Stephen and Corky, Corky and Stephen - their partnership gave Stephen the courage to live more fully, take risks, and view life with laughter and at times as a Buddhist. I highly recommend this delightful and honest memoir!

In the hills of Kentucky after the Korean War, Tucker, a bootleg runner is trying to do right by his family, even if he has to break the law. I felt compassion for him and his wife, Rhonda, and their children. Offutt’s ability to balance intense and lyrical descriptions of rural life kept me turning the pages, and hoping that things would somehow work out for Tucker’s family.

Thanks to Grove Press for an ARC.

Appeal Factors: Character, Romance, Humor, and Tone

Follow the 18th-century escapades of Henry “Monty” Montague, expected to be a gentleman by his family, but wanting to play the rogue, and in love, he thinks, with his best friend, Percy Newton. Monty and Percy set off on the Grand Tour of Europe which quickly devolves into a swashbuckling, penniless adventure of being chased and chasing their hunters. Will Monty and Percy escape? Will Monty confess his love for Percy? Prepare to be delighted with Mackenzi Lee’s historical fiction romp, and the swoonablity factor of Monty’s potential romance with Percy. As an aside, Monty’s sister, Felicity, is a resourceful, intelligent, and fierce companion throughout the book, and will be the main character in Lee’s second book in the series: The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy.

PS: The audio version performed by Christian Coulson is delectable!

3.5/5
Gloria's grit, the support of her family, and finding love, allows her to finally live her truth.

Thanks to NetGalley for an eARC.

If you appreciated Emperor of Maladies...you will appreciate Jebelli’s historical overview on Alzheimer’s disease, and his humanity when sharing the stories of those who are living with the disease, and the caregivers who are taking care of their loved ones.

An endearingly honest, sweet, humorous, and thoughtful love story! Here’s to Tanner and Sebastian and first loves!

Morris is an exemplary storyteller! Told in alternating time periods (1992 and the late 16th century) about the community of Entrada de la Luna (New Mexico) and the history of crypto-Jews. High schooler Miguel loves the stars, and science, but not much else about his life in Entrada. As the story unfolds we learn that his Jewish ancestors were forced to leave Spain during the Spanish Inquisition, and eventually settled in present day Entrada. Pick this book up if you enjoy stories about identity, community, faith, and family.

Another thanks to NetGalley for the eARC.

If you savored Savvy and the other books in the series, you will be delighted by Harkey’s Sneak Thief!