Me Before You; After You; and Still Me (Trilogy) by JoJo Moyes (2013, 2016, & 2018)

 Me Before You asks the age-old question – Do you love someone enough to let them go? Louisa Clark, 26, is living an exceedingly ordinary life. She lives at home, has a steady boyfriend, and has never ventured beyond the limits of the tiny village in which she was born. Her family members don’t expect much of her and as a result Louisa underestimates herself and her ability to secede at anything.

After Louisa finds herself unexpectedly unemployed, she takes a job as caretaker to Will Traynor, a quadriplegic bound to a wheelchair. Before his accident, Will had lived a huge life - big deals, extreme sports, worldwide travel - and now he's pretty sure he cannot live bound to a chair. Louisa accidently discovers Will had attempted suicide previously and the real purpose for her employment in to keep Will from trying again. Louisa becomes determined to help Will find a reason to continue living. Will, on the other hand is frustrate by Louisa's limited ambitions and seeks to expand her horizons.

The book provides a candid picture of the practicalities of Will's situation – the health issues, the unrelenting pain as well delving into each of the characters' reactions to the highly emotional subject of assisted dying.

This is not a book for everyone.

4.2 stars on Goodreads, 4.3 on Amazon

After You picks up 18 months after Louisa has said goodbye to Will, but she is still struggling with her grief. She now lives in London and had joined a grief support group but still living a small, comfortable life.  A freak accident leads to a new relationship and Louisa also meets Lily; the troubled teenaged daughter Will never knew he had.  Louisa’s life begins to grow as she becomes more and more involved with Lily and finds the courage to risk living and loving again.

Readers might feel the sequel lacks the same emotional punch as Me Before You, but I found it to be a compelling story.  As with its predecessor, all the characters are well developed, and one can’t help but get involved with all of them. But most of all we root for Louisa to discover the life Will wanted for her.

3.73 stars on Goodreads, 4.3 on Amazon

Still Me finds Louisa living up to the promises she made to Will.  She is living on Fifth Avenue in New York City as the personal assistant to the wife of a very wealthy and powerful man. Louisa is living large, experiencing things she never has before but she misses her boyfriend and her family back home. It is at one of the many high society events she attends that meets Joshua Ryan, a man who evokes memories of her past.

 As in the first two novels, life happens to Louisa and she is forced to start examining what she truly wants in life. By the end of the novel Louisa finally realizes all Will wanted for her was to be true to herself and not a reflection of what others want her to be. Louisa finally finds the strength and courage to be just that.

4.13 stars on Goodreads, 4.7 on Amazon

Birds of a Feather (Maisie Dobbs Mystery #2) by Jacqueline Winspear (2005)

 

Birds of a Feather is the second book in the Maisie Dobbs series.  The 16^th title, The Consequences of Fear, is expected in March 2021. No need to worry about missing the first title as this book does a great job of filling the reader in on Maisie’s extraordinary path to becoming a psychologist and private investigator in London in 1930.

Maisie and her assistant, World War I veteran Billy Beale, have been hired by a wealthy father to locate and return his runaway daughter. It soon becomes apparent this is no simple case when three of the missing heiress’s old friends are found dead. Is there a connection between the woman’s mysterious disappearance and the murders? As Maisie investigates, the narrative sheds light on the medical, economic, social, and psychological ravaging of England's society during and after WWI. In fact, the answers Maisie seeks lie in the unforgettable agony of the Great War.

Maisie’s reliance on calming the spirit and “feeling” the crime might be a bit much for some readers while others will accept it as Maisie employing all her senses in crime solving. Birds of a Feather is a worthwhile read.

3.96 stars on Goodreads, 4.6 on Amazon

The Perfect Wife by JP Delaney (2005)

 

Named One of The Best Books of The Year by The New York Public Library

A Cosmopolitan New Must-Read

Abbie awakens to learn she had been in a terrible accident five years before and was only revived now because of a huge technological breakthrough. She has no memory of who she is or was before being injured. The man at her side claims to be her husband, the founder of one of Silicon Valley’s most innovative start-ups. He tells Abbie that she is a gifted artist, an avid surfer, a loving mother to their young son, and the perfect wife. He also tells her she is a miracle of science.

As Abbie’s memory starts to return, she finds herself questioning her husband’s version of events. What really happened to Abbie five years ago? I was totally unprepared for the ending.

3.68 stars Goodreads, 4.2 Amazon

The Book of Lost Friends by Lisa Wingate (2020)

 

Inspired by historical events, List Wingate brings to life the story of three young ladies as they travel from 1875 Louisiana to Texas. Lavinia is the pampered Southern heiress, Juneau Jane is her illegitimate free-born Creole half-sister, and Hannie is Lavinia's former slave. Lavinia and Juneau Jane are both seeking their rightful inheritance and Hannie is searching for her mother and eight siblings who were sold to various individuals between the two states. The three discover the book of lost friends; ads that were placed in Southern newspapers by former slaves looking for lost family members. These ads were then read to black congregations by their preachers in hopes that members of freed slave families would recognize relatives and be reunited with them.

The Book of Lost Friends includes actual ads from this time period with some of the ads including information of family members that were reunited through the ads. 

“Colored Tennessean (Nashville), Oct. 14, 1865

 

information wanted of Caroline Dodson, who was sold from Nashville Nov. 1st 1862 by James Lumsden to Warwick, (a trader then in human beings), who carried her to Atlanta, Georgia, and she was last heard of in the sale pen of Robert Clarke, (human trader in that place), from which she was sold. Any information of her whereabouts will be thankfully received and rewarded by her mother,

 

Lucinda Lowery,

Box 1121, Nashville, Tenn.”

 In 1987 Louisiana first-year teacher Benedetta (Benny) Silva, takes a teaching job in rural Augustine, which she thinks is her ticket to canceling her large student debt. Benny is unprepared for the poverty level of her students and struggles to find a way to reach them. She is finally able to do so by having the pupils research and re-enact their ancestors.

As with all dual timeline books the stories of these four women must come together and they do so in a compelling manner. Some readers might have trouble getting into the story but those who love historical fiction from this time period will find it well worth the read.

4.22 stars on Goodreads, 4.5 on Amazon

The Secrets We Kept by Lara Prescott (2019)

 

New York Times Bestseller

A Hello Sunshine & Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

Have your read the book or seen the movie Doctor Zhivago? For those of you who are interested in the author and how the book came to be published, The Secrets We Kept will provide the answers you are seeking.

The book is based on the true story of the writing and publication of Doctor Zhivago. In Washington, D.C. two secretaries are pulled out of the typing pool at the CIA and given the task of smuggling the Doctor Zhivago manuscript out of the USSR, where the Communists wouldn’t allow its publication, and to aid in the distribution of the printed volume around the world. It is also the love story of Dr. Zhivago’s author Boris Pasternak and his mistress Olga Ivinskaya, the inspiration for Dr. Zhivago’s Lara. The story moves back and forth between the east (USSR) and the west (Washington, D.C.) which could be confusing for some readers.

3.69 stars on Goodreads, 4.2 on Amazon

Karolina's Twins (Liam Taggart & Catherine Lockhart #3) by Ronald H. Balson (2016)

 

This is the third of five books (thus far) featuring private investigator Liam Taggart and attorney Catherine Lockhart. At the beginning of each of the books the reader meets the couple's newest client and follow the case/investigation to its conclusion. In Karolina’s Twins, the client is Auschwitz survivor Lena Woodward. Lena is looking for help in keeping a promise she made to her childhood friend to find her twin girls after the war. Lena is determined to do so before she dies.

Throughout the course of the book Lena tells her story of being a Polish Jewish at the beginning of the German occupation, through the Jewish ghettos and work camps, and ending with the death march from Auschwitz. At the same time, Lena’s son Arthur, who is convinced the twins do not exist, files a lawsuit against his mother to have her declared incompetent and placed in a home. Something doesn’t ring true about this whole affair but who’s hiding what?

4.32 stars on Goodreads, 4.7 on Amazon

The Christmas Clock by Kat Martin (2009)

 

I’ll admit I was drawn to this book for two reasons –it takes place in a small Michigan town and the main character’s name is Sylvia. As I rarely see my name in print The Christmas Clock was a must read.

Christmas is the time of year for believing in miracles and happy endings and The Christmas Clock delivers. This is a heartwarming tale of love lost and found, saying goodbye and saying hello.

Three intersecting storylines are packed into the novella’s 131 pages, all revolving around a Victorian clock in the local antique store a young boy wants to buy for his ailing grandmother. Some readers might find the book too simple in its predictability while others will be looking for the nearest Kleenex box. The Christmas Clock is standard-issue sentimental holiday fare but enjoyable, nonetheless.

Kat Martin is best known for her historical fiction and romantic suspense titles. She mostly writes series’ but also has standalone titles. Her latest series, Maximum Security, features three brothers and the security business run by one of them. The first two novels in the series can be found on EPL’s shelves.

3.74 stars on Goodreads, 4.3 on Amazon

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

 

Noemí receives an alarming letter from her newlywed cousin looking for desperately help. This leads Noemí to investigate her cousins, new family, at their secluded home known as High Place. Her cousins’ new husband is a charming British man, but something doesn't sit well with Noemí, and it seems as though the husband has secrets to hide. However, Noemí is a strong-willed individual, and isn't buying his charming act.  This leads her to uncovering secrets about the house and the family that could lead to the end of her and her cousin. If you are looking for something with a dark allure during October, I highly recommend this book. 

3.77 stars on Goodreads, 4.3 on Amazon 

Oona Out of Order by Margarita Montimore (2020

 

National Bestseller

A Good Morning America Book Club Pick

If you’re looking for something different, try the quirky Oona Out of Order. It isn’t really a romance or a time travel, it’s the story of a girl and her life. But not just any girl. We first meet Oona Lockhart in 1982 at a New Year’s Eve party where, at the stroke of midnight she will turn 19. Oona’s life is perfect, she has a boyfriend she is crazy about, she plays in a band, and has a family and friends who love her, but everything is about to change.

At midnight Oona faints and wakes up in 2015 in her fifty-one-year-old body. She is greeted by a friendly stranger who seems to know her. Oona finds herself in a beautiful home she apparently owns, along with a healthy stock portfolio to support her. Oona will remain in 2015 until her next birthday when the same thing will happen again and every birthday after that. Will Oona move forward or backwards in time? Will she meet up with the people she has left behind? Oona never knows where she will land and needs to be prepared for anything.

3.88 stars on Goodreads, 4.2 on Amazon

The Song Of Achilles by Madeline Miller

 

The book takes on a modern approach to the Iliad, by transforming it into a novel versus the traditional translation of the epic poem by Homer. In this retelling Miller recounts the events of the life of Patroclus, the companion of Achilles. Patroclus is exiled from his home, where he meets Achilles in Pythia. The two become companions, and train for the events that unfold as the story progresses. Achilles is recruited for the war in Troy, and Patroclus follows.  While Achilles seeks glory in the battle, the fates have other plans for these two. I highly recommend this book if you have interest in Ancient Greece or retellings of classical text.

4.35 stars on Goodreads score, 4.5 on Amazon

Spitfire (Livy Nash Mystery #1) by M.L. Huie (2020)

 

How far would you go for vengeance?

World War II is over, and former spy Livy Nash spends her days proofreading an advice column for little ladies at home, and her nights getting drunk on black market vodka. During the war Livy was one of the toughest agents in France but everything ended when her cell was betrayed and the man she loved executed. When Livy meets the infamous Ian Fleming, she has the chance to go back to Paris as a journalist and track down the man who betrayed them all. She jumps at the opportunity. Once in Paris Livy realizes just how much the game has changed. With enemies on every corner and constantly shifting alliances, Livy must learn how to fight in this new war so she can conquer the past once and for all.

The second Livy Nash novel, Nightshade, will be available soon.

3.72 stars at Goodreads, 4.6 on Amazon

Troublemaker AND The Woman Left Behind (GO-Team 1 & 2) by Linda Howard (2016 & 2018)

 

The GO-Team is an elite paramilitary group. In Troublemaker, Morgan Yancy, an operative and team leader is ambushed and almost killed, and his supervisor, Axel McNamara, wants to know why and by whom. To keep Morgan safe, Axel sends him to his ex-stepsister Isabeau “Bo” Maran. Bo is the part-time police chief of a small West Virginia mountain town where Morgan is expected to lay low and stay vigilant. As to be expected, sparks fly between the two but when Morgan’s cover is blown, he will do whatever he has to to keep Bo safe. Bo’s dog Tricks serves as the comic relief.

3.8 stars on Goodreads, 4.2 on Amazon

Jina Modell works in Communications for the GO-Team and she is happy there. She likes the money and being able to kick terrorist butts without ever leaving the climate-controlled comfort of the control room. That changes when she is reassigned to work as an on-site drone operator in the field with the all-male teams. Jina, who hates to sweat, must learn how to run and swim for miles, jump out of a plane, and shoot a gun or else it’s the unemployment line.

Levi is the leader of Jina’s new team and is responsible for turning her into one of them. Much to everyone’s surprise Jina survives the training and the team heads to Syria on a mission. While the men are out in the field, Jina is left operating the drone from the base. The team is betrayed, and the base is destroyed. Jina must rely on her training to find her way to the exfiltration site on her own. Her team thinks she is dead, but Levi is determined to bring Jina home dead or alive.

4.10 stars on Goodreads, 4.6 on Amazon

The Girl You Left Behind by JoJo Moyes (2014)

 

Although I read this book several months ago, I can’t stop thinking about it. This is the story of Sophie Lefevre who lives in occupied France during World War I and Liv Halston in modern day London. The two women are connected by a painting of Sophie done by husband Edouard. The painting is called "The Girl You Left Behind".

While Édouard is fighting at the front the town is occupied by the Germans whom Sophie must serve every evening at her hotel. When the German Kommandant sees Sophie’s portrait he becomes obsessed with Sophie and determined to have both her and the painting for himself.

Fast forward to 2006 and the portrait hangs in the home of Liv Halston, a wedding gift from her young husband before his sudden death. After a chance encounter reveals the portrait’s true worth, a battle begins over its troubled history and Liv’s world is turned upside all over again. To whom does the painting truly belong?

3.99 stars on Goodreads, 4.6 on Amazon