No Matter What by Cara Bastone (★★★★☆ 1/2)
Print • Owned (Book of the Month) • Contemporary Romance • 2026
Short synopsis: After a traumatic accident threatens the foundations of their happy marriage, a couple tries to rebuild and find their way back to each other—and themselves—in this tender, slow-burn romance.
When I started reading this book, I was convinced that, for the first time, Cara Bastone had written a dud. I thought this was going to be one of those books where I’m screaming, “Just talk to each other, goddammit!” And, for the first few chapters, that’s definitely how I felt. I was so frustrated by Roz and Vin and their inability to communicate. I chose to trust this author who has never let me down, and in doing so, she rewarded me with a gorgeous book about trauma, love, and finding your way back to each other. Roz and Vin’s love story is so beautiful, and I think the way the author showcased how a traumatic event can truly upend the foundation of your life was really special. I wanted these two to make it work more than anything because it was so obvious they loved each other, but they were just both drowning in PTSD. My only real qualm with the novel is that Roz never goes to therapy. She doesn’t even seem to recognize that what she’s experiencing is PTSD. Maybe I’m being a little unfair, but…girl. Go to therapy. You’re dealing with something incredibly difficult. As a millennial woman living in New York City, I found it hard to believe that going to therapy when her marriage is in peril never really crossed her mind.
The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon (★★★★☆)
Print • Owned (Barnes & Noble) • Historical Fiction • 2023
Short synopsis: When a respected man accused of rape is found frozen to death in the river, midwife Martha Ballard is called to examine the body. As she begins investigating what others insist was an accident, she uncovers secrets that threaten her family, her reputation, and her community.
I had such an interesting experience with this book. It took me a long time to read it (nearly two weeks) because it’s long and dense. I considered abandoning it, but there was something about Martha (and her relationship with her husband, Ephraim) that kept me invested. It wasn’t necessarily the plot that kept me going, but it was Martha. She was such a fully formed character, someone who was so easy to root for. I kept reading because I needed to know everything would turn out okay for this brilliant woman. I’m astounded by the depth of research Lawhon must have done to bring this story to life. Small details—like the fines imposed on women who had children out of wedlock—are woven throughout the novel, creating a vivid picture of life in late eighteenth-century America. The birthing scenes were difficult to read, but also beautifully written and highlighted the incredible strength of women who endured childbirth again and again. This is the kind of book I want to recommend to everyone, with the caveat that it’s not a quick read, but definitely worth your time if you love a good historical fiction novel.
The Midnight Show by Lee Kelly and Jennifer Marie Thorne (★★★☆☆ 1/2)
Audiobook • Spotify • Fiction • 2026
Short synopsis: An immersive, page-turning novel about surviving as a funny woman in the male-dominated world of comedy—and what happens when the most promising female star of her generation disappears.
I finished this book just a few days ago, and still, I’m kinda at a loss on how to talk about my feelings. It was… fine? It wasn’t groundbreaking or propulsive, and even the ending didn’t stand out for me. It’s an oral history about the beginnings of The Midnight Show (basically just Saturday Night Live, nothing creatively different about it) and specifically about Lillian Martin, a standout comedian who disappeared without a trace at the end of the show’s second season. I definitely recommend the audio since it’s a full cast, and oral histories are typically best in this format. That said, even at the end of the book, I still couldn’t keep all of the male comedians straight. I don’t know… maybe that was the point? The women all had distinct personalities and voices, while the men sort of blended into one big blob. Male comedians are a dime a dozen, right? Ha. Anyway, I wouldn’t necessarily say this is a bad book because it did keep my attention and I felt interested enough to keep listening. I think it could be a great choice for anyone who loves getting the behind-the-scenes details of SNL-type shows or reading books about comedians. It was just fine for me. (Recommendation source: Sarah’s Bookshelves Live)
What are you reading?
Well, you liked The Frozen River more than I did! I didn’t dislike it, but I didn’t love it either. I agree it was long and dense. The historical details were definitely fascinating, and I liked the premise. The whole time I couldn’t really put my finger on why I didn’t like it more. But I did finish it, and I’m glad I read it.
Right now I’m reading We Live Here Now by Sarah Pinborough. My husband got it for me (not sure I would have picked it out for myself). So far it’s good, but there’s a strong horror vibe, and possible ghosts, which I don’t really like. But you also don’t really know exactly what’s going on, so I’m hoping there’s a non-supernatural explanation for everything, in which case I could end up liking it a lot.
I can understand your sentiment on The Frozen River. I had such a complicated reading experience with the book, but Martha/Ephraim kept me going. And, like you, I was glad I powered through.
Fingers crossed you end up liking We Live Here Now! I’m excited to hear how it goes for you.
I want to read The Frozen River. It’s been on my TBR list because the cover intrigued me.
I just finished a mystery thriller by Lisa jewel “None of the is true”- it was excellent! A fast read that I picked off the guest book shelf in Bologna and will leave in the little library in the neighborhood.
I also just started “A Family Matter” by Claire Lynch- Read with Jenna book recommendation through my local library.
Ooh, I got None of This Is True from Book of the Month yeeears ago, and still haven’t picked it up. Your review may push me to finally do that! I’ve loved every Lisa Jewell book I’ve read.
Martha Ballard was a real person and she wrote a groundbreaking journal that was later edited by Laurel Thatcher Ulrich and published as A Midwife’s Tale. That’s probably why you felt that the character of Martha was so well developed – there is A LOT of primary source material available for Lawhon to use. I have read A Midwife’s Tale several times now and it never gets old.
I liked The Midnight Show a lot more than you did. I really did not care for the overabundance of talk about drug use, but I thought it was super interesting how the different characters each had a POV and it really changed their impressions/retelling of the story.
I should read A Midwife’s Tale – I loved Martha so much, and especially her relationship with Ephraim!
The drug use didn’t bother me in The Midnight Show (but it rarely does), but there was just something that didn’t work for me. It’s always interesting to read oral histories and see how differently people view/tell stories!
I felt the EXACT same way about The Frozen River. It was dense and long and some of it was intensely sad and frustrating, BUT it is especially incredible to me because of all the written record of her life. I automatically give a book bonus points when it draws so heavily from real events.
Yes, the fact that it was based on a real woman made the story stick with me even more! Martha was such an amazing human.
I’m nervous to try Cara Bastone because I took such exception to Ready or Not, which is the only one of hers I have read! But this sounds interesting.
Right now I’m reading Kin, and again, I was nervous because I felt like the only person alive who didn’t like An American Marriage. But I’m really enjoying it a lot! I just finished Good People, which I LOVED. Like, one of the best books ever, loved.
LOL, based on our book tastes, I would tell you to pass on any more Cara Bastone books. Her last two were a LOT different than Ready or Not, but if I loved them, it just means you probably won’t! 😉
Yay, glad you’re enjoying Kin! I also really enjoyed Good People. Look at that – we CAN have some overlap!
I liked but didn’t love Frozen River. It just really drug on for me even though the story was super interesting. I was kind of ready for it to wrap up about 100 pages sooner.
I just read ‘Little Wonder’ which is the new Oprah pick. It was great but a lot of the story is about piano/music so I am not sure if other would like it as much? It’s about a piano prodigy that gets separated from his mom in a train station in Beijing. Now I am reading ‘Night Objects’ which is giving me ‘this girl can write’ vibes. I heard it comped to God of the Woods and while it’s a different story, I can see why it’s getting comped to Liz Moore.
Night Objects! Isn’t that the book that Al Wentworth mentioned on Sarah’s Bookshelves Live, a thriller that snuck into their best books of 2026 so far? I forgot to write it down so thank you for the reminder! Adding it to my TBR.
Ooo, good to know I should be patient with No Matter What (I just got the audio from my library today). It sounds really good. I’d also be like, “girl, therapy!!!!”
The Frozen River sounds like a book my friend Val would love. I am going to ask her if she’s read it!
The Midnight Show sounds like one I would want to love but get frustrated I couldn’t keep the characters straight LOL.
I am reading Into the Blue; Good Joy, Bad Joy; and The Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge.
I loved the frozen River which I read for our book club and then it was canceled. Sad.
And I remember I flew through it. I didnt experience it as dense really but it was. a lot of information.
And I always wanted to go back and read the A Midwife’s Tale upon Engies recommendation.