⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I loved this book! The Next Ship Home by Heather Webb is historical fiction at its best—deeply emotional, incredibly well written, and unputdownable. Webb’s word pictures are spot-on. I could practically hear the chaos of Ellis Island, smell the salt air, and feel the anxiety and hope radiating from every corner of the page. She built a world I could truly see. The story follows Francesca, a brave Italian immigrant, and Alma, a young American woman working at Ellis Island. Their unlikely friendship unfolds against a backdrop of corruption, prejudice, and the longing for something better. Both women are impressively developed—flawed, relatable, and fiercely strong. They felt so real, […]
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Secrets, Lies, and Baby Bumps: A Twisty London Thriller
Greenwich Park starts with prenatal yoga and ends with a punch to the gut. Katherine Faulkner’s debut is a twisty domestic thriller that unwraps like a baby shower gift with something sinister inside. Helen is pregnant after years of loss, married to a charming architect, and living in a dreamy Victorian home. But when she meets Rachel—a chain-smoking, wine-guzzling hot mess at her prenatal class—her carefully built life cracks. Rachel latches on fast. She’s fun, unpredictable, and clearly hiding something. So is everyone else, apparently. We get multiple narrators (Helen, her chic sister-in-law Serena, and Katie, a dogged reporter), all tied together by a dark event from their Cambridge days. […]
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Unveiling a Hidden Heroine: A Review of Let Us March On
Shara Moon’s Let Us March On brings overdue attention to Elizabeth “Lizzie” McDuffie, a maid in FDR’s White House who quietly advocated for civil rights. Known as the “Secretary-On-Colored-People’s-Affairs,” Lizzie acted as a vital bridge between the Black community and the President—an incredible feat for a woman in her position during the 1930s. Told through Lizzie’s eyes, the story offers an inside look at the Roosevelts and the political landscape of the time. Moon captures Lizzie’s strength and determination, showing how she used her role to push for justice in subtle but powerful ways. That said, the pacing lags in spots, especially when it gets too bogged down in politics. […]
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A Bookshop, a few Mitfords, and a Slow-Paced Novel
Let’s start with what worked: The Mayfair Bookshop has a great hook—London, WWII, a charming bookshop, and a spotlight on Nancy Mitford. The historical setting is rich, and the real-life Mitford drama adds some sparkle. If you’re already a fan of Nancy and her scandal-prone sisters, you might find the behind-the-scenes stuff intriguing. There’s gossip, heartbreak, and the war looming in the background, which makes for decent historical fiction. But here’s the thing: the dual timeline structure doesn’t quite balance. Nancy’s chapters are clearly the main event, while the present-day storyline feels like filler. Lucy, the modern book curator, just didn’t do it for me. Her quest to uncover a […]
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Picks and Pans, Issue 36
Buckle up—we’re taking a whirlwind tour through stories set in places as wild and varied as Hollywood, ancient Israel, the muddy banks of the Mississippi, and the candlelit alleys of Venice. This issue has something for everyone: a dash of historical drama in WWII London, a taste of revolution in New York and Philly, heartland tales from the Upper Midwest, and Southern soul from North Carolina. Some of these reads were extraordinary—books I’ll be recommending for years. Others? Let’s just say they didn’t live up to the hype. But that’s part of the fun, right? Come see which ones soared and which ones sputtered. The Last Exchange By Charles Martin […]
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A Tender Look at Grief, Growth, and the Messiness of Moving On
Anna Quindlen’s After Annie is an emotionally raw story—but oh so beautiful. It opens with a gut punch: Annie Brown collapses and dies, leaving behind a stunned husband, four grieving kids, and her best friend, Annemarie. From there, Quindlen doesn’t build a plot so much as she gently lays out the emotional wreckage and lets you sit with it. Thirteen-year-old Ali takes center stage, trying to step into her mother’s shoes while barely understanding her own grief. Her relationship with Annemarie—who’s battling her own demons—is messy, tender, and real. There’s not a ton of action here, but that’s the point. This is about the quiet, day-to-day unraveling that comes after […]
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Say Yes to This Book: A Sweet Road Trip You’ll Be Glad You Took
Okay, so I rarely fall into the chick-lit camp. But The Summer of Yes by Courtney Walsh got me good. It’s quirky, heartfelt, and just the kind of book you want to read with your feet up and something fruity in hand. Kelsey Worthington is a junior editor who’s all about routines and playing it safe—until she gets smacked by a car and ends up in the hospital. That’s where she meets Georgina Tate, a powerhouse businesswoman with a terminal illness and more regrets than she’ll admit. Kelsey, fresh off her brush with death, pitches a wild idea: say “yes” to life. Georgina rolls her eyes… then goes along for […]
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Books, Boxcars, and Secrets: A Hidden Chapter of American History
The Boxcar Librarian brings a fresh twist to Depression-era fiction with a little-known slice of American history: a converted train car library rolling through rural Montana. We follow three strong-willed women—Millie, Alice, and Colette—across decades, each carrying secrets and stories worth telling. Millie’s job with the Federal Writers’ Project starts as damage control but quickly turns into a mystery involving sabotage, lost trust, and one vanished librarian. Back in time, Alice dreams up the boxcar library. And Colette? She’s tough, haunted, and on a path that’s anything but straight. The shifting timelines and rotating points of view can get a bit choppy, especially in shorter chapters. I wouldn’t have minded […]
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Treachery, Betrayal, and Romance in 17th Century Britain.
Susanna Kearsley is back doing what she does best—serving up rich historical fiction with a side of slow-burn romance and just a sprinkle of second sight. The King’s Messenger is set in 1613, after the death of Prince Henry, heir to King James I. Rumors swirl the prince was poisoned, and Andrew Logan, one of the King’s Messengers (who’s hiding his own mystical secret), is sent north to arrest Sir David Moray, a close friend of the late prince. Phoebe Westaway is dragged into the mission to assist her aging father, who’s acting as the trip’s scribe. She’s not a fan of Andrew—at all—but over the course of the dangerous […]
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Heartache, Hope, and Healing, Along Route 66
4.5 stars Vanessa Miller tackles a brutal chapter of American history with honesty and heart in The Filling Station. Sisters Margaret and Evelyn flee the devastating Tulsa Race Massacre, finding refuge at the Threatt Filling Station along Route 66. Miller shines a necessary spotlight on Greenwood, Oklahoma, and its violent destruction, a tragic event overlooked by many history books. Margaret, practical and cautious, struggles with shattered faith. Evelyn dreams of escape and a brighter future. Both women feel vividly real, their flaws and strength equally believable. Miller carefully shows how trauma shapes them differently, making their journey toward healing messy but meaningful. Some plot points land predictably, yet strong character […]
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