Long Island Girls: A Novel
by Gabrielle Korn
Coming of age in the 80s indie music scene (5/26/2026)
Coming-of-age story spanning two decades about acceptance of sexuality and the tangled nature of first love and later relationships.
Susan is seventeen when the book opens. She’s with her friend, Katie, at an indie concert when she meet Eliza who triggers an awareness of the nature of her sexuality. Fast forward five years when Susan is now in the indie music industry and living in Brooklyn when she sees a very different Eliza again for a fleeting moment in the train. Their next encounter is five years later on Tinder where they match up, experience a weekend of intense pleasure and when Eliza ends things with Susan. This affects Susan greatly and for the next six years her experiences in relationships and career are seriously impacted as she can’t move forward. When they meet again in early COVID, Susan is forced to face her reality - what have they meant to each other these past fifteen years.
This is a character-driven story. I enjoyed the characters especially when Susan interacts with her friends, especially Katie. We see Susan grow and be supported as she navigates the indie music world. When the denouement unfolds with Eliza and Susan finally recognizes that reality is not the same as the fantasy, I sighed - I was just so glad she finally let the illusion go.
I’d like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for granting me access to this ARC.
Circle of Hope: A Reckoning with Love, Power, and Justice in an American Church
by Eliza Griswold
What should a church stand for? (5/25/2026)
I started this book sometime ago and it got lost in my TBR pile but when I picked it up again I easily slipped back into the story because of the fine journalist writing. This book examines the beginning and end of a church exploring personal, societal, community and environmental pressures that caused this.
Circle of Hope is the name of a church founded by Ron and Gwen White in the 1990s. Aligned with Anabaptist traditions, the congregation affiliated with the Brethren of Christ and had three meeting sites in Philadelphia and one in New Jersey. As the Whites moved away from leadership, four new pastors (Ben, Rachel, Jonny and Julie) took on leadership at the four locations.
Griswold documents interactions with the leaders between 2019 and 2023. These were turbulent times - COVID19, George Floyd’s killing, white Christian nationalism, and January 6. Meanwhile, the Circle of Hope faced issues of inclusion related to LGBTQ and acknowledgment of racism in the congregation.
Circle of Hope depended on small group as community that depended on Circles of Concern which focused on social issues and a series of proverbs that established “core commitments.” Over time the later grew in number.
After the Floyd killing there was a call for the Circle to be anti-racist but that meant calling out white privilege that riled many in the congregation. Then the four leadership started falling out. The two female leaders became marginalized by misogyny. When Jonny came out as bi-sexual and had for this to be affirmed, the problem was the Brethren of Christ were not and if the Circle affirmed Jonny, it would mean loss of revenue. The Circle went ahead anyway. By the book’s end all that was left were two thrift stores. All four leaders had left.
The lesson is that community and commitment take time and shared values. Some of the leaders pushed too hard and lost sight of the goal of fighting injustice universally and in the community rather preferring to fight their own causes. The dissolution of this congregation shouldn’t be viewed though as a failure of religion but as a human failure. Lots of provocative thinking in this book. Great read.
Sweet Pea
by Kit de Waal
Poignant story of resilience and forgiveness (5/25/2026)
Sweet, poignant emotionally charged novel about resilience and forgiveness. This is a book for lovers of
Pauline, a young black woman, emigrates from St. Kitts to England. She leaves behind her family and a grandmother who called her “Sweet Pea,” who taught her cooking and who encouraged her to always forgive. When she’s 29, she meets Denton who wants a family and children but the relationship ends when he’s tragically killed in a car accident. Denton’s friend, Garfield consoles Pauline and shortly their son, Bird, is born. Garfield leaves Pauline though remaining connected with Bird. Eventually Pauline meets the man who killed Denton, who has a grandson Bird’s age, Cornelius, who’s troubled. Pauline takes him in, cares for and feeds him and allows him to call her Sweet Pea. Pauline comes to learn her grandmother’s admonition to forgive was the best advice as forgiving leads to loving.
The story is filled with food, the great emotional comforter and connector. This is brilliantly shown in this novel. We connect over food when we meet at a table and share food and thought. I loved that about this book. The book also contrasts the socioeconomic differences of the two boys and how these differences will shape us. And, the family building that Pauline creates adds a wealth of emotions to the storytelling.
The story is told in first person giving it a realistic feel, that you too are experiencing the same thing as the characters. The pacing is excellent as the story unfolds crisply and realistically. And the writing clear and concise.
Highly recommend.
Nothing to My Name: A Novel
by Kangkang Li Kovacs
Multigenerational story (5/25/2026)
A multigenerational story spanning forty years about resilience and survival in the face of societal upheaval.
Three women - Ah Xue (Grandmother) witnesses the rise of Communism; Mimosa (the Mother) navigates the Cultural Revolution; Fei Fei (the Daughter) raised as a boy by her activist father struggles with gender identity in the aftermath of Tiananmen Square in 1989. All are driven to survive and face immense trauma in the process though shored up by family bonds.
The book is nicely written. The story is deep. It’s perfect for our times showing how a culture can destroys itself leaving people trying to survive this deeply traumatized but hopeful to find stability in disorder so their survival will not have been in vain.
My thanks to NetGalley and Viking for allowing me access to this ARC.
Names Have Been Changed: A Novel
by Yu-Mei Balasingamchow
The consequences of choices (5/24/2026)
We all have to make choices but when they go awry, what do you do? In this debut book written as if being told in a podcast, the author tells a story of choice making and its consequences.
The narrator of this novel, Ophir ( not her real name), at one point that she thought “coming clean” would make her feel better but she’s not so sure as she works through a podcast to describe her life on the run after a petty crime in Singapore goes wrong. She’s vowed to tell the truth though of her “tumultuous” life as a fugitive over the past ten plus years. In doing this we are transported from Singapore to Thailand to Tokyo to London and to Colorado. But eventually Ophir’s loneliness could jeopardize her freedom.
This is an immigrant story in a way. As we follow Ophir seamlessly moving across countries - as she’s at the beginning the Singapore passport gets you into 190 countries without needing a visa - she experiences the sorrow of dislocation and a year I g for home. While seeking freedom, Ophir may have chosen prison.
Ophir is a morally grey character. She’s more of an anti-hero and in her complicated mess of a life, she’s spoiled but sympathetic. She’s that character you may dislike but someone you are attracted to. Her story for sure is not ordinary.
I’d like to thank NetGalley and Dutton for allowing me access to this AEC.
Nine Lives: A Novel
by Catherine Steadman
Twisty psychological thriller (5/24/2026)
A twisty psychological thriller involving a “voyeur” cat helping uncover secrets in a posh London neighborhood. A perfect choice for a read whether it’s a rainy day or sunshine at the beach.
Frankie Green, coming off a rather acrimonious divorce, thinks she’s found the perfect house. Her neighbors include a celebrity, a cute guy, a retired GP but also some sketchy sorts. Frankie’s cat, Blue, likes to wander, so after a few days of discovering her back door open, Blue goes out with a cat cam to help Frankie figure out what’s going on and then things start to get really strange. It seems someone somewhere in her neighborhood may be held captive!
The book covers approximately nine days of Frankie’s life since her move. A few chapters go back in time to the character Blue has discovered but most of the story is in present time. As the denouement nears tension picks up and the discovery is rather exciting. Along the way Frankie picks up the celebrity as her friend and the ending is smashing – “back at you, Ben (Frankie’s ex).”
While I wouldn’t say this is “I can’t pit it down” book, I will say the book does capture from the start and because Frankie is likable and Blue is so much fun – the cat cam is clever.
My thanks to NetGalley and Bantam for allowing me to read this ARC.
The Future Perfect: A Novel
by Cay Kim
Mother and Daughter story (5/22/2026)
This is a complex mother-daughter story with multicultural aspects set between Korea and the US. Both mother and daughter have no names in the telling. A woman born in Seoul to a mother who espouses the Korean post-war philosophy of resilience and endurance chafes against this. When the mother goes to the US (Minnesota) to attend school, she sends her daughter to a private school there to learn English but as the girl becomes a teenager, tensions arise between the two and when the mother returns to Korea to care for the grandmother, the daughter stays (she's older at this point). Eventually the daughter returns with the realization that her mother's sacrifice to give her daughter the ability to determine her own fate is one she didn't realize and never said thank you for.
This to me was a most bitter story. The mother struggles for her identity and her daughter's but neither sees the other side of the struggle. The pathos and sadness of the story can be overwhelming. I was though somewhat gladdened by the book's ending though. My biggest criticism of the book was that I was thrown off in the reading by the overuse of "you" and "her" - I sensed this use was to accentuate the feeling of melancholy and was perhaps intentional but it was off putting and didn't allow me to connect with a character. While the novel Rebecca has a narrator with no name, I think I might have enjoyed this book better if someone had a name.
I’d like to thank NetGalley and Riverhead Books for granting me access to this ARC.
The Lowe Job: A Novel
by Grace Alexander
Fresh take on scandal (5/18/2026)
A fresh take on scandal with flair and tongue-in-check storytelling. When Lili Lowe finds herself in the spotlight because she's having an affair with a likable MP. Facing media frenzy, she goes to her mother, Lydia Lowe ( former talent agent) for advice. Rather than "fade away," the family ( Mom, Lili and sisters, Stevie, Iris and Katie) plunges into exposure - but there's always a price: the louder you are, the more everyone wants to silence you (especially women).
It's a fun read taking on the public's obsession with scandal. But as noted, the public obsession takes it toll and women always more criticized for the telling than men. The dark humor is carefully curated too. If you've read Margo's Got Money Troubles, this one is right up your alley.
My thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for granting me access to this ARC.
A Year of Marvelous Ways
by Sarah Winman
Wonderful life-affirming story (5/18/2026)
Such a wonderful life affirming story, so needed in our times. Set in 1940s Cornwall, eighty-nine year old Marvelous Ways is waiting - she's not sure for what, but she know she must wait. That is revealed when she befriends a WWII survivor, Francis Drake (who's suffered many a joke for that name). Drake had made a promise to a dying comrade to take a letter to his father in Cornwall. Having postponed doing that because he's basically a shell of his former self, he's found by Marvelous Ways. Marvelous had her own unique story - a former slave from South Carolina, she's a healer but more often thought a witch.
Marvelous nurses Drake to health and he stays on. Woven into their story are other characters Marvelous had saved. Nearing the end of her life, Marvelous nurtures those advancing into theirs. This is a beautifully written book. The magic realism is tender and sweet. The characters are solid and imaginative. This is book centered in time and place that wraps you in and embraces you. I didn't read Still Life - I think I was put off by its length - but this one seemed perfect to me. I may go back and revisit Still Life.
I'd like to thank NetGalley and G. P. Putnam & Sons for granting me access to this ARC.
Canon: A Novel
by Paige Lewis
Wacky irreverent fantasy (5/18/2026)
A wacky irreverent fantasy anti epic that has such wit and charm as it delivers a satiric look at the value of religion. In her debut novel, Paige Lewis delivers two heroes journeying toward an epic show down. Yara, a nonbinary artist is recruited by God to take down Dominic, a bad guy. Adrena, a lesbian prophet, is sent to help General Harlow, a Good Guy, find his wife, Arielle. However, Adrena believes she should have been chosen to take down Dominic. The book follows these two in mostly alternating "books" as the showdown nears. God is doing this to get more attention from his worshippers. Yara is mostly confused but a whale, HOWBIG (he was my favorite character) sent by God tries to show Yara what will happen if you give blind obedience to God.
The book explores epic sagas showing what they actualize in the reader as the tale ensures: its power to spellbind. It also explores the fantasy religion can bring: the power to spellbind - thus doubling the point. The satire might be considered sacrilegious to some but the telling is a reality we face in our current political world where religion is the trope of the day.
I enjoyed the snarky comments that begin each chapter of the book as well as the literary references such choosing a whale and quoting from Moby Dick. At times you think you are reading a simple story only to be jolted by another snarky comment that wakes you up to the reality of the fantasy.
Enjoyed the read. Thank you BOTM.
The Fine Art of Lying: A Novel
by Alexandra Andrews
Taut, finely paced mystery (5/18/2026)
A taut and finely paced mystery centered in the art world satirizing the social scene of the pretentious world of the wealthy. Clare Bast is bored and feels purposeless. Having stopped her work on her PhD in art history focusing on Brian Webley, a mid 29th C artist, to take care of her daughter, Sadie, she is caught off guard when her husband, Jed's boss's wife, Tasha, introduces her to gallery owner, Gabriel Prévost, who takes an interest in Clare and her art knowledge. Gabriel also has a secret - he has one of Webley's paintings, Longfin, which he shows to Clare. Soon their relationship blossoms into a torrid affair but one night Clare becomes part of Gabriel's murder. Clare then embarks on an investigation in to the corrupt world of art collection.
This is a slow burn mystery. You must be patient as you read. The author sets up the character of Clare - who I must admit I wasn't always enchanted with - and the world of art collection. Once the murder is discovered things take off and the twists and turns begin. Clare's carefully crafted social world obtained through her marriage to wealthy attorney, Jed Bast, is put under a microscope to show how vapid it is - surrendering her agency to wealth doesn't bring Clare. much happiness.
Once I got past the character-driven moments in the story and the heart of the murder is exposed, 1 was riveted. I also learned so much about hedge funds and art collection though as the story moved on - some might think that's not important but it brings to the fore the meaningless of what all that these things - and it’s certainly not happiness but when you get to the end when Clare rises from the ashes of her old world, you know the read was worth it.
Come Undone: A Novel
by Eddie Huang
Can he commit? (5/16/2026)
An interesting take on how to find love when you really don't want to find it but you do. Told from the male point of view, the book takes on themes of masculinity, maturity and commitment. Hubie is a food show host who has virtuality no idea why he should commit to anyone. His is a three month rule and then it's on to the next "morsel" - food is a big metaphor in the book. Then he meets Janine who seems to share his noncommittal stance on romance.
He comes across her on his trips through Europe and then about a year later in Utah. Eventually she comes to LA where Hubie lives and he makes another connection. Hubie is struck by this attraction. What could it mean? What we encounter in this rom/com is a very immature man's fear of commitment. As the story progresses Hubie wrestles with his growing attraction. When Janine suffers an injury, Hubie must finally make a decision. The conclusion is fairly obvious.
As corny as the story is, this is a fairly good read. Hubie's deficits aside, he's a normal person who just wants to be loved but isn't quite sure how to go about it.
My thanks to NetGalley and Random House for Arantina me access to this ARC.
Rasputin Swims the Potomac: A Novel
by Ben Fountain
Fun satiric read (5/15/2026)
A fantastically hilarious read satirizing our politics and bringing readers a bit of fun in our dark days supposedly set in the future, the current President is thinking about a third term during which the "weeping and wailing" sickness has overtaken the country.
Once the third term is approved by the Supreme Court and announced to a MAGA rally, mass sobbing ensues, followed by attacks in the weepers and a violent police attack. Meanwhile, the event between the wrestler, Rasputin, and Odo Olympo, his opponent, is interrupted by mass weeping. Rasputin goes into the crowd and hugs each weeper giving them joy. Rasputin is then given an invitation by the President to be his VP. And, then it's a romp into all the craziness we are living through today. Finally, as one reviewer stated "the current administration is given the book it deserves."
This is perfect book for lovers of satire and detesters of MAGA. Loved it.
My thanks to NetGalley and Flatiron Books for giving me access to this ARC.
Kingdom of Devils: A Tale of Murder in the Shadow of the American Revolution
by Katherine Grandjean
Fascinating early America true crime (5/12/2026)
Fascinating historical true crime book about murders and violence at the beginning of America's democratic experiment. Between 1797-1798 two brothers, Wiley and Macjah Harp, murdered over two dozen people in a crime spree that covered Kentucky and Tennessee. In an age of no social media this event, however, did not go unnoticed. The brothers were eventually found - you will have to read the book to find out all the details (you won't be disappointed) - but the real story is the "why" of all these crimes.
The author did a spectacular job of researching these two brothers concerning how poorly documentation was during this time. What she uncovers is a period of post Revolutionary War letdown. The country was just coming aware of financial needs for expansion of the country but with limited funds for same. Plus what you sense is that this area of the country was lawless to begin with. That a sense of individualism was stronger than a sense of common good.
This is a great book for expanding understanding of our country and exposing realities that should be known. History nerds and true crime aficionados will love this book.
My thanks to NetGalley and Random House for allowing me access to this ARC.
Two Ships: Jamestown 1619, Plymouth 1620, and the Struggle for the Soul of America
by David S. Reynolds
Dueling ships reveal America (5/10/2026)
This is a stellar read (thank you NetGalley and Penguin Press for allowing me access to this ARC). Using two ships as symbols of the divide in America for the Civil War was such an interesting concept. The argument is that the Mayflower, arriving in Massachusetts in 1620, represents "antislavery" and the White Lion, a ship that brought twenty slaves to Jamestown in 1619, could represent the antithesis is explored in this book. Many of Lincoln's contemporaries noted this as did Fredrick Douglass.
A northern journalist after Lee surrender wrote that "The Slave Ship has foundered. The Mayflower floats in triumph."
The book explores the differences between Jamestown and Plymouth Colony though the dueling ships. Entrenched in this story was the reality that everyone knew at that time of the Cavaliers and the Puritans - the North versus the South. Though this is lost in our times, the idea of these dueling ships brings back a reminder of the rough road to freedom for all humans. One quote in this book stuck with me when Reynolds writes borrowing from another historian that the South was a slave society but the North was a society with slaves. The South was governed by monarchists who had rigid social classes while in the North there was a more democratic flavor with the belief the "only monarch" was Christ (in today's America I think a few folks have forgotten this). A great irony Reynolds points out that both Jamestown and Plymouth were administratively founded by the sane man: Robert Rich.
This is a revelatory book for me and possibly others about how two 17th C could reveal so much about our country.
A Pair of Aces
by Marie Benedict, Victoria Christopher Murray
Historical fiction at its best (5/10/2026)
Another delightful historical fiction novel by authors Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray. As I've written before, my favorite go-to genre is historical fiction because I find new facts and situations I've never read about. The fiction read often leads to a nonfiction read. It's the best in books!
This is a doozy of a story. First, we are treated to Assistant District Attorney Eunice Clark, the first Black female prosecutor. And then there is Polly Adler, a high class madam. Both wonderful characters. They team up to take down mobster, Lucky Luciano in 1930s NYC. Eunice and Polly come from different worlds. Both are tough, strong and resilient. What was fascinating was to read how they teamed up and developed a network of women to bring down Luciano for racketeering.
The case was pursued by Carter who persuaded Thomas Dewey, special prosecutor for Manhattan, to prosecute, giving Dewey national prominence. Polly was well known to all mobsters and politicians
The book is told in alternating POVs and is paced nicely.
I'd like to thank NetGalley and Berkeley Publishing for granting me access to this ARC.
Is This a Cry for Help?: A Novel
by Emily Austin
Clever and witty read (5/10/2026)
A clever and witty book looking at differences and why they are important. Darcy is returning to her librarian position after a two month leave of absence due to a mental health breakdown. Darcy was traumatized by the death her ex-boyfriend, Ben, and couldn't cope. She's now in a lesbian marriage so Ben's death combined with her transition has fractured her into two cells as she states in the book, carrying a different version of herself through her life. As the book combines the theme of book banning, Darcy becomes the center for advocacy to "unrestricted access to diverse books." She keeps up with a series of emails from a library member about birds. She tackles frayed relations with relatives. And through it all she persists in her recovery.
This is a stellar story about recovery from trauma, fighting for diversity and sharing your thoughts Ruth others. I read this in one day because Darcy was so compelling and the book banning topic so relevant.
Highly recommend.
After the Ocean
by Lauren E. Rico
Family mystery (5/9/2026)
This was such an intriguing read - a mystery and a love story - with no sentimentality, just a wrenching honesty and pure joy. It is a novel celebrating music, offering an exotic setting and finding redemption as well as exposing the dark side of law enforcement in Puerto Rico.
Emilia Oliveras’s life turns from joy for her marriage to Paul Winstead, son of a wealthy family into an unsolved mystery that haunts her for over thirty years. Having met as students at a prestigious music school in the US, Emilia, a budding pianist, and Paul, a talented celloist, elope and honeymoon on a cruise to Puerto Rico where Paul disappears. The Winstead family wants to make Emilia into a murderess but through the help of an honest policeman, she’s able to escape and find a new life until thirty years later a clue as to what happened appears.
The book is told in alternating time frames and from different POVs. We get the backstory of what happened to Emilia and then in present time we learn about her two daughters, Gracie and Meg, as well as what is happening with the other characters associated with what happened thirty years ago. This makes the story more poignant and touching. The musical references are especially finely written.
No spoilers here. You must read the book. It’s a story of love, family and music. It blends suspense with sentiment in a most arresting way. Highly recommend.
Alan Opts Out: A Novel
by Courtney Maum
Finding the right life (5/9/2026)
Funny, proactive and an all around good read, this book takes on “consumerism, class snobbery and greed.”
Alan Anderson and his social climbing wife, Vivian, have moved from the Midwest to Belleport, Connecticut, four years ago. Alan is the creative director for a large firm and has won international contracts and awards while Vivian is set on “rebranding” herself as a New Englander by entering into the cutthroat competition of her closed community to become a member of the exclusive Queen Anne club. When Alan’s big dairy contract sours after the company’s dairy farmer spokesman states that there should be “less milk, less advertising and less excess”, Alan looks at himself and realizes he’s sold himself out. He starts changing his life, living in the playhouse, unplugging his life from the smart house, and confounding his wife.
The book has such interesting pacing - chapters start with Alan and then flow to Vivian with email communications between the Queen Anne club members acting like a Greek chorus to announce almost what’s going to happen next. The snobbery of the women is so ripe and nauseous. Alan’s opting out of the rat race and late capitalism is a daunting feat - not many could do that.
I enjoyed this book. The characters were nicely drawn as were the themes of futility, greed and snobbery. Lots of laughs but also lots of provocative thoughts. This is a gem of a book.
I’d like to thank NetGalley and Little, Brown,& Company for allowing me access to this ARC.
Strangers Behind Closed Doors: A Novel
by Catherine Adel West
Black noir (5/9/2026)
Captivating debut thriller introducing two black protagonists who fight for the voiceless and the lost (Kirkus).
Redding Stark, a Black policewoman, follows a creed of duty that requires giving one’s all. When Natalie Moore goes missing from her room at The Ivory, a surveillance camera picks up Giovanni “Gio” Mason, the first Black concierge of The Ivory, slapping Natalie. Gio and Natalie have had a complicated history and right now her desire to please is not working so well. As things progress Gio is accused of murdering her influencer friend. Redding is not convinced she did as Redding believes the disappearance is part of a bigger plot that goes up to powerful men. Gio joins Redding in investigating the disappearance.
The book alternates between Redding and Gio as the book explores the case and the lives of Black women trying to make ends meet. It also has a delicious noir feel - the city, uncovering evil at high places, a vulnerable detective. This work to heighten the message of the need for social justice. This is best summarized in Redding’s words that when Black women go missing only apathy appears, so Blacks must “save themselves.” It’s a story with twists and turns that keep the pages turning.
I’d like to thank NetGalley and Park Row Books for giving me access to this ARC.
Power Reviewer
