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.

*****