All Roads Lead to Rome - Yamile Saied Méndez

All Roads Lead to Rome - Yamile Saied Méndez

 Stevie Choi’s plans for her future encounter a detour by a tragedy when she is seventeen. She compensates for her heartbreak by becoming successful in her chosen job. While attending a friend’s wedding in Rome, she meets handsome, charming Cristian. She has been warned about him, but the attraction is there. Despite living far apart, they choose to remain friends until something tears them apart. Will they ever be reunited and will Stevie find peace in her life? 

The synopsis I read about this book did not emphasize that the traumatic event in Stevie’s life at seventeen and that the long lasting intrusion and affects of grief were an important part of this story, as well as the cool treatment of her by her mother. Had it, I might not have chosen this book. However, it did turn out to be an engaging read. There is not a lot of com in the rom com of this story, yet I liked Stevie’s character and was rooting for her. There is a lot here…friendship, found family, healing, learning to pursue your dreams. Incidentally, despite the title, not a lot of time is spent in Rome. Actually, there is more about Utah, where Stevie lives, along with a captivating visit to Egypt. 

Thanks to #NetGalley and @KensingtonBooks for the DRC.

****

To Hell With It - Claire Frances

 To Hell With It - Claire Frances

Pub. Date: June 1, 2025

She read

Pearl is a young woman living in Ireland whose life is inhibited by her OCD. A chance encounter with a handsome stranger ends up with him naked in her bed. She falls for him and with support from her therapist and friends, she uncharacteristically follows him to New Zealand. 

Written by a debut author with wit and compassion, the story is predictable but nevertheless engaging. The first person perspective made me feel close to Pearl. I enjoyed the humor displayed throughout, especially that from Pearl’s best friend, Una. I loved that the townspeople accepted her and often made accommodations for her OCD. There was good insight into some of the coping strategies for people with this condition. There is personal growth for Pearl, but the author is clear that there is no simple “ fix” for this malady.

Thanks to #Netgalley and @OneMoreChapterHC for the DRC.

****

Fox - Joyce Carol Oates

 Fox - Joyce Carol Oates

Pub. Date: June 17, 2025

She read

Trigger Warnings: pedophilia, self harm, graphic descriptions; sensitive readers may find it disturbing.

There is so much to this psychological thriller. In short, a charismatic, chameleon pedophile infuses himself into and captivates an exclusive private school, affecting the lives of students, staff, and residents of a small town in Southern New Jersey. When his car and decayed body are found in a local waterway, the story of his life unravels as do the lives of those around him.

Despite the dark subject, this is beautifully written and despite the length (600+ pages), riveting. With well developed characterizations, there are multiple POVs and dual timelines. The story is unsettling, compelling, realistic, thought provoking and one that just may stay with you a while. 

The publisher’s synopsis notes this book is reminiscent of Lolita and The Talented Mr. Ripley….and it is.

Thanks to #NetGalley and @RandomHouse for the DRC.

*****

The Santorini Writing Retreat - Eva Glyn

 The Santorini Writing Retreat - Eva Glyn

Pub. Date: May 22, 2025

She read

Zina and Lambros return to her home on Santorini to help her widowed mother. Lambros wants to start farming while Zina creates a small resort to host retreats. Her first is one for writers led by an author who published a very successful book under a pen name but hides a deep dark secret. Each of the guests has something they want to achieve, as well as personal issues with which to deal.

This book continues the character of Karmela introduced in Glyn’s novel, Dubrovnik Book Club. A refugee from Sarajevo during the Bosnian war and now living in Zagreb, I enjoyed learning more about her background as well as seeing her newly found confidence.

As a writer, Glyn does a wonderful job of creating a strong sense of place.  She paints a beautiful picture of Santorini; I could just imagine walking among the white washed walls and blue doors, the red, pink and orange of the bougainvillea and oleander, the glorious sunsets. And the food! My mouth is watering for good Greek cooking. 

This is a story of friendship, courage, relationships, and personal growth, along with some writing tips. There are a few storylines which lead to quite a bit of introspection. Some readers might find it slow. But, relax, settle in, and enjoy visiting this beautiful island and the characters as they flourish.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #HarperCollinsUK #OneMoreChapter for the DRC.

****

The Essential Travel Guide for Unforgettable Destinations Exploring Famous Landmarks and Beyond in New York City - Sierra Quest

 

The Essential Travel Guide for Unforgettable Destinations Exploring Famous Landmarks and Beyond in New York City - Sierra Quest

Pub. Date: Jun 7, 2025

She read

I Love New York….this is  more than a slogan to me…I really do! This guidebook provides an overview of the top spots to visit in New York City. For many of them, it doesn’t provide specifics in terms of how to get there or address, but is helpful in compiling a list of must see places. I liked that they included some sights and activities in not just Manhattan, but also the outer Boroughs. I also liked that they discussed some of the various neighborhoods, something that is helpful for people unfamiliar with “The City.” I’m glad they included pizza in their discussion of Greenwich Village! They just touched on a few neighborhoods; I would have enjoyed them mentioning more of them, especially in Manhattan.

I did appreciate that they provided addresses for some of their culinary recommendations, but thought it would have been helpful to more specifically identify the locations of some of their recommendations such as the Chelsea Art District.

In all, this is a solid introduction to New York City. I read an advanced copy of it and hope they have enough time to note in their section about public transportation that Metro Cards will only be available until the end of 2025.

Thanks to #NetGalley and @victoryeditingngc for the DRC.

****

Fulfillment - Lee Cole

 Fulfillment - Lee Cole

Pub. Date: June 17, 2025

She and he Read

College professor Joel, who has written an academically successful book, is married to Alice, a woman tiring of domestic life and longing for something else. When he returns to his hometown in Kentucky for a visiting teaching job, he is reunited with his family including half brother, Emmett. Emmett has never quite gotten it together. A college dropout who aspires to being a screen writer, his present job, in a long list of them, is at an online store fulfillment center. As a relationship develops between Alice and Emmett, lives spiral out of control.

How do we find fulfillment in our lives? As each of the main characters in this well written, complex novel strives to find it, Cole paints a realistic picture of present day American rural south and our contemporary political culture. Family, guilt, class, longing, resentment, yearning….it is all here, along with insight into the different Americas that have been ripped apart by the politics of our times. As with his first novel, Groundskeeping, which I loved, dialog is written sans quotation marks. 

He also read this and really liked it.

Thanks to #NetGalley and @aaknopf for the DRC. 

*****

The Essential Travel Guide for Unforgettable Destinations - Navigating Must-See Attractions in London - Sierra Quest

 The Essential Travel Guide for Unforgettable Destinations - Navigating Must-See Attractions in London  -  Sierra Quest

Pub. Date: June 1, 2025

She read

 

Having spent some time visiting London, I found this guide to identify the don’t miss highlights as well as some off the beaten path destinations. Whether one is interested in history, food, music, art, shopping there is something here for everyone. I have already made some notes of places and neighborhoods I want to visit on my next trip there, as well as some day trips I missed last time I was there.

Thanks to #NetGalley and @victoryeditingngc for the DRC.

*****

Storybook Ending - Moira Macdonald

 Storybook Ending - Moira Macdonald

Pub. Date: May 27, 2025

She read

April leads a solitary existence as remote worker. She decides to take a chance on developing a relationship with a handsome man, Westley, who works at her favorite bookstore. Her choice of communication is to leave an anonymous note for him in a book, requesting he respond to her via a note left in another book.  Through a slip up, the note is found by Laura, a widowed mother who just might be ready for dating and thinks it is from Westley. And thus, this strange triangle begins.

This is a cute, feel good story of misunderstandings, connections, friendships, found family. The richly drawn characters are unique in their own special ways. Written by a debut author with humor, compassion, and a love of reading and bookstores, it may be just the tonic some of us need right now. 

Thanks to #NetGalley and @Penguinbooks for the DRC.

****

A Dead Draw - Robert Dugoni

 A Dead Draw - Robert Dugoni

Pub. Date: May 27, 2025

She read

After a mistake on the firing range fueled by her alarming interaction with a double homicide suspect who ignites memories of her sister’s killer, Seattle homicide Detective Tracy Crosswhite takes some time off and returns to her hometown of Cedar Grove where she must revisit the tragedy of her younger sister’s murder. This time, though, Tracy is the target. 

Dugoni’s books are always well written with intriguing plots and good character development. This was another page turner that I didn’t want to put down. An avid reader of this series, I appreciated gaining more insight into Tracy’s background and psyche. Kudos for including a neurodivergent character and portraying her realistically. 

While I did enjoy this, the eleventh installment, it wasn’t my favorite; too much about guns and competitive shooting. Do be sure, though, to read the author’s notes at the end where he discusses his background inspiration for aspects of this story.

A Dead Draw can be read as a standalone, but if you enjoy a good police procedural and this is your first Tracy Crosswhite novel, you will want to go back and read the earlier ones as well.

Thanks to #NetGalley and @AmazonPublishing #ThomasandMercer for  the DRC.

****

The Last Ferry Out - Andrea Bartz

 The Last Ferry Out - Andrea Bartz

Pub. Date: May 20, 2025

She read

When Abby’s fianceé, Eszter dies while visiting an isolated island in Mexico, she feels a need to travel there as she has some unanswered question. The locals are very protective of their island, although they tolerate a small group of expats whom Eszter befriended. As Abby gets to know the group, she has even more questions, learns secrets that Eszter was keeping, and fears she may be in danger. 

I have read and enjoyed prior works by this author. Atmospheric, with an interesting plot and clever twist, the story was revealed through alternating timelines and POVs. A bit of a slow burn, I felt it got bogged down at times with Abby’s introspection and deliberations. While I read the book quickly as I did want to find out what happened, it just didn’t draw me in as much as it should have. 

Thanks to #NetGalley and #RandomHouse for the DRC.

***

25 Alive

 25 Alive (Women's Murder Club) - James Patterson and Maxine Paetro

Pub. Date: April 28,  2025

She read

The Women’s Murder Club is back in action when Lindsay Boxer’s former partner, mentor and friend Warren Jacobi is murdered and she heads the investigation. Meanwhile, Yuki is in danger prosecuting a cartel family member for murder which Joe, Lindsay’s FBI husband, gets involved with.

This is the twenty fifth in this best selling mystery series. I have read most of them, although I missed the last few. It was nice being reacquainted with these characters, whom I enjoy.

Trust Patterson and this series to deliver a fast paced, suspenseful story with twists, red herrings, and colorful characters. Fans of this series will welcome this addition. Anyone new to The Women’s Murder Club will have no difficulty catching up with the characters and their professional and personal relationships. This may be my first beach read recommendation of the year!

*****

Thanks to #NetGalley and @LittleBrown for the DRC.

Nightshade - Michael Connelly

 Nightshade - Michael Connelly

Pub. Date: May 20, 2025

She read

trouble. The latest one is stubborn, hard nosed, but very capable  Detective Stilwell. While building a relationship with a local woman, he is faced with solving two crimes; the beheading of a protected buffalo and the body of a young woman found trapped under the sea. While investigating, he crosses some lines and is also forced to work with an old nemesis. 

I have enjoyed Michael Connelly’s books for more years than I care to count so am thrilled that he is introducing a new character in this, his fortieth novel. Connelly writes consistently captivating stories; this is a solid addition to his body of work.

Well plotted, with memorable characters, Nightshade is an engrossing read. I always appreciate the bits of humor Connelly injects into his books. If you are a fan of this author, you will welcome this new character and setting. If he is new to you, be sure to get in on the ground floor of this first of a series.

Thanks to #NetGalley and @LittleBrown for the DRC.

*****

The Doorman - Chris Pavone

 The Doorman - Chris Pavone

She and he read

Pub. Date: May 20, 2025

As readers can easily find an online synopsis of this book, I am not going to summarize it other than to say it is the story of a doorman at an exclusive upper Manhattan apartment building and some of its inhabitants set in the social and political sphere of contemporary times. I don’t like to compare one book to another, but, for me, it is this generation’s Bonfire of the Vanities.

Well plotted and suspenseful, Pavone’s characterizations are masterful. He captures the pulse of New York City, along with the nuances and issues reflective of our societal and political culture. Here is social class, fiscal struggling and striving, racism, prejudice, blowback from so called woke values and initiatives. There are sharp, attuned, sometimes poignant observations of life. I did not want to put this book down and flew through it. Oh, and, yes, it is also a thriller.

Thanks to #NetGalley and @fsgBooks for the DRC.

*****