Sandwich by Catherine Newman

January 24, 2025

Sandwich by Catherine Newman

Each summer for decades, Rachel and her family have been spending a week at the same vacation rental on Cape Cod. They do all the touristy things: swim in the ocean, picnic on the beach, eat at the town clam shack, shop for local seafood and sweets, visit the library book sale. But this year is different. Rachel is in the throes of menopause, her children are on the brink of real adulthood, and her parents are slowly slipping into old age. She feels as though she is balanced on the fulcrum of a seesaw, sandwiched between two generations that need her.

This is a book that addresses a topic that isn't often talked about, the generation that is sandwiched between their children and their aging parents, being pulled in both directions. I can understand the mixed reviews on the book; it's not for everyone. Not everyone will identify with the main characters or the storyline, and I agree with some reviewers that the main character Rachel (for some reason, the author makes a point of telling the reader that people call her Rocky, even though I think her husband is the only person who uses that nickname once in the book) is annoying. She was probably annoying before menopause (note: menopause isn't like that for everyone - a lot of us managed it with minimal discomfort and without ripping our clothes off in public or sharing with everyone - anyone who is suffering as bad as Rachel needs to see their doctor for some pharmaceutical assistance). Rachel is also not appreciative of what a lovely husband she has, instead she is furious with him because he can't read her mind (this irritated me, because it's one of those stereotypes about women that need to go away). But there is also a lot of humor, like when one of Rachel's friends says she saw an ad for a drug that will help a man last longer during sex, and the friend says who wants a guy to last longer, finish already, my library book isn't going to read itself. They do eat a lot of sandwiches, and who doesn't love a good sandwich! Themes are loss and change, and sensitive readers should be aware that there are discussions about miscarriage, abortion and sexuality. For readers who enjoy literary fiction.

A Cape Cod wharf

Kills Well With Others by Deanna Raybourn

December 19, 2024

Kills Well With Others by Deanna Raybourn

The four middle-aged supposedly retired assassins from Killers of a Certain Age are back for another adventure. The son of the target of their first kill is methodically tracking down and killing the people responsible for his father's death. It's up to the four assassins to take him out before he finds them. But how will they find him, and how does he know where they are?

The Golden Girls meets Charlie's Angels. Despite being in their 60s, the four female assassins are still evolving and growing. They are smart, sassy and sexy. I do like the recommendations for using common household items as killing or torture tools. Also, I would like Taverner if Billie is finished with him. A worthy sequel to the first book.

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

Venice

The Most Likely Club by Elyssa Friedland

August 26, 2022

The Most Likely Club by Elyssa Friedland

Since high school when they were part of the social but popular set, Melissa, Priya, Suki, and Tara have been besties. They were all named "most likely to..." in their senior yearbook, in various categories: Melissa was most likely to become president, Priya was most likely to find a cure for cancer, Suki was most likely to found a Forbes 400 company, and Tara was most likely to open a Michelin 5-star restaurant.

Fast forward 25 years and it's time for their class reunion. Suki is the only one who has achieved her predicted goal, while the other three have achieved lesser variations of their goals. Melissa, Priya, and Tara resolve to fulfill those yearbook predictions. Will they achieve their goals, and will it all work out the way they hope?

A light, heartwarming novel about women determined to take one last swing for the outfield fence, and what can happen when you get what you wish for. Would make a good choice for book clubs and vacation reading.

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

Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn

August 20, 2022

Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn

Four nice middle-aged women embark on a luxury retirement cruise, courtesy of their employer. But all four have worked as contract killers for a clandestine organization, and they quickly realize that their employer has plans to dispose of them permanently. They need to use their skills and quick thinking to stay ahead of events and stay alive.

As someone over 60, I appreciated reading about heroines who aren't 20 and super gorgeous and perfect. These are smart women, quick thinking and resourceful, who work with the trials of getting older to survive. There is the issue of society ignoring women over 50 (unless you're Jennifer Anniston), which these women use to their advantage. I've told my co-workers that I could be running a drug cartel, or printing counterfeit money in the basement, or working as a hired killer, and no one would ever know. Who would suspect a young-ish senior citizen wearing leggings and a sweatshirt that says "Ask Me About My Cat"? (FYI, I don't have a cat, I'm more of a dog person).

Here's another news flash: mentally you never feel old - you always feel like you're 25.

The characters get a little bit Golden Girls as times, but this is a thoroughly enjoyable read. I love Deanna Raybourn's Veronica Speedwell and Lady Julia Grey series, and this stand-alone novel does not disappoint. Highly recommended.

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

Magical Midlife Madness by K. F. Breene

June 2, 2021

Magical Midlife Madness by K. F. Breene

Jacinta was married for over 20 years and was preparing to settle down to comfortable (boring) middle age with her husband, now that their son is off to college. But her husband up and leaves her for a trophy wife, which doesn't upset her all that much but does disrupt the plans she's made. She is at loose ends and when her BFF offers her the chance to house-sit for the BFF's aunt, Jessie jumps at the chance. She had visited the house as a child with her BFF's family and looks forward to seeing it again.

But the house, the town, and its denizens turn out to be a little - well, odd. There are three elderly caretakers including Mr. Tom, a cape-wearing butler who doubles as a life coach, a geriatric neighbor who throws rocks at Mr. Tom and can drink all the men under the table, and the studly owner of the town's only bar who is a shapeshifter and the unofficial mayor of the town. The vampire gardener brings one of his victims through the backyard the morning-after doing the Drag of Shame.

Creepy old house - love this picture!

Great characters, decent humor, romance is kept low-key. This is the first book in a series (Leveling Up) that features 40-something main characters who actually (gasp!) still have a sex life as well as a real life.

Night Boat to Tangier by Kevin Barry

 July 12, 2020

Night Boat to Tangier by Kevin Barry

Career criminals Maurice and Charlie wait in the ferry boat terminal in Algeciras, Spain.  They have been told that Maurice's missing daughter Dilly will be either arriving on the ferry boat coming from Tangier, Morocco, or departing on one of the ferries going to Tangier.  In between handing out missing person flyers and terrorizing the waiting passengers, they reminisce about their long life of crime together.

Kevin Barry won the Dublin IMPAC award in 2013 for his previous novel City of Bohane, set in a gritty Ireland of the not-too-distant future.  Night Boat to Tangier is written in the same Irish colloquial dialect, salted with frequent vulgarities.  Sometimes it's hard to figure out which of the two main characters is speaking/thinking, since the author doesn't bother with phrases like "Maurice said" or "Charlie replied."  If you're easily offended by curse words and disturbed by various types of abuse, Kevin Barry is not for you.

This is my second week of retirement, and it's been hectic to say the least.  On Monday, a woman in an SUV hit the front end of my car when she was turning left into a parking lot (or maybe she was trying to make a u-turn).  Tuesday was spent finding a repair shop and getting a rental car, a cute little Hyundai Elantra hatchback.  Hyundai wasn't on my new-car-buying radar but the Elantra is a small sedan, very quiet and nice to drive.  Today I'm venturing out to the library to return a couple of books and to the grocery store for a few items.

On the plus side, my good friend Marj Monaghan stopped by and we had coffee and conversation on my patio in the backyard.  She brought a yummy carrot cake and flowers from Whole Foods.  It's always so good to catch up with her.

The rescue group (As Good as Gold) has identified an adopter that they think will be a good fit for foster guy Tommy.  They are coming to visit him on Tuesday.  Is he a cutie or what?

Tommy, the foster dog

I also talked to Bonnie at the library, who had some good work gossip in addition to needing to vent.  She is going to come over and drink wine on the patio one of these days.  AND I got the first shipment of wine from Winc - the LIT staff gave me a gift certificate as a retirement gift.  So much fun to try different kinds of wine!