5 Stars

A poignant story of two very different families who become neighbors, and everything that goes wrong from there. We watch as the story unfolds; first an attempt at friendliness, then the lawsuit, and next the budding romance between the teenagers. We hope for the best for this young, naive couple, but really the odds were against them from the start. A beautifully written and very timely look at how class, race, and the changing of a neighborhood can have a much larger impact than anyone could foresee.

-Sylvia
Posted 5/29/2020

4 Stars

Set in the Himalayas in a time of violent political unrest, orphaned Sai lands on the doorstep of her grandfather, a retired judge. The judge was expecting to live out his days in his crumbling, isolated house in solitude and other than making arrangements for Sai’s education; he leaves her in the hands of the judge’s cook. The cook cares for Sai as best he can but is preoccupied with thoughts of his own son, Biju, who has been sent to New York to make his fortune. Sai is able to stem her loneliness by befriending an assortment of colorful locals. The story brings to light the consequences of the choices the judge, the cook, Sai, Biju, and their neighbors make.

-Nancy
Posted 5/29/2020

4.5 Stars

This book had me intrigued from the beginning. It’s one of those books that had me saying “OH” out loud! It’s about married couple Angela and Jason, and how a series of events from both past and present turn their lives upside down. The truth of infidelity and murder comes out little by little in each chapter. The ending had me surprised and kind of sad at the end.

-Lisa
Posted 5/29/2020

4 Stars

When a mysterious man enters Laurel’s life, along with his daughter who bears an eerie resemblance to her lost daughter, Laurel struggles to come to terms with not only the unanswered questions of her daughter’s disappearance, but the sinister secrets this seemingly perfect man may be hiding.  Gripping and mysterious, Then She Was Gone chronicles one woman’s struggle to come to terms with the abduction of her daughter, her strained family dynamic, and the difficulties that come with moving on after a tragedy. A chilling page turner that leaves the reader invested and captivated through the very end.

-Pola
Posted 5/29/2020

5 Stars

Gideon Nav just wants out of the Ninth House and off this blasted rock. Unfortunately, the Emperor needs Necromancers and she must accompany Harrowhark, the heir to the Ninth House on a quest that will change her life forever. This darkly humorous sardonic fantasy is a wonderful start to the trilogy. Gideon Nav is a snarky, quirky character that I absolutely fell in love with. I can’t wait to see where the series goes from here.

-Erin
Posted 5/22/2020

3 Stars

A sweet historical fiction novel about the life of the female main character Wally Baker. It begins on V-J Day at the end of WWII, and is a coming of age story for both Wally and this country. This bittersweet novel explores Wally’s experiences and feelings while navigating the new landscape of America, all while enduring family tragedy. A moving read.

4 Stars

A beautiful deceased wife, a wealthy politician, a much younger second wife and a moody teenage daughter, what could go wrong. An intensifying psychological thriller set in a secluded Long Island mansion, the reader is taken on a disturbing and suspenseful journey through a compelling story filled with complex, courageous characters and family ghosts that just won’t die.

-Michelle
Posted 5/22/2020

3 Stars

Crazy Rich Asians, characters are a bit outrageous, but that’s the point. For normal people who can’t even dream of the opulence described in the book like Rachel Chu, it takes readers to a world where dropping millions is an every day occurrence. Whether the enormity of wealth described in the book actually happens in the East or not, I didn’t tire of hearing of private jets, jewels and clothes, although it is often talked about in the book and I could understand how some readers would tire of it. The author also does a good job of describing asian slang and food included in the novel.

For those who watched the movie before reading the book, many characters are included in the book that weren’t in the movie. It was a fun read that I would recommend to lovers of chick lit.

-Amanda
Posted 5/22/2020