and that thing is herself.

Full of Jojo Moyes’ signature humor, brilliant storytelling, and warmth, Someone Else’s Shoes is a story about how just one little thing can suddenly change everything.

Hardcover, 438 pages

Published February 7, 2023

by Pamela Dorman Books

4.5/5 stars

This was my February BOTM pick, the premise sounded like fun and the cover was eye catchings.  Though I will say that I went in a little cautious, Jojo Moyes has been a hit or miss author for me.

The situation started innocently enough but quickly evolves into a situation that forces these 2 women, Sam and Nisha, to make some serious changes.  And it all started over a pair of shoes.  I will say that I began this book thinking it would be more a comedic read but that part didn't happen till the last third of the book.  And yes 438 pages is a fair sized story but it was enough to really get to know Sam and Nisha.

Sam has so many things on her plate, I won't name everything but suffice to say stress and anxiety are her middle name.  But for some reason these new shoes make her feel different, in a good way.  But is it enough?

Enter Nisha, the snotty, rich pampered wife gets a rude awakening when she not only has Sam's shoes but her life takes a 180 turn in a matter of seconds.

Someone Else's Shoes was a fun and well written story that kept me entertained.  I did both a read and audio-read, both of which I recommend.  Not only was this a journey for these 2 women but for some great characters as well.  The ending was great, I loved it, definitely didn't see that coming.

All in all a thoroughly enjoyable read.

This book was part of my 2023 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge #28

The Dutch Orphan by Ellen Keith

From the author of The Dutch Wife comes a riveting novel set during World War II about a woman who offers shelter to a Jewish baby, and her sister, who must choose between family loyalty and her own safety.

Amsterdam, 1942. When the Nazis invade Amsterdam, singer Johanna Vos watches in horror as the vibrant music scene she loves is all but erased, her Jewish friends forbidden from performing with her onstage. Alongside her friend Jakob, Johanna creates the Artists’ Resistance, an underground network allowing Jews to perform at houses hosted by their allies. When Johanna hears of a Jewish orphan headed for deportation, she does not think twice. She takes the baby in as her own, hiding the truth from even her own sister, Liesbeth.

Meanwhile, Liesbeth finds herself in a dilemma, as she knows of her sister’s staunch support for the Resistance, but her husband supports the Nazis. When a charming member of the Dutch Fascist Party sets his eyes on her, her predicament only deepens. As secrets continue to grow between the sisters, severing their once-unbreakable bond, they are both forced to make choices that will alter their lives forever.

Kindle Edition, 352 pages

Expected publication April 18, 2023

April 18, 2023 by Park Row

4/5 stars

This was one of my highly anticipated books of 2023. As someone who has read many WW2 books I was drawn to this particlar book because of the location, blurb and that cover.

The story follows two sisters who are newly married and dealing with the war in vastly different ways. One sister joins the resistance, while the other is married to a Nazi sympathizer. This story explores how the war affected those living in the Netherlands, a location that is not often explored in WW2 fiction.

The Dutch Orphan is a story of family, endurance and heartache. Since it spans throughout the whole years of  the war there is also reconciliation. It is a well written story that was authentic and showed what the dutch endured and also their strength and determination, loyalty and courage.

Released just yesterday it’s a book I recommend not just for lovers of HF.

My thanks to Park Row Books (via NetGalley) for a digital arc in exchange for honest review.

The Firefly Summer by Morgan Matson

The Penderwicks meets The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street in New York Times bestselling author Morgan Matson’s middle grade debut about a young girl who gets to know her mom’s side of the family and hunts for hidden treasure over the course of one chaotic summer.

For as long as Ryanna Stuart can remember, her summers have been spent with her father and his new wife. Just the three of them, structured, planned, and quiet. But this summer is different. This summer, she’s received a letter from her grandparents—grandparents neither she nor her dad have spoken to since her mom’s death—inviting her to stay with them at an old summer camp in the Poconos.

Ryanna accepts. She wants to learn about her mom. She wants to uncover the mystery of why her father hasn’t spoken to her grandparents all these years. She’s even looking forward to a quiet summer by the lake. But what she finds are relatives… so many relatives! Aunts and uncles and cousins upon cousins—a motley, rambunctious crew of kids and eccentric, unconventional adults. People who have memories of her mom from when she was Ryanna’s age, clues to her past like a treasure map. Ryanna even finds an actual, real-life treasure map!

Over the course of one unforgettable summer—filled with s’mores and swimming, adventure and fun, and even a decades-old mystery to solve—Ryanna discovers a whole new side of herself and that, sometimes, the last place you expected to be is the place where you really belong.

Kindle Edition, 399 pages

Expected publication

May 2, 2023

 by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

4.5/5 stars

Just from the cover I knew I was in for a fun and entertaining read.

For 11-year-old Ryanna this summer brought with it so much more than she expected.  First off is the family she didn't know existed.  She was determined to not enjoy herself but rather learn about the mother she doesn't remember.  Her mom died when she was just 3 years old, it caused a riff with her dad and the in-laws.  But try as she might her plans were derailed. 

This was such a well written story.  It tugs at the heart strings but also comes with zany adventures in the great outdoors.

The Firefly Summer is a summer adventure story dealing with family, healing and mystery.  Yes there is a good mysterious treasure hunt.  The setting is perfect not just for middle grade readers but for putting adults into summer vacation mode as well.  With swimming, hiking and s'mores the atmosphere shines through.

Releasing in just a couple weeks, The Firefly Summer is a story I recommend to readers of all ages.

My thanks to Simon & Schuster CA for a digital ARC in exchange for a honest review.

Not The Ones Dead By Dana Stabenow

NOT THE ONES DEAD

By

Dana Stabenow

Published

April 11, 2023 by Head of Zeus

The gripping new Kate Shugak novel by New York Times bestselling author Dana Stabenow. What seems a tragic accident soon becomes a murder investigation as Kate is drawn into a case of political intrigue.

A mid-air collision in the Alaskan wilderness between two small aircraft leaves ten people dead. Was it a bird strike, pilot error... or premeditated murder?

Then an eleventh body is found in the wreckage: a man shot gangland style, twice in the chest and once in the head.

In an investigation that reaches to the highest levels of government, justice may not be served, but Kate Shugak is determined that the truth will out, even at the risk of her life and the lives of those she loves most.

About the Author

Dana Stabenow was born in Anchorage, Alaska and raised on a 75-foot fishing tender. She knew there was a warmer, drier job out there somewhere and found it in writing. Her first book in the bestselling Kate Shugak series, A Cold Day for Murder, received an Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America.

 www.stabenow.com/

Twitter: @danastabenow

The Metropolitan Affair by Jocelyn Green

For years her explorer father promised Dr. Lauren Westlake she'd accompany him on one of his Egyptian expeditions. But as the empty promises mounted, Lauren determined to earn her own way. Now the assistant curator of Egyptology for the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Lauren receives two unexpected invitations.

The first is her repentant father's offer to finally bring her to Egypt as his colleague on a new expedition. The second is a chance to enter the world of New York's wealthiest patrons who have been victims of art fraud.

With Egyptomania sweeping the city after the discovery of King Tut's tomb, Detective Joe Caravello is on the hunt for a notorious forger preying on the open wallets of New York's high society. Dr. Westlake is just the expert he needs to help him track the criminal. Together they search for the truth, and the closer Lauren and Joe get to discovering the forger's identity, the more entangled they become in a web of deception and crime.

In this rich 1920s tale, bestselling author Jocelyn Green invites you into one of New York City's most esteemed museums, where a young woman discovers secrets, betrayal, and romance.

Paperback, 384 pages

Published March 14, 2023

 by Bethany House Publishers

4/5 stars

Taking place in the 1920's,  The Metropolitan Affair follows the life of Dr. Lauren Westlake, an Assistant Curator at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Told from both Lauren's perspective and that of her old friend, Joe, one of New York's finest.

As the first book in Jocelyn Green's On Central Park series, The Metropolitan Affair takes place just after the discovery of King Tut's tomb. The city's elite are scrambling to get their hands on relics from Egypt, but when forgeries start popping up Lauren and Joe team up to track down the culprit.

This book is not just a historical story, but also delves into Lauren's relationship with her father, who has been absent for most of her life, as well as her complicated past with Joe. The story weaves through politics, women in the workforce, police procedures, family, and grief, making for a truly entertaining read.

The Metropolitan Affair even features cameos from historical figures, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the story. With enough Egyptology to satisfy this history buff, this well-written book kept my attention with a mystery that twisted and turned kept me on my toes.

My thanks to Graf-Martin Communication for a print copy in exchange for a honest review.

Drowning by T.J. Newman

Six minutes after takeoff, Flight 1421 crashes into the Pacific Ocean. During the evacuation, an engine explodes and the plane is flooded. Those still alive are forced to close the doors—but it’s too late. The plane sinks to the bottom with twelve passengers trapped inside.

More than two hundred feet below the surface, engineer Will Kent and his eleven-year-old daughter Shannon are waist-deep in water and fighting for their lives.

Their only chance at survival is an elite rescue team on the surface led by professional diver Chris Kent—Shannon’s mother and Will’s soon-to-be ex-wife—who must work together with Will to find a way to save their daughter and rescue the passengers from the sealed airplane, which is now teetering on the edge of an undersea cliff.

There’s not much time.

There’s even less air.

With devastating emotional power and heart-stopping suspense, Drowning is an unforgettable thriller about a family’s desperate fight to save themselves and the people trapped with them—against impossible odds.

Flight attendant turned New York Times bestselling author T. J. Newman—whose first book Falling was an instant #1 national bestseller and the biggest thriller debut of 2021—returns for her second book, an edge-of-your-seat thriller about a commercial jetliner that crashes into the ocean, and sinks to the bottom with passengers trapped inside, and the extraordinary rescue operation to save them.

Kindle Edition, 300 pages 

Expected publication May 30, 2023 

by Avid Reader Press / Simon & Schuster

4/5 stars

TJ Newman, a former flight attendant, has captured the attention of readers with her debut novel, Falling, and now follows up with another thrilling aviation story, Drowning.

From the very first page, Drowning takes off with non-stop action that kept this reader on the edge of my seat for almost 300 pages. The story follows the harrowing experience of a flight that crashes into the ocean just minutes after takeoff in Hawaii. A handful of survivors are left stranded on the sinking plane, and a rescue mission ensues. With limited time, patience and oxgyen, the overwhelming anxiety of the situation makes for a fast-paced and emotional read.

But Drowning is not just a story of a rescue mission. It delves into the complexities of family, heartache, and the hope of reunion. The mix of personalities is authentic, and the procedures taken are true to life. Suffice it to say, I devoured this book in a single day.

My thanks to Simon and Schuster Ca (via NetGalley) for providing me with a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.