The Author's Guide To Murder.

 

 

★★★

 Thank you to publisher,William Morrow for providing me with copy via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

There’s been a sensational murder at historic Castle Kinloch, a gothic fantasy of grey granite on a remote island in the Highlands of Scotland. Literary superstar Brett Saffron Presley has been found dead—under bizarre circumstances—in the castle tower’s book-lined study. Years ago, Presley purchased the castle as a showpiece for his brand and to lure paying guests with a taste for writerly glamour. Now it seems, the castle has done him in…or, possibly, one of the castle’s guests has. Detective Chief Inspector Euan McIntosh, a local with no love for this literary American show-off (or Americans in general), finds himself with the unenviable task of extracting statements from three American lady novelists. 

The prime suspects are Kat de Noir, a slinky, sexy erotica writer; Cassie Pringle, a Southern mom of six juggling multiple cozy mystery series; and Emma Endicott, a New England blue blood and author of critically acclaimed historical fiction. The women claim to be best friends writing a book a historical novel about the castle’s lurid past and its debauched laird, who himself ended up creatively murdered. But the authors’ stories about how they know Brett Saffron Presley don’t quite line up, and the detective is getting increasingly suspicious. 

Why did the authors really come to Castle Kinloch? Is the murder of the long-ago laird somehow connected with the playboy author’s unfortunate demise? And what really happened the night of the great Kinloch ceilidh, when Brett Saffron Presley skipped the folk dancing for a rendezvous with death? 

 

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This was not the first novel I'd read by the three authors. I enjoyed their earlier books, The Glass Ocean and All the Ways We Say Goodbye, which they co-wrote. I have read the author's individual works as well. Lauren Willig, Karen White, and Beatriz Williams are the authors I look out for, especially in historical fiction. I was thrilled to find out that they were writing another book together. With a title like The Author's Guide To Murder , it's hard not to be drawn in. It also included three writers working on a book together. I enjoyed the book, but not in the way I expected when I initially heard about it. 

Sadly, around half of the plot was flat, unlike the other books they wrote together. It took me a few chapters to get into the plot, and I thought that nothing seemed to be occurring and that some of the information in the book was dull. I am pleased I gave a book a try because I couldn't put it down once the story started. I couldn't help but wonder whether any of them were responsible for the murder; everyone had a reason for doing so. I enjoyed reading the interviews with the three of them at the beginning of the book; they were all so different that it was difficult to believe they were friends. The mystery element of the book was my favorite part of it. 

I enjoyed that it was set in Scotland, where I wanted to travel after reading the novel. The book was a little too long and an epilogue was unnecessary. Overall, I enjoyed the story, particularly the mystery component. I am curious to see what the authors have in store for us next

Like Mother,Like Mother.

 

★★★★

Thank you to publisher,Random House Publishing/Dial Press for providing me with copy via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

An enthralling novel about three generations of strong-willed women, unknowingly shaped by the secrets buried in their family’s past. 

 
Detroit, 1960. Lila Pereira is two years old when her angry, abusive father has her mother committed to an asylum. Lila never sees her mother again. Three decades later, having mustered everything she has—brains, charm, talent, blond hair—Lila rises to the pinnacle of American media as the powerful, brilliant executive editor of The Washington Globe. Lila unapologetically prioritizes her career, leaving the rearing of her daughters to her generous husband, Joe. He doesn’t mind—until he does. 

But Grace, their youngest daughter, feels abandoned. She wishes her mother would attend PTA meetings, not White House correspondents’ dinners. As she grows up, she cannot shake her resentment. She wants out from under Lila’s shadow, yet the more she resists, the more Lila seems to shape her life. Grace becomes a successful reporter, even publishing a bestselling book about her mother. In the process of writing it, she realizes how little she knows about her own family. Did Lila’s mother, Grace’s grandmother, die in that asylum? Is refusal to look back the only way to create a future? How can you ever be yourself, Grace wonders, if you don’t know where you came from? 

Spanning generations, and populated by complex, unforgettable characters, Like Mother, Like Mother is an exhilarating, portrait of family, marriage, ambition, power, the stories we inherit, and the lies we tell to become the people we believe we’re meant to be.

 

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Remarkable, Powerful. 

Where do I start, Like Mother, Like Mother ? This book has so many wonderful aspects, which is one of the reasons I found it so difficult to put it down. I was drawn to the story by the title, the cover, and the synopsis. I adore women's fiction, and this story well exceeded my expectations. I still can’t get the story out of my mind. Within the first few pages of the book, I was engrossed in the story, and right when I was about to put it down, something else occurred that kept me reading for several more hours. My favorite kind of books are these. Like Mother, Like Mother follows three generations of women, Zelda, Lila, and Grace, each with a distinct story to tell. 

I adored both Lila's and Grace's stories. Even though Lila was Grace's mother, I felt like I was reading two different stories since they were so different, which was one of the things I liked about this novel. One thing I saw about Grace and Lila was that they were both powerful women who would not back down once they set their minds to something. They both seemed interested in discovering what happened to Zelda, but Lila didn't understand it until it was too late. Like Lila and Grace, I wondered the truth behind Zelda's absence, and I was curious to see what Grace would uncover. 

Like Mother, Like Mother was a beautifully written story. You'll be drawn into the plot and fall in love with the characters. I turned the pages because I needed to know how it would end and if they would discover the truth about Zelda. A few parts of the book, notably the last chapter, were lengthier than they should have been. Overall, I enjoyed reading this book and know it's a story I'll never forget.

The Frozen River.

 

 

★★★★

4.5 ★

A gripping historical mystery inspired by the life and diary of Martha Ballard, a renowned 18th-century midwife who defied the legal system and wrote herself into American history. 

 
Maine, 1789: When the Kennebec River freezes, entombing a man in the ice, Martha Ballard is summoned to examine the body and determine cause of death. As a midwife and healer, she is privy to much of what goes on behind closed doors in Hallowell. Her diary is a record of every birth and death, crime and debacle that unfolds in the close-knit community. Months earlier, Martha documented the details of an alleged rape committed by two of the town’s most respected gentlemen—one of whom has now been found dead in the ice. But when a local physician undermines her conclusion, declaring the death to be an accident, Martha is forced to investigate the shocking murder on her own. 

Over the course of one winter, as the trial nears, and whispers and prejudices mount, Martha doggedly pursues the truth. Her diary soon lands at the center of the scandal, implicating those she loves, and compelling Martha to decide where her own loyalties lie. 

Clever, layered, and subversive, Ariel Lawhon’s newest offering introduces an unsung heroine who refused to accept anything less than justice at a time when women were considered best seen and not heard. The Frozen River is a thrilling, tense, and tender story about a remarkable woman who left an unparalleled legacy yet remains nearly forgotten to this day. 

 

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Gripping, beautifully written, extraordinary. 

The Frozen River is a book you will not forget, no matter how hard you try. It's been a while since I finished the book, but I can't get the story out of my mind. What drew me to the book were not the reviews but the plot and the fact that it was based on a true story. What Martha Ballard did and what she had to face required far more than courage. I was completely hooked after the first few chapters! I admired Martha's bravery and determination to stand trial. It wasn’t easy for her to be there unless her husband was present. I despised how she was treated; I hated how women were treated back then. I felt for all the women during that time. I found myself praying that some justice would be achieved for the women. 

I adore mysteries and historical fiction; The Frozen River was the most original historical fiction mystery I have ever read, while it wasn't the first. I wanted to know how the man ended up in the river and why he was killed. Like Martha, I had a suspicion as to why he was killed, but I was also interested in learning who did it. There were a few people I was certain had killed him, but they turned out to be incorrect. I loved how the book kept me wondering until almost the end. The last person I thought about being involved in it was the real "murderer." I loved that I was constantly on the edge of my seat. 

Even though Martha's journal entries were occasionally difficult to read, I adored them. One of my favorite parts was the author's note at the end. I see why Frozen River received such high marks. I thought the book was too long, but overall, I couldn't put it down, and when I wasn't reading it, I was thinking about it. Frozen River was the 3rd book that I read by Ariel Lawhon, and so far, my favorite.

The Summer We Started Over.

 

★★★★

Two sisters reconnect and pursue their dreams on the beautiful island of Nantucket, overcoming life’s challenges and finding new love, in this heartwarming and hopeful novel by New York Times bestselling author Nancy Thayer. 

Eddie Grant is happy with her life and her work as a personal assistant to Dinah Lavender, one of the most famous and renowned romance authors in the business. But being a spectator to notoriety and glamour isn’t as fulfilling as she once thought. Thankfully, Eddie has the perfect excuse for a vacation: Her hardworking younger sister, Barrett, is opening her gift shop on Memorial Day weekend, and could use all the help she can get. 

But going home to the beautiful island of Nantucket means facing the family’s difficult past. Shortly after the death of Eddie and Barrett’s brother, their mother left them and their father made the spontaneous decision to buy a small farm. Eddie stayed there for only a year before her family’s grief threatened to consume her as well, and had been living in Manhattan ever since. Now that she is back, Eddie must face all she left behind: her father’s increased eccentricities, which has led to a house bursting at the seams with books; her sister’s resentment over Eddie’s escape; and a past love connection, one that is still undeniable and complicated, all these years later. But the Grant sisters are nothing if not resilient and capable, opening a used bookstore in their father’s abandoned barn to manage his hoarding, and navigating the discovery of a long-buried family secret that will change all of them forever. 

 

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A delightful story about family. 

At first, I wasn't sure what to think of this book; it moved slowly. Several parts of the book were repeating themselves. I am glad I decided to give the book more of a chance. I have enjoyed reading books about friendships and family for as long as I can remember, perhaps because they brought back memories of my friends and family. I adored Eddie and Barrett's friendship; they were so close and always had each other's back no matter what happened. I don't have a sister, but it reminded me of my friends, who I consider my sisters. I loved how protective they were of their father and how much they tried to help him, however gently. He's fortunate to have daughters like Eddie and Barrett. 

I disagreed with how Barrett handled her relationships, particularly with Drew. I liked him when we were first introduced to him, but then I saw him for who he was. I didn't like how he treated Barrett; honestly, I didn't think he cared about him, but I just saw her as a summer fling, or so I assumed. Through the book, I hoped Barrett would know he wasn’t the guy she should be with. Although Dinah's "stalker" plotline was unexpected, I didn't enjoy how it developed; it didn't seem realistic. 

I loved that the story was set on Nantucket. I'd read books set on Nantucket before but by a different author. Now that I've read several books on Nantucket, I want to go there myself. Eddie's concern for everyone she cared about, including Dinah, touched me deeply. Eddie is the type of person I would like to have as a friend. The Summer We Started Over was the first novel I read by Nancy Thayer , and it won't be the last. After finishing her book, I look forward to reading more of her work.

The Third Gilmore Girl.

 

★★★★

 

 

Kelly Bishop’s long, storied career has been defined by landmark achievements, from winning a Tony Award for her turn in the original Broadway cast of A Chorus Line to her memorable performance as Jennifer Grey’s mother in Dirty Dancing. But it is probably her iconic role as matriarch Emily in the modern classic Gilmore Girls that cemented her legacy. 

Now, Bishop reflects on her remarkable life and looks towards the future with The Third Gilmore Girl. She shares some of her greatest stories and the life lessons she’s learned on her journey. From her early transition from dance to drama, to marrying young to a compulsive gambler, to the losses and achievements she experienced—among them marching for women’s rights and losing her second husband to cancer—Bishop offers a rich, genuine celebration of her life. 

 

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Gilmore Girls was my all-time favorite show for many years. I couldn't get enough of it, and at one point, I even had every season on DVD. I had a conflicting relationship with Emily in the show due to how she treated her daughter. However, I have always respected Kelly Bishop for her outstanding performance in that role. I don't think things would have been the same if someone else had been selected. When I learned that Kelly Bishop was publishing a memoir, I listened to the audiobook as the actress narrated. Bishop brought the story to life. I'm pleased I chose to listen to it; I couldn't stop listening because I wanted to know what would happen next. 

I knew a few things about Kelly Bishop, but I had no idea she was a dancer until I listened to the book. Her career could have taken a different path without her mother's encouragement to pursue ballet. I had no idea her real name wasn't 'Kelly,' but I can understand why she changed it. I admired Bishop's commitment to her job and dance; no matter what occurred or she had been through, she never gave up on her dreams. 

Most of all, I loved her commitment to her husband, Lee. What the two of them had was pure love. I was delighted she found someone who loved and supported her. Overall, I enjoyed listening to the audiobook, and Kelly narrated it, which made it much more fun. I recommend this book to any Gilmore Girls fan.

The Perfect Couple (Nantucket,#3)

 

 

★★★★★

It's Nantucket wedding season, also known as summer-the sight of a bride racing down Main Street is as common as the sun setting at Madaket Beach. The Otis-Winbury wedding promises to be an event to remember: the groom's wealthy parents have spared no expense to host a lavish ceremony at their oceanfront estate. 

But it's going to be memorable for all the wrong reasons after tragedy strikes: a body is discovered in Nantucket Harbor just hours before the ceremony-and everyone in the wedding party is suddenly a suspect. As Chief of Police Ed Kapenash interviews the bride, the groom, the groom's famous mystery-novelist mother, and even a member of his own family, he discovers that every wedding is a minefield-and no couple is perfect. 

 

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Mysterious. 

Given how long I've been reading Elin Hilderbrand books, I shouldn't be surprised. Nonetheless, practically every book she's written has surprised me. I bought The Perfect Couple long before there was talk of a TV show. I chose to read the book before seeing the show, and I'm pleased. I loved the storyline, most of the characters, and the writing style. I couldn’t stop reading. I liked how the writing was written from many characters' points of view, allowing the reader to come to know each character better. Celeste's point of view when she first met Benji intrigued me. I didn't like him immediately and thought Celeste didn't love him as much as he loved her. I wanted to know if the wedding will take place. 

Greer, the Groom's mother, was someone about whom I had skeptical thoughts. I didn't always like her and suspected she was hiding something. Sometimes, when I saw how she treated Celeste and her parents, I adored her and realized she had nothing to do with it. I kept going back and forth over her character. Meritt was another complex character, and despite her actions, she did not deserve what happened to her. I hoped that they would figure out what had happened. 

I enjoyed the mystery itself. While reading The Perfect Couple , I could envision everything and was on the edge of my seat. I thought I had discovered what had happened several times, but my theories were wrong. These are my favorite mysteries in which you don't know the answer until the end. This is the best novel I have ever read by Elin Hilderbrand, and I highly suggest it. I'm eager to see the TV series and hope it lives up to the book.

The Pumpkin Spice Café(Dream Harbor, #1)

 

 

 ★★★

3.5 ★

When Jeanie's aunt gifts her the beloved Pumpkin Spice Café in the small town of Dream Harbor, Jeanie jumps at the chance for a fresh start away from her very dull desk job. 

Logan is a local farmer who avoids Dream Harbor's gossip at all costs. But Jeanie's arrival disrupts Logan's routine and he wants nothing to do with the irritatingly upbeat new girl, except that he finds himself inexplicably drawn to her. 

Will Jeanie's happy-go-lucky attitude win over the grumpy-but-gorgeous Logan, or has this city girl found the one person in town who won't fall for her charm, or her pumpkin spice lattes… 

The Pumpkin Spice Café is a cozy romantic mystery for fans of Gilmore Girls, with a grumpy x sunshine dynamic, a small-town setting and a HEA guaranteed! 

 

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I had no idea what to expect from this book. Even though it was a well-known book, I was unaware of it until it was chosen as the book of the month for my book club. I'm glad it did, and I'm glad I decided to try this book. It took me a few chapters to get into the plot, and Jeanie initially bothered me, mainly because of how she acted. The story lagged, and I worried whether it would end up being DNF books for me, but I continued reading, and I'm glad I did because as the story picked up, I couldn't get enough of it, and Jeanie ended up being one of my favorite characters. It’s one of those times that I am glad I kept reading. 

The Pumpkin Spice Café was a lovely story, and I believe the mystery surrounding who was messing with the Café kept me reading. Though I knew who it was before it, the truth was recovered. I enjoyed the story with Jeanie and Logan, albeit I believe their relationship progressed too quickly. The two of them met, and before you could blink, they were together, which didn't seem realistic to me. I knew how they felt about each other, but sometimes, I thought they were trying to figure out why they shouldn't be together. They were unwilling to accept that they were in love with one other. I was waiting for them to admit it, finally. I was rooting for them throughout the whole book. 

I loved how most of the town accepted Jeanie. I understand how difficult it is to move to a new city and start over. I loved how Jeanie was able to make new friends. Overall, I loved reading this book. I'm eager to read Hazel's narrative, another character I enjoyed in The Cinnamon Bun Book Store , and I'm also keen to see if Logan and Jeanie will make an appearance.

Happy Place.

 

★★★★★

 

A couple who broke up months ago pretend to still be together for their annual weeklong vacation with their best friends.

Harriet and Wyn have been the perfect couple since they met in college—they go together like salt and pepper, honey and tea, lobster and rolls. Except, now—for reasons they’re still not discussing—they don’t. 

They broke up five months ago. And still haven’t told their best friends. 

Which is how they find themselves sharing a bedroom at the Maine cottage that has been their friend group’s yearly getaway for the last decade. Their annual respite from the world, where for one vibrant, blissful week they leave behind their daily lives; have copious amounts of cheese, wine, and seafood; and soak up the salty coastal air with the people who understand them most. 

Only this year, Harriet and Wyn are lying through their teeth while trying not to notice how desperately they still want each other. Because the cottage is for sale and this is the last week they’ll all have together in this place. They can’t stand to break their friends’ hearts, and so they’ll play their parts. Harriet will be the driven surgical resident who never starts a fight, and Wyn will be the laid-back charmer who never lets the cracks show. It’s a flawless plan (if you look at it from a great distance and through a pair of sunscreen-smeared sunglasses). After years of being in love, how hard can it be to fake it for one week… in front of those who know you best? 

 

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Heart wrecking. 

Don't let the title deceive you. When I first started listening to this book, I figured based on the title that it would be a sweet, happy romantic story. I should've known. Happy Place is anything but that. There are a few happy moments throughout the novel, but not in the way that I expected. I listened to the audiobook for hours last night because I couldn't find a decent spot to stop, and I had to know what would happen to Wyn and Harriet—as well as to Parth, Kimmy, Sabrina, and Cleo. I simply couldn't get enough of their stories. Naturally, a part of me was terrified of how the story would end. The only reason it took me so long to read was because it was an audiobook, which takes longer to finish than reading a book. I'm pleased I listened to the audiobook; it brought the story to life for me. 

Julie Wheelan was one of the best narrators I've listened to. This was the second book I listened to by her, and she has quickly become one of my favorites. Wheelan captures each character and their emotions exactly as I see them, which is perhaps why I ended up crying several times while listening to this book. I especially loved how she represented Wyn and Harriet, making their interactions and relationship feel more real, and I could see it happening as I listened to the book. It was hard to not fall in love with Wyn and Harriet; at least for me. There was something unique about the two of them, and I couldn't help but root for them. There were also moments when they would frustrate me, and I wished they would finally grasp that the two of them belonged together. 

I could write about Wyn and Harriet for a whole page. Over the years, I've read about a few couples that have made me fall in love. But there's something unique about Wyn and Harriet; I can't stop thinking about them. Another great aspect of the book was the relationship between Wyn, Parth, Sabrina, Cleo, Kimmie, and Harriet. Whatever happens, they are always there for one another. It made me think and miss my best friends, who don't live close by.It is the friendship that will last for years to come.
I've read a few books by Emily Henry, but Happy Place is my favorite so far. I would recommend this book to any romance fan. I highly recommend that you listen to the audiobook; it will be an unforgettable experience!

If I Can Save One Child.

 

 

★★★★

Thank you to publisher, Bookoture for providing me with copy via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

France, 1942: Robert curls sleepily into me, his tiny hand grasping mine like a lifeline. He’s been so brave, this little boy who has been through the unimaginable. As his eyes close, I wonder how much longer we can go on. But I promised to save him. And I can’t give up now… 

Young linguist Elisabeth has been working for the British secret service since the war began, rescuing downed pilots and Jewish refugees. Now the Gestapo are on her her next mission must be her last. Or she may never see the white cliffs of Dover again. 

But she can’t even think about abandoning her post when so many remain in danger. So when daredevil fellow agent Guy arrives with a frantic plea, there was never any doubt that Elisabeth would help. Somewhere in occupied France is a little boy, the last survivor of a Jewish orphanage, desperately trying to make his way to safety. They have to save him. 

Elisabeth knows the mission may be suicide. But she also knows she could never live with herself if she didn’t try to save this child. And so she and Guy set off on one last journey together, into the mountains. For freedom – for this child – they’ll risk it all…

 

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 Heart -wrenching. 

This novel will break your heart into a thousand pieces. The novel was tough to read at some parts, but you won't be able to put it down. Almost every page has something happening, which kept you flipping the pages because you wanted to know what would happen next. This book's emotions were so vivid that I felt like I was experiencing everything the characters did. I felt the horror that they were experiencing at that time. The book had some slow parts in the beginning, but after it picked up, I was so involved in the story that I didn't even know how much time had passed. I was eager but anxious about how it would end. 

Elisabeth was my favorite character in the story. She was full of courage. She went through so much, even putting herself in danger, to save the little boy. The title, If I Can Save One Child , perfectly sums up the story. Aside from the author, the title was what drew my attention. Elisabeth was the book's most developed character. I found myself rooting for her all the way to the end. I adored how she cared for all the children. 

I loved the connection that Elisabeth and Guy had. I hoped that the two of them would find a way to each other. It was apparent from the start that the two of them cared for one another. This was the second book I read by Amanda Lees , and my only regret is that I didn't discover her earlier. I'm excited to check out the other of her works. A beautifully written book about strength, loss, and love.

Table For Two.

 

 

★★★★

The millions of readers of Amor Towles are in for a treat as he shares some of his shorter six stories set in New York City and a novella in Los Angeles. The New York stories, most of which are set around the turn of the millennium, take up everything from the death-defying acrobatics of the male ego, to the fateful consequences of brief encounters, and the delicate mechanics of compromise which operate at the heart of modern marriages. 

In Towles’s novel, Rules of Civility, the indomitable Evelyn Ross leaves New York City in September, 1938, with the intention of returning home to Indiana. But as her train pulls into Chicago, where her parents are waiting, she instead extends her ticket to Los Angeles. Told from seven points of view, “Eve in Hollywood” describes how Eve crafts a new future for herself—and others—in the midst of Hollywood’s golden age. 

Throughout the stories, two characters often find themselves sitting across a table for two where the direction of their futures may hinge upon what they say to each other next.
Written with his signature wit, humor, and sophistication, Table for Two is another glittering addition to Towles’s canon of stylish and transporting historical fiction. 

 

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Table for Two is the third book I have read by Amor Towles , whom I accidentally discovered back in 2020, while I was in the library. This collection of short stories has been on my reading list since I learned that he was releasing it, and I was finally able to grab a copy from the library. Once again, I was not disappointed. I enjoyed most of the short stories in this book; the only downside was that they were short pieces, and I wanted the story to continue for these characters. I couldn't get enough of these people and their stories. I didn't want these stories to end. 

The first four short stories (The Line, The Ballad of Timothy Touchette, Hasta Luego, and I Will Survive) were my favorites. It wasn't that the rest weren't good, but they didn't grab my attention as much as the first four did. I kept reading because I wanted to see how they would end; even if part of me didn't want them to end, I didn't want to say goodbye. There was so much going on, I was constantly on the edge of my seat. I haven't got the chance to read Rules Of Civility yet, but I read that Eve In Hollywood is a separate story. I enjoyed most of the story, but I felt it was longer than it should have been. 

Once again, I was blown away. I had only read three of his books, but I already look forward to when he comes out with new ones. I'm excited to see what Amor Towles has in store for us next!