Reviews

"Don't you ever wish your problems would take care of themselves?"

Be careful what you wish for!  In Lisa Unger’s newest psychological suspense novel, Confessions on the 7:45 this wish takes on a deadly turn.

Selena Murphy realizes her husband Graham is cheating yet again, this time with the nanny Geneva. One evening on the 7:45 train home from work she unburdens her problems to a stranger who reciprocates. This stranger is Martha. A day later, Geneva disappears and Selena’s life gradually implodes.

Told from multiple narratives, primarily those of Selena, Anne, and Pearl, this story is cleverly woven into a very compelling tale...one I wasn't entirely able to predict, which is how I like my suspense stories.

I actually listened to the story on eAudiobook. The narrator was captivating as she was able to pull me into the story and immerse me into the drama unfolding. I highly recommend this book for all psychological suspense fans.

Fiona Davis is one of my favorite go-to authors of historical fiction.  She does not disappoint with her newest book, The Lions of Fifth Avenue.  As someone who works in a library and loves to visit libraries whenever I travel, I loved the setting of the New York Public Library.  The dual perspectives of Laura and Sadie, as well as the dual timelines made the reading experience feel fast-paced and weaved a bigger picture into a historical event. Davis did an amazing job of keeping the story moving with an interesting mystery, while also touching on more serious topics such as women's rights and sexism in the workplace. I will definitely be recommending this one and consider it for a future book discussion at our library.

This writing duo Christina Lauren hit it out of the park again.  I love all of their books and this one does not disappoint.  In a Holidaze is sure to be the perfect holiday read for 2020.  Everything from the cozy winter setting to the family dynamics made this a must read.  Maelyn was a flawed relatable character who was in love with her childhood family friend, Andrew, and stuck in a Groundhog Day scenario. The supporting character were quirky and added a ton of depth to the story.  I especially loved Uncle Bennie!  Chaos, laughter and little romance is the perfect mix for this crazy 2020 holiday season.

I love a book with good banter, and Romeantically Challenged by Marina Adair does not disappoint. The two main characters, Annie and Emmit, are strong yet flawed and have a realistic chemistry. Even though the story will have you laughing, it also has depth and brings up many real life hardships, such as adoption, grief, and mixed families.  My favorite part was the three dads raising a teenage girl. Sometimes it takes a village! I cannot wait for Levi and Beckett’s story in the next book, Hopeless Romeantic of the When in Room series. I highly recommend this book to all Contemporary Romance fans.

I was lucky enough to read a digital ARC provided from the publisher of Katherine Center's new book, What You Wish For. Though this might not be my favorite Katherine Center book, it still was a pleasant read.  It has some good messages that resonate during a contentious time. Life never is predictable and often filled with turmoil, so it is imperative to find joy wherever you can. There are several extremely important issues such as school shootings,epilepsy, abandonment, and grief that are truly heart wrenching, yet relatable. School librarian, Samantha Casey and principal, Duncan Carpenter, are both struggling with their past yet dealing with their issues in polar opposite ways. Their relationship slowly builds throughout the story and at times is awkward. The Kempner School is unlike any school I've ever experienced and yet wish that I can visit.

I would recommend this book to those who want a story that probes human nature, that’s honest about how people really are, and acknowledges their shortcomings. With Katherine Center books she always shares an essential life lesson and a feeling of hope in her stories. We should all “choose joy”.

I love rom-coms and Winfrey does a fabulous job creating a story that will leave you feeling hopeful and with a satisfied smile. This is pure escapism in a time where humor and beating the odds are much needed.  This story is a wonderful follow up to Winfrey's book Waiting for Tom Hanks.  We get a glimpse into past character's lives and build on both Nick and Chloe's unusual relationship. These flawed characters are relatable and their banter is grin-worthy. The supporting characters are funny and add depth to the story while touching on the agonizing reality of Alzheimer's.  The story drives home that even when we are at our most genuine dysfunctional selves, it’s possible for us to be loved for who we truly are.  

Oona Out of Order by Margarita Montimore is an utterly charming and surprising book. I expected a quick, easy chick-lit/women’s fiction book and ended with exactly that but also some valuable messages about life and how to live it.

Beginning when she’s nineteen years old, every year at the stroke of midnight on her birthday, Oona travels through time, only to land in the body of her older or younger self. She starts each year not knowing where she is in time (and often, in space), yet she must live that year until her next birthday when the whole process will start all over again.

Each year, Oona would find herself at an older age, always in the future, yet moving forwards and backwards. The insight she garnered through these generation gaps was insightful and often hysterical. Each decade brought its own hair styles, fads, bands and of course, information about the stock market. The book starts in 1982, so after Oona’s first jump to the age of 51, several decades later, she has absolutely no clue about the internet, a tablet or a laptop. It’s quite comical when she goes back in time and suddenly has to live without those luxuries.

Oona starts the book with a serious boyfriend, her one true love. Her mind is torn on whether she should stay with him and their band or go to London to study economics. This decision is what seemingly prompts her time warp. If you’re looking for a light humorous read that will make you think about the importance of every day because you’ll never get that day back, then you’ll really enjoy Oona Out of Order. Happy reading!

Mother vs Daughter

Crazy vs Insane

Darling Rose Gold by Stephanie Wrobel is a “ripped from the headlines” debut that explores a mother-daughter relationship that has gone very wrong. The story chronicles the aftermath of a fascinating (and disturbing) syndrome Munchausen by proxy.

Darling Rose Gold has all the trimmings of a great domestic thriller.

This is a must read for fans of Hulu’s The Act or the books Sharp Objects and My Lovely Wife. Make sure you put this one on your quarantine TBR list. Available as an ebook or eaudiobook on Cloud Library.

You Were There Too, by Colleen Oakley is a masterfully composed novel that included a heart-pounding ending with flawless precision. 

Mia loves her husband Harrison. However, she has recurring dreams of another man...one that she has never met.

Until, one day, when she comes face to face with the stranger in her dreams and discovers that his name is Oliver, and more importantly, he has been dreaming about her too.

How can this be? What does this mean? Why have they finally met?

I am not a strong believer of psychic premonitions or interpretation of dreams, but the joy of a well-written novel allows me to suspend disbelief and enables the story to takes me beyond my beliefs.

This engrossing story is a reflection on marriage, grief and fate.  Do not expect a seamlessly arranged ending tied up with a bow. This original and very moving novel should be on your must-read list.

Every winter I engross myself in the joys of the Hallmark channel Christmas movie lineup.  Reading Karen Schaler's Finding Christmas was a little like falling into a Hallmark movie. It follows the adventures of Emmie, as she attempts to bring some festive cheer to her overworked boyfriend’s life and show him how wonderful the season really is — however, things don’t go according to plan. Her holiday-themed scavenger hunt accidentally ends up in the hands of Sam, an author struggling to write his next book after the death of his sister, and that is where the fun begins.

Like every Hallmark Christmas movie, you can count on a lasting feeling of hope and happiness at the end of the story.  If you are looking to get into the holiday mood and want a quick, feel good read, this is the book for you. Finding Christmas is a perfect holiday read -- just settle in with a cup of cocoa and prepare to for some yuletide merriment!