Penny's Passion: Book Review

Showing posts with label Book Review. Show all posts

Showing posts with label Book Review. Show all posts

Wednesday, September 2, 2026

What I Read in August 2026

Hello and welcome to Thinking Out Loud Thursday. This is a time when I share something on my mind and invite you to link up and do the same. On the first Thursday of the month, I share the books I read the previous month. So let's take a look at what I read in August ~

The Romance Revival

The Romance Revival by Christina Lauren was such a fun read! This charming romance has all the ingredients I love—great chemistry, plenty of humor, heartfelt moments, and characters you can’t help but root for. Christina Lauren always seems to know how to balance laugh-out-loud moments with just the right amount of emotion, and this one was no exception. It was light, entertaining, and easy to get swept up in—the kind of book that makes you happy to keep turning the pages. If you’re looking for a feel-good romance with plenty of heart, The Romance Revival is definitely worth adding to your TBR list!

Three years ago, scientist Emery Finch did something completely out of character: She got married. To Luca—the impossibly charming landscaper she met on one blistering night in Vegas who made her laugh, made he dance, made her feel.

But now, Emery is consumed by her top research, missing dinners, forgetting anniversaries, and promising herself Luca will understand once her cutting-edge discoveries come to light. Until the unthinkable happens: A tragic accident takes Luca from her.

Desperate not to lose him, Emery breaks every rule, using the classified technology she’s developed to bring him back to life. And Luca would probably thank her for it, if only he could remember her. Their first kiss, their Sunny Sundays at the beach, the life they built together…all of it is gone.

It may be a miracle of science, but for Emery it’s her one shot at a second chance. And this time, she won’t waste it—because true love is always worth reviving.

The Divorce by Freida McFadden

This book has plenty of twisty, fast-paced action that makes The Divorce a great thriller! One minute you think you have it all figured out, then the story takes a turn you didn't see coming. If you have Kindle Unlimited, it's included in your monthly fee.

Naomi was living the quintessential love story. Boy meets girl. They fall in love, get married, buy a dream house, start a family...

Then—he kicks her out, hires the city’s best divorce lawyers, drains their accounts, and takes up with a 20-something.

It’s a brutal end to the story. Naomi should accept defeat: move into a dingy apartment, get back into the workforce, and piece together the shattered remains of her life.

Except, why should she?

Instead, Naomi fixates on her husband’s new girlfriend. What begins as cynical curiosity soon twists into obsession—and then into something far darker. As Naomi uncovers secrets she never imagined, she realizes her own life may be in danger.

But if it keeps her perfect family intact, isn’t it worth it?

America's First Daughter by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie

I read this one because it was our library book club pick last month. The book club was split on people who liked it and people who didn't. I have to admit, it had a lot of words! The story for me was interesting, but I do wish they would have summed it up quicker than they did.

In a compelling, richly researched novel that draws from thousands of letters and original sources, bestselling authors Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie tell the fascinating, untold story of Thomas Jefferson's eldest daughter, Martha "Patsy" Jefferson Randolph--a woman who kept the secrets of our most enigmatic founding father and shaped an American legacy.

From her earliest days, Patsy Jefferson knows that though her father loves his family dearly, his devotion to his country runs deeper still. As Thomas Jefferson's oldest daughter, she becomes his helpmate, protector, and constant companion in the wake of her mother's death, traveling with him when he becomes American minister to France.

It is in Paris, at the glittering court and among the first tumultuous days of revolution, that fifteen-year-old Patsy learns about her father's troubling liaison with Sally Hemings, a slave girl her own age. Meanwhile, Patsy has fallen in love--with her father's protégé William Short, a staunch abolitionist and ambitious diplomat. Torn between love, principles, and the bonds of family, Patsy questions whether she can choose a life as William's wife and still be a devoted daughter.

Her choice will follow her in the years to come, to Virginia farmland, Monticello, and even the White House. And as scandal, tragedy, and poverty threaten her family, Patsy must decide how much she will sacrifice to protect her father's reputation, in the process defining not just his political legacy, but that of the nation he founded.

Love by the Book by Jessica George

It took a beat for me to get into this one, but then I was hooked! The story is relatable and heartfelt. There were several times I was shaking my head in agreement of things said in the book. If you have good friends, lost good friends, or want to have a good friend - this book is for you.

Friendship is the love story you can count on.

Remy is lucky. Her debut novel, based on her three best friends, became an instant bestseller when it was released, and her agent and publisher are clamoring for a follow-up. But just as Remy’s creative inspiration seems to leave her, so too do her friends: one moves to New York, one gets pregnant, and one gets back together with her (awful) boyfriend. After an ill-advised one-night stand complicates matters further, Remy is left deeply alone―and unable to find her next book idea.

Simone is successful. A Kindergarten teacher with a passion for kids, and a well-paying side hustle that affords her all the material comforts she desires, she doesn't have time for a robust social life. All Simone needs is her close-knit family―but after the true nature of her work is revealed, they cut her off, and she realizes for the first time just how isolated she is.

When Simone and Remy bump into each other (literally) in a bookstore, it isn’t exactly soulmates at first sight. Simone is guarded and prickly, Remy is insecure and heartbroken, and each woman is harboring a secret. And yet they might just be the missing piece the other has been searching for―if only they can let each other in.

Can Simone help Remy make one of the most important decisions of her life―and can Remy help Simone recover all that she’s lost? In Jessica George’s heartwarming, funny, and soulful second novel, she explores the restorative nature of female friendship and the life-changing power of platonic love.

Dolly All the Time by Annabel Monaghan

Dolly All the Time was my selection to read on our beach getaway and it was such a charming, feel-good read! I loved the mix of humor, heart, and romance, and the story had that warm, comforting quality that made it easy to settle in and enjoy. The characters felt relatable, the relationships had plenty of heart, and there were moments that made me laugh right along with the more tender ones. It was the perfect lighter read for vacation!

Dolly Brick has never met a problem she couldn’t solve. Not when her mom left when she was twelve, and not at thirty-nine when she moves with her son back to Whitfield, Rhode Island, for the summer to keep her dad and brother from losing the family home.

So when she comes across Stewart Whitfield—annoyingly handsome scion of the Whitfield family—with a flat tire and at the wrong end of a very public, very humiliating breakup, it’s in her nature to help. But Stewart’s proposed arrangement ends up being more than either of them bargained for, because as public dinners and high-society benefits turn into sunset boat rides and kisses that hit her bloodstream like a ghost pepper, Dolly starts to feel something more than helpful. She’s never relied on anyone besides herself—can she really start now?

Now it's your turn. What are you thinking out loud about today? Link up and share!

Wednesday, August 5, 2026

What I Read in July 2026

Hello, friends, and welcome to Thinking Out Loud Thursday! Each week, I share whatever has been on my mind lately, and I'd love for you to join in by linking up and sharing what's on yours, too.

Since it's the first Thursday of the month, that means it's time for one of my favorite posts—looking back at all the books I read during the previous month. I always enjoy reflecting on what I loved, what surprised me, and which titles I'd recommend adding to your own reading list. So, let's dive in!

An Invisible Thread by Laura Schroff

An Invisible Thread was our book club read for July, and what a wonderful selection it was! This is an older book (2011), but I'd never even heard of it before. It was a very interesting story and had great takeaways. It might even make you rethink some of your actions.

Stopping was never part of the plan...

She was a successful ad sales rep in Manhattan. He was a homeless, eleven-year-old panhandler on the street. He asked for spare change; she kept walking. But then something stopped her in her tracks, and she went back. And she continued to go back, again and again. They met up nearly every week for years and built an unexpected, life-changing friendship that has today spanned almost three decades.

Whatever made me notice him on that street corner so many years ago is clearly something that cannot be extinguished, no matter how relentless the forces aligned against it. Some may call it spirit. Some may call it heart. It drew me to him, as if we were bound by some invisible, unbreakable thread. And whatever it is, it binds us still.

Happier Here with You by Amy Gail Hansen

This book was my free book selection from Amazon First Read from June. If you're in the mood for a heartwarming story filled with family, food, and second chances, Happier Here with You by Amy Gail Hansen is one to add to your list. The story follows a widowed mother whose life takes an unexpected turn when she reconnects with a long-lost relative. Along the way, she discovers that healing often comes in the form of cherished recipes, meaningful relationships, and the courage to embrace new beginnings. It has all the ingredients of an uplifting women's fiction novel—warm, hopeful, and full of heart. If you enjoy stories about found family and the power of community, this one is definitely worth picking up.

Yesteryear by Caro Clair Burke

I had been hearing so much hype about Yesteryear that I finally caved and moved it to the top of my TBR list. Honestly, I have mixed feelings about this one. I was all in until near the end, then it got a little weird. Have you read it? What are your thoughts?

My name was Natalie Heller Mills, and I was perfect at being alive.

Natalie lives a traditional lifestyle. Her charming farmhouse is rustic, her husband a handsome cowboy, her six children each more delightful than the last. So what if there are nannies and producers behind the scenes, her kitchen hiding industrial-grade fridges and ovens, her husband the heir to a political dynasty? What Natalie’s followers—all 8 million of them—don’t know won’t hurt them. And The Angry Women? The privileged, Ivy League, coastal elite haters who call her an antifeminist iconoclast? They’re sick with jealousy. Because Natalie isn’t simply living the good life, she’s living the ideal—and just so happens to be building an empire from it.

Until one morning she wakes up in a life that isn’t hers. Her home, her husband, her children—they’re all familiar, but something’s off. Her kitchen is warmed by a sputtering fire rather than electricity, her children are dirty and strange, and her soft-handed husband is suddenly a competent farmer. Just yesterday Natalie was curating photos of homemade jam for her Instagram, and now she’s expected to haul firewood and handwash clothes until her fingers bleed. Has she become the unwitting star of a ruthless reality show? Could it really be time travel? Is she being tested by God? By Satan? When Natalie suffers a brutal injury in the woods, she realizes two things: This is not her beautiful life, and she must escape by any means possible.

A gripping, electrifying novel that is as darkly funny as it is frightening, Yesteryear is a gimlet-eyed look at tradition, fame, faith, and the grand performance of womanhood.

How to Ruin a Wedding by Elba Luz

This was my Amazon First Reads pick for July. In the past, I've done a pretty poor job of actually reading the books I select each month, but I made it a goal to change that—and I'm happy to report that July was a success! How to Ruin a Wedding was a light, entertaining read with plenty of humor. It was the perfect book to pick up when I wanted something fun and easy to escape into.

When a professional wedding crasher storms the wrong party, an irresistibly charming man enlists her services for a job that’s about to give her outlook on love a run for its money.

Lucy Delgado knows all about things that don’t work out. Between two failed marriages and losing her job, “meant to be” doesn’t seem to mean much anymore. And watching her sister’s marriage deteriorate isn’t convincing Lucy otherwise.

Desperate for money and disillusioned by love, she turns her nothing-left-to-lose attitude into action as a professional wedding saboteur. Lucy knows how to play any part―old lover, nosy relative, wise stranger―to save brides and grooms from making the same mistakes she did.

Until she crashes the wrong ceremony.

For Anders Kennedy, Lucy’s timing couldn’t be better. She’s exactly what he needs to derail his own sister’s upcoming nuptials by posing as Anders’s new girlfriend so she can slip into the family circle and sabotage from within. And Anders has the kind of money Lucy can’t afford to turn down.

As they fake-date their way through family celebrations, high jinks, and secrets, Lucy and Anders are forced to confront their cynicism about marriage. Their schemes were meant for the greater good, but what if love really does conquer all?

Overall, it was a fantastic reading month! Looking ahead, I'm even more excited because we'll be spending a few days at the beach this month. I can already picture myself settling into a beach chair, listening to the waves, and getting lost in a great book. There's just something about reading by the water that makes every story even better. I can't wait to see what adventures await between the pages this month!

Now it's your turn. What are you thinking out loud about today? Link up and share!

Wednesday, July 1, 2026

What I Read in June 2026

Hello! Welcome to Thinking Out Loud Thursday. This is a time when I share something I'm thinking out loud about and invite you to link up and do the same. On the first Thursday of each month, I share what I read the month prior - so today I'm sharing what I read in June!

June was a great reading month for me! I read three books that I loved and one I can't stop recommending to anyone who will listen. Let's jump in ~

When We Had Wings by Ariel Lawhon and others

This was our library book club selection this month and I was excited to read it because of one of the authors - Ariel Lawhon. Ariel wrote Frozen River, which I absolutely loved! When We Had Wings was also very good and kept my attention. If you are wondering, everyone in the book club liked it also! Bonus: if you have Kindle Unlimited, this book is free. Here's the summary ~

The Philippines, 1941. When U.S. Navy nurse Eleanor Lindstrom, U.S. Army nurse Penny Franklin, and Filipina nurse Lita Capel forge a friendship at the Army Navy Club in Manila, they believe they’re living a paradise assignment. All three are seeking a way to escape their pasts, but soon the beauty and promise of their surroundings give way to the heavy mantle of war.

Caught in the crosshairs of a fight between the U.S. military and the Imperial Japanese Army for control of the Philippine Islands, the nurses are forced to serve under combat conditions and, ultimately, endure captivity as the first female prisoners of the Second World War. As their resiliency is tested in the face of squalid living arrangements, food shortages, and the enemy's blatant disregard for the articles of the Geneva Convention, the women strive to keep their hope— and their fellow inmates—alive, though not without great cost.

The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett

I listend to this one on audio, and it easily earned a spot among my favorites books of the year. If Kathryn Stockett's name sounds familiar, it's because she's also the talented dautor of one ofmy all-time favorites, The Help. The audiobook narration was absolutely wonderful and made the story even more enjoyable. I found myself looking for excuses to keep listening! This is one of those books that stays with you long after it's over, and I've been recommending it to just about everyone I know.

Oxford, Mississippi, 1933.

Abandoned by her mother one Christmas Eve, eleven-year-old Meg Lefleur has learned the hard way to rely on no one. Now one of the unadoptable "big girls" at the Lafayette County Orphan Asylum, she fights each day to keep her spirit unbowed.

Birdie Calhoun, unmarried and outspoken, has come to Oxford to ask her socialite sister to help the struggling family she’s left behind. But as the Depression tightens its grip, Birdie discovers her sister’s seemingly charmed life is a tapestry of lies.

Then, Birdie encounters Charlie, a woman running low on luck with little left to lose. When their fates—and Meg’s—converge, Charlie comes up with an audacious plan for them to take control of their lives. But in a place and time where hypocrisy is rife and women’s freedom is fragile, even the smallest act of defiance can have dangerous consequences.

The Calamity Club will make you laugh, cry, and cheer—an epic testament to underestimated women who know that calamity can be the spark of new beginnings. This is Kathryn Stockett at her most confident, heartfelt, and hilarious—the triumphant return of one of the most beloved storytellers of our time.

Culpability by Bruce Holsinger

Culpability dives into the rapidly evolving world of AI in a way that's both fascinating and thought-provoking. It raises some intriguing questions about technology, responsibility, and the choices we make. I never knew where the story was headed, and I loved all the twists and turns along the way. It's one of those books that keeps you guessing long after you think you've figured it out!

When the Cassidy-Shaws’ autonomous minivan collides with an oncoming car, seventeen-year-old Charlie is in the driver’s seat, with his father, Noah, riding shotgun. In the back seat, tweens Alice and Izzy are on their phones, while their mother, Lorelei, a world leader in the field of artificial intelligence, is absorbed in her work. Yet each family member harbors a secret, implicating them all in the tragic accident.

During a weeklong recuperation on the Chesapeake Bay, the family confronts the excruciating moral dilemmas triggered by the crash. Noah tries to hold the family together as a seemingly routine police investigation jeopardizes Charlie’s future. Alice and Izzy turn strangely furtive. And Lorelei’s odd behavior tugs at Noah’s suspicions that there is a darker truth behind the incident—suspicions heightened by the sudden intrusion of Daniel Monet, a tech mogul whose mysterious history with Lorelei hints at betrayal. When Charlie falls for Monet’s teenaged daughter, the stakes are raised even higher in this propulsive family drama that is also a fascinating exploration of the moral responsibility and ethical consequences of AI.

Culpability explores a world newly shaped by chatbots, autonomous cars, drones, and other nonhuman forces in ways that are thrilling, challenging, and unimaginably provocative.

Now it's your turn. What are you thinking out loud about today? Link up and share!

Wednesday, June 3, 2026

What I Read in May 2026

Hello, friends, and welcome to another Thinking Out Loud Thursday! Since it's the first Thursday of the month, it's time for one of my favorite posts—looking back at all the books I finished during the previous month. Then it will be your turn to share what you are thinking out loud about today!

Not a lot of reading happened for me in May. As you can probably guess, I'm knee-deep in wedding planning mode, so most of my free time has been spent checking things off wedding to-do lists, meeting with vendors, and tying up all the little details that come with a wedding that's just around the corner.

Even so, I did manage to finish three books during the month. And if I'm being completely honest, one of those was actually a short story, so it wasn't exactly a record-breaking reading month! Still, every book counts, and I enjoyed having a few stories to escape into whenever I could carve out some reading time.

The Seamstress of New Orleans by Diane C. McPhail

Our library book club chose The Seamstress of New Orleans for our book last month. I have to admit, I had a hard time finding anything I liked about this book. Well, I am glad it was free on Kindle Unlimited and was glad I didn't have to pay for it. The person that recommended the book wasn't able to attend and I was so curious to hear what she liked about it...

The year 1900 ushers in a new century and the promise of social change, and women rise together toward equality. Yet rules and restrictions remain, especially for women like Alice Butterworth, whose husband has abruptly disappeared. Desperate to make a living for herself and the child she carries, Alice leaves the bitter cold of Chicago far behind, offering sewing lessons at a New Orleans orphanage.

Constance Halstead, a young widow reeling with shock under the threat of her late husband’s gambling debts, has thrown herself into charitable work. Meeting Alice at the orphanage, she offers lodging in exchange for Alice’s help creating a gown for the Leap Year ball of Les Mysterieuses, the first all‑female krewe of Mardi Gras. During Leap Years, women have the rare opportunity to take control in their interactions with men, and upend social convention. Piece by piece, the breathtaking gown takes shape, becoming a symbol of strength for both women, reflecting their progress toward greater independence.

But Constance carries a burden that makes it impossible to feel truly free. Her husband, Benton, whose death remains a dangerous mystery, was deep in debt to the Black Hand, the vicious gangsters who controled New Orleans’ notorious Storyville district. Benton’s death has not satisfied them. And as the Mardi Gras festivities reach their fruition, a secret emerges that will cement the bond between Alice and Constance even as it threatens the lives they’re building . . .

The Daisy Chain Flower Shop by Laurie Gilmore

This is Book 6 in the Dream Harbor romance series, and it was such a fun, enjoyable read. It wasn't anything particularly deep or thought-provoking, nor was it trying to be the next great literary masterpiece. Instead, it delivered exactly what I was looking for—a light, charming story that was easy to pick up and get lost in for a few hours.

The characters were likable, the romance was sweet, and the small-town setting was as cozy as ever. Sometimes it's nice to read a book that simply entertains, and this one definitely fit the bill. If you're looking for something lighthearted and relaxing to toss in your beach bag this summer, I think this would be a great choice!

Daisy is fed up with being unlucky in love. And since Mayor Kelly declared her beloved flower shop cursed in one of his infamous visions, business has been slow.

Dream Harbor newcomer Elliot has been adjusting to small-town life following his own relationship turmoil. And until now he’s avoided the flower shop at all costs. If the mayor is correct, he doesn’t need any more bad luck in his life.

When he finds himself walking through the door of the Daisy Chain Flower Shop, he doesn’t expect it to be a life-changing moment. But as the petals blossom in the sunlight, might the unluckiest woman in Dream Harbor finally find that love comes when you’re least expecting it?

Lift Me Up by Millie Johnson

I love a good short story, and this one definitely fit the bill! Better yet, it's available for free on Kindle Unlimited, which is always a nice bonus.

There's something so satisfying about sitting down with a story and finishing it in one sitting. In a world full of lengthy books and never-ending to-do lists, it's fun to experience a complete story from beginning to end in just a few hours. Lift Me Up was the perfect Saturday morning read—quick, engaging, and easy to get through with a cup of coffee in hand. If you're looking for a short escape that won't require a huge time commitment, this one is worth checking out.

Now it's your turn. What are you thinking out loud about today? Link up and share!

Wednesday, April 1, 2026

What I Read in March 2026

Welcome to Thinking Out Loud Thursday! This is a space where I share something I'm thinking about and invite you to link up and do the same. On the first Thursday of the month, I reflect on the books I read the previous month. So let's jump in and see what I read last month ~

March was a bit of a lighter reading month for me—I only finished three books. Even so, it was a bit of a mixed bag. Two of them were definitely worth the time and are easy recommendations from me, while the third… not so much. That one just didn’t hit the mark, and I’d honestly say it’s not worth adding to your reading list.

Chronicle in Stone by Ismail Kadare
Our library book club selected Chronicle in Stone as our March read, and I’ll admit it wasn’t a favorite of mine. From the very beginning, I struggled to connect with it, though I kept reading in hopes that something would click as the story unfolded. Unfortunately, that moment never really came for me. I tried to stay open-minded and give it a fair chance, but by the end, my opinion hadn’t changed. It turns out I wasn’t alone—only a few people in our group truly loved it, while most of us found it difficult to fully enjoy.

Masterful in its simplicity, Chronicle in Stone is a touching coming-of-age story and a testament to the perseverance of the human spirit. Surrounded by the magic of beautiful women and literature, a boy must endure the deprivations of war as he suffers the hardships of growing up. His sleepy country has just thrown off centuries of tyranny, but new waves of domination inundate his city. Through the boy’s eyes, we see the terrors of World War II as he witnesses fascist invasions, allied bombings, partisan infighting, and the many faces of human cruelty—as well as the simple pleasures of life.

Evacuating to the countryside, he expects to find an ideal world full of extraordinary things, but discovers instead an archaic backwater where a severed arm becomes a talisman and deflowered girls mysteriously vanish. Woven between the chapters of the boy’s story are tantalizing fragments of the city’s history. As the devastation mounts, the fragments lose coherence, and we perceive firsthand how the violence of war destroys more than just buildings and bridges.

Someone Else's Shoes by JoJo Moyes

I’ve long been a fan of Jojo Moyes, so I was thrilled to see she had a new book out. As expected, it did not disappoint. Just like her previous novels, this one completely drew me in—I found myself devouring page after page, not wanting to put it down. The story was charming and heartfelt, with just the right balance of light moments and deeper emotional layers. It made me smile, tugged at my heart, and left me thinking about the characters long after I finished.

Nisha Cantor lives the globetrotting life of the seriously wealthy, until her husband announces a divorce and cuts her off. Nisha is determined to hang onto her glamorous life. But in the meantime, she must scramble to cope--she doesn’t even have the shoes she was, until a moment ago, standing in.

That’s because Sam Kemp – in the bleakest point of her life – has accidentally taken Nisha’s gym bag. But Sam hardly has time to worry about a lost gym bag--she’s struggling to keep herself and her family afloat. When she tries on Nisha’s six-inch high Christian Louboutin red crocodile shoes, the resulting jolt of confidence that makes her realize something must change—and that thing is herself.

Full of Jojo Moyes’ signature humor, brilliant storytelling, and warmth, Someone Else’s Shoes is a story about how just one little thing can suddenly change everything.

Theo of Golden by Allen Levi

This book had been sitting on my TBR list for quite a while, and I’m so glad it finally made its way to the top! From the very beginning, I was completely drawn in, and it quickly became one of those reads I couldn’t stop thinking about. I absolutely loved it and will be recommending it to just about everyone I talk to—it’s that good. The story, the characters, and the overall feel of the book all came together in such a memorable way.

I think it would make an excellent book club selection, too, with plenty to discuss and reflect on. I actually listened to the audiobook version, which I really enjoyed, but I already know I’m going to need a physical copy for my shelf. It’s definitely one I’d love to revisit and have on hand to lend out or flip through again in the future.

One spring morning, a stranger named Theo arrives in the small Southern city of Golden. He doesn't explain much about where he came from or why he's there—but when he visits the local coffeehouse, where pencil portraits of the people of Golden hang on the walls, he begins purchasing them, one at a time, and giving each portrait to the person depicted. In exchange, he asks only for the person's story. And so portrait by portrait, person by person, secrets are revealed, regrets are shared, and ordinary lives are profoundly altered.

A story of giving and receiving, of seeing and being seen, Theo of Golden is an unforgettable novel about the power of generosity, the importance of connection, and the quiet miracles that happen when we choose kindness and wonder.

Now it's your turn. What are you thinking about today? Link up and share!

Tuesday, March 3, 2026

What I Read in February 2026

Hello and welcome to Thinking Out Loud Thursday! This is a time when I share something on my mind and invite you to link up and do the same. On the first Thursday of the month, I share the books I read the previous month. Let's see what I read in February!

The Lies They Told by Ellen Marie Wiseman

I absolutely loved this book! In fact, I’ve already added it to my list of titles that would make an excellent book club selection. I don’t believe I’ve read anything else by this author before, but after finishing this one, I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for more of their work. Here’s a quick summary ~

In rural 1930s Virginia, a young immigrant mother fights for her dignity and those she loves against America’s rising eugenics movement – when widespread support for policies of prejudice drove imprisonment and forced sterilizations based on class, race, disability, education, and country of origin – in this tragic and uplifting novel of social injustice, survival, and hope for readers of Susan Meissner, Kristin Hannah, and Christina Baker Kline.

When Lena Conti—a young, unwed mother—sees immigrant families being forcibly separated on Ellis Island, she vows not to let the officers take her two-year old daughter. But the inspection process is more rigorous than she imagined, and she is separated from her mother and teenage brother, who are labeled burdens to society, denied entry, and deported back to Germany. Now, alone but determined to give her daughter a better life after years of living in poverty and near starvation, she finds herself facing a future unlike anything she had envisioned.

Silas Wolfe, a widowed family relative, reluctantly brings Lena and her daughter to his weathered cabin in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains to care for his home and children. Though the hills around Wolfe Hollow remind Lena of her homeland, she struggles to adjust. Worse, she is stunned to learn the children in her care have been taught to hide when the sheriff comes around. As Lena meets their neighbors, she realizes the community is vibrant and tight knit, but also senses growing unease. The State of Virginia is scheming to paint them as ignorant, immoral, and backwards so they can evict them from their land, seize children from parents, and deal with those possessing “inferior genes.”

After a social worker from the Eugenics Office accuses Lena of promiscuity and feeblemindedness, her own worst fears come true. Sent to the Virginia State Colony for the Feebleminded and Epileptics, Lena faces impossible choices in hopes of reuniting with her daughter—and protecting the people, and the land, she has grown to love.

Leave It Up To Love by Kristy Woodson Harvey

I picked up this book through one of the Amazon First Reads selections, and I’m so glad I did. I’ve really become a fan of short stories lately. There’s something so satisfying about curling up on a Saturday morning or Sunday afternoon, sipping a cozy cup of hot tea, and finishing an entire story in one sitting. Here’s the summary of this one ~

Ready for her big break after publishing her first novel, Lila Everwood has two fresh book ideas and dreams of quitting her barista job. She’s hopeful about her future—until her writing catches her literary idol’s attention in all the wrong ways.

Elizabeth Lancaster, the queen of regency romance, hasn’t written a word in three years. Her publisher’s solution? A ghostwriter. Specifically, her favorite coffee server. It’s either brilliance or madness—and her literary agent son Grady thinks it’s definitely the latter.

As the ideas begin to fly, so do the sparks—between Lila and Grady. And, as Lila’s and Elizabeth’s worlds collide, the two writers must lean on each other, learning something vital in the process: In life, love, and publishing, sometimes you have to write your own happy ending.

The Collector of Burned Books by Roseanna M. White

This was our library’s book club pick for February. While I wouldn’t rank it among my all-time favorites, I still found it to be an enjoyable read. It definitely gave us plenty to talk about, with several thought-provoking elements to unpack during our discussion.

In this gripping World War II historical about the power of words, two people form an unlikely friendship amid the Nazi occupation in Paris and fight to preserve the truth that enemies of freedom long to destroy.

Paris, 1940. Ever since the Nazi Party began burning books, German writers exiled for their opinions or heritage have been taking up residence in Paris. There they opened a library meant to celebrate the freedom of ideas and gathered every book on the banned list . . . and even incognito versions of the forbidden books that were smuggled back into Germany.

For the last six years, Corinne Bastien has been reading those books and making that library a second home. But when the German army takes possession of Paris, she loses access to the library and all the secrets she'd hidden there. Secrets the Allies will need if they have any hope of liberating the city she calls home.

Christian Bauer may be German, but he never wanted anything to do with the Nazi Party—he is a professor, one who's done his best to protect his family as well as the books that were a threat to Nazi ideals. But when Goebbels sends him to Paris to handle the "relocation" of France's libraries, he's forced into an army uniform and given a rank he doesn't want. In Paris, he tries to protect whoever and whatever he can from the madness of the Party and preserve the ideas that Germans will need again when that madness is over, and maybe find a lost piece of his heart.

Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez

One of my book clubs decided for February we would read any book by Abby Jimenez. I chose Part of Your World. It's the first book in a three book series. Full disclosure - I had already read books 2 and 3, so you definitely don't have to read them in order! I love Abby's books! They make my laugh out loud and also touch my heart. Fun reads! As a bonus, several of her books are free on Kindle Unlimited.

After a wild bet, gourmet grilled-cheese sandwich, and cuddle with a baby goat, Alexis Montgomery has had her world turned upside down. The cause: Daniel Grant, a ridiculously hot carpenter who’s ten years younger than her and as casual as they come—the complete opposite of sophisticated city-girl Alexis. And yet their chemistry is undeniable.

While her ultra-wealthy parents want her to carry on the family legacy of world-renowned surgeons, Alexis doesn’t need glory or fame. She’s fine with being a “mere” ER doctor. And every minute she spends with Daniel and the tight-knit town where he lives, she’s discovering just what’s really important. Yet letting their relationship become anything more than a short-term fling would mean turning her back on her family and giving up the opportunity to help thousands of people.

Bringing Daniel into her world is impossible, and yet she can’t just give up the joy she’s found with him either. With so many differences between them, how can Alexis possibly choose between her world and his?

Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez

This was a re-read for me, but I enjoyed it just as much the second time around. After reading Part of Your World, I wanted to remember the tie-in with the second book in the series.

Dr. Briana Ortiz’s life is seriously flatlining. Her divorce is just about finalized, her brother’s running out of time to find a kidney donor, and that promotion she wants? Oh, that’s probably going to the new man-doctor who’s already registering eighty-friggin’-seven on Briana’s “pain in my ass” scale. But just when all systems are set to hate, Dr. Jacob Maddox completely flips the game ... by sending Briana a letter.

And it’s a really good letter. Like the kind that proves that Jacob isn’t actually Satan. Worse, he might be this fantastically funny and subversively likeable guy who’s terrible at first impressions. Because suddenly he and Bri are exchanging letters, sharing lunch dates in her “sob closet,” and discussing the merits of freakishly tiny horses. But when Jacob decides to give Briana the best gift imaginable—a kidney for her brother—she wonders just how she can resist this quietly sexy new doctor ... especially when he calls in a favor she can’t refuse.

Now it's your turn. What are you thinking out loud about today? Link up and share!

Wednesday, February 4, 2026

What I Read in January 2026

Hello and happy Thursday! Thanks for stopping by Thinking Out Loud Thursday today. This is a time when I share something on my mind and invite you to link up and do the same. It's the first Thursday of the month and that's the time I share what I read the previous month. Let's take a look ~

Yours For the Season by Uzma Jalaluddin

Yours For the Season was such an enjoyable read. It was fun, lighthearted, and wonderfully entertaining from start to finish. The story had a cozy, festive feel that made it perfect for the season, and it was exactly the kind of book you want to curl up with when you’re ready to unwind and relax. The characters were engaging and easy to root for, and the storyline moved at a nice, comfortable pace that kept it interesting without ever feeling heavy. It’s one of those feel-good reads that pairs perfectly with a warm drink and a cozy blanket, making it an ideal choice for anyone looking for a charming escape during the holiday season.

When Sameera Malik and Tom Cooke meet at a ho-hum holiday party, neither is looking for romance. Sameera’s working ridiculous hours at her law firm and healing from heartache while navigating a recently resolved family estrangement. Tom’s hustling to turn his social media stardom into a real career while fending off his family’s demands to give up his chef dreams and move back home. The two share a few laughs and a samosa-making lesson and go their separate ways.

But when one of Tom’s posts starts a viral rumor that they’re a couple, he suggests they keep up the ruse for a few months. It’s a good proposal, and a fauxmance will help Tom grow his popularity, and, in return, he can help Sameera land a wealthy client. The only problem? Their parents.

When Sameera’s very Muslim parents insist on meeting Tom’s very not Muslim family over Christmas in rural Alaska, the stage is set for misunderstandings, holiday hijinks, and an epic culture clash. As the Maliks and Cookes exchange holiday traditions and endless opinions on their children’s lives, Sameera and Tom realize they have a lot in common—including an attraction that’s starting to feel very real.

The Last Father-Daugher Dance: A Short Story by Lisa Wingate

I love settling in with a good short story on lazy Saturday mornings before I even get out of bed. There’s something so relaxing about easing into the day with a quick, enjoyable read while everything is still quiet and cozy. This particular story was the perfect choice for that kind of slow morning, and even better, it’s available for free with Kindle Unlimited. It’s always a nice bonus when you can discover an entertaining read without having to purchase it separately, making it an easy and convenient pick for a peaceful weekend start.

Olympic silver medalist Kalista Brooks has built a successful life in California, complete with a thriving sports technology company and a handsome fiancé. But when her father’s heart condition takes a critical turn, she rushes home to Atlanta. There, her father makes a surprising request: to relive favorite memories from all four seasons in just one month at their old farmhouse in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

With help from the community and her long-lost sidekick Calvin Calhoon, Kalista creates a tapestry of cherished moments—dogwoods in bloom, homemade blackberry jam, autumn bonfires, and a magical winter evening that will live forever in her heart. But as father and daughter share these precious weeks together, Kalista discovers that time has a way of revealing what matters most. In the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains where she grew up, she learns that sometimes the sweetest seasons of life come when we least expect them.

Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue

This was our library book club selection for January, and it turned out to be a wonderful choice to kick off the new year. The story was engaging and thoughtfully written. One of the most impactful parts of the book was how it highlighted the realities of immigrant life, shedding light on experiences and challenges that many people may not often consider or fully understand. The author did a great job of weaving these perspectives into an interesting and emotional storyline, making it both eye-opening and memorable. It sparked thoughtful discussion for our book club and gave us all a deeper appreciation for the resilience, sacrifices, and everyday realities that often come with building a life in a new country.

Jende Jonga, a Cameroonian immigrant living in Harlem, has come to the United States to provide a better life for himself, his wife, Neni, and their six-year-old son. In the fall of 2007, Jende can hardly believe his luck when he lands a job as a chauffeur for Clark Edwards, a senior executive at Lehman Brothers. Clark demands punctuality, discretion, and loyalty—and Jende is eager to please. Clark’s wife, Cindy, even offers Neni temporary work at the Edwardses’ summer home in the Hamptons. With these opportunities, Jende and Neni can at last gain a foothold in America and imagine a brighter future.

However, the world of great power and privilege conceals troubling secrets, and soon Jende and Neni notice cracks in their employers’ façades.

When the financial world is rocked by the collapse of Lehman Brothers, the Jongas are desperate to keep Jende’s job—even as their marriage threatens to fall apart. As all four lives are dramatically upended, Jende and Neni are forced to make an impossible choice.

All That Life Can Afford by Emily Everett

As soon as I saw this book was based in London, I wanted to read it. If you are a Jane Austen fan, there are several references to her work that you would find interesting too. This was also one of those books that completely pulled me in and refused to let go. I found myself saying “just one more chapter” over and over again, and before I knew it, I was reading way past my bedtime. It’s always a sign of a great book when you lose track of time because you’re so wrapped up in the story!

Anna first fell in love with London at her hometown library—its Jane Austen balls a far cry from her life of food stamps and hand-me-downs. But when she finally arrives after college, the real London is a moldy flat and the same paycheck-to-paycheck grind—that fairy-tale life still out of reach.

Then Anna meets the Wilders, who fly her to Saint-Tropez to tutor their teenage daughter. Swept up by the sphinxlike elder sister, Anna soon finds herself plunged into a heady whirlpool of parties and excess, a place where confidence is a birthright. There she meets two handsome young men—one who wants to whisk her into his world in a chauffeured car, the other who sees through Anna’s struggle to outrun her past. It’s like she’s stepped into the pages of a glittering new novel, but what will it cost her to play the part?

Sparkling with intelligence and insight, All That Life Can Afford peels back the glossy layers of class and privilege, exploring what it means to create a new life for yourself that still honors the one you’ve left behind.

A couple of the books mentioned here are currently available for free with Kindle Unlimited, which is always a nice bonus for readers. It’s a great opportunity to discover new titles and authors without having to purchase each book individually. If you’re looking to expand your reading library or try something outside of your usual genres, this can be an easy and budget-friendly way to do it.

Now it's your turn. What are you thinking out loud about today? Link up and share!

Wednesday, January 7, 2026

What I Read in December 2025

Hello and welcome to Thinking Out Loud Thursday! This is a time when I share something on my mind and invite you to link up and do the same. Today I'm reflecting on the books I read in December.

The Christmas Dress by Courtney Cole

This was a sweet book to read around Christmas! It was a bit sappy, but overall a great holiday read.

One Dress. Two Women. The Magic of the Holiday Season.

When hopeful fashionista Meg Julliard must return to her hometown of Chicago to manage her late father’s apartment building, she thinks her dreams of making it in the fashion business are over. Add in her father’s eclectic roster of tenants who all need Meg’s attention (ASAP!), a host of building related disasters, and a handsome handyman she keeps embarrassing herself in front of, and this has all the makings for the worst Christmas she’s ever had.

Ellie Wade, one of the building’s longtime residents, is also not feeling the Christmas Joy this year. She is preparing to move into a nursing home (reluctantly), and is in the process of sorting through her belongings to downsize. Every corner of her apartment holds memories, some good, some bad. But there’s one dress she hesitates to pack up as it represents both the best and worst night of her life.

Ellie and Meg strike up an unlikely friendship and the story of Ellie’s dress comes out. Ellie gifts the gorgeous dress to Meg, hoping that it will bring her more luck, on the condition that she wear it to the building’s Christmas party.

The dress magically fits, and while it eventually leads to the best night of Meg’s life, it also acts as inspiration for Meg to follow a life-long dream of her own, a dream that will help save the crumbling Parkview West, and restore it to its former glory, and keep it as a safe home for all of the current tenants.

The dress and the magic of the holiday season helps both Meg and Ellie find their own happy endings. A touching holiday read. Perfect for fans of uplifting winter romances.
A delightful Christmas gift.

The Academy by Elin Hilderbrand

I'll be honest, this was not one of my favorite Elin Hilderbrand stories. It was filled with high school drama and dysfunctional parents. Maybe my view of it would be different if I had been sitting on a beach, but to read it during the holidays it just fell short in my opinion.

It’s move-in day at Tiffin Academy and amidst the happy chaos of friends reuniting, selfies uploading, and cars unloading, shocking news arrives: America Today just ranked Tiffin the number two boarding school in the country. It’s a seventeen-spot jump – was there a typo? The dorms need to be renovated, their sports teams always come in last place, and let’s just say Tiffin students are known for being more social than academic. On the other hand, the campus is exquisite, class sizes are small, and the dining hall is run by an acclaimed New York chef. And they do have fun—lots of parties and school dances, and a piano man plays in the student lounge every Monday night.

But just as the rarefied air of Tiffin is suffused with self-congratulation, the wheels begin to turn – and then they fall off the bus. One by one, scandalous blind items begin to appear on phones across Tiffin’s campus, thanks to a new app called ZipZap, and nobody is safe. From Davi Banerjee, international influencer and resident queen bee, to Simone Bergeron, the new and surprisingly young history teacher, to Charley Hicks, a transfer student who seems determined not to fit in, to Cordelia Spooner, Admissions Director with a somewhat idiosyncratic methodology – everyone has something to hide.

As if high school wasn’t dramatic enough...As the year unfolds, bonds are forged and broken, secrets are shared and exposed, and the lives of Tiffin’s students and staff are changed forever. The Academy is Elin Hilderbrand’s fresh, buzzy take on boarding school life, and a thrilling new direction from one of America’s most satisfying and popular storytellers.

The View from Lake Como by Adriana Trigiani

This book had been on my TBR list for a while. It didn't disappoint!

Jess Capodimonte Baratta is not living the life of her dreams. Not even close.

In blue-collar Lake Como, New Jersey, family comes first. Recently divorced from Bobby Bilancia, “the perfect husband," Jess moves into her parents’ basement to hide and heal. Jess is the overlooked daughter, who dutifully takes care of her parents, cooks Sunday dinner, and puts herself last. Despite her role as the family handmaiden, Jess is also a talented draftswoman in the marble business run by her dapper uncle Louie, who believes she can do anything (once she invests in a better wardrobe).

When the Capodimonte and Baratta families endure an unexpected loss, the shock unearths long-buried secrets that will force Jess to question her loyalty to those she trusted. Fueled by her lost dreams, Jess takes fate into her own hands and escapes to her ancestral home, Carrara, Italy.

From the shadows of the majestic marble-capped mountains of Tuscany, to the glittering streets of Milan, and on the shores of enchanting Lake Como (the other one), Jess begins to carve a place in this new/old world. When she meets Angelo Strazza, a passionate artist who works in gold, she discovers her own skills are priceless. But as Jess uncovers the truth about her family history, it will change the course of her life and those she loves the most forever. In love and work, in art and soul, Jess will need every tool she has mastered to reinvent her life.

Fed by the author’s cherished Italian roots comes a bighearted, hilarious novel of the moment: the story of one woman’s determination to live a creative life that matters, with enough room left over for love. With a one-way ticket to Italy, Jess is determined to write a new story on her own terms--this time, in stone.

The Christmas Bookshop by Jenny Colgan

Each December, our library book club selects a holiday-themed read, and this year’s choice was The Christmas Bookshop. It was generally well received by the group, and I felt the same way—a pleasant, enjoyable read for the holiday season.

Laid off from her department store job, Carmen has perilously little cash and few options. The prospect of spending Christmas with her perfect sister Sofia, in Sofia’s perfect house with her perfect children and her perfectly ordered yuppie life does not appeal.

Frankly, Sofia doesn’t exactly want her prickly sister Carmen there either. But Sofia has yet another baby on the way, a mother desperate to see her daughters get along, and a client who needs help revitalizing his shabby old bookshop. So Carmen moves in and takes the job.

Thrown rather suddenly into the inner workings of Mr. McCredie’s ancient bookshop on the picturesque streets of historic Edinburgh, Carmen is intrigued despite herself. The store is dusty and disorganized but undeniably charming. Can she breathe some new life into it in time for Christmas shopping? What will happen when a famous and charismatic author takes a sudden interest in the bookshop—and Carmen? And will the Christmas spirit be enough to help heal her fractured family?

100 Rules to Living to be 100 by Dick Van Dyke

I was on the hunt for a biography to recommend to our book club. I thought maybe this one by Dick Van Dyke would be a great selection. I'm going to keep looking. I've always loved Dick Van Dyke, but he revealed some things in the book I wish I just didn't know about him. I'd hate to be the one to change anyone else's view of him.

Dick Van Dyke danced his way into our hearts with iconic roles in Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and The Dick Van Dyke Show. Now, as he’s about to turn 100 years old, Dick is still dancing and approaching life with the twinkle in his eye that we’ve come to know and love. In 100 Rules for Living to 100, he reveals his secrets for maintaining your joie de vivre and making the most out of the life you’ve been given.

Through stories of his pivotal childhood, moments on film sets, his expansive family, and finding love late in life, Dick reflects on both the joyful times and the challenges that shaped him. His indefatigable spirit and positive attitude will surely inspire readers to count the blessings in their own lives, persevere through the hard times, and appreciate the beauty and complexity of being human.

I also completed my third full read-through of the Bible! For the past three years, I’ve followed The Bible Recap, and if you stick with it all year, you’ll read the entire Bible. Each morning while I’m getting ready for work, I listen to Tara-Leigh Cobble on the Bible app, and it’s been such a meaningful way to start my day. If you’re thinking about doing it in 2026, it’s not too late—just download the Holy Bible app and search for The Bible Recap under plans. Everything is laid out day by day, making it incredibly simple to follow.

Now it's your turn. What are you thinking out loud about today? Link up and share!

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