This book offers a chance to get to know many Greek women rather than the men. Just some of those kids will meet are Aphrodite, Hera, Pandora, Artemis, Echo, Medea, Medusa and Sappho.
Each woman gets her due with beautiful illustrations, the story of who they are and sections called “Did You Know?” and Symbols. This book is quite easy to dip in and out of with the interesting entries.
Highly recommended for home and school bookshelves. Note that there is a resource section at the end.
Many thanks to Callisto Publishing-Callisto Kids and NetGalley for this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 03 February 2026
Post first published on 9 January 2026
Description:
from the publisher
Discover extraordinary women from Greek mythology—51 stories for kids ages 8 to 12
Dive into this dazzling, mythological story collection that celebrates 51 of the bold, brave, talented, and fearless female heroes of Greek mythology! Inside, you’ll meet goddesses, warriors, princesses, and beyond who used their power and skills to win battles, protect their homes, and rule the realm.
Written especially for kids, these stories are exciting, inspiring, and fun, getting them interested in folklore, excited to read, and giving them amazing women to root for!
Incredible myths and stories—Enter the world of Greek myth icons like Persephone, the goddess of the spring, Aphrodite, the goddess of love, Medusa, the gorgon with snakes for hair, and so many more!
Fun facts with each figure—Each story includes the symbols associated with each figure, like foods or animals, and an extra fun fact about Greek mythology!
Gorgeous illustrations and portraits—Bring these heroes to life with beautiful, full-color, illustrated artwork of each woman.
Female Heroes of Greek Mythology goes beyond the popular Greek myths to highlight a wide variety of amazing and powerful women!
Armitage’s debut is quite assured and demonstrates a firm knowledge and grasp of British royalty. Some of these characters and circumstances skate pretty close to events that happened and to real people. For example, Lexi’s mother will certainly be compared to Diana and there are many other connections for the reader.
The story itself is engaging. While the book is about a royal, a non-royal will, I think, relate to what happens when life suddenly changes and important decisions have to be made. What Lexi will choose is a major plot point.
Lexi has turned her back on England as the story begins. She is in Australia and in her second year of a medical residency when she is urgently called back due to a horrific tragedy. This puts Lexi back in contact with her family and prior life.
Readers come to understand Lexi, her family and events in a story that takes place in the present and past. The pages turn as readers share her life in this long, just over 400 page, novel.
Reese Witherspoon chose this for her book club. I can understand why.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for this title. All thoughts are my own.
Pub date: 02 December 2025
Post first published on 4 February 2026
Description:
from the publisher
An irresistible modern fairy tale about a British princess who must decide between her duty to her family—or to her own heart.
A Reese’s Book Club Pick!
It’s New Year’s Day in Australia and the life Lexi Villiers has carefully built is working out nicely: she’s in the second year of her medical residency, she lives on a beautiful farm with her two best friends Finn and Jack, and she’s about to finally become more-than-friendly with Jack—when a helicopter abruptly lands.
Out steps her grandmother’s right-hand-man, with the tragic news that her father and older brother have been killed in a skiing accident. Lexi’s grandmother happens to be the Queen of England, and in addition to the shock and grief, Lexi must now accept the reality that she is suddenly next in line for the throne—a role she has publicly disavowed.
Returning to London as the heir apparent Princess Alexandrina, Lexi is greeted by a skeptical public not ready to forgive her defection, a grieving sister-in-law harboring an explosive secret, and a scheming uncle determined to claim the throne himself.
Her recent life—and Jack—grow ever more distant as she feels the tug of tradition, of love for her grandmother, and of obligation. When her grandmother grants her one year to decide, Lexi must choose her own destiny: will it be determined by an accident of birth—or by love?
“There’s nothing better than snuggling up with a great story this time of year. The December Reese’s Book Club pick, The Heir Apparent by Rebecca Armitage, has everything I love in a holiday read—royals, romance, family twists, and a woman finding her own path. Can’t wait for you to dive in.” —Reese Witherspoon
“One of the best books I’ve read all year.” —Natasha Lester, New York Times bestselling author of The Paris Seamstress
From the Publisher:
Editorial reviews:
“Tiaras, titles, and titillating royals abound in this engrossing debut from Armitage…The Heir Apparent is filled with secrets, scandals, and a few unexpected twists, including a forbidden and beautiful love story…Armitage’s writing is spectacular, with rich dialogue and descriptions, a vibrant depiction of the burden of duty versus personal freedom, and unique insights into royal life.”―Booklist (starred review)
“Feels and reads like an adult version of The Princess Diaries…With Armitage’s expertise, she has crafted a novel about an exiled royal that is so believable that it could have actually happened…A sharply written novel rich with insight into the lives of royal families, as well as a beautifully crafted story that will have you waiting for Armitage’s next release.”―BookTrib
“In Armitage’s perceptive debut, the British monarchy navigates a crisis following the death of two heirs…A standout portrayal of the royals and the tabloid culture surrounding them.”―Publishers Weekly
“The author’s deep knowledge of all things royal adds realism and texture to this entertaining debut.”―Kirkus Reviews
#TheMagnificentLivesofMarjoriePost #NetGalley Pub Date 15 Feb 2022 |
Readers of historical fiction, mark your calendars for this books release da te. It is fabulous.
Allison Pataki tells the story of Marjorie Merriweather Post from her childhood right on through her “many lives.” She was a daughter, wife (multiple times), mother, key part of Post (later known as General) Foods, society woman, charitable worker and donor, ambassador’s wife, builder of multiple estates and more. The pages just flew as I followed Marjorie through her life.
Readers will travel with Marjorie to many locations. Among these are Battle Creek, Washington DC, Manhattan, the Adirondacks, Palm Beach (Mar-a-Lago) and Moscow. Readers experience Marjorie’s own experiences in each of these places.
Relationships were a big part of Marjorie’s life. No spoiler so I won’t write about how many times she married or who her husbands or children were.
I so highly recommend this book to those who enjoy historical fiction. It is one of the best that I have read in this genre.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.
Becoming Mrs. Lewis by Patti Callhan tells the story of Joy Davidman and C.S. (Jack) Lewis. I absolutely adored that book so was thrilled when I received an early review copy of Once Upon a Wardrobe, another novel about C.S. Lewis.
The structure of the story is that George, a young boy with a heart defect, discovers The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe and wants to know more about it. George’s sister, who loves him deeply, shares that Lewis is at Oxford where she, Megs, is a student. Wanting to do what she can for George, Megs gets to know Jack and Warnie and brings the tales that Lewis shares home to her brother.
Jack’s life story is beautifully told. There were very hard times and yet a man emerged who is so beloved by many. I won’t detail the biography so that readers can discover it for themselves.
George is preternaturally wise about life while Megs is perhaps less so. Over the course of the novel, she learns that her beloved scientific point of view and way of solving problems is but one way to look at the world. She and George are both deeply human, seeking, loving people with whom readers will enjoy spending time.
Those who have read the Narnia stories will eagerly read this title looking for the same insights that young George is seeking…to understand where the characters in the books came from, who they may have been based on and more. Will those answers be in these pages? You will need to read the novel to find out.
Those who have not read the Narnia books can still love this title. Its insight into a person’s life with all of its tragedies and peaceful moments are for all readers.
I give this one my highest recommendation. Ms. Callahan your talent for understanding Lewis and life are so impressive.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Emylia Hall has become one of my favorite authors of traditional mysteries. Each of her titles is now a must read for me with my always looking forward to the next in the series.
This time, as the story opens, Jayden and Cat are celebrating with some time alone at an ultra luxury hotel in Cornwall. (If it weren’t for the nefarious events, I would certainly stay there!) The two run into someone with whom Cat went to school. Summer is now a travel blogger on a paid junket that she hopes to enjoy with her boyfriend, Blake.
However, soon so many things go wrong. An ex (abusive) policeman is murdered leaving behind a number of suspects but not many mourners. Summer’s boyfriend and others are arrested.
Are the crimes related to abusive police tactics? Broken promises? A 40 year old “accident?” The pages will turn as readers watch for the resolution.
Ally and Jayden have been hired to look into the case. Readers can trust that they will solve it as Hall tells an involving story.
I love the settings of the Shell House series. The light, the water and the atmosphere of Cornwall are so vivid in these stories. I also very much like spending time with the many recurring characters and watching their relationships evolve and grow.
I highly recommend this book and series. I feel that it is most deserving of more attention and readers.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK-Thomas Mercer for this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 04 November 2025
Post first published on 25 December 2025
Description:
from the publisher
“Atmospheric, propulsive, and menacing . . . the perfect mystery to curl up with this autumn.”—Lucy Clarke
“Few writers can pull off a devilishly twisting mystery while infusing the story with such soul” —Emma Stonex
A violent storm. An isolated hotel. A brutal murder. The Shell House Detectives are on the case—and everyone here is a suspect.
The High Tide Hotel, overlooking stunning Trebaron Cove, is a dream destination for an autumnal getaway. But the serene atmosphere of this luxury enclave is shattered when the body of a guest is discovered on the terrace, directly below their balcony.
The victim’s friend is adamant that this was no accident, and when it emerges that the dead man was a detective with a chequered past, the police enquiry intensifies. Meanwhile fellow guest Jayden, one half of the Shell House Detectives, wastes no time in bringing Ally on board to help find the killer.
With the hotel cut off by a storm on the night of the murder, everyone at the High Tide is a suspect. As Ally and Jayden delve deeper into the pasts of both guests and staff, they uncover a mass of secrets and complex connections. Who wanted this man dead—or rather, who wanted him dead most? As the tide turns, the investigation leads them into a life-or-death situation. Who will pay the final price for discovering the truth?
A Note From the Publisher
Emylia Hall lives in Bristol with her husband and son, where she writes from a hut in the garden and dreams of the sea. She is the author of the Shell House Detective Mysteries, a series inspired by her love of Cornwall’s wild landscape. The first, The Shell House Detectives, was a Kindle Top 10 Bestseller, with the rights being optioned for TV. The High Tide Murder is her sixth crime novel. Emylia has published four previous novels, including Richard and Judy Book Club pick The Book of Summers and The Thousand Lights Hotel. Her work has been translated into ten languages, and broadcast on BBC Radio 6 Music. She is the founder of Mothership Writers and is a writing coach at The Novelry.
Instagram: @emyliahall_author
X: @emyliahall
Editorial Reviews
Review
‘Atmospheric, propulsive, and menacing—plus all the deliciously cosy Shell House vibes—The High Tide Murder is the perfect mystery to curl up with this autumn.’ —Lucy Clarke
‘A new Emylia Hall novel is always such a treat and The High Tide Murder did not disappoint. I was gripped from the very first page, unable to put the book down until the end. A brilliant cast of characters, brimming with emotion and intrigue, all set against an escapist Cornish backdrop. What more could you want?’ —Libby Page
‘I loved this book for its intelligent plotting, its bursting heart, its clever surprises, and its company of characters who have fast come to feel like family. Few writers can pull off a devilishly twisting mystery while infusing the story with such soul; I savoured every page of this wonderful, life-affirming read and cannot wait for the next one.’ —Emma Stonex
‘Windswept and utterly unputdownable, this is the perfect winter read. The Shell House detectives are fast becoming my favourite literary duo and Emylia Hall is a genius. Brilliant!’ —Veronica Henry
This book is part of a series which has also included New York. Paris, Venice, Rome, Barcelona and Berlin. I will certainly look at some of the other titles. Each is geared to helping a young traveler enjoy a visit to a new city.
I found this title to be most inviting. The note to adults feels spot on and I liked the owl who leads the kids around. Throughout there are vibrant and appealing illustrations. Kids can follow four itineraries with a good amount of information on a number of attractions. There is also information on nearby places like Crete and Santorini, to name just two.
Adults and kids can definitely enjoy this book together. I am happy to recommend it.
Many thanks to NetGalley and White Star-White Star Kids for this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 14 April 2026
Description:
from the publisher
A kid-friendly guide to Athens packed with fun stories, secret spots, and hands-on adventures!
This interactive guide turns Athens into a playground for young explorers and their families. With fun itineraries, children can uncover the secrets of mythology, learn about gods and heroes, and discover archaeological sites while learning fun stories about the city’s history and legends. Packed with games, curiosities, and hands-on activities, it makes cultural exploration exciting and educational while adults enjoy practical tips and insider insights. Perfect for families ready to turn travel into an unforgettable adventure!
A Guided Tour of Athens: A journey into the heart of mythology, with gods, heroes, and must-see archaeological sites
Educational and Fun Content: Introduces culture and history in a kid-friendly way
Perfect for Family Travel: Simple, stimulating itineraries make trips enriching for both children and adults
Practical Format: Lightweight and compact, perfect for carrying during explorations
Part of the Young Explorers Series: Discover the other travel guides made for kids to enjoy and learn about the world’s most unique cities!
This title is published on 3 February 2026 and is highly recommended!!
#ThisBookMadeMeThinkofYou #NetGalley
I was so very excited when Berkley approved me for this title as I have enjoyed Libby Page’s novels ever since I came across The Lido. Picking a favorite book of hers is not easy but this one might just be it. It was sooo good.
This is a story for anyone who can imagine a tragic loss and the need to find a way forward. It is also for anyone who loves books. The intersection comes in this novel when the books lead to healing for Tilly Nightingale.
Not a spoiler because readers know this almost immediately, Tilly is a young widow. She desperately misses her husband Joe. He is very much a presence throughout this story.
Joe has left a unique gift for Tilly. Every month for a year, there will be a book waiting for her at a local bookshop. I do not want to spoil the fun by revealing any of these (real) book titles.
Each book leads to something for Tilly. There is growth through travel, for example. Again, I don’t want to spoil the reader’s pleasure by saying more.
For each month of the year, Page also has a list of books by topic. Readers will get some good suggestions in these.
Even though this title is predicated on loss, in some ways it felt like a fairy tale to me. Readers will hope for something of a happy ending by the novel’s end.
Meet Tilly and a rather special bookshop owner. Spend time with Tilly’s family and friends. Finish this book and start asking when will a new book by Libby Page come out?
I highly recommend this title. I loved it.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 03 February 2026
Post first published on 15 December 2025
About the book:
from the publisher
A woman receives an unexpected gift from the man she loved and lost—a year of books, one for every month—launching a reading-inspired journey to live, dream, and love again in this glimmering and heart-stopping novel.
Twelve books. Twelve months. One chance to heal her heart…
When Tilly Nightingale receives a call telling her there’s a birthday gift from her husband waiting for her at her local bookshop, it couldn’t come as more of a shock. Partly because she can’t remember the last time she read a book for pleasure. But mainly because Joe died five months ago….
When she goes to pick up the present, Alfie, the bookshop owner with kind eyes, explains the gift—twelve carefully chosen books with handwritten letters from Joe, one for each month, to help her turn the page on her first year without him.
At first Tilly can’t imagine sinking into a fictional world, but Joe’s tender words convince her to try, and something remarkable happens—Tilly becomes immersed in the pages, and a new chapter begins to unfold in her own life. Monthly trips to the bookstore—and heartfelt conversations with Alfie—give Tilly the comfort she craves and the courage to set out on a series of reading-inspired adventures that take her around the world. But as she begins to share her journey with others, her story—like a book—becomes more than her own.
Reviews:
“A beautifully crafted tribute to books, booksellers, and the transformative power of reading… Readers of all kinds will be captivated by this tender exploration of loss, healing, and the enduring connections that books create.”—Library Journal (starred review)
“Page creates a cozy world that shimmers with whimsy even as she delicately explores grief… The novel serves as a reminder that books have the power to shape lives… The perfect cozy read for book lovers, sure to break and heal hearts.”—Kirkus (starred review)
About Libby Page:
from Amazon
Libby Page is a Sunday Times bestselling author whose work has been published in over 20 territories around the world. Before becoming an author, she worked in journalism and marketing. She is a keen outdoor swimmer and lives in Somerset with her husband and young son.
Milly Johnson is a writer whose books I always enjoy. Anyone who reads books by authors like Katie Fforde or Erica James, to name two, will most likely want to spend time in Johnson’s world.
Here is a story of reinvention, not all of it actually planned. Therein lies the plot.
Protagonist Polly wants to change her life for reasons that many will find quite believable. Maybe not completely believable is what happens to Polly when she leaves. It does make for a fun story though with good settings, characters and plot.
This is just a nice read, something that I really want these days and suspect that others do as well. Escape into this one and feel just a bit cheerier.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Muse for this title. All thoughts are my own.
Pub date: 30 September 2025
Post first published on 2 February 2026
Description:
from the publisher
From the Sunday Times and internationally acclaimed author Milly Johnson comes her charming US debut–a witty, heartwarming tale that combines the humor and charm of 1980s rom-com Overboard with classic British flavor. Dive into this remarkable women’s fiction novel and join heroine Polly on her hilarious, touching journey to rewrite her own story.
What if it was possible to start over again? To leave everything behind, forget all that went before, and live the life you’d always dreamed of?
Polly Potter is losing the plot of her life. At work, her jerk of a boss is making her days unbearable. At home, she’s trapped in an unappreciated relationship with a man-child of a partner. She’s left completely drained by always putting others first. Amid this chaos, Polly finds solace in one place: the pages of her novel, where she shapes the world of the fearless and triumphant Sabrina Anderson, a character who embodies everything Polly wishes she could be. And thus a plan is born: Polly Potter is going to stop writing the life she wants and start living it.
Just as she makes her move–quitting her job, leaving her partner, and embarking on a road trip to start over–fate turns everything upside down. A wild turn of events leaves her far from home along the Yorkshire coast, in the hospital, waking up from a concussion, believing her name is Sabrina Anderson. She doesn’t know where she’s come from, but she feels she could heal in that seaside town, with the fresh air, seagulls, and a few kind strangers who take her into their lives. And into the heart of their joyful, boisterous Italian family restaurant–run by Teddy, the warmhearted son of her new landlady. When the restaurant is threatened, she knows she has the skills to help–and as her memory slowly returns, she must choose between Sabrina’s life or Polly’s. With her identity in question, Polly wonders: what if this new life could truly be hers? What if she could rewrite her story with a happier ending?
Previously published in the UK as The Happiest Ever After.
Imagine a small village. It has a very traditional bookshop that has been in one family for generations. It prides itself on being serious and is run by a Darcy like owner.
Imagine that a new bookshop opens and that it is right across the street. It is run by an Elizabeth Bennett like young woman. She stocks all of the genre books that a reader might dream about. She also offers many types of meetings and activities.
Imagine also that there is going to be a book event that these two may need to both embrace. And…imagine sparks flying in what is justifiably described as a “spicy” romance title.
Add to all of this, a collection of love notes from the traditionalist’s great grandfather and a mystery woman. They refer to each other as H and C-Wuthering Heights anyone? They add some intrigue to the plot.
Mix all of thesetogether to find an enjoyable read that will appeal to its intended audience. There may not be suspense but there most definitely is fun in these pages.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Headline for this title. All opinions are my own.
Jane Harper is one of my favorite Australian mystery authors. As a recent article in the Australian Women’s Weekly noted, she and others including Dervla McTiernan and Sally Hepworthare having their moment. For me, a new title by Harper is always welcome.
The narrator of this title has the Australian accent that lends veracity to the narration. She drew me right into this story and its characters. I so wanted and dreaded finding out what happened to Ro’s son Sam who had disappeared. I was immersed in getting to know all of those around Ro including friends and family members.
Sam’s story is important but other events that affect characters in the story also very much draw the listener’s attention. This leads to a more complex work.
The setting of this book is an almost ghost town. The narration allowed me to visualize the landscape both in nature and as a place of vanished dreams and unoccupied homes.
Anyone who likes Australian crime fiction will, I think, enjoy this audio book.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this title. All opinions are my own.
Release date: 14 April 2026
Description:
from the publisher
From the New York Times bestselling author of Exiles and The Dry comes a captivating new novel set in a modern ghost town.
Carralon Ridge, a once vibrant village in rural New South Wales, has become a shell of itself, its houses and buildings bought up and left to rot by the mining company operating at its borders. A decade into its slow death, surrounded by industrial noise and swathed in thick layers of dust, the skeletal town is all but abandoned, with just a handful of residents clinging onto what remains.
After years of scorning those who left the Ridge behind as it fell into ruin, Ro never imagined she’d become one of them. But everything changed when she lost her son. Five years ago, Sam vanished while visiting during a break from college, leaving behind a rental car with his belongings inside. Sam had loved Carralon Ridge, and had been working on an oral history of the town to preserve its legacy before it vanished altogether. It wasn’t long after his disappearance that the rest of the family began to crumble away too.
But when Ro returns to Carralon Ridge to be with her husband and daughter on the anniversary of Sam’s disappearance, she begins to suspect that something important was overlooked in his case. Because while nothing can stop Carralon Ridge from dying, someone seems to want to make sure that its secrets die with it.
Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too! 