Month: July 2025

Readers are introduced to Katie. She works making promotional videos with her own sideline highlighting 24 hours in a subject’s life. When the story opens, many at her company are about to be laid off. So, when Katie is offered an opportunity, she takes it! There are a few problems though-the gig involves following a Coast Guard member (Hutch) at their job so includes flying in helicopters, and needing to swim. Katie does not know how to swim and is not crazy about flying in what feels like it could be an unsafe aircraft.

Cole, who offered the job and the subject has some agenda of his own. The very famous (for rescuing Jennifer Aniston’s dog), Coast Guard member is his brother and the two do not get along well.

So, readers can see that the stage is set and going into romance territory.

This book has more though in that there is a lot about weight issues. The problems began with Katie’s critical stepmother. They got worse for Katie after some bad comments on social media when she was at a music awards dinner with her then boyfriend. Readers are told that Katie is very stressed about having to reveal her weight before getting on the copter due to her past.

I am not sure how this topic will sit with readers in what is billed as a light read, so know this going in.

This was a solid novel but not my favorite by this author.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 20 May 2025

320 pages

Romance/Women’s fiction

FROM THE PUBLISHER:

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Ethel is 73 years old. She can play the senior citizen card when needed but there is so much more to this vibrant woman. Ethel has retired from the FBI but her quick brain, skills, and schemes are as fresh and effective as ever. Get to know her in this enjoyable mystery/caper about murders and shenanigans affecting the Supreme Court.

The author juggles a lot in terms of a complicated scheme in which it takes a little while for readers to figure out what is going on. There are senators, supreme court justices and their clerks, the FBI, Ethel’s relative and friends along with all living in a DC that comes to life here. There is a serious issue underpinning the story that has to do with a Supreme Court’s pending decision on precious metals and mining. The issue feels quite timely.

Those who enjoy cozy thrillers (is there such a thing?) are certain to want to read this one. There is an earlier title in the series as well and I hope that there will be a third to come.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this title. All opinions are my own.

www.nytimes.com/2025/06/28/books/review/new-historical-fiction.html

mentions The Eights. I recommend it. See review on my blog.

www.nytimes.com/2025/06/30/books/new-books-july.html

www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/06/30/books/review/early-american-quiz.html

www.nytimes.com/2025/07/02/books/review/new-crime-novels.html

#TheBookClubforTroublesomeWomen #NetGalley

The early sixties were a time of nascent change for many, including women. There was restlessness as some felt that being a housewife and mother was not fully satisfying in and of itself. (This may have been true before, of course, but it was at this time that Betty Friedan published a book that spoke to and legitimized these feelings).

In this novel, Marie Bostwick looks at a group of women who are living in a planned, suburban community outside of Washington DC. The group includes Margaret who was a bright, successful college student when she met her husband. Now she is a mother of three. When she gets an opportunity to do a bit more will she take it?

Bitsy married an older man. She loves horses but passed on vet school to marry a vet. Readers will find out why. Bitsy is having trouble with the suburban dream because she hasn’t been able to have a child.

Viv is a mother to many with a husband who seems supportive. But, when she wants more and looks for a job, will she tell Tony?

Then there is artistic, chaotic Charlotte. She challenges Margaret and the others. Will she cross a line too far?

These women meet regularly in a book club with the first book being The Feminine Mystique. Readers follow their lives over the course of this long and satisfying novel that is special to the author (read what she says).

Recommended to those who enjoy (women’s) fiction and would like a look at the 1960s.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins Focus for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 22 April 2025

Historical Fiction-Women’s Fiction

384 pages

From the publisher:

From the Publisher

#MrsChristieattheMysteryGuildLibrary #NetGalley

Those who enjoy cozy mysteries, are fans of Agatha Christie, are willing to suspend disbelief, enjoy lots of book references, enjoy accurate NYC locations, a murder and a good, fun plot will rush to buy Chapman’s novel. I very much enjoyed it.

I loved the setting. Chapman has created a special library that features a replica of Christie’s own library at Greenway. I wanted to go to this (imaginary) library set on Washington Square and spend the day. Glad I could do so virtually.

Protagonist, Tory has inherited the running of the library from her grandmother. She also is a book restorer. Tory has eccentric relatives, including her cousin Nic. Nic leads to Tory right into suspicious events and murder(s).

Speaking of eccentricity, how is it that Mrs. Mallowan (you should know who she is) is found sitting in the library? She very much wants to be involved in the events of this story.

Some suspension of disbelief is required but do this and there is much to enjoy here. I look forward to what comes next for this author.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 26 August 2025

320 pages

Mystery

A Novel

by Nina de Gramont

Avid readers of Agatha Christie’s novels may well know that the famous author herself was the star/subject of one of her greatest mysteries. Why did Mrs. Christie disappear for all those days? It is not really a spoiler to say that she learned that Archie was having an affair. Still, where did she go? What made Archie seem so appealing to two very different women?

In addition to that mystery, who was the other woman? What was her story? Can readers empathize with her?

Learn more about both women in this historical fiction title. Nina de Gramont tells her story well. She makes Nan’s story believable and this is more her story than Agatha’s.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub Date 01 Feb 2022

From the Publisher