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Reviews by Jill

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The Women: A Novel
by Kristin Hannah

Overdue Tribute (2/20/2024)

The Women by Kristin Hannah
Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ARC audiobook

Narrated by: Julia Whelan and Kristin Hannah reading authors note

I’ve always enjoyed Julia Whelan’s narrations and she does another excellent read once again.

4.5 Stars rounded up to

19 …more

The Teacher
by Freida McFadden

Cat-and-Mouse Thriller (2/19/2024)

Narrated by Leslie Howard and Danny Montooth

Narration was well done, but the teachers voice was a bit cringeworthy at times.

A cat-and-mouse psychological thriller that pulls you in with the Prologue.

This tale is told from the alternating viewpoints of Eve (a teacher and …more

Prophet Song
by Paul Lynch

Chilling (1/26/2024)

4.5 star rating

Eilish Stack is the main character and the narration in the third person is largely her perspective and her emotions that propel the story from beginning to end.

The narrative is told unconventionally, with no paragraph breaks. This book won the 2023 Booker …more

The Art Thief: A True Story of Love, Crime, and a Dangerous Obsession
by Michael Finkel

Art Thief (1/26/2024)

3.5 rounded up

$2 Billion worth of art amassed in an attic in France. Crazy, but true. Stephane Breitwieser is, “The Art Thief,” who removes artwork after artwork from various museums, galleries and churches in France and Switzerland, then stores them in an attic in his …more

The Roaring Days of Zora Lily: A Novel
by Noelle Salazar

Beautifully Written Story (1/20/2024)

The Roaring Days of Zora Lily by Noelle Salazar

Narrated by Jesse Vilinsky and Natalie Duke

The narration was done very well and enjoyed listening to this well written historical fiction/coming-of-age story told in flashback. We meet Zora and are introduced to her life set …more

Mockingbird Summer: A Novel
by Lynda Rutledge

Coming-of-age read (12/23/2023)

My thanks to BookBrowse for the ARC of Mockingbird Summer.

Rated 3.5 stars
This is a coming-of-age story set in the early sixties in the segregated town of, High Cotton, Texas. Main characters are 13 year old, Corky, her older brother, Mack and America, a black girl that …more

Once Upon a Wardrobe: A Story of Narnia and a Sister's Love
by Patti Callahan

A Magical Story (12/22/2023)

Narrated by Fiona Hardingham

This is a must-listen for any fan of Narnia and C. S. Lewis. Fiona does a touching performance in her narration. I absolutely loved listening to this.

An enchanting and magical read. Terminally ill George must know where Narnia comes from. George …more

The Spy Coast: A Martini Club Thriller
by Tess Gerritsen

Good Espionage Thriller (11/24/2023)

This is an espionage thriller that I enjoyed immensely. This is my first book by Tess Gerritsen, and I am looking forward to #2 of The Martini Club series. I found myself after each chapter thinking, I’ll just read one more chapter; this is when I know it’s a good book.

The …more

Tom Lake: A Novel
by Ann Patchett

Beautifully Written (11/23/2023)

This is a story within a story. The author weaves back and forth from Lara’s younger years on stage and screen, to her present life of living on a cherry farm in northern Michigan, during the pandemic with her husband and three adult daughters.

The summer at Tom Lake is the …more

A Fever in the Heartland: The Ku Klux Klan's Plot to Take Over America, and the Woman Who Stopped Them
by Timothy Egan

Chilling (11/23/2023)

This is a chilling and riveting read of the KKK in the 1920’s. A work of narrative nonfiction. Timothy Egan writes a compelling nonfiction excellent book that all should read. I’m sure, this book too will be banned, if not already.

The Klan was resurrected in the early 1900’ …more

Above the Salt: A Novel
by Katherine Vaz

Poetic Love Story (10/18/2023)

This 19th century read follows soulmates John Alves and Mary Freitas, over eight decades across Portugal and the United States. Meeting at a young age and becoming friends during the blood tide of warfare between Catholics and Protestants in Portugal, their families must …more

The Book of Everlasting Things: A Novel
by Aanchal Malhotra

Beautiful writing (10/16/2023)

The Partition of India is at the heart of this debut tale of love cut short by the Partition of India.

Touching on love, loss, remembrance, perfumery, calligraphy and war.

All You Have to Do Is Call
by Kerri Maher

A Timely Read (9/21/2023)

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy of Kerri Maher’s book, All You Have To Do Is Call.

This is a timely read given the decision of the overturn of Roe v Wade. This decision overturned the longstanding Constitutional right to abortion and eliminated …more

The Paris Daughter
by Kristin Harmel

War and the After Effects (9/10/2023)

I listened to this audiobook and the narration read by, Madeleine Maby, was good. I enjoyed, The Paris Daughter, and I like Kristin Harmel’s other book, The Book of Lost Names.

The story begins in Paris 1939 and two mothers meet and become fast friends. Soon after, the …more

One Summer in Savannah: A Novel
by Terah Shelton Harris

Heavy topic, but a very good read. (9/5/2023)

One Summer in Savannah by Terah Shelton Harris and narrated by ZuZu Robinson

The narration was a challenge because of the cadence. The reading is stilted for a few characters, but once in it, it became easier to listen to.

The story is about forgiveness and all the …more

Tell Me What I Am: A Novel
by Una Mannion

Suspenseful Read (8/23/2023)

This novel portrays complexities of domestic abuse, psychological abuse, along with family relationships and the grieving. Multiple layers in this suspenseful novel are slowly peeled back, revealing more and more of the truth that has been hidden from, Ruby, since she was a …more

All You Have to Do Is Call
by Kerri Maher

A Timely Read Not To Be Missed (6/6/2023)

Thank you to the publisher and BookBrowse for an advance copy of Kerri Maher’s book, All You Have To Do Is Call.

This is a timely read given the decision of the overturn of Roe v Wade. This decision overturned the longstanding Constitutional right to abortion and eliminated …more

Take My Hand
by Dolen Perkins-Valdez

Take My Hand (9/4/2021)

Take My Hand, touches on issues that I knew little about. I enjoyed reading this book although at times it was heart wrenching; especially when dealing with minor girls. Certain government agencies took advantage of underprivileged people; largely poor black families and …more

BookBrowse Book Club

Daughters of Shandong
by Eve J. Chung

Based on the author’s family story, comes an extraordinary novel about a mother and her daughters’ escape from Taiwan.

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The Lilac People
by Milo Todd

For fans of All the Light We Cannot See, a poignant tale of a trans man’s survival in Nazi Germany and postwar Berlin.

About Discuss
Lessons in Chemistry
by Bonnie Garmus

Praised by Parade and The New York Times Book Review, this debut features a 1960s scientist turned TV cooking star.

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