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)
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