Henry Tudor Must Die
by Jillian Laine
Anne Boleyn survives (5/31/2026)
This revisionist historical novel reimagines the fate of Henry VIII's second wife, Anne Boleyn, by altering the well-known beheading narrative. With the help of Catalina of Aragon, the Hellebore Sisterhood, and a bit of witchy magic, Anne survives her execution. United by a desire for vengeance, Catalina and Anne, along with the Sisterhood and a few of Henry's other wives, set out to exact revenge on the king.
Brilliantly written and expertly told, this story combines sharp humor with imaginative storytelling. A united Catalina and Anne challenge the patriarchy in a way history could never have imagined.
I highly recommend this novel to readers of historical fiction with a sense of humor, fantasy fans, and anyone who enjoys stories that take aim at the patriarchy.
Thank you to BookBrowse and Berkley Books for providing an early copy in exchange for a fair review. I loved this book from beginning to end and look forward to reading more from Jillian Lane. Five stars.
Summer of Love
by Kerri Maher
2026 Summer must read novel (5/17/2026)
I hope Summer of Love is the must-read book of Summer 2026. This gorgeously written novel explores the secrets, heartbreak, and healing of the Hartley women in California wine country. I loved every word, every emotion, and every moment of pain.
I highly recommend this book. It's an absolutely beautifully written story about sisters, set against the historical fiction backdrop of the counterculture revolution in San Francisco and the rise of women leaders in the wine industry.
Thank you to BookBrowse for providing an early copy in exchange for my honest thoughts. I loved this book and highly recommend it. 5 stars.
The Moonshine Women
by Michelle Collins Anderson
Survival and Sisterhood (3/29/2026)
The Moonshine Women is a beautiful story of sisterhood and survival in the Ozark Mountains during Prohibition. Highly recommended.
Thistlemarsh
by Moorea Corrigan
A magical tale (3/8/2026)
Mouse Dunne, a war-weary nurse, must battle—and work with—faeries to restore and save her family's dilapidated estate. Mouse's aristocratic uncle has given her one month to restore the estate, or she will lose her inheritance.
With a shape-shifting evil Faerie King, unknown magical forces, and a handsome stranger in the mix, Mouse must examine herself and the price she is willing to pay to keep her inheritance.
Thistlemarsh is a treat of a book—a magical dog-dragon, a handsome faerie, and a human desperately trying to save her inheritance while avoiding being trapped by a Faerie. It's a wonderful, page-turning tale!
Many thanks to BookBrowse and Berkeley for providing an early copy in exchange for an honest review. This book is a magical page-turner—I enjoyed every page.
The House of Hidden Letters
by Izzy Broom
Greek Lottery home (2/15/2026)
Hoping to escape a bad marriage, Skye enters a lottery and wins a derelict house on a remote Greek island. Eighty years earlier, the Nazis and the Italians had terrorized the island's residents. While restoring the cottage, Skye discovers a bundle of old letters that reveal Katrina's wartime story.
This dual-timeline novel moves between the two periods, though it is primarily Skye's story. As she and her builder work to turn the cottage into a home, Skye confronts her past and begins to shape her future.
A riveting, beautifully written novel that hooked me from page one, I highly recommend this book.
Thank you to BookBrowse and Berkley for an early copy in exchange for an honest review. The pleasure was all mine.
Songs of Summer
by Jane L. Rosen
Songs of Summer (1/12/2025)
At thirty, Maggie May Wheeler finally decides to shake up her cozy life and search for her birth mother. Along the way, Maggie crashes a wedding, discovers her dramatic and lovable second family, and meets an intriguing stranger. Sometimes, complicated drama makes for a very enjoyable read. Jane Rosen does an amazing job capturing the chemistry, quirkiness, and drama of the characters, making the book truly fun to read.
A quick summer read (on a January wintry day) that I thoroughly enjoyed. Thank you to BookBrowse and Berkley Paperback for the early read in exchange for an honest review.
One Death at a Time
by Abbi Waxman
Hollywood Murder Mystery (12/15/2024)
Mason, a Gen Z AA member, and Julia, a former actor now an attorney revisiting her sobriety, team up to solve two Hollywood murders. With snarky, witty dialogue, this Hollywood mystery is a quick, enjoyable read.
The cast of characters is entertaining—though there are just too many for my memory. For this reason, I rated the book a 4 rather than a 5. I hope there is another adventure for Mason and Julia in the near future!
Thank you to BookBrowse and Berkley for an early read in exchange for a fair review. I enjoyed the book and recommend it to all mystery lovers.
Jane and Dan at the End of the World
by Colleen Oakley
Hilarious Anniversary Dinner (12/7/2024)
Jane and Dan have been married for 19 years, and life has become ordinary—at least for Jane. Plus, Jane is sure that Dan is having an affair. Her plan is to tell Dan she wants a divorce while they are celebrating their wedding anniversary at an upscale restaurant. However, her plan backfires when an armed robbery occurs.
In classic Colleen Oakley fashion, she adds an armed robbery, a few unexpected plot twists, and several well-developed characters, resulting in hilarity. (Note: Not too many characters—I was able to keep track of them.)
I loved this book and highly recommend it.
Thank you to BookBrowse and Berkley Books for an early read in exchange for a fair review.
Happy Land
by Dolen Perkins-Valdez
Historical Fiction - Appalachia - formerly enslaved people (11/24/2024)
In the 1870s, a group of formerly enslaved people settled in the mountains outside Hendersonville, North Carolina, and established the Kingdom of the Happy Land. This land was inspired by and thrived like the African kingdoms of their ancestors. Fast forward to the present day: the Kingdom is long forgotten, but a descendant remains who wants to preserve her family's legacy, and the land connected to it. She reminds herself—and all of us—that honoring and understanding our ancestors' past helps their descendants thrive.
This is a wonderfully written historical novel with complex characters who had me rooting for them from page one. I loved this book and highly recommend it.
I adore historical fiction based on real events, especially those like the Kingdom of the Happy Land, which would be lost to history without writers like Dolen Perkins-Valdez bringing these stories to life.
Thank you to BookBrowse and Berkley for an early read in exchange for a fair review.
All You Have to Do Is Call
by Kerri Maher
Timely, historic novel (6/20/2023)
A timely, historic novel that tells the fictionalized story of the Jane Collective. By creating relatable, interesting characters, Kerri Maher helps the reader understand the issues and emotions surrounding the Jane Collective. It's also a good book - I flew through the pages in a couple of days.
The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise
by Colleen Oakley
Great read (10/19/2022)
I was not expecting to enjoy this book. With characters like elderly lady and confused 20-something, I was not expecting much. Boy was I wrong - fun story and memorable, funny adventure. I highly recommend this book.
