BookBrowse | Book Reviews and Recommendations

The Last Mrs. Parrish
by Liv Constantine

“ Beware A Woman Scorned" (11/24/2021)

"Be careful what you wish for" and "beware a woman scorned" have been played out in excellent fashion in this debut novel. Compulsively readable and twisty enough to hold the interest.

One Night Gone
by Tara Laskowski

I just love a good mystery, and One Night Gone is a good mystery (11/1/2021)

I was drawn in from the very beginning . First off this was just what I needed for this month a good mystery with no romance, just the mystery and suspense of wondering what is going on. I loved seeing that with every clue I was just trying to figure out what really happened.

Then there was the back and fourth through time seeing how things started for Maureen and what eventually led to her end. The way the book ended as well was surprising, and as I read I was pulled in deeper and deeper and I was truly glued to every word on every page.

I recommend to you lovely readers that you really need to check this book out. Pulls you in and doesn’t let you go till the very end. Such a great read, highly recommend!

The Lost Apothecary: A Novel
by Sarah Penner

You will lose yourself in The Lost Apothecary! (5/20/2021)

If I could list all of the plot characteristics of a historical fiction book I knew I would love, almost all of the boxes would have been checked by Sarah Penner’s remarkable debut novel: we’ve got feminism! London! centuries-long mystery! libraries! poisoning terrible men! In my opinion, the only that was missing was a touch of cheesy romance I can’t help it, there was even a sassy sidekick in both of the timelines. The story was rich with great characters, story development. It had mystery, it had cliffhangers at every turn.
I rarely read books twice, but I'm sure I'll be reading this one again. It was definitely my favorite book I've read this year!
What are you waiting for? Get this book. You won’t be able to put it down!

A Million Things
by Emily Spurr

A stunning debut...Captivating? You bet! Right up to the end. (4/25/2021)

A Million Things is the most enthralling novel that perfectly showcases the moment between loss and letting go, between childhood and growing up. You will fall in love with this heart-wrenching story about grief, friendship and sticking up for yourself. So, do yourself a favor and add A Million Things to your TBR pile, you will not be sorry! Bravo, Emily Spurr !

The Painted Girls
by Cathy Marie Buchanan

Could I have loved this book any more!!?? I don’t think so! (4/19/2021)

All I can honestly say is...STUNNING. I swear I was there. I inhaled this novel in one long gulp. This book contained such vivid detail and fabulous imagery, I couldn't put it down! The character profiles were flawless. Cathy Buchanan has truly MASTERED the historical fiction genre with this one– taking just enough historical fact and blending it oh, so perfectly with a lovely fictional story that has it all. Art! Ballet! Family tragedy! Sisterhood.

The Dutch House
by Ann Patchett

OMMYGOODNESS!! This is perfect perfection! (4/14/2021)

I was so sad to reach the end of this book …. sniff, sniff...I always feel like crying a little when this book ends. Especially, this one.
I always want great reads to go on forever, but this one in particular is a story and it's telling that I will miss. Ann Patchett was telling me a wonderful, complex, deeply satisfying story. When it ended, it was like I stopped at a traffic light and Ann Patchett got out of the book and it just stopped, this was a wonderful story and I wanted to keep reading and beg Ann to keep writing this wonderful story; surely there must be more to the story that she just forgot to write? The story was nicely wrapped up, all the loose ends were tied, and the tale was deeply satisfying in a way many books just can't achieve.

The Big Finish
by Brooke Fossey

A touching and humorous read! (4/14/2021)

Easy reading and a heartfelt story plot. It's worth hanging out with this crew. In a funny, insightful, and life-affirming debut, Brooke Fossey delivers an unflinching look at growing old, living large, and loving big, as told by a wise-cracking man who didn’t see any of it coming. What are you waiting for? Grab your glasses and let's get reading!!

Girl in Disguise
by Greer Macallister

Wish it were longer! (4/14/2021)

Loaded with suspense and action, this is a well-told, superb story. This author is becoming a top ten favorite of mine. Her words are sharp and palpable. Her stories are interesting and fresh. I always appreciate an author that can get to the story or describe something/one without being verbose. I love the author's ability to take historical fiction and enlighten the reader with real facts about real people, women in particular. I became a fan of Macallister with her first novel, The Magician's Lie. This 2nd book is leading the way for more fans like me.

Midnight at the Bright Ideas Bookstore
by Matthew Sullivan

Five Enthusiast Stars! (4/14/2021)

Excellent writing, excellent editing, excellent story.

The characters, the puzzles, the clues, THE HAMMERMAN and Lydia... SO GOOD. I'm terrible at writing reviews because I never want to give anything away. Just buy this book. But block out some time, because it's impossible to put down.

Band of Sisters: A Novel
by Lauren Willig

Hands down one of my favourite reads of the year! (4/13/2021)

Well, none of you should be surprised that I’m about to write a glowing review about Lauren Willig’s newest, (Band of Sisters),as I’ve been looking forward to this for months.I loved, loved! this masterpiece to the point I think I’ve hailed it to all of Gods above! My high expectations were not only met but knocked out of the park. I read a lot of historical fiction, and Band of Sisters made me laugh, cry and feel outrage for what the characters have gone through. I felt as if I became part of their lives.

The Book of Lost Names
by Kristin Harmel

The Book of Lost Names” pulled out all my emotions! (4/6/2021)

I was left weeping and celebrating all at the same time. With the most tender kind of writing for a time in our history where the suffering was intensely exquisite, Kristin Hormel writes with delicacy and in such a warm way that this entire story leaves you breathless, closing the book grateful for knowing this part of history.

When such raw beauty & awe resonates from the pages of a novel, it is because authors like Kristin Harmel can take a character like Eva and make her feel so real to us that we want to reach out and hug her in gratitude!

Virgil Wander
by Leif Enger

It would not let me go! (6/20/2020)

This is not a book for someone wanting a predictable story. It also does not answer every reader’s question. This is what makes Virgil Wander great and not merely a story served up on a platter with a bow-tied ending. It is the journey of Virgil that matters and you won’t be disappointed. You too will not want to go.

Britt-Marie Was Here
by Fredrik Backman

Don't walk to your local bookstore to get it. Run! (5/21/2020)

I didn't think I'd enjoy a book more than "A Man Called Ove." But I did. Britt-Marie is Here is a winner. It's witty, insightful, fun, and just a very very good read. I was sorry to see this story end, and hope the author features this character -- and others so expertly portrayed

Redhead by the Side of the Road
by Anne Tyler

This is a gem of a novel: witty, moving and wise. (5/8/2020)

If you want to understand the everyday life of Americans, read Anne Tyler . . . There is no one better at taking the ordinary person—the one we don’t even notice in the supermarket queue—and showing us what lies beneath . . .

The Big Finish
by Brooke Fossey

A great story with a Big Finish!! (5/7/2020)

Easy reading and a heartfelt story plot. It's worth hanging out with this crew.In a funny, insightful, and life-affirming debut, Brooke Fossey delivers an unflinching look at growing old, living large, and loving big, as told by a wise-cracking man who didn’t see any of it coming.

Red Letter Days
by Sarah-Jane Stratford

Incredible piece of history, a must read for all! (5/6/2020)

Red Letter Days expertly conveys a lot of the nuance surrounding the Red Scare and the way it uprooted the lives of so many while also offering so much hope in the face of adversity. It’s a timely read that historical fiction fans everywhere will want to curl up with.

Crooked Heart
by Lissa Evans

Oh I am telling you right up front, this is a winner!!! (5/6/2020)

Oh, I'm telling you right up front that Crooked Heart by Lissa Evans is going to be one of my top reads!
I love books that speak to the human condition - life, love, death and everything that comes in between. This book totally won my heart. I was sad to turn the last page. But satisfied, very satisfied. Crooked Heart is, well, heartwarming, heartbreaking and oh,so very good. Heartily recommended!

The Sun Down Motel
by Simone St. James

Great! Suspenseful! (2/19/2020)

I was in the mood for a good suspense book. This book didn’t disappoint! The story has lots of twists and turns. Unlike most suspense or mysteries, it doesn’t take you all the way to the end and ta da, mystery solved! The different layers are revealed in layers. It’s very well done. I would highly recommend this book!

The Whole Town's Talking
by Fannie Flagg

BEST FANNY FLAGG BOOK EVER!!! (2/4/2020)

This book was so fantastically told! It takes place over many decades and you truly feel part of their lives, like they're your neighbors. I felt every word, I was there, I felt every single word. Do yourself a favor and give this charming story a go. This is a real winner, BRAVO!!

The Dutch House
by Ann Patchett

OMIGOODNESS!! This is perfect perfection! (2/4/2020)

I was so sad to reach the end of this book …. sniff, sniff...I always feel like crying a little when this book ends. Especially, this one.
I always want great reads to go on forever, but this one in particular is a story and it's telling that I will miss. Ann Patchett was telling me a wonderful, complex, deeply satisfying story. When it ended, it was like I stopped at a traffic light and Ann Patchett got out of the book and it just stopped, this wonderful story and I wanted to keep reading and beg Ann to keep writing this wonderful story; surely there must be more to the story that she just forgot to write? The story was nicely wrapped up, all the loose ends were tied, and the tale was deeply satisfying in a way many books just can't achieve.

Reviews by Mary C

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