Solito by Javier Zamora

Solito by Javier Zamora
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A gut wrenching memoir written and narrated by the author. When he was 9 Javier was going to finally be with his parents in America. Crossing the border was supposed to take 2 weeks; ended up taking 2 months. It was fierce seeing it from a 9 year old's eyes. A must read!

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All the Sinners Bleed by S.A. Cosby

All the Sinners Bleed by S.A. Cosby
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I could not put this book down!!! Seeing it on all the book lists, a black sheriff in the town he grew up in- Titus is a formidable law man, having a background of years with the FBI, when a beloved teacher is killed in a school shooting. But as the suspect (Titus is very familiar with him as a law man but grew up with & played football with his father) gives himself up; he says strange things that give Titus pause; and then his deputies shoot him. This opens up a lot of trouble for Titus in a Southern town that tight holds on past prejudices; when the truth comes out after finding evidence in phones, too many do not want to believe the teacher is a murderer and pedophile. I could not stop reading this book; I will definitely be reading S.A. Cosby's other books!!!

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Dear Mothman by Robin Gow

Dear Mothman by Robin Gow
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A tough novel in verse about a 6th grade trans child Nora but his close family and friends call him Noah at this request. Noah was best friends with Lewis and they were both trans; after Lewis dies in a car accident, Noah tries to deal with his grief by writing in a journal and leaving it at a favorite tree for Mothman, a cryptid Lewis & Noah believe in. How will Noah survive without his best friend, this is a must read for everyone!

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A Soul of Ash and Blood (Blood and Ash, #5) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

A Soul of Ash and Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another totally awesome book in the Blood and Ash series; victorious Poppy, Cas & Kieran make their way to safety but quickly Cas & Kieran realize something is not right---Poppy's skin is freezing then she drops into a deep slumber...there is a very real possibility that if and when Poppy wakes up she will not remember anything & that means her husband and love, Cas and Kieran. It has been suggested that Cas talk to her as Poppy sleeps & talk he does; I could not stop turning the pages as Cas recalls to Poppy and Kieran their history, romance, and linked hearts. Totally awesome read.

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Snow Place Like LA (A Christmas Notch #1.5) by Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone

Snow Place Like LA by Julie Murphy
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another great addition to the Christmas Notch series. I loved Luca and Angel's love story! I love Julie Murphy and Simone Sierra's collaboration, bring more great steamy books!

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One Steamy Night (The West Moreland Legacy #6) by Brenda Johnson

One Steamy Night by Brenda Jackson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Loved this 6th book in the Westmoreland Legacy and the story of Nadia & Jaxon, their chemistry, family history, and if they will be together since Nadia is happy to be single and working while Jaxon fell for Nadia and wants to marry her. I loved the plot and could not stop turning the pages & enjoyed all the family relationships. I will continue to read more of Brenda Jackson!

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The Mystery Guest (Molly the Maid, #2) by Nita Prose

The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The 2nd of the Molly the Maid series has Molly's love away visiting his family, when a mystery writer event at her hotel goes wildly wrong. Once again the police think Molly is involved & as Molly tries to help the new maid in training, Molly realizes she must dig deeper---into the past; because she & Gran worked for Mr. Grimthorpe, the writer when she was a child. There is a Present & a Past chapter as Molly delves into the past and the why, who, and what of Grimthorpe and his life. Another winner, Molly and Mr. Preston are my favorites, but I really did miss her love interest, looking forward to his return in a 3rd book:)

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Redemption (Amos Decker, #5) by David Baldacci

Redemption by David Baldacci
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved the 1st book in this series so much, knew my friends would love this series, so I purchased the whole paperback series! Now on the 5th in the series about Amos Decker & his partner Alex Jamison, I just can't stop turning the pages! I am a huge Baldacci fan & am barreling through all of his series & loving ALL of them. So read this series, I promise your heart will be pumping!

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The Museum of Failures by Thrity Umrigar

The Museum of Failures: A Novel by Thrity Umrigar
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another awesome Thrity Umrigar novel; this audiobook narrated by Vikas Adam was addictive; Remy was such a likable character & as his life implodes on a visit to India to adopt a child & visit an ailing mother. What happens in this novel is so sad with decisions made and lived with; will Remy be able to forgive? A must read!!!

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A Holly Jolly Ever After by Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone

A Holly Jolly Ever After by Julie Murphy
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love this collaboration between Julie Murphy & Sierra Simone! Both funny & sexy the 2 main characters sizzle with chemistry and as they star in a sexy Hope Channel rom-com and soon Winnie becomes the student as Kallum becomes her teacher and oh do the sparks fly. LOVED this opposites attract plot, setting in the snow, & awesome characters.

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Summer Reading by Jenn McKinlay

Summer Reading by Jenn McKinlay
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Many thanks to my librarian/reading partner, MaryAlice Briggs-Dicker for lending me this awesome rom-com. I loved the 2 main characters so much; Sam (dyslexic, reading averse chef) & Ben (librarian, reader extraordinaire) meet on a ferry to Martha's Vineyard, what results in a summer of adventure, laughs and falling in love. I learned so much about dyslexia from this book & I loved Sam's gigantic personality. Highly recommended!!!

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First Ladies by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray

The First Ladies by Marie Benedict
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this stellar historical fiction about the lifelong friendship of Eleanor Roosevelt & Mary McCloud Bethune, both powerhouses striving together to change the world, people's racism, and the wrongs of history. Awesomely Narrated by Robin Miles and Tavia Gilbert, this is the Albright College Ladies January selection. This is a must read, I learned so much from these 2 strong women who bonded, collaborated, and tirelessly worked for civil rights. This is a must read!

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Salt in the Wound (Lyonesse) by Sierra Simone

Salt in the Wound by Sierra Simone
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this novella about Isolde who wants to become a nun but her father wants her in his company, so he arranges for her to marry a competitor. Thankfully she has an uncle who is her friend & can look out for her where her father does not! Mark Travena is awful, much older than Isolde; I do not see what he wants her for, I will be looking forward to the next book in the series!

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A Fire in the Flesh (Flesh & Fire, #3) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

A Fire in the Flesh by Jennifer L. Armentrout
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved Sera, Nyktos and their fight together against Kolis, his lies and betrayals. Another fantastic book in the Flesh and Fire series.

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Hidden Truths by Elly Swartz

Hidden Truths by Elly Swartz
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Loved this book of 2 middle grade friends who are really tested when a freak accident occurs on a camping trip. Dani and Eric have been friends since 2nd grade & really do everything together. But while on a camping trip, there is a fire one night in their camper & Danny blames himself for forgetting to turn off the stove...as he wrestles with telling Dani, she is burned & told she can't be on the baseball team she just got on! Also she runs into a cool girl while in the hospital & this further drives a wedge between the friends. What will happen to Dani & Eric? I could not stop turning the pages, loved the characters, plot, & different settings. Kids will love this book of friendship, loyalty, and identity! A must read.

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One by One by Ruth Ware

One by One by Ruth Ware
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Many thanks to Tara Smith for this awesome mystery! I loved the snow & isolation in a French Alps setting for a the employees of the SNOOP app. The two partners (Erin & Danny) who aim to please their clients find the going gets rough in their chalet when people begin to go missing & dead!!! As the power goes out, so does the technology, toilets, heat, stoves, etc. I kept turning those pages as the suspense grew. A good mystery thriller!

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The Henna Artist (The Jaipur Trilogy, #1) by Alka Joshi

The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Many thanks to Tara Smith and Pam Smith for this awesome book! The saga of Laksimi living in Jaipur in the 1950s, a single woman who is an amazing henna artist saving for her own home. All that is upended when her past collides with her present. I cana't wait to read the next book in this series.

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Forever, Interrupted by Tara Jenkins Reid

Forever, Interrupted by Taylor Jenkins Reid
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Many thanks to Kara McBrien for lending me this book! Elsie and Ben's love story was beautiful, sad, and I ached for Elsie in her grief!

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