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Category: Book Reviews

Published on Leave a comment on All the Lonely People
All the Lonely People Book Cover All the Lonely People
Mike Gayle
Fiction
Grand Central Publishing
July 13, 2021
Hardcover/Audio
384
Free from publisher and libro.fm

In weekly phone calls to his daughter in Australia, widower Hubert Bird paints a picture of the perfect retirement, packed with fun, friendship, and fulfillment. But it's a lie. In reality, Hubert's days are all the same, dragging on without him seeing a single soul.

Until he receives some good news -- good news that in one way turns out to be the worst news ever, news that will force him out again, into a world he has long since turned his back on. The news that his daughter is coming for a visit.

Now Hubert faces a seemingly impossible task: to make his real life resemble his fake life before the truth comes out.
Along the way Hubert stumbles across a second chance at love, renews a cherished friendship, and finds himself roped into an audacious community scheme that seeks to end loneliness once and for all . . .

Life is certainly beginning to happen to Hubert Bird. But with the origin of his earlier isolation always lurking in the shadows, will he ever get to live the life he's pretended to have for so long?

Awww, this was such a sweet story. I'm a sucker for books about little old men, if you've followed my blog for awhile, I have a slew of them! This one had a unique take. Hubert has to invent a life for himself that he's been telling his daughter he's living (in their weekly phone calls) before she comes to visit. The story goes back and forth in time as we learn about Hubert's life as he moves to London from Jamaica in 1958. In the present day, he leads a very lonely existence until the push to develop a social life. How he goes about doing that shapes him as a man, and has an effect on all those around him. I loved the way the character of Hubert was portrayed, in both the present day and in his past. The supporting characters were also very well crafted, as well as the settings, and descriptions of his everyday life. My only qualm was with something that happens toward the end of the book that felt like it was ripped from Eleanore Oliphant. I didn't think it was necessary for the story to reach the same conclusion. I did think the epilogue gave great closure and appreciated it being added, even if it did make me sniffle a bit.

I listened to this book on audio, and thought the narrator Ben Onwukwe was fantastic in his presentation of Hubert. I would suggest this as an alternative if you enjoy audiobook format.

A beautiful story about loneliness, aging, family, and friendships, with vivid characters and one of the sweetest old men you'll ever meet in a story, I highly recommend this feel good read!

Published on Leave a comment on Local Woman Missing
Local Woman Missing Book Cover Local Woman Missing
Mary Kubica
Mystery/Thriller
Park Row Books
May 18, 2021
Hardcover
352
Purchased

Shelby Tebow is the first to go missing. Not long after, Meredith Dickey and her six-year-old daughter, Delilah, vanish just blocks away from where Shelby was last seen, striking fear into their once-peaceful community. Are these incidents connected? After an elusive search that yields more questions than answers, the case eventually goes cold.

Now, eleven years later, Delilah shockingly returns. Everyone wants to know what happened to her, but no one is prepared for what they’ll find…

This author is a bit hit or miss for me. While all of her novels are engaging and suspenseful, some just grab me more than others. My all time favorite is The Good Girl (her debut), but this one was definitely a hit. The book is laid out in two timelines. There is the present day timeline where we get perspective from Leo, the son and brother of the missing mother/daughter. Then we have the timeline from 11 years before, and follow the mother Meredith in the days leading up to her going missing, as well as Kate, a neighbor who is helping with the endless search for the missing women. The story is very fast paced with the expected twists and turns, some more twisty than others! I did put parts of it together before the big reveal, but in no way did I have all of the pieces worked out. I was left at the end with a hanging question that is asked but never answered, so that was the only thing I can nitpick on 🙂 As in all of this author's work, the writing was excellent and the characters made very real. I particularly liked that Meredith was a doula, so we got a glimpse into that profession. I'm not a big fan of police procedural types of books, so I liked that the police presence in this was kept to a minimum and it was more focused on the characters themselves.

If you are looking for a fast paced mystery/thriller from an established author in this genre, this is one I would recommend.

Published on Leave a comment on The Therapist
The Therapist Book Cover The Therapist
B. A. Paris
Fiction
St. Martin's Press
July 13, 2021
Advance reader e-book
304
Publisher via NetGalley

When Alice and Leo move into a newly renovated house in The Circle, a gated community of exclusive houses, it is everything they’ve dreamed of. But appearances can be deceptive…

As Alice is getting to know her neighbours, she discovers a devastating secret about her new home, and begins to feel a strong connection with Nina, the therapist who lived there before.

Alice becomes obsessed with trying to piece together what happened two years before. But no one wants to talk about it. Her neighbors are keeping secrets and things are not as perfect as they seem…

Unlike many readers, I really loved this author's previous novel (The Dilemma), which was a bit of a departure from her typical thriller style. With this book she is back in thriller mode, and I did enjoy this one as well. I still stand by my opinion that I don't think thriller writers always have to stay within that genre to write a good book, but it does seem that some get pigeon holed with what readers expect. This one has all your normal thriller must haves, lots of secrets, lies, twists and turns. I liked the fact that we are given these throughout the novel as opposed to just a big dump at the end. I'm not sure if I really liked the main protagonist Alice (not even sure if I was supposed to), she had her moments when she pulled me in, but she also did some really stupid things that annoyed me. In the end my opinion of her didn't matter because the pacing kept me turning pages to find out what really happened in Alice's new neighborhood. There were most definitely tense moments, and the pages written from the therapist's viewpoint were interesting as the reader tried to figure out which therapist (there were a few mentioned) was writing them. The end was a humdinger, although by that point I would not have been surprised by anyone being guilty! I will say that the sections with Alice's neighbors did get a bit repetitive, but with the plot moving quite fast I almost felt like it was giving me a breather before the next twist.

This would be a perfect read if you want a bit of escapism and a plot that isn't so complicated that you have to think too hard. This one should get a lot of traction from those who like thrillers as opposed to romance summer reads.

Published on Leave a comment on The Forest of Vanishing Stars
The Forest of Vanishing Stars Book Cover The Forest of Vanishing Stars
Kristin Harmel
Fiction
Gallery Books
July 6, 2021
Advance reader copy
416
Free from publisher

After being stolen from her wealthy German parents and raised in the unforgiving wilderness of eastern Europe, a young woman finds herself alone in 1941 after her kidnapper dies. Her solitary existence is interrupted, however, when she happens upon a group of Jews fleeing the Nazi terror. Stunned to learn what’s happening in the outside world, she vows to teach the group all she can about surviving in the forest—and in turn, they teach her some surprising lessons about opening her heart after years of isolation. But when she is betrayed and escapes into a German-occupied village, her past and present come together in a shocking collision that could change everything.

Inspired by incredible true stories of survival against staggering odds, and suffused with the journey-from-the-wilderness elements, The Forest of Vanishing Stars is a heart-wrenching and suspenseful novel.

My review:

The first few pages of this book made me nervous about my ability to connect with the story. It's very spiritual/mystical, which is not something I ever seek out in picking up a book. I'm happy to say that for the most part, once the main character Yona is left on her own, and begins to help the Jewish families learn to live in the forest (as a way to escape death by the Nazis), my interest was piqued. I absolutely loved the descriptions of how they survived in the forest. The people who end up following Yona know very few survival skills before taking this last resort to avoid death. I was completely captivated by how she taught them to make shelters, procure food, for not only immediate use, but to survive the dreadfully cold winters. There was an element of suspense created when the camp had to keep moving so that they would not be found by the Germans, who roamed the forest on the lookout for them. This book definitely brought up a gamut of emotions. I was sad, angry, frightened, hopeful, and dejected throughout various scenes. I wasn't a big fan of the spirituality, as I am not really a believer, but I do understand that for the time period in the book, faith played a big part in people's lives. Of course there was, as I like to call it, the obligatory romance, which was not my favorite part, but it was well done and tolerable to me. It is well worth it to read the author's notes at the end of the book, where she delves into the actual history the book is based on.

It's unfathomable to me how anyone could live for years in the forest, but this book sheds a light on a portion of survivors of the Holocaust. Well written and moving, I would highly suggest as a different take on yet another WWII novel.

Published on Leave a comment on The One You’re With
The One You're With Book Cover The One You're With
Lauren K. Denton
Fiction
Thomas Nelson
July 6, 2021
Advanced reader e-copy
368
Publisher via NetGalley

High-school sweethearts Mac and Edie Swan lead a seemingly picture-perfect life in the sleepy-sweet community of Oak Hill, near Mobile, Alabama. Edie is a respected interior designer, Mac is a beloved pediatrician, and they have two great kids and a historic home on tree-lined Linden Avenue. From the outside, the Swan family is the definition of “the good life.” And life is good—mostly. Until a young woman walks into Mac’s office one day. A young woman whose very existence threatens all Mac and Edie have built and all they think they know about each other.

Nineteen years after a summer apart, with a family and established lives and careers, the past that Mac and Edie thought they left behind has come back to greet them. For the first time, constants in their lives are called into question: their roles as parents, their reputation as upstanding members of the community, and the very foundations of their marriage. As they wade through the upheaval in both their family and professional lives, they must each examine choices they made long ago and chart a new course for their future.

First let's talk about how inviting this cover is. It just makes you want to open the door (cover) and discover what's inside. I thought this was an enjoyable read. I loved the way we ambled through the day to day lives of the main characters, even after the main plot point comes calling. The story centers mostly around Mac and Edie, but with some cameos from best friend Graham. We flash back and forth between present day and the summer they agreed to spend apart before their senior year of college. I much preferred the current storyline, but understand that the other needed to be written to add context to the main dilemmas the characters face as the story progresses. While I do think we were supposed to like all these protagonists, I had a hard time, particularly with Edie, who I felt was kind of a hypocrite. It's really hard to go into details more than this because of spoilers, but if you read the book I think you will get my point, although I certainly think every reader will have a different take on the characters' choices. The story is pretty predictable, especially the ending, but honestly I was okay with that.

A perfect light read that doesn't require lots of brain power, but is a much needed balm for the soul. The characters and writing are well done, and the family dynamics were refreshingly honest. This is a hard one to review without spoilers, so my thoughts and the synopsis will have to be enough. Oh, and then there is that cover........

Published on Leave a comment on Falling
Falling Book Cover Falling
T. J. Newman
Fiction
Avid Reader Press / Simon & Schuster
July 6, 2021
Advanced reader copy
304
Free from publisher

You just boarded a flight to New York.

There are one hundred and forty-three other passengers onboard.

What you don’t know is that thirty minutes before the flight your pilot’s family was kidnapped.

For his family to live, everyone on your plane must die.

The only way the family will survive is if the pilot follows his orders and crashes the plane.

Enjoy the flight.

With a synopsis like this one has, how could you not want to read it? To make it even better, this is also one of the best first lines of any book I've encountered.....WHEN THE SHOE DROPPED INTO HER LAP THE FOOT WAS STILL IN IT. Granted, this line turns out to not have much to do with the actual plot that ensues, which irked me a bit, but I still think it's a great way to make the reader sit up and take notice! This book was a wild ride from start to finish. Very fast paced, and I would assume pretty factual since the author was a flight attendant. The book flips back and forth in real time between the flight to JFK, and the pilot's kidnapped family in LA. The FBI agent who works on the family angle has a tie to the flight in that his aunt is the main flight attendant. There are some twists and turns in this one that I didn't see coming, one of which is a whopper! Despite the fact that I thought it got a little bit over the top on the LA front at the end, this book had me on the edge of my seat the entire time! Definitely one of those 'what would you do in that situation' kind of thrillers.

If you love a fast paced read, whether at the beach, pool, or just on your couch, I would recommend this book. What I would probably not recommend is that you read it on a plane!! And a tidbit that is mentioned several times that was shocking to me (and I will think of every time I fly in the future)......did you know that when the oxygen masks come down from the ceiling, they only have enough oxygen to last twelve minutes? I'm not sure that I want that fact in my head, but now I've put it into yours also 🙂

Published on Leave a comment on Home Stretch
Home Stretch Book Cover Home Stretch
Graham Norton
Fiction
HarperVia
June 22, 2021
Hardcover
320
Free from publisher

It is 1987 and a small Irish community is preparing for a wedding. The day before the ceremony, a group of young friends, including the bride and groom, are involved in an accident. Three survive. Three are killed.

The lives of the families are shattered and the rifts between them ripple throughout the small town. Connor survived, but living among the angry and the mourning is almost as hard as carrying the shame of having been the driver. He leaves the only place he knows for another life, taking his secrets with him. Travelling first to Liverpool, then London, he eventually makes a home—of sorts—for himself in New York, where he finds shelter and the possibility of forging a new life.

But the secrets—the unspoken longings and regrets that have come to haunt those left behind—will not be silenced. Before long, Connor will have to confront his past.

A powerful and timely novel of emigration and return, Home Stretch demonstrates Norton’s keen understanding of the power of stigma and secrecy—and their devastating effect on ordinary lives.

I knew nothing about the author (seems he's a BBC celebrity broadcaster), but the synopsis sounded like something I'd be interested in. So when I was offered the chance to review the book for a book tour, I accepted, eager to try a new to me author. I may have to go back and read his two previous novels because I really enjoyed this one! The major premise is the effect a deadly car crash has on a small Irish community. The beginning throws a lot of names at the reader, but don't let that deter you, the major portion of the book concentrates on a brother and sister. The brother (and driver of the car) cannot handle the pressure of being ostracized from those in the town, so he flees to a variety of locations, eventually landing in New York. He doesn't have any communication with his family, so the book delves into what the differences are between having a child die, or having a living child disappear. Connor's sister Ellen stays in town and seems to have the perfect life, but we see inside that life and find all is not as it appears from the outside. The story does go back and forth time, but the years are clearly annotated as chapter headings, so not really an issue and made the story more interesting. I really liked the plot points showing the progressive changing of attitudes toward gay individuals, and the writing and pacing were excellent. Connor's story broke my heart, and I just wanted him to find peace within himself. My only small quibble would be the coincidence of how Connor ends up coming back to his family (what are the chances of two people meeting in NYC?), but if you can allow yourself to just go with the flow, you will be rewarded with lots of excellent twists and turns! The ending was very satisfying.

An excellent portrayal of a community, then a particular family in crisis. I am excited to see what else this author has coming next, and will be checking out his backlist.

Published on Leave a comment on The Sweetness of Water
The Sweetness of Water Book Cover The Sweetness of Water
Nathan Harris
Fiction
Little, Brown and Co.
June 15, 2021
Hardcover
368
Purchased

In the waning days of the Civil War, brothers Prentiss and Landry—freed by the Emancipation Proclamation—seek refuge on the homestead of George Walker and his wife, Isabelle. The Walkers, wracked by the loss of their only son to the war, hire the brothers to work their farm, hoping through an unexpected friendship to stanch their grief. Prentiss and Landry, meanwhile, plan to save money for the journey north and a chance to reunite with their mother, who was sold away when they were boys.

Parallel to their story runs a forbidden romance between two Confederate soldiers. The young men, recently returned from the war to the town of Old Ox, hold their trysts in the woods. But when their secret is discovered, the resulting chaos, including a murder, unleashes convulsive repercussions on the entire community. In the aftermath of so much turmoil, it is Isabelle who emerges as an unlikely leader, proffering a healing vision for the land and for the newly free citizens of Old Ox.

With candor and sympathy, debut novelist Nathan Harris creates an unforgettable cast of characters, depicting Georgia in the violent crucible of Reconstruction. Equal parts beauty and terror, as gripping as it is moving, The Sweetness of Water is an epic whose grandeur locates humanity and love amid the most harrowing circumstances.

This is the latest pick for Oprah's book club. While I was an avid follower of her picks back in the day, I tend to be a bit more selective now since sometimes her choices are a bit too highbrow even for my literary tastes. I chose this one because I've always been interested in slavery stories, and was really hoping I could cleanse myself from the last one I read that I was not a fan of at all (and definitely WAS highbrow writing). This right here was the book that I wish The Prophets had been! There were a couple of different storylines to follow (the recently freed brothers, and the forbidden soldiers love story), but they intersect fairly quickly within the plot. While this book was hopeful in the end, I'm not going to say that this wasn't very sad along the way. The characters were very well written, and the writing was beautiful (not over the top and appearing as if the author was trying too hard to be lyrical). I also loved that the character of Isabelle took control of her world and the situations therein. This tells an excellent story of the Reconstruction time (post Civil War) in the South, when not everyone is on board with freed slaves.

I'm very happy that I picked this book up. It has restored my faith in slavery stories, and Oprah's book club. I wouldn't suggest this as a beach read (unless you like darker toned books for that purpose), but I would highly recommend you pick it up at some point, especially if good character stories from this time period are of interest to you.

Published on Leave a comment on The Guncle
The Guncle Book Cover The Guncle
Steven Rowley
Fiction
G.P. Putnam's Sons
May 25, 2021
Hardcover
336
Purchased

From the bestselling author of Lily and the Octopus and The Editor comes a warm and deeply funny novel about a once-famous gay sitcom star whose unexpected family tragedy leaves him with his niece and nephew for the summer.

Patrick, or Gay Uncle Patrick (GUP, for short), has always loved his niece, Maisie, and nephew, Grant. That is, he loves spending time with them when they come out to Palm Springs for weeklong visits, or when he heads home to Connecticut for the holidays. But in terms of caretaking and relating to two children, no matter how adorable, Patrick is honestly a bit out of his league.

So when tragedy strikes and Maisie and Grant lose their mother and Patrick’s brother has a health crisis of his own, Patrick finds himself suddenly taking on the role of primary guardian. Despite having a set of “Guncle Rules” ready to go, Patrick has no idea what to expect, having spent years barely holding on after the loss of his great love, a somewhat-stalled career, and a lifestyle not-so-suited to a six- and a nine-year-old. Quickly realizing that parenting—even if temporary—isn’t solved with treats and jokes, Patrick’s eyes are opened to a new sense of responsibility, and the realization that, sometimes, even being larger than life means you’re unfailingly human.

With humor and heart, The Guncle is a moving tribute to the power of love, patience, and family in even the most trying of times.

The synopsis for this book looked so good that I grabbed it despite the fact that I was not a fan of this author's first book. Suffice it to say that one had some wacky fantasy/magical realism in it (that I was not aware of going in). I did my best to vet this one, but would not have been surprised this time if some weirdness showed up. To my utter delight, the only weirdness was that the two books were written by the same author, because I freaking LOVED this one! I laughed, I teared up, and just never wanted the fun with GUP (Gay Uncle Patrick) to end! I think the synopsis does a pretty good job of explaining this book, so I'm not going to dwell on the particulars, except that Patrick's character was one of the best I've read in a long time! His day to day monologues, and how he dealt with the kids in his care, were at times hysterically funny, and other times poignant and melancholy. His growth as a guardian and at coming to terms with a huge loss in his life were inspiring and heartwarming. The kids were adorable, and there are some side characters that were fun, and added some extra interest to the plot. There are lots of great references to old movies and film stars, and obscure 80's music. The ending was the cherry on top to this marvelous story sundae!

It's early in the summer, but this may well be my favorite book of the season. I just wish I could hang out by the pool with Patrick (we'd have to stay there, since he wouldn't approve of my wearing 3/4 length pants if we went anywhere to eat!). I can't imagine anyone who reads this won't have a smile on their face by the end!

Published on Leave a comment on Golden Girl
Golden Girl Book Cover Golden Girl
Elin Hilderbrand
Fiction
Little, Brown and Company
June 1, 2021
Hardcover
384
Purchased

On a perfect June day, Vivian Howe, author of thirteen beach novels and mother of three nearly grown children, is killed in a hit-and-run car accident while jogging near her home on Nantucket. She ascends to the Beyond where she's assigned to a Person named Martha, who allows Vivi to watch what happens below for one last summer. Vivi also is granted three “nudges” to change the outcome of events on earth, and with her daughter Willa on her third miscarriage, Carson partying until all hours, and Leo currently “off again” with his high-maintenance girlfriend, she’ll have to think carefully where to use them.

From the Beyond, Vivi watches “The Chief” Ed Kapenash investigate her death, but her greatest worry is her final book, which contains a secret from her own youth that could be disastrous for her reputation. But when hidden truths come to light, Vivi’s family will have to sort out their past and present mistakes—with or without a nudge of help from above—while Vivi finally lets them grow without her.

With all of Elin’s trademark beach scenes, mouth-watering meals, and picture-perfect homes, plus a heartfelt message—the people we lose never really leave us—Golden Girl is a beach book unlike any other.

I love this author's books, especially her summer ones. After reading the synopsis of this one though, I was hesitant to pick it up. Without getting into a lot of religious and spiritual beliefs, suffice it to say that I don't really buy into the premise of this plot. I ended up picking it up thinking at best I would truly enjoy it despite my misgivings, and at worst it would make me appreciate all her other books that I've been a huge fan of. As you can see from my rating, I really enjoyed this book! I just love the way Hilderbrand describes Nantucket in the summer (the beach, the shops, the homes, the food). She also has a way of telling a great family story, with all the dynamics between siblings, parents, and extended family. When you are reading one of her books, you feel as if you are literally there in the world that has been created for you. For these reasons, I was completely captivated by this story. Even though I didn't buy into the Beyond idea, I still loved the character of Martha and the banter between her and main character Vivi. The book also brought to light the issue of race in a predominantly white community, which I greatly appreciated. While most of the story is told in the present time, there are flashbacks to Vivi's life from her high school love, to her marriage and subsequent divorce, and the births of her children. There is book talk about bestseller lists, book tours (my Indie bookstore even gets a mention), and books in general. The concurrent investigation of who was driving the car that killed Vivi was also interspersed throughout until the satisfying conclusion where everything comes to light and everyone looks like they will be okay to navigate a world without Vivi in it.

Surprising myself with my enjoyment of this one. If you love a good family story told in a beach location, with a bit of mystery, and a side of someone watching over you from above, I think this is the book for you. Elin Hilderbrand proves to me that even if I'm not a huge fan of the plot, I'll still be ready to go along for the ride.