I have enjoyed all of the books in the Cork O’Connor series by William Kent Krueger. So I was excited at the opportunity to read the latest book ... Spirit Crossing. Unfortunately, this was a major disappointment to me. It felt politically motivated and focused on the victimization of Native Americans instead of a mystery thriller component that I have come to expect in this author’s books. If I want to read about social justice and the woke moment, I will choose a nonfiction

I enjoy reading historical fiction books. This was a different focus than my typical read because it was set during the Civil War. The picture the author paints of Joetta McBride is interesting. What an amazing woman and I grew to admire her determined to remain neutral in the war between the states amidst the war that begins in her own back yard. Donna Everhart does a great job at creating characters for whom you care about and situations that will touch you emotionally. Tha

I loved this cozy book about family, relationships, love, loss, forgiveness, and second chances. Centered around The Sweet Life Café and the characters of Addie, Susanna, and Aunt Gayle, you will find your heart breaking at some moments while overflowing with love at others. Family relationships may be difficult, but experiencing life from the viewpoint of the three main characters will bring comfort as they discover long health, secrets, find healing, and grow together as a

This was a wonderful opportunity to spend time in the pages of a book about love, loss, longing, forgiveness, and mystery. I loved getting lost in the world of Bronwyn, Clara, and Wynnie. In fact, eight-year-old Wynnie stole my heart! As the fog covers the streets of London, so does the mystery of Bronwyn’s (Clara's mother) disappearance more than 20 years ago cover the lives of Clara and Wynnie. There is wonder, mystery, make-believe, family connections, and the blossoming o

This was an interesting read. I found it interesting to see Lacey’s being a part of the community of women who lived together in an effort to raise their children. I cannot imagine Lacey’s willingness to immediately trust and rely on the women in the “mommune.” While touted as a mystery thriller, I felt like that is an overstatement. It definitely had some surprises that are revealed through the pages. A story that displays the many facets of motherhood. Thank you to NetGalle

I have loved the author, Fannie Flagg, for many years. So any time a new book is released, I will definitely have it on my to-be-read list. So I was excited at the opportunity to read her latest book. However, this one just did not appeal to me. The collection of short stories was okay, but not what I was expecting. “My bad” that I did not read the synopsis first. As with most of her books, there are some quirky individuals which I enjoyed. Unfortunately, the random stories w

First of all, I should have explored more about this title before I started to read it. I am not a fan of books in the fantasy or magical realism genres. So I was not the intended audience. The multiple POV aspect is interesting. But there did not seem to be much depth to the story. So I had trouble staying invested in the book. Though I think there are plenty of readers who will enjoy it. I will leave it up to you whether you think it is worth your time. Thank you to NetGall

I am a huge fan of historical fiction books. This one was a different focus than my typical read. I have never explored Egyptian history much other than what I have read in the Bible and about King Tut. While I enjoyed learning about two strong women and their role during their lifetimes, this book did not appeal to me. I did not enjoy the writing style or one the female characters, Lady Evelyn Herbert. I appreciate the amount of research that the author did. But the storylin

I love books about books and that include a road trip. So I was excited to get lost in the pages of this one. The fact that the road trip was focused on the classics in literature was a big plus for me. The difficult relationship between the mother and her two adult daughters was difficult to experience. But as you journey through the pages with Edie, Lauren, and Chloe, you will begin to discover the stories that live within us but we may not share with others. This was an em

I anticipated reading this book and the premise sounded promising. Unfortunately, I just found it irritating. Every character ... from the siblings ... to the cockatoo ... got on my last nerve. The relationship of brothers and sister is dysfunctional and getting through the pages was a chore. It could be where I am at this point in time, but this book did not appeal to me. I was happy that there was a positive ending to the book, though. Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union

While this book read like a YA one, I still enjoyed aspects of it. There are a lot of triggers that you need to be aware of before opening the cover and reading the first word. They are adultery, body shaming, homosexuality, giving a child up for adoption, eating disorders, unplanned pregnancy, infertility, and suicide. Yet these are all handled in a delicate way by the author. I was not sure I was going to enjoy this book when I first started reading it, but I was pulled int

This is an emotional read and when you open up the book and begin to get lost in Michael’s story, you need to be prepared for some heavy topics. From body shaming to drug and alcohol addiction to child neglect to cancer to loss of life ... they will have you shedding a few tears along the way. I enjoyed the dual timeline aspect of the story. Being able to experience Michael’s childhood during and after the horrendous accident gives a glimpse into how his past has scarred him

I enjoy reading historical fiction books. So I had looked forward to reading this book. However, I really did not enjoy it ... the characters or the storyline. I felt like the way the book progressed, the ending was predictable and that I pretty much expected it to end that way from the very beginning. One aspect I thoroughly enjoyed was the setting. Australia is on my bucket list of places to which I want to travel. I also learned a lot about the funeral industry. It is not

This is just a pitiful family drama book that had me struggling to stay invested. The one positive comment I can make is that it is a quick read. So you will feel like you are wasting an inordinate amount of time with these highly dysfunctional characters. None of the characters appealed to me and I could care less what was happening in their lives. I am sorry to say that this book did not do it for me. Thank you to NetGalley and Henry Holt & Co. for my advanced review copy.

I had looked forward to reading The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife. However, my anticipation was not met with a positive experience. The...

This book features the points of view of four characters — Dana, Padma, Maeve, and Ian. While there are a lot of very positive reviews,...

This is the first book I have read in the Mystery Bookshop series by V. M. Burns. But it was such a fun read that I will go back and read...

I enjoy reading books about books. However, this one did not appeal to me. The ADHD focus was in your face and over the top. I was ready...

Once again I enjoyed spending time with Lucy Stone and the gang in Tinkers Cove, Maine. The characters are well developed and the story...

I love the books in the Crystals and CuriosiTEAS series. I have enjoyed getting to know Shay and her sister, Jenn. You will experience a...