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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Wait for Me by Amy Jo Burns
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I love Amy Jo Burns’ books and Wait for Me was no exception. This is the story of Marijohn who was left in a gas station as a baby, raised by the owner Gus, who is obsessed with and swears that famous folk singer Elle Harlow who has been missing for twenty years, was last seen at his gas station and left Marijohn there.

But then a meteor crashes into the earth and unearths things that had been buried for twenty years. And nothing is the same again.

I loved reading the story of these two women even though the story felt a little too slow for me at times and I didn’t connect with all the music lyrics. I bet this one will be incredible on audio.

With gratitude to netgalley and Celadon Books for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

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Meet the Newmans by Jennifer Niven
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3.5 stars.

I thought this was interesting but also it felt familiar and sort of predictable I think. I love Niven and her writing is light and easy. It was a good January book!

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The Anniversary by Alex Finlay
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I loved this book!

I’ve read many books by Finlay but this one stands out for me. It’s a mystery, there are twists and turns, but also there’s slow-brewing love. There are two main characters that are interesting and stay with you and that you find yourself rooting for.

If you’re just looking for dislikable main characters and unreliable narrators and crazy insane twists, this might not be the book for you (though it has plenty of those). I think this book was more interesting, and I found myself getting more and more invested each year on the next anniversary.

Loved it.

with gratitude to netgalley and St. Martin’s Press | Minotaur Books for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

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