The years go by like days: THE BLACKWOODS

The Blackwoods by Brandy Colbert
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a captivating ode to black Hollywood.

The BLACKWOODS explores the legacy left by a strong black woman, Blossom Blackwood, so that her great granddaughters can have agency and choice in their own lives. Blossom dreams of being an actor, but choices are limited when she's growing up. Despite her struggles, she prevails, raising her son, Abe, with the help of her mother and sister, and becoming a well-known actress. Abe eventually becomes a famous actor as well, and now Blossom's granddaughter Ardith is in the acting business too. Spread out among the family are others in Hollywood via lawyers, producers, etc.

This is a story about women told by women--Blossom, Ardith, and the other granddaughter, Hollis. Hollis prefers a more private life--hard when you're a Blackwood--and even more difficult when photos of her are leaked by the press.

I loved the stories about Blossom's past, even though they highlighted so well the racism she experienced on her quest to become an actress. She's a tough and spirited woman, and her character shone through the pages.

Present-day is a bit more lackluster. It takes some time for Ardith and Hollis to become as fully-realized as Blossom. The story is fascinating, though, and draws you into the creative Blackwood clan, their trials, tribulations, and successes. It's a very good look at motherhood and family and the legacy one leaves behind.

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Stars will shine and what is broke will mend: A HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS.

A Home for the Holidays by Taylor Hahn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was not the fun and fluffy Christmas rom-com I expected, but that's totally okay--it was surprisingly good!

Wedding singer Mel Hart has always loved Christmas thanks to the fact that her mom, Connie, made it magical. That's extra special because, as an adult, Mel realizes her mom was (is) an alcoholic and the two spent a lot of their life with little money and no real place to put down their roots. Still, Mel is devastated when Connie dies a few weeks before Christmas, leaving much unresolved between the pair. Then she meets Barb, who claims she was Connie's best friend before Mel was born--back in a crazy world when Connie almost became a famous singer. Mel goes to stay with Barb for the holidays, learning more and more about Connie's past, and also meets Barb's son, a handsome and witty doctor.

If you don't like treacly and overly romantic Christmas stories, this book is for you. It's actually dark at times, delving into Connie's alcoholism, problems between Connie and Barb, and Mel's sadness and grief. There is hope, however, when Mel meets Barb's son Henry, who is absolutely glorious and such a sweet leading guy. Mel has her own issues (a dying alcoholic mom will do that to you) but she's spunky and enjoyable too. Even with its difficult topics, HOME is a sparkling story about grief, forgiveness, and yes-love.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Knopf in return for an unbiased review.


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Still fighting the good fight: THE PRESIDENT IS MISSING.

The President Is Missing by Bill Clinton
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A group of terrorists decide to mess with the United States' cyber grid for their own wealth and enjoyment.

It's the plot for the wild and crazy THE PRESIDENT IS MISSING, but it's also a horrifying and rather plausible possibility, which is always in the back of your mind while reading. Said President is ex-military, anti-establishment, and suspects a leak in his inner circle. At the same time, he knows he has just days to stop a virus from shutting down the entire U.S. cyber infrastructure and sending America back to the dark ages--and into utter chaos.

This story starts out a little slow, veers into wild and fun moments, and then lags again at times. It's very uneven and makes it hard to get fully into the story, even if it is exciting. The President receives warning from some defectors from the terrorist cell, and he goes rogue (aka missing) to try to save his country. There are appearances from members of said inner circle plus leaders of other countries and then various parts of the terrorist organizations. It's up to us to puzzle it out along with the President.

This is a fun story (albeit rather sobering because it feels a little too real) but sometimes an up and down tale.

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Trouble knows where I stay and I’m living: I WILL FIND YOU.

I Will Find You by Harlan Coben
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was wild and insane, and I could NOT put it down! At all. I had to find out what happened!

David is in prison for the murder of his three-year-old son Matthew. The child suffered a brutal death, and David--while maintaining his innocence--has basically given up. Matthew was his life. His (ex-)wife has moved on, his son is dead, he has nothing left. Five years into his sentence, David's ex-sister-in-law shows up. She brings him a photo of a child at an amusement park. A recent photo. She think it's Matthew. And now, so does David.

So (of course) David escapes maximum security prison and he and Rachel go on the hunt for Matthew, believing that David was framed for his disappearance. Murder? Do we know?

Coben has an amazingly compelling and captivating way of writing, even if the story sometimes feels fantastical or improbable. Man is breaking out of maximum security prison-sure! Man is eluding multiple captures-sure! The book has the feel of The Fugitive, which David even references at one point. And, truly, it's impossible not to root for David, which just shows the power of the writing, as you find yourself urging on a convicted murderer. Is his child truly alive? Did he truly do something wrong?

There's a pair of FBI agents on David's trail who have a special sort of banter all their own and provide an almost comic relief necessary to the story.

Overall, while this is a wild tale, it's a 4+ star read for me because of pure enjoyment. Sometimes you need a good page turner in your life!

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And regret on my mind: A VERY BAD THING.

A Very Bad Thing by J.T. Ellison
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I always look forward to a J.T. Ellison book because she's so good at suspenseful, wild stories!

A VERY BAD THING is just that. Does it get a little crazy sometimes? Sure. But it's a complete page-turner that draws you into the world of famous author Columbia Jones, adored by her fans and both revered and slightly feared by her daughter/publicist, Darian. On the final night of Columbia's most recent book tour, she collapses on stage, and Darian is sure it's because her mother spotted someone in the audience. Then, that night, after Columbia and Darian have a fight, Columbia is found dead. The local police Detective Sutcliffe suspects murder. Darian is sure it was Riley, a reporter her mother hired to follow her on tour and report on her life story.

What follows is a bit far-fetched at times and often dark and brutal. We hear from the perspective of Darian, Sutcliffe, Columbia (in the past), Riley, and others. The book is long, but it's exciting and everything flies by, as Ellison keeps you guessing the entire time. There are even some ties to some of her other works, thanks to the case taking Sutcliffe to Nashville (side note: I would totally read another book about Detective Sutcliffe--I loved him).

This is an enjoyable, dramatic thriller with lots of twists and turns! 4+ stars.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer in return for an unbiased review.

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I pick up the broken pieces I put them back into the sky: WHENEVER YOU'RE READY.

Whenever You're Ready by Rachel Runya Katz


This was an informative and interesting read, but wow, the characters drove me crazy sometimes!

Our lead characters were so juvenile and immature at times that I wanted to just shake them. Jade and Nia meet when their best friend Michal introduces them at age ten. The three girls become fast friends. However, Michal died three years ago, throwing the friend group into chaos. Michal wanted Jade and Nia to go on a Southern Jewish history road trip--one they all had planned to go on before Michal got sick. Jade, Nia, and Jade's twin brother (and Michal's boyfriend, confused yet) set out on the trip in Michal's honor.

We learn quickly that Jade and Nia have been somewhat estranged for the past three years, but, of course, we can't be told why. I am not a fan of books where there's a big past event/blowup that is alluded to but not revealed for most of the book. However, it seems par for the course for this group, who cannot communicate to save their lives.

The history part of the road trip is fascinating, as it delves into the history and intersection of anti-black racism and antisemitism in the American South. I learned a lot, honestly, and there are parts that can make you cry. It's wonderful to see queer Jewish characters of color in literature.

There's a lot of intertwined romance and drama in READY and it's difficult to keep track of, sometimes. There's Michal and Jonah's relationship; something that happened with Nia and Jade; and the background of Michal's illness and death. All the drama and sadness is overwhelming sometimes. Nia and Jade are a cute couple, but wow, it's a slooooow burn romance. Those two know how to drag things out!

This one is rather long and you have to warm up to the characters. There is, however, a delightful dog named Luna and wonderful, diverse representation.

I received a copy of this book from Negalley and St. Martin's Griffin in return for an unbiased review.

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Is there something or someone I should be: THE SUMMER PACT.

The Summer Pact by Emily Giffin
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This one was fine but not my favorite of Giffin's. Its plot centers on four best friends from college and revolves around the suicide of one of the foursome. Suicide is a tough and personal subject for me, and I had a difficult time reading some of the pieces.

Our four friends--free spirit, Lainey; uptight Tyson; group cheerleader Hannah; and their athletic leader Summer--become fast acquaintances after a shared evening at the University of Virginia as first years. But their world is rocked when the driven Summer dies by suicide when they are fourth years (right before graduation). The remaining friends make a pact that, in the future, they'll always be there for each other. Hannah invokes it when her fiance cheats on her.

Lainey, now an actress, and Tyson, a lawyer, rush to Hannah's side and they decide to take a trip together (in lieu of Hannah's honeymoon). They'll hit sites that mean something to each of them, including visiting Lainey's half sisters, hitting up Capri, which was Summer's dream, and more. Unfortunately for us, all three characters are rather insufferable and often annoying. I felt bad for Hannah, but she was often a bit of a doormat (she still had my favorite storyline). Lainey makes terrible decisions thanks to her impulsive nature and alcoholic tendencies. Tyson can't seem to let go or let his friends make their own decisions. Everything becomes quite dramatic for this trio; for Pete's sake, you're grown adults! Act like it! Most of the book is them making poor choices while not much happens.

This book tries to make some good points about friendship, especially in the wake of grief and loss. There are some emotional moments, but they are often marred by theatrics and immature characters.

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