Reading Lately: July 2023 Book Reviews

Half-sisters Joanna and Esther Kalotay were raised among their father’s collection of rare magic books that he spent his whole life protecting. While Esther fled to a remote Antarctic base, Joanna has isolate herself in the family home. When their father dies, the sisters reunite and discover that their parents have been keeping secrets from them. Secrets that could change everything.

I have mixed feelings about Emma Törzs’s debut fantasy book. While the worldbuilding aspect of the magic was intriguing, the pacing was all over the place. The setup took too long; It’s well past halfway through before the action finally begins and the three main storylines start to intertwine. Yet, the ending felt a little forced, rushing to a conclusion without letting the main characters develop realistic connections.

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Publication Date: 30 May 2023
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The granddaughter of one of the only female doctors in China, Yunxian is taught all about women’s illnesses, alongside her best friend Meiling, a midwife-in-training. When Yunxian becomes a wife in an arranged marriage, Yunxian is forbidden from speaking to Meiling or helping the household women. Determined to break away from tradition, Yunxian goes on to treat women from every level of society in this novel based on a true story from the Ming Dynasty.

A story about women supporting women, Lady Tan’s Circle of Women excellent showcased the struggles women of all classes of society faced in ancient China. An enveloping read with deep themes, this fictional tale of a real doctor favors descriptive storytelling over emotional attachments. Thus, this slower story is perfect for readers who like to be fully immersed in historical fiction.

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Publication Date: 6 June 2023
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In 1956, Marion learns that being a Rockette at Radio City Music Hall is much more demanding than she imagined. When a bomb explodes in the theater, Marion urges the police to try a new technique: psychological profiling. As she gets caught up in the investigation, Marion realizes that she might be putting herself and those she loves at terrifying risk.

With a cutesy yet predictable plot, The Spectacular had an intriguing storyline about the Rockettes that keeps you engaged. Unfortunately, the writing was disappointing, constantly overexplaining backstories and telling the story instead of showing. Combine lackluster writing with uneven pacing, and The Spectacular was just an okay read.

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Publication Date: 13 June 2023
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Annabel, Esther, Tanya, and Chloe were best friends as children, though life hasn’t come out quite how they thought. When their former friend Poppy invited them to a remote island for her bachelorette party, they are stunned to see how gorgeous and successful she’s become. With lavish accommodations but no cell service, their tropical vacation quickly turns into a nightmare where past secrets refuse to stay buried.

Just from the publisher’s description, you know She Started It is going to be over-the-top, yet Gilbert takes the drama to a level too hard to swallow even for a guilty pleasure revenge thriller. Flashbacks quickly reveal that the four mean girls made Poppy’s life a living hell in high school, making the whole premise of begin invited as bridesmaids (and them accepting) impossible to swallow. Add in completely unlikeable characters with unrealistic motives and a big twist that I guessed early on, and I can only recommend She Started It to someone who wants a shallow but fast-paced summer read.

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Publication Date: 13 June 2023
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In the first book of her Flesh & False Gods series, Chloe Gong pens a new adult fantasy inspired by Antony and Cleopatra. Every year, the kingdom of Talin hosts a series of games, battles to the death where those skilled at jumping their minds between bodies usually win. In hiding after murdering her parents, Princess Calla is determined to kill the corrupt king and winning will be the perfect chance to do so. But she finds an unlikely alliance in Anton and must decide who she is really fighting for – her lover or her kingdom.

Gong’s newest fantasy series builds an intricate world whose complexity made it hard to follow. In contrast, Calla and Anton’s characters could have used more development, and their naive motivations bothered me. Although the action was consistent throughout, the Hunger Games-style competition didn’t have the suspense and tension that you’d expect. However, I will say, the ending was superb.

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Publication Date: 18 July 2023
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After serving 18 months in prison on a drug conviction, Tara Connelly tries to rebuild her life. She moves back in with her siblings – a brother who’s a single dad trying to overcome a brain injury and a sister struggling with an intense need for a sense of control. Just as Tara feels like she might find love again, the cop who arrested her begins to hassle her and the family’s secrets threaten to unravel everything she has worked for.

Once I began The Connellys of County Down I could not put it down, staying up way too late to finish it. Lange builds a rich story about complicated sibling dynamics, each sibling damaged in their own way by their dysfunctional upbringing. Yet the unconditional love between them shines strong, bringing you to tears as they struggle to balance their desires with what is best for the family. With its emotional presence and deep themes, The Connellys of County Down would make an excellent book club book selection.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Celadon Books through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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Publication Date: 1 August 2023
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On her forty-fifth birthday, Alix Summers runs into Josie Fair, who happens to be her birthday twin. Soon Alix runs into Josie again, and Josie convinces Alix that Josie’s life would be a great subject for Alix’s podcast. As Josie manipulates her way into Josie’s life Alix unexpectedly finds herself the subject of her own podcast and must uncover Josie’s dark secrets to protect her family.

Despite its decent start, None of This is True lacked the tension I normally feel in Lisa Jewell’s thrillers. Jewell does an excellent job mixing after-the-fact documentary and podcast interviews into the plotline to keep you wondering how much of Josie’s story is true. Yet, I disliked Josie’s character so much that I struggled to stay engaged. Combined with the anticlimactic ending, None of This is True just didn’t work at all for me even though it’s getting rave reviews from other readers.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Atria Books through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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Publication Date: 8 August 2023
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Twenty-year-old Mia isn’t particularly concerned when her father and brother are late coming home from a walk. Until her little brother walks in covered in blood. With autism and a rare genetic condition, Eugene can’t communicate what happened. Now Mia must race to find answers. Did her father walk away? Did something happen to him? And could Eugene be responsible?

Although I appreciated its deep thought-provoking themes, Happiness Falls is an extremely slow read that was difficult to love. Mia’s narration grated on my nerves and the philosophizing on happiness and communication drug the story out. However, Happiness Falls powerfully hits on the family dynamics of having a nonverbal sibling and the ableist views of society. While I didn’t particularly enjoy it as I was reading it, I’m glad I read it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Random House Publishing Group through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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Publication Date: 29 August 2023
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In 1958, Sheriff Brody Dern investigates the murder of a disliked wealthy landowner in a small Minnesota town. The rumor mill is quickly ablaze, accusing the murder on Noah Bluestone, a Native American WWII vet who just returned to town with his new Japanese bride. As Brody tries to find the truth, the physical and emotional wounds from World War II bring up old grievances in the community.

Just as with his acclaimed coming-of-age dramas Ordinary Grace and This Tender Land, Krueger presents a masterclass in developing complex nuanced characters in this beautifully written historical fiction novel. Sheriff Brody Dern and the citizens of Jewell, Minnesota, are complicated and messy and, for the most part, doing the best they can. Krueger makes the small town come alive while hitting on deep themes and expertly painting human nature in all its flaws. The River We Remember is a must-read for any fall reading list.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Atria Books through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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Publication Date: 5 September 2023
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In a sequel to her high-action spy thriller, Alias Emma, British spy Emma Makepeace returns with another Russian investigation. When an MI6 operative is assassinated, Emma determines to find the killer without becoming a victim herself. Before his death, he was investigating two Russian oligarchs he believed were spies with ties to a mysterious third man. But MI6 told him to drop it. As Emma goes undercover on a Russian oligarch’s yacht, she finds the killer might be closer to home than she ever imagined.

Alias Emma was one of my favorite thrillers of 2022, so my expectations were high for The Traitor. Emma is just as brilliant a character this time around, a fearlessly competent spy unafraid to make bold moves to save the day. Although the tight quarters of the yacht made for excellent tension, the overarching mole hunt had hardly any complexity, leaving you disappointed in the big reveal.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Random House Publishing Group through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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Publication Date: 19 September 2023
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Moving to New York to escape an abusive ex, Iris is charmed by a family-owned gelato shop in Little Italy that her mom visited decades ago and was given the secret recipe. When Gio, the handsome owner, admits to Iris that his uncle forgot the secret family recipe after a stroke, Iris doesn’t have it in her to admit that she has the key. Not wanting to cause family drama, Iris agrees to help recreate the recipe, but secrets from the past threaten to ruin her new love.

A Winter in New York is a cute little love story that reminds you that honest communication would prevent a whole lot of unnecessary drama. The miscommunication trope among fully-grown adults never sits well with me and I was disappointed Silver didn’t add a more nuanced message like she did in The Two Lives of Lydia Bird and One Day in December. Other than that, A Winter in New York was a pleasant romance with a little steam and mostly adorable characters that worked well as a quick light read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Random House Publishing Group through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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Publication Date: 3 October 2023
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Successful plus-sized fashion blogger Bea Schumacher has everything in life but love. When her favorite Bachelorette-inspired reality show wants her to be the star, she says yes on one condition. She absolutely will not fall in love. Instead, Bea aims to inspire women by subverting the expected beauty standards and building her career. But the further along Bea gets, the more she wonders if happily-ever-after might actually be possible.

Mixing a charming romantic comedy with heartfelt commentary on harmful beauty standards, One to Watch was an excellent summer romance to read. Bea is a relatable heroine, independent and confident most of the time and yet she still struggles with those insecurities that are difficult to eradicate. A quick read, One to Watch would be the perfect uplifting beach read to pack for your next vacation.

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Publication Date: 7 July 2020
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After losing his job in the Great Recession, Clay Jannon takes a position as a night clerk at Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore. However, something is odd about this particular bookstore. The customers are sparse and never buy any books. Instead, they “check out” obscure large volumes written in code stacked on perilously high shelves. When Clay’s curiosity gets the better of him, he finds a secret society determined to solve an ancient mystery that promises eternal life.

More The DaVinci Code than The Magicians, Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore is an enjoyable tale full of quirky characters. With little character development and overly used tech talk, the story never dives below surface level. You’ll either be completely charmed by the imaginative setting or find this to be a completely forgettable read.

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Publication Date: 26 September 2012
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On the island of Cyprus, two teenagers, one Greek and one Turkish, fall in love under the lush fig tree at the local tavern. When war breaks out, Kostas and Defne are separated, but they never stop wondering what happened to each other. Years later, a teenage girl in London tries to parse out the secrets of her family rooted in the fig tree that grows in her backyard.

I listened to the audiobook version of The Island of Missing Trees while working in my backyard and I struggled to get into the story. I had a particularly hard time connecting with the chapters that were narrated by the fig tree, which apparently is most of the book. Maybe if I read the physical book someday I’d love it, but I don’t think that will happen anytime soon.

My Rating: DNF
Publication Date: 2 November 2021
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