Julie's Review: The Serial Killer Games

Author: Kate Posey
Series: None
Publication Date:  April 29, 2025
Publisher: Berkley
Pages: 328
Obtained: publisher via NetGalley
Genre:  Contemporary Fiction
Rating: 5/5
Bottom Line: Genre bending 
Grab, Just get it at the library, or Remove from your TBR list? Grab

Summary: Dolores dela Cruz has been dying to spot one in the wild, and he fits the mold perfectly: strangler gloves, calculated charm, dashing good looks that give a leg up in any field . . . including fields of unmarked graves. The new office temp is definitely a serial killer. Jake Ripper finds a welcome distraction in his combative and enigmatic new coworker. He hasn’t come across anyone as interesting as Dolores in a long time. But when mere curiosity evolves into a darkly romantic flirtation, Jake can’t help but wonder if, finally, he’s found someone who really sees him, skeletons in the closet and all. 

Until Dolores asks Jake’s help to dispose of a body . . . ~amazon.com

Review: Honestly, this book doesn't fit into any one genre and it wasn't at all what I expected in the best way. I really don't want to say too much because it will give away the plot but I can't believe this is a debut. Dolores and Jake are fun characters; the back and forth between them had me in stitches. Jake definitely fell first but I would say that Dolores "Dolly" fell harder. I mean Jake is all kinds of green flags and maybe just one red flag. 

Ms. Posey takes a rom-com, true crime, drama and puts a whole new spin on it. There are a lot of themes in this book but I came away with thinking about found family and what it means to be a family, because it's not always blood relations. The secondary characters are a hoot and add a lot of color to the novel. I also loved the corporate aspect since that is where I have spent my career. I will definitely be aware of temps from now on. 🤣

If this one isn't on your radar, please put it there. I don't think you'll be disappointed. It definitely kept me turning the pages until the very end. I can't wait to see what Ms. Posey writes next because I'm positive it'll be a fresh take on something. 

Review Quickies

I don't think words can express how much I loved this sequel. I felt for Inez as she wrestled with her feelings for Whit and wondering if she could really trust him. It's not only Whit but looking for her dupicitious mother and dealing with the death of her cousin. There is a lot of adventure, romance and history in these pages. It definitely has the feel of The Mummy. I finished this book a couple weeks ago and it still takes up space in my head. 

I can't miss an installment of Finlay's adventures.  I know at some point this series will need to come to an end but I'm thankful it doesn't seem to be with this one. For once, Finlay and Vero aren't in the middle of something illegal, instead they are trying to solve a crime. All the regular characters are here with some additions taking center stage. Mrs. Haggerty was a fantastic support character to have the focus on. And well Sylvia is always good for a bunch of laughs. Plus Nick is a saint. 

Review Quickies

It has been a long time since I've read a David Baldacci book but this one seemed a bit different than his usual ones, so I grabbed the audio. If you are a fan of A Time to Kill, then you won't want to miss this one. In fact, I would love another book with Joe and Desiree. There are some plot twists that I didn't see coming and fair warning if you have empathy this book will piss you off. As much as the book was set in the Civil Rights Era of the 1960s, a lot still, unfortunately, resonates today. 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

So Fool Me Once was released 2016 and that's when I read it and I hadn't yet watched the Netflix show before reading it. So when I started this one, without knowing there was an additional character; so it took me a little bit to get into this one. I should have never doubted Mr. Coben because I really liked it. He has never let me down. 

⭐⭐⭐⭐

I absolutely adored this book but I also loved Sleepless in Seattle. While it's inspired by the movie it is not a direct deriviative. Aiden and Lucie are fantastic characters and the banter is just perfection. It's not just them but it's the cast of characters in the book from Lucie's daughter, Maya to her dads and then there's Aiden's best friend, Jackson they just complete the whole book. I can't wait for the next one in the series. 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Jenn's Review: On The Hunt

Author: Iris Johansen
Series: Kira Drake #1
Publication Date:  August 1, 2020
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Pages: 364
Obtained: owned
Genre:  Thriller
Rating: 2/5
Bottom Line: Not need to search this one out
Grab, Just get it at the library, or Remove from your TBR list? Remove

Summary: Kira Drake has come to Paris with her highly trained Golden Retriever, Mack, to investigate the horrific bombing of a museum in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower.  What she doesn’t know is that one powerful man has a special reason to find the person responsible.  

Jack Harlan has all the money in the world, but it can’t bring his brother back. His sibling was murdered during the theft of a scientific discovery that could have made the world a better place. Now, after a four-year search, Harlan learns that this bombing was the work of the same twisted man. ~amazon.com

Review: I’ve adored many other Iris Johansen books and I so wanted to love this one, but I just didn’t. The novel drops the reader right into the story with absolutely no plot exposition. I knew the characters of Sarah and John Logan from her Eve Duncan series which gave me a little context… but not enough. While we are given more background on the characters as the story progressed, it felt like they were never really fleshed out; I was never fully invested in any of them. 

The main character of Kira seemed to be neurodivergent so her interactions were awkward but they became even stranger when paired with Harlan whose character was almost cartoonish. And although I found the plot interesting, the two dimensional characters made it seem like a rough draft of an excellent Iris Johansen novel.

The true test is whether or not I would continue this series: maybe, but based more on Ms Johansen reputation for writing exceptional novels, in hopes that this series improves.

Julie's Review: Bluebird Day

Author: Megan Tady
Series: None
Publication Date:  December 3, 2024
Publisher: Zibby Books
Pages: 344
Obtained: publisher
Genre:  Contemporary Fiction
Rating: 4/5
Bottom Line: Strained mother/daughter relationship with forced proximity resolution
Grab, Just get it at the library, or Remove from your TBR list? Grab

Summary: Alpine skiing G.O.A.T. Claudine Potts and her daughter, Wylie, have been bred for gold medal glory. They’re skiing their way to fame, but this gilded future is cut short when a fall forces Claudine’s retirement and Wylie’s debilitating anxiety sends her off the slopes. With the collapse of their ski careers, their relationship falters and now it’s been years since Wylie and Claudine have even spoken. They live on opposite coasts, pursuing different passions, until a chance opportunity to pair up in a European fitness competition drives them back together. Can this duo survive snow-buried regrets and family secrets and have the happy reunion they’re hoping for? Set in a dreamy Swiss village with a colorful cast of characters, Bluebird Day will make readers laugh and swoon, as Claudine and Wylie slalom through the complicated terrain of lost ambition, past mistakes, and mother-daughter love. ~amazon.com

Review: I don't ski. I mean I've tried it once and HATED it. It is not something I care to do again but I can understand why people do it because of the skill and adreneline that comes from doing it. I can't imagine having a mom that was so good at her sport that you were expected to continue in her footsteps but failed. This is the issue that hangs between Claudine and Wylie. 

Family relationships are never easy and some are HARD. Wylie cut off her mom 2 years ago when Claudine was less than supportive of her decisions in life. So now when Wylie is in a bind, her mom is the only one she can think of to help her out. She's not quite ready for the emotional toll it will take on her. 

Claudine, on the other hand, is excited about the idea of spending time with Wylie and to try to mend their relationship. Claudine has been in therapy and working on herself and her expectations of others. 

There's a great case of characters they are shut in with, who actually in a lot of ways move the plot along. This is definitely a character driven novel with a bit of a plot about Wylie's parentage. 

Julie's Review: Pictures of You

Author: Emma Grey
Series: None
Publication Date:  November 12, 2024
Publisher: Zibby Books
Pages: 416
Obtained: Publisher
Genre:  Contemporary Fiction
Rating: 5/5
Bottom Line: When your brain protects you, how do you reconcile your life?
Grab, Just get it at the library, or Remove from your TBR list? Grab

Summary: When Evie Hudson wakes in an unfamiliar hospital room, she thinks she’s fresh out of a teenage party with her best friend, Bree. Except, Bree isn’t around anymore and high school was years ago. Evie had just survived the crash that killed her husband, Oliver―whom she can't remember either. After suffering a traumatic loss of memory, she’s left to connect the dots. But how? Enter: Drew, a promising photographer whose chance encounter with Evie unravels the elusive details of her marriage and her husband’s death. As Drew watches Evie stitch the story of her life together, secrets emerge that might shatter both of their worlds. This tangled second-chance romance leads Evie to question every decision she ever made. This time around, she’s seeing all the things she missed–and the life she gets to choose...again. ~amazon.com

Review: This book is magnificent in the story it tells and the way it is told. The way it works is way from the present back to high school when the story started for all of them. Except Evie can't remember it at the present time and all Drew can remember is their past. Evie doesn't understand why all the people she knew at 16 are no longer in her life; including her parents. The only thing she knows is that her husband Oliver is dead and she's not clue what happened and where to go. 

Drew doesn't quite know what to do when Evie reappears in his life except that he knows it complicates it. In fact, their reunion is going to throw both of them for a loop. As Evie begins to unravel her life, she wonders exactly how she got to where she is and if she can undo it. Has her accident given her a second chance?

I absolutely loved this book. It is filled with fear, heartache, hope and love. As the story unfolds it is not comfortable to hear about Evie's life. It is even more painful to see how distrustful those she loves are of her and how she doesn't understand why. The story of Evie's life is a painful one; as a reader you kind of see what's coming but the reveal happens to us as the same time Evie. 

I can't dive too deep or it'll give the book away and this is one you want to experience on your own. I will be circling back to her other novel The Last Love Note and can't wait to read whatever else she writes. 

Review Quickies

The writing style of this novel isn't like anything I've read before but I'm not sure I know how to describe it other than it was told in almost a factual way instead of emotional. That's not to say that it's void of emotion but it's just not upfront. Lila is a force to be reckoned with from the time she was young until she retires from her job. She was ahead of her time in being honest about what she wanted out of motherhood and what she could handle. Thank goodness she found Joe and he was more than happy to be her partner. Together they raise a family but for one of their daughters, Grace, Lila choosing work always rubs her the wrong way. What she doesn't realize is that she's a lot like Lila. There's also a family mystery that Grace choses to investigate, which rounds out the story. 

I've been a fan of Alyson's novels for along time, so I knew I had to grab it when I saw it. This story is one of building a community and taking care of those around you. Grace and Tom are truly giving people. Grace in her kind way of helping Anh adjust to America and Tom the way he offers Jack a hand without asking for any explanation. There is so much more to this novel but I really don't want to ruin it. If you are intrigued about the time period after the Vietnam War, then you will want to read this book immediately. 

I knew this one would back an emotional punch because it's based on the author's diagnosis of brain cancer. It is a short novel but hones in on the idea that life is supposed to be lived. Sure we all have responsibilities but that doesn't mean to put off the things you want to do.  It navigates the unknown when Eve wakes up in the hospital to her slow recovery with her dedicated husband next to her. 

If you've been a fan of Sophie's over the years, than you won't want to miss this one. 

Review Quickies

This book is so lovely. Honestly, I loved the whole thing. I loved Augusta, aka Goldie, and how decades of misunderstandings made her who she was but she wasn't bitter. Irving was a hoot and stuck in a hard place when him and Augusta connect. I loved the cross between traditional medicine and homeopathic treatments with a little extra in them. The cast of characters at the retirement village crack me up and really become a great part of the story. Plus the cover is just stunning. 

This book was on my TBR shelf way too long. I mean I read her sophomore novel, Prime Time Romance, before I did this one. The premise is wonderful because who doesn't want to erase something we've done or someone we've dated but as Gemma realizes you can't take the bad away without taking some of the good. Her Aunt and sister provide some fantastic comedy relief but also steer her the right way. And well Dax, he's just kind of dreamy in both realities. For those that love rom-coms, this one isn't to be missed. I kind of wish it would be a movie or a show. 

I love family stories and even more when they are centered on generations and then the female stories. Our experiences can be very different than the stories created and told by our male counterparts. This is about 4 sisters that each have different gifts and how that has affected the next generation. It's about secrets and family stories. What I think I appreciated was an understanding that we can grow up in the same house as our siblings and have very different experiences. I don't think this is always true but probably more normal than we realize. Our families shape us in different ways and for Ona and Yadi, the next generation it is demonstrated in their life choices. 

Review Quickies

I've been reading/listening a lot lately but not taking the time to do full blown reviews because does anyone even read blogs anymore? It's always been my reading outlet so I'll continue it but might have to figure out new things to try.

I got this last year as a Book of the Month choice because I love sister stories and always love a bit of magic thrown in. I ended up listening to the audiobook and let me tell you I could not get enough. I loved how the 2 seemingly different plot lines came together. I loved the growth of both Joanna and Esther and how they showed up for each other. Also, that ending leaves me scouring the internet for the sequel publishing date. If you are into magical books, sisters and not knowing who is good or evil, you should pick this up. 

Assistant to the Villain was one of my favorite books in 2023 because it was so unexpected. It's a bit of romantasy and fairy tale blended together to make me laugh out loud. I absolutely couldn't wait for the sequel and I'm happy to say it was worth it. Evie is still clumsy and always saying something to The Villain that makes her blush. The Villain still doesn't know how to handle her or his growing feelings towards her. The cast of characters surrounding them make me laugh and who could have known a frog would be key to a story line. 

I have loved all of Sally's books that I've read in the past and I'm honestly not sure why I kept this on my TBR for so long but man was it good. Family relationships are complicated but I do think the MIL/DIL relationship might be the most fraught. It's not to say it can't be a good one but it needs to be worked at. It also depends on if they want a relationship which is what this book demonstrates. Three generations of Tobias women have to establish their relationships as it relates to the men in their lives. I loved the intergenerational issues that were discussed in the book. I also loved the ending as I felt each character grew and got the future they deserved. 

Julie's Review: The Banned Books Club

Author: Brenda Novak
Series: None
Publication Date:  September 17, 2024
Publisher: Mira
Pages: 368
Obtained: Publisher via Netgalley
Genre:  Contemporary Fiction
Rating: 4.5/5
Bottom Line: Returning home is never easy but really not when you were involved in a scandal 
Grab, Just get it at the library, or Remove from your TBR list? Grab

Summary: Despite their strained relationship, when Gia Rossi’s sister, Margot, begs her to come home to Wakefield, Iowa, to help with their ailing mother, Gia knows she has no choice. After her rebellious and at-times-tumultuous teen years, Gia left town with little reason to look back. But she knows Margot’s borne the brunt of their mother’s care and now it’s Gia’s turn to help, even if it means opening old wounds. As expected, Gia’s homecoming is far from welcome. There’s the Banned Books Club she started after the PTA overzealously slashed the high school reading list, which is right where she left it. But there is also Mr. Hart, her former favorite teacher. The one who was fired after Gia publicly and painfully accused him of sexual misconduct. The one who prompted Gia to leave behind a very conflicted town the minute she turned eighteen. The one person she hoped never to see again. When Margot leaves town without explanation, Gia sees the cracks in her sister’s “perfect” life for the first time and plans to offer support. But as the town, including members of the book club, takes sides between Gia and Mr. Hart, everything gets harder. Fortunately, she learns that there are people she can depend on. And by standing up for the truth, she finds love and a future in the town she thought had rejected her. ~amazon.com 

Review: I have never read a Brenda Novak book, so I went in blind and I'm happy I did. This was a bit heavier subject matter than I expected even having read the summary but I was fully involved in Gia's coming back to her hometown. 

Margot's own struggles and how badly she needed Gia home were front and center as well. I understood why she wasn't honest with her sister, they weren't really that close, but I wish she would have told her. Gia's past is almost immediately thrown upon her when she gets some of the people together at a local bar for Banned Books Club. Gia is tough and won't let people run her out of town again. She's been through a lot and is not the same person she was at 17. She also pulls a stunt to help Margot that put herself in danger and her family. 

Margot is finally learning how to stand up for herself and become her own person. She's been stuck in a situation for so long that she has no other option but to disappear even when her own mom is dying. While Gia might have to be strong to come back home and face her past, Margot is the stronger one of the two given what she has to do. 

The Banned Books Club is about facing the past, standing strong for your truth, family and moving on. 

Julie's Review: Magical Meet Cute

Author: Jean Meltzer
Series: None
Publication Date:  August 27, 2024
Publisher: MIRA
Pages: 400
Obtained: publisher via NetGalley and book tour
Genre:  Contemporary Romance
Rating: 4.5/5
Bottom Line: A great story about making your wishes come true
Grab, Just get it at the library, or Remove from your TBR list? Grab

Summary: Faye Kaplan used to be engaged. She also used to have a successful legal practice. But she much prefers her new life as a potter in Woodstock, New York. The only thing missing is the perfect guy. Not that she needs one. She’s definitely happy alone. That is, until she finds her town papered with anti-Semitic flyers after yet another failed singles event at the synagogue. Desperate for comfort, Faye drunkenly turns to the only thing guaranteed to soothe her—pottery. A golem protector is just what her town needs…and adding all the little details to make him her ideal man can’t hurt, right? When a seriously hot stranger mysteriously turns up the next day, Greg seems too good to be true—if you ignore the fact that Faye hit him with her bike. And that he subsequently lost his memory… But otherwise, the man checks Every. Single. Box. Causing Faye to wonder if Greg’s sudden and spicy appearance might be anything but a coincidence. ~amazon.com

Review: I can always count on Ms. Meltzer to write a fun romance and this added a bit more social commentary than her last books, but I'm here for it. I think its great when it's woven into the story and is part of the plot. Faye is a wonderful heroine who is trying to live life on her own terms after being dumped by her fiancé before their wedding. She carves out a life creating pottery in Woodstock and is happy until antisemitic flyers find their way into her town. This fires her up and one night she decides to take some protection into her own hands and creates a golem. Then, it seems like the universe gives her the real life version.  

I love how I could be laughing out loud one moment and then really pondering what makes people so hateful based on someone's religion, race, gender. Faye definitely needs to work on somethings in her past that are still holding her back from being truly happy. The cast of characters in the book are fantastic and show how communities can really rally when needed. 

Review Quickies

Maybe I'll get to full reviews again; if not well then I need to re-think some things. For now, here's some thoughts on recent reads.

 

Yes, this is a book about romance but it is so much more. It is about the emotional weight women carry in all aspects of our lives. How we are responsible for the well being of everyone around us and expected to take care of ourselves. How have a partner who doesn't carry their weight makes it that much harder. I loved Ali. I loved her journey which included a lot of pain and grief. Ethan is just dreamy. Of course, he's got issues because who doesn't but he gives Ali the space to figure things out while supporting her. Ms. Monaghan has quickly become an auto-buy for me. 

Myron and Win are my favorite best friends in fiction. They are literally each others ride or die. Think Twice is the 12th adventure for these friends and this is quite the ride. Mr. Coben is quite the mastery of the twists and turns but he really outdid himself this time. He doesn't make me cry with his books, but boy was I sobbing with this one. If you are new to him, you might want to start with his stand-alone and then work your way through the Myron and Win books. 

This book almost broke me. I'm not sure why I haven't read Paige Toon before but I will definitely be rectifying that this year. How does young love grow into mature love, especially when you only see each a few weeks each summer? Liv and Finn fall in love over one summer but live thousands of miles away, how can they keep their relationship going? Each has dealt with loss and grief but how will they deal with their changing relationship? This book is complex in many ways which adds to the layers of the characters. 

Jenn's Review: Tryptich

Author: Karin Slaughter
Series: Will Trent #1
Publication Date:  July 26, 2006
Publisher: Dell
Pages: 480
Obtained: Amazon First
Genre:  Mystery, Crime
Rating: 4/5
Bottom Line: Solid start to a long standing series
Grab, Just get it at the library, or Remove from your TBR list? Grab

Summary: From Atlanta's wealthiest suburbs to its stark inner-city housing projects, a killer has crossed the boundaries of wealth and race. And the people who are chasing him must cross those boundaries, too. Among them is Michael Ormewood, a veteran detective whose marriage is hanging by a thread and whose arrogance and explosive temper are threatening his career. And Angie Polaski, a beautiful vice cop who was once Michael's lover before she became his enemy. But unbeknownst to both of them, another player has entered the game: a loser ex-con who has stumbled upon the killer's trail in the most coincidental of ways and who may be the key to breaking the case wide open. In this gritty, gripping firecracker of a novel, the author of the best-selling Grant County, Georgia, series breaks thrilling new ground, weaving together the threads of a complex, multilayered story with the skill of a master craftsman. Packed with body-bending switchbacks, searing psychological suspense and human emotions, Triptych ratchets up the tension one revelation at a time as it races to a shattering and unforgettable climax.

Review:  I wanted to read this because I recently stumbled across the show "Will Trent" and I have been loving it. It didn’t take me too long to remember I am not a fan of Karin Slaughter’s prose. Her metaphor-mania is enough to make me manic, but she has something with Will Trent. After I got past the few chapters of descriptive hyperbole, I found the thread of the show I’ve been enjoying so much. I do not enjoy switching points of view or knowing the killer before the characters do, so I’m hoping that won’t be a theme in this series.

I will give this series a chance because, although the TV show has taken liberties with the characters, I do like the premise. Will and Angie are fascinating studies of foster care at its worst growing into broken but functional adults. Would I have liked Angie as much if I hadn’t seen the show? Maybe not, but I have a feeling she would grow on me across the course of the series.

Julie's Review: Take Two, Birdie Maxwell

Author: Allison Winn Scotch
Series: None
Publication Date: March 5, 2024
Publisher: Berkley
Pages: 367
Obtained: Purchased
Genre:  Contemporary Fiction, Contemporary Romance
Rating: 5/5
Bottom Line: Communication is key
Grab, Just get it at the library, or Remove from your TBR list? Grab

Summary: Birdie Robinson thought she’d gotten everything she wanted out of life: fame, adoration, and an A-list Hollywood career. But after an on-set feud goes viral, she leaves L.A. for the one place where no one would think to find her: her hometown. She’s startled to stumble upon a love letter from a former boyfriend asking for a second chance. And there’s just one issue: the letter was unsigned and she’s not sure which ex sent it. Still, a public reunion with an ex-boyfriend could turn the wave of public opinion back in her favor. Life imitating art. What could go wrong? Elliot O’Brien, star reporter, knows that life isn’t an actual rom-com. Case in point, he’s spent two decades repressing his long-simmering feelings for his twin sister’s best friend, Birdie. But with his journalism career cratering and Birdie back in their hometown at the same time he is, he realizes that chronicling her search for her long-ago ex may be his opportunity to right some wrongs. As they hit the road in an ancient RV, Birdie and Elliot retrace her romantic history for clues to who wrote the letter and come face to face with their own romantic missteps, all while grappling with whether happy endings are found only on the big screen—or whether their own happier ever after could be closer than they both ever imagined. ~amazon.com

Review: If you've been reading this blog for any period of time, you know I've been a big Allison fan for a long time. Her latest, Take Two, Birdie Maxwell is wonderful. Not only is it heartfelt, humorous but it's about self-discovery and being honest with those around you. How misunderstands left cleared up end up festering for years. Birdie is at the height of her career as the darling of film, when she lays into a beloved director and it's caught on film. Except instead of the public backing her up, it goes against her even though she is in the right. So, Birdie goes home with her tail between her legs only to find things are exactly great there either. As she goes through boxes of her stuff from her room, she runs across a letter that she's never seen and it turns out to be someone declaring their undying love for her. Birdie figures what better way to get back into the good graces of the public than to find who wrote her the letter. 

This is where Elliot enters the story. As a journalist, Birdie feels he is the right person to join her on this journey because he'll make her look good but also she just wants some company. One has to ask though, is this the best decision given their history? 

I loved how the POVs were from both Birdie and Elliot; it was important to get their perspectives on their connected history. One of the best things I think for Birdie was that things weren't exactly how she always remembered them; that the other person might have experienced things a little differently than her. Unfortunately, all of this is front and center and it doesn't make Birdie look good all the time. 

I did love seeing how Birdie was able to reflect on her past and have some revelations about her behavior. I absolutely loved the ending and what led to the big reveal. There are a lot of laugh out loud parts in the book as well. 

Ms. Scotch will continue to be an auto-buy author for me and I look forward to reading what she writes next. 

Jenn's Review: Midnight at the Bright Ideas Bookstore

Author: Matthew Sullivan
Series: None
Publication Date:  June 13, 2017
Publisher: Scribner
Pages: 338
Obtained: purchased
Genre:  Contemporary Fiction, Mystery
Rating: 3/5
Bottom Line: Ultimately, didn't work for me
Grab, Just get it at the library, or Remove from your TBR list? Library

Summary: Lydia Smith lives her life hiding in plain sight. A clerk at the Bright Ideas bookstore, she keeps a meticulously crafted existence among her beloved books, eccentric colleagues, and the BookFrogs — the lost and lonely regulars who spend every day marauding the store's overwhelmed shelves. But when Joey Molina, a young, beguiling BookFrog, kills himself in the bookstore's upper room, Lydia's life comes unglued. Always Joey's favorite bookseller, Lydia has been bequeathed his meager worldly possessions. Trinkets and books; the detritus of a lonely, uncared for man. But when Lydia flips through his books she finds them defaced in ways both disturbing and inexplicable. They reveal the psyche of a young man on the verge of an emotional reckoning. And they seem to contain a hidden message. What did Joey know? And what does it have to do with Lydia? As Lydia untangles the mystery of Joey's suicide, she unearths a long buried memory from her own violent childhood. Details from that one bloody night begin to circle back. Her distant father returns to the fold, along with an obsessive local cop, and the Hammerman, a murderer who came into Lydia's life long ago and, as she soon discovers, never completely left. ~amazon.com

Review: This is not my usual read and I’m honestly not sure how I feel about the novel. It’s a novel about secrets and their destructive nature set in a book store, how could it go wrong?

I’m still trying to put my finger on it. While the mystery was intriguing and unfolded nicely, the novel just didn’t grab me. There are shifting story tellers, a technique I generally find off putting, but it was well done; one person’s perspective dovetailed into another so it was not confusing or jarring.

I guess my biggest complaint is that I never connected with any of the characters. While I found myself empathetic many times, none of the characters drew me in. In fact, some characters seemed more like a plot devices than true characters in that they were abandoned once they had served their plot advancement. While most brought about their own destruction or pushed their destruction on others.

Did I appreciate the twisty intrigue? Yes, it’s what kept me reading. Did I feel satisfaction upon completion? Not really. It won’t be a read I recommend.

Julie's Review: In a Not So Perfect World

Author: Neely Tubati Alexander
Series: None
Publication Date:  March 19, 2024
Publisher: Harper Perennial 
Pages: 328
Obtained: publisher via NetGalley
Genre:  Contemporary Romance
Rating: 5/5
Bottom Line: Find someone who pushes you
Grab, Just get it at the library, or Remove from your TBR list? Grab

Summary: Sloane Cooper is up for her dream job as a designer for a top video game company. During the interview, though, she somehow promises the all-male panel that she’ll remain single and fully dedicated to the work. It’s actually fine—after her last boyfriend cheated on her, she vowed to focus on her career anyway. Enter Charlie, aka Hot Neighbor Guy, a near-stranger who shocks her with the offer of an all-inclusive trip to a Turks and Caicos resort. The catch? Charlie originally planned the trip with his ex, and asks Sloane to pose as his new girlfriend to make his old flame come running back. Against her better judgment, Sloane says yes; she can use the time away to develop a game design that will dazzle the Catapult team and get her a job offer. Despite sparks flying in paradise, the trip can’t lead to more. As their connection deepens, Sloane is reminded that she can’t fall for Charlie and get knocked off her professional path. Besides, he’s trying to win back his true love. Can Sloane figure out a way to move past heartbreak, land the job of her dreams, and avoid catching feelings? The zombie apocalypse would be easier to solve—at least she’s prepared for that. ~amazon.com

Review: It is rare that I get time to myself but I had that after dropping my daughter back at college after Spring Break and in that time I finished this absolutely delightful book. Love Buzz was a favorite in 2023 and In a Not So Perfect World is in no way a Sophomore slump by Ms. Alexander. The characters in this book are just delightful but not without their share of foibles. Sloane has always loved playing video games and is now poised to get her big break at the biggest gaming company. Coming off a pretty bad break up, she doesn't even flinch when the 3 men ask her to basically devote herself to the company and stay single. Yes, it's all kind of illegal but I get the feeling this isn't uncommon in these types of companies. Enter, Charlie, the hot neighbor guy she kissed at the bar the other day and his offer for a paid vacation after his horrible break up. 

Sloane thinks that she can use the vacation to work on her game demo for her final interview without interruptions but her best friend, Tess knows that she's going with the biggest distraction there could be, Charlie. While he is a distraction, he's also encouraging to Sloane and understands how much this interview and job mean to her. He even plays her games.

Of course it's not without misunderstandings and wrong turns and silence. Both Charlie and Sloane have baggage and Sloane has some control issues she needs to deal with as well. I did love the ending to this book and hope that they both get their happily ever after. 

Julie's Review: The Other Mothers

Author: Katherine Faulkner
Series: None
Publication Date:  December 5, 2023
Publisher: Gallery Books
Pages: 381
Obtained: publisher via NetGalley
Genre:  Psychological Thriller
Rating: 5/5
Bottom Line: I thought I had it all figured out, I didn't
Grab, Just get it at the library, or Remove from your TBR list? Grab

Summary: When a young nanny is found dead in mysterious circumstances, new mom, Tash, is intrigued. She has been searching for a story to launch her career as a freelance journalist. But she has also been searching for something else—new friends to help her navigate motherhood. She sees them at her son’s new playgroup. The other mothers. A group of sleek, sophisticated women who live in a neighborhood of tree-lined avenues and stunning houses. The sort of mothers Tash herself would like to be. When the mothers welcome her into their circle, Tash discovers the kind of life she has always dreamt of—their elegant London townhouses a far cry from her cramped basement flat and endless bills. She is quickly swept up into their wealthy world via coffees, cocktails, and playdates. But when another young woman is found dead, it’s clear there’s much more to the community than meets the eye. The more Tash investigates, the more she’s led uncomfortably close to the other mothers. Are these women really her friends? Or is there another, more dangerous reason why she has been so quickly accepted into their exclusive world? Who, exactly, is investigating who? ~amazon.com 

Review: I loved Greenwich Park by Ms. Faulkner and so I requested this one as soon as it was on my radar. I wasn't disappointed at all. If you are looking for a fast-paced thriller, then you might want to look elsewhere but this one is a slow build. It is layers upon layers and the pay-off is so worth it. Tash is looking for her next story and the death of a nanny falls in her lap. She's a bit lost too with not being at an office and then not having a lot of female friends to help her navigate being a mom to a needy toddler. Luckily the new daycare that Finn goes to has the group of mom's that she's looking for. Except the women may not be all that their appearances seem.

I liked Tash a lot and I think as a mom I related to her because you have to adjust how you see yourself now that you have a child. It's not a bad thing but it is an adjustment. Her best friend just got married and moved out of London to the burb and her husband is a doctor, so a lot falls to Tash. This group of women seem to be the answer but soon they leave her with more questions. 

I really did think I had it all solved but I should have known better, I mean I do read a lot of thrillers. lol There are some twists and turns throughout the book and it really had a Big Little Lies vibe at some parts. I will read anything that Ms. Faulkner writes. 

Jenn's Review: The Viper

Author: John Verdon
Series: Dave Gurney #8
Publication Date:  July 18, 223
Publisher: Counterpoint LLC
Pages: 400
Obtained: purchased
Genre:  Crime, Thriller 
Rating: 4/5
Bottom Line: Couldn't get it out of my head
Grab, Just get it at the library, or Remove from your TBR list? Grab

Summary: Pushed to his breaking point and accused of murder, retired NYPD detective Dave Gurney must face his greatest adversary yet to solve a mystery that is quickly tearing his world apart. Tennis bad boy Ziko Slade is serving twenty years for the grisly murder of small-time criminal Lenny Lerman. The facts of the case--and Slade's checkered past--seem indisputable. What begins as a cursory review of the case as a favor to Dave Gurney's wife's friend soon spirals into something much more complicated. When Gurney's involvement threatens to expose a viper's nest of corruption, he finds himself framed for murder and pursued by a sensational media, a ruthless district attorney, and a coldblooded killer. As he evades the law and attempts to solve the case to salvage his reputation, Gurney grapples with the realization that his unshakable need for police work is costing him more than the brilliant detective ever suspected. The Viper is the most shocking and riveting chapter yet in the internationally bestselling Dave Gurney series. ~amazon.com

Review: I have been a long time fan of this series and I returned to it for a comforting familiarity and a visit with old friends, but this installment of Dave Gurney was too unsettling.

After the last case I would have imagined Gurney becoming more protective of his wife and the effects of his investigations. Gurney seems to have become more recklessly obsessed with solving the case. True, this time she brought him the case, but he was blinded to the point of recklessness. This case brought out a darkness in Gurney. I missed his meticulous attention to detail and moral compass.

I have long thought Gurney and his wife were mismatched but being a bystander to the self destruction of their relationship was hard, more difficult than I imagined, actually.

Although the case is mostly resolved, there are a lot of open ends and unresolved issues. There is no neat ending here and many of the methodical fact gathering was abandoned. I realize I’m not meant to, but I don’t like where things were left. I hope none of the characters are broken beyond repair but it is a definite possibility. It was a difficult place to leave my Walnut Crossing friends and definitely not the comfort I was seeking.

Julie's Review: The Spanish Love Deception

Author: Elena Armas
Series: None
Publication Date:  February 8, 2022
Publisher: Atria
Pages: 448
Obtained: purchased
Genre:  Contemporary Romance
Rating: 5/5
Bottom Line: Slow, spicy burn
Grab, Just get it at the library, or Remove from your TBR list? Grab

Summary: Catalina Martín desperately needs a date to her sister’s wedding. Especially since her little white lie about her American boyfriend has spiralled out of control. Now everyone she knows—including her ex and his fiancée—will be there and eager to meet him. She only has four weeks to find someone willing to cross the Atlantic and aid in her deception. New York to Spain is no short flight and her raucous family won’t be easy to fool. Enter Aaron Blackford—her tall, handsome, condescending colleague—who surprisingly offers to step in. She’d rather refuse; never has there been a more aggravating, blood-boiling, and insufferable man. But Catalina is desperate, and as the wedding draws nearer, Aaron looks like her best option. And she begins to realize he might not be as terrible in the real world as he is at the office. ~amazon.com 

Review: Well Ms. Armas wastes no time diving right into the storyline with the first line of the book and it pretty much had me swooning from then on. I mean I'm sorry but Lina is pretty blind that she can't see how Aaron is totally into her from the beginning. I guess that is the purpose of an enemies to lovers book though. Although I wasn't convinced that it was a two sided hate at all. I mean a guy who hates you doesn't offer to bail you out, right? 

The heat that radiates from the two of them really comes off the page but it's also very sweet. I loved Lina and her loud, boisterous family. They cracked me up, especially her sister. Lina is full of assumptions about Aaron because of their initial meeting and something she heard while passing outside a door. Of course, there's a very different meaning around what he said.

What I loved about this is that it is the epitome of a slow burn, I mean you have to read 3/4 of the book to get to the spicy, but the build up is so worth it. There's a good plot too about confronting your past to move on and learning to forgive yourself. 

Julie’s Review: A Winter in New York

Author: Josie Silver
Series: None
Publication Date:  October 3, 2023
Publisher: Dell
Pages: 328
Obtained: pubisher via Netgalley
Genre:  Contemporary Romance
Rating: 4.5/5
Bottom Line: A moving love story about all kinds of love
Grab, Just get it at the library, or Remove from your TBR list? Grab

Summary: When Iris decides to move to New York to restart her life, she realizes she underestimated how big the Big Apple really is—all the nostalgic movies set in New York she’d watched with her mom while eating their special secret-recipe gelato didn’t quite do it justice.  But Bobby, Iris’s best friend, isn’t about to let her hide away. He drags her to a famous autumn street fair in Little Italy, and as they walk through the food stalls, a little family-run gelateria catches her eye—could it be the same shop that’s in an old photo of her mother’s? Curious, Iris returns the next day and meets the handsome Gio, who tells her that the shop is in danger of closing. His uncle, sole keeper of their family’s gelato recipe, is recovering from a stroke and can no longer remember it, so they can’t make more. When Iris samples the last remaining batch, she realizes that their gelato and her gelato are one and the same. But how can she tell them she knows their secret recipe when she’s not sure why Gio’s uncle gave it to her mother in the first place? Iris offers her services as a chef to help them re-create the flavor and finds herself falling for Gio and his family. But when Gio’s uncle finally wakes up, all of the secrets Iris has been keeping threaten to ruin the new life—and new love—she’s been building all winter long. ~amazon.com

Review:  What would you do if you had a secret family recipe but it wasn’t for your family? Would you immediately give it back, even if brought you comfort? This is the quandary of Iris as she happens upon the gelatria that is in her mom’s scrapbook. 

I absolutely adored Iris and her found family of Shen, Bobby and Robin in New York. Even the stray cat Smirnoff provided a comfort to her when she needed it. It's not happenstance that brings her to New York but a way to stay connected to her deceased mother. It was always just them since Iris' father was absent and she feels a bit untethered since her death. She also fled London to get out of a horrible relationship. 

Gio has also gone through hardships of his own and is pretty closed off emotionally except for his daughter. HIs family is also loud and loving,  constantly pushing him in ways he doesn't want. It doesn't help that his Papa suffered a stroke and can't remember their family recipe for their famous vanilla gelato. This is where Iris comes in and their lives intersect. Neither of them planned on falling in love and it really complicates things when a family member of Gio's returns. 

When Iris tries to run this time, there are people who love her and try to stop her. She needs to face her past to have a future, any future. 

Yes, this is a romance novel but it’s also about family, found family and letting go of the past. I loved Iris and her struggle to do what is right for her and also this new found family in the Belotti’s. This is another great novel by Josie Silver who is now an auto buy for me.