Maggie

This novel started with an intriguing premise – Charlie, the single mother of Eva, a young adolescent girl who's being bullied at school, decides to take her daughter on an extended road trip that turns into a way of life for several years. A random photo becomes a media post that goes viral and the two of them inadvertently become social influencers, representing brand names and achieving a kind of internet fame. But once Eva is a senior in high school, she begs for a more normal life and the two of them settle down in one place and start putting down roots.

The first part of the novel kept my attention. I was invested in how this mother and daughter were going to adjust to normal everyday life. But then the story takes a turn. Charlie and Eva are out sailing, Charlie takes a nap below deck, and when she comes back up, Eva has disappeared into thin air. This is when, for me, the story, went off the rails. Charlie is suspected of knowing more than she lets on about where Eva is and readers ae also clueless. I won't say more since it's a plot twist that gets more and more convoluted, only that the second half of the novel for me was too over-the-top and unrealistic to really fit with the story I'd been reading.

For me, the most interesting aspect was the mother-daughter relationship, so caring yet fragile, and how the two of them coped with both their new-found fame and then trying to re-build a normal life. I would have liked to see more of that.

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria for providing an ARC to me in exchange for an honest review.

This book takes its time - its pace reflects the slow passage of time in the small Pacific NW town and its inhabitants. It's lovingly written with true empathy for all the characters involved, from the loved ones left behind after the mysterious deaths of two teenage boys to the pregnant teenage girl who stumbles into the village and changes everything. Few books make me cry and this one did twice, so shame on you Joanne Tomkins but thank you for writing such a wonderfully literate, moving story. This is one you won't want to rush through - instead you will miss these wonderfully-drawn characters when you close the book.

A serviceable mystery/police investigation but Donlea's prose is often so ordinary, it distracts me. He labors over ordinary conversations, relating them in painful detail, when that isn't really necessary. I enjoyed this as a good read but it wasn't extraordinary.

picked this up from a mention in a review column and didn't realize it's a YA book. No matter - I enjoyed it and found it inciteful in its handling of interpersonal relationships among the seven (and then six after the murder) teenagers in the mix. Well written and decent mystery - I did guess the culprit and most of the “secrets” early on but I still like it. And I can see Izzy being someone to build a series around as she heads off into the world of college and adulthood.

Once again, we are treated to the talent, wit, and compassion for the human experience that shines through all of Maggie Shipstead's work. I was entranced with her long novel from last year, Great Circle, and saw some echoes of a few ideas from that work in selected stories in this collection. As expected, this book of 10 short stories had some that resonated deeper with me than others, in particular the first one of a love triangle on a dude ranch in Montana. Each story is unique, from such diverse settings as the Olympics to a flight in mid-air to Ireland and Paris and themes that range from regret to parental responsibility to meditations on life and love. Shipstead has a masterful command of language and never fails to challenge me to think long and hard about people's lives outside my experience and offer insights into the human condition.

Some of the actions the wife/mother takes during the novel seemed over the top to me and a few too many coincidences (i.e. subbing for the writing teacher in the prison and encountering someone involved in the attack on her husband) but all in all I enjoyed the story. The inciting incident was very unusual and the weapon of choice will stick with me for a long time. Fast-paced mystery/psychological suspense from a great author who's at the top of her game.

Outstanding, subtle portrayal of a woman undone by a vicious, unprompted, seemingly random violent attack and how it colors her subsequent job as a teacher instructing young adult students in creative writing. Fascinating and perceptive, as Baker weaves together the characters and their motivations and needs into a mesmerizing narrative leading to a harrowing, haunting climax. This is one of the best books I've read this year.

This would have rated a five-star for me except for the ending which left me unsatisfied. But I'd definitely pick up Stewart's books in the future

The characters I love from previous books are back and ths time they're trying to solve the murders of people involved in books - authors, teachers of writing, avid readers. As always, Griffiths prose is smooth and goes down easy and her cast is appealing and well-developed. I thought the mystery behind the deaths was almost secondary to the story of what's happening in these people's lives and the answer kind of came out of nowhere but hey, it was a good read and I was engaged in the narrative so four stars for me.

The action starts in the first chapter and never lets up. Fast-paced and nuanced, with an ending that had me holding my breath. Both the main protagonists have a heartbreaking story to tell

Talk about a suspense thriller which will seriously mess with your head! This one is right up there with the best and marks a talented newcomer to the crowded scene as Julia Bartz debuts with a fast-paced, twist-a-minute debut that throws everything at you. A locked room mystery – check. Mean Girls reboot- check. Haunted house – check. The Final Girl trope – check. Book within a book framing device – check. Mind games galore as five would-be novelists are invited to spend a month at a famous horror writer's mansion in the isolated Adirondacks. The one who completes a full-length novel and wins the competition will be offered a seven-figure publishing deal certain to make their reputation. The only thing they have to do is impress Roza Vallo, their host, and – oh, yes – survive. The pace is frantic, the writing well-done, and the stakes couldn't be higher. It lacked the in-depth characterizations I prefer, but once I got on board for the ride, it was hard to put down and I enjoyed the over-the-top style. This writer made some bold and unpredictable choices and I look forward to her next book.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

A few good hints but a lot is outdated and a lot is fairly obvious stuff.

Ignore the cheesy cover please! think is a good book for writers filled with separate essays on everything from how to write violence, backstory and setting, but also dealing with “feckless pondering” and making a case that more novels should include the workplace in their plots. Short, pithy essays- easy to keep on hand when you've got a few minutes - or devour it in one sitting.

A young couple, Gabe and Pippa, and their two small daughters reboot their life by moving to a cliffside cottage. Unfortunately, their backyard butts up against The Spot, a favorite suicide location. Gabe, a stay-at-home dad, often talks people down who look ready to jump until the day he fails and a woman named Amanda falls to her death. But when it's revealed that Amanda has a connection to the couple, it raises questions that form the backbone of the rest of the story.
This novel is told from both Pippa and Amanda's point of view. I have no problem with multiple narrators but draw the line at a POV character who is deceased and sharing their thoughts from beyond the grave. To me, it's a cheat and I don't buy it. The other problem I had with this book was that no conscientious couple with small children would live in a home where a dangerous drop-off was only steps from their backyard. It's just not logical. And if the real estate agent failed to disclose this, they would sue.

While I quibbled with these holes in logic, I did appreciate the subtle hand with which Hepworth examined mental illness and its effect on not only the individual but those around them. And the short, choppy chapters made this an easy read. It's a fast-paced domestic thriller and Hepworth is a good writer – it's just this one had some red flags for me that took me out of the story so I'm only giving it four stars.

A big thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Don't go into this book expecting it to be a psychological thriller - it's not. It's a nuanced, well-paced story of three adults - Molly, her husband Daniel, and her life-long best friend Liza. While the opening scene ramps up the suspense factor, this is much more of a women's fiction with its emphasis on exploring the nuances of friendship, marriage, and how people change as they move through life. Each of the characters gets a voice and I particularly identified with Liza, first trying to save her friend from what she thinks is a dangerous stranger, and missing the connection to Molly that she counted on in her life. An emotionally-charged novel with complex characters that ring true. Strawser did a good job laying out the dots that she skillfully pulled together for a satisfying ending.

Very relatable characters and a solid plot. I'll be reading more of Chamberlain's novels - she hits the sweet spot between literary and women's fiction that I enjoy the most

What a weird unexpected ending. I had a general uneasy feeling all the way through and that ending was one I didn't see coming. Plenty of suspicious characters surrounding a woman who pretends to be a girl who went missing years ago, which leads to complications galore.

Since this was published in 2018, there's no need to recite the plot. Just to say THIS IS ONE GREAT BOOK! So heartfelt, so nuanced, so well-written with both lyrical passages that break your heart, historical context that helps you understand the 1980's and the AIDS crisis in America, a love letter to the great cities of Chicago and Paris, and a bunch of true-to-life human beings it was my great honor to spend time with. If you never read this, do so now. It sat on my TBR shelf for years - not sure why. But this is my nudge to you to pick it up and fall into its pages. Yes, it's long. Yes, it's dense. Yes, there is a large cast of characters. But it is worth it. A masterpiece.

The Hunter by Jennifer Herrera has an intriguing plot, and I liked the initial build-up of the mystery, as well as the blending of the historical context of Copper Falls with the strange disappearances that happened in the past. However, after a while, there were too many threads to the narrative and my attention began to wander. Between the history of her growing up years, the backstory of her suspension from the NYPD, and her troubled marriage, I kept getting distracted from the central plot. All the diversions slowed the pace which in a novel like this, really kills my enjoyment. I also found some of the dialogue a bit clunky. Not reflective of how real people talk. And I have to say that the resolution left me unsatisfied. Too many loose ends were not explained. This is a debut and all in all, a solid effort. I would definitely read more from the author but I'd hope future efforts are more honed and tight when it comes to the narrative through-line.

My thanks to Net Galley and G.P. Putnam for furnishing me with an Advanced Reader Copy for review.

Kept my attention and read it in two days. Fast paced, realistic situations. Nothing too deep or unexpected but a good solid read.

3 stars and that's being generous. Dull dialogue that adds little to the story, a weak underwhelming plot. Very disappointed in this one as Defending Jacob was a favorite.

Woman on Fire by Lisa Barr is an exhilarating thrill-ride of a novel, one that will keep you turning the pages long into the night as you're sucked into this complex story of Nazi-looted art masterpieces, the dark web, unresolved jealousies and long-standing feuds, some dating back decades, some fresh on the page. Jules Roth, our hero, is an ambitious young reporter helping track down the theft of Ernst Engel's last painting, a stunning portrait of a beautiful woman who died during the second world war. Another woman, scheming, take-no-prisoners Margaux de Laurent is after the painting as well, for reasons both personal and financial. Add in Adam, the talented painter who left Margaux to reclaim his life and has fallen for Jules, his grandfather Ellis Baum, world-renowned shoe designer with ties to the woman in the portrait, and Dan, investigative journalist and Jules' mentor, and you've got a complex set of characters both fascinating and flawed. This twisty tale of international intrigue, heart-rending betrayal, and epic courage in the face of certain danger will capture both your heart and mind and won't let go until the harrowing end.

My thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Caroline works in Chicago for her aunt Risa at a world-renowned textile company and her teenage daughter Lee is on the path to earn a business degree and eventually take over the family business. All that changes when Caroline learns her deceased mother's beloved Lily Garden, located in the small New England town of Lake Summers, is set to be destroyed in the next few weeks to make room for an expansion to the community's library. Caroline impulsively decides to save her mother's legacy and proceeds to turn her planned mother-daughter summer trip to tour colleges into a longer sojourn in the quaint idyllic spot she left at age twelve after her parents died.

This sets the stage for a touching reunion with her mother's best friend and her own surrogate mother figure Maxine and her boys Jackie and Ben, and also with a potential love interest, Aaron, a new history professor at the nearby college who is carrying secrets of his own and looking for a fresh start.

As in her two previous books, Josselsohn weaves a seamless tale of family drama with just a hint of romance, placing her squarely in the women's fiction genre with its themes of second chances, new beginnings, character growth, and family secrets. She weaves it all together in an uplifting, heartfelt way, leaving the reader longing to find a Lake Summers of their own with its concerts on the square, ice cream parlors, and historical sites. This is an idyllic summer story sure to melt the heart of the most cynical urban dweller.

If you're looking for a summer read that not only delivers a well-paced story but also deeper reflections on what constitutes a good life, the forks in the road we all encounter, and the unbreakable bonds between mothers and daughters, this is the book for you.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Bluebell Girls by Barbara Josselsohn brings us the story of three generations of women and one summer that will change each of their lives. Jenna needs to reboot her life after the breakup of her marriage so when her mother Sweet suffers a serious fall, she packs a suitcase, and together with her teenage daughter Sophie, retreats to her childhood home of Lake Summers to care for her. But it isn't only the fall that is bothering Sweet. She's also having memory issues, reliving events from her past which may or may not be true. Through touching passages, the author weaves together all three women's stories in an intelligent and heartfelt way as we delve into the family's history, complete with buried secrets, as well as events in the current day which will bond them together in ways they never imagined. Extra points for a believable romance with the first boy Jenna ever kissed who still lives in the town and the underlying message that yes, it's possible to begin life again in a new and more authentic way. As in her first Lake Summers' book, The Lilac House, Josselsohn's writing style is lyrical, intelligent, and touching and her small-town setting is a place I'd dearly love to visit.

My thanks to the author for providing me with an early reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

If you're a fan of Stars Hollow and wish Lorelei and Rory were real people, you'll love this heartwarming and reflective story of a mother starting her life over after the death of her politician husband - initially she believes returning to their summer home in upstate NY will help her heal but soon she's engulfed not only in memories of summers gone by but current challenges involving her aunt's ballet studio, her school-age children and their issues, but also her growing attraction to an enigmatic man who's job it is to help local merchants but who is also hiding a secret from his past that he's unwilling to disclose.