I waited a long time to read The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon. At least, it feels like I did.
This historical fiction novel published in December 2023, and I started seeing its beautiful book cover appear on Instagram not long after. Everyone who recommended it to me told me it was a great “winter read.”
I love me a good seasonal read, so even though my library had the book in stock somewhere around June 2024, I held off. I wanted to read...
I loved absolutely everything about Bees in June. It’s a magical, uplifting, endearing, and charming story. Think Waitress meets Midnight at the Blackbird Café. With bees.
What’s Bees in June about?
Bees in June is about Rennie, a young woman stuck in an unhappy and increasingly abusive marriage. Rennie needs to find meaning in her life after her newborn son passes away and her husband withdraws from their relationship. When she...
Given that James was recently awarded a Pulitzer Prize, I figured it might be a good time to post my book review of this reimagined masterpiece by Percival Everett.
This one is worth the hype, Tartlets.
What’s James about?
James is a retelling of Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn from the point of view of the enslaved man Jim (James), who accompanies Tom and Huck along their adventures in the original Twain story. We...
Smoke on the Wind is the perfect read for #cozygirlsummer.
This novel by Kelli Estes is set in the glorious Scottish Highlands. It transports you to a land steeped in ancient Celtic folklore and mystery; a starkly beautiful landscape amidst rolling fog; and fires burning in the hearth after long country walks.
Are you looking for a summer read that's not set on a sun-drenched tropical island? Then run to your nearest bookstore to pick up Smoke...
Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall is the hot new book in town. It’s being compared to Where the Crawdads Sing, and it was the March 2025 pick for Reese’s Book Club. I’m sure a movie adaptation is in the works, whether we’ve heard of it or not.
What did I think of Broken Country? I liked it. But, I didn’t love it. It’s no Where the Crawdads Sing, I’ll tell you that much. Let’s get into it!
What’s Broken Country about?...
I’m just gonna say it: The Paris Express is my least favorite Emma Donoghue novel. *cries*
But I’ve loved so many of this author’s books that I suppose she’s allowed a clunker here and there, right?
Right???? *sigh*
What’s The Paris Express about? The Paris Express is a multi-POV novel (yep, another one) about people aboard a fast-moving train traveling across France that is – not a spoiler – doomed to crash. It’s based on a...
I’m announcing it right now: the book of the summer is The Amalfi Curse.
Tartlets, I devoured this new novel from Sarah Penner in a little over one day. I could not put it down, and I adored every page of this literary blockbuster.
What’s The Amalfi Curse about? The Amalfi Curse introduces us to modern-day Haven, a nautical archaeologist (aka, a scuba diver who loves exploring shipwrecks) who’s sent on a diving expedition off the coast...
My 50-page rule strikes again! It took me a little while to become invested in Mirror Me. I’m glad I persevered because I ended up really enjoying this unique and twisty psychological thriller from Lisa Willamson Rosenberg.
What’s Mirror Me about? Mirror Me is about Eddie, who dramatically demands entrance to a psych hospital one night after thinking he murdered his lover, Lucy (who also happens to be his brother’s fiancé…). The...
The Fabled Earth is another book that I hate sticking in my DNF pile. The premise of this novel really drew me in, and its beautiful cover art sealed the deal. This historical fiction/women’s fiction work by Kimberly Brock contains good writing and a good story, but it just didn't have enough oomph to keep me turning the pages.
What’s The Fabled Earth about?
This novel packs a LOT into its pages. The Fabled Earth has two timelines that...
The Matchmaker’s Gift by Lynda Cohen Loigman is a lovely blend of contemporary women's fiction and historical fiction with a smidge of magical realism.
What’s The Matchmaker’s Gift about? The Matchmaker’s Gift introduces us to Sara, who immigrates to NYC in the early 1900s and uses her matchmaking gift to support her family. However, Sara's attempts to help couples find happiness brings trouble to those she loves most. This is partly...
