The Minotaur Sampler, Volume 22 (NetGalley ARC, pub 8/25)

The Minotaur Sampler, Volume 22 by K. Westbury; HP Ryan; V. VanSickle; M. Fredericks; R. Wilding; S. Paretsky with K. Holt (Editor) (NetGalley ARC, pub 8/25) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This included the first few chapters of 6 books: The Oxford Guide to Scandal and Lies - I already had an ARC so this preview confirmed that I’m looking forward to reading it. Mother Daughter Sister Stranger - too much thriller/suspense vibes for my preference, but an interesting setup. Mystic and the Missing Girl - not something that would have interested me from the description, but I liked the preview enough that I requested a copy. Murder on 34th Street - historical mystery but make it holiday-themed too, yep I grabbed a copy of this one too. Cherry - three women trapped in obsession and infatuation. The opener was too graphic, the story is trying to do too much, the vibe did not feel right for my taste. Bad Company - I am a fan of the retired ex-spy gets pulled back in for one last job genre, but I’m mixed on whether to request an ARC since the opening chapters didn’t grab me as much as I’d like. TBD whether I’ll pursue this one. Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for the ARC.

Killer Vibes by Jack Friday (NetGalley ARC, pub 7/14)

Killer Vibes by Jack Friday (NetGalley ARC, pub 7/14) ⭐⭐⭐ My feelings were mixed about this book. The storyline picked up around midway and was engaging, but I could not connect with the main character. Some of the descriptions were crude and/or gory. I get that the character was a stoner, but I didn't want to read over and over about each new blunt he rolled. The writing was generally good, but it felt like the author wanted to hammer the same themes over and over in lieu of actual character development. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC.

Fundamentals of Flavor by Nik Sharma (NetGalley ARC, pub 9/22)

Fundamentals of Flavor by Nik Sharma (NetGalley ARC, pub 9/22) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I knew a bit about Sharma but I actually found his backstory at the start of the book quite fascinating. The book is organized around the four elements of fire, earth, air and water. While a lot of the scientific explanations went over my head, the ingredient combinations look delicious (a combination of classic and original pairings), and the recipes are more accessible than I expected. Some of the recipes that caught my eye included: Caramelized Shallot + Feta-Labneh Dip; Grilled Sweet Potato, Red Onion + Halloumi Salad; Grilled Nectarines with Bulgur Salad + Hazelnut Aillade; Yellow Curry Pork Chops with Citrus; Basque Cheesecake with Salted Date Caramel Sauce; Baked Beet + Sweet Potato Chips with Za’atar; Roasted Asparagus with Orange-Miso Dressing; Tomato Couscous Soup; and Salmon with Buttermilk-Dressed Apple-Pecan Salad. This book offers a wide range of techniques and layers of flavor. Thank you to NetGalley and Chronicle Books for the ARC.

Beatrix Potter’s Botanical The Art of Flowers and Fungi by Marta McDowell (NetGalley ARC, pub date 10/13/26)

Beatrix Potter’s Botanical The Art of Flowers and Fungi by Marta McDowell (NetGalley ARC, pub date 10/13/26) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I had no idea Beatrix Potter's artistic range, as shown by the variety of sketches and paintings in this collection. The animals, of course, are the best known and so darling, but I really enjoyed seeing all of the botanicals and backstories featured in this book. How lovely to have sprawling gardens for inspiration. But always, Peter Rabbit has my heart. Thank you to NetGalley and Timber Press for the ARC.

Tsubaki Stationery Store by Ito Ogawa (NetGalley ARC, pub 7/7)

Tsubaki Stationery Store by Ito Ogawa (NetGalley ARC, pub 7/7) ⭐⭐⭐⭐ This is a story about found family, the art of letter-writing, and stationery supplies. The book is not very plot-driven and very slow moving - it focused more on characters and a sense of place, with seasonal rituals and traditions and odd townspeople. It was a contemplative, soothing read. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Everything Was Beautiful and Nothing Hurt by Ben Reeves (NetGalley ARC, pub 7/7)

Everything Was Beautiful and Nothing Hurt by Ben Reeves (NetGalley ARC, pub 7/7) ⭐⭐⭐💫This was both beautiful and painful to read. The formatting of the dialogue was unfortunately very frustrating, and in some ways the stories felt repetitive. I ended up skimming some sections since I couldn’t commit to reading the full book closely. I did read the note at the end and appreciated the life-affirming message. Thank you to NetGalley and Avid Reader Press for the ARC. 

The Top of the World by Ethan Joella (NetGalley ARC, pub 6/30)

The Top of the World by Ethan Joella (NetGalley ARC, pub 6/30) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I finished this a couple days after the publication date because I needed to take my time with it. If you can embrace the sadness, it is a really beautiful story. But yes, it made me cry multiple times. It is the kind of book that makes you reflect on the goodness and beauty in life, and that you want to hug at the end.

Mysterious Affair of Judith Potts (Marlow #5) by Robert Thorogood (NetGalley ARC, pub 7/7)

 Mysterious Affair of Judith Potts (Marlow #5) by Robert Thorogood (NetGalley ARC, pub 7/7) ⭐⭐⭐💫 It was fun to be reunited with these characters, but the storyline confused me for a chunk of the book. It felt a bit more campy than mysterious at times, but I liked how things tied together at the end of the book. I saw some pieces coming, and some surprised me. Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC.

Echoes of Infamy (Bishop & Gallagher #3) by Shana Steinberg (NetGalley ARC, pub 5/26)

Echoes of Infamy (Bishop & Gallagher #3) by Shana Steinberg (NetGalley ARC, pub 5/26) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I just discovered this series and eagerly read the first two books before starting the ARC of this book. I think these are a great example of the historical mystery genre and I have enjoyed getting to know the characters and the way the author juxtaposes historical events and social issues. This book was no exception, picking up on the lives of Evelyn and Nick as newlyweds tackling a new case and challenges at Bishop Aeronautics. This book explored the experiences of veterans, the treatment of Japanese Americans during and after the war, Hoover's FBI and the Lavender scare, and the challenges of poverty and family cycles of violence. While these themes may sound grim, I found their treatment and the gentle and multifaceted treatment of characters to be quite uplifting. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Dolly All the Time by Annabel Monaghan (NetGalley ARC, pub 5/26)

Dolly All the Time by Annabel Monaghan (NetGalley ARC, pub 5/26) ⭐⭐⭐⭐ I was a little unsure about this book at first but I really appreciated getting to see the growth of the two main characters as well as that of those around them. I enjoyed the setting (the flowers, the gardens, the fancy dresses) and the effervescent summer romance vibes. It felt like a good balance of light and heavy themes and offered more depth than the typical summer romance. Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam for the ARC.

The Chowder House Murder by Lee Hollis (NetGalley ARC, pub 5/26)

The Chowder House Murder by Lee Hollis (NetGalley ARC, pub 5/26) 3.5 stars. This book struck a nice balance between lighthearted cozy and characters with a little substance. Since it's the first in the series, the number of characters that were being introduced felt a little overwhelming and sometimes spread the stories a little thin. It initially read as very fluffy but then the storyline deepened and was quite enjoyable. I have been craving a bowl of clam chowder since I started the book, and would very much like to plan a visit to Maine! Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the ARC.

Food is a Feeling by Carla Lalli

Food is a Feeling by Carla Lalli ⭐⭐⭐ This book started with an emotional wallop of the author describing her first night alone during a divorce. And as I kept reading, I realized this book couldn’t device if it was a divorce memoir or a cookbook. I guess I went into this expecting more of a cookbook as I own and enjoy one of her earlier books, but the narrative sections caught me by surprise and was trying hard for resilience but often felt like a bummer. Some of the recipes looked appealing, but some felt more like just vibes (e.g. cereal and milk, seltzer and fresca, etc.). Thank you to NetGalley and Clarkson Potter for the ARC.

The Shippers by Katherine Center (NetGalley ARC, pub 5/19)

The Shippers by Katherine Center (NetGalley ARC, pub 5/19) ⭐⭐⭐ This was my fifth Katherine Center novel, and unfortunately not my one of my favorites. The writing for the first half of the book felt rather manic and wacky. It had that jubilant bouncy style, but cranked up a few too many notches for my taste. I found the female main character annoying and was unconvinced by the repeated statements that she was brilliant. For the last third of the book, the story hit its stride and had more of the elements I’ve enjoyed in her other books, but this one felt more cloying than sweet.

The Anniversary by Alex Finlay (NetGalley ARC, pub 5/12)

The Anniversary by Alex Finlay (NetGalley ARC, pub 5/12) ⭐⭐⭐⭐ I took a chance on this book after reading a Minotaur sampler preview. I am usually wary of anything labeled thriller, but this one focused more on character development than gory details. I appreciated getting to see the two main characters mature over time as their lives intersected and the book created a strong sense of place. I read half the book in one sitting, and finished it on May 1, the anniversary day. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for the ARC.

Good Joy, Bad Joy by Mikki Brammer (NetGalley ARC, pub 5/5)

 Good Joy, Bad Joy by Mikki Brammer (NetGalley ARC, pub 5/5) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I didn't take this book immediately, but once I did, I was all in. You know those times when you are out doing other things, but you just want to get home to read your book? That's how I felt with this book. Much like Brammer's previous book, Collected Regrets of Clover, this book was a warm hug mixed with some real reflection on the human experience and the wisdom that comes with age. It confronted real challenges but always with humor and warmth. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC.

The Last Mandarin by Louise Penny and Mellissa Fung (NetGalley ARC, pub 5/12)

The Last Mandarin by Louise Penny and Mellissa Fung (NetGalley ARC, pub 5/12) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This book proved to a very propulsive thriller, with plenty of danger and suspense without being gruesome (a reason I am often wary of thrillers). I wasn't sure how this would flow having two authors, but it didn't feel disjointed and particularly in some of the descriptions near the end I could sense Penny's familiar voice. Many of the themes felt eerily timely which added a layer of realism. I found some of the characters annoying but appreciated their evolution throughout the novel. Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for the ARC.

Cozy Case Files, Volume 27 (NetGalley ARC, pub 4/21)

Cozy Case Files, Volume 27 (NetGalley ARC, pub 4/21) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I enjoyed this mix of familiar and new to me authors. Two that caught my eye were authors I haven’t read before with Dungeons and Danger (a historian dies during a Viking festival) and Purranormal Activity (the start of a cat-themed mystery). I also enjoyed the wide range of professions among the female sleuths across each of the stories. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Mother Tongue by Sara Novic (NetGalley ARC, pub 5/5)

Mother Tongue by Sara Novic (NetGalley ARC, pub 5/5) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This book is beautifully written and reads as part memoir, part non-fiction. I was familiar with most of the themes since I subscribe to Novic's newsletter and follow her on Instagram. I appreciated the exploration of deaf culture, history, disability rights, eugenics, adoption, identity, and the meaning of language and language deprivation. I think in some ways the book being labeled a memoir did it a disservice, since it was put together in chronological order as many readers might expect. and because it created a sense that the author was holding back. When read as a book of non-fiction inclusive of the meaningful lived experience of the author, it is a much more enjoyable experience. Although there was no surprise ending to anticipate, I read this book quickly and eagerly. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC.

A Perpetual Journal Practice by Lara Call Gastinger (NetGalley ARC, pub 6/23)

A Perpetual Journal Practice by Lara Call Gastinger (NetGalley ARC, pub 6/23) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ There is so much to learn and observe in nature. The book is filled with many beautiful drawings over the course of a year. I particularly liked the butterflies and mushrooms. I appreciated who she walks you through how to select and observe a plant for your journal and to start with focusing on a small section of whatever you are trying to render. I also really liked the options described in “other approaches” for different journaling styles like color studies and dissections. The book concludes with examples from other artists who I’ve now started following. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I, Spy by L.M. Kemp (NetGalley ARC, pub 5/5)

I, Spy by L.M. Kemp (NetGalley ARC, pub 5/5) ⭐⭐⭐ This was a fun romp but the pacing felt uneven. The beginning was exciting, then it slowed down significantly and leaned heavy on exposition, then had some exciting sections followed by slowness again and then wrapped things up by the end. Perhaps this was embedded in the storyline (former spy now a mother) but it made the reading experience a little bumpy. I think the story might feel more interesting or relatable to parents, I was in it for the espionage component. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.