Winter Solstice by Elin Hilderbrand
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I loved this quartet of books about the Quinn family in Nantucket. I'm so sorry to see it end, but I couldn't concentrate on anything else when I knew there was an unread volume out there!

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"Never Have I Ever," by Joshilyn Jackson

Never Have I Ever by Joshilyn Jackson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I wish that I had a shelf full of unread Joshilyn Jackson novels. If I did, I would squirrel myself away for days and just read non-stop. She is in good company with a few other authors that just feel like home to me: Kate Morton, Diana Gabaldon, Marisa de los Santos, Barbara Kingsolver, Elin Hilderbrand, Ann Patchett, Michael Chabon, Kate DiCamillo.

This book feels like a shift from her other stories: edgier, dangerous. But still, GOOD.

Amy leads a comfortable, safe, vanilla life with a solid husband, children, neighbors that are friends, a hobby that's also a career. But she wasn't always this same Amy, and as her past meets her present, suddenly everything is at risk. Stories like this make me look at my surroundings with new eyes: who around me has secrets that I'd never ever guess?

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Things You Save in a Fire by Katherine Center

Things You Save in a Fire by Katherine Center
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

*sigh of contentment*

I wish this happy place could have lasted a bit longer, but once I pick up one of Katherine Center's books, I can't put it down because it is so comfortable and pleasant.

This reminded me a lot of "How to Walk Away," and I mean that in the best sense....in fact there is a link that is a pleasant surprise. Cassie is a kick-ass firefighter and takes pride in being very good at what she does, however the rest of her life is pretty empty. Some unexpected events cause her to make major changes in her life.

There is a great lesson within for everyone having to do with forgiveness and I think I will remember it the next time I need to give or receive some!

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A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood: The Poetry of Mister Rogers by Fred Rogers

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood: The Poetry of Mister Rogers by Fred Rogers
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you to Quirk Books for sending me an advance copy of "A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.”

As a child of the 70’s, Mister Rogers was ever-present. I didn’t realize how much I had missed him until I read through some familiar, and some new, passages in this book of poetry. His gentle sentiments are needed as well today, especially with loud abrasive technology permeating childhood.

I have wrapped this for my niece for Christmas and I hope she’ll love it as well.

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The Daughters of Temperance Hobbs by Katherine Howe

The Daughters of Temperance Hobbs by Katherine Howe
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Thank you to Henry Holt & Co. for the opportunity to read and review this book in advance of publication!

It was fun to revisit the world of Deliverance Dane and descendants. I loved the history of Salem, Marblehead and surrounding areas. The idea of finding artifacts and clues in a generational family home was enticing. However, I found that the believability (yes, I realize that I'm talking about witchcraft here) fell apart in the last few chapters. The scenes when the "recipe" comes together were too fantastical. But all in all, I liked it.

One pet peeve though, the use of the word "slurp" to describe a grown woman, a Professor no less, each time she consumes a beverage is really irritating. Unless she's ACTUALLY making slurping sounds every time she drinks these sodas and coffees....please, don't.

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Stay Up with Hugo Best by Erin Somers

Stay Up with Hugo Best by Erin Somers
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Thank you to Scribner and Simon & Schuster for the opportunity to read and review this book in advance of publication. I wasn't ready to part with June and Hugo just yet, but I enjoyed the brief time I spent with them.

June, an assistant for a late-night show that has just ended its stint, ends up spending a weekend with Hugo, the revered star and her long-time celebrity crush. June is also a comedienne at heart and her internal dialogue -- as well as her external one -- is pretty humorous.

June and Hugo have a lopsided relationship and for me, it was unclear at times who had the power, so to speak. While Hugo could certainly do things to help June financially and with her career, June had the ability to boost Hugo's confidence and ego, which he really needed at times.

I felt the ending was somewhat abrupt and had hopes until the very last paragraph that there would be one more interaction between them, but, alas! It doesn't always work out that way, really.

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