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February 2, 2026
  • April 28, 2024

The Idea of You

5.0
It was torrid tryst and I needed every page of it! After seeing this book everywhere and knowing the movie was coming, I finally got it off my Libby holds. I proceed to read this book in less than a day! Our star, FMC Soléne, is a sexy, intelligent girl boss and divorcé pursued by Hayes Campbell, a 20 year old boy band sensation. Their whirlwind romance gave me such butterflies that I could not put this book down (maybe I have been listening to So High School too much, but it was just #swoon). The Idea of You had so many themes that I admire; I love romance novels about women in their late 30s-40s. I love feeling how smitten they are with each other and when he #fallsfirst. I love a celebrity following for a seemingly “normal woman.” I love seeing real-feeling conflicts (how does this affect my kids/ my job/ my friends) come to life in books! I just enjoyed reading this book so much! Without spoiling anything, the ending was perfect realistic, and it made the story feel more believable. I know this book has a lot of mixed reviews, but would we care about a 20-year age gap between a man and a younger woman? (No, it is literally an entire romance novel genre). Also, I am glad I read this book as a mom and not before; that made me like it more! I found Solene and her insecurities and inner monologue very relatable I felt myself grappling with how I would feel if one of my friends started dating someone super young. There was a lot of discussion on the value we put on age and beauty, and I truly enjoyed the more serious parts of this age-gap romance! We need more books about older women with younger men! This felt fresh and relevant, and I truly enjoyed it (in case you couldn’t tell!) I just watched the trailer, and Hayes’s casting seems perfect, I hope they change the stroy enough I am not constantly comparing to the book
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It was torrid tryst and I needed every page of it! After seeing this book everywhere and knowing the movie was coming, I finally got it off my Libby holds. I proceed to read this book in less than a day! Our star, FMC Soléne, is a sexy, intelligent girl boss and divorcé pursued by Hayes Campbell, a 20 year old boy band sensation. Their whirlwind romance gave me such butterflies that I could not put this book down (maybe I have been listening to So High School too much, but it was just #swoon). The Idea of You had so many themes that I admire; I love romance novels about women in their late 30s-40s. I love feeling how smitten they are with each other and when he #fallsfirst. I love a celebrity following for a seemingly “normal woman.” I love seeing real-feeling conflicts (how does this affect my kids/ my job/ my friends) come to life in books! I just enjoyed reading this book so much!

Without spoiling anything, the ending was perfect realistic, and it made the story feel more believable. I know this book has a lot of mixed reviews, but would we care about a 20-year age gap between a man and a younger woman? (No, it is literally an entire romance novel genre). Also, I am glad I read this book as a mom and not before; that made me like it more! I found Solene and her insecurities and inner monologue very relatable

I felt myself grappling with how I would feel if one of my friends started dating someone super young. There was a lot of discussion on the value we put on age and beauty, and I truly enjoyed the more serious parts of this age-gap romance! We need more books about older women with younger men! This felt fresh and relevant, and I truly enjoyed it (in case you couldn’t tell!)

I just watched the trailer, and Hayes’s casting seems perfect, I hope they change the stroy enough I am not constantly comparing to the book

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Non-Fiction
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107 Days

4
READ VIA: Spotify audio and library borrow. Read as part of Sharon McMahon Book Club. ABOUT: With only 107 days remaining until the general election, Kamala Harris was informed that President Biden was dropping out of the Democratic race, making her the de facto nominee. What follows is a hard-fought yet ultimately unsuccessful run for president of the United States. MY THOUGHTS: This is an exceedingly difficult review to write because while I loved how frank Kamala was in this book, her honesty left me feeling disappointed in both the leaders of the Democratic Party, the political machine, and the American people. Harris provides the reader with essentially a day-by-day description of the craziness required to run a campaign and the toll it took on her. I appreciated her discussing the amount of money, stress, and scheduling difficulties required to acquire endorsements, meet with constituents, and prep for a debate, all of which help to point out how crazy US politics are. What I loved: every moment with Tim Walz, and the love she has for her team and family. The way it was clear she never wavered on who and what she represents. What I disliked: her tiptoeing around her relationship with Biden, her assertion that her term would have been different from Biden but never saying how. Also, the lack of self-reflection (yes, media sucks, yes, you were given a short time frame, but come on). I was hoping this would leave me feeling hopeful, but it mostly left me feeling overwhelmed by the amount of work it will take whoever runs for the Democratic nomination in 2028. AUDIO: Harris does a wonderful job voicing her memoir, and intonation adds an emotional element. SIMILAR BOOKS: This is similar in tone to A Promised Land by Barack Obama. SHOULD YOU READ: I think this humanized Kamala in a way many will appreciate, and it helped me see that politics is so much more than the candidate. I am attending a zoom book club meeting with the author(!!!) later this month so will report if my feelings change!
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ABOUT: Kier and Gray, mage and power source, childhood friends, both devoted and longing for each other, find themselves at the army’s outpost fighting a war for their kingdom. When the opportunity arises to accompany an enemy prisoner, they find themselves leading an expedition and their secrets coming dangerously to light. Will they be able to protect each other, and will either have the bravery to act on their love and will they confront their past and the war around them? MY THOUGHTS: Hello, Lady Knight, I am obsessed with you. This book is a slowly unwinding yearn- fest, and I was here for it. The way these two are interconnected is so riveting, and the childhood friends-to-lovers was incredibly well done. Devotion is almost too small a word for the way these two care for each other! I appreciated that their backstory was slowly revealed, allowing you to become increasingly invested in the outcome of their present. It was atmospheric, with detailed battles, well-explained complex magic, and rich side characters. Additionally, this world was so queer affirming, and I would be remiss if I didn’t comment on that. From the use of pronouns to Kier’s parents, there was something really special about how Bovalino incorporated queer identities; it was so lovely to read. This was my first Lady Knight book, but it will certainly not be my last! SHOULD YOU READ: If you are into lady knights, soul mates, and slow-burning fantasy, this is not to be missed!
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The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year

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Rival writers snowed in days before Christmas at an English manor with a murderer on the loose and a woman missing, and delicious banter make 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘔𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘞𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘊𝘳𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘠𝘦𝘢𝘳 one of my tops reads of the holiday season! I would not say I am a mystery person, but the short chapters, the bits of Ethan’s POV (it was delightful, and I screamed in delight when it changed unexpectedly), and the mysterious clues had me hooked from the beginning Maggie, a mystery writer coming off a rough divorce, is delightful. She deals with the trauma of her ex while doing the work, which feels both believable and allows the reader to become invested in her heart. Ethan Wyatt is a “leather jacket guy”—aka a best-selling thriller writer heartthrob who is actually a golden retriever with a complicated past. I loved the snippets we got into his POV, and the way he wanted Maggie was top-notch! This fades to black but has enough tension. I didn’t miss the lack of “more.” The romance here is sweet and endearing, and I loved that it is almost the background to the mystery playing out! The banter is perfect! (slight trope spoiler ahead) There is (perhaps my new favorite thing) two different tropes running parallel in the romance. It is enemies to lovers for her but more like an unrequited crush for him. I tend to love everything Saskia narrates, and this was no exception! Her vibrato is perfect for the mystery element, and I enjoyed her in the moments of Maggie’s self-reflection! The audio was well done, with some moments of playing recordings and some sound effects! If you like audio, that is the way to go! Overall, this well-hyped book was worth all the hype! It is not Christmasy, so I recommend you pick it up ASAP!
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Undeclared

5.0
Several months ago, I posted about wanting to read more indie authors, and Sherry mentioned she had written and self-published a couple of books. If you follow Sherry, you know her reviews are insightful. More importantly, she has a true knack for making each word on the page feel imperative to the story. Her writing here only exemplifies that. Undeclared follows a widower, Landon, as he navigates solo parenthood, his extremely concerned mother, and his previous in-laws, all while also trying to be a 22-year-old. In a grief group with a collection of older women, Landon meets Iris. Iris immediately connects with his daughter, Sadie, in a way he cannot. Iris, who might also be tugging at his broken heart strings. This novel seems sad on the surface, yet it is filled with hope and healing. You cannot help but want to make things easier for Landon, although, like his friends and family, you are not quite sure how to do that. The secondary characters were exquisitely crafted. From his sly brother-in-law to the women in his group, each had a purpose and added complexity to the plot. Perhaps my favorite character was Landon’s mom. She poured so much love into her son that it became overbearing, as at times he could not see her intentions. I couldn’t help but admire the push and pull in their relationship. Mann truly captured what it feels like to be human and lost, the various forms of love, and the self-sacrifice of toddler parenting with ease and flowing prose. She once told me she is good at self-editing, and I cannot express how tenderly she puts these words on the page. I admired her ability to write book reviews, but I am genuinely in awe of the story she created here. If you seek stories with heavy themes, sparks of joy, and masterful character growth, I cannot help but demand that you read this book!
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The Island of Missing Trees

4.5
Deavasting, relevant, and yet an ode to the power of Love, Island of Missing Trees is a hauntingly beautiful story. Told in dual timelines and perspectives, this novel follows Ada, a sixteen-year-old Turkish-Greek Girl in London, as she grapples with her family history following the loss of her mother. Through Ada’s conversations with her aunt and in conjunction with the perspective of her father’s beloved fig tree, we learn a story of war, religious intolerance, and compounding atrocities. This story creeps up on you suddenly without your realizing it. You are wrapped up in a world far apart from you in location and time; The tension, the heartbreak, and the slow unwinding of family trauma. I could not help but make parallels to the present with contentions over foreign powers, religious conflicts, and displaced persons’ journeys. It made the emotional journey of this book even more turbulent. The writing is poetic and metaphorical, and the narration brought it to life. I felt fully immersed in both the present day and the conflict centered around the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974. Specifically, Amira Ghazalla’s voicing of the fig tree was enthralling, and I found myself wanting to savor those parts even more. Readers who enjoy stories about family secrets, historical narrative, and lyrical writing will particularly enjoy this book!
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Wild Dark Shore

5.0
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Moving, warm, teaming with just enough humor for happy tears and depth for sad ones, 𝘚𝘶𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘳 𝘙𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 will be on my shortlist for favorites of the year. Ali is stuck. Between losing her mother, her unfulfilling marriage turned impassioned divorce, and the nonstop nature of raising kids, she struggles to find herself among all the mess in her life. Enter Ethan, full of bold laughter, a love of skateboarding, and lots of eye contact. But it is summer, and she has the kids, and he lives out of town, so how could it be anything more than a summer romance? Just wait! The chemistry! Annabel has a true talent for capturing everyday life and making it romantic. This book feels comfortable like your favorite t-shirt, soft and a little worn, yet always makes you feel good. The crux of the plot is simple everyday life, and I love how she captures so much of the undulating emotions of motherhood in her words. It is refreshing to read about a late-30s woman who still feels like they don’t quite have it all figured out and is still learning who she wants to be. The romance is enchanting and yearning; I swoon at how much they notice each other. Plus, much of this book focuses on family dynamics, and I was captivated by the complexity. {light spoiler ahead} I had the absolutely stellar luck to see Annabel on tour. While I was excited to read 𝘚𝘶𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘳 𝘙𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 after hearing her speak, I had no idea what an absolute imprint this book would make on my heart. While I am not grieving a parent or in an unhappy marriage, I am a mother, a daughter lucky enough to have a loving mother, and I was once a young teen who was bullied by the mean girls at school and a witness to how that impacted my parents. I cannot remember the last time a book gutted me the way I cried reading this one. The mother-daughter dynamics are masterfully intricate, and the details of how those shape womanhood and the experience of being a mother are relatable. I LOVED every sun-filled moment of this fast-paced, lived-in novel, and I highly recommend it!!
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The Five Year Lie

3.5
A mysterious text, a lost love, family secrets, and creepy technology collide in Sabrina Bowen’s debut thriller. Have you ever received a text that made no sense? What if that text was from someone you believe died five years ago? In 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘍𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘠𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘓𝘪𝘦, we follow Ariel, a single mom and artist working at her late father’s security firm, as she reopens old wounds and attempts to find the father of her child and what led him to ghost her. The vibe was a cozy thriller crossed with a romance. Each of the three points of view, Ariel in the present, Drew in the past, and a creepy unknown third, were differentiated by a different narrator. I felt the narration changes helped highlight each chapter’s short nature. The well-done narration, in combination with Bowen’s writing, made both timelines easy to follow, and I liked that the changes in POV signaled a shift in the timeline. The audio was clear; I never needed to consult a text version. This wasn’t spooky, with just enough suspense to keep me returning to it each time I got into the car. Being the romantic I am, I found the romance subplot sweet and unexpected bonus. Bowen’s previous novels are romance/ steam, and her expertise in crafting relationships is evident. While both the beginning and end 25% of this book were fast-paced and engaging, I felt like the discovery of evidence in the middle was a bit strung out. I predicted most of the twists, so there was almost no suspense. Moreover, I wish we had more explanation at the end, as things wrapped very quickly after the climax. That said, the chapters were short, and the plot focus on the use of video technology was both frightening and eerily believable. I would recommend this for those who like thrillers lite and those who enjoy a cross-over between suspense and romance. I wouldn’t go out of my way to read it, but it is a solid Kindle Unlimited pick.
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