I, like many others, have enjoyed many light hearted books by Ms. Kinsella. This short title is something different.
As many may know, Kinsella has been diagnosed with a brain tumor. Here, she takes a fictional look at a character facing a similar situation.
Author, Eve, seems to have it all. There are her writing, her spouse, her children and an all around lovely life until she wakes up in a hospital bed, not knowing why. The answer floods in on her as Eve learns that she is facing a life and death situation.
Readers follow Eve and those around her in a work that is extremely moving. I highly recommend this one.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for this title. All opinions are my own.
I very much enjoy stories that offer a window into the lives of characters who are facing the sorts of issues that any of us made have to deal with. In this story, for example, there is divorce, death of a spouse, raising kids, looking for and starting new jobs and even a cute dog who needs a bit of training.
Readers get to know Karissa and her daughter who are learning to live with their new circumstances. When they move to their new home, they meet Alice. She was widowed a few years ago. The third primary character is Margot; she, too, has a divorce and (lack of a)job issues with which to deal. In addition, there is also Alice’s sister in the story.
How these women and those around them fare makes for an involving read. Plus, I do love any book that is about books and book clubs.
Anyone who reads book by authors such as Brenda Novak, Susan Mallery will, I think very much enjoy this title. I will now look to read more novels by Roberts.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 07 May 2024
Editorial Reviews
Review
“Don’t we all want to become the heroine of our own story? Well, welcome to The Best Life Book Club. In a charming setting on an island off the Northwest coast, a set of characters so vivid we want to be their best friends, and a story that keeps us turning the pages, The Best Life Book Club is your book club book of the year. When Karissa, Alice, Margot and Josie discover the power of books and story to change their lives, they must decide whether to take the chance for something new: cue laughter, tears and love. With her trademark wit and warmth, Sheila Roberts delivers a story nestled inside a story, a novel of pure delight! —Patti Callahan Henry, New York Times Bestselling author of The Secret Book of Flora Lea
“Sheila Roberts makes me laugh…and come away inspired, hopeful and happy.” —Debbie Macomber, #1 New York Times bestselling author
We all go to see a doctor at some time. But, do we ever think about the implements and objects that they use? The discoveries that have helped with diagnoses and care? Each has a history. In this book, readers get a deep dive into twelve of these. Can you guess what any of them are?
Well, to name a few…the bone saw, the microscope, the stethoscope and obstetric forceps. Find out about these and others in this fascinating look at discoveries in the medical world. For each, there is a photo or illustration and a lot of information on the object.
This book would make a good gift for budding medical professionals and others interested in the history of medicine.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for this title. All opinions are my own.
I enjoy stories about women, their friendships and their lives. This is exactly what Jamie Brenner delivers in A Novel Summer.
Readers meet three young women as the story opens in Provincetown on Cape Cod. They include Colleen who has grown up on the Cape. Her parents own a bookstore (and one that I would like to visit). Shelby grew up moving around as her family was a military one. She dreams of being an author. Hunter has grown up in a family (and a wealthy one) that has deep roots in Boson. Despite not having to work, Hunter wants meaning in her life. The three become good friends.
Soon after the book opens, we move forward with these characters. Shelby has written a best seller; a rival bookstore wants to open; Hunter is at loose ends.
What will happen to each of these women? Will they find happiness? Romance? Will their friendship survive? Find out in this read that will speak to those who enjoy women’s fiction.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this title. All opinions are my own.
Not so long ago, I was transported to Paris and the world of Shakespeare & Co. in Ms. Maher’s last novel. This time, readers are placed firmly in the Chicago area in the early 1970s.
It is a time of upheaval and change, even as some cling to a more 1950s lifestyle. Readers are introduced to several main characters who live in the time period.
Veronica is a bit of a free spirit and a person who is involved in the social movements of the time. Most significantly, she becomes a part of the Jane network, providing safe, but illegal, abortion services.
Patty, a friend of Veronica’s growing up years, is more conservative. She is a traditional wife and mother who is concerned about her doctor husband’s recent lack of interest in her.
Siobhan is a newer friend of Veronica’s. The story opens as Veronica accompanies Siobhan to her illegal abortion. Siobhan is an artist who is separated/divorced from her professor husband Gabe. She is active in the Janes.
Margaret is a new Assistant Professor at the University of Chicago. She is finding her way and becomes friends with Phyllis. She also becomes involved with Gabe.
This is a rich historical novel that will remind readers of what life was like in the days before Roe v Wade, a time that we have now reentered. The author tells her story well and readers will become immersed in the lives of these fictional characters and the decisions that they make.
I highly recommend this one. It is being published at just the right time.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for this title. All opinions are my own.
I was initially drawn to this one by the book’s title and the cover which I found very appealing. Happily, the story inside these pages also offered an enjoyable read with gorgeous locations, some good characters and an interesting plot.
Sadie was the kind of person who lived a predictable life as exemplified by her position as an actuary. Her life changes following the unexpected death of her best friend, Gemma (not too much of a spoiler as this happens very early in the book).
Sadie needs a change and purchases a bike tour company in France (now that sound pretty nice). However, of course, there are problems. These include vandalism and murder. No spoilers so hard to say much more except that this was a fun, cozy read. I hope that it is the start of a series.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for this title. All opinions are my own.
By now readers know that a book whose title includes the words ”The Girl” or “The Woman” is going to find a complex, twisty story where it is hard to know who to believe and exactly what happened. That is certainly the case in Mancini’s page turner. Mancini is a British criminal defense attorney so keep an eye on the lawyer in the story.
It starts with a holiday party. A woman who works as a temp goes to this party where, by the way, her married lover also works. When she goes out on the roof for some air, she finds said woman on the ledge. She is threatening to jump. Tate talks the woman, who says her name is Helen, down. Things get increasingly complicated when Helen seeks Tate’s help the very next day. She says that she lost an earring at the party and convinces Tate to return to the London high rise building.
Horrifically a woman dies. Tate is arrested. Helen can’t be found. Was she really named Helen? Stories come and go. As is the case in these novels, that the reader does not know what to make of events and who to believe. Pages turn as readers seek answers.
I first heard about this novel in a British magazine and knew that I wanted to read it. You might want to as well.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Perennial for this title. All opinions are my own.
As a reader, I have been on quite a journey with this author and her character Maggie Hope, sometimes known as Paige Kelly. This title is the last and eleventh in the series that began with Mr. Churchill’s Secretary. Over the course of the novels, Maggie has taken on new jobs, new relationships, new challenges and also has experienced risks and loss. She feels like a friend to me and I will miss her. (or maybe I will just begin again with book one and keep going).
In many of these titles, real people intersect with the fictional ones in the story. This time, Coco Chanel is just one of those real people along with her German lover. Anyone who watched the Apple series on Chanel and Dior will recognize the way that she is portrayed here. How will her life intersect with Maggie’s this time? The two have history from an earlier book.
Maggie is tasked with going to Spain by none other than Kim Philby. People who know their history may have some idea about what this might mean. Maggie is told to assassinate a prominent German scientist to prevent his work on atomic bombs going forward. Will she do what is expected of her?
Just one person Maggie meets along the way is a famous bullfighter. There are people from the embassy and a rich and full cast of characters here.
In addition, there are developments in Maggie’s personal life in this story. No spoilers so no more to be said.
All in all, the author has ended the series in a most satisfying way. Nonetheless, I am sorry to say good-bye.
I recommend this title highly but note that readers may want to enjoy some of the earlier title first.
Many thanks to Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for this title. All opinions are my own.
The Mysterious Bookshop is a wonderful place to visit in person. Luckily for those who can’t get there, Penzler publishes many titles. This time, he has collected seasonal stories that were first given to the store’s favored customers as a holiday gift. Now they can be read by bibliophiles everywhere.
Here are stories that follow three rules-they had to be seasonal, there needed to be a crime and, at least in part, must take place in a bookstore. From there, writers created their own engaging tales.
Some of the authors included in this volume are Lyndsay Faye, Ace Atkins, Laura Lippman, Ragnar Jonasson and Tom Mead. There are sure to be finds here for readers with varied tastes.
This book would make a perfect stocking stuffer. Penzler had indeed offered a gift to readers. Many thanks to NetGalley and Penzler Publishers-Mysterious Press for this title. All opinions are my own.
Four stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Editorial Reviews
Review
“Each tale’s brevity makes it easy to dip into and out of the collection, and the mix of big names . . . with lesser-knowns offers a spirited survey of contemporary crime fiction.” ― Publishers Weekly
“The stories are all refreshingly good-natured and, in the spirit of the season, lean toward peace on earth and good will to most. A must for every mystery lover’s wish list.” ― Kirkus
I very much like the Shell House Detectives series. This is the third title that I have read and I am already looking forward to the fourth which comes out in November.
Characters are well fleshed out. Readers are let into the lives of the two main ones, Ally and Jayden; they became detectives unexpectedly in the first novel. Ally is a widow who deeply grieves the loss of her husband Bill, a well-liked police officer. She is also an artist, a mother, a friend, and a woman who is considering a new relationship as well. Jayden was a city based police officer who left the force after a tragic incident. He came to Cornwall with his partner as he needed a change.
In addition to the characters, I love the visits to Cornwall. The seascape especially is well described.
In this entry the murder victim is music legend Baz. He had just published a revelatory biography that undoubtedly upset those who knew him. He is found dead, floating in a pool, on his 70th birthday weekend. There are many suspects in the party guests; they are relatives and those who were also in the music business. Each of them has a story and these are told.
Who killed Baz? Readers will want to know but I find that part of the pleasure in the Ally-Jayden stories is just as much about getting to be with them and those around them.
Very highly recommended to fans of traditional mysteries.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this title. All opinions are my own.
Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too! 