Where the Wild Cherries Grow is an engaging read, telling the story of Emeline Vane in 1919 and the young solicitor Bill Perch who is trying to follow her trail some fifty years later.  

Emeline Vane lost so much in the war and just when she thinks she can't handle any more, her uncle is trying to force a husband upon her and remove her from her family estate Hallerton House, the only home she has ever known.  Emeline escapes and travels to the south of France where she finds life anew, but is this new future that she dares to imagine for herself too good to be true.  Will her uncle track her down and make her return?  Will some other fate befall her?

Young solicitor Bill Perch is eager for his first real assignment to unearth some evidence that Emeline Vane should be declared dead so that her niece and nephew can move forward with a planned development on the family estate.  When Bill discovers Emeline's diary, he feels drawn to her plight and becomes conflicted about whether to complete his assignment or continue to search for Emeline.

Where the Wild Cherries Grow was a solid four star read for me.  I was drawn into both character's stories and found them both equally compelling. My only disappointment was in the ending of the story.  Without giving away any spoilers, a detail was revealed about the character's lives that was unexpected to me and I would have much liked to explore that area of time in more detail.  My hope is that the author will use that to develop another novel and to continue the families stories.  I appreciated the commentary and questions at the end of the novel and feel those would enhance any reading or book club discussion.  

I received this book courtesy of St. Martin's Press Thomas Dunne Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  

Sophie Kinsella has made me laugh out loud ever since I first read Confessions of a Shopaholic.  My husband always knows when I'm reading one of her books because I simply can't stifle my giggles.  Surprise Me definitely had me in stitches.

Dan and Sylvie are celebrating 10 years together.  Their marriage is one for the books.  They finish each other's sentences, can communicate without even speakings and have two beautiful twin daughters.  How could life get any better?  Things take a slight turn when during a routine physical for life insurance, they receive the news that their health is so excellent, they should have 68 more years of wedded bliss.  Dan and Sylvie never really thought about it like that and it isn't long until they begin overthinking those long 68 years together.  Sylvie vows to keep things interesting by instituting Project Surprise Me so that their lives together will never get boring.  Well, boring it is not!  The various mishaps and events that occur are truly laugh out loud funny.  

At the heart of the Surprise Me though is a beautiful story of love and personal growth.  I love how Sophie Kinsella can create these hilarious relatable characters that show true heart as well.  This one really is worth the read because not only will it make you laugh, it will warm your heart as well and we all need a little of that.

I received this book courtesy of Dial Press Random House through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  

For any reader who enjoys a suspenseful thriller, Lisa Gardner's books are always a guaranteed hit.  In Look for Me, Lisa Gardner has two of her most memorable and strong female characters join forces to solve the murders of the Baez family and find the missing teenage daughter before its too late.  Detective D.D. Warren and Flora Dane reluctantly agree to work together to solve this crime and track down Roxy Baez, the missing teenage daughter who may be responsible for the killing spree or may be in imminent danger.  

Look for Me has all the twists and turns I've come to expect from a Lisa Gardner novel and is a thrilling edge of your seat read.  I also appreciated how this story brought to light issues with the foster care system.  I really enjoyed how Flora Dane and D.D. Warren worked together on this case and I hope there are more books in the future with these two crime fighters teaming up.  It is so interesting to watch the evolution of both of these two characters and see how they are growing and changing over the course of each novel.  While this book is part of the D.D. Warren series, I feel that all of Lisa Gardner's books really can be read as stand alone books but once you read one, I assure you that you will want to add all her other books to your shelves.  

I received this book courtesy of Penguin Group Dutton through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.    

The Great Alone is a story of resilience along with a moving tribute to the wilds of Alaska and the pioneering spirit of its residents in the early 1970s.  

Thirteen year old Leni Allbright hopes that this relocation to Alaska will be the thing her family needs to bring some stability to her father, who is struggling with PTSD from his time as a POW in the Vietnam War.  When Leni arrives with her mother and father, they quickly realize they are not well prepared for what winter holds in this beautiful but brutal land.  The town's residents step in and help the Allbrights setup their home and land for the winter month's ahead.  It seems that Alaska really might be the cure for Leni and her family as they find new purpose on the land and Leni finally feels like she belongs.  Unfortunately, just when things seem to be working out for the Allbright family, winter arrives.  Alaska winters can be harsh and it isn't long before the danger inside Leni's home is more lethal than what waits outside.  

I enjoyed the historical setting of this novel and it really provides an enlightening view of Alaska in the 1970s.  The first half of the novel moved a little slowly for me, but the second half kept me engaged and eager to see how the story would unfold.  The Great Alone was an uplifting story of determination and the power of love that was a four star read for me.  

I received The Great Alone courtesy of St. Martin's Press through NetGalley.