First, I must admit that I am not much of a romance reader. I do enjoy a cozy or fluff book from time to time, but prefer they are mystery related, not romance related. However, I will admit that I did enjoy Katherine Center's style - even though there was more romance in this book than I enjoy. I think she developed her characters well and had a sufficient story line.

My reason for reading this book was that I plan to read her next book Things You Save in a Fire for a group. Not having read Things You Save in a Fire yet, I assume that some of the same characters will carry over. I came across a 'bridging' short story between the two books and decided reading How To Walk Away was probably advantageous.

This novel says a lot about family, love and relationships. It centers on Maggie, who has lost the use of her legs in an accident - which leads to the loss of everything important in her life. As she spends a month in the hospital she renews her relationship with her sister, finds out scathing news about her mother, and suffers through a scowling, barely talking physical therapist. By the time she is ready to leave the hospital, Maggie is looking at life differently. Things appear brighter, but is it enough to build a life on?

3.5 stars Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin for allowing me to read and review this book.

The lives of three southern women in the early 1920's. Unalike in class and standings, but with so many similar hardships. There was Anne, a wealthy aristocrat, blessed with all that money could buy. There was Rhetta, a black maid, a first generation free slave, still working for a white family. Then there was Gertrude, poor, white and beaten by her husband. This story is about how all three came to be connected, friends and in the end caregivers to each other.

Spera, a well known television producer, has now published her first, her debut novel. She admits to using many family stories and basing some of her characters off her own family members and also using some real life places and instances. This novel was developed from a short story that she wrote called 'Alligator'. We can only hope that she takes the rest of those short stories and make novels of each and every one.

Surprise, surprise! This is an author that I have not liked in any past book - I have not even been able to finish any of her past books - regardless of all the high reviews she has been given.

However...

I have given this book 4 stars! I really did enjoy it. I felt it started out much like The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson which I had just read, and really liked, but once into the story it veered off into different territory, while still talking about the book women of Kentucky.

This story based on the true life beginning of the Packhorse Librarians of Kentucky, tells not only that story, but is the story of hardships, spousal abuse, determination, sacrifice and ultimately love. It is the sisterhood in this story that carries it. Not taking into consideration the differences in race or social standing these women stood together and fought every battle, fought the town and fought the overly privileged men of that time.

The women are believable, the story is encouraging and the landscape presented is breath taking. Overall a really good novel.

3.75 stars Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for allowing me to read and review this book.

At the center of Internet dating, Laura, never lucky in love, takes a chance - again. But upon meeting this new man, a blind date, she goes missing. Her sister, her brother in law and a childhood friend are all looking for her. They are scared for her life - but also scared of what SHE may have done.

A real 'who-dun-it' mystery. Many twists and turns coming to the final outcome. Just when you think you have it figured out another twist happens.

It took me a minute to get in the rhythm of reading this book. Because that is what you have to do with a Jacqueline Woodson book. You need to be in tune with Woodson to get the most out of her writing. She writes differently than most authors - slower, with a defined pacing, and usually in a verbiage just south of the typical book. But once you have her rhythm down - her books explode with stories.

Ancestry and parenthood are top themes throughout this book. The differences in the generations and in the two families brought together due to a pregnancy. Reminiscing - what happened and what they wished had happened. Looking back - loves cherished and loves lost and looking forward - wondering what the future would bring

I had such a hard time getting into this book. I started it three separate times and finally pushed my way through it. 'Rewind' tells you a lot! And I think that was my downfall. Every few pages the story would rewind. Trying to keep characters straight and then going back in time was confusing for me. The book did not start, then rewind and continue forward in one loop, it would rewind every few pages and take up at varying intervals. It took me half way through the book to even understand it was a murder mystery and which character was murdered.

I can say that the final 50 pages or so were good. The whole story was brought together in a very good way - understandable - and the real villain revealed.

I cannot recommend this book, but also do not want to discourage anyone from reading it. Just because this book did not click with me does not mean that others will not like it. I will pay attention to any other reviews that I see on this book, just to try to understand what it was that I missed that made this book so difficult for me.

This story is pain. This story is trauma. This story takes place in one minute. This story takes place in an elevator. This story does not end as expected.

A young poverty grown teen is out to avenge the shooting death of his brother. Everything changes in the elevator on the way down.

I had both the printed book and the audio of this story. I first listened to the audio, read by the author. It was powerful. I liked it so much, I then read the book. This is a book like no other. This book is poetry. The story will remain with you

I am not sure if it was bad timing for me, the fact that I listened to an audio instead of reading the book, or I am just not an Alice Hoffman fan. But I struggled to give this a 3 star rating. I did not hear the wonderful prose that has been mentioned by others, nor the great mysticism and folklore that they say shined in this story. I found it to be confusing and fragmented. I did not think that the alternating chapters worked - at least not in the audio. It was very hard to follow.

I realize I am going against the flow on this book, but for me, it was a waste of my time.

Story of a rich girls kidnapping due to her Daddys injustices. Mia(Chloe) was kidnapped by Colin (Owen) but instead of following the kidnapping plan Owen took her to an empty cabin in the woods.
Chloe ends up falling in love with Owen over the length of time they spent in the cabin.
The story held my interest and I kept listening to the audio book. There were 4 narrators of this story and each told it in their own way. Chloe, Owen, Eve -Chloes mother and Gabe - the detective on the case. The narration was very good.
There is a twist however. The twist is the story. Not something that I figured out before I read it and I can happily say I appreciate that fact. This was a debut book and after reading this one I am sure that I will read those that follow. Kubica is on a roll!

3.5 stars Thank you NetGalley and Random House for allowing me to read and review this book. Published May 2019.

This is a debut book. I had started it months ago and was unable to finish it in the time frame I had, so restarted it again from the beginning and quickly got through it. It was an easy book to read and the story carried you along.

Some of the major themes were related to the 'haves and the have nots', 'unfortunate situations', and 'greed'. A large corporation feeding off the need and the inability to succeed of immigrant women. Not only using immigrant women, holding them hostage, but adding pregnancy to their corrupt scheme.

In a baby for sale to the highest bidder, this farm preyed off foreign women. Women agreeing to carry babies to term, regardless of all else. And our protagonist, Jane, learned just how cruel that agreement could be. Betrayed by her own family, preyed upon by the farm, and heartbroken to learn of the mistreatment of her your daughter, Jane decides to change everyone's plans.

I did like the way this story ended, however it was a long sad trip to finally end up there.

I think that Ramos did a very good job on her debut book and I will look for more from this author in the future.

I stayed away from all the controversy about this book until after I had read it. I formed my own opinion about the book first. Keeping in mind that this book is fiction, my opinion is what I will refer to in this review.

I felt that the content of this book was very current, in time, and probably very accurate, in relevance. The plight of the immigrant, regardless of the nationality, is one of fear, confusion, bodily harm, and massively expensive. Our current government and administration only make it harder. I felt that Cummins did a good job in conveying the difficulties and fears that go along with trying to illegally immigrate into the United States.

The book opens with a mass murder. Sixteen people killed - two survive. Then it backs up and tells the story that leads to the killings. From there it focuses on a mother and son trying everything in their power to immigrate to the United States and at the same time stay hidden from a far reaching Cartel that wants them both dead.

I felt that Cummins wrote a good book. There may have been liberties taken, but that is acceptable in a fiction book. She developed good characters and went with a current and relevant plot. I had one objection to this book, however it is the same objection I have had with other books, so it is not singular to Cummins. My objection is the amount of Spanish she used in the text. Some things were translated, others were not. If you are writing to an English speaking audience, then write in English. If you want to write in Spanish, or any other language, then write the book in that language. I don't mind a foreign word here and there, but I think this was a bit overkill. I always take 1/2 star off my rating for this, as I did here also. With that said, I would recommend this book and I plan to read other books by Cummins.

This was my second book by Abbi Waxman, and although I say I am not a romance reader, I did like this one. I thought it was cute, funny, an easy to read enjoyable plot, and actually reminded me of myself in places. We recluses have to stick together...lol!

Nina worked in a book store and preferred staying at home and reading with her cat, Phil, to any social commitments. She did however belong to trivia group as her once a month extra curricular entertainment. Her life was set...until...she received the news! The father she never knew has passed away and left her a full fledged family! Now, mix that will the accidental force feeding of a good looking trivia opponent and Nina's life is off the rails.

Definitely a chick-lit book, but one that is light and airy and moves quickly.

4 stars Thank you to Forge and BookBrowse for the chance to read this book. Published January 21, 2020.

A book of mysticism - not witches - but mystics, each with their own power. Their own past and an eye to their own future.

This book follows three women, from Mother Abigail who builds Remembrance and maintains it's Edge, to Margot 60 years later, to Winter an elderly woman in a nursing home. From the 1700's to the current day. Haiti to New Orleans to Ohio. A stop on the Underground Railroad, always protected. All women running from slavery and trying to make a life of their own. Josiah, forever young, as he ages. What is his attachment? And Gaelle, the nurse, how does she fit in? A story of three women living in different time periods, yet all connected. All having a mystic power.

It took me a minute to get into this story, but once I did I could not put it down. Historical content, slavery and sacrifice, mystical connotations, all create a page turner. Learning the stories of these women was like a quantum leap - space divided and time stood still. Not all questions are answered for you, it takes some thought to understand this book. Who is the all powerful one? Who has an untapped power? Again, where does Josiah fit in?

Many surprises in this book. If you follow where it leads, the outcome is simple. But you must meld the stories together and find how the three women connect.

This book is haunting, it is intriguing, it settles heavily into your mind. You ask yourself what you would do over and over again. It melds the history of slavery with the biases of today. It throws you off balance with abrupt changes, yet holds you firmly in it's grip.

This is a debut book by Dr. Woods - and a fine book, it is.

A death in the family is heartbreaking. But to make matters worse, sisters argue over the estate of their father. The youngest sister, Helen, gets 100 of the inheritance. She is determined to make her fortune in a brewery and rule the world. Edith, the older sister, makes her way in life the best she can. She becomes known for her apple pies and always wonders what she could have done with half of her fathers estate.

Time passes and things change. Helen has never looked back and has made her name in the world. On the other hand, Edith has had heartbreak, but fast and true, she was always there to help others. By a stroke of luck Edith must brew and sell a new beer to keep her granddaughter in business.

My, how the tide has turned... One never knows just how life will turn out.

An easy read, a quick page turner. light and fluffy, nice distraction from heavier fare. A family saga full of power, greed, love, sacrifice, forgiveness and redemption. Good story, character driven plot. Well defined players, unexpected happenings.

4 stars Thank you to Cassie at G.P. Putnam for allowing me to claim this ARC through NetGalley. Publishes 6/30/2020.

Leah Konen is a new author to me, but she sure caught my attention. Her style is smooth, good writing, and moving story. Right from the first page I needed to read further. This book held my interest all the way through, always urging me to read on. And just when I thought I had figured the mystery out - twice actually -I again, was surprised.

Lucy runs from her big city life and hides in Woodstock New York. In a small cabin, way out in the wilderness. She meets her neighbors Vera and John. It appears that all three people have found what they were looking for - a best friend. Until Lucy starts to hear rumors.

All three of these people are running. Each one has their own cross to bare. And as they plan an escape - which includes John's death - things turn all too real. Then in hindsight Lucy must determine who is telling the truth and who wants to put the blame on her.

I thoroughly enjoyed this mystery and will read more of Leah Konen's books in the future.

3.5 stars Thanks to Custom House for allowing me to read this ARC. Publishes May 12, 2020.

This book was different. It was the ambience, maybe, that keep pushing me on - turning pages. I did not particularly like any of the characters, but didn't dislike them either. Really uncertain as to what it was - because with most books, like this one, I would have quit it about half way through - but something in this book kept me reading. The writing itself seemed to urge me on to an unexpected conclusion.

A strange private school, called Catherine House, in the center of nowhere. Once you enter you are there until you graduate. And for some, much longer. Each class group tends to get close to and comfortable with all the others in their class. Scholastics are their prime motivation - however there are also many strange meetings and dinners that tale place. On top of that, there is the Tower... and the plasm lab!

In this book Catherine House is a character on it's own. You get to know not only the building and it's placement in the story, but also things as intimate as the wall paper in various rooms. I applaud the author Elisabeth Thomas, for being able to do that. Not all authors can take an inanimate object and make it live. Catherine House lives.

One of the things I really enjoy about Bohjalians's books is that they are always so different and all are so well researched. You are never sure what topic he will be writing about next.

Normally I am very fond of Bohjalian's topics and story lines. However in this book, not so much! There is an animal in this book that I don't particularly care for and it was written about over and over again. Don't get me wrong, the mention of this animal was pertinent to the story, it just gave me the creeps.

So this was not a favorite Bohjalian read. The story was well put together. His research was spot on. The characters were believable. But the animal used throughout the story was too often and too vividly written for me to really enjoy the book.

I enjoyed this book better than I expected. I basically read it in one sitting.

Knowing that the plot of the story was going to cover Munchhausen Syndrome, I passed over the book a number of times for something not quite so serious. But once I opened the cover and began to read, I was hooked. Relieved to see that Munchhausen's, although always niggling in the background, was overridden with the story of Rose Gold and her mother, Patty.

I liked the twists and unusual happenings in the story and the strength that Rose Gold finally put forth. There were a few unexpected things that materialized, making the story that much better, because it was evident that Rose Gold had not had a good life. As far as Patty, sometimes we pay for things that we never did, in lieu of past errors that we did make.

This was my first Stephanie Wrobel book, but I will definitely watch for more of her books.

Thanks to Berkley for allowing me to read and review this book. Published March 17, 2020.

Contemporary India - three separate story lines - a debut novel.

There is Jivan a young female finding herself in jail for the terrorism act of causing a fire on a public train filled with people...

There is Lovely, a hijra, known as a 'he-she' desiring to be a famous Bollywood actress...

There is PT Sir, a professor who gets involved with the Jana Kalyan Party - a right wing political party...

...and how their lives will intertwine.

Neighborhood children fall in love and end up years later married. But not before there is a shooting of one parent and one parent committed. A lot of drama and obstacles to overcome between these two families to be able to find a happy ending.

This is the first Keane book I have read. But I see she does a good job of developing her characters and she has a good plausible plot line. The themes in her story reverberate throughout, from start to finish. Here she writes of forgiveness, love and acceptance. Alcoholism, mental illness and misunderstandings are pertinent. The challenges that a family can face are front and center, then coupled with the challenges of your spouses family, they just increase the volume. She works off the premise that the fact of looking into the back ground, or the past, is often what heals us quickest.

Nice family drama - easy to read and believable.