The Inmate

 
“The Inmate” by Freida McFadden
Published by Poisoned Pen Press
 
Freida McFadden got me again!  I changed my mind a few times during this one but did not get it 100% correct.  Obviously, I can’t say which aspects of the story I guessed correctly because it would ruin it.  Just know I recommend it and if you have the time, you can read it in one sitting – it’s quick and short.
 
Finished 5/26/24 – 4/5 stars
 
#theinmate #freidamcfadden #poisonedpenpress #2024reads #lynnsbookreviews

The Last Time I Saw Paris

 
“The Last Time I Saw Paris” by Lynn Sheene
Published by Berkley Books
 
This is a great rainy day read or a lazy vacation day read.  Just cuddle up and get taken away to Paris.  Granted, it was during WW II so not all romance, great food, and beautiful scenery.  But there are a number of characters to love and some to dislike as well.  Unfortunately, there were parts of the storyline I just didn’t enjoy as much, especially the last page.  Overall, it was a good book though and I would recommend it.
 
Finished 5/25/24 – 3/5 stars
 
#lynnsheene #berkleybooks #2024reads #lynnsbookreviews
 

Moloka'i

 

“Moloka’i” by Alan Brennert
Published by St Martin’s Press
 
I absolutely LOVED this historical fiction – it is the first book in a long time to have me reading with tears running down my cheeks as I finished it.  That is how engrossed in the story I was.  I also learned so much about Hawaii’s past and the Hawaiian culture.
 
This story takes place over a span of 79 years, centered around the life of a young girl sent to be quarantined in a leper community on one of the islands in Hawaii.  It is assumed that people are simply sent there to die but the way the community comes together to support each other through life’s challenges (and endings) is so heartwarming.  They become one another’s new ‘ohana (family).
 
Finished 5/24/24 – 5/5 stars
 
#Molokai #alanbrennert #stmartinspress #5starreads #2024reads #lynnsbookreviews

 

“The Giver of Stars” by Jojo Moyes
Published by Pamela Dorman Books (Viking)
 
I received this book almost 5 years ago so didn’t remember what it was about when I finally picked it to read.  I was so excited to find out early on that I would be reading about a traveling library in rural Kentucky!  And with it written by Jojo Moyes, I knew I would enjoy it.  And I did.  The setting is beautiful and the strong female characters are greatly entertaining, to say the least.  The main reason I couldn’t give it a 5 is because the final chapter is a little too sappy with its individual closer for all.  Overall though, it was a great read and I recommend it.
 
Finished 5/21/24 – 4/5 stars
 
#thegiverofstars #jojomoyes #pameladormanbooks #vikingbooks #bookofthemonth #2024reads #lynnsbookreviews

Leave Me

 

“Leave Me” by Gayle Forman
Published by Algonquin Books
 
When you hear “overworked and underappreciated” most people think of it as related to a job but it can definitely be said about parenthood as well.  I know I felt that way at times as a mother of two, but I would have never dreamed of walking away from my kids.  Husband yes (and did), but never my girls.  But that’s exactly what this main character does.  After suffering a heart attack at a young age, she finds herself needing to run away to heal herself – physically, mentally, and emotionally. 
 
I really enjoyed how the author told this story.  She could have easily turned this into a male bashing kind of chick-lit, but didn’t.  She took the high road and made it more about the inner healing of the female character than the events that sent her running.
 
Finished 5/18/24 – 4/5 stars
 
#leaveme #gayleforman #algonquinbooks #2024reads #lynnsbookreviews

If You Would Have Told Me

 

“If You Would Have Told Me” by John Stamos
Published by MacMillian Audio
 
I greatly enjoyed listening to John Stamos read to me.  Afterall, I was one of those teenagers watching General Hospital with a poster of him on my bedroom wall.  Who didn’t love “Blackie”?  I didn’t watch much Full House when it originally came out, but I did watch it with my own kids when they were growing up.  Who didn’t love “Uncle Jessie”?  It was fun going down memory lane listening to this book.
 
Side note – if you are getting ready to marry your own Disney princess, John has the perfect wedding vows to use for inspiration to write your own.
 
Finished 5/7/24 – 4/5 stars
 
#ifyouwouldhavetoldme #johnstamos #macmillianaudio #2024reads #lynnsbookreviews

Miss Morgan's Book Brigage

 

“Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade” by Janet Skeslien Charles
Published by Atria Books
 
I love historical fiction because I always learn something new while enjoying my favorite hobby.  Not only did I not know about these women keeping libraries and reading alive during the rebuilding of France after WWI, neither did the author until she was researching to write “The Paris Library” (a 5-star read for me).  I’m glad their story is getting out, even if it is fictionalized. I loved the characters and storyline but overall, the book fell flat for me.  I think there needed to be more depth to it.  I still recommend it, it’s just not as good as her other book.
 
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the complimentary copy of this book.  As always, the opinions expressed within this review are completely my own.
 
Finished 5/5/24 – 3/5 stars
 
#missmorgansbookbrigade #janetskesliencharles #atriabooks #simonandschuster #netgalley #2024reads #lynnsbookreviews