Viv Byrne finds herself in an impossible situation.  Pregnant from a brief encounter with a Jewish jazz musician, she knows the only answer is a quick marriage to keep her strict Catholic parents appeased.  However, Joshua makes a life changing decision on their wedding day that sets both of their paths on an entirely separate journey.  

Five years later, Viv's parents pressure her to evacuate her daughter to the countryside to keep her safe during the German bombings.  She reluctantly agrees, but that decision turns out differently than Viv imagined.  Joshua has returned from the United States to serve his country in the war.  Somehow, much to Viv's dislike, their paths cross again.  

The Lost English Girl is a heart wrenching story of betrayal, motherhood, family bonds and war.  It was very well written and the characters truly drawn you in.  An excellent historical fiction novel full of details and rich descriptions.  

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

The Mitford Affair tells the story of author Nancy Mitford and her sisters Diana and Unity.  We learn about their lives during the crucial period between the World Wars as Hitler is coming to power.  

Reading about Unity's devotion to Hitler as well as Diana's actions and the attitudes of so many at that time was difficult, knowing what we know today, but I thought the author did a magnificent job of portraying that time.  Seeing how politics divided the Mitford family only further serves to illustrate how so many must have felt at that time.  

I always appreciate how Marie Benedict is able to bring historical figures to vivid life and provide us a glimpse into what their lives were like.  

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

Steve Berry is one of my favorite authors and Cotton Malone is one of my favorite characters, so of course I couldn't wait to dive into The Last Kingdom.  

The Last Kingdom is action packed and kept me turning pages at record pace.  I really liked how this novel balanced both Cotton Malone and Luke Daniels, making both of their plot lines equally compelling.  As always, Steve Berry does an excellent job of incorporating interesting historical fact with fiction.  All of his novels are so well researched and written that you feel like you are racing through the castles right alongside Cotton and Luke.  A very unique multi-layered plot with interesting places and characters, this novel is a must read.

I could not put this book down!  Loved every minute.

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

Fredrik Backman is hands down one of the best writers around.  He simply has a way of crafting a story that is unparalleled.  If an author can make me interested in a story about hockey, then I know he is a gifted artist.  

The Winners is the final book in the Beartown trilogy and to say I eagerly awaited this book would be an understatement.  While I was sorry to see this story end, and there were parts that were hard for me to read, I thought it was a fitting conclusion to the series.  

If you haven't read Fredrik Backman before, do not waste another minute.  Each and every word he writes is amazing and beautiful.  You won't be disappointed.

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

Historical fiction with World War II spies combined with a touch of magic had me hooked.
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Fenna has been fascinating by magic from an early age and has taken her talents to the stage when she is approached to use those same talents to help with the war effort.  Recruited by MI9, Fenna shows ingenuity and creativity in her assignments.  But when a childhood friend is accused of betraying his country, Fenna has to find him and set the record straight.  

I loved this book!  Kristina McMorris has written a stunning historical fiction novel that is beautiful and heartbreaking but also demonstrates the resiliency of the human spirit.  Her characters are perfectly developed and you feel a connection with each one.  Fenna's backstory was eloquently told and helped to create a bond with her and the reader.  

Highly recommend this fantastic book!

What a beautiful heartwarming story!  This was exactly the book I needed to read right now and I loved every minute.  

Sara Glikman has known since she was just a child the gift she has been given.  She can spot love, even between the most unlikely couples.  Growing up in New York in the early 1900s, matchmaking is a lucrative business for those men in control of it, and a young girl is not welcome in their field.  Sara must be cautious, but she can't deny the pull she feels to bring soulmates together.  

Two generations later, Sara's granddaughter Abby is working as a divorce lawyer representing famous and wealthy clients, but with her grandmother gone now, Abby feels adrift and begins to search for answers by reading through the journals that her grandmother left her.  As she turns the pages and begins to look more closely at some of her own clients, she wonders if true soul mates do exist.  

I truly loved this book and I think it makes a wonderful book to gift.  The characters are all so well written and it was an uplifting positive read.  

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

I've come to count on Ruth Ware to deliver a suspenseful twisty thriller and The It Girl fulfilled every expectation.  

Roommates April and Hannah became fast friends during their first term at Oxford.  With Will, Ryan, Emily and Hugh, they all  grew close over those weeks, until Hannah discovered April's body in their dorm room.  Now a decade later, the man convicted of the murder dies in prison and a journalist reaches out to Hannah with some questions about what Hannah saw that night.  Hannah and Will are expecting their first child together and should be putting the past behind them, but Hannah can't dismiss her doubts.  As she begins to search for answers, the path is full of twists and turns.

The It Girl definitely kept me guessing and was the perfect suspenseful read.  When I thought I had a suspect, another twist would be thrown in and I'd be left perplexed all over again.  

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

When a book is described as the Golden Girls meet James Bond, you know you are in for a thrill ride!  

Billie, Mary Alice, Helen and Natalie have been assassins nearly all of their lives.  
As they enter retirement, they decide to take a celebratory cruise together.  The celebration is cut short when an attempt is made on their lives and suddenly, they have to figure out who has put out the hit on them and why.

This book was such a fun fast paced read.  I really hope the author revisits these characters in the future, as I can certainly see there might be more stories to be told with that quartet of ladies.

I highly recommend this book if you are looking to be entertained, held in suspense and cheer for the women of a "Certain Age" to triumph over their enemies.

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

I always love dual time line historical fiction novels, and this one was very unique.  

Emmaline Balakin has recently arrived in France to serve as a war librarian during World War I after leaving her job at the dead letter office .  The front is much more difficult than she expected and the conditions at the hospital are beyond imaginable.  Emmaline encounters racism, sexism, finds love with a wounded soldier and builds a special bond with Nellie, a driver serving for the Red Cross.

In 1976, Kathleen Carre is among the first class of women accepted to the United States Naval Academy.  Like Emmaline, she also encounters racism and discrimination .  She finds that while women are admitted to the Naval Academy, they aren't necessarily accepted there.  

I thought I knew how the two stories were going to intersect, but I was surprised by the way the story unfolded.  The author did an excellent job writing independent stories, but also relating them back to each other and drawing the parallels over time.  

Both women's stories are so inspiring and this novel really sheds a light on how far we have come, but also how far we still have to grow on these issues.  The War Librarian was inspiring, memorable and engaging, truly a perfect historical fiction read.

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

Blending fact with fiction, author Ellen Marie Wiseman takes readers on a disturbing suspenseful journey behind the doors of Willowbrook State School.  Sage Winters is shocked to learn that her twin sister Rosemary didn't die from pneumonia six years ago like Sage had been told, but was instead placed at Willowbrook and has been there ever since.  As if learning that wasn't shocking enough, Sage also discovers that Rosemary is missing.  Sage immediately heads off for Willowbrook to assist in the search efforts.  When she arrives she is mistaken for Rosemary and is held against her will.  The horrors that Sage witnesses at Willowbrook are unimaginable.  Sage is determined to find a way out and to find out what happened to Rosemary. 

This book definitely isn't a light read and the scenes described inside the school are horrifying.  That said the book seemed to be well researched and shed light on a tragic situation.  The plot line kept me engaged and wanting to see where the story was headed.  

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