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Published on Leave a comment on The Lies I Tell
The Lies I Tell Book Cover The Lies I Tell
Julie Clark
Fiction
Sourcebooks Landmark
June 21, 2022
Hardcover
320
Purchased

Meg Williams. Maggie Littleton. Melody Wilde. Different names for the same person, depending on the town, depending on the job. She's a con artist who erases herself to become whoever you need her to be—a college student. A life coach. A real estate agent. Nothing about her is real. She slides alongside you and tells you exactly what you need to hear, and by the time she's done, you've likely lost everything.

Kat Roberts has been waiting ten years for the woman who upended her life to return. And now that she has, Kat is determined to be the one to expose her. But as the two women grow closer, Kat's long-held assumptions begin to crumble, leaving Kat to wonder who Meg's true target is.

The Lies I Tell is a twisted domestic thriller that dives deep into the psyches and motivations of two women and their unwavering quest to seek justice for the past and rewrite the future.

My review:

This was riveting!! I really enjoyed this author's previous novel The Last Flight (that one comes highly recommended also), however in my opinion this one even topped that! Learning about the life of a conwoman was absolutely fascinating, and I can't even imagine the amount of research the author likely had to do to make this character's life so believable! There really wasn't any part where I thought "this could never really happen, it's too coincidental", which happens often in thriller books. Every aspect of how the main protagonist worked to dupe people was described, and I was totally along for the ride! The other protagonist is a woman who as a journalist she indirectly wronged, and is now out to expose her. The pacing was spot on, the twists and turns were plentiful and sprinkled throughout (which I love), and the writing was great with no unnecessary verbiage. I can't talk about the ending without spoilers, but let's just say it was unexpected and one I won't soon forget. I would be remiss if I didn't point out that toward the very end of the book there is an Easter egg hidden about the previous book. If you've read it, I think you'll catch it right away and smile 🙂

Keep in mind that this is not a thriller with tons of jaw dropping twists, but it was such a perfectly crafted story. If you are in the mood for a believable story about a woman con artist, settle in for a great ride! I loved this book and can't wait to see what this author cooks up next!

Published on Leave a comment on The Book Woman’s Daughter
The Book Woman's Daughter Book Cover The Book Woman's Daughter
Kim Michele Richardson
Fiction
Sourcebooks Landmark
May 3, 2022
Paperback
352
Purchased

In the ruggedness of the beautiful Kentucky mountains, Honey Lovett has always known that the old ways can make a hard life harder. As the daughter of the famed blue-skinned, Troublesome Creek packhorse librarian, Honey and her family have been hiding from the law all her life. But when her mother and father are imprisoned, Honey realizes she must fight to stay free, or risk being sent away for good.

Picking up her mother’s old packhorse library route, Honey begins to deliver books to the remote hollers of Appalachia. Honey is looking to prove that she doesn’t need anyone telling her how to survive, but the route can be treacherous, and some folks aren’t as keen to let a woman pave her own way. If Honey wants to bring the freedom that books provide to the families who need it most, she’s going to have to fight for her place, and along the way, learn that the extraordinary women who run the hills and hollers can make all the difference in the world.

My review:

This book is the sequel to The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek. While I do think you could read this as a standalone novel, I think you will get more context for the characters and setting if you read the first one before this. I liked the first one, but didn't love it as much as most people who read it (including my book group). The things that I was not as enamored of in that first book were not as present in this one, and so I ended up enjoying this one more. One of my favorite parts of this one was the friendship between main protagonist Honey (the book woman's daughter) and a new woman in town who is the fire tower watcher. I also felt that we got a little more about the secondary characters, who didn't seem as fleshed out in the first book, and a lot less romance (and we all know how I feel about obligatory romances!). We do still get the glimpses into the lives of the people Honey delivers books to as part of the Packhorse Library project, but it's not the main focus of the book. Also not the main focus is the blue skin Honey inherits from her mother or the romance she develops in the latter half of the book. Both of these things were present, but not the main plot points, which for me personally made this a better reading experience. The survival aspects, the way women were treated and how they triumphed over obstacles, and the female friendship were the parts of the book that pulled me in and kept me engaged.

A well written and satisfying sequel with great emphasis on setting, characters, and perseverance. If you enjoyed the previous novel you will love this one, and if you were lukewarm about it, you may be as surprised by it as I was.

Published on Leave a comment on The Hotel Nantucket
The Hotel Nantucket Book Cover The Hotel Nantucket
Elin Hilderbrand
Fiction
Little, Brown and Company
June 14, 2022
Advance reader E-book
416
Free from publisher via NetGalley

After a tragic fire in 1922 that killed 19-year-old chambermaid, Grace Hadley, The Hotel Nantucket descended from a gilded age gem to a mediocre budget-friendly lodge to inevitably an abandoned eyesore — until it's purchased and renovated top to bottom by London billionaire, Xavier Darling. Xavier hires Nantucket sweetheart Lizbet Keaton as his general manager, and Lizbet, in turn, pulls together a charismatic, if inexperienced, staff who share the vision of turning the fate of the hotel around. They face challenges in getting along with one another (and with the guests), in overcoming the hotel's bad reputation, and in surviving the (mostly) harmless shenanigans of Grace Hadley herself — who won't stop haunting the hotel until her murder is acknowledged.

My review:

I honestly don't know what we are all going to do when summer doesn't begin with an Elin Hilderbrand novel (the author has said she will only be writing them for a couple more years)! Most of her novels take place on Nantucket, and although I've been to the Cape and Martha's Vineyard, I've yet to make it to this island off the coast of MA. I don't know of any author who can create the sense of place better than Elin. From the beaches, to the food, to the shopping, and this time to a hotel. We follow a cast of characters who have all been hired to run the newly refurbished Hotel Nantucket. The new billionaire owner wants to receive a highly sought after 5 keys from a hotel reviewer, which leaves the staff with impossibly high standards to maintain (and put up with a lot of rude behavior from some guests, as you can imagine). We follow these characters, who all have their own backstories and secrets, as they aim to give the perfect hotel stay experience. One of the characters we also follow is the ghost of Grace, a woman intent on "haunting" the hotel until someone discovers the true story surrounding her death in 1922. While I understood that Grace was a perfect method for the reader to spy on some of the secretive behavior we might not have otherwise been privy to, I'm still not a fan of ghosts in my novels. Despite that small quibble, this was a highly entertaining and engaging read. I was rooting for all of these characters (even the ones who were a bit unlikable) and couldn't wait to see if they would get their 5 key review. I absolutely loved that at the end of the book the author wrote her own blue book (given to all the hotel guests to help them plan their stay on the island) which includes references to Nantucket places (and where some of her previous books took place). I'll definitely be keeping this guide in case I ever make it to Nantucket.

Another perfect summer read, with memorable characters, food, and places. While I could have done without the ghost, it honestly was a small dip in my enjoyment of this story. Definitely a book to tuck in your beach or travel bag.

Published on Leave a comment on Meant to be Mine
Meant to Be Mine Book Cover Meant to Be Mine
Hannah Orenstein
Fiction
Simon and Schuster
June 7, 2022
Advance E-reader copy
288
Free from publisher via NetGalley

What if you knew exactly when you’d meet the love of your life? Edie Meyer knows. When her Grandma Gloria was a young woman, she had a vision of the exact day she would meet her soul mate—and then Grandpa Ray showed up.

Since then, Gloria has accurately predicted the day every single member of the family has met their match. Edie’s day arrives on June 24, 2022, when she’s twenty-nine years old. She has been waiting for it half her life. That morning, she boards an airplane to her twin sister’s surprise engagement, and when a handsome musician sits beside her, she knows it’s meant to be.

But fate comes with more complications than Edie expected and she can’t fight the nagging suspicion that her perfect guy doesn’t have perfect timing. After a tragedy and a shocking revelation rock Edie’s carefully constructed world, she’s forced to consider whether love chooses us, as simple as destiny, or if we choose it ourselves.

My review:

3.5 stars

This book was fun and engaging. The best thing about it was that it really makes you think how would you live your life (or a portion of it) if you knew the exact date something momentous was to happen? I remember this question coming up in a book from a few years ago (The Immortalists) where the date was when each of the siblings would die. This book is not as grim as that, but it still makes you think the same thoughts, would you want to know? How would it effect your choices? Edie knows the date when she will meet her forever love. She has fun with dating, but ultimately breaks up with any guy she really starts to have feelings for, because she knows they did not meet on the specified date. Then she meets "the guy" on the day, and starts her path of happily ever after. Of course she ends up questioning all the past and present relationships in her life, remaining strong in her belief that no one in her family has not found their true love from Grandma Gloria's prophecy. There is no question that I would never personally buy into this whole idea, but this was still a well rounded, well written story that I really enjoyed. And the whole idea does make you think about the possibilities, even if you don't believe in the concept. There is also a side story about a woman running for Congress, the main protagonist is hired as a stylist for her, while her sister's best man is the campaign manager.

I really liked this one. It's a light read, but it still makes you think. The interesting twist near the end is very satisfying, yet muddles the prediction idea even more. This one will make a perfect summer beach/pool read. I have another title on my backlist of books by this author, and I'm excited to give that one a look sooner rather than later.

Published on Leave a comment on One Of Us Is Dead
One of Us Is Dead Book Cover One of Us Is Dead
Jeneva Rose
Fiction
Blackstone Publishing
April 26, 2022
Hardcover
318
Purchased

Meet the women of Buckhead—a place of expensive cars, huge houses, and competitive friendships.

Shannon was once the queen bee of Buckhead. But she’s been unceremoniously dumped by Bryce, her politician husband. When Bryce replaces her with a much younger woman, Shannon sets out to take revenge …

Crystal has stepped into Shannon’s old shoes. A young, innocent Texan girl, she simply has no idea what she’s up against …

Olivia has waited years to take Shannon’s crown as the unofficial queen of Buckhead. Finally, her moment has come. But to take her rightful place, she will need to use every backstabbing, manipulative, underhand trick in the book …

Jenny owns Glow, the most exclusive salon in town. Jenny knows all her clients’ secrets and darkest desires. But will she ever tell?

Who amongst these women will be clever enough to survive Buckhead—and who will wind up dead? They say that friendships can be complex, but no one said it could ever be this deadly.

My review:

I didn't have to get any farther than the synopsis to know this book was one I wanted to get my hands on. Rich people behaving badly is my kryptonite! I've seen a lot of reviews saying to read this is you like the Real Housewives drama. I don't know if that's accurate since I've never watched any of those shows, but I do know that there was plenty of drama in this book. All of these ladies are "friends" because they are married to rich men and therefore are in the same social circle. They all have secrets (of course), and they will all pretty much backstab each other to remain at the top of that circle. Salon owner Jenna spends hours each week with them as they perfect every inch of their bodies, so she knows the dirt on all of them. This was such a fun frolic among some super fun (if mostly unlikable) characters. Yes, one of them does die in the end, but you'll have to read to find out who, what, and why. These ladies were certainly over the top, but I found myself laughing out loud in several places over their shenanigans!

I highly recommend the audio for this one (if you enjoy that format). Each character had their own narrator and voice, and they were splendid with their snarkiness! This is a super entertaining read that you can't take seriously, just go in it for the rich people drama.

Published on Leave a comment on The Latecomer
The Latecomer Book Cover The Latecomer
Jean Hanff Korelitz
Fiction
Celadon Books
May 31, 2022
Advance reader copy
448
Free from publisher

The Latecomer follows the story of the wealthy, New York City-based Oppenheimer family, from the first meeting of parents Salo and Johanna, under tragic circumstances, to their triplets born during the early days of IVF. As children, the three siblings – Harrison, Lewyn, and Sally – feel no strong familial bond and cannot wait to go their separate ways, even as their father becomes more distanced and their mother more desperate. When the triplets leave for college, Johanna, faced with being truly alone, makes the decision to have a fourth child. What role will the “latecomer” play in this fractured family?

A complex novel that builds slowly and deliberately, The Latecomer touches on the topics of grief and guilt, generational trauma, privilege and race, traditions and religion, and family dynamics. It is a profound and witty family story from an accomplished author, known for the depth of her character studies, expertly woven storylines, and plot twists.

My review:

3.5 stars (I think? It waffles day by day, maybe a solid 3?)

This is a really hard review to write. There were parts of this book that were so interesting and I was fully engaged, and parts where I just wanted to get to the end. This novel is written by the author of The Plot, but this book is nothing like that one. I love a character based story, and that is certainly what I got in this one. This is probably one of the best family character studies I've read. The writing and descriptions of these family members and their growth through the years was superb! The problem was that I was interested in some parts of their lives, but not in others. None of the characters are very likable (although I don't base my love for a book on that alone), so I think that made the uninteresting (for me) parts more difficult to get through. I'm not sure what I would have changed to correct this. There were not any sections that I could pick out and say I didn't feel they were necessary for the character development, because every interaction and journey does effect the family dynamic. My favorite part was the beginning, before the triplets went off in separate directions. I don't feel that the title is very apt as there is not nearly as much about the latecomer child as it implies (not that this is a negative, just an observation). I loved the relationship (or lack thereof) between the triplet siblings, it was such an interesting take on how we usually view multiples. Overall there were parts where this book shines, but ultimately I wish it could have been cut down somehow. I'll be interested to see what comes next from this author because her character development is some of the best I've seen!

I cannot stress enough that this is a character based novel! If those type of books are not your thing I would advise that you pass on this one. However if you are like me and prefer them, I would give it a go with the caveat that you may find some parts interesting and others not so much.

Published on Leave a comment on Remarkably Bright Creatures
Remarkably Bright Creatures Book Cover Remarkably Bright Creatures
Shelby Van Pelt
Ecco
May 3, 2022
Hardcover
368
Purchased

After Tova Sullivan's husband died, she began working the night shift at the Sowell Bay Aquarium, mopping floors and tidying up. Keeping busy has always helped her cope, which she's been doing since her eighteen-year-old son, Erik, mysteriously vanished on a boat in Puget Sound over thirty years ago.

Tova becomes acquainted with curmudgeonly Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus living at the aquarium. Marcellus knows more than anyone can imagine but wouldn't dream of lifting one of his eight arms for his human captors--until he forms a remarkable friendship with Tova.

Ever the detective, Marcellus deduces what happened the night Tova's son disappeared. And now Marcellus must use every trick his old invertebrate body can muster to unearth the truth for her before it's too late.

My review:

GAH! My first thought when I finished this book was: I just read a book where an octopus was one of the main characters, and part of the story was told from his perspective.......who am I? When I first read the synopsis of this book I thought it was definitely not something I would be interested in. Then I started to read the rave reviews coming in, and of course I had to see for myself what the fuss was about. Marcellus, you have my heart, and I will never forget that I fell in love with a giant octopus! Lest you think the octopus is the only draw to this book, rest assured there is also a wonderful story about a 70 year old woman (bonus points for the elders being represented as positive role models and not daft grandmothers), a young man looking for his father, and a huge nod to found family. It's beautifully crafted and superbly characterized, and the ending will make you cry first, and then smile. I do want to give a nod to the audiobook version of this because the narrator for Marcellus was excellent! I think this definitely added an extra spark to my love of this character. It's a great way to consume this story if you are an audiobook listener.

Do not be put off by the fact that this book has an octopus as a main protagonist! This is such a warm and cozy read about grief, friendship, and love of humans and animals. Definitely one of my favorites of the year.

Published on Leave a comment on Take My Hand
Take My Hand Book Cover Take My Hand
Dolen Perkins-Valdez
Fiction
Berkley
April 12, 2022
Hardcover
368
Purchased

Montgomery, Alabama 1973. Fresh out of nursing school, Civil Townsend has big plans to make a difference, especially in her African American community. At the Montgomery Family Planning Clinic, she intends to help women make their own choices for their lives and bodies.

But when her first week on the job takes her down a dusty country road to a worn down one-room cabin, she’s shocked to learn that her new patients are children—just 11 and 13 years old. Neither of the Williams sisters has even kissed a boy, but they are poor and Black and for those handling the family’s welfare benefits that’s reason enough to have the girls on birth control. As Civil grapples with her role, she takes India, Erica and their family into her heart. Until one day, she arrives at the door to learn the unthinkable has happened and nothing will ever be the same for any of them.

Decades later, with her daughter grown and a long career in her wake, Dr. Civil Townsend is ready to retire, to find her peace and to leave the past behind. But there are people and stories that refuse to be forgotten.That must not be forgotten.

Because history repeats what we don’t remember.

My review:

How timely is this novel? Well written, inspired by true life events, this book should scare the crap out of anyone living in the time we now find ourselves in. If you think overturning a fifty year old law will be the end of the age old reproductive war, READ THIS BOOK, because this will be next! This book made me sad, but mostly it made me angry (probably more so because of what was going down as I read it). Such a poignant story about two innocent girls (and their family) that put their trust in the wrong hands. I loved the character of Civil, who was trying to do her best for her patients, but never got over her first assignment. This book takes place in Alabama in 1973, the year I would have been 15 years old. To think of girls my own age (or younger) having their lives irreparably changed by "those in charge" is abominable! I would also suggest you read Necessary Lies by Diane Chamberlain, which is also an excellent novel about this same subject in my state of NC.

The last line of the summary of this novel says it all:

Because history repeats what we don’t remember.

Read it!

Published on Leave a comment on The Lioness
The Lions of Hollywood Book Cover The Lions of Hollywood
Chris Bohjalian
Doubleday
May 10, 2022
Advance reader copy
336
Free from publisher via NetGalley

Tanzania, 1964. When Katie Barstow, A-list actress, and her new husband, David Hill, decide to bring their Hollywood friends to the Serengeti for their honeymoon, they envision giraffes gently eating leaves from the tall acacia trees, great swarms of wildebeests crossing the Mara River, and herds of zebra storming the sandy plains. Their glamorous guests—including Katie’s best friend, Carmen Tedesco, and Terrance Dutton, the celebrated Black actor who stars alongside Katie in the highly controversial film “Tender Madness”—will spend their days taking photos, and their evenings drinking chilled gin and tonics back at camp, as the local Tanzanian guides warm water for their baths. The wealthy Americans expect civilized adventure: Fresh ice from the kerosene-powered ice maker, dinners of cooked gazelle meat, and plenty of stories to tell over lunch back on Rodeo Drive. What Katie and her glittering entourage do not expect is this: A kidnapping gone wrong, their guides bleeding out in the dirt, and a team of Russian mercenaries herding them into Land Rovers, guns to their heads. As the powerful sun gives way to night, the gunmen shove them into abandoned huts and Katie Barstow, Hollywood royalty, prays for a simple thing: To see the sun rise one more time. A blistering story of fame, race, love, and death set in a world on the cusp of great change, The Safari is a vibrant masterpiece.

My review:

I am one of the biggest fangirls of this author's work through the years. I appreciate so much the fact that each of his novels is completely different in scope, he literally never writes anything remotely resembling the same story twice (and this is book 25?). His books are engaging and compelling, his characters are amazingly crafted, and his writing is superb. Having said all that, I did have a major problem with this book. Before I get into that however, I do want to mention how wonderful it was to read about the animals on the Serengeti. The descriptions of them was such a highlight for me. I will warn you that there are a lot of characters to keep track of in this one, and once they get separated into three groups, it's hard to remember who is traveling together. This does get better as the novel progresses, so it becomes less of an issue. I think old time movie buffs will love all the references to great Hollywood films and actor/actresses. My biggest issue with the book was that it was just too violent and graphic for me. One or two scenes I could take, but it was repeated over and over, and it was just too much. I'm someone who doesn't watch any tv shows or movies that contain violence, so if this is something that doesn't bother you, you will likely be fine.

This was a great story that unfortunately I could not appreciate because of the extreme violence. I'll also be keeping my safaris to those in a controlled environment at Disney, this book freaked me out that much! A great book if you are not squeamish like me 🙂

Published on Leave a comment on The Homewreckers
The Homewreckers Book Cover The Homewreckers
Mary Kay Andrews
Fiction
St. Martin's Press
May 3, 2022
Advance reader copy
448
Free from publisher

Hattie Kavanaugh went to work helping clean up restored homes for Kavanaugh & Son Restorations at eighteen; married the boss’s son at twenty; and was only twenty-five when her husband, Hank, was killed in a motorcycle accident.

Broken hearted, but determined to continue the business of their dreams, she takes the life insurance money, buys a small house in a gentrifying neighborhood, flips it, then puts the money into her next project. But that house is a disaster and a money-loser, which rocks her confidence for years to come. Then, Hattie gets a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: star in a beach house renovation reality show called "The Homewreckers," cast against a male lead who may be a love interest, or may be the ultimate antagonist. It's a question of who will flip, and who will flop, and will Hattie ever get her happily-ever-after.

My review:

The Queen of the summer beach reads has done it again! This time, not only has she created a great story set in a beach-y setting, with a fabulous main protagonist worthy of rooting for, but there is something for those of us who love to binge watch some HGTV house fixer upper shows! Right off the bat, we are in poor Hattie's corner. Her husband has died in a tragic accident, her business with him has hit a major snag which has ripped away her confidence, and she's flat broke. If this doesn't sound like a very upbeat book, just keep reading! Hattie is asked to co-host a new reality house flipping show, there is an unsolved mystery with ties to the current house flip, and there are side characters who complement the story perfectly. This is a chunkster of a novel for your typical beach read, but super short chapters have you easily consuming it in a few sittings. I loved the descriptions of the house renovation projects, the imagery of Savannah, and Hattie's take charge attitude. As with all of her books, the author delivers on a well written story with a highly satisfactorily resolved ending.

"Summer begins with MKA" is probably one of my favorite tag lines, and it couldn't be more true! I'm guessing this one will be in lots of beach and pool bags over the coming months. Better yet, read it at your own home while you tackle some comparatively small home projects.