Summer days have left us, school activities are back full force, crisper weather is on its way and all of the yummy fall comfort food is now ours for the eating! I will definitely miss the lazy days of summer but there are so many things to love about fall. Its the perfect season to sit outside with good book (while we still can here in New England!) and enjoy all the beautiful colors. This 10 stack was not as diverse as I usually try to be (I clung to a few more beach reads as our pool days came to a close) but there are still a good collection of things to choose from below if you are looking for some new reads to start my (second) favorite season.

“Maybe One Day” by Debbie Johnson

Imagine finding out that everything you thought to be true about one of the most difficult times in your life were in fact lies? This is the weight handed to Jess after attending her mother’s funeral. For the last 17 years, Jess was led to believe that the love of her life and father of her child had abandoned her. Living life with a broken heart Jess found a way to pick up the pieces left behind. When she arrives home after the sparsely attended funeral her cousin Michael convinces her to start going through the attic. Hidden amongst piles of useless, broken items Jess and Michael come across a shoe box that is filled with old letters and cards. What they reveal changes everything and pushes Jess to set off on a journey to uncover what life might have been. Following postmarks across the miles and years Jess begins to wonder if maybe one day she could have everything that she once dreamed of in life. This was a tear jerker! From the whimsical cover I assumed that this would be an easy-breezy rom-com but it was so much more than that. Author Debbie Johnson found a graceful way of dealing with life’s most difficult situations while weaving together a love story for the ages. I finished “Maybe One Day” in just one sitting as I couldn’t wait to find out what lay at the end of Jess’s journey. If you haven’t yet discovered this book, give it an add to your TBR list.

“The Tourist Attraction” by Sarah Morgenthaler

The last person that should be in hospitality is Graham Barnett yet here he is the proud owner of the Tourist Trap, Moose Springs, Alaska’s most popular tourist spot. Most people would be thrilled to have a thriving business, Graham, however, hates tourists. He would rather shut down than have to serve them. Yet twice a day he opens his doors to the crowds wanting his reindeer dogs and famous Growly Bear drinks. If only they would leave him alone. Zoey Caldwell has dreamed of nothing more than a vacation to Alaska. Having saved every dime for the last few years she is now finally here. Every excursion is planned out, every guide to Alaska has been read…Zoey is ready for two weeks in her paradise. First stop is the Tourist Trap with her friend Lana who is in town on business. When Zoey walks through Graham’s door he begins to, for the first time, second guess his rules on tourists but one thing that was not on Zoey’s carefully planned out itinerary was Graham. Having read book two by this author first (and not really caring for it) I can report book one is marginally better. I did my research before and was told that the books can be read out of order but I would highly recommend not doing that. Reading book two, I felt like an outsider in a conversation and after reading this one the pieces fell into place more. I wouldn’t say they were a series exactly but strong companions. So far for me the Moose Springs stories fall squarely into the okay category. With so many rom-com books out there this just wasn’t a real hit for me.

“The Haunting of Beatrix Greene” by Rachel Hawkins, Ash Parsons & Vicky Alvear Shecter

Victorian England is all a buzz with the practice of Spiritualism and mediums. Beatrix Greene is skilled in taking money from those who wish to speak to their loved ones on the other side. Of course, she only does so after giving them messages of love and peace even if it is all a fabrication. When a Mr. James Walker makes it his personal mission to defraud people like her Beatrix seeks out one of his lectures. Keep your friends close but your enemies closer. Their meeting doesn’t go exactly as she expected when James requests to hire Beatrix to help determine whether or not Ashbury Manor is or is not haunted. Unable to turn down the sum James offers, Beatrix and her assistant Harry arrive at the Manor along with an American photographer as well as a famous writer to be witnesses in the evening’s seance. Hoping to get the evening over with quickly and pocket more money that she can make in a year Beatrix’s plan to frost the scene with some emotional declarations quickly unravels as Ashbury Manor appears to have other plans for James Walker’s guests. Y’all! Spooky season is nearly upon us and what a quirky little book this was to get me in the mood for all things witchy and pumpkin. “The Haunting of Beatrix Greene” is written in mini-episodes which makes for a quick read. For podcast lovers, this book is also a fully produced nine episode podcast (multiple voice actors, sound effects, the works…) which can be found on Apple Podcasts. If you are into horror, thrillers and the paranormal give this one a try. I’m looking forward to checking out the podcast, too! Thank you to NetGalley and Serial Box for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

“The Dating Plan” by Sara Desai

In the eyes of her family, Daisy Patel’s future is bleak. Sure she has a successful job but she’s still unmarried in her late twenties so her family have started pushing arranged suitors in her direction. Daisy wants nothing to do with this. Liam Murphy has just been informed he is the heir to a large inheritance but only if he is married by his next birthday…which is in two months. When the two bump into each other at a conference the only thing Daisy can see is red. Ten years ago, not only was Liam Daisy’s older brother’s best friend but he was supposed to be her prom date until he stood her up and never contacted them again. Daisy realizes that she hates Liam less than she does the idea of an arranged marriage and the two strike up a plan. They would each be each other’s decoy, a solution to their current problems and after a year would go their separate ways. But even the best laid dating plans can’t account for history, chemistry and the truth behind that night all those years ago. I read “The Dating Plan” in one sitting. It’s an easy rom-com that checks off all of the typical, predictable boxes. Though I found some of the plot to be a little far-fetched and eye-rolly (is that a word?) it still made for a cute read.

“The Dollhouse” by Fiona Davis

Desperate to get out of Ohio and to earn her mother’s approval Darby sets off to New York City fully enrolled in the Katharine Gibbs School to earn her secretarial certificate. In 1952 it would be improper for a woman to live alone so Darby takes up residence at the Barbizon Hotel for Women. When she arrives the floor for the Gibbs girls is already full so Darby is placed next to the girls from Ford Modeling causing already self-conscious Darby to question whether or not she belongs in the big city. Knowing that this is her last hope for a life outside of her small town Darby digs in her heels and decides she will make the best of this opportunity all made easier when Darby befriends Esme, a Barbizon maid. Fast-forward a half of a century, the ritzy Barbizon are now condos with one of them inhabited by journalist Rose Lewin. Rumors flood the halls about the long-time residents of the fourth floor, women who remain from the Barbizon’s past but none more so than Darby McLaughlin. The elderly woman keeps to herself, wanting nothing more than privacy but the stories about her involvement in a fatal accident just won’t die. Rose is determined to get Darby to share with her the true story of what really happened that night someone fell causing Rose to step into unethical territory as her life starts to unravel. I have yet to meet a Fiona Davis book I didn’t like and “The Dollhouse” which was her debut novel just adds to the growing list. Davis has a seamless way of navigating the dual-timeline storytelling all while finding these gems of history to keep alive through her writing. His Fic fans don’t miss this one.

“Not Our Kind” by Kitty Zeldis

Eleanor Moskowitz is late for a job interview she desperately needs. It’s pouring rain and the streets of New York are in gridlock traffic thanks to a visit from President Truman when Eleanor’s taxi is rear-ended bringing her journey to a complete stop. The passenger of the offending taxi takes Eleanor under her wing bringing her to her nearby apartment to clean up and dress her wounds from the accident. When Eleanor meets the woman’s daughter the accident seems to be a stroke of good luck. Patricia is in need of a tutor for her daughter and Eleanor is a teacher in need of a student. The luxurious Bellamy apartment has Eleanor feeling out of her element and societal prejudices forcing her to use a different last name to even enter the building causes concern for Eleanor’s mother. The family decide to move to their Connecticut home for the summer taking Eleanor with them but when Patricia’s philandering brother decides to join them his sights set quickly on Eleanor. Though Patricia feels Eleanor is suitable enough to educate her daughter, having her brother involved with someone Jewish is quite another thing. The two women form a delicate bond that is tested on one summer evening when the dangers of being a woman in the 1950s becomes all too real for one of them. How can two women from such different backgrounds both get what they want from life without having to sacrifice too much? “Not Our Kind” is a well-written historical fiction read sharing what post-WW2 life was like for Americans of the Jewish faith. I enjoyed both of these strong, female characters and would recommend adding this to your TBR list if you enjoy a good his fic read.

“Shipped” by Angie Hockman

Henley Evans barely has time to breathe let alone take a vacation. Which is ironic since she works for a cruise line. She is hoping that all of her hard work is about to pay off when she is announced as one of the final candidates for the promotion of her dreams. The job will be given to the candidate who delivers the best marketing proposal after taking the company’s Galapagos Island cruise. How bad could this be? Soon Henley finds out when the other candidate is revealed to be her nemesis, Graham, a remote employee who has caused Henley more problems over the years even going so far as to take credit for work she had done. There is no way she will let Graham get the best of her this time. Once on board the two finally meet face to face but when the person she imagined Graham to be all this time turns out to be nothing like Graham in real life, Henley begins to question whether or not she has this job in the bag after all. As the trip winds on the priorities Henley held on to so steadfastly in the past gradually seem to become less and less important. After all, what’s a life if you don’t have time to live it? “Shipped” is a fun light-hearted read that I really enjoyed. I don’t know if I completely agree with the standard of books this one gets compared to but it definitely has its appeal and has really empowering themes. No shrinking, swooning violets here! Would love to see what this would look like on the big screen! Thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

“Then She Was Gone” by Lisa Jewell

Still struggling through life ten years after her teenage daughter Ellie’s disappearance Laurel still holds out hope that she will be found. Now all Laurel has left is a strained relationship with her two surviving children and an ex-husband who now lives with another woman. One day Laurel feels a shift, as if things are beginning to lighten for her, when a charming, handsome man asks to spend time with her. Their relationship moves at lightning speed and soon Laurel finds herself meeting Floyd’s nine year old daughter, Poppy. Laurel can’t help but feel uneasy every time she is around the girl, not only does she behave just like Ellie, she is the spitting image of her. When ties back to her daughter’s life beginning to enter-twine with her new one Laurel begins to question how well she knows the man she’s been spending all of her time with and has let so deeply into her life. Could she finally discover what happened the day Ellie walked out of their life so innocently never making it to the library and never to be seen again. I find some of Lisa Jewell’s material to be a little too dark for me sometimes and “Then She Was Gone” was borderline but definitely kept me turning the pages dying to know what the truth was behind the Mack family secret. This book contains sensitive subjects (kidnapping and assault to name a few) and may not be for everyone but if you like dark and twisty reads then Lisa Jewell is your girl.

“When You Were Mine” by Rebecca Serle

Ever wonder what happened to Rosaline after Romeo abruptly left her for Juliet? In this modern day reimagining of Shakespeare’s classic, we get to find out what one of the most forgotten characters in literature thought when the boy she was destined to love fell in love with someone else. Rosaline and Rob have been next door neighbors their entire life growing up inseparable, sharing all of life’s ups and downs. Recently she has spent all her time imagining what it would be like to not only be Rob’s best friend but his everything. Then the night before he left for the summer the stars aligned and the two shared their first kiss. Now he’s back and Rob and Rose quickly become a couple…until Rose’s cousin Juliet moves back to town. Now all of the plans Rose thought they had made for their future are disappearing one by one as Juliet replaces Rose in Rob’s life. When Rob’s entire personality begins to change and Juliet grows more unstable and needy by the day Rose begins to fear not only for her relationship with her best friend but for Rob’s safety and even his life. I so wanted to love this book like I did “In Five Years” but alas, it was not to be. (See what I did there?) The high school snark and banter proved to be too much for me and some of the dialog was at times shaming. I find forgiveness for Serle’s writing as this was her debut from 2010 with her favorite of mine being published 10 years later – clearly the author had some growth. “When You Were Mine” had such a cute and promising concept but for me this missed the mark a bit.

“What Comes After” by Joanne Tompkins

A small town in the Pacific Northwest is reeling from the deaths of two teenage boys, two best friends, Daniel & Jonah – one at the hand of the other, the other by his own. Their families being long time friends and neighbors are now fractured. Late one evening, Issac – Daniel’s father, finds a pregnant teenager in his backyard and decides to take her in after discovering she is living on her own with no family. Slowly, Evangeline integrates herself into the lives of Daniel and Jonah’s families all while harboring a secret that could change everything. Terrified of losing the only bit of normal she’s ever known, Evangeline walks on a cliff’s edge knowing eventually the truth could rip this happiness from her but could she live with the guilt forever? “What Comes After” is a heart-wrenching, powerful and well-written debut novel by author Joanne Tompkins. Following three different POVs with time jumps helping weave this moving story together. There are some strong scenes that may not be for everyone but I didn’t feel they were staged inappropriately or unnecessarily as some authors will do for shock value. Give this one a try if you can handle an emotional roller coaster of a book.

Til next time,

The Booked Mama

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