Miss Julia Knows a Thing or Two by Ann B. Ross

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

For long time readers, this book might satisfy you...for the time being. I am a long time reader, though I have not read every book by Ms. Ross. This book entertained me but I had issues that had me skimming certain parts. Yes, this book is about Mildred and her woes, (and I sure did want to smack her and repeatedly smack Tonya) however, it was even more about Etta Mae and the possible purchase of a business - so there were pages and pages of Etta Mae whining and Miss Julia finagling a deal. No mystery in this book. so don't expect one. I did happen to think that there was a mystery going on with Mildred and her husband, but...

The Miss Julia series is ranked on Amazon:

#244 in Women's Detective Fiction
#412 in Women's Crime Fiction


This is also a holiday book (Christmas) though it didn't seem too Christmasy.

We still had Miss Julia's hidden snark, her bustling essential goodness, and her very astute brain -so all is well.

*ARC supplied by the publisher.


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Synopsis:
"The delightful new installment of the beloved and New York Times bestselling Miss Julia series
Miss Julia has decided to turn over a new leaf -- it's time to stop meddling in other peoples' lives. But her hands are full before long! Mildred is sent into a tizzy when a grandchild she's never met shows up on her doorstop. With her husband fighting a mysterious illness, she's all on her own. Meanwhile, Etta Mae is worried about losing her job now that the retirement care center is closing. Luckily Miss Julia has experience dealing with children dropped on doorsteps, and sweeps in to lend a hand. But there's something just a bit strange about the child, and Miss Julia can't quite put her finger on what it is.
As always, hijinks ensue as Ann B. Ross delivers this delightful and entertaining installment in her bestselling Miss Julia series."

Promises of Tomorrow (Walnut Creek #4.5) by Shelley Shepard Gray

Promises of Tomorrow by Shelley Shepard Gray

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This novella is part of a series and I suggest you do not read this unless you've read the other books first. Because I had not read any of the others I was totally clueless, yet it did have something about it that made me keep reading and thinking that I may go and buy the first couple of books.

This series seems to deal with a past member of this group that has committed suicide - so if that may be a trigger to you - beware.

*ARC supplied by the publisher.


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"From the New York Times bestselling author of The Patient One and the “skilled storyteller who reminds the reader through her characters that faith can help us survive the ups and downs in life” (RT Book Reviews) comes a warm-hearted and charming enovella.
Two years after her older brother Andy’s death, Ella and her parents are still struggling. When a couple of Andy’s childhood friends realize that Ella spent the previous Christmas alone, they decide to make this year’s holiday better. They start stopping by Ella’s home, bringing with them stories about Andy and their love for him. Meanwhile, Ella finds herself spending more and more time with one of the friend’s siblings, who just happens to be waiting for his own Christmas miracle.
With Shelley Shepard Gray’s signature “thought-provoking, emotional” (Patricia Davids, USA TODAY bestselling author) prose, Promises of Tomorrow is an evocative and moving story of love, friendship, and faith."

Thin Girls by Diana Clarke

Thin Girls by Diana Clarke

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

2.5

This book will most likely become one of the most important books of this summer. This is an adult novel that wants to be a teen or YA novel -and if I had a teen who wanted to read this book, I would definitely want to read this along with her so I could answer any questions she had.

So why then did I rate it so low? Because it can pull too many triggers, for example: eating disorders, self-abuse, lesbianism, dysfunctional families, foul language (although in context), bullies, and abusive relationships. It was deep, dark, and tried, in my opinion, too hard to be literary and clever.

*ARC supplied by the publisher.


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"A dark, edgy, voice-driven literary debut novel about twin sisters that explores body image and queerness as well as toxic diet culture and the power of sisterhood, love, and lifelong friendships, written by a talented protégé of Roxane Gay.

Rose and Lily Winters are twins, as close as the bond implies; they feel each other’s emotions, taste what the other is feeling. Like most young women, they’ve struggled with their bodies and food since childhood, and high school finds them turning to food—or not—to battle the waves of insecurity and the yearning for popularity. But their connection can be as destructive as it is supportive, a yin to yang. when Rose stops eating, Lily starts—consuming everything Rose won’t or can’t.

Within a few years, Rose is about to mark her one-year anniversary in a rehabilitation facility for anorexics. Lily, her sole visitor, is the only thing tethering her to a normal life.

But Lily is struggling, too. A kindergarten teacher, she dates abusive men, including a student’s married father, in search of the close yet complicated companionship she lost when she became separated from Rose. 

When Lily joins a cult diet group led by a social media faux feminist, whose eating plan consists of consuming questionable non-caloric foods, Rose senses that Lily needs her help. With her sister’s life in jeopardy, Rose must find a way to rescue her—and perhaps, save herself.

Illuminating some of the most fraught and common issues confronting women, Thin Girls is a powerful, emotionally resonant story, beautifully told, that will keep you turning the pages to the gratifying, hopeful end."

Big Summer: A Novel by Jennifer Weiner

Big Summer: A Novel by Jennifer Weiner

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

 I will say that this was a good but slightly depressing book for the first 2/3 of the book (fat-shaming, bullying, stuff that when I went to school 45 years ago we didn't have to put up with on this level.) with a lot of terrible behavior on the females part. Surprisingly it turns into a very good mystery for about the last 1/3 that I didn't see coming.

This book also gives those who aren't familiar with all types of social media (like me) a look into what they are missing -in my opinion, we aren't missing all that much! There is some deep talk about how the constant use of phones, apps, Instagram, and whatnot are making us less able for us to behave one-on-one with an actual person! I know, I know -it's a new world!

I did enjoy this book enough to add this to my comfort read shelf and that means it will be a go-to read when I need something I know I'm going to like.

*ARC supplied by the publisher.


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"The #1 New York Times bestselling author of the “nothing short of brilliant” (People) Mrs. Everything returns with an unforgettable novel about friendship and forgiveness set during a disastrous wedding on picturesque Cape Cod.
Six years after the fight that ended their friendship, Daphne Berg is shocked when Drue Cavanaugh walks back into her life, looking as lovely and successful as ever, with a massive favor to ask. Daphne hasn’t spoken one word to Drue in all this time—she doesn’t even hate-follow her ex-best friend on social media—so when Drue asks if she will be her maid-of-honor at the society wedding of the summer, Daphne is rightfully speechless.
Drue was always the one who had everything—except the ability to hold onto friends. Meanwhile, Daphne’s no longer the same self-effacing sidekick she was back in high school. She’s built a life that she loves, including a growing career as a plus-size Instagram influencer. Letting glamorous, seductive Drue back into her life is risky, but it comes with an invitation to spend a weekend in a waterfront Cape Cod mansion. When Drue begs and pleads and dangles the prospect of cute single guys, Daphne finds herself powerless as ever to resist her friend’s siren song.
A sparkling novel about the complexities of female friendship, the pitfalls of living out loud and online, and the resilience of the human heart, Big Summer is a witty, moving story about family, friendship, and figuring out what matters most."