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Published on 2 Comments on The Maid
The Maid Book Cover The Maid
Nita Prose
Fiction
Ballantine Books
January 4, 2022
Hardcover
304
Purchased

Molly Gray is not like everyone else. She struggles with social skills and misreads the intentions of others. Her gran used to interpret the world for her, codifying it into simple rules that Molly could live by.

Since Gran died a few months ago, twenty-five-year-old Molly has been navigating life’s complexities all by herself. No matter—she throws herself with gusto into her work as a hotel maid. Her unique character, along with her obsessive love of cleaning and proper etiquette, make her an ideal fit for the job. She delights in donning her crisp uniform each morning, stocking her cart with miniature soaps and bottles, and returning guest rooms at the Regency Grand Hotel to a state of perfection.

But Molly’s orderly life is upended the day she enters the suite of the infamous and wealthy Charles Black, only to find it in a state of disarray and Mr. Black himself dead in his bed. Before she knows what’s happening, Molly’s unusual demeanor has the police targeting her as their lead suspect. She quickly finds herself caught in a web of deception, one she has no idea how to untangle. Fortunately for Molly, friends she never knew she had unite with her in a search for clues to what really happened to Mr. Black—but will they be able to find the real killer before it’s too late?

A Clue-like, locked-room mystery and a heartwarming journey of the spirit, The Maid explores what it means to be the same as everyone else and yet entirely different—and reveals that all mysteries can be solved through connection to the human heart.

My review:

4.5 stars

What an absolute gem of a book! Told from Molly's perspective, we see the inner workings of what she is thinking about all sorts of situations. Molly has many social disorders which are never really categorized, but her inability to read people leads her to trust everyone. This has dire consequences when she is set up to take the fall for a murder at the hotel where she works as a maid. I absolutely loved Molly from the first page. Her world has been turned upside down when her gran, who has always taken care of her and instilled many habits and words of wisdom, dies and leaves her on her own to handle the world out there. Molly does her best to carry on as Gran would have wanted, but finding the dead body of a wealthy hotel patron has her ordered life in a turmoil that she has a hard time navigating. There are some good and bad supporting characters in this story. Some are easy to categorize for the reader (although not for Molly), others take a bit more information before we can make up our mind. This book was absolutely a five star read for me right up until the last few pages when I knocked it down just a bit because of something that is revealed that I'm not sure I liked the way the author resolved it. For me, it didn't quite fit with what Molly would do.

I would call this book a cross between cozy mystery, thriller, and literary fiction. A story told by a protagonist you will be rooting so hard for, don't miss this one!

Published on Leave a comment on On A Night Like This
On a Night Like This Book Cover On a Night Like This
Lindsey Kelk
Fiction
HarperCollins
January 18, 2022
Advance reader copy
384
Free from publisher

Within days of wishing she could change her life, Fran Cooper is acting assistant to a celebrity, on a yacht in the Mediterranean, and en route to a tiny Italian island and the glittering Crystal Ball, along with the world’s rich and famous.

When she – quite literally – bumps into a handsome American called Evan, a man able to keep his cool in the face of chaos, the magic really begins.

Evan makes her a promise: no last names, no life stories, just one unforgettable night. Yet Evan belongs at the Crystal Ball and Fran is a gatecrasher. They may be soulmates, but their homes are an ocean apart, and their lives a world apart. They’ll never meet again – unless, on a night like this, everything can change forever…

My review:

This book was a breath of fresh air, and the perfect read if you've been binging on thrillers and books with heavier subject matter. It was well written and well paced, with characters you felt like you wanted to get to know. And lest you think it was a cheesy romance, there were lots of subjects dealt with that kept it from that classification (for me). Fran is struggling with her present life situation, and when she takes on a new job, even that has its problems. Some of the predicaments she finds herself in made me chuckle, and while there are definitely some parts that are a little convenient and contrived to fit the plot, I found myself happily going along for the ride. There were several supporting characters that I really enjoyed, and the way they fit into the evolution of Fran were critical to making the whole story work. The love interest was sweet, but I was glad that the entire book didn't revolve around that. I'm never a fan of the pivotal last third of the book conflict which inevitably finds its way into romance books, but thankfully this one was resolved fairly quickly and painlessly. To me, the most important aspects of this book were the personal growth of Fran, and the friendships both old and new that were made.

This is the first book I've picked up from this prolific author who has tons of back titles, but I'm anxious to give something else a go when I need a cute (but not cutesy, there is a difference) story.

Published on Leave a comment on Wahala
Wahala Book Cover Wahala
Nikki May
Fiction
Custom House
January 11, 2022
Hardcover
384
Free from publisher

Ronke wants happily ever after and 2.2. kids. She’s dating Kayode and wants him to be “the one” (perfect, like her dead father). Her friends think he’s just another in a long line of dodgy Nigerian boyfriends.

Boo has everything Ronke wants—a kind husband, gorgeous child. But she’s frustrated, unfulfilled, plagued by guilt, and desperate to remember who she used to be.

Simi is the golden one with the perfect lifestyle. No one knows she’s crippled by impostor syndrome and tempted to pack it all in each time her boss mentions her “urban vibe.” Her husband thinks they’re trying for a baby. She’s not.

When the high-flying, charismatic Isobel explodes into the group, it seems at first she’s bringing out the best in each woman. (She gets Simi an interview in Hong Kong! Goes jogging with Boo!) But the more Isobel intervenes, the more chaos she sows, and Ronke, Simi, and Boo’s close friendship begins to crack.

A sharp, modern take on friendship, ambition, culture, and betrayal, Wahala (trouble) is an unforgettable novel from a brilliant new voice.

My review:

I admit that the cover was the first thing that drew me into this novel. I was a bit more skeptical when I read the characters being compared to those from Sex and the City, I'm not a fan of books about twenty somethings behaving badly (although I don't seem to mind them on television). This book received the comparison more for the girlfriends aspect than their behaviors, and for that I was completely on board! I loved getting to know this friend group that has been together since grade school days. They originally bonded over their Nigerian heritage, and as they matured, each has taken on a different lifestyle and her own personality. The everyday dramas and highs/lows that are common to many made this a very believable story. Ambition, trust and culture were among the topics well woven into the plot. The introduction of a 4th friend into the group has some minor implications that seem to multiply and cause fractures within the original group. It was very well written for a debut novel, and I thought the characters were very well crafted. It was a very enjoyable reading experience.

I would recommend this to anyone who likes a believable story about friendship and the effect of adding another friend to the group. Wahala means trouble, so you know you are in for a captivating read.

Published on Leave a comment on The Last House on the Street
The Last House on the Street Book Cover The Last House on the Street
Diane Chamberlain
Fiction
St. Martin's Press
January 11, 2022
Advance reader copy
352
Free from publisher

When Kayla Carter's husband dies in an accident while building their dream house, she knows she has to stay strong for their four-year-old daughter. But the trophy home in Shadow Ridge Estates, a new development in sleepy Round Hill, North Carolina, will always hold tragic memories. But when she is confronted by an odd, older woman telling her not to move in, she almost agrees. It's clear this woman has some kind of connection to the area...and a connection to Kayla herself. Kayla's elderly new neighbor, Ellie Hockley, is more welcoming, but it's clear she, too, has secrets that stretch back almost fifty years. Is Ellie on a quest to right the wrongs of the past? And does the house at the end of the street hold the key? Told in dual time periods, The Last House on the Street is a novel of shocking prejudice and violence, forbidden love, the search for justice, and the tangled vines of two families.

My review:

Diane Chamberlain is a go to author for me. I will read anything she writes because I know it will be well written, well researched, and have characters that I care about. It did not come as a surprise that I thoroughly enjoyed this newest release. This is a dual timeline/ dual perspective story. Ellie's story takes place for the most part in 1965, when she works for a program called SCOPE, which encourages blacks to vote once the voting rights act is signed by LBJ. Kayla is the modern day story of a woman moving to a new home where she feels she may not be wanted. Eventually the two stories combine. I wish that the entire story could have been told from Ellie, as her participation in the SCOPE program was so informative and engrossing! Ellie is one of only a very few white teens working in the program, and you can imagine how much racism rears its ugly head in NC in 1965! While Kayla's story was fine, I did find myself longing to get back to Ellie as the chapters switched back and forth. I had the ending to Kayla's misfortune figured out well before the reveal, but the twist on the truck incident involving Ellie seemingly came out of nowhere, and I was genuinely shocked!

Such a great story about a small part of the civil rights movement, made even more pertinent because of the events with voting rights happening all around us today. Definitely 5 stars for Ellie's story, had to knock off a star for the more tepid story about Kayla. Well worth a read, as always this author never fails to educate as well as entertain with her stories.

Published on Leave a comment on Best of 2021

One of my favorite posts of the year, I bring you all my 5 star reads for the past twelve months. This year I had 12 (although technically 11 as one was a re-read of my favorite book of 2020 for my book club). Here they are (The Girl with the Louding Voice was my re-read).

As has been the case for the past few years, I then have the arduous task of picking and ranking my top 5. Just know that I highly recommend any of these top 12, but here are my ultimate choices:

#5 When Ghosts Come Home by Wiley Cash - I love this NC author's writing and this story was compelling, mysterious, and heartbreaking all within its pages.

#4 Unsettled Ground by Claire Fuller - A finalist for the women's prize for fiction, this is a character driven novel about sheltered adult siblings left after their mother uexpectedly dies.

#3 The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun - I may have stopped watching The Bachelor years ago, but this story about a reality show bachelor completely out of his element who falls for his handler was the LGBTQ romance I didn't know I needed. Such an excellent mental health rep in this one also!

#2 The Guncle - The feel good book of the year (and maybe forever!), I fell in love with GUP (gay Uncle Patrick) and want to be real life friends with him!

And the #1 book of 2021 is:

Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro - A story about an AF (artificial friend) set in the near future, with tons of social commentary and symbolism. Oh yes, and I bawled like a baby at the end!!

And there we are, another year in the books. I read a total of 263 books this year, so it's such a joy to go back and look at all the gems. There were tons of 4 star reads that I could have picked honorable mentions from, but this post might have gone on forever, so I held back 🙂 Onward to another (hopefully) excellent year of books and reading!

Published on Leave a comment on Rock Paper Scissors
Rock Paper Scissors Book Cover Rock Paper Scissors
Alice Feeney
Fiction
Flatiron Books
September 7, 2021
Hardcover
304
Purchased

Things have been wrong with Mr and Mrs Wright for a long time. When Adam and Amelia win a weekend away to Scotland, it might be just what their marriage needs. Self-confessed workaholic and screenwriter Adam Wright has lived with face blindness his whole life. He can’t recognize friends or family, or even his own wife.

Every anniversary the couple exchange traditional gifts – paper, cotton, pottery, tin – and each year Adam’s wife writes him a letter that she never lets him read. Until now. They both know this weekend will make or break their marriage, but they didn’t randomly win this trip. One of them is lying, and someone doesn’t want them to live happily ever after.

Ten years of marriage. Ten years of secrets. And an anniversary they will never forget.

My review:

My first book of 2022, and I picked a good one! As is always the case with thrillers, not a lot of details can be given to avoid spoilers, but this was the perfect kind of thriller for me. First, the atmospheric setting was perfectly detailed and added that creepy aspect to the story. This doesn't always work for me in thrillers, there were a few last year that I thought had the atmosphere, but then the stories let me down. Not so in this one. Second, the situations that the protagonists put themselves in seem more realistic than some thrillers. Nothing makes me more annoyed than books where supposedly normal people are doing crazy stuff that make you think "I would never do that or go there, you've lost me". Not true here. Sure they get in some creepy situations, but they aren't doing anything that their circumstances didn't warrant. Third, twists and turns occur throughout the book and they are plentiful. Don't make me read through 9/10's of a book only to have all the reveals in the last few pages. I love a slow buildup, but also need some nuggets along the way to keep me entertained and on my toes. Definitely accomplished in this book. And while I'm not usually a fan of inserting random stuff between chapters, the anniversary letters totally worked for me, and brought even more layers into the story.

A fast paced, super atmospheric novel with tons of twists and turns, and a super creepy ending to top it all off. If you are a thriller fan, I can't recommend this one enough!

1

Published on 1 Comment on Wish You Were Here
Wish You Were Here Book Cover Wish You Were Here
Jodi Picoult
Ballantine Books
November 30, 2021
E-book
336
Publisher via NetGalley

Diana O’Toole is perfectly on track. She will be married by thirty, done having kids by thirty-five, and move out to the New York City suburbs, all while climbing the professional ladder in the cutthroat art auction world. She’s not engaged just yet, but she knows her boyfriend, Finn, a surgical resident, is about to propose on their romantic getaway to the Galápagos—days before her thirtieth birthday. Right on time.

But then a virus that felt worlds away has appeared in the city, and on the eve of their departure, Finn breaks the news: It’s all hands on deck at the hospital. He has to stay behind. You should still go, he assures her, since it would be a shame for all of their nonrefundable trip to go to waste. And so, reluctantly, she goes.

Almost immediately, Diana’s dream vacation goes awry. The whole island is now under quarantine, and she is stranded until the borders reopen. Completely isolated, she must venture beyond her comfort zone. Slowly, she carves out a connection with a local family when a teenager with a secret opens up to Diana, despite her father’s suspicion of outsiders.

Diana finds herself examining her relationships, her choices, and herself—and wondering if when she goes home, she too will have evolved into someone completely different.

My review:

I wish it were possible to give two different ratings, because this book deserves that from me. For the writing, the research, and the gut punching emotions, I would rate it five stars all the way! For the enjoyment level I have to knock off a star, and I will explain why in broad terms as I don't want to reveal spoilers. I've seen some readers who are hesitant to pick this one up due to the overall COVID theme. While I definitely would not recommend to someone who has lost a person close to them, I loved the vivid descriptions of the work the healthcare workers were doing, and the effect on people when the world "shut down". Brilliant use of emails from Finn (a doctor in the thick of things at a NYC hospital), one in particular where he stayed with a dying patient, had me sobbing! Finn's accounts of life on the front line were definitely my favorite part of the book, and are completely compelling! The descriptions of the Galapagos Islands were lovely and made you feel as though you were there. Also some interesting side education about the art world (Diana works for Southeby's selling paintings), and the side effects on the brain of someone on a ventilator. The two niggling facets that held back my five stars were the huge twist that comes about 60% in, and a decision Diana makes at the end of the novel. The first one is a trope I absolutely hate in books, but that one I'm giving a partial pass as it leads to educational moments that were super interesting to me. The second one was a complete no go, and it made me dislike the ending (if the ending leaves you unsatisfied, that's a definite lowering on the enjoyment scale). However, that's just me, and I really feel this book deserves all the praise. I'm planning a different ending in my mind, so it's all good!

Not for those who have a close COVID loss, this is a brilliantly written account of the beginnings of the pandemic. Overall, its a love letter to the front line hospital workers, who literally deserve all our praise! A definitely must read, make up your own ending if you must 🙂

Published on Leave a comment on The Family
The Family Book Cover The Family
Naomi Krupitsky
Fiction
G.P. Putnam's Sons
November 2, 2021
Hardcover
368
Purchased

Two daughters. Two families. One inescapable fate.

Sofia Colicchio is a free spirit, a loud, untamed thing. Antonia Russo is thoughtful, ever observing the world around her. Best friends from birth, their homes share a brick wall and their fathers are part of an unspoken community that connects them all: the Family. Sunday dinners gather the Family each week to feast, discuss business, and renew the intoxicating bond borne of blood and love.

Until Antonia’s father dares to dream of a different life and goes missing soon after. His disappearance drives a whisper-thin wedge between Sofia and Antonia as they become women, wives, mothers, and leaders, all the while maintaining a complex and at times conflicted friendship. Both women are pushing against the walls of a prison made up of expectations, even as they remain bound to one another, their hearts expanding in tandem with Red Hook and Brooklyn around them. One fateful night their loyalty to each other and the Family will be tested. Only one of them can pull the trigger before it’s too late.

My review:

It's a good thing that I didn't see the comparisons between this novel and My Brilliant Friend series, or I probably wouldn't have picked it up. I was not a fan of that book, and even picked up the newest from that author which I also disliked, so obviously we are not a good fit. I can see where the comparisons come from, but I'm here to tell you that I don't think liking one (or in my case disliking) has any bearing on the other. I really enjoyed this look at the lives of two girls growing up in Brooklyn. We follow them from 1928 until 1948 from their school years through marriage and motherhood. The undercurrent flowing through the book is that both girls have families involved in the Italian mafia. I thought it was fascinating to observe that while we as readers know what the fathers are doing, the girls do not understand the ins and outs until they reach a much more mature age. There are glimpses of the dealings happening, but for the most part we follow Sofia and Antonia as they mature and their friendship takes on many different forms. This book does have plot lines to follow, but I would say for the most part it is a character study of that time and place, as well as diving into the feelings of each daughter as they go from child to mother. Also a great account of the mother/daughter relationship. I was definitely caught up in the characters lives, and was eager to see where they would end up. The ending was a bit shocking, yet satisfying, and keeping in form with the crux of the plot.

A really enjoyable story of two Italian best friends throughout two decades of their lives. A good look not only at families, but at friendship, motherhood, and the bonds to The Family.

Published on Leave a comment on All Her Little Secrets
All Her Little Secrets Book Cover All Her Little Secrets
Wanda M. Morris
Fiction
William Morrow
November 2, 2021
Advance reader copy
384
Free from publisher

Ellice Littlejohn seemingly has it all: an Ivy League law degree, a well-paying job as a corporate attorney in midtown Atlanta, great friends, and a “for fun” relationship with a rich, charming executive—her white boss, Michael.

But everything changes one cold January morning when Ellice goes to meet Michael… and finds him dead with a gunshot to his head.

And then she walks away like nothing has happened. Why? Ellice has been keeping a cache of dark secrets, including a small-town past and a kid brother who’s spent time on the other side of the law. She can’t be thrust into the spotlight—again.

But instead of grieving this tragedy, people are gossiping, the police are getting suspicious, and Ellice, the company’s lone black attorney, is promoted to replace Michael. While the opportunity is a dream-come-true, Ellice just can’t shake the feeling that something is off.

When she uncovers shady dealings inside the company, Ellice is trapped in an impossible ethical and moral dilemma. Suddenly, Ellice’s past and present lives collide as she launches into a pulse-pounding race to protect the brother she tried to save years ago and stop a conspiracy far more sinister than she could have ever imagined.

My review:

3.5 stars

First of all, I'm impressed that this is a debut author. I thought the story was very well crafted and written, and would not have thought it to be a first book. There was a lot to unpack in this one. First of all there was the race angle of the story. Ellice seems to be the "token black executive" at this huge company, and there are protestors outside the building everyday demanding more diverse employment practices. Is that the only reason she has her job? Then we have all the secrets from her past that Ellice would rather keep hidden, as well as a big one from her present, thus keeping her from reporting her boss' death. And lastly there is the plot line of the corruption within the company Ellice is working for. What exactly is going on, and who is involved? All of these concurrent storylines make for a compelling read as you try to put all the pieces together. Because of the amount of stuff going on, I did feel that you had to pay close attention in this one. Due to the fact that I didn't want to miss anything, I felt it did drag a bit in some spots where there was extraneous information that I wasn't sure was going to be useful. Then again, I tend to be really clueless when it comes to these types of multi faceted legal thrillers, so there is that to keep in mind. While most of the book takes place in present time, there are some flashbacks to Ellice's life before she became a high powered lawyer. These flashbacks tie up some of the secrets Ellice holds.

An impressive debut novel with a lot of moving plots. Lots of things to like about this one, particularly if you like legal thrillers.

Published on Leave a comment on The Collective
The Collective Book Cover The Collective
Alison Gaylin
Fiction
William Morrow
November 2, 2021
Advance reader copy
352
Free from publisher

Camille Gardner is a grieving—and angry—mother who, five years after her daughter’s death, is still obsessed with the privileged young man she believes to be responsible.

When her rash actions attract the attention of a secret group of women—the collective—Camille is drawn into a dark web where these mothers share their wildly different stories of loss as well as their desire for justice in a world where privilege denies accountability and perpetrators emerge unscathed. Fueled by mutual rage, these women orchestrate their own brand of justice through precise, anonymous, complexly plotted and perfectly executed revenge killings, with individual members completing a specific and integral task in each plan.

As Camille struggles to comprehend whether this is a role-playing exercise or terrifying reality, she must decide if these women are truly avenging angels or monsters. Becoming more deeply enmeshed in the group, Camille learns truths about the collective—and about herself—that she may not be able to survive.

My review:

Holy moly, was this one a wild and crazy ride! A well crafted, fast paced thriller that asks the question, how far would you go to seek revenge and justice for a crime against a loved one? I loved how this one unfolded in such a stealthy way. As a reader you are completely sucked into "the collective" just as the main character is. It is a thriller, so I can't reveal too much of the plot, but suffice it to say that I was mesmerized at all the moving parts that meshed together for each assignment. The author was stellar in putting these pieces all together to create such a believable narrative. The testimonies from the women that are interspersed really touched on the grief that occurs when you lose a loved one, especially when the perpetrator never has to pay their dues. It was very easy to see how the characters got sucked into the group, and interesting to see how things played out once they were there. The writing was succinct and I didn't feel that there was any point where the book dragged. It's possible that the characters could have been a bit more fleshed out, but I'm not sure that it was necessary, and that might have caused the story to slow down.

Pick this one up if you want a book that you can (and likely will) consume in a couple sittings. It's a great concept, and very well constructed and executed.