The Women on Platform Two

In early 1970s Dublin, women couldn’t legally buy any contraception. A few hours away, in Belfast, birth control could be purchased legally under British law. In May 1971, activists from the Irish Women’s Liberation Movement boarded what became known as the “contraceptive train,” traveling to buy birth control and bring them back across the border in open defiance. This very real protest is the historical spark behind this story. In 1969, Maura married a doctor. Every girl’s dream come true, she left her job at the fancy Dublin department store and set out to be the perfect wife, with an exquisite home and was excited to be a mother. Sadly, this was not to be the case. Even though their lives looked picture perfect, Dr. Davenport was not who he appeared to be. Maura’s best friend Bernie tried to help but there was little a woman could do to escape the clutches of a marital nightmare. In 2023, Saoirse (pronounced Seer-sha) runs out of her tiny apartment leaving her fiancé begging for answers. He is a loving, wonderful man but desperate to start a family and Saoirse does not think motherhood is in her future. When Saoirse boards the train from Dublin to Belfast it is for a quick get away to figure out this mess she has made. On the train Saoirse meets Maura who is taking her annual celebratory ride to stroll down memory lane and honor her beloved friends who bought that first ticket to freedom 52 years earlier. These women were fighting for the future of all women and their right to choose. Shocking that this was not that long ago and more shocking that women are still fighting for these rights today. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Where the Heart Meets the Sea

Ella Nilsen is only twenty nine when her Mormor Hilda (grandmother) dies. Having grown up in Boulder, Colorado Hilda did everything she could to take care of Ella, orphaned since she was a baby. Hilda spoke very little of her daughter Sara (who died in childbirth) and literally divulged nothing regarding Ella’s biological father. Broken hearted Hilda began a new life in America and erased their entire past. Hilda’s last request upon her death was for her ashes be placed in Lyngor, Norway where she bequeathed Ella a summer home she never knew existed. As an artist and fashion designer, Ella was in the midst of opening her own shop when she took off two weeks to travel to Norway and follow Hilda’s wishes. Even though they hadn’t always gotten along, Ella was very curious about her Norwegian family history that has been buried away on this little island. Immediately after arriving Ella is befriended by Mia who has been the caretaker and rental agent for the cottage and Leif, who is a handy man boatbuilder and looks like a mythical Norweigan god. Naturally, sparks immediately fly! Although the locals are reluctant to speak about the past and tragic accident that took Leif’s own father’s life, Ella slowly uncovers the details of Sara and what happened on that tragic day. The setting was absolutely beautiful and I loved the characters — all in all a wonderful story. The writing was average and I think thats probably a combination of editing and experience, especially as the end had a hard time winding up. That being said, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and would definitely try another from this author! Available in January. ⭐⭐⭐

6:40 to Montreal

A few years earlier Agatha had a best seller. Now, as the world waits for a follow up to her success, she faces the worst writer’s block imaginable. Life in Toronto and taking care of her small son has become difficult. Agatha cannot stop thinking about her recently received diagnosis that may or may not end her life. Wanting to cheer her up and unlock the mysterious flow of words that has all but stopped - Agatha’s husband buys a her a train ticket to ride from Toronto to Montreal in a single day. Imagining she will have uninterrupted peaceful hours aboard a luxury train to finally put her next story on paper – a mini writing retreat that is desperately needed. Onboard, Agatha’s mind will not settle. A repulsive rude man has insisted on switching seats and her nemesis who claims Agatha’s bestseller stole her identity is coincidentally (?) onboard. When a blizzard strands the train for hours in the freezing Canadian woods, this locked room mystery begins to unravel. As an overly observant writer, Agatha could not have asked for a better plot to take place in front of her own eyes. An absolute page turner taking place over the course of a few hours, this suspenseful ride and atmospheric winter weather will leave you shivering — and like a train wreck, you will not be able to look away. There were mixed reviews on this one and I am so glad I took a chance! I loved the writing, the suspenseful story and figuring out the mystery along with Agatha! ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Yours For the Season

Rumors of New Year layoffs are swirling at Sameera’s law firm, and she’s burning the midnight oil to save her slipping billables. Grumpy at the office holiday party and nowhere near festive, she’s distracted by the flirty cater-waiter with the baby-blues. When Tom turns up catering her mother’s Eid celebration a week later, Sameera learns he’s a talented chef and owner of the company. Together, they cook up a fake-dating scheme to get her parents off her single status and put their careers back on track. Once Sameera’s nosy mother gets involved, the whole clan lands at Tom’s family home in Alaska for Christmas.  As it turns out, Tom’s got parent troubles too, but their easy banter and simmering chemistry is too delicious to ignore. Sparks fly as the pair navigate family expectations, friendship, and the slow slide toward that first kiss. Heartwarming mixed-religion romance—delightful characters, yummy food, and a peek at how families from different traditions can enjoy celebrating together. Come for the meet-cute, stay for the biryani and hot cocoa, and leave whispering Merry Everything. ⭐⭐⭐

A Guardian and a Thief

A Guardian and a Thief unfolds over one stressful week in a near-future, climate-changed Kolkata. Two families on a collision course—one mother desperate to protect her child and leave for the U.S. is robbed, and a thief, who wants to help his family, spirals as desperation closes in. He steals her purse not knowing her U.S. passports to a new life are in the bag. This becomes both ironic and terrifying as the author describes the panic that ensues. She has zero empathy for the thief and that is part of the moral debate. This Oprah Book Club pick had big themes—climate change, immigration, family, ethics, and morality under pressure. While I was curious and admired the importance of so many relevant topics, the characters felt a little off—and the emotional connection never landed. I turned the pages waiting for it to end. ⭐⭐⭐

A Deadly Feast

Thanksgiving is almost here, and so is Hayley’s wedding to hot detective Nathan Bransford. Still writing for Key Zest magazine, Hayley attends an intimate food tour for her next article. Everything is going deliciously until a woman on the tour collapses and is dead. Something she ate or was someone out to get her? Once again Hayley, a cook and writer, who has no business sticking her nose into a murder case, finds herself in the middle of another Key Zest mystery including some very unsavory characters. Even though she promised Nathan she would stay away from trouble, Hayley cannot resist and begins to put the ingredients together. We follow Hayley from her houseboat through the quaint streets of this picture postcard town with pastel houses shaded by leafy palms; roosters strutting around like they own Duval and find more scooters than cars. A food haven with personality including fresh seafood, Cuban cafecito, conch fritters and Key lime pie in every style. Local author Lucy Burdette does it again with this cozy mystery that describes mouthwatering local eateries and is the perfect treat while keeping an eye on the oven timer this holiday season! ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Life & Death & Giants

Lakota, Wisconsin is a remote town filled with farmers and a devout Amish community. When Gabriel Fisher is born his mother dies from medical complications. Father unknown, this leaves his older brother to raise him. Gabriels grandparents live nearby but as his mother was removed from the community years earlier, they understand little of the English world. When his brother tragically passes away, Gabriel is finally welcomed into his grandparent’s home. He is a big boy for his age. At nearly eight feet tall he is probably the biggest boy that has ever lived. Sweet, polite and a hard worker, Gabriel does well in this farming community that mostly keeps to themselves. One day he is spotted by a football coach and he is brought into the local high school to learn the game. Not only is this gentle giant strong and fast — he is a quick learner  — and transforms the losing team to victory. This new life takes Gabriel, his family and the entire town to places they never imagined. Narrated from many points of view; the loving grandmother, local pub owner and football coach to name a few. This novel is almost hard to describe; both elegantly written and quietly breathtaking. FIVE STARS, I truly could not put this one down. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Eight Heartbreaks of Hanukah

Evelyn has been waiting for years to become executive producer. Finally, her dream is a reality as she heads up A Christmas Carol for live television. As rehearsals come together and Hanukah and Christmas approach the pressure is on, can Evelyn's musical be the Hanukah miracle, smash success she is hoping for. Divorced for two years, Evelyn has put aside her entire personal life committing every moment to her career. Suddenly everything has turned upside down! Dr. David Adler (her hunky ex) shows up on set filling in for medical staff, a piano hits Evelyn in the head and her migraines are escalating. As she manages staff and chaos Evelyn cannot ignore the emotions that David’s presence brings to the surface, the undeniable chemistry that weakens her knees. Each night as Evelyn lights her menorah the eight heart breaks of Hanukah present another ghost-like vision of her past, forcing Evelyn to face all the mistakes she has ever made. This entertaining, laugh-out-loud Hanukah romance gives Evelyn more than a second chance, it gives her eight. ⭐⭐⭐⭐