I'd rather ride around with you: EVERY TIME YOU HEAR THAT SONG.

Every Time You Hear That Song by Jenna Voris
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

A gorgeous, authentic story of country music and finding yourself

I really enjoyed this one. I am a sucker for stories involving country music, but when you add the lesbian romance angle, it's even better. Darren Purchase is seventeen and has loved country music singer Decklee Cassel her entire life. She's crushed when Decklee dies. Decklee's long-awaited time capsule should be revealed at her televised funeral, but instead, it's empty. Soon, she's putting her fans through a series of scavenger-hunt-style clues to track down the capsule and its associated $3M prize. Darren, an aspiring journalist, knows she has a shot at finding the capsule, so she teams up with her co-worker, Kendall, to track it down.

The story alternates between Darren and Kendall searching and following time capsule clues and Decklee Cassel and her journey to fame. Both timelines are captivating, though it's really hard not to be completely pulled in by our enigmatic country star, Decklee. Tracing her path to fame, Decklee's portions cover her friendship and eventual relationship with her songwriter, Mickenlee Hooper. Decklee is a deeply flawed character, mowing over anyone who gets in the way of her path to stardom. This includes a relationship with a woman in the 1970s and 1980s as a country star, and the book does a strong job of exploring the difficulty of two women being together in such a time.

Darren's story parallels Decklee, as she follows time capsule clues that align with Decklee's career. Both Darren and Decklee are from the small town of Mayberry, Arkansas, and Darren clings to the idea that if Decklee got out, so can she. Darren's so focused on getting out of Mayberry that she hasn't taken the time to see what it offers, including a friendship (or more) with Kendall, or the bonuses that small town life offers. She wants to win the money to go to journalism school and help her mom, who has battled cancer.

There's nothing conventional about this book, including its ending, and that's a huge compliment. Decklee and Darren are strongly characterized and individualistic, and Mickenlee is just as nuanced too. Decklee and Mickenlee's story is entrancing, and Kendall and Darren's burgeoning romance is adorable. This is a wonderful story for anyone who loves coming-of-age tales, queer romance, or country music. 4.5 stars.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Viking Books for Young Readers in return for an unbiased review.


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And I can see the pain in your eyes: DARLING GIRLS.

Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sometimes the strongest familial bonds aren't forged by blood

Jessica, Norah, and Alicia are sisters. Maybe not on a family tree, but in their eyes and hearts. They spent several years together at the same foster home under the care of Miss Fairchild. To an outsider, it looked like a perfect place: Wild Meadows Farm, a lovely house in the countryside. But Miss Fairchild could be erratic and even downright cruel. Then something terrible happened, and they never saw Miss Fairchild again. Now the police have come calling: bones have been found under their childhood home, and they want to know what Jessica, Norah, and Alicia may know. It's time to face Wild Meadows again.

This is a page-turner of a story. I found it very hard to put down. Hepworth makes it quite easy to get caught up in Jessica, Norah, and Alicia's story! GIRLS is packed with exciting twists and turns as we follow the story of Miss Fairchild and her wards. Is she a kind woman just looking to help kids have a better life? Or is there a more sinister side to Miss F?

Hepworth weaves the narrative through the eyes of each sister. There's anxious, overprotective, Jessica, now married and running a successful organizing business. She still plays the role of older sister/mama bear to the group. Norah is still the wild child, quick to fly off the handle at a moment's notice. Now Jessica can (usually) rescue Norah using her money or influence, whereas Norah typically wound up locked in the basement by Miss Fairchild as a kid. And then there's Alicia, who gravitated to the role of social worker as an adult. She just wants to protect kids from suffering from what she experienced, but she's too scared to make any changes or big steps in her own life.

We learn about each woman through flashbacks to their past at Wild Meadows, as well as the present-day story. Their stories are interspersed by an eerie interview of an unnamed character with a therapist. All of these devices function well to create drama, slowly release information, and effectively build suspense.

GIRLS deftly explores family dynamics, the various sides of motherhood, and found family. I loved how close the three foster sisters are, as well as how it explores both the negatives and positives of the foster care system. Being a thriller, it has quite a dark side, and it's filled with a ton of Sally Hepworth-patented surprises. It gets a little rushed near closing and everything ties up a little easily, but there's a good "what!!??" moment as well. I wouldn't say there's a ton of character development here, but it's worth it for all the shock and awe. 4+ stars.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and St. Martin's Press in return for an unbiased review. Look for DARLING GIRLS on 4/23/2024!


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Might as well jump in head first, lay it all on the line: A GAME OF LIES.

A Game of Lies by Clare Mackintosh
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

A thriller filled with secrets, lies, and reality show craziness!

Seven contestants living in the remote Welsh mountains for two weeks--subjected to challenges and public votes and the elements. What could go wrong, right? "Exposure" is typical reality TV, but Detective Ffion Morgan wasn't expecting such a show to be filmed practically in her backyard. When the show's producer, Miles, turns the table on his seven players and reveals that he will expose their greatest secret on live TV unless they are the last one standing, ratings soar. But soon a contestant is missing, which was not part of Miles' script. And when a murder hits the "Exposure" cast and crew, things take an even more dramatic turn. Most of the suspects were on camera or have an alibi; can Ffion untangle the group's secrets before the killer strikes again?

I loved the first book in this series. Ffion is one of my favorite characters-a flawed but brilliant detective with an acerbic wit. The story begins with her being called out by her boss for not being a team player. That may sum up our Ffion perfectly, but she's loyal and she won't quit on a case. You don't need to read the first book to enjoy this one, but I do recommend it, especially as you'll enjoy the personal dynamics more. With a person missing, Ffion must call upon DS Leo Brady from the first book, but the two have a... history... together.

The "locked reality show" concept in the Welsh mountains works great here. We have a small cast of characters. You get to know your reality show players, the small crew, and Ffion and her family. There are limited suspects, but we soon learn there are plenty of people the group wouldn't mind dead. Nothing heightens emotions like being on camera, false pretenses, and the public revelation of secrets. Clare Mackintosh has a way of writing books that just keep you guessing--I was genuinely surprised at the whodunnit.

Adding to the well-plotted story is Ffion's well-written character, as we delve into complex dynamics with her family, Leo, and work colleagues. Ffion must work with someone new on her force, Georgina Kent, as well as deal with Leo coming back into her life. I just adore prickly Ffion. She's so smart and hides her insecurities by forging ahead without thinking things through at times. Mackintosh writes her vulnerabilities so well, and I sure hope there will be a book #3. (And I hope it features Ffion's smelly, lovable dog, Dave!)

Overall, this is an excellent mystery--exciting and atmospheric with a complex, thoughtful lead detective. 4.5 stars.

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

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Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Love...with a limit

Ever since she was a kid, Daphne has received notes with a name and a time period... they correlate to her relationships and how long they will last. Her first youthful romance lasted a week. One in Paris lasted three days. And the one with Hugo, who eventually became her best friend, lasted three months. When you know how long your relationship has, you only put in so much effort. Daphne finds herself not forming any attachments. Then she receives "the note"--one with a name but no date. It simply says Jake, and Daphne realizes this means he must be the one. He seems nearly perfect; but as their relationship progresses, and Daphne knows she has more information than Jake, she starts to question if this truly is forever.

This is a slightly weird book, though I always like the hook in Serle's books. The notes angle is fun. It's hard to get into the story, as the POV flips between present-day with Daphne and Jake and then randomly jumps back to all of Daphne's time-limited relationships. While we learn more about Daphne and her past this way, this slows the book's momentum and interest in Daphne's current life. It takes a surprising and unexpected turn partway through, and I'm not sure if I liked it. She was an interesting character, but no one I felt particularly attached to. Same with Hugo, who features prominently. I think I felt the most for Jake.

DATES explores the ideas of finding the right person and believing in yourself. It's more serious than a typical romance, with several sad subplots. I wish I was more invested in the characters, but I still enjoyed it. 3.5 stars.



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Lonely makes a heart ruthless: CITY IN RUINS.

City in Ruins by Don Winslow
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A fitting end (and goodbye) to a wonderful series and author

I love this series because it introduced me to Don Winslow and his amazing books. Seems fitting that CITY IN RUINS is supposed to be Winslow's last book. I am grateful that I still have a lot of his backlist to catch up on.

RUINS is third in the Danny Ryan trilogy. This is one time where you really have to read the first two books for the third to make sense. Everything comes full circle and the sheer amount of names and story continuity will be too confusing without the first two. Plus, they are excellent.

By now, Danny is in Las Vegas, overseeing his growing empire, and facing a Government investigation into the gambling industry. Worried about how this will affect his Vegas legacy, Danny acts on a variety of fronts, including buying a hotel on the Vegas strip right out from a competitor. This sets off a chain of events that darken back to Danny's brutal and violent days in the Irish mob.

This wasn't my favorite of the three books; it seemed to lack some of the depth and emotional complexity of the others, but it's still quite good. Danny's Vegas journey brings him across many of his (former) Irish mob counterparts--meaning we see and hear from many familiar faces from the earlier books. There's a decent side plot involving a missing mobster from an earlier book (which I didn't care too much about).

The best part, as always, is Danny. He's such a rich character with so many sides. Ryan does a strong job of portraying his struggle to stay on the right side, away from his violent past, while wanting to stay on top of the gambling world. It's Danny's personality, his inner thoughts, and the Greek tragedy parallels in this series that keep me coming back. This is a nuanced, detailed, and fitting end to a wonderful series. 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.

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

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The years go by like days: BYE, BABY.

Bye, Baby by Carola Lovering
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Went in expecting more thrills...

Lovering's latest is billed as a thriller, but I'd deem this more women's fiction, as it focuses mainly on a friendship between two women. Billie and Cassie became fast friends in childhood, forming a tight bond that lasted into adulthood. But lately they've drifted apart, especially with Cassie's marriage--one that propelled her into a wealthier part of society. She's now a mom, too, and a fairly well-known influencer. Billie can't help but feel resentful of Cassie and her seemingly perfect life, most of which she only knows about via Instagram stories. However, Billie upends this perfection when she "accidentally" steals Cassie's baby daughter during a party, terrifying Cassie.

BYE, BABY is a close examination of friendship and delves into a lot of issues: classism, Alzheimer's, social media, and more. A lot to cover, it seems, and yet I kept waiting for more to happen, wondering when that huge reveal or twist would happen. While the book does (slowly) build up to the story of what truly bonded Cassie and Billie in their teen years, there are no huge surprises here. Instead, we learn why each woman is the way they are. Billie, at first not particularly likable, grows more sympathetic as you learn about her childhood, while perfect Cassie becomes less likable as you see her ongoing quest for wealth and social media followers. She lives her entire life online, Billie seems to be saying, yet she cannot even take care of her daughter? Doesn't she deserve this? The book would be more interesting if it really delved deep into this topic, or any one of its many topics, but it stays surface level, lightly covering Cassie and Billie's toxic friendship and never going much deeper. It ended, and I still found myself wanting and waiting for more.

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

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Can I handle the seasons of my life: I PROMISE IT WON'T ALWAYS HURT LIKE THIS.

I Promise It Won't Always Hurt Like This: 18 Assurances on Grief by Clare Mackintosh


It doesn't feel right to rate Clare Mackintosh's non-fiction book about grief, as much of it focuses on the death of her young son, but this is a poignant read and very helpful. Mackintosh wrote it after a tweet about the anniversary of the death of her five-month-old son, Alex, went viral. The book is part memoir/part self-help, with 18 chapters that walk through dealing with grief--with the ultimate promise that we can all make progress with grief, on our own time, at our own pace. She uses stories from her own life, especially losing Alex, as examples. The result is a sad story, but also a hopeful one, and I think many who have been through a loss would find this helpful; I did.

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

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Looks like I'm taking the hard way home: HERE WE GO AGAIN.

Here We Go Again by Alison Cochrun
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book was magical. Leave it to Alison Cochrun to make a book about a dying man insanely romantic.

HERE WE GO AGAIN is a perfect story about queer (found) families and finding love when you need it most. Teachers Logan and Rosemary take their beloved beloved gay high school teacher, Joe, on one last cross country trip. Logan and Rosemary are former childhood best friends turned enemies but must unite to help Joe, who is dying from cancer.

The story hits first loves and enemies to lovers wonderfully, with a perfect simmering burn between Rosemary and Logan. We have Logan, who is well-known on the lesbian circuit for "liking" and then leaving girls. For Logan, whose mom left in her childhood, she fears forming any strong attachments. Rosemary is a wonderful and renowned teacher who has perfected hiding her anxiety from others. All the characters pop off the page--none more than Joe, an amazing gay teaching icon who has provided guidance and care for so many students, but holds a special place in his heart for his "girls," both of whom needed a little extra care coming out in their small town. Joe helped motherless Logan find herself and mentored Rosemary's writing.

Once he convinced the two to join him on the trip from Washington (state) to Maine, we get a story filled with humor and sadness, hi-jinx and pain. Along with Joe's lovable pup, the trio sets forth across the country, encountering national monuments and flat tires alike. There is a bathtub scene that will make you swoon and a drag show moment that will make you cheer. The build up between Rosemary and Logan is amazing, but it's just as good watching the two of them learning from (and about) Joe.

This story touches so beautifully on anxiety, ADHD, found family, and the importance of teachers and gay adults in younger lives. There are some moments that made me laugh out loud and others that made me cry. I fell head over heels for these characters. AGAIN is crazy emotional for a variety of reasons yet funny and heartfelt without being schmaltzy. I cannot recommend this lovely book enough.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Atria Books in return for an unbiased review. Look for HERE WE GO AGAIN on 04/02/2024!!

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You can be soft, honey, you can be strong: GIRLS WITH BAD REPUTATIONS.

Girls with Bad Reputations by Xio Axelrod
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

So I received GIRLS WITH BAD REPUTATIONS as an ARC, didn't realize it was part of a series, read the first book, didn't love it (it was fine), and went into this one with low expectations. I did wind up liking the second book a bit more than the first, but it wasn't an all-time favorite.

In book two, we find the Lillys preparing to go on tour, gaining more popularity with every stop. While book one focuses on Toni, the second features Kayla, the group's drummer. Growing up under the watchful eye of her controlling mother, who demanded nothing short of perfection, music and drumming were Kayla's escape. On tour, she forms a fast friendship with their bus driver, Ty, who is escaping life in his own way. But the Lillys' fame threatens to upend both Kayla and Ty's lives.

Two issues here. One: instant love. Kayla and Ty fall head over heels after interacting about twice over two weeks. Please, form a deeper, more realistic connection before vowing your deep, undying love to one another.

Second: These two have their heads in the sand, or the clouds, or both, to the most frustrating degree. Who joins a band expecting to stay hidden and not noticed by the press? Oh I'm in this band, and I want to be successful but oh, no, I am getting famous, and this is a huge problem because my parents will know I'm in a band? Are we twelve, trying to skip school? Ridiculous. And Ty, while I liked him much more, makes some insane choices where he refuses to face reality and could have improved his quality of life YEARS earlier.

Luckily, issue number one mostly vanishes as the book progresses. Kayla and Ty are cute after a while, I will grudgingly admit. Two little bookworms, quiet and reserved; they definitely are made for each other. Ty has an adorable relationship with his Pop Pop, who has raised him (and seems to be magically wealthy...). And, truly, their ability to avoid reality means they are made for one another.

There's just so much going on here. Continuing drama with Candi, a former Lilly band-mate from book one. So many details about the music industry, touring/being on the road, and more. Sometimes it all just feels... too much. The emphasis on a rock band fronted by diverse women is awesome, though.

Overall, I liked each member of the Lillys enough to get drawn into the story. I just wish everything was a bit more plausible, with more time spent on character motivations and less on minute details.

I received a copy of this book from Negalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca in return for an unbiased review.

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Now the quietest noise I'm told, is the sound of letting go: NORTHWOODS.

Northwoods by Amy Pease
My rating: 4 of 5 stars


An oft depressing but intriguing debut novel!

Eli North was an investigative officer in the elite U.S. Forestry Service, but everything changed after his time in Afghanistan. He returns home to the small Midwestern town of Shaky Lake to see his marriage crumble and the only job he can keep is the one offered by his Mom at the local sheriff's department. Just alcohol brings Eli solace and comfort. When he finds the body of a boy in a boat, the trauma only deepens Eli's pain, even as he works to find the murderer and locate a missing teenage girl, whose disappearance they believe is related.

NORTHWOODS is sad, emotional story that focuses just as much on how war affects those who make it home and its far ranging effects on their family and friends as it does on Ben's murder and Caitlin's disappearance. Eli is a very complex individual, where you find yourself simultaneously sympathetic and frustrated with him. How is it possible for one man to make so many bad decisions or consume so much alcohol? Yet what he's endured is unimaginable, and Pease does a wonderful job of showing how much he's been through. His relationship with his mother Marge, the town's Sheriff, is especially well-done.

This is a character-driven story, which doesn't move quickly, so do not expect a fast-moving thriller. The investigation takes a backseat to character exploration and then wraps up quickly (while leaving a few loose ends, it seemed) at the end of the book. I saw a few plot pieces coming a mile away and needed a few details to back everything up. There's so much happening and sometimes I wish the story focused on one area more in-depth.

Still, I listened to part of this on audiobook and was so moved that I found myself in tears at parts of the story, so that bumps my rating up. What it lacks in investigative detail, it makes up for in emotional depth. This is a very intense and timely look at opiate addiction, as well as the effects of violence and war, which will tear at your heartstrings.

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And love wounds with such simplicity: REGRETTING YOU.

Regretting You by Colleen Hoover
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Quick read with lots of drama!

Getting pregnant as a teen wasn't part of Morgan's plans. But it brought her her beloved daughter Clara, now 16. Morgan made things work with Clara's dad, Chris, and they have a good life. But Morgan and Clara's lives are upended after a tragic accident involving Chris changes everything.

This is a quick read, somewhat cheesy, but addictive. Morgan marries young after getting pregnant and always dreams about what could have been. As a teen, she was close with her husband's best friend, Jonah, who reappears in their lives after he gets her sister, Jenny, pregnant. There's plenty of drama, compounded by her daughter, Clara, now a teen herself, falling for her own boyfriend, Miller. Luckily this is actually a pretty cute relationship and practically could have been its own book.

Plenty of silly things happen, but many sad moments occur too. There's lots of tension and excitement as well, much of it overly so, causing some eye rolling, especially as it occurs without proof. Is there a lot of character development? No. But it's still somewhat easy to get caught up in the characters and their stories. The ending is cute, even if it wraps up very easily.


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That song that's in my soul is why I left: AT HER SERVICE.

At Her Service by Amy Spalding
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Charming sapphic romance!

When I requested this incredibly fun queer romance, I did not realize this book was the second in a series. Luckily, it can certainly stand alone, but I loved it so much, I'll be reading book #1 soon now. Because it's me, of course, I had book# 1 already sitting on my shelves. My house is basically the equivalent of a small library now...

AT HER SERVICE is so charming, featuring a wonderfully relatable main character. Max moves to LA from Kentucky with a dream of a new life, where she climbs the corporate ladder and discovers the love of her life. Instead, she finds herself the assistant to a Hollywood talent agent, stuck in the thankless job with no plan to move up. And don't even get her started on love, where she can do nothing but scroll dating apps and suffer through a series of hapless first dates.

When her (gorgeous, popular, queer) influencer roommate Chelsey suggests Max be the face of Chelsey's latest promotion, a self-actualization app called You Point Oh, Max reluctantly agrees. Suddenly she's receiving career counseling, joining queer kickball leagues, and making the big move with Sadie, the hot bartender she's had a crush on for ages. But when Chelsey crosses line with how much of Max's life she shares with her followers, all of Max's forward progress threatens to tumble. She has to take what she's learned and truly apply it, especially if she wants to keep Sadie.

This is such a "lesbian in your 20s book," and I mean that with the highest praise. Max is so relatable with her fears; thoughts that she is waiting around for life to start; and anxieties about being unable to stand up for herself. Only the most self-assured among us (aka not me) will be unable to find some kernel of truth in Max's story. As she pines for Sadie, you cannot help but desperately want the two to get together, longing to jump into the pages and push the pair closer. Sadie, of course, has her own baggage, worrying she's not good enough for Max, and struggling to realize her dream of buying her uncle's bar.

This is an engaging romance that blossoms without tossing in a bunch of contrived problems for our protagonists to solve. Sure, they face plenty of issues, but for the most part they seem realistic. It makes excellent points about the importance of queer spaces, friendship, and community. The romance is sparkling and winning. In fact, AT HER SERVICE is a winner. 4.5 stars.

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

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She got eyes that cut you like a knife: THE GIRL WITH STARS IN HER EYES.

The Girl with Stars in Her Eyes by Xio Axelrod
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

An all too realistic story of a female rock band

The idea of an all-female rock band is great, and Xio Axelrod uses personal experience to infuse the story with lots of realistic tidbits and facts about the music scene. Unfortunately, the characters don't have that same realism and ability to resonate. Growing up, Toni Bennette (yeah, yeah, she's heard it all) had one love: music. But her best friend Seb Quick was a pretty close second, even if she kept her romantic feelings hidden. When Seb disappeared when they were both teens, it broke Toni's heart. She thought she moved on until Seb shows up again in Toni's life. Toni's on the verge of her big break, but she's not sure she wants it if Seb is involved.

I found this story to be good but not remarkable. The tale of The Lillys--the female rock band that Toni could potentially join--is an interesting one. Axelrod's in-depth exploration of the music industry is certainly accurate (it seemed) but sometimes too much. STARS often feels long and repetitive. It's hard to love the rekindled romance between Seb and Toni if you do not feel the strength of their original childhood connection or forgive Seb as easily as Toni does. The inability to quickly connect to those two made the book feel longer and less plausible.

Toni is so strong that it seems as if she could solve her own problems and have her own dreams. I easily tired of many manufactured dramas that could be quickly solved (just hire security, etc.). What's funny is that I was intrigued by each band member's story and wanted more. There was just a lot of drama and too much repetition to delve into what I truly wanted from the story.

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You are silver lining with bad timing: STONE COLD HEART.

Stone Cold Heart by Caz Frear
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Detective Constable Cat Kinsella works for the London Metropolitan Police but her work life hides a darker past with her family, covering up secrets and transgressions. Cat sees a lot of secrets at work too, especially when she and her partner Luigi Parnell investigate the death of a young Australian woman, Naomi, who is found murdered after attending a party at her boss Kate's home. The clearest suspect is Kate's brother-in-law, Joseph, who claims he was with his wife, Rachel, but Rachel refutes that claim. As Cat digs into the mess surrounding Kate, Joseph, and Rachel, she discovers deep tensions and lies.

This is a strong follow-up to the first book in Cat's series. Cat is a nuanced and complex character with her fair share of flaws, but she's also a great detective with excellent insight into people and their motives. This book will stand alone, but you will have much better insight into Cat's past, especially her history with her father, if you read the first.

The mystery surrounding Naomi's death is well-written, presented as a bit of a mind game to both the detectives and the reader. There are lots of twists and surprises and plenty to guess about as the book goes on. Just when I was convinced I had things figured out, Frear threw me for a new loop. The plot can feel a little long and overly-complicated at times, especially with Cat's family drama thrown in, but overall, this is a tightly written and enjoyable thriller. 4 stars.


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Once I thought that love was something I could never do: HOW YOU GET THE GIRL.

How You Get the Girl by Anita Kelly
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A queer romance with a basketball theme, be still my beating heart!

I am such a sucker for sports romances, and Kelly writes a great queer one about women's basketball, my favorite of all sports. Julie Parker coaches high school basketball, but isn't prepared when the team's newest addition, Vanessa, is picked up by her foster parent, Elle Cochran. Elle just happens to be one of the most famous college basketball players in their state of Tennessee, but hasn't been seen since she left the WNBA six years ago. Julie worshiped Elle growing up and feels completely awkward around her hero. Elle, meanwhile, is trying to adjust to be a foster parent to Vanessa, her niece.

This is such a fun read! I love that a queer basketball romance for adults exists. There are so many good sports tidbits here and the joy of Julie's team discovering themselves on the court. We get references and mentions of Elle's life at UT and in the WNBA... I just love all of this stuff, so I was in seventh heaven.

Of course, at its heart, this is a romance. Julie, we learn, is figuring out who she is and how she relates to others romantically and sexually. Does she believe in labels and do they even apply to her? More practically, does she want to be in a relationship, especially one with Elle? Elle is bringing up feelings Julie hasn't felt in a long time, maybe ever. And Elle herself is attracted to Julie, but finding it hard to come out of the safe cocoon she's made for herself. Kelly allows the characters to be raw and vulnerable, especially as they explore Elle's mental health struggles and Julie's fears and worries about her sexuality.

Elle volunteers to "fake date" Julie to help her learn about relationships and see if it's something she would like. The result is a slow burn romance with funny banter, excellent chemistry, and lots of exploration. The two women are often serious as they explore love, foster parenthood, and queer labels, but the story is really hilarious too. When Julie's cat Snoozles gets sick, for instance--a moment that should seem dire winds up being so amusing.

There are a few times where Julie pontificates a bit much for my taste and the book feels long. This is also the third book in a series. While it's one of those interconnected series where each book stands alone, there are a lot of references to the characters in the previous two books and it sometimes feels as if you're missing out on inside jokes by not reading the earlier books. Overall, though, this is an excellent story that explores queer romance through the prism of basketball and much more.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) in return for an unbiased review.

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I'm the center of attention in the walls inside my head: MY DARLING GIRL.

My Darling Girl by Jennifer McMahon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Gives a whole new meaning to the phrase "possessed by a demon"

Alison had a horrible childhood, growing up with an abusive, alcoholic mother, Mavis, who made her life miserable. She survived, going on to marry her cheerful husband, Mark, with whom she has two children, teenage Izzy and young Olivia. When Mavis' assistant reaches out with the news that Mavis is dying of cancer and wants to spend her final days with family, Alison is torn. She finally agrees, dreaming of closure with her mother. But when strange things start happening, Alison is convinced her mom is the cause.

This was such an eerie book! Even better, it's set around the Christmas holidays, making all the terrifying events even more awful against the backdrop of holiday pageants and movies and cookies. Alison is clearly (justifiably) traumatized by her childhood, leaving us to wonder if her suspicions toward her mother are true, or just paranoia. These feelings of paranoia weave across the story as weirder and creepier incidents occur once Mavis arrives at Alison's house. Alison begins to suspect her mother is not who she seems, going so far to wonder if she's possessed by a demon.

The plot sounds far fetched, but works surprisingly well. McMahon, as always, creates expert creepy, crackling tension. It's easy to fly through the pages of this one. The cast of characters is limited, but intriguing, and there's the dynamic of wondering whether Alison remembers her childhood correctly and then what exactly is happening with Mavis. The result is a terrifying, spooky read that also explores the issues of motherhood and family. 4 stars.

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I've got to be where you are: A LOVE SONG FOR RICKI WILDE.

A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Went into this book blind and was totally blown away. So good!

This was such an amazing read! It centers on Ricki Wilde, who grew up feeling like a complete outsider in her family, which runs a well-known set of Atlanta funeral homes. Ricki has no desire to become part of the family business. When she meets Miss Della, an older woman who offers her space in her Harlem brownstone to open the flower shop of her dreams, Ricki jumps at the chance, even if it means leaving behind her family's wealth and all the security it brings.

I don't really know how to describe this story, and I don't want to share too much. It's such a beautiful love story, though, with magical, almost paranormal elements, sprinkled in. Once Ricki moves to New York, the book weaves in historical stories about Harlem in the 1920s, covering the Harlem Renaissance, as well as some of the utter horrors inflicted upon black southerners in that time period.

Much of this is done through the story's narrative. While much of it is from Ricki's POV, it also skips back in time to the 20s, giving us amazing insight into 1920s Harlem. I loved the history--reading this book around the end of February (it has a Leap Year spin to it), as well as during Black History Month, was perfect.

In New York, Ricki keeps running into a mysterious stranger. Oh my gosh, I was so invested in this relationship, the potential romance, and all these characters. There's the lovely Miss Della, plus Ricki's new best friend, Tuesday, a former child actor. Everyone falls together seamlessly, in their fun quirky way, and Ricki herself is just so spunky and unique--you can't help but root for her! I'm honestly not doing this book justice. You'll find yourself in another world as you read it, partially in the 20s and then caught up in Ricki's magical romance. It's a gorgeous, fantastical read - 4.5 stars.

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

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My shirt looks good on you: WHEN IN ROME.

When in Rome by Sarah Adams
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Welcome to the magical world of small towns where bakers just let strange women, even if they are pop stars, stay in their homes and freely come and go as they please!

Amelia Rose, stage name Rae Rose, is burnt out and needs a break! She takes inspiration from her favorite movie, Roman Holiday, and seeks solace in Rome... Rome, Kentucky! But her car breaks down and she finds herself stranded in the front lawn of Rome's beloved pie-shop owner, Noah Walker. Noah just wants Rae out of his life, but instead he offers her his guest room while her car is being repaired. (Because that's what normal people do.)

So there's nothing unique or revolutionary about this romance, but it's totally charming. They reminded me of the whole Taylor/Travis relationship going on right now in the real world. Amelia is a total sweetheart, whom you immediately want to take care of, and Noah is the epitome of the lovable gruff handsome trope. I mean, the dude runs his late grandmother's pie shop. He loves his sisters. He wears old man pajamas. Could he be any more adorable?

Amelia and Noah have excellent banter, one of my romance must-haves, and great chemistry. ROME is packed with small town charm and a cast of quirky home-grown Rome characters. While there are lots of fun moments and a great romance, both Amelia and Noah do grow throughout the story and encounter serious issues as well. 3.5 stars.

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I’m blinking out the madness that surges into my throat: WHERE BUTTERFLIES WANDER.

Where Butterflies Wander by Suzanne Redfearn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I love when a book is unexpectedly riveting!

Wow, I wasn't sure what to expect with BUTTERFLIES, but this was a magical read. It's heartbreaking at times, but really beautiful. The Egide family is desperately trying to recover after a tragic loss. They retreat to a New Hampshire home that belonged to the family of mom, Marie. Marie hopes to sell the home and property so her own family can start over. But she's thwarted when they discover Davina, known as "the river witch," living in a cabin on the property. A war veteran and beloved friend of Marie's grandpa, Davina is determined to stay, saying Marie's grandfather wanted her there. As the locals line up against the Egides, tensions and anger rise.

This book is completely captivating and very hard to put down. The characters seemed very real , especially Davina and the Egide kids (I see you, sweet Pen). You feel like you're in the New Hampshire countryside with the characters. Much of the story is very sad, between the Egide's loss and Davina's sad past, including war trauma. Redfearn explores grief and loss from a variety of angles and looks at motherhood through the lens of both Davina and Marie. In doing so, she looks at what truly makes a person happy. Is it money, or is there more? We also see how small towns react to attacks on their own.

Pieces of this book seemed a little long, and there were some plot parts that appeared added unnecessarily, and then the end wrapped up a little easily. Overall, though, this is an emotional tale with well-crafted characters and a unique plot that keeps you reading. 4+ stars.

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

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I'm captured and the sky is burning red: THE SAFE PLACE.

The Safe Place by Anna Downes
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Everything that glitters is not gold!

Emily Proudman's life is falling apart when she receives an amazing offer... she's lost her job and her agent when her former boss, Scott, asks her to come stay at his home in France as a housekeeper and as a caregiver to his ailing daughter. Emily jumps at the chance to escape London, her failing acting career, and her empty bank account. But is this job too good to be true?

This is a quick read and quite the page-turner. It's not a read that will stay with me, but it was a fun one. It's crazy and a little wild and unbelievable but if you like bizarre family secrets and remote, creepy locations (exotic French house!), you'll enjoy it. Downes does a good job of building suspense and tension, with eerie events happening at Scott and Nina's house and Emily's doubts building every day. 3 stars.

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You sent my head to spinning, just like a Tilt-A-whirl: EVEN IF IT BREAKS YOUR HEART.

Even If It Breaks Your Heart by Erin Hahn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Look it's Erin Hahn, just breaking my heart and putting it back together like it's nothing...

Erin Hahn calls this her "sad rodeo" book, and that was definitely true, but it was also a gorgeous love story and a beautiful story about recovering from grief and loss.

Case and Walker grew up best friends, thick as thieves, and working the rodeo circuit together, riding bulls. But all that changed when Walker's chronic illness caught up with him and he died at age 17. Now Case feels adrift in the world without his best friend. Walker leaves behind a list of things he wanted to do--along with items like jumping naked in a pool and winning the buckle on the national rodeo circuit, Case spies "befriend Winnie Sutton." Case never paid much attention to Winnie, who works at his dad's ranch, but knowing that she meant something to Walker changes things.

This book almost made me like horses, which is a huge feat, as I've been scared of them since childhood. But the ranch vibe is lovely, as is Winnie's absolute reverence for the animals with which she works. Winnie's been raising her younger siblings since her Mom split when she was a kid and her Dad checked out. At this point, she can only practice with other people's horses, but she dreams of competitively barrel racing. And dammit, she's good. I fell hard for Winnie, who has the weight of the world on her shoulders, yet remains optimistic and strong for her family. She has no desire to open her heart or depend on anyone and that includes rich, clueless Case.

I love Erin Hahn's writing and she captured Case and Winnie so well. As they slowly open up to each other and start to trust again... it's impossible not to get caught up in their love. There's nothing instant or half baked in this book. The character development is strong, as we watch Winnie struggle to balance family with her own desires and Case attempt to open up after losing his best friend--and figure out what it is he wants to do with his future. If you've ever lost someone you loved and grew up with young, this book will hit hard.

BREAKS perfectly balances dealing with grief with romance. And it expertly mixes in some fun, with the rodeo pieces (and some awesome 90s country references). This is a beautiful and touching story with wonderful characters. 4.5+ stars.

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

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Like I was loving you out in the wild: THE WOMEN.

The Women by Kristin Hannah
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

An interesting and eye-opening read that won't be easily forgotten...

Nursing student Frankie McGrath lives a fairly sheltered life in Southern California with her brother and her conservative parents. But when her older brother enlists in Vietnam, Frankie decides to follow him. She enlists in the Army--the only organization that will ship her to Vietnam right after basic training. Once there, she realizes immediately she's over her head.

Too young to know the Vietnam War personally, my knowledge comes from my parents' stories and the history books. I found THE WOMEN to be incredibly thoughtful and very insightful, filled with lots of knowledge and facts about a huge historical event that I clearly need to learn even more about. The information comes through the narrative, versus preaching or long lists of facts, and we learn about the War via the eyes of Frankie, her fellow nurses, and the men she encounters as she administers on base. What she encounters as she (and the others) save countless lives and watch so many more die before them is staggering. Hannah does an amazing job of portraying the horrors of war, while also giving it a personal touch. Frankie makes friends in Vietnam, forms attachments, and even falls in love. I found the part of the story where she served to be the most compelling--it's raw and real, with realistic details. It becomes incredibly clear how the events of Vietnam would affect those who serve, after what they see and must overcome.

When Frankie returned home, I felt the book floundered a bit. It dragged a little and felt long. Now, I won't deny that the environment that she and many of her fellow soldiers returned to was traumatic and that Hannah portrays how unwelcome and ashamed they feel extraordinarily well. Leaving home a hero, returning hated--Frankie and her fellow nurses (as well as so many soldiers) struggle to return to regular life. The problem is that Frankie, honestly, is not always the most likable character. I wasn't expecting a perfect character but Frankie was difficult to like and her decisions were very frustrating -- and that really had nothing to do with her particular emotional situation from the war, but her overall sheltered world and personality. She's not the best to the people around her. Once she was home, the plot dragged on without a lot of action or forward movement. The lessons taught and emotions elicited were excellent, however. I was horrified that female nurses were told they weren't heroes and even that women never went to Vietnam at all or that anyone who served came home to a country that hated them and couldn't separate the soldiers from the wear. THE WOMEN does a great job illustrating how the U.S. changed over twenty years of war--and who in the U.S. suffered during that transition. I just wish Frankie had a better storyline and personality to hold her own with the power of the wartime backdrop. Still, I enjoyed this book and all it had to offer. 4 stars.



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That's me in the story and the story is real: INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT SPACE.

Interesting Facts about Space by Emily R. Austin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A rather strange but surprisingly touching read!

So I won't lie, I found parts of this book to be really weird and a little cringey, but some of that became wrapped up in our main character, Enid, a well-written neurodivergent soul, who struggles with a variety of phobias and some issues caused by being born deaf in one ear. Enid copes by focusing on space facts and listening to true crime podcasts. She's a serial dater (and is a lesbian, which makes this book wonderfully queer) who has never had a serious relationship.

We find Enid struggling to develop a relationship with her half sisters, whom she's never really known, as her father abandoned her and her mom when she was just a kid. As a result, she grew up dealing with her mom's depression and mood swings. Enid slowly realizes that some of her fears (such as being terrified of bald men) might relate to her difficult childhood. She starts to think someone is breaking into her apartment. This all sounds serious, but much of this book is witty and quirky. It's told in very short snippets from Enid's point of view, with flashbacks going all the way back to her childhood.

Some of these snippets are definitely odd (Enid had a YouTube channel as a kid, for instance, and she recorded some weird stuff). But overall, as we get to know Enid and watch her trying to form bonds with her half sisters, struggle to be a good daughter to her mom, attempt to actually form a real relationship with a woman named Polly (whom she meets in quite an interesting way), and maintain her closest friendship with her co-worker Vin... well, she grows on you! There are some very touching moments, some bizarre ones, some sweet ones. You have to really give this book a chance and truly experience it--it's hard to describe. It's different and character-driven, and I think it's worth a read.

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

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Up around the moon and back again: WHO TO BELIEVE.

Who to Believe by Edwin Hill
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Wow -- what an amazing ride filled with murder and mayhem!

In a small town in Massachusetts, every resident pretty much knows everyone else's business. There's Damian, a documentary filmmaker and his wife Alice. Georgia, mom to Chloe and the town's beloved minister, struggling with her divorce from Richard, who is now dating Farley, the local therapist. (And Farley has a front row seat to everyone's thoughts!) Everyone is watched over by the police chief, Max. As for Max, he is busy trying to solve the recent murder of Laurel--where the main suspect is her restaurateur husband, Simon.

This dark, dynamic story is told from the POV of many of these main characters, one-by-one. What could be a repetitive device (hearing about the same event from each person, for example) turns out to be a suspenseful one, as we get new tidbits of information here and there, slowly revealing the story. Everyone has their own secrets and confessions and there's an interesting choice to reveal a killer up front. (But do not despair, there are plenty of killers and death to go around here!)

Our story revolves around a party held for Alice's 40th birthday, followed shortly by another death. It dips back a few days before via flashbacks. This is a wild ride as so many characters are dark and evil! So much drama, so many secrets, so much sneaking around in a small town! While there are plenty of messed up folks to go around here, I found some to love, especially spunky teenage Chloe and Alice's adorable dog, Harper. The book gets a little wild by the end, maybe requiring a bit too much suspension of disbelief, but overall I really enjoyed this dark web of lies and twisted narratives. If you want a dark, complex, well-written mystery that will keep you guessing, this one is for you!

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

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I wanna be at least almost close to worth your love: FIRST LIE WINS.

First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Very rarely does a popular book live up to the hype, but this was a really good one!

Evie and Ryan seem like a great couple. He's a handsome, wealthy guy whom she lucked out meeting when her car got an unexpected flat tire. On the surface, Evie looks like a nice girl trying to land a great guy. But beyond that, we learn that Evie doesn't actually exist--Ryan just happens to be her latest mark in a long line of jobs. However, her mysterious boss, Mr. Smith, has just changed the rules, and things are about to get crazy, fast.

It's best to go into LIES as blind as you can, because this is a wonderful cat and mouse story filled with people playing games with other people. Secrets, twists, and--you guessed it--lies abound! Sure, you have to suspend a little disbelief here and there, but it's worth it, like watching a really fun popcorn action flick. Reading about everyone trying to get the upper hand over everyone else is exciting and suspenseful, as it's pretty much impossible to figure out what will come next!

I loved that this book was different from most of the thrillers I read and that I couldn't work out the story. A thriller that surprises me is a fun, worthy read. 4.5 stars.

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Seven wonders, city streets: THE GETAWAY LIST.

The Getaway List by Emma Lord
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really love Emma Lord.

Her books are so effusive and original. THE GETAWAY LIST is an enjoyable ode to New York City, growing up, and finding yourself. When Riley graduates from high school, she thought she'd have a plan, but she has none. Her mom expects her to stay home over the summer, work at her coffee shop, and go to community college, but when Riley has the chance to visit New York City for the weekend, her visit suddenly turns into... staying. New York City feels like home, like herself, like Riley can finally breathe again. Lord makes us feel like a part of NYC with Riley, bringing the city to life as Riley slowly discovers pieces of herself that she lost while molding herself into the version of Riley that pleased her overbearing mom.

New York also has Tom, Riley's childhood best friend, who moved to the city four years ago. The two expected to see each other often, but when that didn't happen, they developed "The Getaway List," a bucket list of sorts, filled with ideas to keep them connected. Once together, they start knocking items off the list--take a class together, do a run together for the delivery service where Tom works, etc. Riley loves everything about New York, including the fun new group of friends she meets, but she is a bit confused by the new feelings she has for Tom. Falling in love with NYC is one thing; falling in love with Tom is certainly another.

While this is certainly a YA book filled with teen angst and drama, Riley and Tom are mature, and this is such an effervescent and intriguing story. Riley and Tom bonded as children over a time traveling book series, which is woven throughout the book; it's so nerdy and cute, just like them. Like many of Lord's books, this is a romantic story, but also a tale of friendship at its core. She writes about friendship so beautifully, and it's wonderful reading about Riley and Tom's journey.

THE GETAWAY LIST has a bouncy set of ancillary characters who boost the story, from Tom and Riley's other childhood friend, Jesse, who is trying to make it with his band; to Mariella, Tom's cheerful, brilliant tech genius /artistic friend; and Luca, whom Tom and Riley meet at a writing class. This group's new friendship is sweet and touching too. As for Tom and Riley, they do not have overwhelming chemistry, but a deep, calm relationship. Their friendship is the basis for anything more and watching them grow is special in its own way. They are also funny, nerdy, and growing up.

As with any book by Lord, this story is unique, humorous, and entertaining. LIST delves into mother/child relationships, friendships, coming-of-age, and romance with its own special insight. 4+ stars.

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

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It's just the heavy hand of time kinda wears away the shine: THE LAST SEASON.

The Last Season: A Team In Search of Its Soul by Phil Jackson
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

The theme of my reading this year seems to be finding books on my shelves that didn't age well!

It's not exactly Phil Jackson's fault here, as obviously things do change with the passage of time, but in this case, a lot happened, and context matters. But first, we have to deal with the fact that this is, in fact, not Phil's last season, which I didn't really realize when grabbing this book. I figured it was about his last season with the Lakers, but no, it's his last season coaching Kobe and Shaq, which is entirely different.

This means we're reading about Phil coaching a disgruntled, jealous Shaq, who will be traded after the season ends, and a young, angry, Kobe, who has trouble fitting into Phil's famed triangle system. Even worse, the book times itself with the accusations of rape against Kobe in Colorado. At the start, Kobe and Phil seem to truly hate each other, and the book is filled with Phil's criticisms of Kobe. Obviously Phil doesn't know that in twenty years this troubled, talented man will be dead, nor does he realize that they'll reach a friendship (and two more championships) before then, but there's still something slightly gruesome about reading so much hatred against someone beloved who died too young.

THE LAST SEASON is told in a diary-type format, which you need to embrace to truly enjoy it. Each section is short and dated, and Phil mentions how he kept more detailed journals in anticipation of this being his potential final season. My favorite portions covered details about other players in the league, as I'm a huge basketball fan, and this was an era when I truly loved the game. Getting those little tidbits and insights about players I remember so well was fun. Hearing Phil talk about the triangle versus selfish basketball, his coaching philosophies, anything about the Bulls, and how basketball changed since he started playing with the Knicks was all really interesting. Plus, I had forgotten about how Karl Malone and Gary Payton joined the Lakers for this season in search of that elusive ring.

Through these entries, it's clear how brilliant Phil is, how he became such a winning coach, and how much work he put into his coaching. You could pick up little pieces of what others always marveled about--the hours working with Tex on the triangle; meditating with his team; using psychology and counseling to work with the players. He approached basketball and coaching fully and with his whole heart, while still admitting that it was a game and not his entire life--he had his kids and there was a world out there that wasn't his coaching gig. And that explains why he was so hurt when he couldn't reach an agreement with the Lakers (and Kobe) to remain their coach.

I think if I'd read this book in 2004, I would have enjoyed it greatly, even if it would have pulled me between Phil and Kobe, both men that I very much like. Reading it now, with Kobe gone, was hard. Reading a book where Gigi wasn't even born yet--knowing what would happen to Kobe and his daughter--was hard. This isn't a narrative story, per se, but more little entries and snippets over a season. If you're a huge basketball fan, you'll enjoy it, but be prepared for some sadness too. 3.5 stars

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Until the sky falls down on me: ONE OF THE GOOD GUYS.

One of the Good Guys by Araminta Hall
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Wow, this is a rather disturbing book that left me questioning exactly what I just read!

ONE OF THE GOOD GUYS starts off fairly innocuously, with the story of Cole, who moves to the countryside after a difficult split from his wife, Melissa. Their marriage crumbled as they struggled through IVF and Melissa's focus on her work. Cole seeks the peace and quiet of his small cabin in the country, where he meets Leonora, an artist living nearby. The two forge a friendship based in shared solitude. Things become more dramatic when two young women, who are raising awareness of violence against females, come through the area and then disappear.

Cole's story begins quietly as he tells his side but then abruptly changes format, giving us snippets of various media formats covering the disappearance of the two female activists, Molly and Phoebe, along with more narrative. I found the change rather unexpected and jarring. GUYS focuses on the idea of what makes a good guy--and how society treats women. At times it's a brutal read, capturing the thoughts and ideas from all sides on how women deserve to be treated. Sometimes it's violently dark, emotional, and disturbing. As it also includes flashbacks to Cole and Mel's (failed) IVF treatments, there are lots of triggers. I appreciated the insights the author tried to share on women, consent, and male privilege. But at times, they felt overwhelming to the actual mystery. As a thriller, GUYS fell a little short, with Molly and Phoebe's disappearance and the other plot pieces seeming to be overly constructed and dramatic, but not all that thrilling (I also figured out a lot early on).

There was a lot happening here, but it didn't come together too smoothly for me. 3 stars.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Zando/Gillian Flynn Books in return for an unbiased review.

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Don't concern yourself with this mess you've left for me: GOOD BAD GIRL.

Good Bad Girl by Alice Feeney
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Can you see the permanent furrow left in my brow from reading this book?

GOOD BAD GIRL is a befuddling thriller that keeps you flipping the pages, desperate to see how everything plays out. It focuses on the intertwined lives of several women. Edith is stuck against her will in a care home by her daughter, Clio. The two have never gotten along. Luckily Edith has Patience, a young cleaning woman and caretaker, who helps her out and brings her contraband supplies. But soon their lives collide dramatically, forcing secrets to come to light.

GOOD is told from the POV of these ladies and a few other characters. It flies by. There's a Mother's Day theme, with the story starting with the disappearance of a baby twenty years ago. It's fascinating trying to work out how our present-day characters are related, if at all, to that long-ago Mother's Day incident. The story deftly weaves in the theme of mothers and daughters and their relationships--sometimes troubled, sometimes not. At the same time, it's a well-done, intricately plotted mystery. I really enjoyed this one. 4.5 stars.

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There's shadows in my mind: THE GUESTS.

The Guests by Margot Hunt
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

It's been a long time since I read a book in one day, but I did it with THE GUESTS!

This is a great, quick read that flies by: a Category 5 storm, Hurricane Celeste, pounds down on the Davies family-Lee, Marlowe, and their teenage twins. It feels like the hurricane is truly happening and the tension building as the storm hits. Just before Celeste arrives, a boat docks at the family's home, and three strangers (brothers Bo and Jason and Bo's girlfriend Darcy) arrive. Since Celeste changed track, they need a place to stay.

What ensues is a totally wild read. Some of the characters reveal a few surprise connections, and the book feels like a locked room thriller, with the family, the new arrivals, and a few others (a friend, an assistant, a handyman) all stuck in the house. I felt like I could hear the wind howling and rain pounding down. Things get a little preposterous by the end, with a few predictable turns and some not at all, but the result is still a fun, exciting, and often violent (!) thriller.

I received a copy of this book from Thomas & Mercer and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review. Look for THE GUESTS on 01/09/2024!


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After all it was a great big world: SINGLE-MINDED.

Single-Minded by Lisa Daily
My rating: 2.5 of 5 stars

I'm amazed and grateful at how far attitudes toward the queer community have come in most literature since 2017.

Reading this book, I kept thinking I had gotten the publication date wrong and surely it was published in 2007, but nope, 2017. Alex's life is upended when she finds out that her husband is gay--and that evidence of him cheating is splashed across ESPN. What follows is a lot of jokes about gaydar and the absolute only way gay men should act (complete stereotypes). Almost worse is her immediate assumption (along with her friends) that she then must find another man to be happy. To do so, she must complete a ridiculous dating gauntlet (the "Naughty Nine") to find a real relationship.

Is it the 1950s? Can we not be happy with ourselves? Do we truly need a man for happiness? Are gay men only defined by spandex and good taste in clothing? Good grief.

Perhaps this book would appeal to divorced people new to the dating scene, but I sort of hope not. It makes you grateful not be dating, for sure (Alex experiences some horrors). There are some funny moments, yes, but many others are just cringeworthy. Much of the story wound up being fairly predictable. This one didn't really work well for me. 2.5 stars.



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Took all my plans and I put 'em in a box: THE HEIRESS.

The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Oh good, another book about a twisted family living in an old house.

Actually, this was a pretty enjoyable tale of dark family secrets taking place in a musty old Southern mansion! So much that I'm still thinking about it days later. When Ruby McTavish passes away, she's well-known for many things: being a McTavish, a wealthy family that lives in the Ashby house in North Carolina; being kidnapped as a child and then found nearly a year later; marrying four times--and losing all four husbands in strange circumstances; and adopting her son, Cameron and leaving the entire McTavish fortune to him.

We find Cam estranged from the family for nearly 10 years, but finally returning to Ashby House at the urge of his wife, Jules. THE HEIRESS is an engaging page turner, filled with shifty characters hiding secrets and tidbits and lots of weird Southern charm and horrifying terrors. It's interspersed with fascinating letters from Ruby along with articles and Internet pieces on the McTavish family. This is a great technique--interesting, informative, but surprisingly suspenseful.

I don't want to say much to give things away, but this is a quick read filled with lots of twists and turns. A few are predictable, but some are quite unexpected. The family dynamics are excellent (albeit terrifying) and I quite enjoyed all the dark goings on in Ashby House. 4+ stars.

I received a copy of this book from St. Martin's Press and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review. Look for THE HEIRESS on 01/09/2024!

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The future's bright in your favorite horoscope: A WINTER IN NEW YORK.

A Winter in New York by Josie Silver
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Me realizing that I liked this book, except for the entire premise, because I hate when things are based on a lie, ha.

Seriously, though, I could almost excuse Iris, who moves from London to New York after a terrible breakup (that guy was a total jerk) and randomly tells someone at a bookstore a lie. That lie spirals when she meets Gio, a very cute gelato store owner, and suddenly she's trapped in a whole web of lies. Still, I found myself wishing she'd just come clear in the first moment. Iris realizes that Gio has ties to her late mother, who knew his family, and that her mother's scrapbook has a copy of Gio family's precious gelato recipe, which has gone missing in Gio's era. Much drama ensures.

Honestly, it wouldn't be so bad, except there is so so so much buildup about all these lies and half truths and kept secrets (aka the whole book), and then the huge reveal and aftermath sort of happens with a whimper. After all that?! Are you kidding me?

It's sad, because I liked Iris and enjoyed the few chapters that had flashbacks to her mom's life in New York City. Silver captured NYC really well, with great descriptions of the city and its character in various weather conditions and seasons. It's easy to imagine yourself there, eating gelato and seeing the sights from the Brooklyn Bridge. Gio had a very sweet, boisterous, Italian family while I adored Iris' friend Bobby and husband (and the stray cat). So... side characters and setting were excellent and even our main couple was pretty good, I just wish the premise had better legs. 3 stars.

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