Book Review - Second Time Around by Melody Carlson

 

Second Time Around by Melody Carlson is about Mallory Farrell, an empty nester who inherits her grandmother's dilapidated tourist shop in coastal Seaport, Oregon. When Mallory receives news of her inheritance, she thinks the best and most sensible thing to do is sell it. While inspecting the property, she crosses paths with one of her childhood crushes, Grayson Matthews. 

Grayson is interested in buying Mallory’s property because her store is in a prime location, and he needs it to complete his plans to redevelop the business district and create a new outdoor mall for the town. Mallory vehemently opposes the idea, believing the outdoor mall will ruin the small-town vibe the area has. She decides to renovate the store and transform it into a home décor shop. 

Mallory successfully renovates and restores the store to its former glory. However, the apartment above the store where she lives remains in a sorry, decrepit state. Mallory is thrilled that her store has caught the attention of a popular renovation TV show producer. Her excitement wanes when she realizes that her apartment will also be showcased in the TV segment. Mallory must race against the clock to update her apartment, as the town needs the business the TV show will bring in. 

The novel is a clean romance featuring themes of second chances and personal reinvention. It is a quick read with no surprises. I thought the book was just okay. I found some secondary characters to be strange and juvenile in their actions. I also do not understand why the characters and the TV show would be so interested in showcasing her apartment. If Mallory felt uncomfortable showcasing it, even though she is an interior designer, she should have remained firm. If you enjoy novels with a Hallmark movie vibe about small-town romances, then you might enjoy this one.

Book Review - Go with the Flow by Lily Williams and Karen Schneemann

 

Go with the Flow by Lily Williams and Karen Schneemann is a graphic novel that follows four high school friends who challenge period stigma and advocate for menstrual equity. Abby, Brit, Christine, and Sasha are four sophomores at Hazelton High. They are tired of not having access to period products at school. They are frustrated that the administration would rather spend money on new uniforms for the football team than invest in female health. They decide that things need to change. However, one of the girls chooses to take matters into her own hands and pushes the limits of their friendship. This leads the rest of them to question the power of their voices.

The graphic novel reminds me of the book Free Period by Ali Terese. It has very similar premises. The graphic novel is presented in a monochromatic style. The book is entertaining as it shows how the different characters navigate high school. It provides educational facts about menstrual cycles and highlights that different people are affected in various ways. While I would be open to reading more graphic novels by the authors, I would prefer they weren’t about the same subject as this graphic novel.

Book Review - The Devoted by Suzanne Woods Fisher

 

The Devoted by Suzanne Woods Fisher tells the story of a young Amish woman seeking independence and purpose while grappling with faith, family, forgiveness, and love. Ruthie Stoltzfus loves her family, but she is uncertain about her future. She isn’t sure if she wants to get baptized and remain in the faith or pursue another path since she has passed the GED. She has saved up money, but she just doesn’t know which direction to take. 

Patrick Kelly is on a journey to learn more about the Amish and to convert. He travels to Stoney Ridge, giving himself thirty days to learn the language, drive a buggy, and immerse himself in the ways of the “Plain People.” Patrick is determined to make the most of his time at Stoney Ridge, especially during the hours he spends with Ruthie, his Penn Dutch tutor. However, there is someone standing between Patrick and Ruthie. Luke Schrock, Ruthie’s next-door neighbor and ex-boyfriend, is a well-known troublemaker who is headstrong and stubborn in his rebellious ways. Nevertheless, he is determined to win Ruthie back. 

The novel is a quick and straightforward read with few plot twists or surprises. It is the third book in the series but can be enjoyed as a standalone. While I may have missed some character nuances, I was still able to follow along. The book showcases some of the “problems” within the Amish community and highlights the negative effects of excessive wealth. It was intriguing that both Ruthie and her aunt fell for men who were a bad influence while ignoring those who truly cared for them. As the saying goes, “the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree.” If you are a fan of the author’s other Amish books, you might enjoy this one.

Book Review - The Partisan by Patrick Worrall

 

The Partisan by Patrick Worrall is a gripping Cold War thriller that follows two young chess prodigies entangled in a deadly game of espionage, secrets, love, and betrayal across the East and West. In the summer of 1961, the conflict between the East and West became more dangerous. Both sides fought to gain the upper hand. Yulia and Michael are two young chess prodigies from opposite ends of the world who meet at a chess tournament in London. The pair feel drawn to each other, but little do they realize that they are pawns in a perilous game.

Shadowing them is Greta, a Lithuanian resistance fighter relentlessly hunting down dangerous men across the globe. Vassily is Yulia’s bodyguard and protector during her competitions. He is also a spymaster for the USSR, known for his cunning and significant influence. He appears to be two steps ahead of everyone until Yulia meets and falls for Michael. 

I thought the novel was an okay read. There were many elements at play, making it at times difficult to keep track of everything. The narrative shifted back and forth between time and characters. I expected the main focus to be on Yulia and Michael, yet they seemed secondary at times. The book felt long-winded and overly drawn out on occasion (i.e., Yulia’s and Michael’s dull conversations). At other times, the story hinted at a deeper plot, but we received no further details or context, or it was delivered in a convoluted way. I enjoyed Greta’s storyline the most and wished the novel had primarily focused on her. I found it hard to get into the story otherwise. I would be open to reading more books by the author, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to seek them out. 

Book Review - Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix

 

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix is a horror tale about a coven of rebellious teenage girls who discover real magic and the consequences that accompany it. In St. Augustine, Florida, there is a home called Wellwood House. This house is for girls who become pregnant at an inconvenient time. The girls are either unwed, too young, or considered promiscuous. The house shelters unwed mothers, allowing them to have their babies in secret and then give them up for adoption. This way, the girls can return home to their families as if nothing ever happened.

In the hot summer of 1970, fifteen-year-old Fern arrives at her new home. She is pregnant and terrified since her dad dropped her off without saying goodbye. Under the care of Miss Wellwood, she meets about a dozen other pregnant girls, like her. Rose is a hippie who insists that she will find a way to keep her baby, and they will escape to a commune together. Holly is a strangely mute girl who is barely fourteen. Zinnia is a musician who plans to marry her baby’s father.

Everything the girls do, eat, and discuss is controlled by the adults who claim to know what’s best for them and their babies. Fern meets a librarian who gives her an occult book about witchcraft. The book contains power, something the girls have never had before. As they take revenge on those who hurt them, they realize that power can easily be destroyed as it is created, and everything comes with a price.

The book was an interesting read. I thought it would go one way, but it ended up going another. I felt that the book portrayed the Wellwood house and its occupants as strict and devious individuals who wanted to hurt the girls. However, I believe they were acting in what they thought was best for babies. I was expecting them to be monsters who sold children and were using the Wellwood house as a baby factory.

I anticipated a lot more horror or frightening moments. The novel primarily focuses on the young women trying to deal with situations beyond their control. While the book does have a few moments where witchcraft takes center stage, it didn’t feel spooky or scary. Perhaps because the book started strong but then dragged, it was only towards the end that it began to get good. I would still be open to reading more books by the author, as he writes very well, and his characters are well-developed.

Book Review - Unearthed: A Lost Actress, a Forbidden Book, and a Search for Life in the Shadow of the Holocaust by Meryl Frank

 

Unearthed: A Lost Actress, a Forbidden Book, and a Search for Life in the Shadow of the Holocaust by Meryl Frank is a family memoir about a woman searching for the truth surrounding her cousin’s death.  As a child, Meryl always remembered people telling her that she resembled her cousin, Franya Winter. Meryl’s aunt Mollie was the keeper of the family’s history and stories. When Mollie passed away, she entrusted Meryl with this legacy, along with a small Yiddish book that Mollie forbade her from reading.

For many years, Meryl honored Mollie’s wishes, but she remained curious to learn more about Franya. Meryl knew that Franya was a celebrated actress in Vilna before World War II. However, there was much about Franya that Mollie chose not to share, including the circumstances of her death. The book serves as part history and part exploration of acceptance and closure.

The book was an engaging read. I learned many interesting facts about the Holocaust that I hadn’t known before. However, it was somewhat challenging to read at times due to the prevalence of death and chaos. It also felt like it sometimes detracted from learning more about Franya and Meryl’s journey.

I had expected the book to focus more on Meryl’s quest for her cousin. The author spent considerable time sharing her reflections and insights. I appreciated reading about the various connections Meryl formed during her journey. The book isn’t lengthy, but it can be quite dense to absorb in one sitting.  In the synopsis of the book, it is called the book a “thrilling mystery,” but I do not feel that this accurately depicts the content, as it is often dense with facts and slow-paced at times.

Book Review - Quickly, While They Still Have Horses: Stories by Jan Carson

 

Quickly, While They Still Have Horses: Stories by Jan Carson is a collection of short stories that focus on relationships and the lives of people in Northern Ireland. Each story has a distinct theme. In one tale, a man eagerly awaits his girlfriend's visit to his hometown, yet despite his pleas, she remains firm in her decision on not visiting his hometown. In another story, a young girl can see the ghost of a car’s former owner. Additionally, a young couple is so enamored with each other that they fail to notice their small baby making its way toward the sea.

I found the book to be an entertaining read, with some stories being humorous while others carry a darker edge. Some readers might not appreciate the tales involving the harm of small children. There were a few stories that I didn’t enjoy as much, but overall, I found the writing to be beautiful and engaging.  I liked the book and would definitely read more by the author. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it, especially since I was initially hesitant to dive in!

Book Review - Cousins in the Time of Magic by Emma Otheguy

 

Cousins in the Time of Magic by Emma Otheguy is about three cousins who discover a magical portal that transports them into the past. Jorge, Camila, and Siggy have always been told by their eccentric Tía Xia that history is filled with magic. The three cousins are very different from one another: Jorge is a daredevil, Camila is a dreamer who loves animals and spends her time reading, and Siggy is an aspiring influencer who manages to score an invite to an exclusive party. While they’ve always known their aunt to be aloof and secretive, everything changes when they discover a mysterious diamond-encrusted sword—clearly a clue to something much bigger.

As they search for answers about the sword, the trio stumbles upon a magical portal that transports them to the year 1862. They quickly learn that while the past holds many wonders, it is also filled with danger. In order to return home, they must ensure the sword is delivered to General Ignacio Zaragoza before the historic Battle of Puebla in Mexico—the event that would later inspire the Cinco de Mayo holiday. To succeed, the cousins must rely on their individual strengths and work together to protect history without accidentally changing it.

The novel was an okay read. I wasn’t familiar with General Ignacio Zaragoza or the details behind Cinco de Mayo, so I appreciated learning more about that history. I liked that the author included Latin American history and culture, and that she clarified which characters were fictionalized. However, I can’t quite pinpoint why, but nothing in the story really wowed me or made me feel invested in continuing with the rest of the series. I believe young readers who enjoy time travel adventures—especially those with a Latinx background—may connect with this story more deeply than I did. It’s a great starting point for learning about aspects of Latin American history that are often left out of traditional history books.