I've read several books by Mitch Albom and loved them all.  I'm probably one of a very few people who hasn't read The Five People You Meet in Heaven, and I was slightly worried that since this was a sequel of sorts or a continuation of that story that I might have trouble following the book.  I found this not to be the case at all.  I was touched by this story and feel that it can definitely stand on its own.  

Mitch Albom's books always make me take a step back and think about life, how every day we touch someone's life, sometimes without even knowing it.  I'd love to talk about all the ways this book was special to me, but I feel that it would only spoil the reading experience for others.  I will just simply say this book is worth the journey and I highly recommend it.  Mitch Albom is a tremendous storyteller and this book is certainly no exception.  I think it would make a lovely gift and you could even package both The Five People You Meet in Heaven along with The Next Person You Meet in Heaven as a special present.  

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

My Squirrel Days basically details Ellie Kemper's rise to fame and her journey along the way.  I enjoyed her quirky character on The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and since my son is a big fan of Julie's Greenroom on Netflix, I've watched the episode numerous times where Ellie teaches the kids about improv. 

While I enjoyed learning about how Ellie became the star she is today, I probably most enjoyed the stories about her personal life and growing up.  My favorite passages were about her unique method of washing her dad's car and also her reaction to germs as a first time mom.  Those were both laugh out loud moments for me.  

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

Jodi Picoult is a literary icon and the thing I most appreciate about her books is how she deals with controversial topics and makes you see sides of an issue that maybe you had not considered before or enlightens you to an alternative viewpoint.  A Spark of Light is no different.  It considers all the lives that are touched when a shooter enters an abortion clinic in Mississippi.  It features a diverse cast of characters: Wren, the young high schooler who entered the clinic to obtain birth control; Bex, Wren's aunt, that took Wren to the clinic so that she wouldn't have to get her father's consent; Joy, who is at the clinic for an abortion; Janine, who is a pro-life advocate that entered the clinic posing as a pregnant woman wanting an abortion so that she could uncover information to be used against the clinic; Izzy, the clinic nurse who is also pregnant herself; George Goddard, the shooter who came to avenge his daughter; Dr. Louie Ward, the doctor who performs the abortions; and Hugh, the hostage negotiator and Wren's father.  

A Spark of Light is so well researched and really delves into such a weighty issue with a finesse that only Jodi Picoult can.  It is the epitome of a conversation starter and it touches on things that could only benefit people on both sides of the issue to consider.  

I would recommend this novel, but I will say that the format of the storytelling takes a little getting used to.  The story opens with the ending of the day at the clinic and then flashes back an hour at a time, so for me, that did interrupt the flow of the storyline some.  After finishing the novel, I did go back and re-read the first chapter so that I could remind myself how the storylines ended for a few of the characters.    

This is a novel that will stay with me for some time and as always, I have a deeper appreciation for Jodi Picoult's prowess as an author after reading her work.  

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

The Glass Ocean provides a unique historical glimpse into two very different female passengers as they set sail on board the RMS Lusitania and in 2013, a young writer looking for inspiration for her next novel decides to delve into her family's  connection to the RMS Lusitania.  

There couldn't be two more diverse personalities than Savannah's southern princess Caroline Hochstetter and scrappy Tessa Fairweather who has had her share of hard knocks in life, but their paths are destined to cross when they board the ill-fated Lusitania.  In the middle of both ladies is the charming Robert Langford.  

Sarah Blake is desperate to come up with a followup to her previous bestseller and decides she must travel to England to explore her family's link to the Lusitania and determine the answer to the mystery which has been closely held by her family for generations.  

I truly enjoyed this novel and the opportunity to learn more about this time in history. The Glass Ocean is mystery, intrigue, romance and historical fiction rolled all into one.  I love the concept of three of my favorite authors working together to create these unique stories and hope that there is more to come.  I think historical fiction fans will find this book very satisfying and anyone who just simply enjoys a well told story will be happy too.  A solid four star read! 

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

Us Against You picks up the story of Beartown right where the previous novel left off and while I felt like the first novel took a little time to get in to, I was hooked from the first page of Us Against You.  Fredrik Backman has such a way with tapping into humanity and putting difficult concepts into clear relatable words.  I simply loved this novel and will now eagerly await the conclusion of this series, although I will definitely not be ready to leave any of these characters behind.  

There are so many characters in the town that everyone can find someone to identify with and develop empathy for.  Mr. Backman's storytelling is stellar.  He paces the book perfectly and keeps you wondering how each character's story will develop.  I never would have thought a book about a hockey team would be a five star read for me, but Us Against You is truly a story about all that is good about humanity and some of the things that aren't, but in the end, I felt uplifted by this novel and touched by its message.  

Highly recommend this five star book, but you should definitely start by reading Bear Town first and if you struggle as I did for the first part, just know it will be worth it.  

I consider myself a fan of Mary Kubica's writing, giving 5 star reviews to both Pretty Baby and Don't You Cry, so I eagerly dove into her latest book When the Lights Go Out.  I found myself in a real dilemma because on one hand, I was compulsively reading each page and holding my breath to find out what was going to happen, but then when I did get to the end and found out what happened, I felt completely deflated.  I'm all about unexpected twists and turns in a plot line, but this one just fell flat for me.  I simply couldn't get past the ending, so I rated this book three stars.  

I received this book courtesy Harlequin through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  

Here is the description from Goodreads:
Jessie Sloane is on the path to rebuilding her life after years of caring for her ailing mother. She rents a new apartment and applies for college. But when the college informs her that her social security number has raised a red flag, Jessie discovers a shocking detail that causes her to doubt everything she’s ever known.

Finding herself suddenly at the center of a bizarre mystery, Jessie tumbles down a rabbit hole, which is only exacerbated by grief and a relentless lack of sleep. As days pass and the insomnia worsens, it plays with Jessie’s mind. Her judgment is blurred, her thoughts are hampered by fatigue. Jessie begins to see things until she can no longer tell the difference between what’s real and what she’s only imagined.

Meanwhile, twenty years earlier and two hundred and fifty miles away, another woman’s split-second decision may hold the key to Jessie’s secret past. Has Jessie’s whole life been a lie or have her delusions gotten the best of her?

With Sold on a Monday, Kristina McMorris has solidified her place on my favorite author list.  

It all started with a picture.  Reporter Ellis Reed snaps a photo of two children sitting outside their home with a sign "2 children for sale."  This photo drives home the dramatic choices some families faced in 1931.  Lillian Palmer, secretary, sees the photo in the darkroom and it speaks to her so she insures that it reaches the publication desk.  What follows draws both Ellis and Lillian into a complex situation that has far reaching implications for both of them and a host of others.  

I absolutely did not want to put this book down.  The plot moves along quickly and has some unforeseen turns along the way.  The author does such a tremendous job of making the characters leap from the pages and draws you into the locations and timeframes.  I appreciated all the research and historical details that the author included.  The note at the end of the book providing additional information about the inspiration behind the story put everything into perspective.  

This book is a must read for any historical fiction fan and would make an excellent book club selection.  Five star read for me.  

I received this book courtesy of Sourcebooks Landmark in exchange for an honest review.  

The Ten Beach Road Series features a really wonderful cast of women, each strong and experiencing different life challenges but coming together as friends to work through them all.  At the heart of the series is the power of friendship and how our closest friends become our families. I have truly enjoyed getting to know each character and watching them grow as the series went on.  Best Beach Ever is a solid installment in the series and sees each woman grow and change.  I felt like Kyra's character, specifically, really comes into her own in this novel.  

I would recommend starting the series at the beginning with Ten Beach Road simply because you will want to know the characters from the start to get a real feel for how each personality develops and their storylines progress.  I do enjoy the novels in the series more when the ladies have a project they work on together, but if my guess is right, it looks like the next book may be moving back into that type of plot.  

The Ten Beach Road series is one I recommend to friends for a fun read with engaging characters and Best Beach Ever definitely fits in with that.  

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

The Masterpiece is truly a masterful novel by Fiona Davis, who is also quickly becoming one of my favorite authors.  

This novel tells two distinctly different stories but both with ties to Grand Central Station.  One story is set in 1928 and follows the life of illustrator Clara Darden as she struggles to find her place in the New York art world.  The other story is set in 1974 as newly divorced Virginia Clay attempts to navigate life in a changing world.  Both characters are so well written and compelling that I was equally drawn into both plot lines.  I also loved how Grand Central Station almost became a character in itself.  The descriptions are so vivid that I felt as if I was taking a trip through time as the Station changed over the years.  I thoroughly enjoyed these glimpses into two very different worlds and times.  I also loved how there was a suspenseful element behind both stories and it is always an added bonus when I'm surprised with plot developments along the way.

This was a five star read for me and I highly recommend!  I received this book courtesy of Dutton Penguin Publishing Group through Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.  

Miranda Schuyler arrives in Winthrop Island in 1951 to attend her mother's society wedding to Hugh Fisher.  Miranda's isn't sure where she fits in to this new family her mother has made.  Isobel, Miranda's new step sister, is engaged to a wealthy member of the Island's pedigreed families, yet Isobel doesn't quite seem too happy with her predicted path in life.  Miranda finds herself volleyed back and forth between Isobel's erratic behavior and trying to navigate Island life for herself.  She finds herself falling for Joseph Vargas, the son of a fisherman and the lighthouse keeper.  However, Isobel and Joseph have a close relationship that Miranda can't quite sort out the nature of but Miranda also can't deny her feelings for Joseph.  

As those chapters unfold, the alternating chapters tell the story of Miranda returning to the Island in 1969 and that picture perfect life that was in store for Isobel, Miranda's mother and Miranda herself, didn't exactly turn out the way it was expected.  

The Summer Wives draws you in to the stories of all these women.  The mystery of what happened the summer of 1951 and how things went so terribly wrong keeps you turning the pages.  To a certain extent, it is a coming of age story and also a story of society during that time.  I enjoyed the novel and gave it a four star rating.  

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

Comment below for your chance to win a copy of The Summer Wives!  Winner must be US resident.  Winner by random draw on 8/20/18.
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