In reading the synopsis of this book, I thought it would be a fun read. Unfortunately, that was not the case. The characters are so unlikable that it was difficult to get invested in the story. While the book does a good job of covering a lot of social issues ... gay marriage, early onset dementia, domestic violence, etc. ... that is too much to deal with in one book. I actually did not enjoy the author’s earlier book, The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife, so evidently Anna Jo

When I first opened up this book, I wasn’t sure I would like it. But the more I absorbed the words and got into the story of Harriet and her relationship with the neighbors, I was pulled in and wanted to watch her grow and change over time. She was crotchety, but as you learn about her past ... especially her life with her recently deceased husband ... you begin to put the pieces together. Thank heavens there are plenty of people in her life that overlooked her attitude or gr

This book has stayed with me long after I have absorbed the last word and close the book with a satisfying sigh. I could not wait to pass it along to the person who picks books for our book club. It will be one with lots to talk about. How often would we choose to go back and relive a moment in our life to change the outcome? This is an emotional read that has you journey through family, love, loss, regrets, life-altering decisions, failures, and second chances. As Mitch Albo

This was definitely a failure for me and my attempt to read more historical fiction books that introduce me to a unique aspect of history. One big turn off for me was the amount of crude language. I can handle some when it is imported to the story or the characters, but this was over the top unnecessary. I felt like I was plotting through mud to get through the pages. There are too many wonderful books out there to enjoy for me to spend hours, forcing myself to pick up the bo

I enjoy reading historical fiction books, and I am trying to brunch out to new time periods. Unfortunately, this was not a good one to attempt that. Not sure how I feel about the liberties the author took to rewrite Evelyn Nesbit's history. But Allison Pataki does an admiral Raul job presenting what life was like for women during Gilded Age. The characters are well developed, though you will not particularly like all of them. This is a glimpse into the dark façade of the life

This was a great first book in the new Meg Reed series by Ellie Alexander. There are great characters introduced ... some of which you know will appear in future books. Though I am in no way an outdoor adventure person, I appreciated the activities featured in this book. There is a murder mystery, relationship conflict, family issues, support of friends, and new job insecurities. I really did not know who was guilty of murder until the final reveal! So this book was a hike on

I love reading historical fiction books that take place during WWII. This was a different focus for me in that it is set in the Ukraine. I liked the dual timeline aspect ... part during the invasion of the Ukraine by Russia and then Germany and part in 2022 during the Russian invasion. To witness how the same evils exist today and history repeating itself is heart wrenching. The dedication of so many people who would use quiet and unobtrusive means to be a part of the resista

This is one of the best books I have read this year. I loved the characters, the settings (Europe, the Titanic, and America), and the story. I did not want to put it down. The only thing that I think could have made it better was if it was an audiobook and hearing the accents for the people from different countries and especially Teddy’s sweet voice. The first part of the book provides great background into Elinor’s life ... which is important for later on. And while part of

I love reading historical fiction books and really enjoyed learning about the Harvey Girls. The characters are well developed and I loved getting to know Billie and Charlotte. I had never heard of the waitresses who served at America’s first hospitality chain along the Santa Fe railroad. The adventures you get to experience as the girls are trained to the people they meet along the way to the various locations they work ... you will be drawn into the story and learn to much a

This was a very emotional read. I have read a lot of historical fiction books that take place during WWII. I continue to be in awe of what so many individuals experienced during Hitler’s reign of terror. And while a portion of this book rehashes Hitler’s rise to power and how so many people were hypnotized into believing his depraved ideology, the time spent with the members of Company D and two young men, Eddie (the author’s father) and his best friend, Mike, is heart wrench

I am not sure I knew what to expect when I opened this book and got lost in the pages. I have enjoyed previous books by the author and was excited for the opportunity for a rollercoaster ride of suspense. Reading a Julie Clark book is like working a puzzle. There is the basis of a dysfunctional family, the history of trauma and tragedy, a current health crisis, and the untangling of clues. You will be absorbing every word, every emotion, every glimpse into the lives of Olivia

Ugh! I really dislike writing negative book reviews. But this book was far from a spectacular thing. While a look into family dynamics, I am so glad that even with the less than perfect family I grew up in, it put Liz and Mia’s to shame. I did not care for the characters and I struggled to make myself keep reading to get to the end. There are several positive reviews. So I would encourage you to see if this appeals to you. Thank you to NetGalley and Dial Press Trade Paperback

I love reading historical fiction books, and especially if they take place during WWII. This one is an actual dual timeline book that covers both WII and the 1960s. This book is filled with love, loss, horrendous treatment during the war, resilience, and emotional and life-changing secrets journey with Katarina during both timelines was interesting and demonstrated how the past plays a big part and who she becomes. One negative comment is that if the author mentioned how attr

As I opened this book and started reading, I expected some of the M. Night Shyamalan suspense and spine-tingling moments. To say I was disappointed is a gross understatement. I could not get invested in the story and the characters were blasé. I loved what one reviewer said, "… turns out I just got Nicholas Sparks with a flashlight. End of quote perfect description. This was a lot of time I wasted trying to enjoy something that was misrepresented as thriller and suspense. I m

I have enjoyed previous books by the author, Barbara Davis. However, this one just did not do it for me. I did not like the character … at all!! … and the story did not pull me in and have me invested in it. I felt like I was plodding along to get through the book. Maybe I was expecting too much because of the author and the synopsis. But I will definitely read future books by this author. Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for my advanced review copy. All opini

This book has a lot of very positive reviews. So let me preface mine by suggesting you read it to see if it appeals to you. This was just a horrible read for me. It was a lot of smut and explicit sexual encounters that I was not expecting. I could care less about the characters and that kept me from being invested in the story. I have enjoyed previous books by the author, so I will definitely consider reading future books. Unfortunately, this one was not the one for me. Thank

I am enjoying the books in the Doc Savage series by James Patterson and Brian Sitts. Some of my recent reads of co-authored books by James Patterson have been less than stellar. However, this is one that will grab you from the first page and have you holding on tight as you are on a thriller ride to the end. Lots of action and great characters will have you invested in the story and anxiously waiting for the next one to be released. Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown, a

I was not the target audience for this book. Books in the magical realism and fantasy genres are not appealing to me. However, it was interesting to read about Jewish matchmaking. This seemed more like a storyline written for a Hallmark movie. And that is something else I do not enjoy. The story did not pull me into the book and I just did not care about the characters. It was just a “blah” read and one I will forget about now that I have finished the book. Thank you to NetGa

I enjoy reading historical fiction books and especially if they take place during WWII. The author obviously did a great amount of research. Reading about Operation Pied Piper and how children were sent to the countryside of England as well as Canada and other countries, was heart wrenching. I cannot begin to imagine the anguish of mothers having to decide whether to take a chance their children will survive the war if they stay in London ... or send them away to be cared for

Well, this was several hours of wasted time I will never get back. I simply could not get invested in the story and I did not care about the characters. If the “incident” was something worth discovering by the time I slogged through to the end, it might have redeemed itself. Unfortunately, that did not happen. I gave this one an extra star because it took place in Ireland. Thank you to NetGalley and Vintage for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own. Fo