BookBrowse | Book Reviews and Recommendations

Reviews by WDH (New Port Richey, FL)

Making Friends Can Be Murder
by Kathleen West

A Little Bit of Everything (3/22/2025)

This was an easy read with a a bit of everything that makes a good overall story. A group of women all with the same common name was made clever by using age/numbers to ensure characters were kept straight. There's a mystery to solve and plenty of characters to suspect and …more

Happy Land
by Dolen Perkins-Valdez

Really Good! (12/21/2024)

The story is engaging, has well-developed characters and is based upon a real community that has been forgotten over time. I like historical fiction and really enjoyed reading this book and learning about a community I wasn't aware of. Family dynamics, love, misplaced trust, …more

Beast of the North Woods: Monster Hunter Mysteries #3
by Annelise Ryan

Different Type of Mystery (12/8/2024)

I haven't read the other books in the series so wasn't familiar with the main characters. Seemed okay as a standalone though. Loved Newt the dog, he's definitely a good boy. The main female character was a mix of cautious/clever and foolish/gullible at the same time. She …more

In the Garden of Monsters: A Novel
by Crystal King

Just Too ... Something (9/2/2024)

I did not enjoy reading this book. I kept picking it up, reading a few pages and then setting it down to find something else to do. I just could not connect with any of the characters - maybe there was too much mythology for me or it was too surreal. I don't often struggle …more

The Funeral Cryer: A Novel
by Wenyan Lu

Strange But True? (2/15/2024)

Overall this left me feeling like the story was unfinished. The book is filled with nameless characters who live repressed, unhappy, internal lives with little communication. The main village and surrounding places are named, but the names include land features that don't …more

Digging Stars: A Novel
by Novuyo Rosa Tshuma

Open to Exploration (8/6/2023)

The author is a good writer and outlined her characters and their lives/interests well. Overall, I enjoyed the book. It put astronomy and certain college programs in a different 'food for thought' light for me. The father/daughter relationship was a bit sad with both …more

Sisters of the Lost Nation
by Nick Medina

Meaningful Content / Tough to Follow (4/28/2023)

This books covers some delicate / tough content in a meaningful way. However, I found the timeline difficult to follow. I wondered how much was fiction vs. fictionalized actual events the author is familiar with. Women missing without a trace is and should be an …more

The All-American: A Novel
by Joe Milan Jr.

Long Strange Trip (4/28/2023)

Well written, engaging storyline with a wide variety of characters (not all of whom are likeable) and plot lines. The parts about a simple act led to a so much red-tape, bureaucracy, and deportation that could not be stopped were especially thought provoking. The feeling of …more

The Critic's Daughter: A Memoir
by Priscilla Gilman

Father / Daughter - Love and Drama (3/1/2023)

This is a very well-written, thoughtful memoir and homage to a father/daughter relationship from child through adult. That she loved her father very much but is still able to share his imperfections comes through so clearly in her writing. It was a pleasure to read this …more

The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise
by Colleen Oakley

Fun, Easy Read (11/6/2022)

Fun read with interesting characters and a storyline that keeps your interest. Better than some other generational gap connection books I've read. A bit predictable in parts but overall, I enjoyed reading this book and would recommend.

River Sing Me Home
by Eleanor Shearer

Excellent Read (9/26/2022)

Really enjoyed this book. The writing is lyrical, the characters are full and the story evokes empathy, anger and great imagery. A few parts in the second half seemed a bit slow, but not enough to detract from the overall story. I did notice what seemed like some …more

Fruiting Bodies: Stories
by Kathryn Harlan

Interesting and Unique (6/12/2022)

Well written, thought provoking stories that are very unique in style. The stories are easy to visualize while reading. Enjoyed reading and would recommend to friends.

One's Company: A Novel
by Ashley Hutson

Different But Sad (6/3/2022)

I am glad I read this book. It was a very different view on the aftermath of tragedy along with the impact of winning the lottery. Opposites - the first brought pain, fear, anger and sadness into her life while the second afforded an opportunity to completely escape into a …more

Flesh & Blood: Reflections on Infertility, Family, and Creating a Bountiful Life: A Memoir
by N. West Moss

Graphic / Relatable (9/3/2021)

I very much liked the writing style and descriptions of people (her husband in particular) and situations. I could relate to some of her experiences but don't feel that's necessary to connect to the book. Readers should be aware that the descriptions about excessive …more

Everybody: A Book about Freedom
by Olivia Laing

Thought Provoking (5/25/2021)

This is a serious and not quick to read and absorb book. It takes time, concentration, thinking and sometimes rethinking to get through it. That's not a bad thing though - it's well researched and well-written with a relevant topic. I will read it again at some point to …more

He Started It
by Samantha Downing

Attention Grabber (2/17/2020)

This book grabbed my attention from the opening through to the closing sentences. The road trip was an interesting way to bring estranged siblings together, forcing them to be cooped up in a small space allowing tensions to build and flaws to be revealed. As the characters …more

Listen to the Marriage
by John Jay Osborn

Peek Into Marriage Counseling (7/18/2018)

Overall I enjoyed the book. It's quick read and the main characters deal with some common marital issues. I liked 'watching' the counseling sessions unfold, 'hearing' two people learning to really be open and talk to each other and the interactions with their counselor. …more

Meet Me at the Museum
by Anne Youngson

Thoroughly Enjoyed (5/3/2018)

One of my favorite advance reading copies as a BookBrowse member. The 'Meet Me at the Museum' tag taped to the intro letter was a clever touch.

The story is solid and the characters are very well-done. It was lovely to read about adults reflecting on life choices and life …more

Anatomy of a Miracle
by Jonathan Miles

What to Believe? (2/8/2018)

The concept was interesting and the author successfully kept all of the pieces together throughout the story. The characters are well-developed. However, I really wasn't captivated by the story and it was a 'slow read' for me.

Home Sweet Home
by April Smith

Descriptive (1/21/2017)

I enjoyed this book. I thought the descriptions of places, people and circumstances were well done and the story held my interest as it moved from beginning to end. Decisions have consequences - good or bad / right or wrong, but once out of control, it can be difficult to …more

BookBrowse Book Club

Becoming Madam Secretary
by Stephanie Dray

New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Dray returns with a captivating novel about an American heroine France Perkins—now in paperback!

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The Husbands
by Holly Gramazio

The Husbands delights in asking: how do we navigate life, love, and choice in a world of never-ending options?

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A Map to Paradise
by Susan Meissner

From the USA Today bestselling author of Only the Beautiful. 1956, Malibu, California: Something is not right on Paradise Circle.

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The Jackal's Mistress
by Chris Bohjalian

From the New York Times bestselling author of Hour of the Witch, a Civil War love story of a Confederate wife and a wounded Yankee.

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