This issue took me everywhere—from wartime Europe and windswept prairies to glamorous hotels, dangerous spy missions, cozy magical libraries, and pulse-pounding thrillers. I found stories filled with courage, second chances, heartbreak, suspense, romance, and a few books that made me mutter, “Well… that escalated quickly.” There were several standouts this time around, including Mark Helprin’s sweeping naval epic The Oceans and the Stars, Holly Jackson’s wildly entertaining adult thriller debut Not Quite Dead Yet, and Mitch Albom’s warmhearted Twice. I also revisited a literary classic with Willa Cather’s O Pioneers! and discovered a few authors I’ll definitely be reading again. As always, not every book earned glowing praise. A couple left me scratching my […]
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Scandal, Satin, and a Side of Suspense
⭐⭐⭐⭐ I’ll be honest—His Delightful Lady Delia (American Royalty #3) by Grace Hitchcock isn’t typically the kind of book I grab off the stack. Gilded Age romance with plenty of emotion? Not my usual lane. And yet… I ended up enjoying it more than I expected. After years as her temperamental mother’s understudy, Delia Vittoria finally steps into the spotlight when her diva mother loses her voice for good. Delia now stands center stage at the Academy of Music, which is locked in a fierce opera war with the flashy new Metropolitan Opera House. To save the Academy—and prove herself—she agrees to a risky scheme. Enter Kit Quincy, who is trying […]
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