March 2022 Novel Ideas: 28 Quick Lit Reviews

The Suite Spot by Trish Dollar

This charming story was an absolute delight. I fell in love with Rachel and Mason and their friends-to-lovers story.

Rachel’s little girl is a delight too and I like that the conflict in the romance wasn’t about Mason and Rachel’s relationship so much as something that had to do with Rachel as a single mom.

This sweet story is perfect for a quiet moment of reading; preferably rocking on a swing in the backyard at dusk with twinkle lights overhead.

What the Fireflies Knew by Kai Harris

Wow. This powerful coming-of-age story takes place over the summer that KB turns 11 and moves in with her grandfather for a few months. While her mother is off seeking treatment, KB is still grappling with the recent loss of her father to opioid addiction.

As she tries to acclimate to her new surroundings, she meets cousins, learns to connect with grandpa, deals with racism for the first time, and watches her sister grow further from her as she becomes a teen.

KB was a powerful narrator and Harris’s talent is evident in the way she wrote KB’s voice. I look forward to reading more from Kai Harris in the future.

Woman on Fire by Lisa Barr

Buckle up for a stunning story in Lisa Barr’s newest book, Woman on Fire. Jules, an ambitious investigative journalist, is working on a story about a piece of art that was stolen by the Nazis during WWII. 

But she’s not the only one looking to track down Woman on Fire. Margaux, a gallerist and art thief, also wants to get her hands on the painting.

As we learn the origins of the painting and the many hands it switched to over the years, we also discover the dark underbelly of the art world. 

I was ENTHRALLED. I’ll be putting this on every must-read list we do this year. It was thrilling and informative. Buy it now, thank me later.

Vladimir by Julia May Jones

Vladimir is the hot new professor at a rural college. A recent literary success, he quickly becomes the obsession of a 58-year-old tenured female professor at the same school.

Said professor is our narrator and her inner dialogue was expertly crafted. She’s on the edge of scandal after her husband is accused of multiple affairs with students prior to those types of relationships being banned.

She knew about these affairs, had some of her own even, but she doesn’t want to be caught up in the fall-out. Instead, she fixates on Vladimir, a man 20 years her junior.

The subjects this dark academia novel explores are expertly navigated by Jonas, whose gifts as a writer shine in this debut. I would love to discuss this one with my book club!

The Appeal by Janice Hallett

I was utterly charmed by this unique murder mystery! The premise is great – a detective duo has been given a stack of correspondence (text and emails) and asked to read through and determine who was murdered, why, and who was was wrongly accused.

Of course we readers get to come along for the ride – reading their post-it notes or texts to each other as they try to solve the mystery. I was desperately trying to solve it along with them but I was stumped!

The ending was truly shocking and the many twists and turns had me flying through the story. I read part of it and listened to part. Both formats make for a wonderful experience! This is one I’ll be recommending for years to come!

Bloomsbury Girls by Natalie Jenner

I loved this book set in a bookstore! Taking place just after WWII, the women of Bloomsbury Books are struggling to make their own way in the changing world.

We get to see alternating narrators, one of which was in Jenner’s first book, The Jane Austen Society. Each of the 3 females in the story is striving for their dreams and interacting with some of the most famous literary figures of their day!

I squealed with delight when Daphne Du Maurier appeared on the page, but you’ll see Peggy Guggenheim, Ellen Doubleday, and more scattered throughout this charming tale.

To Marry and To Meddle by Martha Waters

Lady Emily and Lord Julian have come to an arrangement. He needs a wife to help his theater appear more legitimate in the eyes of society, she needs to escape the strain of living under her parent’s thumb.

So they decided on a quick wedding whilst staying with friends in the country. But when they get back to London, Julian realizes he might not want the perfect wife and Emily might just want to explore her freedom by finding her backbone.

Adorable and charming, this historical romance novel is perfect for our books like Bridgerton book list.

Portrait of a Thief by Grace D. Li

Billed as Ocean’s 11 meets The Farewell, I found myself most closely comparing it to The Italian Job and I LOVED IT.

5 college students is hired by a Beijing art company to steal back relics stolen from the Old Summer Palace by colonists and now on display in famous museums the world over.

Each person brings their own talents (getaway driver, hacker, art historian, etc.) and their own dreams of what the life-changing sum they’ve been offered can mean for themselves and their immigrant families.

While it might sound frivolous, it’s actually a novel about art with a more emotional vein running beneath. One of longing to fit in, the struggle of straddling two worlds, and the quest for individual and collective identity as Chinese-Americans.

Nobody Gets Out Alive by Leigh Newman

This collection of short stories left me in awe of the women of Alaska… how they balance everyday life and problems with the brilliant and deadly force of the nature they live in.

From a many-times widowed woman trying to sell her home to a clairvoyant whose dealing with a new landlord and dwindling clients, each story highlighted a different fierce female protagonist with grit.

The Alaskan wilderness is not for me, but this set of stories sure is.

Patron Saint of Second Chances by Christine Simon

The mayor of the Italian town needs money to repair the town’s pipes, so he hatches a plot to drum up business in town by saying a famous movie star is coming to make a movie.

The next thing he knows, he’s having to make an actual movie starring the locals with no experience and the craziest script while keeping up the ruse that the celebrity is coming.

I laughed so hard at scenes in this comedic feel-good book that I woke up my sleeping husband. This was a charming book set in Italy and the perfect vacation read. It is a five star contemporary fiction book.

The Tsarina’s Daughter by Ellen Alpsten

I’ve been enthralled with the Romanovs since I saw my first Faberge egg. While most of my reading has focused on the falling of the dynasty, I was intrigued by this story set after the reign of Peter the Great.

It was FASCINATING to see the cultural backdrop of Russia’s imperial court. I loved learning about the court intrigue and the ruthless way power changed hands. Royal reads about Russia are so much different that books about English royalty!

The Honeybee Emeralds by Amy Tector

I loved this charming contemporary fiction tale about a famed emerald necklace found in the basement of a Parisian magazine. Soon, the writers from the magazine are trying to track down the origins of the gorgeous necklace.

As we learn about the necklace passing from one owner to the next, the mystery of the jewels unravels along with the lives of the writers looking for its secrets.

Compulsively readable, I adored all the various aspects of this debut jewelry novel. I look forward to finding out what else Amy Tector can do. It was an easy pick for books set in Paris.

Just Kids by Patti Smith

The life Patti Smith has led is truly astounding. I was in awe of her gumption and ability to make it as an artist. Her book depicts her time at the beginning of her career, how she slept on the streets, met her long-time lover and friend, and how her career really began.

Her life as an artist is so different than the life I crave that I felt almost voyeuristic in her shoes. She’s a gifted writer, among other talents, so the words were almost a long poem or song. A must-read for fans of the 70s. This book won the National Book Award in 2010.

The behind-the-scenes look at the life of a rock star in the 70s was fascinating and reminded us so much of Daisy Jones we couldn’t help but wonder if some of Daisy’s character was based on Patti. We had to include this book in a list of books like Daisy Jones and the Six.

The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

I knew I had to read this YA mystery series after it was compared to one of my favorite middle-grade mystery books, The Westing Game.

In this story, Avery, a poor orphan is told she’s just inherited a billionaire’s fortune. His family is determined to get to the money, but Avery has bigger fish to fry – the riddles and puzzles the deceased Tobias Hawthorne left behind for her to solve. As she teams up with unlikely allies, she’s forced to figure out who is a friend or foe.

I flew through this story and can’t wait to get my hands on the rest of the trilogy!

So, That Got Weird by Amelia Kingston

The premise of this college romance story was ridiculous but unputdownable. A rich, virgin, gaming girl pays the hot college football star to be her sex tutor.

INSANE but charming as hell. This opposites-attract love story was a fast read that had me gasping out loud quite a few times. It’s escapist reading that hits the spot.

The Love of My Life by Rosie Walsh

March 2022 Good Morning America Book Club Pick

I was swept away by this marvelous story. Emma and Leo’s love story seems to be one of romantic legend. They have a charming daughter, Emma has just beaten cancer, and they have a wonderful life.

But soon Leo is discovering secrets from Emma’s past that don’t add up to the life Emma has described to him all these years. As readers, we see Leo trying to uncover who his wife really is and Emma trying to prevent him from doing just that.

This book was not what I was expecting but I can’t stop thinking about it. The twists and turns had me second-guessing so much of what I had read. It’s a story of love, strength, mystery, and secrets. An absolute must-read.

All Lined Up by Cora Carmack

The first in a series starring the football players of Rusk University, we get the charming story of the coach’s daughter and her backup quarterback’s love interest.

Dallas hates football and has sworn to never date a football player again. Carson needs to impress the coach in order to earn a football scholarship, so romantic entanglements are not on the table. Until they meet each other and their chemistry can’t be contained.

This steamy story made our list of steamy college romance novels.

In A Garden Burning Gold by Rory Power

This is the first book in a fantasy duopoly that will leave you ready for the next book. Rhea and Lexos are twins born to a family that has ruled for centuries using magic and paints the stars, changes the seasons, and can cause death by uttering a name.

Their father is a tyrant who has a tedious grip on his power and no willingness to accept it. Rhea and Lexos are trying to keep the family together but magic, lies, and deceit will take their toll.

The writing in this book is so vivid, the plot is fast-paced and the descriptions of magic feel the same as those in The Night Circus. This book was hard to put down.

Still Life by Sarah Winman

I read and loved Sarah Winman’s last book, Tin Man. I was hoping I would love this book as well, but unfortunately, that was not the case. I started and stopped and restarted this book numerous times. Each time, I hoped that I would be in a better place to enjoy the beautiful writing. It never happened.

This is a saga that spans many years of individuals, their lives, and how they came together to make a family. The writing is prosaic and beautiful but, I felt like the name of the book was a little too apt. The plotline was “still” and moved too slowly for me.

The Younger Wife By Sally Hepworth

There is something about Sally Hepworth’s books that deliver suspense in the perfect way. She does not follow a formula that makes each book such a fun reading experience. I loved this book that was so unexpected in its plot.

Stephen is getting married again to Heather, an interior designer the same age as his daughter. His two daughters are appalled- especially since he is still married to his first wife who is in a long-term care facility with dementia. Rachel and Tully each have their own secrets and with their mother unable to remember or defend herself, finding out the truth may be impossible.

The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake

There are so many twists and turns to this dark academia fantasy, I am not sure where to begin. I do know that I will be reading the next book!

The Alexandrian Society members are the guardians of knowledge from the greatest civilizations that have ever existed. Six of the most brilliant magical academicians are chosen every decade. Five will go on the secure a life filled with all the wealth and power they could dream of.

When the candidates of this decade are chosen, they each have powerful abilities that could lead to greatness or destruction. When the society may not be everything it appears, will they have to knowledge and the ability to recognize it before it is too late?

Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics by Dolly Parton

This audiobook is performed by Dolly Parton as she weaves the story of her life with her music. She tells the stories behind her most famous songs and also gives insight into her history.

https://amzn.to/3NJGtASDolly Parton is an amazing woman who is a huge advocate for literacy. She talks a little bit about her Imagination Library which is a book gifting program that mails free books to children from birth through age 5. To date, this library, which started in 1995, has mailed more than one million books!

The Wedding Veil by Kirsty Woodson Harvey

Kirsty Woodson Harvey has done it again with this novel about 4 women and the wedding veil that has shaped their lives. I loved this book, the witty characters and their growth, as well as the mystery behind the wedding veil.

In Present day, Julia Baxter is engaged and feeling the pressure of wearing the wedding veil gifted by a stranger on a train in the 1930’s that has brought good luck to her family for three generations. She panics and with the help of her grandmother, she runs away from her wedding.

in 1914 Edith Vanderbilt is at a loss after her beloved husband died and is struggling to manage the massive Biltmore estate. She is torn between honoring the life and dreams of her husband and the huge financial burden of running the estate.

The Ballerinas by Rachel Kapelke-Dale

Delphine has returned to the Paris Opera Ballet thirteen years after she abandoned her place as a soloist with the company. Now, she is trying to spring her career forward as a choreographer. She thinks that she will resumer her friendships with Margaux and Lindsay, but there are secrets from their past that can ruin everything.

This is not only a story about the physical and emotional toll of a ballet dancer, it is also a story about the power of female friendships, love, and the dangers of keeping secrets.

A Brush With Love by Mazey Eddings

Harper has worked so hard over the past three years to get into the best oral surgery program in the country. She will not let anyone or anything stand in her way. When she crashes into Dan, a first-year dental student, everything changes. Despite being determined to stay “just friends”, Harper is finding that harder every day.

I enjoyed this book. There are detailed descriptions of Harper’s anxiety which at times is completely debilitating. I liked the fact that this book looks at anxiety and depression as a part of these characters without glossing over the realities. Some of the plot points seemed too convenient.

Welcome to the Neighborhood by Lisa Roe

Ginny is a down-to-earth, single mom who moves into a very posh suburb of New Jersey with her quirky daughter Harri when she gets married to an amazing man. She is so excited to be able to give Harri the things she never could before.

When she meets the other women in the neighborhood, she is unsure how to proceed. When her new husband takes a job overseas and leaves her with these Real Housewives, Ginny starts to question her choices.

Love Decoded by Jennifer Yen (Review by Hayden

A high school student named Gigi is from a rich Asian Family whose grandmother does matchmaking. She is interested in coding but the family wants her to matchmake and stay close to home. Gigi wants to do more than her parents expect from her. She decides to win the app competition by making an app to meet new people.

Gigi makes poor choices throughout the story and never fully takes responsibility for her mistakes.

While some of the characters were very developed, I felt that some of the other characters fell flat. There were parts of the story that were great but other parts that were too convenient. This was a quick enjoyable read.

The Book of Magic by Alice Hoffman

This is the last book in the Practical Magic Series and it might be my favorite one yet. The Owens family has been cursed for over three hundred years. When Jet Owens hears the deathwatch beetle chirping, she knows she will die and is determined to break the curse once and for all before the seven days is up.

As the curse begins to take its toll on one more victim, the Owens family comes together to confront their past, uncover the truth, and end the curse for them all. I loved this conclusion to the series. It left me feeling good with no unanswered questions and true to Hoffman’s style, was a page-turner until the final word.

The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix

This horror definitely lives up to its title of Goodreads Choice Best Horror Novel. Somehow Grady Hendrix brings humor into his horrors that makes you simultaneously want to turn the page and slam the book shut.

Lynette is one of a group of final girls in a support group with 5 other girls for over a decade. They are trying to live their lives after being the only survivor of a massacre. When someone starts killing these girls one by one, can they survive again?

Why Not Me? by Mindy Kaling

I always thought that Mindy Kaling was hilarious. I am not a huge memoir enthusiast but I was excited to listen to this one. Mindy’s personal voice in her quest to find happiness and be secure with who she is was a really refreshing voice to listen to. She is honest, funny and relatable. And like any good comedian, self-deprecating but not in a “poor- me” kind of way.

I enjoyed this memoir and if you get a chance to listen, it makes it that much more enjoyable.