Nightwatching

by Tracy Sierra

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐ 

Edge of your seat, pulse-pounding, nail-biting, anxiety-inducing page turner! This is not my typical genre, but it had me at the opening line. Tracy Sierra (who I can’t believe is a debut author) is brilliant at tapping into a mother’s worst nightmares and letting them pool like blood all over the pages of this riveting novel. I loved that it wasn’t just a nail-biting thriller, but also gives us a glimpse into the internal dialogue of so many women.  I would like to apologize to my family for shushing them all weekend while I read this.

    

Happiness Falls

by Angie Kim

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ✰

Happiness Falls kept me on the edge of my seat! Not only was it exciting, mysterious, and full of twists, but it was also incredibly thought provoking on matter such as race, feminism, happiness, the rights of so called "non-verbal" individuals, and general philosophy. 

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group and #NetGalley for allowing me to read a pre-release of this novel. My review is voluntary, and all opinions are my own.

   

Little Monsters

by Adrienne Brodeur

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ✰

I loved reading Adrienne Brodeur's memoir, Wild Game, and was looking forward to this one. Little Monsters was also loaded with family drama and Brodeur's knack for being able to perfectly describe the natural settings of Cape Cod. It was thought-provoking, very readable and had a few little twists. I particularly enjoyed the fact that it was set in the very recent past with a few clever nods to the future.

Thank you to Avid Reader Press/Simon & Schuster and #NetGalley for allowing me to read a pre-release of this novel. My review is voluntary, and all opinions are my own.

  

The Many Lives of Mama Love: A Memoir of Lying, Stealing, Writing, and Healing

by Lara Love Hardin

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ✰

This was a fascinating memoir about hitting rock bottom and fighting your way back to the top. Lara Love Hardin brings to light some of the major problems with the judicial system and highlights how challenging it can be for anyone to succeed after being incarcerated. I was pulled in from page one and found it fascinating to be a fly on the wall throughout her experiences. Her resiliency and determination against the odds are inspiring.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and #NetGalley for allowing me to read a pre-release of this novel. My review is voluntary, and all opinions are my own.

 

Hello Stranger

by Katherine Center

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ✰

Katherine Center has done it again! She never fails to deliver a laugh out loud funny, tear-jerking, banter-filled novel that I love every minute of. I also enjoyed learning about acquired apperceptive prosopagnosia (face-blindness and did lots of googling for even more information. Who knew that was a thing?! Read this if you enjoy smiling.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and #NetGalley for allowing me to read a pre-release of this novel. My review is voluntary, and all opinions are my own.

@katherinecenter @katherinecenterfans @stmartinspress
#HelloStrangerNovel #KatherineCenter #StMartinsPress

 

The Soulmate

by Sally Hepworth

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ✰

I enjoyed this one even more than The Mother-in-Law (which I loved)! Gorgeous setting, unique POV, lovable characters and a story line that will keep you guessing.

In addition to receiving this as an ARC, I also had the immense pleasure of meeting Sally Hepworth in person at a book event on her pub-day. She is an absolute delight. I highly recommend seeing her in person if you ever have the opportunity. If not, follow her on Instagram - you won't be disappointed!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and #NetGalley for allowing me to read a pre-release of this novel. My reviews are voluntary and all opinions are my own.

 

Maame

by Jessica George

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ✰

Fantastic debut novel. Maame is a coming-of-age story about Maddie who has spent her life taking care of her father and who struggles with finding out who she is when she is finally able to move out on her own. Maddie has a unique voice and I enjoyed delving into the Ghanaian culture.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this novel. My review is voluntary, and all opinions are my own.

Carrie Soto is Back

by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Couldn't put this one down! I'm not a tennis fan and was a bit hesitant when I saw that was the focus of this novel, but I was hooked from page one. Much like Fredrik Backman's Beartown, you don't need to be a fan of the sport to find this one addicting. I enjoyed Malibu Rising and adored Daisy Jones and the Six, but Carrie Soto is Back is my new favorite Taylor Jenkins Reid novel. Carrie is tough as nails on herself and everyone around her, but you can't help but love her and route for her.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this novel. My review is voluntary, and all opinions are my own.

 

One of the Girls 

by Lucy Clarke

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✰

Loved everything about this one! Gorgeous Greek Island setting, great cast of characters, quick pace, and kept me guessing right to the end. Thank you to Penguin Group/Putnam and NetGalley for allowing me to read a pre-release of this novel. My review is voluntary, and all opinions are my own.

The Maid by Nita Prose

The Maid by Nita Prose

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Molly is an eccentric and endearing maid whose whole world revolves around her job at The Grand Regency hotel. Her life is thrown into an upheaval when she discovers the body of a well-known guest in one of the rooms. Molly's social awkwardness and difficulties interpreting the actions of her peers keep the reader guessing and make this the perfect "cozy mystery"! I wasn't familiar with this genre prior to reading this book, but I'm definitely a fan. I immediately adored Molly and still find myself thinking about her and the other characters weeks later. Thank you to Random House Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this novel. My review is voluntary, and all opinions are my own.

Echo Mountain by Lauren Wolk

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This was my first book by Lauren Wolk but it won't be my last. I read this to my 9 and 12 year olds and we all loved it, even my 9 year old who is usually more of an adventure story kind of guy. Complex characters, compassion and grit along with completely immersive descriptions of rustic life on a mountain in Maine during the Great Depression. If you liked My Side of the Mountain and Little House on the Prairie I highly recommend this one. Perfect for ages 9 and up.

The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐✩✩

Calling all Jane Austen fans! The Jane Austen Society is bursting with facts, references to, and discussions of Jane Austen's novels as well as her life. Even if you are not an avid Austen reader, you will still love the charming story of how some mismatched characters from the town of Chawton, England (Jane Austen's home town) came together to form a society dedicated to preserving her legacy. Thank you to Aesop's Fable Book Store, St. Martin's Press and #NetGalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

The Bright Side of Going Dark by Kelly Harms

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✰

Kelly Harms has done it again! I loved The Overdue Life of Amy Byler but had been avoiding this one a bit because I thought I would end up feeling guilty about my current screen time. Thankfully it was not at all guilt-inducing but was a story filled with heart and richly nuanced characters. Thank you to Kelly Harms, #TallPoppyWriters, Lake Union Publishing and #NetGalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Coo by Kaela Noel

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Original, heart-warming and quirky! Coo was raised by pigeons and has spent her childhood living on a rooftop, never coming into contact with another human. That all changes when one of her flock is injured and she needs to get help. The author does a fantastic job of detailing Coo's world, from the unique language of the pigeons, to Coo's charming reactions as she starts interacting with humans. I read this aloud to my 9 and 12 year old and we all loved it! Perfect for grade 2 and up as a read aloud or grade 4 and up if they're reading it on their own.

Feels Like Falling by Kristy Woodson Harvey

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✰

This was my first book by Kristy Woodson Harvey and I really enjoyed it. If you enjoy Elin Hilderbrand, you'll probably be a fan too. Told from the viewpoints of Gray, a 35 year old, newly divorced mom of an 8 year old and Diana, a newly single, down-on-her luck 40 year old that is currently between jobs and between homes. This is a light beach read but with beautifully developed characters that you will fall in love with and that will have you tearing up in the end. I really enjoyed the new definitions of family and the strong female bonds that developed. Thank you to Kristy Woodson Harvey, #TallPoppyWriters group and #NetGalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion.

Hold On, But Don't Hold Still by Kristina Kuzmic Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✰ Every mom needs to read this book. Kristina Kuzmic has a funny but raw and honest way of telling it how it is and encouraging moms to be kind to ourselves. Part memoir, part mom handbook, this is one that I will come back to to remind myself that no one is perfect and I'm doing just fine.

The Elephant's Girl By Celesta Rimington

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✰

I read this aloud to my 9 and 12 year old and we all loved it! Packed with adventure, mystery, a friendly ghost and facts about elephants, this book has something for everyone. Great character development and perfect pacing. If you're a fan of "The One and Only Ivan" by Katherine Applegate or "The Magician's Elephant" by Kate DiCamillo you don't want to miss "The Elephant's Girl". Thank you to Crown Books and #NetGalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own. This title is scheduled to be released on May 19, 2020

The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackay

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Love, love, loved this sweet story and will continue to read it again and again. Not only do I want to frame every gorgeous illustration but it was also brimming with insights into life and the importance of mindfulness. I read this with my 9 and 12 year old as part of a Family Book Club event with our local bookstore and we all agreed that we couldn't decide which page was our favorite because we loved them all.

Shouting at the Rain by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✰

A fantastic middle-grade read aloud especially if you frequent Cape Cod or are a lover of weather or sharks as there are lots of mentions of all three. My kids also enjoyed that there are anagrams hidden throughout the story that she details in the author's notes and gives hints about on her website. This was a great quarantine-homeschool activity! Perfect for 3rd-8th graders.

Darling Rose Gold by Stephanie Wrobel

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✰

Twisty and dark! Told from the viewpoints of Rose Gold and her mother Patty, we learn the story of how Patty ended up in prison for munchausen by proxy and follow the events that occur after her release. I was concerned that this was going to be too dark for me but it was just right. Perfectly paced and chilling conclusion. Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for allowing me to read a pre-release in exchange for my honest opinion.