Book Review: "She Didn't See It Coming" by Shari Lapena

It seems like a typical Tuesday. Bryden is getting her 3-year-old daughter Clara ready for daycare while her husband Sam heads to work. She’s looking forward to working from home after drop-off.

At the end of the day, Sam is surprised to get a call from Clara’s daycare. Bryden didn’t pick Clara up and isn’t responding to calls or texts. When he gets home, he finds Bryden’s phone, keys, and purse are all there, and her car is in their building’s underground parking garage.

Did she just walk away from her life? No one believes that is possible. And by all accounts, Bryden and Sam were a great couple.

But as the police investigate, they discover that the picture-perfect couple might not be quite that perfect. Suspicions begin to fly, secrets are revealed, and suddenly identifying a suspect and a motive becomes much more difficult.

There are lots of twists and turns in this story, and I really wasn’t sure how Shari Lapena would resolve everything. I definitely found some of the characters really fascinating (and I can’t help but wonder if this was the set-up for a new series, which I would absolutely love).

It’s crazy that this is only my second Lapena book, but remember, I’ve really just been getting back into thrillers. I’ll definitely be diving into her backlist—any recommendations?

Book Review: "The Break-In" by Katherine Faulkner

Whoa. I might need some Dramamine to help me with the motion sickness I’ve gotten from all the twists in this book! I had no idea how things would get resolved, but I wasn’t going to stop reading until I found out!

One afternoon, Alice is hosting her friends and their kids for a playdate at her fancy London home. Suddenly, a young man breaks in, screaming and heading for the room where the kids are playing. In a split second of panic, Alice hits him in the head and he dies.

The police determine Alice acted to defend her daughter and the other children and clear her of wrongdoing. But she cannot seem to shake the memories of that day, or the questions about everything that happened, which no one wants to answer?

Was this really just a random break-in, or was the young man looking for something in particular? Why does it seem as if everyone in her life is acting strangely, as if they have something to hide? Will she and her family be safe?

Alice starts getting strange phone calls and text messages, and threatening comments show up online accompanying articles about the break-in. She needs to know the truth, so she does some investigating on her own, with the help of a friend. But she has no idea just how tangled the truth is with all of the lies.

This was one of those books where you have no idea which characters to trust. Alice is a bit naive and does some things you want to slap her for, but ultimately, she wants the truth to come out. And there is a lot going on, but I was hooked!

Book Review: "So Far Gone" by Jess Walter

“Right, he thought. We live only as long as someone remembers us. Only as long as someone cares.”

A former environmental journalist, Rhys has very little patience for fools. And Shane, his ultra-conservative, religious-nut son-in-law, is definitely a fool. One Thanksgiving, even though Rhys promised his daughter Bethany he’d behave, Shane’s conspiracy theory rants became too much to take. Rhys punched Shane, left dinner, and decided to live off the grid.

It’s been a few years now since Rhys escaped to his family’s dilapidated cabin in the woods of Washington State. Most of his conversations are with himself. So he’s completely surprised to find his grandchildren, Leah and Asher, on his doorstep. Apparently Bethany has gone missing and she had asked a friend to bring the kids to Rhys if anything ever happened to her.

Rhys is worried about his daughter and wants to take care of his grandchildren. But not long after they show up, the kids are kidnapped by members of a violent militia affiliated with Shane’s church. He is determined to rescue the kids and find Bethany, even if he hasn’t used a cellphone or the internet in 4+ years.

With the help of his ex-lover, as well as his best friend and a slightly unhinged ex-cop, Rhys has to confront the kidnappers and a world that has grown even more unhinged. But he also has to deal with the strains that have existed in his relationship with Bethany since she was a teenager, and his regrets about so many things he’s done.

This was a funny, endearing, and satirical read that I really enjoyed. Jess Walter is such a talented writer, and he deftly maneuvered between the emotions of the story, the social commentary, and the wild interactions between characters.

Book Review: "L.A. Women" by Ella Berman

Thanks so much to Berkley and NetGalley for the advance copy of this recent release! This story of friendship, rivalry, and emotional scars was a slow burn yet compelling read.

In 1960s Los Angeles, two women met for the first time at a party. Lane was a writer with a penchant for telling the unvarnished truth; Gala was a socialite who seemed to find her way to every party and event worth her time, invitation or no. Each finds the other curious, yet at first they don’t realize how complex they both are.

Little by little, the two women develop a friendship. Lane values Gala’s intelligence and creativity; Gala believes that Lane has real writing talent. After the publication of Lane’s first novel, their relationship starts to weaken, because Gala suddenly becomes the toast of the town, leaving Lane in her dust.

Ten years later, Lane has the handsome husband and adorable children, as well as the beautiful house. And she’s finally found a way back into literary stardom: a book about Gala, tracing her meteoric rise. While excitement for the book is building, so are mystery and fear: no one has seen Gala for months. It’s almost as if she disappeared into thin air.

I love the nostalgic feel of the book; Ella Berman does a great job capturing the setting and the vibes of both decades. Both women have dealt with real emotional upheaval and pain, and both impact the decisions they make.

I didn’t find Lane or Gala particularly likable or sympathetic, but I was still interested in their stories. This reminded me a little of Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid. The book was definitely an emotional one.

Book Review: "Fonseca" by Jessica Francis Kane

This is one of those quiet books that sneaks up on you and before you know it, you’re sad when it’s over. I’m so glad I came across it!⁣

⁣ “I’m reminded of that old idea that there are only two kinds of stories: someone goes on a journey and a stranger comes to town. It seems you are living both. Isn’t that remarkable.”⁣

⁣ In 1952, the English writer Penelope Fitzgerald receives a letter from two elderly sisters, who apparently are distant relatives. The sisters have a sizable fortune thanks to a Mexican silver mine, and suggest that there might be an inheritance in store. They invite Penelope and her young son, Valpy, to their home in Northern Mexico.⁣

⁣ While traveling from England to Mexico in the 1950s is a complicated and arduous journey, the invitation couldn’t have come at a better time. The literary magazine that she and her husband Desmond publish is on the verge of folding, their financial situation is precarious, and his drinking is getting more out of control. An inheritance could be life-changing.⁣

Leaving her young daughter and husband behind, Penelope and six-year-old Valpy head to Mexico. Yet when they arrive, they discover that all is not what they expected. The Delaney sisters are mercurial (especially when drinking), and there seems to be a growing number of people who also have designs on the money. Penelope will have to deal with the machinations of others as well as her worries about her marriage, her children, and their future if the inheritance doesn’t materialize.⁣

⁣ This is based on a real trip that Fitzgerald took, which she then fictionalized a bit. The narrative is intercut with excerpts of letters from Fitzgerald’s real children. I hadn’t heard of Fitzgerald before, but this story really captivated me.⁣

Book Review: "Lloyd McNeil's Last Ride" by Will Leitch

I’ll tell you, between this book and watching the last two episodes of Adolescence, I was a giant puddle of emotions! Thanks to Will Leitch for the complimentary advance copy of the book!

Lloyd, an Atlanta policeman, and the son of a policeman, gets the news no one wants: he is dying, and only has a few months to live. As he starts tying up loose ends in his life, he learns that even with 20 years in the police department, his benefits won’t be enough to support Bishop, his teenage son. Unless he dies in the line of duty…

With not much to lose but everything to gain for Bishop, Lloyd tries to find a way to get himself killed. But every time he throws himself into a dangerous situation, sure this will be the one to end his life, he fails. (Or does he?) To top it off, he’s getting a reputation for his heroics, through no fault (or effort) of his own.

“I bet old Major McNeil never kicked in a door and dared a guy to shoot him. (Did he?) I bet old Major McNeil never straight-up ramped his car over an embankment, falling seventy-five feet and crashing in the parking lot next to the Falcons bus, all in pursuit of a suspect.”

As Lloyd keeps trying to find ways to provide for his son once he’s gone, he also wants to be sure his son is prepared for adulthood. So Lloyd shares “The Ten Gentle Edicts of Lloyd McNeil,” offering advice, guidance, and love.

I love the way Leitch writes, balancing humor and emotion with rich storytelling. It’s such a wonderful book, about the love of a father for his son and the desire to leave the right legacy. I enjoyed this so much!

The book will publish 5/20/2025.

Book Review: "Rabbit Moon" by Jennifer Haigh

This was such a powerful and emotional book, one I’ll be thinking about for a long time.

Claire and Aaron’s 22-year-old daughter Lindsey is teaching English in China. When they get a call telling them that Lindsey was hit by a car in Shanghai, they’re both devastated and confused, because as far as they knew, she was working in Beijing.

Lindsey is comatose and her parents come to Shanghai to sit with her and pray that she wakes up. Both Claire and Aaron, who got divorced a few years earlier, want to understand what happened to their daughter. The hit-and-run happened in the early hours of the morning and there were no witnesses.

The book follows the couple in the days following the accident and also traces both the end of their marriage and the erosion of their relationships with Lindsey. We also see Lindsey’s life in China and the secrets she kept from her family, as well as the perspectives of her best friend Johnny and her younger sister Grace, adopted from China as an infant.

This is a book about family, the bond between sisters, and the desire to be loved. It’s also a book about cultural identity, found family, and the things we wished we had said before it was too late.

I’ve read a number of Jennifer Haigh’s books and I’m always dazzled by her talent. I loved the way the disparate elements of this story came together, and I loved how much Haigh’s storytelling drew me in.

Book Review: "Black Woods Blue Sky" by Eowyn Ivey

I love it when an author can make you experience the setting of a book with all of your senses. In her third book, Eowyn Ivey takes us back to Alaska and immerses us fully in its beauty and its danger.

Birdie is a single mother to her young daughter, Emaleen. She’s far from perfect—she drinks a bit too much, and doesn’t always watch Emaleen as closely as she should, but she brings Emaleen to work with her as a waitress at an Alaskan roadside lodge.

One of the men who comes to the lodge every now and again is Arthur. He’s quiet, keeps to himself, and he is the type of person that people talk about without knowing what his whole story is. He lives in a cabin in the woods, far from town, and he knows the woods quite well, so when Emaleen gets lost one day, it is Arthur who finds her and brings her back safely.

Birdie is tremendously grateful to Arthur for saving her daughter. The more she gets to know him, she is drawn to his quiet ways and his secrets, not to mention his love of Alaska’s natural beauty. Despite the warnings of many, she and Emaleen move into Arthur’s cabin with him.

“It was impossible, what Birdie wanted. To go alone, to experience the world on her own terms. But also, to share it all with Emaleen.”

This book is a very loose take on Beauty and the Beast, but it is also a story all its own. It’s powerful and emotional, with touches of magical realism and a little suspense. While it doesn’t surpass Ivey’s first book, The Snow Child, in my opinion, it’s still such a beautiful and satisfying read.

Book Review: "Wild Dark Shore" by Charlotte McConaghy

I’ve read all three of Charlotte McConaghy’s books now, and each one has been a 5-star read for me. They’re intense, tremendously thought-provoking, and emotional, and they really make me think about climate change’s effect on our world.

“…I can understand why he might not, in fact, be alright. Why maybe none of us will be, because we have, all of us humans, decided what to save, and that is ourselves.”

Dominic is the caretaker of Shearwater, an island not far from Antarctica. It is home to seals, penguins, and other animals and birds, as well as a vault containing samples of countless seeds. Dominic and his three children are the only inhabitants left on Shearwater, which used to be a research hub, until the rising tides began destroying the island.

One day, the body of a woman washes up on shore. Dominic and his children rescue her and care for her until she recovers. This woman, Rowan, has come to Shearwater to find her husband, who was once the head researcher there. But he is nowhere to be found, and while Dominic tells Rowan that her husband left with other researchers, she thinks he is hiding something.

As they spend their last few months on the island before they are to be picked up, they must decide which seeds they can take back with them. At the same time, Rowan tries to make sense of the secrets that Dominic and his children are keeping—from her and from one another—and they each need to imagine their futures.

This is a slow-paced book but there is an underlying tension, as you wonder what secrets there really are, and what will happen to all of the characters. At the same time, McConaghy has created a setting so evocative yet so dangerous, that I wanted to visit and also stay as far away as possible. This was just fantastic.

Book Review: "The Quiet Librarian" by Allen Eskens

“But Hana had learned long ago that living was like walking atop an old fence rail. Get too comfortable, too trusting, and you invite the fall.”

I’ve become an enormous fan of Allen Eskens’ books over the last several years. He delivers thrillers that not only keep you guessing, but they are also so well-written.

His newest book is just as good and it packs an emotional punch as well. Hana is a librarian in Minnesota who, outside of her job, really keeps to herself. She is thrown for a loop when she learns that her best friend Amina has been murdered. Hana knows this isn’t just a random killing; she knows that Amina’s death means she too is in danger.

Hana grew up in Bosnia in the war-torn 1990s. Back then her name was Nura, and she lived with her family in the mountains. But one day, Serbian soldiers murdered her entire family in front of her, and she was able to avoid being killed thanks to some quick thinking.

The horrors of that day ignited her thirst to fight back. She became a fierce warrior bent on destruction and defeat, known through stories as Night Mora. But when she finds herself in even more danger, she flees to the U.S., knowing she’ll eventually be hunted down. And Amina’s murder means her hunters are close—can she become Night Mora again in order to vanquish her enemies once and for all?

This was one of my favorite books of February. It’s full of grief, bravery, sacrifice, and the need for a fresh start. I was hooked from start to finish, and I loved Hana’s bad-assery.

Book Review: "We All Live Here" by Jojo Moyes

Okay, I’m ready to be blown away by a Jojo Moyes book again. I’ve not loved the last few, including this one, so maybe I just need her to write another tearjerker.

Lila’s in a bit of a crisis. Her marriage has ended and her husband’s new girlfriend is everywhere, her daughters are both rebelling, and her widowed stepfather has moved into her house without actually discussing it with her first. Into this maelstrom comes her biological father, who left to pursue an acting career when she was young, and wasn’t particularly good about keeping in touch.

Perhaps Lila’s biggest problem is that her editor is pressuring her for her next book. But given that she writes about relationships—and an article she wrote about her husband was published about two weeks before their divorce was announced—coming up with something new is difficult. Who is she to give advice on successful relationships?

Trying to find the strength to move on, to accept that her marriage has ended and she needs to figure out what’s next is exhausting. How can she keep it together both professionally and emotionally when all she wants to do is fall apart?

The possibility of a new romance illuminates her. As she attempts to play peacemaker between her father and stepfather, she realizes that nearly everyone has some wisdom to share, even those with a bad track record.

I felt like this book was soooo slow and it took a while to become fond of Lila’s character. But I liked what Moyes had to say about forgiveness, and how often forgiving ourselves is the first step to healing.

Book Review: "The Bones Beneath My Skin" by TJ Klune

“Not until they feel a heart beating in a chest like I have. Not until I felt the bones beneath my skin. We’re not alike. Not really. We’re separated by time and space. And yet, somehow we’re all made of dust and stars.”

Three of TJ Klune’s books have been at the top of my annual best books list, so needless to say, this was an eagerly anticipated read for me. While it wasn’t quite what I expected, I still enjoyed it tremendously for all of its Klune-like magic.

In 1995, Nate has lost both of his parents, he’s estranged from his brother, and he lost his job as a journalist in Washington, DC. With nothing to do and nowhere else to turn, he travels to Roseland, Oregon, to his family’s summer cabin, which his mother left him in her will. He figures he can lay low there for a few months and enjoy the solitude while he plans his next steps.

But the cabin isn’t empty, as he had expected. Two people have been staying there: a man named Alex and a 10-year-old girl who says her name is Artemis Darth Vader. Nate doesn’t know what to make of either of them, but it’s not long before he realizes that Artemis is extraordinary, and there must be a reason why she and Alex are hiding.

When the truth is revealed, the book shifts into high gear and feels more movie-like, with bad guys appearing, chases, etc. But while all of the action and suspense are occurring, the bones beneath the story are still quiet and lovely.

Themes familiar to the Klune books I’ve loved are present here, too: found family, queer love, memorable children, and more than a touch of fantasy. While I would’ve loved more time with the characters themselves, I was hooked on this story and the magic Klune created.

Book Review: "Here Beside the Rising Tide" by Emily Jane

Happy Pub Week to this whimsical, wacky book! Thanks so much to Hyperion Avenue and NetGalley for the advance copy.

“Life was a losing battle, really. Everything else out there in the vast beyond was so lifeless and empty. Mostly, a person had to look away. But there came a moment, or many moments, when a person had to extract their proverbial head from the sand and set aside their screens and remove their headphones and stand witness.”

When she was 10, Jenni and her new best friend Timmy were having an incredible summer on Pearl Island. They spent countless hours on the beach and in the water, setting off fireworks, and simply enjoying the freedom of not having any responsibility. They even helped a strange sea creature make its way back to the ocean. But suddenly, Timmy disappeared one day when they were in the water, and no one knew what happened.

Now, at 40, Jenn is the bestselling author of a smutty romance/action series. She’s also in the midst of a divorce from her self-help-book-addicted husband, with their two children caught in the crossfire. Her next book is overdue and she needs to escape, so she rents a beach house on Pearl Island for the summer, hoping she can keep her soon-to-be-ex at bay.

One night a familiar-looking boy comes out of the water. He says his name is Timmy, and he needs Jenn’s help to save the world. And things get totally crazy: shark attacks, sea monsters, even the return of the adorable sea creatures from their youth. At the same time, Jenn is attracted to a sexy contractor while trying to finish her books.

This is part sci-fi, part coming of age novel. It’s definitely all over the place, but it has such an enormous heart. I felt like it ran a bit longer than it needed to—there were lots of excerpts from Jenni's books and her husband’s self-help books that I could’ve done without. But Emily Jane drew me in with her storytelling for sure.

Book Review: "Promise Me Sunshine" by Cara Bastone

Of the last several books I’ve read, 3 were ARCs and all were 5-star reads. Thanks to The Dial Press and NetGalley for the advance copy of this book!!

Ever since her best friend and roommate Lou died, Lenny has been barely hanging on. She’s not eating, she’s barely sleeping, and the thought of going back to their apartment—in which all of Lou’s stuff is still where she left it—has Lenny on the verge of hysteria.

Lenny can’t even handle a full-time job; all she can do are short-term babysitting arrangements, because there’s no real commitment. Her latest gig, watching the daughter of a hard-working single mom, is terrific—Lenny really connects with young Ainsley, and it takes her mind off her own problems, if only for a bit.

The only drawback is that Ainsley’s uncle Miles, a brooding handsome yet grumpy man, hangs around whenever Lenny is there. He seems to find fault with everything Lenny does—how she dresses, what she feeds Ainsley, etc. But it turns out Miles isn’t being critical: he can see that Lenny is grieving, and he understands grief and trying to move past it all too well.

Once Lenny lets her guard down a bit, Miles makes her a deal. He’ll help her cross everything off her “live again” list if she can help him build a relationship with Ainsley and her mother, Reese. (He always seems angry and standoffish when he’s around them.) Little by little, Lenny realizes she can still grieve Lou while rebuilding her life—and maybe there’s even some romance in store.

This was just so beautiful. It’s definitely an emotional read but Lenny, Miles, and all of the other characters are so complex and dynamic. I’ll read anything that Cara Bastone writes!!

The book will publish 3/4/2025.

Book Review: "Something Close to Nothing" by Tom Pyun

“Adulthood isn’t a fairy tale; long-term relationships don’t play out like a Hallmark movie. Relationships are primarily about having shared goals, like creating a family. You have to be in it for the long haul.”

Winston (Wynn) and Jared have been together for a number of years now. Jared is the responsible one; Wynn recently quit his corporate job to become a hip-hop dancer. But they’re about to take a major step: flying to Cambodia for the birth of their baby girl via a surrogate.

The thing is, Wynn isn’t so sure he wants to be a father. Jared may already be planning for their second child, but Wynn can’t imagine being tied down, forced to take care of a baby and give up his dreams. As they get ready to board the plane, Wynn flees, leaving Jared alone with no explanation.

Jared can’t believe that Wynn didn’t tell him sooner that he didn’t want a baby. But Jared desperately wants to be a father, so he makes the trip on his own and his mother meets him in Cambodia, where they await the birth of his daughter.

As Jared deals with the rigmarole of surrogacy in a foreign country and then settles in back at home in San Francisco with his new daughter, Wynn is trying to find himself and get started on his new dance career. Jared devotes himself to fatherhood while Wynn auditions for a singer’s comeback tour and teaches dance in different countries. Both think the other is self-centered and wonder if they made a mistake, but try to get on with their lives.

Neither character is entirely likable, but you can see how they are both right and completely wrong for one another. This is a book about what it feels like to realize you need to grow up, and how you don’t have to give yourself up to be with someone else. It’s both a funny and sad story, and very thought-provoking.

Book Review: "What Happened to the McCrays?" by Tracey Lange

Thanks so much to Celadon Books for the advance copy of Tracey Lange’s latest book!!

When Kyle’s father suffers a stroke, he has to make his way across the country to his hometown of Potsdam in upstate New York. He’s upset about his father’s condition but also is dreading returning to Potsdam, since he left unexpectedly nearly three years ago. He’ll have to face those he left behind—friends, coworkers, family, and his ex-wife, Casey, whom he’s loved since he was 18.

While Casey isn’t surprised that Kyle has returned, his presence leaves her on edge. She really can’t be near him, but their lives intersect in so many ways. He is asked to coach the middle school hockey team for as long as he’s in town, and it finally gives him a sense of purpose.

The longer Kyle remains in Potsdam, the more he learns about the emotions his departure—and his return—stirred up. As he considers staying in town for good, he knows he can only do so if he and Casey are in a good place. But in order for that to be possible, there are many issues between them that need to be addressed, things that can no longer remain unsaid.

“You know, I think that’s how grief works. You have to feel it so you can heal it, not bury yourself in it. You get through it, and each time it’s a little less.”

I have enjoyed all of Lange’s books, and this one is definitely a favorite. There are so many beautiful moments, so much grief, emotion, and hope, and I felt like the characters were so well drawn.

The book will publish 1/14/2025.⁣

Book Review: "Pick-Up" by Nora Dahlia

Sasha is trying to master the single mother thing, but she’s not been succeeding lately. It seems like she’s one step behind on everything, much to her children’s disappointment. And then there’s this annoyingly handsome father who keeps getting in her way. Why can’t he just go away?

Ethan is trying to do the best he can without running afoul of his ex-wife. He met Sasha when their kids were younger and he felt like they connected, but she doesn’t seem to remember. He doesn’t mean to keep messing things up for Sasha but he seems to have made an enemy of her.

Little by little, the friction between them (well, at least from Sasha) starts to ease, and there’s no denying they’re attracted to one another. But when a job opportunity takes Sasha to a Caribbean island and she discovers that one of her coworkers is—guess who?—they resolve to put their issues behind them and keep it professional.

Of course, the more time they spend together, their professional relationship starts to shift into something else. Ethan is certain what he wants; Sasha certainly wants Ethan but doesn’t know if she wants to disrupt her life and her kids’ lives. But he sure is tempting…

I love stories about adults behaving badly, particularly the foibles of parents. The banter between Sasha and Ethan is really fun, and although her ex-husband is a pretentious douche, their conversations cracked me up too. (“How had I ever wanted to have sex with someone who said ‘love and light’?”)

There’s a third narrator in the book (who, ironically, isn’t mentioned in any synopses) that I found utterly unnecessary, and anytime she popped up, it took me completely out of the story. I know that people like Kaitlin exist but I didn’t feel like she contributed anything to the story.

Book Review: "The Christmas You Found Me" by Sarah Morgenthaler

“WANTED: HUSBAND FOR HIRE.” The day that Sienna’s divorce became final, an ad with this headline started appearing all over her small town of Caney Falls, Idaho. It’s the handiwork of Sienna’s best friend Jess, who was never a fan of Sienna’s ex-husband anyway.

While everyone in town knows the ad is a joke, Guy, a newcomer, doesn’t. When he introduces himself to Sienna he explains that his four-year-old daughter Emma is in end-stage kidney failure, and needs a transplant. But in order for her to remain on the transplant list, he must demonstrate financial stability, which he doesn’t have. A few hours after hearing this story, Sienna proposes to Guy, promising to be there for him until Emma gets the kidney she desperately needs.

Living and working on her family’s ranch is satisfying, but since her marriage ended, it’s been difficult to manage on her own, not to mention lonely. Guy and Emma’s presence makes things more enjoyable, and it’s not long before Sienna thinks of Emma as her stepdaughter and someone she’d do anything for.

While there’s no denying the chemistry between her and Guy, Sienna is afraid to get too close in case Guy wants out once Emma gets her kidney. But to be needed and wanted are feelings she’s not had in a long time, and there’s definitely a part of her that wants to be in this “marriage of purpose” for the long haul.

I’ve been a fan of Sarah Morgenthaler since reading her Moose Springs, Alaska series. (I would love another book in that series!) She creates such memorable, complex characters you can’t help but grow attached to.

I loved this book with every fiber of my being. It made me smile, made me blush, made me laugh, and made me sob. It’s not the jolly Christmas romance I was expecting, but it was simply amazing.

Book Review: "Is She Really Going Out With Him?" by Sophie Cousens

Those of you obsessed with 80s music like me might know what song I’ve had running through my head since I first saw this book!

I absolutely loved this book. It was funny, emotional, sweet, and steamy, and there were just so many moments that melted my heart. I’ve been a fan of Sophie Cousens for a while, but this may be my favorite book of hers.

Anna is a magazine columnist and a recently divorced mother of two. She likes her job and loves her children, and has no desire to date anyone. But when the magazine’s new owner feels her columns are lacking and her rival is trying to take her column away, she comes up with an idea: she’ll allow her children to pick the men she should date, and then she’ll write about them.

As she starts out on what she knows will be a misadventure, her rival, Will, proposes writing a complementary column where he goes on dates similar to those Anna goes on. His manipulation gets under her skin, but then she starts to enjoy their collaboration—perhaps a little too much?

Anna’s dates range from her grumpy next door neighbor to a much-younger waiter, her postman to her celebrity crush. The more she dates, the more she realizes where her true feelings lie. Will she be able to find the courage to take a second chance on love, no matter the risks?

“I know there are plenty of women on Instagram who got divorced and took up running or weight lifting or started their own aromatherapy candle business. They look and feel better than ever, phoenixes risen from the ashes, embracing their ‘new chapter.’ I am not a phoenix. I am a dazed pigeon, looking for crumbs. But I am fine with that; being a phoenix looks exhausting.”

Book Review: "The Silent Watcher" by Victor Methos

The Silent Watcher was a really good read and my first Victor Methos book. Part crime novel, part courtroom drama, and a well-written meditation on how help from others can make a difference in our lives, I couldn’t put this down.

A recent law school graduate, Piper decides to take a job as a guardian ad litem (GAL), to ensure the most vulnerable victims of crimes are represented in court. When she was a child, a GAL helped her, so she has always wanted to do the same for others.

She is brought in to work with Sophie, a teenage girl who survived a deadly attack which killed her mother and brother. Sophie is traumatized and although she caught glimpses of the killer, she has to work through her grief and shock first before the possibility she could help identify them.

Piper partners with Lazarus, a world-weary detective who is determined to catch the killer, and will leave no stone unturned. After some shrewd investigative work, Lazarus discovers there is much to fear about this murderer, and they will need to travel down some dark paths to find him.

When they find the predator, Piper needs to protect Sophie from being traumatized in court, and they all need to make sure the man never is free again. But Piper’s work with Lazarus and an enigmatic judge puts her in the crossfire. Can she protect herself and Sophie?

The story has some creepy possibilities, but they’re not fully realized, thankfully. I really liked the main characters and believe that there’s so much more depth to be covered, so I’m excited that there will be a second book in this series.

This book will publish 12/1.