Last One Out by Jane Harper
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

With any Jane Harper book you’re guaranteed to read a story seeped in atmosphere and deep in character development. That’s where this author shines and where her novels stand out. In Last One Out, Carralon Ridge, the town, is so atmospheric that it’s a character of its own. The town people’s relationship with the town is a major part of the story.

And so are each of the characters, their history, their connection, their sense of loyalty and betrayal.

On its face this story is not as twisty and interesting as many of Harper’s other novels. But it still has all of her characteristic style so if you go in with the right expectation you will enjoy this story a lot.

And the audio is absolutely excellent, transporting the reader to Australia adding just the right texture to the story.

with gratitude to netgalley and Macmillan Audio for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

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Dolly All the Time by Annabel Monaghan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What a complete fun ride this book was! I love Monaghan’s voice and it shines through in this novel. This is the story of Dolly, a single mom to Gus, competent daughter to a dad who’s set in his ways, and sister to a brother who doesn’t like to leave the front porch (or wear pants), and she has a sister too who lives further away and is not involved enough.

When her childhood house almost burns down, Dolly comes home to help out her Dad for the summer. A chance encounter where she’s helping Stewart (the rich son of the rich family their island is named after) turns into a thing and Dolly gets an offer she can’t refuse because it will mean she can truly help her dad and make sure her house is saved.

And of course things don’t go as planned. There’s so much good in this book but the best part, for me, is what an awesome character Dolly is. She’s strong, kind, capable and will not take crap from anyone. I love her.

Monaghan knows how to write characters and she knows how to do dialogue. She made me laugh and feel so much joy while reading this one.

with gratitude to netgalley and G.P. Putnam’s Sons for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

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Strangers: A Memoir of Marriage by Belle Burden
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I am glad for people who are brave enough to tell their stories. To many, it might look like Belle’s privilege meant that her story wasn’t as interesting to share or that she had no right to be so hurt or she should not have been so dumb as to stop working, change the prenup and put herself into the position she put herself in.

People love to judge others. People feel entitled to tell you which stories deserve to be told. People think they would have done differently if it were them. People love to watch and point and laugh and judge and judge and judge.

It’s so easy to be a critic.

It’s hard to choose to put your life on paper anyway. And these stories deserve to be told. I’m grateful she did.

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Dogs, Boys, and Other Things I’ve Cried About: A Memoir by Isabel Klee
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I discovered Isabel Klee on instagram just a few weeks ago. And, of course, I fell down a rabbit hole and had to watch all the videos of all her fosters. Her ability to tell their story with so much love and so much humanity made it impossible not to keep scrolling for more. This is how I knew she would be an excellent writer.

And I was not wrong.

This is the story of Klee’s twenties in NYC. The detours she takes, the mistakes she makes, the friends who save her and love her. The men who love her, the men who betray her. The dogs she loves and the dogs who love her back. There’s so much heart and soul in this book. Everything is shared with tenderness, generosity and kindness.

This book reminds us that we don’t have to be perfect to be loved. It reminds us that loving a being that’s been hurt can be hard but also oh so worth the work. It reminds us that we can do the hard work of healing ourselves and others. And, more than anything, it reminds us that dogs are such a gift and we are so very lucky to get to love them.

You will laugh and cry through this beautiful memoir and find yourself rooting for Isabel and every single rescue who was lucky to be fostered by her, deeply loved and given to forever homes with gratitude. And of course, Simon. Simon who is the kindest dog and shares Isabel’s extraordinary caring heart. The world is a better place because it has Isabel and Simon (and Jacob!) in it.

with gratitude to netgalley and William Morrow for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

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Little One by Olivia Muenter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

On my goodness Helen Laser does an incredible job with the audio of this book. From the moment I started listening to it, her voice took a hold on me and would not let me go. I could not stop listening. I felt completely wrapped up in the story and in the trance of Catharine’s world. This is an excellent, excellent audio.

Catharine’s life looks ordinary. She’s worked incredibly hard to make it appear so. And, of course, with a single email from a journalist, it starts unraveling. It turns out Catherine grew up in a cult. Her dad was the leader. It turns out there are a lot of unanswered questions. It turns out this journalist is interested in finding out the answers.

And Catharine may not be able to stop her life and all her secrets from unraveling. I listened to this in one swallow.

with gratitude to netgalley and Hachette Audio for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

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Now That I Know You by Heart: A Novel by Amy Hagstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a lovely story that will ease your heart. It’s like a cozy cup of tea. It’s about Shelby who buys an inn to fulfill her husband’s dying wish, only to find out the inn is in dire state and rumored to be haunted. Shelby is in the process of coming to terms with who she is and how she’s been trying to come back to herself finally after living a full life in denial. She’s new in town. She has no idea how to fix or rescue the inn. She is trying to honor her husband and also step into her own. Can she do both at the same time? Is it possible to look back and look forward? Is it possible to do something for others and also yourself at the same time? Loved this sweet story.

the audio was phenomenal. highly recommended.

with gratitude to netgalley and Brilliance Audio for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

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