This is the first book that I have read by Ms. Monroe although I know that she is a seasoned author who writes novels based in the south. I am delighted to have spent time with the characters she creates and recommend this women’s fiction title as one to add to your summer/vacation reading list.
I am pretty sure that the characters in this book have been in other books written by the author. I did not find that to interfere with my becoming involved in their lives. The story is about several generations including Linnea who has recently upended her life and Cara who is about to marry for the second time as the novel begins. Linnea’s parents are among the other character whose story is told.
In addition to writing about characters that I cared about, I think that the author created a wonderful sense of place. While I may not actually travel this summer, I certainly enjoyed my time in the Isle of Palms.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

How One Therapist and a Circle of Strangers Saved My Life

by Christie Tate

The guide in this memoir is an author with a unique and honest voice. While very accomplished, she has clearly had her struggles. In this memoir the reader observes Ms. Tate as she brings her issues to a therapy group and her rather unconventional therapist. As a result her life was changed.

This book has received mixed reviews. There are those who have given it five stars and others who have barely given it one. Having facilitated support groups as part of my career, I was intrigued to read about the author’s experience with her therapist and the other members of her group. I recommend that you take a look and decide for yourself. I am glad to have read it.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.

The Paris Library

A Novel

by Janet Skeslien Charles

The Paris Library is a novel that I highly recommend even with the abundance of choice in WWII historical fiction. The importance of the American Library and the commitment of those who worked there is a reminder of how important books are, perhaps even more so, when the world is in chaos. Readers will enjoy the many books that are named over the course of the novel. They would make for a good TBR list.

All good novels tell stories about characters. This one is peopled with those that readers will get to know with all of their strengths and flaws. Some are good, some not so good and some a mix of the two. All are brought to life.

Odile is a young woman when the story opens. She lives with her father, who is in the police, her brother, an idealist, and her mother who eventually learns that her husband is involved in an affair. Odile has always loved books and lands her dream job at the American Library. There she meets a wide ranging group of patrons and staff. Her brother’s fiance, Bitsy, also works at the library. Odile gets to know Margaret as well; she is a British ex pat and another key protagonist.

Each of these characters faces the war, issues of loyalty and friendship and disillusion. Their intertwining stories are well depicted as are the many settings in the novel.

Odile’s romantic interest for much of the book is Paul. He, too, is a policeman. Readers will follow as some of his decisions make Odile even more aware of the cruelty of war.

As is true of many novels written today, there is a dual story line. This takes place in Froid, Montana where Odile came to live. There a young girl befriends Odile and tries to figure out her own life in the aftermath of her mother’s death. There is much that Odile has to teach her young friend.

I both listened to and read this story. The narration was flawless with individuals coming to life with different voices and accents. It was a wonderful listen.

I highly recommend this book. I hope that readers will enjoy it.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.

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I reviewed this book on my site. It is also a TV series now being shown in England and coming to the U.S. on Masterpiece Theater.

Here is a good one to put on your TBR pile if you are looking for a relaxing and enjoyable book
This is a story about Ellen who is a single mom as the story opens. She has a college bound son, Cooper, who is worried about leaving her by going away to school. What will happen? Why is he worried?
Readers watch as Ellen’s friend, Unity, steps in and up. She develops a list of challenges for Ellen to get her moving forward. Unity will also work on this list. (Readers learn that she is also stuck) How will they grow and change? Read the novel to find out.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this enjoyable read in exchange for an honest review.

The Magnolia Palace

A Novel

by Fiona Davis

City residents and/or tourists have surely passed the Frick museum on Fifth Avenue many times. (Currently, however the site is closed for renovations with the collection moved to the old Whitney Museum on Madison). The art that Frick collected is magnificent and include works by Rembrandt and many others. Seeing them is well worth a trip.

But, how much do you know about Frick himself? He was one of those Americans who, like Morgan, Carnegie and others, made huge fortunes and lived luxurious lives. This historical novel by Fiona Davis imagines aspects of his life primarily through the stories of the very real Helen Frick, his daughter, and another character Miss Lillian who is based on a real person.

Mill Lillian, also known as Angelique, was an artist’s model and the one whose sittings were most desired. The real Angelique adorns many New York City landmarks. The book will provide a good sense of where to look for them. Like the true personage, Lillian faces some difficulties. In the novel, these lead her to a fortuitous opportunity as Miss Helen’s private secretary.

The relationship between Helen and Lillian forms the basis for one story line in the book. Through this narrative, readers get a bird’s eye view of what life in the Frick household was like for both the upstairs and downstairs residents. Readers learn about a tragedy in the family and its on-going repercussions. They also learn why the novel is called The Magnolia Palace.

In a more modern timeline, set in the sixties, readers spend time with a young model who becomes snowbound in the mansion following a photo shoot. She spends time with a young Black intern. Together they make some surprising discoveries. Will the two narratives come together? Pick up the book to find out.

Lovers of historical fiction and those who have enjoyed other titles by Ms. Davis will want to take a look at The Magnolia Palace. The author’s notes what was true and where literary license occurred.

While not my favorite Fiona Davis book, I did enjoy this one. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own. I give this one four stars.

The first book cover is for the U.S. version where the book has just been published. The second cover is for the British edition. That one was published on July 1st of this year. Wherever and whenever you purchase your novels, I recommend this title.

Ms. Hallett tells her entire tale through documents. These include emails, texts, reports, character lists and more. Some may not like this format but I found it intriguing as I observed the characters revealing themselves. With the help of a list of the members of the amateur dramatic society to refer back to, I was able to keep track of everyone.

There is a lot going on here and, at times, readers will wonder how it could all possibly resolve. No spoilers so just a bit on plot. An amateur dramatics society is putting together a production of All My Sons which places all of the main characters in proximity. The head of the society, Martin, has a granddaughter Poppy. Readers are informed that Poppy has cancer and that a good deal of funding is required via crowd sourcing to fund her treatment. Is this legitimate?

Poppy’s doctor may not be the upstanding practitioner that she claims to be. She has connections to two other characters, Sam and Kel. Africa is something that they have in common. But…all does not appear well among them.

There are numerous other subplots and much is made of the characters interrelationships. Who is not whom they appear to be? Does everyone lie? To what does the book’s title refer?

When there is a murder, an already complex plot becomes more so. Will the two young law students assigned to go through all of the documents be able to solve the case? Read this one to find out.

I had wanted to read this book ever since I saw it on a British book site. The pages turn very quickly and I frequently found myself wanting to read just one more entry.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this title. All opinions are my own. I give this one five stars.

I have enjoyed every book that I have read by Ruth Hogan. A couple are reviewed on my site.

One Night on the Island

A Novel

by Josie Silver

Josie Silver has a knack for writing contemporary women’s fiction that has both humor and heart. In this novel, those talents are showcased once again.

Ms. Silver sets up her story nicely. Both Cleo and Mack come on a visit to a very small island that has few tourist accommodations. Through an error, each is booked into the very same one room cottage. Neither wants to be the one to compromise or leave and, even if one would, the boats come to the island only weekly. Even worse, someone thought it was a honeymoon that was the reason for the booking. How will these characters work things out? What will evolve in their relationship?

So, the people:

Cleo is about to turn thirty. She is a dating columnist whose love life has not gone to plan. Her editor sends her to the island to make a commitment to herself in a ceremony similar to a marriage. (very Emma Watson seeming). Cleo, over the course of the novel, will begin to sort out her future as will Mack.

Mack thinks that he was given the cabin to visit by a relative. He is a photographer who is separated from his wife but not by his choice. Mack has two sons whom he dearly loves. He is looking for some peace and a chance to think about what comes next He has traveled all the way from Boston to do this.

These characters are surrounded by other islanders. They are also in a beautiful locale.

One thing that I liked in the book was the author having each character tell the other three important things most days. Not a bad idea for any couple. There was also some humor and ingenuity around sharing the cabin.

Overall, I liked this novel. It did feel just a bit slow to me at times, however.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

From the Publisher