Many thanks to my friends at @bookclubfavorties @atriaboooks and @simon.audio for the #gifted copies of this book.  

 

Nostalgic.  Lyrical.  Thought provoking.

 

There is something about the way Krueger tells a story.  A true master of the art.  

 

That fateful summer of 1958.  When Jimmy Quinn is found floating in the Alabaster River, there’s little doubt that it was murder.  Given that Quinn was the most hated man in town, Sherriff Brody Dern finds no shortage of suspects.  But rampant judgment and mistrust threaten to hinder Dern’s efforts and muddle the truth.

 

With closely guarded secrets meticulously unveiled, the plotting of this mystery was expertly layered and imbued with suspense.   

 

But this is so much more than a police procedural seeking justice. 

 

At its heart, this is a story about broken people and a small town in turmoil.  It’s a reflection on the ravages of war and the unfairness of life.  It’s also an incisive examination of prejudice and racism.  But mostly, it’s a moving portrait of humanity and healing.  

 

Though ambitious in scope, it’s Krueger’s understanding of the soul and its connection to nature that solidifies this effortless execution and makes the story so compelling.   

 

There’s a quietness… an ease… with which Krueger hones this narrative.  His writing brims with tenderness, even as it exposes the most sordid.  As such, forgiveness outweighs judgment and redemption is embraced in the end.  

 

Once again, Krueger delivers a powerful read that I won’t soon forget. 

 

🎧 The audiobook, narrated by CJ Wilson, is a strong performance that perfectly captures the time and place while also enhancing the emotion and suspense.  Given the large cast of characters, I recommend partnering the audio with the print.  

 

 

Many thanks to my friends at @avidreaderpress @simon.audio and @librofm for the #gifted copies of this book.  

 

Sibling rivalry, secrets, and manipulation.  Yes, please!   

 

There is something about a good family drama that always pulls me in. And in Little Monsters, Brodeur delivers.  

 

Beautifully written with a strong sense of place, Brodeur taps into some of the messiest parts of life with great ease.

 

Not all families are complicated and dysfunctional. But the Gardners certainly are.  As Adam’s 70th birthday approaches, excitement is offset by competition, and long-buried secrets threaten family bonds.  

 

This is a solid examination of family told in alternating perspective.  Each one is distinct and flawed, even if brushed with light strokes.  True skill is found in Brodeur’s meticulous layering of each point of view, creating a slow unraveling of dishy drama and developing a full sense of the unit.  

 

But the real standout in this book is the scenic backdrop of Cape Cod.  From flora to fauna, nature is on full display, and the very essence of the town is adeptly woven into the fabric of this family.  

 

As secrets mounted, the story reached a fever pitch climax making me crave a soap-opera worthy, dramatic conclusion.  Instead, momentum stilted into a nicely wrapped scene, leaving me a bit underwhelmed in the end.  

 

Still, Brodeur’s first foray into fiction is entertaining and sharply observed.  It’s an intimate portrait of relationship dynamics and the transformative impact of betrayal that feels authentic.  

 

🎧 It’s hard to deny this beautiful cover.  This book is a gorgeous addition to any bookshelf.  But were I to recommend only one format, it would be the audiobook.  Narrated by a full cast, this is a rich portrayal that brought each character to life with a distinct voice. 

 

 

Many thanks to my friends at @torbooks and @macmillan.audio

 

Haunting.  Humorous. Heartfelt.  

 

Move over Walt Disney, THIS is how you do a fairytale.

 

Not all heroines are delicate and beautiful. Not all knights have a savior complex.  

 

Entertaining from beginning to end, Kingfisher delivers the perfect reimagining of Sleeping Beauty.  It’s a unique twist brimming with her signature wit and vivid imagery.  But this book is far more than simple enjoyment.  It shines brightest in its exploration of self-worth.

 

Neither of our protagonists fit the classic fairytale mold.  Toad is an unlikely fairy godmother.  Knight is an unlikely hero.  Yet that is where their beauty lies and what makes them so endearing. 

 

The originality found in both the protagonists and the roles they undertake hones a focus on inner value, delivering spot on messaging worthy of applause.

 

At just over 100 pages, it’s a short read.  Yet it’s packed with depth.  Each detail- from characterization to world building to plot- is fully developed with satisfying breadth.  

 

The dark undertones are met with whimsy and hope, reminiscent of Nettle and Bone, my first and favorite of Kingfisher’s books.  

 

Truly, her books never disappoint, and this latest continues to set her apart in the art of storytelling.  

 

🎧 At just under 4 hours at 1x speed, this audiobook is perfect for a quick read.  But more than that, Jennifer Bloom’s narration allowed for the kind of escape that I felt as a young child listening to a good read aloud.   A winner all around.  

 

Many thanks to my friends at @bookmarked @netgalley and @librofm for the #gifted copies of this book.  

 

A dark, twisty read with cultish vibes and Twilight references. 

 

That’s the kind of synopsis that gets my attention, even more so with Winstead being an author I’ve been excited to try.  

 

But sometimes high anticipation creates a letdown.  

 

Gosh I wanted to love this read.  Outsiders for main characters.  A swampy setting where a skull is found.  An examination of religious zealotry.  This is a story frame I generally find captivating.  Yet something in the execution fell short, never creating that necessary connection for me. 

 

What did work:

👍🏻 dark depiction of a small, southern town

👍🏻 people behaving badly in the name of religion

👍🏻 well placed Twilight references

 

Ultimately, the one-dimensional characters and drawn-out plot stilted the well-executed elements alongside my enjoyment.  And then THAT ENDING.  Ugh.  That ending.   It’s rare that I fully hate an ending.  But this one, I did.  

 

Still, I’ll seek out Winstead’s next book.  I know her writing is wildly loved for a reason.  

 

🎧 Set in Louisiana (read: Lou-see-ann-uh), this book begs an authentic southern drawl.  As I listened, I found myself utterly perplexed that the publisher chose someone with a fake accent.  It’s not just kind-of-fake.  It’s bad-fake!  So, if you’re queuing this one up, my southern roots prohibit me from recommending the audio.  Stick with the print.  

Compelling.  Raw.  Beautiful.   

 

Twelve-year-old Edward is a lone survivor.  His immediate family gone in an instant.    

 

This tragic plot is the very essence of my nightmares.  For my son to be left alone in the world… it’s beyond what my mama heart can bare.

 

And so, I avoided this book… Until…  

 

I read Hello Beautiful (twice) and had the honor of chatting with Ann. 

 

And I was reminded: some authors can be trusted with your heart.  So, I finally queued up Edward’s story, where I found myself immediately captivated.  

 

There’s a tenderness to the way Napolitano delves into the deepest recesses of the soul, allowing the reader an exploration that haunts and heals. 

 

Such was my experience here.  Eddie’s story is one of profound trauma and grief.  It’s an authentic and visceral portrayal that had me grappling with this loss alongside Edward.

 

And yet, I never felt lost in the mire.  As Eddie navigated the challenges of survival, Napolitano subtly wove in tendrils of resilience which burgeoned into hope.  The story of loss morphed into one of growth and connection.  

 

Turning the last page, all hesitations were gone, and Napolitano solidified her trustworthiness.  There’s a beauty and emotional depth to her writing that supports as it challenges.  I’m a forever fan.   

Many thanks to my friends at @prhaudio for the #gifted copy of this audiobook.  

 

Riveting. Powerful.  Emotional.  

 

Action packed with dynamic themes and deep bonds of sisterhood.  Lillie delivers a full bodied novel perfect for Native American Heritage Month.  

 

Syd Walker, a Cherokee archeologist working for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, returns to her hometown when a skull is found with her BIA badge in its jaw.   With her job turning personal, Syd is forced to examine her identity and past trauma. 

 

This propulsive plot is full of suspense and kept me on the edge of my seat as the twisty storyline unfolded.  The well-drawn characters are full of complexity, and the backdrop is vividly depicted.   

 

But where this book really shines is in the exploration of culture and history.   The spotlight is adeptly placed on the Indigenous experience and the vast injustices faced, past and present.  Drawn from research as well as the #ownvoices author’s experience, the content is authentic and heartfelt.  

 

“Nearly 85% of American Indian and Alaskan Native women have experienced violence in their lifetime.” 

 

Raw and impactful, this is a crime thriller that delivers.  

 

🎧 Narrated by Indigenous voices, Carolina Hoyos and Erin Tripp enhance the cultural aspects of the read while also capturing the suspense and tension. 

 

Many thanks to my friends at @simon.audio for the #gifted copy of this audiobook.  

 

Did I download this the very moment it became available? You bet I did. 

 

Do I think Britney deserved so much better from her family and society?  Absolutely. 

Do I hope she is embarking on a healthy new journey? Heck yeah. 

 

In The Woman in Me, Spears tells her own story on her own terms.  It’s a sad and tragic look at her life, from early fame to family-sanctioned imprisonment to freedom from conservatorship (finally!!!).   She touches on her success and struggles while also explaining many of the jaw dropping moments seen in the media.  

 

Many times, Spears mentions feeling as though she is aging in reverse.  More of a girl than an adult.  And that felt accurate of both this content and writing.    

 

Often, I had to remind myself that this book was written by present-day, 40-something Britney rather than the young pop star in her twenties.  While she doesn’t show the kind of maturity that moves beyond mere explanations, she does indicate a commitment towards growth.  

 

Pondering this read, I hope it truly does represent Spears.  I also hope she finds peace in whatever she does next.  

 

“It’s time for me to pay attention to the little things.  To slow down.  It’s time for me to not be someone who other people want.  It’s time for me to actually find myself.”  

-Britney Spears, The Woman in Me

 

🎧 At just 5 ½ hours, the audiobook is a quick listen.  I was incredibly impressed with Michelle Williams narration.  Her execution felt very reminiscent of Spears, to the point that I almost forgot Britney was not reading it herself.  

 

 

I tend to shy away from anthologies.  My favorite books are rich in detail and development.  Most often, short stories and essays lack that depth and leave me wanting.  

 

But then a compilation like These Precious Days comes along, and I’m immediately reminded that not everything that is succinct lacks substance.  

 

Quiet.  Contemplative.  Intimate. 

 

As Patchett regaled me with story after story, it began to feel like a private conversation, as though I was having coffee with a dear friend.  This collection brimmed with emotion and insight, and I eagerly hung on to Patchett’s every word.  

 

At the time I read this work, the world felt bleak.  So much heartbreak.  So much anger.  But these stories folded me into the warmest hug.  They made me laugh.  They made me cry.  Most importantly though, they gave me a sense of peace that was lacking in real life.  

 

These Precious Days felt like a sweet and timely gift.  

 

Many thanks to my friends at @tlcbooktours and @blairpublishing for the #gifted copy of this book.  

 

Ghazirad’s debut is a beautiful, complex, and timely coming of age story.  

 

As a six-year-old girl, Moji longed for bedtime.  The stories her grandfather told -- about a woman’s determination to change her destiny and fight for survival -- easily took root in Moji’s heart.  As she matured, those stories would feel resonate of her own journey.  

 

Semi-autobiographical in nature, Ghazirad weaves memories of her childhood into the fictional storyline of Moji, a young girl coming of age amidst the Iranian Revolution of 1979.

 

Ghazirad well depicts the emotional challenges of a girl growing up in an authoritarian society rife with violence.  Female youth and enthusiasm face a potent battle against paternalistic ideology.  

 

With an adolescence shaped by political turmoil, Moji finds solace in One Thousand and One Nights, the stories her grandfather once regaled at bedtime. Much more than entertainment, the tales play a vital role in her development and provide a tool for her survival.  

 

I won’t soon forget Moji and her journey to find herself in such an oppositional place and time.  

 

🕊️ Of note:  With the world in such a heartbreaking and complex place right now, I felt a bit of hesitation as I started this book.  But I found hope within its pages.  Watching Moji overcome her circumstances reminded me that even in the most trying times, humanity overcomes.  

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

 

If I hadn’t already been pining for summertime, I would have after reading this book.  

 

Set amongst the coastal waters of Alabama, this book oozed the very essence of summer.  

 

☀️ bathing suits and sundresses

☀️ honeysuckle and jasmine

☀️ sitting on the dock and going for boat rides

☀️ low country boil and garden-fresh veggies

 

The River Runs South is a feel-good story that explores themes of love, family ties, embracing life, and processing grief.  I appreciated Camille’s inner strength, but it was Willa’s spunkiness that fully endeared me.  

What stood out most in this novel was its focus on ecological stewardship.  The storyline made it apparent how precious those natural waterways are and how harming them wreaks havoc on the entire ecosystem.  

 

Be forewarned: Don’t read this book while hungry!  Camille is quite the cook and had my mouth watering at each turn of the page.  I wish recipes had been included at the end!