Last month I shared a backlist book, April and Oliver, by author Tess Callahan. Continuing that dramatic and intensely emotional story with her newestLast month I shared a backlist book, April and Oliver, by author Tess Callahan. Continuing that dramatic and intensely emotional story with her newest book, Dawn Land, we now have a shiny new book about April and Oliver.
Oliver is April’s brother-in-law, and along with their families, they are in Cape Cod, visiting a pristine beach called Dawnland. April and Oliver are long settled into their marriages; however, the spark between them is not gone. Not only that, but there are fractures all around them with this family… No one is on the most solid footing. There’s a sense of dread from the very beginning of the story. Will the family survive this week spent together as all their secrets are unearthed?
As with April and Oliver, the writing is beautiful here. Tess Callahan’s characters feel complex and authentic. It’s a solid exploration of family secrets. It’s also about all the different kinds of love, but most of all, love and loyalty for family. Most of all, it feels relatable and like real life, which are always my favorite kinds of stories.
Quick thoughts: Everyone on Goodreads has been loving this book, and I could not wait to pick it up! Unfortunately, I read it in March and missed postQuick thoughts: Everyone on Goodreads has been loving this book, and I could not wait to pick it up! Unfortunately, I read it in March and missed posting my review. I would not want to miss sharing this one!
The synopsis is the perfect lead-in. I’m really tempted to leave it at that. Did Tate Kinsella commit murder? The way Ruth Mancini has layered and fashioned this intricately woven, complex tale, you’ll be kept guessing from beginning to end.
If you are looking for an original and true psychological thriller, don’t miss The Woman on the Ledge! What a ride! This was exactly the type of fresh thriller I enjoy most.
I will read anything Jane Green writes, and I was super excited to spend time with this clever short story.
Lucy is recently divorced, but unlike the I will read anything Jane Green writes, and I was super excited to spend time with this clever short story.
Lucy is recently divorced, but unlike the other divorcees in her circle, she’s not looking to get back into a relationship right away. She finally meets Elle, and they become fast friends. It’s almost too good to be true how close they become. It turns out Elle may not be at all who she seems.
In a mere 44 pages, Jane Green has delivered an all-consuming story full of emotion. Wait until the ending! ...more
Aimie Runyan’s newest historical novel has a fascinating French flair. Have you ever wondered how the Eiffel Tower came to be, this that story throughAimie Runyan’s newest historical novel has a fascinating French flair. Have you ever wondered how the Eiffel Tower came to be, this that story through Claire Eiffel’s eyes. Claire was a real historical figure, and the re-imagining of her life is so compelling.
When her mother passes away, Claire becomes the maternal figure for her siblings. She is also an artist. She helps her dad with his work and continues to make sacrifices throughout her life.
The story goes on to cover her friendship and later marriage to Adolphe. The writing is silky smooth and fully immerses one in this grand story.
Overall, Mademoiselle Eiffel is a beautiful tribute to family and the tower that became a landmark for generations. Another favorite by this author.
Catherine Newman’s We All Want Impossible Things was one of my favorite books of 2023, and just as soon as I saw Sandwich hit @goodreads, with its earCatherine Newman’s We All Want Impossible Things was one of my favorite books of 2023, and just as soon as I saw Sandwich hit @goodreads, with its early blank cover, I added it to my TBR and began stalking its release, and here it is!
How does Catherine Newman pack so much into this slim story? The emotion… the HUMOR… I read this one in a couple of quick sittings and shared many anecdotes with my mom that had her chuckling, too. Life is so much easier when you can find the humor in the mundane, especially when you can laugh at yourself, which Newman conveys so well though the insights of her characters.
Rocky is the star of the novel, and she’s perfectly imperfect. If you’ve ever had a single hot flash, you can understand some of her emotions, and if you’ve ever made a hard choice you may have second guessed for years, you will feel seen by Rocky’s story, too.
The story takes place during a week spent at the beach together, following a family tradition held for years. The same house, the same family members with an addition or two, the same big love, and also the secrets lingering just below the surface.
I’m most grateful for a story of someone meandering through midlife the best she can, with real struggles, lots of emotion, and shifting dynamics; all balanced with characters who have good hearts, who feel like real people, and who make it through, with the help of each other, even when it’s very, very hard.
Sandwich is what I call the perfect read. It has everything I want in a story and delivered every ounce of what I hoped it would be. I sent Catherine Newman a DM while reading and asked if she could please write all the books. ...more
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted book. I also purchased the audiobook, narrated by the author, from @librofm for an exceptional read/listen. Thank you to the publisher for the gifted book. I also purchased the audiobook, narrated by the author, from @librofm for an exceptional read/listen. If you are a fan of audiobooks, I highly suggest the audio.
If you read through that synopsis, you know Brittany Means has had more than her share of trauma and difficulties. Her childhood was filled with truly horrific experiences. It was not easy to read, and I mean that with all sincerity. So tough. So hard. This was Brittany’s early life, and she so bravely shares it for us to witness, and through her sharing we come to find how she heals.
One of the most unique aspects of the sharing is that Brittany relays the complexity of those who hurt her; that they themselves have been hurt, too. Brittany Means’ story of resilience is built from empathy and understanding; it’s one that leaves a mark and one I know will stay with me for a very long time.
Friends with Secrets is a fun thriller with characters, Ainsley and Nikki. Ainsley’s life is picture-perfect. Her husband is a politician, and they haFriends with Secrets is a fun thriller with characters, Ainsley and Nikki. Ainsley’s life is picture-perfect. Her husband is a politician, and they have two beautiful children. But Ainsley is not who she appears, and she worries constantly she will be found out.
Nikki is a stay-at-home mom of four. Her life is very low profile, and she misses the television news job she used to have.
Eventually, Ainsley shares her dark past with Nikki, and they work together to expose someone new in their lives, while also forging a friendship.
Friends with Secrets is described as funny, and it really did make me giggle at times. It’s an unconventional story of friendship and how much more you can get accomplished when you have someone there to rely on. And it’s just more fun with friends, too. Overall, I really enjoyed this journey with Nikki and Ainsley and their well-done story.
I read Becky Chalsen’s Kismet set on Fire Island last summer, and it was super fun to return with a new story.
About Serendipity: “With the nostalgic I read Becky Chalsen’s Kismet set on Fire Island last summer, and it was super fun to return with a new story.
About Serendipity: “With the nostalgic flavor of a stack of sepia-toned Polaroids, and perfect for fans of Emily Henry, Jennifer Weiner, and Ann Brashares, this big-hearted, page-turning story delves deep into a complicated friend group as they navigate one messy yet magical midtwenties summer.”
I loved how the story explores a group of friends. The dynamics always had something going on, and the reader will hear from each friend. Serendipity comes into play because it’s the name of the rental house where the friends will be staying together. Fire Island makes for a spectacular backdrop, especially with the heat of an already hot summer.
Two of the friends have been estranged, and I enjoyed the way this was explored by the author. I also thought it was unique that the friends spent weekends together in the house. There’s some nice nostalgia for times in the past, and hope for the future and healing friendships. Overall, Serendipity is a lovely second chance story of friendship and perfect for your beach bag this summer. A nice airy, lightness countered with some great depth as well.
I love a story with a Gothic manor. I noticed right away that the characterization in The Dreamers is strong. Stella and her three friends, the other I love a story with a Gothic manor. I noticed right away that the characterization in The Dreamers is strong. Stella and her three friends, the other Dreamers, are all so vividly drawn. The Manor gives them experiments to complete, while they also plan their escape. They are also dreaming some really scary stuff about the future at the same time.
The Dreamers in fresh and compelling. A departure for me, which paid off.
Lorrie and Eden are neighbors and best friends that joke about their children marrying one day. Now that their kids are graduating from high school anLorrie and Eden are neighbors and best friends that joke about their children marrying one day. Now that their kids are graduating from high school and dating each other, they are content until Knox comes home covered in scratches. Everything changes that fateful night.
Such a Good Family is a story of how sexual assault affects the victim, but also everyone else, including family members and those of the perpetrator as well. It’s a thought-provoking story with some cringy characters mixed with some valiant ones, and I had a hard time putting this book down. This is a deep, dark book that leaves a mark, and I really enjoyed how captivating and powerful it was.
Everyone is absolutely right about The Wedding People. I could not have loved this book more.
Phoebe, a recently divorced adjunct college professor, haEveryone is absolutely right about The Wedding People. I could not have loved this book more.
Phoebe, a recently divorced adjunct college professor, has arrived at the Cornwall Hotel, a place she’s dreamt of visiting for years. Leaving her entire past life behind, literally walking away, she is struggling hard with her mental health. Upon arriving at the hotel, she discovers it’s been almost entirely booked for a wedding party… She is the lone person not a member. She meets the bride, Lila, and from there forms a friendship and so much more than that.
In The Wedding People, the darkness of mental health struggles is not the focus. Instead, it’s connection. Humor. Growth. Understanding. Love. So much love. There’s so much to love about these characters. This story will make you feel good, but it’s not in a high (only one) note, easy story way, though it’s highly readable and perfectly written. This is a carefully, tenderly drawn story with substance out the wazoo. I’m on a reading roll right now, and this was another favorite for me this year. Phoebe’s insights into marriage and separation made me feel seen, and this story of opening her new chapter gave me a lot of hope for my own.
Please know from the get-go that Aimee Crocker did not have thirteen husbands. She was an heiress, and upon her father’s death inherited such a large Please know from the get-go that Aimee Crocker did not have thirteen husbands. She was an heiress, and upon her father’s death inherited such a large amount of money she could live completely independently and in a manner not typical for women of the late 1800s. I admired how she forged her own path and that she seemed to on her own terms. Her life was scandalous at the time, yes.
Aimee Crocker was a bohemian, a free spirit, and I could not help but admire her. While Aimee faced harsh criticism from society at the time, I admire her ability to not worry about how she was perceived. As conveyed, her life was ultimately her own, and while she may not have found exactly what she was searching for (you have to read to find out!), Aimee was fierce and lived with conviction. I’m grateful her story was highlighted in this way.
A beautiful coffee table book filled with stunning color photos and unique travel inspiration across North America. I’m grateful to have this for refeA beautiful coffee table book filled with stunning color photos and unique travel inspiration across North America. I’m grateful to have this for reference.
Shelby has recently graduated college and parties all the time, not really looking for work. Her parents send her to live with her grandmother, IsabelShelby has recently graduated college and parties all the time, not really looking for work. Her parents send her to live with her grandmother, Isabelle, on Sandy Island. They are to work together making the family home into a bed and breakfast. The only problem is the two tend to not see eye-to-eye.
Southern Discomfort has a fun and interesting premise for the story, and I really enjoyed the perfectly imperfect characters, especially Blossom.
Oh my goodness. Where to start. When I read Stella Fortuna near its release, I knew I would read anything Juliet Grames writes, and I started countingOh my goodness. Where to start. When I read Stella Fortuna near its release, I knew I would read anything Juliet Grames writes, and I started counting down until her next book. Everyone should be talking about this book, and it will definitely be a favorite of mine this year.
Years ago I visited Italy and Sicily, and I learned more about the history of Calabria. The beautiful towns built right into the sides of mountains, it was easy to imagine picturesque Santa Chionia among the towns I was able to see. The sunsets, too. She painted those clearly as well.
Speaking of clear, Juliet Grames’ writing style is clear and offers full immersion in the captivating story. Human remains are found in the small town, just as Francesca has arrived to open a nursery school there. Ultimately, she is tasked with solving the mystery of those bones, which is, at times, quite harrowing.
The town and entire region of Italy springs to life in so many ways. Its history of brigands, the poverty, the roles of women and their mistreatment, and the unbreakable paesa values. Francesca is a strong and solid main character. She’s sharing this story decades after it happened. Some of the townspeople are sketchy, maybe even dangerous, while others are charming and fully complex. You never know exactly who Francesca, typically referred to as “Maestra/teacher,” can trust.
The story involves an entire town, so there are, indeed, lots of character names (in Italian because it’s set in Italy). You’ll notice the author typically clarifies after the name, “Tito, the Wolf,” the priest, the bricklayer, the bar owner, etc. I had no issues keeping everyone straight.
The Lost Boy of Santa Chionia is a story that made me put aside all my other books, so I had no distractions from its multiple layers and captivating plot. Grames is a wordsmith, and I appreciated the vocabulary challenge. A favorite of mine this year, I’m immensely grateful Juliet Grames is on my list of favorite authors.
I have dreamt of a cottage in Cornwall for so long. I love that this book was set on the Cornish coast. Just beautiful and perfect for a unique love sI have dreamt of a cottage in Cornwall for so long. I love that this book was set on the Cornish coast. Just beautiful and perfect for a unique love story.
Listen to this premise: “Six summers to fall in love. One summer to change everything.
Liv and Finn meet six summers ago working in a bar on the rugged Cornish coastline, their futures full of promise. When a night of passion ends in devastating tragedy they are bound together inextricably. But Finn’s life is in LA with his band, and Liv’s is in Cornwall with her family—so they make a promise. Finn will return every year, and if they are single they will spend the summer together.
This summer Liv crosses paths with Tom—a mysterious new arrival in her hometown. As the wildflowers and heather come into bloom, they find themselves falling for one another. For the first time Liv can imagine a world where her heart isn’t broken every autumn. Now Liv must make an impossible choice. And when she discovers the shocking reason that Tom has left home, she’ll need to trust her heart even more . . .”
Paige Toon is a phenomenal author, and I absolutely loved Seven Summers. It’s full of the depth of emotion we expect from Toon. I loved Liv and Finn together, and I had to adjust to Tom, but eventually I loved him, too.
The messaging here of growing and changing - either together or apart; well, it really hit home for me. It’s an emotional read filled with ups and downs, and it’s perfect for summer reading- truly, ideal. Perfectly written and quite the reading escape, I’m so grateful I read Seven Summers and look forward to what’s next by this talented author.
This is my summer of the novella. I so appreciate a complete story in around 200 pages, especially one as well done as The Horse.
Al Ward is a songwritThis is my summer of the novella. I so appreciate a complete story in around 200 pages, especially one as well done as The Horse.
Al Ward is a songwriter and musician, in his 60s, living in a desolate shack near an old mine. He has a simple daily routine, a simple life, but also has quite the story to share. When a horse appears in his life, he doesn’t know if he’s imagining it, or if it’s real… but it begins to consume his days because the horse needs attention and is refusing food and water.
Al’s story dives deep into his past with equal time in his lonely present. As mentioned, this is a shorter, quieter story, but a complete one. Al is a character that will stay with me. It’s also a love letter to Reno in the 1980s.
I especially recommend The Horse for songwriters and musicians or for readers who just absolutely love music because the story is extra memorable in that way.
Jennifer ~ TarHeelReader
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