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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A Box Full of Darkness by Simone St. James #bookreview @berkleypub

Overview

From the book’s chillingly creepy setting, which previously appeared in The Sun Down Motel (2020), to a nerve-jangling plot that effectively borrows from a mix of genres to the writing itself, which shimmers with a dazzlingly sharp sense of wit, everything about St. James’ latest is done to perfection.”-Booklist (starred review)

Simone St. James, the New York Times bestselling author of The Sun Down Motel, returns with her scariest, most shocking novel yet in this pulse-pounding story about siblings who return to the house they fled 18 years before, called back by the ghost of their long-missing brother and his haunting request: Come home.

Strange things happen in Fell, New York. A mysterious drowning at the town’s roadside motel. The unexplained death of a young girl whose body is left by the railroad tracks. For the Esmie siblings—Violet, Vail, and Dodie—the final straw was the shocking disappearance of their little brother. It started as a normal game of hide-and-seek. The three closed their eyes and counted to ten while Ben went to hide. But this time, they never found their brother—he was gone and the ongoing search efforts turned up no clues.

As their parents grew increasingly distant, Violet, Vail, and Dodie were each haunted by visions and frightening events that made them leave town and never look back. Violet still sees dead people—spirits who remind her of Sister, the menacing presence that terrorized her for years.

And now after two decades running from their past, it’s time for a homecoming. Because Ben is back, and he’s ready to lead them to the answers they’ve longed for and long feared. If the ghosts of Fell don’t get to them first.

A Box Full of Darkness is another propulsive thriller from the author of The Broken Girls and The Book of Cold Cases, a surprising horror story from a writer who is “particularly gifted at doling out twists” (The New York Times).

Review

Strange things happen in Fell, New York. A mysterious drowning at the town’s roadside motel. The unexplained death of a young girl whose body is left by the railroad tracks. For the Esmie siblings—Violet, Vail, and Dodie—the final straw was the shocking disappearance of their little brother.

Let me start with…I was not happy with this ending. It just did not seem to fit. But it is still a 5 star read. The sinister and the ghostly vibes are off the charts.

Violet, Vail and Dodie are each so different in the way they approach the “return” of their little brother Ben. This just adds to the creepiness. And let me tell you, this author takes you on a ride you won’t soon forget.

I am trying very hard not to give a spoiler away…JUST READ IT!

Need a creepy novel to keep you up at night…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received novel from the publisher for a honest review.

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My Husband’s Wife by Alice Feeney #audiobook #bookreview @macmillanaudio

Overview

The New York Times bestselling Queen of Twists is back with a psychological masterpiece that will leave you questioning everything you know about love, identity, and revenge.

“Nonstop thrills! The best Feeney book yet!” —FREIDA MCFADDEN 
“Propulsive, compulsive, addictive.” —LISA JEWELL

Eden Fox, an artist on the brink of her big break, sets off for a run before her first exhibition. When she returns to the home she recently moved into, Spyglass, an enchanting old house in Hope Falls, nothing is as it should be. Her key doesn’t fit. A woman, eerily similar to her, answers the door. And her husband insists that the stranger is his wife.

One house. One husband. Two women. Someone is lying.

Six months earlier, a reclusive Londoner called Birdy, reeling from a life-changing diagnosis, inherits Spyglass. This unexpected gift from a long-lost grandmother brings her to the pretty seaside village of Hope Falls. But then Birdy stumbles upon a shadowy London clinic that claims to be able to predict a person’s date of death, including her own. Secrets start to unravel, and as the line between truth and lies blurs, Birdy feels compelled to right some old wrongs.

My Husband’s Wife is a tangled web of deception, obsession, and mystery that will keep you guessing until the last page. Prepare yourself for the ultimate mind-bending marriage thriller and step inside Spyglass – if you dare – to experience a story where nothing is as it seems.

Review

Eden Fox, an artist on the brink of her big break, sets off for a run before her first exhibition. When she returns to the home she recently moved into, Spyglass, an enchanting old house in Hope Falls, nothing is as it should be. Her key doesn’t fit. A woman, eerily similar to her, answers the door. And her husband insists that the stranger is his wife.

No one keeps you on your toes quite like Alice Feeney!! All these twists and lies….oh boy!

The way this story unfolds will keep you completely confused. But it will also keep you reading. Which one is the true Eden? But there are so many more questions than that one…TRUST ME! This is not one you want to miss.

This is a graphic audiobook and I loved it. Great narrators, Bel Powley, Henry Rowley, Richard Armitage and the added sound effects made this story come alive.

Need a drama you won’t soon forget…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

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

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Nineteen: A Daughter’s Memoir of Reckoning and Recovery by Leslie Johansen Nack #bookreviw #audiobook

Overview

For fans of Stephanie Thornton-Plymale’s American Daughter and Cea Sunrise Person’s North of Normal comes Leslie Johansen Nack’s emotional follow-up memoir about her battle with addiction following a traumatic childhood—and her inspiring journey toward healing and happiness.

In the mid-1970s, after sailing to French Polynesia with her sisters and father, Leslie Nack returned to the US with her family. In Southern California, she began the integration process back into American life, which meant being tossed back and forth between an alcoholic, mentally ill mother and an abusive, overbearing father who took her to deliver sailboats, sent her on a wilderness survival course, and recovered a stolen boat for an insurance company in the Virgin Islands. During all of that, she and her sisters attempted to free their mentally ill mother from confinement. Life couldn’t be more unpredictable. 

At nineteen, her larger-than-life father dies suddenly in a plane crash in Mexico. In the wake of his death, she descends into addiction—caught in a downward spiral, her only solace is her next fix. Ultimately, however, Leslie’s story is one of resilience: she chooses sobriety and happiness, builds a healthy marriage, and raises two children. 

At its heart, Nineteen affirms that acquiring new skills and investing in oneself are essential to breaking free from the destructive lessons of childhood. Raw and intense but ultimately hopeful, this sequel to the popular memoir Fourteen tells the rest of Leslie’s turbulent—and incredible—story.

Review

Leslie Nack had a unique childhood. Her mother was mentally ill and her dad…well he was something else. She struggled with so much. I know that writing this was so cathartic and helped heal some of her wounds.

Leslie’s story is filled with heartache, abuse, addiction and battles. It took some strength to overcome and she did it!!

I enjoyed listening Leslie’s story. She narrates this herself and this always makes an audiobook better. This is well written and unique.

Need a good memoir…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this for a honest review.

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The Heart of Everything by Mark Levy #bookreview #audiobook

Overview

Even death can’t break the bond between father and son in an uncannily funny and poignant novel about love, loss, memory, and family by Marc Levy, the bestselling author of P.S. from Paris.

There’s nothing too unusual about a father asking his son for a favor—unless, of course, the father in question has been dead for five years.

Thomas, a young virtuoso pianist living a quiet, carefully structured life in France, is stunned when his late father, Raymond, suddenly appears in his home. He’s not a ghost in the traditional sense—he’s real enough to ask for help. His request? That Thomas travel with him to San Francisco to find Camille, the long-lost love of his life.

For Thomas, it’s as surreal as it sounds. And yet…it might be his last-in-a-lifetime chance to know his father as a man and to square the regrets of the past. Together they embark on a five-thousand-mile journey that questions the very nature of existence, proves that love never fades, and rekindles the curious, heart-tugging bond between a parent and child that somehow endures beyond death.

Review

I so enjoyed this tale. It is funny and touching all at the same time.

Thomas, a young virtuoso pianist living a quiet, carefully structured life in France, is stunned when his late father, Raymond, suddenly appears in his home. He’s not a ghost in the traditional sense—he’s real enough to ask for help. His request? That Thomas travel with him to San Francisco to find Camille, the long-lost love of his life.

When Thomas took a hit off of a joint in his mother’s desk, then saw his dead father, I could not help but die out laughing. This is the best scene in the whole book. And there are quite a few good ones.

The relationship between father and son sneaks up on the reader. You think this is a tale of lost love. It is so much more than that. This story takes you on a wild ride you will not soon forget. And to be honest, I did not know if Thomas was crazy or if he was really seeing his deceased dad. You need to read this to find out!

The narrator, Simon Mattacks, could not have been better. He had Raymond and Thomas down pat!

Need a story about a father and a son, a ghost story, a love story rolled all into one…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

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

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The Shark House by Sara Ackerman #bookreview #audiobook @harpermusebooks

Overview

A BookBub “Best Books Coming This Winter”

A haunting mystery beneath the ocean’s surface. One woman’s reckoning with the past. Long-buried secrets waiting to rise.

Hawai’i, 1998. When a string of rare shark attacks unsettles the once-peaceful Kohala coast, marine biologist Minnow Gray is called in to investigate. Known for her uncanny connection to sharks, she is the island’s best hope for uncovering why the attacks are happening—a mystery that has both the local community and the tourism industry on edge—and for determining whether the same great white still haunts the coastline.

Witness to an unspeakable tragedy involving a white shark and her own father, Minnow has carried a darkness with her ever since. She knows, deep inside, that unlocking the memories of that long-ago morning is the only way to truly heal. And as she searches for answers, the past and present collide, revealing shocking and unexpected truths that cut deep as the sea itself.

The longer she’s in Hawai’i, the more she comes to see that her journey here might be as much about finding herself as finding the shark.

An atmospheric exploration of the intricate/fragile dance between humans and sharks, set against a backdrop of stunning Hawaiian landscapes and deep-sea danger, The Shark House is a tale of resilience, redemption, and the raw power of the natural world—and of the courage to face what lies within.

Review

Hawai’i, 1998. When a string of rare shark attacks unsettles the once-peaceful Kohala coast, marine biologist Minnow Gray is called in to investigate. The longer she’s in Hawai’i, the more she comes to see that her journey here might be as much about finding herself as finding the shark.

I have to say, this tale is unique. A total transformation from Sara Ackerman’s WWII novels. I was surprised with how much I enjoyed this. I mean…it’s about sharks. I may never think about sharks the same again.

Minnow is an amazing character. she is smart and a bit damaged from her past. She doesn’t hesitate to do what she can to find out why these sharks are attacking.

The setting of Hawaii and all its beauty along with the power of the ocean and the sharks leads to a rare tale where you can picture everything in your mind. And you end up rooting for the sharks.

This is narrated by Jennifer Robideau. Excellent job!

Need an atmospheric tale…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

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

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