Book Review - Tough Luck by Sandra Dallas

 

Tough Luck by Sandra Dallas is a historical novel that follows a resilient fourteen year old girl, Haidie Richards, and her brother, Boots, as they navigate the dangers and hardships of life while traveling across the country to Colorado in search of their father. Shortly after their mother dies, Haidie and her younger brother are sent to an orphanage, as they are considered orphans. Their father had left four years earlier to search for gold in the Colorado Territory. In that time, he sent only three letters, but Haidie remains convinced he is alive—and that he struck it rich. She believes it’s only a matter of time before he comes back for them.

Determined not to wait any longer, Haidie decides to escape the orphanage with Boots and set out to find their father. To help them travel safely through the dangerous Western frontier, she disguises herself as a boy. Along the way, the siblings learn how to survive in the wild and deal with unsavory characters, but they also come to understand the value of community. They form fast friendships with an unlikely group of companions: a cheating card shark, an ex-nun, two independent spinsters, and a loyal dog. When they finally arrive in Colorado, Haidie realizes they will need the support of all their newfound friends if they want a chance at a happy ending.

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. I initially expected a dull Western, but I was hooked from the very first page. The story was compelling, and I appreciated how well-developed and unique the characters were. I especially liked how the author portrayed the female characters as complex and dynamic. They weren’t one-dimensional or solely focused on men, but also on what they wanted from life. I would definitely be open to reading more books by this author.

Book Review - American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins

 

American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins is a harrowing and emotional novel that follows a Mexican woman, Lydia, and her son, Luca, as they flee a drug cartel boss and undertake a dangerous journey north toward the U.S. border in search of safety and freedom. Lydia and her family live in Acapulco and love their life there—until her husband, Sebastián, publishes an article about a local cartel boss named Javier. When Javier reads the article, he is enraged and retaliates by massacring Lydia’s entire family. By a stroke of luck, Lydia and Luca survive and are forced to flee. They soon find themselves among countless others making the perilous trek toward the United States.

I meant to read this novel years ago when it was first published. I remember the controversy surrounding it at the time, but for this review, I’m focusing solely on my personal thoughts about the book itself. I found it to be beautifully written and emotionally impactful. It felt well-researched, as expounded on by the author, and the storytelling was so vivid that I felt like I was experiencing part of the journey alongside Lydia and Luca.

The characters were well-developed and likable, and I admired how Lydia and Luca found the strength to push forward after enduring such unimaginable trauma. That said, without giving away spoilers, I would have liked more detail about what happened to them at the end. The novel focuses heavily on the journey rather than the destination, and while that approach was powerful, I think a few more moments of hope or resolution would have added emotional balance after so much hardship.

Book Review - Blood in the Water by Tiffany D. Jackson

 

Blood in the Water by Tiffany D. Jackson is a gripping thriller about a teen girl, Kaylani, who must uncover the truth behind the shocking death of a young man during a mysterious summer trip. Born and raised in Brooklyn, Kaylani feels out of place when she’s invited to spend the summer in Martha’s Vineyard with her grandmother’s friends, the Watsons. She would much rather stay home and talk on the phone with her father, who is currently incarcerated, but her mother insists that a change of scenery will do her good.

The Watsons live in Oak Bluffs, a town rich in Black history, and while Kaylani is curious to learn more about the culture and vibe of the area, she’s met with coldness from her former friend, London Watson, who wants nothing to do with her. With London brushing her off, Kaylani spends much of her time alone—until she begins connecting with other neighborhood kids and finally starts to enjoy her time on the island.

That is, until tragedy strikes: a young man is found dead, initially believed to be the victim of a shark attack. But it’s soon discovered that someone made it look that way—he was murdered. Determined to uncover the truth, Kaylani dives into the mystery. But can she solve it before becoming the next target?

The book was an entertaining and suspenseful read. There were a few solid twists, including one I didn’t see coming. It was compelling to see how Kaylani navigated new friendships while grappling with the stigma surrounding her father’s incarceration. I did feel the mystery could have been developed further, and the ending felt a bit rushed. Still, I enjoyed the author’s writing style and would be interested in reading more of her work.

Book Review - Our Little Secret by Lisa Jackson

 

Our Little Secret by Lisa Jackson follows Brooke Hastings, a woman who tries to end a passionate six-week affair with the charming yet obsessive Gideon Ross. Although determined to preserve her marriage and family, Brooke quickly realizes that Gideon has no intention of letting her go. Convinced they’re meant to be together, Gideon begins to insert himself into her life and he promises that they will be together forever. He’s not someone who breaks his promises, even if he has to destroy everything to keep his promise.

I was surprised by how much I disliked every single character—there wasn’t a single redeemable one in the entire book. And yet, much like watching a trashy reality TV show, I couldn’t stop reading. The writing style is easy to follow, and while there were no shocking twists or turns, the story was still compulsively readable.

Overall, Our Little Secret is an entertaining, drama-filled read—perfect for a beach day when you're in the mood for something light, messy, and addictive.

Book Review - The Roommate Arrangement by Samantha Markum

 

The Roommate Arrangement by Samantha Markum follows college student Blair, who ends up living with her brother’s best friend, Jamie Atwater. Blair has always been type-A. She enjoys planning and prefers everything to be in its place and clean. She never thought she was overbearing until her two best friends, just a week before college, decided they no longer wanted to live with her.

Blair must hurriedly find new living arrangements but is in a tight spot. She knows if she tells her parents, they will make her give up her expensive sculpture classes with her dream mentor to pay for new housing. Desperate, Blair looks for an alternative and finds an ad for a fifth roommate for four off-campus sophomores seeking a new roommate. Blair is relieved to find a solution but then becomes upset when she learns she will be living with her brother’s best friend, Jamie.

Blair fears Jamie will tell her brother, Sawyer, about her new living situation. She knows her brother would then inform their parents, who wouldn’t approve. So Blair strikes a deal with Jamie: she will help him finish coding an app he’s building if he promises to keep her secret. As they spend more time together, Blair begins to notice Jamie romantically. Will she be able to keep her side of the dea as she is struggling to keep up with life’s demandsl?

I thought the book was an okay read. I liked that the main characters didn’t fall into insta-love and instead gradually developed feelings. Without revealing too much, there are other romantic elements in the story as well. I enjoyed the playful petty bickering and passive-aggressive reactions between Jamie and Blair, which kept the novel from feeling overly sentimental.

I wish the book included more background about certain characters. I would have liked to see more history between Blair, Jamie, and their families. The book hints that Blair’s parents didn’t really like Jamie or her friends but doesn’t explain why. I would have appreciated more details about Blair and her family’s history; at times, it feels glossed over. I also enjoyed the scenes where Blair and Jamie spent time with their roommates, which were some of my favorites. Overall, I liked the book, and I would be interested in reading more from this author.

**Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own and were not influenced by the publisher or author.**