“Flawless girls” Anna-Marie McLemore

Rated 2 stars ** ARC. ebook. Feiwel & Friends (Macmillan Publishing). To be published May 24, 2024.

For years Isla, an intersex teen, has been tormented by her peers. She’s also tormented herself, wanting to be like her beautiful sister Renata. After spending most of her life trying to fit in, she and Renata enroll at the Alarie House. At this prestigious finishing school Isla is sure she’ll become a perfect girl. What she doesn’t know is that it’s also where monsters and nightmares live.

I was not a fan of the book, as there were too many fantastical things going on that distracted me. This is a book English teachers would want to tear up for its symbolism, leaving some readers like me scratching our heads in puzzlement that such symbolism existed where we saw only words and phrases.

I will leave it up to my readers, ages 16 and older, to decide if they want to read it or not.

 I received a copy of this book from the publisher in return for an honest review.

“Spitting gold” Carmella Lowkis

Rated 5 stars ***** ARC. ebook. Atria Books (Simon & Schuster). To be published May 14, 2024.

It was April of 1866 and, for the past two years, Sylvie thought her former life as a medium was behind her. She and her sister Charlotte had earned their living pretending to banish or raise ghosts for money, learning everything from their parents. After a con gone wrong cost them their business and almost landed them in prison, she married a rich older man who took her away from her drunken, abusive father and the life of poverty she’d led. Though she felt guilty about leaving Charlotte, she needed to save herself and agreed to his request that she leave the life of a medium behind her forever.

One rainy day Charlotte surprised her by showing up at her home begging for help as their father was dying, there was no money, and she needed Sylvie. A rich family was eager to dispel a ghost who had been haunting them and, if successful, the payout would help Charlotte and her father. Sylvie knew what her husband had forbidden her to do but her love for Charlotte overcame her reluctance. Unfortunately, she’d soon find out that ghosts, as well as the living, can be revengeful. The peaceful life she’d led for the past two years was about to forever change.

I LOVED this book! I voraciously read it from cover to cover, eager to see what would next befall the sisters. The author’s research into life in 1866 France for the rich and those living on the outskirts of acceptable society was eye-opening.

Highly recommended for Adults.

 I received a copy of this book from the publisher in return for an honest review.

“Uprising” Jennifer A. Nielsen

Rated 5 stars ***** ARC. Scholastic Press (Scholastic). 356 p. (Includes period photographs, and “Author’s note.”) To be published March 5, 2024.

Lidia Janina Durr Zakrzewski was born in Poland and, when Germany invaded Poland in 1939 to start World War II, she was 15 years old. She had always been a strong-willed child, her father’s favorite, and the bane of her mother’s existence. When he left home to fight for Poland, she was devastated. Within a short time the Nazis took away their house, her beloved piano, and the money her father had left them to survive. Lidia, her older brother, and her mother struggled to put food on the table and to keep a roof over their heads.

After Poland fell, the mistreatment of Jews became something Lidia saw on a regular basis. Forced to move to a squalid neighborhood, the bedroom window of their apartment overlooked the Warsaw Ghetto. There, she noticed Jews starving and being sent to concentration camps. Lidia did her best to sneak food into the Ghetto, knowing that being caught would mean instant death.

Lidia’s anger against the occupation of her country stoked a fire in her to join the Polish resistance. Her brother was a member but, despite his objections, she joined. She survived harrowing near-death experiences, multiple injuries, battles, and more in her determination to free Poland. “Uprising” is her story.

Lidia might be an unknown name to many but, after reading Nielsen’s carefully researched book and viewing the period photographs, she will not stay unknown. Lidia’s story deserves to be told, as her bravery saved the lives of hundreds of innocent people.

Highly recommended for ages 15 and older.

“Miss Morgan’s book brigade” Janet Skeslien Charles

Rated 3 stars *** ARC. ebook. Atria Books (Simon & Schuster). (Includes “Author’s Note.”) To be published April 30, 2024.

In 1917 Anne Morgan, daughter of millionaire financier J.P. Morgan, created an organization called “The Committee for Devastated France” (CARD). At that time most of France’s countryside laid in ruins during World War I, as German soldiers had devastated it. Though fighting was close by, Anne used the CARD organization and hundreds of volunteers to rebuild, offer employment, reopen schools, and open children’s libraries to give respite from their sorrow.

Anne recruited Jessie Carson from the New York Public Library to set up a lending library for children and adults. Jessie’s ideas of story time, open library shelves, children’s furniture, book mobiles, and a traveling library were considered radical, but she was persistent. “Miss Morgan’s book brigade” is her story.

Though I enjoyed learning how Jessie affected change in France’s libraries during World War One, I felt the voice of the modern NYPL researcher in a back-and-forth, past-to-the-present narrative was unnecessary. Jessie could easily carry the storyline without adding in the researcher’s romance and writing tribulations. I also found the numerous book phrases created from “the library of the mind” to be distracting.

Learning how Jessie created children’s libraries in a country that hadn’t had them before is a good reason to read the book, while the author’s expansive notes at the end give more information about the CARDs.

Recommended for Adults.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

“The daughters of Block Island” Christa Carmen

Rated 5 stars ***** ebook. Thomas & Mercer. Published 2023.

Blake had grown up in an orphanage, and felt abandoned, so used drugs and alcohol to forget her past. It wasn’t until she was an adult that she was able to trace her mother to Block Island. Though she had been struggling to stay sober for years, she was determined to find her mother. Blake headed to the island where she booked herself into White Hall, an ancient mansion with a history of murder and intrigue which was also a B&B. That night she was haunted by a long-dead relative of the owners and, as the days passed with more hauntings, Blake was terrified. Despite the ghost, constant rain, and gloomy atmosphere, she had leads on her past from a friendly local. She didn’t know her time on the island would be cut shorter than she had planned.

Talia had grown up on Block Island and left many years ago. She and her mother had a toxic relationship and she found island life stifling. One day she received a letter from someone who claimed to be her sister, found dead on Block Island after mailing it. Despite misgivings, Talia was anxious to talk to her mother and find out about this sister. After booking herself into White Hall, Talia soon found out its ancient secrets were tied in with very modern ones. Someone didn’t want her finding out about them and, if she wasn’t careful, there would be another body in the B&B.

The more I read the more I couldn’t put it down, reading in one sitting until 2:30 A.M. to find out what was going to happen. Though it was night, and the book was getting creepy, the suspense was killing me. I couldn’t sleep until the mystery was solved. The author did a great job hiding the murderer’s identity, throwing in red herrings to keep readers off the track. Well done, Christa!

Highly recommended for Adults.

“The house on Biscayne Bay” Chanel Cleeton

Rated 5 stars ***** ARC. ebook. Berkley (Penguin Random House). (Includes “Author’s Note.”) To be published April 9, 2024.

Henry Flagler had just built his railroad, and people were starting to trek down to Southern Florida. After twenty-two years of marriage Anne thought she knew her husband very well but was shocked when he presented her with “Marbrisa” by Biscayne Bay. She hated Florida on sight and couldn’t understand why he’d want to build a lavish 61 room home in the middle of nowhere. With the Great War over he believed Florida was going to be a huge tourist draw and was determined to build the biggest house in Miami as his legacy. Anna didn’t know that, because of him, Marbrisa would forever be associated with the events of one spine-chilling evening.

America was on the verge of war in 1941, and Carmen was on her way from Havana to join her sister Caroline in Florida after her parent’s deaths. Her older sister had married a rich American who bought a huge estate named “Marbrisa,” which was unwelcoming and foreboding. When Carmen found out animals were being killed and two women had been murdered there over the years, she was fearful. Within days her life was turned upside down and, as she tried to figure out who was behind the catastrophe, she didn’t know the killer had his eyes set on her.

This page-turning thriller told through Carmen and Anna’s alternating voices had me sitting on the edge of my seat. I was sure I knew who the murderer was but kept being foiled. The author did a great job keeping that identity hidden until the book’s final, gripping pages.

Highly recommended for Adults.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

“The storm we made” Vanessa Chan

Rated 5 stars ***** ARC. ebook. Marysue Rucci Books (Simon & Schuster). To be published January 2, 2024.

Malaya had been a colony of Great Britain for many years, treating its people like second class citizens while exporting its iron-ore and rubber. By 1934 Cecily had grown tired of the race and class divides between her people and their conquerors. Over the years her husband Gordon had worked up to a high position in the British administration. Through his connections she met General Fujiwara. Cecily was thrilled to learn of Japan’s hopes for a united Asia, where Asians wouldn’t be judged by the color of their skin. It would be a dream come true if Malayans could rule themselves.

Bored with her life, Cecily found excitement in her role as a spy and in her amorous feelings for Fujiwara. Gordon’s work provided them with plenty of material which helped Japan force out the British. Instead of a united Asia Malayans found themselves in terrible situations. The Japanese forced young girls into sexual slavery, boys were kidnapped and sent to railroad slave camps, while traitors were tortured and killed. As terrible things happened to Cecily’s family over the next 10 years, she blamed herself. She had given Malaya over to their enemy, so she had to pay the price of her betrayal.

This is the first time I had ever read about Malaya’s conquest, and the crimes of Japan in that country during World War II. Cecily, her daughters, and her son share the narratives from 1934 through 1945 through flashbacks and real time. Through them readers learn of the brutality of war, and the strength of its survivors. “The storm we made,” is an excellent choice for a book club as themes of good versus evil, relationships, sisterhood, and more will lead to important discussions.

Highly recommended for Adults.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

“The other Lola” Ripley Jones

Rated 3 stars *** ARC. ebook. Wednesday Books (St. Martin’s Publishing Group). To be published March 12, 2024.

This sequel to “Missing Clarissa” finds Cam suffering panic attacks, constantly reliving the horror of being locked in a killer’s basement. Blair, on the other hand, is doing fine and has been offered an opportunity from a New York agent to write a book with a mystery angle to attract a reading audience. It seems like fate when she and Cam are approached by fourteen-year-old Mattie.

Five years ago Mattie’s older sister Lola left home suddenly. They had been very close, and Lola said she’d never leave her, but Mattie never heard from her again. Now, five years later, a woman who looked exactly like Lola showed up on her doorstep claiming to have been kidnapped but with no memory of the time she spent in abduction. Mattie is convinced this person is an imposter.

Since the woman looks exactly like her sister, neither Mattie’s mother nor brother believe her hunch and are sure Lola has returned. Blair, sensing the story angle she’s been seeking, convinces Cam to help her investigate. Cam is extremely reluctant, but gradually warms to Mattie and her desperate plea to find Lola.

As the girls begin following leads, they discover there’s more to Lola’s story than they’ve been told. As clues begin to pile up, they realize they may have bitten off more than they could chew. But, by then, it was too late.

This sequel didn’t hook me as much as its predecessor, but it was interesting in its way so I will give it 3 stars.

Recommended for ages 16 and older.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

“Courage to dream: Tales of hope in the Holocaust” Neal Shusterman; ill. by Andrés Vera Martínez

Rated 5 stars ***** ARC. Graphix (Scholastic). 245 p. (Includes “Author and Illustrator notes”, “Bibliography”, and “A note about the Hebrew letters in this book.”) To be published October 31, 2023.

Legends from European storytelling (such as Baba Yaga and the Golum) are intertwined with narratives from the Holocaust to educate readers on what happened during this terrible time in history, as well as with thoughts of what could have happened if magic existed to lend hope to those burdened by hate. Andrés Vera Martínez’s rich illustrations lend historical authenticity to Shusterman’s words, bringing each tale to life.

Facts, figures, and photographs from the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, as well as from Israel’s Yad Vashem, are interspersed to remind readers that parts of the stories contain magical elements but are based on real events that happened to real people. Questions such as “What would the Holocaust have been like if happened today and not during World War II?” or “How many more Jewish people would have been killed if ordinary people didn’t step up and protect them from harm?” will keep readers thinking long after they’ve turned the final page.

Think of today’s Holocaust deniers, and don’t stay silent in the face of hate. Remember what the citizens of Denmark did to save their Jewish citizens from death camps. Be courageous.

Highly recommended for ages 16 and older.

“Woke up like this” Amy Lea

Rated 5 stars ***** ebook. ARC. Mindy’s Book Studio (Amazon). To be published September 5, 2023.

After her parent’s divorce, Charlotte coped with anxiety by writing lists to organize her life. One of the most important things on her list for senior year was to become Student Council President, but her arch enemy J.T. Renner waltzed away with the title. That created one more barricade in the wall of insults he’d built against her ever since he didn’t show up to take her to the Homecoming dance in 9th grade. Everyone knew she and Renner were oil and water. Her best friends always tried to calm her when they were near each other, but he lived to annoy her.

While decorating for prom Char fell off a ladder into Renner’s arms. When she woke up, they had jumped 13 years into the future. They were 30 years old; it was 2037, and they were getting married in a week. Char was horrified at the thought and did everything she could think of to return them back to 2024. While they bumbled around trying to figure out how to return to their past lives, the two of them finally took the time to listen to each other. What they found was they had more in common than they thought. Will they be able to return to their senior year, or spend the rest of their lives regretting the 13 years neither remembered?

This book was laugh out loud funny, as it showed teens why they should lighten up on their present, so they don’t lose today worrying about tomorrow. I highly recommended it for ages 16 and older.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.