The Invisible Library series by Genevieve Cogman

The Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

My librarian recommended this series to me and I fell in love with brave librarian Irene and her sexy assistant Kai. They travel through the Library to different realities and times to rescue rare books from destruction. It's totally original and unlike anything I've read before.


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What's Left Unsaid by Deborah Stone

What's Left Unsaid by Deborah   Stone
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sasha is a busy mother trying to juggle working from home, raising her teenage son, Zac, and caring for her ailing mother with dementia while her husband is always gone for work. Annie forgets and lets slip a secret to Zac about the brother he never knew he had. As he tries to uncover the truth, other deeper secrets are revealed about Annie's past, her difficult relationship with her daughter, and why Zac's father is always gone.
Throughout the book, I had a really hard time liking Annie. Sure, she had a rough childhood, but that was no excuse for the way she raised her daughter, Sasha. But at the end of the book, everything is explained that made me understand and feel compassion for her character. Zac's father Jeremy was awful though and there's no excuse for what he did to Sasha. I had a hard time getting into this book at first, but the author made the characters so relatable and real that i really wanted to find out their secrets. Thank you to Deborah Stone and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.


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The Hangman's Secret by Laura Joh Rowland

The Hangman's Secret by Laura Joh Rowland
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I didn't realize when I started this book that it was third in a series. Some of the character histories and previous events in the books were mentioned at first, but the book can still be read as a stand-alone Victorian mystery.
When the hangman is found murdered, a contest begins between the London police force and Daily World reporters to see who can solve the crime first. Crime photographer Sarah Bain and her two friends, Hugh and Mick put themselves in danger to follow the clues.
I like the author's writing style and I'm interested in reading the first two books in the series, especially the one about Jack the Ripper. The character Amelia's story sounded familiar to me because it's based on an actual serial killer in Victorian Britain. Thank you to Laura Joh Rowland, Crooked Lane Books, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.


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The Little Shop of Found Things by Paula Brackston

The Little Shop of Found Things by Paula Brackston
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Many people, while wandering through antique shops, wonder about the use of certain objects and the lives of the people that owned them before. Xanthe Westlake can actually hear certain object's pasts when they "sing" to her. While browsing a nearby auction for new items to sell in their antique shop, one antique calls so strongly to Xanthe that she has to buy it. This silver chatelaine has the frightening ability to send her back in time. To save what she loves in her own time, she has to solve a centuries old mystery and rescue a young girl from an unjust death sentence.
I love the description of this book and I was so excited to get a chance to read it. The details of the architecture, decorations, and clothing of the 17th century were wonderful and brought the story to life. The way the book ended makes me hopeful for a possible sequel or series. Thanks so much to Paula Brackston, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book.


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A Girl Divided by Ellen Lindseth

A Girl Divided by Ellen Lindseth
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Eugenia Baker is a young American woman born and raised in China by her missionary parents. She had been raised as a proper Chinese lady, sheltered and allowed no opinions of her own. So when war comes to her small village, her father sends her to safety with an American pilot he rescued and his assistant as a chaperone. Tragedy strikes on the voyage and Eugenia arrives in America with no chaperone, no money, and nowhere to stay. She suffers culture shock as she adjusts to her new freedom, getting a job, an apartment, and learning to fly an airplane. When her American relatives show up unexpectedly, Genie has to make the decision to return to her sheltered life with them, or claim her new independent American life.
I thought the story itself was good, but I had a hard time liking Genie. She was a little too naive and innocent and very judgemental of her friends and family. I like the description of the women's flying program, especially with the characters Crystal and Flo working so hard to be allowed to fly with the military alongside the men. Thanks to Ellen Lindseth and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.


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Never Be Alone by Paige Dearth

Never Be Alone by Paige Dearth
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

At first glance at the title and cover, I thought this was a thriller. Actually it's a heartbreaking portrayal of a young girl suffering horrible abuse at the hands of her foster mother and brother. When the abuse goes too far, she decides to run away and spends years living on the streets.
I love how Joon still keeps her kindness and only wants to help people after all the things she went through. I enjoyed seeing her character develop from an innocent victim to a tough, independent, caring woman.


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The Waiting Room by Emily Bleeker

The Waiting Room by Emily Bleeker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Veronica is a new mother who hasn't been able to hold her infant daughter Sophie since the tragic death of her husband. Her mother steps in to care for Sophie while Veronica undergoes therapy. Then one night her daughter disappears and Veronica becomes the number one suspect. New information is revealed as Veronica desperately searched for her daughter until the shocking ending of the story.
It's amazing what the mind will do to cope with tragedy. I admit I was judging Veronica as an awful mother in the beginning, but as I learned more of her story, my opinion started to change. I thought I had guessed the ending a few times, but there were so many twists I never saw coming. This one's a tear jerker for sure! Thank you to Emily Bleeker and NetGalley for the chance to review this book.


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