The first thing that strikes me about When You Read This is that it’s fresh and different! And I love thatSo much more than a rom com! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
The first thing that strikes me about When You Read This is that it’s fresh and different! And I love that! It is an epistolary novel for the digital age comprised of emails, texts, and blog posts. Also included were drawings from Iris, the main character.
When You Read this is a romantic comedy centered around Iris Massey who is dying from cancer. Notice the juxtaposition in that? She’s dying, but this book is full of humor, insight, and an endearing sweetness.
Iris works for a public relations hound, Smith Simonyi, when she is given the heartbreaking diagnosis. Not only is her cancer terminal, she has little time left. She secretly writes a blog, which she shares with Smith after she passes away, in hopes that he’ll find a way to publish it.
While you would think Iris’ story would be tragic, and it certainly pulled on my heartstrings and made me tear up on several occasions, there is a lightness. I mean lightness, as in airy and refreshing, not as in too easy or trivial. The writing is sincere, and the messages are important in how we handle approaching death for ourselves, and how we come to terms with the death of our loved ones. It’s a topic I connected to on a personal level.
In other words, When You Read This was much more than what I expected it would be. The pages are filled with fun, humor, and heart. I’m hoping Mary Adkins will gift us with another book (or three!) that leaves me feeling this same warmth.
I buddy read When You Read This with my friend, Mere, and it’s the perfect type of buddy read with topics to discuss and a sentimentality you will want to share with a friend.
Thanks to Harper Books for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
Untouchable is my first book by Jayne Ann Krentz, and it’s the third book in an established series.
Jack Lancaster is a consultant to the FB3.5 stars!
Untouchable is my first book by Jayne Ann Krentz, and it’s the third book in an established series.
Jack Lancaster is a consultant to the FBI, and he loves the challenge of cold cases, especially ones involving arson, as he himself is a survivor of a horrendous fire. Jack is uniquely able to relate to a killer and that’s how he solves his crimes, but sometimes that reliability bleeds over into his personal life.
Jack seeks help for his “gift” from Winter Meadows, a meditation therapist, who always brings him back from the dark.
Quinton Zane is an arch nemesis of Jack’s, and Zane is now hunting Jack. He is a cult leader who killed the parents of the children in a foster family, and Jack is one of the foster children for which he is searching.
Jack and Winter are two relatable and strong characters to get behind. I also enjoyed the premise of the story, and especially how well Zane, the villain, was drawn. Untouchable is an easy-to-read and engaging novel, and I think I would have gotten a tad more out of it had I read the first two books, though it was a perfectly suitable read in its own right.
Thanks to Berkley for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
Greyhill, Virginia is known for its old money and old traditions and old…gossip.
Bess Warner, along with her husband Cole and their children, 4 stars!
Greyhill, Virginia is known for its old money and old traditions and old…gossip.
Bess Warner, along with her husband Cole and their children, move to Cole’s small hometown of Greyhill. Bess will now live across the street from her mother-in-law, and she’s excited to take over the family’s inn.
Fitting in is not easy in a small town, especially as an adult with secrets to hide, and Bess has her share from her former career in Washington. She can feel the gossip spreading, and it hurts. Not only does she have to adjust, but so do her children.
Bess is given the opportunity to write an article of a “famous” resident of Greyhill for the Washington Post, and she scoops it up.
Susannah “Cricket” lane is a native of Greyhill and from an old, established family, but she’s been living in New York for years when she decides to return. Why she left has been gossiped about, and now the town is talking about why she is returning. As Bess interviews Susannah, she can’t get a read on whether Susannah is sincere, or if she’s trying to expose Greyhill’s community on all sides, good and bad.
All small towns aren’t like Greyhill by any means. I live in a tiny town now and have never experienced the drama or gossip; however, I also know what it’s like to move to a small town as an outsider where everyone knows each other. It IS hard to start over in a town where everyone knows your business. It also can be hard to figure out just who you are.
Kusek Lewis has written a thoughtful and illuminating take on secrets and (some) small towns. I connected to the story and its characters, and it was entertaining and well-written. It can be hard to fit in, and the author captured those feelings with authenticity and sides of drama and gossip for fun.
Thank you to Harper Books for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
5 stars to this story of strength and friendship! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Happy New Year to all my Goodreads friends! 🥳 🎉 🥂
Told in three voices over two time 5 stars to this story of strength and friendship! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Happy New Year to all my Goodreads friends! 🥳 🎉 🥂
Told in three voices over two time periods, The Gown is a stunning story.
In 1947 London, knee deep in a harsh winter with heavy rationing, the war has left its indelible mark. Ann Hughes and Miriam Dassin are embroiderers working at the famous Mayfair owned by Norman Hartnell. Why is Hartnell famous? For designing clothing for the princesses. And what is the assignment of the 20th century that has befallen them? Making none other than future Queen Elizabeth’s wedding gown.
In Toronto present day, Heather Mackenzie has found a set of embroidered flowers passed down from her beloved late grandmother. Heather discovers the flowers look much like those on Queen Elizabeth’s gown, and she wants to know why. She also uncovers a connection between her grandmother and Norman Hartnell who was known to have designed the Queen’s wedding dress.
The Gown is a well-researched work of historical fiction. The detail kept me entranced and also had me googling and yearning to know more. The friendship that forms between Anne and Miriam is tenderly drawn, and the emotional bonds and healing that resulted from that relationship is awe-inspiring.
I didn’t expect to be as absorbed in The Gown as I was. It can be hard to focus during the holidays, and my mind was in so many places. It served as a wonderful reminder of why I read historical fiction; to be transported to a different time and place and to learn. The Gown is an exquisite story of strength and friendship from start to finish. Highly recommended!
Thank you to the publisher for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
Leigh Huyett is a divorce lawyer, and she knows better than anyone how easily marriages fail. She’s fHouse on Fire is a tense, emotional family drama.
Leigh Huyett is a divorce lawyer, and she knows better than anyone how easily marriages fail. She’s five years into her second marriage with Pete, and they are beating the odds. Their blended family is what many would aspire to.
Leigh and Pete are out for the night celebrating their anniversary, while they left Kip, Pete’s biological son, in charge of Chrissy, Leigh’s daughter.
As Leigh and Peter drive home on a rainy night, their phones blow up. Kip has been out for the night at a big party celebrating, and he crashes his car on the way home…with Chrissy inside. Chrissy later passes away, and Kip is charged with manslaughter.
You can imagine the conflicted feelings Leigh must be working through. At first, she sides with Kip and Pete, until Kip changes the story. He says that Chrissy was driving, and there a witness to that fact. Leigh believes he’s lying; Pete believes his son and continues to back him. All the while, Pete and Leigh must walk the tightrope that is their marriage as they navigate their feelings about Kip and what happened, along with the grief and loss of Chrissy’s passing.
How does it all end for Kip? And will Pete and Leigh’s marriage survive this tumultuous time?
Overall, I found House on Fire to be immersive and psychologically engaging. This is not a “thriller,” but it is fantastic at what it is: a study on family, and a blended family in particular. The topics make you question your own morality and what you would you do if you were Pete- or Leigh. It also left me thinking about these characters long after I turned the last page.
I received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
Queen Elizabeth I’s court often centers on intrigue and gossip, but everyone is thrown for a loop when her youngest An intriguing Elizabethan mystery.
Queen Elizabeth I’s court often centers on intrigue and gossip, but everyone is thrown for a loop when her youngest lady-in-waiting is found murdered.
Nick Holt, younger brother to an earl, also known as a spy and quite savvy is hired to work for the Queen in order to solve the murder; however, working for her is not easy. She is demanding, intelligent, and both generous and impetuous with those in and out of favor.
Another lady-in-waiting is murdered, and the court is in dire straits. Nick, along with his Irish Wolfhound, Hector, whom I must say steals the show at times (LOVE him), are working tirelessly to solve the murder for the good and safety of all, but especially to stay on the right side of the Queen.
Suzanne Wolfe writes flawlessly with intrigue and candor about this time in history. The details are beautifully laid out, and there’s an exceptional sense of time and place referencing 16th century England. Nick Holt is a wonderfully-drawn main character, full of charm and dedication to solving the crimes. There is plenty of mystery and tension to keep the reader guessing, and there is much to love in this terrific start to a new series. Overall, the writing inside this gem of a mystery is as glorious as the cover.
Thank you to the author for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
Natalie and Will are now married lawyers, but their first date was spent discussing whether 4 tense, gripping, morally questioning stars! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Natalie and Will are now married lawyers, but their first date was spent discussing whether they could get away with murder. Years later, their son is put in harms way, and they find themselves questioning once again if they could get away with murder.
Nat is a criminal defense attorney and knows first hand how broken the justice system can be, and she refuses to wait for it to do its job. She takes getting justice into her own hands.
…and now that Nat is making big moves, Will has to be a loyal husband and throw his hat into the ring, too. Even though he joins in, Will is conflicted and not sure he knows who Nat is anymore.
The police come knocking, and it’s unclear if Will and Nat’s tightly wound up secret, or their marriage, will fall apart first.
For Better and Worse is a tense and gripping thriller. I found Nat cold and calculating, while Will was less so but roped in due to the bonds of marriage and his loyalty to Nat. She becomes a vigilante, but she can’t do it completely on her own. She needs Will.
Margot Hunt does a wonderful job getting into the heads of these parents who will stop at nothing to protect and avenge their child. The topics addressed in this book are heavy and dark at times, but Hunt has a way of keeping it from feeling overwhelmingly serious, while also feeling authentic.
Overall, For Better and Worse is an engaging, well-plotted, and thoughtful thriller, and I’m already looking forward to my next book from Margot Hunt!
Thanks to Harlequin MIRA for the review copy. All opinions are my own.
Lucy is 25 years-old, and Brenda is 79. They are neighbors, and they ar5 delightful stars! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Some books you read at just the right time.
Lucy is 25 years-old, and Brenda is 79. They are neighbors, and they are to become the best of friends.
Lucy is an old soul. She likes to read and knit at home. Brenda is a great friend and full of supportive advice and wisdom. Unfortunately, she is diagnosed with dementia.
Brenda has one wish, and that is to see her friend Lucy happy. She gives Lucy her locket that was integral in helping her find her own true love. But Lucy’s not ready...and it will take more than a little push from Brenda to get her there.
The Hopes and Dreams of Lucy Baker is an enchanting and delightful story of friendship. It warmed my heart and lifted my spirits reading about Lucy and Brenda and their mutual devotion. Insert a stray cat, Scratbag, a handsome man, and Poldark-related knitting, and you have a hopeful, emotional, huggable, and most uplifting story. While it was a touch predictable in places, the overall message is an endearing one, and I highly recommend it.
Thanks to the publisher for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
4 super cute and funny stars to A Christmas Date! 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄
After not being much of a holiday book reader in my reading life, this year, I’ve been on a 4 super cute and funny stars to A Christmas Date! 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄
After not being much of a holiday book reader in my reading life, this year, I’ve been on a spree of collecting holiday reads. A Christmas Date is a standout amongst the pack.
Nikki is not a fan of the holidays. Being single and independently so is hard this time of year. When she would rather be working, she is forced to take time off and observe how romantic everyone feels about Christmas.
Everything comes to a head wine Nikki’s sister announces her engagement to a man Nikki has feelings for (but no one knows). Not only that, but he is spending the holidays with the family in celebration.
Nikki needs to survive this week at home and look good doing it, so she hires a fake boyfriend. She quickly finds a handsome actor to play the part. However, what will happen if Nikki finds the magical romance of the holidays charming her, too?
A Christmas Date is an endearingly funny romantic comedy perfect for an holiday pick-me-up. It’s soothing, comforting, and super cute. I read it in one quick sitting. Thanks to my friends, Melisa and Berit for the recommendation.
Thanks also to the publisher for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
I have bought a slew of holiday reads this year, but so far, this is one of the only ones I’ve read.
Ever4 heartwarming stars to The Christmas Sisters
I have bought a slew of holiday reads this year, but so far, this is one of the only ones I’ve read.
Everyone has high expectations for the holidays, right? You definitely hope your family members will get along?
Suzanne wishes for her three daughters to have a perfect Christmas with she and her husband in the snowy Scottish Highlands. What a destination!
What ends up testing the sisters’ bond is not what they would have expected...
This is a lovely escape of a read: a quaint and cozy setting, positively charming characters, and the magic of the holidays. The cover has a sparkly touch of magic, too.
Overall, I enjoyed the my time spent with this family, and Sarah Morgan has a knack for this type of read.
Thank you to Harlequin for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
Rough Passage to London: A Sea Captain’s Tale is the second book I’ve read by Robin Lloyd in the past month! That sho4 adventurous stars! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Rough Passage to London: A Sea Captain’s Tale is the second book I’ve read by Robin Lloyd in the past month! That should speak volumes as to my thoughts on his writing!
By the way, before I get started, Robin Lloyd discovered that he is related to Elisha “Ely” Morgan and that is where his interest in this story began. In the early 1800s in Lyme, Connecticut, Ely Morgan is a young farm hand who unfortunately was not immune to the War of 1812 happening right before his eyes. His home life is hectic, and his father rules with an iron fist, which pushes his older brothers to leave home to seek life at sea.
A letter arrives to the home announcing that one brother is dead while the other is lost at sea. Ely saves every penny he has to leave on a ship to look for his brother, Abraham. One day his ship literally comes in, and he is on his way from New York to London learning the rough life of a sailor. His mission is only to find his brother, but a much bigger mystery unfurls in front of him.
Ely never gives up and climbs the ladder of success to captain, rubs elbows with Queen Victoria, and meets Charles Dickens! What a life! What an adventure.
Yes, what a thrilling adventure this story of Ely Morgan is. Steeped in the history and atmosphere of the time, I thoroughly enjoyed Ely’s discovery of life at sea, his endless search for his brother, and his devotion to his new career. The mystery is fun to piece together and left me guessing with some nice tension, and Ely’s chance encounters are extraordinarily fun. I never forgot the personal connection the author has to Ely, and that just added to the fun. I would love to have had such an adventurous relative to research. Well-done, Robin Lloyd! I hope you are already at work on another adventurous historical novel.
I received a complimentary copy of the book. All opinions are my own.
5 perfect stars! Who knew I could love a romance novel this much! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
I’m not the typical romance reader, but I have to say, some of the tr5 perfect stars! Who knew I could love a romance novel this much! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
I’m not the typical romance reader, but I have to say, some of the trademarks of the genre are present in this book in spades and made for the most rewarding reading experience.
Millie is a young professor at UC Santa Barbara, and her group of friends are all male professors. They have a wonderful social life together, but each is single and looking for a date to an upcoming event at the university, so they decide to try their hands at online dating. They create accounts with the same dating app and keep each other updated on their matches and the foibles of online dating.
Things are going as planned; however, Millie and Reid, one of the guy friends, spend the night together, and not only plan to keep it a secret from the rest of the group, they also promise to keep their friendship strictly platonic from then on.
There’s much more to the story, but just know Millie, under a pseudonym, and Reid end up matching on the app and practically fall for each other through their messages. Will the pair end up together, will they stay friends, or will their friendship fall apart?
Christina Lauren is a dynamic writing duo. They write silly banter amongst the friends that made me laugh and smile, and their characters are charmers. I loved each of them for different reasons, and as one of my good friends said, I’d love to see a follow-up for this friend group. There’s more story to tell here!
Millie is guarded, and it is understandable due to a tremendous loss in her life. Will she ever be able to let herself go and open up? Reid has a sensitive side that I found really alluring, and with that comes some hurt when he feels manipulated by the group. Will he be able to forgive? So many great dynamics, so much true friendship, so much love. If you are like me, and not the typical romance reader, don’t be thrown by the genre or the title. My Favorite Half-Night Stand is a stunning, witty story about friendship and letting yourself go to fall in love.
Thanks to Gallery Books for the complimentary ARC. All opinions are my own.
It’s 1863, and the American Civil War is occurring, while Havana is under Spanish rule as a colony and a hotbe4 stars to Harbor of Spies! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
It’s 1863, and the American Civil War is occurring, while Havana is under Spanish rule as a colony and a hotbed of possible espionage. The main character, Everett Townsend, is a young ship captain given orders to direct a blockade-running schooner out of Havana.
Several events occur while Townsend is involved in the war, and one, where he helps a mysterious man from the sea, lands him in a Spanish prison. Through those prison connections, he is hooked into the seedier side of Havana with spies and slave traders.
It all circles back around to the mysterious man. Why have they crossed paths? And what will become of Townsend when he chooses to become a spy for the North?
Colonial Havana comes to life in this novel. Rich in wealth from sugar plantations, Havana was in its heyday. The author describes the setting and time with vibrancy. Townsend is a complex main character who is easy to like, and the book takes on an adventurous feel. Overall, I was fascinated and mesmerized with all I learned in this entertaining and well-written historical novel.
Thank you to Get Red PR and the author for the invitation to read and review Harbor of Spies.
Schmuck the Buck is a beautifully and colorfully illustrated satire of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.
Larry is this special reindeer’s real name, andSchmuck the Buck is a beautifully and colorfully illustrated satire of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.
Larry is this special reindeer’s real name, and Schmuck is a nickname. He is a Jewish reindeer and bullied for being different (and rare- his family comprises the only Jewish reindeer at the North Pole).
Like Rudolph, Larry earns acceptance when he saves Christmas. This is a fun, quick read about fitting in, geared towards adults because it’s a satire.
Thanks to the author for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own....more
5 emotional stars to When Breath Becomes Air! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
When Breath Becomes Air has been on my shelf since I first bought it from Book of the Mon5 emotional stars to When Breath Becomes Air! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
When Breath Becomes Air has been on my shelf since I first bought it from Book of the Month over two years ago. I was waiting for the right time, and that never seemed to come. Timing is important for a read like this, and we all have our connections to books or topics that we feel might contribute to poor timing…If Beth hadn’t had this on her reading list for November and offered a buddy read, I don’t know if I ever would have picked it up. Even though I desperately wanted to read it, I was scared.
What happened to Paul Kalanithi could happen to any one of us. A young life full of promise with some uncomfortable symptoms he explained away as stress and body ailments that would come along with one of the most physical and mentally draining times of his life, his last year of residency in neurosurgery.
Kalanithi chronicles his early life, the role of his parents in his education, his siblings, his time in college- what he studied and why. He shares many philosophical thinkings he has had and how they contribute to the path he chose. He comes to a fork in the road where he has to choose between being a writer and being a doctor, and he chooses the latter. Why? Not for the fortune and fame because of all the sacrifice it would take to get there; instead, it was a calling for him.
Documenting the years of his training, including his residency, and up through his diagnosis to the birth of his daughter, and then his last documented days, I have to say I cried in the beginning, and I cried while reading the last 60 pages. Once Kalanithi knew he was rapidly declining, I could not stop my tears. Then, when his story ends, and his wife, Lucy, completes it, I continued to weep. Paul Kalanithi’s had worked hard to accomplish so many things, and it was all cut devastatingly short. He had a tenderness in his love for his wife, his daughter, his parents and brothers, his friends, but also in how he approached every human he encountered. He never disconnected from the human connection, that each patient was someone’s biggest love.
Even though this book ripped me apart, and yes, it made me cry, I’m grateful that I know, and can be inspired by, Paul Kalanithi’s heart.
Thank you to Beth for another wonderful buddy read. So far we are two for two with emotional reads!
4 intriguing stars to Long Road to Mercy! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
It’s a shiny new series from David Baldacci with a fierce female main character!
Meet Atlee Pine4 intriguing stars to Long Road to Mercy! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
It’s a shiny new series from David Baldacci with a fierce female main character!
Meet Atlee Pine. She’s a tall, muscular, no nonsense FBI special agent, and she’s assigned to the most remote areas of the west.
What inspired her to join the FBI? Her twin sister was abducted by a serial killer, but not before assaulting Atlee, and her life mission has become putting offenders behind bars. Atlee is a top profiler with the agency, and she keeps to herself working on lone missions in her vast assigned territory.
Her current mission: investigating a missing person from the Grand Canyon. This is not the only person missing from the area, so one could could lead to another for Atlee as she profiles the crime. Startlingly, she is told not to investigate further by her superiors, but she does not not heed their orders.
Atlee as a character is well-drawn. I have a sense of her as if she is a real person. I admired her morals and assertiveness. There’s also something soft and vulnerable about her balanced with a hard, strong exterior. She’s going to do what’s right regardless of what anyone else thinks.
I found Long Road to Mercy to be gripping and intense. It stars strong and never lets go of the pull. The pacing is on point, and I was entertained from start to finish. I’m really excited for the next installment because I have to see what Atlee is up to. I think she has quite a story to share with us.
Thank you to Grand Central Publishing for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
Jennifer ~ TarHeelReader
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