Reviews

Show, Don’t Tell is a sharp, insightful collection of short stories that explore ambition, privilege, and identity told from a middle-aged Midwestern woman’s day in the life perspective. Each story offers a compelling glimpse into the complexities of relationships, creativity, and power dynamics. While some themes feel a bit contrived, the collection as a whole is engaging and thought-provoking. 

This short story collection looks at how people evolve over time, especially women. Each story dives into a turning point in someone's life, how they got there, and how it impacts them. Overall, I liked most of the stories. I loved the realistic look at middle aged women and connected with the flawed characters.   

My main complaint, usually with short stories in general, is that there is not enough character development. Sittenfeld does not have that issue, as her characters are fully developed and allow you to connect with them even in such a short amount of time. 

I highly recommend listening to the eAudiobook as seven narrators, including the author, do a fabulous job creating a harmonious listening experience. One of my favorite reads of 2025!   

Variation a compelling tale of second chances set against the backdrop of professional ballet and maritime rescue operations. Elite ballerina Alessandra Rousseau returns to Haven Cove to recover from a career-threatening injury. Her unexpected reunion with Hudson Ellis, a Coast Guard rescue swimmer and her former best friend, resurfaces buried memories and unresolved feelings. When Hudson’s niece, Juniper, appears seeking her birth mother, the plot intertwines personal history with family secrets, creating a narrative as intricate as a ballet variation. 

This is a romance that spans time and delves deep into the worlds of ballet and the Coast Guard rescue swimmers. The intricate facets of family and competition make this story compelling and rememberable. Rebecca Yarros is an expert at building up tension throughout the story and hinting about what happened in the past that leaves you fraught for answers as to what really happened to get the characters to their present point. 

If you enjoy a story that blends romance, family drama, and professional intrigue then this one is for you.  

Still reeling in the wake of her divorce, Phoebe takes a trip to The Cromwell- a coastal hotel in the Northeast that’s always been one of her bucket list destinations. Unlike the typical hotel guest, Phoebe doesn’t have strolls along the shoreline in mind, rather, she has come to the hotel for a much more morbid reason. When she arrives at The Cromwell, it is to find that the venue has been bought out for a wedding. Phoebe is determined to accomplish what she came for, but perhaps the bride has other plans for her. 

The Wedding People explores a myriad of themes, but at its core, it is a novel about friendship and loneliness. Phoebe and Lila, despite their differences, are united by a shared sense of disillusionment. Both women are grappling with the expectations placed on them by society, and their unlikely friendship becomes a lifeline in a world that feels increasingly alien. Espach deftly explores the idea that even in the midst of a crowd, one can feel utterly alone. It’s about what happens when you reach middle age and realize that life hasn’t gone according to plan. The novel’s conclusion is bittersweet. There are no easy answers, no neatly tied-up endings. Instead, Espach leaves us with a sense of hope, tempered by the knowledge that life is messy and unpredictable. 

If you like stories that are both entertaining and thought-provoking, filled with memorable characters and sharp observations about life this one’s for you. 

Coco Mellors’ Blue Sisters is a beautifully written novel that digs into the complexities of sisterhood and personal identity. Three highly dysfunctional estranged sisters—Avery, Bonnie, and Lucky—return to their New York family home a year after the unexpected loss of their beloved sister, Nicky. This story dives deep into the messiness of what happens when life doesn't turn out the way anyone expects. 

The story takes you on a raw, emotional journey, making you feel deeply connected to the character's struggles and growth. It explores how family can be both a source of strength and stress, especially when grappling with the pursuit of individual happiness. 

Having a sister of my own, I could relate to the complexities of sibling relationships and how important it is to resolve past issues and not let them fester. There are many topics this book delves into including endometriosis, addiction and estranged families.  Even though the story is an emotionally, heavy read with deep topics, I found it beautifully written and ultimately hopeful. My only complaint is that the chapters were excessively long which made it drag a little at times. If you liked Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano or dysfunctional family stories, you would enjoy Blue Sisters. 

This debut novel by Ellie Palmer is well worth reading! I appreciated Ellie's vulnerability and sharing of her own personal experience as a post-double-mastectomy BRCA 1 carrier through Allison's story. The whole premise was so unique and handled with so much care. 

When Alison arrives at her ex-boyfriend’s funeral, she is surprised to learn that he never told his parents they broke up and reluctantly takes on the role of grieving girlfriend during the funeral, which spirals into her agreeing to help Sam's best friend, Adam, pack up his condo. The overall story is about finding yourself and finding love while grieving the life you thought you should or would have had. 

I found it thoughtful in its consideration of who we allow ourselves to be, survivor guilt, and honoring memories after loss. The banter was funny, and the closed-door romance was genuine.  I read lots of Romance and Chick Lit and yet I found Four Weekends and a Funeral really refreshing and truly unique.  

I didn't realize how much I needed to be reunited with these characters and that I missed them so much. If you somehow haven’t read The Guncle by Steven Rowley yet, first off put it at the top of your TBR list pronto. Secondly, they need to be read in order to understand the characters' dynamics and backstory. Patrick does not disappoint in this sequel with his witty and sarcastic humor. Maisie and Grant are now five years older than they were in the first book and Patrick needs to teach them “the Guncle’s love language” since they are struggling to accept their father's impending nuptials. Patrick has a rivalry with the kid’s new Launt and it showcases Patrick at his petty best. The setting takes you on a journey through Europe as Patrick and the kids do their own jaunt before settling in Italy for Greg’s wedding. I was just as charmed with this one as I was with the first book, the characters are entertaining and endearing, the plot was heartfelt, and the entire thing was humorous but touching from start to finish. Full of humor, love and teenage angst, The Guncle Abroad is a must read for 2024. 

Darling Girls is about three foster sisters, Jessica, Norah, and Alicia who spent a few years together in the foster home called Wild Meadows run by Miss Fairchild, who was anything but fair to children. The sisters are forced to relive their trauma as old human remains have been found under the foster home twenty-five years later. The three women have to confront their past, their fears, and their trauma, as they find themselves both witnesses and suspects in the new investigation. There were some serious topics in the story, like child abuse, mental illness and the dysfunction of the foster care system. Hepworth gave the three sisters very distinct, unique personalities and each handled their trauma differently. Overall, the story is fast-paced, with a few twists and characters that will have you investing in either their triumph or their demise. As typical with all Sally Hepworth books, the twist at the end leaves you shocked and fully satisfied. I'd recommend this book to those who love an exhilarating read from multiple POVs and timelines. It had elements of another book I enjoyed, The Push by Ashley Audrain.  Put this one on your summer reading list!

Expiration Dates had one of the most original and fun concepts I've read for a romance/women’s fiction. 

Daphne Bell believes the universe has a plan for her. Every time she meets a new man, she receives a slip of paper with his name and a number on it—the exact amount of time they will be together. The papers told her she’d spend three days with Martin in Paris; five weeks with Noah in San Francisco; and three months with Hugo, her ex-boyfriend turned best friend. Daphne has been receiving the numbered papers for over twenty years, always wondering when there might be one without an expiration. Finally, the night of a blind date at her favorite Los Angeles restaurant, there’s only a Jake. 
 
But as Jake and Daphne’s story unfolds, Daphne finds herself doubting the paper’s prediction, and wrestling with what it means to be both committed and truthful. Because Daphne knows things Jake doesn’t, information that—if he found out—would break his heart.  

As usual in a Rebecca Serle novel, I found myself loving the main character, despite her flaws, and cheering for her to the end. While there were a few predictable outcomes, I truly enjoyed this novel and found the magical realism an interesting element to the story. A perfect pick to kick your summer off!

Avery Cunningham’s debut novel The Mayor of Maxwell Street gives a fascinating look into Prohibition-era Chicago. Penelope “Nelly” Sawyer, the daughter of a wealthy horse breeder from Kentucky, is making her debut in Black society in the summer of 1921. An aspiring journalist, Nelly learns about the elusive Mayor of Maxwell Street, a powerful man who controls Chicago’s underground crime scene. Aided by Jay Shorey, a biracial man passing as white, Nelly becomes entangled in a flurry of criminal activity that threatens her life and the lives of her family and friends.

Against a backdrop of speakeasies, lavish parties, and a multi-cultural night market, the novel explores the effects of Jim Crow laws, class differences in Chicago, and women’s struggles in the 1920s. Along with the narrative are rich details of Art Deco, Chicago historic landmarks, Roaring Twenties fashion, and expensive cars.

While some of the plot points are unrealistic, the overall story was compelling, and I was invested in the ending. I recommend this glamorous story to anyone who enjoys a love story, a riveting historical drama, and a brilliant exploration of Black society and perseverance in a memorable time in history.

A Winter in New York by Josie Silver follows Iris as she embarks on her new life in New York, carrying the grief of losing her mom and the trauma of a bad relationship back in London. Iris brings with her the gelato recipe from her mom that has been a source of comfort throughout her life. When she stumbles upon a familiar door that she recognizes from her mom’s photo album she meets Gio Belloti, and they embark on a star-crossed journey of love, loss, secrets, and family togetherness.

The story follows two timelines - one of Iris in the present day, her struggles, love interest, finding out more about her mom who passed a few years ago, and a secret she feels she needs to keep from Gio. The other is of Iris’ mom life in New York… and how Iris came to be.

I loved that this book had more depth than a typical rom-com and dealt with some heavier themes. Although I found the main conflict not such a conflict at all in my mind, I chose to willingly accept it as such and just enjoy the story. This is a wholesome read, focused on family, love, loss, and finding yourself.

The audiobook version of this was delightful with the British accent. I recommend this one as a cozy winter read!