The Library of Borrowed Hearts

Title: The Library of Borrowed Hearts
Author: Lucy Gilmore
Published: April 30, 2024 by Sourcebooks Casablanca
Format: Kindle, Paperback 368 Pages
Genre: Women's Fiction
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.

First Sentence: I found the book hidden behind a box of rusted plumbing parts.

Blurb: Librarian Chloe Sampson has been struggling: to take care of her three younger siblings, to find herself, to make ends meet. She's just about at the end of her rope when she stumbles across a rare edition of a book from the 1960s at the local flea market. Deciding it's a sign of her luck turning, she takes it home with her—only to be shocked when her cranky hermit of a neighbor swoops in and offers to buy it for an exorbitant price. Intrigued, Chloe takes a closer look at the book only to find notes scribbled in the margins between two young lovers back when the book was new…one of whom is almost definitely Jasper Holmes, the curmudgeon next door.

When she begins following the clues left behind, she discovers this isn't the only old book in town filled with romantic marginalia. This kickstarts a literary scavenger hunt that Chloe is determined to see through to the end. What happened to the two tragic lovers who corresponded in the margins of so many different library books? And what does it have to do with the old, sad man next door—who only now has begun to open his home and heart to Chloe and her siblings?

In a romantic tale that spans the decades, Chloe discovers that there's much more to her grouchy old neighbor than meets the eye. And in allowing herself to accept the unexpected friendship he offers, she learns that some love stories begin in the unlikeliest of places.

My Opinion: A charming novel that blends romance, mystery, and the magic of books. Initially, I found myself hesitant since I didn’t like how the book began, but as I persevered, the story unfolded into something unexpectedly heartwarming. The characters—Chloe, Jasper, and the others—come alive, their struggles and growth adding depth to the tale.

Chloe Sampson, a librarian juggling a low-paying part-time job and the guardianship of her three younger siblings, finds a rare edition of a once-banned book. But it’s not the book that captures her—it’s the marginalia. Notes from star-crossed lovers that reveal a forbidden romance.

Jasper Holmes, her grumpy neighbor. Once terrifying for Chloe and her siblings, their friendship warms as they unravel the mystery together. But this isn’t just about love in the margins; it’s about the lives behind the words.

When things slowed down, I switched between audiobook and written pages. And it was in the final third that the magic truly happened. The friendships across age groups resonated, and the coming-of-age moments felt endearing.

I guess this is another case of embracing the unexpected when you are ready to give up.

Big Time

Title: Big Time
Author: Ben H. Winters
Published: March 5, 2024 by Mulholland Books
Format: Kindle, 320 pages
Genre: Thriller

First Sentence: Wait a second, wait a second, wait a second,” Allie called from the back seat.

Blurb: Grace

The best part of Grace’s job at the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health is that she can clock out at five. She’s got things to do--like care for her aging, cantankerous mother, her angsty and remarkably bright teenager--with little time for herself to spare. Which is why Grace is peeved when in the late evening, she's called into work. A woman has appeared at a local hospital, injured, shaken, and with an unusual portacath implanted in her chest. The hospital cannot recognize the model. As Grace investigates, the scant info on the device's provenance appears apocryphal. What's been done to this girl? And who is behind it?

Ana

When she comes to, she realizes she’s been taken. She’s in the back seat of a black woozy, scared. She’d been asleep, and then she’d been awake, a woman with a catalog face, dressed in tailored pants and a crisp white blouse had dragged her out of her tent beneath the overpass and stabbed her in the neck. The same woman who was now in the front seat. Somehow, Ana escapes. When she arrives at a hospital in Hanover, Maryland, she’s found with an usual device attached to her body. Ana is confused, and as she tries to grasp for any memory or scrap of the past, she comes up empty. She can't remember anything.

Desiree

Desiree is on fire with pain, the pulp of her right eye a bloody mess. She can’t believe the girl had blinded her, can't believe that she’d escaped. Tending to the it had set her back. And now the client is not happy. What she needs is to fulfill the mission. Desiree has a job to do, and she is almost out of time. (GoodReads)

My Opinion: Having once read the Last Policeman series, I’ve been on the lookout for another Ben H. Winter novel that captured the same essence. Enter “Big Time”, a novel that tiptoes close to the edge of his previous works.

The journey begins with a slow burn, leaving readers in the dark about the book’s ultimate destination. But then, the last 20 percent erupts, shattering expectations and propelling the reader headlong into a gripping medical espionage thriller. It’s a race against time—a fitting theme, given what unfolds.

Stealing time is an intriguing and unsettling concept. Within this narrative, time isn’t merely a linear progression; it’s a commodity that could eventually be traded and bartered. The poor, desperate for immediate relief, could sell fragments of their existence. As the world hurtles toward what could be chaos, distinguishing between the good and the bad becomes an impossible task. Durational-element technology, once speculative, now shapes reality and reshapes our perception of time itself.

If I had my way, I’d sprinkle more medical thriller elements throughout the story, nurturing the seed of suspense from the outset. But even this minor quibble pales in comparison to the explosive finale. As the clock ticks down, the stakes soar, leaving the reader breathless.

Funny Story

Title: Funny Story
Author: Emily Henry
Published: April 23, 2024 by Berkley
Format: Kindle, Hardcover 395 Pages
Genre: Romance
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.

First Sentence: Some people are natural storytellers.

Blurb: Daphne always loved the way her fiancé Peter told their story. How they met (on a blustery day), fell in love (over an errant hat), and moved back to his lakeside hometown to begin their life together. He really was good at telling it…right up until the moment he realized he was actually in love with his childhood best friend Petra.

Which is how Daphne begins her new story: Stranded in beautiful Waning Bay, Michigan, without friends or family but with a dream job as a children’s librarian (that barely pays the bills), and proposing to be roommates with the only person who could possibly understand her predicament: Petra’s ex, Miles Nowak.

Scruffy and chaotic—with a penchant for taking solace in the sounds of heart break love ballads—Miles is exactly the opposite of practical, buttoned up Daphne, whose coworkers know so little about her they have a running bet that she’s either FBI or in witness protection. The roommates mainly avoid one another, until one day, while drowning their sorrows, they form a tenuous friendship and a plan. If said plan also involves posting deliberately misleading photos of their summer adventures together, well, who could blame them?

But it’s all just for show, of course, because there’s no way Daphne would actually start her new chapter by falling in love with her ex-fiancé’s new fiancée’s ex…right?

My Opinion: This is my first Emily Henry -- and yes --I fell for the hype. The meet-cute and romance are the same formula as many others in this genre.

What begins with possibly the worst day of Daphne’s life slowly evolves with her spinning into her own personal depths of hell, only to be new roommates with ex-finance's (Peter) new girlfriend's (Petra), ex-boyfriend (Miles) (yes, that takes a minute to sort out).

Miles is attractive and smells good. He gets her. Anymore tropes we could throw in there?

The last chapter in the book was one too many. I like how the previous chapter ended and allowed the reader to dream up possibilities, but no, the author had to go one step too far.

Not a keep-on-my-shelf book.

Coaching Fire

Title: Coaching Fire
Author: Victoria Laurie
Published: November 28, 2023 by Kensington Cozies
Format: Kindle, 307 Pages
Genre: Amateur Sleuth
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.
Series: Life Coach Mystery #5

First Sentence: “Now will you call him?” Gilley pleaded.

Blurb: Gilley’s whirlwind romance with creative director Stuart Jacobs began in Paris, where Stuart was sourcing fabric for the world-renowned Texas Rose Festival, which he is heading-up for the first time. The festival is nothing short of spectacular, bringing in half a million people (and their wallets) to see the artistic displays, and exquisite gowns and jewels worn by the Rose Queen and her court. Stuart and his crew seem to have it all under control. But the night Cat arrives in Texas, someone is shot in cold blood, and a member of Stuart’s staff is named the prime suspect! The Rose Festival is too important to the city’s economy to cancel, so while Stuart scrambles to prevent the festival from derailing, Cat and Gilley launch their own investigation into the murder. With a parade of potential suspects to parse, and an even longer list of motives, they bring in East Hampton Police Detective Steve Shepherd to help. As rumors of arson, burglary, and professional sabotage swirl around the already fraught festival planning; Cat and her team immerse themselves in the cutthroat pageantry to identify the killer, who has already picked their next victim. (GoodReads)

My Opinion: Victoria Laurie’s latest work has a distinct flavor, setting it apart from previous entries in the Cat and Gilley series. Not only has she swapped the roles of the duo, but she has also woven in social commentary. Laurie fearlessly calls out brutality and discrimination within Texas law enforcement, and though not calling out for change, is making her readers aware of its existence. There is also an in-depth narrative of psychics. Laurie, a professional psychic, takes her time defending their abilities and existence.

Gilley, once the skittish Scooby-do personality, now is the beacon of reason. Meanwhile, Cat—usually steadfast and confident—finds herself wavering, adding l a new layer to their enduring friendship.

Early on, a murder sets the stage for the investigation. Yet, as we move from scene to scene, we find ourselves entangled in multiple storylines. This web of narratives, while occasionally overly descriptive, maintains a smooth flow.

From a previous mention on Laurie’s podcast, this appears to be the last we will see, for a while at least, of the Cat and Gilley saga. The author has her eye on fresh horizons and has mentioned new material. “See No Evil,” an addition to the A Psychic Eye Mystery series, is out now, and the upcoming fall release of “A Trinket for the Taking.”

Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries

Title: Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries
Author: Heather Fawcett
Published: January 10, 2023 by Del Rey
Format: Kindle, Hardcover 317 Pages
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Emily Wilde #1

First Sentence: Shadow is not at all happy with me.

Blurb: Cambridge professor Emily Wilde is good at many things: She is the foremost expert on the study of faeries. She is a genius scholar and a meticulous researcher who is writing the world's first encyclopaedia of faerie lore. But Emily Wilde is not good at people. She could never make small talk at a party--or even get invited to one. And she prefers the company of her books, her dog, and the Fair Folk.

So when she arrives in the hardscrabble village of Hrafnsvik, Emily has no intention of befriending the gruff townsfolk. Nor does she care to spend time with another new arrival: her dashing and insufferably handsome academic rival Wendell Bambleby, who manages to charm the townsfolk, get in the middle of Emily's research, and utterly confound and frustrate her.

But as Emily gets closer and closer to uncovering the secrets of the Hidden Ones--the most elusive of all faeries--lurking in the shadowy forest outside the town, she also finds herself on the trail of another mystery: Who is Wendell Bambleby, and what does he really want? To find the answer, she'll have to unlock the greatest mystery of all--her own heart.

My Opinion: “Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries” by Heather Fawcett offers a curious blend of quirkiness and academia. For some readers, the use of footnotes, while attempting to evoke Emily Wilde’s field notes, may feel unusual and disrupt the narrative flow.

The book is reminiscent of Deanna Raybourn’s Veronica Speedwell series in that the main characters combine their exploration and banter with a side of mystery. Wendell’s laugh-out-loud humor adds an entertaining touch, although his quips arrive too late to capture your initial interest.

Early in the book, I switched from print to the audiobook instead of wall-banging it. After sitting with this book for a while, I realized that Emily and the Faerie folk didn’t capture my interest or imagination.

The Mystery Guest

Title: The Mystery Guest
Author: Nita Prose
Published: November 28, 2023 by Ballantine Books
Format: 293 pages, Hardcover
Genre: Amatuer Sleuth
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.
Series: Molly the Maid #2

First Sentence: Prologue: My gran once told me a story about a maid, a rat, and a spoon.

Blurb: Molly Gray is not like anyone else. With her flair for cleaning and proper etiquette, she has risen through the ranks of the glorious five-star Regency Grand Hotel to become the esteemed Head Maid. But just as her life reaches a pinnacle state of perfection, her world is turned upside down when J.D. Grimthorpe, the world-renowned mystery author, drops dead—very dead—on the hotel’s tea room floor.

When Detective Stark, Molly's old foe, investigates the author’s unexpected demise, it becomes clear that this death was murder most foul. Suspects abound, and everyone wants to know who killed J.D. Grimthorpe? Was it Lily, the new Maid-in-Training? Or was it Serena, the author’s secretary? Could Mr. Preston, the hotel’s beloved doorman, be hiding something? And is Molly really as innocent as she seems?

As the case threatens the hotel’s pristine reputation, Molly knows she alone holds the key to unlocking the killer's identity. But that key is buried deep in her past—because long ago, she knew J.D. Grimthorpe. Molly begins to comb her memory for clues, revisiting her childhood and the mysterious Grimthorpe mansion where she and her dearly departed Gran once worked side by side. With the entire hotel under investigation, Molly must solve the mystery post-haste. If there's one thing Molly knows for sure, it's that dirty secrets don't stay buried forever. (GoodReads)

My Opinion: A delightful read that earns a solid rating for its charming blend of innocence and intrigue. Set in the grandeur of the Regency Grand Hotel, the city and year remain a mystery, much like the plot itself, which cleverly unfolds through a mix of past and present narratives. Prose’s protagonist, Molly, is refreshingly naive, her quirks endearing as they are portrayed through her unique interpretation, spelling, and rich vocabulary.

The story references old television shows reminiscent of reruns Molly once shared with her grandmother, adding a touch of nostalgia.

As a sequel, “The Mystery Guest” stands strong, providing enough backstory to welcome new readers without confusion. The significant time gap between this and the previous book suggests a new chapter in Molly’s life, inviting readers to unravel the ongoings at this 5-star hotel anew.

Prose’s narrative is a testament to her skillful storytelling, making “The Mystery Guest” a compelling continuation of a beloved series.

Love, Theoretically

Title: Love, Theoretically
Author: Ali Hazelwood
Published: June 13, 2023 by Little Brown Books
Format: Kindle, paperbac, and 389 Pages
Genre: Romance

First Sentence: Prologue: In my life I have experienced regret, embarrassment, maybe even a touch of agony.

Blurb: The many lives of theoretical physicist Elsie Hannaway have finally caught up with her. By day, she’s an adjunct professor, toiling away at grading labs and teaching thermodynamics in the hopes of landing tenure. By other day, Elsie makes up for her non-existent paycheck by offering her services as a fake girlfriend, tapping into her expertly honed people pleasing skills to embody whichever version of herself the client needs.

Honestly, it’s a pretty sweet gig—until her carefully constructed Elsie-verse comes crashing down. Because Jack Smith, the annoyingly attractive and broody older brother of her favorite client, turns out to be the cold-hearted experimental physicist who ruined her mentor’s career and undermined the reputation of theorists everywhere. And that same Jack who now sits on the hiring committee at MIT, right between Elsie and her dream job.

Elsie is prepared for an all-out war of scholarly sabotage but…those long, penetrating looks? Not having to be anything other than her true self when she’s with him? Will falling into an experimentalist’s orbit finally tempt her to put her most guarded theories on love into practice?

My Opinion: As someone who doesn’t typically delve into this genre, I found that the book began and ended where I assumed it would; I just didn’t realize I would be in for a humorous and spicy ride. Yet, I was pleasantly surprised. The novel weaves together self-actualization and humor, creating a captivating narrative. Elsie’s journey of self-discovery will resonate with readers, and the witty banter between her and Jack adds a lovable layer to the story. Hazelwood’s portrayal of women in STEM and academics is enlightening. Despite my initial reservations, I found myself rooting for the characters and their romance.

Not sure if the Love Hypothesis is a series or just interconnected books.

Village in the Dark

Title: Village in the Dark
Author: Iris Yamashita
Published: Kindle, Hardcover 288 pages
Format: February 13, 2024 by Berkley
Genre: Police Procedural
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.
Series: Cara Kennedy #2

First Sentence: The frigid wind whipped up eager snow eddies off the knolls of the cemetery ground in South Anchorage.

Blurb: On a frigid February day, Anchorage Detective Cara Kennedy stands by the graves of her husband and son, watching as their caskets are raised from the earth. It feels sacrilegious, but she has no choice. Aaron and Dylan disappeared on a hike a year ago, their bones eventually found and buried. But shocking clues have emerged that foul play was involved, potentially connecting them to a string of other deaths and disappearances.

Somehow tied to the mystery is Mia Upash, who grew up in an isolated village called Unity, a community of women and children in hiding from abusive men. Mia never imagined the trouble she would find herself in when she left home to live in Man’s World. Although she remains haunted by the tragedy of what happened to the man and the boy in the woods, she has her own reasons for keeping quiet.

Aided by police officer Joe Barkowski and other residents of Point Mettier, Cara’s investigation will lead them on a dangerous path that puts their lives and the lives of everyone around them in mortal jeopardy.

My Opinion: Village in the Dark captures the reader’s attention from the very start. The brisk pacing makes it a perfect quick read, and the narrative is skillfully crafted to keep the pages turning. Yamashita’s storytelling shines through with an intriguing twist that adds depth to the plot. The decision to limit scenes at the Davidson Condos in Point Mettier is a clever move, allowing the characters to explore new horizons and maintain a fresh perspective. The character of Cara is particularly well-developed, with a backstory that unfolds across the series. This book is a commendable addition to the series, offering a satisfying blend of mystery and character development.

An Inheritance of Magic

Title: An Inheritance of Magic
Author: Benedict Jacka
Published: October 10, 2023 by Ace
Format: Kindle 336 Pages
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Inheritance of Magic #1

First Sentence: There was a strange car at the end of my road.

Blurb: Wealth, education, resources—some people seem to exist in a glittering world on a different plane from the rest of us. Almost as if by…magic.

Stephen Oakwood knows there’s a magical world hidden from view. Before his father disappeared, he taught Stephen how to create and use sigls to channel power. But unlocking the full potential of drucraft takes money, power, and training. All Stephen has is a minimum-wage job and a cat.

When a chance meeting leads to Stephen’s skill being recognized by a member of Ashford House, everything changes. For centuries, the vast corporations and aristocratic Houses of the magical world have grown impossibly rich and powerful by hoarding their knowledge, and for a brief moment it seems as though all of that is about to be offered to Stephen.

But this isn’t that kind of story.

Ashford House have no more interest in sharing their privileges with Stephen than they do with anyone else. What they are interested in is increasing their own power, and now Stephen’s been thrust into a world he doesn’t understand. To survive he’ll have to take his talent and build it up into something greater—for only then can he beat them at their own game.

My Opinion: Benedict Jacka lets the reader know ahead of time that he hopes to be writing this series over the next ten years, so I prepared myself for world-building, lots of characters, and a heavy dose of atmosphere. I wasn’t disappointed. Surprisingly, this turned into a fast read for me, and considering that I am just beginning my foray into this genre, I was glad I had taken a chance.

An absorbing narrative that blurs the edges of reality with the magical. The super-rich -- think Succession, but with wizards -- where rules are crafted, fortunes hang in the balance, and people are destroyed. To that, add in an outside relative trying to make his way in their world using his own set of rules.

Cat-loving Stephen Oakwood, abandoned by his mother and a father who walked out of his life when he turned 18, stumbles into the Ashford House power struggle. Money, control, and secrets drive the next generation of Ashfords as they use magic for their dirty deeds. With their magic, they can manipulate portfolios and bodies of water to their advantage and in so doing, parlay that into becoming the next head of Ashford House, unless Stephen can stop them.

Jacka weaves a captivating narrative that drips with intensity and has you questioning who to trust. So, grab your tea, settle in, and step into a hidden world as you follow Stephen as he opens doors, meets curious characters, and has some big decisions to make.

Book #2, An Instruction in Shadow, has a tentative release date of October 2024.

Death at Lovers' Leap

Title: Death at Lovers' Leap
Author: Catherine Coles
Published: February 16, 2024 by Boldwood Books
Format: Kindle, 280 Pages
Genre: Amateur Sleuth
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.
Series: Martha Miller #3

First Sentence: February 1948. I didn’t expect to receive a card, not really.

Blurb: As Valentine's Day rolls around, Martha Miller finds herself unusually melancholy at the state of her own love life. With husband Stan still missing and with her growing feelings for Vicar Luke still shrouded in secrecy, there’s only one place Martha can go - famous local beauty spot, Lovers' Leap.

Legend has it that those with a broken heart throw themselves off the bridge that spans the river, but Martha is certainly not about to do such a thing! But it looks like someone else has had other ideas….

Because there in the river, Martha finds a body. But is this misadventure, a moment of lovesick madness, or is foul play afoot?

Martha knows one thing…the villagers of Westleham have another crime to solve!

My Opinion: This book was a letdown for me. The book’s pacing didn’t quite capture my attention and the last 20% was the saving grace since the journey to get there isn’t engaging. I am hesitant about continuing with this series since this experience wasn’t enjoyable. Perhaps the next book might offer a more engaging narrative that will keep me hooked from start to finish.

I am not sure if I will continue with the Martha Miller series. It is always a difficult decision if a series is the right fit or if there is just one bad book. Now, I must decide if it is time to explore new authors and series that better align with my changing reading preferences.

Yellowface

Title: Yellowface
Author: R.F. Kuang
Published: May 16, 2023 by William Morrow
Format: Hardcover, 336 Pages
Genre: Fiction

First Sentence: The night I watch Athena Liu die, we’re celebrating her TV deal with Netflix

Blurb: Athena Liu is a literary darling and June Hayward is literally nobody.

White lies... When Athena dies in a freak accident, June steals her unpublished manuscript and publishes it as her own under the ambiguous name Juniper Song.

Dark humour... But as evidence threatens June’s stolen success, she will discover exactly how far she will go to keep what she thinks she deserves.

Deadly consequences... What happens next is entirely everyone else’s fault.

With its totally immersive first-person voice, Yellowface grapples with questions of diversity, racism, and cultural appropriation, as well as the terrifying alienation of social media. R.F. Kuang’s novel is timely, razor-sharp, and eminently readable. (GoodReads)

My Opinion: So many layers. So many emotions. Makes the reader reevaluate publishing, reviews, and the soul-wrenching waves an author goes through.

An intense and thought-provoking novel that rips open the complexities of racial diversity in the publishing industry. With layers of snark, passion, and bitter ridicule, Kuang weaves a narrative that explores the impact of faceless social media and the costs authors must pay to be seen and heard.