The Reformatory

When Robert Stephens Junior was sentenced to six months at the Gracetown School for Boys for kicking a white boy, his sister Gloria vowed she would save him. At only sixteen Gloria had become Robert’s guardian. Their mother passed away and their father was in Chicago laying low while the authorities condemned his work as a civil rights leader. Twelve year old Robert was terrified. It did not take long to learn that the horrific stories about the reformatory were true and even worse than he imagined. Although he was advised to stay out of trouble by becoming invisible, Robert’s talent for seeing haints (ghosts) quickly puts him in the spotlight. Gloria tries the legal route, questioning the sheriff, the powerful white landowner that reported Robert and even the NAACP. With no time to lose she turns to her godmother Miz Lottie, a mighty old woman who has never let their family down. Together they devise a plan to help Robert before it is too late. Gracetown was based on the Dozier School for Boys, an actual reform school in the Florida Panhandle built in 1900. Despite the horrific rumors, it wasn’t until an investigation in 2009 that finally led officials to close the facility. In 2012  a team of forensic anthropologists from USF uncovered 55 burials and nearly 100 unexplained deaths. This shocking novel set in the 1950’s explores racism, injustice and the power of family. It is not a quick or an easy read, but a necessary one. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Favorites

When she was four years old Katarina Shaw watched the Olympic champion Shelia Lin win her second gold medal on t.v. She looked up at her father and told him she wanted to learn to ice skate. The beginning of Kat’s journey was anything but easy. Living in an obscure town on the outskirts of Lake Michigan, the family did not have much money. Her abusive, addict brother Liam and loss of her mother left little happiness in the home. But her father supported her dream and managed to do everything he could to get Kat lessons and skate time at the local rink. She met Heath Rocha at ten years old. A sad sweet boy in foster care whose intense eyes watched her every move. Skating became their obsession and their friendship saved his life. Heath moved in with the family and as their dreams of competing became reality Heath would follow Kat to the ends of the earth to make her happy. Landing in Los Angeles at the Lin Academy was the ultimate coup. Grateful to be there Heath and Kat stopped questioning why Bella and Garrett, the famous and wealthy Lin twins would want their competition right under their noses. Apparently keeping their rivals close became another complicated drama within the intensely theatrical ice dancing community. Kat’s fixation on Olympic gold trumped all emotions and decisions. Friendship, betrayal and dreams of victory - these young skaters would do whatever it takes to get the gold. I thoroughly enjoyed the ice skating, romance and twisted relationships but A LOT of skating detail that not everyone will love, this novel easily could have been a 100 pages less. Releases January 14, 2025. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

How To Read A Book

Harriet, aka Bookie, loves the book club that she runs. After losing her husband and retiring from her teaching position she feels untethered in the world. But when she is at book club she feels part of something meaningful. This women’s prison in Maine is a scary place to enter - even for Bookie, the quintessential Librarian/English teacher. These women are meant to feel trapped, helpless and numb. She wants them to “hear” their voices, to experience the words on the page. When Violet is released she is on the “Outs” for the first time in three years. Her family renounced her and she is terrified. At 22 years old she must start over carrying her grave mistakes, these bags too heavy to maneuver through breakfast let alone a big city and brand new life. Frank Daigle works in the local bookshop. When he lost his wife in a horrific accident he too finds it impossible to make sense of the past while forging a way forward. The calming balm of being surrounded by books is like a warm blanket on a very cold day, and part time handyman job might be the beginning of his new chapter. When the lives of these characters merge they find new definitions for friendship, family and love. The people that surround us stacked like books on the shelves of our lives, defining their existence is simply the way we choose to see them in our story. This book, seemingly simple at first pulls the reader in and will not let go. While you examine the love and loss these characters have experienced, a true reader is reminded that books are truly part of the air we breathe. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Earth

The second story in John Boyne’s Element series, features two famous footballers (soccer athletes) caught up in sexual assault charges. They are good looking, popular and surrounded by boys will be boys attitudes. Since Evan left the small Irish island he grew up on he has excelled to attain the dreams of his father while secretly and quietly hiding his sexuality and lifelong desire to be a painter. In a short span of time this story manages to cover difficult topics and ethical dilemmas. How far would you go to save yourself? While the reader equally likes and dislikes a dynamic cast of characters, the outcome will have you on the edge of your seat.  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Fire

Freya is a well known surgeon who specializes in burns. She is a role model and mentor with a dark buried past. Raised on her own due to a dangerously negligent mother and barely there grandmother - Freya has had to fend for herself as far back as she can remember. When the reader learns the chilling truth of her bizarre and dangerous behavior outside of work it is hard to comprehend how Freya became this way. As the truth is slowly and uncomfortably revealed the reader debates an individuals innate qualities versus the personal experiences that make us who we are. An impossible question that will keep you on your seat throughout this mindblowing short story by the amazing John Boyne.  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

What Happened to Nina?

A beautiful couple. Young, in college, in love - the world is their oyster. The Fraser family has known Simon forever. In their small Vermont town everyone knew the Jordans. Extremely successful and wealthy, they lived in the biggest house in town. Leanne and Andy Fraser never doubted their daughter Nina’s safety with Simon, they had been together since they were sixteen. So when Nina and Simon went on a hiking trip to Stowe to stay in his parents second home, an hour away, it didn’t cross their minds to worry. Until Simon returned and Nina did not. #WhatHappenedtoNina becomes a viral hashtag and the biggest mystery this small town has ever witnessed. Simon’s story is filled with holes but when his rich parents hire an expensive PR firm the internet goes wild with off the wall accusations and the search for Nina becomes national news. The local detective and his assistant are doing their best to follow the evidence while the Jordan’s pulls all the strings. Each chapter narrated from a different point of view reveals the role the internet is playing with our lives and the lengths a parent will go to protect their children. Fast paced train wreck that twists and turns all the way to the truth. Could not put this one down. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Is She Really Going Out With Him?

Journalist Anna Appleby writes a column for Bath Living (Bath, England, not the tub). A rather quiet city famous for Jane Austen nostalgia, Anna focuses on the arts and culture scene. At 38, recently divorced and learning to coparent while her ex has already shacked up with a gorgeous Swede - Anna’s social life is basically non existent. One day she is informed that the magazine is being taken over by a new publisher and her well written but “dull” column may become redundant. On a mission to revive her job and her love life Anna is challenged by hunky co-worker Will to record their dating experiences side by side for a number of weeks in a dating competition. Icing on the cake, Anna’s partners will be chosen by her precocious  children, 7 and 12 year olds that sense her loneliness when they are at their Dad’s house. From the grumbling widow neighbor who never lets up about the hedge, to the friendly postman and hot waiter, Anna is sent on a variety of hilarious outings that are both entertaining and life affirming. Not always a love match she becomes open to all kinds of new friendships and is finally excited to begin the rock era of her life. As the dating exceeds her wildest imaginations it is the weekend retreat with hot Will that sends the competition off the grid. This laugh out loud romcom is fast paced, well written and pure joy! Loved every minute of it! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Famous Last Words

Camilla is a new mom. On the morning she is to return to her job as a book editor after a lengthy maternity leave, her adoring husband Luke is nowhere to be found. The house is mysteriously quiet and an odd note scribbled on a small piece of paper lies in his place: One side reads “If anything” but it’s been crossed out. The other side “It’s been so lovely with you both. Lx.”. Camilla is confused but doesn’t have time to worry as dropping her little girl off at day care for the first time consumes her. But later that day she is summoned by the police. There is a hostage situation in a London warehouse and three people are being held. Immediately frantic that Luke is in danger she can’t stop thinking of the note and his leaving earlier than usual. That is when the coppers tell Camilla that Luke is the gunman. After the siege goes awry, Luke disappears and the world as she knows it abruptly ends. This fast paced mystery is filled with suspense and danger as the puzzle must be drawn together from a mismatched pile of pieces. Just as Niall, the hostage negotiator cannot let go of this case that he bungled, Camilla knows deep in her heart that the man she loves is out there somewhere. An unputdownable page turner and must read for February 2025! ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Come Fly With Me

Judy had to find a way out. The emotional and physical abuse in her small town horrible marriage has pushed her over the edge. In 1962 it was nearly impossible for a woman to do anything on her own. Where would she go and how would she survive? With the help of her neighbor/friend she devises a plan. Judy applies to become a Pan American stewardess. She fits the very specific requirements, secretly sends in the application and waits. Beverly has everything a girl could ever dream of. She lives in her magnificent family home in NYC, attends teas and balls wearing only the finest ensembles and has a very fitting suitor waiting to pop the question. Although Judy and Beverly have very different reasons for desperately wanting this opportunity with Pan Am, their bags are packed and they are ready to go on this once in a lifetime journey. As only 1 in 50 applicants have a chance to wear the lipstick and tailored uniform, they do everything they can to pass the many tests given. Focusing on their hearts desire for the first time in their lives encourages the drive they need to be selected. An unlikely friendship blossoms as the two very different women travel the world and find their wings to fly. Romance, intrigue, and suspense, this novel is your ticket to a fascinating bygone era. Releases in February 2025! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Shine A Light

All Ellie Bloom ever wanted in her whole life was to be an actress. But after her parents passed away time got the best of her. Stuck in a good paying but unfulfilling job at the bank, Ellie avoided memories of the past and kept saving to follow her dreams of acting. One night as she prepares dinner for a date a small mishap sends the apartment up in flames. Luckily the fire department arrives quickly and the only damage is to her unit. The night is a disaster despite the firefighter who shows up and happens to looks like a movie star himself. Once again putting off dreams of Hollywood, Ellie heads back to stay with her sister’s family in the town she was raised. She offers to help out with the Hanukah play her nephew’s perform in, something her mother had done for years. Dredging up painful memories of the life she lost and career she never attained, Ellie quietly reflects as she lights the menorah each night. As fate would have it Ellie sees Mr. Hunky Fireman in the window next door. Jonah Spellman may have dropped out of the seminary but he is doing his best to mend fences with his father, the Rabbi. Each carrying their own disappointments, what begins as a secret nightly menorah lighting turns into a friendship that will change everything. ⭐⭐⭐⭐