I very much enjoyed Jill G. Hall's previous novel The Black Velvet Coat and was thrilled to pickup The Silver Shoes and be met again with Anne from The Black Velvet Coat.  The book opens with Anne purchasing a unique pair of silver rhinestone covered shoes from an antique resale store.  When Anne returns home, she discovers the clerk also included a pearl necklace in the box and a photo of two women from the 1920s.  Anne is able to determine that the photo was taken at Rudy's, a well known speakeasy in New York.  

We are also introduced to Clair, the original owner of the shoes.  In 1929, Clair is a young debutante who is eager to spread her wings in the world, however her overprotective father has different things in mind for Clair.  Clair's friend Winnie introduces her to a whole new world of flappers, jazz music and entertainment.  Clair's world crumbles along with the stock market crash  and she must push past the bubble her father has kept her in.  

The Silver Shoes was a very engaging read for me and I enjoyed the journey.  I love how the author reimagines the stories behind antique items and the people who owned them.  I hope to continue to follow Anne's story in future novels and look forward to reading more books by Jill G. Hall as well.  

I received this book courtesy of She Writes Press through Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.    

Karen White is, without question, my 'go to' author.  I can always count on a wonderful engaging read and have no hesitations recommending her books to anyone.  Just in reading the first few lines of Dreams of Falling, I was hooked.  Dreams of Falling is set in Georgetown, South Carolina and is a story of friendship, family, love and secrets.  Larkin has finally escaped the low country and found a new sense of self in New York when she receives a call that her mother is missing.  She must return to Georgetown and when she does, she truly realizes that you really can't go home again.  Larkin's mother Ivy is found alive but badly injured inside the ruins of their ancestral plantation home but no one knows why she was there.  While Larkin waits for her mother to wake up, she delves into some of the history behind the plantation and her mother and grandmother's pasts.  

Karen White develops characters like no one else.  She writes strong female characters that are unique, memorable and relatable.  I'm always transported to the Southern locales that the books are set in and often don't want to leave.  With Karen White books, I am usually torn between reading the book as quickly as I can while not wanting the story to end, and Dreams of Falling was no exception.  A five star read for me!  

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

The Summer I Met Jack is a fictional account of the real life romance of Alicia Darr and Jack Kennedy.  Alicia Darr came to America from Poland hoping to escape the ravages of war and secure a better life for herself as well as her mother back home. It isn't long before she encounters the striking Jack Kennedy and quickly falls under his spell.  Their romance is met with struggles over time and resistance from Jack's father, particularly when he finds out that Alicia is Jewish.  When her engagement to Jack is squelched, Alicia is drawn to the bright lights of Hollywood.  But each time Alicia begins to get her footing, her path crosses with Jack's again and she's drawn into his spell.  

It is obvious that the author spent an immense amount of time researching the novel and she brings the Kennedy family and Hollywood glamour to life from the pages.  I found it interesting to learn more about the Kennedy family and also especially enjoyed the glimpses into the Hollywood stars.  I was not previously aware of that this relationship or controversy existed.  I did have some difficulty connecting with the character of Alicia Darr and felt at times the story got bogged down a little.  I found the ending very interesting and wondered how the events surrounding Ms. Clark's estate unfolded in real life present times.  

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

Our book club selection this month was Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell and it is definitely a page turner!  This novel drew me in from the first page and doesn't let go until the very end.  If you are looking for a thrilling engaging summer read, Then She Was Gone should be at the top of your list.  

Here is the Goodreads description:

THEN
She was fifteen, her mother's 
golden girl. She had her whole life ahead of her. 
And then, in the blink of an eye, Ellie was gone. 

NOW 
It’s been ten years since Ellie 
disappeared, but Laurel has never given up 
hope of finding her daughter.
And then one day a charming and charismatic stranger called Floyd walks into a café and sweeps Laurel off her feet. 
Before too long she’s staying the night at this house and being introduced to his nine year old daughter. 
Poppy is precocious and pretty - and meeting her completely takes Laurel's breath away. 

Because Poppy is the spitting image of Ellie when she was that age.
And now all those unanswered questions that have haunted Laurel come flooding back. 

What happened to Ellie? Where did she go? 
Who still has secrets to hide? 

If that doesn't grab you, then I don't know what will.  

​

Swimming Between Worlds gives a unique glimpse into life in Winston-Salem, North Carolina during the American Civil Rights Movement.  Tacker has just returned home following a brief time of employment in Africa and is having trouble leaving all his experiences behind in order to fit in again in North Carolina.  Kate is still reeling from the loss of both parents and is trying to find her way in a changing world.  These two young people find love and each other through these tumultuous times.  

I enjoyed the story but found it plodding along at some points.  I did feel the author did an excellent job conveying the feelings at that time and providing insight into the many conflicting emotions and stereotypes held.  The characters were well developed and engaging.  I was dissatisfied with the ending and felt the pacing for the end of the story did not match up with the pacing throughout the book.  

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