Usually, around this time, I am in full on celebration mode that winter has come to an end but this year felt so mild that I’ll just give it a wave over my shoulder and move on. I’ll take a winter like that every year. Now that Spring has arrived (at least on the calendar) I’m so looking forward to the warmer days to come and the countdown that has begun as the last few weeks of school wind down. (9 weeks for one and 11 weeks for our other two kids…but who’s counting?!) I hope that you found some time this winter to snuggle up fireside with a good book or two. If not, here is a fresh new 10 stack that helped me round out the remainder of last season. A good mix of different genres there is something in here for everyone. Do you have any anticipated reads for the spring? If so, let me know!

“Love in the Time of Serial Killers” by Alicia Thompson

When your life revolves around all things true crime you tend to suspect everyone you meet could be a serial killer. At least that is how PhD candidate Phoebe Walsh thinks. Knee-deep in analyzing the subject for her dissertation Phoebe is called to Florida when her father unexpectedly passes away. Now tasked with cleaning out his junk-filled home while attempting to finish her research, Phoebe’s next door neighbor catches her eye with his strange behavior. Unable to squash her suspicions about Sam, she inserts herself into his life to do some investigating which uncovers something even more unsettling to Phoebe – Sam might actually be a really nice guy. I couldn’t quite figure out what this book would be like when I picked it up but it sounded fun. I imagined a madcap, funny story while Phoebe figures out if Sam really was who she suspected but that really wasn’t what was delivered after all. It ended up being a mediocre rom-com that I only finished because I have such a guilt complex around not completing a book I pick up. This really was just an okay read…nothing horrible but nothing I would highly recommend. (However, the cover sure did pull me in so bonus points to the artist.)

“The Writing Retreat” by Julia Bartz

Roza Vallo has always been Alex’s favorite author, consuming every word she has written since she was young inspiring her to be an author herself. Alex always dreamed of getting a spot in Roza’s mysterious writer’s retreat held at her home, Blackbriar Estate, so when a friend arranges for her to attend Alex jumps at the chance, taking leave from work and packing up for her month-long stay. As the select few start to arrive at Blackbriar the agenda for the retreat is laid out for the women. They will have a month to complete a book from scratch and at the end of the retreat one author’s work will be chosen to be published. Determined to win, Alex starts to feel the pressure of her years-long writer’s block weighing on her. She starts to notice weird behavior from their host, gossiping between the other author’s not to mention the well known history of the estate’s previous owners and their horrible deaths but when one of the women goes missing during a significant storm everything starts to unravel. “The Writing Retreat” started out so strong for me and had me hooked right from the start. It wasn’t until the last 25ish % that it all started to get a little too far fetched for me. You definitely have to step back and give this one allowances but it certainly was entertaining. Fans of the thriller/mystery/paranormal genre should give this one a try. Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

“We Begin at the End” by Chris Whitaker

Local police chief, Walk, has lived in their small coastal town his entire life never leaving, never changing since the day that changed all of their lives so long ago. Walk finds himself always trying to repent for helping put his best friend, Vincent, in prison while keeping a protective eye over their best friend, Star. Star’s thirteen year old daughter Duchess, a self-proclaimed outlaw, is a defender just like Walk, always caring for her younger brother due to her mother’s constant absence. Now that Vincent’s term is up and his reunion with Star imminent, Walk is doing everything he can to hold them all together but outside influences are at play putting everyone Walk loves in danger. I have to say reviewing this book is really difficult for me. The story was compelling but I found myself bored at times. Maybe I couldn’t connect with the characters on the level I needed to hold my attention or maybe it was that certain parts went around too many times but whatever it is “We Begin at the End” falls into a 3 star read for me. I would still recommend giving this one a try as the story was well written.

“Daisy Darker” by Alice Feeney

Nana’s only wish for her 80th birthday is to have all of the Darker family visit her home on a tiny secluded island one last time. So secluded that when the tide comes in you are trapped there for the next eight hours with no escape. As each of the family members arrive a storm brews overhead finally unleashing its fury just as darkness overtakes them. When the clock strikes midnight a scream is heard and someone in the Darker family is discovered dead. Grief and sorrow ensues as surely this was just a horrible accident…until the chimes in the hall signal another hour has passed and another is found dead. Soon they realize that they are being systematically murdered one by one but which one of them is the killer and who will still be alive once daylight returns and the ocean recedes. I could not put this one down. Having enjoyed Feeney’s previous works I knew I was in for a treat with “Daisy Darker” but wow…I did not see that ending coming. Now I feel like I have to go back and reread this to see where I should have figured this out. If you love a good mystery/thriller add this one to your TBR list.

“Ripples in Time” by Julie McElwain

Kendra Donovan is tasked with helping to solve yet another crime in the 1800s after getting trapped there when she crossed through a rift in time. Having no way of knowing if she will ever be able to get back to the present day, Kendra is using all of her skills learned at the FBI to help navigate this era. Now that she has become an official ward of the Duke of Aldridge, Kendra is afforded more respect with the Ton and finds herself in the ballrooms of the upper class elite knowing one of them might just be the culprit she is looking for. When another murder happens on the Duke’s land, Kendra finds herself entangled in the investigation helping to distract her as the one year anniversary of her time jump approaches. Kendra wonders if she could really stay and follow through on her promise to marry Alec after all? The Earl of Craymore’s death brings more mystery, deceit and danger to Aldridge Castle in Julie McElwain’s sixth book in the “…in Time” series. I highly recommend fans of historical fiction and mysteries give this series a try. I have loved them all and though I fear this might be the end I’m holding out hope there will be more!

“Have I Told You This Already? Stories I Don’t Want to Forget to Remember” by Lauren Graham

“Filled with surprising anecdotes, sage advice, and laugh-out-loud observations, Graham’s latest collection of all-new, original essays showcases the winning charm and wit that she’s known for.” Who doesn’t love Lorelai Gilmore or Sarah Braverman? I watched every episode of Parenthood as it aired and I admit, I was late to the Gilmore Girls party but thanks to reruns I fell in love with the series a few years ago. Graham’s newest book of personal essays is a quick, quirky read (audiobook read by the author herself clocks in at just over four hours) written as if you were having a conversation over coffee with Lauren or somehow hearing her inner monologue. I loved reading Graham’s “Talking As Fast As I Can” and equally enjoyed this newest peek into her hilarious take on life. I would recommend both of these titles for fans of Graham’s. Now…how do we convince Netflix to give us more Gilmore Girls? 

“The Road Trip” by Beth O’Leary

The car is packed, the playlist is set and snacks have been procured. Addie and Deb are off on an epic road trip up to Scotland to see their friend get married. Not long after setting out on their journey their car gets hit from behind. To Addie’s horror the driver is none other than her ex-boyfriend, Dylan, whom she hasn’t spoken to since their disastrous breakup almost two years ago. Dylan and his best friend Marcus are on their way to the same wedding and somehow its decided, now that their car is totaled, that they will now be joining Addie and Deb in their already crammed Mini for the next several hours. For the next three hundred miles Addie is determined to play it cool and avoid the subject of their relationship. Dylan can’t seem to stop the butterflies every time Addie spares him a glance. With every possible roadblock coming their way this uncomfortable journey couldn’t end soon enough…and when…or if they reach their destination on time could this be the end of the road for good for Dylan and Addie? This is the second book I’ve read from Beth O’Leary and I loved “The Road Trip” just as much as the first. Their story is not all hilarious hijinks but some very real topics are worked through in and out of that car. Told in a dual POV/dual timeline format Addie and Dylan take us through their romance, their heartbreak and their journey towards forgiveness. Add this one to your TBR list.

“The London Séance Society” by Sarah Penner

Acclaimed spiritualist Vaudeline D’Allaire is highly sought-out for her unconventional and dark séance practices. Working only for the families of murder victims, D’Allaire, contacts spirits on the other side to get their loved ones answers to help bring their murderers to justice. Having fled London for her own safety D’Allaire has set up a training school in Paris for those who wish to learn her techniques. Lenna is her newest, most promising apprentice desperate to learn how to conjure the spirit of her sister to find her killer. When the duo are summoned back to London to uncover the truth behind the president of the Séance Society’s death the women find themselves uncovering secrets buried deeper than the graves their clients are speaking from. I really enjoyed Penner’s first book and had high hopes for this one. “The London Séance Society started out so strong and had me hooked but as I read on the excitement started to wane. The story became predictable, somewhat repetitive and I found myself quickly skim reading the last few pages. There were definitely great parts of this book but I would recommend Penner’s “The Lost Apothecary” more.

“Where the Stars Meet the Sea” by Heidi Kimball

Orphaned at a young age, Juliet and her brother were taken in by her aunt. As her twenty-first birthday approaches Juliet is determined to claim her inheritance and take over the care of her brother, breaking them both free of their abusive aunt. With just weeks remaining until her freedom she is forced to accompany Aunt Agnes and her two cousins for a stay at Shaldorn Castle promising to keep to herself for the duration of their stay. When a chance encounter with a rude stranger causes her to speak her mind, Juliet is faced with the horrible realization that the man she just insulted is in fact the Duke himself. Fully convinced she will be asked to leave, she braces herself for her aunt’s wrath but instead finds herself the subject of the Duke’s attention as he requests her presence on more and more occasions. As the two grow to know one another feelings Juliet never anticipated begin to blossom but her scheming aunt has devised an ultimatum that could cost Juliet everything she has ever wanted. I’ve never picked up a regency romance book before. Though it was a sweet, easy read (finished it in a day) I’m not sure I would jump to start another. There was nothing wrong with the book and I did enjoy reading it, it just didn’t have that spark for me. I would however recommend adding this one to your TBR list if you are looking for a quick vacation read. It’s perfect for beach lounging or a poolside read.

“Girls of Bracken Hill” by Kate Moretti

When Hannah left Brackenhill Castle for the last time almost two decades ago she never imagined she would find herself there again. Having received the phone call informing her of Aunt Fae’s death Hannah was drawn back to the place of one of her biggest childhood traumas, the unsolved disappearance of her older sister, Julia. Though Julia wasn’t the first to vanish from Brackenhill, a place the girls escaped to every summer away from the horrors of their home but that last summer everything changed, Julia started acting odd, strange things were happening around the castle and of course, there was Wyatt. Now she’s returned to deal with another death and the past is starting to resurface. Even more attention is brought down on Hannah when a bone is discovered on the property and she can’t help but wonder if her long missing sister has been found. Unable to wait for the police to slowly find the answers she has desperately wanted, Hannah starts her own investigation unearthing the secrets her family had buried long ago. Though I found this book to be mostly predictable it didn’t stop me from enjoying my second Kate Moretti book. I felt like I was right there with Hannah in the creepy castle and found myself pulling for this anti-hero. Not a jaw-dropping mystery but nonetheless a good thrill read, especially if you like a little paranormal activity thrown in for good measure.

Til next time,

The Booked Mama

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