Many thanks to my friends at @getredprbooks for the free #gifted copy of this book.   

Hysterical.  Uplifting.  Cheer worthy!  Another 5⭐️ read by Confino.  

Behind Every Good Man is a revenge story set in the 1960’s when good and upstanding still meant something and when women were coming into their power.  

Confino’s last 2 books solidified her as a must-read author for me.  She consistently writes immersive, bingeworthy storylines that entertain and inspire.  

But more than that, I am forever endeared to the rich cast of characters she crafts.  Always tenacious.  Always bold. 

Jenna, Evelyn, Marilyn, Ada... and now Bev and Millie. 

All firecracker female characters full of sass and wisdom.  Characters that remind me of myself.  Characters that I want to be friends with.  Characters that motivate me to leave a legacy worth emulating.  

OH... the way I rooted for Bev!!!!  More than revenge, this is a story about resiliency and hope.  Bev could’ve caved to her circumstances, as would most women in that time.  Rather, she tapped into her inner strength and fought to overcome.  Quick witted and full of verve, Bev is the embodiment of a powerhouse woman.  

Though the book is set in the 60’s the themes of women belonging in all the places... especially politics... felt very timely.  I loved the focus on the power of voting and the role that women play within the electoral process.  

And the Easter eggs!!!  I actually squealed out loud.  Don’t Forget to Write is one of my very favorite books, and I adored seeing how these characters connected.  

I closed the last pages of this book feeling inspired and full of hope.  Just when I thought Confino had reached her pinnacle (Don’t Forget to Write), she proved that she’s only just getting started.  Sara... I can’t WAIT to see what’s next!  

 

Thank you @berkleypub and @prhaudio for this free #gifted copy.  

Addictive.  Gritty.  Shocking.

I fell hard for the fun, outrageous, and heartwarming storytelling by Sutanto in Vera Wong and the Aunties.  But who knew she had it in her to go dark and sinister too?  

Well, now I do.  And... I’m a fan.  

When a best friend turns into an enemy... and one that is adept at manipulating a scene... deception and jealousy take on even higher stakes.

This fast-paced storyline was a total binge for me!  I couldn’t get enough.  I had to know what was happening next.  

The plot was completely unhinged, and the characters were immensely unlikeable (in the best way).  Sutanto’s writing held me captive from beginning to end, and I finished this read in a mere 2 (busy) days.  

Those twists.  The sinister motives.  That ending!  So drama filled.  So deliciously dark!

Within the wild narrative, Sutanto shines a light on the negative aspects of social media, questioning true authenticity.  I appreciated how her use of dark humor kept the messaging witty and thoughtful rather than becoming biting satire.    

Out of all the influencer-based storylines I’ve read, this one is a standout and a favorite. And now, I’m even more of a fan of Sutanto’s writing- whether cozy or thrilling.   

🎧 I was so absorbed by this book that I had to be able to listen while on the go.  With dual narration by Eunice Wong and Risa Mei (both have narrated other Sutanto works), both characters were vibrantly depicted.  The audiobook brought validity to the complicated emotions between the former friends and heightened the sense of tension as the twists unfolded. 

Many thanks to my partners @minotaur_books and @macmillan.audio for the #free gifted copies of this book. 

Vivid.  Engaging. Suspenseful.   

One thing is for sure:  I am a devotee of Cunningham’s writing.  Beautiful prose.  Vibrant details.  A moody yet appealing backdrop.  Yes, yes, and yes!

Here’s the thing: I am not a camper. I have little to no survival skills. I do, however, appreciate the beauty of getting lost in nature and love hiking in the forest.  But even then, I stick to the beaten paths and never stay overnight. 

But Grant paints such a vivid picture of life in the woods... it makes me long to be amongst the animals and trees, almost convinced I could flourish there (even overnight?!).  It’s apparent she has a deep, abiding love for the beauty and challenges of nature in the way she breathed life into this atmospheric backdrop.  And I’ll happily head into the wilderness with her every single time she offers.

This read captivated me from the start.  Somehow, I opened the book and immediately found myself 60% in!  The storyline brimmed with suspense and kept me on my toes forming new theories until the truth was revealed.  

I appreciate a well done nonlinear timeline, and Grant excels at piecing the puzzle together to give a fullness to the pacing and plot.  

The twist took me by surprise.  Even with all my theories, the storyline took a turn I didn’t expect.  And truth be told, I longed for more from that last scene.  Still, the fullness of the book satisfied.  

Themes of resilience and overcoming run throughout the book.  Grant excels at showcasing the complexities of human nature.  At its heart, this book is about moving from brokenness to acceptance and allowing yourself to be loved, and I think the messaging will find resonance with many.  

While These Silent Woods remains my favorite read by Grant (found on my ALL TIME favorite reads shelf in my library), this book showcases her ability to craft stories I want to read.  I highly recommend throwing out any TSW’s expectations and embracing this new storyline and its focus on growth and friendship.  

🎧 Bronson Pinchot BRILLIANTLY narrated Grant’s last book, and in the beginning, I was a tad disappointed to see he wasn’t narrating this one.  BUT.  He could not have embodied Emlyn the way Emily Pike Stewart did.  (Apparently the publishers do know best! 😆)  Emily’s narration truly made me feel as though I was in the moment with Emlyn as the story progressed.  

 

 

Many thanks to my friends at @celadon @librofm and @macmillan.audio for the free #gifted copies of this book.  

This is my third Read Together Initiative with Celadon, and it’s always fun to connect with new friends over a new read.  I’m already looking forward to the next!

Loaded with all the nostalgia from my youth, this coming of age story follows an up and coming artist named Amber (think Britney/Christina) as she navigates the music industry and pop culture scene of the 90s.  

I’m always a fan of reads that allow me to relive aspects of my younger years.  And this one was full of references to those bygone days.  

Written in first person pov from Amber’s perspective, this read almost like a faux-memoir.  We follow as she grows from a naïve young artist to someone with business skills and artistic license.  

I loved the extra elements- magazine articles, song lyrics, a Wikipedia entry- and appreciated how they added to the storyline, showcasing the demands on the artists.  

Though this is likened to Daisy Jones, I didn’t get those vibes.  And I think this book can stand on its own without that comparison- which would likely set false expectations.

This is a fun and easy read, perfect for tossing in your pool bag.

🎧 Narrated by one of my FAVS, Brittany Pressley made the story come alive. Not only did she make Amber feel real, but she also embodied the growth that unfolded as Amber matured and learned the field.   

Many thanks to my friends at @stmartinspress and @macmillan.audio for the free #gifted copies of this book.  

Summer isn’t official until I’ve read MKA’s latest, and I found myself immediately absorbed in Summers at the Saint.  I imagined myself sitting poolside at the Saint, fruity beverage in hand as I helped solve the mysteries at play.  

And I think this is my new favorite summer read by her.  It’s full of all the things I’ve come to love about her books:  a twisty mystery, a cheer worthy romance, and a perfectly beachy backdrop. 

But this time, she took the storyline a bit darker... and I have to say, I ate it up!  

Murder, jealousy, trauma, deception... this is a beach read with substance.  I found myself immersed in the storyline seeking out the sinister motives, eager for the twists, and caught up in the suspense.  

The heart of the Saint (and this book), main character, Traci Eddings, was easy to root for!  Having experienced her share of hardship in the past, her strength was the guiding force throughout the book.   As she fought to keep the legacy of the Saint alive in the throes of fresh grief, her grit and vigor shined through.

Set along the Georgia coast, I felt myself immediately transported to the home of my youth.  I love the way Andrews paints fictional small towns full of southern charm and bedazzled with the names of real places I’ve frequented.  It feeds my nostalgia and tempers my homesickness.  

There’s a reason MKA is known as the queen of beach reads.  Summers at the Saint delivers the perfect summertime escape full of mystery and romance with a southern flare.  

🎧 I’ve come to think of Kathleen McInerney as the voice of Andrews, though she has a much wider repertoire.  To me, her voice is the embodiment of full-fledged Georgia native.  She expertly portrayed Traci and kept me engaged throughout the entirety of the story.  

Thank you @berkleypub and @prhaudio for the free #gifted copies of this book and including me on this book tour. 

Single mother, Harry, has instilled two things in her son:  1) Respect and kindness are required.  2).  There’s nothing more entertaining than a good horror movie.  

After struggling to find work, Harry landed a cleaning job at an old house owned by a former horror movie director and overflowing with horror movie relics, and it didn’t sound like a bad option.  

But then, as they always do, unexplainable things start happening.

With a slow build into the action, Henry took her time in painting these characters.  We get a deep dive into Harry’s mind- the struggles of being a single mom, the hardship of living at near-poverty levels, and I found myself easily cheering for her and her son, Gabe.  

As with most haunted house storylines, this house has a heartbeat all its own.  There’s a creepiness that emanated from the movie props, making them feel as though living entities.  Eeriness seemed to loom in the air of the house, but the plotline never quite reached the sense of foreboding I craved.  

Though this is labeled a horror read, I found it to be more horror-light or even horror-adjacent.  With no gore and little action until the last chapters, this book felt creepy rather than downright scarry.  It would be a great starting point for anyone wanting to give the horror genre a try.  

🎧 Narrated by Lisa Flannigan, I felt as though I was right there in Harry’s mind.  From her instincts as a mother to her determination towards what’s right, Flannigan brought the essence of Harry to life.  Her depiction made this a quick and easy read.  

 

Many thanks to my friends at @macmillan.audio for the free #gifted copy of this book.  

Things that deserve to be savored: the brilliant colors of sunset, a soft kiss, a gooey bite of brownie, adorable puppy snuggles... this book.  

“It’s been a privilege to fall in love with you.”

Sweet summer romances.  (Queue Olivia Newton John and John Travolta.)  Only meant for a moment.  Ah... but sometimes that just isn’t enough.   

I’m not sure who was more lovestruck... me, Sage, or Fisher.  

From the first glimpse of the small town with meddlesome neighbors to the hysterical meet-cute between Sage and Fisher, I was smitten.  

Everything about this read felt so genuine.  So heartfelt.  There was a coziness to Spunes (not Forks 😉) that I easily settled into, and the characters were so authentic and real that they felt like friends.  

I loved the way Sage’s joie de vivre offset Fisher’s reticence. There was an emotional resonance to this story as it delved into grief, disappointment, anxiety, and self-discovery that allowed the romance to thrive in an authentic way.  It made the laughter deeper and the spicy scenes hotter.  

And the communication!!! {Be still my heart!}  I absolutely detest the miscommunication trope.  But here, Dewitt proves that romance reads can work- in fact, THRIVE- with mature, thoughtful dialogue!  

Giggling.  Blushing.  Swooning. Cheering.  Having savored Sage and Fisher’s story, I closed the last pages of this book determined to savor all the best moments in my life.  

🎧 Karissa Vacker and Zachary Webber are two of my favorite narrators.  And here, they had me like putty in their hands.  The flirting.  The heat!  The personal growth.  Each emotion was perfectly depicted for both characters.  And when Fisher would whisper to Sage, SWOON.  

 

Thank you @bookandwinelovers @rebeccarosenbergnovelist for the free #gifted copy of this book.  

 

One strong, determined woman and a brand-new variety of champagne.  Two of my favorite things!

 

At 39, Alexandrine Pommery found herself a widow needing to provide for her family during a timeframe when women had little rights.  Her husband’s poor financial choices led to a decline in the two family businesses, but Madame Pommery would not take failure as an option. 

 

As a lover of champagne, Alexandrine pivoted the family’s flailing red wine production into a bubbly upstart.  At each turn, she found herself facing opposition.  “Champagne is twice as hard and twice as dangerous to make!” But Madame Pommery would not be deterred.  

 

Her strong will revolutionized the champagne industry, creating Brut champagne, the dry version we drink most often today.  

 

Perfect for anyone who enjoys easily accessible historical fiction with a spotlight on women forging their own path in a male dominated industry.  Be sure to have Google at the ready!  I found myself looking up pictures of the champagne house and family.  

 

🎧 Narrated by Katherine Anderson, the audiobook has a much sweeter disposition than Madame Pommery’s brut champagne.  The depiction is lyrical in nature, mimicking the romantic essence of the French language.   

Many thanks to my friends @stmartinspress and @macmillan.audio for the free #gifted copies of this book.  

 

Move over Miss Hannigan.  You’ve got nothing on Miss Fairchild!

 

Jessica, Norah, and Alicia share a tight knit bond of sisterhood after surviving years of abuse under foster mother, Miss Fairchild.  When skeletal remains are found below their childhood home, secrets and suspicion loom large.  

 

I’ve come to count on Hepworth’s remarkable ability to play with perception.  She has a knack for whip smart plots that are deftly written and easily entertain.  Her books are ones I count on.  

 

But Darling Girls...it pains me to say... just didn’t give me that same experience. 

 

While I appreciated the darker undertones and the well-depicted bond of sisterhood, little else clicked for me.  

 

These sisters were so neglected.  So abused.  And yet, I found myself... not caring like I normally would. 

 

Was it because I needed more depth and layering to the characterization?  Was it the inconsistent pacing in the storyline?  Maybe the gamut of holes in the plot or the meh present day timeline?  

 

Honestly, I’m not sure.  But whatever the reason, Darling Girls felt lackluster and underwhelming.  Still, I’ll be eagerly awaiting what Hepworth writes next!

 

My SH rankings:

The Younger Wife 5⭐️

The Good Sister 5⭐️

The Soulmate 4⭐️

Darling Girls 3⭐️

 

🎧 I am a sucker for a buoyant Aussie accent.  And narrator Jessica Clarke delivered.  Her voice transported me across continents and immersed me in the land down under.   She also navigated the multiple POV with skill and keep me engaged.  

 

 

Thank you @prhaudio for the free #gifted copy of this audiobook.  

 

We meet Adelaide fleeing a burning house with the remains of her mother and father inside.  Not looking back, she sets out for the rough lands of Montana where she hopes to start a new life.  But... she’s not exactly going alone.  

Lone Women is fiercely feminist in nature with a unique blend of genres, touching on elements from both westerns and horror.  

 

This unique premise- unmarried women homesteading in the rough wilderness of 1914 Montana- adeptly set the stage for resilient female characters to show their strength.  These lone women, most especially Adelaide, showed great prowess as they stood on their own with no need of help from a man.  

 

The Montana setting proved a haunting backdrop rife with tension.  From the first sight of the desolate landscape, creepiness permeated, and suspense felt palpable.  

 

Though the story had much going for it- great bones, so to speak- overall, I found the execution to be a bit lacking.  At times, it felt as though important details were missing.  Whole chapters nearly inexplicable. And yet in other instances, particularly towards the end, the details overwhelmed and created a chaotic and unwieldy scene.  

 

Even as such, the examination of societal expectations along with the exploration of the burden of secrets created thought provoking messaging.  Maybe... monsters are a thing of our own creation. 

 

🎧 Joniece Abbott-Pratt’s narration was a perfect fit for Lone Women. She brought a fullness to Adelaide, easily encapsulating her hopes, fears, and struggles. And at the same time, the urgency within her depiction added depth to the storyline and accentuating the eeriness.