And brought me back from being too far gone: BARBED WIRE HEART.

Barbed Wire Heart by Tess Sharpe
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Wow, what a brutal, violent story--but one that will completely capture your attention.

Harley McKenna has been raised by her crime boss, backwoods drug dealer dad, Duke McKenna, since the death of her mom. He's isolated her and kept her tough and hard, just like daddy, to take over his businesses (meth, running guns, etc.) one day. No one messes with Duke McKenna, or his baby girl.

The McKennas have always warred with the Springfields. Carl Springfield murdered Harley's mom, changing the entire path of her life. Now that she's coming of age, it seems like they are coming for Harley too. Harley feels like she only has one option: to (literally) burn down everything her father has built to make her world (and the town) safe again.

Sharpe tells Harley's story in a very effective "now and then" format, but it also sometimes made me want to scream, because I needed to know what was happening now... NOW!

This is a violent story, filled with plenty of killing and abuse. There's a side story about the Rubies, a group of women who Harley tries to protect from domestic abuse. Sharpe does an excellent job of illustrating how women can be attacked, yes, but also how they are often underestimated and overlooked, leading them to overtake men.

Overall, this story runs a bit long, but I still found it incredibly compelling (and dark). I listened to part of it via audio while driving to another state for work, but wouldn't recommend it--the audio is nothing special and it's hard to differentiate amongst the characters.


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Cheating time cheating death: YOU BELONG HERE.

You Belong Here by Megan Miranda
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I am always willing to read anything by Megan Miranda, even if some books are more of a hit than others.  YOU BELONG HERE is a solid 3.5 star read.

I found its overly theatrical writing style a bit much at times, but it’s a great twisty thriller with some excellent turns that took me by surprise. Plus, I’m always a sucker for a Virginia setting, even if it’s fictious (I hope!). Beckett attended local Wyatt College, thanks to the fact that her parents were both professors there. But senior year, tragedy strikes, leaving two local men dead, and Beckett is shipped off to finish her college years overseas. She returns pregnant with her daughter Delilah and rarely speaks of the incident again.

So, imagine her surprise when Delilah secretly applies to Wyatt and receives a scholarship! When she gets a strange phone call for Delilah and can’t reach her, Beckett worries that the past is coming back to haunt her.  This is such a tense book, brimming with parental fear and small-town anger and secrets! The dark, academic setting shines; you can practically hear the wind (“the howling”) whipping through the mountains behind Wyatt College. Miranda deftly ties together Delilah’s story with her mother’s past, slowly revealing what happened with Beckett via flashbacks that intertwine with the present-day story. It’s a very effective mechanism, as I found this story very difficult to put down. At the same time, beyond its eerie vibes, this is a story of motherhood—and how far a mother would go to protect her daughter. It’s a little wild sometimes, but a good page-turner.

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

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You traded me away long gone: THE SHADOW WRITER.

The Shadow Writer by Eliza Maxwell
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

As a child, Graye Templeton witnessed some horrendous acts. She was raised in a foster care, overseen by a caring nun who encouraged her love of writing. Graye finds work as assistant for writer/professor David West and eventually starts working for his wife, influential book blogger, Laura West. She even moves south from NYC with the family. But soon Graye finds herself deeply attached to Laura and enmeshed in the West family, including concerns about David's drinking.

Honestly, this story was creepier than I expected! That's not a bad thing--it surprisingly gory and tense. The story can be a little slow at times, but there's some excellent surprises that keep you reading and guessing. Maxwell's tale explores morality, looking at who is really good or bad and what that truly means. It's also a bookish tale, with Graye wanting to write, David being a (once) successful writer, and Laura promoting books and holding festive book events.

If you like a twisty and character-driven tale with dark plot twists, you'll enjoy this one. (Trigger warnings for abuse, alcoholism, miscarriage.) 3.5 stars

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I've always wondered what was wrong with me: NOT QUITE DEAD YET.

Not Quite Dead Yet by Holly Jackson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It's really fun to read a book with a different premise!

The idea is that Jet has seven days to solve her own murder. On Halloween, she's attacked at home and left for dead. While she awakes several days later, her injuries have left her with a brain aneurysm that will kill her within a week. Jet--who has always pushed things off until "later"--vows to find her killer.

Jet is the best part about this book. She's an excellent witty and sarcastic protagonist. She cracks jokes constantly, even with her impending death. While this is a mystery, it's quirky and layered. The story is tense, keeping you guessing at every turn. It's dark, chock full of family drama along with secrets and small town stories. Jet has a difficult relationship with her family, leading her to stay with her childhood best friend Billy. Their friendship over the week is its own story and adds extra warmth and nuance to an otherwise dark story.

I wasn't sure about reading a book where it was known the protagonist would die, but NOT QUITE DEAD YET is worth the read. It's complex, funny, and mysterious.


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Lured to the ends of overwhelm: SUNSHINE GIRL.

Sunshine Girl: An Unexpected Life by Julianna Margulies
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

My wife and I have been re-watching ER from the beginning, so when I saw this book on my shelves, I picked it up!

This is an interesting memoir, told mainly in a linear fashion. It picks and chooses life moments to highlight, centering around the childhood idea that Margulies was told she's a "sunshine girl," always trying to keep the peace and make everyone happy.

Margulies spends a lot of time on her unstable childhood, discussing her divorced parents, including her flighty mom and reserved father, whom she rarely saw. She and sisters were always moving, often living overseas and away from their father, and she craved stability and normalcy. She had a fascinating childhood and her desire to keep the peace continued into her adult relationships, keeping her in a toxic partnership far too long.

Margulies is very introspective and feelings-based, going into great deal about these important events and moments in her life, often small things that stood out. There's not necessarily a lot of detail about her acting or the shows she was on, which was a little disappointing since I'm in the middle of my ER binge and wanted details.

If you like memoirs driven by character and emotion, versus celebrity status and name-dropping, you'll enjoy this one.

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With a head full of dreams: I LOVE YOU SO MOCHI.

I Love You So Mochi by Sarah Kuhn
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is a very cute YA story.

Kimi is still figuring out what she wants to be. (Totally normal for a teen, by the way!) The one thing she's starting to realize: she doesn't want to be a painter like her mom is--and wants her to be. After a particularly brutal argument with her mom, she heads to Japan to spend the summer with her maternal grandparents, whom she has never met. In Kyoto, Kimi gets to know her grandparents better (probably my favorite part). She meets a cute boy, Akira. Through these new experiences, she learns about her self and explores her love of fashion.

This story is a little basic, but very sweet. It might be a little unrealistic -- everything gets fixed via a two-week spring trip? Sign me up for a trip to Japan. But Kimi's grandpa is adorable and the story works through the idea of finding yourself and the difficult teen years, when you feel torn between what you want and what your parents wish for you.

This book is well-suited for its YA audience, as long as they have the understanding that all problems may not be fixed so quickly (or by meeting a cute guy). 3.5 stars.

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Someone is finding the place where they belong: THE ART OF RUNNING AWAY.

The Art of Running Away by Sabrina Kleckner
My rating: 4/5 of 5 stars

This middle grade YA story is a lovely read that praises allyship -- making it the perfect sixth book to read for Pride Month.

This is definitely a middle grade story, filled with plenty of tween dramatics and a lot of lying, but if you remember the intended audience when it all feels a bit over the top, it makes total sense. After all, the world feels pretty crazy and out of control sometimes at this age.

Maisie, age 12, has spent her life devoted to art and her parents' art shop, Glenna's. So when her parents tell her to focus on outside interests and send her away to her aunt's in Edinburgh for the summer, she's not thrilled. She's even less pleased when her brother, Calum, now 22, tracks her down there; Calum disappeared when Maisie was six.

Maisie learns that Glenna's is in financial trouble and hopes that Calum is the key to saving it, so she reluctantly spends the summer with him. But she soon learns that Calum's reason for leaving her behind without a second glance isn't as clear cut as her parents made it out to be.

Overall, this is a lovely story about identity and finding your way. It makes excellent points about accepting your children, especially when they come out, but even just accepting them as they are. There's a wonderful and serious discussion about being an ally that is excellent for this age group. Maisie is a sweet character who is muddling her way through life, as any 12-year-old is, finding her way as an artist, sister, daughter, and friend.

The journey of watching Maisie and Calum reunite is tender, and while this is a serious story in many ways, it's also sweet and funny. The two have their humorous moments as siblings, and Calum has a great group of friends in London. Highly recommend this touching read. 4.5 stars.

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I was young what did I know: PASSION PROJECT.

Passion Project by London Sperry
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is not the happy-go-lucky romance that the cover and title seem to indicate.

Bennet loses her college boyfriend to a car accident; shes wracked by guilt and sinks deeply into grief and depression. She leaves college and moves to New York City because it was her boyfriend Sam's dream. But she finds herself just as sad in New York and even more removed from her friends and family. Her roommate pushes her on a date with Henry Adams, but Bennet panics, stands him up, and gets drunk at a restaurant across the street. Of course, she literally runs into Henry later that night, while drunk and crying, and the two start talking. Bennet confesses how reluctant she is to date, and Henry comes up with a plan: the passion project--as just friends, they'll explore New York together, learning about new things and places.

It's a cute concept, especially when they are out exploring and hanging out. Henry and Bennet have cute and witty banter. But a lot of this book is a little gloomy and not so much a romance as a story of finding yourself and recovering from grief. The romance is such a slow burn, especially because so many contrived instances keep pushing Henry and Bennet apart, and they spend most of their time arguing and apart. Bennet is also depressed, yes, but not the best person to her friends, making her harder to like at times.

This is a sweet story but also a serious one at times. It's slow moving with a thoughtful look at grief and moving on.

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Oh, we are lit within: MARLOWE BANKS, REDESIGNED.

Marlowe Banks, Redesigned by Jacqueline Firkins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was in the mood for a cute romance between a "normal" person and a famous actor, and Marlowe Banks, Redesigned absolutely delivered.

Marlowe relocates across the country to take a job as a costume production assistant, fleeing the sting of bad reviews that tanked a show she worked on in NYC. Instead of designing, she’s stuck running errands and sorting receipts for her demanding boss, Babs. But when she unexpectedly steps in as a background actor, she shares a smoldering look with Angus Gordon, one of the show's leads—and the moment goes viral. Suddenly, Marlowe finds herself not just on-screen but also entangled in Angus' world.

Dating a celebrity (or appearing on a hit show) isn’t exactly ideal for someone with a deep fear of failure and public scrutiny. And Angus has his own struggles, too. If these two want a real shot, they’ll have to navigate their insecurities together.

This is a slow burn—Marlowe takes forever to realize Angus might actually like her—but it works. Their dynamic is sweet, funny, and refreshingly built on friendship rather than the typical insta-love found in Hollywood romances.

The behind-the-scenes TV set moments are a delight, and the supporting cast shines—especially Cherry, Marlowe’s hilarious and empowering best friend (yes, she’s the classic queer bestie, but she’s fantastic), and Babs, who may be a bit of a tyrant but plays the role of grumpy boss to perfection.

Beyond the romance, the book also offers thoughtful commentary on celebrity culture and the unrealistic images the media projects. Marlowe’s past relationships add emotional depth, highlighting themes of self-worth and breaking free from harmful conditioning.

Watching Marlowe and Angus come into their own—and into each other’s arms—is a truly satisfying journey. They’re an adorable couple, and their love story is one worth rooting for. 3.5 stars, rounded up.

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The way you smile and sing along: NOW THAT I'VE FOUND YOU.

Now That I've Found You by Kristina Forest
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This charming, lighthearted story follows Evie, the granddaughter of legendary actress Evelyn Conaway—though to Evie, she’s always just been Gigi, her beloved and constant presence in an otherwise lonely childhood. Now, as Evie pursues her own dreams of acting, a friend's betrayal leads to a career-crushing viral video, leaving her future in shambles.

Desperate for guidance, Evie turns to Gigi, only for her to disappear. Instead, she finds herself stuck with Milo—a sweet, down-to-earth musician and grocery store worker who, for some reason, is staying with her grandmother. With her last shot at redemption tied to a prestigious awards ceremony, Evie embarks on a whirlwind search across New York City to find Gigi, with Milo reluctantly (but adorably) at her side. Along the way, they share stories, uncover secrets, and slowly grow closer, even if their chemistry takes time to develop.

While the plot isn’t particularly deep, it delivers strong themes of self-acceptance and breaking free from others' expectations—important messages for a YA audience. Evie starts off frustratingly self-absorbed, especially next to the kind and steady Milo, but her journey of self-discovery makes for a satisfying arc. The real standout, though, is Milo’s bandmates, who provide delightful comic relief throughout.

A quick, enjoyable read with heartwarming moments, NOW THAT I'VE FOUND YOU is sure to resonate with YA readers. 3.75 stars.

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If I could go back in time, I would in a second: THE SWEENEY SISTERS.

The Sweeney Sisters by Lian Dolan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Exploring the DNA surprise genre through literary fiction, THE SWEENEY SISTERS is an interesting and dynamic read.

The three redheaded Sweeney sisters find their lives upended when their famous writer father, Bill, dies unexpectedly. Tricia and Maggie return home to Connecticut to join Liza, go through their father's belongings, and deal with his estate. They also get the surprise of their lives when they learn that their father has left part of said estate to a fourth Sweeney sister, Serena Tucker, the girls' next door neighbor, who recently learned about Bill via a DNA test.

The race is on: to find Bill's unpublished memoir; to discover what Serena's presence will mean for Bill's legacy; and for the original Sweeney sisters to learn more about their new sister.

While the slightly misogynistic author father trope and the surprise DNA discovery trope are both fairly done, this book still feels fresh. Dolan has a witty, easy way with words, and each sister springs forth from the pages, unique and memorable.

Each sister has formed their life around Bill Sweeney, but, in fact, they may indeed be the own stars of their lives. Liza works through marriage issues; Maggie finds her place in the world; and Tricia may just find love. And Serena grapples with her new discovery, balancing her old family with the drama of the Sweeney sisters.

I quite enjoyed this book, which explores the bonds between sisters, the strength of family, and how family shapes us into who we are.

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When you look behind you there's nothing there to see: MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT.

Middle of the Night by Riley Sager


I started this one on audio thanks to a work trip and will say that I quite enjoyed the audio (not always the case for me). I finished it via hardcover because I had to know what happened--this is a true page turner!

As with many Sager books, MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT exudes eerie tension. Now 40, Ethan Marsh returns to his childhood home to lick his wounds after his marriage ends. He's living in his parents' old house as they have fled the coop to Florida. Ethan has never loved the place--ever since, at age 10, his best friend Billy was snatched from a tent in Ethan's backyard while the two were camping. Billy was never seen again. Ethan has been unable to remember any events of that night, but he's haunted by dreams and insomnia, even thirty years later.

Being back on Hemlock Court, a small, exclusive neighborhood where all the families know each other--and each other's business--isn't the best for Ethan's mental health. How reliable of a narrator is this exhausted 40-year-old man, we wonder?

The story unfolds between Ethan's present-day perspective, as suspicious events begin happening in the neighborhood, and the past, with various POVs from the folks of Hemlock Court relaying the events the day before Billy's disappearance. I found this format nearly impossible to put down--it was incredibly effective at raising suspense and tension.

As with many a Sager book, you'll find yourself wondering if the supernatural or ghosts are at play, or just sinister forces. There are plenty of suspects and the story kept me wondering and guessing until the end. The ending was a little less robust than I'd hoped, but this was still an enjoyable thriller, and it was nice to find such a hard-to-put-down read! 4+ stars.

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Still fighting the good fight: THE PRESIDENT IS MISSING.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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And I need you when the dark gets true: NECESSARY LIES.

Necessary Lies by Diane Chamberlain
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Set in North Carolina in the 1960s, Chamberlain deftly explores rural poverty and racial discrimination through her characters Ivy and Jane. Ivy is a white teenager living in a shack with her grandmother, her teenage sister, and her young nephew. They work on a tobacco farm alongside a black family that has also tended the land for the same family for generations. Ivy's sister, Mary Ella, gave birth to William when she was 15, and their family is struggling.

Jane, young, naive, and newly married, is new to social work and the welfare system and assigned to Ivy's family's case. She’s shocked to learn that Ivy is scheduled to be sterilized as part of a eugenics project through her agency. Jane soon grows attached to Ivy and her family to the detriment of her marriage and professional life.

NECESSARY LIES highlights the horrible situation poor people or black people faced in the 1950s and 1960s (Chamberlain points out that NC sterilized people until 1975!). Many were given no choice, or not even told what was done to them. Decisions were made in the name of mental incompetence, being feeble minded, epilepsy, and more. Families like Ivy's were at the whim of the state and also those who owned the land they worked.

This story was moving and quite well-done, especially as it delved into Ivy's dreams of a better life than the tobacco farm. As with many of Chamberlain's books, sometimes complex topics are presented a bit simplistically at times and can wrap up easily, but I do enjoy how her books explore and give light to complicated issues.

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And I have scars that you can't read: ENOUGH ALREADY.

Enough Already: Learning to Love the Way I Am Today by Valerie Bertinelli
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I know very little about Valerie Bertinelli, with the most of my exposure coming from the Kid's Baking Championship. I can't remember why I grabbed this book, honestly, but I read it as part of my own "read your shelves" challenge.

In ENOUGH ALREADY, Bertinelli says "enough already" to dieting, putting her past hawking Jenny Craig behind her, apologizing for pushing weight loss on her public. She's focusing on inner happiness now, working with a mind coach to discover self-joy and sharing her tips with her readers.

It still feels like Bertinelli's weight thoughts are the focal point of her book, though, and while I understand that she's attempting to right past wrongs and love herself as is, the "I need to lose those last 10 lbs" desire gets to be too much after a while. It's suffocating when everything is brought back to the need to lose weight and makes Bertinelli's pivot to happiness at any weight ring a bit hollow.

Where the book shines is anywhere else. Bertinelli's memories of her ex-husband, Eddie Van Halen; interactions with their son, Wolfie; sharing recollections and recipes. She ties many of her recipes to memories and discusses food that she remembers from her childhood to cooking for Eddie to recipes made on her Food Network show. The talk of how food has brought together her various families over the years is fun.

Bertinelli touches on grief, with the recent loss of her parents and her ex-husband. I don't think we get full honesty, but she definitely shares a lot of herself. She seems like an over-protective mom and regular, relatable person many times. Other times, she tries to be "just like us," but--like many celebrity memoirs--it's hard to take advice from someone with a happiness coach who is renovating two homes, etc.

This is a quick read but the focus on weight bogged it down for me. The personal stories and recipes made for worthwhile reading, though.

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We could go back, rewind and play it again: SIDELINED.

Sidelined by Suzanne Baltsar
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is a simplistic but fun sports romance about a female high school football coach and the (male) Offensive Coordinator who resents her. Charlie, the daughter of a well-known college coach, wants to be known for her coaching skills on her own terms, so she seeks a job as a high school football coach. This angers the town and the team, and their OC, Connor McGuire, who was sure the head coach spot was his.

There's a lot of "oh my gosh she's a woman, look at her curves and body but really I'm not mad she got the job because she's a woman, just because I deserved it more" whining in the beginning, but we eventually push past this for a fairly charming and quick read.

Charlie is a fun protagonist--she knows her stuff as a football coach; it's the rest of life (female friendships, dating) where she struggles. Once Connor gets his head out of his rear, he's likable enough; he's dealing with recovering from an old ex and needing to open up. The story gets progressively better as we get to know our couple, along with their shared group of friends.

The writing isn't always the crispest, but the story illustrates the inequality women face when battling men in the same fields and the struggles women like Charlie face in a male-dominated field: even when they are better than the men around them. I always love a book with a good sports backdrop, and high school football is fun, especially as Charlie's team tries to win states.

There's some witty banter between Charlie and Connor and a bit of sexual tension, but this is a very PG romance. We see both Charlie and Connor grow a bit as people, root for the local team, and get to enjoy our feisty couple.

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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.

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Cause you have filled a space I never knew I had: SATISFACTION GUARANTEED.

Satisfaction Guaranteed by Karelia Stetz-Waters
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

The second book in my "June Pride Reads," SATISFACTION GUARANTEED was absolutely delightful. Focusing on the theme of learning to appreciate yourself--especially through the eyes of others--this is such a feel-good romance. Reserved, practical Cade inherits her aunt's sex toy shop, thrusting her into the orbit of free-spirited Selena, who runs the shop and lives in the cottage behind Cade's aunt's home. Cade quickly realizes the shop is in financial trouble, and she has a short time to turn it around, or Selena loses her job and her home.

I loved that Cade and Selena felt instant attraction but not love-there's a big difference between the two-and it makes the story feel so much more realistic. They have time to develop stronger feelings, and have wonderful slow burn tension and chemistry. Selena's afraid of failure, worried she's a screw-up, and Cade feels she's a boring stick-in-the-mud with no romantic experience, and it's refreshing to see how, to one another, they are amazing. They are backed by a lovable, fun cast of diverse, queer characters and positive messages about appreciating female sexuality and knowing yourself.

Overall, this is a fun-spirited romance with some great messages. 4.5 stars.

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