Small Great Thing by Jodi Picoult

Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow, I could not stop reading this gut wrenching book but Jodi Picoult's suspenseful plot kept me turning the pages, cringing, yet daring to be hopeful for Ruth and Edison. I really liked how Kennedy confronts her own racism and how it changes her relationship with Ruth. I loved Kennedy's husband, Michah; what a great guy, understated yet right on point. He was a huge supporter of Kennedy who was able to make her see things in a different way than Ruth made her see things. The white supremacists- Brit and Turk and Brit's father, were totally scary in their original approach to racism beating up gays, blacks, whoever they deemed a target for their wilding. But what was even more heinous was their underground movement through the internet; it really makes one think and be really, really, scared! I loved the courtroom drama, the hospital turning on Ruth, and Ruth's family. Picoult's book is thought provoking and a must read!

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The Damned (The Beautiful, #2) by Renee Ahdieh

The Damned by Renée Ahdieh
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I could not put this 2nd book in the The Beautiful series down---all of the drama going on between Celine, now vampire Bastien, and the supernatural family members of Nicodemus Saint Germain. Hold onto your book because the suspense begins at page 1 and does not let up!!! I can't wait for the 3rd book in this series based upon the intriguing ending of this vampire, ethereal, and demonic creatures action packed novel!!!

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Let the Wind Rise (Sky Fall, #3) by Shannon Messenger

Let the Wind Rise by Shannon Messenger
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I disliked the 2nd book in this series so much I almost did not want to read it----enough with the torturing of EVERYONE, especially Audra, Vane, Solana and Gus! But in this 3rd book, the torturing still continued but there was growth between the main characters and also bad guy with all the holes through him by Raiden! I liked the way they worked together, really began listening to the wind, and become a force in each one's right. I loved the way Audra and Vane fought for each other, stopped being small-minded, they knew what they wanted and would not let characters like Cos push them around. A thrilling end, I could not stop turning the pages and I will definitely miss Audra and Vane but not their endless torture.

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Go With Your Heart by Savannah J. Frierson

Go with Your Heart by Savannah J. Frierson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In 1870s Oklahoma Shiloh, a freed black woman and Nashoba, an Indian in the army and how he befriends her and teaches her and her brothers how to defend themselves. Slowly Nashoba falls for Shiloh but he always keeps control because he does not want to scare her off. Shiloh comes off as shy but happy to be alone and she blooms under Nashoba's gentle ways. A short novella that I absolutely loved!!!

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Loving vs. Virginia: A Documentary Novel of the Landmark Civil Rights Case by Patricia Hruby Powell

Loving vs. Virginia: A Documentary Novel of the Landmark Civil Rights Case by Patricia Hruby Powell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I LOVED this illustrated novel in verse about the love story and fight to stay married between black Mildred Jeter and white Richard Loving who grew up together in Virginia. What a testament to race relations, enduring love, marriage, and family. Patricia Hruby Powell's novel in verse was delivered with raw emotion, drawing on legal proceedings, as well as the historical background of the times. A must-read by all!

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Let the Storm Break (Sky Fall, #2) by Shannon Messenger

Let the Storm Break by Shannon Messenger
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I really did not like this 2nd book in the series; maybe because of covid; there was so much horror, meanness, brutality and hopelessness, I could not take what was happening to Vane and Audra; they were being punished over and over again, their bond was being strained; Raiden is even more of an unstoppable awful force. But I do love the narration by Nick Podehl , Kristen Leigh, I just don't like the storyline. I will read the 3rd book in the series, there was no audiobook, I wonder why? So I will get it on my kindle and keep my fingers crossed this 3rd book is hopeful and affirming like the first book!

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28 Summers by Elin Hilderbrand

28 Summers by Elin Hilderbrand
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this book but did not love the way two wonderful people who should have been happy with each other their whole lives only had 1 Labor Day weekend each year. Yes Mallory and Jake agree to this but I felt it did a big big disservice to both of them, compromising their happiness, forcing lies and secrets! I did not like Mallory's supposed best friend, Leland. She was awful and when she becomes involved with another woman, her nasty character shines through. Also, I found it tedious that Jake stayed with Ursula for all the wrong reasons which he went over again and again. Yes Jake is honest with Ursula and tells her as an adult she is not a nice person, self-absorbed, cranky BUT he stays with her! Mallory never marries because she truly loves Jake and Jake truly loves Mallory so I was upset time and time again when Ursula was in the story, mucking things up. I cried at the end for Jake and Mallory but I was hopeful when Mallory's son meets Jake's daughter, I am rooting for those two to do something their parents did not! I loved the time Mallory and Jake spent together each Labor Day, the food, games and rituals they celebrated; I just wish they had a lifetime of each other, not just 28 Summers!

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