Recent Reader Reviews

We learn of Auntie Em's life with her sister Annie in Chicago and her life in Kansas before and after seven-year-old Dorothy came to live with Em and Henry after Annie passed away.

Em and her sister lived in Chicago until Uncle Henry swept her off her feet and took her to Kansas.

Annie stayed in Chicago and married a man Em wasn't fond of - she wasn't even sure her sister loved him. Her sister had a secret that Em wanted to reveal, and it was something that came between them.

Em loved Kansas and her life on the farm, and when she was called back to Chicago to take her niece Dorothy to live with her, Em wondered how …more Dorothy would adapt to the rural life.

We go back and forth through both time periods that are filled with love and tenderness, and hope.

We learn of the hardships and the heartaches Auntie Em endured along with taking us through the depression, the stock market crash, and living in the dust bowl? of the 1930s.

If you loved The Wizard of Oz and didn't know Auntie Em's story, BEFORE DOROTHY is a book you won't want to miss.

There are subtle mentions of the characters and scenes in The Wizard of Oz that will make you smile.

You will love how Toto got his name in this book - I'm guessing that is the real story about his name.

Auntie Em is a wonderful person who had a difficult and at times sad life.

I didn't really like her sister Annie - she was cold and only thought of herself.

BEFORE DOROTHY is another gem by Hazel Gaynor that you won't want to miss.

Hazel Gaynor's marvelous, descriptive writing pulls you right in and warms your heart. 5/5

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own. (less)

"everyone is an unreliable narrator."

Ooooh this one was SO GOOD. It had me hooked from the start. Olivia is in a really tough spot. She's burned some bridges recently in her ghost writing career and the industry has canceled her for it. She's in a bit of a bind, financially, and is wondering if she'll work again.

When a surprise offers is extended. After leaving her father's house years ago, she's never been back, never spoke to him again. As a famous horror author, she felt he'd neglected her and she'd rather having nothing than forgive him for his mistakes. But now he's asking her to ghostwrite a story with him …more - one that comes with a large advance and additional pages as they work well and turn pages in. She doesn't want to but agrees. She needs the money.

From there, this story is completely addicting. I've spent the whole day relating the whole story to the family in my house. We were all waiting on cliffhangers as the mystery unfolded and each twist turned tighter. I had no guesses and enjoyed kicking around the ideas with my husband and adult child. Can you believe it, we ran out of ideas and I just had to keep reading because I truly didn't know what was coming next. This is a heartbreaking story about 2 siblings, murdered and taken horribly from their family, their friends, and the lives they should have been allowed to lead. It hooked me from the start and was such a great thriller! I loved it!

A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book. (less)

"There is no saying what horrors might lurk in those black waters."

What a wonderfully, dark, gothic story. A bog, a surfacing body, an autopsy and madness. Lucy's been called to her sister's home by her sister's husband. Her twin sister, Sarah, is very unwell. But it's not a cold, Sarah is prone to bouts of "hysteria" and Lucy comes to help her out. Last time, it was when she'd lost a child. Now she comes because she wants to ensure Sarah doesn't lose her husband and house. Sarah's greatest fear is being committed.

This was a dark read and I loved it. Lucy's love for Sarah is tested again and again. She has to …more keep deciding if she will keep picking Sarah or, if at some point, she needs to get out from her shadow and live her own life. I loved the conflict, the gross bloody moments, and the confusion on how to define what was going on. The pace was perfect, gross at times then back to wondering what was going on. The story took turns I never saw coming and kept me absolutely glued to the pages. I loved this one! Can't wait for more from this author! (less)

BEFORE DOROTHY
by Hazel Gaynor

I loved Hazel Gaynor’s 2023 release, The Last Lifeboat, so I wanted to read this historical fiction read by her. From only seeing Auntie Em in the movie, The Wizard of Oz, as an older woman, it was nice to see her transformed to Emily Gale — a vibrant young woman who journeyed from Chicago to the Kansas prairie. We see her as a newlywed ready to move where Henry wanted to farm — the Great Plains. Emily had a special bond to her sister, Annie, which became strained by distance, secrets, and the paths that each chose. When tragedy strikes and Dorothy lands on Emily and Henry’s …more doorstep, Emily struggles with her own limitations. The landscape of the prairie lifestyle that Gaynor portrays is with a deep sense of realism. You can taste and feel the dust and grit. I think she captured the stark beauty of the prairie along with the relentless hardships of life in the Great Plains. The bond with Dorothy shifts from distant, to duty, to something more richer with the shared grief, and quite understanding they form. Gaynor’s blending of historical fiction with literary reimagining of this classic (The Wizard of Oz) worked for me. I enjoyed all the “Easter Eggs” throughout as a nod to The Wizard of Oz.

This is a story of identity, family, the resilience of women, bonds between sisters, mothers, and daughters, and the quiet courage it takes to carry on when everything seems lost.

Thank you to BookBrowse for the book to read. (less)

I grew up completely obsessed with The Wizard of Oz but truly never wondered what Auntie Em was like before we knew her, so I love that author Hazel Gaynor thought of it for us!

Before Dorothy explores Emily Kelley before and after she becomes Emily Gale, including how Dorothy comes to live with her and Uncle Henry. With dual timelines of 1924 Chicago and Kansas a decade later, we learn so much about Emily as a young woman, a new wife, and an aunt who becomes caregiver.

I just adored Emily and was fascinated at the thought of her as a youthful, modern, city woman who more than willingly gives it up to become a …more prairie wife, while staying true to herself. Her assimilation into her new community wasn’t necessarily and easy one, and thought the Kansas characters were great additions. I especially warmed to the character of Adelaide, a female pilot who smashes societal expectations and gives energy to the women in Kansas.

Spread throughout the book are not-so-subtle references to The Wizard of Oz (Dorothy’s lion stuffed animal), as well as those done on the sly (is Adelaide Glinda the Good Witch?) I thought all those pieces were done well.

The theme of roles women play in each other’s lives was present throughout the book. We saw that prominently in Emily’s Kansas community but I wish we had more of Emily and her two sisters, one of whom has already left for a new life when the book begins. I was so intrigued by their relationships and definitely wanted more.

The author did a nice job of weaving in the very difficult life of homesteading, and the very real consequences of the Dust Bowl, a time in U.S. history when severe dust storms all but destroyed middle America. I honestly don’t know great details about this time, but the author’s narrative transported me right there. Through her writing, Gaynor honors the land shows respect for the people who tend to it.

Completely unexpected was the author’s decision to make Emily, her sisters and parents Irish immigrants. It made sense, though, as another theme was the idea around what makes a place home, finding home (there’s no place like home!).

All in all, I really enjoyed Before Dorothy. Definitely recommend!

I received an advance review copy from BookBrowse for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. All opinions are my own. (less)

THE POPPY FIELDS
By Nikki Erlick

Narration was well done by the cast of: Marin Ireland; Dan Bittner; Stacey Glemboski; Graham Halstead; Mia Barron; Callie Dalton; Janina Edwards; Shawn K. Jain; Christian Barillas; Jason Culp.

Thanks to NetGalley and HarperAudio Adult for the
ALC

I was drawn to the unique premise of this speculative fiction novel exploring grief and healing through the treatment center, The Poppy Fields. I liked it being told through multiple POV and transcripts from the various applicants to The Poppy Fields. Ellis the enigmatic founder of The Poppy Fields, just wants to leave her mark on the …more world, and with the Poppy Fields, she has done so. We get to meet four people traveling together to The Poppy Fields for various reasons. Could there really be a cure for the broken-hearted? Can you sleep through the pain and accept the shadowy side effects? How do we heal in the wake of loss? How far does one go in order to be healed? Touching upon heartache, healing, self-discovery, friendship, forgiveness, and hope.

Nikki Erlick’s portrayal of grief in this speculative fiction read was compelling and engaged me from the beginning. The characters are dynamic and complex, with each carrying emotional burdens and seeking healing. This book would be a perfect book club pick. Her debut, The Measure, was a brilliant read and The Poppy Fields is another solid, enjoyable read as well. I can hardly wait to see what Nikki Erlick has in store for us in her next hit. (less)

KING OF ASHES
By S. A. Cosby

Narration by Adam Lazarre-White is always spot on.

A fast-paced dark gritty southern crime thriller set in a run-down Virginia town, Jefferson Run. Roman Carruthers has been called home because his father is in a coma after a car accident. He finds his younger brother, Dante, in debt to dangerous thugs and his sister, Neveah, trying to hold the family and the family business together. When Roman learns his father’s car crash was not an accident and because Dante’s immaturity and recklessness has put the family in extreme danger, Roman knows he must now step in. Also, there is a mystery …more as to why their mother disappeared years ago. How far would you go to protect yourself and your family?

S. A. Cosby’s writing is gorgeous, raw, gritty, and brutal. This book starts out with the gas petal down and never lets up. An intense read of multifaceted, well developed characters. S. A. Cosby is an outstanding author who tells a story brilliantly. This is going to be made into a series, by Higher Ground (Barack and Michelle Obama’s production company) along with Amblin Entertainment (Steven Spielberg’s).

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio
Published June 10 2025 (less)

THE GIRLS WHO GREW BIG
By Leila Mottley

This is a raw and emotional read portraying teenage motherhood in a small town on the Florida panhandle. Centered around three young women navigating the complexities of raising children while they are basically children themselves. Young girls making decisions they shouldn’t have to be making at their age. You see the struggles and hardships they face, but also the sisterhood, bonds, and hopes they share. Each of these young mothers share their perspectives, thus making their experiences raw and authentic. A character driven story that does not shy away from the heart- …more wrenching hardships, but also shows the hopes along the way. The choices these girls and young men make are extremely frustrating and you feel for them and their children. Also frustrating is that they don’t have the parental guidance or understanding, especially from society, that they so desperately need. I didn’t relate to these girls and the circumstances of their day-to-day living, but I did care about them and their children. I felt I wanted to lecture them and also hug them. Will they mature and find their path and their way to happiness? You will be rooting for each of these young women as you read their story by this young author who skillfully writes an emotional, powerful, and painful read portraying them. Leila Mottley’s writing is vivid, poetic, lyrical, raw and authentic, and reflects on both trauma and beauty in her language. She writes with such depth and skill beyond her young age — there is no doubt she will have a remarkable future ahead. I am going to go back and read her debut, Nightcrawling; I started this and because it is about marginalized lives in Oakland, it was a difficult read. Her debut was written at 17-years-old and published at 19-years-old.


Touching upon young mothers, young fathers, family, choices, self-esteem, relationships, hardships, compassion, and hope.

Thanks to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage and Anchor | Knopf for the ARC ebook (less)

DON’T LET HIM IN
By Lisa Jewell


Aisling (Ash) Swan’s father has suddenly died, and her mother begins to date again —Ash quickly becomes suspicious of her mother’s new companion.

This creepy psychological thriller intricately weaves the lives of three women—Nina, Ash, and Martha—who become drawn into the lives of two elusive men, Nick and Alistair. Do you ever truly know those you let into your life? How many red flags is too many? Not knowing too much about this book and going in totally blind and letting this twisted story unfold is best.


Lisa Jewell’s plot unfolds through multiple points of view, building …more suspense slowly but compellingly. There is unease and hidden danger that lurks behind the facade of normal life. Her writing is clear and approachable. It started off a bit slow for me and became more fast-paced midway through. I always look forward to Lisa Jewell’s books. Explores themes of trust, truth and deception, obsession, and the complexities of relationships. Delving into the darker aspects of human nature.

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC ebook. (less)

Blake Crouch is the only science-fiction writer I will read with any regularity. That is because his plots and subject matter are never ridiculous. That is more true of UPGRADE than of any of his other books that I've read. He succeeds in making his main character and narrator sound like a scientist when he talks about genealogy and DNA.

Logan lives happily with his wife and child and never wishes for more. He is a scientist but now works as a special agent for the Gene Protection Agency. It is his job to find and arrest anyone who tries to modify genes.

On one of Logan's raids of a "dark gene lab," he is impaled …more with a virus that will upgrade his own genes and make him an almost superhuman. He discovers that this was a deliberate plan of his previously-thought-dead mother, also a scientist but far more brilliant than he is.

What follows is Logan's adventures as he attempts to prevent his mother and then his sister from infecting the world with this virus. They feel that the human species can only be saved by this upgrade. But Logan knows that he can't stand by and watch millions die from the virus's negative effects.

This all happens in the 21st century, only a few years from now. Crouch could be implying that this is something we need to worry about but warns that "it's not nice to fool Mother Nature" (which you may remember if you're old enough). He could also be saying that our intelligence doesn't need to be upgraded. Maybe his final letter to his wife and daughter explains it. (less)