Such a Fun Age takes an in-depth look at the ways privilege, race, and the meaning of family.  The story begins with 25 year old Emira being called on her evening off to rush to the rescue of her young charge Briar.  Emira, who had been celebrating a friend's birthday, receives a telephone call from Mrs. Chamberlain that asks her to come to the house, no matter her dress or situation, because she needs Emira to take Briar somewhere for awhile so the police can take a vandalism report about their house.  Emira would do anything for Briar, so of course, she swoops Briar up and takes her Market Depot to do one of Briar's favorite things, look at all the different kinds of nuts.  While they are there, another customer becomes suspicious of Emira's attire and her intentions with Briar.  Enter the security guard who begins to question what an black woman is doing with a white child at this hour of the night. 

What I liked about Such a Fun Age was the relationship between Emira and Briar.  That narrative felt very genuine and was well developed.  I also appreciated how the author was able to tie up the story in the end.  For myself, it was somewhat difficult to relate to the various characters in the book, but I did appreciate the topics being considered and thought the author did so in a thought provoking way.  

I received this book courtesy of G.P. Putnam & Sons Penguin Publishing Group through Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.  

It seems like lately I really need to be transported away when I pickup a book.  All the Ways We Said Goodbye truly let me dive into the pages and be delivered to another time and place.  

We get a close look at France in 1914 during the first World War as Aurelie finds her life turned on end when her family's castle is overtaken by the German forces.  Her loyalties are tested and she endures more than she thought she was capable of withstanding.

We also get an insiders view of France during 1942 and the second World War.  Marguerite "Daisy" Villon never knew her parents and was raised by her grandmother.  Daisy's husband becomes more involved with the Germans, while Daisy finds herself becoming a part of the Resistance.  

Fast forward to France in 1964.  Barbara "Babs" Langford has not recovered from the death of her husband Kit and cannot imagine a way forward in her life.  Then she receives an unexpected letter with questions regarding her husband and his relationship with the French spy "Le Fleur".  Having felt the shadow of Le Fleur over her entire marriage, Babs travels to France to gain some closure to this painful part of her life and perhaps help solve the mystery of Le Fleur's whereabouts.

I loved immersing myself in all three stories and watching them come together throughout the novel.  I think for me the theme that all these women were stronger than they initially thought they were, resonated deeply.  To watch the transformation each character goes through was inspiring.  I hope Williams, Willig and White continue writing together for quite some time.  

I received this book courtesy of William Morrow Harper Collins through Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.  

This dark twisty suspenseful thriller grabbed me immediately .  I couldn't put it down!  This book is perfect for fans of Gillian Flynn, Mary Kubica or Paula Hawkins.  

In order to claim her inheritance, Leslie must track down her runaway sister Robin who she hasn't seen since they were teens and they must both appear before the attorney administering the will. Leslie is stunned when she finally tracks her down only to discover Robin dead in her apartment.  Reeling from the experience, Leslie escapes as quickly as she can and drives a short distance to a restaurant. As she leaves the restaurant, she runs into a woman named Mary. The two women strike up a conversation and the story takes off from there.  Leslie realizes that Mary resembles Robin, possibly enough to convince the attorney she is Robin, and suddenly Leslie hatches a plan to claim her own inheritance and help Mary realize her dream of going to California to be an actress as well.  

The author does a stellar job in keeping the reader off balance as to who is being truthful, who has secrets and who to trust.  You really do wonder who is the better liar in the book.  The story takes many twists and turns throughout the pages.  The Better Liar will draw you in and keep you guessing.  

I received this book courtesy of Ballantine Books Random House Publishing through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  

This book was absolutely the perfect read for me.  It was just the right blend of historical fiction, present-day drama and a suspenseful plot line.  

Set in small town Edenton, North Carolina, and transitioning between the 1940s and 2018, we meet two strong female characters: Anna Dale who has just been awarded the job of creating a post office mural depicting the town of Edenton and then Morgan Christopher who has been granted her early freedom from prison in exchange for her work restoring that same mural in 2018. The story unfolds for both women and I could not have been more drawn into their journeys and wondering when or how their storylines would cross. The town of Edenton and the mural itself are almost their own characters in the story.  The writing is so descriptive that not only do the characters spring from the pages, but I could also envision the mural and the town.   

Big Lies in a Small Town is most definitely a page turner with numerous surprises in store.  I loved every minute and would rate this a 5 star read for me.  

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