Go as a River by Shelley Read (★★★★★)
Print • Library • Historical Fiction • 2023
Short synopsis: A heart-wrenching coming-of-age story that combines unforgettable characters with a breathtaking natural setting. It is a sweeping story of one young woman’s survival and becoming, of the deepest mysteries of love, truth, and fate.
This was the kind of book I started and told myself, “Just give it 50 pages. If you’re not sucked in, you can abandon it.” I’m not exactly sure how it made its way onto my Goodreads TBR, but I think a rave review from Lisa made me add it. I should have known that Lisa never lets me down! This book was exceptional. It was well-written and emotional and I felt like I was sitting right there next to Victoria as she told me her life story. It’s a story filled with ups and downs, heartbreaks and moments of beauty, and I was enthralled from beginning to end. I found myself wrapped up in Victoria’s character and wanted only good things for her in a life that’s not always destined for good things. It’s a story about resilience, about love, about loss, and about what can happen when you let people in. I loved this story so much.
Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera (★★★★★)
Audiobook • Library • Thriller • 2024
Short synopsis: Five years ago, Lucy’s best friend Savvy was brutally murdered and ever since then, Lucy has been the prime suspect of the crime. After all, she was found wandering the streets covered in Savvy’s blood with no memory of what had happened. With no evidence to convict her, Lucy has moved on with her life as best she can. But then a popular true crime podcast decides to investigate the murder and Lucy is drawn back into her past.
Another book rec from a friend! This one was from Kim and when she recommended listening to the audiobook, I immediately placed a hold request at my library. This was a phenomenal thriller and I definitely think it should be listened to because the way the podcast is incorporated into the narration is *chef’s kiss*. I loved the way we started the story knowing just as much about what happened as Lucy did, but as Lucy started to regain her memory, so do we learn more about what happened the night Savvy died. This book is also hysterical. I can’t remember the last time I actually laughed out loud during a thriller! But this one got me a few times because Lucy has some good zingers throughout the novel. There’s a really important message throughout this book, and it’s hard to say what that message is without spoiling things, but I will say that I wholly appreciated what Tintera had to say about this issue, and it made the whole reveal at the end make so much sense. This is one of the best thrillers I’ve read and I can give it my full endorsement!
Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun by Elle Cosimano (★★★★☆)
Print • Library • Mystery • 2023
Short synopsis: Finlay Donovan is back, and this time she owes a favor to the Russian mob. The plan is simple: Find a contract killer before the cops do. But what if the contract killer is a cop? That’s how she finds herself at a citizen’s police academy (run none other by hot cop Nick) with her best friend Vero, trying to keep up with all of the seminars and workshops while also rooting out the dirty cop.
This is the third book in the Finlay Donovan series, so I don’t want to say too much about the plot since these books should be read in order. What I will say is that this book was so much fun and I loved getting back in the wild and wacky world of single mom/novelist/reluctant hit woman Finlay Donovan. Yes, you have to suspend your belief with these novels but I think if you go into these books with an open mind and know you’re just there to have a good time, you’ll enjoy these books. I found it hard to figure out who the contract killer could be among the array of cops, but loved how it was all revealed at the end. So satisfying!
What are you reading?
I am THRILLED that you loved Go as a River! It made my best books of the year list the year I read it (which I think was last year). I feel like the cover kind of gives it a disservice and some are put off by the fact that it’s historical fiction. That’s not a genre I am pulled to but I am glad I gave it a chance. I also love that this was a debut novel by a woman in her 50s!
I finished “Just For the Summer” which is the 2nd book by Jimenez that I have read this month. I really like her books since they are set in the Twin Cities (or at least these 2 were). Then last night I finished “Colton Gentry’s Third Act” (in the middle of the night, might I add? Ugh steroids). It was another great romance! Now I will read After Annie by Anna Quindlen.
I usually don’t listen to audiobook but I should try to listen to “Listen for the Lie.” I know NGS loved the audiobook, too!
I love a good historical romance and I just adored this one. I didn’t know it was a debut by a woman in her 50s – how cool!
I finished Just for the Summer today – it was fantastic! I had a little bit of trouble with the whole “mom going to prison” plot just because anything involving jail/prison triggers my anxiety, but I thought it was a unique plot! I need to add the Colton Gentry book to my TBR – I know Sarah loved it (or I think she did?) but our tastes don’t always align so I wanted another opinion.
Listen for the Lie is the best audiobook! So good. It’s the best representation of that artform that I can think of. I was so riveted by it, although whatever the message you are talking about clearly passed me by.
I was mostly talking about the sexual/physical aggression against women that Lucy dealt with – both from her husband and from other guys in her life. There has been more chatter about how women have to just accept a guy’s advances because it’s easier than pushing them away because who knows HOW a guy will react?! I’ve BEEN THERE and it sucks. But sometimes you just accept the sexual advances in order to stay safe. It’s a very common thing you have to be aware of dating these days, and I appreciated the way the author dealt with it.
I loved Listen for the Lie too … I need to do it again in Audio – they say its great with the podcast feel
I tried the first FInaly book & had to stop – it wasnt vibing with me – but I think i was in a weird mood. I need to try it again.
Listen for the Lie was so very good on audio! Maybe reread it in a few years with the audio.
Finlay Donovan is not for everyone! You have to be in the right headspace for it because it’s all a bit ridiculous, lol.
I am currently reading Bird By Bird and I love it. I just finished What My Bones Know which I think you read, but I can’t remember your take on it. I found it quite fascinating, although the first part was extremely difficult to read. I really found it thoughtful, all the discussion on intergenerational trauma.
Here is where I admit my unpopular opinion: Go As A River was a DNS for me. So many people have loved it, but a) it’s historical fiction which I find tricky, it has to be REALLY good, b) it was comped to Where The Crawdads Sing which I disliked. But I did get it out of the library, but I kept putting off reading it, and then I thought I’d do that thing where I’d kind of glimpse in the book and see if I was intrigued, and I wasn’t. I’m sorry! I know it’s beloved. But it just wasn’t for me right now – who knows, maybe some other time!
I haven’t read What My Bones Know but it’s on my TBR. I bought a physical copy of the book because I just felt certain that I was going to want it in print.
LOVED Bird by Bird!
Go as a River does have Crawdads vibes, but I loved that book so it worked for me.
I’m going to check a couple of these out, thank you! Right now I’m listening to When We Believed in Mermaids, which I am loving. So many of my blog friends post about their books, though, I don’t remember who recommended it.
Glad you are enjoying the books. I think I recommended it.
Tobia, yes, you did! I went back and looked. Also looked here on Stephany’s blog, and she recommended it as well. I’m glad because I enjoyed it.
I loved When We Believed in Mermaids! I read it sometime last year and it was such a wonderful read.
Oh so many good books again. I added the first two. I usually don’t read many thrillers but Engie and you gave LISTEN FOR THE LIE five stars. I hope my library has the audiobook.
I put the same one on hold at my library, but it’s a 13 week wait. By the time I get it, my comment will be ‘I don’t know who suggested this one…’
I have a very complicated but fool proof system of tracking who suggested a books so I am rather save I’d say… but you never know. Sometimes a book pops at at different places at the same time and then I am confused too.
There was a long wait at the library for me, too! It went by fast, though, so hopefully the same holds true for you!
The audiobook is SO GOOD so I hope you’re able to get it from the library. Fingers crossed!
Go as a River was beautiful but so so sad. My friend Val recommended it to me and I asked her if she was in her sad girl book phase or something (she confirmed yes LOL).
I’m so glad you liked Listen for the Lie! I forgot how funny and sassy Lucy was. And have forgotten the message of the book. Where is my brain?
I finished my audio book and Kindle book yesterday so I get to choose something new tonight! I’m so excited! I have The Husbands on Kindle and Planes, Trains, and All the Feels on audio!
I’m reading Listen for the Lie right now and really enjoying it. I’m only about 100 pages in, but after reading your review I’m even more excited about it. I know everyone says to listen to the audiobook, but I’m liking the print version just fine.