Shelterwood by Lisa Wingate

 

Lisa Wingate has a talent of making historical fiction urgent authentic.  As she did in Before We Were Yours, she champions heroic children who find themselves in situations not of their own making, but always at their peril. In Shelterwood, those children are orphans of the Choctaw Tribe in Oklahoma. Told from dual narratives, one from 1909, in the voice of eleven-year Olive Augusta Peele, whose family has “adopted” Choctaw sisters, and the other from 1990, from Valerie Boren-Odell, a young National Park Service officer.  Because of the way the resource rich land of Oklahoma was divided among tribe members, the children were prime targets for the exploitation of early developers.  The later narrative focuses on the sacred national park services and protection of the trees and natural condition of the parks.

As she has done before, Wingate teaches her readers the obscure facts that convince us to care about these children and characters and applaud the people who worked to solve the problems.  It is a fascinating book.  

Shelterwood releases on June 4, 2024. Thanks to Ballantine and NetGalley for providing this copy for review.

The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club, by Helen Simonson

 

The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club, by Helen Simonson, is the kind of historical fiction that makes learning history not just interesting, but delightful. Contrasting the strictures of social class in post WWII England, with the upper class holding on to tradition that no longer works for anyone, especially their daughters, with a generation of women who filled all jobs while men were away fighting the war makes for built in conflict generally, but Simonson brings that conflict home with the wonderful men and women she creates.

Our protagonist, Constance Haverhill, has been orphaned and cast out from her family’s farm for no reason of her own. The rules of primogeniture meant that her brother inherited everything, and she was left to figure out how to get along on her own. Sent to the seaside as nursemaid to the matriarch of the family where her mother was in service creates an opportunity for Constance to understand her own skills and talents, even as she battles proper conduct for a young lady. When she is befriended by Poppy, an heiress in her own right, but also a believer in the power and talent of women, Constance learns that there are many gray areas when considering what is right and proper for men and women alike.

This book was captivating, endearing, frustrating and a wonderful reminder of how far we’ve come. I didn’t actually think I could enjoy a “war” book so much! Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the review copy of this excellent book. The book was released May 7, 2024.

 

The Rom-Commers

 

The Rom-Commers

I fell for Katherine Center when she introduced another author (I don’t remember that author!) at a reading. Her vivacious personality and down to earth manner, coupled with her academic background made me curious. That led me to her books, and frankly, she can’t write fast enough for me.

Katherine has a philosophy that we should read for joy, and her books let us do just that. Rom-Commers, her 2024 novel, is no exception. She creates fabulous characters, sets them in places that ignite imagination and then weaves a story with them that is one that is hard to put down.

Rom-Commers is the tale of Emma, a talented romance screen writer whose career is derailed before it gets started by family tragedy. Charlie is her screen writing hero. Even though he doesn’t write Rom Coms, she’s seen every movie he’s written for. So, when she gets the chance to “help” Charlie fix his terrible attempt at a Rom Com, she jumps at the chance.

It's a classic Rom Com…you don’t need me to tell you the ending, but the journey is fun, interesting, and educational. It’s also a lot of fun. Thanks to Katherine, St Martins and NetGalley. The book will be released June 11, 2024

Just Some Stupid Love Story by Katelyn Doyle

 

Seth and Molly were high school sweethearts, until Molly, the child of divorced parents, bolts.  By all appearances, they were the perfect couple, but because of her father’s actions surrounding her parents’ divorce, Molly has major trust issues.

Fast forward to their fifteenth high school reunion. She’s a script writer for Rom-Coms and a consummate cynic. He’s a divorce lawyer who believes in soulmates.  Seated at the same table, Seth and Molly remember their friendship, and … no spoilers here.  The book goes on to document their adorable relationship and painful break ups.  They are delightful, funny, and so messed up we don’t have any idea how it’s going to end.  All I’ll tell you is that I hated to see the book end!.

Just Some Stupid Love Story is a great read for summer, and for everyone who’s ever rekindled an old love.  It’s available now, published on June 4, 2024. Thanks to NetGalley and Flatiron Books for the review copy. I’m looking forward to more from this author!

Summers at the Saint by Mary Kay Andrews

 

Elements for a great summer novel? A lush, oceanfront setting, glamorous characters with secrets, romance, mystery and great storytelling. Summers at the Saint has them all The pink wedding cake architecture of the St Cecilia Resort, The Saint, sits on its own island off the coast of Georgia. It is the resort of choice for southern families who treasure fine food, golf, a beautiful sunset and activities for their children. But the Saint isn’t immune to tragedy. First the son of a guest drowns, leaving one of the local lifeguards, one of the “Ain’t’s” fired. A dozen years later, death visits the glamorous hotel again.

            The Saint, though, is a family business, and the interaction between the jealous family members creates complications for them all. Figuring out who is responsible for the murder, and the survival of The Saint makes this page turning the perfect summer read. Bravo Mary Kay Andrews!

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s press for the review copy. Summers at the Saint was released on May 7, 2024.