Plant Lady
by Kang Minyoung
Combine Dexter with a sweet plant lady (6/2/2026)
Yoohee has quit her office job and opened her very own Plant Shop. She is somewhat of a loner, - sweet, quiet,and caring. However, she also has another side, a secretive, dark side. In fact there is so much more to Yoohee than meets the eye. On one hand she's a lot like a female version of Dexter, while at the same time she's simply a girl that loves plants and finds peace among them. The story also gives off Little Shop of Horror vibes . All in all the book is a quick read that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Henry Tudor Must Die
by Jillian Laine
Maybe Anne Boleyn Lived (4/30/2026)
If you have ever wondered how things might have turned out if Henry VIII had not had Anne Boleyn executed, this book is for you. What would be different, if by magic, Anne didn't die by being beheaded? Again, this book gives answers to this possibility. Not only does Anne live in this story, but she also becomes best friends with Catherine de Aragon, Henry's first wife who was also supposed to be dead. The two women are members of the Hellebore Society which is an all female organization where women look after each other, as well as all of society. Through the network of the Hellebore Society Anne and Catherine are tasked with looking after Henry's wives that came after them. As you can imagine this is a huge undertaking. Both women want Henry to get what he deserves, Anne wants Henry dead and has made her life's goal to see that her deepest desire comes true.
The women are in constant danger of being found out. They both miss their daughters terribly, but for the daughter's safety as well as their own, Anne and Catherine can't even be around their daughters, nor can they touch or talk to them, This is a heartache that never stops and it only makes them want to stop Henry's trail of heartache and destruction even more. The ladies meet many dangerous situations and make many sacrifices on the road to the end goal.
The Reimagining of Thornwood House
by Jaleigh Johnson
Iskendra is Full of Magic (4/11/2026)
Evie and her soon to be adopted daughter, Ruby have been sent to Iskendra to find and bond with a sentient house. The houses care taker has recently passed away and in response, the house has ran away. Evie is a land witch and Ruby is a future witch and they must find the house and through magic and hard work they must repair it. For the wellbeing of the house, as well as the village it's imperative for a bond to form between the house and Evie. It's also important to Evie because she has been told that once the bond is made she can finally become Ruby's adopted mother. Even though most of the people in the village are welcoming, there are some who don't seem to want them there. There is magic everywhere in Iskendra, some good, and some not so good. It will be a fight to the bitter end to find out who wins in this battle.
Feast
by Catherine Kurtz
Taste and Smell Superstar (3/30/2026)
Minha was born with the ability to taste and smell deeply, so deeply in fact, that she can taste where a food has been grown. Her sense of smell is so powerful that she can smell all of the ingredients in a dish. And the very thing that she is so good at becomes the thing that turns her life upside down.
Her father was a sailor and left Minha and her mother shortly after Minha was born. Her mother eventually took Minha to her grandparents home and left her there. Minha grew very close to her grandfather who was the only person in her life that really loved her. Her grandmother never seemed to care much for the girl. So, after her grandfather died Minha left as a stowaway on a boat heading for France.
Once in France she went to work helping Duc Nicolas' family prepare for a party. Her powerful sense of smell detected poison in a duck prepared for the Duc. She saved the Duc from death and he hired her as a poison taster. She was grateful for the job but there were others in the Duc's household that resented her. Then she met a poor starving man living near the stables and nursed him back to health by bringing him food from the Duc's household.
It seems Minha was always helping others, but no one ever seemed to care about her. The very people she helped were the ones that treated her the worst. Just when she starts believing she has finally found her place in the world, she is brutally abused and betrayed.
The Insomniacs
by Allison Winn Scotch
Insomnia is a Strange way to Make Friends (3/25/2026)
It starts when three people that can't sleep start talking on the internet and decide to meet up at an all night diner. At the diner during the groups first in person meet up, they are waited on by a young waitress that works the over night shift because she also can't sleep and decides the perfect job is to work the late shift. So, the waitress joins the group. As the group of four continues to meet up regularly, first at the diner and later at their homes, they form an unusual friendship.
The group consists of Sybil, a middle aged woman who is a Harvard medical doctor graduate. Next up is Zeke, a world famous baseball player. Then there's Julian, a retired owner of a candy store. Finally, there's Betty, a young waitress that seems afraid of everyone and everything. Although every one of the insomniacs seem to have secrets, they quickly learn to rely on one another. However, some of the secrets they keep are huge. As the secrets start coming out trouble soon follows and we soon find that some of the secrets are deadly. There's a fire in which several people die, there's infidelity, a dangerous cult, a hit and run incident, and so much more.
The Young Will Remember
by Eve J. Chung
Strong women are unconquerable (3/11/2026)
This book by Evie J. Chung is every bit as good as her book of Shandong, if not even better. It is 1950 and Ellie Chang, a war correspondent is a Chinese American. The flight she's on is shot down in North Korea and everyone on board is shot dead by soldiers. Ellie is spared because of a Korean lady mistaking her as her daughter. Although Ellie isn't killed by the soldiers, she is trapped in North Korea during a raging war. She's taken in by Emma, the lady mistaking her for her daughter and the Korean family that she's staying with. Emma is desperately trying to find her daughter who has been drafted by the Japanese into the Comfort Stations which are systems of sexual slavery, also known as rape stations. Emma is determined to find her daughter as the war rages all around them. Ellie is determined to get back to her family in the US. This is the story of their journey through an unbelievable period of history.
The story in this book is full of cruelty, death, starvation, betrayal, heart break, fear, and bravery. But, it is about wonderful people, perseverance, and unconditional love. It sheds light on just how strong women can be, especially when it comes to the love they have for their children. I highly recommend this book.
Boring Asian Female
by Canwen Xu
Elizabeth's Mental Health Diagnosis (3/1/2026)
Wow! Just wow! I am a mental health professional and as I read this book, I spent the entire time trying to diagnose Elizabeth. In the beginning Elizabeth is extremely likable and seems to have a great sense of humor. It seems Elizabeth has been planning her life around getting into Harvard law school . She literally has done everything right and doesn't even consider the possibility of not getting into Harvard. Then the unthinkable happens and she gets a rejection letter from Harvard. She makes an appointment with an advisor to help her understand what went wrong and he basically tells her that she is just a boring Asian female and there's nothing that sets her apart from other Asian women. So, she goes to work to change this and plans to reapply with Harvard.
However, her life begins to spiral and she is met with one disaster of her own making after another and she becomes unstable. It is truly like watching her sink further and further into madness. As for a proper diagnosis, there's not just one. In fact there are many along the way. Though low self esteem is not a diagnosis in itself, it is certainly at the root of all of her issues.
Thistlemarsh
by Moorea Corrigan
Magic, Faeries, and Mystery (1/31/2026)
World War I is finally over and Nurse, Mouse Dunne is taking care of her brother who is suffering from Shell Shock (PTSD) when she gets the news that she has inherited Thistlemarsh Hall. Thistlemarsh was once a Faerie blessed house. But the Faeries have been gone for over a hundred years and the Hall is in deep decline. Her dead uncle stipulated in the will that Mouse only has a month to repair Thistlemarsh or it will go to the despised Carlyle.
Mouse meets Thornwood, a lone Faerie who promises to repair Thistlemarsh Hall within the allotted time, but for a price. As time gets closer to the due date, the old Faerie King returns with many Faeries and things quickly become chaotic. Mouse no longer knows who to trust. She is confused by her feelings for the handsome Thornwood and no longer knows if he is to be trusted.
I would recommend this book to anyone that loves fantasy. It's a good story full of magic, fae, and mystery. It is also sprinkled with historical fiction and has a touch of romance thrown in for good measure.
The Pie & Mash Detective Agency
by J.D. Brinkworth
Great Beginning For A New Series (12/23/2025)
Pie and Mash are an unusual duo of wannabe private detectives. In fact, Jane Pie and Simon Mash are students for a beginner class on detective techniques. The teacher for the class gives everyone a different case to work on for a class presentation, but the case that Jane and Simon gets is a real doozy, For years a woman named Nellie Thorne goes missing and is never found. It seems this has been recurring for many decades. The woman's name is always Nellie Thorne and she always disappears under similar circumstances. No one has ever been able to solve this mystery. So why did this teacher think it was possible for Jane and Simon to do what previously trained professionals haven't been able to do? I think this is a great book for a new series.
This Here Is Love: A Novel
by Princess Joy L. Perry
Hauntingly Beautiful but Sad (8/3/2025)
This is a story about the awful things that human beings are capable of doing to other humans. But, it also the story of determination, resilience, and the power of love. It follows the lives of Bless, Cassie, and David who are all slaves. It is also the story of Jack, Jeffrey, and Ethan who were the white men that held all the power over Bless, Cassie, and David’s lives. One of these white men still has a little good left inside him, but the question is what will it take to open his eyes to the truth and if he does take responsibility for his actions, will he do anything about it?
The Bog Wife
by Kay Chronister
Strangely Appealing (8/15/2024)
This book is as good as it is strange, and it is really strange! It is about the Haddesley family and their most unusual family traditions centered around the family cranberry bog. The patriarch dies and the oldest son is supposed to mate with the wife that is produced by the bog in order to carry on the Haddesley blood line. But, things do not go quite like the kids have been taught to believe in. The oldest child, Charlie discovers a family secret that causes all of them to question everything they have been raised to believe in and it causes each of them to struggle with what and who they really are.
Everything We Never Knew: A Novel
by Julianne Hough
Lexi wants to heal people (7/30/2024)
Lexi is a top seller at a real estate company and is set to go higher up the corporate ladder. However, while accepting another award she's overcome with the sensation of drowning when she makes eye contact with a Stranger. This is the beginning of Lexi's personal quest of healing herself so that she will be able to heal others. She learns to tap into others energy and read their aura which also tells her a lot about the person. But, this story is Lexi's story and is focused on her own healing journey.
The September House
by Carissa Orlando
Best Haunted House Story (5/29/2023)
Margaret and husband Hal finally were able to buy their own home. The home was a beautiful, old Victorian house. Margaret loved the house so much so that even after discovering that her beautiful house was haunted, she refused to leave it. The month of September was always dreaded because during this month there was always more blood, more ghosts, and more chaos. As September approached again Hal suddenly disappeared and their daughter Katherine left her job to help Margaret find him. Margaret works diligently to keep Katherine from being affected by the ghosts and all the terrible things that take place in September. This is a huge undertaking for Margaret because the house is constantly being pounded by birds that pile up on the ground dead, blood flowing down the walls, a ghost that bites, and so much more. The story is well written and full of surprises. If you love haunted houses stories then this is the book for you.
The Gifts: A Novel
by Liz Hyder
Angels and a Madman (3/30/2023)
This is one of those books that are hard to put down. It’s also one of those books that keeps you thinking about it when you are not reading it. It has beautiful angels, a crazy, money hungry, fame seeking doctor, a wonderful mid-1800s setting, and even a little romance. All of these things along with a lot of action add up to a great read.
The Lost English Girl
by Julia Kelly
Love and Loss During WWll (2/21/2023)
Viv was a teenage daughter of strict Catholic parents. Right before WWll, she found herself pregnant and the baby's father was Jewish. Her family, especially her mother could not accept that her daughter was carrying on with a Jew. Joshua, the young man asked Viv to marry him and her parents agreed that marriage was the best option. However, Joshua wanted to be a musician and allowed Viv's mother to bribe him to leave. He married Viv and literally left her on the courthouse steps after the wedding. Fast forward to WWll, the children were being evacuated to the country for their safety and Viv's young daughter was sent away. Viv's parents were not very nice to her or her daughter before she was sent away. Viv was lost without her daughter, but got a job so she could afford to visit her often. Viv's daughter was named Maggie and the couple that took her in seemed to be trying hard to replace Viv in Maggie's life. Then, Viv's parents house was bombed and so was the Thimpson's house where Maggie was staying. From here forward, while dealing with the loss of her daughter, Viv discovers so many secrets about her family. She find's acceptance from Joshua's family, has to come face to face with Joshua again, learn to live on her own, discovers that she is so much stronger than she could have imagined.
Dinosaurs: A Novel
by Lydia Millet
One person can create a lot of good in the world (9/27/2022)
Gil is alone in the world. His parents are dead, he has few friends, and no girl friend. But, he has a lot of money. Unlike most people with a lot of money, he try’s to use his time and money in useful ways. He doesn’t have a regular job, but he volunteers his time in ways that benefit those that are less fortunate. While reading this book, the reader learns more and more about him and the more you learn, the more you grow to like him. He moves next door to a house that has one side made of glass. The glass side faces Gil’s house and he gets a view of the life the family inside is living. He grows close to the family and becomes involved with them. For the first time he learns what it’s like to be a part of a family. This is a great story that explores many of life’s complications.
Heartbreak: A Personal and Scientific Journey
by Florence Williams
A Personal Journey toward Healing and Understanding (11/27/2021)
I found Florence Williams' exploration into the realm of heartache to be enthralling. She turned her personal heartbreak into a research project that helped her endure the loss. In an effort to understand the pain associated with heartbreak she left no stone unturned. I truly appreciate her baring her soul while traveling this path.
Migrations: A Novel
by Charlotte McConaghy
Heartbreaking and terrifying! (8/9/2021)
This book has almost five thousand 5 star reviews on Amazon, so I’m not sure if there is anything left for me to say. Although, it is such a sad story on many different levels, it is a great story that keeps you glued to I until the end. Franny, the protagonist and she is a very complicated person to say the least. She’s hell bent on following the last Arctic Terns to what is likely their last migration to the Antarctic. She has convinced a fish boat captain and his motley crew to help her.
As the story unfolds it becomes clear that Franny is looking for more than the birds. She’s trying to find herself! She’s also spent time in prison and the reason for that also becomes clear as the story unfolds. It is terrifying to me that our world could be heading for the same problems in this book. Such as all of the animals becoming extinct! This story is so very sad and yet you will not be able to put it down.
The War Nurse: A Novel
by Tracey Enerson Wood
Great Example of Important Women in History (7/13/2021)
This book is a wonderful example of the important roles women have played in history. Julia is a woman that wanted very much to be a physician in a time where such a career was rarely possible for a woman. So, she did the next best thing. She became a nurse and she became a great nurse. She was a nurse that was able to implement procedures that helped save lives because she had both the determination and the guts to stand up for her patients, her nurses and for what she believed was right and she did this at a time when few women ever spoke up what they believed in.
The Book of Lost Names
by Kristin Harmel
One of the Best books about WWll (5/1/2021)
I have read many books about WWII and I put this at the top of the list of the best books about the subject! The story is centered around a young Jewish woman, Eva Traube, living in France with her parents when the Germans invaded. Eva becomes a very good forger of documents that help get Jewish children into Switzerland and to safety. While forging documents Eva works with Remy who is also a forger and part of the resistance movement and together they come up with a way to keep a record of the names of the children they forge new names for. The method they use to keep the list is called the Fibonacci sequence which is placed inside an old Catholic Church book. Sixty years after Eva lost everything she comes across an article about the book being in a German library. Even though Eva never told her family about her role in the war, she leaves everything to go to Germany to collect her book. It is on the trip to collect the book that she starts remembering the war and all that she lived through and the story is told by way of her memory. Like all of these stories it is very sad and difficult to comprehend all of the horrible things that happened. But, it written beautifully and I now look forward to reading other books written by Kristin Harmel.
