The Fisherman's Gift

Dorothy is a school teacher in a small Scottish village near the sea. She is viewed as prim and proper and standoffish to the villagers but Dorothy is most often misunderstood, as her quiet ways stem from being raised by a strict, cold, unloving mother. Dorothy is shocked to find herself attracted to a local fisherman named Joseph. As he tries to court her the women quickly spread viscous rumors about Dorothy’s intentions. In 1900 Scotland, it would be unheard of for a single woman to pursue anything untoward. Years pass as Dorothy continues to hide her true love for Joseph. She faces tragedy, loneliness and a deep desire to disappear. One day a boy washes up on shore, he is barely breathing and Joseph brings him to the church. It is the minister who believes Dorothy could take care of the boy as he regains consciousness and they continue to search for his parents. Memories take over Dorothy’s present as years earlier her little boy disappeared to the sea. More than an old folktale she believes this is her second chance at being a mother. Triggering the past ultimately brings the truth of what happened full circle. This quiet, beautifully written story was so atmospheric, I felt like was sipping tea in this tiny, foggy Scottish town listening to Mrs. Brown as she sat in the knitting circle. Cannot believe this is a debut novel. Simply wonderful. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Bright Years

Lillian meets Ryan at the library, her favorite of all places. He is instantly charming and a flirt, their chemistry is undeniable. Eventually married, they open an art studio and create a sweet little family giving birth to a beautiful girl they name Georgette (nickname Jet). The happiest either of them have ever been, the deep loss which initially bound them begins to tear them apart. Ryan’s father was a raging, abusive alcoholic. His mother Elise escaped with Ryan when he was just a little boy and although they built a stable home and Elise was a wonderful mother, Ryan is haunted by the mere possibility that this man’s DNA exists - enough to turn him into a lifelong teetotaler. An orphan too young, Lillian lost both her parents and craved a family more than Ryan could possibly understand. She also feared the idea of loss so deeply that she often pushed love away out of self protection. This generational family drama is narrated through three points of view; Lillian, Jet and Ryan. The initial portion told by Lillian had me on the edge of my seat as I cheered for her to figure a way out of their complicated mess. But from there it went downhill. Even though I mostly liked the main characters there was too much death and the rollercoaster of Ryan’s alcoholism, although tragically sad was exhausting and repetitive. I cannot put my finger on it but although this book had really positive reviews overall - it was “like”, not love for me. ⭐⭐⭐

Great Big Beautiful Life

Alice Scott a young  journalist has tracked down a wealthy famous woman named Margaret Ives, who has been incognito for decades. Alice flies from LA to a very small town in Georgia for the interview only to find out she is competing with a handsome pulitzer prize winning writer named Hayden for the prestigious job of assisting with Margaret’s biography. There is immediate chemistry but Hayden and Alice decide they will keep things platonic until Margaret has made her decision. The story is 90% about Margaret, a character who is barely likable and of zero interest. Her family history going back more than 100 years is boring, messy and endless. Unfortunately whoever guided Emily Henry sorely misunderstood her readers. I have no idea where this was supposed to be heading but for me it was a flop. I am shocked Reese picked this as her highlight this month, she is usually so spot on.  ⭐⭐

Home of the American Circus

Short on rent again, Freya Arnald hits the road, leaving behind Acadia, Maine after a decade. Hounded by an estate attorney, she heads to Somers, NY, where her deceased parents' home awaits—along with two unexpected occupants: her 15-year-old niece Aubrey and a rat named Lenny Juice. Freya's initial plan to sell the dilapidated house quickly evaporates when she realizes serious repairs are needed. Deeply drawn to Aubrey, whom she hasn't seen since she was a little girl, Freya must navigate the challenges of renovation while reconnecting with her niece and avoiding the rest of the town, especially her wicked sister. Along the way, she reunites with Jam, her oldest friend, who is a musical prodigy battling his own demons. As Freya works to rebuild the house and her relationship with Aubrey, she must face painful memories she left behind when she fled at nineteen. In this heartwarming drama, Freya discovers that family isn’t just about blood—it’s about the connections we choose. With its richly drawn cast of quirky characters, this novel is a beautiful testament to second chances and the resilience of the human spirit. Sometimes, despite our best efforts to run, happiness can be found where we least expect it, proving that you can always go home again. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Air

Aaron is on a long flight with his 15 year old son Emmett. After all these years living in Sidney, Australia, he is heading back to where it all began. No-one is expecting them, in fact Rebecca will be quite shocked to see them. But it is important for his son and somehow Aaron just knows it is the right thing to do. As they fly across the world he slowly reveals his painful past, and can finally imagine a new future. It's hard not to give anything away with a novella review! This is absolutely five stars and if you haven't read The Elements, this is the fourth and final novella. The complete book arrives in the U.S. in the fall. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Ghostwriter

Famous author of horror novels Vincent Taylor is dying. He requests a ghostwriter to help him complete his final and last book, a memoir of his life. Olivia Dumont has not seen or spoken to her elusive father in years. She was sent to boarding school at 14 years old and never went home again. With a different last name, Olivia, also a writer, has slipped under the radar and no-one knows her true identity or the details of her complicated family. When Vincent was a teenage his brother and sister were murdered. The killer never found. Fingers pointed at Vincent for years which only increased sales of his mysterious novels. But now he is ready for the truth to be written and he wants Olivia be the author. But similar to her early childhood, Vincent is still playing games with her clever mind. Olivia must follow his clues to figure out who killed her Aunt Poppy and Uncle Danny. Going back to Ojai, the town she grew up in is hard enough but facing the reasons her mother left and her father’s neglect brings Olivia back into painful memories. Regardless of the outcome and obstacles personally and professionally she remains determined to solve this twisted mystery. Could not put this one down. Well written, fast paced book within a book, a perfect beach read! ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Love Haters

Katie Vaughn works as a video producer for a small company in Texas. As the company is cleaning house Katie fears her job is at risk and will do anything it takes to save it. When her manager asks if she could swim, the answer is yes. (She cannot.) Does she want to go to Key West and video a Coast Guard Rescue swimmer who is a hero - absolutely! Without thinking twice she packs her gear and heads on over to paradise. There she meets a cast of beyond quirky characters and most importantly the grumpy hero himself who turns out to be her managers brother. Tom “Hutch” Hutcheson is the real deal so Katie’s plan to fake it til you make it doesn’t go over so well. Caught up in their family feud while trying to protect her career is no easy task. Throw in a dog and a hurricane and what you’ve got is a messy romcom that I could don’t wait to end. I hope its a case of timing on my part but this did not have anything real to grasp onto. It just got too slapstick for me and was nothing like her earlier books. :( ⭐⭐

Slow Burn Summer

Kate Elliot needs a job. After spending the past 20 years as a stay-at-home mom, her skills have been a little out of practice. Thankfully, Kate has one thing she can rely on: her past career as a working actress on a soap opera. Reaching out to her London agent, she’s stunned to find it’s his son, Charlie, who now runs the agency. Charlie has a unique opportunity for her: to pose as the face of a bestselling love story, since the author prefers to stay anonymous. She’ll attend book signings, give interviews, and essentially pretend to be the author, not to mention after one reading she falls in love with the book! What could possibly go wrong? Post divorce Kate moved out of her beautiful home and is temporarily living in a small flat above her sister’s costume shop, so her life is already full of surprises. But when sparks fly between her and hot, recently-divorced Charlie, the job starts to feel less like a quirky favor and more like an unexpected second chance at love. As their professional relationship turns personal, Kate struggles to keep things professional while her chemistry with Charlie is off the chart. Romantic, sweet, and packed with humor, this novel has it all. With lovable characters and a fast-paced plot, it’s the perfect read for the beach this summer! ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rabbit Moon

Claire doesn’t hear from her daughter often. After Lindsey moved to Shanghai to teach English with her boyfriend, their communication dwindled. The only person Lindsey still confides in is her much younger sister Grace, whom she adores. While Grace is away at summer camp, Claire is still figuring out how to live alone. Although its been four years Claire and Aaron’s divorce fractured the entire family and it sometimes feels like things will never be okay again. Having grown up in a well-to-do town in Massachusetts Lindsey was an extremely intelligent girl with bright beautiful red hair. Dropping out of college was the last thing anyone imagined Lindsey would ever do. When she moved to China it was as if they lost her forever. One day Claire’s phone rings and she receives a message no parent could imagine. Lindsey has been in a horrible hit and run accident and is in the hospital. Racing to her bedside, Claire and Aaron can barely face each other. At a literal loss for words, everything in China is difficult as they assess the situation and wait for Lindseys recovery. In this overwhelmingly busy city we piece together Lindsey’s tragic story, of a lost girl who could have had it all. Highly recommend this extremely well written, heartrending novel that reminded me a lot of The Expatriates. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine

When Eleanor meets Raymond she doesn’t understand why he is being nice to her. Raymond works in IT and Eleanor never imagined her request for assistance would be the start of an actual friendship - she doesn’t have any of those. At almost 30, she goes to work, gets food and goes home. Her phone chats with mummy and bottles of weekend vodka are the highlight of her week. Raymond introduces Eleanor to his mother, they lunch together and soon, she begins to trust him. An autodidact, Eleanor is highly intelligent, with an extensive vocabulary stemming from years of isolation. She is painfully honest and socially awkward but this does not stop Raymond from encouraging Eleanor to seek the help she needs. As her secrets are slowly revealed Eleanor’s unlikely friendships with Raymond and Sammy provide us with a glimpse of her true character and her own surprise, learning that she’s capable of caring for others. As the story unfolds - sad, captivating, funny - we are cheering for this woman to defeat her demons and live a more fulfilling life. This novel sensitively illuminates the realities of PTSD, addiction, suicide, and abuse—making it a powerful read for Mental Health Awareness Month. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Heartwood

Somewhere in Maine, deep in the woods near the Appalachian Trail, Valerie Gillis goes missing. She is 42 and an experienced hiker that was traveling the last 200 miles of her journey solo. Her husband patiently waited at their designated location for supplies and Valerie never showed up. The State Game Warden is notified and within hours a full fledge search and rescue is underway. Every hour of every day changes the possibility of finding Valerie alive. Beverly is the head warden and as a female she has always had to be tougher and better than the rest. But she also has a big heart and this search becomes personal. Bev deeply feels for the grieving parents and the many teams that she has put together who have been working around the clock. As the days unfold she struggles to keep faith that they will be successful, it seems as if Valerie has vanished. Lena, an aging forager (person who collects edible plants) has spent her life as a scientist and is painfully bored in her retirement home. Lena begins to put the pieces together as she follows the story of the missing hiker. Although Lena essentially keeps to herself she has a way of understanding nature and people better than most. Slow burn mystery filled with the beauty of the AT, the people who hike it and those who protect it.  ⭐⭐⭐⭐

All That Life Can Afford

As a little girl Anna always loved books. The library was her safe space, where she escaped into a dream world through the pages of whatever she was reading. It was only natural she would grow up to study English literature in college and dream of a life in publishing. But her parents didn’t have much and things only got worse as her mothers diabetes and medical issues escalated. When Anna ran away to study in London she never wanted to look back. Anna wanted to reinvent herself as the characters in her beloved novels had done. To make ends meet with her school loans, Anna began tutoring students and met the Wilder family. Pippa was her best and favorite student and Anna did not hesitate when the family invited her to join them and teach Pippa over the holidays in Saint Tropez. Caught up in a world of make believe, Anna was loaned clothes and shoes, taken to wineries and fancy bistros. It was everything she ever imagined. With her pretty face and sweet demeanor, it didn’t take long before she stopped mentioning she worked for the Wilder’s and just became one of the gang. It wasn’t easy to keep up with their social life while barely getting by with her paycheck, these young beautiful people did not have to worry about anything. Their lives seemed perfect and Anna wanted to taste that freedom if only for a moment. As relationships deepened a very fine line was crossed and suddenly Anna found she could not outrun her past. Coming of age story filled with books and London and the dreams of a young girl, I loved every minute of it. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

All the Other Mothers Hate Me

At 31, Florence Grimes never expected to be a single mom, addicted to reality tv and delivering party balloons for a living. She was lead singer in a hit girl band back in the day, experiencing moderate fame and invites to the hottest parties. A decade later she shuttles her ten year old son Dylan to and from his fancy private school where none of the other mums like her very much. One day Dylans class is going on a nature field trip, one he is very excited about. When the bus returns a boy named Alfie, the class bully and most wealthy child in the school, is missing. Some impeccably manicured fingers quickly point to Dylan, who has a troubled history involving a turtle incident with Alfie and was his designated partner on the trip. Florence has a hard time getting any real answers from Dylan who is rather introverted and suddenly secretive. At risk of losing her son Florence decides to take matters into her own hands. If she can figure out what happened to Alfie she can clear Dylan’s name and put an end to these horrendous rumors. With laugh-out-loud snarky humor that transforms into a twisted mystery, this quirky mom spirals through the streets of London, tumbling into a whirlwind of trouble. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Many Mothers of Ivy Puddingstone

Starting in the 1960’s, Annabel, a smart young woman travels to Mississippi to help register black voters. Called Freedom Summer, Annabel’s charitable, god fearing parents are convinced that teaching their daughters to be good and kind and fair is all that matters. That summer changes her life. It introduces Annabel to a world that judges, deprives and punishes people, based on the color of their skin. She is shocked, she falls in love and this sets her on a path for a life she never imagined. Annabel and her partner Guthrie move to Boston while he attends Harvard. They live in a communal house called Puddingstone, shared by 10 adults and a growing number of children. These like minded friends and roommates are all activists. Some fighting for equality in the workplace while others clamor for better welfare benefits. They are intelligent, passionate and want to change the world. As the children grow and now number 7, the adults decide city life is not healthy. It is not safe or pure. They want them to explore nature and their creativity and most of all, the adults want to continue their crusades without the daily complications of childcare. One of the women buys an old farmhouse in Vermont. They set up what they believe is an idyllic place to grow and decide the mothers will visit by rotation, giving the children fresh air and adventure while the adults continue the revolution. Narrated by both Annabel and her daughter Ivy, this novel chronicles decades of their evolving relationship shaped by unique circumstances. It is rich with drama, history, friendship, and the deep-seated yearning for mothering that all living beings need. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Tidy Up Your Life

Tyler Moore and his wife live in a small two bedroom/1 bathroom apartment in New York with their three little girls. It may sound impossible to some who have sprawled out living spaces in the suburbs with multiple bedrooms and bathrooms, not to mention the built in storage of garage, basement and attic. The Moore family had a lot less square footage to maintain. It is interesting to read the challenge of assessing what you “need” and how to keep any sized space clean and organized. With a background as a school teacher and administrator, Tyler was good at accomplishing his to-do-list with little ones underfoot. But stress and anxiety of a busy work life and family responsibilities can take its toll. Tyler discovered methods to keep his home tidy and everyone in it happy. As he morphed into his life as “tidy dad” through social media (some of his videos went viral!) He realized that with space, time and financial budget in mind anyone can create the life they want and most importantly prioritize what you need. This light, entertaining read is filled with great tips and motivating ideas for any sized space. If you are ready to take the spring cleaning plunge, check it out! It took thirty years of marriage for my hubby to start doing the dishes. So, yeah, you can change old habits and it is worth a try! ⭐⭐⭐

The Tell

Amy Griffin spent her early years on the track team in Amarillo, Texas. She ran and ran. It calmed her and helped her maintain focus. In college she ran and in Amy’s later years as a busy, working mother she continued to pound the pavement through New York City, her new hometown. The question that always lurked behind the miles, what was she running from? In her search for the underlying cause of her panic and anxiety, Amy underwent MDMA-assisted therapy where she discovered memories of childhood abuse that had been buried for most of her life. Slowly, visions and stories surfaced that had Amy digging deeper into who, what and where this all happened. And most importantly, how in the world did nobody know? With the unyielding support of her husband and family, Amy slowly put the pieces of her mystery together and confronted the horrifying truth. Without knowing how others would react, Amy basically had to rewrite the idyllic childhood she had always treasured. This beautiful, intelligent woman was a mother, sister, daughter, wife and friend to many and for the very first time Amy would be asking for help. With complete honestly and raw description of her innermost thoughts, Amy’s memoir shares her story with the world. It would be therapeutic for anyone to journal their feelings but to make it public takes a bravery that most people would find impossible. Hopefully Amy’s words help others experiencing this kind of pain if only to know they are not alone. This memoir was super hyped by our famous reader leaders. It is very well written (wow) but sad and painful to read. It is not too long and I think it is worthwhile for many reasons. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

It's A Love Story

Jane Jackson grew up on television. As an adolescent actress she played Janey Jakes on a hit tv show that paid the bills and made her famous. All grown up now Jane works behind the scenes for a Hollywood studio with her eye on the prize - getting a script she discovers the green light. Frustrated at thirty that is hasn’t happened yet, she finally found the one. True Story is a romance she is sure will be a hit! Now Jane must convince her boss Nathan to take a chance. Without the explosions and flash appeal of the action flicks he favors, Jane reaches for her one secret move. Jane is intent on convincing Jack Quinlin, a huge singer/songwriter (she knew back in the day) to write a theme song for the movie. Jane is paired with a cinematographer and her nemesis Dan to make this deal happen. Jane and Dan, who can barely stand each other, head to the east coast for a music festival to beg Jack to help them out. They spend the week nearby at Dan’s family home that is filled with siblings, babies and laughter, revealing a completely different Dan. As the pair search for Jack and finally lower their guards, their chemistry becomes undeniable. Fast paced laugh-out-loud, adorable romance - this beach read is the absolute perfect pick for a day at the beach!  Releases May 27, 2025. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Names

Today is the day Cora must fill out the paperwork at the birth registrars office. She goes into town with little Maia by her side and baby boy in his pram. Silently grieving, she cannot imagine naming this beautiful child Gordon after his father and father’s father. The name denotes a history of arrogant, ruthless men who control her life. As a physician, everyone imagines her husband Gordon is a dream, a catch. Handsome, kind to his patients, intelligent and able to provide all the luxuries life has to offer. Little do they realize what her life is behind the closed doors of their home, virtually a prison. Cora imagines what life would be like to name the baby Julian, while 8 year old Maia dreams of Bear. Cora also envisions the terrifying consequences of going against her husband’s wishes. As the reader delves into the parallel worlds the boy’s given name dictates his future self and in turn simultaneously affects completely different lives for both Maia and Cora. Although the description of domestic abuse is extremely difficult to digest, this debut novel is both gorgeously written and heartbreaking. The themes of generational trauma, personal identity and motherhood make this layered story a thought provoking and necessary read. Releases May 6, 2025.  ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Broken Country

Beth lives in a quaint village in the English countryside. As a teenager in the 1950s, while most of her peers dream of marriage and babies, Beth, a studious girl, dreams of studying literature and poetry at Oxford. The summer before her final year of high school, she wanders through a meadow and meets Gabriel. They fall madly in love. Gabriel, a year older and extremely wealthy, shares her passion for writing. He is beautiful, gentle, and completely captivates Beth’s heart. However, his controlling mother disapproves, believing Beth isn’t good enough for her son. Determined to keep them apart, she does everything in her power to sabotage their relationship. Fast-forward to the late 1960s—Beth is married to Frank. Together, they run a large farm with his brother, Jimmy, while still mourning the loss of their son, Bobby. After a decade of silence, Gabriel suddenly returns. The village erupts in gossip, judging Beth for reconnecting with her first love. Through it all, kind and steadfast Frank remains unwavering in his commitment to their marriage and farm. Shifting between past and present, we are led to a courtroom trial. Someone stands accused of murder. But who is on trial? Who was killed? And why? This novel is a breathtaking rollercoaster of love, heartbreak, and secrets. Suspenseful and beautifully crafted these short, gripping chapters make it utterly unputdownable. The biggest compliment I can ever give a book: I didn’t want it to end. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐