Book Review - Once and Again by Rebecca Serle

 

Once and Again by Rebecca Serle explores the lives of the women in the Novak family, who are born with the gift of turning back time, but only once. When Lauren was fifteen, she knew her mother, Marcella, had saved her father, Dave, after he was involved in a deadly car accident. After Marcella used her only wish to bring him back, Dave has been alive and happy ever since. However, Marcella lives in fear of losing him since she used up her only chance.

Marcella’s mother, Sylvia, is the complete opposite. She is a free-spirited woman who refuses to be tied down or share her past. Lauren has grown up between these two women, helping mold her into the woman she has become.

One summer, Lauren’s husband, Leo, takes a new job in New York, and Lauren decides to move back home into her childhood house. She looks forward to surfing with her dad, spending time with her mom, and hopefully repairing their fractured relationship. However, she didn’t expect her first love, Stone, to move back home after his mother is diagnosed with cancer. As Lauren reconnects with her family and Stone, she begins to question her choices and the decisions that brought her to this moment. She starts to wonder whether she should use her wish.

I had high hopes when I started this novel. I thought it would be a grand sweeping romance that would leave me emotional for days. However, I found the story boring and lackluster. I didn’t like any of the characters, who felt a bit one-dimensional. The author hints at a great mystery involving Sylvia, but I feel like we barely get to know any of the characters. At times, it was confusing who was narrating and what time period it was. I wish the author had made the timeline and narration clearer in each chapter. After finishing the book, I felt like it was pointless and that I was robbed of my time.

Book Review - The Infamous Gilberts by Angela Tomaski

 

The Infamous Gilberts by Angela Tomaski chronicles the decline and secrets of the eccentric Gilbert family as their crumbling English manor, Thornwalk, as it is set to be transformed into a luxury hotel—uncovering forgotten loves, hidden motives, and the lasting weight of legacy.

Thornwalk was once a beautiful and enviable estate, but over time, it fell into disrepair. The property is eventually sold to a luxury hotelier who plans to completely renovate and modernize the old manor. As the manor gets its facelift, the secrets and memories of its past risk being erased. Meanwhile, one of the family’s neighbors takes it upon themselves to document the Gilberts’ history, offering a final guided “tour” through the rooms and revealing long-buried stories and mysteries.

I found myself on the fence with this novel. It began with promise, but the middle dragged, and although the ending was enjoyable, I might have just been relieved to reach it. I struggled to stay engaged throughout.

The story is narrated by an anonymous, mysterious figure, which I didn’t love. The writing style was difficult to connect with, and while the chapters were short and easy to read, they lacked cohesion. Each chapter focused on an object from Thornwalk and told a story about its connection to the family—but many of these vignettes felt incomplete or irrelevant. It often seemed like we were getting fragments rather than a full picture, and I couldn’t see how they fit into the larger narrative.

The timeline spans from the eve of World War II to the early 2000s, but the shifts in time felt abrupt and disorienting. Overall, the novel read more like a collection of disjointed mini-stories than a cohesive family saga. While I do think the author writes beautifully, the storytelling style just wasn’t for me, and the lack of payoff left me unsatisfied.

Book Review - One Night with the Duke by Jodi Ellen Malpa

 

One Night with the Duke by Jodi Ellen Malpas follows nineteen-year-old Eliza Melrose, who is determined to avoid an arranged marriage but finds herself drawn to the reclusive and enigmatic Duke of Chester, who recently returned to London amid rumors of family murder.

Eliza has always cherished her independence while living in the countryside, where she could do as she pleased—whether taking midnight strolls or writing articles for her father’s newspaper. However, after her father’s newspaper gains wealth and notoriety, the family relocates to London, where every move and thought is judged by society’s elite.

To make matters worse, her father insists she marry to secure their social standing. Eliza believes that marrying the man her father chooses will strip away her freedom. When the new Duke of Chester moves into his long-abandoned family home across the square, her curiosity gets the better of her. She’s determined to uncover whether the rumors about him murdering his family are true—and whether he truly is the rake everyone claims. The more Eliza interacts with him, the more captivated she becomes. But as she digs deeper into his past, she realizes she might not be the only one with secrets and ulterior motives.

The novel is a quick read with a few steamy moments, though they’re brief. The plot felt somewhat predictable, and while the characters were fine, I didn’t feel especially connected to them. At times, Eliza’s character was a bit frustrating—particularly her repeated insistence that she’s “no lady.” The pacing could also feel choppy and rushed in places.

However, if you’re looking for a light romance with a touch of intrigue and mild steam and something that feels more contemporary than truly Regency, you might still find it enjoyable.

Book Review - Big Nate: Aloha! by Lincoln Peirce

In Big Nate: Aloha! by Lincoln Peirce, sixth grader Nate Wright tries to win over his crush, Daisy, survive a disastrous haircut, and stumble through many other fun adventures. While the book is part of a series, it can easily be enjoyed on its own. Most of the comics connect to form longer storylines, though a few stand alone outside the larger arc. Fans of the series will be glad to see their favorite characters return for another adventure, and the book delivers the same humor and playful jokes that readers have come to love.

Book Review - Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng

 

Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng explores the lives of two families whose paths become intertwined, leading to hidden secrets being exposed. In Shaker Heights, Cleveland, the community is centered around order and meticulous planning. Longtime resident Elena Richardson lives by the principle of following the rules.

Mia Warren and her daughter, Pearl, rent a house in Shaker Heights from the Richardsons. The two families are contrasting: Mia is a single mother and artist who lives by her own rules. Soon, Mia and Pearl become more than just tenants to the Richardsons.

The Richardson children are drawn to the mother and daughter, and their lives become interconnected. When old family friends of the Richardsons attempt to adopt a Chinese American baby, the custody battle fractures the town, pitting neighbors against each other, including Mia and Elena. Elena is suspicious of Mia’s wandering lifestyle and is determined to uncover her secrets. As Elena probes into Mia’s past, she realizes that the truth could come at a great cost.

I was excited to read this novel because I heard many positive reviews, and it was one of my book club’s picks. Unfortunately, I struggled to get into it. I found the writing style very dull and dry. It was hard to stay interested in the characters because of the way the story was narrated. It felt like nothing was happening for pages, and when something did, it wasn’t always clear. The book does explore interesting themes about family, belonging, and motherhood, but sadly, it wasn’t for me.