Synopsis (from Goodreads):

A deeply atmospheric story about ancestral magic, an unsolved murder, and a second chance at true love.

Emery Blackwood’s life changed forever the night her best friend was found dead and the love of her life, August Salt, was accused of murdering her. Years later, she is doing what her teenage self swore she never would: living a quiet existence on the misty, remote shores of Saoirse Island and running the family’s business, Blackwood’s Tea Shoppe Herbal Tonics & Tea Leaf Readings.

But when the island, rooted in folklore and magic, begins to show signs of strange happenings, Emery knows that something is coming. The morning she wakes to find that every single tree on Saoirse has turned color in a single night, August returns for the first time in fourteen years and unearths the past that the town has tried desperately to forget.

August knows he is not welcome on Saiorse, not after the night everything changed. As a fire raged on at the Salt family orchard, Lily Morgan was found dead in the dark woods, shaking the bedrock of their tight-knit community and branding August a murderer. When he returns to bury his mother’s ashes, he must confront the people who turned their backs on him and face the one wound from his past that has never healed—Emery.

The town has more than one reason to want August gone, and the emergence of deep betrayals and hidden promises spanning generations threaten to reveal the truth behind Lily’s mysterious death once and for all. 

Review:

If you have read my other reviews, you would know that I am a fan of books about small towns.  They usually have a mix of different characters, and everybody knows each other's business.  But those books are usually heartwarming sagas of small town life,  Spells for Forgetting, by Adrienne Young, does have those elements, but with a distinctly sinister twist.  And there's actually very little magic in the novel.  Except for a surprising plot twist, it really was irrelevant to the story. 

Having said that, this is a tale of generations of grudges and misdeeds coming to roost.  As we get to know each character, we learn their backstory.  Slowly, the pieces come together so that we can understand why things are happening.  It would be almost worth it to read it once, and then read it again knowing all the information.  This is an atmospheric mystery that is perfect to read in the Fall, as the temperature drops, and we want to cozy up with an engaging book.  I loved it.

What I liked:

Atmosphere:

The story is set on a small island off the coast of Oregon, where the locals are completely dependent on tourism to survive.  Ferries take mainlanders to the picturesque island to pick apples, drink cider, and take in the quant little village shops.  Everyone is all smiles when the tourists are around.  But once they leave, the townspeople are full of people with various personalities.  Some are easy-going hippie types, while other are resentful of the town's reliance on outsiders to provide income.  There is also a undercurrent of magic in the woods.  Trees turn to autumn colors not gradually, but overnight.  The ever-present fog insulates (and also traps) people in their homes.  The message is, "Don't go out at night"!

Characters:

The two main characters, August and Emily have a love story for the ages.  August left the town as a teenager, when he was accused of killing one of his friends.  He denies it.  But there's a lot of evidence that points to him.  Emily was his girlfriend at the time, and she was devastated by him and his mother leaving without so much as a note.  When August returns, so many feelings arise between the two.  Each is trying to figure out if the other has feelings for them.  It's obvious that they still love each other.  But will that be enough to erase the hurt that was caused?

There are many supporting characters who add depth to the story.  It seems that each generation has a cohort of BFF's who's friendships really do last forever.  August, Emily, and Lily all had mothers who were best friends.  And all their grandmothers were besties, as well.  This leads to generations of strong ties, and stronger resentments. 

Story:

This essentially the story of the old adage, "You can go Home again".  But, in August's case, he shouldn't go back because everyone thinks he murdered his  friend!  But, he is determined to bury his mother's ashes, settle her affairs, and then leave.  But, there is a lot to settle, especially with the girl August left behind. This is also a story of second chances, and redemption.   Will the people of the town every trust him?  Can he ever explain what happened to Emily? Maybe the only way to do this is to figure out who actually killed Lily.  But that leads to other secrets being revealed that could destroy the town.

I loved this story for the many layers in it.  There's the initial mystery of who killed Lily.  But there's also domestic abuse, and people who looked the other way.  There's town resentment and greed.  And there's a hint of magic.  It's a delight to unravel this web.

Trigger Warning for domestic abuse and child abuse!

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Release Date:  October 8th, 2022

Author:  Adrienne Young

Publisher:  Delacorte

Genre:  Magical Realism

Page Length:  352 Pages

Format:  E-Book

Source: NetGalley

Recommendation:  This is a moody look at small town life, with a little bit of magic thrown in.  I enjoyed the characters and the atmosphere of this island.  I think this will be a great read in the Autumn.

Please Note:  I received an advance copy of this novel from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

With her trademark spare, crystalline prose--a voice infused with "intimate, fragile, desperate humanness" (The Washington Post)--Elizabeth Strout turns her exquisitely tuned eye to the inner workings of the human heart, following the indomitable heroine of My Name Is Lucy Barton through the early days of the pandemic.

As a panicked world goes into lockdown, Lucy Barton is uprooted from her life in Manhattan and bundled away to a small town in Maine by her ex-husband and on-again, off-again friend, William. For the next several months, it's just Lucy, William, and their complex past together in a little house nestled against the moody, swirling sea.

Rich with empathy and emotion, Lucy by the Sea vividly captures the fear and struggles that come with isolation, as well as the hope, peace, and possibilities that those long, quiet days can inspire. At the heart of this story are the deep human connections that unite us even when we're apart--the pain of a beloved daughter's suffering, the emptiness that comes from the death of a loved one, the promise of a new friendship, and the comfort of an old, enduring love.

Review:

This series, starting with the novel, My Name is Lucy Barton, centers around a woman who comes from abject poverty and abuse, into a world as different to her upbringing as possible.  By attending college, she is thrown into a life of literature, science, and a culture she cannot fathom.  Though successful in many ways, Lucy has always been an outsider.  She's too removed from her siblings to get along well with them.  But she also never quite connects with her children, and the men in her life, who cannot understand just how haunted she is by her childhood.

This novel, Lucy By The Sea, continues her journey, as she reacts to the turmoil of the COVID pandemic.  This feels like the closing of the series, as Lucy deals with the death of her second husband David, and finds a different way to relate to her first husband, William.  There's also much more about Lucy's two daughters, as well.  

It's strange to think that we are at a point, already, where we can begin to reflect on that time that was just a few years ago.  But, the book brings all the events back, from the uncertainty of what the virus was, to the abrupt lockdowns and social distancing, and to the social unrest that follows.  But, we also see Lucy able to have great empathy to people with completely different reactions to the pandemic.  I loved that Lucy was the one who was able to be the bridge between various groups.  Her diverse life experiences lead her to connect in ways most people could not.  

This is a very special book.  I dearly loved the characters, the relationships, and most of all, Lucy's reflections.  I hope you love it as much as I did.

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Release Date: September 20th, 2022

Author:  Elizabeth Strout

Publisher:  Random House

Genre:  Literary Fiction

Page Length:  304 Pages

Source: NetGalley

Format:  E-Book

Recommendation:  This book is a wonderful tail-end to a moving series.  The characters of Lucy and William are full of life experiences that make this a rich and wonderful novel.  Please read the three proceeding novels to really get the complete effect of how these characters change over time.  It is a lovely book and I highly recommend it.

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

The sleepy little farm that Laurel Early grew up on has awakened. The woods are shifting, the soil is dead under her hands, and her bone pile just stood up and walked away.

After dropping out of college, all she wanted was to resume her life as a tobacco hand and taxidermist and try not to think about the boy she can’t help but love. Instead, a devil from her past has returned to court her, as he did her late mother years earlier. Now, Laurel must unravel her mother’s terrifying legacy and tap into her own innate magic before her future and the fate of everyone she loves is doomed. 

Review:

Wake The Bones, by Elizabeth Kilcoyne is the perfect book for a late summer, or autumn read.  It has a moody atmosphere, young characters at a crossroads, and creepy supernatural elements.  I loved the small town element, and young people just out of high school trying to find their way.  The title refers to Laurel's ability to sense the final moments of an animal from touching their bones.  But the title seems to go deeper than that.  I took it to mean finding your place in the legacy of your family and community.  Laurel and her friends are all in that moment when you decide where you want to (or need to) go with your life.  For Laurel, it means dealing with the death of her mother, and her (possibly being a witch).  For Isaac, it means fleeing a dangerous home situation.  And for brothers Ricky and Garrett (who love Laurel and Isaac, respectfully), it means deciding what your willing to do for love.

This was a beautiful book with supernatural elements, and a "big bad" coming for the group.  This could represent many things, and I loved that one could interpret this in a variety of ways.  If you love horror and YA, you will really enjoy this book.

What I Liked:

Moody Atmosphere:

This small farming community in Ohio is one I have never experienced in real life.  The people, young and old, work hard.  They are up at dawn and doing manual labor like fixing fences, and picking weeds.  It's backbreaking work, but Laurel and her friends are in it together, so they still manage to have a few laughs.

But, there is an underlying current of doom.  The land is not as fertile as it once was.  And Laurel has an unusual hobby.  She is a taxidermist.  She scours the land for the remains of animals who have died and brings them to life as still life sculptures.  It's her way of connecting to the land.

Lauren also lost her mother when she was a small child.  Did her mother kill herself?  Or did she die trying to protect Laurel from an unspeakable Evil?  Will the bones reveal the secrets of the land?  Is her mother a ghost?  Who, or what is the Evil thing that may be trying to kill Laurel?

via GIPHY

Diversity of Paths:

I liked that even though the main character, Laurel, drops out of college, her life is not over.  For many people, college is just not for them.  There was some sadness that she has to start over to find the right path.  But Laurel always knows that her farm is where she wants to be.  There is no real struggle to leave, which I found to be refreshing.  One can make a life, a good life, anywhere.  And some people feel a strong connection to where they grew up.  So many times in YA, the characters can't wait to leave their small town.  And some of these characters do feel that way (with good reason). But I really liked that the author presented a counterpoint.

Characters:

Laurel is still trying to understand her mother's death.  This legacy comes with a heavy burden.  her uncle has raised her, and she feels a deep obligation to help out at the farm.  She also knows that her uncle is grieving too.  So she feels like she can't talk to him honestly about her mom.  This is hard for Laurel.  She really has no one she can really talk to about all of this.  

Laurel's friends will break your heart.  She has three male friends who are also trying to figure out their life paths.  Brothers Garret and Ricky are hometown boys all the way.  They like where they live and have no desire to leave.  But Garret is secretly in love with Laurel's other friend, Isaac. Garret and Isaac both want to be together, but how can they do that in a homophobic town?  Isaac is sick of living in the shadows, so he desperately wants to leave to a larger city.  Also, as his father is an abusive alcoholic, Isaac really needs to leave if he wants to keep himself safe.  These are Laurel's "ride or die" friends.  They believe Laurel when she tell them something evil is on the way.  Even with all their tensions, they are always there for each other.

Story:

This story is one of growing into an adult, but also of dealing with the baggage of one's family, all with the backdrop of a supernatural suspense thriller.  The group keeps finding grizzly dead animals around the farm.  Is someone (or something) trying to mess with Laurel?  Was her mother an actual witch?  Could Laurel be, as well?  There is evil all around, but also there is the earth, the natural healer.  I loved that Laurel and her friends are so in tune with the land that they can sense something bad is coming.  When it does arrive, it takes all of them to drive it away.  There will be a cost, but not one I saw coming.

Trigger Warning for domestic violence & suicide

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Release Date:  July 12th, 2022

Author: Elizabeth Kilcoyne

Publisher: Wednesday Books

Genre: YA Contemporary Horror

Page Length: 320 Pages

Source: NetGalley

Format:  E-Book

Recommendation: This was a moody, scary read.  I loved it.  If you enjoy horror, you will love this book.

Please Note:  I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

“You are the next step in human evolution.”

At first, Logan Ramsay isn’t sure if anything’s different. He just feels a little . . . sharper. Better able to concentrate. Better at multitasking. Reading a bit faster, memorizing better, needing less sleep.

But before long, he can’t deny it: Something’s happening to his brain. To his body. He’s starting to see the world, and those around him—even those he loves most—in whole new ways.

The truth is, Logan’s genome has been hacked. And there’s a reason he’s been targeted for this upgrade. A reason that goes back decades to the darkest part of his past, and a horrific family legacy.

Worse still, what’s happening to him is just the first step in a much larger plan, one that will inflict the same changes on humanity at large—at a terrifying cost.

Because of his new abilities, Logan’s the one person in the world capable of stopping what’s been set in motion. But to have a chance at winning this war, he’ll have to become something other than himself. Maybe even something other than human.

And even as he’s fighting, he can’t help wondering: what if humanity’s only hope for a future really does lie in engineering our own evolution?

Intimate in scale yet epic in scope, Upgrade is an intricately plotted, lightning-fast tale that charts one man’s thrilling transformation, even as it asks us to ponder the limits of our humanity—and our boundless potential.

Review:

Upgrade, by Blake Crouch, was a fun, fast-past thriller.  In a world where it's become easy to alter your DNA, doing so is illegal, and for good reason.  Logan's own mother was the architect of a scheme to alter DNA to help increase food production, but it had world-wide disastrous results.  Now, to alleviate his guilt, he has become part of a special law-enforcement unit to catch people changing DNA.  This could be done for profit (there's a market for genetically enhanced animals), or for terrorism.  Either way, it's almost impossible to put that genie back in the box. 

How do you get past the baggage of your family?  And what are you willing to give up in order to save the world?  I really enjoyed this book, and could easily see this as a highly entertaining movie.  If you enjoy thrillers and speculative fiction, you are in for a treat.

What I Liked:

Set-Up:

Logan lives in a world where scientists (specifically, his own mother) have tried, and failed, to use DNA splicing to fiddle with Nature.  Changing DNA has become easy, and many people would love to use the technology to do anything from create enormous alligators, to obtain super human abilities.  I loved all the science, gadgets, and back-channel government organizations.  This is a world where one should be paranoid!

Characters: 

Logan has tremendous guilt over his part in starting a global disaster.  He blindly followed his charismatic mother, a scientific genius, as she tried to play god.  Now, after doing prison time for the incident, he is doing what he can to mitigate the damage he has done.  But it will never be enough. 

Logan is the ultimate people-pleaser.  First, he worships his brilliant mother, seeing (too late) that she is an egomaniac.  He also can't match his sister, who is a badass military officer.  He is constantly trying to be someone he isn't.  He even does this to his wife and child.  The guilt is killing him.  I loved that Logan didn't have all the answers.  He is the sidekick who tries, and fails to become the hero.  But, in doing so, he has the one thing his mother and sister don't, a moral compass.  

Story:

There's a lot of twists and turns in this story, which I loved.  You often don't know who the good guys are?  And I don't think the "good guys" really understand if they are doing anything wrong.  It's that old adage of the ends justify the means.  Which never really absolve one of accountability.  If you have to use that excuse, you've already lost the argument.  

This was  a quick and absorbing read, and would make a perfect summer vacation escape. 

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Release Date:  July 12th, 2022

Author:  Blake Crouch

Publisher:  Ballantine Books

Genre:  Speculative Fiction

Page Length:  352 Pages

Source:  NetGalley

Format:  E-Book

Recommendation:  This was a really fun thriller filled with science, genetics, and family ghosts.  If your in the mood for some escapism, you will love this book.

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

The secret is hidden within a collection of Dior dresses...

London, 2017. There's no one Lucille adores more than her grandmother. So when her beloved Granny Sylvie asks for Lucille's assistance with a small matter, she's happy to help. The next thing she knows, Lucille is on a train to Paris, tasked with retrieving a priceless Dior dress. But not everything is as it seems, and what Lucille finds in a small Parisian apartment will have her scouring the city for answers to a question that could change her entire life.

Paris, 1952. Postwar France is full of glamour and privilege, and Alice Ainsley is in the middle of it all. As the wife to the British ambassador to France, Alice's job is to see and be seen--even if that wasn't quite what she signed up for. Her husband showers her with jewels, banquets, and couture Dior dresses, but his affection has become distressingly elusive. As the strain on her marriage grows, Alice's only comfort is her bond with her trusted lady's maid, Marianne. But when a new face appears in her drawing room, Alice finds herself yearning to follow her heart...no matter the consequences.

The City of Light comes alive in this lush, evocative tale that explores the ties that bind us together, the truths we hold that make us who we are, and the true meaning of what makes someone family.

Review:

Historical fiction is my favorite genre.  I love all the details of other eras, particularly of the clothes.  That's why I was so keen to read The Last Dress From Paris, by Jade Beer.  The story follows the wife of a British ambassador in Paris in the early 1950's.  I loved all the descriptions of that world, with the details of how each diplomatic event was planned, and the high fashion that needed to accompany it.  The story of the crumbling marriage of the ambassador and his wife, and the young man who gets in the middle of it was not very compelling.  Considering the young wife's life leading to that point it didn't make a lot of sense for her to risk everything.  With an ending that was surprisingly realistic, and not romantic in the least, I was not satisfied with the book.  This would make for a solid library read, but I wouldn't recommend buying it.

What I Liked: 

Setting/Details:

I'll never know what it's like to live in high society, or be a young bride in the 1950's, but the author's depiction of these things puts me in the center of it.  Living in Paris as the wife of an ambassador was full of social obligations to plan beautiful parties and receptions, and dress in the latest fashion.  I was particularly struck by how Alice had to weigh all her choices, right down to her choice in flowers, against any political implications.  She couldn't be seen as only favoring British things, or she would be insulting her French hosts.  But she also needed to make sure British influences were represented, as she and her husband were an extension of England.  It was a tightrope of balancing two opposing forces.

Fashion:

Alice reveled in her role as an ambassador's wife, and really loved that she had access to couture apparel by designers such as Dior.  As her husband was an ambassador, no expense was spared to dress Alice in the most exquisite gowns.  I loved the descriptions of the clothes, and how they were made.  These works of art were made to actually be worn, so the construction of each piece had many features to aid in the comfort of the woman who wore it.  We also get a glimpse behind the scene as Alice, and later Lucille, learn about the mannequins (the women who modeled the clothing).  These were hard working women who not only modeled the clothes in the showroom, they also had to endure countless hours standing stock-still as the designer draped various fabrics on them to find the perfect materials for each design.

Story:

I really enjoyed the more modern story of Lucille as she tries to solve the mystery of the eight dresses that her grandmother owned.  She travels to Paris, thinking that she only is there to retrieve one dress, but then finds that there are actually eight dresses, two of which are missing.  How could Lucille's grandmother own any Dior dresses, let alone eight?  And why can't the grandmother just tell her the story?  While I felt that these were legitimate questions, I loved the scavenger hunt this put the character on.  It was fun to unravel the mystery.  And I loved the people she met along the way.

What I Was Mixed About:

Story:

While I enjoyed Lucille's story, I was less impressed with Alice's tale.  And that's a problem, as it is the basis for Lucille looking for the dresses in the first place.  I am not going to go into too much detail, as I hate spoilers.  But, much of the story didn't make sense to me.  Given that Alice was much younger than her husband (she was 25, while he was in his 40's), I can understand that she was restless.  But she seems totally stunned that her husband is all business when he becomes ambassador.  I felt that the author gave him a personality change in order to justify that Alice was unhappy.  But she was certainly happy to wear Dior every chance she got!  The risks Alice took to find happiness seemed reckless.  I don't think a woman in such a high profile social position would have jeopardized her entire world for a budding romance.

Ending:

Again, I do not want to spoil anything.  But I thought the ending was really strange.  It was surprisingly realistic, given how romantic the novel wanted to be.  I really wanted the ending to be a lot more hopeful.  What I did enjoy was the resolution of Lucilles story, and that the mystery of the dresses was solved.  

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Release Date: June 16th, 2022

Author:  Jade Beer

Publisher:  Berkley Books

Genre:  Historical Fiction

Page Length:  384 pages

Source:  NetGalley

Format: E-Book

Recommendation:  If you love the world of Paris fashion, you may be able to get past some of the flaws in the story.  This would be a library read for me.

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

Nora's life is about to get a rewrite...

Nora Hamilton knows the formula for love better than anyone. As a romance channel screenwriter, it's her job. But when her too-good-to work husband leaves her and their two kids, Nora turns her marriage's collapse into cash and writes the best script of her life. No one is more surprised than her when it's picked up for the big screen and set to film on location at her 100-year-old-home. When former Sexiest Man Alive, Leo Vance, is cast as her ne'er do well husband Nora's life will never be the same.

The morning after shooting wraps and the crew leaves, Nora finds Leo on her porch with a half-empty bottle of tequila and a proposition. He'll pay a thousand dollars a day to stay for a week. The extra seven grand would give Nora breathing room, but it's the need in his eyes that makes her say yes. Seven days: it's the blink of an eye or an eternity depending on how you look at it. Enough time to fall in love. Enough time to break your heart.

Filled with warmth, wit, and wisdom, Nora Goes Off Script is the best kind of love story--the real kind where love is complicated by work, kids, and the emotional baggage that comes with life. For Nora and Leo, this kind of love is bigger than the big screen.

Review:

Lately, I've read several romance novels.  I found Book Lovers, by Emily Henry, to be unrealistic with the characters having too much angst (I swear, in Book Lovers, every  decision (big or small) the main character made was fraught with haunting memories of the past.  It was just too much ).  And although I enjoyed The Treehouse on Dog River Road, the characters were annoyingly perfect.  I think I found the right balance of angst, fun, and romance with Nora Goes Off Script, by Annabel Monaghan.   There's the angst of Nora's divorce and it's effect on her kids.  There's the fun of Nora being a screenwriter and having a film crew at her home.  And the romance is swoon-worthy.  Could the hottest actor in Hollywood actually want to hang out with Nora in her very normal small town?  Is he interested in her, or just wants a break from his glamorous life?  

This was a really fun book to read.  I liked that everyone had their issues (even Nora's kids), but that they were all just people trying to get on with life.  There were many big moments, such as some of the characters winning awards, and small moments, like the kids participating in school plays and sports, that made this book both realistic, and super entertaining.  This would be a great summer read.

What I liked:

Settings: 

I enjoyed Nora's small town where everyone knows everyone else's business.  People know all about Nora's divorce from her husband Ben.  He was a dreamer who belittled Nora's writing talent, and wouldn't hold down a job.  And there was a mix of people who were supportive, pitying, and judgemental.  Nora is happy here with her kids, and the stunning sunrises that calm her each morning.

Other moments in the book take place in Hollywood.  I appreciated that this wasn't filled with too many cliches about fake people.  In fact, I would say that this was the opposite of that.  Nora meets some really big movie stars, and gets attention.  But she doesn't feel out of place.  She knows that this isn't something she can get used to, and just enjoys it for what it is.

Characters:

I really liked Nora and her family.  Nora felt like a whole person to me.  Yes, she falls in love with a movie star, and has her doubts about if this could turn into a long-term relationship.  But she never doubts her self-worth.  She had an ex-husband who constantly tried to undermine her, calling her writing cheesy. But, as she rightly points out, her writing has given her the ability to take care of herself and her kids. 

Since we're seeing Leo through Nora's lens, it's less clear what kind of person he is.  Is he a down-to-earth guy, or a narcissistic sociopath?   Their romance is sweet and doesn't seem too Insta-lovey to be real.  And he does seem to genuinely care about Nora and her kids.

Story:

This is about as formulaic as it gets, girl gets boy, girl loses boy girl gets him back.  But there's a reason that there are these roadmaps.  The stories work!  I liked that Nora and Leo actually have good conversations with each other as they fall in love.  And I really liked that Nora figures out a path forward when she loses him.  Their getting back together is a bit of a fantasy, but it was also really entertaining.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐  

Release Date:  June 7, 2022

Author:  Annabel Monaghan

Publisher:  G.P. Putnam's Sons

Genre:  Contemporary Romance

Page Length:  272 Pages

Source:  NetGalley

Format:  E-Book

Recommendation:  A fun, romantic summer book. You will love Nora and Leo!

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

When Sara Foster runs away from home at sixteen, she leaves behind not only the losses that have shattered her world but the girl she once was, capable of trust and intimacy. Years later, in Los Angeles, she is a sought-after bartender, renowned as much for her brilliant cocktails as for the mystery that clings to her. Across the city, Emilie Dubois is in a holding pattern. In her seventh year and fifth major as an undergraduate, she yearns for the beauty and community her Creole grandparents cultivated but is unable to commit. On a whim, she takes a job arranging flowers at the glamorous restaurant Yerba Buena and embarks on an affair with the married owner.

When Sara catches sight of Emilie one morning at Yerba Buena, their connection is immediate. But the damage both women carry, and the choices they have made, pulls them apart again and again. When Sara's old life catches up to her, upending everything she thought she wanted just as Emilie has finally gained her own sense of purpose, they must decide if their love is more powerful than their pasts.

At once exquisite and expansive, astonishing in its humanity and heart, Yerba Buena is a love story for our time and a propulsive journey through the lives of two women finding their way in the world. 

Review:

I am a great fan of author Nina LaCour, having read several of her novels for young adults.  Her books have a dreamlike quality as they focus mainly on young, gay teens.  The fact that they are gay is secondary to other issues that they might have, such as depression, and wavering self-confidence.  But all of them are about how the characters move from children to adults.  Although her newest book, Yerba Buena, is a novel for (and about) adults, many of the same themes continue.  

I was initially put off by the beginning of the novel due to the harsh reality of one of the characters.  I found it all rather depressing to read.  However, I stuck with it.  This is a book about getting past family baggage.  The characters have learned coping mechanisms that may have helped them as kids, but are doing them no favors as adults.  So what was at first very depressing, comes out hopeful. I became very invested in the characters of Sara and Emilie, and rooted for them to find happiness.  This is a wonderful book.  

Trigger Warning:

Be aware of some really disturbing scenes of sexual exploitation at the beginning of the story. 

What I Liked:

Characters:

Both Sara and Emilie have significant challenges in their lives.  Sara comes from a family where her father is involved in something illegal.  Coming from a small town in Northern California, Sara falls apart when someone important to her dies.  She can't cope, so runs away.  Solo life is filled with promise, but also hard choices.  She is constantly running from her past so she never puts down roots.

Emilie is part of a family where her sister's problems take center stage.  Because of this, she is a people pleaser.  She feels like if she doesn't make constant compromises, the people she loves tend to leave.  She needs to figure out how to get past this, or she will always be disappointed.  No one ever really can make her happy but herself.

Romance:

Sara and Emilie meet and are instantly attracted to each other.  But their timing is always lousy.  Either Sara or Emilie have family problems to face, or they are dating other people.  Their romance happens in starts and stops.  There are a lot of miscommunications that carry over months.  When they see each other again, they need to start fresh.  But they both know that there is a connection there that they need to explore.

Story:

I loved seeing Sara and Emilie grow as people over the course of the story.  Sara's journey is accepting the past and realizing that she can't save other people.  She is so afraid of going back home, that she misses out on being a part of her brother's life.  She also needs to take a step back and understand how much she has been able to accomplish in her life. 

Emilie can't seem to finish what she starts.  A perpetual student, she keeps changing majors.  By not making a commitment, she doesn't have to take responsibility for her choices.  The same issues occur when she starts dating a married man.  Even though it's exciting, her affair is just another way to hold off on making any real connections with people who she might have a future with. 

I liked how both Sara and Emilie had to confront their choices (and non-choices), in order for them to let go of their issues.

What I Was Mixed About:

I found the beginning of the Sara's story very confusing and creepy.  It was unclear to me why Sara's father acted the way he did (which could be completely my fault as a reader).  And I thought it was kind of out of left field when Sara gets abused by one of her father's friends.  Later in the story, everything makes a lot more sense, and perhaps that was deliberate on the author's part.   But it creeped me out that Sara could be so easily be put in a situation where she could be sex trafficked.   I suppose the author was also making a deliberate choice to show how vulnerable young people are.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Release Date: May 31, 2022

Author:  Nina LaCour

Publisher:  Flatiron Books

Genre:  Adult Contemporary

Page Length:  304 Pages

Source: NetGalley

Format:  E-Book

Recommendation:  Despite its harsh beginning, this is a book of hope and of navigating adulthood.  I loved it and highly recommend it.

Please Note:  I received an advance copy of this novel from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

The internationally bestselling author of The Jane Austen Society returns with a compelling and heartwarming story of post-war London, a century-old bookstore, and three women determined to find their way in a fast-changing world.

Bloomsbury Books is an old-fashioned new and rare book store that has persisted and resisted change for a hundred years, run by men and guided by the general manager's unbreakable fifty-one rules. But in 1950, the world is changing, especially the world of books and publishing, and at Bloomsbury Books, the girls in the shop have plans:

Vivien Lowry: Single since her aristocratic fiance was killed in action during World War II, the brilliant and stylish Vivien has a long list of grievances - most of them well justified and the biggest of which is Alec McDonough, the Head of Fiction.

Grace Perkins: Married with two sons, she's been working to support the family following her husband's breakdown in the aftermath of the war. Torn between duty to her family and dreams of her own.

Evie Stone: In the first class of female students from Cambridge permitted to earn a degree, Evie was denied an academic position in favor of her less accomplished male rival. Now she's working at Bloomsbury Books while she plans to remake her own future.

As they interact with various literary figures of the time - Daphne Du Maurier, Ellen Doubleday, Sonia Blair (widow of George Orwell), Samuel Beckett, Peggy Guggenheim, and others - these three women with their complex web of relationships, goals and dreams are all working to plot out a future that is richer and more rewarding than anything society will allow.

Review:

I really enjoyed Natalie Jenner's previous novel, The Jane Austin Society.  It was about the people in a small village in England, trying to save the home where the legendary author Jane Austin lived.  Now, Jenner's new novel, Bloomsbury Girls, focuses on some of the same characters, specifically young Evie Stone, living and trying for success in post-war London.  And even though Evie is in the big city, she still manages to surround herself with a group of fascinating people who all work at a struggling bookstore. 

The two other main female characters, Vivien and Grace are also struggling to find their place in the world.  They are both smart, capable and stifled by the societal norms of the times.  Women must always defer to the men in the shop (and in life), even though Vivien, Grace, and Evie, are much more capable than their male counterparts.  It's infuriating.  I loved that all three women work towards the same conclusion that they are worthy, and can take charge of their lives.

We also get to see other characters from The Jane Austin Society such as the famous American actress Mimi Henderson, and Sotheby's auctioneer Yardley Sinclair. There are also interactions with historical characters of the era such as Samuel Beckett.  This is really fun and add to the richness of the story.

With the London setting, themes of women emerging as a force in society, and the delightful characters Bloomsbury Girls is another winning historical novel from Natalie Jenner.  I highly recommend it.

What I Liked:

Setting:

In the years after WWII London was still a city trying to get back on it's feet.  There were food shortages, and people were under-employed.  As the novel begins, people are just starting to have extra money for items such as books.  So Bloomsbury Books should be doing well, but it isn't.  With dozens of rules created decades ago the business is still stuck in the past.  Many of the rules are good ones, such as the customer is always right, and the salespeople should give the customer space to browse without intrusion.  But other rules are ridiculous.  The rule for having events only be at night might seem fine.  But this leave housewives, who need to be home in the evenings to cook for their families, out of the mix.  There is an inherent bias towards discounting female novelists and customers that is really detrimental to book sales.  

Themes:

The storylines of the book all involve the theme of women being denied their due.  All three women are smart and capable.  But it's the insecurities of the men in the story that's the real issue.  These men are desperately trying to remain in control of day to day decisions at the business and (in the case of Grace's husband) in the home.  I felt that it was actually a manifestation of the trauma that they acquired during the war.  What is more emasculating than seeing people you love killed, and the cities you've known all your life destroyed by something you have no power to influence?  But the way they do this is by keeping females "in their place" rather than recognizing that women were the unsung heroes of the war.

Characters:

Vivien knows what books are worth stocking, but every time she suggest a female author she is shot down.  She also is in competition with her male co-worker Alex.  Both are aspiring authors and share an attraction to each other.  But Alex only sees her as an angry woman, not as a whole person.

Grace has a family at home, but is working at a job because her husband has injuries from serving in the War.  He resents this and cuts her down at every opportunity.  Grace feels tremendous guilt for this.  She has a hard time seeing how terrible her marriage is until she starts to spend time with the shop's owner, an Earl.  She never dreams that one of the aristocracy can see her as anything other than an employee.  But through their friendship, she can see that she and her children are being treated terribly by her husband.

Evie Stone, the young servant from the first book, is gifted intellectually, but doesn't understand the social cues that prevent her from getting more prominent jobs in academia.  Although she is one of the most qualified people in her field, she doesn't figure out (until it's too late) that a woman will not have the same opportunities as a man.  But she is determined to create her own opportunities.

Story:

The story follows the Vivien, Grace, and Evie as they find ways to break out of the mens control.  Vivien starts to find female mentors for her writing.  Grace begins to see her self-worth.  But it's Evie who has the long plan in the works.  She finds something while researching at Cambridge that could be of vast historical significance.  The book she's looking for may be at the bookstore. But there are others looking for the book, as well.  For someone like Evie, who is a rule follower, it's might be morally challenging to bend such rules to get what she wants.  

I loved Bloomsbury Girls.  The story was so satisfying and entertaining.  I truly hope it finds as much success as The Jane Austin Society.  If you want to pick up a copy, consider doing so at your favorite independent bookstore, please.  They always need and appreciate the support.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Release Date:  May 17th, 2022

Author:  Natalie Jenner

Publisher:  St. Martin's Press

Genre: Historical Fiction

Page Length:  370 Pages

Source:  NetGalley

Format:  E-Book

Recommendation:  This is everything I love about historical fiction!  I love that it carried on from the author's previous book, The Jane Austin Society, with some of the same characters that I cheered on in that book.  This was a lot of fun, and I highly recommend it.

Please Note:  I received an advance copy of this novel from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

he search for a missing girl sends Inspector Lu Fei undercover into the wild corners of Myanmar, and the compound of the deadly and mysterious woman warlord responsible for the illegal trafficking of exotic animals and possibly more, in the next book from Brian Klingborg, Wild Prey.

Police Inspector Lu Fei has an unfortunate talent for getting himself into hot water with powerful and well-connected people. Which is why he’s been assigned to a backwater town in a rural area of Northern China and quietly warned to keep his head down. But while running a sting operation on the sale and consumption of rare and endangered animals, Lu comes across the curious case of a waitress who has gone missing. Her last known whereabouts: a restaurant frequented by local elites, owned by smooth-talking gangster, and known for its exotic -- and highly illegal -- delicacies.

As usual, Lu's investigation ruffles some feathers, resulting in his suspension from the police force. Lu figures he's reached a dead-end. Then he's contacted by a mysterious government official in Beijing who wants him to go undercover to track down the mastermind behind an illegal animal trafficking network -- and hopefully, the answer to the fate of the missing waitress. The mission will require Lu to travel deep into the lawless wilds of Myanmar, where he will risk his life to infiltrate the hidden compound of a mysterious and ruthless female warlord in a bloody and nearly hopeless quest for justice.

Review:

I really enjoy a good detective series, and have gotten to be a fan of several Mystery book series such as the Inspector Gamache series by author Louise Penny, and the Two Rivers series by author Anne Cleeves.  Both of those series feature a troubled police detective who's integrity gets him into trouble.  The same can be said for Inspector Lu Fei.  This series, written by author Brian Klingborg has a main character who drinks too much, has a long-standing crush on the local bar owner, and has a sense of justice that gets him into lots of trouble.  This series takes place in China in a small city where not much happens, and yet...  Inspector Lu Fei seems to find himself in the center of grizzly crimes in every book. 

While investigating cases, we get a glimpse of life in China and life in a Communist country.  Much of Lu's daily life is like anyone else's.  He goes to work at the police station, where most of the time, the most exciting thing happening is getting a paper cut.  But he and his co-workers are also watched by the local Party representative, so one has to be careful not to criticize the wrong people.  After work, Lu likes to go to the local bar and moon over the proprietress, while drinking too many beers.  But when crimes are to be investigated, Lu is relentless in finding out the truth.

This was a page-turner with a mystery that takes Lu from his small city to the jungles of Myanmar.  With lots of danger, betrayals, and twists, this was a great read.

What I Liked:

Setting:

This story could really take place anywhere, in any country.  What makes this story so compelling is finding out about what life is like for Inspector Lu.  From the food, to the nosy neighbors, to the complex social structures, the details made this world come alive to me.   I liked learning about the way this society worked.

Characters:

Inspector Lu is a man who has been thrown away.  His once promising career has been derailed by his pesky sense of Right and Wrong.  If Lu sees a double standard between how the law is applied between Party big-wigs and everyday people, he feels compelled to point this out.  This isn't winning him lots of friends.  But he does have the respect of others.

Lu is in love with the owner of his local bar, a widow who is having trouble letting go of the past.  I felt for this character, as I think it's hard for any woman to move on from widowhood.  Can you find love again and not be judged by your neighbors?  I think this happens to many woman.  But there are traditions in China which make this even more of an issue.

Story: 

The story begins as a young teenager says that her sister is missing.  She makes her report, and then won't leave the police station until her sister's disappearance is investigated.  She even sleeps in the lobby of the police station, making herself a nuisance until the police finally does something.

And then the hunt begins!  Lu finds that the missing young woman works in a restaurant where exotic meat is served purporting to increase a man's virility.  Everything you can think of is on the menu, including sex workers.  But where is the restaurant getting their supply of Tiger penises and endangered animals?  And how is the young woman involved?  Lu must go undercover to get his answers.

There were a lot of scary situations that made this a book I could not put down.  And this made the book a whole lot of fun!

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Release Date:  May 17th, 2022

Author:  Brian Klingborg

Publisher:  Minotaur Books

Genre:  Detective Thriller

Page Length:  304 Pages

Source:  NetGalley

Format:  E-Book

Recommendation:  This book is exciting, with characters that you'll want to follow into other stories.  Inspector Lu is a complex main character.  And the story is full of twists and turns.  I highly recommend this book.