The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth

The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is the book that made me a fan of Sally Hepworth! I'm looking forward to finding her past catalog and keeping an eye out for future publications.

This is a book about twins, which always fascinates me. Fern and Rose aren't exactly what they seem and you will second guess some assumptions you make throughout your read. It's a good one!

I listened to the audio version of this book.

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Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult

Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I have to tip my hat to author Jodi Picoult....I did NOT see the twist coming. What a great plot point!

This is a book that I will recommend time and again. It's a great story to lose yourself in. The descriptions of the Galapagos are vivid and truly took me on a journey. There's still a lot for me to unpack and think about, but I think this is a winner.

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"The Book of Magic" by Alice Hoffman

The Book of Magic by Alice Hoffman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

There were so many passages in this book that caused me to pause, re-read, breathe and savor. The fourth book in the saga of the Owens women is wonderful and a fitting end to their tale.....although I wish it didn't have to end! Perhaps Alice will change her mind...

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Life's Too Short (The Friend Zone, #3) by Abby Jimenez

Life's Too Short by Abby Jimenez
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I absolutely love this series of books by Abby Jimenez! I don't know how I stumbled across the first one, but I think I read it in a day and then did the same with No. 2. I had to wait awhile for this one and I chose to listen to it. The narrators were perfect. I love how the characters in each of the three books are loosely connected. It's romantic without too much sap and just enough humor.

I hope Abby Jimenez keeps writing!

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We Are the Brennans by Tracey Lange
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thank you to Celadon Books and Macmillan Publishing to allowing me to preview this novel.

Sometimes there are books that you could comfortably read forever. If the author would just keep writing chapters about these characters, then we could stay with them and keep an eye on them. This was one of those for me.

We Are the Brennans is about a close-knit Irish Catholic family that lives in a fictional Westchester, New York town, West Acres, that I suspect is based on the city where I was born, Peekskill (or very close to it). The patriarch, Mickey, emigrated from Northern Ireland as a young man and has supposed ties to the NRA. The matriarch is no longer with us, but her legacy is dark, tainted, resentful.

There are four Brennan children (now adults) - Denny, Sunday, Jackie, Shane - and one honorary Brennan - Kale, who grew up nearby and has always been a part of the family in one role or another.

Five years ago, something bad happened to Sunday and prompted her to move to California, far away from the family she is close to and to leave her almost-betrothed, Kale. A series of events reveals this and our story focuses on the family as they re-evaluate the past, do damage control, support each other, make new mistakes and correct old ones.

This is a family with a lot of love and care for one another that is clear even though they are not overly demonstrative. I really enjoyed the time I spent with them. My one criticism that the ending was kind of abrupt and could have been more graceful if given another chapter or two.

Recommend!

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Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey

 

Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was so much better than I had anticipated!

One reason for that was that I listened to it - McConaughey's words roll off his tongue in his signature drawl - it doesn't so much seem like a narration as a monologue. A fun monologue.

I am not one for self-help or inspirational books, but this tiptoes up to that line in some ways. The author is wise and has a catchy saying for every bit of advice or life rules that he's gathered along the way. Much of it makes sense.

Recommend!

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Where the Grass is Green and the Girls are Pretty by Lauren Weisberger

Where the Grass Is Green and the Girls Are Pretty by Lauren Weisberger
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Taking inspiration from recent headlines about the college admission scandal's condemned celebrities, "Where the Grass is Green and the Girls are Pretty" is a great book to relax into for a beach weekend this summer.

Sisters Peyton -celebrity news anchor- and Skye -high achieving mom looking for fulfillment- are each hiding something from the people in their families, something they're ashamed of and not sure they'll be forgiven for. Ultimately, the truth has to come out and the journey to that and forgiveness from their families is a fun read.

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"Good Company" by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney

Good Company by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This will be a book that I choose to read in physical form, after listening. While I liked the narrators and was drawn in to the story, I think there will be more for me after holding the book in my hands and reading it.

The characters were pleasant and the dynamics and plot were good. But it didn't blow me away and I honestly didn't feel any spark or redeeming spirit behind Flora and Julian's relationship.

Maybe a second-go-round will be enlightening.

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"Girl A" by Abigail Dean

Girl A by Abigail Dean
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was well done. It's a sobering topic and the story leans into it completely, so there aren't many moments of joy or humor to lift the reader. The reader is pulled back and forth through time -- into the "House of Horrors," and then the present or not-so-distant past. It works, though. The slow build to the worst days of their childhood kept me enthralled and the sections of the book dedicated the each sibling's story was a good way to tell it.

I did not see the twist coming and really, it didn't impact the story that much for me; it was a bit anticlimactic. Lex's relationship with her other sister was more interesting for me, and that had an ending that satisfied me quite a bit.

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"That Summer" by Jennifer Weiner

That Summer by Jennifer Weiner
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I've changed my mind.....now THIS is my favorite Jennifer Weiner book.

I devoured "That Summer" in a day. There is a nod to "Big Summer" in here, but it is a very different book and I feel like the author has entered new territory.

There are large, important topics tackled in this story about two Dianas - sexual assault (let's just call it what it is - rape), family dynamics, homosexuality, teenage angst and more. There is Diana A, or "Daisy" as her husband has renamed her; and Diana B, whose identity has also been taken away but in a very different way. Both Daisys' inner voices becomes louder throughout the book and by the end they are able to speak up for themselves, for teenaged daughters and for friends.



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"Mother May I" by Joshilyn Jackson

Mother May I by Joshilyn Jackson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I love a Joshilyn Jackson book! Read this in one day and can't wait to recommend it.

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"Malibu Rising" by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Taylor Jenkins Reid is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. Daisy Jones and the Six is one of the best audiobooks I've ever listened to and Forever, Interrupted was simply beautiful.

With Malibu Rising she has added some great original characters. The atmosphere described is so easily imagined and I can only hope this is made into a movie or miniseries. My only criticism is that some of the worthy characters weren't given enough time commensurate with their potential. Perhaps a sequel?

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