Book covers link to Goodreads

This is the story of a young woman tasked with writing the final book in her deceased father’s world-famous fantasy series. Her publisher sends an editor to Ireland to assist and motivate her. That’s all you need to know. I liked the story but had an issue with the pacing at times. I enjoyed another book by the author and will give her next a try.  3.75 stars.

I love NR’s stand alone Romantic Suspense novels. The Search is about Fiona, a dog trainer who specializes in training dogs for search and rescue. It’s also about the search for a serial killer. I enjoyed the search and rescue aspect and the serial killer plot line definitely held my interest. Simon, the MMC, was unique in that I found him initially off-putting but when he hit it off with Fiona I could understand how they “worked”.  Overall a good read. This novel was originally published in 2010 but it didn’t feel dated. Recommended to fans of the author and genre. 4 stars.

This is a sweet contemporary (closed door) romance about a young woman who has epilepsy. She works for an organization that trains service dogs and matches them with the right person. She meets a man whose 10 year old daughter has epilepsy. She desperately wants a dog and orchestrates a meet up of the trainer and her dad. Sarah Adams has a gift for telling stories and giving all the feels. I enjoyed The Match and look forward to reading more from the author. 4 stars.

Covers link to Goodreads 

Six months after the death of her husband, Tilly Nightingale receives a call from a local bookstore. It seems her husband arranged for a book to be given to her at the start of each month for the next year. It’s a heartfelt story about the power of books, the right book at the right time. I really liked it and recommend to people who like a novel about books and characters you want to cheer on.

I loved this story of challenging times, found family and possibilities the future might hold. Told with humor, compassion and optimism. It was the right book at the right time.

An addictive audiobook that, given the gritty plot (click the cover to read synopsis), surprised me. I look forward to learning more about the characters in the small Georgia town in the next book of this new series. Narrator Kathleen Early’s performance was great.

A lovely and imaginative story about Auntie Em, Dorothy and others from Oz. Recommended to fans of historical fiction and, of course, The Wizard of Oz.  The setting and Great Depression and Dust Bowl eras are well researched. I appreciate the historical note and author’s note at the end.

I managed to kick off my reading year with some good books. Please click on the covers to learn more about the books.

My Husband’s Wife is an atmospheric and twisty book. A woman goes out for a run and when she returns home her key won’t unlock the front door. And then she discovers another woman is living her life. This story is hard to describe and impossible to do it without spoiling so just go in blind. I suggest keeping a list of the characters to help keep hold of the plot. I thought Bel Powley; Henry Rowley and Richard Armitage did a great job with the narration. I enjoyed the use of sound effects too. If you’re looking for a one or two day read this could be it. Recommended. 4 stars.
Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for early access to the audiobook..

My first book of 2026. Beautiful writing, lovely narration. One of the more enjoyable novels I’ve read in a while. Highly recommended. 5 stars

Thanks to the publisher and Goodreads for the giveaway win of an ARC.
I loved the first book in what I hope will be a series. The second book, Wildwood, is a very good follow up to Northwoods. I love the main law enforcement characters: the local sheriff, officer and FBI agent from Chicago tasked with assisting the small (understaffed, really), rural department trying to solve a drug crime that grows larger than anyone knew or suspected. I have thoughts on how I’d love to see this series progress and will be delighted if it continues.
4.5 stars rounded up.

An imagined epistolary novel about correspondence between Emily Dickinson and Louisa May Alcott. Observations of family dynamics and social mores of the day are at the forefront. I found it to be a good read in between a contemporary romance and a thriller. For fans of the epistolary format and a quick read. I liked it. 3 stars

It’s a couple of weeks before Christmas and the town of Mistletoe, ME is in the midst of its annual holiday celebration. Holly White and her husband Sheriff Evan Gray have received news and Holly promises him she’ll take it easy during the festivities this year. Cue what has become the annual murder and all bets could be off. Is it possible Holly has a stalker? Or, at the very least, someone who doesn’t want her poking her nose where it doesn’t belong.
This series has become a regular Christmas cozy read for me and the newest story didn’t disappoint. Recommended to fans of the series and a Christmas cozy mystery filled with quirky characters. 4 stars

Setting: 1950s England, Sandringham House, Buckingham Palace.  MCs: Jack, an American chef with dreams of owning a restaurant; Olive: a single mother trying to move up the BBC ladder; Queen Elizabeth is also featured. A decent story but also included my least favorite trope (no spoiler). The audiobook narration was great. 3.5 stars

Cute mystery. Fun audio. I hope there will be another book featuring Maggie and Ethan. 4 stars

Assassins look to escape the kill clause in their employment agreement. Enjoyable narration that kept me listening in full. My first experience with a Lisa Unger book. A short story that had me thinking I’d give one of her full length novels a try. 3.75 stars

Excellent mystery that answers questions about Lila Nash (featured in previous Joe Talbert books). Lila has landed her dream job working as a prosecutor in the Hennepin County Attorney office and a series of murders (cold cases and current) is her prime focus. This was a page turner. I recommend reading the series to see the MCs develop but The Stolen Hours can stand alone. I hope to read more about the legal and detective teams in future books.  5 stars

Deputy Taylor Gray discovers a little girl, seemingly abandoned, in the small town of Hart’s Ridge. A search for the girl’s parents eventually leads to a larger crime. Taylor’s chief brings in a detective to lead the case which doesn’t sit well with Taylor. She has to deal with the politics of the small department and prove herself capable. That will take time. Hart’s Ridge is the first in the series and I look forward to reading more. Also, I loved the adopted dog storyline that I hope will carry on through the series.  4 stars

I read/listened to this whodunit. The narrator was great and hearing the pronunciation of the Welsh names, places etc made it all a better experience. The book opens with a dead body discovered in a lake on the morning after a New Year’s Eve party. Many people are not sorry to discover the identity of the body and it will be up to two detectives to find the murderer. During the investigation secrets slowly surface making for an addictive read with an unexpected twist at the end. I look forward to reading more in the series.  3.5 stars rounded up

A compelling novel of first love and second chances. Emotional and filled with angst. I’m looking forward to One Golden Summer – the followup about the MMC’s brother.  4 stars

You don’t need to read the first Rachel Krall book to enjoy Dark Corners but I think you should because it’s really good! In the second book we have a serial killer, a bunch of influencers, a prisoner and an FBI agent with more than a casual interest in Rachel. Dark Corners is fast paced which I love in a suspense book. I wish there was a third book…  4 stars

Never Over is a story about heartbreak, abandonment and grief. It’s a second chance at first love. Every time the MCs had a heartfelt conversation it hit like a power ballad duet from decades ago. And it worked for me – especially in audiobook format. Carly Robins’ performance was so enjoyable. I’m not an expert on regional accents so I can’t speak to that but I loved how she voiced the characters. Thanks to NetGalley and Recorded Books for the opportunity to listen to an early audio galley.  4 stars