Reviews by Jennie R. (Highland, CA)

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Jane and Dan at the End of the World
Jane and Dan at the End of the World
by Colleen Oakley
Fun to read (12/4/2024)
While I thought this book had many cheesy/corny moments, I did enjoy the fast paced storyline. It was a quick and easy read with some life advice thrown in (i.e. be careful what you wish for, etc.).
The Bog Wife
The Bog Wife
by Kay Chronister
Unusual story, in a good way! (9/7/2024)
I quite enjoyed this novel. It was such a departure from my typical reads…the author created this story about an eccentric family living in West Virginia, but almost totally isolated from the rest of the world. It was part fantasy, part supernatural, hard to fit into any …more
Pony Confidential
Pony Confidential
by Christina Lynch
Like a Hallmark movie… (6/19/2024)
In my opinion, this novel was lacking in depth and felt very much like a Hallmark Christmas movie…too treacly sweet for my taste. The main characters, Pony and Penny, started out their journeys naive, and predictably gained wisdom from their experiences, many of which were …more
The Cleaner
The Cleaner: A Novel
by Brandi Wells
Anticlimactic read… (2/23/2024)
The author drew me in with this rather bizarre character/narrator. You know almost immediately she has some real mental health problems. Delusional, paranoid, feelings of superiority, obsessive…just to name the first that come to mind. Unfortunately, I thought the story was …more
Leaving
Leaving: A Novel
by Roxana Robinson
Left me a bit flat… (12/19/2023)
This book had its highs and lows for me. By the end of the book, I couldn't stand any of the characters, especially Warren and his horrible daughter, Kat. The part of the story I enjoyed the most was while Warren and Sarah were happy together again, in spite of the fact …more
This Is Salvaged
This Is Salvaged: Stories
by Vauhini Vara
Good collection of short stories… (8/10/2023)
This collection of stories had so many weird and wonderful characters, Some stories were enjoyable...some were weird in a good way…a couple were too weird for me to make sense of and take in. But they all had in common a wealth of interesting characters, and a different way …more
All You Have to Do Is Call
All You Have to Do Is Call
by Kerri Maher
What a great read… (6/22/2023)
The topic of abortion being legal or not shouldn’t even continue to be relevant, but sadly today more than ever it is. In my opinion, this is a decision that ought to rest entirely with each woman who finds herself facing an unwanted pregnancy, for whatever reason. This …more
Panther Gap
Panther Gap: A Novel
by James A. McLaughlin
Beautiful sense of place… (4/5/2023)
First, I have to say my favorite thing about this novel were the descriptions of the environments and animals/animal spirits. These were magical, mystical, and in depth enough I could picture much of it in my mind's eye.

The chapters jump from past to present which I …more
Sisters of the Lost Nation
Sisters of the Lost Nation
by Nick Medina
Good read, but unsatisfying…. (11/2/2022)
My first gripe about this book is that I couldn't figure out why Anna attended a school where she seemed to be one of very few Native American students. I don't believe this was explained. She suffered cruel treatment at the hands of her fellow students, even her own sister. …more
The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise
The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise
by Colleen Oakley
Enjoyable read, but… (10/5/2022)
The story of Tanner and Mrs. Louise Wilt was written in one of my least favorite styles - what I can only refer to as 'slapsticky'. Too cute, too witty, too…lots of things, Tanner rubbed me the wrong way. She had so many epiphanies during her adventures with Mrs. Wilt, it …more
Dinosaurs
Dinosaurs: A Novel
by Lydia Millet
Surprising! (9/17/2022)
This story is all about Gil, an unusual man who inherits a large sum of money in his teenage years, from the grandmother who raised him. He doesn't have to earn a living, so he volunteers for different organizations. After his girlfriend breaks up with him, he decides to …more
One's Company
One's Company: A Novel
by Ashley Hutson
Like nothing I've read before… (5/23/2022)
One's Company is certainly a unique story. Bonnie's story stirred up so much compassion in me. After an unhappy childhood, Bonnie experiences a traumatic incident as a young adult. The tv show 'Three's Company' is a comforting saving grace as she recovers from the trauma, …more
Some of It Was Real
Some of It Was Real
by Nan Fischer
Such an enjoyable read… (2/20/2022)
This one was a quick read. I liked the stories behind the two main characters, Sylvia and Thomas, as well as the complicated interactions between the two of them. Thomas, a journalist, is almost desperate for a knock-it-out-of-the-park article to save his career, and Sylvie, …more
On a Night of a Thousand Stars
On a Night of a Thousand Stars
by Andrea Yaryura Clark
An enjoyable history lesson! (2/9/2022)
Thank you to BookBrowse for the ARC of this novel. Andrea Yaryura Clark is to be commended on writing this story and bringing to light what went on during the ‘Dirty War’ in Argentina. I, for one, knew very little about this time in Argentina’s history. Some of the things I …more
Blind Man's Bluff
Blind Man's Bluff: A Memoir
by James Tate Hill
Interesting, but… (9/1/2021)
It was all too easy to become distracted from this book, putting it down to do something else. I really wanted to like this one, and although I feel compassion for the boy, and the man he became, he seems self-absorbed to the point it was off-putting. In my opinion, he was …more
A Million Things
A Million Things
by Emily Spurr
All the feels... (5/10/2021)
I fell hard for Rae, the protagonist in this novel. What a strong, smart, scrappy, vulnerable, and resourceful little girl. The relationship that develops between Rae and Lettie, the neighbor with a hoarding tendency, added such depth to the story. Every character in this …more
A Theater for Dreamers
A Theater for Dreamers
by Polly Samson
Greek Island Vacation? (4/14/2021)
I feel the author did a good job of describing the time and place. In my mind's eye, I could plainly see the island and the houses, shops, beach, and people. The relationships added interesting texture and tension. My only complaint was that none of the characters were …more
The Personal Librarian
The Personal Librarian
by Marie Benedict, Victoria Christopher Murray
So enjoyable... (2/10/2021)
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story, and feel the authors did a fine job of filling in the many gaps in a historical account with what might've been Belle's life story. The tension was so vivid...passing as a white woman while feeling the injustice of the necessity to …more
Catherine House
Catherine House: A Novel
by Elisabeth Thomas
Impressive first novel... (3/9/2020)
I was impressed with the book overall; finishing in two days, as I found the story compelling, almost seductive. A school students attend for three years straight, with an almost guaranteed future, but with no contact from the outside and no visitors and no belongings of …more
The In-Betweens
The In-Betweens: The Spiritualists, Mediums, and Legends of Camp Etna
by Mira Ptacin
Very informative! (11/1/2019)
Before reading 'The In-Betweens' I knew very little about Spiritualism and its history. I didn't even realize mediums had an organized 'religion' complete with churches. I very much enjoyed the education provided by this informative and unbiased book, and extend my thanks …more
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