Thursday, July 31, 2025

Summer on Lilac Island by Lindsay MacMillan

Gigi Jenkins had to come home to the place she couldn't wait to get away from.

She didn't know how it would work being with her mother since they really didn't get along.

When she arrived, her mother was already getting on her nerves.  She had made a blind date for Gigi.

Gigi said she would go on the date if her mother would go on a date with an author she met on the ferry.

Her mother surprisingly agreed.

How did both of these dates turn out and how did Gigi and her mother's relationship turn out?

Find out everything in this heartwarming book with great characters and set in Mackinac Island.

You will want to be on your way to Mackinac Island as you read about its magic and beauty.  

A lovely summer read - but just a bit too long and too many characters to keep straight.  5/5

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book.  All opinions are my own.



Wednesday, July 30, 2025

Spotlight of Angel Down by Daniel Kraus


PHOTO CREDIT:
TYPORAMA
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ANGEL DOWN
DANIEL KRAUS
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ALL INFORMATION IN THIS POST IS TAKEN FROM THE PUBLISHER'S WEBPAGE. 
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The critically acclaimed author of the “crazily enjoyable” (The New York Times) Whalefall returns with an immersive, cinematic novel about five World War I soldiers who stumble upon a fallen angel that could hold the key to ending the war.

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July 29
Atria Books
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PRAISE FOR ANGEL DOWN:

"A thunderous gallop of a war novel, a new classic, a best-in-class example of speculative fiction. Mysterious and full of grace, rambling and ducking and shifting for 285 dizzying, blood-soaked, astonishing pages.” New York Times Book Review


"A bold and exceptional novel from the author of Whalefall. Kraus has taken the classic war story and crafted something completely unique." Library Journal (starred review)


"[Angel Down] unfolds like a chant, in short paragraphs each beginning with the word and, and readers will quickly fall under Bagger’s narrative spell as they see the visceral and gruesome toll war takes on the entire planet. Is Bagger going to survive through a miracle or by luck? A brilliant novel that will encourage its readers to live their best lives, despite the horrors that surround them. For fans of John Milas' The Militia House (2023) and thought-provoking tales that sow discomfort through story and narrative structure, such as Agustina Bazterrica's The Unworthy (2025)." Booklist (starred review)


"A vivid tale...Kraus ramps up the tension with the relentless cadence of his prose, offering no breaks from the action but finding room for glorious lyrical flights...With this vigorous narrative, Kraus breathes new life into the war novel." —Publishers Weekly (starred review)


"Disorienting and utterly sublime — a spiritually fulfilling literary gauntlet. This book is a miracle." —Eric LaRocca


"Kraus demonstrates what a seasoned author is capable of at the highest level of literary ambition. The most gripping, unforgettable account of war in recent memory -- American war fiction is certain to be haunted by this book for years to come." —John Milas


"An absolute revelation, a hymn that sings of the humanity found within history's horrors. Here is a novel that will restore your faith in what the written word is capable of capturing." Clay McLeod Chapman


"A literary masterwork of unparalleled dexterity and ingenuity. One of the best things I've ever read. I'm absolutely blown away." Josh Malerman


"Daniel Kraus has done it again. Angel Down is a dark and frenzied tale, set on the hellish landscape of WW1 France--where amid mayhem and death, something unexpectedly miraculous happens that will change the lives of several men, forever. Kraus writes with a prose that is at once witty in its observations and searing in its depictions, offering glimpses of humanity amid the brutally inhumane theatre of war. This is a story of the supernatural. But it is also a reminder that the horrors we most often face are the ones we create ourselves." —P. Djèlí Clark, author of Ring Shout


"This novel leaves you breathless. You can't guess where it's going, or how it's going to get there. Just, let it take your hand, pull you through these trenches, this war, this century, this . . . this life." —Stephen Graham Jones, New York Times bestselling author"A thunderous gallop of a war novel, a new classic, a best-in-class example of speculative fiction. Mysterious and full of grace, rambling and ducking and shifting for 285 dizzying, blood-soaked, astonishing pages.” New York Times Book Review


"A bold and exceptional novel from the author of Whalefall. Kraus has taken the classic war story and crafted something completely unique." Library Journal (starred review)


"[Angel Down] unfolds like a chant, in short paragraphs each beginning with the word and, and readers will quickly fall under Bagger’s narrative spell as they see the visceral and gruesome toll war takes on the entire planet. Is Bagger going to survive through a miracle or by luck? A brilliant novel that will encourage its readers to live their best lives, despite the horrors that surround them. For fans of John Milas' The Militia House (2023) and thought-provoking tales that sow discomfort through story and narrative structure, such as Agustina Bazterrica's The Unworthy (2025)." Booklist (starred review)


"A vivid tale...Kraus ramps up the tension with the relentless cadence of his prose, offering no breaks from the action but finding room for glorious lyrical flights...With this vigorous narrative, Kraus breathes new life into the war novel." —Publishers Weekly (starred review)


"Disorienting and utterly sublime — a spiritually fulfilling literary gauntlet. This book is a miracle." —Eric LaRocca


"Kraus demonstrates what a seasoned author is capable of at the highest level of literary ambition. The most gripping, unforgettable account of war in recent memory -- American war fiction is certain to be haunted by this book for years to come." —John Milas


"An absolute revelation, a hymn that sings of the humanity found within history's horrors. Here is a novel that will restore your faith in what the written word is capable of capturing." Clay McLeod Chapman


"A literary masterwork of unparalleled dexterity and ingenuity. One of the best things I've ever read. I'm absolutely blown away." Josh Malerman


"Daniel Kraus has done it again. Angel Down is a dark and frenzied tale, set on the hellish landscape of WW1 France--where amid mayhem and death, something unexpectedly miraculous happens that will change the lives of several men, forever. Kraus writes with a prose that is at once witty in its observations and searing in its depictions, offering glimpses of humanity amid the brutally inhumane theatre of war. This is a story of the supernatural. But it is also a reminder that the horrors we most often face are the ones we create ourselves." —P. Djèlí Clark, author of Ring Shout


"This novel leaves you breathless. You can't guess where it's going, or how it's going to get there. Just, let it take your hand, pull you through these trenches, this war, this century, this . . . this life." —Stephen Graham Jones, New York Times bestselling author


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ABOUT THE ANGEL DOWN:

Private Cyril Bagger has managed to survive the unspeakable horrors of the Great War through his wits and deception, swindling fellow soldiers at every opportunity. But his survival instincts are put to the ultimate test when he and four other grunts are given a deadly mission: venture into the perilous No Man’s Land to euthanize a wounded comrade.

What they find amid the ruined battlefield, however, is not a man in need of mercy but a fallen angel, seemingly struck down by artillery fire. This celestial being may hold the key to ending the brutal conflict, but only if the soldiers can suppress their individual desires and work together. As jealousy, greed, and paranoia take hold, the group is torn apart by their inner demons, threatening to turn their angelic encounter into a descent into hell.

Angel Down plunges you into the heart of World War I and weaves a polyphonic tale of survival, supernatural wonder, and moral conflict.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Daniel Kraus is a New York Times bestselling writer of novels, TV, and film.

His novel Whalefall received a front-cover review in The New York Times Book Review, won the Alex Award, was an LA Times Book Prize Finalist, and was a Best Book of 2023 from NPR, The New York TimesChicago Tribune, and more.

With Guillermo del Toro, he coauthored The Shape of Water, based on the same idea the two created for the Oscar–winning film.

Also with del Toro, Kraus coauthored Trollhunters, which was adapted into the Emmy-winning Netflix series. His also cowrote The Living Dead and Pay the Piper with legendary filmmaker George A. Romero. Kraus’s The Death and Life of Zebulon Finch was named one of Entertainment Weekly’s Top 10 Books of the Year.

Kraus has won the Bram Stoker Award, Scribe Award, two Odyssey Awards (for both Rotters and Scowler), and has appeared multiple times as Library Guild selections, YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults, and more. 

His work has been translated into over twenty languages. He lives with his wife in Chicago.

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Connect with :


Instagram


Website








Asylum Hotel by Juliet Blackwell

How did Aubrey get into this mess?

One minute she was in an abandoned hotel taking photos, met Dimitri who was also taking photos, spent the night with him, and then found out he was at the bottom of a cliff.

Did the Seabrink Hotel really have a curse if you enter it and see a woman on the top floor? 

Did Dimitri see that ghost or was this foul play?

Aubrey has no idea what happened to Dimitri, and then she gets a warning message saying to stop looking for clues or she is next.

What is going on?  Then another warning message appears.

Aubrey has so much to deal with and now a mystery to solve about who Dimitri really was and if someone pushed him. 

Aubrey starts to investigate with a friend despite the notes and talks to a local historian hoping to find out more, but meanwhile she and her friend get into some hot water inside the supposedly haunted Seabrink Hotel.

Asylum Hotel is enjoyable and is a good mystery, but I am not a fan of paranormal and this book wasn't a favorite of hers for me, and it was bit long. 3/5

Her historical fiction books were marvelous and more to my liking. 

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of the book.  All opinions are my own.



Tuesday, July 29, 2025

The Lies They Told by Ellen Marie Wiseman


Lena made the awful boat trip from Germany to the United States for a better life for her family and especially her daughter.

When she arrived, she realized it wasn’t that much better.

She arrived in the 1930’s during a time when eugenics was a prime topic, and her brother who couldn’t speak English was sent back because they said he was feeble minded.

Her sponsor who is a distant cousin  lived in the mountains in West Virginia with two children who always had to hide when the authorities arrived.

A social worker arrived one day and accused Lena of being promiscuous because she is living with her cousin and says that she is an unfit mother to her daughter.

The unthinkable happens and Lena‘s worst nightmare comes true.

THE LIES THEY TOLD is heartbreaking and upsetting and a piece of history that I really wasn’t aware of how widespread it was and how other countries adopted this. 

An excellent read and history lesson.  5/5

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book.  All opinions are my own.



Monday, July 28, 2025

Spotlight of Matchmaking for Psychopaths by Tasha Coryell


PHOTO SOURCE:
TYPORAMA

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MATCHMAKING FOR PSYCHOPATHS


TASHA CORYELL
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ALL INFORMATION IN THIS POST IS COURTESY OF TARA O'CONNOR | SENIOR PUBLICIST | BERKLEY, AN IMPRINT OF PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE.

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An exceptional, voice-y bent black comedy.


A violent workplace tragicomedy centered around a female matchmaker who caters to (do I really need to say it?)


Combines top notch thriller storytelling with a wild and painfully accurate satirical take on the loneliness of modern dating. 


Because even psychopaths want love, right?

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July 15, 2025
Berkley Hardcover
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ABOUT MATCHMAKING FOR PSYCHOPATHS:

When matchmaker Lexie arrives to her 30th birthday dinner, she’s expecting a lovely time with her best friend and fiancé, and maybe even a birthday cake. Instead, her “friend” is sitting next to her man, and what’s worse: They’re in love.

While she works to get her ex, Noah, back in time for their wedding, Lexie gets overly involved with two of her clients…both of whom are psychopaths (a label the clients themselves are unaware of).


When Noah goes missing and Lexie starts receiving strange and bloody packages, she must figure out 1) who is trying to orchestrate her downfall and 2) how it relates to her murderous parents, who she thought she had left in her past.

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FIND TASHA AT THE LINKS BELOW:

Instagram

Goodreads

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It's Monday!! What Are YOU Reading? - 7/28/2025

                              http://bookdate.blogspot.com/

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I hope you had a great reading week.
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This is a weekly meme hosted by Kathryn at BOOK DATE!

Post the books completed, the books you are currently reading, and the books you hope to finish at some point.
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Books Completed:

THE CABERNET CLUB by Margie Zable Fisher and Rona S. Zable - review will be on September 2, 2025.

A delightful book with wonderful characters.   Loved it!!


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BODIES IN THE SAND by Crystal Murphy - review will be on September 1, 2025.

A fun, different book - it's good.

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THE HARVEY GIRLS by Juliette Faye - review will be on August 31, 2025.

Oh my - SO GOOD.  Historical fiction fans will love it.  

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SHIP OF DREAMS by Donna Jones Alward - review will be on August 29, 2025.

Another good one by Ms. Alward.   Two great characters on the Titanic - do they survive or perish?

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THE SECRET BOOK SOCIETY by Madeline Martin - spotlight will be on August 27, 2025.

Wasn't what I thought it would be.  

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THE BATTLE OF THE BOOKSHOPS by Poppy Alexander - review will be on August 28, 2025.

LOVED IT!!  A sweet read.

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FORGET ME NOT by Stacy Willingham - review will be on August 26, 2025.

A slow startup, but oh so good.   Don't miss it.

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THE SECOND CHANCE BUS STOP by Alli Zetterberg - review will be on August 23, 2025.

A bit confusing, but a good read.  An emotional read.

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THROUGH AN OPEN WINDOW by Pamela Terry - spotlight will be on August 22, 2025.

I still loved her book THE SWEET TASTE OF MUSCADINES the best.   This was not a favorite.

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THE MARIGOLD COTTAGES MURDER COLLECTIVE by Jo Nichols - review will be on August 21, 2025.

Not my usual read, but it was enjoyable.

Quirky characters.

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ONE DARK NIGHT by Hannah Richell - review will be on August 20, 2025.

An OK read.

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JOY MOODY IS OUT OF TIME by Kerryn Mayne - spotlight will be on August 19, 2025.

Was excited because I loved her last book.  This is a bit too out there for me.

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GONE IN THE NIGHT by Joanna Schaffhausen - review will be on August 15, 2025.

Another good one - don't miss it if you are an Annalisa fan.  It can be read as a standalone so no worries.

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TOO OLD FOR THIS by Samantha Downing - review will be on August 14, 2025.

It's a good one!!

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HIGH SEASON by Katie Bishop - spotlight will be on August 12, 2025.

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THE WITCH'S ORCHARD by Archer Sullivan - spotlight will be on August 13, 2025.

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MRS. ENDICOTT'S SPLENDID ADVENTURE - review will be on August 8, 2025.

LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this book - so uplifting except for a few things during the WWII part.

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THE WRONG SISTER by Claire Douglas - review will be on August 6, 2025.

So good - Claire Douglas can't be beat for surprises and tension.

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THE LOCKED WARD by Sarah Pekkanen - review will be on August 5, 2025.

This is a DO NOT miss read!!

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SUMMER ON LILAC ISLAND by Lindsay MacMillan - review will be on July 31, 2025.

A lovely read.

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ASYLUM HOTEL by Juliet Blackwell - review will be on July 30, 2025.

Not a favorite - I liked her historical fiction books more.

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THE LIES THEY TOLD by Ellen Marie Wiseman - review will be on July 29, 2025.

An excellent history lesson, but very heartbreaking and upsetting.

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THE UNRAVELING OF JULIA by Lisa Scottoline - review is in the book's title.

A little confusing, but turned out good.

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SECOND CHANCE AT SUNSHINE INN by Amy Clipston - review is in the book's title.

A lovely, heartwarming read with a great main character.

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THAT LAST CAROLINA SUMMER by Karen White - review is in the book's title.

An enjoyable read.

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WAYWARD GIRLS by Susan Wiggs - review is in the book's title.

Oh my is this good - another FAB read by Susan Wiggs.

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THE LAKE ESCAPE by Jamie Day - review is in the book's title.

A good mystery - a slow startup, but turns out great!!

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IT'S NOT HER by Mary Kubica - review is on Goodreads, but other reviews will be on February 3, 2026.

SO GOOD - DO NOT MISS THIS ONE!!  Might be her best one yet!!  :)

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Book Currently Reading:

THE GIRL IN THE GREEN DRESS by Mariah Fredericks - review will be on September 3, 2025.

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Books Up Next:

BEES IN JUNE by Elizabeth Bass Parman - review will be on September 4, 2025.

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THE RIGHTEOUS by Ronald A. Balson - review will be on September 9, 2025.

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A MURDEROUS BUSINESS by Cathy Pegau - review will be on September 16, 2025.

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NO REST FOR THE WICKED by Rachel Louise Adams - review will be on September 17, 2025.

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THE WASP TRAP by Mark Edwards - review will be on September 18, 2025.

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THE GUEST IN ROOM 120 by Sara Ackerman - review will be on September 23, 2025.

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THE WIVES OF HAWTHORNE LANE by Stephanie DeCarolis - review will be on September 22, 2025.

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ICING ON THE MURDER by Valerie Burns - review will be on September 25, 2025.

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THE VIOLET HOUR by Victoria Benton Frank - review will be on September 29, 2025.

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THE LOST STORY OF EVA FUENTES by Chanel Cleeton - review will be on September 30, 2025.

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DINNER AT THE NIGHT LIBRARY by Hika Harada - review will be on October 1, 2025.

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THE SECRET OF ORANGE BLOSSOM CAKE by Rachel Linden - review will be on October 10, 2025.

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THE HITCHHIKERS by Chevy Stevens - review will be on October 7, 2025.

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THE CHRISTMAS KEEPSAKE by Annie Rains - review will be on October 10, 2025.

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THE MAD WIFE by Meagan Church - review will be on October 12, 2025.

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THE GALLERY ASSISTANT by Kate Belli - review will be on October 14, 2025.

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THE MISSING PAGES by Alyson Richman - review will be on October 15, 2025.

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THE GIRL FROM THE RED ROSE MOTEL by Susan Beckham Zurenda - review wil be on October 16, 2025.

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THE LAST LOVE SONG by Lucinda and Harry Whittaker - review will be on October 30, 2025.

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THE FORGET-ME-NOT LIBRARY by Heather Webber - review will be on November 4, 2025.

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THE HIDDEN CITY by Charles Finch - review will be on November 5, 2025.

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THE PERFECT HOSTS by Heather Gudenkauf - review will be on November 6, 2025.

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THE BRIDESMAID by Cate Quinn - review will be on November 10, 2025.

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THE LIST OF SUSPICIOUS THINGS by Jennie Godfrey - review will be on December 2, 2025.

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FRIENDS AND LIARS by Kit Frick - review will be on December 3, 2025.

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THE WORLD AT HOME by Ginny Kubitz Moyer - review will be on December 9, 2025.

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WILDWOOD by Amy Pease - review will be on January 6, 2025.

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NO ONE WOULD DO WHAT THE LAMBERTS HAVE DONE by Sophie Hannah - review will be on January 20, 2025.

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THE FAIR WEATHER FRIEND by Jessie Garcia - review will be on January 28, 2026.

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FAMILY DRAMA by Rebecca Fallon - review will be on February 4, 2025.

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OURS IS A TALE OF MURDER by Nora Murphy - review will be on February 10, 2026.

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