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The Burning Side by Sarah Damoff My rating: 5 of 5 stars Damoff is a truly truly excellent writer. Her characters are the true definition of three-dimensional. They are all flawed and working so hard to become better versions of themselves and jump off the page so well that you find yourself rooting for each of them and missing them so so much when the story is over. This story is filled with so much trauma and grief. How broken we each are regardless of our upbringing (and sometimes because of our upbringing) and how we internalize so much grief and self-blame/shame even when the things that happen to us aren't because of us and how much harder that makes it for us to then be in healthy relationships of our own. How do we save ourselves and our families and how to we form healthy marriages and families when we have so much of our own work to do? I enjoyed every single second I spent with this book. I felt sad, laughed out loud, full of love and ...

Lula Dean's Little Library of Banned Books by Kirsten Miller My rating: 4 of 5 stars not sure why i waited so long to read this book. Maybe because I didn't love Miller's previous one. But this one was fun and quick even if it was maybe a little too on the nose :) View all my reviews

Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth My rating: 5 of 5 stars Oh Man. I've always been a fan of Hepworth's novels but this one stands out amongst the others. There's no way to finish this book and not to fall completely in love with Mabel and not to find yourself cheering for her, wanting to hug her and apologize to her on behalf of the world and truly cruel people that ruin it. It's hard to say that I loved reading this book because so much of it is so sad. So much of it was spent with me trying to jump into the pages of the book and protect Mabel. And also it's such a sweet, dear, at times funny, and mostly devastating book. The audio is truly fantastic and brings both of the mabels to life so well. A true gem from Hepsworth. with gratitude to netgalley and Macmillan Audio for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review View all my reviews

How to Get Away with Murder by Rebecca Philipson My rating: 4 of 5 stars I had mixed feelings about this book. Even though the book in book format was interesting, I really hated the book inside the book and wanted those chapters to end as quickly as possible. And I really loved Samantha's chapters so for a long time, her chapters are what sustained me. But then towards the end it all started coming together and loved all of it and found myself admiring how the author brought it into a full circle. I am confident most people will enjoy this one. And the narration was absolutely perfect. with gratitude to netgalley and Macmillan Audio for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review View all my reviews

Last One Out by Jane Harper My rating: 3 of 5 stars With any Jane Harper book you're guaranteed to read a story seeped in atmosphere and deep in character development. That's where this author shines and where her novels stand out. In Last One Out, Carralon Ridge, the town, is so atmospheric that it's a character of its own. The town people's relationship with the town is a major part of the story. And so are each of the characters, their history, their connection, their sense of loyalty and betrayal. On its face this story is not as twisty and interesting as many of Harper's other novels. But it still has all of her characteristic style so if you go in with the right expectation you will enjoy this story a lot. And the audio is absolutely excellent, transporting the reader to Australia adding just the right texture to the story. with gratitude to netgalley and Macmillan Audio for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review ...

Last Night in Brooklyn by Xóchitl González My rating: 4 of 5 stars Xóchitl González creates the most memorable characters, and then puts them in an interesting time and location in the middle of interesting conversations. The characters feel so real, they jump out of the book, especially with this excellent narration. I loved this one even more than usual because it's about early 2000s in Brooklyn and I was living in Manhattan at the time. And the conversations and settings felt all the more real. Each character is three dimensional and you can't help but love these characters and see the world a little from their eyes. Another excellent, excellent offering from Xóchitl González. with gratitude to netgalley and Macmillan Audio for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review View all my reviews

Dolly All the Time by Annabel Monaghan My rating: 4 of 5 stars What a complete fun ride this book was! I love Monaghan's voice and it shines through in this novel. This is the story of Dolly, a single mom to Gus, competent daughter to a dad who's set in his ways, and sister to a brother who doesn't like to leave the front porch (or wear pants), and she has a sister too who lives further away and is not involved enough. When her childhood house almost burns down, Dolly comes home to help out her Dad for the summer. A chance encounter where she's helping Stewart (the rich son of the rich family their island is named after) turns into a thing and Dolly gets an offer she can't refuse because it will mean she can truly help her dad and make sure her house is saved. And of course things don't go as planned. There's so much good in this book but the best part, for me, is what an awesome character Dolly is. She's strong, kind,...

Here We Go Again by Alison Cochrun My rating: 4 of 5 stars Super fun, meaningful, spicy. I really enjoyed this one. View all my reviews

Strangers: A Memoir of Marriage by Belle Burden My rating: 4 of 5 stars I am glad for people who are brave enough to tell their stories. To many, it might look like Belle's privilege meant that her story wasn't as interesting to share or that she had no right to be so hurt or she should not have been so dumb as to stop working, change the prenup and put herself into the position she put herself in. People love to judge others. People feel entitled to tell you which stories deserve to be told. People think they would have done differently if it were them. People love to watch and point and laugh and judge and judge and judge. It's so easy to be a critic. It's hard to choose to put your life on paper anyway. And these stories deserve to be told. I'm grateful she did. View all my reviews

Anatomy of an Alibi by Ashley Elston My rating: 3 of 5 stars 3.5 stars. This was crazy, weird, and convoluted. I read it in one sitting but also forgot it pretty quickly. Recommended to those who love mystery! View all my reviews

Dogs, Boys, and Other Things I’ve Cried About: A Memoir by Isabel Klee My rating: 5 of 5 stars I discovered Isabel Klee on instagram just a few weeks ago. And, of course, I fell down a rabbit hole and had to watch all the videos of all her fosters. Her ability to tell their story with so much love and so much humanity made it impossible not to keep scrolling for more. This is how I knew she would be an excellent writer. And I was not wrong. This is the story of Klee's twenties in NYC. The detours she takes, the mistakes she makes, the friends who save her and love her. The men who love her, the men who betray her. The dogs she loves and the dogs who love her back. There's so much heart and soul in this book. Everything is shared with tenderness, generosity and kindness. This book reminds us that we don't have to be perfect to be loved. It reminds us that loving a being that's been hurt can be hard but also oh so worth the work. It rem...

This Story Might Save Your Life by Tiffany Crum My rating: 4 of 5 stars Famous podcasters and best friends Benny Abbott and Joy Moore have been telling other people how to get out of life threatening situations for a living. Until the morning Benny shows up at Joy's house to find her and her husband missing. The house is a mess and they left their dog behind. Benny is determined to figure out what happened as we roll back and forth in time to get the full story of how they got here and what exactly happened, all while the police are determined to figure out if Benny is the one who's responsible. The audio for this one is super fun, and really plays off the podcast plot. Fantastic narrators Julia Whelan and Sean Patrick Hopkins make it even harder for you to stop. Once I started, I listened to it until it was over because there was no way I was taking a break. with gratitude to netgalley and Macmillan Audio for an advanced copy in exchange for...

Little One by Olivia Muenter My rating: 4 of 5 stars On my goodness Helen Laser does an incredible job with the audio of this book. From the moment I started listening to it, her voice took a hold on me and would not let me go. I could not stop listening. I felt completely wrapped up in the story and in the trance of Catharine's world. This is an excellent, excellent audio. Catharine's life looks ordinary. She's worked incredibly hard to make it appear so. And, of course, with a single email from a journalist, it starts unraveling. It turns out Catherine grew up in a cult. Her dad was the leader. It turns out there are a lot of unanswered questions. It turns out this journalist is interested in finding out the answers. And Catharine may not be able to stop her life and all her secrets from unraveling. I listened to this in one swallow. with gratitude to netgalley and Hachette Audio for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review ...

The Shippers by Katherine Center My rating: 4 of 5 stars you can always always always count on Katherine Center to give us a story that makes us laugh and makes our heart full. This story was no exception. I thought the dialogue was even funnier than usual. Even though it also felt like the main character took a bit longer to get with the program that she should. But it's impossible to read a Center book and not smile your way through it. It's impossible to not have her books heal you a little (or a lot) bit! with gratitude to netgalley and St. Martin's Press for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review View all my reviews

Now That I Know You by Heart: A Novel by Amy Hagstrom My rating: 4 of 5 stars This is a lovely story that will ease your heart. It's like a cozy cup of tea. It's about Shelby who buys an inn to fulfill her husband's dying wish, only to find out the inn is in dire state and rumored to be haunted. Shelby is in the process of coming to terms with who she is and how she's been trying to come back to herself finally after living a full life in denial. She's new in town. She has no idea how to fix or rescue the inn. She is trying to honor her husband and also step into her own. Can she do both at the same time? Is it possible to look back and look forward? Is it possible to do something for others and also yourself at the same time? Loved this sweet story. the audio was phenomenal. highly recommended. with gratitude to netgalley and Brilliance Audio for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review View all my reviews ...

Lost Lambs by Madeline Cash My rating: 3 of 5 stars 3.5 stars for me. I think people like watching others unravel more than I do. I don't find it as interesting. This is about a family that's unraveling. The mom decides she wants to have an open marriage and literally couldn't give two shits about the kids. The dad is upset about the mom but also not really stepping it up, just too busy being upset and thinking about what this means for him. And the kids, well each kid is also in their own unraveling journey. Going so far that it's ridiculous and melodramatic in service of trying not to be gritty. Crazy. View all my reviews

Wait for Me by Amy Jo Burns My rating: 3 of 5 stars I love Amy Jo Burns' books and Wait for Me was no exception. This is the story of Marijohn who was left in a gas station as a baby, raised by the owner Gus, who is obsessed with and swears that famous folk singer Elle Harlow who has been missing for twenty years, was last seen at his gas station and left Marijohn there. But then a meteor crashes into the earth and unearths things that had been buried for twenty years. And nothing is the same again. I loved reading the story of these two women even though the story felt a little too slow for me at times and I didn't connect with all the music lyrics. I bet this one will be incredible on audio. With gratitude to netgalley and Celadon Books for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. View all my reviews

Theo of Golden by Allen Levi My rating: 3 of 5 stars Unlike most of the reviews that appear to be in one extreme or another, I have mixed feelings about this book. I think it is touching and meaningful. I think it needed an editor. I think it reminds us that people are each suffering in their own ways. I think it was preachier than it needed to be. I think it has religious undertones that appear to be a bit more opinionated around choices we make than it maybe comes across at first. I also think it was too long. View all my reviews

Meet the Newmans by Jennifer Niven My rating: 3 of 5 stars 3.5 stars. I thought this was interesting but also it felt familiar and sort of predictable I think. I love Niven and her writing is light and easy. It was a good January book! View all my reviews

Caller Unknown by Gillian McAllister My rating: 4 of 5 stars I'm a big fan of McAllister. I find that her stories are always different and keep me interested the whole time and this one is no exception. This is the story of a mom who is in Texas to pick up her daughter from camp. They are spending a night together at an AirBnB until they are scheduled to go camping for a few days. The next morning, her daughter is gone. The kidnappers ask for her to put herself at risk and break the law in exchange for getting her daughter back. There were many parts of this where others might feel it's unbelievable or too much or too coincidental. But I didn't care. The ending felt a bit too neat, but I didn't care. I just enjoyed being lost inside the world McAllister built. Even if this one was way way too scary to this mom of teenagers. with gratitude to netgalley and William Morrow for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review ...

The Anniversary by Alex Finlay My rating: 4 of 5 stars I loved this book! I've read many books by Finlay but this one stands out for me. It's a mystery, there are twists and turns, but also there's slow-brewing love. There are two main characters that are interesting and stay with you and that you find yourself rooting for. If you're just looking for dislikable main characters and unreliable narrators and crazy insane twists, this might not be the book for you (though it has plenty of those). I think this book was more interesting, and I found myself getting more and more invested each year on the next anniversary. Loved it. with gratitude to netgalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. View all my reviews

June Baby by Shannon Garvey My rating: 5 of 5 stars My favorite novels are the quiet novels where it's a slice of life moment and the characters are just driving the story. June Baby, is the story of Ruth who lost her mom at 17 and is consumed by grief. Unable to help her, her dad ships her to stay with an artist, Diana, on Block Island for the summer. Ruth and Diana and her nephew Charlie spend every summer together for many years. It's ten years later, and Ruth still spends her summers on Block Island. She's drifting and struggling. She and Charlie haven't seen each other in a while and Diana passes away. She leaves behind items and a letter for Ruth. Secrets that change Ruth's life and shift her perspective. This is a novel about found family, love, secrets, sacrifices and how and if we can ever pick up the pieces of our life after a monumental loss. It's beautiful and touching. with gratitude to netgalley and Random House ...

The Lack of Light by Nino Haratischwili My rating: 4 of 5 stars I usually don't like books that are compared to other popular books. it feels like a recipe to be disappointed. But in this case I think the comparison to Ferrante is apt. This story of four friends in Georgia whose lives intersected and wrapped themselves around each other is beautiful, heart-wrenching and deeply truthful with some really tough moments. View all my reviews

Always Remember: The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, the Horse and the Storm by Charlie Mackesy My rating: 5 of 5 stars These books are my very favorite. Soft, gentle and loving. Beautiful images, wonderful messages. What more could you want to start the year? View all my reviews