For me, books by Catherine Ryan Hyde are hit or miss. While I have absolutely loved some of her books, others have not appealed to me. Unfortunately, this is one that I did connect with and was definitely not one of my favorites. There are some trigger aspects in this story ... alcoholism, homelessness, and sexual abuse of young people. While heavy topics, the relationship that developed between Addie and Jonathan was touching. Though I did think it was a little unrealistic.

While books in the romance genre are not my favorite, this book was a delight to read. I loved the characters ... from Mary to Beckett to Gramps, Beckett’s elderly father. They were realistic and like people you know in your everyday life. The people who welcomed Mary into their group of friends were amazing. They surrounded her with love, support, baby gifts, and encouragement. And I hope there are still some men like Beckett out there ... a man with a heart of gold with his

I have loved the books in the Key West Food Critic series. The characters are delightful ... from Haley to her husband and family to her houseboat neighbor, Miss Gloria. And the opportunity to celebrate Miss Gloria’s 85th birthday is definitely going to bring up the chance for a murder mystery. The mystery “explodes” at the beginning and will have you invested in the story and sleuthing with Hayley and her mother-in-law and stepmother to reveal the person guilty of murder. Mi

I have enjoyed every moment I have spent with Emmy Lake and am sad that our time together has come to and end. We are still ensconced in WWII and bombs are still being dropped on London. The Women’s Friend magazine continues to play a role in helping readers deal with the difficulties the war has brought into their lives as well as everyday concerns and questions. The characters feel like friends and I have come to care about their lives and their struggles. Emmy provides a

Now that I have sped through the pages anxious to see what will happen next, I have closed the book and my initial response is, “Wow!” As the book cover promises, itis “an ending you’ll never forget.” There are so many twists and turns as you absorb the words on the page that your mind is reeling. Just as you think you have things figured out, the authors pull ... no JERK ... the rug out from under your feet. As I said at the beginning, “WOW!!!” Thank you to NetGalley and Lit

When I open up an Alex Delaware book by Jonathan Kellerman, I know I am in for an adventurous ride. Between Alex and his detective friend, Milo, you will be on the edge of your seat waiting to see what clues they will uncover. They make a great team and their ability to bounce thoughts and ideas off each other always helps them solve whatever murder case in which they are involved. The characters are well developed and you will be treated to some of the people from earlier bo

I have enjoyed the variety of books by the author, Karen White. She is one of my favorite authors and I am ready to jump into whatever book she has just released! This story was a journey through the pages of family, relationships, loss, aging, dealing with dementia, and the value of being appreciated. There are moments when your heart breaks for Phoebe as she endures one attack after another from her mother. You understand the decisions she has made as you discover her famil

This was a fun read. I loved the character interactions. They were well developed and the varied personalities were entertaining. As someone who has played the piano at many weddings and the former chair of the Wedding Hostess Committee at church, I have experienced wedding drama for which I should write a book! So this particular story was one I found myself enjoying. While experiencing wedding planning with the bride and groom and the MOB (mother of the bride) and MOG (moth

One of the best books I have ever read. The characters will grab your heart and squeeze tight. You will love some, hate some, and want to meet a lot of them. I wish they were real people! One warning before you open the first page, grab a couple of boxes of tissues. You will need them! You will find yourself sobbing and the next minute laughing a deep belly laugh. This book touches your soul and fills you up with love, laughter, and a sense of belonging. I hope you will open

I am a huge David Baldacci fan. I have loved his Amos Decker, John Puller, Atlee Pine, and 6:20 Man series. So I was excited at the opportunity to get immersed in a new one. I was so disappointed. I could not get invested in the story and the characters did not appeal to me. And while I forced myself to read the last word, I could not believe the ending. A cliff hanger ending did not make up for a lackluster book or encourage me to endure a second book in the series. So for m

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 have loved the books in the Bree Taggert series by Melinda Leigh. Once you open the book and read the first word, you will be in for a thriller roller coaster ride of adventure, intrigue, and danger. I love the family dynamics that flow through the story while you work alongside Sheriff Bree Taggert and her significant other, Matt Flynn, as they try to solve the murder mystery and hopefully prevent any future murders in Gray’s Hollow. I also liked getting a peak at Morgan D

I am enjoying my time reading the Ruby and Cordelia series by Olivia Blacke. The way the chapters swap back and forth between their thoughts and dialogue is easy to read and gives a great perspective into their personalities ... even though one of them is a ghost! This book provided more background into Cordelia’s past with her family and relationships. I am also enjoying watching Ruby mature and become a more responsible adult. My one negative comment is the constant reminde

Once again Sean Dietrich has entranced me with a story of family, love, loss, forgiveness, humor, and redemption. The characters are quirky with a variety of personalities. From a former priest who is an ex-convict to two ex-wives to a kidnapped Uber driver to individuals from a dangerous mob to a boat named Ship Happens to a pregnant teenage girl to 80-year-old Amos ... what a colorful cast of characters! As you travel along with this group amidst turmoil, danger, finding th

I have loved the books in the Blue Ridge Library series by Victoria Gilbert. So when I saw that she was releasing a book in a new series, I was excited at the opportunity to read it. Unfortunately, I was disappointed. I did not feel that the characters were appealing and they did not help me care about them. The murder mystery was well developed, but I felt like it could provide much more and encourage me to actually be invested in the story. Hopefully the next book in this s

I love historical fiction books and especially when they take place during WWII. This book was a little different focus because it takes place in the United States. Whenever I open up a Kevin O’Brien book, I know I will be on a rollercoaster ride of twists and turns. From loss to rape to murder to fear to secrets ... you will experience a myriad of emotions. This story will have you invested from the first page and will not let go until, exhausted, you will close the book. I

I have really enjoyed the books in A Secret Bookcase series by Ellie Alexander. I have loved getting to know Annie, Hal, Fletcher, Liam, and the rest of the gang. Of course, there is a murder and Annie is pulled into the middle of the investigation. Lots of twists and turns and discovering people are not who they present themselves to be. I was clueless on who was guilty of murder until it was revealed. I also was glad to see that Annie might be one step closer to discovering

I love reading historical fiction books, and especially if they are set during WWII. This book was a different twist on books from that genre and time period. The focus is on the Lebensborn Program which encouraged women to breed and produce pure-blood Aryan children. The brutality that the main character, Allina, endured had me cringing. The fact children were sacrificed because of imperfections was horrendous. While I am not a fan of romance novels, that aspect of this book

This was a different historical fiction book than I typically read. A plus for me was that it featured a dual timeline. Filled with secrets and intrigue and relationships ... there are so many details brough to life through the pages. The author has conducted an immense amount of research and the way he shares the details is presented in an informative and well-written way. Thank you to Book Sirens and Pilgrim Trout Books for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts

I have loved the books in the Killer Chocolate series by Christina Romeril. Having the opportunity to spend time with Alex and Hanna is time well spent. A wonderful cozy mystery that will keep you invested in the story and with well-developed characters. The Christmas holiday theme is a bonus! With a lot of twists and turns and plenty of suspects, you will be sitting on the edge of your seat. I really enjoy watching how Alex and Tom’s and Hanna and Duncan’s relationships are