In the second book of the Housemaid series, word has spread about the work Millie will do to protect some of the clients she works for. When she's hirIn the second book of the Housemaid series, word has spread about the work Millie will do to protect some of the clients she works for. When she's hired by another wealthy family to do their cleaning, Millie suspects the wife is being abused. She never comes out of her room and the few times Millie has broken the rules and stepped inside, she's seen blood or bruises. Millie is determined to help. But when she's trying to hatch a plan to help, things take a turn. Another fun and fast thriller that I really enjoyed. ...more
When Millie is released from prison, she doesn't have many job prospects, so she finds herself working as a maid for a wealthy family. Soon she feels When Millie is released from prison, she doesn't have many job prospects, so she finds herself working as a maid for a wealthy family. Soon she feels Nina is playing with her head, leaving messes everywhere for Millie to clean up and complaining to her husband that Millie is the one that created the messes. It's clear that not everything is as it seems, but Millie can't seem to put her finger on the issue. This is a fast, twisty thriller that I really enjoyed. ...more
I largely enjoyed this book and would probably have given it 3.5 stars if I could do halves. This book tells the story of a family of 1 percenters andI largely enjoyed this book and would probably have given it 3.5 stars if I could do halves. This book tells the story of a family of 1 percenters and the spouses that married into it. It was fun and a little wacky, but at some points I really struggled with some of the decisions the characters made. There was one relationship in particular that did not seem incredibly healthy, and I had a hard time with how things turned out for them in this book. ...more
There was nothing quite like Prince Harry narrating this book through my headphones. I listened to this while working on some home improvement projectThere was nothing quite like Prince Harry narrating this book through my headphones. I listened to this while working on some home improvement projects, and while some of the parts of the book that focused on Harry's military service were a little slow, I really enjoyed learning about his travels to Africa and what drew him to working in various countries there. I also of course loved the behind-the-scenes Royal Family insights, and man, the press and the relationship between the Palace and the press and the way they all turn on each other to feed stories, that was tough. Highly recommend this as an audiobook....more
I'm usually not much of a short story person, but I love Curtis Sittenfeld's writing, and I enjoyed reading this collection of short stories on the plI'm usually not much of a short story person, but I love Curtis Sittenfeld's writing, and I enjoyed reading this collection of short stories on the plane home from Europe. ...more
I loved this book because I felt like I was getting a behind the scenes look at what goes on before, during and after a flight. I actually read this oI loved this book because I felt like I was getting a behind the scenes look at what goes on before, during and after a flight. I actually read this on the plane to Europe in March, and I appreciated being in the air, reading about all the training the author had to go through to be a flight attendants, some of the antics she experienced and in general just learning more about her jet-setting life. It was cool insight and an enjoyable read. ...more
This was a good twisty, turny thriller that I read extremely quickly. Kristen North receives a phone call that her husband is dead in Austin. But he wThis was a good twisty, turny thriller that I read extremely quickly. Kristen North receives a phone call that her husband is dead in Austin. But he was supposed to be in New York on business. Kristen heads to Austin right away and discovers her husband's body was found with that of another man, who was also killed. There seems to be no immediate connection between the men, but as Kristen and the other man's wife, Flora start digging into what happened, they uncover things they never expected. ...more
I really enjoyed the first few books in the Truly Devious series, but this one fell a bit flat for me. I liked the mystery solving parts, but Stevie bI really enjoyed the first few books in the Truly Devious series, but this one fell a bit flat for me. I liked the mystery solving parts, but Stevie became largely insufferable for much of the book because of her angst over her relationship, and I just didn't really have the patience for that. It seemed to take away from the actual interesting parts of the story. Still giving it three stars because I liked the case she was trying to solve....more
This book was cute, but the main character was a little bit tough to handle at times with her severe lack of self esteem. But I loved that this book wThis book was cute, but the main character was a little bit tough to handle at times with her severe lack of self esteem. But I loved that this book was set around a show like SNL, where Sally is a writer and she gets to work closely with one of the hosts to help him polish his own skit. The research the author did about how things run at SNL was evident in the book, and that helped make this a really fun and fast read. There were also some really touching parts at the end that sort of redeemed the main character a bit for me....more
Ugh I was so disappointed in this book, and normally I really like books by this author. But this particular book felt like it dragged forever. The fiUgh I was so disappointed in this book, and normally I really like books by this author. But this particular book felt like it dragged forever. The first 200 pages were actually painful to read while we wait to find out what big event happened at the barbecue. Then when we finally did find out, it was kind of a let down. I also pretty much hated every character in the book except the children and the former stripper. You know it's not a great read when the former stripper is your favorite character. Save yourself the disappointment and skip this one. ...more
Witches in Great Britain follow a certain set of rules to remain undetected by the regular population, most importantly, keeping their heads down and Witches in Great Britain follow a certain set of rules to remain undetected by the regular population, most importantly, keeping their heads down and not mingling with other witches. But then Mika gets a job opportunity to train a group of young witches living in secret together on a far-flung farm. She takes the job because she needs the money, but is constantly worried about the repercussions. Over time she finds herself growing found of her charges. Throw in some surly normal people that live on the farm with the witches. Things get dicey as spells go off the rails and Mika has to navigate it all. This was another enjoyable and cozy read. ...more
This was a cute follow-up to the Ex Hex that I read back in the fall. Set in the same magical town, featuring a similar set of witches. One witch loseThis was a cute follow-up to the Ex Hex that I read back in the fall. Set in the same magical town, featuring a similar set of witches. One witch loses her magic when a newcomer arrives in town, but it's not immediately clear why. As she tries to figure it out, she's also faced with a pack of witches attempting to do some dark magic. Meanwhile, she finds herself falling for a sworn enemy. Definitely a fun and light read....more
Another great suspense book for a fun escape. A power couple is getting married on a small island off the coast of Ireland. Everything is going accordAnother great suspense book for a fun escape. A power couple is getting married on a small island off the coast of Ireland. Everything is going according to plan until someone ends up dead. The book is told from the perspective of several different characters, and by the time you find out who dies almost everyone has a motive. ...more
This was just the book I needed to drag me out of a major reading slump! It's a mystery set in Baltimore during two different time periods. In modern This was just the book I needed to drag me out of a major reading slump! It's a mystery set in Baltimore during two different time periods. In modern day, Val is trying to investigate her sister's mysterious death at a fancy Baltimore hotel. The police have ruled it a suicide, but Val doesn't buy it. Back in the 1920s, Bridget is getting ready to be married off to a wealthy man in the same hotel. She has some concerns, but goes through with the wedding anyway. I thought it was interesting the way the author wove these two very different storylines together, centering the hotel as a strange and mysterious place. I couldn't put this book down and tore through it in just a few days. ...more
This book is the first from Mindy Kaling's book production studio with Amazon so I knew it had to be good. And it was. It tells the story of three genThis book is the first from Mindy Kaling's book production studio with Amazon so I knew it had to be good. And it was. It tells the story of three generations of women, the push and pulls on their relationships, the way they support each other as they each dip their toes into the dating waters and some of the hi-jinx that ensue. It has funny moments, but it's also a touching story. Definitely a fast, feel-good read. ...more
Not normally a book I'd pick up, but it was a book club selection for a virtual book club I'm in, and honestly it was better than I expected. Samuel ANot normally a book I'd pick up, but it was a book club selection for a virtual book club I'm in, and honestly it was better than I expected. Samuel Adams (who apparently NEVER went by Sam Adams) was a pretty pivotal figure in the founding of our country, but not much is written about him. This book explored his life and the role he played in the American Revolution. I definitely learned some stuff I didn't know and largely enjoyed reading this book. ...more
I was really looking forward to the conclusion of the Beartown Trilogy, but this book was a bit of a slog for me to get through. I appreciated being rI was really looking forward to the conclusion of the Beartown Trilogy, but this book was a bit of a slog for me to get through. I appreciated being reunited with some of my favorite characters from the series, and there were parts that definitely pulled at my heart strings, but overall, this book felt long and I didn't get swept up in it like I did the other Beartown books. ...more
This book was fun and definitely different from a lot of my normal reads. Emmy is a witch who has fled her magical hometown for Chicago and has hoped This book was fun and definitely different from a lot of my normal reads. Emmy is a witch who has fled her magical hometown for Chicago and has hoped to put magic behind her. But after she returns home out of a sense of familial duty to host the competition between all the witch-y families for power in the city, she finds herself pulled into a ploy to bring down one of the long dominant families. Her magic isn't as strong as it used to be, but the more time she spends in her hometown, the more she reconnects. ...more
I normally love Ruth Ware's books, but this one wasn't one of my favorites. It took me a while to get into and it moved a bit slowly. I'm used to WareI normally love Ruth Ware's books, but this one wasn't one of my favorites. It took me a while to get into and it moved a bit slowly. I'm used to Ware's books grabbing me from page one and really sucking me in, and this one I felt like I had to force myself to finish a bit. The plot picked up around the midway mark as one of the main characters headed back to her college to look into the murder of her college roommate. The ending was certainly fast-paced like I'd expect, but it just took a while to get there, hence the three stars....more
A friend in my book club got this for me a few years ago and it's been sitting on my TBR pile for quite some time. But it was the perfect book to closA friend in my book club got this for me a few years ago and it's been sitting on my TBR pile for quite some time. But it was the perfect book to close out 2022. It's an uplifting story of how Leland Melvin overcame an injury that he thought meant he'd never get to go to space. I learned a lot about Melvin's life, both as an astronaut and as his time serving at NASA in a variety of different roles. I've always found space interesting and it was fun to read a book about one of the more recent astronauts. I feel like lots of has been written, filmed, etc about the early days of the space program, but more recently stories aren't as widely told. ...more
I've been really enjoying escapist books lately and this one about witches and dark magic really struck a good note. On the way home from a party Ivy I've been really enjoying escapist books lately and this one about witches and dark magic really struck a good note. On the way home from a party Ivy and her boyfriend almost hit a young naked woman in the road, and after that strange things start happening at Ivy's house. Dead rabbits show up, someone seems to be inside the house taking a bite of her snacks. Ivy's mom and aunt disappear, but clearly have a sense of what's going on. This book took so many turns and was definitely a bit darker than I expected for a YA book, but it was so different than my normal reads, that I really enjoyed the change of pace. ...more
I got this book through a blind date with a book from a bookstore in Savannah, and it ended up being such a delightful treat. It's YA and tells the stI got this book through a blind date with a book from a bookstore in Savannah, and it ended up being such a delightful treat. It's YA and tells the story of June and Saul, who've been warned by their families for years to stay away from each other because bad things happen when members of their families mix. Young love, magic, forbidden destinations. This was just a fun world to inhabit for a few days. ...more
This book took me a little while to get through, and I couldn't tell if it was because I just wasn't feeling it or because I got sick in the middle ofThis book took me a little while to get through, and I couldn't tell if it was because I just wasn't feeling it or because I got sick in the middle of reading it and had to pause for a while. Two exes see each other for the first time in 10 years at a wedding. The next morning they wake up in the same bed together and neither of them remembers what transpired the night before that led them there. It picked up a bit at the end, but felt like a slog in the middle....more
Molly is a maid who works at a fancy hotel. It's never specifically stated that Molly is autistic, but it seems that's what the author would want us tMolly is a maid who works at a fancy hotel. It's never specifically stated that Molly is autistic, but it seems that's what the author would want us to assume. Because her reactions are perhaps different than "normal," Molly soon finds herself in some hot water with the police over the death of one of the hotel's customers. But Molly and some of her friends set out to clear her name. I loved the friendships Molly develops in this book, and the twists this book took to figure out who killed the person in the hotel room. ...more
For me this book missed the mark a little bit. It had gotten some solid reviews, and the premise of a little girl in a car accident who starts to remeFor me this book missed the mark a little bit. It had gotten some solid reviews, and the premise of a little girl in a car accident who starts to remember bits and pieces of what happened even though the police write it off as an accident sounded interesting to me. But I found the main character pretty unlikeable and that just made it hard for me to really enjoy this book....more
This book was a fun read with a couple of good twists and turns. It jumps back and forth in time as two different mysteries blend together. When the bThis book was a fun read with a couple of good twists and turns. It jumps back and forth in time as two different mysteries blend together. When the book opens Paris is found in the bathroom covered in her husband's blood. She's arrested for his murder, but as the police dig the evidence doesn't hold up. But it doesn't clearly point toward an obvious suspect either. At the same time, the book flashes backward and you learn more about Paris' mysterious past. I tore through this book and thought it was a fun thriller. ...more
Two women enter an elevator and only one comes out alive. Is it murder, is it suicide, is it something else entirely? While only the first chapter of Two women enter an elevator and only one comes out alive. Is it murder, is it suicide, is it something else entirely? While only the first chapter of this book takes place in the actual elevator, the rest of the book jumps back in time and works forward to how the two women end up in the elevator. I largely enjoyed this book and thought it was an interesting premise. ...more
What a fun read that combined my love of HGTV shows with romcom fun and a mystery. Hattie works for her father-in-law flipping houses in Savannah. A TWhat a fun read that combined my love of HGTV shows with romcom fun and a mystery. Hattie works for her father-in-law flipping houses in Savannah. A TV producer stumbles on her work and pitches her on the idea of starring in a reality show about restoring historic homes. While hesitant at first, Hattie signs on and things start to spiral. There's a surprise cohost, an intense filming schedule and then a wallet from a missing woman shows up on the property they're restoring. Light and fun with enough suspense thrown in from the mystery....more
This book was light and fun and perfect for some pre-Halloween witchy vibes. A heart broken witch curses her ex when she's 19. She thinks it's a joke This book was light and fun and perfect for some pre-Halloween witchy vibes. A heart broken witch curses her ex when she's 19. She thinks it's a joke and a way to mend her broken heart. Fast forward many years later, he's back in town and magic is going awry. In her attempt to fix the curse, the two witches are thrown back together and sparks fly. ...more
I fell in love with Karen McManus books a year or two ago, and was anxiously awaiting her newest one. In this book, high-schooler Brynn moves back to I fell in love with Karen McManus books a year or two ago, and was anxiously awaiting her newest one. In this book, high-schooler Brynn moves back to her hometown after her father's job transferred them away. She gets an internship at a true crime podcast and pitches them the idea of investigating the murder of her high school English teacher, which happened a few years ago. Brynn navigates tricky social situations with her old friends while also investigating a murder. It's YA so we've got to suspend belief a little bit, but I really enjoyed this one. ...more
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