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The Diary at the Last House Before the Sea–disappearance in the cove
The Diary at the Last House Before the Sea
By Liz Eeles
The chapters in this book alternate narrators from Clara who returned to Heaven’s Cove to help her mother when her father became sick; to Geoffrey, the Lord of the Manor; to River, Geoffrey’s estranged son. Clara’s mother, Julie Netherway, housekeeper and cook for the manor, still lives in the little house on the manor property where Clara was raised. She is dedicated to caring for Geoffrey and the manor as were all Netherway women who came before her.
Geoffrey was a gruff father, but actually loves his son. His wife left her husband with River when he was a teenager to live in a commune in Australia. It was hard to have a relationship with his father, and he cut ties completely with Clara who had been his friend from childhood.
River is called back to Heaven’s Cove as an adult because his father is in financial straits and Cousin Bartie is convincing him that he needs to sell the manor, the only home Geoffrey has ever known and his family heritage.
This novel has gentle romantic tones, but dives deeply into the characters and their motivations. Most interesting to me is the mystery of why Geoffrey’s beautiful and adored stepmother Audrey had committed suicide when he was just a child. Sadly, he actually saw her walk into the ocean to her death. He has always wondered why he was not good enough.
Clara discovers Audrey’s diary which seems to have coded messages in it. She is fascinated by this woman and the sad tale of her death which so many years later has affected Geoffrey and River in turn.
I highly recommend The Diary at the Last House Before the Sea for its intricate plot and interesting characters. I have read several books in this series and have enjoyed all of them. The author is a very good storyteller.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Rating: 5/5
Category: Fiction, Women’s Fiction
Notes: #7 in the Heavens Cove series, but should be considered a standalone as the setting is the main element that connects these novels.
Publication: July 8, 2024—Bookouture
Memorable Lines:
Sunbeams were dappling through the trees at the cove’s edge and River realised that he was literally walking in his cousin’s shadow, just as he always had metaphorically.
…she nodded anyway, glowing at being called a swan. Though that did imply she’d once been an ugly duckling.
He’d long prided himself on being an unsentimental man, yet all kinds of emotions were now bubbling to the surface of his mind, like bleached bones rising from the depths of the ocean.
The Golden Gals’ French Adventure–senior ladies having fun
The Golden Gals’ French Adventure
by Judy Leigh
Not as funny as I had thought it would be based on the one other book I had read by Judy Leigh, The Golden Gals’ French Adventure, is nevertheless an interesting story. It is the tale of Fliss and Shirl, two friends from North Clayworthy, England, who travel to Brittany on vacation. Fliss is retired, entitled, and rich. Shirl is down to earth and a good friend to Fliss who hires her as a chauffeur and cleaner. When Fliss decides to visit an old friend at his family home, she recruits Shirl to go with her. They take along Shirl’s granddaughter Macey Roux who is a delightful baby—except when she is teething. She captivates all on the trip, even Fliss who has never had anything to do with babies.
The Golden Gals’ French Adventure is character driven. The reader meets a variety of people, most of whom are likable. A few start out less so, but then there is character development. The adventures include the beach, historic sights, learning French, a cooking competition with a chef, delicious French food, Breton customs, a castle, and of course some romance. The welcoming Barron family is delighted to have guests. A subplot is that Macey Roux’s mother, Gemma, is in Corfu with a boyfriend who doesn’t know of the baby’s existence. How will the characters respond when the Corfu and Brittany holidays end? Will it be hard to give up the vacation fun or will they be ready to return to their lives in North Clayworthy with the thought of “there’s no place like home?”
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Rating: 4/5
Category: Fiction, Romance, Women’s Fiction
Notes: Some swearing. No open bedroom doors.
Publication: June 4, 2024—Boldwood Books
Memorable Lines:
It occurred to her that she’d always been too busy. She’d never stopped to notice the beauty in nature; she’d been far too busy chasing things she’d believed were desirable. She realised now that they weren’t.
Maurice’s house was perfect for him. It held memories that made it wonderful, just as it was. And it was a home, unlike her own sterile house, a place where she simply kept her things.
…her feelings for the Barrons were completely fraternal which was much better than a roll between the sheets. It lasted longer; it was worth more. It was honest respectful, and it was a form of love she’d seldom encountered.
A New Dawn at Owl’s Lodge–animal rescue
A New Dawn at Owl’s Lodge
By Jessica Redland
Zara is the production assistant for documentaries about animal rescue centers and also about country living. Twenty-six years old, she has recently had a breakup from a six month relationship with a man who had been unfaithful to her. She is also insecure because of her mother’s obvious preference for her brother Roman who is a star footballer.
Snowy is the reclusive former Olympic gymnast whose extremely fair coloring makes him highly recognizable. Raising his son with the help of his amazing grandfather after his wife Eliza passed away has not been easy. He needs to protect him from taunts based on his resemblance to his father and from the paparazzi who even years after his wife’s death seek him out for a “good” story.
An injured owl brings Zara and Snowy together, and Grandpa gives the potential romance some encouragement. Zara and Snowy see past each other’s hurts and discover the really kind people buried beneath the facades erected to keep others out. Snowy’s son Harrison is a talented and enthusiastic gymnast under Snowy’s tutelage. Snowy also home schools the boy who is bright and polite. Harrison and Zara take to each other quickly making it easy for Snowy and Zara to move past friendship and develop a romantic relationship.
The road to happiness is not without its bumps. The reader will discover the inner workings of Zara’s family; her stepfather Owen has been stellar, if not always successful, in trying to smooth difficulties for Zara. Snowy had a very difficult relationship with his father who was also an Olympic gymnast.
Alcoholism is an issue for several characters in the book as they use alcohol to numb pain and grief. Of course, the alcohol just makes for more problems. The owl rescue work that Snowy and his family manage on their large property is an important focus in the book. Major threads include Zara’s need to think about her future employment prospects and Snowy’s conflicts about allowing friendships for Harrison and enabling him to achieve the competitive steps necessary to become an Olympian—if he chooses that pathway.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Rating: 5/5
Category: Fiction, Women’s Fiction, Romance
Notes: 1. Contains just a few instances of bad language and no open door bedroom scenes.
2. #2 in the Bumblebee Barn Series. It could be read as a standalone because Redland does a great job of filling in the backstory. You might enjoy it even more if you read #1 first because there are overlapping characters.
3. Clearly marked narration by chapter varies between Zara and Snowy and reveals their perspectives. It was a good choice for this novel.
4. Ending notes include interesting information on the various types of owls.
Publication: May 16, 2024—Boldwood Books
Memorable Lines:
It didn’t matter how many times I saw a barn owl in flight, the silent majesty of its glide completely captivated me, the white face, body and underside of the wings giving the appearance of a ghost floating past. I watched it fly out of The Roost and ran to the open doorway to catch it disappearing into the night.
The universe was so much bigger than me and my problems and five minutes of stargazing helped put everything into perspective.
The Freak Show taunts from school circled round my mind and I pushed them aside. My appearance didn’t actually bother me. It was the taunts themselves which had bothered me because they’d led to me being an outsider and being alone like that had hurt. It still did.
What Comes Around–Coroner vs. Pathologist
What Comes Around
By Annette Dashofy
The thirteenth contribution to the Zoe Chambers Mystery series is What Comes Around, a mystery that meets all of my expectations. The protagonist Zoe Chambers, the Monongahela Count Coroner, continues to have conflict with the arrogant and unpopular Dr. Davis, who acts in the role of Chief Deputy Coroner. In their rural area he is the main forensic pathologist.
There are three different crimes that Zoe and her husband Pete, the local police chief, are having to deal with: the brutal murder of a woman who came to town to talk with Zoe, a vehicular attack on a retired forensic pathologist, and a suicide attempt. Zoe is also asked to look into a cold case. She and those law enforcement officers working with her must be getting close to an answer because life gets more dangerous for them.
Investigating these crimes leads to four whiteboards at headquarters with multiple cross-references as the police try to sort out victims, criminals, leads, and motivations. Needless to say, with this many threads, there are numerous clues along with dead ends as some of those interviewed are lying. There are characters whose lives hang in the balance, and the reader is brought along for the well-told adventures. What Comes Around is the kind of mystery that keeps me going from one chapter to another as Dashofy sustains a fast pace with hooks leading to the next chapter.
An additional mystery is on a personal level for Pete and Zoe when a beautiful young woman arrives in town and requests Pete’s help. Something is just not right about her and about the stalker she claims is following her.
I recommend this book and this series. I plan on reading the 5 books I have missed, not to fill in blanks on the characters, but to devour those tales. I love a good mystery!
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Rating: 5/5
Category: Fiction, Mystery, Women’s Fiction
Notes: 1.#13 in the Zoe Chambers Mystery Series. It could be read as a standalone. I have read 8 of the books in the series and haven’t been hindered in my enjoyment or understanding by not having read all of then. I held off for a while in reading the series, starting with #5, because I couldn’t imagine wanting to read about a paramedic/coroner. It turns out that this series is not too graphic in terms of the bodies which was my main concern.
2. Contains some language, but it is not gratuitous, and there are no sexual encounters.
Publication: May 7,2024—Level Best Books
Memorable Lines:
Pete grabbed for his shoulders, but he juked out of Pete’s grasp. All four of the other officers dived at him, wrapping him up in their arms. For a scrawny kid, he managed to drag all of them a few more feet before they could stop him.
He hoped Abby could unearth this woman’s background online so he could determine what was going on with her. His gut told him she didn’t have a stalker. Nor did he buy Baronick’s ridiculous theory about her stalking Pete. But there was something going on with her. He just didn’t know what.
She flashed back on the awareness of being airborne. The jolt and metallic crunch of the impact. The stomach-curdling sensation of rolling, being flung around inside, pinned by the seatbelts and air bags.
Since the Day We Fell–sacrifices for love
Since the Day We Fell
by Kerk Murray
Is it possible to fall for someone so quickly and so thoroughly that you hardly know what is happening? It seems like that for Lisa and Noah, but Since the Day We Fell actually contains a slow burning romance as the two get to know each other as friends working on projects.
Noah comes to town trying to escape a bad relationship and finish writing his book. When he meets Lisa, his world changes and he decides her failing inn would provide the quiet and inspiration he needs as a writer. Lisa is desperate for guests at the run down inn after her mother passes. Things get worse when she discovers she only has a few months before the bank forecloses on the mortgage.
Noah tries to overcome his writer’s block and avoid paparazzi and his ex-girlfriend, the glamorous Sophia. Meanwhile, Lisa is grieving her mother’s death, trying to save the family inn and reputation, and avoid her abusive ex-husband. Help comes to both of them from an unexpected source, but there are plenty of bumps in the road to make the reader wonder if they will ever find their “happily ever after.” This book is a clean, feel good romance that explores love, friendship, and sacrifice. Although the community relies on tourists for its income, it embraces and supports its residents in ways that exceed expectations. Emma is Lisa’s best friend who will do anything for her. Daisy is a chocolate lab rescue dog that Lisa inherited from her mother. She is a sweet dog, but still puppyish and gets into mischief; her antics add fun and surprise to the story. Daisy’s name has a special, heartbreaking significance for Noah that is explained late in the book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Rating: 4/5
Category: Romance, Women’s Fiction
Notes: #2 in the Hadley Cove Sweet Romance series, but worked well for me as a standalone.
Publication: April 23, 2024—Books Go Social
Memorable Lines:
She moved through the world with a gentleness and authenticity that was as refreshing as a warm cup of tea on a rainy day.
The pier stretched out beneath them, a dazzling array of colorful lights twinkling like a scattering of fallen stars. Under the moonlight, the ocean’s surface shimmered in a ripping of silver and shadows.
Remember, when emotions are high, judgement is low.
The Finders Keepers Library–caring and helping
The Finders Keepers Library
by Annie Rains
I was immediately enchanted by the format of The Finders Keepers Library. Each chapter begins with a quote, usually bookish, always by a famous author (from Lamott to Tolkien and many in between), and always pertinent to the content of the chapter. I am quite familiar with starting chapters with quotes, but sometimes they are obscure, obtuse, or irrelevant. Not in this book where they are charming and relatable! Each chapter also begins with a pencil sketch of flowers emerging from a book. This illustration has a special meaning because one of the main characters, Eleanor, owns the free library created by her deceased husband along with an extensive garden. They combined their hobbies in a way that engages the community.
Savannah is in between jobs and has just had a troubling medical diagnosis, lupus, that she is learning to live with. Rather than go to her parents’ home, she has a long overdue visit with her beloved Aunt Eleanor who could really use her skills with plants to get the garden in shape for the wedding of a friend of Savannah. Eleanor’s next door neighbor is Evan who was Savannah’s close friend every summer when she came to visit. When they parted ways after high school graduation, they lost touch with each other although neither forgot the “what could have been” of their relationship. Now they are at a different place in their lives. Evan is divorced and has newly become the custodial parent for his grieving daughter. Savannah’s partner of two years walked away when she got her lupus diagnosis. Eleanor has not left her house in a year since she was hospitalized from a bad fall. All of these really nice characters, plus several more, have issues to work through and obstacles in the way. Annie Rains weaves several sweet romances into this story of people helping each other. I highly recommend it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Rating: 5/5
Category: Fiction, Romance, Women’s Fiction
Notes: 1. #1 in the Love in Bloom series
2. Clean
Publication: April 16, 2024—Forever (Grand Central Publishing)
Memorable Lines:
“If you ask me, a cup of tea and a good book is the best kind of medicine.”
“I think sometimes, when we’ve been wounded, we humans like to push people away, to prove our greatest fears.” She looked at him again. “What fear?” She shrugged. “That we’re unlovable.”
Knowing that someone loved you enough to bother you when you wanted to be alone was always better than leaving that person alone and letting them believe that no one cared.
The Mystery of Haverford House–multiple timelines
The Mystery of Haverford House
by Rachel Burton
Viola, originally from Australia, has had to reinvent herself several times. She has finally found a place that feels like home—a huge estate in Yorkshire. Her job is to manage Haverford House as a tourist attraction, but it is difficult to maintain it as a viable establishment financially given its size, age, and tax status. The current earl and owner wants to sell it, but his mother, the dowager countess, is sentimentally attached to it.
There is a mystery and legend that Viola emphasizes in her house tours. Annie Bishop, a serving girl at Haverford, disappears in 1933. Was she murdered or did she travel to America to start a new life? As the story unfolds for the reader, much of the status of women during the period between the two World Wars is revealed. There is also a focus on the works of Shakespeare, particularly Twelfth Night, as there is a production of it in both timelines. The characters are fleshed out in both timelines with some villains and heroes in both. It is interesting to see that the Haverford residents in the 1930’s, even the “nice” ones, were disdainful of the servants that worked in the house. There were also those in the lower classes who felt they and their peers should “mind their place.”
My interest in both storylines never flagged. I no sooner finished a chapter with my interest peaked than the focus changed to equally compelling events in the other storyline. This seesaw continues all the way to the end of the book with a number of surprises along the way.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Rating: 5/5
Category: Romance, Women’s Fiction, Mystery, Historical Fiction
Notes: clean in all aspects
Publication: March 14, 2024—Aria
Memorable Lines:
“I don’t know where you all find the time for reading,” Polly says regularly. In my opinion you make time for the things you love but she has no interest in fiction, or books in general. She hated dusting the library, but lucky for her I was always willing to do it.
I wonder if he knows why he is here—I wonder if he realizes how badly the estate needs his father’s money? And I wonder what it must be like for Prunella and Cecily, being duty-bound to marry somebody they might not even like, let alone love.
Viola wanted to run upstairs to her flat, get into bed and pull the duvet over her head. Alternatively if the ground would like to open up and swallow her that would be fine too.
love, unscripted–creating the perfect man
love, unscripted
by Denise Hunter
The “fake boyfriend/girlfriend” trope is a popular one, but it has never appealed to me. When Denise Hunter, an author I like, published one, I decided to give it a try.
In love, unscripted, Chloe has just published her first novel and it is a huge success. So successful that she already has sold the movie rights. Having been hurt and rejected by several men, including her father, Chloe has written a protagonist into her book who is heroic and “exhibits all the qualities that every woman yearns for in a partner.” Unfortunately, Liam, the actor chosen to play that role in the movie has a reputation as a handsome and charming lady’s man who moves quickly from one romantic interest to another. The tabloids love to use him for their headlines, and not everything they print is true.
Chloe’s first encounters with Liam are not positive, but they make a deal with each other. Her publisher wants her to increase her social media presence, and Liam’s publicists want him to shine up his image to fit the wholesome character portrayed in the movie. She agrees to pretend to have a relationship in exchange for his committing to work with her on his lines to better understand the character she created.
It’s easy to guess the direction the plot will take, but it is entertaining to watch their relationship develop. The hiccups along the way are caused by the paparazzi and by their own individual pasts which make it hard for them to trust others. Misunderstandings arise causing some hard lessons in forgiveness. Although this fake dating trope will never be my favorite, I did enjoy this clean romance with characters I liked. Most of the characters grew during the story, but realistically a few were unable to admit past mistakes or make good choices.
The events in the book take place over the course of three months showcasing how a movie is filmed, and I enjoyed participating vicariously in that process.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Rating: 5/5
Category: Romance, Women’s Fiction
Notes: no inappropriate language or sex
Publication: March 12, 2024—Harper Collins Christian Publisher/Thomas Nelson
Memorable Lines:
“When you reach a certain level of success, people often want something from you other than friendship. Sometimes it’s hard to tell who’s genuine and who’s not.”
She’d felt closer to him since their illnesses. There was something about seeing a person at his weakest—and being seen at your most vulnerable—that lowered a person’s walls.
“You’ve gotta get good at forgiving. “Cause believe me, you’ll be the one needing it the next time.”
The Dubrovnik Book Club–paralyzing fear
The Dubrovnik Book Club
By Eva Glyn
This book!
I love the title and subject.
The cover is appealing.
Glossary includes Croatian words.
Descriptions give a peek into the beauty of the country and the joy that comes from a delicious pastry.
You would think I would love this book, but I just couldn’t relate to or want to read about the circumstances that plague the characters. Four characters are consumed with paralyzing fear:
Long Term Covid
Gay
Abused by Wife, accused of murder
Refugee PTDS and survivor guilt.
The author does manage to weave their stories together through the book club. While I sympathize in general with their situations, I found that I had no empathy for any of their attempts to get over their problems. A main motif throughout the book is “fake it until you make it.” The conclusion, however, was quite satisfactory.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Rating: 3/5
Category: Fiction, Women’s Fiction
Notes: There is a lot of swearing in English. There is also a lot of swearing in Croatian, but without the glossary, which generalizes the level of offensiveness, who would know?
Publication: March 8, 2024—One More Chapter (HarperCollins UK)
Memorable Lines:
“There is just one rule; a simple one. As its name implies, this shop is for everyone and so is the book club, so all I ask is that you leave any prejudices you may have about people and their reading choices outside. Let’s learn from each other.”
“And perhaps it does not have to make sense in your head when it is about how you feel in your heart.”
That was the biggest irony of all. That now she felt ready to leave and to see the world, all she wanted was to stay.
The Funeral Ladies of Ellerie County
The Funeral Ladies of Ellerie County
By Claire Swinarski
What an odd title for a novel! But as soon as you start reading, you will realize that it is very appropriate. Some of the main characters in the book are members of the funeral committee at St. Anne’s Catholic Church. When there is a death, they quickly move into action to provide the expected luncheon for attendees at the funeral “knowing they couldn’t fix broken hearts but might as well feed them.” Any food left over is packaged up and sent home with the bereaved so they don’t have to worry about food for the following difficult days.
As you get to know Esther, you will also meet her family and witness their love for each other. Esther is one of the kindest people you will ever meet. She is a widow, and she is frustrated with the process of growing old. Her generosity and empathy for Hazel, a young single pregnant woman she befriends on a Catholic website leads her into financial danger, but Esther’s family and friends gather round to support her. Unfortunately, Esther’s background and community stress the importance of pulling yourself up by your own bootstraps. The situation she is in is shameful to Esther, but it would also be shameful to accept help.
Esther’s granddaughter Iris comes to the rescue in a different way when Annabelle, a childhood resident of Ellerie County, passes away. Her family arrives for the funeral but find their reservations are a problem. Iris has a house almost ready for use as an Airbnb and lets them stay there. The grateful family includes a celebrity chef and his daughter. Cooper, his son from a previous marriage, is part of the dysfunctional family group. Cooper’s own mother is less a mother to him than Annabelle had been. A former EMT, he also suffers from PTSD.
The characters and their situations drive the plot and engage the reader. I felt immersed in the friends and family groups in the small town and could even feel the cold during the winter. The author of The Funeral Ladies of Ellerie County excelled in physical and emotional descriptions. Without a Hallmark kind of ending, she still manages to provide a hopeful conclusion to her story.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Rating: 5/5
Category: Fiction, Women’s Fiction, New Adult
Publication: March 12, 2024—Harper Collins
Memorable Lines:
Esther was from an age where loving your neighbor meant loving your actual neighbor, not just adding an emoji to your Twitter name in times of crisis. She helped people just because they were standing in front of her.
…why couldn’t she just lie? It was the Catholic in her. The guilt clung to you like powdered sugar. You’d find the stuff in your hair days later.
They all thought you had to be in love to commit. They didn’t realize it was the other way around: that love came from commitment. Nobody ever tells you when you get married how many days you’ll wake up in the morning and want to strangle the other person. No, to them it was all Pinterest boards and buttercream flowers.
education pathways 