Julie Y. (naboo) reviewed on 7/2/2025 + 41 more book reviews

This is the first book I have read by this author, but definitely, not the last!

Jane Williams is born during a Christmas blizzard and receives a rather unique gift - one that allows her to literally see true love. On the day of her 29th birthday, she learns about her gift from Colette Dubois. Anyway, in order for Jane to experience true love in her life she must identify the six types of love before the full moon following her 30th birthday - agape, eros, ludus, mania, pragma, and storge.

I enjoyed reading the six mini subplots that reminded me of short love stories. For example, "agape" - unconditional, altruistic love - Mary, Jane's friend, is in love with Luca, her Italian builder, he moves back to the USA to marry her and become the father of her unborn child. "Eros" - passionate love - Katie, Jane's friend, totally and completely loves her husband Josh no matter the obstacles. "Ludus" - playful, non-committal love - Lo, Jane's assistance, falls in love with Grant, a married man who has no plans of leaving his wife. "Mania" - obsessive love - Flynn, Jane's brother, is driven by compulsive love for Celeste, someone he has never met who happens to live in the next building over. "Pragma" - love driven by the head, not the heart - Elaine, Jane's friend, falls in love with her neighbor, Charles, but decides to stay with her husband, Matthew. "Storge" - love born from friendship - Mel, Jane's friend, falls in love with Vivian, a lady who frequently visits his newsstand.

This was a wonderful, heartwarming story that I definitely recommend.

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Elizabeth R. (esjro) - , reviewed on 7/2/2025 + 1007 more book reviews

This was the first book I have read by Wally Lamb. I don't know why I was avoiding his books, I suppose given the popularity and plots I thought they would be sentimental and tear-jerky. Well, this book was sentimental and tear-jerky, but I am here for it! I read it in 3 days despite its length. The ending was a gut punch, this was an enjoyable and engrossing read.

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Kayleen (jegka) reviewed on 7/2/2025 + 167 more book reviews

This was not a bad book, but sadly the book description seemed to have more action that this story. It was a long slow build up to the next book.
I couldn't quite buy that the witch in hiding and the witch hunter fall for each other so quickly when each was using the other. And the twists didn't see very twisty.

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Alice B. reviewed on 7/2/2025 + 3730 more book reviews

The splendor of a Nantucket summer arrives in full bloom misty Harbor Inn officially opens the store and Gracie gold the middle mirror sister Brussels with the overwhelming decision. How can she think about staying at the inn full-time which has a lovely house and grandchildren who she hopes these are in Maine And Caroline turns down George's wedding proposal then she doesn't understand why he doesn't wanna talk to her and the sisters get the rooms ready and they have their first guest a honeymoon couple and they go to the Fourth of July parade and get to see a lot of old vehicles and their old car breaks down and smoke is pouring off and they wonder how much it's gonna cost to fix it Life is interesting in Nantucket never boring.

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Debbie D. (debbiemd) reviewed on 7/2/2025

Embassy Wives are the wives of diplomats who follow their husbands to foreign postings, in this case Namibia. The book focuses on three wives: two from the US and one local. Persephone tries hard to be the perfect embassy wife, Amanda left a high paying job in Silicon Valley to follow her husband, and Mila is the wife of a foreign minister. They all have secrets and dreams and their lives and marriages are all a tangled mess. But the characters were well drawn and the story line and plot were good (although a little unrealistic at the end!). PBS describes this book as a suspenseful mystery. I would disagree with that description - it is more like a satire.

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Frank H. (perryfran) reviewed on 7/2/2025 + 1271 more book reviews

I have had this book on my shelves now for several years and finally got around to reading it. My wife had read another in this series and had wanted to read more but she put aside most of her reading so this one has been lingering. Anyway, this is the first book in the Maggie O'Dell series by Kava. It's about a very evil serial killer who has been killing young boys in the small town of North Platte, Nebraska. The murderer appears to be a copycat killer who is killing in the same style as an executed killer named Ronald Jeffreys. But is he a copycat or was Jeffreys framed for some of the killer's victims? The sheriff in North Platte, Nick Morrelli is not prepared for this case so calls in an FBI profiler named Maggie O'Dell. Maggie puts together a profile of the characteristics of the killer but is she on point or is the killer someone completely different from her profile?

I was kind of mixed overall on this one. The story kept me turning the pages but in the end I was somewhat disappointed. The killer was obvious from early on in the story. I kept waiting for some kind of twist that would point in another direction but it never came. And then the ending was a cliffhanger with some loose ends. Will these be resolved in the next book in the series? Also the characters in the novel were for the most part flawed, especially Sheriff Morrelli who seemed clueless along with the rest of his police force. I admit this was overall a suspenseful read but it's doubtful that I will be reading more in this series.

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Thomas F. (hardtack) - , reviewed on 7/2/2025 + 2837 more book reviews

Bill Pronzini is one of my favorite mystery writers and this is one of his shorter novels, which is in the "Nameless Detective" series. He and Marcia Muller, his wife, cooperated in writing the "Carpenter and Quincannon" Western mystery series, which I couldn't get enough of.

This one keeps you guessing until the end as to whom the killer is, and even then there is another surprise. Plus, I couldn't figure out the title until it was explained in the end.

Some of the books in this series are hard to find, but I've found they don't really need to be read in order.

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Karen S. (BoysMom) - , reviewed on 7/2/2025 + 1002 more book reviews

A Camping Conundrum: A Liz Adams Mystery by Stacy Wilder

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A camping trip turns deadly!

A Camping Conundrum is the fifth book in author Stacy Wilder's excellent Liz Adams Mystery series, which features the private investigator and her husband, Brad, attempting to enjoy a weekend camping trip to one of his much-loved childhood destinations. Brad, the last living member of his nuclear family, wanted to recapture some of the highlights of his childhood by visiting a campground that was the scene of many happy memories with his parents and younger sister, now all gone. But unbeknownst to Brad, Liz was traumatized as a child on her only camping experience, but she agrees to attend without divulging her past. While at the campground, they discover that guests have been plagued by thefts from their campsites, a factor that reminds Liz of her traumatic childhood trip, making her all the more anxious about their plans. But nature and the otherwise tranquil setting work their magic on Liz until Brad discovers the body of a local woman in the lake, and her death is no accident.

Liz and Brad are a lovely couple, and each is super responsive to the other's emotional needs, as is their perceptive canine companion, Duke. Both husband and wife are willing to bend to accommodate the special circumstances they encounter during their trip, such as Brad's need to re-live happier times versus Liz's unfortunate memories from her one and only attempt at camping when she was a young Girl Scout. I enjoyed all of Liz's shopping throughout the story, and even Brad gets some new gear; this inevitably led to her crossing paths with the unpleasant commercial landlord in Sumter.

The plot is well-paced, with the discovery of the victim occurring early in the story and unfortunately mirroring the death of Brad's younger sister, deeply affecting him in the process. The victim was a real piece of work, so it was easy to see the writing on the wall that she was not long for this world. Her nasty attitude and interactions with her business tenants during her life created a wide pool of suspects for her murderer. Liz searches for answers in a methodical and practical manner, and even with some surprising twists, the final resolution is quickly at hand.

I recommend A CAMPING CONUNDRUM to cozy mystery readers, especially those with an interest in camping and shopping while on vacation.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours.

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Lynda C. (Readnmachine) reviewed on 7/2/2025 + 1506 more book reviews

Wonderful twisty tale about three couples, related by blood, marriage, or romantic history, whose weekend getaway at a remote Georgia vacation cabin becomes something entirely different as deep secrets and old sins float to the top one by one.

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Kayleen (jegka) reviewed on 7/2/2025 + 167 more book reviews

I have read a lot of romantasy series in the last year or so and this is one of my favorites. This is the third of the series and moved the story along nicely. While you do need to read them in order, each story is satisfying. (Like ACOTAR)
There are multiple kings in this world and there are shifting alliances and competitions based on historical conflict. No dragons but plenty of magic.

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Lynn P. (Bama-Booklover) - reviewed on 7/2/2025 + 143 more book reviews

This is a slow moving historical cozy mystery set in the 1920s during prohibition. Vivian, a young seamstress by day, loves to go to the "speakeasys" to dance and have a few drinks.

One night while there she finds a dead body in the alley and thus the investigation by the amateur sleuth commences.

The historical aspect is interesting but overall as I said the story is slow moving and hard for me to keep up with.

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Shayla B. (ShaylaB) - , reviewed on 7/2/2025 + 42 more book reviews

4 stars...I chose this book because I had previously read a book by this author that I really enjoyed (Evvie Drake Starts Over). It's a fun chick lit/rom com type story. I liked the characters and enjoyed the relationships between them. They felt real & relatable. Overall a clean, easy read.

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Lynn P. (Bama-Booklover) - reviewed on 7/2/2025 + 143 more book reviews

This is a collection of true medical accounts. Warning: some of them were hard for me to read. Most have good outcomes but there are tragedies in the stories. In some, people including children are in horrific accidents, or shootings, or born with medical issues. It's a quick read (less than 200 pages). I had found it as a free kindle book so read it on my phone. Do I recommend it? Yes but have your tissues ready.

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Thomas F. (hardtack) - , reviewed on 7/1/2025 + 2837 more book reviews

I'm not exactly a fan of the Alternative History genre, but Stirling's "The Peshawar Lancers" was a book I really enjoyed. So his story here, set in that universe, made the book worth reading.

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Amy T. (amistad) - reviewed on 7/1/2025 + 14 more book reviews

I picked this book up in my veterinarian's office and found it interesting as it is a local school I hear alot about. I really enjoyed his memories of the teachers who taught him his trade. It has lots of pictures in it which made it easier to visualize the stories he shared.

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Alice B. reviewed on 7/1/2025 + 3730 more book reviews

When Adina mass arrives in Pine craft to find her missing sister, she is blindsided by abductor attempt to kidnap her to her surprise Nathan core a familiar face from the fast is there to save her and it's clear that whatever trouble, Adina sisters and Adina is now a target too, but with Nathanâs Help, can they find out who is after the maths sisters Before Adina is the next to disappear

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Sherry C. (Sherry) - , reviewed on 7/1/2025

Great historical fiction covering the attack on Pearl Harbor. Loved following the treasure hunt that the grandmother set up for her grand daughters.

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Susan F. (scoutmomskf) - , reviewed on 7/1/2025 + 2692 more book reviews

A good book that quickly caught my attention. Scottish nurse Sorcha is in London for two reasons - to apply for a job at one of its hospitals and to get to know her birth mother. When her time with her mother implodes, she decides to return home. Her trip is interrupted when her train is cancelled, and she encounters a man with a medical emergency. Richard, an ER doctor, joins her in her efforts. After the crisis, they share dinner and an unexpected night of intimacy. Sorcha flees the next morning when she discovers Richard is married. A couple of months later, Sorcha accepts the job she applied for and learns she will be working with Richard. Their reunion is awkward, with Sorcha understandably hurt and angered by his actions.

I ached for Richard, who is in a heartbreaking situation. I liked how he cleared the air with Sorcha about that night and where he stands, but it doesn't solve their problem. Matters become more complicated when they discover that Sorcha is pregnant. Now they must figure out how to coparent their baby while fighting their chemistry and growing feelings for each other.

I enjoyed watching Richard and Sorcha work through the obstacles that kept them apart. It isn't easy, and each must face their own troubled pasts before they have a chance for a life together. Their support for each other eased their way, and I loved seeing them navigate their way through the obstacles. The ending was very well done and realistic.

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Alice J. (ASJ) - , reviewed on 7/1/2025 + 342 more book reviews

Absolutely excellent book. The romance is so sweet and sincere. Samantha's Mother's dementia will make you want to cry and feel so bad with families trying to deal with this disease. The animals are wonderful. One of the best books I read this year. I highly recommend it.

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Thomas F. (hardtack) - , reviewed on 7/1/2025 + 2837 more book reviews

The author uses real dairies of two Civil War soldiers---one Confederate and one Union, both in their early to mid-twenties--- to trace their movement and thoughts from early June, 1863, to just after the Battle of Gettysburg in July, 1863. Frequent full-page maps track their progress.

One left the battle alive, while the other didn't.

The author also adds commentary to their diary entries and what is happening in the greater picture of the two armies in their movement to their clash in the greatest battle ever fought in North America.

There are two small problems which don't detract from the narrative. The author has a Union officer discovering Robert E. Lee's plans wrapped around cigars just before the Battle of Antietam in September 1862. Actually, it was two Union enlisted men who discovered the plans. And the author states not many casualties resulted from the use of bayonets. As causalities were recorded at hospitals, this overlooks the number who died from bayonet wounds. As the bayonet was a triangular blade, a wound received from it didn't close. So, unless the bayoneted man received prompt medical assistance, he quickly bled to death and never made it to a hospital.

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Sharry G. (thriftygram) reviewed on 7/1/2025 + 11 more book reviews

It was a good read. Interesting

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Sharry G. (thriftygram) reviewed on 7/1/2025 + 11 more book reviews

It was good. Enjoyed the read.

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Robert F. reviewed on 7/1/2025 + 2 more book reviews

Great Story! There are many plot twists that keep you wondering what is going to happen next.

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Elizabeth R. (esjro) - , reviewed on 6/30/2025 + 1007 more book reviews

My first job as a teenager was at a zoo, so I've always been interested in zoos. I love going to see the animals at zoos where the animals are health, not stressed and well cared for, and I loathe zoos that do not meet those criteria, so I was very interested in reading this book by a long time zoo veterinarian.

This book was published by an academic press, but it is written in an accessible style and there are lots of photos. It opens with a history of veterinary care in zoos (early zoos were resistent to veterinarians), and then goes on to describe aspects of zoo operations such as feeding, captive breeding, habitat design, and even some stories about quirky zoo visitors.

I particularly appreciate the authors acknowledgement of the concerns many people have about zoos, and his discussion of animal rights versus animal welfare. Although published in 2007 it does not feel dated, as his argument that resisting extremes and instead finding common ground will result in the best outcomes for the animals is still true today.

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Alice B. reviewed on 6/30/2025 + 3730 more book reviews

Joel is a pretty 17 year-old girl her stepfather threatened to rape her all the time and she knows he's not kidding. She's got to run away from home but she has to disguise herself as a boy so no one can tell him where she is and she's gotta get far far away from home so he can never find her Her mother dream before her mother died that a man would come to rescue. Joel and Joel is hoping that's true.

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