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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
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
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 Sanctuary Keepers ~ Hideaway House #1 (by Alexandra Barber)
I loved the time I spent in the pages of this first book in the Hideaway House series. There are so many wonderful characters ... even the grumpy Major. My heart ached for Carrie, but then I found myself cheering her on as she learned to pull up her big girl panties and focus on what she wanted out of life. The supporting characters, specifically Jules and Rita, were encouragers and exactly who Carrie needed to have in her life. I loved Guy and the person he represented. Plus

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
Shot Through the Book ~ Lighthouse Library #12 (by Eva Gates)
What a wonderful series to get lost in. The lighthouse library series is one of my favorites. And as soon as I see that a new book is being released, it is at the top of my to-buy list. The setting of a library in a lighthouse in Nags Head on the Outer Banks of NC is pretty much my idea of the ideal place. Lucy is once again pulled into a murder mystery, though as a suspect this time. I love the family of friends and coworkers who make up the cast of characters. It demonstrat

Ms. Ladybug
Dec 29, 20251 min read
Revenge, Served Royal ~ Lady Petra Inquires #3 (by Celeste Connally)
This is the first book I have read in the Lady Petra Inquires series. However, I enjoyed it enough that I plan to go back and read the first two books in the series. The characters are well developed and I did not feel that I was at a disadvantage with jumping into the series at the third book. The murder mystery was handled well and bits of historical detail added to the pleasure of reading this book. Between the snarky dialogue and the behind-the-scenes romance between Lady

Ms. Ladybug
Dec 29, 20251 min read
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year (by Beth Moran)
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

Ms. Ladybug
Nov 14, 20251 min read
Dear Miss Lake ~ The Emmy Lake Chronicles #4 (by A. J. Pearce)
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

Ms. Ladybug
Nov 13, 20251 min read
That Last Carolina Summer (by Karen White)
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

Ms. Ladybug
Nov 9, 20251 min read
Abigail and Alexa Save the Wedding (by Lian Dolan)
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

Ms. Ladybug
Nov 9, 20251 min read
The Secret to Hummingbird Cake (by Celeste Fletcher McHale)
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

Ms. Ladybug
Nov 9, 20251 min read
Beyond Her Reach ~ Bree Taggert #10 (by Melinda Leigh)
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

Ms. Ladybug
Nov 8, 20251 min read
Schooled in Murder ~ Campus Sleuth #1 (by Victoria Gilbert)
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

Ms. Ladybug
Nov 8, 20251 min read
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