Propulsive.  Unexpected.  

This is my favorite kind of read.  I love to be pushed out of my comfort zone and to have any preconceived notions challenged.  And this book... it’s full of complexity and scandal and things I generally say no to without even batting an eye.  

And yet, Hall reminded me that gray areas are always worth unpacking.  Because when the layers get peeled back, there’s almost always more commonality than difference.  

With richly crafted characters full of flaws and dimensionality, Hall lured me into this genre defying tale.  The mystery was fed in equal parts by the family drama and a love triangle, and the messiness of it all was utterly spellbinding.   

But more than anything else, this book made me feel in DEEP and impactful ways.  Love and heartbreak.  Trauma and grief.  Sacrifice.  Forgiveness.  Redemption.  I found myself so immensely invested.  It was a raw and honest look at relationships that broke me and then stitched me back together with hope.  

And the ending... beautiful, breathtaking, and deeply satisfying. 

It’s obvious that Halle is a seasoned writer even though this is her first publication in the United States, and I’m eager to read more by her!

🎧The narration by Hattie Morahan breathed life into this narrative.  Her lovely accent readily immersed me into this cozy British setting and immediately encapsulated Beth’s voice.  She also well embodied the emotion of the read accentuating both the tenderness and tension of the plot.  A truly fabulous audiobook production!  (And I’ll be looking for other books narrated by Hattie!)

Many thanks to my friends at @simonbooks and @simon.audio for the free #gifted copies of this book.  #simonbooksbuddy #partner

Gripping.  Reflective.  Tense.   

When we lived in Japan, we experienced a 7.2 magnitude earthquake.  I sat straight up in bed, and my heartrate shot through the roof as our entire apartment building swayed from side to side.  Thankfully, Japan is made to withstand this kind of emergency, and other than a few broken knickknacks, we were safe and secure.  Still, it was an experience that left me shook (literally and figuratively).   

But, as our FMC, Annie, found out on her first day of maternity leave, Portland, Oregon was not prepared for “a big one”.  What started out as a quick trip to IKEA for a crib found her digging out of a collapsed building and fighting her way through the devastated city in search of her husband.

Rife with tension, Pattee well envisions the plight of a town in ruins with no aide available.  The chaos.  The overwhelming emotions. The numbing sense of reality.  It all felt so very real.  

But it was Annie’s ruminations on life that kept me fully connected to the story.  As she contemplated all aspects of her life, I, too, found myself reflective.  Achievements.  Mistakes.  Fears.  Desires.  The sharpness of heartbreak and the immensity of love.  I especially appreciated the look at marriage and how day-to-day struggles can get in the way of connection.  

If I’m fully transparent though, I have a love/hate relationship with the way the storyline ended.  It was poetic, a total juxtaposition to everything else, and full of symbolism.  Yet I wanted more... even knowing more would not have delivered.  

Still, this was a propulsive debut that was both thought provoking and beautifully haunting.   

🎧The narrator for Tilt, Ariel Blake, delivered a taut performance full of raw emotion and tension that had me racing through the narrative needing to see how it all transpired.   Blake well conveyed the harrowing scenes juxtaposed with the reflective nature of our protagonist.  

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

As the Cold War loomed, Hollywood’s golden age—full of glitz and glamour—became the target of McCarthy’s anticommunist blacklists.  Thus sets the stage for Meissner’s latest venture into historical fiction. 

I can always count on her books to immerse me into a timeframe that isn’t oft written.  And with the current political scene, I was very curious about the Red Scare era.  The rush to judgment.  Neighbor telling on neighbor.  The lists.  The bribery.  And here, Meissner painted a picture of that scene that kept me interested and made me want to know more.  

The first two-thirds of the novel unfolded slowly and methodically as each character was introduced and backstories were revealed.  Secrets abounded and each woman longed for connection and acceptance.  

The pace picked up for the last third of the novel, and I enjoyed watching these three women—so different from one another—forge a bond and find comradery.  

While I appreciated the look into a period in history that’s not often depicted in HF, I found it to be less emotionally resonant and engaging that Meissner’s previous titles.  Still, I enjoyed this novel and will continue to eagerly read each book Meissner releases.   

🎧 Award winning narrator, Lisa Flanagan, readily immersed me into this time period and breathed life into each of the characters.  With distinct accents and tone, Flanagan’s portrayal of each woman was individualized and well executed.   

Many thanks to my friends at @berkleypub @prhaudio and @uplitreads for the free #gifted copies of this book.  #partner #berkleypartner

Engaging. Emotional. 

I love a romcom with substance, and Jiminez is well known for that. Here, in Say You’ll Remember Me, her writing leaned even more heavily into the substance than the romance itself. 

Don’t get me wrong. This was a romance I rooted for. The flirting. The banter. The steam! I was hooked from the moment the lock on the UFO escape room door latched. Jaminez easily convinced me that Sam and Xavier were the real thing, and I longed for each time one of them hopped on a plane to see the other. They oozed authenticity, and it reminded me of how I lean on my own husband for support, especially in difficult times.

But more than the romance, I appreciated the focus on early onset dementia and the toll it takes on a family. The sadness. The struggles they go through. The guilt. The sacrifice. The need to work as a team. This depiction of Sam’s family felt raw and genuine in a way that opened my eyes and—I’m sure—will make caregivers feel seen. And ultimately, it felt like the meat of this storyline. 

It is also worth noting that it seemed like *every* character in this novel had a battle they were facing. And while that is apropos of real life, at times, it felt heavy here. There was so much to unpack with Sam’s family and the romance, that I didn’t need all the other trauma layered in. 

A few things that offset that heaviness: mustard jokes, Grandma reading thirst tweets, and a VILF. 

This was a fast read with characters that I truly liked and a romance I rooted for. Even if Jaminez is leaning a bit more towards women’s fiction in this novel, I’m ok with that. As I finished the last pages, I told Siri to queue up “Come on Eileen,” and closed the book with a smile on my face. 

🎧This duet narration by Christine Lakin and Matt Lanter drew me in immediately. It added depth and highlighted the emotion within the storyline while also delivering the heat and spice. I loved that each narrator read their character’s lines no matter which perspective was the focus. That amplified each character’s distinct voice.

Many thanks to my friends at @hachetteaudio for the free #gifted copy.

Gritty and dark!  

 

The Widowmaker lured me in, and When I’m Dead solidified me as a Black Harbor fan.  But somehow, I still hadn’t read the first Black Harbor book. So, before jumping into the newest installment in this series, I went back to the beginning to meet Hazel.   

 

The unique premise grabbed my attention from the onset, and this introduction to the town of Black Harbor and its bridge oozed eeriness.  Morally gray characters full of complexity and flaws tend to be some of my favorite, and here, Morrissey delivered with Hazel and Kole!  The seediness of the town radiated through the characters and the decisions they made heightening the darkness of this thriller.    

 

I am ready to meet back up with these characters in Morrissey’s newest book, The Unlucky Ones.

 

🎧 I’ll admit... it took me a minute to settle into Angela Dawes narration.  Not because it wasn’t great but because I’m so used to her being the voice for Finlay Donovan!  But once I got into the plot, I lost sight of Finlay and started to hear Hazel.  And Dawes really did bring the storyline to life.  The emotion.  The tension.  The grittiness.  It all came through in Dawes’ portrayal.  It’s also worth noting that her depiction of Kole was 🔥. And now, I’m hoping she’s narrating the newest in this series, The Unlucky Ones. 

Utterly fun.  Laugh out loud funny. 

I’m not a dedicated series ready. But I make certain exceptions, and Finlay and Vero are always on that list. When I queue up a new book by Cosimano, I am guaranteed an escape from life and a wildly entertaining read. 

This book picks up right where the last left off. Mrs. Haggerty, Finlay’s elderly neighbor, is being released from prison after a dead body was found underneath her rose bushes. She’s been a thorn in Finlay’s side for years, but when Mrs. Haggerty needs a place to stay, Finlay can’t quite refuse. And having Mrs. Haggerty close just might help Finlay and Vero clear Steven’s name as the potential murd3r3r. 

I knew Mrs. Haggerty was going to add a dynamic element to this book. But let me tell you, it was so much more than I expected. She was crotchety and endearing. She was full of surprises and sneakier than I’d imagined. I loved the way she offset and accentuated the storyline, and I can only hope she continues to be a bigger part of the next books. 

While I tune in to this series for the over-the-top antics, hysterical adventures, and all-around fun, I greatly enjoyed the bigger role that romance was allowed in this new installment. Hot cop Nick!!! 🔥

Once again, this was the pure serotonin boost that I needed. I have read and loved every book in this series. But this one... THIS ONE is my FAVORITE. (I have said that before though.... Bring on book six!) 

🎧I cannot read this series without hearing Angela Dawes as THE voice of Finlay Donovan. It’s her distinct portrayal that brings to life the snark and outrageousness while also immersing me into the twists of the mystery. Dawes depiction fully embodies the humor and adventure within the storyline. 

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

Quirky. Tender. Reflective.

So much can change in just three days. Gail finds herself out of a job, reunited with her ex-husband, and a mother of a bride in crisis. 

I’m a sucker for an odd character, and even more so when that character wrestles with life in an authentic manner. Gail was such an endearing MC, vibrant and wholly eccentric. 

The dynamics between her and the other characters—in particular her ex and the cat he fostered—led to a sweet and heartfelt storyline that featured unexpected growth and led to a charming culmination. 

It’s true that I’m almost never fully satisfied with a short story. And while I loved the bones of this story, I admit to, again, wanting more. I wasn’t ready for this one to end and craved a deeper dive into these three days in June. 

Still, this was a refreshing, hope-filled read that gave me a much-needed break from the chaos of life. 

🎧Succession actress, J Smith Cameron, crafts an intimate portrayal of our MC, Gail, that is imbued with wit and heart. This sensitive and reflective depiction well honed the essence of the novel and delivered a standout audiobook listen. 

Many thanks to my friends at @aaknopf and @prhaudio for the free #gifted copies of this book. #partner

Completely addictive.  

As the snow fell and my fireplace blazed, I snuggled up with this chilling page turner and found myself completely unable to put it down.  

It included so many elements that I tend to love: 
❄️An atmospheric backdrop where the weather becomes a key player 
❄️A romance that could defy odds or falter under pressure 
❄️Rich people behaving badly 

I love a book that keeps me guessing, and the whole way through this one I was making predictions, updating theories, and constantly questioning what was to come.  It’s twisty, engaging, and tension filled.  It’s also rife with secrets and drama that kept me fully absorbed and entertained.  

Truly, this was an all-around winner for me.  

🎧Karissa Vacker is the queen of audiobook thrillers, and here she had me (once again) hanging on every single word that she narrated.  Her depiction painted a rich and multifaceted picture of our MC, Theo, while also accentuating the sense of urgency and the depth of emotion.  Another stellar audiobook read!

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

Unique.  Emotional. 

 

I’m used to loving books.  And occasionally, I find a book that just doesn’t work for me.  But it’s not often that a book leaves me this perplexed.  There were parts that I 5⭐️ loved.  But then, there were things that did not (full stop) work for me.  

 

The first chapter swept me away.  We were in Central Park last month, and this read transported me right back there, fully enamored with the unique escape it brings to the city.  Chapters focused on the park were interspersed throughout the novel, and each one brought me such joy as the park became a living, breathing character and spectator of the changing seasons, of life and time.  

 

The rest of the novel is a recounting of Abe and Jane’s life, as a couple and as parents.  Fifty years of memories were laid bare.  And while this is a love story, it’s not the kind found in sweet romance novels.  Rather, it’s an unvarnished and honest look at an enduring relationship full of ups and downs.   

 

As someone who recently celebrated 23 years of marriage, so much of what Soffer portrayed felt raw and authentic.  There were parts I deeply understood and others that I did <not> like at all.  And yet, the nuances of long-term relationships—the depth of love juxtaposed with the disappointments (and sometimes heartbreak)—were well depicted. 

 

But... the writing.  In parts, it was lyrical.  More so, the storyline unfolded as a stream of consciousness lacking structure and often repetitive.  Over and over, the phrase, “you remember,” filled full chapters making the writing choppy and underdeveloped.  While I understand the artistic reasons for this style choice, ultimately, it took away from its overall potential.  

 

🎧 The audiobook narration by Marin Ireland (FAV!) greatly enhanced this read.  Ireland

kept me engaged even when the writing style did not, and her depiction brought the depth of emotion to life.  I’d highly recommend this format.  

 

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

Bizarre.  Disturbing.  DARK.

Bazterrica’s newest Argentinian splatterpunk novella kept me engaged and horrified in equal portion, but in the end, left me somewhat conflicted.  

With many things well done—the unique format, the intensely atmospheric setting, and the spotlight on the loss of humanity only to then find a glimmer of hope—I expected to really love this read.  

But in the end, I was left (somewhat) wanting.  I craved a deeper dive into the religious and feminist themes, and I longed for more dissection of the cruel power dynamics.  However, it’s worth noting that I listened to this novella without having access to a print copy.  

Imani Jade Powers (a favorite!) gives an impeccable performance.  She brought the unnamed MC to life and accentuated the full spectrum of emotion found within the text.  

And while the audiobook narration was fantastic, I don’t think it truly captured the fullness of this novel given its unique formatting.  

With the story unfolding within journal entries where words are scratched out and writing is sometimes left unfinished, the context and structure add depth and meaning that wasn’t easily conveyed in the narration.  And ultimately, that may be why I was left somewhat unsatisfied in the end.  

The one aspect of this novel that worked exceptionally well for me:  the idea that documenting history is a form of resistance.  YES, indeed!!!  👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻  (See also: Heather Cox Richardson!)

So, my recommendation... grab a copy of the physical book to partner with the audiobook for an immersive experience.  

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