Brief Summary: Maddy Donaldo is a homeless young adult who survives the streets of San Francisco with her friends and dog Root. One day she happens across a murder scene and sees the presumed killer. This leads her to encounters with the police, the boy's parents, and courtroom testimony. I requested this book through First Impressions because I was interested in learning about the experience of being homeless and the associated social justice issues.

Highlights: Seligman's narrative of the homeless is experience is by far the best aspect of this novel. I was aghast at several moments about their survival tactics and the injustice they experienced on the streets from gangs who bullied them to the cops who wouldn't let them sleep in the parks. I learned a lot and will never look at the homeless again the same way. I also found it interesting what help they did or did not accept; and the unsolicited help Maddy received from Shane's parents. Unfortunately, I can't say much for the slow-moving plot. I was not engaged by the murder case and it took me over a month to finish this.

Explanation of Rating: 3.5/5; I'm not aware of another book that portrays the homeless experience like this, but the slow-moving plot was disappointing.

Thank you to BookBrowse and Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review

Brief Summary: Mirta Perez is a newly-wed on her honeymoon before heading to New York with her husband and his illicit business interests. Elizsabeth Preston heads to Key West on a quest to save her family after the Wall Street crash. Helen Berner is looking to escape her lot as a Key West native. On Labor Day Weekend these women's paths come together as a powerful hurricane hits the Keys altering the lives of all in it's path. This is my third book by Chanel Cleeton who is an author whose work I highly anticipate!

Highlights: I lived in South Florida for four years. I have fond memories of the Florida Keyes. I loved getting a glimpse of the history behind a place so near and dear to my heart. I also survived several hurricanes; including spending a week in a Hurricane shelter. Cleeton gave me flashbacks as she nails the pre-hurricane anxiety and the post-traumatic aftermath. I loved the storylines of all three women and how she brought them all together was brilliant with a small world feel. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough and finished this in two days!

Thank you to Book Browse and Berkley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review

Brief Summary: When Elise’s father, a German immigrant, is arrested for suspicions that he is a Nazi Sympathizer, she and her family are moved to an Internment camp in Texas. Here she meets Mariko, a Japanese-American teen, and the two form a unique friendship and plan for a better life after the war. When Elise’s family is sent back to Germany; she faces the realities of WWII head on. This is my second book by Susan Meissner and I was very excited to read it given this premise.

“How do you lose site of who you are when you are accused of something you are not?”

Highlights: Elise is a resilient “beyond her years wise” narrator and I loved seeing her grow up. Her narrative of the experience of being unjustly torn from the life she knew as an American teenager in Iowa is raw and so real. I was so interested in this book because the subject on internment camps is rarely found in historical fiction. Certainly, it is not a good part of American history but I found the glimpse of Elise’s experience fascinating. As much as I loved this novel, it did move slowly and I wasn’t totally sucked in until she went to the camp, then her story became a page turner; especially upon her return to war torn Germany. I also loved how the past and present storylines come together.

What makes this book unique?: The internment camp story premise of the experiences of German and Japanese Americans; this is not your ordinary WWII story or your typical narrator.

Explanation of Rating: 5/5 It’s such a unique story with an unforgettable heroine. When I wasn’t reading this I couldn’t get Elise out of my mind. The stigma and unjust treatment of the German and Japanese Americans will still resonate with minorities today.

Favorite Quotes: “Don’t lose site of who you are Elise. Don’t give in to anger and bitterness. But we did nothing wrong. Sometimes it’s not about right and wrong but now and later. Right now, we are having to put up with a difficult situation that we don’t deserve and it’s not right. But later, when the war is over, we’ll remember that we didn’t let it break us.” This is how they coped; true resilience.

Reese Witherspoon, if you are reading this it would be a great future book club pick! This is a must read for historical fiction fans, book clubs, and social justice enthusiasts.

Thank you to Berkley through BookBrowse for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review

Brief Summary: Miranda Schuyler arrives on Winthrop Island in 1951 to see her mother marry socialite Hugh Fisher and is catapulted into a society of wealth as well as the working class that runs the island's fishing industry. Yet the summer ends in tragedy when her stepfather is killed. 17 years later she returns to the island searching for answers. Alternating between multiple viewpoints spanning 39 years, this is a tale of romance, passion, class, and justice. This is my third book by Beatriz Williams and I was eager to read it having enjoyed the previous two.

Highlights: The alternating narration spanning multiple generations; I especially loved trying to figure out how the various characters ended up together once the past and present were detailed. At times the pace was very engaging and I couldn't put it down and other times it dragged and I had to force myself to pick it back up. I liked the various love triangles. I was also guessing the pieces of the puzzle up until the last page. Despite these highlights, the characters and the story won't stay with me.

Explanation of Rating: 3/5: Average. I did not enjoy this as much as I did her previous work Along the Infinite Sea. I actually found the various storylines confusing, which is rare for me. Sadly, though I am a big fan of this author there are better books out there this summer. I also think the historical perspective is underdeveloped; it could have happened in the current day, though smart phones would have certainly changed various turning points.

Final thoughts: this was not a waste of time, I finished it but accurately describe it as average. I'd recommend other books before this one this summer. I will definitely read this author again and I'm looking forward to meeting her when she visits my hometown next month.

Thank you to BookBrowse and William Morrow for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review

Unfortunately, this book did not draw me in, engross me, or captivate me at all. It took me over a month to finish it and I have a low suspense tolerance. For me, the plot proceeded incredibly slowly and I just didn't feel the characters personalities palpable to connect with them. I wish Tabitha's storyline had moved along faster and I felt there were too many ties to wrap up at the end. Though I did find the end surprising, it was more of an oddity than something I suspected all along, which is even more surprising that I wasn't drawn in! The ending of the novel was too abrupt and sudden for me; without real development. Maybe I need to stick to dramas rather than intended thrillers?

By the acclaimed author reviews and plot description, I thought I'd love this novel. Unfortunately it did not captivate me. I have to give the author props for her creative and innovative plot which focuses on reincarnation and how it impacts family and children. This was a very slow paced novel; rather than the page turner I was expecting; though the last third is the best. The theme of existential mortality of lives that continue is incredibly underdeveloped. Finally, it did not even affect the way that I look at the issue of afterlife and possibility of reincarnation.