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The Atlas of Untold Stories (by Sara Brunsvold)
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

Ms. Ladybug
Jan 271 min read
OverKill ~ Ali Reynolds #18 (by J. A. Jance)
I am a huge J. A. Jance fan and the Ali Reynolds series is one of my favorites. Between Ali; her husband, B; Frigg, the AI creation; and Cami, you are treated to a wonderful cast of characters. The story has multiple mysteries to be solved and they do not detract from each other. I love how the people of High Noon Enterprise work together in whatever case they are dealing with or in personal matters. I especially enjoyed observing Frigg gain knowledge with lingo and various w

Ms. Ladybug
Jan 271 min read
The Flightless Birds of New Hope (by Farah Naz Rishi)
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

Ms. Ladybug
Jan 271 min read
A Body at the Book Fair ~ Secret Bookcase #6 (by Ellie Alexander)
What a wonderful series this has been. I have grown to love Annie, Fletcher, Liam, Hal, and the other individuals who are prat of the Redwood Grove, CA community. There are so many secrets sprinkled throughout the pages ... not just the secret bookcase. Watching Annie and Liam’s relationship develop was heartwarming. With each book you are treated to a great mystery with lots of clues and a wonderful and supportive group of friends. I am sad to see this one end. But I am exci

Ms. Ladybug
Jan 271 min read
Murder in Manhattan (by Julie Mulhern)
I love historical fiction books and the mystery aspect of this one was a positive spin that I really enjoyed. Metting Freddie Archer, a columnist of Gotham Magazine was enlightening. Freddie’s character was based on one of the first female columnists at The New Yorker. Life as an independent and strong female in the 20s was difficult. But Freddie was up for the challenge. Experiencing this time period and the speakeasies, bootlegging, fashion designers, and glamorous lifestyl

Ms. Ladybug
Jan 81 min read
An Heiress's Guide to Death and Diamonds ~ Dakota Green #2 (by Kristen Bird)
This is the first book I have read in the Dakota Green series. But I enjoyed it so much that I will go back and read the first one and will definitely read any future books in the series. Even though starting with the second book, it did not affect my ability to connect with the characters. I love the character of Dakota Green and look forward to seeing how the future unfolds for her and her beau, Charlie, who is the sheriff. The murder mystery will keep you invested in the s

Ms. Ladybug
Jan 81 min read
The Lighthouse Keeper of Anglesey ~ Welcome to Anglesey #4 (by Caroline Young)
This is the second book I have read in the Welcome to Anglesey series. I have enjoyed the books enough that I have already purchased the other books and look forward to reading them. The characters are richly developed and the sense of family and community is heartfelt. The picturesque description of the town of Anglesey and the nearby cities is breathtaking. I would love to visit there and get lost in the beauty of the land and the sea. This is a story of second chances ...

Ms. Ladybug
Jan 81 min read
Letters from Strangers (by Susan Walter)
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

Ms. Ladybug
Dec 30, 20251 min read
The Diva Poaches a Bad Egg ~ Domestic Diva #18 (by Krista Davis)
The Domestic Diva is one of my favorite series. I love getting lost in the pages of an adventure with Sophie Watson. Between the murder mystery and the delicious food, you will not be able to put the book down until you have inhaled every word and helped solve the crime. There are delightful characters who are so supportive of each other. Lots of twists and turns and misguided clues that keep you invested in the story. The fall season was a nice touch and getting to know Aunt

Ms. Ladybug
Dec 30, 20251 min read
Michael Without Apology (by Catherine Ryan Hyde)
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

Ms. Ladybug
Dec 30, 20251 min read
The Light on Horn Island (by Valerie Fraser Luesse)
This is a story of relationships ... family, friends, and past loves. A heartfelt tale set in Mississippi amid the love and support of Edie’s grandmother and her closeknit group of friends, the Ten Spots. When you open the book and absorb the first word, you will be enveloped in grace, caring, support, second chances, and forgiveness. Hidden secrets, self-discovery, and healing are sprinkled throughout the book. It was touching to see the characters discover the “light” of ho

Ms. Ladybug
Dec 30, 20251 min read
Across the Crying Sands ~ The Women of Cannon Beach #1 (by Jane Kirkpatrick)
I had looked forward to reading this first book in The Women of Cannon Book series. But I could not get invested in the story. I also did not connect with or care for Mary or her husband, John. While based on a true story, spreading it out into a trilogy is not appealing. I did enjoy learning about the first women postal carriers in Oregon. Thank you to NetGalley and Revell for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own. For more reviews, please visit my bl

Ms. Ladybug
Dec 30, 20251 min read
Capture the Moment ~ National Parks Summers #1 (by Suzanne Woods Fisher)
I am looking forward to more books in the National Parks Summer series. Having the opportunity to “visit” the Grand Teton National Park through the pages of this book was a wonderful adventure. The characters were well developed and I enjoyed getting to know photographer Kate, Ranger Grant Cooper, Ranger Tim Rivers, and teenagers Frankie and Maisie. I absolutely fell in love with Maisie and her perky personality. She was so much fun, knowledgeable, and energetic. This is a st

Ms. Ladybug
Dec 30, 20251 min read
The Whitechapel Widow ~ Emma Langley Victorian #1 (by Emily Organ)
I had actually read the second book in the Emma Langley Victorian series first. But I enjoyed it so much that I wanted to go back and read the first book. Plus this gave me the opportunity to get to know Emma and her new friend, Penny Green, as well as learn how Emma began solving crimes. Emma is such a relatable character ... young and naive, but intelligent. It was enjoyable watching her mature throughout the pages. The mystery is multifold and has you wondering if Emma’s f

Ms. Ladybug
Dec 30, 20251 min read
Christmas at the Little Bookshop by the Sea ~ Micklewick Bay #4 (by Eliza J. Scott)
This is the first book I have read in the Micklewick Bay series. And it was a perfect time to snuggle up under a warm blanket in my recliner and enjoy a cozy Christmas story. I think this worked okay as a standalone. But my reading would probably have been more enjoyable if I had grown to know the characters from the first three books in the series. I did enjoy getting to know Florrie and Ed. Their love for and excitement in running the Happy Hartes Bookshop was sweet to obse

Ms. Ladybug
Dec 30, 20251 min read
Coming Home to the Windmill by the Sea ~ Welcome to Anglesey #3 (by Caroline Young)
After reading the first book in the Welcome to Anglesey series, The Forgotten Farmhouse by the Sea, I looked forward to getting lost in the pages of this third book. The characters are well developed and you will connect with them as you are drawn into their lives. A story of friendship, heartache, love, and forgiveness ... you will fall in love with the way the community cares about and supports each other. The setting of the windmill as a home was something I wanted to thin

Ms. Ladybug
Dec 30, 20251 min read
The Forgotten Farmhouse by the Sea ~ Welcome to Anglesey #1 (by Caroline Young)
I have fallen in love with books that take place in Britain. The beautiful scenery, the unique way words are used which are different for this Southern American, and the lifestyle of those in a small village has me entranced. This was a story I enjoyed. I loved getting to know Nan and her twin daughters and the rest of the people of Anglesey. Nan’s husband, Robin was a jerk extraordinaire. The way the people in this small town supported each other was uplifting and I loved wa

Ms. Ladybug
Dec 30, 20251 min read
The Monday Night Heartbreak Club (by Jane Lovering)
This is the second book I have read by the author, Jane Lovering. Because I had enjoyed the first one, Once Upon a Thyme, I was looking forward to getting lost in the pages of this story. This book was a fun but heartwarming journey through the pages. While there are some serious issues discussed, the characters and the relationships that develop help lighten the mood. I particularly liked Fraser and his love for eating ... all the time ... and his unfiltered comments. He sai

Ms. Ladybug
Dec 29, 20251 min read
The Orphans (by Fiona McIntosh)
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

Ms. Ladybug
Dec 29, 20251 min read
Where Light Lingers ~ Soul Seekers #2 (by Ashley Farley)
Ashley Farley has the gift of bringing the characters to life ... ordinary people you would know from your everyday life. This story is full of emotion which is something else the author does well. A sense of community and caring with a little twist with have you absorbing the words. The characters are richly developed and will have you emotionally invested in the story. From grief to hoe to second chances to love ... you will close the book with a sigh and a smile on your f

Ms. Ladybug
Dec 29, 20251 min read
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