Book Review – Agents of Change: The Women Who Transformed the CIA by Christina Hillsberg

 

Agents of Change: The Women Who Transformed the CIA by Christina Hillsberg is an exploration of the pioneering women who changed the male-dominated world of espionage, as told by a former intelligence operative.

I was looking forward to reading this book because I enjoy reading about strong women. However, I was a bit disappointed because the author teased many of the missions that she and other women participated in but couldn't provide many details since much of the information is still classified. I felt like we only got surface-level descriptions, and that wasn't enough to hold my interest.

I also didn't really care for reading about all of the sexism because, unfortunately, much of it still exists today.

While the author included a glossary of intelligence terms, I found it difficult to remember them all. The pacing also felt uneven, and the writing was somewhat choppy. It was hard for me to stay engaged because so many people were introduced throughout the book, and I struggled to remember who they were and how they related to each chapter. I also felt that because the author couldn't go into detail about many of the missions, the stories became repetitive and began to blur together.

Overall, I thought it was an okay book. It was fairly forgettable, and I barely remember much of it after finishing. However, I'm giving it 3 stars instead of 2 because I liked the subject matter and the effort to highlight the contributions of these pioneering women.

Book Review – Milton Makes a Move by Jonathan Graziano

 

 

Milton Makes a Move by Jonathan Graziano is about a newly adopted pug who finds his forever home.

The children's book is a short and easy read. It features fun, colorful illustrations that bring Milton's journey to his forever home to life. The story teaches young readers about being brave, embracing new adventures, and the importance of friendship. It is a heartwarming read that is perfect for fans of Noodle and animal lovers alike.

 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.

Book Review - A Good Person by Kirsten King

 

A Good Person by Kirsten King is about a woman named Lillian who puts a hex on her ex-boyfriend and then he unexpectedly dies. Lillian and Henry have enjoyed spending time together, especially in bed, during the four months they’ve been dating. Lillian’s best friend, Jamie, insists that what they have is a “situationship,” not a real relationship. Determined to lock Henry down, Lillian decides she will be the best, most accommodating version of herself until he falls in love with her.

But Lillian is blindsided when Henry suddenly breaks up with her. Devastated, she drinks to numb her anger and, while drunk, decides to perform a hex on him. She fully expects Henry to come crawling back once he realizes his mistake. Instead, she learns he has been murdered and she is the prime suspect.

As Lillian tries to process the news, she’s hit with another bombshell: Henry had a long-time girlfriend he never told her about. Desperate to control the narrative and clear her name, Lillian also believes she’s been robbed of her rightful role as Henry’s grieving girlfriend. As she tries to uncover the truth, she spirals into a dangerous tailspin that threatens to destroy everything.

I read the author’s note before starting the book, where she mentions that Lillian may be unlikeable but is, at her core, someone who just wants to be loved. I tried to keep that in mind while reading about Lillian’s shenanigans, but staying neutral was an uphill battle.

Lillian is narcissistic, mean, self-absorbed, and a bully. Despite that, I found the book enjoyable. I liked reading Lillian’s deluded thoughts and watching her dig herself deeper into trouble through her own misguided ideas. The novel was a quick, entertaining read. It felt like watching a car crash in slow motion, and I couldn’t look away. Did I want to see Lillian crash and burn? Maybe just a little. This is the author’s debut novel, and I’d be open to reading more from her in the future.

Book Review – Church of Marvels by Leslie Parry

 

Church of Marvels by Leslie Parry is about a woman, Odile Church, searching for her sister, Belle, after their mother dies in a fire.

Set in 1895 New York, Sylvan Threadgill works as a night soiler, cleaning out the privies near tenement houses. While working one night, he discovers a newborn baby abandoned in the muck. Since Sylvan was once an orphan himself, he takes pity on the child and rescues her. Determined to help, he sets out to find a safe place for the baby.

Odile and Belle Church are twins who were raised in the Church of Marvels, a sideshow act in Coney Island. After a tragic accident, their home burns to the ground with their mother inside. Odile is devastated when she learns that Belle has fled to Manhattan without a trace, and she becomes desperate to find her sister.

Meanwhile, Alphie, a young woman, wakes up across the river in Blackwell’s Lunatic Asylum. At first, she has no idea where she is until she remembers that her husband’s cruel mother had her committed. While trapped in the asylum, she meets another beautiful young woman who refuses to speak to anyone. However, Alphie soon discovers that the mysterious woman has a hidden talent that might help them escape.

I thought the book was an okay read overall. It is told through alternating perspectives, which was a lot to keep track of in the beginning. The book did have a few unexpected twists that I didn’t see coming. However, I also felt like it was slow and boring at times, and the constant narrator changes could feel jarring. I never really connected with or cared much about any of the characters. While we were given some backstory for each of them, I didn’t feel like it was enough to make me truly root for them. Overall, it was an okay book, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to read another book by the author.

Book Review – Windswept Way (Hope Harbor, #9) by Irene Hannon

 

 

Windswept Way (Hope Harbor, #9) by Irene Hannon is about two people, Ashley Scott and Jonathan Gray, who learn to let go of the past and find happiness again.

Ashley Scott never planned on buying a haunted house, but after being presented with an interesting opportunity, she decides to take a chance. She travels across the country to Hope Harbor on the Oregon coast to start fresh.

Jonathan Gray isn't quite sure what to make of his attractive new neighbor, but he decides it's none of his business until he is roped into helping her with an ambitious project. As the pair spend more time together, Jonathan finds himself growing attracted to Ashley, but he is hesitant to open his heart to love again.

I thought the book was an okay read. It didn't have any unexpected twists or turns, but I liked that recurring characters from previous books made a reappearance. This is the ninth book in the series, but it can easily be read as a standalone. Fans of the earlier books will likely enjoy revisiting familiar characters and the clean, heartwarming romance.