Life in the Old Girls Yet, by Celia Anderson

 

Publication Jan. 12, 2026

It's never too late to start over could be the theme of this book. No matter one's age, your age doesn't magically make you whole and complete with nary a backward glance. Let's just say, there are lots of looks back in this book. Vee/Venetia Prescott has returned to her childhood home of Dragonfly Cottage in the village of Willowbrook and feels just as confused and insecure as she was in her teens. There's a story there but I'll leave that for readers to discover on their own but it involves family and secrets. Oh, my, there are lots of secrets in this small village. Secrets and family drama, insecurities, and, well, a reputation to live down in Vee's case. 

But, is she the only one that feels that way? Of course not. She's lucky enough to be taken under the wing of the Saga Louts, a group of three older ladies whose zest for life is rather matched by the chaos of life. Beryl Summerfield is probably most prominent in the story but Althea and Winnie have their moments, as does handyman Rick who hopes Vee doesn't remember him. Oh, trust me, there's a story there, too, competing with several other side stories for our attention. I'm probably making the book sound much darker than it is by focusing on the character stories but it's also full of awakenings, self-discovery, revelations of the past and present, humor, friendship, and, oh, yes, an amazing road trip to France. Why France? Well, it's all to help Vee....but, nope. Not saying any more. It's a fun trip, too, so just kick back and enjoy as the characters begin to open up to life and each other rather than dwelling on perceptions. 

Bottom line, while it took me a bit to get the characters straight and the pace seemed to lag in spots, I enjoyed the ride. The descriptions were well done and the characters, with all their pluses and minuses, were likable and easy to come to care about. There are touches of romance, too, note, that's plural, and the mystery of Vee's past and why her return impacts so many will keep you reading. I'd also note that if you've ever had to renovate a long neglected house will relate to the challenge facing Vee and Rick as they try to bring back the home she knew as a child. Thanks #BoldwoodBooks for the opportunity to meet this interesting group and get an early peek as Vee struggles to reconcile her past and present, not to mention her future. 

How to Age Disgracefully, by Clare Pooley

 

Publicataion June 11, 2024

Wow! I absolutely loved this book. This is my first Clare Pooley book but it won't be my last. She does an amazing job of mixing humorous moments with heartfelt ones, never letting us lose track of either. From the hilarious opening scene on the bus/van to the very end, it held my attention completely and, more telling, kept me thinking about the story even when I wasn't reading. There's even an adorable dog, not to mention memorable senior citizens, a teenage father who had lost hope and his charming daughter that he is raising alone. 

The senior citizens, though, they dominate and I mean that in a marvelous way. Viewpoints switch, so we get to not only see most in action but see their innermost thoughts, hopes, and fears. As older citizens, most feel ignored, even invisible, and it's a delight to see the impromptu group responding to Lydia's meeting notice come together and bond for a cause: the need to save the sadly in need of repair community center. Oh, did I mention that having a collapsing ceiling fall on you can be fatal? Yep, that's one of the bizarre happenings. In any case, coming together isn't easy. None of them are particularly gregarious. Daphne and Art, who is estranged with his daughter, clash immediately. Ironically , they met beforehand on the street when Daphne, after years of isolation, went out to prepare to make friends. Let's just say, she was anything but friendly. Daphne is a bit of a mystery but with obvious organizational skills and the gumption to stand face-to-face with obstacles and those who'd oppose their efforts to save Mandel Community Center. She's the catalyst.

While some of their efforts and the resulting antics might not be orthodox, it does get them noticed. They even combine forces with the neighboring daycare center to present what must have surely been one of the most entertaining Nativity plays around. A mobility scooter as a donkey? Maggie the dog as a sheep?  You'll meet the children involved, too, including teen father Ziggy's lovely daughter as the Baby Jesus. Hey, she was the only one young enough to fit the part. The childcare center is his lifeline, allowing him to, hopefully, finish school and, assuming the "bad guys" don't end him first, maybe, just maybe go on to college with the help of a teacher who still believes in him, as does the mysterious Daphne.

And, just when things are finally going smoothly....well, I'm not telling, but it's one of those moments when hilarity and pathos collide. There are so many, from Lydia dealing with a worthless husband to the mystery yarn bomber, not that it's much of a mystery to readers. I probably felt more connection to Lydia than the others, sympathizing with her insecurities galore even without the complication of a worthless, cheating husband, but Daphne made the story. She's tough, outspoken, and retains that air of mystery throughout the book. Her story isn't fully revealed until near the end, but don't skip ahead. Too many heartwarming moments, often combined with belly laughs. Hopes and dreams are reborn, and this incredible group of senior citizens find themselves no longer ignored. 

Heck, there is even romance in the air. Romance, cute dog and baby, scenes that might provoke belly laughs and/or sad eyes/tears, and hope for tomorrow. Old age may slow them down but they are determined to live their best lives without being relegated to the shadows. Bottom line, I've only touched the surface of the plot. So much happening. So many human emotions. So much sadness....and joy. These are characters that are going to stay with me for a long time. Thank you so much #NetGalley and #PenguinGroupViking - #PamelaDormanBooks for introducing me to this marvelous book and cast of characters. In fact, I'm thinking this may be the perfect book to gift to the local retirement village library when it comes out. It shatters the image of the stereotypical senior citizen and that is a good thing.

Forever Under the Mistletoe: A Novel, by Debbie Macomber

 

I impulsively grabbed this one off the shelf in the grocery store the other day. It won't come as a shock to most but while I'm a Macomber fan, it was the cute dogs on the cover, I think, more than her name that fueled that impulse. I've been reading it in spurts between other reviews. It suddenly dawned on me the other night that while I was enjoying it, I wasn't loving it. I wasn't compelled to pick it up the moment I had a free moment, in other words. Probably just me. I mean, this is Debbie Macomber, who I usually read in one sitting.

Why? Honestly, I'm fuzzy on the why. While the two stories were cute (I liked the second best), they were both a trifle formula driven, so to speak. Even worse, I found it difficult to keep track of which character was which after even a couple days away from the book. For instance, in When Christmas Comes, the first story, the motor cycle riding boyfriend of, gotta check, Emily's daughter, seemed stereotyped. As for Charles, he switched gears from "No. No Christmas!" to partaking in it gleefully almost without any real prodding. I do think I tuned into The second story, The Christmas Letters easier because the female character, Katherine, writes. True, the story focuses on the letters she writes for others about their lives in, well, Christmas letters, but she's a writer. Predictably, she finds conflict with a scholarly type, Wynn, who shows disdain for her letters, simply calling them lies. I bet you know how all that turns out. 

So, while I certainly didn't love the book, I didn't dislike it, either. It was a pleasant, easy read, just not what I'd expected from Debbie Macomber. Oh, and the cute dogs on the cover....well, you'll see if you read the book and, honestly, I'm not discouraging that. It's a good Christmas feel for those simply wanting to be entertained during the often hectic holiday season. Btw, there are some cute kids and even a hamster. 

What You Do To Me, by Rochelle B. Weinstein

 

Publication October 17, 2023

In the blink of an eye, music and lyrics can take us back, back in time to a place we remember. Faces we remember. Or loved. Or lost. It brings back memories of who we were, what we were doing at a specific time in life, the time we first inhaled the song. Rochelle B. Weinstein's "What You Do To Me" perfectly captures that moment, both the joy and heartbreak that same music makes well up in our memories. That's the power of music. It's meant to be felt. It's part of the heartbeat of our lives. In this book, Weinstein manages to remind us of both the heartache and magic of finding one another as well as ourselves. 

Okay, enough waxing lyrical, or, well, trying to be profound. The main character, Cecilis James, is literally a child of Woodstock. As her parents kept reminding her, she was conceived during that famous event. Music has been her life, the thing that helped her through the days and into a profession she loved, writing for, whoa, Rolling Stone magazine. As such, she's made a niche for herself searching out the true meaning behind some famous songs. This time, she's trying to turn an unhappy ending into a happily ever after one. It isn't easy but you'll enjoy the trip. 

Lots of name dropping, of course, and Weinstein's writing style lulled me in almost without me noticing it. You'll ache for her as she tries to make her own happy ever after as well as find her way back to her father, who she'd idolized....until he divorced her mother. Broken dreams aren't a stranger to Cecilia, unfortunately, which is maybe why she's so driven to bring the couple of the title song back together. 

There are many things going on in this story. Will she be successful? Can youthful attraction be brought to fruition decades later? Should it even be? Will she manage to mend her own broken love story? Will she allow her father back into her heart? Will she have a great time listening to the music in the process? Will she...well, will she figure out love? This is a complex, lovely story, especially for anyone who remembers the emotions a song can conjure up. Thanks #NetGalley and #LakeUnionPublishing for allowing me to read this book early. I've gotta admit, that cassette tape on the cover took me back, calling to mind beloved, meaningful tunes and, yes, those who I connect to them. Music lovers, you need to read this one.

Snowed In for Christmas: A Novel, by Sarah Morgan

 Publication Sept. 20, 2022

"Oh, goodie! Christmas in August!" 

That was my exact thought when I discovered my copy of Sarah Morgan's latest Christmas offering in my mailbox. Although I honestly don't find myself reading many romances nowadays, I'm always delighted to get my hands on the year's Christmas book from Morgan. You know it's going to have all the magic and enchantment of Christmas tied up with all the feels, both wondrous and uncertainty of romance. Cliche that it has become, it's the perfect Hallmark Christmas moment wrapped in festive paper and sparkly ribbons and given to readers as a gift. Thank you, Sarah Morgan.

As for the plot, it follows what seems to have become Morgan's pattern. We're introduced to a character early on who dreads Christmas. In Lucy's case it's because it reminds her of losing her beloved grandmother two years ago on Christmas. Toss in that her job may be in jeopardy and she's willing to give up staying home alone for Christmas to travel to Scotland for some festive winter wonderland type photos and moments to use in an advertising campaign. She also plans to drop off a work proposal for Ross at his Miller Family home in the Scottish highlands. That's when things get complicated. 

I won't detail the plot further except to say that mistaken identity, meddling parents, and siblings with a plan all combine to keep Lucy at their home for the holidays after a fierce snowfall leaves them snowed in and Lucy is injured in a fall on ice. Morgan introduces us to all the characters, including sisters Alice and Clemmie, not to mention their romantic interests. As with life, things don't always go smoothly. We see how their relationships evolve as they overcome anxiety from "What if it's a mistake?" type reactions, not to mention dealing with the arrival of family members. Ross' grandmother Nanna Jean is a romantic dear, full of chat about "meet cutes" and how things shoulod work in a rom-com. She, of course, quickly enfolds Lucy to her, perhaps providing the love Lucy hasn't felt since losing her own grandmother. Needless to say, there are many twists, near misses, hopes, fears, and even some business talks that happen as we alternate between character viewpoints. Oh, and there is an adorable dog, Hunter. 

In all honesty, my only disappointment, and it was more of a surprise than a true disappointment, Lucy and Ross don't actually meet until we're about a third of the way into the book. That said, it provides ample time for us to get to know the various players in this story, both their strengths and weakness. We also discover they have secrets. Don't all families? In other words, they come across as real people we could know and probably embrace as family given the chance. 

Bottom line,  I thoroughly enjoyed my early Christmas present from #SarahMorgan. Thanks #HQN for allowing her to share such wonderful moments with readers.

And Then There's Margaret, by Carolyn Clarke

 

If you're anything like me, your first reaction to "meeting" Allison/Allie Montgomery was, "Whoa!" as you took a virtual step backward. As mother-in-laws go, Margaret could model for the MIL from, well, you know where, but Allie isn't perfect, either. She's stressed, feeling the pressure of aging and seems to be worried about, well, almost everything. Her anxiety is off the top of the meter much of the time and she tends to react to others negatively, no matter how minute the interaction. Her immediate reaction to the gym greeter she dubs "Gwyneth" is telling. 

She's anxious about her job, husband, children, and, well, even if she's doing right by her dog. Then, things get worse. Her father-in-law, who seems to have been her rock in rocky times, dies. Mother-in-law Margaret will be moving in with the family for a time. Margaret, who always seems to find fault and has never seemed to like her. Both Allie's anxiety levels and some hilarity result. Despite the tensions within the home, Allie perseveres, even if it means pulling the covers over her head and pretending to be ill or hiding in the closet to avoid an encounter with Margaret. And, jealousy? Yep, Allison is human, with all the quirks, failings, hopes, and fears we all harbor, all magnified by the situation as Margaret rearranges furniture, snipes at Allie's clothing and habits, interferes with her daughter, and creates scene after scene. 

Despite the negatives, which made it difficult for my more laid-back personality to feel really connected to Allie, I did wind up finding her a sympathetic character. I think, at least if I didn't have to be in her proximity for any long period of time, we might even be friends. Otherwise, her anxiety levels would wear me out. As for Margaret, just when you begin to think there is no hope for this relationship, something changes. Allie begins to see Margaret for what she is, pros and cons, and better understands the why of the treatment she's endured for so long. Allie even finds new purpose in life. 

Nope, not telling how this miracle happens. It's a slow process with both Margaret's overbearing personality and Allie's more needy, visibly anxious and stressed one evolving as the book goes along. Remember, first appearances aren't always the right ones. While this book may not be for everyone, particularly anyone triggered by other's anxieties, it was an interesting twist on the MIL/DIL relationship. Kudos to first time novelist Carolyn Clarke for bringing these complex, evolving personalities to life. 

Thanks #NetGalley and #BlackRoseWriting for giving me this peek into Allison/Allie's life.

High Times in the Low Parliament, by Kelly Robson

Bemused. Confused. Intrigued. Those words describe my initial reactions to "High Times in the Low Parliament". It took awhile for the light to flip on in my mind but once it did, I was definitely intrigued. Who knew the fairy world was so politically charged.

In fact, it wasn't until my mind began to make connections between the disdain and attempted destruction of the Low Parliament and, hmm, maybe NATO that my mind began to make sense of it all. It's an interesting if bewildering world that Lana Baker finds herself deposited in for the sake of a few kisses. Yes, lots of lady on lady type action here but, honestly, it was secondary. The politics and complicated relationships between the humans and fairy characters, not to mention the multitude of factions within the political body are what made the story interesting to me. I didn't even particularly like Lana as the book began but gradually found myself warming to her, then admiring her pluck and smarts as she navigated the complex world she found herself inside. In other words, she matures and grew on me. Same for Bugbite, the cranky fairy that Lana befriends. They're far more complex characters than one imagines at first and their growth and concern for all, not just themselves, made me care about what was and might happen to them.

The political world they inhabit is, well, full of turmoil. Much talk, endless posturing, arguing, finger pointing, and grand gestures that all come to naught. Sounds a great deal like our modern political world doesn't it, even though this one is set in 18th century. I doubt that the author had invasions and threats against NATO in mind as she wrote but given current circumstances, it was difficult to erase that thought from my mind once that light bulb went off. Lana, who admits to not really ever even trying to think shows more common sense than most, coming up with ideas on how to avoid being drowned, the eventual fate of all there if agreement isn't reached. So, given the fate awaiting them, why are deputies of the many, many factions still arguing? To hear their own voices? A grasp for power even if others die as a result? Power or maybe the power to make history? Or end it? Is chaos really more effective than calm? Will anyone listen to reason or are all fated to a dreadful end. But, wait, how are the fractious deputies perhaps thinking to have it all, power and survival?

You're going to have to read the book to find out. Read it with an open mind. For instance, although I don't swing that way, I didn't find the lady on lady flirtation offensive. It certainly fits this seemingly all female world. You may even find different connections than I eventually did. As noted, I was initially bewildered and didn't even like the main character but things change. Isn't that what it's all about? Change for the better?

Thanks to #NetGalley and #Macmillan-#Tor/Forge, #Tordotcom for offering me the chance to read the book. Admittedly, I wasn't sure as I began and it seemed slow but found myself thinking about it while doing other things, a sure sign that I was hooked.

The Memory Keeper of Kyiv, by Erin Litteken

Stunned. I was absolutely stunned as I read "The Memory Keeper of Kyiv". History repeats itself. This isn't an easy read. Reality slaps us in the face. But, it's an important read. Even as a history major who was certainly aware that awful things happened there, seeing that knowledge translated into words and characters we quickly came to like and care about made it all the more horrifying. People going about their everyday lives, loving, living, laughing, sharing first kisses... Then it's all ripped away from them. The cruelty of war. The desperation. The randomness. The lives destroyed. Erin Litteken captures it all in this novel, using the format of a modern character discovering her grandmother's journal as a means of bringing the past to the present. As we reel today of a story of a Ukrainian man going out to simply walk his dog, something I do daily, and being shot in the head by invading forces, we see the past happening in the present. Yes, history repeats itself.

I won't attempt to detail the plot and take away any of your immediate reaction to the story. The book uses alternating viewpoints. One is of present day Cassie, a still grieving widow, and her daughter, who go to stay with Cassie's grandmother while she recovers from an accident. The other is of 16 year-old Katya (the grandmother) as she shares her first kiss and hears whispers of invasion and awful tales of events elsewhere. Cassie discovers her journal. We follow her throughout the invasion and eventual Holodomor, a time of a man-made famine when keeping a single shaft of wheat to feed a starving family could be a death sentence. Friends and loved ones simply disappear. Children are snatched from their homes, never to be seen again. People are forced to make life or death decisions every day. Katya chooses to live. This is her story, yes, but also the story of her family, past and present, Cassie looks to her future, too, with hope.

I know now why Ukrainians fight so bravely and relentlessly. They know the consequences. This book, ironically conceived of even before the 2014 invasion of Crimea, should be required reading for anyone with an interest in history and current events, not to mention in learning the truth. Katya's story, fictional as it is, must be told.

Thank you #NetGalley and #BoldwoodBooks for allowing me the opportunity to read #TheMemoryKeepersOfKyiv.

 

From GoodReads: "Erin Litteken is a debut novelist with a degree in history and a passion for research. At a young age, she was enthralled by stories of her family’s harrowing experiences in Ukraine before, during and after World War II. She lives in Illinois, USA with her husband and children."

Souvenirs from Kyiv, Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger

Heartbreaking. You're there. You feel their pain. Their fear. Their hunger. The despair. You're reminded that all we really know of war is of our own experience, an experience many have only experienced from the safety and security of their television screen or a book. Most of all, you're reminded that there are no winners in war, then or now. It's easy to feel anxiety as we see the past being reflected in the present. While the foreword is new, the book itself details experiences in the second world war but echoes strongly given current events. A character in each of the six stories within ties them together.

I won't detail the stories as you need to meet them head on, with no expectations or screens to fully appreciate the hunger, despair and, yes, hope. As I type, the invasion of the Ukraine continues. We see the scenes on our tv screens, yes, but somehow even that and the starkly shattering scenes captured in pictures never quite lets us inside the heart, hopes, and dreams of the Ukrainian people. In this book, Ukrainian-American author Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger allows us to feel their hearts as she shares her stories of families past. She weaves these stories into a tale of historical fiction but you know, you just know, the pain was real.

This book was an eye opener. Until recently, I must admit, I had no real knowledge of Ukraine or its people Her foreword, written post invasion, details a brief history of the country, noting that her goal is "to hold up a mirror to our humanity so we can reflect on how we have gotten to where we find ourselves. I write stories to help readers and listeners connect to their ability for empathy. And I write to resolve the truth behind the big picture, to make it clear that conflict is not about two teams meeting on the battlefield -- one called 'good' and one called 'bad', there are no winners in this story."

I recommend this to anyone who cares, anyone who has a thirst to know more than the news feeds dole out to us. It's a stunningly sad yet, ironically, hopeful story. The human need for freedom rings out. Read it. You owe it to yourself.

My genuine, heartfelt thank you to #NetGalley and #Bookouture for making this book available.

I Buried Paul: A Novel, by Bruce Ferber

 

It's been a long time since I've hung out with my musician buddies, so this sparked a wave of nostalgia. It also didn't hurt that Paul was my first celebrity crush, so the title sucked me right in. As it turns out, I'm glad it did. I liked the character of Jimmy Kozlowski and, yes, even Gene Klein. Author Bruce Ferber does an excellent job capturing the hopes, dreams, crashes, clashes, and determination of musicians everywhere who'd rather play their music than eat.

The key word is "their", however. Jimmy never quite had the drive to be famous, or at least well know, that Gene "John Lennon" Klein provides in their tribute band to the Beatles. As much as he loves the Beatles' music, his dream has always been to record even just one record of his own music, music that doesn't sound like anyone else's music and speaks to the heart. He admits that this is difficult in this day and age with the advent of a virtual studio being available in a laptop but that hasn't dulled his dream. He also hopes to connect with the daughter he's never known, showcasing a song he wrote to her during a gig at, no lie, a nursing home where his father now lives. Having had a parent with dementia myself, I wanted to find this fictional character, or at least the author, and give them a hug for this nod to not just the gift of music but Jimmy's determination to treat the nursing home residents with humanity. It's touches of Jimmy's good guy heart that made "I Buried Paul" a winner.

I won't detail the plot. It's easily found elsewhere. I found the stories of Jimmy's present and past connection to the driven, always dreaming, always hopeful Gene, intriguing. They captured the intensity of the love of music and where it can take you with the human side. We meet family and friends. We see the characters meet family expectations and fail to meet expectations. We see the frustration of playing someone else's music, no matter how wonderful, gig after gig, while your own remains unheard. We wonder if Jimmy will ever record that album? We root for him to do so. More importantly, we root for him to find closure with the daughter he's never known. Music and humanity. This is a winning combination, told from the vantage point of a character with heart. I thoroughly enjoyed "I Buried Paul".

Thank you #NetGalley and #TheStoryPlant for taking me back to my own days of embracing friends' musical dreams, whether attending gigs or hanging out at the studio. They're still making music, by the way. Rock on!