Maybe together we can get somewhere: CASH DELGADO SHAKES THINGS UP.

Cash Delgado Shakes Things up by Tehlor Kay Mejia
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It's never too late to discover who you are--that's the message behind Tehlor Kay Mejia's latest. Cash Delgado has made a predictable life for herself in Ridley Falls, running Joyce's Bar, devoting herself to her six-year-old daughter, Parker, and hanging out with her best friend, Inez. Her busy schedule leaves her little time for herself, including dating or thinking about her dreams of expanding Joyce's.

When Joyce's Bar is threatened by a chain, Cash has to consider what she really wants. Especially when she starts having romantic dreams about Inez. Tehlor Kay Mejia creates a lovely and moving story about learning who you are and growing to be okay with that realization. As they do, they introduce us to Cash, who starts to question her sexuality after some racy dreams. Not only does Cash start to wonder about whom she loves, but she has to grapple with the idea that she's living life solely for Parker, instead of herself--and is that, in fact, the message she wants to send to her daughter?

Cash can be a bit frustrating at times, but I'll grant that she's going through a lot--single parenthood, identity issues, job stress. I did wish she would communicate more, especially with Iris. So many of the problems could have been worked through with a little more honesty. The story stutters a bit when Cash goes too much into self-actualization mode; it's far better when it focuses on action and the supporting cast. Inez, an out lesbian, is an excellent character, along with a cast of friends and family who live with her on her farm. It makes for a wonderful and diverse story.

Tehlor Kay Mejia does a strong job of building up longing and tension through Cash and Inez's friendship, using dreams and fantasies to create tension before any sort of romance ever happens. Inez and Cash's budding relationship takes place against the backdrop of Joyce's Bar, where they both work--a local institution the two must join together to save. This gives the story more depth and allows for the entrance of a variety of small town characters.

Overall this is a really cute romance with a diverse cast and an engaging plot.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Random House/Dell in return for an unbiased review.

View all my reviews

A mother wraps up her baby and walks away: STARTED EARLY, TOOK MY DOG.

Started Early, Took My Dog by Kate Atkinson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It's been years since I read a Kate Atkinson book, but picking back up with the Jackson Brodie series was easy. I had forgotten how Atkinson writes--beautifully and full of description, but in a meandering manner, with no real sense of urgency. As a result, you desperately want to know what happened, but also get caught up in her well-drawn characters.

Here we have Tracy Waterhouse, a retired police detective, used to a life of routine, until she steals a small child off a notorious offender from her police days. We also hear from Tilly, a famous actress who is losing her memory, and, of course, Jackson, who is traveling while investigating the parentage of a woman named Hope who is looking for her adoptive parents.

The story flips between present-day and a strange intersection of Tracy, Jackson, and Tilly, and the 1970s, when a young Tracy, newly on the force, investigates the death of a prostitute, Carol, left for dead in her apartment for weeks, along with her young child.

All the characters sort of ramble--Tracy, as she recalls her past and as she grapples with caring for a child; Jackson, as he remembers the loss of his sister and thinks about his life while he wanders about and investigates; and dear Tilly, whose passages heartrendingly capture her memory loss. At the same time, their merging stories form a clear picture about what happened to Carol in the past and then, in the present day, answer Hope's questions about her true parentage.

This is a lovely story to read, with a good mystery tucked inside well-developed characters. It requires a bit of patience to read, but it's worth it.

View all my reviews

I just wanna spend every second with you: THE CALCULATION OF YOU AND ME.

The Calculation of You and Me: A Novel by Serena Kaylor
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

I have complicated feelings about this book, but that's appropriate, as our main character, Marlowe, is a complicated person. One of the best things about Serena Kaylor's books is that she writes nuanced characters with various dimensions, and she doesn't shy away from depicting neurodivergent personalities.

I was slow to warm to THE CALCULATION OF YOU AND ME and even considered not finishing it, due to Marlowe's singular focus on her ex, Josh, who breaks up with her at the end of the summer, but leaves enough glimmer of hope (in Marlowe's eyes) so that she pines for him all summer. When he truly ends it (in the chemistry lab, no less) on the first day back at school, she's devastated. Around Josh, Marlowe could feel "normal"--she had friends, she went out on dates and to parties, and she was part of the typical high school experience, much to her parents' relief. Without Josh, she's just weird Marlowe, autistic teen. Even worse, when Josh breaks up with her, he tells her she's not romantic enough, only solidifying her internal monologue that she's not like other girls.

Marlowe turns to fellow student Ash, a loner with whom she's been recently paired on an English project, to teach her about romance. Ash works at a romance bookstore (this town has a bookstore dedicated solely to romance books, which sounds so, so amazing) and while he's reluctant to help, citing pure hatred of Josh, Marlowe wins him over, especially when she helps publicize his band.

What follows is a very touching neurodiverse love story with an exploration of teen autism. It's an ode to romance, as Ash teaches Marlowe about the genre via various novels and then romance experiences (aka dates). One of the best things about the book is the focus on Marlowe's relationship with her friends, who are cute, quirky, and not afraid to be different. There's a diverse cast with queer characters--always appreciated.

While focusing on one thing (or person) is, in fact, a part of Marlowe's autism, her focus on Josh went on too long and the book would have been far more engaging with more Ash. It took 20% of the story to even get to her pact with Ash to learn about romance; with that early 20% focused almost solely on opining about Josh. (And I think it's fair to say that Josh is not worth opining over.) It would have been nice to see Marlowe reach her revelation about Josh's true character a bit earlier, so we could have more Marlowe/Ash time. Any part of the story that looked into Marlowe's relationship with her friends, her family, or her banter with Ash was far more interesting.

The story doesn't always feel deep or substantial, but its exploration of neurodivergence is excellent. This tale would be very appropriate and a good fit for its YA audience. 3.5 stars for me.

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

View all my reviews

Even the best of dreams must end: SWAN SONG.

Swan Song by Elin Hilderbrand
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Elin Hilderbrand is such a guilty pleasure of mine, and SWAN SONG is no different. Supposedly Hilderbrand's last Nantucket novel, just like all her others, you can't help but get caught up in the story of the wealthy and entitled island people misbehaving.

Ironically, now that Hilderbrand is retiring, she seems to be finally getting more with the times, mocking the elitism of Nantucket, featuring LGBTQIA+ and POC characters, and mentioning the roles of foreign nationals and poverty/food hunger on Nantucket.

No matter what, you just feel like you're on the island with these characters. Police Chief Ed Kapenash, a familiar face from other books, is finally ready to retire. His daughter, Kacy, is back in Nantucket for the summer, nursing a broken heart. On her way home, she meets a woman named Coco on the ferry who is going to be the "personal concierge" for Leslee and Bull Richardson, a wealthy couple who have just bought a very expensive Nantucket home.

But three days before Ed's long-awaited retirement, the Richardson's new home catches fire--while they happen to be out partying on their giant yacht. Coco, with whom Kacy has made friends, is missing. The story alternates between present-day, after the fire at the Richardson mansion and Coco's disappearance and then dipping back to the beginning of the summer, leading us up to the big event. As with any Hilderbrand book, it first feels like there's too many characters to keep track of and then suddenly, you're a part of all their lives, and completely caught up in the suspense and tension.

The Richardsons make a huge splash on the island, and we hear from reoccurring characters, like Blond Sharon and Fast Eddie, about their desire to befriend the couple. But the couple's desire to fit in may be too much; they may be pushing too hard to get into the local club and make friends with the islanders.

This story is very easy-to-read and flies by, keeping your interest the entire time, and making you feel like you're right there with Nantucket's "rich and famous." It's a fitting end to Hilderbrand's Nantucket tales. 4.25 stars.

View all my reviews

And it takes all the strength I've got: SLEEP LIKE DEATH.

Sleep Like Death by Kalynn Bayron
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Even when doing a retelling, you can always count on Kalynn Bayron's books to be unique and different. Honestly, I either don't know the Snow White story well or Bayron made a ton of changes, because SLEEP LIKE DEATH was always surprising!

Princess Eve was raised to hate the Knight, a traveling creature who has tormented her Kingdom by granting wishes with a catch; no matter what, they only work out favorably for the Knight in the end. She knows this firsthand; one of her moms, wishing for a beautiful voice, was turned into a bird. Now Eve is catching her other mom, Queen Regina, acting strange, and talking into a looking glass/stone.

I won't lie; some of this book is really weird. I'm okay with that part; pieces of it were rather frustrating, though, and that was more difficult. I certainly wish the LGBTQIA+ angle was stronger beyond Eve's two moms (I mean one is a bird) and some pining. Based on Bayron's other books, there was so much more she could have done here. Instead, Eve has a romance with Nova, a messenger of the Knight, that often feels completely unfounded. They see each other, talk once or twice, and then boom, they are suddenly in love. The lack of connections or reasoning in the story made little sense.

DEATH is stronger when it comes to its allusions to myths and stories. There's a very neat parallel to the Seven Dwarfs and some decent attempts at reversing gender stereotypes from Snow White (some fail, though). The book explores dark magic, often veering deeply into sad and tragic territory--this is certainly not a Disney retelling. It looks at the relationships of mothers and daughters and women in general. Eve's relationship with Queen Regina is complicated; sometimes, you wish everyone in the story would simply communicate more. (Or stop making doomed wishes?)

I enjoyed the story the most when Eve was off exploring and attempting to save her kingdom. This was an interesting retelling, but it seemed like a lot of the connections were missing--not a lot of backstory to the Knight's vengeance, Eve's romance, and more. It's a quick read, but lacking some depth.

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

View all my reviews

Spend half your life trying to make a change: RULES FOR GHOSTING.

Rules for Ghosting by Shelly Jay Shore
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is not, perhaps, the fun, fluffy ghost story it's billed as, but that doesn't make it any less enjoyable. The fact that it's a debut is even more impressive. Ezra has the weight of the world on his shoulders, with a host of familial expectations and history of caring for his siblings, along with being transgender. When his parents unexpectedly split, Ezra finds himself back at his family's funeral home, a place he's avoided for years--ever since he realized he could see the dead.

He soon meets Jonathan, who is grieving the loss of his late husband--only to realize that one of the dead people he's been spying around just happens to be Ben, Jonathan's late husband. Even weirder, Ben can talk to Ezra, something none of the other ghosts have ever done. Jonathan and Ezra grow closer, but Ben remains a barrier between the two (for a myriad reasons).

This story is a little long-it takes on a lot-and while it manages most of it well, it feels a bit unwieldy. It takes some time to get to the ghosts, especially the talking one! Still, it provides excellent insight into Jewish funeral customs and traditions. The book wonderfully explores the idea of family, digging into the concept of being what your family wants versus what you need for yourself. How does a person shape themselves for, and because of, their family? I empathized very much with Ezra and all the guilt he felt about his family and the duties and responsibilities he had toward them.

Ezra is a charming character and he comes across as very real and likable. His story is often funny, even with the funeral home setting and all the dead people hanging around. Ezra has a wonderful cast of friends--many of them POC and/or queer--and the story does a great job of exploring queer friendships and how important found family is, especially with Ezra's bizarre family situation.

There's certainly a lot of discussion of grief and death in GHOSTING, so avoid if that's a trigger for you. But know that this is also a really poignant and lovely story--part almost coming of age and also a sweet romance. 4+ stars.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine/Dell in return for an unbiased review.

View all my reviews

Used to daydream in that small town: MIDDLETIDE.

Middletide by Sarah Crouch
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a quiet and character-driven debut that certainly pulls you into the story. Elijah leaves his small hometown of Point Orchards to make it as a writer. This means abandoning his beloved girlfriend, Nakita, from the nearby reservation. He returns years later as a "failure," having only published one book that barely sold any copies. When a woman is killed on his property--local doctor Erin Landry--in the same fashion as his book, Elijah's attempt at a simple life quickly becomes anything but, as he is the prime suspect in the Sheriff's eyes.

MIDDLETIDE is quite an interesting read. I didn't particularly connect to the characters, but it's such a well-written story, and it kept me reading; I finished the book in one day. It wasn't exactly what I expected: it's part mystery, part character study, part romance. Once back home, Elijah throws himself into restoring his father's ramshackle cabin and trying to make things right with Nakita. But when Erin's suicide is found to be a murder, we see him a different light, especially through Erin's journals and his and Nakita's memories.

The story is told in a back and forth style that sometimes makes it hard to keep track of timelines. It builds up to what happens to Erin, plus the current timeline of the Sheriff investigating the case. We hear from a variety of points of view, which does help build suspense and interest. The small town atmosphere is strong, with the focus on Elijah restoring the cabin, life at the reservation, and how the townspeople's public opinion affects what happens to Elijah.

This isn't an edge-of-your-seat thriller, but it's a solid, well-done mystery.

View all my reviews

Where I see the days as they fade away: IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO ME.

If Something Happens to Me by Alex Finlay
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Not my favorite Finlay book, but still a page turner that I finished in one day!

This thriller is definitely compulsively readable, as, after five years, Ryan struggles with memories of his girlfriend Alison being kidnapped right before his eyes. She was never seen again. Now her car has been found in the lake in their hometown, but Alison isn't inside: police find the bodies of two strange men instead. Traveling abroad in Italy, Ryan starts to wonder exactly what happened to Alison, especially as he's contacted by local law enforcement from back home, a new deputy sheriff named Poppy.

The story is told from multiple POVs, including Poppy and Ryan, and weaves in an intriguing mob aspect. It's dark and gruesome, as is typical of a Finlay story. It delves into the theme of family and exactly what we will do for those we love. I especially loved Poppy's character: a war veteran struggling to find her place in the sheriff's department of her hometown.

I did find a lot of this story to be rather predictable, working out much of the twists way ahead of time. There are plenty of surprises, but many of them do seem rather obviously mapped out. Still, if you're looking for a quick thriller, this is a fun one. 3.5 stars, rounded up.

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

View all my reviews

So you lie, buy a little time, and I go along: ALL THE WAY GONE.

All the Way Gone by Joanna Schaffhausen
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Our beloved Detective Annalisa Vega is back, but instead of being a member of the force, she's a Private Investigator now, running her own "firm" and choosing her own cases. It's weird seeing Vega away from the police, but let's be honest, she hasn't had the best experiences with Chicago's finest. Her husband, Nick, is still with the PD, though.

With Vega a PI, we get to see different aspects of her life, especially when she takes on her first client, Mara Delaney, who is writing a book about the good sociopaths can bring to society. She centered her story around Dr. Craig Canning, a local neurosurgeon, but now there's been an incident at Dr. Canning's apartment building and Mara wants Vega to make sure he wasn't involved before the book comes out and her entire theory is publicly debunked.

What follows is a tense tale, where it first appears that not much will happen. But suddenly, we're reading a tightly woven, intense story about a woman pushed (allegedly) over her balcony, the brilliant surgeon and neighbor who may have done it, and the doctor writing a book about him.

As Vega plays cat and mouse with the cunning Canning, he infiltrates all aspects of her life--including Nick, who is investigating the suspicious balcony death and even Cassidy, Nick's newfound teenage daughter. Schaffhausen's strength is how well she magically slots together so many little details about a case. Before you know it, storylines are intertwining before your very eyes. This is a strong mystery: well-done and well plotted with great characters. 4.5 stars

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Minotaur Books in return for an unbiased review. Look for ALL THE WAY GONE on 08/13/2024!

View all my reviews

Spending time chasing ghosts: THE GOD OF THE WOODS.

The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

This book is everywhere, and I'm not sure there's a ton I can add beyond what everyone else is saying, but I will certainly reiterate that it is really darn good. At first, it seemed like it would be a worn out story: wealthy family, lost child, summer camp setting. Don't be fooled. Moore's prose sucks you in from the start, dropping you directly at the camp with the characters.

The story is told across multiple POVs and many time periods, including the 1950s and 1970s. You have to get your bearings straight going in; it seems like all the switches will be confusing, but it's not hard to keep track of the changing narrators and eras. We're at Camp Emerson, owned by the wealthy Van Laar family. It's the mid 1970s and their daughter, Barbara, who has been attending camp, goes missing. Then we flash back to fourteen years earlier, when the Van Laar's first child, their son Bear, went missing--never to be found.

What follows is a fascinating and intriguing story that spans decades, looking into wealthy families and the control they can have over people and situations, as well their own children. The camp setting is atmospheric, steeped in nature exploration, with a focus on small town life. We meet several campers and counselors at the camp, allowing the story to delve into class issues.

Moore has this amazing ability to allow her readers to feel incredibly deep emotions for her characters, ranging from empathy, to pity, to revulsion. She weaves in twisted family ties and dynamics as well as subtly illustrates how women were treated in the 1950s and 1970s. There's an excellent character, a newly minted police officer named Judy, who does a wonderful job at showing so many of these elements as she searches for clues about Barbara's disappearance.

If you're looking for an intricate, character-driven mystery, this is an excellent choice. 4.5 stars.

View all my reviews

And in a blink of a crinkling eye: THE ROM-COMMERS.

The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center
My rating: 4+ of 5 stars

This book was a delight--a very enjoyable romance that also centered on grief, moving on, and finding your way after loss. Emma has put her life on hold after her father's illness, focusing on taking care of her sister in the wake of losing their mother. She has dreams of becoming a screenwriter, but family always comes first. But when she gets a chance to work with her idol, screenwriter Charlie Yates, even Emma has to admit she needs to leave her comfort zone and put herself out there.

The universe laughs at this, because when Emma gets to L.A., it's clear that Charlie has no idea she was coming nor does he have any desire to work with Emma on a romantic comedy script that he's basically being forced to write. But, shockingly, Emma wins him somewhat over and the two forge a bond over writing and other things. Emma quickly learns that Charlie has his own issues and isn't the perfect person she always idealized.

The best thing about this story is easily Emma and Charlie's chemistry. It positively sizzles and crackles. Emma might be meek and mild in real life, but she shines with Charlie. And while Charlie has no desire to commit to anything, you can easily tell how much he cares for Emma. There are plenty of sad backstories here (and Emma's dad is a delight), but the overall story is just freaking funny. These two are witty and lovable and you want them to work. It's incredibly easy to root for Emma and Charlie, as people and as a couple.

Overall, I found this romance about discovering love and believing in yourself to be a breath of fresh air. 4+ stars.

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

View all my reviews

You come regular like seasons shadowing my dreams: THE PAIRING.

The Pairing by Casey McQuiston
My rating: 2.5 of 5 stars

So much food and wine talk

I love Casey McQuiston, but I have to admit that THE PAIRING was not for me. Others will enjoy it more, so take my review as such. Theo and Kit are childhood best friends and former lovers. After a terrible fight and subsequent breakup on the way to vacation in Europe, they have each forged their own lives: Theo in the U.S.; Kit in Paris. But they encounter one another four years later... using the non-refundable trip voucher for the European tour they were about to take when they split.

There's a lot of great things about THE PAIRING, particularly it's bisexual characters and the book's frank look at sexuality, queer love, gender norms, and gender fluidity. There's also just so much damn description. If you want endless talk about food and wine and the European countryside, you'll love THE PAIRING. If you are looking for some actual plot or forward momentum, you're less in luck.

I found myself skimming over more talk of wine pairings, as I just could.not.take.it.anymore. I get that there was a whole "vibe" for this story, but it was not one I enjoyed. I wanted to hear more about Theo and Kit, their past, and see them interacting in the present.

The two make a pact to see who can sleep with the most people on the trip, while ignoring their own chemistry. It takes a while to even get to this point, with so much lead up (have I mentioned the wine?). All the description makes it difficult to care for Kit and Theo as a couple, especially since most of their romance occurs before this story starts. Many of the side characters have little depth, serving just to act as a foil in the one night stand competition, and everyone seems young and ready to eat and party. There's no differentiation or room for anything else. A side plot with Theo's family being wealthy and famous seems unnecessary and irritating.

Theo and Kit's sexual tension and escapades are fun, albeit somewhat repetitive, much like the endless food and wine. I preferred the focus on gender positivity and Theo feeling comfortable in their body. In the end, though, I never found myself wanting to read this book, and often flipped rapidly through scenes. Hopefully others more into the European bacchanal style will enjoy it. 2.5 stars.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and St. Martin's Griffin in return for an unbiased review. Look for THE PAIRING on August 6th, 2024!

View all my reviews

Sometimes we're blinded by the very thing we need to see: LIKE MOTHER, LIKE DAUGHTER.

Like Mother, Like Daughter by Kimberly McCreight
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

McCreight delivers another thriller that keeps you reading and guessing. Cleo's mother, Katrina, disappears, leaving behind some broken glass and a bit of blood, but no other immediate clues. Cleo is baffled how her mother, a lawyer, could just vanish and who would want to harm her. She begins to investigate, despite their troubled history as mother/daughter.

Interestingly enough, we discover there are a ton of suspects, thanks to Katrina's job, her troubled past at a group home (and hints that something unsavory happened there), and her separation from her husband and Cleo's father, Aiden, who may be focusing a bit too much on Katrina's inheritance. McCreight does a great job of throwing us off with many subtle red herrings.

The story moves swiftly thanks to the back and forth POV, with present-day Cleo performing her "investigation" and then Katrina leading us through the days before her disappearance. It's an effective technique to build suspense and allow us to learn about both women, including their many issues and ups and downs since Cleo became a teen.

The story certainly kept my interest, even though I would say there are not any crazy twists or shocking reveals, as it often focuses more on mother/daughter bonds and histories. Still, it's an enjoyable thriller. 3.5 stars, rounded up.

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

View all my reviews

Oh it's a hard time trusting fate: FUNNY STORY.

Funny Story by Emily Henry
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

As Emily Henry stories go, this one captured my attention with its small but enjoyable cast and surprising romance. Daphne's life is rocked when her finance, Peter, breaks up with her right before the wedding. Even worse, he leaves her for his longtime best friend (and his best "man"), Petra. With no place to live, Daphne winds up rooming with Miles, Petra's own jilted ex.

As couples go, Daphne and Miles are just cute. She's dealing with a difficult absent father situation along with the breakup. Miles has his own family baggage, but he hides it better, behind a charming, happy go lucky exterior. Daphne is the quintessential librarian--a homebody who loves her books and her job, especially reading to kids and finding ways to connect them to books. Miles appears to be a wayward guy, but Daphne quickly realizes he has a vast network of connections and friends across their small Michigan town. Daphne just wants to get out of said town--it reminds her of nothing but Peter--but Miles asks to show her around for the summer. This works out well, since Daphne accidentally blurts out that she and Miles are dating to get everyone off their back.

The two aren't exactly fake dating, but they aren't exactly not, either. What follows is a delightful and engaging story that explores the Michigan setting, introduces us to our cast of fun and quirky characters, and sees the chemistry between Miles and Daphne quickly ratchet up. The two seem well-suited for one another and the librarian/books angle is fun.

This is a cute story--nothing crazy--but I enjoyed the cast and Miles and Daphne's relationship and journey of self-growth.

View all my reviews