Reviews by Jill

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Shelterwood
Shelterwood: A Novel
by Lisa Wingate
Voices From the Past (6/9/2024)
Shelterwood by Lisa Wingate

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the ARC ebook of Shelterwood

3.5 stars rounded up to 4

I have read a few of Lisa Wingate’s books and this is also a good read, even though I enjoyed others more. At the heart of this story …more
The Pecan Children
The Pecan Children
by Quinn Connor
Southern Gothic Read (6/4/2024)
THE PECAN CHILDREN by Quinn Connor

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the ARC of The Pecan Children

3.5 stars
A Southern Gothic with magical realism. Set on a pecan plantation in rural Arkansas where twin sisters grew up. Lil Clearwater works tirelessly in …more
Long After We Are Gone
Long After We Are Gone: A Novel
by Terah Shelton Harris
Great Read (6/3/2024)
LONG AFTER WE ARE GONE

Narration by Diontae Black was very well done.

I enjoyed her previous book, One Summer in Savannah, and I enjoyed this one, as well. I am a huge fan of Terah Shelton Harris’ writing style and her artfully done story telling. A generational family …more
Strange Sally Diamond
Strange Sally Diamond
by Liz Nugent
Dark Thriller (5/31/2024)
Narration by: Jessica Regan, Stephen Hogan and Sara Lyman was exceptionally well done and highly recommend.

“When I die, put me out with the bins. I'll be dead, so I won't know any different..."
When the time came...I followed his instructions."

—— and you are immediately …more
James
James: A Novel
by Percival Everett
Brilliantly Written and Told (5/19/2024)
JAMES by Percival Everett

Narration by Dominic Hoffman was perfectly done. Percival Everett has written a brilliant story of reimagining at its best. I absolutely loved everything he took liberty with in this story about James. James is a father and husband, and an enslaved …more
The Stolen Child
The Stolen Child: A Novel
by Ann Hood
Gorgeously Written Story (5/14/2024)
THE STOLEN CHILD by Ann Hood

4.5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and RB Media for the audiobook of this gorgeously written work of secrets long buried in the trenches of World War I, by Ann Hood. This is a historical fiction, mystery and romance read.

Narration by Jefferson Mays …more
The Flower Sisters
The Flower Sisters
by Michelle Collins Anderson
Historical Fiction/Coming-Of-Age (4/29/2024)
Thank you to NetGalley and RB Media/recorded books for the audiobook of, The Flower Sisters

Narrated by a cast of readers: Jim Frangione, Andrea Gallo, L.J. Ganser, Laura Knight Keating, Christina Moore, Graham Winton

A compelling debut of a coming-of-age/historical fiction …more
The Familiar
The Familiar: A Novel
by Leigh Bardugo
An Entertaining Read (4/25/2024)
THE FAMILIAR By Leigh Bardugo

Thank you to BookBrowse for the ARC of The Familiar

read

An entertaining read of speculative fiction, historical fiction and doses of magical fantasy, set in late 16th century Madrid at the height of the Spanish Inquisition. The prose is lyrical …more
An Honest Man
An Honest Man: A Novel
by Michael Koryta
A Really Good Read (3/24/2024)
Narration by Robert Petkoff was very well done.

Taking place on a small
island off the coast of Maine lives Israel Pike who is, a lobsterman, ‘an honest man’ and also a killer. A twelve year old boy named Lyman Rankin, who seeks shelter from his alcoholic father also is …more
How to Say Babylon
How to Say Babylon: A Memoir
by Safiya Sinclair
A Poetic Read (3/24/2024)
Narrated by the author, Safiya Sinclair who is an accomplished poet. Her skills are shown in the lyricism and language of this beautifully told memoir.

We follow Safiya’s journey of self-discovery and rebellion of her father’s expectations. She tells the story of her and …more
The Stone Home
The Stone Home: A Novel
by Crystal Hana Kim
The Stone Home (3/24/2024)
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow Books for the ARC ebook.

A coming-of-age, historical fiction/family drama with timelines of 1980’s and 2011. Inspired by real events told through two perspectives and timelines.

I had a difficult time trying to read this. I felt …more
The Unmaking of June Farrow
The Unmaking of June Farrow: A Novel
by Adrienne Young
Magical Time Travel read (2/26/2024)
Narrated by Brittany Presley

Narration was well done.

A magical realism novel, The Unmaking of June Farrow focuses on a family curse that has caused the Farrow women to exist in two times at once—time travel. A small-time setting in Jasper, NC, in 1951 and 2023. Young builds …more
One Summer in Savannah
One Summer in Savannah: A Novel
by Terah Shelton Harris
Beautifully Written But Intense Read (2/24/2024)
The story is about forgiveness and all the complications involved with it. Sara has to decide if she can forgive the unforgivable act, of sexual assault, that resulted in the birth of her daughter, Alana. Sara is forced to return home and face ghosts of her past. A lot of …more
The Women
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
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
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
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
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
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
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

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