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Reviews by Jill

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The Flower Sisters
by Michelle Collins Anderson

Historical Fiction/Coming-Of-Age (4/29/2024)

Thank you to NetGalley and RB Media/recorded books for the audiobook of, The Flower Sisters

Narrated by a cast of readers: Jim Frangione, Andrea Gallo, L.J. Ganser, Laura Knight Keating, Christina Moore, Graham Winton

A compelling debut of a coming-of-age/historical fiction …more

The Familiar: A Novel
by Leigh Bardugo

An Entertaining Read (4/25/2024)

THE FAMILIAR By Leigh Bardugo

Thank you to BookBrowse for the ARC of The Familiar

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An entertaining read of speculative fiction, historical fiction and doses of magical fantasy, set in late 16th century Madrid at the height of the Spanish Inquisition. The prose is lyrical …more

An Honest Man: A Novel
by Michael Koryta

A Really Good Read (3/24/2024)

Narration by Robert Petkoff was very well done.

Taking place on a small
island off the coast of Maine lives Israel Pike who is, a lobsterman, ‘an honest man’ and also a killer. A twelve year old boy named Lyman Rankin, who seeks shelter from his alcoholic father also is …more

How to Say Babylon: A Memoir
by Safiya Sinclair

A Poetic Read (3/24/2024)

Narrated by the author, Safiya Sinclair who is an accomplished poet. Her skills are shown in the lyricism and language of this beautifully told memoir.

We follow Safiya’s journey of self-discovery and rebellion of her father’s expectations. She tells the story of her and …more

The Stone Home: A Novel
by Crystal Hana Kim

The Stone Home (3/24/2024)

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow Books for the ARC ebook.

A coming-of-age, historical fiction/family drama with timelines of 1980’s and 2011. Inspired by real events told through two perspectives and timelines.

I had a difficult time trying to read this. I felt …more

The Unmaking of June Farrow: A Novel
by Adrienne Young

Magical Time Travel read (2/26/2024)

Narrated by Brittany Presley

Narration was well done.

A magical realism novel, The Unmaking of June Farrow focuses on a family curse that has caused the Farrow women to exist in two times at once—time travel. A small-time setting in Jasper, NC, in 1951 and 2023. Young builds …more

One Summer in Savannah: A Novel
by Terah Shelton Harris

Beautifully Written But Intense Read (2/24/2024)

The story is about forgiveness and all the complications involved with it. Sara has to decide if she can forgive the unforgivable act, of sexual assault, that resulted in the birth of her daughter, Alana. Sara is forced to return home and face ghosts of her past. A lot of …more

The Women: A Novel
by Kristin Hannah

Overdue Tribute (2/20/2024)

The Women by Kristin Hannah
Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ARC audiobook

Narrated by: Julia Whelan and Kristin Hannah reading authors note

I’ve always enjoyed Julia Whelan’s narrations and she does another excellent read once again.

4.5 Stars rounded up to

19 …more

The Teacher
by Freida McFadden

Cat-and-Mouse Thriller (2/19/2024)

Narrated by Leslie Howard and Danny Montooth

Narration was well done, but the teachers voice was a bit cringeworthy at times.

A cat-and-mouse psychological thriller that pulls you in with the Prologue.

This tale is told from the alternating viewpoints of Eve (a teacher and …more

Prophet Song
by Paul Lynch

Chilling (1/26/2024)

4.5 star rating

Eilish Stack is the main character and the narration in the third person is largely her perspective and her emotions that propel the story from beginning to end.

The narrative is told unconventionally, with no paragraph breaks. This book won the 2023 Booker …more

The Art Thief: A True Story of Love, Crime, and a Dangerous Obsession
by Michael Finkel

Art Thief (1/26/2024)

3.5 rounded up

$2 Billion worth of art amassed in an attic in France. Crazy, but true. Stephane Breitwieser is, “The Art Thief,” who removes artwork after artwork from various museums, galleries and churches in France and Switzerland, then stores them in an attic in his …more

The Roaring Days of Zora Lily: A Novel
by Noelle Salazar

Beautifully Written Story (1/20/2024)

The Roaring Days of Zora Lily by Noelle Salazar

Narrated by Jesse Vilinsky and Natalie Duke

The narration was done very well and enjoyed listening to this well written historical fiction/coming-of-age story told in flashback. We meet Zora and are introduced to her life set …more

Mockingbird Summer: A Novel
by Lynda Rutledge

Coming-of-age read (12/23/2023)

My thanks to BookBrowse for the ARC of Mockingbird Summer.

Rated 3.5 stars
This is a coming-of-age story set in the early sixties in the segregated town of, High Cotton, Texas. Main characters are 13 year old, Corky, her older brother, Mack and America, a black girl that …more

Once Upon a Wardrobe: A Story of Narnia and a Sister's Love
by Patti Callahan

A Magical Story (12/22/2023)

Narrated by Fiona Hardingham

This is a must-listen for any fan of Narnia and C. S. Lewis. Fiona does a touching performance in her narration. I absolutely loved listening to this.

An enchanting and magical read. Terminally ill George must know where Narnia comes from. George …more

The Spy Coast: A Martini Club Thriller
by Tess Gerritsen

Good Espionage Thriller (11/24/2023)

This is an espionage thriller that I enjoyed immensely. This is my first book by Tess Gerritsen, and I am looking forward to #2 of The Martini Club series. I found myself after each chapter thinking, I’ll just read one more chapter; this is when I know it’s a good book.

The …more

Tom Lake: A Novel
by Ann Patchett

Beautifully Written (11/23/2023)

This is a story within a story. The author weaves back and forth from Lara’s younger years on stage and screen, to her present life of living on a cherry farm in northern Michigan, during the pandemic with her husband and three adult daughters.

The summer at Tom Lake is the …more

A Fever in the Heartland: The Ku Klux Klan's Plot to Take Over America, and the Woman Who Stopped Them
by Timothy Egan

Chilling (11/23/2023)

This is a chilling and riveting read of the KKK in the 1920’s. A work of narrative nonfiction. Timothy Egan writes a compelling nonfiction excellent book that all should read. I’m sure, this book too will be banned, if not already.

The Klan was resurrected in the early 1900’ …more

Above the Salt: A Novel
by Katherine Vaz

Poetic Love Story (10/18/2023)

This 19th century read follows soulmates John Alves and Mary Freitas, over eight decades across Portugal and the United States. Meeting at a young age and becoming friends during the blood tide of warfare between Catholics and Protestants in Portugal, their families must …more

The Book of Everlasting Things: A Novel
by Aanchal Malhotra

Beautiful writing (10/16/2023)

The Partition of India is at the heart of this debut tale of love cut short by the Partition of India.

Touching on love, loss, remembrance, perfumery, calligraphy and war.

All You Have to Do Is Call
by Kerri Maher

A Timely Read (9/21/2023)

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy of Kerri Maher’s book, All You Have To Do Is Call.

This is a timely read given the decision of the overturn of Roe v Wade. This decision overturned the longstanding Constitutional right to abortion and eliminated …more

BookBrowse Book Club

Before Dorothy
by Hazel Gaynor

Before Oz, Aunt Em leaves Chicago for Kansas in a powerful tale of courage, change, and new beginnings by Hazel Gaynor.

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The Lamplighter's Bookshop
by Sophie Austin

The Lost Bookshop meets The Lost Apothecary in a beguiling novel full of secrets…

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The Ghostwriter
by Julie Clark

From the instant New York Times bestselling author of The Last Flight and The Lies I Tell comes a dazzling new thriller.

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