Darlene

Wow, Kristin Hannah has done it again for me. I thought no novel could affect me the way The Nightingale did, but I was wrong. This book is so well-crafted and utterly heart-wrenching. The story line went in a direction I did not anticipate at the start of the novel, in a good way. I thought the plot would be more about the two sisters, Meredith and Nina, who have been damaged by their mother's lack of affection. When they lose their beloved father, they are brought together to fulfill his dying wish for them to hear their mother's Russian fairy tale, which turns into an epic story of their mother's life in Russia during the reign of Joseph Stalin and World War II. Through the telling of Anya's story, the three women learn who each of them really is and who they are as a family.

I absolutely loved this book. Once I got to the middle of the book, I could not put it down. Anya's story of her years in Russia kept me captivated. For the last 100 pages, I was emotionally invested in the outcome. I will admit a few tears were shed during this reading. I would highly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a family saga mixed with engaging historical fiction. Five star read!

What would you do if you saw a child being abused? In this novel, Frey's main character Sarah is faced with this question. Her response is to take the child, a beautiful five-year-old named Emma, and run. The girl's overwhelmed, impatient mother Amy is left wondering if she even wants her daughter to return.

I found this book very intriguing. It made me question my ideas of right and wrong. I would never have thought I would feel empathy toward a kidnapper, but I did while reading this book. I could understand Sarah's motives for wanting to take this beautiful, sweet child away from her horrible family situation. I found myself actually rooting for her. On the flip side, I had very little sympathy for the mother, Amy. While Frey lets the reader see a bit of why Amy is so overwhelmed and unhappy, she does not allow any of Amy's experiences to justify her behavior toward her daughter.

The book is very easy to read. The narration alternates from one woman's perspective to the other's and jumps around in time, but it is never hard to follow. I found it hard to put down because I wanted to know what would happen to the main characters.

The only thing I did not like in the book was one unbelievable and, in my opinion, unnecessary story line connected to Amy's past. I did not find it added anything to the overall plot or character development.

Overall, I think this novel is well-written and highly engaging. I am interested to see what Frey produces next.

I really wanted to love this book because so many readers that I respect loved this book. However, it fell flat for me. I just couldn't deal with the unimaginative characters and predictable plot “twists.” In this “thriller,” Grace and Jack present the perfect couple to Jack's friends and coworkers, but after reading the blurb, the reader knows to expect that image to be fake. Almost immediately, the reader learns the horrible truth about the marriage. From there, the plot moves back and forth from the present to the past to unfold Grace's nightmarish reality.

I found the plot to be engaging but not very suspenseful. I enjoyed reading the book, but I can't say I would want to read it again or really recommend it to someone else. The characters were too one-dimensional for my liking, especially Jack. If he had some complexity to his character, I might have enjoyed the story more. I also found Grace naive, especially when reading the events surrounding the wedding. I just kept thinking, “How can she be so blind and accepting?”

In the end, I felt like the action was fun to follow at some points, but the flaws in character and the lack of interesting plot twists just didn't do it for me.

I hadn't read a Jodi Picoult novel in quite a while, and I am very happy to have entered the world of her prose again. Her writing style is so engaging and easy to read. Every time I had to put the book down, I found myself upset to be leaving the story and excited for when I could return to it. Though I would have preferred a little less detail about beekeeping, I love this story and consider it a new favorite.

The story is about a mother, a son, and the girl the son loves. Olivia is a beekeeper who has raised her son, Asher, on her own. Asher falls in love with a new girl in town, Lily. When Lily dies and Asher is accused of her murder, Olivia takes action to defend him. However, she starts to question how much she knows about her son and whether he has inherited his father's temper.

The plot of this book is masterfully constructed, providing just enough details in each chapter to maintain suspense about what really happened to Lily. The chapters alternate between the perspectives of Olivia and Lily and provide dual timelines that reveal both the events leading up to the day of Lily's death and the events in the aftermath. There is a twist that is revealed once Lily's trial begins that is a bit shocking and changes how the reader views certain scenes already read. I found myself looking back to previous chapters to find the hints I missed.

Picoult and Boylan do an excellent job of developing the characters of Olivia and Lily. The reader gains insight into the feelings and motivations of each character and can understand the actions they take as result. I love when writers can make me feel connected and sympathetic to both characters even though there is conflict surrounding them.

While I enjoy most aspects of this novel, I do find the many details about beekeeping to be distracting at times. Sometimes, it enhances the main plot, but others it just takes the reader out of the main plotline. It is all interesting, yes, but it is a bit too much. I also find a reveal at the end to be a bit cliche, but not so much that it ruins my overall enjoyment of the book.

This book is going to live in my mind for some time. It explores some important topics in a respectful and thought-provoking manner. I would definitely recommend this book to readers who enjoy good storytelling that explores relationships and socially relevant topics.

This novel is an atmospheric tale set on a mysterious, magical island where fourteen years ago a murder and a fire altered the lives and futures of several town members, especially the two main characters Emery and August. This book makes for an immersive, moody read.

August Salt was run out of town 14 years ago as a suspect in the death of Lily Morgan on the night of the orchard fire that nearly destroyed Saoirse Island. His then girlfriend and the victim's best friend, Emery Blackwood, is left behind on the island where she now runs the teashop and is in a complicated relationship with Dutch Boden, who was the fourth member of their group as teenagers. August returns to the island to bury his mother, but his presence opens old wounds and challenges the peace that the residents of the island have fought to establish. He and Emery begin to unravel the mystery of Lily's death, which leads them to discover truths about the community and the island that may be better left buried.

Young excels in this book at creating an autumnal, moody atmosphere that pulls the reader into the setting. While reading, it is easy to believe that you are there on Saoirse Island with the characters. I wish she had actually leaned more into the magical aspects of the setting. For most of the book, the magical element feels peripheral and unnecessary to the story. It becomes more a part of the plotline toward the end of the book, but it really could have been left out and the book would have been a good mystery and romance.

The main characters, Emery and August, are likable enough, but I did not feel invested in their romance. I would like to have seen more chapters from their teenage years to fully develop their relationship. The character development overall in this book could have better for me. There are a lot of secondary characters whose motivations are difficult to fully understand because the reader does not spend enough time with them.

Even though I would have liked some things to be a bit more developed, I did enjoy my reading experience with this novel. I would recommend it to readers who like atmospheric reads set in the autumn with some magical realism elements.

I picked up The Death of Vivek Oji on a whim while shopping, hoping for a good literary fiction read. I definitely lucked out with this choice. The book is both beautiful and heartbreaking. It is incredibly emotional and leaves a lasting impact on the reader. It feels wrong to say I enjoyed it because the characters experience such turmoil and pain. Instead, I'll say I am glad I read it.

As the story begins, Kavita Oji discovers the body of her son Vivek on her doorstep. People in her life try to tell her that the death was an accident, but she needs answers to be able to move on. She believes Vivek's cousin Osita and friends are hiding secrets from her. Osita is the closest friend Vivek has, and their relationship is developed through flashbacks throughout the book.

One of the most heart wrenching lines in the book are Vivek's statement: “If nobody sees you, are you still there?” Vivek is different

Celeste Ng is gifted at creating gripping family dramas. I read Little Fires Everywhere first and absolutely loved it. Everything I Never Told You started a bit slow for me, but for second 2/3 of the book I was fully invested in the characters and their story. The Lee family is thrown off balance when 16 year old Lydia Lee is found dead in the lake near their home. Lydia was the perfect daughter, adored by both of her parents. However, it becomes clear that her family did not really understand her. Her death forces the remaining family members to evaluate their relationships and to reconsider their supposed happiness.

Ng's greatest skill is in her character development. Her characters are complex and dynamic; they stick with you after reading. The way she reveals their thoughts and feelings allows the reader to develop empathy for the characters. Her characters seem so real. The issues they struggle with are universal. In this book in particular, the characters deal with issues of identity, loneliness, sexuality, fidelity, gender roles, and more. Ng weaves these topics together so well that it never seems like too much.

I especially enjoyed the character of Hannah in this book. Hannah is the third and final child, and she is often forgotten. She is not the firstborn son or the perfect daughter. She lives in the shadow of her siblings. I was often frustrated by how her family ignored her. Their lack of attention, though, allowed her to be the most observant of the family members. She understood the other people in a way that the other characters couldn't because she watched everything closely. No one noticed her observing them. She ends up being a binding force for her family in the end.

If you enjoy a stories about families and their struggles with difficulties of life, you will like this book. I am rating it 4.5 stars. The only reason it is not a 5 star read for me is that I struggled with the pacing in the beginning. Other than that, this is great book.

Diane Chamberlain's latest historical fiction novel The Last House on the Street is a definite five star for me. In this book, she tells the stories of Kayla and Ellie, two women in different timelines who are each battling some personal issues and trying to figure out their futures. Each storyline is full of drama and completely engaging. They eventually connect together for a very dramatic finish.

In the present day, Kayla Carter is moving into the home she and her husband built for their family. Unfortunately, her husband died in an accident during the building of the house. When a mysterious elderly woman warns her not to move into the house and strange things start to happen at the house, Kayla begins to doubt her decision to live there. In the timeline set in the past, Ellie Hockley joins the SCOPE project and spends a few summer weeks trying to help register members of the black community to vote. Her family, friends, and community are all opposed to her work and trouble ensues for her and the other members of the project. The connection between the two timelines becomes clear as the story progresses.

The storyline in the 1960's is both inspiring and upsetting. Ellie's desire to stand up for what she believes in even when no one in her life supports her is admirable. The book does a good job of providing information about this very important civil rights project. The references to the Klan and its operations are disturbing, but they are important reminders of the adversity faced by people trying to make positive change during that time period. The reader should be prepared for many emotionally charged moments in the story.

Everything about this book is done well. The characters are well-developed with both likeable and unlikable traits. While there are some stereotypes in the book, they seem necessary to make the points the author is trying to make. The pacing is just right with enough development of both characters and plot without making it drag. Overall, I really have no complaints.

I would highly recommend this book to fans of historical fiction and dual timelines. It will not disappoint.

Unfortunately, this book is a flop for me. I enjoyed The Woman in the Library by this author, but this book is so convoluted and chaotic that I found myself frustrated while reading it, especially in the last 25% of the book.

The book centers on Theo, a budding author, who becomes entangled in a murder investigation when she discovers Dan, her writer friend and lover, dead in his home. As the synopsis tells us, Theo ends up being forced to flee when the investigation focuses on her and her brother, Gus.

To start with, the synopsis on the book gives away the first 75% of the story. The book spends a large amount of time setting up the murders and the investigation and then rushes through the events involving Theo's disappearance and Gus's search for her. Then, once she disappears, the story rushes to a conclusion by skipping years of time. It felt very chaotic and undeveloped.

Theo as a main character is frustrating, also. She is so naïve and reckless even though she knows she needs to be careful. She never follows the sensible advice of her brother and friends. She constantly puts herself and others in danger.

There is honestly just too much going on in this plot. We encounter murders, conspiracy theories, doomsday preppers, communes, evil corporations, and crazy fans. It is all too distracting, and much of it is unnecessary. I just couldn't figure out what story the author is trying to tell.

The one positive thing I found in this book is the relationships between Theo and Gus and between Gus and his friend Mac. Gentill is actually quite good at building these relationships. I wish she had kept the focus on them instead of the plot events in the end.

This book is just not it for me. I hate to give low ratings, but I ended this reading experience feeling annoyed. I will not be recommending this book.

Thank you to Netgalley and Poisoned Pen for providing me an advanced review copy of this book.

This was a quick, sweet Christmas read. Was it groundbreaking and original? No. Was it fun to read? Yes. It was predictable like most Hallmark movies, but I did not mind at all. It was Christmas time as I read it, so it gave me all the requisite feel-good vibes. This author delivered exactly what was intended: a charming, heartwarming story of love and healing at Christmas time. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a fast, enjoyable read to put them in the holiday spirit.

I was looking forward to a new Christina Lauren book and was very excited to start reading. Unfortunately, if I'm honest, I was not loving it at the start. I find the premise of the book to be a bit far-fetched and the characters to be a bit too stereotyped. However, I am glad I stuck with it. In spite of the things I do not love, I ended up enjoying it overall. The romance is sweet and fun, and I really fell in love with the male lead. The female lead grew on me despite my distaste for her originally. Ultimately, my feelings are still mixed but I can admit I had a good time reading it.

The storyline follows Anna Green and Liam Weston, who married in college in order to live in family housing. It was a marriage of convenience that never actually ended even though they have not seen each other in years. Suddenly, Liam shows up at Anna's front door with a proposition involving life-changing money in exchange for attending a family wedding with him and pretending they have a real marriage so that he can receive an inheritance. As one can image, this does not go smoothly.

There are a lot of unlikeable characters in this book, specifically Liam's wealthy family. Their extreme privilege and snobbery are difficult to stomach. In contrast, Anna is unconventional and artistic. The reader is supposed to love Anna, but I found it very hard to relate to her. In fact, I could not relate to any of the characters in the book. This is not usually a problem for me, but when I also do not really like any of them, it is hard to root for any of them.

That being said, I did end up invested in Anna and Liam's relationship. When they are not interacting with the horrible Weston family, they are honest and kind with each other. Their romance develops organically through their forced proximity. They have fun and laugh together, which I find very endearing.

So, overall I'd say my feelings on this one are middle of the road. I do not love the set up of the plot or most of the characters, but I do love Anna and Liam's romance. I would tentatively recommend this to the right reader.

This book is the third in the Department Q series. This series revolves around a detective, Carl Morck, who works on cold cases. In this book, a message in bottle makes it way to Carl's desk. The message is very damaged, and the team must work out what it says because it is clear that it is a cry for help. This message leads Carl and his ragtag team on a quest to find a killer.

The members of Department Q are a quirky bunch. Carl is dealing with trauma from a shooting in which he was involved. In this installment of the series, he discovers something upsetting connected to that incident. Carl's attitude can be a bit frustrating sometimes, but his crankiness makes for some humorous moments. His two assistants, Assad and Rose, have their own strange traits as well. Assad has something in his past that seems suspicious, but he is a very entertaining character. His language barrier makes for some funny misunderstandings. He is quite loyal to Carl, which is admirable since Carl is not very kind to him most of the time. Rose is her own form of weird, but she is important to the success of the investigative team.

The plot of this book in the series is my least favorite so far. The main crimes in the book are odd and strangely motivated. The criminal has serious issues with religion and faith. The chapters dealing with his history and his motivations are tedious to read. There is too much detail for me. The book is over 500 pages, but I do not feel it needs to be. That being said, I did enjoy most of the book. I enjoyed all of the chapters that focused on Department Q because I find their personalities and relationships interesting.

This is definitely a 3 star book. I like it, but it is not the best in the series. If it were shorter with a little less focus on some of the more tedious characters and details, it would be much better.

This was my first Jo Nesbo book, and I am undecided if I want to read any more of his work. On one hand, I like the dark style and many of the characters. On the other hand, I find his writing unnecessarily complicated.

At the start of the book, I thought I was going to really enjoy it. I did enjoy several aspects of it. I like the character of Harry Hole. He is just damaged and complex enough to make him interesting. I also like a lot of the minor characters. Nesbo is good at creating well-developed characters. I also enjoyed the plot at first. The mystery of the Snowman killer was fascinating. I was highly engaged, but found myself eventually frustrated by the twists and turns of the case. By the third time they thought they had caught the killer, only to find out they were wrong, I began to lose interest. It was overly complicated. The story did not have to be as long as it was, in my opinion.

I gave the book 3 stars because there were many things I did like about it. It is not a bad read, just a frustrating one at times.

I love a good crime thriller, and this one fits the bill quite well. The characters are complex and interesting, the crimes being investigated are engaging, and the ending is satisfying. This is a good addition to the Department W series.

The plot of this book is hard to summarize because there are so many things going on. In the chapters set in the past, the story focuses on Nete Hermansen and the abuse she received as a teenager at the hands of several individuals. The chapters set in the present timeline focus on Carl Morck's investigation of a series of disappearance in 1987. The two storylines become linked when it is discovered that all of the missing people have a connection to Nete.

I found the pacing of the book to be good at most times. There are some areas that it drags a bit, but those parts do not take up too much of the book. The pacing definitely picks up in the last 200 pages or so of the book when there is more action happening in both timelines.

One thing I wish were different about the book is the plotline revolving about Carl's old case in which he and his partner were injured. I know that this case comes up in every Department Q book, but it feels really disconnected from the rest of the storyline in this case. I found it distracting and unnecessary.

Overall, this is a good crime fiction. The investigation is detailed and engaging. The investigators have complex emotions and reactions that keep it interesting. There is even a good bit of humor sprinkled throughout, even though much of the content is dark.

This book reminds me why I have always loved a good crime fiction novel. It is my first time reading Krueger, but it won't be my last. This book introduced me to Cork O'Conner, past sheriff of small town Aurora, Minnesota, and now I am excited to read more books about him.

The setting of Aurora, Minnesota and the Iron Range adds atmosphere to the story. It takes place in December, and the area is blanketed with snow and ice. The frosty scenery is both beautiful and threatening, and I love it. I enjoyed all the references to the Native American reservation and the people living on the land. The author injects a lot of Native American folklore and legend into the story, which creates a bit of magical realism that is mystifying. I love the references to the Windigo and the mystery they added to the plot.

The best part of the book is the characters. Cork is damaged and rough around the edges, but he is also a good father and a devoted friend. He does not back down in the face of adversity or danger, which makes for a great central character in a crime fiction book. The author provides just enough insight into his personality without overdoing it. The Native American characters are also well developed and interesting. I especially enjoyed how they are used to share the Native American lore. They are portrayed with a lot of compassion and understanding.

I am glad I found this book and this series. I plan to read more of this series and more by this author.

“A love story can be described, but it's truly known to only two people. They share the first accidental brush of fingertips, every sigh and private joke. They dance to the same music in their hearts for a lifetime.”

This book is at its core a love story. It depicts love of many kinds - love between man and woman, love between parent and child, love between friends. Some of the love in this book is not healthy or fulfilling, but there are enough examples of love that is uplifting and enduring to leave the reader with hope.

Ronni, a nurse working at an assisted living facility in Alabama, forms a bond with Violet, an elderly woman with a rich life story full of romance and heartbreak. When Violet dies, she leaves Ronni a large sum of money in her will with the stipulation that Ronni must write a book about Violet's life story. Through the process of writing this book, Ronni learns a lot about both Violet and herself and confronts some of her own demons.

The book is written in dual timelines with two perspectives, Ronni's and Violet's. Ronni's chapters take place in the present and focus on her journey writing Violet's story. Violet's chapters chronicle her life and loves starting in the late 1940s through her death right before the novel begins. Violet is a vivacious woman who loves and is loved by many men. Her chapters focus most on her romances. The two perspectives are easy to follow. Personally, I found Violet's story more interesting to read, but that is likely because her life was filled with drama. I did enjoy watching Ronni's story unfold too, though. She experiences growth in her character that I found satisfying.

There are some aspects of the plot that I found to be a little too contrived, so that lowered my rating. Violet's character also seems a bit overdone at times. Ronni is a more realistic character. I found the twist about a character at the end of the book interesting but a little unnecessary.

Overall, I am happy to have read this book. It was engaging and full of interesting characters. There is a theme of enduring love that is endearing. I recommend this book to readers who like a mix of romance and family drama.

As a huge fan of Kristin's Hannah's more recent novels, I decided to read this one from her backlist. While I did not love this as much as some others, it was a good book. This story involves several serious topics woven together in one tragic tale. It is a very emotional book.

The storyline centers around one young woman and the family of her best friend. Lexi has had a difficult childhood in foster care. Luckily, she is taken in by her aunt when is fourteen, and she befriends a shy girl named Mia. They become best friends, and Mia's family “adopts” Lexi as one of their own. Lexi then forms a relationship with Mia's twin brother, Zach, which further connects her to the family. However, when a error in judgment leads to an accident that impacts their lives forever, the bonds between Lexi and Mia's family are shattered. The story takes the reader on a journey that will reveal whether those bonds of love can be reformed.

The story is told from two perspectives, Lexi's and Jude's. Jude is Mia's and Zach's mother, and she is overprotective of her children. Her chapters reveal a woman who loves her family intensely, but seeks to control them and her surroundings. That control is fragile, and she struggles when cracks begin to form. Lexi's presence in their lives threatens some of Jude's control. Lexi's chapters reveal a young woman seeking acceptance and love. She has a strong sense of morals and fairness, which leads her to make some faulty choices to “protect” others.

At times, the plot feels a bit overdone. There are so many serious topics pulled into the storyline. I was able to predict where certain parts of the storyline were headed because of the use of these common topics. It is like I had read the story before. Even so, it affected me. I pulled at my heartstrings many times.

Overall, the book is good, and I enjoyed reading it. Is it groundbreaking and original? No. Will it suck you in and make you cry? Yes. I would recommend it to fans of Kristin Hannah. Just don't expect it to be like her recent historical fictions books.

Beautiful, magical, whimsical, fantastical...Words to describe The Night Circus! I love this book! The reading experience was one of the best I've had in a while. The narrative style and the choice of language is perfection!

First and foremost, the world of this book is absolutely beautiful. Morgenstern does an amazing job of bringing this night circus to life so vividly. I enjoyed envisioning the sights and sounds. I wish I could attend this circus!

The word choice is spot on. It is so well-crafted and lyrical. I just lost myself in the words. And the fact that the audiobook is narrated by Jim Dale is absolutely perfect. His voice is a perfect complement to the author's language.

The characters in this story are all fascinating and well-developed. Even minor characters come to life so vividly. Celia and Marco's love affair is as magical as they are.

I feel like my review does not do this book justice. Do yourself a favor, and read it.

I love when I find a well-written historical fiction novel that introduces me to a topic I have not learned about previously. Take My Hand by Dolen Perkins-Valdez has left a lasting impact on me. I was educated, outraged, saddened, and inspired during my reading experience.

The events in the novel are loosely based on a real incident in the 1970s, and after finishing the novel, I immediately wanted to know more and to discuss the events with others. In the book, Civil Townsend, a nurse at the family planning clinic in Montgomery, Alabama, is assigned to give birth control shots to two young black girls aged 11 and 13. Erica and India Williams live in extreme poverty and are given birth control shots by the government to keep them from getting pregnant. Civil is bothered by this because the girls are so young and not sexually active. When she discovers that the shot is not approved by the FDA and may cause cancer, she stops giving them the shots. Even though she tries to stop the damage done to these girls, events beyond her control lead to a deplorable and irreversible action committed against them. Civil then attempts to right the wrongs for which she feels responsible.

While the plot of the book is engaging and tells an important story, it is the characters that make a lasting impact on the reader. All the main characters are fully developed in such a way that the reader can connect with them and feel deeply affected by their struggles. Civil's love for the Williams family and her turmoil over her contribution to their pain is vividly portrayed. I cared for those young girls right along side Civil, and I deeply despised the individuals who caused those beloved characters pain. I do not believe I will be forgetting any of these characters any time soon, if ever.

The themes in this novel are so important. Topics such as racism, government control, civil rights, responsibility, redemption, and accountability are explored. The book does not shy away from uncomfortable realities. Through the character of Civil, the author explores the inner turmoil that results from decisions we make and how we must face the consequences of those decisions. Civil grows into a more self-aware individual as a result of her experience.

I would recommend this book to most readers, but especially those who enjoy historical fiction that deals with civil rights and centers female characters and issues. It will likely be one of my top books read in 2024!

“Light is only possible through dialogue between cultures, not through rejection of one or the other.”

James McBride has created a beautifully-written story about people of different cultures coming together to save the future of a 12 year old deaf boy. McBride creates a vivid portrait of a diverse community in 1936 Pennsylvania. While the plot of saving the young boy is ever present, this book is more a character study of individuals from different backgrounds and how those individuals fit or do not fit in the America of the 1930s.

The main plot involves a 12 year old deaf boy who has been orphaned. The state of Pennsylvania wants to put him in a mental institution, even though he is not mentally disabled. Members of the Pottstown community, both Jewish and African-American, conspire together to hide the boy, Dodo, from the state authorities. The book has many other small side plots that create a portrait of the lives of the different individuals of Pottstown.

Some readers will find the pacing of this book to be too slow, but I thoroughly enjoyed the time the author takes to reveal the personalities and background of the many characters in Pottstown. The narration often meanders away from the main plot and main characters, which allows the reader to get a complete picture of the community. The many characters and their stories do not distract from the main plot; they enhance it.

The social commentary in this book centers around race, religion, and acceptance. McBride makes many salient points about these topics that stick with the reader upon completion of the book. While at times I felt the commentary to be a bit “preachy,” I found that overall the points are relevant and impactful.

I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy character-driven narratives with strong, universally relevant themes. It is truly worth the time to savor it.

This is my first Kazuo Ishiguro book, but it probably will not be my last. The writing is exceptional, and the topics and themes explored are thought provoking and relevant. This dystopian fiction definitely left me feeling uncomfortable and questioning some of societies ideas, which is exactly what good dystopian literature should do.

The story is told from the perspective of Kathy, who grew up in a idyllic school with a special group of students. The book hints right from the start at what makes these students special when Kathy references “carers” and “donors,” but it does not fully reveal their situation until later in the book. The students are only partially aware of their purpose because the teachers at the school shelter them from the full truth. When Kathy and her friends leave the school, the full reality of their situation threatens their relationships and their hopes for their futures.

The plot of this book is not action-packed and moves slowly. It is more character-driven, which I enjoy. Witnessing the feelings and revelations that Kathy experiences engulfs the reader into the situation and allows for greater sympathy towards the characters.

The commentary this book provides on society's decisions is still relevant today more than 15 years after its publication. To comment on them here would mean spoiling the book, so I will refrain. Suffice it say, the actions of society in this book are disturbing, yet somewhat understandable. It's definitely a debatable form of progress.

I have always enjoyed dystopian novels, and this one did not disappoint. I would recommend it to any fans of the genre.

Reading this book was such a relaxing, pleasant experience. The writing is so smooth and beautiful, and the storytelling is top notch. This is my first Ann Patchett read, but I feel like it will not be the last.

Lara is the book's main character who tells her three daughters the story of her summer fling with a famous actor, Peter Duke. Her family is stuck on their cherry farm during the Covid pandemic lockdown, so they spend their time picking cherries and telling stories. The daughters are obviously fascinated to learn more about their mother's acting experience and her love affair with Duke. Through her story, Lara reveals some unexpected truths that impact her daughters' opinions of her and their beloved actor.

The story unfolds at a slow, but engaging pace. Patchett takes her time describing people and places in a way that places the reader into the events, yet the story never lags. I kept wanting to continue to the next chapter because the storytelling was so good. It felt like I was one of the daughters listening to the story in the cherry orchard.

While the story Lara tells is about her past relationship with a man, the book is really about her current relationships and how she has reached this point in her life. I enjoyed the dynamic between her and her daughters as well as her relationship with her husband. There are a few moments in the present timeline that connect back to Peter Duke, but the story is not about him.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and give it 4.5 stars. The writing is so easy to read and the pace is perfect. While it does not delve into complex or provocative themes, it does tell a beautiful story. And that is enough.

Wow! This is what a thriller is meant to be. Lisa Jewell has created a deliciously disturbing and intriguing story that will keep the reader enthralled to the end. I know I was!

Alix Summers and Josie Fair meet on the night of their shared 45th birthday. Josie proclaims them “birthday twins” and approaches Alix, a well-known podcaster, with the idea of making a podcast about Josie's life and her plans to change her future. Alix is intrigued by Josie's unconventional relationship with her much older husband. They agree to do the podcast, and Josie spills all the astonishing and disturbing details of her life. But Alix does not realize that Josie is becoming obsessed with her, and she does not notice the impact that Josie is having on her life and family until it may be too late.

Everything about this story works. The characters are interesting and well-developed. No one is truly likable, but some are more dysfunctional than others. Josie Fair appears to be meek and simple, but there are disturbing depths to her character that make for an unpredictable, thrilling narrative. Alix is so enthralled by Josie's story and how she can benefit from it that she does not notice as Josie insinuates herself into Alix's life. The action is paced perfectly. The narrative alternates between Josie and Alix's interactions in real time and excerpts from the podcast and the documentary. The documentary sections add just the right amount of suspense by hinting at events that the reader has not yet witnessed. Though the plot is somewhat predictable, the execution is so good that it does not detract from the success of the book.

Honestly, I just love a dark, twisted, messed up thriller, and that is what you get with this book. I highly recommend it to readers who enjoy this as well.

I have found my new favorite Christina Lauren romance. I have enjoyed almost every book I have read by this author duo, but this one stands out as superior. Both the characters and the plotline are mature and believable, which is refreshing.

This is the story of Fizzy Chen, who we first met in The Soulmate Equation, and Conner Prince III. Fizzy is a romance author who has lost her desire to date and as a result is struggling to write her next novel. Enter Conner Prince III, television producer and single father. Conner needs a leading lady for a new dating reality show, and he believes Fizzy is the perfect choice. The story follows the two before and during the filming of the show as they develop a friendship and try to stifle the obvious attraction they have for each other.

The characters make this book shine for me. It is nice to have two main characters that actually communicate openly and are honest throughout about their expectations and feelings. I am usually frustrated by the miscommunication that often permeates romance novels, but there is none of that in this book. It made my heart so happy to watch these adults behave like adults. They are both relatable and likable, and it was a joy to watch their relationship unfold.

The plot of this romance is not entirely unique, but it is well developed and adds a creative twist to the dating show trope. The DNA dating app introduced in The Soulmate Equation is carried over into this companion novel. The use of romance novel stereotypes is entertaining, with Conner having to cast men who fit the hero types such as “cinnamon role,” “hot nerd,” and “vampire.”

I loved the experience of reading this book and highly recommend it to anyone searching for a romance with adult characters who communicate openly and a fun storyline that keeps you engaged throughout. Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for the advance review copy.

I am finding it hard to write a review of this book because I feel so indifferent about it. I cannot say I particularly like or dislike it. It is just okay.

This book tells the stories of Shelby and Gibson, two individuals who have recently experienced life-changing losses. Shelby has lost her wife who has died, and Gibson is going through a divorce from his wife. Each of them needs something or someone to help them out of their ruts. Enter Cammie, a young, attractive woman who fills a hole in both of their lives. However, she is not what she seems.

The reader is aware from the start that Cammie is a liar. It is made quite obvious that she is manipulating the two main characters. There is no mystery or intrigue in the story. The synopsis basically tells us the entire story up front. For me, it is a bit boring. Nothing shocks or surprises me in the plot.

It is hard to feel sympathy for Shelby and Gibson. They each are using Cammie for their own needs, so it is not surprising that it is so easy for her to manipulate them. As a reader, I found myself frustrated with their inability to see her for who she really is. Neither of them is particularly likeable or relatable for me.

The book is well-written, and there are no issues with the plot or characters. It just hasn't left much of an impression on me. Unfortunately, I would not recommend it.