What Tomorrow Will Be by Julianne MacLean #bookreview

Overview

From USA Today bestselling author Julianne MacLean comes a captivating tale of a life caught between the past and the present…and a true love unbound by space and time.

Some loves never die. But only one will shape her future…

At nineteen, Sienna MacKay believed she had it all—a promising career ahead of her and a young love destined to last forever. But a tragic accident shatters that idyllic existence, leaving her with a heartbreaking loss.

Years later, Sienna has rebuilt her life. She’s a successful designer, a devoted mother, and a woman who has dared to love again—with Nate, a passionate, rising-star chef. But as Nate drifts further into ambition, cracks surface in their once-bright marriage. A stormy confrontation ends in disaster, and Sienna becomes caught between two worlds—her near-perfect past and her more complicated present—where she must ask herself: What is the price of true love…and is she willing to pay?

Set on the majestic, rugged coastline of Nova Scotia, What Tomorrow Will Be is a magical, emotional novel about first love, second chances, and finding the courage to stay…or the will to go.

Review

Sienna has rebuilt her life. She’s a successful designer, a devoted mother, and a woman who has dared to love again—with Nate, a passionate, rising-star chef. But as Nate drifts further into ambition, cracks surface in their once-bright marriage. A stormy confrontation ends in disaster, and Sienna becomes caught between two worlds—her near-perfect past and her more complicated present—where she must ask herself: What is the price of true love…and is she willing to pay?

I sometimes have a bit of trouble with this author. Her books are a bit too sweet for me. But y’all! I really enjoyed this one.

Sienna is the one who stole the show for me. I loved her story. She has a big tragedy in her past and she lost someone very close to her. But she overcomes and then tragedy strikes again. This leads her to realize quite a few things.

I did wish for more about Nova Scotia. But these characters and their life choices keep you very much entertained! And possibly realize a few things about yourself.

The narrators, Devon Sorvari, Graham Halstead, Andrea Emmes did a very good job!

Need a book about life, marriage and second chances…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

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It’s Not Her by Mary Kubica #bookreview @harlequinbooks

Overview

A gripping thrill ride.” —Jeneva Rose
“Tantalizing, terrifying and all too real.” —Shari Lapena
“Cancel your plans, you won’t be able to put this one down.” —Chris Whitaker
“Wickedly smart and incredibly twisted.” —Ashley Elston
“Terrifying.” —Megan Miranda

Two families at a secluded lake resort are at the center of a chilling crime in this twisty thriller from the bestselling author of Local Woman Missing

A scream shatters the silence…
Courtney Gray’s peaceful vacation turns into a nightmare when she discovers her brother and sister-in-law dead in their lakeside cottage. Her niece Reese is missing. Her nephew Wyatt is asleep upstairs—unharmed.

A town full of secrets…
As police swarm the quiet resort, dark truths about Courtney’s family—and the town itself—begin to surface. Is Reese a victim… or the killer?

A truth no one saw coming…
With everyone hiding something, Courtney races to uncover the terrible mystery. But the closer she gets, the harder it is to know who—or what—to trust.

Review

Mary Kubica has done it again!

A scream shatters the silence…
Courtney Gray’s peaceful vacation turns into a nightmare when she discovers her brother and sister-in-law dead in their lakeside cottage. Her niece Reese is missing. Her nephew Wyatt is asleep upstairs—unharmed.

Talk about twisted! Talk about lots of suspects! Talk about secrets! This book is full of them all! And devil no! I had none of it pegged!

This book definitely takes you on a wild ride. There is a past crime of a young girl missing. There is a double murder with a young girl missing in present day! Are they related? Is it a family member? What? Who?

I love how this author created such viable suspects. This really had me guessing and I love a good guessing game!

This is narrated by Jennifer Jill Araya, Brittany Pressley, and Gary Tiedemann. What a great team!

Need a story to keep you guessing…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

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The Unwritten Rules of Magic by Harper Ross #bookreview @stmartinspress

For fans of The Midnight Library and In Five Years, The Unwritten Rules of Magic is a spellbinding novel that blends magic and memory in an unforgettable journey through love, grief, and the hidden cost of perfection across three generations of women.

Emerson Clarke can’t remember a time when she felt in control. Her father—a celebrated author—was a chaotic force until he got Alzheimer’s. Her mother turned to gin. And recently, her teen daughter has shut her out without explanation. If only she could arrange reality the same way she controls the stories she ghostwrites, life could be perfect.

Or so she thinks.

After her father’s funeral, Emerson steals his vintage typewriter—the one he’d forbidden anyone to touch—and tests its keys by typing out a frivolous wish. When it comes true the very next day, she tries another. Then, those words also spring to life. Suddenly, she becomes obsessed with using the typewriter to rewrite happiness for herself and her daughter.

But the more she shapes her real-life, the more she uncovers disturbing truths about her family’s history and the unexpected cost of every story-come-true. She should destroy the typewriter, yet when her daughter’s secret finally emerges, Emerson is torn between paying the price for bending fate and embracing the uncertainty of an unscripted life.

Review

Be careful what you wish for!

After her father’s funeral, Emerson steals his vintage typewriter—the one he’d forbidden anyone to touch—and tests its keys by typing out a frivolous wish. When it comes true the very next day, she tries another. But the more she shapes her real-life, the more she uncovers disturbing truths about her family’s history and the unexpected cost of every story-come-true.

This is a good story. It is about life, grief forgiveness and the love of family!

I enjoyed Emerson. She is struggling to cope with life after her father dies and the secrets he left behind. Then there is her mother and her alcoholism. After a wish on the typewriter, Emerson soon discovers she better be careful what she wishes for. No wonder her dad kept this typewriter locked up.

Y’all! This book is very good. It really makes you think…what would you wish for and how would you word it? I enjoyed this guessing game and the outcomes! Very unique.

Need a story that may call attention to a few things…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

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Cross Your Heart and Hope He Dies by Jenny Elder Moke #bookreview @stmartinspress

Overview

Hobnobbing with Seattle’s elite on a super-yacht, Juliette Winters is about to land the deal of the century – if she doesn’t get arrested first. She Doesn’t Have A Clueauthor Jenny Elder Moke returns with another riotous mystery rom-com that delights in rich people behaving badly.

Juliette Winters is used to taking care of business alone. She has no time for petty things like romance, friendships, or emotional commitments. Love is for people who believe in reality TV dating and holding hands in public. She’s too busy dominating the publishing world by single-handedly saving her company from financial ruin with the book deal of the century.

Business magnate Warren Ellingham has guaranteed Juliette exclusive rights to his explosive memoir that promises to expose the secrets of his ultra-exclusive country club, Pacific Pines. But when Warren drops dead of an apparent heart attack and the memoir is stolen, Juliette suspects that someone was willing to resort to murder to keep their secrets from being exposed.

Enlisting the help of Charlie Hawkins, a doctor with a heart of gold and abs of steel, Juliette dives into the glamorous and messy world of Pacific Pines Country Club. As the investigation heats up, so does the tension between Juliette and Charlie. But Juliette can’t afford any distractions because the bodies keep dropping, and Juliette is tee-d up to take the blame. If she doesn’t uncover Warren’s killer soon, the thing that was supposed to secure her future might just be the thing that ends it.

Jenny Elder Moke’s twisty mystery rom-com blend will delight readers with its outrageous characters, laugh-out-loud jokes, and opposites attract romance.

Review

Business magnate Warren Ellingham has guaranteed Juliette exclusive rights to his explosive memoir that promises to expose the secrets of his ultra-exclusive country club, Pacific Pines. But when Warren drops dead of an apparent heart attack and the memoir is stolen, Juliette suspects that someone was willing to resort to murder to keep their secrets from being exposed.

Juliette surprised me. She is a strong female lead. I was expecting a bit of an airhead, but trust me, she is far from that. She can also hold her own in any battle. I loved the banter between Juliette and Charlie. This will make you smile!

However, the suspects are a bit cartoonish and it doesn’t take a whole lot of brain power to figure this out. But this is a cute, fun read to get you through a weekend.

Need a twisty mystery rom-com…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

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With Love From Harlem by ReShonda Tate #bookreview @wmmorrowbooks

Overview

Tate blends fact and fiction with elegance…A captivating, emotionally resonant portrait of a singular woman who refused to be diminished.” — LIBRARY JOURNAL

“Tate has a rare gift for storytelling that strikes straight to the heart.” — SADEQA JOHNSON, New York Times bestselling author of Keeper of Lost Children

From The Queen of Sugar Hill author ReShonda Tate—a new novel inspired by beloved Harlem jazz performer Hazel Scott and the equal parts exhilarating and tumultuous relationship that changed the course of her life.

Harlem, 1943. At just twenty-three, Hazel Scott is a woman on fire. A jazz prodigy, a glamorous film star, and a fierce advocate for civil rights, she’s breaking barriers and refusing to play by the rules. Then Adam Clayton Powell Jr. walks into her life. Harlem’s most electrifying preacher-turned-politician, Adam is as bold and unyielding as Hazel—charismatic, powerful…and married.
This kicks off a decades-long relationship that propels them into the center of a political and cultural revolution. As Hazel’s star rises, Adam takes the national stage in Congress and the couple becomes the toast of the country. But when their affair turns into a marriage, behind the glamorous façade is a battlefield of ego, ambition, and sacrifice. Forced to choose between her music and her family, Hazel must decide what she’s willing to lose—and what she refuses to give up.
Set against the pulsing backdrop of twentieth-century Harlem and featuring icons like Billie Holiday, Langston Hughes, and James Baldwin, With Love from Harlem is a sweeping, emotionally charged romantic drama, rich with historical detail. ReShonda Tate delivers a powerful portrait of love, art, and the price of being unforgettable.

Review

Harlem, 1943. At just twenty-three, Hazel Scott is a woman on fire. A jazz prodigy, a glamorous film star, and a fierce advocate for civil rights, she’s breaking barriers and refusing to play by the rules. Then Adam Clayton Powell Jr. walks into her life. Adam is as bold and unyielding as Hazel—charismatic, powerful…and married.
This kicks off a decades-long relationship that propels them into the center of a political and cultural revolution.

I physically started reading this and I was not a fan of the writing style. I felt the conversations were a bit canned and the author spoke the obvious. But, I switched over to the audiobook and boy…was I hooked on this story.

The history and the setting just took me away. I loved Harlem and the jazz clubs, not to mention the activism. Add in the side characters…especially Billie Holiday and you have a good read.

I do recommend the audiobook version. It is narrated by Lynnette R. Freeman! She is fantastic!

This is 3.5 stars rounded up.

Need a story set in Harlem with some famous characters…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

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A Great Act Of love by Heather Rose #bookreview #historicalfiction @simonschuster

Overview

A young woman with a mysterious past searches for her father—who has committed an unspeakable crime—in an exquisitely lush historical novel set among the champagne vines of 19th-century Australia.

Van Diemen’s Land, 1839. A young woman of means arrives in Hobart, Australia, with a boy in her care. Leasing an old cottage next to an abandoned vineyard, Caroline Douglas must navigate an insular colony of exiles and opportunists and invent a new life on this island of extreme seasons and wild beauty. But Caroline is carrying a secret of such magnitude that it has led her to cross the world. It will take all she is made of to bring it into the light.

A Great Act of Love is a spellbinding story that soars from the French Revolution to London and New York on an epic voyage to Tasmania. Here is a story of a family with champagne in their blood, and an enterprising woman determined to rewrite their legacy. The lives of Caroline, her father, and the residents of the island will collide in devastating and profound ways.

Immensely beautiful with unforgettable characters, this heartrending family saga chronicles a father and daughter’s journey back to each other and captures the enduring power of familial love.

Review

Van Diemen’s Land, 1839. A young woman of means arrives in Hobart, Australia, with a boy in her care. Leasing an old cottage next to an abandoned vineyard, Caroline Douglas must navigate an insular colony of exiles and opportunists and invent a new life on this island of extreme seasons and wild beauty. But Caroline is carrying a secret of such magnitude that it has led her to cross the world. It will take all she is made of to bring it into the light.

This is a love story. But it is about the love between a daughter and her father.

Caroline is such a fabulous character. She is smart and plays people well. She is also a hard worker and has such compassion. And her compassion is her best trait, in my opinion.

This novel takes you all over the globe. From the French Revolution to a winery in Australia. This is so beautifully written. However, it has a lot of mundane, everyday details. This is why I gave it 4 stars. But y’all! You cannot go wrong with this story. It has strong characters and it is full of drama and heartbreak!

Need a different type of love story…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

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The Windsor Legacy by Robert Jobson #bookreview @dreamscapeaudio

Overview

From Elizabeth II to future King William, The Windsor Legacy offers a riveting exploration of the British monarchy’s resilience and influence over the past century, looking at its key players and conflicts, with a forward-looking examination of its future.

In an age where resilience is essential, The Windsor Legacydelivers an enthralling narrative of inspiration and royal intrigue. Penned by Robert Jobson, a Sunday Times and New York Times bestselling author and a front-line royal correspondent for over three decades, this extraordinary work will take readers deep into the heart of royal history as well as through the secrets that plague it to this day.

From the abdication crisis, royal family entanglements, Cold War espionage, betrayal, and scandalous love affairs to more recent constitutional crises and the monarchy’s most closely guarded secrets and feuds. This riveting and stylish narrative, told through the key characters and clashes at the heart of the family, will be packed with exclusive revelations with a story as comprehensive as it is captivating.

Review

I have been a fan of the Windsors since Diana came on the scene (didn’t everyone!). So I did enjoy the history in this compilation. But there is really nothing new in here. If you watched the crown, you know everything in this book.

However, this book is so biased against anything that goes against those in power. It became very evident when he talked about Diana. I mean really…Diana was so emotional that Charles was doing the best he could…insert eye roll. But lord have mercy, he was so blatant pro William and anti Harry in the Harry and Megan exit. It was almost nauseating.

I did enjoy the narrator,  Charles Armstrong. He is perfect for this book, accent and all!

I received this from the publisher for a honest review.

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The Fair Weather Friend by Jessie Garcia #bookreview @macmillanaudio

Overview

The next gripping domestic suspense novel from Jessie Garcia, author of The Business Trip, an AudioFile Best Audiobook of 2025.

It’s always sunny in Detroit for Faith Richards. The popular TV meteorologist, endearingly referred to as “The Fair Weather Friend” by her viewers, has the world by the tail. But one night, Faith leaves work on a dinner break and never returns. Her body is found the next morning. 

The town is reeling, suspects emerge, and long-buried secrets are uncovered. While her allies rally, her list of adversaries also grows. Little does anyone know that only the deepest secrets will expose the truth. 

In this riveting thriller, Jessie Garcia’s signature multi-POV, rapid-fire style will propel you into the heart of a mystery no one could have forecasted.

Review

It’s always sunny in Detroit for Faith Richards. The popular TV meteorologist, endearingly referred to as “The Fair Weather Friend” by her viewers, has the world by the tail. But one night, Faith leaves work on a dinner break and never returns. Her body is found the next morning. 

Let me say, I did like this book much better than The Business Trip. I also figured out what I do not like about this author’s books. I do not find her characters very believable.

But, like I said, I liked this book better. It has better pacing and moves much faster. There are also a few twists at the end. However, there are quite a few characters to keep up with. But the setting of middle class Michigan is spot on!

This is narrated by Gail Shalan. And she definitely kept all these characters straight for me! Great job.

Need a book full of secrets…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

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The Society by Karen Winn #bookreview @duttonbooks

Overview

Rumors about the Knox and its influence have swirled through Boston for centuries. While some believe the secret society is merely an elite social club, others are convinced it hides something more sinister…

Vivian Lawrence was born into old-money Boston, but when her family fortune vanishes so does her carefully curated life. Desperate, she turns to an old family legend that ties her to the Knox and its inheritance, seeking a way into the exclusive secret society. She doesn’t expect that entry to come in the form of Peter, a Knox insider with movie star good looks and just enough roughness to his charm to make Vivian weak in the knees for the first time in her life.

Far from Boston’s glittering elite is newcomer Taylor Adams, a young nurse eager to leave her humble past behind. When the effortlessly glamorous Vivian lands in her ER after a suspicious fall, Taylor is instantly captivated. But then Vivian abruptly disappears without a trace, sending Taylor on a search for answers that pulls her into the Knox itself—as their new employee.

The further Taylor ventures into the Knox’s world of unimaginable wealth and dark history, the more the mystery surrounding Vivian deepens. As Taylor will soon discover, more so than money or status, secrets are this society’s true currency.

Reviews

Vivian Lawrence was born into old-money Boston, but when her family fortune vanishes so does her carefully curated life. Desperate, she turns to an old family legend that ties her to the Knox and its inheritance, seeking a way into the exclusive secret society.

Far from Boston’s glittering elite is newcomer Taylor Adams, a young nurse eager to leave her humble past behind. When the effortlessly glamorous Vivian lands in her ER after a suspicious fall, Taylor is instantly captivated. But then Vivian abruptly disappears without a trace, sending Taylor on a search for answers that pulls her into the Knox itself—as their new employee.

There is so much I want to say about this book. But, I will try and keep it brief.

I kept expecting this book to get better. I mean, the great setting of Boston, a secret society and old money…such a a great set up for a good read. But this book completely missed its mark with me. And when the building started narrating…I just almost quit.

I just kept thinking this story was going to get better.

I do hate to write a bad review. But this book disappointed me on so many levels. But read it for yourself and form your own opinion.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

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Such A Clever Girl By Darby Kane @wmmorrowbooks #bookreview

Overview

Darby Kane, author of the #1 international bestseller Pretty Little Wife,returns with a gripping domestic thriller in which a family goes missing and a long-buried family mystery resurfaces.

Fifteen years ago, the Tanner family vanished without a trace, leaving behind a chilling scene: half-eaten meals, a bloodstain by the door, and a smoldering fire consuming their business across town.

The once-vibrant home stands untouched, a haunting relic of the past. As rumors fade into local folklore, the mystery of their disappearance seems destined to remain unsolved—until Aubrey Tanner returns.

Now a hardened thirty-year-old, Aubrey arrives in town with secrets etched in her silence. Why did she come back? Was she a victim of the night that changed everything, or does she hold the truth of what happened to her family? The town is rife with theories, but three women share a dangerous bond: they know more than they’ve ever confessed.

As the past resurfaces, old alliances fray. A teacher, a café owner, and a psychologist are drawn together by memories they’d rather forget. Each holds a piece of the puzzle—and a dark secret of their own. When a new disappearance sends shock waves through the town, blackmail begins, and the stakes climb higher.

In a race against time, these women must confront the truth or risk becoming the next victims of a past they cannot escape. With tension rising and danger lurking, one thing is clear: someone is destined to kill again

Review

Fifteen years ago, the Tanner family vanished without a trace, leaving behind a chilling scene: half-eaten meals, a bloodstain by the door, and a smoldering fire consuming their business across town. As rumors fade into local folklore, the mystery of their disappearance seems destined to remain unsolved—until Aubrey Tanner returns.

This is a family drama full of secrets! Y’all know I love a family drama. This one, however, is a tad bit slow, especially through the middle.

BUT! I did enjoy this guessing game. Who did it? Did they all die? If they didn’t die, where have they been for the last 15 years?

And you talk about one messed up family…this whole Tanner family is something else. Greed, murder, affairs…all of the above!

This is 3.5 stars rounded up.

Need a story that will keep you guessing…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

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