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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.

Published on Leave a comment on Chef’s Kiss
Chef's Kiss Book Cover Chef's Kiss
TJ Alexander
Fiction
Simon and Schuster
May 3, 2022
Advance reader copy
320
Free from publisher

Simone Larkspur is a perfectionist pastry expert with a dream job at The Discerning Chef, a venerable cookbook publisher in New York City. All she wants to do is create the perfect loaf of sourdough and develop recipes, but when The Discerning Chef decides to bring their brand into the 21st century by pivoting to video, Simone is thrust into the spotlight and finds herself failing at something for the first time in her life.

To make matters worse, Simone has to deal with Ray Lyton, the new test kitchen manager, whose obnoxious cheer and outgoing personality are like oil to Simone’s water. When Ray accidentally becomes a viral YouTube sensation with a series of homebrewing videos, their eccentric editor in chief forces Simone to work alongside the chipper upstart or else risk her beloved job. But the more they work together, the more Simone realizes her heart may be softening like butter for Ray.

Things get even more complicated when Ray comes out at work as nonbinary to mixed reactions—and Simone must choose between the career she fought so hard for and the person who just might take the cake (and her heart).

My review:

3.5 stars

How adorable is this cover? Sometimes the artist gets it just right, and this is one of those times. This book is indeed about cooking, with a side of romance. I loved that the romance was sweet, slow burn, and not the main focus of the book. The main focus was on Simone, who ends up having to delve into an aspect of her job she never signed up for, and how her kitchen manager helps her grow into and accept her new role. There are numerous references to food in this book, and it was inspiring to see the way food was used to show care for another person. I truly appreciated the discussion of gender, and the biases from the higher ups at the company made me so angry! It was interesting to watch Simone and Ray navigate these issues in different ways, while also growing as characters as the novel progressed. This is one of a handful of books with a nonbinary main character, and I am here for the representation. There was great dialog throughout, the characters definitely found a way into your heart, and did I mention the food?

This was a well written book discussing career, gender identity, prejudice, romance, and of course food. Will be a great lighthearted read for the summer, but still educating and impactful with some more serious undertones. I'm excited to read more from this author.

Published on Leave a comment on Magpie
Magpie Book Cover Magpie
Elizabeth Day
Fiction
Simon & Schuster
May 3, 2022
Advance reader copy
336
Free from publisher

Marisa and Jake are a perfect couple, and Kate, their new lodger, is the perfect roommate--and not just because her rent payments will give them the income they need to start trying for a baby. Except no one is perfect. Sure, Kate doesn’t seem to care much about personal boundaries and can occasionally seem overly familiar with Jake, but Marisa doesn’t let it concern her. Kate will soon be gone, and it will just be her, Jake, and their future baby.

Conceiving a baby is easier said than done, though, and Jake and Marisa’s perfect relationship is put to the test through months of fertility treatments and false starts. To make matters worse, Kate’s boundary-pushing turns into an all-out obsession--with Jake, with Marisa, and with their future child. Who is this woman? Why does she seem to know everything about Marisa and Jake?

In her quest to find out who Kate really is, Marisa might destroy everything she’s worked so hard to create: her perfect romance, her perfect family, and her perfect self. Jake doesn’t know the half of what Marisa has created and what she stands to lose. Magpie is a tense and twisting novel about mothers and children, envy and possession, and the dangers of getting everything you’ve ever dreamed of.

My review:

*Trigger warning*....I would look further into this one before reading if you are contemplating using a surrogate in creating your family! Having said that, this one is a wild ride if you choose to pick it up! This is a book where you are not really sure about anyone, and you find yourself frantically reading to figure out which of the characters are actually believable? Or are any of them? I loved the way the author dealt with Marisa's infertility grief. Having been through that part (and thanking myself for not going the surrogate route after reading this lol), I thought it was well done. Also of note was how well the plot had me spinning back and forth between who I thought was reliable. As you begin to get secrets and lies revealed the picture becomes clearer, and I did ultimately guess the main twist, but it sure was gratifying getting there (and the actual plotting that occurred). The ending was satisfying although I do wish there had been mention of what was to happen to the remaining four frozen embryos.

I flew trough this book trying to pick up clues as to who was being manipulated and who was to be believed. A well done thriller with infertility rep and some very unlikable characters!

Published on Leave a comment on Memphis
Memphis Book Cover Memphis
Tara M. Stringfellow
Fiction
Dial Press
April 5, 2022
Hardcover
272
Purchased

In the summer of 1995, ten-year-old Joan, her mother, and her younger sister flee her father's violence, seeking refuge at her mother's ancestral home in Memphis. Half a century ago, Joan's grandfather built this majestic house in the historic Black neighborhood of Douglass--only to be lynched days after becoming the first Black detective in Memphis. This wasn't the first time violence altered the course of Joan's family's trajectory, and she knows it won't be the last. Longing to become an artist, Joan pours her rage and grief into sketching portraits of the women of North Memphis--including their enigmatic neighbor Miss Dawn, who seems to know something about curses.

Unfolding over seventy years through a chorus of voices, Memphis weaves back and forth in time to show how the past and future are forever intertwined. It is only when Joan comes to see herself as a continuation of a long matrilineal tradition--and the women in her family as her guides to healing--that she understands that her life does not have to be defined by vengeance. That the sole weapon she needs is her paintbrush.

Inspired by the author's own family history, Memphis explores the complexity of what we pass down, not only in our families, but in our country: police brutality and justice, powerlessness and freedom, fate and forgiveness, doubt and faith, sacrifice and love.

My review:

A well written novel spanning about 70 years in the lives of three generations of the North family. The blurb for this book does a good job of explaining the major plot points, but for the most part this is a character driven book. The reader is given access to the thoughts and fears of this family as they navigate the joys and pitfalls that they experience in life. We see how each character deals with the hand they've been dealt, and the intense bonds of family. There are several historical events touched on throughout the narrative, among them the Civil Rights movement, and 9/11. There were wonderful descriptions of life in Memphis, so much so that you felt like you were there within the story. Keep in mind there are trigger warnings for abuse (physical and sexual). The women were all well fleshed out, and their relationships to each other were clearly the backbone of the novel. The story did dip back and forth between characters and time a lot, this was probably my only minor complaint.

Another well written debut novel, which was inspired by the author's family history. If you want a good character driven family saga that puts you right in the middle of the story, this one would be a great choice.

Published on Leave a comment on Lessons In Chemistry
Lessons in Chemistry Book Cover Lessons in Chemistry
Bonnie Garmus
Fiction
Doubleday Books
April 5, 2022
Hardcover
400
Purchased

Chemist Elizabeth Zott is not your average woman. In fact, Elizabeth Zott would be the first to point out that there is no such thing as an average woman. But it's the early 1960s and her all-male team at Hastings Research Institute takes a very unscientific view of equality. Except for one: Calvin Evans; the lonely, brilliant, Nobel-prize nominated grudge-holder who falls in love with--of all things--her mind. True chemistry results.

But like science, life is unpredictable. Which is why a few years later Elizabeth Zott finds herself not only a single mother, but the reluctant star of America's most beloved cooking show Supper at Six. Elizabeth's unusual approach to cooking ("combine one tablespoon acetic acid with a pinch of sodium chloride") proves revolutionary. But as her following grows, not everyone is happy. Because as it turns out, Elizabeth Zott isn't just teaching women to cook. She's daring them to change the status quo.

Laugh-out-loud funny, shrewdly observant, and studded with a dazzling cast of supporting characters, Lessons in Chemistry is as original and vibrant as its protagonist.

My review:

No question that this will be in my top books of the year, and at this point (although it's early in the year) it's hard to imagine anything topping it! I absolutely adored this book! It probably helps that I have several things in common with Elizabeth Zott. I lived through the 60's (albeit as an elementary student, not an adult), I majored in science so did have to take a lot of chemistry courses in college, and we are very similar in our takes on organized religion and feminism. I loved the way that Elizabeth was a take charge kind of woman, and used unorthodox methods to empower housewives of that era. She was a force to be reckoned with, and was not going to take any flak from some overbearing man who thought a woman's place was in the home. There were many humorous moments in the book, but also a lot of poignant ones as well. The interspersed narration from the dog kind of threw me at first, but ended up providing a lightheartedness to the novel that was quite welcome as the plot moved along. I really can't pick apart any of this delightful story, and the ending was the cherry on top.

All hail to my new fictional god (I'd say goddess, but I don't think Elizabeth Zott would approve)!! I very rarely re-read books, but that may have to change with this one. I believe this is a debut novel, I'll be waiting with baited breath for what comes next from this talented author.