The Burning Side

The night their Dallas house caught fire, April and Leo were not speaking. They were not even sleeping in the same room. Their marriage was in shambles, and in one terrifying night, they seemed to be losing not only their home, but the little family unit they had built. Caught up in their own anger and hurt, neither of them could see the light. After the fire, the family takes shelter at April’s parents’ home. Her parents have been a surrogate family to Leo for years, since his own family was nearly nonexistent. While April and Leo try to sort through the logistics of insurance adjusters, temporary housing, and what comes next, they also painfully navigate divorce proceedings that neither of them truly seems to want. At the same time, April’s very supportive family is struggling with her beloved father’s recent Alzheimer’s diagnosis. Written in both past and present, The Burning Side takes the reader through this unimaginably difficult time, while also revealing the love story of April and Leo from the day they met. I truly liked all of the characters and felt the heartbreak they were experiencing. There was a teeny-tiny bit of drag at the end, but not enough to stop me from recommending this very solid four-star read. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The One Day You Were My Husband

A young couple madly in love gets married on an idyllic beach in Thailand. The sun is setting, the guests are celebrating. And then the groom, Johan, disappears. Carrie is devastated, terrified, and does not know how to help her new husband. Her mother flies over to help—but between the language barrier, legal pressure, and severe prison conditions, there is little that can be done. Carrie returns to England. She goes back to work as a surgeon, keeping herself busy at the hospital. With the support of her co-workers and family, she finally begins to heal. Twelve years later, married to Robin and raising young twins, Carrie stumbles upon an ad for a rental unit in Sweden where she is soon to attend a conference. The host has a familiar face. Shockingly, it is her beautiful Johan. Diving down a rabbit hole she never dreamed of, Carrie soon discovers the complicated and painful truth that destroyed her first marriage and nearly destroyed her life. Part romance, part thriller, as we journey between past and present, this captivating story unwinds at a nail-biting pace. An unforgettable mystery that is perfect for summer! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Foursome

Sarah and Adelaide are two sisters living on a plantation in Wilkes County, North Carolina. After a family scandal, the sisters find themselves socially ostracized and no longer viewed as the desirable marriage prospects they once expected to be. In 1839, Chang and Eng Bunker arrive in town and set up a farm. Known as the original “Siamese twins” — from Siam, now Thailand — the brothers just finished a sensational world tour that brought them fame and fortune. Despite being joined at the sternum, these conjoined brothers traveled the world, spoke multiple languages, and were remarkably active and adventurous. They were ready to settle down, and marrying the Yates sisters seemed like the perfect opportunity to live together as a foursome in peace. Over the decades, the families lived side by side and raised twenty-one children. The details of how they lived, farmed, hunted, and managed daily life are truly amazing. It is something I never could have imagined, and I honestly could not stop looking up facts about them while I was reading. As the Civil War approaches, the Bunker family faces complicated struggles involving identity, privacy, love, physical limitations, and the painful realities of slavery in this part of the South. Based on actual people, this fascinating novel is beautifully written and filled with so many issues to talk about. It would make an incredible book club pick. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Storm

Geneva is the owner, manager, and all-around handywoman keeping the Rosalie Inn running. Having grown up in St. Medard’s Bay, Geneva never imagined she would be back, running the hotel her family has owned for generations — and doing it alone. Chris, her ex, couldn’t handle commitment, and her mom, now in a nearly catatonic state, is in nursing care nearby. Geneva is hanging on by a thread, both financially and emotionally. Then an author named August arrives with none other than Lo Bailey at his side. They are writing a book about Lo’s life and the 1984 hurricane, Marie. Legend has it that when Lo was 19, she was having having affair with the handsome governor’s son, Landon. When he was killed during the storm, Lo was charged with murder. All these years later, she has returned to finally tell her side of the story. As August gathers details of the events the gossiping town is only too happy to share, Geneva begins to piece together her own family mystery. Set during the tense days leading up to a massive hurricane, this suspenseful thriller is hard to put down. The author perfectly captures that unmistakable pressure in the air — the kind that comes from both a dangerous storm and a town full of secrets. Anyone who has ever felt the fierce winds of a hurricane will be blown away by this gripping mystery. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Under Water

When Marissa and her father, a prominent marine biologist, move from New York to Thailand, life takes a turn no one could have imagined. Her mother has tragically passed away, and Marissa is brought to a remote island where her father can continue his research and move forward from their painful loss. At school, Marissa meets Arielle. They are only five years old, but Arielle immediately takes Marissa under her wing, and the two become sisters in every sense of the word. Inseparable and endlessly curious, the girls discover the delicate ecosystem around them, the wonders of the sea, and all of its marvelous creatures. When the tsunami of 2004 destroys their world, Marissa’s reality is forever changed. Years later, back in New York, she once again faces disaster as Hurricane Sandy’s fierce winds bear down on the city, forcing memories of her past to come rushing back. It’s fascinating how the author uses grief, friendship, family, and loss as mirrors for natural disasters. These forces can leave us helpless, afraid, and wondering what the future holds. This beautiful debut novel is about nature and the equally precious, fragile relationships that shape our lives. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Murder Takes A Vacation

As former assistant to a private investigator, Muriel Blossom is very good at blending into the scenery. She never cared for much attention, especially since losing her beloved husband ten years ago. Muriel has been living a quiet life, helping take care of her grandchildren and enjoying museums and art history, when the darnedest thing happens. She finds a lottery ticket in a parking lot — and boom — Muriel is a millionaire. One of the very first things she does is book a river cruise through France with her best friend, Elinor. From the moment she boards the transatlantic flight, Muriel’s stomach is filled with butterflies. Not an avid traveler and satisfactorily single, Mrs. Blossom is surprised to find herself being flirted with by another passenger. His name is Allan, and Muriel cannot resist this unexpected attention. Even more shocking? After spending an wonderful day with Allan in Paris, he is found dead. Muriel continues on to meet Elinor and board the MS Solitaire, where the mystery is steam ahead. Charming, quirky characters and an art heist with a French twist — this is a cozy mystery that cruises along from the very first page. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Paris Match

Layla has been divorced for over a year. In an effort to keep the peace, she agrees to attend her ex-sister in laws wedding in Paris. The City of Lights holds a lot of memories for Layla so the trip itself is expected to be bittersweet. She has remained friends with her ex-husband and hearing that he is bringing a plus one to the city they honeymooned is not easy. Then Layla meets Griffin. He is the grumpy best man that seems to have it out for her from the moment they meet. Griffin’s only goal is to make sure the main event takes off without a hitch. As the bride appears to have cold feet Griffin convinces Layla to help fix the situation. Griffin is hot and can be charming once he lets his guard down. Their chemistry is palpable but honestly the bride is immature and whining. It’s not funny enough to be quirky and the rest of the family members are completely annoying. Loved the Paris setting but that’s about it. This one was just okay for me. ⭐⭐⭐

This Story May Save Your Life

Benny and Joy have a podcast called TSMSYL, enticing listeners with strange near death experiences and solutions to survive them. Part creepy, part humor, the back and forth banter of these longtime friends is a huge success. They have thousands of fans and more deals and sponsorships than they know what to do with. Joy’s husband Xander manages the business and Xander’s sister Mallory is assistant producer helping the duo create episodes, schedule live performances and a book (memoir) in the works. While Benny and Joy anxiously await a deal that could bring in millions they try not to rock the boat. The day Joy tells Benny she needs a break from the podcast is the beginning of their own real life episode. This surprising, plot shifting unputdownable mystery is an absolute page turner. Each character has motive. No-one knows if the detectives can be trusted and most importantly the reader is rooting for Benny and Joy the whole way through. I am glad I didn’t know much going in, check out this new domestic thriller! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

American Fantasy

Annie is recently divorced, navigating a demotion at work, and facing an empty nest now that her daughter has flown the coop. To cheer her up Annie’s sister booked them on American Fantasy, a weekend cruise featuring the 1990s pop band Boy Talk. Years ago, Boy Talk posters covered their bedroom walls, and the sisters knew every word to every love song blasting from their boom box. At the last minute, Annie’s sister suffers an injury, and she finds herself braving the ship solo. Determined to survive the itinerary — and catch a glimpse of the crushes of her youth — Annie is the least experienced of the “Talkers,” a nickname given to the 2,000 screaming women reliving their teenage dreams. But time stops for no one. The Boys themselves have also aged, and although still handsome and charming, they have their own demons to face. As Annie is swept into the fandom, she is reminded how music made her feel when she was young and in love. Shocked to find herself alone with Keith, Annie realizes that even a superstar can have normal life problems. Instead of her age working against her, Annie’s kind ear may be exactly what this aging heartthrob needs. Pack your nostalgia, grab your lanyard, and get ready to cruise straight back to your teenage heart. ⭐⭐⭐