Tag Archives: #bookreview

Book Review: Murders in the Marquee by Dana Mentink

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Murder Most Fowl Mysteries #1

Published September 1, 2026 by Love Inspired Trade (Harlequin – Romance)

In 1905, the Grand Mallard Marquee is well known for its iconic style, as well as its daily duck parade. For Saul Niffler, a reformed jewel thief, working at the luxurious hotel offers a much-needed second chance. Staying out of trouble and in gainful employment is essential. Which makes seeing a body plummet from a penthouse window extra complicated.

Except…did he see it? There’s no body to be found, and Saul knows he should concentrate on his new duties as “Duck Commandant” rather than meddle. If only Kitty Rossi, a persistent young guest yearning to be a Pinkerton detective, would leave well enough alone. Kitty has already roped in Henry, the elevator man, to investigate suspicious goings-on around the hotel. And against his better judgment, Saul feels compelled to join them.

Between the mystery of Saul’s missing predecessor and a grisly discovery in a drain, all signs point to murder most fowl. And with a cold-blooded killer roaming the Marquee’s lavish corridors, keeping his job may be the least of Saul’s problems…

My Thoughts:

This story is set in San Francisco during the early twentieth century at the lavish Grand Mallard Marquee’ Hotel. An unlikely trio Kitty, Saul and Henry become amateur detectives to solve a murder, and they must work fast to uncover what happened before their own lives are forever changed in more ways than one.

Kitty, Saul and Henry became fast friends, and their friendship, protectiveness and thoughtfulness towards each other made an impression on me.

While I enjoyed the story as a whole and was fully engaged with the quirky characters and their adventures, I felt the mystery itself could have been better developed. That said, I will be on the lookout for more of their stories and can’t wait to see what the author does with this new series.

An atmospheric and beautifully woven story with elements of faith, forgiveness, redemption and friendship.

Stephanie

I rated this book three stars.

I obtained a review copy from the publishers through NetGalley for an honest review.

Book Review: The Castle in the Glen by Rhys Bowen

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PublishedAugust 4, 2026 by Lake Union Publishing

Australian writer Emma Callander has been recruited to complete the final historical mystery in a series by celebrated author Iris Blackburn. It’s 1964, and Iris’s memory is fading. She’s certain that only Emma can do justice to her novel about a murder on the Isle of Skye. When Emma ventures to Scotland for research, she discovers it isn’t fiction at all, but rather a true crime unsolved for more than fifty years.

It was 1904 when a couple’s suspicious drowning led to the disappearance of a mysterious young woman the locals called the Wild Girl. To this day the mystery is unforgettable, especially among the descendants of an aristocratic family who’ll do anything to keep their secrets buried. From the misty Highlands to a medieval castle, Emma and Tony Gordon, Iris’s handsome lawyer, work ever more closely to uncover them.

But while Iris may be known for her fiendishly clever twists, there’s one not even Emma could have seen coming.

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Emma is hired to be a ghost writer for a famous author and soon discovers that the story she is researching turns out to be an actual cold case, and as she investigates the case further, her life is put in danger. Not only that, but Emma also discovers that there is more to this mystery than meets the eye and it will change the course of her life.

Rhys Bowen is a talented storyteller. I have read her work before and was excited to pick this story up. I knew it would be good and she did not disappoint. Bowen has such a way of weaving a story that captures the reader and you become fully engaged.

Most of the setting for this story takes place in the Isle of Skye, Scottland and Bowen really captures the atmosphere and its surroundings. I was completely taken to time and place.

There is so much to this mystery, including family secrets and romance. The character development is well developed and the clever plot kept me turning the pages.

A must read!

Stephanie

I obtained an ARC from the publishers through Netgalley for an honest review.

I rated this book four stars.  

Book Review: When She Was Ours by Anna Nordberg

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Published August 1, 2026 by Lake Union Publishing

Thea Erickson, a renowned surgeon, is filled with both joy and grief as her family gathers at their home on a summer night in 1995. Her elder daughter Phoebe is getting married, but even the happiness of the day feels bittersweet, as Thea grapples with a terminal cancer diagnosis. She worries she won’t be around to support her younger daughter Astra, who’s still in college, but even Thea cannot foresee what is to come—a terrible accident the night of the wedding that changes Astra’s life forever.

In a last-ditch effort to protect her family, Thea arranges a secret meeting with an old family friend and extracts a promise that will reverberate long after she’s gone.

Years after her mother’s death, Astra has moved forward with a career and relationship, but she still struggles with her grief. When a man reaches out to her and Phoebe, offering a window into their mother’s past, Astra must make a choice, and her decision forces her to face what it means to love someone after they’re gone, who we decide to forgive, and how families reckon with the past.

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This year, I have been reading a lot of stories about family and that was the main reason why I chose this book. When She Was Ours is Anna Nordberg’s debut novel, and I was intrigued with why she chose to write this story. Nordberg has stated that the inspiration for the novel was her own experience with how loss unfolds in a life, and the way it rearranges the atoms of a family. I believe she portrayed that rather well in this story. The reader experiences how the dynamic of the relationship of Astra, Phoebe and their father changed, and how each day they were grappling -if you will- with the different emotions of grief, and how it affected their everyday life. They made quite an impression on me, and I found myself connecting to each of them in many aspects.

Overall, despite a few things that needed to be fleshed out or a bit stronger, I enjoyed reading this story and I learned a few things about people’s grieving processes. I was also invested in the character’s daily lives and how they would continue without Thea. She was really the center of their world and was such a strong support to them all. If you like reading stories about family, this one may be for you.

Stephanie

I’ve rated this book three stars.

I obtained a physical copy of this book through the publishers for an honest review.

Check out my guest post with the author HERE.

Book Review: When Mikan Road Was Ours by D.K. Furutani

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Published July 28, 2026 by Atria Books

Amidst a sweltering Los Angeles heat wave, Murano, a reclusive high school English teacher, is muddling through life. Reeling from his father’s death as well as his own recent cancer diagnosis, he spends his days grading papers and appeasing disgruntled parents while painstakingly counting down the days until summer vacation.

However, the monotony breaks when he inherits his great-uncle Benjiro’s unpublished memoir. He expects the pages to be a grim reminder of his position as the half-white son of the black sheep of the family. Instead, as he reads, Murano is whisked away to 1930s California, to a time when the Murano family was inseparable, relishing life on their bucolic farmland. As Murano is introduced to family members he never knew existed and confronted with the hidden complexities of the past, he is pulled close to the Japanese identity he’s dismissed all his life.

Ultimately faced with more questions about his fractured family than answers, Murano becomes determined to discover the reasons behind his family’s dissolution following their incarceration in American concentration camps during World War II, no matter what hidden truths he might uncover about his ancestors or himself.

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This story has dual timelines and as the story of Murano’s family in America unfolds, we are shown his family heritage, struggles and their incarceration and experience during World War II. A truly shameful time in our American history to say the least.

I have mixed feelings about the structure of the story. While I’m used to reading slower and reflective literary fiction, I found it hard at times to push on with this book. I’ve reflected on the reason why that is this case, and it’s not because of the culture, because I do extensive cultural background studies, it’s that the narrative’s voice and perhaps the character development was a bit dry to me. Also, I found it difficult to know who was talking sometimes or who was who in the family dynamic. That said, I pushed onward and I’m glad I did because the story has a good conclusion, and I learned a few things.

There are many good lessons that come from this story, and I know many readers will enjoy this book.

I rated this book three stars.

Stephanie

I obtained a review copy from the publishers for an honest review.

Book Review: The Honey Tree Jo Sparkes

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Maggie has always accepted her lot in life that is, until she witnesses a breathtaking moment of liberation of a butterfly that breaks free from a spider’s web. This small, defiant act sparks a fire within her soul to break free from the bonds of slavery.

As her daughter Honey, ascends to the coveted position of personal maid to the Mistress, Maggie’s family is thrust into the intricate dynamics of power and privilege within the House.

But in the shadows, a chance encounter between Maggie’s sons and Preacher, a burly, escaped slave, sets the stage for a risky alliance.

Meanwhile, Lucy, the Master’s lonely daughter, hungers for the warmth and kindness that Maggie effortlessly exudes. The boundaries that separate them are as rigid as the times they live in, but the desire for connection and understanding defies the odds.

Maggie, recognizing an opportunity for freedom, finds herself entwined in a perilous dance between liberation and the relentless pull of her current station.

Will she follow the path of the butterfly?

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Firstly, I’d like to share that I haven’t read too many stories (only a few) that take place in Missouri during this era. However, I have read countless historical stories and nonfiction that take place in the 19th century, and these tellings never get old.

Considering Missouri is in the central United States, it may come to a surprise to some that there was slavery there. It was considered a border state, and the southern parts were influenced culturally, economically, and politically by both the North and South. This in fact was one of the main reasons why I chose to read this story when Sparkes approached me to review her book.

The first half of the story sets the stage for what will be a truly powerful story, and I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised by the ending.

Maggie’s family and Lucy pulled at my heart strings. As tensions grew, I found myself holding my breath, hoping for Magie’s family freedom, and for Lucy’s fragile being to be comforted. I was also so thankful for Preacher coming into their lives, and for his influence to break free.

Sparkes portrays vivid imagery of time and place throughout this deeply moving story. Her character’s lives will draw you in for a truly impactful sense of family bonds that tie us to hope, faith, courage and-yes-even redemption.

I highly recommend this story to all, and my hope is that readers will come away with the same experience as I did.

My thanks to Sparkes for sending me a physical copy of this book for an honest review. I have rated this book four stars.

Stephanie

Book Review: A New World for the Irish Daughter by Kate Hewitt

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Publication Date: July 27, 2026 by @Bookouture

San Francisco, 1893: When Maggie O’Halloran steps off the train in California, she knows she must be brave for her friend Brendan and her brother Danny. Having fled both New York and Chicago, they all have broken spirits and fear having to start again. Can Maggie find courage and strength for them all?

Maggie soon finds a boarding house that will take them in. In a lively part of town, and with a colorful clientele, it is not somewhere she ever imagined staying. Until one night when they are woken by a distressing cry, Maggie finds herself assisting a doctor to save a young woman’s life.

Working through the night by candlelight, Maggie realizes this may be her true calling. When the doctor asks if she would consider training as a nurse, she says yes immediately, hopeful she might have finally found her purpose in life. Will this now give her the courage to tell Brendan how she truly feels?

But before she can risk her heart, Brendan reveals that Danny is in trouble once more. They are leaving at dawn for Alaska to mine for gold, and Maggie is both shocked and heartbroken. Should she stay, and continue the work that has given her life such meaning? Or should she sacrifice everything, and follow those she loves even further into the unknown?

My Thoughts:

When Maggie, Brendan and her brother, Danny stepped off the train in San Franciso, almost immediately I knew they were off to a bad start when they discovered Maggie and Danny’s father living at a house of ill repute. With nowhere else to go, and very little money, they were invited to stay by the owner, and before too long, Maggie found herself in an awkward situation with the owner and must find another place to live. The opportunity quickly presents itself, and she begins two years of training as a nurse. When she has two months left of her training, Brendon tells her that he and her father and Danny are leaving for Alaska. My heart absolutely sank when she heard the news! A big part of me wanted her to stay because she finally found purpose, but I knew losing her family and Brendon would have been heartbreaking for her. When they left for Alaska, this is when the story really got adventurous and I felt I was in the wilds alongside them.  

I had the pleasure of reading the second book in this trilogy, but I mentioned in my review for that book that I had not read the first book yet, and I still haven’t! That said, this latest and final installment of Maggie’s adventures is my absolute favorite so far. I will be adding these books to my physical book stack, and my only complaint about this series is that it has ended.

Beautifully historical woven elements blended with atmospheric surroundings, and deeply complex characters that will capture your heart.

Stephanie

I obtained an ARC from the publishers through Netgalley for an honest review.

Book Review: Habits of the Sea by Shea Ernshaw

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Publication July 7, 2026 by Atria Books

The second adult novel from New York Times bestselling author Shea Ernshaw, in which a woman rediscovers the mythical island she stumbled upon as a child—and the man she once met who apparently hasn’t aged—and must choose between the life she’s built and a love that defies the laws of time and nature.

The night Clay Lockhart’s wife dies, a violent storm tears their home—and the eight hectares of land beneath it—away from the Scottish coast, sending it adrift into the Atlantic. Thirty years later, twelve-year-old Ellie Mills discovers the fabled floating island off the coast of Nova Scotia and finds Clay still living in the weatherworn farmhouse perched on its highest hill.

When the island vanishes overnight, Ellie is left questioning whether it ever existed at all. But decades later, now in her thirties, the island resurfaces—and Ellie returns, determined to uncover the truth. What she finds is even Clay hasn’t aged a single day.

Faced with the impossible, Ellie learns that some mysteries aren’t meant to be solved—and that a life shaped by wonder may hold more promise than one bound by certainty.

Spanning centuries and coastlines, Habits of the Sea is a haunting, romantic journey through time, memory, and the invisible tides that pull us home.

My Thoughts:

When I received an email invite from Atria Books to review this book, I immediately accepted, no questions asked.  The very idea of an island that vanishes and resurfaces in different parts of the world captivated me.

In my review “A History of Wild Places” I stated that Ernshaw employs artistic composition in a unique and refreshing way that has you hanging on to every word. Her ability to articulate any situation or surrounding in the story is outstanding. This very statement applies to Habits of the Sea, but…

There was a sudden shift in the second half of the book that truly caught me off guard and after thinking about it for a bit, I could see where Ernshaw was going with it, but it just did not work for me. Habits of the Sea went from being mystery story centered around an intriguing mystical Island to a climate-changing, apocalyptic world without really any natural transition so that you aren’t disoriented when it happens. At least, that was my experience with the storyline.  Also, the character development was lacking and the relationship between Ellie and Clay was not convincing enough for a romance story.

That said, Ernshaw’s beautiful and unique storytelling laced with melancholy and highly emotional scenes had me hanging on to the end despite the moodiness, and frustrations I felt reading this story. I know many readers will love this book; I was just not the right reader for it.

I rated this book three stars.

Stephanie 

I received an ARC from the publishers via email and obtained a galley copy through NetGalley for an honest review.

Side Bar: There is profanity, a violent scene, and sexual content in this story. Yeah, I’m a closed-door romance reader with very little to no profanity preference. I’m frustrated with not knowing these things about stories before reviewing them. Early readers deserve that. I would also like to add, I wrote this review before the publication date, and I held off posting my review of this story on my blog, because quite honestly, I was torn about the descion of doing so.

Book Review: The Club for Rebellious Ladies by Siobhan Curham

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Published July 8, 2026 by Bookouture

Provence, 1919: When Elodie Sinclair is sent from Boston to a glamorous finishing school for socialites in training, she is determined to do all she can to rebel. Setting up The Wildflowers Club with best friends Genevieve and Lucille, the women make secret plans to escape their insufferable conversation classes. But just weeks later, a terrible scandal leaves the women reeling. And Elodie Sinclair is presumed dead.

2025: Looking for a fresh start after her drawn-out divorce, Rae Morgan finds herself in a crumbling clifftop manor house in Provence. The mysterious elderly owner, Madame Devereaux, speaks of a glitzy charm school and the tragedy that closed its doors. Though she refuses to say any more… until Rae finds a slip of yellowed paper titled The Wildflowers Club Vows left with the keys. Intrigued, Rae knows there is more that Madame Devereaux wants her to uncover.

My Thoughts:

I enjoyed the dual timelines of this story and Elodie and Rae’s story was equally intriguing and heartfelt. Rae’s dedication to finding out the mystery of what happened at the charm school and to Elodie kept me fully engaged in the story, and as the story unfolded, I kept thinking about which direction this story could go. I was pleasantly surprised by the conclusion and have been thinking about this story for days after reading it.

There are sad, and extremely emotional moments in this story including a tragic injustice that happened to Elodie that happens in society not just in those days but in today’s as well. I felt deeply distressed and heartbroken for Elodie. I will be thinking about her story for a long time.

Rae had just gone through an all too public divorce and her husband had no shame whatsoever in his public treatment of Rae. Wanting to escape it all and heal, she finds herself in Provence and the new owner of the school Elodie was a student at! Not long after she starts renovations, she begins to discover clues about its past. The more she digs, the mystery unfolds… I felt this mystery to solve is what she needed to heal from her own tragedy and it really adds to the story of resilience, hope and new beginnings.

A deeply atmospheric, emotionally compelling woven story that will transport you to time and place.

Stephanie

I obtained an ARC from the pubslihers through Netgalley for an honest review.

Side Bar: I must caution the reader that there is a rape scene in this story.

Book Review: The Museum of Second Chances by Jo Leevers

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Publish Date: July 1, 2026 by Lake Union Publishing

Every morning, Evelyn Silver walks the shoreline before the rest of Portheast wakes, gathering what the tide leaves behind. Broken cups. Lost trinkets. Objects others have discarded. In her small Museum of Maritime Curiosities, each one earns its place—because to Evelyn, every forgotten thing deserves to have its story told.

At the heart of the museum lies her most precious fragment of Cornish lace, found pinned to her blanket when she was abandoned as a newborn. For over sixty years, she has kept it close, hoping someone might one day recognize it and tell her who she really is.

So, when the local council threatens to close the museum, Evelyn stands to lose far more than her livelihood. Forced out of her solitude, she rallies the community around the museum’s curious collection—and as the objects begin to give up their secrets, lives start to intertwine in ways nobody expected.

My Thoughts:

When I first read the book description about a woman who walks the shoreline to gather what the tide washes ashore, I knew I had to read this story.  That detail alone brought back memories of my childhood combing the sand on the beaches where I grew up.

I love the idea of a museum of maritime curiosities, and the stories the found items tell or secrets they reveal.  

Evelyn is an intriguing character. She is introverted, quirky and eccentric in some ways, and needs help to save her museum. Yet at the same time, she doesn’t want to be intruded on. As the story builds, and a group of individuals come into her life to help her, you begin to see a change in her, and in them as well.

I enjoyed reading about Evelyn and the other characters: Della, Jacob, Allison, Sariah and George. Each of their stories is heartwarming and their friendship is a special one.

There are many lessons to be learned in this story. One of them is when you’re in a bad situation or something bad happens, there is also something good that can come from it.  

A well written story with timeless themes, engaging characters, and found curiosities to spark your imagination of exploring.

Stephanie

I received an ARC from the Publishers through NetGalley for an honest review.

Book Review: The Island Bookshop by Roseanna M. White

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The Island Shop #1

Published May 9, 2025 by Guideposts

When Kennedy Marshall sets off for a prestigious career in the city, she leaves behind the sunlit shores of North Carolina’s Outer Banks—and runs from a love she believes she can never have. With her sister, Lara, managing their grandmother’s beloved island bookshop, Kennedy feels confident she’s escaped the past. But when Lara is suddenly injured, Kennedy is drawn back into the island’s warm embrace—and bittersweet memories she thought she’d buried forever.

For Wes Armstrong, the Outer Banks is more than home, it’s his anchor. Building a successful family business was supposed to bring stability, but life has been anything but steady since his wife’s passing. Haunted by past regrets and facing a life-changing decision, Wes is determined to make the right choice for his family’s future. Yet Kennedy’s unexpected return stirs up old emotions and mistakes he thought he’d put to rest.

As hidden family secrets surface and long-buried truths come to light, Kennedy and Wes must navigate the delicate tides of forgiveness, second chances, and the unspoken love that still lingers between them. Can they find the courage to rewrite their story and create a new future on the island’s shifting sands?

My thoughts:

This is the first book in The Island Shop series, and the story has two dual timelines, which I love. The setting for both timelines is on the Outer Banks in North Carolina and is the perfect location for this series. I love the coast of North Carolina!

I really enjoyed the wholesomeness of this story and the themes of faith, forgiveness, and second chances. Though I have to say, I wasn’t feeling the spark-if you will-with the relationship with Kennedy and Wes. Oftentimes, the interaction between the two felt forced and flat in my opinion. That said, I did enjoy reading about all the characters, the activity at the bookshop, and I liked reading about the sisterly relationship with Kennedy and Lara in the modern story. I do hope there will be a story coming out that centers around Lara!

I was immersed in the story that takes place in the past more so, and I would have liked to have seen that timeline flesh out a bit more. Nonetheless, both stories were engaging and there was a mystery that connects the past to the present that was well written.  

I read the second book The Island Bakeshop first before starting with this one. I recommend starting with this book first for more background.

This story was atmospheric, heartwarming and is the perfect read for the summertime!

Stephanie

I obtained a review copy from the publishers from NetGalley for an honest review.

Side Bar: Be sure to check out my review for the sequel HERE