Genevieve

The premise of The Mayor of Maxwell Street immediately caught my attention historical fiction set in 1920s Chicago is right up my alley. Unfortunately, the story didn’t hold my interest the way I’d hoped. I struggled to stay engaged with the plot, and the characters didn’t quite pull me in. It just didn’t work for me this time.

Imagine going to your sister’s destination wedding in Tulum, Mexico, sounds like paradise, right? WRONG. The groom happens to be your recent ex (who you definitely have no feelings for anymore), and your sister, aka the bridezilla, has made you her maid of honor while treating you like trash. All you want to do is relax and let off some steam.

Now let’s talk about Rome, the groom’s best friend! He’s always known Janelle was off limits, but the chemistry between them is so strong. When he proposes they give in and have a no strings attached romance only for the week, Janelle agrees, but things don’t stay simple for long.

This was my first Natasha Bishop book, and I was not disappointed! I felt every emotion, the love, the tension, and the frustration. I really disliked her sister and mother; they’re the true definition of jealousy and hate. I did appreciate her dad for trying to be there, but I wished he’d done more. Rome was such a great addition to Janelle’s life, showing her how to choose herself first.

I also loved the circle of friends and truly hope this turns into a series so we can get their stories too. The pacing was perfect, and just when I thought the story was over, Natasha gave us more, “Behind the Epilogue” 4 chapters and “Beyond the Epilogue” 2 chapters! I loved that extra touch. Highly recommend!

This was an interesting read, but it moved a little too fast for me. I didn’t get the chance to really connect with the characters or really get to know their story. I knew more about the App that the character Sanaa was creating and that she had a health scare than the actual person. I also needed to know more about Ezra, he came across as a demanding stranger, and honestly he kind of scared me of how fast he was falling for someone he didn’t know. There wasn’t much buildup or closure, and the ending left me with a few questions. Still, the premise had potential, I just wish it had been explored a bit more. Maybe I’m just not the audience for short, spicy reads. I need the buildup, the longing, the love… guess I’m just a hopeless romantic.

Reading Assata was such an emotional experience. I was amazed by her courage and everything she went through. It’s heartbreaking to see how much she suffered just for standing up for what she believed in. This memoir is powerful, necessary, and unforgettable.

I especially loved reading about her childhood, the struggles she faced as a teenager. The constant trials, the false accusations, and her escape to Cuba was an incredible part of the story and so intense.

What hit me the hardest was what she had to go through while pregnant in jail, and the scene with her 4 year old daughter, broke my heart.

Assata spent years in solitary confinement, the way she was treated was beyond cruel. Knowing she recently passed away makes this book feel even heavier. Her story and her legacy will never be forgotten. 🕊️

RIP Assata Olugbala Shakur (9/25/2025)

This one just wasn’t for me. Once I made it through the first few chapters, I kept asking myself, what am I even reading? I honestly wanted to DNF, but I pushed through because, it’s Octavia Butler.

There were way too many sexually explicit scenes involving Shori, a 50-something year old vampire in a child’s body, and adult men and women which made the story really cringey to read. I couldn’t look past that, and by the halfway point, I was honestly bored.

I only finished it for my book club, but I can see why many readers consider this her “worst book”. I still recommend checking out Octavia Butler’s other books, just maybe skip this one.

This was my first read by Nic Stone and I have to say it took me on a crazy ride. My husband and I couple-read this one and talked about each chapter as we finished. We also immersed read, which was a plus, but I kind of wished the narrator had a little more enthusiasm in some of the key parts.

I’ll admit, I was a little confused at first, the characters names are so similar that I actually had to write down who was who and how they were connected before things fully clicked. But once it did, the story really came together for me.

The story follows three strippers, two of them go missing weeks apart, and the third is trying to figure out what happened to them. It goes into their lives outside of the strip club and helps you to understand that these women are more than what they do for a living. Once my husband and I started putting our investigation skills together, it all made sense and got really good.

The only thing I didn’t love was the ending, it felt a little dull after such an intense buildup. Still, this was a crazy, fast-paced read and I look forward to reading more of her work.

I was gifted this book by my manager at work, and I’m so glad he shared it with me. Theo of Golden follows a mysterious, kind hearted older man from Portugal who arrives in Golden, Georgia. After visiting a local coffee shop and being moved by the portraits displayed there, he decides to buy all of them, with the heartfelt intention of finding and gifting them to their rightful owners.

This book was such a pleasant surprise for me. I’ve never read anything quite like it. It’s a beautifully written story about kindness, generosity, friendship, and love. Though it’s slow paced, it kept me wanting to know more. The characters are warm and very memorable, I laughed out loud at moments, and while I didn’t cry, I definitely got emotional.

It’s an inspiring read with gentle Christian themes that might not be for everyone, but I found it thoughtful and moving. The ending caught me completely off guard in the best way. This book will tug at your heart and stay with you long after you’ve finished.