The Correspondent by Virginia Evans

Rating: 3 of 5 stars 

Pages: 304 pages
Published: April 2025

I picked up an electronic copy of The Correspondent by Virginia Evans to read on my Kindle app as it was the monthly selection for the Modern Mrs. Darcy Book Club this October. The novel, a debut for Evans, is a slow burn that is told through the letters of the primary character, a 70-something retired lawyer named Sybil Van Antwerp. As she writes to family, friends, and authors, Evans creates a portrait of a woman reckoning with aging, regret, and grief. 

The entire novel, written in epistolary format and structured entirely through letters and emails, is both a strength and limitation. I typically enjoy this format because it provides the reader introspection you might not get in dialogue. However, Sybil writes to a lot of people, and the sprawling cast of characters that include neighbors, former colleagues, family, and friends add a level of logistical complexity for the reader. This made discernment of character importance a challenge. I really struggled during the first part of the book, so much so I had to make a list of characters with short descriptions to keep track. 

Having said that, the story is a beautiful ache. The heart of Sybil’s conflict surrounds the death of her son. Throughout the story, we learn more about her grief and how it has affected her relationships. Parallel to that story, the reader learns that Sybil is losing her sight slowly and how that is affecting her. As the character develops and gains insight into her flaws and shortcomings, conversely we, as the reader, watch her lose her physical sight. I found this plot device to be very clever in helping create a pace in the plot. 

Evans’ writing is elegant and profound. She captures the reality of aging with grace, learning at any age, and extending and receiving forgiveness very well. Her creation of Sybil speaks to the humanity in us all (none of us are getting out of here alive!), and the letters she crafts through this character and her relationships are a testament to the enduring power of the written word, which I very much appreciated. 

Recommendation: I enjoyed the premise and what the author was trying to do with the process of grief. After completing the novel, I read several recommendations that the book is more easily understood in audio format as each character is voiced by a different actor. I think I would have enjoyed this book more by listening. It is currently offered on Spotify with a premium membership, and perhaps I will go back and reread the novel by listening. 

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

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How to Read a Book by Monica Wood

Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars 

Pages: 288 pages
Published: June 2024

How to Read a Book by Monica Wood was the monthly selection for the Modern Mrs. Darcy Book Club. The relatively short story is a poignant one that touches on the themes of grief, friendship, redemption, and not necessarily how to read a book but how to a live a meaningful life. The protagonist, Violet, a young woman convicted of a deadly crime is released from prison. At a crossroads in her life, she develops a friendship with Harriet, the retired schoolteacher who facilitated the prison book club program in which Violet participated. While Violet is trying to figure out her life outside of prison, Harriet is trying to figure out what her life will look like in her third act. Both women’s lives collide with Frank’s, the widow and victim of Violet’s crime. Over the course of the nearly 300 page novel, Wood presents a thoughtful, honest story of friendship and what it means to live a worthy life.

I completed this novel in just a few days. The pace is fast, and the plot is engaging. Because a portion of the book is centered around the prison book club and the local, independent bookstore, there is quite a bit of book chatter and recommended titles throughout the reading. The author also does a beautiful job of presenting points for reader reflection in beautifully composed sentences. And as a lover and collector of words, I enjoyed those parts of the book the most! 

“Amazon is the devil,” Harried informed not only Baker but whoever might be listening. She slid her credit card across the counter. “The Nazis worked with more subtlety.” - p. 20

Was this the fate of adults on the threshold of their dotage? To be turned into children by children? - p.37

A squawk of laughter came loose from On High, and Frank suddenly hated all young people, who thought they knew all things and in fact knew only some things. - p. 53

Women left prison physically diminished, but in Violet that diminishment seemed of a different order, as if the part of God that is said to dwell in all creatures had flown from her, only to perch somewhere nearby, awaiting reentry. -p. 82

Perhaps it’s an oddity of human nature to judge women more harshly. Or maybe we expect so little of men, their transgressions don’t register the same. - p. 150

Apologies require acceptance … But as I understand it, forgiveness flows in one direction only. - p. 177

The writer writes the words. The given reader reads the words. And the book, the unique and unrepeatable book, doesn’t exist until the given reader meets the writer on the page. - p. 235

Even the least eventful life holds an avalanche of stories. Any one of mine would give you a fair impression of who I was and how I lived. But the one I chose—the one that now composes this epitaph—isn’t a story at all. It’s what Harriet would call the meanwhile, the important thing that was happening while the rest of the story moved along. My name was Violet Powell. I took a life. I lived and died. Meanwhile, I was loved. - p. 273

Recommendation: This is my first Monica Wood read, and I found that she packs an emotional punch in an efficient number of pages. I think she is an author I would read again, perhaps even returning to this particular story when I need something that reads like a cup of warm cocoa tastes on a cold winter night. 

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

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The Wedding People by Alison Espach

Rating: 5 of 5 stars 

Pages: 384 pages
Published: July 2024

Another summer reading pick by Barnes & Noble, The Wedding People by Alison Espach did not disappoint. Written in third person, the novel takes us on a weeklong journey where Phoebe Stone has booked a suite at the extravagant Cornwall Inn for one-night with plans to die of suicide after living through the Covid pandemic and dealing with the grief of the end of her marriage. Unbeknownst to her, Lila, who can be a bit of a bridezilla, has booked the rest of this beautiful hotel for the perfect wedding she's been planning throughout Covid and to fulfill her dying father's wish. When Lila meets Phoebe and learns of her plans, she is intent on stopping her from ruining her perfectly planned soiree. 

For the remainder of the story, we learn more about Phoebe, Lila, and a diverse cast of characters. The plot has some deep elements that are a bit heavy, but the author takes great care with them. Her writing allows space for the read to contemplate the ramifications of one's actions (or inaction). Everything comes together well in the end, but not perfectly, and that makes the book all the more endearing. Life is not perfect either. 

But there are a lot of perfect quotes in this book that I highlighted in the Kindle version I borrowed from my local library. Here are just a few - 

“I just mean, a story can be beautiful not because of the way it ends. But because of the way it’s written.”

And Matt could do that—turn off the TV, quit a marriage—right in the middle of the climactic scene.

She was always too embarrassed to admit that she ever wanted anything, as if there was something humiliating about being a person with desires.

This is exactly what Phoebe has always hated and loved about life—how unpredictable it is, how things can change in an instant.

How are you supposed to go from being the center of someone’s world to being irrelevant? To sobbing in your best friend’s arms unthinkingly to being afraid to call them after your father dies? Phoebe doesn’t know. She, too, was caught unprepared by that kind of loss.

But Phoebe is starting to understand that on some nights, Lila is probably the loneliest girl in the world, just like Phoebe. And maybe they are all lonely. Maybe this is just what it means to be a person. To constantly reckon with being a single being in one body. Maybe everybody sits up at night and creates arguments in their head for why they are the loneliest person in the world.

At the time, the darkness felt like life. It is all about moving on. Saying goodbye to whoever you thought you were, whoever you thought you would be.

“Your husband is not going to take care of you the way you think,” Phoebe says. “Nobody can take care of you the way you need to take care of yourself. It’s your job to take care of yourself like that.”

It is not an easy thing to do, walk away from what you’ve built and save yourself.

She is so good at predicting what will happen in books, so bad at predicting what will happen in life. That is why she has always preferred books—because to be alive is much harder.

Recommendation: I really enjoyed this book. This is a story of healing, and there were many touches of humor, but I would definitely categorize it as literary fiction. I think this is one that could be read at any time. 

Trigger warnings include suicide, death in the family, marital affair, and infertility. 

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

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You Are Here by David Nicholls

Rating: 5 of 5 stars 

Pages: 368 pages
Published: May 2024

You Are Here by David Nicholls was selected by Anne Bogel for her annual 2024 Summer Reading Guide as part of my benefits as a member of the Modern Mrs. Darcy Book Club. Bogel always does a good job with picking diverse selections for the organization, even if they don’t always hit home with me. Gratefully, this one did. It’s one I slowly savored over its nearly 400 pages and thought about long after I closed the hardback cover. 

The story centers around Michael and Marnie, both recovering from romantic relationships that have come to an end. Michael, a geography teacher in London plans to embark on a weeklong coast-to-coast walk on the English countryside in solitude. His colleague, boss, and well-meaning friend, Cleo, asserts herself into the adventure by tagging along. She also invites Marnie, another friend who has become a bit of a recluse in the years following her divorce from her difficult husband. As a freelance proofreader who worked in the field during the Covid pandemic, she has become comfortable and accustomed bo being alone. Cleo attempts to play a bit of a matchmaker by bringing a female friend for Michael and a male friend for Marnie along for the journey. However, due to circumstances beyond all their control, the hike starts with many and ends up with Michael and Marnie on the trek alone together. 

I really enjoyed the slow burn of this book. The prose is captivatingly descriptive, and there isn’t much dialogue. Nicholls does an excellent job of painting vivid pictures with his words. As someone who found love later in life, and traveled the bumpy road to get here, I was drawn to this book because of the parallels in my own life. While the story was relatable it provided so much more. The talking and walking that Michael and Marnie engaged in was akin to getting a voyeuristic gateway into the relationship development of others, making the story enticing. I especially loved the section of the book where Marnie extended her walk with Michael and they listened to and shared their favorite songs and meanings that impacted their respective formative years. As a music lover and bibliophile, this scene was simply perfect. 

Private, intimate, a book was something she could pull around and over herself, like a quilt. -p. 51 

She would shrug off this self-pity but shrugging hurt and here it was, creeping in again like damp in the walls, the loneliness, present even in company. -p. 86 

For the moment she felt content, not because she’d spoken but because she’d been listened to. -p. 153 

In the Lavender Suite she had felt like a teenager but also exactly her own age, and that combination was thrilling and rare, lust and experience, together at last. -p. 242 

Perhaps solitude is more frightening when something is snatched away. -p. 244

While the ending wasn’t neatly wrapped up in a bow, it was satisfying and left me feeling fulfilled. I read Nicholl’s One Day years ago, but I have to say this one found me at just the right time, and I loved it all the more. My one minor criticism is based on my limitations in geographic knowledge of the UK. The map provided in the front of the book did help provide some context, but I wish I had more first-hand experience with the area for a greater understanding. 

Recommendation: If you’ve ever been in love or overcome (or are overcoming) heartbreak, I think you could find value in this novel. Just keep in mind, it’s not about the destination. It’s the slow, quiet journey through two characters’ perspective. 

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

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The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride

Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars 

Pages: 380 pages
Published: August 2023

It took me a bit to get into The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride. The story begins with the discovery of a skeleton at the bottom of a well. The reader is then transported back a couple of decades where an amalgamation of diverse characters living in a small community called Chicken Hill in Pennsylvania are featured. In Chicken Hill, where Black and Jewish people appear to co-exist peacefully during a time of extreme racial tension, we learn about an orphaned boy who needs protection bringing the two ethnic communities, as well as other unlikely allies, together to provide a safe haven for the boy. 

There are a lot of characters in this book with just as many subplots, and while this story can be difficult to follow, if you close read it, the details are interwoven methodically to create a well-rounded story. McBride peppers the plot with are a myriad of nuggets that pull on your heart strings and sometimes make you laugh. I appreciated the emotional aspects of the story. Once I got acclimated to McBride's writing style I found my rhythm and really enjoyed how he told this slowly-unfolding story. I did find the ending to be a bit rushed, and I think the story could have been written without the abuse of a child and still been just as powerful. 

Recommendation: Overall, I enjoyed the plot, prose, and especially the protagonist. I can definitely see why this book is Barnes & Noble's Book of the Year (2023) and on so many other favorited lists. It's a slow build, but I do feel the payoff in the end is worth it. Highly recommend! 

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

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Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez

Rating: 5 of 5 stars 

Pages: 416 pages
Published: April 2023

Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez is the second in a series. I purchased and read the first Book of the Month Selection, Part of Your World, in 2022. So, naturally when BOTM published the second book in 2023, I snapped it up quickly. And just like the first, this story did not disappoint. As I mentioned before, Jimenez's books are romcoms with substance. She does an delicate job of balancing sobering topics with timely humor and bringing it all together for a satisfying conclusion. 

The second book in this series focuses on the best friend, Dr. Bri Ortiz, of the main character in the first. We meet Bri, ER doctor, on the tail end of a humiliating divorce where she's trying to regain her self-worth while also attempting to beat the clock on finding a kidney donor for her brother. As it so happens in many romcoms, a timely meet-cute (or maybe in this instance meet-conflict) ensues with one Dr. Jacob Maddox who is equally good-looking as he is good-hearted and who also happens to be on the heels of a horrible break-up. To boot, he just so happens to have recently joined the ER staff at Bri's hospital. As it were, one thing leads to another and these professional colleagues move past their initial conflict and strike up a friendship through a situational fake dating scenario. 

With this being a romcom, I don't think I'd be giving to much away to say the story follows a friends-to-lovers plotline. However, that is not the jewel of Jimenez's book. In both of the books in this series, she tackles serious issues such as depression, anxiety, loss of pregnancy and thoughts of suicide. She artfully presents these in a thoughtful way while not weighing the book (or the reader!) down too much. (Hint: Think Grey's Anatomy but in book form.)  

Recommendation: I truly enjoy Jimenez's writing style, and I can't honestly say if I loved this book more than the first. They are both equally engaging on their own. The books do follow in chronological order; however, I believe they can be consumed as stand-alone stories, with some character overlap in each. So, it is my reader's opinion, that it is not necessary to read them in order. I highly recommend picking up either copy today. 

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

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The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise by Colleen Oakley

Rating: 5 of 5 stars 

Pages: 337 pages
Published: March 2023

The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise by Colleen Oakley is not your usual humorous chick lit novel. Basically, the book is a fun telling of a female friendship between the unlikeliest of characters. Tanner, a 21-year old who is down on her luck after a horrible accident at college and Louise, an elderly woman living alone who has a fall and breaks her hip. Her adult children, who do not live nearby, hire Tanner to move in and help take care of their mother. Being pushed into the job by her mother, Tanner begrudgingly shows up to do the bare minimum. Similarly, Louise does not think she needs the help, so the two spend most of their time speaking as little as possible to one another. But when Louise shows in Tanner's room at 1 a.m., with a bag of cash, insisting they leave right away and offers to pay Tanner to drive, the two go on the trip of a lifetime. 

Through everything they encounter while they're traveling, to the text message exchanges between Louise's three adult children who are trying to find where Tanner and Louise have absconded, to its satisfying conclusion, the story is definitely a well-rounded one. The tone is mainly lighthearted, but there are some nuggets of wisdom that Louise offers in her dialogue with Tanner and that the author provides through her omniscient narration both give this lovely book some depth. This is my first book by Oakley, and I will certainly be reading more of her stories. 

Honestly, I didn't really like Tanner at first, but through witty prose and careful character development, Oakley was able to win me over to both ladies, and I absolutely adored their relationship in the end. 

Recommendation: This is a light, laugh out loud, fun summer read. I finished it in a couple of days - and enjoyed every page turned! 

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

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You're Going to Make It: 50 Morning and Evening Devotions to Unrush Your Mind, Uncomplicate Your Heart, and Experience Healing Today

Rating: 4 of 5 stars 

Pages: 224 pages
Published: March 2023

I was gifted a copy of You're Going to Make It: 50 Morning and Evening Devotions to Unrush Your Mind, Uncomplicate Your Heart, and Experience Healing Today by the Proverbs 31 Ministry because I volunteer on their social media team. This book written by Lysa TerKeurst, who is a strong Christian, a prolific writer, and one of my favorite authors, was a delight to consume over the course of 50 mornings and 50 evenings. 

The cadence of the readings gave me peace throughout my busy spring season days, calm in the evenings, and often reminded me of what's truly important. I did find a lot of the content repetitive; however, I think sometimes we need to hear things often and at different times to effect us in a substantial way. I enjoy the way that TerKeurst writes as though we are old friends sitting across from each other sharing our vulnerabilities and burdens. The accompanying free online Bible study was also a benefit that enhanced my reading of this book. 

Recommendation: There's not a lot to say here. I think the hefty title provides an accurate description of what you're getting. The physical book is absolutely stunning, and the message should resonate on some level with any reader. While Proverbs 31 Ministry's target audience is women, I think any Christian could benefit from the nuggets of truth shared in this book's easily digestible format. 

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

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Georgie, All Along by Kate Clayborn

Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars 

Pages: 331 pages
Published: January 2023

I first learned of Georgie, All Along by Kate Clayborn through the Modern Mrs. Darcy Book Club — AKA one of the nicest places on the internet. During Anne Bogel’s spring preview webinar, this romcom was listed as one of the hot ticket items for the year. As Anne mentioned, romance books are a delight because you know there will be a positive, uplifting ending. And I wholeheartedly agree, but the rub is in how you get to that happy ending. 

In this book the main character, Georgie returns home to Darentville, Virigina from Los Angeles, California where set served as a personal assistant — often putting her client’s needs before her own. When her latest client decides to take a break from “Hollywood,” Georgie is somewhat forced to as well. In the midst of that break, she comes home to help her best friend in the latter part of her pregnancy. In doing so, she stumble upon this “friendfic” notebook she and said BFF created when they were in high school. Georgie realizes, like many of us do years post-high school, she hasn’t accomplished a lot of the popular teenagery things she wanted to. Amid recreating some of those antics, Georige meets Levi Fanning, who has a reputation for being a troublemaker as a teen and is now living a fairly secluded life because of it. To boot, Levi is the older brother of Georgie’s high school crush, who happens to take up quite a bit of real estate in that friendfic notebook. Levi offers to help Georgie on her quest of completing her high school wish list. And you can only imagine where things go from there. 

While the book is somewhat predictable, the character development and real life scenarios are what make this romance one of substance. Additionally, the endearing novel contains a variety of plot elements including humor, reflection, forgiveness, honesty … and yes, some juicy love scenes (This is not my favorite thing about romance novels, but I understand it to be a necessary device for the book to be labeled as such.) 

It took me a couple of days to get into the writing style of this book, but I am glad I stuck with it. The payoff in the end was worth it, and I truly enjoyed getting to know all the primary and secondary characters of the story. If I had one criticism to offer, it would be about a tertiary character of the book. Before I offer this, I will say I consider myself to be a progressive and inclusive person. I enjoy the company of a diverse set of friends, and I do believe that representation matters. However, what I don’t necessarily agree with is forcing diversity into a book to check a box. One of the tertiary characters was identified as being in a polyamorous relationship, which really had no bearing on the plot of the book or development of the character, but rather seemed there to check the diversity box. I think when we include characters in any creative form, it should be done with purposeful intent. And that’s all I will say about that. You’re welcome to disagree (respectfully) with me, but keep in mind I rated this book and its plot a 4.5, and I am just as entitled to my opinion as anyone else. 

Recommendation: I truly enjoyed Georgie and the people she met along the way … including her true self. I think the author put a great deal of heart into her writing style and story, and as a reader, I appreciated her craft very much. I highly recommend! 

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

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Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan

Rating: 3 of 5 stars 

Pages: 400 pages
Published: November 2022

Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan is a romance novel, but it’s not your typical romance novel. Yes, there are some steamy, blush-worthy scenes (that I didn’t necessarily have to read), but the book is so much more than a couple of romps in the hay. The story is about an affluent Black couple living in an Atlanta suburb who experience devastating loss that tests their relationship as lovers, spouses, and parents. One loss leads to another which fractures their marriage, but just when they think all hope is lost a night of passion makes them both question the major decisions made in the midst of grief. 

I enjoyed a lot of things about this book. I enjoyed the characters and the way most of them were presented - as just a normal family trying to live out their dreams. I appreciated the academic success that was attributed to the son. I admired the entrepreneurial spirit of the leading couple. Overall, I felt as though I could relate to these characters. They could be my neighbors or people in my circle. 

Having said that, this is not my favorite read of the year. It took me forever to get through this book. It was the only novel I was able to complete in March because I just couldn’t sit down and knock it out. I do wonder if the author purposefully wrote the book this way to help the reader experience the lengthy feeling and waves of grief or if she could have benefitted from some heavier editing. Additionally, I was a bit disappointed in the physical or “romance” aspect of the book. It seems like the main characters were more concerned about having sex than truly working through their issues with each other. I also didn’t understand the Biblical scripture added in at the last chapter when the none of the characters were presented as religious. It just seemed like a careless, incongruent afterthought. Lastly, I found the relationship between the mother and daughter to be wholly unrealistic. 

The bright spot in this book is the emphasis on mental health and continually seeking professional help until you find the right counselor for you. I think this “character” (mental health) is an important aspect, especially because the main characters are African American and oftentimes seeing a therapist is deemed unnecessary in our community. 

This is the first book in a series featuring the neighborhood, Skyland, that the couple lives in. I am hopeful in future books the author will explore more relationship development between the couple and further character development of some of the secondary characters (e.g., children, girlfriend circle, etc.) 

Recommendation: If I said it once, I’ve said it 100 times; not every book is for everyone. This one was just ‘eh’ for me. I am glad I read it. I am glad I participated in the author talk with my online book club, but I don’t think I’ll be picking up the remaining books in the series. After attending the Zoom-based author talk, I find her quite delightful and wish her the best in her voracious writing career!  

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

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The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles

Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars 

Pages: 576 pages
Published: October 2021

In 2023, I am not trying to reach a certain number of books completed within the year but rather enjoy the journey of reading. This liberating reading goal has allowed me to consider longer books in my TBR (to be read) list. I was rewarded The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles by Book of the Month as it was one of the finalist for 2022’s Book of the Year. All loyal members with BFF status get to select either the BOTY winner or a finalist for free in their January box delivery. Since I’d already read the winner, I chose this nearly 600-page book. 

The story is set in the 1950s where a young man, Emmett, previously in juvenile detention for involuntary manslaughter is released at the end of his punishment and goes home to pick up his 8-year old brother, recently orphaned due to an absent mother and a deceased father. Emmett has plans for the two to get out of town and make a fresh start in Texas. However, his little brother, Billy has other aspirations for them in California. Similarly, Emmett’s fellow detention-mates, Duchess and Wooly, who escape the detention center, want Emmett to join them in hopes of securing Wooly’s hidden family treasure in New York. So, a young man’s best laid plans are soon thwarted, and over the course of 10 days, the reader follows the follies of these characters plus a few others along their trip across the United States. 

Even though this book is nearly twice as long as the average book I might read, it didn’t feel like it. The writer employs a good cadence that keeps the story moving and even once you reach the end of the story, you’re still longing to learn more about the characters and what they might get into next. I found this book to be both plot and character driven, but I really enjoyed the development of the characters over a relatively short time frame. This was shaping up to be a 5-star read for me until the very last chapter, which I found to be odd and incongruent. The perfect book would have been if it simply ended one chapter earlier. 

Recommendation: This was my first read by Towles. I’ve heard that A Gentleman in Moscow is an excellent read as well. I might consider picking that one up in the near future. I definitely recommend this book and might even go so far as to say to future readers: Stop reading one chapter early. Although that might prove difficult — This book is simply unputdownable! 

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

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All the Lonely People by Mike Gayle

Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars 

Pages: 320 pages
Published: July 2020

All the Lonely People by Mike Gayle is about Hubert Bird, a Jamaican expat living in England. During the latter portion of his life, he finds himself a widow miles apart from his daughter who lives in Australia and just as far apart emotionally from his estranged son. However, Hubert has been lying by putting on false pretenses about his life - painting a picture of an active, senior lifestyle. However, when, by happenstance, he meets his neighbor, a young single mom named Ashleigh, Hubert’s lonely life is turned upside down and he gets a much more exciting life than he ever could have imagined. 

The thing I liked the most about this book is that it so relatable. I can’t think of a single person who hasn’t experienced a sense on loneliness at one point or another in his or her life, so the imagery that Gayle is able to develop through his prose is easily imagined. 

“It was a kiss that didn’t say goodby so much as hello.” 

“Extraordinary things can happen to ordinary people like you and me, but only if we open ourselves up enough to let them.” 

My only critiques about this book are the dialect in which Hubert spoke. I understand the need for the colloquial nature of Hubert’s conversation to make his Jamaican ethnicity seem more authentic. However, it seemed overdone and far-fetched that he would continually speak using “me” rather than “I” after having lived a successful life in England. Additionally, the author shows us that he knows the proper English way to speak, he just doesn’t, which seems lazy and contradictory to someone who worked so hard not only in his professional life but his romantic one with Joyce. Additionally, the reveal about Rose seems to come out of nowhere. I suppose this is a very real possibility, but it really didn’t flow in the book. It seemed like a last-minute Hail Mary to assist the book in closing. And finally, if I had my druthers, I’d rather the story had ended at chapter 49. I don’t really think the “Eighteen Months Later” epilogue was needed to complete the story.

Recommendation: I don’t think this book is about the story so much as it’s about the message it represents. It was published in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, at a time where I suspect many people were experiencing some type of loneliness. However, the message is evergreen and can be appreciated at any time. 

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

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Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson

Rating: 5+ of 5 stars 

Pages: 385 pages
Published: February 2022

I love Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson so much! This book is my favorite read of 2022 ... so far ... there are still a lot of reading days left; however, it will take something pretty substantial to replace it. 

This generational story begins with siblings, Bryon and Benny, coming together after Eleanor's their mother, death to discuss their inheritance with the family attorney. Much to their surprise, they learn the attorney has a voice recording their mother left behind that instructs them to partake of a family recipe - a traditional Caribbean black cake with someone from Eleanor's past. Through this final piece of communication, their mother reveals some long-buried secrets about herself, their father and the family they thought they knew.

Through flash backs and flash forwards to present day, we, as the reader, are able to put together the pieces of the puzzle of life Eleanor, which culminates in a beautiful love story of friendship, family and the perseverance to overcome the most challenging struggles. I really enjoyed the Wilkerson's writing style and ability to tell a story in such a way that is complex but also engaging and arresting. 

Recommendation: This book gave me all the feels. We never know where one choice may take us, but the choices we make can create an intricately-woven life for us and those we love. I highly recommend this read when you have time to really enjoy it. It is not long, but it is deep and should be consumed with care. 

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

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All the Things We Never Knew by Liara Tamani

Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Pages: 384 pages
Published: June 2020

All the Things We Never Knew is Liara Tamani's second novel and my last read of 2020. The pandemic year did not offer me a lot of extra time to read. I was blessed to maintain my job, and my workload was different but full. Additionally, my free time at home was sometimes overtaken by the mental fatigue of everything that was going on in the world. So, I ended the year reading this young adult fiction novel as my 34th selection. Furthermore, my first read of the year was also young adult fiction. And I make no apologies for it. 

This relatively short novel is very cute. It is categorized as young adult fiction but has substance. It is about two teenagers who are basketball stars on their respective teams and fall in love at first sight. The begin a fast-building relationship but, as in most love stories, some secrets get in the way - causing conflict between the two. If I had to summarize this book in one sentence, I'd say it's Love & Basketball in book form. Additionally, the book is set in my residential state of Texas, so that connection made it an interesting read.  

Tamani is a gifted writer. I've had her first novel, also set in Texas, Calling My Name on my audiobook TBR for some time now. My hope is to get to that soon. If this one is any indication, I do not think I will be disappointed. 

Recommendation: All the Things We Never Knew (not to be confused with Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng) is a good book for tweens and up. It was a light-hearted read with a powerful lesson. I've passed the book along to my 14-year old niece for her reading pleasure. 

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

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Sister Dear by Hannah Mary McKinnon

Rating: 3 of 5 stars

Pages: 384 pages
Published: May 2020

I borrowed a copy of Sister Dear by Hannah Mary McKinnon from a work colleague. It's an odd little story about Eleanor who on the same night she learns her father is not who she thought he was, he dies. As a result, she learns the name of her biological father and seeks to learn more about him. By interjecting herself into his life she becomes friends with his daughter, her half sister, Victoria. Victoria is everything Eleanor is not, and she wants everything Victoria has. Over the course of the novel, we see how her attempt to attain what Victoria has plays out, ultimately to her detriment. 

This was a quick little read for me over a weekend, but I think the story had several plot holes and situations that were just not realistic. One of them being the relationship between Eleanor and her mother and younger sister. I just didn't understand all of the acrimony in the relationship, and it wasn't really explained well. Also, Eleanor's biological father was very unlikeable and unrealistic, I just couldn't see a person being that cold to flesh and blood. However, I don't know how the other half lives; perhaps people do go to these limits to hide major secrets. 

Other than these character development issues, the story was interesting. It kept me engaged over the couple of days I read it. I liken it to one of those family mysteries you'd catch on the Lifetime Movie Network. I wouldn't say the book was time well spent, but it wasn't time wasted either. 

Recommendation: This is a twisty work of fiction that anyone could find themselves lost in over the course of a couple of days. 

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

Read More