Welcome to Gigi's Book Corner's ARC Reviews
At Gigi's Book Corner, we are thrilled to offer our readers exclusive sneak peeks, detailed insights, and early access to Advanced Reader Copies (ARCs) through our ARC Reviews page. These reviews are from NetGalley, Publishers, and Authors. Dive into upcoming releases before anyone else!
Finlay Donovan is Killing It
Finlay Donovan is Killing It by Elle Cosimano
This is the beginning of something special! I loved it and I went so far as to order the whole series so I could have physical copies. Finally is my hero! I love quirky characters and she fits the whole bill!
Finlay is killing it by not killing outside the pages of her new novel. After a heated discussion with her publishing agent in Panera, she is mistaken for a contract killer for hire.
She gets drawn into a murder investigation that is complicated in many ways. This was delightfully funny and witty. The antics that Finlay shares with her babysitter will keep you glued to the pages. The characters are authentic and easily relatable. It was suspenseful with a touch of humor. This is the beginning of a brilliant series from Elle Cosimano. I can wait to read more! I loved it! 5/5⭐️
I would like to thank NetGalley for the opportunity to review this one!
Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead
Coming Soon!
Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun
Coming Soon!
The Birdcage Library
The Birdcage Library (audiobook) by Freya Berry
This was a historical novel with a dual timeline between 1932 and the 1880s, told with multiple points of view between two women. You have Emily Blackwood who goes to work for Heinrich Vogel at a castle in Scottland. She was hired under the guise of cataloguing a collection but given the task of a treatsure hunt. While there, she finds the diary of Hester Vogel. Hester fell from the Brooklyn bridge on the eve of its opening in 1883. From the diary Emily is led to find a rare book.
I have to say that overall, I was disappointed with this one. In the beginning, the author goes to great lengths to describe Emily and her diabetes. The author fails in providing an accurate description of transporting or storing insulin in 1932. Storing it for long periods without refrigeration, under the bed would have been disaster out and unlikely. There is no detail given withthe administration, or source of insulin. Since there was so much care taken to describe how she carried the vials on a belt around her waste, it was careless to fall flat with knowledge of the drug or disease. From the description, the woman would not have lived seven years managing it in the manner as it was described.
Further the scenes were not detailed enough to take the reader there and experience the places. I struggled to get invested in the story. The mystery was carefully constructed but not engaging enough to hold my interest throughout the story.
The narration was confusing as it switched timelines and characters.
I would like to thank NetGalley for the opportunity to review an ARC of this audiobook. 2.5/5⭐️
Reach For the Stars
Reach for the Stars by Maxine Morrey
This was a great story from beginning to end!
Felicity drowns her sorrow in a dramatic way after witnessing her ex and his new wife on the glossy spread of a magazine. She ends up in a whole new life when she home shops drunk and buys her way into a dilapidated farmhouse site unseen. She also manages to lose her job and close on her own apartment in the span of a drunken stupor. Then her DIY farmhouse crushes her spirit when a tree crushes the roof of the house and her car during a storm.
“Flissy” has trust issues and has a hard time accepting any help, especially from the gorgeous neighbor she keeps running into.
This one was terrific! I was laughing out loud in the first chapter! While there were serious parts and moments that evoked all the feelings that you look for in a romance, this one was also fun to read. It had a beautiful story of self discovery, finding love, and was full of personal growth. Jesse’s dog, Ned stole the show too!
I enjoyed the character building and the fiendships found in a small town, both really allowed the reader to connect with the story. The book was a wonderfully written story of finding one’s purpose and place. 4/5⭐️
I would like to thank NetGalley for the opportunity to review an ARC of this title.
Statistically Speaking
Statistically Speaking by Debbie Johnson
This was a fun one!
Gemma Jones is a beloved history teacher. She loves the absoluteness of the past, the specificity of facts. Her past is crowded with guilt for the kindest act of love, she gave a child up when she was just sixteen, after being trapped in the foster system herself. She dreams about her baby girl and this year she is anticipating that child’s eighteenth birthday. Without a name or specific details, she has made a habit of moving around in hopes that she may never have to face her child in the classroom.
Gemma has a sweet neighbor named Maggie that serves as a surrogate mother and best friend. There’s also the PE teacher, Karim, that fancies her but she pays no mind, at least she doesn’t show it. When she meets a new friend after a blast of gas and fit of laughter in yoga class, she wonders if she might actually, finally meet her baby this year.
This is a fun, laugh out loud experience as Gemma overcomes her fears and find herself. I really enjoyed this one! There were sad, serious moments, but the laughable moments were so entertaining! It was a beautiful story of adoption. The narration was fantastic! 4/5⭐️
I would like to thank NetGalley for the opportunity to review the audiobook!
I'll be home for Mischief
I’ll Be Home for Mischief (audiobook) by Jacqueline Frost
Holly White is an amateur sleuth in the town of Mistletoe, Maine. As an innkeeper she plays a significant role in the activities surrounding the Christmas season. This year is her first wedding anniversary with her husband Evan Gray, the sheriff. Holly is preoccupied with several things. She needs the perfect anniversary gift for Evan, the town is celebrating 150 years, and her mother is attempting a world record to put the town on the map with the largest gingerbread man.
Those plans for world fame are dashed when a body is found in the batter. Holly can’t help but get involved to support a long time family friend, even when she is threatened. Things get a little too close for comfort when someone breaks in her office and she has to decide if it’s worth it to continue to ask questions.
This is #5 in the Christmas Tree Farm Mystery series, it works great as a stand alone cozy mystery. The characters are delightful and the story is cozy, perfect for the Christmas season! I really enjoyed the quirky characters and the wintery Christmas setting. The plot had an easy flow with a smooth writing style that just welcomed you into the story. Allyson Ryan did an excellent job with the narration and made it easy to connect with the char@caters as the reader listened.
I would like to thank NetGalley for the opportunity to review the audiobook.
4/5⭐️
The Do-Over
The Do-Over by Phoebe MacLeod
This was a cute, fun story!
Thea had extreme goals set for herself. She took a fast track in corporate law, ending with the achievement of being the youngest partner in a prestigious firm. Thea has cast aside all social interaction with one exception, her long time friend, Alasdair. Then one day when a senior partner dies suddenly, Thea is left to question life and the purpose of her career. With new friends and the chance to risk it all, can she put things right?
This was a really cute story of self reflection, transformation, and finding love. I thought the characters were relatable and well developed, the plot was charming. It leaves us with the question often asked, ”is being the best worth it or just enjoying life as it comes?” I also enjoyed seeing Thea’s personal growth. Phoebe MacLeod did not disappoint!
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to review this book.
4/5⭐️
The Christmas Dog Sitters
The Christmas Dog Sitters by Lucy Mitchell
This was a heartwarming story with laughs, tears, and self discovery.
Rachel has a crappy apartment with a leaky roof, she loses her job, and she constantly gets dumped on by her family. Her life is in shambles. Her sister talks her into dog sitting her spaniel, Humphrey. One of the perks, she gets to stay in the fancy manor house for free, what choice does she have.
Then her family dumps her grandfather on her for the holidays.
The unlikely pair have some hysterical adventures. Rachel allows her grandpa to live a little and he encourages her to be herself.
Rachel finds hope in helping those around her. Even Humphrey is an unsung hero in the community, but labeled as an escape artist. As family drama builds and secrets erupt, Rachel finds friends.
This was a sweet story with romance, heartache, and some huge secrets. I loved the endearing funny characters and their interactions. I got so frustrated with Rachel at times, she made me crazy and mad. I loved the story! 4/5⭐️
Lowcountry Lost
Lowcountry Lost (audiobook) by T.I. Lowe
Ava Lee Elvis is responsible for a tiny town that she wants to bring back to life. She’s named the town Somewhere, South Carolina. Long abandoned, the town is a source of healing as she fixes its broken pieces and breathes life into a long forgotten place.
Ava Lee can fix most things, except herself. Her heartache and regret weigh her down. She feels broken, so she pours herself, blood, sweat,and tears, into putting broken places back together. Making them beautiful again gives her a reprieve to the hurt she carries and hides from all of those she cares about.
Rowan Murray shares her pain, they haven’t seen each other in six years, and she hoped they never would again. She is shocked when he shows up on her current job site. When she hears that familiar Irish brogue, every wound in her soul is ripped open. They are forced to face their past and move through a major renovation together.
This is a beautiful story of healing, forgiveness, and soul bending commitment to a promise of love. It’s a story of finding your place and a family among the broken pieces of your life. I absolutely loved this book!
I listened to the audiobook version , and the narration was phenomenal. The narrator, Zura Johnson, brought all the characters to life and carried them all the way through this heartfelt story.
This is a book I would give to friends and family, a perfect story of healing after loss.
I would like to Thank NetGalley and Recorded books for the opportunity to review an ARC of this audiobook.
5/5⭐️
Holiday Hideaway
Holiday Hideaway by Mary Kay Andrews
Tilly Farriday is at a crossroads and in need of a place to stay. She’s recently divorced and broke. Squatting in a vacant rental property wasn’t her best decision. When the new owner shows up unannounced, she ends up hiding in the attic risking everything.
George, the new owner, isn’t sure what to think when things go missing and suspicious noises surround him. He’s sure it isn’t a ghost but then who or what? He’s not sure where life is headed and finds more than he expected in this inherited cabin.
This is a warm and cozy Christmas short story. Mary Kay Andrews does not disappoint, and leaves you wanting more! I loved this one! Grab a warm seat and enjoy it!
5/5⭐️
To Mimi’s House We Go
Wonderful Christmas book for children with grandparents!
This was a sweet read, perfect for read-a-loud time! The rhyme is sweet and catching, and the illustrations are wonderful!
Talmadge Farm
Talmadge Farm (audiobook) by Leo Daughtry
In. 1957, Gordon Talmadge leads a self absorbed lavish lifestyle in Eastern North Carolina. He owns a large tobacco farm with two sharecropper families, one black and one white.
A New South is on the horizon and Gordon struggles to hold on to all that he claims as his. This is an unforgettable drama of three families navigating changing times during a pivotable period in history. Their lives are intertwined closely. Desegregation is happening and tensions are high, along with the growing reassessment of the tobacco farms. There is controversy over smoking and the daunting management of farms implementing new farming processes.
This book has beautifully detailed settings, and the characters are wonderfully developed. You can just imagine that you are walking among the rows of tobacco and feel the summer heat. You can feel the pain, anger, and joy of the characters. The story is so beautiful and rich. The narrator, Justin Price, has rich voice perfect with a Southern dialect. The storytelling is mesmerizing. I really enjoyed this one!
I would like to Thank NetGalley and Books Fluent for the opportunity to review an ARC of this book. 5/5⭐️
Much Ado About Margaret
Much Ado About Margaret by Madeleine Roux
This one is set in Regency England where publishing female writers is still scandalous. Women are expected to be shelved as idyllic domestic servants to be seen and not heard or read.
Margaret Arden resides in Mosely Cottage with her sisters and mother after her father’s passsing. They are reminded daily this is purely as an result of her aunt’s kindness and generosity, and they are expected to uphold certain social requirements to uphold the family’s reputation.
Maragrret has dreams as a writer and struggles to comply with her current position in life. When she attends her cousin’s elaborate wedding, she collides with scandal, notoriety and love.
Margaret loses the pages of her manuscript at the wedding when they suspiciously fall victim to an open window and a breeze. Bridger Dryden is profoundly taken with the pages that he encounters and is determined to publish it. He has a burden to gain her trust and deal with the earth shattering chemistry between them as neither family finds the other as a suitable match.
This was a good story, a bit of a slow burn in the beginning. I loved the chemistry and banter between Margaret and Bridger. There was a good blend of characters and development of plot and characters. It went from clean to saucy in record time the last 1/4 of the book.
The story was entertaining, creative and enjoyable. It was not what I expected but still has a lot going for it. The excessive family drama and back story with the extended family detracted from the plot in my opinion.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Dell Publishing for the opportunity to review an ARC of this book.
Overall I would give it 3.5/5⭐️
Watch Your Back
Watch Your Back by Terri Parlato
What a riveting page turner!
Eve and Nathan have a seemingly perfect life. Both are successful with a beautiful daughter, a lovely home in a nice neighborhood with a perfect baby sitter. Everything is great until one day when their baby disappears from the sitter’s home. Detective Rita Meyers finds herself enveloped in multiple mysteries that all seem to revolve around Eve. The quandary Rita is faced with - is Eve the victim or her prime suspect?
This story is filled with twists and turns and told from multiple points of view. It is well written and the characters are so well developed! It was so easy to get engrossed in the story until the last page. This is part of a series but you can read it as a stand alone and not miss a thing! I thoroughly enjoyed everything about this one! Terri Parlato did not disappoint! I am a fan.
I would like to say Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the opportunity to review an ARC of this book. It will be released on 12/24/2024.
5/5⭐️
Daughter of Ruins
Daughter of Ruins (audiobook) by Yvette Manessis Corporon
Brave women of history have had to exert great courage to change the course of their existence, many had no voice until someone gave them one by telling their stories.
This story tells the tale of 3 women, a motherless daughter, an Italian prostitute, and a mail order “picture bride” from Greece.
Demitra was born in America and was taken back to Greece when her mother died. She spent her childhood buried in mythology looking for her mother in the stories of goddesses. As a young woman she refuses an arranged marriage and instead has an affair with a forbidden man who ignites her passion for art. In her art, she brings new Greek goddesses to life.
Elena was raised around Italian brothels and failed to escape becoming a victim to that fate. When Italy occupied Cephalonia, Greece, she was sent to entertain soldiers. Her life changed when the .Germans arrived in 1943.
Maria was from a poor Greek village, where her father struggled to feed the family. He sent her to America to marry a stranger as a”picture bride”. At 18, she was terrified of the life she was forced into and mourned the one she left behind.
This story is steeped in culture and history with a compelling tale of resilience and survival. Our fates are often shaped by the struggles we endure. I enjoyed reading about these extraordinary women who had no voice until someone put pen to paper and gave them one,
This was an outstanding book! I was captivated with the stories of the three women.
The narrator did a phenomenal job of telling their story from the pages of this wonderful book! This was a slow burn initially, I honestly had a little bit of a struggle connecting with the story and characters in the beginning. Once I got a feel for their interconnections and the story line, I was completely captivated and I wanted to listen until the end!
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins Focus for the opportunity to review an ARC of this book!
4/5⭐️
Every Moment Since
Every Moment Since ( audiobook) by Marybeth Mahew Whalen
During the Summer of 1985, in Wynotte, North Carolina, Davey Malcor disappeared after playing “night games” in a field with his brother and other children. Suddenly 20 years later his jacket is found and everyone is called together again to consider this new evidence. Lives were forever changed by the process of grief, guilt, and loss. Old hurt is rekindled and connections made in the shadow of that pain as a new investigation is initiated.
This story could be considered a study in tragedy and how it changes everyone it touches. There is grief, loss, and a yearning for closure that never lets you completely move forward. Davey’s brother, Thadeus, wrote a book about the tragedy but carried his guilt and pain silently. Gordon, an artist, was the main suspect then and now and feels so worn down he is willing to go along with the narrative of accusations to make them stop and save others continued agony.
This book has multiple points of view and a dual timeline between the disappearance and the present, giving it a past/present perspective.
This was an excellent book with the tone of a slow burn through grief and loss dealing with life afterwards and no great twist at the end but a really well told mystery.
This was a full cast narration and all of the narrators did a phenomenal job in giving a voice to the individual characters and added an element of feeling to the story. I really enjoyed listening to the story!
Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Collins, and Marybeth Mahew Whalen for the proof reviewing an ARC of this audiobook.
4/5⭐️
The Christmas Cottage
The Christmas Cottage (audiobook) by Davis Bunn
I must admit that I was expecting more “Christmas “ in this story, but in the actions of a town rebuilding, the spirit of Christmas certainly set the tone. The part of rebuilding a town after a storm destroys it and the roads leading to it, was so relevant and on point with where I live right now, it just happened.
Set in Miramar Bay, California, this is a story about redemption, rebuilding, and re-enforcing the human spirit. Dillon and Olivia both arrive back in town from different directions and circumstances. With a lot of history and brokenness they are looking for a reboot and a safe landing space. In their retreat from their former life, they reconnect as friends and build a new relationship with respect and trust as a they work together to help a town they hold close to their hearts. They land in jail, as there is no where else to stay, they both find new direction and purpose.
This is a story of rekindling hope.
I found the story well written, and I was not hindered with it being in a series that I had not previously read. It was fine as a stand alone.
The narrator had a soothing, storytelling voice with full command of his audience. Well done!
I would like to thank NetGalley for the ARC of the audiobook for review.
4/5⭐️
Wildest Wish
Wildest Wish by Alex Gordon
I received an ARC for review from the publisher and author. This was an eagerly anticipated sequel to her first book, Wicked Wish.
In this story, Regan Braaten ends up back in Alaska after she accepts a position with Global Security Systems. GSS sent her there with other individuals that have “gifts” to explore. As she finds a friend family among others like herself, she still has trust issues in every direction.
Regan’s trainer, Gin, wants more than friendship and Jude, her boyfriend, is beyond jealous. This creates a tense dynamic among the three and feeds the story with anticipation.
Wrapped up in a love triangle, Regan learns to control her special talents and recognizes some of her limits. After a betrayal by Gin and GSS, Regan has to decide where her loyalty lies and what to do next. Her decision will direct a lot of things for all of those she cares most about.
This was a captivating sequel to Wicked Wish by Alex Gordon. The character development is awesome and allows the reader to be drawn into the story from the beginning. I loved the plot and flow of the story as new characters and pieces were introduced.
I was a little disappointed with the ending because I just wanted more. I feel like some of the loose ends introduced towards the end could have been resolved but I am eagerly anticipating the next book! I can’t wait to see what happens next!
Thank you for the opportunity to review the ARC! 4/5⭐️
The Little Bookshop by the Sea
Christmas at the Little Bookshop by the Sea by Eliza J. Scott
I would like to thank NetGalley for the opportunity review an ARC of this novel.
*This book is part of a series.
I really enjoyed the premise of this story. I love stories about books, bookshops, and Christmas. The development of the setting with phenomenal details of Christmas and decorations swept me away. Mickelwick Bay seems charming and inviting. The sense of community with the Happy Hartes bookshop is inviting and pleasant.
This book had great potential but there is a distinct disconnect with the reader and the main characters, and I think it stems from their inability to communicate with each other. The plot seemed choppy and did not flow, it actually got stagnant with Florie’s suspicions of Ed, and it seemed to stall out completely in spots. The middle of the story was slow paced. The overuse of ambiguous words and phrases disconnects the reader completely and interrupts the flow of the story.
I was just unable to connect or stay connected to the story and that made it difficult to finish.
2/5⭐️
Sweet Vidalia
Sweet Vidalia by Lisa Sandlin
This is a novel of strength and resilience.
Eliza is my hero!
In 1964, Eliza loses more than she ever imagined when her husband dies suddenly. In the pit of complete despair, Eliza finds deceit and lies. Her whole world is upended in ways she never imagined.
As Eliza struggles to rise from the wreckage that her life has become, she rebuilds herself, taking classes and finding a new direction on her own. She discovers friends all around her and faces things where most people would have given up. She is a force of courage and kindness. This was an awesome story!
The narrator, Janet Metzger, did an awesome job in bringing Eliza to life using her voice. It was just so real with her tone of voice and connection with the characters.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for the opportunity to review this audiobook.
4/5⭐️
The Fabled Earth
The Fabled Earth ( Audiobook) by Kimberly Brock
In a dual timeline between 1932 and 1959 the opulence of the Guilded Age is celebrated on Cumberland Island by the Carnegies and other islanders. A party of young men from America’s finest families ends in tragedy after a night of revelry and story telling goes wrong in 1932.
In 1959, Cleo Woodbine has lived on a sliver of the island called “Kingdom Come” for decades. Frances Flood shows up looking for identity and answers that Chloe may hold. A double exposure photograph and an old news article change everything they thought they knew. Has Frances raised a ghost from that night in 1932, or are there more secrets to unfold?
I love the Georgia Coast and the author does a beautiful job of taking you there with detailed descriptions of the place and the culture on the island. This book was beautifully written. It is a wonderfully imaginative tale of finding a place to call home and using art and story telling to carry you through the good and the bad. I loved it!
The narrator did an excellent job of telling the story and making the listener a comfortable part of the story. The mellow voice and calm reading style made for an enjoyable experience!
I would like to thank NetGalley and Harper Muse for the pleasure of reviewing the ARC of this audiobook version of the story.
I give it 4.5/5 ⭐️
End of August
End of August by Paige Dinneny
This was an awesome book!
Aurora Taylor’s mother runs at the sight of trouble, usually of her own making, She’s been on the run for Aurora’s entire life, skipping out on dead end jobs and dead beat boyfriends, never looking back. At 15, Aurora has adapted to traveling light with most of her life fitting into a cardboard moving box.
Laine shows up one day after school with everything packed, not on the run but to say goodbye to Aurora’s grandpa, Jay, who had just passed.
Monroe, Indiana, a small town, even smaller when Laine and her mother, Katherine, are together. They are like oil and water, only erupting in explosions of emotion most of the time they are together.
This time is different, this time Aurora blooms and becomes more than just “Laine’s kid.” Aurora finds hope, home, and family, things she has never had. She loves the small town her mother has spent a lifetime running from. Laine clings to a toxic relationship, risking everything. Aurora dreads the next take off and run. This time everything is on the line, the town, Gran’s hope, Aurora’s future, and Laine has a choice for redemption.
I loved this story! I was captivated by the characters. The story was so real and raw with emotion. Paige Dinneny did a phenomenal job with capturing the multigenerational relationships and the raw feelings of a fifteen year old and her grandma. I give it 4.5/5⭐️
I would like to thank NetGalley and Alcove Press for the opportunity to review this ARC. This novel will be released February 11, 2025.
#endofaugust #netgalley
None Left to Tell
None Left to Tell by Noelle W. Ihle
This book was more historical fiction than thriller as it recounted a brutal massacre in history, the Mountain Meadows Massacre of 1857. Three very different women, Lucy, Katrina, and Sally are forever tied together through the brutal hardships and unimaginable conditions they endured. This was a well researched topic and the details are impressive with a heartbreaking story of hardship and survival. You won’t forget the Mountain Meadows Massacre once you step into this story!
I appreciate research and effort made to bring this story alive, it was certainly something that I had never read about. It was not what I expected at all, the author definitely stepped out of her regular genre to creat this gut wrenching story.
*** A warning- there is graphic violence involving children and animals.
The beginning was slow for me, as I did not connect or relate well to the characters. There was a disconnect in how they were introduced. It took a while to get into it. The transition from one woman’s story to the next just didn’t flow and hold my interest continuously and the connection was not easily anticipated by me as the reader. I probably would not have requested this if I had known about the gruesome depiction of the massacre and its victims. However, the story was well researched and well written with great detail. 3.5/5⭐️
I would like to thank NetGalley and Dynomite books for the opportunity to review this ARC.
#Netgalley #nonelefttotell #noelleihle
The Queens of Crime
The Queens of Crime by Marie Benedict
It’s 1931, Agatha Christie and her rival Dorothy Sayers join forces with three other women. Together, five of the greatest female crime writers take on the Detection Club, a male dominated venue of writers. To prove themselves, the Queens of Crime dive into solving the mystery of a missing nurse, May Daniels. The case has all the hallmarks of a locked room case and fits their writing style. The women face danger, threats, and revealing their own guarded secrets to find answers and redeem the reputation of the young nurse.
This is truly a cozy mystery in the style of Agatha Christie’s stories. I really enjoyed the writing style. The characters were well developed and relatable.
I give this 4/5 ⭐️
I would like to Thank NetGalley for the ARC and the ability to offer my honest opinion.
#NetGalley #MarieBenedict #thequeensofcrime
In Every Life
In Every Life by Rea Frey
What a moving story! Get your tissues and prepare for a waterfall of tears! This is such a beautiful story of love and dreams.
My favorite quote,” …there’s never a perfect time to follow your dreams.”
In Chattanooga, TN, you find Harper and Ben living a comfortable life. She is a teacher and he is a musician. Early on, they find themselves faced with a diagnosis that will forever change their lives.
A decade ago, Harper found love and a possible art career in NewYork, but she ran. Now, holding on to every shred of hope, she thinks about her past when she is presented with Ben’s last wish. He wants her to find new love before he passes.
This book will have your heart soaring and breaking in the same chapter, but it is a very beautifully written love story.
I also listened to the audiobook. It had excellent narration, the characters were well distinguished and the voice was clear and pleasant. The voice of the characters enhanced the experience of the book. Excellent job!
Overall the book was excellent and left you wanting more. 4/5⭐️s.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
The Mistletoe Mystery
The Mistletoe Mystery by Nita Prose
This was an endearing Christmas story that will warm your heart! Another adventure with Molly the maid and it's so sweet!
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC and the pleasure of reviewing this one!
4/5 ⭐s
The Sunflower House
The Sunflower House by Adrianna Allegri
I would like to thank St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing an Advanced Reader Copy of this book, in exchange for my honest review.
This novel is a beautifully written tale of determination, resilience, and survival. It’s also a wonderful love story and a history lesson.
In a dual timeline, Allina has a story that her daughter was part of but never knew. When Allina has an accident, her daughter discovers a box with swastika on it, her questions and alarm prompt her mother to share the secrets of a lifetime.
Allina Strauss’s family has secrets. She lives with her aunt and uncle, it’s 1939, Hitler is in power. Alina works for the family bookshop and enjoys cooking with her aunt. When things accelerate with Hitler’s plans and Jews are being rounded up in the area, her family is attacked. Alina is brutally attacked and then delivered to the Hochland house and left there. This home is part of the Lebensborn Program, producing “pure” blood offspring for the continuation of the Aryan population. Women are placed there to get pregnant and have babies, some by choice.
Alina has a secret, her mother was Jewish. That puts her in great danger. She becomes a nurse at the home, in charge of the babies. She soon realizes things are not what they seem and some children are in danger. As she puts everything on the line to save as many as she can, she finds love.
Meticulously researched, this novel covers the Himmler eugenics project and the horrors that resulted during the WWII era. Adrianna Allegri did a brilliant job with this debut novel!
5/5⭐️
The Seaside Sisters
The Seaside Sisters by Pamela Kelley
I would like to say “Thank you” to MacMillan Audio and NetGalley for the privilege to review an ARC copy of the Audiobook.
Publication date June 4, 2024 Narator: Stephanie Nemeth-Parker
The narration was wonderful, the characters were well distinguished and the voices were pleasant and endearing. It made the experience wonderful. I really enjoyed the book.
In this book you meet Hannah who is a successful writer struggling with writer’s block and anxiety. As a best selling author, living in Brooklyn, Hannah decides to return to her home town in Cape Cod for the summer. She is in search of rest, relaxation, and inspiration. Her sister Sara is there with her family. Sara, a former librarian, is looking for a new career now that her kids are old enough to attend school. Stuck in a stagnant marriage where she feels under appreciated, Sara wants to renew her passion for books.
The two sisters enjoy the summer making new friends, rekindling love, and getting lost in the magic of books.
This is a wonderfully charming story - perfect for a summer beach read or anytime you want to feel like you are there! The characters are beautifully developed and interwoven in the story, complete with warm famity reunions and new friendships. I would recommend this book for anyone looking for a light hearted read that is just fun and clean. 4/5⭐️
Summers at the Saint
Summers at the Saint by Mary Kay Andrews
I would like to thank McMillan Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to read/listen to an ARC copy of this audiobook.
The narrator did a great job, voices fit the characters and was distinct enough to differentiate the characters. The pacing was excellent and the story flowed well. The audiobook definitely enhances the book experience.
You have mystery, murder, secrets, and love, what more could you want in a story? How about a luxury hotel on an island with all the perks of paradise. Traci Eddings was a well developed character. The complex plot was exciting although a little predictable at times. The details made everything so interesting and kept the pages turning with the reader at the edge of their seat. The story was executed so well and all the pieces wrapped up in the end. I really enjoyed reading this one.
The only negative thing I will say, if you introduce a pet like Lola, please develop the animal’s part in the story, especially including the care for the animal to fit the description. Lola’s was described as a “velcro” dog but for most of the book she was barely mentioned and left alone.. This was rectified somewhat in the final chapters but I think she could have been mentioned in a little more detail at the beginning, to fit her description and role as a supporting character..
Overall I give this book a 4/5 ⭐️
If Something Happens to Me
If Something Happens to Me by Alex Finlay
I would like to thank McMillan Audiobooks, NetGalley, and Minotaur Books for allowing me to review this audiobook with an ARC copy.
The.narration was wonderful, it was a full cast narration. This publication will be released on 5/28/2024. Helen Laser, John Pirhalla, and Paul Daleh did a great job as narrators and distinguishing the voice of individual characters. The pacing was excellent and the story flowed well. The narration definitely made the novel experience exciting and alive.
The story was a very well written thriller. I am now a new Alex Finlay fan! The plot was so well executed and it kept you guessing throughout the whole book.
You have Ryan Richardson and a cast of small town heroes develop as they are thrust into a vengeful chase from Philadelphia to Leavenworth, Kansas and all over Europe. As Ryan relives a nightmare daily . Then his nightmare comes true when he sees the monster of his dreams in Italy while on a college trip abroad. Back in the US, there is a small town with a lot of secrets that no one wants exposed. Then a car is found submerged in the lake by podcasters, and nothing can stop the roller coaster that results.
This is a fast paced thriller with lots of detail and well developed characters. You don’t want to miss it! 5/5⭐️
Real Life and Other Fictions
Real Life and Other Fictions by Susan Coll
I would like to Thank Harper Collins and NetGalley for the ability to review an ARC audiobook copy of this novel.
Meet Cassie, she’s in her fifties and needs to find her story. As an empty nester whose marriage is over, she leaves just before Christmas with her new puppy to find the truth of her story that has been hidden for her lifetime. She finds truth, love and how she fits into a well known folk tale of the Moth man.
The audiobook was narrated by Jane Oppenheimer. The audiobook had a nice flow and swept you away to join the characters in the story. The narrator had a nice mellow voice that fit well with the characters and really brought them to life! The audiobook was so pleasant and I felt I was part of the story, it definitely made the whole experience nice.
I absolutely loved this book! It resonated with me on a personal level as a reader in my fifties, and also an empty nester. I would recommend this story in any format but especially the audiobook version! 5/5⭐️
The Other Year
The Other Year by Rea Frey
This was a beautiful story of exploring grief. The author supplies a beautiful note at the beginning. Grief is often a connection that everyone can relate to but is so openly and often avoided. In this novel a Florida vacation goes wrong in a moment. One moment, one text message precedes a lifetime of regret. The dual timeline enhances the point of how much one moment changes everything.
I liked how everything was resolved in each timeline and the epilogue.
The audiobook enhanced the experience because the narrator, Brittany Pressley, does a wonderful job. The individual characters are well represented and her tone resonates with the listener in relating to the character’s grief.
I was given the audiobook by NetGalley to review, these opinions are my own.
3.5/5⭐️
The Little Provence Book Shop
The Little Provence Bookshop by Gillian Harvey
This was an awesome bookstore story!
Adeline has escaped her everyday life with her daughter Lili. They find a new beginning and some hope in the little village called Provence. After her mother’s recent death, family secrets were revealed and Adeline feels betrayed to her core. In Provence, she meets Monique when she responds to an ad for a position at a quaint little bookshop. Adeline meets Andre and Michel, with the potential of love and new friendships, she finds her way to the magic that exists in new adventures.
This is a wonderfully warm and romantic story of found family and building family among friends. I really enjoyed reading this one and I love the writing style and complex interwoven characaters and their histories.
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to review an ARC of this great story!
This will be released on 10/9/2024
4.5/5⭐️
Not Quite by the Book
Not Quite By the Book by Julie Hatcher
This was a fun romance that included bookshops, letter writing, and dogs, a perfect combination!
Emma Rini runs the family bookstore and it has become her whole existence. Her sister is having her first baby, her parents are preoccupied with retirement and she feels excluded.
Emma is way overdue for a vacation and romance. She is frustrated with her parents’ expectations of assuming control of the book store and lack of consideration for help. She runs, taking six weeks off to channel her favorite author, Emily Dickinson. She tries every avenue to become Emily and dismiss love from her life expectations. A handsome architect, new friends, and a crumbling manor house challenge her plans in this sweet story. It is filled with romantic suspense and sweet friendships.
The characters are so well developed and the story just sweeps the reader in and carries them along. What a great book! 5/5⭐️s
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC to review.
The Family Experiment
The Family Experiment by John Marrs
This was a wild one! There were a lot of characaters to keep track of, and that was cumbersome for me as a reader.
With a growing world population, you have big tech companies racing for the latest, greatest thing, AI. This story takes you through a journey for perfection. Couples are looking for the perfect life with the perfect child. They enter a contest where all of their dreams and secrets get exposed. there are some interesting scenarios that really make you think and there are some really fascinating twists.
This was kind of mind blowing for me. It is a very intricate work of dystopian fiction. I didn’t love it, but I didn’t hate it either, it was intriguing. I am still processing what I read. The world building and intricate character development kept me turning the pages. I am conflicted as to how to rate it. It takes a great imagination to write a story like this and John Marrs did not let the reader down in that respect. Overall, I would say it’s a 4/5 ⭐️s. I would recommend it to a friend. I did purchase a copy of this book.
I would like to Thank Net Galley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the opportunity to give my honest opinion.
I Think I Was Murdered
I Think I Was Murdered by Colleen Coble and Rick Acker
Katrina, a grieving widow goes back to her hometown after the passing of her grandmother. For a year she has used AI technology from her company to connect with her deceased husband and pretend he’s still alive. She talks to him daily for comfort and advice. One day, she asks an unexpected question on a whim, and he states” I think I was murdered “.
Katrina relies on an old friend, Seb, to help her chase down the truth. There are elements of mystery, murder, espionage, betrayal and romance. This book has it all, maybe too much. Seb was my favorite character.
The characters were so well developed and the plot was fresh and current.
I also listened to the audio book and it was so well done! The narrator Karen Peakes, did a phenomenal job and really enhanced the experience, by giving each character a voice.
Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas Nelson publishing and Colleen Coble for the pleasure of reviewing an ARC copy.
I really enjoyed the epilogue too! Overall it was enjoyable and a great thriller! 4.5/5⭐️s
The Christmas Inn
The Christmas Inn by Pamela Kelley
This is a perfect cozy Christmas story where friends find second chances.
This novel has several sweet stories intertwined. It is so well written you will want to sit and have a glass of wine with Riley and Beth.
Riley Sanders loses her job and finds her way back home in a small Cape Cod community among friends and family. Riley’s mom, Beth, broke her leg and is grateful to have Riley home. As they enjoy the holiday season among friends and family, the small community becomes a family and they find second chances at finding happiness and love.
The characters are so relatable and likable you will want to sit with them and join the story! While reading this you can imagine the crackling fire, smiles, snowflakes lighting on your face, and enjoying a warm cup of hot chocolate piled high with mini-marshmallows.
Read this one and enjoy your stay at the Christmas Inn! 4.5/5⭐️s
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Griffin Publishing for the pleasure of reviewing and ARC of this novel. It will be published 9/24/2024
The Empress of Cooke County
The Empress of Cooke County (Audio book) by Elizabeth Bass Parman
Naration byBrittany Pressley
In Stark, Tennessee, you have an interesting dynamic of a small town where gossip flows and whispers carry. At 38, Posey Jarvis is not where she wants to be and drowns her sorrows in gin. Her daughter, Callie Jane, is dreaming of escaping the town she feels “stuck” in. After a short-lived surprise engagement, she finds a friend and plans her escape.
Callie’s relationship with her father is her anchor while her mother in volatile in angush. Posey only has a goal to share her unhappiness and a quest for notoriety. She sees herself as the “Empress” of Cooke county.
There are some surprises but the overall plot scheme is somewhat predictable and falls flat. Callie Jane is definitely the heroine here finding her own path and her voice in the shadow of her controlling mother.
All in all it was a pleasant read but I wanted more. The characters fell flat in development while a few started out strong. I just expected more overall.
The cover is wonderful!
Brittany Pressley did a phenomenal job as a narrator giving voice to the individual characters and bringing personality to the scenes. Brilliant job! Her narration definitely added to the experience of the book.
I give the book an overall 3.5/5⭐️.
I did enjoy it and I would recommend it for a light “fluff” read but I would not promote it personally.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Muse for the ARC.
The Secret of the Brighton House
The Secret of Brighton House by Cathy Hayward
This story is told in a tandem dual timeline between the 1970s and the present. In the story you are introduced to Joanne who is pregnant, and as she is preparing for her baby she discovers family secrets among heirlooms that are given to her. She is shocked by lies revealed with a photograph. Her parents kept secrets but even they don’t know the whole truth. Joanne goes on a quest to find the truth of her mother’s past and her birth.
The stress from dealing with worry of the unknown is almost as intense as the need to find the truth. This story does have some dark elements, but important ones in exploring topics of infertility and the mental health of women, issues not often explored or mentioned.
I think the flashback episodes could have been developed more and introduced in a better way. I also think that the characters beyond the mother and daughter could have been better developed. The back story with the mother was underdeveloped and not fully explored.
On a side note, American readers may be put off by the lack of punctuation, meaning periods, in title abbreviations.
Overall, I enjoyed the story. It was a quick read and I found it engaging. However, I just wanted more depth and background in the flashback base story.
I want to say “ Thank you” to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC copy. These are my personal opinions. This novel will be released in November 2024.
3.5/5⭐️
By Any Other Name
By Any Other Name by Jodi Picoult
Let me say, WOW! This was a first for Picoult, a historical fiction novel with Shakespeare. You have a beautifully crafted story with a dual timeline. In the present, you have Melina, a young playwright struggling to be seen in a literary world that favors men. In the past, there is Emilia Bassano, whom Melina is descended from. Emilia was also an uncredited playwright, only she existed in Shakespearean England.
This novel has love, heart break, and a centuries old mystery of Shakespeare’s writing. Please read the Author’s note, there is so much phenomenal history and research there, in support of the novel.
I won’t lie, at times, this was a very slow read for me. I enjoyed one time period over the other at times but both were equally intriguing. Be patient, take your time and savor this one!
I would like to thank NetGalley and Random House for the opportunity to review an advanced copy of this book. It will be released in August 2024.
5/5⭐️
Tangle of Lies
Tangle of Lies by C.J.Carmichael
I would like to thank Tule Publishing and BookSirens for the ARC copy.
This was a very well written mystery thriller novel. The story is set in the small Canadian community of Tangle Falls. There are secrets, mystery, murder, and love interests to keep you turning the pages. I really enjoyed the historical history that the author included in the story involving the Japanese Internment camps of WWII. It was well intertwined in the story and character development. This made Bobbie one of my favorite characters as she was depicted as a descendant from those camps.
The author also addressed the horrid conditions that were endured during Covid in the skilled nursing facilities, which is now an important part of our modern history.
The book starts off with a resident returning home which stirs up concern and curiosity of residents. Then there is a murder which churned up some old mysteries that were unsolved. Hadley was an admiral character as a single mother facing her past. The friendships and rich character development and interactions made the book so interesting and the plot twists and turns kept me turning the pages. I would recommend this one for sure!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. 5/5⭐️
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Before We Were Us by Denise Hunter
Before We Were Us by Denise Hunter
What a beautiful story! I could not put it down! Lauren Wentworth takes a job at a restricted resort to gain experience needed for her dream job. One day she takes a spill from a ladder and wakes up in the hospital with no memory of the entire summer. Her nemesis, Jonah, is there acting like a love sick boyfriend and she is at a loss as to how that happened or if it is real. Meanwhile, Jonah is patient, kind and heartbroken. He gives her space. The two continue working together and her memories remain hidden.
As her time to leave approaches, can he stand to let her go and can she bear to leave? His family and the whole package of “home” calls to her, It is something she longs for. Can she measure what she has with Jonah against the dream job of a lifetime in Boston? Will her past guide her or will her heart?
This was a phenomenal love story with so many layers. The char@caters are expertly crafted and the story draws you in from start to finish.
I give it 5/5 ⭐️s.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to offer my honest opinion.
Schemes and .scandals by Kelley Armstrong
In 1869, Mallory Atkinson finds herself in Scotland for her first Victorian Christmas, only they don’t celebrate it, they celebrate Hogmanay instead. This is a time travel fantasy novella, number 3.5 in a series.. I loved the story, it worked great as a stand alone for me, as I have not read the previous three novels in the series.
Mallory works as an assistant to Dr. Duncan Gray as an investigator. There is a nicely developed cast of characters and a charming mystery. Mallory meets Charles Dickens! There was so much packed in this novella! Now I want to read the rest of the series. I give it 4/5 ⭐️s
I would like to Thank NetGalley for the ARC to review for my honest opinion.
The Story Collector by Evie Woods
This story was told in a dual timeline between Sarah in 2011 and the diary of Anne in 1911. Sarah is recovering from a loss and detours her trip home to see her parents. She flies to Ireland after reading an intriguing article about a tree and Irish folklore. In Ireland Sarah discovers a diary written by a young girl named Anne in 1911. Anne was assisting an American to collect and record local folklore.
In my opinion the novel lacked the anticipated magic one expects with Irish folklore, the narrative just fell flat. The book was a slow start and didn’t pull out of its stagnant state until the last 1/3 of the book, then it was great.
The tense of the journal was off and seemed out of sync with something written first person in a diary. I was waiting for a connection between Sarah and Anne through the diary but it never showed up. While some of the imagery was beautiful, I expected so much more. I would have liked more description and interaction in the back stories of the story collector. Overall the story was somewhat disjointed and hard to connect with the characters.
I did enjoy the last 1/3 of the book, and how the author wrapped things up, even though it seemed rushed.
I would like to thank NetGalley for the opportunity to review the book as an ARC. These opinions are my own.
I give it 2.5/5 ⭐️