A twist on the usual WWII historical fiction - focused on three German war widows in the years after the war. While the book seemed disjointed and difficult to follow at times, I did really enjoy the story. The characters felt a bit flat during the first half of the book, but seemed to deepen once their history was revealed. I would absolutely recommend for fans of this genre as it was a unique tale.

While this book was more YA than I prefer, it definitely enlightened me to yet another violation of WWII. The dual storylines did a good job of providing information about the devastating decision of Cuba to deny refuge to almost 1000 Jews trying to escape Germany in 1939. While I didn‘t quite connect with either MC (both 12 year old girls), the story held my interest throughout.

What a lovely, lovely book! This is the parallel story to The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry - told through a series of letters from Queenie as she struggles during her time in hospice. My heart just ached for the MC as she pushed herself in her own journey toward Harold. I would recommend reading these two books close together for full emotional impact. All the stars!!

While I didn‘t dislike the author‘s writing style, and will try another of his novels, I did not enjoy this particular book. The premise was interesting, but the story was so over the top and the stereotypes so blatant (and unpleasant) that I had to force myself to finish.

This was my first historical fiction novel set in the time period just before The Great War. I cared about the characters and didn‘t predict the twist revealed at the end. This was an overall enjoyable read.

I went back and forth with this one. The writing and imagery were EXCELLENT - but the parts of the story requiring suspension of disbelief were distracting. I would definitely recommend this book as the subject matter is so vital and the historical focus is very powerful. However, the fantasy elements left me a bit disappointed overall. (3.5 ⭐️s)

An espionage type novel centered around a young chemist. “Alex” spent six years utilizing her skills for the government to elicit information from suspected terrorists. She has spent the last three years running from her former employer. While I did stay interested throughout the story, it most definitely could have been told in half the pages. The conclusion was underwhelming at best.

This is an absolute MUST listen to audiobook! The author, with her thick NY accent, adds much to this memoir. The beautiful description of the self-described rough & tumble author‘s relationship with her demure best friend brought me to tears. There is one incident I will remember forever (having to do with school recess). In the audio version, as she reads thru the end credits, the author‘s voice cracks with emotion and I just sobbed. All the ⭐️s

I absolutely LOVED this book!! The story follows the women of Kent, left behind during WWII, and how they realize their true strength and power of their voices. We meet a variety of women and girls who courageously take on traditionally male roles with unease and aplomb in equal measure. I need more from this author!!

The basis of this story is the factual account of deplorable methods used by the Tennessee Children‘s Home Society to steal children from poor families and sell them to wealthy parents. The author uses 2 storylines - a child who was stolen and a present day woman searching for her family‘s history. Sadly, the present day story was distracting enough to overshadow the real life atrocities faced by these families. My heart is still broken.

This was a good introduction to the characters in this series. The time period (1850s) and setting (New York City) are very interesting and bring to light the significant struggles to survive and thrive faced by turn of the century immigrants. This storyline is a tad more saccharine than I usually like, but I have high hopes for subsequent installments.

I really enjoyed this story. I liked being witness to a family drama that unfolds over the years. I did think the ‘big secret‘ that drove this family was a bit overdone.

I was excited to come across a novel about the French Revolution as I know little about this period in history. Sadly, after reading this story I can‘t say I gained much. There were enough story lines and sub plots that I found myself jotting notes in order to keep it all straight. Ultimately the story was just too outlandish for my taste.

I liked the premise of this story but it just never seemed to take off. There were no big surprises or that “gasp” moment I was hoping from this book.

I liked this book. Even though the villain was predictable, there was at least one twist I didn‘t see coming. I was frustrated with the MC‘s hesitancy with everything and thought the villains would have been more careful with the clues that eventually found them out. But, overall it was a fine read.

I enjoyed this story and was hooked from the beginning. The characters weren‘t as developed as those in Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet. I wanted to know more back story about the characters - Ernest‘s years before coming to he States; what led Madam into the ‘business‘; Fahn‘s years before working at the brothel. Overall it was a good story, but I could have easily read another 100 pages. Just not sure this one will stick with me.

Another great installment in this series! One benefit of the print book vs the audiobook (yes, I had both) was the “recurring characters” blurbs at the beginning. (Sadly, I didn‘t even remember Lizbeth had a twin 😳.) This is a series I really hope continues on for a while.

Another fun memoir from MK. While there weren‘t any lol moments for me, the anecdotes did keep my interest throughout the book. My favorite section was real life Mindy‘s correspondence chain from alternate life Mindy. Oh, and of course the references to “soup snakes” 😍. 3.5 ⭐️s

This was an interesting memoir! The author shared about her childhood and parents, her sexual history, and her career path. She wrote about two very painful times in her life - and then went on to offer support and education to the reader. I teared up a few times and lol‘d as well. (Not that this book is marketed to young teens or tweens, but I would definitely caution as the discussion of the author‘s sexual history is quite graphic.)

I enjoyed learning about this couple and the business they‘ve grown. They were open about mistakes made along the way and things they would do differently. I appreciated their position of gratitude and humility when sharing their successes.

The MC was banal and annoying - and a bit too forgetful to be believable. She reminded me of a person who goes thru life with the singular goal of looking cool and aloof (like eating ice cream with chopsticks in 90 degree weather while doing the electric slide to no music 🙄). Also, Why was the 8 yr old written as a 4 yr old? Was he raised with limited boundaries/discipline? Is it taboo to write a child character who isn‘t spoiled or ill-mannered?

Alright, let's call this what it is...Riley Moon is a duller version of Stephanie Plum; Emerson Knight is an awkward mix between Joe Morelli and Ranger; cousin Vernon is a lamer sidekick than Lula; and worst of all, no Grandma Mazur! Throw in a few more ridiculous characters and you get a much less enjoyable series than Stephanie Plum. That said, I will still read every book in the series hoping for more Plum-like lol moments 😂.

I liked how the story lines of the three main characters overlapped as well as the switch from past to present. Each character came with flaws (mainly deceit and selfishness) and I found it difficult to root for any of them. Overall the story was a bit underwhelming and flat. (Full disclosure, I just had to read some other reviews to remind me of the mystery reveal - and had totally forgotten this was based on a true story 😅.)

I went back and forth with this book. Jim's story broke my heart and also gave glimpses of hope in difficult situations. James' story frustrated me as his mother consistently failed her children by not taking responsibility for her actions and allowing others to control her. The author did a wonderful job pulling everything together at the end.

Major Pettigew is one of those abrasive characters who eventually becomes quite endeared to the reader due to the author's sharing of inner monologue. (The best example of this is Fredrik Backman's character, Britt-Marie.). Despite being frustrated with the selfishness and small-mindedness of some of the characters (I'm looking at you, Roger), I really enjoyed this book.

A beautiful story covering multiple generations of a Korean family living in Japan. I learned a lot about the region and tensions between these countries. I didn't enjoy the final 1/3 of the story as much. It seemed the author was just rushing to finish and didn't develop the characters of the youngest generation. However, it was definitely worth the investment in this 485 page novel!

This had SUCH potential, but the 1940s storyline with Charlie and her drama just ruined it! I wanted to read more about the development and workings of the female spy network - not a spoiled socialite's trysts and angsty search for a cousin who disappeared during WWII. I might have cared more had said cousin's character actually been developed...but this part of the story just fell flat. I will admit the 1915 storyline makes it worth the read.

This is NOT a book to read if you are in a hurry, or annoyed by minute details and descriptions. I enjoyed taking longer than usual with this book and am glad I didn't rush through the story. The author's descriptions and side stories made this novel come alive. I couldn't give it five ⭐️s based on the ridiculousness that was the main character's love interest - but other than that hiccup...I loved this book!

The follow up to _The Lace Reader_ and it was just 'meh' for me. It was another murder mystery with supernatural elements thrown in - but the end result was underwhelming.

This is another book that had a unique plot and kept my interest throughout - but ended with a 'meh'. The motivation of the villains was just not believable - or they were not portrayed as having passion enough to fuel the revealed motive. Either way, I did like the writing and will read more by this author.

A decent thriller with a sub-par wrap up. Pros: interesting plot; the story kept me guessing as to the actual villain. Cons: the actual villain was just not believable (for me); the main character had some parenting issues that drove me bonkers.

I really enjoyed this story! It was a light read with enough drama thrown in to keep it interesting & then wrapped up all neat and tidy. This is a perfect read after finishing a heavy or emotional book.

This was a fine series starter. I wouldn't say it was outstanding - but I am interested enough in the main character to continue this series over time. Myron Bolitar seems to have an interesting past which will hopefully be revealed in subsequent books.

I don't know how much of this book was fact and how much was fiction - but I really enjoyed this story. The main character is a strong woman who faces challenges (mostly) head on - with a little naïveté thrown in for good measure. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

Cute little story about friendships that develop between an eclectic bunch individuals during a gardening class (cue metaphor and symbolism). A tad too saccharine for me, but it was a fine break after reading an emotionally heavy book.

This story was interesting enough - and I cared about the characters. But at the end - it was just 'meh' for me.

Light reading, but very, VERY saccharine. Life in Sugarcreek is filled with struggles that always resolve with love and understanding (following the required period of MISunderstanding) - oh, and with cookies and pies and knitting. Retch.

The Dublin Murder Squad keeps me coming back for more - even though I'm underwhelmed every time! Here's the thing, an undercover officer never [REPEAT, NEVER] brings his/her actual ID when immersing...N E V E R!!! That is just moronic. Throw in potential evidence hidden from her handler and you have the legit worst UC who should be busted back down to traffic patrol. I'd like to say I'm done...but I've already checked out the next book 😳

This is a different type of novel from Backman. Please note there is a sexual assault involving teens for anyone sensitive to that subject matter. Unlike Backman's other novels, this one did not leave me with a warm and reflective feeling. Rather, I raged at many of the characters, encouraged a few of them, and hung my head in shame at others. A bittersweet journey indeed - this story will be with me for a long while.

Amos Decker is my favorite Baldacci character - and I will read every book ever written in this series. That being said, this was my least favorite of the series. I was interested enough to stick with it - but wanted more of Amos' special abilities to play a part in the resolution of the mystery.

This is one of those books I will remember as beautiful and engaging. A painting inspired this author to create a character I rooted for and hoped upon hope had a happy ending.

Based on real people and events, this is a wonderful novel set during WWII and the years following. We are introduced to three women: Caroline, an American socialite who volunteers her time to humanitarian efforts; Kasia, a Polish teen sent to Ravensbruck and subjected to brutal experiments; and Herta, a German doctor, loyal to Hitler, who carries out inhumane orders while ignoring personal and moral responsibility. Beautiful and heartbreaking.

I really liked this whole series! This is a short book that serves as a prequel to Every Day (#1) and Another Day (#2). The premise is unique (the main character wakes in a different body every day) and the writing is absolutely wonderful!!

The back story of the two main characters was interesting enough to keep me hooked until the end. However, there was a bit too much teenage angst along with far too many teens essentially raising themselves (a la One Tree Hill...which I ❤️ btw) for my literary liking.

A series of advice columns have been combined in this book with the purpose of providing a foundation for [the author's idea of] how best to respond to a variety of relationship struggles and concerns. Be warned - most of the book is the author talking about her own experiences as the basis for the advice given. That being said - it's worth sticking with it as much of the advice is sound.

I agree with another reviewer that this should be required reading for humans! This author gives practical suggestions for responding with compassion and grace when others are facing difficult circumstances. Well done ❤️.

An historical fiction story that bounces between two different time periods. The twist is the paranormal theme in solving the mystery. The characters of the past were interesting - not so much the one from the present.

This book was fine - the story kept me interested and the ending did bring about a mild twist. I would recommend the book - but wouldn't suggest it be put at the top of a TBR list.

This book just *barely* kept my interest. The main character is one of those gals who needs to dial back the drama, trust her instincts and STOP making moronic choices.