Julie Tudor is Not a Psychopath by Jennifer Holdich

July 27, 2025

Julie Tudor is Not a Psychopath by Jennifer Holdich

Julie Tudor is 49 years old and has found the love of her life in Sean, her 25 year old coworker at the large financial services company where they both work. But he doesn't know that. All he knows is that she makes him uncomfortable. Julie knows that she and Sean are star-crossed, meant to be together until a young woman named Xanthe starts work at the company and throws a wrench into Julie's plans. But Julie isn't about to settle for anyone coming between her and Sean, so she decides it's time to take decisive action.

Oh, Julie, you are definitely a psychopath. Julie has a flirtatious relationship with reality at the best of times. Her unique world view and interior monologue kept me turning the pages - I felt like my mouth was hanging open in disbelief half the time. I admit I felt sorry for Julie when her coworkers were making fun of her and she didn't realize it, while at the same time cringing at some of the things she did. It's a fast read that is perfect for vacation or beach reading, dark, disturbing, creepy and funny all at the same time. If there is a more unreliable narrator out there, I don't know who it is. There are hints of animal cruelty, so sensitive readers should be warned. I could see this becoming a miniseries on Netflix. Love the cover art!

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

The Enchanted Greenhouse by Sarah Beth Durst

July 22, 2025

The Enchanted Greenhouse by Sarah Beth Durst

After using an illegal spell to create a sentient spider plant, librarian Terlu Pena was punished by being turned into a wooden statue, on display in the magical library as a warning to the rest of the staff not to dabble in the spells that they curated. But she hadn't meant any harm - she was just lonely. Nevertheless, the magic court decided to make an example of her. She stood on a pedestal in the library, frozen in place until one day, she wakes up to find herself in a winter forest on an island with no idea how she got there. Not only that, there is an enchanted greenhouse that is slowly dying, and a handsome gardener who expects Terlu to fix the greenhouse.

Charming cozy fantasy, not exactly a sequel to The Spellshop, more like a companion piece that provides the backstory of the librarian who made Caz the sentient spider plant. Terlu was the only character in the first book whose story was not resolved, so I'm glad the author decided to focus on her in this book. The greenhouses are marvelous creations, as are the green winged cat and the tiny dragons that act as pollinators. Themes are loneliness, forgiveness, and healing. The author has planned two or three more books set in this world. Another beautiful cover, too.

Many thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

A magical greenhouse

Dead of Summer by Jessa Maxwell

July 6, 2025

Dead of Summer by Jessa Maxwell

After 12 years, Orla O'Connell returns to Hadley Island, her childhood home, to get her family's old house ready for sale. She left the island after her best friend Alice mysteriously disappeared. Orla is shocked to find her teenage crush David Clarke is in residence at his family's summer home, along with his beautiful girlfriend Faith. But David is busy with work, leaving Faith plenty of time to snoop around and investigate the town and David's family.

A quick read, the kind of thing you can read/skim in one day. Atmospheric, although somewhat predictable and it dragged at times. Familiar themes: rich nasty family, poor girl with secrets in her past hooking up with a rich guy, a woman return to her hometown after years away, small town with suspicious residents who know everyone and their business, odd local man who is a natural target, lots of secrets. The characters were all shallow and unlikeable, the narrators somewhat unreliable. The premise appealed to me since I usually like a cold case mystery, so I was disappointed in this one. Suitable for a beach or poolside read, or an at-home read when it's 90+ degrees outside and you're stuck in the house.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

Things Don't Break on Their Own by Sarah Easter Collins

August 2, 2024

Things Don't Break on Their Own by Sarah Easter Collins

One morning, 25 years ago, a girl set out to walk to school. Her younger sister soon followed. One arrived at school, the other didn't, never to be seen again. Her sister's disappearance shaped every aspect of Willa's life. But at a dinner at her best friend's house, Willa realizes that circumstances surrounding her sister's disappearance may not be as they appear.

We all have false memories, either things that didn't happen or memories that are a composite of a group of experiences, or even events where we couldn't possibly have been there (such as the child who is positive that they were at a particular family event, when actually the event occurred years before they were born but they heard about it so often, they are sure they have a memory of it). Recurrent themes here are breaking and mending, re-making something beautiful from the pieces of something else, whether it is a ceramic bowl, a family, or your own identity. While there is a mystery, it is secondary to the characters. I would call this novel psychological fiction or suspense, rather than a thriller. The villain really is the villain, but not in the way you expect. My only criticism is that the ending feels a little rushed. This would be a great vacation or beach read, but also a good book to cozy up with in the winter. It may take a couple of chapters to get into, but stay with it. Recommended for readers who psychological fiction where things are not at all what they appear, such as the books of Gillian Flynn or Freida McFadden.

Many thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

An Assassination on the Agenda by Karen Baugh Menuhin

July 16, 2024

An Assassination on the Agenda by Karen Baugh Menuhin

Lady Emily Hardcastle and her faithful maid and sometimes deadly companion Florence Armstrong are enjoying a summer lunch with their good friends the Farley Strouds, when Emily's brother Harry summons them, because their unique skills are needed first in Bristol, and then in London. The heir to the Austrian throne and his wife are due to visit England with a trade delegation, and Harry has heard rumors of a planned assassination attempt that his department needs to stop. He enlists Emily and Flo to evaluate the security arrangements, since who would suspect a society lady and her maid to head up a security team?

Lady Hardcastle and Flo are back for their 11th adventure, an entertaining mystery filled with charming characters, punny language, malapropisms, and dry British humor. It's best to read the series in order to understand the various characters' backstories, but also for the sheer fun of the series. Perfect vacation or summer reading. Recommended for readers who enjoy cozy light-hearted British mysteries.

Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie - although they survive the assassination attempt here, they are not so lucky some years later in Sarajevo

The Astrology House by Carinn Jade

July 1, 2024

The Astrology House by Carinn Jade

A group of wealthy Manhattanites go on an astrology-themed weekend retreat at a restored mansion on Long Island. All of the participants have secrets as well as their own agendas, including the host. With a hurricane bearing down on them, tensions increase until they reach the breaking point.

To paraphrase Shakespeare, does the fault lie in our stars or in ourselves? Is everything preordained, or do we have free will to change our destinies? Like other novels of the psychological fiction genre, the plot focuses on revenge for a long-ago act. Some of the reactions are extreme - I doubt I would have a breakdown if I found out that one of my brothers was having an affair. I might tell him he's a jerk, but he's an adult and it's his business. Fans of Lucy Foley and Mary Kubica will enjoy this debut novel, as well as anyone looking for a good beach/vacation/summer read.

Many thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

Astrological birth chart

Don't Forget to Write by Sara Goodman Confino

October 17, 2023

Don't Forget to Write by Sara Goodman Confino

Returning home after her second year in college (which her father allowed her to attend primarily to find a husband), Marilyn Kleinman is confined to living under her father's rules again, which include attending services every Saturday. After being caught kissing their rabbi's son in front of the whole congregation, Marilyn finds herself shipped off to spend the summer with her great-aunt Ada who is the best-known matchmaker in Philadelphia. It's either that or marry the rabbi's son, who she barely knows. Marilyn isn't expecting much from the summer, but Ada turns out to be a lot different than she expected. In a good way.

Sweet and heart-warming, perfect for when you need something light and fun. This is a great choice for a beach or vacation read.

Many thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

The Jersey Shore, circa 1960

Thicker Than Water by Megan Collins

August 10, 2023

Thicker Than Water by Megan Collins

Julia and Sienna are best friends and business partners, as well as sisters-in-law. Julia is married to Sienna's brother Jason and the couple live with their son in Jason's childhood home. But when Jason's boss Gavin is found savagely murdered and evidence is found in Jason's car, he quickly becomes the main suspect.

Slow burning psychological suspense. Sienna see things in black and white: you're either her friend or her enemy. Julia knows that life has more shades of gray. I guessed the murderer early on but kept reading to find out the motive and the side plots. Would be a good choice for beach or vacation reading.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

Stay Awake by Megan Goldin

July 3, 2022

Stay Awake by Megan Goldin

A woman wakes up in a taxi with no memory of how she got there. She goes home but a stranger is living in her apartment. Her phone and purse are missing, but she does find a bloody knife in her coat pocket. Also, her hands and arms are covered with words, including STAY AWAKE. The last thing she remembers is from two years earlier. When she sees a news report about a stabbing murder with words written on the walls much like the ones on her arms, she realizes that she has to piece together what is going on, and who she can trust.

A fast fun read, great for vacation or the beach. The main character's backstory is slowly revealed. The plot and good pacing and keeps you turning the pages. The main character in S. J. Watson's Before I Go To Sleep has a similar malady. 

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eARC.

The Secret Bridesmaid by Katy Birchall

April 20, 2021

The Secret Bridesmaid by Katy Birchall

Sophie Breeze is a full-time professional bridesmaid - she is a wedding planner who poses as a bride's friend to help plan the perfect day without being obvious about it. When she is hired for the society wedding of the year, it's a chance for her to really shine. The family is uber-wealthy, uber-aristocratic (these are people who refer to the Duchess of Cambridge as "Katherine").

But of course, the bride turns out to be the bridezilla from hell. She doesn't understand why she needs to work with a wedding planner or why the wedding planner is going to pose as a bridesmaid. The main problem is, the bride doesn't have any friends, so other than the groom's sister, she has no one that she can ask to be an attendant. Sophie needs all her skill and charm to pull off the wedding of a lifetime. And maybe catch the eye of the bride's older brother.

What's out for a society wedding - like I would know something about that

I'm usually not a romance or rom-com reader but this was sweet and funny. It didn't have the usual rom-com hate-to-love plot, more like "wow, he's way above my pay grade, but I really like him and he likes me." Enjoyable, perfect summer reading.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eARC.

Tell Me Everything by Cambria Brockman

August 22, 2019

Tell Me Everything by Cambria Brockman

Hawthorne College is a small liberal arts college in Maine, known as a mini-Ivy, catering to students from wealthy families who can't get into real Ivy League colleges due to poor grades or lack of connections.  Six students meet during freshman orientation and quickly become a tight group:

• Malin is a pre-law major from a wealthy Texas family, who tends to be a loner but tries hard to make friends and fit in;
• John is the athletic golden boy, wealthy, popular and sought after, who wants to major in finance and partying, studying as little as possible;
• Ruby is attending Hawthorne on a soccer scholarship and plans to study art history - she is the prettiest and most popular girl in the group;
• Max is John's cousin, handsome and intense, who suffers from panic attacks even though he comes from a wealthy loving family - he plans to study pre-med and become a surgeon;
• Gemma is from London and mixed race, the daughter of an American woman and a Pakistani diplomat, a theater major since she has a natural flair for drama - she is very insecure and infatuated with John, even though John and Ruby become a couple almost immediately; and
• Khaled, aka the prince, from extremely wealthy Abu Dhabi royalty, also planning on majoring in pre-med - he uses his wealth to draw the others close to him.

The six of them live together in a house that Khaled owns near the campus and are inseparable until their senior year, when cracks begin to appear.  By the annual Senior Day celebrations, they are slowly falling apart.  Secrets that have been carefully hidden come to light, threatening their futures and their friendships.

This was great summer reading, character driven but with a fast moving story line and good writing.  Will appeal to readers who enjoyed The Secret History by Donna Tartt or One of Us Is Lying by Karen McManus.

Life and Other Inconveniences by Kristan Higgins

July 25, 2019

Life and Other Inconveniences by Kristan Higgins

Emma London has made a good life for herself and her daughter Riley, living in a Chicago suburb, when she gets a telephone call from her cold but fabulously wealthy grandmother.  Genevieve has just learned that she is dying of brain cancer, and she wants Emma and Riley to come and stay with her in Connecticut for the summer.  The problem is that Emma hasn’t heard from Genevieve in almost 17 years, since she kicked Emma out when she found out she was pregnant.

Most of Emma’s childhood memories are of Genevieve's negative criticisms of her:  she didn’t care about her appearance, she didn’t stand up for herself, she squandered her opportunities, she was never good enough overall.  With plenty of misgivings, Emma decides that she and Riley both need a change.  She decides to return to Connecticut to find out why Genevieve has reached out to her. 

This is a warm, fuzzy, feel-good read, with a number of strong women characters.  The story is told from the perspective of several different characters.  My only issue is that things work out a little too neatly and predictably.  There are a few characters who are dead at the beginning of the novel, and they are all practically canonized in the course of the novel, with nary a bad memory about any of them (it’s hard to compete with the dead – living people are complicated and messy).  But readers who enjoy women’s fiction or are looking for a great vacation read, as well as fans of Higgins, will fall right into this story.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC in return for a review.

The Last Collection by Jeanne Mackin

July 1, 2019

The Last Collection by Jeanne Mackin

Two fashion icons:  Coco Chanel is French, born into poverty and raised at an orphanage, known for her simple lines and neutral color palette; Elsa Schiaparelli is Italian, from a wealthy background, and famous for her whimsical and colorful designs.  They manage rival couture salons in Paris prior to WWII, competing for the patronage and money of the wealthy and the titled while the threat of war creeps ever closer.  Lily Sutter, a widowed American artist visiting her brother, becomes acquainted with both designers through her brother’s titled lover.  Full of glitz, jazz, fashion, and parties, The Last Collection is sure to appeal to anyone who enjoys the glamour of the golden age between the world wars.  Meticulously researched, this is solid historical fiction.  Perfect for summer reading, this is another one to toss in your suitcase or beach bag.

The Golden Hour by Beatriz Williams

Friday, June 28, 2019

The Golden Hour by Beatriz Williams

In December 1943, Leonora (Lulu) Thorpe travels to London to meet with a representative from the British War Office regarding her missing husband, who was captured as a spy while on his way to London and is being held in a German prison.  The couple met and married in Nassau in the Bahamas, where Lulu was working as a society correspondent covering the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. She implores them to send a rescue party for him, or to let her go and try to free him, attempting to use information about the Windsors as leverage, but her attempt at blackmail backfires.

Although it's almost 500 pages, once I started The Golden Hour, I couldn't put it down and when I got to the last third of the book, I spent a whole afternoon reading.  Full of actual historical events, this is Beatriz Williams at her best, similar in tone to Summer Wives, another great vacation read (much better than her collaboration with her friends Karen White and Lauren Willig, The Glass Ocean, a romance novel set on the doomed Lusitania).  Take this one to the beach with you or throw it in your luggage for vacation reading.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC in return for a review.

The Mother-in-Law by Sally Hepworth

June 23, 2019

The Mother-in-Law by Sally Hepsworth

Just about everybody in this mystery has at least one thing they’re hiding, and you really can't believe anything that they say (the ever-popular unreliable narrator).  Lucy Goodwin has been married to Oliver Goodwin for about ten years.  She never really hit it off with her mother-in-law, Diana (although she did hit Diana once!), and everyone in the family knows it.  Otherwise, Diana is universally loved and admired, so when she is found dead under suspicious circumstances, the spotlight immediately finds Lucy.

Interesting characters and a fast-moving plot kept me turning the pages on this one.  It was a refreshing change from all of the "Girl" and "Perfect" books that have been published recently (Gone Girl, Girl on the Train, Good Girl, Perfect Nanny, Perfect Wife, Perfect Mother, etc.).  I highly recommend it for vacation or the beach, or just on the patio with a glass of wine.

Rouge by Richard Kirshenbaum

Saturday, June 22, 2019

Rouge by Richard Kirshenbaum

What a great summer read!  Inspired by the lives and rivalries of the pioneers of the modern cosmetics industry (think Helena Rubenstein, Elizabeth Arden, Madam C. J. Walker, and Max Factor, with a little Avon thrown in).  The two main characters love making money, but they almost enjoy trumping each other even more.

Anyone who enjoys the glamour of old Hollywood and the 1920's and 1930's will devour Rouge.  It's a great read-alike for books like The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an e-ARC in return for a review.