Grant Grinder has written a book that is much like one of the cocktails that appear throughout: frothy on the surface but packing a punch underneath. The siblings Paul, Alice and Eloise are likable and "dislikable" in equal quantities, the secrets bubbling beneath the surface kept me coming back for more as did the bitingly spot on descriptions of the excesses of wealth.

At its core, The People We Hate at the Wedding, is about how family dysfunction can be the glue that holds a family together and how love truly does keep people together. I highly recommend this funny, heart breaking, complicated novel.

I loved The Lace Reader, was disappointed in Barry's follow ups, so was a little apprehensive about The Fifth Petal. I was pleasantly surprised! Barry has written a mystery steeped in atmosphere and detail that does not disappoint. Her use of sound and physical detail add richness and depth to what could have been a run of the mill "Salem mystery". I would definitely recommend it!

After struggling to get into this book, I was pleasantly surprised to find that it grabbed me so quietly that I almost did not notice. As I struggled through the first chapters,I kept thinking I had to finish I order to review. Then one morning, I found myself picking up this charming novel and reading because I wanted to...

I would call it an easy, uncomplicated read-- no moments that require the reader to step back and ponder--- that stuck with me for a bit after I finished. Interestingly flawed characters,well written and lovely characters. A good "sit on the porch " day read that reminded me some of Karen White's Low Country novels,

I would recommend it!

If you like books about relationships between women (friends, mothers/daughters) and like them even more if they are easy to read with all the loose ends tied up in a neat bow by the last page- The Perfect Comeback of Caroline Jacobs is for you. Definitely not a thought provoking novel, it is perfect to toss in the beach bag, finish while enjoying the sun and then leave behind for someone else to discover. Matthew Dicks does an especially good job of capturing the sometimes fractious and complicated relationship between a mother & teen daughter while dropping the ball a bit on the defining incident behind the break-up of one of the central relationships. That said, I would recommend this for anyone looking for an easy, breezy read!

Paris is the city of my soul so having a review copy of David Downie's A Passion for Paris was a gift in the midst of a dreary winter's end! For anyone in love with the City of Light, Downie's wonderfully written book offers new (and often irreverent) insights into what many feel is the most romantic city on earth. This delightful book now occupies pride of place among many others on my bookshelf written about Paris...and will go with me on my next trip so that I can follow Downie's footstep through that beautiful city. I highly recommend this entertaining and educational read!

For the past six years I worked as a therapist with National Guard military members and their families and watched as the soldiers were deployed, some for the second, third or fourth times. I waited with the families, providing support to them as they lived each day hoping their loved one would return safely. During that time I also supervised newly graduated therapists as they began their careers and kept a list of books about working with military families that I suggested they read. This book will be at the top of that list.

Tedrowe has written a book that touches on the greatest fears of anyone who loves a military member and she did it with compassion and skill. The characters ring true, the situations they find themselves in are (sadly) very real and the emotional roller coaster the women find themselves on exists for all those who have a loved one in the military. I have seen FRG members be as judgmental as some of the wives in the book; I have heard soldiers and families both talk about the bureaucratic mess of the VA. This is a book that needs to be read by anyone who wants to understand what our military families go through every day, even now. Thank you, Emily Gray Tedrowe, for writing this touching, realistic and much needed novel.

An very fresh look at some of Shakespeare's most well loved characters. Leveen's use of "period" language was intriguing, although a tad uneven and jarring at first and added to the lush feel of the book. Personally, I did not enjoy the book as much as I thought I would. I found Angelica unlikable and frankly irritating at times which made it difficult to keep reading. What did keep me going was Leveen's writing and the backstory she had created which felt authentic. Definitely of interest for lovers of historical fiction a la Geraldine Brooks.

I want to start by saying that it is very difficult to honestly review The Quick without giving away plot points that would ruin the experience. So...what can I say? Well written, atmospheric, one surprising ( in a good way) character for a Victorian Gothic, twisty plot that is decidedly creepy (also in a good way) with a satisfactory, if unsettling, ending (which I am betting will lead to a sequel)- all of these describe this intriguing novel. Some may find it too predictable, it is long - the ARC was 500 pages- and there is a large cast of characters that can be difficult to navigate but in the end it was worth my time. I would recommend it.

I wanted to like this story of a young man experiencing a world of enchantment at Oxford. The Secret History by Donna Tartt and A Separate Peace by John Knowles are 2 of my favorite novels and I always make room on the bookshelf for any book even vaguely reminiscent of the "coming of age in school" genre. Sadly, The Last Enchantments, while well-written, did not hold my interest.

What was wrong: the characters (with one exception) were unlikable, some of them were stereotypical and most came across as shallow. What was right: the setting. Finch draws a vivid and loving picture of Oxford. The combination of such a luminous setting with unlikable characters was jarring.

It is very possible that younger readers (20-30) may find the characters less irritating than I did and therefore the novel itself more enjoyable. Since this is so different from Finch's previous works it will not keep me from reading him in the future but this one is not one I can recommend without reservation.