Category: book review

What I Read in November (2025)

Books Read in November: 15
Books Read for the Year: 212/225

Topical Books/Monthly Goal Books:
Dungeon Crawler Carl, by Matt Dinniman (audio): This was a surprisingly entertaining read. I’m already listening to the second book.
Always You and Me, by Dani Atkins (TBR): This was a solid read—until the ending.
Hell Bent, by Devon Monk (Re-read): Enjoyed this spin-off.
The Case for Christ, by Lee Strobel (Spiritual/re-read): Very informative read.
The House of Lost Secrets, by Anstey Harris )TBR): This was a good read.
Hot Mess Summer, by Melissa Harris Foster (TBR): This was definitely a light and fluffy read–with no surprises.
The Lost Letters of Aisling, by Cynthia Ellingsen (TBR): Really enjoyed this read!

For Review:

Persephone’s Curse, by Katrina Leno. This was an excellent read! Very small setting–which totally worked for this story–and some great characters.

The Italian Secret, by Tara Moss. For me, this wasn’t that great a read. It felt predictable and the MC was more of a caricature than anything.

The Rebel and the Rose, by Catherine Doyle. I had not read the first book in this series, but I highly enjoyed this one and can’t wait to read more. So much snark!

The Library of Fates, by Margot Harrison. I’m on the fence with this read. I’m not 100% sure I even liked it.

No One Aboard, by Emy McGuire. If you like books about unlikable characters, this is one for you. I do not like books about unlikable characters, but I finished this because the writing was so solid.

The Time Hop Coffee Shop, by Phaedra Patrick. This was a sweet read–just a happy read. A touch of magical realism–okay, and far too much talk of coffee for this tea-lover–but a very cute read.

Wildwood, by Amy Pease. This sophomore book in this series was a solid thriller read with a vivid yet dark setting.

Just Because:

Carl’s Doomsday Scenario, by Matt Dinniman (audio). I cannot believe I’m enjoying this as much as I am, being not a video game person.

Left Unfinished:
Bad Reputation, by Emma Barry. This was just so superficial, I couldn’t keep reading. I like to get to know the characters, and this was just repetitive, with no depth.

Dawn of the Firebird, by Sarah Mughal Rana. I didn’t get very far in this. The writing itself was fine, but the story felt like a chaotic, jumbled mess—and one with a distant POV. This just wasn’t a good fit for me.

How to Grieve Like a Victorian, by Amy Carol Reeves. I didn’t make it too far in this. Lizzie’s decision to make everyone around her conform to what she believes is right felt absurd and pretentious—and is a picture of what’s wrong in society. Her pretension got on my very last nerve—as did her kissing her husband’s best friend a month after her husband died unexpectedly and then fluttering around like a trapped moth, making a show of her reaction…but not actually caring. I had no desire to read any more about a person like that.

Sundays are for Writing #347

This was a good writing—and reading—week. I wrote three book reviews: No One Aboard, by Emy McGuire, The Time Hop Coffee Shop, by Phaedra Patrick, and Wildwood, by Amy Pease. I also did a tiny bit of prep work for some fiction…for the first time all year.

Happy writing!

Book Review: The Memory Gardener, by Meg Donohue   

Image belongs to Gallery Books.

Title: The Memory Gardener
Author: Meg Donohue    
Genre: Fantasy    
Rating: 5 out of 5 

Lucy Barnes has an uncanny ability to know exactly which scent among the flowers she grows will return a person to a long-forgotten memory, a key from their past that has the potential to change their future. When she takes a position as the gardener at a somber, colorless assisted-living home, the evocatively scented flowers that she grows awaken not only the home’s gardens, but the entire community, stirring new pleasures and unearthing long-buried secrets within all who venture through the gardens’ gates.

But when a secret comes to light that threatens to shatter the newly close-knit community, the future suddenly looks uncertain. Have the memories that Lucy has unearthed awakened something wonderful … or are some memories better left buried?

I loved this read! All of it. The hints of magic and romance, the characters, the depiction of the residents of Oceanview Home, the gardens… This was a magical read, and I wanted to explore each of these gardens with Lucy and Gully. This is a very well-done magical realism novel, and it drew me in from the first page. Loved this!

Meg Donohue is a bestselling author. The Memory Gardener is her newest novel

(Galley courtesy of Gallery Books in exchange for an honest review.)

 

Sundays are for Writing #346

This was an okay writing week: I wrote two book reviews, both for blog tours: Dawn of the Firebird, by Sarah Mughal Rana (DNF) and The Library of Fates, by Margot Harrison (an okay read). Hopefully I’ll get more writing done next week.

Happy writing!

Book Review: Evil Bones, by Kathy Reichs

Image belongs to Scribner.

Title: Evil Bones
Author: Kathy Reichs
Genre: Mystery/thriller  
Rating: 3.8 out of 5

Small creatures—a rat, a rabbit, a squirrel—have been turning up throughout Charlotte, North Carolina, mutilated and displayed in the same bizarre manner. But one day, as Tempe is relaxing at home alongside her aimless, moody great-niece Tory, she’s diverted by a disturbing call. Now, it seems, the perp is upping the ante. This find is larger. Could the remains be human?

Tempe visits the scene and discovers that the victim is a dog. Someone’s pet. As one who has always found animal cruelty deeply abhorrent, Tempe vows to help apprehend the person responsible for the killings, and due to Tory’s especially layered knowledge of animal behavior, the young woman turns out to be a valuable ally in the hunt for answers. Oddly, Tempe discovers that semi-retired homicide detective Erskine “Skinny” Slidell is equally outraged and committed. Needing a better understanding of possible motives, Tempe and Skinny seek input from a forensic psychologist. The doctor has no definitive answer but offers several possibilities, warning that the escalating pattern of aggression suggests even more macabre discoveries—and that the perp’s focus may soon shift to humans.

And then it happens. A woman is found disfigured and posed in a manner that mimics the earlier killings.

As Tempe and Slidell follow the horrifying clues to a shocking conclusion, they’re forced to confront an increasingly terrifying question: “What is pure evil?”

I like this series, but the ending of this one felt a bit rushed, like it glossed over some events. I also could not understand why Tempe kept running around on her own when she knew she had a stalker, more or less, who had (probably) attacked her. Made her seem…not so smart.

Kathy Reichs is a bestselling author. Evil Bones is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of Scribner in exchange for an honest review.)

Sundays are for Writing #345

Coming back from vacation sucks. Coming back from the beach to cold weather and disasters at work sucks even worse. I did get some writing done this week, in the form of three book reviews: Persephone’s Curse, by Katrina Leno, The Italian Secret, by Tara Moss, and The Rebel and the Rose, by Catherine Doyle. The middle book was just meh, but the first and last ones were pretty fantastic.

Happy writing!

Book Review: Break Wide the Sea, by Sara Holland  

Image belongs to St. Martin’s Press | Wednesday Books.

Title: Break Wide the Sea
Author: Sara Holland            
Genre: YA    
Rating: 4 out of 5

The seafaring humans of Kirkrell have always been plagued by finfolk—bloodthirsty fae who haunt the seas, sinking ships and cursing bloodlines. Yet it’s only by hunting magical whales that Kirkrell can prosper. Nineteen-year-old Annie is heir to the Fairfax Whaling Company, but their family’s success came at a cost: a curse by which heartbreak turns Fairfaxes slowly into monsters. And six years ago, the shipwreck that killed Annie’s parents left her with scales spreading up her arms, claws sprouting from her fingertips.

The love of her fiancé, August, salved her heart for a while—but when she learns August is maneuvering to take over the company, the curse worsens. Fearing her time is running out, she strikes a bargain with a disreputable young captain, half-finfolk and half-human Silas Price: on a voyage to hunt whales in the far north, Silas will take Annie to the finfolk queen, who can lift the curse in return for a promise to end whaling forever.

As Annie, August and Silas sail north, she is determined to uphold her family’s legacy, but the threat of the finfolk tests her resolve. Lies corrupt her relationship with August; meanwhile a dangerous connection with Silas blooms—but he’s keeping secrets too, and his might be the most dangerous of all.

As heiress, it’s Annie’s responsibility to deliver whale magic to her city. But as heartbreak looms, she must choose between saving herself and her family’s legacy—and hope it doesn’t cost her everyone she loves.

At first, this was a tiny bit slow to me, but it engrossed me quickly. The culture, magic, and mythology in this book were unique and interesting, and I enjoyed these aspects a lot. I liked Annie, although I could not understand her attraction to August—who is clearly a jerk. The ending was a bit of a cliffhanger, and I’m looking forward to reading more.

Sara Holland is a bestselling author. Break Wide the Sea is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of St. Martin’s Press | Wednesday Books in exchange for an honest review.)

Book Review: The Cathedral of Lost Souls, by Paula Brackston     

Image belongs to St. Martin’s Press.

Title: The Cathedral of Lost Souls
Author: Paula Brackston            
Genre: Historical fiction/fantasy   
Rating: 4 out of 5

Hereford, England 1881.

The adventure continues! After the fire and the tumultuous events in the cathedral library, Hecate is determined never again to come so close to losing the beloved mappa mundi. She has shown herself to be the greatest threat to the Essedenes and their plans and they will stop at nothing to be rid of her. With the help of her archeologist father, and the support of the redoubtable and loyal Inspector Winter, she must take the fight to her enemies.

But the numbers of Embodied Spirits are growing with terrifying speed, and an atmosphere of violence and danger has taken hold of the ancient city of Hereford. Hecate dare not trust anyone beyond her inner circle, no matter how benevolent they might seem. Nor will she risk the lives of those she loves ever again. The goddess Hekate has called her to action. She must draw upon all her gifts, and the assistance of her family of ghostly allies, if the city is not to be lost to darkness forever.

I’m a huge fan of Paula Brackston’s Found Things series, and I’m enjoying the Hecate Cavendish books, too (although not quite as much). This was a solid read and kept me engaged with everything going on. I would have liked to see more of the map and its inhabitants, but I did enjoy this and am looking forward to reading more.

Paula Brackston is a bestselling author. The Cathedral of Lost Souls is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of St. Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review.)

Book Review: Where He Left Me, by Nicole Baart

Image belongs to Atria Books.

Title: Where He Left Me
Author: Nicole Baart            
Genre: Thriller   
Rating: 4 out of 5

College professors Sadie Sheridan and Felix Graham are on sabbatical at Hemlock House, located on a remote mountain homestead established years ago by Felix’s family. When Felix leaves on a work trip but doesn’t return, effectively stranding Sadie on the mountain, her world collapses.

Alone at Hemlock House, frantic Sadie struggles to make sense of what her missing astronomer husband left behind. Forced to confront two mysterious trespassers just as a powerful storm bears down, Sadie and the strangers have no choice but to ride it out together. As conditions worsen and shocking secrets are revealed, Sadie must face whether or not she ever knew the man she married and is she fighting only for her own survival now—or still for the man who promised her the stars?

This was a solid thriller read—and did not make me look forward to winter even a little. I liked how the mystery of what was going on with Felix built slowly, twisting and turning on different rabbit trails, and ending up being unexpected. Sadie got on my nerves a bit with her back-and-forth mentally, but I liked her well enough. This is a solid read.

Nicole Baart lives in Iowa. Where He Left Me is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of Atria Books in exchange for an honest review.)

   

Book Review: An Academic Affair, by Jodi McAlister    

Image belongs to Atria Books.

Title: An Academic Affair
Author: Jodi McAlister      
Genre: Romance    
Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Sadie Shaw and Jonah Fisher have been academic rivals since they first crossed paths as undergraduates in the literature department thirteen years ago. Now that a highly coveted teaching opportunity has come up, their rivalry hits epic proportions. Jonah needs the job to move closer to his recently divorced sister and her children, while Sadie needs the financial security and freedom of a full-time teaching position.

When Sadie notices that the job offers partner hire, however, she hatches a plot to get them both the job. All they must do is get legally married. It’s a simple win-win solution but when sparks begin to fly, it becomes clear that despite their education, these two may not have thought this whole thing through.

I enjoyed this read for the most part, but the middle felt like it dragged quite a bit and the drama between Sadie and her sister was…unnecessary. The enemies-to-lovers trope was fine. The miscommunication trope, especially between the sisters, was a bit much. All of the academic minutiae also got a bit grating, taking away from the dynamic between Sadie and Jonah—which was the best part of the book.

Jodi McAlister is from New South Wales. An Academic Affair is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of Atria Books in exchange for an honest review.)