Fiona Davis has become one of those authors that I simply cannot wait to read whatever she writes.  I've gifted her novels to several good friends and she has quickly become one of my all time favorite writers.   Obviously, I was highly anticipating The Magnolia Palace and it did not disappoint!  

Lillian Carter is still struggling with the unexpected death of her mother to Spanish Flu.  She simply has to find some work so that she can pay rent.  Her days as the famed model "Angelica" when all the artists and sculptors couldn't get enough of her, seem to have faded.  All the while, her likeness graces many of the city's most well known landmarks.  She returns home after another lackluster day to find the police at her doorstep with questions regarding the murder of her landlord's wife.  While Lillian had nothing to do with it, this type of attention is not what she needs right now if she wants to start her acting career.  She escapes the police and unknowingly finds herself on the steps of the Frick Mansion, being mistaken for a job applicant.  Lillian accepts the role as personal private secretary to Miss Helen Frick with the intention of having enough money after one month's pay to make the journey to California where movie stardom awaits.  This one decision will alter the course of Lillian's life in ways she never could have expected.  

Now 50 years later, Veronica Weber has taken her first modeling job, traveling from Britain to America, for a photo shoot at the Frick Museum.  The shoot doesn't go as planned, and Veronica finds herself left behind and locked inside the Frick Mansion during a disastrous snowstorm.   She finds that she is not alone, but with the young museum intern Joshua Lawrence.  They inadvertently discover clues to a scavenger hunt left behind by the young Miss Helen Frick for an apparent love interest.  As they follow the clues, will they find the elusive Magnolia diamond that has been missing for decades or will they search lead them to some other discovery?    

Fiona Davis's books are so immersive that I just want to go do a deep dive after reading them to learn more about the location that is usually an integral part of the novel, and then also discover all about any of the real life people featured in the storyline.  The author's notes happen to be one of my favorite parts of the book as well.  

If you haven't read Fiona Davis, what are you waiting for?  I assure you that you will love every minute of The Magnolia Palace as I did.  Five Stars!

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

Diane Chamberlain never fails to astound me with her ability to craft engaging novels with truly genuine characters.  All of her books are so different, and I haven't read one yet that I didn't love.  The Last House on the Street is another must read novel that I couldn't put down.

In 2010, Kayla has recently suffered the tragic loss of her husband in an accident at the home they were designing together.   She has trepidations about moving into the house with her four year old daughter, but this is the dream home that she and her husband designed themselves.  A visit from an odd woman warning Kayla not to move into the house only serves to further unsettle her.  As other odd occurrences take place on their property, Kayla can only wonder if she is making the right decision to live there, or is someone just trying to scare her away?

In 1965, Ellie Hockley hears about a group of northern college students coming to North Carolina to make Black residents aware of LBJ's Voting Rights Act and encourage them to register to vote.  Against so many obstacles in her way, Ellie pursues her hope of being involved in this important movement.  She is met with disdain by her friends and family, danger from those who oppose what the students are doing, and some speculation from the other students as to what her motives are.  The events of that summer change Ellie's life in ways beyond imagining.  

The Last House on the Street is a multi-layered mystery blending historical details and social injustice.  I believe reading has the power to make change in our world and is one of the most powerful ways to build empathy.  The Last House on the Street should be a must read for those reasons alone.  

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

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.  
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