Happy Fall, Readers! I have to be honest finding time to read over the past two months has been next to impossible. Between our three children being in full-time remote school and getting our house organized (because let’s be real we are about to enter winter still stuck indoors and the clutter has to go) finding the time to sit with a book just hasn’t happened often. I really hope that the last 8 weeks of 2020 will provide more opportunities to settle by the fire with another 10 stack to finish the year out strong. These last 10 books are a bit of a mixed bag that will take you back in time, to another country or to an alternate America. One of my top books this year is included in this list. Read on to see if you can guess which one it is.

“The Last Flight” by Julie Clark

Observers would say that Claire Cook has the perfect life. Married into the prominent political Cook family, Manhattan socialites, Claire has everything she could desire. However looks can be deceiving. Rory Cook is far from the golden boy he has lead his constituents to believe he is. Claire has perfected navigating his anger and concealing the marks he leaves behind. When Claire finally decides she has had enough she devises the perfect plan to disappear. When a chance encounter at the airport gives Claire the chance to follow through with her decision she hopes she is finally on her way to escaping Rory’s grasp. Then the flight she was supposed to be on goes down with no survivors and everyone believes Claire is dead. With the promise of a fresh start and a new identity Claire is heading into her new life but this new name comes with old secrets and dangers that may just mean Claire isn’t as free as she hoped to be. “The Last Flight” is a dual POV story that seamlessly weaves together the two character’s narratives and leaves you asking yourself “what lengths would I go to to escape?” A great read for thriller fans.

“Caught in Time” by Julie McElwain

Dense fog forces Kendra and the Duke off the road and into the small town of Dingleford for the night. Kendra, still trapped in the 1800s, finds herself investigating another murder when the manager at the mill is found dead. The local Constable doesn’t want anything to do with a female’s help but with Magistrate’s persuasion Kendra, the Duke, Sam Kelly & Alec are on the case together once again. Their task proves to be a difficult one when the victim was disliked by nearly everyone in town but when another crime is committed Kendra realizes they are looking for someone far more dangerous than she initially believed. “Caught in Time” is the third book in the Kendra Donovan series by author Julie McElwain. (Five in total…so far!) Though I would have to rank this as my least favorite of the series so far I still really enjoy these characters and the concept of these books. Looking forward to picking up #4 when it is released in paperback December of 2020.

“American Royals” by Katharine McGee

What if instead of becoming America’s first President George Washington became King? In “American Royals” by author Katharine McGee that’s exactly what happened. Fast-forward centuries later, the Washingtons are still ruling the United States. The throne is currently held by King George IV who is training his oldest daughter, Princess Beatrice, for the role when her time comes. Beatrice’s younger twin siblings, however, don’t have a care in the world. Having just returned from a six month trip around the world, Princess Sam and Prince Jefferson, need to figure out how they fit into their family now. If Jeff had been born a generation sooner it would be him next in line for the throne and Sam has never been anything but the “spare”. When rules and laws keep the three youngest Washingtons from the things they desire most, what will the trio be willing to risk for the life they dream of? “American Royals” is the first in a series by author Katharine McGee and is a fun, quick YA read that would be a great addition to any teen/YA reader’s library. Can’t wait to check out “Majesty” (Book #2) soon!

“The Summer Wives” by Beatriz Williams

In the summer of 1951 Miranda’s mother married the wealthy Hugh Fisher at his estate on Winthrop Island overlooking the Long Island Sound lighthouse. While the newlyweds are away on their honeymoon Miranda is dragged into the island’s elite social scene by her new step-sister, Isobel. Across the sound, Joseph lives in the lighthouse with his parents and helps his father on their lobster boat during his summer breaks from Brown. When Miranda observes Joseph saving a man’s life one morning she falls instantly for him, however, her newly minted sister reminds Miranda that Joseph will always be hers. Miranda can’t seem to understand Isobel’s relationship with Joseph considering she is engaged to be married to one of the island’s most eligible bachelors, Clay Monk. When misunderstandings come to a head, Miranda finds herself knee-deep in scandal causing her to flee the island for close to two decades. When she returns again in 1969 Miranda discovers not much changes on Winthrop Island and the place she once used to call home has a long memory and holds strong to a grudge. “The Summer Wives” is a multi-POV/multi-timeline historical fiction read that will require its reader to juggle quite a few jumps back and forth along the way. I fell in love with Beatriz Williams’ writing when I read “A Hundred Summers” last year and “The Summer Wives” is just as well crafted. Historical Fiction fans do yourself a favor and add this to your TBR list.

“Logging Off” by Nick Spalding

Graphic Designer, Andy Bellows is suffering. Lately his body has been trying to tell him something and by the short Google symptom search he just did he is convinced it’s cancer, more than likely fatal. When the folks on his forum tell him that he should probably see a doctor Andy books an online appointment. After a quick examination, Andy’s doctor knows exactly what is wrong with him…the internet. He’s told that his headaches, stomach issues and insomnia are all from excessive use of technology and is prescribed a digital detox. 60 days, no phone, no iPad, no nothing. Even though Andy is not convinced this will actually help he is willing to try anything at this point to get his health back in order. As you can imagine this is when the fun begins, Reader. “Logging Off” provides perspective on exactly how much we rely on technology in our day to day lives. Need to go somewhere? GPS. Want to order take-out? Need to find the phone number for that. Wondering what the weather will be like today? There’s an app for that. Nick Spalding’s casual, light-hearted writing style leads Andy on some mad adventures while he attempts to live a life untethered for 3 months. If you can get past the potty-humor (literal & figurative) then give “Logging Off” a read. Thank you to NetGalley & Amazon Publishing for a digital copy in exchange for an honest review…and no, the irony that I read this book on a device wasn’t lost on me.

“The Silent Patient” by Alex Michaelides

Artist Alicia Berenson hasn’t said a word in years. Not since the night she murdered her husband. Alicia has been living in a medicated state since then for her own safety as well the employee’s safety at the hospital she’s been living in. Due to the notoriety of the case, the price of Alicia’s artwork skyrockets and she’s the talk of every journalist in London. No one has ever been able to convince Alicia to explain why she decided to commit the crime but Theo Faber thinks he has what it takes to bring Alicia out of her shell. After securing himself a job on the hospital’s psychotherapy team Theo is determined to be the one she speaks to first and he will stop at nothing in order to accomplish his goal even if it risks his own safety or possibly even his life. “The Silent Patient” completely lives up to all the hype that surrounds it. It has everything a thriller lover could possibly want. This book well and truly had me fooled. Bravo to author Alex Michaelides on a knock-out debut novel. Can’t wait to see what he does next. Be sure to add this to your TBR list.

“The Other Woman” by Sandie Jones

Emily has finally met the man of her dreams. Adam swoops into her life and the two start up the type of whirlwind romance that Emily has only dreamed of. Everything is going perfectly until Adam decides it’s time for Emily to meet his mother. At first, sweet and doting Pammie comes across as loving and kind, the sort of mother that would do anything for her son but as her encounters with Mrs. Banks become more frequent Emily begins to realize that there is something deeply wrong with Pammie. If games are what Pammie wants to play, Emily decides that she won’t be on the losing end of this contest for Adam’s affection but what Emily uncovers could put a lot more than just her relationship on the line, possibly her life. I finished “The Other Woman” in less than a day. Though the “twist” ending wasn’t all that surprising I still enjoyed this page-turner. Add this to your TBR list for a quick, lazy weekend read.

“Beach Read” by Emily Henry

Don’t let the title fool you, this is not a book about a vacation set on some tropical beach. “Beach Read” by author Emily Henry is set on the shores of Lake Michigan as January rolls into town after inheriting her father’s beach house upon his death. After discovering that her father was living in the house with his mistress, January decides to spend the next few months clearing it of its belongings and getting it ready to sell while hopefully tackling her writer’s block and finishing her next book. If having to live in a house that brings up confusing emotions wasn’t bad enough January discovers that her college nemesis and fellow author is her next door neighbor. Augustus Everett is the extreme opposite of January. She writes love stories and happy endings and he can only conjure up the dark aspects of life. When tensions come to a head between the two a challenge is proposed. Both authors would drop their current genres and adopt the other’s for their next books. In order to do this they would take each other on a series of research trips and whichever author’s book sold first determined the winner. Helping each other through writer’s block as well as complicated past traumas the two begin to navigate a friendship that neither saw coming. If you love yourself a good rom com you should add this to your TBR list immediately. “Beach Read” is a perfect, feel good (and slightly steamy at times) book to dial out from life’s current stresses.

“The Bookshop on the Corner” by Jenny Colgan

Nina’s only love is books. Her life revolves around them. When the library she works at is forced to close Nina is unsure of what to do. After attending a workshop, she comes up with the idea of a mobile bookstore. (Finally all of the books she had been hoarding from the library closure would come in handy!) When Nina finds the perfect van for the job she travels from Birmingham up to Scotland to see it. Nina arrives in the small village and immediately begins to fall in love with the beauty of the place and the idea of starting life anew. With nothing left for her in Birmingham she decides to risk everything and set up her bookmobile right here in Scotland. Nina soon realizes that the villagers need her just as much as she needs this new change of scenery. Nina’s bookmobile and the idea of spending all day surrounded by stories is a book lover’s dream. “The Bookshop on the Corner” by author Jenny Colgan is the first in a series of books that takes place in picturesque Scotland. With not being able to travel right now stories that can take us to gorgeous places like this are just what we need. Give this one a try if you are looking for a feel good read.

“The Girl from Widow Hills” by Megan Miranda

Arden Maynor was a news sensation when she was a little girl after she went missing for 3 days during a rainstorm. To escape from being known as the girl from Widow Hills forever, Arden changes her name when she becomes of age and moves on with her life. As the twentieth anniversary approaches Arden, who now goes by Olivia, begins to feel that she is being followed and begins to sleepwalk again. Waking to the sound of a phone ringing, Olivia finds herself outside and at her feet is the body of a man and Olivia can’t remember a thing. Having read a lot of really great thrillers lately, “The Girl from Widow Hills” didn’t rate high up on the list for me. I found myself skimming some text and didn’t quite connect with the characters. However, I will say the plot did keep me guessing all the way through. Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Til next time,

The Booked Mama

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