February 2022 Novel Ideas: 19 Quick Lit Reviews

The Magnolia Palace by Fiona Davis

I’ve been big on Gilded Age era books recently, so I knew I would love reading about the Frick family and their gorgeous mansion built in that time frame. The bonus was that this dual-timeline story also featured a missing pink diamond!

The story of Helen Frick and her assistant at a formative time in Helen’s life that coincides with Magnolia Diamond’s disappearance is riveting. As is the later timeline, told 50 years later, when a model and a Frick Museum intern are locked in the mansion overnight and on the hunt for the missing diamond.

I couldn’t put this story down. It might be my first Fiona Davis, but it won’t be my last!

The Light of Days by Judy Batalion

This harrowing non-fiction book tells the stories of the Jewish female resistance members during WW2. These women have not been given nearly enough attention for their bravery, fearlessness, and sacrifice.

As Batalion explores the different experience each female operative goes through during the war, I had tears streaming down my face. The sheer gall of these women was inspiring to me, especially in light of the danger they were in if caught out.

I picked this up during International Holocaust day and I couldn’t put it down. A must-read for those looking for courage in the face of hatred.

Lockdown on London Lane by Beth Reekles

This story is so adorable! It’s Love Actually, Quarantine edition. It’s not a scary pandemic read AT ALL. Instead it’s an interwoven tale of various couples stuck together for a week long lock down.

There is a group of bachelorettes, a new couple who have only shown their good sides to each other, an established couple struggling, a man separated from his girlfriend, and my personal favorite – a one-night stand turned week long visit.

Charming and hysterical, this book lifted my spirits and had me laughing out loud.

The Last Grand Duchess by Bryn Turnbull

I love stories about the Romanov Dynasty. Ever since I saw a collection of Fabrege eggs when I was a child, the story of the last members of the Russian Imperial family have always fascinated me.

This historical fiction story revolves around eldest daughter, Olga. It’s dual timeline switches between the family’s life after the revolution and Olga’s childhood and the events that lead to the revolution in the first place.

We all know how this tragic story ends, so this book is all about the journey. I love that Turnbull focused on a sister other than Anastasia. It was quite well done and a great one for historical fiction fans!

The Lady Tempts an Heir by Harper St. George

The third book in the historical romance series that is giving me the gilded age book vibes I’ve been craving since watching the new HBO series.

Max, the heir to the Crenshaw fortune, is being forced to marry or risk his sister’s newest project. He decided to enter into a fake engagement with Lady Helena that turns into a lust-fueled relationship.

I loved the push-and-pull of their hearts and heads. We know where this historical romance novel is ending, but the journey was oh-so-good.

Truth and Other Lies by Maggie Smith

Three women’s lives become interlinked when the journalist Megan returns home to Chicago. She moves in with her republican mother, who is running for office, and starts working for her liberal journalist icon.

Soon she’s navigating the dark underbelly of journalism, hidden internet trolls, and political rivalries. The story was compelling, but the writing wasn’t great. I never felt like the story hooked me.

And the ending, while realistic, wasn’t as satisfying that I wanted.

The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot by Marianne Cronin

GET READY TO UGLY CRY. This book wrecked me. This is the story of 17-year-old Lenni, who has terminal cancer, and her art partner, 83-year-old heart patient Margot.

They connect at the end of Lenni’s life in the hospital art therapy room where they decided to paint a picture for every year of their combined 100 years.

While painting their picture, we get to learn about their lives before their illnesses and witness an incredible bond form. The ripple effects of their bond and friendship took my breath away numerous times.

Truly one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. This one needs to go on our list of books to emotionally wreck you.

The Ringmaster’s Wife by Kristy Cambron

I will always have a soft spot for the circus so this novel picked me up when I needed it. The dual timeline is set 25 years apart about two different women at the center of the circus.

In the turn-of-the-century story, we get to meet Mable, the woman who will eventually become John Ringling’s wife. 25 years later, Rosamund is considering leaving her life as an English Lady behind to join the famous Ringling brother’s circus.

I loved when the women’s stories eventually intertwined. If you are looking for a circus historical fiction book, check this one out!

One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle

Rebecca Serle has done it again with this book. Katy’s mother, Carol, has died and left Katy to take their trip to Positano alone. When Katy leaves she is uncertain about everything and whether she will retun to her marriage.

Then, the impossible happens, Carol appears at Katy’s hotel. She is in perfect health and thirty years old. She is not the woman Katy thought she new. As she gets to know her mother, she realizes more about herself. Beautifully written and a must read.

Hook, Line and Sinker by Tessa Bailey

This is such a cute romance. Fox Thorton is a player who has never had a relationship. The last thing he needs is to fall for his best friend, Hannah, while trying to help her get her crush. And to make matters worse, she has moved into his spare room for the next few weeks while she is filming a movie.

I wish there was a soundtrack to go with this book. It was such a cute and quick read.

With Love from London by Sarah Jio

I loved this book about a librarian who inherits a bookshop from her estranged mother. When Valentina was a teenager, her beloved mother left her to return home to her native London and never returned. Val was left heartbroken with her father.

Now, Val has returned to London to her mothers apartment and bookshop to try and understand her mother, her life and why she would leave. The change could not have come at a better time for Valentina who is going through a divorce of her own. This book was such an easy and wonderful read. Thank you so much to Ballantine for my copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Yerba Buena by Nina LaCour

This is a beautifully written book about two women, their pasts, their stories, and their journey toward each other. Sara runs away from home at 16 after her best friend dies, leaving her brother behind. Emily is unable to find direction in her life as she jumps from major to major in school and from job to job.

This novel is a slow build that is very character driven. I enjoyed the writing and the last half of the book flew by.

By Any Other Name by Lauren Kate

What is there not to love about this book? Lanie is an editor and is given the chance to work with her idol- THE Noa Callaway. Noa is late on her next manuscript and Lanie has to help her with her writers block. That shouldn’t be a problem- even if nobody has met Noa in person.

This romance was so much fun to read. Any book about books gets extra points and this one check even more boxes with the light and fin story that was easy to read.

Starry-Eyed Love by Helena Hunting

I read the first book in this series last summer and I loved it. There is something about these sisters and the Spark Hotel that is so easy to read.

London Spark will do anything for her sisters, including some sides of the business that do not come easily to her. When a huge company wants to meet with London for a partnership, she cannot say no. When the CEO turns out to be a man that London turned down for a date, things become more complicated

Find me by Alafair Burke

Hope Miller has been living in a small town in New Jersey for the last 15 years since an accident left her with amnesia. She cannot remember who she was and anything about her prior life.

When Hope decides to move, her best friend, Lindsay, worries constantly. When Hope stops returning phone calls, Lindsay is frantic.

I liked this psychological thriller that had a few twists I was not expecting.

Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson

A Read With Jenna Pick for February 2022

I absolutely loved this contemporary fiction which is a story about love, family, and acceptance. It captured me from the first page with the story and the writing.

When Eleanor Bennett dies, she leaves a voice recording for her two children Benny and Byron. She wants to tell them things about her life that she could not say when she was alive.

While listening to their mother’s story, Byron and Benny learn about their mother, their family, and themselves. They try to piece their relationship back together. The novel looks at everyone’s life in the present and in the past, but in its essence, is a book about motherhood.

There is a secondary character who is also a professional swimmer, making this a perfect story for our books about women in sports.

The Corpse Flower by Anne Mette Hancock

Heloise is a journalist who is caught in a scandal when one of her sources lied in a major news story. Now, we has started to get letters in the mail from a women named Anna Kiel who is wanted for murder. Anna has disappeared without a trace until the letters start to appear and Heloise realizes Anna knows more about her then she should.

Heloise is forced to confront a past that she wanted to leave behind. This book is perfect for fans of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. ***Trigger warning*** This book mentions child exploitation and abuse.

Five Tuesdays in Winter by Lily King

This group of short stories was a quick listen. Each story was filled with detail and each could have been a novel on its own. I liked the stories but, I found them to be the opposite of feel good which was difficult for me.

Kamila Knows Best by Farah Heron

This Bollywood retelling of Jane Austen’s Emma is a sweet and easy to read book that brings Emma to life in a whole new way.

Kamila Hussain lives with her dad and is trying to keep him healthy after a few health scares. She works with him at an accounting firm and spends her free time volunteering with animals and matchmaking.

When her secret nemesis comes back to town, her world is turned upside down.