Confessions On The 7:45 by Lisa Unger

 My Rating: 4.6

Selena and Martha don't know each other but they both have sordid secrets. They are commuting home on the same train and both confess - Martha that she is sleeping with her married boss and Selena that she has seen her husband on the nanny cam having sex with their nanny. They part ways, presumably to never meet again. Then the nanny disappears and Martha starts texting Selena saying they should meet.

This is a quick paced fun thriller / whodunit. Like most of Unger's thrillers, I find you need to suspend logic and reality and just enjoy the ride.

Should We Stay Or Should We Go By Lionel Shriver

 My Rating 2.5

When Kay's father dies of Alzheimers she makes a pack with her husband Cyril that they will both commit suicide when they are 80. 

What started off as depressing got MUCH worse and made me feel the first option was best. It claims "hilarity" - but I must have missed that part. I hated each of the alternate endings worse than the last. Combine that with the constant bombardment of political opinions on COVID, healthcare, immigrants and many other topics, I couldn't wait to be done with this horrible book.

This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel

 My Rating: 5.0

Rosie and Penn have 4 boys and she decides to roll the dice to see if they can have a girl. This is about raising their children, how parenting doesn't have a manual and trying to deal with the difficulties along the way. They have a unique family that comes alive and will make you feel like you are part of their clan.

Wow! The writing pulled me in and swept me away. So much love radiated off of the pages. Do yourself a favor and don't read anything but just jump in. WARNING: a definite controversial story line but I think it was handled extremely adeptly in a way that made it so relatable. 

Girl Last Seen by Nina Laurin

 My Rating: 2.5

Two girls, Lainey and Olivia, go missing 13 years apart. Lainey is now 26 years old and struggling to keep her life on the tracks. When Olivia goes missing, the police want to talk to Lainey to see if she can remember anything about those dark times from 13 years ago. 

This was fast paced and felt a bit like a television show in how it unfolded. I enjoyed the beginning of it but then it got so wild and dysfunctional with no likable characters that it completely lost me. 

84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff

 My Rating: 3.5

Twenty years of correspondence between Helene Hanff, a freelance writer living in New York City, and Frank Doel, an employee at used-book dealer Marks & Co. Booksellers in London. Through the years, though they never meet and are separated both geographically and culturally, their relationship comes to life through common love for books. 

This book won't be for everyone. I don't think I would have enjoyed it at all had it not been on audio and quite short. I did enjoy how it included so many post-war facts (the rations etc) although I didn't feel any connection whatsoever to Helene with her very New York humor. . 

A Twist of the Knife #3 by Becky Masterman

 My Rating: 4.8

Our ex-fbi agent Brigid Quinn is visiting sick family in Floria when Laura Coleman, from the first book in this series, makes a reappearance. Laura wants Brigid's help in proving the innocence of a man on death row. 

As usual, Masterman is a master at combining some very grizzly gruesome scenes with some fun light humor - masterfully blended together. I loved the rehashing of the crime and timelines. This waqs thoroughly enjoyable and I will be definitely be reading the fourth and final book in this series.

This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger

 My Rating: 4.8

1930's the Lincoln Indian Boys School is a horrible place where Native American children are forcibly removed from their parents. It is also where Odie and his brother Albert, the only white children at the school, are sent after their father dies. Mose is a mute Indian boy at the school and Emmy is the sweet little girl of a teacher at the school. This is about the journey of the four children over one summer where they cross paths with others who are adrift.

This was so well told with each of the characters coming to life on the pages including the struggling farmers, faith healers and vagabonds struggling to make their way. Definite recommend.

The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave

 My Rating: 4.6

"Protect her". When Owen Michaels goes missing he sends his wife a note with these two words. Hannah instantly knows that he is referring to his 16 yo daughter Bailey.

Another fun thriller where you have to suspend reality and just go along for the ride. Despite a few implausible bits in the story line, I did enjoy the relationship between Hannah and Bailey.