By: Toni Jordan ISBN: 978 0733645143 Hachette (2023) This novel uses tropes sometimes strongly associated with chick lit to develop a complex, moving portrait of a woman at a point of great change. It’s funny and engaging, but also thoughtful and thought provoking. This is, loosely, a sequel to “Dinner With the Schnabels”. I say … Continue reading Prettier if She Smiled More
Month: June 2023
The Escapades of Tribulation Johnson
By: Karen Brooks ISBN: 978 1867227229 HQ Fiction (2023) This is another absorbing, fascinating historical novel from Karen Brooks. It grabbed me immediately – unlike some historical fiction, which can take a while to get into – and held me till the last page. It’s 1679, and the roles women are “allowed” to occupy are … Continue reading The Escapades of Tribulation Johnson
One More Time
By: Mandy Magro ISBN: 9781867223788 HQ Fiction (2023) Although “One More Time” didn’t connect with me very strongly, it’s an easy read that will appeal to a lot of romance readers. Grace Burrows is celebrating her seventieth birthday, and not surprisingly, is looking back on the ups and downs of those seventy years. There have … Continue reading One More Time
The Theory of (Not Quite) Everything
By: Kara Gnodde ISBN: 978 1529096354 Mantle – Pan Macmillan (2023) This delightful debut zips and zaps around, keeping the reader off balance and not quite sure what kind of book they’re reading. The ultimate effect is both warm and absorbing. Mimi and Art Brotherton are siblings still living together in their childhood home. Art … Continue reading The Theory of (Not Quite) Everything
The Drowning Woman
By: Robyn Harding ISBN: 978 1761422232 Simon & Schuster (2023) Strong characterization will keep most readers engaged in this twisty thriller, as two not entirely likeable women attempt to take advantage of each other. Lee is at the end of her tether. The pandemic sent her restaurant bankrupt, and a cascading set of problems sees … Continue reading The Drowning Woman
Search History
By: Amy Taylor ISBN: 978 1 76106 850 8 Allen & Unwin (2023) “Search History” is an utterly absorbing contemporary novel, although I don’t entirely agree with the blurb on what it’s about. It’s an impressive debut, one that drew me in deeper than many recent reads. Ana is not in a particularly good place. … Continue reading Search History
We’ll Meet Again
By: Cheryl Adnams ISBN: 978-1-8672-4198-0 HQ Fiction (2023) This is a strong historical fiction, where a fairly familiar plot is given vivid and moving life through remarkably strong characters and vivid relationships. I really loved it. In 1941 America hasn’t yet entered World War II, and Australian sisters Elizabeth and Maggie find themselves visiting Hawaii … Continue reading We’ll Meet Again
The Vanishing of Class 3B
By: Jackie Kabler ISBN: 9780008544553 HarperCollins (2023) “The Vanishing of Class 3B” is a neat little thriller with a tense set up, a few good twists, and a style that keeps you reading. Class 3B is excited as only a bunch of small children heading off on an excursion can be. Unfortunately, their school bus … Continue reading The Vanishing of Class 3B
Friends With Issues
By: Meredith Berlin ISBN: 978-1-957723-72-3 Warren Publishing (2023) This is a novel with an interesting plot, and considerable possibility, but it’s ultimately emotionally shallow and unsatisfying. Nick and Susan have been married a long time, although they’re largely going through the motions now. It’s been years since they slept together. Both have regular affairs with … Continue reading Friends With Issues
Simply Lies
By: David Baldacci ISBN: 978 1529062021 Pan Macmillan (2023) “Simply Lies” is a stand alone thriller from David Baldacci, who is probably best known for his multiple series. This is tight and yes, self contained, and should satisfy both his fans and readers coming to him for the first time. Mickey Gibson had her life … Continue reading Simply Lies
Other Dreams, Other Lives 