Don't look for me by Wendy Walker - Book Review

My review:

In the book you can feel Molly and her families grief at the death of Molly's daughter.  The whole family has not recovered.  It would be understandable if Molly did just up and leave, after all she is blamed for the death.  It appears she has, everything points to that conclusion.  Until, her daughter Nicole receives some new information.  Did Molly really leave? This is a perfect thriller.  It had me thinking I knew the answer then some new information shows up.  It wasn't until the very end until we find out what actually happens to Molly.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers of this book for an ARC copy for my honest review. I look forward to reading more books from this author. 5 Stars out of 5!!

Amazon.com's description of this book-

They said she walked away. But what really happened to Molly Clarke?

From the bestselling author of All Is Not Forgotten comes a compelling and emotionally powerful story of a daughter's desperate search to find her mother before it's too late.

They called it a “walk away.” The car abandoned miles from home. The note found at a nearby hotel. The shattered family. It happens all the time. Women disappear, desperate to start over. But what really happened to Molly Clarke?

The night Molly disappeared began with a storm, running out of gas, and a man offering her a ride to safety. But when the doors lock shut, Molly begins to suspect she has made a terrible mistake.

A new lead brings Molly’s daughter, Nicole, back to the small, desolate town where her mother was last seen to renew the desperate search. The locals are sympathetic and eager to help. The innkeeper. The bartender. Even the police. Until secrets begin to reveal themselves and Nicole comes closer to the truth about that night―and the danger surrounding her.

 

Review- Real Estate Rescue by Tracy McLaughlin

 My review-

This book offers many ideas and tips for people wanting to buy or sell a home.  I like the examples that Tracy McLaughlin gave throughout the book. Although, I new most of the advice in this book I was still pleasantly surprised to find much needed information that was new to me.  A lot of helpful information!!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers of this book for a copy for my honest review. 4 out of 5 stars!!

Amazons description of the book-

The advice you didn’t know you needed. Because most people only enter the real estate world once a decade or less, few really know how it works. The housing market elicits a lot of emotions, from excitement to anxiety. Oftentimes, this can blind us to the realities of how the market works. Top residential real estate agent Tracy McLaughlin is here to change our understanding of the home sale process. From those buying their first home to sellers with some experience, this book is packed with essential advice.

A roadmap for buyers and sellers. In nearly all real estate sales, buyers and sellers leave behind thousands—or even hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars—on the table. As frightening as this reality is, it continually happens because one simple decision, among the countless made during the entire process, can greatly impact the outcome of the transaction.

Bridging the gap between information and expertise. Because of the way technology has impacted real estate sales, buyers and sellers have greater access to information and even the ability to direct the sales process. While knowing market information is helpful in real estate sales, most people still lack a key aspect: expertise. By presenting an inside view on sales, McLaughlin provides a guide for maximizing the value of the sale and purchase of homes.

In this book by real estate expert Tracy McLaughlin, readers will find…

• Detailed guidelines for how to save money and make money
• Advice for finding the right real estate agent
• The real estate for dummies book every home buyer or seller needs

If you’ve looked for guidance in books such as Dream Home, Nolo’s Essential Guide to Buying Your First Home, and Home Buying Kit For Dummies, then you’ll find more of what you’re looking for in Real Estate Rescue with Tracy McLaughlin.

All that Glitters by Danielle Steel- Book Review

My Review-

All that Glitters reminds me of the old Danielle Steel books that made me a huge Danielle Steel fan.  The book has glamour, love and tragedy.  

The story is about Coco and Sam, after the loss of Cocos parents she turns to relationships with men that are not a good fit for her.  As a reader it was hard to see her staying with those men and not seeing them for what they really are and for her to keep falling so fast for the wrong men. Sam is her friend that stays by her side through it all, while having his own personal hardships to deal with. I saw the ending coming but was glad that I guessed correctly.

A delightful easygoing read that is exactly what I was looking for.  Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the ARC of this book for my honest review.  4 out of 5 star!!

Book description from Amzon.com-

Nicole “Coco” Martin is destined to have it all. As the only child of doting and successful parents, she has been given every opportunity in life. Having inherited her mother’s stunning beauty and creativity, along with her father’s work ethic and diligence, she has the world at her feet. Her graduation from Columbia is fast approaching, and with it the summer job of her dreams working at a magazine. Between work, leisurely weekends at her family’s home in Southampton, and spending as much time as possible with her best friend, Sam, life couldn’t be better—until tragedy strikes. Coco’s beloved parents are killed in a terrorist attack while on vacation in France.

Now devastated and alone, Coco must find a way to move forward and make her way in the world without the family she loved. Determined to forge her own path and make her parents proud, Coco pursues her dreams, dazzled by exciting opportunities that come her way. Her goals are to think outside the box—and always play by her own rules. As she finds herself drawn to charismatic, fascinating men, each relationship will teach Coco new lessons, some delightful, some painful. She will come to realize what matters, and how strong she truly is—and in the end, she will discover herself.

Richly exploring one woman’s poignant journey through life, All That Glitters is a compelling tale of challenges, heartbreak, discovery, and triumph, a powerful reminder that all that glitters is not the essence of life. And what is truly worth having was right there in our hands all along.

The Recipe Box by Viola Shipman- Book Review

 

My review-

The Recipe Box is a heartwarming story of Sam Mullins, the women in her life and the value of a recipe box filled with treasured family recipes.  The description of Sams hometown in Michigan and the stories with the recipes included in the book really made the book even more enjoyable.  

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers of this book for a copy for my honest review. 4 out of 5 stars!!

Here is the description of The Recipe Box from Amazon.com-

Growing up in northern Michigan, Samantha “Sam” Mullins felt trapped on her family’s orchard and pie shop, so she left with dreams of making her own mark in the world. But life as an overworked, undervalued sous chef at a reality star’s New York bakery is not what Sam dreamed.

When the chef embarrasses Sam, she quits and returns home. Unemployed, single, and defeated, she spends a summer working on her family’s orchard cooking and baking alongside the women in her life―including her mother, Deana, and grandmother, Willo. One beloved, flour-flecked, ink-smeared recipe at a time, Sam begins to learn about and understand the women in her life, her family’s history, and her passion for food through their treasured recipe box.

As Sam discovers what matters most she opens her heart to a man she left behind, but who now might be the key to her happiness.

Magic Lessons by Alice Hoffman book review

My review
   After reading Practical Magic and The Rules of Magic, I was very eager to read about Maria Owens and what caused her to curse the rest of her family for generations to come.  Magic Lessons is told in the time of the Salem Witch trials.  A time when being an independent woman and especially an independent woman with knowledge of healing is a dangerous time. 

   Although, Magic Lessons is a prequel it is a book that can stand alone.  Very enjoyable read!!  I look forward to reading other books by Alice Hoffman.

I received this book from NetGalley for my honest review.  Thank you to Simon Schuster and NetGalley for a copy of Magic Lessons !!!  4.5 out of 5 stars!!!

The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles - Book Review

Here is the books description from Amazon.com

Based on the true World War II story of the American Library in Paris, an unforgettable novel about the power of books and the bonds of friendship—and the ordinary heroes who can be found in the most perilous times and the quietest places.

Paris, 1939.

Young, ambitious, and tempestuous, Odile Souchet has it all: Paul, her handsome police officer beau; Margaret, her best friend from England; Remy, her twin brother who she adores; and a dream job at the American Library in Paris, working alongside the library’s legendary director, Dorothy Reeder. When World War II breaks out, Odile stands to lose everything she holds dear—including her beloved library. After the Nazi army marches into the City of Light and declares a war on words, Odile and her fellow librarians join the Resistance with the best weapons they have: books. Again and again, they risk their lives to help their fellow Jewish readers, but by war’s end, Odile tastes the bitter sting of unspeakable betrayal.

Montana, 1983.

Odile’s solitary existence in gossipy small-town Montana is unexpectedly interrupted by her neighbor Lily, a lonely teenager craving adventure. As Lily uncovers more about Odile’s mysterious past, they find they share not only a love of language but also the same lethal jealousy. Odile helps Lily navigate the troubled waters of adolescence by always recommending the right book at the right time, never suspecting that Lily will be the one to help her reckon with her own terrible secret.

Based on the true story of the American Library in Paris, The Paris Library is a mesmerizing and captivating novel about the people and the books that make us who we are, for good and for bad, and the courage it takes to forgive.

My review-

I really enjoyed reading this story of Odile and the American Library in Paris! It was very interesting to learn how the people working at the library tried to get books to its patrons during World War II and to protect the great books of the library.  The story of Odile an her family showed such courage and heartache.  A great read! 5 out of 5 stars!!  Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers of this book for an ARC copy for my honest review.

The Book of Two Ways by Jodi Picoult - Book Review

My review:

In The Book of Two Ways, Dawn reaches a point in her life where she questions her life choices.  Should she now live her life differently or continue on with her life as it is.  That is a question that is never easy to answer. Jodi Picoult took great care in explaining Egyptian hieroglyphs and other Ancient Egyptian customs, which I found fascinating! Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers of this book for an ARC copy for my honest review.  4 out of 5 stars!

Amazon.com's description of the book-

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Small Great Things and A Spark of Light comes a riveting novel about the choices that alter the course of our lives.

Everything changes in a single moment for Dawn Edelstein. She’s on a plane when the flight attendant makes an announcement: Prepare for a crash landing. She braces herself as thoughts flash through her mind. The shocking thing is, the thoughts are not of her husband but of a man she last saw fifteen years ago: Wyatt Armstrong.

Dawn, miraculously, survives the crash, but so do all the doubts that have suddenly been raised. She has led a good life. Back in Boston, there is her husband, Brian, their beloved daughter, and her work as a death doula, in which she helps ease the transition between life and death for her clients.

But somewhere in Egypt is Wyatt Armstrong, who works as an archaeologist unearthing ancient burial sites, a career Dawn once studied for but was forced to abandon when life suddenly intervened. And now, when it seems that fate is offering her second chances, she is not as sure of the choice she once made.

After the crash landing, the airline ensures that the survivors are seen by a doctor, then offers transportation to wherever they want to go. The obvious option for Dawn is to continue down the path she is on and go home to her family. The other is to return to the archaeological site she left years before, reconnect with Wyatt and their unresolved history, and maybe even complete her research on The Book of Two Ways—the first known map of the afterlife.

As the story unfolds, Dawn’s two possible futures unspool side by side, as do the secrets and doubts long buried with them. Dawn must confront the questions she’s never truly asked: What does a life well lived look like? When we leave this earth, what do we leave behind? Do we make choices . . . or do our choices make us? And who would you be if you hadn’t turned out to be the person you are right now?

Fearless by Fern Michaels - Book Review

My review:

Fearless is a good suspense novel that you wont want to put down. As a reader it is easy to see that Ryan Robertson was not a man to be trusted and yet with everything that happened on the cruise ship Anna Campbell still invites him and his family into her and her daughters life. The book had a lot of twists that kept me reading but the ending seemed abrupt. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers of this book for a copy for my honest review.  4 out of 5 stars!

Amazon.com's description of the book:

Weaving a thread of suspense into her trademark powerful storytelling, #1 New York Times bestselling author Fern Michaels delivers a compelling new novel about a woman who learns that her new life may not be all it appears . . .
 
Anna Campbell is ready to take her first tentative steps back into the world after widowhood. On a singles cruise, she meets divorced professor Ryan Robertson, and the sparks between them are undeniable. Back home in West Texas, Anna and Ryan continue their romance, and Anna decides it’s time for their families to meet.
 
Anna is delighted when her daughter, Christina, hits it off with Ryan’s daughter, Renée. The two girls are close in age and have lots in common. Ryan’s son, Patrick, is college-bound and somewhat aloof, but Anna feels sure they’ll grow closer in time. She happily accepts Ryan’s proposal, confident in the bond they’ve formed.
 
But the idyllic relationships Anna is hoping for is quickly thrown into doubt. Ryan and his children may not be all she thinks they are. And as the situation grows more desperate, Anna must reach deep within and draw on all her courage and self-reliance to fight for the family and home she deserves . . .

The Radium Girls by Kate Moore- Book Review

My Review-

Knowing what we know now about the effects of radium, this book was a must read for me.  Radium was touted as the cure all and most fantastic discovery in the early 20th century.  The story of the Radium Girls, is a hard book to read because of how dangerous we now know radium is.  The girls trusted their employers and the many people saying radium was safe.  Kate Moore tells the girls struggles with medical issues, the courts, and also the employment safety laws that were created.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers of this book for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review.  5 out of 5 stars!!
.
Amazon.com's description of the book-

For fans of Hidden Figures, comes the incredible true story of the women heroes who were exposed to radium in factories across the U.S. in the early 20th century, and their brave and groundbreaking battle to strengthen workers' rights, even as the fatal poison claimed their own lives...

The Curies' newly discovered element of radium makes gleaming headlines across the nation as the fresh face of beauty and wonder drug of the medical community. From body lotion to tonic water, the popular new element shines bright in the otherwise dark years of the First World War.

Meanwhile, hundreds of girls toil amidst the glowing dust of the radium-dial factories. The glittering chemical covers their bodies from head to toe; they light up the night like industrious fireflies. With such a coveted job, these "shining girls" are the luckiest alive — until they begin to fall mysteriously ill.

But the factories that once offered golden opportunities are now ignoring all claims of the gruesome side effects, and the women's cries of corruption. And as the fatal poison of the radium takes hold, the brave shining girls find themselves embroiled in one of the biggest scandals of America's early 20th century, and in a groundbreaking battle for workers' rights that will echo for centuries to come.

Written with a sparkling voice and breakneck pace, The Radium Girls fully illuminates the inspiring young women exposed to the "wonder" substance of radium, and their awe-inspiring strength in the face of almost impossible circumstances. Their courage and tenacity led to life-changing regulations, research into nuclear bombing, and ultimately saved hundreds of thousands of lives...

A Walk Along the Beach by Debbie Macomber - Book Review

My review-

This book is one of the reasons why Debbie Macomber is one of my favorite authors.  Debbie Macomber's books are usually very lighthearted and easy going.  With A Walk along the Beach, Debbie Macomber tells a heartbreaking story of two sisters that have to overcome so much loss and then a devastating illness of one of the sisters.  I enjoyed this book very much!  Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the opportunity to read and review this book for my honest review. A 5 out of 5 stars!

Amazon.com's description -
Two sisters must learn from each other’s strengths and trust in the redeeming power of love in a touching new novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber.

The Lakey sisters are perfect opposites. After their mother died and their father was lost in grief, Willa had no choice but to raise her sister, Harper, and their brother, Lucas. Then, as an adult, she put her own life on hold to nurse Harper through a terrifying illness. Now that Harper is better and the sisters are living as roommates, Willa has realized her dream of running her own bakery and coffee shop, bringing her special brand of caretaking to the whole Oceanside community.

Harper, on the other hand, is always on the go. Overcoming a terrible illness has given her a new lease on life, and she does not intend to waste it. When Harper announces her plan to summit Mount Rainier, Willa fears she may be pushing herself too far. Harper, for her part, urges Willa to stop worrying and do something outside of her comfort zone—like taking a chance on love with a handsome new customer.  

Sean O’Malley is as charming as he is intriguing—a freelance photographer whose assignments take him to the ends of the earth. Soon Willa’s falling for him in a way that is both exciting and terrifying. But life has taught Willa to hedge her bets, and she wonders whether the potential heartache is worth the risk.  

Life has more challenges in store for them all. But both sisters will discover that even in the darkest moments, family is everything

N.

The Woman of a Thousand Names by Alexandra Lapierre - Book Review

My Review:

This book tells the story of the amazing life of the well known Mata Hari.  It was very interesting to read the story of her life.  Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers of this book for a copy for my honest review. 4 out 5 stars

Amazon's description of the book:

From the internationally bestselling author of the “fascinating epic” (Associated Press) Between Love and Honor comes a rich, sweeping tale based on the captivating true story of the Mata Hari of Russia, featuring a beautiful aristocrat fighting for survival during the deadly upheaval of the Russian Revolution.

Born into Russian aristocracy, wealth, and security, Moura never had any reason to worry. But in the upheaval of the Bolshevik Revolution, her entire world crumbles. As her family and friends are being persecuted by Vladimir Lenin’s ruthless police, she falls into a passionate affair with British secret agent Sir Robert Bruce Lockhart. But when he’s abruptly and mysteriously deported from Russia, Moura is left alone and vulnerable.

Now, she must find new paths for her survival, even if it means shedding her past and taking on new identities. Some will praise her tenderness and undying loyalty. Others will denounce her lies. But all will agree on one point: Moura embodies Life. Life at all cost.

Set against the volatile landscape of 20th-century Russia, The Woman of a Thousand Names brings history to vivid life in a captivating tale about an extraordinary woman caught in the waves of change—with only her wits to save her.

N.

Mrs. Lincoln's Sisters by Jennifer Chiaverini - Book Review

My review:
This is the first time I have read a Historical Fiction story about Mary Todd Lincoln.  Mrs. Lincoln's Sisters is written from the sister's point of view and take us through both pre- and post-Civil war. Before reading this book I never really had an interest in Mary Todd Lincolns sisters, or what happened to Mary Todd after President Lincoln's death. However, I did not want to stop reading this book and really liked the different views of each of the sisters.  I look forward to reading more books by Jennifer Chiaverini. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC of this book for my honest review.  5 Stars!!

Amazon.com's description of Mrs Lincolns Sisters:

In May 1875, Elizabeth Todd Edwards reels from news that her younger sister Mary, former First Lady and widow of President Abraham Lincoln, has attempted suicide. 

Mary’s shocking act followed legal proceedings arranged by her eldest and only surviving son that declared her legally insane. Although they have long been estranged, Elizabeth knows Mary’s tenuous mental health has deteriorated through decades of trauma and loss. Yet is her suicide attempt truly the impulse of a deranged mind, or the desperate act of a sane woman terrified to be committed to an asylum? And—if her sisters can put past grievances aside—is their love powerful enough to save her? 

Maternal Elizabeth, peacemaker Frances, envious Ann, and much adored Emilie had always turned to one another in times of joy and heartache, first as children, and later as young wives and mothers. But when Civil War erupted, the conflict that divided a nation shattered their family. The Todd sisters’s fates were bound to their husbands’ choices as some joined the Lincoln administration, others the Confederate Army.

Now, though discord and tragedy have strained their bonds, Elizabeth knows they must come together as sisters to help Mary in her most desperate hour. 

Finding Treasure in Community Cookbooks

Lately, I have been collecting community cookbooks.  I love a recipe that is a family favorite or  treasured because it was passed down through family members.  I can imagine the women who submitted the recipes being approached for their best recipes to be published so their organization can raise some money.  I know a lot of women find it hard to part with family recipes. 

I really love an old cookbook that has stains on a page and personal notes written.  You know a cookbook was a treasure to someone when they have an inscription written in them.

Many of the cookbooks have regional favorites and secrets to the past.  Some of the people and organizations are no longer around today.  For me, each cookbook offers an heirloom that was past on with love.  Thank you, ladies.

The Book of Lost Friends by Lisa Wingate - Book Review

My review:

   I am a huge fan of Historical fiction and this book did not disappoint.  It is written in two time periods, Louisiana 1875 and Louisiana 1987.  Benny from 1987 as a new teacher trying to motivate her students to care about local history and the local plantation where Hannie was a slave back in 1875.  I could really feel Hannie's pain of losing her family and trying to find them against all the dangers that came with searching.  The actual "Lost Friends" advertisements really brought the story to life.  

  I really enjoyed reading this book.  There was so much pain in the lives of not only the slaves but also from the current owner of the Plantation. As I was reading I kept wondering how much more can Hannie endure in her search for her family. The ending was a pleasant surprise.  

  A definite five stars!  Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers of this book for my advanced copy for my honest review.

Amazon.com description of this book:

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • From the bestselling author of Before We Were Yours comes a new historical novel: the dramatic story of three young women searching for family amid the destruction of the post–Civil War South, and of a modern-day teacher who learns of their story and its vital connection to her students’ lives.

Bestselling author Lisa Wingate brings to life startling stories from actual “Lost Friends” advertisements that appeared in Southern newspapers after the Civil War, as newly freed slaves desperately searched for loved ones who had been sold away.

Louisiana, 1875: In the tumultuous era of Reconstruction, three young women set off as unwilling companions on a perilous quest: Hannie, a freed slave; Lavinia, the pampered heir to a now destitute plantation; and Juneau Jane, Lavinia’s Creole half sister. Each carries private wounds and powerful secrets as they head for Texas, following roads rife with vigilantes and soldiers still fighting a war lost a decade before. For Lavinia and Juneau Jane, the journey is one of stolen inheritance and financial desperation, but for Hannie, torn from her mother and siblings before slavery’s end, the pilgrimage west reignites an agonizing question: Could her long-lost family still be out there? Beyond the swamps lie the limitless frontiers of Texas and, improbably, hope.

Louisiana, 1987: For first-year teacher Benedetta Silva, a subsidized job at a poor rural school seems like the ticket to canceling her hefty student debt—until she lands in a tiny, out-of-step Mississippi River town. Augustine, Louisiana, is suspicious of new ideas and new people, and Benny can scarcely comprehend the lives of her poverty-stricken students. But amid the gnarled live oaks and run-down plantation homes lie the century-old history of three young women, a long-ago journey, and a hidden book that could change everything.

On Ocean Boulevard by Mary Alice Munroe - Book Review

My Review:

On Ocean Boulevard is a 6 book in the Book House Series. You do not have to read the other books in the series because this book stands perfectly on its own.  I really enjoyed meeting the Rutledge family and will definitely go back and read this series from the beginning just to get to know them all better.  I loved reading about Linnea and Cara  and their work with the turtles!  

  I would rate this a 5 out of 5 stars!!  Definitely a good summer/beach read. Or read it anytime you want to feel swept away by a more relaxing beautiful destination.

  Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher of this book for my copy of an ARC book for my honest review.

NetGalley's Description:

The New York Times bestselling author of The Summer Guests returns at long last to her beloved Beach House series in this breathtaking novel about one family’s summer of forging new beginnings against the enduring beauty and resilience of the natural world.

It’s been sixteen years since Caretta “Cara” Rutledge has returned home to the beautiful shores of Charleston, South Carolina. Over those years, she has weathered the tides of deaths and births, struggles and joys. And now, as Cara prepares for her second wedding, her life is about to change yet again.

Meanwhile, the rest of the storied Rutledge family is also in flux. Cara’s niece Linnea returns to Sullivan’s Island to begin a new career and an unexpected relationship. Linnea’s parents, having survived bankruptcy, pin their hopes and futures on the construction of a new home on Ocean Boulevard. But as excitement over the house and wedding builds, a devastating illness strikes the family and brings plans to a screeching halt. It is under these trying circumstances that the Rutledge family must come together yet again to discover the enduring strength in love, tradition, and legacy from mother to daughter to granddaughter.

Like the sea turtles that come ashore annually on these windswept islands, three generations of the Rutledge family experience a season of return, rebirth, and growth. “Authentic, generous, and heartfelt” (Mary Kay Andrews, New York Times bestselling author), On Ocean Boulevard is Mary Alice Monroe at her very best.

What You Wish For by Katherine Center- Book Review

My Review:

I loved the story of Samantha and Duncan.  Samantha knew Duncan from a previous job.  When Duncan becomes the new Principal at her new school,  Duncan he is no longer the carefree man she used to know.  You can feel Samantha's disappointment and heartache. I really enjoyed the way Katherine Center wrote this book. 
  This book is a 5 out of 5 stars for me.  It was a really enjoyable read with some interesting character you get to meet along the way.  Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers of this book for an opportunity to read this book for my honest review.  I always like finding a new author to read.  I will be reading more books by Katherine Center.

Amazon.com's description:

Samantha Casey is a school librarian who loves her job, the kids, and her school family with passion and joy for living.
But she wasn’t always that way.
Duncan Carpenter is the new school principal who lives by rules and regulations, guided by the knowledge that bad things can happen.
But he wasn’t always that way.

And Sam knows it. Because she knew him before—at another school, in a different life. Back then, she loved him—but she was invisible. To him. To everyone. Even to herself. She escaped to a new school, a new job, a new chance at living. But when Duncan, of all people, gets hired as the new principal there, it feels like the the best thing that could possibly happen to the school—and the worst thing that could possibly happen to Sam. Until the opposite turns out to be true. The lovable Duncan she’d known is now a suit-and-tie wearing, rule-enforcing tough guy so hell-bent on protecting the school that he’s willing to destroy it.

As the school community spirals into chaos, and danger from all corners looms large, Sam and Duncan must find their way to who they really are, what it means to be brave, and how to take a chance on love—which is the riskiest move of all.

With Katherine Center’s sparkling dialogue, unforgettable characters, heart, hope, and humanity, WHAT YOU WISH FOR is the author at her most compelling best.

Mrs. Everything by Jennifer Weiner - book review

My Book Review:

  I enjoyed reading this book of the story of two sisters Jo and Bethie.  There was a lot of plot twists that kept it interesting. The story was written from both sisters perspective, which was interesting to see how different they viewed things. The ending almost had me in tears, which is rare.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy for my honest review. The book did exactly what I wanted it to do, keep me entertained and had me question my beliefs. I would give this 5 out of 5 stars!

Amazon.com's description of the book:

Do we change or does the world change us?

Jo and Bethie Kaufman were born into a world full of promise.

Growing up in 1950s Detroit, they live in a perfect “Dick and Jane” house, where their roles in the family are clearly defined. Jo is the tomboy, the bookish rebel with a passion to make the world more fair; Bethie is the pretty, feminine good girl, a would-be star who enjoys the power her beauty confers and dreams of a traditional life.

But the truth ends up looking different from what the girls imagined. Jo and Bethie survive traumas and tragedies. As their lives unfold against the background of free love and Vietnam, Woodstock and women’s lib, Bethie becomes an adventure-loving wild child who dives headlong into the counterculture and is up for anything (except settling down). Meanwhile, Jo becomes a proper young mother in Connecticut, a witness to the changing world instead of a participant. Neither woman inhabits the world she dreams of, nor has a life that feels authentic or brings her joy. Is it too late for the women to finally stake a claim on happily ever after?

In her most ambitious novel yet, Jennifer Weiner tells a story of two sisters who, with their different dreams and different paths, offer answers to the question: How should a woman be in the world?

The Confession Club by Elizabeth Berg - Book Review

My review:

   Sometimes you just want to read a book that you can escape into and just make you feel good. This is one of those books. When I read this book I did not realize it was third in a series.  It can definitely be a stand alone book.  I love reading stories of women's friendships.  The Confession Club was a delightful book. I enjoyed getting to know all of the characters and the idea of a monthly supper club turning into a confession club was just too enticing not to read!! I particularly loved the story of Iris. 

I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher for my honest opinion.  Definitely a 5 out of 5 stars for me!!  I will go back and read the other two books in the series and look forward to reading more from Elizabeth Berg.

Amazon.com's description of the book:

USA TODAY BESTSELLER • An uplifting novel about friendship, surprising revelations, and a second chance at love, from the New York Times bestselling author of The Story of Arthur Truluv.

When a group of friends in Mason, Missouri, decide to start a monthly supper club, they get more than they bargained for. The plan for congenial evenings—talking, laughing, and sharing recipes, homemade food, and wine—abruptly changes course one night when one of the women reveals something startlingly intimate. The supper club then becomes Confession Club, and the women gather weekly to share not only dinners but embarrassing misdeeds, deep insecurities, and long-held regrets.

They invite Iris Winters and Maddy Harris to join, and their timing couldn't be better. Iris is conflicted about her feelings for a charming but troubled man, and Maddy has come back home from New York to escape a problem too big to handle alone. The club offers exactly the kind of support they need to help them make some difficult decisions.

The Confession Club is charming, heartwarming, and inspiring. And as in the previous books that take place in Mason, readers will find friendship, community, and kindness on full display.

The Forgotten Wife by Emma Robinson - Book Review

Amazon.com's Description of this book:

There’s room in her house where Shelley has shut away a heartbreakingly-soft, never-used baby blanket. In a box, under a bed, behind a door that she never opens. If it’s there, she can forget about it. Just like she has her memories. Of a marriage that hadn’t been perfect. Of a life that didn’t go the way she had hoped.

Every day she acts like everything is normal. Going to work and following a routine helps her pretend the bad stuff never happened. Until one day, everything changes.

She sees the couple moving in next door, laughing sweetly as they walk up the path to their new home. The woman is pregnant. It’s like she has everything that Shelley has lost. But when Shelley properly meets Lara, she soon discovers Lara is actually carrying a heartache to match her own.

As her friendship with Lara deepens, Shelley starts to wonder what might happen if she opens the box she’s hidden away, with the tiny, beautiful blanket in it. Will the secrets from her past – about what she lost, what she’s hiding from, and what she has been doing her best to forget – destroy her? Or will opening it up finally give her a chance to live again?

A heartbreaking emotional drama about the power of friendship that will make readers laugh and cry, perfect for fans of Jojo Moyes, Dani Atkins and Daniela Sacerdoti.

My Review:

This was a very emotional story about two very different women that bond over being neighbors and then personal tragedies. I really enjoyed this book, it was very hard not to get emotional while reading this book. It was written in two points of view, which made the story more intimate. 

I would rate this book a 4 out of 5 stars!!! Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers of this book for my ARC copy for my honest review.

Nikki

The New Husband by D.J. Palmer -- Book Review

Amazon.com's description:

Just because you love someone doesn’t mean you know them.

Nina Garrity learned that the hard way after discovering that her missing husband, Glen, had been leading a double life with another woman. But Glen's gone—presumably drowned while fishing on his boat—so she can't confront him about the affair or any of his other misdeeds. A year and a half after the accident, Nina considers herself a widow, even though the police never found a body. Following a chance encounter with Simon Fitch, a teacher from her daughter Maggie's middle school, Nina finds love again and has hopes of putting her shattered life back together.

Simon, a widower still grieving the suicide of his first wife, has found his dream girl in Nina. His charm and affections help break through to a heart hardened by betrayal. Nina's teenage son, Connor, embraces Simon as the father he wishes his dad could have been, but Maggie sees a far darker side to this new man in their lives. Even Nina’s good friends wonder if Simon is supremely devoted—or dangerously possessive.

But Nina is committed, not only to her soon-to-be new husband but also to resuming her former career as a social worker. Before she can move forward, however, Nina must first clear her conscience that she's not making another terrible choice in a man. In doing so, she will uncover the shocking truth: the greatest danger to her, and her children, are the lies people tell themselves.

My review:

The New Husband had just the right amount of suspense, with plenty of plot twists to keep this book interesting till the very end!!  Nina was in the right place of vulnerability for Simon to swoop in and turn her life upside down.  I  wanted to scream at Nina to wake up and listen to her friends and children.  

Nina thought her husband Glen had betrayed her and then gone missing.  She opened up her heart and home to Simon, who seemed like a very good man on paper.  Boy was she wrong. I would say this is a perfect thriller!!  I would rate this book a 5 out of 5 stars!  

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for my advanced copy for my honest review.

Nikki

F*CKED at 40 by Tova Leigh - Book Review

My Review:

Having seen some of Tova Leigh's videos, I was curious what she would say in her autobiography.  The book was a fast read.  If you are a fan of Tova Leigh you might enjoy getting to know her behind the scenes. 

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers of this book for my honest review.  3 out of 5 stars!

Here is the Amazon.com description:

"I was bored, angry, tired and sad. I felt all alone yet I had nothing to complain about. I had a good job, a husband who wasn't shagging his assistant, three children who apart from being the occasional assholes were pretty good kids; a house, a dog and everything else we are told as little girls we should aspire to. But inside, I was growing restless. I didn't want to be looked at as just a 'mom'. I wanted to be desired, to make someone's hair stand on end and go crazy for me. I didn't want to live by some label that didn't represent me. I looked at my messy minivan one morning and I wanted to vomit on it all. I panicked, thinking about how I am slowly approaching middle age and menopause and I wondered how many years do I have left of being 'f**ckable' before everything starts going downhill?"

In her first book Tova takes the reader on her journey of rediscovering who she is after motherhood and beyond the norms society forces upon women, whilst encouraging them to break free and just be themselves.

"When you find authenticity it's hard to go back. It's like opening a door to the truth and starting to breathe a new type of air. This discovery is what prompted me to write. It's my way of saying HERE I AM".

Nikki

The Winemaker's Wife by Kristin Harmel - Book Review

Amazon.com's description:

Champagne, 1940: Inès has just married Michel, the owner of storied champagne house Maison Chauveau, when the Germans invade. As the danger mounts, Michel turns his back on his marriage to begin hiding munitions for the Résistance. Inès fears they’ll be exposed, but for Céline, half-Jewish wife of Chauveau’s chef de cave, the risk is even greater—rumors abound of Jews being shipped east to an unspeakable fate.

When Céline recklessly follows her heart in one desperate bid for happiness, and Inès makes a dangerous mistake with a Nazi collaborator, they risk the lives of those they love—and the champagne house that ties them together.

New York, 2019: Liv Kent has just lost everything when her eccentric French grandmother shows up unannounced, insisting on a trip to France. But the older woman has an ulterior motive—and a tragic, decades-old story to share. When past and present finally collide, Liv finds herself on a road to salvation that leads right to the caves of the Maison Chauveau.

My review:

This is the first book I have read about the impact of the second World War on France's wine region.  Kristin Harmel was able to describe the fear and determination of the wine growers and the Resistance through her writing. I loved the story of Inez, Michel and Celine.  Their fear and vulnerability can be felt while reading the book.  I would recommend this book to anyone interested in Historical fiction involving the War, France and especially the wine region.  

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers of this book for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review.  5 out of 5 stars!!

Nikki

No One Ever Asked by Katie Ganshert- Book Review

My review:

This is a book that shows that racism is still alive and well.  The author Katie Ganshert writes a story of an inner school on the verge of closing, where some students are able to transfer to a more affluent  suburban school.  It shows the parents, teachers and students opposing and trying to adjust to the new situation.  The story also tells of past racism in history.  Many of the characters are surprised by theirs and others racist feelings and many characters grow to accept the busing situation and make thrive from the experience. 
  Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book for my honest opinion. 5 out of 5 stars.  This would make a great book club selection.
Nikki

Amazon.com's description:

Challenging perceptions of discrimination and prejudice, this emotionally resonant drama for readers of Lisa Wingate and Jodi Picoult explores three different women navigating challenges in a changing school district—and in their lives.

WINNER OF THE CHRISTY AWARD®

When an impoverished school district loses its accreditation and the affluent community of Crystal Ridge has no choice but to open their school doors, the lives of three very different women converge: Camille Gray--the wife of an executive, mother of three, long-standing PTA chairwoman and champion fundraiser--faced with a shocking discovery that threatens to tear her picture-perfect world apart at the seams. Jen Covington, the career nurse whose long, painful journey to motherhood finally resulted in adoption but she is struggling with a happily-ever-after so much harder than she anticipated. Twenty-two-year-old Anaya Jones--the first woman in her family to graduate college and a brand new teacher at Crystal Ridge's top elementary school, unprepared for the powder-keg situation she's stepped into. Tensions rise within and without, culminating in an unforeseen event that impacts them all. This story explores the implicit biases impacting American society, and asks the ultimate question: What does it mean to be human? Why are we so quick to put labels on each other and categorize people as "this" or "that", when such complexity exists in each person?