Maggie

A fairly decent legal thriller but without the twists and turns I was expecting. Anne, and particularly Nick, were characters I had trouble empathizing with and I wasn't a fan of the three separate stories idea.

A lot of reviews here seem to fault this one for not being a psychologically thriller in the vein of women in jeopardy/unreliable narrator so common nowadays. For me, that's what I liked about it - not a racing through the pages plot, beautiful descriptive language, a complex central character. Yes, there wasn't a big twist but I found the writing well done and enjoyed the pace. Different strokes for different folks I guess. Very well written for a debut novel.

Sorry, but this one didn't work for me. I did not buy that Sean would behave the way he did - it seemed totally out of character and far-fetched. I've loved other reads by Paula Daly, but this one veered into soap opera, in my opinion. Every character was over the top and self-centered except the police detectives (I continue to like Joanne - look forward to seeing her in future novels)

This debut novel by Barbara Linn Probst explores a turning point in a woman's life. Elizabeth is a mother, a wife, and an academic who is writing a thesis on Georgia O'Keeffe while teaching undergraduates at a local university. But something is missing. She's always relied on her intellect to succeed, the “bookworm” to her sister Andrea's “pixie”. But she knows that's not all she is. Inspired by O'Keeffe's life, particularly the time she spent with Alfred Stieglitz as his model, muse, and (many believe) willing collaborator, Elizabeth realizes she's been denying her own sexuality. She does not feel truly seen by anyone in her life. A chance meeting with Richard, a charismatic photographer, leads her to take a leap of faith and bare not only her body but her deepest emotions in a series of shots which, without her permission, go public. The aftermath threatens not only her job and her professional reputation but drives a rift between her and her husband Ben. A deftly-executed examination of one woman's struggle to break free of her conventional life and explore the totality of herself, Queen of the Owls is a must-read for book clubs and fans of women's fiction everywhere. Through graceful language and a well-executed plot line, this book explores what it means to reveal not just parts of yourself but to embrace the glory of being wholly and truly seen as a complex, nuanced, and layered human being. I received an ARC of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Who doesn't love a dual timeline story particularly in the hands of a master writer like Patricia Friedrich who seamlessly weaves together the 1996 story of Darcy, a young mother and academic, desperate to complete her dissertation so she can support her 3-year old daughter and her sacrificing parents, or Ana, the fiery Brazilian Modernist painter in the early 1920's, the great grandmother of Darcy's great friend Archie, who suddenly disappears in the midst of a career triumph and whose letters reveal the secret she kept from the world.

As we follow each women's story through not only their triumphs but their sacrifices, we realize the similarities between the challenges each faces, whether it's in personal relationships with the men in their lives or the ups and downs of being a creative artist, whether through painting or writing, in a male-dominated world.

Come for the romance but stay for the intricate and heartfelt examination of what it means to be a woman no matter what time period you're living through.

Thanks to the publisher for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is certainly a fast-paced and intriguing premise - that members of the government, particularly senators, - are secretly approving grant money to funnel to research labs skirting the rules but having unheard of success in fighting cancer. While we'd all like to think we wouldn't succumb to the temptation to save a dying loved one if given the chance, many of us in our hearts know we might. At first, there were way too many characters to keep up with but after a while, I got into the rhythm of the short chapter snippets, the rat-tat-tat-tat of the plot line and found myself drawn in. Can't say the characters ever rise much above surface tropes but if you're looking for a quick read and some thinking about ethical issues involved in cancer research, you' should enjoy this action/mytery/political thriller.

With Christmas right around the corner, it was the perfect time to read Barbara Josselsohn's new holiday release, The Cranberry Inn. It's the perfect blend of women's fiction and romance that will delight fans of her Lake Summers series as well as folks just being introduced to this charming small town that always puts me in mind of The Gilmore Girls' Stars Hollow.

This has all the classic ingredients of a feel-good story of a woman starting her life over. Laurel, single mom to Simon, travels home at the frantic request of her father, ostensibly to help him with the country inn he's running. But when she arrives, he's gone missing. Left alone to keep the inn's doors open and its one guest happy, Laurel reconnects with Joel, her high school crush, and together they discover that it's possible to integrate the past with the present and find happiness in unlikely places.

Love any story that stars Nora but this is disjointed - it jumps all over the place, refers to people by their last name only, like all of us know who she's talking about, seems to skip over a lot (where is Hallie Ephron even mentioned?).

3.5 stars rounded up to 5. I was a bit let down by this book - it's certainly well-researched but I felt it dwelled excessively on Arthur Laurent and the ins and outs of his life and career more than it focused on the movie and its challenges. I enjoyed learning about how both Streisand and Redford approached the narrative, how Pollack struggled to keep all the pieces moving in the right direction, and how Ray Stark fit into the picture but sometimes the data Hofler had gathered about Laurent felt forced into the novel rather than flowing organically. This is one of my favorite romance stories and it was fascinating to hear the behind-the-scenes machinations that went into crucial scenes, lines that were dropped, sub-plots that got left on the cutting room floor. The insight into how a film gets edited and changed during production and even afterwards, makes this an interesting read for cinema buffs but again, I wished more time had been spent on the actual movie than Laurent who lived a fascinating life but ultimately came off as an egotist who harmed more than helped the making of this classic film.

Many thanks to Net Galley for providing me with an Advanced Reader Copy

3.5 stars rounded up to 4. A debut crime novel that started out strong – intriguing characters and a plot centered around Margot Starling, a flamboyant up-and-coming new artist with a flair for the dramatic, who appears to have committed suicide. When our lead character Kate Myles, a former police officer turned private eye, is hired by Margot's father to dig deeper, she becomes enmeshed in figuring out a scheme involving art forgeries, shady gallery dealers, blackmail, and thrown in for good measure, the Russian mob and money laundering. While the first half held my interest, and I found Kate a strong protagonist, the story devolved for me in the last half where Kate seemed to make odd choices in pursuing her investigation and a lot of twists and turns left me scratching my head. I'll give this author points for coming up with a strong premise but for this reader the story veered off in directions that didn't make sense and the plot became too muddled by the end for me to recommend it. My thanks to Net Gallery for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

What a gem of a novel. This sweeping saga of one man's journey from WWII Germany to America, from his family roots as a Jewish citizen in a war-torn country to his training as a Ritchie Boy, a group of young men in the United States tasked with interrogating prisoners on the front line and later serving as military intelligence officers. We see Max and his family struggle as they realize the precariousness of their situation – being Jews in a Nazi state puts them at grave risk and indeed, eventually Max's parents are killed. Everything he was raised to believe is called into question as countrymen betray friends and neighbors and he's forced to make hard choices that challenge his loyalty and his honor.

It's refreshing to read about a hero acting on moral principles, staying true to his code. The meticulous research that went into this novel shows in every line, as we the reader are right there with Max as he experiences challenge after challenge. This may have been written, as the author shares, as a tribute to her beloved father-in-law, but it's a story for the ages.

Highly recommended for its attention to detail but also for the broader picture it paints on a man who faced almost insurmountable odds yet emerged as a true patriot. If you're a fan of historical fiction, a lover of WWII tales, or just someone who enjoys terrific fiction, you won't be disappointed in Max's War.

Freaky Friday premise starts the ball rolling and for a while, it's fun and games for college roommates Mary and Elizabeth as they swap bodies and have some fun. But then the switch turns deadly and Mary winds up having her life ruined by Elizabeth's actions, setting the stage for the revenge tale this becomes in the latter part of the book. While I'm not sure the science was as well-grounded as it might have been, if you can let your imagination run wild and accept the initial premise, this is a wild ride. I'm a fan of revenge plots so this was right up my alley and Jeng did a great job of keeping me guessing.

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

Stockwell revisits the South Carolina neighborhood she explored in her debut, this time focusing on two different women - Triss who's trying to find a way out of her working class background to become an attorney and Everymore, a uncertain bride-to-be, who isn't sure her life is headed in the right direction. The two, plus other members of their mobile-home community, bond together to take down an unscrupulous landlord and in the process, discover truths about their lives and the unwavering bonds of friendship that link them. If your a fan of southern tales and uplifting narratives, this book deserves a place in your library.

The Fallen Woman's Daughter by Michelle Cox is a perfect blend of history, family saga, and poignant personal stories as it weaves together the diverse settings of 1923 Iowa during the Great Depression and pre World War 1932 Chicago. The novel tells the story of Gertie, a headstrong empathetic girl who wants more out of life—adventure, travel, and excitement, but makes poor choices which trap her in a loveless marriage and abject poverty. Eventually her daughters, Nora and Patsy, are taken from her and made wards of the state. The novel follows all three women as they struggle to carve out their own paths while desperately trying to reunite their family unit. It's a touching, heartfelt story that finally offers a glimpse of hope yet accurately portrays how hard life can be for women with little power and agency who must fight against society's norms and prejudices.

Perfect for readers who like delving into personal stories of women finding their way during some of the most tumultuous times in history. These three women, each unique in their own way, will win your heart.

I could have used a bit less of the book going back to detailed events in the past and more of the present day happenings but overall, this fast-paced book kept my attention as I tried to figure out what had happened all those years ago that led to the current dilemma. A lot of characters to keep up with but I was rooting for the couple at the center of it, hoping they would find their way back to each other and also hoping against hope that Dorothy Miller's death would not go unavenged. Thanks to NetGalley and Penzler for the ARC.

Berney is one of my favorite writers and he never fails to do something interesting with his stories. This novel is short enough to read in one sitting and it kept me spellbound throughout, desperate to know whether Hardly saves the mother and children and comes out in one piece. It was a fascinating character study of a 23-year-old man/child who finds a purpose in life - as he says several times, the moment in his life which is the POINT of his life as he tries to rescue two abused children he encounters by chance, aided by a motley but ultimately fascinating set of secondary characters, not a trope among them. If you liked Larry Watson's slim book “Let Him Go” - this has many of the same vibes.

okay story but it didn't hold my surprises as the villain was telegraphed very early on and it played out that way. Enjoyable background to the world of steeplechase racing and the lives of jockeys.

A very enjoyable read - although I did wonder why Jasmine's command of English was fluent in one scene and stilted and hesitant in the next. But all in all, a seamless blend and the characters did not fall into stereotypes but proved nuanced and relatable.

While Angie Kim's debut was a favorite of mine, her follow-up didn't ring as strong for me, I'm afraid. The family dynamics were interesting and honest, but I found the story itself just lacked any urgency and I grew numb to the load of information being presented about the son's condition and the research and treatments available for him to realize his potential. I think it's a matter of going in with the wrong expectations, thinking this would be a mystery to solve so that the solution was a bit of a let-down and fell flat. Nothing wrong with the premise of how families and schools can deal with special needs children, this just wasn't what I was anticipating this book would emphasize. I want to thank the publisher and NetGalley with providing me with an advanced copy for review.

This has been a banner year for thrillers centered around social media influencers but that alone isn't enough to make a novel take off. Bradeigh Godfrey knows that, and she wisely didn't fall into the common tropes but crafted a page-turner that upends your expectations and keeps you glued to the story.

The story center around Molly, the influencer, Liv, the sister of a murdered woman, and Scott, Molly's husband and a man who's a big of a recluse and may be hiding secrets of his own. I found all the main characters likeable, and felt I knew where the story was going.

If you're a fan of psychological thrillers, cat and mouse stories, and like spending time on social media, this one's definitely for you.

My thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book kept me glued to the page - not only because the characters were interesting and nuanced and the plot well handled but mainly for the main character Charlie, bright, steadfast, and striving against all odds (her ADHD, possible autistic characteristics, fractious family, dead-end job) to make it out of her small, stifling town and earn enough money to go to MIT and finally claim her life. For a teenager juggling a myriad of responsibilities, she's got courage, loyalty, and empathy in spades. So if you're looking for a book that reads quickly, offers not only a murder or two, but shifty characters and a kick-ass protagonist, look no further than American Girl.

A charming women's fiction with a good message. Perfect read for a rainy Sunday afternoon. You will fall in love with France and with Rose, a thirty-something who needs to reboot her life while still keeping her family ties strong and being true to herself.

If, like me, you've been following Clive and Henrietta's adventures since the beginning way back in Chicago through their ups and downs and across six outstanding books, there's a pleasure but also a tinge of sadness in seeing the series come to an end. But never one to rush through a narrative, the author still gives us layered characterizations, an intricate plot to tease out, and even a possible “ghost” to contend with in this final episode. I can't wait to see what she writes next.

Sadly, I think this book suffers a bit from being written in the 1950's before the last few years glut of psychological/domestic suspense. Language and character development a bit cliched for me at least.

B.A. Paris is one of my favorite suspense authors and this one did not disappoint. It's basically a story that revolves around two married couples and long-time friends–Iris and Gabriel live in the country and Laure and Pierre who lives in Paris. One day Laure shows up and asks to stay for a while - she and Pierre are having marital issues and she just wants to get away. And there's where the whirlwind starts as we see Laure vastly outstay her welcome and more and more intrigue and mystery come to light about what is really going on in this novel. Everyone is keeping secrets and it all culminates quite late in the pages in an explosive denouement I did not see coming. It's twisted and taut and great fun to follow. If you like unreliable characters, plots that go every which way, and fascinating character studies, I recommend you pick up The Guest.