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Books You're on the Fence About - 2025
Hello Beautiful – Ann Napolitano – 3.5***
A contemporary family saga spanning decades. Gosh, but Napolitano can craft some beautiful sentences! While there were times when I thought the plot seemed somewhat contrived, I felt drawn into the relationships of the Padovano family. I liked the way Napolitano reimagined Little Women , though I could have done without the constant reminders in the book about the classic novel.
LINK to my full review
If You Tell- Gregg Olsen- (Washington)
Genera: Non-Fiction/Family Secrets/Horrific Crime
3★
Review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Castles in The Air -Felice Stevens - (New York)
Narrator: Kale Williams
Genera: M/M Romance
4★
Review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
This was just an ok read for me but others have loved it. What Happened to the McCrays?
. My thoughts: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Ambush by Colleen Coble 3 1/2-StarsA wildlife refuge is tangled in a web of mysterious incidents.
My Review
Fatal Accusation by Marie Force 🎧 3-StarsA presidential scandal and a murder for Sam to solve.
My Review
Lost in the Mind - Alice Winters
In The Mind Series book #2
Genera: M/M Romance/ Paranormal Law Enforcement
3★
Review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
How to Age Disgracefully by Clare Pooley
I am a bit of an outlier for this popular title. Perhaps I wanted too long to read it.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Expectant Detectives – Kat Ailes – 2.5**
A debut mystery featuring a group of VERY pregnant women who bond during prenatal class. Okay, there’s a reasonably cute premise here, but I thought Ailes was trying too hard. I never connected with any of the characters, and really didn’t care about their personal dramas, or, frankly, all that much about the murder. I didn’t even really warm up to Helen (the dog), despite her tendency to run off and return with an important clue.
LINK to my full review
Finding Serenissima by Apple Gidley.
Didn't expect so much romance in this book with a senior citizen in the lead, but it might work for those who like destination love stories.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Rocky Mountain Heat – Lori Wilde – 2**
Originally published as All of Me , this is book four in the Wedding Veil Wishes series. This is a typical enemies-to-friends-to-lovers plot with a little “magic” thrown in. It's a bit of a slow burn, but they do eventually have fantastic sex, after which they break up. But the magic of the wedding veil (and of the sweat lodge) will not be denied. It’s a pretty fast read, despite being very predictable.
LINK to my full review
A Song for You and I by K. O'Neill
A middle-grade graphic novel that means wells but leaves many things unsaid. Mine is an outlier review for this.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I Was Anastasia
seems a poor choice for a historical fiction and I was less than impressed by the way it was covered. My three star review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Every Deadly Suspicion 3 1/2-StarsMurders past and present collide.
My Review
Lady Charlotte Always Gets Her Man by Violet Marsh 🎧 3 1/2-StarsSome Rom, some Com.
My Review
Yours Truly, The Duke by Amelia Grey 🎧 3-StarsA marriage of convivence isn't very convenient.
My Review
Parents Weekend
gets points for entertainment but lacking in intellectual stimulation. My 3.5 star review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Tiny Tales – Alexander McCall Smith – 3***
Subtitle: Stories of Romance, Ambition, Kindness and Happiness. This is a lovely collection of short stories and cartoons on a wide range of subjects, set in a variety of locations. I like Smith’s writing and the way he ponders philosophical questions. He doesn’t seem to take himself, or life, all that seriously, choosing to find joy and happiness in everyday life. Like all such collections, this is probably best enjoyed as one of those volumes you pick up now and again, to read one or two stories, rather than reading the entire book as one would a novel.
LINK to my full review
Here is my 3.37 rounded to 3 stars review of All the Other Mothers Hate Me by Sarah Harman:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Solid debut
Full of mystery, suspense, domestic drama, and single mother challenges
Great premise
Florence isn't your usual protagonist and isn't always likeable.
Poor choices
Somewhat tumultuous at times
Lord Dashwood Missed Out – Tessa Dare – 2.5**
A typical regency romance with a devilishly handsome gentleman (who isn’t much of a gentleman), and a prim lady of impeccable reputation, forced to endure a potentially compromising situation, and then embracing the compromise wholeheartedly. Bodices heave, knees go weak, their passion overcomes any hesitancy. A fun, fast read.
LINK to my full review
The Stonekeeper – Kazu Kibuishi – 3***
Book one in the Amulet graphic novel series for middle-school readers. There are strange creatures, secret passages, robots tasked with protecting the family, and evil forces obviously out to get them. The illustrations are very good. Not too dark for these old eyes to see clearly what is happening. This is a good thing as the speech bubbles are few and far between.
LINK to my full review
My review for Breaking the Dark
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
My review for
The Sharp County Slasherhttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I read I Would Die for You by Sandie Jones - a suspense thriller highlighting what can happen when long buried ghosts from the past come calling. 4 Stars My Review
I wavered between a 3.5 & a 4 on this one, but gave it the benefit of the doubt and went with 4 stars. I enjoyed it - it's got a lot of what I'm looking for in a thriller, but fell just a wee bit short of my expectations from this author. Still a good read!
Friend of My Springtime – Willa Cather – 3***
This is a lovely little story, but not particularly memorable. A mature woman writes about the residents of their “terrace,” particularly the Professor and Jack-a-Boy, a child who moves with his parents into the complex that has few children. It's rather sweet but predictable. Not her best effort.
LINK to my full review
Storm Warning by Nora Roberts 3-StarsA group comes together, and murder happens.
My Review
Guarding Teagan by Kaylea Cross 3 1/2-StarsCrimson Point Security has new hires and new stories.
My Review
I Would Die for You by Sandie Jones 🎧 3 1/2-StarsWhat really happened to the British Boy Band "Secret Oktober"?
My Review
Our Dear Miss H. Is on the Case by Violet Marsh 🎧 3-StarsCute historical cozy romance mystery.
My Review
Fatal Fraud by Marie Force 3-StarsEveryone hated the victim.
My Review
Mod
Burn After Reading by Catherine Ryan Howardhttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Bitter Greens by Kate Forsyth
This ambitious Rapunzel retelling is outstanding in historical research, but the writing choices and the gratuitous adult content didn't make me happy.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
A Palace Near the Wind by Ai Jiang
A high-fantasy story that had so much potential but went too complex. I loved the allegorical theme, though.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Note by Alafair Burke is the tale of three women on a girls weekend away who get into trouble over a silly prank note. It didn't quite work for me even though I usually enjoy this author, but many other readers have rated it highly.review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Boyfriend Subscription - Steven Salvatore - (Louisianna)3★
Review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Burn After Reading by Catherine Ryan Howard has an intriguing premise, but was quite drawn out and isn't one of my favourite novels by this author. I hope others enjoy it more.review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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