1958 will be the last year that debutantes will be presented to the Queen, and Lily's mother and grandmother are determined that Lily will be among that prestigious group.  Lily, however, has no desire for that and dreams only of entering university to pursue her education.  She must however give into their demands since her grandmother is the sole source of their income after Lily's father died, and they would be left penniless if her grandmother withdrew her support.  

Lily does meet a cast of interesting debs during her season and I felt that I was going along to all the balls and dinners right along with her.  It was a decadent trip filled with romance, mystery and historical details.  I couldn't have loved it more!  My first five star read of the year!  

I cherished every page of The Last Dance of the Debutante!  It was absolute perfection from the cover to the very last word.  Julia Kelly is fast becoming one of my favorite authors and I can't get enough of the characters she creates.  

I received this book courtesy of the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  

Oh William provides a unique glimpse into the evolution of a relationship from marriage, to divorce, to a friendship of sorts.  Lucy Barton has never really understood her ex-husband William but they remain oddly connected to each other.   While they have both moved on to other romantic relationships since their divorce, they continue to rely on each other in different ways.  

This novel truly examines and lays bare the relationship between Lucy Barton and William in all its complexities and nuances.   You can empathize with Lucy as she looks more deeply into why she has the feelings she has and how her emotions developed over time.  

This book is considered a stand alone novel, but is based on characters featured in two of Elizabeth Strout's other novels (My Name is Lucy Barton and Anything is Possible).  I had not read those prior novels and read this book as a standalone, but I feel that the experience would likely be enriched if I had read the previous books.  I think for this reason I had some trouble connecting to the  writing style initially and then later the book as a whole.  I was interested in the characters, but felt as if I was starting a journey with them on the last leg. 

I received this book courtesy of the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  

The Moon, The Stars and Madame Burova immersed me in a 1970s seaside entertainment camp and the mystery of a baby left outside of Madame Burova's fortune telling booth along the pier.  

Imelda has grown up in her mother's booth, learning how to read tarot cards and palms, and at long last, it is her time to assume the business on her own and become Madame Burova.  Her reputation earns her a spot at Larkin's Entertainment Camp providing readings to the guests.  While she is there, she meets the dashing Cillian Bryne, a Wall of Death rider.  While she is inexplicably drawn to him, another young woman has eyes for him as well and plans to have no one stand in her way.  

Some 50 years later, Billie is recently divorced and trying to adjust to having lost both of her parents as well.  She receives a letter from her father informing her that she was adopted, having been abandoned on the pier.  While Billie tries to process this new information, she receives another letter from Madame Burova (Imelda) who has been holding secrets to Billie's past.  Billie meets Madame Burova and begins to search for the answers to her birth mother and father.  

I really enjoyed this novel for the unique and beautifully developed characters.  It is a  diverse cast and each person seems to come to life from the pages.  I loved the setting and time frame of the novel as well.  At times, it was a heartbreaking read, but also there was so much beauty and love within the pages as well.  

I received this book courtesy of the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  
​

Once Upon a Wardrobe will transport you back to your childhood when books held such wonder and you first felt the way books could transport you to fantastical places.  

Meg is studying mathematics and physics at Oxford but spends every spare moment at home with her brother George.  George has never been well, but Megs knows that his time is drawing near.  George has just one question that he asked Megs to answer "Where does Narnia come from?"  Megs tracks down C.S. Lewis himself to ask this question, and that is the start of this lovely book.  

I adored every moment of this story.  It felt so real, yet so magical.  It inspired me to go back and pull out my copy of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe to remember those childlike moments of wonder.  

I highly recommend this amazing novel.  It would make a wonderful gift and a great addition to your Narnia collection.  

I received this book courtesy of the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  

It's just a tiny burn on her thumb and it doesn't even hurt, but Mirielle's husband insists she make a trip in to the doctor's office to have it checked.  Mirielle begrudgingly goes in to see her doctor, never anticipating what comes next.  A leper, Mirielle couldn't possibly be a leper.  She is immediately sent away to the leper colony in Louisiana.  The indignity of the situation is almost more than she can bear and if she can just get someone to understand this is all one big misunderstanding.  That one little burn on Mirielle's thumb is the catalyst to rewrite her life story.  

I enjoyed this book for providing me with a look into a part of history that I wasn't familiar with and had not heard about previously.  At times, I felt the plot dragged a little and felt that some of Mirielle's selfish behavior was hard to take, but that also made her come to life more from the pages.  

Overall, this book was well worth the read and I appreciated the author's attention to detail in researching this story.  I received this book courtesy of the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  

Sadie Way Scott has found success with her internet cooking show that shares stories of family and cherished recipes.  She has done everything she can to limit trips back home to Sugarberry Cove, but when she gets a phone call that her mother has suffered a heart attack, Sadie finds herself right back at her family B & B.  

Leala Clare haș dedicated herself to her young son and her marriage, but recently her life isn't quite as rosy as she has imagined it.  She too returns home after her mother's heart attack to help with the family business.  

Leala Clare and Sadie Way both have so much hurt buried along with many secrets.  Will this time together help them to uncover those truths and heal those deep wounds?  

I enjoyed the Southern setting of the novel and appreciated the multi-generational, multi-layered characters.  I loved the cooking show idea and really wished I could tune it to watch a real episode.  It was a heartwarming story of forgiveness, healing, growth and the many paths love can take.  

I received this book courtesy of the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  

The Riviera House is everything I love about historical fiction.  It had characters that spoke to me long after I closed the book, locations that I could clearly see in my mind both heartbreaking and beautiful, and an inspiring look at a time in our history when everyday people became heroes.  

In 1939 Paris, Eliane can not idly stand by while the Germans remove precious artworks from the Louvre, its museums, and confiscate private collections from their Jewish owners across the country.  She finds herself in a unique position to spy on the Germans and work against their efforts  They think her an ignorant "fraulein" who doesn't speak German, and she plans to keep it that way.  

​Present day, Remy is dealing with the unimaginable grief of losing both her husband and her young daughter.  She escapes to a home she has inherited along the French Riviera to shoot photos for her latest look book of vintage fashion and to try to piece her life back together.  

The Riviera House was one of those stories that stayed with me so much so that I was thinking about the characters even when I wasn't reading the book.  It made me really think about those people responsible for saving our world's artistic treasures and preserving those masterpieces for the generations to follow.  The author does a magnificent job of detailing the locations, both in Paris and of course the Riviera House that you feel utterly transported to both the brutal winter of the German occupation of France to the sun drenched beaches near the Riviera House.  The characters come to life as well, as you are inspired by Eliane's bravery as she defies the German officers and you feel Remy's deepest grief over the loss of her daughter.  

This book was so well researched that I wanted to delve further into all the historical facts after reading it.  The author's blog has many photos, including a photo of the house that was the inspiration for The Riviera House and further details regarding her research process.  Here is a link to her blog:  https://www.natashalester.com.au/blog

​I also loved the nod to vintage fashion through Remy's business and the tribute to the wonderful fashion photographers as well.  The Riviera House definitely made me a fan of Natasha Lester and her work.  I look forward to reading many more of her books.  

I received this book courtesy of the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  

The Necklace is the perfect read for these cool fall nights.  It is suspenseful, dark, and fast paced which is exactly the type of book I want to delve into as I'm drawn deeper and deeper into the plot with each turn of the page.  

Susan Lentigo's daughter was murdered twenty years ago, and her life has pretty much been stuck in a holding pattern ever since that time.  Now she is on her way to the execution of her daughter's murderer and hopefully opening a new chapter of her life now that her daughter Amy will have justice.  During her road trip from New York to the North Dakota, Susan unexpectedly uncovers new information that draws into question whether or not the right person has been convicted for Amy's death.  Can Susan determine if the Monster awaiting his execution is the person responsible for  Amy's death or is another Monster out there just waiting for his next victim?

As I was reading this novel, I was already visualizing which actors would play the various characters in the story, so it's no surprise that this novel has already been optioned for a film with Leonardo DiCaprio directing.  The characters are so vivid, both flawed and genuine at the same time.  The story is gripping and the switch back and forth from the time of the crime to present day, keeps you on the edge of your seat.  

If you are looking for a solid murder/mystery novel, then The Necklace fits the bill.  I received this book courtesy of the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  

Such a Quiet Place is a suspenseful read that almost makes you feel like you are navigating a maze of mirrors.  Just when you think you know where the mystery is headed, it twist and turns in completely different direction.  

Hollow's Edge was a quiet community where many of the neighbors were co-workers and friends.  Until the murder of Brandon and Fiona Truett, when it became apparent someone among them had done the unthinkable.  Ruby Fletcher was convicted of the murders and sent to prison.  A year and a half later, Ruby's conviction is overturned and she is released from prison, only to show back up in Hollow's Edge on the doorsteps of her former roommate Harper Nash.  Harper is torn between welcoming Ruby back into her life, and suspecting Ruby got away with murder.  It's clear Ruby has returned, but unclear whether she is hunting for revenge or the real killer.

At one point or another, I suspected each and every character of being the murderer. The author does an excellent job of making you consider what every character might be hiding.  

I enjoyed this dark twisty novel that kept me in the dark until the end.  I received this book courtesy of the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.     

​The Personal Librarian is truly a magnificent piece of historical fiction!  It brings to light the story of Belle de Costa Greene, personal librarian to J.P. Morgan.  Belle was born Marion Greener, but her mother made a decision for their family to live as white and take on new identities, attributing their heritage to a Portuguese grandmother.  Belle's father was the first black graduate of Harvard and could not concede to this plan so he left.  Belle secured the position as personal librarian to J.P. Morgan and learned to navigate that male dominated world, not only as a woman, but as a woman of color all the while passing as a white person due to the racism prevalent at the time.  Belle amassed an amazing collection of books and art, traveling all over the world and reinventing the book/art buying process, but she had the added pressure of keeping her secret safe.  

This novel impressed me on so many levels.  I think having the book co-authored by both a white woman and a black woman helped to give an authentic voice to Belle de Costa Greene's situation and her emotions.  Reading about her career and all that she accomplished during her lifetime was inspiring and captivating at the same time.  I am so grateful that the authors took the time to unearth her story and give it a voice in today's world.   It was neat reading in the author notes about how the authors developed such a close bond writing this book together and that it opened up honest discussions about race between them both.  I believe that this book has the power to bring people together and is an important read for all of us.  

Good Morning America selected The Personal Librarian as their Book of the Month pick for July.  I really enjoyed the interview Deborah Roberts did with the authors.  The interview takes place at the Morgan Library and if my review hasn't peaked your interest yet, check it out:
https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/culture/video/authors-personal-librarian-talk-78835572?fbclid=IwAR1YBUm0d_ecLkzrY0yoFn-2wy6EhwzDyXecUdfFi-2_1ZMpVT16_B2cD4c

The Personal Librarian was most definitely a five star read for me and I highly recommend reading it  I received this book courtesy of the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.