Darlene

“There is nothing perfect... There is only life.”

The Secret Life of Bees is an emotional coming of age story about Lily, a 14 year old girl in the South in 1964, who runs away from home to protect herself and Rosaleen, the black woman who takes care of her, from the abuses of the white men in her hometown. They find refuge in the home of three black beekeeping sisters who Lily believes may have known her deceased mother. While staying with these women, Lily learns many valuable life lessons and comes to better understand herself and the world in which she lives.

Lily's life is far from perfect. Her mother died in a tragic accident when she was only four years old, and her father is not a capable or loving parent. Lily's story is an emotional one, and it seems at times that she is destined to end up bitter and angry. However, the women of this story nurture her and teach her acceptance and forgiveness so that she can embrace her own power and love herself and others.

This is a beautiful, compelling story that uses metaphors about bees and spirituality to develop many important themes around the topics of identity, acceptance, family, abuse, racism, and mental health. It made me feel powerful emotions, which is always the sign of a great book for me. The understanding Lily gains about her mother and the relationship she develops with August are particularly impactful. I believe I will be thinking about this book for a while.

I would highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy character-driven stories in historical settings that focus on female characters and relationships. This is definitely a new favorite for me.

I was looking forward to a new Christina Lauren book and was very excited to start reading. Unfortunately, if I'm honest, I was not loving it at the start. I find the premise of the book to be a bit far-fetched and the characters to be a bit too stereotyped. However, I am glad I stuck with it. In spite of the things I do not love, I ended up enjoying it overall. The romance is sweet and fun, and I really fell in love with the male lead. The female lead grew on me despite my distaste for her originally. Ultimately, my feelings are still mixed but I can admit I had a good time reading it.

The storyline follows Anna Green and Liam Weston, who married in college in order to live in family housing. It was a marriage of convenience that never actually ended even though they have not seen each other in years. Suddenly, Liam shows up at Anna's front door with a proposition involving life-changing money in exchange for attending a family wedding with him and pretending they have a real marriage so that he can receive an inheritance. As one can image, this does not go smoothly.

There are a lot of unlikeable characters in this book, specifically Liam's wealthy family. Their extreme privilege and snobbery are difficult to stomach. In contrast, Anna is unconventional and artistic. The reader is supposed to love Anna, but I found it very hard to relate to her. In fact, I could not relate to any of the characters in the book. This is not usually a problem for me, but when I also do not really like any of them, it is hard to root for any of them.

That being said, I did end up invested in Anna and Liam's relationship. When they are not interacting with the horrible Weston family, they are honest and kind with each other. Their romance develops organically through their forced proximity. They have fun and laugh together, which I find very endearing.

So, overall I'd say my feelings on this one are middle of the road. I do not love the set up of the plot or most of the characters, but I do love Anna and Liam's romance. I would tentatively recommend this to the right reader.

“And what about a person's life? How do you make a map of that? The borders people draw between themselves. The scars left along the ground of one's heart.”

Charmaine Wilkerson's debut novel is an impressive and inspiring story of the bonds of love and family in the face of adversity. She takes the reader on a journey through the map of the lives of the Bennett family, which traverses from Los Angeles back in time to the Caribbean and England.

As the novel opens, Eleanor Bennett has recently died, and her two ch

ildren, Byron and Benny, learn that she has left them a recording they must listen to. Before Eleanor's death, the Bennett family was a bit broken. Benny, Eleanor's daughter, has not spoken to the rest of the family in over 5 years, and her brother Byron is extremely resentful of her for causing this rift in the family. Their mother's death and the black cake she has left for them to share bring them back together, but mending the scars of their estrangement is not an easy task.

Eleanor's recording to her children reveals the story of her past, one filled with heartbreak and betrayal. This part of the story is told in flashbacks set in the Caribbean islands and then in England. We are introduced to Covey, a strong-willed, beautiful girl from the islands, who faces numerous challenges as she grows into a woman. The story eventually reveals a connection between Covey and Eleanor.

The cast of characters in this book is large, but every character plays an essential role in the development of the Bennett family. Each character is fleshed out as much as necessary for the role they play in the plot. The relationships between characters beautifully develop themes about love, loss, resentment, and betrayal.

The writing is straight-forward and simplistic at times and lyrical and complex at others. Wilkerson understands how to match the writing style to the characters and events in the story. She also artfully weaves many important topics into the story of this family, including racism, sexism, sexuality, and conservationism. My only complaint might be that there is maybe too many societal issues introduced in the book without the space to fully develop all of them.

Simply put, this is a great book. I will recommend it to everyone, especially those readers who love family drama. I look forward to reading more from this author.

This is the second book I've read this year (2024) that beautifully tackles the subject of grief and how to embrace life even in the face of loss. This book tells the story of Maddie, a young woman in her twenties, who has spent most of her youth caring for her sick father alone with no help from her mother or brother. When her mother finally comes home to take care of her father, Maddie moves out and begins the difficult task of figuring out how to live a life that will bring her joy and fulfillment instead of drowning in self-imposed guilt.

Maddie, who is also called Maame, struggles with many aspects of adulthood including career, friendships, romantic relationships, and family responsibilities. She also experiences depression that has gone untreated for years. Her character development is compelling.

This debut novel is well-written and engaging and explores important topics. I thoroughly enjoyed my experience reading it and would definitely recommend it to general fiction fans.

This is not the typical story about one of America's most infamous serial killers (who will remain nameless as he does in the book) in which the criminal is portrayed as a brilliant mastermind. Instead, this book tells the story through a different lens with the focus on the women he victimized and those who helped to bring him to justice. In that sense, it reminds me a bit of Notes on an Execution. Knoll creates a highly engaging, female-centered narrative that leaves the reader feeling both frustrated at society's glorification of the criminal and encouraged by the strength of the women impacted by his actions.

The book is told from the perspectives of Pamela Schumacher and Ruth Wachowsky in two separate timelines. Pamela is the president of the sorority attacked by the Defendant (as he is called in the book) in January of 1978, and Ruth is one of his victims in Washington state in the summer of 1974. Pamela and Tina, Ruth's friend, join forces after the sorority attack to find evidence that the police will take seriously in order to catch this killer.

This version of the well-known story seeks to actively diminish the image of this infamous killer and highlight the strength and innocence of his victims. The book criticizes the way in which the women are often portrayed as having invited violence by their behavior. Knoll correctly displays them as blameless, though not perfect, and focuses on their courage.

This is a really interesting book that reads quickly and effortlessly. I would recommend it to anyone, especially readers looking for a different take on over-glamourized serial murderer.

I highly anticipated this release because I absolutely love Part of Your World and Yours Truly. While I did enjoy this third book in the companion series, I am slightly disappointed by it. It is hard for me to pinpoint exactly what I do not love about it. All I can say it it just feels like “too much.”

Let me explain. In this story, Emma and Justin are two individuals in their late twenties who have a “curse” which leads the people they break up with to find love with the next person they date. Emma and Justin come together and decide to date each other with the intent of breaking up and then moving on to find their true loves. This is a fun premise, but from the beginning it is clear to me why Emma's relationships never last. The idea of a curse makes it seem like they are blameless in these failed relationships, but that is not the case with Emma. Also, both Emma and Justin have major difficulties in their lives involving their mothers. Emma has trauma from foster care and a toxic mother, and Justin has to raise his siblings for a few years while his mother is in jail. Through the course of their romance, they also experience other unexpected roadblocks and major life-altering revelations. As I said before, it's all a bit much for me.

So why then do I rate this with 4 stars? Well, there are also a lot of good things about this book despite the aspects that frustrate me. Justin is a lovable character who any woman would want to date. He is considerate and supportive. Emma's best friend is loyal and supportive as well. The cameos of characters from the previous books are fun and exciting. There is also a great deal of humor in the story. The pace is perfect, the setting is picturesque, and the themes developed are important. The author makes some very salient points about response to trauma. There is much to love about the book.

In the end, I settled on the 4 stars rating because I would say this book is a good romance that explores some important topics well. I just don't love all aspects of the book. I am still a fan of Abby Jimenez and will continue to read and recommend her books.

William Kent Krueger writes novels that always impress me. This mystery set in 1958 is masterfully written with beautiful description of the landscape of Minnesota and strong development of an interesting cast of small town characters.

The story is set along the fictional Alabaster River, in which a prominent citizen of the small community of Jewel, Minnesota is found floating dead from a shotgun blast. The investigation leads to Noah Bluestone, a Dakota Sioux, who worked for the victim with whom he had a long-standing antagonistic relationship. While most of the town condemns him as guilty due to this Native-American ancestry, a few members of the community question the evidence and search for an alternative suspect. Through the investigation, many personal secrets are revealed.

This book is very character driven, which I love. The reader gains much insight into the histories and the motivations of these small town characters. Many of them are dealing with trauma from WWII while others are trying to cope with difficult events in their personal lives. Strong bonds are creates between characters during the course of events in the book.

The book explores themes on topics such as prejudice, trauma, coming of age, abuse, and redemption. Krueger handles these topics with sensitivity, but does not shy away from the ugliness and hard truths associated with them.

I highly recommend this book, along with Krueger's other historical fiction novels Ordinary Grace and This Tender Land. All three are excellent.

This book is a bit of a miss for me. I decided to read it because of the movie adaptation soon to be released. I found it to be interesting and engaging at first, but that started to wane as it progressed. I ended up feeling mostly bored and disappointed by the end.

This age gap romance between a 39 year old gallery owner and a 20 year old pop star is just too far-fetched for me. Solene is depicted as this flawlessly beautiful woman with immaculate taste in clothes and art. Hayes is supposed to be gorgeous and sexy and oh so mature and soulful at the age of just 20. It's just unbelievable.

While I did enjoy the flirtation and sexual chemistry at the start of their affair, I soon tired of it. I did not care to read more scenes of them traveling the world and having sex. I also found it disappointing how Solene continued to disregard her daughter's feelings in favor of her own happiness for much of the book.

To me, the ending is the only part that made sense and felt realistic. However, I wish it weren't so abrupt.

Overall, I am glad I read it so I know what to expect from the movie, but I can't say I enjoyed all of it. I'm not sure I would recommend it.

I chose this book one day while browsing NetGalley because I was drawn to the cover, and the description of the story intrigued me. The book tells the story of Tatum Vega who in her 20s develops a relationship with a famous author, Mateo Domínguez, whose work she admires. When the book begins she is in her 30s when she is contacted by a reporter who wants to include her in an investigation against Domínguez, who has been accused of assault by another woman. The book mostly consists of Tatum writing a letter to Domínguez that details her experience in their relationship and how it has impacted her.

This debut novel has an interesting writing style. In much of the book, the author writes in an epistolary style that uses second person point of view, giving the story a very personal feeling. It seems that the author is intelligent and well-versed in art and literature. She sometimes shifts to Spanish or Japanese, immersing the reader a bit into the language of those cultures. My only wish is that she had more often provided translations for the things said in these languages.

The power balance in relationships is at the center of the narrative. Tatum is infatuated with an older, more established man. This relationship is unbalanced, and Tatum struggles to find her own identity and move forward with her life. The book also explores other important topics such as personal and cultural identity and sexual orientation.

While I enjoyed the writing style and found the characters to be well developed, there are some aspects that frustrated me. The pace of the book is sometimes too slow, and I found myself losing interest. I usually like a slow pace, but I found Tatum frustrating as a protagonist, so I did not relish living in her head for 300 pages. She has the advantage of an elite education, but wastes it for much of the story. I cannot connect with that kind of lack of ambition and drive. She is also a bit of a literary and art snob judging others for their lack of knowledge. The isolation she feels is often of her own making, so it is hard to feel sympathy for her.

Overall, I have to admit that this book is just okay in my estimation. It was good enough to continue to the end, but I am not likely to remember it months in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and Celadon Books for providing me with an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I picked up The Death of Vivek Oji on a whim while shopping, hoping for a good literary fiction read. I definitely lucked out with this choice. The book is both beautiful and heartbreaking. It is incredibly emotional and leaves a lasting impact on the reader. It feels wrong to say I enjoyed it because the characters experience such turmoil and pain. Instead, I'll say I am glad I read it.

As the story begins, Kavita Oji discovers the body of her son Vivek on her doorstep. People in her life try to tell her that the death was an accident, but she needs answers to be able to move on. She believes Vivek's cousin Osita and friends are hiding secrets from her. Osita is the closest friend Vivek has, and their relationship is developed through flashbacks throughout the book.

One of the most heart wrenching lines in the book are Vivek's statement: “If nobody sees you, are you still there?” Vivek is different

This book is a prime example of an interesting premise that falls flat in its execution. Rebecca Serle presents this unique idea of “the universe” giving a woman premonitions of how long her relationships will last, but the story never explains this phenomenon and instead veers off into a side plot that ends up consuming the last third of the book. I felt like this book did not know what story it wanted to tell.

Daphne Bell receives notes at the start of her romantic relationships that indicate how long they will last. She does not know where they come from or why she receives them, but she allows them to control her love life without question. When she goes on her first date with Jake, all the note says is his name with no timeframe, so she wonders if that means he is “the one.” They enter a relationship, but she is hiding important information from him that could ruin the relationship.

I'll start with what I like about the book. As I said previously, the premise is very interesting. I enjoy a touch of magical realism in my books, but I need there to be some explanation in the end. I also think Serle does a good job of eliciting an emotional reaction from me with her depiction of Daphne's interactions with her family. Finally, I like Jake as a character. He is sincere and straightforward and generally just a good guy, possibly too good for Daphne.

My first issue with this book is with the writing. The author provides too many mundane details that are unnecessary to the plot and character development. For instance, she describes the clothing of every character in a scene and the decor of every setting the characters enter. I found myself very annoyed by this to the point that I almost stopped reading the book altogether.

I also find the structure of the book to be frustrating. The narration moves back and forth in time between Daphne's present day situation with Jake and her past relationships. I do not usually mind dual timelines, but the narration often switches from present to past without a warning or indicator of the shift so that I had to read a few sentences before figuring it out. The flashbacks also did not occur in chronological order, so it jumped around all of the over the place.

Unfortunately, this book will not be memorable to me. I liked it well enough to finish it, but I do not think I would recommend it to other readers.

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for providing me an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

In this highly entertaining installment of The Thursday Murder Club series, the club members are all back, and they have a new mystery to solve.

Elizabeth's ex-husband, who also happens to be a member of MI5, turns up looking for a place to hide because some very violent men are threatening his life in relation to some stolen diamonds. When dead bodies start turning up, Elizabeth and the rest of the Thursday Murder Club (Joyce, Ron, & Ibrahim) begin investigating and become entangled in the search for the diamonds, which puts their lives at risk.

This book was such a delight to read. I found it to be better than the first book in the series. I was laughing from the very first page to the end. I will forever adore the members of the Thursday Murder Club. They are a great example of a found family. They are there for each other, even if it might mean death. The witty banter between these elderly individuals is so entertaining that I often found myself laughing out loud.

The plot is fast-paced and the stakes are often high. However, you almost forget the danger because the conversations between the characters make it seem like every situation is just another fun outing for the gang and not a big deal. This contrast is what makes the story so enjoyable and light-hearted in spite of the content (murder, spies, theft, etc.). While a lot of the action is unbelievable, I am not bothered because it is all just so much fun.

I would recommend this series to anyone who enjoys a murder mystery, but also wants a light-hearted laugh and lovable characters. I will definitely be continuing the series.

This debut novel by Laura Spence-Ash is a slow-paced, character-driven historical fiction that spans a 25 year timeframe from the beginning of WWII through 1965. It tells the story of a young girl, Beatrix, who is sent from London to Boston to live with an American family while London is unsafe due to the war. The book explores how children who were shipped to safety are affected by being uprooted and how the relationships they form with their host families impact their lives both during and after the war.

Beatrix, or Bea, adapts well to her life in Boston and Maine, where the family spends its summers. She grows attached to the Gregory family during the five years she spends with them. She struggles when she returns to London because Boston and Maine now feel more like home to her. The book follows Bea, the members of the Gregory family, and Bea's mother over the course of 25 years as their lives and relationships evolve.

This book is very well-written with beautiful descriptive language. The author captures moments vividly so the setting and the character's emotions are imprinted on the reader's mind. The book moves at a slow pace that I found very relaxing even though much of the content is deeply emotional. There is an almost melancholy feeling to the reading experience but in a satisfying way, like the calming of a rainstorm.

There are many points of view in the book, some more necessary to the story than others. I often wished while reading that the points of view of some characters would be developed more and that some would not have been included at all. The first part of the story focused on Bea and her two families, and I found the development satisfying. In the second and third parts, other voices were added and chunks of time were skipped leaving me feeling like there were gaps in the development.

I really enjoyed my experience reading this book. I cared about the characters and the outcome of their individual stories. I am interested to see what the author produces next.

This book proves that Laurie Frankel's writing style works for me. This is my third time reading one of her books, and she has solidified herself as a favorite author. Her novels address serious, important topics with sincerity and sensitivity. The subject matter of her books is often personal to her, and that brings authenticity to her writing.

This is the story of television and movie actress India Allwood and the family she creates through adoption, both as a birth mother and adoptive mother. When the story begins, India and her adopted children, Fig and Jack, get caught up in a media storm due to India's comments about the movie in which she has recently starred, which focuses on a narrative about adoption that India feels is overdone and not representative of all adoption experiences. The fallout of her comments lead to the public learning about India's experience of placing a baby for adoption when she was young. The story then alternates between present day and flashbacks to India's youth, revealing the reasons, consequences, and benefits of her actions.

India is an interesting character who at times is frustrating and hard to understand, but she is never boring. Her love interests are developed enough to give them personality, but not enough to make them overshadow her. India's daughter Fig is a very likable, though naïve character who is constantly trying to fix things so that everyone can be happy, but her actions tend to escalate problems instead.

The dual timelines are executed well. The flashbacks occur at times in the plotline when explanation of past events is appropriate. The two timelines eventually converge in a satisfying way toward the end of the book.

The book explores a few serious topics including trauma, anxiety, feelings of abandonment, and adoption. Adoption is the main subject of the book, which presents the idea that there are many stories of adoption that should be told. I like that the book emphasizes that we should not presume to understand the feelings of those involved or make assumptions of how they should respond to their experiences. The book places a lot of emphasis on the fact that there are all kinds of families, including those with single mothers, gay parents, and adoptive parents.

Overall, I really like this book. I find Frankel's writing very readable with several insights on life and love. I underlined so many quotable lines that I want to go back to and think about. I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy character-driven general fiction that explores important, timely topics.

4.5 Stars!

Unfortunately, this book is a flop for me. I enjoyed The Woman in the Library by this author, but this book is so convoluted and chaotic that I found myself frustrated while reading it, especially in the last 25% of the book.

The book centers on Theo, a budding author, who becomes entangled in a murder investigation when she discovers Dan, her writer friend and lover, dead in his home. As the synopsis tells us, Theo ends up being forced to flee when the investigation focuses on her and her brother, Gus.

To start with, the synopsis on the book gives away the first 75% of the story. The book spends a large amount of time setting up the murders and the investigation and then rushes through the events involving Theo's disappearance and Gus's search for her. Then, once she disappears, the story rushes to a conclusion by skipping years of time. It felt very chaotic and undeveloped.

Theo as a main character is frustrating, also. She is so naïve and reckless even though she knows she needs to be careful. She never follows the sensible advice of her brother and friends. She constantly puts herself and others in danger.

There is honestly just too much going on in this plot. We encounter murders, conspiracy theories, doomsday preppers, communes, evil corporations, and crazy fans. It is all too distracting, and much of it is unnecessary. I just couldn't figure out what story the author is trying to tell.

The one positive thing I found in this book is the relationships between Theo and Gus and between Gus and his friend Mac. Gentill is actually quite good at building these relationships. I wish she had kept the focus on them instead of the plot events in the end.

This book is just not it for me. I hate to give low ratings, but I ended this reading experience feeling annoyed. I will not be recommending this book.

Thank you to Netgalley and Poisoned Pen for providing me an advanced review copy of this book.

I absolutely adored this relaxing, yet deeply emotional book about a lonely death doula trying to learn how to live a fuller life. Though the book is completely unrushed in its storytelling, it reads easily and quickly. It explores heavy, thought-provoking topics, yet leaves the reader feeling light and hopeful in the end.

Clover Brooks has experienced much death in her 36 years of life, both in her personal life and as a death doula. Clover spends time with dying individuals so that they are not alone as their life expires. After each job ends, Clover records the last words of her clients as either regrets, confessions, or advice and tries to honor them through fulfilling some of their regrets or living by their advice. The problem for Clover is that she is not very good at living. She is a loner who spends her days watching romcoms in the apartment that is still cluttered with her dead grandfather's belongings.

My favorite part of this book is the relationship Clover has with her grandfather and her elderly neighbor, Leo. I actually wish the book were a bit longer and spent more time with these characters. Clover's grandfather is a quiet, serious man with insightful commentary to share about life. I loved every scene he was in. Leo is full of life and obviously cares deeply for Clover. He pushes her to leave the comfort of her small life in order to find joy. Each of these men impacts Clover's life in a positive manner.

The book's exploration of death and grief is done well. Clover's grief over not being present when her grandfather dies leads her to her chosen occupation of death doula. She isolates herself and withdraws into the apartment that is filled with his things. The author is sympathetic to Clover's grief but also reveals its negative impacts. She explores why people get so entrenched in their grief and comes to the conclusion that “Grief is just love looking for a place to settle.” This leads to the takeaway that there is nothing wrong with holding on to grief, but the story also shows that life must still be lived and joy can still be found.

To sum it up, I felt something while reading this book. It touched me. Though all aspects of the story are not perfect (I didn't care for the romance aspects), it was an extremely enjoyable and calming reading experience and therefore earns a 5 star rating from me.

In her book The Women, Kristin Hannah has written another emotional historical fiction novel that immerses readers in a turbulent period in history, one that is not so prevalent in historical fiction writing. This book tells the story of Frankie McGrath, Army nurse during the Vietnam conflict, who faces difficult situations both during her time in Vietnam and in the years after she returns home as a veteran. Frankie's story demonstrates that “women can be heroes too.”

Hannah divides Frankie's story into two parts. In Part 1, Frankie enlists in the Army as a nurse in order to follow her brother to Vietnam and to earn herself a spot on her father's “Heroes Wall.” Most of the plot in this part of the book takes place in Vietnam where Frankie experiences the brutality of war up close. Though the experience takes a toll on Frankie's emotions and beliefs, it also introduces her to two other nurses, Barb and Ethel, who become her best friends and support system.

In Part 2, Frankie is back home in California struggling to integrate back into everyday life. The world has changed, and people do not treat her as she expected. Even her family does not acknowledge or value her service to her country, so Frankie has to figure out who she is beyond being an Army nurse.

The best part of this book is the female friendship between Frankie, Barb, and Ethel. Hannah writes female relationships so well. They become a found family that supports one another no matter the circumstances. Barb, especially, is always there to pick Frankie up when she stumbles, no questions asked. Hannah writes, “Thank God for girlfriends. In this crazy, chaotic, divided world run by men, you could count on women.” So true!

There are many other aspects to praise in this book. The book is well-paced and easy to read with straightforward storytelling. I was thoroughly immersed in the settings and sped through chapters to see what would happen next. The historical context of the Vietnam conflict is highly engaging and interesting. I immediately wanted to research events referenced in the book. Frankie's experiences are vividly depicted and lead to some very emotional reading moments. Hannah's books always make me feel connected to the characters so that their hardships have a strong impact on me.

One thing I wish had been handled differently is the development of Frankie's romantic relationships. The relationships she engaged in while in Vietnam are too quickly developed without enough time taken to create an understanding of why these characters fall in love. I could not buy in to these romances because there wasn't enough foundation for them. Honestly, I feel that the book does not need romance in it at all. The story of Frankie, her family, and the women she befriends is enough in itself.

Would I recommend this book to other readers? Absolutely. It is informative, entertaining, heartbreaking, and inspiring. Another excellent book by a gifted writer!

I love when I find a well-written historical fiction novel that introduces me to a topic I have not learned about previously. Take My Hand by Dolen Perkins-Valdez has left a lasting impact on me. I was educated, outraged, saddened, and inspired during my reading experience.

The events in the novel are loosely based on a real incident in the 1970s, and after finishing the novel, I immediately wanted to know more and to discuss the events with others. In the book, Civil Townsend, a nurse at the family planning clinic in Montgomery, Alabama, is assigned to give birth control shots to two young black girls aged 11 and 13. Erica and India Williams live in extreme poverty and are given birth control shots by the government to keep them from getting pregnant. Civil is bothered by this because the girls are so young and not sexually active. When she discovers that the shot is not approved by the FDA and may cause cancer, she stops giving them the shots. Even though she tries to stop the damage done to these girls, events beyond her control lead to a deplorable and irreversible action committed against them. Civil then attempts to right the wrongs for which she feels responsible.

While the plot of the book is engaging and tells an important story, it is the characters that make a lasting impact on the reader. All the main characters are fully developed in such a way that the reader can connect with them and feel deeply affected by their struggles. Civil's love for the Williams family and her turmoil over her contribution to their pain is vividly portrayed. I cared for those young girls right along side Civil, and I deeply despised the individuals who caused those beloved characters pain. I do not believe I will be forgetting any of these characters any time soon, if ever.

The themes in this novel are so important. Topics such as racism, government control, civil rights, responsibility, redemption, and accountability are explored. The book does not shy away from uncomfortable realities. Through the character of Civil, the author explores the inner turmoil that results from decisions we make and how we must face the consequences of those decisions. Civil grows into a more self-aware individual as a result of her experience.

I would recommend this book to most readers, but especially those who enjoy historical fiction that deals with civil rights and centers female characters and issues. It will likely be one of my top books read in 2024!

I am not sure why it took me so long to read this book, but I am glad I finally prioritized it. This is a beautiful, informative story about a summer in Madrid in 1957 during which a young man from Texas falls in love with a young Spanish woman and learns the realities of life in Spain under the dictatorship of Franco.

Daniel Matheson, a budding photographer, spends the summer of his 18th year in Madrid with his mother and father. While there, he meets and forms a bond with Ana, a young maid at the hotel where his family is staying. Through his interactions with Ana and the photographs he takes around the city, Daniel learns some uncomfortable truths about life in Spain.

There is a lot to praise in this book. The pacing is perfect; the story never lags. The short chapters make it easy to continue in the story. It creates that “just one more chapter” feeling. The historical context is interesting and engaging. The story explores a topic that is not overdone in other books. The characters are well-developed and likable. Daniel and Ana are easy to embrace as protagonists. Secondary characters add richness to the narrative and help to reveal the historical context.

My only complaint is that the story does not feel resolved in the end. I do not believe that every story needs to have every aspect completed wrapped up, but in this case I was left feeling a bit cheated out a resolution.

Overall, I would recommend this book to readers of all ages, not just young adults. It is educational and entertaining and just so readable. 4.5 stars!

I went into this book with high hopes because I really enjoyed Rutledge's previous historical fiction, West with Giraffes. Unfortunately, this one did not have the same impact on me as a reader. It was a good book, but it did not give me anything I did not already know or feel about the time period of the story. Therefore, it is a 3 star read for me. I would recommend it as a good story with likable characters, but I do not foresee it being memorable to me.

Reading this book was such a relaxing, pleasant experience. The writing is so smooth and beautiful, and the storytelling is top notch. This is my first Ann Patchett read, but I feel like it will not be the last.

Lara is the book's main character who tells her three daughters the story of her summer fling with a famous actor, Peter Duke. Her family is stuck on their cherry farm during the Covid pandemic lockdown, so they spend their time picking cherries and telling stories. The daughters are obviously fascinated to learn more about their mother's acting experience and her love affair with Duke. Through her story, Lara reveals some unexpected truths that impact her daughters' opinions of her and their beloved actor.

The story unfolds at a slow, but engaging pace. Patchett takes her time describing people and places in a way that places the reader into the events, yet the story never lags. I kept wanting to continue to the next chapter because the storytelling was so good. It felt like I was one of the daughters listening to the story in the cherry orchard.

While the story Lara tells is about her past relationship with a man, the book is really about her current relationships and how she has reached this point in her life. I enjoyed the dynamic between her and her daughters as well as her relationship with her husband. There are a few moments in the present timeline that connect back to Peter Duke, but the story is not about him.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and give it 4.5 stars. The writing is so easy to read and the pace is perfect. While it does not delve into complex or provocative themes, it does tell a beautiful story. And that is enough.

This was my first book by this author, and I am glad I decided to give her books a try. The writing is smooth and engaging, and the characters are richly developed and relatable. The book is heartbreaking and upsetting at times, but also quite funny and entertaining throughout.

Lillie Silva's world is turned on its head when her husband of 20 years, Brad Fairchild, leaves her to be with another woman, Melissa. Lillie struggles to figure out what her life will be now that she is no longer a wife and her son has left for college. Most of the chapters are told from Lillie's perspective, but several are told from the point of view of Melissa, who has use lies and manipulation to rise from poverty to wealth through advantageous marriages. Both are compelling characters with complex backgrounds and distinct voices. Readers will find themselves invested in their storylines.

Most of my thoughts on this book are positive. For instance, I enjoyed the myriad of emotions it invokes. Anger becomes laughter and then swiftly leads to sadness and heartbreak. I actually found myself laughing out loud a couple of times. My main complaint about the book is that it is too long for my liking. Some of the secondary plotlines seem unnecessary and draw the story out to almost 500 pages. They also distract from the main storyline.

Overall, this is an enjoyable book with strong character development and an emotional plot. I would definitely recommend it.

This novel is an atmospheric tale set on a mysterious, magical island where fourteen years ago a murder and a fire altered the lives and futures of several town members, especially the two main characters Emery and August. This book makes for an immersive, moody read.

August Salt was run out of town 14 years ago as a suspect in the death of Lily Morgan on the night of the orchard fire that nearly destroyed Saoirse Island. His then girlfriend and the victim's best friend, Emery Blackwood, is left behind on the island where she now runs the teashop and is in a complicated relationship with Dutch Boden, who was the fourth member of their group as teenagers. August returns to the island to bury his mother, but his presence opens old wounds and challenges the peace that the residents of the island have fought to establish. He and Emery begin to unravel the mystery of Lily's death, which leads them to discover truths about the community and the island that may be better left buried.

Young excels in this book at creating an autumnal, moody atmosphere that pulls the reader into the setting. While reading, it is easy to believe that you are there on Saoirse Island with the characters. I wish she had actually leaned more into the magical aspects of the setting. For most of the book, the magical element feels peripheral and unnecessary to the story. It becomes more a part of the plotline toward the end of the book, but it really could have been left out and the book would have been a good mystery and romance.

The main characters, Emery and August, are likable enough, but I did not feel invested in their romance. I would like to have seen more chapters from their teenage years to fully develop their relationship. The character development overall in this book could have better for me. There are a lot of secondary characters whose motivations are difficult to fully understand because the reader does not spend enough time with them.

Even though I would have liked some things to be a bit more developed, I did enjoy my reading experience with this novel. I would recommend it to readers who like atmospheric reads set in the autumn with some magical realism elements.

This book is not what one would expect from the title. The execution of Ansel Parker, serial killer, does not consume the entire storyline. While it is always in the back of the reader's mind as the main anticipated event, it is not the focus of the majority of the chapters. Instead, the story of Ansel's life and crimes is revealed to us through the narratives of women who have played some role in his life or been impacted by his actions. In this manner, the book is really about people and their complicated emotions and motivations more than it is a description of an isolated execution day.

The story is told through four distinct perspectives. Throughout the book, we see Ansel Parker living his last hours before the execution, desperately hoping for escape and understanding. Through the perspective of his mother, Lavender, we learn about Ansel's childhood and abandonment. His cruelty and darkness are revealed through the narratives of Saffy, a fellow foster care child and homicide detective, and Hazel, sister of Ansel's murdered wife. Through these varied perspectives, we get a fuller picture of Ansel and his circumstances.

This book's main appeal is in the stories told be the female voices. Each woman's story adds depth to the understanding of Ansel and provokes the reader to contemplate complex topics such as nature versus nurture and the impact of the death penalty. The ideas presented lingered in my mind after finishing the book, which is a sign of successful book.

Overall, I believe this book to be well-written and highly thought-provoking. The female characters stand out and give the story its depth. I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy literary fiction that explores dark topics.

“Light is only possible through dialogue between cultures, not through rejection of one or the other.”

James McBride has created a beautifully-written story about people of different cultures coming together to save the future of a 12 year old deaf boy. McBride creates a vivid portrait of a diverse community in 1936 Pennsylvania. While the plot of saving the young boy is ever present, this book is more a character study of individuals from different backgrounds and how those individuals fit or do not fit in the America of the 1930s.

The main plot involves a 12 year old deaf boy who has been orphaned. The state of Pennsylvania wants to put him in a mental institution, even though he is not mentally disabled. Members of the Pottstown community, both Jewish and African-American, conspire together to hide the boy, Dodo, from the state authorities. The book has many other small side plots that create a portrait of the lives of the different individuals of Pottstown.

Some readers will find the pacing of this book to be too slow, but I thoroughly enjoyed the time the author takes to reveal the personalities and background of the many characters in Pottstown. The narration often meanders away from the main plot and main characters, which allows the reader to get a complete picture of the community. The many characters and their stories do not distract from the main plot; they enhance it.

The social commentary in this book centers around race, religion, and acceptance. McBride makes many salient points about these topics that stick with the reader upon completion of the book. While at times I felt the commentary to be a bit “preachy,” I found that overall the points are relevant and impactful.

I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy character-driven narratives with strong, universally relevant themes. It is truly worth the time to savor it.