Beginning in 1934 Texas during the Great Depression, The Four Winds gives a brutal insight into the trying times our nation faced during this period and the incredible resiliency shown by those Americans.  

The reader follows Elsa's journey, beginning in Texas where after a somewhat tumultuous start with her new husband and in-laws, she grows to love the farm and their life there.  As her life begins to take on new meaning, the Dust Bowl hits their farm and her life is completely upended.  Those long months put a strain on her family like none Elsa has ever experienced.  Circumstances cause Elsa to move her family across the country to California in search of a a better life, only to be met with a situation that is nearly worse than what she was living with in Texas.  

The resilience and spirit that the author conveys through this novel is inspiring.  Reading about the hardships that these Americans faced and how they were determined to keep their spirits afloat was uplifting and motivating.  

I appreciated the amount of research and detail that were included about this period in our history and enjoyed the opportunity to learn more about this important time. The descriptions were vividly portrayed from the ditch bank camps in California to the dust storms in Texas.  The characters were well developed and I could easily picture each character clearly in my mind, making the novel a pleasure to read.

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

While life surely isn't luxurious for Antonina Mazin as a Jew in Venice during 1943, she still has her parents and her dreams of going back to school when the war is over.  So she is shocked when seemingly overnight, her father sends her away from Venice masquerading as the wife of Nico Gerardi, a man she just met and who she literally must now trust with her secret and her life.  As she leaves Venice and everything she knows behind to head toward an uncertain future, Nico suggests that she also change her name to Nina and she learns she will be living on his family's farm in the countryside.  Nina's arrival isn't welcome by all of Nico's family or the village residents and it isn't long until her appearance draws unwelcome attention from a German officer with a particular vendetta against Nico.

Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres to read, but I do sometimes feel that many of those novels have a World War II setting, which can lead to some reader burnout on my end.  I can say Our Darkest Night was a bright light.  While at first glance, it might have some similarities to other novels in that genre, Our Darkest Night brought a whole new perspective.  The characters leapt from the page and I could sense the danger and peril they faced.  I was drawn back to this book time after time and was so invested in the future of both Nina and Nico.  For me, a story of resilience and courage through adversity was exactly what I needed right now.  

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

If you've followed my blog for very long, you probably know I'm a fan of Lisa Gardner.  She's one of those authors that I don't even read the book description because I know I'm going to want to read whatever she writes.  I was surprised though when I started reading Before She Disappeared and realized I was being introduced to a new lead character that hadn't been seen in a previous novel or series.  It was fun to see how Frankie Elkin's character developed over the course of the novel.  I very much enjoyed this stand alone novel and hope it might evolve into a new series.  
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Frankie Elkin is a recovery alcoholic whose sole personal mission is to travel around the country searching for the missing, those people that no one else can bring home.  Part amateur detective, part renegade, Frankie is committed to do whatever it takes to solve the case.  Flawed yet relatable in certain ways, Frankie leads the reader along as she investigates the complicated disappearance of Angelique Badeau.  

This book kept me guessing and turning pages at a fast pace. Fingers crossed that we see a new series with Frankie Elkin solving more missing persons cases.   Another five star read for me!

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

This book grabbed me just based on its premise alone: Three different women, one in present day, one in 1907 and one in 1944, all tied together by Highbury House and its vast garden.  I really enjoyed how each character and time period brought its own unique perspective and how they were connected by the home and gardens.  Normally in these types of stories, I'm drawn slightly more to one character over another, but truly this book had all timelines and storylines on equal footing.  It was so interesting to read about the challenges the women faced and how they each handled their own adversity differently.  I think readers will identify with at least one character, if not several characters, in the novel.  

If you are a historical fiction fan, or simply enjoy a moving story, I highly recommend The Last Garden in England.  I also think it would make for an engaging and interesting book club discussion as well.  A five star read for me.

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

I love how Rachel Joyce crafts these stories that are so unique and includes characters that are quirky but completely realistic and relatable.  Miss Benson's Beetle gives us not one but two strong female characters that truly transform over the course of this engaging novel.  

Margery Benson has lived a regimented stifled life, in my opinion, and needing a new direction for her life, on a whim, she decides to follow her childhood dreams and head to New Caldedonia in search of the golden beetle that her father dreamt of finding.  She interviews assistants, order supplies and makes travel plans for this expedition.  At the last minute, she has to hire a different assistant than she had planned, asking her to meet her at the dock, sight unseen.  When assistant Enid Pretty arrives, Margery is in for a surprise.  The two women embark on this life changing mission and their adventures make for quite a story.  

I truly enjoyed this novel and the beauty of the story. The story of Margery and Enid is a great narrative of the power of friendship, resilience and determination.  

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

What a fun engaging and interesting novel!  My family is a big fan of the Decoded tv show with Brad Meltzer and this book was the perfect companion to go back and relive those episodes with even more details.  We always enjoyed learning about an event in history that we thought we were familiar with, but then Brad Meltzer just turned it upside down, giving us a whole new perspective.  This book is the perfect gift for that history buff in your family or a non-fiction fan.  Honestly, it is just a great all around engaging novel that I think everyone would enjoy.

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

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The Christmas season is always so full of special traditions and reading a Richard Paul Evans book has become one of my most treasured staples of the season.  

Living in New York and working in the book publishing world, Noel Post has left her painful childhood behind her and has no plans to ever return to her childhood home in Utah.  Then she receives a phone call from her dying father, asking her to come home one last time, but she doesn't arrive in time to say goodbye.  Noel suffers further life changing news while she is in Utah, and decides to take some time to regroup and learn more about the bookstore she inherited from her father.  She begins to receive anonymous letters offering advice and guidance for her future.  Who is writing these letters and how are they so insightful?

The Noel Letters is a novel full of hope, which I think we could all use right now.  If reading Richard Paul Evans is not one of your holiday traditions, now is the time to add this to your Christmas list.  

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

There is something so splendid about picking up a Sophie Kinsella book.  You know that it will be the perfect mix of laugh out loud funny and realistic yet endearing romance.  When I start reading, I know I'm in for a treat.  Love Your Life was just the book I needed during this stressful time in our lives.  

Ava has recently booked a stay at a writers retreat in Italy in hopes of finally taking time to finish her novel.  The attendees aren't allowed to give their real names or any personal information to the other attendees so that they may only focus on their work.  While not on the lookout for romance, Ava does meet "Dutch".  Their romance blossoms in this unique bubble of the writers retreat, but doesn't give them much opportunity to learn about what their lives are like back home.  When they return home, Ava and Matt a/k/a "Dutch" have a lot to learn about each other.  As you might imagine, that is just the beginning of all the fun in store for you when reading Love Your Life.

I truly enjoyed this novel so much and appreciated the break from reality to just dive into Ava's world.  It isn't often enough that I read a book that is laugh out loud funny and I love Sophie Kinsella for providing me those moments.  Love Your Life is a really fun and rewarding read.  

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

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Lisa Jewell has quickly become my "go to" author for all things suspenseful, dark and twisty.  The Invisible Girl was another perfect installment in that collection.

The story centers around three main characters: Cate Four, a physiotherapist whose husband Roan Fours is a child psychologist; Owen Pick, a mid thirties college professor who recently lost his job due to some sexual misconduct allegations and lives with his aunt across the street from the Fours; and Saffrye Maddox, a former patient of Roan Fours, who has been following and watching Dr. Fours in hopes of re-establishing that relationship.  All of these separate, yet connected, lives converge when young Saffrye goes missing and accusations are made.  

This story kept me guessing and trying to uncover the truth behind it all.  The pacing is always spot on with Lisa Jewell's stories and I really enjoy how she develops the plot and characters.  A really terrific book that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

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

Thirteen year old Pia Lange has many wishes.  She wishes her father were back from the war.  She wishes they were living somewhere other than in the overcrowded Shunk Alley area of Philadelphia.  She wishes she didn't experience physical pain every time most people touched her.  She wishes her German heritage was something she could be proud of, instead of something she has to try to hide.  When the Spanish flu epidemic arrives in Philadelphia, all those wishes suddenly don't seem to matter anymore.  Suddenly, Pia is fighting for her own survival while also caring for her infant twin brothers in a city ravaged by disease.

Bernice Groves has seen her life shattered by the epidemic.  Her own infant son succumbed to the flu and all Bernice can think of is how she can join him as her life means nothing without him in it.  Then Bernice sees Pia leaving the apartment without her brothers.  She makes a decision at that moment that will have far reaching consequences for not only her own life, but many others.  

The Orphan Collector was well researched and vividly written so you could truly envision what the characters experienced.  As I was reading, I had to frequently remind myself that I was reading a historical fiction novel and not a novel set in present day.  So many things were eerily familiar from the 1918 Spanish flu epidemic with what we are currently experiencing during this COVID-19 pandemic.  At times, that made for interesting and compelling reading and honestly at other times, it was overload for me.    

Bernice Groves is truly one of the most evil characters I can remember reading about, even more so than some characters in horror or murder mystery novels.  The author did an excellent job of creating a character that not only do you want to hate, but one that you simply detest.  I couldn't help but be shocked at some of the actions she takes during the novel.  

I received this book courtesy of Kensington Publishing Corp. in exchange for an honest review.  

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