Reviews by Jill

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Tilt
Tilt: A Novel
by Emma Pattee
Literary Thriller Debut (3/29/2025)
Tilt by Emma Pattee

A pregnant overwhelmed woman’s epic journey across a ravaged city with the weight of her past and her hopes for the future.

Narration by Ariel Blake was very well done for this rapid paced literary thriller debut. An impressive read set over the course of …more
The River Knows Your Name
The River Knows Your Name: A Novel
by Kelly Mustian
An Immersive Read (3/25/2025)
The River Knows Your Name by Kelly Mustian

This haunting atmospheric southern story paints a vivid picture of the Mississippi Delta and its people. The characters are well developed; complex and nuanced with compelling backstories. Kelly Mustian created an immersive read …more
Dream Count
Dream Count: A Novel
by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Complex and Layered Stories (3/16/2025)
Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

The readings by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Sandra Okuboyejo, A’rese Emokpae, and Janina Edwards, are all very well done. I paired the audiobook with the book.

Is true happiness ever attainable or is it just a fleeting state?

Set in …more
Saltwater
Saltwater: A Novel
by Katy Hays
Hidden Secrets (3/12/2025)
SALTWATER by Katy Hays

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the ARC ebook

In 1992 the wealthy Lingate family is vacationing in beautiful Capri, when playwright, Sarah Lingate, is found dead below the cliffs. Sarah leaves behind a three- …more
The Spectacular
The Spectacular: A Novel
by Fiona Davis
Inspired By True Events (3/12/2025)
THE SPECTACULAR by Fiona Davis

I paired the book with the audiobook, and Rachel L. Jacobs and Kimberly Farr both do a fine reading of this book.

This story is inspired by true events. As with all her books, this too is set in New York City, at the Radio City Music Hall, in …more
Wild Dark Shore
Wild Dark Shore: A Novel
by Charlotte McConaghy
Impossible Choices (3/12/2025)
WILD DARK SHORE by Charlotte McConaghy

Read by: Cooper Mortlock; Katherine Littrell; Saskia Maarleveld; Steve West

All of the readers did a great job of narrating this book. Saskia Maarleveld is a favorite narrator of mine.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the …more
Penitence
Penitence: A Novel
by Kristin Koval
A Suspenseful Debut (3/12/2025)
PENITENCE by Kristen Koval

Therese Plummer does a fine reading of this suspenseful story. This is Kristen Koval’s debut and I thought it was well written and I’m excited to see what she does next.

Opening family wounds and bringing dark truths to light with the guilt we live …more
The Edge of Water
The Edge of Water
by Olufunke Grace Bankole
A Beautifully Told Narrative (3/12/2025)
The Edge of Water by Olufunke Grace Bankole

Nicole Cash does a wonderful job of capturing the essence of this debut book with her reading of this epic tale following the lives of three generations of daring women.

is told in alternating chapters by Esther, a strong-willed …more
The Oligarch's Daughter
The Oligarch's Daughter: A Novel
by Joseph Finder
Engaging Read (3/12/2025)
Paul Brightman is a man on the run, living under an assumed name in a small New England town with a bounty on his head. His security is breached and he must flee before Russian operatives locate him.

Alternating between two timelines — the present as Paul is struggling to …more
Broken Country
Broken Country
by Clare Leslie Hall
Compelling Debut (3/12/2025)
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for the ARC read now ebook.

This is the author’s US debut and you will fall head over heels with this unputdownable read. A sweeping story set primarily in the 1960’s but toggles back in the past too, with so many layers it is …more
The Safekeep
The Safekeep
by Yael van der Wouden
A Beautifully Written Story (2/23/2025)
Narrated by: Stina Nielsen and Saskia Maarleveld both do a wonderful reading of this beautifully illustrated debut.

A historical fiction debut about obsession and loss…

Set in the eastern
Netherlands 1960s post-war; following Isabel, an awkward and closed off 28-year-old …more
Lula Dean's Little Library of Banned Books
Lula Dean's Little Library of Banned Books: A Novel
by Kirsten Miller
The Power of Books (2/15/2025)
Lula Dean's Little Library of Banned Books by Kristen Miller

Narrated by: January LaVoy

This is all about the power of books ——

January does a wonderful reading of this provocative satirical read set in Troy, Georgia, a small southern town, in the spring and summer of 2024. …more
The Queens of Crime
The Queens of Crime: A Novel
by Marie Benedict
The Detection Club (2/11/2025)
The Queens of Crime by Marie Benedict

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC eGalley — pub. date February 11, 2025

A historical fiction book that is well written and researched of a group of strong women, by Marie Benedict. Five great women crime authors …more
Isola
Isola: A Novel
by Allegra Goodman
A Timeless Story Of Survival (2/7/2025)
Isola by Allegra Goodman

4.5 stars
Inspired by the real life of a sixteenth-century heroine, Isola is the timeless story of a woman fighting for survival. French noblewoman, Marguerite de la Rocque de Roberval, who lives to tell the tale of her exile on an island off …more
The Jackal's Mistress
The Jackal's Mistress: A Novel
by Chris Bohjalian
Inspired By A True Story (2/3/2025)
The Jackal's Mistress by Chris Bohjalian

Thank you to BookBrowse and NetGalley along with the publisher, Doubleday Books for the ARC to read.

This historical fiction read is inspired by a true story and set in Virginia near the end of the Civil War.

4.5 stars
We are …more
From Here to the Great Unknown
From Here to the Great Unknown: A Memoir
by Lisa Marie Presley
Profoundly Moving (1/25/2025)
FROM HERE TO THE GREAT UNKNOWN by Lisa Marie Presley and Riley Keough

A raw and immersive look into the lives and complexities of this iconic family.

This book offers us a glimpse into the private world of Lisa Marie, who lived in the shadow of greatness. Though it is …more
After the Ocean
After the Ocean
by Lauren E. Rico
Compelling Multi-Layered Read (1/21/2025)
After the Ocean by Lauren E. Rico

Thank you to NetGalley and RBmedia for the audiobook of After the Ocean

Narrated by Victoria Villareal, Robb Moreira, Frankie Corzo who did a fine job of making this book so enjoyable and come to life. I paired this with the book.

A …more
Count the Ways
Count the Ways
by Joyce Maynard
Family Saga (1/10/2025)
COUNT THE WAYS by Joyce Maynard

I paired the book with the audiobook. The narration was very enjoyable and read by the author herself.

Set in the 1970s and 1980s, this story goes back and forth between past and present.
“Count the Ways” is the story of Eleanor, a children’s …more
The Blue Hour
The Blue Hour: A Novel
by Paula Hawkins
Slow-Burn Psychological Thriller (1/10/2025)
THE BLUE HOUR by Paula Hawkins

The Blue Hour is a slow-burn psychological thriller and a different read from her other books. I thought this was well written and enjoyed reading it. A discovery is made in the sculpture of a well known artist that starts this story off. …more
Before the Mango Ripens
Before the Mango Ripens
by Afabwaje Kurian
Beautifully Written Debut (1/9/2025)
BEFORE THE MANGO RIPENS by Afabwaje Kurian

Thanks to NetGalley and RBmedia for the audiobook

Dele Ogundiran does a great reading of this novel. I also paired with the book.

Set in Nigeria in 1970s just after the nation’s independence, Afabwaje Kurian has written a debut …more

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