Tag: book-reviews

Girls Trip by Jason Letts

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)3 Comments

Is there such a thing as too many twists… too many turns? Yes. ~Sheila

Alice, Taylor and Emily are fairly new co-workers. On a whim, they decide to plan a girls trip over Labor Day Weekend. This is a chance to blow off some steam and get to know each other better.
Staying at a quaint little cabin in a small town in Texas, at first things appear to be shaping up nicely.
But – appearances can be false.

With a strange host with his cabin attached to their rental, a sense right from the start that they are being watched, a strange encounter at the local bar, and the constant changes to the cabin entry pad, – the girls can not tell if they are being messed with by the host or if they are in real danger.


Honestly – the book had my attention at the title Girls Trip. Who doesn’t love a good girls trip? I was all to soon disenchanted with the unlovable protagonists. As there was no real bonding moment in the book where as a reader you get to know the characters, they were hard to get a read on and IMO never really fully character developed for me to care one way or another about any of them. The continuous twists and turns that often led nowhere or were left to chase another direction – I found the book confusing and for the most part lost interest early on – but wanted to finish to see what really happened.

In the end – it was still not a fit for me. I love a good phycological thriller but this was a goose chase of a read with I am certain, good intentions that missed the mark.

Any one read this? Thoughts?

The Women by Kristin Hannah

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)9 Comments

Never… NEVER hesitate to read a book by Kristin Hannah ~Sheila

It’s 1965 and it is a changing world. Frankie McGrath is well aware of the Vietnam War. Her brother is serving and her father is proud of his son and all the men fighting their country. But Frankie can not just sit idly by, and when she finds her chance -to do something to join the Army Nurse Corp, she does not hesitate to make the decision that changes her life – for both better and for worse, forever.

I stand by my statement – if you only have room for one book this summer… this is the book. I don’t know why I hesitate when it comes to books that center around war… but I do. While I love a Kristin Hannah book, admittedly this theme gave me pause. It was a little buzz from friends (when did I become such a follower lol) that assured me it so much more than about war – that I dug in.

So – it is all about the Vietnam War… and it isn’t. It’s also about life after the war, and its also (refreshingly so) about the unsung heroes of the war, our medical team that patched up the boys, talked them through surgeries, lost limbs, minor to major bruises, and held their hands as they died. Going a step further – many of these people serving in the makeshift hospitals were women.

I flew through this book on audio – listening every chance I had – while cooking, cleaning, mowing the lawn, driving… it’s beautifully written with just the right amount of history sprinkled through to remind us of those who served, those who suffered, what it was like to return to a world that once was yours but now is different, and how we adjust and survive and not always in the most elegant ways.

HIGHLY recommended. Five Shiny Stars.

Other books I have reviewed by Kristin Hannah:

The Four Winds

Distant Shores

Mystic Lake

Home Front

Winter Garden

Between Sisters

Firefly Lane

The Most Fun We Ever Had by Claire Lombardo

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Set in Chicago, Marilyn and David fell madly in love in the 70’s. Together they raise 4 daughters that turn out to be completely different from each other.

Wendy, widowed, lives on the edge, using her looks and booze to ger what she wants.. or what she thinks she wants.

Violet once an attorney and now a stay at home mom, finds reason for doubt and anxiety at every turn.

Liza a Professor is pregnant with a baby she is not sure she wants with a man she is pretty sure she does not love.

And Grace, the youngest of the four, living a lie that no would ever suspect.

And when 15 year old Jonah Bendt enters the picture – having ties to the family that no one knew…. things get ever more twisted as the family that finds joy in the moments takes a look at what they missed.

“Everyone thinks I know what I’m doing but I actually have no idea what I’m doing and that’s the cruelest trick the universe plays on people who have their shit together, little one; the people who seem like they have it together are the most overlooked, because everyone thinks those people never need anything, but everyone needs things; I need things; thanks for listening.” ~Violet


This is one of those books I wanted to love. Thought I was going to love. I was excited to see the book be picked by Reese Witherspoon, and excited to hear the hype around the book. As one of our 2024 Wine and Words authors it just added to the “Must Read”.
And don’t get me wrong – it is a good book, and it is a family that you will enjoy diving into and learning more about. There are definitely moments in the book I loved.

Overall for myself, too many characters to keep track of – too much going on and that honestly is just my preference. Sometimes books read at certain times are not the best fit. I would honestly call it that a time when life is busy and sinking deep into a book that required a bit of work was not a great fit for the time.

The Bookies Book Club ready this book for May 2024 and turns out – many of them felt the same. The overall book club rating 3.34 out of 5 most stating the too many characters to follow.

Of course – would love to hear others opinions 🙂

Gone Tonight by Sarah Pekkanen

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)2 Comments

I’m not sure when the twisty turny double WOW’s began in books but I sure do love them. ~Sheila

Catherine, 24, finds her mom to be an enigma. Ruth speaks little of her past. She keeps to herself, nothing that really makes her stand out – and honestly, Catherine never really has given it much thought beyond feeling this was normal. The fact that she doesn.t know anything about her father? Well… that can be normal too.

Ruth is anything but ordinary. She may seem like someone who lives a quiet life but no one really knows what she hides of her past… what she fears of the future… and what keeps her awake at night in the present.

Well… almost no one knows..

As Catherine prepares to move to start her career in Baltimore, she finds out her mom may be in the early stages of Alzheimer’s. Immediately concerned, Catherine changes her plans to be there for her mother. While looking into their past for clues if this is hereditary, Catherine unearths more than she bargained for…

Leaving her questioning everything.

It was…. juicy good. I like a good twisty mystery.. what I like even more are the books that are doubley twisty… you know the ones… when you think you know…and maybe you do know… but wait!

There’s more!

It has been a fun journey to read Pekkanen for years from her early books to now and see how her writing has changed and become even more addicting. I find myself waiting for what she will do next! A good read!

The Guncle by Steven Rowley

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)4 Comments

A sweet read about love, loss and courage
~Sheila

Patrick and Sara met in College and became close friends, almost inseparable. Sara was the first person to tell Patrick her would be famous some day…. She called Patrick out and while his attraction to her was in a sisterly way… he loved her all the same.

As years went on and Patrick did indeed become famous, and Sara fell in love and married Patrick’s brother, the two friends while still close… drifted with Patrick’s crazy schedule and Sara raising her two children. When Sara became sick, Patrick felt he had time to go and see her and vowed to do so….
and then it was too late.

When Patrick goes to the funeral he is asked a big favor from his brother, to watch his niece Maisie (9), and his nephew Grant (6) for a while as things are sorted out.

Thus begins an interesting summer, Patrick know to the kids as Guncle (Gay Uncle) has no idea how to entertain two children, especially two children that has just lost their mother – and his lifestyle is not exactly set up for young houseguests….

But a summer of togetherness may be just what is needed on both sides as the three go through changes, heartbreak, and rebuilding together.



I first heard about The Guncle on line when social media scrolling (don’t pretend you don’t do that…. ;P)
After coming off two heavy reads I was looking for something fun and lite and immediately secured myself a copy of The Guncle.
It checked the boxed I needed checked.
Lite, funny and heartwarming is the best way I can describe this book. You can see the relationship that Patrick and Sara had built the foundation of all those years ago come forth in what could be a very true situation.
Author, Steven Rowley does a wonderful job of capturing the essence of the children’s resilience and questions during a hard time. Don’t over think it, if you are looking for a sweet read – pick up The Guncle.

Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult

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Picoult never ceases to amaze, Wish You Were Here caught my totally by surprise in all the right ways. ~Sheila

Diana and Finn are moving forward in their relationship and their careers. Diana works in the auctioning of art, and Finn is a Surgical resident. As the couple prepare for a wonderful vacation in the Galápagos, Diana knows Finn is about to pop the question and can think of no better setting.

The days before they are planned to leave, a virus breaks out that brings the world to its knees. Finn finds out it is all hands on deck at the hospital and no one is approved to leave. He encourages Diana to use her ticket and at least get a chance to get away from whatever is going on. Hesitantly, Diana agrees.

The vacation of course is no where near as planned. Between harsh remarks and looks from the locals towards Diana for coming from an area that the virus is heavy so she can be “on vacation”, poor to no cell service, and the surprise that stores and restaurants are closed. As the island goes on lockdown, Diana finds that she can not get back to Finn even when her vacation is over.

As she makes a few friends, and learns the way of a slower paced life, Diana finds she has time to think more of the life she was creating, her relationship with her mother who is in memory care – and wondering if when she returns to Finn, will she be the same person that he knew.

This was my first fictional read centered around the COVID/a virus outbreak. Well, unless you count Year One by Nora Roberts which is just freaky as her book was written before we even knew what COVID was.

The book started out a little paced, the beginning feeling a bit slow for me, and basically about a woman questioning her decision to get on that plane in the first place. It’s definitely different than anything I read by Picoult before and I found myself not really getting the point of this being book worthy.

It’s not the first time I made a decision on a book too soon….

Let me say this. Hold on to your brain cells because Picoult is once again going to blow you away with a remarkable twist that as it was revealed I really found myself saying….. Whoaaa….No…. way.

Worth the read? You bet. I’m sure there are thousands of fictional reads out there about the pandemic (either the one we lived through, or a made up one). The way this book handles a couple of BIG topics and shows a side of the pandemic that I never considered in nothing less than brilliant.

Do yourself a favor and pick this book up today or enjoy it on audio.

The Inmate by Freida McFadden

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)1 Comment
McFadden has a way with creating a twist time and again that you think you know what’s going to happen…. but you really have no idea. ~Sheila

Brooke Sullivan is still wondering if taking the job as Nurse Practitioner at the Men’s Maximum Security Prison was the right decision. Sure, it was going to pay the bills, and it is going to help to build a better life for herself and her 10 year old son….
But old memories resurface when she runs into an old friend from school. Not only do they share a past, but they also share the night that Brooke was almost killed by her boyfriend, who just so happens to be in the very prison that Brooke is now working.

Yes… I have been on a McFadden kick. This is the 3rd one this month and this one, only because I realized I had already downloaded it and you know… why not? This one may be my least favorite of the three. Brooke’s decision to work where the man who attempted to kill her as well as be in situations where they are in a room together doesn’t fit for me. Too many things we have to suspend disbelief
1) This Maximum Security Prison did not do a back ground check on Brooke’s past? Wouldn’t knowing an inmate personally and in this way be a deal breaker?
2) Brooke’s consistent naivety in trusting and making poor decisions
3) Shane was put in prison when Brooke could not even identify him – she claims several times she never saw her attacker

Throughout this whole book I felt that the author was being too predictable…. I was sure I had the answer and was just waiting to hear how it would all come together… and then…

I was McFaddened.
The way this book came together was a WHOA….. wait… WHAT???? The ending was actually pretty crazy and I had no idea.
While an impressive ending, even right up to the end Brooke was making crazy half assumptions and I just… could not.

I will most likely read this author again. At Book Club last night several of the girls had read others by her and we overall found her books to be engaging, entertaining, and average reads.

Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)6 Comments

Occasionally one can forget how amazing an author is until they dive into another of their books… Picoult once again takes me into a world that I swear I come out better on the other side of the pages. ~Sheila

Olivia McAfee is a strong woman. When the man she loved turned out to have a side that endangered not only herself, but her son Asher as well, she leaves. When her father passed away, she makes the move back to New Hampshire and takes over his Beekeeping Business. And when Asher is accused of killing his high school girlfriend, she stands by her son… even when unwanted doubts creep in….

You never know how strong you are… until being strong is your only choice. ~Bob Marley

I went into this read only knowing that it is getting rave reviews, and something something about bee keeping… which fun fact… I know a little about from a friend who has a Bee Business and an adventure I took with her in the fall of 2014….

Of course, if you read this book… you know it is about WAY MORE than bees and honey… but honestly, the parallels of the bee keeping story line that is woven within the pages is brilliant… I learned more about bees – and more about people.

Mad Honey may very well be the best book I have read so far this year. Jodi Picoult, along with co-author Jennifer Finney Boylan, created an incredible read that gave me so much more than I thought it would. The book reminded me how much I enjoy Jodi Picoult’s ability to bring hard topics to life and give you a well-rounded perspective of all sides. This partnership with Boylan, I am certain only enhanced the story.

For me, definitely a book I did not want to put down, I felt as though I was waiting right along with the rest of those within the pages to hear the outcome, myself wavering on what I believed happened…. hoping for the best – fearing the worst… and even when you think you know… Do you really?

Highly recommended… as mentioned – Picoult is known for taking on tough topics (Nineteen Minutes) – sadly looking at my review that I wrote in 2008 does not do that book justice and may be due for a re-read.
Give Mad Honey a chance and be sure to let me know if you do and what you thought!
Full on 5 star from me… for so many reasons.

~Sheila

The Co Worker by Frieda McFadden

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Enjoyably twisted…. just the way I like them. ~Sheila

Dawn Schiff is high level functioning autistic (IMO). She does her job well. She is beyond punctual. She has a love of turtles. She notices things others wish she wouldn’t. She struggles with friendships of any kind.

When the day comes that Dawn does not arrive at work with no phone call stating she is ill… co worker Natalie Farrell is quick to notice and find it odd. As clues begin to fall into place – a startling realization does as well… Dawn has met with foul play – and there are more than a few clues that point right at Natalie and its up to Natalie to clear her name – if she can.

This is my second book I have read by McFadden. Honestly, I read it right after my first book by her (The Teacher) which I read for book club and wanted a more well rounded idea of who McFadden is as an author, rather than basing my opinion on one book.

I believe, while the writing style is similar and I get a real sense of her style of twists and turns, I like this one a bit more than the previous one. Perhaps the subject matter was a little more user-friendly… and of course, my personal opinion. The Co-Worker was a good read with plenty of happenings and twists to keep me guessing until the end. Definitely a lighter mystery, it never felt dark or made me think too hard or struggle to keep track of the main characters.

Enjoyable? yes
Size? About perfect – on audio I like a good 7 to 11-hour commitment unless I know I am in for a real treat and then I am happy to go longer. Book size – standard.

Recommended? McFadden feels like an author everyone should give a try. I have seen a lot of positive thoughts on her books from fellow readers.

The Teacher by Freida MCFADDEN

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Addie is returning to high school with the weight of the world on her shoulders. Last year, she was part of a student/teacher scandal that resulted in the teacher losing his job. Addie swears she did nothing wrong, however teenagers can be fickle and her once friends now eye her suspiciously and other than making trouble for her, have nothing to do with her.

Eve and Nate are both teachers at this high school. She is a math teacher and he works with poetry. Both have her Addie in their classes – Eve suspiciously keeps an eye on this troubled girl knowing she was the cause of her fellow teacher losing his job, Nate on the other hand, finds Addie to be full of compassion and hurt – all things that make for a good writer.

But can Addie be trusted? What really happened? And if happened once… couldn’t it happen again?

This was my first McFadden book. I was excited to read this as I have seen excellent reviews on this author through trusted fellow reviewers and friends. When our book club nominated this for our April read I was excited to put my vote on this choice.

After reading a series of heavier books, this came as a welcomed easier read. I listened to this on audio and enjoyed the narration by Leslie Howard and Danny Montooth, they flowed well with the story line, so well, that when they switch you do not event notice as it is all part of the story.

I enjoyed the book – although if you read it, you might find that a strange choice of words – but you know what I mean. I did feel that there was a point that was leading to a big plot discovery that I felt this was all going to be a ploy by the author to get us to think one way and shock us with another. Admittedly, I was a little disappointed when instead, it was not a ploy and felt a little like the easy route.

Final over all thoughts – the book did not disappoint. There are twists and turns that keep you turning the page because no matter how you feel about this book, you do want to know how it all comes together…. and that my friends does give me the “WHOA…” I was looking for.

Overall rating by me… a solid 3 (average). I will read her again as I am now curious as what else she brings to the table. There are some elements I plan to bring to the Book Club discussion and food. ;P