Thanks to Uplit Reads, NetGalley, and Harper Muse for access to digital ebook and audio versions of Counting Backwards. This book was a fantastic surpThanks to Uplit Reads, NetGalley, and Harper Muse for access to digital ebook and audio versions of Counting Backwards. This book was a fantastic surprise. I truly enjoyed it, and I had trouble setting it down. I started reading it while doing a mini-brewery crawl in Providence, RI, last weekend. I switched and finished via audiobook while cooking dinner after I got home, and the narration was very well done. I wholeheartedly recommend both versions, as this is a top read so far in 2025! ⭐⭐⭐⭐� This cover is stunning! Considering a lush pomegranate like this represents fertility, it’s extremely apropos for this book. I didn’t anticipate my reaction to finishing Counting Backwards - I sat and cried for a solid 5 minutes thinking about what I had just read. The facts on which this novel was based truly upset me, as they had when the author learned them as a teenager. And that something similar could still be happening in the 21st century is just horrifying! I’m being purposefully vague, because I really want you to read this book. And if you have read it, let me know if you had a similar reaction!...more
Thank you to Henry Holt for both a gifted physical copy and a NetGalley ebook copy in exchange for my honest opinion. While the book doesn't publish fThank you to Henry Holt for both a gifted physical copy and a NetGalley ebook copy in exchange for my honest opinion. While the book doesn't publish for a few more months, I'm so happy that I had a chance to read and review it early. This book is a great mix of genres - it’s a family drama including the FMC coming of age (new adult) with a sprinkle of epistolary historical fiction. I wasn't sure what to expect from the blurb and even once I started it, but I really loved this book! What Will People Think?, the author's debut novel, is set in NYC, where recent Columbia graduate and Palestinian-American Mia lives with the grandparents who raised her, after her father's death. Mia works as a fact checker alongside one of her college classmates. She is quite reserved, although her coworker bestie knows about Mia's massive crush on their boss. However, Mia also has a secret side-gig performing stand-up comedy, and the book includes some excerpts from her sets which I found to be HILARIOUS. These separate portions of her life and personality crash into each other to instigate some of the book's present-day drama. In addition, Mia's grandmother has some untold secrets which she is finally ready to reveal, and the book features chapters from a journal that Mia has to translate, set in the 1940s prior to coming to the US. Mia is uncertain which of the characters is her grandmother, and her anticipation of finding out comes across clearly to the reader. I loved reading about Mia learning to balance the seemingly disparate parts of her life (home vs. work vs. comedy) together as she grew into her own person, especially as she learned more about her family's history. Once I started this book, I had trouble putting it down - I just couldn't get enough, especially the last 50+ pages! The historical portions from the journal hit the sweet spot of giving just enough background information without taking away from the plot of the current timeline. I hope others will also connect with this book and love witnessing Mia's character growth as much as I did! Add this to your TBR if it sounds up your alley - I truly cannot recommend it enough!...more
Thanks to the Simon Element, Mary Sue Rucci Books, and NetGalley access to Tilt in exchange for my honest opinion. Climate fiction isn’t a typical genThanks to the Simon Element, Mary Sue Rucci Books, and NetGalley access to Tilt in exchange for my honest opinion. Climate fiction isn’t a typical genre for me to read, but I was completely sucked into this book once I started it. It’s concise, at less than 230 pages, but the plot and writing are rich. Annie is nine months pregnant, shopping at IKEA for a crib on her first official day of maternity leave. The Portland IKEA is northeast of the city, out near the airport (which I noticed when I flew out of PDX in summer 2023 - I grew up equating landing at the Newark airport with the IKEA in Elizabeth!). While shopping, a major earthquake hits, cutting off electricity and creating all kinds of panic. Annie abandons her car (who knows where her keys, phone, purse, etc. are?) and starts the long walk into Portland, where her husband is working at a cafe. She knows he must be panicking about her and the baby. She has some interactions with people along the walk, as she treks past infrastructure damage and people who have not survived. The chapters alternate between Annie’s current journey and glimpses from the past, starting with long ago when she was in college and going up until the night before and morning of the quake, following her pregnancy journey closely. Tilt will publish tomorrow, and I recommend it - although I can understand if you live in the Portland or surrounding west coast area, this read may hit a little too close to home. When I visited Portland with friends in 2023, we did a lot of walking around in different areas, and it was neat to recognize some of the neighborhoods, streets, bridges, etc. while reading. But I’m glad I don’t live close to a major fault line!...more
Thanks to Celadon, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for early copies of Penitence in exchange for my honest opinions. This was my fourth time participatThanks to Celadon, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for early copies of Penitence in exchange for my honest opinions. This was my fourth time participating in one of Celadon’s early buddy reads, and my group had some great discussions. Penitence is not a happy book, as it opens with the death of a child. The book follows the life of the family as they attempt to live with the aftermath. It gives the reader a window into the juvenile detention system (spoiler: it's not pretty) and the legal system (spoiler: not everyone is treated the same way). With plenty of time spent on grief and guilt, Penitence is a character-driven read, with some selfish characters that I didn't want to read any more about! Guilt and forgiveness/repentance are constant themes. I'm very glad I was paired up with my discussion buddies, because we had similar thoughts on this book. However, it's interesting reading very different reviews from other groups. @bookofthemonth just chose this debut for one of its main picks for February! I did a mix of reading the physical book and listening to the audiobook, and I think the narration is great on the audio. However, I think this heavy story is not for the faint of heart. I'm passing my book along to my mother to read, when I see her this weekend, and I look forward to discussing it with her, too. ...more
Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for early review copies of What It’s Like in Words in exchange for my honest opinion. I mixed listening to the Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for early review copies of What It’s Like in Words in exchange for my honest opinion. I mixed listening to the audio and following along in my physical and ebook copies. The narration is lovely, and, more importantly in my opinion, is easier on the reader as the majority of the text doesn’t use quotation marks until the last five chapters. I’m sure there is a reason for this significant change, but I feel like it’s helpful for other readers to know how the text is set up. The set-up, in addition to the coming-of-age content, made this read feel comparable to a book by Sally Rooney. This debut novel follows 27 year old Enola through a particularly unhealthy situationship. Enola is working on writing her debut novel, and when she meets a handsome, older, aspiring writer who drops in as a guest at her writing group, she is almost instantly smitten. The two fall into their undefined relationship rather quickly, traveling together to Kenya, where Enola spent the first nine years of her life within months of meeting. The trip is a particularly stressful time for Enola and their budding relationship. Enola’s sister-like friend Ruth sees the way this man is manipulating Enola’s mind and begs her to break it off. I was rapt, listening and reading as Enola spiraled through the intense emotions associated with young love. At times I was incredibly frustrated by her, but I felt like she could grow and handle herself. The book’s final chapters were unexpected, and I was left with some unanswered questions. This is a strong debut, and I look forward to reading more from the author in the future....more
Thanks to Harper Perennial and NetGalley to access to Shell Games in exchange for my honest opinion. The book takes place in Florida, where Julie's 70Thanks to Harper Perennial and NetGalley to access to Shell Games in exchange for my honest opinion. The book takes place in Florida, where Julie's 70 year old mother Kate is getting married to her high school sweetheart, after both had married others and lived full lives apart from each other before reconnecting a few months earlier., As soon as they are married, things start going downhill, and Julie is trying to figure out what exactly is going on. I breezed through this mystery. Up until the last few chapters I wasn't exactly sure what was happening: Someone may have been gaslighting the others? Someone may have been experiencing delusional thinking due to aging? Someone may have been cheating on their spouse? Someone may have killed their spouse? SO MANY QUESTIONS! I didn't know and I couldn't wait to finish it. I suggest going in blind to this one - the wild ride is worth it!...more
This book is set in New Hampshire, with an FMC who leaves her corporate job in Boston for a season managing a resort. I left Boston for the weekend toThis book is set in New Hampshire, with an FMC who leaves her corporate job in Boston for a season managing a resort. I left Boston for the weekend to attend Homecoming and Dartmouth College in NH, where I read this book and took this picture with the gorgeous foliage. Fall is my favorite season, and I just love how the cover captures the beauty of fall in New England! This is a really sweet romance with an excellent lakefront setting. I want to visit this resort - it sounded like the perfect rustic spot to get away for a quiet book-filled weekend! I enjoyed this book and I recommend checking it out....more
Thanks to @celadonbooks for inviting me to participate in a buddy read for The Sequel. And a huge thanks to @macmillan.audio for early access to the aThanks to @celadonbooks for inviting me to participate in a buddy read for The Sequel. And a huge thanks to @macmillan.audio for early access to the audiobook, too. I hadn’t listened to an audiobook narrated by @justjuliawhelan in far too long - her narration is just so great. Earlier in September, I reread The Plot, the author’s previous release, via audiobook, as I had originally read it close to publication in 2021 and wanted a refresher before diving into this. I really enjoyed The Plot, both when I originally read it and when I reread it, and I appreciated how well the “plot� of the mystery unfolded. Therefore, I went into The Sequel with high expectations. I enjoyed this book, and it is again a slow burn mystery full of twists. I incorrectly predicted the ending, and I found myself surprised but at the same time, I could remember specific moments that set it up which I had not previously seen as important. I think you’ll enjoy the book more if you’ve already read The Plot, but I guess it’s not completely necessary. I loved that the chapters were named after other book’s sequels; Chapter 1 is It Starts with Us. I’m looking forward to connecting with the author on Zoom and discussing more with my buddy reading partners....more
Thanks to Simon Books for my #gifted copy in addition to NetGalley access in exchange for my honest opinion. This historical fiction novel is set in 1Thanks to Simon Books for my #gifted copy in addition to NetGalley access in exchange for my honest opinion. This historical fiction novel is set in 18th century Venice, at the Pieta orphanage. Little is known about Anna Maria della Pieta, an orphan violin prodigy who studied under Vivaldi, and this book attempts to build from the limited historical research. I started by reading a few chapters, then I switched to the audiobook to become a bit more invested in the story. After listening to a big chunk of the plot, I switched back to my physical copy, and I finished the book in just a few hours. I was swept away in the story, although that could be because of its novelty. I think this book would interest people who are strongly musical....more
Thanks to Wednesday Books for my #gifted copy along with this adorable package of tissues. I was a bit worried about getting tissues along with the boThanks to Wednesday Books for my #gifted copy along with this adorable package of tissues. I was a bit worried about getting tissues along with the book, and I had to wait a little while before I found myself in the headspace to tackle this read. While this book tugged at my heart strings, I didn’t sob enough to need the tissues (which is a shock as I cry a lot during books!). The book follows a lonely, grieving boy, and it isn’t constantly sad, but it isn’t a very happy book. There is a bit of a twist that makes the last 40ish pages much sadder than expected. The author’s previous release, You’ve Reached Sam, has been on my TBR for a long time, and after reading this one I need to read that one soon, because the author’s storytelling is quite lovely. If you’re looking for a YA book exploring grief and moving on, this may be the book for you! It’s available everywhere now....more
Thanks to Simon Books for my #gifted copy in addition to NetGalley access in exchange for my honest opinion. Funnily enough, I found a Canadian editioThanks to Simon Books for my #gifted copy in addition to NetGalley access in exchange for my honest opinion. Funnily enough, I found a Canadian edition of the author’s previous release (and @reesebookclub pick) Lucky in the Little Free Library near the house where I was dogsitting this weekend. I will have to read Lucky soon, because I really enjoyed The Lightning Bottles! If you’re a fan of music and musicians (especially behind the scenes type of stuff) and the early 90s Seattle grunge music scene, I think you will enjoy this one. The Lightning Bottles is kind of like Daisy Jones and the Six but updated for the early 90s with an underlying mystery tying the story together. I loved the references to real musicians and tried to determine who the fictional ones were supposed to represent. If you weren’t alive in the early 90s or don’t care much for that musical scene, I still think this can be enjoyed. The story is well written, and even though it hops back and forth in time and locations, it is clear what is happening when and where. I would go to set the book down and take a break but then I’d see when/where the next chapter was taking place and decide to keep reading - just one more chapter! I read this in a couple of long sessions this weekend, including staying up way too late to read as much as I could last night. Oops! The Lightning Bottles will be available tomorrow everywhere and I definitely think you should check it out!...more
Thank you to Forever for my #gifted copy as well as NetGalley access in exchange for my honest opinion. What a FUN read! I learned more about karaoke Thank you to Forever for my #gifted copy as well as NetGalley access in exchange for my honest opinion. What a FUN read! I learned more about karaoke and drag that I didn't know I didn't know, and it was so enjoyable. And I will now think of this book, in addition to Clueless, when I hear Celine Dion’s “All By Myself� ...more
Look how beautiful this cover is! There is something about books with bright pink covers - especially when the genre is thriller, like this book, instLook how beautiful this cover is! There is something about books with bright pink covers - especially when the genre is thriller, like this book, instead of the more likely romance pink cover. Do you like reading about cults? I am intrigued by cults, especially lately, and I could not stop Gaslight once I started it. I switched between reading a physical #gifted copy and listening to the audio. Thanks to Blackstone and Bibliolifestyle for the physical copy, and to NetGalley for the ALC, too. While the story took a little while to really develop and get going, I felt the payoff was worth the slow start. If you like reading about cults, I think you will like this one too. I recommend both the book and the audiobook....more
“Because how we take care of broken people matters.� This quote spoke to me the most, but there were many lines in this book which I will continue to t“Because how we take care of broken people matters.� This quote spoke to me the most, but there were many lines in this book which I will continue to think about. I could not put the book down. Thank you to Simon Books for sharing a copy with me. This memoir follows one woman from her soccer mom life, trying to keep up with the rest of the seemingly perfect moms, through her 32 felonies, showing her struggles, her hope, her frustrations, and her reality. Educational and inspiring, the compellingly written book shares many lessons with readers without feeling preachy. I had heard great things about the book, and I echo them wholeheartedly. I choose to bring this book to read on vacation, mostly so I could leave it for the friend I'm staying with to read (because a few books in exchange for staying at her house in Hawaii is obviously equivalent). To my surprise there is a lovely connection in the book: “Hawaii is a beautiful place to visit, but I don't want to banish myself to an island.� I highly recommend reading this one, and I'm lucky to have been able to read it while visiting this beautiful place....more
Thank you to Harper Perennial and NetGalley for early access in exchange for my honest opinion. Thank you Partner, BiblioLifestyle and the publisher fThank you to Harper Perennial and NetGalley for early access in exchange for my honest opinion. Thank you Partner, BiblioLifestyle and the publisher for my gifted copy. Eddie Winston is Looking for Love was one of the last books I read in 2024, and it was also one of the best books I read in 2024. I fell in love with Eddie, a ninety year old who is still looking for his first kiss, and Bella, a young woman whose boyfriend recently passed. Their intergenerational friendship is so sweet - between their lunches in Pigeon Park, the trip to Corfu, and their individual eclectic outfits, I just couldn’t get enough. Similar to the author’s debut, The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot, this book made me cry in all the best ways. I definitely recommend it for a feel-good read, which seems especially great at this time of year. This line from the book’s blurb sums it up best: “A tale of friendship and kindness that reminds us that those we love are never forgotten and it is never too late to try again.�...more
Thanks to Henry Holt for an ARC and Macmillan Audio for an ALC of this book which published Tuesday. All opinions are my own. Annie and Mark are gettinThanks to Henry Holt for an ARC and Macmillan Audio for an ALC of this book which published Tuesday. All opinions are my own. Annie and Mark are getting married, after meeting in a trauma support group. But there is someone neither of them know at the wedding, who leaves them both feeling a bit upset. Even after the wedding on the honeymoon, things aren’t great between them. There are lingering questions about Mark’s previous wife, Hope, who disappeared two years earlier, as well as Annie’s younger sister who passed away when she was very young. Since Annie is a classics professor, there is some mythology sprinkled in, and there are also some diary entries and flashbacks to fill in more of the backstory. This twisty thriller had an ending I didn’t see coming! I usually love audiobooks, but I found it was hard to keep track of whether I was getting the current or the past storyline from the audio, whereas the past was italicized in the book. I tried listening and following along in the book, but I then switched over to reading it. While the narration by Sophie Rundle was good (I loved her accent!), unfortunately I don’t think audio is the best way to read this one....more
Thanks to Simon Books for NetGalley access, as well as sending me an ARC along with a coaster for Grape Juice, the natural wine bar in Brooklyn owned Thanks to Simon Books for NetGalley access, as well as sending me an ARC along with a coaster for Grape Juice, the natural wine bar in Brooklyn owned by June, one of the FMCs in Till Death Do Us Part. I started reading this book while eating a slice of pizza before attending an author event last night, then I read it on my bus ride home� and in bed as I was falling asleep� and I finished it this morning. In other words, I was immediately engrossed and couldn’t put it down! Till Death Do Us Part is a twist-filled thriller. This dual timeline alternates chapters, going from 2022 with June and her wine bar in NYC back to 1999 with Bev who, along with her husband, run a winery in Napa Valley. The immediate connection between the two is established relatively early on, but it seems there must be more than this link as the book continues. Broken into five parts, based on the five steps in the wine-making process, the book kept me on my toes, always wanting to read one more chapter to see where it was going next. My favorite part of reading thrillers is the unseen twists - but I love it even more when after a twist I immediately think, “ohhhh that was foreshadowed and I didn’t put it together until now - well done, author!� That was how I felt multiple times this morning while finishing Till Death Do Us Part. I definitely recommend this one when it comes out on Tuesday, 8/13! I also recommend the author’s previous release, The Girls Are All So Nice Here, another dual timeline psychological thriller, which was one of the first books I posted about back in 2021 when I started posting book reviews- it doesn’t seem like it’s been that long!...more
Thanks to Forever for a gifted ARC and to NetGalley for the electronic version, too. I didn’t know what to expect from this new-to-me author, and I haThanks to Forever for a gifted ARC and to NetGalley for the electronic version, too. I didn’t know what to expect from this new-to-me author, and I had a fun time reading the book with some delicious sushi at one of my favorite local breweries. All opinions are my own. Gabby Greene is recently divorced, with her husband forcing her to go back to work so he doesn’t have to pay her as much spousal support. Gabby hasn’t worked in fourteen years and doesn’t know what she can do besides maybe sell Tupperware. But then, out of the blue, a job appears for Gabby - she has the same face as a spy for the government agency EOD (Elite Operatives Department) who needs to be replaced, as she was killed while undercover� in the same role that Gabby is being expected to fulfill. Some quick training, and then Gabby’s out there - with a whole lot on the line. Errands and Espionage definitely has some unbelievable parts, but it was a fun romp with some really excellent side characters. I also loved seeing Gabby’s confidence grow and her relationships with her two children improve as the book progressed. I would argue it’s more mystery/comedy than a romantic comedy, as the romance part didn’t really work nor was it completely necessary for the plot. While the premise seems similar to the Finlay Donovan series, it’s different due to the mom working solo with an organization backing her (for the most part), but I think readers who enjoy that series will also enjoy this one. ...more
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