Books, Books, Books, and a Cat

 3.5/5 Stars- Beautiful Nights is an intense and poetic novel,  set on the coast in France, that explores the complexities of desire, self-discovery, and forbidden connections.  The story centers on Claire, a behavioral biologist whose seemingly perfect life has begun to feel like a cage. Frustrated by a stagnant marriage and her husband's quiet infidelities, Claire grapples with a sense of unfulfilled longing.  Her annual summer holiday to Brittany takes an unexpected turn when her son, Nico, brings along his new girlfriend, Julie. Julie is herself at a crossroads, questioning if her relationship with Nico aligns with what she wants out of life. I enjoyed the setting and the message about self discovery.  I also loved that women were advocating what was best for themselves.  However this book did not always flow for me.  It was translated so there were some passages that didn't mean as much to me.  For example there was talk about using vous inst...

  This was excellent!  Historical fiction blended with contemporary to create an excellent story that blends family drama, mystery, and romance.   The modern-day story follows Audrey Fisher, a talented chef striving to escape the shadow of her famous, troubled mother, Meredith Fisher. They return to Winthrop Island, a place with complicated memories, to help Meredith dry out and Audrey gets over the abandonment of her husband. While there, Audrey unearths a hidden trove of paintings that pulls them into a historical mystery, drawing in the charming Sedge Peabody and igniting a quest for answers. The author beautifully crafts their emotional journeys, making their struggles and discoveries feel deeply personal and relatable. Intertwined with Audrey and Meredith's story is the breathtaking saga of Providence Dare, a woman fleeing her past aboard the luxury steamship Atlantic in 1846. Her journey is a gripping cat-and-mouse game against a relentless detective, set again...

  This was a fantastic novella and honestly probably one of the best short stories I have ever read. Even though it was short it had all the elements I love in a novel. You have a strong female character, action, suspense, a hint of romance, and magic. The story is set in a fantasy world where there are mortals and Summer Land people. The Summer Land people reminded me of the fae. They have long lives, are extremely good looking, and you have to be careful about eating their food. The book starts out with Celia as a child. She is anxiously waiting for her oldest brother to come home but when he does it is only to tell their father off and then leave again. Celia is heartbroken that he doesn't think of her so she inadvertently curses him. She does not know that she is a sorceress yet. As Celia gets older she is determined to break the curse but her upcoming marriage to the prince may interrupt her plans. The world building is superb. I absolutely loved the characters, especially Cel...

 I have very mixed feelings about this novel.  It was well written and had a lot of drama but I honestly did not like the story.  It is about four siblings who are dealing with the death of their father.  Their father is a famous artist and he has been the fixture of their lives.  Their mother died when they were young and their father really had no idea what he was doing. Before the father's death, he marries a much younger woman who is also an artist.  The siblings don't meet her until after his death.  I honestly thought she might not really exist at first.  For part of the book I thought she might be the reason that the father died.  Ultimately though, I just felt bad for all of the siblings.  I wanted things to go right for them and for them to have better lives.  Their father was not a great guy and that had a huge impact on them.   Even though I did not like this story I do think others will enjoy the complicated re...

  This book absolutely felt like I was watching a Christmas Hallmark Movie in book version.  Rowan is a witch who has refused to use her magic.  After a disastrous work event she heads home for her town's annual Yule festival.  She finds out that her town is in danger of losing their festival to a corporation. To complicate matters, the man who she has had a crush on since she was in high school is part of the reason their family is losing the festival. Rowan must figure out a way to save the festival, get the guy, and figure out how to use her magic responsibly.  This book was charming and sweet.  I read it in the summer so it did lose a little of its magic as I was reading about hot chocolate and winter time events when it was 90 degrees outside.  However, I do think this would be the perfect winter read and a great book to cozy up by a warm fire. Rowan being a witch was a great touch as I enjoyed reading about her magic abilities.  It led to so...

This was a really good read that would appeal to a wide variety of readers.  Alice is part of the Storm Family, a super wealthy family in New England.  However for the past five years, Alice has been an outcast as she did something to upset her father and he no longer wanted her around. Alice finally goes back to her family's home on Storm Island after learning about her father's death. Things take a turn though when Alice learns that she must stay a week and if she does not then no one will inherit the fortune her father left.  I was surprised at just how much I liked this book.  Alice was a great character and I loved how she struck out on her own and made a life for herself trying to do the right thing.  I was also fascinated with her family.  The author did something a little different which I really enjoyed.  The story was basically all Alice but there was one chapter dedicated to the three other siblings so as a reader I got to know them a little...

"Let's Make a Scene" was the classic enemies to lovers trope with lots of chemistry. but it missed the mark in a few areas.  Cynthie is a big actress who has recently been involved in a scandal.  To save her reputation and her acting career she agrees to make a sequel of her first big break, A Lady of Quality.  The problem is she will be working with her former co-star, Jack, a man she can't stand. From there the two reconnect and sparks begin to fly.   I really liked both characters.  Cynthie and Jack were both likable and I enjoyed reading about Jack's family.  The book was light and there was solid romance.  The premise of them both being actors was an interesting premise for a book. One thing that I did not love was that it alternated between the present and 13 years ago.  It was clearly marked but sometimes I would put the book down and then forget whether I was in the present or thirteen years in the past when I picked the book up again...

 This was a fun read.  I always enjoy MaryJanice Davidson's dialogue in her novels.  There are so many fun references and laugh out loud moments.   In this novel  Amara's father is sick and she has to take over his duties of reaping souls.  However she wants no part of this job.  On top of this she is worried about her best friend aka love of her life, Gray, who is destined to die soon.  Gray has had a difficult childhood and he is the only friend who knows about's Amara's secret.  Amara must find out what is making her dad sick and find a way to save Gray.   This is a great supernatural and light novel.  It reads quickly and it is a unique look at death.  There is some romance and lots of witty dialogue.  

  This was a quick paced thriller set on a small island in the Baltic Sea near Sweden.  The novel is set in two different time periods.  First in 2012, four friends traveled to Isle Blind to reconnect, never dreaming that it will be their last time alive.  Then in 2022, the island now has a yoga retreat and is open for the first time for a bachelorette party.  Tessa is a true crime podcaster who has recently lost her podcast due to an unfortunate and tragic incident.  The bachelorette party is her chance to be with her old friends but more importantly it could be a chance for her to learn more about the four murders dubbed the Nacka Four in 2012. This could be her opportunity to restart her podcast.  However once on the island her doubts begin to grow as she feels that things are not right.  Then one of her friends goes missing and Tessa fears the worst.  Will she make it off the island alive or will history repeat itself? I really enjoyed th...