Ms. Mebel Goes Back to the Chopping Block
by Jesse Q Sutanto
Delightful Coming of Age at 63 (5/16/2026)
This book was absolutely delightful. I had the good fortune of receiving a paperback copy of Ms. Mebel Goes Back to the Chopping Block to discuss in the BookBrowse Community online book club.
From the first page when Mebel imagines that unlikely ways to die- like checking for sharks in a swimming pool. Mebel Tanadi, a Chinese Indonesian trophy wife of 40 years is blind sided when her husband Henk decides to leave her for the very young Wendy, their cook.
Since Mebel’s entire identity is wrapped up in her luxurious lifestyle, so I’ll live and collection of Hermes handbags, she decides to win back Henk by going to cooking school in Paris, near the Dior shop. Unwittingly, Mebel has actually registered at the sister school in a small town outside Oxford. Mebel’s trajectory and coming of age at a time when many of us retire is so much fun.
For fans of Kevin Kwan, this is a must read.
Henry Tudor Must Die
by Jillian Laine
Delightful Alternative History (5/3/2026)
Although there were times when the narrative lagged a bit, overall, Henry Tudor Must Die is an immensely entertaining book that reimagines a world in which Katherine of Aragon fakes her death and uses magic to save Anne Boleyn from execution to join a secret society of women who collaborate to save potential victims of over zealous clergy and sanctimonious rulers.
This book was just fun, clever, creative, imaginative and filled with woman power at a time where few women had any agency or rights- completely suborned to the whimsy of their male oppressors- like a shadow government.
Alternative histories can be delightfully funny. Kudos to Jillian Laine.
Summer of Love
by Kerri Maher
A Thought Provoking Story of the California Wine Country & Sobriety (4/27/2026)
The Summer of Love encompasses many themes from the era of sex, love & rock 'n roll to the present day with the overall focus on the trajectory of one family, secrets, addiction to alcohol or drugs or people and their journey to find peace & serenity.
My first husband was an alcoholic who died too young because of his addiction. I spent many years in Alanon learning self care and following the steps associated with my program. Just yesterday, I met a woman struggling with her husband's addiction. Alcoholism is an insidious disease that destroys lives, families, futures and relationships.
Kerri Maher weaves a story that shows the devastation as well as the resilience of those who find a way to sobriety. For me, the book is uplifting, encouraging and a brave examination of the author's own struggle.
I am grateful to Netgalley and BookBrowse for the opportunity to read an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Boring Asian Female
by Canwen Xu
Insightful/ Loved Boring Asian Female (3/2/2026)
This book is so prescient considering the recent litigation involving the marginalization of Asian applicants to Harvard and other Ivy League universities. Elizabeth appears to be the quintessential Asian woman aspirant to success. I loved the prose, the unequivocal focus on gaining admission to Harvard, and the personality quirks that drove Elizabeth.
I had the good fortune to live in Asia more than five years and see the expectations that many Asian women internalized.
Notwithstanding, the book was entertaining and made me laugh at times.
An all around.
Fireflies in Winter
by Eleanor Shearer
Interesting Bit of History (2/1/2026)
Thank you to NetGalley/ Berkeley Publishing for/ BookBrowse for the privilege of reading and Advance Reader Copy of Fireflies in Winter in exchange for an honest review.
Protagonist Cora along with Silas, Leah and young Benjamin were transported by the British from Jamaica to Nova Scotia following the 2nd Maroon war. Maroons were escaped African slaves who fled to the interior mountains of Jamaica, fought colonization, and developed their own culture. The Maroons lived in Nova Scotia between 1796 and 1800 before sailing to Sierra Leone.
Cora is an orphan living with her friend Leah and widower Silas, who has an eye on Cora. The book actually begins with a woman on trial in a Halifax courtroom. The narrative moves back and forth from the courtroom to the Maroons living in the village of Preston.
I liked the writing style of Eleanor Shearer. Additionally, I'd been unfamiliar with the deportations of Maroons from Jamaica to Nova Scotia, which intrigued me and caused me to dig deeper into the history. I can't imagine a greater cultural shift than being transported from the Caribbean Beaty of Jamaica to the wintry starkness of Nova Scotia.
Ultimately, I thought Cora was the least interesting character in the book. I could not empathize with Cora. Agnes remained an enigma. Other characters including Thursday, Leah, and Benjamin found my heart.
The Pie & Mash Detective Agency
by J.D. Brinkworth
Delightfully Quirky Debut (12/28/2025)
The Pie & Mash Detective Agency is a delightfully quirky debut by a duo of writers using the pseudonym J.D. Brinkworth. Unemployed Jane encourages her partner, Simon, to enroll in a course learning how to develop skills to investigate crimes, missing persons, cheating partners. The duo are assigned to investigate an old case that remains unsolved by their instructor. What happened to Nellie Thorne?
Replete with equally appealing eccentric protagonists and peripheral characters, I believe a cozy mystery series could be successful.
The Magic of Untamed Hearts: Wild Magic #3
by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland
Started Strong- (10/5/2025)
This book started off strongly with Sky being a fascinating character and her initially charming and intriguing and Adam being charming with an appreciation for Sky's idiosyncratic behaviors. However, about 2/3 of the way through I found myself flipping through pages looking for the next interesting interaction. This story had so much potential but left me feeling annoyed. Perhaps it would have resonated differently if I'd read the first two books of the series.
The Sister's Curse
by Nicola Solvinic
Intriguing Mystery with Occult Themes (7/15/2025)
If you love Simone St. James you will thoroughly enjoy The Cursed Sisters, which combines murder, a 25 year old cold case, a group of religious zealots, a police procedural, poisoning of waterways and citizens convinced there are witches and forest gods seeking revenge. The plot flowed smoothly and is peopled with strong women characters. Actually, my favorite character is a sweet fox named Simoe.
Having discovered this is the second book in a series, I think I would appreciate a bit more of the backstory for protagonist, Anna. This books does stand alone; but more on Anna's history would clarify some of her motivations.
The Vanishing Place
by Zoë Rankin
Great Potential But Disappointing (6/19/2025)
The Vanishing Place began with a strong premise; however, I found myself skimming the chapters from the past loving the chapters that take place in 2025. Effie and Anya are compelling characters, which redeemed the book for me. The psychological dynamics involving the damaged child Anya are realistic and heartbreaking. The fact that Effie escaped from the bush is a story of resilience. However, I just found the backstory of the life in their bush depressing to the point I couldn't muddle through.
L.A. Women
by Ella Berman
Uninspiring with Unlikable Characters (3/9/2025)
If you are a fan of books by Taylor Jenkins Reid, you will enjoy this book about Hollywood in the 1960s & 1970s. I have always thought TJR's books are overrated & boring. I struggled to finish L.A. Women. I did not like or feel empathy for any of the characters who seem reckless, obnoxious, unhappy, and retreads of characters featured in other stories of LA in the period featuring sex, drugs and Rock N Roll. It was just depressing.
Jane and Dan at the End of the World
by Colleen Oakley
A Quick Lighthearted Read (12/25/2024)
The premise of the book had so much potential. Author Jane and her husband Dan embarked on on a celebratory evening at an over-the-top dining establishment only to find themselves held hostage by a global warming activist group that seem to be using the plot of Jane's one moderately successful novel as a template. I expected the atmosphere to feel more surreal, tense, suspenseful and intriguing.
Instead, the plot felt forced and uncompelling. I kept skimming through pages hoping to be pulled into the story. But, I wasn't. Instead, the book, to me, felt more like a mildly distracting, easy, beach read that didn't require much focus.
Beast of the North Woods: Monster Hunter Mysteries #3
by Annelise Ryan
Cozy Mystery Meets Mythical Creature (11/2/2024)
This book is a quirky cozy mystery replete with murder, the search for the mythical Hodag in the woods of Wisconsin, and investigation by a crypto zoologist, a study completely new to me. The intellectually eccentric characters bring a lovely level of charm to the story with elevated vocabulary. The narrative is a bit slow at times and the plot has a few holes. Overall, I enjoyed the opportunity to read an advance copy courtesy of BookBrowse and Netgalley.
Harlem Rhapsody
by Victoria Christopher Murray
A Beautiful Story (9/17/2024)
Until I read this book I was unfamiliar with Jessie Redmon Fauset. Her trajectory during the Harlem Renaissance touched the core of my soul. This amazing woman overcame prejudice based on sex and race to promote the fledgling careers a brilliant black writers of the early 20th century. She was fearless,brave, talented, independent, brilliant and at heart a flawed human being like most of us. But, oh…what an insightful editor to bring to the public the poets and authors she discovered. Thank you, BookBrowse, for the opportunity to review such a seminal work.
The Story Collector
by Evie Woods
Engrossing (7/26/2024)
This book started off a bit slowly; but I became engrossed with the duel stories of Anna and Sarah. There are magical moments, charming characters and wonderful Irish lore. Ultimately, I couldn’t put the book down. I did skip some paragraphs…the reason for 4 stars; but overall a charming read.
Pony Confidential
by Christina Lynch
Charming Road Trip Meets Mystery (6/14/2024)
Pony Confidential was way out of my typical book choices; however, the story exudes charm and empathy that focuses on the way humans and animals communicate and bind. The tale (intention pun) is told from the alternating voices of a wrongly imprisoned Penny and her Pony that felt abandoned when Penny was 12.
While I thoroughly enjoyed the unique premise, I must admit that I paged rapidly through parts in the middle of the book, which I believe should be classified as Young Adult or for young girls who fondly remember Misty of Chincoteague. The story is a bit too twee for adults.
Again, I thought the book was well written. I liked it. But, not for adult readers.
The Funeral Cryer: A Novel
by Wenyan Lu
Ordinary Life in Rural China (2/25/2024)
The Funeral Cryer is an interesting study of uneducated people living in villages in rural China where the old ways remain amid modern technology such as mobile phones.
I am appreciative of BookBrowse and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this story about people who lead lives of quiet desperation and lack of many basic needs in a patriarchy where ‘the husband’ reigns supreme, even if lazy, rude and dismissive.
When I lived in Taipei I learned about hired mourners for funerals. The wealthier the decedent, the greater the number of paid mourners during the funeral procession, crying and playing music. Until I read The Funeral Cryer, however, I was not aware the job was considered bad luck or that the job could be so profitable.
I rated the book ‘average’ because the cadence is extremely slow and I found myself skimming pages, even though the story is interesting.
The Adversary: A Novel
by Michael Crummey
Dark, Violent, Beautifully Written (12/31/2023)
The Adversary by Michael Crummy is not an easy read. The grim, dark, brutal story takes place in perhaps early 19th Century Mockbeggar, with the primary business being salted cod fisheries, on the coast of Newfoundland. The book follows the hatred and competition for control of the fisheries and related mercantile businesses between two siblings: Abe Strapp and the Widow. The author employs the unique language of the settlers and populates Mockbeggar and nearby Nonsuch with the Beadle, Matterface, Old Soot, the Duke of Limbs, Heater, and the Jerseyman. Despite the presence of the Church of England and a society of Quakers, the people are corrupt, soulless, conniving and mean-spirited. Because I love historical fiction and an author that uses words artfully in telling a tale, I am giving this book four stars. But, there is little positivity in The Adversary. Plague, amputations, scourging, retribution, piracy, graft, death, death and more death. Certainly not an uplifting book for the holiday season.
Daughters of Shandong
by Eve J. Chung
Resilient Women in a Patriarchal World (10/28/2023)
Daughters of Shandong is a must read for fans of Wild Swans, Peach Blossom Spring, and books by Lisa See and Amy Tan. This story celebrates the strength & resiliency of women who were 'less than' because of having been born female. Even today, sons are preferred in China & Taiwan.
Having been privileged to live in Taiwan & Hong Kong and spoken to survivors of WWII and the Civil War between the communists and Nationalists, these stories are critical to our understanding of the past as well as the current political challenges facing ROC from PRC. I moved to Taipei in 1988, just after Chiang Ching Kuo died and martial law was lifted. Filial piety was still expected. Since that time women in Taiwan have triumphed in society and government. Loved this book!
Killers of a Certain Age
by Deanna Raybourn
Totally Entertaining (10/8/2023)
This book about retiring women assassins being stalked is delightful. It is refreshing to read about dynamic women of a certain age that remain clever, agile, funny, cunning, strategic, and collaborative. Huzzah! To the moral assassins ridding the world of evil doers. Love the premise of the story and the well written execution (pun intended)
The Witches at the End of the World
by Chelsea Iversen
Beautiful writing/lackluster plot (8/19/2023)
The atmospheric descriptions of places and people provided a beautiful setting for The Witches at the End of the World set in rural Norway. I've been entranced by witches since I first met The Mayfair Witches By Anne Rice decades ago. So, my expectations were high. The two sisters at the center of the book, Minna and Kaija, didn't cause me to want to know them better. There also could have been more insight into why the villagers believed witchcraft was the cause of their tragedy, their suspicions of strangers -particularly when one of the critical moments felt so contrived. The dots didn't always connect for me. I did love Tante Tilde.
