This month, I packed my bags (well, metaphorically) and globe-trotted through time and place—from the sunbaked Outback of Australia to the shadowy alleys of WWII France, with side trips to Iran, Florida, and the Civil War South. Along the way, I found time to read and review everything from page-turning thrillers to heart-tugging historical fiction to a few charming picture books that stole the show (and my heart). Buckle up—there’s a little something for everyone in this literary itinerary! Make sure to follow my reviews by signing up for my newsletter, or by finding me on Goodreads, Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook.
All the Little Animals: A Bedtime Book from A-Z
By Joy Jordan-Lake, Jane Chapman (illustrator)
Five shining stars! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Bedtime has never been sweeter! All the Little Animals: A Bedtime Book from A-Z is a charming alphabet journey through the animal kingdom, where little ones can discover how aardvarks, zebras, and every critter in between prepare for sleep. Joy Jordan-Lake’s rhyming prose has a soothing, musical quality that makes it perfect for winding down after a busy day. Paired with Jane Chapman’s delightful illustrations, this book is a visual and lyrical treasure.
When I read this to my grandkids, it was an instant hit. Even the youngest, just a year old, was captivated by the bright, endearing pictures, while the older ones giggled at the playful routines of baby animals. The whole crew was engaged, from start to finish.
This book is more than just a bedtime story—it’s an invitation to start a special tradition. Whether you’re teaching the alphabet, sparking curiosity about animals, or simply enjoying a cozy snuggle, All the Little Animals fits the bill. Its gentle tone and beautiful artwork make it a wonderful gift for any family with young children.
Tommy Nelson has given us a gem with this book, and I can’t recommend it enough for parents, grandparents, and anyone who loves a sweet bedtime moment. It’s a joy for all ages and one I’m sure we’ll revisit often.
** Thanks to the publisher for a hard copy of this lovely picture book. The opinions are my own.
The Lion Women of Tehran
By Marjan Kamali
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Waves begin their journey thousands of miles out at sea. They accumulate shape and power from winds and undersea currents for ages. And so, when you see the women in Iran screaming for their rights, please remember that the force and fury of our screams have been gathering power for years. ― Marjan Kamali, The Lion Women of Tehran.
Marjan Kamali’s The Lion Women of Tehran is a breathtaking journey through three decades of friendship, betrayal, and redemption, set against the tumultuous backdrop of Iran’s political upheavals. Spanning from the 1950s to the 1980s, this poignant novel explores the unbreakable bond between Ellie and Homa, two young girls from vastly different backgrounds whose paths intertwine in both joy and heartbreak.
Ellie, a privileged child thrust into hardship after her father’s death, finds solace in Homa’s fiery spirit and warmth. Together, they dream of becoming “lion women,” brave and transformative figures. Life’s twists and political chaos challenge their friendship, especially as class divides and personal ambitions take hold. Homa becomes a passionate advocate for women’s rights, while Ellie struggles to reconcile her sheltered life with the surrounding injustices.
Kamali’s prose vividly brings Iran’s culture, food, and political history to life, while exploring the personal sacrifices and struggles of women during a repressive regime. The characters are deeply relatable, and the narrative expertly balances personal stories with larger societal issues, making it both intimate and impactful.
All We Were Promised
By Ashton Latimore
All We Were Promised, transports readers to 1837 Philadelphia, where three young Black women—Charlotte, Nell, and Evie—struggle against societal constraints and personal secrets. Charlotte, who recently escaped slavery, lives as a servant to her white-passing father in a city she thought would guarantee her freedom. Nell, from a wealthy, freeborn Black family, is passionate about the abolitionist cause and introduces Charlotte to the movement. Their paths intersect with Evie, Charlotte’s old friend, who remains enslaved and longs for escape.
The story delves into the meaning of freedom, both physical and emotional, as each woman seeks a better future in a city simmering with racial unrest and anti-abolitionist sentiment. Lattimore enriches the narrative with historical details, particularly around the building of Pennsylvania Hall, a symbol of antislavery activism later destroyed by pro-slavery forces.
Though the pacing lags in the first half, the stakes intensify as Nell and Charlotte’s plan to help Evie escape unfolds, revealing the risks each character must take for their ideals. The novel’s strength lies in its well-developed characters and their complex emotions, as well as the stark contrasts it draws between safety and true freedom.
All We Were Promised is an insightful exploration of Black resilience and the bonds of friendship in a time of turbulence. Lattimore’s research shines through, offering a fascinating look at 1830s Philadelphia and widening perspectives on Black American experiences. A compelling debut.
** Thanks to the publisher for a comp of this book in exchange for a fair review. The opinions are my own.
Break Every Rule
By Brian Freeman
Break Every Rule packs a punch from page one. Tommy Miller hides in Florida, hoping his old life remains buried. That hope vanishes when kidnappers snatch his wife, Teresa, and infant daughter, Rosalita. Tommy taps his old skills as a soldier and member of a secret group called the Outsiders. Violence waits at every turn.
He learns Teresa carries secrets of her own, tied to the murder of a British Royal tangled in a sex ring. Detective Lindy Jax investigates the abduction and suspects Tommy holds back key details. She has her own reasons: years ago she lost her brother without a trace.
Brian Freeman, known for continuing Robert Ludlum’s Jason Bourne series, fires off big action and shocking twists. Readers may want deeper character insights, but the pace keeps things moving. Each chapter adds new threats, including Venezuelan enforcer Mauricio Perez, hunting Tommy for a past crime. A third party also stirs fresh chaos.
The plot turns dark. Freeman draws from real scandals involving wealthy predators. The high body count and explosive confrontations add grit. Fans of loud thrills will find enough gunfire and chase scenes to stay hooked. Some parts get complex, but the story never loses track of Tommy’s mission to save his family.
The audiobook, narrated by Scott Brick, brings extra punch to action sequences. Break Every Rule delivers a wild ride for readers seeking nonstop conflict and betrayals. A fast read with high stakes on every page.
** Thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss+ for a complimentary review copy. The opinions are my own.
Daughters of War
By Dinah Jefferies
Daughters of War was an emotional and gripping experience. Historical detail saturates the story, vividly portraying the dangers and harsh realities of wartime France. I asked, “Would I be as brave as these three sisters in the face of such adversity?” My honest answer? Probably not.
Set in the small village of Dordogne in Nazi-occupied France during World War II, this novel introduces us to three sisters—Hélène, Élise, and Florence—who each grapple with the weight of war in unique ways.
Hélène, the eldest, shoulders the heavy burden of keeping her family safe, often at great personal cost. Élise, headstrong and rebellious, risks everything by aiding the Resistance, while Florence, the dreamer, holds onto hope for love and a brighter future. When Allied soldiers arrive at their doorstep seeking help, the sisters face impossible choices. Emerging secrets from their past test their courage further, threatening their unity and survival.
While the book’s 544 pages occasionally could have benefitted from tighter editing, the terrific characters and storyline kept me invested. The author beautifully developed the sisters’ relationships, offering moments of tension, loyalty, and love that felt authentic and heart-wrenching.
Jefferies blends suspense, romance, mystery, and history seamlessly. The vivid descriptions and fascinating tidbits about France during WWII made the setting come alive. I also supplemented the print book with the audiobook, and narrator Stephanie Racine’s performance was excellent.
** Thanks to NetGalley and Harper 360 for a review copy. The opinions are my own.
Here One Moment
By Liane Moriarty
Imagine you are sitting on an airplane minding your own business when a sweet little old lady comes up and tells you when and how you are going to kick the bucket. Is she a crackpot or let her prognostication change everything? That’s the unique premise of Liane Moriarty’s brilliantly constructed recent novel, Here One Moment.
Set aboard a delayed flight from Hobart to Sydney, Australia, this inventive tale introduces a vivid cast of characters: a newlywed couple still glowing from their vows, a tired mom wrangling two kids, a pregnant woman, and a brooding hipster. No one notices the unassuming elderly woman in the aisle seat.
Dubbed “The Death Lady” by the media, Cherry Lockwood delivers eerie predictions for a handful of passengers. Assault, drowning, and terminal illness are among the fates she foresees. Is she a fraud? A psychic? Or something else entirely? But when her predictions come true, the passengers must reckon with their foretold fates.
Moriarty masterfully weaves humor and tension into a narrative that’s both philosophical and gripping. The richly developed characters, especially Cherry, draw you in, each responding to their impending demise in ways that feel achingly real. The author’s exploration of mortality and meaning hits hard, but it’s her hopeful undercurrent about the value of living fully that lingers.
** Thanks to the publisher for a comp of this book for an honest review.
Beyond the Headlines
By R.G. Belsky
⭐⭐⭐
Beyond the Headlines takes readers into the fast-paced world of investigative journalism, following veteran reporter Clare Carlson as she tackles the murder case of billionaire Charles Hollister. The story’s premise is captivating, weaving together themes of celebrity, domestic abuse, and a decades-old mystery tied to the Vietnam War. The author’s newsroom expertise is evident, providing an authentic glimpse into the relentless pressures of breaking news.
The novel kicks off with an emotional jailhouse interview with Laurie Bateman, a former supermodel and actress accused of killing her husband. As Clare digs deeper, the case becomes more tangled, spanning multiple murders and unsettling family secrets.
While the plot promises suspense, the execution left me underwhelmed. The author’s writing style, particularly the sentence structure, felt clunky at times. The audiobook didn’t enhance the experience either, as the narrator’s mispronunciations distracted from the flow of the story.
However, the book delivers some thought-provoking moments about justice and the cost of truth.
** Thanks to the publisher for a comp of this book for review purposes. The opinions are my own.
We Are All Flowers: A Story of Appreciating Others
By Orlaith O’Sullivan
⭐⭐⭐
We Are All Flowers by Orlaith O’Sullivan introduces kids to the gentle art of “flower-watering,” a mindfulness practice rooted in Zen teachings that encourages appreciating the good qualities in others and ourselves. With its rhyming text and whimsical illustrations, the book delivers a lovely message about kindness, self-esteem, and connection.
The concept of “flower-watering” is beautiful—showing children how recognizing others’ strengths can brighten everyone’s day, while also encouraging self-reflection and self-care. The mindfulness tie-in makes it an enriching read, especially for families exploring emotional intelligence or Zen practices.
However, the rhyming meter felt awkward, making it tricky to read aloud smoothly. When I shared the book with my grandchildren, I noticed the older ones had trouble staying engaged. The story seemed better suited for younger children in the target audience of ages 4-8, who may find the colorful illustrations and simple ideas more captivating.
My grandchildren and I collectively rated this book
** Many thanks to Plum Blossom Books for providing a physical review copy. The opinions are my own.