Time Travel for Beginners
by Jaclyn Moriarty
Time to Travel (5/27/2026)
Time Travel for Beginners by Jaclyn Moriarty is a wonderfully imaginative and emotionally layered story that blends whimsy, heart, and thoughtful observations about human connection. Moriarty's writing style feels warm and inviting, with characters that quickly become engaging and memorable.
What stood out most was the balance between the playful concept of time travel and the deeper emotional themes running underneath the story. Rather than relying solely on science-fiction mechanics, the novel seems far more interested in relationships, choices, and the ripple effects people have on one another.
The storytelling has a quirky charm that makes the reading experience feel unique and cozy while still delivering emotional depth. Fans of character-driven speculative fiction and unconventional family stories will likely find a lot to love here.
Thank you to BookBrowse & NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Summer of Love
by Kerri Maher
All abut the Love (4/30/2026)
I received a free copy of Summer of Love from the publisher, Bookbrowse and Netgalley. Summer of Love by Kerri Maher is a richly atmospheric, character-driven novel that completely immerses you in the spirit of the late 1960s. Maher captures the era beautifully—the freedom, the rebellion, the idealism—and also the underlying tensions that came with it. You can practically feel the music, the energy, and the shifting cultural landscape on every page.
What I especially enjoyed was how personal the story felt. The characters are layered and believable, each navigating love, identity, and purpose in a time that promised everything yet delivered plenty of complications. There's a real emotional depth here that goes beyond the setting, making it easy to connect with their journeys.
At times, the pacing felt a bit uneven, but the vivid sense of place and strong character development more than made up for it. Maher clearly did her research, and it shows in the details that bring the story to life.
Overall, this is an engaging and thoughtful read that will appeal to anyone who enjoys historical fiction with heart and substance—especially those drawn to the iconic era of the "Summer of Love."
The Reimagining of Thornwood House
by Jaleigh Johnson
Thornwood House (4/1/2026)
I received a free copy of The Reimagining of Thornwood House by Jaleigh Johnson from the publisher, Bookbrowse and Netgalley.
This cozy fantasy follows land witch Evelyn Sharpe and her adopted daughter Ruby as they begin a new life caring for the mysterious Thornwood House—a magical, sentient home at the heart of a small village. What they expect to be a quieter existence quickly turns into something far more unusual when the house itself proves stubborn, wounded, and even capable of walking away. As Evie and Ruby work to earn the house's trust, they uncover deeper magic, hidden damage, and a growing sense that "home" is something you build, not just find.
This book reads like a warm hug with a touch of whimsy. The charm really lies in its atmosphere—gentle magic, a slightly grumpy but lovable house, and that strong thread of found family that runs throughout. The relationship between Evie and Ruby is especially touching and gives the story real emotional grounding. While the pacing can feel a bit slow in the middle and the magic system isn't always deeply explained, the overall tone is comforting and heartfelt. It's the kind of story you sink into rather than race through—perfect for a quiet afternoon in the sun (which I know you're very good at enjoying! ??).
If you enjoy cozy, cottagecore fantasy with heart, a sprinkle of mystery, and a focus on belonging and second chances, this one is a lovely pick.
Feast
by Catherine Kurtz
It's a Feast (3/18/2026)
I received a free copy of Feast by Cathereine Kurtz from the publisher, Bookbrowse and Netgalley. Imagine being born with the sense of taste so 'keen' you can tell if something is poisoned. Imagine saving a Duc from death and then to be whisked away as the official poison taster. Left in a room for the sole purpose of detecting if there is poison in Duc Nicolas' food...and then you lose that gift...!
Who is she without her sense of taste, what will define her now. What will she do?
This is where we are in this interesting historical. The writing is wonderful although I found myself less interested in the story as a whole.
I would recommend this story for all those who like historical fiction with a touch of magic.
The Jellyfish Problem
by Tessa Yang
Glowing Jellyfish (3/2/2026)
I received a free copy of The Jellyfish Problem from the publisher, Bookbrowse and Netgalley. A story about sea monsters...what's not to love! It's got heart, intrigue, emotional connectedness, grief, love, longing, mystery all surrounding a giant, glowing jellyfish. I loved the characters, I was held by the writing. It is moving without being mushy, with a dash of humor.
I highly recommend this book.
The House of Hidden Letters
by Izzy Broom
I won the lottery (2/5/2026)
The House of Hidden Letters (January 17, 2026)
by Izzy Broom
I received a free copy of, The House of Hidden Letters, by Izzy Broom, from the publisher and Netgalley
Enter a lottery for a Greek house...sure why not? Not sure what she expected but this place needs work so let the renovations begin...
While renovating Skye finds a bunch of letters with a story of their own.
Finding a community to share some of the burden, reading of war & love in long lost letters, trying, & sometimes failing, to deal with her own life, the story unfolds, a bit slowly in the beginning but it picks up in the 2nd half and soars.
I really enjoy dual timelines, I liked all the characters and even fantasized about winning my own Greek cottage.
I recommend this book highly.
Everything Lost Returns: A Novel
by Sarah Domet
Friends are never Lost (1/1/2026)
Everything Lost Returns: A Novel
Sarah Domet
A friendship across time novel; a mystery, a book that makes you think about how far women have come. From Earthstone Soap to Hailey's Comet we witness the lives of these 2 women, their struggles & their losses across time. A testament to friendship, hardship, what it means to be a middle-age woman, how time connects us.
This book kept me guessing, I love a story that keeps me turning the pages.
Thanks to Bookbrowse for an ARC of this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
The Secret Lives of Murderers' Wives
by Elizabeth Arnott
Secret Lives (12/4/2025)
The Secret Lives of Murderers' Wives by:Elizabeth Arnott.
I really enjoy a look back at women of previous decades...damn 'we've come a long way baby'! Reading about the mores of the day, how women were treated, what they were able to achieve against the odds. These women all were wives of 'serial killers' (talk about against the odds). I enjoyed getting to know these women, although I had some questions unanswered. I still wonder how they all met. I found it a bit slow going & wish they had expanded on before they all met.
The book touched on important issues of the day, intertwined in each of the characters lives.
It was a good story!
Thanks to Bookbrowse for an ARC of this story!
This Book Made Me Think of You
by Libby Page
PS: I Love You (10/30/2025)
What's not to love reading a story about Books, Love, Surviving a loss, finding something to hold onto.
One of my favorite rom-com's is PS I Love You & although this is very different, there are echoes of it. A loved one passes yet manages to see his love through his loss through books! I Loved It!
When They Burned the Butterfly
by Wen-yi Lee
Butterfly (9/24/2025)
Gangs, magic, family dynamics, secret societies...I so wanted to love this story & went into it excited for it to unfold. Unfortunately the prose really turned me off. I wasn't a quarter of the way through when I just couldn't read anymore. There are many people who can and will love this story, I just couldn't get through it.
Thank you Bookbrowse for an ARC.
The Vanishing Place
by Zoë Rankin
The Vanishing (6/3/2025)
Set in New Zealand, which I know nothing about. It was a wonderful thriller! Secrets, the consequences of those secrets. One Girl Lost. One Girl Found, it says in the description and the story that unfolds is compelling.
I'm a sucker for dual timelines & loved the way the story unfolded. There were surprises & just when I thought I had it all figured out...I was wrong. Happily.
Thank you BookBrowse for an arc of this book. Highly recommended!
The Magician of Tiger Castle
by Louis Sachar
It's Magic (4/3/2025)
The Magician of Tiger Castle
Louis Sachar
I always enjoy when a children's/young adult author does the crossover to adult fiction. They always seem to get the right amount of whimsy with complex situations, and this was no exception!
I love stories about magic, it was there; stories with darkness and light. Unique & endearing characters, just enough cleverness and humor and a story that kept me turning the pages!
Bravo Louis Sachar! I hope he will continue to entertain and delight us adults who love fairy tales!
L.A. Women
by Ella Berman
Women (3/6/2025)
This was not my favorite book. I had a hard time just 'liking' the characters; too much whining, too much complaining.
The story takes place in 2 different timelines. One of the women disappears and so they go back to the beginning of their relationship.
I generally enjoy Hollywood stories, life of the rich & famous etc. but I'm afraid this didn't do it for me.
Songs of Summer
by Jane L. Rosen
Are you where you thought you would be... (1/6/2025)
At 30 Maggie goes in search of her birth mother after finding a letter from her 13 year old self. The many discoveries along the way kept me turning the pages. Her relationship with Matt added romance.
I love different POV's and enjoyed both timelines. This book had a lot of heart, dealt with some tough issues like betrayal, loss, adoption & love. I also love music and so enjoyed the way the author inserted music and lyrics into the story. All in all a very entertaining & easy read without a lot of fluff.
Happy Land
by Dolen Perkins-Valdez
The Kingdom (10/31/2024)
It is amazing how little we know of the history of certain people & places. I never knew there was a 'Kingdom of Happy Land" up in the North Carolina mountains with an honest to goodness King & Queen.
This story is about resilience & family & everything people can and will do for freedom & love. I particularly enjoyed the back story of the Kingdom, how it came to be, what the people had to endure, how they came together for each other, cooking, helping, loving. This story is about family, particularly mothers & daughters. What it takes to survive, how we sometimes have to understand that we don't always want the same things, how to respect our differences while still holding onto our history.
I really loved this story!
The Very Long, Very Strange Life of Isaac Dahl
by Bart Yates
pleasantly surprised (5/20/2024)
I was very hesitant to read this book, it didn't sound like something I would like but I was pleasantly surprised. I enjoyed the character of Isaac Dahl, his ruminations, his relationships, his take on life.
I would definitely recommend this story, told over 96 years, in the course of 12 chapters of 8 year intervals.
The Funeral Cryer: A Novel
by Wenyan Lu
Funeral Cryer (2/4/2024)
It was very interesting to learn about funeral crying, Chinese culture, chinese food. The narrator, while sometimes wandering, expressed thoughts & feelings about her life, her responsibilities etc. Her life isn't easy, her husband not always nice...but there is the barber for a slight distraction.
She tells us her thoughts on love, life, family. While it is not an action-packed story, rather a narrative, it was enjoyable and very readable.
The House on Biscayne Bay
by Chanel Cleeton
Is it the House? (1/3/2024)
When Anna Barnes moves to Miami with her husband in the early 1920s, she is not thrilled, even though her husband has built her a gorgeous home there. What is wrong with this house?
Set in two time zones, exploring long ago secrets, a murder, a re-building & another murder...well this kept me turning the pages well into the night. I have never read anything by this author but will
be sure to pick up her earlier works. Gothic & haunting, I'm hoping for a sequel!
The Waters: A Novel
by Bonnie Jo Campbell
Beware The Waters (11/28/2023)
A bit slow in the beginning. I really enjoyed the setting & the characters.
It is set in the swampy area of Michigan. A healer of sorts & her granddaughter live in an old cottage, with a dog, donkeys and chickens. Donkey is more comfortable around the donkeys, which gave her her name, & the chickens than people. Hermine/Herself take care of the people with folk medicine & 'herbs'. So many things occur throughout the book & it takes a while for things to start to come together & make sense, but it is worth the wait. Part dark fairy tale, part coming of age & adventure.
Wild and Distant Seas: A Novel
by Tara Karr Roberts
Call me Ishmael (10/5/2023)
First off, being from Boston, I love books where I'm familiar with the territory. And I love historical fiction. And books about strong women. This story had everything I love about reading. I was transported back to a 'simpler' time. Using Moby Dick as a starting point was so clever.Evangeline has to continue on to live her life and we follow her and her descendants throughout their own lives. At it's heart this is a story about loss & hope. How women navigate through the ages.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book!
