Becky Brandon nee Bloomwood has to be one of my favorite literary characters.  The Shopaholic series has given me more laugh out loud moments than any other book series I have read.  So of course it seems like a no-brainer that the latest installment should tackle the Christmas season with all its associated shopping and stressful holiday family story lines.  

Becky is looking forward to a stress-free Christmas at her mum and dad's house, when they casually inform her that they are renting the house out to Jess, Becky's half sister, and her husband Martin.  Becky's mum and dad are moving to an up and coming neighborhood to try out all the new things the younger generation is enjoying.  Not only will Becky be hosting Christmas for the first time at her home, but she's trying to balance the demands of her parents, her vegan non-consumerist sister Jess and husband Martin along with Martin's parents, and Becky's best friend Suz and her family.  Becky is determined to make it the best Christmas ever and that no one goes without his/her favorite requests, including a vegan turkey.  Becky's also determined to find just the right gift for her husband Luke and simply won't settle for the same tired aftershave.  This quest for the perfect gift has its own twists and turns that add to the plot.  

Becky's exploits never get old for me and I could laugh along every day of the year.  I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  

Finding Chika is a beautiful tribute to the young girl that came to Mitch and Janine Albom's home, leaving an indelible impact on their lives and all of the lives she touched during her life. It is a poignantly written novel that captures the joy young Chika brought to all that she did and how resilient her spirit was.   

Mitch Albom, as always, has a special way of writing that conveys so much emotion through his words.  I appreciate his work in writing this book so that Chika can be remembered by those who did not have the opportunity to meet her.  

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

The Giver of Stars hits all the right notes as a great piece of historical fiction!  

Set in Kentucky during the depression, we get to meet five women who became known as the Packhorse Librarians of Kentucky.  The story mostly focuses on Alice Van Cleve who came to America with her new husband Bennett Van Cleve, and finds life isn't exactly what she envisioned.  Desperate for some escape from her restrictive home environment, Alice is one of the first volunteers for Eleanor Roosevelt's new traveling library and finds a life she never knew she needed.  

​Margery O'Hare has a deep love of books and her hometown, but struggles with the family reputation that has been saddled to her.  She is deeply committed to the traveling library initiative and quickly becomes a leader for the other women with her unconventional ways.  

I felt that this novel had all the elements for an enjoyable and memorable book.  The characters were unique and well developed.  The historical fiction aspect was compelling and timely.  The plot had adventure, mystery, and intrigue with the right amount of romance.  A strong four star read for me.  I very much enjoyed learning more about the Packhorse Librarians and definitely would recommend this book.

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

Lisa Jewell never fails to disappoint with her style of writing that keeps you turning pages and guessing until the very end.  The Family Upstairs is full of suspense as we meet Libby Jones who has just recently learned that she has inherited the abandoned mansion on the Thames that belonged to her birth parents.  As she delves deeper into the story of her family, it couldn't get more complicated and full of more questions than answers.  

I always enjoy Lisa Jewell's work and love that I can count on her books to quench my appetite for an intriguing story filled with twists and turns.  

I received this book courtesy of Atria Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  

While I was reading this book, all I could think about was how much I wished I could visit the Printed Letter Bookshop.  It sounded like the most amazing hometown bookstore and I just wanted to be a part of the atmosphere there.  The way the author described the store and the characters, it truly felt like a place I could just walk down the street and open the door to go in.  

Madeline Cullen is shocked to find out that she is inheriting her estranged aunt Maddie's bookstore and home.  Madeline is right in the midst of hopefully being named partner of the law firm where she works and has no desire to run a bookstore.  However Madeline finds her planned future taking a detour and decides to see why her aunt would leave the bookstore to her.  When Madeline arrives she meets the two store employees Janet and Claire, who each have their own views on the store's future and Madeline's involvement.  

There are so many amazing moments in this book with touching literary references that made it the kind of book you want to hold on to long after turning the last page.  It was such a rewarding experience to see the journey Madeline, Janet and Claire traveled on.  I grew to love each one of those fascinating ladies and appreciate their individual stories.    

Highly recommend this book to my fellow bibliophiles. You will want to curl up in your favorite chair and dive into The Printed Letter Bookshop. 

I received this book courtesy of Thomas Nelson through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  

The Santa Claus Chronicles is a heartwarming glimpse into the life of Dan Short and his experiences serving as Santa Claus.  He tells stories of different interesting people he has met over the years and also sheds light on his personal journey to becoming Santa Claus.  His narrative makes it clear that Santa is an iconic figure who means so many things to so many people and in so many different ways.  This book would make a special holiday gift and reminds us all of the true meaning of the season.  

I received this book courtesy of Harvest House Publishers through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  

This Tender Land should be a staple in American literature.  What an amazing, heartfelt and timely story!  It is a moving, engaging, immersive read that caused me to fall in love with each character along the way.  The writing is so vivid and the characters so well developed that everything jumps from the page.  A five star super star read for me!

This Tender Land begins in Minnesota at the Lincoln School in 1932.  Hundreds of Native American children are forcibly separated from their parents and sent to the Lincoln School to be 'reformed'. The school is also home to orphans Odie and Albert O'Banion. The superintendent finds Odie at fault for most any infractions at the school. It isn't long before Odie finds himself forced to flee the school, taking Albert, their best friend Mose and little Emily with them. Their journeys down river as they try to evade law enforcement and the school superintendent, all while headed toward the idea of a home in St. Louis, are rich with a host of colorful characters and experiences. 

I cannot stress enough how much I think everyone should run out and pick up this book immediately. I can definitely say that anything else William Kent Krueger writes will be on my must read list. 

I received this book courtesy of Atria Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  

I've been wanting to read a Ruth Ware novel for quite some time and was so excited when I received The Turn of the Key.  Even with all the hype and excitement, The Turn of the Key lived up to my high expectations.  I didn't want to put it down and there were certainly several surprises along the way.

Rowan Caine is drafting a letter from jail to her lawyer, quite literally pleading her case of innocence.  As a reader, we only know that Rowan is in jail for a crime she says she didn't commit and that a little girl is dead.  As Rowan begins to detail her story from finding the ad for a nanny position to her first interview at Heatherbrae House, it is clear that everything isn't as it seems.  While she loves the idea of being wrapped up in the luxury of this recently remodeled historic home and snapping up the lucrative live-in nanny position, all of the "smart" features in Heatherbrae House are a little unsettling.  Is the job really too good to be true and why have all the previous nannies left so abruptly?  To add to the unease, the children in Rowan's charge are not exactly welcoming her with open arms.  It also becomes apparent that Rowan seems to be hiding something from her past as well. Rowan is soon left on her own with the girls, but it seems that someone or something is also not too happy to have Rowan at Heatherbrae House.  

I truly couldn't read this book fast enough.  The ending was somewhat ambiguous which normally leaves me dissatisfied, but in this case I felt it was spot on by leaving the reader to draw the lines to their own conclusion.  I was reminded of Mary Roberts Rinehart's novels with the way this book weaved the intricate plot and suspense together.  I will definitely be reading more Ruth Ware in my near future.    

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

I was absolutely in love with The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane so when I heard about The Daughters of Temperance Hobbs and realized it was going to revisit some of those same characters, I couldn't wait to read it.  And I'm so glad that I did!  This is the perfect fall read with just the right amount of mystery, magic and history.  

The main character Connie Goodwin is an expert on colonial American history, specifically witchcraft, and is on track for tenure at her university.  She just needs to finish up her book, but she encounters an unexpected twist in her personal life that makes her priorities change quickly.  She must solve the mystery involving a decades old curse surrounding her family and time is of the essence.  

While this book revisits the world of The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane, it can definitely be read as a stand alone novel. I was very intrigued with the character of Zazi, the young graduate student who becomes Connie's investigative partner.  It would be interesting to see a book featuring Zazi and of course, I'd definitely like to know more about what happens with Connie and Sam.  

I received a copy of this novel from Henry Holt & Company through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  

I've discovered that Fiona Davis writes the kind of book that I just want to curl up in and stay for awhile.  The Chelsea Girls absolutely gave me all those feelings.

Hazel Riley and Maxine Mead meet when they are both serving as actresses in a USO tour in Naples, Italy.  The events that they witness and become a part of during that tour irrevocably change their lives all while forging a bond between them.  

After the war ends, their paths diverge and it is many years before they encounter each other again at the Chelsea Hotel in New York City.  Hazel is getting ready to mount her play on Broadway based on their experiences in Naples and Maxine manages to secure herself the lead role.  The novel provides insight into the McCarthyism prevalent during the time and also draws back the curtain on how Broadway was effected by it.  I loved learning more about the Chelsea Hotel itself and its history.  One of the things I appreciated the most was how the author kept surprising me with plot turns.  I also particularly enjoyed the way the relationship was depicted between the two women.  It felt real and genuine.  I alternated between sympathizing with Hazel and then relating with Maxine.  The book also excellently portrayed the strength and courage these women showed during that time period.  

This was a terrific five star read for me.  Fiona Davis is quickly securing a spot on my must read author list.  I highly recommend this engaging novel.  

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