The Will Of The Many by James Islington

The Will Of The Many My Rating: 4.6

I tell them my name is Vis Telimus. I tell them I was orphaned after a tragic accident three years ago, and that good fortune alone has led to my acceptance into their most prestigious school. I tell them that once I graduate, I will gladly join the rest of civilized society in allowing my strength, my drive, and my focus—what they call Will—to be leeched away and added to the power of those above me, as millions already do. As all must eventually do. I tell them that I belong, and they believe me.

If you enjoy stories with layered world-building, moral ambiguity, and a dash of school-based intrigue, The Will of the Many might be your next favorite read. I went into it not knowing exactly what to expect and came out fully invested—and now I’m counting down the days until the sequel releases in November. The story follows Vis, a sympathetic and intelligent orphan who's easy to root for. He’s navigating a brutal, hierarchical society and ends up at a prestigious school where competition is fierce, alliances are murky, and secrets are everywhere. In many ways, it gave me Harry Potter vibes—think of Hogwarts, but darker and much more political. There’s the familiar feel of getting to know classmates, uncovering hidden truths, and facing dangerous forces, but the themes here are far more adult. What I loved most was the grayness of the characters. You’re constantly asking yourself: Can I trust this person? What are their true motives? James Islington does a masterful job of keeping you guessing without making the plot feel convoluted. And while Vis is clearly the emotional heart of the story, the surrounding cast adds depth and complexity. This book delivers not just in plot and pacing, but in emotional weight and philosophical questions—especially around power, loyalty, and free will. Highly recommend for fans of dark academia, adult fantasy, and character-driven stories with a punch.

The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern by Lynda Cohen Loigman

The Love Elixir of August Stern  My Rating: 4.8

On the cusp of turning eighty, newly retired pharmacist Augusta Stern is adrift. When she relocates to Rallentando Springs—an active senior community in southern Florida—she unexpectedly crosses paths with Irving Rivkin, the delivery boy from her father’s old pharmacy—and the man who broke her heart sixty years earlier.

I loved this book. It’s the perfect blend of heart and charm—wholesome without feeling sappy. Augusta Stern is a quietly magical character whose love elixirs may or may not work, but her impact on the people around her is undeniable.

Lynda Cohen Loigman delivers a story that feels comforting and uplifting, with just enough depth to keep it grounded. The writing is gentle, warm, and full of heart. If you’re looking for a feel-good read that’s both smart and satisfying, this is it.

The Charm School by Nelson DeMille

The Charm School My Rating: 4.9

On a dark road deep inside the Russian woods at Borodino, a young American tourist picks up an unusual passenger with an explosive secret: an U.S. POW on the run from "The Charm School," a sinister operation where American POWs teach young KBG agents how to be model U.S. citizens. Their goal? To infiltrate the United States undetected. With this horrifying conspiracy revealed, the CIA sets an investigation in motion, and three Americans--an Air Force officer, an embassy liaison, a CIA chief--pit themselves against the country's enemies in a high-powered game of international intrigue.

The Charm School is an absolutely gripping thriller that had me hooked from page one. Nelson DeMille masterfully blends suspense and realism in this Cold War-era story about a secret Soviet facility training Russian spies to pass as Americans.

It reminded me of The Americans—but with an even scarier, more realistic twist. I’d never considered how spies like that were trained, and the way DeMille presents it feels terrifyingly possible. The pacing is sharp, the characters are compelling, and the story sticks with you long after you finish.

If you enjoy smart, chilling espionage thrillers, this one’s a must-read!

The Hidden Girl by Lucinda Riley

The Hidden Girl My Rating: 4.2

In a small village on the Yorkshire moors, Leah Thompson grows more beautiful with each passing day. When she catches the attention of the influential, troubled Delancey family, she knows her life will never be the same again.

Years later, Leah takes the modelling world by storm, travelling from Milan to London and New York and living life in the lap of luxury. But her past follows her like a dark shadow, mysteriously intertwined with the tragic tale of two young siblings in Poland during the Second World War.

As two generations of secrets threaten to explode, Leah is haunted by a fatal, forgotten prophecy from her past, and must fight to challenge the destiny that has been mapped out for her in the stars . . .

I really enjoyed this book and found myself pulled into the story from the very beginning. Lucinda Riley has a way of writing that makes her characters feel vivid and real, and I was quickly invested in their lives. While some plot points were a bit predictable, it didn’t take away from the enjoyment—in fact, it added a comforting familiarity to the unfolding drama.

That said, the ending stretched believability a little too far for me. It felt a bit over the top compared to the rest of the book, which was otherwise grounded and emotionally resonant. Still, it didn’t ruin the experience, and I would definitely recommend The Hidden Girl to anyone who enjoys layered family mysteries, strong emotional undercurrents, and atmospheric storytelling.

Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy

Wild Dark Shore My Rating: 3.9

Dominic Salt and his three children are caretakers of Shearwater, a tiny island not far from Antarctica. Home to the world’s largest seed bank, Shearwater was once full of researchers, but with sea levels rising, the Salts are now its final inhabitants. Until, during the worst storm the island has ever seen, a woman mysteriously washes ashore.

Isolation has taken its toll on the Salts, but as they nurse the woman, Rowan, back to strength, it begins to feel like she might just be what they need. Rowan, long accustomed to protecting herself, starts imagining a future where she could belong to someone again.

But Rowan isn’t telling the whole truth about why she set out for Shearwater. And when she discovers sabotaged radios and a freshly dug grave, she realizes Dominic is keeping his own secrets. As the storms on Shearwater gather force, they all must decide if they can trust each other enough to protect the precious seeds in their care before it’s too late—and if they can finally put the tragedies of the past behind them to create something new, together.

From the very first pages, Wild Dark Shore pulled me into its rugged landscape and the stark, cold remoteness of its setting. The atmosphere is vivid and haunting, and I found myself completely immersed in the world the author created.

The story of Dom and his three children was compelling and layered, offering a raw look at survival, family dynamics, and the human spirit in extreme circumstances. While quite a few of the plot elements felt a bit far-fetched and she also put in a heavy dose of fear mongering (climate change) that detracted from the story, I was willing to go along for the ride.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read—atmospheric, emotionally resonant, and just unpredictable enough to keep me turning the pages.

The Paris Orphan by Natasha Lester

The Paris Orphan My Rating: 4.2

1942: When American model Jessica May arrives in Europe to cover the war as a photojournalist for Vogue, most of the soldiers are determined to make her life as difficult as possible. But three friendships change that. Journalist Martha Gellhorn encourages Jess to bend the rules. Captain Dan Hallworth keeps her safe in dangerous places so she can capture the stories that truly matter. And most important of all, the love of a little orphan named Victorine gives Jess strength to do the impossible. But her success will come at a price...

France, 2005: Decades after World War II, D'Arcy Hallworth arrives at a beautiful chateau to curate a collection of famous wartime photos by a reclusive artist. It's the opportunity of a lifetime, but D'Arcy has no idea that this job will uncover decades of secrets that, once revealed, will change everything she thought she knew about her mother, Victorine, and alter D'Arcy's life forever.

I was deeply drawn into the 1942 storyline in The Paris Orphan—the historical narrative was compelling and richly developed. Natasha Lester did an excellent job with character development, especially in portraying the women navigating life and war during such a turbulent time. I was particularly invested in Jess's work as a correspondent, especially the way the novel explored the overlooked roles women played during WWII and how they were often dismissed or mistreated. These parts of the novel felt both emotionally resonant and historically significant.

However, the 2005 storyline didn’t hold the same weight. The modern thread felt superficial and somewhat fluffy by comparison, lacking the depth and emotional pull of the wartime plot. I found myself disengaged from the characters in that timeline, and their stories didn’t seem to add much to the book overall. Unfortunately, this modern-day arc detracted from what could have been a truly excellent historical novel.

In all, The Paris Orphan is worth reading for its vivid depiction of female strength and resilience during WWII, but I wish the dual timeline had been more balanced in tone and substance.

Fast Like A Girl by Mindy Pelz

Fast Like A Girl My Rating: 3.0

This is a fasting manual created to address women's needs based on their hormones and menstrual cycle.

As someone who has naturally fasted most of my life—typically eating in a 4- to 8-hour window—Fast Like A Girl didn’t bring much new to the table for me personally. While it was somewhat interesting to learn more about the science and reasoning behind fasting, the content felt more geared toward beginners or those looking for motivation to try fasting for the first time. Dr. Pelz presents the information clearly, and I can see how someone unfamiliar with fasting could find it empowering and informative. However, for seasoned fasters, especially those for whom this lifestyle already feels intuitive, the book may not offer much beyond what’s already known or practiced.

The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel

The Book of Lost Names My Rating: 3.6

Eva Traube Abrams, a semi-retired librarian in Florida, is shelving books when her eyes lock on a photograph in the New York Times. She freezes; it’s an image of a book she hasn’t seen in more than sixty years—a book she recognizes as The Book of Lost Names.  

The Book of Lost Names touches on an important and powerful topic—resistance efforts during World War II and the preservation of identity amidst chaos. While the premise is compelling and the historical backdrop significant, the execution fell a bit short for me. The story felt somewhat predictable, and the emotional depth didn’t resonate as strongly as I’ve experienced in other novels on this subject.

Though it may appeal to those new to historical fiction set in WWII, I’ve read other books on the topic that offered deeper character development and more nuanced storytelling. 

The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates

The Water Dancer My Rating: 4.3

Young Hiram "Hi" Walker was born into bondage. When his mother was sold away, Hiram was robbed of all memory of her - but was gifted with a mysterious power. Years later, when Hiram almost drowns in a river, that same power saves his life. This brush with death births an urgency in Hiram and a daring scheme: to escape from the only home he’s ever known. So begins an unexpected journey that takes Hiram from the corrupt grandeur of Virginia’s proud plantations to desperate guerrilla cells in the wilderness, from the coffin of the Deep South to dangerously idealistic movements in the North. Even as he’s enlisted in the underground war between slavers and the enslaved, Hiram’s resolve to rescue the family he left behind endures. This is the dramatic story of an atrocity inflicted on generations of women, men, and children - the violent and capricious separation of families - and the war they waged to simply make lives with the people they loved.

I really enjoyed The Water Dancer and found the story of escape from slavery powerful and moving. Ta-Nehisi Coates did a fantastic job portraying the emotional toll and daily humiliation enslaved people endured, even without focusing on physical brutality.

However, I wasn’t expecting the magical elements, and while I see their symbolic value, I felt they took away from an otherwise strong and realistic narrative. Still, the writing is beautiful, and I’d recommend the book to anyone interested in historical fiction with depth and heart.

The Fox Wife by Yangsze Choo

The Fox Wife My Rating: 4.6

Manchuria, 1908. In the last years of the dying Qing Empire, a courtesan is found frozen in a doorway. Her death is clouded by rumors of foxes, which are believed to lure people by transforming themselves into beautiful women and handsome men. Bao, a detective with an uncanny ability to sniff out the truth, is hired to uncover the dead woman’s identity. Since childhood, Bao has been intrigued by the fox gods, yet they’ve remained tantalizingly out of reach—until, perhaps, now.

Meanwhile, a family who owns a famous Chinese medicine shop can cure ailments but can’t escape the curse that afflicts them—their eldest sons die before their twenty-fourth birthdays. When a disruptively winsome servant named Snow enters their household, the family’s luck seems to change—or does it?

Snow is a creature of many secrets, but most of all she’s a mother seeking vengeance for her lost child. Hunting a murderer, she will follow the trail from northern China to Japan, while Bao follows doggedly behind. Navigating the myths and misconceptions of fox spirits, both Snow and Bao will encounter old friends and new foes, even as more deaths occur.

I really enjoyed this beautifully written, magical novel. The world of the foxes was richly imagined and immersive, and the characters—especially Bao and Snow—were memorable and full of heart. A thoughtful, atmospheric blend of folklore, mystery, and emotion.

Entrances and Exits by Michael Richards

 Entrances and Exits  My Rating: 3.0

The man who brought the kavorka to the Seinfeld show through one of the most remarkable and beloved television characters ever invented, Kramer, shares the extraordinary life of a comedy genius—the way he came into himself as an artist, the ups and downs as a human being, the road he has traveled in search of understanding.

“The hair, so essential, symbolizes the irrational that was and is and always will be the underlying feature not only of Kramer but of comedy itself. This seemingly senseless spirit has been coursing through me since childhood. I’ve been under its almighty influence since the day I came into this world. I felt it all within myself, especially the physical comedy, the body movements, so freakish and undignified, where I bumped into things, knocked stuff down, messed up situations, and often ended up on my ass.

“This book is a hymn to the irrational, the senseless spirit that breaks the whole into pieces, a reflection on the seemingly absurd difficulties that intrude upon us all. It’s Harpo Marx turning us about, shaking up my plans, throwing me for a loop. Upset and turmoil is with us all the time. It’s at the basis of comedy. It’s the pratfall we all take. It’s the unavoidable mistake we didn’t expect. It’s everywhere I go. It’s in the way that I am, both light and dark, good and not-so-good. It’s my life.”

Who doesn’t love Kramer? The Seinfeld stories in this memoir are hilarious and had us laughing out loud in the car. But much of the book dives into deep existential and spiritual territory—what we’d call “woo-woo” rabbit holes—which made parts of it feel more like a philosophical lecture than a memoir. Richards, like many comedians, seems to be a tortured soul. While his narration on audio is heartfelt, the pacing dragged at times. Worth it for Seinfeld fans, but be ready for a very introspective ride.

The Power Of A Praying Wife by Stormie Omartian

The Power Of A Praying Wife My Rating: 4.2

Stormie offers praying wives a selection of favorite prayers from her bestselling The Power of a Praying Wife. Small enough to keep in purse or pocket for quick conversations with God, lovely enough to give as a special gift to uplift and draw the hearts of friends and loved ones to the Lord in prayer, this little book will help you unlock the enormous power of prayer in your marriage. Insightful, honest, and life-changing prayers from The Power of a Praying® Wife will also encourage your heart as you pray for God's purposes and plans to come about abundantly in your husband's life.

This book offers a powerful and practical guide to praying for your husband in specific areas like his work, health, and spiritual life. While not every chapter applied to my situation, the ones that did were incredibly helpful and gave me a fresh perspective on the power of prayer in marriage. Stormie’s honest and faith-filled approach encouraged me to focus on what God can do in both my husband’s life and my own.

The Briar Club by Kate Quinn

The Briar Club  My Rating: 4.8

Washington, DC, 1950. Everyone keeps to themselves at Briarwood House, a down-at-the-heels all-female boardinghouse in the heart of the nation’s capital where secrets hide behind white picket fences. But when the lovely, mysterious widow Grace March moves into the attic room, she draws her oddball collection of neighbors into unlikely friendship: poised English beauty Fliss, whose facade of perfect wife and mother covers gaping inner wounds; policeman’s daughter Nora, who finds herself entangled with a shadowy gangster; frustrated baseball star Beatrice, whose career has come to an end along with the women’s baseball league of WWII; and poisonous, gung-ho Arlene, who has thrown herself into McCarthy’s Red Scare. Grace’s weekly attic-room dinner parties and window-brewed sun tea become a healing balm on all their lives, but she hides a terrible secret of her own. 

When a shocking act of violence tears the house apart, the Briar Club women must decide once and for all: who is the true enemy in their midst? Capturing the paranoia of the McCarthy era and evoking the changing roles for women in postwar America, The Briar Club is an intimate and thrilling novel of secrets and loyalty put to the test.

The Briar Club surprised me in the best way. Going into it, I expected a light, perhaps charming read centered around a group of women living together—but what I found was a novel with real substance and unexpected emotional depth.

Each chapter is told from the perspective of a different boarder at the Briar Club, giving us a rich tapestry of voices, secrets, and personal struggles. These rotating viewpoints not only kept the story fresh, but allowed the reader to connect deeply with each woman’s experience. I especially loved how each chapter closed with a recipe, giving the book a cozy, almost communal feel—like you were part of the club too.

Despite its warm tone and inviting structure, the novel doesn't shy away from serious themes. Set against the backdrop of the 1950s, it explores the oppressive weight of McCarthyism, the paranoia around Communism, and the broader cultural and political tensions of the era. The contrast between the light, personal moments and the heavy historical context made for a compelling read.

The Briar Club is a book that manages to be both accessible and thought-provoking. It offers friendship, mystery, and history in equal measure—and leaves you with a few recipes to try when you're done.

Honor by Thrity Umrigar

 Honor by Thrity Umrigar My Rating: 5.0

The story of two couples and the sometimes dangerous and heartbreaking challenges of love across a cultural divide. 

Indian American journalist Smita has returned to India to cover a story, but reluctantly: long ago she and her family left the country with no intention of ever coming back. As she follows the case of Meena—a Hindu woman attacked by members of her own village and her own family for marrying a Muslim man—Smita comes face to face with a society where tradition carries more weight than one’s own heart, and a story that threatens to unearth the painful secrets of Smita’s own past. While Meena’s fate hangs in the balance, Smita tries in every way she can to right the scales. She also finds herself increasingly drawn to Mohan, an Indian man she meets while on assignment. But the dual love stories of Honor are as different as the cultures of Meena and Smita themselves: Smita realizes she has the freedom to enter into a casual affair, knowing she can decide later how much it means to her. 

In this tender and evocative novel about love, hope, familial devotion, betrayal, and sacrifice, Thrity Umrigar shows us two courageous women trying to navigate how to be true to their homelands and themselves at the same time.

I’ve loved Thrity Umrigar’s writing for years, and Honor is yet another testament to her incredible gift. As with her other novels, India is not just a setting—it’s a character in itself. The throbbing pulse of the city, the clash of modernity with deep-rooted traditions, the painful realities of poverty and the caste system, all unfold beside the country’s undeniable beauty and spirit.

The plot is rich and layered, and the character development is nothing short of stunning. Umrigar has a way of making you feel everything—grief, hope, outrage, and love. I found myself completely absorbed, drinking in every word, eagerly turning each page.

Honor is a heart-wrenching story, but one that’s told with grace and power. It’s a book that will stay with me, and it’s a rare 5-star read from me—fully earned.

Husbands and Lovers by Beatriz Williams

Husbands and Lovers My Rating: 4.7

New England, 2022 Three years ago, single mother Mallory Dunne received the telephone call every parent dreads—her ten-year-old son, Sam, had been airlifted from summer camp with acute poisoning from a toxic death cap mushroom, leaving him fighting for his life. Now, searching for the donor kidney that will give her son a chance for a normal life, Mallory’s forced to confront two harrowing secrets from her past: her mother’s adoption from an infamous Irish orphanage in 1952, and her own all-consuming summer romance fourteen years earlier with her childhood best friend, Monk Adams— one of the world’s most beloved singer-songwriters—a fairy tale cut short by a devastating betrayal. 

Cairo, 1951 After suffering tragedy beyond comprehension in the war, Hungarian refugee Hannah Ainsworth has forged a respectable new life for herself—marriage to a wealthy British diplomat with a coveted posting in glamorous Cairo. But a fateful encounter with the enigmatic manager of a hotel bristling with spies leads to a passionate affair that will reawaken Hannah’s longing for everything she once lost. As revolution simmers in the Egyptian streets, a pregnant Hannah finds herself snared in a game of intrigue between two men . . . and an act of sacrifice that will echo down the generations.

At first, I was a little worried this was going to turn into a fluffy romance without much depth. Thankfully, it didn’t go there — or at least it stopped just short. Instead, the book offered two strong and engaging storylines that kept me hooked. Overall, it was a very enjoyable read, and I appreciated that it had more substance than I initially expected. Very enjoyable.