Though this summer has been jam packed for our family, squeezing in all the things we missed out on during Covid summers, it is still bitter sweet to see the end of the season inching our way. I LOVE summer and all of the freedom it gives us to do things together as a family. Once fall hits, it’s back to school, sports and activities with little to no free time in our schedules. When my reading spot turns from our porch to the car pick-up line. This last 10 stack had more hits than misses but were definitely a little more light-hearted than not. Hopefully you can find some time in the last few weeks of summer to relax with a good book in the sunshine.

“Book Lovers” by Emily Henry

In every rom-com there are two types of characters, the one that gets the happy ending and the one that doesn’t. In Nora Stephens life she is convinced she is the latter. Break-up after break-up she is left for the sweetheart and in her professional life she is the agent that everyone fears. The only person in Nora’s life who seems to have faith in her happily ever after is her younger sister Libby, the only person, aside from her clients, that Nora will move mountains for. Which is why when Libby tells Nora she is nearing the end of her rope and desperately needs a break before baby number three arrives Nora agrees to head to the last place on earth she would ever dream of vacationing, Sunshine Falls, NC. This small town was the backdrop for one of Nora’s clients most successful books and Libby has concocted a plan to give Nora her own fairytale story by helping her live out rom-com story meet-cutes during their month away. But when the only person Nora keeps running into in Sunshine Falls is her nemesis from the publishing world, she is convinced more than ever that the universe just doesn’t have a happy ending in store for her. I am a huge fan of Emily Henry’s last two publications and I tore through this one just like the others but did I love it as much as them, sadly no. Don’t get me wrong “Book Lovers” is definitely worth the read but I just felt that it didn’t quite measure up to “People…” or “Beach Read”. I would still recommend picking this one up if you are an Emily Henry fan because of course it’s a great romance read just didn’t have quite the same connection for me this time.

“The House Across the Lake” by Riley Sager

Trying to escape the headlines after her husband’s recent death and her embarrassing alcohol induced exit from her most recent play, Casey Fletcher has been exiled to her family’s lake house in Vermont. Bored and drunk out of her mind Casey reaches for her binoculars every day to observe her neighbors. The couple, Tom and Katherine Royce, are something of celebrities themselves. Tom, a star in the tech world and Katherine, a former supermodel have come to Lake Greene for their own peace and quiet. One day, armed with her binoculars, Casey spots Katherine in distress while swimming in the lake, arriving just in time to pull her to safety, saving her life. The two women form a friendship causing Casey to grow increasingly more curious about the Royces watching them every chance she gets. However, the more she sees the more Casey begins to suspect that Katherine’s life may be in danger and then she mysteriously vanishes after a heated argument with Tom. Determined to figure out what happened to her friend, Casey sets out on an obsessive hunt to uncover what really happened that night at the house across the lake. Let me preface what I’m about to say next with three things: I am one of the biggest Riley Sager fans. I have been counting down to this book’s release since it was announced. I always include at least one title of Sager’s when asked for book recommendations. This is why this review is killing me to write. “The House Across the Lake” is by far my least favorite Sager book…and I’ve read ’em all. The premise (pre-twist) feels so overdone. Unreliable, alcoholic woman, bored and spying on her neighbors, thinks there are secrets the couple are hiding, witnesses something she shouldn’t, no one believes her because of her drinking habits, makes it her mission to solve the mystery…then Sager throws in the biggest, left field curveball. I, out loud, said “whaaattt??” and then had to pause for a minute to absorb the insanity I was suppose to believe. I was SO looking forward to the release of this book but sadly, I was nothing but disappointed. I will forever still recommend my fav Sager books to anyone who asks but “The House Across the Lake” will just have to float out there in no mans land as the one I’d rather forget. Back to counting down the days ’til his next release in 2023.

“Upgrade” by Blake Crouch

As an agent at the Gene Protection Agency, Logan Ramsey is tasked with finding those that wish to illegally alter human DNA and take them into custody. During a raid Logan is trapped in an explosion and in the aftermath it’s discovered that he has been altered, he’s changing. Things seem sharper, memories easier to access, muscles stronger, Logan knows he’s been infected with something. It becomes obvious to him that GPA has no intention of letting him go, so when someone breaks in to rescue him from where he’s being held, Logan willingly goes along. Now things have been set in motion that could infect the world’s population with this “upgrade” leaving Logan the only person capable to right this wrong set in motion so long ago. It’s hard to review “Upgrade” without giving too much away but I can say that Blake Crouch has another hit on his hands. I loved Crouch’s two most recent books and “Upgrade” ranks up there with both of them. I’m not usually a fan of this genre but Blake Crouch has won me over. If Sci-fi isn’t usually your thing I suggest picking up one of Crouch’s books and dive into the wild world he creates. A big thank you to NetGalley & Random House/Ballantine for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

“Beauty Among Ruins” by J’Nell Ciesielski

Socialite Lily Durham’s mother has had enough of her frivolous and disrespectful ways and can think of no better punishment for her daughter than a trip across the sea to stay with family in England to think about her actions. While she is there the Great War begins to rage forcing Lily to join her cousin at a castle turned home for convalescing soldiers in the Highlands of Scotland. The two are an unlikely pair with Lily finding trouble at every turn with no real nursing experience to speak of. However, what she lacks in training she makes up for in spirit and soon finds herself growing and enjoying lifting the morale in the home despite the gruff nature of the castle’s laird. When a series of dangerous events throws Lily and Alex together and the future of Kinclavoch is placed in their hands the two must learn to put aside their differences before Alex loses what has belonged to his family for centuries to a mysterious culprit. For the majority of the book I really enjoyed “Beauty Among Ruins” but the last 1/4 of the story felt so rushed and a bit fluffed up. I love a good historical fiction read and for me this one was just okay. Gorgeous setting, good characters but just fell a little flat at the end.

“One Night on the Island” by Josie Silver

Love columnist Cleo is as single as they come after many failed dates that fortunately for Cleo, boosted her reader numbers. With her thirtieth birthday approaching her boss comes up with an idea for a column stunt. Cleo will go out to a secluded island off the coast of Ireland to have a self-coupling sabbatical and share the experience with her readers. Spending her birthday alone in a luxury cabin sounds like a dream compared to the big “surprise” bash her mom was planning so Cleo packs her bags and sets off to Salvation Island. Upon arriving Cleo discovers that her cabin has been double booked when a man shows up at her front door. Mac, who was loaned the cabin by his cousin, feels he has the right to stay and Cleo who has paid for the month isn’t about to leave but when they are told that the boat to the mainland only passes by once a week, weather permitting, the two are forced to deal with one another in the only way they know how…in a less than civil manner. For two people who need to be alone, each for their own reasons, the situation couldn’t be worse and lessons will be learned that neither of them came to the island to learn. I love me a Josie Silver book but this one was a little problematic for me. First of all, Mac’s situation just makes their storyline a little “ick” in my opinion and Cleo well she’s got her own issues. Silver’s writing style is what kept me reading but at times I felt like I shouldn’t just based on theme alone. I much prefer Silver’s other titles and look forward to her next.

“Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead” by Elle Cosimano

Finlay Donovan is back! Still struggling to make deadlines, still trying to keep her head above water and still trying to convince people she isn’t a hit-woman. When we last left Finlay we discovered that someone had put a hit out on her ex-husband, someone who secretly wants him gone and is willing to do anything to make that happen. With Vero by her side the duo set out on another mad adventure to solve the mystery of who wants Steven dead and why the Russians are knocking at her door all while trying to get her next book to her agent on time. Moms…they can do it all. After loving book one in this series I couldn’t wait to get my hands on book two. Always wary of sequels/series, I’m happy to report that this one lives up to the insanity that started it all. A quick read packed with laughs, crazy scenarios and women kicking butt, don’t miss out on this series. Book three is due to hit shelves in January 2023.

“The Kite Runner” by Khaled Hosseini

Amir and Hassan are two young boys living in Afghanistan in the 70s. Amir is the wealthy son of a powerful, well loved man in the community and Hassan is the son of the family’s longtime servant, Ali. Never seeing one without the other Amir and Hassan form a bond like brothers and were raised as such for the most part. Told through Amir’s perspective we see jealousy, frustration and then guilt break the two apart after Amir witnesses an incident he keeps buried within himself. Silence causing a rift there was no return from. As Amir ages the devastation in his country leads to his escape amid chaos and dangers beyond imagination. Before reading “The Kite Runner” I had no idea what I was getting into. It’s a take your heart out and stomp on it kind of read that despite its conclusion leaves you feeling unsettled, even though things work out in the long run, sometimes in life there are no real winners. If you are looking for a good gut punch, then this is the book for you but be forewarned this will stay with you after that last page.

“The Chelsea Girls” by Fiona Davis

Inside its brick exterior The Chelsea Hotel offers shelter to true artists trying to birth their ideas into the world. For Hazel, it’s the quiet space to put the finishing touches on her play, her real shot at being heard as a writer. For Maxine, the Chelsea is an escape. When the business of show business is built on favors and getting in front of the right people Hazel lucks out when her script lands in the hands of one of The Chelsea’s most powerful residents. Though just as Hazel’s star is on the rise so is a wave of panic over Communism in the Entertainment industry. Hazel and Maxine start to see the suspicions creep into their rehearsals as McCarthy’s witch hunt gains traction and more and more people are being accused when the price of a name becomes the cost for clearing your own. The duo’s dream of their names in Broadway lights may never see the light of day when their freedom and even their lives are put at risk. I can’t say I was too familiar with the Hollywood Red Scare and how far it reached before reading this. Fiona Davis has such a skilled way in weaving history to her stories. After reading so many in her catalog, “The Chelsea Girls” probably fell a little lower on the list for me but definitely still worth the read for his fic fans. Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton Books for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

“The Missing Years” by Lexie Elliott

Nestled in the Scottish Highlands, The Manse sits isolated and forgotten. Now that her mother has died Ailsa Calder must decide what to do with the half of a house she has inherited, the other half belonging to her father, a man who disappeared from her life almost three decades ago. Unable to sell without his approval, Ailsa decides to visit The Manse with her half-sister. Once inside the walls of the house she lived in long ago Ailsa can’t quite shake the feeling that they aren’t alone and when strange incidents start occurring inside and outside the home her feelings can’t be ignored any longer. At the start of “The Missing Years” I really thought this would be a page-turner. However, as the book went on it just became more apparent that the plot really had no idea what it wanted to be. Is this a thriller? Is this a mystery? Is this horror? Is this paranormal? Instead it just all got thrown into the mix and created a bit of a jumbled story that could have been great had it just settled on a theme…or even two. Sadly, this one was a “miss” for me.

“The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Once the golden girl of Hollywood, Evelyn Hugo now is at the end of the golden years of life. Not wanting her story to go untold, Evelyn enlists the help of unknown magazine reporter Monique Grant to write her biography. Monique can’t wrap her head around why an icon like Evelyn Hugo would select her but dealing with the aftershock of her failing marriage Monique thinks this could be the perfect distraction from her disastrous life and kickstart her next chapter. Monique begins to meet Evelyn in her glamorous Manhattan apartment to conduct her interviews where Evelyn promises to reveal all, leaving no secret left untold. The stories she begins to share untangle webs created by Evelyn and truths known to few of her climb to fame, her seven, scandalous marriages and the truth behind why she left show business. However the more Evelyn pulls at the strings of her life Monique begins to realize that her own life’s story has been dangerously entwined with Evelyn’s along the way. So I admit, I dragged my feet to read this book because let’s be real. It. Is. Everywhere. Taylor Jenkins Reid has a cult following that few others have and her books are very heavily promoted but…I’m beginning to understand the hype. “…Evelyn Hugo” is the second book I’ve read by TJR and I absolutely loved it. I have really enjoyed her writing style and the way she leads you through her stories. If you are one of the few people left on planet Earth who haven’t read this, do yourself a favor and add it to your TBR list.

Til next time,

The Booked Mama

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