“The Names” by Florence Knapp
A novel that explores the impact of a single decision on a family’s life. The story follows a mother, Cora, who must choose a name for her newborn son, and the narrative unfolds across three alternate timelines, each shaped by her choice. The book delves into themes of domestic abuse, family dynamics, and the potential for healing and autonomy.
I knew nothing of this book except that it was a five star read for many last year. I was excited to read it but I do not like books with abuse. I did like how they made it into an almost choose your own adventure book. The novel then presents three different versions of the family’s life over 35 years, based on the name she chooses.
The book examines the ripple effects of domestic abuse, the complexities of family bonds, and the possibilities of autonomy and healing. It uses a “what-if” structure to explore how a single decision can change the course of a life. I gave it 4 stars.
“The Ex Vows” by Jessica Joyce
The Ex Vows is a second-chance romance novel about estranged exes Georgia and Eli who are forced to work together to save their best friend’s wedding. As they navigate wedding disasters, old feelings resurface, and they must confront their past and decide if they can build a new relationship. The book has emotional depth, humor, and will leave you wanting a connection.
Georgia and Eli broke up five years ago, and their relationship has been a source of unresolved feelings for both of them. They have maintained a cordial but distant relationship for the sake of their friend group.
Their best friend, Adam, is getting married, and Georgia and Eli are the best woman and best man, respectively. They are forced into close proximity to plan the wedding, which is further complicated when the venue burns down a week before the ceremony. Everything that could go wrong, does go wrong.
As they work together to save the wedding, they are forced to confront their past and the lingering chemistry between them. Georgia, who lives by a strict list of rules, must decide if she can let go of her fear of getting hurt again. It was a 5 star read for me!
“The Bodyguard” by Katherine Center
“The Bodyguard” by Katherine Center is about a female executive protection agent, Hannah Brooks, who is hired to protect a famous actor, Jack Stapleton.
To hide his stalker from his family, Jack asks Hannah to pretend to be his girlfriend, leading to a fake-dating romance that becomes complicated as they develop real feelings for each other. I love when two people meet and they bring out the best in each other. It reminds me of how I met my husband and everything felt easy, natural. He made me feel my most true self. So for me, that is why I loved this book.
The book is a lighthearted, funny, and heartwarming story. It has a rom-com feel and is being adapted into a Netflix movie this year. I think this is my favorite Katherine Center book. I give it 5 stars.
“The Wild Dark Shore” by Charlotte McConaghy
Wild Dark Shore is an about a family of caretakers on a remote island who must protect a vital seed bank while dealing with isolation, grief, and a mysterious newcomer. The book explores themes of loss, climate change, and the difficult choices people make to protect those they love.
The story is set on the fictional Shearwater Island, a remote location between Tasmania and Antarctica that is based on the real Macquarie Island. The island is home to a large seed bank, and the family of caretakers is tasked with its protection. It contains every seed on earth and their job is to protect it!
The Salt family, who are the island’s caretakers, are all dealing with their own forms of loss and secrets. A mysterious newcomer, Rowan, arrives with her own hidden purpose, which sets the community on a collision course for a reckoning. The novel delves into the impact of isolation and climate change, the nature of loss and grief, and the difficult choices people make to protect their loved ones. It also examines the responsibility of stewardship and the question of what future is worth surviving for. I gave it 4 stars.
“Book Lovers” by Emily Henry
This was a re-read for me! Whenever I am needing a book and don’t have one immediately to listen to, I jump back to some of my favorites. Nora Stephens’ life is books—she’s read them all—and she is not that type of heroine. Not the plucky one, not the laidback dream girl, and especially not the sweetheart. In fact, the only people Nora is a heroine for are her clients, as a cutthroat literary agent, and her little sister Libby.
Nora agrees to go to Sunshine Falls, North Carolina for the month of August after her pregnant little sister begs for a trip away. Libby creates a to do list which includes anything to get her sister to have a life outside of work. While in Sunshine Falls, Nora keeps bumping into Charlie Lastra, a bookish brooding editor from back in the city. It would be a meet-cute if not for the fact that they’ve met many times and it’s never been cute. In fact their first impressions were not the best.
Both Charlie and Nora seem to be thrown together again and again—in a series of coincidences—what they discover might just unravel the carefully crafted stories they’ve written about themselves. It will leave you rooting for love. I gave it 4 stars.
“Atmosphere” by Taylor Jenkins Reid
This was another re-read for me, in fact my third time this year. I love premise, the passion and the connection to heaven.
The most delightful read! I’ve never read anything like it! Joan Goodwin has been obsessed with stars for as long as she can remember. When she comes across an advertisement inviting women to join NASA’s Space Shuttle program, her life could change. It is literally her dream come true.
Read how she managed to enter this unique career and the relationships and connections she makes in the process. It will make you wonder, believe and hope for better things to come. I give it 5 stars!
“OC Daniel” by Wesley King
Daniel is the back-up punter for the Erie Hills Elephants. Which really means he’s the water boy. He spends football practice perfectly arranging water cups—and hoping no one notices. Actually, he spends most of his time hoping no one notices his strange habits—he calls them Zaps: avoiding writing the number four, for example, or flipping a light switch on and off dozens of times over. He hopes no one notices that he’s crazy, especially his best friend Max, and Raya, the prettiest girl in school.
His life gets weirder when another girl at school, who is unkindly nicknamed Psycho Sara, notices him for the first time. She doesn’t just notice him: she seems to peer through him. Then Daniel gets a note: “I need your help,” it says, signed, Fellow Star Child—whatever that means. And suddenly Daniel is swept up in a mystery that might change everything for him.
I loved watching him discover why he is how he is. It is a book of celebrating victories but mostly within ourselves. I gave it 3 stars.
“The Tenant” by Frida McFadden
I usually like her books but this one was not my favorite.
Blake Porter is fired from his job and can’t afford the mortgage on his new brownstone with his fiancée, Krista. To help with expenses, they decide to rent out a room to Whitney, who seems charming and perfect at first.
Soon, strange things start happening: a foul smell permeates the house, and Blake hears noises at night.
Blake becomes increasingly paranoid, believing Whitney knows his secrets and is trying to harm him.
The Tenant is a psychological thriller known for its fast-paced plot, twists, and dark humor. I gave it 3 stars.
“The Violin Conspiracy” by Brendan Slocumb
The Violin Conspiracy is a novel about a young Black classical musician, Ray McMillian, whose family heirloom violin is stolen on the eve of a major competition. The book blends a mystery with a coming-of-age story, exploring themes of racism, family history, and the challenges of the classical music world.
The novel powerfully explores the legacy of slavery and the racism Ray faces in the classical music world. It is an eye opener and took a minute to get into it but I ended up loving it. I gave this book 4 stars.
