1) Love at First Book by Jenn McKinlay. The premise of this book would be my dream come true--to travel to Ireland on a work visa in order to assist my favorite author through their writing slump and work at a bookstore.
2) Three Days In June by Anne Tyler is a short book that takes place over the wedding weekend of Gail's daughter, and it explores marriage, family, and foibles. I was invested in every character and every situation. I read it in one sitting. I also add that I've only heard the phrase "Three Days In June" about D-Day.
3) Nosy Neighbors by Freya Sampson is a found-family community of quirky characters. The shifting narration helps flesh out the action and develop the characters. Kat and Dorothy create an unlikely duo to try to save their crumbling apartment house from demolition. Kat and Dorothy each face their pasts as they uncover truths about their neighbors.
4) The King's Messenger by Susanna Kearsley is a historical fiction piece that certainly brought the intrigue of King James's court in 1613 to life! The depiction of the King's Messenger, whose role evolved from royal courier carrying correspondence and orders to, in this instance, delivering an arrest warrant, was particularly well-researched.
5) The Self Care Prescription: Powerful Solutions to Manage Stress, Reduce Anxiety & Increase Wellbeing by Robyn L. Gobin is definitely the right book at the right time for me. It's self-care on a deeper level than manicures and massages. Each chapter focuses on an aspect of life, delving into how to practice self-care, but the psychology behind it. My therapist introduced me to the book (and journal), and we've been working on a chapter at a time.
6) Cher: The Memoir, part one, by Cher, which was a very popular book club choice. I grew up on Sonny and Cher. Cher has always been part of my pop culture life. I remember wearing a hula skirt wrapped around my head to mimic her long, straight hair. I adore Cher.
7) Hello Stranger by Katherine Center is not a typical rom-com. liked learning details about prosopagnosia, which I know about from teaching psychology classes. Even though I kinda rolled my eyes at Sadie, I loved Joe. And I loved Parker being so evil and vicious. The landlords, the Kims, were dream landlords. And there's Peanut. The star of the story!
8) To Have and to Heist by Sara Desai is a romantic comedy caper full of laugh-out-loud moments, a cast of quirky and lovable characters, and a healthy dose of will-they-won't-they tension between Simi and Jack. The author delivers a fast-paced, thoroughly enjoyable read that blends humor, action, and romance into a satisfying and highly recommended story. It's the first of what promises to be a fun series.
9) Someone We Know by Shari Lapena is a suspenseful mystery thrill ride! Everyone is a suspect. Everyone has a reason to dislike Amanda Pierce—she's young, beautiful, and glamorous, living in the suburbs with her handsome husband. The neighborhood is almost claustrophobic because gossip travels fast, and everybody knows their neighbor's business. Secrets, lies, and keeping up appearances are the heart of this tale.
10) All The Colors Of The Dark by Chris Whitaker felt like a coming-of-age story, yet it pulsed with the relentless tension of a psychological thriller and was underscored by a poignant love story. The narrative unfolded like a high-octane cat-and-mouse game. As I listened, I was immediately drawn into the central characters' struggle with the profound aftermath of a traumatic event, their realities fractured and their perceptions constantly in question. From the very first moment, a palpable sense of unease settled in me, drawing me deep into the characters' growing dread and leaving me breathlessly anticipating what came next.
